Michael held Marcie's hand as they walked down the hall to the police station. "Sweetie, I really don't think you should go back to work just yet. You're still pretty weak."

"I'm fine, Michael." Marcie said giving him the same line she had given the last ten times he mentioned her health.

"Well okay, but I'm gonna have John keep an eye on you. And that's an order." Michael said.

As they entered the Llanview PD, John greeted them at the door. "Marcie! What are you doing here?"

"See? Even John doesn't think you're ready to come back." Michael said.

"Michael, will you stop? Both of you! I'll be fine!" She put her purse into her desk and within minutes was hard at work entering information into the computer.

"Marcie, what-."
"I'm sorry, Bo." Michael said, interjecting. "She insisted."

Bo looked at her sternly. "Okay, Marcie but you take it easy today."
Marcie smiled. "Okay, Boss."

A musical ring interrupted the silence and Michael checked the tiny display on his cell phone.

"That's the hospital, Sweetie. I've gotta go. I'll come back and get you after work, okay?"
"Sure, Michael."

They shared a kiss and then Michael grabbed his jacket. "Bo? John? Take care of her for me, please?"
"She's in good hands, Michael." John said with a smile.

(A few hours later)

"Llanview PD, How may I direct your call?"
"Hey Sweetie. How are you?"

"Michael!" Marcie laughed. "I'm the same as I was the last three times you called me!"

"I'm glad, Sweetie. Because I hate to think of you hurting."
"Michael, are you okay? You sound upset."

"I'm sorry, Marce. I just want you with me for a long time."
Marcie laughed. "Well, Michael, it's not like I can go anywhere after work. I mean, you have the car and-."

"One of my patients just died." He said suddenly.

Marcie sat frozen at the confession. "Oh my God Michael, I'm so sorry! That must be awful. Are you okay?"
He took a deep breath. "Yeah, I'll be fine. It was just a shock, you know?"

"What happened? If you want to talk about it, I mean."
"Well we had this woman in the virology unit-you know, where they treat the infections. So we tried everything we could and finally decided on a partial liver transplant. She was doing so well, but then..." Michael's voice trailed away.

Marcie put her hand on her chest as a feeling of numbness came over her. She picked up the framed picture of Al that sat on her desk and stared at it. Her lip began to tremble and without warning, tears splashed onto her cheeks.

I miss Al so much...

"Marcie?" the tinny voice called to her. She looked down; suddenly realizing that she'd dropped the receiver. "Marcie, what's wrong?"

Slowly she returned the receiver to her ear.
"Marcie, what happened?"
Her voice trembled as she spoke. "I-I'm sorry. I need to go. Bo needs me. I-I love you, Michael."

"Honey-."
She hung up the phone and rose to her feet, ignoring the wave of dizziness that washed over her. Unable to focus, she grabbed onto her chair for balance. It was then that she realized that she was still holding the picture of Al in her hand.

Overcome by memories, she walked over to the corner filing cabinet and sank to her knees, sobbing into her hands.