Title Clubbing Part 12 After his second check-up, Josh’s doctor confirmed that the iron tablets were keeping his anaemia under control, and, as long as he looked after himself, got enough sleep, and ate a balanced diet, he would be fine. ‘Starting tomorrow, you’ll begin to learn the responsibilities involved in taking care of our lives kid.’ Leo looked across from where he was firmly strapped into the front seat of the car. ‘We’re hardly ever home Leo. How hard could it be?’ ‘Get up kid.’ Josh groaned and rolled over. ‘Now!’ Josh’s eyes snapped open and he stared up at Leo. ‘What time is it?’ In reply, Leo pulled the bedclothes off, leaving Josh shivering in his t-shirt and boxers. ‘Get in the shower. Then make breakfast.’ Leo pulled the bathroom door open. ‘How many of you are there in there? You’ve had long enough to wash six of you. I’m hungry. Hurry up.’ ‘Where are the papers kid?’ Leo sat with his coffee in one hand and a slice of toast in the other. Still recovering from the early-morning wake-up, Josh looked puzzled. ‘Outside the front door.’ It took Josh a few seconds of Leo staring at him to realise what Leo meant. He got up and retrieved the papers, dropping them onto the table. Leo put down both his coffee and his half-eaten toast. ‘Okay kid, here’s what’s gonna happen from tomorrow. Five am, you’re gonna be dressed, with the breakfast ready and the papers on the table next to my favorite mug. Except on Saturday, when it will be five-thirty. Sunday, seven am. Questions?’ ‘Did you make Edward do all that?’ Leo frowned. ‘About the breakfast!’ ‘No.’ ‘Get dressed.’ ********** Leo heard Josh’s alarm. And Josh’s reaction to it. Four am. Leo wondered exactly how long Josh imagined he’d need to shower, dress and put the coffee machine on. But he turned over and, ignoring the muffled curses coming from the kitchen, went back to sleep. Josh heard Leo’s alarm and stood back, checking everything was taken care of. Papers, coffee, toast. He was showered and dressed. And he had two minutes spare. He dropped into the chair opposite the one he expected Leo to occupy and waited until Leo emerged, yawning, fastening his towelling robe around himself. ‘Morning kid.’ ‘Morning Leo.’ Josh waited for some comment, but Leo simply picked up his paper and began to sip at his steaming coffee. Filling the silence, Josh said: ‘I got the papers in.’ ‘Mmm.’ ‘And…’ ‘Stop talking and get over here. You don’t sit down until I tell you to.’ Josh got up and walked across to Leo’s side. Leo gestured at the floor. ‘Sit down.’ ‘But I’ve got my…’ Sighing, Leo put a warning finger up to Josh’s lips. ‘Then you’ll make the floor is clean in future, won’t you?’ Dropping to the floor, Josh muttered: ‘Yes Leo.’ *********** The following morning… Leo lowered his newspaper briefly. ‘Go through the fridge, the cupboards and the freezer. Make a note of anything we’re low on. Go shopping on your way home.’ Josh looked up from where he sat on the newly-washed floor. ‘Yes Leo.’ ‘Here.’ Leo reached into his wallet and pulled out a pile of bills. ‘Keep whatever’s left over for next time and tell me how much you spent. And remember to ask me for it each week.’ ‘Yes Leo.’ Leo reached down and ruffled Josh’s hair. ‘Don’t worry kid. A couple of weeks and you won’t even have to think about it.’ Josh didn’t think he was expected to reply. ************** A month later… Josh sat in the car waiting for Leo. He had been so eager to get out of the building and find out what the ‘surprise’ was that Leo had promised him when he arrived home, that he was almost hyperventilating by the time Leo caught up with him. Leo looked across at Josh and smiled at the barely-suppressed excitement. ‘Relax kid. You’ll have to trust me. I won’t let anyone hurt you.’ Josh was suddenly nervous. He hadn’t even considered that the surprise might not be something nice. He hunched silently in the passenger seat on the journey home. ‘Go change into a t-shirt and jeans kid.’ Josh walked nervously into his room and pulled out a white t-shirt and faded jeans. Although Leo had been less than impressed with the idea of buying clothes that already looked as though they were old, Josh had managed to talk him into the purchase, although Josh rarely wore them as he knew Leo didn’t like them. ‘Get the door kid.’ Josh got up from where he had been listlessly flicking through the TV guide. The middle-aged man at the door stuck out a hand. ‘You must be Josh. I’m Dr Morrison.’ ‘Hi.’ Josh sighed inwardly. Another doctor. Leo was obviously becoming bored with their nightly conversations. Leo came out of the kitchen. ‘Paul. Thanks for coming. Come on in.’ ‘We’ve had some good results. Let me show you some photographs.’ Josh was not at all sure he wanted to see pictures of other people’s scars. Or have someone see his. But the idea of reducing the discoloured flesh to the extent the doctor suggested might be possible caught his interest and he looked in spite of himself. ‘What if it didn’t work?’ The doctor put a reassuring hand on Josh’s arm. ‘There are no guarantees Josh. Now, may I see?’ Leo got up from the armchair. ‘You wanna go into the bedroom kid?’ ‘Wherever you feel more comfortable Josh.’ Josh swallowed hard. ‘No, it’s okay. Here’s fine.’ He lifted his t-shirt up and the doctor made an apologetic face. ‘I can’t really see with you like that. Can you lay back for me?’ He gestured to the couch. ‘Leo, if you could turn the light on?’ Leo got up and flicked the ceiling light on as Josh leaned back on the couch. ‘May I touch it?’ Josh’s chest heaved with the effort of breathing, and he looked at Leo, panicking. ‘It’s okay kid. Just relax.’ Seconds after the doctor’s fingers made contact with his stomach, Josh reached out and gripped Leo’s fingers tightly until it was over. ‘I’m sorry I had to do that. But if you do decide to go ahead with the procedure, it’s something you’ll have to get used to.’ Leo released Josh’s hand and got up, reaching Josh’s t-shirt across to him. ‘Here you go kid.’ ‘You’re a good candidate Josh. It’s a neat scar, and, apart from the discoloration, there’s little other skin trauma. That would remain, by the way. The procedure only matches the scar tissue colour to that of the surrounding skin. It won’t flatten the raised areas. But the scar would be less noticeable.’ Josh had calmed down, and managed to ask: ‘How long would I be in hospital?’ ‘With no complications and someone to take care of you when you came out, you would be in overnight and released the next morning.’ Cautiously Josh asked: ‘Complications?’ ‘It’s like any medical procedure Josh. There are risks, which we’ll discuss before you make your final decision. And, of course, there’s always the possibility that the procedure will fail. However, from those patients I’ve treated, I have had no failures, and no complications. It may be useful for you to meet a former patient of mine. Would you like me to set it up?’ ‘Yeah.’ ‘Okay. I’ll contact a couple of patients who have indicated they’d be willing to speak to prospective patients. I have a former soldier of around your age. I’ll try him first.’ ********* ‘I’m going to go ahead with the surgery.’ ‘Okay.’ If he had been hoping for more of a reaction, Josh was to be disappointed. ‘I’m going in Saturday afternoon. I’ll be out Sunday morning.’ ‘Yup. Remember not to have anything to eat after breakfast Saturday.’ Lightly, Josh said: ‘I thought I’d take the day off work.’ ‘And have everyone gossiping about where you are?’ Leo had a point. ‘I won’t be able to concentrate on anything.’ ‘I’ll find you something to do.’ ‘You’ll have to take care of the fish.’ Trying not to let his voice reflect his true feelings, Leo said carefully: ‘I will.’ ************** ‘Bye Josh. Have a good weekend.’ Josh nodded absently to Donna. ‘Yeah You too.’ Wondering why Josh was even more distracted than usual, but wanting to get away, Donna walked back to her desk. *************** ‘Hi. I’m Josh Lyman.’ The nurse behind the desk got up, smiling reassuringly. ‘Hi. Let me show you to your room. Then I’ll let Dr Morrison know you’re here.’ Josh followed the nurse down the corridor, his nervousness building to the point where he thought he was going to throw up. Only the need not to embarrass himself in front of the young woman who was demonstrating the call button and air conditioning controls stopped him. He hadn’t discussed the surgery with Leo after a failed attempt a few days earlier, and he thought he was relieved that Leo had been held up with the President at the time he had to leave. Indicating an item of clothing Josh was completely familiar with, the nurse said brightly: ‘Please change into the gown. You can get into bed or sit in the chair. Whatever you feel most comfortable with, okay?’ Josh nodded. ‘Thanks.’ The nurse smiled again. ‘No problem.’ Moving from where he had been leaning against the wall, trying and failing to breathe deeply, Josh pulled his tie off and started to unbutton his shirt. As he tried to unbutton his cuffs, he realised how badly his hands were shaking. Pulling his shirt closed, Josh forced his fingers to re-button it and, grabbing his bag from the bed, he walked quickly back down the corridor towards the exit and straight into… ‘Leo?’ ‘Your room’s that way kid. I checked.’ Feebly, Josh whispered: ‘I’ve changed my mind.’ ‘Yeah? Well change it back kid.’ Leo took Josh’s bag from him and, holding Josh’s arm tightly, lead him back to the room he’d just left. ‘I didn’t think you were coming.’ ‘I didn’t think you were gonna back out.’ ‘What if it doesn’t work? What if something happens..?’ Dropping Josh’s bag on the bed, Leo pushed him down onto it. Picking up the balled-up gown, he shook it out. ‘What if you passed up the chance of getting something you really wanted just cos you were scared?’ ‘You don’t understand what it’s like!’ ‘No kid, I don’t. Tell me. While you get changed.’ Handing Josh the gown, Leo sat in the chair at the side of the bed. ‘Hello Josh. Now, you haven’t had anything to eat or drink since this morning, right?’ ‘No.’ Morrison flicked through notes attached to a clipboard. ‘Everything’s fine. We’ll be giving you some medication in a few minutes. You may feel a little drowsy. It’ll make your mouth dry, but that’s normal too. I’ll see you down there, okay?’ Josh nodded. ‘Leo, a word?’ Morrison held the door open and followed Leo out. ‘He had some counselling, I understand, after he was shot. They apparently didn’t talk too much about his body image. If the procedure doesn’t work for any reason, how do you think he’ll cope?’ Leo shook his head. ‘Make it work.’ ‘While he’s in surgery, you’ll need to fill in some paperwork.’ ‘Okay.’ ‘I’m not sure which disturbs me more. Josh’s obvious nervousness. Or the fact that he has no idea how you’re feeling right now.’ ‘He’s nervous enough for the both of us.’ Morrison laughed. ‘I’ll come get you as soon as he’s awake. Should be about an hour.’ ‘Thanks.’ ‘Are you staying?’ Leo smiled. ‘Of course. I’ll be here when you wake up.’ The drugs Josh had been given a few minutes earlier were beginning to take effect and Josh struggled to concentrate. ‘Leo, if something happens…if I…’ ‘Shh. Don’t try and talk now. You’ll make your throat sore. Just lay quietly kid.’ Josh’s eyes closed but his hand moved across the bedclothes tucked around him. Leo reached up and covered Josh’s restless hand, holding it still. He felt a slight pressure on his fingers then the door opened behind him. ‘I’ve come for Mr Lyman. He’ll be about an hour. There’s a canteen if you want a coffee. Just follow the signs at the end of the corridor.’ Leo nodded, then stood back, and let the man wheel Josh’s bed out. ************ ‘I’d like to settle Mr Lyman’s bill.’ ‘Okay, let me just get the paperwork…right. You’re not claiming on your medical insurance for this?’ Leo shook his head. ‘The insurance company wouldn’t pay.’ The receptionist sighed. ‘If they could see Dr Morrison’s patients after their surgery, they’d see how worthwhile it is.’ Leo read through the document he was about to sign. ‘They told me it was still too experimental to be covered.’ The young woman tutted. ‘This kind of help shouldn’t be just for people who can afford it.’ Then she realised what she’d said, and blushed. ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…’ Leo shook his head. ‘Don’t worry about it. If it works, it’ll be worth every penny.’ The woman smiled. ‘I’m sure it will.’ Leo frowned. ‘Why is the final total box blank?’ ‘Mr Lyman’s still in surgery sir. We don’t know what the final total will be.’ ‘But you’ll let me know, right?’ ‘You’ll have a copy of the bill the day after Mr Lyman’s discharged sir.’ Leo paused only a moment before signing. ‘Is there somewhere round here I can buy a newspaper?’ A man in theatre greens came up to Leo. ‘I’m just about to go out for some fresh air. I could get you a paper. What do you want?’ ‘A Post or a Times. Both if they have them.’ ‘Sure, no problem.’ Leo got out his wallet. The man held up his hand. ‘Forget it. Which room are you in?’ Leo looked helplessly at the woman behind the desk. She checked the sheet in front of her. ‘306.’ ‘No problem. I’ll drop by in a few minutes.’ Leo nodded. ‘Thanks.’ ************ ‘Josh, can you open your eyes for me? Well done. It’s all over. It went really well. We’re gonna take you onto a ward now, okay?’ Josh had a vague idea of someone in a mask staring down at him, but he couldn’t focus on the face. ********** Josh opened his eyes slowly then tried to move and moaned at the discomfort. Leo looked up. ‘Nurse!’ The woman came across and looked at Josh and the machines he was hooked up to. ‘Hello Mr Lyman. You’re back in your room now. Just lay nice and still.’ Josh tried to speak, but his mouth was too dry. Leo looked across at the nurse. ‘Can he have some water?’ ‘I’ll get you some ice.’ Josh opened his eyes and smiled. Leo was sitting a few feet away, the Times crossword making him frown as he sat, pen in hand, bathed in the glow from the light which he’d angled across the top of Josh’s bed. ‘Leo.’ He was surprised at the pathetic volume of his voice and was about to try again when Leo looked up. ‘Hey.’ ‘Can I have some water?’ ‘Sure.’ Leo put a hand behind Josh’s head and lifted the cup to his lips. Josh drank a little but Leo tipped the cup away before he’d had much. ‘You can have some more in a little while. Don’t want to overload your stomach.’ Josh lay back then couldn’t wait any longer. ‘Have you seen it?’ ‘Yeah kid. It’s not bad.’ Josh frowned. ‘Not bad? You mean not good?’ ‘I mean it’s great. You’d have to look very hard to see where it was.’ Josh closed his eyes and felt tears flowing down his cheeks. A moment later, Leo pressed a handkerchief into his hand. ************* ‘How are you feeling this morning Josh?’ ‘Sore.’ ‘On a one to ten scale?’ Used to both the question and a higher pain level when he was last asked, Josh thought for a moment. ‘Three.’ ‘Good. Five or more and I’d have made you stay here today.’ ‘So I can go home?’ ‘Yeah. You’ll need to come back in a week for a check-up. And if you have any problems, come straight back. There are staff here all the time. Okay?’ ‘Thanks.’ Josh slid off the bed and reached for his bag. ‘Don’t you want to see it?’ ‘No.’ Morrison exchanged a look with Leo. ‘Okay. We’ll give you some drugs to take home. Pain meds, antibiotics. And some stuff so you can change the dressing. Twice a day until you come back. No swimming, no sports or working out. Don’t put anything in your bath except water.’ Leo listened carefully. Josh, eager to get out, listened less carefully. ‘You can get dressed. Don’t press on it too hard for a day or so. Leo, a word?’ ‘You’ve seen it, right? ‘Yeah, when he was still groggy, they changed the dressing.’ ‘And?’ ‘When you said you could make it disappear, I thought you were exaggerating.’ ‘Aside from a few lumps and bumps, the actual scar site is gone. He should look at it. Soon. He’ll need to get used to it. It’s been, what, a year?’ ‘Yeah, just over.’ ‘Soon Leo.’ ‘Yeah.’ *********** ‘I’m scared.’ ‘I know. But I promise you, you won’t be in a second. There…’ Leo peeled the dressing pad off Josh’s chest and stood back. ‘Now, just get up and walk over to the mirror.’ Slowly, Josh pulled himself off the bed and stood up. He stood in front of the full-length mirror on the back of Leo’s door. ‘It’s a trick!’ ‘No. It’s gone.’ Slowly Josh moved his hand across his abdomen. ‘Careful.’ Leo watched as Josh felt the warm, still slightly tender, skin under his fingers. ‘I didn’t think it would be like this. I…I’m going to…’ Leo almost didn’t catch Josh as he fell backwards. Josh looked at Leo who was sitting on the edge of the bed. He took the glass of water Leo held, his hand shaking as much as his voice. ‘Thank you.’ ‘So?’ Josh peeled the sheet down. He was almost tempted to tear off the dressing pad Leo had taped onto his stomach while he lay semi-conscious on the bed. Sensing his intention, Leo stretched out a hand and covered Josh’s trembling fingers. ‘You can do that in the morning kid.’ ‘Are the fish okay?’ ‘Yeah. They missed you, but they’re fine.’ Smiling, Josh closed his eyes Leo waited until he was sure Josh was asleep, then undressed as quietly as he could and got into the other side of the bed. ‘Leo…help…’ Leo woke suddenly and turned onto his side before realising Josh was having a nightmare. In his bed. Quickly, he sat up and came round to Josh’s side of the bed. Shaking him gently, Leo waited until Josh’s eyes snapped open. Breathlessly, Josh gasped: ‘What…Leo…’ ‘You were having a nightmare, kid.’ Josh struggled to control his breathing. ‘Sorry.’ ‘It’s okay. Go back to sleep.’ ************* ‘What the Hell are you doing?’ ‘Making the breakfast Leo.’ ‘You just got out of the hospital kid.’ ‘I’m fine Leo. Really. And I got out yesterday.’ Leo stared at Josh. ‘Bed. Now.’ ‘Yes Leo.’ As he lay in bed, Josh wondered when he’d tell Leo he knew he hadn’t slept on the couch. The magazine he’d been reading the previous night and had dropped onto the couch had still been there, open at the same page, when he’d walked into his room a few minutes earlier. On to the next part Home Send me feedback on this fic Return to the X-Files Fic Index Return to the West Wing Fic Index