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   The whole group stood around and watched as Shawn stopped his tossing and turning.
"I guess that wasn't it" Elizabeth said. "But he needs to wake up soon so we can see the extent of his damage"
"No, he's waking up, I know it" Belle said, almost hysterically. "I just know it! Please Shawn, please try again. I'm here for you, please" Almost immediately, she felt him gently squeeze her hand again. He let out a soft moan from his lips and struggled to open up his eyes He blinked a few times, confused, as he took in the room.
"Shawn!" Belle said, overjoyed. The doctor immediately began to talk to him and check him out and Belle was shoved aside but she never let go of his hand.
"What's your name?" the doctor asked, shining a light in his eyes.
"Shawn Brady" he said.
"Do you know where you are?"
"Salem, I hope" he said. "Belle? Are you still here?"
"Who are your guardians?" the doctor asked, checking his pulse.
"What?" he said, confused. "Bo and Hope Brady...where's Belle? I know I heard her, please, where is she" Belle heard him and gently pushed her way through the crowd.
"Shawn, I'm here" she said, and he turned to see her beautiful face.
"Belle, I'm so..." he said, overcome with emotion at seeing her face.
"Get her out of here, she's upsetting him" the doctor said and a nurse took her arm.
"No!" Shawn said. "No, don't take her, please" He held her hand tightly as Belle struggled against the nurse.
"But we need to check you out" the doctor said.
"No, please, let her stay" Shawn pleaded. "Please...I want her here" The doctor sighed.
"Ok but please try and stay out of the way" he said, pointing to the corner near where his head rested. She held onto his hand as they began to check him over.
"Do you have any major pain?" the doctor asked.
"Not too bad" he said. "I'm pretty sore...and my head aches like a bitch"
"Shawn!" Belle exclaimed, not even thinking. The doctor and nurse chuckled slightly.
"After what he's been through, we'll let that one slide" he said.   "Now, do you have any pain or discomfort in your legs?" Belle nervously watched this all, knowing that he could have done damage to his nerves on his fall. Shawn shifted uncomfortably in the bed.
"They're a little tingly but yeah, I can feel them" he said, looking up at Belle nervously. Her heart seemed to stop a little at those words as she silently prayed that it wasn't anything bad. They watched the doctor as he checked Shawn's reflexes and then looked up at them and smiled.
"That's just a reaction from the pain killers" he said. "Looks like you're going to be fine" Belle let out a small noise of joy at these words and Shawn squeezed her hand hard.
"We still have to run a few tests on you to make sure everything is fine" the doctor said, writing on his file.   "But you look ok for now. You hit your head pretty hard though"
"But I'm pretty thick-headed" Shawn joked. "Just ask Belle"
"You'll probably be released tomorrow" the doctor said. "So is there anyone you want to see?" He looked up at Belle and grinned.
"I'd like to see my mom, please" he said.
"Sure thing, we'll send her right in"
"Thank you, doctor" Shawn said. He turned to Belle, who was still huddled in the corner out of the way. He pulled her closer so he could see her. "Belle, thank you"
"I'm so glad I could be here for you" she said, in a whisper.
"And just so you know" he said, also lowering his voice. "I heard everything you said" She blushed, trying to remember what all she had said in her hysterical ramblings. She was about to speak when the curtain opened.
"Shawn Douglas!" Hope said, starting to run in.
"Mom..." he said, as she hugged him tightly.
"Sweetie, I'm so glad you're ok" she said, kissing his face all over and then hugging him again.
"Of course I'm fine" he said. "I always land on my feet" She shook her finger at him.
"No more motorcycle!" she said.
"No way!" he said. "I'm still not afraid of it"
"You should be.." she said, finally noticing Belle. "Belle, honey, when did you get here? Your mom has been looking all over for you"
"I snuck back here awhile ago" she said. "Back when we first got here" Hope laughed.
"If I would've known it was that easy, I would have done it hours ago!" she said, as a nurse came in to bring Shawn a glass of water.
"It's a good thing she was back here too" the nurse said. "She was the one to wake him"
"What?" Hope said, staring at them both back and forth.
"She talked to him" the nurse said. "She was the one that was here talking to him when he woke up" Belle blushed a deep red and Shawn watched her, amused.
"Belle, sweetie, thank you" she said, pulling Belle into a big hug. "Thank you so mouch"
"It was the least I could do" she said, embarrassed by the attention. They both turned when more people began to come in.
"How are you feeling, Sailor Man?" his grandfather said. Shawn laughed.
"Pretty good, considering" he said. More people came in, including Marlena and John.
"Belle! When did you get here?" Marlena asked.
"Belle was the one to wake him" Hope said, putting her arm around her and gently squeezing her again.
"Really? What did you do?" Julie asked, and everyone waited for her answer.
"I just talked to him, I really didn't do anything..." Belle said, blushing again.
"She must have had the voice that he wanted to return to" Caroline said, a small smile playing across her lips.
"Ok, enough of this mushy, romantic crap" Shawn muttered. "Question is-when am I gonna get out of here?" They all laughed.
"Glad to see it hasn't affected his attitude" Hope said, and they all laughed again.
"Well, of course not" he said. "So what does a guy have to do to get some food around here?"
"He's definately fine" his other grandfather said. "One of the first things out of his mouth is about food" Hope ruffled his hair, around his bandage.
"Hey, I'm a growing boy!" he protested. People began to drift out again to let him rest. Marlena came over and gave Belle a hug.
"I'm so proud of you" she whispered, holding her. "You were so strong for Shawn and I'm sure he's grateful"
"Thanks Mom" she said. They pulled apart and Hope eyed the two of them.
"How about we go get a cup of coffee in the cafe?" she suggested, taking Marlena's arm. "And we can get Shawn something to eat too"
"Sounds good" Marlena said, with a smile. Belle pulled the chair up to his bed again and sat down. Shawn smiled.
"Take your time" he said, as he flashed his trademark grin.
"I thought you were hungry!" Hope teased, before they left. Shawn yawned as he took Belle's hand in his again.
"Are you feeling ok?" she asked.
"Yeah, but those painkillers-man, they're fun and all but they're making me tired" he said, yawning again. Belle laughed and he suddenly turned to her with a serious face.
"Belle, thank you so much for sneaking back here and staying with me" he said.
"Shawn, I told you, it's no problem" she said. "I hope you would've done the same for me"
"No doubt about it" he said, holding in a yawn so that his eyes watered.
"Awww, are you crying?" she gently teased. He shook his head.
"Nah, not me" he said. "Just tired"
"How about you rest up before everyone comes back with your food?" she suggested.
"Are you going to leave?" he asked, his eyes opening wide again. She smiled.
"No, I won't leave you" she said. He rested his head back against the pillow and shut his eyes. Belle watched him sleep for a few minutes, also exhausted by the emotional night.
      Hope and Marlena came back sometime later to find Shawn sleeping holding Belle's hand. She was also asleep, her head resting slightly on his arm.
"I'll send her out" Hope whispered, and Marlena let herself out. She gently shook Belle awake. "Belle, sweetie, you'd better go. It's getting late"
"Ok" she said, reluctantly getting up. Shawn felt the movement and woke up.
"What's going on?" he asked, confused. "Where are you going?"
"Belle needs to get home, she has school tomorrow" Hope said. "I'll give you a minute to say good-bye and then Shawn, I'm staying here with you tonight. Doug and Julie are watching Johnny"
"Ok" he said, as his mom let herself out. Belle stood near the doorway, reluctant to leave but not sure of what to say. Shawn grinned suddenly.
"Have fun in school tomorrow without me" he said.
"Gee, thanks" she replied, sarcastically. Silence again filled the room and Belle stared at her sneakers. "Well, I'd better go"
"Yeah" he said. "Thanks for coming to see me"
"No problem" she said. "Stay out of trouble"
"I will" he said, with a laugh. She put her hand on the curtain and was about to pull it away when he stopped her. "Belle?"
"Yeah?" she said, turning slightly. He blushed and fumbled with the edge of the blanket.
"Just so you know" he said, avoiding eye contact. "I need you too" She blushed at his words, as they sunk in, and she gave him a little smile before she disappeared out of the room.