So sorry about the mix-up with the chapters, my mind's been frazzled lately! Here's the proper chapter 21, enjoy :) xxx
Sam awoke slowly from her comfortable sleep, raising one heavy and sore arm to rub at her eye. She hadn't anticipated feeling resistance, however small, against her hand. Slowly opening the one eye that wasn't covered by bandages, she saw the smudged figure sat on the side of her bed, holding her hand gently.
"Tom…?" She mumbled sleepily, noticing him jump at her small movement. "What are you doing here…?"
"Shhh don't speak…" He moved closer to her, allowing her to see him more clearly through her sleep-blurred eyes. Sam could sense the tears in his voice and she held his hand little tighter, trying her best to give him a reassuring smile, although it looked more like a grimace.
"I'm ok Tom… Just a few scratches… I've already fought the doctors…" She giggled and Tom felt himself laughing with her, a flush of relief flowing through him as he saw her visible eye sparkle with life. He didn't know what he'd expected, but this wasn't it. His emotion bubbled to the surface and he held her hand tightly in his, struggling to fight back the tears that were fighting their way to the surface, a sudden flush of relief flowing through his veins and washing away the icy fear that had previously filled them.
"I was so frightened Sam, I thought I'd lost you…" He moved closer to her again, feeling her move their hands to rest gently on his leg. He looked away for a moment, unable to see the look of distaste on her face; unable to bear the rejection. So he was surprised when a soft hand brushed up against his cheek, turning his head back around with surprising tenderness.
"I'm tough Tom… You'll never get rid of me…" She whispered, gently dropping her hand back to her side, but not before her fingers had slid gently over his lips. "I'd never have let those bastards break me… Never…" She trailed off, her voice breaking momentarily.
"Sam, what happened out there…?"