Chapter Eighteen: I'm With You

When they got to the hospital, Joanne was filling out paper work as Mark sat in the waiting room. He looked pale and jumpy and scared, and was tapping his foot frantically on the floor, clenching his hands together nervously. Maureen sat beside him, her makeup running down her face, looking exhausted and miserable.

"Hey Mark,"Roger walked over to his best friend, sitting in the chair beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. Mark leapt at the contact.

"Oh, Roger..."he said with a sigh of relief. "Roger, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for not letting you guys help me, I'm sorry for not helping when Roxie ran away..."he began apologizing frantically.

"Relax Mark. Breathe, you're a mess,"Roger said calmly, rubbing Mark's back. Mark sighed, closing his eyes and stopping his foot.

"Becky's...Becky's in intensive care, Roger. She's so sick...they rushed her away, I can't even be with her. God Roger, I'm so scared. I...I can't even imagine what I would do...without..."Mark had begun crying, and Roger hushed him gently, pulling his best friend into a hug.

"Shh...it's okay Mark. Becky's not going anywhere,"he assured him.

"My Becky, Roger...my little girl..."Mark sobbed. He pulled away. "I'm sorry. I know you have enough to worry about, with Jason gone."Roger shook his head.

"No Mark. You've been alone for too long. Talk to me. You need to. I need you to. Please Mark. I can't let you be alone any more,"he insisted. And he pulled Mark back in towards him, as Mark began heaving sobs, falling into his friend's arms. The rest of the group gathered around, as Roger comforted his best friend.

"You're not alone Mark. Not any more,"he whispered.

"Excuse me, are you the family and friends of Thomas Collins?"The group all looked up to see a young, handsome doctor standing beside them, watching them carefully.

"Uh, yes. Yes we are,"Benny, the only one able to stand and speak at the moment, replied.

"We've sent his body over to the morgue to be cleaned up before the funeral, if you plan to have one,"the doctor explained. "Mr. Collins died of the AIDS virus, correct?"Benny nodded.

"Yes he did. He had it for over twenty years before he passed away,"he explained.

"That's incredible, really. Most people who contracted that disease in the 80's didn't last long. Whatever he was doing it must have really worked,"the doctor remarked. "Your friend was a strong, strong man. I'm very sorry for your loss."

"Thank you,"Benny said kindly. And the doctor walked away, leaving the group stunned and dazed.

"It was love,"Maureen said suddenly. The others all turned to her.

"What was?"Joanne asked.

"What kept Collins alive for so long. It was love,"Maureen said softly. And the others all knew this was true, and prayed that it would do the same for Becky.

Meanwhile, out on the streets, Jason was shivering under his denim jacket, as he sat on a bench at the bus stop all alone. It was late at night now. He didn't even know where he was going. He just knew he needed to get away.

He sighed, wishing desperately that he had his camera with him.

He loved Becky. He knew he did. And that's why he couldn't face her as she was dying. He couldn't bear it, not after Mimi, not after Collins.

But what if she did die? And he had never said goodbye? He had never told her how he felt? He couldn't bear it if that happened either.

Well this was just great. Becky was fading away in a hospital somewhere, and he could not make up his mind about whether or not to sit at some bus stop.

He was full of frustration...when Sam came around the corner.

Both boys stopped upon seeing each other.

"Hey."Sam spoke first.

"Still looking for Roxie?"Jason muttered.

"Yeah. I haven't been able to find her,"Sam said sadly. "How's Becky?"

"Worse. They were taking her to the hospital when I left,"Jason replied. It almost killed him to get out the next phrase. "Your...your father's paying."Sam nodded a little...then stopped.

"That doesn't make up for him leaving you guys. I know that,"he said suddenly. Jason sighed.

"It does. Trust me,"he said. "Look Sam, I'm...I'm sorry about everything I said before. I got way out of line, I didn't mean it. I was hurt and scared and angry and I...lost control."

"I know. I don't blame you, really. I would have been upset too. I'm sorry I wasn't there for..."Sam trailed off, but Jason shrugged.

"You were fighting the same fight,"he pointed out. "So was your dad."

"You mean that, Jason?"Sam asked, stepping closer to Jason, who nodded.

"I do,"he said. "So, apology accepted?"Sam nodded.

"Absolutely,"he replied. He held out his hand, and Jason shook it, the two boys grinning as they did so. That's when a small, dark-haired figure emerged from around the corner.

"Roxie!"Sam cried out as the figure moved into the light. She turned immediately.

"Sam!"she called. Sam ran over to Roxie, hugging her tightly, as Roxie hugged back. "Oh God, Sam, I missed you so much! It's been terrible, I got us into a lot of trouble..."

"Shh. I know all about it, it's okay. I know you didn't do it, Roxie,"Sam assured her, holding her shoulders and looking into her grey eyes. Roxie smiled.

"Sam...you're home,"she said, tears beginning to fall from her eyes.

"I'm home,"Sam repeated, nodding and also smiling. He hugged her again. "I was so worried for you."

"He really was,"Jason agreed. That's when Roxie noticed him.

"Jason!"she cried, pulling away from Sam and running over to Jason. "Jase, what's going on? How's Becky?"Jason sighed, turning away.

"Not good. I...I left a while ago, they were going to take her to the hospital I think, I don't know. Benny and Aunt Joanne are back now, so they must have taken her there,"he explained sadly.

"Then why are you out here and not right by her side in the hospital?"Roxie demanded. Jason let out a deep breath.

"I don't think I could deal, Roxie. I can't lose her. Not after my mom, not after Collins. I couldn't bear to watch another person I love as much as her die,"he explained.

"You'll regret it if you don't say goodbye,"Sam insisted. Jason looked at Sam, and he knew he was right.

"I don't know if I'm ready yet,"he admitted.

"You might not have very long, Jase,"Roxie pointed out sadly. This idea struck Jason hard. He did all he could to fight back the tears.

"I...I need to go to Paul's house,"he said suddenly. Roxie frowned.

"Paul's house? Why?"she asked.

"I owe Becky something."

A/N: Wow. Can it be possible? I don't have any comments for this chapter? It's a miracle! Okay, well I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and this break from my constant babbling!