Thanks a bunch to everyone who reviewed. You made me uberly happy.
Heres chapter 19: it's pretty short cause I've got homework, but I wanted to get a quick update in for you guys.
Enjoy.
Prepared was defiantly not something Nick and Kevin were when Dr. Wheeler opened up the door to Joe's room and stepped aside. One look at their brother and everything in the world seemed to stop.
Time.
Breath.
Hearts.
Their legs were numb and refused to work. Dr. Wheeler stood behind them, a hand on each brother's shoulder.
"You can go closer boys," he said to them. "He won't bite."
Kevin gave a feeble attempt at a smile and walked slowly to Joe's side. Nick stayed where he was, starring at Joe's still form.
Dr. Wheeler excused himself, "I'll leave you guys alone for a while."
"Thanks you," Kevin replied, his eyes never leaving his brother.
He pulled up a chair and sat down as close to the bed as he could get. He took one of Joe's hands in his own and squeezed it. Unfortunately, Joe didn't return the gesture.
"Joseph, you sure did get yourself into some trouble this time didn't ya?" Kevin whispered to him. He felt tears brimming in his eyes. He wanted to hear his brothers voice. He wanted to see him smile, laugh, anything. Seeing him laying in bed hooked up to a bunch of machines was like torture.
A noise behind him caused him to look up. Nick was shuffling his feet slightly, fiddling with the hem of shirt. His eyes were glued to Joe.
"Nicholas?" Kevin tried to get his brothers attention. Nick showed no sign of hearing his brother.
"Nick. Come sit down."
Nick blinked and shook his head. Tears rolled down his cheeks. He wiped them away.
Kevin stood and walked over to him. "Nick?"
His eyes stayed on Joe. "I've never seen him like that," he whispered.
"I know but he's gonna get better. Okay?" Kevin put his hand gently on Nick's shoulder. Nick didn't respond.
"Come sit down." Nick nodded. Kevin guided him over to the chair he had been sitting in. He walked around to the other side of the bed, pulled up another chair, and once again grabbed Joe's hand.
Nick sat down and placed his hands on the edge of the bed, inches from Joe's hand.
Kevin could tell that Nick wanted to grab his hand but he wouldn't. He just starred at it.
"Nick. Hold his hand, let him know your here."
"I, I don't wanna hurt him," Nick whispered.
Kevin's face softened. "You won't hurt him Nick. It'l help him."
Nick's finger twitched but he didn't move. He opened his mouth like he wanted to say something, but decided not to. He closed his eyes, tears leaking out of them.
"Nick, what is it. Talk to me," Kevin said as he saw the conflicting emotions play out across his little brothers face.
Nick put a hand to his face, attempting to wipe the tears away. He took a shaky breath and said softly, "Kevin, he died."
Kevin looked at him. He had known that it had something to do with that. He wanted to comfort his brother but he couldn't think of words to make it better.
Nothing would change the fact that they had lost their brother. Even it was only for a few moments, it still hurt like hell. Kevin didn't think he would ever feel anything more painful and heartbreaking than he did when the Doctor told him that Joe flat lined.
He didn't know what to say to Nick.
"We almost lost him Kev," Nick broke the silence again.
"But hes here now, and hes okay. Thats all that matters," Kevin told him.
"It- that doesn't change the fact that our brother almost left us for good."
"No, it doesn't. Your right," Kevin said. "But for now, you've gotta try to put that aside. I know it's hard, but Joe needs us right now. We've gotta show him that we're here for him. Can you do that for him."
Nick was silent. He continued staring at Joe. He nodded slightly.
Kevin smiled as Nick reached forward and grasped Joe's hand. "I'm here big bro. Now wake up for me."
Kevin jumped slightly as his cell phone began to ring. He reached into his pocket and saw that it was his Dad.
"I'll be right back," he said to Nick, gesturing to his phone. He gave Joe's leg a pat as he left the room.
"Hello," he said into the receiver.
"Yeah, we're with him right now."
"No, he hasn't woken up yet."
"Yeah, I'll call the second he does."
"Love you too Dad. Bye."
He closed the phone and was about to walk back into the hospital room when he saw something out of the corner of his eye. He turned his head, but their was nothing there.
He placed his hand on the doorknob and was about to open the door when he heard a crash. He walked slowly around the corner, where he saw a knocked over tray of medical supplies. He looked down the hall and caught a glimpse of someone he didn't ever want to see again.
Cane.
Kevin ran down the hall and skidded to a stop where Cane had been. He was gone. He ran a frustrated hand through his hair and decided to go back to the room.
He told the guard outside the door of what he thought he saw. He figured they would take care of it, if it was anything. Maybe it was his imagination.
When he entered the room Nick had his laying on Joe's arm. He looked up when Kevin came in, "What took you so long?"
Kevin thought for a moment, then figured it would be better if he kept it to himself.
"Nothing."
He sat back down next to Joe and took his hand in his own.
"Wake up little bro," he whispered.
Nick's head shot up as the arm he was laying on moved slightly.
"Joe?"
I know, it's short. I'm sorry. This is really just a filler chapter. More will be up soon.
PLEASE tell me what you think.