A/N:ON TO THE NEXT CHAPTER, THE STORY STARTS TO PICK UP SPEED NOW. PLEASE R&R, I LOVE THE COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS. STILL NO OWNERSHIP. ENJOY!
CHAPTER 12: STRANGER IN THE MIRROR
After three and a half weeks in the ICU, Woody was finally being moved to a regular room. The goodbyes were short and sweet; Woody thanked the nurses for taking care of him, and they wished him well in his recovery. Jordan was there for the move, Woody hadn't told her, but she called the nurse for an update, and they gave her the good news. She asked Slokum for the afternoon off, and surprisingly he said yes, so she came right over. Jordan had packed up Woody's belongings, to be taken to his new room and said, "I've never seen so many get well cards, Woody, there must be over thirty." She smiled at him, "I guess that's what happens when everyone loves you." "Ready Woody?", Tess calls from the doorway. She walked in followed by two orderlies, one pushing a wheelchair. Jordan looked over at Woody, who just swallowed hard, and stared at the chair. "Let's get this over with", Woody said roughly.
It took both orderlies to lift Woody into the chair, Tess tucked a blanket around his legs, Woody looked down, ashamed. Tess, Woody, and Jordan, made their way down the halls and through a corridor to the neurology department. Jordan put the box of belongings on the table near the window. "I'll be back soon." "I'm going to bring you some clothes, maybe books and magazines; I'll check your mail and get your bills paid." "Anything else?", she asked. "No, nothing.", Woody replied coldly. She kissed Woody goodbye, thanked Tess for everything, and left. "Well, I'm going to miss you Woody", Tess said, her eyes tearing. "I'm not that far away", he gave a slight smile, "You could always come to visit." She leaned over to hug him. "You take care.", she said firmly, pointing at him, "I don't want to see you back in my ward.", and left with a smile.
A petite nurse came in just as Tess had left. "Hi Detective Hoyt, I'm Rachel, your nurse, I've got your meds.", she said as she put her hand out to shake. "Nice to meet you Rachel, and you can call me Woody.", he replied taking her hand. "Here you go Woody.", she said cheerfully, as she handed him the medication and water. She turned to refill the cup when the top of the pitcher fell off and spilled ice water all over Woody's lap. "I am so sorry", cried Rachel. "Lets get you dry.", she said, pushing him into the bathroom, "Here's a new gown and some towels." "If you'll excuse me, I'll try to do it myself.", Woody said. "Of course.", Rachel replied, wiping up the floor, "I'll be right here if you need anything."
Woody scooped the ice out of his lap, amazed at how cold it was in his hands, but how he couldn't feel it on his legs. He then removed the wet blanket from his lap and noticed the reflection in the full length mirror hanging on the back of the bathroom door. He gasped when he saw the image of his useless legs in front of him, and hurriedly covered them up with a large towel. As he pulled his gown down, he looked up at the mirror and immediately felt sick. He looked at this strange, puffy, haggard figure starring back at him. Then his eyes lowered to his bloated abdomen as he ran his fingers across the pink, jagged scar. The knock at the door startled Woody back to reality, and he swiftly put on the fresh gown.