Author's Note: MJ Taylor is my creation. I have no claim to established CSI: NY Characters, they belong to CBS.
Secrets
A few hours later, MJ slouching in the chair by Don's bed, resting her head on the edge of the bed, asleep. She was still grasping his hand. Mac had been watching from the doorway. When he suddenly thought he saw Don's hand grasp MJ's. MJ immediately stirred. Mac focused on Don's hand wondering if he just imagined it. There it was again, Don squeezed MJ's hand. MJ's head popped up this time. "Don?" MJ turned and saw Mac in the doorway. "Did you see that?" she asked him. Mac silently nodded. Hearing voices, Stella was immediately by Mac's side. "Don, can you hear me?" MJ gently asked. Don's fingers brushed against her's. "I'll get the doctor." Stella stated and she was off. Mac walked to the other side of Don's bedside. "Don, can you hear us?" Mac asked. Don slowly and gently nodded. MJ scooted closer. "You're okay Don." MJ gently squeezed his hand. "We're here." Slowly, Don's head started to move towards MJ's voice and just as slowly, his eyes opened. MJ's eyes filled with tears overwhelmed by the incredible sight of those beautiful blue eyes staring back at her. "Hi there." MJ whispered as she gently rubbed his hand against her cheek. "Hi." Don responded, barely audible.
Over the next couple of weeks, between going back and forth from the lab to the hospital as well as occasionally stopping at her apartment for a few hours sleep, MJ didn't remember much. Finally, the doctors where confident enough to send Don home, much to his relief. MJ tried to convince him to at least stay with his folks for a little while, until he was more stable on his feet and could begin rehabilitation. MJ was sitting in her usual spot the chair by his bedside. Don was grumbling, again, about the lack of sports channels on the hospital television. He was propped up and looking much better. MJ was still nervous about him going home. She was afraid he would do too much unsupervised.
"Don, at least at your parents your mom will be there to make sure you have what you need and you don't hurt yourself further. Considering it being babied, like when you were a kid. Moms live for that stuff." MJ argued. "You mean babysat." Don scoffed then insisted. "No, I'll go back to my place. The doctor said he would arrange for a visiting nurse until I can start rehab, which will be a week ten days max. Right now he says it's just a matter of me getting my strength back and I rather do that at home. Trust me between the visiting nurse and folks, I'll have plenty of company." Don still not thrill with the idea of the nurse or his folks under foot, but it was better than being here or worse his parents place. "Besides, you promised to cook dinner for me my first night home. I'm tired of hospital food." Don smiled. MJ shook her head and laughed. "Are you kidding, you haven't had hospital food in 3 days, with Danny, Adam and Doc sneaking you food from every resturant town. I'm surprised the doctors haven't band them from the hospital. You must have gained 10 pounds." Don playing innocent. "Hey, I was nearly blown up by a cell phone, I need to get my strength back and what this place calls food ain't gonna do it." MJ sobered. She still had moments when the fear of what might have been clawed at her. Don hadn't begun to deal with the psychological aspect of his injuries. He still tended to brush it off as if it was no big deal. MJ, on the other hand, fought the nightmares and at the moment, they were winning. She hadn't slept well since it happened. "Correction, you were blown up by a cell phone. You can thank the doctors for being able to sit there and complain about the food. " Don's face softened at the look on MJ's face but before he could say anything Danny interrupted them.
"Lunch time. I thought about pizza, but I didn't think I could get it passed the nurses station so you'll have to deal with sandwiches from the 2nd Ave Deli." Danny informed the patient. "You are the best, Messer." Don's eyes lit up. MJ frustrated, glared at them both. "I swear, the two of you single handily keep Manhattan restaurants in business." Danny focused, as always, with his appetite but insisted. "Not all of them, just the good ones." He said laughing. MJ shook her head. "I'm going back to the lab." With that she got up to leave, but Don stopped her. "Mags." MJ turned and waited. "You'll be back after shift?" MJ looked at him knowing she would be. 'Don't I always?" Don grinned and added. "I'm fine. You need to stop worrying." MJ eyes filled with what looked like fear. "That's what you keep telling me." With that she left.