When Ruby awoke she didn't know where she was, only that her whole body was hurting. She felt like she had run a marathon, lost badly and been beaten by the disappointed spectators. Her ankle was throbbing and her back was cramping... but gentle fingers were running slowly through her hair and it felt so good she almost considered just staying where she was; awkwardly slumped against a hospital bed, her cheek against the crisp white hospital sheets and her hand in... sluggish thoughts grinded to a halt. His hand was gone. Groggy she lifted her head and the fingers stopped their gentle massage, the hand falling back on the bed.

Green eyes met blue and she smiled through the tears pooling in her eyes. He smiled back.

"Hey." His voice was weak, but it was the sweetest sound Ruby had heard in a long time.

"Hey," she whispered back, hardly daring to breathe lest it was all a dream and any loud noise would wake her.

"You all right?" He fumbled for her hand and she took it, careful not to disturb the device on his finger that she supposed was there to measure his pulse. She gave his hand a gentle squeeze and her heart soared as she felt him squeeze it weakly back. "Was – was your ankle broken?"

Ruby let out a chuckle that turned into a sob as she grasped his hand tighter and kissed his bent fingers.

"Ruby, wh-what's wrong?" She heard the beeps of the heart monitor quicken and she tried to get her crying under control since she was obviously freaking him out. Hurried footsteps approached the door and a nurse burst through only to gasp and immediately disappear again, no doubt fetching a doctor.

"Please Ruby, what's -" His worried question was silenced as she rose and hugged him desperately, still sobbing. It took him a few moments to get over his surprise and hug her back, but then the door burst open and she hastily let him go. Archie looked up at her, dazed, and she felt her cheeks flame as she realised what she had done. She shifted to let Dr. Whale get at the many monitors but couldn't help but smile shyly as she saw Archie's blue eyes follow her as she moved, until one of the nurses pushed her out into the hallway and closed the door behind her.

After a myriad of tests that took most of the morning - leaving Ruby pacing as best she could on her crutches outside Archie's room - the doctors pronounced his recovery nothing short of miraculous; they found no indication of brain damage, nor any permanent damage to the rest of his body – there had been some internal bleeding but it had been minor and had stopped spontaneously before he even got to the hospital, and there had been no need for surgery; the fractured ribs were healing nicely; and his chest x-rays were clear, so the dreaded pneumonia the doctors had worried about had been successfully avoided. In short, barring any unforeseen complications or accidents Archie would be released from the hospital in a week's time.

Not surprisingly Marco was the first visitor to show up. Ruby excused herself and went to the cafeteria to give the two best friends some privacy, and used the opportunity to call August and tell him the good news. He was silent for a long time before he thanked her for letting him know in a voice that sounded more than a little choked up. Ruby still didn't know what that whole thing was about – she believed his story, but could tell there were pieces missing – but she knew she had done the right thing calling the mysterious stranger.

When she returned after an unsatisfactory meal consisting of a dry bran muffin and a bitter cup of coffee she met Marco on his way out of Archie's room. The old man gave her a great big bear hug and laughed and cried and thanked her for saving Archie's life. Ruby couldn't get a word in edgewise and the old handyman left promising to be back the next day. Archie gave her an amused and knowing smile when she came back into his room, decidedly wobbly after the exuberant hug. She had no doubt received the hug Marco really wanted to give Archie but hadn't, in fear of hurting him.

Naturally, the news of Archie's recovery spread quickly and was well-received by all those who visited him - though Mother Superior seemed so pleased with herself that one would think it was her muttered prayers that had single-handedly pulled him from the brink. Ruby didn't care, the nun could claim full credit for all she cared, the important thing was that Archie would be fine. In fact, she didn't care if it was Mother Superior's "magic touch" that had let him escape the experience relatively unscathed, the important thing was that he had.

There was a steady stream of visitors all afternoon and Ruby did her best to make sure they didn't tire Archie out. The thought that she had no business doing that never struck her, nor did Archie comment on it. In fact he seemed grateful when Ruby herded each well-wisher out, no doubt feeling uncomfortable with all the attention. Only when she followed little Henry out did Archie seem slightly reluctant, but Ruby knew she had been right to do so when she came back into his room to find him fast asleep.

For a long time she just stood by the door, watching Archie sleep with a warm feeling of happiness. She had seen Archie grow more and more tired as the day progressed, but he had fought the encroaching slumber doggedly. And Ruby got it. She had dreaded the point where he would have to succumb to sleep; she had been sure that seeing him sleep would make her afraid, worried that he would slip back into the coma. That was probably the reason he was so reluctant, too. But seeing him now, sleeping the sleep of the exhausted, it didn't frighten her after all, because somehow she could tell that this was a healing sleep. She knew that if she chose to she could reach out and wake him.

But of course she didn't. He looked like he could use the rest.

She was about to back out of the room, figuring she might as well go home and grab a shower and a change of clothes while he was out, when he suddenly jerked awake with a gasp. He looked frightened and confused and without thinking she hobbled over to his bed as fast as she could.

"Ruby!" He reached out for her, as if needing to reassure himself she was real. "A-are you all right? I-I couldn't find you – the water – I couldn't find you..."

She gave him a hand, cupped his cheek with the other and smiled what she hoped was her most reassuring smile. "I'm here, Archie, and I'm fine! You saved me, Archie, you got me out of the water. We're safe."

He hung onto her hand as if it was a lifeline, but the force of his grip eased with every gulp of breath he took as the nightmare slowly faded in his tired mind. Ruby threw a glance at her chair, but it was on the other side of the bed and she didn't want to force him to let go of her hand since it seemed to calm him, so she lowered the crutches to the floor and sat on the edge of his bed. The bed was too high for it to be comfortable, but she couldn't find it in herself to care when his eyes lit up with relief.

Maybe a little small talk would help him get his mind off the nightmare.

"How's your head?"

'Oh, that's wonderful, Ruby,' she told herself sarcastically. 'Wonderful. Remind him of his head injury. That'll cheer him up for sure.' She could have kicked herself. Even with her ankle she would've found a way.

But Archie seemed grateful for any distraction and gave her a smile that was just a little shaky. "Manageable," he assured her. "Dr. Whale says the headaches will ease up more and more as I heal. I'm-I'm a lucky guy. It could easily have been... much worse."

Ruby felt a swell of relief at his words. He really was lucky. The headaches were the only "souvenirs" worth talking about that the unpleasant swim had left him, and even they were mild compared to what they could've been.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw the brightly coloured card Henry had brought and she smiled at the thought of the little charmer. A small table had been brought in to accommodate the many flowers and well-wishes Archie had received during the day, but Henry's endearing little bouquet of wild flowers and the over-sized get-well card he had made himself had been put on proud display on the nightstand. Ruby remembered the little boy almost shyly handing his therapist the gifts, saying he was really, really glad Archie was better. Seeing how touched Archie had been by the gesture she had hoisted Henry up to sit on the edge of the bed so Archie could give him a hug in thanks. Ruby had had to blink away tears when Henry had latched onto Archie with a desperation that made her wonder how often – or rather how rarely - the little boy received such displays of affection at home. Archie was probably the closest thing Henry had to a father-figure, and losing him would no doubt have been a harsh blow to the little boy.

Her smile faltered slightly at the thought and she absentmindedly started to play with Archie's fingers entwined in hers. Archie looked at their clasped hands in faint surprise as if only now becoming aware of the contact, but didn't pull away, letting her continue without protest.

"You really scared me, Archie." Her voice was small.

He looked genuinely repentant. "I'm sorry."

"No, don't..." She shook her head. "Don't apologise, it's not like it was your fault. If anything it was mine." She held up a finger to stop the protest she knew was coming and he obediently closed his mouth, though he didn't look happy to be denied coming to her defence. "Never mind. My point is that I've never been so scared in my life. You almost died, Archie. And – and it made me realise..." She swallowed and looked back down at their clasped hands. "I've always said that someday I'll leave this place, someday I'll travel the world, someday I'll do this and someday I'll do that... but this whole mess made me realise there might not be an endless supply of somedays. If I want something I should go after it now, because you never know when you run out of 'somedays' until you do."

Had Ruby dared to look up at Archie she would have seen his face fall and his eyes take on a faraway look.

"So, um... I was wondering," Ruby let out a shaky chuckle. "Oh, you'd think a flirt like me would be less nervous about this! But here goes: I – would-would you like to do something when you get out of here? With me, I mean." She chuckled nervously. "Like grab a cup of coffee at a place I'm not serving it? Or–or maybe go see a–a movie and maybe have dinner?"

She forced herself to look up at him, but her nervous smile faltered at the sight. He was looking off into the middle distance and he looked like he was a million miles away.

"Archie?" Her heart sank as he didn't react. "Archie, are you all right?" Fear started gnawing at her. She reached for the call button, but a weak tug on the hand still in his stopped her.

"I'm- I'm fine, Ruby, don't worry. I guess I just, ah, zoned out a bit there. Sorry." His smile seemed forced and didn't quite reach his eyes. "What were you saying?"

Neither his assurance that he was fine nor the smile convinced her, but she hesitantly sat back down.

"I asked you if you would like to do something when you get out of here... Grab a cup of coffee, or go see a movie, or-or maybe have dinner?"

His gobsmacked expression didn't exactly give her hope.

"What, like a date?"

His surprised, almost shocked tone didn't help either.

"You-you don't have to say yes if you don't want to, I- I just wanted ... to check. That way at least I tried." He still looked stunned and Ruby felt like a prize idiot. Trying and failing to give him a brave smile she fought back embarrassed tears as she let go of his hand and edged off the bed clumsily. But as she reached for her crutches, desperate to get out of there to save the meagre remains of her dignity, he reached out to grip her arm weakly.

"Ruby... Please wait."

She could tell he still wasn't strong enough to keep her there if she was set on leaving, but she sat back on the edge of his bed with a little huff.

"Ruby, look at me," he pleaded.

She bit her lip and looked at him.

"I would like nothing more than to go on a date with you, Ruby."

Hardly able to believe what she was hearing Ruby smiled, hesitantly hopeful.

"More than one," he added shyly. "If you're willing."

Ruby couldn't have kept the brilliant smile off her face even if she had tried.

"I was so sure you were going to say you were leaving," he admitted softly. "That you were going to Nepal to see lemurs. And I was kicking myself for letting myself run out of somedays – for letting you go without finding the courage to ask you out."

"You wanted to ask me out?"

"I've wanted to ask you out for a long time. For as long as I can remember. But I was afraid, I guess. I worried you would think I'm too boring, too old..."

"Archie, you could be a hundred and fifty and I wouldn't care!" She giggled and gave him an exaggerated eyebrow wiggle. "Because you sure are sexy for an 'old man'!" Though he blushed he laughed at her mock emphasis on 'old man' and the air quotes she drew in the air around the words.

"I was afraid, too," Ruby admitted once their laughter petered out. "Worried you would think I was just an immature girl with a crush, and that you would tell me that I was silly for falling in love with y-" She stopped herself with both hands to her mouth, looking mortified at her slip. She hadn't meant to admit that yet – wanted to give him the chance to maybe, hopefully develop feelings for her in return before dropping that bomb on him. He said he had wanted to ask her out for ages, but that didn't mean he felt for her the way she had come to feel for him.

"You're – you're in love with me?" His voice was disbelieving and hopeful at the same time.

Unwilling to dig herself any deeper Ruby just nodded without a word, hands still covering her mouth, eyes still wide and almost frightened.

He held out his hand, and when she hesitantly took it he gave it a gentle tug to pull her closer.

"Come here," he said and she wasn't sure if he was pleading or demanding, but it didn't matter because she immediately rose and leaned close with a hopeful smile.

The kiss sent the pulse monitor a-racing and Ruby giggled against his lips before deepening the kiss. He let out an almost inaudible moan of pleasure and Ruby felt prouder than she could remember ever being... until he did something with his tongue that stripped all thought from her mind. Damn this man could kiss.

All too soon they heard footsteps thundering towards the door and reluctantly breaking the kiss Ruby pulled back a fraction. "Oh, here we go," she whispered against his lips. They were both slightly breathless and each puff of air on her thoroughly-kissed lips felt like it set her every nerve ending on fire. Archie pulled her down for another quick kiss just before the door burst open to admit a frantic nurse Ratched.

Ruby took her scolding with good grace, winking to Archie behind the angry nurse's back as she fussed over him. Sternly announcing that visiting hours were over the nurse all but kicked Ruby out of the room – but not before Ruby stole another kiss from the more than willing patient.

"Out! Honestly Doctor Hopper, such excitement is not good for a man in your condition, you just woke up from a coma and -" The door closed behind Ruby and cut off the rest of what surely would be a long rant. She would've felt sorry for Archie hadn't she been sure he thought it was worth it.

Ruby hobbled out of the hospital with a big, happy grin, already planning the perfect first date for when he was released.

Someday was today - and it was an absolutely wonderful day.

-.:.-.:.-.:.-.:.-.:.-

Author's note: Aaaaand as they say: That's all folks! Hope you enjoyed the ride and that the happy ending sort of made up for the angst. :P