ways_infirmary | (no subject)

(no subject)

It was one of the longest operations Malcolm has had to conduct since his arrival in Milliways. But Bill Pardy is resting and healing in a clean bed in the infirmary now.

Malcolm is dead on his feet (he has to smirk a little as he thinks that), but he decides to stay until Bill comes out of the anesthesia.

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He lets out a laugh at that and winces though his smile doesn't fade until she asks her question.

"I don't know. Most other things end when a person leaves the bar so I guess they would."

She absently traces his knuckles, thinking.

"But if they didn't, and you were caught in another dream at home ... "

She trails off, trying to push images of Bill waking up in Wheelsy, hurt and nowhere near a hospital, from her mind.

"Yeah...I live alone." He nods with a frown. "'Sides, I can't go anyways. I still gotta help here. I promised Mary an Nathan."

Her fingers unconsciously tighten around his hand.

"You have to get better first."

He looks at their hands again and then down to the blanket on the bed, giving a single nod.

"Yeah. I'll try." But if something happens before he does and he can get there, he's gonna go.

"Try? You have to do better than that, sheriff," she teases gently, and gives his hand one last squeeze before releasing it.

She's still holding out the foolish hope that nothing else will happen; that the nightmares will resolve themselves, Bill and his friends won't get dragged back to the hospital and no one else will get hurt.

He puts his hand down on his chest, moves it to his stomach and finally sets it down at his side, not able to find a comfortable spot to rest it on.

"Sure thing, mom." He smiles and then his mouth falls open a little, "Oh god, she would totally freak if she saw me here like this."

"Careful, you're going to give me an age complex," she chuckles. Though she's pretty sure she's younger than Bill. "And besides, somebody has to watch out for you here."

Then she tilts her head slightly. "Does your mom know about this place?"

"No." He answers and gives her a 'are you crazy?' look. He is older then Kate but just because he's a grown man doesn't mean he's not afraid of his mother.

"She'd kill me if she knew even half of the stuff I get into here. An then she'd have a heart attack or somethin. No, no way is my mom ever finding out about this place."

Still laughing, she raises her hands in mock-surrender.

"Okay, okay." Beat. "I don't think I could ever tell my family — I mean, I wouldn't even believe me."

"Yeah, this is certainly one of those things you have to see to believe. And even then..." He lifts his hand and wavers it. "Milliways."

"Yeah," she echoes, her expression sobering. "Milliways."

She studies the bandages on Bill's torso for a moment before lifting her eyes.

"Anything I can get you while you're in here? Books, magazines?"

Bar might even surprise him with an iPod or a GameBoy.

"I don't read much." He admits, "But I guess it'd be somethin to do. Pass the time."

Which would be nice because it feels like he's going to be here awhile.

"It might help," she nods. "Any preferences?"

Something with lots of pictures, maybe? Travel or photography books and magazines?

She might have to draw a line if he says Playboy.

"Sports, somethin outdoors that ain't huntin?" He shrugs.

"Maybe somethin funny? I like Calvin an Hobbes." He admits with some embarrasment.

She nods, and the Calvin and Hobbes admission gets a wide smile.

"I'll see what Bar can do — and I'll let you get some more rest, okay?"

"Thanks. An yeah, I guess I probably should." Suddenly realizing how worn out he feels. "Thanks for droppin by, you take care."

"Don't worry about it," she assures him, noting how tired he suddenly looks. "Just get some sleep. I'll check back in later with a survival kit."

"Alright. See ya." He smiles at her and settles into the pillows, takes a deep breath, winces, and closes his eyes.

[ooc: Woefully belated tack-on (millitime ftw!); that sound you hear is the mun, facepalming. Though the plot's over, Bill will be bored during recovery, right? *g*]

A few hours later, Kate enters the infirmary and finds Bill sleeping soundly. Careful not to disturb him, she quietly places a copy of Sports Illustrated, an ESPN magazine, and a Calvin and Hobbes hardcover on the small table beside his bed. And, because Bar hasn't lost her sense of humor (especially where Bill is concerned, it seems), there's also a Hello Kitty coloring book and a giant box of Crayolas.

She steps back and watches the steady rise and fall of his chest for a moment, her eyes tracing the bandages there. She can't help but wonder what the Doctor had done to him, what Bill's not telling her.

Get well soon, sheriff.

She leaves as silently as she came in.

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