A/N: This story is dedicated to my good friend…I'll miss you, Ryan…I hope you keep on singing in heaven and that I'll be able to hear your voice someday in the wind…
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It Was Just So Wrong
She sat there, holding his hand, tears streaming down her cheeks. This couldn't be happening. This isn't how X-Men die, she thought bitterly. X-Men are supposed to die in a major battle with Bucket-head or A-pack-o-lips. Not from a damned car accident.
It was just so wrong.
But there was no denying it. He was dying. And all because he came around that bend too fast and slammed into a tree.
He'd been in the ICU for over a month now. Hank just couldn't help him anymore. There was nothing left for him to try. Hank had replaced his pelvis and both hip joints. The burns on his back and legs were still there. One arm was in a cast. And the respirator kept him alive after he had lost the ability to breathe on his own. The bleeding in his brain had finally stopped but the damage had been done. His spine was partly crushed but Hank was sure he could walk again…if…if…
If he survived.
The phrase was never said, but it hung on the air, making it hard to breathe, as if the air was suddenly thick.
Hank knew the truth. So did she. So did everyone. He wasn't going to make it. And nothing could save him.
It was just so wrong.
A few days ago, Hank had announced that his liver and kidneys were shutting down. It was only a matter of time, he had said. The other organs would follow soon.
How much time? they had asked.
I do not know, the blue man had replied.
Between then and now, everyone had come and said goodbye. It was one of the most difficult things any of them had ever done. Saying goodbye to a great friend was never easy. In this line of work, it happened. But not like this. This was more like real life, not the heroic life they had grown accustomed to. "Real" life was scary, too, they realized. They couldn't believe something so tragic had happened. And just before his twenty-second birthday.
It was just so wrong.
So there she was, holding his hand, making sure he wouldn't be alone when it happened. She believed that he was holding on for her and the others. That their love was keeping him here when he should have been gone weeks ago. That his loyalty to his friends…his family…wouldn't let him die. It wouldn't let him end his suffering.
It was just so wrong.
And she knew what had to be said in order to end it all.
"It's ok to let go." She whispered, her voice cracking slightly. "You've held on long enough."
Silence filled the room again and she gently touched his face.
"We love you." She said quietly. "You've been brave enough and strong enough, y'know that, right? You've stayed strong and gave us the chance to say goodbye."
She paused again, brushing away a tear from her cheek. Suddenly, the heart monitor slowed. Her eyes flickered to the screen just as the line went flat.
"I'll see you again." She promised, kissing his forehead. "And we'll raise hell in heaven together, just like old times."
Hank stood in the doorway, his own tears streaming down his cheeks, unashamed of his grief.
"Tell the Pimple I say hello." She added as she stood up, finally releasing his hand.
She left the room and again brushed away tears. A cool breeze swept over her from an open window and she shivered as she walked across the infirmary.
And she could swear she heard his voice singing out to her.
~fin~