A/N: You have no idea how happy y'all made me when you resoundingly joined in my "arm fettish" and enjoyed Samantha yelling "BABE" last chapter. However, I'm a bit worried about those of you who want an explicit sponge bath scene :-)

DianeM has been patiently waiting for something to happen...and it kind of does this chapter. I hope it meets with your approval!

Chapter 16 – Here Is My Heart

Jack was totally exhausted by the time the nurses got him back to his room, cleaned up and fed. He tried to stay awake to visit with Samantha, but fatigue took over and he fell into a deep sleep.

When he woke in the morning, he was disappointed to find she had already gone to work, but he had a surprise for her when she did come back.

The swelling had gone down in his face enough to allow him to open his eyes.

Even though the room was a typically stark hospital room, he nonetheless thoroughly enjoyed looking at every little detail. His eyes fell on the rickety little cot and the corners of his mouth tugged into a smile as he remembered her yelling "BABE" at the top her lungs. Time to come clean with her and tell her how I feel…even at the cost of running her off.

Joshua came in with Julie and both were delighted to see their patient rapidly improving. "Good to see you sir! I'm Joshua and this is Julie. Looks like that nasty round with the therapist yesterday really paid off. How are you feeling this morning?"

"Okay. Ittle shoar."

"Yes. You will be sore for quite some time, but walking around when you can will help shake that out. Joshua will help you into some sweat pants and a shirt so you can walk around when you feel like it. Dr. McDonald will be making his rounds before lunch. If you keep progressing as well as you have been, he just might let you go home soon."

Jack nodded his head and asked, "Ooh shee Sham?"

Julie smiled softly, "She left early this morning after checking on you. She said to tell you she would be at the office most of the day, but would be by this afternoon. Oh yes, she left this for you," as she pointed out a gift bag on the side table.

He felt much better after getting out of that dreadful hospital gown. After Joshua left, Jack tenuously toddled over to the side table and opened the bag.

His eyes sparkled with delight as he broke into a little belly laugh when he saw the contents…a little yellow rubber ducky and a bright blue sponge.

-xxxx-

Dr. McDonald came in around 11:30 and gave Jack the good news he would release him the next day. He wanted Jack to spend a little more time with the physical therapist. All his injuries were healing well and he was able to loosen the jaw wires a bit more, allowing more movement. He instructed Jack to walk around as much as possible, and gave him a squeeze ball to start working his hands and arms.

Jack spent the day slowly exploring the hospital and surrounding grounds. As the day went by, he felt physically better, but his stomach was trying to knot up ever since he decided today was the day he would talk with Samantha.

He wandered into the gift shop and bought a little crystal angel for her. In his mind, she had definitely saved him...she was his angel. I wonder if she will save me from myself later today? His thoughts swirled as he came up with so many things he wanted to tell her. He was at a loss of how to convey all his feelings. He hoped like hell she would hear him out.

Looking down at the little angel, he noticed his hands shaking as he tried to rehearse some opening lines in his head. Glancing at his watch, a bit of sweat broke out on his upper lip…it was already 4:00 and she would be here soon. He hurried as best he could back to his room and found the notepad and pen she brought in early on in case they had a difficult time understanding him.

Pausing, he realized that she never once asked him to repeat anything. The thought that she understood him gave him a warm feeling. "Let's just hope that trend continues this evening," he muttered out loud to himself.

Staring off into space for a while, he took a deep breath, jotted a few words down on the paper, tore it off and stuck it in his shirt pocket along with the angel.

-xxxxxx-

He was propped up in bed, with his good arm behind his head, and watching television when she walked in.

Their eyes met immediately and he enjoyed watching her face as seeing him for the first time in several days actually sunk in. The transition was enchanting, as he watched tension and anxiety melt away from her features.

Her big grin ushered in relief and thankfulness.

He felt his heart ignite.

My God, she's stunning. Could I possibly make it without her? Please don't make me have to learn that pain.

"Heeeyyy! Look at you! What a wonderful surprise!" she beamed as she rushed forward and wrapped her arms around him on impulse. Pulling back a bit she gushed, "Let me look at those eyes!"

Holding his face in her hands, they relished the warmth that radiated from their gaze. Their smiles concealed their underlying tension.

Okay Spade, if he wants you, be his one and only. No more playing games. This is it.

Okay Malone, don't blow this chance. Tell her how you feel and make her yours forever.

Taking a breath, he eased off the bed and asked, "Come on. Alk wit me. Docta shay it ood for me."

The hallways were much busier in the afternoon, making it more difficult for him to maneuver in his still bruised and battered body. Sensing him being a bit shaky, she offered, "How about holding my hand for a little stability?" She thoroughly enjoyed the sensation of feeling his big strong hand envelope her much smaller one.

As they strolled through the hallway past the nurse's station, Julie saw them hand-in-hand and caught Samantha's eye. Grinning like a proud mother over her blossoming daughter, she poked Joshua and nodded toward the approaching couple. Joshua in turn winked at Jack, giving him the "thumbs up" sign.

Both their antics made Jack and Samantha blush.

Jack squeezed her hand a little tighter.

Once outside, they meandered silently through the same area Samantha had walked with Martin a few days before. She smiled inwardly at how much more enjoyable this stroll was than that one. But, she did motion to a different bench saying, "Ready for a rest?"

Sitting in silence for a while, Jack felt his heart picking up pace in his chest. Is that her hand or mine sweating?

Taking a confident breath, he turned to face her and started his talk that had been years in the making.

"Sham. Dis"... he indicated with his hand to the various wounds he suffered… "dis made me tink bout what most mportent. I keep coming wit only one ansuh. Ooh…ooh Sham. My wub for ooh…it was dare all long…neber went way."

Watching her closely and not sure how to read the mist forming in her eyes, he reached into his pocket and handed her the angel, along with the note.

She fought to steal her eyes away from his, but looked down at the gift in her hands.

He wants me. Thank God he wants me.

She smiled at the dainty little angel, then unfolded the note. She saw his handwriting with the simple words – It was there all along.

"Oh Jack." Her voice faltered as she tried to still the vibrato, "This is the most beautiful thing you have ever said to me." Wiping a tear she went on, "When I found you in that warehouse…I thought….dear God, Jack" she exhaled hard, "I thought you were dead. And…and my world was crashing around me. I knew how much time I wasted being stubborn. I'm so sorry Jack."

He winced in pain as he folded her into her arms and gently rocked from side to side. It was the sweetest pain he'd ever felt.

Everything is going to be as I dreamed. Something is finally going right for Jack Malone.

They sat holding each other for a long time before she said, "Come on. I better get you back in there before they think I kidnapped you. Besides, you look like you are running out of gas."

He nodded, "Shpressing my undying wub makes me sheepy."

In that moment, she couldn't have loved him more.

-xxxxx-

Back in his room, he told Samantha he would be released the next day, a little after lunch. The startled look on her face didn't make sense to him, but he dismissed it easily, as he was still enjoying how well his admission of love to her had gone.

He fell asleep that night with a smug look on his face and looking forward to next day.

As he drifted off, he thought, Maybe I will ask her to move in with me? Nah…I better give her some time. It will be nice to take her on dates without having to feel guilty. I can't wait to walk out of here with her at my side tomorrow. Yep, tomorrow is going to be a good day, Malone.

tbc