DH AN: I have another Healing Presence chapter. I don't think I put any Phantom References in this, but if y'all spot any, let me know. Enjoy.

Chapter Ten

Marik's vision was hazy when his eyes opened. Strangely the blurring did not abate after a few minutes, but this was not without reason. He saw a hazy brunette lean into his vision. He could see that, whoever they were, concern was part of their face. His hearing was working well, as he heard a soft, "Poor guy, you really don't look well." The brunette left his vision for a few moments, rummaging somewhere, and obviously finding what she was after. "Now, open your mouth, please."

Surprisingly, Marik opened his mouth without hesitation, and felt a thermometer in it soon after. The brunette gently plucked it from his mouth, shaking her head slowly.

"One-hundred and one, this is quite a fever." She sighed, and looked up, saying something almost completely unrelated. "I remember her. She was so sweet." The brunette turned to him. "I'll bet you miss her."

Marik only nodded. "I do." He said rather hoarsely, his voice was soft as it was; but due to the fact that he answered the brunette in a hushed whisper, it was almost inaudible.

The good Dr. Gardner sighed after removing the thermometer from her surprisingly willing patient's mouth; usually people were very wary of having something stuck in their mouth. "One-hundred and one, this is quite a fever," She looked up from the patient and her eyes drifted to the portrait. The emerald eyes…she remembered them… from over thirteen years ago, and the words she had spoken still rang in her mind. "I remember her. She was so sweet." the brunette turned to her patient, unaware that he could hear her every word. "I'll bet you miss her." She smiled slightly.

"I do." A raspy voice responded softly. The physician turned to see the platinum blond sitting up a little in the bed, with a small smile of reminisce on his face. He went silent after that.

The doctor glanced back at the wall. "You can talk, that is a really good sign, though I think you might have a hint of laryngitis, though." The blond coughed loudly, heaving a very husky few breaths. "And it sounds like the drainage has found it's way into your lungs." The patient heaved a soft sigh laced with false relief. But it was quickly replaced with a look of shock as if his ears somehow deceived him.

Marik shook his head minutely at the doctor's voice as if it deceived him. His voice was saddened with loneliness. "You're the one who saved her…"

"Yes. Filiron is well, I assume?" the brunette asked.

Marik was silent for several minutes. "She's gone. She's…dead. I wish I was with her."

The brunette looked at him, sighing with disgust at the image he was painting. "You still have someone, and she needs you more than you know. Can't you quit moping long enough to see that?"

After Marik did not respond the brunette returned to her medical tasks. "This antibiotic should work nicely. You'll get better quicker if you smile." She left the room, and Marik's vision finally cleared; he needed to hear, not see what was said. He let sleep take him.

I listened as Odion told me how my mother had become ill while pregnant with me, and I silently wondered how much emotional pain my parents experienced through that ordeal, but knew that it only made the love between them stronger. I smiled at the thought.

I then caught sight of the doctor, and began to bite my lip as I awaited the diagnosis. The doctor came and pulled me aside gently. "Nothing to fear; he simply has laryngitis with a slight respiratory infection. He'll have a course of antibiotics io take care of that. But he needs some TLC, and you're the only one who can give it to him." She smiled at me warmly.

I was only speechless. "How can I thank you?"

She smiled. "Just go and comfort your father; that's how you can thank me." I only gave her a silent thank you as I walked into my father's room.

I opened the door to see him asleep with one arm hanging over the bed. I slowly went to his side, knelt and gently placed my hand in his, and let him take hold of it in his sleep.

DH: That image is so sweet(my opinion). Please Review.