A.N:

Welcome to what is sure to be the most emotional chapter of this whole story. I know, spoiler, huh?

Before you get into a tizzy about what is about to happen, I did my research and I believe I got the facts right. You'll see what I mean when you get to that part.

And to the fans who thought this was the last chapter:

Sorry, need to build more ammo, so to speak.

So without further ado...I'm just gonna leave this right here...

At the largest hospital in all of Sydney, this was probably the worst case of busy the nurses had ever seen.

The paramedics rolling in a man who looked as though he had been through hell and back, while the rest brought in a group who had whip marks all over their faces.

It was the worst case they had seen in a while. Doctors were being paged, others called from their homes, it was chaos.

When Dory and Nemo ran in, they too were astounded as to how bad it had gotten. Next to their situation, others tried to make time for other patients. (Thank god there wasn't too many others)

One of the medical chiefs told them to sit down in the waiting room while he briefed the doctors of the situation. It was hard for Nemo to comply...his friends were all in there, getting treatment and he couldn't be with any of them.

He was scared.

Dory sat on a chair and stretched.

"What a day this has been, huh? And it's only going to get better. Your friends are gonna be fine, Nemo. Don't worry so much about it."

Nemo just stared at the entry way to the medical rooms, praying they'd all come out alive and well. And to hear Dory be so positive, somehow, it angered him. In the midst of all this hell, she had the nerve to act like it was just a walk in the park.

He wanted to turn and lash out, but he stopped, knowing it wasn't right to do that. Even though he had only known her for a couple of hours, he had a feeling that's just how she was. His father did say something about her being so unnaturally positive about even the most dire situations. How they escaped death so many times and it was like it didn't even phase her.

Nemo had even asked what he saw in her, thinking back to how he asked her out moments after he and his father were reunited.

Marvin smiled a genuine smile.

"Nemo, believe me. There are things in this world that even your old man can't explain...I guess this is one of them."

The boy mentioned how that was an unsatisfying answer, but he left it alone after that. If anything, when Nemo grows up, it'll be something he can't even explain.

The boy sighed and took a seat next to Dory, bringing his knees to his chest. She saw he had a look of despair and anxiety in his eyes. She even wrapped her arm around his shoulders and just that gesture made Nemo feel a little better. Not by much, but a little.

Still, he was nervous. He was sure the others were going to come out of this alright. Gill was a whole other story. He knew the others would be devastated if he died. In fact, Nemo wasn't too sure what he would do if he lost Gill, or any of them for that matter.

Bloat, Gill, Gurgle, Bubbles, Jacques, Peach, Deb...they became like his second family. And to lose even one of them would be like a knife to the heart.

Damn that man...Sherman...damn him for the years of pain he used on them and everyone else in the brothel. Nemos fingers clenched on his shorts, feeling himself shake at the memory of Sherman just going ballistic.

"What's taking him so long...?"

"Huh? What'd you say, Nemo?"

"My dad...he should have been here by now..."

"I'm sure he's wrapping things up with the police and the whole Sherman conviction thing. He'll be here, Nemo. He promised he'd do everything he can to help your friends. Has your dad ever broken a promise to you before?"

Nemo opened his mouth to speak, but shut it when he actually stopped to think over the first 8 years of his life.

Even though Marvin was overprotective in every god given way, eyes like a hawk and from time to time, the biggest pest a child could ever know, Nemo couldn't think of one time his father ever broke a promise to him.

True, they were little things like going to the park if chores were done or going out for ice cream if Nemo finished his veggies all week, but they were still promises.

This promise was big though. Marvin might be a talented lawyer, but even Nemo wasn't sure if he could help the others. They'd have to find a place to live, find work that didn't involve giving their bodies away. They'd have to mold themselves back into society. And for some of them, it would be easy. But for people like Gurgle, Deb, Jacques, Bubbles and Gill, it would be difficult. They only knew certain things and to try and find new ways of living, Nemo wasn't sure they could do it.

He gripped the cross around his neck and shivered. He had to keep hope that they'd be ok. That he could go to sleep every night without worrying about their safety.

He pressed his lips to the piece of jewelry, hoping they could all feel his hope for them.

Dory watched this with great adoration. For an eight year old whose gone through something not a lot of kids could say they've done, he was very well grounded. He was, in every way, his fathers son. Whether or not Marvin was a tad scared of life and its unpredictability, he had shown he had a large amount of back bone. She saw this in Nemo as well and it made her smile.

Her hand on his shoulder tightened a little and Nemo looked up at her, smiling.

"Dory, thank you."

"Hm? For what?"

"For helping my dad...for sticking with him when he needed someone. I knew there would be no way he could do all this alone...well, if he really tried, he could...but nonetheless, thank you. And thanks for making him happy."

Nemo giggled as a little blush creeped up on her face and she looked away, avoiding the boys eyes. But she smiled back at him and lightly punched his arm. Nemo laughed and unwound his legs, feeling better.

The doors to the E.R opened and they both turned their heads to see Marvin walking in, tightening his tie. He caught glimpse of the two of them, but Nemo was first to jump up and run to him, hugging around his waist. He smiled and ran his fingers through his sons hair, getting to his level to hug him back.

"I hope I never have to confront someone that insane ever again."

"Why? Did he give you a scare, dad?"

"Ha, no. Well, a little. But what's done is done."

He picked Nemo up and carried him over to sit next to Dory, who tilted her head at him.

"So? What's the verdict, Mr. big shot lawyer?"

"7 life sentences...back to back...one for each of the people he abused in that room."

Dory let out an exhale as her hand pressed to her chest. She was almost sure Sherman would have talked his way out of going to prison. Clearly, Marvin was smarter than he lead on.

Nemo pressed he head against his fathers chest, gripping his vest.

"They haven't come out yet. None of them have."

"Nemo, you have to understand. Six of them went in with only whip wounds. One of them went in with wounds I cant even begin to comprehend. The doctors might be asking them questions as well as trying to help them."

Nemo raised his head and Marvin saw those big eyes swell with tears. It hurt his heart to see his son so upset, but a little prideful to know Nemo actually had friends to worry about.

"But it's not fair, daddy! They don't need that kind of stress to be answering question about their lives there. They need help! Not just medical help...but help getting back to life."

"And answering those kinds of questions could be the help they need to get back to normal life. Nemo, I know you're worried. But I promised you I'd help them any way I could. I don't intend on letting you down again."

Nemo pressed his head back against his fathers chest, not totally understanding the 'again' part. What did that mean?

...

An hour passed by. They still sat there, waiting...

Dory stretched again and Marvin turned to her, saying,

"You look like you need some air."

"Yeah, I probably do. I'm going for a walk outside. Wanna join me?"

Marvin looked to see Nemo still on his lap, not saying a word, but very much awake. Dory smiled.

"It's ok. I understand. I'll be back in a few."

"Don't get lost...please?"

Dory scowled at the look on Marvin's face.

"Is that a crack at my short term memory loss?"

"Could be."

"Jerk."

She stuck her tongue at him, then turned to walk outside. Marvin just smiled and rubbed Nemo's back. It was rather quiet, save for the sounds of nurses running back and forth, medical scanners and other noises.

Marvin looked at his watch, noticing the time. It was getting late. But he knew if he even made one mention of leaving the hospital, Nemo would have a fit. And that was the last thing he wanted to deal with.

Instead, he leaned back in his seat, staring at the ceiling. Eventually, he found himself counting the little black dots on the ceiling...good lord, he was bored.

"Dad?"

Marvin jumped a little at the sound of Nemo's obviously tired voice, but he said,

"Yeah?"

"What did you mean by again?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You said you don't intend on letting me down again...what does that mean? When did you let me down in the first place?"

Marvin groaned. He wanted to avoid this conversation at all costs...but he supposed it had to be done. Before he said anything, Nemo chimed in with,

"Does this have something to do with me getting kidnapped? Daddy, that was my fault, not yours. I should have listened to you. If I had walked back to the class like you said, we wouldn't be in this situation."

"That's not what I meant."

Nemo looked up at his dad, eyes now filled with confusion. Marvin sighed.

"Nemo, what happened that day...can be taken in two good ways. It lead me to Dory, who helped push me into searching for you farther than I would have gone. Second, it lead you to the friends you've always dreamed of having. Granted, they were in a whore house, but even still, you found friends. I'm not saying you getting kidnapped was a good thing and if were to happen again, I'd be much more aggressive than I am now."

Nemo chuckled at that. Marvin was right. While being kidnapped was not something Nemo wanted to go through again, it did turn out to be a blessing for both him and his father. It lead Nemo to some amazing friends and it lead Marvin to the woman he'd hopefully spend the rest of his life with.

It also taught them both how to be more assertive and brave in this messed up world they live in.

But when Marvin sighed, Nemo knew this conversation was not over.

"What I was referring to was the day your mother died."

"Wh-what? The day mom died? Dad, I was just a newborn. How could you have let me down then?"

"Nemo, please understand. When I found out Coral died after giving birth to you...I felt lost. Like a part of me was just stolen right from under me. And when the nurse took me to you, I felt even more confused and lost. The minute she placed you in my arms, I cried. Not happy tears though. I was sure I wasn't going to be able to raise you myself. I had thought about giving you up for adoption because I was so terrified of losing you the way I lost Coral. I couldn't live with that. The doctor started telling me about the adoption agencies I could go to if I was serious about giving you up. He gave me the paper work to fill out and give it to any agency that would take you. But when I went into the room to fill it out, a nurse stopped me and asked if I'd like to hold you one last time. Of course I said yes, and when she placed you in my arms again...you smiled at me. You gave me this big smile and started flailing your arms at me. At that point...my heart burst back to life. And then I started crying happy tears. I couldn't give you up. There was no way. I held you so tight that when the doctor came in asking if I had filled out the form, I took the form and ripped it up. He smiled and told me that he knew I'd back out of it. That I had 'father material' written all over my face. From then on, I dedicated my life to making sure I didn't screw up raising you...but I guess I kinda did by being too overprotective of you when I should've back off a little."

Nemo was astounded. He had no idea that his father felt this way and had held it back for so long. Just knowing his father almost gave him up hurt him deeply, but he was thrilled to know he had a change of heart to keep him and raise him.

And as far as 'letting him down', Nemo could only guess it meant Marvin almost giving up the greatest thing in his life. He wrapped his arms around Marvin's neck and said,

"You're the greatest dad in the world and I wouldn't trade you for anything. You've given me so much and I took it all for granted by being so stubborn. I'm sorry I was such a burden on you."

"No Nemo. You were never a burden to me. Don't ever say that. I always thought I was a failure as a parent because I was so pushy to you. I realize I need to give your space and your freedom. I can't always be so over your shoulder. I need to trust you more with your life. You're a kid and you need to be kid. I can't keep you locked up all the time...Nemo, I promise when we get home, you're going to see big changes. I'll let you go to public school, give you your freedom and chance to make new friends. And who knows. When these guys come out of this, maybe they can find work and homes in Albany so you can see them whenever you want."

Overjoyed wasn't even a word to describe Nemo's happiness at this point. He was crying, but it was like years of uncertainty were being pushed out of him. His father and he were finally getting past everything bad in their lives to start anew.

Marvin wrapped his arms around Nemo and kissed his head. He himself had tears rolling down his cheeks and pressed his boy tighter to his chest.

"I love you, Nemo."

"I love you too, daddy...and thank you. For everything."

By the doorway, Dory stood there, feeling the impact of the two's heart to heart. She had heard every word and it really amazed her to see them finally getting it all out there. She had tears in her eyes, but she wiped them away quickly, not wanting them to know she had heard them. This was their moment and she didn't want to go and ruin it.

So, after she wiped her tears away, she smiled and pretended to be surprised when she saw Marvin and Nemo crying.

"Hey! What happened while I was gone?"

Marvin looked up at her and saw her face. He smiled and wiped his eyes, standing with Nemo still in his arms and kissed her lips softly. She smiled in the kiss and decided against asking more questions.

Nemo, however, stopped his tears and scowled.

"Hey! Can you two not do that when I'm right here! I'm still a kid, you know!"

The two adults laughed and back away. Nemo turned and looked Dory in the eye, smiling when he saw her big grin. Maybe having a step mother wouldn't be so bad. And if she made his dad happy, that's all he could ask for.

In the midst of their happy moment, a doctor appeared from the entry hall and cleared his throat. The three were pulled from their moment and Nemo jumped out from his fathers arms, instinctively clutching the cross.

Marvin walked up and asked,

"How are they, doctor?"

The doctor removed his glasses and smiled.

"Ask them for yourselves."

Within seconds, 6 of them came piling out and Nemo felt ecstatic to see them.

He ran to them and hugged them one at a time. Words couldn't describe how happy he was right now. They all began hugging him tight and saying how thankful they were to him and to his father for getting them out of that hell hole.

Deb grinned and said,

"Who woulda thought you'd actually come through for us whores, huh?"

Nemo chuckled, but laughed loudly when Gurgle punched her head.

"Idiot. Stop calling us that."

"You didn't have to punch me, Gurg! Damn!"

"Oh relax, Deb. I'll give you medication for it later."

Nemo couldn't stop grinning as he looked all of them over. They all had stitches on their faces, but other than that, they looked fine. Perfect even.

Bloat made a mention of him cooking them all a huge meal when they were all free and ready to start new lives. That's when Nemo looked around and asked,

"We're missing one...where's Gill?"

Nemo noticed that all of them lost their smiles in a matter of seconds. And his own smile dropped.

Bubbles rubbed his neck and said,

"Last we heard, they were still looking him over...he was in a pretty bad shape. Master really messed him up."

"Do not call that...imbécile...master anymore. After what he's done, he doesn't deserve such a title."

Peach smiled.

"Jacques is right. After all that's happened, he'll be lucky if he's called someones bitch in prison."

They all gave little chuckles at that, but Nemo was still worried.

Gill was in bad shape, he saw that much after walking in with his father to stop the abuse. But to what other extent was there? Was there internal damage he didn't know about? If so, Gill might not live through the night if it was bad.

Nemo's heart dropped. This is what he feared. His eyes widened and he started shaking. His arm tensed up and his shaking suddenly grew more visible. He heard his fathers voice yell his name, but he couldn't move.

He closed his eyes, trying to will his shaking to stop. But with his mind wrapped around the fact Gill could die, he couldn't stop. No...he'd make it. He had to. He wasn't going to let him die. Not like this.

His shaking died down quickly and he let out an exhale of relief. Little tremors here and there wracked his body, but he was fine. Peach asked if he was ok, to which he said,

"If I had any of those tablets you and Bloat made for me...I could've fooled the doctors into thinking I was having a seizure."

Peach and Bloat laughed, along with the others behind them. Marvin and Dory, however, were confused as hell.

Soon after, another doctor walked out and everything went quiet. Nemo's heart started to race again. The man didn't look like he had great news.

He set his pen on the clip board and said,

"In regards to the other patient who came in with you, well...it's not good...but it's not bad either."

With tension this thick, not even a machete could slice it. Deb asked,

"What does that mean? Is Gill gonna be ok?"

"Here's the rundown of his condition. When he came in, a good portion of his back was...ahem...skinned clean off. I've never seen anything like it. It took a long time to get the bleeding to stop and get him bandaged up. But that was only one of the many issues we found."

The doctor had to stop himself to take a few breaths. Nemo could see this was probably the first time this doctor had dealt with something this cruel...

"Another issue we found was massive amounts of blood loss. If the skinning of his back didn't do it, it was the internal damage we found in his rectum. It was bad...I don't even think I have a medical term for how bad it was. Nonetheless, it's been stopped. The bleeding has been halted, so that's not the danger anymore. The danger we're facing now is the fact he's lost so much blood already. We're not sure how he's even still conscious."

At that, Nemo's ears perked. He was still alive? After all the loss?

"We've determined that he'll make it if we do an immediate blood transfusion. We're looking for doners."

The word 'doner' could not have been said fast enough as they all raised their hands, offering their own blood to their friend. Even Nemo raised his hands up to offer. The doctor merely smiled.

"I'm sorry. But his blood type is A -. We're looking through all of our storage to find a match...and according to this, none of you even come close. He needs a blood type of either his own match or an O -. "

Nemo's heart dropped once again. He had no match. None of them did. He knew his own blood type was A + from his mothers genes...strange how he knew that."

Gurgle spoke up,

"How much would he need?"

"According to my charts, enough to make sure he's out of any danger. I can't really give a specific amount."

"Then take mine."

All heads turned and Nemo's eyes widened when he saw his father walk up. The look in his own eyes said he was hesitant, but also quite sure this is what he wanted.

The doctor tilted his head.

"I'm sorry?"

"I know for a fact I'm a match. Give him some of my blood."

"Daddy..."

Marvin looked down and smiled at Nemo, then back up at the doctor.

"Sir...I have to admire you for this, but at the same time, I must warn you. If my patient requires more than what we're expecting, you could be giving up your life just to save his. Is that what you want?"

Marvin took in a deep inhale and sighed. He knew this was crazy. He was pretty much saying he'd give his own life for someone he didn't even know. But he knew how much Gill meant to his child and as a parent, it was his job to make his happy.

If this was the only way, he'd risk it.

He nodded and the doctor nodded back, saying,

"Very well. Let me get a sample from you just to be 100% sure you're a match."

"Daddy, no!"

Marvin felt Nemo latch onto his leg, crying.

"Dad, I know what you're trying to do. I'm asking you not to do it!"

"I thought you wanted all of your friends safe and sound. I thought you wanted Gill back."

"I do! But not if it means you sacrificing yourself! I lost mommy, I can't lose you too! What was all that you said about us starting anew? I can't do that without you! I-"

Nemo stopped when Marvin put his hand on top of his head and he smiled.

"Nemo, just this whole experience of getting you back has opened my eyes. You're a strong, brave young man. I need to trust you more. And I trust that you'll trust me in making this choice."

Nemo shook his head, tears pouring from his eyes.

"Oh no, don't you do that to me, dad. Don't you reverse this whole thing on me."

"Do you trust me, Nemo?"

Nemo looked at his father, looking into his eyes. He remembered Gill's eyes when he asked him that same question...

"Do you trust me?"

It was a hard question to answer in a situation like this. Back then, Gill was giving his own life to save Nemo. Now, his father was in a position to give his own life to save Gill. It was a double negative. He'd be getting his friend back, but losing his father. If Marvin turned out to not be a match, he'd get his father back, but lose his best friend.

Nemo gripped his hair with his hands. This was too much pressure.

He felt his father's hands grip his shoulders and say,

"It's the least I could do for the man who saved my son."

Nemo said nothing, but he knew that look in his fathers eyes. No matter the consequences, Marvin made up his mind.

All he could do was nod.

Marvin smiled and stood up, looking to the next person he had to comfort. There had only been a few times he had seen Dory cry. This was probably right up there with the moments he felt he was the reason for her tears. He walked over to her and pulled her into a hug, feeling her arms wrap around him. He kissed her neck softly and whispered,

"I'll be fine."

She spoke through her sobs.

"Silly goose...you better come back."

Marvin smiled and kissed her nose before walking back to the doctor.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes...I am."

He turned to his son one more time and said,

"I'll see you in an hour or so. Depending how long this takes."

Nemo nodded, trying to wipe his tears away. He felt Deb kneel down and hug him as his father and the doctor walked down the hall and around the corner. The rest of the group got down and hugged their young friend as he let out sob after sob.

Eventually, they all backed away from him and let Dory walk up to the boy. Nemo turned to hug her leg and she got to her knees, pulling him into the biggest hug ever.

This was a tense moment. Marvin was so sure he'd be back out to them in an hour, even after hearing the doctor say he might die from giving all his blood away, or just enough to kill him.

Nemo sobbed into Dory's shirt, gripping his cross. The others sat down in the waiting room, trying to wipe away their own tears.

Now all that was left was time.

Dory and Nemo would find out their own fates in about an hour...

One hour...in the start of the hour,

Dory's eyes never once left the clock.

Nemo's eyes never left the hall entrance.

TBC...