AN: This chapter's short, but it's vital. Hope you enjoy it.

"Now remember, Mr. Cohen," the doctor reminded before sending Mark into Emily's room. "Your friend is very weak, and will probably still be sleeping."

"I understand," Mark nodded before walking in. However, nothing could have prepared him for the sight of his friend. This was the same person who cared for the unfortunate children of the Center, the same person who'd been prepared to face the street gang, the Rat Fangs, alone, the same person who'd fiercely chewed him out mere hours before. Now, here she was, lying in a stupid hospital bed, hooked up to a heart monitor and a respiratory breathing system. He couldn't believe how pale she looked lying there.

Slowly, Mark made his way to her side, taking a seat and reaching out for her hand, which hung limply in his hold. He suddenly found himself talking.

"Emily, I'm so, so sorry. This is my fault. If I'd gone after you, then you never would have driven off when you did, and you never would have been at that intersection when that truck came. Aw, fu-k it, Emily. What are you doing here? You don't belong in a place like this. You always had a fighting spirit. You have to get yourself out of here, Emily. Please. You have to, because you need to know. You need to know that you were right, about everything." Mark paused for a moment, hearing the sound of Emily's breathing change slightly, but when no other change happened, he went on.

"Emily, I'm so sorry it took me so long to realize it. And now…. Emily, there will... Maureen will always have a special place in my heart. But I don't love her. I love you. I'm such an idiot for not letting you know sooner, or not even realizing it until now. And because of that, you're here. It's my fault you're in this place. Perhaps… it would have been better for you if you just left me there when I crashed my bike outside the Center. Then, you probably never would have been in that accident." Mark couldn't go on, and bowed his head, feeling the forming tears stinging his eyes. Suddenly, Mark felt Emily's grip on his hand tighten, which made him look up quickly. Emily's eyes were open and focused on him, with a weak smile that could be seen behind her oxygen mask.

"And miss this killer reconciliation?" she croaked. "Not a chance, Mark."

"Emily!" Mark cried in relief. Emily's weak smile grew a little stronger and she reached out to lightly touch his cheek. That single touch gave him an instant urge to kiss her, but the oxygen mask was in the way. As if sensing his intention, Emily withdrew her hand from his cheek, and placed her middle and index fingers on the oxygen mask, above her lips. Catching on, Mark mirrored her action with his own. Simultaneously, they reached out and switched the location of their fingers, so Emily's fingers were on Mark's lips, and Mark's were resting on the oxygen mask. For the next few moments, they simply smiled at each other. However, they were interrupted by the doctor, clearing his throat in the door.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Cohen. But I have to ask you to leave, now. Miss Goodhall needs to rest and recover from her injuries. You can come back and see her in the morning." Mark sighed and glanced back at Emily.

"Go on," Emily urged. "I'll be fine."

"I'll see you tomorrow," Mark promised, gently kissing her knuckles before getting up to leave. They kept hold of each others hands until Mark had moved out of reach. But he paused at the door, looking back at her tenderly.

I love you, he mouthed. Emily smiled at him.

I love you, she mouthed back. Mark finally managed to tear his eyes from Emily's face and followed the doctor back down the hall to rejoin her friends.

"So, when do you think she can be released?" Mark asked. The doctor frowned slightly.

"I'll be honest with you, Mr. Cohen. Miss Goodhall has received extensive trauma to her leg. After the bones have completely healed, she will need to remain here longer to undergo extensive physical therapy. Even then, I cannot guarantee she'll be completely the same again. But it's still much too soon to tell."

"But… she will live, right?" Mark turned to look at the doctor in concern.

"All things considered, I believe she will live. But like I said, with the trauma in her leg…"

"That doesn't matter," Mark cut of the explanation. "She's going to live. That's the only important thing. Thank you." The doctor nodded in understanding and left Mark outside Penny's room. Stepping in, Mark was instantly bombarded with questions on Emily's condition.

"She's going to be all right," Mark smiled, feeling the happiest he'd been in a long time. "Everything's going to be all right.

AN: And that will resolve all questions of Mark/Emily, I'm hoping. Right now, I'm wondering if I should split the next chapter in two, or keep it as one chapter. Hopefully, I'll figure it out as I write. Until next time,...