Disclaimer:  Johnny and Sonya aren't mine. (SOB!)  But all the other characters are.  Doesn't that make me special?

Aside from the shuffling of feet, the nurses talking in the halls, and the steady beeping of the heart monitor, the hospital room was quiet.  Johnny laid on the bed, covered in bandages with intravenous tubes inserted in his arms, quietly gazing out the window.  Dark bags and barely opened eyes signaled his exhaustion, and his unusually pale skin illustrated the great ordeal he had recently gone through.  It had been five days since he was omitted from an overdose of PCP and an extreme loss of blood.  He had no memory of how he got into the hospital, or what had taken place the past five days while he was swimming in and out of consciousness.  His only way of learning information was from a nurse and his doctor, who checked on him regularly.  Through them he learned that he had gone into cardiac arrest, and he had been dead nearly five minutes before paramedics revived him and rushed him to the hospital.  For the past week he had mostly slept, though sometimes woke in screaming fits.  Once he attacked a nurse who tried to rouse him from a flashback.  He didn't hurt her, though he became violent when medical aides tried to tie him down.  Johnny was terrified at his behavior, but was reassured by the doctor that it was only the drug working its way out of his system, and that the nurse had been mistaken in trying to awaken the actor. 

When he inquired about Sonya, he learned that she was treated for several bruises, chaffed wrists, gashes along the arms, two broken ribs and a broken wrist, and had been released two days ago.  She had come by a couple times when she was still admitted, but he had been asleep or delirious with flashbacks that kept him out of touch with reality.  None of the staff had seen her come back since.  That didn't surprise him.  Honestly, he didn't expect to see her again. 

Especially not at that moment.

Yet there she was, walking calmly, if not a bit stiffly from her injured ribs, into the room with her hair tied back in a basic ponytail and a bundle in her hands.  Her face was slightly swollen, but most of the bruises had faded to just about nothing.  A butterfly bandage covered a cut at her temple, and there was a small bandage over her right cheek.  Other than that, she looked fine.  Her usually neutral expression broke into a wide smile when she saw he was awake.  On the edge of the mattress she sat, with the bundle placed next to her and her hand slipping into his to give him a comforting squeeze.  "Hey, stranger.  Welcome back."

A weak smile was all he could manage, though inside he wanted to pick her up and spin her around the room.  "Hey, yourself," he murmured back.  He grimaced slightly at how weak his voice was.  "You look good."

She laughed, something he hadn't heard her do in a long time.  "I know, I've been getting compliments from every guy I pass about my swollen cheeks.  They say it sets off my eyes."  Her laugh faded, though her smile didn't.  She traced her free hand across his brow to push away a limp strand of hair.  "Oh," she clucked in a chastising tone.  "Your hair's getting greasy.  Slacking off again with your daily hygiene?"  A finger shook playfully in his face.  "Lazy, lazy."

The actor had the decency to look bashful about her teasing reprimand, but he didn't say anything.  He simply stared at her, which after a moment made Sonya fidget.

"What?  Do I have something in my teeth?"

"No," Johnny replied with a strained chuckle.  "I'm just surprised… to see you."

Sonya's smile melted away into something more serious.  Her head tipped forward to look at their interlaced fingers.  "You thought I wasn't going to come back."

Johnny merely nodded.

Her fingers traced up his arm, and came back down in a soft, almost ticklish movement.  "You don't have much faith in me."

"No," Johnny replied hoarsely.  "No, it's not that… not at all."

"Then why would you think I wouldn't come back?"

Johnny's jaw clenched for a moment.  "I didn't think… I thought you wouldn't want this… anymore."  Johnny found his breathing to be slightly heavier as he talked.  He couldn't believe he was so weak that talking was difficult.

Sonya frowned.  "Want what?"

"The lies.  The deceit.  The risks."

The blonde lieutenant almost laughed.  Her blue eyes blazed with unmistakable allure.  "Risks keep life interesting."

"But not when… life itself is the risk."

"You think I'm risking my life being with you?  That's a bit haughty, wouldn't you say?"

"Sonya.  I'm serious.  You could get hurt."  He carefully lifted his hand to her face.  "You already have."

"That comes with living, Johnny.  Everyone gets hurt once in a while.  But that doesn't mean I should run and hide at the first sign of danger.  Besides, we both know that when I need to, I can take care of myself."

"I shouldn't… put you in a place… where you need to."

Sonya sighed in exasperation.  "There you go again, always trying to be the hero like in one of your movies."  Her eyes reflected in the ceiling lights, and he could see no cruelty in them at the remark.  "When are you going to learn that you can't protect me from everything?"

"I could have protected you… from this."

"You tried, remember?  You attempted to abandon me in Venice."

Johnny winced slightly.  He could hear a touch of hurt in her voice.  "But my plan backfired… because you're stubborn as an ass."

"You're plan backfired because I didn't want to give up on you, as easily as you gave up on me."

Now Johnny really looked stung.  "I didn't… give up on you, Sonya."

"Then why didn't you tell me from the start what was going on?"

"I didn't want you involved.  I knew that… if Jack found out I had a girl, he would… go after her.  That's exactly what I didn't want.  So I did… what I thought was necessary to get you away from me… without leaving room for doubt."  He looked away from her, out the window.  "I guess if I wanted to get rid… of you, I should have told you… about Christine from the start."

Sonya didn't hide the shock on her face.  "You think I would have left because of that?"

"You really would have stayed with… a rapist?" Johnny replied with contempt.

She opened her mouth to answer, but she said nothing.

"That was how Tommy got you… right?  You left the room because you were disgusted… by what I told you."

"I wasn't disgusted, Johnny," Sonya countered quietly.  "I was upset, and I was scared, for both of us.  But I was not disgusted.  Because I knew that something wasn't right.  You are a good man.  You help others; you do what's right.  You are self-sacrificing.  Those are not the traits of a druggie rapist.  They are not the traits of a murderer."  She peered into his eyes, held them with her own.  "They are your traits, Johnny Cage.  Not Tommy's."

He blinked at her.  "What?"

"I heard what you said to Jack, about being set up.  You said it was Tommy, and when Jack walked out without killing us, I knew it had to be true."  A moment of hesitation passed.  "Do you still remember what happened that night with Christine?" she asked carefully.

"Yes," Johnny said with a tight nod.  "Tommy raped her.  He killed her… while I was chained to the wall.  I must have been drugged… probably by Vince.  I'd bet my money on… LSD.  That was why everything I remembered… was distorted.  And then, when I went to get you, Tommy… drugged me again.  He left my cuffs undone, so I could get loose when Jack… started touching you.  Tom knew I'd get so angry… he wanted me to kill Jack.  But as I watched… I remembered what happened with Christine."  He paused when the memories started to come back.  "I didn't just remember, Sonya, I lived it.  It was so real… and so terrifying."  He swallowed in an attempt to push down the knot in his throat.  "I just wish I could have done something… I wish I could have helped…"

Sonya's fingers suddenly covered his pale lips.  "Shh.  Don't think about it anymore.  Just take comfort in knowing it wasn't you.  You never did anything wrong.  You were in a helpless situation, and even if you could relive the moment, you wouldn't be able to stop what happened." 

"I wish I… could tell her I'm sorry."

She smiled.  "You have nothing to apologize for.  I know that, and I know Christine does, too."

Johnny nodded.  "Thanks, Sonya."

She looked from side to side, checking furtively to make sure no one was looking, and then she lied down beside him, being mindful of his injuries.  When his arm wrapped gently around her, she sighed and kissed his shoulder.

"Tired?"

"No," replied Sonya simply.  "No, it's just been about two weeks since I've been in your arms, and I was suffering from with drawl."

"Uh, oh," Johnny chuckled.  "Bad symptoms involved?"

"Oh, awful.  I get everything from mood swings to the desire to break dishes to pulsing urges to go shoe shopping.

"Sounds dangerous," he laughed softly. 

"It is.  I think I've hit every mall in the tri-county area.  Oh, remind me when we get home to give you back your Visa Master Card."

"Oh, no," Johnny groaned.  "Is it still usable?"

Sonya chuckled.  "It's got like twenty bucks left on it."

"Sonya!  That has… a $3000 credit!"

"I know."  She laughed when he groaned again.

"Women," he muttered. 

They sat in silence for a bit, each just taking the time to enjoy the other's company.  Johnny's fingers traced lightly on her back, and Sonya's hand taped softly on his chest.  Everything was pleasant for both, until Johnny's shoulder felt cold.  And then it felt damp. 

"Sonya?"

"Yeah?"

Her slightly strained voice didn't pass him.  "Are you all right?"

There was a small nod from her head.  "Yeah."

Johnny tightened his arm around her, but said nothing more.  He didn't need to.

"You scared me, Johnny."

The actor sighed inwardly.  He knew this was going to come.  "I'm sorry.  I never meant--"

"You were so close," she whispered.  "Another minute and brain damage would have set in.  And even after they revived you, there was still the possibility of a relapse."  Sonya's body pulled closer into his.  "You almost didn't make it."  Her voice became tight and soft.  "I almost lost you."

Johnny listened silently.  He hadn't been thinking about that.  He couldn't remember dying.  There was no bright light or religious music.  Rayden didn't even show up to accuse him of messing things up again.  He was just blacking out one minute, and in a hospital the next.  "How… how did the paramedics… get there so fast?"

"A murder reported in the alley.  Cops were apparently crawling around the club looking for information.  I almost went rampant getting them over to you."  She paused.  "They think it was Jack who murdered him."

Johnny didn't say anything. 

"Are you mad at him?"

"I'm mad he hurt you."

"He saved our lives."

"He-hurt-you," Johnny repeated forcefully.  "I could never… forgive him for that." 

"You hurt me," she whispered, making Johnny tense.  "Can you forgive yourself for that?"  His silence confirmed her suspicions.  "You made a mistake, John.  You have to let it go."

"I don't think I can."

"Why?  Brooding and regretting and wishing you could change the past are not going to change what happened.  What's done is done.  You have to move on."

"I-I'm afraid if I let it go… it'll happen again."

There was a long pause.  Johnny was wondering if Sonya had fallen asleep, she had become so still and quiet, until she spoke again.

"I was beaten by my last boyfriend."  When his body stiffened under hers, she caressed his shoulder and arm to make him relax.  "His name was Chase.  We meet when I first signed up for the army, and he was the most amazing guy.  Smart, quick, witty, polite.  He was a great friend and a loyal companion.  But most importantly, he treated me like an equal.  I fell in love with him, and I fell hard.  I would have gladly given my life for this man. 

"After a while, things started to change.  He didn't want me being around certain people, and he'd become incredibly jealous if I did things without his permission.  When I realized how possessive he was becoming, I backed out of the relationship.  He got so mad he came after me."  She took a deep breath.  "I didn't report him, or press charges like I should have.  Part of me screamed to get help, to get this guy arrested and locked away.  But my pride wouldn't let me.  I couldn't stand the idea of admitting that he hurt me, because then I knew that people would always be looking down on me with pity.  I would be seen as the girl who got beat up by an abusive boyfriend.  And I believed that all my friends would suddenly become overprotective.  I believed they'd see me as no longer capable of looking after myself; that they'd think I need a bodyguard everywhere I went.  But there was also the doubt that if I softened up to them, they could use me, just like Chase did.  I couldn't handle that, so I kept my mouth shut.  I toughened up and dealt with it until I got transferred about a year later. 

Her voice was monotone but scratchy, and Johnny noticed as she continued that her throat was becoming coated with unshed tears.

"After a while, I blanked out everything that happened.  I still had trouble trusting people, but I wasn't paranoid that he was around every corner or waiting under my bed.  And then… some guys were talking when we went out for a drink, and someone mentioned his name, and that he was up for dishonorable discharge and a possible life sentence.  I asked what for, because I never heard anything about it, and they told me for assault, battery, and murder."  She paused for a breath that was exhaled in a shaky puff of air.  "He went after another girl, who went to the authorities and put him up for evaluation.  He became so enraged that he kidnapped her and beat her to death.

"I was… God, I can't even describe what I went through when I heard that.  All I knew was that because I kept my mouth shut, another girl died.  If only I had said something… but I didn't, and I have to live with that fact.  The only way I could deal with the guilt was by promising myself that I would never let anyone take advantage of me or anyone I knew, and if I could stop that person before more harm was done, I'd risk everything to do it." 

"That's a noble intention, Sonya."

"Nobel and foolish.  It made me lose trust in everyone.  I saw no friends, only suspects.  Everything was a lie, and no one was clean enough.  Because I had no faith in others, I took the burden of so much work on my shoulders that I never gave myself a break; I never took the time to enjoy the life I was given… I threw away so much and looking back I've realized, finally, how much I gave up because I couldn't forgive myself.

"Now you're afraid to have faith in yourself, and I swear on my soul, you're going to suffer for it in the end.  You can't let a single mistake rule your life.  Because then it makes your life no longer worth living."

Again they both became quiet.  The sun outside was sinking behind the buildings, the sky was lit up red and purple and gold, and the room was tinted a pale orange.  It was peaceful, calming, and gave both the actor and lieutenant something to enjoy while they sorted their thoughts.

"Ok."

A frown.  "What?"

"Ok.  I'll work at it.  I'll let it go."

Sonya smiled.  "You promise?"

"Only if I get lots of moral support, and a helluva lot of tender loving care."

"Sounds like it'll be more work for me than it will for you," Sonya chuckled a bit.  "But I guess I could handle it."  She smiled up at him and pressed a gentle kiss to his neck.  Then her face lit up, as if she remembered something.  She unfurled the bundle, and Johnny noticed some books inside a fresh pair of clothes.  "Here, I forgot about these.  Brought them for you from the hotel.  Your bags are being kept in a secure storage area, until you can pick them up.  Oh, they also said you have to pay for a broken mirror."  She frowned at him.  "I don't remember anything being wrong with the mirror."

"I smashed it, after Jack left a note."  Johnny didn't reveal anymore.  She gave him a questioning glance, but didn't push it.  If there was something he was hiding, she'd pry it from him later, after things cooled down.  She'd wait until they got home.

That thought reminded her of something.  She pushed aside the books to pull out something minute, which she placed beside him on the small, standard hospital dresser.  Recognition lit up in his eyes though Sonya pretended not to notice.  "I found this in your suitcase.  It looked kind of important, and I figured you'd want to hold onto it."  She smiled softly.  "Might just make you heal faster."

Carefully, the actor reached his hand across the bed and picked it up.  He spun it between his fingers and smiled.  "Actually," he replied softly, "I think it'd be safer with you.  After all that's happened these past weeks, I'm worried I might lose it."

"I don't know, Cage, my luck hasn't been that great lately, either," countered Sonya skeptically.

"I insist."

With a dramatic sigh, Sonya relented.  "Well, if you absolutely insist, but only until you get better."  She took the ring from him, and slipped it on her finger. 

"Damn.  I guess I'll have to learn to like the hospital food."

Sonya was about to retort when Nurse Thatcher walked in.  "Oh, Lieutenant Blade.  How are you?"  The two ladies exchanged pleasantries for a few moments.  "Well, I'm sorry to tell you this, but visiting hours are over in just a few minutes, and John needs to go through some more tests."

"I understand," Sonya remarked.  She leaned down to kiss Johnny on the forehead.  "Get better quick.  I miss you," she whispered in his ear.  Johnny gripped her wrist one last time, they shared a meaningful look, and then Sonya walked out of the room with a smile.

The End.

An extra piece of information:  As I said, I took this idea from the novelization of the movie by Martin Delrio.  If you haven't read the book, or have no clue what scene I'm referring to, this is it:

Master Boyd had found Johnny Cage, a poor kid running wild in the streets of Brooklyn, and had transformed him.  The old man taught Johnny about tradition.  About discipline.  About respect for himself and others.  All of the young men whom Johnny had run with before he met Boyd were dead now; dead, or in jail, or in the gutter strung out on drugs.  Only Johnny, the movie star, remained.