Jack made Amy go to school the next day. It broke his heart when she cried and begged to come to the hospital with him to see her other father but Jack stood his ground. He promised her that when he came to pick her up after school, they would go straight to the hospital to see Doug.
The day passed slowly. Jack went to the hospital after Amy was picked up for school, hoping he would be able to spend his day at Doug's side. However, time proved otherwise. He and Pacey spent most of the day in the hospital waiting room. Doug needed his rest. Doctor Hillcoat did not want them in there all day, getting Doug "worked up" as he put it. With that comment, he had cast a wary glance in Jack's direction. In fact, Jack found himself being cast many of these glances whenever he was with Doctor Hillcoat and he was getting bloody sick of it. Though he continued to tell Pacey to let it go, Jack did wish the doctor would take him more seriously. What really worried him was whether Doctor Hillcoat would treat Doug like any other patient, even though he knew Doug was gay. Eventually, Jack figured he was being paranoid and anyway, there was enough to worry about already.
At one point, Doctor Hillcoat emerged from Doug's room and miraculously, told Jack and Pacey that he could give them some more news on Doug's condition.
"Again," the doctor said, "I can't say anything for sure. Doug was in good shape before this incident, which increases his chances for a strong recovery. In fact, there are already some slight improvements on his condition. However, there is still always a chance he may take a turn for the worst and his condition is still very delicate at this point so I would advise you to be prepared for that. Overall, though, he is doing quite well. You can defiantly breath a little easier now."
With this news, Jack and Pacey grinned at each other. No promises were made but things could be so much worse. Jack figured he may regret it later on, but he allowed himself to feel the slightest bit relieved. For the moment, his man was all right.
When at last Jack was able to go in and see Doug, he nearly cried for joy. He soon found himself seated once more at Doug's side, holding one of his weak hands in his own.
"The doctor said you're doing better today," Jack said gently.
Doug smiled. "So I hear. I guess that's good news."
"Hell yes, it's good news! Baby, you're going to make it through this, right? It's going to be OK."
Doug gave Jack's hand the slightest squeeze. "Yeah … I hope so."
Jack squeezed him back. "I know so."
"Mike and Lisa came in earlier today."
"Oh really? I didn't know that."
Doug's eyes were closed and he didn't say anything for a moment. When he opened his eyes again, he looked directly at Jack. "They told me I killed someone."
Jack was suddenly speechless. Doug's expression was so pained, so worried. He had not even thought about this. In fact, Jack had all but forgotten this fact. Finally, he found his voice again. "You were doing you job. He would have gotten away if you hadn't done what you did."
Doug sighed. "I was an idiot. I made a mess of things. I shouldn't have gone in at all until Mike and Lisa got there."
"No, Doug, that's not true! You were brave and you did what most would never have the courage to do. I- I'm proud of you, Doug."
Doug's eyes filled suddenly with tears. "I'm so sorry, baby," he whispered. He let out a loud sob. "I-I'm so sorry. I wasn't being brave, Jack! I just didn't think and when I felt those shots hit me … oh, god, Jack. I was so scared … I just kept thinking of you and Amy, seeing your faces, and thinking I … I would never see you again. I was so scared, Jack …"
Jack moved quickly, shifting himself onto the bed and wrapping his arms around Doug. He gently stroked Doug's back and murmured comforting words in his ear. The relief Jack had felt before disappeared. Even if Doug got better, Jack realized that their lives would never be as they once were. The physical and emotional suffering Doug was living through would change him forever if it did not kill him. Jack wanted to be by Doug's side through it all and he knew that he would be but he wondered if that was enough.
********
Doug was still very set on seeing his daughter so Jack brought her by after he picked her up from school. Amy was excited to see her father but became anxious when she entered the hospital. She gazed around the chaotic waiting room with wide eyes, not saying anything. Jack ruffled her hair.
"It's going to be ok, Angel."
Amy shot him a look. "I know, dad. And don't mess up my hair!"
Jack smiled and led her to Doug's room.
The visit went quite well, Jack thought. Amy sat on Jack's lap as she talked to Doug as if it was any other day. Doug asked her how school was and Amy chattered away about forest animal projects and gym class. Doug listened, smiling a bit, and closing his eyes every once in a while.
"Come give Daddy a kiss," Doug said as they prepared to leave.
Jack immediately jumped in, pushing Amy gently out of the way, and placed a wet one on Doug's lips. Amy burst into a fit of giggles and Jack and Doug smiled at each other. It was a bit they did all the time and it always produced the same reaction out of Amy. It was good to know some things did not change.
"Promise you'll come see me again soon," Doug said to Amy.
Amy nodded. "Yes."
Doug smiled. "Bye, Angel."
"Bye Daddy."
Jack and Amy walked back into the waiting room and sat down across from Pacey who was flipping distractedly through a Sports Illustrated magazine.
"How was your visit?" he asked Amy as they sat down.
"Good," she said quietly.
Jack looked over at his daughter, usually to full of giggles and life. And she always had a smile for her Uncle Pacey. "Are you OK, Amy?"
Amy looked back at him nervously. "Is daddy going to die?"
Jack's eyes filled quickly with tears as he heard his daughter speak these words. He exchanged a quick glance with Pacey, who also looked shattered, before pulling his daughter into his arms.
"I don't know," he whispered into Amy's golden locks. He didn't see the point in trying to sugarcoat the truth. "I don't know, baby."
********
The following two weeks went by in a blur. The Witter family came in to Capeside. Doug also had an almost constant stream of visitors from the community: co-workers, friends, teachers Jack worked with at the high school. Between entertaining Doug's guests, taking care of Amy, and visiting Doug, Jack hardly had time to think and in some ways, that seemed better. The less time there was to sit back and realize the reality of the situation, the better.
Exactly two weeks after the day that Doug was shot, Jack had just finished putting Amy to bed when the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hey Jack! How's it going?"
"Tobey?"
"Yes, Tobey! What's been going on? I haven't heard from you in like, a month."
Jack closed his eyes guiltily. In all the chaos, he had completely forgotten about Tobey. "I am so sorry, man. It's been insane."
About six years earlier, he had received a visitor at work. A Tobey Barret, founder and coordinator of an organization called SEAGAL, Spreading Equality and Awareness for Gays and Lesbians (pronounced seagull). This Tobey Barret wanted to open a chapter at Capeside High- a gay/ straight alliance group. He wanted to give a talk at the school to get the students interested in such an alliance. And who better to contact about such a thing than the only gay teacher at Capeside who just happened to be his ex-boyfriend?
A chapter opened at Capeside and Jack and Tobey quickly became close friends. It was a completely pure and platonic friendship, better than any relationship they had attempted to have years earlier. Doug also got along well with Tobey's boyfriend, Ryan. Tobey and Ryan lived nearby, so the two couples were very close.
"It's always insane when it comes to your life, Jack. What else is new?"
"This insanity is a little different from usual."
"What's wrong?" Tobey asked, his voice suddenly full of concern.
Jack sighed. "Doug's in the hospital. He got shot at work."
A stunned silence was all that could be heard at the other end. So, Jack proceeded to explain all about Doug's condition and what he had been going through in the past couple of weeks. Jack was surprised to find that simply saying all of this out-loud was incredibly therapeutic.
"Wow," Tobey said when Jack had finished. "I can't believe it …"
"Listen, I'm sorry I didn't call you earlier about all this. I just- I guess I kind of forgot. It's hard to think with all this going on, y'know?"
"Yeah," Tobey said, "I know. Don't worry, I understand, Jack."
Of course, he understood. He understood what it was like to have his world shattered, to have a future that was dangerously uncertain. Four years ago, just before he met Ryan, Tobey tested positive for HIV. Jack had helped Tobey through some tough times back then. But Tobey soon met Ryan and Jack was able to step back since he knew his friend was now in good hands. Tobey was doing well, now but Ryan was always there, watching over him, preparing for the worst and living for the best with the love of his life. Jack realized suddenly how much he could learn from those two.
"You and Ryan should come visit," Jack said. "Doug would appreciate it."
"Of course we'll visit!" Tobey said. "You guys are our best friends. And you've been there for us through some hard times too. We owe it to you."
Jack smiled. "Thanks. You're always welcome."
"How about tomorrow evening? Would that be a good time to come in?"
"Sure. Come for supper around six and then we can all go to the hospital together."
"Whatever's best for you."
"Ok then. See you tomorrow?"
"Yeah. All the best to Doug. And Jack?"
"Yeah?"
"If you need anything- someone to talk to or- or anything- just give me a call, all right?"
"Thanks, Tobe."
"Anytime."
"Bye."
"Night, Jack."