You had gone home to feed our two dogs, Apollo and Ranger. Who knows why you went onto the beach from there, but that's when things all turned to hell. There was a struggle, we could tell. Apollo bit the bastard, just so you know. I'm proud of him for trying to protect you, Eric, but it didn't help much, did it?

You must have been laying there in the sand for an hour before I got worried and went to check on you. I was so scared when I saw the dogs. They didn't look too good, but they're okay now.

They saved you, Alexx said. If they weren't there… I'm really glad you talked me into getting them.

Keys, Eric. He stabbed you with keys. I suppose he was making fun of us, but those were what helped us catch him. The keys to the case. If you were awake right now, you would get such a kick out of that.

Did you know him? Bryant Wesley. He's dead now. He shot Ryan and we had to shoot back. I killed him today, Eric. I killed the man that put you in this place, and I don't even feel bad. Does that make me a bad person?

I guess it just hasn't sunken in yet, since I'm just numb. That's not entirely true, though. I'm scared as hell. I really want you to wake up, Eric. You were right all those months ago, when you said that I couldn't live without you. Do you remember that? You chased after me and told me that I could never get rid of you…

Please tell me that wasn't a lie, Eric. Please…

When I saw you lying there, you were still awake. That killed me. You must have been in so much pain, Eric. I'm so sorry…

You told me to stop crying, remember? You couldn't say what you wanted to say, but I'm pretty sure I know what it was. Don't worry, Eric. Everything will work out alright.

If you wake up and I'm not there, it's because Alexx, Natalia, and Calleigh made me go home. They haven't done it yet, but it's almost midnight and they'll make me leave soon. If I'm not there….

Don't worry, because I love you too.

Alexx is coming this way. I hope she'll let me stay for a few more minutes. She's going to tell me to go home and sleep, but we both know I won't be able to, not with you here. You're the only thing that can keep me asleep at night, did you know that? When you're not there, I have these nightmares… They're terrible.

The doctors aren't giving you too long, but I know you. As long as there's something to live for, you'll fight to stay. I'm here, Eric, and I'm not going to leave, not for a long time. Alexx is at the door now; how can I convince her I need to stay?

"Hey. It's late, H. You need to sleep."

I shake my head forcefully, although my body is tired. "I need to stay here. Eric needs me with him," I say, squeezing your hand. I must be hallucinating because I think I feel you squeeze back.

"Eric will understand, Horatio, and he'll be here in the morning. You know he'd be angry if you stay here all night." I shake my head again.

"I'm not going anywhere, Alexx." This time I know it's real when you squeeze my hand. "Eric?" I don't bother to close my mouth when my jaw drops. Your eyes are open. I can tell you're tired as hell, but I'm just so happy that I can see your beautiful eyes.

"Alexx is right, H," you say quietly. I can hear the pain in your voice, and that hurts me too. "I'm fine, see?"

"I'm not leaving, Eric. You'll never get rid of me, either." You smile as I say that and I kiss your forehead.