A/N: Haven't written on this story in a long while. Anyway, not sure how well this chapter fits, please let me know. :) Thanks for all the nice reviews btw

Don't own anyone of these characters

His fingers twitched at his side as he tried to make himself knock on the door in front of him. Running around trying to find his friend was one thing, but knowing that Jude was probably on the other side of that door... and having to face the fact that he hadn't noticed the warning signs his friend had been screaming well enough to help more, well... that was why Max hadn't knocked yet.

Finally he let out a sigh and rapped three times on the door. For a moment he thought that maybe no one was in there, or maybe the inhabitants were all sleeping too deeply to hear his knuckles against the fake wood that barred them in there. That idea slipped his mind as a very tired and dull Lucy slid the door open a crack.

"Max... I'm so glad you're here Max... it's Jude...I don't know how.. I-I" tears began to spill onto her cheeks, racing down the peach-toned skin to meet together under her chin. Her lips trembled as Max immediately pushed open the door and wrapped her in a hug.

"I know Lucy... I know. I'm so sorry I didn't get to warn you, or help him..." They stood there silently for a minute, Lucy taking deep breaths to compose herself once more.

She gently pushed herself away from her big brother and looked over her shoulder into the dim-lit living room. Her gaze swept back to him.

"He's asleep right now. I've tried cleaning him up a bit... he came to my work, and... I don't think I've ever seen someone look so... so... sick, so physically ill." She shook her head a little.

Max settled his hands on her shoulders and looked down into her face, putting on the best big brother look her could.

"Don't worry Luc, we'll fix him up, it'll all be ok"

He tried to make himself believe it.

They're voices were muffled...unimportant to him. Right now all he cared about was the warmth that had slowly seeped into his broken body.

Being warm helped a little, but the pain was still there. A gaping hole in his middle bared it's teeth and growled, causing Jude to flinch and curl onto his side. He wanted so badly for it to be done with. To be done with the craving and endless hunger. He felt like one big bruise.

It couldn't get worse, right? In answer to his thought, the pain doubled, knives stabbing into his stomach and down his spine. He cried out, the tears already making their way into the couch cusions beneath him.

A firm hand spread on his chest and pushed him back against the couch, gentle, but firm. Spit flew from his shaking lips from sobs attempting to break loose.

"Jude...shhhh... it's ok Jude. Everything's going to be alright...shhh.." The voice pounded through his ears, making his brain throb, too loud, everything was too loud. Too much sensation, he could feel every line on the palm that rested against his hairless chest.

He roughly pushed the hand away and glared into the glowing room that lay around him. Two people stood over him, one slouched slightly over their smaller frame, more delicate frame, while the other held back the hand that had just been shoved away.

Jude used his elbows to bring himself to a sitting position, never forgetting to keep curled slightly over his stomach to lessen the sharp pain.

"what do you want? Where am I? Is that you Max? Didn't I tell you I didn't need help from you?!"

His breath began to quicken and Lucy ran to turn on another light. The brightened room squeezed Jude's eyes shut tight for a moment, blinding him. He shouted wordlessly as each throb in his head became more pronounced.

Lucy quickly kneeled beside the couch, facing him and began to wrap him in her arms. He tried feebly to push away, but she was the stronger opponent at the moment.

"Jude, we're both here to help you, you need to calm down ok? Please" her voice cracked on the last word. Jude slowly stopped struggling with her, his forehead resting against her shoulder. Tears leaked from his eyes and fell straight to the blanket beneath them.

"Lucy... please tell Max to leave... I can't-I don't want ... I don't want him here. Please."

Lucy turned saddened eyes up to her big brother, wishing Jude wasn't so upset, needing her brother there to help her. But Max nodded his head, irritated, but understanding for the moment. He turned and left the apartment without a word.

Lucy nestled her nose in Jude's greasy dark locks, taking in his scent, trying to force his breathing to match her own slower breaths.

He pulled his head back, and stared at the spot where his head had been. Lips pushed together tightly and his brows curled in frustration.

"I don't want to see Max again Lucy. Not for a long time... It was his idea... and this is what it did to me. I dunno... if I'll ever want to see him again." Fearful of her anger or rejection, he closed his eyes and immediately lay back down, pulling his blanket up around himself to cover his shoulders and neck. After a couple deep breaths, he seemed to drift back to sleep.

Lucy stared at his glistening face, the sweat an even layer across his features. Max's idea?

What had been Max's idea?

She quietly rose up and tiptoed to the door, hoping her brother hadn't decided to run.