I was sleepin' deeply when the nurse woke me up. Why do they do that? Can't they just let a person sleep? I suppose, though, it was important because she was askin' some more of the questions to make sure my brain was functionin' okay.

Of course, I couldn't get back to sleep, so I ended up contemplatin' the whole mess I was in. I felt guilty about not turnin' myself in, but there was no way I could give up my job now; I needed the damned medical insurance.

I guess that I had decided already to not 'fess up though, if I was honest with myself. Else, I'd have done it after the ATMs. I decided that, if things got out of hand, I would, no matter the consequences. I just had to decide what "got out of hand" meant.

Certainly, if I killed someone. Or maimed them. But, short of that, I wasn't inclined to say anythin'.

I knew that it went against my code of ethics as a cop, a detective. And I knew that it meant that, one day, I'd have to hide evidence on the job. I also knew that once I committed to this, and it seemed that I had, there was no goin' back, unless I wanted to face the consequences.

I was just thankful that he had the sense of mind to not try and go out jesterin' while I was in the hospital. I was comin' to trust my alter ego; he didn't seem to be stupid.

Not being able to go back to sleep, I turned on the TV and flipped through the channels until I found a Three Stooges movie. I loved slapstick comedy and soon I was gigglin' along like a kid. I watched for some time, the sun coming up and lighting the window.

I heard a knock on the door and turned to see Danny come in.

"Hey, Terry! Good to see you awake. How are you doing?"

"Well, I think they've cut back on the pain medication, and it doesn't hurt too bad, so I guess I'm doing okay. If I get the go ahead, I might be released today."

"That's great! I've cleared it with the Lieutenant; whenever you need a ride, I'll come after you."

"Thanks, partner. You're a good friend."

"Oh, speaking of ride, the garage called the precinct when they couldn't get you on your cell. You're car is ready to be picked up," he told me.

"Excellent! Can you call them back and let them know it might be a few days?"

"Sure."

I sighed. "Man, I could totally go for a cup of coffee."

"You want me to go and get you some?" he asked.

I contemplated, but then I said, "Actually, I don't know that I'm allowed to have caffeine. So, we better not."

"That's my partner, always following the rules."

"Yeah, that's me," I lied.

We talked about some of the cases we were workin' on and then he left, heading to work. After he did, the nurse came in to check on me.

"I've got good news, Terry! The doctor says you can go home today."

"Oh man, that sounds great. Sleepin' in my own bed is just what I'd like to do right about now. Even my couch is more comfortable than this bed."

She laughed, "Yeah, that's what most people say."

"What's the possibility of taking a shower?"

"Pretty good. We just need to get you a shower cap."

"Ooo... sexy," I said, wiggling my eyebrows.

She smiled and shook her head. "Actually, let me take out your IV. We were going to start you on oral pain meds anyway. You just have to promise to drink some water."

"Oh! Can I have coffee instead?"

"You bet."

"You have just officially become my most favorite nurse."

"Well, I'm honored. Now, let me go and get what I need in order to take out that IV and get you ready for the shower."

She left and I managed to get myself up and shuffle with the pole to the bathroom to do my mornin' business.

By the time I was done, she was comin' back into the room with bandages, a new hospital johnny, and the cap. "You've got soap and towels in there already. We'll rewrap your wound when you're done, and I'll teach you how to take care of it at home."

I took a shower and came back to bed. It felt good to be mostly clean, but I wished I'd been able to wash my hair. I did like the fact that I didn't have to shave. I was goin' to enjoy that for my time off.

Apparently, the station I was watchin' was a slaptick marathon and I sat in the chair to watch until the nurse came back. She went over the care, which basically amounted to keepin' the area clean. That meant that I could, if I was careful of the stitches, wash my hair tomorrow.

"Also, I've started your release paperwork. You need one more check over from the doctor and he usually makes round in the afternoon. I'd call for a ride to pick you up about four. Oh, and I ordered you up some breakfast. I assumed that you liked bacon and eggs. Most people do."

"You got it. As long as there's coffee, I'm good to go."

She smiled and, while she was busy, I happened to glance at her hand; no ring. I suppose with my divorce pending, I could start thinkin' about dating again. But, then, what about the Jester? I wasn't sure what to do about that.

I gave Danny a call at the precinct and let him know what time to come after me.

It was an uneventful day, relatively speakin', and, at last I was home. The first thing I did was take another shower and put on some clean clothes. I was glad I'd had the forethought to do a couple of loads of laundry in anticipation of not feeling like it when I got home.

I found that, as long as I kept up with the pain meds, I was fine. The doctor has said to start to wean myself off of them rather than go cold turkey or else the pain would spike. So, I started doin' that. I could go back to work when I'd finished with the pain meds; I couldn't be under the influence and carry my weapon.

I ate and then crashed on the couch watchin' more of the comedy marathon.

I woke up on the couch in the middle of the night and panicked a little; I couldn't remember why I was there instead of my bed for a split second before it all came back to me. I felt relieved that I'd fallen asleep there, but probably hadn't been out.

I wandered to the office and things looked the same. So, apparently, the Jester was takin' it easy, too. I went upstairs and settled into my own bed with a sigh. It was good to be home.