A Room at a Private Hospital - London

[itsananomaly]

It had been another few days, another few days of doctors and therapy sessions and Cutter was growing restless staying in the bed. Jenny had just finished staying with them and Lester was going to be coming and staying with them while she went home and slept but Cutter was still bored, maybe he could just sit up on the edge of the bed for a bit? He took a deep breath as he tried to push himself up into a seating position, wincing at the effort that was taking. [preplayed with the amazing anomaly_research_nerd. CW for medical trauma and injury. NFB for distance but OOC welcome!]

Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Nick?". Connor asked sleepily as he shifted a little. "What... What are you doing?". He had been asleep for a minute little while but was still feeling really tired
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"I'm bored," Cutter whined whined, "I thought maybe I could at least sit up for a little bit? I wasn't trying to get out of the bed," he added quickly, he knew what his track record with this was like.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor looked at Cutter for a moment, remembering those times and attempts as well. "Sitting up some should be ok" he said with a slow nod. "I'm getting a little tired of being in bed too" he admitted.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter gave a small smile at that, "maybe we can help each other sit up?" he suggested, "and that way no one should complain as long as we're still in the bed right?" he said hopefully, quickly glancing at the door to make sure that no one was about to come in.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"We've been getting out for the therapy sessions" Connor considered. "I'm sure they will be fine with it so long as we stay in bed." Slowly Connor shifted a bit. He had finally been allowed to get rid of the sling most of the time. But his arm and shoulder were still really tight and sore so it took a little bit of effort but he finally got upright, leaning against the pillows.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter waited until he was sure Connor was okay and then he began to slowly push himself back up as well, letting out a sigh of relief once he was sitting up in bed, "oh that's much better," he said, smiling over at Connor now that they were more eye level with each other.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor returned the smile as he nodded toward Cutter. "You alright Nick? Didn’t hurt yourself did you?" he asked as he reached over and slipped his arm around him. Now that his other arm was a bit more free he reached it over and laced his fingers with Cutters and smiled. "This is very nice..."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"It is very nice," Cutter's smile widened as he gently leaned against Connor and held his hand, giving it a careful squeeze, "I'm alright, I didn't hurt myself," he reassured him, "how about you?" he asked worriedly, "is your arm okay? I'm not hurting it am I?"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"You're good Nick. I'm alright" Connor said with a reassuring smile. "It's nice though, finally being able to sit like this together" he said as he leaned against Cutter gently.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter smiled at that as he continued to lean against Connor carefully, "it is nice, it was so hard being in the same bed and not being able to be with you, I'm glad that we're able to do that now," he said softly.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"We're getting there. little by little... before long we will be running laps around the floor here" he said with a small grin as he looked up at Cutter. That was still a ways off he knew but it was nice to think about when they would be well enough to leave.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter couldn't help but laugh at that and then wince at the pain in his head that the movement caused, "well this is still progress right? Sitting up in bed, even though it is nice to think about being able to get out of the bed on our own," he said with a small grin of his own.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor reached out a hand to Cutter's shoulder and rubbed it gently. "I... I and glad you are alright... on the mend" he said softly. "I was so worried when... when everything happened" he said as he looked at his hands then to Cutter.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter nodded as he leaned into that touch, "I'm glad you're alright too, I'm sorry I worried you," he said softly, "I'm sorry that this happened,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"I was afraid when they got you... when they managed to find us and get you out of there... I was afraid I wouldn't ever see you again" Connor said as he closed his eyes, those small but vivid snippets he remembered after being shot playing out in his mind again.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter listened quietly, gently taking Connor's hand in his, "I'm sorry that you had to go through that, I ... I still don't remember much of that day ... its ... only fragments," he said softly, "I'm going to make sure that never happens again," he promised.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"You are here now that is all that matters" Connor said softly as he looked at his ring and then leaned his head against Cutter's shoulder. "I love you Nick."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"I love you too Connor," Cutter said softly, he knew that Lester was likely going to be by any minute and he wanted to take as much advantage of being like with Connor as he could, "I'm glad we're both here,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor smiled and closed his eyes, trying to enjoy the moment while they could. Lester and the doctors were likely to be by soon but right then all that mattered was he was there with the man he loved and he didn't have to be away from him anymore.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter leaned against Connor, enjoying just being able to be close to him like this and then right on cue the door opened and Lester came in carrying a tray of milkshakes. He looked at Cutter and Connor and sighed, "I should have known," he said, shaking his head, "at least you actually stayed in the bed this time I suppose,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"We haven't tried to get out of bed, not once. Honest" Connor said with a somewhat sheepish grin as he looked over at Lester. His eyes fell to the tray in his hands and they lit up. "Oh, are those milkshakes?"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"We were good James," Cutter agreed from where he had made no attempt to sit back down on the bed and his eyes widened at the milkshakes. "Well since you're already sitting," Lester allowed with a small smiles he got their respective trays and put the milkshakes on them, "one pineapple and mango and one peanut butter and chocolate," he said, "I thought you might like some milkshakes to help you ease back once you start eating hospital food," since Cutter and Connor hadn't been given the all clear to start on solids yet.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Oh thank you Lester, sir" Connor said as he reached for the milkshake. "This is amazing... I had relly been wanting something to actually eat... this definitely hits the spot!"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter happily began to drink his delicious milkshake, "they still taste incredible," he smiled, "thank you James," "You're welcome," Lester smiled as he sat down on the chair by their bed, giving them the chance to have their milkshake before he gave them the news about Becker.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"We need to have these more than just during hospital stays" Connor said with a small chuckle as he enjoyed hi milkshake. After a few minutes he set the cup down and looked at Lester. "How's everyone doing? Danny.. you... and Sarah?"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Oh definitely," Cutter agreed as he drank and Lester smiled. "I'll see what I can do," he told them and then he hesitated at that question, "we're doing as well as we can be," he said softly, "it's been pretty full on at the ARC as you can imagine," he paused, "Sarah's still slow in her recovery, Becker's taken it pretty hard as you can imagine," he still wasn't quite prepared to tell them about Becker resigning.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor nodded slowly as he listened and sighed. He hated how bad things had gotten in the aftermath of everything. "Once we are well enough... we need to go see Sarah!" he said softly but with a determined nod.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter nodded slowly in agreement, feeling bad for Sarah and Becker and everyone who now had to pick up the pieces after this, "we can see her can't we James?" "I'll see what her doctors say, when she's up for more visitors," Lester said quietly, "there's something you both need to know, there's no easy way to tell you this but Captain Becker handed in his resignation," Cutter looked up horrified at that and winced at the pain in his head, "No he can't!" he cried out.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Wh-what? No... no he can't Becker can't leave" Connor explained as he looked from Lester to Cutter then back to Lester. "We need him! You cant let him go Sir!"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Please James, you can stop him resigning can't you?" Cutter pleaded, tears starting to form in his eyes at the thought that Becker had quit ... had quit because of him, "Connor's right, we need him," Lester shook his head sadly, "I'm sorry, I really am but Captain Becker couldn't be talked out of it, he wants to be able to look after Dr. Page," Cutter was quiet as those tears slowly began to spill over, "he can still do that without resigning can't he?" he finally asked, "can't he take leave or something like that, please James stop this..." "I'm sorry, Captain Becker's mind was made up," he said softly.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"No... this can't be happening..." Connor said feeling the tears start to fall. "He can't leave, he has to stay... He can't leave, not after all of this, not after everything we have been through... together. James... there has to be something... we... we cant see Becker then can we?" he said as the realization hit him that Becker resigning meant he wasn't part of there ARC.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Lester looked sadly at Cutter and Connor, he knew that they weren't going to take this well. "I'm sorry," he said softly, "Becker doesn't want to see you," it hurt him to say that. Cutter couldn't stop the tears now, "its all my fault," he sobbed, "its because of me that this happened,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor felt like he had been shot all over again with he pain he felt in his chest just then. After everything... all they had been through... Becker was leaving. Becker didn't want to see them. Connor felt like everything was going numb as he sat there, barely hearing what Cutter was saying as he stared down at his hands.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter just kept crying, "you have to stop this please James," he pleaded, "stop Becker resigning, we need to see him, he can't leave us," Lester just shook his head sadly, "I'm really sorry, this is Becker's decision, there's nothing I can do,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor was still staring down at his hands as the tears fell. "I don't believe it... I won't believe it" he said as he felt his voice tremble as much as his voice was. "it's not true! It can't be true!"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter was trying to focus on breathing, with everything that had been happening, being shot, Connor being shot and now this ... Becker had been the one constant in their lives since everything had happened and he couldn't bear to think what life without Becker would be like. The tears were falling fast and freely and there wasn't anything he could think of to say, he just stared at his hands, sobbing. "I'm sorry," Lester said again, feeling useless that it was the only thing he could really say, "but I'm afraid its true,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor reached his good arm out and wrapped it around Cutter and held him close. It had to be a bad dream they would wake up and it wouldn't be true. Becker couldn't turn his back on them now, he had to stay, he needed him, Cutter needed him, everyone needed him. For a long while they sat there quietly until Lester finally spoke again. "I know it is difficult to adapt to things like this. It will take time" he said gently. Just then the nurse came in with lunch for Cutter and Connor. Connor looked at the tray of food in her hands and turned his head away. "Not hungry" he said softly.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter stared at his half drunk milkshake and the bowls of soup that had been brought in, "I'm not hungry either," he said, half sinking back down on the bed, after all that he was tired and he wanted to sleep. The nurse shared a worried a look with Lester, "you need to eat," she said gently, "we need to start building up your appetite to eat solids," Cutter shook his head, "no," he said flatly.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor looked at the nurse and Lester and shook his head, turning his head away and burying his face against Cutter's shoulder. "Not hungry" he said simply, ignoring the food.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Lester looked sadly at Cutter and Connor, "please, just try to eat a few mouthfuls," he didn't want to force them to eat, not after what happened at the ARC and what happened last time. Cutter didn't say anything as Connor leaned against his shoulder, he let out a tired sob as he buried his face in the pillow.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor ignored Lester. He didn’t want to eat he didn't want to talk he didn't want to do anything. His hand went up to feel for the dog tags that had become so familiar around his neck after all this time. "I don't want food. I want to see Becker" he said still keeping his arms wrapped around Cutter as he clung to him.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter kept his eyes closed as Connor wrapped his arms around him. "They need to eat Sir," the nurse said worriedly to Lester, "they can't continue on like this," Lester was quiet for a moment, "I can't make any promises," he said at last, "but I'll go and talk to Becker, please try and eat something," he said, knowing that they likely weren't going to until they saw Becker.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor didn't say anything though he did shift a little, arms still around Cutter, as he watched Lester get up and leave. When he was gone and closed his eyes again and clung to Cutter as the tears still kept falling. This couldn't be happening... He let out a small sob as he leaned against Cutter.
Lester(thearcfamily)	Lester walked down the hall to Sarah's room, he had a fairly certain feeling that Becker would be there with her and he really hoped he could manage to convince him to come back to Cutter and Connor's room. He knocked on the door and waited.
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker had been sitting by Sarah's bed, finally passed out as he leaned over on the edge of the bed, his hand over Sarah's as she slept. He lifted his head when he heard the knock and didn't see the doctor come in. Slowly he stood with a wince and made his way to the door. He opened it and blinked, staring in surprise at Lester. "Lester... Sir. I... I didn't expect to see you here" Becker said as he looked at his former boss. Becker looked worse than he had a few days ago, if that was even possible.
Lester(thearcfamily)	Lester noticed how terrible Becker looked and he felt bad for even asking what he was going to ask but he had other members of his team to think of and he would deal with the fallout later, "I'm really sorry to have to ask this Captain," he said softly, "but can you come back with me to Cutter and Connor's room, I told them about your resignation and they didn't take it well, they're refusing to eat," he said worriedly, "they might eat if you're there,"
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker sighed an closed his eyes. He had known Cutter and Connor wouldn't react well to the news... but he didn't think it would be this bad. He looked at Lester as he leaned tiredly against the door. "If they are upset about me resigning me coming to see them and still keeping that resignation letter in... do you think that is really going to help?"
Lester(thearcfamily)	"I know I'm asking a lot Captain," Lester said softly, "but they just want to see you, to understand why, they haven't processed that and seeing you might give them a bit of closure and help them move forward in their recovery," he had his doubts and he was no psychologist but Cutter and Connor were still part of his team and he needed to do everything he could for them.
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker looked over his shoulder, back into the room where Sarah was. "Alright. I will go see them. Let me tell Sarah so she doesn't worry when she wakes up and I am not here."
Lester(thearcfamily)	"Thank you Captain," Lester nodded softly as he peered in the room, "how is she doing?" he asked, based on how Becker was looking, he wasn't expecting a good result.
Becker(thearcfamily)	"The pain is still really bad and she's weak. Therapy is really taking a toll on her just learning to stand and walk again.." Becker looked at Lester then back to Sarah as his voice caught a little. "They say she... will likely never fully recover. She'll never be able to do the work she used to..." Becker took a deep breath to try and calm himself. He then gave a small nod to Lester and went over and sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed Sarah's cheek gently to wake her up. "Sarah. It's Becker..." he said softly.
Sarah(thearcfamily)	Lester's heart sank at that, at hearing that catch in Becker's voice and how poorly he seemed to be doing. He stepped back to give them space as Sarah's eyes fluttered open, "Becker..." she said, her words slurring slightly as she woke up from sleep, "what's ... has something ... happened?"
Becker(thearcfamily)	"Shhh.... no everything is alright" he said as he kept stroking her cheek gently. "I have to step away for a little bit. But I will be right back ok? I'll be just down the hall... with Nick and Connor" he added, saying their names softly.
Sarah(thearcfamily)	Sarah looked confused for a bit as she focused on Becker stroking her cheek, "you ... you'll come back?" she asked softly, afraid of being left alone.
Becker(thearcfamily)	"I promise" Becker said gently. "I will be just down the hallway. You can call out and I will hear you" Becker leaned over and kissed Sarah softly. "I won't be gone for long. You try and get some more sleep and I will wake you up when I get back alright?"
Sarah(thearcfamily)	Sarah nodded as she began to drift back off to sleep, "okay, I love you Becker," she said softly as her eyes closed.
Becker(thearcfamily)	"Love you Sarah" Becker whispered as he watched Sarah fall back asleep. When he was convinced she was resting peacefully enough he stood up and made his way back to Lester. "Alright" he said with a small nod not at all looking forward to the looks Cutter and Connor were going to give him.
Lester(thearcfamily)	"Thank you for doing this," Lester said as they started to head back out the room and towards Cutter and Connor, "I know this is a lot for you as well but the way Cutter and Connor are right now, I don't want a repeat of what happened last time when they started eating again," he said softly.
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker nodded, he remembered all too well what happened last time. "I don't want that either sir," he said softly. He stopped as Lester knocked and then opened the door and hesitated before slowly following Lester into the room, not saying a word at first.
Lester(thearcfamily)	Cutter hadn't moved from his position on the bed when Lester at left and his eyes were still closed, the food still untouched, "you have a visitor," Lester said gently hoping that would get some kind of reaction. Cutter let out a tired sob but still didn't open his eyes.
Becker(thearcfamily)	Connor was as he had been Lester left as well, still curled up beside Cutter, the tray of food still totally ignored. Becker felt terrible seeing them like this and he couldn't help but think back to the last time they had been in a hospital bed.... "Hello, Nick... Connor..." he said softly from where he stood beside Lester.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter stirred slightly at that familiar voice and opened his eyes, turning slightly in disbelief, "Becker?" he croaked, tears starting to fall down his cheeks, "you're ... is that really you?"
Becker(thearcfamily)	"Becker?" Connor asked as he looked over towards the voice. "It's me" Becker said simply not knowing whether he was going to make things better by showing up or worse by leaving again. He gave a small nod to Nick and Connor. "Becker!" Connor cried out as he turned and sat up in the bed, barely feeling the pain at the sudden movement just then.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	It wasn't long at all before Cutter was doing the same thing, even though he struggled a little to sit up right with the way his head was hurting. "Becker! You're here ... why ... James said you're resigning?" he trembled, the hurt clearly there in his voice.
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker looked at Lester and gave a sad sigh as he walked over to the bed. He sat down at the foot of Cutter's bed and looked at them. "I have" he said simply."I need to be able to help Sarah with her recovery. I..." Becker hesitated and took a breath "I need to focus on something other than the ARC right now." "But you... you're leaving us behind?" Connor asked, the hurt evident in his voice and face. "I don't want to..." Becker said as he rubbed the back of his head and glanced over at Lester.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Can't you just take leave?" Cutter asked quietly, "we ... we understand if you need to be with Sarah but why didn't you want to see us at all? Is it ... is it because of me?"
Becker(thearcfamily)	"Of course not Nick. If anything it's because of me." Becker looked down at his hands and sighed. "How many times have I failed to protect you and Connor? How many times have you both been hurt because I wasn't there or I couldn't do my job? I love the ARC and you all. That's why... I have to resign. You all deserve better."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"But it wasn't your fault," Cutter said weakly as tears rolled his cheeks, "you couldn't have known the attack was going to happen, what Helen was going to do, you're our friend Becker, no one else can do the job ... please reconsider," he pleaded.
Becker(thearcfamily)	"We need you Becker" Connor said as he looked at Becker. "You are more than just security you are more than a bodyguard or protector, you are our friend. And it's our friend that we miss and want back. Please Becker, reconsider." Becker sighed and looked at them and then to Lester. "The paper has already been filed. I don't know if coming back is even a possibility right now...."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Lester had kept his expression as neutral as he could but he did glance back at Becker with a knowing look, "actually," he said a little sheepishly, "I think you might have find that there was a filing error with the paperwork, it hasn't even been put in yet," he admitted. Cutter's eyes widened at that and looked hopefully at Becker, "please Becker, please reconsider for us, please, you can't quit not after everything we've been through,"
Becker(thearcfamily)	"Please Becker" Connor said as he reached up for the dog tag that was under his hospital gown. It had taken a direct order from Lester for the hospital staff to give them back and allow them to wear them when they were having scans and tests done. Connor was glad to have gotten it back finally just the other day."We're here for each other remember" he said as he felt the dog tag and looked at Becker. With tears in his eyes Becker's hand went to his own ARC dog tag as well. "Alright. I'll rescind the resignation."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter was holding his dog tag as well, and the tears were overflowing at that news, "thank you Becker," he croaked, "please don't do that again," he sobbed. Lester gave a small smile at that, he had been hoping that Becker would come to that decision, "welcome back Captain,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor was also crying, unable to stop the tears as he heard that. "Thank you Becker he said. Becker didn't say anything at first and leaned over and wrapped his arms carefully around Cutter and Connor. "I'm sorry" he said softly to them. Connor just nodded as he gave Becker a light hug with his good arm. "You better not ever think of leaving us again" he said as he swallowed down the lump in his throat.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter couldn't stop crying as he hugged Becker, "we love you Becker, we can't do this without you," he said softly, "thank you for not leaving," he said as the tears rolled onto Becker's shirt.
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker had tears of his own falling just then. "I love you both too. I'm sorry for trying to leave. I.. I just thought I was doing the best thing... Im sorry." He hugged them both for a moment and then gave a small half choked laugh as he realized his shirt was getting cried on again. "I'd be careful burying your face in that shirt too much Nick... haven't changed in a couple of days."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter couldn't help but laugh at that and then winced at how much that movement still hurt, "well its a good thing you can get a new shirt then," he said with a tiny smile, "I'm sorry too, I ... I didn't think any of this was going to happen, I'm sorry that Sarah got hurt," he trembled.
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker pulled back and looked at Cutter with concern. He shook his head sadly. "It's not your fault cutter. If anyone is to blame for Sarah getting hurt its me. I know Wilder and how he can be. I should have done more to protect her. Protect all of you."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter trembled, "you couldn't have known," he said softly, "there was no way you could have thought he'd hurt Sarah like that, that they'd all hurt us like they did ...we ... we have to be prepared for next time to stop Helen and Christine and Wilder once and for all,"
Becker(thearcfamily)	"We will stop them They are going to pay for what they did to you all" Becker said determinedly. "I promise you both. They are going to answer for their crimes."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter trembled and nodded, "we're all going to get through this, to stop them and we're going to make sure that they can't hurt anyone else again,"
Becker(thearcfamily)	"They aren’t going to stop us this time either" Connor said as he looked at Becker and Cutter, hand clinging to the dog tag around his neck. "Aye. Thank you... all of you" Becker said as he looked over at Lester. "For forgiving me for being so foolish."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Lester gave a small smile, "we're just glad that you reconsidered Captain, also saves on filling in a lot of unnecessary paperwork," he added. "I'll go and get fresh soup," the nurse told them, now that Cutter and Connor seemed to be a lot better and then she took the now cold dinner trays and left. "You'll stay with us?" Cutter asked pleadingly, "at least while we eat, I know you want to go back to Sarah," he said softly.
Becker(thearcfamily)	"I can stay for a little while. Sarah is sleeping and she's just down the hall. They can get me if she wakes up" Becker smiled as he moved to the chair by Cutter's bed. "I'd love to stay for lunch."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter gave a small smile at that as he relaxed considerably and then his stomach started growling and he looked a little sheepish, "thank you Becker," he said softly, "thank you for staying,"
Lester(thearcfamily)	The nurse came back with the fresh hot bowls of soup for Cutter and Connor and Becker and Lester settled in to watch Cutter and Connor have their lunch, who were looking a lot more relaxed now that Becker was back and wasn't going to be resigning.