The hushed conversation and a light shining in her eyes brought her back to reality. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed the wrist of the person standing above her and tried to look at them. Her vision was blurred and she heard a nurse say something.

"She's awake. Do you want us to bring the boys in?"

"No. She needs rest. Go tell the boys she's fine."

The nurse left the room and she looked up at the person again. The light disappeared and she took another deep breath.

"Where am I?"

"Your in a hospital bed. Mary is resting in the bed next to you."

"Well it's about time sleepy head! Had me worried sick!"

She laughed and winced as the pain shot through her head. Mary laughed and started coughing.

"Take it easy, both of you. Nick'll skin me if you damage yourselves more."

Hearing that name, Katie forced her eyes to focus on the doctor above her. Eventually she could see clear enough to make out Trent. He blinked as her gaze focused.

"Well I'll be. I see where Timmy gets his strength."

She pushed herself up slowly and said, "I need to get home."

Trent pushed her back down gently and said, "No way. You took a nasty fall back there. If Nick hadn't called in the paramedics, it could've been more than just a concusion."

She frowned and said, "Mary, tell him to let me go."

Mary sighed and said, "They're right. You are an idiot, Katie."

Her words shook Katie and she looked at her friend. The woman was near tears and she shoved Trent off her as she moved to her friend's side.

"Mary? What is it?"

Taking her hand, she sat next to her and heard, "The twins have already lost their father, and your stupid stunt almost caught them their own mother. Why did you do that?"

Katie looked down at her with a soft smile and said, "I wasn't going to lose my best friend. I couldn't lose you."

The door opened and Trent cleared his throat. Katie looked up and found the twins watching her. She smiled as she got onto her knees and they ran to her. Holding her boys, she felt everything rightening itself again and she let out a relieved sigh.

"How did they get in here?"

"I let them in."

Trent's eyes widened at the voice and he said, "Nick. I can explain."

He grunted and said, "Go take a breather. I can handle this."

The man sighed with relief and left the room without another word. Katie looked up at Nick and let go of the boys. They looked up at Nick and smiled.

Jared tugged on her hand and said, "He said that you were very brave, Mom!"

She looked down at him and said, "Oh honey."

She knelt down in front of him again and said, "I wasn't brave. Trust me. I was terrified of losing Aunt Mary."

Nick's eyes moved to Mary and she nodded slowly. He turned back to Katie and watched the boys cling to her. When she had collapsed on him, he had brought her here immediately and sent for her sons. Mary's daughter was staying at home in case they needed anything.

"Katie, can I talk with you?"

She looked up at him and slowly let go of her boys. They hopped onto her bed and Nick led her out into the hall. Closing the door, he looked back at her and found her holding herself as she looked down the hall.

"Weird to be back here so soon."

His eyes narrowed and he asked, "What is it?"

She met his gaze and said, "I had hoped to not come back here, ever again."

He led her over to a pair of seats and had her sit down. She let out a sigh and leaned her elbows on her knees.

Holding her head in her hands, she said, "Mary was right. That was so stupid of me."

He looked at her and asked, "How so?"

She looked at him hard and said, "My boys don't need to lose their only parent. I wasn't thinking about anyone but me."

He saw the tears she held back and pulled her into his arms. She rested her head on his shoulder and let out a sigh, fighting it off.

"You were holding onto a very important person to you."

She shook her head and said, "I was clinging to the last part of David that I have."

Pulling away, she got to her feet and began to pace. Wringing her hands together, she looked back at the door to her room and leaned against the wall.

"She is David's sister. She's been there for me since before David and I ever started dating. She helped me through his death. We mourned together."

Nick go to his feet and said, "There's nothing wrong with that."

Katie met his gaze and softly said, "I should be able to live without anything tying me to him. He's been dead for three years."

Her eyes filled with tears as she looked away and he pulled her back into his arms. Running his hand along her back, he let her cry silently on his shoulder.

"You were acting on instinct. That doesn't make you a fool. Sometimes, people need that one connection for the rest of their lives to keep them together."

She looked up at him and asked, "Why are you helping me?"

He let her go and said, "I don't know really. Maybe because I've never met someone as strong and willful as you. You're raising two young boys out in the country on a farm all by yourself."

A small smile crossed her face and she said, "You're not so bad yourself."

He chuckled and said, "You don't even know me."

She ran her hand through her hair and said, "I know enough of you to know if I can trust you."

His eyes met and he watched a strand of black hair fall into her face. Gently he brushed it back behind her ear and felt her skin burn at his touch. His eyes connected with hers and he slowly pulled her to him. His mouth sought hers out slowly and gently ran over her lips, savoring her taste. His hand ran through her hair and he felt the sensations eating away at his control.

Pulling away, he watched her look away and catch her breath. His eyes blazed as he watched her and slowly she looked back at him. Her eyes were soft and she smiled as she pulled him to her. Their mouths found each other and a fire lit inside them. Her arms wrapped around his neck and he snaked an arm around her waist as his other hand crushed her hair to her head.

A soft moan drove his senses further and he felt every ounce of him screaming for her. She pulled away slowly and stepped to the door. Taking in deep breaths, he watched her regain control of herself and step inside the room, closing the door behind her.

PGS