<
Part Seven
style='mso-tab-count:1'> The hospital kept Josh sedated for 7
days. They didn’t want to have him awake
while he was still on his stomach. Seven
days is what it took for the cuts on his back to heal enough to remove the
stitches. The burns had started to heal
over, and there was no need for skin grafts at the time.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> The scar on his head faded to a pink outline
of a swastika. His hands, legs and testicles
were healing nicely, at least on the surface.
It wasn’t until they allowed Josh to wake up would they be able to tell
how much damage was really done.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> They were also worried about the
psychological ramifications this attack would have on Josh.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> While Leo made it mandatory for the senior
staff and their assistants to see a psychologist in regards to the incident, Josh’s
reaction still had them worried. Those
who were around during the first Christmas after the shooting knew how Josh handled
stress and anxiety. They weren’t even
sure if he was willing to come back yet.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> The other problem was that they were
having no luck finding the man who attacked Josh in the first place.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> The secret service believed that Josh was the
target and that it was a long thought out plan.
They had a blurry image of the man on the cameras entering a bathroom
while on a tour. There were no other
images of him. They think he used the
duct work and drop ceiling to his advantage.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> The service started to look into
installing cameras in the duct work.
They had also put Toby Ziegler under their watchful eye until they had
this guy caught.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Even though Josh was kept sedated,
and he was being kept like that for a known period of time, he still had
visitors. Toby, CJ, Sam and Donna
visited daily. Donna sometimes twice.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Not wanting to crowd him, yet not
wanting to have him wake up alone, Leo gave Sam and Donna the day off to be by
Josh’s bedside, when he awoke. They had
instructions to call as soon as Josh was comfortable.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Joshua.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> It’s time to wake up.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> A voice called to him.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Josh struggled through the fog that
clouded his mind. He opened his eyes and
was surrounded by a bunch of people. He
wasn’t shot again. These were different
faces from the last time he woke up from anesthesia.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Hey Josh.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Welcome back.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Sam said.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “How are you?”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Donna asked.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Floating.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Josh whispered.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “You’re under some heavy drugs
there. Here are some ice chips.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> She spooned two into his mouth.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Are you tired Josh?”stymso-mso-spacerun:yes'> A doctor asked.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Yeah.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> He answered.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Go to sleep.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> We’ll be here when you wake.”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “K.”
He answered as his eyes fluttered shut.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Donna and Sam looked expectantly
over at Dr. Simons. He quickly spoke to
way lay the fears he saw in their eyes.
“It’s okay. While he was sedated
it wasn’t a natural sleep. That’s what
he is in now. style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Tomorrow we’re going to start weaning him off
the pain killers. I’m going to have
someone come in to talk to him and start him on therapy.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I’ll be back later today.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Have the nurse page me if you need
anything.” And the doctor walked out of
the room.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Are you going to be okay here? style='mso-spacerun:yes'> how he’s doing. I’ll come back this
evening.”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “I’ll be fine Sam.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I have a book to read.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I’ll call later when the doctor sees him
again.”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Good Afternoon Josh.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> How are you doing?style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I’m Dr. Simons.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I’ve been looking after you the past few
days.” Donna liked the doctor.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> He had come back about three hours later and
woke Josh.
styleo-tao-tab-count:1'> “Stiff.”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “That’s understandable.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> You’ve been lying in bed for about a week.”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “A week?”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> He looked over at Donna.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “You want me to step out?”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “No.
Pleasey. A week?”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Yes a w” Th” The doctor got his
attention again. “I just came by to talk
a bit and to let you know our course of action.
First off, and this is important.
We were finally able to kill off all the infections in your body.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> You were running a high fever for a few days
and had us worried. But that has all
been taken care of. Do you remember what
happened to warrant you being in a hospital?”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Uhm, a little.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Donna reached out to hold his arm when she
noticed his uncertainty.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “The cut on your head has
healed. There doesn’t seem to be much
scaring. Your hair will grow back.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> We shaved it yesterday for the last time.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “The slash marks on your back are
another story. Those unfortunately will
scar. We tried to keep it to a
minimuman san style='mso-spacerun:yes'> But there was barely any skin
there when you came in.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “There were two burn marks on your
rear end. Again they too will scar.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> We can talk about skin grafts in a few days
if you are interested.” Dr. Simon looked
at his patient. There seemed to be
understanding in Josh’s eyes, remembering the pain associated with each bruise.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Josh, do you want me to continue?”style='mso-tab-count:1'>
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Yes please.”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Donna squeezed his arm in support.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “The damage to your hands wasn’t too
bad. Actually we can check that
out.” The doctor cut away the gauze that
was covering Josh’s left hand. He moved
to block Josh’s view of his hand. “Let
me know if you feel anything.”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> The doctor ran a needle up andn
Jn
Josh’s hand. Josh acknowledged the
feeling until it ran over the scar.
“Good. Let’s see the right.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> The doctor repeated the test with the same
results. “Can you move your
fingers?” Josh wiggled them.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Very good.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Can you try a fist?”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> It took a few seconds, but Josh managed to
get both hands clenched into fists.
“Again, very good. You still have
feeling and control in both hands. The
scar area is still a bit numb but it shouldn’t be a problem.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> We’ll set you up with some therapy so that
you can gain more control over them in the next few days.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Let’s check your legs.”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Dr. Simons continued to talk as he
examined Josh’s legs.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Josh.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I’ll turn my head.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Donna commented when she saw him start to blush
when the doctor removed the blanket covering his legs.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “There are two wounds in each
leg. Thigh and calf. style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Again all the stitches have been removed.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> You let me know if you feel anything.”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Dr. Simons had to add more pressure
before Josh could feel anything. “That’s
okay. The surgeons mentioned there was
some nerve and muscle damage. Feeling
should return in a few days.”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “What about the muscle damage?”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Josh asked.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “That we’ll have to see.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> But it’s too early to pass total judgment.”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “That’s all I can remember.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Was there any other damage?”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Josh asked.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “The staple wounds on your sides
have healed, but you might notice a little soreness in the area.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> As for your testicles-“
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Donna!”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Josh interrupted.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “I’ll go wait outside.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> But Josh, I know about your injuries.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> And she stood and walked out.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “My – my testicles?”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Josh stammered.o:p>
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Dr. Simons sat down on the bed.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> “Four nails were driven into your testicles,
nailing them to the desk. There was some
damage there. Nerve related that is. You
are still producing sperm. We won’t know
the full extent of the damage until it is actually used.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Josh’s coughed stopped him.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> “But we’ll worry about it later.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I’ll have an urologist come in to talk to you
more about it. For now you can expect
some soreness and sensitivity there. We are going to keep the catheter in for
at least another day.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Tomorrow we will start you on some
physical therapy and hopefully alleviate some of the stiffness.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> The therapist will be in tomorrow morning to
discuss everything with you. I would
recommend you speak to a psychologist. I
can’t force you and it isn’t a requirement while you are here.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> It’s just a recommendation.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> If there is someone you want us to call we
can.”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “I’ll think about it.”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Do you have any questions?”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Not at the moment.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Josh lied.
He had a lot of questions. He
just wasn’t sure how to form them all yet.
He needed to think and have other things answered first.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Okay then.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> If you come up with any just have a nurse
page me. I’ll send your girlfriend back
in.” Dr. Simon said as he walked out of
the room. Josh’s mind was running and
mile a minute and didn’t bother to correct the doctor.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Josh?”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Donna satk dok down next to her boss.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Yeah.”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “You okay?”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “I’m not sure.”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “That’s understandable.”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> After a few moments of silence Josh
spoke again. “You found me?”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Yes.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I came into the office and saw you on the
desk. I screamed.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Toby and Sam ran in.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> CJ took me to her office.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Mrs. Bartlett had to sedate me.”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “I’m sorry Donna.”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Don’t apologize.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I shouldn’t have left that night with out
you.”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “It’s okay Donna.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I had work to do.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Who’s to say he wouldn’t have hurt you
either. That I really couldn’t deal
with. So you know about the
injuries? Who else knows?”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Uhm, you sure you don’t want to
rest more.” Donna knew he wouldn’t like
the answer.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Donna.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I assume Sam and Toby.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I think I remember Leo, CJ, Charlie, and the
president here.”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Yeah.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> We all came to visit.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> So did the first lady and Danny.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'>
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Any enemies come forward?”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Nope.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Even Mary Marsh sent you a card.”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Did they find the guy who did
this?”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “No.
But you’ll probably need to talk to the secret service about that.”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “When?”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> He yawned.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Tomorrow.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Why don’t you take a nap?style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I’ll wake you when they bring in dinner.”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Don’t leave.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> He mumbled as his eyes closed.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “I won’t.”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Donna was good to her word and woke
Josh up when the nurse brought a tray in for him.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Ensure?”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Josh questioned when he saw the little can
and straw.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “This is the first food you’ve had
in a while. If I were you I’d take what
they offered.”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “I guess.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> He shrugged and took two quick sips.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> “Have you ever had this stuff?”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Nope.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Is it any good?”style='mso-spacerun:yes'>
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Why don’t you have a sip?”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> He motioned for her to try it.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Knowing better than to trust
him. “You’re still injured.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I wouldn’t want to take any nutrition away
from you. You need all you can get.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> She smiled sweetly.
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Josh took two more sips before he
gave up. “Nasty, vile, tasting crap.”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Maybe they’ll allow you something
better tomorrow.”
“I can only hope.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> He paused.
“Are you going to stay?”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “I can if you want me to.”
style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Please.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> He hated how whiney his voice sounded but he
wasn’t ready to be without another person he trusted yet.
End Of Part Seven
