When they reached the emergency room, the two Simons were relieved to find out that Abby and Ron's son had merely sprained his wrist playing soccer. While A.J. went to call Linda, Rick sat down next to a distraught Abby in the waiting area.

"Come on, Hon, he's all right. Kids fall and hurt themselves all the time."

"Rick, if you weren't still recovering from that blow to the head, I'd give you one myself." She said through gritted teeth. "Don't tell me you didn't get upset when Robbie or Robin fell and skinned a knee."

Rick had a moment of confusion, then he replied, "I'm sorry, Abby, I think I did, when we were in San Diego and a bully made Robin fall. I didn't mean to make light of Joey getting hurt."

"God, Rick, I'm the one who should be sorry, I forgot…wait a minute, you remember Robin?" Abby looked startled as Rick was silent, then said, "Yeah, I do."

His face suddenly brightened as he saw her wheeling Laurie into the lobby, and he hurriedly went to meet them.

"Pop, I heard Abby was here with Joey…." She started, then saw his expression.

"Pop, you remember!" she gasped, then went into his embrace.

"I do remember my little girl." Rick managed a watery smile as he hugged her, then felt a handkerchief in his hand.

"Darling, you always tease me about never having a Kleenex." Laurie had wheeled herself next to them and was beaming up at the two of them.

"Yeah, well, I'm glad you had one stuck away." he answered, wiping Robin's eyes then his own. Laurie went over to her friend and took her hand.

"Abby, Robin and I just saw Rudy, Joey's fine, he's getting an ace bandage for his wrist now."

"Thanks, buddy. I'm glad you came, that guy's entirely too healthy for this place, why don't you take him home." Abby told her, then saw her brighten.

"Good idea, Abby, thanks. I'll ask Rudy, Rick'll get much better at home with all the familiar things around him. Let me go find him." Laurie said, then turned around to her husband, catching him with a heartbreaking smile.

"Rick, I'll be right back."

As she moved away, Rick abruptly realized he still was in the dark about Laurie, and decided to do something about it. Just then his friend Ron Johnson came through the doors, and after greeting Robin, sat down and got a vivid blow- by-blow from his wife of their son's getting hurt.

When Abby had a chance to wind down, Rick glanced at Ron.

"Ron, maybe you'll tell me, if Laurie was only bruised from what that Whitefeather did, why is she still here in the hospital."

"Well, Oscar and Rudy didn't want her at home alone, plus Laurie hates to be without you at night, so it was just better for right now that she stay here." The chief of detectives answered uneasily.

"Abby, if you and Ron don't tell me what's wrong with my girl…." Rick gave them both a stern look, then heard a sigh from his friends.

"Laurie'll have our heads, Rick." Ron answered, "but….."

Rick went down the hallway until he came to his wife's room, then raised his hand to knock. What stopped him was the sound of Rudy talking.

"Missy, you need to have me take care of this, Rick will be all right, you just can't wait any longer."

He opened the door quietly, then saw Laurie in her wheelchair, an anguished look on her face.

"Rudy, I trust you, more then you know. I just..I need to make sure he's okay to handle things. I know with Mom and A.J. and the children that he won't be lost in case he doesn't remember. I need to know, that he'll remember me." She said, tears in her voice.

Rick couldn't stand it any longer. He knocked on the doorframe. "Rudy?"

The doctor glanced at him, then smiled.

"I think you two need to talk, son. I'll be in the lobby with Abby if you need me."

As Rudy went past him, he patted his shoulder, and Rick knew what he had to do.

"Sweetheart." He sat down on the bed opposite her, then took her hand as Laurie gazed worriedly at him.

"Rick, did you…hear what Rudy and I were talking about?"

"Yes, darlin', and I made Ron and Abby tell me about the surgery you were supposed to have before we were attacked. I know your heart is acting up because of the virus that affected it." Rick saw tears fill her eyes then he pulled her into his arms.

"Rick, I'm scared, I don't want to leave you, what if something happens and you can't remember me?" she wept into his shirt.

"Darlin', I remember you, heck, I never stopped loving you. Don't you know, I loved you then and I love you now. I won't leave you, ever." He comforted her, holding her tightly then dropping a kiss on her hair.

"You love me?" she pulled back to look in his eyes, then a watery smile appeared on her face as he kissed her lips and murmured "more than anything."

"I love you so very much, you are my world, darling." She returned, kissing him back then whispered "I've missed being in your arms, I've missed, us."

He grinned as he cuddled her against him. "I wanted so to kiss you when I woke up with you last week in that cellar. I didn't understand my feelings then, but I do now. I need you to have Rudy take care of your heart, darlin'. I'll be with you every moment, I promise."

Laurie looked up at him, then nodded. "All right, love. I won't be afraid if you're with me. Let's find Rudy and Dad."

Later that afternoon, Rick sat next to his wife, trying not to be anxious now that she was hooked up to oxygen and I.V.'s. Rudy and Doc Walters had taken no chances, arranging to operate that same day and arranging blood donations from Oscar and Linda, who shared Laurie's blood type.

"Rick, do you know how cute you look in scrubs." She teased, propped up on pillows while the two doctors looked at her MRI.

"Cute? Sweetheart, cute is for dogs and bunnies and toys." He returned jokingly, trying to cover his worry behind the surgical mask he wore.

"Rick, we're ready to go. Missy, I'm going to give you something very mild, you won't be sick, I promise." Their friend came to her side, then the door opened and two people entered, also dressed in scrubs.

"Mom? Dad?" Laurie beamed at the sight of Cecilia and Oscar, who came over and kissed her.

"We're just outside, baby." Oscar told her. "You're going to be riding again in no time, but I want you to know how proud I am of you. I love you."

Sniffing, Laurie's lip trembled as she replied, "I love you too, Dad. Thank you for always being there. Mom…." Cecilia came to her side and kissed her cheek, saying, "I know, honey. Everything's going to be all right. I love my little girl, I always will."

The clearing of two throats let Rick know it was time, so he stood up and hugged his mother and father-in-law. "Thanks." He managed, then watched them leave as Rudy gave her a shot.

"Okay, son, go ahead and count her down."

Rick gazed into Laurie's eyes, then whispered, "I love my brave girl, we'll be together for eighteen times eighteen years." He saw her lips form "I love you." then start counting with him, "seventeen, sixteen, fifteen.."

As her eyes closed, her breathing eased, and Rudy told him, "Just watch her face, Rick. Let me know if she shows any distress."

Rick was so busy following directions that Doc Walters had to tap his shoulder to get his attention.

"We're done, Rick. Light's heart is good as new."

Letting out a deep breath, he looked up at the doctor. "Thanks Doc, you too Rudy. How long will she be out?"

"Only a few more minutes, I didn't give her much so her breathing wouldn't be depressed. I'll go tell the others, you let me know when she wakes up." The older man gave him a satisfied look, then added, "I expect you two will wait to celebrate until she's uh, stronger?"

Rick found himself blushing as he replied, "If I can, she can."

As the door closed, he heard a quiet moan, then saw Laurie's eyelids flicker.

Instinctively he pulled down his mask, then kissed her cheek as he said "Laurie, I'm here, everything's okay." He kissed her forehead, then gazed as her eyes opened, then focused dazedly on him.

"Rick? Love, did Rudy operate?"

"Yes, sweetheart." Rick took her hand and kissed it. "You're all right now, Doc says your heart is as good as new."

"That's funny." A sleepy smile crossed her lips. "My heart has always been as good as new, cause you have it in your hands. You always have."

That did it, tears rolled down his cheek as he gently kissed her, then somehow got his arms around her.

"I love you, don't ever leave me." He whispered, putting his face against hers.

"I won't, darling. Don't cry, I'm not going anywhere without you." She murmured, then kissed his lips.

Once he got control over his voice, Rick asked "Laurie, what kind of party do you want for Easter?"

A weak giggle came from her as she said "I want ham and potato salad and all the good stuff and all our family and friends, and I want Father Nick if he can come. We will have a happy day this year!"

Rick's heart was full as he kissed her nose. "Yes, my bunny. Anything you want"

He saw her turn pink then a shy smile appeared as Laurie answered, "I want you, only you."

Chuckling, Rick cupped her face in his hands and kissed it, then reluctantly got up from the bed to let their friends know of her awakening. Pausing at the door, he winked. "What my girl wants, she gets!"