Trust Me

Chapter 21

Author's Note: Short but sweet! Not sure if I am happy about this chapter, but this is how it came out. Sorry if it sucks!

"Good grief! I've never seen so many cards and flowers before!" Chris said in amazement as yet another bouquet was delivered. It was a couple of days later and she had been moved to a regular room and out of the ICU. The doctor didn't want to risk infection so was keeping her just a little longer.

"A lot of people care about you, Chris. Everyone was worried and were calling to check on you." Robert explained, giving her a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. She had had a few visitors: Keith, Deb, Katie Holmes, even Mel Gibson called, but her favorite was Indio. Robert had sneaked him in and Indio had cheered her up. She had complimented him on the card and told him how much she loved it. He had left in high spirits.

She still couldn't remember much from before the wreck and Robert seemed nervous whenever it was brought up. He was hiding something from her but she wasn't ready to push the subject just yet. It would come out eventually.

Finally, she was cleared to go home and Robert drove her back to his place. He was like a mother hen as he helped her up the steps and to the sofa (she was sick of lying in beds!). While he got their bags from the car she greeted Dart and reminded herself to thank Deb again for taking care of him. For a few minutes Robert buzzed around her asking if she was hungry, thirsty, in pain, needed to go to the bathroom, wanted more pillows- ugh! It was exhausting!

"Robert, stop!" she begged and he froze. "Come here and sit down with me." He did as told and she leaned against him tiredly. Careful not to put any pressure on her injured ribs, he put his arms around her and instantly felt them both relax. The strange connection between them had started to fray and they needed to rebuild it. Pressing a kiss to his arm, she sighed. "This is the only medicine I need."

"I love you." He whispered and suddenly it hit him like a ton of bricks. All of the emotions, the fear, the regret, the exhaustion, had finally caught up with him. Burying his face in her hair he felt a sob ripped from him, Chris sat up, ignoring the pain, and gathered him into her arms. She had been expecting this- had seen the tension running through him and knew it had to snap at some point. "I'm sorry, Chris...I'm so sorry.."

"Shhh, it's not your fault-"

"It is my fault! If I hadn't...If I hadn't been so stupid, you would have never left the party…" he cried. Party. Stupid. Stupid, why? It was the final key to unlocking the memory. In a flash it all came back: the party, Robert drunk, the fight, her leaving in tears…

"You slipped and I left…" she muttered, letting the memories back in.

"I swear to God, Chris, I'll never do it again. I almost lost you that night- three times- and it was all because I was so stupid." He said and she frowned, another memory seeping in. The memories after the wreck were few and murky, but one stood out clear as crystal.

"Robert, listen to me." She said and he nodded, head now resting in her lap. He tried to prepare himself for the inevitable and was ready to beg, gravel, plead, anything it took to keep her. "Something happened after the wreck- I don't know what exactly. All of the stories are true, though, about seeing a white light. I did, I saw it. I knew what it was, what it meant. I wanted to go there because I knew that's where my dad was and…others. God, I wanted to go to that light. "She paused and he held his breath. "But I didn't. It was right there but I knew I couldn't go there just yet. I couldn't go because of you. I couldn't leave you and…something told me to fight the light. It was your voice telling me that I had to fight, that I wasn't alone, and that I couldn't leave you."

"Oh god, you heard me…" he breathed and she looked down at him in confusion. "You, uh…your heart stopped- fluid in your chest, I think. They had to use the paddles on you. I managed to get to you and I told you to fight and not leave me. You came back a few seconds later." He explained and she blinked in surprise. They sat together for a few minutes, lost in their thoughts, and amazed at what had happened. Finally, she took a breath.

"Robert, I could never leave you. It's probably stupid of me- no, I know it is stupid. But you have helped me so much for so long, and I love you so much for that, that I can only try to do the same for you. But, and I want to be perfectly clear about this, if you ever pull a stunt like that again, I'll kick your ass. Got it?"

"Got it." He grinned, relief flooding his body. "I really am sorry, baby." He said and swallowed hard. "I've never in my life been so scared…" She heard the hitch in his voice and soothed him gently.

"It's okay. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere." She murmured. "I love you, Robert."

"I love you too, Chris." He whispered, sitting up to kiss her deeply, finally rebuilding that connection.