The nurses hum Christmas carols as they make their daily rounds. Most put on a happy face while they are with their patients, but with each other, they lament not being able to be with their loved ones until their shift is over.

"So there you are!" Margaret exclaims from the middle of the empty waiting room. She wears a smile on her face, like she had a really good time last night.

I wish I could wear the same smile. "Sorry I missed our meeting. I've been here all night."

"It's okay. Jose and Oliver told me about the reapers. Were you seriously going to set me up with a reaper?" She eyes me suspiciously.

"You're the one who wanted introduced to him. I merely agreed to it." And would've been pissed if he showed any interest in her, but that's a subject for another day.

"Hmmm. Well, he is a hottie, but the whole soul harvester thing gives me the heebiejeebies. I'll just stick to Oliver and Jose. They're more than enough for me."

I actually giggle.

"So, how's Lanie?" Her attention is on me. She seems genuinely concerned about my best friend's condition.

"She was released late last night. She'll need some physical therapy, but she should fully heal."

"How is she handling Adam's death?"

"Not well. She spent most of her time here crying her eyes out. I hated the guy, but he really loved her. I just wish he would've kept his pants zipped."

Margaret nods. "Well, I hope she'll move on. She deserves some happiness.

"So what are your plans for the day?"

She smiles. "I'm going to my dad's. I want to watch my brother and sister unwrap their presents. Also hoping Vanessa will choke on some of the hors d'oerves."

Some things never change. But at least she's going.

"Can we catch up later?" she asks.

"Definitely."

She is gone as quickly as she came and Lanie walks onto the floor just a couple minutes later. Black circles ring her bloodshot eyes and dried tearstains glisten on her cheeks under the hospital's fluorescent lighting. In the crook of her uninjured arm is a vase of daisies, which jostles in her arm as she pushes the door to Grant's hospital room open. She sets the vase on the windowsill.

Grant opens his eyes. He is still pale, but the color is returning to his face slowly but surely. He smiles at Lanie.

She sighs and returns his smile. "Thank you for coming to rescue me...and for everything."

"You're welcome and thank you for the flowers. They're beautiful." He tries to sit up, but sinks back into the bed when it's clear he's too weak. "My nurse told me I was lucky to still be alive, that had I been brought in any later, my family would likely be planning my funeral today."

"I'm glad they got you here. Agent Garrett told me we only survived because of Adam." She shifts her attention away from him, clearly to hide the tears welling in her eyes.

"He didn't make it," Grant guesses. He reaches for her hand and gives it a squeeze. "I'm so sorry for your loss. You've lost a lot in the past week."

Lanie breaks down into tears. "Adam and I...oh, god. I loved that man and I'll probably regret leaving his condo every day for the rest of my life. He died trying to save me..." Her voice trails off as she becomes inconsolable.

Grant clasps her hand in his and I can't help but feel a twinge of jealousy that she can so easily receive his touch. "I think he would've done anything for you. I know I would've done anything for Cheline."

Lanie stops crying and stares at Grant, almost as though she's trying to size him up. "Are you really Cheline's ex-boyfriend or were you just trying to gain my trust for the investigation?"

Grant sucks in a full breath of air and pain flashes through his eyes. "Che really was my girlfriend, and I also wanted to earn your trust. I didn't think you murdered her, but I considered that you knew more than you were saying."

"You were the one from high school, the one she never got over."

"From high school, yes. I'm not sure of the rest of it." He stares out the window. What I would give to know his thoughts....

"The weirdest thing happened last night." Lanie gives a slight laugh. "I don't know what I was more afraid of: Weston or the strange things that went on around us." Another laugh. "While we were eating, he would get this look on his face, like he was in utter discomfort. And then, a few minutes later...it just got really weird. The lights started flickering and there were these coins, they floated in midair." She takes a deep breath. "The coins though, every so often, they would fly at Weston and hit him in the head. If I hadn't been so deathly afraid of what was going on, it would have been almost comical. Eventually Weston started pretending like nothing weird was happening." She lets out a guffaw. "And I'm just thinking, 'Dude, that coin is totally going to wallop you.' I'm not sure what it was, but it unnerved him. I think the gravity of the situation is the only thing that kept me from laughing at him."

She sits on the chair beside the bed. "The strangest thing of all? I heard a voice. It wasn't Cheline's, but she said that Cheline was there and that she wanted me to throw the knife I had tucked under my leg at Weston and grab the shotgun as soon as I had the opportunity. Someone untied me, and as soon as I felt the scarf slacken, I made a go of it. Cheline was there with me last night. I'll bet she was with you, too."

His attention returns to Lanie. "I dreamed of Cheline last night. Don't remember much of it, but she felt alive." He gives her a smile. "And I know without a doubt she was there last night." His eyes narrow. "Have you seen John? Did he make it out okay?"

"His room is my next stop. When I left last night, both of you were in dire straits." She gives his arm a squeeze then rises from the chair. "Well, thank you for everything. I need to go see John before my mom brings Christmas to me at the hotel. Maybe we can get together once you're feeling up to it? I'd love to reminisce about Cheline with someone who actually understood her."

As she opens the door to exit his room, he says, "I'd like that. Merry Christmas, Lanie."

"Merry Christmas to you, too, Officer Smith."

"Please call me Grant, and tell John I said hello."

His eyes do not stray from her as she leaves, but when the door closes, he says, "Merry Christmas to you, Che. I love you." His eyes close and he quickly drifts to sleep.

I lean down and peck him on the forehead. "I love you, too, Grant, but this isn't healthy. You need to move on, hon."

I spend a few minutes watching him sleep, before I decide to check on John. Lanie is already in the room. A vase of assorted flowers in her hands is on the windowsill and John is thanking her for them.

He does not look nearly as good as Grant. His coloring is still fifty shades of pale, his head is mostly covered by a bandage, and his voice is hoarse, almost like he screamed all night, but I know he didn't wake up until just a few hours ago, that the doctors were convinced he could not survive the head wound Tony inflicted upon him.

She thanks him for trying to save her and explains what happened last night. His attention flicks to me as she gives the details surrounding the paranormal activity.

"Have the doctors said when you'll be released?"

John shakes his head then winces. "They say it'll at least be a couple days. No celebrating Christmas in front of the Darth Vader tree for me."

Lanie sighs. "Has your mom been by to see you?"

"I've spoken to her," he answers, "but she hasn't been here yet. She doesn't have a ride and she really shouldn't drive anymore. I think she's going to call a taxi later."

Lanie seems to consider his words. "Would you like for me to bring her here? I totally can."

John's face twists into bewilderment. "You'd do that for me, on Christmas day?"

Lanie wears the same expression. "Absolutely, John. Your mom has to be hurting right now, and if I can make things easier for both of you, I will."

"Are you sure? My mom...well, she's nice and all, but she's a little on the strange side."

Lanie nods. "I've met your mom on many occasions. She'll be fine and if she wants, she can have dinner with us at the hotel. I think Cheline's mom and sister are going to join us. It'll be a little crowded, but it'll be good."

"I don't know if that's wise, Lanie. Has news broken of your innocence?" Ah, he's not so keen on his mom being with someone who has the potential to be shot by one of Harold Bertwinkle's associates.

"Thank god, it has. Today, Weston's picture is plastered all over the television. Two guards are stationed in front of his hospital room at all times. They're taking it pretty seriously. I don't think he'll have a chance at bail since he really is a flight risk."

John nods. "Okay, I'll give her a call. I'm sure she'll be grateful she doesn't have to take a taxi."

He makes the call, and then he and Lanie converse for a few more minutes. Neither seems nervous during their talk and Lanie seems almost relaxed. There is sadness in her eyes, but there is also hope for a better tomorrow. She gives his hand a squeeze before he goes, and I swear more color covers his face than what has ever graced it before.

After she leaves, it is my turn to step forward and talk to him.

"Have you had any visitors this morning?"

Trying to sit up, he shifts his weight to his elbows. "Just the two of you. Why?"

"There was a lot that happened while you were out." I gulp, wonder how much I should tell him.

He looks at me from tattered sweater to destroyed Blahnik. "You fought a reaper."

I nod. "Not just any..."

Jose and Oliver interrupt me as they appear in the room. They give John a high five, tell their friend they're glad he's still on this side of the veil.

"And how are you this fine Christmas morning, Cheline?" Oliver takes in my tattered presence, clearly missed in all the action from last night. "Wow, you took quite the bruising last night. Hay...."

I shoot him a look that says, "Don't you dare say anything right now." Fortunately he listens.

John returns his attention to me. "So what did I miss? I'm sure it was a spectacular show."

As the air seems to shimmer around us, I tell him how Margaret, Jose and Oliver used their tricks to frighten and fend off Tony, and how the reaper helped us by fixing his wound and untying Lanie.

John's eyes narrow when I mention the reaper's interference. "They aren't supposed to do that. Are you sure?"

The three of us ghosts nod. I am the first to speak. "The reaper was your sister. It was Hayli's first night on the job, from what I hear."

"She's a reaper." Surprise lights his face. "That explains why they kept everything quiet after she died, why I always felt there was more to the story. And she saved me?"

"Without a doubt, she is the reason you are recovering from what should have been a fatal blow. She's a hero," I say.

"She's an embarrassment," a voice says. Derek unmasks himself. He is standing in front of the window, blocking the filter of sunlight from entering the room. That explains why the air was shimmery a few minutes ago. "And she needs to be dealt with. But first, which of you struck her with the devilsfoil?"

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Author's Note: I decided to break up one of the chapters since it was so long and had a natural break...so we have two more chapters until the end. If you've enjoyed this story, please consider voting for it or commenting on it. Those votes let us know that we're doing a good job...and the comments give us invaluable feedback that really can help to shape the story. And both really do help me on those days when self-doubt has crept in. As always, thank you for still being here!