Second Chances Chapter Nine
Reese's Plan
After the physical therapist wheeled John back into his own room, the PT helped his injured charge into the recliner, “Sitting up for a bit will do you some good. Just press the call button when you want to get back into bed.” The young physiotherapist unwrapped the long cord from around the bed’s safety rail, placed the call device in his charge’s hand and told Mr. Richards that he would be back later in the afternoon to help John walk around some more, then left. John sat there just staring out the window, then not bothering to call the nurse, Reese crawled back into his bed, his stoic facade crumbling.
John Reese did something he hadn’t done, even after Jessica’s death, he cried. The doctors said Finch’s memory loss could be temporary, but in his heart John knew what the two had, but never really had the chance to act upon, was now gone. That Harold was gone, their love was gone. Tears freely flowed down John’s face. Finch had no memory but had called for Grace, not him, and John cried until no more tears could fall, until he felt dead inside.
Reese believed Finch had loved him, John never doubted that, but Harold had never truly fallen out of love with Grace. It was her name Finch had called out. Harold’s mind might not remember but his heart did.
Reese focused blankly on the ceiling above him; thoughts of ending his life filled the broken man’s head once more. Everything that mattered had been taken away from him, shattered into a million fragments and there was nothing John could do to put anything back together. Finch didn’t need him anymore….
Even though Reese’s whole world had fallen to pieces, he knew what he had to do. John had to help Harold as best he could, assist the gentle man in healing from his recent injuries and dealing with the old ones. No matter what had happened Reese still loved Harold, he would always be first in John’s heart. Reese could still care for him; love him even if Harold never remembered their having been together.
Finch would need all the love and support he could get in the days, weeks, months or maybe years to come. If Harold being reunited with Grace was the best thing for the severely disfigured man, then John loved him enough to let him go.
The fact that doing so would destroy even the smallest chance of a life with Harold, tearing them apart forever became the last thing on Reese’s mind. That he too was injured, needed support, yearned for love as much as Harold was never something John would even acknowledge
Without any regards to his own needs, only Harold’s, John initiated his plan.
John found his cell in his bag of belongings, thankfully turned off and still fully charged, called Samantha Shaw, then Joss Carter, and lastly Lionel Fusco.
Samantha Shaw came into Reese’s room a few hours later. “What in the hell happened to you? Last time I saw you, Finch kicked me out of the Library. I didn’t think you were hurt that bad.”
“Our car was accordioned. That’s what happened. Harold is here in the hospital too. He’ll live, but he’s not Finch, not anymore.” Reese told her. “That’s why you’re here.”
“You are going to track down your buddy Hersh, tell him Finch is no help to them. Not anymore. Let the rest of them know they will leave him alone or they will have more than terrorists to deal with.”
“What happened to Harold?” Shaw narrowed her eyes at John. “Why do I need to track down Hersh?”
Reese sighed. “Finch suffered a severe head trauma; he’s got amnesia. He doesn’t remember his name, The Machine, the numbers or what we do. Harold didn’t even recognize me. His memory is a complete blank. Finch’s whole life has been wiped away. So now we are going to give Harold a new life, one that he deserves,” John looked hard at Shaw. “And you are going to be the messenger girl. You can handle them.”
Reese voice was strained as he kept his feelings in check, “The people who have The Machine, our former employers, killed Harold’s longtime friend Nathan Ingram, in a supposed terrorist bombing. That explosion almost killed him. Afterwards Harold gave up a woman he loved to protect her, Finch knew the government would kill them both too if they ever found out Harold actually built it. Now there is no need, the man who created The Machine is gone. Harold can no longer help them or expose them. We are going to make sure they leave him alone.”
Reese blinked and looked away, trying to hide the pain. “I have a plan to reunite Harold with the woman he gave up. He’s going to have some happiness in his life.” John returned his gaze to Shaw's. “Finch deserves that.”
Shaw, a little shocked and disbelieving, pulled herself together enough to ask, “What about the numbers? They will still keep coming. I don’t know Harold as well as you but they were very important to him,”
Reese nodded, “When you get back, you are going to take my place. I have someone in mind that can do what Harold did, no one can ever fully replace him, but this person will have to do,” John explained. “We still have Carter and Fusco’s help. I will make sure the mission goes on.”
Shaw prepared to leave, and then stopped, “You know I can handle myself. I owe Harold and I will do my part. But what about you, what will you do?” Shaw asked as she prepared to leave the room.
“I’m going to make sure Harold gets that wonderful life and damn well make sure no one takes it away or hurts him ever again,” answered John, even if I never will be happy again.
An hour later, Detective Carter, who was now their ally, rushed into John’s room. Worry and concern was etched all over her face.
“John, I’m sorry I didn’t know about the accident. Homicide cases involving drunk drivers very seldom cross my desk. I had no idea you and Harold were involved in a car collision. I only found out after you called, that another of the victims had died. I don’t handle vehicular homicide cases but I know who does. We’ll make sure the driver never hurts or kills anyone again.”
Her brows relaxed. “I was very concerned though when I had heard nothing from the two of you in a week,” Carter apologized, concern and relief tendered together in her words.
“Harold is a good friend and I will do whatever you need me to do. Just ask, John. Fusco can’t be here, he is working on a case, but Lionel said to tell you whatever you need done to help Glasses, he’s in,” Carter told John conspiratorially.
“Thanks Carter. I need you to get in touch with Elias, I know you can. Here is what I need from him……”
~*~
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen