I didn't realize I had fallen asleep until I lifted my head from the side of Mere's hospital bed. I wiped what felt like drool from the sides of my mouth and my cheek and groaned, feeling a cramp in my neck. I stood up to stretch and walk around to loosen my stiffened legs. I headed towards the door before turning back to look at the unusually quiet Meredith and saying, "I'll be right back." I opened the door and paced down the hallway.

I noticed that there were still very few people out and about. Most people I saw were workers; others were sleeping in the waiting rooms or walking to stretch, like I was. I looked around for a clock and noticed it was only four in the morning. I had just slept for an hour at the most, since I had spent most of my time talking to Meredith, regardless if she could hear me or not, and discussing her condition with the nurses that came in and out of her room.

Deciding I was stretched out enough, I turned around and strolled towards Meredith's room. A doctor came out of the room just as I was about to reach for the handle. "Oh, hi," he said, jumping at the sight of me.

"Hi," I replied, stepping back to let him through. He moved out of the doorway and stood next to me.

"You must be a friend of Meredith's." When I nodded at him, he continued.

"Well, my name is Doctor Howard, and I've been watching over her for the time she's been here."

I nodded in understandment. "And how's she doing, sir?" I asked, leaning against the wall.

"She's doing great. A lot better than what was expected of her. She's a fighter," he complimented, the obvious look of surprise on his face.

I laughed. He didn't have to tell me that twice.

"Yes, well, if she happens to wake up, just call for me, and we'll see how she's really doing, Misterrrr..." His sentence fell short when he realized he never learned my name.

"Brian. Brian Holden." I stuck my hand out for a handshake. Dr. Howard happily complied, grabbing my hand and shaking.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Holden," he grinned at me. I smiled back. Dr. Howard was on the verge of walking away before hesitating and turning back to face me.

"If you want my honest opinion, Mr. Holden," he said in a hushed tone, "I seriously believe Ms. Stepien will be fine. She won't give up. Especially with friends as great as you guys." I stared at him and shook his hand again, too tired to ask why he used plural words.

"Thank you, sir," I said gratefully.

Dr. Howard smiled and gave me a quick pat on the back before leaving me alone outside of Mere's door. I sighed, releasing all previous worries about Meredith's condition and let myself back into the room. I looked up from my previous scenery of the hospital floor to see Mere in the same spot I had left her in, but someone else was in the chair next to her. Dylan.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, pulling a chair on the other side of Mere's bed.

"Same reason you're here. To see Meredith," he responded flatly.

"This early? You didn't reply to my messages either," I pointed out.

"You're here this early. And yeah, I didn't," he said. He sounded like a robot, his responses automatic.

"Well, I was already awake..." I replied, awkwardly. "Dylan, what's wrong?"

He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. "Nothing," he said.

Unsure of what to do, I sat there staring at the unconscience Mere, occasionally glancing at Dylan. He remained silent, barely moving.

Something was definitely wrong, but I couldn't figure out what. He was always close to Mere- almost as close as I am- but shouldn't he be happy that she's okay? Maybe he just hadn't figured that out, yet. I decided to mention it to him, only to realize what a mistake it was.

"She's gunna be okay, you know? So far, there's no evidence to show-"

"So far? So far? That's the exact same thing as saying 'There's not anything wrong with her, but shit happens.' Doyou know how awful I feel? I wasn't there to help her. I may not look as broken as Meredith does, but I am dying on the inside, Brian. She could fucking die in here. She could fucking leave us. Do you understand that? We won't see her smile or crazy morning hair. We won't hear her jokes or her nervous giggling. We won't feel her hugs or her high fives. We won't have her anymore. And it won't be the same." Dylan stood up as he was talking, clenching his fists in frustration. I was scared to see this side of him. He was never this negative.

"Dyl, she's gunna be okay. I promise. You just have to trust me, okay?" I said to him softly, trying to get him to sit down again.

He stared at me incredulously. "Meredith is laying in that hospital bed, Brian. Not you. You have no idea if she's going to be okay or not." He started to walk out of the room before hesitating at the door.

"Don't make promises you can't keep, Brian," he muttered, pulling the door open and walking out.