KidloveAuslly: Yeah :( I know :/

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Here we go guys.. The final chapter :/

Chapter 23

After me and Laura left the room we decided to go down to the cafeteria as to where Rydel, Titus, Rocky, Riker, Brandon, Callie and Connor were. Rocky looked up from the table to see me and Laura coming towards us "Oh look," Rocky said "you finally decide to breathe and come out or did the doctor's kick you both out?" He asked. Normally I would of took that the wrong way and insulting way, but I know he's only trying to make the best of this situation so I let it slide.

I rolled my eyes before sitting down at the table "The Doctors wanted to do something so they told us to leave." I said.

"Please tell me you finished off telling Laura the freaking story so we don't have to hear the rest.." Rocky said hopefully.

"Hey!" Laura said "I wanted to hear it.. Again.. It could of been the last time he told anybody with Ratliff around." Everyone then looked at Laura for what she had just said, I never I just kept on looking down at the table. A small gasp then escaped from Laura's lips "I didn't mean anything by it.. I was just saying.. Oh my god, I'm sorry Ross!"

I just looked up at Laura who had the most regretful expression on her face ever, I let out a small laugh "Relax Laur, you didn't say anything wrong.." I said. It was true she didn't say anything wrong. She just spoke the truth, and I won't lie. It hurt a little because I knew that would probably be the last time he was around with me telling that story.

The last time I told that story with Ratliff was when I told Laura for the first time because she had practically begged me too, it just so happened that Ratliff was there as well.

She then sat down beside me finally relaxing over what she'd just said.

After a couple of hours sitting down in the cafeteria I decided I wanted to go back upstairs to Ratliff's room to see if the Doctor's were done doing whatever it was they were doing. Of course I wasn't going to go alone because Laura ended up coming with me again. Not that I minded.

We both got up to the corridor before the Doctor who'd been taking care of him started coming towards us "Mr. Lynch!" The Doctor called. Me and Laura paused in the hallway as the Doctor stopped infront of us "I have... News."

"What is it?" I asked.

"I'm afraid it's not good news," The Doctor said. I sighed, beginning to prepare myself for what was coming next even though deep down I basically new "we have just done a check up on him and he woke up."

Laura smiled "How is that bad news?!" Laura asked, still smiling excitedly. I could see why she was smiling happily, she didn't realize that just cause Ratliff had woken up.. Didn't necessarily mean that he was okay. He probably wasn't, infact, I could feel that something wasn't right.

"H-he's gonna die isn't he.." I said, finally speaking up even though it came out very quietly.

I looked up to the doctor and he frowned before nodding subtly "We've tried everything in our best interest to keep him alive for as long as possible," He began to explain "but that's all gone out of the window now, we've kept him alive for as long as we could.. But unfortunately we can no longer try. Just prepare yourselves that he may not make it through the rest of the week."

"It's Saturday," Laura snapped "there's only one day left of the week."

"R-relax Laur," I said trying to stay clam without breaking down on the spot with tears. I put an arm round her hesitantly "A-are we allowed to go see him?" I asked.

The Doctor sighed before nodding, but he stopped me and Laura as we tried to walk past "He only wants to see you.."

"Did he say that?" Laura asked.

The Doctor shrugged "He just said 'Ross' before falling back asleep and I am assuming that meant you."

I looked down at Laura and she looked up at me before nodding, giving me permission to go see him. Even though I didn't need her permission, I just felt bad because she probably wanted to go see aswell before he.. passed on. But he just sat down on the chair outside Ratliff's room.

It would be a lie to say I wasn't nervous, but I was because... I could go in there and he could just die.

I walked into the room, as the Doctor said he had fallen back asleep. He wasn't breathing normally, which was probably a sign that his death was near. Very near. I went over to the edge of the bed and sat on it, taking his hand in mine that was the closest to me.

I brought up his hand to my lips before kissing it tenderly as tears began to fall down my cheeks when I promised myself that I wouldn't cry I lowered his hand back down, not letting go "I know you probably don't have long left," I said trying not to hysterically cry, I'll probably be doing that a lot later "but.. I love you okay? And I know you've heard me say it like a gazillion times, but this time I do mean it. Not that I didn't mean it before, but now I mean it more than ever. You have to understand that.. Cause I don't want you dying thinking that.."

"I.. I know... I'm not going to.."

I looked down to the bed to see Ratliff slowly opening his eyes. I smiled down at him "Ratliff!" I exclaimed, I wanted to hug him but with how weak he is I could quite possibly hurt him badly. "Listen-"

"Ross, please, don't start getting all lovey, soppy and heart felt with me," Ratliff said weakly as he tried to sit up more in the bed, which surprisingly he managed to do without my help "I-I've seen how messy.. and tearful it can get.." He then looked at me sighing, realizing I was already tearful "Come.. here." He said opening out his arms.

I then leaned down into his arms, resting my head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around me, ever so weakly though "I love you too." Ratliff said. I nodded as more tears fastly fell down my eyes, he tried to hold me tighter but he failed with how weak he is "do.. me a favor?"

I nodded and sniffled "A-anything."

"Look out for yourself, don't go down... hill or anything like other people tend to do," Ratliff said, beginning to become breathless "cause.. I need someone to watch over rather than Cassie and Connor... I also need someone to look after them as well."

I nodded "I promise I will.." I said. I then rested my head back down onto his shoulder, letting a few tears fall.

Ratliff's tight grip around me then became loose, a little bit too loose. To the point where he let go and his hands fell off back down to his sides. I sat back up on the edge of the bed before looking down to him, his eyes were closed. He must of fell asleep I thought.

But that thought soon changed when I heard the sound a life line going flat.

More tears then came down from my eyes, I got a pain in my chest so much pain that it only made me cry more. This couldn't be happening, I wasn't ready for him to go and die. Not yet anyway. Maybe I could of prepared myself for tomorrow or any other day, but not today.

I then got off the bed as Doctors came into the room, Laura managed to sneak into the room as the Doctors began to try shock the life back into him even though they knew they shouldn't seen as though they knew his time was very near. Laura put her arms around my torso as she watched, letting a couple of tears fall herself.

A few seconds later, all that could be heard was the noise of the doctors giving up and the never ending sound of a flat life line.

He was gone. He was dead.

1 Month Later

I was laid in my bed which use to be mine and Ratliff's. I know it had been a month already since Ratliff had passed away, but I was still not over it and nobody could really blame me. Everyone that I knew and was close with offered as much comfort as they could, I took it. Didn't really work.

Riker, Laura, Rydel, Titus and Rocky had been coming to mine all the time making sure I was okay until I was back on track. I heard them all agree that it wasn't going to be anytime soon.

I heard footsteps come into the room and sit behind me on the edge of the bed "Ross," Riker said "we know that your hurting badly.. and not exactly on track.. So.. Connor's going to go stay with Rocky for a little while and Cassie's coming with me and Laura, okay? Just for a little while.."

I didn't say anything, I just laid there making no movement. The most I done was breathe and blink. Riker patted my back gently "I'll see you later." Riker said getting from the bed and going over to the door where I knew he and Laura were stood in the doorway.

They tried their best to be quiet, but I could hear them and see them out of the corner of my eye a little bit.

Laura sighed as she looked at me with sad eyes "Poor thing.."

"I know," Riker said "but.. I'm sure in time he'll eventually get over it."

Laura looked up at Riker shocked "Riker, he's heartbroken, he's never going to get over it."

"Little over dramatic there Laur."

Laura shook her head "No Riker," Laura said "it's true.. Ratliff's death has destroyed him.. It might take months.. Even years for him too."

Riker shrugged "Maybe," Riker said "all I know is that we've got to be there for him until he gets back on his feet."

"Yes, and we will be." Laura said.

Riker sighed "We'll see you later Ross." Riker spoke up. Still nothing. I didn't respond with anything. Riker sighed again "C'mon lets just go." He said quietly before leaving.

Once I heard the front door shut and the sound of the car starting, I sat up slowly in the bed looking around my bedroom. Nothing felt right anymore. Tears came to my eyes again before they began to slowly roll down my cheeks. My chest hurt where my heart was, which didn't seem natural. I just ignored it.

I felt so empty.

I laid back down on the bed before shutting my eyes to try go back to sleep as I gently sobbed and the pain in my chest continued. I shut my eyes slowly to let the sleep takeover, maybe it will take me away from all this pain.

Soon darkness set in and I was gone asleep.

Slowly my eyes began to reopen, I rubbed them before feeling wetness on the pillow from where my tears had fallen and soaked them. I sighed. I really needed to stop grieving like this. But I couldn't, it just hurt so much.

Then something occurred to me. Something didn't feel right.

"Don't cry.." A voice said from behind me on the bed.

My eyes widened before I practically turned round on the bed to come face to face with.. "Ratliff.. what are... But.. Your.. Huh?" I was so confused for a moment. But then I realized as he was looking at me with a 'are you kidding me?' face. "Ohh.." I said "I'm dreaming aren't I," I said finally getting it, as Ratliff went to go say something I stopped him "No, don't bother, I just don't want to wake up. I wanna stay with you forever, please don't let this dream end!" I begged as I wrapped my arms around his waist and hugged him.

Ratliff laughed a little "Well.. That wish is real.." He said. I looked up at him confused "You're going to be with me forever."

I rolled my eyes "You know what I meant Ratliff," I said "I meant forever as in I can actually see you and be with you. Not where only you can see me and I can't see you."

Ratliff frowned "Ross... We're going to be together forever now," He said, he looked happy but at the same time pained "this dream.. unfortunately isn't going to end anymore."

I looked at him confused before it finally clicked with me.

Normal P.O.V.

The next day Riker and Laura had decided they would go back to Ross's house and see how he was holding up without having any responsibilities for the day. That's what they thought Ross needed. He needed to be on his won to try get over Ratliff's death a little without having to worry about Connor and Cassie being taken care of.

Whilst Cassie and Brandon stayed at Riker and Laura's for a while, they went to go visit Ross. Riker knocked at the door, Laura sighed "There's no point in knocking Riker," Laura said "it's not like he's going to get up from his bed and answer anyway."

Riker nodded, Laura had a point. With the way Ross was, he didn't look like he was going anywhere any time soon. Laura then went down to the door mat before lifting it up where the spare key was, she took it before putting it into the door and opening it. Shutting it behind them.

"You know what you go on up Laur," Riker said "I'm going to go make him something to eat and drink before he starves himself to death and dehydrates."

Laura nodded before making her way slowly upstairs. Once she came face to face with the door of Ross's bedroom, she sighed as she knew what she was going to see. A heartbroken Ross Lynch laid in his bed doing nothing but breathe, blink and cry.

She opened the door to reveal Ross laid on the bed. Normally she'd of just sighed and looked at him, but something wasn't right. He was in the same position as he was yesterday when Riker and Laura left "Ross.." Laura said as she made her way slowly over to the bed.

When she got a look of his face, it was still tear stained and his eyes were shut. Fully. Not open staring at the wall like they normally are. Actually shut for once in the past month. His skin was paler than ever, Laura walked over as she crouched down to look at him, she shook him she almost screamed as she touched Ross's arm. His skin was so cold. It was almost as if he was dead.

No Laura thought to herself "No, no, no, no.." Laura chorused quietly to herself "Ross.. Get up, wake up, open your eyes.." She said as she shook him by the shoulder gently. But there was nothing, tears were threatening to come up as she felt a lump in her throat "Ross.." She squealed sadly. She felt his cheek with the back of her hand, ice cold. Not exactly ice cold, but it was cold.

Laura didn't even want to go anywhere near his pulse just to save herself from heartache, but she knew she had to. Just to let herself know that Ross wasn't dead and that he's just in a very deep sleep.. Or is very ill. Slowly she let her two fingers go onto his neck before searching the side of his neck for a pulse. Her fingers landed on where the pulse usually is, but there was nothing. A tear came out of her eye as she lifted up Ross's head a little to feel the other side. Nothing.

"Riker.." Laura said, which came out as a whisper "Riker.." She said getting louder. But nothing would come out. "RIKER!" Laura screamed.

Riker was downstairs in the kitchen currently making Ross something to eat, he was about to spread the butter on the bread with the knife when: "RIKER!" That made him drop the knife and made everyone, meaning the plate, bread, butter, knife, go flying. Riker hissed in pain as the knife cut his finger.

He then made his way upstairs to see what Laura was screaming about, he went into the room to see Laura knelt down on the floor beside the bed looking at Ross with tears falling down her eyes. Riker then felt his heart twist inside his chest as a though occurred to him "No.." Riker whispered under his breath "He's not.." Laura nodded "B-but.. He was fine! He had no illness! He showed no signs that he was going to die Laura!"

Laura nodded "I know, Riker, I know.." She said as more tears fell down from her eyes.

"Don't just sit there call an ambulance!" Riker yelled as he made his way over to his little brother on the bed, turning him over seeing his pale, cold face.

Laura shook her head "R-Riker.." She said "I know.. it hurts, but.. I don't think you can mend a broken heart."

Riker looked at Laura confused "Enough of that broken heart bullshit Laura! We know he is!" Riker said "you can't die from a broken heart."

"Yes you can Riker!" Laura yelled at him as her voice broke with sadness and tears fell from her face "when I was little.. My Grandpa died.. a few weeks later.. My Grandma died. Not because she was ill. She had nothing wrong with her, there were no signs. Even the doctors told us it was a broken heart, it is possible.."

"But I thought only old people die from broken hearts.."

"You thought wrong Riker.." Laura said. She took a deep breath before continuing to speak, even though it was the last thing Riker wanted to hear "Wouldn't you rather him be happy with Ratliff than be here in the world suffering?" She asked.

Riker nodded after he'd thought about it for a little while.

Maybe it was just best this way. Ross and Ratliff together up there looking down on everyone, rather than having Ross suffer.

They were truly meant for eachother and nobody would have it any other way.

The End

Did I ruin it? I think I did.. asdfghjkl

Thanks for reading this awesome story! :D I have two new story ideas that I'll more than likely forgot about... Haha x"D

As if... Now I have NO stories to update or write anymore.. :/ But I'm sure I'll come up with something.. I know I have "FRIENDS" to write but hey-ho! :D Hey, would any of you guys mind reading my story "FRIENDS" I know it's a long ass story, but trust me.. Its NOT a story you have to keep up with from the beginning haha x"D

Thanks for reading!