In another hour, Zorell's shift had ended and she walked down the hall to Shanee's hospital room. When she approached her bed, she found that she was awake and was lying in a reclining position. Her face still looked pale, but she looked better than she did earlier that day.

"Not another exam," she said her voice slightly weak.

"This is just a social visit," Zorell said as she approached her bed. She had her hand on the chair sitting next to the bed. "I'm Zorell, a friend of Leland's."

"A friend of Lee's?" she asked and tried to sit up. Zorell could see that she was having some trouble.

"Here, let me help," she said and took another pillow off the stack and placed it under her, so she didn't have to strain to sit up. "Is that better?" Zorell asked.

"Yes," she said and sat back. She was favoring her right side, and what Zorell was able to see in her file she received a gash in that area due to the accident. "So, are you really a friend of Lee's?" she asked as Zorell walked over to the other side of the bed and sat down in the chair.

"Well, we're more like family," Zorell said, trying to make light of their connection. She didn't want to ignite some unnecessary jealousy. The red-haired young woman looked like she was waiting for a better answer than that. "Lee's sister is married to my brother, which makes us sort of in-laws."

"Oh, then it's not a blood relation," she said, and there was a worried look in her eye.

"Shanee, you have nothing to worry about," Zorell said and shook her head. There was a smirk on her face that made Shanee form a confused look on her face. "Ever since he learned about your accident he's been going crazy worrying about you. That boy is gaga over you."

Her bashful smile came to Shanee's face. "I have no right to be jealous after I..." She stopped before she said too much, but Zorell already knew the story surrounding their breakup.

"I know all about that," Zorell said, her voice was low and she tried to sound sympathetic, but she could see the shame in Shanee's face.

"Leland told you about that?" She was turned away asking the question.

"No, I kind of found out by accident," Zorell said and Shanee turned her head quickly. She said this much, she might as well tell her everything. "You see, Lee wouldn't have known about your accident at all if Gavin hadn't written that letter, but his father tried to destroy it. That's when I accidentally heard him telling my father everything he did to break the two of you up. I saved the letter and showed it to Leland. After that we both decided to come here. He's been so worried about you."

"I feel guilty about that," she said, and there was a guilty look on her face. Zorell wondered why when Shanee looked directly into her eyes. "I-I did it on purpose."

"Did what?" Zorell asked but she already knew the answer to that question. Shanee turned away and refused to look at her. "You tried to kill yourself?"

"After I lost Leland, I had nothing to live for, so..." She turned back to see the horrified look on Zorell's face. "Please don't tell Leland." Her voice was pleading, and Zorell was still recovering from the shock from hearing her words. "He feels guilty enough."

Her eyes were pleading, and although she didn't want to keep anything from Leland about Shanee, she couldn't help but feel sorry for the young woman lying in that hospital bed.

"Alright, I won't say anything, but I think you should tell him," Zorell said, but Shanee shook her head frantically. "I only say that because things have a way of getting out. You don't want him finding out by someone else."

"I'll think about it, but right now I just can't," she said and threw her head back.

Zorell was about to plead her case in favor of her telling Leland the truth when a male voice stopped her from speaking. "What is this I see but two beautiful ladies." Zorell looked up to see who the male voice belonged to. It was the very person she was trying not to think about.

"Gavin Lorio, long time no see," Shanee said jokingly. Even as ill as she was, she hadn't lost her sense of humor, but she did seem genuinely happy to see him.

"It's good to see you awake, and I see you've met Zorell," he said and gave her a wink. The gesture made her blush a deep red.

"Well, Mister Lorio, Miss Lavene, I must be going," she said, her movements a bit awkward. Gavin had gotten her all flustered, and she wouldn't feel relieved until she was away from him. "One of the other nurses told me about a place to live, so I'm going to go look at it."

"So, you won't be staying with Leland much longer." She shook her head which made him smile confidently. "Good," he said and walked up to Zorell. He took her hand and stared into her eyes. "See you later, lovely lady."

She snatched her hand back, trying to hide her nervousness. She felt as if he was putting on a show for Shanee. Part of her wondered if it was to tame her possible jealousy, or perhaps he genuinely liked her. Her instincts told her it was the former, but secretly wished it to be the latter.

"Good evening, Mister Lorio," she said and turned to walk away. His eyes stayed fixated on her until she was out of sight. His behavior didn't go unnoticed and he looked back at Shanee who had witnessed his antics and was smiling coyly.

"You like her," Shanee said and slowly sat up in bed. She was still a little lightheaded, but not so weak she couldn't hold herself up.

Gavin looked shocked and surprised by her words. "Why, my dear Shanee, I was only being friendly."

"That is rubbish, Mister Lorio," she said as he came close to her bedside. He sat down in the chair, still playing 'the cool and coy playboy' he was. "I know the way you are with women, and it's not the same way you were with Zorell."

He let out a chuckle and saw the serious look in Shanee's eyes. "Alright, Shae, you got me," he said using her nickname. "There's just something about the girl... she's different."

"Oh, I see now, you more than like her," she said and lay back again. "You're at least smitten." He turned away from her shaking his head. "Gavin, you don't have to be embarrassed. It happened to me too. You and I are just two lovesick fools."

"You're right," he said turning back to her and laughing. "I remember we made a pact years ago never to fall in love. I guess we both lost."

"That's true, but I'm glad. I can't imagine what would have happened to me if Leland hadn't come along. I would probably still be with Chaz doing..."

"Forget about that louse," Gavin said, cutting her off. He took her hand trying to distract her from thinking about the unpleasantness of her past. "He's out of your life, and I suspect that Leland will be asking you that question soon."

"Gavin, don't say that, or you'll jinx me," she said and looked at her hand. It was bare and she thought what it would look like to have a ring placed there, and not just any ring. "I don't expect Lee to marry me, not after everything I've done. Just being with him is enough."

"I doubt it would be enough for him," Gavin said and gave a chuckle. "Unlike me he always wanted to get married and raise a family with the right girl, and that you."

"Enough about me," she said and tried to veer the conversation away from her and her problems. "About Zorell, how long have you known her?" Shanee asked.

"I met her yesterday," he said and gave out a long chuckle. "I guess you could say it was love at first sight."

"I knew the first time Leland kissed me," she said and laid back, thinking back to that day. "He made me so weak in the knees, and I thought I'd faint dead away."

"I haven't even kissed that girl yet, not on the lips anyway, but that hand of hers is quite sweet."

"Now I know you're in love," Shanee giggled and sat up once again. "I've never known Gavin Lorio to be satisfied with a mere kiss on the hand."

"She's worth waiting for," he said and had a dazed took in his eye. "It's just that sometimes I wonder if she really does like me. Every time I get too close to her she pulls away."

"She's just nervous is all," Shanee said, and Gavin shook his head. "You're a lot of man for any girl. Once she becomes more comfortable, she'll settle down and not be so scared. Give her time."

"Are you trying to give me romance advice?" he asked and got up out of the chair.

"You more than anyone else needs it," she said and took his hand. "Now, take my advice and don't push her too hard. If you do she'll run, or if you want her that bad... baby steps."

"I'll keep that in mind," he said and moved away from the bed. "I'll see you tomorrow, Shanee."

"Bye, Gavin," she said and settled down into her bed. She was tired again and needed some rest. 

That's the end of chapter ten, but there is more to come in the next chapter when Zorell moves out of Leland's and into her own place. Gavin has set his sights on her, whether she realizes it or not. More drama coming in the next chapter, so be here for all the fun.

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