Yes, I'm back, and I did have fun. Haven't seen the Ocean in a few years now, so it was really beautiful out there, nothing like falling asleep listening to the ocean…or raccoons fighting, that's another story though.


Chapter 15: A Little Push

The change was noticeable in Greg. Though he still slept most of the day and night, in the times that he was awake, he was more and more coherent, and sounding more like himself with each passing day. He was visited off and on by all the night shift team, including several of the other lab techs, even Hodges who had stopped by, claming to see if he had 'died' yet. Greg could only wonder what exactly went on in his head half the time.

At first, walking, or even moving for that matter was a difficult task. The weeks spent in the hospital with little movement had taken a toll on his muscles, more so in his legs than his arms. When he first started, Greg was not able to walk on his own, and so, opted for a wheelchair that he could maneuver around in under his own power from time to time.

When he was awake, and not being visited, he spent his time working with several doctors that put him through several simple procedures in order to strengthen his muscles. In addition, Greg started to eat solid food again, but they still kept him on a liquid diet at the same time, knowing it was all too soon to take him completely off it quite yet.

This particular day found him sitting at a small table next to his bed, dressed in a pair of sweats and long sleeved shirt Sara had brought for him. The hospital staff had been a little reluctant to let him wear them, but finally decided that it would hurt, especially seeing that he was indeed improving.

Both Sara and Catherine had joined him for his lunch, if it could be called that. After all it was three in the morning, but still it was normal hours for them. Greg looked distastefully at his own dish, up to the hamburgers that Sara and Catherine were eating before laying his fork down.

"I'm done," he announced, pushing his half eaten meal away. He leaned his elbows on the table, dropping his head into his hands as he sighed.

"You've hardly eaten," Sara told him, causing him to roll his eyes. It was about the only thing she ever said to him whenever he ate.

Greg just shrugged, thankful that Catherine hadn't rebuked him as well. "I'm not hungry," he stated simply.

Sara put her hamburger down, frowning at him. "You need to eat something Greg, you hardly eat anything anymore."

He glanced up at her over his hands that were covering his face. "I'm sorry, I just don't have an appetite, especially when they keep drowning me in that gruel stuff. Besides," he fought of a yawn, scratching the back of his head, "I'm tired. This damn medication, I can't stay awake for more than a few hours at a time."

Catherine smiled, intervening before Sara could, "its okay, hospital food isn't all that great. Once you get out of here you'll start eating more."

Greg laughed, rubbing his eyes, "Yeah, I suppose. I'm in here for at least another week though. They just don't want to let me go, I think my charm is getting to them."

Sara was the one to roll her eyes this time, "Greg, they're probably can't stand you anymore, that's why they're letting you out early." She herself, believed that next week was still too early. After all, Greg still couldn't really walk on his own, not more than a few steps before becoming weary. She knew part of that was being stuck in bed for so long.

Greg glanced over at Catherine, shaking his head as he pointed his thumb at Sara, leaning over the table. "Is this what I have to put up with?" he wondered. "You sure I can't stay with you?"

"Sorry Greg, Sara got first dibs," Catherine told him with a shrug, laughing at his mournful expression.

Sara laughed, reaching over to hit him lightly on the head. "I'm not that bad," she informed him.

Greg rubbed the back of his head, faking a pained expression, "No, you're worse."

"Behave you two," Catherine warned, cleaning up her mess. "I've got to get going though; I'm already past my break."

Sara nodded, cleaning up her mess as well, grabbing Greg's tray as she did so. Greg waved a slow goodbye, making long waves with his hand as Sara and Catherine left the room. He was by himself for only a few moments as Sara came back, sitting down next to him.

"You ready to get back in bed?" she asked, offering up a hand.

He shook it off, pushing himself to his feet. "I need to see if I can make it on my own," he told her, already contradicting her protesting. "If I'm going to get better, I need to start doing things on my own."

Sara nodded sullenly after a few moments, backing away as Greg leaned most of his weight against the table. She was more worried than Greg was, she knew, but there was little she could do. After all she had been helping Greg get around for the last week now.

Taking in a deep breath, Greg let go of the table, leaning now on the chairs, waiting to see if his legs would support his weight, and when he was certain, he let go. He had taken only a few steps when he stumbled, Sara was there to catch him, helping him back to the bed.

Shaking his head, Greg leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees as Sara sat next to him. She watched him for a moment, unsure of what to say.

"Thanks," Greg managed to break the silence after a moment, smiling up at her. "I almost had it that time."

Sara raised an eyebrow. "That time?"

Greg only grinned at her, "You're not here all the time you know," he told her quietly.

"Greg you can really hurt yourself, what were you thinking?"

Greg shrugged, looking back at the ground. "I need to be able to do something on my own again. I feel so…helpless, having everyone do everything for me. I just that one thing I can do on my own, you know?"

Sara nodded slowly after a moment, not realizing until now how frustrating it could be. She patted him on the back gently, "You'll get there," she encouraged him, "just give it some time."

Greg lifted his head turning to her, returning her smile. "I know," he said softly. They sat like this for a moment, before Sara leaned in gently. They were only inches away when Greg pulled back, his eyes drifting up the ceiling, muttering to himself. "I'm really tired now…" he told her quietly, lying down. "Catch you later?"

Sara nodded silently, biting her bottom lip as he closed his eyes. "Later…" she said softly after watching him fall asleep, pausing only to cover him with a light blanket before leaving the room.

TBC