Note: So when I finished the last chapter I realized I wanted more fluff…haha so I'm starting right where I left off. Hope you don't mind. And I gotta say I wouldn't refuse a bar of desserts! Thanks for the reviews as always huns. I really really really love you all. Esp. the newbies. You impress me with your longattention spans. (Is impressed by cup of cocoa and a strawberry souffle). Also I know Collins is quite talkative for all that he went through but….yeah artistic license.

Angel paused her words looking down at Collins face. His gentle eyes were slowly opening and focusing on Angel's face. His hand carefully reached for Angel's and intertwined their fingers. Angel gasped tears flowing from her eyes immediately.

"You're…you're…" She managed to say between sharp intakes of breath.

"Devilishly handsome?" Collins asked quietly his voice very hoarse. A small smile spread across his chapped lips.

Angel laughed shaking her head, "Yeah…you're that too…oh Collins." She buried her head in his shoulder and cried out of relief. He was awake.

Collins ran his hand down her back, "Shh…it's ok."

"I know. I'm happy crying…you can never tell the difference, can you?" Angel sobbed into his hospital gown. Collins thought back to their first night together and shook his head gently.

"I guess not…but it's ok baby…I'm here." He said quietly his voice still sore, "And I'm glad I woke up to such a beautiful sight." Collins said truthfully. Angel leaned up to look him in the eyes and kissed him gently.

Mark was smiling from ear to ear and stood up to talk to Collins but Peter put his hand on boy's shoulder, "C'mon." He mumbled simply pulling him towards the door. Sybil wiped away a few of her own tears and followed the boys out. She shut the door behind her wanting to give Angel and Collins some privacy.

Angel parted her lips from his only to kiss him again. She was focused on not making the kisses too long despite her own yearnings.

"You can kiss me harder you know." Collins said as they parted, "I won't break."

Angel sighed shaking her head, "Not according to the medical authorities, love."

Collins frowned but gave up knowing it wasn't smart to argue with the medical authorities, "So…how long was I out?" He asked quietly.

"Three days." Angel said squeezing his hand, "You made me worry really bad."

"Well, I know I'll pay or that one way or another." Collins smirked while Angel nodded.

"That's for sure…" She looked up at the door just realizing they were alone, "I guess they went to get the doctors...they have to check on you now." Then Collins remembered why he was in the hospital. Why he was asleep for three days. He jerked up from the bed.

"Are you ok?" He asked her quickly, "Did they hurt you?"

Angel pushed him down gently to the bed, "Calm down, lover, calm down. I'm ok. A few bones needed mending but I'm ok." She said titled her head towards the cast on her arm.

"Oh no…I should have…I should have been there." Collins said his eyes glancing up at Angel ashamed.

"No, Collins, don't you dare start doing those should have, could have, would haves." Angel warned shaking her finger in the air, "Believe me I've done them all and they didn't help me a bit. So none of that."

"Yes ma'am." Collins smirked his eyes dropping slightly.

Angel positioned herself so she was laying next to him now. She kissed his cheek gently ecstatic to see him smile in response. Over the past three days she was getting used to kissing his skin and receiving nothing in return.

"So you worried about me?" Collins asked running his thumb along her hand.

"Yes." Angel said biting her lip, "I worried a lot. I wasn't the only one though…Mark and Roger found us. And the crew has been in and out as much as they can. Mark was here earlier…"

"Has my mom been around?" Collins asked worried that she put herself into a coma from the stress.

Angel looked down and nodded slightly, "She stopped by."

Collins frowned, "She stopped by?….once? What…what happened?"

"Can we just…not talk about that right now?" Angel questioned not wanting to be the one to tell him. After all she didn't see it…Roger did. It wasn't her place.

"But Angel…she's my mother…if she disowned me then…I have a right to know." Collins said his voice getting raspier as he spoke.

Angel shook her head and kissed his neck, "No…she didn't disown you. She said that…well it was evident that she was scared for you. I think she's just…dealing with it in a different manner."

Collins wasn't satisfied by her answer, "What's going on…Angel tell me, please? If something is happening than I wouldn't want to hear it from anybody but you. So pleas,e tell me." Collins said hoping to get the news out of her.

Angel thought for a moment and then hugged Collins close, careful to avoid his wound. "I'll tell you later ok? I promise…not right now though."

"What else I miss?" Collins asked trying not to dwell on his mother. Something was up he knew it, but like Angel he didn't want to ruin their reunion. And a feeling in his stomach told him that the moment would truly be ruined if she was discussed.

Angel smiled gently, "Maureen and Joanne got back together. This afternoon actually, though they've started to give each other goo goo eyes the past few days."

Collins snorted but looked glad, "Ah. No one can stand goo goo eyes…Those girls," He shook his head knowing that they would either live together for ever or be the end of each other, "If only they didn't love each other so much."

Angel nodded squeezing his hand, "Roger…got in a fight in school. Beat this kid to high heaven supposedly. He almost got expelled…but he was pardoned. And now he's suspended until finals. Then he can come back…so he can graduate."

"That troublemaker…" Collins mumbled realizing that Roger's fight probably had something to do with himself. They would have to have a long talk. Collins always meant to have a long talk with Roger…and it never really happened. But now Collins made a vow to himself that he would talk to him…at least before they graduated.

"Yeah…and look." She leaned over giving him the envelope from The New York School of Fashion. "I got in."

Collins smiled deeply, "I heard a bit of that. Thought maybe I dreamed it…happy I didn't. Congratulations, baby." He pursed his lips and Angel came down to receive her laudatory kiss.

"I should be congratulating you as well." Angel said motioning towards the white sash that was draped over her bed. "Mark and Maureen got your graduation robes today. You're first in class, baby."

"Really?" Collins asked looking at it and then shrugging, "That's nice."

"Why aren't you excited?" Angel asked with a laugh created by Collins' lack of enthusiasm, "That's normally something that people are proud of."

"Eh." Collins mumbled with a shrug, "Not a big deal."

"Whatever you say, Thomas." Angel said not understanding how it couldn't be a big deal, but she let it go, "Now that we're done with the news update…" She leaned down dangling her lips in front of his. "You sure you can handle something a bit more intense? You do have a knife wound after all…" Angel kissed him before he could reply but he pushed away from her.

"Wait!" Collins pulled his gown up to see the size of the now stitched up wound, "Wow…I'll get a nice scar. The ladies will go wild." He flashed Angel a deep smile.

"They better not go wild!" Angel giggled smacking his shoulder very gently. "I'm the only one allowed to go wild."

"Hmmm….I can see it now. You in a loincloth." Collins raised his eyebrows at her suggestively. Angel laughed, happy to have him back…even though the morphine was apparently making him more goofy than usual. Not that she minded.

"Love you." Angel murmured her lips dangerously close again. Collins leaned up a tiny bit to kiss her.

"I love you, too."

It would be simple to say that Room 543 had never had so much activity than when Collins woke up. When the doctors finished their tests it was decided that he would be allowed more than three guests. His friends seemed to take full advantage of the fact.

"Happy Birthday!" Maureen came in with a large balloon that proclaimed the same words she just did.

"Umm…Mo. My birthday is in March." Collins pointed out raising his eyebrow at his friend.

"I know." Maureen came over and kissed his cheek, "But they didn't have any 'yay you've woken up' balloons so I got you this one…it was either this or a Barney one."

"Good choice." Roger chuckled from the corner of the room. "Though I don't know…Collins, didn't you see Barney in one of your pot induced dreams?" The rocker asked, his spirits returning with the more time he spent with Collins. He was rejuvenated. Even the event at school didn't seem to bother him now.

"Yes, and for the shake of Mark's innocent ears I will not retell the tale." Collins said kissing Joanne as she came in as well.

Angel's eyes widened, "What in the world was Barney doing to my man?" The whole room broke out into giggles. Mark hugged Collins carefully standing back with a blush.

"I heard you saved my life, man." Collins replied.

Mark shrugged scratching the back of his neck, "I had help."

"Yeah Roger helped some." Mimi said while sitting on the other side of Collins, opposite of Angel. "He stood there and looked dashing, I bet."

"Oh you better believe it." Roger said pulling her off Collins' bed and closer to him. Mimi let out a small squeak but allowed Roger to grab her. After that comment it was only fair. She snuggled up with him and planted a kiss on his chin.

Mark nodded, "Yeah, Roger helped and so did…" He paused a moment wondering if Angel had told him.

"Who?" Collins asked, "who else must I grovel to?" The kids in the room quieted down knowing the answer and assuming that Collins wouldn't like it.

Joanne cleared her throat unwilling to wait for someone else to say it, "Robbie, Collins. He called Mark and told him what was going on. If he never told Mark…."

Collins frowned, "I'd be…long dead." Angel took his hand and kissed it tenderly. He nodded to her although he couldn't manage a smile.

The next day Angel was released from the hospital. Actually, she could have been released days ago, but the doctors wouldn't dare tear her away from Collins. She was gathering her things talking quietly to a still drowsy boyfriend.

"Maybe you should go back to sleep." Angel offered slipping out of her hospital gown into sweats and a t-shirt. Her mother told her that her outfits could wait for another day in which she was not leaving a hospital.

"Nah. I'm up now…gotta see as much of you as possible." Collins said yawning, "My body is betraying my personal interests."

Angel giggled and zipped up her bag, "Poor baby. Don't you worry though. As soon as I take a shower I'm coming back to see you."

"And then you'll explain why my mom isn't around?" Collins asked out of the blue.

Angel frowned and nodded solemnly, "I will." She swung her bag over her shoulder and moved over to Collins bed. They leaned in and shared a kiss. "Love you. I'll be back."

"Love you, too." Collins replied smiling and watching her head for the door.

A figure opened the door before Angel could even grab the doorknob.

"Oh sorry…" He mumbled taking a step back so Angel could get through. But she stood there and stared at him.

"What are you doing here?" She asked coldly.

Collins pulled himself up further onto the bed so he could see the person. It was odd. Having the two of them alone in the room with him. The first and the one.

"I came to see…Collins." Robbie said quietly his eyes on the ground, not being able to look Angel in the eyes. Not after what he did to her freshman year.

Angel glanced back at Collins looking for his decision. Part of Collins wanted to tell her to escort him out but he did save his life…and Angel's in all probability.

"Let him in." Collins said nodding to Angel. She watched him for a moment before stepping aside and letting Robbie step in the room. "And Angel," Collins called out stopping her at the doorway, "Love you."

She smiled gently knowing what he meant. Nothing could take away their love, "I know." Angel murmured before closing the door behind her.

Robbie crossed his arms, still staring at the ground. The teen looked so uncomfortable Collins had to smile.

"I'm not gonna…do what ever you're scared I am." Collins said, "Sure you're an ass hole but…you did save my life…but why are you here?"

Robbie smirked his shoulders relaxing slightly, "Yeah, you're right I am an ass. Why I'm here? Is it…is it ok to say I wanted to see if you were ok?"

Collins nodded watching his ex closely, "You didn't believe the rumors? I'm sure that Ms. Lydia was calling up the whole school about my miraculous awakening."

"Oh believe me she did." Robbie replied rolling his eyes, "That girl can't shut up."

Collins chuckled, "At least we agree about that." Robbie frowned and looked back at the ground.

"We really didn't leave on good terms…you and me." He whispered as if he was afraid that Lydia was hiding in the walls with her phone in hand ready to spread the news of Robbie's sexuality.

Collins shook his head and crossed his arms, "Jock strap in the face kinda makes a person mighty bitter. And the whole you trying to beat the shit out of my friends…and me."

"I never said you don't have a right to hate me-"

"Good, cause I do." Collins said, "Then you go saving my life. Angel's life. You turn me about, Rob. Nothing ever makes any sense around you. You love me, you hate me. You love us, you hate what you are. I don't get it."

Robbie came closer to Collins' bed, "Neither do I…but…."

"Why did you come here?" Collins questioned again wanting to get to the point to spare any more heartache from his ex.

"Like I said I wanted to see if you were ok and….I wanted to say I'm sorry." Robbie said quietly, "I never was apart of the group that went after you and Angel. When they invited me, I said no."

"You wanna clear your name?" Collins asked wondering if Robbie changed at all.

"No, Tom...I…." Robbie put his hands in his pockets his shoulders shaking, "I still think about you…I do. I wish I could take it all back. And maybe we could have come out together like you said."

"I'm happy you did what you did." Collins said flatly, "Without it…I wouldn't have found my friends or Angel. It still stings…but it all worked out."

"Not for me." Robbie said shaking his head gently, "Not for me."

Collins gulped and looked away before saying, "You can't come back, Rob. You know that." He said quietly.

"I know." Robbie whispered, "I had to try it…I've never been happier…than when we were together."

Collins looked back at him confused as to how those were the good old days, "We were lying. Rob, we used to make out under the bleachers when we got a five minute break from practice. We couldn't even hold hands under the lunch table because you were too scared of getting caught. Then what we have said. Sorry Tommy my hand slipped?" Collins asked holding out his hands. "What type of a relationship is that?"

"It was ours…" Robbie murmured.

"And it was twisted." Collins answered right away, "If you want to have a good life…and I hope that you do have one…but if you wanna be happy. You have to come out, man. Or at least admit to yourself that Lydia don't get you turned on."

Robbie shook his head, "I couldn't. My father would flip!"

"Rob, he's was so drunk he couldn't tell we were having sex in the other room. I don't think he'll think much of it…as long as the beer supply comes in…" Collins said not bothering to hold back.

"That's true." Robbie sighed, "But what do I do? Walk over to Lydia and let her spread the word?"

Collins smiled, "Or you could go for the loud version and get up on a table and start singing Cher songs. If you wanna go for the flashy."

Robbie chuckled lightly, "Never was fond of her."

"Me either. Angel likes her old stuff. Makes me watch Moonstruck with her." Collins groaned, "Ah what I go through for Angel."

"You do really love him, don't you?" Robbie asked a small smile on his face.

"Oh yes." Collins replied, "Believe me…coming out was no picnic. Nor is living out. But…walking down the street with Angel's hand in mine…it makes up for it."

"I…" Robbie whispered, "I hope I find that love some day."

Collins nodded, "You will. But you have to forgive yourself first. Or better yet, realize there ain't a thing to forgive."

"Do you think I can do that?" Robbie asked looking frightened now at the prospect.

"I know you can." Collins whispered, "Now come over here and hug me…but a manly hug. Don't want anyone getting the wrong idea."

Robbie laughed and hugged Collins platonically, "Thank you." He mumbled before pulling back. With that Robbie left the room quickly.

Collins watched the door close, "You're welcome."

Next Chapter: Graduation problems and Collins is told the truth about his mother.