"Paige, honey, stop sitting up," Emily sighed as Paige struggled to reach for her cell phone on the small rollaway table. "Just ask, and I'll get it for you."

"Fine," Paige sighed, already impatient. She had been in the hospital for just a day, after being diagnosed with a concussion and a fractured rib. The doctor had told her she was extremely lucky, considering what could have happened. She fully agreed with him, especially seeing what Alison had looked like. She could handle a concussion and a cracked rib. But it did mean a lot of staying still, something she wasn't very good at. The doctor wanted to keep her a couple days, and she was already restless to go outside.

Emily had been with her the whole time, of course. She had slept curled up in the hard plastic chair next to her bed, and she hadn't left her side the whole time. Her parents had come earlier that morning, her mother bursting into tears as soon as she had seen her. Her father didn't cry but had choked up when he told her he was glad she was okay. Hanna and Caleb had come by as well, and Mona had called to say she was stopping by later. Spencer and Toby had come as well, Toby lecturing her on trying to play cop even though she insisted she hadn't (which she really didn't feel like she did). She was glad to have the visitors, but without them to distract her she was back to pouting that she couldn't move.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart," she told her sympathetically. "I know you don't like this. But it's for your own good."

"Hmph."

"Hey," she started gently, stroking her cheek. "I am so grateful, Paige. I was so terrified when I was going to see if you were okay. I know you hate feeling helpless, but things could have been so much worse."

"I know," she sighed. "I'm sorry."

"You don't need to apologize," Emily replied, kissing her forehead. "I love you so, so much."

"I love you, too," Paige replied, a small smile crossing her face. Emily could make anything bearable.

"This will go faster than you think."

"I hope so." She was silent for a moment, reflecting on everything that had happened over the past day. It still felt a little like a dream. A nightmare. "I can't believe we didn't know it was Darren. All those times he came onto me, when he yelled at Alison in class….. I should have seen it."

"None of that matters now," Emily soothed, stroking her hair. "Try to rest, love. Please."

"Okay," she agreed, and she had to admit she was tired. "Em?"

"Mmm?"

"Thank you for staying."

"Anything for you," Emily replied, leaning down to kiss her. "Close your eyes. I'm not going anywhere."

She was allowed to go home a week later. Emily fussed over her as if she had broken every bone in her body, and she strangely found it endearing. Although she liked to be independent and didn't necessarily enjoy needing help every time she wanted to do something simple like use the bathroom, she liked to see how much Emily loved her. It made her feel safe.

"Do you need anything? More juice? Another pillow? Do you have to go to the bathroom? I can put a movie on for you."

"Em, babe, slow down," Paige laughed, wincing as a pain shot through her ribs. Emily was on it in a second.

"Do you need more ice? Another pain killer?"

"Emily," she soothed, pulling her down beside her. "All I need is you. Please, just sit with me."

Emily did as she was told, climbing onto the bed and snuggling next to her. Paige sighed, closing her eyes as she felt Emily's fingers running through her hair.

"That feels good."

"Let me know if you need anything."

"I will, I promise. But for now let's just relax," she replied, squeezing Emily's hand.

"I can't relax."

"You're taking very good care of me, Em. You deserve some down time."

"Okay, okay."

"Maybe now we'll have some time to be a normal couple," Paige continued. Emily smiled.

"I know we've had a lot of weird things to deal with. But I wouldn't trade any of it."

"Yeah," Paige agreed, smiling. She had to agree. As horrible as some of the past few weeks had been, she had met this incredible woman and she wouldn't do it any differently. "Em?"

"Yes, honey?"

"I couldn't have helped Alison, right? There was nothing I could have done?"

"No," Emily replied, trying to assure her yet again that she couldn't have prevented what had happened to Alison. "You helped her the best you could with Ian. But you had no way of knowing what was going to happen. You need to tell yourself it's okay."

"Yeah," she agreed, nodding. Emily was right. No amount of self loathing was going to bring Alison back, either. She had to let it go. "Thank you."

"Of course. You are an amazing woman Paige, and you care about others more than anyone I have ever known. But you can't save everyone. And you can't be angry with yourself."

"I know," Paige agreed. "And as long as I have you, I can get through anything."

Emily smiled, looking at the woman in front of her. She couldn't describe in words how she felt about her. And now their future was unlimited, full of possibilities now that they could be carefree. They would enjoy every moment of it.

"You're sure you don't need anything?" Emily asked again. Paige laughed, kissing her softly.

"I'm sure, baby. All I need is you."

A/N: So this is the short, fluffy chapter to end this part of the story. Stay tuned for the second part, which should be coming along soon. There's a blizzard on its way that's going to close school for a couple days, (any fellow East Coasters?) so I'll have plenty of time to write. So, get ready for part two!