Fic: When The Leaves Fall (10/?)
Title: When The Leaves Fall (10/?)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Characters/Pairings (this chapter): William Eldredge, Frank/Adam (Frank does not appear in this chapter), Julie Sheffield, Sally Horton, Ed Becker
Fandom: Naked City
Genres: Angst, Drama, Historical, Holiday, Romance
Rating (this chapter): G
Warnings: None
Spoilers: For Today The Man Who Kills The Ants Is Coming (3x21)
General Summary: After the fallout from a confrontation with a fleeing killer, Adam is broken.
Chapter Summary: Adam's fall sets him back.
Date Of Completion: November 5, 2024
Date Of Posting: December 1, 2024
Disclaimer: I don't own 'em, Screen Gems does, more's the pity.
Word Count (this chapter): 810
All chapters can be found here.
X
Square One
"One step forward, two steps back. That pretty much sums up the mental health field."
Dr. Horace Pfieffer
Keynote Address At
The American Psychiatric
Association
May 10, 1968
February 29, 1968
(From Dr. William Eldredge's Case Notes)
February 29, 1968
Five days ago we found patient Adam Flint lying at the bottom of the attic stairs. He was lucky he did not end up with broken bones or worse, just a sprained ankle and bruises. We have no idea why he was trying to get up there.
Update: we discovered a piece of metal in his pants pocket. We speculate that he used it to pick the attic door lock. Considering his police background, not surprising he possesses this skill.
Nurse Julie Sheffield offered this speculation: that perhaps he was trying to reach the Widow's Walk since he loves ocean-gazing so much. It is a possibility.
Unfortunately we cannot ask Adam, as he is once again in a catatonic state. We are, to put it mildly, back at Square One.
& & &
March 18, 1968
Once again, no change. It is a sentence I have been writing every day. Whether or not he comes out of it or not, we can only wait and see.
& & &
April 1, 1968
Still no change.
Lieutenant Mike Parker was distressed at the news when it happened. He calls for regular updates but is definitely discouraged. I can't say as I blame him.
It is, of course, a fact of life for those of us who work in the mental health field. Progress can be so precarious. The staff is sorry to see this situation, too. He is well-liked and it is a sad development.
& & &
April 24, 1968
Small triumphs make for good days. Adam has come out of his catatonic state today.
Granted, he was confused and timid as he was when he came out of catatonia the first time, but at least it was not six months this time but only two. I can only hope this is a good sign.
Unfortunately he has reverted to asking the haunting question, "Has Frank come to see me today?" That means he is longer seeing his dead partner, but a part of me wishes for that delusion to return. As his doctor I should be glad he is free of delusions, but he is so sad I can only hope 'Frank' might return.
& & &
April 30, 1968
Another unproductive session with Adam. He remembers nothing about the night he fell so cannot tell me why he was going up those stairs. He seems puzzled when I ask him about it. He clearly has no idea why he would try and get into the attic.
I do have a theory. Could it be tied into the shooting incident which sent him here four years ago? He had sunk into catatonia after losing his partner. Had he remembered? Mike Parker said they had climbed several tenement stairs that day to get to the roof. Had Adam's memory of that day finally burst through?
Whatever the case, Adam remembers nothing. Truly Square One.
& & &
May 6, 1968
Frank is visiting again.
& & &
May 10, 1968
Adam seems to be making rapid progress. He is gaining confidence as he did before the fall. His ankle has healed and he informs me he is exercising again. His appetite is good and Nurse Sheffield says he is socializing with a small group of friends again.
It all sounds very good.
& & &
May 17, 1968
Today an interesting development occurred. Nurse Sheffield made a full report, which I enclose here:
& & &
May 17, 1968
At 1:00 P.M. I heard patient Sally Horton calling for help. The cries came from a side corridor here on the first floor.
"Leave me alone! Get off me!"
I hurried toward the corridor. I heard patient Adam Flint's voice.
"Let her go!"
The sound of mocking laughter carried to me. I recognized the laugh as belonging to Orderly Ed Becker. I heard the sounds of heavy scuffling and Sally screamed. Rounding the corridor, I saw a disturbing scene.
Sally's clothing was disheveled as she watched in horror as Adam and Becker fought. Becker had the advantage due to height and weight.
Adam had kept Becker at a distance but Becker suddenly grabbed Adam and slammed him to his knees and straddled him. He whispered something in his ear and Adam whipped his head back and Becker howled as Adam's head made contact with his nose. Blood spurted from the nose and Adam twisted out of Becker's grasp, using a police technique to subdue him as Becker was distracted by his broken nose.
& & &
I dismissed Ed Becker and hopefully we will never see him again.
Violence is everywhere. Our country is very troubled. Riots, protests, the murder of Dr. King last month...what next?
This chapter can also be read on AO3.
This entry has been cross-posted from Dreamwidth. Comment on either entry as you wish.
Author: BradyGirl_12
Characters/Pairings (this chapter): William Eldredge, Frank/Adam (Frank does not appear in this chapter), Julie Sheffield, Sally Horton, Ed Becker
Fandom: Naked City
Genres: Angst, Drama, Historical, Holiday, Romance
Rating (this chapter): G
Warnings: None
Spoilers: For Today The Man Who Kills The Ants Is Coming (3x21)
General Summary: After the fallout from a confrontation with a fleeing killer, Adam is broken.
Chapter Summary: Adam's fall sets him back.
Date Of Completion: November 5, 2024
Date Of Posting: December 1, 2024
Disclaimer: I don't own 'em, Screen Gems does, more's the pity.
Word Count (this chapter): 810
All chapters can be found here.
X
Square One
"One step forward, two steps back. That pretty much sums up the mental health field."
Dr. Horace Pfieffer
Keynote Address At
The American Psychiatric
Association
May 10, 1968
February 29, 1968
(From Dr. William Eldredge's Case Notes)
February 29, 1968
Five days ago we found patient Adam Flint lying at the bottom of the attic stairs. He was lucky he did not end up with broken bones or worse, just a sprained ankle and bruises. We have no idea why he was trying to get up there.
Update: we discovered a piece of metal in his pants pocket. We speculate that he used it to pick the attic door lock. Considering his police background, not surprising he possesses this skill.
Nurse Julie Sheffield offered this speculation: that perhaps he was trying to reach the Widow's Walk since he loves ocean-gazing so much. It is a possibility.
Unfortunately we cannot ask Adam, as he is once again in a catatonic state. We are, to put it mildly, back at Square One.
& & &
March 18, 1968
Once again, no change. It is a sentence I have been writing every day. Whether or not he comes out of it or not, we can only wait and see.
& & &
April 1, 1968
Still no change.
Lieutenant Mike Parker was distressed at the news when it happened. He calls for regular updates but is definitely discouraged. I can't say as I blame him.
It is, of course, a fact of life for those of us who work in the mental health field. Progress can be so precarious. The staff is sorry to see this situation, too. He is well-liked and it is a sad development.
& & &
April 24, 1968
Small triumphs make for good days. Adam has come out of his catatonic state today.
Granted, he was confused and timid as he was when he came out of catatonia the first time, but at least it was not six months this time but only two. I can only hope this is a good sign.
Unfortunately he has reverted to asking the haunting question, "Has Frank come to see me today?" That means he is longer seeing his dead partner, but a part of me wishes for that delusion to return. As his doctor I should be glad he is free of delusions, but he is so sad I can only hope 'Frank' might return.
& & &
April 30, 1968
Another unproductive session with Adam. He remembers nothing about the night he fell so cannot tell me why he was going up those stairs. He seems puzzled when I ask him about it. He clearly has no idea why he would try and get into the attic.
I do have a theory. Could it be tied into the shooting incident which sent him here four years ago? He had sunk into catatonia after losing his partner. Had he remembered? Mike Parker said they had climbed several tenement stairs that day to get to the roof. Had Adam's memory of that day finally burst through?
Whatever the case, Adam remembers nothing. Truly Square One.
& & &
May 6, 1968
Frank is visiting again.
& & &
May 10, 1968
Adam seems to be making rapid progress. He is gaining confidence as he did before the fall. His ankle has healed and he informs me he is exercising again. His appetite is good and Nurse Sheffield says he is socializing with a small group of friends again.
It all sounds very good.
& & &
May 17, 1968
Today an interesting development occurred. Nurse Sheffield made a full report, which I enclose here:
& & &
May 17, 1968
At 1:00 P.M. I heard patient Sally Horton calling for help. The cries came from a side corridor here on the first floor.
"Leave me alone! Get off me!"
I hurried toward the corridor. I heard patient Adam Flint's voice.
"Let her go!"
The sound of mocking laughter carried to me. I recognized the laugh as belonging to Orderly Ed Becker. I heard the sounds of heavy scuffling and Sally screamed. Rounding the corridor, I saw a disturbing scene.
Sally's clothing was disheveled as she watched in horror as Adam and Becker fought. Becker had the advantage due to height and weight.
Adam had kept Becker at a distance but Becker suddenly grabbed Adam and slammed him to his knees and straddled him. He whispered something in his ear and Adam whipped his head back and Becker howled as Adam's head made contact with his nose. Blood spurted from the nose and Adam twisted out of Becker's grasp, using a police technique to subdue him as Becker was distracted by his broken nose.
& & &
I dismissed Ed Becker and hopefully we will never see him again.
Violence is everywhere. Our country is very troubled. Riots, protests, the murder of Dr. King last month...what next?
This chapter can also be read on AO3.
This entry has been cross-posted from Dreamwidth. Comment on either entry as you wish.