Love Conquers All

Fighting To Live

A few minutes after Dr. Richardson left them, a nurse brought them to Roman's room. She took them inside, and both men froze as they saw their brother laying in the hospital bed. His large body looked so small laying there with all those tubes and wires all over him, keeping him alive! They had never seen Roman look so vulnerable before, and that alone scared them! The nurse who's name was Emily, checked on Roman before she left them alone. They went to his bed and sat one on either side of him, taking his hands.

"Rome, I...I don't know if you can hear us big guy, but we're here!" Seth said wiping away his tears. "We can't lose you Ro, we need you to fight please!" Seth begged, as he laid his forehead against Roman's.

"You can't leave us Rome! We love you, you're our big brother!" Dean added finally breaking down. "Please don't leave us!"

Suddenly, Roman's heart monitor began going off, both men looked at each other fear gripping their hearts as nurses and Dr. Richardson rushed in. Neither knew what was going on, as they were pushed out of the way and the nurses and Dr. Richardson began talking quickly. Dean held a sobbing Seth as they stood in a corner, Dean was crying as he watched them work on Roman. When they saw them bring in the defibrillator, both knew Roman had flat-lined, a nurse rushed to them and told them they had to leave. They refused at first, but unable to watch them shock Roman they went into the hall. Dean leaned against the wall, holding Seth as they both sobbed, they couldn't lose Roman they needed him!

A few seconds later the door opened and everyone came out, Dr. Richardson was the last to leave. Seeing Dean and Seth she walked up to them, her face held no readable expression and they held their breath as she spoke.

"He's alive!" She told them, both were so relieved. "He's still in a coma and he's in critical condition right now. You can go back in and be with him if you'd like."

"Thank you." Dean said quietly, as she left.

"Dean, we almost lost him!" Seth said upset, as he held Dean tightly.

"We didn't though." Dean reminded him.

"I...I don't want to lose him Dean!"

"Neither do I baby boy!" Dean said hugging him. "Come on, let's go back inside."

**Three Weeks Later**:

Days passed and Roman's condition improved, but he was still in a coma. Roman's parents; his father Sika and his mother Patricia, had been notified by the hospital the night of the accident and flew down, arriving the next day. Dean and Seth didn't leave Roman's side, unless Sika and Patricia; who loved both men as much as their own son, made them go home. As the days passed, Dean only continued to stay by Roman's side. Dean would talk to Roman, having conversations with him. He'd shave Roman's face, and he'd wash and brush Roman's hair. The rest of the family would come see them, but they'd go home after a while, once again leaving Dean alone to wait. Their family was worried about Dean too, he was exhausted, but he refused to leave Roman's side. When Dean did go home it was only to shower, change and spend time with the kids before he'd leave again. When the days turned into three weeks, with no progress Dr. Richardson decided it was time to talk to Roman's family about their options. The day of the meeting, Seth asked their neighbour to watch the kids, while everyone went to the hospital for the meeting. Everyone gathered in Dr. Richardson's office, all of them knew they'd have to convince Dean to do what was best for Roman.

"Thank you all for coming to talk to me today. As you all know I called this meeting to discuss Roman."

"What about him?" Dean asked.

"As you all know Roman's condition has improved, but he remains in his coma. It's been three weeks now, and as I've informed all of you the longer he remains in a coma, the greater the chance for brain damage."

"Is there anything you can do for my boy?" Sika asked taking his wife's hand.

"I'm afraid not, all we can do is keep him comfortable while fights." Dr. Richardson answered.

"What are our options?" Patricia asked wiping her tears away.

"We have two. The first is we leave him as is, keep him here until he wakes.

"Or?" Will asked.

"Or...we take him off life support. I know this is a very difficult decision. I can give you..."

"We don't need a few days! There's only one option we take!" Dean said angrily, cutting Dr. Richardson off.

"Dean, baby calm down." Seth said gently taking Dean's hand.

"Dr. Richardson, we are not taking Roman off life support!" Dean said pulling away from Seth.

"Dr. Richardson, could you give us a few minutes alone please?" Sika asked.

"Of course, take all the time you need." She answered smiling, as she left.

Dean was so upset he began to pace, the others looked at each other sadly, before they looked at Dean, Seth spoke.

"Dean, baby we need to talk about our options. We need to think of Roman, and what's best for him." Seth said gently.

"Are you serious right now? What other option is there, except to keep him alive?"

"Dean, son we have to do what's best for him." Patricia added gently.

"So, you all are telling me that killing him is what's best?" Dean asked upset.

"Deanie, none of us said we were going to do that! All we want is to sit together as Roman's family and talk." Eddie answered.

"There's nothing to talk about!" Dean said stubbornly.

"Dean, we all love Roman and none of us want to lose him, but we all need to face the truth. Roman might...not make it!" Seth said gently.

"I'm not giving up on him dammit! He never once gave up on me any time I was hurt! I won't let you kill him!" Dean said angrily. "I'm with him every damn day, not any of you! I refuse to believe he's gone!"

"Dean, we're worried about you too!" Will said, as everyone agreed.

"Me? Why?" Dean asked confused.

"Dean, baby you hardly leave the hospital, unless we make you! You barely eat or sleep, you're running yourself to exhaustion!" Seth explained concerned.

"None of you need to worry about me, I'm fine! I'm going back to Rome, you all remember that I won't let you kill my brother!" Dean said angrily, as he left the room before anyone could say anything else.

TBC...