A/N: HUGE writer's block. My apologies!

Eli's POV

I had seen Clare every day since she had been admitted to the hospital. It had been about a week since the disastrous party, and I was beginning to lose hope that Clare would ever wake. Helen told me the doctors were pessimistic; the longer Clare stayed unconscious, the less likely she would wake up. Helen and Randall were actually coming together for the sake of their daughter; sad that a reunion had to be because of the near death of Clare.

Helen called the wedding off for obvious reasons. I guess Clare and Jake wouldn't be doomed to become stepsiblings, which left it open for Jake to make a move; if Clare ever woke up. I knew that he was still in love with her, but I wasn't about to let him think he had a chance.

Imogen was still in a coma. Her room was right next door to Clare's. It made things convenient for those who wished to visit the both of them. I hadn't seen Imogen since the day of the crash. I refused to see her. It was her fault that Clare was in such a fragile state. Jake, who had been in and out of Clare's room, had tried to coax me into seeing Imo, but I wouldn't. I couldn't. I had to be Clare's advocate.

"Eli, she is your friend. She could die; you need to see her, at least once," Jake pleaded.

I stood my ground. "Jake, the only reason Clare is in here is because of Imogen. I can't see her; at least not until I know that Clare will be okay. I don't expect you to understand."

I had an inkling that Jake was starting to fall for Imogen; God knows why. I almost felt betrayed that he cared for her so much after what she did to Clare. I knew that he loved Clare, but I didn't understand where his loyalty was.

"You will regret not seeing Imogen if she dies, you know." Jake replied softly, halfway out the door.

I felt a twinge of guilt prick my heart, and the guilt quickly turned to heated anger. "What I don't understand is how you CAN see her, after what she did to Clare? I thought you love Clare, man. I think you need to reevaluate your loyalty." I snapped.

Jake slowly turned around to face me; his cheeks flushed at my statement. He paused, obviously thinking carefully about his words. "I think, Eli, it's not about where my loyalty is, it's about being a decent human being. Yeah, Imogen did a horrible thing; but it's not like Imogen got off scot-free. She is suffering just as much as Clare; perhaps even more so. I know, if and when Imogen wakes up, she will be devastated at what she has done. I'm trying not to be another person who hates her for it."

I didn't reply. I didn't care about what Jake had to say. I glared after him as he left to be by Imogen's side.

Softening, I returned my focus onto my beloved Clare. She was off the ventilator, thank goodness, and was breathing on her own. I just needed for her to come back to me. I stroked her hair off of her face gently, and I took her hand within mine. Her skin was warm; full of life. Her warmth gave me a glimmer of hope, and I smiled to myself.

"I know that you will wake soon, and I will be here for you. I love you, Edwards." I brought her delicate hand up to my lips and kissed it.

"Such a gentleman." Clare sighed weakly.

I shot up off the chair in a start and held Clare's face in my hands. "Clare, darling, did you say something?"

Her eyes were still closed, but her mouth opened, and she spoke again. "Eli, what happened?"

I couldn't contain my elatedness as adrenaline coursed through my veins. Tears sprung to my happy eyes, and they flowed freely on my grinning face.

"Clare, my love, I knew you'd come back! You just wait, I'm going to get a doctor." I kissed Clare's lips and sprinted out of her room. "Hey! I need someone in 203, Clare's awake!" I shouted down the hall.

Clare's POV

I remembered the pain. My head throbbed as if it had been used as a football; my body ached like it never ached before. I heard nothing but nonsensical noises; I couldn't string together sentences. I couldn't open my eyes, so I strained my ears to try and make sense of my surroundings. I recognized the smell; the awful odor of a hospital.

I felt my hand lift; but I wasn't in control of it. Someone else was touching me; it was comforting. I heard a familiar voice, it was soft and reassuring. I just couldn't make out words.

A most gentle hand caressed my face, and for a moment, I felt no pain. It had to be him.

My ears perked as I finally was able tune in to what he was saying.

"I promise, I will be here for you when you wake up." Small, warm lips brushed against my hand. It was Eli.

"Such a gentleman," I croaked. Ouch. Sharp pain hit me in my chest. Speaking was not easy.

I still couldn't open my eyes, but I could sense Eli's excitement. What exactly happened to me?

"What's happening? Where am I?" I whispered, more aware of my condition. Eli quickly muttered something that was too fast for me to understand. And then he was gone.

"Eli?" My heartbeat quickened. I never wanted Eli to leave me ever again. Uncontrollable anxiety washed over me like ice water. "Eli?" I whimpered.

I desperately tried to open my eyes, but they felt like they were glued shut. I wondered how long I was unconscious.

"ELI!" I managed to groan louder than I thought I could manage.

I felt strong hands on mine, trying to comfort me.

"It's okay, Clare, everything is going to be alright."

This wasn't Eli's smooth voice; it was Jake's. I felt Jake squeeze my hand gently, and he stroked my face. As much as I wanted Eli, I did feel comforted by the presence of one of my friends.

"Eli is going to get you a doctor; he will be back as soon as he can."

Finally, my eyes started to un-cake themselves, and I weakly peeked one eye open. Things were blurry at first, but then everything gradually came into focus. Jake had a very concerned look on his face, but it was excited as well.

"Hey there, pretty girl. You gave us a scare, you know that?" Jake smiled warmly. He shifted nervously as he eyed the hall, waiting for Eli to return.

"Jake, is Imogen okay?" I asked weakly. I remembered my supernatural encounter with her. I was praying she was alright.

Jake's expression morphed into a solemnness that I'll never forget. His normally vibrant eyes darkened, and he voice became low. "She's alive. Imogen had a serious brain injury; we don't know if she's sustained any brain damage from the accident."

My throat dried. Accident. What she did was no accident, yet my heart burned from Jake's words. Imogen wasn't okay at all.

"Clare!"

My eyes shot past Jake to see Eli standing in the doorway. A tall, blonde woman clad in a white coat strode in my room effortlessly and warmly smiled at me.

"Miss Edwards, I'm Dr. Vanderghast. I'm glad to see you are awake." She turned around to Jake and Eli. "Gentlemen, if you will just give us some privacy while I check up on my patient, please."

Looking slightly disappointed, Eli nodded. He gave me one last elated look, and disappeared around the corner with Jake. Maybe they were going to see Imogen.

Eli's POV

"She asked about Imogen?"

The sandy haired boy nodded. "Yeah, it was kind of weird. I wonder what Clare is going to do if Imogen comes out of this coma."

"You mean if she'll press charges against her? Hell, I can press charges against Imo because she technically stole my car." I pushed my hair out of my face. I thought about it for a moment. "I don't think I'd ever, though. For some reason, I have a feeling Clare will let her off the hook."

Jake nodded in agreement.

The door opened from Clare's room and Dr. Vanderghast stepped out. She gave Jake and me a wink and made her way down the hall to another room. I peered in. Clare was looking right at me, and she flashed me a big smile. My heart fluttered with excitement; my Clare was back in my life.

"I'll let you two catch up," I heard Jake say, making his way into Imogen's room.

"Yeah, thanks." I said without looking back. Clare waved me over to her bed. She scooted her small body over as I climbed in the sheets and wrapped my arm around her. I grasped her hand and sighed. "Clare," is whispered softly.

"Eli?" She squeaked weakly.

"I'm so glad you aren't dead." I smirked.

She rolled her eyes at me playfully. Clare nestled her head into my chest and fell asleep.

I woke up with a start as I heard someone talking in my ear.

"Eli, wake up."

Soft hands shook me gently and I didn't realize where I'd been for the last couple of hours. I glanced around the room, and realized I had fallen asleep in Clare's hospital bed. Her arms were still wrapped around my body, and I carefully removed her sleeping hands from me.

"Jake, what's up?" I scratched my head sleepily.

He looked pretty rough, like he had been crying. His eyes were puffy and red; his face flushed pink and splotchy. He was shaking slightly, and I could only think of one thing.

"Is Imo…" I started to ask.

He took a breath and looked at the floor. "Her parents are going to take her off the ventilator."

I gasped.

His eyes were shiny when he looked at me. "They think it'll be better if they let her go. It's been a long time, and they don't want to see her suffer any more. I think you should go see her, Eli. It'll be the last time you'll able to see her alive." Jake wiped his tears from his face with his sleeve. "Man, I didn't think it would be this hard," he stated and walked out the room.

I just sat there frozen for a while, not knowing what to do; what to think. I looked down at my sleeping Clare and realized how much I really was grateful that she was on the road to recovery. I had avoided seeing Imogen because of my anger, but I was full of regret and remorse.

As much as it pained me to do so, I gently woke Clare so I could tell her the news.

"Clare, Darling." I whispered.

She groggily came to. "What is it?" she croaked weakly.

"Imogen's parents are removing her from her ventilator. It's scheduled for this afternoon, after everybody can say their last goodbyes."

Her eyes widened with horror. "What? No! They can't do that, Imogen is going to be fine! I know it." Clare hastily tried to sit up, and then immediately gasped with pain and clutched her chest.

"Whoa, Clare, not so fast, okay?" I said. The last thing I wanted was for Clare to get overexcited and cause more stress on her body. "Look, I am going over to see Imogen now. You want to come with me? I'll go ask Dr. Vanderghast if it's alright to get you into a wheel chair if you aren't strong enough to walk yet."

She nodded fervently at the suggestion. I left her bed to find Vanderghast.

Clare's POV

When Eli left my room, I swung my legs over the bedside and tried to stand. Bad idea. I immediately fell back onto my bed, causing searing pain in my ribs to radiate throughout my body. "Damnit," I whispered to myself. I needed to find Imogen's parents and let them know their daughter was going to live. That she wanted to live.

I gathered some more strength after sitting a moment and tried again. This time I made some progress. I balanced myself on my feet and stood for a minute, pondering whether I could move on. I decided I could make it to the door and shifted my weight from one foot to the other. I stumbled a bit, but I was definitely able to hold my ground. Fuck the wheelchair. I suddenly stopped as I felt a tugging at my arm. I was still hooked up to my IV. I foolishly ripped it out; this cause was far greater than a few minutes without fluids.

I fell against the wall and clutched the door frame to steady myself. I peered around the corner for Eli, but he was already out of sight. Thank god Imogen's room was just next door to mine. The door was open, and I could hear soft crying coming from the bedside. Jake was holding Imogen's hand and stroking her face. Imogen's mother was seated at a chair on the opposite side holding her other hand and weeping. I could feel a lump in my throat form as I mustered up the strength to enter the room. I entered and heard a small gasp as Mrs. Moreno saw me.

"Mrs. Moreno, you can't do it!" I sputtered.

Jake whipped around to see me just before I fell into his arms.

"Oh my god Clare, what are you doing?" he asked almost angrily. He picked me up and sat me on his chair next to Imogen's bedside. Imogen didn't look like herself; she was gaunt and her face was hollow. Her pale white body had molded into the bed, and it was almost hard to distinguish what was bed sheet and what was skin. Tears pricked at the corner of my eyes and I grabbed her papery thin hand.

"Clare, you could have seriously hurt yourself, you know." Jake's voice was lower and calmer. I waved a hand at him.

"I don't care. Mrs. Moreno, you have to wait, please," I pleaded.

Mrs. Moreno, a slender woman with glasses wearily sighed and looked into my eyes. Her eyes, which were green with flecks of gray, were warm and empathetic. She pushed back a strand of her chestnut hair and took a wavering breath. "Clare, dear, I don't want my daughter to suffer any more than she already has. The doctors tell me she won't be able to breathe on her own without the ventilator. She can't be a vegetable for the rest of her life; I just can't do that to her."

"Mrs. Moreno, please reconsider, just give her another day or two." I said softly. I felt Jake's hand on my shoulder.

The frail looking mother shook her head sadly. "I'm sorry, honey. I just can't."

Defeated, I slumped back in the chair and cried.

A/N: next chapter: Imogen's plug is pulled; will this be the end of Imogen?