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Chapter 10

Claire's POV

Oh my God, I'm awake. It's bright, almost too bright.

"Oh God, Claire, honey, can you hear me, can you talk?" That was Eve. Her voice was coming from right beside me. . I opened and closed my mouth a few times, trying to talk but I can't. Why can't I talk. Calm down, Claire. It's probably just a temporary side effect. I turned my head and saw Shane, holding my hand, Eve, and Michael, kneeling beside my bed.

I thought I felt my heart breaking when Shane dropped his head down on my hand that he's still holding and started to shake with the sobs that wracked his body.

"Claire, my baby girl, you woke up. Thank you. Thank you, God."

Oh, he's crying with happiness. But I still can't talk. Come on, Claire. You can do it.

Eve started cring heavily then and Michael was crying a bit too. Michael wrapped his arms aroung Eve, from behind, so they could both see me, his head resting on Eve's.

"Oh, Claire Bear, you're OK now. You're safe. We're all here for you, honey." That was Eve again.

Yes, I wanted to say, I'm OK. But I still can't speak.

I tried to talk again, but still nothing.

"Baby, what is it?" I said gently. "What are you trying to say."

He locked his stare on mine, almost like he was telepathically trying to make me speak. His steady, strong gaze and his warm, firm hand holding mine calmed me.

Michael spoke up. "We're here for you, Claire. I swear, you'll be fine. You just need time."

Yeah, yeah, I will be fine.

I said, "Come on, beautiful, what is it you want to say?"

Just then, I almost felt my voice coming back. I locked my gaze on Shane's beautiful eyes and said, "I love you, Shane."

Shane's POV

"I love you, Shane."

"YES, BABY! You did it! You spoke. I love you too. So, so much, beautiful."

Claire started to cry. She didn't seem to have much energy, so she wasn't sobbing. Just a few tears running down her cheeks.

"Oh, baby, what is it, what's wrong. Tell me."

"I...I just missed you guys. Hi Eve. Hi Michael."

"Hi CB," said Eve, still crying.

Michael said quietly, "Hi Claire, I missed you too."

"It's you guys that helped me to wake up, you know. I could hear you."

"Oh God, Claire," I said. "How long since you collapsed could you hear."

"I think basically straight away. I heard Myrnin say, 'In the name of all that is holy' and then he lifted me onto..I think a lab table. By the way, where is Myrnin? Is he OK."

Michael said, "Damn it, I was meant to call him when you woke up. He came here wanting to see you yesterday, but I didn't let him. He has a bit of a reputation with the weak ones."

Michael went to call Myrnin while I stayed with Claire. Eve said she'd give us privacy, and left.

"Oh, God Claire. I thought... I thought I was going to lose you. I was so scared. But you're OK, now."

She was still crying a little. I moved her a little, careful in case I hurt her and lay beside her.

"Shhh, baby. What's wrong? Shhh. Tell me why you're crying so I can help. I hate seeing you cry. It breaks my heart. You're beautiful, you're OK and I'm not going to leave you."

She looked up at me and said, "I was just so scared, Shane. Scared that I would lose you, lose everybody. I didn't want to hurt you guys"

"Hurt us? Baby, of course it would have hurt, but you need to think about yourself once in a while. Now, don't cry, baby, because I love you. Always have and always will."

She cuddled into my chest and I held her close, sheilding her against the world. "You'll be OK, now. I promise."

Nobody's POV

They fell asleep in each others arms. Eve found them that way an hour later when she peeped in. She smiled and shut the door again.