FairHaven
December 20th
With some minor delays with her flights, Shaw arrived in San Diego the next morning. A man employed by the Machine met her with her luggage and directions on how to get to FairHaven. She half expected the messenger to be her driver as well, but was surprised to learn that the Mustang was here, too. She was happy to break it in.
Once Shaw reached the hospital, her curiosity began to rise. The Machine had given her very little information regarding the number, as well as her own cover. All she knew was that she was a doctor and her presence at the hospital was required. Presumably to help someone.
The hospital itself was visually striking, having a very modern design with mostly glass and metal covering the building. There also appeared to be a large garden attached, perhaps to help with the mental health aspect of healing.
She was greeted by a friendly looking receptionist when she came through the large doors.
“Hello! You must be Doctor Miller!” She stood up from behind her desk and walked around to meet Shaw. They shake hands.
“Nice place.”
“You're too kind! Our proprietor spared no expense in creating FairHaven.”
Shaw hummed in acknowledgment.
“Let me get Sandy down here to show you around. I hope you'll decide to stay with us. Thornhill is very interested in you.”
“I'll bet.”
The receptionist walked back around the desk and picked up the phone. After a few minutes of waiting, a young doctor arrived to greet her.
“Nice to meet you. I'm Doctor Lawson.”
“Miller,” they shook hands as well. “You mind telling me what I'm doing here?”
The doctor frowned, “I was hoping you could tell us that, actually.”
They walked together down a hallway, passing several patient rooms on the way. The doors were all glass, some even appeared to have images of different scenery playing across them. In addition, medical information regarding each patient was displayed on-screen. Doctors carried tablets and appeared to be very active and hands-on, from what Shaw could tell.
They employed a diverse team of accomplished physicians, as well as some of the more superior minds in technology. Together, they worked to come up with treatments for every kind of ailment. Often times their solutions required a blend of technology and advanced medicine working in harmony.
Dr Lawson told her that FairHaven received word that Shaw would be arriving today. She explained that the only instruction they had was to show her around. This was common practice, but typically the doctors who came in had specialized skills or knowledge to advance the hospital. Once they saw what FairHaven had to offer, the doctors would decide if they wanted to stay and take residence. Dr 'Miller' was the source of speculation among the staff.
“Forgive me for saying this, Doctor Miller, but you seem... ordinary,” Dr Lawson continued.
“I've been called worse,” Shaw shrugged.
They continued walking passed the variety of cases being attended to. Cancer, Alzheimer's, heart disease, even complicated pregnancy. It seemed FairHaven was open to everyone. They eventually made it to the coma ward.
“Maybe you can offer some insight into this patient at the end here,” Dr Lawson gestured to the glass door at the end of the hall, “this one's an enigma, just like you!” The doctor smiled. Shaw did her best to return the gesture.
Shaw certainly wasn't specialized in this field and she was beginning to wonder what exactly she was supposed to be doing.
When they reached the door, Shaw looked inside the room. The lights had been dimmed, but she could see a figure lying in the bed, their information up on the glass wall.
“She was brought in almost seven months ago. According to the details from Thornhill, she was in some kind of accident which caused her coma.” Dr Lawson took her tablet and scrolled through the information, “though if you ask me, it wasn't an accident.”
“Uh-huh,” Shaw nodded absentmindedly. Conspiracy theories. Great.
“We're thinking she must be related to Thornhill. I mean, why go through the trouble to fly her in from New York and give her top-of-the-line care around the clock?”
“What?” Hearing that the patient came from New York was a little surprising.
“I know right? She comes in with GSW from a very high powered gun, and most of her personal information is classified.” Dr Lawson keeps scrolling through the digital chart. Shaw listened carefully, her focus now sharp. “She was in bad shape. I mean, really bad. Massive internal bleeding. Organs torn to shreds. The doctors at Saint Mary's did a decent job, but I'm honestly surprised she didn't die on the trip over here.”
Shaw's hand slowly came up to her head. She checked the skin at the base of her skull. The patient coming from Saint Mary's hospital couldn't be coincidence... could it?
“Another strange thing,” the doctor continued enthusiastically, “she had a cochlear implant that was removed just prior to her being transferred. It wasn't related in any way to her so-called 'accident'. Why waste the time taking it out?”
“Cochlear... wait, what?” Shaw said again, shaking her head. Her heart was pounding.
The doctor must have noticed a shift in her demeanor. She lowered the tablet and regarded Shaw.
“Doctor Miller?”
“This can't...” Shaw muttered to herself. Dr Lawson's concern was growing.
“Sameen? Are you all right?” She reached to put her hand on Shaw's shoulder, but she stepped back.
“Her name," Shaw clears her throat and hardens her voice, "tell me her name. Now."
Dr Lawson hesitates, like she doesn't understand why it's suddenly so important. “Samantha Groves?”
Shaw doesn't respond. She immediately pushes through the glass door. The lights automatically turn up. She stops when the patient is illuminated. Shaw cannot believe her eyes.
“Root?”
She quickly moves to stand next to where she rests. It is unmistakable. Root is here. Alive.
Shaw is stunned. She looks her over. There is a tube taped to her mouth and an IV in her hand. Her brain information is displayed on the far wall, each zone is dark from lack of activity. Her skin is pale, yet dark around the eyes. Shaw can see her chest rising and falling. It's slow and rhythmic.
Shaw sits on the edge of the bed and takes Root's hand. A sound escapes her; something in the realm of a laugh and a sob. She can feel her eyes burning. Was she dreaming?
“Root...” she practically sighs the word, her voice tentative. Shaw reaches a hand out to touch Root's face. Her fingers are tingling from the contact.
Dr Lawson must have entered the room after her, she stands on the other side of the bed.
“You know her.” It's not a question.
Shaw doesn't look away from Root's face, but she nods after a moment.
Dr Lawson smiles, finally realizing something.
“I know exactly why you're here.”