She couldn't believe the three words she had just heard. It felt like her brain was simply refusing to take them in, not being able to wrap herself around them. She couldn't let herself believe he didn't even remember her at all. After all they had gone through together? Really? Or was it because she probably looked terrible after waking up from a coma? Even so, he would recognize her. This could not be true. If he truly didn't remember her and they'd have to start all over again, then life wasn't worth living. She'd do it, no doubt, but she felt suddenly desperate and discouraged to keep fighting against the whole universe on her own.

Tears started rolling down her cheeks. She didn't want them too, but her heart was in pieces and there was nothing she could do to stop them from flowing out. Sharon remained still, her eyes deeply dived into his, not even knowing what to say. As the silence was now too heavy to bear, she gently slid her hand out of his. Her eyes were already on the door when she felt him squeeze it, not letting her go just yet.

- Where are you going? he asked confused.

- Since you don't… recognize me, I thought you…

She looked him in the eye again, feeling him squeeze her hand even tighter. That's when she saw it. That look in his eyes. He grinned knowing he had probably not chosen the best time to be the idiot she had fallen in love with years ago.

- You damn… idiot! she laughed and cried all at once.

- You love me though, he gave her a cheeky smile and pulled her closer.

- You scared the hell out of me! Never, EVER, do that to me again! she emphasized pretending to gently hit him on the chest.

Although she wanted to be tremendously mad at him for faking amnesia in the worst moment, she loved that man more than words could ever describe. Oh he wouldn't get away with it that easily but she had enough time ahead to be mad at him.

- I'm sorry, Sweetheart! Didn't mean to make you cry though… he clearly felt bad.

- Which is why you definitely have to make it up to me now, Lieutenant, she teased still sniffling from her now-forgotten tears.

- Absolutely! It will be my pleasure Ma'am! Let me start with this… he sat down on his bed and got closer to her so that he would be able to make his good hand trace along her hairline ending up on the side of her face to push her in for a long and deep reunion kiss.

He had missed her so much, all of her. Her eyes, her face, her body, her laughter, the finesse of her lines, even her little eye tiny wrinkles that made her look adorably cute when she smiled. But what he had missed the most was simply her. She had the power to enlighten him, bring him back to life within a simple smile, a caress, any gesture really. A look from her could lighten up any dark thought as if it was pure magic. He loved her so much she was now part of him, and he would never let her out of his sight again. What would he be without her?

- How come it took you so long to get to me honey? Emily told me hours ago that you had finally woken up, Andy asked quizzically, now holding her hands.

- Mrs. Raydor, I have to bring you back to your room, the nurse interrupted Sharon as she was about to answer Andy's question.

- Oh no, already? reacted Sharon, her heart already aching in anticipation.

- Wouldn't it be possible for her to stay here? I'll make her some room… proposed Andy not ready to let her go.

- Well… usually that's not a possibility. Mrs Raydor has to be monitored, we have to keep her under close watch, the nurse declined.

- I know but please! Wouldn't it be possible to find a way for us to stay together? Please? I can move to her room if that makes it any better? Andy was desperate.

- I can see you two won't take a no for an answer, she chuckled quite amused and touched by the obvious loving bond they shared. Okay, okay. I'll take your proposition, moving to Mrs Raydor's room will definitely make it more practical as she's freshly out of her coma and needs more monitoring than you do, Sir.

- Of course, I'll take good care of her, he smiled squeezing her hand and meeting her eyes.

After making the personnel move him to her room in the middle of the night, they were finally able to settle in bed together. He would obviously never admit to Captain Rulebook he had actually shown his badge several times to convince - force would be more accurate - the hospital personnel to move him into her room at that late hour but he was damn happy he had as he wouldn't have been able to get any sleep knowing her alone in another room. Once in the room that was now theirs, they carefully managed to find a comfortable position that would both fit his injured arm and her broken ribs. They were physically in pain but being back to each other made it all bearable and almost forgotten. She nuzzled her face in the crook of his neck seeking for his scent. In each other's arms, everything could be faced even if it was the two of them against the whole world.

- Look at the ill-equipped couple we are, she laughed.

- I know! he joined her in her laugh.

- Thank you, Andy. You saved my life… again! she softly wrapped her arm around his chest. Thank you so much…

- I'll do it a hundred times if you need it. I'll always have your back even halfway around the world.

- I love you so, so much, she kissed his neck. I'm sorry it took me so long to come back to you… she pulled out of his embrace to face him.

- I love you more than words can say, Sweetheart. I'm never gonna let you go now, you know that? he sweetly curved his lips upwards rising a little for his lips to meet hers.

- I'm fully yours, now and forever, if you'll have me…

- You're my girl…

- How come you never gave up on us? she lowered herself, laying her head on his shoulder.

- I tried… it just didn't feel right without you. I know I am where I'm supposed to be now. I belong to you, always have, always will! he caressed her hair.

If only time could stand still. It was the best place in the world. His arms. Their connection. It felt so good to feel his warmth enveloping her, protecting her. She wouldn't get tired of it, ever.

- Why didn't you come to see me sooner? Andy asked again, suddenly remembering he had never had the answer to his question earlier.

- I don't know… she was evasive, not knowing if she could share with him her crazy journey.

- Were you scared? he asked suddenly concerned. I really want you to just tell me if there's anything bothering you, okay?

- No, don't worry. I'm fine, really! How could I not be okay being here with you… her voice was soft though he could sense she wasn't telling him everything.

- Okay… but you can tell me anything, Sweetheart. I hope you won't ever feel like you can't share something with me. I'll be there when you're ready to talk… he knew her too well, she just needed some time to collect herself.

- Thank you… she whispered snuggling even closer into his side.

She was having a hard time wrapping herself around this whole idea of having imagined they were already much ahead in their relationship and life in general. It was weird to sort of live it again. Maybe he felt like she wasn't caring enough about him but from her point of view she had overcome her issues, her doubts, she even lived and worked with him on a daily basis. What if he was expecting her to go through a trauma? She was past that point and he wouldn't understand how she could be so over it like it was nothing to be abducted and tortured for one month and a half. She would probably have to share it with him at some point, she reasoned. Actually, she felt impatient, she wanted to go back to the life she thought she already had with him and it felt frustrating to be brought back to this sad chapter of her life. Her injuries were probably the worst part of it. She thought she had healed from them already and yet there she was, her body all soar and broken again.

- Andy? she whispered.

- Mmh?

- You asleep? she questioned biting her bottom lip feeling a little guilty to break the silence.

- No… was just thinking about how lucky I was to have you with me… Almost lost you… again. Wouldn't have been able to go through that one more time…, he kissed her hairline.

- Not going anywhere my love. Everything's gonna be alright, you'll see… she was confident. You know, without you I wouldn't here. You really saved my life, Andy. If you had come just an hour later, he probably would have… the emotion gained her.

- But I got there in time and you're safe now. I'm gonna take care of you, Sharon, with every fiber of my being. I'll love you every single minute until my last breath and beyond. I'll look after you wherever you are, you can be sure of that. That bastard is gone for good and nobody will ever hurt you again, I can promise you that much, he was basking in love and contentment, he would have her safe even if he had to die for it. I'll never let you go my love, you are my world and I just want you to know I'll have all of you, the good and the bad, I love it all.

How couldn't she be in love with him? He was made to complete her in every way. Even though she had already loved him deeply for years, it seemed like their love never stopped growing despite the obstacles they had had to overcome over the years and the ones still to come. She was confident and at peace knowing she had finally made her way back into his tender and protective arms. Sharon had always reflected how strong she was to the outside world, always so hard to reach, independent. But at that precise moment, she had no shame in showing him how fragile and in need of his protection she felt. She knew she could count on him eyes closed and believed in every word he said. He had proved her his sincere and deep love for her more than once. She was over the moon happy with the person God had sent for her and she couldn't have dreamt for a better man to fill her with joy and love.

- You always know how to talk to me. You'll never cease to amaze me with how you care and cherish us. I'll never give up on you, Andy. No matter what, I'll always come back to you in a way or another. My heart will never beat as strongly for anyone else, that's simply impossible.

They remained silent for several times for no words could express how they felt about each other. Touching each other's warm wounded skin was all they needed to feel how strong their love was. It was insane to feel that way for anybody and they believed it only happened once in a lifetime. They had been lucky to find each other and even though they had gone through a complete mess to finally be able to simply be together, they were finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

- I didn't come to see you earlier because I was completely confused and lost… I mean not about you or us. Actually, a very weird thing happened to me… and I can't quite explain it… she whispered.

When she found no answer after a few long seconds, she carefully rose trying to spear her stomach stitches and realized her man had fallen asleep. She chuckled to herself. How terribly cliché! The poor thing was just exhausted. It had indeed been a big day for both and not a very resting night. She snuggled back into him, finding a comfortable position to let herself drift off to sleep as well. After all, she could tell him another time.

He had finally been able to rest properly after all these nights not being able to close his eyes knowing Sharon still in coma. He had spent years without that woman but oh god he couldn't sleep well not having her in his embrace. He needed to know she was safe and not even hypnosis had let him drift off while not feeling her peaceful breathing against him. Her heartbeat lulled him to sleep and only hers would let him find his rest.

As he blinked to the light now invading their hospital room, he was surprised not to feel her weight against his side. His right arm hanging in a sling, he patted with the left one on her side of the small bed, only to feel it was cold. He raised his head looking around the room, in search for Sharon. A sudden noise caught his attention. He heard some rattling and shuffling in the bathroom. Still patting her bedside, he felt a funny sensation under his fingers. Something was wet. He looked at it, suddenly curious. Blood. A large spot of reddish liquid not soaked yet in the sheets.

- Sharon? he called for her, his worry rising up in a blink.

As she didn't answer his call, he decided to put himself on his feet and go make sure she was alright.

- Sharon? Are you okay? Are you bleeding? he managed to shout, his voice still hoarse from sleep.

He hurried to the bathroom. Now a few steps away from it, he saw her appear in the doorframe her hand on her nose.

- Yeah… just trying to stop the bleeding… she mumbled behind her hand.

- You're bleeding! Look at you! You're covered in blood! he exclaimed now panicked, eyes almost falling out.

- No no, it's okay, it's just a nosebleed. The nurse said it could happen after I woke up from my coma, she reassured him.

- Let me help you. There, hold your head still and press your nose with both hands, he came behind her helping her with one hand.

- I didn't know you had nurse skills, she chuckled from behind the tissue.

- Yeah and you're lucky I do! Gosh you scared me! Are you alright? You've lost quite a lot of blood here, look at your gown… Let me get the nurse…

- It's okay, Andy! she tried to protest but it was too late, he was already halfway through the room, soon reaching for the doorhandle.

He remembered to ask her about what she wanted for breakfast before reaching the door so he backtracked meaning to question her. As he laid eyes on her again, he realized her gestures felt odd, as if she was about to… Panic filled him. His legs started running like he was a good 10 years younger. Adrenaline. She had probably lost too much blood now feeling faint. She was stumbling, threating to fall any second now. He couldn't risk for her to hurt herself. He came behind her and put his left arm around her waist pulling her up against him as strongly as he could. As it wasn't strong enough to lift her up, he used his injured arm to take on her full weight. She gasped as she felt him catch her firmly, her ribs suddenly hurting and he groaned feeling the pain that had just shot inside his shoulder. He kept her against his chest for a few seconds, waiting for both to feel balanced again.

- Easy honey… let's just sit down on the floor for a few minutes.

He heard her sigh heavily, probably trying to regain her senses still fighting the dizziness. As they were safely on the ground, he finally let her go now putting his hand on her back soothing her. Still under the dizzy spells, she shifted and decided to lay back against him letting her weight rest on him. His head came to rest on top of hers, showing her his compassion and support. After several minutes of simply sitting there hoping for his girl to feel better, it hit him. It was funny how he hadn't even made the link. She would believe he had gone crazy if he ever told her but suddenly it felt obvious that the two things were linked. She sighed again which brought him back to the present.

- Feeling any better, Sweetheart? His voice soft with tenderness.

- The dizziness is lighter now, I should probably go lay down for a bit and call the nurse.

- Good idea! How about I take you to bed… he gave her a cheeky smile, I can see you coming, he chuckled.

- Take me to bed, Lieutenant? she teased and he just laughed amazed by her capacity of teasing him while being in a hospital room covered in scratches and bruises after waking up from a coma AND having just had a major nosebleed which let to almost fainting.

- Right, unfortunately not in that way, he chuckled again, but I'll take you to bed so that I can make sure you don't fall again and then I'll go call the nurse. You should eat something too… should help you feel a little stronger!

Andy was so involved, so invested in being there for her. He was just breathtaking in every way and she felt her heart weak by the only thought of having the privilege to call him hers.

- Let her check your shoulder while you're at it… heard you in pain when you caught me, honey… hope I didn't make it any worse… sorry… she offered him a sad smile from the hospital bed.

- Don't worry about it, Sweetheart. Was more than worth it!

Andy was released before her. Obviously, he had stayed in a shorter coma and except for the gunshot in his shoulder, he was pretty much okay. He still had to wear the sling, though he was now allowed to sleep without it. Anyways, it hadn't changed much from their routine as he refused to leave the hospital without her. He then forced the medical personnel to accept his presence in the room although no monitors were needed for him anymore.

It was funny to feel like, although she had dreamt the whole thing, events seemed to meet her imagination. It felt like knowing what the future was made of and it was great for once to be confident about what was coming ahead. She knew there was only happiness to come and more things to share together.

On the other hand, her children were confused and didn't seem to understand their mother being so in love and joyful, as they had expected her to be much different. They had prepared themselves to see a still fully shocked mother and they couldn't be further from the truth. Sharon hadn't shared any of her personal experience during coma with neither her children nor Andy.

By the way, he didn't seem so surprised after all, going along with her jokes and only asking a few times a day if she was okay. It was all him trauma or no trauma. He would always make sure she was alright no matter the situation and she felt it heartwarming to be so well taken care of. Of course, she hated the idea to feel like a burden to others and didn't want to be the center of attention. In this case though, she felt like he was just being Andy, that adorably goofy and clumsy guy who just happened to be the most considerate person in the world. Once in a while she would still mention that he didn't need to do all that for her, but every time he just answered the same damn line – he wanted to do it anyways and even without her agreement he would keep being annoyingly considerate. He would just smile proudly after imposing his never changing answer and kiss her on the forehead. Maybe, just maybe, the universe had finally agreed to let them be happy for once and help them make the best out the years they had ahead of them.