Chapter Thirteen: First signs
Warrick paused in the doorway, watching for a moment, knowing that both occupants in the room were unaware of his presence. Greg was stretched out on the hospital bed, turned slightly on his side. His face was inert, pale to say the least. His mouth hung open scarcely, his breaths coming in slow pants that could be heard even from here.
Sara sat next to him, her legs folded under her in the chair. Her head was hanging down slightly, her eyes skimming over the pages of the book she held in her lap. Warrick waited a moment longer before knocking on the door with three gentle raps, watching as Sara lifted her head quickly, looking first at Greg, before turning back to him.
He nodded in greeting, walking in a few paces before pausing again, his attention back on Greg. "How's he doing?"
It had been three days since the operation now; Greg had spent his first two in quarantine, the doctors labeling him last night as being fair enough to move him back into intensive care. It was clear from seeing him now that the lab tech was still fighting off a fever, although now he seemed to be resting well enough.
Sara gave him a nod, sitting up as she closed the book in her lap, marking the page she was on with her index and middle fingers. "He's doing better," she said softly, glancing back to Greg.
Warrick let out a sigh as he sat down next to her, shaking his head dully. He could only wonder to how Greg looked before if he was doing better now. His breaths were heavy, uneven at best, and it seemed as though he was struggling to breath. The blankets had been pulled away from his upper torso, as Warrick could see a light sheen of perspiration covered his arms and neck, as well as his forehead.
Sara moved forward, handing the book to Warrick as she picked up a small cloth that was resting on the table next to the bed, wiping down Greg's face before returning to the chair. Greg moved slightly under her administrations, but did little more as she pulled back.
"They say that will help keep his fever down," Sara explained softly, folding the cloth in her lap. "He's been fairly responsive, I mean, more so than before. His body's reacting to sound, pressure. He'll squeeze your hand back if you squeeze first. He even woke up for a short while."
Warrick nodded, glad to hear that things had improved, if only a little. "Yeah?"
"Yeah…he um, he asked about the lab, how everyone was doing…he was really out of it though, I don't think he even knew he was awake, I think he was rambling. This fever's taking a lot out of him."
"You uh, you tell him that you'll be staying with him once he's out of here?" Warrick wondered.
Sara had opted to take her vacation time now, since the doctors had strongly recommended that Greg not stay alone, especially in his first few weeks during recovery at home. Sara shook her head softly in response.
"Not yet, like I said, he was only up for a few, and he didn't seem all that focused. The rest of the time he's been asleep."
Warrick turned back to her, watching as he she continued to fold and unfold the small towel. "You've eaten yet?"
"I had a snack, earlier…" Sara confessed, her gaze turning up to watch Greg.
"You need to eat something," Warrick told her, "more than a snack I mean."
She shook her head, protesting, "I want to stay here, in case he wakes up."
"If you're going to take care of him, you need to take care of yourself," Warrick pointed out. "Besides, Greg wouldn't want you to starve yourself on his account. I'll stay here, go and eat."
Sara started to protest again, but the look from Warrick silenced her. Knowing that she had lost, she gave him a settle nod, standing slowly. "I won't be long," she told him quietly, leaving the room after taking a last glance at Greg.
Warrick sat back with a sigh, tapping his fingers absentmindedly on the arm rest, watching Greg sleep. It was hard to believe all of this was happening. Greg was only a kid, he hadn't done anything to deserve this. And the simple fact that no one could do anything was even more upsetting. It took him only a moment to realize he was being watched.
Warrick leaned forward, giving him a small smile, even though he was cursing himself inwardly at the same time. He should have realized sooner that Greg was awake, he could hear the difference in his breaths now, that should have tipped him off minutes ago. "Hey man," he said quietly.
Greg raised an eyebrow slightly, and at first Warrick thought that was all he was going to do, so it was a surprise when Greg managed a weak hey in return. The young lab tech closed his eyes, drawing in several deep breaths that were ragged. "Thirsty."
Warrick could barely hear him, and took several moments for him to realize what Greg had said. Nodding, Warrick glanced around, spotting a pitcher of water and a cup on the end table. Filling it only halfway, Warrick passed it off to Greg who had been able to pull himself up a bit to a sitting position.
Unsure if Greg needed any help or not, Warrick hovered nearby, watching as Greg took several small sips, before draining the rest of the cup.
"Thanks," Greg told him, passing back the cup. His voice wasn't as rough now, Warrick noted, taking a seat on the end of the bed.
"How you feeling?" Warrick wondered, watching as Greg leaned back against the pillows, coughing softly.
"Horrible," Greg muttered, lifting his eyes to meet his own. "I'm in pretty bad shape huh?" he tried to smile, tried to lighten the mood. Warrick could only smile in return, amazed that Greg hadn't really changed despite everything he had gone through.
"It's just a small setback," Warrick told him, "you've given us all quite a scare man."
Greg nodded silently, closing his eyes. It was then Warrick noticed Greg was trembling lightly, concern working into his features. "You okay?" he asked worriedly.
Greg nodded again, opening his eyes a little, watching him through slits. "Just tired," he mumbled.
"Get your rest," Warrick told him, "We'll have plenty of time to talk later."
Greg didn't respond that time; Warrick soon realized that it was because he had fallen asleep. Letting out a sigh, he got to his feet, dropping the cup back on the table as he walked around the room in a slow circle. He spent the rest of the day there with Sara, the pair talking quietly until Warrick had to leave for his shift. Greg had not woken during that time, but had slept easily. Warrick paused at the doorway, in the same way he had done when he had entered hours ago, taking one last look at Greg before continuing on his way.
TBC
