Hope you all enjoyed chapter two. This part will be in Colby's point of view. Sit back and enjoy.

Recap: Colby took Annaleigh to the hospital after the attack.

Showtime

I was patiently waiting in the waiting room for the doctor to come back. Okay, that was a lie. I was freaking out, not knowing what was going on with Anna. Three hours later, the doctor came out and I quickly stood up. "How is she doctor?"

"She barely made it." My heart sank to the floor and I fell back into the chair.

"What...um, what's the-"

"Massive head trauma and she has re-injured her arm. Whatever happened to her, she was lucky that you were there. You can go see her but she won't respond. The effects of the sedatives haven't quite worn off." I stood up but the doctor stopped me. "I'm warning you now. The condition she's in isn't for the faint of heart."

"I can manage. Did something happen in surgery? She looked perfectly fine when I brought her into the hospital."

"She seized on the table. Then she woke up screaming your name and tried to walk out of the room. She was determined and in the midst of the episode, she lost her footing and fell into the table of surgery equipment. I've never seen anyone do that before and I've been practicing medicine for ten years. You certainly have made an impact on her." He walked away and I couldn't help but be a little confused. Hell, I was really confused. I walked to Anna's room and took a deep breath before I walked in. The doctor was exaggerating quite a bit because Anna seemed fine. I sat down in the chair next to her bed and grabbed her hand.

"Anna...I can't begin to tell you how much I thank you. It took...a whole lot of guts to do that. And for someone you just met...I don't think I could have done it."

"Sure you could." My head popped up and I saw Anna trying to move in the bed.

"You...heard me?"

"Sure did. Even for...having grenades and a Hummer blow up around me." She coughed, situating herself so that she was comfortable.

"So...how are you doing?"

"Hurts to breathe sometimes. Can't believe that I seized on the table. I've never done that before." She groaned and my heart went out to her. "Colby."

"Yeah?"

"Thank you."

"For what?" She smiled at me before coughing again.

"Bringing me here, waiting all that time for me. Not a whole lot of people would...do that for someone they just met."

"I felt like...we had a connection. Besides, we have a lot in common." She shifted in her bed and sat up a little more. "I should have recognized the name. You served in Afghanistan, didn't you?"

"Yes I did. How did you know?"

"Despite me being discharged, I still end up getting the deployment orders sent to me. I saw your name. I didn't realize that you were the face that went with the name. I have to say, I'm pleasantly surprised."

"Pleasantly surprised? You didn't expect me to look like this?"

"Not really. Most of the servicemen end up being big brutes that have a face to match. Or they are on the other end of the spectrum and they are scrawny, dorky looking guys. I don't usually see a lot of good looking guys. You're one of the few I've seen."

I tried as hard as I could to keep the color in my cheeks normal but it was probably pointless. "Well, thank you. I'm flattered. No offense but I didn't think that Lieutenants-"

"Lieutenant Colonel."

"But the attacker..."

"Was wrong. I was promoted a few more times before I was sent home. He must not have been paying close enough attention."

"Wow. I don't..." I didn't want to insult her but I have never seen a female Lieutenant Colonel before.

"You don't see a lot of female Lieutenant Colonels, I understand. No offense taken, Colby." She laughed but it turned into a cough and her face changed back to one of pain.

"Did anything like this happen overseas?"

"A few times. I remember one time, we were ambushed and they let everyone go except for me. I couldn't figure out why but now I know why they did it."

"Because you were female?"

"Female and the second highest rank in my unit. My commanding officer, along with the rest of my unit, died in the crash."

"You were...the only survivor?" She nodded and looked out the window. "I couldn't imagine going through anything you went through. I know that my unit, they were family. Losing everyone..." My voice faded, suddenly feeling very emotional about my own unit.

"It's something a person should never go through but it's the price to pay for keeping everyone safe back home." She grabbed my hand again and I smiled. I could get used to this. Before I could say anything else, the door opened and the rest of the Eppes family stepped in. "Hey guys. How did you know I was here?"

"Colby called. He told us what happened and we got here as soon as we could. Can I talk to you privately, Colby?" I let go of Anna's hand and smiled at her.

"Sure thing, Don. I'll be right back, Anna." I followed Don out of Anna's room and stood by the window. "What's up Don?"

"What the hell happened, Colby? Why didn't you call for back up?"

"You think I knew what was going to happen? I ran into her at the coffee shop, we started talking and she told me to follow her home. You should be glad that I did follow her. What do you think would have happened if I didn't?"

"Look Colby, I'm not saying it's a bad thing you were there..."

"Yes you are, Don. You wouldn't have asked me out here if you weren't. I understand she is your sister but you don't get the fact that I pretty much saved her life by being there." He went to say something but I stopped one. "I don't want to talk about this now, Don. I'm going to go back in there and be there for her. You got a problem with that?"

"Not at all, Colby."

"Good." Because I'll be damned if I let Don ruin something that could turn into the best thing that has ever happened to me.

-FIN-

Hope you enjoyed it. Next chapter will be up soon.