Rachel woke up two days later; five days that she was unconscious. Those five days were the longest days of Tom's life.

Rachel opened her eyes and looked around. She didn't know where she was at first until she looked down. She was in a hospital. The memory of her getting shot crowded her head. She moved(or tried to). Rachel winced in pain and tried to pull her IV out. She hated those things.

Tom stopped her by putting his hand on hers. "Don't do that. That's there to help you."

"Well, I hate these bloody things." Tom had to smile; he was happy that she was alive and the first thing she had done as soon as she woke up was complained.

"How much damage did he cause?", Rachel asked him

"You have a few broken ribs. Your wound is healing fine, and you have to wear a sling on your arm. You lost a lot of blood, but I took care of that."

"What do you mean?"

"I gave you some of my blood. You needed blood, and I gave it to you."

Rachel smiled. "Thank you."

"Rachel, I'm so sorry. I should have never let you leave alone", he said in a whisper.

"Thomas Chandler, don't you dare even blame yourself for this. This isn't your fault. If it's anyone's fault, it's mine. I knew I shouldn't have went any closer. He told me that he wanted the cure because he didn't receive it earlier that day. I went closer, and now, I deeply regret it."

"Rachel, it isn't your fault. You were just trying to help. You couldn't have known it was going to happen."

"That's exactly my point, Captain. No one could have known. It isn't anyone's fault, and it's definitely not yours. Don't blame yourself."

Tom would probably blame himself until the day he died. He was just glad that she was alive.

"How long have I been out?", Rachel asked him.

"Five days."

"Five days?", she asked shocked. "I was already supposed to leave for Nebraska by now." Rachel couldn't really believe that she had been out for that long.

"Well, you can't do that right now, not for awhile. You have to take it easy. President Michener has other people taking care of it until you are able to go."

Rachel began to protest until Dr. Stevens walked in.

He introduced himself to Rachel, and she thanked him for saving her life.

"Thanks, but without Captain Chandler, you probably wouldn't be here right now. You lost so much blood. We lost you two times on the operating table. You are very lucky to be alive."

She died two times? Rachel's eyes widened. "How long do I have to stay here?"

You can leave the hospital in another two to three days as along as you are improving as well as you are now. You have to take it easy. I heard you were supposed to be helping distribute the cure, but you can't do that for awhile. I'd say give it a month, and you will be able to.

"I can't wait a month", Rachel protested. People are dying; they need me."

"We need you to be okay, Dr. Scott. I promise you that I will personally give you the all clear to go. You're far too weak to be doing anything like that. You just have to give it time."

Rachel sighed. She knew what he was saying was true, but those people didn't have time. She needed to help them.

Rachel fell asleep a little while later while Tom was sitting beside of her.

When Rachel was able to have visitors other than Tom staying with her, Tex was the first one to see her. He walked in the hospital room with a grin and a huge teddy bear and a blue balloon that had the words "Get well soon".

Rachel started laughing. This bear was about as big as Tex. "Where in the world did you get that? This thing is huge!"

"One of the crew members found it, and I took it."

"Thank you", she said while smiling.

Tex walked over to Rachel and kissed her forehead. "I'm glad you're okay." He had sadness in his eyes. He loved Rachel, and he didn't hide it. It would have killed him if she didn't make it.

"Oh, it's just a scratch", Rachel joked. "I'll be alright." That's what Tex loved about Rachel. She was stubborn, and she never let anyone know when something was wrong with her. Tex could tell that Rachel was in a lot of pain, but she was trying to hide it. She hid her feelings too much.

"You're a very strong woman, Rachel Scott."

Rachel just smiled that smile he loved.

Noticing that Tom was not in the room, Rachel asked Tex where he was.

"He probably went home, took a shower, and went to sleep. He was here the whole time with you and he never left your side. The only reason why he left today is because he knew you were going to have a lot of visitors and he knew none of us would let anything happen to you. I heard that he told the doctors to give you as much blood as you needed. Ole' Chandler almost passed out, and he still practically refused to let them stop giving you his blood."

Rachel's eyes widened. Chandler had never once left her side the entire time she was unconscious? He almost passed out to save her? Rachel knew he had to be exhausted, hungry, worried. He stayed with her all because he wanted to make sure she was okay? What a man he is, Rachel thought.

Tex continued, "I even tried to come and sit with you, and Mike too, so he could just leave for awhile. He had bags under his eyes and he hadn't really ate. He refused to leave your side. When he did, he was only gone long enough to use the bathroom. Everyone tried to get him to leave, but he wouldn't."

Rachel was surprised that Mike had offered. Their relationship started out a little rocky because he didn't trust her. It had gotten a lot better, but Mike was definitely not one of the people she talked to when she needed something. That made Rachel wonder how bad Chandler really was if Mike had offered to stay with her.

Tex sat with Rachel for a little while longer. "I better be getting back to my daughter and her new friend, Bertrise. Who knows what they could be up to. If you need anything at all, have someone come get me."

"Thank you, Tex", Rachel said. Will you tell your daughter I said hello?"

He kissed Rachel on the forehead and said "Will do."

After Tex left, Rachel got a slew of visitors. Most of the crew visited her, including Mike. Her room started to fill up with colorful balloons and cards. Rachel was so grateful to know so many amazing people. The crew had become family to her.