A/N: Sry for taking so long it's just that some stuff came up and I kinda had writer's block.

Going Home Early

Ruthie looked at Martin as the concern washed over his face. She gripped the arm rest as the plane landed. None of the Camden kids had expected their spring break to end this soon but their family needed them. Ruthie still had grasped what had really happened because when Lucy called Ruthie couldn't understand a word of what Lucy was telling her so she just rushed home.

Riding in the cab was unbearable as Ruthie was bracing herself for the worst when Martin grabbed her hand and gave her a reassuring squeeze hoping to get her to relax. The cab pulled into the driveway and Ruthie rushed into the house hoping that everything was okay and that everyone was ok.

"Ruthie you didn't have to come home." Her mom said giving Ruthie a hug.

"What happened to Mary?"

"She was in an accident."

"Is she okay?"

"She's asleep right now but she'll be fine."

"Did you call Carlos?"

"Yeah he's already at the hospital."

"Can we see her?"

"Yes, we were just getting the house ready for the Cornel and Ruth."

"I'll take you to the hospital Ruthie." Martin offered hoping to get Ruthie alone to find out what was going in her head. Ruthie just nodded and followed Martin across the street. "Ruthie what's wrong?"

"I'm worried about Mary."

"No something else is bothering you."

"The whole Mac and Megan thing is really bugging me, I mean Mac deserves better than her."

"You can't stop what happens."

"I know."

"I love you." She smiled an instant smile. "I knew that would make you smile."

"I'm sorry that I had to cut our time together short."

"It's ok, your family needs you and you need me, so I'm here."

"I know; it's just that I'm worried about Mary."

"It's okay to worry about your family 'cause if you didn't then I would have to worry." They pulled into the hospital parking lot and Ruthie took a deep breath as they headed to Mary's room.

Carlos was sitting next to Mary's bed holding onto her hand silently praying when Ruthie walked in clinging onto Martin's hand. Carlos nodded his head and went back to praying. Ruthie hoped that this would bring Carlos and Mary back together and that Mary would stay closer to home. She couldn't take her sister lying there unconscious, looking half dead. She rushed out of the room and Martin went after her to comfort her. 'God she can run fast.' Martin thought as he picked up his speed to catch her she stopped to catch her breath and Martin held her close letting her cry into his shoulder. "It's gonna be okay Ruthie. I promise." He kissed the top of her head as they stood in the middle of the hospital parking lot.

"Don't leave me." She whispered into his chest.

"I'll never leave you baby." He wrapped his arms tighter around her trying to comfort her.

They stood there until Ruthie finished crying or at least for now. She just looked at the hospital with wide eyes like it was going to jump out at her. She just clung to Martin not wanting his warmth to go away. She felt instant comfort whenever he touched her and didn't want that feeling to go away. She didn't want him to go away either.

The sun was setting so they decided to go back inside to be there for Carlos. Ruthie wouldn't let out of Martin but he didn't care, he loved that she needed him and that she was letting him be there to help her. Usually she would shut everyone out and deal with whatever was hurting her.

They stopped outside of Mary's room because Ruthie saw that Mary was awake and she was kissing Carlos. Seeing her brother-in-law happy again and her sister happy made Ruthie smile and she wanted to go home. The ride home was silent with Stickwitu playing softly in the background and Martin holding Ruthie's hand smiles on both of their faces.

TBC…The couple goes through the ups and downs of a long distance relationship and a break-up rocks through the family. Hope you like this chapter and yet again I'm so sorry that I took so long, I will try and update more often. Please R&R!