It's short, but there's light my friends!

Derek walked back in from the nurses' station just as Casey was finishing the last of her breakfast.

"What did they say," she asked, her eyes filled with hope.

Derek walked over and sat down beside her. "Anxious much," he asked as he grinned.

"Says the one who's got to spend tons of bonding time with our son," she said with a pout.

"I know Baby, I know. Dr. Andrews is actually next door with a patient and then you're next. After that, I'm sure you'll get the go ahead to see Jase."

"Well, I have news for them; go ahead or not, I'm seeing my baby. We'll just have to plan some covert mission or something to break me out of here."

Derek loved seeing this side of Casey. He had saw those flashes of lostness in her eyes at times this morning, but seeing her like this gave him hope that they would survive. He leaned over and cradled her face in his hands. "My, aren't we being defiant today? I like this Casey," he said as he leaned in to kiss her.

Just then they were interrupted by Dr. Andrews. "Good morning Venturi's. I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

Derek looked up and grinned at the doctor. "Nothing that can't be continued later. Right now we have a patient ready for a jail break if you don't tell her what she wants to hear."

"Well, I'll see what we can do; I don't want any fugitives loose in the hospital."

He walked over to Casey and looked at her chart. "How did you rest last night?"

"I was okay after the nurses gave me something to help. I wasn't in the best frame of mind after I came to after the surgery."

"I can totally understand that. It was certainly a lot to digest for someone, especially someone of your age."

"Do you mind if we don't talk about it right now? My total focus is going to be on Jase and I've decided everything else can wait."

"I admire your devotion to your son but Casey, you can't hold everything in. I can give you the name of a great therapist and I can also prescribe you something to help with depression."

Derek was ready to get off the subject. He didn't want Casey dwelling on the negative anymore. "So doc, is she ready for a trip?"

"Just let me check her stitches and I think we can arrange it."

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When they walked into the nursery they saw their parents standing beside a nurse talking. Just as they approached them the nurse turned and walked away.

Nora smiled at the couple and asked, "Well did we have to steal a chair or is this on the up and up?"

"Actually no crimes were committed. We got the complete go ahead from Dr. Andrews. Now, what did the nurse say? How's Jase?" Casey was dyeing for any information she could get.

"They said he's doing wonderfully, getting stronger and stronger as we speak."

Casey grinned at Nora's response.

Nora leaned down and placed a kiss on the top of Casey's head. "Now that you're here, I think George and I will go get a hotel room and clean up. I think the three of you deserve some bonding time. We'll be back soon though."

Derek dug his hand in his pocket and pulled out his keys. "No way, take these and go to the house. That way you can bring us a bag back. If I don't get a shower soon these nurses are going to start talking about something other than the fact that I'm 'Derek Venturi'," he said as he used his fingers to make air quotes.

"Yeah, plus the fact that he might loose his Right Guard and Schick endorsements, because Lord knows he needs them both right now," Casey said grinning up at him as she pinched her nose in feigned disgust.

Derek leaned down and rubbed his stubbly face along Casey's cheek. "You know you love the rugged look."

Nora and George looked at each other and smiled; smiles that said, everything might just be alright. I think they'll survive.

George took the keys from Derek's hand and asked, "Can we bring you anything else while we're out?"

"How about some Chinese food," Derek added, "and please don't forget the Thai Chicken."

"No problem," George said as he and Nora headed out the door.

Derek was still leaning down beside Casey's chair as he asked, "Ready to meet your son?"

Casey didn't say a word but nodded her head yes. She was a nervous wreck at the thought of seeing him all hooked up to tubes but at the same time she couldn't wait to be able to see him. It wouldn't seem real to her until she could actually see and touch him.

Derek wheeled her over to Jase's crib and Casey held her breath. Nothing had prepared her for the sight of her son. She couldn't help but look past all the tubes and see the most perfect thing she'd ever laid eyes on.

Derek took two gloves from the container, handing one to Casey and putting the other one on. Sticking his hand through the hole he stroked the baby's leg. "Hey Buddy; I brought someone special to see you. Your mom's here."

He removed his hand and urged Casey to put hers in. "Just stick your hand through and you can touch him."

Casey looked at him and he could see the reservation in her eyes. "It's okay I promise. Just rub his leg or hold his foot. Talk to him Casey. Just talk to him like you would if you were holding him. The nurses said that preemies who are touched and talked to respond and get better much faster."

Casey tenetively took her hand and placed it through the small hole. Derek heard her gasp as she touched him and immediately he saw the tears come to her eyes. He squatted down so that he was at her level and placed his hand on the other side of her head, making it to lie down on his shoulder.

"He's amazing isn't he," Derek whispered.

Casey nodded her head in agreement, "Beyond."