A/N Sooo this is the final chapter. Hooray! But I've still got the writing bug! The first chapter of my new story will be up in like two days :)! It's a sequel to so contagious :)

I watched as Josh fell to his knees and Jake grabbed his shoulder for support. I heard the doctor say my chances of survival weren't high. What the hell was he talking about? I was standing right behind him. "Jake! Josh!" I called, "look I'm fine." Neither of them looked up at sound of my voice and it irritated me beyond belief. I strode angrily over to them and stood between them and the doctor.
"I'm right here!" I yelled as I waved my hands in front of their faces. Josh stood up and pulled Jake into a hug. "I can't lose her dude." Josh sobbed. Tears pooled in my eyes as Josh cried into Jake's shoulder. I focused my attention on Jake. He seemed torn between wanting to comfort his brother and the urge to shove him off of him. I could also see pain and worry on his face. I sensed that he felt that I didn't love him. He didn't think it was his place to be scared to lose me I was Josh's girl now. I knew what I was sensing was real. I don't know how I knew I just did. I stepped closer to Jake and rested my hand on his shoulder. "I still love you Jake. Ill make everything right between us I promise." I said quietly. He didn't so much as flinch at my touch.

Josh held on to his brother so tightly Jake had to peel him off. "She'll be fine." Jake mumbled. "What are we supposed to do?" Josh replied as he wiped his tears, "We're supposed to leave tomorrow but I can't leave her."
"Me neither. I'm sure dad can find replacements just for the trip. Ill go call him." Jake exited the waiting room and Josh collapsed into the nearest chair. He wiped his tears with the back of his hand and rested his head against the wall. 'Don't leave me Ryder.' He begged. He had wanted her desperately for what seemed liked forever and as soon as it seemed he was finally going to be with her she was being snatched away. Josh tapped his foot anxiously on the floor. It hurt to even imagine losing Ryder. He knew Jake blamed himself for Ryder getting hurt and that if she passed away he wouldn't recover from it. Josh blinked back more tears and rested his chin on his knuckles. "She'll be ok." He said aloud but his voice trembled as he spoke.

A few minutes later Jake returned and sat down in the chair next to him. "What did dad say?" Josh asked.
"He said to keep him posted." Jake replied.
Josh nodded and looked down at the floor. He felt bad for inconveniencing his dad but there was no way he could leave Ryder. Josh looked up as Jake nudged him on the arm.
"What?" He asked. Jake nodded towards the door. Josh looked over to see the doctor once again enter the waiting room. Josh stood up and quickly strode over to him. "What's going on?" Jake asked panic was evident in his voice.
"Ryder's condition is still the same. I just came to tell you its ok to see her."
"Is she awake?" Josh asked.
"No." The doctor replied turning his attention to Josh, "but it might be comforting to be with her." Jake and Josh nodded and followed the doctor out of the room.

I followed the boys out of the waiting room and into what was apparently my hospital room. My eyes grew wide as I saw myself lying in the bed. I looked disgusting. I was surprised that I was still alive. 'Am I still alive?' I wondered.
Upon looking down at my heaving chest I saw that I was indeed still alive. My face was swollen and covered in wounds and butterfly bandages. My mouth was forced open by a large tube. 'Probably to help keep me breathing.' I decided. My bruised and battered arms lay limply at my side. I turned around and saw Josh standing directly next to me. His lip trembled slightly as he looked down at me. Shock was etched in his face and I automatically reached out and grabbed his arm. It took me a moment to remember he couldn't feel it. I looked over my shoulder and saw Jake standing behind me. He seemed weary of approaching the bed. His eyes were red and puffy and I realized he probably spent more time outside crying than talking to Phil. I felt a surge of affection towards him and stood beside him.
'Its ok Jake.' I whispered into his ear. I knew he couldn't hear me but a few moments later he walked over the bed and stood beside his brother. His hand twitched for a moment as if he was going to reach for Josh but it remained at his side. Suddenly I felt light as if I was fading away. My eyes grew heavy and I realized just how easy it would be to die.

Josh didn't glance up as Jake appeared at his side but was comforted by his presence. He gazed down at Ryder but had trouble comprehending what he was looking at. She was unrecognizable. Josh would have done anything to trade places with her. Ryder didn't deserve this. If anyone did it was him. He had betrayed his brother and practically forced Ryder into it. Josh jumped as a loud beeping sound filled the room. He looked around for the source of the noise and his eyes landed on a large monitor beside the bed.
Ryder had flat lined. Before panic could really set in a doctor and several nurses rushed into the room. Jake and Josh quickly backed up against the wall and were paid no attention to by the doctors. Josh's heart felt like it was going to explode out of his chest. He stole a glance at Jake and saw that he was ghostly white and looked like he was going to pass out any second. Josh looked back towards the hospital bed just as the doctor placed the defibrillator on Ryder's chest. Josh closed his eyes tightly and felt as if he was going to throw up as Ryder's body seized up. Tears streamed down his face. Even though he wanted nothing more than to run from the room his feet felt cemented to the floor. "We're losing her!" The nurse yelled. At those words Josh slid to the floor and instantly Jake was beside him. Jake wrapped his arms around him and held him close. Both were crying uncontrollably and Josh was unsure if it was his tears landing on his arm or his little brother's.

I watched as the doctors worked on my limp body and the boys held each other. My vision was hazy and I could barely tell Jake from Josh. I was disappearing I could feel it. I had always imagined death being scary but I felt like I was falling asleep after a long day on deck. I walked over to the boys and knelt beside them. Some people never fell in love and for some reason I had been lucky enough to fall in love twice. They would be lost without me. I knew it. Jake would undoubtedly blame himself and seek oblivion in everything he could. Josh would feel abandoned and probably sink into a depression. Again I didn't know how I knew I just did. I glanced over my shoulder at the doctor. At any moment he would pronounce me dead. 'Wait a minute.' I thought, 'I don't want to die.'

"She's back!" The doctor said with relief. The loud beep that filled the room was replaced by a series of low beeps. Josh slowly stood up and pulled Jake with him. "Thank god." Jake mumbled. Josh laughed out of nervousness and clapped his brother on the back. The doctor turned and walked across the room towards them. "She's ok for now," the doctor said calmly, "We just need to wait and see if she wakes up." Josh and Jake were both in to much shock to do anything more than nod.
"I'll have two cots brought in." He continued.
The doctor left the room and the nurses followed quickly behind him. "That was..." Jake began.
"Yeah I know." Josh finished for him.

Ryder slowly opened her eyes and looked around the room. The sun crept through the blinds and landed on the cots beside her bed. They were empty so she assumed the boys had gone to eat or something. She closed her eyes and images she couldn't make sense of began flooding her mind. She had the feeling people often had when they woke up after having an odd dream. The more she tried to remember the more the images faded away. The only images she could hold on to were Jake and Josh crying together and a doctor standing over her. 'Must be the drugs they have me on.' She decided. A few minutes later the doctor entered. Ryder attempted to smile but the large tube in her mouth made it look more like she was growling at him. "Glad to see your awake!" The doctor said happily. Ryder tried to respond but the tube prevented it. She furrowed her eyebrows angrily making the doctor laugh. "Don't worry sweetie I'm about to remove the tube."
Ryder nodded and looked away from him. "You must be wondering where your boyfriend is?" The doctor said as he glanced at his clipboard. Ryder nodded. "He went to the cafeteria with his brother." Ryder wondered if he was referring to Jake or Josh as her boyfriend.

Ryder licked her lips as soon as the tube was removed. Her mouth felt incredibly dry. "Water?" She asked hoarsely.
The doctor grabbed a small pitcher on her bedside table and poured water into a Styrofoam cup. The cold water felt amazing as it hit her throat. Ryder lay in the bed impatiently as the doctor poked and prodded her over the next few minutes. Ryder smiled widely as Jake entered the room. Jake's mouth fell open and he immediately left the room. "Josh she's awake!" She heard him call. She heard loud footsteps and a few seconds later Josh entered the room and strode quickly to her side. The doctor winked and exited the room. "Hey baby." He said quietly, "how do you feel?"
"Like hell." She replied, "why are you whispering?"
Josh laughed and shrugged his shoulders, "I was worried about you."
"It will take more than a pickup truck to take me out."
Josh smiled, "thank god."
Ryder looked over Josh's shoulder, "Where's Jake? I want to talk to him." Josh nodded towards the doorway and Jake smiled uncomfortably. He walked slowly over to her and took Josh's spot.
"So your ok then?" He asked.
Ryder smiled, "Yeah I think so."
"I'm glad. Really glad but I think since your ok now I'm going to go home."
"Please don't." Ryder pleaded. She had been expecting Jake to say that but she had been hoping he wouldn't. Even though Jake said she could be with Josh she wouldn't do it until he was honestly ok with it.
"I need you here." She added.
"You've got Josh." He replied.
"Jake...What's it going to take to fix this?"
"Ryder you're in the hospital. This isn't the time to talk about it."
"When is the time to talk Jake?" Ryder's eyes were already filling with tears.
"Please don't cry Ryder you...you...you're going to fuck up your band aids."
Ryder laughed, "I certainly hope there is more than just band aids on my face."
"Shut up." Jake replied with a smirk. It felt like forever since the last time she had seen that smirk. Almost instantly however, the smirk disappeared and was replaced by a frown. "I'm sorry Ryder I can't stay here."
"Jake please stay." Josh cut in.
Jake shook his head, "I don't want to stay here! I told you once I found out Ryder was ok I'm out of here."
"Jake..." Ryder said slowly, "I need you here."
"You've got Josh now. You don't need me." Jake replied.
"Ill always need you. I may be in love with Josh but I still love you more than anything. I owe you my life."

Josh looked up at Ryder's words. She had said that she loved Jake more than anything. Why didn't the words sting him? Why did he have to fight the urge to smile?
Jake rubbed his eyes wearily, "ill stay until your released. But then I'm going to leave for a while. I'll drop all your clothes off at Josh's house."
"Thank you." Josh said quietly so that Ryder didn't hear.
Jake gave him a half shrug and then sat down in the corner of the room. Josh pushed Ryder's hair out of her face and smiled, "I love you."
"I love you too." She replied, "umm... Can I talk to Jake alone?"
"Sure." Josh replied as he bent down to kiss Ryder on the forehead. He wasn't worried or concerned with what Ryder needed to talk to Jake about. He was confident that Ryder was in love with him and way too happy about her being ok to worry.

Josh exited the room and closed the door behind him. Jake slowly walked over to Ryder and rested his hands on the metal bed railing. "What?" Jake asked slowly. Ryder's eyes filled with tears as he looked down at her. Before when he looked at her she saw love and mischief and now she saw sadness and animosity. "Please forgive me Jacob."
Jake shook his head and averted her gaze. "I didn't want to fall in love with him Jake. Do you think I wanted to betray you?"
"No." Jake replied as he looked back at her.
"I just want you to still care about me. I don't want to live without you as a part of my life."
"I'll always care about you Ryder. You're my first love. I guess I can forgive you but I won't forgive Josh."
"Why not?"
Instantly Jake's face hardened and Ryder wished she hadn't asked.
"There are some things you just don't do. Everyone thinks that Josh is the good guy and I'm the asshole but I would have never done what he did. I told him I was in love with you and he didn't care."
"He did care Jake."
Ryder was relieved beyond belief that Jake had forgiven her but she still wanted him to make up with Josh. She was starting to feel that it was impossible.
"No he didn't. He cares now that it's too late." Jake said sourly.
"Will you at least think about forgiving him? Please just think about it. He loves you so much. Way more than he loves me."
Jake rolled his eyes, "Yeah ill think about it if it will get you to shut up."

Josh slowly sipped his vitamin water and wondered how much longer Ryder and Jake would need to talk. Even though his brother was still furious with him Josh was still extremely grateful for his presence. Jake had been there to support him even though he clearly didn't want to be. Josh could see on Ryder's face how happy she was to see Jake. He knew that she had expected him to be the only one there. Even if Jake wasn't going to forgive him he was still glad to see Jake was making steps to forgive Ryder.

Two weeks later Josh was pushing Ryder out of the hospital in a wheelchair. Time had gone by painstakingly slow and Josh was grateful he could finally take Ryder home and start working on their relationship. As he pushed her out of the main entrance he spotted Jake standing near the curb smoking a cigarette. Jake walked slowly over to them. "You going home?" Josh asked.
"Nah I'm going to stay with my friend Jerry in Arizona for a few weeks." Jake replied.
"To party?"
"You know it."
Josh smiled, "Maybe when you get back you can call me and we can talk or hang out... or something."
Josh shifted uncomfortably it was the most awkward goodbye of his life. Jake took a drag of off of his cigarette and looked at everything but Josh.
"Yea maybe." He replied.
"It would mean a lot to me dude."
"Yeah I know."

Jake looked down at Ryder and then kissed the top of her head. "Take care of my brother." He said quietly so that only Ryder could hear him. Ryder winked and hugged him tightly. She only let go when he pried her hands off of him.
"I love you." She said in a choked voice.
"Of course you do. Look at me I am the Jake Harris."
Ryder snorted and rolled her eyes. She then proceeded to kick him in the shin. "I'm just playing I love you too." Jake said as he rubbed his shin. Jake straightened up and faced his brother. "You better be good to her."
"Don't worry I will."
"Anyways I'm getting out of here. I'll call you."
Jake waved goodbye and walked away. A wide grin spread across Josh's face. "What?" Ryder asked as she eyed him suspiciously.
"He said he'd call me." Josh replied simply.
Ryder smiled and kissed Josh's hand. She knew how much that simple act from his brother would mean to him.
Jake wasn't going to forgive him right away and she knew that, but she had a feeling that soon Jake and Josh would be bickering and fighting over random unimportant things just like normal.

Today tomorrow seems so far away
And the wait in vain, yeah
So safe, in the blinding light of love unchained
In yesterday's grave, yeah

The truth that could set souls free
Is buried within sweet pandemonium
Concealed by disbelief
The riddle stays veiled in sweet pandemonium

Afraid that everything remains unchanged
In this fragile dream, yeah
Ashamed of the shattered remains
Of promises made, yeah

The truth that could set souls free
Is buried within sweet pandemonium
Concealed by disbelief
The riddle stays veiled in sweet pandemonium

Drained by the anger and grief
Fazed by the envy and greed
The secret cries for a release
The lucidity hidden deep in sweet pandemonium

The truth that could set souls free
Is buried within sweet pandemonium
Concealed by disbelief
The riddle stays veiled in sweet pandemonium

Sweet pandemonium- HIM

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I really appreciate it!