Chapter Ten: Together

Mark had now been released from the Psyche ward. He'd hated it in there, but he knew they had to hold him, because he had proved a danger to himself by attempting suicide.

Even though people from the ER came to see him, and they were being supportive, he still felt embarrassed, and slightly humiliated by having his name up on the board in Psyche.

He was only allowed visits in ten minute slots three times a day. Susan had told him that she wasn't going to come and see him until the day he was being discharged. She was insistent that he needed to do this on his own, but that she would be there as soon as he was allowed to come home.

And she kept to her word. When psyche called down to the ER to tell Susan, Mark was being discharged, she told Kerry she was taking the rest of the day off. Surprisingly, Kerry understood, and drafted Carter in to cover.

Susan could tell that Carter was still pining after her, and although she felt guilty that he was the one hurting now, she knew that he'd get over it. Mark was the one she was meant to be with.

Normally Susan wasn't a great believer in fate or destiny, that stuff always happened to other people, but something about Mark made her want to believe in all those things.

Despite everything that had happened to the both of them, they were still here to tell the tale, and possibly fall in love. Although Susan knew that might take some work.

As Susan appeared at the doors to the psyche ward, she saw Mark walking down the hall. He looked rested, and more a peace with the world. He smiled as he saw her, and she smiled back.

As the doors opened, Susan approached Mark and wrapped her arms around him. She wasn't the needy type, but something inside her wanted to be close to him at that moment. Before she knew it, a tear had escaped from her eye, and before she had chance to wipe it away, Mark had spotted it.

'Hey, why the tears. I'm ok now. I'm still going to see a therapist a couple of times a month, but being in here has made me appreciate my life so much more. I know down in the ER we see people who are worse off than ourselves, but something about being a patient in a psyche ward is different. There are people with real problems, people who's own minds are destroying them. And now I'm ready to open the book of my life and start a new chapter. Are you willing to start it with me?' Mark asked.

All that could escape from Susan's mouth was a quiet 'Yes' as she leaned in to kiss Mark. Their first real kiss since all this had happened.

As they parted, Mark wiped the tear from Susan's eye that had made it's way down her face.

'Aren't you working today? They said up here that they had to call downstairs to find you.' Mark inquired.

'I've taken the rest of the day off to be with you.' Susan answered.

'And Kerry's ok with that?' Mark asked.

'She kinda had to be. I was going to take it off if she let me or not.' Susan replied

'Well I'm glad you have. I missed you, but it did give me some time to think. You were right when you said we should take things slowly. I'm pretty certain that I know pretty much all there is to know about you, and vice versa. But I don't want to rush this, I don't want to screw anything up. And I know there's a pretty large chance I'll find myself falling more deeply in love with you than I already am, but I want to do all the proper coupely things first. The dates, the first kisses, the mornings lying in bed together talking.' Mark said

Everything Mark had just described was Susan's idea of perfection.

'There's nothing I'd like more.' Susan replied as Mark reached for her hand.

As they left the hospital, Mark pulled Susan into a side hug, kissing her head as he did so. He knew she was still upset about everything that had happened. But if Mark had made his peace with things, hopefully she would too.

Mark and Susan walked back to Mark's apartment. He hadn't been there since the night he attempted suicide. But during the time Mark had been in hospital, Susan had someone round to fix the door, and she had also tidied up, throwing the empty whisky bottle and packet of aspirin into the trash outside.

As Mark opened the door, he looked a little shocked. Susan noticed his reaction.

'What's wrong?' She asked caringly.

'Nothing. It's just the last time I was here things looked a little different. But I gotta say they look better now.' Mark replied.

'Well I did come in and tidy up a bit. I hope you don't mind. And I got the door fixed.' Susan answered.

'Why did the door need fixing?' Mark asked. Obviously some parts of his memory were still a little hazy.

'When you didn't answer the door, Carter kicked it in. It was the only way he could get to you.' Susan answered.

'Oh, well lucky he did, huh?' Mark replied.

'Yeah. So are you hungry, anything you want to do today?' Susan asked.

'I want to take you out to lunch. Have our first proper date. Would you like that?' Mark asked.

'Yeah I would. Am I allowed to go home and change first?' Susan inquired.

'Why do you need to change, you look gorgeous as it is.' Mark answered.

'Ok, guess I can't argue with being called gorgeous.' Susan smiled.

'Well I do need to go and change. My clothes aren't as clean as yours me thinks.' Mark said as he disappeared into the bedroom.

Susan wanted to follow him, but she knew that wouldn't constitute to taking it slowly. Mark needed time, she understood that. If he were suggest it, she wouldn't deny him, but it wouldn't be right for her to rush him.

Ten minutes later, Mark appeared from the bedroom.

'Ok, ready to go?' Mark asked.

'Yeah sure. So where are you taking me?' Susan asked.

'Ah that's a surprise.' Mark said with a smile.

As they left Mark's apartment, Susan took Mark's hand. Not wanting to be out of contact with him for too long.

And as they walked hand in hand down the street, they were how they were meant to be. Together.

I'm thinking of drawing this fic to a close soon, so I leave it open to suggestion about what I should do. As ever please r n r. I like to know what people think, and always welcome criticism, as long as it is creative.