Chapter Eighteen

There's something about sitting in an empty room that gets to you. She had been sitting in the empty hospital bed for hours, staring out the window, watching the grey sky darken as night came. There was nothing to think about other than the fate of a person she cared deeply about.

There was someone at the door knocking slowly, a nurse entered and smiled at her. "We'll be bringing him back in just a moment dearie," she said.

Sydney smiled and sniffled, "Is he going to be alright?" she asked.

"I'll have the doctor come in and speak to you about that," she said shortly.

The nurse checked the machines and left Sydney alone once again before the doctor entered. "Miss Bristow?" he asked.

Sydney stood up quickly and nodded her head. "Yes?" she said quickly.

"We're going to bring in Mr Lazarey in a moment, but I need to talk to you first. He's awake right now, his surgery went well. We removed the bullet from his abdomen, and luckily it didn't cause too much internal damage. We were able to fix any problem we saw."

Sydney smiled and let out a breath that she hadn't noticed she was holding in. "So he's going to be okay?"

The doctor nodded, "It looks that way right now. We need to keep him here for a week or longer to watch his vitals, but things are looking good at this time."

"Thank you doctor," she said before he turned and left the room. He returned a moment later with Julian and many orderlies and a nurse. Julian was lying on a stretcher and Sydney could see that his eyes were open. She smiled at him and he nervously smiled back at her. The doctor checked his vitals before leaving the room while the nurse made sure that the IV glucose was getting into his body before she left Sydney and Julian alone.

"Hey," she whispered. She looked at the man lying on the bed in front of her and he looked so sick and broken, it made her feel so horrible to just watch him and not be able to take away any of his pain.

"You stayed?" he croaked.

She nodded and a tear fell down her cheek, "I wouldn't leave you like that. I'm just happy you're alive."

"Syd," he whispered. He took her hand in his and tugged it lightly, "I'm sorry for before."

Sydney shook her head, "No, I should have told you. I don't think I'll understand what you felt when you thought I was betraying you. I would never do that."

He shook his head, "I'm still sorry," he smiled lightly. "I love you Sydney," he quietly stated before dozing off.

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Sydney watched him as he slept, she thought about the fact that this once assassin and terrorist was now reformed and had a presidential pardon. He loved her. He had almost given his life for her. He had actually been willing to die for her.

The question that kept running through her mind was whether or not she loved him. She knew she cared deeply for him, but she didn't know if it had developed into love yet. Before she knew it, hours had passed and Julian was awake again.

"Hello love," he said. Sydney smiled and kissed him lightly, "Finally," he joked, "It took you long enough."

Sydney laughed, "How are you feeling today?" she asked him.

"Aside from the fact that I've been shot?" he joked lightly and Sydney smiled while nodding, "Never better."

"I'm so sorry Julian," she said soon after.

Julian looked up at her confused, "What are you sorry for?"

"You're in love with me…" a look of sadness crept over Sydney's face and Julian understood.

"Syd, I love you, but you don't need to say it now. I just had to get it out before I died. I knew that I would have regretted it if I hadn't said it."

Sydney smiled and kissed his palm before telling him she would be right back. She returned fifteen minutes later with the Director of her department. He was carrying a briefcase. He placed it down on a table in the corner of the room and took out a document and placed it on the bed tray on Julian's bed. He took out a pen and handed it to Julian, "Mr Lazarey, this document is your pardon agreement with the United States of America. We would like to thank you for your assistance in the case involving Arvin Sloane. By signing this document you are agreeing with the government that you will not violate this accord, and if you do, that will be punishable by the death penalty and imprisonment at Camp Harris. Do you agree?" he said bureaucratically.

Julian nodded and signed the document. "Thank you sir," he said.

The man nodded and said goodbye to the pair and left the room.

"Well that was quick," Sydney said. Julian laughed and pulled Sydney down onto the bed next to him. She carefully placed her arm around his waist and soon they drifted off to sleep.

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