Thanks for the reviews. One more chapter to come after this. :o)

Chapter 9

Caitlin demanded to know what was going on with String. She could tell that the others including Michael and Saint John were not telling her the whole story. Afraid of upsetting her, they had first told her that he was in therapy because he was having a hard time dealing with her being shot. When they couldn't get him to come and see her, they finally had to tell her everything that had been going on with him.

"He acts as if he doesn't even hear me anymore," said Saint John. "I've tried everything I can think of. I told him you were getting better but there is still no change. The doctor is continuing to work with him but he hasn't gotten any results either."

"If he won't come to me, then I want to go to him," she demanded.

"I thought of that," said Michael. "The doctors don't want you out of bed for at least another week."

Caitlin sighed. She felt so helpless. "Okay," she finally replied. "As soon as they let me out of this bed, I want to see him. I can get through to him. I know I can."

"I sure hope so," replied Dom. "I'm beginning to think that you might be the only one who can."

The week was slow and agonizing for Caitlin. Each day she felt a little bit stronger as her body began to heal. She needed String. She longed for his touch and wanted more than anything to have him to hold her in his arms again. She had to wait eight days before the doctor gave her the go ahead to see him. Even then he insisted she use a wheel chair.

"I feel so much better," she complained. "Why can't I just walk on my own? The nurses have been walking me around some and I've been just fine."

"If you want to leave this room," said the doctor. "It has to be in the wheel chair. No exceptions."

"Fine," she finally gave in.

He wheeled her into String's room. He was lying on his back with the bed in a semi upright position. He stared at the ceiling and didn't appear to notice that anyone had come into the room.

"I'll leave you alone with him," said the doctor. "Just press that button by the bed if you need anything."

"Thanks," she replied as she moved out of the wheel chair and stood beside String's bed.

Caitlin touched his arm in hopes to get him to look over at her. "String," she said softly. "It's me, Caitlin. Can you hear me?"

String continued to look up at the ceiling.

"I know you can hear me," she said again. "I'm okay now. Everything's going to be alright. I know you were afraid you'd lost me but that didn't happen. I love you String and I need you to come back to me."

When he still didn't respond she reached for the controls of the bed and moved him so that he sat more upright.

"Okay then," she said. "I'll try this a little differently."

She eased up onto his bed and situated herself so that she was sitting on his lap facing him. She watched as he closed his eyes to avoid looking at her.

"Finally," she said. "You do notice that I'm here."

String opened his eyes and seemed to stare right past her.

"Nope, you are not getting away with that," she said adamantly. "I'm here damn it. I love you and I need you. I know you need me too."

"Who are you?" he finally asked while still not looking directly at her. "Why are you doing this to me?"

"Look at me," she demanded. "Look at me and you'll see."

When he refused she leaned over and kissed him on the lips. When he didn't respond, she pulled back and sighed. Her shoulders sank and knew she had to regroup and find a way to get through to him.

The fact that he was now staring at her took her by surprise. His eyes seemed to burn a hole into hers. It was as if he was looking deep into her soul. She stared back at him and held his gaze for what seemed like an eternity. Suddenly, out of nowhere, he grabbed her by the arms and pulled her back towards him.

When their lips touched this time, he responded with such passion that he seemed to not be able to get enough her. Swept in by his touch, she wrapped her arms around him and let his mouth explore hers thoroughly.

After they parted, he pulled her into a hug and gently slid his fingers over her back to feel the bandages there.

She felt him shaking and pulled back to see tears in his eyes.

"String?" she asked. "Are you okay?"

"Are you real?" he asked sadly. "Please tell me this is real."

Caitlin leaned back over and kissed him just as passionately as before. She took her hand and stroked his hair before responding.

"Does that answer your question?" she asked.

String finally smiled at her. "Yeah," he replied while pulling her back into a hug. "Are you okay? You were shot."

Caitlin shifted off of his lap and lay beside him in the bed. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight.

"I'm fine," she insisted. "This is all I need now. I've been waiting all week for you to hold me like this. I've missed you so much."

String kissed her cheek and pulled her closer. "I've missed you too," he said softly. "I love you."