I'm back.
Sorry for the lack of update yesterday, I meant to give you warning and forgot.
I was off celebrating my Birthday :D
Anyway, on with the story.
Killian was moved to the ward early the next morning before Swan had even arrived, he was tired after having had a rough night of tossing and turning as sleep evaded him. He'd been worrying about this very scenario and it would seem that he had been right to do so as he found himself sharing the ward with three other men, all of whom seemed to think he was something to be stared at and whispered about.
Killian was hating every minute of this, it was just too damn impersonal and there was no privacy. While it was true that Killian had spent a large part of his life sleeping in the bunk room with the crew of the Jewel of the Realm he had become more accustomed to the quiet that his Captain's quarters had brought him and now he found himself wishing with all his heart that he could be there now.
The old man that was in the bed that sat directly opposite him kept staring and even though Killian had started off by smiling pleasantly at him he was now getting ready to growl as the man continued to eye him with a look of contempt.
He sighed heavily, Gods how much longer was he going to have to be in this hell hole? And why was it so damn hot in here?
Killian shifted on his bed to lie on his side so that he could stare out of the window, it also meant that his back to the others and that's just the way he wanted it. He had thrown his blankets back in a vain hope that it would be a bit cooler but he was still sweating heavily as the small fan by his bedside swiveled back and forth making no difference what so ever.
He sighed again when he saw the sun blazing outside, what he wouldn't do to be out there right now. Maybe even enjoying one of those ice cream things that Henry enjoyed so much but he wasn't, he was stuck inside this damned place slowly baking from the inside out.
Killian's head thrummed persistently, Whale had promised that he would be back with some pain meds but that was over half an hour ago and although Killian knew he could ask one of the nurses for help he just couldn't bring himself to talk... it would take too much effort.
Purely for the fact that he had nothing else to do he closed his eyes but just as he started to nod off someone was poking him awake.
"Morning Mr Jones" the Nurse's shrill voice cut through him and he groaned but she either didn't care or she hadn't noticed his discomfort as she carried on "I've got your meds here and breakfast will be here shortly so why don't we get you sitting up a bit?"
"Leave me alone" he mumbled closing his eyes again
"Now come on, you'll feel better once you've eaten something" she was too damn happy for this ungodly hour but Killian just sighed knowing that she wouldn't give up until he did what she wanted, it was easier to just comply so he turned himself back over and accepted the meds with a fake smile.
He tossed the pills down his throat dry and lent back on his pillows to see the old man still staring.
"What's his problem?" Killian muttered more to himself than anyone else but the nurse looked across at the other bed then turned back to him with a wide smile, she lent in close and whispered.
"Don't worry about him, he's just sore that he's not getting to stay. He used to be a butler for a posh old lady with a houseful of cats but he got caught trying to steal her fortune, horrible old man. Somewhere along the line he was bitten by some dogs and the bites got infected but he's been laying it on thick for days now, he should be heading back to jail in a couple of days so don't waste anytime on him" she threw Killian a wink then walked off towards the other bed.
"OK Edgar, leave Mr Jones be. He's ill and doesn't need you bothering him"
"He's ill? HE'S ILL?! What about me? I'm ill too but do you believe me? No. You just want to pack me off to prison where you won't need to bother with me, well thank you very much" the man's high pitched English accent cut through Killian's already sore head and it was the last straw when Edgar drew in a breath to carry on with his rant.
"WILL YOU BE QUIET" Killian roared sending a ripple of murmurs out from the other people in the room but his fight left him when the man clamped his mouth shut in surprise "My bloody head is killing me, will you just hold your damn tongue" he added with a growl.
The man in the bed beside Killian suddenly found his voice.
"Yeah Edgar, we're sick and tired of you so I suggest that you do as the Captain says and be quiet"
Killian watched as Edgar's brow furrowed "Captain?" he asked in wonder.
The other man laughed and raised an eyebrow "You don't know who he is do you?"
Edgar didn't answer but Killian could tell that he didn't when he eyed him suspiciously again as the other man answered his own question.
"This is Killian Jones, otherwise known as Captain Hook" he finished with a grin as Edgar's mouth fell open.
"THE Captain Hook" Edgar asked in awe
"Aye... THE Captain Hook so if you would be so kind I would appreciate a little quiet" Killian breathed out closing his eyes again. He assumed that Edgar had taken heed of his request as there was no more talking but the silence didn't remain when the breakfast trolley was wheeled in a few minutes later and Killian's eyes popped open again at the clatter of dishes being served.
A bowl of something that he assumed was supposed to be oatmeal was placed down in front of him but he just stared at it unwilling to even attempt to eat it. He was done, he needed to get out of here otherwise he was going to go insane but this thought was pushed from his head as Swan walked into the room and made her way over to his bedside. She was smiling widely but the minute her eyes fell on him she gasped, sat down quickly and grabbed his hand.
"Hook? What's wrong?"
"I'm fine Love just a little tired"
"You look awful, is your head still hurting you?"
Killian sighed and chose not to answer, if he lied she would know but he just couldn't bring himself to worry her so he avoided instead.
"Where's your Father?" he asked looking passed her to see if David was anywhere in sight.
"He'll be in later, he had to head to the station first" she still wore a worried look as she brought her hand up and cupped his cheek. "You look tired, why don't you get some sleep"
"I bloody wish, I've been trying since I was brought here but it's just too damn noisy. When can I get out of here Swan? I'm hot, I'm tired and I've bloody well had enough of the whole damn place"
She gave him a sad smile "I'll go ask Whale, why don't you try and sleep. Do you want me to pull the curtain?"
"Curtain?" Killian asked with a frown as he looked at the window, there was no curtain!
"Yeah" Swan replied standing up. She walked around the bed and pulled out a curtain that he hadn't noticed next to the wall, she walked right around the bed cutting the rest of the room from view. The curtain was not very think but it dulled the bright sunshine just enough to help with his head and Killian sighed in relief.
"Thank you Love"
"Sleep" she said leaning over and kissing his forehead sweetly "And don't worry, I'll get Dad to bring you in something to eat, THAT is not oatmeal"
He gave a chuckle at her as she picked up the bowl and peered in it curling her lip in disgust before putting it back down on the table
"I'll not be long"
With that she was gone as she pushed through the curtain, he could hear her boots clacking across the floor and he gave another sigh. The curtain may have cut out some of the light but there was nothing that could be done about the noise.
Killian closed his eyes again, he could feel the medication starting to work as the thrum in his head died down a bit, when would these headaches go away? He lay trying to sleep knowing in his heart that it wasn't going to happen but when Swan came back through the curtain he kept his eyes closed pretending to be at peace, she would only worry more than was necessary if she knew that he was still awake and in the end sleep took him without him realizing it as Emma held his hand and stroked her fingers back and forth across his knuckles.
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David arrived a little after eleven to find Emma reading a book and Hook sleeping soundly behind the curtain around his bed.
"How's he doing?" he whispered nodding his head at the Pirate
"Not too good, he's struggling with being on the ward already" Emma whispered back putting her book to one side "He's already asking when he can leave, I spoke to Whale and he's saying at least another week. I'm worried about him Dad, he seems to be really down. I don't want him feeling like that, he was doing so well."
David just nodded his head. He knew exactly how Hook felt, he had felt the same way after he had first woken from his coma but at least he had been allowed to go outside.
"Hey, here's an idea. How about when he wakes up we commandeer a wheelchair and take him for a spin outside"
"I'm not sure Dad, his head's still bothering him" Emma pulled a face showing he wasn't convinced it was a good idea
"I've got sunglasses he can borrow, come on Emma, it might be just what he needs" David was convinced he was right but Emma still didn't look convinced.
"When do we leave?" Hook mumbled opening an eye as he stretched on his bed looking to David as he gave a long yawn.
"Are you sure you're up to it?" Emma asked in a worried tone
"Swan, I am more than ready. Please Love, I just need to feel something other than the searing heat of this bloody room"
"He's right Emma, it's like an oven in here."
"Alright, alright... you win" she said with a sigh
David grinned "Great, I'll go grab a chair and let Whale know what's going on." he turned to Hook and handed over the takeout bag from Granny's over "Here, I got you some breakfast. Eat then we'll go"
David was glad to see Hook sit himself up and open the bag but when the Pirate looked up at him he gave a scowl
"What are you waiting for Mate? Go get the chair... I don't want to miss any more of the day than I have to"
With that he took a large spoonful of eggs and jammed it in his mouth.
Exactly half an hour later...
Hook hid his stump using the blanket across his lap as David wheeled him down one of the paths towards the lake, the short sleeves of his pajama top not being enough to cover it but the Pirate had a smile spread across his face. He had his head tipped back allowing the warm sun to beat down on him and David couldn't help laughing at the sight of him wearing his sunglasses.
"I wish I'd had some of these dark glasses in years gone by, they would have come in handy after a night of drinking rum"
David laughed but Emma just rolled her eyes.
"Really? After everything you've been through you're still thinking about drinking?"
"Love, I'm a Pirate. Rum comes with the job description" Hook replied with a laugh and David was happy to see Emma laugh too.
"Take me over there Mate, under that tree" Hook said pointing at the large willow tree right by the water's edge
"Yes Boss" David chuckled but he pushed the Pirate over anyway.
"Can you help me up Love?" Hook asked raising an arm once they had stopped.
"Hook, I'm not sure that's a good idea"
"Don't worry Swan, I just want to sit on the grass for a while"
Emma looked relieved stepping forward to help Hook to his feet, his movements were definitely getting better and in no time at all after David had laid the blanket down Emma was lowering the Pirate down to the ground. There was a lot of shuffling but after a few minutes Emma sat leaning against the tree truck and Hook lay back in her arms with a smile on his face. With the dark glasses David couldn't tell if his eyes were open or not but after a few seconds he got his answer.
"I know my body is hard to resist Mate but it is just strange with Emma sitting right here"
David chuckled and plonked himself down into the wheelchair before hitting back
"Yeah yeah... I can barely control myself"
They sat in silence for a while just enjoying the summer day and before too long the soft sounds of Hook's heavy breathing reached David's ears.
"He sleeping?" he asked in a whisper
Emma just nodded with a smile on her face as David pulled himself to his feet
"I'm gonna go and grab some stuff, we can have a picnic lunch before he's due back in for his meds." He stretched his back as he stood facing the pair "He's going to be fine Emma, a week will go by in no time"
"I hope so, I hate seeing him like he was earlier. I'm all for the brooding Pirate look but not when he's covered in spots and he's genuinely down. I just hope that he sleeps better tonight"
"Me too Kid, me too"
