Ellie came home from the hospital three days after her accident. John had stayed with her the entire time, only leaving to shower and change his clothes and check in with Beckman. When he wasn't with her, Chuck and/or Sarah were. Devon sent her home with the good pain meds, and she was doing relatively well, until they pulled into the apartment and she noted John's beloved Crown Vic was not in her stall, where she belonged. John was able to quickly stop her tears when he helped her out of the black Suburban, that he was now using as his full time car. She winced in pain, taking her mind off the car and concentrating on just how much a broken leg could ache. Thankfully John just scooped her up in his arms and brought her into their apartment, gently laying her on the couch. She was tired, but not from lack of sleep.

John was scurrying about, unpacking her bag and putting her clothing away and it sounded like he was changing the sheets on their bed. Sure enough, he came out and began a load of laundry, then prepared a light lunch for them both.

"I'm so glad to be home," she sighed as she ate the chicken noodle soup he'd made her. "Em, this is good, when did you have time to make the soup?"

"I didn't. Hope you don't mind, but Sarah brought it over yesterday, and your brother actually made a casserole for us that I put in the fridge. Some kind of Mexican, chicken deal. Don't worry, if it sucks, I'll carefully dispose of it."

Ellie laughed. "I still can't believe all of this happened. I'm so sorry about your car John."

John walked over and crouched down, eye level in front of the couch. "No worries, Babe. She fought the valiant fight and gave her life to save you. She did exactly what she was supposed to do."

"Well, you can have my Beemer, and I'll find something else..."

"I'm using the company Suburban, I'm fine Hon. I'm just worried about you in the Beemer. You realize if you'd have taken it to the store, instead of Vickie, you may not be here with me" he paused "It wouldn't have done as well as the Vic in that accident Babe. I'm thinking it's time to find you a nice SUV or mini va..."

"Who, where is my husband! Who are you? My husband would never even mention the word minivan," she laughed.

"No Ell, I'm serious, I want you wrapped in steel. Once you're up and around with a walking cast, we need to find you something new. I know you love your convertible, but I really think it's time for something bigger."

"Uggh, the Suburban is just too big. It's like an army-tank, which is why you probably like it so much, but, I don't think I want anything that big. I guess I can get on the computer and see what I like that isn't quite that large."

"Well you pick out what you want and we'll go have a look. And, I'll find another Crown Vic, don't you worry about that."

"And, the new place has that humongous garage, so we'll have room for them all," she smiled, as she struggled to try and stand.

John, swatted her gently on the foot and fussed. "No, no, now you stop that Ell. You need to be careful not to bump your leg or fall or trip. Let me help you, at least for a few more days until Devon gets that walking cast on you." He bent and easily picked her up. "You want a nap, Babe?"

"Yes, I understand that my body is healing from the trauma and all, but it's weird being so tired all the time. Must be the drugs."

John laid her down on their bed. "Okay sleeping beauty, I'll wake you up when dinner's ready. Chuck and Sarah are coming over, so I'll heat up his casserole. He's bringing a movie for us to watch so we'll just relax tonight."

John's cell phone rang and he sat down on the edge of their bed to take the call. Ellie watched his profile as he spoke on the phone with his boss, General Beckman. She could tell they were talking about her.

"Yes, Ma'am, she's home." -

"Yes, of course, I'll tell her. Thank you Ma'am." -

"Well, escrow closes in three weeks, so we should be in by the end of the month." -

"Yes Ma'am, I'll definitely let you know, when they tape the final part of the episode. I'm guessing that will be a few months after we're all moved in." -

"Yes, Ma'am, I'll keep an eye out for a floral delivery, Thank you again, General, Goodbye Ma'am."

John hung up and turned to share the Generals get-well wishes with Ellie, but she'd already dozed off. John wasn't a napper, but he too, had been through the ringer and was mentally exhausted as well. A few minutes of snoozing wasn't going to matter much, so, he got up, stripped to his underwear and walked to the other side of the bed and laid down next to his wife.

--

Chuck fretted while trying not to worry so much. Ellie was safe, she was home with Casey, and all was well, but damn-it if Casey wasn't taking his sweet time to get to the door. He knocked again, gently, yet firmly so as not to disturb Ellie, who may be napping. "God, I hope nothing is wrong. Do you think they had to go back to the hospital?"

"No, Casey would have called us if that was the case. But it's strange that he's not answering the door. Come on, let's walk around and see if we can peek in the window. If not, I have a key, but I don't want to just barge in, you know?"

Chuck and Sarah walked to the other side of the building, where the Casey's bedroom window was, and gingerly stepped through the plants and ground-cover to peer into the bedroom window.

"Ow, I think I just stepped on a sticker!"

"Well that's what you get for wearing flip-flops and tyring to sneak around, didn't the CIA teach you anything, Sarah. Here, let me see....yep, it's a sticker all right. There, I pulled it out..all better?"

"Yes, thanks. You know I normally wear protective shoes when I'm on the job don't you?"

"Yes, and we aren't normally stalking our friends bedroom window...god that sounds so pervy doesn't it?"

Sarah lightly giggled in response.

"Let's just hope he doesn't have the perimeter rigged or something Casey'ish like that."

"Yeah, I mean the guy had an emergency shower in his entry way, we really could be risking our lives here, Sarah...."

She glanced over at Chuck who'd stopped chattering mid-sentence and now had a goofy grin plastered on his face as he gazed into the window. She moved from behind him and stepped up closer to the window, peering inside and grinned.

"Oh my God, they look so cute," Sarah whispered. "He must really be conked out, as he'd at least be reaching for his gun by now."

"Well, at least he isn't sleeping next to my sister with an assault rifle. But, seriously, you're right, he must be exhausted to be out like that."

They silently stood and smiled at the sight before them. Ellie was stretched out, flat on her back, her bulky cast propped up with several pillows, while John was on his side, facing her, with his face nuzzled into her hair and his arm thrown protectively across her middle.

Chuck quietly sighed as he watched them.

"He was so scared, Sarah. I've never seen him like that. He held it together at the crash sight and did his commando thing, as expected, but he was physically ill after they took her off in the copter. That's how rattled he was."

"What do you mean?"

"He spewed, Sarah. Puked his guts up, and, don't you ever tell him I told you so. He'd be embarrassed, you know?"

Sarah quietly contemplated the sleeping couple and knew Chuck was right. Casey was so tough and so regimented and disciplined. She knew what it meant for him to be physically affected like that.

"He loves her so much Chuck. She was the one to finally thaw out his frozen heart. And, you know what, it makes him so much stronger because of it. It sounds corny, but I just love him you know? He's the best partner I've ever had and I'm so happy for him. I can't even imagine what he'd be like if he lost her."

"Yep, I'm right there with you. Never thought I'd say it either, but I love the big-lug too. And, it's always an added bonus to have G.I. Joe as your brother-in-law."

"Come on, we'll just let them give us a call when they wake up."

She took Chuck's hand as they quietly walked away to let the couple sleep.

--

Casey laid still, next to his slumbering wife. She'd been having a bad dream, and he was just about to wake her, when she settled down as he rested his hand on her tummy, rubbing soothing circles on it with his warm hand and whispering in her ear. She made a few mewling noises and then rested quietly again. He'd decided to lie with her a few minutes longer before getting up to start dinner. Just then, he heard soft footsteps at his door, followed by a quiet knock. Choosing to ignore the door, he closed his eyes and remained next to his wife. He'd call Chuck and Sarah once he was up.

A few moments later, he grinned to himself as he heard them trying their best to stealthily navigate the bushes and plants outside he and Ellie's bedroom window. Smiling, he turned his face into Ellie's hair, breathing in the luxurious scent of her silky brown locks. Casey's suspicion of inadequate CIA training practices was confirmed as Sarah's ability to be stealth was not really working at the moment. He heard her, plain as day, quietly talking with Chuck. The nerd was right, what was she wearing flip-flops for? Now, they were silent and he supposed they were peering in at he and Ellie. Normally, he'd have the Glock that he kept under the bed already aimed at their heads, but knowing it was his partner and brother-in-law, he chose to just keep pretending to be asleep. They'd be gone soon enough.

However, as he heard them speaking, he found himself listening more attentively. He heard Chuck mention his dreaded barf-o-rama at the crash sight and was getting irked that the kid was blabbing to Sarah, but then, he almost stopped breathing when he heard the next part. He was stunned when he clearly heard them both, earnestly, pronounce their love for him.

He lay quietly as he heard them walk away and his heart swelled with pride and renewed loyalty to them both. Damn now, if Ellie's hair wasn't in his eyes, making them water all of the sudden.

--