Salutations! I'm updating now sooooooo . . . there weren't that many swear words, but people still hate Alejandro. (sighs) Just so you know there will be a sequel to this story. Okay? Okay.

I own nothing. The Almighty Larson owns it all.

Angel was officially about to lose it. She and her parents had been sitting in the waiting room of the hospital for 30 minutes. 30 agonizing minutes. Every time she saw a doctor, Angel wanted to shake information out of them. She needed to know what was happening to Collins. After another 15 minutes, a doctor finally came out of Collins' room.

"Party for Thomas Collins?" he said. Angel immediately stood up.

"Does this look like a fucking party to you!?" she yelled. Alicia stood up, pulled Angel into a hug, and kissed her forehead.

"Ángel, calme por favor," she whispered. "How is he doctor?"

"He's responding very well to the medication we've given him," the doctor said.

"So he's gonna be okay?" Angel asked her voice full of hope.

"He's going to be fine," the doctor replied. "He's asleep right now, but would you like to see him anyway?"

"Yes," Alicia said. "Alejandro, are you coming?" Alejandro looked up at his wife.

"Not right now. It's . . . too upsetting," Alejandro lied. Alicia nodded and she followed Angel into Collins' room where he was asleep in a hospital bed wearing one of those very attractive hospital gowns.

Angel kissed his forehead gently, causing him to slowly open his eyes.

"Collins," she said softly, "if you ever scare me like this again, I'm gonna have to hurt you." Collins chuckled.

"Hey Ang," he said. "How long have I been here?"

"Almost an hour."

"How are you feeling?" Alicia asked.

"I've been better," Collins replied. "Where's Mr. Schunard?"

"He's in the waiting room. He said this is all too upsetting for him," Alicia explained.

"Okay," Collins said. He's probably pissed his little plan didn't kill me. "You didn't have to come here Angel. I know how much you hate it here."

"I needed to be here, honey," Angel said. "I needed to know that you were okay." Alejandro then walked into the room.

"Ángel, the doctor wants to speak with you," he said, wiping away tears that he forced himself to cry.

"Alejandro, are you crying?" Alicia asked in shock.

"A little."

"Papá, don't cry," Angel said. "He's gonna be okay." She then gave Collins a quick kiss. "I'll be right back. Mamá, could you come with me?"

"Sure," Alicia said. She and Angel then left the room.

"Will you stop with the fake ass tears already?" Collins asked Alejandro, a hint of hostility in his voice.

"What makes you think they're fake?" Alejandro retorted. "You don't know what I'm crying for."

"Undoubtedly because your plot to kill me was foiled by doctors, who happen to be the people no one trusts anymore."

"Wow. You are smart."

"Yes I am. And I've been watchin' you."

"Watching me?"

"Yeah. I learn about people by watchin' their behavior. Give me 48 hours with a person I barely know and I'll be able to tell you what they think of someone, how they'd react if a random person went and talked to them, what their future plans are, even their sexual fantasies."

"You're planning something. What is it?"

"You've gotta be kidding. A shit-flinging primate can figure you out just by lookin' at you, but you have to limit to asking questions? Shocking."

"You're testing me again, boy."

"I'll put it in simple terms. Sleep with your eyes open." Alejandro's eyes widened and he backed up. "What's the matter? Scared?"

"I'm not scared of you. It's you who should be scared of me," Alejandro said with confidence.

"I take it you're threatening to take Angel back home with you," Collins replied.

"Very good."

"She's not gonna want to."

"Once he sees what a joke you are, he'll be begging to come home."

"So, we're now competing for Angel?"

"I guess so."

"Okay then. It's on."

"May the best man win."

"I plan to."

"We'll see about that."

Short, I know, but you should review anyways. Tell me what you're thinking. :)

Translations:

"Ángel, calme por favor."– "Angel, calm down please."