I turned to Woody after Slocum left. I can see he's thinking hard about something… and not a pleasant thought by the looks on his face.

"What's the matter Woody, you in pain?"

"No doc, I'm fine, just um thinking"

Nice try, if spending the last 3 weeks helping you has taught me anything it is your mannerisms, you can't lie to me, any better then you can lie to Jordan… when she is actually paying attention, that is. "Nice try, but I know better. So really what's wrong? We did not spend 3 weeks helping you so you could close down now when you're so close to getting better."

"Nothing doc really, I'm just thinking about what's going to happen now."

Oh I get it now, damn it, I forget he is used to everyone leaving him, and so he thinks now that I have my job back I'm going to cut bait. "Woody I would have to be not only shallow but stupid, if I stopped helping you now, just because I have my job back that does not mean I am going to forget about you."

I could tell by the look of surprises and I think gratitude in his eyes I had struck pay dirt. "Woody, I will not be able to be here every day but I can give Jordan vacation days just like Slocum did for me."

"No that's okay doc really, like you said I'm almost ready to go. I don't need anymore help."

Oh hell I thought we had gotten past this point, what does Jordan have to prove… oh that's right, I'm thinking about this the wrong way, he doesn't feel worth of her. Time to bring out the big guns… I hope this works

"Woody did I ever tell you about the time I had prostate cancer?"

"No, when was this?"

"I'd say about 15 years ago, I was still married to my wife. I went to see the doctor and he found a lump."

"What happened?"

"I had to have surgery and the cancerous cells were removed. But I had chemo to make sure, back then the treatments were not as gentle as they are now. The surgery and chemo left me very weak and I had to depend on my wife and friends for support. The problem is I was the oldest of 5 children, and I was always the one that supported every one else, I was always the strong one, so to find myself suddenly the weak one needing others, I grew resentful, hateful, I was mean to my wife, family, and friends. I almost drove all my friends away."

"Is that the reason you are divorced now?"

"No, but it would have been if not for two reasons, first we had a daughter, and we could not do that to her, not at such a young age, and the second my father, smartest man I ever knew, sat me down and had a long talk about what I was doing to my family and especially my wife, you see I still loved her, and she loved me, but I needed to accept the fact that I needed help and that she was the best person to help me, and needing my wife's support did not make me weak nor did it mean she pitied me, it made me smart, I did not have to always be the strong one, sometimes it is okay for others to be strong for me. To let them return the favor."

"I see where you are going with this doc. You think I should believe that Jordan is doing this not out of pity or even guilt for me but because she loves me like she has said."

"I knew you were smart… most of the time, yes, you don't always have to be the strong one. A real true relationship is built on two people sharing a life, not someone who gives and the other takes. You have to take turns being the strong one for the other… trust, communication, commitment to be there for one another, in good and bad, in sickness and heath, etc, etc… those wedding vows have survived for a long time not just because they rhyme, but because they are the keys to a true lasting partnership. I recommend you think long and hard about the way you have been treating Jordan, she has been far more understanding, then I've ever seen her. Before you, she would have never taken the crap you have been handing her." It was then I saw Jordan standing just outside of the door way, where Woody couldn't see her. She looked surprised.

"Woody I've got to go, I'm sure Jordan will he here shortly. I well see you tomorrow evening. Remember think long and hard about what we talked about. Even the strongest person needs support… help every now and then." With that I left.

Jordan followed me until I got a ways down the hall… man this opening up crap is tiring. "Hello Jordan, how long were you standing outside the door?"

"I passed Slocum at the elevator, what's going on?"

"Slocum covered for me; apparently he knew Dr Blackledge, and said my record since then has been outstanding. So for the last 3 weeks I have been on paid vacation. He is gone; I will be there bright and early first thing in the morning…"

"But what about Woody, is he ready to be on his own?"

"Yes and no, He is almost ready physically to be on his own, but mentally and emotionally, he still needs you as much as you need him… so starting tomorrow you are taking over here, and I with the rest of the crew will stop by every night to make sure everything is okay."

"Okay I have to ask… when, did you have prostate cancer, and why have I never heard about it."

"I have never had cancer Jordan, had a scare about that time, but I have never had prostate cancer." I smiled, at Jordan's confused look.

"But why… oh I get it, you wanted to show Woody what he was doing. You sly dog you."

I was blessed with one of her smiles. She really is beautiful when she smiles. "You better get in there, I have a feeling he will not be as closed off." She still had a smile on her face when she turned to go back to Woody's room. I waited just long enough for her to get in the room and I snuck back and head Woody say

"I'm sorry, so sorry Jordan, please forgive me…"

With that I turned and walked towards the elevator, I have a feeling that things are finally getting to that dryer setting. I need to get home and get some rest, tomorrow is a big day, and I plan to be there before anyone else.