The Unfortunate Ride

Chapter 17

03/08/2017. St Andrew's Hospital, Virginia. 11:03 hours.

Spencer felt as though his entire body had been engulfed in flames. Sweat trickled down the back of his hospital gown. He gritted his teeth as he feverishly tried to manoeuvre his legs over the side of the bed. Bile crept up his throat at the sight of the bloodied dressing covering the gaping hole in his leg, and at the sheer agony that swept through him. With a shaking hand, he plucked the EKG electrodes of his chest, disconnected the IV and tugged the oxygen cannula over his head. The EKG let out a high pitched whine. Spencer grasped his head, the sound of the machine piercing through his skull. Swallowing down the bile, he shuffled forward until his toes brushed against the cold floor. Spencer grabbed the arm of the chair for support as he pulled himself up onto trembling legs. His left leg felt like a block of concrete as he dragged himself towards the bathroom, using the walls for support. His left shoulder pinched with the use of his arm. Spencer was almost at the en suite door when his legs gave way. He could see the floor rising very quickly as his legs turned to jelly beneath him. A pair of strong arms caught him just in time before he collapsed in a sweaty heap on the floor. Spencer grasped the arms tightly as if they were his entire life force as they pulled him back up to his feet.

"Where were you trying to go, Reid?" Spencer slowly turned his head, hoping to reduce the spinning of the room around him, to look at his saviour. Matt cradled him, an expression of concern on his face.

"Matt? Oh... Uhmm... I need the bathroom." Matt draped Spencer's left arm around his shoulders and curled his right arm around Spencer's waist and guided him towards the toilet. Matt gently lowered Spencer down on to the cold ceramic of the toilet. Spencer sheepishly turned his face away. Matt folded his arms over his chest and leaned against the door frame.

"You're going to watch me?" asked Spencer incredulously.

"How were you planning to get back into bed? Shuffle on your ass?" Spencer scowled at the older man who chuckled at him. Spencer curled in on himself, arms wrapped tightly around his torso. A bead of sweat ran down his nose and dripped from the tip. His hair clung to his skin. Matt turned his back on the genius and gazed out of the window.

"How're you feeling, Spencer?" Spencer audibly shuddered from behind. Matt glanced over his shoulder, then turned back to the window.

"Terrible," answered Spencer softly, his voice trembling.

"Why didn't you ask for help?"

"Because I can do it."

"Uh-huh. Don't be so stubborn all your life and ask for help. There's no shame in it." Spencer gave out a sigh.

"The thing is, Matt, I spent much of my childhood taking care of my mother when my dad walked out on us. I had no help. It took until I was eighteen before I realised and acknowledged that I could no longer care for her in the way that she deserved and needed. I've always had to take care of myself, and I still do." Matt shook his head and turned back to find Spencer attempting to use the wash basin to pull himself to his feet.

"Reid. Listen to me. You need help now. We're here for you. Let us help you. It's your turn to be cared for." Tears glistened in Spencer's eyes as he turned his aching head to look at Matt. Matt noted the way he was reluctant to place his left foot on the floor and cradled his left arm. With a soft smile he moved forward and brought Spencer's right arm around his shoulders. Matt bent down and hooked his arm under Spencer's knees. He too easily gathered the doctor into a bridal carry. Spencer tightly gripped the back of Matt's blue v-neck t-shirt as he was returned to the bed and gently set down on the mattress. Matt reached over and pressed the orange button on the wall.