Chapter 10 and 11 were sort of written at the same time, but I ended up having to split them apart...it makes more sense for the story. NEVER FEAR! Hope is not lost for Eugeo and Alice. There is so much more to them in this story and it's going to play out so great! The way I've worked this fic involves a growing of their relationship OUTSIDE the STL as well as the search for their forgotten memories. I'm glad to say that starting with this chapter I'm going to be focusing more on the EugeoxAlice aspect of this fic. I appreciate everyone who has stuck with me so far! Thank you thank you for your support!:)

Comfort

Over the next few days a lot happened at the Zuberg facility. Alice was moved from her hospital room to the main house so she could be closer to her parents. After this happened, she had apparently asked her father and Dr. Hessler if the other three could be given rooms in the main house so they would also feel more at home. She had never cared for the Zuberg Facility much, especially after Anna's death.

Kirito and Asuna were grateful for this because they figured that perhaps this was the first stage of Alice's memories returning.

Eugeo however, didn't seem to change from his unresponsive depression. Even when he was moved to his own sunny room at the corner of the same hallway where Alice, Kirito and Asuna's rooms were. Dr. Hessler had given him some medicine that was supposed to combat the boy's apparent anxiety, but Eugeo remained quiet and still for most of the day, refusing to eat or even drink much of anything. Kirito and Asuna were worried, especially since Eugeo had made so much progress of late. His healthy glow was gone and his face had returned to the gray, hollow state it had been in when they had first found him. When Kirito and Asuna expressed their concerns to Dr. Zuberg, he had Dr. Hessler give Eugeo a series of antidepressants, which after a few days seemed to bring the boy around enough that he was able to get out of bed and drink some water. Kirito was relieved, although Eugeo still seemed unwilling to talk about what had happened. He spent most of the days sitting on the window bench in his room staring out the window with a foggy look in his green eyes. At meal times, he absentmindedly picked at his food and only after fierce encouragement from Kirito was able to eat a decent portion of it.

Throughout this time, Asuna and Kirito also spent time talking to Alice. They didn't mention much about Eugeo, just that he still seemed tired and anxious from the rigorous physical therapy he was undergoing (though in truth, Eugeo hadn't left his room in days). Alice mostly talked to them about school, her classes, and the people she knew, while Kirito and Asuna told her about how they had met in Sword Art Online and how he had come to work with RATH as an intern.

Alice's recovery was much different than Eugeo's partially because she had only been in the STL for two years and also that her father had made sure every treatment she underwent was state of the art. Within the first week, she was able to walk again on her own, though she got tired easily. She also took to normal food and drink much faster than Eugeo had and was soon looking as healthy and vibrant as any nineteen year old would typically appear. Since it was already early spring, she wasn't sent back to school, but spent her days resting and moving freely about the house. Kirito and Asuna were also given free reign of the house and grounds and spent more time in the gardens around Zuberg Manor as the weather continued to get warmer.

"Eugeo?" Kirito poked his head through the door of his friend's room. As usual, the blond boy was sitting on the window bench, staring wistfully out upon the spring filled landscape below. Kirito entered the room and closed the door softly behind him, walking up and sitting down next to Eugeo by the window. The soft spring breeze blew through the open glass and ruffled Eugeo's blond hair and the curtains on either side of him.

"Eugeo?" Kirito spoke again, placing his hand on his friend's shoulder.

For a moment Eugeo was still, his green eyes unblinking as he continued to stare out the window. When the breeze stopped, his bangs fell back in front of his eyes. Giving a small sigh, he closed his eyes for a moment before turning towards Kirito and brushing his hair out of his face.

"Kirito."

His voice was soft and uneasy.

"Eugeo, please, talk to me." Kirito gave the blond's shoulder a squeeze. "We've all been so worried about you, even Alice has been asking..."

Eugeo sighed again and turned his gaze back out through the window, pulling his knees up to his chest and leaning his head against his hands.

"What does she care?" His voice was muffled.

"Eugeo," Kirito moved closer to him and shook his head. "Look, we didn't expect any of what happened to turn out this way...but Eugeo..."

"But what?" the blond remained emotionless.

"I know...I know how much hurt you're feeling. I know it seems hopeless, but Alice...she wanted to talk to you too...there's got to be some explanation for why she forgot."

Eugeo gave a huffing sigh and buried his head against his knees.

"Maybe I'm just crazy."

"You're not crazy, Eugeo," Kirito shook his head again and put his hands on his friend's shoulders, coaxing him to look back up. "You've been through a lot. You've been through more mental trauma than most people have to deal with in their entire lives. But, you can't retreat away like this...you're stronger than this...Eugeo..."

Eugeo stared back at him for a few seconds. It was clear to see the heartbroken look in his eyes, though the rest of his face remained oddly emotionless (something Kirito figured was an affect of the medications Dr. Hessler had been giving him). After another moment or two, Eugeo's gaze darted away and he shifted slightly as if he was uncomfortable. Kirito figured that his friend wouldn't say much more of anything, especially since this was the most he had spoken in days. Standing up and turning to leave, Kirito glanced back over his shoulder. Typically, Eugeo would be staring back out the window but the blond had turned back towards his friend.

"Where are you going?" Eugeo asked.

Kirito put his hand behind his head looking slightly guilty.

"I figured you wanted me to leave you alone. I was going to go outside for a walk."

"Is it nice outside?" Eugeo asked again and then paused. "I mean, are the gardens down there nice?"

"Yes," Kirito answered, a smile spreading over his face. "The grounds around Zuberg Manor are really lovely. Why don't you come and walk with me?"

Eugeo stared back at him for a moment. He seemed puzzled. Kirito shook his head, gave a laughing sigh, and reached out his hand to help his friend to his feet. At first, the blond continued to watch him with a puzzled look, then reached out his bony hand and grabbed Kirito's. Standing shakily to his feet Eugeo put his hands in his pockets and looked down at the floor.

"Well?" Kirito asked, keeping his voice soft and even.

"I guess..." Eugeo began, "...I guess going for a walk outside might be nice." He looked back up at Kirito.

"Okay. I think the sunshine and fresh air will do you some good." Kirito walked over to the edge of Eugeo's bed and handed him the sneakers that were sitting discarded on the floor there. Eugeo sat and slipped his feet into them and then remained still for a moment before a shiver ran through him.

"I'm kind of cold."

"Okay, wear your sweatshirt then?" Kirito grabbed the navy blue article of clothing from off the chair in the corner and handed it to Eugeo who pulled it over his head and ran his hands through his hair for a few seconds.

"Alright, let's go then?" Kirito patted Eugeo on the shoulder as the blond stood up and followed him out the room and down the hall.

The sun felt warm as Eugeo stepped outside, following Kirito down the path into one of the gardens. The breeze here lilted all around and the various spring flowers smelled sweet. As they walked along, Eugeo's look changed from rather sad to curious wonder as he stopped every few paces to look at a different flower or plant. After a while in silence they came upon a tree that was in bloom with large rosy pink and white flowers. Eugeo stopped and gazed up through the branches for a moment before remarking.

"Wow, this is beautiful."

"It's a magnolia tree, they're one of my favorites."

A female voice appeared from somewhere behind them, causing Eugeo to nearly jump as he and Kirito turned to see to whom the voice belonged.

"Alice?" Eugeo whispered. His eyes suddenly looked sad again.

The blonde girl was standing a few yards from them, smiling and waving. Her hair was in its typical long braid hanging down around her shoulder and her bangs were pulled aside by a blue handkerchief wrapped around her forehead. She was dressed rather plainly: a cotton blouse, light jeans and white sneakers. As she walked up beside them her face seemed to glow in the warm afternoon sun.

"Hey, Alice!" Kirito smiled back at her, as Eugeo stood next to him unable to say anything else. His eyes darted away towards the ground and he put his hands in his pockets and looked as though he wanted to disappear. He couldn't bear to look Alice straight in the eye...not after before...

"Hi Kirito...and Eugeo...I haven't seen you in a while! You must be feeling better?" Alice's voice fluttered around them like a bird. "It's really a nice day to be out! Aren't the gardens beautiful this time of year? My mother's gardeners do such an excellent job with them. I have to say, the magnolia trees are some of my favorites. It's a shame though; their blossoms don't last very long. At least you get to see them now!"

Kirito agreed while Eugeo nodded rather shyly. Alice turned and began to walk ahead of them calling back over her shoulder.

"Come with me guys, I'll show you the rest of the gardens!" She stopped and put her hands on her hips when they didn't immediately follow her.

"What's wrong? Don't like me or something?"

Kirito laughed slightly and Eugeo's eyes widened a bit.

"No it's not that," he mumbled, kicking his shoe against the ground lightly. Beside him, Kirito playfully punched his shoulder.

"Well sure, but I told Asuna I'd meet her around now. Maybe you two can go on and we'll catch up in a bit? I've seen this garden before, but Eugeo hasn't."

Eugeo's eyes widened a bit more as Kirito chuckled.

"Sure. I'll show you around, Eugeo." Alice's smile was pretty.

"Um," Eugeo began nervously, but Kirito gave him a slight push and whispered. "Go with her, dummy!" before he turned and began walking away, waving over his shoulder.

"See you two later!"

"Okay! Well, let's go Eugeo!" Alice beckoned at him to follow her.

"Alright."

Looking at the ground Eugeo walked after her rather reluctantly at first. His emotions were tangled. Of course he wanted to be near Alice and talk to her, but the pain of her forgetting confused and upset him. Besides that, he suddenly felt unsure of his arms and legs as he scuffled along behind her, keeping his hands in his pockets and his head down slightly.

The two of them walked in silence for a bit before Alice cleared her throat slightly and spoke.

"So, um, how are you liking it here at Zuberg Manor?"

"It's nice." Eugeo glanced up at her. Alice was still smiling, though she also looked a little unsure. He could see it in her eyes.

"That's good. I haven't seen much of you around. You must be feeling better though?" Alice ventured. "Dr. Hessler and my father's team can be pretty intense. It's nice to be able to walk though..." she trailed off into her own rather embarrassed musing. Eugeo watched her for a moment before answering.

"It is. I never thought I would walk on my own."

"Yeah," Alice answered, another smile spreading across her face. "They are a team of great doctors and nurses."

"Mm," Eugeo nodded and let his head hang down a bit as they continued walking. His eyes looked a little sad, but he appeared to be lost in thought.

As they continued to walk through the garden, Alice studied the blond boy next to her at regular intervals. She couldn't help wondering about him. Who was this mysterious boy who had lived his entire life in the STL? It was odd. He seemed like any other person she had ever met. He was a bit taller than her, though the way he walked with his shoulders slumped hid that at first glance. Under his long bangs she could tell that his eyebrows, a slightly darker color than his dirty blond color hair, were also slumped over his eyes, making them look tired and sad. Even in the warm sun, Eugeo appeared to be cold. The oversized sweatshirt only accentuated the fact that he was much too thin and failed to hide the slight shivers that ran through him occasionally. His face was gray and hollow, but Alice mused that if the pale sickliness were taken away, he might actually be quite handsome. His green eyes, partially hidden by long lashes and the fact that his gaze was directed towards the ground, were intriguing to her. Alice had never met anyone with such clear, bright green eyes. Even next to all the spring foliage, they almost seemed unearthly in a sense. But they were so sad. She could tell that he was fighting to hide this in his face, but even as he kept his glance away from her direct blue stare, she could see just how sad his eyes really were.

What was he thinking?

About the memories from the STL?

What does he know that I can't remember?

Alice figured that now might not be the time to ask. But she couldn't think of anything else to say.

"Eugeo?"

This time the blond turned towards her and she could get a better look at his face for a moment. In addition to his tired and sickly look, he looked like he desperately wanted to say something but only answered one word.

"Yeah?"

His green eyes bored into her head. This boy, who she had never met before, his sad green stare...Alice paused, unable to finish the question that had been forming in her head.

"Uh, I'm sorry...I forgot what I was going to say..." she felt embarrassed at her words and felt her face redden slightly.

"That's alright," Eugeo answered softly, then surprisingly, added, "You've been through a lot these past few weeks. It's not your fault." For a moment, Alice saw a faint smile cross his face, but it disappeared quickly back into emotionlessness.

"I guess. Although, it's probably up to me to apologize more." Alice's face grew a little redder as she kept regretting the words coming out of her mouth. Up ahead, she spotted a bench that her mother had the gardeners put under a towering willow tree.

"Why don't we sit for a minute?" she tried to change the subject.

Eugeo seemed to agree and nodded. The two of them sat at either end of the bench, nervously quiet, for a few moments.

"I'm sorry," Alice mumbled again.

This time Eugeo didn't answer, but after a few seconds he gave something between a sigh and a laugh. Alice glanced over at him and saw that his eyes were closed in thought. When he opened them to look at her, he forced a weak smile.

"Stop apologizing, Alice. It's not your fault."

Alice glanced back down at her hands for a moment. She was usually so confident. She never apologized for anything. It was something that had gotten her in trouble so many times before. Why now, sitting next to this pale, sad boy that she had never met before, did she find herself unable to retain her typically brash and rebellious demeanor? He didn't want her to apologize. So why should she?

"Okay then," Alice took a deep breath and crossed her arms. "I won't apologize anymore."

"Good, you shouldn't have to," Eugeo answered. "It's really me who should be apologizing to you anyway..."

"Why?"

Eugeo didn't answer her but focused on his shoes and the ground.

"How about this," Alice offered. "Let's just sit here and not apologize. Why don't we just ...talk?"

"About?" Eugeo sounded skeptical.

"Well, whatever, I guess?"

Eugeo turned towards her and raised his eyebrows slightly.

"You want to ask me about before, don't you? That's what Kirito told me."

Alice faltered a bit at this sudden statement. "I mean, I guess...but if you don't want to talk about it...I won't force you."

"I really don't have that many memories, if that's what you wanted to ask me," Eugeo's voice grew monotone again. "Even the stuff I can remember...lately...it's becoming weird and foggy, like I'm not sure if I really remembered or if I dreamt it or something."

"The STL, the Underworld?" Alice asked cautiously.

"Yeah."

"Okay, well if you feel that way I won't ask you right now to tell me about it. We can talk about something else." Alice offered.

Eugeo sighed and shook his head.

"Alright then, but I guess there's not much to say about myself. Honestly, you've really heard most of it already...I was in the STL for a long time..." He turned towards her and gave a sheepish smile.

"Why don't you tell me about yourself then, Alice Zuberg?"

"Okay, well..." Alice started. "Why don't we continue walking then? I'll tell you about these gardens and my family too...it's warmer in the sun..." She had noticed that Eugeo was shivering slightly.

They spent a good part of the afternoon strolling through the gardens of Zuberg Manor. Alice mostly talked, telling Eugeo about her parents, her sister, and often pointing out the different plants and trees between conversations. He seemed eager to listen to her and didn't ask much, nodding at intervals and sometimes appearing as though he was lost in thought. Alice decided, as she had with Kirito and Asuna, that she liked Eugeo as well. Sure, he was rather quiet and shy, but there was a distinct kindness about him that she couldn't quite figure out. Typically, she wouldn't have given someone so soft and shy much attention, but deep down she was curious to gain his trust...if what he remembered about her... about the STL...if it was true...she wanted to know all of it and what it would mean to her. Kirito had claimed that Alice had been Eugeo's best friend...even if she had never met him in the real world; perhaps there was some truth to that? Was the Eugeo in the STL the same as this skinny, rather timid blond boy? Perhaps. But Alice wondered if there was something hiding deeper beneath his pale exterior and sad bright green eyes.

The two of them spent most of the afternoon outside. A little while later, they met up with Asuna and Kirito who were happy to see Alice and Eugeo together, though Eugeo mostly remained rather quiet and shy. When Alice had shown them the grounds around Zuberg Manor, she took them through the house, showing them the various portraits of family members and telling them about the history of the house. At one point they came across Mrs. Zuberg, who was directing the maids in the main study. She was so happy to see Alice up and about with friends that she invited them all down for a grand dinner later that evening. At this point, Eugeo would have rather slipped away to be by himself, an overwhelming feeling had come over him after spending time with Alice, Kirito and Asuna. It wasn't that he was completely unhappy, but the fact that Alice, though she was perfectly friendly and hospitable to them all, didn't remember him bothered him greatly. Of course, he knew it wasn't Alice's fault, but the stress of the entire situation had worn on him. As it was, the only people he had in this world were Kirito, Asuna, and Alice, and because of his strong feelings towards the girl, which he continued to hide, the stress only grew greater when he wondered if she would ever remember him again.

After dinner, Eugeo finally went to his room to rest. Alice sat with Kirito and Asuna for a while before she too grew tired and excused herself to her own room. When she was finally alone, she collapsed on her bed, tired from the amount of walking she had done during the day. Her mind wondered slightly about what Eugeo had said and wondered if he would eventually tell her the memories he had, but she was too tired to dwell on it for long. She fell asleep easily, the soft evening breeze lilting through her room with its soothing zephyrs.

"Huh?"

Alice's eyes opened and she found herself staring at the ceiling of her moonlight-bathed room. Shifting onto her side, she rested her head back on her pillow and tried to close her eyes again. She suddenly felt no longer tired, but fully awake.

"Ugh!"

Shifting again, this time onto her stomach, Alice pulled one of her pillows over her head and shut her eyes tightly.

"Go back to sleep!"

She remained still for a few moments before the urge to move overcame her and she sat up and threw her pillow to the side, giving an exasperated sigh. Looking around her room, she noted the moonlight falling across the end of her bed and the floor. Turning to gaze at her clock she read the time and sighed.

2:05am

"Ugh!"

Getting up slowly, she paced to her window, gazing down at the moonlit garden below before walking back to the edge of her bed and staring at it, hoping she would start to feel sleepy again. But the feeling didn't come. Sighing again, Alice turned, pulled a sweater on and crept out into the hallway. It was quiet and moonlit out here too. The curtains had been pulled back from the windows, most likely to let the afternoon sun in. Perhaps the maids had forgotten to come back and close them when evening fell? Either way, Alice was grateful for the soft light as she began pacing up to the other end of the long hallway, trying to focus her mind on becoming tired.

Turning the corner, she paused for a second as she thought she heard something other than herself. Was her mind fooling her? Alice shook her head and continued to walk, only to stop suddenly at the sight of another shadow falling across the carpeted hall and leading her eyes up to the window beyond it.

"Eugeo?" Alice whispered as she caught sight of the thin blond boy standing by the window gazing out into the moonlit landscape beyond. He was no longer in the heavy sweatshirt he had been wearing earlier in the day, just a plain tee shirt and pajama pants. Alice took note of how thin and bony his arms and shoulders were.

At first he didn't answer her as Alice approached him and stood next to him by the window.

"Eugeo?"

Not turning to face her the boy mumbled.

"Oh, hi Alice."

"Can't sleep either?" Alice asked, trying to see what he was looking at outside.

"I guess."

As she looked closer at him she saw that his eyes were a bit foggy and unfocused, though he didn't seem outwardly upset. Alice shrugged her shoulders.

"It's weird...sleeping that is...I used to sleep all through the night and not want to get up in the morning...now it's like I can't focus enough to sleep? Does that sound weird?"

"No," Eugeo answered. "I've felt it too after I came out of the STL. Lately it's been worse...I can't sleep at all..." He sighed.

"That sucks, aren't you tired?" Alice asked.

"I don't know," Eugeo's voice faded. "I've been pacing out here for a while."

"Me too," Alice remarked. "We could walk together, you know. Keep each other company."

"Alright," Eugeo muttered and turned to follow Alice up to the end of the hall.

They walked up and down the hall in silence for a while, Eugeo setting a rather slow pace. Alice mused to herself: perhaps it's an after affect of the coma, medicine, something else? I wonder what he's thinking? Her mind wandered again.

"Alice?" Eugeo was the one to finally break the silence.

"Yeah?"

"Can I ask you something?" He didn't look at her and turned towards the windows again.

"Sure, what?" Alice stood next to him trying to follow his gaze.

"Do you...really not remember...anything from before?" Eugeo's voice wavered slightly.

Alice paused for a few moments before answering him, choosing her words carefully.

"I wish I could."

Eugeo didn't respond, but continued to stare out the window. Alice watched him to see if any change came over his face, but he didn't move save for the slow blinking of his green eyes beneath his bangs.

"Could you...tell me what you remember?" Alice ventured another question, keeping her voice soft. "I'd like to know..." she broke off wondering if she would upset him.

Eugeo glanced over at her and didn't immediately reply before turning back to the window and quietly answering.

"You...were...my friend."

The words were barely audible.

"I was?" Alice coaxed.

Eugeo nodded slightly.

"Well?"

The blond boy gave a small huff and closed his eyes for a moment.

"Kirito told me that too. He said we were best friends," Alice whispered. "Were we?"

"Yes," Eugeo's voice choked and stopped before he could form any more words.

Alice looked at him for a moment. He was so pale and sad that it made her feel guilty. She didn't not believe him...but since she couldn't remember...

Reaching out, Alice brushed her hand lightly against Eugeo's. It was ice cold. Beside her the blond boy had gone silent and unresponsive again. His eyes were now clearly unfocused and his lip trembled slightly.

"Eugeo?" Alice asked, trying to reach out for his hand again. However, Eugeo pulled it away and crossed his arms against his chest, as if he had suddenly become cold.

"Hey, are you alright?" Alice asked when he still wouldn't respond. His face was typically pale, but now even in the moonlight, Alice could tell that it had gone white.

"What's wrong?"

Eugeo shook his head and turned to walk down the hall.

"Eugeo! Wait!" Alice followed after him as the boy trudged in the opposite direction they had come. Each step he took became slower and slower as his shoulders hunched and his head hung down a little.

"Hey, what's wrong with you!" Alice caught up to him and grabbed his shoulder. Eugeo stopped suddenly and again didn't answer her, but Alice could feel that he was trembling.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Alice drew closer to him, trying to meet his eyes. But the boy turned his head away as the trembling increased slightly.

"Yeah," he finally got the words out. "I'm...fine." His eyes unfocused again and he bit down on his bottom lip a little, pulling his arms closer against himself.

"Do you feel cold?" Alice remarked. Then she turned to look at the door they were standing by, on the opposite end of the hallway from hers.

"Is this your room? Maybe you should get a sweater or something?"

Eugeo again didn't answer, then let his arms fall to his side suddenly. Taking a step away from Alice he gave a jerky shiver and ran his hands through his hair. His face was nearly as white as his shirt.

"Eugeo?" Alice asked again, this time her voice had a hint of worry. "You're not okay, are you?"

The blond ignored her once again, pausing as he ran his hands through his hair for a third time. Giving a loud sigh, he glanced over his shoulder back at her. His eyes had a strange look in them.

"Just...leave me alone..." he stepped away from Alice again and reached for the door of his room.

"Wait, what?" Alice tried to stop him but Eugeo threw a dark glare at her and pushed her hand out of the way with his. Not only was his hand cold, but Alice could see he was physically shaking now.

"Eugeo, wait!" Alice tried to follow him, but the boy slammed the door in her face leaving Alice stunned for a few moments before she was able to collect herself.

"What the fuck?" she muttered, a slight feeling of anger overcoming her.

"How could he be so rude? One minute he's claiming we were best friends and the next he's slamming a door in my face? What an ass! "

Before she turned to go though, she paused.

"He looked so pale. Something must be wrong?"

Against her better judgment, Alice reached out and turned the doorknob, letting herself into the room beyond. She caught sight of Eugeo immediately: he was sitting, huddled up on the window bench opposite the bed. He didn't look at her as Alice walked up to him and gave his shoulder a slight shake.

"Why'd you slam the door in my face?" she asked trying not to sound annoyed.

This time Eugeo glanced up at her and Alice stepped back in surprise. His eyes were so wide and his pupils so small that his entire eye seemed green and glowing in the moonlight. His eyebrows were raised as if he was startled but his mouth was quivering and he was biting his lip so hard that it had started to bleed. He was shivering uncontrollably.

"Eugeo? What the hell?" Alice placed her other hand on his shoulder and tried to steady the shaking blond. For a moment he appeared as if he hadn't even seen her, his eyes remained unfocused even though Alice was right in front of him. After a few seconds he gave a gasp and tried to push her weakly away from him.

"Leave me alone!" his voice sounded just as shaky as his entire frame.

"Eugeo what's wrong?" Alice asked again as the boy pulled away from her, his face almost green it was so pale.

"Just leave...me...alone."

Eugeo's voice grew hoarse and disappeared as he stood shakily to his feet so suddenly that Alice was forced to take a few steps back. Shaking his head and running his hands through his hair, Eugeo closed his eyes and gave a small gasp before sinking to his knees in a trembling pile in front of her.

"Eugeo!" Alice immediately knelt down beside him and grabbed his shoulder, but the shaking Eugeo didn't respond and his breaths had become quick and shallow, his whole body reeling with each one.

"Hey, try and calm down...what's gotten into you? Are you sick?" Alice pleaded quietly with him as Eugeo shrank away from her and covered his face with his hands for a moment. His breaths grew quicker and shallower with each gasp as his whole body shuddered.

Alice backed away from him slightly before she realized something. The way Eugeo was hunched, his whole body heaving to the point of hyperventilation.

His pale face and cold hands.

She had seen this before.

Anna.

"Eugeo, listen to me," she reached out towards him again. "I think you're panicking, please listen to me!" She tried to touch him but he shied away again and gave something between a gulp and a gasp that made her hair stand on end.

"You need to calm down!" Alice moved right in front of him and grabbed his shoulders before the boy could push her away. "It's panic, it will pass! My sister used to get like this when she first got sick...try to breathe."

Letting his hands fall from his face, Eugeo's unfocused gaze came back into view and he seemed to mouth something inaudible to her, a small amount of blood still oozing from his bottom lip. Alice took a deep breath and shook the trembling boy slightly before speaking again.

"You have to try and calm down! This will pass...just breathe! Just try to breathe a little slower...You're going to make yourself sick or faint or something..." As her nervous voice trailed off again, Eugeo lurched forward, nearly knocking Alice backwards before staggering to his feet and stumbling away from her across the room.

"Eugeo? Eugeo!" Alice spun around and went to follow him as the panicked boy wobbled through the door to the bathroom and out of sight.

"Hey!" Alice got up and nearly leaped across the room after him, stopping in the doorway as she heard him give an ugly wretch.

"Eugeo?" her voice lowered to a whisper. Stepping through the doorway, she found the trembling blond heaving his guts up. His bony shoulders lurched with each gag and cough he gave.

Alice gave a slow sigh. How many times had she stood in this same spot at school, watching one of her friends clinging to the toilet or sink after too much to drink? Even when Anna had been sick, Alice remembered standing outside the door as her mother sat with the chemo sickened Anna for hours on end, as her sister couldn't keep any food down. This scene was no different; but Alice didn't feel annoyed or scared like she had before...she felt sad. Her friends had been stupid; her sister had been innocent...but had a mother, father, and Alice to care for her. This boy however, had nothing...no connections to this world...no mother...father...home...

Alice wiped a tear from her eye and sniffled slightly as she knelt down next to Eugeo who had given a dry heave and gone silent. His body was still trembling, though not nearly as fiercely as before. Between heaves, his breaths had become longer and more gasping and as Alice touched his shoulder slightly, he still felt ice cold, though she could see beads of sweat on his forehead.

Standing up, Alice went to the sink and took one of the small towels from the side and ran it under warm water for a few moments before wringing it out and kneeling back down next to Eugeo.

"Hey," she nudged him slightly. "Look at me for a minute, let me wipe your face off...You're in kind of bad shape..." She brushed his bangs back as he gave another dry heave and then seemed to relax slightly. Alice nudged him again and when he didn't immediately respond, she tugged his shoulder slightly to get him to bring his head up. His green eyes were shut tightly and though his face still looked terribly white, it no longer had the ghastly green tint from before.

"I don't think there's anything left for you to puke up now," Alice said softly, wiping his face with the warm cloth and helping him from his knees to a sitting position beside her. Eugeo gave a hard sigh and put his head in his hands for a moment, still shuddering.

"Breathe," Alice commanded him gently. "If you keep gasping like that you'll hyperventilate again...just breathe. In and out..." she took a deep breath and held it for a moment before letting it sigh out. "Like that, see?"

Eugeo tried to copy her, but he could hardly take a breath in and hold it through his shudders.

"It's a panic attack, I promise it will pass," Alice reassured him again. "Maybe you should lay down or something, breathe Eugeo." She nudged him as the boy gave another gasp and gagged slightly.

"Look at me," Alice spoke quietly, but firmly. Eugeo tilted his head up slightly and met her gaze. He really did look awful; his eyes were watery and glazed over and his lip was still bleeding slightly. Giving a slow blink his eyes came back into focus and he stared at her for a moment, a faint look of embarrassment crossing his face.

"Breathe," Alice repeated again as he took a breath in, held it through his shaking for a few moments and exhaled in a loud sigh as he suddenly leaned his head against her shoulder. The sudden movement caused Alice to stutter in surprise. For a moment she didn't know how to respond, then she dropped the towel she was holding and wrapped her arms around the blond in a firm hug.

"You'll be alright, I promise. This will pass."

She could feel Eugeo nod against her slightly.

"You should lie down. If you haven't been sleeping well that can cause this kind of thing too...come on, stand up...I've got you..." She helped him shakily to his feet. Eugeo gave her a sheepish glance as Alice swung his arm over her shoulder and walked him back out into the bedroom. When they stood by the side of the bed, Alice let go of Eugeo who swayed slightly, but remained standing next to her. Alice stepped back and looked him over for a moment.

"You've got some blood and puke on your shirt. You can't get into bed like that," she reached her hand out to him. "Take it off."

Eugeo's eyes darted away from her and he looked down, slightly embarrassed.

"Come on you don't want to get it on the blankets," Alice tapped his shoulder.

Mumbling something incoherent, Eugeo shakily pulled his shirt over his head and held it out to Alice with another sheepish look on his face. Alice was surprised how emaciated he looked; his ribs were clearly visible, but she tried not to stare as she grabbed the shirt out of his hand and tossed it aside. Eugeo was now clutching himself, still looking cold and rather scared. Leaning forward Alice pulled back the blankets.

"Lie down, you'll feel better."

Eugeo took a step forward before melting onto the bed and curling up his knees against his chest, his body still quivering.

"Better?" Alice asked, pulling the blankets up over his shoulder. Eugeo didn't answer but Alice thought she saw him nod slightly. Letting her shoulders relax, Alice turned and went back into the bathroom, flushing the toilet and tossing the small wet towel aside. Then she stood, looking at herself in the mirror for a moment; her own face now looked pale and tired. Shaking her head, she splashed a little water on her face and wiped it on her sleeve before she returned back to Eugeo's bedside to check on him again.

"Eugeo, are you awake?" she whispered. His trembling shoulder answered the question before Alice could ask again. She sighed and rubbed her eyes.

"Look, I'm going to sit here with you until you calm down, okay?" Going around to the other side, she climbed on top of the covers and swung her feet up onto the bed. Reaching over she placed her left hand on Eugeo's shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Breathe, Eugeo. Breathe," she murmured and felt him nod in reply. Alice took her own deep breath and leaned back against the pillows, her eyes fixed on the ceiling and her hand still resting on Eugeo's shoulder. After a while, she felt his shaking ease up a bit and turned towards him to see if he had fallen asleep. His eyes were closed but Alice could tell by the pattern of his breathing that he was still trying to fight off the anxiety and panic that had overtaken him. She felt bad. After a few more moments, her hand moved from his shoulder and she began to absentmindedly run her hand through his hair...like she had done to comfort Anna all those years ago.

"I'm sorry you had to go through this," she whispered half to herself, half to him as her hand fell through his hair and brushed against his cold cheek.

"Alice," he finally muttered a reply that startled her slightly.

"Eugeo," she whispered back. "Try and relax, okay? You'll be alright...I promise..." Giving a sudden yawn, Alice felt overcome by the sleep she had been fighting for before. She let her hand rest next to Eugeo's and turned to lean her head against her right shoulder.

"I'll just rest my eyes for a minute."

But as soon as she closed them, she had fallen asleep.

I got a little misty eyed writing the end of this chapter. Poor Eugeo. But Alice protecc him 3

Typically you wouldn't confront someone who is having a panic attack...but Alice is bossy...and deep down she DOES care. I'm really looking forward to writing more of her and Eugeo in the upcoming chapters. They really are my OTP. AlicexEugeo FOREVERRRRRR!

Next up: Chapter 12 Recollection

O.O