"I know you're strong, Alex, but that doesn't make it any easier to see you like this," Alisha said, her voice wavering slightly. "I just wish there was more I could do to help."

Alex smiled softly, his thumb gently wiping away a stray tear from her cheek. "You're already doing more than enough, Angel. Just having you here, taking care of me, means the world to me."

As Alisha finished dressing the last of his wounds, she helped him into a clean set of clothes. Alex grimaced as he moved, ...