Finished at last. Thanks to all those who gave feedback on this. I have a sequel started, but was unsure if anyone would be interested in reading it. As you might have guessed, I'm my own worst critic.
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~~~~~EPILOGUE~~~~~~
~CHRISTIAN'S POV~
I stand next to Edge's bed as I watch the gentle rise and fall of his chest. The monitors beep steadily letting me know that he is still alive even though he's given me little no signs. His arm is covered in IV's and the tube running down his throat makes me feel uneasy. I blame myself for his current position. If only I could make things right......
A sob escapes my throat and I wipe away the tear that threatens to run down my face. I need to be strong for Edge, but it's so hard.
It's been two weeks now and Edge still lies in a coma from the injection that Mark gave him. The doctors can't explain exactly what's wrong with him. It seems that the injection consisted of some foreign toxin that they'd never seen before and an extremely large dose of women's hormones that had sent Edge's system into shock. Billy and Hunter are trying to retrace Mark's last days to find out where he purchased the toxin, but so far, we've had no luck.
Why would Mark do that to Edge? Is that what he calls love?
What was the purpose of the shot?
I guess Mark took that information with him to his grave.
Greatest gift. What the hell had he meant by that?
Edge had never regained consciousness so that I could explain things to him. God, he still thought that I had cheated on him.
Damn Mark. I hope he burns in hell for what he's done.
"You alright?" Trish asks as she enters the room.
I turn and manage a faint smile for her benefit. The bruises on her face are slowly disappearing, but I know how she feels inside. I've been there. If it hadn't been for Edge, I wouldn't have made it. I can imagine the horror that she went through when Scott raped and beat her. The way that he had dumped her body in the woods when he thought she was dead. Her waking up alone, and unable to move in some cold woods.
"He will wake up," she whispers. "Then we can explain things to him."
"He must hate me," I gasp as a tear slides down my face.
"No. He loves you," she argues.
"How's Chris?" I ask, trying to change the subject that was too painful to deal with right now.
"The doctor is releasing him today."
"How's Benoit dealing with it?" I ask.
"Chris allowed him to kiss him yesterday," she whispers with a faint smile. "And I caught them kissing again just a few minutes ago."
"You talked to him, didn't you?" I ask as I brush a strand of stray hair from her face.
"Yes. It may be awhile before he's ready to have sex, but at least he realizes that Benoit still loves him and that he doesn't think that the rape was his fault."
"Thank you."
"No problem. Hey, did you hear about Billy and that reporter, Shane?" She asks excitably. She always did love juicy gossip.
"No. What?" I ask amused.
"They're moving in together. Let's just say Billy has been smiling a lot lately. I was talking to his neighbor the other day and she asked if Billy was alright. She says that he's been screaming a lot lately. Wonder if Billy is the top or bottom?"
I grin at her gossip. "You're evil," I tease.
"But you love me," she whispers as she leans in close.
"Yes, I do," I whisper as I lean down and place a friendly kiss on her lips. "I love you very much."
What we both didn't see was a pair of angry, confused eyes watching us as our lips met. Edge had just awoke to find us kissing.
~THE END?~