The Outsider | SOA

Chapter 5. Tests.

JAX

"Alright, so Juice is alright. He's expected to make a full recovery." My girlfriend says after she leaves the room, smiling at us. "He obviously does have some head trauma. From what I have observed he has a minor concussion and possibly some brain damage, even amnesia, but that is able to be worked on." Tara speaks, looking down at her clipboard. "There is some bruising. His head will need to be wrapped for at least six weeks and he's going to need a caretaker."

"Is that it?" My mother asks, looking over at Tara, with a small smile.

"No, unfortunately he does have a lot of body trauma that needs to be fixed... By chance, do any of you know about his past...? I know, Jax, that you've told me that he doesn't talk much but there is some concerning things I've come across.."

"No, been tryin' ta get him ta talk to me." Chibs speaks up, running a hand through his hair. "I know he's been through a lot, tryin' ta get that out of 'im."

Tara nods and opens her mouth to speak, "Juice has uh," She closes her mouth and shakes her head, then looks back down at her clipboard. "Alright, so, you guys can go see him before he gets taken into surgery." Tara says and runs a hand through her hair, walking away quickly.

I raise my eyebrows and go to follow her but my mother pulls me towards Juice's room.

CHIBS

The Juice in front of me completely broke my heart. He looked so lifeless and pale. His eyes were filled with vaseline, keeping them slightly open. "Oh, Juicey boy.." I mutter and walk up to his side, resting a hand on his. "Sorry, love. Didn' mean ta drop ya earlier.. didn' know it would scare ya." I sigh softly and gently kiss the top of his head, where it wasn't bruised. "Wake up for me, Juice. Your story isn't over yet."

I accidentally bump the life support machine as I pull away from him. I sigh and fix it up, then look over at the monitor as we all continue to talk to him. His pulse all of a sudden shot up.

"Juicey, I know ya can hear us," I speak again, softly. "Need ya to wake up after surgery."

"Juice, man, come on. We know you're strong. Keep fighting." Jax says as he steps up to the bed and squeezes his hand.

"Come on, sweetheart. You got this." Gemma sighs softly and kisses his cheek.

A nurse walks in and smiles sympathetically. "Alright, so we have to take Mr. Ortiz down for more brain testing and surgery." She sighs. "There seems to be a problem with his cat scan, I'm not sure what it is, but we need to have another look."

"Okay." Jax sighs and steps away from Juice, after kissing his hair.

"He's going to be alright, right?" Gemma asks and the nurse immediately nods.

I sigh and stay quiet, holding Juice's small hand in my own. I was all twisted up and this was all my fault. If I didn't go in to hug him or even lift him up, he'd be awake. He wouldn't be on life support. He'd be okay.

"I'm sorry, Juan.." I whisper in his ear quietly. "I'll be here later, alright? You're going to be just fine."

His fingertip rubbed against my palm, followed by a small twitch and then he was still again.

"Good boy.. See you soon."

The nurse repositions him, his hospital gown riding up slightly. Out of the corner of my eyes, I notice a lot of marks on his ribs and towards his back.

But maybe I was just seeing things..