Spoilers: Hit a sista back

Summery: Zack and Max save Tinga in time

Note: This takes place in the second season

Tinga woke up to pain. Which was good because pain meant she wasn't dead, Tinga brushed her hair away from her forehead, her eyes focusing on the room she was in. It was dark but her heightened senses made it easier for her to make out shapes. Table, chair, drip, Charlie.... Tingas mind whirled and she forced her eyes back to the man slumped in the chair, a gentle smile tugging at her lips as she regarded her husband. He was so adorable when he slept he looked like an older version of Case. Charlie snorted once then sneezed, waking himself up, he shook himself once to get rid of the drowsiness he was slower to respond then she and as he tried to focus on her Tinga held her breath, was he mad at her? Angry that she had dragged Case into the whole mess with Lydecker? Did he hate her now? But Charlie smiled "Hey" That was a good sign, he wasn't yelling. Yet. Tinga hated being yelled at but all of the time she had been with Charlie he had never raised his voice to her; he seemed to know naturally what she needed without her having to say anything. "Hey" her voice sounded weird, croaky and sore Charlie nodded, as if he were trying to screw up his courage. "Why are you here Charlie?" Tinga asked, her voice quiet but seeming to jar against the silence in the room. "You're my wife Pen. Tinga" Tinga thought that over then said "I'll always be Penny to you" Charlie sighed "This is so confusing Tinga" he said, his tone was desperate and lost, but she had no answers for him. "Do, do you want a divorce?" Tinga felt that her whole world was coming apart, she was losing Charlie, even if he couldn't handle Manticore she had always known that Charlie had loved her, never questioned her about her past or her seizures. Charlie shook his head violently he gently took one of her hands and brushed his hand over hers, the first time he had touched her since she had woken up. "Tinga I know I haven't been the most supportive person and I know I'm an idiot for acting the way I did but I.it was all just too much for me to handle." He gazed into her eyes "But I love you Baby and nothing is going to change that. I'm gonna stay with you." He smiled "Tinga. Penny whoever you are, I love you" Tinga felt as if someone was pressing down on her chest, she was so happy, she was always the softy in Manticore, she always believed there was something for them, all the X5s that they deserved a life and she was so lucky. "I love you too" she croaked her eyes felt heavy and she leaned against their twined hands feeling Charlie's hand gently stroke her hair and for the first time Tinga believed everything was going to be okay.