Tunnel of Love?

When Paul entered Perry's room, it was to find his friend struggling to get his clothes on and having little luck because of the stitches and bandages on his back. Paul watched as with a curse, Perry threw his trousers across the room.

"Hey pal. What are you doing up? Doc said you needed at least another day."

"I don't care. I need to see Della. I need to tell her...to see she's..."

Perry dropped his head in his hands. Paul walked over and picked up the trousers, carrying them back to Perry.

"Would you like some help?" Perry laughed.

"Well I'd prefer a pretty nurse but I'll take what I can get."

After Paul had helped Perry dress, he checked the hall to make sure the doctor or nurse was not there to stop Perry from leaving his room.

"C'mon Perry. She's one floor up. It's the ICU so we might have trouble."

Perry smiled. "You just get me to her room."

In the elevator, Perry had to lean against the wall. He hadn't realized he was that weak. Paul put his hand on his friend's shoulder.

"You okay?" Paul wasn't so sure this was a good idea. Perry was very pale.

"I will be." When the elevator doors opened, as they stepped out, the doctor was about to step in.

"Mr. Mason what on earth do you think you're doing? We need to get you back downstairs."

Perry held onto the railing in the elevator. "No doctor, we need to get me to Miss Street's room, now!"

The doctor was about to protest when Mae came out of the room opposite the elevator. "Mr. Mason, what on earth?" She went to him and even as small as she was, she put his arm around her shoulders and her arm as far around his waist as she could.

"Mae I need to see...". Seeing her struggle, Paul got on Perry's other side to help support him and they started across the hall.

When the doctor started to protest, Mae gave him a warning look. They continued into the room where Della lay. Mae and Paul helped Perry into the chair next to the bed.

Mae took her handkerchief and wiped at the perspiration on Perry's forehead.

"Are you alright?"

Perry grasped Mae's hand, bringing it to his lips. "I'm fine now, Mae."

"Alright. I'm going to take your handsome detective with me and buy him some lunch."

Perry chuckled. "You make sure he treats you to lunch. Tell him to add it to his expense account."

Mae leaned in and kissed Perry's cheek. "She's strong Perry. Just talk to her, let her know you're here."

"Thank you Mae."

Mae turned to the door, putting her arm through Paul's. "Come on handsome. You're buying me lunch."

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With the room now quiet, Perry listened to the sounds of the monitors that were keeping track of Della's vitals. He wasn't sure what the numbers meant, but it seemed things were okay.

He reached out to touch her arm, lying on the top of the sheet, being careful not to disturb the IV tube. He watched the steady rise and fall of her chest.

"Della? I don't know if you can hear me, but...I wanted...I need to apologize to you. I really messed up. I should have made you go back with the rest of the people. I had a feeling, a sense that something wasn't right with that man. That he was somehow dangerous but...but...well my own need...my ego...at having you beside me...damn."

He gently rubbed her arm with his thumb. "I'm so very sorry Della. I only wanted to take you someplace safe. And look what happened. You almost died. I'm such a fool. I'm..."

"Human." The single word was spoken so softly, at first Perry thought he was dreaming. But then he saw her beautiful eyes open and focused on him.

"Hi." It was all he could think of to say.

She searched for his hand. "Hi yourself. How long have I...?"

Perry took her hand, gently squeezing. "Just a couple days. I couldn't get to you before now."

"Why?"

He smiled. "A couple scratches on my back and you know how doctors are."

"Oh Perry."

"No Della. I'm fine. You were the one who almost...well let's just say..."

Della squeezed his hand. "How about we forget the tunnel. At least most of it. When can I get out of here? I'm sure Aunt Mae..."

"She's been here since you were admitted. She's bullying Paul into lunch right now. You need to thank Lt. Tragg, because the minute you were in the helicopter, he sent Sergeant Brice to bring Mae here."

"Oh. Well I will most assuredly thank him." Della gave a very ladylike yawn.

Perry stood slowly, placing a kiss on her forehead. "You should go to sleep. You need as much rest as you can to heal."

Della held onto his hand. "You won't leave me, please." Perry felt his chest tighten at the sudden fear in her lovely eyes.

"I'm not going anywhere until I can take you safely to Aunt Mae's. But since they only allow one person at a time in your room, I have to share you. Now go to sleep. I'll stay until Mae comes back."

He held her hand, watching as she slept, sending up a silent thank you to the man upstairs that she was going to be alright.

PDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPD

Three weeks later, Perry sat in a double lounge chair on the beach at Aunt Mae's house. Della sat next to him, his arm around her, her head resting on his broad chest. Perry absently stroked his fingers up and down her arm, watching a sailboat skim across the water. I should get a sailboat, or maybe a cabin cruiser. Della loves the water.

"Sweetheart, what would you think of getting a boat. We could keep it moored here. It would give us an excuse to visit Mae more often."

She snuggled closer to him. "That sounds wonderful. And could we invite Paul and take Mae with us too."

Perry chuckled. "And here I thought I'd have you all to myself. So much for wishful thinking. Of course. We can invite everyone."

Della pushed her hand inside his shirt to tangle her fingers in the soft hair on his chest.

"Oh I'm sure we can find plenty of time to be alone. Will you take me along when you pick it out?"

Her fingers making small circles on his chest was making it very difficult to form a coherent thought. His only response was a low 'uhhhmmm'.

Mae stood looking at the couple on the lounge. One she loved with her whole heart, the other she was beginning to love.

"If you lovebirds are hungry, I've got lunch on the table."

Della blushed deeply but Perry just laughed. "Be right there Mae."

Sliding from the chair, Perry bent and picked Della up in his arms, starting up the path to the house.

"You know Mr. Mason, I am well enough to walk on my own." But she wound her arms around his neck.

"Are you really complaining about your chauffeur service madam? I suppose I could just drop you." She felt his arms loosen and shrieked.

"Don't you dare, Perry Mason." His response was to stop just before entering the house and place a deep, demanding kiss on her lips.

"Ahem." Perry took his time breaking the kiss, then turned to place a kiss on Mae's cheek, causing her to blush.

"Don't worry Mae - I still love you best."

Mae playfully smacked his arm. "Oh you. Now bring my niece in here and get some lunch."

"Yes ma'am." He carried Della into the house, setting her in a chair at the dining room table, kissing her once more.

When Perry and Mae were seated, Della smiled at her aunt. "Aunt Mae, Perry is thinking of getting a boat. And he says we can moor it here, then we can visit more often. Would you like that?"

Mae looked from Della to Perry. "Of course. But Perry, do you think you'll find the time? After all when you get back to work, you'll be busy catching up and then new cases. I mean..."

Perry reached over to pat Mae's hand. "Mae, if there's one thing that these past few weeks have taught me it's that I need to take more time to enjoy life." Then looking at Della, taking her hand and pulling her onto his lap, he smiled. "And some lives are very precious to me."

Della wrapped her arms around Perry's neck, placing her forehead against his. Mae could only marvel at the pair and their new found love for each other.

"Yes they are."

Neither of them noticed when Mae quietly stood and left the table, leaving the two new lovers alone.