Author's notes: Thanks to everyone for your reviews, it's really great to here your thoughts, otherwise it would be like writing in a vacuum. Thanks for the follows and favs and to all who are reading this story.
After three hours Teresa began pacing and she hasn't sat down for more than a few seconds since. Conversation dried up around that time as the tension silenced everyone. Teresa's mind is in a stupor as her feet and hands won't stop moving. The hands on the clock are almost registering four hours when the door opens revealing Doctor Polly, looking exhausted. Teresa's can barely look her in the eyes. Doctor Polly touches her arm and leads her to a chair, they sit down. The others stand behind.
"He's alive Teresa. It was touch and go, we hit a problem when we tried to restart his heart after taking him off bypass, his heart was stubborn but we finally got it going. The actually procedure was a success and I'm very hopeful for him, for you both.
"There was a problem?"
"Yes but it's fine now, his hearts beating as it should."
"He's going to be fine?"
Teresa knows she's sounding like an idiot but she's having trouble putting everything together that the doctor's told her, it feels like she's listening through a fog.
Doctor Polly lays her hand on top of Teresa's and gives it a squeeze.
"Yes, I'm very hopeful. As you know we can't guarantee but, the signs are good."
"When can I see him?"
"He's still in recovery, but, he'll be taken up to ICU in half an hour, a nurse will come get you when they do and you can sit with him for a few minutes. Remember it'll be ten to twelve hours before he wakes up."
"Okay."
The news finally sinks in and Teresa can feel relief bubbling up inside of her and she can't stop a choked laugh from escaping.
"Thank you Doctor Polly."
She smile and gives Teresa's hand another squeeze and stands up.
"You're welcome. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I look forward to when he can cause trouble again."
When she leaves the team crowd around Teresa and each giving her a hug and love and thoughts to Jane.
Teresa's sitting by his bedside, watching him sleep, for the umpteenth time that evening, Visiting hours ended hours ago, but Doctor Polly gave permission that she could continue coming for a few minutes every hour until he woke up, but only once she agreed that she would go home and sleep afterwards. Patrick would still be very sleepy until at least the following mid-day.
She's amazed by how quickly she's become used to seeing him with the incubation tube down his throat and the machines around him. A shock had ran through her body leaving her chilled when she'd seen him for the first time. He looked weak, vulnerable and ill. His face pale, his body hidden among the machines, and so still. She'd taken his hand, it was cold and dry, so different from the warmth she's use to. She'd leaned over and brushed his curls aside and kissed him on the forehead and prayed.
She looks at the clock and her time's almost up. She stands and takes a hold of his hand, she literally jumps when his fingers move against her skin. She looks at him, his eyes are still closed, she squeezes his hand and says his name:
"Patrick."
His eyes are still not open but he moving his head slightly from side to side, a frown on his face. She moves closer to him and letting go of his hand she lightly strokes his face.
"Patrick, it's Teresa, you're in the hospital, you had an operation on your heart, remember, you have a tube down your throat."
She keeps her voice low and calm, she feels perspiration under her fingers, she's not able to put in to words how she knows, but, she can tell the instant she's getting through to him. He stills and turns his head slightly towards her. She squeezes his hand. Her heart leaps when she sees his eyelashes flutter, slightly. She moves so that she's just inches away from his face, she continues to stroke his forehead and speaks words of encouragement.
"Everything well Patrick, you're doing really good. Just open your eyes for me, I've watched you sleep for long enough."
His eyes open for a moment, exhausted eyes that close immediately, but they put a huge smile on Teresa's face.
"Hi Patrick."
He struggles again and this time his able to hold her gaze for a couple of seconds, she can read the love contained within and tears prick her eyes.
"I love you too,"
She kisses his forehead.
He tries again but only succeeds in opening them halfway before they close once more, and he's back to sleep. She runs her fingers through his hair and gently kisses him once more.
"Good night Patrick."
She straightens up and gives his hand one last squeeze, as she turns, she discovers that she's not alone, his nurse is standing at the end of the bed.
"Sorry if I startled you, just checking up on him. He's doing really well, and it's great that he's woken up. He's been through a lot and will sleep for most of the night and don't really expect him fully awake for another ten hours, when he does we'll remove the tube. So get some rest, if anything changes we will ring you, so sleep peacefully knowing that no news is good news."
"Thank you Steph."
"You're welcome."
Teresa bends down and retrieves her bag and gives Patrick once last look before leaving.
She's not sure how she made it home, she's no memory of the drive, which is a little scary. The apartment feels so empty when she enters. They haven't been given the chance to settle in as a couple, they're suitcases aren't unpacked, but the she's use to him being there, with her. He's not a big man but he fill the space, with his wit, his energy, his intelligence, his beauty. She sits on the couch and pulls up her knees and wraps her arms around them, resting her chin on top. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. He's going to be okay. She removes her phone from her jeans pocket and sends texts to the team to let them know that he opened his eyes. Suddenly, the reality of how exhausted she is hits her like a brick wall, and she swings her legs around, sinking into the couch she's soon asleep.