River lay there trying to figure out what was going on with his boss. He saw the concern and the worry on his face, he also noticed a hint of what appeared to be a look of hurt when he told him to go. But what did he really expect? All of these thoughts were going through his head, making him think about all the times that Mr. Donavan had demanded things from him instead of just asking. If he didn't act like such an Alpha male, then maybe the employees would not be so afraid to approach him with their ideas and concerns.
But noooo.... his attitude deterred them, therefore making River the one they came to. So it was always him that had to bring it all to Mr. Donavan's attention. Praying that whatever it was did not set the boss off. Just thinking about that man put River in a bad mood, and he so did not need any added stress to his life at the moment. River was brought back to the here and now when he realized that someone had entered his room. Looking up, he saw an older gentleman in a white coat. 'Must be the doctor Molly was talking about' he thought.
"Hello Mr. Addison. It's good to see you awake finally, you had us all a little worried."
"Finally, what do you mean finally? How long have I been here?" Now River was more confused and afraid. It couldn't have been more than a few hours. Right?
"What is the last thing you remember Mr. Addison?" the man in white asked, avoiding the question.
"Ummm... I remember getting up and heading to bed. After that, nothing. Again, how long have I been here?" He couldn't tell anything by watching the doctor.
"You took a pretty nasty hit when you fell, you were brought in unresponsive, but all of your vitals were normal. You just would not wake up, and we did not understand why. As for how long you have been here, it has been three days."
"THREE DAYS!!! I have been here THREE days?" Suddenly River started having flashes of images. Images of his daughter. He couldn't explain them, he couldn't tell anyone about them. His head was pounding again. It hurt so bad.
The doctor noticed the pained expression on his patients' face and assumed that he was just hurting from his ordeal and from the stress of it all. He had no reason to think otherwise.
"Sir, I need you to try and calm down. We still don't understand why you wouldn't wake up. We will need to run a few more tests before we can release you. But you NEED to calm down. We don't want to chance you slipping again into a coma."
"Make it go away... please... make the pain go away... my head... it hurts so bad." River begged of the doctor. The man walked over and inserted something into his IV, and he felt himself drifting off to sleep soon after. He did not wake up again until morning.
******
Eithen pulled into the parking deck of the hospital and just sat there, not sure if he was up to feeling the anger towards him from River.
I know that I can be a difficult boss, but I have to be hard on my employees from time to time. They need to remember who's in charge. I don't think I've been that bad. So why does he hate me? I need to get him to understand why I have been harder on him, he needs to know that it was for his own good. River needs to learn to take commands and still feel like he has control. I can teach him that, if he is willing to learn. I need to get him to trust me. How can I let him know all of what I have done and learned about his daughter without him feeling like I have invaded his personal life?' All these thoughts, and no answer in sight.
Eithen managed to get out of his truck and head into the hospital, hoping that River would be in a better mood after a night of regular sleep. Stepping out of the elevator onto the floor that River was on, he saw the doctor standing there by the nurses' station. As he got closer he called out. "Hey Doc, having a good morning? Ma and pops said to remind you about dinner this weekend."
"Ah, Eithen my boy, always good to see you." Doc said while pulling his nephew into a hug.
"How is he today Doc, is he going to alright?" He knew he had no right to ask this, but he needed to know.
"Mr. Addison seems to be doing better this morning. We're still not sure why he was out of it for as long as he was, there was no reason for it. However, all of the tests have come back normal, and his vitals have never wavered. It's a good thing you found him when you did though. No telling how long he may have laid there, and from what you have told us, there is no one else right now in his life. He's a lucky young man to have you as a friend."
Eithen just stood there, not willing to correct his uncle. Doc stood there a moment in thought while looking at Eithen, he had to ask the question that had been nagging at him since the morning that River was brought in.
"Eithen, I understand that this young man works for you, but what you have done, by being here at his side, that is not normal for a boss and his employee. What does he really mean to you?"
Eithen had to think about that. What did River mean to him? He felt the need to protect him, to keep him safe, to make sure he was happy. But what did all of that really mean? He had never been like this with anyone before, it confused him. Looking at his uncle he answered with what he knew. "I honestly don't know, it confuses me, these feelings. This desire to keep him safe and protected. Do you understand any of what I'm talking about?"
His uncle sighed and then just nodded his head in the affirmative. "All I can tell you Eithen, is to talk to your parents about this. They can answer your questions far better than I can." With that, Doc turned and headed to check on his patient.
Eithen followed his uncle into River's room and stayed close to the door in case he was not wanted there again. He noticed that River looked better this morning. He had more color to him, not so pale. Eithen also noticed that River was looking right at him. "How are you feeling today River? You look better, bet you can't wait to get out of here huh." He knew he was starting to ramble, but for some reason he was suddenly nervous. He did not like this feeling, he liked being in control. And control is one thing he did not have at the moment.
River watched as the door opened and the doctor came in, noticing someone else behind him. He did not expect to see Mr. Donavan again so soon after last night. He thought he made it clear that he was not wanted here. "What are you doing back here Mr. Donavan? I thanked you last night for getting me here, what more do you want? Are you just here to make sure I'm not playing hooky, or are you here to find out when I'm gonna be able to come back to work? Gotta keep that leash on your employee huh."
Eithen was hurt by what River was ranting, but he refused to let it show. Rather he went into business mode and made sure his face was expressionless. "Actually, Mr. Addison, I came by this morning to check on the well being of my most valuable employee. I was not concerned about when you would be returning to work. The only thing I was concerned about was what caused you to be here in the first place.
I can see that you are still in the same mood as you were last night. And if I remember right, Nurse Molly said that was not good for you. So, as a concerned boss, I suggest you calm down and stop taking your shit out on me. Are we clear Mr. Addison?"
