SpiritoftheBlackRose: teeheehee... I love it when you complain to me because of cliffhangers...;D

kaytieorndorff: Thanks for the review... see above for my policy on cliffhangers.

pirate88: YES!! I've been waiting for someone to notice that. Love that book/movie! Thanks for the review!

'Take me out to the ballllll gaaame...lock me in that gray feeeence...get me some ice packs and gaaaatoraaade...Coach needs the chain link for self-defense! Cuz it's aim, maim, and blame our coach... after hours of spriiiiiiiIIIIIiiints! Cuz she can't yell if she's out cold... GOOO DUTCHMENNN!!' Sorry about the delay..should be another week for ch 9. :D --Wildthing

Eric stared down at Gracie's unconscious form. How long had it been since he hit the button? Ten seconds? Thirty seconds? All he knew was that Jamie wasn't bursting through the door. Yet. McDonald stared at the machines.

"She's got a pulse, Matthews, she's just fainted."

"She's supposed to be alright. Where the hell is-"

The door opened and a lanky, gap-toothed nurse jogged in.

"Where's Jamie?

"Wha's tha' matter?"

Both questions were asked in unison, by Eric and the nurse.

"She's fainted." McDonald said, motioning to Gracie. The nurse nodded and walked closer to Gracie. She lifted Gracie's hand and stared at the monitor's displays, looking for any uncharacteristic blips on the screen.

"Her bloo' pressure's high," the nurse began in an accent rougher than gravel, and put a hand to Gracie's forehead, "An' she's runnin' a fever. Understand she's been under some stress, bu' there should'n' be trauma this long af'er. What was y'all's doin' 'fore she wen' out?"

"We were talking, and she sat up and said 'whoa'. We walked if she was okay, then she just passed out." Eric said, still staring at Gracie. The nurse picked up Gracie's chart and flipped through the pages.

"Pressure's been high since…Doc switched painkillers." She shook her head in realization. "I'll get Doc ta' prescribe her a new one. They c'n screw up yer blood pressure, some worse 'n others."

She returned Gracie's chart, and held out her hand. "Name's Allyssa." Eric took her hand, and her grip almost snapped his fingers. "Jamie's got the ni' shift, she's got some ski race today. I work the other half a' the floor." She smiled, exposing more missing teeth. "I play 'ockey. Defense. Of all the nurses in San Antonio Memorial, they stick the two nurses who play obscure sports together. I'm gonna go get Doc an' get 'im to change the prescription. If she ain' back in ten minu'es, holler." She ran out, leaving Eric feeling very alone. He took Gracie's hand and gave it a tight squeeze.

"Matthews?" He'd completely forgotten that McDonald was in the room.

"Yes sir?"

"I don't care what you guys do outside the office, but keep it there. No funny shit during work. Got it?"

"Yes sir."

"But I think you two make a nice team on ops. Keep it that way."

"Thank you, sir." Eric grinned. McDonald put a hand on Eric's shoulder.

"I gotta get back to the city. You're here on assigned protection until she's back on duty. Keep me posted."

"I will sir." McDonald gave him a smile, and left the room.

Eric squeezed Gracie's hand, then kissed her warm forehead. He nestled himself right next to her on the bed, her head by his shoulder. He slid his arm behind her neck, and felt it twitch. Her head turned away from him, then she gave a slight groan.

"Gracie?" He asked. She turned towards him, blinking.

"Eric?" She whispered, "What happened?"

"You fainted. Allyssa said it was the painkiller."

"Allyssa?"

"Jamie's got a ski race." She nodded, then glanced around the room.

"Where's McDonald?"

"He just needed my report." She nestled her head into his chest.

"What did he say about…us?"

"What about us?"

"You know…"

"I know?"

"Eric…" She rolled her eyes and groaned at him.

"Gracie…" He did the same, grinning. "Fine," he sighed. "Mcdonald said that he didn't care what we did, as long as we kept it out of the office."

"Oh."

"But he thinks we make a nice team." She grinned at him. He sighed, and put his other hand to her warm cheek. "So, is there an…us?"

"McDonald thinks so. Besides, you haven't spent the last week here for the money…right?"

"Well, once Vic was done with you, you weren't half bad." she gave him a sly smile.

"You think I'm gorgeous, you want to hug me... You want to love me... You want to kiss me…" He did. Their lips met, and for a while, neither of them were in the hospital.