Chapter 9: Crisis definitely averted
Jack had just entered the medical station with some of Juliet's things from her tent when he heard alarms going off. He quickened his pace and saw a slightly panicked Sawyer enter the hallway.
"Doc come quick!"
Sawyer stood back as Jack began his barrage of questioning.
"Sawyer, what happened to her?"
Shrugging, Sawyer began to pace. He'd never felt this worried about a woman before.
"I dunno. She just started coughin' really bad, worse than before. I think she coughed up a lung."
Jack pulling on a pair of gloves went to work. He looked back at Sawyer and asked another question.
"Where'd all this blood come from?"
Sawyer nervously stepped forward and pushed a piece of hair away from her face. There was blood in it.
"Her mouth. She was coughin' real bad doc. Is she breathin'?"
Jack listened with his stethoscope.
"She's got a heartbeat. But she's not moving much air in her lungs. Probably from coughing so much. Did she vomit at all?"
Sawyer sat on the stool and looked at Jack.
"Maybe. I dunno doc."
Reaching for the ultrasound machine, Jack flipped the switch on. Handing Sawyer that conducting gel, he told him what to do.
"Here. I want you to pour some of this on her chest and stomach."
Sawyer felt a bit of out place, but did as Jack asked.
"Like this?"
Nodding, Jack placed the wand over Juliet's chest and looked at the machine.
"No tears in any of the ventricles. No clogged arteries. Lets get a look at her stomach. Her belly is full of blood. Did she complain of any pain at all?"
Sawyer wasn't exactly sure how to answer Jack's question.
"She said her stomach hurt. But I figure it was because she was coughin'. Is she alright?"
Jack shook his head.
"If I can't find the source of where all this blood is coming from, she'll die."
A pit began to form in Sawyer's stomach. His pacing continued. Before he realized it, he'd found himself reaching out for her hand. She was so pale.
"So what are ya goin' to do doc?"
Sawyer stopped pacing and watched Jack as he cleaned up and fixed the blanket over Juliet.
"She needs exploratory surgery. After that, once I get everything under control, she'll need time to recover. The island will do the rest."
Sawyer must've fallen asleep, because the next thing he knew, he had a kink in his back and neck, and Jack was shaking his shoulder.
"How's she doin' doc?"
Jack smirked and shook his head.
"She's going to be ok. She's resting in a bed down the hall."
Sawyer got to his feet. Something told him he should go and see her. He didn't understand why, but when he entered the room and saw her lying there in the bed, something tugged at his heart. Juliet was tall, but today she looked tiny in the bed. Her form as straight as a bean pole under the blankets, Sawyer took another step closer to the bed. She had all kinds of wires attached to her. He noticed she was having trouble catching her breath, despite the fact she had the breathing mask over her face. He reached a hand out to smooth some hair from her face, and he let it linger on her left cheek for a minute.
"It's ok. The doc says your gonna be just fine. Yer gonna be back to yer chipper self in no time."
Pulling his hand away, he sat down in a chair next to the bed. He'd felt that strange pull at his heart again. He'd felt slightly different when his hand touched her cheek. But he couldn't quite figure out why. He'd never felt this way about any other woman before. Not even Cassidy. Juliet was one of those rare flowers. He wasn't sure if he was falling in love with her or he was just concerned about her. Something told him it was the first one. He looked up as Jack stepped into the room.
"She'll be awake soon. But she won't be able to eat by herself for awhile. Someone will have to help her eat. Soft foods."
Sawyer nodded and watched Juliet sleep.
"I can help her. I mean if ya want me to."
Jack smirked and shook his head.
"Sure you will Sawyer. You love her don't you?"
Sawyer rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"All I'm doin' doc is helpin' her out a little until she gets on her feet again."
Jack nodded again and began walking away. He had lots of stuff to clean up. Sawyer would never admit it, but he liked taking care of Juliet. It made him feel like a normal person.
"I'm going to clean up. If you need me, I'll be in the next room. If she needs something for the pain, come and find me. I'll get her something."
Nodding, Sawyer turned his attention back to Juliet who was still sound asleep. It would take her a bit to come out of the anesthesia.
To Be Continued…