So this is the last chapter. This took forever to make, but I'm really proud of it!

Disclaimer: D: nope

Wash paced back and forth, biting his lip and wringing his hands. He really, really hoped that York had actually lived through all of this, and that he hadn't gotten his friend killed. He didn't think he could take it if he was dead for a second time.

York was in the medbay, in his own private room, hooked up to a really quite large amount of machines. He had been rushed back to the Mother of Invention frighteningly fast on the Pelican, and then had undergone surgery and constant care for 24 hours straight. It was all he could do to stop Carolina from rushing in and punching him until he woke up. The same went for himself, for that matter.

Since then, though, York had been unconscious and still hadn't woken up. The doctors said he was going to be fine, no lasting damage, but that didn't stop most everyone on the team from staying by his side at all hours of the day as if he were on his deathbed.

Carolina refused to do absolutely anything until he woke up. The others had coaxed her into eating a bit, but it had been three days since they found York, and she hadn't given into to sleep yet. Wash himself was barely keeping his eyes open, and he had slept. Carolina must have been functioning completely off of adrenaline, and maybe love.

Wash looked over to Carolina, his gaze settling on her for a moment. Her Freelancer instincts instantly picked up on it, and she turned to him. He was mid-yawn, though, and she fixed him with a quizzical look before he gave a short nod and headed out of the room to sleep. She understood what he meant.

To be honest, Carolina was grateful that Wash had left. He had been good support for her in the past few days, but she just wanted to be alone right now. Just with York. It wouldn't be special if somebody else was there when he woke up.

She was aware that she sounded like a cliche romance story, and that she was the giggly, love-struck little prissy girl who happened to be the main character, but she didn't mind. Well, maybe a little, but still.

York still wasn't waking up. And the growing feeling of dread in her stomach that had been balled up since he got out of surgery was still there, too. She knew that it was only normal for him to be asleep for a while, since he had a head wound and he had gotten all drugged up from surgery - but what if he slipped into a coma?

What if he didn't wake up for years? What if he never woke up, and she would be waiting and waiting forever until they finally decided he wasn't worth the wait anymore? What if he didn't make it, after all of this? What if she never ever got to say her goodbye to him?

She wouldn't be able to deal with that. She wouldn't be able to live like that.

Coming off of her chair and kneeling on the ground next to him, she put her hand in his and laid her head on his chest. She wanted to fall asleep, but she would never forgive herself for not being there for him if he woke up while she napped. That was selfish.

She squeezed his hand the slightest bit. She really, really hoped he woke up soon, because she needed to say goodbye. No, she needed to say hello. If we woke up, he was here to stay. She'd make sure of that.

Then, she felt a small squeeze back.

Her head shot up, focusing on the fluttering eyelids of the person who she loved more than anything.

She didn't hesitate to kiss him.

Grabbing onto his chest, she forced her lips on his, causing a small groan to emit from York before he slowly wrapped his arms around her, gently kissing her back, and then pulled away to smile and take a breath. His voice had a small, happy lilt to it. "Just couldn't wait a second, could you? Tryin' to steal my last breath, I bet."

Immediately, her smile became a frown and she worriedly said, "Last breath? York, don't say that. I haven't slept for three days because I've been so worried over you and I thought you would never wake up again, you can't leave me, York -" He interrupted her hurried ranting with a slow, concerned sentence.

"Hey, Carolina, come on, I was just joking. No need to get worried. And - three days? You didn't leave me for three days?" She shook her head, almost unnoticeable tears glinting in the sides of her eyes.

"You'd do the same for me." Was her only reply. He gave her a small smile.

"Yeah, I would." He locked eyes with her for a moment, before looking away and awkwardly coughing. "So, I uh... may have said some things in a message, uh... before everything happened... did you, uh, listen to it?" She nodded. He blinked. "Oh. Well, okay. Um, you don't have to, um, worry about what I said... I understand if you don't really, uh, like me in that way, I guess." His words were so certain, Carolina felt a little guilty about never showing him how she felt.

However, amusement covered her tone. "What do you think that kiss was for, idiot?"

A small smile graced his features. "Pity?"

She corrected him. "No, York. It's because I love you more than anything I've ever loved before and I couldn't be without you any longer."

His eyes were full of pure delight, and he answered, "You know that I love you. I think you're strong, you're tough, and you're so, so beautiful, and you're everything I never knew I wanted. And I do love you with everything that I have. Present tense." He closed his eyes and kissed her, holding her tight and making sure he wouldn't let go, not ever again.

After all, their clocks were ticking down, and he wanted to make the best of what time he had left.