"Being friends with your ex shows that you two are mature enough to get over the fact that you weren't meant to be together." - Unknown

Chapter 19

She fell asleep in his arms, and they laid on the bed side by side until her pager woke her up. The sound of his steady breathing was the most beautiful sound in the world to her ears. She snuggled closer to him, feeling the warmth of his body against hers, forgetting for a moment that they were lying on top of an extremely narrow hospital bed. His arms subconsciously pulled her even tighter, sending tingling currents all over her body. Her breathing quickened, her heart thumping so loud she was certain the entire hospital could hear it, so she tried hard to rein in the desire that arrived at the wrong place and at the wrong time.

She pulled away from him, ever so gently, so as not to wake him up. Even though she barely got two hours of sleep, she felt refreshed. She stared at him for a few minutes, stroking his hair as he slept.

Ji Hoo was back. And he remembered her. He remembered her!

I should never have doubted him.

He opened his eyes groggily, and gave her a lopsided smile. He grabbed her hand, the one that was stroking his hair, and gave the back of it a small kiss before placing it on top of his heart. He held it there as they stared at each other in silence.

No words needed to be said between them, as their eyes conveyed what they wanted to say.

Relief. Joy. Love.

Her pager beeped again and she looked at it, slightly annoyed.

Why do they keep paging me?

Ji Hoo arched an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to answer your pager?"

She grinned. "I wasn't really planning on it."

"Might be important?"

Not as important as this.

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.

"They're not going to leave me alone until I answer, are they?" Jan Di scowled.

Ji Hoo chuckled. "I doubt it."

Gosh, I missed that smile.

Seeing Ji Hoo smile again made her heart do three consecutive flips. She tore her eyes reluctantly away from him and picked up the phone.

"Doctor Geum Jan Di here. You paged?"

The nurse at the front desk seemed to notice the slight annoyance in her voice. "I'm sorry to bother you, Doctor Geum, but your friends are here. They've been waiting to come in for quite some time now?"

"Oh." She felt a little stab of guilt.

"Should I let them in or tell them to come back?"

"No, no. Tell them to come in. Thank you, Nurse Ha Ri."

"You're welcome, Dr. Geum."

She had forgotten that she told the front desk not to let anyone in Ji Hoo's room until she said it was okay.

Well, by "anyone" I really meant Eun Mi.

Their friends started trickling in not even five minutes later.

"Well look who's awake!" Yi Jung exclaimed cheerfully as he stepped into the room.

Ga Eul, Hye Jin and Woo Bin were right behind him. Hye Jin held a huge bouquet of flowers, while Ga Eul had a basket of fruit in her arms. They both passed this onto Jan Di, who placed it on top of the little gray desk in the room. Ji Hoo had only been there for less than two days, and his room already looked like a flower shop, as patients and coworkers dropped flowers off to wish him well.

"Had enough beauty sleep?" Woo Bin greeted.

Ji Hoo's face lit up at seeing their friends. Jan Di helped him sit up until he was comfortable. He held onto her hand as he sat, refusing to let go.

"Nice to see you guys too," he acknowledged. "Thanks for coming to rescue me, Woo Bin."

Woo Bin's face turned serious. "Sorry I took so long."

He shook his head. "You got there as fast as you could."

"You scared me, Ji Hoo." Woo Bin scolded. "When I got there, you weren't moving. Your eyes were closed, and there was blood everywhere. I thought I was too late!"

"I'm sorry, bro," Ji Hoo said. "I couldn't move even if I wanted to."

"What happened?" Woo Bin asked. "Why were those guys after you? You're not one to pick a fight."

"They weren't after me," Ji Hoo explained. "They thought I was Jun Pyo. They wanted to kidnap him for ransom."

The others stared at him in disbelief.

"H-how? You don't look anything like Jun Pyo!" Yi Jung's brows knotted in confusion. "Was it dark? Were they blind?" He narrowed his eyes. "Wait... were you wearing a wig?"

Ga Eul rolled her eyes at him. "Really?"

"They weren't very smart. Or organized," Ji Hoo said. "Which is a relief because it could have been way worse for me." Turning to Woo Bin, he asked, "Did you get them?"

Woo Bin shook his head. "I have people searching for them 24/7. They can't hide for long. We'll get them, I promise you."

This seemed to snap Jan Di out of her daze and she whirled on Ji Hoo to give him a piece of her mind. Now that he was awake, and safely out of danger, she decided it was the perfect time to lecture him.

"How could you even go there by yourself? What were you thinking? You can't be going off on your own like that! Don't you know you're a likely target, too? People know you have money!" Her voice was a pitch above normal. "You need to be more careful. Look at your friends! Jun Pyo has his private security, Woo Bin is always trailed by his guards, Yi Jung..." She looked at Yi Jung, who waited eagerly for what she had to say about him. "Well, I don't think anyone would try to kidnap Yi Jung, to be honest."

"Hey!" Yi Jung protested. "I'm very kidnapper-desirable, thank you very much."

Ga Eul giggled. "I don't think that's a thing." She patted his hand. "But if you want, we'll get you a guard."

Yi Jung raised his chin. "That's better."

"Did you want a chihuahua or a bichon shihtzu?" Ga Eul asked, a wide grin on her face. "Oooh... or maybe a labradoodle!"

Yi Jung's face fell. "I was serious!"

"So was I," Ga Eul said.

Jan Di's attention turned back to Ji Hoo. "We need to get you your own private security so we can keep you safe. Why did you not think of this before? From now on, I won't let you go outside without someone watching over you. Otherwise, I swear I'm going to guard you myself. I'll follow you wherever you go and never, ever leave your side! Do you hear me? I'll stick to you so much people will think we're Siamese twins!" She was panting hard, having let all her fears and frustrations out in one breath.

Ji Hoo, however, looked more amused than afraid of her threats.

"How come you never threaten me like that?" Yi Jung whispered to Ga Eul.

"Because I believe in actions, not words." She elbowed him, and he gave a little yelp.

"You know, he's not supposed to like your threats, right?" Woo Bin smirked.

Jan Di was still out of breath from her outburst. Ji Hoo's eyes softened and he pulled her in for a hug.

"I'm fine," he assured her. "Really."

The door opened and Jun Pyo and Jae Kyung stepped in. Relief flooded their faces when they saw Ji Hoo awake.

"You know, when I said I'll come visit you at the hospital, this wasn't what I meant, right?" Jun Pyo pointed out.

"Nice to see you, too, Gu Jun Pyo." Ji Hoo's eyes went immediately to Jun Pyo's hair. "I don't see anything different. Your hair looks the same."

Jun Pyo ran a hand through his hair. "That's because I wanted it to be subtle."

"You mean I sat for hours for that?" Ji Hoo teased.

"Hey, you're the one who wanted to tag along," Jun Pyo reminded him. "Anyway, how are you feeling?"

"I'm good," Ji Hoo answered. "Well, I won't be doing any running anytime soon."

Jun Pyo and Jae Kyung sat down while he explained to them what happened.

"Wow," Jae Kyung said, when he was done. "Even if we stuffed each of you in a bag, I'm sure I could tell you guys apart."

"Oh? How?" Jun Pyo asked, curiousity piqued.

"Your bag would be complaining nonstop," Jae Kyung said, matter-of-factly. "Plus, it would be bigger. And really, really heavy."

Jun Pyo glowered at her but Jae Kyung ignored him. Then his face became serious as he turned back to Ji Hoo. "I better tell my security about this." He pulled out his phone and stepped outside the room.

"The police will also want to talk to you," Woo Bin said. "I didn't know much when they questioned me."

Sure enough, an hour later several police officers arrived and began questioning Ji Hoo and Woo Bin.

"Those guys are in for a treat," Woo Bin said, as soon the cops had left. "Not only are my men looking for them, but now the cops are, too."

"And my men," Jun Pyo added, "since I was their original target." He gave Ji Hoo an approving nod. "Those descriptions you gave the cops were really good. The sketch artist couldn't even keep up. Now their faces will be all over the country."

Ji Hoo had always had a good memory. "Let's hope it helps."

Woo Bin gritted his teeth. "They better hope my men don't find them first."

…

That evening they released Ji Hoo from the hospital (after all the results came back normal). Ji Hoo was adamant to go home, and since they couldn't find any compelling reason to convince him to stay, got his way. Jan Di would be by his side, monitoring him for any signs of concussion or any other side effects of the drug.

The rest of the gang followed him home and they all gathered around his living room while Ji Hoo practiced rolling around in his new wheelchair.

"That actually looks fun," Yi Jung observed.

Jun Pyo snorted. "Your arms get tired fast."

"I didn't want to use mine for too long because I was afraid Yi Jung would make fun of me," Woo Bin confessed.

"Who? Me?" Yi Jung said, pretending to look shocked. "Never!" He pointed at Ji Hoo. "You know, if we shaved your head you could pass for Professor X."

"That's right," Woo Bin agreed. "Dibs on Wolverine!"

"Aww, I was going to pick him!" Yi Jung complained. "I guess I can be Cyclops."

Jun Pyo seemed to be deep in thought. "Magneto. Definitely Magneto."

"But Magneto's a villain," Ji Hoo reminded him.

"But he's a cool villain," Jun Pyo argued. "Maybe even cooler than Professor X." He folded his arms and raised his chin up, daring Ji Hoo to contradict.

Jae Kyung gave the other three girls a puzzled look. "Are they always like this?"

Ga Eul laughed. "Pretty much." Turning to Jan Di she said, "You should probably put a stop to this. Before, you know, they actually shave his head."

"NO ONE is shaving his head." Jan Di pushed Ji Hoo's wheelchair a few steps away from the boys.

"Spoilsport," Yi Jung muttered.

Just then, Mrs. Si, Ji Hoo's housekeeper, came out with a cart full of food. The group happily munched on them, suddenly realizing how hungry they were.

Ji Hoo glanced at his watch then looked up at Jan Di. "Hey, isn't Kang San's fashion show tomorrow?"

She placed her hands on her hips. "You're seriously not thinking of going, are you? You just got out of the hospital! Besides, you can't walk the stage."

"I can't do the fashion show, but we can still watch and show our support to Kang San."

"I don't know, Ji Hoo..."

"I made a promise," Ji Hoo said. "I'll just sit and watch. It's just like going out for some fresh air. It would do me some good." He gave her a wink and added, "Besides, I'll bring my doctor with me so she can look after me."

She scrunched her lips to the side and pretended to resist his charm. "Actually, I'm not your doctor. And I'm sure Doctor Park doesn't want to see a school fashion show tomorrow."

"Fine. I'll bring my fiancé doctor with me to take care of me." Ji Hoo flashed her his trademark smile, and she couldn't help but blush.

"It's not fair when you go all cute and charming on me," Jan Di complained. She threw her hands up in the air, admitting defeat. "Fine. We'll go. But you have to promise to listen to your fiancé."

"I always do."

"Oh. We have a problem though." Jan Di recalled. Everyone turned to look at her. "We still need a couple to walk the stage."

"Yi Jung and Ga Eul could do it for us. They only need one couple, right?" Ji Hoo suggested.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! What?" Yi Jung cried out. "Did you just volunteer me again?"

Ga Eul nudged him. "Of course we'll do it."

"Even if I wanted to, I can't. I have an exhibit tomorrow," Yi Jung said.

"What time does it end?" Ji Hoo asked.

"Around 4."

"Perfect. Fashion show starts at 5."

Yi Jung shook his head. "You're not letting me off the hook that easily, huh?"

Ji Hoo grinned at him. "Nope. Not even a little bit."

"Fine. But you OWE me. Big time."

Ji Hoo tapped a finger on his chin, deep in thought. Then a smile spread slowly on his face. "How about I'll do Bohemian Rhapsody next time we have a performance?"

Yi Jung's eyes widened. "No way! You mean it?"

"Of course."

"It's a deal. Wait, are you going to sing it, too?" Yi Jung asked, excitedly.

"Don't push it."

…

One by one their friends left, and Jan Di was left alone with Ji Hoo. She had no intention of leaving him by himself all night anyway, as she wanted to monitor his condition.

She sat on the couch while Ji Hoo sat in his wheelchair opposite her, both of them sipping tea.

"Jan Di..." Ji Hoo began. She could see the lines of worry on his face.

"What is it? Is something wrong?"

"Did you tell Grandfather?"

She shook her head. "I figured if you didn't wake up within 24 hours then I would call him. But I didn't want to worry him. I knew he'd come rushing back here."

He put a hand on top of hers. "Thank you for that. I'll call and tell him everything tomorrow."

She simply nodded. Then she stood up and started pacing around his living room. He followed her with his eyes, patiently waiting for her to say something. He could tell something was on her mind.

"There's something I wanted to ask you..." Jan Di fidgeted with her hands.

"What is it?"

"When you woke up, it seemed as though you didn't know who I was." She failed to hide the hurt in her voice.

"I'm sorry, Jan-Di-yah. I was a little out of it then. My head was spinning, and I couldn't remember much at first. Everything was hazy." He looked at her curiously. "Why? Were you worried I'd end up like Jun Pyo?"

"A little," she admitted, as a blush crept up her cheeks.

A huge grin spread onto his face. "Silly otter. It would take more than a blow to the head to make me forget about you."

"Really?"

"You're not only in here," he said, as he tapped his temple. "You're also in here." He tapped his heart. "And here," he said, tapping his nose. "And here." He tapped his mouth. "And of course, here." He held her hand. "You're in every thought, every scent, every touch and every feeling that I have. It would be impossible for me to forget you."

She squeezed his hand, wondering how she ever got so lucky. He was looking up at her from his chair so she leaned forward so she could be at eye level with him. "Don't ever scare me like that again," she said.

"I promise I won't wear other people's clothes anymore, especially Jun Pyo's."

"That's not what I -"

He put both palms on either side of her cheeks and placed his forehead against hers.

"I missed you too," he whispered, before she could finish talking.

And then he kissed her.

He kissed her softly at first, just a peck, his lips grazing hers for just a second. His eyes took on a glazed look, as if in a dream, and he put a hand behind her neck and pulled her in closer. His next kiss was full of hunger, bursting with a need that she'd never seen in him before. Something inside her came undone, and she met his lips with the same eagerness, throwing away all reservations, all hints of shyness. She knew she could have lost him, could have lived in a world without his smile, without his love, and that... that would have certainly destroyed her. She grabbed a fistful of his shirt, pulling him harder, and her knees buckled and she fell onto his lap.

Neither of them noticed.

Neither of them cared.

They kissed again and again, harder and deeper each time, their lips parting only so they could catch their breath.

Ji Hoo pulled away for just a second, only long enough to look at her with such longing it made her whole body tremble.

"I wish I hadn't broken my foot." He whispered wistfully in her ear, as he trailed kisses down her jawline back to her mouth, his self-control tossed casually aside, his promise temporarily forgotten.

She understood what he implied but didn't blush about it this time.

Instead, she welcomed it.

"Me too." She purred, and she heard him take a deep breath in. Her hands were on his hair before she realized it, and their lips met again, even hungrier than before, knowing that she could never have enough of this... could never have enough of him.

It was the kind of kiss that only existed in her dreams, the kind that awakened her innermost desires.

The kind that chased thunderstorms away from the sky and replaced them with sunshine.

Her sunshine.

…

Author's Note: I tried to venture a little outside my comfort zone in this chapter. If you've been reading this series (Parts 1-3), you'd know that this is new to me. I apologize in advance if I didn't do a good job with it, or if it was a little much.