Fight for your life

Part 24

Cameron's eyes widened slightly while he held Danny, watching Sam approach the door. His heart raced as Sam spoke, nervous about the outcome, but before Ben could react, Bex was storming down the hall, without an update in the last few hours, she was absolutely terrified. Cameron nudged Danny toward her, and when she reached the two of them huddled in the hallway, she practically launched herself at her brother in law, crying into his chest. She was running on no sleep after a very long flight, and the sinking fear that somethings as badly wrong just wouldn't leave her mind. Mumbling against Danny's shirt, she finally spoke. "Mum couldn't make it, but she wants half hour updates on his progress," she explained.

Jake nodded, a small smile slowly spreading across his features as he looked into James' eyes. Although he still didn't know what had exactly happened, he was happy James was still here. And he'd been here the whole time. "I promise the same, baby" he began softly "And I know we can't be together all the time, but every chance we get, I'm going to be with you. Life's too short not to be with the ones you love"

Danny took a deep breath, trying to compose himself as he slipped his arms around Bex, an immediate surge of guilt running through him. "I'm sorry I didn't call. I've been by his side the whole time..." He swallowed hard, letting his tears stream down his cheeks. "He woke up and we thought everything was okay. He was a little confused, but other than that, nothing. We went to sleep and when we woke up...."he shook his head as his voice trailed off for a moment "he didn't know who I was. I thought he was joking at first, but he's not" he cried.

James brushed his knuckles slowly down Jake's cheek, smiling softly at him. "And I'll be with you when you can't be with me, so hopefully there won't be much time when we have to be apart," he suggested quietly. Adam had woken up a few minutes ago, but he'd decided that silence was his best option, but the more the two spoke the more he kind of wanted to gag. Grinning a little, he grabbed a spare pillow and tossed it across the room, accidentally landing it on Andy's face. Laughing loudly, he leaned back a little. "That wasn't how that was supposed to go, but it was hilarious."

Bex shook her head slightly, pulling back from Danny while she wiped at her tears. "What? What do you mean he doesn't know you?" She questioned, obviously confused by the situation. Taking a few steps back toward the door, she stopped just inside where Ben was asking Sam who he was and how they knew each other. Closing her eyes for a minute before she stepped in, scared of the reaction. "Ben?" She questioned, looking hopeful. Ben looked up slowly, breathing a sigh of relief "Bex, what's happening?" He questioned nervously.

Jake couldn't help but laugh as the pillow hit Andy's face, lifting slightly to see who had thrown it. "And just who were you trying to hit there, mr. Russell?" He questioned, laying his head against James chest once more.

Danny's eyes widened when he heard Ben's reaction, sliding against the wall the tears started flowing freely once more. "This isn't happening" he said, burying his head in his hands. Sam excused himself when Bex entered the room, joining Cameron and Danny in the hall. He sighed softly, slipping his arm around Cameron's waist. "I'm sorry Danny"

Adam grinned while he leaned back on the bed, moving his fingers against Ashley's cheek slowly, trying to wake him quietly. "You two so I could tell you to get a room with all that sappy shit," he teased, leaning closer to silently press a kiss to Ashley's lips. James laughed softly, moving his arms around Jake while he laid on his chest. Leaning down to kiss the top of his head, he settled back on the pillow, smiling contently.

Ben looked around quickly, folding his hands in his lap while he considered how much older Bex looked from the last time he remembered seeing her. Dawning on him then, he covered his face, questioning nervously. "How long has it been?" He wasn't sure what had happened, or if he wanted to know the answer, but he needed something, anything to give him some sort of frame of reference.

Ashley's eyes fluttered open slowly as he focused on Adams face. Immediately becoming concerned that something had happened with Jake. "Is he okay?" He asked, lifting his head quickly to see Jake's eyes open. "Jake! You're awake." He said, a bit louder than expected. Jake stuck his tongue out at Adam, pressing a few quick kisses to James' lips. He grinned at Ashley's reaction, nodding "yeah, I'm awake"

Bex came in the room slowly, letting the door close behind her. She sighed as she took a seat in the chair next to the bed. "It's been awhile since I've seen you bro." She assured him softly, scanning him for any visible signs of him being seriously injured. Danny slowly got up from the floor "I need a smoke" he announced as he turned, walking out the doors to the smoking area. Lighting a cigarette as soon as he was outside.

Adam started to try to calm Ashley, but before he could get a word in, Ashley was sitting up to look over into the next bed. Adam rested against the bed, pressing his cheek to Ashley's shoulder, but his loud words startled Andy, who was terribly confused as to why everything was so dark. Jolting awake fully, he reached up to rub at his eyes, only to find the view blocked by the pillow. Sighing softly, he pulled the pillow from his face, looking around, completely disoriented for a few seconds. "The fuck..." he muttered, looking to Jake while his eyes widened slightly. "Hey buddy," he commented with a slow grin, leaning back on the bed.

Ben shook his head a little, closing his eyes tightly. "No, Bex, you were like..." he paused, holding his hand a few feet from the floor to give a visual of the height that he remembered her at. "What happened?" He questioned again, reaching up to feel the bandage on his head. "I'm so confused and everyone seems to know who I am, but I can't place any of them..."

Ashley smiled brightly "you have no idea how glad we are to see you awake. We were so worried about you." He said softly, hoping they wouldn't disturb anyone else. Jake smiled softly, laughing when he pointed over to Adam "blame him for the pillow, but to be fare, he was trying to hit James & I I'm sure. Although I did wake up to someone snoring in my ear & got really scared for a minute."