Once again a shout out to Lildramaqueen10 for co-authoring. Check out our other stories under SherwoodShippers.

Frank woke to soft fingers on his cheek and forehead, "I wish it still worked like it did 26 years ago. But you're still as beautiful."

"And your still as handsome." She smiled down at him and kissed his cheek.

"Liar," he teased as her phone went off. It was Dennis' ringer. Frank knew it immediately. "Why's my father calling you?"

"Uh, probably to see if he and your mother can come back," Denise replied nonchalantly. She knew Frank wanted to be alone but this was his father and mother deserved to be there. "They were here when you woke up. You remember?"

His hand shot out and grabbed her wrist in a grip of iron, "Do not let them come here! I don't want them here!" His fingers bit into her flesh.

"Okay I won't, just please let go, you're hurting me." She was

"I don't care, why did you call him Denise?" Frank was upset enough without his father there. He was angry about his condition, he was in pain, and he didn't mean anything he said and Denise knew that.

"I don't know I guess I wasn't thinking, I'm sorry Frank, just please let go." She had tears in her eyes; she had never seen him react like this and even though she understood, it was still hard to take.

He let go of her arm, he hadn't realized he'd grabbed her so hard or at all until he saw the red marks, "Oh God, baby, I'm sorry."

She knew he didn't mean it but she was still frightened, she rubbed her wrist gently to stop the stinging "It's okay."

"I don't' need him here now, Dee, "Frank said. "I don't want to see anyone please."

"Okay I will call and tell them you aren't up for visitors right now," she said standing.

"I frightened you?" he asked sadly.

"No, it's okay," she lied.

"I didn't mean to hurt you, don't be afraid, please, " he reached for her again.

"I'm not, it's alright, I need to go call your dad." She pulled out her cell phone but it rang in her hand. She knew it was her father-in-law. "Hello."

"We're on our way to mercer, how is he?" Dennis asked.

"He's tired; it's not a good time, Dennis. He's just found out about his condition, he doesn't want anyone right now, he's not up for visitors." Denise was trying to be firm.

"He is my son Denise, I'm coming, end of discussion!" He used the tone he knew intimidated her.

She looked at Frank, he was in pain again, his color was bad, she had to defend him, "No, you're not. The best you can do for him and me is help the Holdens with Jaylynne. He doesn't want to see anyone right now, besides his wife. Please respect his wishes."

He sighed deeply. "Fine, we will be at your house."

"Well?" Frank asked looked at her.

"They're going to the house to help with Jaylynne," she replied.

Frank looked relieved, "Why does it hurt so much?" he asked. "I thought I shouldn't have any sensation?"

"Probably the nerves trying to reconnect." She offered the only explanation she felt he would be able to hear at this point. She didn't want to tell him it might be life long.

He moved about some more trying to escape it but he couldn't.

"Just try to relax honey." She massaged his legs trying to relive some of the pain.

"Are you touching me?" he asked not sure, he felt relief but no sensation that might cause it.

"Yeah, is it helping the pain?" She hoped it would.

"Yeah, it's funny, I can't feel you but it's not as much pressure." He leaned back a little. "How bad is it, Dee. How messed up am I?"

"Not too bad it could have been much worse." She combed his hair with her fingers.

"It's hard to breathe," he said after a moment.

"Okay, just hold on, I'm going to go get a nurse." This wasn't good she hoped it was just his position.

A minute later Dr. Ecklund was there, "Having trouble breathing, Colonel?"

"Yes," He was trying to take a deep breath.

"Okay, I'm going to let you out of this contraption and roll you over, it might but be swelling pressing on your rib cage, but it could be that the injury site was higher than we first thought and that is impairing your breathing, " Dr. Ecklund replied. "But you'll need pumps on your legs in you are on your back, okay?"

He simply nodded.

The doctor tried to dismiss Denise but Frank insisted she stay, she'd be tending him after all. He felt better on his back but was frightened when he tried to sit up and wasn't able to pull himself into that position. The doctor looked at Denise, "T-5."

"Is there anything I can do to help ease the pain?" she asked

"A lot of it is stability related, " Dr. Ecklund explained. "That'll heal but the peripheral nerve damage will be a problem for him."

She nodded in understanding.

"I'd think at that level he'll need oxygen in the transition then?" She covered Frank with a blanket, but wasn't looking at him or conversing with him at all.

"Your right," replied, Frank was getting annoyed.

Denise took the tubing for a nasal oxygen connection and placed it on Frank's face, she didn't look at him, "What about external stabilization? Or do you feel it's best he rehabilitate the torso through trial and error?"

"I'm lying right here you know," Frank snapped.

Denise snapped out of it, "Oh, I'm sorry honey, " Denise said. "I didn't realize it."

"Is the oxygen helping your breathing?" she asked.

"Yeah, " he replied

"Okay...And is this position better for the pain?" She leaned down and kissed him.

"Yeah, much." He smiled slightly, relief evident on his face.

"Are you hungry?" she asked. "He can probably handle soft foods or no?" It was just beginning to click with Frank what happened to his body.

"Not hungry right now," he replied "Thanks though."

"Thank you for helping him, Dr Ecklund, " Denise said settling next to Frank.

She studied his face once the doctor had gone. "What is it?

"Nothing, why?" he asked.

"You look...sad, " Denise sighed. "I've never seen this look before."

Moments later Dennis walked into the room, both Frank and Denise surprised to see him.

Frank tugged on her arm, "Make him leave."

Denise nodded. "Dennis you need to leave I told you Frank doesn't want to see anyone right now," she said forcefully

"I'm his father, I didn't think I counted, " Dennis said. "I want to speak to my son, leave the room."

"Not a chance!" She wouldn't back down.

"I said leave the room, " he tried again and moved towards her. He'd softened but not when it came to Frank. He still held him to an impossible standard.

"And I said no, I am not leaving him." Frank needed her to stand he ground.

"Denise, " Frank said his voice sounding tight, pained.

She turned her attention back to him. "What's the matter honey?" She ignored Dennis and gave him her full attention.

"This oxygen..." He was breathing hard and dozing off.

Denise ran to get help, she knew this had been because Dennis was there

Dennis moved into Denise's spot. "It's all right, son, " he comforted awkwardly.

"I need to get off my back." His breathing was becoming more labored.

"Denise is getting help, I'm here, son. I'm right here, " Dennis comforted now holding his hand. "Can you lift up?"

Frank shook his head and Denise and a doctor came running back in the room.

"Okay, everyone clear out, you too, Denise, " the doctor ordered as another nurse and two aides came.

Dennis pulled her out of the room and held her.

"I need to be in there with him." She was terrified something was going to happen to him.

"In a minute, " he soothed. "Let them help him, honey. Let them help him."

"I'm sorry I tried to make you leave I know he is your son," she said holding onto her father-in-law.

"He's stubborn and proud, he wants us to see him, he just doesn't want us to see him vulnerable, " Dennis soothed. "Brenda's at home with Jay, she's fussing, won't eat. Wants her Daddy."

"I need to go home and be with her for a bit but I don't want to leave Frank." She was stretching herself thin but couldn't be two places at once.

"Wait until he's stable, " Dennis said. "Then I'll sit with him."

She nodded. "This is crazy, I have a baby girl who needs me and a husband who needs me just as much if not more."

"Ssh, we're here, Denise, " Dennis comforted. "We have a son and a daughter, you know that right?"

"I know, thank you." She couldn't wait for this to all be over and Frank could come home.

The doctor emerged a few minutes later, "He's okay. We are going to need to operate again and try to stabilize more of the spine. He has no chest wall control that he's not fighting for every minute and he's getting tired, stabilization will ease that for him. You can have a minute with him, " the doctor replied. "Only his wife, sir, I'm sorry."

"He's Frank's father."

"After Denise then, " the doctor relented. "One at a time, five minutes only. We need to hurry."

"Okay thank you." She went inside to her husband, he had no color at all, but he tried to be strong for her, "Hey, Dee. Heard any good jokes lately?

"No not really." She started stroking his forehead again. "You feeling any better?"

"Little, " Frank managed. "They say I need another surgery and I'll be good as new." He was working hard to get those words out and keep a smile. "Go home for a bit, see Jay. Tell her Daddy loves her, okay?"

"I will, I can't wait until you get to go home." She lifted the hand closest to her and kissed it.

"Going to rehab at home, " Frank said firmly. "Got my own private, nurse right?" He reached and touched her cheek. "And I think a drill sergeant too. Dad still here?"

"Yeah he is outside."

"Need to see him, " Frank said. "No fear, all right? I love you."

"All right, I love you too." She kissed him goodbye then left the room. "You can go on in, he wants to see you."

Dennis went straight to his son's bed, "Don't worry, I'll take care of them."

"Make sure Denise is all right, take care of my girls. Don't let Dee get too worked up."

"I won't, " Dennis assured him. "She's stronger than you let her be, you know? Your mother is here, she'll spoil the daylights out of Jaylynne and I'll be with Denise. Just hold on for us, because I don't..." Dennis choked up. "I don't want to give the...I'm not as strong as you are."

"I will fight dad," he promised

"Good, " Dennis said. "Sherwoods don't quit."

"No sir, we don't" he agreed.

"I...I love you, son, " Dennis managed then as Frank had done for Jeremy he leaned down and kissed Frank's cheek before leaving the room letting the doctor's know he was ready.

Denise looked at Dennis, "Please tell me you didn't upset him. I asked you not to come here, I asked you not to!" She was angry and had to let it out.

"No he isn't upset, he is fine, just calm down" he said "Go home to jay I will stay here and let you know when they bring him out" he said

"I need to stay, " Denise said. "I need to stay, I can't leave."

"Denise, Jay needs you, Frank is in good hands" he said

"I'm shaking so hard, " she looked down. "I can't lose him...he misses Jeremy so much and I'm afraid."

"You aren't going to lose him, he just swore to me he would fight and he also told me not to let you get too worked up, and to take care of his girls, so go on, go be with your daughter," he urged.

"Can you drive me?" she asked. "I'm shaking and I haven't slept."

"Sure can, come on," he said placing his arm around her shoulder leading her to the car.

Dennis brought Denise home and helped her inside, Jaylynne was lying on the couch her cheeks were red and she was pouting. "How is Frank?" Brenda asked the minute she saw them.

"Back in the OR, another stabilization, " Denise sighed and sat by her daughter. "Mr. Bird is going to come and land on that lip, Angel. What's got my girl so sad?" Denise took her baby in her lap.

"I miss daddy," she whimpered and snuggle to her Momma.

"She hasn't eaten since you left," Brenda reported.

"I know, sweetheart, " Denise said kissing her cheek. "Is that right, you won't eat for Nana?"

She shook her head and the tears began again.

"Well, Grandpa promised Daddy he'd take care of us, so will you eat for him so he can keep his promise?" Denise hugged Jay to her breast. "Then we can see daddy at the hospital when he feel a little better, but he'll be very sad if you aren't eating honey."

"Are you staying here?" She wiggled to try and get even closer to her Momma.

"For a little bit, " Denise said. "Until Daddy is done with his doctors then I'll go check on him. Will you eat with Mommy?"

She nodded, "I wish daddy were here."

"Soon, baby love. He has a lot of boo boos, but he'll be home soon. Go see Pop, " Denise said and went to help Brenda make Jay something to eat.

She went to her Pop. "Hi Pop," she said shyly.

"My pretty girl..." Dennis said picking her up. "You being good for Nana? Do you have any new toys to show me?" Dennis asked wanting to distract the child.

"I got a new doll," she said happily.

"Show me, " Dennis said putting her down and letting her lead him to her room.

She picked up the baby doll and handed it to Dennis.

He interacted with her and played with her keeping her busy until Denise had their lunches made. She found Dennis rocking Jay in his arms while she rocked her baby. "Grilled cheese is ready, " Denise said smiling. "You can play later."

She got down and went to the kitchen to eat her lunch, Dennis smiled. "Does Frank do this with her?"

"Yeah, " Denise said. "He plays dolls, he plays house, he's teaching how to hit a baseball..." Denise smiled. "Come on, Grandpa's eat too."

Dennis smiled, this little girl had his son wrapped around her finger, just like his own two children had from the day they were born, even if he never let them know it.

Dennis drove Denise back to the hospital to sit with Frank. He seemed to be resting easier than before which eased Denise's heart but not her mind. Dennis noticed her unease. "You alright Denise?"

She sighed. "He wants to come home so badly, but he can't."

"I know, but hopefully soon he will be able to" he replied.

"He needs to go to rehabilitation and I can't do that with him at home, " Denise admitted. "I don't have the strength, he's solid muscle."

"Yeah I know, has he said anything about it?"

"He wants to do it at home and I can't tell him no Dennis, it'll break his heart, " Denise sighed. "He's worrying I'll leave him already and if I try to convince him to go to a rehab hospital...But I can't care for him unless...Can you help me? Can you help me build up my upper body so I can move him and lift him and do what he needs me to do?"

Dennis hesitated but shook his head, "Sure."

"Did he tell you we almost got divorced five years ago?" She wanted to listen to his voice, he sounded like Frank.

"What? No he didn't mention it." Dennis was more than shocked, his son worshipped his wife.

Denise nodded, "It started to go downhill when he learned about what Jeremy had done and got worse from there."

"Jeremy, what did he do?"Dennis wondered what else Frank kept from him.

"During the application process for West Point, which he really wanted no part of, whenever Frank would leave or was about to come home he'd lose his temper and hit me, " Denise confessed surprised Frank hadn't told his dad about this. "I never told Frank, I knew what he'd do and how he'd feel but Jeremy did tell him and he disowned him, even went so far as to throw all of this things away. That's when he enlisted and I went back to work, I know now it was my way of coping and my way of paying Frank back for pushing our son away."

"Well I'm glad everything worked out, he loves you no doubt about it."

"If he could take me back into his life after having an affair, yeah he loves me, but it destroyed his confidence in himself and in our marriage and I know he's scared to death I'll leave him, " Denise said choking up looking at Frank. "I never wanted to then and I don't want to now."

"Just hang in there and prove him wrong." He put his hand on her shoulder.

"He'll probably wake up soon, I don't think he'll want you to see him like that, " Denise confessed. "He's embarrassed even in front of me. Would you mind going home for a little while?"

"Not at all, tell him we all love him." He knew about his son's pride.

"I will, he said yesterday he wanted to see Jay, if you and Brenda could start preparing her incase he still does, I'd appreciate it."

"We will, hang in there," he said and left the room to go back to the house.

Denise went to the bathroom to splash some water on her face then went back to Frank's side. He had an air mattress under him and mechanical pumps on each leg so he'd be able to stay on his back and not worry about blood clots or other problems. She took his hand and held it, before she knew it she was asleep with her face resting on his hand.