A/N: I'm sorry, it came quite a bit late. I was hardly able to finish it; I had to split it up. But, here's the first part, so I really hope you enjoy it.

I did watch Thursday's episode, and it struck me as inspiring. I'm sorry to all of you Johnny fans - I'll miss him too. But, like I said, I wrote this before Wednesday, I just was unable to update, since my computer was going positively haywire. This will be different from the latestepisode, you can surely guess. :D

The Alternative Reality

Chapter Three

"Yes, Ms. Cooper, he's all right."

Kaitlin felt herself smiling, her chest falling as she breathed a sigh of relief. She could feel the tears in her eyes fall down her cheeks, more from happiness than anything else. In one swift movement, she wiped them away with the back of her hand.

He was okay, he was really okay.

"Are we allowed to see him?" Marissa asked quietly, turning Kaitlin's full attention in her direction.

"I'm sorry, but he's still unconscious. He broke a few ribs, fractured his ankle, sprained his wrist, and took a good smack to the forehead."

Kaitlin winced, simply imaging the pain he must be in.

"When he does regain consciousness, we'll let you know." The doctor answered, taking a swift glance down at the chart placed perfectly on the clipboard she was holding, and smiling for the first time. "Hang tight, he'll be awake soon."

She walked away.

Kaitlin turned to her sister, smiling optimistically. "He's okay, 'Riss! I actually thought, just for a minute there, that he was going to…" She trailed off, unable to voice the final word. She didn't want to think about it now; she didn't need to think about it.

Marissa returned the smile, and nodded. "I know, I was thinking the same thing."

Kaitlin moved her gaze to the floor, which she had anxiously attempted to graze with the heel of her Chanel flip-flops. She leaned forward, slightly, resting her elbows on her knees, and holding up her chin with the palm of her hand. Now, she just needed to relax. She wanted to see him, so badly, but at the same time knew she was confined in the dreaded waiting room until he awoke from his morphine-induced sleep.

It was then that she realized, if she didn't have some form of heavy caffeine any time soon, she might fall asleep herself, and not be awake for when he was. She straightened her posture, before pulling the magazine off her lap, and placing it onto a coffee table directly beside her. She stood up, finally, pulling down the hem of her shirt over the top of her low-rising jeans.

"Hey, guys, I'm really tired, so I'm going to get some coffee, or espresso, or something – I saw a café on the way in. Do you guys want anything?" Kaitlin asked, looking from Marissa to Ryan and back again.

Marissa arched both eyebrows, probably surprised that Kaitlin was thinking of someone other than herself. "Not for me, but…thanks anyways."

Kaitlin nodded, now turning her gaze to Ryan.

"No, but thank you."

Again, Kaitlin nodded, and smiled softly. "I'll be right back then." She answered; picking up her Paul Frank clutch purse and heading off down the hall. As she walked, she passed by a few rooms, every once and a while looking in through the open doors, but looking away just as quickly. She felt bad for the people lying the in the hospital beds, whether they were injured or sick.

She turned a corner, keeping her eyes locked on the overly-sanitized tiles that adorned the cold floor. She didn't want to witness the gloom anymore; she had silent reminders – the sight and scent of the hospital made her mood drop tenfold.

Kaitlin raised her hazel gaze once again, but only when she had reached the Starbucks coffee shop that was located cozily between yet another hallway of rooms, and the tiny registry lobby. She looked up at the chalkboard-menu, picking out her favorite flavor before ordering.

"Hi, can I get an Orange Mocha Frappuccino, please?" She asked, and the cashier nodded, walking behind the counter to find the flavorings, ice and other ingredients to make the overly-caffeinated, yet delectably appetizing drink.

While she was waiting, Kaitlin casually leaned up against the counter, looking towards the lobby for a moment, watching people blandly walk in and out of the revolving glass doors. She become struck with boredom almost instantly, and turned her attention to the hallway to her left, her gaze catching on a particular room, its door painted a dull mauve color, it's numbering printed in gold, reading '118'. A portly-looking nurse walked around in the room, repeatedly asking and responding to questions that seemed to be coming from a young man who was clearly her patient.

The nurse seemed somewhat finished her job, so she exited the room, turning for one final moment, slowly speaking the words, "Let me know if you need anything, Mr. Harper."

Kaitlin's throat tightened once again, but this time in a seemingly good way. She turned back to the clerk, who was just putting a lid on the Frappuccino. Quickly, she pulled a bill from her purse, handing it to the cashier who returned her change, and graciously handed her the drink.

"Have a nice day,"

"Thank you, you too." Kaitlin answered hurriedly, offering a lopsided smile in return. She picked up the drink, and her purse, and walked quickly down the hall towards the room, making sure the nurse had left. Once confirming that the coast was clear, she quietly walked into the room, the ice melting slowly in her hot hand. She adjusted her clutch to sit nicely under her arm, as she slowly circled around the bed.

"Johnny?" She whispered, her breathing quick and almost painful.

Johnny opened his eyes, a soft groan escaping his pastel lips. "Kaitlin," He began, his dark eyes opening more fully now, as he examined her petite figure, his gaze running over every inch, and every curve of her that was visible to him.

She felt slightly insecure as she noticed him paying so close attention to her. She noticed the purple bruise on his forehead, the bandage on his wrist, and the cast on his ankle. "How are you doing?"

"I could be worse," He said, a very vague smile crossing his lips, a soft chuckle escaping his vocals, "But I'm okay, under the circumstances." She noticed, only now, how unrefined and rough his voice sounded, as though he'd just gotten over the flu or a terrible cough.

Kaitlin nodded softly, her head swirling. She looked into his eyes at this point, only to find him looking back at her. He was still smiling, brighter, if possible.

"What're you doing here?"

She looked completely taken aback.

"I mean, why would you wait so long for…me?" He corrected, his voice apologetic.

Because it pains me to think that I might not ever see you again? Because if I didn't know first-hand of your condition, I'd completely fall to pieces?Because you're my only real friend in Newport? Because you mean the absolute world to me?

Kaitlin said nothing for a moment. "Just…because."

To Be Continued…

A/N: I'llstart the next chapter from there, so wait and see. :D