"He's going to make it through," the doctor said three hours later. "Judging by the additional scars, he sure is a tough one."

"And a stupid one," Joe laughed. "She caused most of them."

Lisa blushed.

"Hm...stalker?" the doctor teased. Lisa shook her head.

"No. Fiancee," she cracked a smile. "Can I...?" she gestured to the door. The doctor nodded and Lisa opened the door. The doctor followed.

"We gave him a mild sedative," the doctor whispered. "He probably won't wake up yet but you're welcome to talk to him."

Jackson's eyes were closed, his long brown hair falling to cover them. His breathing was even but raspy.

Lisa choked back further tears and pulled a chair up to his bed as the doctor left the room. She took his hand, expecting it to be chilled, but it was warm as ever. She reached over and brushed his hair out of his eyes.

"You're so beautiful," she whispered, gently stroking his palm. His eyes opened slowly and he smiled sleepily at her.

"Hey, Leese," he croaked.

"Hi, baby," she smiled at him. "How do you feel?"

"Better," he laughed lightly. "Now that you're here."

"Jackson, I'm so sorry," she said sincerely. "If I hadn't been so selfish, so demanding, you wouldn't be in the shape you-"

"Sh, Leese," he interjected. "Don't feel guilty for wanting your husband at your wedding."

"At first I was afraid you'd left me at the altar," she teased. Jackson smiled.

"Never."

"I know."

Lisa cleared her throat. "Jackson, I...I need to tell you something."

"Shoot."

Lisa nearly laughed at the irony. She paused, hesitantly wringing her hands.

"Wait. I think I already know."

Lisa looked up at him. His eyes shone.

"I hope it's a boy."

Lisa smiled. "How did you know?"

"Gut instinct," he said excitedly. "Leese, I'm so happy, I just can't believe it." But then his face looked shocked. "Wait, it is mine, isn't it?"

"Jesus, Jack, how many guys do you think I'm sleeping with behind your back?" she laughed, then grew solemn. "Though it may be the postman's..."

He laughed and kissed her hand. "How long have you known?"

"I found out a few days ago. I was going to tell you on the honeymoon," she smiled sadly. "Guess that's not going to happen, though."

"Well, we'll just postpone it a few weeks or so," he shrugged. "No big deal. They'll understand."

"Who shot you?" she asked quietly. He paused and licked his lips.

"An unhappy customer."

"I thought...I thought you were safer now," Lisa whispered.

"I thought I was, too," he agreed. "But we had an organization that wasn't too pleased with the way we handled the Polovsky job. That's why I left that day. They wanted to meet and started getting pretty angry and a little violent. It was getting close to the time I needed to leave, and I still had a flight to catch, so I said I had to leave. Well, that didn't go over so well and they flipped out, for lack of better terminology. They followed me back, I didn't know, and as soon as I was out to the parking garage of the Miami airport they shot me. I got all three of them, though."

Lisa felt sick and closed her eyes. "Oh."

"It's all right, now, though."

"Yeah."

"Lisa?"

"Jackson, I just want one thing, okay?" she opened her eyes. "Just be honest with me. You don't know how worried I get when you just disappear. I'd like to know when and where you're going."

"I don't want you to get hurt, Leese."

"How would keeping me informed hurt me?"

He sighed. "If my enemies know that my wife knows my whereabouts they'll stop at nothing to find out. I don't think I need to describe exactly what but I'll say this :It'll hurt a hell of a lot more than anything we've ever done to each other and that's if they don't kill you."

Lisa froze. "How many enemies do you have, exactly?"

Jackson sighed. "My good share. But, Leese, I'll tell you what I can, but..."

"They'd kill me even if I didn't know anything. They could say I'm lying," she pointed out. He regarded her carefully. "At least if I knew I could tell them so they could set the hounds on your ass." She smiled playfully.

He paused. "Okay."