Kyle's mind was racing as he paced outside Rachel's hospital room. He was terribly worried as to why Rachel was still unconscious. He was trying to hold on to the hope she would wake up soon.
"Kyle!" The sound his name being called, broke his thoughts. He looked to see Tessa rushing towards him, with Mariah close behind.
"How's Rachel?" Tessa said, in a panic, "Is she okay?"
"What are you two doing here?" Kyle said.
"We came to check on Rachel," Tessa said.
"She's still unconscious," Kyle said, "I appreciate you coming down here, but there's nothing anyone can do for now."
"We can be here for you," Mariah said. Surveying his bruise and bandage, she said, "Are you sure you're okay?"
"It looks worse than it is," Kyle said.
"I doubt that," Mariah said, "What happened tonight?"
"We were out for the evening, we were on our way home and a car ran us off the road, caused us to crash," Kyle sighed.
"Someone did this on purpose?" Mariah said, "Who does that?"
"Do you know who it was?" Tessa said.
"No, it was too dark and it all happened so fast to tell who was driving the other car," Kyle said.
"Is Rachel going to be okay?" Tessa said.
"I really hope so," Kyle said, "The doctor can't promise me that she will. We have to wait to see when she comes around."
Mariah could see the worry in Kyle's eyes and hear his voice breaking. "Okay," Mariah said, "Why don't we go and get a coffee, talk a walk."
"No," Kyle said, "I can't leave her. I only came out of her room, because the nurse was checking on her."
"Why don't you two go for that coffee," Tessa prompted, "I'll stay with her. I would like to visit with her anyway."
"There you see, Tessa will stay, so Rachel won't be alone," Mariah said, "It will be fine."
"It just doesn't feel right to walk away," Kyle said.
"You need to take care of yourself," Mariah said, "You were in that accident too. You should take a breather."
"Okay," Kyle agreed, "A quick break ."
Tessa walked into Rachel's room, pausing when she saw the bruises and how still Rachel was, as she lay unconscious. Sitting at her bedside, Tessa sighed, "Rachel." Tessa reached over and stroked the hair across Rachel's forehead. Taking her hand she said, "This should not have happened to you. I want you to listen to me. You need to wake up, you hear? You have a wedding to plan. Kyle is here and he's worried sick about you. So am I. Just open your eyes okay? Please Rachel…"
Walking the hallway with Kyle, Mariah said, "I've never seen you so quiet."
"I feel like I can hardly think straight," Kyle said.
"I know this is hard," Mariah said, "But you have to stay positive. It may not seem like it, but it hasn't been that long."
"The doctor doesn't seem to think so," Kyle said, "He's concerned that she has not woken up yet. If the doctor isn't certain if she will be okay, that scares me."
"Rachel is going to be fine," Mariah said, "She is far too excited about marrying you to let unconsciousness stand in her way." She gave Kyle a little smile.
Kyle half smiled. "She doesn't let anything get in her way," he said.
"That's right," Mariah said, "She is going to come back to you."
"It just makes me think," Kyle said, "I don't know what I would do if anything happened to her."
"I know," Mariah said, rubbing one of his shoulders, "Let's talk about something more productive. Do you have any idea who could have done this?"
"That's the frustrating part," Kyle said, "I can not think of anyone. Maybe it was a random thing and the other driver was getting a kick out of it. I talked to the police, not that I had much information for them to go on."
"Sometimes, the police can come up with clues, we wouldn't think of," Mariah said.
"They better find out who did this, before I do," Kyle said, "If I get to him first, I won't be responsible for my actions."
"Plotting revenge is not going to help the situation," Mariah said.
"I won't let this person get away with it," Kyle said, "He could have killed us both."
"You have not argued with anyone lately?" Mariah said, "Had a disagreement?"
"No," Kyle said, "Well…no."
"I saw that," Mariah said, "You thought of someone."
"You mentioned disagreements," Kyle said, "Summer interrupted our date tonight and Rachel was rude right back to her."
"What was Summer doing there?" Mariah said.
"Believe it or not she seemed to be on a date with Fen," Kyle said.
"Why would Fen give her the time of day?" Mariah said.
"I think he really likes her," Kyle said.
"Do you think Summer would do something like run you off the road?" Mariah said.
"I know her, she wouldn't do that," Kyle said.
"She is not happy about your engagement," Mariah said, "Jealousy can make you do some crazy things."
"Summer might not like my fiancé, but I don't believe she would make a conscious decision to hurt me," Kyle said, "It has to be someone else."
Tessa sat quietly by Rachel, holding her hand, she caressed the back of it with her thumb. "This isn't right," Tessa said, "This is not supposed to happen to you. You don't deserve to be hurt like this. I know this isn't Kyle's fault. Then again maybe it is. It's because of him you were on the road tonight." Tessa paused before she said, "Sorry, that was the wrong thing to say. Kyle only wanted to give you a romantic evening. He seems good at that when it comes to you. You have many more of them coming your way, but you have to wake up first."
Mariah quietly pushed to door open, as Tessa said, "Please Rachel. I need you. Next to Mariah, you are my very best friend. I can't lose you. You mean too much to me." Tessa closed her eyes as she gave Rachel's hand a lingering kiss.
Mariah quietly slipped out of the doorway. Standing in the hallway, she looked back at the hospital room, as an uneasy feeling crept over her.
Tessa sighed and said, "I'm sure Kyle will be back any minute." She stood up, turning away from Rachel, when she heard a small sound. Spinning back around and rushing back to her side, she said, "Rachel?"
Rachel quietly moaned again, as she moved a few fingers. "Can you hear me?" Tessa said.
Approaching Mariah, Kyle said, "What are you doing standing out here? I thought you were going in to see her."
"I decided to wait for Tessa to finish up," Mariah said.
Kyle took a few steps towards the room, backtracking when he saw concern in Mariah's face. "Are you alright?"
"Of course," Mariah nodded.
"Rachel?"
Kyle and Mariah were both alarmed to hear Tessa loudly call her name. They rushed into the room. "What is it?" Kyle said.
"I was just about to come find you," Tessa said, excited, "I think she's waking up!"
"Rachel?" Kyle said. He rushed to her side, his urgency forcing Tessa to step away.
"Can you hear me?" Kyle said, stroking her cheek. Rachel sighed a deep breath as she stirred. "Come on baby, that's it," Kyle said, "It's okay, I'm here."
Rachel gave a small moan, her eyes fluttering open, focusing on Kyle, who smiled at her. "Hey…" he said, holding her hand, "I'm so glad your finally awake."
Tessa smiled as she stepped closer to the bed. "It sure is," she said, relief in her voice.
"I'm going to get the doctor," Mariah said, promptly leaving the room.
"Kyle?" Rachel quietly said.
"Yeah, it's me," Kyle said, "You are in the hospital, but now you're awake, you are going to be okay."
"What happened?" Rachel groggily said.
"We can talk about that later," Kyle said, "Right now you need to rest."
"But you're hurt," Rachel said, noticing Kyle's bruises.
"I'm fine," Kyle said, "It's not so bad as it looks. It's more important that you are okay."
"There was a car," Rachel said, her thoughts becoming clearer, "Did it hit us?"
"Yes," Kyle said, "But I don't want you to worry about that now." Kyle looked to his side, noticing that Tessa had slipped out. He leaned back to look out the window of the door.
"What is it?" Rachel said.
"Tessa and Mariah were here," Kyle said, "Tessa was beside herself with worry."
"You were worried about me too," Rachel said.
"Of course," Kyle said, "I was scared something worse was wrong with you."
"I'm okay," Rachel said, "You can stop worrying."
"Not a chance," Kyle said, "Not until you are out of this hospital and back home where you belong."
"Wow, I didn't realize it was so late," Summer said, as she checked her phone.
"Time to go?" Fen said.
"I think so," Summer said, standing up.
Scurrying out of his seat, Fen said, "Can I give you a ride?"
"Thanks," Summer said, "But I have my car."
"Of course you do," Fen said, "Can I walk you?"
Summer smiled. "You can," she said. Stepping close to Fen, she said, "I have to admit, I had a good time with you tonight."
"I enjoyed it too," Fen said, "Would you like to go on a date with me?"
"Isn't that what this was?" Summer said.
"A proper date," Fen said, "Where I pick you up and we go somewhere special."
"I can't wait," Summer said.
They both stood close together, each unsure if they should kiss the other. Fen took the initiative, giving Summer a kiss on her cheek. Even though she had been expecting a kiss on the lips, Summer smiled, as she realized, she appreciated the respect.
"Ready?," Fen said.
"I forgot my purse," Summer said, gesturing to their seats.
"I'll get it," Fen said, stepping away.
As Summer watched Fen, she became aware that she felt differently about him than she had in the past. She could sense the attraction and had he always been so handsome?
Fen walked back to her, about to hand her purse back, when Summer surprised him with a hug. Fen was more than willing to hug her back. Was this really happening? Was Summer falling for him the way he had with her?
"What was that for?" Fen said.
"I just wanted to thank you for rescuing me from myself," Summer said.
"I'm not sure what that means," Fen said.
"For tonight," Summer said, "I very much like being with you."
Fen smiled, handing Summer back her purse, he said, "Let's go."
"Okay," Summer smiled. Taking his offered hand, they left the coffeehouse together.
"Thank goodness, everything is going to be okay," Tessa said, as she entered the apartment.
Following her in and shutting the door, Mariah said, "It's good."
"It was so touch and go, but Rachel pulled through," Tessa said.
"That didn't take long," Mariah said.
"What?" Tessa said.
"Home less than a minute before you mentioned her name," Mariah said.
"What are you talking about?" Tessa said.
"Nothing," Mariah sighed.
"Is something wrong?" Tessa said, "You barely said a word on the way home. I know how upsetting our friend's accident was, but we got the good word that Rachel's okay. Which is such relief that she…"
"Tessa, just stop it," Mariah said, cutting her off.
"Excuse me?" Tessa said.
"Non-stop talking about your friend," Mariah said, rubbing her forehead.
"I was concerned," Tessa said.
"I know," Mariah said, "You are always concerned about her."
"It's called being a friend," Tessa said.
"No, with you it's more than that," Mariah said, "Tell me, how long?"
"I don't understand," Tessa said.
"How long have you been having an affair with Rachel?" Mariah said.
Tessa stared at Mariah. "Is that what you think?" she said.
"I don't hear you denying it," Mariah said.
Tessa gave a frustrated laugh, as she said, "I can't believe you asked me that. Nothing could be further from the truth. Rachel does not date women. In case you've forgotten she is engaged to the man she loves."
"Then what is it?" Mariah said, "Something happened between you two."
"I don't know what makes you think that," Tessa said.
"Let's see," Mariah said, "You are always so overly concerned with her. You overreact every time she has good news or is in a bad situation. You are first to defend her and you always talk about her. So, I'll ask you again, what is with you two?"
"Nothing," Tessa said.
"You were both friends, then you had all this tension between you, before you became friends again," Mariah said, "What is going on?"
"Mariah, I…" Tessa said.
"Just tell me the truth!" Mariah demanded.
"I kissed her!" Tessa hollered back. Mariah stared at her in disbelief.
"You're staring,' Rachel said, as Kyle sat at her bedside.
"I can't help it," Kyle said, "I waited for those beautiful eyes to open and now they are."
"Which means I will be okay," Rachel said, "So you can go home and get some rest."
"No way," Kyle said.
"I love you for wanting to stay, but Kyle, that looks really painful," Rachel said, reaching towards his bruised cheek, being careful not to touch, "You need to rest too."
Kyle took her hand and said, "Wild horses could not drag me away from you right now."
"You're injured," Rachel said.
"I'll survive," Kyle said, "If I went home and left you here though, I'm not so sure."
"You are being over dramatic," Rachel said.
"I am being your fiancé," Kyle said, "Who happens to love you very much." He gently kissed her cheek.
"I love you very much too," Rachel said.
Kyle moved in for a real kiss, but pulled back, when he saw the nurse enter the room.
"The patient is supposed to be resting," the nurse said.
"Sorry," Kyle said, "I can't help myself, where she's concerned."
"Kyle…" Rachel slightly laughed.
After the nurse checked Rachel's progress, Rachel said, "Am I going to make it?"
"You are doing just fine," the nurse said.
"Can I go home then?" Rachel said.
"You're staying with us tonight," the nurse said.
"I feel much better now," Rachel said.
"You have a mild concussion," Kyle said, "We are not taking any chances."
"I believe, young man, that you were told to go home and rest," the nurse said, addressing Kyle.
"I am right where I need to be," Kyle said.
The nurse examined, Kyle's bruise and said, "I'll get you some ice for that."
"Can he get some pain reliever too?" Rachel said.
"Baby, it's okay," Kyle said.
"I'll see what I can do," the nurse smiled.
"Thank you," Kyle said.
"You look so tired," Rachel said, "Have you had any sleep since the accident?"
"Nope," Kyle said, "How could I?"
"Then please go," Rachel said, "I feel bad that you are waiting here because of me. You need sleep."
"Okay," Kyle said standing up, "Compromise." Kyle kicked off his shoes and climbed onto the bed next to Rachel.
"What are you doing?" Rachel said.
"Making us both feel better," Kyle said, adjusting to lie next to her.
"We are going to get in trouble," Rachel said
"My middle name," Kyle smiled, as he kissed her.
Lying on his side, Kyle took Rachel's hand as she rested her head against him. The nurse returned to the room, ice pack in hand. She sighed when she saw the two of them together and walked over to put a stop to it. Reaching the bedside she realized both were sound asleep. Slightly shaking her head the nurse smiled. She left the room, quietly closing the door behind her.
"You did what?" Mariah said.
"Let me explain," Tessa said.
"You say you kissed Rachel," Mariah said, pacing the room, "What does that mean? What kind of kiss?"
"It was on the lips," Tessa said.
"So it was a real one," Mariah said, "I knew it. I should have seen it coming. The attention you pay to her the closeness you have with her."
"You have it all wrong," Tessa said, "Our closeness is what I want."
"But it's not the same thing!" Mariah said, "Whether or not it was impulsive, you must have had feelings for Rachel to kiss her."
"I did," Tessa said, "But I swear, now the only feelings I have for her are those of a close friend."
"Really?" Mariah said, "Because at the hospital it sounded like more than that."
"I'm not sure what you mean," Tessa said.
"I heard you," Mariah said, "What you said at Rachel's beside. How much she means to you, how much you need her, how you can't lose her. Those are the words of a close friend alright. Very close."
"You were spying on my private conversation?" Tessa said.
"I came to see if you were ready to go," Mariah said, "You were too busy pouring your heart out, to notice me."
"My friend was unconscious from a serious accident," Tessa said, "I was imploring her to wake up and to be okay. I said those things because as a friend she does mean a lot to me and I don't want to lose her. I don't know why you're making this into something it's not."
"It wasn't what you said, it was the way you said it," Mariah said, "The tone of your voice, the look in your eyes…the way you kissed her hand. The tone when you speak to me, the way you look at me and when you kiss me, that's how I know you love me. Tonight, you were letting Rachel know you love her. Maybe you don't even realize it, but you do love her."
"Not the way I love you," Tessa said, "Please believe me, you are the only one in my heart."
"Then why didn't you tell me about the kiss?" Mariah said.
"I don't know," Tessa said, "I didn't want to upset you. I was confused as to why I let it happen. The Rachel and I got past it and that's where I left it. In the past."
"No, that's not it," Mariah said, "You didn't trust me. Not enough to be honest with me."
"I do trust you," Tessa said, "More than I have ever trusted anyone."
"I wish I could believe you," Mariah said.
"I promise you that it will never happen again," Tessa said, "I promised the same thing to Rachel and to Kyle."
"Kyle knows about this?" Mariah said.
"Rachel told him," Tessa said, "She was freaked out about it and Kyle warned me not to do that to her again."
"So everyone knew but me," Mariah said, "I am such a fool."
"No, of course you're not," Tessa said, "Please don't get so upset. It's not such a big deal."
"It is to me," Mariah said, grabbing her purse and heading for the door.
"Where are you going?" Tessa said.
Opening the door Mariah said, "I can't be around you right now." She left shutting the door hard behind her.