A room at Mt. Sinai Hospital; New York City; Friday

[rocksthescarf]

Okay, well, he wasn't dead. Chuck hadn't exactly been expecting that. He also hadn't expected for the family to magically start talking to him again out of pity. The papers were even making him seem like more of a victim than a jerk who got what was coming, which was another surprise. If it hadn't been for the weird hospital smell, the fact that

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[solo_sword]

While she had time in her office, Jaina found herself really wanting to check up on Chuck. Nate had said not to call the cell phone, but since he'd helpfully provided the hospital name, she called there and had herself transferred to his room.

Which would be why that phone was currently ringing.

[rocksthescarf]

Well Chuck was just thankful that the phone was placed closer to him than Francine's cupcakes. He hated the cruel bastard that put them across the room. Serena.

"Hello?" Chuck answered almost immediately. Yeah, someone was bored.

[solo_sword]

She was definitely glad he answered, though it sort of amused her how fast he did. "It's Jaina," she greeted him. "Someone's had an interesting few days, huh?"

[rocksthescarf]

"Interesting is a word for it," Chuck said, smiling a little at the familiar voice. "So I guess Nate told everybody, huh?"

[solo_sword]

"Yeah. Rather than us finding out from somewhere else," she said. "I'd take it you're doing better..."

[rocksthescarf]

"Well I'm alive and I'm not like in pain or anything," he told her. "Though I imagine most of it has to do with this awesome button that I push and gives me morphine whenever I want."

Seriously, he was considering marrying it.

[solo_sword]

"Good to know you've found an upside," she said with a little smile. "So what happened? Do you remember?"

[rocksthescarf]

"Some guys tried to mug me and instead of letting them take what they wanted I fought back like an idiot, which got me shot in the stomach," he said, wincing at how stupid he was. "The next thing I know I'm in a hospital room and Francine has already managed to send me baked goods."

[solo_sword]

"A lot of people seem to make that mistake." She'd definitely make it. "Think you're going to be in there long?"

[rocksthescarf]

"Nah, I did well in surgery apparently so they're gonna let me go in a week or so," he said. "But I'm gonna need a lot of time rehabilitating though. Walking is gonna be a problem."

He didn't mention the fact that the doctors weren't sure if he'd walk normally ever again. He was just in a wee bit of denial about that.

[solo_sword]

"Just keep at it once you've gotten out of the hospital bed," she advised. "I took some damage to my legs in an explosion once. It stinks, but just suck it up and it'll get easier."

[rocksthescarf]

"Do I want to know what you were doing around an explosion?" Chuck asked.

[solo_sword]

"It was in battle. My ship was too close to a much bigger ship when it blew," she said. "You know, the usual."

She said that like it hadn't left her blind for months.

[rocksthescarf]

"Ah, yes, the usual. Of course." Chuck had been away from Fandom for so long he almost forgot what the usual was. "Did you have to get a cane? I'm told I'm gonna have to get a cane."

[solo_sword]

"I had one for about a week. Then I got sick of it and conveniently left it somewhere," Jaina admitted. "Are they thinking the cane's going to be a permanent thing, or just till you get to moving normally again?"

[rocksthescarf]

"Uh...they're not really sure," Chuck admitted. "The doctors are being very vague at the moment, but they have mentioned the possibility of it being a permanent thing."

Which sucked.

"But I'm sure I'll be able to deal with it. I'll get a cane that suits my style. It'll be fine."