A/N: So forget that hater, doesn't mean that I'm gonna stop writing! ^_^ Even if one person only liked my story I'd STILL write. But there are thousands that like it so it makes me feel even better. I appreciate those who understand how hard it is to write a story and keep people interested, especially my fellow authors. But anywho, onto the story.

Ellie

When I woke up my head hurt. Well, everything hurt to be honest. Lights blinded my vision when I opened them and I slowly took in everything. I felt a mask over my mouth, heard the steady beep of a machine next to me, and every time I moved my arm I felt a sharp pain. I saw that it was in a sling.

"Amour?" I heard Chris say concerned

I looked over and saw him standing next to my bed instantaneously.

"Hey, hey you're alright. Don't panic, just relax. " He said soothingly

I tried sitting up but I felt pain in my stomach, so gave up on that fairly quickly.

"She's awake." Chris said

A few seconds later I saw two men in uniform come into the room then with Leo following behind them.

"Miss Coleman, is it alright if we ask a few questions?" One of them asked

I looked towards Chris and he nodded his head to signal not to be afraid. He gingerly pulled my oxygen mask off of my face and I looked towards the officers.

"We just want to get your statement and anything you might have seen tonight. We won't be too long."

Chris sat down and stroked my hair while Leo stood in the corner across the room watching us leaned against the wall and his arms crossed.

"Alright, do you know what this man looked like?"

"I couldn't see him. It was too dark and it happened so fast. I gave him my purse....I thought that it might help." I said

"Well we did pick up a guy at the scene. Did he take your purse? Could you tell us what happened?"

"Yes, I gave it to him hoping that he'd leave me alone. But when he didn't....I tried putting up a fight, a pathetic one I might add. And he got the upper hand. If it wasn't for Mr. Calavry, It would've been much worse."

They wrote something down with a nod.

"And do you think you might know this man at all?"

"No...never met him a day in my life. His voice wasn't familiar."

"Thank you Miss Coleman. We will go see this guy and we will come back to you alright? Get some rest and I hope you feel better."

"Thank you officer." I said quietly

The left with the tip of a hat and walked out of my room.

"Is there anything that I can get you amour?" Chris asked

"Could I have something cold to drink?"

"Of course. Soda or water?"

"Soda please."

He kissed the top of my head.

"I'll be back."

He got up from his seat and walked towards the door, nodding towards Leo and then leaving the room. When the door closed, I tried my hardest to keep my eyes off of Leo. What was I to say? Thank you didn't seem like enough. He saved my life. And even though I was grateful....I didn't know where to start.

"Well.... Ellie, I'm glad to see that you are awake and alright." He said suddenly

I looked at him wordlessly taking him in.

"Thank you... for saving my life."

"It was nothing. I'm just glad I got there in time." He said stiffly

"Yeah. Same here." I added lamely

I watched him and said nothing. He did the same, a certain emotion crossing his features. Once again I couldn't quite decipher it, but it held hints of something warm...and vulnerable. The guy Leo was now was shut off and distant. Cold. If there was something more he wanted to say, he didn't allude to it, nor did he mutter anything else on the matter.

"Well...I will see you later. You're in good hands with Chris."

"Yeah, he's great." I said

"Well then. I'll be leaving now. I hope you feel better. See you."

He walked to the door slowly and left, the door closing behind him with finality. I stared at the wall and took in everything that had happened to me tonight. I wonder if it would be me that would have nightmare's now. Not too long later, Chris entered with my ginger ale and a little snack for himself.

"What happened to Leo?"

"Oh he left."

He checked his watch.

"Makes sense, it's almost 3 am."

"How long have I even been out?"

"Five hours love. Doctors say there was no bad damage other than your dislocated shoulder and that you should be back to your regular self soon. They're gonna let you go tomorrow, but they figured you should be able to rest."

He sat down in the chair across from me and held the ginger ale towards my face, the straw facing me. I took a sip and immediately my thirst was quenched. When I finished, he took it away and I said thank you.

"You're welcome. You cold or need another pillow?"

"I'm fine." I smiled softly

He placed his hand on top of mine quietly, slowly bringing my hand to his mouth and kissed the back of it softly, holding it against his face, palm touching his cheek. He looked tortured....and he was quiet.

"Hey." I said softly

Gray eyes flitted up to mine quietly.

"I'm alright. I promise." I said quietly

"I'm gonna find that lowlife." He growled

"No. The cops got him, it's alright."

"It's not! You should be able to walk to your car safely without some perv trying to attack you."

"Leo was there, and he-"

"That's the thing Ellie, what if he wasn't? People like that....those are the freedom's I fought for? It makes me sick to know that even though the good people are free, so are the bad, to do whatever the hell they want."

"But then if you go after this man, all the same freedoms you fought for is then taken away from you. Do you want that?"

"No...you know I don't."

"Then don't go out here and do something stupid. Because that solves nothing and you know that."

"Yeah...I know." He admitted quietly

"It's gonna be alright."

"Yeah, it will because you're never to be out of my sight."

"That's not necessary. It was just one mugging."

"One too many, It never stops. I'll drop you off and come pick you up in the evenings."

"Chris, seriously I'm not a little kid. I'm a grown up. This occurrence is not gonna stop me from doing my job and helping my patients. I'm not gonna let my life stop because of one punk."

"The same punk that put you in here! Look at yourself, your arm. Your face amour looks like you've been in the ring."

I smirked.

"Then I guess no one can say I can't take a punch."

He cracked a small smile despite himself.

"You know what I'm trying to say."

"I know. And I think you should simply relax."

"I won't relax until I'm sure you're safe."

"Well your plan we're scrapping because you have a job of your own to go to."

"So what do you suppose we do Ellie?"

"You learned hand to hand in the army right?"

"Some what. I learned how to handle a gun more often than not. Why?"

"If you worry about me so much, why not teach me to fight?"

"Well I might not be the best.... but I know who is. You might not like it."

"Lemme guess.... Leo?"

"He knows a lot of styles. You told me he has a double black belt. You may not like it but I'd rather you know how to handle yourself than this happen again."

"You're not gonna let this go are you?"

"What kind of man would I be if I let you go after this and not know how to handle yourself? Hell no I'm not letting this go."

"I was afraid of that." I sighed

"I know I'm being annoying... but I only want you protected."

"It's sweet. But trust me, I'll be fine."

He looked away from me and I ran my fingers through his hair. He held my hand against his face and leaned into it.

"You're hot." I said quietly

He smirked and closed his eyes.

"This is not the time to come on to me." He chuckled

"No....I mean your forehead is hot."

He turned away from me and coughed.

"You alright?"

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine." He said softly

"Are you sick?" I asked

"Look, don't worry about me. Let's worry about you."

"Such a stubborn man."

"Like you'd have me any other way."

"Don't flatter yourself." I teased

I felt my eyes starting to droop.

"Why don't you get some sleep?"

He kissed my hand again.

"No can do Ellie, you have to go to sleep first." He smiled

"Why me?" I asked, eyes getting even heavier

"Look at you, you're falling asleep on me as we speak."

"Hush. I bet I last longer than you."

"Go to sleep amour."

I couldn't even fight it anymore.... my eyes dropped shut and I didn't have nearly the energy to open them back up again.