Fifty
Myles…
Her voice penetrated the quiet fog he'd been enjoying… or at least enduring. For whatever reason, he wasn't being allowed entrance anywhere just yet. Perhaps there was a discussion going on in the great beyond as to whether anyone wanted to put up with him…
Myles Leland, you listen to me… They say that people can hear what's going on around them even when they're in a coma, so you'd better tune in those Harvard-educated ears of yours…
He could see her in his mind, her dark eyes snapping as she took him to task. So subtly beautiful, even when she was railing on him. He listened, just to hear her voice one more time.
Sue told me what happened, about you trying to bail on me the first chance you got. If I were in any shape for it, I'd kick your backside across the Mall and back. You told me you'd always be here…
Bail on you? No, Tara, that's not what I wanted. I was trying to… wanted to… The thoughts swirled, hurting, dismayed that she thought he was deserting her. I just thought it would be better for you… after what I let happen…
He heard her voice catch. If you give up, if you die, then what I… did… meant nothing, had no meaning at all. And I can't live with that. Myles… Her voice softened. He could picture her looking away for a moment, brushing at a stray tear. I can't do this alone. I need you, here, by my side, in my heart. I know you blame yourself for what happened, but it's not true. Do you hear me? It is not true.
You are the only person I feel safe with right now. Not the team, not the hospital staff… I'm afraid to fall asleep because I know the nightmares will come. If I just knew you were fighting, too, I could handle it. But, knowing that you're barely here, that you're giving up… it means Jones will win, will destroy us both. I can't do this by myself.
He felt himself drawn to her, as if to a bright ray of sunshine on a dark day. I can't leave her. It was as simple as that. He no longer deserved to open his heart to her, claim hers, but he could still be her friend, her… anchor. His soul sighed. Judgment will have to wait.
He heard her pleading. Please, Myles. Don't leave me here alone. He reached up, finding the hand she was holding and squeezing hers in return.
Tara gasped softly as a blue-grey eye opened to look at her. Then she swatted him very lightly on his arm. "It's about time you got back," she censured quietly. "I had to bully the charge nurse into letting me in here."
Myles felt an ache shoot through his heart at the look in her eyes. "I'm sorry I left," he replied simply. It was all he dared say.
