Disclaimer: I do not own anything to do with the Digimon franchise. The only thing that is mine is the plot and some OC's.

Lifeline

Chapter 3

Unaware of the seriousness going on, Matt and Sora were spending the day enjoying each other's creativity. They owned a large studio just a short walk away from their family apartment, which had been adapted for both of their careers. Retired from performing gigs, Matt was now an esteemed songwriter, working with numerous artists across the world while Sora was a well-established fashion designer. Thus, their studio comprised of a recording studio and an art room. Normally, they would work in separate rooms in almost silence, Matt's recording studio being soundproofed. But today, they were changing things up. Matt was playing a new song for Sora as she came up with new ideas for the new winter season. Their daughter, Kita was in Emiko's class at school while her younger brother, Taddy, was still in elementary school. They were a close little family, Matt determined that his children would never go through the distress of their parents being divorced like he and TK endured.

As the couple enjoyed the fun of being together, Matt's phone began to ring. At first, he merely glanced at in, intending to ignore it. But then he spotted his brother's name on the screen. With a playful roll of his eyes towards Sora, who giggled, he finally answered.

"So, baby brother," He teased, "What can I do for you?"

"This is no time for teasing me, Matt," TK warned, sternly, "I'm calling with bad news before you hear it elsewhere."

Sora started to worry as Matt's expression changed. Whatever TK was saying it was very serious indeed.

"Where is Emiko?" Matt suddenly asked.

"Why's Matt asking about Emiko? Is she ok? Is Tai?"

"Ok, thanks TK, I'll let Sora know. Take care, Bro… Yeah, you too."

Finally, Matt hung up and turned to his wife. Sora waited with baited breath as she spotted the sadness in her husband's cobalt eyes.

"What's going on?" She asked, almost scared to hear.

Matt sighed deeply. "It's Tai. He's been in a car crash and is critical in hospital."

Sora gasped, sharply, "What about Emiko?"

"She and Kari are there with him."

"The poor girl. Should we go down there?"

"I don't think we'd be much help. But, we could help TK keep things organised. He's told Kari to concentrate on Emiko so maybe we can help him with the kids."

With that agreed, Matt and Sora put their equipment away safely and headed off to TK's apartment.

Soon though, all the original digidestined were contacted and told the news about Tai's condition. It was very difficult news to digest as thoughts were firmly on what Emiko was going through. They had all seen the journey father and daughter had been on together and were all hopeful for the future. Now, things were now looking dire. An hour after being told the news, TK arrived at the hospital with Sora and Matt in tow. The kind receptionist directed them to the trauma unit where they spotted a sad figure sitting on a bench against a wall. Kari sat, her head in her hands as her body shook from the crying. Seeing his wife upset, TK hurried to her side.

"Kari," He called softly.

He put his arms around her as she leaned in to him. Sora and Matt approached, as Kari hugged her husband firmly. When she opened her eyes, she tried to smiled at her in-laws.

"Hi, guys," She greeted.

"Hey, Kari," Sora replied, "We were worried so we thought we'd come down."

"How are things looking?" Matt asked.

"The doctors are concerned what damage had been done to Tai's brain. They had to operate on the skull to relieve any pressure on it. He's on a ventilator and they're monitoring his brain activity for any changes. But all we can do is wait for him to wake up. And they don't know how long that might take. He might never wake."

As she spoke, her voice shuddering, Sora, TK and Matt were overwhelmed by the extent of Tai's situation. Kari's eyes were still swimming with tears with redness beginning to be visible from the crying she'd already done.

"Emiko's not left him since she got here and hasn't stopped crying. I had to step away. I couldn't take it anymore," Kari began to crack again.

"I'll go see her," Matt softly said, "She needs support."

With a sad smile at Sora, the blonde slowly headed in to the room behind Kari's seat as Sora sat on Kari's other side to comfort her.

What Matt found was a very difficult scene. Tai lay completely still on the bed. Around him were the machines keeping him stable and monitoring his condition, beeping quietly. The head of the bed had been raised a few inches. Tai looked lost and fragile among the wires and tubes and, for Matt, seeing this was like a punch to the guts. But this wasn't the focus of Matt's attention. Emiko was sat as close to the bed as possible on a wood and leather chair, resting her right cheek on Tai's shoulder, gripping his hand, tears rolling down her cheeks. Matt swallowed the lump in his throat as he listened to hear the weeping but also the shaking whispers from the teenager.

"Dad, please don't give up," She pleaded, "I can't lose you too. I still need you."

Matt let out the deep breath he had held on to since he stepped in to the room. It was loud enough for Emiko to realise someone was behind her. She lifted her head and looked over her shoulder, her tears dropping on to her school sweater.

"M-Matt?" She breathed.

"It's alright, Emiko," He soothed, "I just came to see you and your dad. You ok? Do you need anything? Some water maybe?"

"W-why?"

"Well, you've been crying and that can make you dehydrated. I can get you a bottle…"

"I'm fine," She snapped, turning back to Tai.

Matt sighed. A little part of him wanted to tell Emiko off for the rudeness in her voice. He knew Tai would do so. But right now, there was a very good reason for Emiko's attitude. She was scared. However, a second later, Emiko's face softened as she realised what she had said, turning back to Matt.

"I-I'm sorry." She whimpered.

"It's ok. I'm trying to help. Your father will be furious if he wakes up to find that you've not been cared for."

Emiko dropped eye contact then glanced back at her unconscious father. Despite Tai's prone state, she knew Matt was right. She needed to stay with her father but she still needed to keep up her strength if she was going to give him the biggest hug when he woke up.

"You don't have to leave him," Matt reassured, "Just let me get you some water at least."

Finally, Emiko nodded softly in agreement. Matt smiled then put a gentle hand on her shoulder, a reassuring squeeze. She flashed a tiny smile then turned back to Tai. Her hands were still firmly around his. Throughout her life, these hands had been a source of comfort, safety and love for her. As a little girl, she enjoyed the feeling of walking with Tai holding her hand. He had used these hands to check her temperature when she had the flu, to treat her grazed knee when she fell off her bicycle and to carry her to bed when she was too worn out to take herself. They were larger and stronger than hers but always warm and gentle. Now, though, they were cold and lifeless. His left hand, the one Emiko was gripping, still carried his gold wedding band, another reminder of Akira. Once again, the tears began to fall. What if this became the last time she would hold his hand in hers? No one would able to hold her like her dad did, right? She certainly wasn't ready to find out. She lifted his hand to her face, gently nuzzling her cheek against it.

"D-don't leave me." She pleaded.

Matt returned with the bottled water in time to find Emiko sobbing heavily. He quickly went to her side and wrapped his arm protectively around her shoulders. He could feel his heart ache at the rawness of Emiko's sobs. It was very distressing. He couldn't help but imagine how his kids would be in a similar situation. He glanced at his old friend, his eyes trained on Tai's face.

"We're here for her, Tai. You've just got to pull through."