Out of the Darkness...Light (15/?)

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 TITLE: Out of the Darkness...Light (15/?)
AUTHOR: DC
E-MAIL: lotr58@bellsouth.net
RATING: R--Violence, Angst
PAIRING: Orli/Viggo
DISCLAIMER: I don't own these guys (though I wish I did). No money is being
made from this endeavor and no disrespect is intended. It's all for fun!
And thanks so much to those of you looking it over for me:) Your time and
comments are much appreciated.
FEEDBACK: Yes, but be kind, gulp:)
ARCHIVE: Anywhere, just let me know. Thanks.

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CHAPTER FIFTEEN

            Silence filled the room as the nurse, technician and physician released their patient and stepped away from the bed. The sedation was doing its job--Orlando was out cold. As they exited the room, the nurse and technician nodded briefly to the two men standing by the wall. The doctor, however, didn't leave. With a last look at his patient, he came to stand in front of Viggo and Sean, looking at them questioningly, evidently wanting to know what had brought on the outburst.

            "You are?" the physician asked, indicating the two men.

            Beanie responded first.

            "I'm Sean Bean and this is Viggo Mortensen. We're good friends of Orlando's. We care about him."

            Looking at the nameplate--Chambers--Viggo took a deep breath, gathering his rattled thoughts together before speaking.

            "What happened?" the man inquired, raising a hand to scratch at his graying head. His kindly face held an expression of genuine concern.

            Sean was quiet, listening intently, obviously wanting to know the same thing. Shaking his head, Viggo spread his hands and shrugged his shoulders. He was hesitant, not wanting to reveal too much, but desirous of giving the physician enough information to help Orlando. 

            "We were...talking. He just got upset and...well, you saw what happened." 

            Dr. Chambers nodded slowly, but was obviously not satisfied with Viggo's explanation.

            "What were you talking about? What was it that got him so upset?"

            Looking over at Sean, who was gazing at him with understanding, Viggo opened his mouth...closed it. He didn't know what to say. How much? How little? Finally, his mind a mass of confusion, he made his decision. Clearing his throat, he began.

            "Dr. Chambers...umm...well, when Orlando was brought in on Monday, we were told that scans revealed some sort of past abuse. I discovered some of the details of that abuse earlier today. Then, Orlando and I were talking...or I was trying to talk. He kept telling me that he was worthless, not worth anything, that if I really knew about him I wouldn't want anything to do with him. I...I told him that I knew what had happened to him earlier..."

            "What did happen to him?" Chambers interjected.

            "He was molested, for years, by a family friend. I don't know all the details, but it sounds like it began when he was four or five and continued for nearly ten years."

            When the doctor nodded, a look of sorrow on his face, Viggo continued.

            "That's all I know, really. I only told Orlando that I knew what had happened with the man and he became hysterical."    

            "All right, then. Thank-you for sharing that," Chambers said. "I'll make sure his counselor has this information. She may want to speak with you, if that's all right?"

            Viggo nodded affirmation.

            "Dr. Chambers...I'm sorry. I didn't mean...I didn't know..."

            The doctor held up a hand, forestalling any further apologies. 

            "It's all right. You had no idea he would react this way. He's just had more than he can handle and he...reacted. It's a form of self-preservation, in a way. The mind just shuts down...closes off when it's on overload."

            Sean finally spoke. "Is he going to be all right, doctor?"

            Chambers paused, obviously considering his answer carefully.

            "I hope so. In situations such as this, a lot depends on how well the patient responds to therapy. And that, in turn, depends on how actively the patient participates in therapy. In Mr. Bloom's case," gesturing to the silent figure in the bed, "he not only has to deal with the current assault...rape...he also must deal with the fact of his past abuse."

            Seeing the concerned, almost frightened expressions on the faces of the two men, he concluded.

            "In short, much of Mr. Bloom's recovery will depend on his acceptance of his past as well as the present. But there are people who are trained in this field...people who will help him get through this."

            "Dr. Chambers," Viggo began. "What can we do to help him?"

            "Be there for him. Let him know that you're there and that you care about him. Convince him that he hasn't changed...he's the same person he's always been. But mainly...just be there."

            "Aye," Sean said, nodding his head thoughtfully. "We can do that."

            "Can and will," Viggo affirmed.

            "All right, then," Chambers said. "He'll be asleep for several hours. I'm on duty until midnight, so I'll see you later."

            Nodding to the two men, who nodded back, he exited the room, letting the door close slowly behind him.

            Throwing his head back and exhaling loudly, Viggo tried to gain control of his emotions, which were currently running the gamut. Feeling a warm hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently, he looked over at his companion, giving him a small, forced smile. 

            "Thanks, Sean, for being here. For everything."

            "It's no problem, mate. That's what friends are for. And I care for the lad, as well. You know that."

            Nodding slowly, Viggo smiled a genuine smile this time.

            "Yes, I do know that."

            Silence for a moment as both men contemplated what had just transpired and what was yet to be. Finally, Sean gave his shoulder one last squeeze and inclined his head towards the door. 

            "Come on, Viggo. Let's go get a cup of tea...well, coffee, for you."

            With one last look at the boy slumbering peacefully in the bed, Viggo followed his friend out the door, only to find himself face to face with Sonia Bloom and her daughter. Orlando's mother looked distraught, as if she'd just been given the worst news in the world, which, considering the past several days, wasn't far from the truth, Viggo thought. Seeing him, she stopped where she was and just looked at him for a moment. 

             Then, "Viggo. Sean. I want to speak with you. Please, come with me."

            Without waiting to see if they were following, she turned and made her way to the waiting room they'd left several hours before. Once there, she turned to face the two men, crossing her arms across her chest. Without preamble, she asked abruptly,

            "I want to know what you said to Orlando."

            Taken aback by her suddenly brusque manner, Viggo didn't answer immediately. Sean stood by his side, silent, but taking it all in, as was Samantha.

            "I met Dr. Chambers on my way in. He told me what happened with Orlando--how upset he got. He told me you were with him when it occurred--that you were talking to him, telling him about the past, and what happened to him."

            The woman was angry, and how angry was becoming more evident by the moment. Viggo stood, dumbstruck and totally unable to defend himself, as he watched what was quickly turning into a rant.

            "It was not your position to do that. That was my job. I'm his mother. Who are you? A co-worker? That doesn't give you the right to interfere with my family." 

            This last was uttered like ice and Viggo glanced quickly at Sean, seeing that the other man was as confused as he was by the sudden change in demeanor. Spreading his hands in a placating manner, he attempted to make her understand.

            "Sonia..."

            She cut him off, her voice sharp as a knife.

            "Mrs. Bloom to you."

            Drawing a deep breath, Viggo struggled to control his rising temper...and his fear.

            "All right. Mrs. Bloom, I'm sorry. I never meant..."

            "You never meant! Well, did you ever stop to think that maybe I didn't want him to think about that! That maybe I wanted to find out more about what happened before even mentioning it to Orlando? Hmmm? We don't know what happened all those years ago! How do we even know anything happened?"

            This last drew a shocked look from Samantha, who said nothing but eyed her mother warily.

            "Now wait a minute..." This from Sean, who found himself cut off by Orlando's mother.

            "No, you wait a minute. Orlando needs to recover from this and he needs peace. He doesn't need to be upset by his so-called friends!"

            "Wait..." Viggo jumped in valiantly. "Mrs. Bloom, why are you doing this?"

            The woman drew herself up, squaring her shoulders and looked him straight in the eyes. 

            "I'm protecting my son, Mr. Mortensen. I would think you'd understand that. Now, as I said, Orlando needs peace and he's going to get it. He doesn't need any reminders of what happened to him. Please stay away!" Her voice dripped ice. She was unbending, inflexible.

            Viggo's heart plummeted even as his breathing increased. He was right to have felt fear!

            "What...what do you mean, stay away?" he spluttered, feeling his entire body going cold as horror and terror crept through him.

            "Just what I said. Stay away. I don't want you near my son!"