Okay, sorry for the long wait. Here's the next chapter...

Chapter Ten-

Of Guilt and Apologies

Todd walked down a hallway hoping he was where he thought he was. He was not used to walking around hospitals, especially this one which was all the way across the country from his home. He had left Casey with Steven, sure that the Massachusetts native would take care of her while he did what he needed to do.

He stopped when he reached a room. It was way past visiting hours, but he didn't care. He pushed open the door and walked in before standing at the foot of a bed.

Nathan had been doing much better in the two days that they had been there. He was confused about his surroundings and he couldn't talk. Mostly, he spent his day looking out the window, not making eye contact with anyone except the pigeons that flew by, not even the therapists. He had been moved from the ICU to another room, the room that Todd had just entered.

When the door shut with a click, Todd was sure that Nathan would keep looking out the window and he was right. He leaned over and poked the boy in the shoulder. "Nathan?" he said, wanting the boy's attention.

Todd nearly died when Nathan turned his head to face him. The ventilator was gone and most of his face had healed somewhat. The bruises weren't as big, the gashes not as deep. His blue eyes were searching Todd with curiosity.

"Do you remember who I am?" Todd asked quietly. Nathan nodded his head slightly but his eyes still looked around. Todd looked to the ground. "Casey's not here, dude."

Nathan turned his head, as if contemplating what Todd had just told him before turning back. His eyes were questioning Todd, asking why he had come, why Casey hadn't.

"You scared her, Nathan," Todd told him.

The look on Nathan's face made Todd bite his lower lip. He looked sad, like he didn't remember what he had done to scare her. Nathan turned to Todd, his eyes watering, wanting to communicate with him so badly. The doctors had told them that it might take a while for Nathan to relearn basic things, such as walking, talking, reading, using various objects like pens and silverware.

Nathan opened his mouth and then closed it. He let his eyes fall to the floor. He knew that he was unable to speak. Todd sat at the end of the bed and gave him a faint smile of encouragement. Nathan lifted his head and mouthed the three words he would have said. Todd nodded, "I know you love her."

"I didn't mean to hurt her," Nathan whispered hoarsely. Todd's eyes widened.

"You're talking!" he exclaimed. Nathan gave a small smile. "I'll go get Casey and everyone! This is exciting! You should have seen the condition you were in!"

Todd turned and sprinted out of the room, drawing the attention of some of the nurses, but he didn't care. He found Casey and pulled her out of her chair. She stared at him bewildered. "What is it?"

"Nathan, he talked to me!"

Casey's stomach lurched. Nathan was beginning to communicate; it was a great thing but it made her feel extremely guilty. She'd been a jerk to him all summer, cutting conversations short or not picking up just to be with Cale. Then, she'd said those words. I can see Nathan in the fall.

"Come on, Case!" Todd said, grabbing her hand and rushing back to the room. A few nurses were smiling as they walked out of the room that they had entered after Todd's sudden exit. Casey saw Nathan's eyes light up at the sight of her. She felt like she was going to be sick.

"Casey." She knew he was struggling to get out the word so she crossed the room and put her finger to his lips.

Tears welled in her eyes. "This is all my fault," she whispered. "I'm sorry."

He shook his head, but it was Todd who spoke. "No, Casey, listen. None of this is your fault! You weren't anywhere near him when this happened. It was an accident."

"No, Todd, you listen!" she screamed. "Everyone I love gets hurt. Troy, Dad, Dylan, and now Nathan. I don't belong here, surrounded by people who care about me."

"Okay, Casey, I know you're a Bolton, but even you are not that powerful," Todd said calmly. "Just because they love you, isn't the reason why they were hurt or injured. Believe me."

Furiously, she wiped the tears from her eyes before turning to Nathan. "I don't deserve you. I didn't want to come until I heard you got hurt. I wanted to stay with Cale. I didn't want to leave him."

"You did," he croaked. It wasn't a question, it was a statement. "You left him."

She turned to Todd, who looked at her with questioning eyes. He didn't know about Cale and obviously wanted to. She frowned but was unable to answer because she felt Nathan's hand in hers.

"It's okay," he said quietly.

"No, it's not!" she yelled, the tears finally escaping her eyes. "Don't you care that you can't trust me? You don't know what I'm dealing with!"

He nodded. "You're right," he said, taking a breath. "But I trust you to make the right decision. If you love him, we can still be friends."

Casey felt her throat restrict. Did she love Cale like she loved Nathan? Sure, his company was great in a place she felt was a prison and they understood how the other felt, but would she go as far as love? Cale was one of her best friends now, and sighing with relief, she knew that was all he would ever be.

She let out a breath that she hadn't known she'd been holding. "I may love him, but I'm in love with you."

Nathan smiled and lifted himself up, bringing his lips to hers. "That's good," he whispered in his weak voice. Casey noticed it was getting weaker and more quiet with every word he spoke, so she gently pushed him back down. He frowned.

"Go to sleep and get your voice stronger," she told him with a smile, happy she was in control of her feelings again.

"Yeah," Todd said. "We're going to need that yell on the field come September."

Nathan nodded his head and let his eyes close, his hand still holding Casey's. Todd nudged her softly. "So, who's this Cale guy?"

"A guy that made my summer worth living through," she told him, her eyes not leaving Nathan's peaceful face. Todd didn't say anything so she didn't add anymore. She laid her head on the bed, the continuous beats of machines helping her drift to sleep.

How many of you watched High School Musical 2 last night? I did! But, on IMDB they said that there was a character named Trevor Bolton, and I just watched for him the entire movie and he wasn't there. I was depressed, because the only thing better than one Bolton...is two!

But, onto the story. I think this is coming to an end, so if you have any questions that you want answered you should ask them now! I think either the next chapter or the chapter after next will be the epilogue.

So, tell me...

Review!