well...writing is how i procrastinate, i guess...i have a thesis paper to write, yet here we are! thank you for continuing to read and follow and review and waiting for my haphazardly timed updates! honestly, seeing a new follower or a new favorite notification is better than a hug, and hugs are one of my favorite things :) so thank you! i love you!

plot-wise, i apologize if the fic seems to be moving a bit slowly. after the occurrence in this chapter (see the chapter title), we'll get back on the road, so to speak. the girls' trip isn't over yet, and there's more to the story even after they get back to the States. so thanks for your patience and your continuing to read my ramblings! hugs to all! onto the update...

I slowly fade back into consciousness to feel Spencer still wrapped around me and rubbing my back. I keep my eyes closed. It's been too long since I've been cradled like this.

"Emily, I'm hoooome!" Paige singsonged as she danced through the dorm doorway. She grinned and wiggled her hips as she saw Emily emerge from the bathroom.

Emily snorted at her girlfriend's antics. "Got a few screws loose, P?"

Paige grinned as she dropped her backpack in the corner and wiggled her eyebrows. "Only for you." Then she noticed the tearstains on Emily's cheeks and barely caught her before the girl collapsed in sobs.

"Emmy, what's the matter?" At the sound of her childhood nickname Emily's cries intensified. Paige cradled Emily across her lap and gently kissed her forehead, her nose, her cheeks, and finally her mouth. "Shh, don't cry, Em." She felt a rush of relief as Emily relaxed, and they kept kissing until Emily's cries subsided.

"What happened, baby?" Paige worriedly brushed Emily's hair away from her face.

Emily hiccuped and leaned her face into Paige's hand. "It's...it's my dad." Paige tightened her grip comfortingly as Emily sighed and continued.

"I told you how he got sent to Syria, right? He was just supposed to be training them. He...he was out on the front line...I don't know what he was doing there, they got it wrong, he's such a big man, and it's just a small piece of metal…" Emily's rambling trailed off as she buried her face in Paige's shoulder.

Paige pressed her cheek against the top of Emily's head, contemplating what to say next. "Where is he, Em?" she said softly.

Emily hiccuped. "He's in the hospital." Paige sighed and relaxed.

"That's good then, babe. He's tough. He'll get through this." Paige's words were more automatic now, her mind focusing on the little jewelry box in the deepest recesses of her dresser where even Emily didn't look, on the conversation she had planned to have with Emily's father, on how she should really book a flight to see him sooner than later. She kissed the top of Emily's head.

"Em, which hospital?"

Emily raised her face to look at Paige inquisitively. "Penn General. They flew him back to America after he was stabilized. Why?"

Paige smiled. "Can I get the address and his room number too? I think I'll send him some chocolates."

Emily nodded and curled back into Paige's arms. She wasn't lying. She would just happen to drop by some time, oh, say maybe next week, to see if he got the chocolates. Then, seeing how she would already be there, the opportunity to have that conversation with Wayne would be too good to pass up. The stone was beautiful too: big, clear, square, no impurities. The conventional white, but it glinted rainbow when she held it up in the light. Yes, she was sure he would like it.

Emily's POV:

I sigh and rub at my crusted eyes. Ugh. I really should stop crying. So much for having fun.

Spencer lightly grasps my arm. "Are you all cried out?" Her smile is laced with worry, and I sigh again. Aria reaches over to stroke my hair, and Hanna huffs before flopping onto the bed with us.

I look out the open window of our hotel room and notice the azure, cloudless sky and the light breeze ruffling the translucent white curtains. It's a beautiful day, and for the first time I don't wish Paige were here to see it with me. That dream had such a rush of love. She is always with me, and she would want to go out and enjoy our vacation. I see Paige's smirk in my head as I push myself out of Spencer's arms.

"Come on guys, we got some partying to do!"

I feel three bewildered stares on me as I jump up, sling the jacket around my shoulders, and change into jean short-shorts.

Finally, Hanna yawns. "Alright then, I'll go find Lynn. She probably left to get some…" Her voice trails off as she exits the hotel room into the hallway.

Spencer snorts and changes into a white tank top as Aria hands me a sunscreen bottle with a smile. "Do my back?" I nod and squeeze a generous amount onto my hands and start rubbing down her shoulders.

Spencer prances by, imitating a chicken. I smudge a dollop onto her nose, and she shrieks and tackles me onto the bed, my oily hands covering her arms in white fingerprints. Laughter is a beautiful thing.

Lynn's POV:

I'm retracing my steps back to the hotel when Hanna emerges from the hotel lobby in a floppy orange hat. Great, she's probably gonna add to my collection of bruises. What's happened now?

Hanna sees me and dashes across the street, ignoring the honking cars and colorful Italian curse words. "There you are! We gotta go, now!"

I wrinkle my face at her. "You do know jaywalking is still a crime in Europe, right?"

Hanna disinterestedly examines her pink nails. "Is it? Come on. We're gonna party, queen's orders. You ready to go?"

Right. Emily. "Yeah. How is she?"

Hanna shrugs. "She was crying earlier, but now she's in a partying mood. So move your ass before she changes her mind!"

I nod and start speeding up. Hanna touches my arm. "By the way, sorry about your face."

Ha. "Yeah right," I grump, but her puppy face makes me laugh. "As long as she's feeling better, we're all good." I mean it. I have some things to work out, but for now I just want to see her smile. Don't worry, Paige. I'll look after your girl.

Dr. Mitchell ran his eyes over the scan one more time and peered at Paige in disbelief. "What do you know, the hemorrhage is completely gone! Ms. McCullers, you are a wonder indeed."

A glint on the girl's cheek caught his eye, and he walked toward her. "Why, you're crying, dear! Is everything alright? Not to worry, I'll have Spencer put Emily on speaker phone in a bit."

Unbeknownst to the doctor, images of Emily crying in Paige's arms flashed through her mind, and another tear crept onto her cheek.

so...what do y'alls think? will Lynn be able to keep her promise? and what on earth could Paige's tears mean? as always, your suggestions and questions and feedback are so, so appreciated. it really means a lot when you care to write a few words about this little story o' mine :) and as always, any feedback garners a hug. duh. until next time, folks!