Chapter 2

Riley paced in the hospital waiting room. It had been 2 hours since they finally got Ben here. Ian was in jail, since Riley explained all what Ian had done and gave the Declaration back to the FBI. Now they waited. Abigail and Patrick were sipping coffee.

"Riley sit down, he is going to be fine," Abigail stated.

Riley ignored her. He couldn't believe this had happened. He couldn't believe that Ben got infront of him like that. Finally the doctor came out.

"How is he?" Riley asked.

"The bullet was removed, but there was some internal bleeding. Right now he's resting and there is a good chance he might fall into a coma," the doctor explained.

Abigail began crying while Patrick comforted her. Riley just went pale.

"May we see him?" Riley asked.

"Yes," the doctor answered.

The doctor led them to the ICU ward and to Ben's room. When Riley saw Ben, he let the tears come. Ben was very pale. Machines were hooked up to him, keeping him alive and checking his vitals. Riley went and sat next to the bed. Abigail and Patrick went to go get coffee. Riley leaned forward and grabbed Ben's hand.

"Ben, it's Riley. Were out of the cavern and your safe now. Please just wake up," Riley begged.

Riley just sat there listening to all the beeps and hums of the machines. He let the emotions he was feeling come out of his eyes. Laying his head on the bed, Riley grasped Ben's hand harder. He thought back to after the Charlotte when they were walking to the village.

Ben and Riley walked to the villiage in silence. Ben wondered why Riley was being so quite. He looked next to him and saw Riley was still visibly shaken.

"Riley are you okay?" Ben asked.

"Yeah sure," Riley stammered.

"You still look pretty shaken," Ben stated, "whats wrong? You can tell me."

"Well,..it's just...back there brought back painful memories," Riley mumbled.

"Like what?" Ben asked.

"Well, when I was 12 my parents and older brother died in a house fire. I only got out because my brother pushed me out of the front door, and in the front yard before the house exploded. I was knocked out instanly. I woke up a week later at the hospital. I suffered from a mild concussion and smoke inhilation. My aunt raised me the rest of my teenage life and then died when I turned 22. A week after that happened I was so fed up with everyone I love leaving me I was going to kill myself." Riley explained.

"What stopped you?" Ben asked.

"Well, the day I decided to do it, I met you," Riley stated.

Ben stared at him. He couldn't believe that he was the reason that Riley was still alive. Twice actually.

"Riley I'm so sorry that happened to you," Ben told him.

"Ben just promise me one thing?" Riley asked.

"Anything," Ben stated.

"Promise you won't ever leave me?" Riley asked.

"I promise," Ben promised.

Riley choked back a sob.

"Oh god Ben, please don't leave me. Please don't leave me," Riley cried.

"I won't leave you Riley I promise,"

Riley looked up when he heared the voice. When he saw Ben awake and grasping his hand for reassurance, his tears turned to joy.

"Ben, your okay," Riley smiled.

"Yeah Riley I'm okay," Ben mumbled.

"Oh god Ben I was so scared I lost you," Riley stated.

Ben reached up and pulled Riley into a hug.

"It's okay Riley. I'm here and I'm alive," Ben whispered in his ear.

"Ben you almost left me. I almost lost you," Riley sobbed.

"I know. I know. I'm sorry, but I couldn't let Ian hurt you. I'm here now though, I won't ever leave again," Ben promised.

Ben scooted over and pulled Riley on to the bed beside him. Riley didn't bother to protest. He just let Ben hold and rub small circles on his back. The sound of his soothing heart beat soon put Riley to sleep. Abigail and Patrick came back in a little while later. They smiled at the site they found. Ben and Riley on the bed. Ben holding Riley, and both fast asleep.