"So can we see her?" Riley asked the second Michael entered the ER.

"We have her stabilized so you can go in for a minute. Just don't stay too long. She needs her rest."
Jen clutched Riley's hand. "God, Riley, she's so pale!" She gasped when they reached Marcie's bed. She rushed to her friend's side and took her hand.
"Marcie, it's Jen. Can you hear me?"

Slowly, Marcie turned her head. "Jen?" She said weakly.

Jen smiled through her tears. "Yeah, it's me. You're in the hospital. Michael's taking care of you and you're gonna be just fine."

Ron smiled and kissed Marcie's forehead. "Hey Sis. You gave us one hell of a scare."
"I'm sorry, Ron." Marcie answered faintly.

"So glad you're okay, Hon." Riley said squeezing Marcie's hand.

"Thanks, Riley." Marcie's voice seemed to get weaker with every syllable.

"We'd better go." Ron said, ushering them toward the door.
"Thank you for saving her." Michael said, shaking Riley, Jen and Ron's hands. "You have no idea what this means to me."
"So when can she go home?" Ron asked.

"Actually, I'd like to keep her here for a few days, just to make sure she's okay." Michael said.

"So what happened?" Riley asked.

"Well, she was malnourished and dehydrated, but she's a lot better now. I wish I knew what caused this."

Riley and Jen exchanged glances.

"What's going on?" Michael asked.

"I'll tell you exactly what's going on!" Jen said. "Nick Messina is responsible for this! He almost killed her, Michael!"
"Jen!" Riley said, putting his hand on her arm.

"What are you talking about?" Michael asked. "Who's Nick Messina?"

"He's the jerk that lives with us at the Love House. He's really been tearing into Marcie about her weight, man." Riley said. "Every day he comments on it, and just won't let up."
"He's terrible, Michael." Jen added.
"Why didn't you guys tell me about this?" Ron asked. "I'd love to rip him to pieces."
"That makes two of us." Riley said.

"But that doesn't explain why she's so malnourished." Michael said.

Jen looked away.
"Jen, what's going on?" Michael demanded.

"Damn it, I love her, and I'm responsible for her! I need to know!."

"We don't think that Marcie has eaten much in the past few days." Riley admitted.

"A few days?" Michael asked, incredulous. "Are you serious? Why didn't you bring her in sooner?"
"Well, we didn't really know until we saw that she hadn't touched her lunch. That could have been why she passed out. It was awfully hot out." Jen said.
"Yeah, I already scolded her about that one. She knows better than to go without water in this New York heat." Michael said.

"So... is she going to be okay?" Jen asked worriedly.

"I'll take good care of her." Michael assured her.

"Come on, Jen." Riley said, draping his arm around her shoulders. "Let's go home."

When they stepped outside, Jen suddenly turned around and walked back into the hospital.

Puzzled, Riley and Ron watched as Jen pushed her way past a crowd of people, running into the ER."
"Hey Jen!" Riley called. "Where are you going?"

Michael came out into the hallway, surprised when Jen ran toward him and flung herself into his arms.

"Jen, what's wrong?"

When she didn't answer, he gently pulled her away. "Are you okay?"

Suddenly she smiled. "Thank you for saving my best friend, Michael."
Michael hugged her tightly. "It was my pleasure. I'd save her a million times over if I had to."