Thanks for the reviews. Now that we wrap this little story up I can make a confession: I hate death-fics, so the guys are ... well, I wouldn't say they're safe with me (I like to torture them), but they will always survive. Anything and everything, however improbable. So you can read this last chapter with no more fear.

Thanks for joining me on the ride.

Murdock woke to the antiseptic smell of a hospital. Apart from that not much had changed, as far as he was concerned. He still was numb all over, and somebody was still holding his hand.

"Morning, Murdock," Face's whispered voice greeted him.

"How... how d'ya know... I'm wake?" Murdock asked, not particularly surprised by the weakness of his voice, and not opening his eyes. He liked to imagine that it was just him and Face in the room.

"I just know, muchacho," Face answered.

"Did we..."

"Yeah, we did get the bad guys. And the Attorney General was saved. He's still not too happy with the whole incident." Face chuckled softly.

"Why's that?" Murdock asked, opening his eyes at last.

"Well, turned out he had a reservation for two..." Face's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Only, the woman in his company was not his wife, if you get my meaning."

Murdock smiled, and looked around. The room was empty, excepting Face and himself. "Where's the others?"

"Oh, uh... BA's in a room next door, but don't worry," Face forestalled Murdock's rising panic, "he's just recuperating from giving you some of his blood back at the restaurant."

"Oh, gotta thank him."

"He's gonna have your head if you even try to." Face smiled at him.

Murdock loved that smile. It was open and confident, which meant that he was going to survive. Face only smiled like that when everything was fine.

"Suppose so." Murdock stifled a yawn.

"Frankie's outside, in search for some food, and Hannibal just left to call Stockwell."

Murdock pulled a face at that.

"Which leaves only me and you." Face grinned, bowed forward and pressed his lips against Murdock's. "But really," he said lewdly when he pulled back, "if you weren't ready for more than kisses, you could have just said so."

"Sure," Murdock whispered, his eyelids drooping.

"Love ya."

It was the last thing Murdock heard before sleep claimed him.

The End