A/N: Written when it was assumed that Nick had died.
Disclaimer: Characters in this fic do not belong to me
Suddenly Gone
Alex clutched at his chest as he sunk into the lounge chair behind him. His cheeks were wet with tears and his heart filled with pain. A pain he never wanted to experience more than once in life.
But for the second time, he was. It ripped at his chest like a wild tiger wanting to eat him alive.
When Claire had died, he'd thought that was as bad as the pain could get. But losing his brother was harder. They had spent their entire lives being inspirable. Even when they were fighting, Alex knew Nick would always be there to make up with.
Now, Nick was gone.
Alex wondered if he'd been a good enough brother to Nick, if he'd done all the right things by him. He wondered if he could've done things better given a chance.
But there would never be another chance. Nick would never walk through Killarney's door again.
Why Nick? Alex asked himself. Why the hell did it have to be Nick? He had a wife, a son; another child on the way…Nick had a family to live for. Why the hell did it have to be someone that mattered?
All Alex could think about was Tess, her unborn child, and Harrison. Their lives would go on of course, but those kids would never know their Dad, and Tess' heart would be split in two forever.
Why did Nick have to be taken from such a loving family? It wasn't right. What had Nick done to deserve this? What had Tess done?
Tess had loved and lossed so many times. It wasn't fair on her. Would her heart ever learn to love again? She'd taken such a risk on Nick…and now look where taking that risk had gotten her. She was alone and scared.
But it was worth it, Alex knew it was all worth it. He could see it in Tess' eyes, even through all the pain.
Alex brought his hands to his face, sobbing for his brother, his best friend. He couldn't believe that one minute he was there, and the next he was suddenly gone.
How could any of them ever go on?