Just as Bren had feared, Jax started having withdrawal from the Blue Cryo the night of their fight on the beach. For the next three days he had alternated between nightmares and hallucinations as well as continued to run a fever and experienced more severe seizures. They had taken turns watching Jax but Bren had been determined to stay by his side for most of it.

***

Jax had drenched the bed from sweat and had just stopped an episode of violent tossing. Bren had pulled a chair close to the bed so he could watch him. The only thing he could do was be there for him. He was hopeful that the surgery would help Jax, and he could start moving past his dependency on the drug.

It was 3 a.m. and Bren was fighting sleep. He had leaned over to rest his head on the bed. Jax rolled over to his side and opened his eyes at him. His voice was very quiet, and if it had not been for being so close, he wouldn’t have heard him. Jax gave a small laugh and said, “You look like shit. Go to sleep.”

Bren rolled his eyes and said, “you don’t look so great yourself.”

Jax reached for Bren’s hand and said, “Thanks for staying with me!” and then he closed his eyes again. Bren watched Jax for a short while before falling asleep himself.

***

Sina and Fuchsia had been up since 5am. They were sitting at the dining room table with coffee and their laptops. Fuchsia was looking at all the data she had collected from tests she had run and information from Jax’s first surgery. Sina was working as her assistant throughout the entire process ensuring that she didn’t miss anything.

Fuchsia stood up and stretched. She said, “I'm going to check on the guys.” Sina continued typing but nodded in acknowledgement. She was working on something important, and time was not something they had to waste. If she is successful, then it will be a major part in Jax beating his addiction to Blue Cryo.

***

Bren picked his head up when he heard a knock at the door. He sat up and realized that Jax was still holding his hand. He was relieved that he was still sleeping. He looked towards the door and said, “come in.”

Fuchsia stood at the door for a moment looking at the two before entering. She placed her hand on Bren’s shoulder and said, “Go and get a shower and a cup of coffee hun. I will watch him for awhile.”

Bren looked at Fuchsia and then back at Jax. He pulled his hand carefully away from Jax and then placed a hand on Jax’s forehead. “I think he is still running a low fever...should we be worried?”

Fuchsia looked at Jax and shook her head slowly while saying, “It is not uncommon to run a fever from withdrawal, but we will keep a close eye on it. It is going to be another long day for all of us. Now, go get a shower and coffee before Jax wakes up.”

“Come and get me if he wakes up, please.” Bren said before leaving.

Fuchsia sat down beside Jax. She placed her hand on his forehead and could tell that he definitely still had a fever. She slid her finger onto his wrist to check his pulse, carefully trying not to wake him up. His pulse was elevated, but that was also to be expected.

Sina walked into the room carrying a mug of coffee. She handed the mug to Fuchsia and said, “How is he?”

Fuchsia sighed and leaned back in the seat, resting the mug on her legs. “He could be worse.”

Sina sat on the edge of the bed and looked at Jax. “When do you think we can do the surgery?”

Fuchsia picked the mug up for a sip and said, “I can’t do the surgery when he is fevered or experiencing other serious withdrawal symptoms. So, we will continue to prepare and be ready for when his body will allow it.”

Jax all of a sudden rolled to his back and wrinkled his face. He pulled himself up to a sitting position and grabbed his mouth. Fuchsia grabbed the waste basket and shoved it under Jax’s mouth right as he vomited.

Sina spun around as Bren pushed past her worried. Spilling his coffee everywhere. Sina turned to see the trail of coffee down the hallway and said, “Geez Bren...couldn’t you sit your cup down first.”

He looked at Jax who looked as pale as a ghost, but very awake now. Fuchsia scrunched her nose and set the wastebasket down. Jax looked at Fuchsia and said, “sorry, I didn’t vomit on you did I?”

Fuchsia giggled and said, “no Jax, if you had I would have been joining you. How do you feel?”

Jax turned and pushed his legs off the bed and said, “I have a really bad headache and I hurt all over.”

He started to pull his shirt away from his body as he realized it was soaked in sweat and it was beginning to feel cold.

Jax shivered and said, “I think I need a shower!”

Fuchsia smiled and said, “That sounds like a good idea, hun!” as she jokingly held her nose.

Then she said, “You might want to have Bren go with you just in case you feel sick while you are showering.”

Jax's pale face betrayed him as he nervously looked at Bren, as an all too obvious pink appeared. Bren just smiled and walked over to help him up and said, “here let me help you to the bathroom.”

The bathroom was rather large. It had a stand up shower, large vanity with double sinks and a water closet. But it was the stand up shower with clear glass door that made Jax panic and say “I’m really ok you don’t have to stay.

Bren froze and covered his mouth and then let out a way to loud laugh. “Jax, umm need I remind you that I nearly saw you naked not once, but two times recently, and you didn’t seem to have any reservations then.”

Jax turned around back towards the shower and huffed and said, “that was different!”

Bren said sternly, “I’m not leaving now get in!”

Jax said, “fine. At least turn around.”

Bren stood there for a minute staring at Jax before spinning around so he could no longer see him and allow him the privacy he asked for.

A couple of minutes passed and then Jax said, “are you mad at me for what happened on the beach?”

Bren sighed and said, “no, but you really scared us!”

Jax turned the water off and said, “I’m really sorry, I ended up hurting you all again.”

Bren had unintentionally turned around to listen to Jax talk and when the shower door opened, Jax, who was standing there completely naked, realized that Bren was getting a full view.

Bren got a huge smile on his face and then spun around quickly while saying, “I think you are ok. I will wait outside the door for you.” Without waiting for an answer he rushed out the door.