He slowly walked over and pulled a chair up to the side of the bed on Nick's left side. He slid his right hand into Nick's left and squeezed it gently. "Hey bro. I, uh, I know I said some things before to you...but, they weren't true. People say the truth comes out when you're mad, but it doesn't. What I said was the opposite of how I really feel. I don't hate you Nicky, I never could, even if I wanted to. You're the best friend I've ever had. You proved that by saving my life even though I was a jackass to you. I...fuck...I'm so sorry. You have no idea what seeing you like this does to me. I don't care about Catherine...well, I mean, I obviously care about her, but I'm not gonna let that get in the way of us. Nothing can do that. I don't care what it takes, but I'm gonna make it up to you. I'd take back everything I said, everything I did...I know you never meant to hurt me. I never wanted it to end up like this Nick. I'd trade places with you if I could. I'd do anything for you, and I know it may not mean much to you cuz you have so many friends...but I really don't. I wouldn't trade what we have for anything, and I'm gonna do whatever it takes to get that back. You're my brother...more than that...I can't even explain it." Tears were now falling steadily down Warrick's cheeks. He didn't even bother to wipe them away. "You gotta be okay Nicky...you gotta get better. I don't care how selfish I'm being. I can't do this without you. If I ever lost you...I don't know what I'd do. You're gonna be okay...It's gonna be alright, I promise..." Warrick's head fell into his left hand as he cried. He was still gently squeezing Nick's hand when he swear he felt Nick squeeze back. His head shot up, and he had stopped crying. He squeezed Nick's hand again, and this time there was no doubt Nick was squeezing back. Warrick smiled. Nick's eyes slowly opened and he tried as hard as he could to focus on Warrick.

"Hey." Nick said weakly. His voice was quiet and scratchy.

"Hey buddy. How ya feeling?" Warrick was suddenly nervous. 'He's probably pissed at me...I did punch him in the face...' he thought.

"It hurts...a lot..."

"You're just sore bro, don't worry you'll feel better soon. Everything's gonna be okay, I promise." Nick shook his head and closed his eyes. Warrick thought he had fallen alseep, but then he spoke.

"I heard what you said...all of it. I didn't want to wake up, before. I was trying to just...give up. But I couldn't...I didn't want to anymore...I'm sorry, Warrick..."

"Nick, you don't have a damn thing to be sorry for, okay? I screwed up. Hell, I was married when you slept with Catherine, so you shouldn't have felt as guilty as you did. It's my fault, not yours."

"I'm still sorry."

"Don't be. I'm the one that needs to say sorry to you. "I'm Sorry" doesn't even begin to describe it. If it weren't for you I wouldn't be here right now. I'm gonna make this better Nick, I swear." A few tears had fallen from Nick's tired eyes. 'After everything Nick's done for me, I go and do this to him...'

"Mr. Stokes, glad to see you're awake." Neither Warrick or Nick had heard Dr. Hanavan walk in. He put some pain killers in Nick's IV and tried to give him sedatives, but Nick refused. Warrick knew how much Nick hated them, he wouldn't let the doctors give them to him after he had been buried alive, either. "Okay, Nick, get plenty of rest and make sure you drink a lot of fluids, and I don't see why you can't be out of here in a couple of days."

"Thanks doc." Nick said before Hanavan left.

"Well, you should probably get some sleep man. I'll leave you alone." Warrick stood up to leave, but Nick didn't let go of his hand.

"You...uh...busy?" Nick asked softly.

"No."

"Will you stay with me? I still hate being alone..."

"Of course I will."

"Thanks, bro." Warrick sat back down in his chair next to Nick, who was obviously too tired to hold up his end of a conversation. So Warrick turned the TV on and found a football game and they watched it for a little while, talking and joking like they always did. It didn't take long for Nick to fall back asleep.

Thanks for all the reviews. The last chapter will be up later tonight.