Woo hoo! I'm back! As you guys know, I haven't been able to post or anything, and a few weeks ago, Confused and I came up with this horrible little idea. It's never been done, as far as we know, so we're excited. So sit back and enjoy Faded Star!

Disclaimer: Not ours!

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Alex laughed as she stretched and watched the TV, doing her morning exercise. It was too cold to go out and jog, so she'd have to settle for this for another month or two until she could resume her morning exercises in front of their house.

Buddy lifted his head and looked at her, then laid back down on the carpeted floor again, sighing heavily.

Alex looked at him and shook her head. "Just wait until April. Then it's back to exercise for you, mutt." She shook a finger at him. "You're getting chunky as it is."

Listening to this, Bobby snickered as he walked into the room. He shook his head. "I don't think Buddy understands a word you're saying."

"Sure he does."

Bobby snorted. He looked at Buddy. "Tell Mommy she's crazy." He shook his head and yawned.

She turned and looked at him. "How was your nap?"

Bobby smiled. "It was good. Thanks. What about you two? Having fun?" He moved to Alex and gave her a small kiss.

She nodded. "But I can't wait until it's warm enough to go outside again."

Bobby nodded in agreement. "We can take walks again…" He kissed her again, letting his hand slide down to her stomach. He smiled. "She's kicking down there…" He rubbed her stomach.

She rolled her eyes. "She always kicks when you touch me."

Bobby smirked. "I know, but it's like she's exercising with you. Doing the kicks and everything…"

"Sure, Goren…"

Bobby shrugged. He kissed her. "Are you hungry? I could fix dinner…"

She shrugged. "Not really, but we probably will be later."

Bobby nodded. "Okay. I'll get started on it, and you'll probably be hungry by the time I'm finished."

"Probably."

Bobby smiled. He gave her a quick kiss. He moved to the kitchen and started on dinner.

She turned back to the TV, surprised when the phone started ringing. Shaking her head, she went to answer it.

Sobbing, Jennifer spoke incoherently. She needed her sister. Alex needed to know.

Alex frowned, confused. She could make out her sister's voice, but she couldn't understand what she was saying. "Jenny? Jenny, slow down," she said soothingly as a lump formed in her throat. "What is it?"

Jennifer hiccupped as she tried to take a breath and start over. She managed to get it out this time. "It's-it's Matt… He…got…hit by…a car. We're at Mercy Hospital now. He's in surgery."

"Oh, God…" The phone slipped from her hand and hit the floor.

Bobby heard the phone hit the ground. Frowning, he came back into the room. He moved to her. "Alex, what's wrong?"

She didn't respond to him right away. The color had faded from her face, and her eyes were filled with tears.

Taking her into his arms, Bobby was scared to death. He stroked her back. "What is it? What's wrong, baby?"

She grabbed his shirt and clung to him, shaking. "M-Matt…"

Bobby frowned. He tightened his hold on her. He felt a sinking feeling in his gut now. "What happened to Matt?"

"H-He was… hit by a car… Oh, God…"

Bobby felt like he had just been punched in the stomach. "Oh, God, Alex…" He closed his eyes. He reached over and grabbed the phone. "Hello?" He frowned when he realized the line was dead. He looked at Alex and tried to focus. He had to hold it together for her. "Baby, get your jacket, and let's go… I'll drive…" He had to get her through this.

She could barely breathe as she grabbed her jacket and pulled it on.

Taking her hand, Bobby led her to the car and helped her in. He ran around to the driver's side and started the car. "What hospital are they at?"

"M-Mercy General," she replied weakly.

Bobby nodded. He pulled out of the driveway and headed for the hospital. He reached over and took her hand. He knew she was scared to death, and he just desperately wished he could give her more than his support. He wished he could fix it, could guarantee that Matt was going to be okay.

She clutched his hand, struggling not to break down in tears.

Bobby glanced at her, worried. He sped up a little, trying to get her there as fast as he could. She needed to be there.

"He's got to be okay," she finally whispered. "He has to."

Bobby swallowed hard. He nodded. "Yeah, he does. Just stay positive."

She nodded, trembling.

Bobby gave her hand another squeeze and prayed to God that Matt was okay. He was scared. He loved Matt. Matt meant everything to Alex, and he loved him so much.

The ride to the hospital passed in silence, and Bobby had barely stopped the car before Alex jumped out and headed for the entrance.

Bobby finished parking and followed after her. He prayed that there was good news waiting inside.

TBC...

A/N: (ducks flaming sporks and left shoes) Okay, okay, review and we'll update!