A/N: Eh... I don't really like this chapter at all. I don't have much medical knowledge, but that aside, I'm still quite disappointed with it – for some reason, I found it really hard to write! Anyhoo, it's done now, so...

xxxx

"Mr Noir?"

Vince jumped up as the doctor came towards him, wringing his hands together anxiously, his face drained. "Howard's okay, isn't he? Can I see him?"

The doctor put his hands up to calm him. "I'm pleased to tell you that the operation was a success – fortunately, the bullet missed Howard's vital organs and we were able to stop the bleeding. However, he lost a lot of blood, and he's still critical, although I'm optimistic that he'll make a full recovery. Considering what could have been, he's a very lucky man."

Vince sighed with relief, his eyes watering. Howard had been in the operating room for what had seemed like hours, and Vince had paced frantically, terrified that Howard wasn't going to make it. He'd resisted the urge to vomit several times, his stomach jumping every time a medic came towards him, constantly on the verge of tears.

They reached Howard's room and the doctor held the door open for Vince. "If you need me, just call one of the nurses," he said.

Vince nodded, taking a deep breath as he walked in, unprepared for what he would see – which was Howard lying still on white sheets, one pulled up to his waist, wires from the monitor that was checking his pulse and blood pressure attached to him, saline drip and pain medication in one arm, a bag of blood going into the other. A tube ran from his mouth to a machine that was helping him to breath, and he was covered in bandages from the incision to his chest.

A sob escaped Vince's throat, and he pressed his hand to his mouth, trembling as he walked over to the bed and sat in the seat beside it, gently taking Howard's hand.

"Hey, you," he whispered, suddenly feeling very stupid. Could Howard even hear him? He stroked his thumb over the back of Howard's hand, tracing circles idly as he stared at his face, the skin sallow and worn. Tears trickled silently down Vince's face. This was all his fault – if he hadn't of gone to the wedding, Howard would never have come back for him, and he'd be happy and safe. Happy and safe in a loveless marriage, but at least he wouldn't be lying in hospital with a serious gunshot wound. "I'm sorry."

Vince leant forward and rested his head on the bed next to Howard's arm, the steady bleeping from the machines eventually pulling him into an uneasy sleep.

xxxx

A mumbling noise disturbed Vince from his light slumber, and he shifted, eyes opening slowly and he blearily tried to focus before he remembered where he was and quickly sat up. He looked at Howard, and saw that his eyes were moving rapidly under his lids.

"Howard?" Vince said, leaning over his partner and stroking a hand over his forehead.

Howard mumbled again, a strangled sound, which was the best he could manage with a tube down his throat. He tried to open his eyes, wincing as the light hit them.

Vince smiled stupidly – he couldn't help himself – before realising that he should maybe call for someone, and he jumped up and ran out of the room, shouting for the nurse.

"He's awake, he's awake!"

The nurse rushed in behind Vince, moving quickly over to the bed. "Howard? Howard, can you hear me?"

Howard blinked up at her and tried to speak, frowning when something scratched against his throat.

"There's a tube in your throat that's helping you to breathe, sweetie," she said, checking his vitals. "I'll go and get the doctor and we'll get it taken out, okay?"

Howard turned his head toward Vince as the nurse left, looking confused and scared, and he reached out his hand weakly. Vince grabbed hold of it and knelt beside him, a fresh wave of tears brimming in his eyes – with all the crying he had been doing, he was surprised he hadn't dried up. He brought his other hand up to Howard's face, running his fingers gently over his cheek to calm him.

"It's okay, I'm here. Gave me quite a fright, you did – scared the life out of me. I thought I'd lost you."

Howard's eyes watered, and Vince instantly regretted his words, realising that, Howard being Howard, he'd feel instantly guilty even though it wasn't even his fault. "No, it's all right," he smiled softly, relieved when Howard seemed to relax slightly.

A few minutes later, the nurse came back with the doctor, and he looked Howard over, checking his stats and making 'hmm' noises to himself.

"Well?" Vince said, impatiently.

"Good, very good. I think we can take this tube out now."

Howard gagged as he felt the tube slide uncomfortably from his throat, coughing as it finally left his mouth. The doctor got him to sit up carefully and drink some water.

"How are you feeling, Mr Moon?"

Howard grimaced and swallowed heavily. "Like... I've been... shot," he said hoarsely, trying to chuckle, but he ended up coughing again instead.

"All right, take it easy now."

When the doctor finally left with the nurse, Howard turned his head towards Vince, managing a small smile as he caught the smaller man's eye.

"You okay?"

Vince laughed – he didn't mean too, but the question sounded so ridiculous that it escaped his lips before he could stop it. "Sorry, it's just..." he gestured at Howard. "And you're asking me if I'm okay?" he smiled. "I don't know – you get... and then you..." he trailed off, voice cracking. "I'm sorry. You wouldn't be here if it wasn't for me."

Howard frowned and licked his dry lips. "What do you mean?" he rasped uncomfortably.

Vince looked at him, lower lip trembling. "If I hadn't of run in on your wedding -"

"Hey," Howard said, cutting him off. "We don't know that... and I wouldn't..." he coughed, "wouldn't change it for anything. Please... don't blame yourself." He sounded truly devastated at what Vince was saying, and he started to splutter again.

Vince picked up the glass of water from the stand beside the bed. He held it to Howard's mouth, tipping it carefully. "Better?"

Howard nodded. "Thanks," he said, weakly.

Vince pressed a kiss to his head. "Rest now – I'm sorry I upset you. I just couldn't help thinking it."

"S'alright... little man," he replied as he caught his breath. "What happened to Jenna?"

"Howard, I really think -"

"Vince."

Vince sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Last I heard she was in custody – they were bringing some psychiatrist in to see her."

Howard didn't react, just continued to stare at Vince.

"Come on now, rest."

xxxx

"Careful."

"I'm all right, Vince, honestly." Howard stood shakily, and Vince put an arm around his waist, helping him onto the sofa.

"Yeah, you look it." Vince rolled his eyes, hiding a small smile. After a week, Howard had finally being released from hospital, and now that Jenna was currently incarcerated, he had made the decision to go back to his apartment, mostly so he could collect some of his things before they flew back to London in a few days time.

"Nice place."

Hmm? Oh, yeah." Howard winced, and Vince was instantly by his side.

"Can I get you anything?"

Howard smiled and reached out to touch his cheek. "Already got what I need." He settled back into the cushions and pulled Vince against him. "Thank you."

Vince looked up at him. "What for?"

"Taking care of me."

Vince smiled at him affectionately. "Been through a lot, haven't we?"

"Yeah, just a bit. Still, it's going to be all right now, I know it is."

"We still have to come back for court."

"I know, but we'll get through it," Howard said, idly playing with Vince's hair. He yawned.

"Tired?"

Howard shook his head.

"Liar. Come on, let's get you to bed."

"Any excuse," Howard said, laughing lightly.

"Yeah, just you wait till you're better."

"Is that a threat?"

Vince winked at him cheekily.