A/N: Okay, okay, I am sorry! I've just had a hectic week and haven't had time to really sit down and write. I have, however, been working on it in my head so it won't take too long to type it up. Sorry for the wait!
Disclaimer: I don't own 'em…if I did I'd take over the world haha!…um …yeah, that's never gonna happen…
Collins paced back and forth in the hallway, trying to come up with something to say when he saw Angel. But nothing was coming, he couldn't vocalize his thoughts. He hoped his love wasn't in pain, emotionally that is. He knew they'd give him something for whatever physical pain he was in, but Collins wasn't an idiot. He knew that you couldn't get away from an experience like this without mental scars. Though he wanted to believe that his love would be fine, he knew that Angel would never be quite the same; there are some things that just change you. His feet kept leading him back and forth, back and forth. There was nothing for it. He didn't know what to say, he would just trudge on into the room and hope that something would come to him. Just at that moment, the door to Angel's room opened and Benny's head popped out, "He wants to see you." He said, simply. Collins opened his mouth to say something but found that his throat to was too dry so he just nodded instead and stepped towards the door, slowly. When he reached it, his head drooped; he looked down at his feet as they crossed the threshold. He was filled with a sudden sensation of dread. He didn't want to look up at the bed, which he knew was only a couple of feet away from him. He could hear the beeps and whirs of the machines that Angel was hooked up to; he could sense every eye upon him. Finally, with a deep breath, he looked up. Tears immediately surged into his eyes and he had to hold back a sob. Angel was sitting up, propped up against pillows, IVs sticking out of his arms, his skin was deathly pale, and his face was expressionless. His dark eyes were shocks of color against the stark whiteness of his flesh. Mark, who had been standing next to Angel, holding his hand, suddenly backed away, feeling like he was in the middle of a western quick draw. Angel and Collins stared at each other for what seemed like ages before Angel's eyes abruptly filled with tears, his face contorted and he began to sob uncontrollably. Collins let out a cry and ran to his love's side and held him. There were no words, just emotions as they held each other, crying, staring into each others eyes, and murmuring hushed words of love and forgiveness. Mark and Benny stood, awkwardly , in the background, taking in the sight. Finally the lovers' tears stopped flowing and the sobs subsided and the couple just looked at each other, each cupping their loves face. Collins had never felt such a wave of relief in his life, ever. He was just glad he had his Angel back in his arms and that he could be there for him. He pressed his forehead to Angels and kissed him softly. Angel grinned, wide, his eyes shimmering, his cheeks flushed with some color making him look ten times better then he had when Collins first stepped into the room.
Mark smiled to himself as he watched the lovers embrace. He felt the sudden urge to applaud but he fought it, it would ruin this moment. He bet that if Mimi of Maureen were here, they'd be giving a standing ovation and begging for an encore. He turned to see Benny who was staring up at the ceiling, obviously uncomfortable. "Hey man. You okay?" he asked, nudging him with his shoulder.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Its just that I feel like I'm interrupting something…"
Collins t turned around, wiping tears from his eyes, laughing. "Hey, sorry guys," he said, still laughing, "relationships, always a pain in the ass, right?" Angel scowled and hit his arm but then immediately started smiling and laughing again. Mark smiled and nodded, "If you guys want to be alone," he said "Me and Benny can go get some coffee." Collins nodded, "Yeah, go ahead if you want."
"Wait." Angel put his hand on Collins chest. "I want to talk to Benny for a moment." Mark and Collins (in unison) looked at Angel then turned their heads to look at Benny then turned back to Angel again. "If that's okay?…" Angel said, looking at Benny. "Yeah…" Benny said, slowly nodding his head.
Collins raised an eyebrow. "O-okay." He kissed Angels hair and walked away, not taking his eyes off Angel until he had to, he was a little reluctant to leave his side. Mark followed him out and they waited outside in the hallway. Collins thought this situation odd, he knew that Angel never really liked Benny, ever since Benny and Mimi were dating and he (Benny) threw her out, literally, on her as when she'd gotten her HIV results. Mimi had told Collins that, when she'd shown up on Angel's doorstep, telling him what had happened and asking for a place to stay, Angel was seriously about to go and kick the shit out of Benny. Mimi stopped him from doing so, of course. Angel had never talked bad about him, but sometimes when Benny was around you could tell Angel wanted to yell at him for hurting his best friend, no matter how old the offense was. After about five minutes of musing on this, Benny walked out of the room, a grin tugging at his lips. "I'm gonna be headin' home now guys, take care. Let me know how Angel's doing later." Mark nodded and said he was going to do the same. Collins promised he would keep them updated and they said their goodbyes.
Back in the room, Angel leaned back against his pillows, smiling, happy to have been surrounded by good company, and, hey, he'd made a new friend. His smile grew even wider as Collins timidly stepped into the room. He made his way for the chair that sat beside Angel's bed but Angel shook his head, "Nuh-uh" he said, scooting over to make some room, "You're sleeping in this thing with me, professor." Collins was only too happy to oblige.
They drifted off to sleep, wrapped in a comfortable embrace. It should've been a peaceful sleep for both of them; unfortunately one of them was tossing and turning in his sleep. Angel was having dreams of dark alleyways, rough hands, and cold, steel gray eyes. He could feel the attacker's arms around his middle, smell his rancid breath, and hear his breathy, unfeeling words. Angel awoke; sweat shimmering on his forehead, shaking. His abrupt return to consciousness failed to rouse his boyfriend; Angel stared down at him, thankful that he was here even if he was asleep, just his presence was comforting. He shook his head, trying to rid his thoughts of the dream, which was actually a memory of what had happened he supposed. He leaned down and kissed Collins cheek, a silent thank you, and snuggled into his lover's strong arms. the dreams wouldn't last long, he figured, they'd have to expire, and this wouldn't affect him in anyway once he got out of the hospital. He'd just go back to sleep and have dreams about sugarplums and pixies and everything would just go back to normal. How very wrong he was.
A/N: Urk…is this a good chapter? It's a two o'clock in the morning thing. Couldn't sleep because the guilt of not posting anything for more than a week was killing me! Oh, please review! And tell truth, wonderful readers! Much love!