A/N: Hi all - the end is approaching! It'll be another few chapters, but I hope it's satisfying and makes up for such a long wait. Apologies!
Sixteen
*Riker*
I don't remember much.
From my perspective, I had gone from dying on the floor of the cave to being pumped full of antibiotics and life-saving blood. Nurse Ogawa kept me updated as I was treated. I tried to focus on her voice instead of the excruciating headache.
Apparently it hadn't taken long for us to be patched up. I had some major wounds, but nothing that wasn't easily healed. Beverly and Deanna were rushed for emergency surgery as soon as we arrived in sickbay, both having lost a lot of blood. I shivered as I remembered how Dylin sliced the skin of my Imzadi, a sickening element of gracefulness in his technique. He obviously had plenty of practice.
It had only been a few hours since we were rescued, yet it felt like a lifetime.
"Commander?" Ogawa's voice drew me back to the present.
I coughed, wincing at the sharp pain it caused. "How's Wesley?"
Ogawa's face remained steely. "He's not good, Will. The number of injuries he has…it makes me sick."
My heart ached for Beverly. If Wesley died, she would never forgive herself.
"As for yourself," Ogawa continued, "you are on strict bed rest for the time being. The Captain has given his approval, so you are on leave until further notice."
"Understood," I steadied myself. "What…injuries does he have? I don't remember seeing-"
"I'd rather not tell you while you're still-" "I need to know."
Ogawa sighed. "You are a stubborn man, Will."
"Please."
I watched as she pulled out a data pad. She spent a considerable amount of time reading, though I'm not sure if that was procrastination or preparing for what she had to deliver. "The latest report," Ogawa said, "has confirmed six broken ribs, a punctured lung, fractured septum, pott fracture of the fibula, an impacted fracture of the tibia, dehydration, malnutrition and major haemorrhage - investigations still ongoing. He's had at least one litre of blood and and five hundred millilitres of CSL infused - I don't know how much more he will need as they're still determining the extent of his condition."
My breath hitched. Despite my broken fingers I couldn't help but bury my face in my palms. "…How is this boy still alive?"
Ogawa shook her head. "I don't know, but luckily he is-"
"It's all my fault. I was in charge, I should've enforced…he shouldn't have-" I trailed off, trying to withhold my despair. "We should've found him faster…"
I felt Ogawa's hand run through my hair. "Don't blame yourself, Will. You did all that you could." She stood and made her way towards the door of the med bay. I heard her inhale sharply.
"Remember, he's Jack's son. He wouldn't go down without a fight."
I don't know why that phrase made me weep as much as it did, but it was an uncomfortable truth to be reminded of.
