a/n: Vote & comment! I'm getting no love guys, it's really demotivating. (Except from that one reader--you know who you are. You're a legend! Thank you for continuing to vote and comment!) anyhow, enjoy! 

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He wouldn't move. In Jason's prolonged stage of unconsciousness, that was expected. Nonetheless, that didn't mean that Alexia wasn't begging him to wake up, telling him how he couldn't give up—not now.

"You look better today, baby." She murmured, softly grabbing his hand as she took a seat next to the hospital bed. That was a lie, of course, but she wanted him to feel good about himself, whether he was conscious or not.

The continuous beeping of the apparatus attached to Jason's body was the only sound in the room as long as she didn't speak. His room was simple. White. There were some flowers in vases along the windows and frankly, the sun shone perfectly into the room. There were several drawings hung on the wall (which the doctors first didn't allow, but Alexia hung them up anyway). Jazzy and Jaxon had made it their job to draw and craft as many "Get well soon" cards as they could, and after little convincing, Freddie mimicked their actions, handing Alexia a new sketch every time she went to the hospital.

The sitting area outside Jason's and Teo's rooms were always packed with either Valdez's, McCann's, or both. Alexia tried to switch up the visiting every day, making sure that she saw her brother and her boyfriend enough times.

Truth to be told, visiting Teo was mentally easier for her than visiting Jason. Teo was fully awake and even spoke a little, and he was now, though slowly, recovering. Teo was suffering from a concussion and a couple of broken limbs, but other than that he was fine... alive.

He had some memory loss, but it's all coming back gradually. Alexia found it more difficult to deal with his nausea. He vomited all the time and was sensitive to light and noise. He complained about having blurry vision too, but the doctor informed them that this was all normal.

Jason, however, wouldn't wake up. Obviously he'd taken the bigger hit due to him not wearing a seatbelt, and officer Lowe explained that it had looked like Jason shot through the window and only stopped when his head jabbed the tree.

"It's only been a week," Alexia whispered, caressing his skin. Jason kept dead still. The only indication that he was actually alive was the rising of his chest, although it was very slow. It has been a week since the accident, six days since Jason and Teo got transferred from the hospital in Poughkeepsie to a hospital in New York City.

Alexia had called Jason's parents right away and ever since, they've been keeping her company in his room. Every single day.

Maya too found out about the accident and had come rushing to the hospital, cursing loudly at Teo for being so stupid. "You can't just do shit like this! You're such a fucking idiot!"

Stefano and Chaz had escorted her out and when she came back inside, she was a teary mess, sobbing as she locked herself up in Teo's room. That was before he woke up, now that Teo was conscious she came by every day and took care of him like no one had before. She showered him, she fed him, she made sure he took his medication and made sure he fell asleep at the right time. The second anyone would raise his voice, she'd scold them and force them out of the room.

Teo was in good hands.

Ryan and Chaz were also regulars, and even Chloe had tried to make it every time she finished lectures. Alexia still hadn't asked Chloe about what was up between her and Chaz, but it wasn't important.

Jason was important.

"The professor asked about you today. Apparently he heard about the accident. Everyone has, to be honest. Everyone's like, 'woah, he's found again? He's been missing for months!'. People are loving that you're back." It was true, word had gotten out that Jason wasn't missing anymore and everyone was fascinated.

"I don't like it. I'm sure they'll all kiss your ass again when you're back in college." Alexia rolled her eyes, entwining her fingers with his. "Whatever. When you're up, I'll make sure everyone knows you're not available."

She listened to the beeping for a short while until she proceeded to talk. "I miss you, so much. I can't explain to you how horrible it is to have you here... and not really have you here. I still don't get how this could happen to you. You don't fucking deserve this!" she frowned, blinking the tears away rapidly, "I'm not crying, I swear. If you were awake you'd laugh at the amount of times I've cried the past week."

Alexia took a deep breath, calming herself down. Once she was certain there would be no tears, she continued. "Sola is being good. She's missing you a lot, that is clear. I took her to the vet two days ago so she could get her second vaccine. She barked like crazy, I'm pretty sure she would've been better if you were there." There was a short pause, "I love you so much, Jase. You're going to wake up. I know you will. I'm sticking by your side until you do so, okay? I won't give up on you, as long as you don't give up on me."

She looked at Jason's swollen face. There were scratches, bruises, discolorations, abrasions... He had a scar from his temple all the way down to the right side of his jaw, he had a scar through his eyebrow and one from his chin running up to his lower lip.

And he still looked beautiful. To Alexia, he was yet the most handsome man to walk on the planet, with or without scars. He looked badass and tough, and she knew he'd like that. "Just wait till you see this when you wake up," she giggled, "First you'll be like, 'What the fuck happened to my face?' and then after a while, when I've convinced you that you're still hot as hell, you're going to turn so cocky! I can almost hear you saying, 'Aren't I sexy, babe?"

Her smile faltered, and her lips pulled into a firm line. "I love you." She mumbled again, pressing a kiss on his cold hand. She was so desperate for him to make a noise, move... Anything!

But no, Jason stayed quiet and motionless.

Someone knocked on the door.

"Come in!"

Pattie walked in, a covered plate in her hands. The first thing she did was glance at Jason, and then she instantly looked away, sadness brimming in her eyes. She turned her attention on Alexia and genuinely smiled, "Aren't you hungry, sweetheart? You've been here all day."

Alexia shrugged, simpering. "A little." She was starving, but she couldn't say that, of course. Pattie nodded knowingly. "I've cooked some dinner for everyone. Your brothers were very grateful," she giggled as if remembering something, "No one likes hospital food after all. Think you can take a break and get something to eat?"

Alexia stared at Jason, fixating on his chest going up and down.

"Jason would want you to eat. You know that."

He would. Alexia nodded, "Yeah. I guess." She carefully put Jason's hand beside him on the bed, shooting him one last glance before getting off the chair. "Thank you Pattie, for everything."

Pattie dismissively waved a hand, giving Alexia the plate. "No, honey. I love you just as much as our son does, you're family. Besides, we're kind of helping each other, aren't we?"

The day that Jason and Teo got transferred to New York City was a difficult one. Alexia had been bawling her eyes out on the floor, and Pattie had done everything she could to comfort her. Alexia was stunned about how Pattie managed to do that when her son was in a coma, but she didn't have to worry for long. Just hours later, Pattie had broken down, screaming "Why?" and "He's done nothing wrong!", and in return, Alexia tried to comfort Pattie as much as she could. Jeremy showed up as much as possible, but someone had to take care of the kids.

"Yeah, yeah we are." Alexia smiled and pecked Pattie's cheek. Pattie winked.

Alexia could hear Pattie cry when she'd turned around and closed the door.

Dominic and Stefano were huddled together in the corner of the sitting area, hungrily shoving the food down their throats. They looked up when they saw Alexia enter and both greeted her with full mouths.

"Pigs!" Alexia snapped. They ignored her.

Chloe sat three chairs away from them, a book in her hands. She seemed to be focusing, her eyebrows knitting together. Alexia plopped down next to her, silently removing the cover off the plate.

"Hey Lex!" Chloe looked up, putting the book away.

"Hey Chlo. How's the studying?"

Chloe shrugged, "Meh. Fine. How's Jason?" She'd asked it timidly, although she knew that if anything had changed she would've heard. Alexia shook her head, and Chloe took that as her answer.

"He will wake up, Alex."

Alexia didn't reply.

"So," she spoke, changing the subject, "I remember you calling me, crying your heart out about some issue with Chaz."

Chloe turned red, shaking her head. "We don't have to talk about that. You have much more important things to think about, I'm sure."

"Chloe, I want to know." Alexia took the opportunity to get distracted, slowly eating from the potatoes. Chloe looked unsure, nervously running a hand through her hair. "Are you sure? It can wait."

Alexia nodded and forced a smile, "I'm sure! Come on, tell me. Take my mind off things."

This seemed to do it for Chloe. "Okay," she mumbled, "But you can't tell anyone, and you can't freak out. Because I will freak out too."

"Okay..."

"I'm pregnant."

Alexia's mouth fell open. Pregnant? With Chaz' baby?

"Close your mouth! You can't freak out!" Chloe hissed, her eyes nervously darting from Alexia's open mouth to Stefano and Dominic who weren't paying the two girls any attention.

Alexia closed her mouth. "Okay, okay! I'm not freaking out!"

Chloe puffed out a breath, "Good."

"Pregnant?" Alexia hissed, "With Chaz' baby? Chloe!" She couldn't help but freak out. Chaz wasn't exactly a good boyfriend and albeit Alexia loved him with every inch of her body, she wasn't sure whether he would be a good father at such a young age. He still had a lot to learn.

Chloe nodded. "It's his. I haven't had sex with anyone else."

"Oh my God."

"Tell me about it," she spoke, "He went apeshit when I first told him. Absolute apeshit, Alexia. And then, he drank himself to sleep. And I wanted to do the same but I couldn't because I was—I am pregnant. I still don't believe it."

Alexia was in shock, her mouth opening again mid-potato. "How far along are you?" she asked when she swallowed the potato after receiving a glare from Chloe. Her eyes were plastered on Chloe's stomach, but she couldn't see a thing out of place. "Only a month, Alexia. Stop looking at my belly, you won't see anything."

"Sorry," Alexia looked up, sending Chloe an apologetic smile. "Are you keeping the baby?"

Chloe sighed, "He didn't want me to, but I told him I would raise the baby on my own if I had to. It feels right, Lex."

"It feels right... with Chaz?"

"Yeah, I don't know," Chloe shrugged, "It's not really about Chaz. It just feels right to keep this baby."

Alexia slowly nodded. She doubted she'd have the guts to get an abortion or put the baby up for adoption if she was pregnant herself, so somewhere she understood where Chloe was coming from. Besides, she didn't know what feelings and emotions were going through Chloe's head. After all, she's never been pregnant.

"Is Chaz still being a dick about it?"

Chloe shook her head. "No, he's actually getting very excited. He's being the way he was to me in the beginning, before we started dating. He's nice, charming, sweet... I don't want it to change. He's letting me in now. When he heard about Jason, he came running to our dorm to pick me up so I could go with him. He said, and I quote, 'I can't do this without you, please come with me.'. That's the first time I saw him cry."

Alexia inwardly beamed and she widened her arms. "Well, congratulations Chlo. I am excited! Hug me!"

Chloe chirped out a laugh and wrapped her arms around Alexia, pulling her into a tight hug. They both laughed, Chloe because she was glad her best friend supported her and Alexia because she felt genuinely happy for Chloe. It was the first time she felt a little spark of true happiness all week.

After pulling away from each other they started talking about the baby. Chloe thought it was a boy, but Alexia expected a girl. They discussed names and how to handle finances and also spoke about godparents.

"I want you and Jason. Chaz also wants you and Jason. We're settled."

"Seriously?" Alexia was honoured.

"Duh!" Chloe laughed, kissing Alexia on the cheek.

After thirty minutes, Emilio walked out of Teo's room. Everyone was eager to go in, but Alexia pushed everyone out of the way and closed the door in fast speed, in and exhaling quite a lot before giving Teo all of her attention.

He was sitting up straight, wires and gadgets attached to his body—though still less than Jason. The other difference that he had a small smile gracing his lips and his cheeks were red with colour. "Alexia." His voice was hoarse.

"Hey Teo."

"I could say I'm glad, but you've been here all week." Teo tried to chuckle but quickly stopped himself. Alexia rolled her eyes, shrugging. "What can I say? My favourite brother and my boyfriend are in the hospital."

"Yeah... about that... how is he?" his eyebrows downed on his eyes, bleakness evident in his eyes. Alexia shrugged again, sitting herself down on a chair next to the bed. She didn't want to talk about Jason. She didn't want to cry. Again.

"He's still in a coma, if that's what you mean." She had tried saying it with no emotion, but her lower lip quivered and her voice trembled. Teo nodded in understanding. He tried to affectively pat her or even squeeze her arms, but the wires kept him from doing so. "It's hard." He murmured, looking at his hands.

"It's fine." Alexia reassured him.

"No I mean, Jason. It's hard for you. I can't imagine being in your position, I can't imagine having to deal with Maya while she's—"

"Don't say it."

"I know. Speaking of my girlfriend, where is she?"

"She left when dad showed up. She was very tired." Alexia thought about Maya, who had looked like she hadn't slept in days. Which she probably hadn't.

Teo furrowed his eyebrows, "I told her to get some damn sleep! God, she never listens to me!"

Alexia put a hand on his chest, keeping him against the wall as she urged, "Teo! Don't wind yourself up! Are you trying to fuck yourself up again now? Just chill."

Teo's shoulders slumped and he sighed.

"Good," she said, "Maya can't help that she can't sleep, idiot. I don't sleep. Sleep is difficult when your boyfriend is in the hospital, yeah? Cut her some fucking slack."

"Fine." He knew she was right.

Alexia leaned forward and pecked his cheek. "I hate seeing you like this Teo."

"I'm coming home next week, you know. I'm fine. Worry about Jason." Teo tried to smile, but Alexia knew he was hurting almost as much as she was.

"I am. Trust me."

They reminisced about Mexico. Mexico was good. Away from Damian, away from the dangers, away from everyone's parents, away from school... just them four together, having a wicked time.

"How is Sola?" Teo grinned. Alexia emitted a light chuckle, "She's okay. I mean, she obviously senses something is up. Every time the door opens she goes crazy and speeds to the door, hoping it's Jason."

"Aw," Teo murmured, "That's sad."

"Well, this is sad."

Teo softly grabbed Alexia's hand, catching her by surprise. Her lips curled into a comfortable smile as he squeezed her hand. "It's going to be fine, Alex," he stated, "He is going to be fine. Jason is one of the strongest people I know. Look at everything he's been through in the past months."

"Because of me." She ran a hand through her hair, frustration evident in her eyes. Teo drew in a sharp breath. "Not because of you! Because of Damian, silly sister. He is the one doing all of this. Has he tried talking to you?"

He had, several times over the course of the past week, and Alexia had been decent in return. Polite smiles, obedient answers and civilized nods because she was physically and mentally so exhausted, whereas Damian took advantage of her fatigue by smirking, winking and touching her in ways she despised. She always told him off but kept herself restricted.

She didn't want to put Jason in any danger.

"No." she replied, shrugging. The doctor had mentioned every day how important it was to make sure Teo wouldn't worry as that would sabotage his recovery, and Alexia wasn't going to make him worry about something as stupid as Damian talking to her.

"Really? No words at all?"

"None."

"He must've learned." Teo arched his eyebrows in suspicion, but Alexia gave nothing away and he just gave up, closing his eyes.

"Are you tired?" she asked, ready to tuck him in. Teo nodded, "Actually, yeah. If you could just help me lay down..."

She carefully sheathed her hands around his middle, ordering him to lift up his arms. He did so and she gently slid him downwards on the bed, making sure he had enough pillows to support his body. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Alexia looked at him, her heart merely breaking by the sight of her strong brother falling asleep in a hospital bed, helpless.

Teo's eyes fluttered shut and he yawned, "Go, now. You don't have to watch me sleep. I know you want to go see Jason."

"I was just with him."

"Don't argue with me, I know you. Just go see him, yeah?"

Alexia bit her lower lip and softly squeezed his hand. "Thanks, Teo. I'll see you tomorrow."

"See ya." He grumbled, already having pulled the blankets all the way up to his ears. Alexia did a silent prayer and then left the room, making no noise as she closed the door.

Dominic and Stefano were now done eating and occupied their time by playing cards. Chloe was still reading and shot Alexia a warm smile once she noticed she'd gotten out, before returning to reading her book.

"He's asleep." Alexia announced. Stefano groaned. "You wore him out and now we can't talk to him."

"Shut up, Stef. You know dad was in here for like hours before I entered. We barely talked."

"Whatever."

Alexia rolled her eyes at Stefano's immature answer and excused herself, mumbling an inaudible "I'm going to see Jason". No one really blamed her, everyone was aware of how much she loved him and how difficult this had to be for her.

She knocked on the door, "Pattie?"

No answer.

"Pattie!"

Yet, no answer. Pattie must've already left.

Alexia opened the door, slipping inside. She closed it behind her, her eyes immediately wandering off to Jason's lifeless body underneath the sheets.

She would never get used to this. His beautiful, muscled body now frozen and pale, his chiselled cheekbones not more than hollow cheeks. His lips weren't red and plump but a lighter shade of pink, one that seemed almost white. Other days his lips were purple, like he was cold.

"Hey, I'm back." She whispered cautiously, tiptoeing to the chair next to his bed. There was no response from Jason.

"Teo ordered me to visit you again. He knew I wanted to." She tried to smile, slipping her own hand in his. "How was it with Pattie? I heard her crying when I left, it broke my heart. She's been acting so tough but I know she's dying inside. How can she not, when her son is in the hospital?"

Jason stayed silent, the obnoxious beeping of the tools attached to his body intruding her ears. Alexia sighed, tightening her grip on his hand. It was absolutely terrifying to see him like this. The doctor had assured her many times that it was normal for his body to react this way after the acute blow between the tree and his head. This, however, didn't ease Alexia's mind. She needed him to wake up. She would do whatever it would take to get him to wake up, whether that was shoving a fork down her throat or kissing Damian; she would do it.

Alexia gave his entire demeanor a once over, her eyes watering. She was reeling with misery, her throat closing. He looked so hopeless, as if he had already given up on himself a long time ago.

He couldn't do that. She needed him here so they could both defy Damian and his antics, and then they could live happily ever after. They'd graduate college, get married and have a dozen of children. She didn't want that with anyone but him.

"Please wake up," she squeaked, "You need to wake up. I can't do this without you."

No answer.

"Maybe you can hear me, maybe not," she frowned, a single tear escaping the corner of her eyes. "Either way, I need you to stay strong. I need you more than you need me, and I know that loving me has been a pain in the ass for you lately..." her voice trembled, her other hand gently caressing his cheek. It was rough and cold.

"Just..." she closed her eyes, a tight ball of desperation settling in the pits of her stomach, "Make it stop. Wake up. Please. I can't see you like this," she pleaded, "please Jason!"

Jason proceeded to stay motionless. Alexia choked back a sob, holding his hand with two of her own as she pressed her face on his body. "Please Jason," she cried, "I'm so alone without you. I can't—I'm nothing without you,"

Alexia didn't stop sobbing. In fact, it got worse. "Staying strong is really difficult." She sobbed, face down. "Please, please, please! Wake up!"

Nothing.

She looked up, scowling at the wet spot on the blanket from her tears. "I won't disappoint you," she whimpered, "I'm going to keep it together and pray for you every minute. In return, promise me to wake up. God, just—" she cut herself off, trying to calm down, "All you have to do is wake up. Wake up for me baby."

Jason remained the statue he had been for seven days now, not even tittering an eyelid as Alexia begged him to wake up. Of course she hadn't really expected a response, she knew he was in a coma and wouldn't wake up only because she asked him to, but a little part of her was so excessively desperate...

"I don't want to leave you." She murmured in deep thought, mindlessly brushing her thumb on the palm of his hand.

"Don't leave." His voice was husky, hoarse, a warm undertone lacing his words. Alexia's breathing hitched and she exhaled deeply.

She was going crazy. Officially.

This wasn't the first time she heard his voice, and she knew damn well he wasn't truly talking to her, but her mind was playing tricks on her and she let it. She missed his soothing voice, one that could make everything better.

"Alright, I won't." she whispered, looking at his face. Though seeing his scars and bruises was deeply hurting, Alexia wanted to make sure it was just her fucked up mind when she heard him answer again.

"Good," his voice stated, "I would never want you to leave. You know that."

There. His lips hadn't moved an inch, yet she could hear his raspy voice clearly. Fucking crazy.

"I'm going mad."

"Because you're talking to me? Please," it was almost as if he snorted, "What's wrong with speaking to your boyfriend?"

"You're unconscious! You're literally laying in front of me!" Alexia felt a throbbing head ache coming up, her palms slightly sweating.

Imaginative-Jason chuckled. Alexia stood perplexed that he could do so.

"Well I have to talk to you somehow, right? Just relax babe. Go to sleep, you're tired."

"I thought I couldn't leave you." By now, she didn't even care anymore.

"You don't have to. Just climb into bed with me."

Alexia groaned, realizing what imaginative-Jason wanted her to do. The doctor and the nurses would kill her—actually kill her.

"I can't do that," she snapped, "I'll get into trouble."

"So? You've been getting into trouble since the minute I met you. Come on, Lex. I miss you. Please. I know you want to."

And because she was mush under his voice, Alexia growled loudly and carefully pushed Jason's body further to the side, climbing into the hospital bed. She didn't get underneath the sheets, that would've been too much. Instead, she wrapped her arm around him and kept her head on level with her chest.

"See? That feels good, right? God, I've missed you."

"I'm crazy. I. Am. Crazy." She kept repeating, slowly starting to believe the words. Truth to be told, it felt kind of good to lay next to him.

"Pipe it down, will ya? You're not crazy. I have to communicate with you somehow, a'ight? Go to sleep baby. I know you're tired from being here all day and night, watching me like a hawk. You're taking good care of me. Now, close your eyes and take a deep breath.... I love you. We're together again. Calm down. I will wake up sooner than you think."

And because Alexia had already accepted that she was a lunatic, she just listened to the voice inside her head and closed her eyes.