NOCTURNAL ADMISSIONS PART THREE

BEDSIDE MATTERS  BY PHOENIX E

"Jaaaack?"

"Crap, I didn't mean to - yeah, Danny, it's me.  Sorry.  I didn't mean to wake you.  Go back to sleep."

"Don't wanna.  Wanna go home."

"I know, I know.  Soon.  Doc says in a couple of days.  But right now - you've got a nice hole in your shoulder so you need to rest here a while, get a little better before we can take you home."

"Stupid arrow."

"Never mind.  You're going to be okay.  That's all that matters."

"Wh - what time...?"

"Wee small hours of the morning, Danny.  Everyone's asleep.  You should be too."

"What about you?  Why -  why are you still - thought you said - home.  Going home."

"I went.  Came back. It was too quiet there."

"No one to yell at?"

"Something like that."

"You could try looking in the mirror."

"You're lucky you're lying in a hospital bed stitched up and doped up out of your skull."

"Or - or what?  Have to spank me?"

"For not giving me any respect, definitely.  Using me for target practice, absolutely."

"Wha…?"

"Taking cheap shots at the colonel."

"Oh…that!  Fav'rite sport."

"Don't I know it.  But you know the rules.  You cross the line you pay the fine."

"Ooops!  You got me.  I'll settle up - catch me...catch me later.  Hold the thought.  Or...or something...ohhhh....  Mmmmmmm.  That feels… that feels nice…"

"That's right.  Close your eyes, Danny.  Go back to sleep."

"Uh…Want to.  But I can't."

"Sure you can.  I'll keep on rubbing  your back for you, just like we were at home.  Put you right out like always."

"Noooo….  I really - can't."

"Sure you can."

"Can't!"

"Why not?"

"I gotta go."

"Oh!  As in GO - go.  You don't have one of those… "

"No, thank God!"

"I can relate.  So, you want me to get you one of those…"

"No.  I can get up.  Just can't - can't do it - by myself."

"Tried it already, did ya?"

"Yep."

"Janet caught you, huh?"

"Worse."

"Worse than Janet?

"Oh yeah.  New nurse.  Mean one - the one - looks like - "

"The Terminator?  Whoa!  She scares me, and I don't scare easy!"

"No, but you're a push-over."

"Keep it up, boy, you're just racking up the infractions.  You're going to have quite a running total  by the time you get out of here.  I'm keeping track."

"Yeah, yeah, petrified.  Can we - can I get a little action, here?  Are you gonna talk or help me up? Gotta  GO."

"Sorry.  Listen, you sure about this getting up thing?"

"Jack!"

"Okay, okay, let's just - easy does it, big fella.  Let's take it nice and slow.  One foot on the floor.  Then the other one. That's the way.  Now, give me your arm.  That's it, hold on to me.  I'll just…standing up now, here we go.  Whoa! Easy, Danny!  Don't worry.  I got you."

"I - I know.  Thanks. Wow.  Floor's cold."

"Okay, lean on me now, and let's just take this one step at a time.  Wait - lemme - just get this…here we go.  We'll just roll this bad boy right along with us, shall we?  Take it easy, Danny, no rush."

"Easy for you to say.  My back teeth are swimming."

"We're making good time, here.  Doin' fine.  Not much farther now.  You okay?  How's the shoulder?  Not hurting you, am I?  We can go slower."

"I'm fine and no we can't!  Just - just get me there, Jack.  Please."

"Okay, Danny, okay.  Whatever you need.  You just say the word.  'Round the corner and here we go!  The end is in sight."

"Never mind making cracks about my ass just get me - "

"Never even crossed my mind.  Even though it's hard to miss.  What with the gown and all.  Okay, okay, I've got you.  Steady now.  You're gonna fall in, weaving around like that.  You gonna be able to do this? Here let me help -"

"I can do it!  Geeez!  Just hold me up.  Let me worry about - holding it."

"I think you should be worrying about - hey, careful where you point that thing!  What's the big deal, anyway?  Never seemed to mind me holding it before."

"That's different! I'm taking a leak, Jack.  Trying to, anyway.  Whoa!  Little dizzy."

"Watch the aim there, pal, going a bit wide.  Ah, there we go, that's better."

"Definitely a memory I'm going to cherish. A for sure 'dear diary' moment."

"You 'bout done there?"

"Uh huh.  You 'bout done groping my ass?"

"Just - keeping it warm.  You look cold.  What with it hanging out and all."

"Yeah, stupid gown.  It is a bit breezy.  Wait - there's no one else around here, right?"

"Quit your worryin'.  Jack wouldn't hang you out to dry.   No witnesses. Your exposed rear flank is just between you and me, and I'm behind your behind all the way."

"Bringing up the rear?  God, don't make me laugh, I won't make it back to the bed."

"We made it here, we'll make it back.  I'll get you there, bare ass and all.  What's more, I might be able to help you out with your current coverage problem."

"Really?  You brought them?  It's okay?"

"Yes, and it's okay. I checked. How 'bout we get you back into bed first."

"Good - good idea.  Sorry.  Thanks for the help.  Hope I'm not - don't want to be a bother.  Not too heavy or anything?"

"Not at all.  Just a few more steps.  Almost there."

"Okay, sitting down.  Sitting is good. Very good.  Well,  that was…interesting.  But I think I'll stay right here for a while.  No more walks tonight. Jack?  Where - where are you going?"

"Just closing the curtain.  Just in case.  All right, let's get you into these things."

"Jack!  You did bring them!"

"Told you.  Here let me help you with that - what's so funny?"

"It's usually the other way around.  You're trying to get these off me - not on."

"Yeah, the irony of the situation hasn't exactly escaped me.  Other leg - in we go.  Now just - lean on me a bit, lift your butt.  There!  Bottom half jammy-fied. Ah well, not our usual routine, but we still make a pretty good team."

"We sure do.  Thanks.  Feel a lot better now."

"Easy now, careful with the arm.  That didn't hurt, did it?  Never mind the buttons, you're fine.  You're looking a little pale, Danny.  I want you to lie back down now.  I think you've had enough excitement for one evening."

"Yeah, think you're right.  I'll just - feeling a little tired.  Rest now.  Rest is good.  Thanks for the jammies."

"My pleasure.  You lie back, now. Get yourself set there.   I'll - let me - there you go, all covered up.  Don't want you catching cold. Tuck it around there.  Perfect. All nice and cosy.  Comfy now?"

"Hmmm.  Oh yeah…that feels so nice. Your hand…like…just like that…  You're really good at this."

"I had a bit of practice."

"Jack?"

"Yeah, Danny?"

"You were a good father. I can tell."

"I - I tried."

"I know you did.  You were the best. I'm really sorry I didn't get to see you be Charlie's Dad.  That's a part of you I'll never see, now - never get to know.  Sorry. Sorry about Charlie."

"I know.  Me too. But he's still here, inside me.  Some things never truly leave you, no matter what happens. And you get to see what he made me.  You're the only one who ever will."

"Hey.  You know the rules.  No kissing on the base."

"Relax!  There's no one else around.  Besides, it's just on the forehead.  What are you going to do, spank me?"

"Broke the rules…owe me…owe me one…"

"Yeah, Danny.  I owe you more than that.  I'll be ready and waiting whenever you want to collect.  That's a promise.  You go to sleep now, buddy."

"Jack?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm glad you're here.  Out there - before you got me back...I was - I was scared.  Didn't even see it coming… and then... it hurt -  it hurt - scared me...."

"I know, but you didn't let it stop you.  You kept on going, kept on dialling.  The rest of us were pinned down and you were the only one who could get to the DHD.  You saved all of us.  When that gate came on and those creeps all high-tailed it…  Scared the crap out of them.   I'm really proud of you, Danny.  So proud."

"Did good?"

"Yeah. More than good."

"I was scared, though."

"Me too. It's okay to be scared.  Happens to me all the time."

"Okay…going to sleep now, Jack.  Love…love…"

"That's all right, you hang onto my hand if you want to.  You hold it for as long as you like.  I'm not going anywhere.  It's okay to go to sleep. I'll be right here."

"'kay…."

"You sleep, Danny.  God, thank God you're safe.  Don't know what I'd do if…I love you, Danny."

"Heard…heard that…"

"That's okay.  You were supposed to."

FINIS

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