A/N: Oh My Gosh. You guys are LEGENDS! XD

Hehe, but no, I'm actually dead serious. That was the most reviews I've ever gotten on a chapter! OVER FIFTY REVIEWS! OVER FIFTY! That's absolutely INSANE! : D

Wow, thank you all so much! I absolutely LOVE you guys! 3

And I have to tell you, that all 57 of those reviews were in favour of keeping Mitchie alive. : ) Some went so far as to threaten to hunt me down with pitchforks and other various sharp objects if I wrote anything otherwise.

Haha, very funny, but did that scare me enough into obeying?

Well what on earth are you reading this authors note for? XD

Read on and find out! =)

"She's… gone?" Shane asked in disbelief.

The doctor looked stunned for a moment.

He frowned and shook his head quickly.

"No, no. She's still alive."

Connie stopped sobbing, and looked up at the doctor hopefully.

"She's OK?"

A grim look passed over the doctor's face and he shook his head.

"No. We're going to need you to fill out some forms Mrs. Torres. It's standard procedure."

"Forms? Why? What's wrong with her?" Shane asked abruptly.

The doctor sighed.

"I suggest we take a seat."

He led Shane and Connie to the firm couch they had occupied earlier.

They sat stiffly, waiting for the doctor's diagnosis.

"We have taken a few tests, and we believe that Mitchie has developed a condition called Hypoxia."

Shane looked up at the doctor in confusion.

"Hypoxia? What-"

"Hypoxia is a pathological condition in which the body is deprived of adequate oxygen supply," the doctor continued, predicting Shane's question. "When Mitchie's asthma attack worsened, we believe that there was a mismatch between the supply and demand of oxygen at a cellular level."

He paused when he saw Shane and Connie exchange bewildered glances.

"In short, there is not enough oxygen in her blood to keep the heart pumping regularly," he finished, and waited for a reaction.

Connie nodded numbly.

Shane remained still, frozen in silence.

"So, what does that mean?" Connie asked weakly.

"It means that we must expect the worst."

Upon seeing Connie's alarmed look, he hastened to reassure her.

"There is still a chance that Mitchie may live, although I admit that the odds are not in her favour. It is estimated that only one in three patients with Hypoxia survive."

Shane suddenly felt nauseous.

"Are you sure it's Hypoxia?" He asked weakly, fishing for a loop hole. "Couldn't it be something else?"

The doctor gave Shane a weak smile which didn't quite reach his eyes.

"We're 99% sure. She has all the symptoms: shortness of breath, fatigue, changes in level of consciousness, blue discolouration of the skin.." The doctor lapsed into silence.

Shane closed his eye's as Connie worked up the courage to speak.

"How is she now?"

The doctor held Connie's steady gaze and sighed.

"Mitchie's on life support, Mrs. Torres. She can't breathe independently."

Connie sucked in a breath and began to sob quietly.

"Can we see her?" Shane asked numbly.

The doctor shuffled his feet and looked uncomfortable.

"We need to run some more tests first. Mitchie is still unconscious, which isn't a good sign."

Connie began to sob harder.

Shane merely stared blankly ahead, unseeing. It was like his life was suddenly beyond his control.

Mitchie was dying, and there was nothing he could do.

He felt miserable, lifeless; so disconnected from his body that he didn't even register the tears now rolling down his cheeks.

"I'm sorry," the doctor said sincerely. "I understand how hard this is for you both. We'll do everything we possibly can to help Mitchie. And if there is anything else I can do for you, just ask. I'll let you know as soon as we have any further news on her condition. Right now, I'll need you to sign some papers Mrs. Torres. Has Mitchie's father been contacted?"

Connie sniffed and wiped her tears from her cheeks before replying.

"I called him earlier. He's on his way now."

The doctor nodded sombrely, and handed a few pages of forms to Connie.

"I'll be back soon," He promised.

With that he turned on his heels and retreated back down the hall, leaving Shane and Connie to dwell in grief-stricken silence.

Tess was being dragged unwillingly from unconsciousness. She wanted to linger in the blackness; the only place where she couldn't feel, couldn't think, couldn't remember.

It was easier that way.

Her stomach plummeted suddenly as she felt herself being lifted.

She was airborne.

The feeling was all too familiar.

The cliff flashed blindingly in her memory.

She was falling, spiralling towards her death. The ground surged up to meet her.

No. Not again.

Her eyes fluttered upon and she realized she was screaming.

"Shhh, shhh honey," A female voice soothed. "Just a dream. You're fine."

The scream froze in Tess's throat and she tried to focus on her surroundings.

Where was she?

A man and woman were looking down at her cautiously, and Tess squeezed her eyes shut again, feeling slightly sick.

She was being carried on a stretcher into the hospital.

The female nurse was speaking soothingly to her again, but Tess merely felt irritated.

She wanted more than anything to get up and leave at that very moment.

To be surrounded by her friends; to be told how much they missed her, that they were glad she was alive.

To have her mother hold her in her arms and tell her that everything was going to be okay.

Tess shrank back into her thoughts, knowing that it was impossible.

She sighed bitterly as she felt the tears sting her eyes.

Everything she wanted was impossible.

Caitlyn sat outside, lost in thought.

Darkness had finally fallen, and brought with it a blanket of stars.

She shivered as she admired the bejewelled sky.

It was a cold night.

She wrapped her arms around herself to banish the chill that was beginning to creep through her body.

"Hey," A quiet voice called from the blackness.

Caitlyn gasped and looked up.

Nate was walking towards her, a shy smile on his face.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you," he said guiltily.

Caitlyn shivered again and wrapped her arms tighter around herself.

"It's okay."

"Are you cold?" Nate asked with sudden concern.

He walked closer and sat down beside her, draping his jacket over her shoulders.

"Thanks," Caitlyn whispered. "Where's Jason?"

Nate sighed in frustration.

"He's building a birdhouse," He muttered.

Caitlyn raised her eyebrows in confusion.

"A birdhouse? Why?"

"Don't ask," Nate growled under his breath.

Caitlyn laughed, smiling at his agitation.

A twinge of guilt plagued her mind and her amusement faded; the grin wiped clean from her face.

She shouldn't be happy. She shouldn't be smiling and laughing.

Not when Tess was badly injured.

Not when Mitchie was dying.

She didn't deserve to have fun and enjoy herself when they were lying in hospital.

It wasn't right.

It wasn't fair to them.

Nate was watching her intently.

"Are you OK?" He asked finally.

Caitlyn bit her lip and kept her eyes on the ground.

But she couldn't cry again. Not in front of Nate.

"You're worried about Tess and Mitchie aren't you?"

Caitlyn sighed in response to Nate's question and looked reluctantly up at him.

"Is it that obvious?"

Nate nodded, his eye's sad. He wanted to reassure her, to tell her that everything was going to be fine, but he wasn't quite sure what to say.

Caitlyn gave him a watery smile.

"So much has happened. Yesterday, everything was perfect, and then today.." She paused for a moment before continuing. "It feels like my whole world's been tipped upside down."

Nate touched her hand gently, his eyes full of understanding.

"I know," He murmured. "But it'll get better. Tess is strong, she'll be out of hospital in no time. And Mitchie.." He paused for a moment before continuing. "Mitchie will be okay, I know she will."

Caitlyn was torn.

"But how can you know that? How can you be sure? What if Mitchie doesn't get better, Nate? What if she.. What if she di-"

"Don't say it," Nate said firmly. "She won't, okay?"

He frowned when Caitlyn didn't reply.

"Just try not to think about it. You're tired, maybe you'll feel better after a good nights sleep."

"Maybe," Caitlyn sighed doubtfully.

"How's your ankle?" Nate asked after a moments silence.

"It's all right," Caitlyn lied.

Nate frowned.

"It hurts, doesn't it? You should've rested it today."

Caitlyn sighed, suddenly agitated.

"Yeah, well it's too late for 'should haves' now, isn't it?" She mumbled under her breath.

Why did everyone keep asking her about her ankle?

She didn't want their sympathy; in fact, it was getting on her nerves.

"Whatever," Nate murmured, getting to his feet.

"Wait," Caitlyn sighed, reaching up to touch his arm before he could leave. "Don't go. I'm sorry. I-"

"It's okay, Caitlyn. You don't have to explain yourself to me." Nate said quietly.

Caitlyn was still for a moment, waiting for him to continue.

But he didn't.

He stayed silent, watching her with an expression that she couldn't understand.

"Nate?" She asked cautiously.

Nate sighed and reluctantly sat down beside her.

"Yeah?"

Caitlyn bit her lip shyly, shaking her head.

"Never mind," She murmured. "It's not important."

Nate smiled lightly, taking her hand in his.

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching the stars fade in the sky. Caitlyn finally managed to pull her gaze away.

She looked up at Nate, her heart beating fervently in her chest.

His brown curls fell casually over his face, his expression unreadable, and any hostility Caitlyn had felt before faded; she had a sudden urge to tell him everything.

"Nate," She began. "I.. Well I've been thinking.. You.. I mean, I just.. Um.."

She bit her lip shyly.

He met her gaze and she felt a blush spreading across her cheeks.

She couldn't do it. She couldn't tell him.

"Caitlyn?" Nate prompted, sensing her hesitation. "What is it?"

He smiled, and Caitlyn felt her heart skip a beat.

She blushed again and looked down.

He would laugh at her, she knew he would.

Caitlyn faltered, trying to come up with a good excuse.

"Uh.. Never mind. I.. forgot."

Nate chuckled.

He touched her chin lightly and pulled her face up to his.

"You're not a very good liar, Caitlyn," he murmured, amused.

Caitlyn suddenly forgot how to breathe.

She peered up at him through her lashes, her pulse racing in anticipation.

Her eyes closed as Nate pressed his lips to hers.

His kiss was gentle, comforting.

All the painful memories of that day disappeared.

Caitlyn kissed him back, slowly at first, but gradually gaining in confidence.

Nate caressed her hair lightly and she felt a jolt of electricity run through her veins.

But as quickly as the kiss had begun, it was over.

Nate suddenly pulled away. An expression of shock spread over his face.

He stood up abruptly, mumbling apologies.

"Nate," Caitlyn said, her voice wavering in confusion. "What-"

She froze when Nate shook his head.

"No, Caitlyn. I shouldn't have done that."

Caitlyn got to her feet, reaching out to grab his hand.

"But I'm glad you did."

She squeezed his palm reassuringly and smiled happily at him.

Nate loosened himself from Caitlyn's grip, stepping back from her with a sigh.

"I'm not."

And with those final words, he turned on his heel and disappeared into the night.

Caitlyn stared after him in disbelief.

What had she done wrong?

With a weary moan, she rushed after him, wanting to put things right.

"Nate!" She called loudly as she spotted his shadow fading into the trees.

"Nate!" She yelled again.

Why didn't he stop?

"Don't follow me, Caitlyn."

The reply stunned her for a moment, and she stopped dead in her tracks.

Her mind was reeling.

What had just happened?

She didn't understand.

Why did Nate leave?

Is this what all guys do after they kiss someone?

Run away?

Caitlyn shook her head angrily, knowing it wasn't.

Caitlyn's vision clouded as her confusion turned to pain.

Whatever the reason was, it didn't take away from the cold hard truth: Nate had rejected her.

She lashed out unthinkingly, kicking her foot with unrestrained force at the nearest tree trunk. It collided with a dull thud, and she heard the crack before she felt it.

Caitlyn gasped.

Her sprained ankle.

She sunk to her knees, wanting to scream from the pain, but knowing that there was no point.

No one would come anyway.

No one would care.

She curled up in a weak ball, clutching her legs to her chest and letting the tears roll down her cheeks.

Her body shook with sobs.

It was hard to know whether it was the physical pain or the emotional pain that finally caused her to break down; maybe it was a combination of both.

She knew her ankle was now broken.

But through her tears, she refused to admit that maybe her heart was broken too.

A/N: A bit of romance for you, and I know you're all dying for some Smitchie! But Naitlyn will have to do for now... :D

Are you mad at Nate for leaving Caitlyn?

Or do you think that maybe he had a good reason?

OK, so I actually did a bit of research on Hypoxia, for reasons which you'll find out later..

Mwahaha! XD But lets just say there is a LOT more drama to come. :D

Good news: My exams are officially OVER! =) And I am officially on holiday- Which means, I'll take less time to update!

Anyway, since the vote on whether you wanted Mitchie to live or die worked so well last time, I have a new one for you.

I knew that most of you would want Mitchie to live, because she's nice and there wouldn't be any Smitchie without her! But what about Tess? She's been a royal pain in the butt, she was going to push Mitchie over the cliff, but she's having problems with her self esteem.

Do you feel sorry for her, or not?

I WANT YOUR VOTE!

"TESS: Do you want her to live or die?"

Remember, it's up to you! Review, don't be lazy! :D It takes two seconds to answer that question, and I really want your opinion :D

For me? =)

Please :D

Don't think.

Just do it.

You know you want to! XD

Or if you don't, you know I want you to!

Much thanks, you guys are the best, and your reviews make my day! =)

Hugs,

Kacee