become worse in the next couple of hours, be sure to come back here, I'll get Dr. Horton to come back and check you out before you leave, though. It's been many a year since I've hung my certificate on the wall, so to speak!" He showed Larry where the bathroom was just in case he needed it, and called for Dr. Horton. In a few moments he arrived. Larry was taken to an adjoining examination room in case Mike's presence would have any effect on his condition. Miraculously, Horton's diagnosis matched with Dr. Cooper's'; the older doctor gave Larry a tranquilizer, and he was sent to the emergency dorm with Jeanie, for the night. The lab would be closed for the day, and he could hopefully keep Jeanie company, to cheer her up some. Both Horton and McCree helped Larry to the dorm after the older physician popped another tranquilizer into the pocket of his loose fitting lab coat for Jeanie.
"Watch over the boy and keep the faith," Horton said to the downtrodden Cooper. "What that young lady of yours down in the dorm needs now, more than this tranquilizer, is some good news about Mike's recovery. Don't give up hope, whatever you do. Don't forget that marvelous sign we witnessed earlier. Perhaps it's a sign of slow recovery."
"We've waited so long for him now, I'm beginning to believe that Mike Montaine's dead and gone," Cooper replied softly, "that the sign meant his soul was leaving for good."
"No more talk like that!" admonished Dr. Horton. He always had such a kind manner his words seemed to warm Cooper's heart.
"You watch. Maybe you'll see." Larry moaned softly from his chair. "We've got to get this boy down to the dorm," he added. "Hope, Matthew, hope!" And the three men were gone as quickly as they'd come, the only difference being Larry was taken out of the clinic in a wheel chair.
Matt Cooper let out a deep sigh. He was alone again, so he decided to keep up his vigil. His pride would not let him leave the bedside now. He stood and placed both hands on the bed rail, then looked down at Mike's peacful features as if in prayer. He spoke aloud.
"I don't even know you, son, yet we stand here so dependant on each-other's future. I've heard you're alone in the world. Come back to us, Mike, and you never need to be alone again. I want to help you; be like a father to you, help you grow. But most of all, I want you to wake up; be healthy. Please just open your eyes and hear me call you 'son'!"
Not being able to contain his grief any longer, the supervisor wept quietly. He was ashamed of himself for doing so, but also wondered how long it had been since he was able to let his feelings out completely, like this. Cooper's deep but muffled sobs quieted after a few moments, and he took a deep breath, before beginning to speak again.
"I'm sorry for whatever I've done to you, Mike. I'll try to make it up to you...to everyone I've hurt today. Just live, son, please live! Let me know I'm not a complete failure....that I am still a fair doctor, and not a murderer, that there is still a chance for things to go on."