A/N: I hope everyone had a great Christmas!

Here's the last chapter ^.^! Enjoy!

Alicia stared blankly at him as spoke with Elisabeth over his comm. "She's awake, doc. Come back as soon as you can."

He put it down on the table, not waiting for a response, but his eyes never left hers. This is what he spent four months waiting for. Nathaniel's blue eyes roved over her dark ones- taking in their colour- never letting the image leave him. He wanted to say- wanted to ask her so many things and yet came up with a blank on how to articulate it to her. It was mystifying how she looked at him. Like she knew who he was, but couldn't put a name to his face.

"Nathaniel. Nathaniel Taylor." he supplied and would be a liar if he said that it stung a little to be forgotten. Blast or not, the recognition of the name in her gaze was unmistakable. Minutes passed with Taylor watching her look about the room. She knew where she was, but couldn't remember why. It was written all over her expression.

"I came as soon…" Jim Shannon rounded the corner, huffing and puffing from having run there. He caught his breath before he continued and locked gazes with Alicia. He smiled. "as Elisabeth told me."

"Not…having a baby..." Alicia managed to ground out. Her voice cracked from it's lack of usage and she cleared her throat. Elisabeth strode in at that moment, a sheen of sweat on her forehead to suggest that she had also made haste to return.

Her eyes scanned the vital screen to make sure everything was working properly and smile down at Alicia. "Hello there, lieutenant. You've been unconscious for a while so talking might be a little difficult for a bit."

Alicia frowned, confused and trying to process what the doctor had just said. "How long?" her voice didn't sound like her but Taylor couldn't care. He continued to watch her, gauge her reactions, her every fleeting expression.

"Four months today."

Alicia made a humming sound in the back of her throat. It was cut off midway for a crack to come through and she cleared her throat. Elisabeth reached for a cup on the table beside her bed filled with water. She pressed the cup to Alicia's lips.

The woman on the bed frowned, tried to lift her arms to do it herself but found the feeling in her limbs too heavy. Reluctantly, she opened her mouth and allowed Doctor Shannon to give her water.

"Okay," Elisabeth said, taking the cup back when Alicia drank it's contents and set it aside. Taylor and Jim stood on either side of her, taking her in. Finding that they missed her more than they let on. "I'm going to ask you a few standard questions to see what percentage to brain recovery you're at, all right?" When Alicia nodded, doc smiled. "Can you tell me your name?"

She was still a moment, searching for a name. "Wash…" she closed her eyes, knowing the name was familiar, significant. "Alicia Wash…ington." she ended. Nathaniel didn't miss the flash of triumph in her gaze at remembering her identity.

"Very good. Can you tell me who these men are?" Alicia looked to Jim first, a small grin playing her lips.

"Shannon. Jim Shannon." Jim smiled, squeezed her shoulder and put his arm around Elisabeth. "You're Elisabeth." the doctor smiled even wider, pleased to be remembered. Finally Alicia's eyes strayed to Taylor. He still had her hand; he held his breath.

"You've already told me who you are, Nathaniel, sir." it was clear by her slight frown she hadn't meant to put 'sir' at the end of her sentence but years of saying it forced it's way out of habit.

"You'll remember more in time," Elisabeth said and glanced from her leader to Alicia. "What's the last thing you remember?"

At this, she had to think hard; had to close her eyes and play everything back a moment. "It's a blur. I remember asking to come with you," her eyes widened as memories flooded her and she looked at Taylor. She remembered him. "and I remember fighting off an army and losing." at this she closed her eyes, remorse and self persecution written all over her face.

"Hey, hey, hey, Wash. Stay with us in the here and now. You couldn't have done anything more to prevent the ambush from happening." Jim intercepted and had her eyes open. The shame making her clench her jaw and avoid her CO's gaze.

"Right. You did everything you could and more. What else can you tell me?" Elisabeth's voice was calm, soothing. Managed to bring Alicia out of herself for a moment to concentrate.

"I remember the Phoenix soldiers being a pain in my ass." Jim snorted. That put it very lightly. "We had a plan… but it backfired somehow and…" her eyes widened impossibly. "Lucas…we won?" she remembered.

Nathaniel put a hand to her cheek, capturing her attention. "Damn right we won." Taylor replied with a small smile. "The blast wasn't fatal."

Alicia took a deep breath, unshed tears stinging her eyes. The emotions; the memories. They came back to her in a flood of pressure against her skull. It was almost too much to take in but she revelled in it. Alicia needed to remember everything. "Your kids, are they…?"

Jim took her other free hand and squeezed, "They're safe. Because of you."

Alicia smiled a little, glad that her almost sacrifice hadn't been in vain. Taylor took a deep breath and resumed the seat he was in half an hour ago.

"I'll be back a little later to check your progress." Elisabeth put a hand on her arm for a moment, letting the woman on the bed know she was eternally grateful towards her. Jim took it a step further and leaned his body down. His arms encircled the woman. "Glad to have you back, Wash."

Alicia remained immobile but smiled a moment regardless. The married couple left moments after, allowing the commander to have his moment with her. "I should have let you come with me." he said to her and when her eyes locked onto his, his thoughts paused. She was smiling at him.

"Don't say you're sorry. You did what you needed. I'd do it again given the chance." she said and flexed her fingers. "Your field medic's back. That's something right?" she asked, momentarily looking down at their joined hands. When she looked back up, Taylor was smiling down at her.

"You heard?"

"Everything."

"You always had incredible hearing."

"You're not exactly a quiet talker." she teased him, a good sign that she was on her way to a successful recovery.

"Missed you, Wash." he said, all humour dying.

"I wasn't gone long."

"Long enough." he replied, leaning his elbows on his knees as he watched her. "Don't…" he cut himself off, knowing he couldn't tell her what not to do. Especially self sacrifice. She was a soldier, it was what they did. It was ultimately their duty to willingly give up their lives for the greater good.

"Next time I'll think of something less tragic." she said and smiled a moment. He grinned at her. She had no idea how close to home that one word rang true.

"When you recover from this," he said, indicating the infirmary and her lack of ability to move. "I'd like to show you something OTG."

"What is it?" she asked, a small smile playing at her lips. A yawn escaped her lips, her eyes grew heavy.

"A view. It reminds me of you." he cocked his head to the side slightly, watching her fight to remain awake. "Don't sleep too long."

"I'm not tired." and yet, just like a child would protest and lose, her eyes drifted closed. He wasn't fond of it, but he knew she mentally exhausted herself.

This time was different. It looked and felt like she was merely sleeping. To be sure, he nudged her shoulder. "Wash?"

"What?" she asked groggily.

"Nothing." he grinned as she smirked at his paranoia. He leaned over her body and planted a soft kiss to her forehead. "See you when you wake up."

And he sat back down, watching her intently. Each time she stirred or made a small sound in her slumber, it reassured him that she was only sleeping; that in a couple hours she would awaken once again.

After an hour of watching her he stroked the back of her hand with his thumb. Alicia frowned, eyes remaining closed. "Commander?" she asked.

"Yes?"

"I can feel you staring." and her eyes opened. Those wonderful brown iris staring into his with amusement.

"Force of habit." he returned and she snorted. "Does it bother you?"

"No."

"Good." he replied. Because he was going to be doing a lot more staring until he felt she was one hundred and fifty percent herself again.

Mark Reynolds came around the corner at that moment. His expression melted from anticipation to over joy at seeing her finally awake. "Alicia- Lieutenant-"

"At ease, Reynolds." Taylor said, chuckling and stood. "I'll leave you two to talk for a while. I'll be back." his legs needed stretching but the promise of his return bore into her when his eyes found hers.

She nodded, believing him; forgiving him for not coming back before.

Mark put his firearm down and sat in the chair Taylor left. He listened to their voices until he was out of ear shot. He walked away to grab himself something to eat from the market because once he returned, he planned on staying with her until she kicked him out.

This woman was his undoing and he cursed himself for it. Never again would he allow her to put herself in that situation. She had more courage than most people he knew and for that, he was proud.

He thought about the view he wanted to show her. It wasn't far from the colony; it was on top of a big cliff- lush with grass, fresh soil and a large rock big enough to sit on. When the sun rose, it was a sight to behold. Hues of yellow, pink and orange spread over the sky. It reminded him of her. It was openly beautiful, striking as it rose. Fearless in baring itself to whoever was watching; unashamed of what it was.

If there was a next time, he would make sure she stayed by his side like he should have the first round. Like he had every other time. Never again would be leave her. Never again would he hesitate to save her. Never again would he hide what he felt for her.

They got to live once; and he'd be damned if he let her escape him once more.

Fin.