Roy's eye finally began to respond to the antibiotic and drops. The patch was removed and although still a bit sensitive to light, he was able to open his eye and see without any trouble. His knee felt much better also but he was warned not to over exert himself and was given a brace to wear for the next couple weeks. He waited for his wife to come and pick him up.
Roy so desperately wanted to see Johnny but Dixie was off duty until later that morning and without her permission he wasn't allowed access. He thought of ringing her but knew she was probably still asleep because she had stayed with Johnny til the early hours of the morning.
Roy left the hospital in body but his heart remained with his unconsciousness friend. After Cap's initial report of Johnny opening his eyes there had been no other changes reported over night. Dixie told him some patients wake up from a coma and start talking within minutes others slowly awaken and may not talk for days. It would seem the latter was Johnny's condition.
Over the next few hours Johnny slowly became more aware of his surroundings. He could hear his name constantly being called and tried to open his eyes but only managed to briefly open them. He could only see blurred faces and had no idea who was looking at him. He continued to sleep through most of the following day.
Johnny jerked from his sleep as he felt himself falling and snapped his eyes open. The nurse on duty was startled by the sudden movement and called to Johnny whilst she was pressing the call button. She never could get used to the sudden movement of comatose patients.
Another nurse appeared, "Page Dr Brackett and Dixie McCall" she told the nurse. Strict instructions had been left that they were to be notified of any changes immediately.
"It's alright Mr Gage, you're in the hospital. Just lay still the doctor's on his way." Johnny was clearly agitated and confused.
Dr Brackett and Dixie came quickly but quietly into the ICU ward and approached Johnny's cubicle. Dixie could feel the tension as she approached Johnny's bedside. She leant over and spoke softly in his ear "It's alright Johnny, you were in an accident. You're in hospital, just relax, Dr Brackett is going to check you so you'll feel him moving your arm and leg."
Dixie's voice calmed Johnny down and he waited patiently for the examination to end. His head that was only aching was gradually beginning to pound along with his shoulder and side. He tried to speak but only his lips moved and small moans were all that escaped them.
Dr Brackett checked Johnny's reflexes on his right side and smiled at the improvement. He couldn't check his left side because of the casts. He shone a light into Johnny's eyes and received a grunt from him. Dr Brackett was pleased to see the pupils react to the light, another good sign.
"You're reflexes are much better Johnny. Blink if you're in pain Johnny." Dr Brackett waited for a response. Johnny blinked; his head and shoulders were pounding like a set of drums. "Just stay awake for a little longer Johnny" asked Dr Brackett.
"Blink twice if the answer is yes Johnny. Do you know who I am?" Dr Brackett waited for Johnny's response.
Johnny thought about the question and realised he was supposed to blink if he knew the answer but then he forgot what the question was and wanted Dr Brackett to repeat it and, as if he heard Johnny's thoughts, Dr Brackett repeated the question. Johnny blinked twice.
"Do you know where you are?" asked Dr Brackett twice.
Johnny knew he was in hospital, why else would Dr Brackett be talking to him. He blinked twice.
"Are you at home Johnny?" asked Dr Brackett testing just how much Johnny understood.
Johnny was confused by the question. He was in bed, but it didn't feel like his bed and it didn't smell like his apartment. Why would Dr Brackett be in his bedroom, no the answer was no, but he didn't know how to answer no. He gathered all his strength and said with mostly breath "No".
Dr Brackett and Dixie smiled "That's good my friend, now you just rest. I'm giving you something for the pain" Dr Brackett watched his friend's eyes close. Dixie brushed Johnny's hair off his forehead and softly told him to sleep and that she would be here when he woke up.
Dr Brackett gave out new instructions. He and Dixie left ICU feeling relieved, Johnny was progressing in the right direction. Dixie had some phone calls to make and was feeling more than relieved. It was as if a light switch had been flicked on. The last forty-eight hours had her shrouded in darkness and her mood had been a reflection of it.
She pondered about Johnny's condition and recovery. It would be a long road to recovery. Most coma patients needed therapy for their motor skills and speech. She knew Cap and Roy would help. She also knew that their friendships would be tested as recovering patients went through an array of emotions. She had no doubts that they would help Johnny through his recovery but over the years she had seen the strongest relationships fall apart. Recovering coma patients could become resentful through frustration and knowing Johnny from when he was first brought to LA, she knew how dark and angry he could be.
Roy hung the phone up and sighed with relief. Johnny was recovering and was slowly becoming more aware of his surroundings. Using his crutches, he made his way into the kitchen. His wife Joanne was preparing lunch. She looked at her husband and smiled.
"Johnny's a lot better. Dixie said he was able to answer a couple of questions" he told her, his face reflecting a calmer and relieved husband.
"I'm pleased" she said hoping that Roy would be in a better mood from now on. Whenever Johnny was sick or hurt her husband spent a lot of time brooding and worrying over his partner she deliberated. She hoped Johnny's recovery would be quick.
Tom Wheeler started his shift with trepidation. His partner Kirk had told him that his fall had made the news as 'Most Embarrassing Moment of the Week' segment. Tom was horrified because he realised that it was not just shown on a local station but nationally. He had received phone calls from family that lived on the east coast asking 'Was that really you?' He groaned knowing he would not hear the end of it from his peers within the department.
When he walked into the locker room 'Wet Floor' signs surrounded his locker. "Very funny guys, very funny" he said knowing this was only the beginning of the ribbing he would be showered with over the duration of the shift. Kirk snickered, as far as he was concerned his partner deserved to be reminded of his embarrassing moment after the way he had treated Johnny.
Dixie made her way up to ICU; she wanted to check on Johnny before leaving. She was coming off a twelve hour shift and had spent it constantly checking on Johnny between busy intervals.
She entered his cubicle and did a quick check of his chart. She then stepped beside his bed and looked down on the sleeping man. She brushed his hair off his forehead; Johnny turned his head into her hand. She smiled thinking that Johnny always responded to touch. These gestures when she first met him made him jerk away but now he thrived on them. She had earned his trust in those early days as she nurtured him back to a healthy fifteen year old.
Johnny felt the familiar touch on his forehead and moved his head towards the hand that was sweeping his hair from his forehead. He slowly opened his eyes and tried to talk but only breathy words escaped his lips. Dixie smiled "Don't try to talk Johnny; you're not ready for that. I'm going home now but I'll be back tomorrow to check on you. Kel will see you in the morning. Just rest Johnny, you're doing great." She continued to sweep her hand over his forehead and watched his eyes slowly close. She also noticed the small crooked smile appear on his face making her heart smile.