Disclaimer: I think I missed the disclaimer last time so here it is: The Animorphs do not belong to me. But I would like to say the story belongs to me! It's all I have! Sob

Marco

The doctor left quickly and I sat down on Tom's abandoned chair. Rachel still stood, completely numb with pain. Cassie was crying silently. We all left Tobias' question hanging like that.

((We're coming in,)) Tobias said, obviously edgy.

I shook my head, viciously.

((No?)) Ax asked. ((Why not?))

I just replied by shaking my head. They didn't say anything after that.

"He was fine," Rachel said, snapping out of revere and speaking miserably. "They both were and then I hear this screeching sound. There were no screams, just silence."

"It's not your fault, Xena," I sighed. "It's not like Jake was driving and you distracted him off the road."

Tom and Jake's mum appeared then, both looking stricken.

"He is still unconscious," Jake's mum said. "But you can go see him."

"There are three of us," Cassie pointed out.

"Stuff the doctors," Jake's mum said viscously. "It's not like they care for the health of their patients."

I don't think I've ever seen anyone with so many cuts and bruises or so many bandages on their body. That was until I saw Jake. He had this enormous cut running across his forehead. It looked like he had been bandaged up, but someone had taken it off and couldn't be stuffed putting on another one. His right arm had a cast on it and he had a number of other bruises and cuts across his face and arms. Jake was in a coma-like state. He didn't do anything, just lay there. He was hooked up on all kinds of machines. Brain wave machines, heart rate monitors, drips, the works. I've never seen Jake looking so bad in my life and I've seen this guy through it all.

"If we talk, do you think he could hear us?" Rachel asked.

"I don't know," I shrugged. "Shout in his ear and find out."

"I don't think that's such a good idea," Cassie said, sitting down on a chair next to Jake's bed.

Rachel walked over to the only window and pulled open the blinds. She looked out of it and smiled sadly. She had obviously spotted bird-boy. The next thing I know, a harrier is soaring into a closed window. There was a horrible snapping noise and all I can say is bye-bye birdie. The red tailed hawk was a bit smarter. He perched on the sill and waited for Rachel to open the window. He hopped in and a half dead harrier hopped in after him.

((I believe my wing is broken,)) Ax commented.

"Well don't morph here," I snapped. "There could be controllers anywhere."

Rachel hurried to close the door.

((What's wrong with Jake?)) Tobias asked, flying onto his bedside table.

"Broken arm, broken ribs," I said, ticking them off my fingers. "He's still unconscious."

((I spotted that,)) Tobias drawled.

"Why aren't we the optimist," I snapped, unpleasantly.

"Jake's dad died," Cassie said.

((How dreadful,)) Ax said sadly, perching precariously on the window ledge.

((Does he know?)) Tobias asked.

"They reckon he knows," I said. "But they're not sure. Stupid doctors."

Strangely nobody objected.

"This is so unbelievable!" Rachel shouted, kicking the wall angrily. "How can you just die?"

"He didn't just die," I retorted. "He was in a car accident. It's not like he died in his sleep or of old age. He died in a car accident. He was all bloody and bruised and cut up. He was burned in a car! He didn't just die."

"Marco, shut up," Cassie barked, the first time I'd heard her so fierce.

Rachel looked horrified. Tobias flew to her and perched on her shoulder.

((That wasn't necessary, Marco,)) Ax said sternly.

"Oh my gosh," Rachel whispered. "Who's going to tell my dad? He was really close to Uncle Steve."

"I don't fancy the one that has to tell Jake," Cassie said. "That's if he doesn't already know."

"Well let's not spoil the fun for him yet," I said.

((I am close to my two hour time limit,)) Ax informed us. ((I must demorph.))

Tobias cocked his head in Ax's direction. ((Come on Ax,)) he said. ((I'll help you.))

Ax hopped on the outside of the window ledge and Tobias flew off Rachel's shoulder and joined him. They dropped out of the window.

"Tobias!" Rachel shouted, running to the window.

((It's alright,)) I heard Tobias say. ((There's a ledge underneath. We'll be fine.))

Rachel sighed and closed the window. "Can we get out of here?" she asked. "I feel sick."

"Yeah," Cassie said, looking at Jake sadly. "Come on."

They started to walk towards the door. I turned to follow them and as we reached the door, I heard a low groan come from behind us. I spun around. Jake was waking up.

Author's Note I would like to thank everyone who has reviewed. You're all sweethearts!