Everyone was gathered in my room making me feel like an invalid. No matter how many times I assured them that I was fine, they still were worried. The doctor Josh had located had diagnosed me with a severe anxiety attack and given me a prescription to take and ordered me to get plenty of rest.

"How are you feeling?" Colin asked, not for the first time.

"No better or worse than the last time you asked," I sighed. "I really would be able to get some rest if all of you would go about your vacation and stop sitting in here staring at me."

"Fine," he said quietly. "You heard her, everyone."

I was insanely relieved as one by one they filed out of my room and left me in peace. Josh and Ginny were two of the last to go. Ginny hadn't let me out of her sight since the accident. She was in full on mother mode. It never ceased to amaze me how our roles in the show spilled into our everyday lives.

Colin remained sitting beside me on the bed. The time for our date had come and gone and I felt horribly guilty. After everything that had happened with Lance, I had been really looking forward to some time with Colin. But I guess the fates were set against us.

"Are you going to tell me what happened?" he asked softly.

"What do you mean?" I asked. "Hasn't Josh told the story enough times?"

"No, I wasn't talking about that story," he said. "I mean what were you doing before that? What had you so stressed and worried that you had an anxiety attack?"

"Well I suppose I have to tell you sometime," I replied with a small smile. "My ex-boyfriend is in Hawaii practically stalking me. He called for a ride from the airport. He wanted to stay with me because apparently he can't process that we're not together. I dropped him at a hotel."

"That would've been something important to tell me," Colin said with a laugh.

"You're not mad?" I asked.

"I would've preferred that you told me sooner rather than later, but it's not your fault that he's here," Colin said with a shrug. "And you aren't at his hotel right now sleeping with him so I don't think you're going to go running back to him."

"Right you are," I smirked. "It would take a lot more than his begging to get me to take back that cheating loser."

"Glad to hear it," he said as he leaned in and kissed me.

"Did Jared have fun with you guys today?"

"Yeah he had the time of his life," Colin laughed. "But unfortunately, his mother has to cut their stay short. Her migraines have gotten increasingly worse and she needs to get back to her doctor in L.A."

"Oh no!" I gasped. "And there's probably no way that she would let Jared and Taylor stay here without her."

"I know. Jared's pretty bummed about it. I had to promise him some serious partying when we all get back to the set," Colin shared.

"I can't even imagine how disappointed he is," I sighed.

"Well I better let you get some rest, love," he said, starting to get up.

"No, please, stay here," I said. "I don't want you to leave."

"Okay," he replied.

He settled down on the bed and I curled up next to him. My body may have been tired but my mind was whirling a thousand thoughts a minute. By the time I fell asleep I had decided to fly back to L.A. with Jared and his family tomorrow.

I shared my plan with Colin when we woke up the next morning.

"Let me fly back with you then," he said firmly.

"No, you need to enjoy your vacation!" I insisted. "I just need some rest and relaxation before we get back to filming. And I need to get away from Lance. Because I doubt he's going to just head home because I told him to."

"I can get rid of Lance," Colin protested. "And wouldn't you get more rest here?"

"Don't worry about it, Colin," I said. "This is the easiest way."

"Can I at least drive you to the airport?"

"Yes, of course."

He watched me as I packed my bags. I was hoping to slip out quietly to avoid 20 questions from everyone else in the house. The last thing I wanted to do was explain to all of them about Lance and his stalkerish behavior.

When I was ready, Colin carried my bags down to the car. I joined him about a minute afterwards.

"Josh is going to pick up Jared, Taylor, and Trish and take them to catch their flight."

"Is that a 'we're leaving now' then?" I asked.

Colin nodded. "We'll probably see them there."

But we didn't. Colin saw me to the gate and wave good-bye, promising to call. And I continued on to board my flight. I caught a glimpse of Jared and his family sitting near the front of the plane, but I didn't disturb them. As soon as the plane was in the air, I turned my phone back on and found a text from Colin.

Colin: I miss you like crazy already. I can't guarantee that I won't hop on a plane and join you in L.A. in the next week and a half. This vacation won't be the same without you.

Jennifer: I'm sure you'll get along a lot better than you think you will. Elizabeth's arriving today or tomorrow right? She'll be my replacement.

Colin: I can't cuddle with her. Hence, she's not your replacement.

Jennifer: You'll survive. It'll be good practice for you. You won't be around me every single day for the rest of your life.

Colin: We'll see.

I leaned back and managed a small nap by the time our flight landed in LAX. And then I was one of the first people out of the airport and into a rental car that was waiting for me. It had been a couple months since I'd been in my L.A. house. I'd been too busy filming in Canada and on my time off, I had been too lazy to come back, choosing instead to stay and enjoy the sights.

When I unlocked the door and stepped inside, I was anything but relaxed. The house was in perfect order, thanks to my hired housekeeper. I just couldn't stand the loneliness. This was the first time in a long time that I'd really been alone. No one down the hall to run to if I needed to talk. No one knocking on my door to take me to lunch. No one to drop by unexpectedly to hang out. If I was being perfectly honest, I missed Colin most of all. I'd grown used to having him around, as a friend if nothing else.

So I called him.

"Miss me already?" he asked.

"I know I told you to enjoy your vacation," I said slowly. "But were you serious about coming to L.A.?"

"I'll be on the next flight. I think I have your address in my phone still. Don't go too crazy without me."

"No promises," I laughed. "And hurry."

I threw my phone on my bed in frustration and a second later, I joined it. Despite my nap on the plane, I was still tired. It wasn't until the doorbell rang, who knows how long afterwards, that I woke up and stumbled downstairs.

I flung the door open and jumped into Colin's arms.

"Wow," he chuckled. "If that's the reaction I get when we're apart for a little while, I'll have to do it more often."

"Please don't," I said softly.

He carried me inside and shut the door.

"Thank you for coming."