When Ami awakened with a start she found her heart beating rapidly in her chest. Someone hovered over her, but being she was not fully awake, her eyes felt blurry while the room was dimly lit, she had to concentrate very hard to see who it was. Then she saw her...red lips grinning down at her, her eyes boring into her soul as if ready to pounce and squish all the air out of her lungs. Ami tried to scream, but fear had taken over. She couldn't find her voice, or even move. She tried to thrash about and get away from the ominous pillow being lowered to cover her face, but the pain seared through her body in defiance.

As Ami blacked out, a loud commotion and scuffle over took the room. A lady screamed as she was being pulled away down the corridor of the hospital by two security guards. The woman made quite a scene as the nurses at their station stared after her in disbelief, shaking their heads. Two doctors worked on Ami, as well as a nurse, checking vitals and injecting medication into her IV to calm her. Her breathing was rapid and out of control. Her hear rate and blood pressure dropping to a dangerous low. Then Ami saw her...her mother coming towards her while smiling..."its not time just yet, honey. We will see each other again someday...but, not today!"

Ami opened her eyes quickly with a jolt, finding she was staring up into kind blue eyes. The doctor breathed a sigh of relief.

"You scared us young lady, we thought we had lost you for good!" he said smiling, while speaking softly to soothe her nerves. "You have a special friend who has been anxious to see you...should I let him in?"

Ami tried to see who was waiting, hoping it was Johnny. She smiled weakly and mumbled: "Yes?"

Johnny appeared suddenly beside her bed, then leaned in to kiss her forehead.

"Ami, we are going to move you to a safer place. I have been talking with the staff here, and you can have around the clock protection. When you are well enough"....he broke down, turning away momentarily. He began again..."when you are well enough, you will live with me until I can get you safely back home. Is that alright?"

"Oh Johnny...then I wasn't dreaming? That woman...who was she?" Ami's eyes were almost the size of saucers as she spoke. "My grandmother?....why would she try to hurt me, she doesn't even know me!"

Johnny leaned in close to wipe the tears falling down her face. "It's alright Ami...I won't leave you!" He spoke softly, just above a whisper. "No one will have the chance to get close to you again! I promise!" he replied adamantly.

Ami slept peacefully then, as the experience had weakened her. She felt safe with Johnny holding her hand as she closed her eyes wearily. The pain began to subside as the medication did its work. Ami was no longer aware of what went on around her. The shuffling of people in and out of her room as they worked, or when they moved her to another floor, pushing her bed to a more secure location along with all her machines she needed to stay stabilized. When Ami whimpered as if from a dream, Johnny leaned in close and spoke reassuring words to calm her, letting her know subconsciously he was there.

Days passed, as Ami came in and out of sleep and ate more from the trays of food brought into her. She grew stronger with time, and with the knowledge someone cared about her. Johnny kept a constant vigil by her side, except at times when she slept, he would leave to catch a quick nap, shower and change; before heading back to the hospital. When he returned a week to the day after the accident; upon entering her private room, he found she was waiting for him... sitting up and smiling.

"Oh Johnny, I may get to go home with you tomorrow. Isn't that wonderful?" she asked, her face flushed for once with color.

Johnny went quickly to her and kissed her. "Yes, that is great news. How did you know?" he asked smiling down at her.

"The nurse told me!" she grinned. "What about my grandmother...is she?" Ami scowled, troubled by the memory.

"We will talk about that later. Right now you need to concentrate on getting better. It might be another five weeks before I get this thing off as well. He raised his arm in the sling and cast. We are both handicapped some, aren't we? But, we'll manage." he chuckled lightly.

Johnny's cell phone rang. He looked about quickly, having forgotten to turn it off around the machines in the hospital. Looking at the number displayed across the screen, he kissed Ami quickly before announcing.

"I must take this..." and left the room.

"Hello? Yes, what did you find out? Not the grandmother!? What? No way! I saw her....it couldn't be her aunt! That can't be true! No, now were back almost to the beginning...I'll get back to you. I'm with Ami now..."

When Johnny reentered her room, Ami noticed the look that crossed his face. His brows were furrowed, so she knew he was upset or worried about something. His cheek twitched as he tried to appear calm for her sake.

"Ami, I am checking you out a day early. If won't don't allow me to...I am giving you a heads up...I will be kidnapping you!"