Ok ok, before you guys come after me with torchs and pitchforks, let me just give you half of what you want. Then we'll see how we go, k? –giggles evilly-

Mark's POV.

I clutched Maureen tightly enough to turn her whole body blue as I watched my poor Josh bucking up and down on the bedwhile the nurses did everything they could for him. Suddenly, after the final "Clear!" the heart monitor started beating regularly and his breathing got back to normal. All seven of us let out huge sighs of relief as Dr. Hitch looked at us and flashed us a smile and a 'thumbs up' sign. I dropped to the floor, with tears of relief streaming down my face while Joanne and Leana put their arms around me and hugged me tightly. I hugged them back and smiled at them. Thank God for friends like this.

"There. You see that, Mark? Didn't we tell you that kid's a fighter?" said Maureen with a smile.

I nodded so hard my head almost fell off. "Yes, yes you did. Thank you so much Mo."

I looked at Collins, Mimi and Roger, who all had huge smiles of relief plastered on their faces. Well except for Roger, who was looking at Josh through the hospital window, a faraway look on his face. I wonder what he was thinking at that moment, but I didn't give a fuck. I had made up my mind. I was gonna tell him as soon as we got home. At least then we would be alone.

"Whoa, look at the time! We'd better split guys, it's getting late," said Joanne, looking at her watch. Mimi agreed, since she had to get to work soon. The four women gave us hugehugs and kisses, said their goodbyes and parted their separate ways. As soon as they did, Dr. Hitch came out of the room to speak to us.

"Whew, that was a close call," he said, wiping the sweat off his brow. Collins, Roger and I all agreed. "But don't you worry. His body's almost healed. I'm sure he'll awaken very soon."

I clutched his hand tightly as my eyes clouded over again. "Thank you so much Doctor. Thank you for not letting him slip away!"

Dr. Hitch smiled and squeezed my hands back. "Just doing my job, Mr. Cohen-Davis. Now why don't you home and get some rest? You've been here all day."

I nodded and sighed. "Yes Dr. Hitch, we will. Thank you so much. You have a good night."

"You too, Mr. Cohen-Davis. Goodnight, Mr. Davis and Mr. Collins."

Roger and Collins both bid him goodnight as he left for his office. Collins and I fell into a tight, warm hug. "Thank you so much for being here, Collins. What would we do without you?"

I could feel him smile as he ruffled my hair. "My pleasure, Marky-boy. That's kid's stronger than you think. C'mon, let's go home now."

The three of us headed back down the car and Collins drove us home. I felt more determined then ever to tell Roger how I felt. I just couldn't hold itin any longer.

After a quiet dinner of supreme pizza and Diet Coke, Collins crashed on the floor, Roger went into his room and I sat on the couch, busy contemplating what I was gonna say. But I could hardly concentrate; thanks to my heart pounding so loudly I felt like it was gonna fly out my mouth. I tried to gather up as much courage as I could and walked up to Roger's door and was just about to knock on it, when I heard a soft strumming coming out of it. I listened for a few seconds. Must have been a new song that he wrote while he was here. I turned the doorknob as quietly as I could and tiptoed in to see Roger sitting on the bed plucking the strings of his beloved guitar. His head suddenly snapped up to look at me as I gently sat down his bed. We stared at each other like that for a long time before I finally said, "Hey."

"Hey" came his reply.

Ok, so far so good. "So…..that a new song?" I asked carefully.

"Yeah" he said, slowly looking away. I wrung my hands together, thinking of something to say. Oh, I know.

I cleared my throat and said, "Well, can I…..um, hear it, please?"

Roger raised his eyes to meet mine again, and nodded ever so slightly. He turned around to face me and started playing the opening bars of the song, and then started singing:

This time, This place
Misused, Mistakes
Too long, Too late
Who was I to make you wait
Just one chance
Just one breath
Just in case there's just one left
'Cause you know,
you know, you know

That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I miss you
Been far away for far too long
I keep dreaming you'll be with me
and you'll never go
Stop breathing if
I don't see you anymore

I sat there listening to him, with tears collecting in my eyes. Oh my God. So he does still love me. He does want me back. I was ready to jump into his arms right there, but I wanted to hear the rest of his song first. I hugged my knees to his chest as he continued singing:

On my knees, I'll ask
Last chance for one last dance
'Cause with you, I'd withstand
All of hell to hold your hand
I'd give it all
I'd give for us
Give anything but I won't give up
'Cause you know,
you know, you know

That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I miss you
Been far away for far too long
I keep dreaming you'll be with me
and you'll never go
Stop breathing if
I don't see you anymore

I could feel more tears in my eyes as Roger sang the bridge.

So far away
Been far away for far too long
So far away
Been far away for far too long
But you know, you know, you know

I wanted
I wanted you to stay
'Cause I needed
I need to hear you say

At this very line, Roger suddenly scooted closer to me, looked directly into my eyes, which were also brimming with tears (although he'd never admit it) and sang the final bit to me:

I love you
I have loved you all along
And I forgive you
For being away for far too long
So keep breathing
'Cause I'm not leaving you anymore
Believe it
Hold on to me and, never let me go
Keep breathing
'Cause I'm not leaving you anymore
Believe it
Hold on to me and, never let me go
Keep breathing
Hold on to me and, never let me go
Keep breathing
Hold on to me and, never let me go……

Roger sang the last note, strummed the last chord, and then looked tentatively into my eyes. I could see his hand slightly trembling as he waited for a response from me. Clearing his throat nervously, he asked "So…..did you like it?"

I took in a deep breath, and gave him the response that I knew he wanted to hear……

Ok guys, I'm being more than generous here. Now you'll have to wait for the next chapter. But till then, here are some more mini mud cakes for you. Enjoy them and use that little down the bottom, ok? Stay cool! –giggles-

Oh and the song is called "Far Away" by Nickelback. I just had to use that song, it's so beautiful! -swoons-