When Walsh headed to the information desk he was surprised to see a familiar blonde head just turning to leave.  "Taylor?"

            "Hey, Billy," Alex answered with a smile.

            "I didn't expect to see you here, at least this early."

            "I woke up early, decided to go to the gym, and swung by here first."

            "That's nice, Liz will appreciate it.  You get the room number?"

            "Right here."  Alex showed him a slip of white paper the aide had given her.  "Come on."

            Alex linked her arm through his as they headed toward the bank of elevators.  While they waited for a car, Alex looked up at him through her bangs.  "Talk to DK today?"

            "No."
            "Think he'll be by?"

            Walsh waited to answer as they stepped inside the car that had arrived.  They were joined by a large number of passengers so they squeezed into a corner, Walsh putting his arm around Alex's shoulders so she wouldn't have to touch the big, sweaty guy next to her.  As she gave him a grateful look he stated, "I hope DK does come to see Liz.  I could tell they're both nuts about it each other, I hope he's still able to feel that way."

            Walsh could feel Alex shrug.  "DK's a good guy but this is something a lot of guys couldn't handle," she said quietly. 

            "I know."  They arrived on their floor and pushed their way out, apologizing as they went.  They searched the signs on the walls to find out which way to head.  "This way." Walsh pointed to their right.

            They could hear voices as they stood outside the door, making sure they were at the right one.  Walsh cautiously poked his head in the door and found Lt. Swersky helping Liz lie back against her pillow.  "Is it okay for us to come in?"

            "Sure, come on in," Swersky replied, smiling at him. 

            "Us?" Liz asked quietly. When she saw Alex she smiled.  "Hi, Alex."

            "Hey."  Alex moved  closer to the bed, laying her hands on the railing.  "How are you feeling?"

            "A little foggy."

            "That's understandable, they've got you on some pain killers."

            Liz reached up with her good hand to clumsily pat Alex's hand.  "Thanks for everything yesterday."
            "Just doing my job, but you're welcome."

            Lt. Swersky bent over to kiss Liz's forehead.  "Since you've got company I'm gonna take off for a while.  I'll see you later."

            "Thanks, Mike," she replied softly.  The lieutenant smiled at Alex and patted Walsh on the shoulder as he walked out. 

            Walsh moved up on the other side of the bed, reaching out to brush a lock of hair away from Liz's face.  "I know you've been out of the river long enough for your hair to dry," he stated, feeling her damp hair.

            "Mike helped me wash it just before you got here, it was pretty grimy."

            "You do look better than when DK and I pulled you out."  Walsh glanced over at Alex before telling her, "I told DK last night. He told me you said it was okay."
            "I did."  Liz searched his face before asking, "How did he take it?"
            Walsh shrugged.  "I'm not sure, he's not always easy to read."

            "He's a good guy, Liz, give him time to process it all.  Okay?" Alex said. When Liz gave her a rather startled look she added, "I overheard Billy and DK talking last night so I know.  Don't worry, I won't say anything.  If anything, I understand better than most."
            Giving her a grateful look, Liz replied, "Yeah, you probably would."

            Walsh reached down to put his hand on Liz's shoulder gently.   "Liz, I'm sure DK-"
            "Is right behind you," came a familiar voice from the doorway.  All three looked to see DK standing there, a small smile on his face.  Walsh and Alex both turned in time to see Liz's face light up upon seeing their coworker.  DK moved to the foot of the bed, one hand tucked inside his jacket.  "How are you feeling?"
            "Well, I've felt both better and worse so I guess I'm okay," Liz replied with a small smile.

            "That's good."
            Walsh and Alex exchanged looks.  Alex reached down to pat Liz's hand.  "I'm gonna take off, I'm headed to the gym before it fills up with burly guys.  Glad you're okay."

            "Thanks again, Alex." 

            Alex just smiled at the patient as she moved to leave, giving DK's arm a squeeze as she went by.  "Wait up, Alex, I'll walk you down," Walsh called out.  He leaned over to give Liz a quick kiss.  "I've got a few errands to run, beautiful, then I'll be back."

            "Okay."

            Walsh gave DK a light punch on the arm and a smile as he went to join Alex, who had waited at the door.  As they went down the hall, Walsh found he couldn't stop smiling.  "I think that's a good sign."

            Nodding her agreement, Alex stated, "A very good sign."

            They continued to smile all the way to the elevator.

            Back in the room DK had moved up beside Liz's good side.  "I brought you something."

            He pulled a stuffed Dalmatian with a fire hat out of his coat, extending it to her.  "Oh, how cute," Liz exclaimed, reaching up to touch it gently.

            "I was going to get you flowers or a plant but I saw this little guy in the gift shop and couldn't resist."  He smiled as he put the dog in the crook of her good arm.  "I figured he'd keep you better company."

            Liz smiled at the dog then up at DK.  "I wasn't sure if I was going to see you again."

            "I promised to make you my famous chili, didn't I?"  At Liz's nod he continued, "Like you, I keep my promises."

            "I'm glad."

            Sighing, DK reached down to grasp Liz's hand.  "Liz, I'm going to be honest with you, this is going to take some time for me to process.  But I know I thought you were something special before I found all this out, now that I know what you've been through I think you're pretty exceptional."

            He saw Liz blush.  "I don't know about that, I've just done what I've had to do." When DK moved to sit in the chair by the bed, Liz gripped his hand.  "Put the arm down and sit up here, please."
            "Okay."  DK put the arm of the bed down with directions from Liz then settled in, one foot tucked under his other leg while he faced her.  He took her hand in his again.  "Can I ask you something?"

            "Sure."

            "Is the abduction the reason you're divorced?"

            Liz looked him in the eye.  "Yes, and it's the reason why I don't drink anymore."

            DK was the first to look away.  "Your husband leave?"

            "Actually I let him go."

            "I don't understand."
            Sighing, Liz stated quietly, "He couldn't bear touching me but couldn't tell me.  I saw how miserable he was so I let him go."

            "Do you still love him?"
            Liz looked back up at him.  "A part of me still does but he's moved on, so have I."
            DK saw Liz's eyelids start to droop a little.  "I think we should talk about this some other time, you're tired."

            Liz forced her eyes wide open.  "I'm sorry, it's the pain meds.  I took a dose after washing my hair because the movement made everything hurt."

            "That's understandable."  DK pointed at her arm.  "What did the doctor say about your arm?"

            Liz looked at her arm then back at the man beside her.  "I cut one tendon so I'm going to have a couple of months of physical therapy ahead of me.  As for the scars, they'll just add to what I've already got."
            A surprised look settled onto DK's face.  "Scars?"
            Liz shrugged then winced at the pain the movement caused.  "Yeah, scars," she answered rather breathlessly.  "I've got some on the back of my arms and on my back from going through a second story window."

            "Second story?  How did you survive?"
            "Lucky for me there was an open dumpster below.  Ended up with lots of cuts, a couple of broken ribs,  and one hell of a concussion on top of everything else." 

            "Ouch."  As he watched he saw Liz's eyelids droop again.  "Look, I can see you need to sleep so go ahead." 

            He started to move off the bed but Liz stopped him.  "Don't go."
            "I was just going to move to the chair."
            "Stay here with me."
            "Up here on the bed?  I don't think there's enough room."

            "We can make room.  Please?"

            DK felt any resistance he had melting at the pleading look in her eyes.  "Alright, but only if it doesn't hurt you."

            Liz smiled at him before shifting over, taking care not to move her injured arm too much.  DK lay down on his right side, being careful not to lay on Liz's IV tubing.  He chuckled when she handed him the TV remote.  "Any thing specific you want to watch?"
            "No, do what you men do so well."
            "Which is?"
            "Channel surf."

            Before he turned the TV on, DK looked down at the woman beside him.  "You okay?"
            "I'm better now that you're here." DK leaned in to kiss her lightly then turned on the TV.  He started flipping through the channels, not really paying attention, until Liz said, "Wait!  Isn't that "Gunfight at the OK Corral"?"

            Flipping back a station, DK watched the screen for a moment.  "You're right.  Wanna watch this?"

            "Only if you do."
            Kissing her on the forehead, DK stated, "I can't believe I found myself a woman who likes westerns."
            "You better believe it, cowboy."

            They started watching the movie and it wasn't long before Liz was asleep.  DK smiled at her, resting his cheek against the top of her head.  Soon he fell asleep too.

            Walsh couldn't help but smile at the scene before him.  DK and Liz were both asleep, DK's left hand on top of Liz's good one on her stomach, his cheek resting against the top of her head.  The head of a stuffed Dalmatian with a fire hat on it poked out above DK's arm, almost as if it were standing guard.  He didn't want to disturb them but knew he had to.

            Grabbing his friend's ankle, he shook it gently as he said lowly, "DK, wake up."

            Because of years of conditioning as a firefighter waking to alarms, DK woke with a start, automatically starting to sit up. He stopped when he remembered where he was but it was too late, Liz had already awoken too.  DK looked groggily at Walsh.  "What's up, Billy?"
            "Don't you have a dental appointment today?"
            "Crap! What time is it?" DK glanced at his watch before letting out a relieved sigh.  "I've got just enough time to get there."

            He bent over to kiss Liz on the forehead while she blinked up at him with sleep filled eyes.  "I gotta go but I'll be back later.  You rest."

            "Yes, sir."

            Smiling, DK gently untangled himself from Liz and her tubes before rising from the bed.  "Billy, you're a life saver.  I didn't know you were coming back so soon."

            "Got my errands done and you'd mentioned your appointment yesterday so I figured I'd swing back to make sure Liz wasn't alone."

            DK grabbed his jacket then squeezed Walsh's arm as he walked towards the door.  He smiled back at Liz, "Say hi to Swersky for me, I was hoping to run into him today.  I'll be back tonight."

            Liz's smile lit up the room.  "Okay, see you later."

            He waved as he left the room.  Walsh pulled the chair over to the side of the bed.  "Even though sharing that bed with you looked mighty comfortable, I think I'll sit down here."

            He rested his arms on the bed before putting his chin down on them. Liz reached over to clumsily stroke her fingers through his hair.  "Once upon a time I would have loved to have you up here.  As it is, I'm so grateful to even have you here, I never thought I would again."

            "Funny the way life goes sometimes.  I'm just grateful you forgave me."

            "There was nothing to forgive."

            "I thought there was, I wasn't there for you when you needed it."

            "You're here now, aren't you?"

            "Yeah."
            "That's all I need."  Liz continued to play with Walsh's hair.  "Think I could get DK to grow his hair out a little?"

            Chuckling, Walsh stated, "I doubt it.  He's always worn it pretty short.  I get the feeling if it's too long it just sticks out all over his head, it's pretty coarse."

            "What are you doing running your fingers through DK's hair, huh?" Liz teased.

            Walsh smirked at her.  "Wouldn't you like to know!"

            "Probably best I don't." Liz glanced up at the TV which was still on.  "Oh, "High Noon" is  on, guess we slept through the last one."   

            "You still like westerns?"

            "Always."

            Walsh turned his head from the TV back to Liz's face.  "You know, those western film get togethers at your house were the best.  I still miss them."

            Liz nodded.  "Me too.  That was the last time I really felt like I had a family."

            Reaching out to grasp her hand in his, Walsh asked quietly, "How 'bout now?"

            "I may be finding one again," she answered softly.

            Sully entered Liz's room to find her and Lt. Swersky reading a book together. 

            "He had softly and suddenly vanished away, for the snark was a boojum you see," read the lieutenant but he stopped when he saw Sully in the doorway.  "Hi, Sully."

            "Hi, John," Liz echoed, smiling.

            "Hello to you both.  What are you doing?"

            "Just reading a bit of nonsense to lighten the day," Lt. Swersky replied matter-of -factly, his tone implying it should be obvious.

            "Nonsense?"

            Liz nodded.  "Yeah, a little Lewis Carroll. "The Hunting of the Snark."

            Sully frowned.  "The author sounds familiar but not the work."

            "He wrote "Alice in Wonderland"," commented Swersky.

            "Ah, that's why the name sounded familiar."  Sully pulled the other chair in the room closer to the bed.  "How are you feeling, Liz?"

            "Okay.  Really good when the drugs kick in," she commented with a grin.

            "I'll bet."  Looking  around at the plants in the room, Sully stated,  "Looks like you've had a few visitors."

            ":Not that many visitors but many well wishers."

            "It's the thought that counts, right?"

            "Yup."

            Noticing the Dalmatian on the bed with Liz, Sully pointed at it.  "I see some of the firefighters have been by.  Who gave you that?  Walsh?"

            Liz blushed, adding a lot of color to her pale face.  "No, DK."
            Sully found himself smiling.  "Really?  That's great."  He glanced at Lt. Swersky before asking her quietly, "Does he know?"
            "Yes, he does.  Walsh told him last night."

            "He's okay with everything?"
            Shrugging, Liz said, "He said it'll take him a while to process everything but he seems to be okay with it. We talked for a little while this morning before I fell asleep on him."

            "Pain killers will do that to you."

            Lt. Swersky stood, placing the book in hand on the bed beside Liz.  "Well, sweetheart, I've got to go to work."

             "That means you have to go too, doesn't it, John?"
            Sully gave her a small smile.  "Nope, I'm staying right here."

            The expression on Liz's face changed from puzzled to suspicious as she looked from one man to the other.  "You're supposed to be working," she said to Sully.  "Why aren't you?"

            "Because I want to stay here and keep you company."

            Liz turned a very stern look on Lt. Swersky.  "Michael."

            "Don't Michael me, Elizabeth," Swersky shot back, his face a reflection of Liz's,  "I know how you feel about hospitals and Sully volunteered to hang out with you."

            "You didn't order him?"

            "No, he didn't," replied Sully.  "He arranged it so I got the day off so I could stay with you after I asked him to."

            "Are you sure you want to stay?"

            When Sully simply replied, "Yes," he could see the look of gratitude in her eyes.

            "See, he wants to be here.  Now, I've really got to go or I'll be late and will never hear the end of it from Christopher."  Lt. Swersky leaned over to kiss Liz on the forehead.  "I'll see you later."

            "Bye, Mike."

            "See ya, Boss."

            Swersky gave them both a wave as he headed out the door.  After he was gone Liz softly said to Sully, "You don't have to stay."

            "Look, we're not gonna argue about this, I'm staying."

            "Okay."

            Sully leaned forward, a very serious look on his face.  "Can I ask you something?"

            "Sure."

            "Were you really going to tell me you're Beth Faust?"

            "Yes, I was," Liz answered without hesitation.

            "Really?"

            "Yes, really." 

            "Why?"

            "It was my turn to show a little trust."  Liz sighed, running her good hand through her hair.  "Look at it from my side for a moment as to why I didn't tell you right away.  I'm coming in to a new precinct where no one knows me by my new name except the lieutenant.  I'm a female officer which automatically gives me one strike against me with some male officers.  If everyone had known who I was I would have had another strike against me and would have had to work twice as hard  to show I could do the job."

            "Maybe not."

            "Come on, John, we both know better than that."

            Sully had to look away.  "Yeah, you're right," he stated softly.

            :The reason I was going to tell you now, John, was because I wanted you to know I do understand what you've gone through."

            "Because you've gone through something worse than I did."

            "Not worse, just different, but still traumatic."

            "Matter of perspective, huh?"
            "I guess so."

            Sully gave her a deprecating smile.  "Does this mean I'll get my life back together as well as you have?"
            "Again, perspective."  Liz gave him a sad smile.  "There's this poem that talks about happiness being a glass ball that once it shatters you never find all the pieces again."

            "So you're saying I'll never find happiness again?"

            "No.  What I'm saying is knowing you'll never find all the pieces again makes you treasure those you do find all the more."  Liz extended her good hand to him.  "Come here."

            Frowning, Sully stood to take her hand in his.  "I'm supposed to be happy with what I've got, huh?"

            "No, that's not what I'm saying."  Liz squeezed his hand.  "I'm just saying not to expect too much too soon.  You'll find happiness again, you just have to have patience.  You are off to a good start now."

            "How do you figure that?"
            "You were starting to let me in, trusting me.  Show's you're no longer cutting yourself off from everybody any more."

            "I guess you're right."

            "It does happen some times," Liz quipped.

            Sully couldn't help but chuckle which soon turned into full bore laughter as the tension left his body.  He sat down and they fell into a less serious conversation.

            Around 5:00 PM Faith walked into the room to find Sully and Liz playfully arguing about music.  They both smiled at her.

            "Hey, Yokas," said Sully.

            "Hey, Sully.  Now I know why you weren't at work." 

            "Just keeping Liz company.  What's the boss got Davis doing?"

            "He's riding with Powell."

            "What's Lieu got you doing?" Liz asked.

            "I'm working the desk.  It's been pretty quiet so the boss said I could come see you."

            "That was nice of him," replied Sully.

            "That's Mike," stated Liz.

            Faith glanced at Sully and he got the hint.  Standing he said, "I'm gonna go get some coffee, I'll be back in a bit.  Either one of you need anything?"

            "No, thanks, John," Liz stated.  Faith shook her head in the negative.  Sully ambled out, trying to remember where he'd seen vending machines on that floor.

            Faith looked around at all the plants and flowers which had been delivered throughout the day.  She moved to smell  a bouquet of white roses sitting on the window sill.  "These are gorgeous.  Looks like you've had some visitors."

            "More gifts than visitors but a few people have stopped by.  Davis was here earlier, so was Swersky."  Liz smiled at her.  "You should take the roses with you, they're half yours."

            "Whadda ya mean?"

            "They're from the husband of the gal we pulled out.  There's a thank you card with them."
            Finding the card, Faith opened it and read it.  As she put it back she said softly, "You pulled her out, not we."

            "No, we did.  I did the water part, you did the land part."

            Shrugging, Faith just walked over to sit down in the chair Sully had vacated.  "How you doin'?"

            "Okay.  Swersky fill you in?"

            "Yeah.  He said you're gonna be out for a while."

            "Lucky me, I get another vacation."

            Faith frowned at the sarcasm she heard in Liz's voice.  "Maybe it won't be too long."   

            "God, I hope not."  Silence settled in for a moment.  Finally Liz asked Faith quietly, "Faith, what's on your mind?"

            Leaning forward to rest her elbows on her knees, Faith took a deep breath.  "Why didn't you tell me you were Beth Faust?"

            "I may have eventually.  It's not something you bring up in casual conversation."

            "But I told you all about me!"

            "Yes, you did," stated Liz softly, "but you told me of your own volition.  I didn't have to pry any of it out of you."

            "You didn't tell me anything about yourself while you got all this info about me-"

            "Stop right there, Faith," Liz interrupted.  "Think back and you'll realize I never questioned you outright about anything.  Anything you told me you brought up on your own."

            "But you didn't tell me anything about you!"

            "That's not true and you know it."  Liz pushed herself up straighter, going pale at the pain the movement caused.  "You know about my family, my divorce, and most of my work history.  The only things I didn't tell you about were my years as a detective and my abduction, which are not easy subjects for me to talk about."

            Faith stood, crossing her arms over her chest.  "I just don't feel I can trust you.  I can't work with another partner that I can't feel I trust.  I'm not going to go through that again."

            "I'm sorry you feel that way."  Liz rubbed her eyes with her hand.  "Faith, you do what you have to do.  Just know my door is always open to you, anytime.  I still consider you a friend no matter what you think of me."

            Faith refused to look at Liz, instead glancing at her watch.  "I gotta go, Swersky's gonna need me back at the desk."

            "Okay."  As Faith headed to the door Liz called out to her, "I'm here if you need me, Faith."

            Pausing, Faith looked back at Liz for a brief second.  She nodded then hurried out the door, afraid of what she might say if she stayed.  In her rush she almost bowled over a guy in a suit in the hallway.

            "Whoa!  What happened to watching twelve feet in front of you, officer?" the guy joked in a raspy voice.

            "Sorry."  Faith barely glance at the guy before walking on.  She did look back to see the guy pause outside Liz's room before going in.  Faith thought there was something familiar about the guy but she forgot him as soon as she stepped into the elevator.

 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

            Sully was going to enter Liz's room when he heard her talking to someone.  He paused, not sure if he should interrupt, and decided to stay outside for a few minutes.  He could hear the conversation of the parties inside.

            "Lennie would kick your ass if he knew you were here. You know that, don't you?" Liz asked her company.

            Sully almost dropped his coffee when he recognized the voice of the other party in the room as they replied, "I know and I'd deserve it if he did."

            Entering the room, Sully scowled at the newcomer.  "Madjanski, what the hell are you doing here?"

            Detective Madjanski looked startled to see Sully there.  He stuffed his hands in his pockets as he answered, "I came to apologize again."

            "Apologize for what?  What did you screw up now?"

            "John, please." Sully looked over at Liz, noting she was much paler now than she had been when he'd left to get some coffee.  As she reached up to rub her eyes with her good hand he could see it was shaking, badly. Liz finally looked at Madjanski, motioning for him to come closer to the bed.  Madjanski looked at Sully before walking to the side of the bed, putting his hands on the railing, a look of pleading settling on his face.  Liz finally said to him, "Maddy, you're not looking to apologize, you're looking for absolution."

            As Madjanski opened his mouth to protest Liz cut him off, "I can't give you that, Maddy, not yet.  You're gonna have to live with your demons a little longer."

            Sully could feel the atmosphere in the room get thick with tension as Liz and Madjanski looked at each other, forgetting he was even there.  He became uncomfortable as the silence continued.  He cleared his throat before saying, "I think I'll step out in the hall so you two can be alone."

            Neither one replied so he started to move towards the door.  Liz finally called out to him.  "John, please stay."

            Sully looked at her then at Madjanski who continued to watch Liz, ignoring Sully.  "Are you sure?"

            Liz nodded.  "Yes.  Detective Madjanski knows more intimate details about your life than he should, now it's your turn to find out some of his."  Liz looked back at Madjanski, her face softening.  "And some of mine," she added softly.

            "That's not fair, Beth," Madjanski stated. 

            "My name is Liz now and it's more than fair," she answered back, still holding his gaze. 

            Madjanski looked away as he reached into his pocket, pulling something out.  He extended his hand to her.  "I brought something back to you."           

            Liz continued to look in his eyes, not even looking at his hand.  "What is it?"

            He turned his hand so a fine chain spilled down, a ring hanging from it.  When Liz finally looked at it she gasped.  "Where did you get that?" she whispered, tears welling in her eyes.

            Sully could tell Madjanski was choking on some emotion when he answered gruffly, "I found it where that bastard took you from.  I wasn't one of the first detectives on the scene, my partner and I were the first ones there, period.  I missed saving you by ten minutes."  The tears began to fall down Liz's face as he continued, "I hung on to it, my only link to sanity while we searched frantically for you.  I was afraid it was all I would have left of you."

            Sully was shocked to see Madjanski was fighting back tears as he spoke again.  "Then I did find you, broken and...." he stopped, looking at the ceiling to gain control of himself.  Finally he went on.  "I vowed I'd return it to you some day after I had the chain fixed and I had fixed things with you."  Reaching down, he gently placed the necklace in Liz's good hand, being careful not to touch her.  He moved away before she could reach out to him.  "I was able to do one of those things," he stated softly. 

            Sully was surprised when Madjanski looked at him.  "You see, Sully, I did know what it's like to lose someone I love.  I'm sorry you had to go through it and I'm sorry I was such an ass about it.  Take care of her for me."  With that he walked out, not even looking back.

            Liz started to call out to him, reaching out with her bad arm without thinking.  The pain the movement caused made her writhe, making her turn even paler.  Sully became alarmed.  "Should I call a nurse?"  Liz shook her head, panting.  Sully looked at the door then back down at her.  "Do you want me to bring him back?"

            Liz shook her head again.  "No, let him go."

            "Why didn't you tell me you two knew each other?"

            Sully almost couldn't bear the pleading look in her eyes as she looked back at him.  "Because I knew how much you hated him for what happened with Tatiana and everything else that's come between the two of you."  Liz leaned back in her pillows.  "You see, Swersky wasn't my only source for information about you."

            This unsettled him so much that Sully had to sit down.  "You've been talking to him about me?"

            "Not since what happened to me, no."  Liz closed her eyes but continued, "Maddy and I used to be very close and he'd tell me about all the people he worked with, you included.  I haven't talked to him since I was abducted because I partially blamed him for what happened."

            "Why?"

            "Because he didn't seem to take me seriously when I told him my concerns about Crossley.  He blew them off because he was on another of his crusades, taking down Chevchenko."  

            They sat in silence for a few minutes before Sully asked, "How close were you two?"

            Liz opened her eyes to look at him.  "Like I told you before, I never cheated on my husband.  I was only tempted twice in my whole marriage, one of them being Walsh."

            When she didn't continue Sully added, "And the other being Madjanski?"

            Sighing, Liz nodded.  "I know that's hard for you to believe, John, after everything you've been through with him.  Maddy showed me a side of him he shows very few people.  I was one of the few close friends he had."

            "Now that I believe."  Sully shook his head, still struggling to grasp everything he'd witnessed and been told.  "Where does that leave DK?" he asked after a while.

            "In the here and now.  Maddy's my past, there's no going back there even though I'm free.  I doubt I'll ever get past my feelings of betrayal that he wasn't there to help me when I needed him.  I also don't think he'll ever get past being the person who found me first after I got away from Crossley.  I wasn't a pretty sight." 

            They sat in silence again until Sully heard a muffled sob come from the bed. He looked over to see tears streaming down Liz's face as she stared at the ceiling, sorrow etched into her features.  Sully reached over to take her good hand in his, the necklace still clutched in her white knuckled grip.  He let her cry, offering her the only comfort he could, his presence.

            Lt. Swersky was on the phone when Faith returned so she slipped back into her job, helping an elderly lady find out where to retrieve some stolen property.  As the lady walked away Faith turned to find the lieutenant was off the phone, watching her.  "How was your visit with Liz?" he asked.

            Avoiding looking at her superior, Faith answered, "Fine."

            Faith started to chafe under the long steady long Swersky was giving her, trying not to look like a guilty child.    When Swersky finally looked away to catch Sgt. Christopher's attention she let out a sigh of relief.  The relief didn't last long when she heard Swersky say to Christopher, " Watch the desk for a couple of minutes, I need to speak with Officer Yokas in private."

            Sgt. Christopher smirked at Faith as he walked behind the desk, making Faith want to punch the look off his face.  She followed Lt. Swersky up to his office, a feeling of dread in the pit of her stomache.  Her heart began to pound when he shut the door and motioned for her to have a seat.  "Did I take too long, Boss?" she asked timidly.

            "No, I told you to take your time."  Lt. Swersky sat down in his chair, leaning his elbows on his desk.  He watched her until she finally met his gaze before asking, "Are you okay, Faith?"

            Her face showing a look of surprise, Faith replied, "Yeah, boss, I'm fine.  Why do you ask?"

            "You looked upset when you got back.  Something happen between you and Liz?"

            As hard as she tried, Faith couldn't keep eye contact with the lieutenant as she replied, "No."

            "I see."  Lt. Swersky rubbed his chin as he sat back in his chair.  "Faith, I'm not  going to try to force a confidence from you about what happened, it's between you two.  I'm your lieutenant but I hope you also consider me a friend.  I'm here if you want to talk and I promise everything stays between the two of us.  Despite being good friends with Liz I wouldn't tell her anything said unless you wanted me to."

            "I know that, Lieu, I really do," stated Faith.  She reached up to brush a strand of hair off her forehead.  "I just don't really know how to handle the fact that Liz is Beth Faust and she never told me."

            "In time she may have, it depended on how close you two got."  Swersky leaned forward again.  "I know Liz thinks the world of you, Faith, and she really enjoys being your partner.  I hope you can just accept her too."

            "I don't know, Lieu, I'm just a bit confused right now."

            "Take your time, she's gonna be out for a while.   She can be a great friend if you let her and I hope you do."  Lt. Swersky braced himself on the desk to push himself up.  "Come on, we better get you back to the desk to relieve Christopher or I'll have to listen to him grouse the rest of the shift."

            They walked back to the desk in silence but when Faith moved to resume her position she stopped.  "Thanks, Lieu," she said softly.

            Lt. Swersky nodded.  "Anytime," he stated before walking away.

            After dinner the nurse had made Liz take a pain killer which had caused her to fall asleep on Sully.  He'd actually been glad, after Madjanski's visit Liz had become very pale and listless so he thought the rest would be good for her.  He picked up the book Swersky had set down earlier to leaf through.  He stopped on a page where a poem had been underlined.  It read:

                        Is all our Life, but a dream

                        Seen faintly in the golden gleam

                        Athwart Time's dark resistless stream?

                        Bowed to the earth with bitter woe,

                        Or laughing at some raree-show,

                        We flutter idly to and fro.

                        Man's little Day in haste we spend,

                        And, from its merry noontide, send

                        No glance to meet the silent end.

He was surprised to see such a serious poem in a book which contained the nonsense Liz and Swersky had been reading to each other earlier.    A dream, huh? he thought, reading it again.  More like a nightmare at times.

            He glanced at the woman sleeping in the bed, wondering what kind of nightmares she had.  He knew he still had some of seeing Tatiana's charred body and Chevchenko dead by his own hand but they were becoming less frequent as time passed.

            While he was contemplating this, DK strolled quietly into the room.  He smiled at Sully before glancing at the bed.  Sully motioned for him to remain quiet and go out in the hall.  DK frowned but complied, glancing at Liz one more time before going out the door.

            "Is there something wrong, Sully?"

            "No, I just didn't want to wake Liz, she needs to sleep.  She had a couple of visitors earlier who upset her and she didn't eat much for dinner."

            "Who was here?"

            "Yokas and a detective she knew from her time at the two seven."  Sully ran his fingers through his hair.  "She tried to downplay the whole thing but I could tell."

            DK nodded.  "Did you get any dinner?"

            "Yeah, Mrs. Swersky stopped by earlier and brought me a sandwich and coffee with her.  The lieutenant had asked her to check on both of us.  She brought some homemade broth too for Liz, she said she knew how awful hospital food was.  Liz ate some of it but not much."

            "Is it still here?"

            "Yeah."

            "I'll see if I can get her to eat some more when she wakes up.  Are you going to stay for a while longer or do you have something to do?"

            "I don't have any plans but I can guess you'd like to be alone with her for a while."

            "You don't have to leave on my account."

            Sully smiled.  "It's okay, she's probably tired of seeing my ugly mug since I've been around most of the day."

            Returning Sully's smile with one of his own, DK said, "I doubt that, she enjoys your company alot, Sully."

            Shrugging, Sully answered, "I enjoy hers too.  I'll get my coat and take off, maybe there's a baseball game on TV I can fall asleep to.  Swersky's gonna stop by after work."

            "Okay."  The men went quietly back into the room, looking at the bed to see Liz was still sleeping.

             Sully grabbed his coat then extended his hand to DK.  "I'm glad you came to see her and especially that you came back again tonight.  She really likes you, DK."

            "I really like her."

            "Good."

            They shook hands then Sully left.  DK picked up the book Sully had been looking at when he'd walked in which was still on the same page the officer had been contemplating.  DK read the poem, liking it enough to look at the rest of the book.

            About an hour later he was starting the third chapter of "Alice in Wonderland" when Liz opened her eyes.   She gave him a sleepy smile.  "Hi."

            "Hello yourself, sleeping beauty.  How do you feel?"

            "Relieved."

            "Relieved?"

            "Yeah, that seeing you this morning wasn't just a dream."

            DK set the book down to move the side of the bed.  "No, it wasn't a dream, I'm here.  I'm not going to go anywhere."

            "Are you sure?"

            "I'm positive.  Scoot over and I'll show you I mean it." Liz carefully moved over to give him room to lie beside her, which was much easier now that the IVs were gone. DK wrapped himself around her, putting his hand on top of hers on her stomach. He kissed her softly but urgently before saying quietly, "If it is a dream, it'll be one we have together."

            Liz didn't reply, instead she just lifted her head to meet his lips again.  They lay there together in the comfortable silence until they both drifted off, to dream.

-fin-

Authors notes:  Thanks to those of you who read this and gave me such nice reviews.  Sorry it took so long to complete, I was on vacation and away from a computer for a while (and work was a little busy so I didn't have time to type between calls).  Your feedback spurred me to finish this and contemplate posting more after this positive experience.  Thanks again.