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

[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.

[psyched_you_out]

Never one to pass up a Jules hug, he leans into her arms and gives her a peck on the cheek, seeing the bag of treats as he does so.

"My hero."

[thesupersmeller]

Normally, Gus would probably roll his eyes, but with a burger and Frosty sitting on a large dose of oxycodone he's a bit floaty and merely lifts his head and offers a smile.

His shirt has been removed (no small feat) showing dark bruises already forming on his left side and a thick swollen wrist and split skin on top of a knot on his left temple to match.

"Hey... Robocop."

[craftylildoodlepumpkin]

Juliet reaches out to hug him, too, with her free hand - and once the food's on a tray by his bed- which is accomplished awkwardly, but accomplished none the less.

"Stop doing that," she says, lightly nudging Gus' head.

[psyched_you_out]

Shawn simply follows her, which makes for a slightly awkward three-way hug situation.

"You gonna hang out with us for a while?"

[thesupersmeller]

"Wasn't exactly my decision to be tossed out a door fifteen feet in the air." He protests with a sleepy pout, leaning his head against Shawn when they sort of manage a hug.

They should be coming to take him back for x-rays soon.

[craftylildoodlepumpkin]

"Wild horses would drag Shawn away before he'd leave you." She knows, trust her.

"As long as I can, as long as you need me to," she tells Shawn. His forehead gets a kiss, and she gets some styling gel up the schnoz.