Emily stayed with her Mom for the next week or so. She woke up every now and then, but their exchanges were limited to brief, practical conversation. Emily would fetch some water, or a nurse, and they had no time to talk about anything serious. At this stage Emily was just happy that Pam was alive, and she certainly still remembered that Emily was her daughter, whom she loved.

Meanwhile, Paige returned to school. The tables had turned. Having not heard from Emily in days, she was worried about how she was coping, and why she wasn't talking to her. For all Paige knew, Pam could be dead by now. Although she knew that Emily had more important things to deal with, she still sensed that she was on her mind. She badly wanted to text her. It just seemed so disrespectful, to contact her and bring up… "them."

Paige retuned home to a somber Nick McCullers. She hadn't yet told him about what had happened to Pam, and decided it was time. They did know eachother vaguely through work, and their most recent encounter wasn't going to mean he didn't care.

"Dad…"

"Yes honey."

"There's something I should tell you."

"Oh god sweetie, what is it?" replied Nick, almost accusingly.

"You know Pam Fields…"

"Of course."

"Well, she had a brain hemorrhage last week. Emily told me, but I haven't heard anything since and I don't know what's happened to her."

"Emily? You're still speaking to Emily?"

"Dad, I don't think that's what's important here."

"Right. Okay… I'm gonna call some colleagues and see if I can find anything more out."

And with that, Nick disappeared into the other room, showing no concern for his daughter's emotional state. Paige was seriously shaken up by the whole thing – the fact that Emily hadn't told her how the operation went… well, she didn't know what that meant. She was hoping that she'd just forgotten, and the fact that she hadn't heard anything meant Pam was fine. Paige could only imagine what it would mean for their relationship if Emily was grieving over her mother. It could draw them closer, but it could also make Emily seriously distant. Hopefully she wouldn't have to find out.

Nick returned, muttering "No one knows anything." Quick to change the topic, he continued with "Hey, Paige… I haven't seen you practicing lately. Isn't it about time you were back in the pool?"

Although she didn't like her fathers intentions, Paige really liked the sound of escaping to the pool. "You're right Dad. I'll pop on over after dinner."

"That's my girl," he said, pulling Paige in my one arm and planting a kiss on her head.

Paige arrived at the pool to find no one else there. "Perfect," she thought to herself. Emily had taught her how to swim for fun. To take the competitive aspect out of swimming - everything her father didn't want her to do. She was here to relax, and let herself enjoy the sensation of being alone with the water. The interior lights of the pool illuminated the whole area, against the pitch black backdrop of outside. It was beautiful. Just what Paige needed.

As Paige lifted herself out of the pool and dried herself off, she was feeling surprisingly happy. It was the first time in weeks she'd felt this good, and in a way it was thanks to Emily. It seemed strange to Paige, but swimming made her feel closer to Emily. It was something they did together. She knew Emily had swam through that water countless times. As of now, the pool would be her new escape.

As she continued into the changing rooms, she was lost in her own world. Dancing as she dried her hair, singing "Baby you're a fireeeeeeeework! Come on let your coooooolours burst, make em go OH! OH! OH! As you shoot across the sky-ay-ay!" She was too consumed in her own voice to notice the changing room door creak open. She turned, mid-verse, to notice Emily standing before her. Once again, Paige's theatricality had brought a smile to that beautiful face.