Becs - since you enjoyed the "Martin hits the road" chapter, I'm thinking you will like a few choice sentences in this offering.

For all you faithful reviewers, I took your "make Jack get better" chants to heart. I hope you like how it progresses. By the way, I can feel the end of the story right around the corner, so please hang with me till the end!

Chapter 15 – Things Get A Little Dicey

After work, Samantha hurried home to freshen up, grab a quick bite to eat and then head right back to the hospital. Entering his room, she found the television on, but couldn't tell if he was sleeping or not.

Tiptoeing in, she quietly found the TV remote and turned down the volume. Watching his rhythmic and steady breathing, she decided he was sound asleep and moved to pull the covers up over his chest. But as she leaned over him, he said, "Hi Sham" causing her to jump and hiss out, "Shit Jack! You scared the hell out of me."

Both chuckled at the start as she said, "I ought to pop you a good one for that."

He shook his head no, saying, "No peese. No mo pain."

Samantha immediately felt horrible and said, "Oh geez Jack. I'm sorry. Bad choice of words. I'm sorry."

He reached his hand out and said, "Okay. I jus foolin."

She lightly stroked the back of his hand as she cradled it tenderly in her own.

After a short silence, he took a breath and asked in a small and timid voice, "Sham. I be okay?"

His question tugged at her heart knowing that the strong and powerful Jack Malone would not admit to just anyone that he was a bit scared.

She answered softly, "Yeah. You are going to be fine. You have some broken ribs, a clean gunshot to your left shoulder, a busted nose and jaw, and quite a few lacerations, stitched up cuts and bruises."

Letting that news sink in, she continued, "The good news is there is no serious or permanent damage. The doctor said once they start you on physical therapy, the anti-inflammation drugs will really kick in and the swelling in your face and around your eyes will go down quickly. Which means I can see those eyes again and you can go home."

He nodded, "ood."

"Oh yes. We got Wilkinson and his whole gang. Some have already rolled over and will testify against him. The DA is pressing attempted murder charges. He will be gone for a long time."

After a pause she asked, "So, how did you know it was me? It could have been a just a nurse checking on you."

He squeezed her hand, "No. Ooh shmell too ood."

They chatted for a while longer and Samantha stayed by his side until she was sure he was fast asleep. Curling up on the rickety cot, she slept soundly for the first time in many, many hours.

The next morning, she checked on him, then got an early start to the office. Joshua caught her in the hall and told her Jack was scheduled for physical therapy that afternoon around 3:00.

"It is going to be really tough on him that first time. I'm talking serious pain. It would be a help to him if he had a cheering section other than the therapists."

Smiling at his knowing wink, she thanked him and hurried off, saying she would try and be back by then.

-xxxx-

The morning and early afternoon flew by, with Samantha struggling to catch up on paper work. She didn't regret one moment she spent with Jack in the hospital, but she was way behind filing reports. Vivian had been as lenient as possible, but deadlines were rapidly approaching, so it was serious crunch time.

Glancing at her watch, she was shocked to see it was already 2:00 and there was no way she could be back at the hospital by the time Jack was going in for therapy. Danny and Martin stopped by, "Anything we can do to help you out, Chica? Have you had any lunch?"

Samantha barely lifted her head to acknowledge them, "No time for lunch" she said. "Have one more time report to catch up on then a pile of leave slips to finish. Thanks, but it is all stuff only I can do."

Martin said, "Why don't you take a break? Certainly a half hour isn't going to make or break anything."

Sighing and not knowing how to say she didn't want Jack to go through therapy alone, she suggested, "Okay. You two want to do me a favor? Go grab me a sandwich, chips and soda and then head down to the hospital."

"Jack has his first physical therapy session at 3:00 and the nurse suggested some moral support would come in handy. Apparently, it is going to be pretty rough. I'll be there as soon as I'm finished."

Danny grinned his acquiescence while Martin went with a stone face to hide his true reaction. After they delivered her lunch, they left for the hospital….Martin begrudgingly going along.

-xxxxx-

It was pushing 4:30 when Samantha looked into Jack's room and was surprised to find it still empty. Looking down the hallway to the nurse's station, she caught Joshua's eye and noticed a relieved look on his face as he hurried toward her.

"Boy, am I glad to see you. You better get down to the therapy center. Mr. Malone is…well, he's causing a bit of a scene. He's already threatened to whip the therapists, and your two friends haven't been able to help at all. Matter of fact, that skinny blonde guy tried to lend a hand and I thought Mr. Malone was going to take him out."

Samantha couldn't contain her laughter at the mental image of Jack decking Martin. In her estimation, it wouldn't be much of a contest, though. Jack was built like a bull, while Martin… well…Martin was kind of wormy.

She had been in both of their arms. Martin's were thin and frail and truthfully reminded her of a hairless Chihuahua. Jack's, on the other hand, were strong, hairy and thick, with muscles. If she kept a diary, she would describe his arms as "manly-man" arms, built for holding and protecting a woman.

Joshua waved his hand in front of her face, breaking her spell. "Samantha! Samantha! Please hurry. The therapy center is on the 4th floor. Take a right off the elevator."

When she walked in the room, the scene seemed surreal. Danny and Martin were backed into a corner looking on in disbelief. Two nurses were standing near an apparatus while two therapists were trying to work with Jack.

Jack was clearly pissed and deeply in pain. His hair and hospital gown were soaked in sweat and his face was contorted from suffering. He was struggling to breathe as he held on to a support bar that looked like a gymnast's parallel bar.

Walking up to Danny she whispered, "What is going on?"

"The therapists are trying to get him to walk the length of the bar. He was doing fine at the beginning of the session, doing different kind of movements, but you could see the pain growing. He's balked now and neither side is giving in. They're telling him he can't go back to his room until he finishes, and Jack's telling them to…well…you know, do something to themselves."

Not being able to take watching him suffer anymore, Samantha walked up and motioned to the therapists to back off a bit.

"Hey. What seems to be the issue here Jack?"

"Tying to uckin keel me!"

Samantha couldn't help but giggle. "Oh come on Jack. They are just trying to help."

"Let me ask you. What would it take to get you to walk the rest of the way down this bar? Huh?"

Jack just ignored her but she was close enough to see how hard he was struggling with the pain. His arm was trembling from the stress and he was slightly doubled over hanging on. She took a few more steps and lowered her voice where only Jack could hear.

In a sultry and teasing voice she cooed, "Tell you what big-boy. You walk the rest the way down this bar and I'll see about giving you a nice hot sponge bath."

That tantalizing offer caused Jack to straighten up and force a chuckle in her direction. "Ooh on."

Walking to the end of the bar, Samantha said, "Come on. Let's see what you got." And to everyone's amazement, he slowly started his way down the bar.

The therapists came back and protectively walked with him. Soon, everyone was loudly cheering on his progress that became slower and more labored with each step.

Samantha, too, got caught up in the moment and shouted encouraging phrases. He was only a few feet away when he started to falter, struggle mightily, and then appear to give up for good.

Samantha's heart was in her throat as she wanted so badly to reach out and help him along. It was hard to stand by and watch him fight the fight alone.

Forgetting her surroundings, she yelled above the din, "COME ON BABE. YOU CAN DO IT!"

The room fell silent in an instant. She flashed a quick look at Danny and Martin; just long enough to see two shocked faces.

Looking back to Jack, he lifted his head and looked in her direction with sweat pouring down his face. He finally smiled as best he could and said, "Babe?" Then walked the remaining few feet into her waiting arms.

As everyone offered congratulations on a job well done, Jack quietly asked Samantha, "How bout dat ponge baff?"

She protectively rubbed his back, assuring him she would keep her end of the deal.

tbc