Mercy

trembling and

gripping his shoulders in a silent demand for more.

Theo had meant only to give her a quick kiss, but once his mouth touched hers, he simply couldn't resist. He knew he had to

stop before things got completely out of hand, and yet he continued to kiss her until she pulled back.

'We can't do this.' She was panting now and sounded dazed. 'We just can't.' Her forehead dropped on his. 'This has to stop, Theo.'

'Yeah, okay,' he said gruffly as he tried to get his heartbeat to slow down.

She kissed his forehead, then moved lower to the bridge of his nose. 'This is a hospital, for the love of God.'

She kissed him on the mouth. And just when he was beginning to gain the upper hand, she tore her mouth away and whispered,

'I work here. I can't go around kissing people all the time.'

And damned if she didn't kiss him again. Theo could feel his control slipping. He abruptly pulled back and lifted her off his lap.

She leaned against the desk in case her legs gave out. Lord, could he kiss, and, oh, how she loved the taste of him. Disheartened, she realized she loved everything about him. His calm, take-charge attitude… his self- confidence. He was so comfortable in his own skin, so sure of himself. When he was afraid, he didn't hide it the way her brother did. He was so secure he didn't care

what other people thought.

Michelle admired that trait most of all.

She took a deep breath and headed for the ER. Pushing the swinging door open with the flat of her hand, she went into the hallway. Theo was right behind her.

'You've got the sexiest walk,' he told her.

'Didn't you read the sign?'

'What sign?'

'No flirting in the hospital.'

He relented. 'Okay,' he agreed. 'We'll start searching for the package in the emergency room first,' he said, suddenly all

business again. 'I noticed on our way in that it wasn't busy, so now is the perfect time. I'm going to get some of the staff to help.'

'I'm going to sew you back together first.'

'No, Michelle, I want-'

She turned around and walked backwards as she said, 'Theo, I'm in charge here. Deal with it.'

The shower had revitalized her, but she knew the burst of energy she was feeling was going to be short and the lack of sleep would eventually catch up with her. For that reason she wanted to get the more important task finished. Theo came first whether he wanted to or not.

She was also feeling relaxed and sure of herself again. She was on safe ground at the hospital and knew that she and Theo could let their guard down here. No one would be shooting at them. There was safety in numbers. She thought it might be a good idea if they slept at the hospital and was going to suggest it when Theo turned her attention.

'Slow down,' he demanded. 'Who do I talk to about getting personnel to start looking?'

'Those people have jobs to do.'

'This is a priority.'

'You could call the administrator. He's usually here by eight, and it's almost that now, but he's not going to cooperate with you.

He doesn't like anything disrupting routine.'

'Tough,' he said. 'He'll cooperate. You're practically running. Slow down,' he said once again.

'You're dragging your feet. Are you afraid of a couple of stitches?' The possibility made her smile. 'Scared I'll hurt you?'

'No, I just don't like needles.'

'I don't either,' she said. 'I faint every time I see one.'

'That's not funny, Michelle.'

She thought it was and laughed. Frances, the nurse of the perpetual frown, was standing outside one of the exam areas. She

pulled the drape back. 'Everything's ready, Doctor.'

Michelle patted the exam table while the nurse raised the head so Theo could lean back. He sat down, his attention on Michelle now as she put on a pair of sterile gloves. The nurse distracted him when she came at him with a pair of scissors and took hold

of his T-shirt. He reached over and pulled the sleeve up over his shoulder. While she swabbed the skin around the cut with a strong-smelling disinfectant, he picked up his cell phone and started dialing.

'You can't use that cell phone in the hospital,' Frances told him, and tried to snatch the phone out of his hand.

He wanted to say, 'Back off, lady,' but he didn't. He turned the phone off and put it on the exam table next to him. 'Get me a phone I can use.'

He must have sounded hostile. Though it didn't seem possible, Frances's frown intensified. 'He's an irritable one, isn't he, Doctor?'

Michelle was working at the corner with her back to Theo, but he knew she was smiling. He could hear it in her voice when she said, 'He needs a nap.'

'I need a phone.'

Frances finished cleaning the area and left. Theo assumed she'd gone to get him a phone. Then Michelle walked over to him with her hand behind her back. He took exception to the fact that she was treating him like a ten-year-old, hiding the syringe so he wouldn't see the needle.

Exasperated, he said, 'Make this quick. We've got things to do.'

He didn't flinch as she injected the lidocaine. 'This should be numb in a minute. Would you like to lie down?'

'Would it make your job easier or quicker if I did?'

'No.'

'Then I'm fine. Go ahead and start.'

Frances had returned with a clipboard and papers. She'd obviously heard Theo tell Michelle to get started.

'Young man, you shouldn't rush the doctor. That's how mistakes are made.'

Young man? Hell, he had to be older than she was. 'Where's a phone?'

'Relax, Theo,' Michelle said as she motioned for Frances to move the tray closer to her side. 'I'm not going to hurry.' Then she smiled and whispered, 'Someone told me that if you want something done right…'

'What?'

'You have to be slow and easy. It's the only way.'

In spite of his irritability, he had to smile. He wanted to kiss her, but he knew the nurse from X- Files would probably try to deck him if he did.

'Frances, are you married?'

'Yes, I am. Why do you ask?'

'I was thinking Michelle should hook you up with her brother, John Paul. You two have a lot in common.'

'Doctor, we don't have paperwork on this patient,' she said curtly.

'Where's my phone?' Theo asked.

'He'll fill out the forms after I'm finished,' Michelle said.

'That isn't proper procedure.'

'I'm gonna count to five. If I don't have a phone in my hand by the time I'm finished, I'm getting off this table…' Theo warned.