Thanks to: dreamcatcher33, Pip3, Valandil Eluch, and kipperoo453 for all the great reviews. I love the encouragement! And I'm glad you guys didn't hate the dream :P

Title: Wounded
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: See chapters 1 and/or 10

Ennis laid his head on Jack's stomach, his ear level with the man's belly button. He was staring over Jack's feet at the door, willing it to open, praying for the doctor to come in. He just wanted to get Jack home. He was absently stoking his partner's chest until Jack grabbed his hand.

"What is it, Cowboy? If yeh keep pettin' me, yer gonna wear a hole right through me!"

Ennis sat up and stared at him for a moment before sighing and lying back down, this time, he faced Jack.

"I had an awful dream when I fell asleep," he spoke quietly, toying with the fray of the old hospital blanket.

"I know yeh did." Jack silently put his pet his cheek, then ran his fingers over Ennis' ear. The soft touch made Ennis shiver.

"Yeh do?"

"Yeh weren't very quiet about it. Who was hurtin' me?"

"Wha-?"

"Yeh kep' sayin' 'Let 'im go, leave 'im be, he ain't hurt you at all!' an' I guess I figured it was me, bein' hurt." His gaze looked kind of wounded; as though he was frightened Ennis was supporting another man.

"Oh..."

"Was it?"

"Was it what?"

"Was it me?"

"Yes."

Jack nodded, relieved that it was indeed him. Then he frowned and continued to slowly stroke Ennis' face.

"'M sorry." He shifted on the bed and Ennis had to life his head so Jack's ribs wouldn't be hurt in the process.

"Sorry fer what?"

"Sorry I tol' yeh. If yeh hadn' known what had happened, yeh wouldn' worry so much."

"I'd worry either way. Don't never think there's summin' yeh cain't tell me!"

Jack was shocked by the admonishment, but nodded his head, "Ok."

"Yeh can tell me anythin', Jack."

He just nodded again, wondering why he should be so open when Ennis always shut him out.

"So, what happened ta me?"

"Same thing that did before." Ennis looked at his hands, avoiding Jack's gaze.

"Oh..."

"Yeah."

"I mean, I figured it was summin' like that-"

"Jack, it was awful!" he managed to choke out, tears falling lightly on Jack's hospital gown.

"I know."

"They were beatin' you up and makin' you-"

"I know."

"An' I just couldn' stop 'em."

"I know."

"How d'yeh know?"

"It's happened ta me before, remember?"

Ennis nodded, and sat up, swiping at his tears, right before the doctor came in.

"Well, Jack, everything seems to be in order. You've come well out of your shock. Your arm will be in the cast for six weeks. I'm sure you know the spiel?" He asked, nodding to Jack's legs.

"Yup."

"Great. Now all that's left is, what pain meds are you on for your legs?"

Ennis cut in, "For about three more days he's on just plain Tylenol, four times a day. Then he's all done, for those."

The doctor nodded, "You just wrote Tylenol on the form, I just wanted to check. Keep taking Tylenol. If it gets worse, give me a call."

Ennis nodded at the chubby doctor, then his face got serious. "So I can take Jack home, now?"

The doctor smiled and nodded his consent. "In about twenty minutes, we should be done with the paper work and you can both go."

A/N: K, I promise this is the last scene it the hospital. I just thought I should finish it up in it's own chapter. Next post it's on to the Del Mar/ Twist home!