Disclaimer: If I owned Scrubs J.D. would be pretty beat up (maybe tortured a few times, a gunshot or two, throw in the occasional car wreck.) Plus, he and Cox would have hooked up by now. Since neither one of those happens on Scrubs I think it may be obvious that I don't own it. This is written for my own enjoyment, no infringement intended.

Psychotic KAT – Thanks for the wonderful review!

SpArKyCoLa77 – Another phenomenal review. Thank you sooooo much!

Snow887 – It always bugs me when it isn't explained how people get to the hospital. A lot can happen in the time it takes to get to a hospital! Also a huge part of this story is Dr. Cox being the "hero" and his reaction and the issues that it brings up for him.

XAngst-PrincessX – Thanks! Cox is in a situation where he is running on pure emotion. He's do what it takes for him to "fix" things.

Thanks so much to my wonderful reviewers! Your reviews are like a lovely little drug that I can't get enough of. If I have to go to rehab to break myself off of your reviews I'm sending you guys the bill! 

This chapter moves a bit slower some the other two so I hope it isn't to horribly boring! When we last saw him Cox wasn't feeling so good. Let's see what happens next…


He woke with a sudden start, his thoughts jumping immediately to J.D. The memories of the evening were still fresh in his mind. He could still hear J.D.'s scream echoing through his head, the smell of blood lingering in his nostrils. His eyes shot open drinking in his surroundings, piecing together what must have happened since he had arrived at the hospital. He was in one of the rooms, the pale white walls, and drab curtains intensifying the sorrow in his heart.

He could feel a tight bandage wrapped around his sore ribs, no doubt in his mind that several were probably broken, the rest bruised. He began to notice his throbbing left shoulder, his arm resting in a sling. The image of the knife sticking out of his chest hit him hard. His right shot up to touch the wound, but half way up something gave it a sharp tug. He looked down seeing the IV. Without hesitation he ripped it out, a small bubble of blood taking the place of the needle. Seeing the blood his thoughts went racing back to J.D.

Dr. Cox bolted out of bed, ripping off wires and monitors as he went. The machine behind him began to give off a sharp, flat tone, as he pulled the pulse ox off his finger. His bare feet touched the cold floor as Carla came running through the door, eyes frantic, face full of terror. She was followed by several other nurses and doctors, all prepared for the worst. Dr. Cox turned to face them. Carla quickly went from terrified to very pissed off.

"Dr. Cox! What and the hell do you think you're doing? Get your ass back in bed right now!"

The others, hearing the tone of Carla's voice, hightailed it out of the room before things got ugly.

Without blinking Dr. Cox asked, "Where's Newbie?"

"You need to get back in bed. You are in no shape to be on your feet."

"Where's Newbie?"

"Dr. Cox. You have to get back in bed. You are seriously injured."

"Tell me where Newbie is."

"I will, but only after you get settled back in bed."

"No. Tell me now."

"Dr. Cox. I am giving you one last chance. Get back in bed or I'll call in some people who will make you."

"I have to see him. I have to know that he's alright."

"First, we have to make sure that you're alright."

"I'm fine."

"No, you're not. We almost lost you for a little bit. We thought that the knife had nicked you're heart and when you threw your little tantrum downstairs you put pressure on one of your broken ribs causing it to slip and puncture your lung."

At that moment Turk and Elliot came racing through the doorway.

"We heard some one say something about Dr. Cox crashing. Is he okay?" Elliot exclaimed, quickly and sounding quite out of breath.

"Yes. He just freaked out and pulled off his pulse ox when he woke up." Carla explained.

"How long?" Dr. Cox asked in a gruff tone.

"How long what?"

"How long have I been out?"

"About four hours or so."

"What?" Dr. Cox looked at her in disbelief. How could he have left J.D. only God knows where in only God knows what condition for so long? "Where is he, Carla?"

"He's still in surgery."

"Can I see him?"

"No! Who in there right mind would even think of letting you do that right now?"

"Please. I have to see that he alive. I have to see that I can still fix this."

"Fix what? Dr. Cox, What happened to you guys?"

She spoke gently, cautious steps taking her toward him. Once by his side, she placed a soothing hand on the small of his back, leading him safely back to his bed. He sat down heavily letting his weight plummet onto the uncomfortable mattress. Carla sat in the small chair next to his bed. He watched with sad eyes as Turk fell in behind her, placing reassuring hands on her shoulders. Dr. Cox wasn't sure which of the two needed the reassuring; both looked scared, worried, and horribly sad, praying that things would work out for the best for their best friend. Elliot grabbed a chair that was sitting idly against the wall.

They looked up at him, bracing themselves for what he was about to say.

"I don't really know what happened out there. I mean, I remember what happened before I passed out and I remember what happened after I woke up, but I don't know why it happened. I can't give an explanation as to the reason behind it all."

"Just tell us what all you remember."

"I went to the bar looking to sedate myself with alcohol, but your buddy beat me to it. When I noticed him he was pretty smashed and the bartender was trying to cut him off. I went to apologize to Newbie, but I somehow ended up arguing with him, calling him names and just being a jerk. He left so I decided to go after him. I couldn't find him, but then I heard a scream come from the alleyway. When I got there I saw three men hold Newbie at knifepoint and gunpoint, too. One of them stabbed him. I think I may have screamed because they all looked over at me. One came running at me. It kind of gets fuzzy there, everything happened so fast, but I think I got in a pretty solid punch because he fell backward. The next thing I know I'm staring down at the knife in my chest. I didn't even feel the pain at first. Time sort of seemed to slow down. It felt like I stood there forever, just staring down at it. Then it was like someone hit fast forward, because before I could register what happened I was on the ground and someone just kept kicking me in the ribs. All I can do is lay there on the ground watching that guy stab Newbie. He just wouldn't stop…"

Dr. Cox turned his face away from them at that point, trying to hide the sudden flash of emotion sparked by that last memory. Once he regained his look of indifference he turned back to them, continuing on to the worst part of the story.

"I soon noticed myself losing consciousness. Just before I passed out the guy stopped kicking my ribs in. I could hear the men talking, their voices were angry, but I was too far gone to make any of what they were saying. However, I could hear…"

Dr. Cox's voice caught in his throat, his eyes darting to the floor.

"Hear what?"

"Newbie." Dr. Cox fought hard to shove his emotions as far down as far as they would go. This was no time to bare his soul, especially not to these three. "He was making some sort of pathetic whining sound." He spit it out with what sounded like disdain to the three before him, but was in actuality his odd brand of grief.

"Anyway, that's when I passed out, but not before I heard that gunshot."

He was glad, for once, that they were staring intently at his face, hanging on to his every word, none of them noticing the slight tremble that ran through his hand at this last relay of information.

"When I came to the three guys were gone. I have no idea how long I was out for, but it was long enough. Newbie was pretty well out of it, coughing and moaning a bit, but not really responding to me much. I tried my phone, but I think that guy may have kicked it, cause it was beyond useless. I don't even remember thinking about my options; I just picked up Newbie and went. I ran out into the road, almost got hit by some idiot. I got in the backseat and I had him drive us here. That's it."

"Wow. Do you remember what those three guys looked like? I'm sure the police will be by soon to talk to you."

"Trust me, Carla. Those aren't faces I'm going to be forgetting anytime soon. And I'm sure Newbie will be able to give an accurate description, he was a bit more up and close and personal."

His eyes darted between the three faces as they exchanged worried glances.

"What?"

"J.D. was pretty bad when you brought him in. He has lost a lot of blood and with all his injuries there's no telling what kind of internal damage has been done. None of us want to think about it, but there is a huge possibility that he may not make it out of this one. We don't even know how bad he is yet."

"I have to see him"

Dr. Cox bounded out off the bed making several quick steps toward the door. Before he got there, however, Turk had beat him to it. Turk was now standing in the doorway, arms spread, hands hold tightly onto the frame.

"You better move it, Gandhi, or that big bald head of yours is gonna look nice sitting on my mantle." Dr. Cox let out in a low threatening growl.

"I can't let you pass Dr. Cox. You need to rest."

"C'mon, Dr. Cox." Carla said from her still seated position. "You can see Bambi when he's out of surgery."

"You said it yourself Carla, he may not make it out. I have to see him now. I will never be able to handle it if I just left him there alone. I have to."

"What will it take for me convince you to lie down."

"Nothing, unless you can get Newbie standing before me, perfectly fine."

"You are too weak to go see him. You must already be drained and seeing him like that is only going to make it worse."

"Being trapped in here with you three, just twiddling my thumbs is what's gonna make it worse. Please. I just need to see him."

"Carla, he's right. I mean what if J.D. doesn't make it. Will you ever be able to forgive yourself if you pass on what could be your last opportunity? I can't speak for Turk, but I know that wouldn't."

"Elliot's right, baby. I want to see him."

"Fine, but Dr. Cox I can't let you walk up there. You guys stay here while I go get a wheelchair."

Turk relinquished his position at the door as she passed; he quickly fell back into placed once she was through, though.

"Oh come on Gandhi. Like I would really try and latently ignore a direct order from your wife, I mean come on, she's scary."

"Yeah. I know what your sayin man. Holla."

"Right… Holler."

Apparently satisfied by Dr. Cox's admission that he was afraid of Carla he took a step away from the door, leaving plenty of room for Dr. Cox to take several long strides right out the door.

"Dr. Cox?"

Elliot made her way out the door followed closely by Turk. They came flying out into an empty hallway. The only other person they saw was the janitor, standing ominously close to Dr. Cox's room.

"Which way did he go, Janitor?"

"Which way did who go?"

"You know who. The only person that ran out of this room and down the hallway."

"Are you sure that he came out of this doorway?"

"Yes!"

"Well I have no clear recollection of anyone running out of this particular doorway."

"What's going on here? Why are you two standing out here?"

The three hospital employee's looked up to find Carla standing before them, wheelchair ready for Dr. Cox.

"Baby, don't get mad, but he got away."

"What do mean he got away?"

"I mean he got out the door and down the hallway before I could catch him."

"So you're telling me that you were out run by a man ten years older then you, who might I add, just got stab and had to have one of his lungs reinflated?"

"Yes…"

"Turk!"

"But, baby, he started talking and I got confused and he made it out the door,"

"Oh, so you were just outsmarted by a man that is probably so hopped up on painkillers that he's seeing unicorns, leprechauns, and God knows what else."

"Yeah."

"Figures. Well come on. We have to find him. If I had two guesses I'd use both to say he's in the OR looking for Bambi."


A few minutes later Elliot, Turk, and Carla stepped of the elevator onto the surgical floor, wheelchair in tow. They were walking down the hallway when Turk suddenly stopped next to OR 3.

"Baby, I think I found him."

The three peered in to the observation room of OR 3. There stood Dr. Cox, looking pale, eyes transfixed on what lay before his eyes. Carla stepped forward, carefully opening the door and entering the small room. She moved slowly and spoke softly doing her best to try not to startle Dr. Cox.

"Dr. Cox?"

She studied his face, looking for any indication as to what was going on in his mind. His face was blank, eyes glazed over.

"Dr. Cox, are you okay?"

Failing once again to answer her, Dr. Cox slowly raised his right hand. He placed his palm against the cool glass. Leaning forward he placed his forehead against the glass, closing his eyes. Had Carla not known better she would of swore that she saw a single tear run down the man's face.

"Dr. Cox? Why don't you take a seat."

"He's not gonna make it Carla."

"Don't say that. Bambi's strong and you know it."

"There is no way that you can look in there and tell me that he is going to be fine."

Carla's eyes wandered to the observation window. Even though she had seen numerous surgeries she was taken a back by what she saw. J.D. was lying on the operating table, the palest she had ever seen him. The front of the surgeon's smock was covered in blood, his hands buried in J.D.'s side. There were tubes and wires poked into all over, the ventilator being the scariest. Nothing new to the seasoned nurse, but the image of it coming out from her Bambi was too hard to take. She turned around, finding Turk standing behind her. His face contorted in worry. Elliot stood next him, tears streaming down her face, mascara tracks bold and evident. Carla buried herself in Turk's chest.

"I told you. He is going to die and there isn't anything we can do about, in fact all of this is my fault. I killed him."

They looked up, puzzled by Dr. Cox's monotonous words. Elliot took a step forward, handing coming up and slapping Dr. Cox hard across the face.

"Elliot!" Carla's shrill tone making Turk jump slightly.

Dr. Cox didn't even seem to register the stinging pain in his cheek. His eyes were focused on J.D.'s limp form. He was filled to the brim with emotion, barely hanging on, not knowing what to do know.

"I killed him. I could of stopped this all a long time ago, if I hadn't been such a—"

Elliot landed another solid slap on his cheek. This one stuck. His eyes suddenly focused, no longer glazed over. Face conveying shock. Elliot grabbed his face in her hands, forcing him to look directly at her.

"Don't you even think for a second that J.D. is going to die. He is so much stronger then what you give him credit for. He is going to fight and he is going to make. We all need him too much for him to die, even you need him. None of this was your fault. It was the fault of those three men and those three men only."

Elliot let go of face, stepping back quickly as she realized what she had just done. There was a slight bit of fear in her eyes as Dr. Cox opened his mouth. She quickly braced herself for the torture sure to come.

"You're right. I do need him."

He said it so quietly that the three had to lean in to hear him. Sadness filled his voice, quickly doing the same to his face and eyes. He turned back to watch his Newbie fight for the life that J.D. more then anyone deserved. The others, not sure how to react to Dr. Cox's uncharacteristic response, turned to watch J.D. as well. They stood there, silently for a good half-hour before they heard it. The shrill sound of J.D. flat lining. They watched as the surgeon shocked him once… twice… three times.

Dr. Cox couldn't believe what was happening. He stood rooted to the spot, mind whirling so fast, he could only grab segments of thoughts and emotions, none of them pleasant. He pressed himself up against the glass, wanting to be as close to J.D. as he could physically get. He closed his eyes, not wanting to see them shocking J.D. again. His ears were ringing from the sound of the heart monitor. Perry Cox did something he never thought he would be able to do; he said a quick prayer. He then went back to concentrating on the sounds coming from the other room. That's when he noticed something. The tiny blip of J.D.'s heart trying to beat by itself.


There you have it. I wasn't too happy with this chapter. It fought me a bit in the end and I feel as though it's rushed. I probably could have used better word choice and sentence structure to make it flow better, but it was kicking my butt. Let me know what you think.

Now I'm calling back for you I figured out I'm missing you
You're nowhere to be found oh I've asked and looked around
Seems you found a better fish I must confess I had a wish
To love you all along
But you're fighting for my love
Fighting for my love

--Nal Lara, Fighting For My Love