ELM-Tree10: The pageant took place at the San Antonio convention center, sorry if I confused you. Thanks for the review!

LoverOfWords: Oh crap, thanks for noticing the misspelling. I think I fixed everything. Thanks!

I'm still working on the next few chapters, I've got a bunch of midterms due and a college preview day, so two in a row is a gift. Hopefully I'll have another chapter up before the end of the month.

Eric shook himself awake. The ache in his back had been getting progressively worse for the past two nights. The lack of sunlight told him it was ungodly early, a quick glance at the clock told him it was 4:16 in the morning. He glanced over at Gracie's still face. Sure he knew there was medicine keeping her asleep, he still had to check to make sure she was okay. And it wasn't like he dreamt she'd blink a few times and then wake up. Two goddamn days sitting in the room as the doctor walked in and out, leaving the two of them alone. They'd been on assignments before; more often than not she'd be stuck at the desk while he was solo. He'd never felt alone, least not until now. Just him and her. She'd never been this quiet.

He arched his back trying to ease the pain. He gave her one quick glance to make sure he was okay, and walked into the bathroom. Splashing the cold water on his face felt good, almost like doing laps. He'd never really had the urge to hit the pool, maybe he'd go while she was in surgery… Nah, she'd kill him. He grabbed some paper towels and wiped his face. They were as smooth as concrete and as flexible as cardboard. He tossed them toward the trash, and after a near-miss, he hastily tossed them back in. He walked back to Gracie's bed. Something clicked in him, today was special…Gracie was coming out of the coma. She had her surgery today. He sat back in the chair. 4:22am. It would be hours before she went into the OR. MacDonald had given him strict orders to stay at the hospital. His first op and he lands his girl in the hospital and the Assistant Director has to take over. At least Macdonald can deal with all the damn reporters. And Stan.

His eyes travelled over to the table by the chair, where a book and a Grisham hardcover sat. Jensen had brought him the book from the hotel. He leaned over and grabbed it. Grisham was one of his favorites, encouraging him to join law enforcement but not as an attorney. A Time to Kill was one of his favorites; a burning moral question along with plenty of beer and violence. The intelligent man's book. Sure he'd read it seven or eight times, but hey, it was a classic. He settled in the chair and began to read.

The NAACP had just introduced its capital murder lawyers when Dr. Jacobs entered and Jamie, the nurse, following with a gurney. Eric glanced up, and was nearly blinded by the abundance of sunlight. Doc Jacobs was formidable and imposing, and ex-wrestler who became interested in medicine after a career-ending broken femur in his freshman year at TCU. He could explain anything in simple terms and like to give bear hugs. Jamie was a short skinny pole with a dazzling smile and a cheerleader's peppiness. Se was one of the few Nordic skiers in Texas, with enough muscle to almost take down Doc Jacobs. Eric glanced back down at the page number and closed the book.

"Doc Jacobs." He said

"Mornin' Eric." Jacobs was a true Texan. "S'bout time we bring Gracie in fer prep. Ain' no point havin' her wait all day. The sooner we wake 'er up, the better off we'll all be." Eric nodded.

"How long before she's out, Doc?"

"Cain' be more than a couple hours. Y'all might wanna be catchin' a nap. "He motioned to the sofa in the corner of the room.,"Better now than when she's 'wake." He glanced back to see Jamie finish loading Gracie onto the gurney.

"Jamie, y'all be careful now."

"Yessir Doc Jacobs."

"Dammit Jamie! Y'all know I hate it when ya call me 'sir'!"

"Yessir." She turned and started to push Gracie from the room. Jacobs echanged a look with Eric and followed, yelling out a final "WATCH OUT FER THE COKE MACHINE!"

Eric sat back in the sofa's soft cushions. The TV remote was near, Grisham not farther. But the couch was already easing the pain from his back, and he felt his eyes close.