Alyssa lay on her hospital bed, resting and waiting for Dr. Tam to come in and tell her that she could go home. She had spent most of the morning in physical therapy and was pretty exhausted. Chris had gone outside to call Murphy and check on things at home for her. She sighed and closed her eyes, falling asleep within moments.

Chris smiled when he came back to Alyssa's room a few minutes later to find that she had fallen asleep. He couldn't believe how far she had come just over the three days that she had been in the hospital. He loved her courage and determination. He turned toward the door when someone tapped on it, putting a finger to his lips.

Dr. Tam nodded as he stepped into the room, keeping his voice low as he spoke.

'The paperwork is almost finished and ready to be signed. Murphy signed a form earlier this morning that allows you to be the one to sign her out since he can't be here to do it.'

Chris nodded.

'He asked me to do that when I talked to him on the phone a few minutes ago. Today's the final day of the girls' opening weekend for their show.'

He looked over at Alyssa and smiled before looking back at Dr. Tam.

'I was thinking about taking her out to a quiet dinner and then to see the play before I take her home. Will that be okay?'

Dr. Tam studied Alyssa carefully for several minutes before he nodded his agreement.

'As long as you're careful and make sure that she goes slow,' he agreed, 'she can even put in an appearance at the after party in the backyard of the mansion if she feels up to it, but I don't want her to stay much longer than an hour. I want her to be in bed and ready to go to sleep no later than eleven o'clock tonight.'

Chris nodded.

'I'll make sure that she is,' he promised. He sat down beside the bed as Dr. Tam left the room. He smiled as he relaxed back and watched Alyssa as she slept. Her bruises were beginning to heal, and her natural beauty was starting to shine through.

Alyssa groaned softly as she woke up a little while later. A small smile appeared on her face as her eyes came to rest on Chris.

'How long have you been back?' she asked him.

Chris shrugged.

'About twenty minutes or so. You didn't take much of a nap. Are you feeling okay?'

Alyssa nodded.

'I'm a little sore, but I imagine therapy's going to get worse before it gets better.'

She looked around and sighed.

'I thought I'd be out of here by now. It's almost four o'clock in the afternoon. What's taking Dr. Tam so long?'

'He left about ten minutes ago,' Chris began to explain.

'What?!' Alyssa interrupted, 'why didn't you wake me up? Let's go!'

Chris chuckled and held up his hands.

'Whoa there,' he replied, 'take it easy, Alyssa. He came in to let me know that they were finishing up the paperwork that I have to sign for you to be able to leave and to give me some final instructions on what you're allowed to do tonight.'

'Why do you have to sign the papers?' she asked.

Chris reached over and took her hand.

'You're seventeen, Alyssa. That's still considered to be a minor. Murphy is listed as your legal guardian now, but he can't be here because of the show. He filled out a paper while he was here visiting you this morning that gives me permission to be the one to sign you out.'

Alyssa smiled a little more.

'I see,' she commented. She shifted over on the bed a little so he could stretch out beside her while they waited for the nurse to bring in the paperwork.

'I can't wait to get out of here.'

Chris nodded as he slid onto the bed beside her.

'I know, but you're still going to have to be on bed rest except for when you're up to do therapy for a few more days.'

He glanced toward the door as one of the nurses came in with a stack of papers.

The nurse smiled as she came in and sat down in the chair that Chris had just gotten out of.

'I've got several papers for you to sign, Mr. Michaels,' she explained. She handed him a small stack of the papers, along with a clipboard and a pen. She handed Alyssa a smaller stack.

'These are your instructions for what you can and cannot do over the next couple of months, instructions for wound care, your physical therapy schedule, and your prescriptions.'

She looked back at Chris.

'There's a pharmacy conveniently located on the first floor. You can get her prescriptions filled down there on your way out.'

Chris nodded, handing the nurse back the stack of papers he had signed.

'Thanks for the tip.'

He looked over at Alyssa.

'Ready to go, beautiful?'

The nurse smiled at the two of them as she left them alone, calling back over her shoulder.

'One of the orderlies will be here to wheel you outside soon.'

Alyssa made a face.

'I can walk out if you help me, Chris.'

'I know you can,' Chris agreed, 'but it's the policy of the hospital so that they can't get sued if someone trips and falls while on they're property.'

He picked up a large stuffed teddy bear and helped her sit up on the side of the bed.

'Take your bear and behave.'

He grinned at her.

Alyssa stuck her tongue out at him as the orderly came in, but she allowed them to help her into the wheelchair. She looked up at Chris.

'Are you taking me straight home?'

Chris pulled the strap of her duffel bag over his shoulder and grabbed the rest of the stuffed animals that she had been given during her hospital stay before falling into step beside the wheelchair.

'You'll just have to wait and see,' he answered, teasing her.