"There has to be some mistake. John Carter would never do..."
"Dr. Chen, his wallet clearly shows his name. And his ID badge is from this hospital. When I asked him to get out of the river, he told me he worked here. Now, it's not exactly illegal to swim in the Chicago River, but it's not something I'd want to do. And on top of that, he's practically naked, ma'am. The only clothing he didn't leave behind were his socks and underwear." The police officer's face became rosy as he explained that to Jing-Mei.
"And just what am I supposed to do about him swimming in the Chicago River?" Jing-Mei asked. "Do you want me to jump in after him?"
"No, ma'am, not at all. But he might come back here, so we thought you should know." He looked over at his partner, then shrugged. "We'll notify all the hospitals. You *do* have a psychiatric department, don't you?"
"We do, but I can assure you that Dr. Carter is not in need of their services, officer. Thank you for stopping by," Jing-Mei firmly said as she was more than eager to get the police officers out of her ER before Kerry Weaver or Robert Romano saw them.
"Is there a problem, Dr. Chen?"
Jing-Mei turned and smiled at Kerry. "Not at all, Dr. Weaver. Everything's fine."
"Except Carter's running around in his underwear," Malik said with a snicker.
"Nope," Dave corrected. "He's swimming in it." The two men burst into laughter. A laughter that quickly died as they saw the 'I am definitely not amused' look on Kerry's face.
"Excuse me, I've got a patient waiting," Dave said as he slipped away, dragging Malik with him in an effort to keep them both out of further trouble.
Kerry looked from Jing-Mei to the police officers. "I'm Dr. Weaver, Chief of Emergency Medicine. Can I help you?"
"Uh, no, ma'am. We've already told Dr. Chen here everything you need to know. We'll be on our way now. Good day, ladies." The officers were barely out the door when Jing-Mei heard herself being summoned to the lounge.
Jing-Mei picked up John's tote bag and the plastic bag that now held his clothes then followed Kerry into the room.
"That looks like Carter's bag," Kerry commented as Jing-Mei set it down by her own locker.
"It is. The police brought it. His clothes are in the plastic bag." Jing-Mei dialed the combination for her locker and swung the door open, then shoved John's belongings in there and firmly closed the door before Kerry could ask to see them. Once Kerry heard what John had supposedly done, she would most likely suspect drug abuse and want to search his clothing and bag, and Jing-Mei wasn't going to just sit by and let that easily happen.
"And just where is Carter if this clothes and bag are here?" Kerry evenly asked.
"According to the police he's taking a swim in the Chicago River."
Kerry's eyebrows raised and she looked away from Jing-Mei. "I see. And just how do they know this?"
"He left his clothes with his bag and when he came up for air, they asked him to get out. He said that since it wasn't illegal to swim there, then he wasn't getting out. The officer then offered to bring him here to be looked over and John told him that it was okay, he worked here. Then he dove back under and that was the last they saw of him."
"They didn't go after him?" Kerry asked.
Jing-Mei pulled out a chair and sat down at the table. "They couldn't at the time, but a police boat is out patrolling the river now, looking for him. They brought John's things here since he said he worked here and his ID backed that claim."
Kerry was quiet for a moment, thinking. "Has he seemed fine to you lately?"
"He's been normal, yes," Jing-Mei replied. "I don't think he's taking drugs again, if that's what you're asking. Although...well, when he doesn't know that he's being watched, there is an odd look in his eyes. A far away look is the best way I can describe it. But he's not high."
"No," Kerry slowly nodded. "I agree with you on that. I haven't seen any signs that he's abusing narcotics again. Let's just hope he gets out of the river soon and that he has a good explanation for what he's done."
"It's not, you know." Jing-Mei blurted.
"Not what?" Kerry looked at her quizzically.
"Illegal to swim in the river. John's not breaking any laws. The police have no right to treat him as if he's a criminal."
"I wasn't aware that they had."
"They haven't yet, but they will be. If they find him, they'll treat him as if he's lost his mind, Dr. Weaver."
"Which is far different then treating him like a criminal, Jing-Mei. And for all we know, he just might have lost his mind."
"I don't believe that," Jing-Mei staunchly supported her friend.
"Neither do I," Kerry assured her. "But until we know otherwise, what else can we assume? Let me know if he shows up." Kerry left the lounge and Jing-Mei continued to sit at the table.
"John Truman Carter, what in the Hell are you up to now?" she muttered under her breath. Like Kerry, she hoped he had a good answer for his actions. A damn good answer.
*******************************
As the water grew cold around him, John decided to head back to where he had gone in. Not that he wanted to get out of the water, but he was getting cold. Surprisingly, he had no trouble swimming directly to the place where he had jumped in. His head popped through the surface and into the night air, but before he could adjust to having his head out of water a bright light was suddenly shining in his eyes.
"About time you came back, Dr. Carter," a deep voice said from nearby.
John squinted through the glare, barely able to make out the shapes of men on a boat just a few feet from where he treaded water. If it had been daylight, he would have seen the bottom of the boat on the surface and not come up right there, but the darkness of the night had hindered his vision.
"The water's getting cold," John answered. "Are my clothes still up there?" John pointed to the spot where he had climbed over the railing.
"I don't think so. I believe they took your things to County General. We can take you there, too." The voice sounded kinder now, but insistent.
"If I had my clothes here then I could just go home," John said.
"Well, you can't. It's all right, Dr. Carter. We have blankets on board, so you won't be cold once you get out of the river." The form leaned a bit over the side of the boat, lowering something. A rope ladder, John thought.
"Turn off the light. I can't see with it shining in my face," John said.
John could hear quite a bit of harsh whispering and then the light was cut off. He swam for the boat and climbed up the ladder and over the side. Once on the deck, a blanket was draped over his shoulders and a towel was pressed into his hand.
"Come with me." The deep voice said and John followed the man into a warm cabin, taking a seat that the man pointed out to him. Now that he was in a lighted room, John saw that the man was a police officer, which made sense to him. Who else would be out on the Chicago River in a boat waiting for him to surface?
"You don't seem to be showing any signs of hypothermia," The officer said, sounding surprised. He was about to say something else, but then he shook his head and reached for the thermos that sat on the table. "We'll dock soon and then I'll drive you over to the hospital," he said as he poured coffee into a styrofoam cup. "Is there anyone you'd like for us to call?"
John was running the towel over his hair and face and he shook his head. "No. My grandparents are out of town so no one is expecting me at home." He accepted the cup of coffee that was handed to him and took a deep drink of the hot liquid, feeling it start to work on his cold body. John looked down at his hands, seeing that they were wrinkled from the water -- and shaking from the cold. Strange how they hadn't seemed that way when he was swimming, he thought.
John's attention was brought back to the warm cabin when another blanket was draped over him. "You're shivering," the policeman explained.
"Thank you. I wasn't cold when I was in the water," John said. He took another sip of the coffee.
"Your body gets used to it until the water temperature changes. I'm Troy Nelson, by the way. Troy held out his hand and John shook it.
"Thanks, Officer Nelson. I appreciate the coffee and the blankets."
"It's not a problem. We're just glad you decided to come out of the water. You'd been in there for quite a long time, Dr. Carter. It's been five hours since you jumped in."
John stared numbly at Officer Nelson, shocked at how long he had been swimming. He had gone as far as he dared before turning around, but still had no idea that he had been in the water that many hours. "Wow. I never thought to check my watch."
Officer Nelson laughed. "Would it have made a difference?"
John shook his head. "Probably not. I couldn't get out of the river at any other place than where I went in. My clothes were here...or rather, they *were* here. And while it might not be against the law to swim in the Chicago River, I'm sure there are some laws about running around the city in just my skivvies. Wet skivvies at that."
"You've got a point there." Officer Nelson looked out the door. "We're pulling up to the dock now. I'm sure your friends will be glad to see you."
"Oh. They know?" John asked.
"I told you that your belongings were taken to County General," Officer Nelson gently reminded him. "They were told what happened."
"Oh," John softly repeated not sure what to think. Would they insist on drug tests, thinking he was high? A psych consult perhaps, thinking he was crazy? He'd find out soon enough, he supposed, but he hoped that there weren't any ugly scenes at the hospital. He didn't want his joy over swimming freely to be dampened by that.
****************************
"Dr. Weaver," Jing-Mei called out as she saw Kerry headed for the outside door.
"Yes?" Kerry stopped mid-stride and waited for the Chief Resident to catch up to her.
"The police called. They've got John and they're bringing him in. He'll be here in a few minutes, if you'd like to stay. I know it's late." Jing-Mei said, glancing up at the clock to confirm that it was almost midnight.
"I'm staying," Kerry turned and headed back to the lounge to put away her things. "Did they say how Carter was doing?"
"He's cold and wet, but lucid," Jing-Mei told her. "Apparently his grandparents are out of town. Should we try to call his parents?"
Kerry shook her head, remembering how futile it had been to try to get in contact with Carter's parents back when he had been stabbed. She had finally been reduced to leaving a message with the butler at his grandparent's house and the Carter family had tracked down Jack and Eleanor Carter. "We'll see how Carter's doing first."
The door opened and Dave stuck his head through the door. "They just pulled up with Carter, Chief."
"Thanks. Put him in exam one, okay?"
"Got it." The door closed as Dave went to meet Carter as he came in.
"Well, shall we go and see how our marathon swimmer is doing?" Kerry asked.
Jing-Mei nodded and followed Kerry out of the room and across to exam one, where John was carefully getting on the bed. He was wrapped in blankets but still shivering.
"Get some warming blankets in here," Kerry told Dave, "Then round up shampoo, soap, a washcloth and some towels. As soon as Carter's warm, he'll have to take a shower. The Chicago River is full of pollutants and I don't want any of that mess lingering on his skin."
"Got it, Chief." Dave left the room.
Kerry looked at the police officer who remained in the room. "Dr. Carter's not under arrest, is he?" she asked him.
"No, ma'am, he's not. I just want to make sure that he's okay since he was in the river for such a long time." The man replied. "Officer Troy Nelson," he said, holding out his hand.
Kerry quickly shook it. "Dr. Kerry Weaver, Head of Emergency Services. This is Dr. Jing-Mei Chen, our Chief Resident." Kerry stepped over to John. "Carter? How do you feel?"
"I'm fine, Dr. Weaver. Just cold," John said, his teeth chattering.
"Well, the warming blankets will help with that. Chuny, I'd like a full set of vitals and I think that since he's been in the river, a round of prophylactic antibiotics might be in order. By IV."
"An IV? Is that really necessary, Dr. Weaver? The water wasn't all that bad. I could see through it easily," John protested.
"You had your eyes open under water?" Kerry sharply asked.
John mutely nodded.
"Add eye irrigation and drops to that order," Kerry told Chuny. Then she looked back at John. "Did you swallow any water or breathe any into your lungs?"
"Not that I know about," John replied. "That's cold," he complained as Chuny put the tip of the thermometer into his ear.
"This won't take long, so hold still," she replied.
"Warming blankets as ordered," Dave said as he entered the room, a bundle in his hand.
"Thank you, Dr. Malucci," Kerry said. "Did you find the other things?"
"Yes, Chief. They're right outside. I'll take Carter for his shower just as soon as he's warmed up." He cheerfully informed her.
"Good."
As soon as Chuny finished taking John's vitals, a warming blanket was put in place and Kerry motioned the police officer over to the door.
"Dr. Carter's going to be fine, so you can go now. Thank you for bringing him here."
"It was no problem, Dr. Weaver. Just ask him to stay out of the river from now on, okay? We were beginning to think we were going to have to drag it for his body since he was in there for so long."
"You think he was in the river the entire time?" Jing-Mei asked from just behind Kerry.
Nelson nodded. "He said he was. I don't know how he managed to stay in as long as he did. He said he decided to come out because he was getting cold, not because he was getting tired." Nelson cleared his throat. "You are going to have someone from your psychiatric department speak with him, aren't you?"
"Well, that depends on his reasons for going in there in the first place, doesn't it?" Kerry asked. "Again, thank you for your assistance. We have everything under control now."
Taking the hint, Nelson left the room. "Do you want me to call up to psych?" Jing-Mei asked.
Kerry nodded. "Yes. But I want DeRaad or Legaspi, not an intern or student."
"Right." She left the room to call upstairs.
Kerry walked over to John's side. "Feeling warm yet?"
"I'm getting there," he replied, then he yawned. "Getting tired, too."
"Try to stay awake. As soon as you feel warm, I want you in the shower. I'm serious about that, Carter."
John nodded. "I know. Dr. Weaver? Thank you for not making a scene over this."
"You're welcome, but this isn't over yet, Carter. I would have asked for a blood sample, but I don't think you took anything. I am worried about why you would decide to jump into the river for a five hour swim and I've asked Jing-Mei to call up to psych to see if Carl or Kim are on duty. Would you feel comfortable talking with either one of them?"
He nodded. "Sure. But I really don't need a shrink, Dr. Weaver. It just seemed to be the right thing to do at the time. And once I was in the water...I can't explain how I felt. It was a rush of freedom like I've never felt before. I didn't want to ever get out."
"John, that's not really a normal reaction and I think you know that. Are you warm enough for that shower yet? I'd really like to get the antibiotics started." Kerry didn't want to mention that she was going to keep him overnight, no matter how well he tried to tell her he felt.
He nodded. "I'm warm enough for that I think."
"Good. Let me get Malucci. He'll stay in the locker room with you, okay? Just to make sure you're okay." Kerry went to the door and motioned Dave over. "He's ready for his shower. You don't have to help him or anything, but I do want you to stay in the locker room just in case he gets dizzy or has some other problem."
"Right." He went on into the room. "Hey, Hoss, you ready for that shower?"
"Sure am." John sat up, reaching for one of the police blankets and wrapping it around his body. "Do you know where my clothes are? The police said they were brought here?" He asked Kerry and Dave.
"In your locker, but I've got a gown for you to put on once you're clean. You're staying overnight, so you won't need your clothes until the morning." Kerry replied in her no nonsense tone of voice.
Jing-Mei met up with Kerry after John and Dave left for the men's locker room. "Both DeRaad and Legaspi are off and won't be in until the morning."
"Well, that's probably for the best anyway. Carter's tired and needs the rest. As soon as he's back in that bed, I want the IV antibiotics started and his temperature checked every two hours. There's no telling what kind of bacteria he might have picked up in that river."
"Right. Are you going home now?"
Kerry nodded. "There's not much more I can do here, Jing-Mei. You're on all night?"
"Yes. Malucci was supposed to leave at midnight, but he wanted to stay to help with Carter. Dr. Kovac is around here somewhere since his shift started at midnight."
"Good. Keep a close eye on him, Jing-Mei."
"I will," she promised.
Kerry went to the lounge and retrieved her things, then left for home, not sure what to do about Carter. Medically, they were already doing all they could for him. Mentally, well, that would have to wait until Carl or Kim could talk with him. Kerry was glad that Kim had remained on staff after Romano had backed down on dismissing her. Carter got along well with Kim, probably better than he did with Carl, so it might help for him to speak with her.
*****************************************
After a long and hot shower, John walked back to the exam room with Dave. Dave had found another gown for John to use as a bathrobe of sorts, and some slipper socks so he wouldn't have to walk barefooted back to the ER, and John was grateful for that. So far Dave hadn't joked too much about his swim in the river, another thing John was grateful over. But he knew it wouldn't last. As soon as Dave thought he was back 'on his feet', John knew the jokes would start. And he also knew he would deserve them. He honestly couldn't come up with a reasonable explanation for why he had jumped into the river. And he also couldn't come up with a reasonable explanation as to why he felt so empty now that he was out of the river.
Once he was back in bed, John had to submit to Chuny's nursing skills. She deftly inserted the IV catheter, then started the antibiotics.
"Maybe you should draw some blood," he suggested.
"Dr. Weaver didn't order a blood test," she replied as she noted on his chart what time the IV had been started and how much he was being given.
Dave looked up from where he was sitting with a magazine. "No one thinks you're high, Carter, so forget it." He had decided to offer to sit with Carter, just in case, and Jing-Mei had been more than happy to comply with his decision.
"I'd feel better if one was run, just to prove to others that I'm not." John was thinking that Romano would be one of the first in line to accuse him of using again once he heard about this.
Dave looked at him, then nodded. "Go ahead and draw the blood, Chuny. Give it the works. I want to know about everything that's in his system right now."
"Right." She handed Dave the chart and he quickly made his notation that he had authorized the blood tests. By the time he was done writing his orders, Chuny had drawn the blood.
"Thank you," John said, smiling up at her, then yawning again.
"You're welcome. We all know that they'll come back normal," she said with a reassuring smile.
"Thank you for believing that," he replied, then he let his eyelids close and fell into a deep sleep where he dreamed of swimming through the ocean with no need to keep coming up for air and no one demanding for him to get out of the water.
As Carter slept Dave would look over from time to time, curious as to the strange sounds that were coming out of his throat. Not quite squeals, but they were a high pitched tone. He thought of waking Carter, but since he didn't seem to be having a nightmare, Dave decided against it. When Chuny came back later to take Carter's temperature they discovered that it had risen.
"Damn. Get me a full set of vitals and draw some more blood to test for infection," Dave ordered as he took Carter's chart from her and read over the previous results. A smile touched his lips as he saw that there had been no trace of narcotics in the bloodstream. Carter was right that it would help to have that known, even if the people who mattered believed him when he said he wasn't using again. There had been no sign of infection earlier, so why was he spiking a fever now that he had IV antibiotics going into this bloodstream?
"Let's go ahead and let the fever go until we get the labs back," Dave said and Chuny nodded as she left the room with a small vial of Carter's blood. He wrote his findings and orders on the chart, then put it on the rolling table at the end of the bed. When Dave sat back down, he didn't return to reading an "X-Men" comic -- instead he sat there and watched Carter. The man had been through a lot the past two years and Dave hoped that he wasn't facing another round of hospitalization because of his ill-advised dip in the Chicago River.