*Emberly's POV*
I'm not dead. That's all I can focus on right now. I know I'm not dead because I'm extremely uncomfortable. Death is supposed to be comfortable. And I don't think it sounds like a hospital. Somehow, I make my way back to reality. I try to open my eyes, but the whiteness is blinding. I groan.

           "Emberly? Can you hear me?" I'd recognize Andy's voice anywhere. I slowly peel my eyes open, finding his angular face immediately. I open my mouth to speak but a breathing tube makes that impossible. I grab it, ready to pull it out. His steely grip around my wrists stops me. I tap it impatiently with my hand to signal I want it out. Andy quickly gets up and leaves the room. He returns with Dr. Purdy. I feel my face light up when I see him. He smiles gently and comes over to me, preparing to remove the tube.

            "I'm going to take the tube out. When I count to three I want you to blow out ok?" Dr. Purdy says. I nod. "Ok, 1...2....3." I blow out and the tube is no longer invading my body. He does a quick exam with Andy watching closely by my side.

            "How bad is it?" I ask. My voice is raspy and quiet. The two men share a glance. "How. Bad. Is. It?" I ask again, irritated.

            "Well, you have a fractured ankle, a fractured sternum, broken toes and fingers, a fractured pelvis, ripped muscles, lacerated spleen, bruised kidneys, lacerated liver, multiple lacerations on your arm and thighs, and you had three separate dislocations, but we already fixed those." He looks like there's more. Andy has tears rolling down his face.

              "What aren't you telling me?" I ask. Dr. Purdy sighs.

               "There was extensive damage to your genitalia. Your reproductive system was completely destroyed, and your vagina had to be reconstructed due to the damage done. There is a possibility of some abnormal cell growth because of the extent of the work that had to be done. We'll have to monitor it closely." He admits. "You will not ever be able to have kids. I'm sorry." He excuses himself, leaving Andy and I alone.

               "I'm sorry, Andy." I cry. He slides into bed with me and cradles me in his arms. Tears are falling down my face.

              "You have nothing to be sorry for. I'm the one who should apologize." He whispers. He sounds broken. "Emberly, I couldn't protect you. I'm sorry. Please forgive me." I realize he's crying harder now. I tighten my grip around him.

               "Andy I'm ok. I promise. I'm alive." I comfort him. Then, a thought occurs to me. "Did they catch them?" Andy looks into my eyes.

                "They caught Dr. Riley. Pearce and Juliet are fugitives. There's a huge manhunt underway for them." I nod. He holds me until I fall asleep. I'm completely sedated by his scent and welcome the blackness gladly.

The next morning, I'm woken by a nurse gently shaking me. She smiles when my eyes meet hers.

"Miss Vace, it's time for morning rounds." She informs me, adjusting my bed so I'm sitting up slightly. She leaves and a large group of people enter. I can't see any familiar faces.

"Good morning, Miss Vace. How are you feeling today?" One of the doctors addressed me.

"I'm fine." I respond. I can tell they know I'm lying.

"Ma'am, we can only help you if you're honest with us." A different doctor chimes in. I sigh. I miss Andy. He went home to shower, change, and eat so I'm alone.

"Um, I guess I'm ok. My pain is about a 5 and I don't like the way the pain meds make me feel. I don't have an appetite and uh, my um, the reconstructed area is always aching." I tell them.

"May I take a look? I'm the surgeon who operated on you." A man steps forward. Of course it's a man. I hope he's going to dismiss the others but they all stand around, waiting to watch. I hate that this is a learning hospital. The doctor pulls down my blankets. I'm in an ankle brace and a weird brace around my middle to stabilize my pelvis. He lifts my gown and I feel panic starting to consume me.

"Relax as best as you can, Miss Vace." He instructs. I try to do as he says but as soon as his gloved hands part my entrance I freak. I start kicking and screaming, a full on panic attack consuming me. I'm being held down so I don't injure myself further. I feel a sharp sting in my arm and I begin to fade into the abyss.

When I wake again, I'm not alone. Andy, Dr. Purdy, and Jinxx are all there.

          "Please tell me you're not here to run any more tests." I groan, eyeing Dr. Purdy. He chuckles.

           "No. I'm just here to visit." He assures me. I relax a bit.

            "How are you feeling?" Jinxx takes the seat next to my bed.

            "Peachy. I really love hospital fashion." I joke, motioning to my ill-fitting gown. The three laugh, but I can tell they're only doing so for my benefit. "Tough crowd." I grumble, earning a real laugh from Jinxx this time. "Y'all need to lighten up. I'm alive and healing. Yet, you're acting like I'm on my deathbed." I pout. Andy comes over and kisses my forehead.

               "You're right, beautiful. I'm sorry." He smiles and this time, it reaches his eyes.

              "We're going to let you get some rest, but we'll be back in the next few days." Dr. Purdy promises. I smile and nod. Andy takes Jinxx's now empty seat.

               "Emberly, I think you should see a psychiatrist." Andy says. I look at him.

              "I'm looking at one right now." I smirk. He rolls his eyes at my dad joke.

               "I'm serious. You've been through a trauma. You need to talk to someone." I shake my head.

                "I'm fine. I promise. If I feel like I need to talk to someone, you'll be the first to know." I promise him. He concedes and strokes my hair. I let out a yawn.

                 "Get some sleep, my love. I'll be here when you wake up." I nod, allowing myself to fall asleep.