Chapter Twenty One

Guys I am so sorry for the absolutely shocking amount of time that has passed since I last updated- please keep reading and keep reviewing as I will now be updating properly subject to people reading it!

Chapter Twenty One

"Oh Dale thank God!" Gina gasped as she intensified her grip on her friend's hand, at the same time reaching for the call button. Smithy's gaze locked directly on his superior officer, his pale eyes a cloud of pain and fear, but his eyes were looking straight at Gina. His eyes flicked upwards and filled with moisture as the stress on his system caught up with him. Gina felt tears form in her own eyes at the sight of her friend in such complete agony. "Shh Dale, it's okay I'm here with you, you're going to be just fine now" Gina lovingly soothed the young man, her hand caressing her pale brow as she awaited the doctor's arrival. She didn't need to wait for very long before the doctor walked in and approached the patient.

"Hi there Dale, pleased to see you!" the doctor greeted the young man, and Gina felt as though he honestly meant it. She stepped back slightly, but was halted by Dale gently squeezing her hand, she felt her heart raise in her chest at the thought that her presence brought comfort to the young man, and gently squeezed back staying slightly to one side so that the doctor could examine her friend. She was relieved when he left and she was once more alone with her friend.

"You will never know how glad I am to be looking at your baby blues" Gina commented to her friend and her heart lifted further upon seeing the slight smile in his eyes- for anything that abated the pain even slightly was an achievement to her. She gently stroked the young man's face until once more his eyes drifted shut and a healing sleep claimed him. Once she was sure that he was in the clutches of a restful sleep she gently disentanglement his hand from her grasp and headed off to update their friends of Dale's progress.

Gina shook her head to clear the cobwebs from her thoughts, she had woken abruptly her mind not yet caught up with where she was and why, it took her a moment before she realised why she had woken and her attention was rapidly stolen by the figure laid on the bed- the figure that was staring back at her- looking well and truly alive.

"Hey there" she greeted him with a smile that lit her eyes completely. Smithy licked his dry, cracked lips grateful that the tube was absent.

"Hi" he croaked in response.

"How you doing?" Gina asked, gently stroking his cheek.

"You tell me" he replied, his voice so weak Gina had to strain to hear it. She grinned lightly, relieved and pleased that Smithy's brain seemed to be in tact.

"A million times better now you are talking and not shaving years off my life" Gina replied, Smithy's lips turned up slightly in response, he was pleased that Gina was here. For the first time in his life he had someone that he cared for and that cared for him in return- he had family and it felt good.

"How long?" he asked his hazy mind struggling to grasp how long he had been there.

"Five days in total since you collapsed at work" Gina replied correctly guessing what he had been asking. Smithy tilted his head slightly in acknowledgement.

"You here all along?" he asked softly his energy already sapping.

"More or less, but Bob has too. Tony and June have also been by" Gina replied.

"You should sleep must be tired" Smithy replied before he lost his own battle with sleep and his eyes once more drifted shut. Gina grinned to herself- typical Smithy not even thinking of his own health but simply making sure that she was okay. She took a deep breath and sighed- her relief was immeasurable to see him speaking and listening to her replies. She focussed her gaze on the peacefully sleeping figure before dragging herself to her feet and heading towards the door- walking straight into Tony Stamp.

"I got your message! How is he doing?" he asked, his joy and apprehension both coming out at once.

"He was awake, speaking and holding a conversation- I think we may have got our Smithy back" Gina replied- the first genuine smile lighting her face and warming her heart.

End Chapter Twenty One