"Knock and the door shall be opened" the conclusion for the Holiday PicFic.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

In case you missed : Part one and Part two 

“Napoleon? Please do not leave me. Come back to me my friend,” Illya Kuryakin called again and again.

Solo saw his partner’s pale face under the ice, his blue eyes dulled and lifeless. He was filled with horror at the sight.

“Illya no!” The American gasped. Sitting up in an unfamiliar bed, he blinked his eyes, trying to focus. “Where was he?”

“Hello there darling, another bad dream huh?” April Dancer leaned over, carefully stroking his head and brushing back a stray lock of hair. She made sure to avoid a large lump that had blossomed on his forehead.

The lights in the room were dimmed and a large curtain blocked part of his view.

“Where am I?”

“Hospital. You had a nasty encounter with a light pole while you were on your way over to my place.”

“Oh yeah, right. I remember now. There was a blond man...Illya?”

“No it wasn’t him. Apparently the fellow ran in front of your car, chasing after his dog that got away from him.  You swerved to miss hitting him…

“And hit the pole instead, that I remember,” Napoleon said. “Was the dog wearing a red and black checked sweater?” He found the memory of that rather incongruous.

“Yes, pretty ugly too, the sweater that is but the dog was cute. Her name’s Fifi and is an adorable little black poodle. She’s all right by the way.”

“And what’s my prognosis Doctor Dancer?”

“A mild concussion but you’ll be fine. You’re coming home with me though as I convinced the doctor you’d be in good hands. He doesn’t want you to be alone for now, and I don’t want you spending Christmas in a hospital.”

“Thanks April, I appreciate that, though I may not be fit company.”

Napoleon moaned as he sat up; flipping back the covers he realized he was dressed in a rather drafty hospital gown.

“Do you know where my clothes are?”

“They’re hanging up in the closet, all neat and waiting for you.”

He tried to stand but immediately felt dizzy and dropped back down to the mattress.

“Oh no you don’t Mister. I’ll get your clothes; you just sit tight.”

April retrieved the clothing and handed it to him; turning her back as he dressed.

“My aren’t you being shy. It’s not like you haven’t seen me naked as a jaybird before,” Napoleon finally smiled.

“I was just being polite, now sit still while I help you with your shoes.  You shouldn’t be bending over too much right now.”

One he was dressed, April told him to wait as she’d be right back. She returned minutes later pushing a wheelchair with a nurse who had Solo’s discharge papers walking beside her.

He signed everything, and was handed his instructions of what to do and what not to without a word of complaint as he sort of knew the drill; this wasn’t his first concussion. He did, however protest the need for the wheelchair.

“I can walk under my own steam if it’s all right with you,” he said to Nurse Linda.

“Sorry Mr. Solo, hospital policy. Discharging patients must be wheeled downstairs. I’ll be accompanying you and Miss Dancer to make sure you comply.”

“Oh don’t worry about that, he wouldn’t dare mess with me,” April smiled.

Napoleon gave up without a fight, figuring he was outnumbered and lowered himself into the chair, releasing the brakes as soon as he was settled.  April laid his trench coat in his lap and  they were finally off.

April slowly pushed the chair, passing door after door until Napoleon suddenly made her stop. He had this overwhelming feeling as they neared the final patient’s room nearest to the nurses station.

It was dark except for a small light in the back of the room over the patient’s bed.

He looked at the nametag on the wall outside the door.

“John Doe?”.

“Yes Mr. Solo. He was brought in a few days ago, unconscious. He had no identification on him and police have no prints matching his on file, so at least we know he’s not a criminal.”

“What happened to him?”

“Hypothermia. He was found in the woods in Northwest New Jersey. Poor fellow, he’s in an induced coma right now…there’s a possibility he may be brain damaged….oh I’m sorry, I’ve said too much,” the nurse apologized, realizing her break in protocol.

The wheels in Napoleon’s head began to turn; the time frame was right as was the location. “Hypothermia….it had to be Illya. Please God let it be…” Napoleon kept his thoughts to himself.

“May I see him?”

“I don’t think that such a good idea Mr. Solo, you’ve suffered head trauma and need your rest,” Nurse Linda said.

He stood up, getting out of the chair and walked towards the doorway.

“Napoleon, what are you doing? Sit back down,”April ordered him, but he refused.

“Just humor me.” Phrases popped into his head as if he was being reminded...’seek and you will find, ask and you shall be given, knock and the door shall be opened.’

Something made him do just that... knock on the door before entering, and as he saw the man laying in the bed, his blond hair shining under the  light over his head; Napoleon gasped.

“Illya…”

He immediately went to his partner’s bedside, staring at the deathly pale face through tear-filled eyes. He took hold of the Russian’s hand, clasping it tightly as it lay limp in his grasp.

“Oh my God it really is Illya!” April gasped.

“You two know this man?” The nurse asked.

“Yes,” April answered.” His name is Illya Kuryakin and we...all work together. He’s Mr. Solo’s best friend and we thought he’d died in an accident days ago.Their car went over a washed out bridge into an icy river. Mr. Solo survived but Mr. Kuryakin’s body wasn’t found. This really is a miracle.”

Suddenly Illya began to groan…

“He’s coming to. I need to get the doctor right away,” Nurse Linda hurriedly said as she dashed from the room.

Illya continued to moan, and at last he spoke.“Napoleon, where are you? Come back to me?”

Solo shook his head, hearing Illya’s voice, though the Russian’s lips weren’t moving. “How could that be?”

“I’m here buddy boy,” Napoleon called.

“Napoleon!” This time Illya practically shouted his name.

“Oh thank God, he’s waking up,” April said.

There was a fluttering of eyes as they were opened, blinking a few times until he could focus. He was looking up at the face of his smiling partner as well as April Dancer.

“Welcome back my friend,” Kuryakin said.”You had us worried.

“I don’t understand,” Napoleon whispered. He was back in bed again?

“Do you remember the accident...the car going into the river?”

“Yes, but we thought you were dead, your body was missing and I went searching for you. but...but I couldn’t find you. You kept calling to me in my dreams.”

“Napoleon, it was you who went missing, not I. You have been in a coma.”

“Darling, Illya’s been by your bedside practically day and night, talking to you, calling to you.”

Napoleon spotted something in Illya’s hand, red and black check...it was his hat.

“What are you doing with that tovarisch?”

“Oh, your hat?” Illya blushed. “I saved it from the car, I knew how much you liked this hideous thing and well, holding onto it helped me keep up my spirits.”

A doctor appeared, stepping up beside the bed.

“If you’ll excuse me, I need to examine…”

“You’re Walter Chambellan,” Napoleon cut him off.

“That’s correct Mr. Solo. I’m your doctor, though how you know my name, I have no idea. Hmmm, something to discuss later. Fascinating things that people can sense when in a comatose state. Now I need to check your vitals. If your friends will please wait outside, while the nurse assists me.”

After Dr. Chambellan and Nurse Linda completed a thorough examination and pronounced the patient to be fine. Hearing the good news, Illya returned to his partner’s bedside.

“So you dreamt you were searching for me in the river? Amazing, as that was what I was actually doing. The UNCLE motor pool dredged up the car from the water, they sent divers down looking for you. And you said you heard me calling you, thinking you were dreaming it, that is very interesting.”

“Yeah, pretty weird huh? It all seemed so real chum.” Napoleon ran his fingers through his dark hair, still feeling a bit awed that he’d dreamt what seemed so vividly real.

“The mind is an amazing thing my friend as is the human spirit.” Illya leaned closer to his friend.

“I have to say I did a lot of soul searching and praying in my comatose world.”

“Napoleon, as did I, thinking I was going to lose you.  There is a small Orthodox church near the hospital, and I made a few trips there to light candles for you. It is you I hold responsible at least in part for making me admit the possibility that God exists and helps us out from time to time.”

“God works in mysterious ways my friend,” Napoleon smiled. “Seek and you will find, ask and you shall …”

“I am familiar with those phrases, they are from the bible,'Luke 11:9. ‘And I say to you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and the door shall be opened to you’. Very appropriate,” Illya spoke softly.

"I think those were the answers given to me as I prayed in my...dreams? Hmmm, so you reading the bible now? There's hope for you yet tovarisch...say, what day is it?"

“Firstly the bible is a book. You know well enough I like to read books, and today is Christmas. Why?”

“I didn’t miss it then, Napoleon smiled, thinking he was like Ebenezer Scrooge, or perhaps waking from a long sleep. He wasn’t quite sure how he felt other than being happy Illya was all right and so was he. He wondered if this counted as some sort of Christmas miracle.

“Hey you two, I think it’s time to break it up. Illya, you’re exhausted and Napoleon you need your rest,” April said, leaning forward, giving him a quick kiss on the lips, she whispered to him. ”I’m so glad you’re all right darling. I’ll be giving you some extra special tender-loving care once you’re home.”

“I’m counting on it,” Napoleon whispered back, winking at her.

Illya still managed to hear their whisperings and automatically rolled his eyes, with a smile. He was glad his partner was around to make him do that.

Illya, accompanied by April Dancer left the hospital. It had started to snow again and in the distance, church bells were ringing. The neon lights of the city seemed more cheerful now.

“Indulge me?” Illya said, leading her on his arm to the nearby Orthodox church. Once inside, he went to a table where there were dozens of candles burning. He lit a new one, placing it among the others, and bowed his head.

When he was finished, Illya walked out with April, though she said nothing, respecting his private moment. She was surprised him go into a church, much less to pray; thinking all along he’d been a Godless Russian, but apparently Illya Kuryakin was not what he appeared to be.

The snow, church bells and seeing him in church and praying made for a perfect moment to April, making her smile.

“Merry Christmas Illya. You hungry?”

“Merry Christmas to you too April. Thank you for staying with me through all this, I appreciate it and yes I am starving.”

“Well there’s a Thai restaurant not too far from here, come on...my treat. We can even bring back a doggie bag for Napoleon.”

“I have a better idea, if you do not mind? Might we get the order to go and share our Christmas meal with him.”

“That my dear Mr. Kuryakin is a perfect idea.” April leaned over, giving him a peck on the cheek.

Comments

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

Wow!! You certainly know how to throw a curve ball. I was really not expecting it to be that way around, but it makes the strangeness of earlier parts make sense. Fantastic :-D

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

My, what a delicious twist you have given us. That worked out perfectly and the little bits of clues jumped out at the end, like the red plaid. You're a clever girl ;)

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Why thank you...I try. Lindafishes sort of caught on to those clues but didn't know how to piece them together, and the twist in the last part? Well I don't think anyone saw that coming at all. I was trying very hard not to give it away.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Thank you! There were little clues but nothing that could have given this ending away. Glad you enjoyed the story and the twist.

[reapermum.livejournal.com]

You didn't give it away to me at all, well done. And it didn't fall into the trap of being one of those unsatisfactory "it was all a dream" stories.

The one thing that had me thinking was John Doe in the same hospital as NS, when I was expecting them to be miles apart.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Ah since Napoleon was dreaming the John Doe...he could be where Solo needed him to be. That was a little clue too.

So glad you liked the story and thanks for taking the time to comment. It's always appreciated.

Happy Christmas to you and yours!

[lindafishes8.livejournal.com]

Very nice ending with a surprise. You got me again as I did not see that coming. I think you should develop the nurse character as she seems quite intelligent and proficient in her job.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, I hada feeling you'd like that nurse. Finally I surprised you, though you were the only one who suspected certain things being clues. You just couldn't piece them together and only at the end did they make sense,

Thanks so much for reading and commenting. Glad you liked the story ans your shout out!