He could hardly bear to let her go. He wanted to keep her in his arms and when the wheelchair came around Lincoln was ready to kick that down the hallway too but he knew better. He had put on the brave face for her and he'd keep it on even if it killed him. Her dried and bloodied lips were odd to feel but so welcome in that moment. He kept his arms around her and took in the sight of her as she took in the sight of him. It took all he could not to blubber like a child in that moment. Her voice was quiet but the words so clear that he almost did start with the waterworks. [color=117722]"I love you too..."[/color] 

	Standing up slowly with her still in his arms, he carefully placed her into the chair. The nurse did what she had to to ensure Tasha was comfortable. He hated that he couldn't go with her, he needed to be with her. He needed to let her see him and he had to see her. This wasn't fair! He felt his hands curling back into their familiar fists and his jaw began to clench as his breathing got heavier and harder. Their eyes locked one last time before she was gone. He took a half step forward before Doctor Kumar placed a hand on his shoulder and stopped him in his tracks. A small shake of the head and he was off down the hallway after his patient. 

	He didn't know how long had passed as he stood there, watching the spot where he had last seen her eyes but people were staring. A nurse had moved his chair back to it's spot and asked him if he'd like a drink. He didn't answer. He remained as still as a statue just waiting to see them wheeling her back around the corner, to tell him that everything was wrong and that she was going to be okay. She didn't need surgery. Her chances of survival were higher than expected. [i]Something[/i]. But it never came.

	His hands slowly loosened and he slipped his hand into his pocket where his cell was. He pulled it out and flicked through his address book until he reached a name that had become more familiar over the last few weeks than he had anticipated. He hit their name then the call button and waited for Murphy to pick up.