Game Date 04.08.2002

Horatio and the Hospital

After spending nine days at Horatio's bedside in the hospital, I needed a break. The only time I had been away from him was to get a quick shower and some clean clothes or to grab a bite to eat. I decided to head home. I needed a good night's sleep in my own bed, not another restless night in one of those backbreaking reclining chairs. Horatio was still heavily drugged up when I told him I was going home but somewhere deep inside the drug-induced haze, I knew he understood why I had to take a break.

I went home and showered then I slept. When I woke, I felt better. Ten times better than when I had went to sleep. I dressed and headed for the hospital.

I arrived to find Horatio awake and yelling at the nurse, who was trying to give him a sponge bath.

"Leave me alone," he yelled, waving his arms and knocking the washbasin of water across the room.

"Mr. Eon, please calm down," said the nurse.

"No! No! No water!" Horatio kept repeating loudly.

I walked over to Horatio. "Horatio, calm down." I said putting my hands on his.

"Ally... " Horatio said with a tired sigh.

"Please let me take care of him," I said as I turned to the nurse. She checked the IV in Horatio arm. After seeing that it was okay, she turned and headed for the door pausing only to retrieve the empty washbasin on her way out.

I quickly dried Horatio off and helped him into a clean pair of PJs.

"Ally, thank you," Horatio whispered. "Come over here and let me hold you."

I went over and sat down next to him on the edge of his bed. Looking him in the eyes I asked, "How are you, mentally? What do you remember?"

"I don't really know. The last thing I recall was that we had just finished our morning workout at Alcatraz. I know something happened after that or I wouldn't be here. What happened?"

"Dr. Miller said that it should all come back to you. For now, all I will say is that Alcatraz was attacked and I almost lost you." I said as tears started to well up in my eyes.

"Shhhh... No need for tears. I am here, you didn't lose me," Horatio said hugging me to his chest.

There was a knock at the door.

"Come in," I said standing up and wiping the tears from my eyes.

"Mr. Eon, we need to check your vital signs," said the nurse. After a quick check of the monitors the nurse asked, "Is there anything you need, Mr. Eon?"

"I have all I need," said Horatio while grabbing my hand and pulling me towards his bed.

Needless to say, I was almost in shock. Before the attack Horatio was shy, almost scared about touching me or showing affection in public. But then again, so was I. Maybe it was time for a change.