hacked title number 6

Ashton smiled a little. "Yup. What's up, man?"

"Cold," Lex mumbled.  "Head hurts.  Something to make it stop?"

"Ahhhhhhh...." Ashton said as he looked around. Layla actually found the spare blanket to cover Lex with, but Ashton shrugged. "I got nothing for the pain, but I can ask the Doc about it." He offered.

"Okay," Lex mumbled, closing his eyes again.  He didn't feel good.

Ashton went out of the room and returned a couple of minutes later with Gaster. He adjusted something with Lex's IV drip. "There." He said. "You should be getting more of the medicine now. It will relieve your pain, as well as relax you and potentially make you a little more sleepy. If the dosage is wrong, ask Ashton to come and get me again."

"Okay," Lex mumbled. He closed his eyes.  He was so confused and lost.

Gaster went back to work, and continued to work through the night with Ally until even she urged Gaster to sleep the rest of the night, although Ally had to ask Geena for help on that one.

Geena faced Gaster with folded arms.  "Bed.  Now.  You are no good to anyone half dead," she scolded.

"But...." Gaster started, but sighed as he realized she was right. "Fine." He muttered and went back to his office to sleep on the couch again.

"You should get yourself an actual cot or some sort of real bed if you are going to make a habit of this," Geena grumbled, fluffing the pillows for Gaster and making certain everything was comfortable.

"I try not to stay here overnight, and not several nights in a row." He told her. "Just things come up and there have been times I have been here almost until I should head home to get Paul off to school."

Geena clucked her tongue, shaking her head, but she let the matter drop as she tucked Gaster in and made him comfortable.

"Geena...." Gaster said once he was settled in. "Thank you." He set his glasses on the table.

"You're welcome, William," she said softly.  "Good night."  She stood and tiptoed out, going to shoo Ally off to bed now.

Ally provided less of a fight than Gaster, just stammering to Geena to let her know if she was needed before scurrying off.

Geena closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose.  Apparently she was feeling her age more than usual these days.  She was so tired!  But she determinedly found a comfortable chair and curled up.

Gaster, the poor, tired doctor he was, slept deeply through the rest of the night, and even slept in a bit the next morning.

Lex slept fitfully, waking constantly in a state of pain and fear.  Only Layla or Ashton speaking or touching him calmed him down, but that was an easy thing to do.  As long as they were there, he was safe.

Ashton, although he probably shouldn't have, stayed up the whole night. Layla woke every now and then when Lex did, but by the time morning rolled around, she was asleep with her head in his  lap, still holding Lex's hand.

Lex finally fell into a deep sleep as morning light brightened his room.  His breathing held steady and rhythmic, his hand holding Layla's.

Ashton eventually nodded off as morning came about. Layla continued to sleep, and Gaster woke up after a bit, stretching and reaching for his glasses.

Geena had fallen asleep curled up in the worn armchair in the corner of her office.  She looked a little paler than usual, drawn, tired.

Gaster saw her after a few minutes and threw his blanket over her. He stepped out of the offices and returned with some donuts, leaving several in the box on Geena's desk for her when she woke. After eating something light, he called True to see how everything was going. By this time, Paul should have been dropped off at school.

"Hey, Dad," True said, sounding delighted to hear his father's voice.  "Things are going fine here.  Paul's off to school, and Shuni, Sam, and I are doing some cleaning before we come over."

Gaster nodded. "Good to hear. Lex underwent some surgery after everyone left last night, but he should be recovering very well now. Ally and I are working to develop a counter to what was giving him the headaches, but overall I think things are going fine here. I would like Lex to stay here for a couple more days at least, just in case during the early stages of his recovery."