A/N: Thank you to wolfchild81, and xavionite. You are awesome. I couldn't do this without you.

Paris France

Roy's Hospital Room

The room was dark, and quiet for once. The flurry of activity that had defined Roy's world for the last few days had abated. Oh, it would start up again in a couple of hours, on a somewhat more limited basis. Hopefully, Jo would arrive before then. Because today was THE day. He stared into the dimness of the room and could just make out the clock on the wall. He would be wheeled into surgery in just over four hours. They would be coming in to finish prepping him in just over two hours. Jo should be here sometime in the next three hours.

He missed her when she wasn't with him, but he knew she wasn't sleeping very well, and that she slept better in a regular bed, even though it wasn't their bed. They both slept better in their own bed, but their current circumstances weren't going to allow that for at least three months. He understood the necessity, but it didn't mean he had to like it. He was just so ready for all of this to be over.

He glanced over at the table which held the cards, letters and cablegrams from his family and friends. He missed them… his children most of all. Jen had drawn him a picture of their backyard with a rather crooked rendition of their gazebo and Chris had sent him an album of photos he had taken around their neighborhood. The boy was getting to be a pretty good photographer. He figured maybe Carrie Stanley was giving him tips, but unfortunately, Chris was not the most discreet kid around. Roy chuckled at Jo's reactions to a few of the shots. She had groaned and mumbled something about hoping they wouldn't have to bail him out of jail as a Peeping Tom. They were definitely going to have to have a chat with their son…

Roy drifted back to sleep with that slightly disturbing thought on his mind and was startled when someone gently shook his shoulder. He opened his eyes and saw it was Evie, his morning nurse, smiling at him.

"Good morning Msr. DeSoto. How are you feeling? Are you ready for your surgery today?" The best thing about Evie was that she always remembered to look directly at him and spoke clearly so he could understand her. She also tended to lipread with him until he was settled into his morning routine, when she would start signing with him. Between Evie and Louise, Roy felt quite comfortable in his temporary home far away from home. Evie was also quite petite and pretty, much to JoAnne's consternation. Roy privately thought a little harmless competition might be a bad idea. He was pretty sure Jo wouldn't agree. Besides, he was hopelessly stuck on his wife anyway. But having a young French nurse fussing over him was kind of nice...

Roy sat up and watched as Evie tucked a stray strand of black hair back under her cap. He thought about her question. He signed to her, Yes, I think I am ready. I'm scared, but I believe I can handle whatever happens.

Evie smiled and signed back. That is exactly the attitude that will insure that you're going to be just fine. I'm not worried about you. The doctors here are the best. Don't worry!

They both turned as the door opened and a smiling, but tired-looking JoAnne entered the room. She made for the bed and kissed Roy as Evie made some notes on his chart and got ready to leave the room. She gently teased the couple. "It's a good thing I had already finished his vitals check. It wouldn't do to try and take his blood pressure with you coming in and raising it like that!" She left the room to the sound of Jo's soft chuckle and with Roy shooting her a raised eyebrow.

Evie met Dr. Chanier just outside the door. The older doctor stopped her with a question. "How does our patient seem today?"

Evie considered. "He is concerned of course. A bit afraid, but I believe he is ready. His wife has just joined him, and she has a good way of calming him when she is around. I think they must love each other very much. I would think he will be a good patient in recovery. I hope very much for the surgery to succeed."

Evie spoke in English and though her syntax was slightly awkward, the doctor felt the passion behind her words, and he appreciated it very much. Though he had been born in France, he had done his internship in the United States at Johns Hopkins and had met a young doctor there with whom he had become friends… lifelong friends, actually. It was through him that he had become involved with this case.

The man he was about to operate on was a close friend of Dr. Kelly Brackett's. If that was not a recommendation, Pierre Chanier had no idea what would be. And Evie reminded him very much of Kelly's head nurse, Dixie McCall, professional, headstrong, and completely unafraid to take him on when she decided she needed to. They were a perfect match professionally. Pierre had met Mlle. McCall, though he had felt it might have been more appropriate to refer to her as General McCall at the time. The woman was completely formidable!

~Los Angeles~

Mike Stoker stared in dismay as Geenie stalked out of the restaurant and was helped into a cab that pulled up and quickly sped away. He sighed deeply and wondered what had gone wrong. Things had seemed to be going well. He pondered what he should do next. Should he go in after Johnny, or should he wait for the man to come out on his own? It was then that he realized that he had let the couple out at the curb and that John didn't know where he was parked. He huffed in frustration and reached for his jacket. He wished now he had brought his regular jacket instead of only the chauffeur's uniform jacket. But, he'd just have to do the best he could. He placed the cap on his head and headed towards the restaurant, dreading the encounter to come.

~Inside Dahlia's*~

Johnny sat stock-still, unable to believe Geenie had actually walked out on him. He reached up and touched his lips where she had kissed him. He was upset with how badly their date had ended up, but mostly he was mad at himself. He was mad because he knew she was right.

Just then a shadow fell across the table and Mike's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Figured you might need a hand, since you had no idea where I parked. You wanna walk out with me, or you wanna head out on your own when you're ready?"

John considered. "I need to settle the bill. Why don't you wait, and I'll walk out with you. You want anything to go?"

Mike thought about it. He loved Indian food, but it didn't much like him, and Beth wouldn't be too happy if she had to live with his rebellious tummy all night. He chuckled. "Nah, I'm good. Need any help paying the bill?"

John growled. "No. I'm not helpless." He signaled for the waiter.

Mike rolled his eyes. "Did I say you were?" The bite in his voice was unmistakable. His normally even temperament was beginning to fray a bit. "I'll be sitting over by the entrance waiting for you. I'll holler when I see you. You can make it that far."

The waiter brought the check and Mike left John to deal with the situation. He was itching to know what had happened with Geenie, but he needed to get his own emotions under control first. Perhaps they could talk in the car, where John wouldn't feel as if there was an audience around. He shook his head as he sat down on the cushy cherrywood and maroon velvet covered bench. He closed his eyes. God, help me out here. I feel like I'm blowing this whole thing. Help me be whatever it is John needs, because I surely have no clue right now.

~Paris, France~

Dr. Chanier was immensely pleased. He grinned at Evie as he removed his mask and gloves after leaving the operating theatre. "The operation could not have gone better, my dear. I believe Msr. DeSoto shall make a complete recovery. It will be some time before we can know for sure, but there is every reason for hope, c'est bon, n'est-ce pas?"

Evie smiled and agreed. "Oui, it is very true. And it is also true that our patient has a very strong family supporting him both here and at his home in the United States. I almost envy him…"

Dr. Chanier nodded. "By the way, were you ever able to get in touch with your cousin, the one who owns the touring agency? The DeSotos will be here for quite some time and I would bet they will be interested in seeing something of our beautiful city as Msr. DeSoto recuperates."

"Oui. I have spoken to Marbeau**. She has assured me that she can provide and accompany them on any tours that they would like to take. She will be happy to send information to their hotel whenever they are ready. She is willing to extend all courtesies and expertise at any time. I can personally vouch for her character and compassion. She has been in the business for many years, and there is no one who knows Paris and its environs in the way that she does."

"Evie, you are a wonder. Thank you. I know this trip has been difficult for them, but there's no reason they shouldn't be treated to some of the best Paris has to offer just because it's a medical trip."

Their conversation was cut short as they came to the double doors leading to the waiting room. Evie smiled. "I will leave you to talk to Mme. DeSoto. I have patients to attend to. It was an honor to scrub into Msr. De Soto's surgery with you."

Dr. Chanier smiled back. He squared his shoulders. "The honor was mine, Evie. And now I need to go and talk to our patient's wife. She has waited long enough."

~TBC~

A/N: * "Dahlia's" is a fictitious Indian restaurant named after a favorite actress of mine. Dahlia Lavi was Israeli, but played a variety of roles, my favorite of which was as Rosita in 1974's Catlow. **Also, this chapter contains a gift for Marbo, one of my most faithful and epic reviewers. Marbo, I hope you enjoy it and the rest of this story. It's coming to an end within a couple more chapters. Thanks for all your suggestions. Please keep them coming. (I hope you don't mind the spelling change of your name!) I just hope I can do justice to all your wonderful suggestions! HUGS!