Chris sighed softly into the top of Alyssa's hair as he held her during the night while she slept. Murphy had been more excited than he had ever heard him after he told him that she was awake and had agreed to stay for at least a couple of more nights. He rubbed his hands lightly on her back, hoping to help keep any bad dreams away.

Alyssa kept her eyes closed and her breathing even as she laid next to Chris on the hospital bed with his arms wrapped securely around her. She wished it was Murphy with her, but she was trying to trust this new person. He was a good friend of Connor's and Murphy's, and she knew that Murphy would never have allowed him to stay if he wasn't safe. She kept repeating that to herself as she fell slowly into a deep sleep, her head nestled against Chris's chest.

Chris smiled as he felt Alyssa fall asleep, realizing that she had been pretending before. He shook his head slightly but was grateful that she finally seemed to be trusting him at least a little. He closed his eyes and fell asleep a few minutes later with a smile on his face as he continued to hold her.

Sara walked into Alyssa's room the following morning and smiled at the sight of the two of them laying on the bed together. It was the first time in the short time she had known the young girl that she had ever seen such a peaceful look on her face. She went over to the bed and checked Alyssa's vital signs, adjusting some of the monitors on her before stepping back. She also replaced her IV bags and then reached out and pulled the covers gently around her.

Alyssa opened her eyes and looked over at Sarah as the woman started to straighten back up.

'Sara? What's going on?'

Sara put a finger to her lips and motioned to Chris, whispering.

'I was just checking your vital signs and making sure that you're comfortable, Aly.'

Alyssa looked over at Chris and slowly slid out of his embrace. She clenched her teeth together as she sat up and reached for the glass of water on the stand next to the bed.

'Simon said I'd be meeting with a physical therapist today. Do you know when?'

Sara sighed at the young girl's fierce independence streak, wishing she would allow them to take care of her longer here in the hospital so that she could get the rest she needed to fully heal.

'I'm pretty sure you'll be going down to meet with him in a couple of hours.'

She looked over her shoulder at a noise at the door.

'Your breakfast is here.'

Alyssa watched as an orderly brought in two trays and began to set them up. She reached over and gently shook Chris.

'Chris...breakfast is here.'

Chris groaned, stretching his arms over his head as he slowly opened his eyes.

'Hmm?'

He looked around and smiled at the orderly and Sara.

'Oh...breakfast. Thanks, ladies.'

He adjusted the pillows behind Alyssa's back.

'Are you comfortable?'

Alyssa nodded as the orderly and Sara left the room to let them eat in peace.

'Thanks, Chris. You've been really sweet.'

She picked up her fork and began to eat the eggs on her tray.

'Sara said I'll be going to meet with the physical therapist in a couple of hours.'

Chris nodded as he began to eat his own breakfast.

'I wish you would re-consider rushing yourself so much, but I'm glad to see you happy about something.'

He picked up the remote control for the television set and handed it to her.

'Why don't you see if there's anything on TV that you want to watch while we eat and wait for them to come get us for your therapy session?'

Alyssa looked at the thing in Chris's hand in confusion.

'What's TV?'

Chris's eyes widened.

'You've never seen TV before?'

When Alyssa shook her head, he wrapped one arm around her waist and pointed the remote control at the television set. He flipped through the channels until he found a talk show.

'There's not a whole lot of options in the morning like this. Later tonight, I can show you some better stuff to watch.'

Alyssa stared at the box that sat on a shelf high up on the wall in shock as people appeared on it. She jumped slightly, wincing as her broken ribs pulled.

'There's people in there!'

Chris laughed.

'No, honey. They're not in there. That's like a moving picture of sorts. It's kind of hard to explain, but those are pictures of people like you and me who are acting out a story.'

He thought for a moment as he realized that they were watching a talk show.

'Well, on sitcoms and dramas and movies they are. This is called a talk show. It's basically just people talking about lots of different things, discussing things going on.'

'This is what people call entertaining?'

Alyssa shook her head, turning her attention back to her food.

'I don't think I like it very much.'

Chris nodded and hit the button to turn the television set back off.

'Then we won't watch it. It was just an idea to help pass the time.'

He looked over toward the door as Simon knocked on it and let himself in.

'Hey, Simon.'

Simon smiled in greeting, part of his attention taken by studying Alyssa's chart.

'You're vital signs are looking excellent, Aly. If everything goes smoothly with the physical therapist, then I don't see any problem at all with you being able to go home tomorrow evening.'

Alyssa smiled slightly as she swallowed the last bite of her breakfast and reached for the glass of juice.

'I still wish I could go home now, but I promise not to complain again.'

Simon stepped closer and affectionately ruffled her hair.

'You are one of the strongest young ladies I have ever had the privilege of knowing. You're going to be just fine.'

He kissed the top of her head.

'In fact, I predict that you're going to be stronger than ever.'

Alyssa blushed.

'Thanks, Dr. Tam. That means a lot.'

She looked over at Chris.

'Are you coming with us to see the physical therapist?'

Chris nodded.

'I'd like to if that's okay with you.'

Alyssa smiled and nodded.

'I think I'd like it if you were there.'