Danny's POV:

I'm being woken up by someone shaking my shoulders gently, too Gentle to be Mark or Glen. This was a woman. As I came round to my surroundings, I noticed that the room was still quite dark and an unfamiliar woman hovered over me. The guys were still asleep, why was she waking me up? I looked up to see her concerned expression.

"I'm sorry for waking you up Mr O'Donoghue, but the doctor told me to inform you that Miss Quinn is now out of recovery and you can come  now with me to her room if you like"

"It's no problem" I smiled at her "yeah I'll come  with ye now, just let me tell the guys " I gestured towards Glen and Mark beside me. I sprang to me feet and shook them both awake, much to their dismay. But their attitudes completely changed when I told them the news, they were now wide awake.

They pulled themselves to their feet before we followed the nurse down the maze of corridors, before coming to a door of a separate room. She turned back to us with a worried glance

"I have to warn ye, I'd say she's not looking her best at the moment" she warned, clearly wary  of what our responses of seeing her would be.

"It's fine" I croaked. It's obviously not fine, I wouldn't wish that kind of torture on anyone, but she knew what I meant.

The nurse nodded, before turning the door knob and opening the door. To say I was shocked at what I saw was an understatement.

I could feel my heart breaking as I saw the big purple bruises that littered her face, eyes swollen, a deep cut running from her jaw line down her neck, to her chest. I swallowed the lump in my throat, blinking away tears as I sat down beside the bed, taking her hand in mine. I heard the nurse speak again.

"I'll be back again in a few hours to check on her, so will the doctor" she added, smiling sympathetically at us. "Do you have any questions?"

"When will she wake up?" I asked. "To be honest, we don't know. It could be tonight, tomorrow - or even in a few weeks" she admitted. I automatically gripped her hand tighter in mine. "But she might be able to hear you, so keep talking to her, just to try to increase a little brain activity " she kindly suggested. "If you have any more questions,just come find one of us"

"Thank you " Glen whispered, quickly wiping his eyes to stop the tears following down his cheeks. Mark stared blankly in shock at Aoife, not really sure what to do or say. It was now nearing 6am and I could see that the lads were shattered .

"You guys can go home and sleep if ye want" I suggested. "I'm staying here with Aoife" I stated firmly, ignoring their worrying gazes.

"But Dan, there's nothing ye can do" Mark started

"No buts, I'm staying" I snapped, before I guiltily saw his face fall. God why was I being so horrible to one of my best friends? He was only trying to help. "Sorry" I whispered.

"S'ok, I know ye don't mean it " he mumbled, raising to his feet to give me a hug. "Rina and the kids will be wondering where I am anyway" he grinned at the thought of seeing his family. I returned his smile. I turned my head to see Glen glancing uncertainly at me.

"Will you be ok on your own?" He asked, worry lines etched across his forehead.

"Yeah, you go home and get some rest" I said as he came over to hug me. They both then said goodbye and closed the door behind them, walking out into the corridor. After they left, i remembered that I forgot to thank them. I shot to my feet and followed their route.

"Guys! Wait!" I yelled, running to meet them. They turned around expectantly.

"You ok?" They asked.

"Yeah... Um... I just wanted to say thanks for being there for Aoifs and me... God knows what would've happened if yez hadn't found her in time" my voice cracked and I once again found myself in the safety of their arms.

"Anytime mate" Mark answered. "Make sure ye keep us updated yeah, so we know what's happening " he whispered.

"I will " I was pulled into Glen's strong hug again.

"Look after yourself... Remember that we're always on the other end of the phone if ye need us" I nodded and smiled gratefully at him, before letting go and watch them leave. I turned and walked back to Aoife's room. Once the door was closed, I let the mask fall and broke down. I slid down the wall to the floor, uncontrollably sobbing. God I need to stop being such a wuss....

I got up and plopped down into the chair, to my previous position, grasing her hand again.
"Aoifs? If ye can hear me, please please wake up.... You have to... Just please don't give up" I pleaded desperately, leaning my head on hand crying harder. I just hoped that somehow she would be ok.

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Aoife's POV:

I don't know where I am.... It's completely dark and my head is killing me. My chest is burning, it feels like I've been shot.... I can also feel someone holding my hand...What the hell happened?

And then it hit me. I remember it all now. I was going to meet Dan and the guys at the voice, but was attacked by a woman.... IRMA!!!
She's the one that stabbed me! She left me for dead, and threatened me to leave Danny! In less than 2 weeks!

As I became more aware , my senses became sharper. I could hear the familiar beeping of a heart rate monitor, that I guess is connected to me... I can smell the strong scent of disinfectant and- Dan's aftershave! Oh my god he's here! I suddenly heard sniffing, followed by sobbing.

"Aoifs? If ye can hear me, please please wake up.... You have to... Just please don't give up" he sobbed, breaking down and crying harder. He placed his head on my hand, tears running down onto it. My heart shredded to pieces. All I wanted to do was tell him that it'll all be ok...

"Dan... Please don't cry... It breaks my heart when you cry" I cried, but annoyingly, the words wouldn't form in my mouth. I tried to open my heavy eyes,but they were just so stubborn. "C'mon! Wake up!" I screamed angrily at myself. I need to wake up and tell him that'll be ok! However, He didn't hear me and stayed like that for a while, sobbing like no tomorrow. Eventually, his sobs subsided and he grew quiet- he had fallen asleep. My poor broken boy...I just wish that I would wake up!!!!

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Andi's POV:

When the lads texted me to tell me about Aoife, I jumped on the first plane to London and I was now greeted by the terrifying hospital doors that towered above me. I walked in and saw the reception desk.

"I'd like to find Aoife Quinn please, which ward is she in?" I asked the plump lady behind the desk. She looked at me over her glasses.

"What is your relation to her?" She asked, obviously wary of keeping her and Dan safe.

"I'm Danny, her boyfriend's sister" I beamed. Her face immediately softened and flushed with embarrassment.

"God I'm so sorry, we're aware that the press could be sniffing around you see....I should've known! You do look very similar " she admitted. I laughed fondly.

"It's really no problem, you're only doing ye job" I answered.

"They're  in room 124 on the Cassey ward if you wanna make your way? It's on the third floor" she smiled reassuringly.

"Sure! Thanks for ye help!" I called,following the signs that lead to a lift. About 10 minutes later, I found myself in front of room 124. I paused, knocking lightly on the door before letting myself in.

I couldn't muffle the gasp when I saw Danny... Dear God, he was in such a state! I recognised his clothes from the voice last night, but his quiff was now flat and tangled, drooping in his eyes. Dark bags from the lack of sleep engraved into his cheeks as he leaned on the bed, clinging tightly onto Aoife's hand unconsciously. He looked so uncomfortable.

Aoife had seriously been beaten black and blue- her once prominent cheek bones and big eyes swollen into a black, blue, purple mess. The heart monitor beeped strongly- a good sign. I took a seat next to Danny before shaking him awake, he groaned painfully before straightening up and staring at me in disbelief, unshed tears glistening in his eyes. I pulled him into a hug.

"W-what are you doing here?" He asked, wrapping his arms around me.

"Thought I'd come see yez" I replied, squeezing him tighter.

"But what about the kids?" I'd left Sophie and Layla with mam for a few days after explaining that I was flying over to see Danny and Aoife.

"They're at mam's, Jesus stop worrying!" I joked, shoving him playfully. He somewhat stifled a laugh, but his eyes were dull and bloodshot. "I also came so you can have a break" I whispered.

We stayed silent for a while, the only sound being the beep of the heart rate monitor. I was beginning to think that Dan had fallen asleep on my shoulder, until he spoke up again.

"They s-say she might not l-live " he stuttered, I could hear the lump growing him his throat. "I can't lose her, I just can't " he croaked, burying his head in my neck.

"Hey, shhhh don't say that.... She'll be ok, you'll see" I cooed, rocking him back and fourth like a baby.

"B-b-but you didn't see her last night..... She was covered in blood, just wearing a dress... She was so cold, I should've known something was wrong.... This is all my fault..." He sobbed. I just held him tighter, it broke my heart seeing my brother so upset.

"Dan it's not your fault..."

"IT IS!!!"

"No, listen to me.... You couldn't have predicted this... Please don't blame yourself " I cooed. He eventually calmed down.

"You're right, sorry I'm just being stupid " he said. "Ye must think I'm such a wuss..."

"No, you're not. You're like this because you care and you're scared.... You're one of the strongest people I know" I reassured him. He remained silent for a while in thought.

"Thank you" he whispered, before leaning back into his chair and inevitably falling into a fitful sleep.

I stayed with them for hours, watching them both sleep peacefully. There was a light knock on the door, and in entered the doctor. He smiled sympathetically at us.

"Has she woken up at all?" He asked, a kind smile on his face. I shook my head.

"No, not since I've been here" I stated, directing my gaze towards the battered woman.

"Ah right, just as I expected. She won't wake up for a few days. How's your brother holding up?"

"Not good.... He's really scared that she won't pull through" I confessed, glancing at my brother who was frowning in his sleep. The doctor nodded sympathetically.

"Well, I know it's hard, but could you please tell him not to worry too much? I can assure you that she will wake up" he stated, a weak smile playing on his lips.

"Sure, I'll tell him" I returned his smile.

"I'll be back to check on you in a while, preferably when young Daniel here is awake."

"Ok, thanks doc" I said and with that he left. I sat for a while in silence, texting the family to update them about Aoife and Dan. About an hour later, I was interrupted by a light knock on the door and in walked Mark and Glen.

"Oh my God, Andi what are you doing here?!" Mark gasped, rushing forward to hug me. He pulled away a with worried look. "How've you been? You ok?" He asked.

"Hey guys! Yeah I'm grand, I jumped on the first plane over straight after I got your text. I had to come see them" I gestured towards my sleeping brother and his unconscious girlfriend. They both gazed sadly at them. I noticed that they both looked shattered, they were paler than usual and had shadows under their eyes.

"How've they been?" Glen asked, his intense blue eyes piercing mine. I sat down with a sigh.

"Well the doc's been round just checking up on her and said that her doesn't expect Aoife to wake up for a few days- maybe even a few weeks" I watched as the colour drained from their faces.

"But she'll be ok though?" His voice cracked, the tears already brimming in his eyes. Glen was always seen as the wise one- compared to the other two. But he had always been sensitive to situations like this and I could see him struggling to keep his composure.

"I'm sure she'll be ok.... She's a fighter " I smiled at him, desperately trying to reassure him. He cleared his throat.

"Yeah... Of course" he said, rubbing his eyes roughly.

"And what about Dan? How's he holding up?" I met Mark's soft hazel gaze bore into mine.

"He's just petrified that she won't make it" I stated sadly. "If she doesn't make it, he'd be lost without her. He'd be so broken, he wouldn't function.... Locked away in his own world- just like when Da passed..." I swiped angrily at the tears that cascaded down my face. "I can't see him in that dark place again" I sobbed, breaking down into my hands.

I heard the scrapping of a chair and felt strong arms wrap around me, holding me tightly to his muscular chest as I sobbed into him.

"Hey, hey shhhhh sweetheart,I'm sure it won't come to that" he whispered comfortingly , but I could hear the uncertainty in his voice. He rocked me in his arms until I calmed down. I pulled away to see his eyes shimmering with unshed tears- his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed the lump in his throat. I realised that this was affecting the lads just as much as me. I turned to look at Glen to see his red, puffy eyes from crying. I stood up and folded him into hug, glancing back at Mark.

"I hope you're right" I whispered.

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Hey guys!

Sorry haven't updated in a while! Had a lot on recently and haven't had time to write!

I'm going through quite a rough patch at the minute- my nan passed away 3 weeks ago, I've had mock exams and other shit happening...so sorry for the shit update! This is another filler chapter- sorry!

Thanks for all of the nice comments and votes- they mean a lot to me! I'm also hoping to spice this up a bit and make it a bit more positive soon too!

See yez soon!

Love Ffion xxx