| Chapter 43 Nick and Tara walked into the room to find everyone else already there. Tara crawled back in bed while Nick plugged in her IV. "You have a good walk?" Brian asked. "Yeah, man I'm tired," Tara replied. "So, who's up for some cards?" A.J. asked holding the deck in his hand. "Not me," Kevin said, still miffed from being beaten yesterday. "I'll play," Nick said, walking over and taking a seat next to A.J. "So Howie, how you been lately?" Tara asked. Howie grinned from ear to ear, "Good." Tara and Brian laughed, "Where's Kira?" Brian asked. "She went down to the book store for a little while, she'll be back later," Howie replied. "So what's going on? You two look pretty cozy," Kevin joined in. Howie blushed a little, "We're pretty close, yeah." "Yeah, I bet you are," A.J. said glancing over his cards. "Well, I for one think it's great that you two got together," Leighanne said. "Thanks Lee, me too," Howie said. The doctor walked through the door and everyone stopped what they were doing. "Hey doc," Brian said. The doctor smiled, "Well I've got the results." He proceeded to pull out the films and place them on the board. "This first set is when we first diagnosed you," he said, "The next is when you were brought in after your kidnapping." The difference was remarkable. The tumor was twice its original size. The doctor put up the last three days of tests, "And these are after we found you in the floor." Everyone stared at the films, looking from one to the other. "Doc, there's nothing there," Kevin said. "You're absolutely right. There is no trace of you ever having a tumor. All my colleagues have studied these, and all we can do is shrug our shoulders, there's no way to explain it," the doctor said. "So let me get this straight, I'm OK? I'm not dying anymore?" Brian asked still trying to grasp what he was looking at. "No Brian, you're healthy as a horse," the doctor said with a smile. "Thank God," Tara said, tears of joy springing to life. Everyone was overwhelmed with relief and happiness. They all hugged each other and thanked the doctor profusely. "So when do we get to leave?" Brian asked after everyone had calmed down. "Well I've already started your discharge papers," the doctor replied. "Both of us?" Tara asked. The doctor looked at her for a long moment, "Only if you promise to take it easy. No exercising, no over doing it, and no fighting bad guys for a while." They all laughed. "I promise, just get me outta here," Tara said. "Alright, I'll tell the nurse to start on yours too," the doctor said with a smile. "Thanks doc," Brian said. The doctor walked over to Brian and shook his hand, "If you have any problems at all, come back and see me." "I will," Brian said. The doctor then walked around to Tara's side and shook her hand, "And you missy, I want to see you back in four weeks for a check up." "OK, if I have to," Tara said. "Yes, you have to," the doctor and Brian said at the same time. The doctor looked at them for a moment, "You two take care of each other." "We will," they both said. "The nurse will be in shortly to take your IV's out," the doctor said, grabbing the films and walking out the door. Nick and Leighanne were whispering to each other. "Guys, we'll be back in like ten minutes," Nick said leading Leighanne out the door. "What are they doing?" Brian asked. Kevin and A.J. smiled. "You'll find out soon enough," Kevin said. Brian reached over and took Tara's hand and smiled at her, "I wouldn't have made it this far without you." Tara smiled at him, "I love you too." A few minutes later the nurse came in to remove their IV's. After she got done she told them they could get dressed and their paperwork would be ready shortly. "Crap, we don't have any clothes here," Brian said. "Yes you do," Nick said walking through the door carrying a duffel bag. Leighanne followed him, also carrying one. "Tara, come with me, we'll go in the bathroom and I'll help you get ready," Leighanne said. Tara and Brian looked at each other, surprised and a little confused. "Um, OK," Tara said getting up and following Lee into the bathroom. Nick set his bag on the bed and opened it up, "OK Rok, you got your choice. Blue Kentucky sweatshirt, or blue Kentucky sweatshirt?" All the guys laughed. "Well I guess it'll be the blue Kentucky sweatshirt," Brian said laughing. Brian had just finished putting his shoes on when Leighanne poked her head out, "Everybody decent?" "I don't know bout that, but we got our clothes on," A.J. said. Leighanne shook her head at him and came out followed by Tara. She was wearing a pair of blue jeans, and tank top with a hooded jacket on over it. Leighanne had helped her braid her hair into a french braid. Tara walked over and sat down next to Brian on the edge of the bed. "I feel 100% better," Tara said. "Yeah, me too," Brian replied. Just then the nurse came in with their discharge papers. They hurriedly signed them, and she gave them some instructions from the doctor. They got up and followed her out of the room where two orderlies were waiting, each armed with a wheelchair. Tara and Brian both sighed and sat down, "Yeah, we know, hospital policy," they said in unison. Everyone shook their heads and laughed. Nick ran ahead, "I'll pull the car around." When they made it outside, Nick was there with his SUV. "Guys, you ride with me and Lee, the rest of you follow," he said. Brian got up and helped Tara in the back seat, then got in himself. Leighanne jumped in the front, while Nick threw their bags in the back. Kevin walked by him on his way to his own car, "Bri's right?" "Yeah," Nick said, then walked around and got in. "OK, seat belts everyone," he said smiling. "Why am I afraid?" Brian said. Nick just grinned into the rear view mirror, "Because you know me to well." And with that they were off. It was about a thirty minute ride to Brian's house. No one really said much, just that they were relieved at the outcome of the tests, and they were happy to be out of the hospital. When they passed Nick's, Tara just figured that they were gonna drop Brian off then go home. She was trying to think of how she was gonna pack all her stuff when they pulled into Brian's drive. Nick stopped at the front door and shut off the car, "K, everyone out." Brian and Tara looked at each other confused, then did as they were told. Nick and Leighanne met them at the door, "Welcome home guys," they both said. Brian and Tara walked in the house, and immediately knew something was different. Then it hit Brian, "Lee, all your stuff is gone." Leighanne smiled at him. Tara looked around recognizing some of her things here and there, "You guys didn't?" "Yeah, we did. Want the grand tour?" Nick said. Brian and Tara held each others hand. "Lead the way," Brian said with a smile. They followed Nick around the house. He showed them where they had put everything, and by the time he was done, Brian and Tara were both ready to sit down. They walked back into the living room to find that everyone else had showed up. "Thanks guys, I really don't know what to say," Brian said. "Thank Nick and Lee, they're the one's that did it all," Kevin said. "You guys did this by yourself?" Tara asked. They both just nodded their heads. Tara and Brian both got up and hugged them. "Thank you," Tara whispered to Nick. Nick just closed his eyes and held on to the moment, until she pulled away. Tara could see the sadness in his eyes, but she didn't say anything. "Well, lets all get outta here, I'm sure you guys are tired, so we'll see ya in the morning," Kevin said getting up and eyeing the others to do the same. Everyone took the hint, and got up heading to the door. "I'll call ya'll about the interview when I get it set up," Brian said following them to the door. "Alright, we'll check on you tomorrow," Kevin said. They all said their good-bye's and left. Brian walked back into the living room. Tara was sitting on the couch, looking a million miles away. Brian sat down next to her, "You OK?" She looked up at him, "Yeah, I'm just a little overwhelmed." "Yeah, can you believe they did this?" Brian said looking around. "I know, it's just.....overwhelming," Tara replied. "So, what do you want to do?" Brian asked with a smile. "I dunno, what do you want to do?" Tara replied with her own smile. "Um, you know, we really didn't ask the doc if it was OK to umm,...... well you know," Brian said looking embarrassed. Tara rolled her eyes and laughed, "Oh lord Brian." Brian started to laugh, just as Tara reached over and pulled his chin toward her. She pulled him into a long slow kiss. They finally broke apart to catch their breath. "You sure you're OK?" Brian asked. Tara smiled, "Bri, shut up." Brian raised his eyebrows, "So that's how it is?" Tara nodded her head. "Oh, we'll see about that," Brian said picking her up and carrying her upstairs. Chapter 44 |