So I know I'm super inconsistent in my writing pace, I apologize. Hope you all still enjoy the story and I appreciate honest critique.
After he had been playing for about an hour Sherlock heard someone clear their throat behind him. It was nurse Karen. Ah night shift has started again. His ever observant mind supplied.
"That was really beautiful," She stated with a smile. " I'm sorry to disturb you but John is due for a CT scan. I need to give him the contrast now so that he will be ready by the time of the scan." She stated as she moved beside Johns bed adjusting his IV bags and checking his line. Sherlock put away his violin and moved to sit on the couch out of the nurse's way. He ran his fingers through his hair and checked his watch. He let out a groan as he realized it had now been the longest 24 hours of his life. Nurse Karen gave him a sympathetic look as she finished injecting the contrast into his IV bag.
Sherlock watched curiously as the murky liquid disappeared into Johns arm. Karen quietly went about checking John's vitals then left the room in silence again. Two orderlies arrived about an hour later to take John to his CT scan. Sherlock took the time as an opportunity to get out of the hospital room for a bit and walk around some. He made it a point to grab food from a snack machine to ensure he wouldn't need his brother's food.
"Oh Sherlock, lovely news John woke up during the CT scan and was doing quite well he is still confused and his short term memory is still struggling but his speech and reactions seemed appropriate." Karen stated with a genuine smile. Sherlock couldn't help but reflect her smile. John was beginning to recover and at least there were no clear issues with motor skills or speech.
"You keep playing for him," Karen stated nodding towards Sherlock's violin on the couch. "I think it will definitely help his recovery." She added as she left the room. In agreement he moved to the couch and gently lifted the violin from its case. He began to play watching John as he played initially but eventually loosing himself in the music and closing his eyes. Several minutes later as Sherlock was beginning to play 'Oblivion' by Piazzoila he stopped in response to a sound from Johns bed. Sherlock whirled around to see John staring back at him with hazy eyes.
"Your…" He began but was interrupted by a coughing fit.
"your back," he tried again his voice rough from the coughing. Sherlock moved to put his violin in its case but stopped when John shakily coughed out a "No".
"please keep playing" John weakly stated.
With a gentle smile in response Sherlock placed the violin back under his chin and continued with the song. When he opened his eyes after finishing the song John's eyes were shut again. Sherlock placed his violin back in his case and collapsed back into the seat by John's bed with a frustrated sigh. He couldn't stand this waiting and these short periods of John in semi consciousness, he just wants his friend back to normal. He rested his head in his hands listening to the steady beating of Johns heart rate monitor.
It was the heart rate monitor that first alerted Sherlock that something was wrong. The beeping began to accelerate first then John began to shake slightly at first and then violently. Sherlock froze for an instance at first in panic and fear then he leapt to his feet trying to determine what action could be taken. He decided to stabilize John's neck to prevent him from re-injuring his head but beyond that he had no idea what else he could do. He felt completely helpless. He tried desperately to reach John with his voice repeating his name but the man was not responding. After what felt like an eternity to Sherlock two nurses rushed into the room; assessing John and moving Sherlock out of the way. His heart plummeted when he saw the nurses check John's eyes and find that his pupils where rolled back into his head and he heard one of the nurses state that it was a seizure. The two moved urgently around John and continued to monitor him once the seizure had subsided. Eventually Sherlock realized that one of them was talking to him.
"Sir….Sir, your friend has just had a seizure. This can occur some times after a brain injury. We will notify his doctor and she will more than likely determine an anti seizure medication to administer but this really doesn't mean anything good or bad for your friends long term condition. Do you understand?" The nurse asked. Sherlock simply nodded his head slowly in shock.
As the nurses left Sherlock was once again left to face the fact that he could still lose John at any moment. He wasn't sure he could deal with all this stress. He was starting to feel claustrophobic. He had waited all this time beside John's bed but right now he felt like he couldn't spend one more moment in that hospital room. He moved quickly to the door and swept out of the room. He contemplated leaving the hospital entirely but as he was reaching the entryway he remembered his conversation with Dr. Barlow. He wouldn't abandon John when he needed him. He continued to roam the Hospital allowing the constant flow of information his brain always processed to act as background noise and help ease his mind. He paced for about a half hour more before he returned to John's room relatively calmed but his nerves were still in tatters.
Sherlock had been sitting in silence for over an hour when he heard a quiet moan come from John. He looked up to see the man struggling to keep his eyes open against the harsh light of the hospital room. John attempted to say something only to be overcome with a coughing fit. Sherlock rushed to get him a glass of water. After drinking a few sips John tried again.
"Where…am I" He asked.
"Your in the hospital, you've had an injury to your head." Sherlock stated choosing to keep things simple as John tried to figure everything out.
"Don't try to get up just yet John." Sherlock added as he gently pressed John back into the mattress. "Here, I'll adjust your bed." He added as he pushed the button to elevate John's bed. Sherlock was relieved that John was staying up much longer this time. However, this happiness was short lived when John asked his next question. "Who are you?" It was impossible for him to hide the complete look of despair that crossed Sherlock's face. "Did I say something wrong?" John asked his kindhearted nature shining through.
"No you didn't say anything wrong," Sherlock stated through the overwhelming pain in his chest. "We are friends, my name is Sherlock."
"Oh…" John stated lapsing into silence seeming unsure how he was suppose to respond to that information. After a minute or two of silence he looked up at Sherlock and asked. "Why am I here?" He looked up with such a look of innocent confusion on his face.
"John…I just told you…you're in the hospital you had an accident and injured your head." Sherlock answered hesitantly. John looked back at him bewildered. "When did you tell me that?" He asked with a yawn. Fear pierced Sherlock's heart at that question. Could John have lost his short-term memory? But the nurse said he was fine during the CT scan, but what about that seizure. Could it have caused serious damage, Sherlock asked himself. John yawned again as he began to shut his eyes. "Well I'm not sure who you are but you'll have to talk to me later. I'm quiet tired right now" He mumbled as he fell back asleep. At first Sherlock simply stared at the bed where his friend now lay asleep. He was in complete shock, then he leapt to his feet and began pacing. Every doubt that Sherlock had just barely managed to hold at bay flooded his mind. This cant be happening what is John without his memories? Will he still be the same person, will we still be friends? What if given time to step back and see the damage I have caused to his life John chooses to leave. Maybe like Doctor Barlow had said John will come to realize that I am not good for him after all look what I have done to him he is in Hospital.
"I'm not sure how I can face this,… I'm not sure at all." Sherlock moaned aloud as he collapsed into the couch burying his face in his hands. In the background the steady beeping of Johns heart rate monitor seemed to sound the end of Sherlock's first and only true friendship.