Brian and Kevin turned Nick around so they couldn't watch the doctor's scurry around to get her into an I.C.U. LeighAnne, Howie and AJ just stood back. Unable to move or say anything.

"She's a fighter, Nick! She's a definate fighter!" Kevin said over and over to try and convince Nick that everything was going to be ok.

"If she's a fighter! Why the HELL did she let her eye's close! Is this her punishment towards me? Why would she close her EYE'S!" Nick clenched his fists again with frustration.

"Nick! Maybe you should sit down. It's not going to do you anygood standing up and yelling. I know your worried. Were all very worried. But, you have to sit down and pray. Do something. Just calm down." LeighAnne said sweetly.

"Yes, Nick! Please sit down. The doctor's will come out and talk to us when their good and ready. It could be in a few minutes or a few hours. We just have to wait." Brian said.

Nick stood their in the commotion of the room. He knew that his friends were right. He was helping any, standing around. They were all worried, just like him. He took a seat between Brian and AJ.

*************************************************************

The hours ticked by, but to Nick they seemed like days. He watched the clock. He watched the little hand tick, tick, tick, finally the doctor approached.

"Exuse me?" He said while clearing his throat.

LeighAnne was asleep on Brian's shoulder. Kevin was down in the Cafeteria with AJ and Howie was on the Cell phone with Nick's mom. Nick stood up and greeted the doctor.

"How is she? Is she awake? Did she break anything? She was in so much pain! How is she?" Nick asked quickly and nervously.

"Sir, calm down. Madison is hooked up to a heart monitor. Her bloode pressure dropped dangerously low, but it's almost normal again. She has yet to wake up. We don't know when she will and we don't know how long untill."

"Well, right now! Is she in any pain? Just tell me she isn't in any pain!" He begged.

"No, she is in no pain. However, she can hear what is going on around her. That we know of."

"Can, I, can I go in and see her? Please! I need to. I really, really need to."

The doctor smiled. "Yes, you can go in and see her. Just don't be alarmed by the beeping of the machines, or the needles in her arms."

Nick nodded his head and then cracked his knuckles from nervousness. The doctor led him to the room in the I.C.U area of the hospital. Nick slowly and cautiously walked in and memories of when he first met her started flashing back into his head.

**********************************************************

Nick pulled up a chair. Only this chair was much more comfier then the other chair he had to sit in the last time he sat next to her hospital bed. It was a padded chair. As opposed to the other hard plastic one.

"God, all this beeping is driving me nuts." Nick said softly.

The lights were dimmed low in Madison's room. Her bare arms were on top of the pale white blanket and their were a few scapes and bruises leading up to her shoulders. Nick gently followed them with his finger.

"Oh, Madi, what happened to you? Did I make you leave? Please say I didn't? I never wanted you to leave! Never! I lov-, I mean, you mean so much to me. God, I just feel- why did this have to happen?" He asked as he felt like he was going to cry.

Nick looked down at her face. Her hair was straight agains the pillow. Her face was almost as white as the pillow her head lay on. But, she was still beautiful. Her arms were bruised, but miraculously her face was not. Nick watched her mouth. Her perfect mouth. Lips still full of color from the lipstick she must have had on earlier that day. He then moved down to her chest. He just watched it raise up and then fall back down. Greatful for those two movements.

Nick kicked his feet up on the edge of her hospital bed and gently took her hand in his.

"Remember this position? I'm gonna call it the official 'Carter way to sit when your waiting for your friend to wake up from a come'. Yeah, that was a joke. But, your not awake to laugh at it. You always would laugh at me. Or with me as you would say."

Nick looked around the room and noticed how it didn't look happy. But, it was a hospital room. However, he was gonna change this. He wanted to fill it with all the flowers, teddy bears, you name it, immaginable. He wanted the room to radiate the same beauty that Madison gives off.

"I'm gonna stay here, Madi! I promise. And if I have to leave for some reason. It better be a good reason, but if I have too. One of the guys, or LeighAnne will be here with you, ok? But no one is gonna leave you alone. I promise!"

************************************************************

Nick had fallen asleep, but he was woken by the sound of a large beeping noise. He immediatly shifted and opened his eyes. A nurse was next to her heart monitor.

"What's going on?" He asked sleepily.

"I had to fix the machine. It was irregular again so I had to fix the numbers. And I had to change her I.V. You can go back to sleep if you want?" The nice nurse said.

"Nah, I'm up! So, any changes?" He asked.

"None, yet! But, don't worry! I think she is tough. If you stay and talk to her, she might just come around."

Nick smiled as the nurse left. He stood up and stretched his arms. He let out a sigh and then peeked his head out of the room. AJ saw him and he met him half way.

"Hey, how is she?"

"The same. I stayed with her all night. I just held her hand, you know? Like I did before I knew her. Anything about her for that matter. But, now it's different. I know her. It kills me to see her laying their, not being able to wake up."

"I know, buddy! I know. I know you care for her. And I know you would do anything to switch or trade places with her. But, you can't. You just have to wait it out and be their for her."

"Yeah, and I'm willing to do so. I owe it to her. AJ?" Nick asked.

"Yeah...."

"I think I love her."

AJ smiled. It's not like it came as a surprise to him. He kind of knew all along. He nodded.

"That's good, Nick. Love makes you feel good. How do you feel?"

"Well, I think it's love. It has to be. It hurts. It makes me feel nervous inside. It makes me want to hold her forever. I just want to talk to her-"

"Woah, woah, woah! Nick! You don't have to say anymore. That's all it takes, man! Your in love. Madly in love."

Nick smiled and then came to the realization. He was in love. It was obvious to his friends. But, he of course hasn't even told Madison his feelings. And, if he did would it change anything?