Dana woke the following morning with a crick in her neck and a numb leg but the fact that she had a certain blonde leaning into her embrace sleeping soundly made it all worthwhile.  The machines that were monitoring Alice’s blood pressure went off again.  Dana watched Alice breathing in and out in a slow sleepy rhythm; this was her way of monitoring her lover. She didn’t need machines.  Unsure how long she just lay and watched Alice, well after the feeling had returned to her leg, the nurse came in to wake Alice and give her morning medication.

“Well how did you both sleep?”

A still sleepy and newly medicated Alice just looked at Dana and smiled.

“Fine thanks” replied Dana

“Better than I’ve slept in a long time, despite being a bit tight for space.” Dana winked at Alice.

Shane arrived an hour later with fresh clothes for Dana and instructions from Sharon to call her when she wanted or needed a lift home.  While Dana had a shower, Shane and Alice had a chat.

“How are things Yoda?”

Shane smiled, “Not bad now my favourite blonde is back and you know Al blonde’s really aren’t my thing”

“Whatever!”

“Seriously Al, I’m so glad you’re ok. We were all so worried.”

“I’m going nowhere soon missy.”

Shane just smiled.

“Anyway..we’ll see what the doc says today.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah the boss guy isn’t supposed to be on today but apparently he wants to see me this afternoon.”

“Right” Shane exhaled.

“How do you feel?”

Alice thought carefully before replying

“Lucky and scared in equal measure. Probably a bit more scared but that’s more to do with Dane than me.”

Shane nodded again, digesting the latest information

“How come?”

“She looks like shit Shane, she’s terrified about her illness and she’s spent all week thinking I was going to die on her and I can’t help her the way I want to.”

Shane took Alice’s hand in hers

“Alice, we’re all looking after Dana and she is listening to her body, mainly because we’re making her, but she does know to listen to herself and not to push it and as for you not helping?  The fact that you and I are having this conversation is helping Dana more than you will ever know.”