A/N: Thanks to Amy from AKC/Twitter for the beta work.

'Cause I've been hell on wheels for days now
There ain't a shade of red I can't paint
When the lights go down, she always helps me see.
In the darkness a day will come
Another light for you to lean upon
But until then maybe your heart
Can rest in mine.
In the Darkness ~ Christian Kane

Katie felt like she was under water, struggling to surface. She started freaking out when she couldn't breathe. Her eyes opened, rapidly scanning the room, trying to focus on something, anything familiar. Hearing a voice telling her to calm down, she saw a vague shape beside her. She strained to focus on the face. When she saw it was a doctor, she calmed down a bit.

"Okay, Katherine, we're going to take out the tube but I need you to calm down and breathe out when I tell you to," the doctor said and she nodded slightly. When the awful tube was finally out of her mouth she started coughing, which hurt her body so badly she thought she'd pass out. A nurse held up a cup with a straw and she drank greedily, her throat so dry she felt like she'd chewed and swallowed sand.

"What happened?" she whispered hoarsely when she could finally speak.

"You were shot at your ranch. Do you remember?" the doctor asked gently.

Katie, searching her memory for anything but failing, shook her head. Suddenly there was a glimpse of a memory of Eliot covered in blood and tears burned her eyes. "Where's Eliot?" She began feeling like she couldn't breathe again as she started to hyperventilate.

"Who?"

"The man that was with me? Eliot…I mean Andrew, Andrew Winchester," Katie replied, remembering the whole name issue.

"He's downstairs in his room. We finally convinced him that he needed his rest as well. By the way, I'm Dr. Allen, I was your surgeon," the man introduced himself with a comforting smile.

"Is he okay?" Katie asked, needing confirmation.

"He will be. Are you in any pain?" Dr. Allen asked then began examining her.

"Yes. I hurt all over," she whispered, her throat still sore. "Can I see him?"

"Why don't you let me give you something stronger for the pain? I'm sure he's sleeping by now and I…"

"What about his friends? Are they with him? Can I see one of them?" Katie interrupted him. She didn't want to wake Eliot but she needed to know if he was really okay.

"I believe there are some people still in the waiting room," a nurse said to the doctor. "Two woman and a man are waiting for him I think."

"Can I see one of them please?"

"You're really not in any condition for company," Dr. Allen began but seeing the look on her face, stopped arguing. "Becky, can you go see if his friends are still waiting? Just one visitor though." He looked at Katie sternly. "And only for a few minutes."

When the nurse left, the doctor explained about her surgery. She felt so numb she really didn't react until he said she might not be able to have kids. That bothered her. She wasn't sure she wanted kids but she loved them. She knew it was foolish but part of her wanted to have Eliot's child and soon tears were rolling down her face. Their future wasn't even a sure thing, but the thought of not being able to give him something he might actually want, broke her heart just a bit.

The nurse came back with Parker, who looked even more nervous than usual. The doctor and nurse excused himself to allow them to speak privately.

"Nate and Sophie went to get some sleep," Parker said from the doorway. "Sorry but it's just me and Hardison here."

Katie wiped her eyes and said, "I just need to know that Eliot is okay and the doctors aren't being very helpful."

"You almost died," Parker said bluntly. "Of course, he's not okay."

"No…I mean, his injuries and stuff," Katie tried to explain her question but Parker continued to watch her strangely.

"You don't get it, do you? You almost died. I mean…dead, Katie."

"Parker, you're acting like I did this on purpose or something. I didn't exactly plan on getting shot," Katie couldn't help but feel annoyed.

"It was all over and all I could think was that finally you two could be happy and then you almost died," Parker walked further into the room, to stand beside her bed. "Sure, he'll heal. But…I don't know. He's not okay. We're not okay anymore."

Katie stared at the blonde for a few moments trying to understand why she seemed so…mad…at her. She took a deep breath. Finally she said, "I didn't mean to scare anyone. Please…just tell me what's wrong with Eliot."

"He's got a bad concussion. They're monitoring him. Cracked ribs, lots of bruises, a few stitches too," Parker replied. "He's more worried about you and you're more worried about him. And I can't do anything for either of you."

Finally Katie got what Parker wasn't saying: she felt helpless and she didn't like that. Parker had come to depend on being able to control her environment and being afraid or feeling these emotions was freaking her out apparently. Katie wished she had some control over her own life.

"Is Thomas dead? Did Eliot…"

"No. Well maybe, I don't know." Parker made a face. "No, Eliot didn't kill him but I don't know if he's still alive. I'm sure that he's either dead or wishing he was by now. Eliot messed him up pretty bad before the mob took him away. He tried to kill him."

"And the law? Are they going to press charges against Eliot?"

"No, by the time they got there, the mobsters had taken Thomas. The sheriff is looking for him." Parker sat on the side of the bed. Katie realized how tired and stressed she looked.

"You didn't get hurt, did you? Is Hardison okay? Nate and Sophie?" she asked, beginning to realize how far things had spiraled out of control.

"Everyone is fine. Except you and Eliot, I mean."

Katie took a deep shaky breath. "Parker…I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…I mean, that I freaked you out…you know?"

Parker nodded and looked away. They sat in silence for a moment before the nurse came in and reminded Parker she couldn't stay. The other woman got up and walked to the door before turning around and looking at her for a few minutes. "Don't die okay? Just…don't." She left the room before Katie could answer her. But really, what could she say?

oOooOo

Parker returned to the waiting room to sit with Hardison and Aimee. None of them were very talkative. A woman came rushing by and straight to the nurses' station and Aimee sat up quickly, startled.

"Yes, I need to see Andrew Winchester and I was told he was on this floor," the woman said, instantly getting Parker's attention. She was an older woman, perhaps sixty or so.

"Are you family?" the nurse asked her.

"Yes…well, sort of. He was my foster son," the woman explained and Parker's gaze shifted to Aimee, who was already getting up.

"Hi Ms. Nelson," Aimee said, her nervousness apparent. Parker glanced over at Hardison who shrugged. Neither had known anything about Eliot being a foster kid.

"Oh Aimee dear! How many times do I have to tell you to call me Ann?" The woman hugged Aimee tightly before she started speaking very rapidly. "Is he okay? One of my friends called us when got home and told us Andrew had been hurt. I didn't even know he was in town. I haven't seen him in so long and now this… It's just horrible. George is parking the car now. How is Andrew?"

"He's uhh…he's going to be okay. It looks a lot worse than it is I think. I'm sorry, I guess I should have called you but I just didn't think," Aimee replied.

"I understand. When the man you love is hurt then…"

"Oh no! It's not like that…I mean I do still care about him but…" Aimee blushed and glanced away. "We're just friends now."

"Of course, dear. I understand. Has anyone called his brother and sister?"

Aimee shook her head. "No, I don't think he'd want to worry them. You know how he is."

"I know exactly how he is and if I don't call Chrissy and Mark, they'd never forgive me. I'll call them first thing in the morning," Ann insisted. "But hopefully I'll have good news to give them. Assuming they'll let me see him of course." She glanced at the nurse who nodded.

Parker could see that Aimee was torn and got the impression she thought Eliot would need a warning about this woman, Ann or whatever, so she nodded to Hardison. He stood up to try and delay the woman while Parker slipped out of the waiting room, down the hall and to Eliot's room.

"Ms. Nelson, my name is Alec and I'm a friend of Andrew's," Parker overheard Hardison introducing himself when she went by.

oOooOo

When he felt someone nudging his arm, Eliot woke up slowly, trying to shake the fog of the pain killers they'd given him. The nurses woke him up every hour to ask his name and birthday. It was rather annoying.

"My name is Andrew Winchester. I was born June 27, 1974," he murmured.

"Good for you, Sparky." He opened his eyes and saw Parker. "There's a woman here who is claiming to be your foster mother. You never told us you were a foster kid."

Eliot sighed, putting his hand on his forehead. "I wasn't really. I mean, I was sixteen when they got us. I spent most of my time at John's anyway. How'd she find out I was here?"

"Small town, big news," Parker shrugged. "Someone called her and her husband. I thought you'd want some warning."

"Can you do something to get rid of them? I really don't want to see them to be honest. Especially not right now," Eliot answered, dreading seeing his foster parents after all these years.

"Drew?" he heard Ann's voice from the doorway and Parker shook her head.

Eliot sighed then looked towards the door to see the Nelsons rushing in. "Hey Ann. Hello George. How are you?"

"Nevermind us. How are you, son?" George said, and Eliot restrained the urge to remind him that he wasn't their son. He knew it was just a term of affection George used for younger men, but it still bothered Eliot.

"I'll be fine in a couple of days. No permanent damage. Ann, George, this is, Parker. We're friends…uhh work together…friends," Eliot stuttered, flustered by being caught off guard by their visit.

"Drew, why didn't you call us and let us know you were in town?" Ann said, a hurt expression coloring her face.

"I didn't know I was going to be sticking around more than a day or two. And well…you know…" Eliot glanced at Parker for help but typical of her, she was clueless to his visual hints.

"Have you called your brother and sister?" Ann asked bluntly. "You know they'd want to know."

"Yeah well I didn't want to worry them. You know how Chrissy gets." Eliot prayed for strength. He didn't need a guilt trip now. He already felt guilty enough for what happened that to Katie. And Aimee being here. And…dammit he needed them to go. "Do you think we can catch up another time? I'd really like to see Katie if she's awake now."

"She was when I saw her an hour ago but I think she's probably asleep again by now." Parker shrugged when he glared at her. "But I'm sure they'll let you see her. Maybe your family could come back tomorrow."

Eliot sighed. How clueless could she be? He didn't want them to come back at all and they weren't family exactly.

"Yes well you do need your rest. I'll call Chrissy and Mark tomorrow before we come back by," Ann said in a tone that he was sure meant to tell him not to bother arguing.

"No. There is no reason to worry either of them. I'm fine. Do not call them," he warned, looking at her sternly. "I don't need to be mothered over either."

"You never did, did you?" Ann's expression was one of resolution. "But your brother and sister would never forgive me if I didn't call them. And they aren't bothered by my intruding in their lives."

"I'm sure that's not what Drew meant, dear," George added, shooting a look at Eliot. "We'll let him get some sleep and tomorrow we'll all call them."

"Fine. Good night Andrew," Ann walked stiffly to his bedside and kissed Eliot on the cheek, then turned around and left the room. George followed after shaking his head.

"Well that was fun," Parker remarked, with a quirk of a smile on her face. "First your ex-girlfriend shows up and now your foster parents. Anyone else we should be expecting?"

"Yeah thanks for your help on that," Eliot said, sarcasm rearing its ugly head. "I'm going to see Katie. How is she?"

"She just got shot by her ex-fiancé and had two organs removed. But other than that she seemed in blissfully happy. Worried about you. Let me go get a nurse with a wheelchair," she offered.

"No, no nurse. And I can walk," Eliot said pulling out some of the needles and tubes attached to him as he swung his legs over the side of the bed. A wave of dizziness stopped him from standing up though. "Okay…fine…you can get the wheelchair but no nurse."

oOooOo

Parker managed to get them both upstairs without the nurses on his floor trying to stop him. Eliot had left Hardison in the room to cover if anyone came looking for him. He hated feeling like he was being held against his will.

"She's asleep," the nurse said when she saw Parker again.

"I just want to see her. I won't wake her up," Eliot explained. The nurse looked at him for a minute before asking his name. Once she checked Katie's chart she let him go back to her room but Parker had to stay in the waiting room.

When the nurse left him beside Katie's bed, Eliot couldn't help but notice all the machines again. At least she didn't have a breathing tube anymore. The nurse took her vitals and made a few notes on her chart before leaving him alone.

She was still so fragile looking. The black and blue marks on her neck were made so much worse looking by her pale skin. He reached out and gently took her hand. Her eyes flickered open and after a moment, she glanced over at him.

"Hey darlin'," he whispered. "I didn't mean to wake you up."

Tears flooded her eyes and she clutched his fingers a little tighter. "I'm glad you did. I wanted to see you. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I got a hard head, remember?" He grinned. "But how are you?"

"It hurts. Like you wouldn't believe but…I guess I'm lucky to be alive," she replied, her voice hoarse sounding, most likely from the breathing tube.

"I'm so sorry baby. I…"

"Why? You didn't shoot me." Her brow wrinkled in confusion. "If you hadn't come when you did, I'd be dead."

"But you got shot after I let down my guard. If I had been more careful…I should have protected you more…" he stammered then looked down, the guilt taking the words from his mouth.

"Eliot, sweetie, listen to me. You saved my life when you came. You didn't know that Thomas was capable of getting away from the mob guys. You couldn't have predicted this would happen. I don't blame you so why do you?"

"Because I swore I'd protect you and you were shot. I should have been better," he said then carefully stood up. Leaning over he stroked her hair back gently. "You shouldn't be here. If anyone should be here, it should be me."

"Don't say that. Please don't blame yourself," she whispered, tears streaming down her face. She reached up and gently caressed his face. "I know you would have jumped in front of that bullet if you could have. You took on how many men trying to save me? And you did. I'm alive now because of you. Please…just shut up and kiss me."

Eliot grinned slightly before bending down, ignoring the pain in his ribs and head, and kissed her tenderly. He trailed his hand down the side of her face as he looked deep into her eyes. "I love you. More than you know."

"I love you too. The first thing I thought of when I woke up was you and I wanted you here with me. Just to see your face, and know you're okay makes me so relieved," she whispered, a small smile on her face. "Although I think we've both looked better."

He chuckled and then groaned. "Don't make me laugh. It hurts when I laugh."

"At least you didn't lose a couple of organs," she snorted. "I don't even want to hear it."

"Did the doctors tell you what happened?" he asked cautiously.

"You mean about losing the kidney and my spleen or the part about how I might not be able to have children?"

"Might not, Katie," he reminded her. "There is still a chance that you could be fine. In any case, I asked that they freeze some of your eggs in case you want…I mean, I don't know if you do…do you?"

"I don't know. It's just scary to think I might not be able to if I do want them," she admitted. "The doctor didn't mention the eggs. I'm surprised you thought of that."

"Oh, it was Aimee's suggestion." As soon as he said it, he wished he could take it back and his mouth hung open for a brief second amazed at his stupidity.

"Aimee? She's here?" Suspicion crossed her face.

"Yeah, her and her dad came up after they saw it on the news. She was there when the doctors told me you might have to have a hysterectomy and suggested the egg thing." He watched her eyes and it was obvious that she was bothered by the return of his ex. "She's just a friend, Katie. Nothing more."

"But she still loves you," she replied looking away. "The ex-love of your life helped you decide to freeze some of my eggs."

"I don't think she does but it doesn't matter either way," he reassured her then gently turned her chin so she faced him again. "I love you, Katie, no one else. Aimee is the past."

"Am I your future?" she asked nervously. "Before it really didn't matter if we had a future, I just wanted to be with you right now. But now…it does matter…I need to know; what about tomorrow? Will I wake up one day and you'll be gone without even a note?"

Caught off guard, Eliot struggled for an answer. He didn't know what the future held for the two of them. He only wanted her but she didn't fit into his life as it was now. He couldn't give her all the things she deserved.

"We'll talk about this tomorrow. Right now you need to rest and not worry about anything else," he whispered.

"You can promise me tomorrow at least?" she asked, her eyes sad.

"I'll be here tomorrow. I'm not leaving you," he whispered before kissing her again. His lips lingered on hers for a few moments, not wanting to leave her. God, the last thing he wanted was to leave her right now.

Eliot heard a woman clearing her voice loudly at the door and glanced up to find the nurse looking rather annoyed. "Baby, I got to go. Get some sleep. I'll come up tomorrow morning."

"Can you stay until I fall asleep?" she asked and then looked at the nurse pleadingly.

"Just a little longer," the nurse relented. "But Mr. Winchester needs to be sitting down or else he has to go back to his room."

Eliot rolled his eyes and resumed his seat in the wheelchair, glaring over at the nurse. He felt like a two year old all of the sudden. The nurse checked her IVs and then left.

"I think you got the southern boy charm beat out of you today," Katie smirked.

"Yeah, it has nothing to do with the fact I look like death," he shot back.

"I know, you don't have your good looks to win favor either," she teased. "And that hospital gown is doing nothing for you."

"I could get her number in…" Eliot caught himself before he finished that statement. He grinned. "You're right."

"Wow, I must be close to dying if you're giving up that easy," she grinned.

"Don't even joke about that," he warned before kissing her fingers. "Now go to sleep before they throw me out."

Eventually, Katie fell asleep, the powerful pain meds made it impossible for her to resist. Eliot felt pretty sleepy too but he didn't want to leave her, so he just sat, holding her hand and watching her sleep. The nurse came in as he was dozing off and rushed him out of there.