OOM: So Not Dead

[thesupersmeller]

The end of the universe is ending and Burton Guster is curled up in a ball in a corner, wracked with soft sobs as his brain tries to figure out what's going to happen to not only himself, but to everything. He closes his eyes tightly, shifting from where he sat with his back to the wall until he's on his side in the fetal position.

It seems to last forever, the shaking and screams - muttered prayers and reassurances that somehow everything is going to be just fine. And then... nothing. A chill wraps around him like jumping in a swimming pool in January; he can't breathe - can't open his eyes or move a muscle.

And then pain, shooting up his left arm from his elbow to his wrist. The rest of his body is numb until he feels the arm warm enough that he can gasp for breath and open his eyes. He's alone, and he sure as hell aint in Milliways anymore. It's dark, after a moment he realizes he's outside but the moon is obscured behind heavy clouds. He can see a street light in the distance and hear the ocean.

Gus closes his eyes again and rolls onto his back - the arm that had been trapped under him letting out another fresh jolt of pain. Broken; definitely at the wrist and probably up higher too if the tingly numbness and shooting pain is telling the whole story. Desperate, he digs into his pocket and manages out his cellphone and phones the last number he called.

"Shawn, pick up pick up pick up..." he whispers in a barely audible whimper.

Comments

[psyched_you_out]

A quick trip through the drive-thru later, Shawn returns only to be blocked by a wall of nurses.

After a few moments of arguing, voices are raised.

"THERE IS AN INJURED MAN HERE WHO NEEDS HIS FROSTY."

[thesupersmeller]

And that is one of the reasons Shawn will always be his best friend.

"Come on, son! Let the man through!" He grins as the small group is parted Shawn can press through.

[psyched_you_out]

He finally manages to break through the blockade and hands Gus his food.

"Sounds like we're gonna be here a while. Anything else you need?"

[thesupersmeller]

"No," Gus almost shakes his head yet again, but thinks better of it and offers a weak smile instead. "You should call your girl, though... let her know everything's okay."

[psyched_you_out]

"Yeah."

He pats Gus's good shoulder and wanders off to find a quiet place to call Juliet.

[thesupersmeller]

Content with his burger and chocolate Frosty, Gus settled back on the raised bed and focused on filling his stressed belly.

[craftylildoodlepumpkin]

Juliet has been hovering over her phone. Lassiter's been prodding her about it for the past twenty minutes, but she's been so worried that he's lapsed into what passes, from him, for concern.

She's on it the moment it starts ringing. "Shawn. What's wrong?"

[psyched_you_out]

"I'm with Gus. We're at the hospital."

He summarizes the day's events as briefly as he can.

"He's gonna be okay, but we're probably stuck here for a while and I might need to keep an eye on him tonight."

[thesupersmeller]

No might about it. Gus squares up his shoulders and sets the Frosty in his lap, trying to eat it one handed. It's harder than it looks.

"I'll be fine."

[craftylildoodlepumpkin]

Juliet's reaction is ever-so-slightly frantic; she's been hiding the truth about Milliways from Carlton and needs to be as discrete as possible. He can be heard saying something in the background as Juliet, and whatever it is heightens the tension in her voice. "I'm coming as soon as I get off."

[psyched_you_out]

"He's got a broken wrist, a few bruised ribs and a bump on the head."

Can you HEAR the guilt oozing through the phone line, Jules?

"I should probably get back there and help him hold his Frosty."

[thesupersmeller]

"I said I'm fine." Gus mutters, glaring at Shawn's turned back as he triumphantly dips out a large chocolaty bite.

"Under control."

[craftylildoodlepumpkin]

Just because you SAY it doesn't mean it's true, Gus. And speaking of guilt.... "You'll need someone to spot you when he starts looking for the caramels," she points out. There's a muffled silence as she argues with Carlton, a loud CLUNK! and the revving of an engine. "Are you at Memorial or Saint Meryl's?"

[psyched_you_out]

"Memorial. Are you coming down here?"

He whispers, making sure Gus can't hear him.

"Can you bring snacks?"

[thesupersmeller]

He totally heard that, but he's too busy wrestling with his ice cream and dreading being x-rayed to much care.

"Tell her to bring your copy of Robocop."

[craftylildoodlepumpkin]

She sighs. "What kind of snacks?" Then, after what actually sounds like laughter. "I'll have Carlton get your Robocop."

"Which means I'll be sending McNabb," he declares from beside her.

[psyched_you_out]

"Love you too, Lassie."

To Juliet, he replies:

"Whatever you find quick, I'm not that picky."

(This she knows, Shawn.)

[thesupersmeller]

"No love here." He dips the spoon again and licks the back, raising an eyebrow when Shawn turns toward him.

"You should have gotten a Frosty."

All said and done, despite being in a world of pain (and refusing the narcotics until *after* he's eaten food) he's happy.

[craftylildoodlepumpkin]

Carlton's response is effusive and gruff, and Juliet covers the mouthpiece as she turns toward the phone and says, "I yes...Shawn." It was automatic, and she almost told him without thinking. "I'll bring some chips and candy...maybe a shake..." She whispers the next part. "If you're good."

[psyched_you_out]

"You're awesome. See you soon."

[thesupersmeller]

"She bringing Lassie along for the ride?" Gus asks, accidentally dropping the thick brown spoon on the hospital bed. With a slight shrug, he tries to make it look like he totally meant to do that.

"And will I be getting Robocop?"

[craftylildoodlepumpkin]

"He'll be getting Robocop!" She feels a little bit better, at the sound of Gus' voice. "Does Gus want anything else?" She smiles against the receiver. "You too."

"Oh, can the sentiment O'Hara," Lassiter can be heard complaining in the distance.

[psyched_you_out]

He suppresses a laugh. If he knows Jules, she's not going to let Lassie get away with that.

"I think we'll be okay with that."

[thesupersmeller]

Gus rolls his eyes and seats the Frosty between his legs to retrieve the spoon.

[craftylildoodlepumpkin]

"Take care of him," she tells Shawn unnecessarily.

In fifteen minutes, having shed Lassie for the night, Juliet is there with a much larger sack of snacks than requested and a DVD of Robocop.

She takes one look at them and reaches out for Shawn - mostly because she can't reach Gus immediately.