A/N: This one goes out to wannabehero1212 who requested this chapter. I hope it's to your satisfaction and you enjoy it =))

It wasn't easy for Maddy to leave the hospital. But with a heavy heart, and promises of a return, she smiled from the door way, as Kit looked up at her, encouraging her to get out of the hospital for a while, take a walk, and eat something real.

Maddy was hesitant as she looked down at him. He suddenly looked so small, lying in the bed. "I don't have to go just yet," she said feeling slightly panicked at the thought of leaving him. "I could stay a while longer…"

Kit shook his head with effort. "Get the hell out of here!" he ordered with warmth that surprised, even him. "Go get some rest, take a shower… you smell," he teased playfully.

Maddy grinned. "You smell too."

"Go…" he encouraged.

Finally, she got the nerve to leave, and she stepped up to the bed and leaned down, closing her eyes and lightly kissing him on the forehead. She opened her eyes just in time to see him smile.

"I'll be back in a few hours," she promised.

"Get a life, will you?" he scolded.

As far as Maddy was concerned, she didn't care too much anymore. She was more than happy to sit around the hospital talking to Kit. It surprised her how dependant she had come to be on him in such a short time. Maddy had been independent before this event had driven her to a cross-road in her life. She had liked being alone. It gave her the space to concentrate on her writing. Noise had been distracting.

Now it was something she welcomed.

Maddy found that the moment she exited the room, her chest tighten. But she ignored it and pushed on. Surely, it wouldn't last long. As she turned through the corridors, she had a direction to move in.

Her waitress acquaintance only lived a few blocks from the hospital, and she sure could use a friendly face. She arrived a little under five minutes later, knocking on the door she stood back and waited.

The door opened, and the familiar face poked her head around the corner. Her face lit up at the sight of her friend. "Maddy?" she squealed instantly embracing her in a hug. "I heard you were trapped in that tunnel… it was all over the news. I called you fifty times and you didn't answer…"

"Hi, Kim," she smiled feeling slightly better. "I've been at the hospital."

"Are you alright?" Kimberly pulled her at arm's length and looked her over as if she expected to see some physical signs of contusions.

"I'm fine," she nodded reassuringly. "I was with Kit… my…" what label did he have? She wondered. She had barely known him two days.

"Your what…" Kimberly smiled with interest.

Maddy laughed. "He was one of them men down there with me… he… he's a hero," she smiled thinking about him. There was no other way to describe the man who had saved her, in more ways than one.

"Remind me to thank him," Kimberly said. "Come on in… you're a mess, do you want to take a shower and change clothes or something?" she offered as they stepped inside.

Maddy smiled, relieved that her friend knew her so well.

"I would love that," she nodded.

Kimberly gave her a towel, and left her to take a shower, while she went in search for something for Maddy to wear, when she emerged from the bathroom.

Maddy allowed the water to run over her for a long time, enjoying the warm fresh water that ridded her body of the dirt that had attached itself to her over the last 48 hours. She closed her eyes, flashes of being back in the tunnel coming to mind. She tensed, tears welling up in her eyes. She suddenly wanted the safety and comfort of Kit Latura. Afraid of being alone, she stepped out of the shower and dried herself off before coming out of the bathroom to collect the clothes that Kimberly had picked for her to wear.

She frowned as she looked down at the outfit. "Not very casual, is it?" she acknowledged, her eyes scanning over the formal summer dress.

"I think it's nice," Kimberly grinned cheekily.

"Kim…" she warned. "What are you doing?"

"It's all I have," she shrugged.

"Why don't I believe you…" she said skeptically.

"Ye of little faith," she pretended to be hurt.

Maddy reluctantly replaced the now-damp towel with the clothing. One she was dressed, Kimberly made her a coffee and forcibly gave her sandwich, and the two of them sat down to chat. Maddy answered the never-ending questions that Kimberly bombarded her with, as she nibbled on the bread, barely hungry after the past day's events.

"So… what's this HERO like?" Kimberly grinned teasingly.

"He's a good guy," she admitted.

"Think they're might be a potential-"

Maddy saw where this conversation was going. "Kim," she warned. "It's not like that. He saved my life. He's the chief of police… he… I'm still getting over David."

"Then this guy is perfect," her friend stated. "Both of you were in a tragic tunnel accident, both drawn together, both needy and single… come on, what better way to get over a broken heart than to hook up with-"

It seemed like she would taint the bond they created with something as meaningless as a fling. Maddy knew how easy emotions could get involved too, and she was in no frame of mind to go embarking on that kind of relationship.

Maddy stood from the table, feeling slightly refreshed; her chest still tight from leaving Kit in the hospital room. "I think I should be getting back to…"

Kimberly winked.

"Don't start," she warned.

Her friend only laughed. "Okay… well, I mean you lost everything how do you… I know," she turned and rummaged through one of her kitchen cabinets, and pulled out a cell phone, she handed it to Maddy. "Stay in contact. Let me know if you need anything… a place to stay… food… whatever, just call me okay?"

Maddy nodded. "I will, thanks Kim."

"No worries." She walked her friend to the door.

Maddy hugged her goodbye, promising to call her soon, before she made her exit. It took Maddy another five minutes to get back to the hospital, and the moment she poked her head into the room and saw him laying peacefully in the bed, staring at the ceiling, she felt the tightness in her chest loosen.

She stepped into the room.

He turned his head to see her. "Hey," he greeted.

"Hi," she smiled.

"You look… refreshed," he said awkwardly.

She blushed looking down at herself, and feeling over-dressed. "It's all Kim had," she explained. "It's amazing what a little soap can do."

Maddy approached the bed and took her position in the chair next to him.

"It wouldn't kill you to do with a little soap, yourself," she teased.

"I'll be sure to mention that to the nurse when she comes in," he said.

Maddy smiled.

"How are you feeling?"

Kit raised an eyebrow. "Considering… I'm good."

"Good," she nodded.

Not sure where to go from here… but if you give me an idea, I'll give it a shot.

Reviews are gratefully appreciated. =))