When We Were Young.

Twenty-Two.

'Babe, you look awful.' Joe says softly as he runs his fingers through her hair; it's been an hour since she woke up in pain and it's just got worse. She's been throwing up and she's so pale.

'We need to get you checked out... Do you think you can make it to the car?' He asks and she shakes her head.

'I don't feel well...' She mumbles.

'I can see that, babe. I'm gonna take you to the hospital, okay? I just need you to stay awake, stay with me.' He says running his hand down her cheek.

_______

'Sir, are you family?' A nurse asks as Demi is rushed into a cubicle and the curtains are pulled around.

'I'm her boyfriend.' Joe replies.

'Can you tell me exactly what's been going on with Miss Lovato?' The nurse asks glancing down at her clipboard.

'Umm... She was fine until earlier today; we went for a sleep this afternoon and she woke up with a pain in her back. I don't know when exactly it got worse but it did; she started bleeding and feeling sick then she went this awful pale colour.' Joe explains and the nurse nods her head.

'Has your girlfriend been experiencing any shoulder pain?' She asks.

'Not that I know of.' He replies.

'And could she be pregnant?' She asks.

'No; we went to a fertility specialist about a week ago and she had an ultrasound so she can't be until they missed something?' He replies and she nods her head.

'Okay. If you'd like to take a seat in the family room I'll come get you as soon as I can.' She says before walking off. Making his way into the family room he sighs and sits down; he phoned Dianna in the ambulance on the way to the hospital after Demi had passed out.

_______

Joe's pacing back and forth when Dianna, Dallas and Madison rush into the room.

'What happened? Where is she?' Dianna asks.

'I-I-I don't know.' Joe replies before shaking his head.

'Hey, it's okay...' Dianna says softly as she notices the tears streaming down his cheeks. She's not the biggest fan of her daughter's boyfriend but seeing him like this causes her mothering instincts to take over.

'She'll be okay.' She says wrapping her arms around him.

'T-They've not told me anything.' He almost whispers.

'How long have you been here?' Dallas asks.

'Just over an hour.' Joe replies and Dianna gestures for him to sit down.

'What happened? She was fine when we left?' Dallas asks and Joe shrugs his shoulders.

'She was fine. We went back to sleep when you left and when we woke up she said she had a sore back but said it wasn't that bad. I made her food and started bleeding then the pain got worse; she was so pale and almost passing out in my arms.' He replies biting his bottom lip as he glances down at the floor.

'That must've been horrible for you.' Madison says sitting down next to him.

'They took her straight in when we got here; asked me some questions and told me to wait.' He mumbles.

'She's been eating, hasn't she? She's not relapsed?' Dianna asks taking hold of Joe's hand.

'Not when I've been with her. We've been together practically everyday since we got back from New York and she's been eating properly.' He replies and Dianna nods her head.

'What about-' She begins and he shakes his head.

'She's not been cutting; I would know.' He says.

'Are you sure about that?' Dallas asks and Dianna slaps her arm.

'Dallas, stop it.' Dianna replies.

'It's fine; I get why none of you want me to be with Demi but I do love her. She's not been wearing long sleeves, she's not been covering up anymore than she normally would around the house. I don't think this is down to a relapse.' Joe says and Dianna nods her head.

'Okay then we wait.' Dianna replies.

______

It's been over an hour when the door to the family room opens and the nurse from before makes her way into the room carrying a clipboard.

'Hi.' She says sitting down in front of the family.

'Is she okay?' Joe asks and the nurses face falls slightly.