The first thing that registers when Emily starts to regain consciousness is searing pain. She opens her eyes, and initially everything is too bright. Her eyes are forced closed. She feels like a lead balloon floating in the air. Her mind struggles to push through the fog.

A voice drags her to reality, "Emily." She feels her hand being squeezed.

Her eyes flutter open, and her senses are once again assaulted. A clock ticks overhead. Harsh fluorescent lights buzz. An incessant clicking approaches from another angle. The smell of disinfectant, and soap wafts through the air like a heavy blanket.

"Welcome, back," Penelope greets her with a feigned smile.

"Why am I in the hospital?"

"I suspect you heard that the Jello in the hospital is best on Thanksgiving."

"No," she nearly cries.

"Don't try to overdo it. You are very sick." Penelope advises as she holds Emily's hand.

"Sick? What are you talking about?"

"You passed out because you're septic."

"Septic? I don't understand."

Penelope holds a specimen cup. She scoots her chair closer to the bed.

Emily glances at the clear plastic between Penelope's manicured nails. "Apparently, there was a tiny sliver of glass in the cut on your forehead. They believe that it is what caused the sepsis. They are running cultures, and they've started you on a pretty significant regimen of antibiotics."

"No, I just want to go home."

"You cannot go home. You're going to have to stay a few days. Em, you're very ill."

A knock on the door interrupts their conversation. A few members of the treatment team enter. A doctor in a white coat steps in first, followed by a couple of RN's clad in navy blue scrubs. They quickly obtain vital signs, and assess Emily's condition.

"Emily, your body is really struggling to regulate its temperature. In fact, your most recent set of labs suggests your organs are struggling to compensate. We would like to sedate you, and intubate you in order to give your body a chance to do a little less work." The physician explains as he re-reads her most recent lab results from his tablet.

"Absolutely not," she answers with a fear stricken look in her eyes.

"Is that the only option?" Penelope probes

"We are desperately trying to rehydrate her, and lower her body temperature. Her organs are starting to indicate damage. We're going to have to act aggressively to prevent any further deterioration."

Emily's eyes silently plead with Penelope. "Emily," she pats the back of her hand. "Listen to me."

"I am," she exhales as a tear trickles down her cheek.

"I know that you're terrified. I understand why. I promise that you are not going to wake up alone. Every single time you start to wake up one of us is going to be here. Luke is waiting in the wings to take over for me. Every single time we are going to tell you where you are, and that you're safe. I promise that we wouldn't even be discussing this if there were other options. We have to do this so that your body doesn't shut down entirely."

"Okay." Her voice shakes as she agrees.

Penelope holds her hand as the nurse walks them through each step. She administers a series of medications into her IV. Penelope holds Emily's hand even as she loses consciousness. She doesn't budge as they scoot her bed away from the wall, and tilt her head backwards. She watches helplessly as they run a tube into her throat.

When the procedure is over one of nurses approaches.

"Research suggests that she will still hear some of what is being said while she's out."

"Okay."

"Can Linda sit with her for just a couple of minutes? I would like to discuss her treatment with you outside of the room."

"Okay," Penelope reluctantly agrees.

She follows the middle age charge nurse into the hallway. The doctor has already disappeared down the hallway.

"You may have to make some very difficult decisions in the coming hours, and days."

"I understand."

"I'm not sure that you do. This is a complicated case."

"You're worried that the infection has progressed too far?"

"We have a lot of tools in our arsenal, but her body is under immense pressure."

"Is there anything else that can be done to help her?"

"I think there is one other thing, but I'm not sure that anyone would feel comfortable making the decision for her."

"You didn't feel that it was something that you could discuss with her before sedating, and intubating her?"

"Not entirely. The treatment discussed the options based on her medical records, and we need to do some further testing before we can offer an informed opinion on next steps."

"Again, you didn't feel like she could address those options?"

"Her organs are indicating that they are beginning to shut down. Unfortunately, Miss Garcia, sepsis still kills."

"What kind of testing do you need to do? Something invasive?"