Chapter Ten

"I think we should get out of the hallway." Manny commented.

"There's always the family room." Toby replied.

"We passed by it when we got out of the elevators," Paige said, "it didn't look too busy."

"Okay, lets go." JT said.

"What about the others?" Manny said.

"Already ahead of you, Manny, " Paige replied, "I'll go tell Spinner."

Paige creaked the door open.

"We're going to the family room, come get us when you're done." she whispered, then closed the door again.

"Off we go," she said.

Paige led the way, and Toby followed, with his hands in his pockets, staring blankly at the ground that shined. He wondered how they kept the floors so clean when people were being rushed in and out of beds, and family members walked in and out of rooms to visit. He was uncomfortable in the hospital, it smelt like death, which was far from soothing in his current state.

Behind him, JT grabbed Manny's hand shyly. Manny blushed as she tightened her fingers around his. JT boyishly smiled at her, and she easily leaned her side into him. She looked up at him and smiled. He kissed her softly. With her face nearly inches away from his as they parted, he smiled and noticed his reflection in her eyes amongst the twinkling hospital lights.

"JT, slow down," Manny giggled, "where are we going?"

"You'll see, come on!" JT shouted, as he pulled on her hand.

JT sprang ahead and Manny struggled to keep up.

"We're almost there!" JT exclaimed, and burst through a series of wild bushes.

"Wow." Manny exclaimed and they stopped running.

He had brought her to a cliff looking out over a big valley, and at the current hour, the sun was beginning to set and fade across the sky.

"And I of course," JT said, putting down his bag, "brought provisions."

He smiled at Manny, then took out a couple blankets and a thermos.

"You can't enjoy a sunset with blankets and coffee, or so I've been told." JT joked.

Manny laughed, and walked up next to him.

"You're silly." she teased.

"But you love me anyway." he replied, and kissed her.

"You shouldn't be so sure." Manny giggled.

"Then, may I ask," JT said, wrapping his arms around her, "why in the heck are you here with me?"

"Why don't you tell me?" Manny joked back.

JT swept a piece of hair away from Manny's face.

"Something tells me I don't need to."

JT grabbed a blanket and spread it out on the ground, then sat down on it. Manny joined him as she sat down in between JT's legs and covered herself with the blanket. JT kissed the top of Manny's head, and worked his way down to her neck. She smiled and twisted her body.

"Stop it." she said, laughing.

JT smiled and kissed her, then returned to watching the sky. They were almost awe-struck by how beautiful it was that night, then JT spoke.

"Worth the drive?" he asked.

"So worth it." Manny said, turning into him, as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.