| Chapter 64 Marie looked up as Nick entered the room. Their eyes locked, and she could see the worry and panic in his. He crossed the room, not acknowledging the others as he passed them. Even his mother was ignored as he made his way to his best friend. He sat down on the side of the bed and took Brian's right hand. He turned it over, inspecting his mark. A tear slid down his cheek as he realized how dim it was. Nick looked up when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Marie stared at him, with so much loss in her eyes. He took her hand in his, squeezing it. He didn't want to ask this question, especially in front of the guys, but he needed to know. "How much longer?" he asked, his voice soft, afraid if he spoke any louder it would betray him. "Not long," she admitted, tears forming in her eyes. Nick closed his eyes and let the tears fall. He didn't care that the others were seeing him cry, this wasn't about him. He couldn't lose his best friend, not after he fought so hard to get back to them. He held Brian's hand tightly, leaning close to his ear, "Bri, you can't do this. You have to fight, you hear me? You didn't fight so hard to get back here just to give up now. You can't! I won't let you! I know it must be really nice where you are right now, but you have to come back Brian. I can't do this without you ... I need you here ... Marie needs you here. Bri, if you can't do this for yourself, fight for her man. She loves you so much, you have to come back to her. She needs you Brian, more than you can know right now. Don't you dare give up!" Kevin looked at Howie, then at A.J. Nick's begging was unnerving him, and the looks passed between Marie and the queen sent chills down his back. Something was going on that they weren't informed of, he knew it. Quietly he stepped over and nudged Ana, "What's going on? Why is Nick so upset?" Ana sighed, glancing over at the queen and Marie. She wasn't sure she should tell them, Brian could still pull through .... maybe. Marie nodded, giving her the permission she was silently asking for. Ana turned to the guys and ushered them to a corner of the room. Tears welled up in her eyes, as Nick's sobs grew louder. "Ana?" Kevin asked, his face full of fear. She took a deep breath, "Guys, Brian's not doing well. His mark is dimming." "So what does that mean?" Howie asked. She looked down, not able to meet their concerned expressions, "It means he's dying." "What?!" Kevin roared. "Damn," A.J. whispered, looking over at his friend. "He could still pull through, but its ..... it'd be a miracle if he did," she said. "How long have you known?" Kevin asked, trying to keep as calm as possible. "Marie noticed it this morning. We've been watching it all day," she admitted. "Why didn't you tell us?" Howie asked, somewhat hurt. Ana looked down again, "We didn't want to upset you. And there was still a chance he could get better." "But now?" A.J. asked. She shook her head, "I don't know. It doesn't look good." Kevin heavily sat down in the nearest chair, covering his face with his hands. He couldn't take it anymore, couldn't be strong for everyone else. He broke down, his body shaking as he sobbed. LaDonna moved over and sat next to him, rubbing his back and trying her best to comfort him, though she knew no words could do that. Howie stood there staring at Brian, a lost expression on his face. He didn't know what to do, his emotions running rapid. Ana watched as tears formed in his eyes and trailed down his cheeks. She stepped forward and took him in her arms, holding him as he finally let go, crying on her shoulder. A.J. sniffed back his tears and walked over to the bed, sitting on the opposite side as Nick. He took Brian's hand, as Nick looked over at him. "Dude, you can't leave us yet," he said, "You fucking can't do this!" Marie walked over and pulled him from the bed, placing her hands on his shoulders and shaking him, "Alex, please don't be angry. He can't fight it anymore." A.J. stared at her, "You can't give up on him." She shook her head, "I'm not. I want him to open his eyes so bad it hurts, but...... I don't want him to suffer. He's suffering right now Alex. I can't ask him to come back to this, not when it hurts him so much." A.J. stared at her for a moment, then pulled her into his arms, "Aw baby, come'er," he said, holding her tight as they both wept. Nick looked around the room, then back down at Brian, "Man, so many people love you so much. Marie, us, your family back home, all the fans. Bri, please. I know you've had way more than your share of fights, but man, you can't give up, not now. Cheat death one more time Brian, I know you can do it. Hell by now you're a fucking master at it. Please Brian, don't leave us here without you," he cried. The minutes that passed seemed like hours. The only sound in the room was the muffled sobs of everyone, and the beeps of the monitors. That's what caught Nick's attention. At first he thought he was hearing things, that maybe his lingering headache, coupled with his emotions were making the sound echo in his head. He looked up, just in time to see the line on the monitor jump twice, then pause, then jump twice again. He looked over at Marie, who was still in A.J.'s arms, "Marie?" She looked up, following Nick's gaze on the monitors. For a moment the entire room froze, seven pairs of eyes watching the little blue line. Marie took a step closer, not believing her eyes, "It's increasing. His heart rate is increasing!" "I'll go get the doctor," Ana said, quickly leaving the room. Marie looked at Nick, "Keep talking! I dunno what you said, but keep doing it!" Nick smiled through his tears, squeezing Brian's hand tighter, "That's it Bri! Keep fighting!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cameron checked the monitors for the tenth time since he'd been called into Brian's room. He didn't know how, but Brian's vitals were perking up. Maybe all the medicine they'd been pumping into his body finally took hold? But he suspected it was something else. The doctor looked around the room, seven hopeful faces peering back at him. He didn't know if it was just him, but he could have sworn he could feel the love in the room. Like a tangible cloud that engulfed him the moment he walked in, and filled every nook and cranny of the small room. This, he believed, was why Brian had suddenly turned the corner. He suddenly realized everyone was waiting on him to say something. Clearing his throat, "His vitals are steadily improving." "So he's getting better right?" A.J. asked. Cameron nodded his head, "It looks as if he's on his way, yes. But he still has a long hard fight ahead of him." "Can we stay with him?" Kevin asked. "Yes, in fact I recommend it. Keep talking to him, encouraging him. That's what he needs right now," the doctor answered. Kevin smiled, moving to the bed and sitting across from Marie. They both had a hand, taking turns encouraging Brian to keep up the fight. Nick had moved to the back of the room, his mother standing next to him. She quietly took his hand, smiling up at him as he looked down. Nick returned the smile, glancing out the door into the hall. He saw Mason and Anthony approaching the room. Silently he stepped into the hall to meet them. "How is he?" Anthony asked. "He's doing better. Go on in," Nick answered, watching his cousin enter the room. He then looked up at Mason, motioning for the older man to follow him down the hall. Nick found an unused room and slipped inside. Mason followed him in, closing the door behind them. "Brian is really doing better?" the older man asked. "Yeah, his vitals are improving," Nick said, sitting on the bed. Mason found a chair and sat down, "So, have you thought about my punishment? I assume that's why we're here." Nick nodded, looking down at the floor. Mason watched as Nick's eyes seemed to unfocus, and for a moment, he was somewhere else. "Your punishment is in two parts," Nick started, blinking his eyes and looking up at him, "The first being this. Go back to Interstellar and resume whatever post you had with them." Mason cocked his head to the side, knowing he heard that wrong. "You want me to go back?" he asked. Nick nodded, "I do. I need someone on the inside, and you uncle, are that person." Mason sighed, "It may not be that easy Nickolas. They may suspect my reasons for coming back. They are always on the look out for a spy." "I understand that you may not get back in, but I need you try," Nick said. Mason studied the younger man for a moment, "What do you see?" Nick shook his head, "It's not what I see. It' s just this feeling I have. I need as much information on them and how they operate as possible. I know this may put you in danger, but I need you to do it." "Alright," Mason said, "I'll try." "Thanks, and um ... you may stay in the palace as long as you like. You'll be safer here," Nick mumbled. Mason tried to hide his amusement, "That's alright, I'm sure I'll be fine." "No, you're staying," Nick demanded, "Mom wouldn't be happy if something happened to you." A smiled creased the older mans face, "No, I guess not." Nick got up and headed to the door. "Nickolas, you said my punishment was in two parts. What's the second?" Mason asked. Nick turned to face him, "I don't know. That is up to Brian and Marie. When you confess to them, they will decide." Mason looked to the floor and nodded, knowing that was only fair. They were the ones suffering from his actions, so it was only fitting that they decided his fate. Nick turned to the door once more. "Nick, um your mother said she told you everything....." Mason called, wanting desperately to talk things out with him now that he knew. Nick held up his hand, "Don't. I can't do this right now." The older man said nothing, but the hurt in his eyes registered with Nick. "I don't know what to think right now. I need time to sort this all out," he explained. "I understand," Mason said. Nick turned back to the door and passed his mark across the sensor, the door swishing open. Without turning around he spoke, "Ask me another time," he said, quickly leaving the room. Mason watched him go, hope and fear mingling in his heart. Back Chapter 65 |