Careful not to wake Bernie, Alex awoke and went to Pulses to get them some coffee. Cappuccino and a flat white with two sugars. When she returned, the army medic was sitting straight up in her bed, eyes wide open.
"Alex! Oh my god I thought you had left me." Bernie said, an edge of panic rising in her voice.
"I told you I'd stay, and you know I keep my promises." Alex responded, setting down the coffees and taking the blonde woman's hand again. She delicately rested her other hand against Bernie's chest; her heart was beating like a drum. Alex knew from experience that loneliness was worse than death - in the army, you were never alone and never had the time to feel lonely. But when you weren't at your post (or in Bernie and Alex's case, your medical station), you couldn't help but feel an overwhelming isolation, and often feared being alone. Therefore, Alex made sure that next time she went somewhere, she told Bernie. Anything and everything to keep her soulmate happy.