When she woke up, Juliet was quite disoriented. The room was dark, but the sounds of the machines nearby gave her something to focus on. As the moments passed, her brain started registering the pain. A severe, aching pain was originating from her left side and leg. Her entire torso felt like a boa constrictor was wrapped around it. She knew there were more injuries to take account of, but when she realized an obtrusive device was over her mouth and nose, she reached towards it, but when she did, a hand gently grabbed her forearm.

"Leave it there, Higgy Baby," TC whispered.

Stunned by the presence of another person, Juliet froze for a moment. She glanced at the hand holding her arm before her focus went to the tubes and wires coming from her right hand.

Deciding she was coherent enough to heed his warning, TC released Higgins' arm. "You're okay. You're in the hospital. You've been here for about two days."

Higgins looked up at TC, and even in the darkness she could read his somber expression masked by a sad grin. The next thing she noticed were the crutches next to him. Deciding she was done lying down, she slowly pushed herself into a sitting position, not accepting help from TC. Once she was situated, she looked around the dark room.

Rick was sleeping in the daybed in what should have been an uncomfortable position, especially with his sling, but he was sound asleep and looked relatively peaceful. Then she noticed Thomas sitting in the chair next to TC. He too was asleep, but the bags under his eyes, lines in his facial expression, and his unconscious restlessness made it obvious he was not comfortable, nor sleeping peacefully. She had a faint idea she was to blame for that.

Higgins looked back at TC and carefully held the oxygen mask in front of her mouth so she could speak. However, when she did, she was surprised how hoarse her whisper was. "What happened after I was shot? Is everyone okay? What about the Russians?"

TC considered whether or not to tell her everything, but she was tough, and he would want to know the same things if he was in her shoes. "Everyone will be fine; we've just been worried about you. We'll explain everything later, but right now you need to focus on yourself."

Even under the oxygen mask, TC could tell Higgins' lips were pursed in a line, obviously not thrilled about his response. She was never one to focus on herself, especially in situations that involved people that she cared about getting hurt. Sighing, she turned her attention to Magnum.

She pulled the oxygen mask away from her mouth for a moment. "He's looked better," she muttered before returning the mask to its proper position.

TC glanced at Thomas briefly before looking back at Juliet. "He's had a rough couple of days. We all have, but he of course blames himself for everything. This is the first time he's slept since the whole ordeal happened, and it's only because I slipped some melatonin into his coffee."

Juliet was both irritated and touched that Magnum was so worried. She removed the mask once again in order to speak. "He's such a prat. Why would he blame himself?" Even before TC responded, she felt like she knew the answer.

"Because it's Thomas," he said. He paused before continuing. "He's always wanted to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders so nobody else had to, but since the Korengal, he's been even worse about it. Plus, the fact that you and Rick got hurt as badly as you did, he won't forgive himself."

Higgins was about to point out that TC too had been injured, as the crutches had made obvious, but Thomas started twitching and muttering in his already restless sleep.

TC turned to his friend and gently held his shoulders. "TM, it's me. You're safe, you can wake up," he whispered. The muttering and twitching slowly ceased, but he wasn't waking up. "Higgy's awake. Come on, Brother. Open your eyes. Higgins is right here."

At the mention of her name, Magnum's eyes fluttered open. After looking around in confusion and delirium, he locked eyes with Juliet.

"Higgins, you're awake," he choked out. His voice was so rough that it sounded like he had been screaming for hours. Needing proof that what he was seeing was real, he reached forward and held her hand. "How are you?"

Higgins took her mask off briefly again. "I'm fine, Magnum. I've been sleeping the past couple of days, unlike you."

Thomas grinned. Only Higgins could make someone happy at the same time she was scolding them. He shrugged his shoulders lazily. "I didn't need it as much you guys did."

"I beg to differ," Higgin's joked. She watched Magnum carefully, and on top of his lack of sleep, she was worried about his mental state. "I'm okay, Magnum. Get some sleep. I'll be fine."

In the matter of seconds, Magnum had drifted back into sleep. This time, he looked as peaceful as Rick, who still hadn't moved a muscle.

Even though she had just woken up, only a few minutes had passed before Juliet too drifted off.