Strong Enough? [Marcus]

[Josephine Harding]

1st July 2009

"Ha! You can't stop me. Just because I can see you have strength, I can stop you still." With that, the man whipped out a rather large knife and came for Jo. She pushed her hand out to stop him, and hopefully ram him back hard enough to be knocked out. But for some reason, Jo was too late in doing so, and the guy stabbed her in the stomach. Her eyes widened as she slowly looked up at the man. All she saw was him laughing, as Jo began to fall to the ground. First she fell to her knees, clutching her stomach, where the knife went in. As Jo went back to fall onto the ground, all she could hear was a pair of feet running away.

That is what happened, and now Jo was lying in a hospital emergency room, fighting for her life. She wasn't conscious, but was alert enough to hear voices coming and going around her. Jo heard something about that she was losing a lot of blood, and another said that she might need surgery. As she again drifted back to sleep, all Jo could think about was Marcus. The guy who she had met, and instantly fallen in love with. He won't know about this incident. If she dies, he will think that she just didn't want to speak to him. That wasn't the case.

After ten minutes, Jo began to come to, and was met with excruciating pain. She didn't open her eyes right away, though squinted in pain. Her hands went right to her stomach again. "Oh hell," Jo called out. Right then a male nurse came to her side. "Miss, you will have to try and relax as much as you can. You have lost a lot of blood, and we are trying to get an operating room for you spare, so that we can repair any damage the knife might have caused. Also the police are on there way to ask you questions."

Jo tried to sit back in the bed, but the pain was too much. "Is there anything you can give me for this pain?" She hated this so much, and just wanted to curl up and die.

[marcus]

Jo, Jo, Jo! She was all Marcus could think about since he'd met her a few weeks ago. Marcus knew there was something special about her the minute they had bumped into each other, and that day had ended with that magical movie style first kiss. Now Marcus was completely in love with Jo. Well it would be strange for him to be anything else considering she is pretty much all he thinks about, other than his sister of course.

He was due to meet Jo for a movie date, and he was dressed in casual denims and a casual shirt. He was bang on time, as Marcus didn't believe in keeping people waiting especially when it came to his girlfriends. Jo wasn't there, however, he'd been with enough girls in the past through out the years to know they could sometimes run a little late. It was always the whole 'what outfit should I wear' deal, or 'should I put make-up on'. Marcus chuckled to himself as he thought about Jo messing with make-up and clothes, and thought that she was probably one of the many woman who didn't actually fuss about that kind of thing.

After waiting for over half an hour, Marcus knew there must be something wrong. He called her mobile and it went to voice mail, which apart from when she was working, was definitely unusual. Marcus now had a gut feeling, something was terribly wrong. He hoped he would be told different, but he made his way to the local hospital as fast as he could. He went right up to the receptionist in a bit of a panic.

"Can ye tell me if a Josephine Harding has been brought in please, me good woman." Marcus said, as he began to pace the floor around the receptionist desk. "One moment please." She said, and Marcus just gave her a weak smile, as he bit down on his thumb nervously waiting, hoping she would say no, because he didn't want her to be hurt, and hoping she'd say yes, because at least he would know where she was.

"Yes, we do, she's waiting to be taken into surgery." The woman said giving him an apologetic smile. Marcus just ran his hand through his hair messily. "Ah for focks sake, what is it with me and women? First Emma and now Jo." He said to nobody in particular. The woman then paged someone, and a few moments later a doctor was stood beside him.

"I'll take you through to where she is. Who are you to the patient?" The doctor asked giving him a weak smile. Marcus just gave him a weak smile back. "She's me girlfriend." He said sadly, they walked along the corridor for a few moments and then the doctor beckoned with his hand the room she was in. Marcus went running past him, right to the bed and grabbed one of her hands.

"Jo, Jo, I'm here. Oh jeezes, what the fock happened to ye?" He asked in a worried voice, as he ran the other one through his hair again messily. He hoped she would be alright. She had to be alright. He couldn't go through all this again so soon. He couldn't lose her.

[Josephine Harding]

Soon the voices were gone, and Jo was left alone in the room. The male nurse who had been with her was eventually allowed to give her something for the pain. Whatever it was, it was starting to kick in. The pain came again, but not as severe. Though Jo still had to put her hand there to help. Well, what help it could do, without getting in there and fixing whatever needed fixing, even though she wouldn't know where to start.

Jo decided that it was probably for the best if she just lay back, and try to ignore the pain. So she layed back into the pillows and closed her eyes. But this didn't last long as she soon heard foot steps. Two sets actually. She just thought that it might be the doctor and maybe a nurse just checking her status. But then she heard a pair of shoes running towards her. Well that can't be a good sign, though she heard nothing beeping madly on the monitors, so it maybe not be her.

Then she felt a hand on her own, and heard that familiar voice. She slowly opened her eyes, and saw Marcus. "Oh, hey Marcus. I so glad to see you." She then began to cough. Jo so wanted water, but soon knew that maybe she wouldn't be allowed if she was going into surgery soon. Jo closed her eyes briefly, and then opened them again. "How ... how did you find me? I ... I know ... that I was meant to meet you before ... but ... " That was all Jo could get out before she felt a bit more pain. Letting go of Marcus' hand, she pressed down where the wound was, and sat up a bit. It was getting more severe.

Jo wanted to call out as many swear words she could think of, but decided that maybe others in the vicinity might not appreciate it. "What the ... why isn't the stuff working?" Finally the pain started to subside a bit, and Jo moved back to lay in the pillows again, and closed her eyes. She could feel herself losing consciousness again. Then she was out of it. Maybe it was a good idea that she was in this state, so that she didn't move around too much. It might just do more damage.

After this, Jo was going in and out of consciousness, hearing the doctor and the nurses talking. She heard them say that there were no operating rooms available. But, after what seemed like forever, she was semi-awake, and then heard that she was going to be going in to get operated on, and then she felt her bed being moved. "Marcus? ... Are ... are you still there?" She wanted to hear his voice before she went under the knife. Well, a different one to the one she got stabbed with earlier.

[marcus]

"Hey." He said softly, worried about his girlfriend, especially when she coughed. He instinctively put a hand up to soothe her as he ran it down the side of her face a few times. Obviously she was in no state to tell him what happened, but he could see that she had a wound in her abdomen, somebody had stabbed her by the looks of it. "I swear to god, I find out whose done this to ye and their life wont be worth living." He said in a fighting voice. It was true Marcus wasn't one for violence or fighting, but he could more than hold his own and nobody got away with hurting his friends and family.

"Ssh... the less ye talk the better. I don't know, I just had a gut feeling ye know? I'd hoped I was wrong, but I wasn't. Then again if I'd been wrong, I'd have been even more worried wondering where ye were." He said in a slight ramble, but he just couldn't believe he was here again just a month later, watching someone else he loved and cared about go through shit in the hospital.

He could see Jo was in a lot of pain, which wasn't too surprising, given what she had been through. "For focks sakes can ye no give her something stronger for the pain?" He said in a pained voice, unable to watch the pain etched on her face. He then ran his hand down the side of her face again. "Ye'll get fixed up just grand soon, ye wait and see." He said, trying to comfort her the best he could. It was damn horrible being in this situation again, not that Jo could help it of course.

The next thing Jo seemed to fall into an unconscious state, which was worrying, but probably better for her at the same time, save her from moving around so much. It would seem with the kind of luck Marcus had, the next person to be in here would probably be himself. What seemed like forever, the doctors came to say they were able to take her into the operating room. He just wanted it over with. He wanted his Jo back, safe and sound.

She then called for him. He took her hand again, and squeezed it gently in reassurance. "Aye Jo, I'm still here. I'm not going anywhere. I'll be here when ye wake up." He said as he bent down and kissed her on the mouth gently, before the doctor said he had to let them take her away, and a nurse directed him to the oh so familiar waiting room. He sat down on the chair, with his head in his hands, unable to believe that he was there once again.

[Josephine Harding]

Jo heard Marcus reply to here when she said that she was meant to meet him earlier. She felt bad for not going, well she was going, but the person who stabbed her got in the way of a night she was looking forward to. She listened to what he said, and Jo smiled weakly. Then the pain interrupted that moment.

When Jo asked why the drugs weren't working for her pain, she heard Marcus ask the doctors if they could give her something stronger for it. She was glad that there was someone there to speak fo her, and especially glad that it was Marcus. But as she began to lay back down, she felt Marcus' hand gently run along her face. It felt nice, but as he spoke, Jo began to lose consciousness.

When it came time for Jo to get wheeled in for surgery, she called out to him, to see if he was still there. When he took a hold of her hand, and squeezed it gently, he spoke reassuringly. Jo closed her eyes for a second, and attempted to nod, acknowledging what he said. Then Marcus kissed her gently on the mouth. When they parted, Jo looked sadly at him, feeling scared. Jo had no idea whether she would live through the operation, or not. She was scared to think that she would never see Marcus again. With that thought in mind, Jo watched his face blur in the distance.

**** 1/2 an hour later ****

Jo was totally out of it, because of all the anesthetic.

The doctor worked on the area where the knife had penetrated. "There is minimal damage around the stomach, but I should be able to fix that up, so that there is little or no scaring. Also will have to give her some blood transfusions, as she has lost a lot of blood. But other than that, she should be fine." Turning back to Jo, he continued to work.

**** 1 1/2 hours later ****

The doctor finished working inside Jo, and then started to make sure that it all looked good before he started on sewing her up. Then a nurse said, "Her blood pressure is falling, Doctor." The doctor looked up at the monitors. "She has lot a lot of blood. Get a line into her now, and start the first bag." The doctor hoped that it wouldn't drop anymore, also hoping that it wasn't due to the trauma she had been though.

**** 1/2 an hour later ****

Finally Jo was being wheeled into the recovery section, outside the operating room. She was still asleep, due to the anesthetic still doing its job. During this time, Jo was having a dream, which of cause involved a certain person named Marcus.

Jo was walking slowly with Marcus, who had his hands over her eyes. She was smiling, thinking it was silly what they were doing. "Can I see yet?" Marcus whispered in her ear, "Not yet." But then they stopped, and he removed his hands. "Now you can." Jo opened her eyes, and in front of her stood a house. It was cream in colour, and it had a pretty reasonable sized yard and garden in the front. She turned to him, and smiled, her whole face lit up. "Oh Marcus..." With that, she ran up to the front door. Marcus ran after her, with keys in hand. Jo took them off of him. "Let me." She turned the key in the lock, and then the door open. But then a man ran at her from inside, and stabbed her.

Jo instantly woke up, and screamed.

[marcus]

After Marcus assured Jo that he was indeed there and kissed her gently before they wheeled her away for surgery, Marcus was once again sitting that god awful waiting room. Jo was strong, he had to keep thinking that, she was strong and she'd come through this. She just had to. Emma would be so upset to find out about Jo, she had been so happy for Marcus when he told her he'd found someone. Of course both girls got on well, he began to wonder if he should contact Emma and let her know, but then it wasn't like she could come to the hospital and keep him company, she was still recovering from her own stint in hospital.

It seemed like forever Jo was gone and not one person had come in to tell him any news. It was just as devastating waiting for news on Jo as it had been waiting for news on Emma. Only difference being that he was a little stronger this time, because when it was Emma, he was broken, as he had inadvertently caused the accident. He stood up and went outside, but there was no sign of anybody, so he couldn't even ask how she was doing.

It was driving him insane. He sat back down again, looked at his watch and realised that it had only been just over an hour, so she hadn't even really been gone that long. Why couldn't he have been there? He could have stepped in front of Jo and kept her from harm, just like he could have done when the car was speeding toward Emma. He got himself more comfortable in the chair, and leaned his head back, and closed his eyes. He then drifted off to sleep, not a deep sleep, but sleep just the same, and as he did so, he dreamed of the day he had met Jo.

The same scene kept playing in his head, the scene where he ran back to her, tapped her on the shoulder, and swung her round into his arms for that final goodbye kiss. He had loved doing that. It really was like watching a scene from a romantic movie. The scene was just playing over again for the fifth time, when he heard Jo's voice scream out.

It woke him up and he rubbed at his eyes messily before he went running out of the waiting room, and looking in all the rooms to find her, then he saw her, just outside the operating theater. "Jo, lass, it's alright I'm here." He said, as he immediately reached for her hand and held it in his gently, stroking the palm with his thumb. At least she had pulled through the operation, or at least, he hoped so.

[Josephine Harding]

Jo looked around at where she was. Her breathing was rapid, and she could feel heard heart beating so fast. Jo didn't know where she was, but then after a few seconds it registered. She felt sweat on her forehead, and remembered that she had a dream, a nightmare more like it. The face of the guy who stabbed her had entered her subconscious, and now she had a better recollection of him now. Then Jo heard footsteps running in her direction. All she could think was that he found her, and that he was back to finish what he started.

But then Jo heard Marcus' voice. When she heard him say that it was alright, and that he was there, Jo felt hot tears form in her eyes, and felt a couple run down her cheeks. The touch of his hand was reassuring to her, knowing that she was infact safe for now. "Oh Marcus, I am glad that you are here. I ... I just saw ... " She then burst into tears. Jo felt silly all of a sudden. Normally she was the strong one in any given situation, and now she was the weakling in all of this.

The slight movement of her body shuddering when she was crying, reminded her of the operation she just had on her body. Jo closed her eyes, and felt the pain a bit. "I ... suppose that I did okay? The ... the doctor hasn't said ... " It was getting a bit too much to talk for Jo, so she slowly closed her eyes for a second, and then opened them up to keep Marcus in her sights. She squeezed his hand. "You will ... stay?" Jo swallowed a bit, wanting a drink, but wondered if she was even able to.

Then the doctor came out. Looking at Jo, he smiled briefly. "How are you doing?" Jo could only nod, and shortly say, "Uh, okay. A little bit of pain when I ... move." The doctor listened, and then continued. "Okay. I will make sure that you get some medication to deal with that. The operation went well I think, and there was hardly any damage to your stomach. Though, due to you losing a lot of blood, you pressure went down a lot, but once we started the blood transfusion, it went back up slowly. We will monitor this of cause. You will be taken up to a ward in a few moments." The doctor nodded at both of them, and then headed back into the operating room.

Jo closed her eyes for a few seconds again, and began to wonder how long she would be in hospital for. She opened her eyes, and looked at Marcus. "I am so glad that you are here." Jo coughed a few times, and then closed her eyes. She was feeling the effects of the anesthetic still, and so decided to go to sleep for a short time.

[marcus]

As Marcus watched Jo, he saw tears form in her eyes, and then begin to roll down her cheeks. Marcus knew this was so very unlike Jo, she was always normally so strong. But to him, right now, she was looking so weak. It tore at his heart. He then used his free hand to catch the tears which were falling. "Aye, am here Jo, it's alright lass." He was so worried about her, but no sooner had he confirmed that he was there, she began to cry heavily. He figured she was just about to say she saw who had stabbed her, but of course broke into tears.

"Jo lass." He said softly, feeling tears burn in his own eyes, as he bent down to gently hug her and kiss her. "What ever ye just saw, they're not here. Its just us. It's alright." He hated seeing her like this. Then again, he hated seeing any female upset and hurt, but more so when it was people he loved and cared about. She began to talk again, broken speech, which was making Marcus think she shouldn't be talking at all, as it looked like she was in a lot of pain.

"Aye, I think so lass. Docs not told me anything either." Which was true, but looking at her, she looked so ill and frail. It really was scaring him. He then felt her squeeze his hand asking if he would stay. He smiled down at her, "Aye, I'm not going anywhere Jo, don't you worry." He then bent down and gave her another gentle kiss just before the doctor arrived to talk to Jo.

After the doctor had finished talking, it sounded to Marcus like everything had went well right enough. Hearing that she was going to be taken to the ward was a good sign in itself, at least that's what Marcus thought. He smiled down at Jo then. "Looks like ye pulled through it then, according to the doc, aye?" He would make sure they did give her something to ease the pain she was feeling.

Jo then looked at Marcus and said she was so glad that he was there. He smiled at her again, as he gently squeezed her hand, "I wouldn't be anywhere else. Have to make sure me beautiful girl is alright." He really did hope she would fully recover soon, with the length of time Emma was cooped up in the hospital for, he really didn't want to be visiting Jo as often in here as he had to with Emma. Not because he didn't want to visit her, and not because he was mad at her getting hurt, simply because he didn't particularly like hospitals and he hated seeing his family and friends hurt.

[Josephine Harding]

Jo was glad that what she saw was only a nightmare. She couldn't wait to see the cops, and actually give them a fantastic description. Though she hoped to never run into the guy ever again. He was serious, and yet so sinister, it scared Jo right to the bone. Even with all of her strength, she missed the opportunity to give him all she had. He got the better of her.

She felt Marcus catching the tears that were leaving her eyes, and rolling down her face. She knew that she was not her normal self, what with the incident and now the operation making her feel helpless. Whatever she had to do to get better, Jo would do it. She had to for Marcus, and for herself. She was always the strong one, and now she felt that she needed to start getting back to being that person.

When Marcus hugged and kissed her every so gently, she saw the tears in his own eyes. Jo didn't want him to get all upset, as it would just set her off again. But that couldn't happen, as she was in too much pain to do anything that lead to her body moving even an inch either way. Marcus then said he wasn't going anywhere. "I'm glad ... I ... don't think that I ... I want to be alone ... right now." Jo was hoping to be in a ward soon as this place outside the operating room was giving her the creeps.

After the doctor left, and she told Marcus that she was glad that he was there, she listened to what he said. She had to smile weakly at him when he said that wouldn't be anywhere else. Jo then blushed when he said that he had to make sure that his beautiful girl was alright. Well, at this point in time she didn't feel beautiful, she felt like she was broken and ready to be chucked in the garbage. "Thanks Marcus. You're ... sweet."

When Jo closed her eyes, she did for only a few moments. She didn't want to stop looking at Marcus, making sure he was still there. But her eyes were getting heavy. After about five minutes, a couple of wardsman came in. "Hey Jo. We are going to take up up to a room now." Then Jo's bed was moved. Jo saw Marcus following them, and she tried to keep her eyes open, but after a few seconds, her eyes closed permanently. She could still feel the bed being moved, but she was just so exhausted from everything she had been through.

Finally her bed began to slow down, and Jo, this time slowly opened her eyes. She saw she was in a private room, which was average in size. She had her own bathroom, and the all the usual things that you got in a hospital room. Jo slowly closed her eyes, after she saw that Marcus was still there. Her bed rolled to a stop, and she heard a click of the breaks being put on the bed. One of the wardsman spoke to Marcus. "A nurse should be in shortly to check on Jo." With that they headed out the room.

Jo opened her eyes again, and looked at Marcus. All she could do was smile. But then she had to tell him what she wanted to do. "I think I might like to have a bit of a sleep right now. I am really ... really tired." With that Jo closed her eyes, and didn't even hear the nurse come in.

[marcus]

Marcus gave Jo a weak smile when he heard her say she was glad he wasn't going anywhere because she didn't want to be alone right then. Well, who would want to be alone after what Jo had been through? He seriously wished he could do more for her, but just like with Emma, it was hopeless, you had to just let the doctors and nurses do their thing and hope and pray they made you better.

"Well, ye aren't going to be on your own, I promise." He would have to go and phone his folks soon to check in with them and let them know the state of play and where he was and that he wouldn't be home. Of course he also had to check in on Emma, see how she had been coping during his absence. He was really hoping she would be able to walk for her twenty first birthday, he knew she was certainly determined to do it at each physio he took her to.

When Jo thanked him and said he was sweet, he just winked, and blushed ever so slightly, "Ah, just telling it how it is, Jo, lass." Just like Emma when she was in here, it made no difference to him if Jo thought any different, to him, she was still his beautiful girl no matter what. She was just a bit worse for wear right now, but that will all change in a few weeks and she'd be right as rain again.

Marcus then watched as Jo struggled to keep her eyes opened, she was obviously very tired, he was just about to tell her she should get some sleep, when a couple of porters came to say they were moving her to the ward now. As they began to move Jo's bed, Marcus followed behind. After quite a few moments they were wheeling Jo into her own room. He noticed her eyes remained closed the whole time.

Marcus nodded at the porters when they said a nurse would be in soon to check on Jo. Then they were left alone. He was about to take her hand in his own, when she spoke to him. She was telling him she needed to sleep because she was really tired. He smiled at her, and then stood up and kissed her gently on the lips.

"Alright Jo, lass, I'm not going anywhere." He said softly, but as he watched her, and was certain she was in a deep sleep, he gently stood up and went outside the room. He was going to take that moment to phone his folks. He went to the nurse, "If Jo wakes, can ye just tell her I've gone to phone me folks, I'll be back in a couple of minutes." The nurse smiled at him, and nodded her head, "Of course." She then went into Jo's room and he made his way to the nearest pay phone, as he didn't want to leave the hospital to use his mobile.

About ten minutes later, he had let them know what was going on, and of course his mam was upset for him. 'So soon after Emma, you poor thing.' She had said, he had to bite back a tear then, she told him Emma was doing fine, and that they understood he had to stay at the hospital with Jo. He thanked her and then made his way back to Jo's room. When he walked in, it looked as if she was still asleep, so he sat down on the chair, and then leaned back after running his hand through his hair, he closed his own eyes.

[Josephine Harding]

Jo smiled slightly when Marcus kissed her, when she said that she needed to sleep. She couldn't believe that she had met this wonderful guy only a month ago, and he was still here, even after what happened to her. She felt so special right now, even if she did feel like shit. He said that he wasn't going anywhere. With that Jo went to sleep. She hoped and prayed that she didn't have another dream like the one before. If she did, who know what she would up to find.

Soon enough Jo was in a deep sleep. She just felt herself let go from reality, and just concentrate on getting better. Sleep was the only cure for now, so that she could easily rest and not move too much. After about five minutes, Jo was dreaming again.

Jo's eyes started to flutter open. She was lying in bed, but had someone next to her. Jo turned and saw that it was in fact Marcus. Moving slightly in bed, he awoke. Jo turned to him, smiling. "Hey sweetie. How long was I asleep for?" Marcus smiled, and stroked her cheek. "A while, but I took care of the baby." Next thing Jo did was turn and look at the cradle that was in the room. She slowly got up, holding her stomach for some reason. Then she made her way over to the cradle. There laid a baby, a new born.

Jo was still asleep, but a smile crept along her face. After the last dream, nightmare, she had earlier, this was much better.

Jo continued to look at the baby, and began to play with it's hand. Then something felt wrong. Just looking at the baby, it had a familiar look to it's face. Soon she realise that the baby wasn't Marcus'. Turning to look at Marcus, she began to feel tears in her eye. "The baby isn't yours, is it?" Marcus sat up, and shook his head. "No. It is that guy who stabbed you. It is his baby."

Jo's instantly opened, and she started to cry. Why was she having these dreams and thoughts all of a sudden. Nothing happened between her and the guy who stabbed her, just the stabbing. So why was she dreaming that the baby was his, and not Marcus? Jo saw that Marcus' eyes were infact closed, but soon her crying got louder, as what she had seen had really shaken her up.

[marcus]

Marcus hadn't really been gone for that long when he'd went out to phone his folks to let them know where he was, but it could have been long enough for Jo to have woken up. But when he got back to the room the nurse didn't tell him anything, so he figured everything was alright with Jo, and that's when he had sat down in the chair and closed his eyes.

He then did something, he couldn't remember doing for quite a while, he had a dream. Or was it a dream? Here's how it went anyway.

Marcus walked into their house, with a pet carrier box in his hands, he had just been to a pet shop and bought a tiny cute little puppy. He thought it would make a nice addition to the family, like a baby, but not a baby. The puppy was a golden retriever, so right now it was just a ball of fluff. "Hey Jo, where are you?" He shouted out to her. "I'm in the living room." Came the voice, and so he went right into the living room.

Grinning he went up to her, "I got you a little something, well us a little something." He then handed her the box, and watched as Jo opened it. Her eyes lit up, "Oh Marcus he's so cute." She said, as she began to cry. Now that wasn't right, Jo wasn't much of a crier. The crying then got louder, even though as he looked at her, she didn't seem to be crying at all.

Marcus sat up fast as if he had been struck by a bolt of lightning, and then he was there in front of Jo, and took her hand in his own, and gently squeezed it. "Hey, I'm here Jo lass, did ye have another nightmare?" He asked as he then gently stroked her face with his other hand. "It's alright, I'm here now, and I'm not going anywhere, ye know that." He could only imagine what her nightmare had been about, it was breaking his heart. He really wished he could do more to make her feel better and take away her fears and nightmares.

He then bent down and gently kissed her on the lips, and then used his free hand to wipe away her tears. "It's alright, we'll get through this together."

[Josephine Harding]

Jo was shaking all over after that dream-turned-nightmare. It didn't make much sense as to why she was dreaming about this guy. Well, in a way it did, as he was the one who had put her in here in the first place. She soon saw moments in the room, and soon realised that Marcus was in there, and he was soon in front of her. She was so shaken, she had no energy to sit up. He squeezed her hand gently, then said that he was there, and asked if she had another nightmare. Through the tears, all Jo could do was nod her head. She tried to take some deep breathes to stop herself from shaking, but it wasn't helping.

Marcus stroked the side of her face with his other hand, as he reassured her that he wasn't going anywhere. Jo tried to smile, but she didn't know if even appeared on her face. Then as Marcus kissed her gently on the lips, Jo so wanted to respond, but she was trying so hard to stop shaking. Finally she began to feel herself calming down. Finally.

Jo soon felt like she could talk now, a little anyway. Looking at Marcus' hand in hers, Jo attempted another smile. "Thank you, Marcus. I am glad that you are hear. I don't know what ... what I would do without you." Jo then felt fresh tears come again. She breathed a bit deeper in order to keep herself in check. "And it was a nightmare. But it didn't start off that way." Jo coughed a little, but then continued. "This one, and the last one was all about you, at first. But ... the guy who ... who attacked me, keeps coming into them somehow." Jo just shok her head, and turned to look out at the door, which led into her room.

Just then the nurse came in, and checked the monitor, which was attached to Jo. And then she checked the bag of blood, which was of cause putting blood back into Jo. The nurse turned to them, "I will just organise for another bag to be brought in, as this one is getting close to finishing." Jo smiled weakly and nodded slowly. Then the nurse left.

Jo sqeezed Marcus' hand. Trying to change the subject, she asked. "So, what were your plans for us tonight? I know we were going to see a movie, but what else did you have planned?"

[marcus]

As Marcus squeezed Jo's hand gently he could feel her shaking, it must have been a terrible nightmare, he really wished he could just magic them away for her. If he ever got his hands on who did this to her, well, they might have a hard time on their hands, that was for sure. Marcus didn't have to bother about being hurt after all, unless the person in question had telepathy of course, the only thing which wasn't invincible was his mind. A telepath could take control, and he wasn't safe against persuasion either. But if the person had a physical ability, he'd be fine. He'd so take this person on if he met them.

He could see his lass trying to attempt a smile on her face, he could tell even if it hadn't completely appeared, her eyes were giving the smile away, and so he smiled back softly. He had then kissed her, and again he could tell she wanted to kiss him back, but he wasn't expecting it, he knew she'd still be in so much pain.

After a short while Marcus could feel and see that Jo was beginning to calm down again. He hated to see her like this, it really was tearing him apart. She was always so strong and tough, but seeing her lying here like this, only proved she wasn't invincible, despite her strength. Jo then began to talk slowly, Marcus just let her say what she had to say. He wasn't about to go interrupting her, because the pain was obviously making it difficult for her to say anything. He wanted to make sure she had finished talking before he replied to her.

"I wouldn't be anywhere else lass, ye know that." He then gave her a warm smile, hoping it might make her feel a little better. Then she said that the nightmare had in fact started off as a dream, both of them had featured himself and then the guy just kept coming into them. Well he was no dream or nightmare analyst, so he couldn't explain it. "Don't know why he keeps coming into them Jo lass, but they are just dreams, ye have to try and remember that, he's not coming anywhere near ye again, I'll make sure of that." As Marcus said those last few words, he could feel the fire run through him, but he tried to keep his eyes smiling for Jo's benefit, but he was secretly dying inside, because he just wanted to give the shit who did this to his Jo a piece of his mind. Put him in his place so to speak.

The nurse had then came in to check on Jo, Marcus smiled at her, and she mentioned about changing the bags of blood, he really couldn't wait until Jo was out of here and he could look after her. He might have Emma to try and take care of as well, but at least she had Jackson as well, Jo needed him.

Jo began to talk about the date that never happened because of her being attacked. "Ah, well I had booked a restaurant for us to go for a meal, an then thought we could have finished the evening off with a few drinks in the local bar, but, we can do it another time, ye just got to concentrate on getting yourself better, aye?" He just wanted her to get back on her feet, seeing her lying here like this, well it made him realise just how strong his feelings for Jo were, and he was now beginning to think he was in love, because he didn't know what he would do without her in his life.

[Josephine Harding]

Jo was a little happy then when Marcus smiled at her. Maybe she did infact smile a little, but didn't really think so. Maybe he was just being polite, what with what she must be looking like. She wondered if anyone had called her mum about what had happened. Jo knew that she would be worried sick, as it was only the two of them, even thought they still had their fighting moments.

Jo spoke about the dream, and hoped that what she was saying was making sense. When Marcus spoke, Jo just wanted to get up right then and there, and give him a hug. But she felt less like moving, let alone sit up in the bed. That warm smile of Marcus' just brightened her up a bit, and forced out a smile as a response. When Jo mentioned about the dreams, she wasn't sure of what Marcus' reply would be, as she mentioned that he was in fact in there at the beginning. So, to her, it would seem that he was definately a part of her and her life right now, and nothing else mattered. When Marcus responded, and then said after that she had to remember that it was only a dream, and that the guy wasn't coming anywhere near her. Jo swallowed, and then attempted to nod. Croakily, Jo said, "I ... I suppose so." She knew that it was true. But honestly, the guy who had stabbed her, could have been watching where she was taken to. For all they knew, he could be lurking around, waitng for the perfect moment to make his move.

The nurse came in, and then mentioned about organising the next bag of blood. And then she left. Jo then changed the subject, asking Marcus what the plans were meant to be for tonight. She listened to the short list of things, and Jo felt bad. "I am so ... sorry that the night didn't go to plan." Jo didn't want to go and get upset, so looked at Marcus. "I think I might rest a bit, if that is okay." She wanted to roll over on her side, where she could quietly cry herself to sleep, but didn't know how much she was able to move after the operation. So she had to restrain the waterworks, blinking a few times as she looked up at the celling, and then stopped.