Wow, ya'll really seemed to enjoy Faith and Serenity. I've gotten quite a few requests to do a third story, so here it is. Enjoy, and please remember to review!

Disclaimer: Not mine.

CICICICICICICICICICICI

My hands begin to shake as I stand in the door leading into Mike's room. For a week, I've sat by him and held his hand, pleading with him to open those beautiful eyes and talk to me, with no results. Until now.

A soft groan reaches my ears, and I shake myself out of my thoughts, then slowly approach his bed. My left hand comes to rest gently on his damp forehead, while my right finds a spot on his chest.

"Shh," I whisper soothingly as he groans again. I hate that he might be in any pain. He's already been through so much... My hand absently strokes his thick hair. "It's going to be okay now, Mike."

His dark eyes slowly flicker open, and at the confused look in his eyes, I caress his cheek. "You're going to be fine," I murmur gently. "You're going to be just fine."

He coughs and groans quietly. "Carolyn..."

Tears well in my eyes, but I blink them away and reach down, taking his hand in mine. "Right here, hon. I'm here."

He squeezes my hand weakly, and I chuckle and brush my lips softly against his forehead. Now that he's awake and I've heard his voice, I'm sure he's going to be fine.

His hand squeezes mine tighter, as though if he lets go, I'll disappear. But I'm not about to go anywhere. Not until he can leave with me.

"I'm not leaving, Mike," I whisper in an attempt to soothe his fears.

His lips turn up in a small smile, and I touch my fingertips to his lips. "Sleep. I'll be here when you wake up," I promise, caressing his hair slowly.

"P-Promise...?"

I nod firmly, then carefully sit down on the bed beside him, my hand still holding his gently. "I promise. Just sleep."

He sighs deeply as his eyes flutter shut, and my shoulders sag with relief as his chest moves up and down slowly.

I turn his hand in my lap and caress his palm, smiling contently when his hand closes around mine. Even in his sleep, he knows I'm here, and that relieves me to no end.

I bring his hand up to my lips and kiss his knuckles gently, then reluctantly stand up and sit down in the chair by his bed. His face is still pale, and I shudder again as I think of how close I came to losing him forever.

I lean over and kiss his cheek gently, relieved when he stirred and turned slightly in my direction. And again, I thank God for letting him live, even if sometimes I think I don't deserve him.

My hand is still gripping his as I settle back in the chair. I haven't slept well in a week, and my exhaustion is finally catching up to me. But I don't fight it, because he's going to be okay, and I'm not leaving his side.

I pull my chair closer to his bed and settle my head on his shoulder, then draped my arm over his waist. From this position, I can hear his heart beat, and I'll know if he stirs. "I love you, Mike," I whisper, stroking his arm gently. "I love you."

He doesn't respond, and that's fine with me. There will be time to tell him again. And again, I thank God that there will be.

The End

A/N: Well, there ya'll have it. I think that that's probably going to be the last story in this series, but ya'll never know. Thanks for reading, everyone, and please remember to review!