| Chapter 47 As the days passed Nick got stronger. The nurses were making him do little walks down the hall now a few times a day, and he was sitting up more, rather than lying down. He had only had a couple of seizures since he woke up, and they were mild. Dr. Tucker was considering releasing him in a few more days, knowing he would be happier resting at home than in the hospital. Dr. McKenna had started having sessions with Nick in his room. Nick had apologized to him for not telling him what was really happening, explaining why he couldn't. The doctor could see his reasoning behind his decisions, and together they were working on getting past it all. Nick had told him everything that John did and how he'd covered it up, and in turn Dr. McKenna told him who John really was. Nick had been shocked at first that John was Tim's son. But then it all started to make sense. Little things that John did would remind him so much of Tim that it sparked the horrible memories, now Nick understood why. Nick had noticed that Diane seemed troubled, almost since the moment he woke up. He still hadn't heard the entire story of what happened after John had shot him, and he wondered if maybe that was what it was. He'd tried to ask her a few times, but got interrupted. He wanted to know what happened to John, how he was killed. He looked over watching her as she flipped through a magazine. The nurses had just finished taking him for his morning walk, so he knew no one would be in for at least another hour. He pulled his computer over and hit the pager on it. Diane looked up, "You need something?" He nodded: I want to talk. Diane got up and walked over to the bed, sitting on the edge, "About what?" What happened after I got shot. Diane bit her bottom lip and looked down at her hands, "What do you want to know?" Who killed him? Diane looked up, meeting his eyes, "I did." Nick's mouth dropped open, he wasn't expecting that answer at all. "When you pushed me, I ran into the cop that was talking to us. We both fell and he lost his gun. I got up first and grabbed it. John was walking towards you, I thought he was gonna shoot you again, so I shot him," she explained. I'm sorry. I never meant for you to get dragged into this. I'm so sorry you had to go through that. She smiled, "It's alright baby. You know I'd do anything to keep you safe and happy." Nick smiled at her: I feel the same way. All I want is for you to be alright, and to be happy. Diane laughed, "Well, I guess we're both aiming for the same goals then. Good to be on the same page, huh?" Nick laughed, reaching up and holding his chest when he did. "Sorry, I shouldn't make you laugh," she apologized. Nick shook his head: I need to. It's been way to long since I had something to laugh about. Diane leaned forward and kissed him, "Well, we gotta change that then." Nick leaned in to kiss her when he heard a knock at the door. "Hey, can I bug ya?" Brian asked. Diane smiled, "Sure, come on in. You by yourself today?" "Naw, Kev's still finding a parking place. He dropped me off," he answered, wheeling himself in and up to the bed. "You're early today," Diane noticed, "Something up?" Brian grinned, "Yeah, I'm getting rid of the wheels. Suppose to get a walker and a different brace." Nick stared at Brian, amazed at how far he'd come in such a short time. He was immensely happy for him, but there was a pang of jealousy too. He wanted to get well, and to be able to actually talk. His body was healing after the surgery, but he basically hadn't had any speech therapy since he left Carter. Brian noticed the look on Nick's face, reading it all to well. "Listen, you're gonna get better too. You know that right?" he asked. Nick sighed and nodded. He wasn't sure he believed it, but he nodded anyway. Brian reached up and grabbed the rail on the side of the bed, pulling himself up to his feet. He stood there staring at Nick, "If I can do this, you will talk. You just gotta believe it. Gotta tell yourself everyday, �I can do this.' and you will, OK? It may take a while, but you will get your speech back, because I refuse to be the only one getting better around here." Nick couldn't help but laugh, the determined look Brian had on his face was just funny. Brian rolled his eyes, "I'm trying to be motivational and he's laughing at me. Guess I can kiss that career goodbye." Diane smiled, "What career was that?" "Motivational speaker," Brian answered, dawning a mischievous grin, "See if things didn't go well with the group I was gonna tour around and do talks. Charge lots of money to tell people how if they set their minds to something they can do it. But since Nicky here is laughing so hard he's snorting, I guess I'll have to rethink that." Diane tired, but she couldn't hold it in any longer, she burst out laughing, joining Nick. Brian shook his head and sat back down in his chair, "No respect, I get no respect at all," he muttered, feigning hurt. Nick reached over and tousled Brian's hair, grinning at him. "Hey! You know I hate that!" Brian protested, trying in vein to stop his hair from sticking up. Well, I hate being called Nicky so we're even, Nick typed, smirking at him. "Yeah, guess so," Brian said, as Diane walked over and smoothed his hair for him. "There ya go sweetie," she said, bending down and kissing his cheek. Brian grinned at Nick, "You better watch it, your woman is kissing other men," he teased. Nick shook his head and rolled his eyes as Kevin walked in the door. "Jeeze Bri, I turn around and your gone," he complained. "I'm not waiting on you to park the car," Brian said, "Got more pressing matters than to wait in the hall for you." "Oh yeah, and what would that be?" Kevin asked. Brian smiled, "Why making Nick laugh so hard he almost busted a stitch, that's what." Kevin shook his head and sighed, "God, you are hopeless." "Laughter is the best medicine," Brian shot back in an overly cheery voice. Diane laughed, "Someone is excited about getting a new mode of transportation." Brian looked at her, completely shocked, "Naw, you think?!" Everyone laughed as Kevin walked around and grabbed the handles on the back of Brian's chair, "Come on, we're gonna be late." "Come back up when your done," Diane called after them, "We wanna see the new improved Bri." Kevin waved his hand at them as they left the room. Diane went back over to the bed and sat down, "He's cute when he's hyper." Cuter than me? Nick asked, batting his eyelashes. Diane shook her head, "No baby, you are the epitome of cuteness." Nick grinned and leaned in to kiss her just as Dr. McKenna walked into the room. "Morning guys, am I interrupting anything?" he asked. Nick sighed: Only my sex life, I've gotta get outta here, pronto!!! Diane burst out laughing as he showed it to her, then erased it before the doctor could see. "No doc, you're good," she said, getting up to leave, "We can continue this later," she told Nick, turning and leaving the room. Nick started to pout. "And no pouting!" she called as she walked through the door, out into the hall. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Later that afternoon, everyone sat around in Nick's room. A.J. had started a card game with Kevin, Bob, Nick, Brian, and Howie. So far A.J. was winning, and rubbing it in, effectively pissing everyone else off. Jane and Diane sat with the girls and Aaron, laughing at them. "A.C., how come you're not playing?" Diane asked. Aaron grinned, "Cause I don't play with A.J. He cheats," he whispered, "Besides, I have other more fun ways of losing my money." Diane laughed as Jane shot her youngest a look, "And those would be?" Aaron rolled his eyes, "Mom, I'm not a child anymore. Besides, it's really none of your business." Diane's eyes went wide, and she watched, wondering what demon Jane would summon for this one. "Are you careful?" she asked, in an unusually calm voice. Aaron laughed, "Of course! You think I want a little me running around? That's for waaaaayyyyyy down the road." Jane sighed, "As long as you're responsible." The girls and Aaron looked at their mom as if she'd grown a second head. "Jane, are you feeling alright?" Diane asked. She looked at her, "Yes dear. I know you were expecting something more spirited from me, but if the last few months have taught me anything, it's taught me what really matters. My children being alive and healthy and happy are all that matters to me now. I've come to close to losing them to care about anything else." Diane smiled at her as Dr. McKenna stepped inside the room. She, Jane and Bob got up and went over to talk with him. Nick watched them, wondering what was up. They were speaking in hushed tones, and glancing at him every once in a while. Finally they ended their conversation and faced him. Diane walked over to the bed and sat down, "Nick, the doc wants to start you on speech therapy before we leave the hospital." Nick's eyes went wide and he shook his head, "NO!" "Nick, baby, it's OK. We're all here and we won't leave you alone, I promise," she said. Nick's chin was trembling, and he looked at her with frightened eyes. He couldn't do it again. What if the next one was worse? What if he hated them? What if he was as good as he was going to get? No, he just couldn't do it. No matter how much he wanted to get better, he didn't have the courage to trust another therapist. Diane brushed away the tears that were falling down his cheeks, "Shhh, I know you're scared, but I'm not gonna leave you alright? We're all gonna stay, and if you don't like him we'll make him leave." Nick shook his head, "No," he said softy. "Baby, he's already on his way up," she said, "Just meet him OK? If you want him to leave after that, then he'll go." Nick started to protest again, when there was a knock at the door and someone stepped inside. Nick couldn't see the person, for everyone else standing in the way. "Excuse me, is this Nick Carter's room?" a familiar voice asked. Nick's mouth dropped open as everyone moved, and Carter walked up to the bed. "Hey, I hear you're looking for a good speech therapist, and that Florida is pretty nice this time of year," he said. Tears were streaming down Nick's face as he reached out and hugged Carter. By the time Nick let him go, everyone was wiping tears away. Carter smiled at him, "I took a leave of absence, so I'm here as long as you need me." Thank you so much! Nick typed. Carter shook his head, "Remember when you left I said the next time I saw you I wanted to hear you talk, not type?" Nick nodded. "Say it," Carter said, wiping away a tear of his own. Nick smiled, taking a breath, "Tha ...ank you." Carter nodded, "You're welcome, now lets get to work." Chapter 48 |