:Chapter 18:

I lay there, feeling the highest high possible. I looked down and saw Susannah, sleeping soundly. Her features looked even more beautiful than usual, as they were caressed by moonlight. Her breathing was calm and steady, finally lolling me off to sleep. The last thing I remember before drifting off was picturing Susannah in a gorgeous white, wedding gown. Slowly she strolled down the aisle of a grand church on the arm of her step-father, Andy. Her smile was brilliant, and entrancing, just like it always has been. But not only was her smile amazing, all of her was. Susannah had a glow to her, and that glow made her look angelic. It was the glow of happiness my mother had told me that women in love give off on their wedding day. I had made Susannah happy; I was the reason she was glowing. This was my last thought, on the best night of my life.

&&&

Slowly my eyes fluttered open. The sunlight was practically blinding, and I had to look away from the window. I looked around and realized, for the second night in a row, that I was not in my own room. I recognized the room as the guest room of my cousin's apartment; the room he promises will be mine after high school. I relaxed in the familiar surrounding and noticed a head of silky, chestnut hair, resting on my chest. Last night's festivities flooded me all at once, and I'm positive my grin could have blinded someone.

As quietly as I could, I kissed the top of Susannah's head, and crawled out of bed. I settled Susannah back onto the bed as gently as I possibly could, and covered her with the blankets. Next I had to find clothes. I opened the top dresser drawer, and pulled out a pair of clean boxers, and an undershirt. The next drawer had t-shirts, and then I scrambled over to the closet and grabbed a pair of black jeans.

A glance back at Susannah's sleeping form, and I rushed to the bathroom. I washed my face, brushed my teeth, and shaved, hoping desperately that Susannah would not wake up. Once I was all washed up, I tip-toed to the kitchen and raided the refrigerator. My cousin had a gallon of spoiled orange juice, something foul smelling in a green Tupperware, and coffee creamer. 'So coffee it is.' I hurriedly made a fresh pot of coffee, and then grabbed the phone from its plastic cradle. I went over to the other part of the apartment, known as my cousin's side, and called the only person I knew who could help me out in this situation, and on such short notice.

&&&

"You owe me SO bad for this. Oh and Father Dominic says that you should call him later" he said when I answered the door, about twenty minutes after getting off the phone.

"I know, I know. Thank you for coming through on this" I replied, in a whisper, and grabbed the white bag Adam held out for me.

"You know I'm risking suspension for ditching school, not to mention some serious grounding time if my parents find out" Adam added.

"Yeah, but that's never stopped you before" I teased, "CeeCee's waiting in the car, isn't she?"

Adam just smirked and asked, "So, who's eating with you?"

"Oh, Susannah…she's coming over in a few minutes, so could you…you know, go" I responded.

Adam chuckled, and nodded his head. "You know, Suze didn't show up at school today, but you wouldn't know anything about that would you?"

Now it was my turn to smirk. "I wish" I answered.

"Yeah, I hear ya. Well, I'll just get going so Suze doesn't see us and invite us up" Adam said, turning to leave.

"Jesse? Hmm…is that food, I smell?" Susannah asked, walking out from the bedroom. My jaw literally dropped at the sight of her. She had wrapped the sheet around herself, and pulled her hair into a messy bun, yet…she was stunning. I quickly shut the door, and locked it so Adam wouldn't even think of trying to get in.

"Yeah, breakfast. Hungry?" I questioned, walking over to her.

"Starving" she answered happily. I gently kissed her cheek, and set the food down on the counter.

"I thought a 'proper morning greeting' entailed more than a kiss on the cheek" she said smirking.

"Normally it does, but today I think we can wa-"

"Didn't I tell you to unite her with the ring!" Mrs. de Silva screamed, materializing onto a barstool.

"Uh, not you again; no offense but every time you show up, I end up in some sticky situation with Paul" Susannah sighed.

"You've seen her?" I asked Susannah.

"Yeah, twice and every tim-" she said.

"Okay, can we skip this little catching up thing beca-wait, why are you talking nicely to Jesse?" Mrs. de Silva snapped at Susannah.

Susannah in return eyed the female spirit curiously and responded, "We found a better way to beat Paul's scheme."

"You slept together!" Mrs. de Silva wailed. "Jesse, is gonna have a heart attack; no he's gonna kill this him, and then have a heart attack" she mumbled anxiously.

"I told you last night" I reminded the distraught woman.

"But I didn't think you two would actually go through with it!" she exclaimed.

"Last night?" Susannah asked, her right eyebrow rising inquisitively.

"When I was getting the…protection, she showed up" I explained.

"Sore?" Mrs. de Silva questioned Susannah.

"Yeah, like a bitch" Susannah answered, and then blushed when she looked at me.

"Sorry" I whispered to Susannah.

"It was worth it" she said smiling up at me. I smiled back and pulled her towards me, wrapping her protectively in my arms.

"Alright, way to make a pregnant woman feel awkward; so I'm gonna head out, and catch up with you two later. See ya around" Mrs. de Silva said before shimmering away.

"So you want to eat first, or I could draw you a warm bath…?" I asked Susannah.

"Depends" she answered.

"On…?"

"Are you going to join me? I need someone to wash my back" Susannah replied, pouting.

I smiled, and happily carried her off to the bathroom.

&&&

"This is by far, the best bath I have ever taken" I told Susannah as we relaxed across from each other. She ran her toes against my outer thigh, smiling bright when she noticed this tickled me.

"Are you…ticklish?" Susannah asked, with fake astonishment.

"Maybe…but not as much as you are" I said before capturing Susannah under me, and tickling her sides. She squirmed as best she could, but couldn't stop laughing.

"Okay, okay, you win" she giggled out. I stopped tickling her and smiled happily down at her. "Was that so difficult to admit?"

"Yes, I personally am not a fan of losing" she sighed, "but I bet there's one thing I can beat you at."

&&&

"Okay, you win at that, but tickling is my victory" I panted as Susannah and I fell back onto the mattress for about the third time.

"Deal" she replied equally out of breath.

"We should probably eat soon; we have to keep our strength up" I said, my breathing returning to its normal rhythm.

"For more of this, or for getting rid of Paul?" Susannah asked playfully.

"Both" I answered, smiling mischievously. Susannah smiled and cuddled closer to me. As she laid her head on my chest I tucked a few stray locks of chestnut hair behind her ear, and wrapped her up in my arms.

"I don't know how to explain what I'm feeling right now, without sounding really stupid" she murmured, lifting her head and gazing into my eyes.

I must have made an odd face, because Susannah smiled in a reassuring way before continuing.

"Don't get me wrong, the sex is incredible, but the whole after part seems so much better. I mean, you just hold me, and we just know how great what we just did was; without even saying anything. It's kind of like the sex is the part where we get to physically connect, and the after part is where we can emotionally connect. Does that make sense?"

"Yes, it makes perfect sense, and that didn't make you sound stupid, querida" I assured her and kissed her hair. Susannah, however, reached up and pecked my lips. I don't know how to really describe it, but it was in the simplicity of that brief kiss, that I knew life couldn't better than right then at that moment.

"You wanna eat now?" Susannah asked, stretching.

"Yeah, just let me put on some clothes" I said, getting up.

"Now why would you do a crazy thing like that?" she questioned, smirking.

"Querida, I have to get dressed. I, unlike you, don't pull off a sheet very well."

"You're right, you look much better without the sheet" Susannah replied getting up and taking the sheet with her. Carefully she wrapped the sheet around herself and then grabbed my arm, pulling me after her as she went out in the kitchen. Luckily I was able to snatch my boxers before leaving the bedroom, and when we reached the kitchen I pulled them on.

"What's in the bag?" Susannah asked, turning to face me. When she noticed the boxers she stuck her tongue out at me and muttered "spoil sport."

"I ordered breakfast for us. I hope you like pancakes" I said, unpacking the containers of food.

"With strawberries and whipped cream on top?" Susannah asked.

"Yeah, I had them put the strawberries on the side, just in case you didn't like it" I answered, opening the two largest containers. Inside each container was three pancakes, with strawberries and whipped cream in separate containers.

"Well, aren't you Mr. Prepared?" Susannah joked, "Just like those boy scouts."

"And you would know about the boy scouts being prepared, how?" I teased.

"Some of my friends used to be boy scouts although I'm sure you know more about the boy scouts than I do" she countered.

"Me?" I asked, trying not to blush.

"Yes you; CeeCee told me about how cute you and Adam used to look in your little uniforms. Troop 817, was it?" she asked mockingly.

"816" I corrected her, blushing.

She gave me a big smile and came around the counter to my side.

"I wanna help" she cheered, still smiling.

"Querida, I'm just reheating breakfast. Why don't you get us two plates and forks. Oh, and I made a fresh pot of coffee, if you want" I replied, kissing the top of her head.

"Okay" she said, skipping over to the cabinets and searching for utensils.

Once the food was done, and the table set, Susannah and I sat down to eat. Sitting beside her, eating, and talking about whatever came to mind was perfect. Occasionally we would feed each other pieces of pancake or strawberries, and Susannah would dab some whipped cream on my face, then kiss or lick it off. I never knew breakfast could be so much fun.

&&&

"So what are we doing today?" Susannah asked emerging from the steamy bathroom. I know I've seen her naked, but seeing her in that small towel was kind of exciting me. I cleared my throat to hopefully clear my mind of those naughty thoughts.

"Umm…we could just hang around here today. Maybe devise a plan of action for tomorrow" I answered.

"Why don't we just go after Paul today?" Susannah inquired.

"Well, I…are you really up to it? …we could just relax…you know, if you're still…uhh…sore" I managed to mumble.

"Jesse, I'm fine really. Plus, how hard could it be to defeat Paul now?" she replied.

"Harder than you think" Slater said shimmering into view by the bedroom door. Casually he leant against the door frame, eyeing Susannah.

"Querida, why don't you go get dressed in the bathroom" I said handing Susannah her overnight bag.

"Jesse, I can handle-"

"After you get dressed, we can handle Slater. I'll keep him occupied" I interrupted her, gently pushing her back towards the bathroom.

"I thought you would budge I would argue, but since I know you better than that, I'll get dressed. Just promise you'll wait for me" she pleaded.

"I promise, now go get dressed" I said, kissing her forehead and closing the bathroom door.

"Slater what do you want?" I hissed.

"Well isn't this a cozy scene?" he said smirking, "you and Suze must be pretty comfortable with each other. Her showering here and all."

I smirked and replied "Yes, we are; the closet two people can get."

"Well, I doubt that, I mean really, brothers and sisters aren't as close as lovers" he scoffed.

"Okay, let's do this this" Susannah said emerging from the bathroom fully dressed. She came and stood beside me, sending Slater a menacing glare. I know now was the time to being checking out my girlfriend, but I couldn't help myself. Susannah was wearing a denim mini skirt and a low cut, black and green polka dotted halter top. And being a lot taller than Susannah, I was able to get a peek down her top and see a little bit of her black bra. I couldn't help but let a little smile creep onto my face, and I guess Susannah noticed the slightly naughty gleam in my eye. She very casually smiled back at me and mentally chimed "Would you at least wait until he leaves. At least then we can do as we please, where we please."

I must have started grinning because Slater sent me a hateful glare before turning his attention back to Susannah.

"Why are you two so chummy? Did I miss something?" he snapped.

"Nope, nothing too big" Susannah insinuated, poking me in my side with her elbow. I tried not blush, really I did, but Slater realized something was happening right in front of him, and he didn't have a clue as to what it might be, so he gave me another evil glance.

"So, I hear you two figured out what's going on, and plan on defeating me, as Suze so eloquently put it" Slater said with a cocky air.

"Well, we kind of have a plan" Susannah suggested.

"Querida, why are you telling Paul this? I thought I very thoroughly cleansed you of all Slater control."

"You did, I'm just toying with him. You know how much I enjoy torturing him; let me have some fun."

"Fine, but don't make me have to stop you."

"Alright."

"And what exactly does this plan of yours' involve?" Slater asked.

"Well…some rope…duct tape…"

"Wow Suze I know you liked weird things but I never took you for the bondage type. That's alright though, I'm up for kinky stuff" he interrupted.

I started towards him, but Susannah held me back. "Jesse, he's just trying to get to you, don't give him that satisfaction. Besides, he's not worth it."

"Wow, letting a girl control you, that's a new low, even for you de Silva" Slater said smirking.

"It's better than forcing a girl to like you, when you know she despises you, and loves someone else" I snapped.

"Think what you want de Silva, but after one of my kisses Suze was throwing herself at me. I doubt you could even imagine what that's like."

"Paul either cut it out right now, or be prepared for some lunch" Susannah said. Both Slater and I looked at her questioningly.

"Really, what exactly are we having? Cause you know, I'm in the mood for some youandmeaction and maybe some loseitdeSilva" he said, another over confident smirk appearing on his face.

Susannah made a disgusted face and then plowed her fist into his nose. "I was thinking more along the lines of a knuckle sandwich" she teased.

Slater must have been caught completely off guard because he fell to floor cupping his now bleeding nose. "You bitch! You fucking broke my nose! You broke my nose!" he wailed.

"Watch your mouth, Slater" I warned.

"It wouldn't be the first time" Mrs. de Silva happily cheered, shimmering onto the bed.

"Holy crap, now's there's two of you! What the hell is going on!" Slater cried. We all just ignored him and Susannah and I stepped closer to Mrs. de Silva.

"Okay, Jesse go get the ring. Suze, you and I need to chat" she said sternly. Susannah winced at her tone but nodded her head in acknowledgement. I eyed the spirit suspiciously, taking a protective step closer to Susannah.

"What part of go get the ring don't you understand?" hissed Mrs. de Silva.

After a quick glance at Susannah, I quickly ran out to the living room where I last remembered seeing the ring box, and frantically searched the area near the barstools. About ten minutes later I finally found the tiny black velvet box under the edge of the carpet from the living room, and then went back to the bedroom. Only when I got there Susannah was lying face down on the floor and Paul was no where to be seen. Mrs. de Silva had somehow vanished as well, but all that wasn't registering in my mind. The only thing I could think of was rushing to Susannah.

Carefully I flipped her onto her back, and then checked her breathing. She had blood on her lips and in her mouth, but her breathing was steady and strong. Her pulse however was speeding. I tried waking her but she seemed to be unconscious. Then her breathing became labored and I quickly grabbed the cordless on the night stand.

"911 what is your emergency?" a friendly sounding woman asked.

"I need an ambulance, my girlfriend is hurt! Her pulse is racing and she not breathing very well" I hurried out.

"Is she conscious?" the woman questioned typing quickly.

"No, she's not responding. Please hurry, I don't know what's wrong" I pleaded, feeling a tingle in the corner of my eyes.

"Okay I traced your address, but I need to know what building and apartment number you're in sweetie" she said.

"Building A, apartment number 48" I prattled, clutching Susannah's hand like my life depended on it.

"Okay an ambulance is on its way, I'm going to stay on the line with you until they get there alright."

"Thank you, how long will it be before they arrive?" I quickly blurted nervously.

"Five to ten minutes; don't worry. Is there any change in her condition? Is she bleeding anywhere?" the operator asked calmly.

"No her breathing is still wheezy, but yeah she has blood in her mouth and on her lips" I answered.

"Does she have a cut on her lips? Or is the blood from inside her mouth?" she questioned.

"I…I don't know, let me check" I said gently wiping the blood from Susannah's lips. She had a cut on her lower lip, and blood was slowly trickling out of it. "She has a cut on her lower lip, but it won't stop bleeding."

"That's okay, when the paramedics arrive they'll either bandage it up or see if it needs stitches" she replied.

"I hear the ambulance" I told the operator.

"Okay well when they get up to your apartment I'll get off the phone with you" she informed me.

"Okay" I said.

About a minute or so later, two paramedics knocked on the front door and I ran to open the door for them. The operator, true to her word, reassured me that everything would be alright and then said to tell the paramedics what had happened, before hanging up.

They quickly asked me questions about Susannah, like had she been drinking, was she allergic to any medications, and how long had it been since I found her like this. I answered their questions, hoping they could tell me what was wrong with Susannah, but they just examined her and then loaded her onto a gurney.

"We're gonna rush her to the hospital, she should have responded by now, and her breathing is becoming ragged and inconsistent" one of the EMTs said, rolling the gurney towards the door.

"Can I go with her, or do I have to follow?" I asked anxiously.

"You can ride in the back with her. Are you family or friend?" he questioned.

"Umm…friend" I answered.

"Boyfriend, I'm assuming" he replied, helping the other EMT rush Susannah down the stairs.

"Yeah" I affirmed, following behind Susannah's gurney.

When we reached outside the EMTs loaded Susannah and then allowed me to get in. I held her hand to whole way to the hospital, reassuring her that everything would be fine, and that there was no reason to worry about anything because the EMTs were trying their hardest to help her. I tried sending her mental messages, but she wasn't responding, which worried me even more.

The hospital admitted Susannah at 3:17 PM, but didn't allow me to see her until a little after five o'clock. During the time I was waiting I called Susannah's house and explained to David what had happened. He said that his brothers weren't home and probably wouldn't be until either late that night or early the next morning, so could I keep him updated on Susannah's condition. I offered to pick him up so he could see Susannah, but he said that he had to stay home in case his parents called to check in. He also thanked me for watching out for his sister, and told me I was nice guy. The last part confused me slightly, but I was happy to be making a good impression on someone in Susannah's family, even under these circumstances.

The second I was allowed to see Susannah I rushed into the room, only what I saw didn't ease my stress about all this. Susannah la y there on the white hospital bed, hooked up to numerous machines which were busy beeping and whirring. She looked so pale and I dare say, lifeless like that. Slowly I inched towards her bed, and gazed down at her. I couldn't see the cut on her lip because of the tube that was taped into her mouth, but somehow that didn't bother me. The fact that there was a tube down Susannah's throat was making me queasy, but when I realized that the tube was probably connected to a machine that was breathing for mi querida I started crying.

I couldn't help but let the tears stream down my face. How could I not cry at a time like this? My querida was laying in a hospital bed, while a machine breathed for her; and I was going to find out why.

'Slater had to have done this. My question was why. Did he really hate losing Susannah so much, that he would rather she die, than be with me? How could he do that? What kind of monster would do this someone they supposedly loved? No one, that's who. Because anyone who loves someone knows, that they would rather that person be happy with someone else, than miserable with them. This was some sick plan that Slater thought up, only thinking of himself. Didn't he realize that Susannah was being hurt! I would rather, as much as it might pain me, see Susannah with Slater, than connected to all these machines, suffering and struggling, even to breathe for herself.'

I plopped myself down onto the hard plastic chair beside Susannah's bed and carefully clutched her ice cold hand.

"Excuse me, young man, are you a relative or friend of the patient?" an older looking nurse asked from the doorway.

I looked up to the woman, after wiping away the tear stains from my face and said "Yes ma'm, I'm her boyfriend."

"Were you the one that found her?" she questioned.

"Yes, I came with her in the ambulance" I answered politely.

"Well, the police are here and they'd like to talk to you" she said apologetically, as two policemen appeared behind her.

"Oh, alright, thank you. But may inquire as to Susannah's condition? No one has told me anything since she was first admitted" I replied.

"Yes, after the nice policemen leave, we can discuss the patient" she said smiling kindly.

"Susannah" I mumbled.

"I'm sorry dear, what was that?" she asked.

"Susannah. You said the patient; her name is Susannah, but she goes by Suze" I said looking at the woman. She had kind eyes. Eyes like my mother.

She sent me a warm smile and said "Susannah. Well, Susannah is very lucky to have such a kind young gentleman as yourself watching out for her. I'll come check on Susannah in a few minutes, and then we can talk about what's going on with her treatment."

I nodded my head and watched as she strolled away, and the two officers stepped inside the room.

They looked awfully familiar, and they too seemed to be trying to place me.

"Have we arrested you before?" asked officer Kircher.

"No sir, but I think we've met" I answered, "did you break up a fight between my girlfriend and Paul Slater this past Monday?"

"Yeah…you must be pretty pissed off about that. Wait, did that Paul punk have something to do with this?"

"I believe so sir. He was with us right before this happened" I explained, motioning towards Susannah, "but…I went into the other room to look for something, and when I got back I found Susannah face down on the carpet."

"What were you two doing with the kid that attacked her?" asked the other officer; Officer Ruiz.

"We were getting cleaned up, when he just appeared out of nowhere" I recounted.

"Okay so we got this kid for at least breaking and entering, plus suspected assault" said officer Kircher.

"Is that enough to arrest him and keep him in jail, at least until we can nail him for the assault?" I asked.

"Son, with the assault charges from Monday, and the breaking and entering we can keep him for at least a couple days. And if we get the assault charge we can arrest him and have him in court by the end of the month" answered Officer Ruiz.

"You're Hector "Jesse" de Silva, correct?" asked officer Kircher, after flipping through his little notepad.

"Yes, sir."

"Then what may I ask were you doing in the apartment of Diego Moreno?" asked Officer Ruiz.

"Diego is my cousin. He's studying abroad for a semester and he lets me stay whenever I like" I replied.

"Alright well, do you remember hearing anything after you left the room? How long were out of the room for?" officer Kircher interrogated.

"No sir, I didn't even hear Susannah fall. But I must have been out for about ten minutes, maybe less."

"Well, I think we have enough here to at least bring this Slater punk in for questioning. If we can get him confess, though, things will be a lot easier, not only for us but for him" said Officer Ruiz, closing his notepad and sticking it back into its holder on his belt.

"Thank you for your cooperation Mr. de Silva, we appreciate it, really, but we have one more question to ask you" the officers said, looking at each other and then back at me.

"Alright" I muttered.

"Are you and the victim sexually active?" asked officer Kircher.

"Umm…y-yes sir" I sputtered.

"And when was the last time you two…had relations?" asked Officer Ruiz, struggling to find the right words.

"Well, this morning, actually" I mumbled, blushing "Why do you ask?"

"Well, when she was admitted the doctor that examined her found vaginal penetration and trace amounts of semen on her inner thigh. We were just wondering if it was possible that her attacker also raped her. But thank you for answering honestly, I know it can be embarrassing to discuss your personal relationship with a complete stranger, let alone a cop" explained the officers.

"Wait, you said that the doctor found semen on her inner thighs. But Susannah showered just right before her attack" I snapped angrily.

"Son, sometimes it takes more than a little soap and water to get that stuff off, but if you'd like we can do a DNA test, just to be sure" said Officer Ruiz, obviously trying to reassure me.

"I think, maybe just to be on the safe side" I murmured, holding Susannah's hand tighter in mine.

"Alright, well we'll send out someone from our forensics department later. Will you be here?" asked officer Kircher.

"I'm not leaving her side until she's released" I stated.

"Okay, well we'll stop by if we need anything else" they said stepping back towards the door.

"Oh, actually there's one more small thing we need" said Officer Ruiz, "we have access to your cousin's apartment because it's now a crime scene, but what is it you went to get from the other room, that took you ten minutes?"

"My grandmother's engagement ring. I had left it in the living room, and I went to go get it so I could give it to Susannah after Slater left. Plus I wanted to be sure he didn't try and steal it" I replied.

They nodded their heads and then stepped out of the room. I turned my attention back to mi querida, and noticed her cheeks were flushed. I squeezed her hand and mentally tried to talk to her.

"Querida, can you hear me?"

"Ouch! Wh-Jesse?" she answered.

"Oh, Susannah. Are you alright? Why aren't you waking up?"

"Jesse-Owh!-I've been better, as you can tell, but I'm alive and breathing" she chimed.

"Susannah, you're alive, yes, but a machine is practically breathing for you. You are not okay! Now, why aren't you waking up?" I huffed.

"A machine? Jesse, where am I? I can't see anything.; all I see is black. And you're the only thing I can hear" she stammered.

"Querida, but get upset. I need you to focus on waking up and getting back to me. These past few hours have been a living nightmare. I need you back here with me" I said, holding back tears.

"I've been out for hours? Jesse, I don't know how to wake up. I thought this was up" she choked out, sounding like she was trying desperately not to cry.

"Susannah you're at the hospital, connected to more machines than I can count. Please just wake up. I've been so worried."

"Okay, okay…I can do this. Wait…am I bruised up?" she asked.

"A little, I mean your eye is turning purple, am your lip is cut, but that's it. Querida, don't worry about what you look like right now, worry about waking up."

"Ouch!" she screamed.

"What? What's wrong?" I asked.

"I think I'm waking up, but it hurts so bad" she wailed, but to me it sounded like a whisper.

"I know it hurts, but I need you to keep trying. Just focus. Can you feel me holding your hand?"

"I…I think so. OWH! Oh, mother of god!"

"Querida, everything will be alright. Just wake up, please" I pleaded.

But only mental silence answered me.

"Querida! Susannah, are you alright?"

I heard an odd gasp like noise, beside me and I snapped my head towards Susannah. Her eyelids were awkwardly fluttering, and her skin was showing color again.

I yelled for a nurse and a few seconds later the same older woman rushed into the room. "What is it, what's wrong?"

"Look" I said.

"Oh my word. Let me get the doctor" she said before racing out of the room.

"Querida?" I asked.

Another gasp like noise came out of her, but it sounded painful. Then her eyes popped open and she released another painful sounding gasp. Quickly she scanned the room and when her eyes landed on me I couldn't help but smile. Her eyes looked panicked, though, and I sensed something was wrong.

"Oh my god, she's awake" exclaimed a doctor walking through the door, "What happened?"

"She started making this weird gasping noise, and then her eyes opened. She's been looking around for a while, but she still keeps making that gasping sound" I informed him.

"Because of the tube down her throat; she's trying to breathe on her own, and the tube is still providing oxygen for her" he said carefully peeling the tape from Susannah's mouth and slowly pulling the tube out from her throat. I tried not to gag, but seeing that long tube being pulled out from Susannah's mouth was making me queasy.

Once he had removed the tube he watched Susannah and took out a little penlight. "Miss Simon, I'm Dr. Rogers. You're at the Carmel Valley Hospital. Can you blink twice for me?"

Susannah blinked her eyes twice and then looked over at me. Her hand, which had just a few minutes ago felt limp and light as a feather, was now tightly holding my own. I sent her the best smile I could summon and stroked the back of the hand with my thumb.

"Well, apparently she recognizes you, that's always a good sign" said Dr. Rogers, "Now Susannah I want you to relax and try not to talk for awhile; you're throat is probably still sore from the breathing tube. I'll have the nurse bring you some fluids, but until further notice, I don't want you scarfing down any cheese burgers, okay?"

Susannah gave him a small smile and nodded her head, quickly turning back to me.

"Querida, are you alright?" I asked.

She nodded her head, and tried to sit up, but Dr. Rogers stopped her, "Relax, okay. I need to check some of the machines and then examine you before you can go sitting up. Who's what you'll do after that; maybe even turn over."

Susannah sent him a polite smile, but then turned her head back to me and sent me an annoyed look. "Geez, pedophile much."

I laughed and gently kissed her hand, "He's just trying to do his job querida."

"Well he can do his job just fine without trying to flirt with me. And you're right there! What a freak!"

"Are you still in pain?" I asked after smiling.

"Yeah, but not as much. That breathing tube hurt like a mofo!"

"Yes, but it was the only thing keeping you alive for awhile" I chimed.

Susannah didn't say anything but stuck her tongue out at me, and smiled.

"Well that's not very nice" teased Dr. Rogers, "be nice to your relative, or they won't send you flowers."

"Uhh…I'm not related to Susannah; I'm her boyfriend" I said.

Dr. Rogers looked shocked, and then looked to Susannah. She happily smiled and nodded her head. After that the doctor hurriedly finished examining Susannah and then said he had to go check on his other patients.

"Told you he was pedophile."

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Sorry it took so long for me to update, hope you enjoyed.-Lauren