It had been four days since you slipped into the coma... I hadn't left your side once... Tears rolled down my face as I stroked your curls...

'Please wake up...' I whispered, choking on the tears that spilled from my eyes. 'Please... I'm so sorry... I... I didn't mean what I said... I... I don't want to leave...' I kissed your eyelids softly, my tears falling onto your cheeks. 'I... I promised I'd never leave... and I'm gonna keep that promise...' I held onto your hand, mine looking so incredibly tiny in your much larger hand. I closed my eyes, willing myself not to cry.

'Don't you dare die on me, Bobby Goren...' I whispered, resting my head on your chest, listening to your breathing, your heart beating steadily. 'I can't lose you...' More tears spilled down my face, and I kissed your hand. 'I... I can't live without you...' I heard a soft knock on the door. It was Deakins, who had Mike and Carolyn in tow. I couldn't help but notice the death-grip Carolyn had on Mike's hand.

'How's he doing?' Deakins asked quietly, walking into the room.

'He... he's stable...' I whispered, running my fingers through your hair. 'I... I just want him to wake up... I wanna tell him how sorry I am...'

'None of this is your fault, Alex...' He whispered, pulling me into his arms. I burst into tears.

'S... sorry... Captain... I...' He held me at arms legnth.

'I haven't been your captain in almost a year... don't call me Captain...' I nodded softly. 'Bobby's a fighter... he'll be okay...' I nodded again, and sat back next to you, rubbing your arm gently. After a while, they left, and we were alone again. The doctors told me that there was a better chance of you waking up if you heard a familiar voice... so I talked to you...

'I... I never told you this... but with Croyden... I... I saw a whole new side to you... I... at first I was afraid... but then I realized that you were still you... When Nicole... when we realized she was behind it all... I...' I paused, tears rolling down my face again. 'I wanted to comfort you... I wanted to hold you, and never let you go...' I kissed your fingertips. 'And... when I told you I was a surrogate for Maggie... you looked so upset...' I let go of your hand and walked over to the window. 'I... I needed you there... when I had Nathan... I wanted you there...' I rested my head against the window and looked out. There was a clap of thunder, followed by a flash of lightning... then I could feel the cool rain as it hit the window.

'It's raining...' I whispered. I heard an intake of breath, and I turned around. Your eyes were focused on me.

'Not just outside...' You mumbled hoarsely, and I sat next to you, burying my face into your chest. Your arms somehow found their way around my waist, your lips, against my hair. 'Don't cry, Al... please don't cry...' I wiped the tears away, and looked up at you.

'I... you... you're okay...' I whispered, and you smiled softly.

'I... I could hear you talking... I could feel you... I could even smell you... I wanted to tell you it was okay...' You said quietly, sadness filling your brown eyes. I kissed your cheek gently, and snuggled into your arms. 'But... it's okay now... I...'

'You what?' I whispered into your ear, kissing it softly.

'I missed you... even though you were right here... I missed you...' You looked like a lost child... I began playing with your hair, and you smiled. 'Alex?'

'Yeah, Bobby...' I whispered, looking into your eyes.

'I... I love you...' You said almost silently. You looked ashamed, like you shouldn't have said it...

'I love you too...' I whispered... Your entire face lit up. I pressed my lips against yours, and for the first time in my life, I felt completely safe...

'It's stopped raining...' You mumbled into my neck. I smiled...

'It's stopped because we're happy...' No more rainy days for either of us, Bobby... We'll never be alone again...