Joe went with the doctors as they took Ryder to take x-rays to determine what was wrong with him and what would have to be done. The x-rays didn't take too long to do, so Ryder wasn't there long. Soon enough, after the x-rays were taken, the doctor took both Ryder and Joe back to one of the beds they had available in the ER.

They left them both alone to go take a look at the x-rays. "Joe, what if it is my appendix?" Ryder asked, nervously. He knew what having appendicitis meant; surgery. Ryder didn't want to have surgery, the thought of having a doctor, multiple even, cut him open and take something out. "W-will they have to take m-my appendix out?"

Joe could tell how scared Ryder was of the thought of having to have surgery. It was pretty obvious that Ryder had it, however, he didn't want to jump to conclusions yet; or freak Ryder out anymore yet. "Let's not think about that now. The doctors will be back soon, you're going to be fine." Joe assured him, he didn't want to get into any of the details.

Soon enough a few doctors came in, they had finished looking over Ryder's x-rays and they knew what had to be done; even though they knew what Ryder had as soon as he came into the ER. "Okay, we looked over Ryder's x-rays and he does indeed have appendicitis." One of the doctors said and Ryder gulped.

Joe sighed and turned to the kid and could tell he was already getting scared again. "I need surgery?" Ryder asked and the doctors nodded.

"Yes, we're going to book the OR now, shouldn't be too long, but I'll have a nurse come in and give you some medication. It should help with all the pain until we can get you prepped and put under." A doctor explained. "Don't worry, the surgery is pretty simple, doesn't take long and you would only need to be kept here for overnight to 2 days at the most, just to keep watch."

"So he's okay for now?" Joe asked, he was just glad Ryder was okay. He was afraid that his appendix was about to rupture; that wouldn't have been good at all.

"Yes, we'll be back to get him later." The doctor said and left Joe and Ryder alone. Ryder didn't want surgery and Joe could see that. The fear was clearly shown on the boy's face and Joe felt bad for him. Soon enough a nurse came in, like the doctor said.

"Alright, I'm going to hook you up to an IV now." She told Ryder, he didn't respond. Probably could only think about the surgery. Soon enough she poked Ryder will the needle, which ultimately, got his attention.

"Alright, should be working soon enough. Doctor will be down for you shortly." The nurse said and then left the room. Joe knew he had to say something to Ryder. Just something to at least take his mind off the surgery for a second. Ryder looked absolutely terrified and Joe knew he needed to reassure him he was going to be fine.

"Ryder…" Joe tried to say, but wasn't given the chance; Ryder stopped him.

"I can't do this." Ryder interjected. "We need- I want to go home."

"I know, but we can't. You were lucky your appendix didn't burst. It was going to happen soon enough if we didn't get here in time." Joe said.

"But—I don't… want the surgery." Ryder said.

"I know, but it's not that bad." Joe assured him, but Ryder ignored that comment. The stress of the surgery was making Ryder starting to panic.

"They're g-going to c-cut me open. And take something out of me!" Ryder said, the thought wasn't very satisfying. Joe knew, if you put it like that it was like a recap of a kid's nightmare.

"Hey, lots of people have their appendix taken out. It won't take long at all." Joe said, but that didn't really help.

"What if I wake up in the middle of it? What if something goes wrong? What if I die? What if-?" Ryder asked, starting to panic about complications that were possible, but highly unlikely. Joe put his hand on Ryder's shoulder; Joe needed to calm Ryder down.

"Hey, hey, Ryder… You need to calm down, okay?" Joe said. Ryder looked at Joe and started to take deep breaths, it was helping a little. "Good. Now, I promise, you're going to be just fine, nothing is going to go wrong and you're going to wake up and you're going to be fine."

"What if I feel it?" Ryder asked.

"You might feel some pain afterwards, but other than that, you're going to be fine." Joe assured him. "Trust me, I know what it's like."

"You've had your appendix taken out?" Ryder asked and Joe nodded.

"Yeah, I was twelve and trust me, I was a lot more scared than you are." Joe told him and Ryder scoffed, he tried to act like he wasn't scared, but that was pointless. "Really? You think you could pull one of those things off?"

"It was worth a shot." Ryder said. "You sure? I'm going to be okay?" Ryder asked, he was really worried.

"Yes. And we're all going to be here when you wake up. Me, your aunt, and Lennox will be here." Joe told him and Ryder grinned.

"I'm scared, Joe." Ryder said, he wanted to cry, but he didn't want in front of Joe. Men don't cry, and Ryder fought to hold the tears back.

"I know." Joe said, he could tell that Ryder was keeping the tears in his eyes from falling. "You know men cry too, right? It's alright."

A few tears managed to escape Ryder's eyes as Joe said those last few words. Ryder's hands began to shake, it was extremely nervous and they didn't even come back for him yet. "Hey, it's okay." Joe said and hugged Ryder.

"You're going to be alright. Nothing bad is going to happen." Joe said and Ryder looked at him and sniffled, stopping himself from crying anymore. "Don't cry, alright. Nothing to worry about." He said and Ryder grinned.

"Ryder." Someone said and they turned to see one of Ryder's doctors from before. "It's time." He said and Ryder looked at Joe again. Joe smiled and took his hand and gave him a quick encouraging squeeze. Ryder smiled back and then turned back to the doctor.

They got Ryder into a wheelchair and then he was being wheeled away to be prepped for the surgery and then operated on. He was going to be okay, Joe knew that. He was going to make sure he had the best surgeons to take care of him.

Glad I got this done! I meant to update a while ago, but Friday I was too exhausted and I almost didn't update tonight, but I did. (Don't worry, this is NOT the last chapter!) :)

Anyway, I hope you liked this a lot! I will put some Joe and Mel in next chapter and then some more Joe and Ryder! :D

Please give me more feedback, it makes me update faster and it gives me motivation! :D

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