Epilogue:

"Ow!" CJ yelped, as the nurse peeled the clear tape from the needle that was in her hand, removing it quickly.

"Sorry," she muttered, chuckling as CJ attempted a glare even though her look was tempered by the bandage above her right brow. "But I'm sure you're glad to be out of here."

"You can say that again," the words came from the doorway, where Toby stood with a gold coated box and a grin plastered on his face.

"The doctor will be with you in a moment," the nurse smiled and made a timely exit.

"Godiva chocolates!" she laughed, pulling the box from his hands and sitting backward on the edge of the bed. "If I didn't love you yesterday."

"Hey, that might've been my breakfast, you know," his tone was playful as he plucked a candy from the box. She smacked his hand and he dropped it, leaving the chocolate for her to grab. CJ grinned indulgently, dropping the candy into his open mouth. He closed his lips around her fingers with a smile and she giggled involuntarily. "How are you?"

"I'm fine, Toby, free. We're free," she smiled, and when it reached her eyes, he joined her, placing his lips against her wrist, kissing the irritated flesh.

The doctor entered the room, tapping her chart against the door. "I'd clear my throat as is the standard, but I don't think your reaction would be as entertaining," Doctor Morgan chuckled as they leapt apart.

"So, how is she, doc?"

"Fine." CJ began, shooting Toby a glare.

"Just as she said, she's fine. We've stitched up that cut, shouldn't leave much of a scar, and you're displaying no symptoms of a concussion, correct? No dizziness, nausea.?" he watched her until she nodded in the affirmative, "Then, you're free to go. I'm prescribing you an ointment for your wrists and ankles to help that rash heal more quickly, and a mild painkiller for the head wound. I'd recommend that you take a few days off, stay in bed, catch up on some sleep and eat a few extra meals. You're still partially dehydrated, but I imagine with a little bit of coddling," he pointedly looked at Toby, who, in turn, looked straight at CJ, a grin poised on his lips, "you'll be just fine. So, Mr. Cregg, er, Ziegler," he grinned mischievously at Toby, "think you can handle her?"

CJ snorted at the prospect of being handled, but chuckled as the doctor continued. "Maybe take a few days off yourself, stay in bed, cook - or better yet, order in. I recommend Campbell's soup for the cooking inept," Morgan added, winking at CJ, "it's a cure-all." Toby glared at the older man, then turned to her, quickly becoming a little lost in her smile. "I have a feeling Dr. Bartlet will see to the days off and the rest - I make recommendations, she is the one who passes the Doctor's orders." And then, he was gone.

"Few days in bed," she murmured, leaning back toward Toby as they awaited the orderly. "Sounds good to me."

"Campbell's soup?" Toby mused, not hearing her words as he began to ponder over the adventures in cooking he was about to partake on. "This is going to be a long few days off work, which was exactly what Abbey and your Doctor Morgan planned, isn't it?"

CJ looked at him, almost bewildered by his lack of response to her earlier words, "Toby," she paused, tapping his chin with her index finger until he turned to look her in the eye, a playful tone overtaking her words. "You heard the man," her face broke into a grin, "take me to bed!"

The orderly that stood outside the room with the wheelchair chuckled, pausing to allow them another moment alone before he interrupted. He knocked on the door, and poked his head in after a moment, the right wheel of the chair running over the bud of a red rose as a man stood at the nurse's station, watching and waiting, a storm brewing in his eyes, for the next round of the game.

Checkmate.