(Untitled)

[doesntrush_sci]

Despite the hour the ER wasn't as crowded as he had feared, and after a wait that lasted no longer then him parking the car and coming back, they were given a darkened room on the second floor of the ER.  This was a good thing because Mac didn't want to have to throw his badge around start barking orders like he was something special.  While he had

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[pdriscoll_me]

Shaking her head tiredly, she reached up to take his hand. "This is ridiculous." she spoke softly. "All this should have happened before I went back to work."

Two orderlies then came in, and raised the rails on her gurney. One immediately noticed his badge while he sat with Peyton, and gave a comforting smile. "You're more than welcome to go with her if you want?" She looked up at him, her eyes asking him please.

The procedure was painful. So many bright lights along the hallways forced her hide under the thin sheet she was covered with and as soon as the scan was done, they did their best to get her back into the dimly lit room to await the doctor, who came in rather quickly.

"Okay. Bad news is whoever you saw after the attack, didn't do such a hot job on being thorough. Dr. Driscoll, I found a subdural hematoma. If the doctor who saw you would've seen that the injury you sustained, and where it was located, would have put you at a higher risk. So, here's the plan. Since it's not a large hematoma, I want to drain the fluid through a burr hole. I also want to keep you here for a couple days after which for around the clock observation."

Peyton remained silent, her throat burning with emotion. She gripped Mac's hand tighter and just nodded.

"Alright, I'll fix you up with some pain meds and schedule the OR."

[doesntrush_sci]

Mac didn't leave her side, until she was exposed to radiation, he stayed outside as they prepped her for the CT and then was scanned. As soon as she was out, he took her hand once more and held on to it, walking with the gurney all the way back up to the ER room.

When the doctor spoke, he kept his eyes on him and nodded in agreement only because he didn't know what else to say at that moment. His thumb brushed over Peyton's knuckles and he waited until the doctor left before turning and pulling up a chair next to the bed. Kneeling on the seat he lent forward and kissed the back of her hand, avoiding the IV of course.

"I'm not going to leave you. Not for one minute. You're going to be okay, Peyton."

[pdriscoll_me]

He may have been numb, but his hand brought her comfort. Any touch between him and herself was a sensation that could only be equated with home and it was then that she remembered how much she missed it after letting him leave London alone.

She forced her eyes open and squinted to bring him into focus. "I know you won't." she whispered. "You're always here. You never leave.."

[doesntrush_sci]

Nodding slowly he looked at her for a very long time. One hand reached up to gently smooth her hair, memorizing her face, the felling of her hair under his fingers. Sensory feelings that he needed to store away when he couldn't feel her any longer. Looking around he got up, and laid carefully on the bed, pulling her close so she didn't have to open her eyes.

"It's going to be okay. I'm not going to leave you, I am going to keep you safe." He kissed the top of her head lightly. "I love you."

[pdriscoll_me]

She blinked slowly, happy he chose to slip in with her. Body to body, she needed that. It was essential in keeping her from losing all her wits. Her hand came up and wrapped under his arm, drawing him even closer than he already was.

"I love you too, Mac. So much." she stressed the last two words while nuzzling her face into his neck. She stayed quiet for some time, before sighing.

"I should have paid attention to the signs. I'm a doctor, I should have known."

[doesntrush_sci]

He didn't protest, he didn't even try to pull away to kick off his shoes to make sure the blankets didn't get messy. Instead he held her and allowed himself to be held by her. He closed his eyes and smiled a little into her hair, but that smile was quickly replaced by his usual grim expression.

"You know doctors make the worst patients." It was his attempt at a joke as he rubbed her back in slow, wide circles.

[pdriscoll_me]

Ah, the dry humor of Mac Taylor.

A smile curled into her lips and against his neck. "Unfortunately that is true." Peyton pulled back and brought a hand to his face. It may have sounded absurd, but that contact seemed to make the pain just a little more bearable. "We prefer to do the taking care of, not being taken care of. Unless of course the person taking care of you is the one you love." she spoke very slowly in order to sound clear.

[doesntrush_sci]

Reaching up he put a hand on top of hers and squeezed gently, keeping it against his face. Keeping it there meant that she was still there, with him, and wasn't going to go anywhere. The minute her hand left him, the heat of her body disappeared, was the minute everything was out of his control. He gritted his back teeth slightly to keep a hold of himself.

"I fit that bill, so you'll have to like it when I take care of you. No complaints."

[pdriscoll_me]

Her hand remained, comfortably fixed. She searched his eyes, seeing unspoken fear. Her heart ached, saddened by what he must be preparing for. She leaned in and kissed him softly.

"Absolutely none." she returned and pushed her worries aside to take care of his first. "I'm going to be okay, Mac." she nodded.

[doesntrush_sci]

"I know you are." He whispered against her lips and closed his eyes as he put his forehead against hers. But he didn't, and some part of him was preparing for that moment when she'd leave him, again, but this time forever. He was tired of losing people forever.

Taking her hand from his cheek, he kissed her knuckles and rubbed his lips over them slowly. When he heard noise outside her room, carts, orderlies, preparing for the inevitable he looked up at her. There were many things he wanted to say at that moment, ranging from practical to romantic. Remembering all the things he wished he could have said to Clair he went with the romantic.

"Peyton Driscoll, will you Marry me?"

[pdriscoll_me]

"I need you to believe that." she whispered, closing her eyes briefly before opening them again. "Please."

She watched him, her hand still to his cheek and her thumb stroking just along his cheekbone. The noises stopped, almost as if they saw the moment and held off for a few minutes and her green eyes shone. For a long moment, there was no pain.

"Yes." she smiled big, bringing her other hand to his other cheek. "Yes, I will marry you."

[doesntrush_sci]

Mac Taylor smiled. It was a rare thing. There were half chuckles, half smiles, little grins, and tender smiles but rarely did he ever smile like this, and it was usually all Peyton's doing. For a long moment he didn't say anything but finally had the good sense to kiss her.

"You've made me very happy," he began and then stopped. Mac Taylor was nervous, which was probably rarer then him smiling. "I had a ring, I had this planned, but I wanted." Pause. "It just seemed like the right time."

[pdriscoll_me]

She was hopelessly lost in that smile of his. Everything from that day to only a minute ago was veiled in confusion and pain. He took that all away and stood true to his word in making sure everything was alright. Only now, it was more than alright. It was better than perfect.

She stole a kiss, silencing him with a broad smile that matched his. "I love you." she nodded and kissed him again. "I didn't need a ring to say yes. It really is the right time."

[doesntrush_sci]

Despite his job, his experiences with man kind and women he still had a set idea of how things were suppose to work. He was suppose to get down on one knee and offer her a ring, a sign of his commitment, love and fidelity. Here she was, now telling that he didn't need any of that. Mac Taylor of course knew better but he wasn't about to ruin the moment with a petty argument, even if the nature of it was light hearted.

"I love you, Peyton, very, very much." Bowing his head, he nuzzled her cheek gently. "I'm honored that you would want to marry me."

[pdriscoll_me]

Not that she didn't want the ring, it was just that she knew in her heart that she would never hesitate in answering that particular question; with or without a ring. However, she understood how particular he liked to be and she loved him for it.

"It was never a question of not. You hold my heart, Mac, and you make me so very happy." she said, still holding him close.

Smiling, Peyton turned her head inwards to his cheek and gave it a tender kiss. Several moments later, a nurse called out sheepishly, obviously very upset for being the one to have to disrupt. With a heavy sigh, Peyton felt the rush of fear move through her again.

[doesntrush_sci]

"I want to make you happy for the rest of our lives, and then for some after that." He promised her, his voice soft and thick, caught up with emotion he had been suppressing until now. His thumb moved over her knuckles and he held her, in the semi silence of the hospital room. The beeping of monitors in rooms next to them, the sound of carts being pushed, doctors and nurses walking and speaking softly to the patients on the same floor.

He hated all these noises.

Turning his head he kissed her softly and gently, ignoring the nurse for a few minute. Pulling back he looked over at the nurse and slowly pulled back from Peyton before standing up. He didn't leave her side, or let go of her hand. "I'm going to stay with her for as long as you'll let me."