Janet had a slight bout of consciousness later that day

Janet had a slight bout of consciousness later that day. Mike was with her. Her eyes fluttered open she smiled at him and squeezed his hand. He ran to get the doctors and they proceeded to push him out of the room and the tests began.

Mike called Hannah and she came over promptly and stayed with him until everything was explained to them. "You okay?" she asked Mike after the doctor walked away from them.

"Yeah," he said shaking his head. "I just hope she's going to be okay, ya know?"

Hannah smiled at him. "Yeah, I do know."

"I know we haven't been an item for that long. But Janet's just a nice person. I mean, I would be worried sick even if we weren't dating. If she was just the nice girl at the bar, ya know?" he explained.

"She is really great. She's the best friend I ever had," Hannah smiled through her tears. "There are so many people who love her. I hope that she holds onto that. She's had a rough time of it lately."

"Yeah," Mike nodded. "Latekka," he said. "She's still not entirely over that."

"He was her first real love," Hannah shrugged. "She had a thing for him in high school. But, she's with you now. And no matter what, she appreciates how good you've been to her. And she needs your strength and good thoughts right now."

"I know," Mike nodded. "I know," he sighed. "I'm gonna go get some coffee, you want some?"

"Yeah," Hannah shook her head, getting up as well. "I have to go call everyone and let them know what's going on."

"Okay," Mike said, heading down the hall.

Hannah explained the situation to Pizza Girl, who in turn relayed the information to Nick and Phil. "Okay," Hannah sighed into the phone. "I have to call Ray and Sam," she told her friend. "I think Ray has work today, could you pick Sam up on your way here?"

"Sure," Pizza Girl smiled. "Nick and I are coming up together. Phil's going to call Ikey and Owen to let them know what's going on and Nick's gonna tell Eddie before we leave."

"You know, he was here last night, right?" Hannah asked.

"No," Pizza Girl sighed. "I had no idea Eddie was at the hospital last night," she said loud enough to peak Phil and Nick's interest. "What happened?"

"He was just staring at her. He wasn't near the bed or touching her or anything. Mike said the nurses told him he'd been there all night….just staring," Hannah explained. "He looked sort of wasted."

"Well, the bottle of vodka has been his best friend lately," Pizza Girl explained, "so his wasted state is sort of the norm around here."

"Oh well," Hannah sighed. "I'll see you soon."

"Yep, bye," Pizza Girl smiled as she hung up. "How do you boys like that?" she asked. "How the hell did Eddie sneak out of here without us knowing?"

"Don't know," Nick said. "I'll see what I can find out," he said, walking up the steps.

As expected, Eddie was starting on a fresh bottle and staring at a black and white move on the television. "What?" he asked when Nick came in and pulled a chair in front of the television set and sat down.

"Janet woke up a little earlier. She's in her second surgery. Could be up to eight hours," Nick explained. "Just wanted to let you know."

"Thanks," Eddie nodded. "I appreciate the update. Let me know how she is later."

"So you went up there last night?" Nick asked.

"So?" Eddie asked. "Just to make sure she was okay."

"How'd she look?" Nick asked.

"Peaceful," Eddie sighed. "Small."

"Well," Nick smiled. "You want to come up with us? We're headed there shortly."

"No," Eddie shook his head. "I did what I needed to do last night. I saw her. That's it."

"I think you are still in love with her. Despite the crap with Rooster. Despite Mike. Despite your pride. I think you're still in love with her," Nick predicted.

"Don't go thinking, now, Nicky," Eddie told him, taking a drink from his bottle, "you'll hurt yourself."

"I'll talk to you later," Nick said, walking out.

Eddie turned up the television and wiped a tear that had formed in his left eye.

Everyone hung at the hospital on and off all day. Janet's surgery lasted a little over eight hours. Mike was really happy to see that Janet had such great friends. They all were there for her. Owen and Ikey were back and forth on breaks from their jobs. Nick spent a better part of his day there as well. He shared the task with Pizza Girl of going back and forth to the house to update Phil and check on Eddie. Hannah camped out and Sam was there too. They played cards, hung out in the cafeteria and shared Janet stories. Sully sent over some food with Ikey during the mid-afternoon so they wouldn't all starve. It was a real family. Mike was thrilled to see that no matter what, when Janet came out of this she would be well cared for by her friends.

Around six that evening, the doctor came out with an update. Hannah and Mike met him half-way; both eager for an update. The group hung back, not wanting to crowd them. Pizza Girl looked at Nick and Sam and smiled. "I have to go to work," she told them. "Do you and guys wanna join me? It's been a long day. And Eddie and Phil might be up for some company. And I have to work for a little while tonight. Pizzas don't deliver themselves!"

Sam looked at Nick hopefully, "Mom will be here all night. Maybe I could stay over or something. Like a guys night."

"We'll ask her," Nick said with a smile.

Hannah and Mike made their ways over to the group. "Okay," Hannah said, and everyone got quiet and listened closely. "She's out of surgery. They think it was pretty successful. We won't know entirely until she wakes up. The hope her brain function will be okay, but again, we won't know anything until she wakes up. They think she'll be more or less out of it for a few days at least, so he said not to worry right now."

"So," Pizza Girl sighed, "we're still in wait and see mode?"

"But, they've repaired a lot of the damage from the accident," Mike said. "So that's a good thing."

"It's a very good thing," Hannah said, smiling at him and squeezing his arm. "Go on," she told him. "I know you want to go home and get a shower." He'd been there all day. "You've got to be exhausted. I'll be here."

"Call me if there are any changes," he told her. She hugged him in response. "You're a great friend, Hannah."

"You too," Hannah smiled. "Go take care of yourself so when she needs it, you can help take care of our girl in there."

"Thanks," he smiled. Truth be told, he'd been a little sick for the past day or so and he was scared he would infect Janet. But, the flu was kicking his ass and he really needed to just sleep for a few hours.

"Mom?" Sam asked, coming up to her. "Can I hang with Nick, Phil and Eddie tonight?"

"I'll be there eventually," Pizza Girl chimed in.

"It'll be like guys' night!" Sam smiled.

"Okay," Hannah smiled and glanced at Nick. "As long as guys' night ends early and you end up in bed because you have to go to school tomorrow, mister."

"Okay," he sighed. "Can we stop at the house before going to Eddie and Phil's?" he asked Pizza Girl. "I have to get clothes and my books and stuff."

"Sure, little man," Pizza Girl smiled. "Let's get a move on," she said, kissing Hannah on the cheek.

"You'll call if you need anything?" Nick asked.

"Sure," Hannah nodded. "Make sure he goes to bed at a decent hour and don't let him oversleep in the morning."

"I promise," Nick laughed, following Sam and Pizza Girl out the door.

Hannah sighed and took out her notebook from her bag. She quickly dialed Sully's and updated him on the situation and then called Janet's brother. He had told her he'd be out that weekend to see his sister and how much he appreciated Hannah's updates.

Hannah went into Janet's room an hour or so later and held her friend's hand. Ray had brought her dinner earlier that night and she wanted to talk to him about Nick. But, once again, she couldn't. He was being too sweet and too supportive. He didn't even get pissed that Sam wanted to spend the night at Phil and Eddie's. Hannah let the moment pass. And that's what she explained to Janet. "You have to wake up soon, Janet," she pleaded. "I am making a mess out of my life, once again. You have to help me before I screw it up beyond repair," she begged. "You're like my sister. You're my person. Without you, I'm so lost," she cried. She held Janet's hand and laid her head on the bed and looked up at her sleeping friend. "You look so peaceful, you know that? I guess you needed a break. All this crap with Eddie and work and now Mike…you were a girl with a lot going on. Well, rest up my dear. I need you to come back to me soon." Hannah sighed and eventually got up and left to go hang out in the waiting room.

Back at the house, Sam was getting ready to go to bed. Phil fixed up the spare room for him. Nick said he'd be up in a few minutes and Sam took that opportunity to visit Eddie. He knocked and then let himself in. Eddie was just sitting on his bed, staring off into space. "Hey," Sam said, joining Eddie on the bed.

"Sam," Eddie smiled, looking at him. "What goes on?"

"I'm staying over," he told him. "What goes on with you?"

"Not too much," Eddie sighed.

"Janet's out of surgery," Sam offered.

"Nick mentioned that," Eddie nodded. "Thanks, though."

"Why do you hate her?" Sam asked.

"It's complicated," Eddie tried to explain. "I mean, there's a lot….I don't know," he shrugged.

"My mom says you're an ass," Sam told him.

Eddie laughed. "You're mom may be right."

"I think Janet misses you," Sam told Eddie. "She likes Mike. And he's cool and all. But, when she was going to see you and getting ready over my house, she was different. Happier or something. It's not that way with Mike."

"Yeah," Eddie sighed. "Adulthood sucks, Sam," he told him. "It's so simple when you're a kid." Eddie reached over to his bottle and took a drink. "Now…look at me?" he laughed bitterly. "This is no way to be."

"Then stop being this way," Sam said simply.

"Sam?" Nick said, sticking his head in. "Bedtime!"

"Good night, Eddie," Sam said, and hopped off the bed and ran out of the room.

"He's a smart kid there, Nicky," Eddie slurred. "You should be proud."

"I am," Nick nodded. "Get some sleep, Eddie. I am headed to bed after Sam and Pizza Girl and Phil are just finishing their movie up downstairs."

"Good night, Nick," Eddie sighed, laying down on his bed and staring at the ceiling.

Hours later, much like the night before, Eddie made his way into the hospital. He quietly walked past Hannah asleep on the couch in the waiting room and found his way to Janet's door. He walked in and sat down and watched her. She had tubes hooked up to monitors and machines everywhere around her. Her hair was curly now, from lying in bed for so long. He'd noticed it was blown straight when he saw her last night. "You have to wake up," he told her. "I'm a freaking mess," he laughed bitterly. "Do you know even Sam's worried about me? When a kid thinks you're screwed it's never a good sign. So I hear it's all you now. The doctors need you to wake up or whatever. I hope you do. Wake up I mean. You need to. Wake up and be okay. You owe me that much, don't ya think? I mean, after everything, don't you think you can do me the favor of waking up?" he asked. "You know what? I found this under my bed the other day," he said, pulling out a teddy bear. "Remember when I won this for you at that stupid carnival game? I dropped like fifty bucks or something trying to win this damn bear for you. And you were so proud of me when I finally did it. All the money was so worth it. And you called it your 'Eddie Bear.' I found him and I thought maybe you'd want him or something. So, here," he sighed, laying the bear in Janet's bed. "Just wake up."

Eddie shoved his chair back and turned off the lights in the room. He resumed his watchful stare over Janet's bed.

Around four o'clock in the morning, Hannah woke up and made her way to Janet's room. She wanted a few minutes with her friend before the doctors pre-rounded. The room was dark and Hannah stood quietly at the foot of the bed. "How you doing?" she asked her friend. "Hey," Hannah said, as her eyes adjusted to the darkness. "Where'd you get this?" she asked, coming closer to the bed and picking up the teddy bear.

"I brought it over for her," Eddie said, clearing his throat.

"When the hell did you get here?" she asked, turning around in surprise.

"A few hours ago. You were sleeping in the waiting room," he told her. "Janet left that bear in my room. She used to like. She would sleep with it or whatever," he explained. "I just thought she might like it."

"That's nice, Eddie," Hannah said, smiling and placing the bear back on the bed. "I'm sure she appreciates it. You know, I didn't' expect to see you here. I thought you said you did what you needed to do last night."

"I found the bear," Eddie said. "That's all."

"Then why have you been here all this time?" she asked. "When was the last time you slept?" she asked, walking closer to him. "You look like hell."

"Thanks," he laughed, getting up. "I'll let you have her," he offered, headed to the door.

Hannah followed him out. "Are you okay?" Hannah asked him.

"I'm great," he said, sarcastically.

"I'm sure she appreciates you coming by," Hannah told him.

"Sam asked me why I hated her," he told Hannah.

"He's a kid," Hannah tried to explain.

"He's a smart kid," Eddie smiled. "He called me out."

"He does that," Hannah shrugged. "So? Why do you hate her?"

"I hate her because I loved her, Hannah," Eddie explained. "I loved her so much. I was going to tell her that. After the crap with Rory. After the accident. I was planning on telling her how much I loved her. And instead? She told me she slept with Rooster. And I threw her out of my hospital room," Eddie explained. "So there. That's why I hate her."

"You hate her because you love her?" Hannah asked. "It doesn't make a whole lot of sense," she laughed. "But, what can ya do, right? You, my friend, have to stop."

"Stop what?" Eddie asked. "Well, drinking, for starters," Hannah smiled. "Eddie says you've been in a vodka-state for a couple of days now. Stop. Go into the shop. Help Nick," Hannah said. "You'll feel better. And maybe come see Janet during the day or something. There's always someone here," she informed him.

"I can't face everyone, especially Mike," he told her. "I was horrible to Janet and she is finally moving on. I can't get in the middle of that."

"Maybe she'd want you to," Hannah suggested.

"Until I hear that from her," Eddie sighed.

"I understand," Hannah sighed.

"You know? I really want her to wake up so that we can fight about Rooster. We never really did that. I just shut down. And shut her out," he said.

"Typical," Hannah laughed.

"I want to just finish things, ya know?" he asked. "Once and for all."

"So, you'll be by later tonight?" she asked.

"I gotta go, Hannah Jane," Eddie said, and walked out of the hospital.