Everyone seemed to be sitting on the edges of their seats, the corridor was full of tension and apprehension and yet, no one spoke. No one dared to disturb the impenetrable silence that had descended, which left everyone to their own thoughts. Jaden couldn't decide which was worse; thinking about what was going on in the room opposite him, or not thinking about it. Which ever he did it felt as though something was gnawing away at his very soul and he couldn't stand it anymore.

The main body of doctors had left what felt like hours ago, but still no one was allowed in to see Chazz; well anyone who cared that was. Apparently he was only just stable, and right now they could only allow family in with him. Slade and Jagger had done no more than stick their heads around the door to confirm the fact that their little brother was alive, before leaving the hospital to do something 'more important'.

So now it was just the people Chazz would always deny were his friends, and the best they could do was wait. That seemed, to Jaden, all he had been doing ever. Waiting and waiting for news, letting time pass him by and the events of the world outside of this hospital corridor wash over him. Nothing was important anymore, not sleeping, not eating or drinking and certainly not duelling. It was all about Chazz and the very fine rope from which he was dangling.

Jaden was roused from his thoughts by the soft click of an opening and closing of a door. A nurse appeared in the corridor with them and she looked around, a tired smile on her lips. Jaden stood up, anxious for any news.

"Mr Princeton's condition is improving, but he needs a lot of rest," she looked around at the group her hazel eyes coming to rest on Jaden's own chocolate brown ones, "You can go see him now, but I'll ask you not to try and wake him. He's under heavy sedation to help him recover... and I think he's had enough excitement for one day," Jaden decided the nurse had a very different idea of 'excitement' to himself, "so only one or two of you at a time please. However. Before you do go in I need to ask you all a couple of questions..."

Jaden saw, out of the corner of his eye, Syrus share a worried glance with Zane, and felt Alexis shift uncomfortably in the seat next to him. Atticus tightened his grip on his sister's hand reassuringly, but Bastion and Banner didn't move; both of them were staring at the nurse, already knowing what was coming.

"As you must know Chazz's condition was self inflicted and though we now know he's physically stable right now, his emotions are quite a different matter..." the nurse didn't seem to want to break eye contact with Jaden but he shifted slightly uncomfortably and she looked away, "If any of you have any ideas why he-"

"His brothers. They keep pressurizing him, and you let the bastards go in with him. They've fucked everything up – it's all-"

"That's enough Jaden," Banner looked over to one of his favourite Slifer pupils, "It's no time to work yourself up into a state." Jaden looked over at his professor, his eyesight slightly blurry from the recurring tears, he felt a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Banner fixed the nurse with a look, "Perhaps you and I can talk about this later?" he suggested. The nurse's eyes darted between Banner and Jaden and she nodded.

"Sure. Once he's feeling better we can fix him up with a consoler and he'll be on the road to a full recovery. I pop back up later," with that she nodded again and left.

Banner stood up, he looked tired but managed to keep his voice steady, "Jaden I think you should be the first to see Chazz. If anyone else feels differently then-"

"No," Alexis shook her head from where she was sitting, "Let Jaden in first."

Banner nodded to her and looked back to Jaden, "Take as long as you need. We'll just be on the other side of the door."

Jaden looked around at the people in the corridor and placed a hand on the door handle before turning and looking back, "...Thank you."

With that he entered the room and then closed the large white door quietly behind him before allowing himself to look around the place. At once his eyes settled on the uncharacteristically fragile looking boy in he bed. He looked so peaceful lying there, and Jaden would have felt his fears disappear if there hadn't been so many machines all hooked up to the youngest Princeton.

The brunette moved over to the bed and tentatively reached out to gently brush a couple of strands of Chazz's wild dark hair out of the other boy's eyes. After that he just stood and looked, thinking on what had happened, remembering how Slade and Jagger had spoken about their brother. And, instead of anger at Jagger and Slade, Jaden felt only pity for the raven-haired boy.

"Oh Chazz," he sighed, "What have you done to yourself?"

A/N Hope you liked that, and that you're not all mad at me for making you wait for this update? Was it worth it? I dunno. Will Slade and Jagger ever be nice? Perhaps. Will Chazz wake up to see Jaden's angelic face? All these questions and more answered in the next chapter of 'You're Not Alone'!

Haha – review please