Jackie stood against the door, afraid to go near. He was there, his head resting to the right side. His eyes closed and, for once, not behind red sunglasses. She loved his eyes. They were truthful, they showed when he was scared, or angry. They danced when he laughed or smiled. But they held a certain texture, a certain little shimmer for only her, her own emotion. All hers, in his eyes. Love.

She stayed back, away. Afraid she might distrupt his sleep. But that plan backfired when Hyde stirred in his bed. His eyes fluttered open and he scanned the room, slowly remembering where he was and what landed him there in the first place. A groan escaped his lips, and he tried to stretch, but winced in pain instead.

Jackie jumped slightly, catching his attention. His eyes were tired, barely slits, but they were filled with that emotion that was ment for her and only her. "C'mere, baby." His voice was tired and croaky.

She obeyed, taking a few steps closer. Hyde's brow nitted together in his confusion. "I'm not gonna bite yah." He held his hand out for her to take. "I said c'mere."

She was still shaking, still fearful that she was going to do something wrong. But she nodded and stifly crossed the room and placed her small hand into his rogh and calloused one. His fingers wrapped around her hand, feeling her softly lotioned flesh. Hyde's eyes closed for a second as he smiled and took in a soothing breath.

He reopened his eyes, knowing she wasn't comfortable seeing him like this. "Don't be scared," Hyde whispered. "I'm not."

Jackie sniffed, as her eyes dragged from their hands to his eyes. "What...what if you..."

"I'll always be there." He cut her off. "Whether you can see me or not."

She shook her head, not wanting to think about it. "You can't. God, please Steven! You can't!"

"You think I want to!" His voice was snippish and was straining from daring tears. "Jesus Jackie! I didn't ask for this! I didn't take a number and stand in line waiting to get shot!"

She tried to wrench her hand from his, but he held on strong. She was scared, reality scared her. What if he wasn't coming back? What if this was it? Her fairy tale fantasy wasn't coming true. In her mind he wasn't coming back. He was dying.

She looked up at him, seeing him. Not some Zen mask behind a pair of red sunglasses. Just him. She relaxed her hand in his, needing that peace. Slowly, Jackie ran her fingers through Steven's curls, then placed her hand on his cheek. "I love you."

He nodded, bringing her hand to his lips and kissing them. "I know."