The irritating sounds of a television program dragged Joselyn from the dark arms of unconsciousness. Opening her eyes, she quickly shut them again. "Too bright," she whispered.

There was a click and a hand took hers. "Joselyn?"

Cracking her eyelids again, she winced to see her mother's face, worry etched deeply into the lines around her eyes. Smacking her lips together, she tried to smile. "Hey, Mom."

"Oh thank God, baby." Mom lifted Joselyn's hand to her lips and kissed it. "We were so worried. Thirsty?"

She nodded so Mom picked up a cup and placed the straw between her parched lips. "Sip a little bit. You've been out a while."

Taking a few sips, Joselyn laid back on the incredibly thin hospital pillow. Looking around she frowned. Someone had placed a crystal vase full of roses on a small shelf on the wall. After everything she had been through, Joselyn was sure she would never be able to stand the sight or smell of the once favored flower again.

Catching her gaze, her mother smiled. "Aren't they beautiful? They are from your publisher."

"Please, can you get rid of them? Give them to the nurse's station or throw them away. I don't want to ever see another rose as long as I live."

Understanding dawned on her mother. "Oh, of course, baby. I didn't think about it." She snatched the vase and walked out of the room. In a few moments, she was back. "There. Better?"

Joselyn nodded. "Have you met Maddox yet? Where is he? Getting coffee in the cafeteria I suppose." The look on Mom's face made her stomach drop. "What's wrong? Where is he?"

She pulled a chair beside the bed and sat. "Honey, he was hurt, pretty badly. When they brought you both in last night, they couldn't get the bleeding to stop. I talked to his mother, Sarah, I think it was? She dropped by to check on you a bit ago. She said he has two dislocated fingers, lots of bruises a deep cut on one arm and a pretty bad stab wound. The knife punctured a kidney and severed the vessels. They tried to repair it but it was too far gone so they removed it."

Joselyn pulled the blanket off herself and threw her legs over the side.

"Wait, where do you think you are going?"

"I have to see him."

Mom shook her head. "You can't, baby. He's in ICU. Nobody can see him until at least ten am this morning."

"Then I'll go wait until visiting hours. Mom, I have to go, please. I can't lay here waiting to hear how he is from someone else. Maddox is my life. He is everything to me. He came for me when I needed him most. If..." She swallowed and forced the words out. "If something happens, I have to be there. Please, Mom."

Mom studied her a moment and gave in. "Alright but I'm getting a wheelchair. You're still weak and you don't need to pull your stitches open." She pulled a robe from the back of the door and grabbed Joselyn's slippers. Helping Joselyn to thread her good arm through the robe, she draped it over her shoulder and tied the waist. Sliding Joselyn's feet into the slippers Mom stood. "I can't believe you talked me into this," she mumbled and left the room in search of the required transportation.

Against her mother's better judgment, a chair was located and she was carefully loaded into it, being mindful of her one arm still resting in a sling. One of her nurses, a romantic young woman who also happened to be a big fan of Joselyn's, helped her get settled and spread a light blanket over her lap. "Good luck," she said and opened the door.

The ICU waiting room was filled to capacity. Aaron, Shaun and Mr. Benson were standing in a corner talking quietly with Hannah leaning against Shaun's hip. Shaun had his hand buried in Hannah's auburn tresses, stroking her gently. Celia, Sarah and all four of Maddox's sisters were sitting in a group. When Joselyn was pushed into the room, Sarah jumped up and flew to Joselyn's side. "Are you alright, sweetie?"

"I'm fine, Sarah," she said and bit her lip when the woman's hug caused a slight tug on her arm. "How is he?"

"He hasn't come too yet. He lost a lot of blood but the doctor said he should be fine." She drew her arms around herself. "He looks so pale."

Bull crouched down beside her. "How are you doing, Joselyn?'

She gave him a tight smile. "I've been better. McClane?"

"Gone. He'll never bother you again."

The relief was so profound she felt the weight lift from her shoulders. "Really?"

He placed his hand on hers and gave it a slight squeeze. "Really. No trials, no more hiding, no more fear. It's all over."

"Thank God," she whispered and closed her eyes.

At 10:00, a chime sounded through the room. "Visitors are now allowed," a dulcet voice announced from a hidden speaker.

Everyone looked at her. Sarah stood and grabbed the handles of the chair. "Ready to see your man?" she asked and started to push her toward the door leading back to the unit.

Joselyn nodded. "More than anything on this earth."

She gasped as they entered his room. Tubes and wires connected him to monitors and machines recording every minute detail of his body's functions. Sarah held Joselyn's hand as they talked quietly to him, asking him to open his eyes and talk to them. The allotted ten minutes passed quickly. With a heavy heart, Joselyn raised his hand and kissed his palm, promising to come back soon. She had tears in her eyes as Sarah returned her to the waiting room.

"Come on, you need a rest. You've lost a lot of blood. Let the others go see him and you take a nap," Mom had insisted.

Joselyn didn't want to leave but her body was so exhausted, her hands trembled. "Just a nap but I'll be back." She looked at Sarah. "You'll let me know if he wakes up?"

Sarah pressed a kiss to Joselyn's cheek. "Of course, honey. You go ahead and rest now."

Later that night, she was once again in the waiting room, watching the clock until time for the final visit for the evening at seven. The nap had done her good as did a shower and clean clothes. Her doctor released her by three, but she returned to ICU. She would not leave him. When visiting time was announced, she dutifully walked through the door again.

Returning from his side ten minutes later, she saw Detective Jameson talking with Aaron. Next to him stood three large men she had not seen before. Wrinkling her brow she approached him.

"Hello, Detective Jameson."

"Joselyn, after all we have been through, you have the right to use my given name. Please call me Henry or even Bull." He glanced at the door behind her. "How is he?"

She shrugged. "The doctors say he's stable and improving but he hasn't awakened yet. They say his body needs to heal and he will wake up when he is ready. I wish he would open his eyes if only for a minute so I can see for myself."

"River is strong, he'll be fine, you'll see. He'll be aggravating your socks off in no time."

She chuckled and glanced at the strangers behind him.

Catching her glance, he motioned for them to come forward. "Joselyn, I'd like you to meet Bruiser, Toad, and Cowboy, also known as Grayson Titus, Reese Harkins, and Alcide Montgomery. They are all members of River's team.

She stared at them. Obviously, the medications she was on loosened her tongue because she just came right out and said what went through her mind. "There's no such thing as an ugly SEAL is there? You are all big and sexy."

The room burst into laughter and she blushed. "Oh crapadoo, I'm sorry," she apologized, chagrin making her face turn a bright red. "Medications," she admitted sheepishly.

"It's alright, Ma'am," Bruiser said and gave her a wink. "Bull called and told us about River. We got a few days leave so flew down to check on him. Unfortunately, Finch, Hick, and Railroad couldn't leave but they are with him in thoughts."

She looked at the men who had been closer than anyone besides Shaun to Maddox and said with a watery smile. "Thank you for your service."

"Thank you for not giving up on him," Bruiser said gently.

"Never," she stated with resolve.

* * *

Something warm clutched at River's hand as he fought his way through the swampy darkness trying to claim him. He could hear someone speaking but couldn't untangle it from the background noise of electronic equipment and the hiss of air being fed into his lungs. Finally, he was able to pry one eye partially open and realized he was in a hospital room. Well, that made sense since everything in his body hurt.

He tried to lift a hand to push the oxygen tube from his nose but a hand stopped him. "No, leave it alone," the soft voice admonished.

A buzz sounded too loud and he winced. Another voice, asked, "May I help you?"

"He's awake," said the angelic tone.

That voice. He knew her voice.

Forcing both eyes open he looked around and spotted her. Sitting in a chair next to his bed was Joselyn. Wearing a loose workout shirt and black yoga pants, one arm was resting in a sling and the other was grasped tightly around his. Her long blonde hair was up in a messy bun at the top of her head and there was a strain around her eyes. The beautiful smile she gave he made his heart lurch.

"You're okay," he croaked.

"Yeah. I'm okay," she agreed, "and so will you."

A nurse burst into his room and Joselyn reluctantly let his hand go. After several moments of being poked, prodded and questioned, he was allowed some water. Yanking the cannula from his face, he rubbed his nose. Much better. That tube was irritating.

The nurse shook her head with a small laugh. "If you get light-headed put it back on," she admonished. He promised he would although he had no intention of following through.

After the nurse disappeared, Joselyn returned to her seat.

"Your parents, Shaun, Hannah and Marla are at my house. Aaron and Celia needed to get back to the farm but I'll call them when you are ready. I'm glad you are finally awake. Bruiser, Toad, and Cowboy are hoping to see you before they leave to go back to California in the morning. They went to get some coffee."

"My team is here?"

"Of course they are. SEALs never leave SEALs behind. Not even after retirement."

He grinned. "How long was I out?"

"Couple of days but you would come too for a few minutes then drift back to sleep. I'm guessing you don't remember any of it. They moved you out of ICU into this room yesterday. I was worried but they said you would wake completely when you were ready. Typical of you. Doing everything on your own time."

"You know it."

He reached out and touched her face and groaned, letting his hand fall to the bed. "Jesus, what did they do to me?"

"I don't know if I'm the one to tell you."

He narrowed his eyes at her. "You are the perfect one to tell me. What happened?"

Relenting, she told him everything she knew about the fight and the aftermath. He remembered most of it but some, thankfully, he didn't. When she finished, he nodded. "Down a kidney, eh? Think you can love a man with parts missing?" His tone was light but there was a bit of apprehension in his question.

She stood, let the side rail fall and sat on the edge. Carefully as not to jostle him, she laid beside him and placed her head on his shoulder. "I love you exactly how you are. Doesn't matter to me if you are missing a kidney, a lung, a leg or whatever." She pressed a kiss to his chest. "Get some rest. There will be plenty of time to talk about all this later."

Wrapping his arm around her waist, he closed his eyes with a smile. Joselyn was in his arms, safe and sound.