“Is he okay?” Grace asked as Elli glared at the doctor. Bryan cut her a look and she stopped, but she wanted it known that she was very angry.

“First, let me introduce myself since I couldn’t get two words out before getting yelled at last time,” the doctor said. Everyone cut Elli a look, while she turned deep red.

Asshole.

“My name is George Hansen. I am the chief orthopedic surgeon here at Vanderbilt. Mr. Adler is going to be okay, it’s a grade two acromioclavicular joint injury, and luckily he won’t need surgery.”

“In English, please,” Grace cooed with a dazzling smile. Doctor Hansen smiled back while James glared over at Grace. Elli would say that Doctor Hansen was hot, if he wasn’t such an ass**le.

“His right arm is separated from the joint.”

Both Grace and Elli took in a sharp breath, before they listened to him explain the injury and watched as he drew little pictures.

“His arm is completely unstable right now, and will be for a couple weeks.”

“How long will he be out?” Grace asked.

“Six weeks at most. The first two weeks I want him to rest, and the third week he’ll start intense physical therapy since he is pretty darn eager to get back on the ice. I just got done taping him up pretty good. He won’t be moving that arm at all, so he might need help with getting dressed and taking a shower, it just depends on what he’ll let you do.”

Grace let out a small laugh.

“Which is nothing. He is so damn hard-headed.”

We will see about that, Elli thought as the doctor went on, “I am more worried about the concussion than I am the grade two. He seems fine, but we need to watch him. I want him to come in after the holidays for a post visit. I have some paper work printed for the signs of a concussion, so you know when to bring him back.”

“When can we see him?” Elli and Grace asked at the same time. They looked at each other before looking back at the doctor.

“Only one person can go back right now, and he wants Elli. He’ll be released soon enough, so everyone will see him soon.”

Elli glanced over at Grace and wasn’t sure about the expression on her face. It was somewhere between irritated and angry, maybe both. Elli got up slowly, looking down at Grace, but she wouldn’t look at her.

“Um, Grace do you want to go? I can wait until you come out,” Elli said softly. Grace looked up at her, putting on a fake smile. Elli’s heart actually hurt at the sight of it. For the first time Grace was mad at her, and Elli didn’t like it one bit.

“No, Elli. He wants you, so you go ahead.”

Grace got up, gathering her things as Elli and James watched.

“I guess call us when you guys get home,” she said, then looked over at the doctor, “Thank you for everything.”

Elli watched as James took Grace’s hand as they headed towards the door. Elli didn’t know what to say or do, so she let them go before walking back to Shea’s room. When she pushed open the curtain, Shea had his eyes closed and was breathing evenly. Her heart filled with the sight of him. He was safe. A little beaten up, but safe. She walked towards the bed, taking his hand into hers, looking over his naked chest and the tape that held his arm against it. He had dark red and black bruises all over his shoulder and some down his bicep. Elli didn’t even realize she was crying until her tears fell on her forearms while she was moved her fingers over his hand.

When Shea opened his eyes, she tried to smile but it looked more like a grimace.

“Hey, beautiful,” he said before moving his hand from hers and cupping her cheek. He moved his thumb over her cheek, catching all her stray tears. “Come on, Elli, I’m fine.”

“You’re hurt.”

“I am, but I’ll be fine. Don’t cry, it makes it hurt more.”

She smiled at his grin, trying to stop the tears, but she had been so scared, so freaked out, that even knowing he was okay still didn’t help, and the tears came faster.

“I was so scared.” A sob ripped from her, and Shea shook his head, pulling her with his one good arm up against his side, “I was scared I would never hear you laugh again, or see you smile, feel your lips against mine. I was just so freaking scared, Shea. One minute you’re fine, the next you’re face down on the ice.”

“I know, baby, I know. Calm down. I’m fine,” He moved his hand smoothly up and down her back, as she cried against his chest, “It's okay, baby.”

Not once did Shea remind her that this stuff happens. He just held her. They stayed like that until Shea was released with a bunch of paperwork and lots of meds. Elli was a wreck trying to get him home, and even more of a wreck when she got him into the condo. She woke up at least nine times just to make sure he was okay. The next morning she was so tired that it was hard to keep her eyes open as she followed him around the condo. He moved freely, like nothing was wrong, and would get mad when Elli would try to do everything for him.

“Elli, honey, I’m fine. I can do this.”

“I know, but I just want to help. I don’t want you to strain,” Elli said, pouring him a glass of tea.

“Fine,” he said, exasperated, as he lowered himself onto the bar stool by the island. She laid his glass in front of him, and smiled, waiting for him to say or try to do something. She covered her mouth as she yawned loudly.

“Baby, why don’t you go take a nap? You’re dead on your feet.”