A/N: Skye's mom's passing explained in this chapter. More about her family will be explained in the prequel.

DISCLAIMER: DON'T OWN!

Chapter 14

Landing in Anchorage, the pair was met by Johnathan. Josh had already spoken to the fellow captain, knowing he was with the other half of the Harris clan. Within minutes they were pulling into the hospital parking lot. Josh and Skye made the journey up to Phil's room, anxious to see their skipper. They walked hand in hand but Josh's grip tightened around Skye's fingers with every step. Reaching the door, Skye ushered Josh to go in alone.

"Go on baby. You don't need me in there. I'll be right here when you do," she assured him. She kissed him on the cheek and released his hand. He stepped inside and closed the door. He took a deep breath before walking to his fathers' bedside, "Hey dad. I don't know if you can hear, but it's me Josh. I'm here with you now. I love you buddy, and I'm gonna be here when you wake up." He kissed his father on the forehead before exiting the room. "C'mon babe. It's your turn." He motioned for Skye to enter. Her actions were one in the same with Josh's although her words weren't. "Hey Phil! It's your girl! Josh and I are here now, and we'll see you as soon as you wake up. I love you." She too gave the skipper a kiss on the head.

Walking down the hallway, Josh wrapped his arm around Skye's shoulders. They made their way outside to meet Jake. Again, Skye stood by as the 2 Harris boys shared a few brotherly moments. John wrapped her up in a fatherly hug. The embrace didn't last long when Jake motioned for her to join him and Josh on a nearby bench. Josh pulled her into his lap, allowing both brothers to wrap her up in a group hug.

That night in their hotel room, Skye awoke to the sound of someone crying. She looked over and saw that Josh was still asleep. She quietly tossed back the thick blankets, following the sound to the next room, Jake's. She knocked softly, hearing a stifled "Come in." Poking her head in the room, she saw Jake sitting on the edge of his bed. "Jakers? What's wrong?" she asked using the pet name she'd given him back when they first met. The youngest Harris lifted his head, tears squeezing out of his brown eyes. "Jakers I'm sorry!" she knelt beside him on the floor, giving him a sisterly hug. "I know it's tough. I know all too well what y'all are goin through cuz of my mom. But your brother needs you and as does Phil." Skye's mother had been diagnosed with heart disease when Skye was just a senior in high school. Her moms' health had been on the rise when she left for Dutch in September of '05. Skye had been on a short visit home, when her mom went into the hospital. Naturally, she and her siblings thought that everything would be okay, just like it had many times in the past. But sadly on March 7th 2006, her mom succumbed to the disease.

"You're right sis. Thanks."

"You're welcome. Try'n get some sleep. Love ya." She gave him one last hug.

"Love ya too."

Reaching her bed once again, Skye snuggled up to the man she loved and fell into a deep sleep.