I wasn't sure how long I'd slept. Days, weeks, years, it could have been forever. An eternity trapped in black nothingness, deprived of exposure to the world. I didn't even dream - I was just stuck there, in an impenetrable, inescapable black hole. I couldn't climb out, the walls were much too high. Then, all of a sudden, those walls began to fade, becoming smaller and smaller, turning to mist. I could hear a beeping sound somewhere near me, and someone breathing. This wasn't right, I was lost. I slowly opened my eyes, and took in my surroundings. The room was plain, blank and sterile. A harsh white that made my eyes ache. I was lying in a bed - an uncomfortable one at that - and there was a table beside me. The room was fairly small, lacking personality. There was one chair, by the wall, and it was occupied by someone who sat slouching, with his head down. All I could see was a very familiar mop of messy black hair. "Gerard." I whispered his name, my voice felt like it hadn't been used in a while. His head snapped up, and his eyes met mine, full of shock, relief and affection. He got up and practically ran to my side, kneeling by my bed. He grasped my hand - for the first time I noticed the IV drip stuck in it. "Krissy! Oh, god, sugar, thank God you're awake!" I frowned. "How... How long was I out?" I asked timidly. "You've been out 3 weeks, Kriss. You lost a lot of blood, and had to have transfusions. You have three broken ribs, a sprained ankle and bruises everywhere." I frowned. That was a damn long list. "What happened?" I asked. "After I blacked out?" He sighed, and ran his fingers through his hair. "I thought you were dying," he whispered. "I thought it was too late. I was so, so fucking angry, I can't even explain it. The guys were fighting him, and they were doing okay, I guess. The knife was gone, anyway. I just kinda... lost my head. I ran to him, and I kicked the shit out of him." He half-smiled sadly. "I punched him in the face a couple times, got him in the stomach. Then I slammed him on the wall, and smacked his head on it, over and over, til I knocked him out. Then an ambulance came, Frank called 'em, and the cops. We had to go to the station for a while, give statements and that. He got taken into custody. They went to his house, found the drugs he had stashed there. I think he's pretty fucked, basically. They aren't letting him near you anymore." I stared. A lot had happened, then. I didn't really know what to say, it was a lot to take in. "So..." I finally said. "What's gonna happen now?" Gee touched my face. "First off, you're gonna get fixed up. Now that you're awake, they'll let you out in a couple days, probably. Then, you're coming to my house. Mom and Dad told the cops you'd been staying with us, and everyone's agreed it's the best place for you. You'll be safe. Once you're better, I guess you can go back to your own house. He won't be there anytime soon." I studied him. He was biting his lip, it seemed like he had something else to say. "What is it, Gee? What aren't you telling me?" He sighed. "I-I wanna ask you something..." He trailed off. I watched him expectantly. "Did... did you mean what you said? Before you passed out?" I understood straight away, but I couldn't find the right words. "Did you mean it when you said you loved me?" His eyes burned questioningly into mine, deep, earnest, beautiful. But I was afraid to tell him the truth. Surely he would laugh in my face if I told him yes. I just stared back at him, my eyes beginning to tear up. I didn't know what to say. I couldn't find a way to express how I felt, I was so afraid of his rejection. Because of course he would reject me. He was so lovely, so sweet, he deserved much better than me. The tears in my eyes spilled over, streaming down my face to hit the pillow I rested upon. His eyes widened, and he wiped them away with gentle fingers. "Kriss! What's wrong, sugar?" He looked stricken. "Y-yes," I sobbed. "Yes, I meant it." he look bewildered. "Why are you crying?" I sobbed harder. "Be-because look at me! I'm so pathetic! How could you, or anyone want me? I'm such a freak! A screwed up, ugly, fat, useless-" my flow of words was cut short by the most unbelievable thing I could imagine. Gerard's lips crashed against my own, moving so softly against my mouth. His lips were fantastic, even softer than they looked, smooth, warm and gentle. I kissed him back, tentative at first, unsure of myself. But Gerard made me forget my insecurities. He reached up and stroked my face, tracing my eyes, my cheekbones, my jaw. I worked up the courage to reach up, careful of my IV, and run my fingers through his silky hair. At this he deepened the kiss, his tongue brushing against my lower lip in a request for entrance. I gave it to him, parting my lips and letting his tongue explore my mouth. It touched my own, and the taste was mind-blowing. I couldn't believe this was happening, I couldn't believe he actually wanted me. I wasn't gonna stop it, though. All too soon, he pulled away, pressing a kiss to the tip of my nose, before pulling back entirely to look me in the eyes, his face stretched into a huge smile. "You have no idea how much I wanted to do that." He murmured. "Actually, I think I do," was my reply. He laughed. "Seriously, though, Krissy, don't say those things about yourself, they're not true. You're sweet," he kissed my forehead. "And kind," he kissed my eyelid. "And strong," my nose. "And caring," my cheek. "and beautiful." He trailed his lips down my jaw, along my throat, and then finally to the dip between my collarbones. "I love you, too."

Notes

As promised, some happiness in this chapter. Things are looking up! What do we think of their first kiss?