(A/N): I finished this chapter finally...sorry about. I am almost ready to post the next, so hang in there...Kat

The knowledge of someone next to her made her slowly force herself to waken enough to see whom it was. When she tried opening her eyes, she found that it was just an effortless attempt, so she just laid there. Her senses picked up the touch of someone else and she rolled her head to that direction. She slowly managed to open her eyes, but everything was still dark. Slowly everything cleared and she looked at the side of her bed.

He was passed out in the chair next to the bed and his head was lying on the bed while their hands were laced together. She couldn't help but want to laugh at the sight. Then she stopped and realized that for the first in a long time she had wanted to laugh. When she let the thought go, she returned her attention to the man next to her and she began wondering why he was here. She couldn't image her mom letting him stay, but something could've happened while she slept.

Slowly her free hand made its way across her body and began brushing his wild hair from his face. She made sure he wasn't awake as she touched him and then the door opened. Her hand was by her side again and she saw the doctor stop walking when he met her gaze. He seemed surprised to see her awake and she followed his actions. As he wrote something on her chart, she felt the doctor's gaze leave her and focus on the man next to her.

For some reason, the man seemed relaxed at the sight of the sleeping man, but he also appeared like he had pity for him. She couldn't figure why this was so, but she didn't have the strength to ask. When the doctor finished writing, he laid the chart down and looked at her. Then he turned away and left the room without another word. The door closed without a sound and she felt him slowly begin to stir.

When he sat back in the chair, she watched him take in a deep breath and slowly allow his eyes to open. At first he just stared into space, but then he slowly met her gaze. The instant she felt his old magic working on her, she tried to pull her hand free and look away, but it was too late. She was held prisoner to him by those evil blue eyes of wonder. Then she felt him slowly separate their hands and she let out a quiet breath of relief.

Her hand found its way back to her hair and she ran it through her hair with frustration rather noticeable. She hated the fact that she was back in the stupid hospital no more than the fact that she wasn't getting out any time soon. However, the worst part of being like this was that she had no way to escape her pain. Slowly she managed to let her gaze roam the room and rest on the window. It was warm and bright outside, but she was freezing under his gaze.

Then he got to his feet and she watched him walk over to the table to get a drink from the corner of her eye. When he was finished downing a glass of water, she managed to pull herself up into a sitting position and her eyes drifted to the blasted IV taped to her wrist. She fought the urge to jerk the needle out and run out of this horrendous place. With a silent sigh, she took a deep breath and slowly began working her arm awake. It was rather stiff from when she landed on it who knows how long ago.

Her shoulder was starting to burn and she stopped pushing it. Then she looked back out the window and watched the sun slowly disappear behind the clouds. When he sat down next to her, she didn't meet his gaze and then his hand found hers. It felt so right to have his hand laced with hers, but she knew it was nothing and she was letting her emotions get the best of her. She wanted to meet his gaze or touch his face, but her restraint was too strong for such foolishness.

Then she looked at the door and heard, "You've been asleep for two weeks. The doctors were starting to think you wouldn't wake."

His voice made the inward battle rage on and she heard, "Your mom stopped by earlier today and asked me to take over while she went to get some sleep. The woman was on the verge of collapsing from watching over you night after night."

She fought the well-hidden tears back with somewhat of a struggle and then she pulled her hand away from him. It made his gaze intensify on her, but she wouldn't meet it.

Then she heard herself say, "Get out."

He took a deep breath and said, "I can't do that. Stef isn't here to take over."

She bit her lip to fight a cry of joy and said, "Get your jacket and go."

She could hear him stand and then he said, "I am not leaving."

Finally she looked at him and said, "Get out before I have you thrown out. This isn't some game you can laugh at when it's all over. Now, get out."

His eyes held hers for a few minutes and then he asked, "Do you think it is a game?"

She looked away and said, "I can't handle whatever you think this is. You have her waiting and trust me, it's hard to do. Now, get out or I will."

He sighed and said, "It's not a game and forget Ashley. She isn't a problem."

Then he sat next to her on the bed and slowly intertwined their fingers together with his thumb caressing her wrist. She took a deep breath and slowly allowed her gaze to finally meet his. He looked worn out and relieved at the same time, but she knew it wasn't true. It couldn't be true, not after all the years she fought away everything he had caused. When his left hand brushed her cheek, she looked away to hide the soon erupting storm.

Then he said, "Don't try to hide anymore. This time, I'm not going to hurt you."

She closed her eyes as her throat worked on taking deep breaths and then she looked at the door. The storm had passed without her breaking this time, but she knew it wouldn't be this merciful next time. Then he turned her face to him and she felt her pulse quicken just from looking into his eyes.

PGS