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

Lifeline

Chapter 6

It was the sterile smell that greeted Matt as he walked back in to the hospital and to Tai's room. There, he found Sora sitting next to the bed where Tai remained in a coma. She was leaning back in the chair, watching with half lidded eyes. The room was very quiet, except for the beeping and humming of the machines. On hearing footsteps, Sora glanced around to see her husband behind her. She smiled softly, which he did in return.

"Emiko ok?" She asked.

"Yeah, Kari managed to get her to sleep," He replied, "She and TK were going to try and get some sleep themselves."

"Aww good. They'll feel better for it."

"Hope so. Any news?" Matt asked as he gestured to his old friend.

"The doctors won't say. They're ok with us sitting with Tai but they won't tell us anything because we're not immediate family. Maybe when Kari gets back."

Matt sighed frustrated but he understood. Tai didn't seem any different from the outside so the couple just had to let that give them hope. What they weren't expecting were the visitors that Tai was about to get.

After being with Tai for a few hours, they went to get a drink of water each when they heard a familiar pair of voices approaching them. When they turned to look, they spotted familiar faces. They smiled as Rhea and Arashi appeared, fresh out of school. They hadn't even changed out of their uniforms.

"Rhea, Arashi," Sora greeted, "What are you two doing here?"

"We came to see if Emiko and her dad were ok." Rhea said.

"We're aware that we can't really help but we, that's all of our group, wanted Emiko to now we're here for her." Arashi explained, passionately.

Sora and Matt shared a small smile between them at the tone of Arashi's voice. As the orphan spoke, Rhea opened her school bag and pulled out something rather flat. She then held it out to them, showing the older digidestined that it was a sizable card for Tai. It was white with a well-drawn rainbow with the words 'Get well soon' written in elegant black print.

"We've all signed it," Rhea explained, "Mr Kamiya may be Emiko's dad but he's been great to all of us newbies."

"That's great," Matt replied, "But, Emiko isn't here and you kids won't be allowed to see her dad right now."

"Oh. Could you pass the card to her?"

"Of course," Sora replied, taking the card, "we'll let her know you kids were here. But be sure to come back when she's here. I think she'd really like to see that her friends are still there for her."

With smiles and polite bows, Arashi and Rhea started heading off home for the night. Sora and Matt smiled at each other then headed back to Tai's room to resume their vigil. Across town at Kari's apartment, Shin and Kai returned home from school with Kita and Taddy, all anxious to get the latest news about their uncle. T.K. and Kari were feeling rested after a short sleep, shower and a meal but had decided to leave Emiko to sleep longer rather than disturb her. However, if they thought she was having a restful slumber, they were sorely mistaken.

Emiko found herself in a rather familiar forest. It was filled with beautiful, lush vegetation and shaded by great trees towering over her. A few streams of sunlight were managing to find breaks in the leaves to light up the forest floor. She was no longer wearing the pyjamas borrowed from her aunt's cupboards. She was in her school uniform. It reminded her of the stories her mother and Sora described when they'd assist Davis' team after school and be in their uniforms in the digital world. That's when Emiko realised where she was.

"Well," She smiled, "Guess I'd better go find Agumon."

With a sigh, she set off through the undergrowth, not worried about the fact she was alone. After all, this wasn't her first time here, even alone. As she walked along, memories of her visits to this crazy but wonderful world flashed through her mind. The digital world sometimes felt like the perfect place to escape the stresses of her life. Yeah, there were safer places than the digital world, but Emiko preferred it all the same. But, as she began to let her mind wander further, she was alerted to the noise of a snapping twig ahead of her. She froze, feeling her heart race. Keeping herself calm with deep breaths, she tried peering through the forest to see the cause of the noise.

"Agumon?" She called.

Then she heard a familiar chuckle. "No, kiddo, it's me."

"No way!"

Then, through the trees his silhouette emerged, getting more and more clear. Emiko could feel her eyes welling up and her bottom lip trembling. She honestly thought she'd never hear his voice again. Finally, he fully emerged and smiled his big, grin at her, his brown eyes as warm as ever.

"Dad?"

"Hey, Emiko."

Suddenly, the teen snapped and dived in to her father's embrace. His strong but loving arms holding her securely, resting his cheek against her hair and smiling softly, eyes closed.

"I love you, Daddy."

"Love you too, Baby girl."

Then, as their embraced, they were disturbed by a loud explosion a short distance away. Worried, Tai and Emiko pulled out of their hug and looked in the direction the noise came from. Emiko looked up in to Tai's face to find her father frowning sternly.

"We're going to check it out?" She asked.

Tai didn't answer. Emiko could she him thinking this over. This was a rare moment where she could to see her father's natural leadership take control. After a long few seconds, he turned to face her.

"Ok," He finally replied," We'll look but you stay behind me and do everything I tell you to. Got it?"

Emiko nodded nervously. They nodded then Tai led his daughter towards the explosion. They soon came across a large crater in the middle of the forest but nothing to indicate the cause. Cautiously, Tai and Emiko looked around, assessing the situation. The crater seemed endless. Suddenly though, they both stopped and stared in shock. Down at the lowest bottom was a small, bright, yellow shape. Emiko gasped as she realised what they were seeing.

"Dad, that looks like Agumon!"

"You're right. Ok, you stay up here."

"Why? Where are you going?"

"To make sure it's ok. Like I said, stay."

Emiko was about to protest but the firmness of Tai's voice made her think again. With a sigh, she stepped back as Tai sat on the edge then let himself slide down to Agumon. Emiko watched anxiously as her father got further and further away from her. When he reached their friend, Tai began calling its name. Emiko could just hear his voice but not the words. Suddenly, Tai stilled and the air was filled by very loud laughter. Emiko's eyes widened with shock. The laughter was coming from the digimon itself.

"You foolish humans!" A familiar but sinister voice boomed across the forest.

Blinding light erupted from the Agumon. Both Tai and Emiko had to cover their eyes. Emiko tried to peek through the light for her father but the moment she moved her arm, her eyes burned, forcing them shut.

"Dad!"

Finally, the light faded enough for the younger digidestined to uncover her eyes. It took a few moments for her eyes to adjust again. But when they finally had, she immediately wished they hadn't. Her stomach churned and her heart dropped. There, stood where the 'Agumon' had been was Emiko's worst nightmare. His black and white face forever etched in to her mind.

"Piedmon!"

To make things worse, Piedmon was stood over Tai, who had fallen backwards on the ground. Digimon and Human locked eyes as Emiko could only watch on in horror. Suddenly, with a sinister grin, Piedmon swooped down and grabbed Tai firmly by the neck, lifting him off the ground.

"Daddy! Put him down, Piedmon! Please!" Emiko begged.

But it was like Piedmon was so focused, he couldn't hear. His eyes were locked on to Tai's face. Emiko watched in dismay as her father's body slowly went limp. The grin on Piedmon's face got bigger as he achieved his goal.

"Father!"

Suddenly, Emiko's eyes shot open. Her whole body jerked until she was sat up in bed. Her brow was damp with sweat and her cheeks were saturated with tears. That nightmare felt too real. She sat panting as she registered where she was. It was the spare bedroom in her aunt's house. For a few seconds she was confused. How did she get here? Then she remembered agreeing with Sora to get some proper sleep with Kari and T.K. But, after that nightmare, how could she stay here any longer? She knew where she needed to be. For a few seconds, she listened for any noise in the rest of the apartment. The only thing she could hear was the TV. Slowly, she tiptoed out of the room and carefully opened the door, peeking through the gap. The living area was dimly lit by the TV screen but Emiko could see TK lying on the sofa facing her door, asleep. Everyone else looked to have gone to bed. Seeing her obstacles, Emiko dipped back in to the bedroom, changed back in to her clothes. Then, making sure she had her personal effects, she slipped silently out of the front door.

Over at the hospital, Matt had sent Sora home for the evening, volunteering to stay with Tai. It was getting late and the blonde was struggling to keep his eyes open. As he leaned back in the chair, he glanced over at Tai. The silence sent Matt's mind wandering as he began thinking about the history between the two men. It was well known by the older digidestined that they had endured an intense rivalry since they first met. On the outside, Tai and Matt were very different. Matt, blonde, blue eyed and pale skin. Tai, brown hair and eyes with tanned skin. Tai's family was textbook, mum, dad and sister all moving nicely while Matt endured the results of his parents' divorce and separation from TK. Matt tried to hide his feelings and be independent while using music to escape. Tai was outspoken, free spirited and friendly. Tai was a bulldozer while Matt was a calculator. Quickly though, Matt realised they weren't so different. They were both stubborn and had tempers but they both felt responsible for the safety of their fellow digidestined and this helped build their friendship. They still had up and downs but, since becoming fathers, they were enjoying a greater friendship than ever. But, now things looked bleak for Tai as he lay in front of Matt, unchanged from the moment he was brought in. Matt could feel different emotions building up. Anger towards the person responsible for the crash, anticipation about whether Tai was going to make it and worry about the heartbreak Emiko was going through. He could feel tears threatening to escape but maybe his exhaustion was triggering these thoughts. With a deep sigh, he forced himself to his feet and went to find a machine that could produce a decent coffee.

All that he could find was the cheap, tasteless liquid he and the others had been surviving on for the last two days. Accepting it was the best he could get, Matt made his way back to Tai's room. The hospital was very quiet now. Only a few nurses and junior doctors were quietly working at their desks and most of the patients were asleep. A few relatives were popping out for fresh air or coffee but that was the extent of it. Matt was prepared for a long night in an uncomfortable chair. What he wasn't prepared for was the surprise that had snuck in. He opened the door then, as he looked up, stopped. There, sitting in the chair where he had been sat Emiko. She didn't seem to notice Matt's presence as he listened to her talk gently to her father.

"I know I agreed to go home with Aunt Kari," She said, "but I just couldn't stay away any longer. I've had a long sleep and I feel better. Just thought you'd like to know. But Dad, I can't leave again until you wake up. Please, come back to me."

Matt felt his heart sink at the tremor in Emiko's voice. She was being stubborn like her father again but at least she'd had a decent rest. He walked over to her and gently put his hand on her shoulder. She turned and looked up. He gently smiled at the teen.

"I had to…" She began.

"It's fine," Matt replied, "You should be back with your aunt but I understand. The main thing is you're safe. I'll sent TK a message, let him know. Take it you didn't tell anyone."

Emiko blushed sheepishly as she realised the potential stupidity of her actions. She could've been hurt on her way to the hospital and she knew Kari would panic herself to insanity. Matt gently squeezed her shoulder then left her and Tai to go text his brother. For now, Emiko folded her arms on the bed, rested her head in them and watched her father.

"Please, Dad. I need you."