Wow, I can't believe how fast this story is coming to a close! Okay, so to make up for the shorter chapter last time, I will work extra hard to finish this and make it AMAZING. Because the next chapter is indeed, the last (- the epilogue) and frankly I am not ready to give up such awesomeness! So, I will be writing a sequel. But right now, I should finish this up because my muse is turning to Alice in Wonderland and I can't have that. So gotta finish.

Chapter 14: By Your Side

Amanda

"Rapunzel… Eugene is in the hospital," I told her sadly as I walked into the room where Eugene lay. "Yeah, come right over… I'll be waiting." I hung up the phone and looked at Eugene's still body. He was in a hospital gown, with an IV hookup in his left arm, and a heart monitor hookup on his right hand. The monitor was beeping steadily, which was good.

"He got shot in the chest, we managed to get the bullet out, but he doesn't have much longer…"a voice said from behind me. I turned to face a man who looked like a doctor; he held a clipboard and wore think rimmed glasses.

"How long does he have?" I asked, turning from the doctor to Eugene.

"I can't really say exactly, he could survive and wake up, or he could pass within the hour. I'm sorry," he said. I stared at Eugene's body, the monitor still beeping steadily in the background. I sighed and felt tears coming to my eyes. Suddenly I heard feet patting in the distance. I turned and in ran Rapunzel, red faced with terror in her eyes.

"Oh my god… Eugene!" she cried, running over to him and throwing her arms over his body. She began crying into his chest. His heart monitor didn't speed up or slow down. I went and put a reassuring hand on Rapunzel's shoulder blade, rubbing it comfortingly as she cried over Eugene's body. I couldn't help but feel awful, like this was somehow my fault even though it wasn't. It wasn't anybody's fault except for Odessa's, because she stole the child… and she shot the one man that Rapunzel couldn't be without. I bit my lower lip and silently cried with Rapunzel as she did. I turned to face my mother and the doctor, who were talking silently. I could overhear only snip-it's of words, I made out "We aren't sure that he'll make it… the chances are really slim" I turned back to my crying friend, who hadn't budged.

"Rapunzel, he might not make it you know," I told her. I felt like someone had stabbed me when she stared at me angrily, not moving her arms from Eugene.

"No! He's going to make it! He has to!" she cried out, throwing herself back onto Eugene. I didn't do anything this time. She needed time with Eugene and that was that. I walked away from her and towards my mother.

"I think we should go outside for a bit. They need some privacy," I told her and the doctor. All three of us turned to Rapunzel and agreed that it was for the best that we leave them alone. I stepped out last, taking one last look at my friend before closing the door.

Rapunzel

"Eugene… Eugene…" I muttered, holding him as close as I could. His heart monitor sped up slightly, and I sat back as he opened his eyes.

"R-Rapunzel?" he asked weakly. I gasped in happiness; maybe this was a sign that he would be okay.

"Eugene, can you sit up?" I asked desperately. He attempted the simple task, but it was apparently too much for him to handle. He shook his head to the best of his ability, but even then it wasn't much. I sighed, knowing that he being awake even for the time being would be the best I could have. "I missed you," I told him, putting my hand under his chin. He gave me a slight smile, and winced in pain.

"I missed you too Rapunzel, Odessa won't bug you anymore," he said. I gave a sigh of relief and kissed him thankfully, in a very gentle manner. I could tell he was trying to kiss me back but no luck came his way in the situation. He winced in pain, and his heart monitor sped up slightly. "Rapunzel?" he asked weakly.

"Yes Eugene?" I asked frantically. His hand wrapped over mine and he smiled at me weakly.

"Will you stay by my side? I think it'd be better than dying alone," he said. We both knew it know, he wasn't going to survive. I took his hand and squeezed it, to know that I'd be there. I'd always be there for him. It was no secret that I was praying for him to live and not leave me. I put my head in the crook of his neck where he gently used the energy he had to stroke my short hair. I could tell he noticed the change, but I didn't blame him for not saying anything. I just lived in the moment as he was. He sighed and his monitor slowed down slightly. I sat up and took his hands in mine as he lied there. All I could do was pray that he'd be okay. All I could do was be there like he asked. I wanted him to stay with me. I wanted to be with him forever. I wished that I could do something to keep him here, with me and Amanda and our coworkers and everything. But we both knew has he squeezed my hand one last time that this was it. This was the end…

"Rapunzel…" he muttered. I turned to him with tears in my eyes. He gave me a reassuring smile and said, "I love you… and I always will." Tears rolled down my cheeks and I laughed a little.

"I love you too Eugene… and I always always will. No one can replace you," I said. Eugene smiled at me and closed his eyes. Then his heart monitor flat lined, and I felt a pang in my heart. He had died… he had left me… "Eu-Eugene?" I stammered, tears rolling down my cheeks. "No… no… you can't be… don't leave me Eugene! Please! No…" I cried, throwing myself on his body. "You can't die… You can't leave me here alone…" I sobbed. "Please… please don't leave me here… take me with you… Eugene…" I felt a hand on my shoulder, and I looked up to see Amanda. She sighed and took me into her arms, where I cried on her shirt and mumbled nonsense.

"You did everything you could Rapunzel," Amanda muttered to me. I kept crying.

"He's gone… he's gone…" I cried. Amanda held me tight and tried to pull me away from Eugene's body. I resisted and stayed right where I was. Amanda sighed, knowing she couldn't do much with stubborn old me, and she left me alone with Eugene once more. I held myself close to him and cried. I just cried and cried and cried… he was gone and I couldn't do anything about it.

Yes, I know. Suspenseful ending. But frankly, it isn't over yet! (Cheers) So stay tuned for the final chapter and epilogue tomorrow. Everyone says snow day so I have the time to get it done! R&R Plz!