A/N: Okay, apparently I'm not quite used to posting here yet, as I just managed to erase an entire comment I had written out to you guys. Nevertheless, I must be insane because once again, it's 1:08am and I just got back from the movies (The Holiday - it was okay), and yet here I sit, polishing off another update. I was just so thrilled about getting comments on the last chapter, glad you's enjoyed and are finding this somewhat realistic. Not sure how true that will be after this chapter, but I'm hoping it's passable. :) (And yes, this is a shameless plea for reviews).

Chapter Six

I wanted
I wanted you to stay
'Cause I needed
I need to hear you say
That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I forgive you
For being away for far too long

Minutes later, Sara and Michael sat facing each other nervously on a bed inside the room he'd booked for them earlier. When he'd made the reservation he'd briefly considered booking two adjoining rooms, but then he remembered the last time they'd been together in a hotel room, and this time, he didn't want her to leave his sight.

"You cut your hair…" Michael stated softly, attempting to break the silence that had fallen between them. She didn't resist as he ran his fingers through her hair as he spoke. She leaned into his touch before slowly pulling away, and looking down at the floor.

"Sara," Michael began softly, placing his hand onto her forearm. At his touch he saw her wince in pain, and his expression immediately turned to worry.

"What's wrong?" He asked caringly, motioning towards her arm.

"It's nothing…" Sara responded quietly, not daring to meet his eyes.

"Sara…" he pressed.

She looked off to the side, tears beginning to form in the corner of her eyes.

Michael gently took hold of her forearm and began to roll up her sleeve – she didn't object.

"Sara – you stitched this up yourself?" He questioned her gently, although slightly shocked. Her gaze wouldn't meet his eyes, so he used his free hand to lightly touch her chin, turning her face towards his own. "What did they do to you?" He pressed further, his voice low and concerned.

Sara's stare met his, and her expression softened at the concern evident in his eyes.

"It doesn't matter anymore," she stated simply while offering him a weak smile.

"Let me look at it, okay?" He asked her gently.

In response, she let out a small laugh.

"I'm the Doctor, remember?"

"I can see that," Michael joked while examining her self sutured wound.

Sensing that she didn't want to relive what she'd been through just yet, he decided not to press the issue. Instead, he reached down next to the bed to grab the bag of supplies he'd brought with. He pulled out a small first aid kit, rummaging through until he located some betadine, peroxide, swabs and gauze.

The Doctor in her knew better than to argue that she was fine when he had antiseptic and gauze readily available. She didn't protest as he gently dabbed peroxide onto a swab and prepared to press it to her arm.

"This may sting a little," he informed her quietly.

Sara couldn't help but laugh in response; it was almost comical how their roles had been reversed.

"What's so funny?" He inquired smiling. "You're enjoying this?" He joked as he ever so gently applied the swab to her wound, gently cleaning the skin.

"Ouch," she winced in pain as the chemicals stung her skin, before jokingly continuing, "what? Peroxide on an open wound?"

He smiled at her play on words from their last meeting, and went on to joke in reply, stopping when he noticed more bruising further up her arm.

His brow furrowed and he looked at her worriedly.

"Can I…..?" He asked softly, motioning to the bruises further up her arm.

Looking into his eyes, she nodded briefly. In response, he carefully removed her sweater, leaving her sitting in just her jeans and a flimsy cotton undershirt.

Immediately, several more large purple bruises became visible. Michael sighed sadly, carefully taking in every laceration and mark.

"Looks like I've got my work cut out for me…." He joked softly, trying to hide his anger and pain at seeing her so damaged. "Is there anything else you want to tell me, Dr Tancredi?" He asked sternly, but still trying to keep the mood light.

Sara looked away, once again avoiding his eyes.

"Sara…"

Sighing, she gave him another weak smile and turned around slightly so that her back was facing him. Carefully, she lifted the back of her top to reveal the massive bruises and cuts on her back; the ones she'd obtained from falling onto the hood of the car.

Michael took in the sight, and slowly closed his eyes. He placed one hand on her shoulder, turning her back around to face him.

"Sara…I'm so sorry." He replied genuinely, his voice choking up as he tried to hold back tears. "I – "

She cut him off by placing her index finger to his lips, then leaning in to kiss him gently on the mouth. Their foreheads rested against each other and they spent a few quiet minutes just sitting in peaceful silence.

Finally, after quite sometime, Michael pulled away to continue to examine her injuries. He gently ran his fingers around one of the huge bruises, having difficulty fathoming what on earth had caused it. For the next half an hour, he tenderly cleaned and dressed her wounds.

As he placed the last bandage on her arm, he looked her into the eyes and smiled.

"There, good as new." He smiled, pleased with his efforts although still quietly seething that this had happened to her in the first place. He vowed to destroy whoever had inflicted this upon her.

"Thanks," Sara said yawning. She absentmindedly rested her hand on his thigh while returning his smile.

"You should get some rest." He told her knowingly. "I have some…." His voice trailed off as he searched through his bag, "….clean clothes for you," he finished as he managed to locate the spare change of clothes he'd thought to pick up and bring for her. "You get changed and get into bed. Doctors orders," he winked. "I'm going to go take a shower, okay?"

"Okay," she stated simply, trying to suppress another yawn.

Michael grinned at her and took off to the bathroom.

Returning from his shower, Michael stepped out in just his boxers and immediately noticed Sara fast asleep on the bed. He grinned and thought of how beautiful she looked while she slept. She'd changed into the clothes he'd picked out for her, and her torn and dirty clothes were folded in a neat pile on a chair. He quietly walked over to the bed, pulling the covers up and placing them over her shoulders. He couldn't resist leaning down and placing a kiss on her head, before turning around to take his place on the couch. As he turned to walk off, he felt her small hand grab his own. Startled, he turned back to face her.

"Michael…" She spoke sleepily, gently tugging on his arm. He sat down on the bed, his hand still in hers.

She shifted over to the other side of the bed, making room for him to get in next to her.

"Just….lie with me, okay?" She asked; her voice soft and tired. He hesitated for a moment, she was half asleep, and he didn't want to freak her out in the morning by appearing next to her. Sensing his wariness, she smiled slightly and explained her offer, rolling her eyes in the process, "the couch is barely even long enough for you to fit on comfortably, and you look as though you need the sleep as much as I do."

"Thanks – I think," he joked. Grinning, he crawled into bed next to her, sliding under the covers. When he'd gotten into place across from her, keeping just enough distance between them so as not to make her uncomfortable, Sara surpirsed him by shifting closer to him and resting her head on his chest. He placed a protective arm around her as she nestled in closer still. Within minutes they were asleep in each others arms.

A/N: Just a little note about this chapter. I realise Sara didn't talk much, but, if you factor in everything that's happened in the last what, two weeks? Then it seems plausable she'd be a little stuck for words. I also liked the idea that her and Michaels roles would reverse a little, as in, he'd be her Doctor for a change. Eh, makes sense in my crazy little MiSa obsessed mind. Also, as much as I would have loved to write a sex scene, I felt they weren't quite there... (Yet! lol). Lastly, I thought it was important to address her injuries. I mean, you can't be drowned, electrcuited, jump from a window onto the hood of a car and not have some brusies and cuts to show for it, right? Oh one more thing, Michael hasn't forgotten that she is the "key" to this thing (or whatever), but he's just not going to press her for the info the second he meets back up with her.

Shheeesh, sorry that was so long. Anyhow, please review and let me know what you think. Also, if anyone knows of any really good, realistic MiSa fics, let me know. :)