He could hear voices but none of them were hers; had he dreamt talking to her, seeing her? He tried to remember the events of the rooftop. He remembered telling Karen he loved her, turning back to Jimmy but then nothing after that. He could have sworn she sat next to him, holding his hand but why wasn't she there now, why was he having such a hard time opening his eyes. What if it had been a dream and she was harmed, gods he needed someone to answer him.

He tried to call for her but the more agitated and frustrated he got the more he felt the pain sear through his chest. Every movement took his breath away and he knew his words must not make sense or surely they would have told him she was alright. He could hear voices trying to calm him but none of them was the one he needed. Words were muffled and voices sounded far away, cut off by the loud beeps and alarms that surrounded him.

Karen had stepped out of Derek's room to call her parents. She wanted to check on Kyle and to let them know she would be going back to the house for a few hours. Julia had arrived and offered to stay with the director while she went home to rest and change clothes. Karen at first was reluctant but realized the writer was right; she needed to remember Kyle needed her too. She agreed to accept the offer but wanted to wait until Derek awoke to make sure he knew everything was alright. Ending the phone call the brunette exited the waiting room and proceeded to walk back to her boyfriend's room. When she passed the nurses' station she noticed a commotion and panicked when she saw that it stemmed from Derek's room.

She immediately increased her pace to get to the room and upon entering she was startled by the site in front of her. The doctor and nurses surrounded Derek's bed trying to calm him. Alarms sounded from almost every machine and she could tell his breathing was labored. "Derek," she called out. "What happened?" she asked turning to Julia.

Much to the surprise of those around him, Derek instantly stilled at the sound of her voice. Confused, in pain and fighting desperately to open his eyes fully, he called out "Karen?" his voice no more than a whisper.

It was just loud enough for the brunette to hear and it was all she needed to rush to his bedside. The doctor ushered her to his patient's side. She grabbed his hand and looked into his half hooded eyes. "Derek I'm here," she assured. "Everything is okay, I know it hurts but please let the doctor exam you; please," she plead her voice cracking from seeing him in so much distress. "Can you do that for me?" she asked.

Derek nodded as he held onto her hand tight. He tried to talk "I couldn't remember," he whispered. "I didn't see you and I got scared. I thought I had dreamt you were here last night," he told her, forgetting the presences of others in the room. His breath caught, as he asked "are you alright?"

"I'm fine, it wasn't a dream. I've been here; I just stepped out to call my parents. You need to let the doctor look at you."

The doctor stepped forward as the nurses continued to work on resetting the monitors. "Mr. Wills, can you tell me what happened? Can you tell me what you are feeling?"

Still not fully coherent, he answered the best he could not sure if what he was saying made sense and fairly certain his answers were more like questions. "Couldn't remember, heard voices, muffled. Why is it so hard to open my eyes, they feel so heavy?"

"You're having a hard time staying awake because of the medication. The surgery you underwent was extensive and very painful so the pain medication is strong," the doctor informed. "Can you tell me where and when you feel pain; I know you're in pain, that's why the monitors went off."

Derek didn't want to answer questions he wanted to apologize to Karen. He knew she had Kyle to think of and his reaction to her not being in the room seemed silly now. "I'm sorry," he stammered out, causing both the doctor and his girlfriend to look at him in confusion.

"What are you sorry for Mr. Wills?"

Realizing his mistake he turned only to Karen, "You have Kyle, you shouldn't be here," his words labored. "He needs you. I couldn't remember and I didn't see you."

The young woman was amazed that even in his current state Derek managed to show how much he cared for her and her son. "Derek, my parents are with Kyle it's alright. The important thing right now is for you to get better."

"Mr. Wills, where is the pain?" the doctor inquired as he could see the elevation of his patient's heart rate.

"Chest feels as if on fire, can't catch breath."

"I'm going to increase the oxygen to help with your breathing. The surgery we performed was extremely intensive and required us to open your rib cage to repair the damage to your lungs. It's going to be painful so I need you to be honest when you need medication. We can't afford the added stress to your heart the pain can cause. I also want to do another chest x-ray to make sure we aren't missing anything. That means someone will come get you later for the test."

Derek nodded though he only understood half of what the doctor said. No matter what he tried he couldn't keep his eyes open. "Rest for now Mr. Wills, I'll be back later this afternoon. Ms. Cartwright can we talk outside?" the doctor asked.

"I'll be right back Derek," she told him.

Concerned, the moment they stepped out into the hallway she turned to the doctor, "is everything alright?"

"I'm concerned over the irregularity of his heart rate and the type of pain he is describing. I'm ordering an x-ray to rule out any additional bleeding. It could be nothing as this type of injury is extremely painful, but I want to make sure. I'm not telling you to alarm you I just want to keep you updated."

Karen shook her head, "I appreciate it. I'll contact my parents and will stay here."

"That isn't necessary. The test won't be done until this late this afternoon and judging by Mr. Wills' reaction I have a feeling if you don't see your son he will have a strong opinion," the doctor smiled.

Karen blushed, "he means well, he doesn't mean to be uncooperative," she defended.

"I understand and it is evident you are the reason he fought to get to this stage. The condition he was in when he arrived in the ER is something most individuals would not have survived. He is a strong man. Get some rest; it is going to be a long recovery," he explained. "How old is your son?"

"Two," she answered.

"You are welcome to bring him for a visit if he has had his immunizations."

Karen smiled "he has, thank you I know Derek would like that." The doctor nodded before turning to leave.

The young mother re-entered the room and quietly approached her boyfriend's bed. "Hey," she greeted while stroking his cheek. His eyes fluttered open momentarily "I'm going to go home for a few hours and I plan to bring back a visitor with me," she informed.

Derek smiled "Kyle?" he asked.

"Yup, the doctor said he could come if you feel up to it."

"I'd like that. I don't want him to think I left," he confessed, concern in his voice.

"I would never let him think that," she assured. "Promise me you won't give Julia or Bobby any trouble," his girlfriend chided. "Bobby said he would be stopping by later to bug you."

"Scouts honor," his words slurred. "I love you," he affirmed before his eyes closed.

Karen turned to Julia, "are you sure this isn't a problem, I can always ask my parents to bring a change of clothes her and Kyle?"

"It's fine and now that he understands you're safe there shouldn't be any more scares."

"Thank you; for everything," Karen said hugging the red head.

"No need to thank, I care for you both a great deal."

Karen left the hospital and forty minutes later she found herself at the front door to her house. She paused and took a deep breath finding it difficult to turn the key and enter. So much had changed in a span of less than 24 hours.

"Hey are you going to open the door or just stand outside," a female voice from behind remarked.

Startled the brunette turned around "God, Ana you scared me, I'm sorry I'm a little out of it," she apologized to her best friend and her best friend's boyfriend. "Hi Matt."

"Sorry, I called out to you I thought you heard," Ana explained.

Karen opened the door and trio made their way inside. "Hello," she called out.

"Hey," Dennis greeted walking from the kitchen. He had stayed behind along with Jessica and Bobby to deal with the police and Emma. "I was just making something to eat; I thought you might be hungry."

"Thank you," Karen replied. "How's Emma?"

"Jessica just went to check on her, she hasn't left the room. Her daughter called a few minutes ago and we told her she was asleep. Your mom said she didn't know anything yet about what happened."

"I tried calling her but it went to voice mail," Karen stated. "I don't know what to do? It's my fault."

"Hey," Ana scolded her friend. "How is it your fault? You had no idea Emma's boyfriend was Jimmy. He was sick Karen; he fooled everyone."

"Yeah, but if he didn't want to get back at me, he wouldn't have used Emma or shot Derek."

"Look at me," Dennis instructed. "None of this was your fault. You left him because it was best for Kyle. Jimmy never cared about anyone but himself but he is gone now and won't be hurting anyone anymore."

Karen smiled, "I don't know what I would do without you guys."

"Why don't you go upstairs to shower and change? Then after you eat you can catch a few hours of sleep before going back to the hospital," Ana suggested.

"Sounds good, my parents are coming back with Kyle and Katie. Can you let Emma know?"

"Sure."

It had been an hour since Karen had gone upstairs and her mother and Ana were getting worried because they could no longer hear the water running. "I'll go check on her," he father said having an idea where his daughter might be. Ana and Karen's mother nodded knowing the father wanted time alone with Karen.

When Roger arrived at Karen's bedroom he saw the door open. Calling out to make sure she wasn't in the restroom, he made his way out and up the stairs leading to the rooftop. He opened the door and immediately spotted his daughter kneeling next to what he assumed was the spot where Derek had laid. Walking to her, the closer he got he could see she had been crying. Without saying a word he knelt next her and engulfed her in his arms.

"I thought you might be up here. Your mother and Ana think you fell asleep."

"So much blood," his daughter whispered. "He almost died for me; for my past." She looked at her father with a distance that worried him "He didn't even look scared when he told me he loved me," she continued. "His piercing green eyes are the last thing I remember before I felt Julia grab my arm. I didn't even hear the shots," she finished. "I should have done more."

"Love makes you do courageous things," her father responded. "It can make you at peace with decisions, knowing that you were lucky enough to experience it in your lifetime," he kissed her temple. "Your mother and I will never be able to repay Derek for saving you; but from I know of him, I don't think he'd expect us too. Nor would he want you to feel guilty."

"I should feel bad that Kyle won't know his father but I can't make myself. Instead I feel relief. What kind of person does that make me?" she questioned in a voice that reminded her father just how young she still was.

"It makes you human. Jimmy was sick and he was never going to get the help he needed. It's alright to feel relief at the fact that you won't have to look over your shoulder. You deserve to be happy," he told her pulling her in a tighter hug. "I know when the time is right, you will explain to Kyle about Jimmy but for now, there is nothing wrong with letting him experience his childhood with a man who loves him as if he were his own," he assured. "To Kyle, Derek is his father; he doesn't know about blood. And from what I've seen when they are together, I know Derek loves him as his son. It's time to let go of your past sweetheart. Stop punishing yourself. You have been given a second chance at having a remarkable life with Derek; don't let guilt rob you of that."

Crying against her father's chest, Karen pulled away. "Thank you for everything, I don't think I tell you enough."

Her father smiled, "It's alright; you show me in other ways. What do you say we go downstairs before they send a search party out for us? Then you can take a nap and the four of us can go visit my future son-n-law."

"Dad!" Karen blushed "We've never even talked about marriage and after this morning, I wouldn't blame him if he wanted to get as far away as possible," she joked.

"I wouldn't bet on it. Fathers can sense these things," her dad laughed. "Besides, I think the fact he took a bullet for you is proof enough he doesn't plan on going anywhere," he told her. "If it helps any he's got my blessing," he laughed.

Karen giggled "I love you daddy."

"I know," he kissed her cheek one last time as he helped her up and the two made their way downstairs. "By the way, tomorrow I plan on calling a cleaning company to take care of this. It's time to move forward, don't you agree?"

"Yes," Karen answered with a tight hug.