1004 words this chapter
Chapter Fourteen, Agony
The door opened again, this time a nurse came in. "I brought a sedative," she said. "Try and relax, Miss Parker."
She whimpered in Becker's arms.
"It's time for more pain medication too," said the nurse.
"Nothing will help," moaned Jess. "Nothing will stop how horrible I feel."
"Sh. You'll get better, I promise," Becker said.
"Sleep's what you need," said the nurse. "Believe me, this will have you dreaming very quickly."
"I don't want to go to sleep," said Jess. "I'll have another nightmare."
The nurse smiled sweetly. "That's not surprising, considering what you've been through."
"And you won't be alone," Becker said. "I'll chase any nightmare away."
"You'll stay? Even though you've been here for so long?"
"I'm not leaving Jess."
The nurse chuckled. "He's made that very clear, repeatedly."
"The medical staff here are bullies, every one of them."
She shook her head and rolled her eyes. "He's a big baby. He fights with us, Miss Parker, even though we're trying to help him. He can't stay with you if he's passed out from fatigue and hunger."
Abby laughed.
"I'm a soldier, Sybil. Hunger and fatigue don't bother me."
Sybil shook her head. "You just buzz me, Miss Parker, if you..." but she stopped talking when she saw that Jess was asleep. "Told you. That's great stuff I gave her." She looked at Becker. "I should give you some."
"You should," said Abby.
Becker rolled his eyes. "I'm fine. Go away."
"You watch your manners," snapped Sybil, "Or I'll have you removed."
"Who will you call, Sybil? Security? That's me."
"Oh, shut up, Captain." She sighed. "Thankfully, I have other patients. Ones without lovesick, hovering macho men," she said, shaking her head as she left.
Abby laughed. "I like her. I may have to see about recruiting her to my team. If she can take you down, she'd be able to handle anything in the menagerie."
"Shut up, Abigail."
She laughed.
They sat quietly, watching Jess, sleep. Becker actually was laying down, still beside her in bed. She slept still and deeply.
"She's OK, Becker. Why don't you sneak out for a while?"
"No. Besides, I'll wake her."
Abby sighed and shook her head. "Fine. Then I'm sneaking out. I need food. I"ll bring you back something."
"Not hungry."
"Guess what, Becker?" she asked, opening the door. "I don't care. Be back soon. With food."
Becker shook his head. "All this fuss over me," he whispered, "when your lying here broken and battered. Idiots."
Jess didn't move.
He smiled, kissing her lightly on her head. "I hope your dreaming of something good: shoes or short skirts," he whispered with a grin. "Or me."
She smiled then. "Lovely hair..."
He chuckled.
"Perfect abs..."
"Oh, you are dreaming of me..."
She smiled again, lightly giggling. "Kiss me..." she mumbled.
He stared at her. "You better be dreaming of me," he said, lightly kissing her lips.
She smiled. "Becker..." she mumbled, falling into deep slumber.
He chuckled. "And they wanted me to leave."
Jess slept for several hours. Then she woke up, crying in pain. "Stop! Make it stop!"
Becker frowned helplessly, buzzing the nurse. "I wish I could Jess. I really do. Hold on. I'm getting help."
She sobbed, shaking her head. "There isn't... any help."
"Where is that nurse?" asked Becker, holding onto Jess as she shook.
Finally the door opened. "Hello!" called a voice. It was none other than Court, the medic.
"What are you doing here?"
"Just helping out. It seems they've got a nuisance visitor that refuses to leave."
"Ha ha."
"Stop it!" Jess screamed. "How can...you...joke!"
Court frowned, injecting medicine into her IV. "I'm sorry, Jess. I was trying to lighten the mood. I don't for a second minimize your pain."
Jess sucked in a sob. "I...know. I'm sorry."
"It's fine," he said, smiling. "I've had patients swear at me before and even take a swing."
Becker laughed. "Yeah. I did apologize, right?"
Court nodded. "I'm still hurt over it, Captain. Trust me, Jess, this time we're not joking."
Jess tried to laugh but it came out like a sob. "I didn't think so." She tried to hold in the sobs and cries of pain. "I'm sorry! I'm just so..."
"Miserable," said Becker. "We know."
Jess nodded. "He's a medic and you get hurt too much," she said, sniffling. "I'm...being a ba...by," she sobbed.
"No you're not," said Becker, kissing her head. "Not at all."
Court shook his head. "You're always a delight, Jess." He smiled. "And we're all relieved that your still with us."
Jess nodded slightly. "It...just hurts..."
"That medicine will get to work pretty fast. We'll keep fighting the pain off until it stops. I've also given you another sedative. We'll get you fixed up."
"I'm...I'm so much...trouble," she said, continuing to whimper. "I'm sorry."
"Sh, Jess. You're my patient. It's my job, remember?"
"But..." she said, sobbing. "You're my friend...and...I yelled at you."
Becker laughed. "Court's used to it."
"You bet. I"m friends with this idiot too," he said. "You hang in here with us, OK? Everything gets better."
"Promise?"
Court smiled. "On my professional word."
"Great," said Becker. "Now she's really worried."
"Hey, I've patched you up so many times and look how great you still look."
Becker chuckled. "Get on out of here. Bother some other patients."
"Fine. If you don't appreciate me," Court said. He looked to Jess. "If you need me for anything, you just call." He smirked at Becker. 'I'll even get rid of this jerk if he gets out of hand."
"Thank you," said Jess.
"Ouch," said Becker. "You didn't tell him no."
Court laughed. "I keep telling you, Becks, she's too smart for you." He chuckled as he left the room.
End of Chapter Fourteen