Guilt’s Cost: Part LXVII

Infirmary

Vincent and Tifa sat crumpled on the couch together in their room watching television. To say they were watching television might not have been exactly right, mostly they were just sitting together enjoying one another’s presence. It had been several hours since Tseng had been taken to surgery and they waited for any news on his condition.

Finally there came a knock on their door. Vincent got up and answered, finding Angel on the other side.

"We just finished with Tseng and Dr. Arlin just told me that you were out!" She threw her arms around him, almost causing him to lose his balance.

"Angel…" Vincent was being crushed in her eager embrace.

"I was so worried that you would never come out!" She said, finally taking a step back.

Vincent understood her excitement at seeing him, but had to ask, "How is Tseng?"

"Oh!" Angel gathered herself. "He’s doing well. Dr. Arlin is with him in recovery right now."

"So there were no complications?" Tifa asked, rising from the couch.

"Nothing that we didn’t expect." Angel ran a hand through her hair. "The cardiologist that Dr. Arlin had come down was wonderful. Tseng will probably be just fine."

Both Vincent and Tifa gave a collective sigh of relief.

Angel grinned. "Reno told me that he was going to get you out, but I didn’t expect it to be so soon. Actually, I half expected him to back out, but I’m glad he didn’t."

"Maybe he isn’t quite as bad as I thought before." Vincent said, putting his arm around Angel’s shoulders.

Tifa came over to where they were standing. "Can we see Tseng?"

Angel nodded. "I don’t see why not."

They all went to the infirmary. Tseng laid in a bed toward the back of the room, with Dr. Arlin sitting by his side. The room was quiet except for the sound of the monitors that were hooked up to Tseng. Vincent was the first to approach his brother’s side.

Tseng was asleep, his color was still ashy and his eyes circled by dark rings. Vincent reached down and took up his hand. He was unnerved that it was cold.

Dr. Arlin smiled kindly at Vincent. "He’s still under the effects of the anesthetic. It will take him a little longer to wake up."

Vincent just nodded in response, tightening his grip on his brother’s hand slightly. Tifa came to his side, and sighed. She didn’t know what was worse; seeing Tseng in the state he was in, or watching Vincent agonize over him. They were soon joined by Angel, who made her way to the opposite side of the bed. Everyone stood together in silence, each hoping for Tseng’s quick recovery.

Some time later, Tseng’s eyes finally opened. He began to shiver. "I’m cold…"

Angel started to walk away. "I’m going to get some heated blankets."

Vincent bent down. "Tseng, are you all right?"

His eyes met Vincent’s own, dazed. "It hurts, and I’m cold…"

"Angel is getting you something to help you warm up." Vincent replied gently.

"I’m cold…" Tseng allowed his eyes to close again.

Vincent looked at Dr. Arlin who was still nearby. "Is he okay?"

She smiled. "He’s just coming out of the anesthetic. He has no idea what he’s saying, and he won’t remember this."

"He won’t?" Vincent cocked an eyebrow.

"Probably not." Dr. Arlin turned back to her paper work.

Vincent smiled at Tifa and then leaned back down to Tseng. "Hey, remember when you were four and your new G.I. Joe figure disappeared?"

Tseng responded with a groan and he opened his eyes again.

"Yeah, well I threw it into the creek." Vincent had to fight the urge to laugh. "That was revenge for you having set my school bag on fire."

Tifa slapped Vincent in the arm. "That’s awful!"

He straightened back up and looked at her. "How could I miss an opportunity to clear my conscious like that? He won’t remember and I feel better."

She smiled at him. "Taunting a sick man, wow. Hold me back!"

Angel returned with an armload of warm blankets and she covered Tseng with them. "There, is that better?"

His eyes fluttered open again. "Thanks… Vincent owes me a G.I. Joe. Don’t let me forget."

Vincent slapped himself in the forehead. "Damn it, he’s going to remember…"

"Serves you right." Tifa shoved him playfully.

Reno sauntered into the room and came to Angel’s side. After pinching her in the rear and making her jump, he kissed her cheek. "How’s the old man?"

"He’s all right." Angel said, giving him a smile.

Vincent suppressed his urge to bristle at the sight of Reno manhandling his daughter. "Reno."

"Hey Vinny!" Reno gave a goofy grin. "How long till Tseng can bail out of here?"

Angel thought for a moment. "He can probably leave the bed in a few days, but he’s going to have to take it slow."

"Good, then I got some plans to make." Reno pulled Angel closer.

"What are you talking about?" Angel gave him a sidelong glance. There was obviously something rolling around his brain.

"Woman, we’re gettin’ hitched. You said you wanted to wait until Vinny showed up, and now he’s here along with your retarded brother, so it seems like high time we got it over with." Reno was almost serious.

Angel’s eyes grew wide. "You’re not joking, are you?"

"Nope." He shook his head. "I wouldn’t screw with you like that."

Tifa clapped her hands together. "Oh my God, a wedding?"

Vincent rolled his eyes and sighed. It was becoming clear that Reno really was going to become his son in law, and he wasn’t thrilled. "Why me?"

Reno reached across the bed and socked Vincent in the shoulder. "You can’t wait, so don’t pull the bullshit ‘you hate me’ act. You’re little girl’s getting married, so act happy!"

Vincent felt sick. "Hopefully she’ll come to her senses between now and then."

"Father!" Angel frowned. "Be nice!"

"Tell him that." Vincent failed to meet her gaze. "He just called your brother retarded."

Angel wriggled from Reno’s grip. "You men are going to drive me to drink."

"But baby, I like it when you’re drunk!" Reno tried to grab her again.

"Shut up." Angel lost her sense of humor. "Tseng’s trying to recover!"

Reno suddenly lost his smile. He knew he was acting a little over the top for a hospital. "Sorry."

"Come on, I’m starving." Angel took his hand and led him away.

Tifa and Vincent remained with Tseng for a little while longer, but then they too left.