Home sweet home... sadly.

I would've walked inside but Jackson insisted on carrying me so I let him. However when we got inside the house, it was quiet. Which meant the kids weren't home. It was still morning so I suppose I should've realized the kids would be at school... but I didn't think about it. "Can I walk now? I wanna go upstairs, change and sleep..."

I slowly let her down to her feet, making sure she was steady, but keeping my hand softly on her back. "Would you like me to make you something? Some soup? A sandwich. Anything."

"I'm not hungry. Thank you anyways though." I turned, gripping the stair handle and slowly pulling myself up the steps. "You can go home, Jackson. I don't need a babysitter. Thank you though." I said halfway up the steps.

"Is that what you see me as? A babysitter?" I asked, coming up on the stairs, walking beside her. "I am not a baby sitter, especially not for you. I'm your friends, and friends help friends. Friends are there for friends. I'm not baby sitting you."

"I.." Tears build in my eyes. "I'm just a person who likes to be alone.. especially when I'm hurting. So... I... I'm sorry." I sighed, coming to the top of the steps and stopping to breathe. "I'm sorry, it's my personality to clam up."

"Well, maybe I can just sit here with you, and you can stay silent all you want. I just don't want to see you be alone right now. It wouldn't feel right." I caressed her arm softly, looking down into her gorgeous eyes. I could get lost in them easily, but they weren't eyes I was allowed to get lost in. She was my friend, quite possibly my best friend, but my friend and nothing more.

"I'd like that." I said softly, giving my first genuine smile all day. I walked with him toward the bedroom, pushing the door open and stopping. "Wait here while I change okay?" I closed the door, leaving it only open a little and went to get pajama's, thankfully i had showered at the hospital with the nurse's help so I didn't need one now. I pulled out a nightgown, kicking my shoes off and pulling the drawstring undone, letting the pants fall in a puddle at my feet. However when I got to the shirt I couldn't get it off. It hurt too much. "Damn it."

I heard the pain in her voice as she cursed out, and without thinking, ran into the bedroom. "Abby, you o...k?" I stopped there in front of her, staring at her half naked. "I um..." I didn't turn my eyes away, even if I knew I probably shouldn't. "Are you... Did you hurt yourself?"

"I..." I frowned slightly, trying not to think about how his eyes looked staring at me... "My side hurts... I can't get my shirt off. Will you... eh... help me and then help me get my nightgown on?" I bit my lip, at least thankful I had a bra on.. so it wouldn't be that bad to ask for help.

I nodded, walking over to her. "Of course." I reached out, taking the hem of the scrub shirt she was wearing and pulled it up over her head. I did my best to keep focused and not stare at her body, but it was next to impossible. I reached for the nightgown after letting go of the shirt. Pulling it on over her head, I looked down at her. "How inappropriate of me is it to tell you how good you look?"

My cheeks blushed, my eyes lifting up to look at his. "Slightly inappropriate..." I smiled softly. "But thank you. I'm sure you look very good under clothes too." I laughed. "That was so bad! You're making me bad!" I smiled at him. "Thank you for your help." I sat down on the bed, slowly sliding back, wincing only slightly. "Sit," I patted the spot next to me.

I sat down beside her on the bed, wrapping my arm around her shoulders. "What kind of friends would we be if we couldn't tell each other things, no matter what it is?" I kissed the side of her head, holding her protectively in my arms. "I'm really sorry I didn't protect you that night, Abby. You know I would have done anything to save you that night. I'm so sorry I didn't."

"Don't be sorry. It's not your fault." I whispered, my head on his chest, my eyes closing. I was tired. Which was odd considering I slept for days on end in the hospital. "I don't blame you. It was my fault."

"It wasn't anyone's fault," I said, yawning slightly. "Things just happen. But I would erase it if I could." I started falling asleep, having not even noticed how tired I was until now.