Two days had passed. AJ's surgery was tomorrow. She was really nervous about it. John was doing all he could to keep her calm. Lucky for him he was able to get the day off so he could go with her. He was spending the night at her house so he could drive her to the hospital in the morning. They were laying in bed getting ready to go to sleep. AJ sighed heavily.

"What's wrong?" John asked.

"Nothing." "I just can't get my mind to turn off."

"Baby come here." She laid on his chest and wrapped his arms around her. She looked up at him. "I know you're scared."

"I'm petrified."

"It's gonna be ok."

"What if something goes wrong?"

"Nothing will." "The doctors know what they're doing."

"It's not just that I don't want to be away from you for that long."

"We'll talk every day and I'll be by to see you."

"I know but it won't be the same."

"I know but we'll just have to make the best of it." "It's all we can do."

"Why did I have to hurt my knee?"

"It wasn't your fault it was an accident."

"I'll really miss you."

"I'll miss you to." "We don't have to miss each other just yet." He kissed her. She kissed him back.

"And I'm gonna miss this." She mumbled against his lips. "I love kissing you."

"I love it when you kiss me."

"Gets you thinking about other things doesn't it?" She laughed against his lips. They broke the kiss.

"AJ must you tease me like that?"

"Yes." "You know you like it." "It'll give you motivation for New Years."

"I won't need much believe me."

"At least I'll feel well enough by then where it won't screw up what we have planned."

"Speaking of what we have planned." "I have a second plan to go along with that plan."

"What are you talking about?"

"I can't tell you."

"Why not?"

"It's a surprise."

"Baby you can't leave me hanging."

"You're gonna love it."

"Love what?"

"I can't tell you."

"John come on."

"No." "We gotta get to sleep."

"Ok." They kissed. "Goodnight. "I love you."

"Goodnight." "I love you to."

The next morning they were getting ready to wheel AJ into the OR. She and John hugged.

"Baby you're shaking." John said.

"I'm scared."

"I know but it's gonna be ok." "I'm gonna be right here when you come out." They kissed.

"I love you John."

"I love you to AJ."

The procedure took three hours. AJ had been in recovery for two John was waiting for her to wake up. She opened her eyes.

"Hi AJ." John said leaning over her bed.

"Hi."

"How do you feel?"

"Groggy."

"The operation went fine."

"Good."

"We just have to stay here for a few more hours then I'll take you home."

"Ok."

When the doctors thought AJ was well enough. They let her go home. She had to sleep on her couch for two weeks because she wasn't allow to go upstairs. John made sure she was as comfortable as possible. He felt bad that he had to leave her tomorrow but he had no choice. They were getting ready to go to bed.

"Need a pain pill yet?"

"Yeah." He picked them up.

"Uh-oh."

"What?"

"They gave you Vicodin."

"Oh great." "I can't tell them I used to be addicted to it." "They might not give me anything else."

"This time's different though." "You only abused them because you were depressed last time."

"It'll be fine."

"If you feel like it's not gonna be call your doctor."

"Trust me John the last thing I wanna do is go back to that." "Besides, I have you what do I need those for?"

"Alright." He handed her one she took it.

The next morning John woke up. It was seven o'clock in the morning. John leaned over the couch.

"AJ." He said softly. "AJ."

"Hmm." She said opening her eyes.

"I gotta go."

"No." They kissed. "I love you so much."

"I love you to."

"Be safe."

"I will." "Bye."

"Bye."

A week had passed. AJ and John were talking on the phone.

"How are you feeling?" John asked.

"Bored I'm sick of being on this couch."

"I know."

"If I had someone to snuggle with it wouldn't be so bad."

"That would be a lot better for both of us."

"Yeah."

"Being good with your pain pills?"

"Yes one every six hours."

"Good."

"I miss you so much."

"I miss you to." "I gotta go."

"Ok."

"I love you."

"I love you to."

"Bye."

"Bye."

John was in catering getting something to eat.

"Hi John." He turned around.

"Hi Nikki."

"How are you?"

"Fine."

"It sucks about AJ."

"Come on, I know you hate her."

"No I don't." "I don't like to see you like this.

"What do you want?"

"Just to let you know that I'm here for you if you ever need anybody to talk to."

"I don't think AJ would like that very much."

"We can't be friends?"

"I gotta go." He walked away.