Chapter Twenty-Nine

Nick.

"Your results are looking good," My Doctor, announced with a huge smug grin, "You're very, very lucky Mr. Jonas. You should have some temporary paralysis due to the nerve and brain trauma which is yet to fully heal, but looking at your scans I reckon in a year you will be fully recovered."

"That's great," Mom announced relieved standing up.

"Yeah really great, thank you so much doctor." Kevin stated alongside me.

I could literally see my Doctor's ego enlarging, as I slammed my lips closed deciding he didn't any more endorsement. "Doctor, do you mind if we could have a word outside?" Mom asked pleasantly.

My Doctor's smirk grew only for mom to purposefully put her left hand out flashing the large engagement ring. "I'd like to discuss Nick's future recovery and living situation," The doctor's smile fell and he nodded.

"Of course Denise,"

I watched them both leave as I turned to my two brothers,

"Mom was right, Neurosurgeons are seriously up themselves. Did you see how smug he was?" Kevin joked leaning back on the chair, "You'd think he'd just saved the entire human race not one person."

"One very important person." I mumbled.

Joe looked at me suddenly surprised, "Did Nick just correct you Kevin?"

Joe turned to Kevin pretending to be shocked, as my older brother nodded playing along, "I think he did Joe."

I just glared at both of them, not in the mood for this little attempt at humor. "Wow the old Nick might still be in there somewhere," Joe stood up and looked over my head tilting and searching around, "Hey, Old Nick it's time to stop hiding and come out, New Nick is kind of a dick."

"Shut up." I hissed attempting to sit up. "Actually no get out."

"Are those your two favorite new threats or something?" Joe pressed.

I turned frustrated, my head suddenly throbbing. "What the hell is that supposed to mean." I spat through gritted teeth finally balancing myself in between all of the pillows.

"Oh it's exactly what he meant Nick." Kevin retorted looking at me with dark eyes, judging eyes, "The last person you said those words to still hasn't come back, and just to let you know it's been over twenty four hours. So I'd be very careful what you say to us or you might end with no one left to look after you."

I just looked at Kevin thinking before I spoke, "I want her to come back, I-"

"Didn't mean it?" Joe questioned, "Don't lie Nick. You did."

"Fine I did." I retorted moving my hand slowly up to my head. "I did mean what I said, but not to her. I just wanted to be alone and you weren't, aren't, giving me that chance right now." I touched the bandage trying to remain calm, the pain would only get worse if I got angry.

"Nick we're trying to help." Kevin responded quietly, "We're trying to-"

"I know." I interrupted my hand suddenly feeling heavy. I dropped it to the bed frowning, "I know that, but right now…this is hard. Really hard."

"And what you don't think this is hard for all of us?" Joe asked.

"You didn't get shot." I snapped at him. "You weren't even there."

"No," Kevin nodded in agreement, "We weren't, but the girl you supposedly love was and she watched you get shot Nick. Miley watched them all get shot. And then she killed David-"

"I know that," I yelled interrupting him furiously, "Don't tell me what happened I know what fucking happened-"

"No you don't," Joe hissed looking at me disgusted, "You have no idea what happened, because you were lucky Nick. You got shot and you missed the aftermath. Did you ever think what Miley went through after it? She not only had to fucking deal with the fact Selena and Justin were dead, and that she'd taken someone's life but she had sit here and wait for you to wake up. Something that we weren't even sure was going to happen."

I clenched my teeth feeling my head throb painfully and the guilt slamming against my chest wanting to escape. I hadn't considered it. I hadn't fucking even thought about that and now, fuck, it was just another thing I suddenly felt weighed down by, it was yet another issue I'd caused.

Joe looked away shaking his head, "You have no idea what she went through."

I just swallowed closing my eyes hearing Kevin sighed, "Nick-"

"Tell me." I whispered. "Tell me what happened. Tell me right now."

I needed to know exactly what I'd done. I had to because I couldn't even begin to consider fixing it until I had all the facts laid out in front of me. Just like Selena and Justin's deaths I needed to know what had happened to her.

"She had a complete meltdown Nick, of epic proportions apparently."

"Joe!" Kevin hissed.

"What's the point of lying to Nick, Kevin? He would have found out eventually." Joe snapped back.

I opened my eyes looking at Joe, who stood up staring at Kevin pained. He then turned and walked to the window staring outside "Mom didn't tell us much," He started slowly, "But yesterday I got to see the aftermath. Miley was a mess after you got shot, she was sedated and taken to hospital supposedly screaming for you. She wanted to save you Nick."

I swallowed a lump forming in my throat, my stomach dropping. Save me? I'd wanted to save her. I'd wanted Miley to focus on herself, not me. "They released her at midday, and Jason took her back to the apartment- that's where things took a turn for the worst."

I just looked at him biting my tongue, fear welling inside me.

"She trashed her parents bedroom Nick, and I mean destroyed it. Mom said she wanted to get rid of them, that Miley wanted to forget them and you because she couldn't deal with what had happened." Joe whispered shaking his head, "But mom turned it around because of you Nick. Because Miley still wanted you."

"So mom brought her here, and Miley stayed. She stayed here the entire time."

I shook my head confused, "The entire time?" I whispered.

Kevin laughed sadly shaking his head, "Basically, she wasn't eating or sleeping. Nick, Miley would just sit in that seat right there for hours at a time and just stare at you."

"It was kind of creepy," Joe murmured blankly turning back to me.

"And then on the day of Selena's funeral she-"

"Didn't go." I finished sighing, "She-"

"Went to the Empire State Building for some completely unknown reason."

I looked up at Joe feeling shocked because I couldn't believe what he'd just said. She went there on her own? Miley went there without her parents? I watched as Joe and Kevin exchanged a look, and Joe walked back leaning on the bed.

"What is so important about the Empire State Building Nick?

I opened my mouth to respond, but no words could explain how important it was to her. That building reflected everything Miley had been through, levels upon levels of grief and so many rooms filled with more walls and locked away emotions. Yet she'd gone to the top, without the two people who Miley thought she needed with her. Miley had gone up there completely alone, and in the process faced a fear that no one would or could ever begin to understand. So I didn't even attempt to explain it to them, because they'd never realize the implications and the meaning behind it.

"It's just…" I murmured stopping. "It's important to her."

"Clearly, because since then, since you woke up…" Joe shrugged confused, "It's like something changed inside of her. I went to her place with Demi yesterday expecting another destroyed room but instead she was cleaning Nick."

I looked at him waiting for more, "She was cleaning up her parents bedroom,"

I opened my mouth feeling an emotion that I hadn't felt since I'd woken up. Relief. Complete utter relief

This was it. This was the end. She was accepting it.

Miley was moving on, and she'd done it without anyone's help.

"And she wasn't even mad at you, that's the weird thing. Miley understood, and hell Nick I don't even fucking understand what's going on with you yet she does apparently…" Joe shook his head looking at me so confused, "And you pushed her away?"

I swallowed feeling lost for words but so unbelievably proud of her. And here I was feeling guilty? She'd dealt with this after so long, and suddenly I had hope. Hope that maybe one day I could be as strong as she had been. Maybe I could get over my guilty conscious that just nagged under my skin.

"I want to see her." I whispered.

I turned and looked at both of them, "I want her here. Right now." I ordered.

Joe sighed, "Nick right now I think-"

"I want her here, right-"

The door opened as I stopped turning to see mom who looked about as relieved as I felt. She nodded at Joe and Kevin letting out a huge sigh her smile brightening the dull room, "The doctor says he should be well enough by then…if we'd had to change all the plans I'd made with Jason...well it would have been a disaster. We had everything timed out, everything booked and now thank god it can still go ahead."

I frowned confused, "What plans?" I asked her shaking my head.

She just smirked and looked up at my brother's waiting, "Is everything okay?"

I swung my head painfully to my brothers. Kevin nodded straight away, then Joe more reluctantly.

"Then I'll go call Jason." She buzzed winking at me leaving the room.

I just sat there feeling light headed, "What plans?" I repeated to silence.

Miley.

"Close your eyes…"

"I have them closed."

"You're peeking."

"I'm not."

"Jase, stop I can see what you're doing, close your eyes."

"I am okay?" He laughed as I bit my lip and opened the door.

I smiled looking into my parents old bedroom, correction, my new bedroom. "Okay," I turned looking at Jason feeling kind of nervous, I honestly didn't really know how he'd take this. "You can open your eyes."

Jason dropped his hands and opened his eyes staring out across the room. I looked directly at him, feeling hundreds of butterflies in my stomach. Jason just stood there, with a completely blank expression while his eyes slowly moved around the room. I couldn't help but let my shoulder's drop because, well, I'd hoped he'd like what I'd done.

Instead he frowned and turned to me, "You did this all last night?"

"I…" I swallowed biting my tongue nodding.

Jason groaned, "Miley you were supposed to be sleeping."

I frowned confused, "I did, for a few hours," I defended myself quickly.

Jason didn't respond his eyes searching around the room once more as I felt the need to keep talking to make him understand. "I like this room, I mean I always have, it's bigger then mine and the view it amazing from it. So I thought I'd clean up the mess I'd made and get rid of a lot of stuff. For good."

I stepped inside motioning to the cupboards, "I mean I kept a lot of things, like mom's jewelry, dad's favorite tie and just some other things that I liked. But I threw out most of their clothes, and just little things- like the alarm clock, some paperwork from work and all their ID cards. I don't need them." I blinked staring at the bed,

"And I got rid of their bed, this one is mine. I moved it so I can see out the window," I added looking out the window, "It's nice in here now."

I slowly turned to see Jason who looked away from me pained wiping his eyes. At that moment I felt sick, because yet again I'd pushed too hard. I felt my lip tremble seeing his face,

"You're mad at me, Jason, I can change it back, I can-"

"No." He stated firmly sniffling, "No. No. I just…I can't believe you've done this."

He tried to smile, but another tear fell my heart sinking further. I looked away and quickly moving towards the cupboard, "It's okay, I'll move my stuff back I just…" I opened the doors and stared in, "I just thought it was time to finally do this, I mean Amy is always on my back to do it and-"

Jason's hand gently came down on mine, "I'm not mad Miley. I would never ever be mad at you." He whispered as I turned and looked up at him, trying to stay strong, "I just…I didn't expect this right now or ever honestly."

He looked at me honestly, "I hated this room. I've hated it for so long, and I'm not upset because you changed it Miley. I'm relieved you have, because I could never have done it."

I just stared at him confused as he smiled at me, his eyes weary and still exhausted. "I tried Miley, do you know how many times I came here when you were little? I tried so hard to clean it when you weren't here, but every time I walked in." He just shook his head. "I'd see something, a photo, a painting you'd drawn for them, a watch, a glass of water, everything held a memory."

"I know," I whispered looking around, "But Denise said that even though everything is gone, I'm, we're still going to have those memories- plus now I can make new ones."

Jason nodded looking at me, "I wish I'd done this with you."

I shrugged, "I didn't ask, I wanted to do this alone."

"Did you get upset?"

The question was odd, and I pinched my lips for a moment not sure what to say. To lie or not? I finally nodded looking down, "It was really hard. Really, really hard because I found so many things that just meant so much and a lot of them I had to let go. I have to let it go."

"And now?" Jase asked as I gave a weak laugh feeling sadness, yet happiness too.

"I feel a little bit more free. I feel like this my home now. Not theirs."

I turned and looked back up at him as he nodded, suddenly smiling.

"I like it. But maybe you should have painted the walls- they could of used a coat of paint." He announced rubbing his hand along it, as I smiled this time.

"That's what you're for Jase," I looked at him hopeful, "I cleaned the room, now you have to paint the apartment."

He just looked at me for a moment and then laughed, "The apartment? How about this room? And maybe we should change the color? Maybe an off white?" I nodded in agreement as he suddenly frowned. "But what about Nick? Do you think he'll want a say in it?"

Jason just stared at me and I rolled my eyes, "That was hardly subtly, I'm giving him space Jase he said-"

"He wants to see you right now apparently."

"What?" I responded quickly.

"Which is why I came over," Jason's smile grew, "Nick wants to apologize, and I might have a small surprise for you." I looked at him suddenly excited, every feeling of concern gone replaced by hope once more.

"He wants to see me?" I asked eargerly. "And I get a surprise? Is it my birthday?"

Jason laughed awkwardly, "Actually it is in a round about way…"

I looked up at him waiting for more and he just smiled,

"So, hospital?"

I looked around my bedroom and nodded, "Okay, lets go to the hospital."

I decided to get changed which took a lot longer then expected, due to the fact I now had a huge wardrobe with absolutely no idea where I'd put anything. By the time I eventually got in the car Jason was smiling like an idiot. I'd never seen him so excited. To no surprise Amy had sent me more candy, which Jason forced my to eat during the trip, before ordering me to a mandatory dinner tomorrow night. And by the time we got to the hospital, I felt ready to hurl from all the sugar I'd consumed.

"We're fully operational tomorrow, at work I mean." Jason stated as we walked through the hospital, towards the elevator.

I nodded, "That's good, when am I getting clearance to return to-"

"I wouldn't bother finishing that sentence right now." Jason announced firmly as we got in the elevator and I just gave him a look, "Miley right now you're on compulsory leave, which will be for another two if not three weeks depending on the board."

"And then?" I asked seriously.

Jason sighed, "Do you really want to come back? I'd rather you-"

"Then what?" I repeated looking at Jason.

"You'll have to undergo a few counseling sessions and they'll judge whether or not you're capable to return to the field." He responded mumbling the whole thing as I nodded knowing that it was going to be way more painful then what it was worth.

"I hope my desk is still there when I get back." I replied.

"Depends," Jason muttered as the doors opened, "I might specifically move it to the jail cells, at least then I know I can keep a constant eye on you."

"You're hilarious," I responded as Jason just smiled,

We walked down the relatively quiet hallway towards Nick's room as I slowed hesitant. What if I'd been tricked into coming here? What if he still didn't want me? I came to a complete stop outside Nick's door, picturing the room before me in my mind. Jason's hand moved out to the doorknob as I looked at him.

"He does want to see me, right?" I asked uneasily.

Jason nodded, without a hint of hesitation or unease. "Miley I promise."

I nodded as Jason just smiled and opened the door quietly. He walked in first as I followed still feeling nervous, for some unknown reason I still had my doubts.

I looked in seeing Nick, to my surprise fast asleep. I shouldn't have felt it, but the relief was instant because he couldn't get rid of me right now anyway. At least I could make sure he was okay physically.

"Bad timing much? Hey Denise," Jason whispered.

"Hi Jason, tell me about it."

I ignored their pleasantries quickly scanning the rest of the room to see it was empty. "I just got rid of the boys, they were annoying Nick and he seemed pretty tired. As soon as they left he was out like a light." Denise whispered. I took the opportunity to familiarize myself once more with the man I loved, gently placing my hand beside his.

Nick looked so calm and relaxed now. He was completely blank of all the emotions he'd had last time and seemed more at peace with everything. Of course, he was asleep but I could just tell Nick was in a better mindset now, something had changed and I didn't care what it was. I just wanted him to be okay. I moved my hand again reaching up to his cheek, gently running the tips of my fingers along it. I couldn't help but smile watching him react to my touch,

Nick's eyes suddenly pinched tightly shut, then opened rapidly. I looked directly into the bright brown eyes I was now used to waking up beside, the same ones I'd hoped would always be there.

He blinked a bit disorientated, letting out a murmur.

"Hey," His voice croaked, "Hey, you're here."

Nick smiled moving his shaky hand up to me, still a little dazed as I leaned down to sit on the chair moving my hand away from his cheek taking his outstretched fingers in my own. I smiled entwining our hands, only to see Nick's eyes fill with complete pain,

"Mi, I'm-"

"Don't." I finished shaking my head. "It's fine. I understand."

Nick just shook his head, "No, no what I said it-"

"I'm fine Nick, okay?" I responded seriously looking directly at him.

Nick frowned at me intensely. "I'm sorry."

I leaned forward towards him, closing the gap between us. "I'm fine Nick. You needed space. I get it. I completely understand." I whispered to him, "And what I said still is true, if you want to talk about it then I'd be happy to listen, and if you don't then so be it. You looked after me, and now it's time I return the favor because I love you so much Nick. I love you like crazy and I will do anything to help you through this."

Nick just looked at me, a cute dazed smile appearing across his face.

"You're helping me right now, just by smiling. I love you too." He whispered squeezing my hand pressing his forehead against mine, "And I'm sorry, really sorry, I want to make it up to you."

I closed my eyes, "I haven an idea."

"What?" He whispered desperately.

"You could give me the kiss I've been waiting a week for…" I responded seriously opening my eyes, biting my lip, "You know the one in the movies when two people go through a life and death situation and make it through okay?" Nick just stared at me, his eyes then shifting a little.

"I would, but there is no way I could kiss you like that with the audience present" He murmured and I smiled in agreement, "How about a small one?"

"I can agree to that,"

Nick leaned up completely dissolving the distance between us, giving me the kiss I'd wanted for so long. It wasn't amazing, it didn't last long and when I pulled away I was disappointed but it made the feelings go away. The fear was gone instantly because I knew the guy I loved was still in there, Nick was going to be okay and we would be too. One day.

Nick frowned looking past me, "Can you both stop staring, it's creeping me out. Actually why don't you leave?"

Jason scoffed and I sat up looking towards both of them attempting to hide their relief. "That is no way to talk to your boss Nick, plus we have a surprise. Right Denise? One we've been planning for a while now."

I saw them exchange an excited look as Denise stepped forward holding out a folder,

"What is it?" I asked accepting the densely filled folder.

Nick however interrupted before Denise could respond, "That's the folder I saw you with at the office…" Both of them nodded while I held it confused.

"I don't understand can I open it?" I asked nervous.

"Yes, of course you can it's your present." Denise proclaimed.

I opened the folder as Nick sat up beside me and I stared inside seeing a bunch of travel brochures. I picked up the first for Italy confused, giving Nick a look as he leaned over picking up one for Denmark? We both continued to sort through more brochures for Germany, Britain, Spain, Portugal and what seemed like all of Europe basically. Then it clicked…

"Your honeymoon!" I proclaimed feeling accomplished.

I looked at Denise who nodded, "You remember? That I was planning the trip with Bob?" I nodded and she just smirked, "I said it was after the wedding Miley, I never said it was for me and Bob."

I just stared at her, the disbelief hitting me at once. "Wait, then if it's not for you guys, then who is it for?"

Jason laughed, "Isn't obvious?"

My stomach dropped, "This is-"

"For us?" Nick asked.

Both of them nodded as I felt my mouth drop speechless.

"We're going to Europe?" Nick asked confused. "Miley and me are going to Europe?"

I looked down at all the brochures not knowing what to say, because this was too much. Europe? A vacation? A holiday to Europe? The one place I'd always wanted to go. The one trip I'd had stolen from me at age eight. I was going to Europe? I was finally going to go?

"Yes, you are," Jason laughed as I just looked at him.

"And it gets better." He responded looking at me smiling, "Because this is your birthday present Miley, and I specifically made sure that on that day you get to do the one wish you didn't get on your 9th birthday." I just looked at Jason feeling my emotions get the better of me as he pointed at the France brochure,

I looked down and covered my mouth seeing the building, not just any building. The Eiffel tower. I couldn't stop myself. I stared crying because I never thought this would happen. I never thought I'd get this chance again. I never thought I'd fulfill the stupid wish I'd had as a kid.

Jason groaned, "Please tell me they are happy tears?"

"Europe? Europe? Europe? Are you serious?" I could hear Nick yelling ecstatic.

Jason moved forward and pulled me into a hug, which only made me worse. "You're going to go up there, and you're going to feel proud of yourself okay? Because you deserve this, you've deserved this for a very long time and I want you to be happy. All I want is for you to be happy."

I laughed letting out a sob, "I am Jase, I'm so happy."

A/N: Hey guys, so I wrote this over three days which explains why it's a little disjointed and extremely long. But I purposefully held back updating it until today because...well obvious reasons. I thought I'd make it happy seeing as today is so sad. Anyway thanks for the reviews, I'm so completely unsure of the ending for this atm but I have a feeling I still need to have at least 2 more chapters to make it a smooth ending :D