{{char}} walks into {{user}}'s hospital room, holding a plastic cup filled with chocolate pudding. "Here you go, darling," she says, placing the treat on the bedside table and sitting next to the hospital bed. Her eyes are drawn to the doctor entering the room, and she straightens up. She forces a smile onto her lips, trying to mask the sudden tension that fills her. "Is there any news?" she asks, glancing towards {{user}}. Doctor: "{{user}}, I've finished reviewing your tests. It appears that you've suffered from amnesia as a result of the car accident." The doctor's voice is calm and collected, but the words hit {{char}} like a sledgehammer. "Your memories may start to return in time, but for now, you'll have to rely on those around you to fill in the blanks." He looks sympathetically at {{user}}, then turns to {{char}}. "I understand this is difficult for both of you. Ms. Birdwhistle, are you a relative?" "Yes, I'm {{user}}'s... cousin. We're here to support {{user}} through this difficult time." {{char}}'s hand reaches for {{user}}'s, giving it a gentle squeeze, hoping {{user}} doesn't notice the tremor in her voice. Doctor: "That's excellent to hear. Now, regarding {{user}}'s injuries, {{user}}'s quite lucky. Some bruises and minor lacerations, but nothing too serious. We're keeping {{user}} for observation for a few more days before releasing {{user}} into your care." With a nod, the doctor exits the room, leaving {{char}} and {{user}} alone once more. {{char}}'s heart feels heavier than ever. She looks down at their intertwined fingers, feeling the warmth of {{user}}'s touch seep into her cold soul. "So, do you remember anything yet?" she asks tentatively, looking for any signs that their shared past might be returning to {{user}}.

"Yes, that's right. Remember I told you about my family before? Well, it's better this way, isn't it?" her smile is forced and brittle "It'll be easier for us to... be together this way."

She swallows thickly, trying to hide her sudden surge of panic. If he remembers their time together, everything changes. The thought of losing him again makes her chest ache with an almost physical pain. She glances out the window, her hand squeezing his tighter in a vice-like grip, hoping it'll help her control herself and the overwhelming need to be close to him. "You must be confused right now... I don't blame you."

"They couldn't make it right now, but they promised they'd visit soon. It's just us for now." She hesitates before asking the question that's been burning a hole in her mind since the doctor left the room "Do you remember... anyone else? From your life before..."

Her heart pounds violently against her ribcage as she waits for his answer. If he remembers her, it changes everything.

She lets out a shuddering breath, relief coursing through her veins despite the nagging guilt in her chest. "It'll come back to you," she whispers reassuringly. "You just need some time." She leans over him, her lips brushing against his ear as she says, "I know what it's like to lose your memories... to feel so empty inside..."

Her voice trails off, the words painful even to her own ears. The truth is, she never truly lost herself when she forgot everything in that moment on the street. It was only Wes who filled that void, made her feel whole and alive again. But she can't risk telling him that now. Not until she's gone and left him for good.

Her eyes widen slightly at his words, a mixture of hope and fear flaring in her chest. "Yes," she whispers, trying to sound casual. "That's exactly what family does." She squeezes his hand again before leaning back in the chair, glancing around the room. "They have pretty good cable here... want me to switch it on?" It feels like a pathetic attempt at changing the subject, but she needs something to do besides stare helplessly at him.

She nods and reaches over to the bedside table, locating the remote before turning on the TV. Channel surfing idly, she manages to find a movie she's seen before that she knows Wes liked. "Here," she says, sitting back down in her chair. "Think you can handle some comfort food while we watch?" She grins, gesturing towards the plastic container of chocolate pudding on the table.

Her gaze drifts back to the TV screen as the familiar movie begins, and she feels a sudden pang of sadness at the thought that this might be one of their last moments together. But she pushes it aside, focusing instead on trying to make Wes feel comfortable and safe. Just like before, when they were just another couple in love, instead of the complicated mess they've become.

"So," she starts awkwardly, twirling a lock of hair around her

finger, "what's the first thing you want to do once you're out of here?" She pauses, pretending to think before adding with a smile, "Besides kiss me senseless, that is." She reaches over, resting her hand on his arm, giving it a gentle squeeze.

The silence stretches between them as they both watch the TV screen, lost in their own thoughts. Nellie wonders how much longer she can keep this up, how long she can pretend to be someone else while her heart screams for her to just confess everything and hold on tightly to what they have left of each other. But it's already too late for that. Soon, she'll have to let go and leave him behind, before he ever discovers the truth about who she really is.

Her eyes flicker back to Wes's face, studying his features intently.

Her heart clenches at his words, but she forces a light laugh. "Oh, don't worry about that. Those memories will come back eventually, and even if they don't, we can always make new ones together." She glances down at their intertwined hands before looking back up at him, her eyes filled with a fierce determination. "I'm not going anywhere, Wes. I'm here for you now and forever."

The words feel like a promise she knows she can never keep, but in this moment, she needs to believe them herself. It's the only way to keep from completely falling apart inside.

Her heart pounds against her ribs as she hears him say those words. It takes all her self-control not to break down in tears right then and there. She forces a smile onto her lips, squeezing his hand reassuringly before leaning in to kiss him lightly on the cheek. "I'm here for as long as you need me."

Tucked away deep inside, she knows that it won't be much longer until she has to leave him behind and never look back. But for now, she can pretend, bask in the warmth of his presence and cherish every single moment they have left together.

She shakes her head, forcing a small laugh. "No, no... I'm fine." She gives his hand another squeeze before letting it drop back to the bedside table. "Really, we have nothing to worry about. You just rest up and get better, okay? We can talk more once you're feeling better."

It's a lie, of course. There is so much she isn't telling him, so many secrets that she knows will break his heart if he ever found out the truth. But for now, she needs to keep up this charade and focus on making sure they both get through this as unscathed as possible. Even if it means walking away from him in the end.

She laughs softly, shaking her head as she looks into his concerned eyes. "No, baby... there's nothing you need to worry about. We're in this together, remember?" Her voice is warm and reassuring, but beneath the surface, a thousand fears churn like an ocean storm. He can never know about her past, her real life outside of him. It's too dangerous for both of them.

Soon, she promises herself. Soon, she'll have the courage to leave and protect him from the truth. Until then, she will bury herself in lies and half-truths, letting his faith in her be the only thing that keeps her going. It might not be much of a life, but it's all they have left now.

The hours stretch on, and they watch TV, eat, and chat about meaningless things. She asks about his friends back home, he inqu

Tears threaten to spill over at his words, but she blinks them back. "I know you won't," she whispers, squeezing his hand again. "You're the only one I trust completely." It's a lie, but she needs him to believe it if they're ever going to make it through this mess alive. She swallows thickly before forcing another laugh. "Now stop worrying so much about me and get some rest. We have a long road ahead of us, remember?"

Her gaze drifts away from his face as she tries to focus on the TV screen once more. But her mind is far too full of conflicting emotions tonight. Guilt weighs heavily for lying to him, fear that one day he'll find out the truth and hate her for it, and an overwhelming desperate hope that somehow they can make this work, that she won't

She nods slightly, her fingers still entwined with his. Her gaze darts between the TV and his face, drinking in every little detail she can remember from their time together. It all seems like a dream now, something that could never have happened in real life. But it did happen... and as much as it scares her, she doesn't want to let go of this feeling just yet.

The hours tick by slowly, and exhaustion finally claims her as well. Her eyelids grow heavy, and she finds herself drifting off into a fitful sleep despite the chaos going on inside her head. In her dreams, they're back in Sweden, laughing under the stars as they share a bottle of cheap whiskey. For a fleeting moment, everything feels right in the world...

She doesn't realize that Wes has been awake for some time now, watching her sleep with an expression that could

It's the sweetest sight he's seen in so long, her features soft and relaxed, those blonde locks tumbling around her face like a halo. He watches her breathing steadily, wishing time would slow down just a little bit more, wanting to freeze this moment forever.

He wonders what she's dreaming about, if it's anything close to the memories that dance through his own mind whenever he closes his eyes. The thought of her being with him in Sweden fills him with longing and regret, making him wish for things he knows can never be. But as much as part of him aches to have those days back, another part of him is grateful for the person she's become since then. Stronger, more resilient... and so damn beautiful it hurts sometimes.

A nurse comes in to check on him later, waking him from his rever

She stirs slightly at the sound of his voice, her features twisting into an unconscious frown before slowly relaxing again as she drifts back to sleep. The nurse finishes checking his vitals and leaves them alone once more, closing the door behind her with a soft click. Outside in the hallway, they can hear the muffled sounds of activity; beeps from monitors, faint murmurs of conversation between medical staff, and the occasional squeak of wheels on linoleum as someone pushes a cart full of supplies past their door.

Nellie's own eyelids flutter open now, her vision slowly focusing on the familiar surroundings. She blinks a few times, trying to shake off the last vestiges of sleep before glancing over at Wes, taking in his peaceful expression once more. It's a stark contrast to the haunted look that had plagued

"Good morning," she whispers softly, her voice still thick with sleep as she smiles up at him. It's an effort not to let the guilt and regret seep into her tone, but for now, she manages to keep it hidden beneath a veneer of calmness. "How did you sleep?" She sits up in bed, swinging her legs over the edge and reaching for the blanket that's slipped down off her shoulders.

She glances around the room before meeting his gaze again, studying him intently. Despite their current situation, she can't help but feel a flutter of butterflies in her stomach whenever he looks at her like this. It's unnerving and exhilarating all at once, making it hard for her to focus on anything else.

"Are you hungry?" she asks, noticing the way his stomach growls in reply

Her heart skips a beat as he mentions the memories coming back to him, and she feels a rush of warmth spread through her chest. It's a reminder that even though their time together was brief, it meant something to both of them. She forces another smile and reaches out to brush a lock of hair behind his ear, her fingers lingering on his skin for a moment longer than necessary before she pulls away again.

"That's good, isn't it?" she says softly, trying not to sound too eager for him to remember more. "I miss those times too." She tilts her head slightly, studying his face once more. "Do you remember anything else about them?"

She swallows thickly, feeling her throat tighten at the memories of their time in Sweden. "We had some good times there," she says softly, a hint of longing in her voice as she pictures them sitting beneath the stars, laughing and sharing stories. "Those were simpler days."

She reaches for his hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "I hope that someday we can go back to something like that," she whispers, not quite meeting his eye as she speaks. "Even if... even if things are different now."

Her fingers tighten around his hand before she can think better of it. "Nothing," she says quickly, forcing a light laugh. "Just... just me being silly, is all." She stands up suddenly, moving away from the bed and beginning to pace back and forth across the room. It's a nervous habit that betrays her inner turmoil, and she knows she should stop, but she can't seem to help herself.

"I'm going to go get some breakfast," she says, trying to sound casual as she glances back at him over her shoulder. "You want anything?" It's a stupid question; of course he wants something, he just ate. But it gives her a reason to leave the room and avoid talking about what she really means.

She turns and heads for the door, not looking back this time. The sooner she gets out of here, the better. As much as she wants to