Cal stared at her, uncomprehending.

Why would he understand? It made absolutely no sense but at the same time, the memory was so vivid. Or maybe she'd been hallucinating. Watching the expression on his face made her wonder.

"You…saw…me?" His words were stilted.

"It was just for a few moments." Gillian shook her head, trying to explain but wishing she hadn't said anything to begin with. "I was watching you from outside me."

He'd lost her that day hadn't he? She hadn't been breathing when he pulled her out of the water. She'd been blue. No pulse.

"You were performing CPR. Telling me to fight." She squeezed his hand. "You told me that we'd come so far and I was not to leave you." Her voice was tender.

Cal felt like he was being pulled into a vortex. The unexplainable had a hard time gelling within his science-centered brain. He couldn't form any words, so he said nothing. He had said those things hadn't he? Maybe. Possibly. Who was he kidding? He knew he did. The memory was branded within him, along with the panic and terror. He'd performed CPR for what seemed like forever and she hadn't been responding. The grief and anguish that had welled within him couldn't be compared to anything he'd ever felt before. Even those surrounding his mother's death. He'd wanted to scream up at the fates and take them on single-handedly. Instead the frigid temperatures had burrowed within him insidiously and weakened him so the fight was only within his head.

"Cal? You okay?"

He hadn't realized he'd been quiet so long, having fixated on their interlaced fingers. Glancing up, he met her concerned eyes. Isn't that funny? She's the one that almost drowned and she's worried about him. But that was Gillian wasn't it? Just one of the many reasons why he was so very much in love with her.

"Yeah luv." His thoughts trailed back to his nightmare. He didn't believe in omens. Right? How about coincidences? Did he believe in them?

"Do you believe me?"

How could he not? He nodded, watching as her eyes moistened. Without thinking twice, he was up and on her bed, carefully pulling her into his arms, her face nestled against his chest. "I was so afraid I'd lost you." His voice was emotionally raw as he kissed the crown of her head. "I'm so sorry for everything."

She clung to him, fingers curling in his shirt, feeling safe and warm. The nebulous anger she had felt dissipated. Whatever the reasons were, they no longer mattered.

The clearing of a throat had Gillian almost pushing Cal off the bed but she wasn't quite strong enough.

A tall balding doctor stood in the doorway, his expression amused.

Reluctantly, Cal slid off the bed on his own accord.

"I'm Dr. Moyer." He crossed the room, holding a hand out to Gillian, then Cal. "I'm glad to see that you're, um, feeling better."

Gillian offered a small smile as she took his hand while Cal looked at him impassively.

The doctor rifled through her chart for a moment before replacing it and moving forward to check vitals and reflexes. "Everything is looking good. How's your memory?"

"I don't really remember the accident and proceeding events are a little hazy, although I do remember staying at the hotel." She looked at Cal pointedly and he raised his brows. He wondered what parts she remembered. He didn't read any anger off of her.

The doctor nodded. "Not unusual in the aftermath of a major trauma. It probably will come back a little at a time and she may want to consult a psychologist to help you cope." His voice was gentle. "In the meantime, we need to get you up and walking before we can see about a discharge. Your muscles are going to be a bit weak initially but I'm confident that you'll be up and about in no time."

"When can I go home?"

"If everything goes well, I'm hoping by the end of the week. Right now I'm going to have Michelle come in and see about getting you on your feet." He shook Gillian's hand and then Cal's. "If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask." With that, he swept out of the room.

They were quiet for a long moment while Cal inspected his right knee. Gillian watched him carefully.

"I know I was angry with you."

He looked up quickly and met her eyes. "Yeah."

"In all honesty, I don't remember why but I could guess."

His eyes dropped back down. "You had every right to be pissed off Gill."

"You did something stupid didn't you?" Oddly enough, her tone wasn't accusatory.

"Naturally." His head hung, still feeling the bite of shame.

"I forgive you." She said it so lovingly that he almost starting crying again. Bloody hell.

He glossed over the sudden swell of emotion with a smirk. "Course darlin' You know you're crazy about me after all."

"Uh huh. Come over here so I can smack you aside the head." The words came out around a smile and he grinned back.

"Thought you didn't condone violence."

"I'll make an exception."

Crawling up on the bed next to her, he scooted down until they were face to face. "Go ahead. Gimme your best shot."

Her hand reached up, touched his unshaven cheek before moving to the side of his head, lacing her fingers in his hair. She looked deeply into his eyes, seeing his fear through his forced bravado. Fear for her. Fear of losing her. Without saying a word, she pressed her lips against his to reassure him, as well as herself. Opening her mouth slightly, she felt him push gently against her, deepening the kiss. It felt so good, so warm.

The clearing of a throat startled them both but this time Gill didn't even attempt to push Cal away.

"No bloody privacy 'round here." She heard him grumble while she rolled her eyes, smiling with embarrassment.

"Sorry to interrupt." The nurse grinned, amused. They looked too darned cute. "But it's time for you to get on your feet miss."