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Chapter 16: The Bath

"The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones." – Chinese proverb


Later that day, Sydney got the pleasure of giving Vaughn a bath. A nurse had come in to inform them that he would be having one, and that she would be the one administering it. However, Vaughn put up such a fuss, that Dr. Kerns once again consented to Sydney handling it. So, the nurse came in simply to help get Vaughn to the tub, and then he told her she could leave.

Sydney started filling the tub and then moved over to help Vaughn undress. This turned out to be a rather lengthy process however, since not only did she have to help him take the sling off without hurting him terribly, but she also had to remove about a million bandages. She wondered how long he was going to be able to sit here without the oxygen. He really needed the steam from the bath as soon as possible.

"You know Vaughn, we're going to have to put all of these back on again too…it probably would have been better if they just would have given you one huge wound instead of all sorts of little ones."

She had meant it to be amusing, but Vaughn didn't take it that way, "But that's not as much fun as inflicting all sorts of little ones. It wouldn't really be sporting if they just did one big one." His voice seemed distant and cold and it scared Sydney.

She stopped what she was doing and bent down in front of him. She moved his face until he was looking at her. "Hey, I didn't mean anything by it Vaughn," she said softly. "Do you want to talk about it?" she pushed gently.

His eyes seemed to warm when he saw the concern in hers, "Not really…can we just do the bath?"

She decided not to press the issue at the moment and went back to peeling off the bandages.

After what seemed like hours, she finally removed all the bandages on his back and the bandages that covered the surgery incisions. She could tell he was really glad she had gotten them all off too because it was becoming very hard for him to sit up without the rib wrap on. She helped him shakily move over to the tub. Sydney was thankful that it was a typical hospital tub and that Vaughn really didn't have to do much to get in it, because what they were doing couldn't really be considered walking, Vaughn really couldn't walk well yet. Steam was raising from the water and she helped ease him into the warmth, careful not to get his splints into the water, since that was the only thing that couldn't get wet. He sighed as he sunk in and let out a small groan as well.

"Are you ok?" she asked as she stroked his head.

"Yeah…"

"Are you sore?"

He looked up at her with a 'duh' look.

"Sorry, that was a stupid question. I'll get the soap…" She got up and went over to the cabinet. She picked out a bar of soap and a washcloth and grabbed some towels for later too. She then went over to the door and locked it. Vaughn looked over at her with a gleam in his eye.

"I'm just locking it for your privacy sake Vaughn…I think sexual healing might be a little difficult in the tub."

He smiled nonetheless and watched as she came back to the tub. She let him rest for a while, just sitting in the warm water, she placed a towel under his head and let him lean back.

"Close your eyes," she said and he obliged. She ran a hand through his hair and massaged his good shoulder.

"Do you want me to try the other one?" she asked.

"Mmm hmm…" he replied dreamily.

"You tell me if I hurt you…"

"You won't."

She moved over to the other shoulder and rubbed softly. Soon, she had him humming in relaxation and tranquility. She moved up his neck to his head and then back down. She continued until she thought he had fallen asleep.

"Vaughn?" she asked quietly.

"Hmm?" he replied.

"Are you asleep?" she asked amused.

"No…but I could be if you keep that up."

"Maybe a little later, but we should really wash you."

"Oh, alright…wash away."

She wet the washcloth and got it full of soap and then began to gently wash him. She was extremely careful when she ran across any wound, and would get even more delicate with her touch. He watched with amazement as she worked her way from his arms and neck down to his chest with soft, tender strokes. She was concentrating extremely hard, not wanting to cause him any discomfort. She washed his legs and then looked up at him.

"Vaughn, I need to wash your back now…can you sit up a little bit?"

"Yeah, but I think you'll have to help me."

"Sure." She moved back and helped him lean forward. She put more soap on the washcloth and gently started to wash his back. He jerked slightly when she reached a few wounds that were particularly sensitive and she was moved with empathy for him. She kissed the spots that had caused him pain and went on her way. She was almost finished when she heard a sniffle. She didn't think much of it, but after about the third one, she knew something was wrong.