A Leppard's Kiss of Fate: A Def Leppard/Kiss Romance

Chapter 6-Physical Recovery (Joe Elliot POV)

A few days have passed since Tommy has awoken....and things are not going well mentally at all for him. He's bottling things up, understandable given what he's been thru but also NOT good. I've also unfortunately been away, due to band stuff which God knows, I bloody well didn't want to...nor did Sav, Rick and Steve. The Kiss guys had to get home to their families, minus Eric who is still here...I have forgotten to mention Tommy DID apparently sign the citizenship papers, so that's good....i am happy he's going to stay...yet it breaks my heart, because in MY heart...I know that he feels like he has no where else to go, but yet too...I believe he trusts me deep down, but he doesn't realize it...

I have been getting regular reports since I've been away, I'd insisted...it killed me to be away, especially how Tommy had done in my absence. Which brings us to now, me rushing thru the doors of the hospital and up to where Tommy's room is...outside his room a kindly nurse in her mid-50's stops me, for she is Tommy's nurse, and her name is Mabel who looks relieved to see me.

"Thank goodness you're here! Poor love...he's...he's...had some episodes. He hasn't talked in days, and we need to try and start him on physical therapy...he seemed to do a little better with you here." It startles me to see tears in Mabel's eyes and I feel them spring to mine.

"Oh..." I find I can't say much more before the lump in my throat cuts off my words, it breaks my heart.... band or no, I shouldn't have left poor Tommy. I didn't have much choice; my thoughts as ever are and were centered on Tommy.

Mabel follows behind me and I hesitantly enter the room, but I call out gently...my voice threatening to break, "Tommy? Tommy I'm here." I sit down near his bed, and he has his back to me, shoulders shaking with sobs.

"Go away..." He croaks and then whispers, "You're not real.... i drove you away, everyone away."

"Tommy that's NOT true." Gently but firmly, "PLEASE...." I beg. "Look at me.... please." Reluctantly to my surprise he does, his beautiful chocolate orbs dull...filled with such pain and dark shadows ring his eyes, which widen. "You didn't...drive me or anyone else away...I didn't want to leave you.... i had no choice, though I guess that is no excuse.... but know I'd never willingly leave you. NEVER. Your friends had to go back to their families, Eric is still here."

"I-I haven't talked...I can't...Couldn't " tommy starts.

"Tom, you're talking to me." I gently point out.

"I just...can't trust anyone!! I fucking hate it.... still so broken..." Tommy whispers, looking at me desperation in his tone. I get his true meanings....and I want to KILL Jamie for this!

"Tommy, Tommy you'd been asleep for a month...and in an abusive relationship for years. Manipulated and lied to for so long...no one expects you to be instantly cured...it could take a long time, it could not...there's no time limit. And as for the leaving...I'll always come back to you...Now, we need to try and start you walking and physical therapy. I know you don't want to, but...I'll be here all the while."

"O-OK...I DO wanna get out of bed...b-but I don't want anyone to touch me." Tommy whimpers.

"Tommy, I know you don't...but we'll have to...you won't be able to walk on your own for a bit, you need that help." I state, eyeing him steadily.... tears fall before I can catch them....

"I hate to bother you Joe...but could...I mean you....help me?" He practically squeaks, then he turns to Mabel, "Can he help me? Sorry to have been so much trouble. Y-You've been so n-nice."

"Course he can help you, you've been no trouble love and of course he can." Mabel smiles gently. Tommy takes a shaky breath and flinches when I help him sit on the edge of the bed and swing his legs over.