Okay, okay, three chapters. I hope it's good.

I started shaking, thinking he would yell or get angry or be scared away from me. It almost made me start crying.

It wasn't long before I began to feel the effects of the medicine. I felt sleepy, but I didn't lie back. Instead, I kept my face in my hands, not knowing if Abe had stayed or not. So, when I felt a hand on my shoulder, I nearly jumped out of my skin; my face was still covered. It was Abe.

"Don't hide that lovely face," he whispered, moving my hands away. I still kept my head down, though. Stubborn Abe wouldn't let me. He lifted my chin, I suppose so he could see me. Then he moved his hand and brushed it over my cheek. "There's no reason to cry." I moved my face away and dried it.

"I didn't realize I was." Again, he sat beside me and put an arm across my shoulders. It was then that I realized my shaking hadn't stopped. He was trying to help me calm down with that simple action. When I did stop, he spoke.

"Why were you shaking so?" he asked. I know he know the answer. I'm guessing he just thought talking would help me.

"I was scared," I said easily.

"I am not angered easily. And why did you think I would be angry after what happened earlier?"

"I don't know. Some people just don't like outbursts like that." He stood. "You're not leaving, are you?"

"I'm not," he assured. "You need to lie down." He made sure I was laid back, then sat in the chair beside me. "I thought I would read to you until you fell asleep. Is that all right?"

"Yeah. That's…that's what I was going to ask you."

"Why didn't you?"

"I don't know."

"I figured you would like me to, so I always bring a book, just in case." I heard him open it, so I closed my eyes and began to fall asleep to the sound of his smooth voice.

"My eyes burn," I muttered. He paused for a moment, then continued. After that, I was gone.

--

I awoke at a time that felt like the next day. I opened my eyes and started. I closed and opened them repeatedly, just to make sure. There was light. I could see light! I haven't been able to see for so long! I turned my head; everything was blurry, but I could see! What could have happened…? I lay back and waited.

Abe entered later. I heard him, but I kept my eyes closed. He used some kind of scanner on me and I heard beeping; I decided to surprise him.

"Am I some kind of experiment?" I asked. He jumped and I forced myself not to smile or laugh.

"I thought you were asleep," was his reply.

"Well, I'm not." He remained quiet. "You didn't answer my question."

"What was it?"

"Am I some kind of experiment?"

"Why do you ask?" I still had my eyes closed, but I sat up and turned in his direction.

"Because…" I opened my eyes; "…I can see." It was still very blurry, but I could see someone there…and he was blue… When he swallowed, it was quite audible. "Well?"

"I didn't think it was going to work."

"What do you mean?"

"Every time I gave you pain medicine, it was actually an experimental drug made from fast-healing enzymes."

"Ah."

"I thought you…might want to see again." I closed my eyes again. He began talking when I slid off the bed and onto my feet. "I'm sorry. I should have asked first, but—" He was startled into silence when I hugged him.

"I know." I stepped back and tried to focus on his face, but everything was too blurry. "Why did you think it wasn't working?"

"Your abdomen was not healing as quickly as I thought it would." I put my hand over my bandaged stomach and pressed it. "Don't do that!" he exclaimed and moved my hand away.

"Why not?"

"You will injure yourself further." I shook my head.

"No." I began to unwrap the bandages. It was difficult to do while holding my shirt up and not…showing anything.

"Here. Let me help." He unwrapped the bandages while I held my shirt.

"Thanks." When he finished, I waited for him to say something. "Well, what does it look like?" He took my hand and put it on my own stomach.

"Feel," he said quietly.

"There's nothing!"

"But there was yesterday. The rest healed very quickly."

"Did you give me extra…stuff the last time?"

"Actually, I did."

"Why?"

"Yesterday, you said your eyes were burning. It made me think that maybe it was working. Since it hadn't yet, I decided to double the dose. That's why you slept so long."

"Ah."

"You're not mad, are you?"

"No! I can see! Not clearly, but you take what you can get."

"It might clear up by tomorrow or you might just need glasses."

"Too bad John's not here to share the news."

"It was actually his idea."

"Really?"

"Yes. Manning was angry and I was told to stop. I didn't. I just told him it was pain medicine and antibiotics."

"So…you risked getting in major trouble just to help me?" I took a step closer.

"Well, yeah…"

"Why? It's not like I'm that important."

"Don't say that."

"Then why?"

"I don't know." I flashed a mischievous smile.

"Show me?" He put his hand to my cheek again.

"Are you sure?" I couldn't see well enough to tell, but it felt like his eyes were searching mine.

"Can a penguin fly?"

"No."

"It's the opposite of that answer."

"Ah. But are—" I put a finger to his lips.

"Did you know that you're talking too much?"

"In your opinion."

"Fine." I backed up, but he grabbed my hand to pull me back. All I could do was smile. "You're predictable."

"Really?"

"Yep."

"Fine," he said, imitating me by moving back. It was my turn to pull him back. "So are you." I reached my hand up to his face, but he stopped me.

"What?"

"We should wait."

"For what?"

"You're not all well yet."

"But I'm healed."

"I want you to see me."

"Give me some more of that enzyme stuff, then."

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"There's a chance it might kill you. I was taking that chance yesterday, when I gave you a double dose."

"Well, I'm fine. Just try it."

"I can't take that risk again."

"Fine. Do you want me to try and find it with the risk of hurting myself more?"

"No." He was not the least bit hesitant.

"Please, Abe. I can handle it."

"What if you can't?"

"It will be my problem and my fault." I held out my arm. "Please." He didn't move. "Now that I have the chance to see, I have to see clearly! Please, Abe." The last part I added quietly; he reacted. He gave the shot quickly, but carefully. When he didn't say anything, I did. "Thank you." Still, he remained silent, now with his back to me. I tapped him on the shoulder so he'd turn. "See? I'm all—" My entire body convulsed and I doubled over.

TBC

Is this the end?

Find out----you know the drill.

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