Courtney couldn't remember how she got to the hospital. She was half-conscious of being engulfed in a warm embrace and there was a comforting hand rubbing the top of her thigh. Looking through bleary eyes she realized Duncan's older brother David to be the warm embrace and his younger cousin Maureen the comforting hand. Slowly, the events of the last forty minutes came back to her.

After getting the phone call about Duncan's incident, Courtney had called David and Katherine, who had Maureen over for dinner, and they insisted on taking her to the hospital, for her own safety and for moral support.

When they arrived, Duncan's boss, Mark Fay, was there to greet them and he explained the events to Courtney before the doctor found them and rendered his diagnosis.

"We had just finished our weekly evaluation of Billy Williams and the guards were holding him back while Duncan unlocked the door. One of the guards left while the other one pushed Billy towards the door, but he had left his hat on the table and asked to retrieve it," Mark explained. "He had been progressing so well…"

"Go on please."

"He went and got his hat, but somehow pocketed a pen as well. Duncan was holding the door open at this point and as Billy walked by he lunged at him. Just football tackled him to the ground, I lost count how many times he stabbed him with that pen."

Noticing Courtney's obvious distress over his story, Mark awkwardly offered her comfort.

"There, there, it'll be okay. Look the doctor's coming this way, with good news I'm sure."

The ER doctor walked over to the small group, looking questioningly between Courtney and Maureen.

"I'm his wife," Courtney practically screamed. "Tell me about my husband, please!"

Taking her hand, the doctor led Courtney to a chair to be seated, fearing for her in her emotionally fragile state.

"Mrs. Evers," the doctor began, sitting next to her so they were eyelevel, "ultimately your husband will be fine, none of his wounds are considered fatal."

Courtney let out an audible breath.

"But his injuries will take some time to heal. The pen broke through skin six times. The wounds you'll have to pay close attention to are the two in his chest, the one on his left shoulder up by his neck, and the one that went almost entirely through his right hand."

Courtney attempted to listen, but the thought of Duncan in all of that pain made her stomach turn; and not in the way it had been the past several months. Faintly, she heard David tell Maureen, "Pens aren't meant to break through skin. Do you know how much force it must've taken this kid to hurt him?"

"As long as no complications arise tonight or tomorrow morning Duncan will be able to go home tomorrow afternoon," the doctor continued. "I'm assuming you'd like to see him?"

"Can I?"

"Of course, Mrs. Evers. A nurse will be in in a little bit and she'll explain how to clean and dress his wounds."

"Thank you," Courtney said to the doctor and shakily stood up and made her way to the room he had pointed out to her that Duncan was in.

She quietly walked into the room alone, David and Maureen thought she should have some time with just Duncan. Whatever Courtney had expected was not what she was met with when she entered his room. Duncan was in a hospital gown so all she could see of his injuries were what she assumed were two stabs on his right forearm that were wrapped in gauze. His eyes were closed, so Courtney walked quietly to his bedside and ran a hand over the IVs attached to the top of his hand.

He looked so pale and was so cold to the touch. He looked like death had warmed over.

Courtney moved to wipe away the tears when Duncan spoke, his voice gruff from screaming.

"Please don't cry Princess, you know how I hate to see you cry."

"Oh God!"

Courtney threw herself on Duncan, careful to avoid the IVs and the oxygen tubes. The tears she had tried to get rid of came back full force and she struggled to control herself. She was babbling incoherently and struggling to catch her breath.

"When I got the phone call…I thought you were…and then you were laying here….and so pale and cold….Oh God!"

"Come on Princess, you know it would take more than a pen to take me out and away from you."

"I was so scared."

"There's no need to be scared now baby, everything's okay now," Duncan whispered, kissing her lightly.

There was a gentle knock on the door, followed by David sticking his head in and then entering with Maureen.

"Hey little bro, how're you feeling?"

"Like a million bucks."

"Good to hear. The doctor said that as long as there are no complications you can go home tomorrow," Maureen explained after kissing his cheek.

"Thank God. I haven't even been conscious most of the time I've been here and I already hate the hospital."

Maureen looked quizzically at Courtney who was busily arranging chairs and an extra blanket next to Duncan's bed.

"What're you doing?"

"I'm setting up a bed."

Duncan, David, and Maureen all glared.

"I'm not leaving you alone tonight."

"You're right," David agreed. "Duncan shouldn't be left alone tonight, which is why I'm going to stay with him and Katherine and I will bring him home tomorrow. Maureen's bringing you home tonight and staying with you. Don't bother to fight me on it we've already decided."

"Yeah, so say your good nights and we're going to take you home." Maureen was very careful not to say "say your good-byes."

Duncan reached his hand out as far as the IVs let him and was just able to brush his fingers on Courtney's arm. She turned slightly and walked to him, lacing their fingers together.

"Go home and get some sleep baby. I'm fine now."

"I know, I just worry."

"Well don't. I'll see you tomorrow, 'kay?"

"Okay."

The two kissed each other good night with a passion only a couple faced with a possible loss can.

After the nurse explained how Courtney would help Duncan's wounds heal (actually writing down the steps) Maureen took Courtney home. She made sure Courtney had something to eat and was well hydrated before forcing her to go to bed.

"If you need anything I'll be out on the couch, so just holler."

"Thanks Maureen, but you staying isn't necessary. You can go home if you like."

"No way Court, I promised David and Duncan I'd stay with you and I'm going to."

Later that night as Maureen tossed and turned on the couch she had to fight the urge to go and soothe Courtney as she cried herself to sleep.

A/N: So, wow. Got a crazy amount of feedback on the last chapter...thanks! Keep up!