A/N: Sorry for taking too long guys. It's a long story, something I'm sure you people don't want to hear about because you just want to finish the story. Well, this is the last chapter, and then the epilogue. Then I'm moving on to another NT project. *huge smile* So watch out for some new stories bound to pop-up, 'kay?

And sorry if this chap sorta sucks – not too fond of it. xD Thanks to Loremipsum for helping out lots!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my iPod, my HP mini laptop and my hi-cut black converses. And a bunch of other stuff, but NT is definitely not in the list. T.T

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Abby watched Ben's chest rise and fall slowly. She leaned forward on the bed rail, and clasped Ben's unmoving hand. She sighed, and sat back. Abigail twirled the small rubber ring on her finger, smiling as she thought of its significance.

She found herself wondering what the original ring looked like. Abigail realized that she couldn't imagine it, and found herself quite startled by the realization. She had no idea what Ben bought – and here she thought she had him all figured out. She sat back, and contemplated this for a moment, staring at Ben's sleeping form, like she was waiting for him to give her an answer.

"You know, Abigail, the longer you stare at Ben the more he will melt. And I have absolutely no desire to see my best friend melt into a puddle." Riley joked, handing over a cup of coffee. Abigail grabbed it from him, and inhaled the aroma. Her senses perked up immediately, and she smiled at Riley thankfully.

Abigail took a sip, and sighed. "It's just…"

"The real ring was really beautiful. It would have looked great on your finger." Riley remarked. "Too bad it got stolen, though. I hope the bastards get caught."

"Riley, language." She automatically corrected, and Riley waved it away. Abigail shrugged, clearly not in the mood to protest. She felt exactly the same way. "But you're right. I do hope they catch them."

There was a moment of silence. Abigail found herself watching Riley pat Ben's hand, murmur something that sounded soothing, and shove the hand around a bit. Riley smiled, and leaned his head on the bed rail, and closed his eyes contentedly.

Abigail sighed. I wish I had his confidence. She hadn't slept since they brought Ben in yesterday. She was just so worried about Ben, she couldn't even think straight. Riley had asked her earlier how she coped with Ben when he's on his treasure hunts – there was bound to be more risks than this small case of hypothermia. Abby had shrugged, and told Riley that treasure hunts were in her turf, while proposals weren't.

Apparently Riley didn't think that was a sound argument, and he urged her one last time to go to sleep. Abigail shook her head, insisting that she wanted to be alert when he wakes up.

Abigail's thoughts turned back to what happened hours ago. When they brought Ben in, he was still unconscious. The doctors and the nurses fussed over Ben, and someone had mentioned something about "stage 3" and "coma" when she was within earshot.

Abigail froze on the spot. She didn't like how that sounded. Riley was clinging to her like she was a huge teddy bear – or was she the one clinging to Riley then? Abigail felt like everything was a blur, and she was left sitting on one of the hospital benches, Riley's arm around her, and he whispering reassuring sentences. "Abigail, it's going to be okay. It's just hypothermia – not a severe one at that. Relax, okay? Ben's going to be okay." Abby buried her head into Riley's shoulder, and Riley patted her on the back.

The doctor approached them with a wide grin. He sat beside Abigail, and told her the good news. "Mr. Gates is going to be okay. He was brought just in time. A few bruises, a broken arm – that's it." The doctor glanced at the recovery room Ben was temporarily placed in. "There might be moments of confusion, but that's normal. We're just going to keep him here to properly 'thaw him out' and to make sure he is all right." He glanced at his watch. "It would probably be best if you went home and rested for a while. Mr. Gates' is not going anywhere – or waking up, for that matter; we gave him something for sleep."

Abigail had refused, but she found herself being guided to Riley's car and buckled in the front seat. Riley took her home, and stayed for the night. He told Abigail to get some much needed sleep, and left her in her room. She slept on her side of the bed, occasionally reaching for Ben's side even if she knew he wasn't there.

She didn't realize how much she was used to Ben being around. Abigail rolled over and faced the empty space. She sighed. Her hands felt for a book she always kept on the nightstand for nights like this, and started on a chapter. Abigail had almost finished the thin book when Riley knocked on her door and asked her if she was ready to return to the hospital. They arrived with Ben still knocked out with some painkillers, and were left to watch his sleeping figure in a dimmed hospital room.

Abigail shook those thoughts clear from her head, and looked up at the clock. It was five minutes past midnight. She grabbed a nearby envelope and started sifting through her work files.

It was going to be another long night.

Riley raised his head from the hospital bed's railing. He stretched a bit, and blinked at the shadowy figure in a couch across from him.

"Abigail?" He murmured, and the figure nodded. Riley glanced at the time – it was around 5:30 am. Riley massaged his neck. "Did you get some sleep? Or did you stay up all night?"

Abigail answered with a sigh, and placed down the file that she was trying to read.

"It was probably my fault. Shouldn't have bought that cup of coffee you asked for." Riley grinned, and reached for Abby's hand across Ben's bed. "He's going to be fine, Abs. There's nothing to worry about. He's just under medication, that's all."

He turned on the dimmed lights, and Abigail clicked off the lamp. Riley glanced at Ben, who was still sleeping soundly. "Look at him… he looks so, peaceful." Abigail commented, running fingers through Ben's hair. "It's like nothing really happened the past few hours."

"The last time I checked, Abigail, the terms "He looks so peaceful" is reserved for people who are already dead." Riley commented wryly, and stood up. "I think I'm going to get myself a cup of coffee. I'll be back later. You have anything you want me to get?"

Abby nodded. "Coffee, Breakfast."

Riley gave a small nod, and left the room.

Abigail glanced at Ben, and smiled. "Wake up soon, Ben. We still have a wedding to plan, remember?" She laid her head on the bed, and fell asleep.

Abigail woke up to a hand sifting through her hair. She murmured something along the lines of "stop", and then stiffened. She looked up.

Ben was smiling at her.

"Ben!" Abigail jumped – her first instinct was to give him a hug.

Ben raised a hand towards Abigail's face. "Abigail…"

Riley stepped in the room, and Abigail was the first one to state the obvious. "Riley! Ben's awake!"

"I noticed, Abs." Riley grinned, and turned to Ben. "Good morning buddy! Welcome back to the land of the living." He reached for the call button. "Ben, you ought to know that… I'm sorry. We tried to save all of your toes, but…"

Ben's eyes widened and he pulled his blanket off. And, what do you know, all his toes were intact. He glared at Riley.

"Gotcha there, eh, Ben?" Riley laughed. "I'm just gonna go get my stuff outside. I'll be right back." He stepped out of the room and closed the door quietly.

"Abigail…" Ben rasped, and reached a hand towards her.

Abigail reached for a glass of water, and handed it to Ben. He took it gratefully, and started gulping it down. "Abigail…" He started again, and took Abigail's hand. "Abigail, will you marry me? I didn't get to hear your answer."

Abigail chuckled in disbelief. "That's still on your mind, Ben?" She smiled, and gave Ben a good, long kiss, and wrapped her arms around him. "But yes, of course I will marry you!"

"Good." Ben breathed, and winced. "You're crushing me, Abby."

Abigail let go, and grinned. "I'm sorry." She gave him a hug again, a gentler one this time. "Gosh, Ben, you made me worry. We didn't know where you were… especially me – Riley was panicking and I didn't know what was happening… Don't you dare do that to me again!"

"I just wanted for everything to be perfect… unforgettable."

Abigail laughed softly, her eyes shining with happiness. "You don't have to do that, Ben. Proposing to me, even just here at home would have been great."

"Sure, you say that now, but…"

Abigail placed a finger on Ben's lips. "I said yes, okay? No more buts." She smirked. "Besides, that was definitely unforgettable." Her hand squeezed Ben's arm. "That was the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me Ben. Even better than Paul Brown's Washington campaign button." That made Ben smile again, and Abigail gave him another kiss. "You braved the weather for me. More importantly, you didn't die."

Ben squeezed Abigail's hand. Abigail motioned for him to move, and she climbed in. Ben placed an arm over her shoulder despite his pain, and they lied in that position for awhile, snuggling.

Riley arrived with the nurse in tow. "Ohhhhh guys, there are kids present. I don't have to see that."

"By kids you mean you?" Abigail smirked, climbing down from the bed and letting the nurse check Ben over and do her work.

Riley's hand went to his chest, and feigned pain. "Ow, Abby, that hurt. I was talking about the family next door. What if the kids accidentally found you in that position? That would've scarred them for life."

"You make it sound like cuddling is a bad thing."Abigail answered with an amused look.

"Eh, maybe not always." He answered, smiling. The nurse nodded at them, and reported that Ben seemed to be better. She said the doctor would come by in a few minutes, and would further assess Ben. The nurse left after that, and Riley followed her with his eyes.

"Did you see that? She's hot." Riley commented with a huge grin. "She likes me."

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you already have a girlfriend, Riley?" Ben spoke up, raising an eyebrow.

Riley shrugged. "It's not wrong to acknowledge beauty, dude." Riley grinned, and sat on a chair. "You know, this would be a great story to tell your kids someday."

Ben rolled his eyes, and turned to Abby with that look in his eyes, and with a smile said: "Have you heard, Riley? We're getting married...!"

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Review? *grin*

-Jaeh ^^