EVERYBODY! I'm finally back:) My exams ended yesterday, and lest you think I finished this whole chapter in a day, let me clarify that this was finished around March this year, just that I thought my other fics – Intimate Confessions 3 and a few others – should get posted first, 'cause they were pretty good. :)

I'm really sorry for not replying to the previous chatper's reviews too… I don't know how many of you'd actually be reading this at this time, so I just want to thank you all for the reviews…

The last chapter ended with Mariah realising that she still loved Ray, but only after he got knocked down by a car… Will he live? ;) You'll know soon enough, if you don't already do. :D

Hope you'll like this chapter! I know the fic drags on… Though this is the second last chapter of Unbreakable Bonds, so… it'll be ending soon. ;)

I do not own Beyblade in any way, and the plot of this story has come from various clichés you see all over…

Remember to R&R afterwards!

Unbreakable Bonds
By Aquarius Galuxy
Chapter 4: Recovery

The continuous beeping of the pulse-monitoring machine reassured her slightly as she pushed the white door open, stepping into the hospital ward. Her heart thudded painfully. He was lying on the bed, with various machines at his side, trying to keep him alive. She'd caused this...

Her bottom lip trembled slightly, and she padded over to his bed, sinking down into the chair beside him. The doctor had told her that he was seriously injured, detailing even all the little wounds he had... It could take long for him to recover... He'd even fractured his leg. She drew a shaky breath, closing her eyes in helplessness.

The doctor must have thought they were already a couple or something... He kept referring to Ray as 'your boyfriend'... It almost broke her... She couldn't bear to think that, especially since she'd rejected him... She didn't know if he'd lost his memory, much less even loved her anymore. She wavered with uncertainty, her gaze sweeping over his body.

Mari... I love you...

It pierced her heart to think how sorrowful his eyes had been, how relieved he was when he pushed her away... His eyes were closed now. His beautiful eyes... She couldn't see them. They were locked behind his eyelids, dead, submerged in this coma... It reminded her of the time he was hospitalized during the World Tournament... She had been so worried for him... And now... She'd caused him to be in a worse condition...

Was he in pain? She felt so guilty for causing all this... Why did it take her so much to swallow her pride and admit that she missed him too? She was all to blame... If only none of these had happened. But they did... Nobody expected them to. She should've just told him... Why was she so stupid? The pressure within her chest would not ease, and neither would her aching heart.

If only he could wake now... She'd tell him she was sorry, she'd tell him she loved him, too... She'd forgive him for being away, anything to let him wake up and be happy... But she couldn't. He was already unconscious, and time could not be turned back.

Tears welled up in her eyes. It hurt her to see him wounded... He went through all this, just to save her... She needed him badly... She still wanted his love... Was it too late? When would he wake? She wanted him to know...

"Ray..." she whispered, leaning closer to him. The lump in her throat would not recede. It was clear that he was unconscious, but she wanted to assuage her mind of her feelings... "I know you can't hear me, but... I need you to know that I'm sorry, and... and… "

Her voice quavered. She had to do this! "I- I still… love you, Ray..."

Oh, what was the point? He couldn't hear her, much less reply! There was no use doing this. She didn't deserve him at all...

Mariah buried her face in her arms, resting them on the mattress. The pressure of all this was too much to handle. She'd rejected his love, yet she needed it, and she caused him so much pain... The guilt from her actions bore down on her, and she knew that she couldn't do without him. Her mind ached. She'd been waiting for so long, only to push him away... Regret brought on more of her suffering, and the woman began to sob quietly on the bed, her shoulders shaking slightly. There was no point heeding the seconds that ticked by...

A slight touch on her head caused her to stop suddenly. There wasn't anyone else in the room, unless someone had entered when she was crying, or... he had awoken. She raised her head hopefully, hear heart audibly coming to life. "R-Ray!"

Tired golden orbs gazed back at her, so filled with relief and... love. He was awake! The doctor had said that there was no telling if he would regain consciousness... She was afraid that she'd never talk to him ever again... How was he feeling? Was he in pain? Was he angry with her? She needed to tell him how she felt...

"I'm so s-sorry... I got you into this mess..." She couldn't stop the tears from running down her cheeks... The guilt was overwhelming her... She couldn't help feeling bad... She should have listened to her heart in the first place..

"Mari..." he whispered softly. Pain from his wounds was flashing across his eyes. It crushed her heart... "It… doesn't matter..."

She trembled when he reached up and brushed her tears away. His fingers were so cold... She wanted to press closer, but she dared not... His touch was so gentle – so loving... The woman choked. She missed feeling his skin against hers... But... Why was he doing this to her? Did he still love her? Wasn't he angry?

Mariah pulled back slightly, her eyes widened. He was watching her in concern. The silence was dragging... She hated the awkwardness... Yet – he seemed almost comfortable with just looking at her... His eyes were glad... Was it because of her presence? She did not have the right to ask for much... She brought this upon him... "You're not... angry with me?"

She was nearly afraid of his answer... The woman looked away from his eyes, not daring to know what he was thinking. Was that a good decision, to ask him how he felt?

"How could I… ever be… angry with you?" he muttered faintly, raising his hand to tilt her face towards his, so that their eyes met. A flush was spreading on her cheeks... She hadn't done this for so long, and to meet his gaze again, from such a short distance... Her body quivered.

"But..." She swallowed, unable to tear her eyes away from his face. Her fingertips tingled with the pulses beating through them. Would he change his mind? She was breathing shallowly... Guilt and regret were still lurking in her heart, mingling, swirling into a cloudy storm. "I caused you all these..."

"Mari... you mean… more to me than… anything else… ever could..." His voice was low, but his eyes were shining with love... She trembled again. How could she have doubted him? She'd tried so hard to ignore the need for him, but it was still there, deeply-etched as ever...

"I..." The woman looked down at her hands, not being able to say anything. Could she tell him? She knew that he was waiting for her reply... Her heartbeat slowed. The tightness in her throat refused to leave... Emptiness was threatening to send her into depression... She was disappointed with herself... Fear of losing him brought more tears in her eyes... Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I... I still love you, Ray..."

She couldn't help but look back up at him when she felt the same cold hand on hers. There was a small smile on his lips. Her heart warmed. Did this mean that he didn't hold anything else against her?

"I heard you the first time..." His dancing eyes caused her cheeks to flush more and her heart to soften. They said nothing for a while, merely staring at the other, both at a loss for words.

She was shocked, with a tinge of embarrassment spreading across her face. He'd heard her? It seemed weird to pour her heart out, only to be heard by someone she hadn't expected to be listening... But he loved her, and that was all that mattered...

Suddenly, this uneasiness melted away into nothing, and they were left alone with each other, all doubts from the past gone. His eyes told her that there was nothing for her to be afraid of, calming her. She shifted her hands to grasp his tightly, causing him to smile. She'd been waiting so long for this...

The woman brought his hand up to her cheek, leaning in to his palm. She missed doing this... If only he could be well again... His hand was starting to warm... Her heart raced when he moved his thumb to stroke her cheek. The woman caressed his hand, longing to bury her face in his chest. But he hadn't recovered... Still, she was glad that he had survived, and that he loved her...

He hadn't changed much in character. However, the change in his physique caused her heart to tighten. His form had refined in the last six years, to one that was highly desirable... Well, he'd have looked almost edible if it weren't for all these injuries...

The yearning for more of him had returned, and she leaned forward tentatively on the chair, letting go of his hand to brush the hairs away from his bandaged forehead. His beautiful golden eyes were watching her... His cheeks were scratched, but they were healing. His lips were dry due to the lack of water he received. Yet... she felt the need to touch them again... She missed being close to him...

"Mari... I'm sorry for not… being with you for so long..." he started. Her gaze slid back to his eyes. She could see his desire to be up and about again, to be with her...

"I've forgiven you, Ray..." She didn't want anything else to keep them apart... The fear of losing him was still fresh in her mind. Her breaths were shallow as he leaned on her forearms, pushing herself forward so that her face was inches from his.

His golden eyes were locked with hers, and she could see his anticipation... He was looking forward to this too... It was a pity he couldn't move much. Her heart pounded. The woman dared not think of anything else, except for the eager look in his eyes when she pressed even closer and let her eyelids droop, before meeting his lips with hers.

A shiver shook her form when he returned the kiss weakly. She missed doing this with him... Her cheeks were burning... Mariah gasped when he tilted his head slightly, so that he kiss was deepened. He meant it... His lips were dry, albeit very tender, and so very caring...

The tears came again, trickling down her cheeks and onto his. She felt him wince slightly, and she broke away, worried for him. The saline droplets had stung his wounds. He looked apologetically at her. She bit her lip guiltily, reaching for a tissue paper to dab the wetness away. Why was she causing him so much pain? Could she really deserve his love? The woman bowed her head, losing the courage to look at him.

"I'm sorry... I keep hurting you..."

"Mari!" His eyes were wide, glittering with emotion, and he reached over to grab her hand, so that she looked up at him hesitantly. "I love you, regardless of what happens… and it'll stay like that forever, alright? Your happiness means a lot to me..."

She nodded silently in relief. He still loved her! Mariah leaned forward and slipped her arms around him gently in a hug, quivering when he placed his across her back. She wanted him to get well soon...

Ray drew his breath in sharply when he felt her chest brush against his. He'd longed for her, and to see her by his bedside, to hear her admit her love for him, to feel her skin, her lips against his... It brought him joy like no other, and he was glad for her presence. After six years, they were finally together again... His temporary disability hampered his actions, and he wanted it to heal soon, so that he could hold her properly in his arms, so that he could do what he had been waiting for in the course of the six years.

He was saddened by how she kept blaming herself over his injuries. He was at fault too... All he wanted was for them to be happy together... The details of the accident were vague in his mind, but what stood out most was that she had been beside him, holding him...

His heart quickened again has her scent teased him. It meant a great deal to him, to be this close to her once again. Ray closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, colouring slightly when his chest pressed further against hers. For now, he had to concentrate on recovering...

Two weeks had almost passed too quickly, and she had sat by his bedside whenever she could, apart from the times she had to return to work as a trainer at the beyblade training centre.

Ray was recovering quickly, and she was thankful for that. Perhaps Driger had helped him like how he did in the Russian World Tournament back then. Or perhaps... her presence? Did she have that much an effect on him? The idea thrilled her. His wounds had healed, so that he could walk short distances, though he needed to rest every few moments. Still... at least he could walk...

Over that short period of time, there had been more hand-holding, more words, jokes and more things confided, and it brought them closer, resolving any misunderstanding left between them. He could sit up, and the woman loved it when they embraced, or even shared a kiss... There had been fewer tears shed, and she had started to gain confidence in her place within their relationship.

She sat by him, watching him sleep in peace. She had felt more relieved for every day that he'd looked better, and she could hardly wait till he could leave the hospital. What would happen then?

It wouldn't do to return to the village immediately... She wanted to spend more time alone with him first... Would they be welcomed, or even accepted back? The last time she saw her parents, they weren't very enthusiastic about Ray. Lee had sent her letters over the past three years, but he didn't mention anything about how the villagers viewed this certain raven-haired man. Was she labelled as some sort of traitor too? In that case, they shouldn't go back now.

He could put up at her place... She had a spare guestroom and he could have it. It was strange how she kept an unused guestroom aside, only to have him reside in it... Were they fated to be? She hoped so... Anyway... She was sure that he wouldn't mind staying with her. She could try to get a job for him at the beyblading centre too, since he would be rather famous as a world-class beyblader, and it would be useful for them to have him.

Mariah reached forward to hold his hand lightly. He was warm... She allowed her mind to wander, to wonder what that hand would feel like on her... A shiver crept over her skin, and she turned her attention back to him.

Ray was almost fine now... All they had to do was to wait for the doctor to come in later. Once the doctor examined him, he would be free to go. After all, the older man had approved of his fast recovery. She was, of course, glad of it.

This stage of her life was almost over, and she couldn't wait to begin living life afresh with him, as a happy couple. They'd missed out on all those years to spend time together... The woman squeezed his hand lightly.

She wasn't sure how much time had passed, before he stirred and woke up. The silence when he gazed into her eyes was so different from all the cold, lonely ones that she used to experience. A warm smile grew on his face, and she smiled back.

"How are you feeling, Ray?" She was anxious for him to feel better, so that he could go back today. She had moved his belongings back to her house to save on the hotel fees, and they were all waiting for him in the guestroom. She quivered at the thought of him being in her house.

"Fine..." His eyes were bright, more alive than when he'd just awoken from the accident. It heartened her to see this. He was going to be well! A slight smile grazed her lips.

"Ray... You're coming home with me after this." Her eyes were shining with excitement.

"I'm invited there?" He smiled mischievously. Her heart warmed with love for him.

"No... You're needed there..." she murmured softly, sliding her hands down to his to grasp his fingers. His gaze was intense and loving, and she could tell that his eyes were on her, even though she was looking down at their hands. It felt so right...

A light knock brought their attention to the door. The wooden panel was pushed open, and a man stepped into the room, a white doctor's coat draped over his shoulders. He headed towards them, smiling kindly.

"Good morning," he said as he nodded towards them. "I see that you're awake, Mr Kon. Are you feeling better today?"

"Yeah..." Her nerves tingled when she saw him with such eagerness in his eyes. She loved him for just being himself...

"Very well, then. I shall check up on your wounds, take a last x-ray of your leg, and you should be free to go."

Mariah stood back and watched as the doctor scrutinized the raven-haired man methodically, her spirits lifting whenever she saw the doctor give a nod at every wound that had healed. His bandages came off slowly, pulled away to reveal wounds that had already healed, so that his skin looked almost new.

The older man smiled in satisfaction when the physical examination was over. "Now, Mr Kon, could you come with me to the radiography room?"

Ray nodded, moving to the side of the bed so that he could get off. The woman moved over to help him to his feet.

"Would you like a wheelchair?" The doctor was looking thoughtfully at him.

He shook his head, lips twitching up in a small smile. "I'd like to try walking."

The doctor nodded, watching as they made their way slowly to the door. He strode forward to hold open the door for them, then walked beside them once they were out. The trip to the room was rather quiet, though the doctor asked them questions sometimes, mostly about their plans for the future. Enquiries of that nature brought blushes to their cheeks, owing to the fact that neither of them had really thought about it.

His eyebrows were raised when they received the results from the x-ray. The raven-haired man's leg had healed completely, rendering the plaster cast useless. It was, of course, obvious that the cast had to be removed.

"You have very special friends," the surprised doctor stated as he freed Ray from the cast. Mariah flushed slightly, and he squeezed her hand in return. "Two weeks is indeed a short time to recover from an injury like this."

"Does this mean that Ray can be discharged now?" Mariah asked, anticipating the doctor's reply.

A nod was all it took for her to leap into the arms of the raven-haired man, eyes shining with happiness. He hugged her tightly back, grinning.

"Let's go home."

I have no idea how Ray managed to heal his fractured leg in two weeks… ;) Don't ask me why.

Well? How was it? Hope it wasn't too boring… Review, please:D It's the second last chapter… I don't even know if I can hit 50 reviews by the end of the fic. :) Thanks for your comments, though!

Oh, and a question here… Do you think the PG-13 (T) rating's too high for what's been happening so far?