Chapter 25

After a few hours of sitting, pacing and comforting JD was about ready to fall asleep with exhaustion. JD's hand was holding Todd's lightly, with his head just resting on Todd's arm and his eyes beginning to slowly close.

To a stranger, it almost looked like they hadn't broken up at all. The way JD looked at Todd with such care while caressing his hand. Even the atmosphere made it seem like Todd could hear everything the man he still loved was saying. In the sadness, there was a sense of love in the air.

Turk came in to check on both his friends first thing that morning, having been worrying for hours. The noise of the door opening roused JD from potential slumber immediately.

"Just resting my eyes." JD stated, snapping upright.

"How's he doing?" Turk asked, glancing at the medical machines to get some idea.

"I don't know." JD rubbed his eyes in an attempt to prevent tiredness. "They've been checking up on him a lot and there have been no complaints. I guess that's a good sign."

"So you still refuse to check it out for yourself." Turk handed JD a paper bag and cup of coffee. "Brought you something to eat because something tells me you haven't left this room. Am I right?"

JD sipped the coffee and opened up the bag and inspected the bagel with a sigh, only at that moment realising how hungry he was. "Where else am I going to go?" He took a bite of his breakfast gratefully.

"You know you should probably leave this room. Take a walk or something, get some air. What are the odds that Todd is going to wake up in the five minutes that you take a break?"

JD put his hands in the pockets of Todd's jacket which he still wore. "I've screwed up enough times. I'm not going to leave him unless he wakes up and tells me to. Besides, I'm totally fine."

The door opened behind Turk and Doug slowly stepped into the room, interrupting the two and looking concerned for his former Brain Trust companion.

The pathologist turned to JD with worry. "How's he doing?"

The last thing JD wanted was someone so associated with death near the one he loved. In his sleep deprived state, he snapped. "How do you think he's doing? If you want to help, get the hell out of this room!"

Doug was stunned at the reaction he received. "JD, relax you have to chill."

JD was tempted to wring the pathologist's neck. He could only imagine what Doug's mere presence could do to Todd. "You want to help? Bring me another blanket for Todd then! Go on!"

"What the hell?" Turk blinked in confusion, staring at his suddenly maddened best friend.

Afraid of what JD would do to him, Doug nervously departed in search of another blanket. A few moments later he came back to the room with a blanket, holding it out to JD with a somewhat shaky hand.

JD snatched the blanket, his eyes wide and now fully awake. "Away Doug, now. Don't come near this room until Todd is no longer in it."

As soon as Doug left with his hands up in an almost surrendering way, Turk felt the need to speak up. He took JD's arm, pulling him up from the chair.

"Okay, I think it's time you took a little walk and maybe had a proper breakfast. Not to mention a decent sleep." Turk put a compassionate arm around JD.

"I don't like Doug around the room. People die around him." JD explained, unfolding the blanket and placing it over Todd, smoothing it out evenly. "The last thing Todd needs is bad morgue vibes floating around."

"How about if I stay here with Todd for awhile. That way if he just happens to wake up in the time it takes for you to get some air and take a dookie he's got someone here with him." Turk suggested, desperate to get JD doing something other than waiting and despairing.

JD knew that Turk was just trying to help, but didn't really appreciate it. He was adamant about his decision, so any attempt to break that annoyed him greatly. Running on virtually no sleep did nothing to help matters.

"Turk how would you feel if this was Carla. You know you wouldn't move from this room." JD explained, turning his attention back to Todd.

"Did you just compare me and my wife to you and Todd's man love?" Turk seemed a little offended by the notion, but in turn he understood what JD was feeling.

Carla entered the room, checking on Todd's stats. "What the heck happened with Doug? The way he ran out of here I thought someone died."

"Aha! See Turk even Carla agrees with me!"

Her motherly instinct in auto-mode, Carla walked over to JD, squeezing his shoulder. "I think the last thing Todd needs is to see you looking like this." She hugged him from behind as an offer of reassurance. "Todd's fine. He's basically just sleeping it off now. He's not going to die just because Doug visits his room."

"Oxygen and IV does not equal fine, Carla." JD grabbed Todd's hand again. "I just want him to wake up."

"We're just keeping him hydrated and on oxygen to speed up recovery that's all. You should know all that, you've done this a million times before."

"I know. Just never thought I'd be doing it for someone I loved this much." JD pulled Todd's jacket tighter around him. "Why the fuck did he have to go and do this to himself!? Tell me Carla, why didn't he tell me he was this bad? He helped me, I would have helped him."

Carla sighed, unable to stop from telling the truth. "You really did a number on his trust JD."

"Fine! Rub it in." JD cried out in anger.

Turk stepped in to defend his wife, yet still remained calm. "Don't blame it on her, come on now."

"Sorry." JD replied, before taking a few deep breaths and calming down. "When Todd wakes up I'll treat him better than anyone ever has."

"I know you will V-Bear." Turk patted his back. "He'll appreciate that."

JD leaned over and placed a long kiss on Todd's forehead. There was a little bit of space where JD figured he could squeeze into the bed, but he knew that probably wasn't the best idea. Instead he settled for resting his head lightly on Todd's arm again.

"Aww Bambi, you've got it bad." Carla smiled before continuing to voice her concern for her friend. "I'll be back in a little later. Do you want water or anything?"

"No, but thanks guys." JD replied, watching the couple leave the room.

Just as he had done the whole time he'd been there, JD continued watching Todd. He hoped the sound of his voice would wake the surgeon up faster.

"Please wake up." JD whispered, squeezing Todd's hand while trying not to fall asleep.

The moment he felt his eyes start closing, he would force them open again. He wasn't going to miss it when Todd finally woke up nor was he going to let Doug's bad luck get near the room again. JD needed to protect Todd from negative vibes and incompetent interns, making sure he got the best care Sacred Heart had to offer.

"Everything's going to be okay. J-Dizzle is right here for you. Always." JD told his unconscious companion tiredly. "I'm not going to fall asleep."

His eyes closed involuntarily, so JD agreed to rest for a little bit. "I'm not asleep. I'm just resting my eyes Angel Cat. I'm right here for you."

Todd shuffled a little, wondering what was going on. He could hear people around him and the surface he was sleeping on clearly wasn't his bed. There was a slight brushing on his arm. Opening his eyes a crack, he shut them immediately as brightness assaulted them. For some reason his throat was hurting and he felt a little groggy. It was more than enough to scare him a little.

Todd blinked to adjust his sight, taking in his surroundings. It didn't take him long to realise he was in the hospital. He tried to remember what happened, only remembering brief flashes of a bar and Doctor Cox.

Looking to find the source of warmth on his arm, he came to face a crop of messy dark brown hair. Sitting up a little to get a better view, Todd realised that JD was sleeping by his bedside. The medical doctor lightly hugged his arm, almost protectively.

JD shifted slightly, letting out a little grumble. Todd turned to him, wondering if he was awake. Still sleeping, JD merely tightened his grip on Todd's arm.

Confusion filled Todd and he wondered what had led him to this predicament. The surgeon didn't know exactly how to feel about this. Part of him was still a little hurt by JD but Todd couldn't deny that his companion did look cute. He had missed waking up beside the man he loved.

Letting JD continue resting, Todd used his free hand to brush a few strands off JD's face. The gentle stroking coaxed an unconscious shivering throughout JD's body and a pleasurable little breath escaped his lips.

"Todd. Todd. Todd." A sleeping JD whispered.

Todd managed to catch the scent of JD's hair. He was glad to have it fill him once again. His fingers continued combing softly through JD's locks, obliterating all negative thoughts. Every now and then a soft moan or slight quiver came from the medical doctor, reaffirming just how much Todd missed and loved the man.

"So I see you're awake then."

Todd looked away from JD to the source of interruption, seeing Perry standing in the doorway. The older man shut the door, making sure they had some sort of privacy. Todd took this as a sign to become a little paranoid, backing away slightly while also leaning protectively towards JD.

"Relax Sluggo. If I wanted to hurt you I would have left you behind. If anything you should be thanking me." Perry stated, standing at the foot of the bed trying hard not to glare angrily.

"What happened?" Todd asked, figuring that Perry seemed to have a few answers.

"Well let's see. You were depressed over JD, even though he loves you enough to sit by your bed for hours. You went to a bar and drank so much that chances are when you pissed yourself in the ambulance it probably came out beer flavoured." Perry glanced at JD briefly before turning back to Todd. "Oh yes you threw up, passed out, potentially killed yourself but thanks to me stayed alive and ended up here where the person you told me that you loved sat by you pretty much the whole time. God knows why when your actions last night were nothing short of shameful."

Todd felt the corners of his mouth curve up slightly at knowing JD had stayed with him. "The Todd thanks you for your help but..." Still he had reason to be skeptical. "What about you two?" He motioned between JD and Perry.

"Todd you can't really be that thick can you?" Perry sighed, turning into absolute serious mode. "If JD wanted me, believe me I wouldn't throw it away like you're doing now. I'd take him in my arms and do everything not to make the stupid mistakes I know I did. But, while JD deserves a hell of a lot better than the crap you've been pulling, he had a choice to make and as fateful screw up would have it, he chose you this time. So trust me, you don't have to worry about me any more."

Todd stared at JD, feeling a little guilty. It was only then he realised that JD was wearing his jacket. His hand moved to the spot between JD's shoulder blades, resting there in a gesture of comfort and gratitude.

"Hey, up here." Perry whistled and brought Todd's attention back to him. "Treat him right, you hear me."

Todd nodded in reply, knowing that he would. "You can count on The Todd."

"If you blow it, which with your brain capacity is a very good chance, you'll regret it. I'll tell you now. No-one will care about you as much as he does. And as much as it pains me to say it, he really does care about you." Perry noticed JD stirring, gulping back a lump in his throat. He figured he should apologise for screwing things up, more to JD than anything. "I know I…I'm…well, I'm sure you know what I mean."

Perry left the room, feeling Todd's puzzled look follow him briefly. Once he was far enough away from the room, Perry picked up his cell phone. He scrolled through the numbers, all the way down to the J's.

He looked at JD's number briefly, saying a silent goodbye before skipping down to Jordan. Taking a deep breath Perry finally worked up the courage to call the number.

JD could feel something tickling the back of his neck. The gentle pressure felt really nice, making him tingle all over. He found himself backing into the fingers, wanting to feel more.

It was then he remembered exactly where he was. JD realised that he must have fallen asleep. He opened his eyes, still feeling the light stroking which meant it wasn't a dream. Swiftly he sat up and turned around, hoping his suspicions were correct.

A wide, contagious smile appeared on JD's face the moment his eyes met Todd's. He almost had to pinch himself to make sure it was true. "You're awake."

"The Todd was enjoying watching you sleep." Todd smiled back, unable to resist. "Felt just like old times."

"Oh really?" JD looked at his hand, still in Todd's, feeling the confidence to give the surgeon a comforting squeeze. "How are you feeling?"

"Better now." Todd let go of JD's hand, running it up the doctor's arm and onto his shoulder. "How are you doing?"

JD looked deep into Todd's eyes, positively beaming. "Better now."

Without even thinking, JD hopped onto the bed and squeezed in the little space on offer. Before Todd could even register what was going on, JD embraced him. Todd shuffled slightly to give JD more room, managing to return the hug.

"I'm so glad you're awake." JD pulled back from the cuddle, meeting Todd's face again. He was about to go in for a kiss, but then he stopped himself. A few seconds of hesitation saw JD really wanting to close those extra inches and seize Todd's lips.

Instead he veered off to the side and brushed his lips against Todd's cheek. "Friends still get a little cheek action every now and again, right?"

"Absolutely." Todd replied, feeling a slight pang of regret.

"I guess I should probably get out of your bed." JD sat up, figuring that he shouldn't push the boundaries too far, especially when Todd was not a hundred percent.

Todd caught JD's arm, pulling him back down. "You're not going anywhere. Besides from what I hear, you've been hanging around for hours."

JD felt a little blush appear on his cheeks. "I didn't want you waking up alone."

"Or maybe you're still sweet on me." Todd joked in the kind of way that hid what he really hoped.

JD dipped his head down, trying to hide his face. It was a little embarrassing since the joke was basically the truth. However, Todd would have none of it. The surgeon brought JD's face back up again.

"You're cute when you blush."

"You know I've been sitting here doing a lot of thinking about you. Well, about us really." JD confessed, smiling at the compliment at knowing it was making him blush a little more.

Todd slid his hand onto JD's cheek, running his thumb lightly over the soft pink lips. "Have you now?"

JD nestled into the small bed space comfortably, secretly loving being so close to Todd. He figured he should enjoy it while it lasted. "It's funny. I've been sitting here thinking about the pros and cons list I made, realising how stupid it was. How can I criticise you for having dumb moments, when I did the most stupid thing in letting you go?"

Todd inched his face even closer, so their two foreheads were touching. "That was pretty harsh."

JD worked up the courage to continue what he knew had to be said. "I planned all these speeches for when you woke up; listed all the reasons that we should get back together. Figured out full proof ways you could forgive me. But it doesn't really matter because in the end I just want you to be happy. Whether or not it's with me."

"I'll have to think about it." Todd replied. "The Todd wants you to be happy too."

"I just want you to know I'm sorry, again. I know I've said it, like, a million times, but I really want to make things up to you. That is, if you let me. Because Todd…" JD's heart was beating a mile a minute with the excitement of finally saying the words, even if the hope behind them was little. "I love you…I really love you."

Todd was stunned for a moment. He didn't know what to say in response. As a result an awkward silence passed through the air.

JD let out a little chuckle, trying to pretend that everything was alright. "Look, I didn't mean to weird you out. I just had to say it." He sat up, preparing to leave as it seemed his answer wasn't what he wanted. Even though he wasn't expecting Todd to say the words back, JD couldn't deal with the silence. "I guess I better go now."

The mere thought of JD leaving caused Todd to reach out. He grabbed JD's arm and pulled the other man back down beside him. Given the inch, JD couldn't stop himself from taking the mile. He closed the gap and captured Todd's lips in his own. Their lips shared a soft, light kiss; gentle and loving, wanting to go further yet a little afraid about moving too fast.

It took a lot to break such a sweet kiss, but JD felt he had to explain. "I've missed that." He stated simply. "I've missed you."

"Twine your fingers with mine five." Todd grinned and held up his hand, waiting for JD.

JD laughed slightly at Todd's high five quirk, but agreed to the action nonetheless. He slapped the hand and the palms pressed together, allowing the two sets of fingers to slowly intertwine.

"The Todd loves you too." Todd trailed a line of kisses down JD's nose, finally meeting the lips once more. "I love you, JD."

With the words, the two men smiled widely. JD stroked Todd's face and soon was sharing another kiss with the surgeon. This time, mouths opened to invite each other in. They explored each other, remembering feelings and tastes that had been greatly missed. The hospital bed had them pressed close together, but they both wanted to get even closer.

"So I guess this means..." JD played with the fingers linked with his own, giggling slightly as Todd responded. "I don't know, are we? Back together, that is?"

"Come on. You know it sucks without you around." Todd motioned to the hospital room that the two almost forgot they were in.

"We'll have some stuff to work out though I suppose." JD snuggled up closer to his source of love and comfort. "Just promise me you'll never scare me like this again."

"If you promise me you won't kiss any other lips but The Todd's." Todd touched JD's cheek, fingering his earlobe.

JD let out a soft laugh. "That's a given." His eyes began falling on him again. Soon he was pressed up against Todd, eyes closed and simply taking it all in.

"You okay?"

"Just sleepy. But I'm happy." JD replied, kissing Todd's hand. "So, so happy."

"Go to sleep." Todd moved one of the blankets so it covered JD, providing him with warmth. "I need you to be awake if we're going to fool around in this bed."

JD playfully nipped one of Todd's fingers. "No nookie until you're all better. I don't want you getting all tired out and sick."

"The Todd has lots of stamina." Todd watched JD begin to drift off into a nice peaceful sleep, glad the experience was his again. He couldn't help but to once again declare his love to the adorable sometimes crazy doctor. "I love you, JD."

"Love you too."

As JD travelled deeper into dream land, cuddling his rekindled lover as close as possible, Todd continued to watch him. It was through this staring that the surgeon formulated an idea; he knew what he had to do. But first, he had to get out of the hospital.

Hope you enjoyed the newest instalment. So cute, now that Todd and JD are back together even with all the kinks they have to work through. But what exactely has Todd got planned for the reunion? Find out soon. Thanks for the support, love you!