Disclaimer: I do not own anything to do with the Digimon franchise

Lifeline

Chapter 5

After possibly the worst sleep she'd ever had, Emiko found herself waking up to unfamiliar sounds. She had completely forgotten where she was and these strange noises were confusing her. Normally, she'd wake to hear the birds singing from her mother's blossom tree and her father's footsteps as he started getting ready for the day. But right now, she could hear distant chatter from numerous, unfamiliar voices and beeping a lot nearer. Normally, she'd be able to smell the fresh, clean linen of her bed or her father's first cup of fresh coffee. Now, all she could smell was steriliser. It took a few moments of lying with her eyes shut for her make out of what her body was sensing. Then she began to remember where she was. She could feel the tight space and awkward position she had been sleeping in then the cool skin under her fingertips. Slowly, she opened her eyes and tentatively looked around to finally look at her father. Tai was still unconscious with the machines monitoring him and no change to the tempo and tone of the beeping. Despite the awful state of her father, Emiko didn't feel any tears threatening to spill this time. It was like she had cried herself dry. It was still scary to see her father in this way and not know what to outcome would be.

Stiffly, Emiko eased herself up. She carefully moved until she was sat on the edge of the bed, by Tai's feet. She stretched her tight muscles then spotted the black bag sitting on the chair she had been using. In the clearly an overnight bag but there was a small piece of paper sitting on top of it. Curious, Emiko reached over and picked up the paper, reading the message on it.

Emiko,

The bag has some clothes to change it to and some stuff to freshen up with I know right now your only concern is your father. But you need to look after yourself too. The last thing your father needs is to wake up and worry about your health too. So please use them. We're sitting outside the room if you need us.

Aunt Kari and Uncle TK.

Emiko smiled sadly at her Aunt's words. As ever, Kari was being the mother figure she needed since her mother died. With a sigh, she took the bag into the small WC to do as instructed.

When Emiko came back out, she was greeted by the door to the room opening. In stepped her uncle. He looked up and smiled his bright, warm smile at her but Emiko could see the tiredness in his eyes.

"Morning," He greeted, "You feel better?"

"A little," She replied, quietly, "Thanks for the clothes and stuff."

"No need, Emiko. We're just looking after you. How's your dad?"

They looked over at Tai's unconscious form.

"Same, as far as I can tell. I just wish he'd wake up."

"Yeah… I know. But, for now, we need to keep you in good health. So, want some breakfast?"

Emiko looked up and stared directly at TK as he looked back at her. He could see the decision making going on in her head and was worried about what she was going to say next. She hadn't eaten since breakfast yesterday and it was showing. Though she had just freshened up, tiredness was all over her young face.

"I don't want to leave him." She finally replied, sadly.

TK sighed. "You need to eat, Emiko."

"I need to be with my dad!"

To make her point, Emiko went back to the chair next to her father's bed and sat down, turning her back to her uncle. TK watched in shock as his niece behaved like he'd never seen. The tone of her voice was rather hurtful. It was clear that she was in no mood to argue. Given the situation, TK decided to just leave, even though he wanted to scold her. However, if TK waited a few seconds before leaving the room, he'd see Emiko crumble. As soon as she turned her back on TK, Emiko immediately regretted being so rude. She hunched her shoulders and lowered her head as she began to cry softly. She glanced at Tai and felt even more guilty.

"Sorry Dad," She sniffled, "I know you'd scold me for that. I'm scared that I'd lose you if I leave."

With fresh tears on her cheeks, Emiko leaned forward, folded her arms on the bed and lay her head on them, watching her father.

Meanwhile, outside the room, TK told Kari about Emiko's response to breakfast. Kari upset, though not surprised, hear her niece had been rude and snappy to TK. She could tell TK was a little hurt by his eyes. Emiko, like Kita and Tadashi, meant a lot to TK, being their uncle and all. Working mostly from home, he used to be considered chief babysitter when they, along with Shin and Kai, were infants. While Kita was quiet, Emiko was always full of energy and curious, keeping TK on his toes. But he loved every second. Now, that fun little girl had snapped at him, he was hurting a little. But Kari knew.

"She won't mean it, TK," She soothed, "She's not herself right now. The fear of losing the most important person in her life is what's making her behave this way."

"Yeah," TK sighed, "I know. Just wish she'd let us help her."

"I know."

Sadly, the couple pulled each other in to a deep, comforting hug. It had been a long night for them, sleeping in the relatives room on the unsupportive chairs. Both were tired and hungry too so, in the hope Emiko would come to her senses and come looking for them, they wearily headed to the hospital canteen for breakfast.

As Kari and TK recovered from their rough sleep, Matt and Sora were busy getting the four kids in their home ready and off to school. Despite being able to sleep in a comfortable bed as normal, their night wasn't much better. The children had lots of questions about what had happened to Tai and what it meant for their cousin. Kai and Shin were also concerned about when they'd see their parents again. Sora and Matt worked hard to answer the difficult questions and reassure them that everything was going to be ok. Now that it was morning, it was difficult to get the four of them dressed ready for school. None of them wanted to go but there was no reason for them to stay at home. Eventually though, all four were persuaded to eat breakfast, get dressed then off to school. To ensure they got there, Matt drove them all there. Even at the school gates, they were hesitant until Matt encouraged them. Finally, he could get back to pick up Sora. They then headed to the hospital.

At the hospital, they found TK and Kari in the relative's room this time. The couple were fed and felt a little better but it was clear to Matt and Sora that neither of them had slept well.

"Has anything changed?" Sora asked, referring to Tai.

"No," Kari replied sadly, "The doctors are going to carry out some tests later today to assess how responsive he is."

"And that'll help them figure out how long he could be out for." TK added.

"So how's Emiko holding up?" Matt asked.

TK turned away slightly as Kari sighed. Matt and Sora glanced worriedly at each other. Then Kari told them about Emiko snapping at TK. That explained why TK seemed hurt. Matt sighed as he knew what being on the receiving of Emiko's temper was like.

"Poor thing must be a mess." Sora commented softly, "Has she eaten anything?"

"No. And she slept on the bed with Tai so I doubt she slept properly. She's changed her clothes and showered but we can't drag her from her father."

Sora looked at the sadness in their faces then turned and headed in to the room herself. It was her first view of Tai since the crash so it was a shock to see her old friend in such a bad way. It was hard to be optimistic seeing him look so vulnerable but the alternative wasn't an outcome she wanted to contemplate. But, Tai wasn't the one Sora wanted to see right now. There, where Sora expected to find her, was Emiko. She was sitting back in the chair next to the bed, dozing. Her head was against the headrest, chin low and her hands were folded in her lap. Despite this though, the mother of two could see the worry and hardship on Emiko's face. Though she was sleeping, Sora knew this wasn't the place for her to do so. She stepped closer then crouched next to the chair. She then softly put her hand on Emiko's knee and gently squeezed it.

"Emiko," She cooed softly, "Wake up sweetie."

It did the trick as Emiko's blue eyes opened slightly to reveal Sora's warm smile looking up at her. She lifted her head a little bit then rubbed her eyes.

"S-Sora," She yawned.

"Hey," Sora smiled, "You don't look comfortable there."

"No, though I don't have much choice."

Sora sighed. "You do though. Let us take you home then you get a proper sleep and some food."

Emiko sat up, alarmed by Sora's suggestion. However, Sora was prepared for what the brunette was going to say and do.

"Being by your dad every single second isn't doing you any good." She said rather firmly.

"I don't care about me. I have to be with my dad!"

"And you will be again. He's not going anywhere, Emiko. The doctors and nurses are looking after him and they'll tell you if anything happens. Also one of us will be with him at all times. But, you need to be looked after too. Your father is relying us to look after you while he can't. Imagine how upset he'll be if he wakes up to see you starving, dirty and exhausted because you wouldn't let us look after you."

Emiko stared in to Sora's amber eyes. Despite the firmness of her words, Sora was living up to the maternal reputation she established back in the digital world. She was determined to protect and care for the teenager in front of her. But she could still see resistance in Emiko's eyes. She was as stubborn as her father. The young girl turned to look at her dad's face as if looking for Tai's advice. Of course Tai didn't respond. But Sora wasn't finished. She closed her eyes briefly and sighed heavily. What she was about to say was going to a little harsh.

"If your mother were alive," Sora stressed, "She'd say the same. She's not so I'm saying it on her behalf."

Emiko snapped back to look Sora deep in the eyes and felt herself begin to tremble. Her eyes filled with tears as Sora wrapped her arms around her.

"Sorry to be blunt but you need help. You're not alone, Emiko."

"I-I know." Emiko whispered.

"So, you going to let us take you home?"

As she sniffled, Emiko nodded her head against Sora's shoulder. Slowly though, as Matt popped his head in the room to check on them, Sora felt Emiko's body relax and sag against hers. Emiko had fallen asleep in Sora's arms. With a soft smile, Matt walked over and gently scooped the exhausted teenager in to his arms. He then carefully carried her to his car. Sora started to follow, only pausing at the door to look back at Tai.

"She'll be ok, Tai."

It was a quiet drive for Matt as he drove from the hospital. In the back seat were an exhausted TK and Kari. Matt and Sora had convinced the couple to go home and get some rest. So Matt was driving them back to their place while Sora waited at the hospital with Tai. It had been difficult to pull Kari away from her brother but not compared to the little lady sitting next to Matt. Emiko, still asleep, as in the front passenger seat where he had put her. The seatbelt was safety secured around her as she slept. Matt glanced over to see the slight frown in her face. Even in her sleep, Emiko was worried about her father. It made Matt think about his own daughter, Kita.

When Sora first told him he was going to be a father, he was anxious about how he'd be. TK had made it look easy with the twins but now it was happening to him, Matt felt pressure he wasn't ready for. He may have continued being the cool, calm guy he'd always been but deep down he was scared about letting Sora and the new baby down. For a while, as Sora's abdomen grew, he struggled to keep his worries to himself. It was his old rival and friend who finally realised things weren't right with him. Just a few months in to Sora's pregnancy, Akira gave birth to Emiko and Matt once again watched another friend get to grips with being a new father. However, Tai seemed to take to it naturally. Emiko stopped crying whenever Tai picked her up and meeting her needs didn't seem difficult. Determined to understand, Matt approached Tai and told him what was bothering him. Tai was surprised to hear Matt say he made fatherhood look natural.

"Really? Well, trust me. I'm still finding my way around all this." Tai replied.

"But that's how it looks to me." Matt explained, "I'm scared that I'll do stupid things that'll hurt the baby. Like not putting the diaper on correctly, dropping it or hurting it by being too clumsy."

"I felt the same way before. But, you'll be fine, Matt. Believe me, the thing that keeps me from freaking out and giving up is remembering the minute they put Emiko in my arms. It felt amazing and there was this feeling that hasn't gone away. This feeling that nothing else matters except this precious little girl and making her safe and happy. I make mistakes but each time I hold her or just watch her sleep, it's like those mistakes don't matter. You'll be a great dad, Matt. I know it. Just wait until you hold that baby for the first time."

And Tai was right. The moment Kita was placed in his arms for the first time, Matt felt the emotions wash over him like a tsunami. Everything fell it to place and felt right. The same feels came when Tadashi was born later on. Now, all these years on, Matt and Kita were very close and had a lot in common. His love of music had rubbed off on the blonde girl as she learned to play the piano and violin and she was quiet, thoughtful person. But Matt knew that Kita would probably behave like Emiko if he was in that bed instead of Tai. At the next set of traffic signals, with the car stopped, Matt looked again in to Emiko's face. He could only imagine what was going on in her mind. They just had to hope that Tai would soon wake up.

Soon, they arrived at Kari and TK's apartment block. The adults got out and Kari went to the front passenger door to Emiko, who still asleep. She gently shook the teenager awake. With a quiet groan, Emiko woke up but was groggy and dazed. Gently, Kari put her arm around her and guided her upstairs. Once at the apartment, Kari took Emiko to the spare bedroom to get ready for bed. Meanwhile, TK and Matt waited in the kitchen with a cup of tea for the three adults.

"Thanks for this, Matt," TK said, "I was beginning to think that we'd end up camping out at the hospital."

"Not a problem," Matt replied, "It's the least Sora and I can do. Just because we're adults doesn't mean we're no longer a team.

The two brothers smiled at each other only for TK to stop with a yawn. Matt watched his younger brother with a sad smile. Tai's condition was affecting them all. Like a stone being dropped in a pond, creating ripples that spread outwards, affecting the whole pond. A few minutes later, Kari stepped out of the bedroom alone, quietly closing the door behind her. She sighed then approached the men for her cup of tea.

"How's Emiko?" TK asked.

"Exhausted," Kari replied, "She could barely focus. I had to help her with everything. She's asleep now so hopefully she'll be ok."

"Well, I think the two of you should get some sleep too. Sora and I will stay with Tai until you three are rested."

"Thank you, Matt." Kari smiled.

He nodded then walked out of the apartment as his brother and sister-in-law went to get the rest they needed.