"A Direct Order"


by
Hag61



Logline:  A continuation to the story "Desperate Times"

Steve and Jaime sat with Oscar and his nephew Danny in Oscar's office. Rudy had rushed Marc and Matt to his lab as soon as they had arrived at OSI headquarters.

After the accident they had all squeezed into Rudy's car for the 10-minute ride to OSI. Matt, who had gone limp in Jaime's arms, was still unconscious when they arrived.

Now they sat in Oscar's office waiting for Rudy to come in and give them a report on the twins’ condition.

Oscar walked over the couch in his office. Danny lay there, sleeping. Jaime was sitting beside him.

"How is Danny doing?" Oscar asked, his voice barely audible.

"He finally fell asleep." Jaime listened with her hearing "The nebulizer treatment Linda gave him finally worked. I can hear he's breathing much better now."

"That's good. He…" At that moment Rudy walked into the room.

Oscar, who had bent down to check Danny, was back on his feet. "Just give it to me straight Rudy." He said as he walked around his desk.

"Marc is in bad shape. I'm afraid if I lose one, I'll lose both."

"What!!" Oscar gasped.

"Well Oscar, they are identical twins. They are connected in someway. I can't really explain it."

"What is the bottom line?"

"Marc's injuries are life threatening."

Oscar sat down with a thud. Steve stood behind him, his hands on Oscar's shoulders.

Jaime sat beside him and took his hand in hers.

Rudy pulled up a chair and sat. “Oscar there is no easy way to put this so I'm going to be direct.”

"I'm ready." he said as he held Jaime's hand tight.

"His legs were crushed. There is no way I can repairing them. He must have had his left arm up it was barely touched. His right arm however was severed off on impact. A shard of glass ripped through his right eye."

"Ok what do we do about it?" Oscar asked calmly, knowing what he wanted to do.

"I don't know if we can do that Oscar." He knew exactly what was going through Oscar's mind; they had been friends too long for him not to know. “Oscar he's only seven years old."

'I don't care Rudy." Oscar was back and in charge now. "I don't care what I have to do or whom I have to step on. You are going to use bionics to save my nephew."

"Oscar there is nothing I would rather do. The problem is he's so small.”

"You just told me that if you lose Marc you would lose Matt too."

"That's right."

"Well here's your chance to save them both."

"Oscar do you really want Marc and Matt to have first hand knowledge of something as top secret as bionics? Do you really think a seven year old should have a security six clearance? Look, Marc will make it through the day. In the meantime I want you take 24 hours to think about it. He might even make it beyond that. He could survive to live a…"

"Normal life? Rudy what kind of a life is he going to have, especially with a twin brother who will have both of his legs and arms? I don't need 24 hours. I don't even need 2 hours. Rudy I want you to start tonight."

"What if he says something to somebody?"

"He won't. I know how to handle that."

"How do you intend to 'handle' it?"

"They have this thing between the two of them. They have secrets that only the two of them know about. I could explain to them that this is that kind of secret. No one but the two of them should know."

"So now you intend for two children, not ever 10 years old, to hold the secret. What if they tell about Steve and Jaime?"

"What do you mean?"

"What I mean is this. We can protect them because they're children, we can monitor their activities. But what if they say something about Steve and Jaime. It could put them in danger.”

"They will never know about them."

"How can you be sure?"

"They don't know about them now and why should they ever know about them?"

"Ok I'll prepare him. Oscar I have to ask this again. Are you sure this is what you want?"

"Rudy!"

"Ok I'm on my way. You do realize this is going to cost way more than six million dollars?"

"What do you mean?"

"Maybe six million when he's Steve's size. In the meantime do you think he's going to stay that size the rest of his life?"

"I never thought about it that way. I don't care. Do the surgery!"

"Ok I'll see you later."

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On the couch Danny slowly started to wake up Oscar went to him "You feeling better?"

"I think so. Where are the twins?"

"They're with Rudy."

"How about Marc?"

"He's going to be just fine."

"Uncle Oscar. I saw the accident." Then Danny looked at Steve and Jaime and then back to his uncle. "NO! I won't let you do it to him. I won't let you ruin his life."

"What are you talking about Danny?"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about. You're going to let Rudy Wells operate on him. You're going to have him made bionic."

"No, I'm not. Dan the injuries weren't that bad."

"I don't believe you."

"You just sit back and relax I don't want you to trigger your asthma again."

"I feel fine." He turned to Steve. "Steve, please you tell me the truth. Is my uncle planning on doing what I just said?"

"You're right Dan." Steve told him.

"Steve! Don't tell him that."

"Oscar, he's smart. He's already figured it out. Why lie to him? He can handle it."

Jaime spoke for the first time. "Oscar, Steve is right. He needs to know. Are you sure this is what you want Rudy to do?

"You mean you don't want Rudy to?"

"Oscar, that's not what I was saying. Remember Marc is only a little boy. Maybe his body can't handle it yet."

"Jaime's right. Why don't we have Rudy do what he can for now? And have him perform the bionic surgeries when Marc finishes growing."

"Why are you two against me on this?"

"We aren't against you." Steve tried to assure him. "We just want to make sure your not responding on a reflex reaction."

"Oscar we know how hard it is emotionally to be bionic."

"It's not easy for an adult’s mind to accept, much less a seven year old boy."

"Will you two work with him, so he can deal with it?"

"Of course we will. Once again, if this is what you want."

"I am not going to let my nephew die."

"Uncle Oscar. Please don't do this."

"Jaime would you do ma a favor? Here are the keys to Rudy's car. Take Dan home?" I'll call Mary and tell her you are on your way."

"I guess so. What if he gets sick again?"

"Mary can handle it. She's a nurse. So she knows what to do."

"Come on Danny. It's probably a good idea that you go home anyway. You can get a decent rest."

"Uncle Oscar I'll ask you again, please don't do this to Marc."

"Go with Jaime Danny."

Danny and Jaime left. "What's wrong Dan?" Jaime said when they got into Rudy's car.

"I just don't think it's a good idea. Marc is too small and like you and Steve said: what about the emotional damage it could cause?"

"Steve and I can help him with that."

"I guess so."

Oscar and Steve walked down to Rudy's lab. He was just getting ready to take Marc into surgery to prepare him for bionic replacement surgery.

"How is he doing Rudy?" Oscar asked.

"Better than I thought he would be. We will keep him asleep till it's time to replace his limbs."

"How about Matt?"

"He is coming around. Although I'm worried about his emotional state when he finds his brother is not with him. I'm sure they have never been apart. On the other hand it could be he already knows. That sometimes happens between twins."

"How long will this take?"

"I have to build the bionics first that will take about a week."

"Is that all?"

"They are small. It won't take much. I do have one question. Do you want him to have full strength?"

"I don't know. I hadn't given it much thought."

"You see, Oscar that is what I am saying. You don't seem to have given much thought to this at all. I am very concerned. I don't know if you have sat down and weighed out all the pros and cons of this."

"I know the pros and cons. I want him to have full strength."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes I'm sure."

"Ok that's what we will do."

Rudy wheeled Marc down to surgery Oscar followed he wanted to observe the entire procedure.

Steve and Jaime, who was back from taking Danny home, sat by Matt. They thought someone should be there in case the boy woke up.

In the operating room Rudy got to work. He started preparing Marc's body to become bionic. Then it hit him. "Oscar!"

"Yes Rudy" Oscar said from the observation room.

"What if he has the same trouble Jaime did?"

"We will just have to watch him close."

Rudy looked at his assistants "I'll be right back."

He met Oscar in the observation. "Rudy what are you doing in here? I want you back in the operating room."

"Oscar I don't know if I can do this. If he rejects and goes through what Jaime did. I will never forgive myself."

"Rudy. I have never given you a direct order before. But I am doing it now. Get back in there and prepare that boy to become bionic!!!"

Shaking his head, Rudy left the observation deck and headed back into the OR.

"Ok gentlemen let's get started."

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They worked most of the morning. Before Rudy finished up for the day. "He's ready."

Back in Matt's room Matt was slowly coming around. Steve and Jaime were right beside him.

"Where is Marc?" he asked in a weak voice.

Jaime and Steve looked at one another. "He's just in another room sweetie,” Jaime said. "He's going to be just fine. You rest."

Matt started crying, "I want my brother. I want my brother!!"

Rudy and Oscar were just getting ready to go into the room Rudy was at Matt's side in an instant. He quickly gave Matt an injection that instantly quieted him. “I'm going to use the same sleep on Matt. The less he knows the better."

"You mean he'll be out for as long as his brother?" Oscar sounded concerned.

"Yes. I think that will be the best."

"I guess that will be alright."

"Having second thoughts?"

"No I just didn't realize what all will be involved."

"Well," Rudy began again. "my main concern is who’s going to be his doctor?"

"I just assumed that would be you."

"I would like to Oscar believe me. But I'm getting up there in years. He's going to need somebody who will be around to take care of him for many, many years. My first thought is Michael, Dr. Michael Marchetti. He is the best man for the job. I want him to be the one from the beginning. I'll do the initial surgery, but Michael will take over form there. I want him to trust Michael Marchetti the way Steve and Jaime trust me."

"I understand I guess. I just don't know Rudy. You're the only one I trust."

"Michael is perfect."

"Ok I'll take your word for it."

"Good then if you'll excuse me, I have a phone call to make. Oscar why don't you go home and spend some time with the other kids. Once we get going on this you will kind of neglect them just a bit."

"Maybe you're right. I could use a shower. Anyway."

"Marc and Matt will both sleep for quite a while."

"I'll se you in the morning, Rudy"

Rudy was just dialing Dr.Marchetti's phone number. “Yea, see you in the morning."

Michael picked up the phone on the first ring. "Michael?" Rudy spoke into the phone.

"Yes"

"This is Rudy, Rudy Wells."

"Rudy how are you?"

"Doing well I guess. Michael did you hear about Oscar's nephew?"

"Yes I did. How is he doing?"

"Not too bad considering the circumstances.”

"I have a feeling the injuries are more severe than the papers are letting on?"

"That's right. We have out and out lied to them. Marc's injuries required bionic surgery."

"Rudy for God sake, he's just a little boy!!"

"Try explaining that to Oscar."

"He's pretty upset huh?"

"That's putting it mildly."

"That bad?"

"Yea that bad."

"What do you need from me?"

"After the surgeries he's going to need a doctor and you're elected."

"I'm up to it. When will you need me?

"I'm in the process of creating his bionic limbs. I'll be ready in about a week."

"He has a twin brother doesn't he?"

"Yes Matt."

"How is he doing?"

"I am using electro sleep on him as well."

"That sounds kind of drastic."

"To be real honest I do to. But Matt is very upset. I thought it was the best."

"You want me there after the bionic surgery, when you wake him up?"

“That's the intention. I want him to trust you more than anything."

"I'll do my best to win that trust. Maybe I should talk to Oscar in the meantime and find out Marc's likes and dislikes. That way I'll know what to talk to him about."

"Ok Michael, I'll see you in about a week."

"I'll call Oscar first thing in the morning."

"I'll tell him that's your plan."

"Bye Rudy."

"Bye Michael."

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Oscar arrived back home. "Where is Dan?"

"He's out on the deck sir."

"Great, I need to talk to him."

"He seems very upset. Didn't say a word when he came in the house. I asked about Marc."

"What did he tell you?"

"Nothing, he just slammed the patio door and has been sitting out there ever since. How is Marc?"

"He's doing pretty good. I'm going to go talk to Dan."

"Here take his jacket. It's getting a little cold out there."

“Thanks." He took the coat from her and opened the patio door.

"Dan, we need to talk."

"About what? You made your decision. You don't care what I think."

"Yes I do Dan. I just want what is best for your brother."

"What? By turning him into some kind of freak?"

"Don't ever let Jaime or Steve hear you say that."

"You don't want what's best for Marc. You want what's best for Oscar."

"What do you mean by that?"

Dan looked at him sharply "Dan I am not sending Marc on missions like I do Steve and Jaime."

"Not right now anyway. But if anything ever came up."

"Danny!"

"You're making Rudy do this to. Dragging him into it when it goes completely against his ethics."

"Against his ethics?"

"Even though I want to be a lawyer, I have read all the medical books. I know what ethics are."

"Dan."

The patio door opened Mary stood there. "Sir Dr. Wells is here."

Oscar spun around. "Rudy what's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just wanted you to know, I'm calling it a night. I'm going home to get some shuteye. I'll be back at the lab first thing in the morning."

Danny turned and walked the edge of the deck.

"What's with him?"

"He's having misgivings."

"I have to say I'm feeling that way myself."

"Rudy you wouldn't."

"Don't worry Oscar once again I'll do your bidding."

Danny turned and looked at him.

"Can I talk to Dan a minute?" He pulled his stethoscope from his pocket. “I also want to listen to his lungs again. Jaime said his breathing was better. I just want to see for my self."

"Ok that's fine"

Oscar went into the house.

"Come here Dan, I just want to take a quick listen." He listened for a moment. "Sounds good to me."

"That's good I feel better too. Rudy let me apologize for my uncle. I don't understand what's gotten into him."

"I do. He's become a father. A father who only wants the best for his son."

"I thought he wanted what was best for Oscar."

"Well that may be true in part. But I think his main concern is for those two little boys back at my lab. Dan I think that if Marc and Matt weren't twins, he would not have even considered this. But they are twins. Do you think it would be fair to Marc to watch his identical twin do things he will never be able to do again?"

"No I never thought of that way."

"The fact is Dan." Rudy continued. "We have the technology to save your brother, and to arrange so he doesn't end up sitting in a wheel chair for the rest of his life. Is that what you want for him."

"No Rudy of course not."

Rudy turned to go back into the house. Oscar was standing right there.

"Thanks Rudy. I was wondering how I was going to explain it to him."

"Oscar, with Danny you don't have to hold back. He's a very intelligent young boy. You can talk to him the way you would an adult. I am going to go home, take a long, hot shower, catch 40 winks and I'll be back at the lab first thing in the morning.'

"I'll see you then. Good night Rudy."

"Night Oscar. Night Dan."

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The following week passed rather quickly. Rudy was getting a little tired of Oscar watching his every move, but he understood.

The time came when it was time to bring Marc out of the sleep. Rudy placed the call to Michael.

"I'll be there first thing in the morning Rudy." Michael said.

That morning Michael arrived jus as Rudy was preparing the twins to wake up.

"What are you going to tell him?" Michael said as he helped Rudy remove the electrodes from Marc's head.

"I thought I would leave that one up to his uncle."

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Oscar dropped Danny off in front of his school. "I don't know if I'll be here of not Dan. If I can't make it, I'll send a car for you. Don't go with them."

"I know. I have to ask to see their OSI ID."

"I think Rudy is right about you."

"I know he is. Uncle Oscar when can you bring Marc and Matt home?”

"Marc has a lot to go through. He has to learn to walk all over again. He' ll have to learn how to control his strength."

"I still say you're making a big mistake."

"Well let's not worry about that right now. I hope he can come home by the end of the week. I mean I guess we can work with him at the house, or I could just take him into Rudy's office."

The bell to Dan's school rang. "I have to go. See you tonight."

"Have a good day Dan."

"I will"

"Oh before I go. The nurse got the note from Rudy, and she has all the prescriptions he sent over."

"Yea she talked to me yesterday. Rudy really doesn't want me to use the inhalers. He wants the nurse to give me a treatment a lunch time, and then Mary gives me one before I go to bed.”

"That sounds good, but you still carry the inhaler with you at other times?"

"Of course. I really have to get to class."

"Ok, bye again."

"Bye see you later."

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Oscar arrived just in time. Marc and Matt were just opening their dark brown eyes. Oscar moved closer so he could be in between them.

Matt was the first to respond. "Marc" he called out weakly.

"Matt, it's uncle Oscar Marc is right over here." He moved so the boy could turn his head in the right direction to see his twin.

"Matt? Where are you?" Marc called out.

Acting quickly Rudy lifted Matt out of his bed and moved him in with his brother.

As soon as Rudy laid him down he Marc tried moving his arms so he could put them around his brother.

"Uncle Oscar!! He cried. I can't move my arm, I can't move my arm." He started crying and tried to kick his feet. Then he cried even louder. "I can't move my legs either!!!"

Rudy stood ready to give him an injection to calm him down.

"No Rudy. You guys leave. I'll talk to him"

Rudy Michael Steve and Jaime left them alone.

Oscar flipped the switch on Marc's bed so he could sit up. He moved Matt to the end of the bed so Marc would have more room.

"Marc, you will be able to move your arm again. Do you remember the accident at all?”

"Accident? What accident?"

"Tell me the last thing you remember."

Marc thought for a moment. "We went out for dinner. Then…" Marc strained very hard. Oscar could see the gears in Marc's head trying to put everything together.

Matt wasn't much help his recollection of that night was even hazier than his brother’s.

"I think I remember. We got stuck on the train tracks. I wanted my special picture."

"That's right. Do you remember anything else? Try Marc, it's very important that you remember exactly what happened."

Marc started crying. "The choo choo was coming. It hit me."

"That's right. I'm sorry I had to make you remember. I know how painful it must be. But believe me. It's important that you do."

From there Oscar told him everything how his arms and legs were now bionic, and that in time he would learn how to use them. "It's going to be rough at first, but you have a lot of people here to help you adjust. Steve wants to help, so does Jaime and a very nice man named Dr. Marchetti. He really wants to help you. In fact I'm going to have him come in now and you can meet him. Is it ok if they come in?"

"I guess so." Marc said.

Matt started crying "I want to be bionic too. I want to be like my brother."

"Matt you can be a lot of help. It will be awhile before Marc can go back to school. Can you bring him is homework?"

Matt's face brightened just a bit. "Sure I can"

"One other thing guys. You can't ever tell anyone about what we just talked about. You have to make a twin secret ok?"

Matt objected. "But a twin secret is something only we know about."

"I know that Matt, but could you do it anyway?"

The twins looked at each other. Then nodded their agreement.

"Great. I'm going to tell them they can come in. ok?"

"OK"

Oscar opened the door. "Ok guys they're ready to meet their public."

"How is he handling it?" Rudy sounded concerned.

"So far so good."

Michael walked in. He had a giant stuffed panda for each twin. "I thought you guys would like these."

"Do we ever." the twins shouted.

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The week passed rather quickly. Marc made excellent progress. Oscar watched every test and stuck to Rudy and Michael like glue. By the end of the week he was walking he needed some help but he had done it.

Matt brought him his homework every night Marc Jaime tutored in all of his work at night when his tests. He was even pulling ahead of Matt.

On Saturday Oscar met with Rudy and Michael. "I would like to take him home tomorrow if that would be possible? I'll bring him in, in the morning when I come to work. We all kind of miss him."

"I have no objections." Michael said.

"I can't raise any either, and besides he wants to go home."

"What about school?"

"I'd say put it off another week. I want him here with us during the day. Then maybe we can think of half days." Rudy said.

"I'll go give him the good news. He's anxious to get home."

Oscar walked into Marc's room he was watching cartoons.

"Matt, how would you like to go home in the morning?"

"Can I really?"

Rudy and Michael both say you're ready."

"I think I am too"

"OK, I'm going to go home and get things ready for you."

"Can I go to school Monday?"

"No, Rudy and Michael want you to come here for a while yet. The next week you can to back. Ok?"

"I was hoping I could go back on Monday."

"I know, but they feel it's best for you to spend a little more time here."

"I guess so." Marc pouted.

"Don't look so glum, you get to go home in the morning."

"You're right. Will you bring Matt today?"

"Later. They were still in their pyjamas when I left the house."

That afternoon Oscar brought Danny and Matt to see Marc. As soon as they got together, Marc and Matt were chasing each other down the halls.

"His walking has improved just since yesterday." Oscar observed.

"I know. I think Matt has a lot to do with it."

Dan watched his brothers. "I'm sorry Uncle Oscar. I never should have doubted you. You were right. You needed to do that for Marc.”

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The next morning Oscar came to take Marc home. "Now Marc," They all cautioned "you can't use you bionics at school. I mean you can't do the super duper stuff. Ok?"

"I understand." He giggled. "Twin secret. I'll see you tomorrow Dr. Michael.”

"See you tomorrow Marc."

Rudy had bowed out a couple of days before. Allowing Marc and Dr. Michael to build up the trust they needed in each other. Although he was kept informed of Marc's progress by daily report.

"How do you feel?" Oscar asked when they got into the car.

"Ok I guess glad to be going home."

"We all want you home."

When they arrived at the house Mary Matt and Dan all yelled "Surprise!!"

Dan wailed over to him. "Glad you're home little brother."

Rudy, Jaime, Steve and Michael all showed up later for coffee and cake, and to welcome Marc home.


THE END


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