It had been almost three days since ShadowMan's defeat. Anyone injured in the battle had been transported to a hospital, seeing as it would take Cossack and Raika a couple more days to bypass the Dimensional Area generator's security codes.

With help from MegaMan and his friends, Sam had gotten Starfire to a hospital. For the whole three days Star had been in a near coma state. Doctors had run an IV into her arm and patched up her various wounds the best they could but it was all up to Starfire from there on out.

As the morning of the third day slipped into the afternoon, Starfire opened her eyes and looked around.

First thing she noticed was Sam sitting by her side, smiling at her. "Hey Star." She patted the Navi's hand comfortingly. "I thought I'd lost you."

Smiling, Star nodded weakly. "Sorry, can't get rid of me that easily." She took a deep breath before continuing. "What happened?"

From the other side of the bed, Chaud took up the story. "You went into a coma. Whatever you did to ShadowMan must've been pretty powerful because you've been that way for the past three days. Anyone injured has been taken care of, plus Cossack and Rika are working on the generators as we speak."

Nodding again, Star stared straight ahead. Sam smiled. "I know you probably want to be left alone, but there's a boy who wants to see you Star."

"Sure…" Muttered Star. "Let him in. Just…give me a moment."

As the two humans left the room, Star closed her eyes, trying to suppress the horrible reality she knew was true. Bass was gone. Never again would she see him waiting for her outside her homepage, never would she see that familiar smile, never would she hear his familiar greeting of…

"Hiya Starry."

Turning her head, Starfire could barely believe what she was seeing and blinked a few times to ensure that she was not hallucinating.

Standing by the door, smiling that roguish, lopsided smile was her brother. Bandaged and weary looking, he walked over to her bedside. Leaning down, the Black Shadow allowed his sister to put her arms around his neck.

"Bass…" Breathed the blonde Navi, tears forming in her eyes.

Stroking his sister's hair, Bass closed his eyes contentedly. "Shh…it's all right Starry… you're okay…"

Pulling away, Star took in every detail of her brother's face. "I thought you were dead…"

"So did I." Remarked the crimson-eyed Navi. "I remember dying quite vividly, and then I dunno…there was a light and next thing I remember was waking up almost a day later."

Her face falling, Star looked at the sheets. "Then you don't know if…?"

Pushing some hair behind Star's ear, Bass was sympathetic. "No, I don't. I'm so sorry Starry…he was a good guy. He shouldn't have gone."

After a few more minutes of quiet conversation, Bass took his leave, casting only one last glance backwards at his sister before leaving.

Staring out the window to her right, Star couldn't help but feel a bit better. Her brother was alive! Bass, her only family was alive and well. But then, why wasn't she happier? Sighing, Star couldn't help but feel as though the beautiful blue sky was mocking her mood. It would've been perfect if only he was here… "Are you up there Proto?" Whispered the blonde Navi, staring into the blue heavens. "Are you still watching out for me like you always did?" A tear trickled down her cheek.

Once more, Sam appeared at the door. "Star, someone wants to see you."

Not bothering to look at Sam, Starfire let the tears flow down her cheeks. "I don't want to see anyone right now."

With a sigh, Sam tried to reason. "Star, I really think you want to see this person."

"Please Sam, I just want to be alone right now."

"You're working yourself up over this Star. Please, just see this one person!"

Relenting, Starfire sadly stared straight ahead. "All right…"

Smiling, Sam gazed fondly at her partner. "You'll feel better after meeting this person, I know it."

Closing her eyes, Star decided to feign sleep when the visitor entered. Moments later, she heard hesitant footsteps entering the room. There was the scraping of the chair as they sat down and then a warm hand wrapped around hers. A thumb ran slowly along the back of her hand before a voice reached Star's ears.

"Star…"

Blue eyes flying open, Star gazed wide-eyed at ProtoMan, who held her hand gently, loving blue eyes gazing at her. Foregoing restraint, Star flung her arms around Proto, tears spilling down her cheeks. "PROTO!"

Embracing his friend and partner, ProtoMan couldn't help but tear up himself. "Hey girl…" He managed before turning his head to plant a little kiss on Star.

Despite her head throbbing painfully, Star held onto her silver haired friend for all that she was worth.

Lowering Star back onto the pillows, Proto wiped his eyes. "Hey… how you doing?"

Smiling, Star took ProtoMan's hand. "Been better…"

Smoothing the hair back from Star's forehead, ProtoMan couldn't help but smile at Star's sense of humor. "You see Bass already?"

She nodded. "Yes… he said he remembered dying."

"Yeah…so do I." Remarked the red Navi. "It wasn't all that bad actually. Most people think death is cold, but you know, it's actually kind of…warm." Assessing his partner's condition, ProtoMan shook his head. "So you were the one to kill ShadowMan? That must've been quite the fight."

Deciding not to nod, Star smiled a bit wider. "It was…" And although she tried not to, more tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Hey…" Proto wiped away the tears. "What's with the tears? Bass and I are okay…well, aside from this." Proto lifted his shirt to show Star his bandaged midsection.

Sniffling, Star held Proto's hand a little tighter. "I'm just so glad you and Bass are alive…"

Watching Star yawn, Proto smiled softy. "All right, you should get some rest. I'll be back with Bass and some food."

"No…" Pleaded Star. "Don't leave me yet…"

Considering it for a moment, ProtoMan sat back down. "All right then."

Later, Bass entered carrying a bowl of soup and some juice for Star only to find her fast asleep with ProtoMan leaning against the bed, the pair still holding hands. Setting the tray down on the end table, Bass gave Star a little kiss on the forehead and whispered in her ear.

"When he asks you to be his, it's okay if you say yes."

And even though the blonde Navi was deep in sleep, her mouth curled into the tiniest hint of a smile.