Title: Units Of Time
Author: TeeJay
whitecollar100 Prompt: #13 Unit
Genre: Gen
Characters/Pairings: Neal
Word Count: 300
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Neal's day is made up of units of time.
Disclaimer: White Collar, its characters and its settings belong to Jeff Eastin and USA Network. And, guys? Your characters are not only welcome, they're wonderful. I'm just borrowing, I promise.
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continued from
"And Isn't It Ironic, Don't You Think?" "Thou Shalt Not Kill" "At The Mercy Of Fate" "Through The Haze" "Questions And No Answers" "Hospital Policy" "Losing The Fight" "Fix This" +-+-+-+-+
A normal day in the hospital was made up of units of time. It reminded Neal of that British comedy, the one about a boy killing a duck by throwing a loaf of bread at its head. Except the units Neal counted in didn't involve taking baths or web-based research or having your hair carefully disheveled.
Units of time in the hospital varied. The ones in the morning were governed by checking of vital signs and equipment, changing of IV and catheter bags and clumsy morning hygiene. This was followed by units of boredom, if he was lucky a chat with a nurse. Then rounds of doctors who had little interest in talking to him or answering questions. Then more boredom.
Lunchtime was something to look forward to, because it meant Peter would visit. Sometimes he'd bring Jones or Diana. The Mozzie units in the afternoon were a welcome distraction too, but they did not happen daily. Same as the June units.
Neal wouldn't readily admit it, but his favorite were the Elizabeth units. She would always make sure to bring a present, no matter how small. A cup of his favorite latte, a muffin, a book with cryptic crossword puzzles, milk chocolate treats (the Lindor ones in red she knew he loved). Things always looked so much brighter when Elizabeth visited.
When he was finally allowed to get out of bed and make his first attempts at walking, more units were added to the daily routine. Units spent in the cafeteria, or taking brief walks in the yard in the cold air.
But what he was looking forward to the most was the unit where he would pack his things-the day he would be free again of beeping machines, intravenous injections and uninspired hospital food. He couldn't wait.