Chapters 6, 7, and 8 will be a little different, so bear with me.

Time slowly trickled by, and life started returning to a relatively normal pace. The mystery they had been working on was solved by some kids and their dog, the men responsible for landing them in the hospital were arrested and their trials were set, and Frank and Alicia returned to school, Frank attending seminars in Bayport's community college and taking most of his classes online, Alicia working shifts in the hospital's emergency room to save up for three university tuitions. She was convinced after everything was over and they didn't need to pay doctor bills anymore, all three of them would go to the dream college of their choice. Frank smiled when she told him that and pitched in with the money he started earning from the private detective agency.

They had paid for a semi-permanent room in the hospital's residential area, and came to visit Joe as often as they could. Alicia came every day (or night) after work without fail. This Friday was no different.

"Hey, Joe," Alicia said brightly, walking into the room. "You'll never guess what I have today." She looked over at the nightstand, where there was a basket of sugary treats, starting to overflow. "Okay, so you probably could guess, but what can I say? Every time Nancy, Bess, or George calls, they ask me to pick up something for them." She set the small bag of M&M's on top and sat down on the edge of the bed, putting her hand in his.

"So, I helped a girl today. She came in around midnight. Her head somehow wound up hitting the back of a metal chair while they were playing a game. They called it the 'Chair game.' She's got a pretty bruise, and a concussion, but she's fine, other than that." She smiled and brushed the bangs out of his eyes. "You are going to need a haircut soon. I'll bring my kit next time, and I'll give you a style you can kill all those ladies with."

"I don't know, I thought girls liked the shaggy look," a voice said from behind her. Alicia jumped and turned, putting a hand over her heart. "Alex! Don't sneak up on me like that! My goodness!"

Alex chuckled and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, kissing her cheek. "So how is he doing?"

"He's absolutely miserable. I waved the M&M's in front of his nose, and he's tormented by the fact he can't wake up to eat them," Alicia said with a small smile. It slowly fell away, and she sighed, "I really didn't think it would take this long for him to wake up. I miss him and his jokes and… I miss Frank's real smile. And I miss all the trouble we'd get into."

"I know, Alicia. I know. But don't worry. Joe is going to smell all those treats and it will drive him to wake up." Alex turned her face to his and kissed her gently. Alicia pulled back in surprise.

"Alex!"

"What?" he asked sheepishly. "We've been dating for months."

Alicia turned red. "I didn't think we were exclusively dating, though." Alex gave her a strange look.

"You mean there is another guy in your life?"

"Yes," she said with a grin. "Quite a few, actually."

"Besides your brothers and their friends?"

"Of course!" She smiled as she counted on her fingers. "My father, Carson Drew…"

"Are you dating anyone else?" he changed quickly. She sighed.

"Not currently…"

"Cool, neither am I. So, would you, Alicia Hardy, like to be my girlfriend so I can kiss you without you running away?"

Alicia bit her lip. "Alex…"

"We don't work together, we're not seeing other people, your family likes me… Why are you still holding back, Alicia?" Alex looked sincerely heartbroken and it tore Alicia apart. She kissed him lightly, then pulled back and looked at him with sad eyes.

"Let me sleep on it tonight?"

Alex sighed and stood up. "I've got to go get ready for my shift. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Alex, I'm sorry—" Alex had left and closed the door before she could finish. She turned to Joe and laid her head on the bed. "I blame you. I'm totally leading him on with a version of me that's not me. I would be heading off into danger, no ties to bind me, solving crime. I'd probably even have that internship Carson offered me. Or tried for the CIA one." She looked up at him with a small smile. "Come back so we can get into trouble." Alicia sat there for a little longer, and then stood. "Frank should be here soon. Don't tell him about Alex. He thinks I'm being silly about not wanting a real relationship. Then again, he and Callie broke up over something stupid he said just after this started. Don't know if he told you that. I just don't think he wants me repeating his mistakes." She kissed his cheek and turned towards the door, only to turn back to look at her hand. His fingers were curled around hers. She stared for a long minute, until she heard the door click open. She turned to see Frank there with a Crunch Bar.

"Hey Joe, Alicia. Look what I have," he said with a smile. Alicia didn't respond, just looked back down at her hand. "Alicia, what's wrong?" he asked, running to her side.

"Frank… look," she said, pointing with her free hand. Joe's hand was tightening on hers. Frank dropped the chocolate and ran to the door.

"Nurse! Somebody! Anybody! I think he's waking up!"

"Joe?" Alicia asked as a nurse rushed in, bringing in the tools to remove the feeding tube, first adjusting the drugs in the machine connected to the IV in his arm. Joe's hand relaxed again and Alicia looked horrified. "He was waking up! Why did you put him back under! He might not recover!"

"It probably was just a reflex," she said plainly, removing the feeding tube. "His brain function hasn't changed."

"That's a lie! I'm no idiot!"

"Alicia, calm down. Joe will be alright." Frank put a hand on her shoulder. "I watched her, she only gave him a minute dosage." Alicia sat back down, holding Joe's hand between hers, trying to get him to grasp her fingers again.

"It should wear off in an hour or two. We'll watch him over night," the nurse confirmed gently. Alicia nodded silently, suddenly tired and disappointed. "There is a button on the wall there if something happens again. I'll come running," she said with a kind smile.

Frank waited a moment, nodding to the nurse his thanks as she checked the machines and numbers, then left the room. "Are you coming home for dinner tonight? I hear Mom and Aunt Gertrude are making something special. Everyone would really like to see you again, Alicia. Just because you're old enough to be on your own now doesn't mean you have to do everything alone."

"I know," she said softly. "I'll come home tonight."

Frank smiled. "Want a ride? I told them I'd bring you home after visiting hours were over. I'd figure the three of us could read or catch up or… something."

"That sounds great," she said with a smile.

It was seven o'clock before Frank and Alicia stopped playing Speed and laughing. "We should do this more often," Alicia said wistfully. "I haven't laughed this much in a long while."

"We will," Frank promised. "You just need to come around more often. Come back home, Alicia. Mom and Dad and Aunt Gertrude really miss you. I really miss you," he added, ruffling her hair. She smiled and then nodded.

"Let's go home for dinner, and we'll talk about it there."

Frank put an arm around her shoulders, ruffling Joe's golden hair. "He really needs a haircut."

"You can help me tomorrow," Alicia said with a grin, leading him out. "Come on, I'm starving."

AN: Please review! The more reviews, the more I want to put up the next chapter! I know there are 100 of you who have actually read through the entire thing and didn't say anything. I just want to know what you think. Family feud noises are allowed. *Ding Ding Ding* *ennnnnnnnnnnn* Thank you for all of the support for those of you who came back to finish reading this. :) Y'all are great!