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I stayed in that spot where I had crumbled when I heard her voice for nearly half an hour before Micheal came and got me up and into the lobby. He saw the dried tears on my face and a look of concern grew into existence within his eyes.

"What happened?" he asked.

"She called me," I choked out. He furrowed his brows, looking down in confusion.

"Who?" he asks. "Robin," My voice croaked out as tears filled my eyes again. His eyes widened.

"Wait, what do you mean?!" he exclaimed. "She called me, from the plane I think," I answered, my voice cracking all over the place.

I then notice the doctors and nurses rushing around, in a panic. "What's going on?" I question him, nodding towards the secluded chaos. He glances that direction with a pitiful look on his face. "A lot of the people that were in the dust weren't as lucky as us, and most of them are starting to go into a lot of different problems because of the damage, they're trying to get everything in order and help everyone that they can, but they're losing so many so fast," he looks down, his voice somber, his eyes sad. He shakes his head with pity and sighs sadly.

"I don't think that there's much can be done," he says, swallowing tickly enough or me to see his Adam's apple bob in his throat, his eyes full of tears of sorrow. A small flame of anger dances behind them, likely at whoever caused this to happen to so many people. And the pain that all these families will have to go through, the countless kids that will have to grow up without parents, siblings without their sibling, parents without children, grandparents without grandchildren. The thoughts cause tears to spring to my eyes as well.

The mist clouds them like an ocean coast early in the morning, the thought of so many people without their other halves, in whatever form that may be, someone who holds a piece o their heart, gone forever. And countless people will have to go through that within the next few days, weeks, months, and years. This day will go down in American history as one of the saddest, I guarantee it.

Micheal reaches his hand up to his face, rubbing it over his eye and down his cheek, before pulling to rest under his mouth, the tears staying constant, though never falling once. I hear footsteps to out left, and we both glance, seeing Maria holding three more cups of coffee, and a tray of food, knowing we all can't stomach much at the moment, but it is reaching nearly 7 PM, and we all need some type of nutrition in our bodies, there isn't any sense in passing out after everything we've come out of unscathed today.

That thought brings more tears to my eyes, as I think about how so many people didn't get out unscathed like we did, so many suffered, so many didn't ever get a chance to understand what was going on.

I blink them back with a sniffle as she sets the tray with food and coffee on it down on a coffee table that's in the waiting room of this hospital. She notices the tears in both mine and Micheal's eyes and wraps her arms around each of our shoulders, puling all three of us in for a comforting hug. We each wrap one arm around her, and the other around each other chuckling wetly.

"I never thought I'd see the day where Micheal Evanston publicly and freely displays his emotions, and yet here we are," a familiar voice quips from the direction of the entrance to the waiting room. All of our heads snap to see the familiar face stood there.

She was clad in black dress pants, a white button-up, a long, black, open trench-coat, some black women's dress shoes, her pin-straight black hair slicked back into a military-style bun, her makeup very minimal and simple, two figures stood behind her. She had a small and almost fake smile on her face, one that didn't reach her eyes.

I stood with shock in my eyes, shining behind the tears, before rushing over to her and tightly wrapping my arms around her waist, clutching her to me as sobs ripped through my body, my head on her shoulder. Her hand rested in my hair, her other arm around me, holding me to her and rubbing up and down my back comfortingly. I could feel her tears streaming, though she was more composed than I was as she nuzzled into my neck. I glanced over her shoulder, seeing Austin and Sara stood there.

I sent them a small and in no way joyous smile, which they sent back to me, their eyes filled to the brim with pity and sorry. Our embrace held for a strong five minutes straight, each of us calming steadily.

I pulled back, placing my hands on her cheek and jaw, before pulling her into a passionate kiss, and for the first time that day, I smiled genuinely, the smile meshing against her lips. I felt her smile back, both of our eyes having fluttered shut when our lips first met. We pulled back staring at each other, her hands now on my face as well. "I'm sorry," I whispered hoarsely, just loud enough for her to hear. She shook her head.

"No baby, it's okay, everything's okay, we're okay, it's all gonna be okay," she said, her voice sounding choked from the emotion coating her vocal cords.

We walked to sit in the chairs, our hands intertwined, her head on my shoulder, my head atop hers. Austin smiles at us before walking over and kissing her on the forehead and patting my shoulder comfortingly. "I love both of you, all of you," he starts, turning to look at everyone," And I wish I could be here for you all but I have to get home to Jax as soon as I can, I'll see you all tomorrow." He bids farewell, with hugs and handshakes, before going out and hailing a taxi.

Sara turns to us as well. "I checked and my brother is here a well, and I need to go check on him, so I'll be off for a little while, see you later," she says with a wave and a small smile before heading to the front desk, likely to ask for a room number or where to find and or wait for him.

For somewhat of an hour, Robin and I both tune everything around us out, relsishing in each other's presence, appreciating what we could've lost today.

And about the time that the clock strikes 8:30, President Bush airs another speech live, that again catches our attention, this time within the oval offive.

"Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist attacks. The victims were in aeroplanes or in their offices - secretaries, businessmen and women, military and federal workers, moms and dads, friends and neighbours. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror. The pictures of aeroplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness and a quiet unyielding anger.

These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat, but they have failed. Our country is strong. A great people has been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shattered steel but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve. America was targeted for attack because we are the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world, and no one will keep that light from shining. Today our nation saw evil - the very worst of human nature - and we responded with the best of America.

With the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbours who came to give blood and help in any way they could. Immediately following the first attack, I implemented our government's emergency response plans. Our military is powerful and it is prepared. Our emergency teams are working in New York City and Washington DC to help with local rescue efforts. Our first priority is to get help to those who have been injured and to take every precaution to protect our citizens at home and around the world from further attacks.

The functions of our Government continue without interruption. Federal agencies in Washington which had to be evacuated today are reopening for essential personnel tonight and will be open for business tomorrow. Our financial institutions remain strong and the American economy will be open for business as well.

The search is under way for those who are behind these evil acts. I have directed the full resources of our intelligence and law enforcement communities to find those responsible and to bring them to justice. We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harboured them.

I appreciate so very much the members of Congress who have joined me in strongly condemning these attacks, and on behalf of the American people, I thank the many world leaders who have called to offer their condolences and assistance. America and our friends and allies join with all those who want peace and security in the world. And we stand together to win the war against terrorism.

Tonight I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray that they will be comforted by a power greater than any of us, spoken through the ages, in Psalm 23. 'Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me.'

This is a day when all Americans, from every walk of life, unite in our resolve for justice and peace. America has stood down enemies before and we will do so this time. None of us will ever forget this day. Yet we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world. Thank you, good night, and God bless America," he finishes his emotion-filled speech, one filled with inspiration and anger, sorrow and sadness, and sympathy for everyone in the country.

The silence and the quiet hang in the air for a moment, his sad and stress-filled eyes showing pain for the people for a moment before they cut away, and the news anchors begin to recap the events of today. We all share a look, one filled with anger, sadness, sorrow, pain, fear, and most of all pride in our country. And we know that this doesn't end here and today.