I'm no doctor... so forgive me any medical impossibilities, inaccuracies or bloopers. It's a soap-based fan fic, after all!! 8) I tried to make it less soapy, but I think there's something about hospital scenes... 
oh well.
Chapter 16:
You have to listen carefully, Edmund, Rick began slowly. You have a very important decision to make. Do you understand? Do you understand that you can help Cassie by making this decision, Edmund?
Edmund could see that Rick was watching him closely, waiting for some sign of comprehension. And he could tell from the doctors demeanour that whatever was medically wrong with him, it was most definitely serious. Rick was seldom serious. No wonder Cassie was terrified. Edmund recalled Richards death all too vividly, and how helpless hed felt how helpless Cassie must have felt, and now he finally understood why Richard had asked Reva for help instead of Cassie.
Are you am I dying? Edmund managed to ask, his breathing still raspy and painful.
Well, Im not going to sugar coat this it, Edmund. Theres no time for that. Its serious. The test results show a bullet fragment lodged in your brain in the medial temporal lobe region. We have to remove it surgically, and its going to be a very tricky and delicate operation. And the risks Edmund, even if you do survive, there could be permanent damage."
Damage. Edmund winced at the word.
And if no surgery? Edmund definitely didnt like the sound of risking permanent damage. But somehow he knew that Rick wasnt really offering much choice.
Rick shook his head. Theres too much pressure already, Edmund. We think thats whats causing the neurotransmitters in your brain to be overstimulatedbringing on your seizures. We have to remove the fragment.
I dont Edmund struggled to form the words. I what whats the question, then?
Ideally we would like to wait until you are more stable to operate. But if you had another episode like earlier while on the table The problem is, the longer we wait, the greater the risks of damage to the brain. Edmund, surgery or not, the next seizure could kill you. I know the options are limited. Im sorry I cant offer anything more, but if you want my professional advice, I
Edmund stopped listening. He didnt need to hear any more. Do it, Edmund interrupted, his voice clear and unwavering.
Youre sure? Rick queried. You fully understand
Yes. Do it now. Edmund was sure. If Rick was saying that this was his only chance, then by god he was going to take it! Richard had assured him that it wasnt his time, that he needed to be there for Cassie. He would not fail Cassie this time. He would not leave her alone again!
Okay. Fine. Rick turned to leave, but hesitated and spun back to face Edmund. Youre doing the right thing, Edmund. Youve made the best decision the only decision. And one Im not sure Cassie could have after after Richard. I want you to know, I will do my best to make sure
I dont enjoy feeling powerless, Edmund interrupted Rick to rasp his confession. Its a prince thing, he managed a weak smile.
Really? Ricks eyebrows raised in mock surprise. I never would have guessed, he joked back.
I guess I guess not so bad to put my life in the hands of the man with my brothers heart.
Rick smiled and took Edmunds outstretched hand in silent acknowledgement of the two mens strange bond.
Ill get everything started, and well take you as soon as the OR is set up, said Rick, switching back to doctor mode.
Rick? Edmund called out as the doctor opened the door to leave and begin preparations for what would surely be a life-altering event for Edmund. Just dont expect any donated body parts if you screw up, Edmund joked sternly.
Dont worry, Edmund. I doubt thered be too many takers for your black heart, Rick winked. Ill send Cassie in to see you before, okay?
Edmund nodded his thanks and relaxed back onto the hospital bed pillows and contemplated how he was going to deal with Cassies fear. Hed heard her before when she was talking to Rick and he knew that she was terrified. Terrified because of what had happened to Richard and all the bad memories that seeing him lying here must dredge up for her. As far as he was concerned, the sooner the surgery was over, the better. How much more was Cassie expected to take?
I hope you were right, brother, Edmund thought to himself.
What was taking Cassie so long, Edmund mused impatiently. Was she too afraid to face him, he wondered. No. Surely she would want to see him before while he was awake Edmund felt suddenly anxious. He wasnt afraid. But, what if he didnt get to see Cassie? The surgery was bound to take hours shed be going crazy Damn! This was the one part of loving someone that Edmund could do without! Hed accepted that he had become vulnerable and open to being hurt by allowing Cassie in, by needing her love, but he still couldnt come to terms with how much it left him open to her pain, something he had absolutely no control over and something he seemed to invariably be the cause of!
Finally, the door to his room opened, but instead of Cassie, a gaggle of green operating scrubs-wearing staff bustled in and began unhooking machinery, adjusting levers and knobs on his bed, taking away his extra pillows and wheeling the bed towards the door.
Wait stop Cassie I Edmund struggled to sit up.
Lie back Mr. Winslow. Please. You need to stay calm. Doctor Bauer sent us. Its time to go to the OR, one of the green scrubs said in that patronizing hospital tone most people usually reserved for small children or the mentally infirm.
No I Edmund struggled again, harder, his head screaming from the frustration. And then suddenly the sea of green parted and there she was, rushing through the doorway to his side. Edmund relaxed.
Edmund! Oh my god, Edmund! Cassie cried tearfully. Please, just wait. Give us a minute, she pleaded.
Its all right, Cassie.
No, Edmund. Its too soon. Please stop! Cassie demanded to the medical staff.
Cassie, Edmund reached out and put his hand on hers and she stopped still and looked into his eyes. Just be here I love you. Im not leaving, Edmund willed Cassie to believe. Believe Cassie.
I Im trying, Edmund. But her voice trailed off, trembling with unspoken emotion.
Hey too much to live for, right?
Cassie nodded. Right, Cassie smiled gently, squeezing his hand. Edmund could tell that she was trying so hard to be brave. Hell! He wished he could hold her, comfort her. He felt his eyelids growing heavy as the anaesthetic began to take effect.
Im sorry. We must go now, a distant and far-off voice was saying.
As they rolled him away from Cassie, Edmund swore his hazy vision saw Richard, standing next to Cassie, his arm around her, comforting her and Edmund smiled as the drug-induced sleep inevitably came.
oh well.Chapter 16:
You have to listen carefully, Edmund, Rick began slowly. You have a very important decision to make. Do you understand? Do you understand that you can help Cassie by making this decision, Edmund?
Edmund could see that Rick was watching him closely, waiting for some sign of comprehension. And he could tell from the doctors demeanour that whatever was medically wrong with him, it was most definitely serious. Rick was seldom serious. No wonder Cassie was terrified. Edmund recalled Richards death all too vividly, and how helpless hed felt how helpless Cassie must have felt, and now he finally understood why Richard had asked Reva for help instead of Cassie.
Are you am I dying? Edmund managed to ask, his breathing still raspy and painful.
Well, Im not going to sugar coat this it, Edmund. Theres no time for that. Its serious. The test results show a bullet fragment lodged in your brain in the medial temporal lobe region. We have to remove it surgically, and its going to be a very tricky and delicate operation. And the risks Edmund, even if you do survive, there could be permanent damage."
Damage. Edmund winced at the word.
And if no surgery? Edmund definitely didnt like the sound of risking permanent damage. But somehow he knew that Rick wasnt really offering much choice.
Rick shook his head. Theres too much pressure already, Edmund. We think thats whats causing the neurotransmitters in your brain to be overstimulatedbringing on your seizures. We have to remove the fragment.
I dont Edmund struggled to form the words. I what whats the question, then?
Ideally we would like to wait until you are more stable to operate. But if you had another episode like earlier while on the table The problem is, the longer we wait, the greater the risks of damage to the brain. Edmund, surgery or not, the next seizure could kill you. I know the options are limited. Im sorry I cant offer anything more, but if you want my professional advice, I
Edmund stopped listening. He didnt need to hear any more. Do it, Edmund interrupted, his voice clear and unwavering.
Youre sure? Rick queried. You fully understand
Yes. Do it now. Edmund was sure. If Rick was saying that this was his only chance, then by god he was going to take it! Richard had assured him that it wasnt his time, that he needed to be there for Cassie. He would not fail Cassie this time. He would not leave her alone again!
Okay. Fine. Rick turned to leave, but hesitated and spun back to face Edmund. Youre doing the right thing, Edmund. Youve made the best decision the only decision. And one Im not sure Cassie could have after after Richard. I want you to know, I will do my best to make sure
I dont enjoy feeling powerless, Edmund interrupted Rick to rasp his confession. Its a prince thing, he managed a weak smile.
Really? Ricks eyebrows raised in mock surprise. I never would have guessed, he joked back.
I guess I guess not so bad to put my life in the hands of the man with my brothers heart.
Rick smiled and took Edmunds outstretched hand in silent acknowledgement of the two mens strange bond.
Ill get everything started, and well take you as soon as the OR is set up, said Rick, switching back to doctor mode.
Rick? Edmund called out as the doctor opened the door to leave and begin preparations for what would surely be a life-altering event for Edmund. Just dont expect any donated body parts if you screw up, Edmund joked sternly.
Dont worry, Edmund. I doubt thered be too many takers for your black heart, Rick winked. Ill send Cassie in to see you before, okay?
Edmund nodded his thanks and relaxed back onto the hospital bed pillows and contemplated how he was going to deal with Cassies fear. Hed heard her before when she was talking to Rick and he knew that she was terrified. Terrified because of what had happened to Richard and all the bad memories that seeing him lying here must dredge up for her. As far as he was concerned, the sooner the surgery was over, the better. How much more was Cassie expected to take?
I hope you were right, brother, Edmund thought to himself.
What was taking Cassie so long, Edmund mused impatiently. Was she too afraid to face him, he wondered. No. Surely she would want to see him before while he was awake Edmund felt suddenly anxious. He wasnt afraid. But, what if he didnt get to see Cassie? The surgery was bound to take hours shed be going crazy Damn! This was the one part of loving someone that Edmund could do without! Hed accepted that he had become vulnerable and open to being hurt by allowing Cassie in, by needing her love, but he still couldnt come to terms with how much it left him open to her pain, something he had absolutely no control over and something he seemed to invariably be the cause of!
Finally, the door to his room opened, but instead of Cassie, a gaggle of green operating scrubs-wearing staff bustled in and began unhooking machinery, adjusting levers and knobs on his bed, taking away his extra pillows and wheeling the bed towards the door.
Wait stop Cassie I Edmund struggled to sit up.
Lie back Mr. Winslow. Please. You need to stay calm. Doctor Bauer sent us. Its time to go to the OR, one of the green scrubs said in that patronizing hospital tone most people usually reserved for small children or the mentally infirm.
No I Edmund struggled again, harder, his head screaming from the frustration. And then suddenly the sea of green parted and there she was, rushing through the doorway to his side. Edmund relaxed.
Edmund! Oh my god, Edmund! Cassie cried tearfully. Please, just wait. Give us a minute, she pleaded.
Its all right, Cassie.
No, Edmund. Its too soon. Please stop! Cassie demanded to the medical staff.
Cassie, Edmund reached out and put his hand on hers and she stopped still and looked into his eyes. Just be here I love you. Im not leaving, Edmund willed Cassie to believe. Believe Cassie.
I Im trying, Edmund. But her voice trailed off, trembling with unspoken emotion.
Hey too much to live for, right?
Cassie nodded. Right, Cassie smiled gently, squeezing his hand. Edmund could tell that she was trying so hard to be brave. Hell! He wished he could hold her, comfort her. He felt his eyelids growing heavy as the anaesthetic began to take effect.
Im sorry. We must go now, a distant and far-off voice was saying.
As they rolled him away from Cassie, Edmund swore his hazy vision saw Richard, standing next to Cassie, his arm around her, comforting her and Edmund smiled as the drug-induced sleep inevitably came.
