"I know your antenna hurts, Plankton. Why do you think I'm driving you to the doctor?" Karen exclaimed. The Bikini Bottom Hospital looms right up ahead. Plankton winced as he touched his antenna, which was swollen. "Don't you dare say 'I told you so' to me," he mumbled. "Why would I do that?" Karen replied, feigning innocence. They both knew it was because of his latest invention, a crazy contraption that was supposed to harness the power of jellyfish to make the perfect Krabby Patty. But, as usual, it went awry, and he wasn't quick enough to get out of the way. They arrived at the hospital. The receptionist glanced up from her desk. "Hello! How may I help you?" "It's Plankton," Karen said, nodding to her husband. "He's got an antenna problem. It's swollen and he's in pain. He got it slammed in between..." "Karen please.." Plankton interrupts. The receptionist remained professional. "Alright, let me get you checked in. Have a seat and will be with you shortly." The waiting room was filled with the usual assortment of Bikini Bottom residents nursing their injuries. Plankton tried to ignore the pain. A few minutes later, a doctor with a stethoscope around his neck called, "Plankton?" Karen gave him a gentle nudge and they followed into an examination room. The doctor took a look at his antenna, examining the swollen appendage, and Plankton's face contorted with each touch. The doctor spoke calmly, "We're going to need to perform surgery to repair the damage. It's nothing to worry about. The surgery is scheduled for tomorrow morning." Plankton's eye grew wide with dread, while Karen took the news in stride, already planning what she would need to bring him for comfort during their stay. Once outside the hospital, Plankton's mood quickly soured. "Surgery? How could you let this happen, Karen?" he snapped. "It's your own fault for messing with those inventions," she retorted. They both knew the real culprit was his relentless pursuit of the Krabby Patty secret formula, but the pain made Plankton more irritable than usual. They went home in silence, the tension between them thick enough to cut with a spatula. As they approached the Chum Bucket, Plankton's laboratory and their shared home, Karen finally spoke up. "Look, Plankton, we need to get you ready for tomorrow. You should rest." Plankton nodded begrudgingly. Karen sighed, knowing she had her work cut out for her if she wanted to ensure Plankton's recovery went smoothly. She helped him to their bedroom. Karen began to pack a bag filled with things to keep his spirits high during their stay. She tossed in a blanket, and a stack of comics featuring Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy, and even a teddy bear. Karen couldn't help but reflect on how Plankton's obsession with the Krabby Patty formula had led to so many disasters. Despite his constant failures, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity for his never-ending quest. It was clear that he was driven by something deeper than mere greed; perhaps it was the desire for respect or the thrill of the chase that kept his tiny body and mind going. The next morning she got out of bed. Plankton's surgery was scheduled for 8 AM. She needs to get him up so they can go. Plankton was lying in bed. Karen sets the bag by the door before turning back to him, his good antenna twitching in his sleep as he continued to snore. She sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed. Gently, she shook him. "Plankton, it's time to wake up," she whispered. He groaned and opened his eye, looking up at her with a mix of fear and resentment. She knew the surgery was weighing heavily on his mind. The hospital was quiet this early as they made their way to the surgery wing. Plankton's heart raced as they walked in, his antenna throbbing. He took a deep breath to focus on the comforting sound of Karen's voice as the doctors and nurses prepared for the procedure. Karen sat by the bed with their bag in her lap. "Here," she said, handing him the teddy bear, "This will help you feel better." Plankton took it, feeling slightly embarrassed but also some comfort. He squeezed it tightly to his chest as the nurse draped the blanket over him. The nurse came in to administer the medication. Plankton's grip tightened on the teddy bear. "Just breathe deep," they coached. Karen watched as the medicine began to take effect. Plankton's eye grew heavy and his breathing slowed. He looked so vulnerable lying there, his defensive armor of anger and sarcasm stripped away. It was moments like these that reminded her why she put up with his shenanigans. As the anesthesia took hold, Plankton's grip on the teddy bear loosened. His body went slack, and he was soon fast asleep, his breaths deep and even as his mind drifted into oblivion. The doctors and nurses moved swiftly once he was out, preparing the surgical instruments as Plankton's snores echoed gently through the sterile room as Karen watches them begin the operation on his antenna. Her gaze was firmly fixed on Plankton's sleeping face, studying the way his expression softened in slumber, his mouth parted slightly in a way that made him almost seem... peaceful. When they finished the procedure, the doctor smiled. "Went perfectly, he did so well," he said to Karen. The nurse nodded in agreement. Karen felt a weight lift from her shoulders. They wheeled Plankton to a recovery room, and she followed closely behind, her eyes never leaving his tiny form. The room was dimly lit, with a gentle beep from the monitor attached to him, keeping track of his vital signs. The nurse helped transfer him to the bed, his arm draped over the side. She pulled the blanket over him as the teddy bear was placed under his arm. The nurse helped him settle into the bed, adjusting his pillows and covering him with a warm blanket. Plankton's chest rose and fell rhythmically, his snores now quiet. Karen sat in the chair beside his bed, holding his hand, her thumb brushing over his knuckles in a soothing motion. The room was dim, the only light coming from the glow of the medical equipment. The steady beep of the heart monitor was the only sound in the otherwise silent room. It was a stark contrast to the chaotic environment of the Chum Bucket, filled with the clanking and whirring of his never-ending inventions. Plankton stirred, his single antenna waving slightly as he woke up groggily. The pain from his surgery was managed by the drugs, but his mind was a fog. He blinked several times, trying to bring the room into focus. He felt a warm hand in his. "Karen?" he croaked out. Her eyes snapped to his, relief flooding her face. "You're awake," she said, her voice soft. She squeezed his hand back gently. The doctor walked in, a clipboard in hand. "How are you feeling?" he asked, looking at Plankton. "Tired," Plankton replied, his voice hoarse from the surgery. Karen leaned over the bed rail to get a better look at him. The nurse offered him a cup of water with a straw, which he took gratefully. "Your antenna is going to be okay," the doctor said, his tone reassuring. "We've managed to repair the damage. You'll need to keep it wrapped and protected for a today, but it should be as good as new soon." Plankton nodded, still feeling the fog of anesthesia. His eye searched the room slowly, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings of the recovery room. "You might sleep for the rest of today, which is normal and totally ok!" The doctor left the room, leaving Karen to watch over Plankton. She sat in the chair beside him, her hand still holding his, feeling his fingers tighten around hers as he fought the urge to drift back into sleep. "What's the plan?" Plankton mumbled, his voice slurred from the anesthesia. "Rest," Karen said firmly. "Lots of it. That's what the doctor ordered." She gave his hand another squeeze. The nurse checked his bandages and removed his IV. "Hah?" "Alright, Plankton," she said with a smile, "you're all set to go home." Karen stood up, feeling the relief wash over her. She helped him sit up, his movements sluggish from the lingering effects of the anesthesia. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and she noticed his antenna wobble slightly as he found his balance. With Karen's assistance, They made their way slowly down the corridor. The hospital's bright lights felt harsh to Plankton's half-open eye, and the smell of antiseptic made him twitch. His antenna, now wrapped in a fresh bandage, pulsed with a dull ache, but the pain was nothing compared to the exhaustion that weighed down his every movement. Karen walked beside him, her hand ready to catch him if he fell. Outside, the early afternoon sun shone down on Bikini Bottom, casting long shadows over the sidewalk. Karen helped Plankton into the car, making sure he was buckled in tightly before putting the bag in the back. She got his blanket and leaned his seat back, giving him extra room to rest. Plankton leaned his head back, his eye already closing. The gentle hum of the engine was soothing, and he felt his body begin to relax. Karen started the car and pulled out of the hospital's parking lot. The drive home was quiet, with only the occasional snore from Plankton to break the silence. She glanced over at him, his chest rising and falling steadily.