Part 3:

Beep... Beep... Ssh... Beep...

The monitors showing Nova's heart rate beat rhythmically behind my shoulder. The sound of air being pushed through the tube under her nose is almost as constant. I sit, Nova's hand in mine, by her bedside.

Her black hair is splayed on the crisp white hospital pillow, surrounding her head like a black halo. Her eyes have stayed closed ever since she got out of surgery two hours ago. They had to give her double the anesthesia to keep her under, because she normally doesn't sleep at all. They also had to keep her under because she kept putting the doctors to sleep when they were operating.

Her right wrist has a hard, bright blue cast cocooning it as it lays on a pillow. The usual warmth to her skin, is now pale and her hands are like ice. A dark purple bruise blossoms over her left cheekbone, contrasting even more on her pale skin.

Faintly, I hear Hugh and Simon in the hall, "still don't know who did it... called Maggie... Oscar and Ruby..." It's almost one in the morning, but sleep is far from my mind. Someone stabbed Nova. Not only would that be an incredible feat on a regular day, but I know why her guard was down. I know why someone managed to sneak up on her.

"Please, wake up." I whisper, looking up at her pale, white face. I glance up, when I hear the door to her room open.

A nurse enters, here to check Nova's wound again. I have to leave the room, but neither of my dads are in the hall. I stare at the posters on the clipboard across the hall. Posters for lost pets, attorneys, and free coupons take over every inch of the board. I find myself staring into blankness, when the nurse comes back out. "Mr. Everhart, she's awake. She's asking for you." I nod, walking quickly yet tentatively back to her room.

I enter to see Nova sitting up on a mountain of pillows. "Adrian?" I rush over to her side, "Nova," Pulling her gently into my arms, she brings her free hand up to my face. "I'm so sorry." Frowning, I release her and take the seat I've been previously occupying. "For what? You have nothing to be sorry for." She looks at me, her eyes sad. "Your great Uncle-" I cut her off before she even finishes her sentence. "I am so sorry for what he said. I should have stopped him or..."

Looking at the ground, my hands automatically clench into fists. But then I feel Nova place her hand on my forearm. "He was right," She whispers in a voice that's barely audible. "No, Nova. He was wrong." I take her face gently in my hands, trying to avoid the bruise. "I love you, and he just doesn't seem to comprehend that. But if anyone doesn't deserve the other, it's me. Understand me?" She nods slightly, as I see tears enter her eyes. "I love you, Adrian Everhart," she whispers, as she brings my head down to meet hers.

"I love you, Nova Artino."

———

I sit by her bedside until the sunrise is visible through the window in her room. As soon as visiting hours start, our friends and family are in Nova's room in a heartbeat. She talks and laughs with Oscar and Ruby. She hugs Maggie, even though Nova punched her in the arm when she first came in saying, "Can't you stay out of trouble for one night! Honestly,"

My dads as well as Leroy make appearances as well. Max bounces in towards the late afternoon, and Narcissa as well as Danna come towards the end of visiting hours. Some time later, when both of us have fully recovered, we get approval to take Nova home the next day. Although the healers helped as best they could, she will have weekly appointments for about a month or so.

Two weeks later, our lives were pretty uneventful. What, with the doctors appointments and work at headquarters. One night, sitting on the couch with Nova, watching a movie, I decide it's time. "Hey, Nova?" She turns to look at me, her eyes lingering on the movie. Sighing, I stand up and click the movie off. She gives me a puzzled look, but I continue on.

"I've wanted to ask you this for a long time, and I was going to that night. But..." Getting down on one knee, I look up at her. "Thinking that I almost lost you, only proved to me that I can't live without you, Nova Artino. Would you make me the happiest man on the face of this planet, and marry me?" Nova's looking at me, her good hand to her mouth. Her eyes are wide, tears trailing down her cheeks. "Adrian, I..." She breaks off, looking at me. She must see something on my face, because then she starts to nod quickly. "Yes, yes!"

"Really?" I ask stunned. She smiles teasingly back at me, "Yes." I stand up and slide the ring on her finger. Looking down on the women I love, everything, seems to fall into place.

Almost everything...

Standing in the shadows of tree in their backyard, is a man. They chuckle darkly, "How exciting." Then taking a phone out of a pocket, they call an untracable number. "Yeah, I'll keep watch on them." The shadow nods, listening to something on the other end of the call. "I'll be sure, that next time, there won't be a happy ending." Ending the call, the shadow merges back into the shadows, almost as if he was never there at all.

A/N: That might be the finish. I do have an idea to continue, if wanted. But if not, that I hope you liked it. And review, I would love to know what you think. -NR17