Family

After Emily had left the room Aaron took another double take at Carrie. He couldn't believe his eyes when he saw her. Was this really the same woman he'd been a hostage with? Without all that matted hair and having had a good bath she was a striking beauty. She looked incredible with her bald head and would probably turn a head or two by her beauty let alone her radical haircut.

"Wow, you look fantastic," he smiled.

"Really?" she asked shyly stroking her shaven head with her good hand.

"Absolutely," he smiled tenderly. "How are you?"

"I'm alright. Just a few broken bones and a little stomach infection. More importantly how are you?"

"I'm fine..."

Carrie furrowed her eyebrow answering, "my sister told me you were stubborn."

He rolled his eyes. Oh great, she was exactly like her sister. "I've been better."

She nodded. "I'm so sorry..."

"None of this was your fault. You didn't deserve any of what you went through. You didn't want me to be stabbed as much as I didn't want you to be stabbed. I'd have protected and saved you a million times over."

"Thank you for saving me."

"It was nothing. It's my job..." She looked down nodding. "Finding out your Emily's sister makes it even better that it was you I protected. I'm so proud and happy I reunited you with your sister," he smiled tenderly.

"You love her, don't you?"

He nodded shyly. "I do. I've missed her so much since she left. Thank you for bringing her back into my life."

"Oh, I don't think she needs me to be in your life..." He looked at her confused. "She loves you. A sister knows even when we haven't seen each other in seven years. She's been very concerned about you."

He smiled slightly feeling his heart soar. "I'm sure she'll always need you in her life. You look very close."

"We were before I was taken. She helped me break up with my abusive boyfriend," she answered.

"Sounds just like her. Always looking out for others."

"Yer that's my sister..."

Emily walked back in with the doctor smiling at how well Aaron was getting on with Carrie. She hoped if he loved her back the fact they got in really well would help keep the family together and never lose Carrie ever again. She hoped Aaron would help Carrie over the last seven years.

The doctor took a look at Aaron's injuries and declared everything was healing well and he was well on the road to recovery. Aaron begrudgingly thanked him while Emily and Carrie thanked him sincerely.

Suddenly they heard the sound of feet running into the room and looked up to see Jack run through the doorway and up to his father with Jessica following holding a string of get well balloons. He smiled at them and hugged Jack being careful of his stomach,

"Dad, are you alright?" he asked concerned.

"I am now," he smiled hugging him carefully.

"I was worried."

"I know. I'm so sorry..."

"You're getting better now, dad, and that's all that matters. It's not your fault the bad guy got you..." He smiled at him. Jack then turned to Carrie and asked, "You're Emily's sister?" She nodded. "It wasn't your fault either. It's my dad;s job to save people. He's a superhero."

"Yes he is," she smiled at him.

"What happened to your hair?" he asked cuddling up carefully to his dad curiously.

"Emily shaved it all off because it was really really messy and knotted," she replied stroking it again. She was beginning to get used to and really like the feel of her head and it excited her that she'd finally done it.

"It looks cool," he smiled.

"It does," Aaron and Jessica added smiling.

"Thanks," Emily and Carrie smiled back while Emily placed her hands on Carrie's shoulders.