'The course of true love never did run smooth' William Shakespeare

*** "Love takes off masks that we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within." -James Baldwin ***

A lonely figure sat in a hospital seat. With her knees to her chest and her head buried out of sight, she emitted sadness & worry. Agent McDonald sat down beside her, "How is he?"

Grace's head came up, revealing sticky, mascara-streaked cheeks caused by crying. She sniffed, "He's still in surgery. The doctor said he'll come and speak to me when they're done. He said it won't take long."

            Grace stared at the floor the whole time, unable to believe what had happened. "It's not your fault," McDonald said, as if reading her thoughts, "We all knew someone would shoot him eventually. We had a pool going." Grace attempted a smile but her heart wasn't in it. "Grace, trust me; it wasn't your fault." McDonald reassured her.

            "But it is my fault." Grace replied, "The guy was after me. I know it's his job, but Eric shouldn't have been shot. Those bullets should be in me."

"Grace, don't say that." McDonald said, "Eric did what he did because he loves you- you know that."

"And he was blinded by his feelings- he broke the first rule of this job. He-" Grace cried.

"No," McDonald stopped her, "I know that we aren't supposed to let our feelings get in the way of our judgement, but sometimes… sometimes, our feelings create first instincts and those are the best instincts to follow."

"Agent Hart?" A doctor stood in front of them. Grace stood up, "Yes, doctor?"

"We've finished and he's fine. You can see him now if you like. He's on the third floor, Room 16. " The doctor replied.

"Thank you doctor," McDonald said as Grace ran off down the corridor.

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*** 'To fear love is to fear life, and those who fear life are already three parts dead.' Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970), Marriage and Morals (1929) CH. 19***

Grace almost collided with a nurse leaving Eric's room, "Sorry."

"That's okay," the nurse replied, "Call me if you need anything."

"Thanks." Grace replied.

            Grace walked over to the bed & looked down at Eric. There was a small gash on his forehead, a black streak on his cheek & a small smudge on his nose. Grace lightly kissed the top of his head &, sitting down, she slipped her hand into his.

            She sat looking at him for a few minutes, until a nurse came into the room. "Excuse me," she said, "Can you tell me how long it will be until he wakes."

The nurse stopped & looked at her, "It'll take about another hour for him to wake."

"Okay, thank you." Grace replied as the nurse left.

            Grace brushed a bit of Eric's, normally impeccable, hair off his forehead. But then the situation was anything but normal. "Why do you do this to me, Eric?" she asked softly. "I didn't think I could hurt anymore, but it turns out I can. You have no idea how frightened I was. I thought that I had lost you and it was the worst feeling in the world."

            Grace eyes watered but she continued, "You are the best thing that's ever happened to me. You taught me everything I know. How to go with my gut, how to kick some ass, how to live my life… really live my life. You taught me that not everyone will hurt me, that I can trust people. I know that you slipped up, but no-ones perfect and I know that you're truly sorry." Her breath shuddered, as she fought to control her tears, "But most of all you taught me how to love. You opened my eyes and started me on my journey to a whole new world and I don't want to continue on that journey alone. You were there when it mattered and I want to have the security of knowing you'll continue to be there."

            She intertwined their fingers, "I know I never really said it…" she looked down at their hands, "… not with complete sincerity at least, but…" she looked back up to his peaceful face, "I love you. And I never stopped."

*          *          *

*** 'One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: That word is love.' Sophocles (496 BC - 406 BC) ***

            "Gracie?" A voice pulled softly pulled her from her dreams. She opened her eyes and blinked. She was still in the hospital- her head lying on the bed.

"Gracie?"

Grace's head shot up and she looked up into Eric's deep brown eyes. "Eric, you're awake."

"Yeah, I've been awake for a couple of hours." He smiled.

She looked at the clock, which now read 5:26am. "Why didn't you wake me?" she asked.

"Because I wanted to watch you sleep." Eric stroked her cheek, "You're so beautiful; do you know that?"

            Grace sat back and stood up, "Eric, I want to tell you something. I… um… well, you…" She paced back and forth, "… This was so much easier when you were unconscious."

"I heard it all." Grace stopped and looked at him.

He smiled, "I heard it. I know I was 'asleep', but I wasn't. I could hear everything you said. It was like a dream, sort of like a coma I suppose. But I heard it all- the part about me teaching you to do everything, the part about love and especially the part where you forgave me." Eric extended a hand to her and she took it, sitting beside him on the bed. He brushed her hair out of the way, "But the most important part was the part where you told me that you loved me still; that you never stopped."

            He reached over and lifted something from the cabinet beside the bed, "I had Harris get this for me while you slept. Can I give it back to you?" He opened his hand, revealing a small silver ring inset with three diamonds- her engagement ring.

Grace nodded, tears filling her eyes. "Grace," Eric slipped the ring on her finger, "I love you, more than life itself. Marry me… again?" Grace smiled and slid her arms around his neck pulling him into a deep, passionate embrace.

***'To love someone deeply gives you strength. Being loved by someone deeply gives you courage.' - Lao Tzu***