Michael knew where he was even before he opened his eyes. He could feel the hard, cold gurney underneath his cheek as he lay. He smelled her first; the recognizably subtle scent of magnolias filled the room and he knew she was near. Opening his eyes, his focus blurred. He could see her sitting a few feet away concentrating on the chart in her hand. As though she could sense his altered state she looked up at him; their eyes met and for a split second he felt as though the world had stopped spinning.
She walked over and crouched down beside the gurney. “Michael, it’s Sara.”
“You’re so beautiful”, he whispered.
She blushed and looked away from him and then back again. Ignoring his words she spoke softly. “We’ve had to perform a procedure.”
“Did you hear what I said?” He asked.
“Michael, listen to me. You’ve been hurt badly. You’ve had an operation.”
Slowly he reached down for her hand, and squeezed. “I wish things could be different Sara.”
“Michael…” She looked over her shoulder towards the door. “…we can’t do this here” she whispered.
He let go of her hand and reached for her face, caressing the softness of her cheek. She turned to him in response. Tracing her lips with his fingertips he murmured, “I love you Sara Tancredi.”
Her eyes widened in surprise. “Michael, I think that’s the painkiller talking.” She moved to stand, but he was too quick, and reaching for her hand once more he pulled her closer.
“Stay with me?” He asked before closing his eyes again. “I need you.”
She watched as he began to drift off. His grip loosened and she withdrew from his grasp. Hesitantly, and for a second not caring where they were or who she was, she stroked the side of his face with her palm. With one last look over her shoulder she moved closer and whispered into his ear, “I think I love you too.”
Story Notes:
I've borrowed some dialogue from the episode. Anything you recognize is theirs, anything you don't is mine.