Title: Fractured Tranquility

Author: Twilight

Rated: R

Summery: Most household accidents occur...

Disclaimer: I don't own them, no money being made, yadda, yadda, yadda.

Note: Based on a true story and I still have the neon pink tush cush to prove it. I would like to thank my beta readers: Kim, Lyn and Shar-Lee.

Feedback greatly appreciated at dtwilght@hotmail.com


Fractured Tranquility
by Twilight
*~*~*


The sweet smell of vanilla and spice filled the small, steamy bathroom. Blair inhaled deeply, relaxing a fraction as he lit several candles, varying in size and shape, placing them around the sink and bathtub. He watched silently as the hot, foamy water rose. Sighing, he turned off the tap and pulled his shirt over his head, humming along to "Broadway", playing over and over again in his sleep deprived brain.

He was so tired. Spring Break was starting. Finally, he would have time to catch up on all his schoolwork and still be able to help Jim out at the station without worrying that he had forgotten to do something.

Slipping his jeans and boxers off, he reached around to the back of the door and grabbed his brown, ratty, robe. Pulling it on he walked out to the living room in search of his novel. He stopped by the campus library on his way home and picked up "Children of Men", thinking he could do a little reading while relaxing in the tub or lounging around on the sofa. It had been ages since he indulged in such a luxury. Usually, he settled for a quick shower, trying to get in and out before Jim needed to get into the bathroom. But tonight, he had the loft to himself. Jim called and told him that he and Simon were going to grab dinner before going to Simon's to watch the Jags game. He asked if Blair wanted to tag along, but the idea of some quality time alone was just too appealing.

He found the book stuffed into his worn backpack. Pulling it free from the tangled straps, he yawned and headed back to the small bathroom. Placing the book on the closed toilet seat, he stretched his back a little, twisting from side to side and reaching above his head, trying to work out a few kinks. His back was stiff and his neck muscles were sore, tense. The past week had really taken a lot out of him. He had a ton of papers to grade before classes let out for the break and Jim was working on a robbery case. Old people's homes were being invaded and the elderly occupants were being tied up and left until someone realized that they were missing. One poor woman, in her late eighties, didn't have a family or anyone to realize she was missing. Jim took that one hard, vowing to catch the responsible party.

Blair had spent most of his time with Jim, trying to find some kind of lead, searching for something that was missed. That's why Blair wasn't surprised when Jim snapped at him, he just happened to have been the closest target. And even though they hadn't really said much about it, Blair understood Jim's frustrations.

Shuffling through the tiny linen closet, Blair found his blow up headrest. A small smile graced his lips as he thought about the evening he had planned -- a nice relaxing bubble bath, followed by some light reading, maybe a little web surfing, answering his mail, and then there were the movies he'd rented from the Quick Pick on the corner. Finally, a night with nothing better to do than relax.

The jiggling of the lock, and the front door creaking open, startled Blair. An irrational fear swept through him. He shivered, gooseflesh prickling his arm as he listened to the approaching footsteps.

"Hey, Chief." Jim's voice called from the other side of the closed bathroom door.

"Yeah." Blair stepped toward the door a little, bath pillow still in his hand as he wondered what Jim was doing home already.

"What are you doing in there?"

Blair smiled at the suspicion in his friend's voice.

"Well, man – I think they call it taking a bath," he chuckled, tossing his pillow in the tub and reaching for the doorknob to open the bathroom door.

Jim stuck his head in; looking around briefly as Blair turned away to open the linen closet again, looking for his green tea bath bar. He always kept his bath supplies in the closet, not wanting to clutter the shower stall, not wanting the hassle of dealing with Jim if he should go off on a Mr. Clean spree.

"I just thought I'd check with you again." Jim said from behind him. "You know, see if you wanted to come to dinner or at least go to Simon's for the game?"

Blair glanced over his shoulder, smiling a little at the apology that was being offered. "Um – well, I don't think so, Jim. I'm really tired."

Jim sighed, picking Blair's book up from the closed toilet seat, sitting on the lid. "You sure?" He asked, fanning the crisp pages of the book. "I mean -- Simon and I would like to have you, you know..."

Blair turned with two half full bottles of green gel in his hands. "Thanks, but really, I could use a night to myself." He looked at Jim with pleading eyes. He would go if Jim insisted, but his friend just smiled and stood, placing the hardback book on the sink counter.

"Okay. Simon and I are going to hit the road then." Jim moved to the door.

"Simon's here?" Blair asked, his voice going up a notch.

"Yeah," Jim smirked. "Why?"

"I just didn't – I mean I'm in my robe here and we are having a conversation in the bathroom..."

"Calm down, Chief. Simon's raiding the refrigerator for beer and we're all guys."

"Yeah," Blair sat his bottles on the rim of the tub, shivering. A cool breeze drifted in from the partially open door. "Okay."

"Well, I'll leave you to your bath then." Jim closed the door behind him and Blair wasted no time sinking into the hot, bubble-filled tub.

"Mmm...That's niiiice." Blair sunk down farther, humming the same tune from earlier.

He let the water swish around him, shifting slightly to let the heat soak into his sore neck muscles, closing his eyes. After a few seconds, he startled awake, so he pushed himself up a little with his foot, looking around the bathroom for his book. Maybe a little reading and then he would sack out on the couch and channel surf.

The book was sitting on the counter now and Blair couldn't reach it, so he pulled himself up and over the edge of the tub, reaching out with his fingers, stretching but still unable to reach the book. He pulled his body up a little more, his fingers just barely brushing the edge of the spine. Finally, he was able to inch the book closer to the edge.

Just a little more...almost got it.

Blair rose up on his knees and reached out with his hand, leaning precariously over the rim of the tub. His fingers brushed the edge one more time, knocking the book to the floor on the far side of the counter. "Damn."

He stood up, leaving one foot in the tub and bent to get the book. Once he had it firmly in his grasp, he shifted back toward the tub, but his foot slid out from under him. The book flew up in the air and landed on the damp floor with a loud thump and he hit the bottom of the tub hard, landing on his butt, but not before hitting his head on the tiled wall on the way down. "Oh shit," he muttered, sliding back against the cold porcelain tub before his world went black.

*~*~*

Jim was just putting the keys in the ignition when he heard Blair. He had been listening to his friend mutter and hum on the way down to his truck. Simon was asking him where he wanted to eat, but he was tuned into Blair's words. He hoped that Blair was really just tired and not still upset with him. He had been pretty harsh with the kid, but sometimes...

He sat behind the wheel of his truck, waiting for Simon to buckle his seatbelt, when he heard it. At first, he could only make out a few huffs of breath and then a grunt accompanied by a large splash of water.

He hopped back out of the truck and ran into the building, with Simon on his heels. "What's going on, Jim?"

"It's Blair. Something's wrong." Jim took the steps two at a time, pausing only to jerk his key into the lock before barreling through and running to the bathroom calling Blair's name.

He pushed the door open and hurried to his unconscious partner. Kneeling by the tub, he spoke urgently to Blair. "Chief, wake up."

"I should call an ambulance." Simon darted from the room before Jim could stop him, but maybe an ambulance was in order. Blair was out cold, lying nearly sideways in the tub with his right leg bent at a weird angle under him. His left leg and arm were dangling over the edge of the rim and his right arm was pinned slightly behind him, between his body and the bottom of the tub.

"Come on, buddy. Wake up." Jim moved his hands over his friend, looking for any broken bones. He heard his captain talking on the phone and knew an ambulance was on the way.

"Jim, maybe we should let the water out of the tub and cover him up --keep him warm." Simon was standing over Jim now and he could only nod.

"There are some towels and blankets in the linen closet."

*~*~*

Blair shifted a little and groaned, opening his eyes a bit before slamming them shut again. The overhead light was far too bright, sending waves of pain crashing through his skull. "Oh, man," he moaned, covering his eyes with a shaking hand.

"Where does it hurt?" the disembodied voice of his friend asked.

"Jim?" Blair's eyes darted around the small room. "What the hell happened, man?"

"You slipped. I don't think anything's broken, but the ambulance will be here in a few minutes. I can hear it coming."

"Ambulance?" Blair seemed a little too groggy and that worried Jim. Had he hit his head hard, too?

"Yeah, Chief. Just relax. Simon's getting some towels and then we'll see if we can get you out of the tub." Jim stood up and accepted a handful of towels from his captain.

"I don't need an ambulance, Jim. Just get me out of here." Blair pulled his left leg into the tub and pushed off with his foot, trying to get enough leverage to stand. A bolt of agony shot up his spine. "Owwww."

"Just hold still, Sandburg." The captain's booming voice stopped him and he looked down to see him drying off his legs. Thankfully, Jim had tossed a towel over his lap, sparing him a little embarrassment.

"Let me look you over and if I don't find anything broken, then I'll get you out, Blair. But you're going to the emergency room. I think you hit your head and you were out for a few minutes."

Blair nodded, watching his partner's every move, although he found it hard to keep the walls from spinning.

"What hurts?" The Sentinel finished drying off his friend's chest and arms and covered him with a few dry towels.

"My right ankle and elbow and my lower back – my head hurts a little."

Jim perched on the rim of the tub, running his fingers through Blair's damp curly hair, finding a bump the size of a walnut behind his Guide's left ear. Blair winced when his fingers hit a tender spot. "Sorry, Chief. Do you feel dizzy or sick?"

"Um – the room is spinning a little bit," Blair admitted.

Jim felt around Blair's neck next. Satisfied that there wasn't anything broken, he ran his hand down Blair's back, pressing into his spine. "I think your back is okay. How far down does it hurt?"

"Lower – I think I broke my ass."

*~*~*

"What?" Jim just stared at him and Blair could feel the heat rising to his cheeks.

"I said my lower back – way lower. When I tried to stand up, it really hurt." Bright red radiated down Blair's cheeks and across his chest. Was it possible to die of embarrassment?

"Okay." Jim said slowly, a huge grin spreading across his face.

"This is so not funny, man." Blair turned away, catching sight of Simon by the door; great, just great.

"I'm sorry, buddy. But I think you're right. I think you broke your tailbone." Jim stood again and unfolded a blanket, spreading it out on the floor. "Simon, can you give me a hand?"

Blair could only watch, completely helpless and embarrassed about not being able to get out of the tub on his own.

"Okay, Blair. We're going to pick you up. Let us do all the work." Jim leaned over him and wrapped his hands under Blair's arms. Simon took the other end and slid his arm under Blair's left knee. "On three?"

Simon nodded and Jim counted. They lifted him quickly up and out. Blair hissed as soon as he was laid on his side on top of the blanket. Another one quickly covered him and he was grateful for the warmth, pulling it up around his chin with his good hand.

"I hear the ambulance." Jim said, cocking his head to the side.

"I'll meet them downstairs." Simon stood, giving Blair a small smile before leaving the tiny room.

"How about your right leg? Does it hurt now that it's not under you?" Jim sat on the floor by Blair's head, leaning over so Blair wouldn't have to move his head to see him.

"Not too bad, just sort of aches."

*~*~*

Two hours later, Blair was still waiting to see a doctor, lying on his side on a narrow exam gurney. Jim stood by the door, looking expectantly up and down the hall.

"Staring isn't going to get the doctor here any faster, man." Blair was completely miserable. The ride to the hospital seemed to take forever and he was sure that the driver hit every pothole along the way. Even the tiniest bit of movement sent a white-hot trail from his tailbone up his spine. Not to mention the humiliation of having his friend find him stuck in a bathtub. It might even be a little funny, if it didn't hurt so damn much.

"I know," Jim sighed and walked back over to the bed. "I just hope it doesn't take too long."

"Look, Jim. Why don't you go on to Simon's?" Blair wanted desperately to shift just a fraction of an inch, but as he began to move, a really young guy in a lab coat strolled into the room. He was tall, with shaggy blonde hair and oval shaped glasses perched on the end of his turned up nose.

"Mr. Sandburg?"

"Not a chance, Junior." Jim whispered; moving back to his post at the door.

"That's me," Blair said, eyeing the younger man as he walked toward the exam bed.

"I'm Dr. Scott. Can you tell me what happened?" The doctor pulled a sparkly red pen from his pocket and hooked a stool with his foot, pulling it over to the bed. He couldn't be older than his early twenties and, for some reason that made Blair very uncomfortable.

"I fell in the tub."

"Okay. Maybe you can elaborate?" Dr. Scott smiled, showing a perfect row of white teeth, his eyes crinkling in the corners when his smile reached them.

"I could if I remembered, but I can't, so I won't," Blair sighed.He didn't see much to be smiling about.

"Uh, look Doc. He fell and hit his head. He was out cold and I'm positive he broke his tailbone." Jim moved closer, arms crossed. "And I think he may have a sprained ankle."

"Well, let's have a look, shall we?" The doctor pushed the stool away with his foot and pocketed his flashy pen.

Jim nodded at Blair before slipping from the room and heading for the waiting room to find Simon. Maybe they could catch some of the game on the tiny TV mounted on the wall.

Dr. Scott pulled a penlight from his lab coat and directed Blair to open his eyes wide. "Do you know how long your were out?"

"Not long, um – maybe just a minute or two." He squinted his eyes, trying to avoid the bright light.

The doctor pocketed his penlight and pulled a pair of purple latex gloves from the box on the counter, moving around to stand beside Blair.

"I'm going to examine your back now," Dr. Scott explained. "It won't take too long. Just try to relax."

"Relax. Sure, man." Blair felt the doctor slip his hand under the sheet and start the exam, tapping all the way down his spine, asking if anything hurt.

Blair jumped when he hit a tender spot. "Sorry," the doctor murmured. "Definitely looks like a fracture. I'm going to order an x-ray and do a CT scan just as a precaution."

"Okay, then what?" Blair asked, craning his head around to see the doctor pulling the sheet back over his exposed back. "I don't have to stay, do I?"

Dr. Scott pulled off his gloves and tossed them into the red trash container, before moving to the sink to wash his hands. "That depends on the results of the CT scan, but I really think you'll only be here for a few more hours."

"Oh, good." Blair watched as the doctor dried his hands.

"I'll have a technician come get you for the CT and x-ray. Until then, try to rest." The young man pulled the curtain closed on his way out and Blair shifted his hip, trying to find a more comfortable position, but stopped suddenly when a stabbing pain took up residence in his tailbone.

"Man, this really sucks." Blair whined, pounding his fist into the thin mattress, shifting forward a little to relieve the pressure on his backside.

*~*~*

"Easy there, Chief." Jim smiled, listening from the waiting room.

"What?" Simon looked at Jim over the rim of his luke warm, very bitter, vending machine coffee.

"Nothing...wait..." He cocked his head again and heard Blair talking to himself.

Just one peaceful, uneventful, weekend, Jim...Is that too much to ask for?

*~*~*

Blair had several CT scans before, but usually he wasn't awake for them. It was a bit scary to have his head enclosed and the constant throbbing of his ass was making him squirm.

"Just try to stay still," the tech called from behind her enclosed work area.

Stay still? How could he do that? It was bad enough that he was starting to feel claustrophobic, but it was just too much to lie flat on his back for even a few minutes.

"Just a few more minutes, Mr. Sandburg. Almost done."

Finally, she came back into the room and hit the button to draw him back out of the machine. "Now, let's get you to X-ray and hopefully some pain meds will follow shortly."

She helped Blair roll over to his side, taking the pressure off his aching ass. She wheeled him down the cool hall to a smaller room a few doors away, placing his chart into the slot hanging by the door before going into the next room, leaving Blair alone. He was actually starting to drift off to sleep when he heard voices close by.

He opened his eyes a fraction of an inch. "Hello, there," a man in green scrubs said, kneeling in front of him, a huge smile plastered to his face. "I'm Tommy, the X-ray tech. I need you to help me get you onto this table here."

Blair looked over his shoulder at the steel table in the middle of the room. The CT tech was standing by it, too.

"Tina here is going to help too, okay?" When Tommy helped Blair lie flat on his back, a hiss of pain escaping his lips. "I know that it hurts, but the sooner we get done, the sooner they give you the good drugs."

"Oh, goodie." Why the hell was everyone so damn cheerful? Or maybe they were just trying not to laugh at him?

"Okay, on the count of three..." By two they had Blair laying flat on his back on the cold, hard table, his gown up around his armpits.

"Hey, what happened to three, man?" Blair grounded out, his whole world centering on the pain shooting up his back and then his right ankle picked this exact time to make itself known.

"Well, some people do one, two, three, go. But around here we like one, two, go on three." Tommy smiled brightly, but if looks could kill, the daggers that Blair was shooting at him would have dropped him minutes ago.

A few pictures of his rear, as well as his ankle and arm, and Blair was rolled back into his cubicle at the ER. Jim came back in a few minutes later to see if he knew anything.

Blair shook his head, closing his eyes as exhaustion finally caught up with him. Jim smiled at his partner's grouchy expression.

"Hey, Chief. You still with me?"

"Where else would I be, man? Where else would I be?"

"You have to stay awake, buddy. At least until we know what the CT scan says."

*~*~*

Blair was drifting in and out of sleep. Jim was reasonably sure that Blair would be fine, but he felt a guilty pang as he watched his friend's brow crease whenever he shifted.

Simon stopped by to tell Jim he was heading out. They had already been waiting for five hours and the ER was still filling up, every seat was taken and gurneys littered the hallway.

"Just tell the kid I stopped by and I'll check in on you guys at home tomorrow."

"Will do, sir. Have fun watching the game without me." Jim followed Simon down the hall.

"Don't worry, Jim. I'll tell you all about it tomorrow."

Jim caught sight of Dr. Scott coming towards Blair's cubical, a few x-ray films in his hand. He beat the doctor in and patted Blair on the shoulder.

"Wake up, buddy. The doctor's here."

Blair rolled onto his back and moaned. "Oh, man. Why'd I do that?"

"Let me help, Chief." Jim pushed Blair back onto his side and stuffed a pillow behind his back.

The young doctor turned on the lighted console and snapped Blair's x-ray films under the clasps. "I got back your x-rays," he said, scanning the films.

"Good or bad?" Blair asked, glancing at Jim, who was staring intently at the films as well.

"A little of both, I'm afraid." The doctor turned and sat on the stool to be eye level with Blair. "The good news is that the CT was normal. You've got a mild concussion, but your head looks good."

Blair sighed audibly. "That's good. So what's the bad?"

"You did manage to fracture your coccyx, but ..."

"But, what?" Blair asked, shooting a look at Jim.

"But there is a small complication – the fracture is more displaced than I'd like to see. I want to have an orthopedic surgeon look at you."

"A surgeon -- as in someone who operates?" Blair asked; eyebrows arched high. He glanced nervously at Jim again. Why can't I catch a break? I really am a trouble magnet.

"Yes, but that doesn't mean you need surgery," the doctor explained. "I just want to get a consult to be sure."

"Sure of what?" Jim jumped in after a pause, noting that Blair seemed unwilling to ask.

"The coccyx sits directly behind the rectum. If it's displaced too far forward, it can press on the rectum causing all kinds of complications, not to mention pain."

Jim was about to ask how it was fixed, but Blair beat him to it, his voice a little shaky.

"There are a couple of things we can do. It can be removed or wired back into place. The least invasive is to just reduce it – push it back into place."

"Push?" Blair paled, easing himself upright.

"Just relax, Chief." Jim pushed him back down by the shoulders. "He might not need anything special, right, Doc?"

"Absolutely. We'll just have to wait and see what the surgeon says." The doctor rose and wrote the order in Blair's chart. "I'm going to page the Ortho on call. Don't worry, he'll probably only take a look at the x-rays, do a brief exam, and then advise you from there. I doubt that you'll need any special treatment."

*~*~*

An hour later, Blair was moved to a treatment room. It was quieter and more private, so he tried to sleep, but after dozing off for a while, he woke up and really needed to pee. Jim had gone to the vending room to get a sandwich from the machines, so Blair decided to try to make it to the bathroom on his own. He pulled the pillow from behind his back and swung his legs over the edge of the bed. They had given him a shot for the pain, but it still hurt. His sprained ankle was wrapped, so Blair tried to hop to the open door a few feet away.

He made it about three steps when a firm, but petite hand closed around his elbow. "Where do you think you're going?"

"I need to pee," Blair slurred, feeling a little light headed.

"You should be in bed," the newcomer said, "Let me help you and I'll call the nurse."

"No! I'm almost there and I am not peeing in a urinal. This day sucks enough."

"Okay, okay. Here, lean on me." The small woman put her arm around Blair's waist and helped him the rest of the way.

"I think I can handle it from here, thanks." Blair closed the door all the way and took care of his business, listening as the woman spoke to someone. He couldn't make out the words, but the voice was light and feminine, familiar.

He peeked out the door after washing his hands and saw another woman dressed in white. Shirley? Or was it Sherry? She was talking to the redhead who helped him to the bathroom. She smiled as he stepped the rest of the way out and between the two of them they helped him back into bed.

The nurse stuffed the pillow behind him before smoothing the blanket over his shoulder. The other woman stepped closer once he was tucked back into the bed.

"I'm Dr. Hoffmann, the orthopedic surgeon. How are you feeling? Are you still in pain?"

"I'm okay, I guess." Tired blue eyes looked at the woman. She was probably in her late thirty's, long red hair pulled back into a tight ponytail, green eyes smiling kindly at him. "It still hurts some, but it's not too bad as long as I lay still."

"Well, let's have a look." She walked around behind him, but the nurse stayed in front of him, handing Dr. Hoffmann a pair of latex gloves.

"Try to relax." The sheet was pulled away from his hip.

Blair still tensed despite the warning.

"Relax. Just breathe." The older nurse patted his shoulder and Blair wondered if he could possible bear any more humiliation.

"Does this hurt?" the doctor asked, gently probing his opening.

Surprisingly, it didn't. "No."

"How about here?" Her finger moved in a little deeper.

Blair shook his head, relaxing a fraction.

"And here?"

"OH MY GOD." Eyes squeezed shut tight; he nearly levitated off the exam table, trying hard to hold back the tears that sprang to his eyes. "What the hell was that?"

"Found the fracture. Sorry." Dr. Hoffmann said, patting Blair's trembling hip with her free hand.

After a few more minutes of probing the exam was finally over, the pain dulling to a more manageable level. Dr. Hoffmann disposed of her gloves and washed her hands, picking up Blair's chart to write up her findings.

"I'm afraid I have some bad news."

"What?" Blair lifted his head from the pillow, looking nervously at the doctor.

"The coccyx is displaced further forward than is safe. I want to try to reduce it. Even if it can't be reduced all the way, it can be pushed back far enough to allow normal bowel function without pain." The doctor pulled the stool over and sat down. "I know it's not a pleasant thought, but it needs to be done, Mr. Sandburg."

"No surgery?" Blair asked weakly.

Dr. Hoffmann smiled. "Nope, the whole procedure will only take a few minutes and then we can send you home with some pain meds and a tush cush. You'll be good as new in six to eight weeks."

"Eight weeks?" Blair demanded.

The doctor looked at her patient, smiling. "Don't worry, Mr. Sandburg. It's not as bad as it sounds. You'll be up and around in a few days. But whenever you sit, you'll need the tush cush. It's a donut-shaped pillow that will take the pressure off your tailbone. You will probably be sore for a few weeks, though."

What the hell was there to smile about? This day just kept getting worse and worse.

*~*~*

A short while later, Blair was lying on his side, shivering. All he wanted was one freaking, relaxing weekend. Was that too much to ask? He was so tired; he wanted to sleep and to stop the throbbing radiating from his tailbone.

Dr. Hoffmann breezed into the room, followed by a short, stocky man in a white uniform. "You ready, Mr. Sandburg?"

Blowing out a calming breath, Blair nodded. He knew that this wasn't going to be fun, but he just wanted to get it over with.

He watched the doctor disappear behind him again and the stocky guy stayed in front of him, blocking his view, forcing him to look at the muscular, taut stomach and bulging arms.

I'm glad he's not the doctor.

"Okay. First I'm going to inject a little numbing medicine." She pushed the sheet off his hip and covered him with a drape sheet. Blair wasn't sure, but he thought only the part of his butt around his tailbone was exposed.

"This is John, Mr. Sandburg. He's going to be helping me out." A cold swab was pushed between his butt cheeks and Blair jumped.

"Just an antiseptic – relax."

Blair nodded, closing his eyes after he glimpsed the large needle that John handed Dr. Hoffmann. He swallowed, trying to get rid of the lump in his throat. "Relax." John repeated, and Blair opened his eyes to John's bright smile. Why is everyone so god damned cheerful?

"Just a small stick and then a little sting. Just breathe." The doctor's voice was light and gentle and Blair found it soothing. He closed his eyes and breathed in a deep, steadying breath.

"Can you feel this?" The light voice startled him. He was just starting to relax and visualize himself somewhere else.

"Just pressure..." he gasped when he felt her pressing harder on a sore spot.

"Give me another ten milligrams, John." The doctor held out her hand and John deposited another large needle, but this time Blair didn't feel it going in.

"Okay, Mr. Sandburg, I'm going to try to move your tailbone back in place. If you feel anything more than pressure, let me know."

"Not a problem." Blair mumbled. "I'm not into pain."

He could feel as she shifted her position behind him. His rectum felt full, but he only felt pressure. He dared a look over his shoulder and caught her shifting position again, a determined look on her face. Minutes passed, but nothing happened.

Suddenly, a bolt of agony shot up his spine. "Mmm...that hurts..." he ground out.

"I'm sorry, almost there," she soothed. "John, can you hold his hips for me?"

Oh god, oh god...that didn't sound good. He could feel his stomach do a slow roll and his heart rate increased as a fine sheen of sweat coated his face and neck; it was suddenly very hot in the room. The steady pressure on his tailbone was becoming unbearable and he was starting to feel light-headed.

"Blair?" The doctor was talking to him, but he wasn't listening. Holy shit, it hurt. Ow, ow, ow became a sort of mantra in his head. "Blair? Listen to me. Relax. You have to relax or it's only going to hurt more."

"I ca can't...It hu hurts too mu much." He was shivering in earnest, now. "Owwwwww."

John took his hand in a reassuring grip and Blair took advantage, squeezing for all he was worth. A second later, a small pop jerked his body, but the pain was gone. He lay still, wondering if the doctor had managed to snap his spine.

"All done," she said, pulling the drape sheet off and covering his sweaty body.

John patted his hand and Blair released his death grip. "Sorry, man."

"Nothing to be sorry for." John said, putting the needles in a bright red container hanging in the wall.

"I'm sorry that was so painful, Mr. Sandburg, but the bone was really jammed." She walked to the sink as John slipped from the room. "How's it feel now?"

Blair took a second to catch his breath and assess his pain. Surprisingly, it didn't hurt that much, it just sort of ached. "Not bad." And for the first time that night, he smiled.

*~*~*

Epilogue

"Man, whoever invented this thing was a freaking genius." Blair smiled brightly, sitting on the sofa on his bright pink tush cush, watching his overdue movie.

"I'm glad you feel better, buddy." Jim sat across from Blair on the loveseat, watching his Guide engrossed in the movie. He was happy to see Blair smiling and in such a good mood, because it was almost time for his ice treatment.

The night before, after Blair had finally managed to get dressed, the doctor returned with his discharge papers and instructions. She gave Blair a prescription for pain medicine, John returned with a neon pink, donut shaped, inflatable pillow and Blair accepted it with disdain. He swore that he wasn't going to use it, but Dr. Hoffmann was adamant, telling him he would be grateful to have it in the morning.

It took Jim almost twenty minutes to help Blair get dressed. He could hardly lift his foot an inch off the ground. Finally, he had Blair lay back down and pulled his under shorts and sweats up over his hips.

The journey to the car was another fifteen minutes, but Jim managed to get him up in the truck, practically picking Blair up and depositing him on the pink pillow. Blair slept most of the night, only waking when Jim came in to check on him, using an ice pack on his tailbone as Dr. Hoffmann had instructed.

"Jim?"

Startled, he looked over to his frowning Guide. "Yeah? What's wrong?"

"Oh, man. I thought you zoned. I called you like three times." Blair shifted a little, wincing.

"Just thinking about your little adventure. I really am sorry, Chief." Jim stood and went into the kitchen, pulling a Styrofoam cup from the freezer. "You ready for a little ice?"

"Not my favorite part. When did the doctor say I could start using heat?" Blair took Jim's offered hand, but nearly cried out when Jim hauled him to his feet. Standing up and sitting down was still pretty painful.

Jim wrapped his arm firmly around his friend's waist and started for Blair's room.

"Maybe tomorrow, Junior."

Blair pulled a little from his friend's hold. "Wait, Jim. I think I'm going to use the bathroom before I lay down."

Jim walked behind him to the bathroom and waited patiently for his Guide to finish.

"Jim?" Blair called from behind the closed door.

"Yeah..."

"Why is there little rubber, cow stick-ons in the tub?"

"I thought you could use them the next time you decide to take a bath." Jim smirked.

Blair opened the door, making a face, but didn't resist when his friend helped him to his room and assisted him to lie on his side.

Jim handed him the cup after pulling off a layer from the top, exposing some of the ice. "You going to be okay? I can always help."

"I don't think so, but thanks for offering." Blair put the ice on his boxer-covered tailbone, shivering from the cold.

"Come on, Sandburg. It's not like I've never seen your ass before."

"Funny, man. Real funny."

The end