Wildwing succumbed to another coughing fit and again Tanya held out a cloth, which Wildwing filled. Tanya folded it up and threw it away like the first one so Nosedive could not see the blood. Dive gave her a terrified look. The suspicious actions were starting to worry him. She tried to comfort him with a smile, but it quickly faded and she had to turn away from him. Nosedive turned to look at the others. Everyone had tears in their eyes, including captain Kleghorn. Nosedive looked back to Wing before he croaked, "you're not going to make it, huh?"

"Sorry baby bro."

"But Wing"

"I tried Dive, but I can't go on."

"What do you mean you can't go on?" Dive became angry.

"Dive, please"

"Wing you can't give up!"

"Dive listen to me."

"No you listen! You drug me clear across the universe. You are NOT going to desert me now!"

"Dive," Wing said weakly.

"I spent two years in those camps holding onto the thought of finding you, Mom and Dad. I found you and I swore that I wasn't going to loose you. So you can't leave me."

"Dive," Wing begged as he closed his eyes.

"Stop being selfish kid," Duke scolded from behind Dive.

Dive spun around and shouted at the older mallard. "I AM selfish Duke! I'm a spoiled little brat! I have always gotten my way and I'm NOT about to start compromising now!"

Wildwing gave a gurgled laugh and Dive turned his attention back to his brother. Wing tightened his grip on his brother's hand. Dive felt the pressure and was surprised by Wing's strength. He looked so feeble, but his grip was strong and firm. Dive couldn't believe that his brother was going to give up when he had all this strength left.

"Dive, will you hear me out?'

Nosedive nodded hesitantly.

"Dive, I can't feel my legs."

"So, you don't need legs to live."

"I can't play hockey without my legs."

"To hell with hockey! You're more important then some stupid sport!"

"I" Wildwing began, but stopped to cough. Tanya held out the cloth, but Wing did not spit into it this time. He regained his composure and continued. "I will need your help."

"Anything."

"In everything."

"Sure."

"Even going to the bathroom."

Nosedive paused. "Whatever it takes."

"Dive, I can't ask that of you."

"You don't have to. I volunteer freely."

"Dive."

"No more excuses bro. You're stuck with me now. Forever and ever," Dive smiled.

Wing smiled briefly, "Dive I'm grateful, but I can't."

"Wing."

"Dive, I can't breathe."

"Sure you can. See you're breathing."

"Only with this machine."

"So."

"Dive, what kind of life is this? How can you ask me to live my life like this? Like a cripple?"

"Wing you are not a cripple. You are the strongest person I know. I already told you that I'm selfish and I WON'T loose you!"

"Dive."

"Nosedive," Tanya said quietly.

"What?" he snapped.

"If Wildwing does survive."

"Not if, when."

"Fine, when Wing recovers he will be a paraplegic."

"A what?" Dive asked with a confused look on his face.

"He won't be able to use his legs. One of the bullets penetrated his spine and severed his spinal cord."

"What?" he whispered.

"Another bullet pierced one of his lungs."

"See Dive, the only way for me to survive is if I stay on this machine."

"I I didn't I didn't know Wing."

"Dive, please don't make this harder then what it already is for me."

"Wing," Dive sniffled. "I don't want to loose you."

"And I don't want to loose you."

"Then fight it!"

"Dive."

"Why Wing? Why now?"

"I don't want to Dive, but I can't live like this. Please help me and not argue. I won't make it anyway."

"What?"

"I'm sorry Nosedive we should have never done the blood transfusion," Tanya sobbed. "Wing's immune system is attacking the blood from the transfusion and it's clumping together. Wing won't live past the night."

"But but Wing."

"Please Dive."

"I'll help you," Nosedive whispered.

"Thanks Dive," Wildwing smiled then turned to Tanya. "Okay Tanya, you made a promise. Please keep that promise. Turn off the machine and don't turn it back on. No matter how much pain I seem to be in don't turn it back on."