Dr. Case walked into the waiting room, to where the Eppes family was sitting waiting for the news of Julia. He walked up to the elder Eppes, and stood before him.

"Mr. Eppes?" They all looked up at the doctor, he was quiet. "We were able to revive, Julia, she's still unconscious."

"Can we see her?" Allen asked.

"In a little while, we want to get her stable." Dr. case left the waiting room.

They sat in the chairs waiting to go back to her room, they were all afraid they were going to loose her. Robin flew in to be with Don, she hugged everyone when she got there and got an update. There was a lot of sitting around and waiting that day, which caused them even more worry.

XXX

She slowly opened her eyes, she was alone in her room, she sat up in bed and looked around. Where was her family? They were suppose to be here, she eased herself to the edge of the bed, pulling her IV pole with her. She yanked off the hear monitor, and got out of bed, walking towards the door.

CODE BLUE ROOM 4! CODE BLUE ROOM 4!

She felt weak, she was holding onto the wall, she was surprised when doctors and nurses came running into her room with the crash cart. They helped her back to bed, getting her settled back into bed, hooking her back up to the heart monitor. She was able to answer questions, she was alert and orientated.

The doctor left her room to get her family.

They heard the code blue for Julia's room again, and panicked, they were worried she wasn't strong enough to survive another one. They waited for the doctor to come back out with the news. They thought the worst when he was out five minutes after the code was called, they stood up, preparing themselves.

Dr. Case approached the family. "You need to come with me, to believe this."

They followed him back not sure what to expect, Don was the first through the door. Julia opened her eyes, she smiled at Don.

"Why so sad, big brother?"

"Because my baby sister is being a handful as usually."

She smiled at him and Charlie. "That's been my job since I was seven years old!" They sat and talked to her, not wanting to leave. "Robin, make them go back to the hotel and sleep, they need to rest. They look like hell."

"One of us can stay!"

"I'll be fine...go!" They leaned down, kissing her good bye, she smiled at them as the left.

XXX

Ian walked into her room, staring down at her sleeping form, she looked fragile laying in the hospital bed. He sat down in the chair next to her bed, picking up her hand. Her eyes slowly fluttered open, he sat forward caressing her face and smiling at her. She opened her mouth to say something to him, but she wasn't even sure what she wanted to say, she still felt the sting of his rejection.

"Ian, what are you doing here?"

"Where else would I be? I came as soon as I found out!"

She looked at him, not sure what she felt anymore. She was hurt, angry, and numb from his rejection, yet she was still alive after nearly dying earlier that felt she should forgive him, just let it go, see where things went. Then again she wasn't sure she wanted to open herself up to being hurt again, she'd been with him for seven years, with no real promises of tomorrow. She was ready for promises of tomorrow.

"Why?"

"Juls...I've always loved you. I was just too afraid to say it!" She closed her eyes, not wanting to look at him. 'Please open your eyes and look at me." She slowly did what he asked. "I love you Julia Margret Eppes, please tell me I'm not too late. That I didn't screw everything up, by leaving and walking out."

She exhaled slowly. "I still love you too, but you hurt me Ian. I need time to think."

"I understand." She could see the hurt in his eyes, but she had to protect her fragile heart. "Can I stay with you tonight?"

"If you want."

He curled up on the couch, in her room, she watched him sleep. She closed her eyes, she knew this decision was something she needed to think about, she couldn't be rushed into. She woke up early that morning, still no closer to deciding what she wanted to do, she closed her eyes. Why did love have to be so complicated, and difficult?

XXX

Ian was gone when she woke up, a few hours later, she felt disappointed, She smiled as she saw her family walking into her room, they came baring gifts of coffee and donuts. Ian walked in behind them, her heart, skipped a beat, her disappointment vanished.

Don and Charlie kept her distracted that morning so she wouldn't notice Ian and Allen slipping away together.

XXX

"Allen, I love Julia. I promise to take care of her. I'm asking for her hand in marriage, if she'll have me."

Allen smiled at Ian, and slapped him on the back. "Welcome to the family son."

They walked back into her hospital room, he wasn't sure when he was going to do it, but at least he had Allen's blessing. She looked beautiful laying in the hospital bed, laughing at something her brothers had said.

She looked up when he entered the room, smiling at him, he walked in, leaned down kissing her. He caressed her face, before standing up and sitting in the chair next to the bed. He patted the ring box in his pocket.

XXX

She loved him, there was no denying it, but was it enough to stay with him. Was his love strong enough to make their relationship last? She watched her brothers in their relationships and wondered how they made theirs work.

She wished her mom was here, so she could talk to her. Get some adive, just talk to her one more time. She closed her eyes, trying to get a picture of her mom, in her head. She missed her mom, on times like these.

Don was starring at her. "You okay?"

"I'm fine. Just tired."

"Sure?"

"Yeah."

She smiled at him, so he wouldn't worry, she had caused them enough of that already. She was going to figure the whole Ian thing out on her own. Most likely, it was time to end or ans run because it wasn't going anywhere