CHAPTER 26: Awake

"75?" Chris repeated, swallowing hard. "You... you mean there's only a 25 percent chance that she'll ever wake up?"

The doctor nodded, his face solemn. "Yes, I'm so sorry." He turned to Matt. "Mr. Hardy, if you still want to see your brother, you can follow me."

Matt looked at his friends and nodded to the doctor. "Yes, I'd still like to see him."

The doctor nodded and showed Matt to Jeff's room.

Amy watched Matt walk away and then she sat in the seat next to Chris. "Are you okay?" She asked softly.

Chris shook his head. "No, are you?"

Amy sighed. "No."

"Guys..." Adam started. "So, Jeff's okay?"

"No." Shane replied. "He's showing some signs that he might wake up soon. They aren't sure, but the fact that he's improving now might mean he might wake up soon."

"Oh okay." Adam said quietly. "Why the fuck did this have to happen?"

"Don't know man, don't know." Jay said, his voice almost a whisper.

"Yeah well, if anything happens to them, that bastard will pay." Adam snarled back. Everyone stayed quiet, knowing how serious Adam was being.

Shannon cleared his throat. "Guys, if Jeff wakes up, do you think Matt will tell him about Nicole?"

Everyone shook their heads, unsure of the answer, all of them knowing how much it would crush Jeff to know that the love of his life was fighting for hers.

*~*~*~*~*

Matt walked slowly into Jeff's room, being careful not to make too much noise. He made his way to Jeff's bed and sat down. "Hey little bro." He said quietly. "Um.. I don't know if you can hear me, but I wanted to let you know that we're all here for you." Matt paused, wiping the tears from his eyes. "Man, you have to wake up, we need you here. I know you can make it, just, wake up."

Matt went to stand, but stopped when he felt someone gripping his hand. He turned around and broke into a smile. "Matty?"

"Jeff!" Matt exclaimed, hugging his brother.

"Matty, my head's killing me. What happened?" Jeff asked quietly.

Matt pulled back, his smile disappearing. "Um… we don't know. You... you were hurt." Matt admitted.

Jeff closed his eyes. "Oh." He said quietly. "Who did it?"

Matt sighed. "We were hoping you could tell us that."

"No, I don't remember anything. Well the last thing I remember was the lights going out at the house." Jeff admitted, confusion evident in his green eyes.

"It's okay Jeff, don't worry about it." Matt said, running a hand through his hair. "I'm just glad you're okay Jeff."

"Me too. So, where is everyone?" Jeff changed the subject, smiling up at his brother.

"Um.. they're out in the waiting room. Only one or two people are allowed at a time, I'll go get Ames." Matt said quickly, hoping that Jeff wouldn't stop him.

"Matt." Jeff called before Matt reached the door. He turned around slowly.

"Yeah?"

"Look, you know I love Ames, but I really want to see Nicole." Jeff said, his eyes lighting up when he mentioned his girlfriend.

"Nicole?" Matt asked, trying to keep his voice calm.

"Yeah, where is she? I feel like I haven't seen her in forever. It must be with whatever's happened to me. Must've messed with my mind." Jeff said, lightly laughed.

Matt only wished this were a laughing matter. "Look Jeff..." He started. Jeff looked up, urging him to go on. Sighing, Matt continued. "Jeff, um... Nicole's not here right now." He looked at Jeff, trying to tell if he believed the lie Matt had just spit out.

"What? Why isn't she here? Where is she?" Jeff attempted to sit up, failing and letting himself fall back to the bed.

"Calm down." Matt said as calm as possible. "She's... um... at home. She wasn't feeling well."

"Matt, I know when you lie, and that's what you're doing now." Jeff said, his eyes accusing. "Now, where is she really?"

"Look man, honestly... she is here." Matt admitted, holding back tears.

"Ok, if she's here, why can't she come in to see me?" Jeff questioned.

"Ok man, I didn't want to tell you this and hurt you, but I guess I have to tell you." Matt sighed, looking away from his brother.

"Tell me what? Matt, stop stretching it out and just tell me." Jeff replied impatiently.

"Nicole is... she was... hurt." Matt finished softly.

"Hurt? How, why, how badly?" Jeff said, rambling.

Matt started to answer Jeff when Chris burst in the room.

"Matt, come here!" He exclaimed.

"Why?" Matt asked.

"Just come here, I need to talk to you!" Chris said, looking at Jeff.

"Chris? What's wrong? Jeff asked quietly.

Matt noticed the urgent look in Chris's eyes. "I'll be right back, Jeff." He quickly followed Chris out of the room.

"Man, what's wrong?" Matt asked once they were out in the hall.

Tears streaming down his face, Chris replied. "They said... they told us..." He cut himself off, not able to form sentences.

"Chris, tell me what's wrong?" Matt said, looking at his friend.

Matt looked over Chris's shoulder and saw Amy walking towards them. He noticed that her face was soaked with tears, much like Chris's.

"Amy, baby, what's wrong?" Matt asked, pulling her into a hug.

"Matty... they're... they told us, they think she's going." Matt pulled away, giving Amy a confused look.

"Ames, you have to explain, I don't know what you're saying." Matt said softly, wiping the tears from her face.

"Nicole, she went into cardiac arrest or something." Matt's eyes widened. Amy took a deep breath and continued. "They... they don't think she's going to make it."

A/N: Uh oh... she might die! But, Jeff's awake!!! Again, thankz for the reviewz so far, I'm glad you guyz like it! R&R Please! :)Nicole***