NOTE: This story in a sequel to "Hit List" so it would probably make a lot more sense is you read it first if you haven't already. And of course I'd recommend reading all the others too ;)

CHAPTER 1

Still supporting a good portion of her weight, Saint John Hawke helped Ellie across the room and back to the hospital bed. "That was better," he encouraged, happy to see some progress, no matter how little it seemed to be.

"Really? Is it actually better? And I mean honestly, Saint John."

"It is."

"Alright," she said, breathless, "that's enough for now." She dropped onto the edge of the bed, ungracefully climbing back underneath the covers as Saint John tucked her in.

"You know, the doctors would probably have a fit is they knew what you were up to."

"But they think I'm doing great in physiotherapy. And you can't tell me you haven't done the exact same thing. What happened anyway - how'd I end up in a coma?"

"Ellie, is not-"

"It is. I want to know. Please, Saint John."

"I wasn't there so I don't know all the details, but you had gone to Italy to visit a friend and got in an accident. You spent a couple weeks there until you were…. life flighted…. back here to Van Nuys."

"What…. what about Joshua? Is he… did he live?"

"He had hardly a scratch."

"Where is he now?"

"School at the moment, just started a few weeks ago. I was going to wait a little while to bring this up, but it you're ready now…"

She nodded.

"No one had any clue if you'd wake up so he was put into foster care."

"Foster care?" she interrupted, "he … I understand the reasoning, but…."

"Ellie, it's alright."

"No, it's not alright. How can you say it is? He's-"

"Adopted."

"Oh no! Adopted! What am I supposed to do know? That's my son in…."

"Ellie, listen. It's alright, just listen to me. I adopted him. That way if you woke up, you could have custody back if you wanted, and if not I would see that he was cared for."

"I promise I'll take good care of Josh too, just like he were my own son, that was what I was hoping for anyway, if you'd have me. I'll be here if you ever need me, Ellie Mae, don't you forget that. Ever."

"Did you say something about that before? It does sound vaguely familiar now that you mention it."

"A while ago, but after the accident. It's been an interesting experience, but he'll be glad to have you back."

"Have you told him yet?"

"No, I just found out."

"Would you mind holding off a little while?"

"I can if you want, but String and Chance came by, and something is liable to get out sooner of later."

"I know. It's just, I don't feel I've been a very good mom - after Arthur was killed…it's just been one thing after another. I'll be the first to admit I've questioned my parenting abilities more than a couple times."

"I've questioned mine too. Le was the only one I've dealt with much, and I wasn't even there for the first twelve years of his life - what kind of parent is that? Honestly, Josh has been a bit of a challenge, but we've managed; it was a challenge I was willing to take on, otherwise I wouldn't have adopted him in the first place. You've got plenty of trials ahead of you and I'm here to help as much as I can."

"Thanks," she said gratefully, wrapping her arms around him, "that means a lot more than you probably realize."

He dropped a gentle kiss on her forehead before taking a seat in the chair beside the bed, "and I mean every word."

"I'll hold you to that."

"I wouldn't expect anything less."

\A/

"Can you do it once more?"

Ellie Mae nodded with false confidence. The way she saw it, the sooner she could get out of the hospital and do things for herself, the sooner life could go back to how it was, but three months of laying in a bed had ebbed away much of her muscle strength, making even simple tasks difficult and exhausting. She slowly took each careful step around the seemingly ever-lengthening physical therapy room, feeling as if her legs would collapse under her at any point. That was the last thing she needed. A multitude of helping hands would reach out to catch her, but another setback as far as her recovery simply wasn't acceptable. Saint John promised he'd be with her every step of the way, but she couldn't expect him to put his life on hold while she tried to catch up either, this was just something she had to do.

"Great job, your progress really is remarkable," the nurse praised.

Ellie was oblivious. Saint John was standing at the doorway, a pleased smile on his face - that alone almost gave her the strength to run all the way across the room to him. If only he knew what he did to her, she thought, if only he had the slightest clue.