A/n: Ya! I got it out early!

Enjoy!!

***

Chapter 13

APOV

I was sitting in the chair beside the bed, the monitors beeping a steady rhythm in the background.

My mind was swirling, going in and out of focus.

Bella was currently at the café buying sandwiches for the two of us.

Rose would hardly come here, being so traumatized by the scene in the cave- one which I'm thankful I never saw, Nathan wouldn't permit any of us to enter.

The guys were currently lying motionless on their own beds all spaced evenly apart in the large room.

The three of us- well two- would take turns watching the guys, ensuring everything was okay.

It had been a week since Rose found them, yet nothing had changed.

In fact for the three of us, things had possibly gotten worse.

Rose, most of the time was in a catatonic state, crying her self to sleep and waking up screaming most nights. Bella and I took to sleeping with her to calm her down, but even that rarely worked.

Bella had become somewhat of a shell and would get only about an hour of sleep at night. She said she was fine, but I knew better seeing the rather large bags under her eyes. Only a few days ago did she finally decide to sleep here, hoping that that would help. And it seemed to, the bags were slowly fading.

I was not much better, like Bella I was a walking zombie. Easily startled, and quickly falling into sobs. Unlike the other two though I could actually have some sort of conversation and remember what I said later on in the day.

The bustling of the nurse brought me out of my trance. I sat up straight eyeing her face to see any change in features, frown, smile, anything. She put the final clipboard away and left the room. Nothing.

I hunched back in the chair and fixed my gaze once more on the ugly tiled floor.

My mind started going over the events that led up to this current monotony.

~Flashback ~

I was walking behind Sam as he wandered back and forth through the trees. I could still hear the others calling out the names that meant so much to my sisters and I, but unfortunately was still met with no reply.

Twenty minutes after we restarted from the cougar fiasco, a scream reached my ears, echoing off the mountains and trees.

I glanced at Sam, who stood erect, with ears pointed to the right where the scream seemed to have originated.

Sean came over the two-way, "Did anyone else hear that?" he asked, a nervous edge to his voice.

"Yeah," Kate replied with the same nervous tone. Eric replied too with a scared, "Uh- huh." I simply replied with a 'yes'.

"Okay, everyone let's meet back at the truck. We've covered every inch of this mountain…and I think we should investigate that scream." Sean said.

Although I was scared too, I also knew that it could have something to do with the guys. I just hope it was something good, but with that kind of yell, I wasn't to sure.

***

We drove in the SUV toward the sound of the scream. Sean was on the phone as well as Kate, to whom they were speaking I wasn't sure.

Someone sighed in the back.

"I just got off the phone with Nathan…they found the guys."

His words took a few seconds to register.

"…How bad is it?" I asked, understanding that they must not have been found in a good way.

"… (sigh)…Alice, they are unresponsive at the moment. Nathan thinks they could be unconscious or in some sort of coma…They don't look to good at the moment… I'm sorry."

"Don't be, as long as they're alive every things fine…every thing will be fine…its…it will…it has to…" Tears betrayed me as they slowly spilled over onto my already tear stained cheeks, that were red from the cold, sobs bursting from my chest.

Kate put her hand on mine in a comforting gesture.

"I just talked to Garrett, they heard it too. The problem is though; they found a snowboarder on the mountain that is currently unconscious. He said the more important thing for them to do is get him to the hospital. He talked to Nathan too and they confirmed to him about the scream. Although Bella wants to go help Rose, she also knows that the kid needs help too, she insisted that Garrett take them to the hospital and they'd meet up with us when the rest of us bring the guys in."

"Okay," I said turning to face her. "Can you hurry, Rose needs me."

Kate nodded and pushed in the gas pedal.

***

Kate pulled up next to Rose's parked truck and cut the engine.

I scrambled out of the truck desperately trying to find my sister. Irina looked over at me and simply pointed to a hunched figure inside the truck on the passenger side.

I ran around the truck to where she sat sobbing, head in her hands. I climbed into the seat with her and wrapped my small arms around her shaking form. I placed my head in the crook of her neck and we rocked back and forth.

:::::

Nathan's POV

The piercing screams reverberated across the walls of the cave. As soon as it began I shut off the light and sprinted over to Rose's balled up figure, currently lying on the cold stone ground.

I gently placed one hand under her long toned legs and the other behind her back. I picked her up and cradled her to my chest, trudging my way back to the truck or at least a tree stump.
I didn't need to call for Irina or Mike as they had come sprinting to us at the sound of the scream.

"Stay at the entrance of the cave…Irina gather the dogs and come with me." I gave orders to Mike and Irina who had scared, slightly horror stricken expressions.

Irina called to the dogs, who were standing still spread out between the three of us.

Mike jogged up the rest of the hill to the cave entrance.

Leah and Big Mike were at my heels, Leah continually glancing at the sobbing girl in my arms. Big Mike seemed to just stare ahead at nothing, an expression of seriousness in his dark eyes.

A short walk later Irina, the dogs, and I reached the truck.

I maneuvered Rose to a better position in my arms and opened the passenger seat door. I placed her on the seat.

"Rose, it will be okay. They are alive. They are just…sleep-"

"You can say it, I'm not a child. They're unconscious."

I cleared my throat, "Uh, yeah."

I moved the dark blonde hair out of her face and gently wiped at the tears that were slow to fall.
She looked up and a small smile was on her lips, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Thanks," she said.

"You're welcome. I'm going back up there to help the guys. Irina will stay with you okay?"

She simply nodded and let her head rest against the seat her eyes looking at her folded hands that sat on her lap.

I straightened out of my hunched form and went over to the back of the truck where Irina was strapping in the dogs.

"Stay with her please, I don't know if she's going to go into shock or what. Just keep an eye on her."

She stayed quiet and nodded her head twice. As I began to walk away she patted her leg and took Leah over to Rose. I smiled- how is it that girls (most of the time) seem to know the best things to do for comfort?

On the way back to the cave I got a call from Garrett. How I had service out here was beyond me, but I answered anyways and told Garrett of what happened. I could hear him talking to Bella and the others with him. He then told me about their discovery and said they would meet us at the hospital, at Bella's insistence.

The second I got off the phone Sean called. For the second time I explained in short what happened. They were on their way, which was good Alice could provide some comfort for her sister.

I would have called the hospital and rangers, but Garrett said he would take care of it- since we all knew round-about where each other were. He said I needed to focus on the guys.

I made it to the entrance to find that Mike had started a fire at the close to the entrance. A good idea because it would keep the guys somewhat warm.

I walked past him and toward the closest body. Jasper.

I bent down and began taking off the coat and snow pants to look for any broken bones or major injuries.

His body was cold so I took off my jacket and placed it on his icy form.

I repeated the steps to the body next to his. Emmett.

Mike threw me his jacket so I could put it over at least some of his body. But I knew that wasn't going to do much. What they really needed was body heat…the dogs!

"Mike go get the dogs…except for Leah."

"Why? You just told Irina-"

"I know what I said!" I yelled. My breathing was hard; I tried to calm myself down. It wasn't his fault.

"Sorry," he said and disappeared from the entrance.

I went over to Edward's body; he seemed to be worse than the other two. Scratches covered his face and neck. Dried blood was covering the side of his face. I pulled out my flashlight and looked through his hair. I found a matted section covered in blood and found the source. 'He must have been hit in the head' I thought.

I took off his jacket and pulled off Mike's that was currently on Emmett, it would fit a little better.

Other than scratches and Edward's head wound, none of the boys had broken bones or major injuries.

Mike, Big Mike, Red, and Oreo came through the cave entrance. Oreo was a little leery of the fire that was thowing sparks in all directions, but slinked around the edge and trotted over to my side.

I took a hold of her collar and pulled her closer to me. I told her to lie down and she did so easily. She laid on top of Edward's chest and stared toward the others.
I'm not sure if they are just amazingly smart or if they are trained or even if Oreo some how conveyed a message, but Big Mike and Red went over to the other two bodies and settled themselves on top without being told.

***

I don't know how long we sat there in the silence, listening to the dogs breathing, the crackling fire, and the whistling wind, but after a while chopper blades began whirling above us, signaling the arrival of the helicopter.

Mike jumped up and ran out of the cave to signal to the choppers where we were, just like we had discussed while waiting.

Twenty minutes later several men with gurneys came up to the cave following Mike, Sean and Eric behind them.

They lifted the guys off the ground and carried them to the awaiting helicopters.

I ran back to the truck everyone hot on my heels, the dogs quickly overtaking all of us.

We arrived at the trucks, the girls waiting quietly, Kate and Irina talking quietly together at the truck bed, Alice and Rose sitting huddled together in the passenger seat.
Sean went over to his girlfriend, Irina, and Mike and Eric slowed behind me. We created a sort of semi-circle starting with Kate at the end of the truck around to Alice and Rose in the cab of the truck.

"Sean, Irina, Mike, and Eric, take the SUV and follow along behind us. Let's put the dogs in the back of yours so we don't have to mess with the safety harnesses and stuff. Kate you and I will ride with Alice and Rose."

Everyone nodded their heads. Mike and Eric put the remaining dogs in the SUV and climbed into the back two seats. Sean climbed into the driver's seat with Irina in the passenger seat.
Kate climbed in first to sit on the other side of Rose. I grabbed the keys and started the engine. I glanced into the rearview and Sean motioned they were ready. I looked into the back and found Leah curled into a ball in the backseat.

***

We drove down the mountain range to the hospital where the boys were headed.
Our drive was quiet, except for the occasional sniffle from one of the Hale's, I can only assume that the other vehicle was much the same way, unless Sean and Eric were questioning Mike, but with Irina in the car I'm not sure if they would bring it up.

I pulled into the hospital parking lot and drove around to the circle drive-thru to allow Rose and Alice to exit.
Kate followed the girls, and I pulled the truck around to find a parking spot.

I circled the small lot and found two available spots side-by-side.

I cut the engine and let my head fall onto the steering wheel.
My mind wandered and I prayed hard that everything was going to be okay.

::::

Kate's POV


I helped the girls get out of the truck and walked them to the reception desk in the lobby. I angled them to a pair of available chairs and sat them down while I went over to talk to the nurse.

"Excuse me; I was wondering if you could tell me the rooms to the three boys that were just care-flighted here?" I asked politely.

A few seconds of typing later the woman looked up at me through her dark blue eyes. Age lines covered her face and her hair was a light grey.
"Third floor, but you'll have to wait in the waiting room for now; they are being cared for at the moment."

"Thank you very much," I replied and turned back for the girls.

I got them to their feet and guided them to the elevator close by.

The ride up was extremely quite and making me almost go insane- almost.

The waiting room was empty except for the young female nurse that sat behind the desk to the right. I directed the girls to another chair and once again went over to the nurse.

"Excuse me, the Cullen boys, how are they?"

"Are you related to them?"

"Uh…well no, but-"

"Then I'm sorry I can't give you any information."

"But you don't understand my team just rescued them and-"
"I'm sorry I'm not allowed to give any confidential information to someone that is not a relative." She said in a more forceful tone.

Arg, I hate nurses like this! Why couldn't it have been someone that I have seen before after a rescue- like Angela or even Samantha?

I huffed, "Fine."

I stormed back over to where the girls sat. Alice looked up, "Can we see them? Are they okay?"

"I don't know. That idiotic lady over there won't tell me a thing!"

I slouched over in the chair and crossed my arms over my chest.

Ding!

The elevator doors opened revealing a disheveled Esme and Carlisle, Bella and Carmen directly behind them.

I stood up and went to Carmen, brushing my hand on Bella's arm as she passed me to go to her sisters.

"Oh my goodness what happened? Are they alright?" Carmen asked worried. "Bella didn't know but she knew that they might have been unconscious. Is that true?"

"Yes to the last question. As for the rest I don't know. That stupid woman over there won't give me any information, even though we technically can if it is our rescue victim." I said exasperated. At the mention of 'stupid lady' the nurses head popped up and her cheeks blushed, whether in embarrassment or anger I didn't know nor care.

"Excuse me," Carlisle said, letting his hands that were rested on his wife's shoulders fall.

I glanced at Carmen and caught her eye. 'Doctor' she mouthed. Oh, that explained it, he was going to get permission for us with his connections.

"Excuse me, I'm Dr. Carlisle Cullen. I believe three boys were just care-flighted to this location- they are my son's can you please inform me as to where they are and if everything is alright at this current moment." I heard him say in a polite tone.

"Um…I…I don't know sir." She stuttered and blushed; I guess she was a little overwhelmed at this gorgeous man that stood in front of her.

"Can you please find out for me?"

"Yes sir, right away sir," she said and began punching buttons on the phone, the ear piece in her left hand.

Before she could start her conversation, a tall doctor with brown hair and scrubs on entered the room.
"Excuse me is there anyone here in relation to the three boys?"

"Yes sir, I'm their father and this is my wife," Carlisle spoke, Esme walking over to her husband as he did so.

"Well I have good news and bad news. The good news is that they are completely unharmed, no broken bones, no punctured organs, only minor scratches. The head wound on one of the boys is minor and already sewn together. They were slightly dehydrated and their temperature was down slightly because of the weather conditions they were in. The bad news is they are at the current time in a coma. Now how long that will last is hard to say. I'm assuming that it should last only a short time, but I don't want to make any promises. Other than that they are fine and will be able to do any and all activities they have done in the past."

'Whew', was all I could think, although I was a little concerned about the coma part.

"Thank you doctor." Carlisle replied shaking the man's hand.

With a smile he simply said 'Not a problem.' Then returned through the double doors he entered from.
Esme cried on her husband's shoulder releasing the pent up tears in relief.

Carmen and I went to sit a few chairs down from the girls, who were huddled together supplying comfort for the other.

Carlisle and Esme drifted over to the Hale girls.

"Thank you so, so, much for finding them." Esme said with sincerity. "I know this must be hard on you all, as you all seemed be getting rather close, but trust that they will be fine."

Bella stood and embraced Esme in a hug, "You don't have to thank us. We would have done it with or without permission. They mean a lot to each of us, even though we've only known them a short while."

Esme smiled and hugged Bella, "I know sweetie, but thank you anyways."

Carlisle smiled upon the hugging pair then went over to Alice and Rose who were still seated. He gave them each a hug, moving to Bella once Esme let go.

It was a hopeful sight to see.

:::

(back to) Alice's POV

After a round of hugs, we sat in comfortable silence till we knew where the boys would be moved to.

Ten minutes later, according to the clock behind the nurse's desk, the same doctor from earlier stepped in.

"The boys have been moved to room 242 on the second floor. I've also made sure the nurses and doctors are aware that the two of you and the Hale's are allowed in." he informed Carlisle. He turned to where Carmen and Kate were sitting, "Unfotunately I could not let any others in. I don't know if there will be a big group or not, but they said as the boys are in a unconscious state right now, they want few people in the room because the nurses come and go and yadda, yadda, yadda," he conveyed waving his hand in the air in when he said his final words. I grinned at him; Bella chuckled, as well as a few others.

"That's fine," Carmen declared.


We all stood and made our way to the elevator, squeezing in when it arrived.

On the second floor, the room was slightly more crowded, but not bustling with people. The rest of our group stood to the side looking tired and leery. At the sight of us their expressions were of immediate interest and curiosity. I suppose wondering what happened and whether everything would be okay. Carmen and Kate moved toward the group while my sisters and I along with Carlisle and Esme went to the hall way along the side of the nurse's station.

At room 242 we came to a stop. I desperately wanted to run in to see my Jasper, but no matter how hard I forced my legs to continue forward they wouldn't budge.
"We'll wait for you out here, you guys go ahead, give you some privacy." Bella said kindly, I don't know if she said that because she thought it appropriate or if like me she just couldn't seem to pluck up enough courage to continue forward.
I glanced at Rose whose eyes had gotten wide and her face pale. I pulled my left arm out of Bella's right and put both hands on Rose's upper arms. I wasn't sure if she was going to pass out or throw up.

A nurse passed and Bella asked for a bucket; taking one look at Rose she ran off in the other direction for a bucket of some sort.

Shortly returning with one, she handed the bucket to me. I placed it on Rose's lap, as I pushed her gently into a hallway chair.

Carlisle and Esme came out after a short amount of time.

"Here honey, why don't you and Bella go in and we'll sit with her. I don't think she's going to want to go in just yet." Esme advised logically. My mouth turned down in a frown and as my legs carried me into the room, my eyes stayed on Rose's still form.


At the entrance I looked up and found the three boys side-by-side in their own beds. The monitors beeping their heart rates and the iv's pumping in fluids. Jasper was by the window, Edward in the middle, and Emmett was lying the closest to Bella and me.

Bella moved slowly to Edward's still form. I watched as she positioned a chair by his bed and sat down, her back to me.

I ambled over to the Jasper's bed, copying my sister and arranging a chair to stare at his perfect face. My back was to the window and I could now see Bella's face. I said nothing as I watched tears silently roll down her cheeks, my own spilling over at the sight of the scratch marks on Jasper's face.
I moved the chair closer to his head and reached out my hand, grazing my hand across his hair and cheeks. I sat there silently watching his face and played with his blonde locks, hoping that sooner or later he would smile at my touch or something that would notify me that he was awake. But no, he just laid there unmoving.

~ End Flashback~

I came back to the present when a nurse bustled in, her skirt making an awful rustling noise against her legs. She went from boy to boy to check their vitals, her face devoid of any emotion- it seems the nurses are conspiring against us so we have no idea what's going on. I wish Carlisle was here, he would be able to get answers.

She left the room and left me to my thoughts once more, but before I could get in too deep, a shifting movement caught my eye. I sat straight up staring at the tall blonde before me.

A deep groan came from his throat then, "….Alice?"

Sigh- my angel is awake.

***

A/n: Hopefully the next chapter will be in Bella's POV and all of the guys will be awake, but who knows?!

You know honestly I never thought that this story was going to turn out this long, I thought maybe a few chapters, but hey was I proven wrong! I'm glad those of you that have read, enjoy, and I hope that that will continue to be the case.

I'm starting to really like those reviews, so can I have more please?! : D