Author's notes: Hi all, thanks for your reviews and follows etc here's the next chapter...enjoy (I hope)
Patrick stands up at the sound of his name, he looks down at Teresa who's still sitting.
"I would like you to come to."
She gives him a smile letting him know that that's what she was hoping but didn't like to presume, and gets out of the chair. They follow the nurse to an examining room where Patrick's handed a gown with instructions to change, and then they are left alone. Patrick looks at the gown and lets out a sigh along with a grimace.
"I hate these things, I hope I never have to wear one again. Someone surely can come up with something better."
He undresses and after Teresa helps him fasten the back he perches himself on the table, covering himself with a blanket. Teresa feigns disappointment.
"I was enjoying the view."
"My legs can only be taken in small doses, otherwise you're the one who'll be needing a heart specialist."
"Is that right."
"Be warned and be careful."
Lisbon laughs.
"I most certainly will."
They lapse in to a nervous silence waiting for Doctor Polly. The nurse interrupts them and takes Patrick's vitals, writing the results down on a chart and departs saying that the Doctor will be in shortly.
They watch her leave and Patrick turns to Teresa.
"I thought we could have a bite to eat afterwards and then do some shopping."
"I guess we need to get some more groceries in."
Patrick gives a lazy smile
"I was thinking more of jewellery stores."
Teresa's eyes open wide.
"Jewellery stores?"
Patrick loves that he's surprised her.
"Of course. You're an engaged woman now, you need a ring."
The door opens while he's speaking and Doctor Polly enters.
"Who needs a ring?"
Patrick looks to Teresa.
"My fiancé."
Patrick is doubly satisfied when Doctor Polly's eyes open wide and Teresa cheeks take on a pink glow. Doctor Polly looks between the two as she regains her voice.
"You two are engaged?"
Patrick nods with a smile that looks like a cat that found all the cream in the world.
"Congratulations, I'm very happy. I can't say I didn't expect it, but I thought it would take a while."
She steps towards Teresa and shakes her hand and does the same to Patrick. Her face becomes serious as she steps back and studies her patient. Jane squirms under the scrutiny and turns to humour.
"Shame on you doctor, it's impolite to stare openly at a person when their fiancé is in the room."
Without missing a beat Doctor Polly rejoins:
"It's your fault Patrick, no-one should look so good in a hospital gown."
Teresa joins in.
"Would you two like me to wait outside."
Patrick feigns panic.
"Don't you dare leave me alone with this woman."
Doctor Polly laughs and gets back to business.
"Lay down Patrick and why don't you tell me what caused you to come in before your scheduled check up."
"I've been doing good, everything's working better, I still get a little tired but I can do more."
"Well that sounds all positive."
Teresa speaks up.
"There's something wrong doctor, something doesn't sound right."
The doctor looks at Teresa.
"What do you mean? In what way?"
Teresa looks down trying to find the words, but gives up.
"I don't know how to explain it but something sounds different, it changed a couple of days ago, something in his chest."
The doctor looks thoughtful and she turns to Patrick.
"Okay lets check you out."
She gives a thorough check up. She gives his arms a workout, checking out what motion has returned, they ache after she's done. She looks at his wounds and then listens to his chest."
"You are certainly gaining good movement in your arms, and everything's healing nicely. I don't detect anything out of the ordinary but I'm not one to dismiss the concern of loved ones, after all they usually know my patients the best and I know you're not one for histrionics, so I'm ordering some tests. Just lay here and someone will be by in a few minutes to do that."
She smiles reassuringly.
"Everything sounded good, so there's probably nothing to worry about."
Patrick smiles at Teresa as Doctor Polly leaves.
"See, everything's fine."
Teresa gives a half-smile.
"Now back to jewellery stores."
Teresa's smile is wider.
"Sounds like a great idea. I must warn you, I have no idea what kind of ring I like, I've never given it much thought."
"That's my Teresa, too busy crime fighting to indulge in fantasizing."
"Something like that...It just might take a while."
"You're not under any pressure to choose on today, I expect it to take a while, that's why I want to get started."
Patrick scowls as the door opens and a porter with a wheelchair enters the room.
"I hope that's not for me."
The Porter smiles with a slight weariness that makes it obvious that objections aren't new to him."
"Sorry sir, I can see you have two working feet of your own but it's hospital protocol when going for heart tests. Can never be sure which patients might drop dead on the walk to x-ray."
Patrick smiles.
"Charming, I like your style. witty and succinct."
"Thank you sir, now if you would just get in we can be on our way."
An hour later Patrick and Teresa are back in the examining room, fifteen minutes later Doctor Polly enters. The smile she gives them, Patrick can see doesn't reach her eyes, he braces himself for the news.
"The preliminary findings are inconclusive, there's a hint of something there. I'm admitting you Patrick for further tests. I want you hooked up to a cardiogram for a few hours, to see if the hint show it's self again and there are some other tests I want to run."
"Can't that be done today, rather than stay overnight."
"I'd prefer to have you admitted, if everything's fine then maybe I can send you home this evening but I think I will need a twenty-four hour read out."
"What are we looking at here Doctor?"
"As you know the torture you experienced weakened your heart. There's a hint that it maybe deteriorating and the quicker we catch it and deal with it, the less severe the remedy is."
"And that could be?"
"It can range from just more rest, to medication, to transplant."