A short but important chapter...

Gen headed down the hallway toward Johnny's room. After yesterday's incident involving Marco she wasn't sure what to expect. Yesterday, she'd finished her breakfast and returned to his room to find Marco gone and Johnny withdrawn and sullen. Unsure of what to do for him, she'd initially made herself as comfortable as possible in the chair next to his bed and remained silent. Eventually, the silence became awkward and overpowering. That's when she switched tactics and tried to get him to talk to her.

Ultimately the result had been the same. Awkward silence. Eventually, they both agreed it would be best if she went home.

The problem was, being home with Olivia did little to alleviate her concerns. In fact, in certain ways it make them worse. While things weren't always perfect between them, they'd always had a relationship where they could talk about anything and everything on their minds. Sure sometimes they ended up in arguments, but they always made up and above all else, they supported and fought for each other. Only this time it appeared the situation might be bigger than either of them could handle.

That thought had lead to a restless, nearly sleepless night, a lot of tears and her questioning everything she believed was real in their lives. In the moment she'd hoped the worst of the situation was over once Johnny was out of surgery. Though, deep down, she knew better. She'd heard the nightmare unfold over the bio-com and had a pretty good idea of what he'd experienced in the field. Now if she could only get him to talk to her.

As her footsteps echoed off the walls, she hoped that maybe another day removed from the accident would help Johnny gain some perspective on the situation. She'd been so hurt by how he'd pushed her away, especially after he'd proclaimed his love her just hours before. The last thing she wanted was to experience that feeling again.

Doctor Early, being the sage person he was, had spotted her sitting alone and upset in the hospital cafeteria the day before and offered his perspective on their situation.

Try not to be too hard on him, Genevieve. He's suffered probably the worst trauma of his life and it's going to take some time for him to work through it. Remember what it was like when your dad died?

Oh boy did she remember. Lost inside her grief, she'd push everyone, especially Johnny away. Much like he was doing now. He'd been hurt by her actions and lashed back out at her in response. Hell, if it hadn't been for their accident she might have missed her opportunity to tell him how she really felt. During her conversation with Doctor Early she'd expressed her observations and concerns. Much to her surprise, instead of receiving empty platitudes and cliche statements, he'd offered advice that made perfect sense.

He's hurting, Gen and right now he's trying to keep it all bottled up. Only, it's not really possible to carry that kind of pain alone. He loves you and he knows you love him. So subconsciously he sees you as a safe outlet with which to project some of that pain. He doesn't mean what he's saying and deep down he knows you'll forgive him.

Keeping Doctor Early's advice in mind, she headed back to Johnny's room. While his actions still stung, understanding them make dealing with it a bit easier.

Slowly, she pushed open the door, paused. "Hi."

He turned his gaze away from the television toward her. "What are you doing here? I thought you had to work?"

She let the door close behind her. "I'm on break, I was going to stop in and see you earlier, but your duty nurse said you were sleeping at the time."

Without replying he slowly turned his sad gaze back toward the television and she swore she could feel his pain. God, it killed her to see him like this. She turned her attention toward the television screen, noted the soap opera playing. It was the one he always liked to watch. Trying to escape reality?

Undeterred, she walked toward the bed. Don't let him push you away, Gen. Despite how's acting he needs you more now then ever.

Keeping Doctor Early's words in mind she tried again. "How are you feeling this morning?"

"Just swell," he replied, his tone filled with a pained sarcasm.

Maybe if she just told him what was on her mind it would help? Maybe if he knew he could lean on her he'd be willing to let her take some of his burden. "Look, I know this isn't easy for you, but you don't have to go through this alone," she offered. "I'm here for you. Your friends are here for you."

He didn't reply, leaving Gen feeling sad and frustrated at the same time. Right now it felt as if she could have been having a conversation with the concrete wall and get a better result. Maybe it was best if she just changed gears completely. "Olivia was asking about you last night. I thought I'd bring her by to see you after shift tonight."

He shook his head. "Don't."

She jerked at his reply. "What? Why?" What in the world was going on inside that head of his that he wouldn't want to see his own child?

"I don't want her seeing me like this," he replied.

"Like what?" Gen pushed back.

"Like this." He motioned to the bed and the room. "Broken and bruised with stitches in my head and tubes and wires sticking out of me. It will just scare her."

Gen frowned. "You're injured. That doesn't mean you somehow been transformed into some strange monster and none of this-" It was her turn to motion to the room. "Is going to scare her."

His gaze didn't leave the television screen. "I'm her father, Gen and I don't ever want her to see me as being weak or unable to protect her."

He couldn't possibly be serious. "She's two, Johnny. She doesn't have the ability to be able to think like that yet."

"Still...she'll remember and when she's older-"

"She's not going to remember," Gen cut him off, She turned on her hip to face him. "Besides, she already knows you're in the hospital."

"And how does she know that?" He turned his attention fully on her, his tone now terse.

"I told her you got an ouchie at work and you're going to be in the hospital for a few days while it heals."

His face twisted with emotion. "Why in the hell did you tell her that?"

"The last time she saw you was three mornings ago," Gen fought against the need to raise her voice. Why in the hell wasn't he hearing her? "She's asking for you. I had to tell her something."

"You could have told her I was still fighting the fire. You didn't have to tell her I was hurt."

"So you'd rather I lie to our daughter than for you to risk her seeing you as being less than perfect?"

Silence met her question.

"Johnny!"

"Stop!" he shouted and held up a hand. "Just stop okay?" He shook his head. "I can't do this right now, okay? I just can't."

"Do what?" She pushed up from the chair and stared down at him. Damn it, she was losing her cool and because of her stupid out of control hormones there was little she could do to stop it. "Have an adult conversation with your wife?" she spat.

"Genevieve," he sighed, his tone one of defeat.

Angry, hurt and struggling to understand, Gen took a step back toward the door. "Fine. Because you're too worried about your two year old being ashamed of you, which by the way is something she'd completely incapable of doing, I'll keep her away." Fighting back the angry tears, she reached for the door. "Should I just stay away too?"

He scowled. "Don't be ridiculous."

"I'm not the one being ridiculous," she shot back. "Considering how you're acting I'd say it's a legitimate question."

"I-" he paused and shook his head. "I just need some time." He met her stare. "I don't expect you to understand that, but if you really love me, you'll honor my wishes."

Despite her best efforts a tear broke free and trickled down her cheek. If she really loved him? How many ways could she possibly prove her love to him? "My love for you is not in question and if you think otherwise then maybe my lying to Olivia isn't the only lie I need to worry about." Without waiting on him to reply she yanked open the door and walked out.