Day Two

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"Emily," called a raspy, faraway voice. Emily groaned in her sleep; she wasn't comfortable at all in Steven's lap. The feeling was mutual because Steven's legs were now asleep and he had to use the bathroom. Mingus was asleep in his chair, snoring. How could he sleep in here?

"Emily," the voice called again, causing her eyes to flutter open.

"Huh?" Emily sleepily answered.

"Help," said the voice. It took a moment for Emily to register where she was: the room was dark, everything smelled sterile, there was a constant beeping. Hospital. Norman! Emily got up and felt her way to Norman's side. She felt along the bed until her hand caught another large hand. She squeezed it gently.

"I'm here," she said, quietly. "what do you need?"

"Help. . . Throat hurts. . . Can't move," Norman forced the words out. Each syllable was a knife in his throat. He felt Emily kiss his cheek gently, then her hand on his shoulder, reminding him that he was in a hospital. She smiled softly and knelt to where their eyes were level.

"Sweetie, we're in the hospital. You got hurt shooting a scene. I think the doctors said that you punctured a lung. I'll get you some help, okay?"

Emily gently pushed the call button on the controller in Norman's bed. A small vibration went off on the controller, which lit a light up at the nurse's station outside. A few moments later a nurse came to the door and quietly opened it, peeking in. He smiled, opened the door and slipped into the room. Once inside, the nurse approached the bed, careful not to make too much noise.

"Hey," the nurse said quietly, "Is everything ok?"

"His throat's sore," Emily said, "Is he allowed to drink or eat anything, yet?"

"Unfortunately, not yet. The pain medication that we have him on causes sore throats sometimes, and until we get the go ahead from his doctor, we can't give him anything."

Emily frowned and looked at Norman, who had a look on his face like he expected this to happen. Emily glanced back at the nurse who was looking down, obviously thinking. When he looked back at Emily, he smiled. "I'm going to see if I can't get him anything for the sore throat."

Emily looked back at Norman and kissed him. He smiled and squeezed her hand, which she returned with a small squeeze. Emily wished she could do something for him. The nurse returned with a cup of ice chips. He set them down on the tray on Normans bed.

"Ok," said the nurse, "just put one on your mouth and suck on it. The cold should help with your throat and feel nice."

"Thanks," Norman rasped.

"Try not to talk," the nurse gave a small smile before leaving.

Norman reached for the cup of ice, but was unable to get a good hold on it. Emily gently took an ice chip, bringing it to his dry lips; she gently rubbed the chip around, moistening his chapped and cracked lips. Norman opened his mouth, allowing Emily to put the chip in. He gently sucked on the chip while trying not to laugh.

"What's so funny," Emily asked, "Use sign language, don't talk." Norman pointed to Emily, then made put his arms together and rocked them back and forth, before finally pointing to himself.

"I'm not babying you," Emily replied. Norman grinned and nodded before opening his mouth and pointing in. Emily smiled, rolled her eyes, and deposited another ice chip onto his tongue. And so began day two of the Norman Reedus hospital stay.

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