NOTE: This will be the last chapter. Don't worry, there is going to be a CNS: Part 2! I should have it up in a day or so.

Chapter 195: Vaughn's Not-So-Excellent Adventure

"We cannot learn without pain." – Aristotle

"Fear is met and destroyed with courage." – James F. Bell

"Do not let your fears choose your destiny." – Unknown

"Flowers grow out of darker moments." – Corita Kent

"Determination, patience and courage are the only things needed to improve any situation." – Unknown


Sydney and Tom both nodded.

"Mike," Tom said softly.

Vaughn looked over at him, "Yeah?"

"We need to get you lying straight…" he said with a regretful look, "that means we have to move you…so you're laying flat…otherwise the film won't turn out right…"

Vaughn nodded, "This is gonna suck…"

"Yeah, I know man," Tom said with a compassionate smile, "Just a few minutes…that's all it'll be…"

Vaughn nodded again and held Sydney's hand tightly as Tom moved to situate him on the gurney.

His face contorted into a tight and intensely painful grimace as Tom made his body lie straight.

Sydney could see the pain etched all over, his body tense and rigid, his eyes scrunched tightly, biting his lower lip to try to control the waves that spread.

Tom finished and then said, "Ok…let's get the film quickly…so we can get you more comfortable…"

He nodded to Sydney, who leaned over the gurney, "I'll be right over there…" she whispered in his ear before she kissed him and moved off to the side with Tom.

Vaughn's eyes stayed closed, trying to deal with the agony that this position caused.

Ryan literally ran out to do the final situating of the crane and then he ran back to the technician room. "Ok," he said, "Now…just lie as still as you can…and I need you to hold your breath when I say…"

Vaughn was fighting a losing battle of agony. He tried to stay focused on lying still, but it was extremely difficult when every pore of his body was crying out in pain. His hand slipped off the gurney to hold onto something, and it hit the metal edge. It was cold…

Vaughn's eyes opened, slightly shocked. When he opened his eyes, incandescent light poured out, forcing his eyes closed again. He attempted to reopen them slowly, and he screamed, startled beyond definition when the face of his torturer stared down at him. He was smiling, a grisly and sick smile, a pleased and gratified look on his face as he taunted Vaughn with the various electrical devices he employed.

Sweat broke out immediately over Vaughn's body. Then the words and sounds started to echo…
Rhythmic…pulsing…steady…electric…blue light flickering… "One-one-thousand, Two-one-thousand…"

Vaughn convulsed on the gurney, desperate to get away from the pain and the current that he was sure was going to ripple through his body. He twisted and cried out, moving altogether too much on the limited space of the gurney, the crane further limiting his movement as he started to cry out.

Sydney's brow furrowed when she saw Vaughn's eyes open suddenly. Then he screamed…and struggled.

She bolted out of room, yelling for Tom and Ryan to stop. She was at his side in an instant, moving the crane of the x-ray machine out of her way as she carefully turned him the way he had been laying before.

"Vaughn…" she said quietly, running her hand through his hair while the other rested comfortingly on his shoulder, "It's ok…you're not there…they can't hurt you…" she said slowly and carefully.

She leaned closer so her body was in contact with his and put her lips to his ear, "I won't let them hurt you…it's ok…just relax…it's not really happening…just a flashback…"

His shaking lessened gradually, his pain-racked yelling lessening to heavy breathing and soft mews.

"Shit," he finally said, pulling Sydney's arm from his shoulder to his chest.

Sydney smiled at him as he finally looked her way, "You ok?" she asked.

"Yeah…I think so…but it hurts more now…" he admitted.

Sydney nodded, "I should have thought of that…" she said shaking her head.

"Sydney…you can't be prepared for every time my brain decides to have an episode…"

Sydney smiled at his reason and bravery, "I'm still sorry…"

"Not your fault…" he said.

"Not yours either…" she reminded him.

He smiled and nodded, "I know…"

Tom appeared in Vaughn's line of vision, "You ok?" he asked.

"Yeah…well, it hurts more…but yeah…"

"Ok…you wanna take a break? Do this later?"

"No, I wanna do it now…"

Tom regarded him questioningly, and then looked to Sydney as well, "Are you sure?"

Vaughn nodded, "Just do it…I'll be ok."

Sydney smiled down at Vaughn before looking up at Tom, "You heard the man…"

Tom smiled somewhat unsurely but nodded to Ryan, "K, let's set it up again…" he looked down at Vaughn, "We have to reposition you again…"

"I know."

Tom nodded and moved to reposition Vaughn on the table. Vaughn winced again, but let Tom maneuver him on the gurney. He looked down at him, "You sure?"

"Yeah," Vaughn said through gritted teeth.

"I'll be right over there…you're safe…" Sydney said before kissing him and moving away.

Tom nodded to Ryan. He moved the crane again and replaced the lead covering and then ran back to the technician room.

"Ready?" he asked.

Vaughn nodded and Sydney and Tom watched intently, both praying that this one would go more smoothly than the last.

"Ok," Ryan said, "I need you to hold your breath….now."

Vaughn held his breath and Ryan took a series of films. "Ok," he said when he was done, "Now we just have to reposition the crane one more time to get the full chest shot."

He reappeared at Vaughn's side, who was lying still with pain-laden eyes. Ryan moved the crane and then ran back to the room, "K…hold your breath…now."

Vaughn did as he was told and Ryan finished with the last set of films. "Ok, we're done…"

Sydney and Tom both came out and stood on either side of Vaughn's gurney.

Sydney smiled and kissed him, "You wanna turn?"

He nodded and Sydney and Tom helped him turn so the pain was lessened.

Tom looked proudly down at him, "That was great man…"

Vaughn smiled and Sydney beamed.

"Let's get you to a room…we'll get a new wrap on and get some more meds in you while we wait for the films…then we'll go from there, ok?"

"Yeah, ok."

Tom nodded, "I'm gonna call down, be right back."

Once he was gone, Sydney leaned over and kissed Vaughn again, "You really were great honey."

Vaughn's face scrunched into one of slight confusion, "All I did was lay here…"

"Yeah, but you did it after you had a flashback…and in pain…"

Vaughn thought a moment, "That must mean I'm getting…better?"

Sydney chuckled at the way his statement turned into a question at the end, "I would say so baby. And I'm really proud of you."

"Thanks."

Tom reappeared a few minutes later, "Ok…let's get Ryan here to help me…Ryan!?"

Ryan's head poked out of the technician lab, "Yeah?"

"Can you give me a hand here…"

"Sure," Ryan said, coming out to assist Tom, "Whatdya need?"

"We need to get him back on the gurney."

"Ok," Ryan nodded, and they gently moved Vaughn back on the waiting gurney. He groaned as the pain echoed through his body, even though they had been gentle.

Tom got him resettled on the bed so he wouldn't be in as much pain and then smiled at Sydney, "We've got a room all ready…"

The walk to the room was not as eventful as the first trip. Tom didn't make any car noises, instead just settled for quiet talking. Sydney had to smile at Tom's knack for knowing just what his patient needed.

They rode in the elevator and took turns down the maze of hallways that pervaded the hospital.
Tom finally stopped in front of a door and pushed it open before wheeling Vaughn's gurney in the room.

It was a private room, spacious and more pleasant than the average one. Tom noticed Sydney's scrutiny, "It's the executive suite," Tom said with a wink.

Sydney smiled, "Well, I think it will do for now…"

Vaughn smiled at the interaction, but both could see the fatigue and pain that littered his features.

Tom excused himself to get help and Sydney moved to sit on the edge of the gurney, "How are you doing?"

"Mmm…not too bad…" he said with a weak smile.

"Liar," Sydney said.

Vaughn chuckled, "It hurts…and I'm really tired…"

"Yeah, just a few more minutes, we'll get you settled and comfortable…"

Vaughn nodded and yawned tiredly. Tom reentered with three nurses, covering his bases to make this last transition to the hospital bed as painless as possible.

"That was better," Vaughn admitted when they all eased him on the bed.

Tom smiled, " I thought it might…"

He let Vaughn rest a few minutes, making idle chitchat before he said, "Ok…let's get the wrap back on…get you some pain medication. Then you can rest…"

Vaughn nodded and Sydney helped Tom ease Vaughn to a sitting position. They worked together to get the new wrap on him, trying to get it on as quickly as they could.

Vaughn let the two support his frame, too tired and pain-wracked to worry about being the strong one at this point. Once they had the wrap on, they eased him back and Tom started him on IV pain medication, replacing the one that had to be removed for the trip to Radiology.

When he was done, he smiled down at Vaughn, "Ok, you get some rest now…"

Vaughn nodded and yawned, settling into the bed as the pain medication began to work its way into his bloodstream. Tom smiled and said his goodbyes and then left the room quietly.

Vaughn pulled Sydney's hand until she was sitting on the bed with him. She smiled and ran her hand through his hair. "We should give you a shave pretty soon…"

"Do it now," Vaughn said yawning.

"No, you sleep now…we'll do it later…"

"Are you gonna sleep with me?"

"I'll wait until you fall asleep, then I should update Will and Francie; before they go nuts in the waiting room."

"Ok," Vaughn said tiredly, snuggling into her side as she reclined on the bed with him. "Love you," he mumbled as his body gave in to exhaustion.

"Love you too," Sydney whispered, pressing a kiss to his head as she waited to make sure he would sleep.

Once she was sure he was sleeping, she slipped off the bed and quietly out of the room, in search of her waiting friends.