The Long Hike

by BellesYellowRose

Ga Eul goes on a camping trip with the F4 and gets hurt when she goes hiking by herself. Horrified the guys have to call Yi Jeong in Sweden to tell him what happened. Unsure if she is going to survive, Yi Jeong flies home desperate to finally tell her how he feels before it's too late.

12. Chapter 12

Hi Guys! Merry Christmas to all who celebrate it! And if you don't celebrate it, I hope your day was still filled with blessings and cheer. So here we are… The last chapter! There will be an epilogue after this though. This is the longest SeOul fic I have ever done so I want to thank you for coming along on this ride with me. I hope you have enjoyed it and will continue to follow me on new stories for them. I really appreciate all the reviews and likes. They make my day and keep me motivated to keep writing. So here we go on the final chapter for the Long Hike

Yi Jeong moved quietly down the hall, his eyes on the pipe which stopped at the second door. He took a deep breath and praying Ga Eul was right, he looked inside the small window. His body sinking in relief as he saw Ji Hoo. He was leaning against the corner table and while his expression was calm with a mixture of boredom, Yi Jeong from a lifetime of friendship could see he was coiled tight as a snake.

He narrowed his eyes at the scene. Four men were pacing and arguing with one another around him. They all looked like they had taken a heavy beating and Yi Jeong felt a surge of pride at his friend's skills but he couldn't figure out what was holding Ji Hoo hostage when he clearly outmatched them. Then the more agitated one turned slightly and Yi Jeong cursed. He was holding a gun and from the way, Ji Hoo kept his eye on the young man, he was aware that his situation was rapidly spiraling out of control.

Yi Jeong tapped out a quick message to Woo Bin and tried to find a way inside that would not get him or Ji Hoo shot. Seeing the movement, Ji Hoo's gaze met his and he subtly shook his head. He took a step back and moved to quietly call Woo Bin.

"Where are you?"

"I'm on the roof," Woo Bin whispered. "I can see the hole Ji Hoo was talking about. Give me a second."

Since he figured Woo Bin was walking directly above him, Yi Jeong listened nervously for any creaks on the ancient roof that would give them away but there was not even a flicker of sound. And Yi Jeong shook his head at his ability to move so lightly. Song Woo Bin could sneak up and break an opponent's neck without anyone ever knowing he was there. His years of training adding a new level of edge to the natural skill of his best friend and Yi Jeong reflected once more on how lucky people were that Woo Bin had such a gentle nature.

"I see him," Woo Bin muttered. "He looks okay…"

"Do you see the man in the blue shirt in the middle?"

"Yeah," Woo Bin said thoughtfully. "Ji Hoo must have beaten the shit out of that one…. All of them actually. Good job, Ji Hoo. I knew I trained him well."

"The gun, Woo Bin," Yi Jeong hissed. "Do you see the gun?"

"I see it. I could probably get the drop on him from up here but he is standing too close to Ji Hoo." Woo Bin listened for a minute and shook his head. "They are arguing about what to do. A few of them just want to get rid of them but the others don't want to the heat over murdering an F4 member."

Heat would be putting it mildly. If they had killed Ji Hoo before they arrived, there would be nothing left of the F4, and both Yi Jeong and Woo Bin would come after you with all the power of tsunami but the overall fury of Gu Jun Pyo would have been terrifying on every single continent.

Feeling a strange sense of urgency, Yi Jeong shook his head. "We need to move, Woo Bin. I don't like this."

"Ready when you are."

"Where's Jun Pyo?"

"He snuck in through the back. He is waiting for your signal. You are the closest to Ji Hoo...Can you get to him?"

"I would like to see someone try and stop me." Yi Jeong told him and quickly hung up. If they didn't time this right, Ji Hoo would probably be killed before they could blink.

"Let's just end this!" The kid snarled as he pushed his friends to the side and leveled the gun at Ji Hoo's heart. Although he kept his expression calm, Ji Hoo straightened slowly. "Are sure that's a good idea?"

"You're here alone. Which tells me you didn't let F4 in on your plan. How you found us, I don't know but I am not spending my life in jail because some bitch fell down a hill. So yes, I think this is a good idea. I get rid of you and your mouth can't report back to Song Woo Bin who we are. We disappear and the F4 will never know what happened."

"I doubt that," Yi Jeong said with a smirk as leaned against the wall and the gang whirled around in disbelief and he gave his signature three-fingered wave. "Hi there."

As the shooter cursed and started to aim the gun in his direction but Woo Bin dropped soundlessly through the roof and landed on his feet as easily as a cat. "Hey guys." He smiled at their stunned expressions. "Nice party. Although the location leaves a little to be desired. At least put up some curtains or something next time."

"Now, Woo Bin." Gu Jun Pyo said dryly from the shadows. "It's not nice to pick on the weak-minded."

The gun was still leveled at Ji Hoo and Yi Jeong could see the shooter's eyes narrow. "You are too far away to stop me."

"Qui Kwang Li," his friend hollered. "This is going too far."

"Shut up, Park In Su." Kwang Li barked. "This is all your fault anyway. Trying to sneak into the hospital to find out her condition is what led them to us."

"I told you to stop on the mountain. You are the one who beat her until she fell. And now we've killed someone." In Su looked at Yi Jeong pleadingly. "It wasn't me So Yi Jeong. It was him. I only broke into the hospital to find out if she was okay but then we received word she died and—"

"I said shut up!" Qui Kwang Li roared. His breathing wild and he shook his head. "I won't be taken like this." He cut a glance to Gu Jun Pyo. "Do you honestly think I won't kill him?"

Jun Pyo watched him carefully. "Do you honestly think you will walk away from this now?"

"No. But if I get taken down, I am going to make sure the F4 suffers too."

Seeing all his friends tense at the declaration, Ji Hoo shifted to the side and brought back Qui Kwan Li's attention to him. "Back off, Gu Jun Pyo."

"Ji Hoo—" Woo Bin breathed as the gun pressed into his chest. His hand going to his pocket but knowing the one standing close to Woo Bin had a knife tucked his pocket and could slide it into the Mafia Prince's ribs before he could react, Ji Hoo shook his head with a growl. "I started this. I am going to be the one to end it. Now, back off."

Gu Jun Pyo studied him carefully before giving the nod to Woo Bin who cursed darkly but moved away. Yi Jeong licked his lips nervously as he watched the scene carefully. Ji Hoo and Kwang Li stared off and he prayed Ji Hoo was right. He knew Woo Bin and him had practiced scenarios like this a dozen times growing up but it was a little different seeing it in real-time.

Ji Hoo smirked down at Kwang Li whose face darkened dangerously and seeing his finger twitch on the trigger Ji Hoo grabbed the gun. However, Kwang Li must have had some of his own training because he seemed to anticipate the move.

"Ji Hoo!" Woo Bin yelled as the two men fought. A blur of bodies rolled and hands grappled for the gun and Yi Jeong felt his blood thicken as he waited breathlessly. Qui Kwang Li's friends moved as they were going to jump in but Woo Bin and Yi Jeong were on top of them before they could blink. Rage, desperation, and images of almost losing Ga Eul and now maybe Ji Hoo adding to their already natural advantage over the group. In barely less than a minute they were laid out cold next to their feet.

Yi Jeong was about to put his foot into his opponent's unconscious throat when Woo Bin's curses and screams echoed around the steel room and he swirled to see Ji Hoo was frantically trying to hold off Kwang Li, whose derangement over the situation had made him almost impossible to control.

The gun was level now to his heart and Kwang Li smiled in victory but before he could fire off the shot, Woo Bin threw his knife. It missed Kwang Li by inches but the distraction was enough for Ji Hoo to get a strong knee to his side, loosening the grip. The two men twisted once more, shots firing wildly into the roof and a low curse from Ji Hoo proved he was tiring.

"Yoon Ji Hoo," Gu Jun Pyo yelled, his eyes wide. "Finish it!"

Ji Hoo looked at him and seeing the slight fear, Jun Pyo lept forward but it was too late. The gun went off once more and both Yi Jeong and Woo Bin screamed in horror.

They saw the two lifeless bodies fall and it was the like room swayed deeply. From the corner of his eye, he saw Woo Bin drop to his knees while Gu Jun Pyo dove for Ji Hoo. He picked up Kwang Li and all but threw him into the wall. The boy fell like a rag doll without a sound but Yi Jeong still couldn't bring himself to move. Terrified, he barely let himself even blink, his entire body focused on where Gu Jun Pyo hovered over Ji Hoo.

"Gu Jun Pyo?" Woo Bin begged tearfully. "Is he—"

"I'm all right," Ji Hoo answered with a long groan. "He missed."

"You son of a bitch," Gu Jun Pyo said breathlessly as he fell back in relief. "I'm going to kill you."

"That would be sort of counter-productive of the rescue then wouldn't it?"

"You bastard." Woo Bin snapped as he yanked Ji Hoo up into a bone-crushing hug. "You idiot bastard. You just stole twenty years off my life."

"Thirty." Yi Jeong growled with a hard kick to Ji Hoo's leg. "You idiot. What the hell were you thinking?"

"Ow." Ji Hoo glared at them. "Can you give me a minute of recovery before you all start beating me?"

"Wait, Ji Hoo." Woo Bin grabbed his shoulder, his lips tightening as he ripped off his jacket. "He didn't miss." Seeing the blood running down his arm, Ji Hoo nodded with a confused smile. "Huh. No wonder I feel so lightheaded."

"You—" Woo Bin swallowed back his curse and pressed his coat down hard on the wound. "It's not bad, it's just a graze but we still need to get it cleaned and checked out."

"Do it here," Ji Hoo insisted. "If we go to the hospital they will inform grandfather. I don't want him to worry."

"Well, he's just going to have to worry then." Jun Pyo snapped. "It's not a damn papercut, Ji Hoo. You've been shot!"

"Barely," Ji Hoo replied hotly. "It only nicked me."

"You stubborn, arrogant—"

"I'm not—"

"This is not up for debate! This—"

"Oh, stop acting all parental—"

"All-right!" Yi Jeong finally shouted over the two fuming members. "Jun Pyo back off a little. And you," He pointed angrily to Ji Hoo. "Quit this rogue shit. I don't know what's going on with you but this whole going off on your own to handle things—"

"I handled it alone because I had to." Ji Hoo interrupted fiercely and forced himself to his feet. "So leave it alone."

"Ji Hoo," Woo Bin barked as he threw the last bandage at him. "We're a team. It's all of us or—"

"I'm the expendable one." Ji Hoo snapped at them, his voice sharp with anger. "Aside from you guys, I don't have anyone. So, it's okay if something happens to me but if anything happens to you or the girls…" He stopped and then faced them directly, his expression heavy with grief. "We almost lost Ga Eul. I won't go through that again."

"Yoon Ji Hoo," Gu Jun Pyo began but Ji Hoo cut him off with an irritated shrug. "Enough. I'm fine and they are done. So wrap this up, Woo Bin."

He stalked away and they watched him go worriedly. "Does he honestly believe he is the expendable one?" Woo Bin asked quietly. "That we don't need him somehow?"

"We should go talk to him," Yi Jeong insisted quickly. "Tell him—"

"He won't listen right now," Jun Pyo interrupted with a long sigh. "He needs some space first."

They stood silently for a moment before Woo Bin dipped his head to the men on the ground who were beginning to wake up with low moans. "I will call my men to clean this up. Then we can dump them somewhere for the police to grab."

"One moment," Yi Jeong said softly and knelt next to Park In Su. His voice low so the others could not hear him. "You stood there and let your friend beat and grope my woman. You saw her fall and when she begged for help, you just ran away. You left her there to slowly bleed to death. And now you are asking me for mercy because suddenly you feel bad about it."

"I told him to stop," Park In Su moaned in pain. "I was drunk and didn't know he would go that far."

"You touched her," Yi Jeong hissed through clenched teeth. "You didn't let your friends do anything. You were the one who beat her until she fell. You were the one who stalked her for two days until you found her alone on that path. And you weren't drunk either."

In Su opened his eyes and realizing he had been caught, he gave a long smile. "How did you know?"

Woo Bin and Gu Jun Pyo rose to their feet slowly, sensing the change in Yi Jeong's body language. "So Yi Jeong?" Woo Bin said cautiously. "What is it?"

He held up his hand asking them to stay back. "Ga Eul described the man who instigated the attack. She remembered his face clearly. And funny enough, it did not match your friend over there. It matches you." Yi Jeong tilted his head with a smirk. "You must have some loyalty to convince him to take the fall for touching a woman who belongs to the F4."

"We've been friends since childhood," In Su said with a shrug. "He has a more powerful name. He takes the fall and his father will cover him from any serious repercussions."

"From whom?" Yi Jeong asked with a cocked brow. "From me?" He laughed darkly. "I don't negotiate, Park In Su with men who touch my car. Let alone my woman."

"Well damn." Park In Su rubbed his head with a snort. "She's not dead, is she? This was just a trap."

"Of course it was. If she had truly died, you would already be dead."

Park In Su chuckled creepily and gave Yi Jeong a bemused stare. "I will give you credit for taste, So Yi Jeong. Even for a commoner, she struck my interests. Her hair—"

"I wouldn't keep talking about her if I were you. Not unless you want me to cut out your tongue before I let Song Woo Bin have you."

Park In Su didn't look worried or even remotely frightened by this idea which made Gu Jun Pyo and Woo Bin exchange suspicious glances. Something was not right.

"Yi Jeong, move away." Gu Jun Pyo said slowly. "It's time to let Woo Bin's men handle them from here."

"He touched her, Gu Jun Pyo."

"I know." Jun Pyo took a careful step as though he was approaching a hungry tiger instead of one of his closest friends. "But getting your hands dirty like this won't make it better. You promised Ga Eul you would be right back. Don't make yourself a liar now."

Yi Jeong fought with himself as he stared down at the trash who almost seemed amused by the whole thing. While he knew Woo Bin's men would do a hell of a job of removing his smile before they dumped them into a gutter, the idea of walking away, of allowing anyone to think they could touch Ga Eul and Yi Jeong would not personally come after them made his blood boil.

"Walk away, Yi Jeong." Woo Bin said quietly. "Let it go."

"Come home, Yi Jeong." Ga Eul's voice suddenly whispered in his ear. "Come back to me."

He closed his eyes and listened to the soft call echoing around them. "Come home." She called once more and he slowly nodded to Woo Bin. But as he turned to walk away a sudden chill ran up his spine as Ji Hoo came back inside with a confused expression. "What's going on?"

"Try not to miss this time, Kwang Li."

At the dry call from In Su, Yi Jeong whipped around to where they had left Qui Kwang Li who was rolling with satisfied snarl and pointing the gun directly back at Ji Hoo.

"NO!" All three men shouted, too far away to stop him. The gun went off with an almost inhuman sound and the scene of Ji Hoo falling backward, his body hitting the ground forever etched on them.

Woo Bin's men hearing the gunshot raced in and tackled Qui Kwang Li who was snarling like a dog. The other two of Park In Su's little gang decided to try and flee but a quick head nod from Woo Bin had them chased and contained before they could even get to the door. Yi Jeong turned furiously back In Su but he was already being slaughtered by Woo Bin.

His friend was cold and brutal as he beat the man into a bloody pulp. Any mercy or gentleness normally attached to the mafia prince vanished as he attacked. Even his own men looked taken aback at the sight of their normally calm boss in such a heartbroken rage.

"Ji Hoo," Yi Jeong cried as he raced next to Jun Pyo who was openly screaming. He was clutching Ji Hoo, his hands soaked in blood.

"No." Yi Jeong yelled. "No. You son of a bitch. Ji Hoo, don't you dare."

Ji Hoo's eyes though only remained open and blank. Any light or warmth snuffed out with one click of the hammer. Jun Pyo wailed incoherently as he buried his face into Ji Hoo's chest. Hearing him, Woo Bin paused in the beating to look over and seeing Ji Hoo lying dead, he frantically shook his head. "No… No."

"Boss," his right-hand man said almost tearfully. "Boss, we're so—"

"NO!" Woo Bin screamed again. "Wake him up, Gu Jun Pyo!"

"I-I- can-can't," Jun Pyo choked. "I can't. Please Ji Hoo..."

"WAKE HIM UP!"

Yi Jeong felt his feet slip out from under him with a strangled cry and Woo Bin quickly caught him with a puzzled frown. "Whoa bro, you okay?"

"What?" Yi Jeong asked weakly. The vision of blood fading slowly. He looked around the warehouse, his gaze landing on the door where Ji Hoo had fallen. His eyes widening in fright seeing the shadow of his friend's approach and the low smirk coming from Park In Su.

"NO!" Yi Jeong yelled and took off while Gu Jun Pyo and Woo Bin only stared after him in shock.

"Guys," Ji Hoo called as he walked back in with a confused expression. "What's going on?"

Yi Jeong heard the gasps of horror from Jun Pyo and Woo Bin as In Su gave the order to Kwang Li, his lungs burning as he tried to get there in time. His entire body straining to reach him and he threw himself forward, letting the force of his body and speed to take them both to the ground right as the gun rang out. He heard Ji Hoo curse as they slammed into the hard ground, his bones shaking from impact and robbing him of air. He heard Gu Jun Pyo yelling their names while Woo Bin restrained Park In Su with a violent war cry.

With a harsh drag of air, Yi Jeong pushed himself up and crawled over to Ji Hoo. "Ji Hoo?"

"Did that idiot just try to shoot me again?"

At the sound of Ji Hoo's voice, he let out booming almost hysterical laugh. "You're okay. You're okay."

"Yeah, except for the headache." Ji Hoo groaned and rubbed the back of his head. "Damn it. I'm too old for this."

"Oh my god." Yi Jeong said breathlessly and laid flat on the floor. Barely aware of the chaos around them as Woo Bin's men finally arrived and began helping their boss turn Kwang In Su and Qui Kwang Li little gang into dust. The shock wearing off and the crash into the concrete on his body making itself known. "Ow."

"Yeah." Ji Hoo nodded and laid next to him with another long groan. "That hurt."

"Yi Jeong! Ji Hoo!" Gu Jun Pyo terrified face hovered above them. "Are you all right."

"Peachy."

"Never better."

Gu Jun Pyo's body sank in relief at their simultaneous reply. "You smart ass jerks." He shook his head and quickly yelled over his shoulder to Woo Bin. "They are okay."

The mafia prince bent over with a wheezy gasp. "Thank god."

Still making no attempt to get up, Ji Hoo shrugged at this declaration. "Although I wouldn't say no to an asprin... Or a drink. Actually, more like three drinks. Woo Bin, you wouldn't happen to have anything handy right now, would you?" He briefly lifted his head and seeing Woo Bin's dark glare, he grinned. "So is that a no?" He sighed and laid back down. "Fine. Just the aspirin then."

Yi Jeong raised his hand. "Me too."

"Why you idiotic--" Woo Bin sputtered furiously. "That does it. You bastards just scared me half to death and now you are lying there with jokes! Don't think I won't... How would like me to spray paint your lotus and violin pink?!"

Ji Hoo and Yi Jeong looked at each other for a moment before both exploding into laughter. Exhausted Gu Jun Pyo collapsed on the ground and kicked viciously at them. "I hate both of you."

Two hours after they finally managed to pull Woo Bin and his men away from beating the last bit of smirk off Qui Kwang Li and Park In Su and arranged for them to be dumped outside the city where Woo Bin's father agreed to call his contacts in the police department to pick them up and charge them quietly for the attack on Chu Ga Eul. Once Yi Jeong had ensured that Ga Eul would be kept anonymous and out of the papers, they finally arrived back at the hospital.

Jan Di was pacing anxiously while Ga Eul sat up in bed. Her expression calm and only her lack of color evident over her distress. Seeing Gu Jun Pyo, Jan Di gave a loud cry of relief and threw herself into his arms. He lifted her off the ground with a grateful sigh and held her close. Jan Di leaned back and cupped his face. They stared at each other silently until she finally seemed satisfied that he was truly okay. She then quickly scanned Woo Bin and Ji Hoo for injuries and seeing the bandage on Ji Hoo's arm, she gave a startled cry.

"It's fine," Ji Hoo assured her. "It's just a scratch." Seeing her suspicious frown, he chuckled. "Really, Jan Di. I'm all right."

"Well that might be debatable regarding his head since he proved himself three times stupid today." Woo Bin told her with a wink. "But the arm is fine."

Yi Jeong kept his eyes on Ga Eul who was staring intensely at Ji Hoo. Her expression thoughtful and Ji Hoo smiled at her warmly. "Hey kiddo."

Ga Eul didn't answer but only continued to watch him carefully and he sobered slightly. "I'm sorry if I scared you."

With a deep breath, Ga Eul carefully swung her legs out from the bed.

"Ga Eul?" Yi Jeong asked in confusion and seeing that she was trying to get up, he moved to help her but she shook her head. With obvious effort, she began to walk towards them. Seeing the obvious effort it was taking her Woo Bin shot Yi Jeong a frightened glance. "Ga Eul, I don't think—"

Ga Eul ignored them and took careful steps with Yi Jeong hovering nearby in case she lost her balance. Finally, she made her way to Ji Hoo who was watching her curiously. She cupped his face and lowered his head to murmur something private to him.

Ji Hoo stiffened for a moment but he didn't try to pull away, his face wary as she continued to whisper to him. Puzzled Yi Jeong shrugged over at Woo Bin but Jun Pyo only kept his focus on his best friend who was beginning to shake until he finally collapsed into Ga Eul's arm with loud sobs.

Ga Eul held him while he cried into her shoulder, her arms the only thing holding him together. Yi Jeong grabbed her to keep them both upright, his own heart breaking at the obvious pain coming out of Ji Hoo.

Jun Pyo in sudden understanding, wrapped his arm around Jan Di's waist to hold her off while Woo Bin hovered protectively beside Ji Hoo.

Yi Jeong was unsure if Ji Hoo would ever stop crying, since it appeared that whatever Ga Eul had whispered to him seemed to have unlocked years of grief. Eventually though, his body tired and his sobs lessened into long, shuddering gasps. Ga Eul pulled back and wiped his cheeks carefully. "It's okay now, Sunbae. We are both okay."

Ji Hoo nodded and pressed a long kiss to her forehead. "Thank you, sweetheart." He gave a weary smile to Yi Jeong and gently passed her back to him. "Take care of her, So Yi Jeong or I will kill you. Best friend or not."

Yi Jeong laid his lips on her temple as she sank into him. "I will. Don't worry."

Ji Hoo took a deep breath, gathering his courage. "Now I need to go take care of something."

"What?" Woo Bin demanded suspiciously which made Ji Hoo chuckle. "Nothing stupid. I promise…." He moved to Jun Pyo and murmured something which made their leader nod. He quickly laid a kiss on Jan Di's cheek before clasping Ji Hoo on the shoulder and guiding him out.

"Where are they going?"

"To say goodbye," Ga Eul answered softly and both Yi Jeong and Woo Bin froze in realization.

"Should we go?" Woo Bin asked quietly and Yi Jeong shook his head. "Not this time."

It seemed to take forever to walk to the place he should have visited a long time ago. The rain and cold sweeping under his clothes although he couldn't feel any of it. Jun Pyo hovering silently behind him while Yoon Ji Hoo finally stared down at the two people he had not seen in almost seventeen years. The grief he believed to have been dealt and buried rising up in him until his vision blurred.

"Hi," He croaked out. "It's me… I, uh." He scrubbed his face. "I probably should have come sooner but I didn't know—"

Ji Hoo stopped as the tears flowed down heavily. "I have a lot to tell you…. I became a doctor just like grandpa."

Jun Pyo watched as Ji Hoo talked to his parents. He told them everything. His friendship with the F4, the two loves of his lives in Seo Hyun and Jan Di. How he survived heartbreak and was finally at peace with his grandfather. He talked until his voice gave out and his body sank into exhaustion. Gu Jun Pyo made his way over and sat next to him silently. They watched the sun sink without a word and Ji Hoo never felt more grateful for his presence.

"It feels better now." Ji Hoo finally managed and Jun Pyo looked at him with a nod. "They would be proud of you."

Ji Hoo's eyes were red from crying but they seemed clearer for the first time since Ga Eul's accident. "I am starting to believe that."

"Will you be able to sleep?"

Ji Hoo nodded. "Yeah. For the first time in weeks, I think so."

"Come on," Jun Pyo jerked his head to the car. "Let's go home."

Ji Hoo agreed and rose slowly to his feet, casting one last glance to his parents. "Bye."

Jun Pyo waited until he was out of earshot and then murmuring his own prayer to the gentle parents he had also loved at one time; he took their son home.

Yi Jeong watched Ga Eul carefully. She was pale and tired, her shadows under eyes so dark they looked almost black. "I'm sorry." He ran his hand over her head with a wince. "You're exhausted."

"A little," Ga Eul admitted but tugged on his hand. "You have been back for almost two hours and you still haven't kissed me yet."

He laughed and began to lean down but she stopped him with a shake of her head. "Help me sit up first."

"Why?"

"I want to kiss you properly."

He gently maneuvered her upright and she took his face. Her brown eyes searching him with a weary scan. "I was so afraid something might happen to you today."

"I'm okay," Yi Jeong whispered. "I promise."

"I told death to take me instead." She confessed and his face darkened dangerously. "What?"

"I asked him if it came down to you or me to take me instead." She brushed his hair back with trembling fingers. "He came again in a dream and—"

"Chu Ga Eul," Yi Jeong snapped quietly. "Listen to me carefully. Don't you ever think about trading your life for mine."

"That is my choice, So Yi Jeong." Ga Eul told him with a smile. "Just like what you would do for me."

"I'm not worth it, Ga Eul." He hissed angrily. "I'm not—"

Ga Eul laid her fingers over his lips halting his words. "I love you, So Yi Jeong. You can argue and fight me all you want but I am still going to love you."

He glared at her but she only kept brushing his hair tenderly. "I've always loved you."

Yi Jeong gulped and although she had said it previously, this was their first real moment to finally say everything they had bottled up for three years. "Me too. From the moment I saw you, I've never wanted anyone else."

Her hands clenched into his hair and she closed her eyes while his lips skimmed over her skin. He traced a path from the tip of her nose all the way down the line of her jaw and then back up. "I love you," Yi Jeong breathed against her mouth.

"I love you too," Ga Eul whispered as he took her face into his hands, his thumbs stroking the curve of her cheeks. "Kiss me, Yi Jeong."

He grinned at the soft command and took her mouth with a long hum of pleasure. While they had kissed probably half a dozen times since Ga Eul had awoken from her surgeries, they had always been ones of comfort or assurance to the other. This was their first kiss of communicating everything that words alone could not convey.

Yi Jeong took her long and deep, the taste of her filling his senses until he could only moan. Ga Eul whimpered with need as she struggled to pull him even closer. Yi Joeng growled low in his throat and without realizing it, he pressed her fully down into the bed, his body hovering over her as their kiss took on a frantic new edge. Only the distant buzzing of her hospital equipment reminded him of where they were and he forced himself to stop while he still could. He ripped his lips away from hers with a curse and buried his face into her neck.

"Damn it." He panted and she nodded. Her own breathing hard and fast as she held onto him. He felt her shifting uncomfortably and he suddenly realized his weight was pressing down on her wound. "Shit." Yi Jeong cried in alarm as he wrenched himself away. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. Did I hurt you?"

"I'm fine," Ga Eul said and quickly grabbed him before he could move too far away. "Stay."

He nuzzled the soft skin of her throat. "Do you think you can travel?"

Ga Eul met his careful gaze with a small nod of understanding. "Yes. I don't think I can recover anymore here." She saw he still seemed hesitant and kissed him gently. "Ji Hoo's grandfather checked on me while you all were gone. He said my wounds were healing nicely and now we just had to focus on my recovering and regaining my strength. Something I don't believe is possible here." Ga Eul admitted quietly. "I just want to go home with you. Get some quiet and try to put everything that happened behind me."

Yi Jeong pressed a lingering kiss into her throat. "I will make the arrangements tomorrow. I'm ready to take you to Sweden and get you completely well." He lifted his head, his body still humming with desire. "And the next time I have you alone in a bed, I don't plan on stopping."

Ga Eul traced his mouth with a low flush. "Neither do I."

He muttered something unintelligible under his breath and shifted uncomfortably. "This is going to be a long couple of months." He sighed in frustration before giving her a small smirk. "Scoot over."

Ga Eul blinked in surprise before slowly moving to the side. "You said it was too small for us to share."

"We will have to manage. I need to at least be able to hold you." Yi Jeong crawled in next to her and being careful of her wires, he wrapped her up tightly with a satisfied noise. "Besides, my body is aching too much to sleep in the chair."

"Sorry," Ga Eul said sheepishly and he frowned in confusion until he caught her meaning with a snort of laughter, his dark eyes dancing with wicked amusement. "Not that."

She blushed beet red and he kissed her nose with a low laugh. "Oh don't get me wrong, that is definitely playing a factor but I was mainly talking about slamming into the concrete with Ji Hoo."

"What happened?"

He told her about his weird vision and how it was the reason he managed to reach Ji Hoo in time. "It was strange." Yi Jeong rubbed her back thoughtfully. "It was like someone else was there and was trying to help."

"Well whoever or whatever it was, I'm grateful." Ga Eul told him and he hummed in agreement. His eyes drifting closed as he continued to hold her. As he fell into sleep, she spotted movement in the corner. The man who had appeared to her before was watching them and at her questioning glance about Yi Jeong's vision, he simply shrugged in embarrassment.

"Thank you," Ga Eul whispered and he gave her a small smile in response. "Many blessings, Chu Ga Eul." With one last bow he vanished and she knew this time he would not return. She turned her head and seeing Yi Jeong fast asleep, his arms wrapped tightly around her, Ga Eul felt loved and secure for the first time in a long time. Pressing her hand over his heart, she relaxed into his side and drifted away with only dreams of him.