Emily sat in the hospital for hours. Just waiting for news. Pam had immediately gone for brain surgery, and Emily had been told there was a 50/50 chance she was going to make it. Of course, it brought to the surface everything that had happened between them over the past few months. "I would've got a boyfriend," Emily whispered to herself. "If it had made you happy Mom, I would've got a boyfriend." And with that, she received a text from Paige.

"Where are you? P x"

"Could say the same thing to you, McCullers."

"Emily, where are you? I want to see you. P x"

"Hospital."

"Oh my god, why!"

"It's my Mom."

Having worried enough about her Mom, Emily turned her attention to Paige. Just hours ago she was concerned that Paige had taken her own life. Was that a little extreme? Emily knew the feelings Paige was having. She knew what they were capable of. Regardless, she did have a strong gut feeling that Paige was in a bad way. Having not heard back from her yet, she hastily added:

"She had a brain hemorrhage. She's in surgery now. You didn't tell me where you've been? Em x"

"Oh my god Emily, do you want me to come? P x"

"No it's fine. Where have you been? Em x"

"Home."

Sensing the resilience, Emily knew for sure she was onto something. However, while her mother was on her death bed, it was hard to think clearly and prioritize Paige. Emily sat alone, in a dimly lit waiting area, feeling like the world was caving in on her. Yet there were two people she had to be strong for. She felt it was her responsibility, and if she were to give in to the pain, it would be a sign of weakness. She was Emily Fields, she could do anything.

"Paige, I'm worried about you."

Emily knew it was a risky text. She couldn't let Paige get too emotionally involved, or she might fall deeper in love. Emily convinced herself it was her responsibility as a friend to check on her. That's what friends do, right? If only there weren't so many complicating circumstances.

"Why?"

This response threw Emily slightly. She wasn't sure if it was a snarky remark, meaning "I thought you didn't care about me anymore," or if Paige genuinely didn't know why. All she could do was stare at the text. She typed out a few replies and then deleted them. It seemed impossible. Then, at that moment, a surgeon appeared.

Emily rose immediately. "What happened? Is she ok?"

"You mother should be fine. We managed to stop the bleeding and stabilize her, and she should make a full recovery."

"Oh my goodness, that's amazing! Thank you so much." cried Emily, consumed with tears of joy.

"You should be aware though, recovery will be slow. The brain has been put under a significant amount of stress and it will be awhile before she… functions properly."

"What do you mean?"

"She might not remember some things, at least not at first."

"Oh." replied Emily, beginning to imagine what that might mean. She found it very hard to move or speak, or even think straight.

"Would you like to see her?" asked the Doctor.

"Yes please."

Emily sat with her mother till sunrise. She remained unconscious, and although Emily considered speaking to her, she couldn't see what good it would do. She would spend the next few months repeating herself, why bother when Pam was asleep? As for Emily, she didn't sleep. Once again, she felt responsible to be by her mothers side, watching. She was Emily Fields. Indestructible. And the thing she was most determined to keep intact? Her will to ignore her feelings, for one Paige McCullers.