Goodnight

Scott finally begins to relax with Hope's soothing touch and voice. His hand slowly releases hers from his vice grip and his pulse begins to slow. Tomorrow... Dr. Hawks... tomorrow...

His eyes snap open again. He was falling asleep but he had just enough sense left to know he was on the floor and that was no place to sleep. Shifting a little, he eventually musters up enough strength to pull himself back up onto his bed with Hope's help. Lying curled on his side in the dark though, he didn't want to face another nightmare... If he was alone, there was a chance he might not wake up again, and it was too terrifying for him to take that chance.

Finding Hope's hand, he whispers hoarsely. "Stay with me?" He knew she'd stay nearby anyway, but it was the empty half of the bed he was referring to. He needed her tonight and for the first time, he was willing to admit it. He didn't want her to let go of him.

Eli smiles and pulls Scarlet with him back over to the rock again. This time he stretches out on his side so Scarlet can sit in front of him and use his torso as a backrest, while his one arm could stay slightly tucked around her. His other elbow is kept busy propping himself up, his head resting in his hand as he faces the fireworks.

Red, blue, gold, green, purple... every color imaginable bursts through the night sky. Rockets whistled through the air and exploded in splendor. But all too soon, the finale was over, and the sky grows quiet once again. Now the only lights in the sky were stars, and the only sounds were distant motors and a faint chirp of a cricket.

Eli sighs deeply, wishing the show would have lasted a while longer. "Well..." his one hand pats Scarlet's arm. "Looks like the show's over. Guess this is where we say goodnight."