Bridget had been in Bethesda for a week now. Lena's family had come home from Greece a few days ago but Lena had chosen to stay at Carmen's. Bridget had to go home though. She was at Carmen's everyday, however. Now the three girls were now lying on Carmen's bed. Carmen rolled over onto her stomach and looked over at Lena. "I don't mean to push it Lenny…but tell us what happened. You haven't talked to anyone about it." Lena knew that wasn't true. She had told Stephen. Having told him made her feel strange. She hadn't even told her best friends. "No, I'll tell you." Bridget sat up and crossed her legs Indian style, facing Lena and Carmen. Lena went on. "I was taking a letter to the post office. I had just gotten the pants and I was so happy. The letter was to Tibby. I was coming home when it happened. I didn't know what hit me either. All I remembered was waking up in a dark room…and then I heard his voice. It scared the hell out of me. But I have to say that I wasn't surprised. He's crazy…after a few days he brought me a phone and told me to call Carmen. I did. But I had to tell her I was fine. She told Stephen and then he and Paul…came to my rescue. But before he could get away, Kostos shot Paul." Lena explained. Carmen put her hand on her friend's back. "Are you sure nothing happened?" Lena nodded. "I'm positive…Kosots just wanted to have me with him. I don't think he would have hurt me physically. Plus the doctor's at the hospital cleared me." Lena pulled her legs close to herself and wrapped her arms around them. "I'm fine." Stephen appeared at the door and knocked. Carmen waved him in. He hesitated, waved at Bridget and then looked at Lena. "I need to talk to you for a second." Lena looked at Carmen with a confused look on her face and then got up. "Ok…"

Bridget turned to Carmen. "Are they?...you know…togther?" Carmen laughed and shook her head. "No…they've just become good friends. Probably something about a little secret they have." But then a scream came from the hallway. It was Lena's. Carmen and Bridget shot up and ran out. Lena was sitting up against the wall with a dazed look on her face. "No guys! I'm fine!" Stephen nodded and looked in their direction. "She's ok…Paul's standing outside. I told him not to come in yet…"

Carmen sighed and grabbed Bridget's hand. "Come on." When they got to the door, Carmen opened it and she and Bridget stepped outside. Carmen gave Paul a hug and the three sat down on the bench. Paul said hello to Bridget. "Hey Bridget. Carmen. I came home yesterday. I know she really doesn't want to see me at the moment…it was a little to much for anyone to handle. But I needed to see her. Is she ok?" "Yes. I guess. I mean right now she's in the hall way having a moment." Bridget answered. "But I think you should go on in." Carmen put in. Paul looked at her. "Are you sure?" Carmen nodded. "Yeah, we'll be out here."

Paul got up and walked inside. A few minutes later Stephen walked out and sat down on the bench beside Carmen and Bridget. "Was that such a good idea? He's injured already, and she's not the safest person right now." This made the girls laugh. "She's fine." They said in unison.

Lena looked up when she heard Paul's voice. Stephen walked over to her and bent down, with his back towards Paul. In a low voice he whispered to her. "Are you going to be ok?" Lena gave him a small hug. "I'll be ok. Thanks."

Paul stood where he was while he saw Stephen hug his girlfriend once again. After Stephen had walked out the door, Paul slowly walked over to Lena and sat down next to her. "Hey." Lena kept her gaze looking downward. "Hey…how's Lydia?" "She's fine." Paul told her. "Can I ask you a question?" Lena nodded. Paul went on. "Ok then. What happened? What happened that made you leave? Was it something that I said or did…or didn't say or do?" Lena finally looked up at him. "All of those things…and more. Everything happened. I didn't have to go to Greece this summer. Then Kostos kidnapped me. Then he shot you, and now he's in prison. Then he called me bitter! I came back to the hospital to see you…and Lydia was there…Paul…why haven't I ever met your mom?" Lena was now breaking down. Paul cautiously put his arm around her shoulders. Lena tightened up a little bit. He pulled her closer. "Lena…I'm sorry. I was caught up in everything else that was going on this year…my dad getting out of rehab…for the fifth time…then going back in. Having to deal with Krista….and then you and me. I think I may have been working so hard on that one that I tried to force everything out."

Lena took it all in before she said anything. "Don't say you're sorry…that doesn't fix anything. I can say I'm sorry for all that's been happening to you, but that doesn't change…or fix anything."

Paul stood up and reached out his hand. Lena didn't take it at first. "What?" He reached down and grabbed her hand. "Get up…come on. I may not be able to say that I'm sorry but I can try to fix it. I'm going to be staying at home for the next few weeks until school starts back. At least come spend a few of those days with me…please." Lena couldn't say no to him. "A week…I have to be home for when Tibby gets here." She stood up and let Paul wrap his arms around her. She wrapped hers around his waist and placed her head on his chest. "We need the time to talk about some things. I'm not promising anything. If this relationship goes downhill, I warned you beforehand…" Paul wasn't going to let her go. "I love you." Lena was stunned. "I…I…not now."

Paul didn't care if she hadn't said it back. All he cared about was that she was sitting in the passenger seat on the way to Charlestown. He looked over and smiled at her. She faintly smiled, but then turned to the window and stared outside. "I've only said those words to one other person. It's not like I don't love you…I do. I just need more time." Paul looked straight ahead, keeping his eyes on the road. "I know."

I'm almost done with the story…yay! And not yay! Anywho…I'll write about Tibbs later. I'm still not feeling too well. I'm not in the writing mood. I'm gonna go paint. Also…not the best chapter…I didn't know what Paul should say to her.