Alan Charlton looked weary and sad, but he was there. It took Emily a solid minute almost to process this and then try not to start bawling. Her father had come through in the end, just like she'd hoped.

"Dad, oh Dad," she said, starting to cry despite her efforts.

"Shh, come here," he replied, getting up and pulling her into a hug. She clung to him, needing his quiet strength, but it seemed as though he didn't quite have it this time. The last time she remembered him struggling was when her mother died.

"I'm glad you're here," she said, muffled by his shirt.

"We still wrote each other and talked on the phone, luv," he told her, smoothing her hair with a slightly shaky hand. "It's not like we weren't talking at all. He just didn't want me to see him."

"So why are you here?"

"I needed to be."

Emily wondered how AJ was handling his wishes being ignored, but she was still glad her father had come anyway. He should have been here all along, but she couldn't change it. AJ shifted behind them but didn't wake up, and Alan sat back down on the bed again. Emily hovered next to him, her hand on his shoulder.

"I have a confession to make," Alan said now.

"What's that?"

"I've been coming a few nights a week when he was sleeping."

"Y-You have?"

"Yea. I wanted to respect his wishes, so I figured if he was sleeping he wouldn't know. However, I suspect he knew I was here, but he didn't say anything. His roommate was good enough to keep quiet about it at least."

Emily felt some more tears leak out now. So she'd been angry at him and he'd been here anyway. That figures.

"He looks so small," Alan whispered.

"I know."

"I've never met anyone braver than your mother and your brother," Alan went on. "I don't think I could ever be this calm facing death."

"He's scared," Emily told him. "He's just hiding it."

"Poor lad."

They were quiet for a moment, and then Emily felt a fresh batch of tears start up. She wiped at them until finally just giving up.

"You're brave, too, Em," he said.

"How so?"

"You've been here this whole time. Takes courage to do that."

Emily didn't know what to say to that. She never thought of herself as brave. She felt helpless. She felt angry. She definitely did not feel brave, but she had no energy to argue with him about it.

"What are we gonna do, Dad?" she asked quietly.

"What do you mean?"

"It's just going to be the two of us," she replied, "and we're not used to being left alone together, so how are we gonna do it without AJ there to make things easier?" Her father reached to rest a hand over hers on his shoulder and held it firmly.

"We'll figure it out, my dear. I promise."

She believed him; it was just hard to picture. They stayed there talking quietly until Lee returned. He rolled to a quick stop upon seeing them, and he looked awkward.

"Erm, hello," he said.

"This is Lee," Emily cut in. "He's AJ's roommate and, well, new friend."

"Hello again," Alan said, giving Lee a nod. Then he noticed what Lee was sitting on. "What, erm, happened to you?" He gestured to the chair. "I never noticed before since you were always in bed." Emily cringed inside at how tactless her father was being, but Lee didn't seem to be fazed by it much.

"Bad accident," he replied. "Physio is helping me get my legs back."

"Oh, good."

"Yea."

Emily sent a silent apology to Lee, who simply gave her a knowing look and headed for his bed. Martha was there not long after to help him back into bed, which Emily could tell still aggravated him. Alan didn't watch at least.

"I'm gonna go get a coffee," he said after a moment. "You want anything?"

"No."

"Alright. I'll be back soon." Alan got up and squeezed her shoulder on his way by. When Martha finally left a moment later, Emily allowed herself to look at Lee, who was already watching her.

"My dad is here," she said finally.

"I see that."

"I didn't think he'd come back."

"He was here a lot."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"It seemed like a private thing; not my place to say."

Emily didn't say anything further as she looked back at her brother. He did look small, and it made her feel really sad. She moved to sit in the chair next to him and reached to take his hand into hers. She could feel their time together slipping away, and she had no idea how she was going to survive it when the end finally came.

...

Lee felt bad for Emily. She was trying to keep it together as she sat by AJ's side. Her father returned with a coffee and a water for her, which she took despite originally saying she hadn't wanted anything. Lee didn't want to eavesdrop, but it was kind of hard not to hear them talking since he was right there.

"Do you remember the day we told you that you were going to be a big sister?" Alan asked. Emily snickered.

"I told you to send the baby back," she replied. Lee bit down his laugh. He could see her doing it.

"We worried you wouldn't bond with him, but you did," Alan went on. "He adored you so much. He wanted to just be wherever you were all the time."

"I should have spent more time with him," Emily whispered. "I feel so bad for pulling away so much."

"You had a life. Don't beat yourself up for that. And besides, the time you had together was special, and I know AJ appreciates every moment of it."

"I'm not ready for him to go, Dad." Her voice was tearful now.

"Me either, love. Me either."

Lee's throat grew tight as he heard them hug. He wasn't a part of the family, yet he was feeling their pain as strongly as if he was. He hadn't known AJ long, but the boy had touched his life, just like Lee imagined he did everywhere he went.

The sound of AJ waking up occurred, and Lee turned his head slightly to see them all holding hands.

"Naomi," he said hoarsely.

"She's not here," Emily told him softly. "You told her to stay away, remember?"

"I regret it. So much. I need her."

"I'll call her," Emily promised, getting up now.

"You okay, Son?" Alan asked, gripping AJ's hand hard.

"It hurts," AJ answered.

"Where?"

"Everywhere."

"I got you," Alan said soothingly. "I got you."

"I'm scared, Dad."

"I know. It's okay to be scared."

"Will you be alright without me?"

"We'll be alright, AJ. Don't worry about us," Alan replied.

"Do you think I'll see Mum?"

"I know so."

This answer seemed to satisfy AJ, and he closed his eyes again, breathing a bit hard.

"I love you, kid," Alan said softly. "You brought so much light and joy to my life...you and your sister. I will never forget any of it. I promise."

"I love you too, Dad," AJ whispered back. "And I won't either."

"She's on her way," Emily said, coming back now. "AJ, Naomi will be here soon."

"Okay."

"I just need a minute," Alan said now, getting up. He was clearing his throat a lot.

"Alright, Dad. We'll be here," Emily replied. Then it was just her and AJ, and Lee turned his head away so as to give them as much privacy as he could.

...

"You always knew what to say," AJ said now. Emily held his hand and wondered what he meant.

"How do you mean?"

"Whenever I was down, or mad, or anxious. You always knew what to say to help me feel better."

"Oh, not always I'm sure."

"Most of the time."

"I'm sorry I stayed away so much," Emily said, feeling guilty again.

"It's alright," AJ murmured, closing his eyes. "I love you anyway."

"I love you too."

"Don't be afraid to love again, Em," he added. "Not everyone is an arsehole."

She gave a choked laugh, annoyed that her love life was still on his mind even though he was dying. She ran her thumb over his knuckles fondly.

"I know," she finally said. What else could she say? She wasn't about to argue with him. He opened his eyes again and smiled at her, and she smiled back, feeling tears coming up. This was feeling like a goodbye, and she didn't like it.

Not for a second.

"Can you check on Dad?" he asked now. "He needs you, and you need him. Don't forget that."

"I won't."

"I'm just gonna rest for a bit."

"Okay. I love you, AJ," Emily said, feeling the need to say it again.

"Love you too, big sister."

She smoothed a hand over his forehead and kissed it lightly. He smiled and sighed, and she went to find her father, who was down the hall and trying to hide his tears. Without a word, she just hugged him, and he hugged her back.

"Come on," she said a moment later. "Let's get some air. Naomi will be here soon, and then we can go back in."

"Okay."

They leaned on each other as they walked out.

...

"Lee?" AJ asked.

"Yea?"

"You good?"

Lee knew what he was really asking. He was asking if Lee was going to be okay, regardless if he got his legs back or not. Lee had the answer for that now, which surprised him a little.

"I'm good, AJ. I promise."

"Don't let her sink."

"I won't."

AJ nodded and closed his eyes. As he rested, Lee was trying to handle all the emotions he'd witnessed on top of his own when AJ gave a choked gasp, and Lee was instantly afraid. He reached to grab his panic button and pressed it, getting up and struggling into his chair quickly. He rolled over to AJ and pulled himself up so he could look down at the boy. He forced himself to be on his feet, even though they weren't ready to hold him, but the mattress took some of his weight.

"Hey," he said, reaching to grab one hand since AJ flailed it to catch his. "Breathe." AJ choked again, and Lee could see how afraid he was. It was all he had to stand there, and his legs were starting to shake and pain from the effort, but he wasn't giving up.

"It's gonna be okay," he said softly. "Just look at me, okay?"

AJ nodded, struggling to breathe and holding eye contact with Lee. Emily was still with Alan somewhere, and Lee was honestly a little relieved she wasn't witnessing this. He didn't want her to feel this pain he was right now—nor Alan.

"There, just breathe. There's a good lad," Lee said as AJ took in some breaths finally.

"Lee, what's going on?" Martha asked, coming in finally.

"He can't breathe," Lee answered, turning his head to look at her. He gave her a look, and she swallowed, understanding clearly.

"I'll page Dr. B."

Lee nodded and looked back at AJ, who now had a few tears sliding down his cheeks. It made Lee's throat tighten and his own eyes burn.

"You know, I envy you," Lee said, his voice sounding a little emotional. "You're going to a place a hundred times better than here. You better not take my first row seat to the highlight reels of What Not to Do."

AJ's lips twitched slightly before he tried for air again.

"This isn't the end," Lee added softly. "It's just another step in your journey. You'll see all of us again." AJ reached to press his hand against Lee's heart, and he knew what the boy was trying to say.

"I will," he promised. "I'll let her in. I already have."

AJ looked a little more at peace as he nodded again.

"I'm very glad and grateful to have met you. I'd normally never admit this, but you helped me a lot, and I'll never be able to repay you for that. All I can say is thank you."

AJ smiled and kept nodding, gasping for air. Lee's heart hurt so much for him right now.

"I love you, kid," Lee said next, his voice breaking. "You're the brother I always wanted too." AJ nodded harder as tears slid down his cheeks. Lee held his hand tightly, hating what he was witnessing. Martha and the doctor and more nurses were there now, and Lee was pulled back so they could work. He was helped down into his chair, and he went around so that AJ could see him in the background.

"I'm still here," Lee said as AJ looked for him. "Right here, AJ. It's okay."

He could barely hear what the staff were saying, but it wasn't good. He had never felt so helpless in his life.

...

Emily's chest constricted, and she stopped walking. Alan frowned at her.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"AJ," Emily said. She could feel it. Something was wrong. She turned back and ran.

...

Lee was breathing fast and watching everyone move and speak. He knew what the outcome was going to be, but it still hurt a lot. When it was over, Martha was crying along with some other nurses. Even Dr. B looked shaken as he stood there staring at AJ, whose monitor was giving off that flat line sound that indicated only one thing.

AJ was gone.

Lee suddenly felt like he couldn't breathe, and he felt some tears leak out despite his best efforts to hold them in. Then, Emily was there.

"What's happened?" she asked, her voice rising in fear. "AJ?!"

"Ms. Charlton, I'm so sorry..." Dr. B started.

"AJ!" Emily practically screamed. She pushed to get to her brother, grabbing his hand and pressing it to her face. "AJ, no. Come on. AJ!" She collapsed onto him, holding him in her arms, her hand cradling his head as she sobbed.

No one seemed to know what to say or do. Martha attempted to touch her lightly, but she yanked away. Everyone stepped back, and that's when Lee moved over to her. He pulled himself up and gathered her in his arms as she lay on AJ's chest still so that he was laying there with her.

"I'm right here," he said to her. "I got you."

"W-What am I gonna d-do without h-him?" she asked around her tears. "Oh my God, AJ..." She cried harder, and Lee just held on. "AJ. AJ..." She sobbed and shook, and eventually she slid off to the floor with Lee still holding her. He continued to do so as she curled up tight in his lap while he leaned against the wall, and she unleashed sounds he'd never heard before.

All the while, his own tears were streaming down his face.

"Em? AJ?" Alan asked, coming in now. Naomi was right behind him. Both stopped and took in the scene, and then Naomi was bawling and Alan was trying to keep it together and failing instantly. Lee just held onto Emily, trying to take as much of her pain as he could while trying not to drown from his own.

"I got you," he kept saying. "I got you." She shuddered and shook and cried, and he gripped her against him for comfort. "I got you, Em. I promise. I'm right here. I got you."

He meant it. Every word.

A Week Later

Emily hated funerals. Sure, it was a place for some to get closure, others to reminisce and laugh, and the rest to dread and force themselves to sit through because they had to. Emily fell into that category. Even with her brother's plans being carried out, efforts made to help lighten things up, it didn't help her feel any better about it.

She hated hearing people laugh and share stories about AJ in the past tense. In her mind, he was still there. He had to be there, because if he wasn't, that meant he was gone, and Emily just wasn't accepting that yet.

How could her little brother just be gone?

"Hey," Naomi said, coming up next to her. Her eyes were red and puffy. She was holding Gus, which Emily traded off with her every so often. He was the last link to AJ, and the little dog had shown his grief through howls when he figured out who was in that casket.

"Hey."

"This sucks," she commented, and Emily felt relief.

"It does."

"It's not giving me any closure," Naomi added. Emily knew she was still angry at herself for leaving, for not getting one final goodbye with AJ. If Emily was honest, she was a bit relieved she didn't watch him die. Lee had. Lee had been there for the whole thing. She felt bad, but she also understood he'd seen people die before and often. She hadn't. She hadn't seen her mother die. She hadn't seen AJ die. Those were the only two people in her life that she'd lost, and thinking about witnessing it in any way made her feel incredibly sick inside.

"He loved you," Emily said to Naomi now, trying to make her feel better. "You were so good for him, and he was always talking about you."

"It hurts so much," Naomi whimpered, and Emily pulled her into a hug. Gus squeaked at the pressure of it since he was in the middle. She'd snuck him in, not caring what anyone said.

"I know. I know."

"Hi, girls," Alan said, approaching them. Emily looked at her father and saw how haggard he looked. She wondered if he worried about her dying on him next, and it scared her to think of him all alone if that did happen. It scared her to know she was all alone if he died on her too.

"Hi, Dad," she replied, and he joined in on the hug. It was a small reprieve from everyone, and Emily soaked it up as much as she could. When it ended and they all had to return to mingling (Gus back in her arms), that's when she saw Lee. He was in his wheelchair watching, a somber expression on his face. She saw Martha and Barney off to the side and talking to Alan now. She moved over to Lee and stood in front of him, her hands clasped in front of her.

"This sucks," Lee said, reading her mind. She nodded. "Wanna get out of here?"

"I couldn't..."

"AJ would insist," Lee cut in. "And so do I. Just for a little while."

"Okay."

She walked alongside him, and they went outside and hailed a cab. She gave directions to her place, and once there, she wondered what she was doing. Lee seemed to wonder the same thing.

"What's on your mind?" he asked her.

"I just want to feel something other than this suffocating sadness," she answered. She set Gus down, and he clicked over to his bed and promptly curled up on it to sleep, worn out from the sadness of today.

"I see."

She realized how foolish she was in this moment. How could she be thinking about that when her brother was just lowered into the ground this afternoon? How could she be so selfish? What was wrong with her?

"I'm sorry," she said. "This was so stupid..." But he was already wheeling himself to her room, and she could only follow. He got himself up and onto her bed with no issues, and she moved to lie half on him while he put his arms around her.

"I fear I'm going to be broken forever," she whispered.

"You won't be."

"Thank you for being here." She meant it. Just being held was helping her feel less like she couldn't breathe and more like she could.

"I meant what I said," he replied. She knew he did. With his arms around her, she finally fell asleep right away for the first time in a long time.