He couldn't bring himself to leave her bedside. He waited in case she would wake up. He watched her sleep, watched her heal, so peaceful in her rest. He paced the room, practically wearing holes in the carpet. He remained there until Eric arrived, back from his out of town business trip.

Drake couldn't fault the guy for coming in late- he wanted to, but Eric had flown in the moment he could get a plane back. After exchanging nods and one confused expression from Eric, Drake politely slipped out. He headed to the cafeteria, grabbed a bite for himself and one for Jade, and returned to the waiting area.

He slipped the candy bar into her hand, wordless. Eating his own, he tried not to look at her. Tears were streaming down her face, silent ones that came with no outward cry. Beck had her nestled into himself. He must have arrived not long ago; had Drake known he was there, he would have bought him a snack, too.

Jade's body shook as her hands turned to fists, crushing the candy bar. Beck gently removed it from her hands, putting it aside for later. She turned to Drake, fury in her features.

"You probably pushed her," she spat. "This is your fault."

Drake gripped the armrests with everything in him, desperately trying not to respond. Anger colored his face, but he held on, refusing to lash out. He knew it wasn't true. That was enough for him, though he did accept that Carly's accident was his fault.

Beck shot him an apologetic look. At least he had his head on straight.

The doctor came into the room, and all of the Carly waiting party stood up.

"I have an update on your friend." He said. "She has been stable this past 24 hours, and that is a great sign. We believe she will make a full recovery, as long as she wakes up soon."

Jade and Drake sank back into their chairs, relieved. Beck asked the doctor a few more questions before he went back to other patients. Then he joined them again, tucking his arm around Jade as she sat against him, limp.

"I didn't mean that." She spoke in a tone that could only be described as meek. "I don't think you actually pushed her. I know you loved her, once."

X

He was lucky to be in her room when she woke. Eric was there, too, and he rushed to her side as soon as her eyes fluttered open. "Hi." Her whisper was weak, but it was there.

"Hi," Eric smiled back at her. "You look great. You really gave me quite a scare."

"What happened?"

His smile faltered. "You don't remember?"

"Why do I hurt so badly?"

"Babe, you were hit by a car."

"That explains it."

"I'm just glad you're okay."

"Babe?"

"Yeah?"

"No, I mean…" her face scrunched up as she tried to think. "Why are you calling me babe?"

"Carls, we're – we're engaged."

She emitted a tiny laugh. "No, we're not. You're my friend Eric. I don't know you too well, but thanks for being here in my time of need. You're from Hollywood Arts."

Drake stood, coming closer to her bed. His worry showed, wrinkling his face.

"There's my man." Carly smiled, killing Eric just a little bit. He had the good sense to let go of her hand, choosing to not upset her rather than risk more injury due to stress. "Drake. Why does Eric think we're engaged?"

Because you are. Drake exchanged a glance with Eric, who gave the tiniest shake of his head. 'Later,' he mouthed. Drake swallowed.

"Yeah," he said, his voice shaking. "I'm your man."

X

"She doesn't remember anything?" Jade asked in disbelief.

"Nothing." Drake warned her. "She still thinks we're dating, and Eric is just a friend."

"What did Eric say?"

"He wants to go with it for now, so she doesn't freak out and hurt herself."

"I hate that, but it makes sense." Jade moaned. "This sucks. This absolutely sucks."

"I know. She's going to have to find out we broke up sooner or later."

A flash of silver, and scissors were pointed directly at his nose. "Don't you dare tell her. She went through that pain once- I won't have her do it again."

"What do you want me to do? Steal her from Eric, marry her, and lie to her the rest of our lives?"

"Absolutely not. That would make you too happy, and also, it's disgusting." Jade thought for a moment. "Just see if her memory will come back on it's own. We'll play this by ear."

Great.

X

It was too hard, pretending to date Carly. Eric shot him dirty looks when she tried to kiss him, and Drake was running out of excuses to make sure that didn't happen. He was praying her memory returned, but after she had been home a week, it didn't look like that was going to happen.

Carly crashed with Drake and Jade, seeing as her fake boyfriend and very real cousin were who she decided should help her in her time of need. It was stranger, watching her experience the home as if it was her first time seeing it, asking when and how Drake and Jade became room mates. She didn't seem to buy their story at first, despite how well-rehearsed and air tight it was, but eventually she came around. She slept in Jade's room at her insistence, since Eric never would have let it fly had she and Drake been sleeping in the same bed. Eric was ever present as well, helping his beloved heal as best as he could under the circumstances. The fake relationship was wearing on him, though, as was becoming obvious. Drake was wondering how much more either of them could take.

"Drake," Carly called from the couch on a rare night they had the house to themselves. "Come watch this movie with me."

He sat next to her at a respectable distance, but she snuggled closer to him. Resting her head on his shoulder, she curled into him, sighing happily. Her content joy melted Drake's heart. He wished, not for the first time, that it could always be this easy. He had never felt as at peace with someone as he did with her.

She looked up at him, with an expression so adorable, he couldn't help but smile down at her. She bit her lip, her eyes playful, her features so cute, he couldn't stand it. She reached up to kiss him, and he didn't stop her.

Fireworks exploded in his mind. Everything he ever loved came back to him as he melted into her. She wrapped her arms around his neck, breaking the kiss for a breath, then returning. He kept her there as long as he could, relishing her touch.

"Eric," she murmured, opening her eyes.

Then, she screamed, and Drake knew all was lost.