Author's Note: Another kinda short chapter. Just the family reacting to Cory's accident, supporting each other. Cory won't wake up for a few chapters yet, mind you. It's going to be Shawn and the rest of the family supporting each other. When he does wake up, though, the real work begins. I hope you enjoy and remember to review.

Callidora.

Four

Shawn woke to the sound of voices whispering. Eric was there, he could hear Cory's brother talking in an angry tone somewhere behind him. Topanga's soft tones answered, calm and quiet.

"You're awake." Amy's voice was quiet. He hadn't noticed her there before.

"Yeah." Shawn whispered, his throat rough.

Eric was before him then. "My little brother is an idiot and a coward. And he'll come to his senses. You just have to be patient." He said by way of greeting.

"No. No, I'm the idiot. I didn't even give him a chance. I just left." Shawn whispered. He felt hollow, empty.

"I agree, it was stupid of you to leave like that. But Cory knows how much trust means to you. The fact that he was unwilling to trust you…it wasn't something you could have ignored, Shawn." Eric said, sitting down on the couch beside him.

The house phone rand and Topanga went to answer it. None of them spoke while she was gone. Shawn was too numb to speak. He was surprised into giving a small gasp when Topanga rounded the corner and slapped Eric as hard as she could in the face, tears streaming down her face.

"Shawn, we're going to the hospital." She said.

"Why?" He asked.

She glanced at Amy and Alan. "Cory's in the hospital. There was a car accident. The police think it was…they think he tried to commit suicide. Eric…he and Eric got into a fight…and Cory…he purposefully pulled his car into oncoming traffic." Topanga gave a sob. "He's in critical condition. They…they're doing surgery but they don't know if he's going to make it."

Eric had gone white. Shawn stood, his heart racing. He grabbed his keys, aware that Alan and Amy were doing the same, urging Eric to his feet. They half-ran to the cars, none of them able to speak through the fear clogging their throats. Shawn was on autopilot. He drove where Topanga directed him, his knuckles white around the steering wheel.

At the hospital, they had to wait for Eric, Amy, and Alan to catch up. Topanga stopped him outside the hospital room.

"It's going to be okay. When he hears your voice, Cory will fight. He'll fight for you. Just…just tell him you love him. Tell him he has to do this for you." She said, hugging him very tightly.

"Topanga, I…I'm sorry. I'm sorry…."

She cut him off. "Shawn, I think I've always known that it was going to be you two in the end. You and Cory were…you were meant for each other. I was just a stepping stone along the way. Just…go in there and bring him back to us. Okay? He won't fight for us. He'll fight for you."

Eric's voice sounded from ahead of them. "Shawn…they're asking us to talk to him. Mom and dad and I have agreed that you should go first." He said.

Shawn nodded, following Eric into a small room. There, on the bed, was Cory. He was hooked up to tubes and cords and machines. Shawn's chest ached at the sight but he forced himself to walk to Cory's bedside. His eyes were closed. Shawn wanted them open. He wanted to see the brown eyes. Would he ever see them again? Shawn's throat was tight but he swallowed and forced himself to speak.

"I'm sorry, Cor. I'm sorry, okay? I'm an idiot and I don't deserve you. But I love you Cory. I love you and I don't mean as a best friend. I've been in love with you since I was sixteen and I'm sorry that I left you alone. I didn't mean to hurt you." Shawn gave a sob and then bent to press his lips to Cory's forehead. "You have to fight this. You have to come back to me. You can't leave me Cor. I can't do this without you. Please…please just come back to me. I promise I'll never leave you again. I'll be by your side until we're both rotting in our graves. Just…please, please don't leave me. Not like this. I love you…"

Shawn kissed Cory's forehead and forced himself to back from the room. He stopped at Topanga's side and hugged her. They leaned against each other for a long time, sobbing together. Shawn didn't know what he was going to do if Cory didn't make it. If he lost him…if Cory died…Shawn didn't think he could handle that.

"He'll make it." Eric said. "He's strong. And he knows you love him now. He'll fight. He has to." His voice was soft.

"I know he will. He has to because I can't do this without him. He's been the only constant in my life. I can't…I can't imagine a life without him."

"If he dies, it'll be my fault." Eric whispered.

"No. You were angry. You didn't know he'd do this. Eric, this isn't your fault." Shawn said.

"I shouldn't have yelled at him." He whispered.

"Stop. We both failed him in some way. But blaming ourselves isn't going to help him. We've got to be strong for him. He's going to need us when he pulls through this." Shawn said.

Topanga nodded. "Shawn's right. Cory is going to need us. All of us. We have to be strong for him." She said.

"Topanga is right. The doctor said he's going into surgery now and they're hopeful. He's got some swelling on his brain but the doctor is sure he'll make it." Amy said, sitting down between Shawn and Eric. She wrapped her arms around their shoulders and pulled them close to her.

"Shawn, I think he heard you." Alan said. "The doctor said his blood pressure started to improve after you left. He heard you. He knows you're here. And he's going to come back to you."

"He has to." Shawn whispered.

"He will. He loves you, Shawn."

"Come on, Shawn. Let's go get something to eat." Alan said.

"I can't leave."

"It's going to be a while yet. They'll page us if there is any word."

Amy nudged his shoulder. "Go on, sweetie. Alan's right. It's been a long morning and you need food. We'll go in turns so that there's always someone here for him."

"Okay."

Alan was silent as they walked. When they got in the elevator, he spoke.

"You have always been my son, Shawn. You are my child every bit as much as the others. I do not blame you. You are the reason my son is fighting. If he didn't know that you were here, waiting for him, he would be gone. I know Cory, Shawn. I know him. And he will come back. Just…you know you'll always be my son. And we're going to get through this together."

Shawn's eyes filled again. "Thanks. I just…I can't lose him. He's the best thing that ever happened to me. I can't lose him. Not now. Not before I've even told him that I love him. I…it would kill me."

"You won't. Let's get some burgers so we can go and let the others go get food, shall we? I have a feeling it's gonna be a really long day."

"Okay."

They headed into the hospital cafeteria together, each of them lost in their own thoughts. Alan was right, Shawn thought. This was going to be a very long day. He already felt so exhausted that it felt like he'd been hit by a truck. Sleep would feel pretty amazing at that point. But he couldn't let himself relax before Cory woke up. Alan ordered two burgers and they sat down, eating in silence. They were standing up when Alan's phone went off. He spoke into it for a few seconds, his face gradually relaxing.

"He's out of surgery and in recovery. Amy and Eric have seen him and Topanga's in there now. The doctor said he wants you up there as soon as possible. Cory's blood pressure improved last time he heard your voice, he thinks maybe you being there will help him do better." Alan said, smiling.

Shawn felt the weight of the world resting on his shoulders as he and Alan hurried back towards the elevators. He wouldn't let Cory down again. Not now. Alan placed a hand on his shoulder, offering silent comfort and support, as Shawn prepared himself to do everything he could to save Cory's life.