The nurse came back in with a cart. Cassie raised her eyebrows. "I know it is late, but Doctor Martin thought it would be a good idea to clean him, unless…?" The nurse said.

Cassie looked at Jack and saw a look of concern on his face. She was sure she had one on hers as well. She looked back at the nurse.

"I think I am perfectly willing to let you handle that one." While medically, she knew it had to be done, Jack was her father. She turned to Jack and leaned down and made sure he was looking at her.

"Behave Jack." She said sternly.

He frowned. "When did you get put in charge?"

Her face became firm. "The moment you decided it was a bright idea to go jumping off your house. Now are you going to listen to me?" Her firm voice and look on her face made it obvious to Jack she intended for him to follow orders.

He nodded. I used to be the man in charge. I was the one who gave orders. What the hell happened?

Cassie kissed him gently on the cheek. "I love you Jack. I will be back in a bit."

"I love you too."

Cassie strolled outside and sighed in the night air. Her stomach had settled, but she was still hyped up. She had learned to hide it well due to her needing to be a doctor first, but when she was alone, she still sometimes had to work to control her anxieties. She admitted she would have been devastated to lose Jack so she should be happy he was awake, but was still irritated at him for the whole ordeal. She started walking. She wished she had thought to bring some running clothes, but she was honest enough to admit to herself she would not go running around an unfamiliar area in the dark, especially by herself. Jack would have a heart attack and Sam would give her hell if she found out. Admittedly Jack was the more overprotective of the two, but he had gotten even worse since her recovering from her abuse at John's hands.

She walked along the sidewalk, and glanced at her watch. She had no idea how long cleaning Jack up would take, but she figured it would not be excessively long as he was still bandaged up for a major portion of his body. She saw a figure sitting on the bench she had sat on earlier. She tensed slightly out of instinct, but she recognized the woman from earlier. She called out from a distance so as not to startle the woman.

"Hi"

The lady turned. "Oh, hi. How are you?"

Cassie smiled. "Doing okay. How about you? How is your husband?"

The lady scooted over and patted the bench beside her. Cassie sat.

"I'm good. Just getting some air. My husband is resting peacefully right now. By the way, my name is Darlene." She said while offering her hand.

"Cassie." She replied lightly shaking the hand.

"How is your Dad?"

"Awake, grumpy, and getting a sponge bath." Cassie answered.

Darlene smiled. "That's good. I am happy for you."

"Thank you."

They sat in silence a minute, before Darlene looked at her nervously. "Can I be honest?"

Cassie was taken aback a second. "Of course."

"Well, I know what we agreed to earlier, but my kids are coming tomorrow, so I really came out for one last…"

"I won't tell." Cassie grinned.

Darlene smiled and pulled the pack of cigarettes and the lighter out. She offered one to Cassie. Cassie thought a second, then nodded and pulled one out and used the lighter to light it. This has so got to stop. She exhaled. "Thanks"

Darlene smiled. "I won't tell."

They laughed.

"So what do you do?" Darlene asked.

Cassie felt her face flush again. "Uh, well, believe it or not, I am a doctor in the Air Force."

"Why would I not believe that?"

Cassie held up the cigarette. "Not exactly an example of healthy living."

"Your career is a doctor in the Air Force. Right now, at this moment, you are daughter concerned for her father." Darlene stated.

Cassie nodded as she took a drag off the cigarette. "Yes, but he doesn't make it easy, that is for sure."

Darlene chuckled. "I guess for kids, it's natural to worry about their parents as they age."

"I suppose so." Cassie replied.

They sat and talked while they finished their cigarettes. As she got up, Darlene sat something down by Cassie. "I won't be able to, but just in case. If you don't want them, feel free to toss them. Good luck with your Dad."

Cassie looked down at the pack of cigarettes and the lighter. She looked up. "Uh, thanks. And good luck with your whole family."

She watched Darlene disappear into down the sidewalk as she took the last drag off her cigarette and ground it out. Once she was positive it was cool she threw it out. She started to walk back when she remembered the pack on the bench. Better toss those in case a kid comes by.

She walked back inside and went back up to Jack's room. She saw the nurse coming out. "He didn't give you much trouble did he?"

The nurse smiled. "No. He fussed some, but not too bad. He kept glancing at the door. I think he was afraid you were outside the door waiting to come in and pounce."

Cassie grinned. "Thanks"

She went back into the room to find Jack had closed his eyes. She sat in the chair beside the bed for a while, and decided he was going to sleep a while. She quickly sent Daniel a text.

"Uncle Daniel, Dad awake now. Possibility he was affect by previous visit from Norwegian friend a while back. I know we agreed not mention it around non-family members, but questions being asked. Suggest you ask Carolyn or GL for guidance. Please tell Mom too."

She figured Daniel would pick up on it. He would at least call if he needed clarification. She walked over and kissed Jack on the cheek then went to the bed and kicked of her shoes. She undid her bra and worked it out of her shirt and lay down on the little bed. She positioned herself so she could see Jack from the bed and covered up. She balled up and was asleep in minutes.