It felt as if her entire existence had been erased from the world. She didn't feel like she was alive anymore. She was just… there. A breathing lump of worry, waiting outside her mother's room in the hospital… that was what she was. She didn't like it. She tried hard to remember the person she used to be, the Nicole that had gotten everyone's attention with her loud voice and bubbly statements. A thin smile slid across her face as she remembered the Nicole that had dressed so carefully every day, wearing only the cutest clothes.

She checked to see what she wearing now. The old blue whale t-shirt she was sporting didn't seem like something she would wear, or even touch, but under the circumstances, she had simply thrown on the first thing she'd seen and rushed out. And of course… she was wearing the Pants. She felt a warm sense of security when she saw the Pants with the large nail polish stain on the front. They made her feel like she could live again… maybe.

"Hey, Nicole… how are you doing?"

She glanced up wearily to see Zoey walking towards her, holding a cup of coffee. She attempted to smile, but she was sure it came out forced and twisted. Zoey sat beside her and sympathetically rubbed her back, handing her the coffee.

"Oh, Nicole, it'll be ok…" she soothed, praying that it actually would be ok and that her words wouldn't turn out to be hollow later. "You've cried your eyes out already and I'm sure you have no tears left. So drink the coffee. You need warm fluids in you. Okay?" She paused. "It'll be ok, Nicole. I promise you."

She didn't say anything. She only sipped the thick, creamy coffee and hoped that Zoey was right. A single thought buzzed through her mind as she forced the hot liquid down her throat. How can you possibly promise something like that? You don't know how things will turn out. You don't know…

She heard footsteps. Lifting her head up, she saw Quinn walking toward them, holding a bagel in one hand and a carton of milk in the other. She sat down on the other side of Nicole and handed her the bagel. "You need some food in you," she said. "Now eat up, okay?" Smiling a strained smile, she pressed the milk into Nicole's hand as well.

Everything seemed unreal. It was like a dream where time slowed down and you were trapped in one place forever. By the time Dana came over with a bar of chocolate, Nicole felt like she was drowning. She wasn't sure how much more she could take before she finally exploded. It was too much… too much…

The door to Mrs. Bristow's room swung open, startling Dana and making Quinn accidentally knock over the carton of milk. Zoey gripped on to Nicole's hand, who felt like her heart was going to run right out of her chest. She stood up and tried to find her voice. It came out strangely strangled and hoarse.

"Is she…?"

She couldn't say it. Her words got lost in her throat. Biting down on her lip, she stared at the doctor who stood before them. He smiled. There was something in his smile that told us everything we needed to know. His smile was weary, but proud. It was pleased and also amazed. And most of all, it was happy.

"She's perfectly fine," he said. "She's just resting now. You can see her in an hour or so." He smiled again before turning on his heel and walking down the polished hallway. Several other nurses and doctors walked out of the room, all of them looking satisfied.

Nicole felt like little pieces of her existence was flying back to her. She looked first at Zoey, then at Dana, and finally at Quinn. She could see her reflection in Quinn's glasses. Her face was one of utter relief and amazement.

"Oh… wow," Zoey breathed. She was still holding Nicole's hand.

Her happiness couldn't be described in words. Nicole felt as if the weight of the world had been lifted up off her shoulders and thrown into space. She felt emotion run through her, only this time, the emotions were good. They were happy. They were light and care free. She reached out and pulled her friends into a giant hug.

"You guys…" Nicole whispered into their shoulders. For the first time in a long while, her voice came out strong and confident. "She's going to be ok." A little cry came out from her throat. "Thank you for being there for me."

Dana swore and started crying again, letting her tears soak her cheeks. Quinn laughed and hugged her, tears rolling down her face as well. Zoey smiled at Nicole, a smile that seemed to say everything and more. Nicole smiled back. It was a genuine smile, one that she hadn't shown anyone in days.