He scurried down the hallway, glancing at the clock behind the nurse's desk as he moved by it. 12:30 PM, unbelievable. Where had the day gone already? Jack slowed his pace with Lisa's door in sight and tried to get his breathing under control. He wasn't completely short of breath, but yeah, it was obvious he'd been in a rush. He smoothed his hair, hopeful that she wasn't frustrated with him for his tardiness, and while he juggled lunch in one hand, Jack opened the door to her room.

She was sleeping again, and he let out his breath as he slowly closed the door and tiptoed across the room. Lisa already looked so much better, but it was almost hard to imagine just how badly she had looked now three weeks ago when he had arrived. Three weeks. It was hard to believe it had been that long, but at the same time, it felt much longer, an eternity, that she had been here in the hospital. She'd actually been here now a month. Lisa was on the upswing; however, she still had no pending date of discharge.

Jack cleared off a space on Lisa's tray table to place the lunch bags, but as he did, he knocked off a spoon and cup of applesauce that had been left there for Lisa. The clattering sound woke Lisa, and the applesauce sprayed onto the floor and even onto his shoe.

"Oh, come on," he grumbled, and his eyes immediately went to Lisa, who he now found with her head turned toward him, eyeing him.

"Hi," she said in a sleepy voice, then yawning as she started to shift more and gave a nod to the floor. "Don't slip on that mess now. Last thing we need is for you to break something too. A broken hip at your age would be horrendous."

"Funny one today," he smirked at her as he gave her a soft smile. "I see your sense of humor is returning. Good morning," and as he leaned down now and started wiping up the mess with napkins, he amended that, glancing back at her with a wave of his hand. "Sorry, I mean, good afternoon, and that's another thing I need to apologize for today. Sorry I'm so late."

"What time is it?" Lisa squinted to try and see Jack's phone he had put on the tray table to take care of the mess. "Oh, it's 12:40, gosh, I think I slept for a couple hours. What time did you get here?"

Jack finished cleaning up things and washed his hands before he moved back over to Lisa's bedside and with room to sit, he sat down on the side of her bed to talk to her.

"Oh, I just got here. That's partly why I'm apologizing, my tardiness and also waking you by throwing silverware and applesauce on the floor," he said with a sigh, shake of his head, and finally a soft smile.

She raised an eyebrow, "You just got here," and with that, she nodded and smiled softly herself. "You look a bit better than yesterday, at least a little more rested. So, moving to that bed and breakfast was a good idea. You slept in-what time did you wake up?"

"Ahh," he scratched the back of his head, 9:30 with Tom knocking on my door."

"So," she pursed her lips with a bit of sass in her voice. "I was right."

Jack dropped his head, finally eyeing her, "Now, that sounds normal, you being right, and normal is good."

Yesterday, Dan stayed most of the day, bringing not just lunch but then dinner too. He'd not eaten with them, but he'd brought food. Thankfully, Lisa knew better than to suggest that Jack accompany Dan to eat, knowing that the men were doing okay together, but they would never be friends. After Dan left, Lisa started in on Jack.

"You've been yawning all day," she said, and as if it was the magic word, she started to yawn too.

He nodded, "Well, all in good company," he waved his hand at her. "I'll be fine. I know you are worn out after having Dan here all day, not to mention you walking the floor and figure you won't be awake too long. I'll get some rest then too."

She shook her head, "No, I've made a decision," she raised an eyebrow, and Jack tilted his head, narrowing his gaze at her. He gave her a shake of his head, slightly confused.

"A decision? Lise, I have told you I'm not going home. This isn't up to you to decide IF I'm staying here to help you. I remember you saying something very similar to that when I was in the hospital."

"No," she waved her hand, "I mean, you're right that I said that too, but the difference was that after you were stable, or in my eyes you were stable, I went home at least to sleep. Jack," she sighed and frowned, "you're really looking terrible. I mean, I have noticed how tired and haggard you are. I appreciate you not wanting to leave my side, but you are going to make yourself sick or worse. I had Dan check when he got food, and there is a bed and breakfast down the road with a room. I want you to go stay there, please, and no," she rolled her eyes before she continued, "I know what you are going to ask-Dan is not there. I need you to get some rest, some real rest and not on that bench that looks uncomfortable. I've watched you try to sleep there, and you toss and turn most of the time."

Jack shook his head, "I'm fine, Lise. I don't need that. The exhaustion is just building and getting to me-"

She reached over and put her hand on his one of the first times she had, eyeing him, "All the more reason to get some rest. You really need it. I insist. If this is about the money-"

"No!" Jack said, now horrified as he recoiled slightly. "It's not about the money. Why would you-"

"Well!" Lisa raised her voice slightly, and Jack had to admit it was good to hear her sounding feisty. "You are forgetting I do know you and have for a really long time. You hate spending money."

"It's not that," he shook his head. "What if you need something? You've needed plenty in the middle of the night."

"I'm doing better," she nodded. "I really am. No, I'm not ready to run laps up here, but I can at least function enough to use my call button. Yes, you're right I have needed help, still do, but I can get to that button. I would have struggled much, much more had you not been here, so," she met his gaze and gave him a nod, "thank you. I do mean that, but I also remember just how hard I slept the first night I was back home after leaving you in the hospital. Jack, please do this. I'm worried, and I really want you healthy too."

He could see the concern on her face, and until this moment, the idea of leaving her at all had not been one he'd even considered. As he mulled over the idea, he did acknowledge she was doing better. The last couple of nights, she'd not needed much, and if he hadn't been there, she might not have asked for anything. A nurse could assist; it was their job. They both knew that water was 'l'eau' so she could communicate that if she had to. He glanced over to the bench, and he almost had to grimace. Yes, another night there made him almost shudder. It was rock hard and cold. That air vent just made it miserable. The chair had been much better. If he got some rest, he would be better help to her when she was discharged instead of almost collapsing from exhaustion. Finally, he turned his head to look at her and saw her concern staring back at him.

"Okay, fine," he said, patting her hand as he nodded. "I suppose I can get a good, hot shower, not this lukewarm water here and a good night of sleep." As soon as he said that, he could see the concern disappear from her face, and Jack nodded. "Okay," he told her again, nodding, and this time, clasping her hand. "I promise I'll get some rest."

Now that he was back at the hospital after his first good night of sleep in three weeks, Jack sat facing Lisa to catch up on the half of day he'd missed with her. She reached up to cup his chin, Jack almost tingling at the sensation of Lisa's hand touching his face. He'd missed her, but she wasn't cupping his face for some romantic gesture. She nodded as she took in her assessment.

"Wow, you shaved, and," she shifted his head slightly from side to side while Jack chuckled, "no bruises from any sort of fight with Dan, and I have to say, Jack, you are looking much more put together too." Jack chuckled and then dropped his head when she pulled her hand away.

"No bruises. I didn't get into it with Dan. I promise," he raised an eyebrow. As far as my appearance, sorry I'm still the sad-looking old cowboy you've known," and that comment was met with a frown from Lisa, "but yes, Tom hauled me out of bed at 9:30. I think the only time I've slept that late in my life was when I was dealing with my heart attack mess. Tom sat with me, had a cup of coffee downstairs while I ate breakfast. He knows everyone here in this village, so he was chatting it up with the owner. Then," he frowned, glancing at Lisa, "I might have asked him about a place to get cleaned up myself. I know I was looking rough, almost didn't' recognize the face looking back at me. I got a haircut and a good, clean shave."

"Looks good, better, and the dark circles under your eyes are still there, but not so haunting."

He nodded, "Ahh, how did you sleep?"

"Umm, fine," she pursed her lips and looked down at her her hands fiddling with the blanket. Jack raised an eyebrow.

"Something happen?"

"No, fine. I did have Nurse Ratched out there," she hooked her hand and rolled her eyes with a sarcastic tone in her voice, "trying to haul me out of bed at 8AM before I even had some coffee, wanting me to walk. I was in a lot of pain and somehow communicated I was waiting for you."

Jack raised an eyebrow and started to stand, "Lise, I'll go out there and tell them how it's going to be-"

"No, no," she shook her head and grabbed his arm. "Please do not start with her. What?" She raised and eyebrow and started to chuckle quietly, "What are you even going to say to her? You don't speak French, and she just throws her arms around in gestures." Jack lowered himself back to the bed and nodded.

"This is the kind of thing I'm worried about, Lise. I don't need you being hassled as you are recovering. I can only imagine how she'd try to run you down the hallway for your walk. I'm glad you told her no."

Lisa shrugged, "I didn't want to walk with her. She wouldn't have the patience for almost an hour of the the day up and down the hallway. Now," she tilted her head, "I didn't expect you to be here after lunch, but I got a nap in too, so maybe we should walk."

"Lunch first," Jack gestured to the bag. "You said a sandwich sounded good. It's not the normal turkey sandwiches we have at home, but Tom pointed out a bakery that does a ham and Swiss sandwich. It smelled wonderful as we walked in, fresh bread, so I brought that. Okay?"

She offered a small smile, "Sounds great, thanks. I'm glad Tom got you out and about a little bit. Your haircut does look better, not so shaggy, and the stubble looks clean."

Jack shrugged, nodding as he pulled out their food. He glanced to Lisa, "The weather is warming up now that we're into April. Nice day out there. Oh, I brought you something different, not coffee, but a lemonade today." He pulled that out of another bag, putting a straw into the cup and handing it to her. "Snowing at home today."

"Wow," she said with a shake of her head. "That always baffles me, how it can look like and be such a lovely day one place and miserable somewhere else. Is Hudson supposed to get a lot of snow?"

"Possibly," Jack nodded. "Wind is a factor too. I spoke with Tim briefly already. He was up in the middle of the night securing some things, which was shortly after I got up at 9:30. You know how these late spring storms can be."

"I do," she sighed, nodding. "I would like to check in with Fairfield later today too."

"Not a problem. Amy was going to head over there first light to check in with Harry. Oh," Jack frowned, "Tom said that wasn't your phone, that package he thought was. So," he gave her a nod, "it's still not here yet. Sorry."

"Gosh, it's okay. I can't believe the girls did that, ordered and sent a phone."

Jack nodded, as he sat down again to start on his sandwich, "Well, they do love you, even if they are bad at showing it. That seems to be a family problem," he grimaced. Silence descended upon them as they both ate for a couple of minutes. Finally, Jack cleared his throat. "So, ahh, I didn't get to speak to you much after Dan left yesterday, but from the sounds of it, you and I haven't spoken much about the accident. It doesn't sound like you remember much from the questions you were asking Dan."

"No, I don't," she sighed. "I know we were in the car, had left the stable we were doing business with, and heading home. I know he was driving fast, but he always does. I don't remember anything else until I woke up here and noticed you were in the room, and my arm was in this splint."

Jack nodded as he chewed, "I'm glad he could fill in the details."

"Such a horrible accident," she sighed, shaking her head. "I can't believe I've been here a month. It doesn't feel like it, but I suppose I was unconscious half that time. I'll be glad to get my arm out of this splint thing in a couple more weeks hopefully."

Jack nodded again, gesturing to it, "They want to do some additional x-rays on it. Last the surgeon said, I mean through Helene, it was looking much better."

Lisa had only eaten about half her sandwich and put it down, glancing to the windows. Jack watched her eyes track to the flowers there on display now. As far as her appetite, she didn't have much of one, in that, she was eating very little at a time. He reached over to wrap up her sandwich, her body language telling him she was done. She might eat more in another hour or so. Lisa continued to focus on the flowers.

"Good to see Dan, then?"

Lisa shook her head slightly, realizing she was staring and turned back to Jack with a soft smile as she nodded, "It was. I'm really glad he came."

Jack nodded too and let out his breath, "I know you love him, Lise."

"What?" Lisa's expression quickly changed to one of shock, then horror, then disbelief. "I still love him? No, I don't," she said, vigorously shaking her head. "Why would you say that? Do you think that?"

"Well, I-"

"Seriously," Lisa gestured with her free hand. "I don't love Dan. I tolerate his pompous attitude, and at one time, yes, I did. I was enamored with him, but that quickly wore out. He's one of those people now who can irritate me to no end or can be kind like he was yesterday, really not a lot in between. I promise you that I don't love him. Really? We've cleared the air on this before, as I recall," she sighed, shaking her head. "I remember you being very jealous a few years ago and having to define that 'mean something kiss' when you saw him kiss me. I promise you, Jack," she rolled her eyes this time, "I do not love Dan, not even a little."

Lisa had a horrified expression, and she tilted her head. Jack waved his hand.

"Okay, not necessarily in a romantic way-"

"Jack," she cut him off, frowning. "I don't love him in any way. Yes, it was good to see him just as it's good to see an old friend. That's all, and he's an old friend that I have to watch like a hawk. I never know when he's going to swoop in for the kill to scam me or something. It was good to see him because I'm here in a French hospital, and he's the reason for that, not that I'm blaming him. It was an accident, but I did have questions, questions only he could answer. Yes, we work together, and that was part of it. You were in and out," she waved to the door, "and you heard us talking business on top of other things. That's all. I can't believe you thought I loved him," she said, giving him a disgusted look and smacking at his shoulder, the part of his body closest to her.

"Okay," he held up his hand in defense. "I'm sorry. I'm sure Dan understood too-"

"What?" Lisa narrowed her gaze and then groaned. "Did you elude to that?"

"Maybe," Jack pursed his lips, and then, he continued as he squirmed, "Okay, possibly, might have said that, but it's Dan. He and I are clear on a few things."

She glared at him with one eyebrow raised, "Did you two have some sort of barter over things or me?"

"No," he shook his head. "We did fine. He said his peace. I said mine. We're clear. Today, I'm the one here, and he's not. You didn't ask him to stay, and you haven't thrown me out."

"I did tell you that I was fine if you wanted to go home," she pointed to Jack. The two looked to the door as it opened, and their least favorite nurse, and sadly, Lisa's day nurse again, stepped into the room and started speaking in rapid French. Both Lisa and Jack shook their heads at her, and finally, after she'd vented or whatever she was doing speaking so quickly, she gestured to Lisa.

"You walk."

Lisa and Jack both nodded, and he stood to clear their lunch. As he did, Lisa sat up slightly to get ready for the afternoon, their conversation about Dan now packed away like lunch. Jack waved to the nurse, almost ushering her out of the room and left the door open, making it clear that yes, Lisa would be getting up. He walked over and picked up her robe, standing then next to her to help her into it. The sleeves were very wide and flowing, allowing even her broken arm space in it, and once he'd helped her get that around her shoulders and onto her arms, he helped her get turned to the side of the bed and then moved around to stand in front of her. Lisa gingerly stood up with his assistance, hissing slightly as she did. Jack eyed her before they took a single step.

"You okay? Too much pain?"

She shook her head, "I'm okay," she grumbled. "Pain is there, but I suppose tolerable. I had pain medicine around 10, so I guess this is as good as it's going to get," she flashed a fake smile and then sighed. Jack, satisfied she was okay for the moment, stepped to her side and took Lisa's arm in his, offering her the space to start walking with a gesture. She grimaced those first few steps, both in pain and her muscles sore. They reached the doorframe and saw the nurse watching them down the hall. Jack threw her a wave and a smile, and she scoffed, turning to get back to her work. He glanced at Lisa, gesturing the other way.

"Well, with her there, should we walk the other way?"

"Absolutely, let's see," she looked at the clock on the wall and nodded, "1:15. Let's see how long this walk takes us today."

Jack chuckled with a shrug and wink, "I've got no other plans, so I have all day. Stronger each day, Lise. Let's go."

They'd only taken a few steps, but it was too quiet. Jack noted that Lisa was frustrated with her walking, and he knew she had to be in pain. Before he could say something to talk about anything and distract her from the pain, she spoke up.

"I can't believe you thought that about Dan."

He frowned and sighed, "Lise, I suppose I know better than anyone how many chances you give to someone. I suppose it didn't seem so far-fetched with how we left things, you know, that you might turn to Dan. You two have a long history-"

"Stop right there," she literally stopped moving and looked up at him. "I would never. Our relationship implosion devastated me, still devastates me."

"I know," he nodded with a sad frown. "Lise, I keep making mistakes, and I'm sorry. I'm not accusing you of anything other than thinking you still cared for your ex-husband. I guess I believed if you could still care for him, even on some level, that," he paused and then met her gaze, her eyes glaring at him gaze, "there was still some hope deep down for me. I really love you, Lise, and you are so incredibly kind and caring. Seeing how you can be around Dan, after all the things that happened between you, yeah, I suppose I felt like you had to love him still even on some level, and that maybe you could forgive me, that we could still work through things."

She closed her eyes and sighed, shaking her head, "You and Dan are nothing alike, nothing, even down to the very basics of your integrity. Dan wanted to spend every dime of my Fairfield inheritance; you're almost horrified by it, by me that I have all this money. So, no, down to your core, you and Dan are nothing alike. Now, if that was your way to get me fired up and irritated, it worked. Let's get this walk in. I think after that, I'd like to just have some time to deal with Harry and Amy on the computer, ALONE. Maybe you can get back outside, back to civilization because spending your time in here wrapped up in my mess isn't good for either of us."

Jack was quiet, but he listened, nodding. He swallowed hard. For the first time since he'd gotten here, he felt like things were now worse than they had been. He'd really put his foot in his mouth, and by the looks of Lisa's irritation that she was now taking out on her walk, she was totally ticked off with him. She was moving faster and with more persistence than she probably had the strength to do.

Great. He'd messed up again. He couldn't stop putting his foot in his mouth. Things had been improving, or so he'd thought, and now, she was ready to put him on a plane with a one-way ticket home. They continued their walk to the end of the hall in silence, turned around, and the two started to walk back to the room. Jack finally cleared his throat to speak.

"I'll get your set up for your video chat, and I'll step out. What can I get you while I'm gone?"

Lisa glanced up at him, and Jack knew if looks could kill, he'd be dead right now, but he was determined to try and put things back together, again, for what, the umpteenth time?

"I'd like some socks and not these hospital ones. I hate these. I'd like some like I've had at home. My feet are cold in bed, and I don't want my slippers in bed or the socks they have given me. Can you please find socks?"

"I will come back with socks," Jack said with a roll of his head. He grew quiet, thinking about where he might find socks, but he'd find them. He would bring socks, some sort of pastry treat too to lift her spirts, and as they finally arrived at her room, Jack spotted the flowers there by the window, Dan's flowers. Yes, he'd bring flowers too, her favorite if he could find them, lilies. Whatever. He'd bring nice flowers. He was trying even if it didn't look like it. She'd at least noticed his appearance, and yes, he'd done that for her too. Fresh haircut, facial hair cleaned up, and finally some clean clothing again. Jack felt like a new man after that good night of sleep at the bed and breakfast, but deep down, he had really missed Lisa. He'd stay, there though, because it was what she wanted.

"Jack," he looked up as they were still getting through the doorway, and both Jack and Lisa saw Tom walking down the hallway. With all that had gone on, Tom had seen Lisa, but the two really hadn't interacted too much yet. Tom had been very kind to give Lisa her space and privacy, but as they spotted him coming down the hall, he held up a package in his hand.

"Your phone, Lise," Jack said with a small smile at her as he bumped shoulders with her.

"I suppose I'll need a case too then," she told him, and he nodded, noting that the girls hadn't mentioned a case. Maybe they'd put one in the package, but if they hadn't, he'd get that too.

"Tom, good to see you, and thank you for bringing the phone," Jack said, taking the package from him as he arrived at the doorway. He nodded at him and turned to Lisa. "Lise, this is Tom."

"Lisa," Tom smiled warmly, "we've been praying for you each day, and I'm so happy to finally officially meet you when you'll remember it or talk to you really and see you up and about."

"I'm not sure how out and about this is," she gestured and glanced to the clock on the wall with a frown. She eyed Jack, "50 minutes today to walk."

"She's doing great, despite what she keeps protesting," Jack said, patting Lisa's hand that she still had looped through his arm. "Come in, but Lise, let me help you to the bed."

"I'm glad I caught both of you here. Lisa," Tom said as Jack was helping her sit down on the side of the bed. "I'm hoping we can talk at some point-"

"Now's fine," she cut in quickly. "Jack was just stepping out for a few things."

Jack glanced at Lisa and then to Tom, unsure of this turn of events. He knew Tom wanted to talk to Lisa about the accident, see if she was having any troubles dealing with it, but yes, she was still pretty frustrated to be pushing him out this quickly. He didn't want to argue; he was already in hot water with her."

After getting her situated in bed, and with Tom waiting patiently in the doorway, Jack eyed Lisa, "You sure you're okay right now?"

"More than fine," she said with a single shake of her head. "Take your time. It will be a good break, and Tom is here," she waved her hand. "Looking forward to getting to know you, Tom. Your daughter has been a lifesaver."

"Just glad we can both help, and Jack," Tom put his hand on Jack's shoulder as he stepped up behind him. "Take a walk. Catch your breath. Enjoy the spring weather. She's in good hands."

"Do you need anything else?" Jack asked her. Lisa gestured to the box. "A case?"

"Right," Jack nodded, and he opened the box to find the phone and a case, one just like her old one. He smiled and held it up, "Seems like the girls remembered both to send a case and to send one like you had. Like I said, you mean a lot to them even if we all are really bad at showing it."

"Just the socks then," she said in a flat tone. "Thank you," and with that, Jack nodded and stepped to the door. As he stepped around Tom, he gave him a small smile.

"Trust me, Jack. She's in good hands," Tom said quietly with a nod to him.

Jack nodded back and eyed Lisa again before he stepped out of the room. He did trust Tom, but now that he'd put his foot in his mouth with Lisa just when things seemed to be improving, well, he didn't trust what she might say or do going forward.

Socks.

Socks. Pastries. Flowers.

Do not mention Dan again.

He had a mission.