DISCLAIMERS:

COPYRIGHT: Xena Warrior Princess, and Gabrielle, are the property of MCA/Universal and are used here without permission. No copyright infringement implied or intended. No dinars will be made on this story. The leading ladies resemble our two X:WP heroines. Any character or name resemblance to 'real' people currently living or dead is completely coincidental. The characters are mine... If you want to use them, please ask me first. Download it, print it out and pass it around if you'd like, but be sure to include these disclaimers.

SUBTEXT: This is a story about two women who are very committed to a caring and loving relationship. Sex is part of that relationship, but not the focus. There are some mildly graphic sex scenes within, but nothing explicit or kinky. If this type of love offends you, if you are less than 18 years old, or if love is illegal where you live, climb on board the anti-subtext train and get outta town.

VIOLENCE: None

TIME LINE: This is the ninth installment in a modern day Uber-Xena sequence, starting with "The 'Commitment'" and followed by "A Family in Blood", "Personal Preferences", "Fighting City Hall", "Visions in Paradise", "What's In A Name?", "Promise Me Paradise", and "While I Was Gone...". Since these stories are continuations of each other, there are events mentioned within that will not make much sense if you haven't read them all in order.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: I strongly believe that love is love, regardless of how it is packaged, so please don't flame me for believing in something so wonderful. All flames will be flushed down the toilet, however, I do encourage constructive criticism. Send all feedback to warriorx@together.net.

SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: To Brett: Thank you for providing some much needed clinical information and making this tale a lot more believable and technically accurate. You've been a great sounding board, friend, and a wonderful source of information. I could not have written this story without your help. To Rosa: For "Rosa-Proofing" the text...I dared you on this one girl... - thanks for the inputs! To Herbard: A very special thank you for editing my copy. As always, my friend, you have provided immeasurable help and moral support, and have prevented me, once more, from looking like a literary idiot! Thank you, kd. :-)

Unchained Memories

By: kd bard

Started 02/20/99

Finished 03/02/99

NOTE TO READERS: This story takes place IMMEDIATELY following "While I Was Gone". I generally do not post incomplete stories, and I apologize to anyone who was miffed by the abrupt end to "While I Was Gone", but the document was becoming quite a monster in size, so I decided to split it into two stories. However... I did wait until both documents were finished before posting them together,... so forgive me... please? kd :-)

CHAPTER I

Billie opened her eyes the next morning and found herself looking straight into emerald orbs. She was lying in the same position she had fallen asleep in, on her side, hands tucked under her cheek, facing Cat. Taking a quick inventory of the woman lying beside her, she realized that the same held true for her companion. Their faces were mere inches apart as they held their gaze, neither of them wanting to break the spell they were being held in.

"Who are you, Cat?" Billie asked herself. "Your story last nnight was incredible." she said out loud.

"It's true, Billie. Every word." Cat replied.

"I believe you." Billie answered. "I'm jjust sorry I don't rremember." she added, rolling onto her back and throwing her arm over her eyes.

Cat propped herself up onto her elbow and reached forward with her free hand. Sliding Billie's arm to the pillow above her head, she reached over and grasped Billie's chin with her hand, turning her head to face her. "Billie, I know this scares you. It scares me too. Just know that I love you, with all my heart. I will wait for you, love. I know you will come back to me, someday. No matter how long it takes, I'll be waiting." she said tenderly.

Tears rolled across the bridge of Billie's turned face and fell to the pillow. Cat reached over and wiped them dry, then leaned in to a placed a tender kiss on her forehead. Billie smiled.

"A nice strong cup of coffee sounds real good right now... whaddaya say?" Cat asked.

Billie nodded.

"Okay, I guess we'd better get up then." Cat said, rolling off the bed. She had fallen asleep in her clothes again last night... she seemed to be doing that a lot lately. "I'll go see about arranging that coffee for us while we wait for your breakfast, then I've GOT to take a shower... Be right back." Cat said as she walked out the door.

Moments later, Cat returned and helped Billie into a sitting position while she jumped into the shower.

Billie's breakfast arrived while Cat was in the shower, along with an additional cup of coffee for Cat. No sooner had the cafeteria attendant left, then Jen walked into the room carrying coffee and donuts.

Jen smiled brightly when she saw her friend sitting up and eating on her own. "Good Morning, Tough Guy!" she said, wrapping her arms around Billie and kissing her soundly on the mouth. Billie looked at her, startled at her boldness.

Jen laughed heartily at her expression. "Where's Red?" she asked, still smiling at Billie's indignation.

"In the shower." She said. "You're Jennifer? Rright?" she asked, remembering Doc's introduction a couple of days ago.

"That would be me." she said. "Neighbor extraordinaire!" she said cheerfully.

Billie looked away, a little uncomfortable with this stranger.

"Hey... How are you feeling? I kinda miss running with you in the morning... Without those long legs of yours giving me a challenge, I'm afraid I'm getting soft." she joked.

"I rrun with you?" Billie asked.

"Every morning." Jen replied.

Billie looked down at her tray. "I'm ssorry, I don't rremember." she said.

Jen sat down on the edge of the bed beside Billie and wrapped her arm around the taller woman's shoulder, drawing her in. Leaning her head down until it touched Billie's, she said, "Don't worry, my friend, it'll come back. It will just take time."

Cat came out of the bathroom in time to see the little tete-to-tete. It was on the tip of her tongue to ask Jen if she was putting the moves on her woman, but quickly thought better of it, afraid a comment like that might scare Billie. So, instead, she smiled and opened her arms for Jen, who quickly rose from the bed and embraced her friend tightly. Jen held Cat for long moments, Cat's head resting on Jen's shoulder, Jen rubbing her hand up and down Cat's back.

Cat's back was to Billie, or she would have seen the daggers Billie was sending in Jen's direction. The looks, however, were not missed by Jen, who smiled smugly to herself. "I wonder if you're even aware that you're doing that, my friend." she thought to herself before releasing Cat with a kiss to her lips.

"I brought some coffee and donuts, Cat." she said, a little disappointed at Cat's lack of interest in the food. "Now, eat up... you need to keep up your strength."

Cat eagerly accepted both the coffee that had come for her with Billie's breakfast, and the one Jen brought, but declined the food, drawing frowns from both Billie and Jen.

Jen took the chair by the bed while Cat sat on the bed next to Billie, sipping her coffee contentedly. Billie reached a hand over and placed it on Cat's thigh. Cat looked at her wife with raised eyebrows.

"Ccat." Billie said. "Please eat ssomething."

"I'm not hun..." Cat began.

"Please." Billie interrupted.

Cat just looked at her for a moment, then nodded her head. "All right." she said, taking one of the donuts Jen had brought.

"So, what's on the agenda for today?" Jen asked.

"Well, I've got to check in with Anesthesiology this morning to see if I'm scheduled for any operations this week." Cat said. "Billie will be going into Physical Therapy in about a half hour." she explained, drawing a frown from Billie.

Jen looked at Billie. "That's not one of your prettier faces, my friend. Something tells me you're not fond of your therapy."

"Not fond of her therapist is more like it. The man's a slave driver." Cat explained. "I'd like to deck him myself, actually."

Billie smiled. "You've alrready ttried that...." she said.

Jen looked at Cat. "You did what?" she asked, her voice rising an octave.

Billie looked at Jen, her eyes sparking with mirth, "He and I had a llittle disaggreement abbout my therapy... Ccat tried to make him ssee the llight. He took exception... Cat ended up on her bback." Billie explained, chuckling.

Cat poked Billie in the ribs with her elbow. "It wasn't funny! He threw me around like a rag doll, then tossed me over his shoulder and carried me out of the room, plunking me down in a chair in the hallway. I was banned from therapy for the rest of the session!" Cat complained.

Jen tried very hard not to laugh. "Jen!" Cat said with mock indignance at her friend's apparent glee at her predicament.

"I'm sorry, Cat... But I can just see you trying to defend your lady's honor against the dragon.... it's a pretty funny image." she chuckled as Billie joined in.

Cat threw her hands up in exasperation. "What am I going to do with the two of you?" she asked, smiling in spite of herself.

"Do you really want to know?" Jen asked.

"Don't go there, girlfriend!" Cat replied jokingly causing Jen to laugh and Billie to frown.

Changing the subject, Jen asked Cat how the kids were. "They're fine, Jen. I talked to them on the phone last night. They miss us of course, but Mom and Dad are spoiling them rotten." she explained.

"I'd like to ssee them again, Cat." Billie interjected.

Cat smiled at her, leaning in to touch shoulders with her. "Of course. How about tonight, after dinner?" she asked.

Billie nodded, smiling.

"Tell you what," Jen said, "I'll pick them up and bring them, then they can come spend the night with Stevie and Karissa. It gives your parents a break, and lets them spend some time with their friends. Sound good?" she asked.

"Great!" Cat exclaimed. "Jen, are you sure you won't mind having five kids in the house?" she added.

"Cat, you know I love the little Rugrats like they were my own. It'll be fine." she said.

Billie narrowed her eyes at Jen. She wasn't liking this familiarity between Cat and Jen one bit.

Billie's thoughts were interrupted by Laura, who arrived right on time, pushing the wheelchair in front of her. "Morning Ladies!" she said cheerfully.

"Good morning, Laura." Cat replied. "Laura, this is our friend and neighbor, Jen Swenson. Jen, this is Laura, friend and savior... Laura is the therapists' assistant... she does a pretty good job cleaning up after the dragon has made mincemeat out of Billie... she works wonders with Billie's muscles after a difficult session."

Laura smiled and chuckled at the description. "Nice to meet you, Jen." she said, taking Jen's hand in her own and shaking it. Then, looking at Billie, she said, "Okay big guy, are you ready to go to work? We don't want to make the dragon angry with our tardiness! He just might decide to eat you for breakfast!"

Billie grumbled, but held out her hands for Laura to help her up. Moments later, she was secured in the wheelchair and ready to go. Reaching up to Cat, she took her hand. "Are yyou ccoming bback?" she asked.

Cat smiled into her face. "Yes, I am. I need to check the OR schedule and to let Anesthesiology know where I'll be in case of an emergency, then I'll be along. Okay?" she said, leaning down to kiss the top of Billie's head.

"All right. Ssee you ssoon." she said as Laura wheeled her away.

Jen threw her arm around Cat's shoulder while Cat's arm found its way naturally around Jen's waist. "Come on." Jen said, "Walk me to the elevator."

Billie eyed Jen suspiciously as she turned in her chair to watch Cat and Jen walk down the hallway.

Laura stopped the chair and came around to face Billie. Billie looked at her warily.

"Don't like that much, do you?" she asked.

Billie just looked at her hands in her lap.

Laura lifted Billie's chin to make eye contact. "She loves you very much, Billie... never doubt that." Laura said.

Billie just nodded, and somehow managed to hold her tears in check.

"Good. Now, let's concentrate on working really hard this morning. The quicker you recover, the quicker you'll be able to go home... with Cat." Laura said.

Billie took at deep breath and nodded once more.

************************************************************************************************ CHAPTER II

"Come on, Billie, lift your foot. Try harder." Joseph urged.

"Ddamn it! I am ttrying hharder!" she yelled back, the sweat pouring down her back.

Billie was standing between the parallel bars, Laura grasping the belt around her waist securely, Joseph in front of her, urging her forward.

"Concentrate, Billie. Use your mind as well as your muscles." Joseph instructed.

Unknown to Billie, Cat slipped into the room, undetected, and was standing against the wall near the door.

Billie closed her eyes and held on tightly to the bars. Taking a deep breath, she channeled all her will power into her legs and grunted with effort as she moved her right foot forward a full step. Her eyes snapped open as she looked directly at Joseph, who was grinning ear to ear.

"That's it, Billie... that's it... you're doing it!" he exclaimed. "Now come, on... try it again with the other foot." he urged.

One again, channeling her energy, Billie moved her left foot forward. Now it was her turn to grin. "I'm ddoing it!" she exclaimed. "I..I'm doing it!"

"That, you are, my friend." Laura encouraged from behind her.

Again, the right foot moved forward, then the left. Billie's muscles were trembling with the effort, her upper body starting to sink lower from the dwindling strength in her arms.

"Okay, that's enough for this morning, Billie." Joseph said, noticing her strength loss.

"Nno." Billie said. "I wwant to kkeep ggoing."

Joseph took her by the shoulders, making eye contact with her. "Billie, if you over do it, you'll only set yourself back. We don't want that. Okay?" he explained.

"He's right, Billie." Laura said, still grasping the belt to keep Billie balanced. "You'll need to rest... we can try again this afternoon."

Billie reluctantly gave in and allowed Laura to lower her into the wheelchair. Wheeling her around, they came face to face with Cat who was still standing by the door.

Cat walked to her and leaned over, placing a tender kiss on her lips. "I am so proud of you, love." she said, pouring all of her love into her eyes as she looked at Billie.

"Yyou ssaw?" Billie asked.

"Yes.. I saw." Cat answered smiling.

Billie just grinned and looked up at Laura. "Home, James." she said, causing Laura to chuckle as she wheeled her back to her room.

**********

Laura left Billie sitting in the straight backed chair by the window while Cat threw herself down on her stomach on the bed, facing Billie.

"Do you have to wwork today?" Billie asked her.

"No, but I am on the schedule for surgery tomorrow morning." Cat explained. "Looks like I'll miss your morning PT session."

Billie just nodded.

Looking up from her hands at Cat, she said, "Cat... About Jjen... She sseems kind of... Ah...I ddon't know, too ccomfortable with us... with you." Billie said.

Cat wasn't sure where this was headed, but she had a pretty good idea. "Yes she is. She's a good friend, Billie." Cat explained.

"How ggood?" Billie asked.

Cat's gut flip flopped. "Don't you dare insist I break off that friendship, Billie." she said to herself. Out loud, she replied, "Very good. She loves both of us a great deal. Why do you ask?"

Billie looked down at her hands again and shrugged her shoulders. "I ddon't know... fforget that I asked." she said.

Cat rose from the bed and walked over to kneel in front of Billie. She reached up and touched the side of Billie's face. "No, Billie. You wouldn't have asked if it wasn't important to you. Please tell me what's wrong. What makes you so uncomfortable with Jen?" Cat asked.

Billie was crying now. Looking at Cat, she said, "Sh..she lloves yyou."

"Yes she does." Cat answered. "But she also loves you... loves us... and our children. She is our friend, Billie... nothing more. Do you understand?"

Billie once again looked down at her hands, then back up at Cat before nodding her head.

"Good. Now where's that beautiful smile I love so much?" she coaxed.

Billie smiled through her tears, reaching up to wipe them away.

"By the gods, you are a beauty." Cat said, Billie's smile touching her soul in a way that only she could.

"You're ppretty easy on the eyes, yyourself, Red." Billie joked, not realizing she had used one of her nicknames for Cat.

Now it was Cat's turn for teary eyes. "Thanks." she said.

**********

Doc walked in on the crying women. Seeing that they were also smiling, he exclaimed, "Dang blast it! What is it about you two? You make a guy want to go out and by stock in Kleenex!"

Cat and Billie both looked at Doc and started laughing.

"That's better!" he said. "Now, how are you feeling today, young lady?" he asked Billie.

"Not ttoo bad." she replied. "Sore, but okay."

"Daddy, you should have seen her in PT this morning... she took a few steps on her own at the parallel bars!" Cat exclaimed, rising to her feet and hugging her father.

Doc beamed. "That's wonderful news, Billie. Won't be long now, and you'll be able to go home."

Billie visibly tensed at this proclamation.

Cat noticed the change in her wife. Placing a hand on her arm, she asked, "Billie, are you all right?"

Billie just looked at her and decided to be honest. "Yeah, I'm ffine. I jjust.... I just hhaven't thought mmuch about ggoing home yyet." she said.

Cat rubbed her hand up and down the length of Billie's arm. "I understand. It'll be all right, love. I promise." she said.

"Well, we're looking at another week or so, anyway... a lot can happen with your memory in that amount of time. In the meantime, we need to concentrate on getting your body healthy." Doc said. "Now, I'm going to remove the bandage from your head..."

Billie reached up and touched the bandage. "Noo." she said.

Doc raised his eyebrows. "Billie, I need to check the incision. We need to expose it to the air to allow it to heal." he said.

"I... I..." Billie began.

"Billie." Cat said. "It'll be okay. Trust me... trust us." she said.

Billie looked at Cat for long moments before lowering her hand. Looking at Doc, she said, "All rright."

A few minutes later, Doc had the bandage removed. Billie ran her hand up and over her skull, feeling the short bristles of hair that were growing back in. Her eyes were wide with emotion.

Cat once again knelt in front of Billie. Reaching up, she took Billie's face in both of her hands, and looked deeply into her eyes. "Billie, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on, with or without hair. It's okay, love. It will grow back... it all ready is." she said.

Billie started to cry again.

"I have got to call my stock broker!" Doc exclaimed, causing both Billie and Cat to chuckle. "Okay, now, let me take a look at that incision." he said as he looked at the stitches and proclaimed that it was healing nicely. Then, reaching into his coat pocket, he pulled out a baseball cap. "Here." he said. "A present from your son... He'd like you to wear it so that he'll be 'on your mind', so to speak" Doc said, chuckling at his own joke.

"Oh, that was really bad, Daddy.. Don't give up her day job!" Cat exclaimed, causing Billie to laugh as she slipped the cap onto her head.

**********

Billie and Cat sat side by side on the edge of the bed while Dr. O'Brien sat opposite them in the chair, looking at them curiously. A lot had obviously changed between them over the weekend. They weren't holding hands, but their shoulders were touching, and neither of them was making an effort to break the contact.

"Okay, ladies." the doctor said, "Tell me what's been happening."

Billie looked at Cat and visually gave her permission to speak for both of them.

"Well," Cat began. "I brought the kids in to visit a couple of days ago, and Seth spurred some memory recall." she explained. "She knows who she is now, and who Seth is, but the memories stop four years ago... just before we met."

Dr. O'Brien looked at Billie. "Tell me how you felt when your memories returned, Billie." she said.

"Cconfused, anggry, anxious...." she said. "... and rrelieved that Sseth was all rright." she added.

Dr. O'Brien raised her eyebrows in question. Cat answered the call... "Seth had been in the hospital in a coma for seven months by the time we met. He was hit by a car getting off the school bus when he was six years old." Cat explained.

The doctor nodded her head in understanding. "Billie, how do you feel now? About your life, about Cat, about the future?" she asked.

"I'm affraid." she replied. "I sstill ddon't remmember Ccat. I..I'm afraid that I'll nnever rremember hher." she said, feeling Cat tremble at the revelation.

"And the future?" Dr. O'Brien asked.

Billie looked at Cat with sadness in her eyes, then back at the doctor. "I... I ddon't know. Cat wwants mme to ggo home wwith her, bbut, I.... I ddon't know if I ccan." she answered.

Cat sat there next to Billie, her spine ramrod straight, her eyes closed tightly, her chin lowered to her chest.

"Billie, what will you do if you don't go home with Cat?" the doctor asked.

"Ffind an apartment, I gguess. One bbig enough ffor Seth and I." she said.

"No!" Cat interjected. "No... Seth is my son too, Billie... please don't take him away from me." she said, starting to cry.

Billie reached out for Cat's hand, which eagerly found it's way into the larger one. "I'm ssorry, Ccat... I ddon't knnow what else tto ddo." she said.

Cat turned toward Billie and reached her free hand up to the side of Billie's face. "Billie, please don't decide right now. Give me a chance to show you that you belong with us... both you and Seth. No pressure, love... I promise. Give it some time, and after a while, if you still want to leave, then I won't stop you... no matter how much it hurts. Okay?" she pleaded.

Billie just looked at Cat, long and hard. A slight nod was her only answer.

"Thank you." Cat said in barely a whisper.

************************************************************************************************ CHAPTER III

Laura set the brakes on the chair while Billie grasped the rails. In one smooth motion, she pulled and pushed her way into a standing position, grinning from ear to ear, very proud of herself. Cat's face mirrored her own, as did Laura and Joseph's.

"Okay, Miss La-Dee-Da, let's see if you do as well through the bars." Joseph challenged.

Billie looked him right in the eye... "You jjust watch mme, Ivan!" she retorted.

Joseph chuckled at the nickname as he watched her struggle to put her legs into motion.

Fifteen minutes later, she had made it all the way through the bars, with just Laura's gentle support on the belt to help her along. As she took her last step to the end, Cat jumped up and yelled, "YES!!" throwing her arms into the air. Billie looked at her with such pride and love that Cat thought she would melt into a puddle on the floor where she stood.

Then, Billie did the unexpected.... she awkwardly turned herself around, despite protests from both Laura and Joseph, and headed back in the direction she had come. This time, after making it through the bars, she was thoroughly exhausted, and didn't argue when Laura lowered her into the wheel chair.

Cat was so proud of her. Leaning over her chair, she hugged her tightly, squealing in surprise when Billie pulled her down into her lap.

Laura caught the visual cue from Billie and headed back to Billie's room with Cat sitting securely in Billie's lap.

Back in Billie's room, Laura gently massaged the kinks out of her muscles while Cat watched and asked questions. Sensing when the massage was over, Billie reached out and touched Laura's hand. "Do you think you ccan arrange a bbath for me?" she asked.

Laura smiled. "I was wondering what that smell was!" she joked, receiving a slap across the arm for her smart remark from a grinning Billie. "Okay, okay, I give.... Of course... I'll see what I can do." she said, walking out of the room, chuckling to herself.

Cat wanted so badly to volunteer for bath duty, but she was afraid to push Billie too fast. She did promise her that there'd be no pressure, so she waited patiently in Billie's room as Laura returned with an aide and lowered Billie into the warm tub. A half hour later, they emerged from the bathroom, with a freshly bathed Billie in tow, and helped her into a sitting position on the edge of the bed to wait for dinner.

Cat noticed that the front of Laura's shirt was soaking wet, and raised her eyebrows in question. Laura laughed and raised her hands out to the side. "Payback are a bitch." she said. "My punishment for telling her she stinks!"

Cat laughed heartily as Billie sat on the edge of the bed, with the devil mischievously dancing in her eyes.

Dinner was relatively quiet. Once again, Billie offered to share her meal with Cat, and one again, Cat refused.

"Cat... I'm wworried about you." Billie said.

"Billie, I'm fine. I'm just not hungry, that's all." Cat replied.

"Ccat... All you've hhad to eat today wwas that ddonut this morning. You've ggot to eat mmore than that." Billie argued.

Cat was really getting sick of the nagging about her eating and sleeping habits over the past few days. Trying very hard not to offend Billie, she opened her mouth to gently reprimand her about it, when she was interrupted by the sounds of the children running down the hallway. In seconds, Billie's bed was covered with three small bodies, all clambering to give the tall woman hugs and kisses.

Cat watched the scene from the doorway, a smile plastered on her face, when suddenly, she felt pair of arms circle her from behind. It was Jen.

"Hi!" Jen said, pulling Cat back against her tightly.

Cat pressed her head back into Jen's shoulder and let herself fall into the embrace. "Hi, yourself." she said, bringing her hands up to rest on Jen's arms wrapped around her mid section.

Billie spared a glance at Cat and Jen and scowled at the sight, before redirecting her attention back to the children, who were talking to her all at once.

Jen released Cat and went over to plant a kiss on Billie's cheek. "Hey, Spike!" she said. "How are you feeling?"

"I'll spike you... right into the middle of next week!" Billie thought. Out loud, all she said was "I'm ffine, Jen. Thanks ffor asking." After a slight pause, she added, "Jen, I nneed you to ddo me a ffavor."

"Anything Big Guy, just ask..." she replied.

"I'd llike you to ttake Cat ssome where and mmake her eat..." Billie began.

"Billie!!!!...." Cat said in a deep, warning voice.

Jen looked at Cat. "Don't tell me you haven't eaten anything since that donut this morning!" she asked angrily.

"No she hhasn't." came the reply from Billie.

Cat shot angry looks at Billie.

"Damn you, Cat. Let's go... NOW!" Jen said, dragging Cat toward the door. She paused and looked back at Billie. "Will you be all right here with the kids?" she asked.

"We'll bbe fine, Jen... jjust make her eat ssomething, okay?" Billie said.

"You got it." Jen said, dragging a protesting Cat behind her.

**********

Billie had a wonderful visit with the kids. They talked and laughed and colored pictures together. Tara thought it was extremely funny that Billie colored outside the lines, not realizing that her fine motor skills still needed a little work. By the time Cat and Jen returned, Skylar had curled up on Billie's chest and both of them had fallen asleep while Tara and Seth lay on each side of her watching the end of a Disney movie that had come on TV. The scene brought tears of sentiment to Cat's eyes as she entered the room, her anger at Billie for forcing her to eat, dissolving at the sight. Cat looked at Jen and shared a smile.

Moments later, a sleeping Skylar was cradled in Jen's arms, while Cat hugged and kissed the two older kids, telling them that she loved them and would see them soon. Finally, Cat leaned over and kissed Jen, thanking her for being such a good friend, even if she WAS still angry at her for collaborating with Billie.

Soon, Cat was alone again with a sleeping Billie. Crossing the room, she pulled the blankets up around the dark haired woman and kissed her gently on the cheek. "Pleasant dreams, my love." she said softly before changing into her night shirt and climbing into her own cot.
************************************************************************************************ CHAPTER IV

Cat rose early the next morning and showered while Billie was still sleeping. She scribbled a few words on a sheet of paper and left it propped up on her bedside table, before kissing her gently on the cheek and leaving for work.

About a hour later, Billie was awakened by the sounds of her breakfast being delivered. While looking around for Cat, she spotted the note on the table. Opening it, she read, "Billie, I didn't have the heart to wake you out of such a peaceful sleep. I'm off to work. I really hate Mondays! I'm sorry that I'll miss your morning PT session. I'll see you sometime this afternoon. Keep your chin up and don't be too hard on Mr. Terrible <*smile*>. Down deep I don't think he's such a bad guy. Say Hi to Laura for me... I'll see you later, love. Know that I love you with all my heart. Good Luck today... Love, Cat." Billie smiled as she refolded the paper and put it back on the table.

Without anyone there to help her, Billie had a difficult time moving her feet over the edge of the bed so that she could right herself into a sitting position. After a 10 minute struggle though, she succeeded and was soon enjoying her breakfast. Before long, Laura appeared and escorted her to PT.

The PT session started out with a walk through the parallel bars, however, this time, instead of turning around and walking back, there was a walker waiting at the end for her. Billie eyed it suspiciously, not sure that it would hold her weight. She looked at Joseph questioningly.

"Come on, Billie. Just reach out and grasp it. You'll need to learn balance before you can walk with it. Laura will hold the wheel chair behind you." he instructed.

Billie released one of the parallel bars and grabbed onto the walker, then repeated the motion with the other hand. She found herself stuck in a bent over position, arms reaching forward, holding onto the walker with her hands, her legs too far behind her to stand upright. A panicked look crossed her face as her arms trembled with exertion.

Joseph stepped up to the front of the walker and held it down with his weight. Bending over so that he was close to her ear, he spoke softly to her. "Okay, Billie. The walker won't move... I've got it. Slowly move your feet forward, one at a time until you're standing upright, okay?"

Billie looked at him, having no other choice but to trust him and Laura, who was still holding the chair close behind her. Concentrating all her effort into moving her feet, she soon had herself standing within the arc of the walker, holding onto it for support, but quite clearly standing on her own. Afraid of tipping the walker over by leaning too far forward, backward, or sideways, she was forced to concentrate on maintaining her balance. She wavered slightly, but managed to keep herself upright for several minutes before Joseph encouraged her to sit back in the chair and rest. This process was repeated several times throughout the session, until finally, Joseph called a halt and ordered her back to her room to rest.

**********

At about the same time that Billie was heading for her morning PT session, Cat reported for a briefing session on the surgery she was scheduled to anesthetize. Sitting there at the conference table, looking at X-rays and listening to the chief surgeon discuss the patient and describe the surgery, she started to feel light headed. She shook it off and reached for her coffee, lifting it with shaky hands to her mouth. Taking a drink, she put the cup back down carefully so as to not spill the contents, then clasped her hands in front of her to stop the shaking.

Suddenly, Cat felt a burning feeling rising from her neck, into her head, a loud ringing drowning out the droning voice of the surgeon. A sheen of sweat broke out all over her body. Nausea began to overtake her as she struggled to her feet, intending to rush off to the bathroom before she became sick in front of all her colleagues. Halfway to her feet, she collapsed in a state of unconsciousness on the floor.

**********

Doc was waiting for Billie in her room when she returned from PT. Billie took one look at him and knew there was something wrong. Doc motioned for Laura to leave her in the wheel chair. Laura did as she was asked, then silently slipped out of the room.

Glancing around the room with panic in her eyes, she looked back at Doc and said, "Wwhere is sh..she, Ddoc? What hhappened?"

Doc placed his hand on her shoulder. "First, calm down. She's fine. She passed out in her pre-surgery briefing this morning." he began.

"Sshe ppassed out?" Billie yelled. "Wwhere is sh..she? I've ggot to ssee hher." she said anxiously.

"You're not going anywhere until you calm down." Doc said sternly. "Now, I'll take you to her, but you'll do her no good if you're in a snit yourself. Understand?" he scolded.

Billie took a deep breath and said, "Yyes, of ccourse, I'm ssorry. Pplease ttake me to hher." she asked.

"All right." he said as he pushed her toward the elevator.

Moments later, Billie and Doc were at Cat's bedside. Cat was lying peacefully asleep, an IV inserted into her left arm.

Billie frowned and struggled to hold the tears back. "Why ddid she ppass out, Ddoc?" she asked.

"She passed out because she's a stubborn little shit." Doc said. "She hasn't been taking care of herself, Billie. She hasn't been eating nor sleeping very well."

"Ddamn you, Ccat." Billie said, almost under her breath. "I ttold you... Wwhy ddo you hhave to bbe so ddamned sstubborn all the ttime?" she asked the sleeping woman.

Looking up at Doc, she asked, "How llong will she bbe confined tto bed?"

"A day or two... if she takes care of herself, that is." he replied.

"Can yyou mmove her to mmy room?" Billie asked.

Doc nodded. "It can be arranged." he said.

**********

By the time Doc wheeled Billie back to her room, it was lunch time. Billie's tray was waiting for her, but she looked at it with little appetite as Doc helped her into the chair by the window and wheeled the table in front of her.

Noticing her apparent disdain for the food, Doc lifted her chin and said, "Eat, daughter... I don't need to be worrying about both of you."

Billie did as she was told, eating about half of her meal before Cat's bed was wheeled into her room. Cat was still sleeping soundly. Doc hung around to see that Cat was settled properly in her new room. Before he left, he helped Billie back into the wheelchair and moved her to Cat's bedside, locking the wheels in place.

Billie sat there and looked at Cat. Suddenly, a searing pain streaked through her head, forcing her to close her eyes. When she opened them, she was still in the hospital, but in another room, and at another time....

Billie sat on the edge of the bed and took Cat's hand in hers. Looking her straight in the eye, Billie took a deep breath and said, "Cat, it took almost losing you to give me the courage to say this.... I love you. I think I have since you walked into my class that day. I didn't realize how much until this happened." Slightly embarrassed, and not a little afraid of Cat's reaction, Billie cast her eyes down onto the bed.

Cat reached up and cupped Billie's cheek with her hand. She raised her chin so that their eyes met. "Billie, you own my heart. I think you've always owned it - even before I met you. Do you remember me saying that I felt we had known each other in a past life?" Billie nodded, remembering her dream. "I really believe that, Billie... I have had dreams where I see you, dressed in warrior garb, holding me, loving me. I have always loved you, Billie. I've always known that someday I would find you." Cat finished, tears streaming down her face.

Billie closed her eyes against the pain. When she reopened them, she was back in her room, watching Cat sleep peacefully. "Who are you Cat?", she asked. "... and why do you bewitch me so?" Billie sat there for long moments until Laura came to claim her for her afternoon PT session.

"You're early." Billie said to her.

"Yeah, a little." Laura said, standing beside the bed, looking down at Cat. "Is she okay?" she asked.

Billie just nodded sadly.

Laura pulled up a chair next to Billie. "This is all pretty confusing, isn't it?" she asked.

Billie didn't look at her... choosing instead to keep her eyes focused on her hands in her lap.

"Billie," Laura said, drawing the tall woman's attention toward her. "I wish I could tell you that it will all work out in the end, but I can't. So much of this depends on how much you'll remember, and what you choose to do with what you have now. But, what I can say, is that Cat loves you very much. She is in this bed right now because she has put her love for you above all else, even her own health. Don't give up on that... not yet. Okay?"

"I'll ttry." was all Billie could say.

**********

As with the morning PT session, Billie started out with a walk through the parallel bars, which she accomplished with little difficulty. Once again, the walker was waiting for her at the end of the bars. Reaching out, she grasped the walker and very slowly righted her self into a completely erect position, struggling hard to remain perfectly balanced. Laura was a constant presence behind her; her light touch on the belt, giving Billie the added security to push herself a little further without fear of falling.

"Okay, Billie." Joseph directed. "Lift the walker, move it slightly forward, then place it down again. Be sure to maintain your balance while you're lifting it."

Laura held the belt tightly as Billie lifted the walker. She teetered slightly side to side before thrusting it forward and lowering it back to the floor.

"Good. Now take a step with each foot." Joseph said.

"Come on Billie, just like on the parallel bars... you can do it." she told herself. "Do it for Cat.", came an echo from deep within her mind. With determined steps, she moved forward, first with one foot, and then with the other.

"Again." Joseph urged.

Billie repeated the sequence... balance, lift, forward, lower, step, step.... balance, lift, forward, lower, step, step.... Pretty soon, she had moved completely across the room.

Joseph stood in front of her, his hands covering hers on the walker while Laura retrieved the wheel chair. He held her eyes the whole time. Before he released her hands, he said, "Good job... I knew you weren't a quitter." He walked away as Laura helped her into her chair and wheeled her back to her room.

**********

Billie kept her eyes glued to Cat during the entire post-therapy massage.

"She's going to be fine, Billie." Laura said as she rubbed the soreness out of Billie's muscles.

"I know... it's jjust that....I can't help bbut ffeel that this is mmy ffault." Billie explained.

"Billie, it was her own decision to neglect her health, not yours." Laura said.

"Laura, bbefore you lleave, I'd llike you to help mme over to her bbed." Billie said.

"For the night?" Laura asked?

"Yes." came the reply.

"All right. You stay put... I'll be right back." Laura said as she left the room. Several moments later, she returned with the walker Billie had used in PT. She put the walker down near Billie's bed and folded up the wheel chair, rolling it off to the side. "You won't be needing that any more." she commented as she grabbed the walker and placed it in front of Billie. "Okay, on your feet." she said to the tall woman.

Billie maneuvered herself into a sitting position and grabbed the walker. Very carefully, with Laura holding on to her waist, she rose to her feet.

"Okay, Billie, you know the routine." Laura encouraged.

Balance, lift, forward, lower, step, step... Billie repeated to herself as she made her way over to Cat's bed, Laura walking very close beside her to catch her should she fall. Finally, Billie was sitting on the edge of Cat's bed, smiling ear to ear. Looking up at Laura, she said, "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Can you handle it from here?" she asked.

"Yes, thanks aggain." Billie said.

"All right... pleasant dreams, then. I'll see you in the morning." she said before leaving with the wheel chair.

"Goodnight." Billie said as she laid down next to Cat and pulled the covers over herself.

************************************************************************************************ CHAPTER V

Cat awoke the next morning to find parts of Billie's anatomy all over her. The tall woman's legs were entwined around hers like braided rope, her arm was thrown over her chest, pinning her to the bed, and her face was nuzzled deep into her neck. She would have liked to stay that way, except she really had to use the bathroom.

Turning her head so that she was almost face to face with Billie, she kissed the taller woman's eyelids until she woke up. When Billie realized just how familiar she had made herself with Cat during the night, she quickly moved away, giving Cat plenty of room.

"I... I'm sorry." she said to the petite red head.

"Don't apologize." Cat said to Billie. "You didn't hear me complaining, did you?" she joked. "I just really need to use the bathroom."

Billie smiled as she watched Cat throw her legs over the side of the bed.

Cat was about to rise to her feet when a wave a dizziness came over her. "Whoa...!" she said, falling back onto the bed.

Suddenly, she noticed the IV in her arm and the fact that there were two beds in Billie's room.

"What's going on here." she said out loud.

"Cat, you ppassed out in a mmeeting yesterday." Billie said.

"What do you mean, I passed out?" Cat asked anxiously.

"Yyou ppassed out... from lack of ssleep and ffood." Billie said. "Cat, I ttold you...."

"Billie, please don't say, 'I told you so', okay?" she said, looking back at the hurt expression on Billie's face.

"Cat... You sscared the shit out of mme... I wwas worried." Billie mumbled.

Realizing how harsh she had been with Billie, Cat immediately felt guilty. "Billie, Honey, I'm sorry... I shouldn't have snapped at you. I know you warned me. I just..... I... Hell, I don't know what! I screwed up... I'm sorry." she said, rising slowly to her feet, hoping to keep the dizziness at bay with slow movements.

"Wwhere are you going?" Billie asked.

"I've really got to use the bathroom." Cat replied, grabbing the portable IV rack that held the drip bag, and pushing it into the bathroom in front of her.

While Cat was in the bathroom, Billie fought her way into a sitting position on the edge of the bed. Reaching over, she grabbed her walker and very slowly pulled herself to her feet, just as Doc came into the room.

"What in blazes are you doing, Billie!" he exclaimed rushing to her side when her saw her standing there unassisted. "...and where is Caitlain?" he added.

"She's in the bbathroom, which is exactly wwhere I'm headed." Billie said. "By the ttime I make it arround the bbed, she'll be ddone." she added with a chuckle.

Doc smiled at her attempt at humor, but found it necessary to lecture her anyway. "Billie, I'm happy to see you on your feet, but it is way too early in your therapy to do this without assistance. Do you understand? If you need to go somewhere, call for help first." he said.

"Yes, Daddy." she said, teasingly.

"Billie... I mean it!" Doc replied.

"All right... all right... I'll ccall for help next time... I ppromise!" she said.

"That's better." he said, just as the bathroom door opened and Cat slowly shuffled out. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Billie on her feet.

"By the gods!... Billie... you're walking!" she exclaimed happily.

Billie's face radiated a huge smile, as she shuffled her way past Cat and into the bathroom, with Doc at her side. Against his better judgment, he left her in there after she insisted adamantly that she could handle it from there, and promising to call for help if she needed it.

While Billie was taking care of business, Cat was getting the lecture of her life.

Doc paced back and forth while Cat sat on the edge of her bed.

"Caitlain, I warned you to take better care of yourself!" exclaimed.

"Yes you did, Daddy." she said.

"Damn it, daughter... you are a doctor... I would think you'd know better!"

"You're right, Daddy." came the reply.

"From now on, you are going to listen to me and do what you're told.... Understand?" he scolded.

"Yes, Daddy." she agreed.

Doc stopped and looked at her. "You had better take this seriously, Caitlain. Your health is nothing to fool with... you have a lot of people depending on you to stay healthy right now... do you understand what I'm saying?" he asked.

Cat took a deep breath and sighed. "Yes, I understand. I don't know what to say, except, I screwed up. I'm sorry." she replied.

Doc sat down next to her on the bed and wrapped his arm around his shoulder. "Kitten, you gave me quite a scare... please promise me you'll take better care of yourself."

"I will, Daddy, I promise." she said, resting her head on his shoulder for long moments. Finally, she lifted her head and looked at him. "Maybe we should check on Billie.... ya think?" she asked just as the bathroom door swung open and Billie shuffled out.

Doc was immediately on his feet to help her to the edge of her own bed, directly across from, and facing Cat, where she sat and grinned, very proud of herself.

"Show off!" Cat said, smiling.

**********

"Daddy, you don't have to hang around to make sure I eat my breakfast." Cat complained as Doc made himself comfortable in the chair by the window while their breakfast trays were rolled in.

"What? Can't I visit with my daughter and daughter-in-law?" he said innocently.

"Yeah, right!" Cat mumbled as she started eating.

Doc winked at Billie, drawing a grin from the taller woman.

After Cat had eaten enough to satisfy Doc, he rose to his feet and excused himself, kissing both women on the cheek before he left.

Cat looked at Billie. "He is so transparent." she said, smiling.

"He loves you, Ccat." Billie replied. "He was worried about you."

Cat sobered. "Well, I can't say that I haven't given him reason." she said. Looking back up at Billie, she added, "Billie, I am really sorry. I know it was stupid..."

"It's over, Cat. Just ppromise me you'll take bbetter care of yourself from nnow on, okay?" Billie asked.

"Okay." Cat said just as Laura came into the room.

"Ah... my two favorite ladies... Good Morning." she said cheerfully. "Feeling better today?" she asked Cat.

"Yes, thank you." Cat said.

Looking over at Billie, Laura put her hands on her hips and said, "Okay, Missy, how did you get from there... " she said, pointing to Cat's bed, "....to there?" she finished, pointing to Billie's bed. "You better not have done it by yourself!" she added.

"Nope, Ddoc helped me." Billie answered.

"Good. Okay, are you ready to go for a walk?" she asked Billie.

"To the PT room?" Billie asked.

"No, we're all done in there for a little while. How about a stroll up and down the hall?" she asked.

"Don't yyou mean a sh..shuffle up and ddown the hhall?" Billie joked.

"Walk, shuffle... same church, different pew." Laura replied.

"Can I come along?" Cat asked.

"Sure!" Laura said to Cat. "The more the merrier." she added, "We need to wait for Joseph...he should be here soon." she said, pulling Billie's walker over in front of her. "Okay there, tall one... on your feet."

Once Billie was standing and balanced on the walker, Laura fastened the belt around her waist, while Cat slipped her baseball cap on her head. Billie looked down and smiled a thank you to Cat just as Joseph entered the room.

Joseph stood there, arms crossed in front of him, looking as smug as ever. "Well, now we see what you're really made of, Billie." he said. "Are you up for a challenge?" he asked.

"I ccan take anything yyou can ddish out!" she threw back at him, a twinkle in her eyes.

He approached her and circled her walker, eyeing her carefully. "Nice hat." he said, earning a dirty look from Cat.

"Gget on wwith it, Ivan!" Billie said..

"Okay, Billie... Let's see if you can make it to the end of the hall. I will walk with you on one side, and Laura will be on the other." he explained. Glancing back at Cat, he added, "You can make yourself useful by pushing the wheelchair along, Red.... she gets a ride back."

If it wasn't for the fact that she was helping Billie, Cat would have told him where he could stick the wheelchair, but instead, she swallowed her pride and smile sweetly at him, as she pushed the wheelchair behind the slow moving entourage.

Billie was very tired when she returned from her walk down the hall. It had taken nearly an hour to make it to the end. A grateful smile crossed her features as Laura gently lowered her down into the chair for the ride back to her room.

Helping her into the chair, Laura congratulated her on a job well done and promised to be back that afternoon for round two. Billie looked at her watch and asked Cat about when the occupational therapist was going to show up.

Cat looked at her and said. "Julie's not coming today, Billie. Remember? She cut your sessions down to Monday, Wednesday and Friday, because you've made such progress over the past week."

Billie's brow knit together, before she nodded her head and said, "Yeah, you're rright.... I fforgot."

Cat walked over to her and sat on the arm of the chair, wrapping her arm around Bille's shoulder. Leaning down, she kissed Billie on the head, then felt her forehead with her lips. "Are you okay, love? You're a little hot." she said.

"Just tired." Billie replied, reaching up to rub her brow.

Cat noticed the gesture. "Billie, the headaches are back, aren't they?" Cat asked.

"A llittle one, Ccat. Nnot tto bbad." she said.

Cat leaned down and kissed her head again. "I'll be right back." she said. "I'm going to find you a couple of pain relievers, okay?"

Billie just nodded and watched Cat walk out of the room, pushing her IV rack in front of her. A feeling stirred deep down as she watched her leave. It felt very much like anxiety, gnawing at her gut. "Hhurry bback, Ccat." she whispered under her breath.

When Cat returned minutes later, Billie was half asleep in the chair. Sitting herself on the arm of the chair once more, she gently nudged Billie awake and handed the aspirin and water over to her.

"Thanks, Ccat." Billie said, looking up at her. "Wwhen's the OT ccoming?" she asked.

Cat looked at Billie very closely. Reaching down, she touched her chin and turned Billie's face toward hers. "Billie, " she said. "Honey, I just reminded you that you didn't have a session today... Billie are you all right?" Cat asked.

Billie looked back at her, her eyes appearing somewhat unfocused.

"Ccat... I..I'm ttired. Hhelp mme to bbed." she said.

"Billie, let me call Laura, okay? We shouldn't be doing this without help." Cat said.

"Itsssokay, Ccat. Pplease, hhelp mme to bbed." Billie said, grabbing her walker and trying to pull her self up into it.

Cat reached over and grabbed her arms, helping her to stand. Keeping an arm around Bille's waist, she helped her move the four feet necessary to make it to the side of her bed. Billie dropped down on the edge and let herself fall back onto the bed, while Cat reached down and lifted her feet up, swinging them up onto the bed. Cat pulled the blanket up to Billie's neck and kissed her tenderly on the cheek.

Billie captured Cat's chin in her hand as she attempted to right herself after the kiss. Looking into her eyes, she said, "Ccat... jjoin me? Pplease?"

Cat smiled and moved around to the other side of the bed.. Making sure not to tangle her IV, she climbed into bed with Billie and snuggled up into her shoulder. Billie wrapped her arm around Cat and lowered her cheek to the top of Cat's head. Soon, they were sleeping sounding, their hearts beating in sync with each other.

**********

Doc stopped in to check on the ladies around lunch time to tell them that their session with Dr. O'Brien was being rescheduled for that evening, and found them sleeping, wrapped in each other's arms, their lunch waiting patiently for them on the table. Seeing that it was nearly time for Billie's afternoon PT session, he shook Cat awake.

Cat rolled over sleepily and looked up at Doc. "Daddy?" she said. "Is everything all right?"

"Everything's fine, Kitten. I just thought you'd like a chance to eat before Laura came back to torture Billie." he said, motioning to the food on the table.

Cat looked over and saw the trays. "Yeah, you're right... Billie should eat.. needs her strength." Cat said, rolling back over to shake Billie awake. "Billie, Honey... come on, wake up. Time for lunch."

Billie batted her hand away. "Noooo." she said.

"Come on, love. You've got to eat before Laura gets here." Cat said, shaking her again.

Billie groaned at the mention of Laura's name. Throwing her arms up over her head, she said, "I ddon't wwant to wwalk any mmore ttodday." she complained.

"Billie." Cat said, shaking her again. "Billie, come on.... Please, love?" Cat asked.

Billie rolled over onto her back. "All rright... I'm up." she said. Grining, she reached over and pulled Cat back down onto her shoulder. "Strike tthat." she said as she curled back up again with Cat in her arms.

Doc chuckled at the look on Cat's face as she rolled over onto her stomach and looked Billie in the face. "Billie...." she said in a deep, threatening voice.

"What?" Billie asked.

"Up... now!" Cat replied.

"Okkay! Okkay!" she replied. "Geesh.. are yyou going tto gget the wwhip out next?" she asked.

Cat smiled. "Don't even go there!" she replied, wiggling her eyebrows up and down.

"Bards!" Billie groaned as she fought her way into a sitting position.

"Warriors!" Cat replied... a catch in her voice as she caught the familiar endearment from Billie.

**********

Laura arrived right on time for Billie's afternoon PT session.

She held the walker down as Billie struggled to her feet from a sitting position. Once her balance was secured, they headed off down the hall, with Cat in tow, pushing the wheelchair in front of her in case Billie lost her strength during the walk.

It took nearly an hour to walk down the hall and back. As they were approaching Billie's room, she suddenly stopped and gripped the walker until her knuckles were white.

"Billie, Hon, are you all right?" Laura asked, grabbing the belt to keep her upright.

Billie looked at her with fear and anxiety written on her face. "I'm hhot." she said. "Ggods.. it's hhhot all of th..the ssudden." she added. Billie looked around her, sniffing the air. "Wwhat's that ssmell?" she said.

Laura looked from Billie to Cat. "Cat, go to the desk, have them page Doc. She's having a seizure. Quickly." she instructed.

Cat moved to the desk as quickly as she could, considering her weakened condition, while Laura directed Billie back to bed. Within minutes, Doc was there with a team of technicians, hooking Billie up to an EEG.

"Daddy, what's happening?" Cat said worriedly.

Doc turned to Cat. "Caitlain, if Laura is right, Billie is having a very mild epileptic seizure. Here is our chance to collect enough data to know for sure."

"But it didn't look like a seizure, Daddy, at least not what you would expect a seizure to look like." Cat said.

"Honey, the symptoms look like a simple partial seizure." Doc said. "They include unusual sensations, like changes in body temperature, a sudden sense of fear or anxiety, abnormalities in speech, smell and sight, stomach discomfort, and sometimes jerking motions, however, not all symptoms have to be present for it to be a seizure."

Before long, the technicians had finished, leaving Doc to monitor the graph being produced by the EEG, while Cat sat by Billie's bedside, holding her hand.

"Cat, I feel fine." Billie insisted each time Cat looked at her with a worried expression.

"Hi there!" came a voice from the doorway. "What the hell?"

Cat and Billie both turned to see Jen standing there. Jen was totally unprepared for what lay in front of her. There was Billie, lying on the bed with all kinds of pads and wires attached to her head, Cat sitting next to her, holding her hand, obviously worried out of her mind.... an IV coming from Cat's arm.... both of her dear friends in hospital gowns..., and Doc in the middle of the whole mess monitoring the equipment hooked up to Billie.

"Will someone tell me what the fuck is going on here? she yelled, distress evident in her voice.

Cat rose from the chair and approached Jen, pushing the IV rack along in front of her. Jen took her by the shoulders. "My god, Cat... what the hell happened!" she said. "I leave you alone for less than 24 hours and I come back to this! Explain..!" she shouted.

"Jen, calm down." Cat said. "It's not as bad as it looks."

Jen was near hysterical. "What do you mean, it's not as bad as it looks. Jesus, Cat... You've got a drip bag attached to your arm.... Billie has wires coming out of her head... Don't you dare tell me it's not as bad as it looks!" she ranted.

Cat grabbed Jen by the shoulders and shook her. "Jen!... Jen... just shut up and listen to me, damn it!" Cat yelled.

Jen was stunned into silence.

"That's better... now I'm going to tell you this just once, so you'd better listen... okay?" Cat asked.

Jen nodded.

"All right. Billie may have had another seizure. The wires are connected to an EEG. She's fine, Jen." Cat paused to catch her breath. "As for me.... well, you were right... you were all right... I wasn't taking care of myself... I passed out at work, and now, here I am.... the drip bag is for hydration. I am fine now... Okay?" she asked loudly.

Jen stood there, her eyes overfilling with unshed tears. Opening her arms, she pulled Cat in, hugging her fiercely. "I'm sorry." she said. "It's just that you and Billie mean so much to me... You scared the hell out of me Cat!" she said.

"We're fine, Jen... really." Cat said.

Jen just nodded and then went to hug Billie. Sensing a less than warm reception, Jen cut the hug short and went to stand with Cat.

"Okay." Doc said suddenly, switching off the EEG. "All done." Leaning over Billie, Doc started removing the pads and wires from his daughter-in-law's head.

Cat went to sit by Billie once more. Reaching for her hand, she said to Doc, "Daddy... what do the results say?"

Doc spread out the graph paper on Billie's lap so they could all see what he was pointing at. He started tracing the line on the graph with his finger. "See this ragged line, right here, on the beginning of the graph? This is data collected immediately after we hooked her up." he explained. "And this part of the graph, the part that levels out and is straighter and less ragged, is data that was collected just prior to shutting the machine off. The ragged line represents seizure activity, while the straighter, smoother line represents normal brain activity."

"So this data shows that there was a seizure." Billie stated.

"That's exactly what it shows, Billie." Doc says.

"Epilepsy?" Cat asked, hearing an audible gasp come from Jen.

"Probably." said Doc. "But controllable with medication. There are several different kinds of drugs that are used to treat Epilepsy. Some of the more common ones are Tegretol, Dilantin, Mysoline, Epival, Depakene and Neurontin. the choice of drug is usually determined by the type of seizure, and how well the patient tolerates the side effects." Then addressing Billie, he added, "Billie, we'll start you on one of these anti-convulsants right away. If we're lucky, we'll find the right one for you relatively fast."

Billie just nodded her head.

Jen looked at Billie like she had been handed a death sentence. Cat saw the look and said, "Jen, Epilepsy is not a disease. It is a neurological disorder. In most cases, it is non life threatening, and easily controlled with medication. You were there when she had the seizure right after surgery... you can see she's fine now, can't you?"

Jen looked from Billie to Doc to Cat, then grinned guiltily. "Yeah, you're right. Look, don't mind me, it's just my ignorance showing through. I guess I've got some reading to do." she admitted.

"I think we all do, Jen." said Billie. "...especially me."

**********

"Billie, how did you feel when you learned that Cat was ill?" Dr. O'Brien asked.

"I was scared. In fact, Doc had to force me to calm down before he'd take me to her." she admitted.

Cat reached her open palm toward Billie, who readily placed her own on top and quickly knit their fingers together. "That's a far cry from a few days ago." Dr. O'Brien thought to herself. "I think there's some hope for them yet."

"Have any more memories returned, Billie?" the doctor asked.

Billie looked at Cat, then back at the doctor. "Only one." she said, feeling Cat's hand close tightly around her own.

"Would you like to share it?" Dr. O'Brien asked.

Billie looked at Cat again. "I'm not sure what it means... it's only a glimpse in time... an isolated moment. I don't know what happened before or after it." Billie explained.

"That's all right... maybe Cat can help to fill in the blanks for you." Dr. O'Brien suggested.

Billie nodded her head. "Well, I could see myself sitting at Cat's bedside in the hospital, and telling her that I loved her, but I didn't realize it until she had almost died. She said that she had known all her life that she would find me, that it was our destiny." Billie explained.

Cat's eyes filled with tears at the description.

"Cat, does this sound familiar to you?" Dr. O'Brien said.

"Yes." she said. "I was in the hospital with appendicitis. It was only 6 or 7 weeks after we met. Billie saved my life. I remember telling her that I had loved her forever, and that I knew I would find her one day."

"Billie, how did you feel about Cat when you had the vision?" the doctor asked.

"Confused." she replied without hesitation.

"Why confused?" Dr. O'Brien prompted.

"Because wwhat I saw in the vvision was sso intense, I could almost ttouch it, and when I rreturned to the ppresent, and looked at Cat, I still ddidn't know her. I wwas cconfused.... I had a gglimpse of her in mmy past, but nno knowledge of her in mmy present." she tried to explain.

"And what about the future, Billie?" Cat asked. "Am I in your future?"

Billie looked at Cat lovingly. She reached up and traced Cat's jaw line with her free hand. Fingers of warmth spread like tentacles throughout the dark hair woman's gut at the action. Billie took a stuttered breath and let it out, all the while, looking deeply into her eyes. "Yes." she said, closing her eyes and allowing the tears to roll down her cheeks.

Cat reached up and pulled Billie's head down onto her shoulder and cried with her.

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Cat was released from the hospital the next morning with strict instructions from both Doc and Billie to take better care of herself. Doc arranged for the extra bed to be removed from Billie's room, since it wasn't being used anyway. Cat and Billie had been sleeping in the same bed for the last few nights, holding each other close, sharing thoughts and touches. As badly as Cat wanted to make love to her wife, she held back, electing instead to touch and caress the tall woman at every opportunity, but not to cross over the line into sexual advancement. She had promised Billie that there would be no pressure, and she was determined not to rush the woman, and potentially scare her away. No... Cat was determined that Billie would make the first move... Billie would let her know when she was ready to take the relationship further. In the meantime, Cat had one goal in mind... a goal planted there by Jen.... "You'll just have to make her fall in love with you all over again." Jen had said. Cat started each morning with that thought.

After breakfast, Cat and Laura dutifully walked Billie up and down the hall with her walker. She was making remarkable progress. In another day or two, she would graduate to crutches. Billie beamed with pride as she successfully negotiated the hall with little difficulty. Before returning to her room, the trio spent some time in the solarium, resting, and helping Billie learn how to raise and lower herself into a chair with just the aid of the walker. When they returned to Billie's room, Laura helped her into the chair, then gave her a quick hug, promising to return later in the afternoon.

Cat approached Billie and leaned over her, placing her hands on the arm rests on either side of Billie. Their eyes locked for long moments. Finally, Cat said, "Billie I am so proud of you. You have come so far in such a short amount of time. You'll be ready to come home soon, I think."

Billie reached out and took Cat by the waist, pulling her down to sit across her lap. Cat rested her head on Billie's shoulder as the tall woman's long arm wrapped around her. "I've mmissed this sso much, Cat." she said.

Cat snapped her head up and looked at Billie. "What did you just say?" she asked.

Billie's eyes were wide with anxiety. She creased her brow and looked around in confusion, then looked back at Cat.

"Billie." Cat said excitedly. "Did you remember something?"

Billie shook her head. "No... nnot really... it.... this, just feels ffamiliar... feels rright." she explained.

Cat smiled at her love. "It is right, Billie... it feels right because it is right." she said before cuddling back into Billie's arms. They remained that way until the occupational therapist arrived for Billie's session.

**********

That morning, before Laura arrived for therapy, Cat and Billie had discussed another visit from the children. Billie was excited and anxious at the prospect of spending more time with them. They had really captured her heart, even though she had no memories of the girls. The children were totally accepting of Billie's condition. It didn't matter to them that her head was shaved, or that her speech was stuttered, or that she couldn't walk. She was their Mom, and they loved her unconditionally for it. They had agreed that the children could come to visit that evening, after dinner. In the meantime, while Billie was in OT and eating lunch, Cat ran home to check out the mail, which Jen had been picking up for them, and re-pack a change of clothes.

Jen had just begun her power walk when she saw Cat pull into the driveway. Running over to her red headed friend, she quickly talked Cat into walking with her. Moments later, Cat had changed into spandex running shorts, a short T-Shirt and a pair of running shoes. Not wanting to push Cat too hard after spending time in the hospital, they took a brisk, but easy walk. Despite the mildly taxing nature of the workout, they were both covered in sweat when they returned to Cat's house.

Cat walked over to the growing pile of mail on the kitchen counter and started sorting through it, rapidly filling up the rubbish bin with junk mail. After a few moments, she had managed to weed the pile down into a stack of three or four bills. "Not too bad." she commented when she had finished.

"Here." Jen said, giving Cat a cup of coffee she had brewed while Cat was going through the mail. "Drink this... looks like you need a shot of caffeine."

"Oh, Jen... this is good!" she said, taking a sip. "Thank you, I really needed this."

"How are things going with the big guy?" Jen asked.

Cat's smile lit up the room. "Oh, Jen... she's made remarkable progress, even since yesterday!" Cat exclaimed.

"Has any more of her memory returned?" Jen asked.

"Not really." Cat said, frowning. "I see glimpses of her old self, but it's more behavioral than memory. Does that make sense?" she asked.

"Are you saying that you're seeing old behaviors, but they're random rather than the result of a memory?" Jen asked.

"That's it exactly!" Cat replied, taking the last sip of coffee.

"Want some more?" Jen asked as she refilled her own cup.

Throwing the bills back on the counter, Cat declined the coffee and exclaimed that she had to take a shower and run over to her parents to see the kids before returning to the hospital.

"Okay." Jen said. "I guess I'll just finish my coffee, then head home."

"All right. Thanks for the walk... It was a nice break.. I really needed the exercise." Cat said to her friend, hugging her tight, then kissing her on the cheek. "Hey, if you're free, how about coming to visit during Billie's afternoon PT session... then you can see how much better she's getting." she suggested.

Jen smiled broadly. "Sure!" she said. "Are you sure Tall, Dark and Dangerous won't mind?" she added.

Cat frowned. "Why should she?" she asked.

Jen shrugged her head slightly. "I just don't want to embarrass or upset her.. that's all." she replied.

Cat slapped her friend lightly on the arm. "Don't be silly... of course she won't be upset." she exclaimed.

"All right then." Jen said, smiling.... "It's a date."

"Good. Now I've got to take a shower. I'll see you later!" Cat said, heading for the stairs.

While Cat was in the shower, Jen lounged lazily against the kitchen counter, finishing her coffee. When she was done, she rinsed her cup and put it in the dishwasher, then reached over and shut the coffee pot off. Just as she was reaching for the door knob, the phone rang.

Without thinking, Jen automatically reached for it. "Hello?" she said.

She was momentarily met by silence. "Hello?" she said again.

"Whho is this?" the voice said.

"Billie? Billie, this is Jen." she said.

Silence again. "Jen... what are yyou ddoing there? Where's Ccat?" Billie asked.

"Cat is in the shower, Billie." Jen said, feeling her wickedness rise to the surface. "Jen..." she warned herself. "Be nice!"

"The sh..shower?" Billie asked.

Jen couldn't resist. "Yeah... We're both kind of sweaty right now... In fact, I was on my way home to clean up myself." she explained.

"I wwant to ttalk to hher." Billie said.

"Sure... hold on, I don't hear the shower running any more... I'll get her for you." Jen said.

Moments later, Cat picked up the phone as Jen was leaving. Before speaking into the phone, Cat called out to her friend. "Jen... thanks for everything... It was fun... and I really needed it. See you this afternoon, Hon... bye!" Then, into the phone, Cat said, "Hello?" just in time to hear a click and a dial tone. Cat shrugged and hung up the phone. "Must have been a wrong number." she thought.

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