Chapter Ten

The hours drug on slowly and painfully. While Tim's fever had gone down to 103 it was staying there.

"I think we're going to try the cooling packs again," said the new nurse named Cindy who walked into the room. Eric and Horatio looked up and nodded.

"Do you think it will help?" Horatio wondered.

"We hope so," Cindy answered.

"We do to," Eric commented. The two of them kept their vigil by their lover's bedside through the night and into the next day. Until they had to go to work then repeated the routine the next night. Finally the next day had arrived and Tim still hadn't regained consciousness and Horatio and Eric were starting to worry that he may never wake up even though they tried to stay positive. The sun streaming through the window woke Horatio from his fitful sleep. Glancing over to his left he saw that Eric was still sleeping. He frowned trying to figure out what had woken him up besides the sun. Listening carefully he heard it again. Someone was moving slightly in the bed. His eyes widened and he shook Eric's arm.

"Eric, wake up," he called urgently. Eric's eyes shot open in confusion as he stared at Horatio.

"'smatter?" he mumbled.

"Speed's awake," Horatio called as he turned and met the frightened brown eyes of his lover. Placing a calming hand on Speed's arm he spoke.

"Relax, Speed, your in the hospital you have Pneumonia," Horatio explained soothingly. Speed moved his hands towards his throat.

"No, leave it there, that's helping you breathe. They had to intibate you," Eric explained. Horatio smiled he noticed that Speed's skin was much cooler to the touch than it had been when he drifted off to sleep.

"I think his temps gone down significantly," he commented to Eric as he pressed the nurse's call button. Sam who was their favorite nurse by far came bustling into the room.

"What can I do for you gentlemen?" she questioned.

"Speed's awake," Eric explained. Sam's smile lit up her face as she turned and noticed that her patient was awake and looking kind of confused.

"Good morning, Speed, my name's Sam. I've been one of the nurses taking care of you. I'm going to check your vitals, okay? Just nod if you understand me. Speed nodded his head frowning because he couldn't speak. Stepping forward Sam began taking his vitals.

"I'm happy to report that his temp is down to 100 that's much better than it's been. I'm going to go talk to the doctor about getting him of the vent and putting an oxygen mask on him instead," she said as she smiled at the three men before hurrying out of the room. Speed stared at his lovers with wide eyes. Just then Calleigh walked in for her morning visit.

"Good morning bo---," she broke off when she saw Tim's eyes were open.

"You're awake!" she cried as she rushed forward and gathered him into a tender but fierce hug. Speed gave her a half smile but still looked confused. He made as if he were writing. Nodding in understanding Calleigh rummaged on the table before she found a notepad and a pencil. Smiling she handed them to Speed.

"What happened, how'd I get here? I think I called Cal, but don't remember?" he wrote.

"What's the last thing you remember?" Eric asked.

"Going to bed after I threw up the soup I'd eaten. Then I woke up and couldn't breathe. That's the last thing I can clearly remember. Where's Alexx? I thought I heard her voice?" Horatio read out loud so the others would know what Tim was asking.

"I'm right here, baby," came Alexx's voice as she reached the door. Everyone else jumped they hadn't heard her come up.

"Hey guys thought I'd come buy and see how Timmy was doing before work. I can see he's awake," she said happily as she to gave him a hug.

"You called me saying that you couldn't breathe. I told you that I was calling an ambulance and that the guys and I would be there as soon as we could. You didn't respond, though, because you'd blacked out. We got their and the EMTs were about to take you to the hospital. Alex and I followed in the hummer Eric and Horatio rode with you. The doctors diagnosed you with Double Pneumonia," Calleigh explained.

"Your temp spiked to 104.5 but we worked and worked and finally got it down to 100," Horatio added.

"You scared the hell out of us," Eric interjected. Just then there was a knock on the door and the doctor stuck his head around it.

"I hear that there's a patient in this room who wants that tube out of their throat?" he asked with a smile. Speed nodded emphatically.

"Hi, it's nice to finally meet you, Speed. My name is Dr. Sanders and I've been taking care of you. Here's what we're going to do. I'm going to pull on the tube. Let it slide out it won't be very comfortable I'm going to be honest with you. Once it is out cough a few times for me, okay?" Speed nodded in understanding. Eric and Horatio each took one of Speed's hands and squeezed.

"Okay, take in a deep breath; now blow it out as hard as you can. That's good here it comes," the doctor said as he eased the tube from Tim's mouth. Once it was free Tim began coughing and gagging. Horatio rubbed his back until the coughs subsided. Alexx caught the doctor's eye before jerking her head towards the pitcher of water on the table.

"Sure go ahead," the doctor answered. Nodding Alexx walked over and filled a glass with water before slipping a straw in it and holding it to Speed's lips.

"Drink, baby," she instructed. Speed did what he was told and smiled as the cool liquid soothed his dry and abused throat. The doctor was studying the o2 monitor and had a frown on his face.

"I'm not comfortable leaving you without any supplemental oxygen right now. I'm going to put an oxygen mask on you. If I see that your O2 sats improve I'll consider switching to a nasal canula but at the moment it's got to be the mask," the doctor explained. As he was speaking Sam was assembling the tubing to the oxygen mask and adjusting the straps. Gently Eric lifted Speed's head so the nurse could ease the mask over his face.

"C-can I still talk?" Speed rasped out.

"Yes, but I wouldn't advise it for a little while. Your throat will be sore and raw for a while yet," the doctor cautioned.

"When do you think you'll move him from the ICU?" Eric asked.

"If he shows signs of improving maybe sometime tomorrow. I want at least one day of the nurse's watching him," the doctor told the group. Glancing at his watch he said, "I have to check on other patients but I'll be back to check on you later, Speed."

"Bye," Speed called. Looking at his watch Horatio frowned.

Noticing the frown, Speed asked, What's wrong?"

"We have to go to work as well," he answered dejectedly.

"I'll be fine," he rasped out.

"You sure, sugar?" Alexx asked in concern. Speed nodded it hurt too much to talk. Eric and Horatio leaned over and placed kisses on Speed's forehead.

"We love you and we'll get back as soon as shift is over tonight if a case doesn't keep us," Eric promised softly.

"I know, now go before your late," Speed whispered through the mask. The others laughed at the interplay. They were just grateful that Speed was back with them and appeared to be doing okay so far.