DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING BUT STEPHEN AND KISARA.

I apologize that it's so short, but I couldn't wait to put this up. Enjoy!

Viper-Sindel

beep... beep... beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep...

"She... she didn't make it..."

A sob slipped from me as the nurse announced this. I placed my head in my hands and wept openly, my entire body shaking.

"No," I wept. "No... Why, Kisara? God, no! Anyone but her!"

The nurse laid a comforting hand on my shoulder as the flatline continued in the silence of the room.

beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep... beep... beep... beep...

"Doctor!" the nurse said, rushing from my side back to Kisara. Slowly, that sound registered in my mind.

The heart monitor... it was reading a beat!

My eyes snapped up to her as I crossed the room in two large steps, grasping her hand tightly in my own.

"C'mon, Kisara," I begged. "Please, come back! You can do it!"

The heart monitor began to read the beats even closer and closer together. I saw her chest rise and fall as took in air.

Painful hope tore through me. She could do this. She could come back!

"C'mon Kisara!" I begged. "You're strong enough for this!"

More signs of life began to register on the screen as the minutes ticked by. Then, with a soft sigh on my ears...

... she opened her eyes.

Everything hit me with sharp relief, including the blindingly bright lights. Slowly, my eyes adjusted and I registered that one of the blobs above me was holding my hand, another blob above me holding the other.

Welcome back, my angel.

"Reilyal..." I said weakly. Slowly, the forms became clearer and clearer. Stephen was standing on one side, Reilyal on the other. The doctor and nurse were also nearby, looking at me with bright, warm smiles.

"Welcome back to the world of the living, Kisara," the doctor said. "I'll leave the two of you alone for a moment. When I come back, I'll need to run a few tests to make sure you and the baby are fine."

I nodded slowly, then looked at Stephen.

"Stephen... I heard you... calling for me," I told him softly. Then I smiled. "You, of all people, should know I'm too stubborn to die, not like this."

That got the crying man to give a soft laugh.

"You had me worried there for a minute," he joked, then got serious. "Don't ever do this to me again. I'm not sure my nerves can handle it."

I chuckled softly, then looked back at Reilyal. I removed my hand from his so I could reach up and touch his face.

"You saved me... you gave me the strength to fight to live..."

He gladly leaned into my touch, his eyes filled with all the love he possessed.

"Let's let the doctors back in so they can clear you," Reilyal said. "I want to get you safely home. Then I can pick up where I left off in my mission."

I smiled softly at him and nodded, then looked at Stephen. I was surprised to see him smiling, not upset. He must have read my confusion.

"Kisara, I want you to be happy, to have all that you deserve," he told me. "I can see now that you all ready have that. If Toby makes you happy, then I'll let him have you. I love you, but I know that you will never love me the way I want you to. So, as a favor to me, please, use the rest of your life to be happy, even if it's not with me."

I felt tears falling down my cheeks. Weakly, I held up my arms and he gladly embraced me.

"Thank you," I told him softly. He smiled.

"You're welcome," he answered. "Just don't forget to call, write, and sometimes visit. Toby is even welcome whenever you choose to do just that, all right?"

I smiled warmly.

"Of course," I told him. "Of course."

Please review and let me know how I'm doing. All feedback is appreciated. Know that I won't update until I get at least 10 reviews!