Mary knew the family would want to see Jarrod first and she hoped soon she would get a chance to see him...Victoria speaking interrupted Mary's thoughts.

"You need to go back there and see him dear," Victoria told Mary.

Mary blushed as she spoke, "I can wait till your family visits with him Mrs. Barkley."

Victoria nodded her head, "No, we have already seen him, it's your turn."

Mary knew from the way Jarrod talked about his mother it would be for the best if she didn't argue with her. "Thank you Mrs. Barkley."

Victoria smiled, "No thank you Ms. Clarke for helping Jarrod and Abby." Victoria blew out a long breath and leaned against the wall heavily.

Mary had managed to lay Abby down without waking her up and impatiently waited for the nurse. She knew she should have let the family go back first but she was being selfish and wanted to see Jarrod.

The nurse came out about thirty minutes later and Mary followed her back to Jarrod's room. She was shocked by his appearance. His face was pale and drawn; he had several marks on his face and upper chest she guessed he had gotten during the fight. He didn't have on a shirt so they were able to apply the ice in the towels and or blankets directly to his skin. She gasped when she saw the knife wound; it had to be at least six inches long.

She stood staring at him with tears streaming down her face. The nurse came behind her and said quietly, "Go talk to him, he can hear you."

Mary looked at the nurse who smiled at him and walked slowly to Jarrod. She sat beside him and gently picked up his hand. She brushed his hair out of his face as she leaned closer to him.

She spoke quietly, "You promised me and Abby you would come back to us and I am holding you to that promise. Please Jarrod you have to come back to us not only for your family but for Abby and me." Mary let the tears fall as she leaned forward and kissed Jarrod lightly on the lips.

She sat for several more minutes talking softly to Jarrod telling him about meeting his family and how brave Abby had been during all of this. She heard a noise behind her to see the doctor watching her. He smiled kindly at her and continued down the hall. Mary knew she needed to give Jarrod's family time to spend with him as well.

She stood up and once again kissed him lightly on the lips and whispered in his ear again, "Please come back to Abby and me." Mary walked out of the room and once she had gotten away from Jarrod's room she slumped to the floor and cried. She had been staying strong for Abby but after seeing Jarrod all the strength left her. The nurse sat beside her and held her as Mary sobbed openly for the first time.

Mary was finally able to regain her composure and said, "Thank you."

The nurse smiled and said, "Anytime. I can only imagine what you are going through. You're not part of the family but you have a relationship with Mr. Barkley and you're trying not to take their time from him. But he needs you just like he needs his family."

"Do you think he knows we're in there?"

The nurse smiled, "Yes I do. I also think someone needs to take Abby to see him. From what I have heard he doesn't know that animal was killed so he doesn't know if Abby is safe or not. It may not help but it certainly wouldn't hurt for Abby to see him."

"But she has already been through so much."

The nurse sighed, "I know but right now it only looks like he is sleeping and I can cover him up so she can't see his wounds."

Mary looked at her and knew she was right. "I'll have to talk to his family and Sister Catherine but I agree with you that they both need to see each other."

Mary and the nurse stood up with the nurse handing Mary a tissue to wipe her eyes.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The doctor agreed with Mary that Abby seeing Jarrod could help but it certainly wouldn't hurt. Victoria and Nick were hesitant at first but finally agreed after Sister Catherine talked to them. She explained the bond Jarrod had shared with Abby before they even left San Francisco and when she motioned to Abby who was steadily withdrawing from everyone they agreed.

Mary went to Abby and sat beside her. "Abby we need to talk honey." Abby simply looked at Mary without saying a word. "I know you want to see Jarrod and before I take you back there we need to talk." Abby's face brightened slightly when Mary mentioned her seeing Jarrod. "You know Jarrod has been hurt and right now he is sleeping so his body can recover but I think if he heard your voice that would help him a lot, don't you?"

Abby had tears forming in her eyes and asked, "is he gonna be okay?"

"The doctor is doing everything he can honey."

"Can I sit in his lap?"

Mary shook her head and said, "No you can't. But you can stand next to his bed and hold his hand while you talk to him. I just know he wants to hear your voice."

Abby looked around the room and back to Mary. "Ok." Abby got down from Mary's lap and waited for Mary to stand so they could go back to see Jarrod.

The family watched with anticipation as Abby and Mary went to the back to see Jarrod. When the nurse saw Abby and Mary she smiled widely as they walked past her.

Mary hesitated briefly before entering Jarrod's room to maintain her composure. She felt Abby tugging on her hand and followed her into Jarrod's room. Abby released Mary's hand and walked slowly to stand beside Jarrod. Mary followed Abby into Jarrod's room.

Abby just stood there frozen staring at Jarrod. It was like Ms. Mary said; he looked like he was sleeping. She put her small hand in his left hand and said, "I love you Mistah Jay." She leaned a little closer and said, "I miss you too." Mary wiped the tears from her eyes as she watched Abby. Abby shuffled her feet not sure what to say but she continued to hold his hand. "I saw Jingo and gave him his tweats today. He misses you too." Abby started crying and Mary closed her eyes as the tears started flowing again.

Jarrod heard Abby talking but it wasn't making any sense to him and why was she so upset? Why was she crying? He wanted to say something but was having trouble forming the words. His whole body ached like he had been run over by a train. And he thought he felt ice next to him but wasn't sure. He thought he heard Mary's voice and it sounded like she said it was time for them to go but he didn't want them to leave. He squeezed Abby's hand as he struggled to wake up.

Abby's eyes got wide as she shouted, "He squeezed my hand."

Mary looked at Abby and was going to say something when Abby held up her hand and it was apparent Jarrod was holding her hand. She looked at Jarrod and it seemed to her he was trying to wake up.

"Keep talking to him honey," Mary ran out of the room looking for the nurse while she called, "Where the devil is everyone at?"

The nurse and Dr. Warner appeared and Mary shouted, "I think he's trying to wake up." Mary went back into the room and joined Abby who was standing next to Jarrod.

Mary leaned down and whispered in Jarrod's ear, "If you can hear me squeeze Abby's hand," she watched as she saw his fingers move slowly.

The doctor was now watching as the nurse went to get the family. She slung the door open and blurted out, "He's waking up!"

Nick and Heath ran down the hall with Victoria, Audra and Sister Catherine right behind them.

By the time they had arrived to Jarrod's room he was responding to commands but hadn't opened his eyes yet. Victoria pushed past Nick and Heath and stood next to Mary and Abby.

It took Jarrod another few minutes before he was able to open his eyes and was surprised to see his family all in tears along with Mary and Sister Catherine. Abby just simply smiled at him, happy he was awake.