Craig was excited to see Ellie again. She had called him yesterday to tell him that she was coming back today and he had called her room several times until she finally answered. They agreed to meet in his room since Bradley was at a meeting with his doctor about possibly leaving the clinic.

Craig had come back to the clinic and not surprisingly had gotten a speech from a nurse and Dr. Melendez about what he had done. Still he didn't regret it and at least he hadn't really received any punishments. He actually got the impression that Dr. Melendez was somewhat proud of what he had done.

He had also discovered that since Bradley had finally stopped blocking out his memories of his battles while in the Navy, his doctor was contemplating allowing him to leave the clinic and just continue regular therapy while living at home. Craig wasglad for his roommate but a bit sad to learn thatBradley would be leaving soon.

So Craig had a lot to tell Ellie as he waited for her to come that evening. Finally there was a knock at the door and he leaped from his bed to open it. Ellie stood there in her typical punk rock attire smiling. He wrapped his arms around her tightly and she hugged him back.

"How are you?" he asked into her hair.

"Good," came the muffled response. "Although it is getting a little bit hard to breathe."

Craig let go quickly. "Sorry." He stepped back and allowed her to walk into the room ahead of him and he shut the door behind them. "So…you look great. Two thumbs up." He flashed a grin at her. Now that she was here, for some reason he didn't tell her all the things he had been planning on telling her. Instead he lamely asked her, "So what's new?"

"Um, well I went to a cool group session today. And I don't hate Dr. Peterson anymore. She was actually very right about what she said to me when I first came here." Ellie sat down on his bed. "You?"

Craig sat down beside her, Indian style. "Well, Bradley may be getting out of here."

"That's great! Good for him. I actually haven't even seen Haile since I've been back. Don't know where she is."

"Oh I think she was spending a few days at home. I think she was supposed to be coming back this evening or tomorrow. She did ask about you though." Craig paused, fiddling with his shoelace. "Still no word on your dad?"

Ellie shook her head. "No. Nothing. My Mom tried to call and find out something but she kept on getting sent from person to person and they all pretty much just brushed her off and just said they would contact us soon."

Craig hesitantly took Ellie's hand in his. "I'm sure they will. And whatever the outcome, I'm here for you."

Ellie took a deep breath. "Yeah I wanted to talk to you about that." She pulled her hand away, and Craig felt as though he had swallowed a whole family of butterflies.

"I appreciate everything you've done for me," she began slowly. "That song you wrote was beautiful. I—" She was cut off by a knock at the door.

Craig groaned inwardly. Perfect timing. He held up a finger to Ellie. "Hold that thought." Getting to his feet, Craig crossed the room to open the door. The two people standing there weren't at all who he expected.

Sean and Ashley.