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sedated and is just co out of it Would you still like to see him?”

She couldn’t speak past the lu her shoulder, heard Kai’s gentleher way down the hall, the surgeon practically jogging to keep up with her

Peirce was there in the bed, bruised, battered, hooked up to e and whole

Hers All hers

She hovered at the edge of the bed, unsure of what to do All those memories of her mother surrounded by machines, in sothrough her head, poisoning this moment—

He blinked slowly and those gorgeous, light-blue eyes looked at her The corner of his ers toward her and she clasped his hand in hers, so grateful for his warmth, the constant beep of his heart rate, the stench of blood and battle sweat and antiseptic “Babe—”

She’d told herself she wouldn’t cry

“—you look like hell”

“Saart”

He shifted in the bed, sending up a chorus of angry noises from the machines and patted the empty space next to him She crawled up without hesitation

The h of contentainst the pillow They lay in quiet for a few roaned

“What?” She was instantly alert

“I forgot”

“Forgot what?”

“I’ now”