The Triumph of Dennis Doyle from Downstairs

When Dennis awoke in hospital the following morning it was a very different morning to what he was used to. The drip in the back f his hand bothered him slightly, but to see his other hand firmly clasped between Libby's warm palm took his mind off the pain. Every muscle in his body ached, and his injured ankle, now heavily strapped up, throbbed painfully, but as he opened his eyes slowly she smiled, stroking him gently on the forehead, and cupping his cheek.

"Hey." She sighed. "How're you feeling?"

He groaned, and she laughed with a sympathetic smile curling the corners of her lips, before kissing him affectionately on the forehead.

"Where's Jake?" He asked, looking around for any sign of the small boy.

"He's with Gordon." She responded, before looking deep into Dennis' eyes, concern furrowing her brow and forcing him to look at her in return. "That was a very stupid thing you did last night." She reprimanded. "You could have done yourself some serious permanent damage!"

"Have you been here all night?" He asked.

She nodded.

"Thank you… you know he tripped me don't you?" He asked, cautious in his approach of the subject, not wanting to spoil the moment between them, and yet unable to muster the self restraint required in order to bite his tongue. But she simply looked at him and nodded.

"I know." She sighed.

"So what's the verdict?" He asked.

Libby glanced at his wounded ankle. "Well you're exhausted and dehydrated, but nothings broken." She explained. "Thankfully… but you've sustained some tendon and ligament damage, and bruising to some of the soft tissue around your ankle and knee."

"Have you been reading my medical records in the night?" He laughed.

Libby chuckled. "Yeah…" She sighed. "That obvious?"

Dennis smiled, looking deep into her dark, liquid pools of eyes, the doorway into the soul of the woman he loved, and he squeezed her soft palm.

"Don't go to Chicago…" He begged her. "I love you!"

"Let's just take it one day at a time shall we hey Dennis?" She asked.

"Well, it's a start…" He smiled.