Derek obviously didn't know what to do. His lips moved but no words came out. I went to move back to the side of the bed to give him his space. Derek caught my hand asking me to stay. I don't know if it was his nerves or my new lesser strength level. But his grip was tight.
"Someone please tell me this is a cruel joke," he pleaded.
Simon shook his head.
There was so much conflict in Derek's eyes. He wanted to pull me in and comfort me. But he was also afraid to touch me.
"I'm sorry," I said.
"Don't you dare apologize," Derek replied. "This is not your fault. This is my fault. I should've protected you better."
"You had no idea that something like this could happen," Simon pointed out.
Derek shot him a look.
There was a rap on the door as Tori walked in. Seeming like her old rude self for the moment.
"Hey wolf boys awake," she said. She looked over at me, "Has he reinfected you yet?"
Stunned silence answered her.
"What?" She asked. "He's obviously going to at some point."
Simon stood up, "Out Tori. Could you be more insensitive?"
He grabbed her arm and lead her out of the room. Derek and I sat in silence for a minute.
"I can't," Derek said quietly. "I can't knowingly do that to you."
"But-"
"I can't Chloe. You have a second chance, you should take it."
I didn't know though. I didn't know if I wanted to take it or if I wanted to go back. I just didn't know...
"What If I decide I want it?" I ask.
"I know you don't want to go through all that again. I saw what it did to you. I saw how scared you were."
"But what if I do want it?"
"I can't knowingly do that to you," Derek said.
I understood where Derek was coming from but it also kind of felt like he was making the decision for me. I didn't know what I wanted but he wasn't going to let me decide.
"Ok," I said quietly and sank into the sheets, depression taking over.
"Chloe," Derek sighed. He moved the food off the bed and onto the nightstand.
I didn't respond.
"Chloe," he said again. "I can't come to you with these stitches, please come here."
"Why?" I asked. "You don't want to touch me."
"That's not true, I'm just scared."
He tried to pull me up, he hissed as the stitches pulled.
"Fine. Don't hurt yourself," I readjusted myself so my head gently laid against his chest.
"I'm sorry Chloe," he whispered. "It's all my fault."
"No it's not," I argued. Then I added. "I love you Derek."
I could hear his breath get caught. Even though he blamed himself so much, he now knew that I didn't blame him in the slightest. And that I still loved him no matter what.
"I love you too Chloe."