Everyday for a week Payne and Delia took turns watching over Melinda, making sure she ate. Payne spent the night on the sofa at Melinda's house a few nights. Jim had told him it was alright, that she shouldn't be alone.

She only left the house to go to the funeral and after that, only got out of bed to go to the bathroom, and only sat up in bed to eat the food Delia and Payne brought up.

Jim informed Payne every time he saw Gabriel or Romano collecting souls. Payne instructed Jim to stay away from Romano and not believe anything he says. Jim understood the severity of it, remembering what happened after the plane crash. Payne also assured Jim that it was a good thing no one knew about his new gift, Gabriel would come after him for it like he did Melinda, and he crossed spirits over between teaching classes and caring for Melinda.

Payne sat with Melinda often and told her that in order to see Jim she would have to let go of the grief to lift the shroud over her minds eye. She claimed that she had tried, but it was just too hard. He told her his thoughts about Gabriel collecting souls freely without her to intervene, and she would just shrug.

At the end of the week, Rick went by Melinda's house and found Jim in the living room. "I know how we might be able to help her." Said Jim.

"How?" Payne asked eager for a new approach on helping Melinda.

"Tell her to go to her quiet and relaxing place." Payne gave a quizzical look, and Jim explained it to him. "Tell her to light a bunch of white candles in the bathroom, and take a bubble bath. Tell her to relax and clear her mind of everything like she used to do."

"Umm, I don't know if I can tell her that. And how do you know it will work?"

"You will tell her to do it, and if you have to give up your secret, then oh well. I know it will work because that is what she does to come up with a solution to ghostly problems." Jim answered.

Sighing heavily, Payne conceded and headed up the stairs to Melinda's room. He didn't bother to knock, she wouldn't have answered anyway. Payne walked over to the bed, Melinda was laying on her side facing the window, her back to the door and he couldn't tell if she was sleeping or not. Payne sat on the bed close to Melinda, his back against the headboard and legs stretched out, crossed at his ankles.

He looked over at her and saw that she was awake, so he placed a hand on her arm near her shoulder and gently squeezed a couple times. Melinda took her opposite hand and placed it over Payne's hand. "Melinda." Payne called softly. "There is another thing you can do to try and get your ability back."

Melinda twisted her upper body around to face Payne. Her eyes were bloodshot and puffy, tear stained face drained of color, hair a tangled, unwashed mess, and yet he thought she looked beautiful. Her beautiful brown eyes that were full of grief asked him what was left to try.

"Soak in the tub. Light some candles. Relax and clear your mind while soaking in a bubble bath." Payne suggested per Jim.

Melinda gave a puzzled look. So Payne followed up half jokingly with, "At the very least, you'll come out not smelling so bad anymore."

Melinda glared at him, then realized he was right. A soak in the tub could be exactly what she needs to gain her gift back, see her husband one more time and then try to stop Gabriel and Romano. "Alright." Was all she answered him.

"Great. I'm cooking dinner now, so it'll be ready when you're done. Maybe you will up to eating at the table with me tonight? Delia said she may stop by too." Payne said getting off the bed.

Melinda followed suit, walking towards the bathroom she nodded and replied "Maybe."

As Payne walked downstairs he could hear water running in the tub above him. On the sofa sat Jim, leaning forward elbows on his knees. Payne sat down beside him and asked, "Shouldn't you be upstairs with Melinda?"

"I'm going to go up in a minute. Let her get settled and start relaxing first. And I wanted to talk to you." Jim answered.

"Am I in trouble?"

"No." Jim breathed. He paused to think of how to word what he wanted to say. "You care about her don't you?" Payne looked at Jim, not sure of what to say, and Jim continued. "You care about her a lot. I know you do. I've seen the way you two interact. Not just this past week either. I saw it when I was alive too."

Payne had a look of shock and guilt on his face. He thought he hid his feelings well. "You're right. I do have feelings for Melinda. Nothing happened between us though, I swear. I never asked her, and anyway she would never do that she doesn't love me, she loves you, and I could not put you both through that."

"I know nothing happened between you two. Mel didn't tell you I reached the peak of my suspiciousness and confronted her the same night she told me she's pregnant?" Jim paused a second then continued, "And she does love you, and that's ok. I'm gone, and she needs to move on eventually."

"No, she didn't tell me everything that went on between you guys, and I didn't ask. Wasn't any of my business." Payne said thoughtfully, then continued to reassure Jim, " I will take care of her. Make sure she stays safe. I will be there for her and your child."

"I know. It's just, you know, I wish I could be there for the birth. Watch 'em grow up."

"Yeah." Payne paused then asked, "Are you going to crossover tonight?"

"Maybe. If this works and she can see me to say our last goodbyes, then yeah, I will. Before they block the light completely." Jim looked sadly towards the top of the stairs. The water had turned off a few moments ago. "I guess I will go up and see her."

Payne nodded. "I hope it works for both your sakes. Be seeing ya man."

Jim stood and looked at Payne. "Yeah. Hey, don't hurt her, ok."

"Never." Payne replied, and Jim disappeared. Payne went to the kitchen to check on dinner.

OOOOOO

Meanwhile:

After Payne went downstairs, Melinda went into the bathroom and started the water to fill the tub. As water gushed from the faucet, she slowly lit the candles in the bathroom. Once the water was at a suitable level she turned the water off and climbed in. Leaning back against the tub, she felt the hot water warming her skin. It felt good. This was the best idea Rick as ever had. Melinda thought to herself as she closed her eyes and let the hot water force her to relax and clear her mind. She had the lights off in the bathroom, so the only light was from the flickering candles around her.

After a couple minutes of leaning back with her eyes closed, Melinda let herself slid down so her head went under water. She stayed under for as long as her lungs would allow before coming back up and returning to her previous position of leaning back against the tub, eyes still closed. A few minutes later, she felt a coldness across her cheek then it came to rest on her hand, which was on the side of the tub. She knew the feeling.

A/N: This story up until just past this part has been written and sitting in my computer for a while now. Wanted to post it once it was all finished, but decided against it. I will update with more chapters as soon as possible! If you've read this far, thank you soo much! Reviews are appreciated! :)