Brian Quinn could feel Sal's hands trying to pry his fingers from the prick's neck, but he wasn't about to let go yet so he ignored Sal's protests.
"Q! Damn it, come on. Joe is puking everywhere. Just let the sonofabitch go and help us, please."
Joe's name brought Q back to awareness and he roughly threw Stan against the wall.
"You are fired, bastard. Look at him cross-eyed again and I'll kill you, I promise."
Stan wiped his busted lip and rubbed his throat before throwing a few muttered curses the guys ways, and sulking out into the open mall.
Q turned to Sal, Murr, and Joe.
Sal, who until Joe got sick, had a very weak stomach, was holding Joe's head down as he puked into the only towel anyone had managed to find. Murr stood on the other side, not quite sure what to do. He idly wound and unwould the t-shirt in his hand. Q knew seeing Joe like this was killing Murray. Hell, it was killing them all, they were all closer than brothers. But, Murray and Joey had a special connection.
Nobody else was in the small thrown together structure, Q was amazed the noise hadn't caused people to come to them, but then he realized most of their crew had already left and the mall was getting ready to close. So they were almost alone.
Q absently rubbed Joe's back and put his other hand on Murr's shoulder.
Sal looked up, worry evident and fear setting in.
"Hospital or home, guys".
Brian sighed and kneeled down to Joe's level, lifting his chin to look into the soulful and misery filled blue eyes. Eyes that he was so used to seeing dancing with mischief and joy.
"What do you think, Joe? Want to to Sal's, take some medicine and see if you can sleep it off and feel a little better? If not, we'll go to the Er."
Joe nodded. Q knew the last thing Joey would ever want was to go to the hospital but deep down he didn't think it was going to be avoidable today. Joe looked very bad, sick,
weak, and exhausted. He was going to need IV fluids. But, for now, they would let him rest and just try.
"I've got him. We'll clean him up and change into clean clothes when we get home. Let's just get the hell out of here."
Sal's words were quiet and serious, as he gently lifted his best friend into his arms and walked out into the mall.
Q and Murr only followed.
Three hours later Joe was still vomitting violently.
He also had not drank anything, so he was also obviously going to be dehydrated.
Sal touched one socked foot and waited until Joe slowly turned his head to look at him.
"You're tired man, and you need fluids. I know you don't want to but we're going to have to the ER."
Joe didn't have the strength to protest, and he wanted relief, so he only nodded.
Murr and Q hadn't left Sal's house and were all in the bedroom. Joe looked from one to the next.
"Guys, if I don't get over this, please make sure my kids know I love them and please don't let my pups go to a shelter"
Murr sighed and looked at Joe. In frustration, in anger, in fear, in love.
"Joey, don't even go there, you are not going to die, bud. Don't talk like that. Please, Joey."
"I'm sorry, Murr, but it can happen. I don't want to upset you or cause any of you pain. And I don't want to die, but please promise me, just in case."
Q gently massaged Murr's trembling shoulders and looked over at Sal, who was by the door, trying not to break down, before speaking softly to Joey.
"We're not going to let you die, Joey. But, I...we...promise that we will watch out for your kids, they will know who you are and will know you loved them to the moon and back.
And we will love your pups and keep them with us. I promise you, buddy. But, for now, the plan is to get you through this damn Chemo while it kills the Cancer. You're going to be okay. I believe that will all that is in me."
Joe nodded.
"Thank You. I love you guys."
Murr wiped his eyes with one hand, taking Joe's hand with the other.
"We love you too, bud. Now, let's get to the ER so we can get you through this sick spell".
Two hours later, Joe was in the ER trauma unit. His Cancer doctor had already started two IVS. Joe was now sleeping peacefully, a little color coming slowly back to his pale face.
"You guys want to come in the hall with me for a minute?"
He smiled warmly as he watched the three exhausted men look at their sleeping friend before following him into the hallway.
"I have the results in from last week's tests. Cell blasts are down to 30 percent. That is very good process! What you are seeing is the results of the Chemo. As I said,
it is horrific, but it does work. It seems to be extra hard on Joe. But, we just have to pull him through this, because it is doing the job. I believve he will beat this Cancer. It may leave him with a weakened immune system as well as a few other side effects, but it will be worth it in the end."
His smile broadned as he watched a great weight lift from three sets of shoulders.
Sal spoke first.
"Oh my God, you cannot imagine how much you just helped us. We were terrified this was the Cancer gaining strength!"
The Dr smiled again, before clearing his throat and again looking each man in the eye.
"I do have a bit of news you may not like, but I feel it is necassary. Joe has lost a tremendous amount of weight as I'm sure you all know. He needs nourishment to fight.
So, tomorrow I feel as though we need to put a feeding tube into his stomach. It will stay there after he is released, until the Chemo is finished, or until he is eating on his own. You all will be taught how to feed him with the tube. It is not difficult at all."