Hi! Here is the next chapter. I hope you enjoy the story so far. Thanks a lot for the comments.
Chapter 13: Good news…bad news…(part 2)
A few hours later, Brennan walked toward Booth's room. She was rather scared to find his bed empty. Where is he?. She was imagining all kinds of possible scenarios when she spotted him sleeping in the living room. She noticed that his right arm was grabbing the left side of his body. I have to get him to the hospital. He might have some broken ribs with that nasty fall he took. Cautiously, she walked toward him and kneeled at his side. He felt her presence almost immediately and opened his eyes.
"Good morning Sunshine." He said.
"How are you feeling?" She asked.
For an instant he thought about lying to her, but he decided not to.
"This hurt's like hell. I need to get to the ER. I can't feel my legs now and my chest hurts." He said.
"Okay, let me get Parker ready for school. I'll call Angela and ask her to drop him off at school. You stay still." Brennan said.
He shook his head yes as she ran towards Parker's room to get him up.
45 minutes later, Booth found himself in Bones' SUV on the way to the hospital. Angela and Jack had come and gotten Parker and taken him to school. On the way the Brennan called Dr. Gunman and let him know what had happened with Booth. He was really worried when he heard the symptoms Booth was having, especially the problems with his legs. The doctor called the ER to make sure that Booth was admitted immediately upon arrival.
Almost three hours had passed since they arrived at the hospital. Booth was laying on one of the ER bed sleeping. They had given him some medication for the pain when he arrived. When the doctor came to speak to them Booth was still sleeping. Brennan reluctantly woke him up.
"Booth, hey…" Brennan said gently.
"Hmmm?" Booth mumbled.
"The doctor is here." She said.
"Sorry…OUCH…" He tried to move to sit up, but the pain in his back stopped him.
"Mr. Booth, I need to talk to you about the results of your tests." The doctor began.
"Did I break anything?" Booth asked.
"No. Nothing is broken, just a little bruised." The doctor replied.
"But…" Booth started to say, but the doctor interrupted him.
"I called your oncologist and your neurosurgeon a few minutes ago." The doctor said.
"But why?" Booth asked.
"When you arrived, Dr. Gunman order a specific test for you. You have a cyst on your back."
"A cyst?" Booth asked.
"Mr. Booth, the problem with the cyst is that it is putting pressure on your nervous system. Specifically the nerves that control your legs and chest. That is the reason you are having chest pains." The doctor stated.
Brennan looked at Booth. He could tell by the look in her eyes that she was scared. She knew what was coming next, but she couldn't make herself speak.
"Mr. Booth, we need to remove the cyst as soon as possible." The doctor said.
"Remove. How?" Booth asked, nearly screaming at this point.
"Surgery." The doctor stated.
"No. No way. I won't have another back surgery. No." Booth said emphatically.
Booth was remembering all the pain that he had gone through during his last back surgery and the subsequent therapy that followed it. How hard it was for him to learn how to walk again. He wouldn't do it again.
"Mr. Booth, you need this surgery." The doctor went on.
"Doctor, can I speak to you in private?" Brennan asked. The doctor nodded and left to wait for Brennan in the hallway.
"I'm going to go talk to the doctor. I'll be back in a few minutes." She told Booth.
Booth nodded and closed his eyes. Brennan stepped into the hallway where the doctor was waiting.
"Doctor, I want to know Booth's chances with this surgery and the importance of it." Brennan said.
"Well, he has a 50/50 chance with the surgery. He can improve his leg mobility to a 100 or lose it all. But the real problem is that the cyst is pressing the nerve that controls his lungs, and it can become a serious problem for him. I already talked to Dr. Gunman, and he wants to see him as soon as possible. I don't recommend travel right now, but he needs medical attention." The doctor said.
"Thank you doctor. May I take him home now?" Brennan asked.
"I want to monitor him for a least two more hours. After that you can take him home. But please, talk to him, he needs this surgery." The doctor finished.
Brennan nodded and walked back inside the room. Booth was sleeping again. She sat at his side and looked at him. How much does he have to suffer. This isn't fair. He doesn't deserve all of this pain. She was looking at him when he opened his eyes.
"I thought you were asleep." She said.
"Sort of. Can we go home? Please." Booth said.
"The doctor wants you to stay a few more hours, and then we can go home." She said.
"Okay." Booth replied.
"Booth, don't get mad at me, but why don't you want to have the surgery?" Brennan asked.
"Bones, I just don't want to go through all that pain again. I was in bed all day without the capability of moving. The physical therapy was horrible, and full of pain. I don't think I can handle that again." Booth said.
He was so sad. She hugged him and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"You wouldn't be alone this time. I will be with you through all of it." Brenna told him.
"What about Parker?" Booth said.
"Let's take one thing at a time. When we get home I'll call Dr. Gunman and speak to him. Then, after we know all of the available options we can make a decision. Regarding Parker, we'll figure it out." Brennan said.
"Okay." Booth told her.
One week had passed since Brennan had taken Booth to the hospital. They were both keeping the knowledge of him needing another back surgery to themselves for the time being. Booth didn't want to tell anyone, and Bones was keeping his secret. By now, Booth was begin to reconsider rather to have the surgery or not. Dr. Gunman was quite certain that the cyst was the cause of the problems that Booth was having with his legs, but he Booth wasn't sure if he was ready to go through all that pain again. He was trying to make up his mind about the surgery, and found himself talking to Parker.
"Daddy?" Parker said
"Yeah." Booth replied.
"Are you in pain again?" Parker asked.
"A little." Booth said.
"Oh, okay." Parker said.
"Why do you ask?" Booth said looking at his son.
"It's just that I really want you to be able to come to my t-ball practice. We all miss you. The boys are asking about you, but I told them that you were sick; so, they sent this for you." Parker said.
Parker reached into his backpack and brought out a big drawing of the t-ball team. Booth smiled as he noticed that the name of all Parker's teammates was listed at the top of each of the drawing. Booth, also, noticed that the taller figure in the drawing had his name on it, and beside it the phrase 'The best trainer' was written. All across the sky were the lines: Get well soon Coach!! We miss you!! Booth smiled and hugged Parker.
It was nearly 11pm when Booth went looking for Brennan. He found her working in her office, which was right beside his room. She had allot of work to do during the week, and Booth smiled at her.
"Did you need any help withal those?" Booth asked, pointing his finger at the pile of files on her desk.
"You should be resting." Brennan told him.
"I can't sleep, and I wanted to talk to you. I have decided to have the surgery." Booth said.
Bones had been waiting for this, but it still felt like a punch in the stomach because she understood the implications of his decision. He was going to be in allot of pain yet again.
"Are you sure?" She asked.
"Yes, but I need to ask you a favor, and please don't argue with me." He said.
"What is it?" Brennan asked him.
"Before I tell you what the favor is, you have to agree to do it." Booth said.
"I can't agree to something before I know what it is." Brennan said.
"Trust me Bones. Say that you'll do it." Booth went on.
"Okay." Bones finally gave in.
"Promise me?" Booth said, needing to be sure she meant it.
"Okay, I will. What is it?" She asked.
"I need you to stay back here in DC with Parker while I have the surgery." Booth said.
"Are you mad?!" Brennan said, looking at him like he had grown a second head.
"You promised Bones." Booth reminded her.
"Yes, but I didn't think that…." She continued, but Booth interrupted her.
"Bones, I need someone to take care of Parker. He can't miss school. Besides, I don't want either of you to see me in that much pain." Booth said.
Bones understood that he didn't want them to see him in that kind of agonizing pain.
"Okay, I will." She said, as she crossed her fingers behind her back. I will find a way Booth, you won't be alone this time…you won't.