"My dad was here?" Finn said. "I didn't see him."

"He'll come back," Cole promised. "Revenge wasn't his purpose. He just wanted to make sure Kendra and I were safe. That was what he was trained to do, right?"

"Right." Finn smiled proudly, then gave a wistful sigh. "Damn, I really blew it. I didn't save everyone."

"We wouldn't have gotten to Kendra on time if it weren't for you," Cole said honestly.

"That's right." Finn puffed up. "I saved her life."

Kendra settled back in her bed.

Rick stood by her, looking uncomfortable. He was not staying much longer and he did not know what to say to her. He did not want to talk about Vincent Gray and make comparisons that they were both aware of.

She closed her eyes, but her breathing was too rapid for her to be sleeping. The day had tired her out. Her head tipped back over the edge of her pillow, her neck lengthening. She was utterly relaxed.

"I'll be leaving soon," Rick said.

Her eyes fluttered.

"I'll miss you," she said. She accepted it. She had to accept it. Much as she would like to rail against it. To forbid him to go. She had no right to make him stay simply because she would miss his company.

"I suppose I'll miss you," Rick replied. Neither he or Kendra were familiar with what came after the dead person stage. Now that it was coming, Rick did not feel as anxious about where he would end up.

Her eyes parted open. She wanted to look at him. He grinned that shy grin that she had not seen since he was alive. It glowed enigmatically through the dim night lights of the hospital.

"I wish things were different." Her damn mouth. She had to speak and now she was going to ruin this last moment. Tears stung her eyes. Rick's silhouette blurred.

Rick thought back to his unhappy years at Degrassi. Kendra might argue otherwise, but Rick wondered if his fate was sealed that moment he rammed his fist into Teri's head. He had not been able to redeem himself from that. He had not wanted to. He had been angry about the interruption it had posed in his life and he just wanted everyone to forgive and forget.

"I was unhappy," Rick revealed. He sat down by her. For once she did not budge away. He lowered over her and brushed her lips against hers. "I'm not unhappy now."