Here With Me Chapter 21/?
Author: Anorien and Sairalinde
Type: RPS
Pairing: Craig/David
Rating: NC-17
Beta: Ourselves
Warning: Abuse described in later chapters not between the main pairing.
Disclaimer: This never happened. This was written in fun that's all.
Feedback: Yes please send to sairalinde @ hornofgondor.com
or thechroniclesofosgiliath @ yahoo.com
Archiving: OEAM, Mirrormere, The Chronicles of Osgiliath, Saira's Library, CxD Archive, other's ask.
Summary: A.U. Two University Professors try to overcome their pasts and find love and healing.

//Indicate thoughts

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

David had stood in the doorway watching until he could no longer see Craig. Leaning against the doorframe and running a hand over his face he closed his eyes for a moment unsure what to do with himself now. After a few minutes the nurse who'd wheeled Craig to the exam room in the ER walked up.

"I'll show you to the surgical waiting area, Dr. Wenham," she said softly.

David looked up at her, "Hmm? Oh...thanks," he said distractedly his mind still focused on Craig's face as he had been taken away.

"I hadn't heard you'd gotten married, sir. Congratulations," the woman said as she led him to the elevators.

David looked at her for a moment and nodded. "We haven't announced it," he lied, wondering just how the hell he was going to explain this once word got around. At this point he didn't give a damn he just wanted Craig well...and home. That was all that mattered.

The nurse offered David a cup of coffee and told him to have a seat but David had refused both. Instead he walked over to the windows and wrapped his arms around himself, staring out at the parking decks and the leaf bare trees across the street. His mind replayed every moment since the day he met Craig, all of the smiles, and the love and laughter they had shared. The memory of Craig holding him after David told him about his past replayed in his mind. They had been together such a short time but Craig was his life. His everything. David looked up at the sky and told himself that everything would be fine, trying to push the thoughts from his mind of how many times things had not been fine in his life.

Over two hours later, Dr. Clayton walked into the waiting room, searching for David. "Dr. Wenham, your husband is out of surgery. Everything went well. If you'd been any later, though, the appendix would definitely have burst, then I may not be giving you such good news. He's being taken up to the Recovery room now. We don't normally allow visitors, but I think we can make an exception …for you."

Seeing the doctor walk in David searched the man's eyes hoping what he was about to hear was good news. As he began to speak David took a deep breath feeling his heart twist in his chest as the doctor spoke about what could have been. "Thank you, doctor," David said softly following the other man.

The recovery room nurse looked up at David as he walked in. Making a final check of Craig's IV she headed to the door. "You must be Mr. Parker's husband," she smiled. "You were the last thing he thought about before he went out. He said he loved you."

David couldn't help the smile that spread across his face at the nurse's words. "Thank you," he said softly unable to take his eyes from Craig in the bed. His heart ached at the mere thought he might have lost this beautiful, perfect man. Walking over and pulling the chair close to the bed David sat down and curled his fingers around Craig's. "I love you too," he whispered softly. Resting his head against the bed still holding Craig's hand he took a deep breath finally feeling a bit of relief now that Craig was out of surgery.

The nurse watched David for a moment with a soft smile. "He's hooked up to several monitors," she said softly, "which I'll keep an eye on from my desk. You two can be alone, but if you need anything, just press the call button. He should be awake in about half an hour and will be in a lot of pain most likely. Push the red button on the IV cord and that should give him some relief." Unable to resist watching the two men for a moment longer, she gave a small sigh, happy to see that true love *did* still exist. "I'll be right outside if you need me," she smiled before leaving the room.

Looking up as the nurse began speaking David nodded about her instructions and whispered "Thank you," again as she made her way toward the door. As she opened the door David lay his head against the bed and kissed the back of Craig's hand. He made a mental note about where the red button was feeling quite certain Craig would be stubborn and not use it himself. David however had no qualms about it, he didn't want his love to be in any pain if he could help it at all.

Twenty minutes later, Craig opened his eyes slowly, disorientated, and trying to figure out where he was. His throat hurt, and he was exhausted. Turning his head, he saw David holding his hand, his forehead resting against the side of the bed. He started to sit up and make sure his lover was ok, but as soon as he moved, he felt a sharp pain in his stomach. With a soft moan, he fell back against the bed, clutching David's hand, trying to catch his breath and figure out what the hell was going on.

David's head snapped up as soon as Craig cried out. "Craig?" he asked quickly seeing his lover's face contorted in pain. David reached over and pushed the red button the nurse had told him about hoping that the medicine would work quickly. "Don't move around, love," David whispered leaning over and kissing Craig softly on the cheek. Seeing confusion in his lover's eyes he whispered, "You've had surgery, love...an appendectomy."

Craig nodded, beads of sweat covering his forehead as he felt the medication leave a burning trail up his arm. Squeezing David's hand until the worst of the pain passed, he finally relaxed. "I didn't mean to worry you," he whispered, licking his parched lips and trying to swallow despite his raw throat. "Are you ok?"

"Me?" David asked grinning, "You are the one who just had surgery and you are worried about me?" he laughed softly knowing he'd be the same way. "I'm fine now that you are out of surgery...do you need anything?" David asked brushing damp hair off of Craig's forehead.

Managing to wrap his fingers around David's hand fairly tightly, Craig closed his eyes. "Just stay here with me?" he asked softly. "So tired…." Maintaining his grip on his lover's hand, he drifted into a restless sleep. Moments later, his head twisted to the side and he softly murmured David's name, never quite waking up completely.

"I'm not going anywhere, love," David whispered as Craig drifted off. Sitting back down David lay his head back against the bed and listened to Craig murmur his name and smiling. "I love you, Craig," he whispered softly. He stayed like that for a long time, not even sure what time of day it was anymore. He looked up as he heard some noises in the hall and lay his head back down. He couldn't remember being more frightened in his life than he had been when he found Craig on the floor. He realized for the first time he'd given Craig little choice about coming to the hospital and then remembered the doctor's words...if they'd been any later. He closed his eyes and tried to will the thoughts away. Craig was in pain now but he would be all right...and he would be well cared for, David would see to that.

The same smiling nurse walked in the room a few hours later. Gently rousing Craig she told him he was doing well and would be moved to a private room in a few minutes. He'd most likely be able to go home the next day. Craig turned to smile at David. "Home," he said softly. "Can't wait to get back home." His brow suddenly furrowed and he fought the urge to sigh, knowing it would hurt too much. "I guess you'll have to go back to work tomorrow though. Maybe you could take me home between classes?"

David smiled as the nurse said Craig could come home the next day. As Craig asked about work David shook his head. "Of course not, love. I'll be home with you I won't be returning to work until you do," he said softly.

"You're really going to stay with me?" Craig asked softly. "I mean...You don't have to you know….I'll be fine. I'm sure I'll just be sleeping for a day or two…"

"Yes, I'm going to stay, and if you are going to sleep then you will sleep by my side, or I'll sleep in the floor next to the bed or something...I'm not leaving you, Craig. I already told you that," David said softly leaning over the bed and pressing a soft kiss to his forehead. "I love you," he whispered. Straightening back up he squeezed Craig's fingers gently. <I> Please Craig, just let me take care of you...just let me love you. I already know you love me...please see how much I love you. </i>

<I> I'm not leaving you Craig.</I> Craig repeated the words over and over in his mind. He studied David's face for a moment before giving a soft smile. "I love you too," he said softly. "Thank you for…"

At that moment the door opened and two nurses strode in, announcing that they were ready to wheel Craig down to his room. Five minutes later, he was safely ensconced in a large room. He eyed the IV cord, hoping David would turn away for a moment so he could push the button. He was still strangely reluctant to let David see how much pain he was in and was trying to patiently bide his time. Hoping to distract his lover for just a second, he looked toward the window. "You're really staying here?" he asked softly. "You know, we've not slept apart since the day after we first met."

David stayed back out of the way as the nurses did their job. Once in the new room, he was trying to decide which of the two chairs there he would sleep in. As he heard Craig's words his head snapped up, "Yes, I'm staying. I told you, love...I'm not leaving...unless...unless you want me to," David said softly worried that Craig wanted him to leave him alone. He was probably tired and maybe he just wanted to rest without him.

Craig closed his eyes and looked away for a moment. "I really don't," he said in a small voice. "If you don't mind….I want you to stay."

"Of course I don't mind, Craig? Sweetheart, I love you, you scared me half to death today you know that? I thought...I thought I was going to lose you and it scared me to death. I just found you, I can't lose you...I can't," David said scooting a chair close to the bed and sitting down. "I mean it, love. I'm not going anywhere unless you want me to. Now...do you need anything? Are you in pain? It's been a while since...since the last time I pushed that button. Let me take care of you, please?" David said softly pulling Craig's hand up to his lips and kissing it softly.

<I> 'I just found you, I can't lose you...I can't.' That's how I feel, David. That's exactly how I feel about you.</I> Curling his fingers around David's he gave them a gentle tug. "I….I am in pain," he said softly. "And I do want you to take care of me. Will you….." His voice trailed off. He'd always had a hard time asking for help, but he had to overcome that, at least where David was concerned. "Will you do a couple of things for me please?"

David's chest ached when Craig said he was in pain and immediately reached over and pushed the button on the IV. As Craig asked if he would do a couple of things for him he didn't hesitate at all, "Anything," David said softly watching his lover's eyes intently.

Craig smiled as his lover pushed the IV button, feeling the pain fade almost immediately. "I'm sure you've not eaten or had any rest yourself, knowing you. Go and get yourself something to eat first of all, then come and lay up here in the bed with me? Please? I can't get any rest without you next to me, even with all these drugs, and I'm so tired."

David started to argue that he didn't need anything but decided against it. Sighing softly he nodded. "All right...I won't be gone long though, and if you need *anything* while I'm gone promise you'll call the nurse? I'll only be a few minutes...and...yes, I'll share the bed with you if you want that," David said softly. He didn't want to leave Craig even to go eat, though he had a terrible headache from not eating all day.

Craig nodded sleepily and squeezed David's fingers. "I promise," he said softly. "And…..and thanks for……..for everything. I didn't expect……I guess I didn't expect you to…….care this much or something. I knew you loved me….I just didn't know you *LOVED* me…if that makes any sense." Releasing his lover's hand, Craig turned his head and looked back out the window, suddenly feeling stupid. "Oh, never mind…..I don't know what I mean. Go eat, love. It's just the drugs talking."

David laughed softly and leaned over kissing Craig's forehead, "I do know what you mean...and yes...I really *do* love you Craig. Everything about you...and I will be here for you always. Besides," he grinned laughing softly, "I'm your husband...sickness and health right?" He was only teasing but just saying the words made him wistful that it wasn't true. That Craig wasn't really his husband. "Anyway...I'll be back soon, love," he said walking to the door and pausing for a moment before he left to find the cafeteria.

"Yeah," Craig said, watching as his lover walked out of the room. "In sickness and health." The words slipped off his tongue naturally. He would *love* to be David's husband and have David as his own. But David would never……..would he?…..Would he possibly….? Realizing he was still standing in the doorway watching him, Craig smiled. "Thanks, love," he murmured distractedly, picturing himself sliding a ring on David's finger. Shaking his head, he blinked and blew his lover a kiss. "I love you too. And you take your time and get something good to eat, ok?"

David smiled, happy to see Craig smiling at him, "In a hospital cafeteria? They really *must* be giving you some good stuff in that thing," he grinned as he opened the door. Blowing a kiss back to Craig he finally closed the door and made his way for the cafeteria. The words 'he's my husband' had rolled off his tongue so easily earlier that day and he realized how much he would love to be Craig's...forever. Taking a deep breath he sighed and walked into the elevator knowing that no matter how much he day dreamed about it...*that* wasn't going to happen. David didn't get happily ever after. He would be happy with the time Craig would give him and know that even though Craig does mean it when he says forever...just knowing from experience forever simply never happens to pan out. After grabbing a quick bite to eat in the cafeteria he made his way back to Craig's room. As he passed by the nurses station one of them stopped him. "You're Dr. Wenham?" the dark haired nurse asked.

"Yes," David answered.

"I bet your husband would like these," she said handing him a small cup of ice chips and a spoon.

David smiled at her and nodded, "Yes, I think he would, thank you," he said.

The nurse just smiled as the man walked away and leaned over to the other nurse, "You know they sure are a sweet couple...I had no idea he'd even gotten engaged, you'd think that would have been all over town!" The other nurse laughed and shook her head. "Wanted his privacy I guess...who can blame him?"

David pushed open the door to Craig's room and crossed over to the bed setting the cup on the rolling table.

"Hello, my handsome husband," Craig said drowsily, still a little light headed from the morphine, and unable to keep the smile from his face at seeing his lover walk in the door. "I bet you feel better with something in your stomach now, don't you? And you even brought something back for me?"

David couldn't keep from smiling as Craig smiled at him. He blushed a little from Craig's gentle teasing and slid into the chair next to the bed. "Yeah...not much...though might actually have more flavor than what I had," he grinned shaking the cup a bit. "You want some, or would you rather rest some more?"

"Ice?" Craig asked, giggling at David's jab at the hospital food. His mouth would have watered if it hadn't been so dry. "I'd love some." He started to reach for the cup in his lover's hand, forgetting his sore stomach and fell back to the bed with a groan. "Damn," he muttered in frustration. "I hate being this helpless!"

David cringed when he heard Craig groan in pain. "I know...you'll be good as new soon," David soothed standing up and adjusting Craig's pillow gently behind him and pressing the button on the bed to raise him up a bit. "Here we go," he said sitting down very carefully on the edge of the bed and picking up the cup. "Let me help, love," he said softly taking a small scoop of the ice chips onto the little plastic spoon and holding it up to Craig's lips.

Craig sighed in resignation and ate the ice chips, thinking he'd never tasted anything better in his life. <I> Well, that's not true. David was the most delicious thing he'd ever tasted….his kisses, his skin, his…..OK….*now* is NOT the best time to be thinking of that!</I> "Thank you," he said softly, between ice chips. "I'm fine, really. You get some rest, and don't worry about me, ok?"

"Ok," David said softly setting the cup back on the table and kicking his shoes off. Turning as carefully as he could so he wouldn't jostle Craig too much he settled next to him and curled his fingers around Craig's. "You ok, love?" he asked softly worried that he might have jostled the bed too much.

Very slowly and carefully, Craig moved closer and rested his head on his lover's chest, finally resting for the first time in what seemed like days. "I'm fine…now," he said softly, closing his eyes and bringing David's hand up to his lips for a soft kiss. "Got everything I need right here…"

David smiled and kissed the top of Craig's head. "Goodnight, love," he whispered softly as he lay awake listening to his lover's soft breaths and just enjoying the feel of him next to him. He'd need to talk to the doctor in the morning, find out how long Craig needed to stay off work, and how long before he could return to regular activities like walking to school and horseback riding...and...well. David nearly laughed at himself and felt his face coloring even though there wasn't anyone to notice. He closed his eyes and tried to get a little bit of rest.

TBC