Sky's movements were jerky and mechanical as she followed the others into the emergency room. She was vaguely aware of Allura and Cady being led off by a nurse while Tristan kept a steadying hand on her arm.

Keith was standing at the admittance desk talking with a nurse, his communicator in hand as Becca fed him the information he needed concerning Erik's allergies, blood type, and anything else the doctors needed to know.

Sky stopped beside him, watching the action in front of her. Somewhere in the back of her mind she realized that this meant Erik was still alive.

Keith wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her into a hug as he told the nurse that Erik was allergic to filar plant extract and penicillin. She allowed him to pull her close and offer comfort, but she remained tense, bracing herself for the worst.

"Thank you, Mr. Whitaker, we'll let you know as soon as we have any information," the nurse said, turning and hurrying down the hallway.

"We'll be in touch, Becca," Keith said, closing the communicator.

Sky pulled back and looked up at him, hopefully.

"They just took him in," Keith explained lowly.

"H-he's…he's alive?" She whispered hoarsely.

"Yeah, kiddo, he's alive," he looked around. "Where's Cady?"

"She's being examined, Allura's with her." Tristan explained.

Keith nodded, "Come on, let's go sit down. They'll let us know as soon as there is something to tell us."

Sky allowed him to lead her over to the waiting area. She sat on one of the hard chairs, gnawing on her fingernails, her eyes darting around seeing people in all types of distress, a television on a shelf in the corner was on a 24 hour news station.

Keith stood over her, watching worriedly as she trembled and chewed her fingernails.

"Keith," Tristan touched his arm and nodded to the side. When they were out of her earshot, he asked quietly. "Sky said his face was gone, what happened?"

"Oh, God, she saw him?" Keith asked, aghast.

"It really is that bad?"

"He was cut up pretty badly, his face and neck," the commander blinked back tears. "I…I honestly don't know how he is still alive. His face wasn't gone, but it was…its bad, Tristan."

Tristan rubbed his hands over his face. His emotions were running wild. There was relief that Cady was okay, but now he was worried and terrified for the guy who had quickly become one of his best friends. "Do we know what happened to the…the man who did this?"

"He was shot, he's dead." Keith said flatly.

"Good."

"Come on, I don't want to leave Sky alone." Keith returned to her side, taking the chair beside her and slinging his arm over the back of her chair.

"Tristan!"

He turned and saw his parents hurrying through the waiting room toward him, "Mother, Dad, what are you doing here?"

"Well, we just had to know what happened," Josie said. "How's Cady? Where is she?"

"She's okay," he told them. "She and her mother are in with the doctor now."

"What about Erik?" Vince asked.

Tristan shrugged, "We don't really know. Keith said he was cut up pretty badly, the doctor just took him back. Cady said he…he saved her life." His voice cracked.

Josie clucked her tongue and hugged him, "I'm sure he'll be fine, darling."

He took a deep breath and rubbed his eyes, trying to ward off the need to scream or cry.

"Cady, darling how are you?"

Tristan lifted his head at the sound of his mother's voice. Cady and Allura came out from behind a curtained off room. She was walking slowly and it looked as though her head was too heavy for her to hold up. She was frightfully pale and a white bandage was taped to her neck where Brian's knife had punctured her flesh.

When she looked up and met his gaze, he could see her eyes were red and swollen. Giving in to what he needed most, Tristan pulled her into a tight hug. He buried his face in her hair and felt the shuddering sigh that shook her body as she wrapped her arms around him.

Allura walked over to Keith, "Any word?"

He shook his head.

"Is there anything we can do?" Vince asked.

Keith stood and approached them, "Yes, actually, there is. Sven and Romelle, Erik's parents, are flying in from Norway. They're flight should be in at 8:30 tomorrow morning, can you pick them up?"

"Of course," Josie told him. "Just get us the flight information and we'll meet them there."

Tristan lifted his head and looked down at Cady. It took every ounce of strength, every ounce if willpower for him to not crumble at her feet. He wanted nothing more than to hold her to him and cry with relief.

"How's Erik?" She asked, her voice raw.

"We don't know yet," he replied shakily. "How are you?"

"Tired and sore."

"Let me take you home."

She shook her head. "I want to stay."

"Cady, honey," he cupped her cheek with his hand. "You're exhausted. Let me take you home. You can take a long, hot bath and then crawl into bed. As soon as they hear anything about Erik, your parents will call."

"I can't leave Sky."

"Your parents are here with her. Let me take care of you. Please."

She nodded.

"Come on, let's tell your parents where we're going." Taking her hand, Tristan led her over to where they were sitting with Sky. "I'm going to take Cady home."

Keith stood, "That's a good idea, hold on a second and I'll get you a ride."

Allura took Cady's hands, "Do you want me to come with you?"

"That's all right, Mom," Cady assured her. "I just want to go to sleep. I think Sky and Erik need you right now. Just call the second you hear anything about Erik."

"We will, sweetie," Allura hugged her. "I'm so glad you're okay."

"Thanks, Mom."

"I love you, Cady."

"Love you too." Cady turned to Sky. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

Her friend looked up at her with hollow eyes and shook her head.

Cady took her hands, "He'll be fine, Sky, I'm sure of it."

"We'll be back," Tristan promised, taking Cady's hand. "If you need anything, Sky, you know how to get a hold of us."

She nodded silently.

"All right, Tristan, Officer Williams will give you guys a ride home," Keith said, appearing beside them with a policewoman. "Contact me as soon as you get home so I know."

"We will, sir, and please call us as soon as you hear anything about Erik."

Keith nodded and turned to his daughter, "Go get some sleep, Cady."

She nodded and yawned.

Smiling softly, he pulled her into a hug. "We'll be checking in with you," he said gruffly.

Sky jumped when her communicator beeped. She unclipped it from her waistband and looked as though she didn't know what to do with it. Allura gently pried it from her fingers and sat down beside her.

"Hello?"

Darcy's worried face filled the small screen, "Allura? What's going on?"

Allura stood and walked across the waiting room where she filled Darcy in on what happened to Cady and Erik. As she finished by explaining that they were at the hospital waiting on word about Erik, tears quietly slid down her cheeks.

"I will be on the first ship off this planet in the morning," Darcy promised.

Allura looked over to where Keith was sitting with Sky, "That would probably be a good idea, Darc, I think Sky could really use you right now."

"Keep us posted, please," she pleaded. "Tell Sky we love her and I will be there as soon as I can."

"I will," Allura agreed.


By the time the police cruiser pulled up in front of the Alexander house, Cady had fallen asleep against Tristan's shoulder. Not wanting to disturb her, he carefully slid out from under her and then gently lifted her, cradling her in his arms.

Before they reached the door, it opened and Henry stood just inside. "Your mother called ahead," he explained. "I put water on for tea, if the princess would like some."

"Thank you, Henry, but I think she just needs to get some sleep right now."

"Yes, sir, just let me know if there is anything at all I can do for you."

Tristan nodded and walked past him, up the stairs.

Cady sighed and opened her eyes slightly, "Tristan?"

"Yeah, baby?"

She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her face to his shoulder, "Just making sure you're really here."

He carried her into his room and sat her on his bed, "Can I get you anything?"

"I would really like to take that bath."

He smiled and retrieved his robe from the back of the desk chair, "I'll draw it for you." He dropped a kiss on her forehead and disappeared into the bathroom.

Cady felt as though her entire body was covered in a thick film of grime. She pulled her dress off and held it up. The beautiful new dress was filthy and torn. Tears blurred her vision as she noticed the droplets of blood splattered on the fabric. Her wound was not that deep. It was Erik's blood. With a quiet cry, she shoved the dress into his trashcan.

When Tristan returned to his room, she was sitting on the edge of his bed wrapped in his bathrobe, her hands covering her face, sobbing.

"Oh, baby," he knelt on the floor in front of her.

"Why won't anyone tell me what happened to Erik?" She asked, wiping her eyes with the sleeve of the robe.

"We didn't want to upset you anymore than you already were," he replied truthfully.

"How bad is it?"

Tristan pursed his lips, knowing he couldn't lie to her. "It's bad, Cady, but Erik is strong, he'll pull through."

"He saved me," she whispered.

He took her hands, "And for that I will be forever indebted to him."

"What…what happened to Brian?"

"Who?"

"The man who…" she broke off.

"He's dead, honey, the police killed him."

"I can't say I'm sorry."

"Neither can I."

Cady leaned forward and kissed him tenderly, "I love you."

"I love you too," he stood, pulling her to her feet. "Come on, there's a nice, hot bath waiting for you and then you're going to sleep."

"Okay," she yawned.

"Are you hungry? Or thirsty? I can have Henry bring something up."

"No, I just…I just want to scrub the memory of this night off my skin."

Tristan led her into the warm, brightly lit bathroom. "I'll go get you some fresh clothes, just relax. You're safe now."

She nodded and shuffled over to the tub. The steam rising above the water was so inviting. She took a washcloth and towel from the windowsill and removed the robe. It took a moment for her body to adjust to the temperature. She leaned back against the curve of the tub and soaked, but the filth still clung to her skin. Taking the washcloth and bar of soap, she scrubbed at her skin until it turned red and raw.

Laying the washcloth over the lip of the tub, she leaned back and closed her eyes. She was beginning to feel a better, more like her old self. Cady knew she had cried herself dry, her throat hurt and her head throbbed. She just wanted to go home.

Tristan knocked quietly on the door.

"Come in," she called.

"I grabbed you some clothes," he said. "Are you okay?"

She nodded, not opening her eyes.

"I'm going to change, get out of this suit, I'll just be in my room if you need me, okay, Cady?"

"Yeah."

Tristan hesitated a moment before leaving the bathroom.

The exhaustion was suddenly overwhelming and Cady knew that if she didn't get out now, she would be falling asleep in the bath. It took more effort than she thought it would to lean forward and press down the lever, releasing the water. She sat, feeling the warm water replaced by the cool air. Shivering, she rose and grabbed a towel, wrapping it around herself. She found a comb lying on the sink and pulled it through her tangled curls. The clothes he had set on the bench by the tub were her sweatpants and Buccaneers sweatshirt, her 'comfy clothes' as she called them.

She had just begun to dress when she heard what sounded like his cell phone ringing. Holding the sweatshirt in her hands, Cady stared at the slightly ajar door. She could hear Tristan speaking quietly, but she couldn't hear what he was saying. Was that her father? Was it about Erik? Her heart was in her throat as she pulled the sweatshirt over her head. She couldn't be afraid anymore, she had to know what was going on.

Stopping by the door, she took a deep breath and steeled herself. This was it. She pulled open the door, grasping the handle to steady herself when she saw Tristan sitting on the edge of his bed, his head in his hands, his shoulder shaking.

"Oh no." The tears she thought she had cried out filled her eyes with an intense suddenness. "Oh no." She repeated those two words over and over as she moved robotically across the room to stand in front of him.

Tristan raised his eyes to her, "Cady."

"No! Erik, oh no! Erik!" She was becoming hysterical.

"No!" Tristan jumped to his feet and grabbed her upper arms with vise like grips. "Cady, that wasn't about Erik, calm down. That wasn't about Erik, that was Owen, he heard what happened to you and he wanted to make sure you were okay."

His words slowly registered and she took a deep, cleansing breath.

He sank slowly back onto the bed, pulling her down onto his lap and wrapping both arms around her. "That was Owen, Cady, he wanted to make sure you were okay. He…he said he was glad we were able to get to you in time and that you were going to be okay."

Cady slid her arms around his neck as he rested his head against her shoulder, "I heard the phone ring and I saw you…you were upset, so I thought the worst."

"I'm sorry," he nuzzled her throat. "I got to thinking about Owen and Colleen and it suddenly dawned on me just how close I came to…to losing you."

She brought her hands around to frame his face and tilted it up toward her. His eyes were red and moist, he looked so vulnerable, so lost. Tears filled her own eyes as she kissed him hard.

Tristan tightened his arms around and deepened the kiss. He could taste the salt from the tears that had landed on her lips. Before he realized what had happened, he was on his back with Cady on top of him, her hands fisted in his hair.

"Cady," he gasped, breaking their embrace.

She lifted her head, "What?"

"This isn't right."

"I want to be with you, Tristan."

He reached up and brushed her hair from her forehead, "I can't, honey, I just…not tonight. Just, lay with me, Cady, lay with me and get some sleep."

She knew he was right, but the rejection still stung a bit.

"Here," he slid out from under her and pulled the comforter back. "Crawl in, can I get you anything?"

"I could use something to drink," she whispered.

Tristan leaned down and kissed her, "I'll be right back."

Cady was very aware of how alone she was at the moment. The logical voice in her head told her she was safe, Tristan would be back in just a moment. But that voice was drowned out by the huge silence surrounding her. Slowly, other sounds made their appearance as the wind blew outside the window and the clock ticked. A weight settled on her chest and it was suddenly hard to breathe.

Tristan wasn't sure what she wanted, so he carried a bottle of water, a can of soda, a bag of chips, and an apple. He opened the door and almost dropped everything in his hands when he opened the door and saw Cady sitting upright, clutching the blankets to her chest, her eyes darting around the room, her body jerking along with her breathing.

"Cady, what's wrong?" He set everything on the desk and sat on the bed beside her, taking her shoulders and forcing her to look at him.

"Don't leave me again," she pleaded quietly.

"I won't," he promised, hugging her. "I won't leave you, ever."


Allura blinked back tears, "I don't know what to do, Keith."

He looked from his wife to Sky. She hadn't spoken to anyone since they arrived at the hospital and had asked him if Erik was still alive. That was over an hour earlier. They had offered her water, soda, coffee, but she just shook her head. They asked if she wanted something to eat, she shook her head. She didn't look directly at them and she appeared to not hear most of what they said. The only time Sky had shown any sign of understanding what was going on was when a doctor came out to explain that Erik was in critical condition and that he had been taken in to surgery.

"She's terrified," Keith said. "All we can do is be there for her and give her support."

Allura ran her hand over her eyes, "I'm tired."

"Why don't you let me get you a ride to the Alexander's house, you can get some sleep."

"No!" Allura lowered her voice and stepped closer. "I am not leaving until we know when Erik is going to get better."

Keith closed his eyes. He had been the only one to have really seen Erik. There was so much blood, at first he thought the same thing Sky had, that his face had been cut off. But it was there, beneath the blood and gore, was his nephew's face. And he knew that the doctors were doing everything they could to save his life and his face.

"Why don't you go sit with her," he said. "I'm going to go find us some coffee."

Allura nodded, "Thank you, honey."

Sky was sitting in the same seat as she had been for the past hour. She had nibbled her fingernails down to the quick and was now chewing on her cuticles. Allura sat beside her and gently pulled her hand from her mouth, blood was starting ooze around a couple of her fingernails where she had broken the skin.

"If you're that hungry, sweetie, we can get you something to eat," Allura teased.

Sky didn't respond, she stared straight ahead, clutching her hands on her lap.

"Honey, please talk to me," the Queen pleaded, wrapping her arm around Sky's shoulders and pulling her close.

The young pilot shook her head.

"You know we're here for you, and Erik. He's a strong, young man, Sky, I'm sure he'll pull through this just fine. We are a strong bunch. Think of all your parents went through, what Sven has survived, all that Keith and I have lived through. Erik is one of us. He'll pull through."

Sky slowly turned her head. She looked at Allura with wide, terrified eyes and when she spoke, her voice was low and raw, sounding as though she hadn't used it in weeks. "I don't know what to do. I don't know what would happen to me if he…he… I don't think he knows how much I love him. I need him."

"Oh honey," Allura sighed, hugging her. "He does know. He knows that you love him every bit as much as he loves you."

"I can't lose him," Sky sobbed into her shoulder. "I feel like I'm falling apart."

"You're not falling apart. You're a strong woman, Schuyler, and you are going to need that strength, Erik is going to need it. You have us here to help you stay together, Keith, me, Cady, Tristan, and your mother is coming. We're going to help you and Erik get through this and you are both going to come out of this even stronger."

Sky lifted her head and rubbed her eyes, "I'm scared."

"We all are, sweetheart, but we're all here together. We'll help Erik get better and this will be a story you tell your grandkids someday."

Keith unclipped his communicator from his belt as it went off, "Whitaker."

"Keit," Sven's exhausted face filled his screen. "How's Erik?"

"They're still in surgery. Where are you guys?"

"Ve're at de airport, ve vere able to get an earlier, faster flight."

"What airport?" Keith asked, surprised. "Here? In Boston?"

Sven nodded.

"Why didn't you tell me? Okay, um, I'll send someone to pick you up now."

"No, Keit, ve're going to get a cab. Just tell me de name of de hospital and ve vill be dere as soon as possible."


Tristan was stretched out on his side, his head propped up on his hand as he looked down on Cady. She was curled up in the fetal position, her hands fisted and tucked under her chin, clutching the comforter. Every once in a while a quiet whimper would escape her lips and he would gently stroke her hair, whispering comforting promises until she calmed down again.

When she had been discharged from the hospital, the doctor offered to prescribe her some pills to help her sleep, but Cady had turned him down, saying she didn't want to be drugged. But now, as Tristan watched her as she slept fitfully, he wished she had taken the doctor up on his offer. She had woken suddenly twice already, the first time she asked him to leave a light on, the second, she woke crying.

They had left the hospital over two hours ago and had yet to hear from Keith. More than once, Tristan considered calling him, but thought better of that, not wanting to interrupt them if they were meeting with the doctor.

Cady mumbled in her sleep, shaking her head from side to side.

Tristan stroked her curls from her face and leaned down to gently kiss her temple, "Shh, baby, it's okay, you're safe."

She brought a fist up to rub her eyes as she scooted closer to him, "Did they call?"

"Not yet, I told you I'd wake you when they did and I will."

Cady sighed softly and closed her eyes again, "I heard everything."

"What do you mean?" He asked, rubbing her back, feeling her tremble.

"I heard everything he did…to Erik."

"Oh baby," Tristan breathed, kissing her hair.

"I keep hearing it over and over," her voice shook. "It's horrible, Tristan. I...I keep hearing it and imagining what happened to him and…"

He touched his finger to her lips, silencing her, "Cady, stop. You're only going to upset yourself more."

"I can't help it."

"Okay," he rolled onto his back and brought her closer so her cheek rested against his chest. "We need to come up with something else for you to think about, get your mind off what happened earlier."

"I don't think that's possible."

"No?"

She shuddered, "No."

He stroked her back, "I know this has been the most difficult night of your life and if I could have taken your place, I would have done it in a heartbeat. Seeing you hurt is killing me. I love you so much, Cady."

She lifted her head and looked down at him, "I love you too, Tristan."

"If I learned anything from this whole situation, its how much you really mean to me and that I don't ever be without you."

Cady lowered her head back to his chest, "You won't have to be."

"My grandmother adored you."

His comment struck her as odd, but she figured he was just trying to keep her mind off the events of earlier. "She's very nice."

"She told me that you are perfect for me, and I agree with her wholeheartedly, and she hoped I wouldn't screw it up."

Cady giggled softly.

"She also gave me something to give you."

"What?"

"You'll have to let me up."

She slowly rolled off and lay on her side, watching as he pushed the covers back and slid from the bed. He walked over to the dresser and opened the top drawer, shifting through its contents. A moment later he returned to the bed, his right hand fisted, obviously hiding something.

"I was going to wait to give this to you, to speak to your father, to give us more time, to buy a box for it. But I don't want to wait any more. I love you, Cady, and I want you to know that no matter what happens, I will always be there for you, I will always find you, I will always love you." He unfolded his hand and showed her the ring. "I know this is probably not the best time for this, but…I was terrified tonight, Cady, I was terrified of losing you, of never knowing what it was like to be your husband. We both know we want to get married, so why should we put it off? Marry me, Cady."

Her eyes widened as she looked from him to the ring and back to him.

"It's an antique, it's been in my family for generations. If you don't like it, you don't have to take it, we can go get you your own ring."

"No, it's gorgeous, I just…I wasn't expecting this…I mean after everything that has happened…"

"It's all right, honey, I know, this is too fast," he closed his hand around the ring.

"No, I just…you're not doing this just because you think it will make me feel better, are you?"

"I'm asking you to marry me because I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life showing you how much I love you."

Cady took his face in her hands, "There is so much to consider. You're not just marrying some girl, I am next in line for the throne, there is so much you'll have to learn. My parents will put you through the ringer."

"I can handle it."

"Nothing will ever be private or personal ever again."

"I learned that when I first told you I loved you and a reporter suddenly appeared to take our picture."

"The twins will make your life a living hell."

"They already do."

Tears blurred her vision as she pressed her lips to his, "I love you so much. Of course I will marry you."

Tristan slid his arms around her, pulling her flush against him, deepening the kiss.

"Let me see my ring," she said when they broke apart.

"You don't have to have this ring."

"I want it," she held her hand out.

Tristan handed it to her and she studied it. The band was antique gold with three stones set in it. The center stone was an emerald cut diamond that had to be at least two carats and on either side were triangular cut diamonds, a carat each, with the wide end of the triangle against the long sides of the center diamond. It was absolutely gorgeous.

"It's absolutely gorgeous," she whispered. "How old is it?"

"My great-great grandfather gave it to my great-great grandmother."

"You have a huge family, how did you come to get it?"

"I'm the oldest grandson on my father's side."

She slid it on her finger, "You still have to talk to my father, you know?"

"I know," he tucked her head under his chin.

"I just hope Erik…" she trailed off.

"He'll be in the ceremony," Tristan assured her. "Him and Sky."

Cady closed her eyes, when he held her this close, she felt as though anything were possible. "Maybe we can have a double wedding."

"Do you really want to wait two years?"

"No."


Half an hour after Sven contacted Keith, he, Romelle, and Delora entered the waiting room. The three of them were visibly exhausted and carried suitcases that they dropped as soon as they saw their friends.

Sky had fallen into a doze, resting against Allura's shoulder.

"Any word?" Romelle asked.

"No, not yet," Keith sighed.

Sven ran his hand through his hair, "How long has he been in surgery?"

"Over two hours now."

"And there's still no word?" Romelle gasped.

Sky jolted awake at the sound of their voices, "What's going on?"

"Sven and Romelle just got here," Allura told her.

Romelle twisted her hands nervously, "What's taking so long?"

"How bad vas it?" Sven asked Keith, quietly.

Not wanting to answer that, Keith shook his head, "The doctors haven't said yet. Have a seat. I'm going to hit the snack machine, anyone want anything? Coffee? Soda?"

"I'll go vith you," Sven offered, too wired to just sit and wait.

When they were out of earshot, Sven asked again, "Seriously, Keit, how bad is it?"

"I honestly don't know, Sven. It looked bad, but it was hard to tell."

He let out a long, slow breath, "How vas dis man able to overpower Erik?"

"We don't know and we won't know until Erik can tell us. The man who did this is dead, killed by the police."

"Good," Sven said vehemently. "Vhat exactly happened?"

"All we know for sure is that both he and Cady were taken…"

"How is Cady?"

"She's okay, Tristan took her home so she could get some sleep. Apparently they were both knocked out somehow and tied up. According to Cady, he was about to…to cut her throat," Keith stopped and swallowed hard. "But Erik did something to get his attention away from her, she couldn't see, there was a towel over her face, and, well, we're here. That's all I know. The police want to formally question Cady in the morning and they will probably question Erik when he's up to it, then we'll know more of what happened."

"I thought ve vere finally all safe," Sven said lowly as he studied the snack machines. "Are ve all cursed or someting?"

"I have to admit I was wondering the same thing," Keith muttered.


Two hours later, Dr. Woodhall walked slowly into the waiting room, looking for the family of the young man she had just worked on. Erik Johansson. He was so young. She spotted the group sitting together in the far corner. A young woman was leaning against an older blonde woman, they were both asleep, propping each other up. Beside them was a man who had his arm across the back of the blonde's chair, his head was back against the wall as he stared at the ceiling. Beside him was another man, obviously Erik's father, his arm around a woman who had to be his wife, she sat on a couch with a young girl stretched out beside her, her head on her mother's lap. Dr. Woodhall, removed her cap and mask and approached them.

"Erik Johansson's family?"

The two men snapped to attention, gently shaking the women until everyone was sitting upright and alert.

"How is he?" The young brunette asked eagerly.

"I'm Dr. Woodhall, I take it you're Erik's family and friends."

Sven stood, "I'm Sven Johansson, his fader, and dis is my vife Romelle and our daughter Delora. Allura is Romelle's cousin, Keit is her husband, and Sky is Erik's girlfriend."

"Fiancée," Sky corrected quietly, not sure if it really made a difference.

"How is he?" Romelle asked, twisting her hands.

"I'm not going to sugarcoat it, Erik was in very bad shape when he was brought in here. There were deep lacerations over half his face, his neck and his shoulder. There was substantial blood loss and muscle damage."

Sky gasped and clapped both hands over her mouth, fearing the worse.

"We performed some reconstructive surgery and believe he will make a full recovery."

Sky covered her face with both hands and collapsed back in her chair, sobbing uncontrollably. Allura hugged her as Sven hugged his wife and daughter.

"But this is just the beginning," Dr. Woodhall continued. "He has a very long road to recovery ahead of him. As I said, there was serious muscle damage done. It is extremely difficult for him to speak right now or eat solid food until he is able to rebuild his muscle strength and control. Don't be surprised that he loses a lot of weight, that's to be expected when a patient can't eat solid food, but he will eventually be able to put weight on and build up his strength again. This won't happen over night, we're talking several months of recovery and therapy."

Sky found herself feeling very tired all of a sudden. The relief that came with knowing he would be all right completely wiped out all the adrenaline she had been running on. The doctor's words were barely making an impression on her. He's alive! She thought over and over. He's alive!

"He is in a lot of pain," Dr. Woodhall explained. "He is heavily medicated and will be on pain medication for a while. You will need to be patient with him, keep in mind, he was very nearly scalped and his face almost peeled off completely."

Romelle gasped and let out a loud, choking sob. Keith scowled, the doctor could have left that description out.

"He will be scarred, but a lot of it will be able to be corrected with plastic surgery."

"But he's going to be okay?" Sky said, almost dreamily.

"Yes, he will be able to lead a complete life despite the fact that he has lost sight in his left eye."

"Vhat?" Sven asked, not quite sure he had heard her correctly.

"Erik lost the sight in his left eye and we were unable to correct it. I'm sorry, but even if he were to regain some sight, it would never be more than shadows. He is legally blind in his left eye."

Silence crashed down on their jubilant celebration. Sven buried his face in his hands as Sky cried quietly.

Dr. Woodhall was surprised by their reactions, "He will still be able to lead a full life, he can do just about anything a sighted person can do."

"Except fly," Sven murmured.