Whumpay Day 12: Not noticing Injury/Hiding Injury
Gordon was good at this. In fact, he was a world expert. With everything the aquanaut had been through, a small injury was nothing to concern himself with. So he carried on the rescue, and if he snatched a couple of painkillers from his mini-med kit then it was something that Virgil wouldn't worry about. His back being the way it was meant that he carried special ones just in case.
It was a long rescue. And one that resulted in injuries to both Alan and Scott too, when a building came down on them. They weren't serious injuries, but they happened almost the same time Gordon had twisted while removing debris and pulling his back. Virgil had his hands full with his two brothers, and Gordon could self-medicate, at least in the short term.
The journey home had been…anxiety-inducing. For while Alan's injuries had been very minor in the way of cuts and bruises, Scott's had been more along the 'no way you're safe to fly home' type. Alan had been delighted to take One home and had disappeared over the horizon before Scott had managed to escape from the infirmary. It had taken Virgil almost 10 minutes to get the disgruntled pilot back into Two, where he sat in Alan's seat and refused to budge.
He and Virgil had shared an eyeroll, and neither had been surprised when Scott fell asleep less than three minutes into the journey. How Scott had forgotten that he'd been given a sedative while the bone in his arm was being set Gordon did not know, although the man's tolerance for medication was legendary.
Thankfully, his co-pilot seat had been specially made so that it was supremely comfortable if his back was playing up, and he totally forgot he'd even hurt it by the time they were home. Grandma was waiting in the hanger, and between Alan and Virgil they managed to get Scott onto a stretched and away to his room. Gordon completed the post-flight checks, even though he knew Virgil would be back and would do them again.
It wasn't until he tried to move that he remembered he had an injury. Virgil was going to kill him for not letting the medic know. He could hear the lecture now. 'You know how important reporting injuries is, Gordon, especially your back…' and so on. And then his wingman would feel guilty that he hadn't noticed Gordon was hurt too, and then Scott would feel guilty for causing Virgil to be distracted…it was a never-ending guilt-fest that he was determined to stop before it started.
Well, a couple more pain killers, a hot shower and a few hours' sleep and he'd be as right as rain. He just needed to get out of his chair.
It took three times as long as usual, but he made it to bed. He had managed to avoid Virgil and Alan completely, and he sighed as he began to relax and his eyes got heavy.
Only to be rudely awoken by the klaxon. Damn, damn, damn, damn! Why couldn't they give him and his brothers a break! Still…he got up and shuffled to the lounge, where John was outlining a fishing vessel in distress which the local coastguard couldn't reach in time to prevent the ship capsizing or to rescue the men on board. This was a job for Virgil and himself, and he turned around and started to make his way over to Four's chute entrance when a sharp intake of breath stopped him. He frowned but didn't turn around until Scott said, 'Gordon, you're grounded. Kayo? Are you ok to take his place?' Virgil had already gone, and Kayo slipped around her brother while Gordon turned to face his brother.
'What the hell, Scott?' What was his brother playing at? But as he looked at the frown on Scott's face he faltered. 'Gords, your back..' Gordon rolled his eyes. 'Yeah, I know. I hurt my back on our last rescue, but it's fine now. I'm good to go on this mission.'
Scott walked up to him, placing his good hand on his shoulder. 'Have you even seen your back?' his brother asked, concern bleeding from him and beginning to make Gordon worry. Of course he hadn't seen his back.
Just then Grandma entered. Both boys looked at her as she also inhaled sharply. 'Gordon. Infirmary. Now.' She barked the words out and turned around, not waiting to see if her grandson would follow her. She knew he would. Scott turned back to monitor the rescue with John.
Once in the infirmary Sally made Gordon lie down, and she immediately began fussing his top off. Ok, he was man enough to admit that that had hurt somewhat more than it should have, and a small niggly doubt formed. He accepted his top and gaped in astonishment.
The back was red with blood.
Gordon, mouth open, looked at his ruined top, then looked to his Grandma. He watched her eyes soften as she realised that he had no idea he had been injured, and she set about stitching him up. Another row to add to the scars already there. She gave him a shot of something, a different sedative he guessed from the way his eyes were closing, and he fell asleep as she ran her fingers through his hair.
Her boys would be the death of her, Sally was sure. Protocols needed to be put in place to ensure that in the future if Gordon needed pain relief then he could get it if a brother checked him out first. He was so used to being in pain it seemed he couldn't differentiate any more.