This took me longer than I expected so I apologise about that. I'm not very good at writing hospital scenes so I hope this doesn't disappoint anyone. I know nothing about medical equipment or what would happen to someone in Kellys condition but I tried my best. This chapter's a little slow but bear with me, the next one will hopefully be better.
Let me know what you think. Eek!
Thanks to everyone who's read this story so far. I appreciate it.
"Tell Heather and the boys I love them and don't let me catch you anywhere near here again, at least until you're a hundred years old." Kelly laughed. "Take care my brother, I love you."
As soon as Kelly heard those final words the light went out, the beeping became louder and he was suddenly aware of a mask over his nose and mouth. He felt a hand grip his shoulder tight, somehow he knew it was Matt.
"It's okay, Kelly you're okay." That was definitely Shay; he felt her wipe a tear from his face and suddenly felt embarrassed realising he'd cried in real life and not just in his dream. Or was it a dream? It felt real enough. He thought frowning.
"Kelly? Can you hear us?" Matt asked releasing his grip on his shoulder slightly.
Kelly tried to speak but it sounded more like a deep moan. He frowned again through frustration.
"Mr Severide? If you can hear me squeeze my hand." He felt a hand lightly rest in his and he managed to give a small squeeze in reply. "Excellent. Now as you're awake do you think you can open your eyes for me?" The voice asked calmingly. Kelly focused on opening his eyes, closing them tightly again when the small amount of light burned his retinas. "That's good. Come on, one more try." Kelly did as he was told, he managed to open them more this time and noticed the light from before had been turned in the opposite direction. Slowly a doctor came into view with a big smile on his face. "Mr Severide, happy to have you back and I know I'm not the only one." The doctor said moving aside to reveal Matt and Shay both with huge smiles on their faces. Kelly smiled back, happy to see his friends. The doctor took Kellys oxygen mask and offered him a few ice chips to soothe his throat which felt like heaven.
"How are you feeling?" The doctor asked him.
Kelly cleared his throat before talking. "Tired."
The doctor smiled. "Well you were unconscious for quite some time but your brain is functioning normally so I wouldn't let it worry you. Sometimes the body needs more rest than even us doctors expect."
Kelly nodded and turned his attention to Shay who was too quiet. "Hey, you okay?" He asked her concerned.
Shay nodded and let her tears fall for what felt like the hundredth time. "Gosh Kel I was so worried." She began, hugging him. "I got the call that you were being bought in and I just… I didn't know what to do. Chief said you were unconscious and they couldn't wake you and then I watched you get wheeled in and you just… you looked…"
"Dead?" Kelly asked realising how she was struggling to find the word to end her sentence.
Shay sniffled but nodded.
Matt cleared his throat. "You were talking, in your sleep. Were you dreaming about Andy?"
Kelly closed his eyes; there was no way that had been a dream. He'd had dreams of Andy, this was something else but he wasn't sure he wanted to go into details. "Yeah." He nodded not wanting to say too much.
"I have a few examinations I'd like to carry out on you if that's okay?" The doctor asked giving him a serious look.
"That's our cue to leave." Matt smiled looking at Kelly then the blonde paramedic.
Shay took a deep breath, leaving her best friend was the last thing she wanted to do.
"It won't take long." The doctor assured them offering a smile.
Kelly looked at Shay and didn't miss her hesitancy on leaving. "Hey, I'm okay. I'm not going anywhere, go get yourself a coffee or somethin'. You look more tired than I feel." He joked hoping it would ease her worry.
Shay smiled. "I'll be in the waiting room." She gently squeezed his hand and followed Matt towards the door. She didn't look back knowing if she did she would want to run back to his side.
Kelly closed his eyes; his smile disappeared once his friends had left the room. No need to put on a brave face anymore. When he opened his eyes again he saw his doctor watching him with a small frown.
"What?" Kelly asked frowning himself.
"Mr Severide.."
"Kelly."
"Kelly, I'm not sure who this Andy person is and I don't expect you to tell me but what your friend said was right. You were talking in your sleep, crying even. If you need to talk about this…"
"I'm fine doc." Kelly interrupted him. "Just a dream."
The doctor nodded picking up Kellys chart and writing a few notes. "Let's get these examinations done."
Matt and Leslie sat in the waiting room, it had been half an hour since they'd left Kellys room but to both it felt longer.
"The doc said it wouldn't take long." Shay complained throwing her coffee cup in the trash.
Matt put the leaflet down he'd been reading and looked at the clock for what felt like the hundredth time. Before he had chance to speak his phone began ringing. Taking it from his pocket he realised it was Chief Boden. "Hey Chief." He said answering it.
"Any more news on Kellys condition?" Boden asked.
"Well he finally woke up about half an hour ago but the docs checking him over so we're in the waiting room. I'll let you know as soon as we hear anything."
"How was he when he woke up?"
"He seemed okay, said he was tired. Think he'd been dreaming about Andy, he kept mentioning his name and got upset."
"It's understandable; today's a tough day for all of us. I'll stop by as soon as I can, in the meantime make sure he knows we're all thinking of him."
Matt smiled; he knew Kelly would know that already. The whole firehouse was one big family. "I'll tell him Chief, speak to you soon." After Bodens goodbye Matt hung up and placed his phone back in his pocket.
"Are you here for Mr Severide?" A young nurse asked approaching them.
"Yes." Shay said practically jumping from her chair.
"Doctor Jones sent me to tell you you're okay to go back in now."
"Thank you." Matt said smiling at the nurse.
Kelly gave the best smile he could when his friends returned to his room; he hoped it was believable to save them asking him questions.
Shays smiled matched his as she approached his bed and took his hand. "You okay? What did the doctor say?"
"He said my chests clear but I might have a cough for a while." Kelly told them honestly.
"When can you get out of here?" Matt asked him, noticing the doctor had left the room.
"Hopefully later on. Been here too long already." Kelly complained.
"Chief rang me just, said to let you know they're all thinking of you." Matt told him.
Kelly nodded. "I know."
Doctor Jones came back into the room with a coffee in one hand and Kellys chart in the other. "So Kelly, I've reviewed your results and I'm happy to tell you we won't be keeping you any longer. You're free to go, but if you have any problems at all I want you straight back here. I mean shortness of breath or chest pains, they are not to be ignored and I don't want you doing anything that may cause shortness of breath for at least the rest of the day."
"We'll keep an eye on him doc." Shay told him.
Kellys smiled turned genuine for the first time since waking up. "Thanks."
"You're welcome." Doctor Jones gave him a friendly nod. "I'll have the relevant paperwork waiting at reception."
As soon as the doctor removed the numerous amounts of wires snaking from Kellys body he was climbing out of bed. Matt and Shay were around him instantly.
"Take it easy." Shay warned him.
Kelly let out a sigh but slowed his movements. "I'm okay."
"Do you need any help getting dressed?" Matt reluctantly asked.
Kelly looked at him like he'd grown another head. "I think I got it." He said trying not to let his sarcasm seep through.
Shay had to hold back a laugh. She looked at Matt who was smiling. "I'll help; it's nothing I haven't seen before."
Kelly and Matt both looked at her with raised eyebrows.
"Hey we live together remember? And I've walked in on you plenty of times in the shower." Shay shrugged like it was no big deal.
Matt couldn't help it, he laughed.
"Just… turn around."
"Fine but if I hear a thud…" Shay joked facing the opposite wall with Matt.
Kelly shook his head but couldn't help the smile that grew on his face. The jokes were exactly what he needed and he was grateful his friends were there he just hoped he wouldn't fall off the bed and bare all to them.
It made me giggle so I had to write that little bit in at the end. I can only imagine poor Kelly face planting and ending up showing his bare bum to his friends... embarrassing but funny lol thanks for reading.
