Throughout the next couple of hours, the guys alternated between talking and quiet. Regularly standing to walk and stretch their legs, switching chairs, getting each other drinks and snacks.

As the end of the day, Captain Lindell, Joey and Stella joined them.

"Any news?" asked Lindell as he sat down next to Eric.

"Not yet, Sir. She's still in surgery."

"Your sister is a fighter. Someone like her comes around once every blue moon. She'll make it through this."

It was 7pm when Dr. Freedman entered the waiting room. Everyone stood as he did so and stopped in front of Eric.

"The procedure went well. There were no complications."

Everyone gave a sigh of relief and Eric bent his head down and let his eyes grow red as he tried to hold back the tears.

"She's going to be in recovery for another couple of hours, so I suggest you head home, shower and come back later. She'll only be allowed one visitor tonight."

Eric shook again the doctor's hand. "Thank you for everything."

Dr. Freedman nodded and walked away.

Naima entered a few minutes later.

"How is she?" asked Eric.

She smiled. "She's stable." She turned to look at Ray. "If it's OK with you, I'd like to stay the rest of the night and stay with Emily."

He took her in his arms and kissed her. God, he loved his wife and how amazing she was. "Of course, you don't even need to ask."

She then looked again at the others. "You should all go home. There is nothing more you'll be able to do tonight." She looked at Eric. "Come back in two hours, she should be out of recovery and I'll make sure he can stay with her for the rest of the night."

Eric took her in a hug and thanked her.

Little by little the guys exited the waiting room as Naima watched them. Sonny was the last one to exit the room. She put her hand up to stop him.

"It was negative."

Sonny looked at her. "OK."

She smiled at him. "Stay close to your phone."

He looked at her puzzled. "Why?"

"Just do it."

He nodded.

"Do you lover her?" she asked.

He looked at her and he knew that she had guessed. He knew that Naima was different. She wasn't Navy and, if there was someone he could let his guard down with, it was her. "Yes, Ma'am. More than I've ever loved anyone in my life."

She watched as he walked away.

Emily's eyes flickered and she started to become aware of the sounds and voices around her. Naima sat up in the armchair she had settled in and took Emily's hand in hers as she stood.

"Naima?"

"Hey sweetie. Everything is OK, you're in recovery. The surgery went well and back to your old self again. How are you feeling?"

"Tired."

"That's normal. It's going to take a little time for the anesthesia to wear off and for you to recuperate."

Emily nodded and Naima reached over and grabbed a cup of ice chips. "Here. Only one at a time for the moment."

"The entire team was here, even Captain Lindell," said Naima. "I sent everyone home, including Eric. He got back ten minutes ago. He's eager to see you. We're going to bring you back to your room but first there's something we've got to do."

Emily watched as Naima took her phone out. She pushed on a button and handed the phone to Emily. On the screen, Sonny's name appeared as it rang. She looked at Naima as her eyes welled up. Naima smiled and walked away to the nurse's station.

Sonny had spent the past two hours staring at his phone on the coffee table as he sat, stood, sat, stood and sat again in his sofa.

When it rang, even though he was expecting it, it startled him. Naima's name popped up on his screen. He took it in his hands and accepted the call as he put it up to his ear and stood.

"Naima?"

From afar, Naima saw tears flow down Emily's eyes.

"Naima?"

"It's me," he heard a soft and weak voice say from the other side of the line. He sat down and closed his eyes.

"Hey beautiful. You have no idea how good it is to hear your voice. I thought I'd never hear it or see you again."

"You won't get rid of me that easily," she replied.

"Are you OK?" he asked.

"I'm OK. You saved my life."

"I'm not ready to let you out of my life. I love you so much."

"I love you too," heard Naima as she walked towards Emily's bed. "I need to go."

"Ok baby. You rest up. I'll come see you as soon as I can. Can you put Naima on the phone?"

Emily handed Naima the phone.

"Hello?" she said.

"Thank you." He said.

"Are you kidding? I get mushy when it comes to love. Now you go on and get yourself some sleep, cause if you don't, I'm going to have a hard time getting this one to."

"Copy that. You are an amazing friend Naima, we're lucky to have you in our lives."

"We are all lucky to have one another."

With that she hung up and smiled at Emily. "I don't know what you've done to him, but it's obvious you've changed his life."

"And him mine."

"Come on, let's get you in your room so that you can see Eric and get some sleep."