Hey, guys! Please don't kill me for the late update. ^^;

So, I'm going off to the beach for five days starting today, and I have no clue if I'll be able to update from there. D:

So... yeah. Enjoy!

In Which Jacob Makes a Fatal Mistake

My heart was drumming intensely against my chest. I kept on looking at the clock, but didn't bother seeing what time it was. It didn't matter, though.

Bramble is hurt.

Bramble might die.

Squirrel took this hard. She had been crying non-stop in the car ride to the hospital. I had to grip the steering wheel tighter and bite my tongue to not cry along with her.

Dear God, why did this have to happen? It just didn't make any sense. Bramble shouldn't be in the hospital. No one should be in the hospital.

Well, except for me.

The ambulance people offered to take me to the hospital to patch up my cut. I had said it was alright and that I would drive there. They pointed out that Squirrel was an adult and that she could drive. Then I pointed out that she was hysterically crying and that she was in no condition to do so.

When we got to the hospital, the doctors patched up my arm. The injury went from my shoulder to the elbow. It wasn't very deep, but it stung like crazy. They wrapped the white banshee around my arm and sent me to where my family and Squirrel were waiting.

Squirrel looked terrible. Her hair was a mess, her eyes were red and puffy from crying and her lips quivered. When I walked up to them, she had looked up and wiped her eyes. "Oh, Stacey. Ho-how is your arm?"

"Fine. Have you heard anything about Brambleclaw?"

At the mention of him, she started to cry all over again. My stomach twisted and I sat down next to her. I hugged her as she cried. She kept this up for quite a while. Finally, she managed to calm down. She sniffled and said, "They-they don't know if he'll make it. The-the wound he got was deep. He-he... might..." She started to cry again. I gently pat her back, not knowing what to do.

"He said he loved me..." She looked up at me. "I love him too, Stacey. I-I don't want him to die! I want him to come back to the Clans with me! I want him to live a longer life! I-I-I..." She looked at me desperately. "I don't want him to leave me again."

I didn't know what to say. I've never felt that way before. And telling her that everything was going to alright just didn't feel right. So, I was quiet.

It's been three hours since that. I haven't had the heart to call my parents and tell them about it. And I don't think that any of the neighbors heard what had happened.

Casey was sitting next to me, tapping the floor impatiently. Kristen was next to her, texting on her phone. My only hope was that she wasn't saying anything about the fact that we were in the hospital. Next to Squirrel was Jacob. He shifted uneasily in his seat. I could already see his train of thought.

And me?

Well, I just sat there in silence, checking the clock every three seconds.

Finally, a doctor came in. I immediately stood up. "How is he?" I blurted.

"As of right now? He has 60% chance of living."

I let out a sigh of relief. He had a better chance of living than dying. "Can we see him?"

The doctor shook his head. "No. I'm afraid that you can't see him."

Squirrel stood up at this. "What do you mean by that? Why can't we see him?"

The doctor let out a long sigh. Obviously he's had to do this a bunch of times. "Sweetheart, at the stage he is in, it's best for only doctors to approach me. Although he will most likely live, he is in a very fragil state. We are doing this for his safety."

Some of the anger ebbed away from her eyes when he said it was his safety. But she still wasn't happy that they were letting her see the love of her life.

I thanked the doctor and and left the building with everyone. The weather had changed from sunny to cloudy. It looked like it was going to rain heavily.

Perfect.

Just plain perfect.

This will soooo improve our moods.

The car ride was almost silent. My siblings and I weren't talking; all of us off in our own little world. Squirrel kept on sniffling and occasionally bursting into tears. It was terrible. My stomach twisted so many times, I felt like I was going to puke.

As soon as I had parked the car inside the garage, Squirrel burst out of the car, crying hysterically. Where she went I wouldn't know for a long time. We all looked for her for a while, but came up empty-handed. The only clue we had was that the beer that my dad had bought was gone.

I was playing UNO with my siblings when my mom arrived.

Ding Dong!

"I'll get it," I said, getting up and putting my cards face down. "Jacob, makes sure Krista and Casey don't look at my cards."

"Stacey!" they exclaimed in unison. "You don't trust us?"

"Not since last November."

I walked over to the door and opened it. "Hiya, mom!" I said cheerily.

"Stacey! How was your-What happened to your arm?"

"Oh, this? It's nothing really."

"Your arm is wrapped in bandages and you say it's nothing?"

"Um... Yes...?"

My mom sighed. "I'm not going to ask any more. I'm really tired. Do have supper ready."

"Yup. Mac and cheese okay with you?"

"Anything is fine," she replied, walking over to the kitchen. I followed her. My mom hugged all of them, each having a different reaction. Krista looked embarrassed, Casey obviously enjoyed this, and Jacob seemed nervous. "Stacey?"

"Yes?"

"I'm going up to my room. Can you give me my food there?"

"Of course." She nodded and trudged away. On e she was out of sight, Jacob let out a sigh of relief. Mom usually asks him what happened, I'm pretty sure he is relived that he doesn't have to explain anything.

I went over to the stove and put the food on a plate. I took a glass and wondered for a while what my mom would drink. I went with water, because that was what she usually drank. I took out a tray and put the two things on it. I walked up the stairs and up to her room. I was about to come in when I heard her say something that nearly made me drop the tray.

"...Lilac Flynn. Thank you."

Dear Lord, did my mom just say Lilac Flynn? Does she know someone with that name? No, that's impossible. I would have known that person.

I gently knocked on the door. ''I have food.''

''Oh, hold on a moment, Stacey. Yes, yes, yes. I'll come down there tomorrow. Thank you.'' I heard a click and knew that she had hung up. I poked my head inside. Mom was lying down on the the bed, staring at a bunch of papers in her heads. Sighing, she looked up and motioned for me to come to her. Nervously, I went over to her and placed the tray on the nightstand beside her. ''Thank you, Stacey. Your father told me he wasn't going to be home today.''

''What?''

''Something about a friend needing him over at his for some work. I don't remember.''

I just nodded my head and left the room. Downstairs, I informed my siblings of what I had just heard.

''Mom said Lilac Flynn?'' exclaimed Krista.

''That's strange...'' said Jacob.

''Are we going to play more UNO or what?'' said Casey.

We discussed this for about an hour. In the end, all my siblings decided that I didn't hear correctly. Part of me wanted to believe that that was the truth, but another part of me refused to acknowledge that. I just told them that they were probably right, just to let them not have a restless night.

After we finished our game, (I won it, by the way.) we all went to our own rooms. I took out a book and tried to read, but the information I had heard kept bouncing around in my head, so I couldn't concentrate. I gave up and tossed the book to the side. Stupid one-track mind. I wish I didn't have it. Might as well try and get some sleep since there is no way I'll be able to do anything else.

''Brandon!'' Squirrel ran over to his side.

Bramble gave her a weak smile in return. It's been three days since the attack and we've been visiting the hospital for all those days. Today was the first time that the doctors have let us see him. You can only imagine just how happy Squirrel is. She was literally bouncing all the way to his room.

''Just be careful, okay?'' said the doctor. Squirrel nodded enthusiastically.

''I'll watch her,'' I said.

The doctor nodded and left us. Squirrel sat down on a chair and leaned against the bed. ''How are you feeling?''

''It hurts all over,'' he replied weakly. ''But, seeing you makes me forget that.''

Squirrel blushed and leaned in closer to him. ''I thought I was going to lose you...''

''Well, you didn't, did you?''

She smiled. ''No, and I thank StarClan for that.''

Well, I personally thank the doctors and God that he lives, but whatever.

''Do you two want to be alone?'' I asked.

''That would be nice,'' said Squirrel, not taking her eyes off Bramble.

I smiled and left the room, leaving the door open just a crack to hear what they were saying.

''You know, it was lonely in the house without you. I really missed your warmth.''

''I missed your warmth too. Though the two-leg medicine cats are nice, they just don't compare to you.''

''That's sweet...''

''Squirrelflight! What-''

''Look, I don't care about the voice. You know that.''

''But-''

''It's just one kiss for StarClan's sake!''

''Yeah, but-'' The rest of his words were replaced by a soft moaning. I peeked through the door, just to make sure they were only kissing. Much to my relief, that was it. A very long kiss, but a kiss.

''See? It wasn't that bad was it?''

''No... it wasn't.''

''See, Brambleclaw? Told you that-'' I peeked again and smiled. Looks like he wanted more than just one.

''Brambleclaw...''

''I don't hear it.''

''What?''

''The voice... I don't hear it!''

''You don't?''

Bramble laughed. ''Nope!''

''That's great!''

I could already imagine them smiling at each other. It seems that whatever this voice was it was really annoying both of them. But, why would it only happen when they kissed? Makes no sense, but it doesn't matter. Finally it seems like they both are happy and that's all I care about.

''Stacey?''

''Yeah?'' I looked up from the book I was reading. ''Is there something you need?''

Jacob hesitated at bit before saying, ''Can I have the Warriors book?''

''Sure,'' I said, turning back to my book. ''Hey, did you hear the news?''

''What are you talking about?''

''Well, the doctors said that Brambleclaw well be coming back home in about two days.''

''Really? He's only been in there for eight days.''

''I know, right? They said that he healed very fast.''

''When did you hear this?''

''Oh, today while Squirrelflight was visiting him. She was psyched that he would be coming home.''

''Well, that's sorta what you have to expect about someone who is in love.''

I paused for a moment before replying, ''Yeah, I guess you're right.''

''Today?''

''Yup. But, you can't come.''

''What?'' asked a devastated Squirrel. ''But-''

''Why don't you stay here and make his coming home big?'' I suggested.

She didn't seem too happy about the idea, but she took it. I grinned and got in the car. Turning on the ignition, I reflected on what had happened during Bramble's stay at the hospital. Squirrel had yet again taken to sleeping in my room. Though I'm not one to complain, I do wish her nightmares weren't quite so... intense. Jacob seems to have gone back to his mature version again, even though I had prayed to God that he wouldn't. Not that's bad for him, but I do wish I could have a younger that acted like one. Casey and Krista seem to have a topic to talk about in which they both agree on something. This is nothing short of a miracle. And me? Well, I've been doing my best not to lose my head and to make sure that everything is under control in the house.

As I neared the hospital, I got that feeling that someone was watching me. As always, I never found anyone out of the ordinary. I sighed and parked the car, still nervous. I've only been getting these feelings when I was alone or with one other person outside of my house. I'm still not used to yet.

I walked up to the person at the front desk. I nearly smiled when I saw the person that was working. '''Hey, Blaise,'' I said cheerily.

Blaise looked up and smiled. ''Oh, Stacey!'' He looked a lot better since last time I saw him. He still had a bit of the tint around his eyes and I could still see a bruise on his neck, but he looked fine otherwise. Yup, he looked just like his cute usual self.

Dear Lord, did I just say that?

''So, you here to pick up Brambleclaw?''

''Yup. Say, what exactly are you doing here?''

''Well, my mom had the brilliant idea of taking me to her job. Since the person that usual works the front desk was running late, she decided to stick me in here.''

''The poor Blaise.''

He gave me a small smile and then looked at his computer. ''You know where he is, right?''

''Of course! Squirrelflight has made visiting him a priority.''

''Has she?''

''Yup. Right now, I'm just glad that he's coming back because I no longer have to drive all the way here just so that she could see the love of her life.''

''I-I sorta understand her.''

''Huh?'' I peered at him curiously.

''Well,'' he said, blushing., ''If I really loved someone, I would go to the ends of the world just to make sure she was okay.''

''Aww... that's so sweet of you. The girl that you're going to love is very lucky indeed.'' As I said these words, something in me twisted. It felt like I was already hating the person he was going to love. But, that doesn't make any sense! Blaise was just my friend. I should be happy for him and his partner... right?

He blushed harder. ''Thank you, Stacey. I'd really like to talk to you more, but I think that Brambleclaw wants to get out of there pronto.''

I nearly face-palmed myself. Dear God, how could I have forgotten what I had come for? ''Thanks, Blaise. See you around!'' I ran to the elevator, only to see that it was already full and going up. Staying here and waiting was going to take at least a minute.

Screw the elevator. I'll take the stairs.

Fortunately, Brambles was not up very high; he was just on the second floor. As soon as my feet hit the second floor, I slowed to a walk. Expirence had taught me that doctors don't like it when people other than themseleves run in the corridor. My steps quickened as I approached Bramble's room. Finally, I go there. I was about to knock on the door when Bramble opened it up.

''You came!'' he said happily.

''Wait, how did you-''

''Oh, I got a message.''

Dear Lord, what did that mean? I shook my head mentally.

For someone that had nearly died of blood loss, Bramble seemed to be in pretty good shape. He had a bandage across his forehead, one wrapped his stomach, and one on his left arm. He also had a couple of other bruises, but none of them were a big deal. The doctors had given him back the t-shirt and pants he was wearing before; a simple black t-shirt and long jeans. For some odd reason, he usually wore long jeans. Why on Earth he does that is beyond me, but whatever.

Bramble looked around. ''Where is Squirrelflight?''

''Oh, she's at home.''

His face immediately fell. ''Oh.''

''But, don''t worry. She doing something at home.''

He brightened. ''Oh.''

I had to stifle my laughter. Dear God, he does some of the most adorable things. ''C'mon. Let's get you back home.''

When I had told Squirrel to do something for him, I never really gave her any ideas. I only realized that as I was pulling up into the driveway. I mentally slapped myself. Stupid me. I got out of the car and opened the door. Squirrel instantly rushed into Bramble's arm. ''You're back!'' She cried.

The only thing Bramble could do was smile and press her closer to him. She stepped out of the embrace and took his hand. ''Come on. I have a surprise for you.'' His eyebrows raise, Bramble followed her to wherever she was going to take him. I never really did find out what it was, but I do know that Bramble really liked. He had a big smile on his face when I had asked him what she gave him. ''That's for me to know and you to find out.''

Just as I was about to ask him to give me a more direct answer, Jacob burst into the room. ''You guys can go back home!''

It took a while for it to sink in.

''We can go back to ThunderClan?'' asked the cat/humans at the same time.

Jacob nodded. ''Yup.''

Squirrel clapped her hands and hugged Bramble. He put his hand on her waist and looked at Jacob curiously. ''Are you serious? This isn't a joke?''

Jacob shook his head. ''Nope. I'm going to go and set up the whole thing for you guys to go back home.'' I watched as my little brother ran up the stairs.

''Home. You guys get to go back home!'' I turned to them.

This was great! No more attacks, no more worrying about the D.C.R, no more lying to our parents, no more heart attacks, no more nightmares, no more injuries. I finally get to relax!

But, that means no more adventures, no more waking up and seeing them, no more teaching, no more crazy yet funny situations, no more heart attacks. Life was going to be pretty boring without them.

''Well, I'm going to go get Casey and Krista. You two get ready to go back home.'' I flew up the stairs and informed my siblings of the news.

''Awww... They're going back home?'' said Casey.

''Yes! They're going back home!'' said Krista.

One hour later, we were all gathered outside of Jacob's room. My heart kept twisting and the only thing on my mind was how much I was going to miss them. Finally, Jacob came out. The instant I looked on his face, I knew something was wrong. I was about to ask and when he looked up at me. ''Lost.''

''Huh?''

'''Stacey, I think I lost the book.''

Oh noez. No book, equals no going home for Bramble and Squirrel. D:

Well, I hoped you enjoyed it. :D