Sleeping Beauty

Lee stared at Lucy's battered face. He felt his stomach churn as he looked at the bruising over her eye and the bandage around her head.

"Everyone is here. Tim is on his way home." Lee squeezed her hand. "You've got some nasty bruises but you're going to be fine. Just wake up." He kissed her hand as the machine rhythmically beeped her pulse. Sighing heavily he looked up to see the young doctor he had spoken to earlier.

"The scan results are back."

"And?" Lee kept hold of Lucy's hand.

"The scan on her abdomen is clear. No internal bleeding." The doctor smiled. "That's very good news. It's more than we expected given the nature of her accident."

"Thank God." Lee smiled. "Hear that Luce? First bit of good news since all this happened."

"The results of the brain scan take a little longer. I'll let you know as soon as we get them." Lee nodded as the doctor left the room. He knew they were waiting to take her to ITU. He turned slightly as Wendy appeared in the doorway. She stepped in as Lee stood up.

"You sit down Wendy."

"Don't go." Wendy smiled. "You mustn't mind Geoffrey. It's just his way, we tried for such a long time to have children now he's over protective of them both. I know he wishes Tim was more like him."

"Geoffrey not a fan of Elaine Page then?"

"Not really." Wendy smiled slightly. "He does care about Tim and Lucy. About you and Daisy too. We were both so relieved when she broke up with Guy."

"Me too."

"You loved her even then. Didn't you?"

"Yeah." Lee blushed. "She's too good for Guy. I kept telling her that. And him. Creepy, self centred controlling hypocrite."

"You didn't like him!"

"Couldn't stand him." Lee ran a hand through his hair. "I should have told her then. I should have said something."

"Why didn't you?" Wendy rested a hand on his arm.

"Because." He frowned. "I dunno. Because she's way out of my league. Far too good for me."

"I see." Wendy shook her head. "And now?"

"I'm amazed she didn't slap me when I did finally tell her. I'm amazed she loved me too."

"Love. Not loved. Present tense. She's going to get better." Lee nodded as he turned to face his fiancé. "Isn't that right, Lucy?" Lee jumped as her eyes flickered slightly. For the first time since the police arrived at the flat he began to hope.

Xxxxxxx

Tim stepped into the arrivals lounge looking for his father. He had been desperate to arrive in London but now he was actually stood on English soil he felt sick.

"Dad." He stated as he walked the older man.

"Tim. This isn't the welcome home we wanted for you but it's good to have you home."

"Thanks." He fell into step beside him. "Lucy?"

"No change since we last spoke. Lee and your mother are with her. Daisy has really stepped up to the plate. I didn't know she had it in her."

"Daisy isn't as daft as she lets people think. Her thinking is a little avant guard."

"No one could really be as daft as Daisy lets you think." Geoffrey headed towards the car. "Straight to the hospital then, Lee could do with seeing you." Tim nodded before throwing his bag in the car boot.

Xxxxxx

"So, if Lucy hadn't gone for the job interview?"

"I hope Id have said something." Lee shrugged. "I dunno."

"How long?"

"How long , what?"

"How long have you been in love with my little girl?" Wendy asked as Lee sighed. He looked at Lucy's battered face.

"Do you remember when me and Tim went to college? I'd moved down to London about six months earlier." Lee started. "I was 19, Lucy would have been 16. I met her at your house. I thought she was annoying and spoiled but she was beautiful, I didn't see her again until she bought the flat."

"And then?"

"Then I knew she was annoying. But I fancied her. I knew she'd never look at me, so I kept my mouth shut. But it wasn't long. So yeah, about six years I'd say." Tim squeezed her hand. "Just don't tell Sleeping Beauty here, ok?"

"Ok. Oh and you're wrong"

"Usually am."

"She's not out of your league at all." Wendy stood, kissed her daughter's forehead. "I'm going to ring your father." She whispered to Lucy before leaving the room.

"Come on Luce. Wake up, the Sleeping Beauty routine is getting old. Anyway? Where am I going to find Grumpy, Doc, Dozy, Happy and the others. Well, scratch that your dad and Daisy are here so we've got Grumpy and Dozy covered." Lucy's eyes fluttered slightly. This time he was certain she was trying to wake up. He hit the nurse call button and waited, hoping he was right.

Xxxxxx

A/N please review