CHAPTER FOUR: LINGER

A/N: Hey all! Sorry I took so long to update. I had no access to a computer for typing until just now. Plus I had already written this part out, but I took it to Ottawa one weekend and accidentally left it there. So I had to re-write it. I apologize for any drop in quality it may have. I just wrote it today…while watching Back to the Future Part 2. Movie marathons ROCK! So I hope you all enjoy. And as always, I do not own Four Brothers.

Jack awoke to the sound of a screaming baby. Disoriented from his sleep, he looked around to take in his surroundings. He rubbed his eyes, stifling a large yawn. Shane sat across from him, arms folded over her chest. When she saw that Jack was awake, she stood and moved to sit next to him. Jack blinked his dry eyes. When he didn't acknowledge her presence, Shane carefully laid a hand on his knee. He jerked it away and stood up.

"How long was I asleep?" he croaked, his voice adjusting to the end of his slumber.

"Six hours. I figured you could use it," she replied, shrugging her shoulders.

Jack growled and began to pace the floor. "You shouldn't have let me sleep. I need to stay awake for her."

Before Shane could respond, the salt and pepper haired doctor who had wheeled Lauren into surgery walked over to them. "Mr. Mercer?"

"Yeah that's me. Why do you look so…is she dead? Did you kill her while you had her exposed on your table?" Jack demanded.

Shane slapped him in the back of the head. "Chill the fuck out Jack! What the hell is the matter with you?"

The doctor chuckled. "My name is Doctor Stevenson. Mr. Mercer, your fiancée was very lucky."

"Lucky? She got hit by a car! How does that make her lucky?" he spat.

"Well, if she hadn't have been hit by the car, we wouldn't have caught the aneurysm. We operated and I am happy to say that Lauren will live a long, healthy life with you. Provided she doesn't get hit by another car," he explained.

There was a split second pause before Jack jumped on Dr. Stevenson. "Thank you! Thank you thank you thank you!"

He laughed and politely returned Jack's ecstatic embrace. "It's the least I could do. I've seen you in there with her, reading to her, constantly reminding her that you're there for her."

Jack blinked through his tears. "So, Lauren's going to live? I mean, she's going to plan her wedding and live happily ever after?"

"Yes, Mr. Mercer. That is the case. Now, she won't be awake for a while. At least another six hours. But you can go in and see her," he reported. "But I am going to have to ask you not to read her anymore of that book. Just because she's in a coma, doesn't mean she won't get bored. Give her some variety."

"But um…that's the only book I've ever read," Jack muttered, looking down at his feet.

"Then sing to her. Or tell some jokes. Just…no more Of Mice and Men. For her sanity," the doctor said, walking away.

Jack didn't wait. He darted from the waiting room towards Lauren's room. He skidded to a halt outside her door and peered inside. She lay on the bed, tubes pouring from her body. A white bandage encased her head, swallowing the last of the blonde locks her doctors had left. Shane slowly approached him, wary of any reaction he may have. He shoved his hands in his pockets and cleared his throat. Shane let out a sigh of relief, recognizing it as a sign that it was ok to approach him. She placed a hand on his shoulder and followed his gaze to her gauze wrapped head. He coughed to conceal a sob.

"She was so happy about her new hair. So excited to show you and make sure you liked it," Shane whispered.

"Yeah and now it's gone. A small price to pay for extended life," he sighed.

"She'll still be beautiful at your wedding Romeo," Shane smiled. "Go talk to her."

Jack nodded and stepped into the room. He approached his unconscious girlfriend and resumed his post next to her bed. Taking her hand in his, he cleared his throat, preparing himself to sing. Each time he opened his mouth however, his mind went blank. This continued for half an hour, Jack growing more impatient each time. Finally he gave up. With a growl of frustration, he stood and walked over to the window. Jack stared out and the busy streets of LA. The longer he stared out the window, the angrier he became with himself. He couldn't help but think that it was his fault she was in the hospital now, all because he had to come to LA for a music career he wasn't even working that hard on pursuing.

"It drives me crazy, not being able to help you Lauren. So much for protecting you from harm. I'm the one who brought you right to it," he sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "Do you remember that day we were laying on your grandma's roof for our first date? And we were listening to the radio that night, just laying there and watching the stars? I always think about that night at least once a day. And not just because it was our first date. Well, that helps, but it's mainly because of when we danced to The Cranberries."

He wandered back over to her bed and sat down. "You got so excited when that song came on I thought you were going to hop right off the roof. Well anyway, I think we should dance to that song at our wedding. The doctor says you're going to make it. But I can't read that book to you anymore. Something about variety or something." Jack shrugged. "I guess I'd want to hear more than the same book too if I was in a coma. Ya know in the off chance I could hear anything."

Jack cleared his throat and leaned closer to her. "But I'm in so deep. You know I'm such a fool for you. You got me wrapped around your finger, ah, ha, ha do you have to let it linger? Do you have to, do you have to, do you have to let it linger?"

He paused, searching his brain for the rest of the words. When he couldn't find them, he slapped himself in the forehead. "I'm sorry. I'm too much of an ass to remember the words to our song. Why are you marrying me?" he sighed, rising again and walking over to the window.

"I'm marrying you because I love you and because you forget the words to our song," she croaked.

Jack whirled around to face her. "Lauren? The doctor said you wouldn't be awake for like six hours!"

"You know me. Never one to follow the rules. But I have a major headache," she groaned. "What happened to me?"

He rushed back to her side. "You were hit by a car, Lauren. The doctors found an aneurysm in your brain and they had to operate. But you're going to be fine."

She looked up at him. "I'm not dead?"

"No. No, thank God. Lauren you really scared me," he whispered.

Tears shone in her eyes. "That car…my hair. My hair is gone!"

"You're still gorgeous," Jack said.

"I'm bald, I'm not gorgeous. Ew, don't marry a baldie Jack," she demanded.

"Well, I'm still going to marry you, even if I have to wait for all your hair to grow back," he stated, firmly.

"You're a stubborn man Jack Mercer," she smiled.

"True, but I'm your stubborn man Lauren Mercer," he said, kissing her.