Marva stopped for gas about 60 miles south of Dallas, called the clinic where Claudia was recovering and asked to speak with her daughter. She had previously spoke to the psychologist about the situation with her son and made certain that it would be alright to bring Claudia to see her brother, hoping she might be able to at least spend some time with him. Maybe the two would help each other to heal.

Claudia had been improving greatly in the past two weeks. Therapy sessions were helping her, especially the group sessions. She felt relieved to know that she wasn't alone in the world- there were others that suffered the same. There were days when she felt good and things were tolerable, but there were still days that made her want to curl up and cry herself to sleep. She was having a conversation with a sandy haired man that was roughly her age. He was from her group therapy sessions. One of the nurses came to her and told her that her mother was on the phone. When she came to the front desk, she wondered why her mom was calling instead of coming by.

"Hello?" she asked into the phone.

"Claudia, your doctor cleared you to come with me to Houston to see your brother," Marva informed.

"Why, Mom? What's the matter with Hagi?" she asked.

She took a breath, "Do you remember how we were all worried about how he kept trying to hide that he was sick?"

"Yeah," she answered as she remembered a couple of times where she saw him breathing hard and sometimes holding his chest. It mostly occurred when he thought no one was looking. She felt dread rising within her.

"He's in the medical center in Houston," she admitted. "Hagi is in a coma."

Tears fell from Claudia's eyes as Marva told her she would be there in another hour and would explain things on the way. Claudia hung up and ran to her room to pack her things.

Four hours later, Claudia arrived with Marva and Jim. Saya was talking to Hagi as he was still not moving other than his breathing. Saya's right arm was attached to a blood drip that was now empty. She carefully removed the needle and placed her finger over the wound to let it quickly seal. Through tears, she asked the unconscious man, "Why won't you wake up? Do y-you remember… I-I told you I love you, too? I still do, Hagi… but, do you still- love me? Maybe- maybe you don't want to be… with me- I am selfish and careless. I watched you go through so much because of me. Are you still asleep because you… don't want to wake up?" She felt the presences of two women coming into the room.

She turned to see the tall, brown haired woman she recognized from the photos and the fashion magazines Mao would often read. Claudia's eyes went to the still man as her hands covered her mouth and tears filled her eyes. Saya felt tears come to hers, as well. It amazed her that there were so many people, other than her, that loved the quiet man. She spoke softly, bringing the woman's attention and tear filled gaze to her, "Claudia."

Claudia looked to Saya and embraced her. She whispered, "Saya." They both cried for a minute as Marva watched from the door with tears in her eyes. Claudia spoke again, "I'm so sorry we have to meet this way. You and Hagi deserve way better than this."

Saya smiled through her tears in gratitude as Claudia broke away. She leaned over the stoic man and kissed his cheek, whispering in his ear, "I'm here, Big Brother." She wiped the smudge of coral lipstick off his cheek along with her tears that fallen there. Her hand found his and she looked down in surprise. "He- his hands," she whispered and then smiled. "Both are healed."

Saya smiled as she looked at his face and mused, "I wish he was awake."

Claudia continued to hold on to his hand, even when it did not grip back. Tears fell as her voice broke, "Me too."

He had first began his journey through the blank white hallway or room walking at a steady pace, but he heard so many voices around him- beckoning him back. Many of them were members of the Red Shield and Kai, then there was the twins, Lulu, Marva, and Jim. He was uncertain why he heard Saya's emotional voice and thought it was part of the dream. Now Claudia? He heard her and Saya calling to him. He thought of what he had heard earlier. Saya was worried that he had stopped loving her- impossible! She was everything to him! His life would cease to be without her. He realized he was running at full speed, trying desperately to reach her. He could hear Claudia and Saya speaking with Marva. He was aware of a few more voices now he thought out loud, "I am coming, Saya. I will come back to you."

Kai entered the room with the twins, George, Michael, Lulu, and Kaori. He gave a warm smile as he remembered the tall, brown-eyed woman. "Claudia, you had me fooled for nearly 10 years," he teased as he shook his finger at her. She gave a warm smile in response as he introduced her to the large brood that came along with him.

They hugged as she asked, "So how did you like what I did to him?"

"That really didn't look like him. I'm surprised he didn't kill you for that, " he laughed, "It's still hard to believe he looked like that- you don't have any photos of him like that do you?"

Saya remembered how he looked that day he came to her room and gave a small giggle- it really didn't look like him.

Claudia looked at her mom as Marva answered, "He wouldn't allow it. Every time we tried, he would disappear."

"'That darn cat,'" everyone from the brood quoted. Saya explained, "It's the nickname Kai gave Hagi."

Marva and Claudia looked at each other and burst into laughter. Saya imagined Hagi would groan with embarrassment if he'd heard this conversation. She heard Claudia chime in, "Have you heard the nickname the ranch hands gave him?" Saya was on the edge of her seat as Kai shook his head with a look of disbelief on his face.

"Pretty Boy," Claudia smiled as she revealed it.

Kai still wore a look of disbelief as he responded, "And they actually call him that." She nodded. He sputtered out a laugh. The kids and Kaori joined in. When he caught his breath he asked, "He hasn't killed anyone for calling him... that?" He couldn't seem to make himself say the nickname for fear the stoic chevalier would rise from the bed and strangle the breath from him.

"No, and he's asked them to stop several times, but I think he finally accepted it now," Marva responded. As she gave a round of hugs and introductions, paying special attention to George who seemed to feel a bit left out. After all, everyone else was older than him.

Claudia gave a sweet smile as she came and embraced the children and Kaori. When she came to the twins, tears filled her eyes as she held them a bit longer and commented, "He talks about you two so much."

Kai translated her words as Saya seemed quite surprised. She didn't know about the money he sent Kai for the girls or about his secret visits with the twins, orchestrated by the small lavender haired girl in the purple hoody and matching skirt. She marveled at the green eyed girl that actually looked like a child. "Is this the Shiff girl, Lulu?"

"I am," Lulu responded as Saya and Marva exchanged surprised glances that asked, How did she know?

Claudia smiled as she explained, "My brother shared a lot of stuff with me. He was very proud of you, young lady- you took on the huge responsibility."

Lulu spared a glance at the unconscious man that she thought of as a mentor, the man she felt she had let down, before her eyes went to the linoleum in front of her feet. "He won't be proud of me when he finds out I let them wake her."

She embraced the girl again and told her, "No, no, I know Hagi. I know he won't be upset with you." Her nurturing protective side felt compelled to protect the small girl, she pulled away and asked quietly, "Did they bully you into this?"

Lulu's eyes met hers and answered, "They wanted to save him and so did I."

Claudia nodded in understanding, "I'm glad you did. If you hadn't, I don't want to think what could have happened."

The room became sad again. The twins moved to Hagi's side and each grabbed a hand. They smiled to each other as they communicated in their private language that was completely done in their minds. Hibiki smiled to Kanade, "He's close. He will be here really soon."

Hagi felt the twins pulling on his arms. He couldn't understand why they were pulling him forward, but he wasn't moving.

Kanade added, "I can hear his song." They began to hum the song in a slightly higher key, along with the faint one that emanated from him.

He heard them humming the song she had taught him more than a century ago. He heard a voice coming from all around him whisper, "Why do you run to a destination that you already have arrived in? Don't you understand, you are already here?" He looked around the whiteness that was everywhere. He was becoming warmer as he felt everything still. He could feel his nieces' warm hands, smell Kai's aftershave, Kaori's perfume, coconut with lemon grass, the watermelon bubble bath- but mostly, he smelled Saya. She was so near it had to be a dream.

Saya's brows knitted together as she tried to concentrate, but her rumbling belly made it more difficult. She blushed as she noticed all the eyes on her.

"Come on, Saya," Marva said, "let's go get something to eat."

Lulu noticed the man's hands were now gripping the twins' hands and his brows furrowed for a second, but then his face went placid once again. She looked at the twins who returned her look and quickly moved their free hands to cover their lips with their pointer finger- their age old secret signal. She smiled knowingly and returned the gesture.

Saya rose from her seat next to her chevalier as Claudia informed that she would watch over her brother with Kai and his family while they were gone.

Hagi furrowed his brows for the briefest second as he felt Saya leaving. What kind of dream was this if he couldn't have Saya with him?

Hibiki thought quickly and asked, "Aunt Saya, shouldn't you kiss Uncle Hagi before you go?"

Saya looked at her and thought that it would be nice to kiss him, but not with all these eyes on her. Also, she didn't want to kiss him unless he could kiss her back. She moved over him to kiss his cheek.

Hagi felt her warm lips press against his cheek. The sweet contact made him forget where he was or anything around him. "If this is indeed a dream, I do not want a kiss on the cheek," he told the dream scape.

The room shared a collective gasp as the comatose man's hands came up and cupped Saya's face and bring her lips to his own. His eyes remained closed. At first, Saya was taken completely by surprise, but that was soon replaced with the most wonderful joyous feeling that rushed through her like lightning. Her mind screamed, He's awake! She pressed her lips against his even more as her eyes shut, but the kiss went no further than this.

Kaori stood in shocked amazement as she held George close to her and Kai interjected, "Now that's the best way to wake up! Way to go, Hagi!"

Kaori nudged him and shook her head as Hagi's eyes shot open. It wasn't a dream! She was awake and he was bold enough to kiss her… and in front of everyone! His hands moved away from her face and he became still.

Saya looked at him with confusion. She whispered to him, "Why did you stop?"

He answered in a low voice, "I apologize for being so forward, I…"

"You thought it was a dream," Claudia smiled as she moved near him. "Guess what? It's not a dream- you're alive and Saya's awake. Now you can live your dream."

He couldn't help but return her smile with a small one of his own. Her smile was something he hadn't seen in a long time.

Kaori came to his side and gave the stoic man a smile and said, "Saya, we'll go get you some food. You and Hagi should have some time alone."

Saya nodded her thanks and Kaori followed the twins, Michael, and George out of the room. Kai stood there, taking in the scene and was startled from a gentle nudge from his wife, reminding him that he was interrupting them. He smiled as he left the room and thought of saying something about the nickname Pretty Boy, but changed his mind when he saw the chevalier smile at Claudia and his sister.

The lavender haired girl shyly approached the bed with her hood over her head. She waited for Hagi to address her while Saya and Claudia looked down at her. Claudia put a reassuring hand on her shoulder as she offered a pleading look to him on Lulu's behalf.

He turned on his side and propped himself up on his elbow. He looked at the girl that had her hood up to keep her face hidden. "Lulu," he finally asked, "what is wrong?"

"I…" she started as she flustered with her words, "I… they told me you would die. I- if I didn't, she- you and you would…"

"Lulu, please put your hood back down," he requested. He watched as she revealed her face as she tried to hold back the tears as they welled in her eyes. "Remember, I told you that they would be persistant."

"I know," she moaned. "I thought I would just watch over her like I saw you do in New York, but I didn't know how hard this really is. I messed up, Hagi- I'm sorry."

Saya felt bad for Lulu, she didn't know how they had awakened her or how they obtained permission to awaken her. Now that she did, she felt a bit angry at Julia, Kai, David and all the others for pressuring her into it. At the same time she was glad for it, Hagi surely would be dead now if they hadn't pushed Lulu into waking her early.

Claudia understood, from what he had told her, Lulu was Saya guardian during her sleep since Hagi was too weak to do it for a time. Hagi was about to take back control when she lost her child and he felt obligated to stay in Texas until she was better, but then he fell ill himself. It made Claudia feel a bit guilty. If she could have controlled herself better, he would have been with Saya and protected her. Lulu would never have been forced into the situation that riddled her with guilt.

Hagi looked Lulu in the eyes and told her, "There is no need to apologize. I know you did it to save me." The relief on her face made everyone smile. He looked to Marva and added, "My mom betrayed my confidence by allowing the Red Shield to find me." He extended his hand to her and waited for her to come to him. He continued as Saya smiled to him, "I forgive her. She did what she had to in order to save my life, just like she did 10 years ago when I realized she has been more of a mother to me than anyone has." He looked at his hands- just now noticing them as the four females surrounded him. His look of surprise was evident in his face only for a quick moment before he came back to his usual expression. "My hands are healed," he observed. He then asked, "How?"

"Julia said that Saya's blood healed you," Lulu informed. "She thought that's what would happen when she gave you her blood."

He nodded and turned his gaze to Marva and asked, "Did you bring any of my clothes?"

Marva nodded, "Just some jeans and shirts. I didn't think to bring your suit."

"I would like to put some clothes on before anyone else comes in here."

Lulu took the hint and began to leave. She added, "I think you'll want to be alone with Saya so I'll talk to you later, Hagi." She made it to the door and added, "Thanks for everything, Hagi."

He wondered at her. Shouldn't he be thanking her? If she hadn't agreed to wake Saya, he would be dead. He felt Marva place a set jeans and a shirt on his lap as Jim came into the room. He came to Hagi's side and cupped his slender shoulder saying, "Welcome back, Pretty Boy, I'm glad you made it through okay."

Hagi winced at the nickname and his eyes fell on Saya who was giggling. A slight amount of color came to his cheeks as he tried to ignore the embarrassment he felt.

Claudia gave a smile as she asked, "Do you think you'll be alright dressing yourself?"

"I feel I am strong enough to get up and put something other than this on," he mentioned as his hand plucked at the thin hospital gown he was wearing.

The women made their way out of the room as Marva gave a look to Jim that requested he stay behind to supervise and possibly help Hagi. Jim helped him rise from the bed as the door shut.

Outside Claudia, Marva, and Saya waited and talked together. Saya was mostly quiet. She had placed her needs aside for the moment. She wanted to spend time alone with Hagi. She wanted to ask him how he felt about her and talk about where this new relationship was going. It wasn't long before Jim ushered the women back in the room.

Saya looked at him, sitting on the edge of the bed in black jeans and a button down white shirt. Her head turned downward as she felt color fill her cheeks.

His eyes immediately went to Saya as she came closer to him. Her scent was closing in on him, causing a tingling sensation to come to his hands. He was aching to touch her, but there were just too many eyes on them right now.

Claudia caught the look he gave Saya and her flushed expression. She thought better of coming back into the room, realizing the two needed to be alone. She cleared her throat as she looked at Jim and then told her mom, "I'm starving, why don't we go grab a bite to eat, Mom?"

Marva noticed the look on Hagi's face and smiled. "Jim, come with us," Marva requested. She came to Hagi's side and gave him a hug. "I'll see you in a bit. You and Saya have some catching up to do."

Hagi gave them a grateful smile as his sister embraced him. He whispered in her ear, "Thank you, Claudia."

Once they were gone, Saya looked at him where she stood. He was her chevalier, but her heart was pounding in her ears and her palms felt sweaty. She wondered why she was so nervous. Her feet began to move to him on their own accord as she felt his magnetic blue eyes drawing her to himself.

Before she could register what had happened, she was in his arms with her lips pressed to his. Her arms snaked around his waist as his hands gently stroked her hair. After a time, their lips parted and he pressed his forehead to hers. He spoke gently, "I will always love you. I meant what I said at the Met and when I was in Okinawa with you. Nothing will ever change what I feel for you, Saya."

Her hand came up and caressed a stray lock of hair from his face, brushing his cheek and jaw, causing barely noticeable shivers to run through him. She responded, "I- I don't know how long I've been in love with you. I know it must have been a long time because whenever I thought I'd lost you- it felt like a huge piece of me had just gone missing." Tears of joy streaked her face as she felt his two cool thumbs come to her face and wipe them away. His eyes danced with a fire she did not understand in her innocence. Her lips pressed to his again and he pulled her closer, deepening the kiss as they seemed to pull each other closer and closer with each passing second. Her mouth opened and he responded the same, letting their tongues dance together. Both were immersed in the current of electricity that came from the close contact they had been missing from each other for so long. He broke the kiss and whispered, "I love you, Saya."

He continued to hold her close to him as she pressed her head to his chest, listening to his strong, steady heartbeat and taking in his warm, welcoming scent. The smell was slightly distorted by the strong scent of rubbing alchohol, but she knew that with a warm shower, it would be gone. "Hagi, I love you, too. Don't ever leave me."

"I will never leave you, Saya."

The door opened as Julia and David came in, causing Hagi to stiffen and his joyous features clouded with the expression they were all familiar with during the war. The steel wall was back up.

Saya felt the sudden change and place her hand in his, pulling him toward Julia and David. She soothed, "Please, Hagi, they just want to examine you."

Julia sensed that Hagi was feeling better, but still not trusting them. "Hagi," she began, "I am sorry that we lied to you. We didn't want to get you upset or agitated in the state you were already in. Please, understand we only wanted to help you."

His glare became cold as he spoke, "You lied to me and you lied to Saya as well."

Saya moved between them and looked to her chevalier. "Hagi, it's alright," she soothed. "They were only doing what they thought was best."

"But…" he tried to say.

"No, Hagi. Now please, let them examine you," she commanded. Deep down, she hated doing this to him, but knew it was for the best. It was difficult for her to stand in authority over him since she wanted them to be equals, but she wanted him to be healthy and the only way to ensure it was if Julia examined him. She would deal with these issues herself, later.