Sorry for the delay, some times life sucks and there is nothing you can do about it!
Here is chapter 9: Waking Collins, enjoy...
It was decided three days later to bring Sergeant Dwayne Collins out of his coma, the Doctors and Scientist were a little apprehensive about it because his responses were so far behind Gibbs. They all came to the conclusion that while Gibbs was in a comatose state the contact that Abby had given him was the key difference, Dana Cloti gave minimum input to Dwayne, hardly talked to him or touched him. Dr. Cogwell would have loved to have gotten rid of her but the powers above said no to that. Dr. Cogwell quickly realized what those in control were up to and he had argued that it was not a good idea that it was cruel and unnecessary to put Sergeant Collins through the disconnect of human contact and that it was effecting his recovery dramatically, but it was like slamming his head into a brick wall. There was not much he could do about it in the long run and now that they were going to wake Sergeant Collins they were going to see what damage was done and he feared the outcome of it in the end, he hoped in the back of his mind that after the awakening they could help and make up the lost contact.
So at 1435 they started to bring Collins out of his coma and as with Gibbs he awoke in pain and confused. His reaction was even more violent because there was no one he called out to for help and comfort and no one in the control room could get through to him. They were ready to put him back under when the phone rang and the orders were to let him wake and to see what would happen.
Dr. Cogwell left the room pissed and knew with his experience with the military his best bet would to get his brother in arms and probable friend down there as soon as he could, so he headed to sub-level 3 to get Gunnery Sergeant Gibbs and Abby Scuito.
He ran into the room looked straight at Abby and asked "I need his help Abby, do you think he is up to helping with Sergeant Collins?"
Abby looked over at the sleeping Gibbs and said "He should be. He has been concerned about Collins and has asked when he could see him once he found out he was here too. Give me a minute to wake him."
Abby walked over to the bed laid a hand on Gibbs chest and gently shock him… "Hey sorry Gibbs, wakey, wakey… Collins needs your help… come on wake up!"
Within a few seconds Gibbs eyes slowly opened and with a small smile on his face at hearing her voice, he sleepily looked at here. "Collins, where is he? What's he need? Let's go!" Gibbs said as he moved to get out of the bed.
"Hold it Marine, slow down, let me get the wheel chair, remember your legs still aren't listening to you yet." Abby said as she held Gibbs from standing up.
As she had been speaking to Gibbs Dr. Cogwell walked in with a wheelchair for him.
Hey, Doc, how are you? So is Collins in his room?" Gibbs asked
"Afternoon Gunny, no he's not we have to go down a few floors, so hope in the chair and let's get you to him ASAP!" was Dr. Cogwells response
The three quickly made their way to the elevator with a fast word of explanation to Nurse Cole as they went by. Within several minutes the door was opening to the Sublevel 5 and as soon as the door was open Dr. Cogwell rushed Gibbs and Abby to the control room. When they entered Gibbs was pushed to the microphone and Dr. Cogwell turned it on and whispered into Gibbs ear, "Can you calm him down? I don't want him to hurt himself and he doesn't have an Abby like you do!"
Gibbs looked at the Doctor and shock his head yes them made a quick look at Abby and smiled. Collins was screaming at the top of his lungs almost painfully pulling unmercifully at the restraints that were starting to give way to his strength.
With his best Gunnery Sergeant Tone of Voice Gibbs spoke into the mic "Sergeant Collins at ease and calm down now!
"Gunny is that you? Where am I? What the Hell happen and what the Hell is going on here!" Collins breathed out with anguish in his voice
Gibbs responded "It's me Collins and it's gona be alright so you need to calm down. We're in a special hospital and they saved our lives from the attack in Afghanistan… Do you want me to come to you, if so please relax man and I'll be in there in a heartbeat?"
Collins response "Okay Gunny I could really use a friend with me right now. I'm in such pain and this is so messed up man because something's just don't make sense right now so I really need to talk to you!"
Gibbs looked at Dr. Cogwell then to Abby for the okay to go in. Cogwell went to the phone on the wall and told them that he was sending Gibbs in no matter what they'd say and to his relief they agreed. He turned around and said lets go Gunny.
Abby spoke up "Hold it he is not going in there alone!" She looked sternly at both men "No ifs, and or buts about it, it's my job to help him!"
Gibbs looked up at Cogwell whose response was "She's the boss!" and they both looked at Abby and smiled.
They got to the door and the Guard released the lock to let the trio in the room. This time Dr. Cogwell wanted to be in there to be more help than he was with Gibbs and to show them he does care.
They entered the room with the door secured behind them. They moved over to the table and saw Collins eyes were closed with intensity and face marred with pain, fist tightly clenched in the restraints. It was a look Abby recognized all too well from Gibbs own awakening. Gibbs made his way to stand as Abby rushed to help him to his unsteady legs, with Cogwell moved the wheelchair out of the way for them. Gibbs moved right next to Collins leaned in with his mouth to Collins ear.
In a low husky command voice Gibbs said "You are a Marine Collins so act like one. I know what you are going throw, been there done that and have the scares to prove it."
Collins eyes open and tried to turn his head but was only able to move his eyes to look at the Gunny and responded "Gunny what do you mean where the Hell are we and what did they do!
Gibbs starts to tell Collins about his own awakening a few days earlier with vivid detail so he will understand the confusion, disorientation and pain. He lets Abby and Dr. Cogwell fill in the science mumbo jumbo stuff, but keeps reminding them that they are only "Jarheads" and to dumb it down. With that comment a short tense burst of laughter fills the room; however, on the sixth floor most of those watching on the big screen are not amused and more concerned over Collins gaining control of himself.
After a good hour and a half Collins understands just as much as Gibbs does about the whole situation and has been up and walked a bit with Abby's help. Both Gibbs and Collins look to Cogwell wanting to know more of what is going on beyond the basic run down that was passed on through Abby, with Abby just as curious to what will be happening next. Collins also wants to know why Gibbs had such a pretty girl helping him through all of this and he didn't?
Dr. Cogwell explains "It was not my plan for it to be this way I wanted you both to have good caretakers, but after a few weeks Miss Cloti started to do less and less with you Sergeant and we all realized that that was not as into doing what she should be doing anymore. When most of the staff down here wanted to replace her the word came down not to for the high ups controlling everything…"
During his explanation the phone in the observation room rang and a hurried to the microphone and told Dr. Cogwell that it was upstairs and he needed to stop what he was doing and come to the phone. So he quickly stopped and excused himself and went to the observation room. When he got on the phone he was told by Dr. Riley to not give any more information to either Marine or Abby and that in a few days the men were going to be moved to different part of the building and a new staff will take over. Even with Cogwell arguing that it was not a good idea with lots of reasons why he was shot down.
After his call was done he told the team to get both Marines back to their respective rooms, find Miss Dana Cloti and get her to do her job in take care of Collins right now and that there would be a very important meeting the next day.
