John stayed under the spray of cold water until he heard Beckett calling his name. He turned the water off, got out and dried off, then he dressed in the scrubs, numb fingers fumbling a bit. His legs felt numb as well and John stumbled a bit as he stepped out of the bathroom.
Carson was right there to catch his arm and steady him. Then he was cursing beneath his breath. "Bloody hell, Major! What have you gone and done now?"
"What?" John was as surprised by Carson's sharp tone as he was by what he was saying. Or maybe he just wasn't understanding. His thoughts were fuzzy.
"You're ice cold, man!" Carson pressed his palm to John's forehead. "You're shivering...we need to get you under a warming blanket. Come on." He practically hauled John over to his bed.
John was too tired to protest. He let Beckett shove him back under the covers, curling up on his side and clenching his jaw to keep his teeth from chattering. He knew he was cold, but he didn't actually feel it. He closed his eyes as Beckett piled blankets on top of him then John let awareness fade away.
He didn't see the look of concern on Beckett's face as the doctor and a nurse worked over him. Taking his temperature, covering him with a warming blanket. Starting another IV. John knew nothing as he drifted into shadowy darkness.
Soft voices woke him up. John still felt fuzzyheaded, but his throat was dry and scratchy and he needed a drink of water. Shifting upright, feeling slightly achy, John reached out toward the glass of water on the bedside table, only to freeze when he saw the IV taped to the back of his hand.
"Major...how are you feeling?" Carson asked as he approached.
Elizabeth was close on his heels.
John stared at them, realizing they were the voices that had awakened him. "I'm fine," he croaked, his voice and the trembling of his outstretched arm no doubt giving lie to his words.
"I'll get that for you," Carson said, reaching for the water glass.
"Thanks." John winced at the raspiness of his own voice, clutching the glass in both hands before risking taking a sip. He handed it back then stared down at the heavy blankets draped over him. "What happened?"
Elizabeth replied, the expression on her face neutral, but her eyes glimmered with both anger and concern. "You tell us, John," she shot back. But she didn't give him a chance to respond. "What were you thinking? Were you trying to freeze yourself to death?"
John frowned at her, trying to kick-start his brain into focusing. He had no idea what she was talking about and he opened his mouth to tell her that when he suddenly remembered the shower. The icy-cold shower. "I...I'm sorry." John wasn't sure if he needed to apologize or not, but he saw a flicker of something in Weir's eyes that looked like relief, so he continued. "It didn't feel cold."
"Well, luckily you weren't in there long enough to do any real damage," Carson interjected, as he fussed with the blankets then checked on the IV.
"I wasn't cold," John whispered, head down. He didn't see the looks exchanged between Beckett and Weir. "How are the others?" he asked, as his fingers plucked at the blankets.
Elizabeth moved closer, placing a hand on John's shoulder as she replied. "They're doing okay. They're worried about you though. We all are."
John knew that and he wished they wouldn't. They didn't have to worry about him. "I'm fine," he stated, wanting them to believe it. "Look…I'm sorry if I worried you." John offered a crooked smile, wanting to reassure Elizabeth. He was glad when she smiled back but she still looked uncertain. John looked at Carson, who was watching him intently. "Can I get out of here now?"
"Maybe later," Carson said, patting his arm. "Rest some more, Major. Dr. Heightmeyer will be by later to talk to you. We'll see how that goes and decide from there."
"Fine." John was too tired to argue. He let his eyes drift closed, hoping Beckett and Weir would get the hint and leave him alone. He heard Elizabeth say goodbye then the shuffle of footsteps. John kept his eyes closed and found himself drifting off into a darkness that should have felt warm, but he still felt achingly numb.