And I am here still waiting

Though I still have my doubts

And I am damaged at best

Like you've already figured out

I'm falling apart

I'm barely breathing

~~Lifehouse

James looked down at Edward as he smirked and raised his gun. Alarms were going off in the subway, red lights flashing on and off, but it didn't conceal the sound of the bullets leaving the barrel.

"Edward!" I screamed as I ran towards his body which was already falling to the floor. I stopped dead in my tracks as blood kept seeping from underneath him, spreading along the entire floor of the subway and making its way towards me. I looked down as the blood encompassed my feet and when I raised my head, James stood in front of me.

He raised his gun to me "Bye bye sweetheart" he said as he pressed the trigger.

I shot up in bed, my breaths already labored, and my skin had broken out into a cold sweat. I looked over to my nightstand table where my alarm kept beeping incessantly. I reached over to turn it off, and then closed my eyes.

I had stopped having nightmares long ago, but I couldn't deny that I knew there was a big chance I would have at least one nightmare about the subway.

I brought my knees up to my chest and rested my head against them, as I wrapped my arms around myself. I got my breathing under control and kept reminding myself that it was just a dream. James was gone, and Edward was going to be okay.

Oreo was still lying next to me on top of the covers and began shifting around, probably woken up by the alarm. I rubbed his head and then got up and headed to the bathroom. After I was finished, I brushed my teeth and tried to tame the mess of curls that rested on my head. It was definitely pointless so I just decided to put it up into a messy bun.

I reached to the hanger attached to the door and slipped on my favorite robe. It was bright pink and had Blossom, from The Power Puff Girls, covering the entire back of the robe. It was juvenile, I know, but it was so soft and cuddly that I wouldn't stop wearing it for anything.

I headed to my kitchen and turned on the coffee maker. Even though it was already eleven in the morning, I hadn't gotten home until two or three in the morning so I needed my caffeine fix.

While the coffee was brewing, I rummaged around in my cabinets for a bowl and took out the milk and Reeses Puff cereal. I began to pour the cereal in the bowl when someone began to knock on my door.

Hard.

"Relax, I'm coming" I muttered to myself as I walked over to the door.

As soon as I had the door open, I was tackled back into my apartment, almost falling to the floor.

"Bella! Oh my god! Are you okay? What happened? Oh I'm so glad you're okay! You scared me so much…" Angela said as she gripped me tighter.

I returned the hug "It's okay Angela, I'm fine"

She pulled away from me and held me at arms length "Fine? You're not fine! You could have been killed Bella!" she yelled.

She stared at me for a few seconds and then pulled me back into a hug "You don't know what it was like to see you getting into that helicopter Bella" she cried as I wrapped my arms around her.

"Oh Angela, I'm sorry" I said softly. "I should've called you sooner, but everything's okay now. I promise"

"Good" she sniffled as she pulled away. "I wouldn't know what I would do if I lost my favorite neighbor" she cracked a smile.

I laughed softly, happy that the mood lightened a bit "You can't get rid of me that easily" I winked to her.

She laughed and I invited her to the kitchen to have some coffee so we could talk. I took out two mugs and poured us both a cup, adding a splash of milk and two splenda's to mine before I stirred it with a spoon. I sat down at the table and let out a loud sigh before I began to tell her everything that happened yesterday.

She kept her hands wrapped around her mug the entire time, not speaking and only blinking occasionally. I could tell she was entranced by everything I had to say.

I finished telling her about everything. James, the man who was killed, and Edward. She shook her head slowly back and forth "I can't believe this happened" she said softly "I'm sorry you had to go through that".

"Life happens for a reason" I shrugged. "I'm just happy everyone else made it out safely."

She gave me a sad smile "yeah. So are you going back to the hospital now? To check on Edward?" she asked.

"Yeah" I said. "I mean, I know I don't know him or anything" I looked down at my mug "But I just feel like I have to be there with him. You know?" I really didn't know what this feeling was. I just felt like I had to be with him. For as long as he would have me.

She smiled up at me "Yeah. I get you. You look happy Bella. I think he might be good for you."

I felt the blush spreading over my cheeks "Nothing has happened yet. I don't even know what could come out of this…it was just one kiss. And he probably wasn't even thinking straight when it happened."I took as deep breath "I just want to be there when he wakes up and let whatever happens, happen."

She got up and started gathering he purse "Everything will work out, you'll see" she said as she came over to give me a hug. "I have to get to class, but call me later tonight okay."

I walked her to the door "I will Angela. It was good to see you" I smiled.

She stepped out and said another quick goodbye and then I shut the door behind her.

I went back to the kitchen and put the mugs and my half eaten bowl of cereal in the sink. I would wash them later. Right now, I just wanted to get to the hospital.

Oreo was playing with one of his chew toys when I stepped back into my room. I passed him and went to my closet to get my clothes. I wanted something comfotorable today, so I just picked out a dark pair of fitted jeans, and a blue long sleeve shirt. I would wear my scarf and coat over it.

I turned my shower on and let the steam relax me as I washed myself. When I stepped out, I brushed my hair and left it hanging around my shoulders. I then put on a minimal amount of makeup, got dressed, and began to gather my purse so I would be ready to go.

I quickly poured some more food and water in Oreo's dog bowl as he came running into the kitchen. I would have to take him for a walk later today when I got home from the hospital.

I left my apartment and walked outside to hail a cab. I didn't have to wait long, and I asked the driver to take me to the Metropolitan Hospital. I got there fairly quickly despite the traffic, but I couldn't believe my eyes when I arrived at the entrance of the hospital.

Reporters, photographers and news anchor's all lined the entrance to the hospital, bombarding a single doctor who was trying to tell them that he couldn't disclose any information. It wasn't a surprise to me to know that they were talking about Edward.

The taxi driver parked along the curb next to the reporters, and I paid him before I got out of the cab. I said a quick thank you as I closed the door, and as soon as the reporters noticed me, they all rushed over.

"Ms. Swan! Over here!" They all seemed to be screaming at once and I didn't know where to look "Can you tell us about what happened yesterday on the subway? What do you think of James' sentence?" flashes from the cameras came from every direction, and began to blind me slightly. I didn't realize I was frozen in place until the doctor that I had seen before put his hand on my shoulder and began to lead me inside the hospital.

All the voices began to blur together and I couldn't make out half the questions they were shouting at me. I was overwhelmed. I didn't know that anything like this would ever happen.

Once we got inside the doctor handed me a cup with water and told me to drink "It's been like this since this morning." He sighed "You two are quite the famous pair right now."

I didn't know how to respond, so I just thanked him for helping me get inside the hospital. I took the elevator up to the ICU and gave a quick good morning to the nurses in the front desk as I made my way to Edwards room.

The room didn't look as artificial as it did last night. Two of the overhead lights were turned off, and they had opened the windows to let some sunshine into the room.

Edward was still in the same position as before. Lying still on the bed with all the tubes coming out of his skin. I took my coat and scarf off and set them down on one of the chairs by the wall as I made my way over to the chair by his bed where I sat last night.

I sat down and grabbed his hand lightly in mine, being careful with the IV that penetrated his skin. Right when his skin came in contact with mine, my whole body relaxed. I felt calmer, not as anxious as I did before.

"So, we're famous apparently" I laughed softly "Well, you more than me obviously. I really didn't do anything."

I didn't know if he could hear me or not, but I liked to believe that he could. It felt good to talk to him like this. My mother always used to say that people in comatose states would heal faster if spoken to. She said that the voice was the cure, and I liked to believe that I could at least help Edward in this way.

Even if he couldn't hear me, speaking about what was going on was therapeutic to me. I could tell him what was on my mind, and it was a way for me to vent out my thoughts and feelings.

I began to play with his fingers as I told him about all the reporters outside "I was frozen in shock when I saw how many of them there were, I guess that means that the news has been talking about the subway a lot."

I took a deep breath "Emmet and Jasper were here too. They're such great people, Edward" I smiled to myself "I can't wait until you can actually get to meet them. You're all probably going to be really good friends."

I kept talking to Edward for a long time about random things. My childhood, my friends, my time at NYU…anything I could think of that I thought Edward would enjoy hearing. I should probably bring a book next time to read aloud to him.

I was brought out of my story when Edwards doctor opened the door and stepped into the room "Ms. Swan, I was hoping to see you here" He said with a smile as he brought his hand forward.

I stood up and shook his hand "Yeah well, I couldn't stay away any longer."

"I have some good news" the doctor began "Edwards wounds are healing well, and his lungs seem to have the capacity to breathe on their own."

I nodded my head to show I was listening, and he then continued "This is a very good sign, and frankly I think that we can move him out of the ICU tomorrow morning, and we can also begin to wane him off the drugs so he can wake up."

My posture straightened out as he spoke those words. Wake up? Edward was going to wake up soon. I began to feel butterflies in my stomach, but I didn't know why I was nervous. "How long will it take for him to wake up after you stop giving him the drugs?" I asked.

The doctor thought for a moment "Everyone's different, but it can be anywhere from twelve hours to a day or two."

I nodded my head. In less than three days I would be able talk to him, laugh with him and see his green eyes open again. It seemed like it was so far away, but I would wait for that moment for a lifetime.

Less than three days.

"By the way" the doctor said wistfully as he exited the room "Someone's asking for you. She's waiting in the waiting room."

Someone, a woman, was waiting for me? The only women I could think of were my mom and Angela, but my mom wouldn't have flown down here for this, and Angela's in the middle of class. My curiosity got the best of me, and I left Edwards room, after giving him one last glance, and made my way to the waiting room.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Who could be waiting there for her? We'll have to wait until the next chapter to find out.

And Edwards' going to wake up soon! I hope you're all as excited as I am for that!

I'm sorry my update was so short today, but I had a long week and I at least wanted to get something out so I could keep up with my promise of updating weekly.

Hopefully I won't make you guys wait a full week until the next chapter.

Thank you everyone who has reviewed, and added this story to your alerts and favorites. I'm so glad you guys are enjoying it.