A/N: I HOPE YOU DON'T THINK I'M CRUEL, ALL OF THIS ANGST WILL MAKE SENSE AS THE STORY CONTINUES. SO ENJOY AND PLEASE R&R. I DON'T OWN THE CROSSING JORDAN CHARACTERS, JUST THE HOSPITAL STAFF.

CHAPTER 10: SETBACKS PART 2: DIRTY JOKES AND ANGRY NURSES

The next week or so went about the same for Jordan, but for Woody, things were not so easy.

A few days after the procedure, Woody was getting a little stronger and regained some of the feeling in his torso. Unfortunately with that, came the excruciating pain of his injuries.

Then a few days later came another setback.

It was a Sunday afternoon and Father Paul had just left. He had come to pray with Woody and give communion. After all that he had been through, Woody still felt guilty for missing mass. Jordan had smuggled Lily, Nigel and Bug up to the ICU to visit Woody. Nigel was telling and acting out dirty jokes that had everyone laughing uncontrollably. Even Woody had cracked a smile.

"Well that's a nice change," Jordan stated happily. "It's nice to see you smile again."

The group had been so loud that two nurses came running in from the nurses station. The older, more stern nurse asked angrily, "What on earth is going on in here?"

This only made the four laugh harder.

"Alright kids, praty's over, Tess joked playfully. She then turned to Jordan. "How did you get all of them up here, without the warden seeing you?" she whispered, pointing to the other nurse who was busy checking Woody's vitals.

Jordan just smiled and shrugged.

"You know there's to be only one visitor in the ICU at a time," the stern nurse grumbled as she turned and walked out.

"You'll be in a regular room soon, then all the visitors your little heart desires," Tess stated, smiling at Woody as she patted his shoulder, before walking out of the room.

After the others said there goodbyes to Woody, Jordan walked them out into the hall, but not before calling back to Woody, "I'll be back in a few minutes."

"I'm not going anywhere," he replied to the empty room.

The friends stood at the elevator for a half an hour just talking and hugging. "I'd better get back to Woody," Jordan finally called, waiving as she walked toward his room. She stopped at the nurses station first, to apologize to Tess.

"I don't mind, just as long as he gets his rest," the nurse joked.

When Jordan returned to the room, Woody was resting with his arm over his eyes. "Hey," she remarked, concerned. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he mumbled in reply.

"Everything alright?" she asked again, not convinced.

"Fine," he gritted through his teeth, looking away.

"Okay. Wanna watch tv?"

"Whatever."

Unsure of where this was going, Jordan gave one more attempt. "I know, how about a milkshake? I'll go down to the cafeteria," she offered, grabbing her purse and leaving before he could reply.

Woody was starting to worry, his chest hurt so much. He couldn't understand why it hurt on the left side when he was shot on the right, and much higher than where he was wounded. He wondered why it burned when he took a breath. He tried to relax, but it wasn't helping.

It wasn't long before Jordan returned with the milkshakes. "Sorry about sneaking everyone up here, I thought it would make you feel better," she rambled as she reentered the room "Too much too soon, huh?" Seeing the pain and panic on his face, Jordan's eyes widened fearfully. "Woody, what is it?"

"I don't know, my chest feels heavy, and I'm having trouble breathing," he answered, huffing.

Jordan knew exactly what this could mean, and promptly presses the call button for the nurse.