Part 10b.
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Elizabeth and Mark gasped with relief as the first tones of a heart rhythm beeped on the monitors. The head of the ICU trauma team smiled at the couple. "It's okay.. We have a steady rhythm now. His colour's back. I think it was a reaction to the anethesia.. We're putting him on another batch of antibiotics and meds.. It should help."
Glancing back briefly, the nurses and doctors filed out, leaving Elizabeth and Mark with Dave's body, full of tubes and wires. The only thing making a sound in the room were the many machines he was hooked up to. Elizabeth stifled a sob.
***
Dave winced opening an eye. What happened? The last he remembered was pushing that idiot Greene out of the way. Why did it hurt so much?? It was just a little shock. It wasn't like he'd undergone heart surgery... With a startled gasp he looked down at the line of blood seeping from the bandages on his chest. Oh God.. He was back.. But..
He lifted a heavy hand and stared at the IV line. God.. He was alive. Moving his hand back to the bed, Dave glanced to the left and saw Mark and.. Elizabeth!!
"DR.CORDAY!" He wanted to shout at the top of his lungs, but the ventilator he was on prevented everything, but muffled sobs and scared snuffling.
***
The baby in her arms squirmed and grunted, causing Elizabeth to scold him tiredly. "Andrew.. Shhh..."
"Mwaaaah.." He fussed, squirming a little more until she awoke fully.
"Andrew.. Mummy was trying to slee-" Her eyes widened and she saw Dave awake in bed. "My lord! Dave.."
Elizabeth elbowed Mark hard in the ribs and he sat up straight. "I'm awake.. I'm awake.. Brilliant sermon, pastor.. One of the best I've heard. Jesus really is our savior.." He muttered sleepily.
"Mark!!!!!!!" Elizabeth swatted him hard and he yelped, falling off his chair.
"WHAT!?" Mark rubbed his bald head and glared at her. "I put money in the collection plate.. I earned my sleep." He muttered, yawning.
"Mark! We're not in church! Dave's awake." She glared at him, "Now get up."
"I liked it better when Dave was you.. He was nice." Mark whined, sitting back in his chair and earning another angry swat from Elizabeth.
***A few weeks later***
Dave sat up in bed sipping a coke with Cindy on one side and Elizabeth on the other. "Flanked by ladies.. If only I wasn't in bed, I'd be in heaven."
"Daaaave.. You're such a perv.." Cindy squealed.
"And you love me for it don't you?" Dave pouted, sticking out his bottom lip.
"Of course. We all do.." Elizabeth smiled, slipping her son into Dave's arms. The baby cooed happily and snuggled into Dave's chest.
"Even little Dweezil.." Dave grinned, playing with the baby.
"Dave.. If you call him Dweezil...." Elizabeth threatened, lightly.
"If I call him Dweezil.. What?" Dave grinned, taunting her.
"Then I'll have to tell Cindy about the other night.." An evil smirk played on Elizabeth's lips as Dave went pale. "You.. and her?" She nodded slowly as Cindy cocked her head.
"I don't get it... What did you and I do Dr.Corday?? I never met you before Dave got shot..." Cindy bit her lip and nearly crossed her eyes trying to make sense of the situation.
"Was it good??" Dave asked nervously. So he hadn't missed the 'surprise' that Cindy had planned.
"Oh.. Dave.. Wouldn't YOU like to know.." Elizabeth laughed, truly happy for the first time in what seemed like days. "It's our little secret though.." She said looking back at Cindy who was muttering to herself and staring off into space.
"I don't think Cindy will ever get it, and I know it would kill Mark.. Let's keep it between friends."
"Okay, Liz.. It's our little secret.." Dave grinned.
"Did you just call me Liz?!" Elizabeth squealed incredulously.
"You called me a friend.. It seems not so long ago, you were telling Mark, he could kick my ass.." Dave laughed.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "I said he could.. I never said he'd be able to.."
"Truce?" He held out a free hand.
She grinned and took his hand in hers. "Truce. No more body swaps.. Unless it's on special occasions and you want to put up with Mark's creepy Aunts and Uncles. I wouldn't have any objection to that." Elizabeth laughed.
Dave stuck out his tongue. "Not on your life.. One body swap is enough thanks."
"You can say that again." Sighed, Elizabeth tiredly.
**********the end********