Chapter 10

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Danny sat at the table by the window stirring sugar into his iced tea before checking his watch.

12:48 p.m.

She was late. Again. Danny surmised that he must really like this woman if he was not only willing to sit around waiting for her as she was perpetually late but to also do it in a hospital cafeteria. He had never had so many meals of ham and cheese sandwiches and tapioca. Bored, he flipped through an information pamphlet that was left on the table.

"Sorry, sorry, I had to give a tour to the new interns," Emma said as she hurried to the table and kissed Danny firmly on the lips. "Have you been waiting long?"

"Long enough to merit a longer kiss." Danny smiled as he pulled her closer.

After a lengthy kiss, Emma smiled and replied, "Hi."

"Hi." Danny smiled at her. "Sit down, your yogurt's getting warm."

"Yeah, blueberry, my favorite." Emma smiled as she took the seat opposite of Danny and unwrapped a plastic spoon.

"I honestly don't know how you can eat so much of that stuff. Ick." Danny commented.

Emma removed the cap from the yogurt container and licked the lid as she answered, "Whatever, it's delicious. YUM!" Emma gave an exaggerated murmur of appreciation as she dug in. "So, you said you had 'great news' on the phone, what is it?" She picked up the brochure he was reading and raised her eyebrows, "Pre-natal care? Um, is there something you need to tell me?"

"Ha. Ha." Danny sarcastically replied. "I do have great news: Martin's awake."

Danny laughed at Emma as her eyes went as wide as her smile. He didn't know how he would have managed these couple of months without her.

"Oh my God, Danny! That's great news!" Emma leaned across the table and hugged him before sitting back down. "How is he?"

"He's good."

She eyed him carefully, "But?"

"But Sam said he doesn't remember the shooting."

"Oh, well, that's not uncommon, particularly since it was his temporal lobe that was braised. It does affect memory, it's great if that is the only memory he lost." Emma reported. "How is Samantha taking the news? Is she planning on going out there before next week?"

"No, she said that his mom told her that he is in shock and not ready to talk to anybody right now." Danny had to admit that he was disappointed. He really wanted to talk to Martin and make sure he was really going to be okay. "I think she is taking it pretty hard."

Emma just nodded her head in understanding. He had told her all about Martin and Sam's problematic relationship. "I was worried about that. I hope she understands that he just needs time."

"Yeah, that's what she said but I still think she is hurt."

Emma put her hand on his and asked, "And you? How are you taking it?"

"I'm happy. It's great news, exactly what I've been praying for."

Emma just nodded her head and waited for him to continue.

"I can't help feeling jealous that he doesn't remember." Danny ruefully admitted.

Emma slowly nodded her head but said, "I'm sure Martin would disagree."

"Why would anyone want to remember something like that? I'd give anything to forget."

"Danny, good memories or not, they're yours. You can lay claim to your life because of them. Martin has woken up to discover that not only did he lose two months of his life but can't remember how or why. I'm sure he thinks that if he at least knew how he got there it would make what happened easier to accept."

Danny nodded but didn't answer.

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to rain on your parade. This is exciting news. Next week, you really will be able to see him." Emma enthused.

"Yeah, I can't wait..." Danny's thoughts were interrupted by Emma's beeper. She gave him an apologetic smile as she checked the message.

"I'm sorry, I have to go." Emma frowned.

"Wow, I got a whole ten minutes today." Danny commented sarcastically.

"I'm sorry, but I did warn you that I wouldn't be a typical girlfriend." Emma smiled as she stood up and leaned in to kiss him.

"Yeah, but I thought you meant not 'typical' as in kinky." Danny winked.

"Hey, my shift is over at nine." Emma gave Danny a long kiss before pulling back and smiling, "Meet me at my place and I'll show you just how atypical I am."

She gave him one more deep kiss before turning and walking away. Danny however had to sit there for another fifteen minutes taking long drinks of his ice tea.