A/N: I spent many hours doing research on the medical treatments and terminology used in this chapter. I have tried to be as accurate as possible. I combined several different medical conditions and treatments for "dramatic" effect. I have also used Adam's real life animal allergies. He has stated himself, about the only animal he isn't allergic to is dogs. Again, this is a little longer than usual chapter. Also, be warned, there is a detailed description of a surgical procedure in this chapter... it could get "squicky" for some. Please, read this for the fiction it was intended and I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for all the reads and reviews! LDB.
Wade, Bret, Paul and Shawn, who had also changed after talking to Jason, burst into Trauma Room One. Adam was nearly in a full cardiac arrest. The toxins and poisons had reached all his vital organs at once.
Bret was frozen in place. Shawn knew he had to get Bret out of there. "Bret, please. You need to go. You're in the way. We promised you could stay unless something like this happened. You agreed. Jason will be here, you'll need each other. Please?" Shawn spoke in earnest.
"Come on, Captain Hart," Beth said softly. She took Bret by the elbow and led him out of the room.
Hart felt himself walking. His mind was completely numb. He shook himself, "No! No! I want to be with Adam!"
They were almost to the door that led to the waiting room, "Please, go to the waiting room. I promise you, the minute he's stable again, you can return," Beth said kindly but firmly.
Bret's shoulders drooped. He had promised to leave if things got bad. He knew Shawn would keep his word and let him come back. "Alright," was all the firefighter said. He went through the doors to the waiting room.
Beth sighed and hurried back to Adam's room. There was an argument about what to do going on between the doctors.
"I'm in charge. It's my call. He's having an anaphylactic reaction. Let's treat for that. If it doesn't work, then we will get more evasive. Shawn, get me an epinephrine injection, STAT!" Hunter barked sharply as he took control. Hunter knew it was an allergic reaction to the bite. He wanted to try the less evasive treatments first, before ripping a hole in Adam's throat or shocking his heart.
Shawn brought his husband the pre-filled syringe. The epinephrine came in pre-filled doses, of 100 micrograms of pure adrenaline. Hunter pulled back the covers from Adam's seizing body. Shawn grabbed Adam's legs and parted his thighs.
Hunter injected Adam, intramusculary into his patients mid anteralateral thigh muscle of his right leg, "Okay Barrett, five minutes," Hunter could repeat the injection every five minutes.
They waited to see how Adam's body reacted, he was at least getting oxygen to his brain through a nasal catheter. "He should have a tracheotomy!" Paul Heyman said in an agitated voice. He felt they could do more, and faster.
"No, Paul. That's too evasive. If anything a "crike" would be better," Hunter too, was agitated. He was in charge of Adam, not Heyman.
"I concur with Doctor Helmsley. A tracheotomy is a last resort. The circothyotomy would be better. What we need is those allergy reports!" Barrett spoke in a more calm tone, as he kept his eye on his watch.
Beth was now monitoring the machines, "he's still in near cardiac arrest, pressure is low, breathing very shallow," she gave her update.
Wade nodded to Hunter. Once more, Adam's inner thigh was injected with epinephrine. As bad as Adam was, it could take as many as three or four injections to get results. Adam was still seizing, but it wasn't getting any worse, his vitals, while critical were also not getting worse.
"Epinephrine IV drip and another injection!" Hunter ordered his husband. This had to work, if not he'd have to take some hard, medically evasive steps. He didn't want to put Adam through that if at all possible.
Outside the storm was finally breaking over Denver. Flashes of lightning and claps of thunder crashed. Inside the University of Colorado Hospital, no one noticed nature's rage, there was another form of the rage of nature affecting the life one that was loved by many.
Bret was pacing the waiting room. It was a horrible sense of dé já vu. Seven months ago, he'd been pacing the same floor, worried and anxious about the man he loved. He couldn't believe it was happening twice in his life.
The doors of the entrance to the Emergency Room opened. A very wet Jason and Heath entered the hospital. They saw Bret pacing like an expectant father. "Bret? Do you know anything?" Jason asked as he stepped into Bret's path. Heath stood at his side, looking much like a drowned ginger rat.
"Hi Jason, Heath. No. He... he went in to a seizure, maybe cardiac arrest! Oh Jason... I... love him! I... can't do... this again!" Bret's voice was full of emotion and the tears filled his eyes again.
Jason hugged Bret. Adam's brother and his lover embraced. Heath smiled at the two men. He was glad Bret was there, he liked the older man and the way he treated Adam. He went to get some coffee, he was chilled from being soaked and Jason was too, he'd also get a cup for Captain Hart.
"Adam's a fighter, Bret. With your love and support he'll be alright; he just has to be. I promised ma. I failed her once, I won't do it again!" Jason said with firmness as he held Bret by the upper arms and let his eyes burn into Bret's.
"I do love him, Jason. Please, don't ever doubt that. I'm sure you have never failed Adam. He only speaks of you in loving adoration. How you saved him... Randy... you know," Bret said with a soft smile to his boy's brother.
Before Jason could respond, Heath returned with three paper cups of steaming hot liquid, he carried them on a small, sturdy paper tray. "Come on, sit down. I got us some hot chocolate, it cures anything," Heath said softly as he sat down at one end of a small couch in the waiting area.
Jason couldn't help but laugh a bit at his adorable husband, "It's high summer, but leave it to you to find hot chocolate. Thanks, Petal," he sat next to Heath and kissed his cheek. Jason knew he'd be lost without his precious Petal. The nickname, Petal, came from a happy experience. Jason had come home to find a naked Heath covered with flower petals. Some of them stuck in certain places that when removed made Heath moan like a slut. So, Jason called him Petal and it stuck just like the flowers.
Bret joined the Reso's on the couch. He took the offered cup of hot chocolate. He sipped with a smile. Oje loved hot chocolate after playing in the snows of Calgary. Bret had learned to make it from a mixture of milk, cream and real shaved chocolate. Oh the things you do for a little brother. He understood how Jason must be feeling.
Jay sipped the hot liquid, "I should have known sooner; about Randy. I should have known what that mother fucking son of a cunt whore was doing to my baby brother. He looked; so broken when I found him that day. He was covered in blood and... and... cum. So bruised and broken Now, he's in trouble again and I can't do a damn fucking thing to help him!" Jason put his head in his hands and sobbed like a child who'd lost his puppy. Both Bret and Heath gently patted his heaving shoulders.
"I was helpless to stop Davy from dying. Now, Adam. I can't do anything to help Adam..." Bret's own tears threatened to fall again as he kept patting Jay's shoulders.
Heath looked at both men, he sighed, "Stop feeling sorry for yourselves, it's Adam who's in trouble. Bret, I'm sorry about your husband, but you aren't a doctor. You help save people from fires and accidents. Jason, you didn't know about Randy because Adam didn't want you to know. The important thing both of you need to realize is that you're here; now. That's what Adam needs most of all, people who love him, care about him, praying for him. Bret, you might not be able to help him medically, but you help him by loving him, same for you, Jason. So stop this self-pity party and concentrate on Adam," the red-head spoke softly, but firmly. He thought both men needed of what his momma always called, "tough love with a velvet glove".
Jason looked up, his eyes were wet and red. He faced his husband, Bret, too looked at Heath. "I've never really heard you say much, Heath, but when you do speak, you certainly don't mess around. Thanks, you're right; it is about Adam," Bret said with a swipe of his eyes. He had to stop feeling sorry about what he couldn't do for Adam, but what he could do for him.
"That's why I love you so much, my pretty Petal. Thank you. The three of us, together will get Adam through this," Jason said with a kiss to Heath's chocolate flavored lips.
Heath took one of Jason's hands and one of Bret's in his. He bowed his head and began to pray like he'd never prayed before. AJ, behind her desk, and open glass window, also bowed her head and joined her own silent prayer to Heath's verbal one.
"Come on, come on... Shawn, get me one more, but prepare a 'crike' kit just in case. We'll try that before a trache," Hunter ordered. It was getting really critical now. If he waited any longer, Adam could suffer brain damage from a prolonged period of inefficient oxygen.
Shawn handed Hunter the fifth injection of Epinephrine in twenty-five minutes. This would be the last one. If the massive doses of adrenaline didn't restore Adam's breathing, he would be forced to form a 'crike'.
'Crike' was the shortened form of Chicothyrotomy. A 'crike' was less abrasive than a full-blown Tracheotomy. In a 'crike', a large over-the-needle- catheter would be inserted into Adam's trachea. Oxygen, under high pressure would be pumped into his body with a bag-valve device. Recovery from a 'crike' was much faster and Adam wouldn't have a large "hole" scar on his throat. The problem was a 'crike' might not be enough to open Adam's airway completely.
Hunter injected Adam's thigh one more time. As soon as he withdrew the needle, all eyes turned to the struggling doctor who was now their patient.
No one heard the door to the trauma room open. The head Phelebotomist walked in, the results of Adam's blood tests in his hands. "Doctor Helmsley, Doctor Copeland's blood and path results. You can safely administer, CroFab anti-venom," he said as he handed Hunter the papers.
Hunter took the papers and nodded to the Phelebotomist, "Thank you. Thanks for being so fast," Hunter was grateful. The tests were done in less than half the usual time.
All eyes were still on Adam, "It's been so long now since the bite, I'm not even sure the CroFab will help. However, Shawn go ahead and add it to his IV, it won't hurt him," Hunter said without taking his eyes off the man who he looked on as a son.
Beth looked at the machines, "His pressure is rising, his breathing is less labored. It's working, the Epinephrine is taking hold!" her voice was full of hope and excitement.
As they looked on, Adam's body slowly stopped shaking and trembling. His mouth opened and gasped for air. It was if he'd suddenly risen up out of the water after holding his breath a few seconds too long.
"That's our boy. Come on... come on. Easy son, just breathe easy. Get that CroFab going faster," Hunter said as he gently stroked Adam's brow. It helped to calm the younger man. His eyes closed, Adam began to take deep but even breaths. Adam's lips slowly lost their blueish shade and a slight bit of color stained his cheeks. His fever was still elevated, but not as high as it had been. Shawn injected more of the anti-venom into the IV bag that dripped into his body through the tube and needle port in his right forearm.
"I think he'll be alright, but keep the 'crike' kit handy and more injections. Now, my next worry is the hand. I'm going to give him a couple of hours to recover a bit, then I'll open the wound and drain it, infection is starting to set in," Hunter said thoughtfully as he continued to stroke Adam's brow.
All the while, Wade had observed from the corner of the room. He'd been doing some serious thinking, very serious.
"Hunter, I must congratulate you. You showed nerves of steel, I would have trached him and jumped his heart. You'll get a commendation in your file for this. I'm going to check on my patients upstairs, Doctor Barrett, go home, you are still on vacation. Hunter, I assume you and Shawn will be here, make sure you clock in. You won't be responsible for anyone but Doctor Copeland. Call me if you need me," Paul Heyman said in an authoritative tone. He was now speaking as the Hospital Administrator. He left the room to check on his patients.
"Shawn, you go talk to Jason, tell Bret he can come back in. Wade, you can go, I'll call you later, let you know how he's doing," Hunter's tone was friendly, his smile soft. He hadn't stopped gently stroking Adam's brow. The blond was resting easily now, his breathing was nearly normal. His blood pressure was still a bit lower than normal, but steady, as was his pulse and heart rate.
Bret and Jason were chatting. Heath had fallen asleep. He lay curled up on the couch, his head in his husband's lap. Jason stroked Heath's head as he told Bret stories about Adam as a child. Bret had moved to a chair next to the couch to give Heath room to sleep. They were so engrossed in conversation, Shawn had to get the two men's attention by sharply clearing his throat. When he had their attention, he explained everything that had happened, he left nothing out. He also explained what Hunter intended to do about Adam's hand.
"... so, you can come back and stay with him. Jason, you can come see him, but you can't stay long. He can't be overly stressed," Shawn finished his explanation. He was glad to see that the three men weren't anxious and pacing.
Heath waited while Jason went with Bret and Shawn. He didn't mind, it was best for Adam. He typed a rather lengthy email explaining all that had happened and sent it to his fellow band mates. Heath knew they would want to know. They all loved Adam, and the extra prayers and good wishes could only help.
Before they went in, Shawn stopped, "Bret has seen him, but Jason, he's very pale and hooked up to monitors. He may still be out, but it's the body's way of healing it's self. He'll hear you though. I promised, Bret he could stay, but Jason, five minutes, you're not really allowed back here. Understand everything?" Shawn asked as he again explained the situation.
"I understand. Bret promised to keep us posted. Oh, by the way, I've put your mail on the kitchen counter and I've saved the newspapers," Jason said absentmindedly, he just wanted to see his brother; alive.
The three men entered the trauma room. Shawn was glad to see that Wade had left as well as Heyman. Shawn stood back as Jason and Bret went to Adam's bedside. While Jason was shocked to see his brother looking so ill, Bret noticed how much better Adam appeared. Color was back in his face, his lips were no longer blue and most of all, his body was still and quiet.
Hunter hugged Jason, "He's doing much better. But, he's not out of the woods yet. I'm worried about his hand. I'm going to drain the wound soon, hopefully that will work," he added his information to what Shawn had told them.
Bret took Hunter's place. He sat on the rolling stool and took Adam's hand in his. He kissed the uninjured hand, but was careful of the IV running into his arm. Jason went around to the other side. He gently rubbed Adam's brow, "I'm here Addy. Jay is here. I love you, little brother. Leave it to you to get into such a mess," he spoke with a bit of a laugh, he was so glad his brother was alive.
"I'm here too, my sweet Sugar. Bear is here. You look so much better. You scared me, but I know how strong you are. You're so beautiful baby boy," Bret spoke softly, his voice full of love. He didn't care who heard him, he loved Adam and would tell the world.
Adam's eyes fluttered open, then closed again against the bright lights. Bret held his hand up to Adam's brow to shield his eyes. "Open those pretty eyes, come on Sugar. Jason's here, he wants to see you open your eyes," Bret whispered softly as he coaxed Adam to wake up.
Once again, Adam's eyes fluttered. The "shade" from Bret's large, strong hand helped. Adam slowly curled his lips into a smile as his eyes began to focus on his brother and his lover. He opened his mouth but nothing came out. Jason saw the cup of ice chips on the little table next to the head of the bed. He took half a spoon of the frozen water and held it to his brother's lips. Adam took the ice into his mouth. It felt so good on his hot, irritated throat. He swallowed the melted ice.
This time he was able to speak, "Jay Jay? Bear?" he blinked his eyes again and let Jason feed him another spoonful of ice.
"We're here brother. I love you. Heath's here too, but in the waiting room. He loves you, too," the elder brother said in a soft, loving tone. He bent down and kissed his brother's lips chastely.
Adam smiled, "love you" he felt so weak and tired. He didn't want to talk, but he basked in the loved that surrounded him.
"It's okay, Sugar. You don't have to talk. Just rest," Bret said softly as Adam's eyes closed again. He stroked Adam's head tenderly with the hand that had protected his boys eyes.
"Jason, I'm sorry, but you need to go. You'd be better off going home and coming after breakfast. He will be alright," Shawn said softly as he stood behind Jason and hugged his "adopted" son.
"Okay, Shawn. Love you too. Bret, take care of him. Promise you'll call if needs be. You're a good man, I'm glad you're in my brother's life. You're the one Bret, you are the one," Jason said with a hug to Shawn and handshake to Bret.
"I'm the lucky one, Jason. I will I promise. Careful driving home," Bret said as the thunder continued to clap over head.
Jason kissed his brother again, then left the room. Bret felt bad that Jason couldn't stay a while longer. Once Adam was admitted he could stay all day if he wanted. The Captain sat back down on the little rolling stool.
Over the next two hours, Adam rested peacefully. He blood pressure rose to normal. The breathing was almost normal and his fever was down to one hundred one.
Hunter slept on the couch in his office. He wanted to be rested for the procedure on Adam's hand. Shawn rested in the break room. Bret dozed with his head on Adam's bed. Beth and the others on duty were called to treat the victims of an early morning car accident, due to the flooding rains in the streets.
Bret woke when he felt a hand on his head, running it's fingers through his mussy curls. He slowly opened his eyes, only to find Adam, wide awake and smiling at him.
"Hi, Bear," Adam said in a weak, but steady voice. He finally felt better, just so very weak and tired. Adam knew he was going to live, a few hours ago, he wasn't so sure.
"Hi, Sugar. How do you feel? Want more ice?" Bret asked as he stood up and stretched a bit. He was also feeling a bit hungry, but breakfast would wait.
Adam swallowed, it was still a bit hard to talk, his throat still burned, "Like I'll live. Yes, please, lots more ice," his words came slow and were breathy this time.
Bret noticed that at some point, a fresh cup of ice had been left for Adam. He reached over and took he cup in his hand along with a plastic spoon. Bret sat back down and fed Adam the chips of ice. Adam nearly "ate" the whole cup.
"Feels so good on my throat, but my tongue is frozen. Thanks, Bret. So tell me what happened. The last thing I clearly remember was reaching for the pencil I'd dropped. Wait! Did Wade get bit too?" Adam asked in a worried tone. He sort of remembered a horse ride and maybe a helicopter, but wasn't sure about much.
"No, no Barrett's okay. He did kill the snake..." Bret then went on to fill his lover in on what had happened. "... After I was thrown out, I don't know what happened. I'm sure Hunter will tell you. You remember Jason being here?" Bret finished telling Adam the incidents of the evening and early morning.
"Yes, I do. My thighs hurt, probably gave me Epinephrine. Pull the covers down please, I want to see if I'm right," Adam asked in a curious tone. Bret pulled the covers off Adam's legs. Both men looked. There were five small, very dark bruises on his inner thighs, three on his left, two on his right.
"My poor baby," Bret said with a bit of a wince. He was glad Adam probably couldn't remember the pain that caused the bruises.
"Yep, from adrenaline shots. They're nothing, just surprised at how many. I must have been really out of it," Adam paused as he looked over to the IV bag on the pole. He continued, "CROFAB, oh the anti-venom. I'm glad Hunter, well Shawn remembered I'm allergic to horses. I can ride them, but the serum from them in the anti-venom would have... killed me... maybe. My hand, feels bad," Adam looked at his left hand. It was still nearly double its normal size and the bite area was deep purple mixed with blue, green and yellow.
"It must be hard. I know what it's like for a firefighter to watch his house burn down. So it must be hard for a doctor to be a patient. You want me to get Hunter?" Bret asked as he gently covered Adam back up. He was so happy Adam was feeling better and talking. He wanted to shout his joy from the roof tops, but he remained calm for Adam's sake.
"It is hard, but not my first time. I'll tell you though, it helped me learn more about bedside manner than anything. Maybe if all doctors had to be patients for a while, it would make doctor-patient relationships better. Yes, I guess you'd better..." Adam was interrupted as the Helmsley's came into the room with nurse Beth. Beth was working a double shift because Shawn was still on vacation.
After a bit of happy chatting between Adam and his pseudo parents and Bret, Hunter let Adam read his chart. He figured it would be easier and faster that way. Adam finished reading. He handed the chart back to Hunter.
"So, you agree? About the hand? We try draining first? Followed by massive antibiotics. You know you'll have to go upstairs for a few days. The meds need IV delivery and will totally wipe you out," Hunter said in his serious doctor's voice. Shawn and Beth had unhooked Adam from the bank of machines. Beth changed the nearly empty IV bag.
"Yes, I do. I'd really rather not lose my hand, if we can help it. Will you do it here or in O.R.?" Adam asked a little nervously. He hated the thought of the operating room.
"I'd like to do it here, with a heavy local. I'm not too anxious to put you under after last night. So then, I'll go get ready. Shawn, set it up, please. Beth assist Shawn. Bret, go grab some breakfast or something," Hunter said with authority.
"No! Please, can't Bret stay? Please, Hunter. It's going to be bad and I need him, well if he wants to stay," Adam looked from the father figure to his lover and back again. He really was a bit afraid.
"Of course I'll stay. Trips, please?" Bret asked, his brow raised. If his boy wanted him, he'd stay come hell or high water, or Hunter Hearst Helmsley.
"You'll have to put on scrubs and a mask. But, if it will help Adam to have you here, then I'm all for it. I just hope you have a strong stomach," Hunter said with his hand on the door. He motioned for Bret to follow him so he could change into the required scrubs.
Shawn had already changed, so he prepped Adam while Hunter and Bret were gone. He gently scrubbed Adam's injured hand with betadine soap. The reddish soap stained the skin a bit, making the bruise look even worse. He put a surgical drape over Adam's hand and arm, it had an opening over the injury. Next, he put Adam's long hair under a surgical cap, and placed a mask over his nose and mouth.
Beth prepped the surgical equipment, although technically it wasn't surgery, it was more of a procedure. She lined up the instruments the way Shawn liked them and a whole box of gauze sponges plus a drainage kit. She also prepped a ligature kit and a suture kit. The ligatures were used to sew up tiny blood vessels inside, opposed to sutures that were used to close the wounds on the surface of the skin.
"Shawn, I'm scared. What if I lose my hand? You know I was planning on attending surgical sciences next fall. How can I operate one-handed? What if it turns Bret... off sexually?" Adam sniffed, he was more afraid of the what ifs, not the procedure.
"You may not be a surgeon, but you can still be a fantastic doctor. I promise you Adam, you could lose both arms and legs and Bret would carry you. Honey, that man loves you. I mean really loves you. He nearly lost it when you were so ill. Trust me," Shawn said with a pat to Adam's head and a kiss to his cheek.
Bret and Hunter came back into the room. "Ted and Cody said hi, they just came on shift. Dolph said he'd come see you tonight, upstairs. Wade came back. He wants to observe the procedure, if you don't mind. He's scrubbing up. You know, he feels really guilty. He thinks he angered and stirred up the snake when he was kicking the grass," Hunter said as Shawn encased his hands in latex gloves. Beth put the gloves on Bret's hands.
"I don't mind if Wade observes. I'll talk to him. It's not his fault at all. I forgot the safety rules, it's my fault I got bit. Bear, thank you for being here. Just, I just love you so much," Adam said softly as Bret sat back down on the little rolling stool.
Wade came into the room. He looked... sad. Beth put on his latex gloves and tied the Englishman's mask in place. Wade went to stand at the head of the bed. Adam looked up at Wade, he smiled behind his mask.
"It's not your fault, Wade. I promise you, it's not your fault. I was stupid, I knew better than to just reach into a clump of grass like that. I should have left that pencil. So stop looking so sad and guilty, okay? It's not your fault and I am not the least bit upset with you. You killed the snake, that took a lot of courage. I'm proud to call you; friend," Adam's words were honest and heartfelt. He'd never even noticed Hunter had started.
Hunter first swiped Adam's injured skin with a numbing solution. He wanted to lessen the pain Adam would feel when he injected the Novocaine around the wounded area. He worked quickly but deftly. He had to wait a few minutes for the numbing wipe to take effect.
"Do you really mean that, Adam? You don't blame me? Really? I know I made the snake angry," Wade's tone was hopeful as he looked from Adam to Bret. He wanted Bret to know that he was truly sorry about what had happened to Adam.
"If Adam says it wasn't your fault, then it wasn't your fault. I don't blame you either. It was just a freak accident of nature. I'm really impressed that you killed the snake. I'm not sure I could have or would have acted so quickly. You should be proud of what you did. You ran, in that heat and carried Adam every step of the way. Thank you, Wade. Thank you for saving my Adam," Bret too spoke from his heart. It was hard, he still didn't like the Englishman, but he was grateful to him, he had saved Adam.
"Thank you, Bret. Thanks, Adam," the Englishman's reply was simple but honest. He still felt a bit guilty, but having Bret and Adam's forgiveness meant a lot and made him feel somewhat better. Wade saw Hunter was about to start so he stepped back to carefully observe. He wanted to learn as much as possible.
"Okay, Adam. Tell me if you feel anything," Hunter stated with a smile. Adam had never even noticed when he'd injected the Novocaine five times, in different areas of his hand. Hunter was grateful his patient had been distracted by Wade and Bret. Hunter knew Adam had a terrible fear of needles.
"You've already injected the Novocaine? You are amazing, Hunter. Nope, I don't feel anything. I know I'll feel pressure, but not pain," Adam said honestly. He just hoped this worked, it would go a long way in saving his hand. Adam also noted to add snake bites to his list of animal allergies.
"Scalpel" Hunter called for his first surgical too. Adam turned his head, he really didn't want to watch. Surgery on someone else was one thing, but to see your own blood was another matter entirely.
Bret stroked Adam's cheek with his latex covered hand. "Just focus on me. When this is over, I promised Jason I'd call him. I'll do that and grab some breakfast too. If you can eat, I'll bring you something," Hart just wanted to keep Adam's attention away from the cutting Hunter was doing.
Adam nodded and closed his eyes. Bret's constant stroking of his brow and hair made him feel so sleepy. Bret kept his actions going, sleep was the best thing for his boy.
"Good, Bret that's the best for him. God, this is just full of... of... crap. Get ready with the sponges. The next cut is going to open the wound. Switch to a ten blade," Hunter instructed as Shawn quickly exchanged one scalpel for another. Beth stood ready with the gauze sponges.
Hunter made the third incision. He'd cut right into where the rattler had bit. As soon as the wound was opened, green-gray pus erupted like a polluted river. It was a river of toxic poisons. It also stank, everyone was glad for their masks, but even then, the smell of infection was sweet and sickly. Beth constantly sponged away the pus, the more that left Adam's body the better. Hunter made another cut, to keep the wound open.
Bret could smell the infectious pus from where he sat. He was suddenly no longer hungry, that was for sure. He was amazed at how much pus was in Adam's hand. He just kept stroking Adam. He smiled, Adam was emitting soft snores by now.
"Good Lord, Hunter, that's a lot," was all Shawn could say. He'd seen a lot of wound drains over time, but not one of them had this much pus and stink.
Hunter put down the scalpel, he took the first and index fingers of both hands and placed them on either side of the incision and began to put a squeezing pressure on the wound. Even more green-gray pus oozed out. The more he put pressure on Adam's hand the more gunk came out, only now it was thick globs. It had the consistency of spoiled milk.
"It feels like a core has started to develop. If I can get that out, I think we'll save his hand. Sponge and wash," Hunter said as he gave his orders. Beth wiped the wound, then washed the area with plain betadine. She was quick and accurate. Shawn had taught her very well. Beth was his first choice to work with, which meant a lot to the nurse.
Hunter applied even greater pressure. He could feel that the core had begun to form, "I'll have to cut again, number twelve," Hunter said he held out his hands. Shawn wiped Hunter's hands with a surgical towel, then gave him the even finer bladed scalpel.
The doctor cut an "X" into Adam's hand, the center was over the head of the core, of infected pus. Again Hunter, worked and worried with Adam's hand. He had to do whatever he could to save Adam's dream of being a surgeon.
"Bret, hold his hand, this will probably wake him up, but I have to get this thing out of him," Hunter said in his doctor's voice. He was going to have to squeeze hard and no amount of Novocaine would block the pain he knew would come. Hunter took a deep breath, while the others held theirs. Adam's future depended on getting the rotting core of toxins out of his body. He went to work.
Three things happened at once. Hunter squeezed, Adam woke up screaming in pain and the hard, noxious pus filled core erupted from Adam's hand. It was about the size of a marble. It worked, the infection was once again pouring from the wound. Hunter worked the drainage tube in place and began stitching the wound.
"Easy, baby, easy. It's almost over now. You're so brave and strong. Just hang in there a bit longer," Bret said softly as he stroked Adam's head.
Adam took a few deep breaths. If it had hurt that bad with the Novocaine, he couldn't imagine how it would have felt without it. He just hoped it meant his dreams were still alive.
Hunter finished the last stitch. A long tube came out of the back of Adam's hand. The fluids that drained out were collected in a small bag. Carefully, with Shawn's help, Hunter wrapped the young doctor's hand with gauze bandages, til just the end of the drainage tube stuck out. He taped it all up neatly.
"Okay, start the antibiotics into the IV. Adam, I think you're going to be the best surgeon in the state," Hunter said with a confident tone.
"Thank you, Hunter. How long for the drainage? A week?" Adam asked in a curious tone. He tried to remember to be a patient, not a doctor.
"I'll check it in a few hours, to see how it's doing. Now, let's get you out of here and up to a room. You'll feel tired from the meds, but try to eat, your body needs the nutrition. I don't want have to give you "liquid" food, if I can help it. Remind me of something though, kid; next time we go on vacation together, let's go to a nice, big hotel, in a nice big city," Hunter said with a wink and a laugh.
Shawn helped his husband strip out of his pus and blood covered surgical scrubs. Beth assisted Bret. Wade went to make the arrangements for Adam's room upstairs, with instructions from Hunter.
Ninety minutes later, Adam was finally settled into a large, airy private room on the second floor. His hand would need rehab, so he was on the Orthopedic floor.
For the moment, Adam was alone. Bret had gone to get some food. Hunter, Shawn and Wade had all gone home to get some much-needed rest. Jason and Heath would come later in the afternoon. Adam was lying in his bed trying to take in everything.
Adam's bandaged hand rested, elevated with the aid of a carefully placed pillow. His IV entry point had been changed as well. It was now hooked to the vein on the back of his right hand. All in all, he felt better. It seemed like, as soon as the wound had been drained, he was like a new man.
Adam never heard the door open. "Adam?" a voice called out. Adam's head turned toward the door and the voice he knew so well. Adam smiled softly, "Hi Chris, please, come in." Chris Jericho steered his electric wheel chair into the room. He stopped when he got to Adam's bedside.
"I was doing my rehab when I saw them bring you in here. I had to come see you. I hope you don't mind," Jericho's tone was anxious. His face expressed worry for his former lover and fiancé.
"I don't mind, Chris. You're looking great. How's your rehab going, and Evan's? He's a really nice guy Chris," Adam said in a caring tone. He reached his right hand out to Chris.
Chris was a bit surprised, but he placed his hand in Adam's, he was careful of the IV in the back of Adam's hand. "I feel great. Rehab is good. I'll be out of this thing in a couple of weeks. I'm starting vocal retraining on Monday. Evan is good too, thanks. He's wearing a lighter walking cast..." Chris paused, when he continued his voice had changed, it was softer.
"Evan is nice. I love him, but I guess you don't want to hear that. Tell me, if you want, what exactly happened to you?" Chris still felt bad about hurting Adam, but life went on. He did care about Adam and hoped nothing was seriously wrong.
"Went camping with Shawn, Hunter, Wade and Bret. To put a long, long story short, I got bit by a rattlesnake..." Adam went on to briefly tell Chris about the last twenty-four hours of his life. "... so now, the wound is draining and I hope that will be the end of it," he finished his recap of the snakebite incident.
Chris was dumbstruck, but he noticed every time Adam spoke of Bret, his voice changed to a love filled tone. "Good Lord, Adam. I'm glad your better now, I really am. So um... are you... um... dating Captain Hart?" Chris asked, trying not to sound too nosy, but he was curious.
"No, I'm living with him, so dating is a bit; passé. I love him, Chris. Maybe I shouldn't tell you this, but I will. For the first time, I understand how Shawn and Hunter feel about each other. For the first time I know what love really is. I love Bret Hart, Chris. With every fiber of my being, I love him. He's the one, I never want anyone else, ever!" Adam's voice, face and eyes were filled with love and adoration. It was all for Bret Hart.
Chris smiled softly and gently squeezed Adam's fingertips, "I'm happy for you, Adam. I really am. I hope you get all you want. We were good together, once, but we weren't right for each other in the end. I only have one regret. I am truly sorry I did it the way I did. I broke my promise, I'll always be sorry for that," he spoke with regret and sorrow. Chris did regret hurting Adam so badly.
"No more, Chris. You and I are in the past. Go forward. Make a life with Evan and make The Lionhearts the best damn band in the world. No more, I'm sorry's, no more regrets. Just love and happiness. Promise me that, Chris?" Adam had never been so honest with his words as he was at that moment. He squeezed his former fiancés hand.
"I promise, Kitten. I promise," Chris said simply and honestly.
"Thank you, Lion, thank you," Adam's words and tone matched Chris'.
The former couple chatted a bit longer, then with a gentle, careful kiss to the tips of the fingers of Adam's right hand, Chris left. The rock star never noticed the curly-haired man who ducked around the corner as he rolled down the hall. Chris was meeting Evan, who was coming for his bi-weekly rehab session.
Bret had heard Adam and Chris' conversation, well at least what had been said after Wade had killed the snake. His heart sang and his soul rejoiced a what Adam had said, about their relationship. He knew at the moment, he'd made the right decision. He went into Adam's room, bag of fast food in hand.
"Bear! Oh thank you, I'm starving! Gimme! Gimme!" Adam smiled brightly and reached out greedily for the bag of food. He was truly starving.
Bret laughed, he put the bang on the rolling tray table Adam had put in front of him. The Captain took out two giant double cheeseburgers, a huge order of onion rings and a vanilla milkshake for Adam and a huge Sprite for himself.
Before he took a bite, Adam knew he had to tell Bret about Chris' visit, so he did, every last word. "... so, I think he left on good terms, with no more regrets. I hope he marries Evan, I really do," when Adam finished, he chomped into his burger with wolf-like gusto. He licked a drip of ketchup from his chin.
Bret laughed, that damn tongue of his boy. He leaned in and kissed Adam's lips soundly, "I have to confess, I heard most of your conversation. I wasn't spying, I didn't want to interrupt, you guys needed to talk. I hope Chris finds his peace and happiness with Evan. However, they'll never have as much love and happiness as what we have. I love you, Adam. I need to say something," Bret paused, he took a bite of his food. He just needed to find the courage to say what was on his mind, and in his heart.
Adam could see the hesitancy on Bret's face. He was worried, was Bret about to end their relationship? "Take your time, Bear. Are... are... do you.. are you going to break up with me? Is it over? Did I do something wrong?" Adam's tone reflected his worry. He wondered, why did he always fuck things up, every time he got happy in a relationship, he got slapped; hard.
Bret swallowed, "No Adam, absolutely not. Just the opposite in fact. It's just hard for me because, I realized something, about Davy. I loved him, dearly, for ten years. As much as l loved him, my soul never... soared, until I met you. You're the one, Adam. My one true soul mate. I will always love Davy, for the joy and happiness he brought me for ten years, but you're the one that will fill my soul for life. You are it for me..." Bret paused. He'd come to this conclusion when Adam was so ill and the thought of Adam dying terrified him. When Adam was in pain, his soul ached for his precious boy. Bret knew then, Adam was his entire hope for the future.
Before Bret could continue, Adam sipped his milkshake, then spoke, "Bret, I feel the same way. I've said it so many times, but I now know what love is. If my soul gets any happier, it will explode. What you said, about Davy, took a lot of courage. I love you, so very much," Adam had tears of love in his eyes as he spoke. His meal forgotten, he placed his right hand on top of Bret's.
Bret smiled, "I... want to..." his courage seemed to have left him. He felt like he was sixteen again, and trying to ask for his first date.
"You want to what? Finish eating? Sleep? Kiss me?" Adam asked with a bit of a laugh. What was Bret trying to say? He felt like Bret was still trying to tell him something, he just wished his lover would spit it out.
Bret shook his head with a chuckle of his own, "yes all of that, but especially that last one you mentioned," his voice turned into a whisper. He leaned down and kissed Adam with all the love that he was feeling. He'd been standing next to the bed so he could share the little tray table with Adam while they ate.
Adam moaned softly, he wanted to put his arms around Bret, but he couldn't, one was hooked to the IV, the other was heavily bandaged with an attached drainage bag. To make up for his inability to hug Bret, he kissed his lover like never before. There were so many emotions in that kiss that anyone watching would have sworn the friction between their lips was causing them to smoke. When the kiss broke, Bret's courage had returned.
Bret took a deep breath, "Adam, I love you. As I said, you are it for me. I will never find a greater love, ever. Adam Joseph Copeland, I love you, will you marry me?" Bret looked at Adam with eyes full of hope, but more than that, undying love.
He reached into the pocket of his jeans and pulled out a small, blue velvet box. He opened it to show Adam the contents of the box. It was a very plain, half carat, medium pink, round cut diamond ring, on a titanium band. It was beautiful and elegant in its understated simplicity.
Adam just blinked, his mouth moved wordlessly. He'd hoped one day, that maybe, Bret would propose, but he never dreamed it would be now. He didn't care, "Yes, Bret, oh yes! I love you so much. I can't wait to truly belong to you..." he paused as Bret slipped the ring onto his right ring finger.
"You belong to me, and I belong to you, now and forever. This will have to do till it can go on your left hand. As soon as you're out of here, we'll start planning. You've made me so happy, my sweet bit of Sugar, so very happy. I love you so much," Bret said lovingly as he kissed Adam again to seal the engagement.
The kiss broke, both men were breathless and beaming happily. "For now, forever. Can I go home? Today?" Adam asked with a happy laugh, as he held his hand up to look at his ring.
Bret laughed, "soon, Sugar. I want you totally well. Now, let's finish eating, I'm starved." Adam laughed and responded by taking a huge bite out of his cheeseburger. His tongue slid out to catch another dribble of ketchup, it made Bret laugh.
Neither man realized that someone else had heard their entire conversation. He still watched as the newly engaged couple laughed and chatted while they ate their food.
With a sigh, Wade Barrett closed the door to Adam's room silently. It wasn't hard, he'd only opened it half an inch. He walked away and kept going till he was back in his car in the hospital parking lot. He just sat there. Then Englishman had never noticed when the tears started to fall. He'd lost Adam; forever.
Barrett started his car, a look of determination on his face. He thought of the file with Adam's name on it in his desk at home. He knew it was time, he had to do what he had to do; no matter the consequences.