Very short, but the story seems to have paused for the moment.  Be patient, things aren't over yet, and more trouble looms on the horizon! (gasp!)

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            When he was himself again, Seto found himself in a hospital triage room, Mokuba leaning against one wall watching him.  "That's the sanest look you've given me all afternoon."

            "Ai?"  Seto's voice was hoarse, as if he'd been screaming.  He couldn't remember how he'd arrived here, the last clear memory he had... he pushed the image firmly from his mind...she...she couldn't be!

            "Still out of it.  They gave her a large dose of a powerful sedative, she's lucky to be alive.  Other than a few bruises, she's fine."  Mokuba stood and walked over to his brother.  Seto tried to form his next question, his mouth moving silently as his voice failed him.  Mokuba, understanding what he was trying to ask replied gently.  "They didn't.  She's completely untouched – she's a virgin Seto."

            Mokuba's statement sent his head reeling, a wave of vertigo nearly overwhelming him.  Mokuba steadied him, amused by his big brother's reactions.  "You can see her once you're not imitating one of the walking dead."

            It took all of Mokuba's self-control not to laugh at the incredulous look on Seto's face.  "She's just across the hall, in room five."

            Seto swayed slightly as he stood, holding onto the examination table briefly.  He straightened, tugged on his shirt and went to find her, Mokuba close behind.  A pair of nurses watched him cross the hall to her room, giggling behind their hands as he entered.

            Ai laid in the hospital bed, her freshly braided hair trailing down one side.  She looked so frail, so tiny.  A monitor recorded her heartbeat and breathing, slow, but steady and strong.  He took a seat next to her bed, holding onto her hand as Mokuba quietly closed the door while he left.

            Relief flooded through Seto, leaving him exhausted in its wake.  His head sank to rest on the bed next to her hand, the quiet pinging of the monitor lulling him to sleep.

            She stood, somewhere, it was too dark to say where, the only light illuminating her immediate area.  A television screen appeared to one side, it's flickering picture drawing her attention.  The image was a memory, and Ai watched, entranced as it unfolded, revealing the first time she had met Seto.

            It was the last year of grade school, she had just been advanced two grades, and the bullies figured her small size made her easy pickings.  She'd been beaten up at first, then shoved around for awhile.  They would corner her when she'd try to run, so this time she'd just cowered against the wall.  There was a commotion, and when she'd looked up, he was there.  "Hey, they're gone, it's okay now."

            He had leaned down, offering his hand to help her to her feet.  She knew now, that was the moment she had given him her heart.

            More images followed, he was always there, for she had always watched him.  Somehow, the other boys knew, and had left her alone.  After he had graduated early, she kept his interviews, but only saw him in her dreams.  She'd had a few dates at that point, but the boys quickly lost interest in her when she wouldn't 'put out' for them.

            All those years, and she'd never been brave enough to tell him what was hidden in her heart.  Too afraid of rejection, she'd always run away, away from her feelings, away from him.

            She was still afraid, but perhaps it was time to stop running.  Maybe, if he still wanted to see her, maybe she could find the courage to tell him.

            Her decision made, her dream faded as she drifted back into the deeper levels of sleep.

            The normal routine of the hospital continued around them, unabated, as they slept on through the night.