Chapter 10- Let There Be Showering

"Come in! It's open," Hailey detected from the other side of the door. Part of her wished Will would come to the door and open it for her. She was juggling three cups of trayed Starbucks in one hand while balancing a protein shake and food bag in the other. She promised to bring the goods and the last thing she wanted to do was disappoint.

"Give me a sec," she yelled back, ever so slowly taking the balancing act to the floor before reaching up for the handle and throwing the door open. With things close to slamming into the adjacent wall, Hailey was quick to pick things up and scurry through the door before things shut on her.

"I'm in, good morning!" What greeted her at the other end of the hallway was unsettling, weird, and certainly painful for poor Jay. It appeared skin was being pulled off, the slow, snapping, painful reaction from Jay telling it was another dressing inspection and change. Jay was laying on the couch, blankets and pillows around him told of him either sleeping there or being made very comfortable for the day. Will was hovering above his chest, continuing to apologize for inducing pain as the tearing continued. Wary that Jay didn't want her to see, Hailey kept herself moving along, waving once things were placed on the counter and food items pulled out of the bag.

"Okay, okay it's off," Will panted, plopping the long strip of bloody gauze on the coffee table. Hailey was now freaked out by the residual blood and the now unsanitary nature of the table. Yes, even eight days out from surgery Jay was still seeing small amounts of blood around his incision sites. Now some of that had to do with the things that were pulled out the day before, but the fact it was mostly around the incision site, she had to question things.

"Is that…normal?" Will looked away from Jay and to Hailey who was motioning on herself about the incision.

"Oh yeah, the little bit of bleeding and ooze is going to probably stop in a few days. But things look good, Jay. Still no snapped sutures and feels like nothing is misaligned."

"Someone is obeying orders," Hailey teased. Jay could only roll his eyes. Speaking wasn't happening right now, the pain of things being ripped off and the cold, fresh air on his sensitive skin not doing good things for him.

"So, I think we should keep this off till after the shower, give it some air for a little bit. You need to take more meds and you can't do it on an empty stomach."

"I brought him a shake."

"That'll work. Don't forget to prime the straw." Hailey nodded, finding it a little nasty that her lips were going to be touching the straw before Jay did. But seeing as they had swapped spit a few times before, she concluded that Jay probably didn't mind. As she readied things for Jay, Will was busy dishing out all the meds for the morning, putting it in a small medicine cup.

"Here you go," Hailey smiled as the protein cup was put in Jay's hands, all watching with joking pride as Jay pulled the cup up to his mouth and swallowed large gulps.

"Peanut butter and jelly? You know me so well." Hailey could only smirk, turning back to the kitchen for the coffee and food for her and Will. She could hear the prodding for Jay to open his hand and take the meds before Jay huffed in obedience. He wasn't liking all the things he was reliant on, but there was no other option. By the time she returned Jay was sitting up a little more, feet touching ground as the pillows both pushed him forward while allowing him to relax back.

"You're too kind," Will thanked as Hailey handed him coffee and food, taking a seat on the nearby chair.

"How was last night?" Jay chuckled and rolled his eyes as Will reacted with an eye roll.

"We both didn't get a huge amount of sleep."

"What? Why."

"Pain, he couldn't get comfortable and a couple times tired to roll to his side."

"Yikes! Like intentionally?"

"No, it was in his sleep. But it woke him up which woke me up. I didn't mind at all.."

"-But we didn't sleep more then three hours?!" Will nodded.

"So if we fall asleep on you.."

"-Oh stop, you don't need to apologize at all. We can all have a nap time later on! I too didn't sleep a lot last night."

"Why, work?" Hailey nodded.

"This insane case were working on is keeping us all on our last nerve. We're doing a combing over every detail, building for evidence route." Jay groaned in understanding.

"I'm sorry. I wish I could help you guys."

"No no, don't feel bad at all. This is way more important." They all were silent for the next few moments, the quiet calming and bringing them all back down. Will and Hailey chewed slowly, savoring the flavors of food. Jay just sipped out the side of his mouth, just impressed liquid food was okay this morning. It was what they all needed, a recharge and reflection.

"I'm sorry, I can't help but look," Hailey interrupted later. Jay furrowed his brow as Will looked away from his food and to her.

"What?" Hailey again motioned for Jay's scar, her face that of apology and concern as Jay looked back at her.

"Hey, it's fine. I don't mind."

"Have you seen it yet?" Both brothers shook their head.

"What?!"

"I will…at some point."

"It's really not that bad. It's new and there, but it's nothing that won't be normal in due time." Without a second thought Jay looked down, chin on his chest as he just stared and absorbed. Hailey was certainly spot on in that it was there, there was no denying or hiding that. Eight days out it was massive to Jay, red and puffy and daunting to the permanent owner of said incision. He wasn't sure how everyone was able to look at it and not freak out. His breaths picked up just a bit, emotions right there fighting to get out.

"Jay, it's okay. You don't have to look," Will cooed, but Jay shook his head as he couldn't look away. It was just so big and there, there for the rest of his days.

"It's not that bad. I'll get used to it. Just wish mom was here."

"Yeah, I know." Yet more silence kicked in after that, the chewing and slurping not ceasing till Jay was scraping the bottom of his cup, Will just about diving to collect the cup and put it on the coffee table.

"So, what are the big plans for today?"

"Shower," Jay immediately responded, making Hailey laugh really out loud.

"I take it you're looking forward to it." Jay eagerly nodded, his personality poking through the painful, medicated body of his.

"Do you want to head in there now? We might as well get this over with. It's not going to be as relaxing and pleasant as you think."

"Will, I don't care what happens. I'm so tired of smelling like a week old, hospitalized person."

"But that's what you are," he teased. Will was smart to be thinking ahead when it came to Jay's positioning, like he knew this was coming right after breakfast. It would've been so much harder to get him up from a totally laying down position. Will and Hailey each took a side, just as they had done many times at the hospital, and were extra careful to support Jay's back as he tried to work just the knees and legs to stand himself up.

"Relax, just relax," Will reminded as Jay grunted about halfway up. Jay almost falling back down if it weren't for the swift grab from Will and Hailey.

"Ugh, I'm still dizzy," Jay complained as he relaxed on Will's shoulder. Will, who reminded Jay to relax on things, as he supported his brother in a hug the entire time. Even after Jay insisted he was feeling better, Will was slow to let go. He could not have Jay falling or stumbling right now, that very thing would be what sent him back to Med. A path was cleared for the three of them to walk down. As gradual, small steps were taken, Will and Hailey kicked things out of the way, the path three wide with enough space for Jay to shuffle. They worked their way through the kitchen and ventured into the back hall, straight for the guest bathroom. Jay only had to stop once, saying the pain was too much as they opened the guest room door. Hailey and Will made sure to remind Jay they had him as he relaxed on the doorway, closing his eyes and breathing out loud as the pain spike reached its' apex. Will offered to run back and get the pain meds, but Jay shook him off. Instead rising back to his fully upright position. A few more steps, one more doorway, and Jay had completed the impossible task of reaching the guest bathroom.

"I take it you don't want me in here," Hailey joked. Jay nodded as Will reached to turn the shower faucet.

"We'll be out in a few minutes."

"Okay! I'll get stuff cleaned up and then set up. Are you going back to the couch when you're done?" Jay nodded. The thought of having to make the return trip to the living room semi-scared him, but the guest room was an in the distance goal. Right now he wanted company and space and access to all rooms in the house so Will didn't have to go very far. The guest room would be next week, or somewhere in that time frame. Hailey asked a final time if they needed anything before they swore they were just fine. Things were get quite steamy now, Will swatting steam away as Hailey quickly closed the door. She stood outside the door for a moment, just to make sure everything was fine. They were arguing over how much Will was going to have to do and the fact Jay would have to sit on the shower floor. Hailey giggled when Will threatened to turn the shower off and march Jay back to the couch. Only when the shower curtain was flung open and Will coaxed Jay to his spot did Hailey back away. Jay was being taken care of, his space needed to rise to the same level of care and cleanliness approval.

Meanwhile, back in the bathroom, there was a back and forth war over what Will could and could not do, Jay being slapped right back with his limitations. Jay wanted to shampoo with Will there to help just in case, Will had to remind Jay that he wasn't allowed to lift above his shoulders right now. Jay wanted to stand up, Will reminding him how the dizzy spells coupled with a slippery surface would be an automatic return to Med with a busted breastbone and ribs. Let's also not forget the constant telling of Will to not look and to just hurry up while Will complained that he had to see something in order to get things done quickly. He said they were both brothers and had seen each other's stuff a ton when they were kids, but Jay insisted it wasn't the same. Will didn't prod further over what all meant. But some fifteen minutes after Jay entered the shower with a whine, the shower head was cut off and a towel gently placed on his shoulders.

"Here's another one," Will said as he wrapped another around Jay's wait, without looking of course. From there it was a shaky and slow rising and out of the shower, but in due time Will was inspecting the incision site once more.

"Still looks fine. I'm going to very, very carefully pat this dry so we can put new stuff on."

"Why can't I do it."

"Because I don't need you to pressing really hard. Just sit on the toilet seat lid and hold your towels while I do this." Jay rolled his eyes as he obeyed, painfully exhaling as his wet self sat on the hard, cold surface. Will claimed a towel that was dingy, something he wouldn't miss.

"Just keep breathing," he told Jay as he approached with hand spread out with towel. Jay could only close his eyes, not ready for the extra painful task Will was going to perform. He didn't know when things were too much or too hard, seeing as it wasn't his chest that going through it all. Literally there was an inch between chest and towel before Will shot up. Jay pried one eye open as he watched Will's face light up with surprise.

"What?"

"I forgot to listen. Stay right here I'll be back." Jay wouldn't dream of moving, his still bruised sides screaming for ice and rest.

"Listen?"

"I told Rhodes I'd keep checking for abnormal heart rates and the murmur to come back, which means daily listening. It's that or I keep bringing you back and forth."

"Please, listen away." As Will returned he made sure to rub the listening end of the stethoscope for warmth before gingerly placing it on Jay's chest. Despite his best efforts Jay still flinched, more out of routine and sensitivity then anything else. Just as Rhodes did, Will moved through the chambers and major arteries of the heart, dead silence filling the bathroom. Droplets of water hitting the shower's tile floor could be heard, it was that quiet. Each passing of the test had Will smirking that much more, arriving at the aortic valve area and closing his eyes to really hear.

"Well?" Will shushed his brother and strained even more. It wasn't that he didn't know what he was doing, more along the lines of wanting to make sure he was right. This wasn't some typical checkup for the healthiest of people. It was Jay and this was day eight post-op, you take the time in listening.

"Sounds really good," Will whispered as he pulled the stethoscope, Jay mocking a large exhale of relief.

"It's still crazy that the murmur is totally gone already. But it is and you have a totally normal sounding heart."

"With a click."

"You can still hear that?" Jay nodded.

"It'll become something you're totally used to, I promise. Now let's get you dressed before we have Hailey come in here and help get you back to the couch." Will returned the stethoscope to the counter before scooping up the towel and extra softly placing it on Jay's chest. At first he panicked, just the sensation of pressure and fabric on the new skin making him pause, but after the second dab on the incision things went numb. Call it mild shock on his skin's part, but Jay wasn't complaining. After things were deemed dry enough Will ventured back into the bedroom to gather the gauze pads and tape and antibiotic ointment and laid them out in the order he'd need them. Beginning with the ointment, Will used a cotton swab to run up and down the stapled line with the infection fighting goo. Again, more flinching and hissing on Jay's part, but Will made sure to remind him that everything looked great and he was fine. He may have had to repeat things a couple times, but in no time that part of the job was complete, ready to be covered up once more. Instead of going block by block Will lined things up to create one giant, ten inch tape lined strip. Counting down the two of them held their breath as Will had to both press and run his finger kind of strong along the tape line. Only when he spurted out that he was done did they exhale. Jay was done with the dressing change for the day. After that came the easier task of dressing him. Jay could do the bottom half so long as things were pulled up to his knees, which Will assisted with before allowing that small amount of freedom. Yet another plastic zippered zip up hoodie was taken out of the overnight bag and draped on Jay's back, the arms being carefully worked into the sleeves one at a time.

"Do you want socks," Will asked as he tousled Jay's hair into something that looked decent?

"Yeah, after we get out of here." Will got it, the last thing anyone ever wanted was wet socks on their feet.

"I'm going to run and get Hailey, you're doing okay?"

"Yeah, just hurry. This is starting to really hurt." Will nodded, saying something about breathing as he bound out of the bathroom. Jay was so envious of the ability to get up and down without pain or shortness of breath. Just as Will left the room a rather large jolt in the pain department shot out from his chest. It took Jay totally buy surprise, one moment he was looking around the bathroom while hands were resting on his lap, the next he was trying to not double over. It was hot, burning, searing pain. A punishment, it appeared, for wanting to be clean. He didn't hear when the two of them got back, eyes closed and mind lost in the very real truth that he was in a ton of pain right then. Will barely touched his back and he was begging for him to let go. Hailey wanted more then anything to hug him, but given his current state knew that wouldn't be best.

"Go run and get his pain pills," Will instructed. Hailey could only nod, darting out of the room and to the coffee table. There was so much still on it, none of the names reading like they were for pain. From there she went to the instructions, sighing relief when she found the couple of them that talked about pain management. From there she raced into the kitchen to grab a gatorade bottle before spinning around and heading for the bathroom. By the time she got there Will had managed to get Jay to lay his head on his shoulder, Will sitting level with Jay and repeating things to him.

"Hailey's here with the meds," he whispered. Jay nodded but didn't remove his head. Hailey held up the bottles and Will instructed her to take one of each out. She uncapped the bottles and passed everything off to Will who thanked her before pulling Jay away.

"These will help. They'll take a little bit to kick in but they'll work." Jay threw the pills in his mouth before clasping the bottom of the bottle and with a great shake working the liquid to his lips.

"Good job, give it a couple minutes," Will encouraged. Hailey took the bottle away and promised to put it in the family room next to the couch.

"Sorry I'm holding this up."

"Jay, there's no reason to apologize. We might've pushed thing a little too much today. How about we count this walk back to the couch as our exercise for the day." Jay could only nod, wincing at the spike on top of the bigger spike.

"How are you feeling," Hailey inquired when she returned.

"I've got the pillows lined up how you had them and the blankets are all set. I'm guessing you're going to want to rest when we get back there."

"Okay, yeah," Jay softly spoke. The next few minutes it was silence and squatting as they waited for Jay to give them the go ahead to help him stand. The eyes were closed when it was too much, the beginnings of daydreaming into a drug stupor when things were getting better.

"Let's hurry up and do this," he told his waiting crowd.

"Don't forget that we can't yank his arms," Will reminded Hailey as each to took a side. She nodded that she got it.

"Standing in one, two, three go. Remember to push with the legs," Will guided. The three people unit were up, not stopping till they were at the doorway. Will pulled the lead through the room, pausing long enough to grab socks before rejoining Jay and Hailey and the three of them got back in the business of finding the couch. It took a couple more stops then the first time, but eventually the couch was reached. Will assisted in turning Jay around before helping him land on the couch cushions. It wasn't exactly the easiest task, but Jay was finally, eight days later, clean!

"Same time tomorrow," Will teased? Jay moaned before rolling his eyes and shaking.

"I think we're good for awhile," Jay yawned. Hailey snorted in agreement.

"Do you want anymore Gatorade?" Jay nodded as he held a hand open to grab the bottle.

"You also need to try and rest a little bit."

"I know, I'm getting tired anyway."

"I think while you're sleeping I'm going to head back to work for a little bit," Hailey cut in.

"They keep texting me when I'm going to be heading back."

"Is this also including the last one I was working on?"

"No, but we've added a couple more since that one. Honestly it's just a madhouse." Jay held up the Gatorade bottle for Will to grab and he did, capping it before pulling blankets further up on Jay.

"I'm sorry. I really wish I could help."

"Right now you can help by sleeping and getting better so you can come back totally able and ready." Jay sighed before yawning once more, the drugs seeming to be really in his system.

"You heard her, sleep. Now." Jay nodded as he pushed himself further down the couch, finding prime cushioning on the pillows, before doing his best to close his eyes.

"Take care of him," she joked with Will as she waved to the two of them.

"I will," Will whispered since Jay was already out. She hated leaving, hated that she wasn't able to leave him with a proper farewell, but knew there was no other option. As much as she liked seeing him out of the hospital and in a normal life setting, he was still not himself; something was still missing. She knew he was getting better and it was going to take time. In the moment now, she was really missing her anchor, partner, person in all things.

If you've never had surgery on your chest like Jay, then you do not understand how trying it is to eat or drink. Trust me, I've been there and it is no fun. This wasn't supposed to be a huge, data revealing chapter. Moreover this was just going to be a filler and setup for the chapter coming next. I'm so excited to share that one. Thanks for reading!