By Donna and Abs
Since
there were still people getting over the flu in town, the doctors decided it
would be in Gideon's best interest to remain isolated out at Katherine's farm,
especially when they found out that he was now sleeping in a small cottage not
far from the main house. That meant he could be isolated even more afterwards to
prevent him from catching anything while he recovered.
Sarah
Jo was going to stay with him to nurse him till he was well, with Katherine's
help. Gideon was given another blood transfusion the day before to optimize his
strength, and on the scheduled day, the medical team showed up on the farm.
There was only one problem. Gideon was scared and didn't want to go through with
it.
Giles,
who had been told to return to help with the procedure, showed up at the farm
with a surprise; Melissa! Two new men who had just arrived at Camelot provided
an armed escort for them, and after dropping them off at the farm, the newcomers
set out to explore the town of Edan.
Of
course, Gideon knew what Melissa was at once, and as she came to sit by his side
and reassure him, he asked if anyone else was going to come by. She assured him
that they would, and that they were all just outside the cottage, sending him
all their love and strength. Gideon nodded and then looked with frightened eyes
up at Giles, who was setting up things nearby. The plan was to sedate Gideon,
then to remove as much of his diseased marrow as possible before infusing his IV
with the marrow harvested from the Highlander.
Giles
had thought his bride to be had acted on some silly feminine whim when she'd
begged to come along, but now he saw that she would be invaluable. Sitting by Gideon's side, she held his hand and reassured him
the entire time it took to sedate the obviously terrified man, and then she
stayed there while the procedure was done.
A
needle was inserted into each hipbone, and the diseased marrow carefully
suctioned out. In the meantime, on a cot nearby, they were removing healthy
marrow from the Highlander, who had refused any pain killing medication. He lay
there, staring at the ceiling as the marrow was harvested. Because of what he
was, they were able to take out considerably more than they would have normally.
The more they were able to transplant, the better Gideon’s chances were.
The
doctors were thrilled to find a perfect match that also had immortal
rejuvenation qualities. Shepherd
agreed that if they got enough of Gideon's diseased marrow out, and put Immortal
marrow in, there was a good chance that the cancer could be permanently cured!
Some
of the marrow was injected directly back into Gideon’s bones, but the rest was
hung in a bag of whole blood and allowed to drip into his vein. Once in his
circulatory system, it would be absorbed into the bones to be used by his body.
During all this, Gideon slept, his vitals remaining strong. It looked hopeful.
But to be on the safe side, he was to be kept isolated for a month from all but
a select few.
They
did not know what, if any, germs he would pick up alone in the cottage, but
Melissa assured them that he would be all right there.
"It is a good place," she said knowingly.
MacLeod
recovered quickly, and within just a few minutes, he felt well enough to stand
and to return to his home. The medical team cleaned up after themselves and then
left as well, pleased that it had gone so well. Sarah Jo was staying behind,
along with Melissa and Giles, who were both wearing masks and gowns.
"It
will work," Melissa said happily. "He
will get better."
She
kissed him on the forehead and he stirred, his eyes fluttering open briefly.
Seeing Melissa and hearing the rejoicing of the other fairy folk in his head,
Gideon smiled and went back to sleep.