“How is she?” Marshall arrived at the hospital an hour later with Dre, D-12 and the girlfriends.

“She’s okay, they think,” AJ stuttered as he paced the room.

“Age, calm down,” Kevin said watching his bandmate pace.

“I can’t,” AJ muttered.

“Gentlemen?” A nurse walked into the waiting room and everyone stood.

“Are any of you family?” she asked.

“Her family is in California, I’m her manager,” Dre said stepping forward.

“Miss Contini is awake, it seems that she is just suffering from exhaustion. She hasn’t been sleeping well or eating right, she just had a faint it seems. But she is speaking with the hospital therapist right now.” The nurse spoke in low docile tones.

“Is she going to be okay?” AJ asked.

“The doctor wants to run a few tests and keep her overnight for observation, but she’ll be able to see visitors in the morning. The doctor does not want her to be disturbed tonight,” the nurse spoke to Dre for a few more minutes in private, having him sign some various release forms.

“Poor Reggie,” Kon sighed.

“Yeah, kid’s not used to it yet,” Bizarre replied.

“Bull shit, it’s him,” AJ snapped.

“Huh?” Proof asked.

“Ask your buddy Marshall,” AJ replied.

“Em, what’s going on?” Marshall looked over at his guys and then back at the floor. He didn’t know what to say, what to do, or even where to look. Even the floor made him feel guilty.

“Marshall, what is going on,” Proof’s voice was hard and strong, a tone that even Eminem would not have questioned.

“Tell them why your girl won’t sleep at night, Marshall, tell them how she’d rather stay up all night, than be in bed with you,” AJ snarled again.

“AJ, take it easy, he can talk for himself,” Kevin said quietly.

“You and Reggie having problems?” Kuniva asked.

“Yeah, we are,” Marshall nodded. He felt Kim’s hand on his back and he looked over at her. She smiled in encouragement.

“I, I’ve been, trying, to make her jealous, I’ve been kind of, screwing around on her, flirting with girls, dancing with them, you know, that shit,” Marshall replied.

“Ah, I see, and what have you to do with this?” Proof asked looking over at Kim. She was surprised at being addressed.

“I came out here to talk to him, to get him to see to reason,” Kim replied, though her hand didn’t move off his back.

“You, have been fucking around on Regina?” Bizarre asked as he stood. Dre turned and kept a wary eye on Bizarre as he approached Marshall.

“Just trying to make her jealous, stupid shit, you know, flirting with girls and shit,” Marshall replied as Bizarre advanced on him, but he didn’t move.

“You got a good thing going man, what the fuck is wrong with you?” Bizarre shouted.

“Biz, don’t go throwing no punches now,” Dre warned.

“You’re fucking unbelievable Marshall. She ain’t done a fucking thing to you, and you pulling this shit. You know what, you and Kim, you’re perfect for each other. You take the good stuff you have, and you fuck it up royally!” Bizarre shouted again, but didn’t step any closer.

“Biz, you don’t know the whole story man,” Marshall tried.

“You know what, I’ve had your back, man, for, I don’t know even how many years. But I can’t help you on this. I care just as much about Reggie, as I do you, but how could you fuck her up like this? Girl is in the fucking hospital, because of you Marshall. She fucking loved you! Maybe she still does, but dammit man, you are one fucked up individual,” Bizarre punctuated his last words and left the room. He knew they were right, they were.

“Damn man, why didn’t you just talk to her?” Proof asked.

“Too much fucking pride if you ask me,” AJ snapped. Kevin stood up this time and pulled AJ back to the couch.

“Marshall, you got to fucking figure your shit out. We got a fucking tour to do. You can’t be doing this shit. Regina is now a member of the family, and no one is gonna put up with your shit. Be Reggie, be with Kim, what the fuck ever, but don’t play this shit around.” Dre said sternly.

“Man, you stirred up some shit that you didn’t have to,” Kuniva said as he walked out.

“Damn, I knew this wasn’t a good idea. Dammit, look, I’ll do media control, for as long as I can. Make it a clean break, it’s gonna be hell, you two were worse than fucking Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake. Shit, all right, I got to make some phone calls, you do, whatever you got to do,” Dre said waving and walking out as well. Marshall rubbed a hand over his face and sighed.

“Em, why didn’t you talk to one of us, me especially?” Proof asked.

“I don’t know, I screwed it up. I thought I knew what I was doing,” Marshall replied.

“You better hope that she forgives you, man. “ Proof left with a silent Swifty and Kon.

“Are you gonna let her go?” AJ asked.

“I think I did already. I should have been right here, right away, I should have been the first one here. I didn’t do what I promised, to take care of her. AJ, she’s all yours, I’m not gonna fight you on it.” Marshall replied.

“Good,” AJ snorted.

“You sure that’s what you want to do?” Kim asked.

“I didn’t protect her, I didn’t love her by doing the things I did, I’m not capable. I thought I loved her, but if I did, I wouldn’t have become her father all over again,” Marshall said as he turned to Kim.

“If you’re sure about it, then do it.” Kim smiled at him weakly.

He rubbed at his temples and then took a seat in one of the chairs. When did he become what he hated in the world? When did he become the person that had he had always avoided? Regina had been right. They roll until they were sick of one another. She would be plenty sick of him by now.

Kim, Marshall, AJ and Kevin sat in the waiting room till morning. Marshall fell asleep around three in the morning and when he woke, AJ was gone. Kevin was sitting and reading the paper, Kim was sitting beside Marshall, dozing herself. Sun shone in through the window, bright and beautiful. Fucking liar, Marshall thought as he sat up, stretching stiffly.

“She’s awake, the nurse said we could see her,” Kevin said without looking up from his paper.

“What room is she in?”

“Four-twelve, down the hall to the left.” Marshall stood and nodded to Kevin before going on his way.

He found the room easily and the door was open. He looked in and saw Regina sitting up in bed, AJ in a chair close to the bed, both of his hands holding hers. She was smiling and laughing, no giggling. God he hadn’t heard her sound so happy in a long time. And it wasn’t with him.

He hated to interrupt the scene. If possible he would have just evaporated on the spot and never bothered her again. Regina deserved so much better than what he had given her. She’d been so patient, so loving, even if she didn’t say the word, so proud of him. He had been partly right. He didn’t deserve her.

Marshall knocked on the door slightly and both looked up at him.

“Sorry to but in, but can I speak to Regina for a minute?” Marshall asked.

“I’ll be back,” AJ said giving Regina a kiss on the cheek before he stood and walked past Marshall.

“You coming in?” Regina asked after she watched him watch her.

“Yeah, I am.” He stepped inside and took AJ’s chair next to the bed.

“How you doing?” he asked, keeping his eyes averted.

“Tired. Doc’s say I’m fine. Can’t wait to get out of here though,” Regina replied.

“I didn’t come right away.” Marshall blurted out.

“And I let AJ kiss me last night,” Regina replied.

“You deserved better than what you got from me,” Marshall said finally gathering up his courage and looking up at her. She wasn’t angry, just tired, it was obvious.

“Yeah, I did.”

“I’m not running away from anything Reggie. I love you, okay, I said it. But it’s not the right way to love you.”

“No, it’s not. If you wanted me to say I love you, you should have asked me if I felt that way.” Her words were remarkably calm.

“We would have been better friends,” Marshall said, trying to figure out what would be the best to say.

“Who says we can’t be friends? Marshall, I love you, but, I think we were both a little too, burnt by the idea of permanence. You need family Marshall. Your family. Despite what you want to think, you need Kim and especially Hailie. It’s obvious that you’ve cared for her, and like I’ve said, it’s hard, to go for years living one way, and then have it all taken away. I needed this, and I needed you. I needed you to figure out that I can love, I can get hurt, but I can pick myself up again. I needed you for a chance, to take a chance. I’m gonna take chances now. And that’s because of you.” Marshall watched and listened to Regina. He couldn’t believe how well, and how understanding she was. Then again, this was Regina. Regina was the most amazing, different woman he’d ever met. She was a mystery, one that he hoped he could spend the rest of his life guessing at.

“So, you think we got it figured out?” Marshall asked.

“Yeah, I love you,” Regina replied.

“And I love you too,” Marshall replied. They looked into each other’s eyes for a long time.

“But I’m not good enough for you,” Marshall said after a minute.

“Oh don’t start that,” Regina said with a heartfelt smile, grabbing his hand and squeezing it.

“We’re gonna be just fine, but with other people,” Regina replied.

“Yeah, you with AJ, me, with Hailie,” Marshall said squeezing her hand.

“But we can be friends Marshall. The best friend position has been open for a while, as long as you don’t sell any sex videos that I didn’t know about,” Regina said pushing him a little, he laughed.

“Yeah, I bet we could be pretty damn good friends. No damn expectations to go with it right?” Marshall asked relieved.

“You got it baby boy, and you will always be my baby boy okay? Don’t forget that,” Regina said with a smile.

“Okay, as long as you agree to be inducted to D-12,” Marshall replied looking up at her and grinning.

“You got it,” Regina smiled, “oh come here baby boy.” Regina dragged him in for a tight hug. Marshall felt a piece of himself fall and crumble. They were really breaking up. But the only person he could blame was himself.

“Hey, look who’s awake!” Proof exclaimed coming into the room with a bouquet of daises.

“Hey, it’s my boys, come on in,” Regina said letting go of Marshall, and welcoming in the next part of her life.