"Why don't you go home?"

"Not until you're with me."

"Don't be ridiculous, Conrad. The doctor said a few more days. You're exhausted-"

"Nonsense. I've slept."

"The two of us squeezing into a twin sized hospital bed is hardly sleeping."

"Its better than the alternative," he whispered, kissing her forehead. In the past three days, Victoria had started to heal already. She blatantly refused stitches on her forehead because of the possibility of scarring. Otherwise she was on her way to getting the green light to go home. Although he was eager to have her back home a part of him was worried that history would repeat itself once she came back.

Since she realized that Conrad had stopped at nothing to save her, Victoria had been more receptive to Conrad's affection. She was grateful to curl into him on the uncomfortable hospital bed. It was much more comfortable when she was in his arms. She didn't fight him the way she normally did when he offered to take care of her. Earlier today, he noticed how pained she was as she attempted to brush her hair. He moved closer, surprised by how easily she dropped her guard. He didn't remember ever taking the time to brush her hair and he reveled in the feel of running his hands through her dark curls. Victoria surprised herself by closing her eyes and enjoying her husbands closeness. It was such a simple gesture but before the accident she would have never allowed this kind of intimacy.

"How are you feeling today, Mrs. Grayson?" The redheaded nurse asked, bringing Victoria back to reality.

"Much better. I think I'm ready to go home."

"I can talk it over with the doctor. And what about you, Mr. Grayson? How are you feeling?"

"Just eager for her to come home, thank you." He said curtly, not even giving her a glance.

Conrad wasn't stupid. He knew that the nurse had been flirting with him throughout the week. Instead of finding it as a compliment, it revolted him the way she did it right in front of Victoria. There may have been a time when he would have felt compelled to share in the warmth of another's affection, but this was not the case now. Especially not with his wife lying on a hospital bed. Victoria had almost died and this nurse had the gall to flirt with him relentlessly?

"Conrad!" Victoria snapped. "What were you thinking about?"

"Thinking about making a call and getting that nurse fired."

"I thought you'd be thrilled. A much younger, attractive nurse who clearly has her eye set on you."

"I'm not and I don't care who her eyes are set on. Mine are set on you!" He said, his voice harsh and on the edge of yelling.

"I was just giving you a hard time. Calm down."

"Doesn't she know that you could have died? She's taking better care of me than you. It isn't right. You need-"

"-I have everything I need, Conrad."

"How are you not upset by this?" He asked.

"I see her point. You're rich, you're powerful, you're sexy..."

"You think I'm sexy?" He asked. He loved the slightest hint of a blush and the small giggle she let slip out.

"I always have. Those blue eyes and grey hair. You're like a silver fox."

"You're sexy too, Vic."

"Not like this I'm not!" She cried, waving her arm around to remind him of her surroundings.

"Especially like that. With those messy curls-"

"Tousled."

"What?"

"It's a much nicer word than messy curls."

"And I don't remember the last time I saw that twinkle in your eyes. Or heard you laugh. That might be my favorite sound in the world. And that hospital gown..."

"Is not sexy." She said flatly.

"Of course it is." He moved over, climbing next to her on the bed. He let his hand travel up her leg to the hem of the hospital gown.

"Conrad..." She started but obeyed his quiet shushing as his hand moved up even further. She readjusted, giving him more access as she buried her head in the crook of his neck and moaned quietly.

"See? Very sexy." He whispered without stopping. He didn't need to look at her to understand how much she was enjoying it. Her body instinctively moved to his rhythm as she pressed her hips further down on his hand. Her ragged breaths hit against his neck and he knew from her breathing how close she was.

Afterwards she let her body fall against his. He was grateful that her body didn't tense the way it often did when they touched. Even if she couldn't help it, that was the worst thing she had ever done to him was make him aware of how little she could relax around him.

Victoria didn't know what to say to him. She didn't know if she had really wanted it. If she had really wanted him. She didn't know if this surge of emotions was just a side effect of the accident or the medicine. She wanted him here but she also wanted him gone. She was struggling to come up with a balance for it all.

"Conrad... I ... It's ... I don't ..." She stammered. Conrad sighed. He knew where they were. Being with Victoria was like playing a record and he knew exactly what track they had stumbled upon.

"You know what, I might take you up on your earlier offer. I'm going to head back to the Manor for a shower and shave. I might lay down for a little bit after I get the place ready for you. But I'll be back later, ok?"

Victoria felt tears stinging her eyes but she didn't say a word to him. He kissed her forehead and headed down the hall. The tears fell freely as she listened to his designer shoes hit the linoleum hallway. In that moment she realized how badly she had wanted him to stay. This entire time he had never left her side and she hadn't freaked out the way she normally did around doctors and hospitals. Maybe it wasn't the hospital that scared her. Maybe it was the isolation.