Why didn't I say it? Why did he look at me for so long, his mouth moving in an unintelligable motion, forming words I wish so hard I could understand? Why didn't I just blurt it out?

He stared at me, he did. Looked right at me as I asked him what he was doing. He pulled that helmet over his handsome face, his eyes blazing through the slot as his gaze connected with mine. He didn't have to answer, I already knew.

A rain of bullets smattered against his armor, as he hefted up two pistols. I could feel my eyes water. My best friend, my only friend, the only one I could depend on, was about to leave me forever.

Dan's sniffles echoed far away in my brain, though he was right behind me, gripping my arm for support.

"Ned.." I whispered. My throat was clenching in a rhythm I couldn't stop, my heart beating wildly in a rhythm I couldn't fathom.

He was leaving.

He glanced at his brother, and Steve, nodding to them.

He lowered his gaze to me, and I saw his eyes crinkle, and I knew he was smiling. A sad smile, a smile that showed me everything I needed to know. He'd be alright.

We'd be alright.

I closed my eyes, my head dropping till my chin met my chest. The door creaked open, and slammed shut. My chest tightened until I couldn't breath.

"THERE HE IS!"

"IT'S NED!"

"FIIRE!!"

I could hear the bullets hitting his armor. I could hear the police screaming. I could hear everything.

I just couldn't hear him.

Why didn't I say it?

I stood up, my legs nearly buckling under me. Steve and Dan stared up at me.

"Joe?"

"I need me a drink, boys." I said, my eyes landing on one of the only glasses, and only bottles of ale that hadn't been shot to bits.

I hobbled over to the bar, pouring the ale into the glass. Why didn't I say it..

The glass was shot while I held it, but I didn't put it down. I just stared at it. I realized I was in front of the window.

My vision closed in on a man a few yards off, his rifle aimed at me. I smiled.

I could hear the 'click' as he squeezed the trigger, saw the smoke, saw the bullet fly towards me.

I had been hit in the belt. Where my armor was weak.

The bullet was in me. In my belly. I had been hit.

I looked at Dan and Steve. They were gazing at me in horror. My hand gripped the broken glass painfully. I gingerly touched my stomach.

Touched my blood. Touched my death.

I fell.

Why didn't I say it Ned? Why didn't I say it?

Now I can feel my life slipping away, the flames licking my boots, the scared whimpers of Steve and Dan. I can hear the gunshots as they take their own lives. I can't hear gunshots anymore, Ned. I can't hear you.

But why didn't I just say it? Before you left, before we were gone?

We made a hell of a stand Ned, that we did.

But it wasn't good enough.

You're alive, I know you are. But I'm not. I'm nearly gone now. I'll wait there for you Ned, I'll wait. I'll wait until you join us.

And then, when you do, I'll tell you.

Because we're going to be okay.

Because I love you.