Berkeley had never driven so fast in his life. The 15 mile trip to the hospital barely took him 10 minutes. He pulled the car to the back and threw it in park, jumping out and running to the other side. Quickly and carefully he pulled Ryo out of the seat and carried him into the Emergency Room. He was covered in blood and the nurses kept trying to make sure he was alright but he waved them off. He knew Ryo was fading fast and he wasn't about to let him die.

"Hold on, Ryo." he muttered as he laid the unconscious blonde on a gurney. "You can't die on me. I know you think you don't have anything left to live for, but I don't know what I'd do if I lost you now. Please. Just hang in there." The nurses told him to stay in the waiting room and hurriedly wheeled Ryo to surgery.

XxXxXxXxXxXxX

"Ryo. Ryo. Listen to me, Ryo. You have to wake up."

"Dee? What happened? Am I dead?"

"No. You aren't dead, at least not yet. You're just unconscious right now, having a dream."

"But it seems so real."

"Well, in a way, it is real. Don't ask how it works cause I really don't know. But back to why I'm here. You need to wake up. You need to choose to live."

"I don't understand what you mean."

"Exactly what I said. If you want to live you have to choose life. You're in a coma, Ryo, and your body is dying. The only way you can get through this is by your own will power."

"But…what if I don't want to live. Things have happened. Terrible things. Things I don't want to remember but I know I will. Things that will haunt me for the rest of my life. And…well…you're here. If I die, I'll be with you again."

"True. But I want you to live. You have so much more ahead of you, so much more good to do. And there's someone else who very much wants you to live, though I don't know what I'm thinking letting you be with him."

"Who are you talking about?"

"I think you know. Besides, absence makes the heart grow fonder. You'll make it through. And I'll be watching over you every second of every day until it's your time to see me again. I said I'd never leave you, didn't I? Well that was a promise and I'm sticking to it. So I want you to live. Live for me. And live for him."

"…ok. I will."

XxXxXxXxXxXxX

Ryo's eyes fluttered open slowly. Machines beeped on either side of the bed. It was dark outside the window but he could still see the flowers and cards lining the sill. He felt a slight pressure on his hand and looked down. A pair of glasses lay on the bed next to a mess of unruly hair. He smiled a little, giving a light squeeze in return. Berkeley nearly fell off the seat in surprise.

"Ryo!" he sobbed, his eyes red and swollen from tears and lack of sleep. "You…you're awake! The doctors told me you probably wouldn't wake up for at least another week, if at all. Oh, thank god you're ok." Fresh tears streamed down his face as he hugged Ryo gently. Ryo opened his mouth but no words came out.

"Hush." Berkeley said as he put a finger to Ryo's lips. I'm going to go get a nurse, ok? I'll be back in just a second. I promise. And don't you ever scare me like that again, am I clear?" Ryo nodded solemnly. "Good." As he turned to walk out, Ryo did his best to suppress the chuckle but it came out all the same. Thank you, Dee. I still love you and I will always miss you, but I think I can move on. Thank you, so much.

XxXxXxXxXxXxX

It was four weeks later before Ryo was released from the hospital. Berkeley spent had spent every free second with him, barely even going home throughout his stay. Bikky and Carol had come by a few times every week with Drake and JJ who had agreed to watch the pair for a while.

"It feels wonderful to be home." Ryo sighed as he stepped through the door of his apartment. "Peace and quiet, my own bed, and most importantly, no more hospital food." He chuckled as he sat on the soft couch in front of the TV. Everything was just as he had left it. He picked up the small metal picture frame that sat on the coffee table and shook his head. "I suppose this should go in my keepsake drawer as well, huh?" He walked slowly into his bedroom, opening the bottom drawer of his dresser. Inside, there were pictures, clothes, and other belongings that all reminded him of Dee. Gently, he placed the picture in the drawer and closed it.

Ryo laid across the bed and stared at the ceiling, letting his memories bubble to the surface of his consciousness. He remembered the first time he met Dee and how very open he was. He remembered how JJ used to drive Dee insane by following him around all the time. He remembered their vacation of sorts when Berkeley had first come into the picture. He's really changed a lot since Dee died. I guess he really does care for people. He thought about all the silent screaming matches Dee and Berkeley would have over him and he laughed. They never seemed to get along but I guess it was just because they were so much alike. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, making Ryo nearly fall off the bed. He walked quickly to the front and peeked out the door. There stood Berkeley with a bouquet of yellow roses in hand. Huh? Roses? And my favorites too. How'd he know I liked yellow roses better than red?

"Hi, Ryo." he said as Ryo opened the door wider to let him in. "I though maybe you'd want some dinner since all you've had was that horrible hospital food. And don't worry, I have approval from your doctor for it. Besides, I'm sure you don't want to stay here all by yourself." Ryo smiled as he took the flowers and turned to walk into the kitchen.

"That sounds wonderful. But I don't have very much money. With all the time I had to take off because of my injury, I barely have enough to pay the rent, much less go out to eat. Besides, I have food here." Berkeley watched as he filled a vase with water and placed the long stems of the roses in it.

"Who said I'd let you pay for anything?" Berkeley smirked at the look of astonishment on Ryo's face. "Anyway, what kind of date would it be if I made you pay for your own dinner?" His face flushed slightly and he looked down at the floor, suddenly feeling a little less bold than he had at first. "At least, if that's ok with you…I mean, I know it's a little rushed, seeing as you just got out of the hospital. And…well…I kinda thought…um…"

"It's perfect." Ryo replied, cutting off the rest of his nervous babble. "I don't have any plans and the kids are already occupied so it's wonderful timing." He smiled, walking over to take hold of Berkeley's arm. "But you have to choose the restaurant. I hate picking so don't even ask." They both laughed and headed out the door of the apartment, arm in arm.

Woo! And so starts the romance portion of the story. Sorry for all the craziness in the beginning there. I don't know where it all came from. Insanity I tell you! INSANITY! O.o Don't ask. Lack of sleep does things to you…I mean…big time. But amazingly enough, it makes pretty good plots come to mind. :giggles hysterically: Yesh well, much fluff and stuff to come::Hey! That rhymed! XD: Oh! And sorry for the slightly ooc-ness of Berkeley. But seriously, who wouldn't get nervous asking someone as cute as Ryo out on a date? Teehee! But anyways, thanks to everyone again for the reviews. I'd love to hear more from you guys! Feel free to e-mail me suggestions for scenes and such and don't forget to give me your penname so I can give you credit for it! ttfn!