In A World Like This

Wake Up Call

**Mark's POV**

As I lay in the bed on my way to the OR, they slipped the mask over my mouth and nose.

"Mr. Johnson, take deep breaths and count backwards from 100." The nurse who slipped the mask on me said.

"100... 99... 98..." Darkness swirled in. "97... 9-96... 9-9..." Darkness surrounded me and my eyes sealed closed.

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When I opened my eyes, I was looking up to the sun. I sat up and rubbed my eyes. I was in the woods. Surrounded by trees in a perfect circle. My mind was completely blank and serene. It's so peaceful here. The leaves were bright and vibrant in the warm, toasty sun.

I lay back down and take a deep breath, soaking in the heat. My eyes fall closed once more.

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"C-Chrisss..." I slur, my eyes slowly opening but still struggling.

"Shh... I'm right here baby. Just like I promised." I heard as a warm touch lightly brushed against my forehead. My eyelids shut one last time.

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"Yeah. He's ok. He's just sleeping off the rest of the anesthesia. Yeah. Just briefly. Yeah. I'll call you when he wakes up. Don't worry, I'll handle this. Forget the email. I know Kramer. He's just trying to scare me into coming back. He's bluffing. He knows if he can use the right threat, he'll scare me into coming back. No. I'm not. Everything I've wanted is right here. Ok. I'll update you later. Goodnight. Bye."

I heard the soft whisper before my eyes groggily opened. I felt a small pressure on my hand and the inside of my elbow, which held an IV.

Christie was holding my hand, gently stroking.

"Hey." I said in a raspy voice.

"Hey baby. Want some juice?" She ask sitting at my hip on the bed. I nodded and she pressed the call button at my left. A minute later, a heavy set nurse came in with a tray that she placed on the rolling table.

"Hello Mark. How do you feel?" She asked.

"Thirsty. Sore. Heavy."

"My name's Nora. Let me check your vitals and we'll get you fixed up." She walked over to my bed and I watched her as she raised my bed up just a bit. She put the cuff around my bicep and tightened it. I just sat still, still too heavy to move a lot just yet. She gave me some juice and Christie went to make some phone calls.

"Nurse Nora. I have to pee but I can't move yet because I feel heavy. Can you call in some male nurses to help me to the bathroom?"

"Of course dear. I'll get my strongest men." She said and typed on her pager. Not 2 minutes later, two buff nurses came in to help me.

(A/N- one looks like Jensen Ackles, the other looks like Chris Hemsworth.)

"Mark, this is Damon (Jensen) and Mason (Chris). They'll help you into the bathroom." She said and after she took the catheter out, they helped me walk into the en suite. I felt heavier then, but they kept me upright as I staggered into the bathroom. I finished my business and couldn't stand up so Damon just picked me up and laid me on the bed. I felt heavy but I guess the tumor caused some weight loss. I must have looked terrible but I hadn't seen the mirror yet. I'll have to ask Christie for a peek. Speaking of her, she came in when I was being covered back up.

"Sorry sweetie. I had to tell Nathan and your family you were awake." She said sitting with me again. I nodded and smiled at her.

"Well how is he?" She asked the doctor I hadn't notice come in. I just stared at him.

"Due to the blood loss and medicine combined, he will be really weak and groggy for a little while. He'll stay here a few days to make sure he doesn't get infected by anything or still have cancer anywhere. Mason and Damon will help him get into the bathroom when he needs it for a few days until he can carry his own weight. No strenuous activity in any way. For the next few weeks, I don't want you doing anything at all. If you need to reach something, have someone retrieve it for you. I wish him a easy and healthy recovery. See you soon." Dr. Jamison said and I didnt realize I had moved my head to watch him walk out.

"Nathan is on his way, he'll help you into the bathroom instead of these clowns. He's bigger." Christie said. I shook my head.

"Nomm... It's ok... 'ts their job." I said falling asleep from the pain medicine Nurse Nora shot into my IV. She tucked me in and kissed my forehead. I briefly heard her whisper goodnight but before I could reply, darkness closed in.