I'm so so so so so so so so so so so so sorry. I've been trying to write but I've had writer's block recently. That coupled with school being stressful makes for very slow progress. But I'm trying to make more time for writing since I really do love writing this story for you guys. Anyway, I hope you like the chapter!

Alex stood in shock, her eyes filling with tears. "It's Joey," she whispered.

"Excuse me," a nurse said, coming out of the room. "Do you two know this boy?"

"Yes," Alex said, tears now streaming down her face. "His name's Joseph Barnes. He's my little brother." She glanced again at Joey, lying motionless on the bed. "He's in a coma, isn't he?"

"I'm afraid so," the nurse told her. "But it's a very light one. He's even shown signs of being aware of his surroundings. That's why we haven't pulled the plug. We were hoping someone would be able to identify him. He's a John Doe."

"Can I go in there?" Alex asked.

"Of course," the nurse answered.

Alex and Roy walked into the room and over to Joey's bed.

"Hey, Joey," Alex said between sobs. "I really missed you, you know. I thought you were dead, you had me scared. For like, a year."

Alex was shaking from her sobs at this point. She felt Roy put his arm around her and she took a few deep breaths, calming herself.

"Joey," she said, grabbing his hand. "If you can hear me, please just squeeze my hand."

Alex waited a full minute, then she felt her brother squeeze her hand weakly.

"Oh, please tell me I didn't imagine that," Alex whispered to nobody in particular.

"Joey, that nurse said there was hope. And it looks like you can hear us, so if there's anything left of you in there, just try to wake up," Roy urged him. "Your sister needs you, buddy. Wake up for her."

Alex and Roy waited for a minute that felt like an eternity, watching Joey intently. Slowly, his left eye began to open, and soon he was looking at them, half of his mouth turned up in a smile. The right half of his face was too burned and scarred to show much expression, but his good eye twinkled and he beamed at them, his lips moving what little they could to show teeth.

"Hey, Alex." His voice was raspy from lack of use. "Hey, Roy."

"Hey, man," Roy said.

"You probably shouldn't talk much until we have a doctor look at you," Alex told Joey as she pushed the button to call for a nurse.

A moment later, the same nurse from earlier came in.

"My God," she said, looking at Joey. "He's woken up. You've saved him."

"He needs a doctor," Alex told her.

"Of course. It'll only be a moment." The nurse ran out of the room.

No one said a word for a minute. All three were too glad to just be together again. But then Joey broke the silence, his words breaking Alex's heart once more.

"Where are mom and dad?" He spoke with hope, but also with fear. Alex knew he suspected the truth.

"I'm sorry, buddy. I'm so, so sorry." Tears welled in Alex's eyes once more as she confirmed his fears.

"I thought so," he said quietly, tears streaming down his face. "What happened?"

"I'll tell you everything after we have the doctor look at you, okay?" Alex said.

Just then the doctor entered. He asked Alex and Roy to leave while he examined Joey. They went out into the hallway to wait.

"'Everything'?" Roy asked.

"What?" Alex turned towards him.

"I know you probably just meant everything about the Undertaking, but a lot has happened since then," Roy elaborated. "How much do you plan to tell him?"

Then Alex realized what he meant. "I don't know. He's just a kid, I don't want to drag him into this mess, but I don't want to lie to him, either."

"He's almost eighteen, Al," Roy reminded her.

"I suppose he is," Alex hadn't thought of that. "Although he did lose a year. And do you mean to say I should tell him?"

"No, not necessarily," he explained. "I just want to remind you he's older than you like to think."

"Probably older than you like to think, too. He's basically your brother. I don't think either of us like the idea of him growing up."

"He has to find out at some point."

"Not yet," Alex decided. "I want to give him time to adjust to life again."

"Good idea."

"I hope he can find a job," Alex started musing. "We're going to need a bigger apartment and obviously I'll have more little expenses. Plus he should go back to school... And there will be medical costs..." She trailed off, realizing how financially challenging this would be. Of course, she was elated to have her brother back. But, ever the realist, Alex wondered how they'd make ends meet.

"I'll help," Roy offered. "I don't have a lot, but I don't need much to get by."

"I can't ask you to do that, Roy." But Alex knew she'd have to accept. What other options were there?

"You didn't. Listen, like you said, he's basically my little brother, too. At least let me help cover whatever the hospital charges you. And I'll help with the little things until Joey can find a job."

"Thank you, Roy," Alex said sincerely.

The doctor walked into the hallway. "Is one of you related to the patient?" He asked.

"I am," Alex answered. "I'm his sister."

"Are you his legal guardian, or is he of age?"

"Almost, his birthday is in about a month. And I guess he doesn't have a guardian," Alex said. "Our parents died in the Undertaking."

"I'm very sorry. But you're the next of kin?"

"Yes, I am."

"Then I have some information for you. Mostly, your brother is fine. He was put in a stable condition upon arrival so there aren't any major surgeries required. But there are a few surgeries that should be made to make it easier for him to speak and breath. We also may be able to restore sight to his eye. And obviously there's cosmetic work to be done, but I'll refer you to another surgeon for that."

"How much would all the practical surgeries cost?" Alex asked, dreading the answer.

He gave a number that made Alex feel dizzy. "And I'm afraid you won't be able to get an insurance plan for him to cover part of it," he added.

"I can't afford that," Alex said, feeling defeated.

"I'm afraid there's no other option."

There was a silence. Alex and Roy were both trying to think of some way they could get the money. The doctor was waiting for a response.

"I have to go," the doctor said. "You can go in and see him, if you want."

They went inside the room and walked over to Joey.

"I want to know what happened," he said immediately.

"Do you remember anything?" Alex asked, wanting to know where to start.

"The last clear thing I remember is sitting in my room, studying," he answered.

"Well." Alex took a deep breath. "It was about a year and a half ago. A few people who hated the Glades planned what they called "the Undertaking" it was an operation meant to destroy the Glades and everyone and everything in them. One of the people, Miora Queen, told everyone about it, but not soon enough. The police and The Arrow tried to stop it. But they only succeed partially. 503 people died that night. Or I guess, since you would be included in that account, 502. Our parents and five hundred others."

Now Alex and Joey were both crying. Roy went over to them and put his arm around Alex. He was about to say something when Joey spoke.

"About time," he said, managing a small smile.

"Yeah," Alex said, glancing at Roy. "There are a couple of things you missed this past year or so."

"I can't believe they're gone. What have you been doing since then, Alex?" Joey asked.

"I dropped out of school, and now I'm working at a nightclub, and," she looked again at Roy, "well, that's about it."

"You dropped out?" Joey said in amazement and horror. "What about being a doctor?"

"I gave up on that when my life was destroyed. I lost everything, Joey. Why be a doctor when I can't even help the people closest to me?"

"Because you can still help other people," he said. "There are still people who need help."

"You'd make a great doctor," Alex said, smiling. "I'm not sure I was ever cut out for it."

"You were," her brother stated.

"But there are plenty of other ways to help people," Roy pointed out. "Als been figuring that out recently. But I think she's right when she says you could be a doctor."

"I don't know about a doctor," Joey said thoughtfully. "But maybe a nurse."

Alex smiled. It did seem like a good career for him, but working with people would mean cosmetic surgery. But her smiled didn't fade, even as she remembered their financial troubles, because she had Joey. And that meant things could be okay.

Thanks to All American Idiot, shadowmwape, and julianguyen16 for following and favoriting, and thanks to Highlander348

for reviewing. They said:

Sounds like Thea is jealous of Alex! I wonder if she will cause trouble for Alex later on.

There's definitely some tension there. Thea and Alex have both too many differences and too many similarities to get along right away, if that makes any sense at all. Thanks for the review!

Again guys, I'm really sorry for the huge wait. But I promise I'll post another chapter this weekend for you all. I'll try really hard to update regularly. I hope you can understand and be patient with me. Thanks guys!