Again HUGE thanks to XEmma-KeaneX, Poppycat123, XxPrettyBlueEyesxX, HuXoN4EvA and as1999 - again this chapter is for you!!

Here's chapter 8...

After shift Beth, Dan and Emma went straight to the hospital to see how Will was doing, as they walked into reception Beth and Dan gripped each other's hand tightly, trying to silently comfort each other. Emma walked in a trance, everything blurring past her, it was like this was all a dream only she wasn't waking up. When they had finally found where ICU was, they walked from the lift into the department and saw Smithy sitting with a cup of coffee cradled in his hands.

"Hey, whats going on? How's Will?" Asked Dan immediately, Smithy had to smile at Dan's direct approach- typical Dan.

"The doctor's are still waiting on tests, Lewis took Honey home to get changed. I called Will's parents, they're in the room with him right now." He said flatly, emotionally drained form worrying.

The three just nodded, feeling exactly like Smithy. They sat down and waited for more news...

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Honey was sitting on the settee holding a cup of coffee, real coffee not the stuff that the hospital passed off as coffee. She was exhausted, it felt as though finding Will had been three days ago, not that morning. Images of him flashed through her mind as she sat staring into space, enjoying the warmth that resting on Lewis gave her. She felt cool tears slide down her face as she re-lived that moment of finding him on the floor, burning up with fever and lifeless. She leaned into Lewis more, resting her head on his chest. He squeezed her gently, letting her know he was there if she wanted to talk.

"You ok?" He asked her, his voice full of concern for the woman he loved.

Honey just nodded, looking up at him with eyes full of tears.

Lewis kissed the top of her head, doing anything he could think of to make her feel better. Honey smiled through her tears as a moment of realisation hit her, Lewis did care about her, he did return the feelings she had for him. She couldn't let him not know, she reached up and kissed him gently. Lewis was shocked at first before feeling unbelievably happy, he returned her kiss.

Once they had finally broke apart Lewis asked her, "Do you want to go back to the hospital?" As much as he didn't want to ruin the moment he was anxious for news about Will as was Honey.

"In a minute." She replied.

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Smithy, Emma, Beth and Dan didn't have to wait too long for more information on Will's condition. They had now been joined by Phil and Sam who looked just as concerned as they all were feeling.

The silence the group sat in was disturbed by a tall, dark-haired male doctor who entered the corridor outside Will's room.

"Are you friends of Will Fletcher?" He asked them.

"Yes we are." Replied Dan eagerly, hoping that the doctor had good news.

"My name is Dr Barnett, I'm taking care of Will, his parents asked me to talk to you."

"What's wrong with him?" Asked Emma tearfully, not sure if she wanted to hear the answer.

"I'm afraid Will had meningitis. His condition is serious but he is stable, the next 24 hours will be crucial, he is critically ill."

Beth and Emma burst into tears while everyone else stared at either the floor or each other in shock, it was unbelievable that Will, sporty and full of life was critically ill in hospital.

Emma got up and ran down the corridor, she couldn't take it anymore. She couldn't loose him not now. She did love him, sitting thinking about how her life would be with him made her realise it. I'm so stupid she thought, the man I've loved all along has always been there and I realise when he might die. She ran outside the hospital and sat down on one of the benches sobbing. Will couldn't die, she couldn't live without him, his stupid jokes or his smile, they way he always knew when things were bothering her.

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Once the words started to sink in Sam untangled herself from Phil, she had to go see if Emma was alright. Looking over she saw Smithy sitting, deep in thought and Dan cuddling Beth, whose shoulders were shaking uncontrollably, whispering soothing words in her ear, rocking her back and forwards. His eyes full of unshed tears too.

"I have go find Emma, make sure she's ok." Sam said quietly while standing up, Phil squeezed her arm reassuringly, that was his Sam he thought to himself, always thinking of other people.

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Sam walked outside the entrance of the hospital, guessing where Emma would be. Sure enough there she was sitting on the bench, crying quietly.

"Hey you ok?"Sam asked as she sat down on the bench

Emma shook her head, tears falling freely down her face.

"You love him don't you."She asked, not really needing to ask, all the signs where there.

"You know what Sam? I think I do," Emma replied, voice breaking. That was the first time she had ever admitted it to anyone, she just hoped that Will would make it through this so she could tell him...

So that was chapter 8 (only three chapters left!!) Did anyone get the ER reference by the way?? What did you think?? Let me know R and R!! (please)