Mari bit her lip and gave a sigh. Josh looked so pitiful lying there pale and lifeless. "Pitiful creature of darkness, what kind of life have you known? God, give me courage to show you, you are not alone," she sang softly, kissing his forehead.

Josh moaned quietly and fluttered his eyes open. "I thought you were supposed to be Carlotta," he smirked weakly.

Mari cupped his cheek in her hand and smiled fondly. "How are you feeling?"

"Honestly?" Josh laughed. "A bit like I've been shot." He gave a sudden wince and tensed, closing his eyes tightly. He quickly put up an arm to stop Mari from helping him. "I'm fine. I'm fine."

"Are you in pain? Do you need me to get a doctor?" Mari asked worriedly.

"Nothing-" Josh said through labored breathing, "nothing I can't deal with."

"Don't be a hero, Josh. I'm getting a doctor."

"Mel, I got shot a bit of pain is necessary," Josh muttered resentfully. "Just- just stay with me, alright?"

Mari grasped his hand gently and brushed a bit of hair from his face with her other. "Sweetheart, if you're in pain, I should really get a doctor."

"I said I'm fine," Josh snapped harshly. "God, I'm sorry," he whimpered, shaking his head. "I don't know what's wrong with me. I can't think straight, I can't move-"

"Hey, it's alright," Mari whispered softly. "It's alright."

Josh felt tears sting his tired eyes. "I never should have let you leave. I should have stayed. I should have seen it coming. I should have been there. I-" He shuddered and sighed shakily. "I have Mari now. I have to be happy. I have to be. And I'm not. I'm the stupidest man in the world."

It was then that Mari remembered that she was still wearing the wig and makeup that made her look like Mel. "You aren't stupid," she said softly.

Josh gave a trivial scoff. "I was stupid enough to believe you could love me. That anyone could."

"I did love you," Mari said, pretending to be Mel as best she could. "And so does Mari. She loves you a lot, Josh."

Josh grabbed her hand as Mari turned to leave and stared at her coldly. "Why do you keep coming back? Why can't I let you go?!"

Mari sighed, feeling conflicted. She had two choices: she could take of the wig right then and there, and tell him it was her, or she could try to come up with some explanation, pretending to be her dead sister. After a moment's hesitation, she said, "Only you can answer that."

"Just- just, I look at her," Josh said angrily, "and I see you! And I try so hard not to. To see her, just her, and your always there! Always! Why are you always there?! Even Matt can-" An alarm on his heart rate monitor started beeping and he leaned back again, closing his eyes. "I just don't get it."

"Hey, hey, hey," Mari said quickly. "Calm down."

"I can't love both of you," Josh said sternly. "Not like this. This won't work."

"There's a fine line between loving a person and missing them," Mari said kindly. "You just miss her- me a lot. Sometimes knowing the difference is hard, but it'll become clear in time."

"I've loved you, Mel," Josh said softly. "I always have. Always will. I don't think you ever understood that."

A nurse entered to check on Josh, and Mari stepped out and quickly found a bathroom. She pulled off the wig and washed her face, trying to go as fast as possible. Within minutes, she returned to Josh's room, as herself this time. "Is he okay?" She asked the nurse.

"He's fine," the nurse assured. "He just needs to be kept calm."

"Alright," Mari nodded as the nurse stepped out. She turned her attention to Josh. "Do you want me to get you something to eat?"

Josh stared silently at the wall.

"Josh, are you okay?" Mari asked worriedly.

He nodded curtly.

Mari walked up slowly and grasped his hand. "Is something wrong?"

Josh pursed his lips and Mari felt her heart breaking.

"Josh," she said softly. "I understand. It won't hurt me...whatever you decide."

"I'm sorry," Josh sighed.

Mari held his hand tightly. "Don't be."

"I just need time."

She nodded gravely and gave his forehead a gentle kiss. "I'll be waiting, Isaac Taylor. Whenever you're ready."

He nodded again silently and Mari turned to face the door.  "Josh-"

"Yeah?"

"If I had to have a sister...if she had to have a boyfriend...I'm glad she had you."

Josh stared blankly.

"And I think," Mari said softly, "she would be happy I found you."

Josh closed his eyes and gave a soft smile. "Yeah. Yeah I suppose she would."

Mari gently touched the doorframe and gave him one last look. "See you tomorrow?"

He nodded.  "Bye, Mari."

Mari walked out the door and let the tears fall freely. "Goodbye, Josh."

—————

It was about five in the morning when Catherine awoke. She had about fifteen text messages from Mari. Cath's jaw dropped when she read the contents. Matt was sleeping peacefully, so she was sure to be quiet as she changed and quickly ran out the door.

Soon, Catherine arrived at Mari's house and unlocked the door herself. Immediately, she ran to her friend and threw her arms around her. "It's going to be okay," she comforted.

"No, it won't," Mari sobbed. "I thought we had something...but we were nothing. He's never going to want me...not ever."

"You don't know that," Catherine sighed. "You had a real connection."

"He only liked me because of Mel," Mari reasoned. "He never liked me for me."

"That's not true. He-"

"It is," Mari sighed, wiping her eyes.

It was about an hour or so before Catherine could calm her friend down.

"You need to return to Matt," Mari said decidedly. "I'm alright. I'll find somebody else."

"There we go," Catherine smiled softly. "You don't need Josh. I'm sure there's someone out there who's ten times better."

"Go," Mari chuckled.

Catherine nodded and quickly ran home. Fortunately, Matt was still asleep.

—————

"I'm going to miss you girls so much," Catherine sighed.

"We'll miss you too," Ashley frowned as she and Scarlett hugged their older sister.

"We love you, Cath," Scarlett said with a tear running down her cheek.

The younger girls boarded their plane and Catherine felt a bit sad. She didn't get to see them often and knew that she likely wouldn't for a while.