They were still there, the blinding lights, the sounds of both the automobile's horns screeching just before impact. The horrified expressions of the family in the ongoing car, and Jean's screams as she realized she wouldn't be able to get out of the way.

It felt as though she had been trapped in that realm forever, unable to know or tell if she was alive or dead or hovering somewhere in between. She couldn't feel pain, which made her believe she had passed on, but at the same time it was dark, no heavenly light or hellish flames coming to meet her. It was a void, which she eventually came to realize was the state of her own mind.

An eternity seemed to pass, and then some. She wanted so much to just awaken while at the same time knowing she couldn't, knowing she was too weak and battered to do so. Just because she couldn't feel the suffering didn't mean it wasn't there, numbed into a constant feeling of dread and menacing death.

She could hear voices, of Lance and the Brotherhood and her housemates, everyone calling out to her with their worries. But she couldn't answer back, only feel the monotone pressure of someone lightly grasping her wrist, the world like a spiraling drain of darkness with her caught in the centrifuge awaiting judgment.

She wanted so badly to talk to Lance, to show him the adorable gift she had bought for him. Jean had labeled it 'the most ridiculous hat on the face of the earth' but Kitty had felt it was perfect for him. She had purchased it for him at the mall and now it lay mangled in the wreckage of the SUV. She had just wanted to get him something special, but everything…was ruined…

"…Lance…" she barely managed to say. Her throat was throbbing with pain from earlier when a breathing tube had been placed, and she was dehydrated from the loss of blood. But she could feel the vibrancy of Lance's hopes suddenly arise, and that was encouraging for her to attempt to awaken further.

"I'm still here Kitty. The others had to leave because of the hospital's stupid policies, but they said I can stay here with you until your parents get here," Lance whispered to her, and she wanted to nod or show some other sign of the affirmative, but found herself too weak to do so. Her body felt like lifeless matter suspended in a void; she couldn't move her arms or legs at all though she wished she could hand Lance's hand as he held her own.

"Everything is going to be fine Kitty," Lance said. Instantly she knew it wouldn't. She had feeling a bit in her hands, otherwise she wouldn't have been able sense him gently caressing her hand, careful of the IV still stuck into her wrist. It was down in her legs she couldn't sense anything. She tried with all her might to just try and get her toes to wriggle, but there was no response. It was like they had been cut away and she just didn't know it. Hovering within the darkness, she hoped this wasn't the case.

"Tell me…the truth…" she asked quietly, her voice raspy.

Lance was quiet for a moment. He knew what she meant, about how her condition really was. He didn't want to tell her, but the helpless tone in her voice was enough to convince him he owed at least that to her.

"Dr. Peterson…he doesn't think…that…that you'll ever be able to walk again Kitty…" Lance barely got out; admitting it to her was like shooting himself through the gut. He instantly felt ill, but knew that lying to her would have only worked for so long before she discovered the truth. And that would only bring more harm to her already battered body and mind.

Kitty, though she couldn't physically reveal it, felt the same pain as him, only a hundredfold. She wanted to prove what he'd said wrong and attempted with all her might to move her legs. Nothing, no response, no feeling whatsoever. It was like her entire lower body had been severed cleanly from her while she had slept. Now only numbed pain remained, and she felt her heart rapidly beat as the terror sank in.

"Don't worry Kitty, I'm going to do everything I can to help. There still is a chance that physical therapy will help you get feeling back in your legs, and I'll do whatever it takes to see that happen. But you can't give up, you've never been one to give in to anything," Lance said weakly. He knew his words would be flooded away by the waves of fear she had to be experiencing. Her chest was rising and falling at an alarming rate; her distraught body probably couldn't handle the news without insurmountable stress, but as he caressed her hand gently and continued to look down at her caringly, she began to calm a bit.

Just…" Kitty managed to say weakly, and instantly Lance was listening with every fiber of his being. It was horrible seeing her this way, but seeing her move and speak, no matter how weakly, was still a sign that she hadn't fallen prey to her injuries.

"What is it Kitty?" Lance said, once again stroking her hand gently though he questioned if she was able to feel it now or not. The warmth of someone else nearby seemed to be giving her comfort, and he drew closer to ensure she relaxed further and was able to continue.

"Just…promise me…" she said next, progressing through the sentence slowly since it took a veritable amount of strength. "Just promise me…that no matter…what…you'll be with me…"

Lance didn't hesitate for a second before he answered. "I promise."