The Boat That Rocked (Rocketshipping Fanfic)
Part Two
Jessie's eyelids fluttered open only to then be blinded by a white light. She groaned, raising a hand, touching her cool fingers to her temple. The sound of beeping made her turn her head, soft material against her cheek.
Where was she?
She opened her eyes again. She was in a bed, her head on a white pillow, white covers pulled up to her chest that smelt overwhelmingly of chemicals. A machine was set up beside her, buttons and small lights flashing, the muted beeping emanating from it. She lifted her other hand and saw an IV drip going into her flesh.
A hospital.
Jessie tried to raise herself up but her arms were too weak and she fell back onto the pillow. She moaned as a strange pain bloomed in her stomach and then rose, like a blade grazing her insides to touch her heart.
A door opened and a woman in uniform entered the room, a cheery smile spreading across her face when she saw that Jessie was awake.
The nurse walked over to the bed, glancing at the beeping machine, touching a few buttons – and then silence.
She turned to Jessie. "It's nice to see you finally awake. We were concerned for a moment there."
Concerned? "H-ho-" her attempt at speaking was interrupted by a cough that felt like someone was punching her ribs.
The nurse quickly brought a glass of water to her lips, apparently from a hidden side table, and ushered murmurs of encouragement.
When the cool liquid soothed her throat, Jessie tried again. "H-how long was I out for?"
The nurse smiled again, placing the glass down. "It's been a week since you all were found."
All? Jessie's eyes widened. "Where's James?"
The woman's smile faltered, a hint of something flitted across her face. "He's in another room." The smile returned but not as honest as before.
Panic welled up in her chest and she tried to lift herself up again, the nurse placing resisting hands on her shoulders. She ignored the pain and rested on her elbows, her breathing agonisingly heavy.
Why was she so weak?!
"James…" she met the nurse's eyes, her face getting closer to hers. "James, where – is he okay? Take me to him."
The nurse didn't say anything and that scared her even more.
"Why…? Why aren't you telling me? What aren't you telling me?"
"Please calm down," the nurse pushed her down again and Jessie didn't fight back, allowing herself to be tucked back into bed like a little child. "The man you were with – James? – is resting in another room. You have no need to worry."
She met her eyes, her gaze suddenly intense. "Okay?"
Jessie hesitated but the nurse didn't move. She nodded.
The nurse smiled, pulling away. "Good. I'll call the doctor now. Just wait a moment."
And with that she left.
Resting in another room? Lies, lies, lies. That meant he hadn't woken up. Why? He looked stronger than she had, he was able to sit there, constantly on watch, always there when she woke, always there to say 'good morning'. He had even lifted her out of the boat, passing her to that figure in the night. She remembered how she had rested her head against his chest, his steady heartbeat against her ear. She remembered how peaceful she had felt, how safe she had felt in his arms. James was strong.
Oh.
Jessie closed her eyes. Oh, I see. He had kept strong for her. When they finally reached safety, there was no need to maintain his composure, his strength.
He had been worse off than her, he was just better at hiding it, at fighting it.
"James…"
She lifted a hand to her cheek, surprised to find her skin wet with tears. She was crying?
No, no. She wiped desperately at her eyes. She couldn't cry - she wouldn't show any weakness, she wouldn't. I can't let James see me like this.
The door opened again and she jumped.
A man wearing a white coat walked in, a file under his arm, a warm smile on his lips. "Good morning," he nodded in greeting. "How are you feeling, Jessie – can I call you Jessie?"
"Yeah," she answered, looking away, hoping that her eyes weren't red. "Am good, thanks."
"I'm your doctor…."
The man continued, the warm smile always on his lips, his voice gentle yet firm, but Jessie couldn't listen anymore. She drifted off, her eyes glazing over. Her limbs ached, her chest hurt, and she felt so weak. She hated feeling so vulnerable.
"Jessie?"
She looked up.
"Do you have any questions?"
"How's James?"
The doctor's warm smile froze.
"Ah," he shifted uncomfortably. "He's resting at-"
"NO!" She clenched her hands into fists, grabbing tightly onto the bed covers, lifting herself up again, her loose hair falling over her face as she bowed her head, her teeth grinding. "Tell me the truth."
The doctor paused. Then he sighed.
"James collapsed after you were rescued. It appears he was pushing himself too far, and the state of exhaustion, dehydration and starvation you all were in was worse with him."
Jessie blinked. Worse? Suddenly she recalled how James' portions of their remaining supplies of food and water had always seemed smaller than hers and Meowth's. Oh, I see.
"What about now?" Jessie asked, keeping her face down.
The doctor was quiet.
Jessie looked up. His face was serious, his warm smile gone. It seemed he had waited for her to look at him, for now he spoke, his words clear and factual.
"James is in a bad way. It appears that the effects of your time at sea worsened an underlying condition." He paused for a moment, letting it sink in. "James is in a coma, Jessie."
A coma?
"And we're afraid that there's no sign he will wake up anytime soon."