A/N- Listen, I need you guys to vote whether or not I put in one last flashback as the next chapter or continue where I am, okay? Just say in your review whether or not the next chapter should be a flashback, cos I'm not sure whether or not to add one more. Also, I PROMISE the ending will make up for this chapter. Yes, I swear by the stars.

nebulia- Isn't he? I love him so... -weeps-

Marion- Awesome for the Red Sox... all I know about baseball is that Babe Ruth was a Yankee... I've always loved that guy... I dunno. As to Mark... agh.

Mlle Verity- This scene was meant to be lovlier, but I just can't work it out right, so this is what I've got. I decided to go ahead and post it because I've been revising it all week and am still not happy, but I don't wanna leave you guys in a lurch.

T-R-Us- -ducks- Well, they save the day for a few minutes, anyway. Yes, that's my future honeymoon, too. And Mark is my future husband, or someone just like him.

elenlaurelin- Yay! That's what my ickle flashbacks are for. I needed some happy in here before I just cried.

Obsetress- I dunno if I said this on IM, but I spent exactly $1.10 more on my OFC this week than Mark did on his (curse whoever it was that started crazy bidding against me at the last minute!) It's kinda scary, though. Yes, Mark's just too sweet.

RoseMisre- Neither can I... some computers... tsk.

Nina stared at the policeman, unable to comprehend what this meant.

"Ma'am, do you know this fellow?" the officer asked, flipping Mark's wallet open to his driver's license. "Name's-"

"That's my husband. Why? Where is he?"

"I'm afraid I have some bad news, ma'am."

"Bad news? How?"

"Your husband stopped at a gas station earlier today, and there was an armed robbery. Some trigger-happy teenage gangster hanging around outside with a gun hidden in his jacket saw your husband and-"

"Where's Mark?"

"Down at the hospital, but-"

Nina cut him off yet again. "I need to make a call, then you'll take me there." And, without letting him protest, she went over to the kitchen wall phone and dialed the apartment downstairs.

"Talk to me."

"John? Did I wake you?"

"Oh, no... I was just going out to party with some hot young chicks," said her friend, stifling a yawn.

"I need you to do me a favor."

John seemed alarmed at her seriousness. "What happened? Are the kids okay?"

"Yes, they're fine. Listen, I need you to come watch Cosette for a while, okay?"

"What's wrong, Nina? Where're you going?"

"To the hospital."

"Oh God, Nina, what happened?"

"Mark... I dunno. Just come up here, please."

"I'm on the w-" said John, hanging up the phone so quickly that Nina couldn't hear the rest of his sentence. Indeed, he was upstairs within a few moments, and he and the policeman spoke quietly for a few moments while Nina checked on Cosette. The child was fast asleep.

Nina rushed into the hospital, the poor police officer barely keeping up. In the car he had explained to her that Mark was still conscious and alive, but the bullet had caused irreparable damage, and he would not last the night. None of this news meant anything to Nina, who did not comprehend anything. All she knew was that she wanted to see Mark.

This building was to Nina a giant flashback. She had come here after the car accident with Bri, when she and Mark first started seriously dating. The next time had been when Jehan was born, then Josephine and Marguerite, and finally Cosette. She remembered the times that she and Mark had left the hospital with no baby after weeks of hovering about the premature ward, and how the first time they had both been a little upset at chance, but the second time... Mark was almost inconsolable. He had convinced himself that the girls' deaths were his fault, considering that Jehan had been born healthy and on schedule. It took a long time for Nina to convince him that he could not be blamed, and it was even longer before they worked up the courage to try again. Cosette was born premature as were her sisters, but she had lived.

"May I help you?" asked the nurse at the desk.

Nina tried to speak, but no sound came out.

"Her husband," the policeman volunteered, "a tall man with dark hair... fatal bullet wound... he hasn't been here long."

"Oh, right. Down the hall and take a left. Room 19."

Nina didn't even thank her before taking off again. She found room 19 and was about to enter as a nurse was leaving.

"Are you going to see the patient?" the girl asked. "Wait, are you Nina?"

She nodded wordlessly.

"He's been talking about you ever since he got here. You'll want to get in there as fast as you can – I don't think he has but a few minutes," she said, turning around and opening the door again. "Sir? You've have a visitor."

"Oh, please, send her in," said a weak voice that was barely recognizable as Mark's.

Nina almost pushed the nurse over in her hurry to get inside. Mark was in a familiar white hospital bed, his shirt folded over a chair and a thick, red-stained bandage wrapped around his stomach. "Nina," Mark smiled feebly, holding out his arms, "you made it in time."

She leaned over the rail of the bed and held him close. "Mark... this can't be happening... I love you, Mark... Don't..."

He sighed. "I wish I could help it. I love you, too. Don't ever forget that. I love you more than I've ever loved anything. I wrote you all notes while I was waiting; they're on the table over there. Now you must promise me something for my trouble."

"Of course I will," she whispered, anticipating his request.

He smiled again, and said, "I shall know. Listen, take care of Jehan, and..."

Mark was quiet for a moment, and Nina leaned back to look at him. All of the color had drained from his face.

He smiled again, slowly leaned forward, and kissed her. Nina held him as long as she could, and he pulled her even closer.

After a few moments Mark drew away, studying Nina's face. He wiped the single tear from her cheek with his thumb before whispering, "And tell Cosette I love her, and I'll see her when I wake."

And Mark fell back on the pillow, serene smile on his pale lips.

A/N- Don't forget to vote.