Disclaimer: Harry Potter and company are property of JK Rowling. No money was made writing this fiction.
Summary: An accident brings Severus home to Echo earlier than anticipated.
Warnings: Tissue Warning, Explicit Descriptions Of Injuries, Discrimination,
Author’s Note: We are quite serious, parts of this may very well warrant tissues. Yes, we've harmed the Wolffes....but we promise, they are all better now. Please don't hunt us down.
They apparated into the alley behind the Charleston hospital and quickly gained entrance. "Is Damon still in Casualty?" he asked Max as they approached a woman behind the information desk. Severus drew himself up and looked down at the blue haired woman. "I am looking for Damon and Gracie Wolffe, they were brought in earlier."
Max nodded. "As far as I know they were taking him into Surgery when I left. He might be out and in Recovery for all I know. I had to threaten Grant to sedate him if he didn't let them try to save him by Muggle means until I could get me some help."
The old woman eyed the dark haired man. "And you are? Only immediate family is allowed to see the patient and that man has been in there with him all day. One of you has to come back out as there is only one visitor allowed in at a time." She raised her pencil to write down his name and smiled at Max. "Good to see you Dr. Sorens."
Severus looked down at her and summoned up all the vitriol he could muster at the tone of voice she'd used in speaking about Grant. "I am their son. You will keep a civil tongue in your head when you speak of my parents," he spat. "My name is Severus Wolffe."
She raised her eyebrows and muttered something under her breath as she wrote down the information. "Dr. Sorens, would you like to escort him back or would you like me to call another physician? You look tired."
Severus was muttering a hex to cause the woman uncontrollable facial hair as Max grabbed him by the elbow and dragged him down the hallway. "Fecking bint should be flogged for what she said," he snapped as they were suddenly at the casualty ward doors. Damon lie beyond them. "How is Grant taking this? Do I need to get a calming draught down him?" Severus asked as he pulled the small phial from his robe pocket.
Max covered the phial with his hand. "Wait until we get alone. The Muggles around here are paranoid. You'll see when you get there, man. I am sorry I can't really tell you or prepare you; you just have to see him."
Grant sat behind the curtains, ramrod straight on the hard chair, his leg sticking out in front of him awkwardly as he held his husband's hand and murmured softly to him. "Wake up baby, please. I need you, you have to wake up..." He looked up as a nurse came in and gave him a nasty look. He knew the staff there didn't know quite what to make of him, but he couldn't care less, he just wanted his Damon to wake up again.
"Mr... Mrs... Mr... Wolffe," the nurse began with condescending smile. "Doctor Sorens has returned and brought Mister Wolffe's son with him. I'm afraid you have to leave now that a family member is here." She held the curtain open for him.
"Severus is here?" he asked softly and then realized what the woman had said. "NO! I'm not leaving, he's my husband, and you can't make me."
Severus stepped through the curtain. "Grant." He said softly. He glared at the nurse as Max came up behind him. "Dr. Sorens is here and gave me permission to be in here with them both, now if you will kindly leave us in peace." He sneered at her and she paled and left them alone after a nod from Max.
"Grant." Severus said again and bent to enfold the dark haired man in his arms. His 'mum' was alive and he need to make certain Grant was as well as to be expected before he tried to tackle looking at Damon.
Grant stayed in his chair, getting up was just too painful to bear. "Sevvie," the older man murmured as he pulled Severus down into a hug. "I'm so glad you are here, help me take Damon where they can help him," he pled as he grasped the younger man's hands with fingers covered in dried blood. He'd not left Damon's side since they had cast his leg without giving him painkillers. "They won't let me authorize his transfer, they say I'm not part of his family," he choked out as he turned back to where his husband lay still, his neck in a restraining collar and oxygen being pumped into him. "Did Max get things ready to move him?"
Severus nodded and pulled away a bit to dig in his robes. He pulled the phial of Calming Draft free and looked around. "Here, take this now. I'll do what I can to get him moved as soon as possible. They are still setting up at Blue Ridge." He brushed the other man's hair with his hand and picked him up. "Let's get you cleaned up as well." He started for the curtain with Grant.
"No, I can't leave him Severus, put me down," he protested, the phial tightly clutched in his hand. "If I go, they won't let me back in and I can't leave him," he gulped back a sob and struggled in the younger man's arms. "I don't care about me, just make Damon alright, just make him alright...” his voice trailed off as he looked down at his boy’s face.
"Oh, you'll get back in, Grant and you'll sign his transfer as well." Severus assured him. "I am going to take care of that straight away we just need to get you cleaned up a bit." He emphasized his last words and held on to the squirming man tighter. "Max will be here with him for a few minutes, Grant." He grabbed the man's chin. "Let me help you first, Grant. Please."
Grant looked into Severus' determined face and sighed, reaching out for Damon's hand. Once he could grasp it, he closed his fingers around the larger ones gently. "I'll be right back honey, this stubborn boy of ours says my face is dirty," he whispered softly and brought Damon's fingers to press against his lips for a moment. He laid his husband's hand back down and took a shuddering breath. "Alright Little Bird."
Severus took Grant out and around to the rest room. Once in there, he set the man on the counter and cast a locking charm on the door. He dug in his pockets and began to set the potions on the counter next to Grant's thigh. He wet some paper towels and turned on the water for Grant to wash his hands as he scrubbed the older man's face. "Here's a pain reliever and some Skel-Gro." He pulled his wand. "Alright now, tell me what Gracie looks like." He aimed his wand at Grant. "Be detailed so I can get it right. We'll float you behind me and disguise the cast to look as if you are walking and get you both the hell away from these Muggles."
Grant looked at him in confusion. What Gracie looked like? "Gracie looks like me, a little softer, appropriate curves. A little like Magpie," he said as he winced from the scrubbing. He swallowed the potions, grimacing at the taste, the calming draught finally kicking in and making him a bit more controllable. "They wouldn't wash me up, Little Bird," he said softly as he watched the bloody paper towels be tossed into the bin. A tear slipped down his cheek as he looked in the mirror and saw Gracie looking back at him.
"They're Muggle barbarians, Grant. We'll file suit on them. Jo Velden is working on the accident, we'll get her on this as well if you like." He smiled at Grant. "How did I do, Mum? Let's go and get Da out of here." He pulled Grant's wallet from his pocket and charmed the driver's licence to match Gracie's information and face and then gave it back to him transfigured into a purse. Severus forewent the floating charm and picked up Grant again just because he needed the weight of the man against him to reassure him that Grant was battered but alright. He would deal with Damon in a few minutes. He squeezed the older man against his chest holding tightly to him for a moment.
"It wasn't Damon's fault," he murmured somewhat sleepily as he was carried back to where Damon was lying. The sight of the closed curtain effectively shutting him up as did the sight of the rude nurse that was waiting with a smirk on her face. "As you were told before, legal family only. You are ready to be discharged, here are your papers." She handed him several sheets of pink paper and disappeared back behind the curtain. Grant looked from the papers to Severus.
Severus smirked. "Max, send the nurse back out here." He drew his wand and waited.
The nurse huffily pushed past the hanging drape and faced Severus and Grant with a glare, "If you are his son, you may go in, but as I told the other person, family only."
Severus sneered and raised his wand to aim right between her eyes. "Obliviate!" He tucked the ebony wood away and slapped the nurse's face, none too gently until she returned to herself. "This is my Mother, Grace Wolffe. She has been sedated so I will be carrying her around. She would like to sign my father's transfer papers so we can leave your facilities and she will be going back in with me to see him again."
The nurse looked dazedly from Severus to Grant, nodding stupidly. "Of course, I'll have the doctor bring the forms immediately." She walked away unsteadily. Grant shook his head and swatted Severus' hand. "You know you aren't supposed to tease the Muggles, I thought we raised you better than that." He chuckled as Severus carried him back in to sit at Damon's bedside. He took his husband's hand in his and kissed his fingers once more. "I'm back honey, I'm back. We're going to take you home now." He looked up to Max for conformation, biting his lip at the solemn expression on the healer's face. "They are ready for him now, right?”
Max nodded and stared at Grant's new face. He looked at Severus and shook his head. "Blue Ridge just called; they’re ready, just waiting on the transfer orders. They'll fly him there and one of us can go in the helicopter." He bent down and turned Grant’s face to look in his eyes. "Grant, I want to ask if I can go with him and you go with Severus. The copter is coming from Blue Ridge so I can start using magic on him once we get in the air; the techs are Wizards too and I got Sev's potions to use, alright." The big red head took Grant's other hand. "I'll know more about how to help him, once I have a chance to assess him with my wand and get the potions in him, ok?"
"You'll make him better," Grant said as he patted the big read head's hand. "Don't let anything happen to him." He turned his attention back to Damon and tuned the others out.
"Don't look at me like that," Severus hissed, "Did you know how they were treating him?" He pulled on his friend's sleeve and stood in the corner of the area looking down at the broken body that was his Da. He could feel his eyes start to tear as he looked at the bruised and battered body, Damon's head swathed in bandages, a tube snaking from under them as it drew off fluids that threatened to cause serious brain damage. "I'll get Grant there as soon as I can, he's alright to apparate?"
Max reached up and stroked Severus' face. "I did the best I could in the time I had, Severus. I was trying to get them out of here as fast as possible and when I figured out they weren't going to let Grant sign the papers I came and got you. I knew you would take care of it." He sighed. "Damon is my top priority right now, Sev. Grant will live. I’ll do everything in my power to get Damon back but remember what I told you at Hogwarts.”
He wiped away the escaped tears and squeezed the dark haired man’s face, gently. “You'll have to Side-Along him, I don't think he can do it as drugged as he is. Get to the hospital as soon as you can. I am going up to the flight pad to wait on the helicopter."
Severus leaned over Grant and told him that they had to leave now; the older man looked up at him and nodded quietly. "They're bringing him where they can fix him, right?"
"Yes, transferring him to Blue Ridge, Max says they are all ready for him now. You and I need to go ahead of them and make sure all the paperwork is signed," he said gently and then thought of something. "Don't forget to sign as Grace on the paperwork here, alright?"
Grant just nodded again and took the clipboard from the doctor when he came back in, signing where Severus pointed and then handing it back blindly. The younger man watched him and wondered if he was just dazed from the crash or if he had perhaps overdosed him. Shaking his head, he put Grant in the wheelchair the hospital provided and rolled him outside.
Quickly rolling him to the alley in back where he lifted him into his arms and apparated to the Blue Ridge facility.
Max watched the helicopter land and then loaded Damon in carefully. In this, magic had too much of a pop and as delicate as the old Dom was right now Max was taking no chances. He climbed in after the stretcher and got to work.
Seventeen minutes later, the helicopter landed and Max climbed out with Damon floating behind him; the two techs guiding the gurney carefully. Severus' potions had cleared up the bruising on his body and the burns as well. The big red head had to put a feeding tube in Damon to get the Skel-gro and a Deflating Draft down him.
The Muggles had gone in and stitched up some of the internal tearing but nothing could be done about the bruising on his organs. He would have to see if Sev could come up with a new potion to take internally.
But that would take time and research that they didn't have. It was just something that was going to have to heal on it's own, he supposed. He turned back to read over the monitoring spell and was slightly more optimistic about the outcome. The Muggle's brain scan had shown little to no brain wave activity but once Max had done the Magical Diagnostics, he had found it. It was sluggish at best but the Healing Sleep the Healer had sunk the man into would greatly help. Damon's magic was strong and it was still flowing in the old veins.
All he had left to do was to tell Severus and find a way to make Grant understand that Damon might not wake even though his prognosis might improve. He had a feeling it would send the little sub into shock and he had called ahead to have a second team waiting just in case.
After setting Damon in a private room and attaching more monitoring spells he went in search of Severus and Grant. He hoped the older man had gotten some rest. It had been a long twenty-four hours and he hoped with all he had that he had got to Damon in time.
Severus had Grant in one of the exam rooms being looked over by the healers, all of his abrasions and the broken leg taken care of. He was sick when he learned that the Muggles had missed the fact the small man's kidneys and liver had been bruised. He was petrified to learn what horrors they had done to Damon.
He heard the doors whoosh open and saw Max with two others quickly bringing the injured man in. Merlin, he looked so frail on the gurney, so broken. He waited by the door to see if he could help with something. Anything.
He watched his best friend working feverishly and felt sick at the look on his face. He turned without speaking and went back to where Grant was snapping and snarling at the orderlies who were trying to keep him still and not go in search of his husband.
Grant spied Severus in the doorway and wriggled out of the grasp of one burly man and zeroed in on his boy. "Is Max here with Damon yet? I want to see him, he needs me," he said as he pulled on the bigger man's arm trying to get him out the door. "Help me find him."
Severus grabbed Grant and held him still. "Slow down Grant, Max just got here and they need to get him settled." He picked the smaller man up and returned him to the examining table. "You have to be all cleared before we go to him, alright. You want to be well to take care of him don't you?"
Severus knew it was a low strike but he had to give Max some time to finish with Damon before the demanding Indian showed up wanting answers. "I am certain that once Max secures him in a room then he will come get us. Until then we need to get you up to snuff, yeah?"
Another thought came to him. "Is there anyone else that needs to be notified about Damon?"
Grant nodded. "I don't know if they called Mother Wolffe or not. That's where we were headed," he said as he fished in the purse Severus had yet to change back into his wallet and held out a slip of paper. "Can you call her and call Tom down at the bar as well, he'll have to handle things." The small man sat back down on the exam table and let the healer finish what he was doing without another word. With everything going on, the small submissive needed the firm hand of a Dom he trusted to keep him from getting out of hand.
Severus nodded and squeezed Grant's hand. "I'll be right back and I'll see if Max has him settled alright? Stay right here and wait for me to come back.” He kissed the other man's head and eased himself out of the room only to run into a long tall woman.
"Watch where you are going." He sneered down at the lady then looked her over. She was professionally dressed in designer robes and he hoped he had not insulted a specialist on Damon's case; since she had been right outside the door. "Why are you outside this door?" He asked only a little less demanding.
"Severus, don't you recognize me? It's me, Jo. How are Grant and Damon doing? I heard Damon was hurt pretty badly," she said as she took his hand and gave it a squeeze. She looked down at the file in her and hand and then smiled nastily at Severus. "I'm going to make that bastard pay for what he's done to your parents."
Severus stared at her trying to register the woman before him and the one he had seen in Sturgis clad in leather and denim, swinging a whip. He shook his head. "Jo? What are you doing here? I mean why are you here, how?"
"Severus, I was on the road behind Damon and Grant...I saw the accident. As soon as I could make sure they were alive I began proceedings to put the other driver behind bars," she said fiercely as she looked down at information she held in her hand on the driver. "And then I got wind that Grant was possibly not given proper care in the Muggle hospital, I wanted to check in on them."
"Damon and Grant are married legally and they wouldn't release Damon to Grant's custody nor would they let him make decisions in Da's care and transfer. Max had to step in and now I am not sure as to whether or not Damon is actually going to make it and possibly because of their actions. Not to mention they missed several of Grant's injuries which I am convinced was because they are gay and I am not entirely certain they didn't damage my father even further with their barbaric practices." Severus was nearly shouting at the end of his tirade and he pinched his nose. "I... I am sorry, it has been a rough past few hours."
"Hate related discrimination is illegal here, if you can prove he was treated differently, Grant will have a tidy sum to see him through," she said as she laid a hand on his upper arm in a sign of compassion. "I truly am sorry to hear about Damon, if it is of any consolation, the healers here are among the top in the country. Here's my cell number, keep me updated Sev and I'll work on the legal ends." She handed him a card, gave his arm a parting squeeze and headed down the hallway, pulling out a cell phone and talking rapidly as she went.
The healer walked out of the room then, shaking his head and muttering about patients that didn't have the sense enough to sit still and heal. Severus snorted softly and walked back in the room to find Grant pacing the floor.
Max passed Jo on the way out and eyed her tiredly. He thought he had heard Severus' dulcet tones a moment ago and wondered if he was going to have to smooth things over. He shook his head and headed for Grant's room. He had finally gotten Damon settled and he was sleeping in his coma; the magic slowly working to heal the battered man. He knocked on the door, before cracking it open. "Grant? Severus?"
"We're in here Max," Grant said as he whipped the door open and pulled the Healer in the examination room. "Where is Damon? How is he?" he asked fearfully as he took in the expression on Max's face. He backed away from him until he bumped into a chair and then sat down heavily. "He has to be okay. Severus, tell him that he has to be okay," Grant began and was slowly working himself up into a panic. "Tell him!"
Severus looked at his friend helplessly and tried to sooth the upset man. "What is it, Max?" he asked softly as he stroked Grant's matted hair.
Max sighed. "Damon is set up in a private room." He walked over to the other men and knelt down to talk to Grant. He gently took Grant's face in hand and looked at the wild eyes. "Grant, you must calm down right now. We have to talk first but you have to try and remain calm. If you do I will take you to see him. Do you understand me? Would you like to have Severus give you something to help you? I want you to be able to understand what I tell you so think carefully."
Grant took several long shuddering breaths and clutched Sev's hand tightly. "I understand," he said in what had to be the most frightened voice either man had ever heard from the submissive. "Just tell me...please."
Max nodded and stood then pulled the rolling stool over to sit down. "I am not going to lie to you, I have done my best on him and he's still in the coma." He watched Grant for signs of distress and hurriedly got the rest out. "I healed the burns and bruising and gave him the Skel-gro for his pelvis and arm. The Muggles stitched up the internal injuries and they look to be well done. I know one of the surgeons down there and it looks like his work." He sighed and continued. "There's no infection setting in but I have him on an I.V. drip to be safe. He's got a feeding tube and there is brain activity. I put him deeper in the coma so that his magic will work to heal his body and that will raise up naturally regardless of his condition."
The big red head took Grant's hands in his and looked the smaller man in the eye. "I don't know when he will come out of the coma, if he ever does. I'm sorry Grant but you need to know. I did my best, sir." He swallowed and looked up at Severus. "Do you have any other questions?"
Grant brought his hand to his mouth and cried silently as he rocked in his chair. "He has to wake up, he has to. He can't leave me...." He moaned as he looked up at Severus. "Take me to him, please. I need to be with him."
Severus looked at his best friend and pulled him into a hug. "I know you are doing everything you can. Is there anything I can do to help? A potion? Dark magic? Anything?" he asked softly. "Just tell me and I'll move the heavens for Damon."
Max wrapped his arms around both men and held them for a moment. He leaned back and pulled Grant into his arms. "I know little one, I know. You have got to be strong for him, though alright. I'll take you in a minute but you have to calm down first." He rocked the other man trying to settle him. He sighed as he rubbed Grant's back.
He looked to Severus. "There's been studies in the Muggle practices that talking and being surrounded by family members can help people come out. Favourite music, voices and things like that can help. If there is some way to make the Bruise Salve ingestible might help but I know that takes time."
He looked down at Grant and hugged him close. He passed him to Severus and stood. "If you want we can go see him now."
Max bent and rubbed his hand over Grant's hair. "I know you want to see him, Grant. Do you need Severus to give you another potion? I just got him stable so you are going to have to be gentle and not jostle him too much when you touch him, alright." He looked back at Severus.
"I want you to hold his hand and talk to him. However, you both need to get some sleep and eat. Healer’s orders. We'll go see him and then you do what I told you. Have you gotten ahold of Mother Wolffe?"
Grant looked at Severus. "Did you call her?" he asked and then turned back to Max. "I'm not hungry, but maybe I should have a half of a dose of a calming draught." He didn't want to do anything that would make Damon worse.
Severus pulled a phial from his pocket and gave the small man a partial dose. "I've not had a chance to call Grandmother yet, but I will soon, I promise," he replied and rubbed his hand over Grant's slight shoulders. "Max, do you have an area where I can work? If so, I can have that potion to you in a few hours, I think," he said confidently. This was something he could do to help. Something he knew he was good at. Something that would keep his mind busy and let him not think about his Da fighting for life.
Max nodded. "I'll talk to the resident Potions Master and see if he will let you brew here. It's why I asked you to bring your robes. I know you can't get in there tonight but I have a small one set up at my practice. You are welcome to it."
He stood. "Let's go see him and call Mother Wolffe. She is welcome to come up here in the morning if she can make it. Then you are going home. You will get some rest. Don't make me knock you all out because I will. I need to focus on him and I can do that if you will follow my orders."
Grant stood up on shaky legs and followed the red head out of the room in a daze. He knew once he was at his husband's side, he wouldn't leave it again, regardless of what Max had to say.
Severus placed a hand on the small of Grant's back and lent him support as they followed down the hallway, he would visit with Damon and get Grant settled and then he would get to work on the potions Max needed. He pulled his mobile from his pocket and punched in Mother Wolffe's number, quickly filling the old woman in on what had happened and explaining to her that she could visit in the morning. He passed the phone to Grant and sighed softly as he listened to the small man tell the woman about the accident.
The more details he heard, the madder he got. He took the phone back and decided he'd talk to Grant about a lawsuit, not only against the driver of the truck, but also the hospital. Merlin forbid if anything were to happen to Damon, he wanted to be sure Grant would be taken care of. He thought that Jo could get the job done properly.
Once outside Damon's door, Grant reached for Sev's hand and held it tightly. "If I start to get out of hand, stop me," he said softly before Max opened the door to let them in. He took in the sight of Damon lying on the white sheets and fought back a sob. He looked like he was asleep except for the bandage on his head. He went to the side of the bed and leaned over to place a gentle kiss on the comatose man's lips. "I'm here honey," he whispered and sat down in the chair next to the bed, taking Damon's hand in his own.
Max watched Grant for signs of distress. He eyed Severus' stoic face and shook his head. "Grant, would you like a few minutes alone with him? Sev and I will be right out here in the hall." He wrapped his hand around the Potion Master's wrist and squeezed. He gave him a look and nodded towards the door.
Severus followed silently into the hallway and looked at Max questioningly. "He doesn't look that bad..." he whispered almost to himself. He shook his head and blinked his black eyes. "I am considering suing the Muggle hospital," he said as he pulled the business card from his pocket. He had to talk about anything but Damon maybe not waking up. "When can I start working?"
Max nodded and took the business card and whistled. "Jo‘s handling it personally. She's mean and doesn't pull any punches. I'd call her a shark but that would insult the animal. She's that good, Severus." He pulled the tall man into a hug. "You are right about Damon. He looks good but the damage is on the inside. I meant what I said. You both are going to have to get some rest if you are to have your wits about you."
Severus pulled away from the hug and looked at Max. "They left some of Grant's injuries untreated there, how could they do that?" he asked as he ran his fingers through his hair. "I don't really want to stay at the house by myself," he said quietly. "I don't think we'll be able to get Grant out of here now."
In Damon's room, Grant sat holding his husband's hand and telling him about Severus arriving and about what they were going to do once he was better and at home. Every few moments he would wipe his eyes and press his lips to the cool fingers.
Max sighed. "Severus, the health care in this country is run by the politicians and conglomerates. There was probably some miscommunication and prejudices and I am not saying that makes it right but sometimes the elderly slip through and it doesn't help matters that they are ex-military. If I hadn't showed up when I did they probably would have sent him to the V.A. hospital in Virginia. He would have never made it then."
He looked back at the door to Damon's room. "I figured as much with Grant staying but he's got to get out for some time. It's not good for him to sit there day in and day out. He's got to leave it behind and keep up with his health as well if he wants to care for Damon if he comes out of this. I know that's cruel and it hurts but we have to face the facts, man. It's going to be rough for a while and I am going to need your help to keep Grant healthy while this is going on."
Severus nodded and looked at Max once more. "Do you believe he'll live?" he asked quietly, immediately wishing the words had never left his mouth. He shook his head quickly and spoke once more. "I'll drag him out if I have to Max, you have my word on it. Is that why you brought me out here?"
Max sighed. "Live yes, but is he going to be an invalid I don't know, Severus. I brought you here to help yes, but honestly I cannot say whether or not he will come out of it. People have woken up from supposedly being brain dead weeks, months, or even years later."
He rubbed his face. "Since he's a wizard, I'd say he has a good chance at pulling out of it but I cannot give you the odds." He sighed again. "Grant's going to fight like a hellcat but it needs to be done he can come and stay all day but I want him to go home at night I think. I don't know what else to do to keep him from falling into a depression. I don't think Grant's ever been alone since they got married."
"Shit," Severus muttered, "Okay, we need to make sure someone is with him when he's not here, then. I'll be working in the lab, so maybe Allie?" He walked down the hall a few meters and turned back. "If Damon is an invalid...what options do we have? Grant can't care for him, not totally I don't think."
He thought for a few more moments and looked up at Max. "Do you do magic transfers here in the States?"
Max nodded. "They do but it's regulated strictly. Both donor and recipient have to be tested. They must be at least eighty-five percent or better on the compatibility scales. Blood as well as magic must be complimentary too as we have found the transfer is smoother and tends to have a better end result if the RH factors are consistent."
He looked at Severus. "It's a good idea but it's also time consuming and expensive. The other options aren't much better; Wizarding care facilities, a live-in or drop in nurse. Yeah Allie will help when she can, I know Mother Wolffe and Grant are very close so she may even help us if she doesn't fall apart like Grant did. She's a trip; a true Southern Belle at heart. Fluff on the outside, steel framework on the inside."
"But it would give Damon a better chance, wouldn't it?" the raven haired man asked hopefully. "I'd like to be tested, I'll pay for it Max. Isn't it worth the effort?"
He shook his head emphatically as Max continued. "No, no, Damon can't go in a home. It would kill them both," he stated firmly. "I'll make my resignation official and stay before a stranger comes into their home, or arrange for a sabbatical, Merlin knows I've the time coming." He knew Mother Wolffe and he knew she was a bit on the odd side, but she and Grant did get along well.
Max nodded. "It could Severus and then it might not. There's risks as well as advantages. I know we don't need it because he’ll do anything to get Damon back but I'll talk to Grant. He has to give permission for the testing on Damon. You realize I am going to have to draw off some of his magic and that it could set him back don't you?"
The big red head rubbed his face and sighed. "I know what you mean about putting him away. I couldn't do it either." He reached out and stopped Severus from pacing. "Can you do that Severus? Leave Scotland and take over here with no foreseeable way to make money?"
"How much magic would you need to take from him?" he asked, chewing his lower lip and thinking. "I would leave Scotland for them Max, you know I'm planning to move here in a few years anyhow. I'm a Potions Master, I can always brew for others. There's money to be had in that, you know."
Grant laid his head down on the bed next to Damon's hip and held the man's hand in his own. "Do you remember the time we took the bike to Georgia, baby? How much fun we had visiting your friends," he said softly as his eyelids got heavier due to exhaustion and the potions he'd been given. "Would you like to go back to visit them in the spring? We could take a week and go....you just have to wake up baby..." His words slurred and his eyes closed as sleep claimed him.
Max sighed. "Depends on how many times I have to test different magics, because you know once Grant hears about this he's going to want to be tested as well." Max leered at Severus. "I could always use a Potions Master near my practice. There really isn't a decent one for miles and miles. Plus I know your shit is good and I never have to worry about getting a bad potion."
The big man shook his head. “Severus, all joking aside, think about what you are saying. How are you going to brew potions and care for both Grant and Damon at the same time? And yourself? You can’t care for any one else if you are down and out. I don’t mean to keep playing Devil’s Advocate but someone’s got to Severus. We’re all hurting over this but cooler heads have to prevail somewhere.”
Floating on a sea of darkness, Damon heard Grant talking but couldn't find him. He wandered around in the darkness, listening and looking for his husband. Then the soft voice was gone. He spun and listened desperate to hear it once more. But it was gone and quiet descended on him again. He clinched his fists in anger and howled out his desperation at the loss.
The fingers on the hand Grant was holding twitched and then lay still.
In his dreams, Grant thought he could feel Damon's fingers stroking his own and he smiled at the gentle touch. His man wouldn't leave him alone to face the world. He wrapped his fingers tighter around Damon's and slipped further into sleep.
Severus looked at Max and stood up straighter. "I can take care of them Max, I have to, it's my place, you know? You have no idea what I can do if I need to," he said with conviction as he opened the door to Damon's room and they both saw Grant asleep with Damon's hand tucked next to his cheek. "Do you think it'll be easier to move him without waking him?"
Max nodded and agreed. Severus Snape knew how to take care of business as he had seen several times over whether in play or seriousness. "Oh hell yeah. If we are quick about it we might be able to do it without waking him. We are going to have a fight on our hands if we rouse him." He spoke softly trying not to wake the small sub as he walked to the other side.
The redhead curse quietly. "He's got a death grip on Damon's hand but if you are ready to pick him up, I think I can carefully pry them apart." He bent closer to Grant and took a deep breath. "Pray to your favourite deity, we are going to need all the help we can get." Max placed his hand on top of Grant's. "Ready?"
As Severus lifted the small man, Grant's eyes flew open and he looked at them both. "What are you doing? Leave me alone," he mumbled as he held onto Damon's hand. "I'm fine, you go away." The other two looked at him askance, his speech was slurred and he looked completely exhausted, but he was ready for a fight.
"Grant, you need to go home and get Severus settled, so he can brew potions for Damon tomorrow." Max stated firmly. "You both need to rest and you may come back first thing in the morning. I will be in and out all night checking on him and neither of you will get any sleep. Visiting Hours start at nine in the morning."
Grant blinked as he looked at Max and shook his head slowly. "No...I can't leave him. Sev knows the wards for the house, everything he needs is there," he said as he looked at Severus. "I was sleeping just fine until you woke me up. I can't go. He needs me, you know he needs me," he beseeched as he went back to the side of the bed and laid his head down next to Damon's hand once more. His eyes widened as he saw the long fingers twitch slightly. "Max..." he whispered. "he's moving....my Damon is moving!" He leaned forward and pressed his lips to the blunt nails of his husband.
Severus was at his side instantly. "He's moving? Max...this is good, isn't it?" he asked hopefully of his friend and stroked Grant's long hair gently.
Max nodded because he couldn't break their hearts again to tell them it might just be a reaction of the nerves healing. He swallowed before speaking.
"Grant, Damon does need you and he would want you to be well rested and to take care of Severus also. You want to be able to do that, don't you?" He hated playing dirty with Grant and it made him feel even worse but it had to be done. He had his hands full with Damon and didn't need Grant to fall apart as well.
"Please Grant, let Severus take you home and both of you get some rest. Go get Mother Wolffe tomorrow and bring her up here. It will be good for Damon to hear her voice as well. I promise, I will call you immediately if something happens."
"I could.." Grant began as he lifted his head and looked into the Healer's stern face. He looked to his husband and then back to Max. "He gets cold at night, he'll need another blanket, there aren't enough on the bed...and he likes the radio on while he sleeps. You'll play music for him, won't you?" he asked softly as he stood up and laid his head over Damon's heart for a long few moments. He rose again and pressed a kiss to his lips. "I'll be back in the morning honey and I'll bring your things from home." He turned and stood in front of Severus with his head bowed. "Take me home and I'll fix your meal."
Max nodded and pressed the nurse call button. When the door opened a little blonde stuck her head in. “Yes, Healer Soren? Is there a problem?”
“No Nancy, there’s not but I need you to get me two more blankets, cast some warming charms on them and find me a portable radio please.” She nodded and closed the door again as she left.
Max turned Grant around and pulled him into his arms. “How’s that, Grant? Bring him anything you think might help him want to come back. A book he might be reading; you can read to him, a tape or CD of songs ;you all‘s songs ones that have special meaning in your lives together.”
He rocked the sub and looked up at Severus, silently asking him if he could take Grant like this.
Severus carefully gathered the smaller man in his arms and nodded to Max. "Come on Grant, let's get home and rest so we can be back early tomorrow," he said gently and laid one hand on Damon's, giving it a squeeze before leading Grant out of the room. "I'll help you put together some things to bring back, alright?" As he passed his friend, he stopped and pulled him into a hug. "Call me on my mobile if there's any change, yeah? Then I can deal with Grant," he whispered into his ear. He too, was afraid of the worst happening before they returned in the morning.
Max returned the affection. "I will, Severus. Get him to bed and make him sleep." He watched the two of them leave as the nurse came back in. He tucked the blankets around Damon and smiled down at the man. "Old fucker, you had better come out of this." He stroked the man's forehead and squeezed his hand. "I promised Grant I would do my damnedest to get you back to him so don't make a liar out of me, Sir."
Max pulled out his cell and called Allie to let her know what was going on.
Damon had heard Severus, Grant and Max's voice this time. He tried to call out to his family and tell them he was here but his voice wouldn't work. He tried to squeeze back when they touched him, but that hadn't produced any results either. He raged, trapped inside his head when he couldn't get to them.
He laughed when Max threatened him and vowed to come back if only to beat the boy for his impertinence.
At the Wolffe farm there were several dozen cycles parked in the front yard. Doms and subs from Wheeling and Echo alike stood in line waiting to drop off food, blankets, flowers, money and anything else they thought Damon and Grant might need. Allie sat on the front steps writing down names and numbers as Master Jake separated the cooked and cold foods and his sub Chris was keeping it warm or cold depending on the dish. Grant would want for nothing while Damon was in the hospital. The leather group began to chat and talk amongst themselves as they waited to drop off their offerings.
They had already fed and watered the animals and set up for two people to show up tomorrow and help to winterise the house. It had also been agreed upon that Master Courtney would head to Wheeling and retrieve Damon’s mother Marion, tomorrow morning. The witch looked up to see her coven arrive and began casting a circle. She joined them and added her power to the prayer for guidance to Max and a recovery for Damon’s injuries and strength for Grant. The circle came down as her cell phone rang. She listened for a moment and then hung up.
She ran up to Jake and gave him the news and listened while he called out to the others the news on the Wolffes. A cheer went up at the news that Grant was okay and Damon was stable but still in critical condition; several people offered to donate time at the bar if needed and Allie took down those names as well. He informed them that Grant and Severus were coming home soon and thanked them for their kindness. Jake and Chris and Allie volunteered to stay and greet them. Everyone began to clear out.
The roar from the cycles echoed in the night air as they began to leave. Their donations to the Wolffe family lay piled up on the porch under the watchful eyes of their friends.