The usual thanks to Baby Capri 1990 for editing and putting up with my constant writer's block. I've had so much on my mind lately. Just bare with me in getting these chapters out. This chapter would have been up sooner had I not been so glued to the weather in Arkansas...watching for any tornado signs. Thank god there were none in the area I was watching...

Enjoy...

The Simple Life
Chapter 5

There she was. Lying helpless on the hospital bed. A small portion of her head was covered in a pure white bandage. My eyes traveled down her body, above the blanket laid her arms. Her right hand was in a cast, while her left was bare. I couldn't judge any other injuries. The blanket covered just above her stomach and down. My poor Fang.

"Ms. Farron?" I turned to look at a middle-aged woman. She wore a crisp white coat. Fang's doctor I assumed. She frowned at me before speaking again. "I smell alcohol. You didn't drive yourself, did you?"

"My sister drove me. What happened to Fang?" I looked over her shoulder to see Serah running down the hallway towards us.

She glanced at Serah, now confident that I wasn't lying. "Let's talk in private." She turned to leave.

"We can talk right here. What happened?" My voice was more stern this time.

Serah gripped my hand tightly as the doctor explained the scenario. "She was attacked while trying to escort a drunk out of the bar. She has a fractured eye socket, some bruised ribs and three of the knuckles on her right hand are shattered."

"She fought back…" My voice was barely there, coming out softer than I had wanted. I pulled my hand free of Serah's and walked back into Fang's room.

"She's still unconscious." I didn't acknowledge her words. "We'll be able to do a full assessment when she wakes up."

"Will she be okay?" I finally found my words to speak.

She sighed. "Only time will tell, but there's no reason she won't make a full recovery."

"Thank you doctor." Out of the corner of my eye I could see Serah usher the woman out of the room.

I sat on the chair beside her bed, my eyes never leaving her for more than a second. Fear that if I looked away I'd miss her waking up. Or worse…For a very brief moment I looked up at the heart monitor opposite of where I sat. As long as that continued to make the same steady beeping noise it was now… Fang would be okay.

I laced my hand with hers gently, in fear I would harm her more. "Claire?" I looked over at my sister, a look of sincere concern on her face. "She's going to be okay."

"I… I know that. I just… can't stand to see her like this. It hurts me. I wish I could do something." I was surprised I could find my voice. Serah moved closer to me and put a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"I'll leave you alone for a while. I'll be back soon, okay?" I nodded and felt Serah's lips on my cheek. "I love you."

I sighed. "I love you too, Serah."

I watched her leave the room before looking back down at my fiancée. "Please wake up soon Fang." I lowered my head to rest on the bed near her hip. My eyes still watched her face for any signs of movement. "I can't…" I bit my lip for a moment, allowing my eyes to close to fight off the stinging tears. "I need you Fang… I don't think…" I paused to shake my head. "I don't think I can live without you."

"Claire?" I turned away from the pile of paperwork to see Serah standing in the doorway to my bedroom. Her hands were shaking as she gripped her phone tightly. The way my desk lamp was hitting her, I could tell her eyes were glossed over.

My first thought was Snow. What did he do now? "What's wrong?"

"It's…" She shook her head, eyes looking down at the carpet. Her eyes closed tightly for a moment, letting two tiny rivers make their way from her eyes to her chin. "Fang…" Her voice choked. The pen fell from my hands as I stood to move closer to her.

"Serah, what about Fang?" My voice was soft, yet stern. I placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezing it tightly. She shook her head again, as if trying to understand. "Serah!"

"There's been an accident…" My hand dropped from her shoulder and to my side. My body tensed up – every muscle constricting any further movement.

"What… what kind of accident?"

"She… she passed away."

"No!" I jolted straight up.

"Lightning?" I jumped even more when a warm, familiar hand rested on the middle of my back. "Sis, it's just me. What's wrong?"

My eyes focused on her. It took a minute to realize she was speaking to me as well as the fact we were in a hospital room. "What?" Yea, way to sound stupid there Lightning.

She frowned at me. "Are you okay?"

That is what she asked me to begin with. "Yea…" I lifted my hand away from Fang's, missing the contact immediately. I brushed a few stray hairs out of my face. "What time is it?"

I accepted the cup of coffee she handed me. "A little after eight." I must have fallen asleep. Probably a while ago based on how much my neck hurt. She leaned against the wall. "Fang was awake for a little while. They gave her a pain killer for her headache."

"She was awake?" Not coherent enough to comprehend her words yet apparently. I rubbed my head in frustration, taking another minute to let her words sink in. "When did she wake up?" I took a sip from the cup. Two sugars and a single creamer, Serah always knew just how I took my coffee. I'll have to teach Fang that.

"About an hour ago. She saw you were asleep and decided you were too cute to wake up."

I couldn't hide the soft smile that came to my lips. "Always trying to put me first." I turned back away from Fang for a moment. "Where's Snow?" As if I really cared. It just sounded polite to ask.

"He stopped in when he dropped me off this morning. Figured it best he not be here when you woke up."

"He's learning… Took him long enough."

"Snow's a nitwit." Fang's voice sang in my ears, it was dripping with exhaustion though.

"Fang?" I put my cup on the table and moved closer to her. "How are you feeling?" I wanted so much to hug her. Yet, fear coursed through my veins. If I hugged her I could only hurt her more. What if I pulled on one of the cords, or IVs, or pressed in the wrong spot.

Behind me I could hear Serah mutter something before walking by us. Probably excusing herself to give us a moment alone. A moment we haven't had since the day before. Before Fang went to work. My eyes never left Fang. She slowly looked around the room before her eyes met with mine. "Nope… Still not a dream." She sighed softly. "I feel like shit."

"If you weren't so hurt… I… I'd smack you!" I glared down at her. "Where do you get off scaring me like that? What would I have done if you never woke up?"

She pressed her finger to lips, silencing me. Not only did my mouth close, but so did my eyes. It was a simple gesture. A simple caress that I missed so much. "You talk too much. I'm surprised Serah never ripped out your tongue growing up." I growled softly at her. "Will you at least shut up long enough to give me a hug? I could really use it…" I took her hand in mine and moved a little closer to her to slowly wrap my arms around her midsection. I pulled away quickly when she hissed sharply in pain.

"Fang?" My eyes were wide. She settled back onto the bed slowly, eyes clamped shut.

"I'm alright, just…" She hissed again before completely settling back down. "Just tender."

I picked up her left hand cautiously and laced my fingers with hers. "Do you remember anything?" She only sighed. "Anything at all?"

"Only a little." She pulled my hand close to her lips and kissed the back of it. "I remem-"

"Tell me later." I leaned closer to her one more time, this time to kiss her. Her lips were dry, probably from sleeping so much. "You're gonna be okay, right?"

"Takes more than a few large meatheads to knock me down." She spoke confidently. "Well…they can knock me down, but I don't stay down for long."

"Fang?"

She stopped talking to look at me. "Hm?"

"Shut up."