A big thank you to Marymel and Lil Badger 101! Your reviews are so sweet and kind! Here's the next chapter :) x
Stubborn
It had been almost two weeks since Greg had been shot and he was on the mend. The infection hadn't got any worse; in fact his doctor said it was clearing up nicely. Physiotherapy wasn't so much of a struggle anymore, but it was still a challenge. He was able to stand for longer but was still frustrated with himself for not being able to walk more than a few steps.
"Hey man." Nick said as he pulled a chair up next to Greg's hospital bed.
"Hey. What have we got this time?"
Nick had been bringing in different takeaways from various restaurants for the past week, ordering two of everything so he could eat with Greg to make sure he ate something.
"Tacos. Got some chili sauce too if you fancy it?" Nick asked pulling out some sachets.
Greg frowned. "Nah, I don't like that stuff."
"You don't know what you're missing!" Nick said as he took a big bite from his taco.
Greg smiled at him before tucking into his.
About half way through it though, Greg stopped eating and could feel his chest tighten like it did not too long ago.
It was one of the scariest times of his life. Nick had just left after visiting and Greg was all alone. All he was doing was sitting in his bed when suddenly he felt his chest go tight and it rapidly became harder to breath. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't take in any air. He was so scared that he didn't even think to press his call button, just struggled on his own. Luckily, Laura, the nurse, came in and got his doctor. Greg had no idea what happened after that because he passed out. All he knew was he didn't want it to happen again.
But it was.
"You alright, bud?" Nick asked him, wiping his hands on a napkin.
Greg shook his head 'no'.
Nick pressed the cal button. "Can I help in any way?" He asked Greg, not knowing what to do.
"No. This has. Has happened. It's happened before." Greg gasped out, but Nick could hardly tell what he was saying.
A nurse came in and both Nick and Greg recognised it as Laura.
"Let me put this on for you." She said calmly and bought around his head an oxygen mask.
"Try and take deep breaths, I know it's hard but the slower you breathe the better."
Greg rubbed his chest. "Is your chest tight again?" Laura asked and he nodded.
"Okay. Deep breathes." She told him, rubbing his back.
Nick looked on at Greg concerned. He had no idea what was happening.
"What's going on?" Nick asked Laura worriedly.
"Don't worry, I know it looks bad but this is common when people have had a lung injury." She looked down. "If he eats too quickly this can happen." She smiled. "Is it easier now?"
Greg nodded and leaned back. Nick patted him on the arm and gave a warm smile.
Laura took the oxygen mask off. "I just wanna have a listen to your chest, okay?"
She took his gown down to his waist and said "Deep breathe in. And out for me."
"Right, you need to take it easy. I think you might be pushing yourself a little too hard. The only reason you get out of bed today is to use the bathroom, you got that?"
Greg nodded to her. "Got it."
She smiled. "Good, I'm not sure if I'm meant to tell you or not, but your doctor said you can probably leave here in about three days, so don't make him change his mind."
Laura left and Nick smiled. "Finally man, you're gonna' be getting' outta here."
Greg smiled too. "I know, that's the best news I've heard in ages."
Nick laughed. "So, do you wanna stay with me for a while?" Greg shook his head.
"No, it's alright."
"You sure? I mean it's gonna' be rough at least for the first few days if you're on your own."
Greg shook his head again. "I can manage."
Nick pursed his lips together. "Alright then."
X
There he was three days later, at home. Nick had just dropped him off and he slowly made his way up his driveway.
Once at his door, Greg turned and waved to Nick and watched him drive off. Then, he quickly dug around for his keys and unlocked his door. As soon as he got inside he leaned against the back of his door, panting for breath.
It was only a short walk but he was shattered. Luckily he managed to not let Nick see him struggle.
Slowly he made it to his sofa, where he collapsed on it. The hospital had given him two crutches to help him walk and he just let them fall to the floor. With no energy to move, Greg decided to sleep where he was.
X
4 weeks later
Greg was slowly walking through the hallway in the lab, still using one crutch. He'd been back for three days now and was just helping around the lab for a while. He was carrying a case file in his left hand, whilst using his crutch in his right.
The case file slipped out of his hand and paper flew out on the floor. As he bent down to pick them up, the bottom of his stomach suddenly had a horrible stabbing pain in it. He dropped his crutch and used his right hand to steady himself on the wall next to him. The pain quickly travelled down his leg and he pressed his hand down to try and rid the pain.
Greg tried to walk into one of the labs to sit down but he couldn't move anywhere. He looked around for someone to help him, and just as he turned around Nick rounded the corner.
"Nick" Greg started but stopped and screwed his face up in pain.
Nick rushed up to him. "What's wrong?" Seeing it was an obvious question, Nick quickly grabbed a chair and brought it up behind Greg.
He sat down heavily. "Argh."
"My leg hurts like crazy, and around here." Greg told Nick, pointing around his pelvis.
"Maybe there's something wrong. I'll call for a paramedic."
Greg shook his head. "No, it's fine. I just need a minute, don't worry."
Nick reluctantly out his phone back in his pocket and stood next to Greg waiting with him.
"It's alright now; I think I can get up." Greg said and pushed himself off the chair.
"Woah, shouldn't you wait for a while?" Nick said as he bent down to help him up.
Greg smiled at him as he passed his crutch. "Thanks. Don't worry, my doctor said this could happen."
"He did?"
"Yeah, so relax." Greg got the paper back from the floor, which again Nick had passed him. "I'll see you later." He said and left Nick standing alone in the corridor.
X
Greg went to the locker room as fast as he could. His doctor had said nothing about that happening like he had told Nick. The pain was still there but it had lessened.
He put his crutch against the bench he was sat on and rubbed his leg and side hard with a scrunched up face.
"Hey, you okay?" Sara asked as she entered the locker room and saw him.
His head shot up to look at her. "Yeah."
She smiled slightly. "You know you're an awful liar."
Greg smiled back, but it soon turned into a frown.
"Are you hurt?" Sara asked with concern as she sat next to him.
He looked to her sadly. "I don't know what I've done. It feels like it's seized up or something." He rubbed his side and leg again. "It really hurts" he told her with a quite laugh as he looked down.
"Okay don't worry, I'll call for a medic." Sara told him.
"Wait." Greg's hand grabbed onto her wrist. "Can you just take me to the hospital?"
"But you're in pain. Can you even walk?" She asked him with concern.
Greg nodded. "Yeah I can. I just don't want to make a big deal out of this." He said.
Sara shook her head. "If there's something wrong though it is a big deal."
"Please Sara; I don't want Nick to know I need help." Greg told her honestly and looked down ashamed.
Her face softened at his words. "Why not, Greg?"
"Because… I just, don't want to disappoint him you know." He stuttered out. "Please Sara, just take me."
Sara sighed sadly. "Greg, I don't want you to hurt yourself more than you have already. I'd not forgive myself if I was to blame for you getting even more hurt."
"I'll go on my own then." Greg argued with her. He knew he could easily change her mind.
"Alright! I'll take you." She stood up and waited for Greg at the door. He was clearly struggling to even stand, but against her better judgment, Sara knew she had to take him to the hospital.
Once he was finally up, Greg smiled and Sara shook her head.
"You're so stubborn."
X
Sooooo, what did you think? :) x