INT. HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM - A SHORT TIME LATER

Vaughn is sitting in his wheelchair in the center of the room with his head in his hand. Weiss is pacing back and forth. Then Jack walks in and they both look up. Jack's expression is a mixture of fatigue and relief.

JACK
She's out of the coma.

Vaughn exhales loudly in relief and slumps in his chair. Weiss pats Vaughn's good shoulder. Vaughn looks up at Jack.

VAUGHN
Is she awake?

JACK
She opened her eyes right after you left but she's still recovering and she fell asleep soon after.

VAUGHN
But she's okay? She's going to get better?

JACK
We'll have to wait until she wakes up completely but she's no longer in a coma and the doctor is optimistic.

Vaughn nods in stunned relief and tears start to pool in his eyes. For a while everyone just stands there too tired to speak until finally Weiss grabs Vaughn's wheelchair.

WEISS
Come on. It's been a long day. Let's get you back to your room and you can see her in the morning. (To Jack) I'm assuming you'll be with Sydney.

Jack nods and leads the way out into the hall. Jack goes back down toward Syd's room while Vaughn and Weiss head toward the elevators in the opposite direction. Vaughn doesn't say anything for a bit and then he quietly adds with a disbelieving tone:

VAUGHN
She's going to make it.

Weiss' next words are kind and light.

WEISS
I told you so.

VAUGHN
Yes you did. Thank you for that.

WEISS
Hey you've always been willing to tell me what I needed to hear even if I don't want to listen. Remember Diane?

Vaughn rolls his eyes. How could he forget?

VAUGHN
You mean Dan?

WEISS
See that's what I mean. I was blinded by love. Well, love and lots and lots and lots of liquor. But you prevented me from making a huge mistake.

They stop at the end of the hall and wait for the elevator.

VAUGHN
I still don't know how you could have thought that he was a woman. His Adam's apple was practically of mythic proportions.

WEISS
Yeah, but you should have felt his hands. No man's hands should be that soft. And then there were his legs.

Vaughn nods as they get into the elevator.

VAUGHN
He did have nice legs.

They both bust up laughing as the elevator doors close. We join them inside the elevator as they recover.

VAUGHN
Damn, we were drunk.

WEISS
Yeah, they always warn you about the dangers of drinking and driving but where are the public service announcements about the dangers of drinking and dating?

VAUGHN
Friends don't let friends date drunk.

WEISS
Although there are dates that practically demand alcohol.

He shudders and then pats Vaughn on the left shoulder.

WEISS
But at least you don't have to worry about that anymore.

Vaughn chuckles.

VAUGHN
I don't know about that. Remember Nice? It took a couple glasses of wine before Syd and I could even start to talk about something other than work.

WEISS
Ah yes. Your riveting conversation about pets.

VAUGHN
(defensively) We were nervous.

WEISS
I told you to tell her she looked pretty.

VAUGHN
Yeah, that's real smooth... for a fifteen year old.

WEISS
Well it's a lot smoother than what you were dishing out.

VAUGHN
Hey it was our first date okay? And as if that wasn't pressure enough we had to worry about getting killed if we were discovered.

WEISS
You gotta admit, that's kind of romantic.

The elevator stops and they get out. Vaughn just glares at Weiss.

WEISS
Sorry. I'm sure you'll do better this time.

VAUGHN
Do better at what?

WEISS
Don't tell me that after what we just went through you're not going to start dating Syd again.

VAUGHN
No. But I'm also not going to take her out tomorrow either. I want to do this right.

WEISS
Well just don't be so focused on doing things right that you become paralyzed with fear about doing things wrong.

VAUGHN
You want me to wear a wire so you can shout advice in my ear like last time.

WEISS
Why? You'll just cut me off again. Besides I don't want to have to listen to the two of you get all giggly and googly over each other. (mimics Vaughn) "Aw, Syd, you're so beautiful." (high pitched) "Oh, Vaughn..."

He lets go of Vaughn's wheelchair and clutches his hands to his chest with that last statement. Vaughn just rolls his eyes as they get into his room.

WEISS
Hey, why doesn't she call you Michael anyway?

VAUGHN
I don't know. She's just always called me Vaughn. I kind of like it, actually. She has this way of saying my name...

His voice trails off and Weiss gives him this "Oh really?" look. Vaughn clears his throat.

VAUGHN
Anyway, I've gotten used to her calling me Vaughn. It'd probably be weird if she started calling me Michael.

Weiss just shakes his head and he helps Vaughn get out of the chair and onto his bed.

WEISS
I don't know how you could ever doubt that the two of you belong together.

VAUGHN
I just can't help but think about all those things she said to me in the hallway. Or how hurt she looked in Hong Kong. I promised her that I'd always be her ally and then I turn around and cause her so much pain. I hate myself for doing that. If anyone else had hurt her the way I did I would've killed them.

WEISS
I thought we went over this. It's not your fault.

Vaughn settles back into his pillow.

VAUGHN
I know. I just don't feel it yet.

Weiss looks at him with concern.

VAUGHN
But that doesn't mean I'm going to push her away again.

WEISS
Good.

Vaughn yawns.

WEISS
Looks like it's past your bedtime. I'll see you in the morning.

He turns to leave but Vaughn stops him.

VAUGHN
Aw, can you tell me a story?

WEISS
Just go to sleep.

VAUGHN
But what if there are monsters under the bed? Can you check for me?

WEISS
Good night.

He closes the door leaving Vaughn alone. Vaughn smiles and closes his eyes. It's going to be okay.

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