Musa smiled and took a deep breath - the air smelt so fragrant and the atmosphere was so peaceful - man, it felt good to be alive. But there was something missing, something she couldn't quite put her finger on.
"Musa..." a faint voice called out, wafting over the breeze.
Musa looked around, but she could see no-one.
"Hello?"
"Musa..."
"Where are you?"
"I'm all around you, and I'm within you."
"Eh? What are you talking about? Who are you anyway?"
"Who am I? I'm a part of you."
Musa groaned. "Quit talking in riddles and show yourself already!"
All of a sudden, a bright flash of sunlight appeared in front of her. Musa raised her forearm above her eyes to try and take out some of the glare. Gradually, the dazzling light faded and she could make out a figure walking towards her - a beautiful young woman with jet black hair wearing a long flowing dress.
"Honestly Musa, your father brought you up better than that. Is that really any way to speak to your mother?"
"Mom!" Musa gasped. "Is that really you?"
Musa's eyes brightened - sure enough, it was indeed her mother, identical to her in almost every way.
"It IS you!" Musa cried as she ran forward and gave her beloved mother fifteen years worth of hugs and kisses. "It really is you!"
Back in the hospital room, Tegryn had decided to get out of bed, despite Ofelia's telling him not to. His spirits were high after that surprise visit by Jun, Mei and Pui Yin, who had since gone back home, and now he sat next to his darling, tenderly holding her hand in his own. As always, he was accompanied by Polli, and Tune who was also keeping a vigil.
"Aww babe, it's a pity you're still sleeping. You just missed Mei and my Grandmother, and we have a whole load of cards and presents too! Now that'll cheer you up!"
"Yes, and she missed that Pui Yin too." Tune added. "I do find that girl rather odd though. After the inappropriate way she acted last week, it does seem rather strange that she should suddenly turn around and accept you being with Musa now."
"Yeah... I guess Mei did a good job of persuading her."
"Maybe, but still, I don't trust her."
"Neither do I, not 100... but I do trust my sister."
Tegryn looked down at Musa's face. The cuts and bruises she had received were dying down quite nicely - she looked so lovely and peaceful laying there, but he was still eager for her to wake up. Being the smart and intuitive little pixie that she is, Tune sensed this.
"You know what I think she'd appreciate? A little song."
"I never knew you could sing."
"Not me, you. Sing her a song."
"Me? Sing? I don't know - I mean, I love listening to music with her, but I'm no singer."
"Go on, I'm sure she'd like it."
"Oh, alright then." He racked his brains for a couple of seconds as he tried to think of something suitable, and one that he actually knew the words to. "Ah yes, maybe this one will do!"
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are grey
You'll never know dear, how much I love you
So don't take my sunshine away...
He was interrupted by a man's voice behind him.
"You serenade my daughter just like I used to serenade her mother, although I must say I had slightly more rhythm."
Tegryn turned and looked, and smiled as he correctly guessed who had just addressed him.
"You must be Musa's father." he said as he stood up shakily and shook his hand.
"And you must be Tegryn. My little girl's told me all about you. How are you feeling?"
"I'd feel an awful lot better if Musa wasn't hurt like this. I should've stopped this from happening, but I just wasn't strong enough. I'm sorry."
Musa's father shook his head. "Ms Faragonda has filled me in on everything that happened - that was some pretty powerful stuff you were up against. You're not to blame for Musa's condition - after all, you're not the one who did this to Musa."
"No... but at least I got the satisfaction of knocking that creep's teeth out before he took me out."
Tune gasped at this. "Tegryn! That's not very civilised at all, now is it?"
Tegryn and Musa's father laughed at this comedy outburst, as they each held one of Musa's hands...
...and just as Tegryn was bonding with her father, Musa was also having some quality time with her mother, chatting happily as they sat next to a cheerfully babbling stream that ran through the luscious dreamscape that had been created in her mind.
"Mom? Is it true Teggy tried to kiss you?"
Her mother giggled and blushed slightly. "Yes, but only because he thought I was you. I must say, that's one cool guy you've bagged yourself there. Heh... if I wasn't married to your father..."
"Mom! Don't even go there!"
They hugged each other, giggling like a couple of young schoolgirls. Eventually, Musa's mother pulled away and said "It's time for me to go now."
"But Mom! Please, I want to stay with you longer!"
"No dearest, it's time for you to go back. Don't worry, we'll have plenty of time to spend together, but not now - now isn't your time. There are people waiting for you, people who love you very much indeed. Can't you feel it?"
"Feel what?"
"Look at your hands."
Musa looked at her hands - they certainly didn't look any different, but they felt... warm, as though they were being touched. No, it wasn't just warmth... there was something else... love. Something, or someone, was giving a whole lot of love to her, and it made her feel good.
Musa smiled as she gave her mother one last goodbye cuddle. "I understand. Thank you Mom, you don't know how much this means to me..."
"Goodbye my dear, and remember what I said earlier - I'm a part of you. Remember that, always..."
And with that, she was gone. Musa looked around her. The whole landscape was slowly fading into a white blur, and her hands felt warmer than ever. As she gradually roused herself, she could hear a familiar voice to her right... "Hey, I think she's waking up... Musie? Musie, can you hear me?"
"Teggy?" she said, blinking, trying desperately to get her beloved into focus until finally his beaming smile and those deep blue eyes of his became clear. "Teggy! You're okay!" she screamed as she hugged him as hard as she could, doing her best to ignore her aching body.
Tegryn embraced her gently. "Easy now baby, save your strength. I'm not the only here who loves you, you know."
"Hmm? What do you mean?"
"Take a look." he replied, nodding his head towards her father. She looked over, and gasped in delight.
"Pop! Wow, this is so cool!" she said half-asleepily as she hugged him. "First I had the most wonderful dream, and then I wake up to my two favourite guys!"