"I... I..." Jed weakly cried out as he sank to the floor in a heap. He sat with tears cascading down his face and onto his beard, as he pulled his legs closer to his chest. "S-She's right."
"J-Jed?" Diane turned around and stared daggers at the accused murderer.
However, he ignored the anger radiating from Typhon's Process Manager and focused his eyesight on the battered and bloodied young woman in front of him. "I-I'm no hero." Jed wiped away his tears with the back of his hand. "I abandoned people to die, because of my selfish g-greed."
Through his tears-stained eyes, his attention drifted from Alex to Diane. "I was too ashamed to come forward and confess, so I turned to Typhon. They helped to cover up the other deaths. The people I left behind just... disappeared without a trace. Then the survivors that tried to speak up were... I dealt with. Just like I tried to do with Alex."
A small smile settled across Jed as his eyes drifted over towards his last target. "Should've known you'd survive and find out what really happened. First time I laid eyes on you, I knew that you were strong and driven to find the truth about Gabe's death."
Jed then turned his attention to everyone in inside the bar. First to his long-time friend Duckie, then followed by Charlotte, Eleanor, Deputy Sheriff Pike, Steph.
"I'm so sorry. I took advantage of you all. Lied to you all. Betrayed your kindness."
His attention then finally turned to his son, Ryan. "Ryan, I'm so sorry." Jed spoke softly to his son as he stood up from the floor. He moved over to his son but was stopped by the Sheriff.
Ryan however turned away from his father and left the bar. Duckie chased after him. Though before he left, there was nothing but disgust on Ryan's face. Jed lowered his head ashamed of his actions.
"Sorry, Jed... But I have to do this." Sheriff Pike walked over towards Diane and Jed produced handcuffs for them both. "I'll have to take you in for questioning as well, Diane. Talk about what's on this flash drive."
While Diane resisted at first but relented as she glanced at Alex and noticed the rough shape, she's in... Because of the situation Typhon had a hand in covering up.
Jed on the other hand was willing from the get-go.
With the pair now in handcuffs, Sheriff Pike read them their rights and escorted them out of the bar. But not before Jed took one last look at his establishment and glanced at Alex.
He mouthed 'I'm sorry' as the door closed behind the large group.
The silence was deafening as the truth laid bare to most of the Haven Springs Community members. Though for one individual it felt like a great weight had finally lift from her shoulders.
"It... It's finally... over..." Alex breathed out, though her eyes grew unfocused, and her legs grew unsteady.
Before her vision completely darkened. "ALEX!" Alex heard a voice call out to her, but her head was swirling away and couldn't hear make out who the voice belonged to.
. . .
. . .
. . .
* Beep* * Beep* *Beep* *Beep* *Beep*
The constant beeping from Alex's rate monitor was the only sign that Steph knew that Alex was alive.
Her Alex.
When Alex collapsed it had taken everyone by surprise, but honestly with how the doctor said she had a bullet wound in her shoulder, as well as a few broken bones, it's a miracle how she managed to get to the Black Lantern from the mine shaft. It had taken a while for the Doctors to extract the bullet from Alex's shoulder as she laid in the ICU, as well as perform other tests to ensure she doesn't have any internal bleeding or haemorrhaging.
Thankfully, apart from the few broken bones and a mild concussion, Alex was going to be fine. That was a relief to hear to Alex's little close family she's made in Haven.
As soon as the Doctors discharged Alex from the ICU and moved her to a room in one of the wards, Steph never left her side.
Steph hadn't moved from her seat, next to Alex since the doctors gave her the ok to see her. She held onto Alex's hand waiting for her to wake up.
It was well into the afternoon and Steph had just woken up from a nap. Her eyes darted to Alex, but there was no change for Alex.
Steph sat up and interlocked her fingers with Alex's right hand, while the back of Steph's left hand gently stroked Alex's cheek.
I wish I could've been there and do... something. It's killing me seeing you like this, and I can't do anything but wait for you to wake up.
Steph was about to lean forward and press her lips onto Alex's forehead, when she heard a knock-on Alex's door. Steph panicked and quickly sat back in the chair and retracted her hand from Alex's, just in time as Ryan and Charlotte walked in.
Charlotte holding a bunch of balloons, each one decorated to have 'Get Well Soon, Alex' written on them. Ryan carried a huge display of flowers over his shoulders that were made from everyone in Haven Springs but took extra precautions not to let drop them.
Charlotte was silent as she walked over towards Steph. She placed a hand on the Radio Host's shoulder. Charlotte's eyes drifted over to Alex and then to Steph as she couldn't take her eyes off Alex.
"Hey, she's going to be alright. She walked all the way from the mineshaft to the Black Lantern. She's strong." A soft smile appeared on Charlotte's face as Steph's attention was drawn to Charlotte. "All Chen's are."
Ryan pulled up two chairs and set one next to Steph on Alex's right, while the other on her left.
Steph nodded her head as she let out a small sigh. "Yeah, you're right. I just... worry about her. She told Ryan and I what she went through growing up in Orphanages. We just wanted to help her fit in. Become friends with her."
Steph's eyes then drifted over towards Alex, and she had to fight off the urge to intertwine her own fingers with Alex's.
Not now... Not with Charlotte here.
Thankfully, Ryan noticed Steph's nearly slip up and acted to help out his friend. "I uh... why don't you go and stretch your legs. We can watch over Alex, till you get back."
Steph nodded her head shakily. "Y-Yeah." She took one more glance at Alex, before standing up from her chair.
Though before she could move towards the door, the three heard a groan coming from the bed's occupant.
"Hmm..."
"Alex!"
Hearing this Steph forgot all about leaving the room and ran back to the chair next to Alex. Ryan and Charlotte looked towards Alex and noticed that she tried to sit herself up in the bed, and that she could barely keep her eyes open.
She still looked incredibly weak but was pushing herself to stay awake for her friends. Her family.
"Alex you ned to rest." Charlotte said pushing lightly on Alex's left shoulder.
Alex relented as soon as her barely open eyes contacted Charlotte's. A small smile on her face. "Char..."
A small smirk and a look of relief washed over Ryan as he saw his friend was now finally awake and responsive. "Told you she'll try and get up. Can't keep a Chen down."
Alex's eyes raised as she recognised Ryan's voice. "Ryan... I-I'm sorry." Alex whispered an apology. Not able to speak any louder.
"Hey, it's fine." Ryan spoke softly with a small smile. However, that smile quickly dipped into a frown instantaneously as he lowered his head. "Actually, I'm not fine. Believing in him for so long. Thinking he was some kind of hero. But it was all lies."
Ryan raised his head; however, the frown was still there. "It'll take time, but I'll eventually be alright."
Alex moved her hand and weakly placed it on top of Ryan's. A teasing smirk settled over Ryan as he wiggled his eyebrows at Steph.
"Does this count as cheating, or are you cool with this?" Ryan teased, though he winced in pain as Steph punched his shoulder.
"Shut it you dork."
The mock fight between the two, caused a smile to spread across Charlotte and a weak smirk of her own. Though before the playful fight could drag on, Charlotte pinched Ryan's ear and dragged him to his feet.
"Come along you, let's leave them with some alone time." Charlotte winked at the two causing them both to blush as Charlotte managed to successfully drag Ryan out of the room with him in pain.
"Remind me to never get on Charlotte's bad side." Steph spoke as her hand drifted next to Alex's hand, but not touching it.
"No... kidding." Alex sighed as she pushed herself and this time managed to do it successfully.
"Slowly!" Steph guided Alex and moved her pillow, so she can sit up properly. Steph gazed at Alex, and noted that something was missing, until it hit her. "Wait a minute." Steph reached to the cabinet to the side of Alex's hospital bed and grabbed Alex's glasses and placed them on her.
"There... beautiful." Steph said causing Alex to blush a deep tone of scarlet.
Alex nervously smiled and tried her best to avoid Steph's gaze. Steph, however moved her hand and placed it under Alex's chin and tilted her head towards her.
"I'm so fucking glad you're okay." Steph spoke as she leaned in closer to Alex and rested her head against hers. "I was so worried. When I saw you collapsed I.. I..." Tears spilt down Steph's face.
Alex shakily moved her hand and wiped away Steph's tears and then cupped her cheek. "I know and I'm so sorry. But I promise that from now on, we'll be together from now on."
Steph wiped away more of her tears as she chuckled. "After that kiss on your roof, you're not getting rid of me."
A small smile appeared on Alex's face as she pulled Steph close into a kiss. Steph was careful not to hurt Alex or agitate her injuries in any way.
The two pushed themselves apart to catch their breaths and returned to lay their foreheads against each other.
"I wouldn't dream of ever leaving you, Steph Gingrich."
"Neither would I, Alex Chen."