Nurse Terra nodded to a medic, then went to Garth's room. She was surprised when his eyes fluttered and despite the sedative, he began to wake. He should have been out for some time. Groggy, he turned his head, to look at her.
She smiled, bedside manner in tact. "Welcome back, Garth."
"Did I hurt anyone?" His tone at his slip into delirium was sad and slow.
Terra shook her head. "No, everything is fine. The blood test should be back shortly. Here is your water." She smiled warmly, gently, picking up where he passed out as if nothing happened. Garth took the water gratefully, swallowing in gulps.
"Thank you. Man, I haven't been in a hospital in ages."
Terra nodded at Garth. "Now, try and rest for a bit. OK?" Her face was stern, but comforting.
Overhead, Elliot's voice came across in its clipped, professional manner. "Terra, the blood work is in."
As Garth nodded his understanding of rest, another hospital aide, Arahanya, poked her head in the cubicle. "This place is a zoo as always! Would you like some help in here or would you like me to get started on the paperwork? Seems there is a lot of it to do."
Terra looked up at her gratefully then walked into hallway to make her way back up to the reception desk. "Yes, please do. You're right; there is a lot of it. Also, there are some superficial wounds to take a look at if you have time." Terra stopped at the desk and picked up the results of Garth's blood work.
"I'd help you, but I have to look over these." Her voice trailed off as she frowned, glancing over the notations from the computer. She nodded to Arahanya, then went back into Garth's cubicle. Sitting down quietly, Terra flipped through the notes again, then looked at Garth.
"I've got the blood work back. Before we go over it, I was wondering; who did your last blood work up?" Garth finished up his water, setting the empty container on the table next to him. His face paled a bit as he looked up at Terra.
"Well, I've actually never had blood work done before. I haven't been in the hospital for an injury in a long time. It has always been for broken bones in the past and they never did any blood work for those."
Terra nodded. "I see." Terra's voice hid the fact that she was concerned, as the paperwork clearly indicated Garth's levels were anything but that of humans.
The hospital was silent, finally, as she pondered Garth words, the only sound that of Arahanya's occasionally muttered curse as the aide poured through another stack of data to be entered into records.
"What's wrong?" Terra's concern was not lost on Garth. He sat up, looking at her worriedly.
"I wouldn't say anything was wrong. You say you have been in a hospital before, right? What were you in for, if you don't mind me asking?"
"Well, broken bones mostly. I was in for a bullet wound once, but that was years ago." Garths voice was soft, almost quiet. Then he grinned."I've been lucky lately."
Terra smiled at his good natured attitude. "I see. Is it possible to get a copy of your records?" Garth shook his head a bit.
"It has always been packed during periods when they had a lot of patients." Tere tipped her head to one side, making a few notes on the paperwork in front of her.
"How do you feel now? By all rights, you should still be sleepy."
Garth shrugged at this. "I feel fine. Alert. Why?"
Tere didn't answer directly, just nodded and made a note on her paper. "I want to test some of your levels a bit further. Nothing to worry about. I have some medication I want you to take. Lets start at three times a day. No..." She changed her mind, scratching another notation to the pad of paper. "Lets make that 5 times a day."
"Isn't that a bit much?" Garth raised his voice a notch, looking at Tere with renewed concern. She smiled at him.
"They're not strong. Excuse me a moment." She rose and moved to the hall, her notes tucked under her arm. Garth waited, still concerned and the wait seemed interminable. The reality was far shorter and when Terra came back in a few minutes later, she was laughing.
"What is so funny?" Garth almost smiled becasue her smile and her laughter were infectious.
Tere handed him a vial, shaking her head. "One of the medics told me a joke. Anyway.. take one of these five times a day. Can you come in for a follow up test tomorrow?"
Garth looked over the vial, then up at her. "Tomorrow? Yeah, I think I can do that. Mind if I ask what this is? Before taking medication, I would like to know what it is for." He held up the vial, searching Tere's face for answers.
She nodded. "Well, according to the tests, it seems you have a slight stress related syndrome. I thought a mild sedative might help. It may have other origins. We'll know more once you've been on the medication awhile."
"Other origins? Mild sedation? Sabatt help me!" Garth shook his head, then tucked the vial in his jacket.
"This is standard procedure, Garth. Don't worry. We'll see what the tests say, then go on accordingly." Tere began turning off the various monitors, then turned back to look at Garth thoughtfully. "There is one more thing. You'll need to be off duty for a few days."
"Off duty? I'm afraid I can't do that." Garths voice was firm, but twinged with a tone of hurt.
"Why not? Afraid of a little rest and relaxation?" Tere kept her own voice light. As she looked at Garths face, the only sound to be heard was of Arahanya's chair scraping away from the computer terminal.
"R & R? I don't know what that means. I don't have time for it anymore." Garth snorted in disgust at the thought.
"Is it such a bad idea?" Tere quirked her mouth into a smile.
"It is when you're me." Garth's voice was again firm. "Garth Lowinn, die hard Freeman. That is me." Tere sighed at this, the macho image something she dealt with frequently in soldiers.
"Alright. If you won't rest, just promise me you'll take the medication."
"Sounds good to me." Garth swung his legs from the bed, then stood.
"Try and take it easy, OK? I believe they have some sort of soup. Perhaps I could get you a tray?" Tere and Garth moved into the hallway, where Arahanya stopped in her tiding up.
"Can I help you in anyway?" Her voice was polite, looking from Tere to Garth. Tere smiled at her.
"Actually, its fine. He is going to need some further testing and it will be done tomorrow."
Anrahanya nodded as Garth glanced at Tere.
"Hospital soup? You mean the stew? That will be better than anything the Legion cooks." He grinned as Tere chuckles.
"I take that as a yes?" Before he can answer, Arahanya piped up shyly. "I'm Anya, by the way. I volunteer around here when I can." Terra smiled warmly.
"Pleasure to officially make your acquaintance. You could help me by getting this patient a tray, if you wouldn't mind."
Anya looked up at Garth, her face reddening a bit. "And the patient is?" Terra laughed as Garth also chuckled slightly.
"Garth Lowin." Terra began before Garth cut her off.
"Commander Garth Lowinn, Special OPS Freeman. Don't forget my titles. I like them too much." His eyes sparkled as he looked down at Terra. Anya nodded, the flush still on her neck as she moved to the cafeteria to pick up his tray.
Terra shook her head, laughing. "Be sure to take one of those sedatives tonight with your tray. After that, I would say every 3 to 4 hours. I have to run up to the lab to do some work. Anya will make sure you get your tray. I will see you tomorrow, all right?" As Garth nodded at her, Terra turned on her heel to make her way up to the lab.
Anya returned, guiding Garth's arm to a seat at the cafeteria tables. She set the tray in front of him, then looked at him pointedly. "Now, don't complain about the food. I did not set up your diet, the nurse did."
Garth shook his head as he began to eat. "Complain? The food here is better then what I could get anywhere else."
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