A/N: I forgot to mention - I don't own ANY of this. As much as I would like to make some money from it, it ain't happening. The disclaimer applies to the whole story, unless I say differently. This part is barely ready, but BabyKitty begged so, if you like the story, thank her.
BACK ON EARTH - A FEW HOURS LATER
HAYLEY
"Who is here for Thomas Oliver?"
Finally! "Tommy" I answer automatically. "He hates Thomas." I watch the doctor approach as the teens group tightly around me. "How is he?"
"We're not sure, but there's a strong probability of brain damage. A shot to the head like that - he's lucky to even still be alive."
Breathe, Hayley. "What now?"
"We wait for him to wake up and then we'll test him. Once we get those results, we'll know what to do next."
Kira pipes up. "Can we see him?"
The doctor hesitates so long I'm ready to choke him. "I suppose it couldn't hurt. Only two at a time, please."
I turn to the boys. "Conner, Ethan, you two go first. Don't stay long."
They nod their agreement and follow the doctor. I need a minute to control myself before I see him. Seeing it on the monitor was bad enough, but to see it in person? I'm going to make sure that Mesagog pays for this - preferably with his life.
Once the boys come out, Kira and I make our way to the room. I take a deep breath and walk in. Except for the bandage on his head, I would swear he was only sleeping. Heaven knows I've seen it enough times since I met him. Kira takes one hand and I take the other. I glance at the bracelet on his wrist and frown. Something's not right here.
As Kira talks to him, I look at it closer. Never mind the oddity of the hospital staff not taking it off of him, but it seems - I don't know - dull somehow. Before, it would catch the light and shine like any of the others, but not now. I stop breathing as an unwelcome thought occurs to me. Is he hurt so badly that the power has abandoned him?
Knowing full well that I can't leave the bracelet here for the hospital people to get their hands on, I slip it off his wrist. If he still has his powers, he doesn't need the gem with him to heal him. If he doesn't have his powers, then the bracelet isn't going to do him any good anyway. The sick feeling in my stomach increases as the Dino Gem flashes briefly before I put it in my pocket.
I look at him once more, just in time to see his eyelids flutter. I stare at him, hoping against hope that it wasn't just wishful thinking.
TOMMY
Oh, god, I hurt. What the hell happened? Where am I? I can feel my hands being held. I try to open my eyes, but it feels like they have two ton weights on each of them. The grip on one hand becomes tighter. I force my eyes open but I shut them again almost immediately. Wherever I am, it is way too bright.
I hear a voice say, "Kira, turn off some of these lights."
Kira? Who the hell is Kira? One of my hands is released and someone moves and I know when the lights are turned off - some of them, anyway.
The same voice speaks again. "Come on, Tommy. Open your eyes."
Who? Oh, me. I groan with the effort. I'm just so tired. Finally, I get my eyes open. I study the red headed woman still holding my hand. I know her. "Hay-ley."
I have a thousand questions, but the words won't come. She blinks rapidly and smiles at me. "You're going to be okay."
A teenage girl steps into view. "Hey Dr. O."
I stare at the girl. She seems familiar somehow. This must be - "Ki-ra." Why am I having such a hard time talking?
Hayley looks at Kira. "Go to the nurse's station and tell them that he's awake. Then tell the boys. I'll be out in a little while."
Once the girl leaves, I ask, "What happened?"
She takes a deep breath. "What do you remember?"
I frown as I try and think. Finally, I tell her, "Remember you. Don't like hospitals." My eyes are trying to close again. "Wanna go home."
"As soon as they say you can go home, I'll take you home. I promise."
A man walks into the room. "Glad to see you're awake, Dr. Oliver."
The word catches my attention. Doctor? Me? I focus on something more important. "Wanna go home."
He shakes his head. "Not this soon. The injuries you sustained protecting your students are pretty severe. After you rest some more, we'll test you and see how bad they are."
Something isn't right with that statement, but I have no idea what it is. It's too hard to think. What do they have me on? Hayley speaks next. "Why don't you get some sleep? I want to talk to the doctor and then I'll be back."
Makes sense. "Okay." I let my eyes close. I hear them leave the room.
