It must have lasted but a second. Two lips brought together in a passionless communion, borne out of a desperation to fill an empty chasm in his heart. Yet, it did nothing. It neither filled, nor widened the chasm. It didn't ease the pain in his heart. It didn't bring comfort. It was instead cold... No -he mentally shook his head- she was cold. Her lips pressed to his were cold. Her skin, as his fingers brushed her cheek, was cold. He was cold as well. Warmth didn't instantly race down his skin. His arms didn't itch to pull her close to himself. His eyelids didn't flicker shut.

He instead sat there, desiring to pull away as his eyes scanned her face. Thankfully, her eyes were closed, lest she caught a glimpse of the look on his face.

Just then, something moved, catching his attention. His eyes darted to the side just in time to find Eden standing there, her eyelids bulging, her hands slightly trembling. He watched the color drain from her face, and just as quickly, she bent down, taking herself from his line of vision.

Shame washed over him in that moment, forcing him to pull away and end the kiss.

"Mike?"

He tore his eyes from the line of cars that kept Eden hidden from his view, long enough to turn his attention to Grace, who was now blushing.

"I-um... Think it'd be best to get out of this cold." He wasn't sure he knew what to say other than that.

She nodded, and made her way around him, before taking hold of the wheelchair. His eyes remained glued to the line of cars, until Grace turned his wheelchair around and he could no longer see them.

He stayed in bed for several hours, thinking -his mind replaying over and over the moment his eyes caught a glimpse of Eden in that car park. He thought of the shock he felt, that was quickly replaced by a deep feeling of shame, and finally, remorse. It was remorse that kept him up all night. Remorse for kissing Grace, remorse for having Eden stand there and watch.

There was a part of him that scolded him for feeling that way. Why would Eden care about who he kissed? He had nothing to be sorry for, he was a grown man and could kiss whomever he pleased. Besides, Grace didn't seem upset about the kiss.

He groaned, placing his pillow over his head. He cared nothing for Grace's feelings. He only cared for Eden. He cared about how she felt having to stand there and watch him kiss a woman in public. He cared about the pain that sliced through his chest at the very sight of her. He cared about the sudden shame he felt.

Why did he care so much? He shook his head; he didn't dare think about the reason he cared so much because he was certain he wouldn't like the answer.

He wanted to see her...

He decided he wanted to see her that evening. He would see her and watch out for her reaction. For all he knew, she hadn't seen him kissing Grace. For all he knew, she hadn't even been in the hospital that morning. He however knew that the only way to get rid of the pain in his heart, was to see Eden.

But he didn't see Eden. Monday didn't come quickly enough, and when it finally did, Eden didn't come with it.

At first, he thought she was busy. Maybe she had a few patients to care for, maybe she had something important to take care of in the hospital. Mike didn't know what kept her away from him, but he hoped she would visit before the day was over. She didn't.

It was an entire twenty four hours without Eden. Mike didn't know when his hours began to feel dreadful without her in them, but he didn't think he could go another day without seeing her.

Hissing in pain as the nurse injected his arm, Mike fought the desire to growl as well. He was both in pain and frustrated with the thought of not seeing Eden today.

"That should do it." The nurse patted his shoulder. "Need anything else, Mr. Stacks?"

Mike wanted to growl in frustration. Certainly his mood swings had everything to do with the drugs, and not his annoyance of not seeing Eden for what felt like an eternity, right? It would be absurd to think Eden could affect his emotions this drastically.

"The TV remote should do."

She nodded and walked over to the table. Retrieving the remote, she made her way to him and placed it in his hand.

"Thanks," he groaned. Maybe the news would get his mind off of Ed—

The image on the screen brought his thoughts to an abrupt end. Eden stood in what appeared to be a Christmas party, with Philip beside her. And while she looked breathtaking in her black dress, he thought she appeared quite uncomfortable. Her smile was forced, he thought, staring at her and neglecting to pay attention to the news. She held a champagne glass she didn't bother sipping from, and she stood like her shoes hurt or something. She was certainly not at home with the crowd around her.

And Philip? Mike frowned at the man beside her, beaming at the cameras. The loser was nothing but fame hungry. Not that Mike expected anything good from Philip, but he did expect him to have the common sense to realize that his fiancée was highly uncomfortable. Somebody needed to remind him why she was marrying Philip again? The only thing he thought was good about the man was the quality of his suits.

Mike laid trapped on his sick bed for several hours, until he thought he would go insane if he didn't see Eden. He was simply lonely; lonely and drugged. It was that simple. It was the only reason he wanted to see her.

Gently, and with great difficulty, he rose up from the bed, and practically fell into his wheelchair. He clenched his teeth just as a loud growl threatened to tear from his throat. Breathing heavily, he sat still until the pain in his stomach calmed. Then, he began wheeling himself out of the room.

He took the elevator down to the first floor, the lobby appearing quite different from the last time he had seen it. Eden had listened to his request, for while the lobby wasn't fully finished yet, the trees were in place; white, lavender, and purple. They surrounded the big, green one in the centre.

He paused briefly to stare at the transformation taking place, before turning his attention to the nurses' corner where Judie sat leaning over the counter and having a conversation with a black police officer.

She turned to him as he approached.

"Hi, Mike," she beamed.

"Hey." He returned her smile, just as the officer turned around.

"You okay?" She motioned to the chair. "You didn't have to come all this way all by yourself."

"I got tired of being sick. "

"Well then," she walked over to where he was struggling to wheel himself forward, and took hold of the chair, "come let me introduce you to Henry."

"Ooh, Hen-ry ehh?" he teased as she pushed him forward to where the man stood.

"Henry, Mike. Mike, Henry."

"What, just Henry? Last I heard, he was Henry 'the love of your life." He grinned, extending his hand to Henry who smiled broadly in return, before taking hold of his hand and giving it a firm shake.

"Hi, Mike. Nice to finally meet you." Mike certainly thought Henry was a good guy, and the best part was, he thought Henry was good enough for Judie. Which was in great contrast to his feelings toward Philip.

"Likewise, my good man."

"Well Judie, I've got to go." He tucked his hand in his pocket. "I'll see you later tonight?"

Judie released her hold on Mike's chair and walked over to Henry. "Sure." She kissed him goodbye and waited for him to walk out of the doors, before turning to Mike. "You did not just embarrass me, Mike." She folded her arms and rose a brow.

"I believe I did." He grinned. "And by the way, that's a fine man you've got there."

She rose her brow higher. "What's the real reason you're down here all by yourself?"

Fearing she would look into his eyes and find the truth, he turned to the exit. "I was tired of lying—"

"Oh, I doubt that, Mike. Seeing as you're about to come up with yet another lie."

"What?" His eyes followed her movements as she began circling his wheelchair.

"I don't suppose you're down here hoping to catch a glimpse of... Oh, I don't know... Eden?" She paused and leaned down, her hands clutching the arms of his chair.

"I was told the theme for this year is the north pole, not the garden of Eden."

"You are clever, Mike." She released his chair and straightened. "And I've got work to do." She turned around.

"Wait!" She froze. "I-um- I would like to see Eden."

"I think you would so much more than 'like' to see Eden, Mike."

"I don't know what you mean."

Judie turned around then. "I think you do." She folded her arms once more. "Go ahead, Mike, admit it."

Mike shrugged. "There is nothing to admit to."

"Very well." She turned around once more.

"Wait!" She stiffened. "Okay, Judie, I can admit to wanting to see Eden. I would love to see her."

She turned around once more. "Now was that so hard, Mike?" She smiled.

"Where is she?" He suddenly felt uncomfortable. He hadn't used the word 'love' and anybody else other than Maddie and Sarah, in the same sentence in a very long time.

He wasn't falling in love with Eden, was he? Of course not! Of course he wasn't! Of course he couldn't! He loved nothing! He couldn't love, he couldn't do anything but desire to kill himself.

"Not here," Judie finally said, "but if you would like to see her, I can sneak you out tonight. " She winked, and turned around.

He sat still for a few second, doing so much more than desiring to see her. He sat, loving the idea of seeing her.

At least it was the idea he loved, not her.

.