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wouldn't want to punch in the nose. After all, you owe me.
More than he could ever pay. Eli steeled himself.  Let me have it. He expected to hear
he'd been fired for causing a scene. Maybe reports that a mob was out for the queer doc's
head. People laughing at their expense. Whatever.
He didn't even think about the possibility of what he got.
 The free clinic's closing at the end of the month. No money, Diana said.  I'm sorry.
The last bit of wind Eli had left in his sails whooshed out.  Fuck. It never rains but it fucking
pours, doesn't it?
 Such a fucking filthy mouth. Diana pressed his hand between both of hers, more of a
slap than a caress, but gentler than Eli had gotten from her at any moment he could remem-
ber.  Are you with me?
Eli rarely saw this side of her, the competent doctor, and the tea and comfort were more
Holly's forte, but Diana was trying as hard as she could and they both knew it. Everyone in
their own fashion. Made the world go 'round.
Diana waited to be sure before she drew a deep breath and nodded decisively.  I'm telling
you because you have to be the one to tell him when he wakes up. Don't let him hear this
from anyone else.
Eli's chest ached.  Diana&  He wanted to tell her. Everything. It wasn't enough of a thank
you; still, it'd be something.
 Shut up. She pinched the inside of his wrist.  Like I don't already know. We all saw it, Eli.
Long before you two did. Why do you think we pushed so hard? Not for shits and giggles.
Though there were plenty of those.
Eli started to laugh. Once he'd begun, he couldn't stop, and Diana joined him. They
slumped in place and hooted like a pair of hyenas until the charge nurse came to snap at
them, because sometimes you got a choice in how you cracked, and this was a hell of a lot
better than screaming.
In its way.
* * * * *
It'd been twenty-five, almost twenty-six hours since Eli had last slept. He was used to it,
but be that as it may, adrenaline peaking and fading did take its toll. He'd almost drowsed off
still in the visitor's chair when a stir of movement from the bed brought him as wide awake as
an alarm shrilling in his ear.
Zane's gray eyes were open just a crack. He tried to turn his head to look at Eli. Be
damned if that twitch of his lips wasn't him attempting a grin.  Is this where I say you should
have seen the other guy?
 Jesus Christ. Eli didn't think. Wouldn't have wanted to. He was on his feet and leaning
over the bed without remembering how he got from one to the other, the only thing he gave a
damn about being touching his lips to Zane's. His were dry and cracked, but Eli tasted salt.
It took a second before the clumsy thump at his side registered as Zane trying to soothe
him.  'S okay, Zane rasped, his voice all but a frayed thread.  I'm okay.
 Fuck you, Eli said before he had to push his face into Zane's shoulder and stay there un-
til his eyes stopped watering. It made it worse, or better, when Zane fumbled to touch him and
hold on, murmuring scraps of sound that Eli knew were comfort.
Finally he could withdraw. Roughly wiping his face on his sleeve, he kissed Zane once
more. The chair was within hooking reach of his leg; Eli caught it with his ankle and drew it to
the bedside.  If you ever scare me like that again, I'll kill you myself.
Zane laughed without sound.
 Keep snickering at me and I'll do it now. Careful of the IV, Eli threaded his fingers
through Zane's and held on.  I'm too old for scares like this. Don't do that to me again.
Zane's voice had deserted him completely. Christ, what kind of doctor was Eli if he
couldn't remember to caution Zane not to try to talk after he'd had a respirator all night, only
taken out an hour ago?  Shh, Eli warned.  Don't pay me any attention. Just being maudlin.
You're entitled, Zane mouthed. It's okay. Promise. Then, almost sending Eli's temper
through the roof, How's Richie?
 How's Richie? Fuck that; where's Richie? Better be across a state line by now or I'll 
Zane shook his head as sharply as he could and shaped a firm no with his lips. He winced
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