LogicalGoth: Thank you for loving this story, I have more to update, don't worry.

SpiritoftheBlackRose: Please sit down before you faint...again... Don't worry about being late to review, seeing as I'm being late to update... hehe

I have survived XC skiing...now onto softball. I'm sorry for the delay but between my &# computer freezing up everytime I open up Word or have to see a doctor for my #& turf toe, it's been a while for me. There's plenty more to come, don't worry!

"Mis'er Williams… Mis'er Williams…"

Eric shot up, almost banging heads with Jamie.

"Oh, damn. Sorry Jamie."

"S' alri'. Doc Jacobs sen' me in ta tell y'all tha Gracie pulled through surgery alri'. We got 'er in a recovery room an' Doc'll have me bring 'er in in a lil' whil'. Gotta make sure ever'thin's alri'. He'd be in here, but he's got an ER call- some 'ockey goalie needs 'er lower lip sewed back on. Lunch's in too." She motioned over to the table, where a sandwich and a water bottle sat.

"Thanks, Jamie." She smiled at him and left. Eric glanced over at the clock- it was a little after two. He stood, stretching his back. The nap felt good, and Gracie was going to be okay. He stared at the sandwich. Even for hospital food it looked sketchy. He took half of it and sniffed the unknown meat. He took a cautious bite.

Dry turkey. He took a few more bites and sat down. Doc Jacobs walked in, still buttoning a fresh lab coat.

"She's alright, Doc?"

"The goalie? Yeah, she'll be alri'- just gotta- ah shit." He rolled his eyes and sighed. "Gracie? She's pulled through alri', strong fighter, I'm actually really surprised. Patien's who need lung work usually end up on a ventilator, but she's breathin' fine. Had ta take half her left lung, a quarter a her stomach, and a nice chunk of 'er liver 'bout yay big," He motioned with his thumb and index finger, "that'd been poked clean through. Busted ribs c'n get real nasty. She's gonna have ta take it easy. Readin' 'er record, I say she'll be on li' duty fer six months. Her burns gotta be checked on. We'll bring 'er back 'ere 'round four. " His eyes travelled over to the novel on the table. "Grisham's alri'. I'm more of a Clancy or a Griffiths fan m'self."

His pager went off. "I gotta git ta the ER 'gain. Y'all take it easy." He turned and rushed from the room.

Eric sighed and sat back in the couch with the rest of his sandwich and his book, and opened up to where he left off.

A knock at the door told him to close the book. The door opened, and Jamie came in, followed by Gracie on a gurney. Doc Jacobs walked in as Jamie finished moving Gracie to the bed.

"Jamie… Y'all's either super human or hyperactive at the speed ya work." Jacobs told her. She gave him a sheepish smile."

"She'a alri' Mis'er Williams." Jamie announced as Eric walked over to the bed. "Y'all let us know if anythin' happens."

"I will, thanks." Doctor and nurse walked out, leaving Eric alone with Gracie yet again. Her face had lost a few layers of bandages, but her arms were still wrapped tight. He bent down to her face and kissed her cheek.

He pulled the chair closer, snatched the Grisham novel, and settled himself by her side. He took her warm hand in his, and re-opened the book. He felt strangely at home, just him and Gracie, even though she was out cold and he hadn't had a good night's sleep in a while. He gave her hand a tight squeeze and started reading again.

He felt pressure on his hand, and his head snapped to Gracie.

"Gracie?"

More pressure on his hand.

One of the machines hooked to her started beeping faster. He put the book down and bent over her.

Her head twitched.

The heart rate monitor started beeping faster and faster. Sweat was developing on her face and upper arms. Her eyes shot open as the machine started screeching.