1A/N First of all, th lyrics are mine. In fact, they're partly to blame for the long delay on this chapter (I rewrote them a hundred times and still I'm not satisfied). Anyway, yeah, sorry I took so long, we've been having some family issues and hospital trips lately.

I've heard that doesn't want us thanking reviewers anymore (or something like that). Well, until it's on the main page, I'm going to keep right on doing it. I loved the reviews on the last chapter, everyone, you were definitely more pleased with it than I was. I'm always glad to give you something to enjoy.

Anyway, thanks to my reviewers: Nala5 (Whoo Redwall!), Morpheus Dreamer, KariGilmore, Pichooi, jla2snoopy, SoulSingerJenna, Red Squirrel Writer, SunRise19, Fiona Fargazer, and Bloodshy Testament! Ten reviews! That's the most for any chapter!

I've watched Stitch Has a Glitch too many times, so I'm afraid that contributed to this chapter a little. I'm very happy with how Max turned out in here. I know he's crotchety and all that, but we don't often see him being nice to Timon so I couldn't help but give him a part in this.

Oh, and this is not the last chapter. Just to let you know...

x x x

Hadiya was knocked senseless by the impact. The force of it sent her bouncing away from Pazu and into something soft and warm. She felt something resting upon the top of her head, something that felt very much like a hand. Darkness overtook her as a familiar voice reached her ears.

"Wake up, Hadiya..."

x x x

No one knew quite what to say as they watched Timon pull Hadiya into his arms. Pumbaa had caught her, just as he had the other three, but she had remained quiet and still. Timon was shaking as he dropped to the ground, cradling his friend and blinking back tears.

"Hadiya...wake up..." he begged, brushing her unusual hair from her face. Tears spilled down his cheeks when she didn't respond. Sobs shook his body and he held her close against his chest. Pumbaa turned away, unable to bear seeing his friend hurt so much.

This wasn't happening. It couldn't...Timon tried to force himself to deny it. It couldn't happen now, not when she would have needed him...not when he hadn't protected her. The feel of Hadiya's limp body against his own only reinforced the thought that he was trying to push away. She was gone. He spoke softly, his face nuzzled against her neck where he wouldn't have to look...to see her like this...

"Please say something, move, anything! Please Hadiya, please! Don't...don't leave me like this. Don't leave me alone!" he wasn't aware that everyone had left him, following Pumbaa to give him space to deal with this. The realization that Hadiya had been taken from him, that they would never be together was all he could see. It was more than he could take. Timon's tears fell as, not for the first time in his life, his world seemed to be crashing down around him.

Finally, after what seemed like hours, he pulled away from her, his gaze coming to rest on her face. It was a little strange to him, that he would suffer so much and still she was peaceful and beautiful as she had ever been. Had she been alive it would've seemed like nothing was wrong and he was just being dramatic again.

A faint smile passed his lips, disappearing just as quickly. She probably would have given him an earful for it, or maybe just laughed at him. He could never tell with her temper.

His tears were still falling as he brought his face close to hers, so that they were nose-to-nose. He kissed her gently, for what he knew would be the last time. Holding her to him once more he sang softly, the words coming to him in the moment.

I hear your song, your song without words.

It speaks to me and tells me that we'll be alright.

But now can you feel my silent melody?

Bringing you back to me tonight.

I see you, you're still in the dark

trapped by the things that you fight

but I'm here, and I won't let go

I'll be your guiding light.

I hear your song without words.

Bringing you back to me...

The words left him feeling empty as he placed Hadiya gently on the ground. He bowed his head, trailing his fingers along her face."I'm sorry. I'm sorry you searched so long and it ended like this. But I'm here, Hadiya. I'll always be here..."

Sensing a movement behind him, Timon moved away from her as Max approached. He didn't want to hear what his uncle had to say. Whatever it was, he wasn't going to like it and he was in no mood to argue. He watched from the corner of his eye as Max paused to look sadly down at Hadiya.

"Listen." he began, somewhat awkwardly. "I know there's nothing I can really say that will help you, so I'm not going to try."

Good old Uncle Max. Timon thought bitterly. He stepped up to Pazu's body and glared down on it, a feeling of anger rising within him. "Then what do you want?"

"I just...I wanted to check on you."

"Gee, how thoughtful."

"Look, I know you're taking this hard. It'll be long time until you're, well, yourself again. Not that I'm looking forward to it." Timon growled, kicking out at Pazu, he sent the body rolling onto it's side. Max watched his nephew stand over it, still shaking as he had been earlier. Despite his attitude he really had nothing but good feelings for the boy, but Max's short temper made it seem otherwise. The old meerkat sighed; he had hoped he wouldn't live to see another family tragedy. He paused before venturing to speak again. "It's times like this, Timon, that you remind me of your father." Timon stiffened. "He would have done anything for your mother, and that's what eventually got him. I know you loved Hadiya..."

"What do you know about it." Timon muttered, aware that his uncle was touching upon subjects he'd have rather left alone. "We weren't even sure ourselves."

"I think you were. And you'd be surprised at what I know." he gave a rare smile, but Timon's expression didn't change. He stared at his uncle, the tears that had faded sprang to his eyes once more. Max's expression soften (A/N never thought you'd see that happen, did you?). "I know you didn't run away from that fight, pup. But what would you have done if you were still up there?"

"I'd have taken Hadiya's place." Timon answered honestly without a second's hesitation. Max gave him a long, sad look and knelt next to Hadiya.

"And left her like this? To spend a lifetime grieving for the one person she couldn't bear to lose?" all of Timon's ill feelings toward his uncle evaporated. He was right, he couldn't have hurt her like that...

"You're really on top of things, aren't you?"

"I like to know what's going on with my family." Max said with a smile. He reached out, touching his fingers to Hadiya's nose.

"But...what am I supposed to do with myself? I don't know what to do..." he sniffed and wiped at his still tear-stained face, looking to Max for an answer. The older meerkat was running his fingers through Hadiya's fur, a very relieved expression on his face. "What is it?"

"Our daredevil's alive!" he said, beckoning Timon closer. The gesture was wasted, though, as Timon practically flew to his side.

"Alive? She...she's ALIVE! But how? I thought-"

"Does it really matter?" Max said. "Maybe if you were a little more observant you'd have noticed she was breathing while you were blubbering over her. Wait here, I'll go tell the others." once Max had gone, Timon gathered Hadiya into his arms, holding her out far enough to see her face.

"Wake up, Hadiya..." she furrowed her brow, the movement so small he barely saw it, but it was enough. He laughed out loud, leaning to kiss her on the forehead. "I can't believe it...thank God..."

"Uh...mama..."she squirmed a little in his grasp, looking up at him blearily.

"No, not your mama, but I hope your still glad to see me."

"T-Timon! Wha?" she winced and tried to curl herself against him.

"Better not, you fell a long way. You could be hurt." he could here Max returning with the others now. Hadiya threw her arms around his neck, pulling herself closer to kiss him.

Pumbaa's voice rang out above the rest of the group, putting everything into just one word.

"Beautiful!"