Author's Note: You know, I realized that no one ever writes about Yusei's and Martha's relationship. I mean, she did adopt him. There must be more mother/ son relationship than most people realize. So I decided to do a chapter from her point of view, after he came out of surgery (yes, I didn't kill him off in this story!) Enjoy!

I sat at his bedside all night, refusing to sleep.

He needed me now more than ever, not only cooling his feverish brow, but for when he woke up. What if Yusei had woken up, after being so close to death, only to find himself abandoned in a hospital? What kind of mother would I have been to leave him?

I would have been at his side before, but I had been frozen in an anger I couldn't explain. The shock of seeing someone I loved with all my heart covered in his own blood, dying…. Something within me snapped.

When they brought him to the ambulance, I came back to reality. Trudge had held me back, even though I clawed against his bloodied hands to get to my son.

I don't know what I would have done, anyway. I guess Trudge had already done the only thing that I could have. I had to thank him- somebody like Trudge, who once wanted nothing more than Yusei gone was suddenly faced with the possibility- only to find himself pressing on the wound, trying to keep Yusei alive.

And my son was alive, though still in pain. He'd be in the hospital for awhile.

I reached over and took the damp cloth off his forehead, submerging it in a small bowl of water, wringing it out, and putting it back in its place. His fever was the aftershock, and losing so much blood certainly didn't help. It hadn't gone too deep, but the doctors wanted to keep him for at least a week, to make sure he let himself heal and to monitor his condition.

I loved Yusei so much, more than I ever could have imagined, but I wasn't the only one who was worried. I saw the wringing of Crow's hands, covered in drying blood, a childhood habit of unease. I saw how Akiza seemed lost in thought, her love for Yusei shining in her eyes. I saw the way Jack stared at the floor, hiding his expression. It was after a few minutes of watching him that I realized he was crying.

And I couldn't believe the number of people in this room. It seemed like the whole party of 100+ people was here. Everybody had wanted to come to the hospital, wanting to do everything they possibly could. Though now, most were getting shooed out.

I sat in a hospital waiting room for the first time with Jack, Crow, Akiza, Kalin, Leo and Luna, Trudge and Bruno.

It was like the whole world wanted him to live. Everybody but one, that is.

This wasn't the first time so much concern had been shown for his life. I remembered when Yusei was 7, he caught a serious case of meningitis.

I let my memories take me back to years ago…

It was horrifying. I heard him collapse before I saw him. I whipped around and saw him on the ground, just a tangled mess of limbs. I involuntarily let out a half scream, then realizing I shouldn't tell Jack and Crow, it was already too late.

I kneeled down next to him, pulling him up against me. The two other boys ran into the room, understanding that my earlier unease had been correct, even though Yusei had denied something was wrong with him.

I realized I shouldn't have listened to him. I should have made him rest, nursed him even though I knew he hated being fussed over, a trait he still had today.

I put my palm on his forehead, checking his temperature. He had a high fever, just like he did now. I straightened my back, trying to regain my composure. The two boys were sitting on the floor across from me, clearly scared.

Jack reached out his hand to Yusei's shoulder, and squeezed. It was like a signal to me- Jack, who was sort of a bully, but secretly had a good heart, was finally showing it.

It was like he was saying he would help me take care of him, even though he was only a kid himself. I looked at the two boys, and Crow had this look in his eyes like he would happily do the same.

At that moment, I lost it, and started sobbing.

And the two boys had helped me take care of Yusei until he was better, nearly a full week later. They had spent so many nights with me, sitting at his side, doing everything they could.

I know they would be here now, and I know they really want to be.

Yusei stirred in his sleep, and I waited anxiously as his eyes blinked a few times, then opened.

It was 6 hours after his surgery- he wasn't supposed to be awake for another 4. But I always knew that my Yusei was a fighter, since the first day I had held that little baby.

He looked at me, a little confused. He shook his head slightly, almost whispering "Martha?"

I looked at my son, a child that I had known for 17 years, raised and taken care of, lying in a hospital bed. I realized there was nothing that I could have done to prevent this.

Somebody wanted to kill my son, and they had almost succeeded.

I silently put my head down on his chest and sobbed, listening to his heartbeat.

I felt him untangle his arm from the sheets, and wrap it around my shoulders, bringing me to him. He started to sit up, only to suck in his breath.

I pulled back, afraid I was hurting him. I helped him into a sitting position. "What….what happened, Martha?"

I opened my mouth to answer, but a heard the door click, then open. I turned to see Trudge, in the same clothes he wore yesterday, dried blood still under his nails.

He looked shocked, like he didn't expect to see what he did. Of course- Yusei wasn't supposed to be up yet. But Trudge quickly recovered, pulling up a chair.

"How are you feeling, Yusei? I know this might be a bad time, but…"

"Yusei needs to rest." I interrupted, not wanting Trudge to continue with whatever he was doing. Yusei had just been shot, and now he wants a favor?

Trudge continued, ignoring me. I realized I should have thanked Trudge for helping to save my son's life.

"Well, this wasn't an accident. The bullet was aimed precisely at the spot where you would lose the most blood- whoever shot you wanted you to have a slow, painful death. But there's something even more pressing right now."

Trudge took a breath.

"Yusei, somebody tried to kill you."