so, i have a bazillion hits and, like, three reviews. that's a little surprising. anyways, here's chapter two. yay!

Summary: An accident befalls JD, and though all his basic memories like speaking, counting and even his ability as a doctor remains, all but one personal memory is lost, and only Dr. Cox can help him! Will JD ever be able to function properly again? Will he even ever remember who he is? And what's this rivalry between Cox and Turk [CoxJD

Rating: Um, I think it's rated T for now because of the blood, but since it's a CoxJD fanfic, who knows? Maybe I might have to bump up the rating later ...

Regular text.

"Speaking."

Thinking.

(Author's notes within story.)

Chapter Two: Is He ... ?

The CT scan came back showing damage to the brain that spread over about 15 of the surface of the cerebrum, with some damage on the deeper sections. It was hesitantly given to Newbie's little group, with Dr. Cox tagging out of 'morbid curiosity', according to him. Only Carla had the guts to laugh and say, "Yeah, right."

It was hesitantly given because the damage done could very well leave JD in a coma, or if he woke up any time soon, completely different. Then, even if he was normal when he woke up, there would be headaches, memory loss and 'dizzy spells' for days, weeks, or months afterwards.

Elliot was just over a bout of tears and Turk had been stony silent, in shock, since receiving the news. It was simply unbelievable that two hours ago, JD had been perky and on his way to work and now he could be literally dead.

Everyone had spent as much time bearable at his bedside, now that he'd been moved to a room and changed into a patient's gown, blanket pulled up to his waist. His hair even still had products in it from earlier that morning. One by one, Carla, Turk and Elliot had filed out the room, undoubtedly going to be distracted that whole day.

It was a little while later as Dr. Cox 'coincidently' passed, he took the opportunity to step into Newbie's room when suddenly, things went wrong.

Behind his closed eyelids, JD's eyes rolled as his muscles suddenly began contracting. Dr. Cox recognized it immediately. Seizures often accompanied brain injuries. The elder doctor swooped forward, paging the nurse as he went, snatching a vial of Diazepam, which had been brought just in case of this situation, though everyone had been hoping that it wouldn't be needed. As Dr. Cox pushed a syringe needle into the vial, Carla burst into the room.

Dr. Cox glanced up only for a moment, shouting in doctor-mode, "Make sure he doesn't choke!" But Carla was already steadying the heart monitor and removing the breathing tube, since it could quite easily suffocate him as he tossed and turned, when Dr. Cox slipped the needle in JD's arm. There was a moment of tension as the unaware JD thrashed, then became still. Finally, he fell back, motionless and breathing lightly but surely.

Carla, after replacing several things, stood back trembling with wide eyes. She couldn't bring herself to make her hands stop shaking. Dr. Cox took a step away, blowing out through his mouth and lacing his fingers behind his head. JD lay limply, head to the side, skin deathly pale and hair flattened and sticking to his forehead with perspiration.

"Is he going to get better?" Carla finally whispered, still quivering. Dr. Cox stood beside and laid his hand on her shoulder.

He pushed the tremor out of his voice. "We'll try, Carla. We'll try."

The nurse left moments later, silent with her head hanging. Dr. Cox just kicked the door shut, making sure the blinds were down and collapsed into a chair. All day, Dr. Cox had been on the edge. He sighed, dropping his head exhaustedly with eyes sealed.

How many times had Dr. Cox seen patients with head injuries fade away, never waking till they had to pull the plug? How many times had he seen family and friends sob over a person and know that they'd never be able to talk or think again?

Dr. Cox fought angry tears now, angry that he couldn't save JD, angry that they weren't medically advanced enough to repair his brain, but mostly angry at himself. What if JD never woke up and Dr. Cox wouldn't ever be able to tell him that he was proud of him, and that he did care.

Suddenly, Dr. Cox heard a small sound, almost a whimper, not quite a moan. His head snapped up and his chest tightened. JD's eyes were opening slowly, the lids seemingly heavy.

"Newbie," Dr. Cox rasped, the word sounding like a statement rather than a question. JD looked towards the sound of the voice, though his eyes were unfocused and oddly blank.

Dr. Cox quickly, but gently removed the breathing tube, and JD coughed weakly. It didn't matter how long someone had one of those, it always left a throat dry and scratchy. The older doctor poured a small cup of water from a pitcher on a side table and offered it to JD. JD glanced down and blinked, not recognizing what he saw. Immediately, Dr. Cox felt his chest twist with worry. He lifted JD's head and brought the cup to his lips, slowly tipping it back so that the liquid brushed his skin. Immediately, JD's eyes shut and he drank out of instinct.

With the cup drained, Dr. Cox laid JD's head back onto the pillow. Dr. Cox pulled his hands back awkwardly before JD could notice, as much as he wanted to brush those heavy strands of hair from his face, weighted with product and sweat. But after several seconds of silence from JD, even though he was just waking up, it was quite unlike him to not speak.

"Hey there, Julie," Dr. Cox said, his relief drowning in worry. He's such a smart kid, albeit a pain in the ass, but still, such a sweet kid, with real potential. Whoever or whatever above wouldn't let something like-like brain damage happen to Newbie of all people- "JD, a-are ya in there?"

Silence.

Suddenly panic welled and exploded in Dr. Cox's chest. He jumped to his feet and rushed out the door. When he came back, he was sure the kid would be better, that he would speak and recognize them all, that there'd be nothing wrong with his brain...

Turk sat with his head in his hands. Carla had just told them what happened, now that they all had a moment since lunch time rolled around. Elliot was sitting back in her seat miserably, staring into space. All of their plates were left untouched.

"Will he wake up?" Elliot finally asked. Turk shot up and glared furiously at her.

"Elliot!" he said angrily, "Don't even think like that. Of course he's going to wake up, and he's going to be fine." Carla looked as if he was going to say something when Dr. Cox approached their table. His arms were crossed and his gaze was half-lidded. Apparently, his walk from JD's room to the cafeteria had rid the confusion and worry from his body, leaving him feeling tired and defeated.

"Hey kiddies," he said, a bit too tame-sounding. All of their gazes came up, alarmed at the lack of relief, or even annoyance, in his tone. "Newbie's awake."

Turk scrambled up but Elliot was closer to the door and she led them out. Dr. Cox walked slowly behind the small group, struggling to find words to break the bad news. But it was too late, as he realized suddenly that they were already at the room.

"Wait, before you-" Dr. Cox tried, reaching out to pull Elliot back as she burst into the room.

There staring blankly at his hands, was JD, the white gauze around his head stark against his dark hair. As the four spilled into the room, he looked up slowly. His gray-blue eyes were still blank, though a slight confusion had entered them.

"JD!" Elliot shrieked, a huge grin spreading across her face. She swooped down and hugged his shoulders, head leaning against him. Carla was nearly to the point of tears in relief and Turk pushed past Dr. Cox in his haste. His mouth opened and closed several times, eyes misty, but he just laughed after a moment.

Elliot pulled away as Carla began stroking his head. "JD?" she asked, holding his arms and looking at him eye-level. "Are you okay?"

Suddenly Dr. Cox spoke. "I was trying to warn you, he hasn't said a word since he woke up."

JD was still silently staring around, eyes meek and blank, quite innocent-looking. Elliot stepped back, arms slipping from him. Turk's expression instantly changing from ecstatic to horrified. Oh, no ... he can't have ... brain damage? The awful notion entered the surgeon's head. He's okay, he's just ... just... Oh, he has to get out of this okay!

Then, out of nowhere, JD looked straight at Dr. Cox with Carla, Turk and Elliot following his gaze. His brow wrinkled in confusion, and his head tipped very slightly to one side, then a light burst into his eyes. "Perry!" he exclaimed as the word filled his mind. He didn't understand where it came from, or who any of the other people around him were, but something in his gut just told him that this man was to be called Perry.

Everyone blinked in shock. Turk actually looked hurt and he stepped forward. "JD, man, don't you recognize me?" Turk searched JD's eyes for any reorganization but there was nothing there, just innocent confusion.

For once, Dr. Cox felt a painful spurt of pity. He came forward, daring to rest a hand on Turk's shoulder. "He didn't recognize me when he woke up. That means he's remembering things," Dr. Cox pointed out quietly, "I'm sure he'll come to-"

Suddenly Turk Jerked away and rounded on him, eyes blazing angrily. "You've always been an ass to JD! Everyday, you treat him like crap and dump your problems on him like he's some sort a punching bag, while I've been his friend for years. Why should he recognize you, but not me?" Turk suddenly seemed too angry to continue, his muscles quivering in pent-up hate. Carla was at his side at once, and all it took was a hand on his shoulder for the anger to flow out of his frame, leaving him limp and hurt-looking.

Dr. Cox would never have admitted it but he felt stung that Turk saw him that way, not that he cared what Turk thought, but because he thought he'd done something good to Newbie that was obvious. He had been watching over JD's shoulder since the beginning to make sure he didn't screw up anything, right? He gave him advice and helped him now and then, right?

But seeing how concerned Carla was and how much pain was in Turk's stance now, Dr. Cox bit his tongue and let the couple leave slowly.

Elliot was the only other one left. She looked up at Dr. Cox to say something, but she seemed to have lost her voice. After realizing JD's mind was damaged, she had the look of someone who'd just been smacked. Tears once again stung her eyes, and she stumbled out after Carla and Turk, arms hugging herself. Dr. Cox knew very well that both Turk and Elliot would seek out Carla's strength to lean on.

Now the room was empty, save for Dr. Cox, JD and the quiet whirring of medical equipment. JD looked up, eyes void of any dark emotions. In JD's current state, they seemed incapable of having anything like anger or hate. There was nothing but childlike confusion. His voice was weak and raspy as he called out to the only person he recognized in the world.

"Perry?"

so i know what's going to happen in the next couple of chapters but, uh, i'm not sure what the final predicament will end up being or about how it unfolds. i'm sure i'll figure it out eventually.