-- Diclaimer: No, I don't own Brokeback Mountain or the characters. Nor do I own the song, "Don't Want To Miss A Thing", which belongs to Aerosmith. --

-- Alright everyone, this chapter has a song in it, obviously. It's another heartbreak though so brace yourselves lol. Thanks so much to all my loyal readers! --

Tell Me How Much You Love Me

I could stay awake just to hear you breathing
Watch you smile while you are sleeping
While you're far away dreaming
I could spend my life in this sweet surrender
I could stay lost in this moment forever
Every moment spent with you is a moment I treasure

Jack awoke with the rising sun the next morning, having barely slept the whole night from fear that Ennis would slip away from him if he slept for too long...

I Don't wanna close my eyes
I Don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
I'd still miss you baby
And I don't want to miss a thing

Lying close to you feeling your heart beating
And I'm wondering what you're dreaming
Wondering if it's me you're seeing
Then I kiss your eyes
And thank God we're together
I just wanna stay with you in this moment forever
Forever and ever

He sat up, still slightly groggy till he heard Ennis cough next to him, which brought him straight back to reality again.

"Ennis? Y'awake cowboy?"

He asked and Ennis nodded ever so slightly.

"Yeah rodeo, I'm..."

He fell into a coughing fit before he could finish and Jack helped him sit up a little to prevent him from choking. After a minute or so the fit passed and Jack laid his mate back down gently, making sure he was fully covered and warm before scooting closer to him and placing one hand on the other's forehead to keep close check on his fever, which was still soaring above 100 degrees.

I Don't wanna close my eyes
I don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
I'd still miss you baby
And I don't want to miss a thing

"So..." Ennis said quietly as he got himself comfortable again. "Wha'd the doc say bout all this?"

Jack stared down at the blankets in silence, not trusting his voice right away with what he knew he had to tell him.

"Jack...?"

Ennis asked, his voice becoming worried as he began to fear the worst.

"I's... I's pneumonia cowboy... Tha's wha' the doc said you got..."

He finally managed to pull out and Ennis sighed softly, not sure what to say.

"Well..." He said after a few moments. "Gimme tha' medicine again then rodeo... I cain't afford ta be sick now."

Jack smiled slightly despite his sadness and fear at Ennis' bravery, even if it was forced and handed him the small cup of medicine.

"Here ya go an' here's your water to wash it down when yer done."

Ennis nodded and gulped the medicine quickly, his face twisting at the horrible taste as he drank down the water as well, trying hard not to cough and cause himself to choke.

"Man tha's horrible shit..."

"I know cowboy bu' it'll be worth it if it cures ya."

"Damn righ' it will be... I couldn' very well leave ya here alone now could I?"

Jack nodded slowly, his voice failing him again as he remembered what the doctor had said...

--- Flashback ---

"I c'n give'im some medicine tha'll help a little bu' I don' know if it'll be enough to..."

"To save'im..."

"I'm sorry Jack... He... He might not make it..."

--- End Flashback ---

"Jack? Jack...? Baby wha's wrong...?"

Jack snapped out of his daze quickly and glanced down at his mate, tears building in his eyes.

He suddenly broke down again and fell onto Ennis, his hands clinging to his shirt which was quickly becoming saturated with tears. Ennis stared at him for a moment before wrapping his arms gently around his mate and caressing him gently.

I don't wanna miss one smile
I don't wanna miss one kiss
I just wanna be with you
Right here with you, and just like this
I just want to hold you close
Feel your heart so close to mine
And just stay here in this moment
For all the rest of time

"Shh... I's a'right love... I's a'right. I ain't leavin' ya... I promise..."

"Bu'... Bu' the doc said you migh'..."

"I don' give a shit wha' the doc says bout whether I'm gonna die or not... Tha' ain't up ta him ta decide, ya hear?"

Jack nodded slightly and Ennis hugged him tightly, turning his head to clear his throat of the cough he felt sneaking up from his chest as he continued to caress his back gently, whispering soft words of encouragement to him every so often to calm his tears.

I Don't wanna close my eyes
I don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
I'd still miss you baby
And I don't want to miss a thing

Around noon the ranch hands came upstairs and knocked on the door gently, knowing Ennis was sick but stopped when the started to open the door. There lay the two lovers, the sun fully illuminating their bodies as they lay peacefully in each others arms, fully awake though Jack's eyes were closed, soothed by the calm words Ennis was still whispering to him. They stepped back out slowly and closed the door silently, knowing the other two were too lost in each other to even notice they had ever been there in the first place.

I Don't want to close my eyes
I don't want to fall asleep
I don't want to miss a thing

-- So how did you guys like the song in the chapter? Did it work or was it too much? Please review and tell me! Thanks so much! --