It was another day in the hospital. Jimmy was in his wheelchair, both Jimmy and Cindy were getting some fresh air in the hospital Community garden.
Cindy was just telling Jimmy about what he once remembered, Jimmy unable to catch up, which made Cindy laugh.
"Hey, slow down, I'm finding it really difficult to catch up on what you're saying!" Jimmy laughed.
Cindy laughed too. " I was saying, you used to be a genius! You used to create awesome inventions!" Cindy exclaimed, her heart tugging at the fact Jimmy may never be able to do that again.
Jimmy's face lights up, and that makes Cindy smile. "Oh awesome! How cool! You'll have to show me some of them when I get home from the hospital, would you? "Jimmy asked.
Cindy nodded. "Yeah, sure, I'll gladly show you. Actually... I brought one of them along with me today." Cindy said.
A mechanical dog then appeared, eager to see his pet owner. Jimmy was startled by the dog, getting a little bit scared.
"It's okay Jimmy, Goddard's just a little excited to see you, that's all. "Cindy reassured, looking at the robot dog. "Easy boy, Jimmy doesn't remember who you are, you have to be gentle." She said, Goddard whimpered a little, but stopped jumping, sitting still waiting for Jimmy to reach his hand out to him.
Jimmy looked at the dog that he supposedly created. He did that? All by himself? He was amazed.
Jimmy nervously stuck out his hand, and Goddard walked over licking it gently. Jimmy laughed, which made Cindy's heart tug again. She watch Jimmy tap his legs, allowing Goddard to climb on his lap.
"Goddard Will look after you and protect you, right boy?"
Goddard barked.
"Thank you, Goddard. Even though I don't remember you, I'm glad you'll protect me. I'm sorry I don't remember..." Jimmy said sadly. Goddard licked his face gently, giving him doggy kisses. Cindy couldn't help but smile, there was something about this Jimmy, something that the 'old Jimmy' didn't seem to have before.
This Jimmy allowed himself to be vulnerable, showing Cindy a rare side to him that she never saw much of. The old Jimmy would be brushing her off, making sarcastic and snarky comebacks. But this one, this one cried in front of her, he confessed things that had he been his normal self, he would've denied. He confessed to her that he was afraid, that he didn't want to be like this, that if he were a genius again, he would've fixed this by now.
After Jimmy confessed that, Cindy had to hug him. She told him that this wasn't his fault, she wiped away his tears, reassured him that he wasn't going to go through this alone. And he wouldn't. Jimmy Neutron would never be alone again.
Jimmy was getting tired now, it was almost lunchtime now anyway. Cindy walked behind him, reclining him back and pushing him back to his room, Goddard in his lap. They walk through many hospital hallways, Cindy having memorised the whole hospital because she came here so frequently. Hopefully Jimmy would come home soon.
They arrived in his room, the room tidy. Oh, the cleaners must've been in. Cindy tilted him upright again, going to find one of the nurses to see if they can help him get back into bed.
Jimmy couldn't walk anymore, the accident caused him to be paralysed from the waist down.
Cindy could tell Jimmy didn't like it, he wanted to walk, but he couldn't anymore. So Cindy made sure that when he went back to school, no one would dare patronise him. If they did, they would be dead.
Cindy came back with a nurse who smiles at him. "Ready to get into bed, Jimbo? "She asks, giggling.
Jimmy nodded sleepily, Goddard climbing down and climbing into Cindy's hands.
The nurse called another nurse, and the two of them got him back into bed, tucking him under the blankets. "We'll Bring your lunch after your nap, okay sweetheart?" One of the nurses said.
Jimmy nodded as his eyes drooped closed.
They left after that, closing the door behind them, Goddard sitting at Jimmy's feet, ready to protect him.
Cindy sat down in the chair, getting her book and continuing to read.
Hugh came in, caressing his son on the head, placing a kiss on his forehead. "I love you, Jimmy... I'm always here." Hugh whispered. "Mom is too." He says softly.
Cindy noticed him and smiled. "He's lucky to have you, Mr Neutron." Cindy said.
Hugh smiled softly at the girl that had been with his son through it all. "My boy's lucky to have you too, Cindy. Without you who knows where my boy would be..." Hugh trailed off, not wanting to dive deeper into that thought.
He was alive and that's all that matters right now.
Hugh walked over to Cindy, pulling out a candy from his pocket. It was her favourite. "It's not much, but I wanted to say thank you. Thank you for being with my boy." Cindy smiled gratefully. "Of course, Mr Neutron, it's the least I could do. I may not be able to get his memory back, but I'll be with him, always." She said, nodding in confirmation. She took the candy, opening it and putting it into her mouth. She giggled, thanking Hugh for the candy.
Hugh left after that, closing the door behind him. Cindy could only imagine the pain Jimmy's Family was going through right now. It must be heartbreaking to watch your son who once remembered you, to barely remember his own name and his family. Watching his parents be calm and gentle with him while their son tried to remember them was heartbreaking.
Cindy couldn't help but look over to see Jimmy sleeping, happily dreaming. She wondered if he was dreaming about being a genius again. She missed him, she missed him so much. She was definitely going to get revenge on Nick for doing this to him.
Nick went too far, even she wouldn't go that far, and she had been cruel before, but she knew boundaries, she knew when things went too far.
30 minutes later and Jimmy woke up, Cindy sitting next to him.
"Hey." Cindy said softly.
"Hey." Jimmy repeated.
"I chopped up your food for you, it's chicken rice and veggies. You got strawberry ice cream for desert." She said, Jimmy smiled as Cindy handed him the plate. "Let me know if you need help." Cindy said.
Jimmy nodded, beginning to eat, the hospital food didn't taste very good, Cindy handed him some Sprite, a staple when you're not feeling very well. Jimmy had finished his main meal, happily eating the ice cream, which was the best part in his opinion, Cindy feeding him a couple of bites, as his arms were getting tired. His arms needed to regain some more strength, but until then, Cindy would gladly help.
30 minutes later and it was time for his medication. Jimmy's least favourite part.
Cindy pushed the syringe into his mouth, Jimmy making a sour face.
"Swallow. "She ordered, Jimmy tilted his head back and swallowed, Jimmy quickly took the sprite, swallowing a little bit.
" Great job, only 5 mills to go." Cindy praised. "If you do it in one, you can have the last bit of ice cream to take the horrible taste away." She promised.
Jimmy smiled at the thought of getting the ice cream, willingly swallowing the medicine.
As promised, Cindy got the last scoop of ice cream onto the spoon and handed it to him, Jimmy happily eating it.
Cindy shook her head amusingly, Jimmy was certainly funny. If Jimmy was his normal self right now, he would be cringing.
But, he's not that person anymore. That person was gone now, and Cindy would never forget. Her heart would forever break at the fact that the Jimmy Neutron she knew (and loved) was gone, but she happily would accept this. At least he was alive.
Cindy had replayed the scenario where Jimmy had died too many times in her head, she could map out every detail. at least here he was alive, and that's all that mattered.
She took his hand, squeezing it, and he squeezed back. Oh, how she missed that feeling. She let some tears slip, Jimmy reaching over and wiping them away. "Don't cry. "He said softly.
Cindy chuckles, placing her hand on his cheek. "I'm just happy you're alive." She murmured.
Jimmy looked at her confused. "Why Wouldn't I be?" He asked innocently.
"You could've died in the accident, Jimmy.." Cindy said softly.
"Oh." Jimmy said quietly, curling in on himself. "Don't listen to the nasty people Jimmy, don't let them bring you down." Cindy told him.
"Huh?" Jimmy asked.
Cindy sighed, taking Jimmy's hand. "Let's just say, the nasty people didn't exactly like you." Cindy said.
Jimmy was even more confused. "What did I do? "Jimmy asked.
He wasn't ready to know.
Cindy looks at Jimmy with a look of pain. "I'll tell you another time, okay? You went through a lot recently, and I don't wanna add more to what you already have to deal with, and I don't wanna have to put you through any more pain." Cindy said guiltily
Jimmy smiled, grateful for Cindy.
If only Jimmy knew what a jerk Cindy'd been in the past to him.
The remaining visiting hours flew by, the two of them were just talking. Cindy needing to leave now, but Jimmy not wanting her to. He still didn't feel comfortable around his parents, and he hated being alone. "I'll be back as soon as I can, I promise. If it helps, We can FaceTime each other when I get home until you fall asleep if you want. "Cindy said.
Jimmy sighed. "I don't wanna be a wimp, though." Jimmy said sadly.
Cindy couldn't help facepalming. "Jimmy, you JUST woke up from being in a coma for two weeks, you don't remember anything, and you're in a vulnerable place right now! So, no wonder you're scared! I would be too!" Cindy snapped.
Cindy took a calming breath to calm herself.
Cindy apologised quickly, remembering that Jimmy hadn't seen her outburst like this since he woke up, so this was clearly startling to him. But their conversation was cut short, when the nurse came in to tell them that visiting hours were up, Jimmy having to reluctantly say goodbye until tomorrow.
Yeah, Jimmy would be fine. He may not remember anything or anyone, but he'll be fine.
Yeah, Jimmy could spend a whole night in the hospital by himself! Yeah! He'd be fine.
He just...Had to survive the night...