When Foster returned that afternoon, Eames wasn't there. "Hi, Bobby. Where's Alex?"
"She went home to shower and change. She'll be back later."
"Let's get these tests out of the way, then. Um, was your night comfortable?"
"I suppose so."
"Your nurses told me Alex spent part of the night sleeping beside you."
"I...uh, I told her to stay."
"It's ok. You did nothing wrong. They said you seemed to rest easier, and you didn't need anything for the pain. One of them said it was...sweet."
Goren laughed quietly. "I did sleep better, and my head doesn't hurt as much. But I can't guarantee it's going to stay that way. You like to mess with my mind, and that tends to hurt."
"That's my job, to mess with your mind and make sure it's ok. The other day it wasn't. Now I think it's better, and you're going to be ok. Most people do recover their memories in a few days, though for some it can take weeks, or months. I think that challenging your relationship with Alex is what did it, and that fascinates me."
"I'm so glad I fascinate you," Goren answered, annoyed.
Foster smiled. "Don't get defensive. Your relationship with her is the most important thing in your life."
"That's because she is the most important person in my life."
The doctor nodded. "I can see that, very clearly." He opened his briefcase. "Ok, let's get these tests out of the way."
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Late that afternoon, Eames returned to the hospital. She entered his room to find him playing cards with Foster. They were sitting opposite each other near the window, and she was glad to see Goren up and about. She looked from one man to the other. "Are you bored, doctor?" she teased.
"Well," he said with a smile. "I spent the whole afternoon in here tormenting Bobby, I figured the least I could do was play a few hands of rummy with him. You know, keep him company until you came back."
She looked at Goren. "Rough afternoon?"
"Not so bad."
"But your head hurts." He just nodded. She looked at Foster. "See what you do to him?"
"Sorry about that. But I'm happy with the results and I think we can let him out of here tomorrow, as long Dr. Barrett agrees."
"What about this headache?" he asked.
"It will get better. It's a result of the concussion, and as your brain heals, the headache will become intermittent and then go away entirely."
"So I can go back to work now?"
"Yes. Monday you can go back to work." He sighed. "Well, I'm done. I don't need anything more from you, Bobby. I'll sign off on your chart tonight and put in my ok for your release. I see no reason for Dr. Barrett not to concur." He pulled a card from his pocket and handed it to Eames. "I promised you both drinks. I'll add dinner to it, and I promise, no uncomfortable conversation." He held out his hand to Goren, who took it amiably. "I'm sorry to have upset you so much during your stay, but you have to understand it was necessary."
Goren shrugged noncommitally. Foster shook Eames' hand. "Take care of each other, and keep the lines of communication open. You have an incredibly strong bond." He smiled. "Call me. Good night."
"Dr. Foster," Goren called as the doctor got to the door. He turned. "Thank you."
Foster smiled warmly and nodded. Then he was gone. Goren looked at Eames. She smiled at him. "Are you ready to get out of here?"
"The real question is are you ready for me to get out of here?"
"Oh, I don't know. These hospital beds are kind of cozy."
He laughed and pulled her into his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her forehead to his. Moving her head a little, she found his lips. "Yes," she whispered against his mouth. "I'm more than ready for you to get out of here."
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Barrett came into the room early the next morning. He couldn't help a smile. Goren was sleeping soundly, on his side, his arm draped across her hip. Her head rested in the hollow of his shoulder and her arm was draped over his side. They looked as comfortable as anyone could in a hospital bed. He agreed with Foster. It was time for them to go home.
He took out his stethoscope and pressed it against Goren's back. It was enough to wake him. He turned his head toward Barrett with a sleepy frown. Barrett smiled. "Sorry to bother you. There's this thing at church today and I have to make my rounds at this ungodly hour. You want to go home today, Robert?"
"Yeah, I'm ready."
"I don't doubt it. Go back to sleep. I'll write the orders and when you get up, they'll be ready to discharge you. I'll write a prescription for an inhaler in case you have any more trouble breathing, which I doubt you will, and one for pain medicine for your headaches, which should be improving. Give yourself another few weeks and you should feel a hundred percent better."
"Work?"
"Yes. If you feel ready, go ahead." He rested a hand on Goren's shoulder and squeezed. "Take care of yourself, and Ms. Eames. It was a real pleasure meeting both of you."
"Thanks," he muttered, turning back into the pillow.
Barrett smiled and headed for the door. He paused when he heard soft voices in the room behind him. "What's wrong?" Eames asked.
"Nothing. Go back to sleep."
She sighed softly. Neither said anything more. Barrett left the room.
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Just before lunch, a nurse came in with a clipboard. She handed Goren a paper bag. "We went ahead and filled your prescriptions for you. If you have any trouble breathing, run a fever or have pain not controlled by your medicine, come back in. Follow up with your regular doctor in two weeks. Now, all I need is a signature and you are free to go."
He signed his name. She handed him his copy and said, "Take care of yourself, Bobby." She smiled at Eames and left the room.
He turned to Eames and held out a hand. She took his hand and let him pull her into his arms. For a long moment, he just held her. Then he kissed her forehead and said, "Let's get the hell out of here."
"I'm right there with you."
He tilted his head at her, studying her face. "Yes, you are."
She smiled and they headed out the door. It was time to go home.