A/N: Truly sorry about the wait, guys. :/ School was crazy busy, and then I was struck with the plague or something. So, I apologize if this Chapter is a bit 'meh.' or if I've spelled something wrong, much of this was written during sickness, and the only editor I have is myself. Enjoy, my lovely Rushers.

The car ride back to the Palmwoods was slow and silent. Logan drove with his hands clenched around the steering wheel, his knuckles white, and his eyes focused on the road. James, in contrast, had his red-rimmed eyes on the ground, a tear escaping now and then, his hands resting loosely on his thighs, and was silent except for the occasional sniffle.

"I'm sorry you got kicked out, James." Logan whispered suddenly, dropping the little confidence his voice had held earlier.

James nodded softly, not lifting his gaze from the floor, a speck of fuzz on the carpet suddenly becoming enthralling. "Nah, s'okay... I-it was my fault anyway. I shouldn't have snapped at her. S-she was only trying to help."

Logan reached over with one hand and patted James' leg gently, not bothering with the Driver's Safety he normally enforced with a passion.

"So were you. You were just a little too stressed and worried and scared all at the same time, and you couldn't take it. It's not your fault, it happens to the best of us," he replied, a tiny smile playing at the corners of his lips.

"Y-yeah. I guess so." James attempted to smile back, but it just brought a sick feeling to his stomach.

Opening the door to apartment 2J, Logan let James ahead of him to enter first. The taller brunette looked exhausted and distressed, and even a little ill. His normally pretty tan skin was pale; his hazel eyes dull and tired, with dark bags under them. Logan frowned. That little ordeal at the hospital seemed to have taken more of a toll on him than it should have... Quickly, Logan made a mental note to remind James to take deep breaths, and maybe a nap. They couldn't afford for him to get sick, Kendall needed him, and so did they. Logan watched as he dredged over to the couch, sitting down carelessly on the edge, and putting a hand to his head, looking momentarily dazed as he rubbed at his temples and the bridge of his nose. Logan swallowed nervously, his thoughts from earlier about James looking ill creeping into his head again, igniting his own worry, and also his doctor instincts. He walked over and sat next to his tall friend, resting a hand on his forehead lightly, sighing with relief when it was just clammy, not warm. He moved his arm so it rested around James, pulling the boy closer to him. James was surprisingly compliant, his coming to rest limply on Logan's shoulder, his breathing deep and even, as if he were trying to calm himself down.

"James, I'm telling you, it's okay. Everything's going to be okay," he put emphasis on the word, trying to convey comfort and love through the tone of his voice. James whimpered, but mustered up a nod, and a weak, "Thanks."

"Of course. Now, I'm gonna head back to the hospital to check Kendall and Carlos, but don't hesitate to call me if anything happens, or you just need to talk, okay?"

"Mhmm," came the muffled reply.

"Good." Logan stood up. "Get some rest, buddy. You look like you need it, and I'll probably be back by the time you wake up."

With that, Logan pulled his keys from his pocket, and walked out the door, leaving James alone in the silent, empty apartment.

Carlos, who hadn't moved from his seat in the waiting room since Logan and James had left, finally decided to get up, and ask a nurse if he could see Kendall. He looked around, trying to find a member of the hospital staff that didn't look too scary. He finally settled on a young nurse, one of the few people who still looked like they had some life left in their eyes that hadn't yet been extinguished by seeing a lifetime of sickness and death in a matter of days, or seen people, young and old, deteriorate in front of their eyes. He walked towards her timidly, feeling nervousness bubbling in his stomach.

"Um... Hello?" he mumbled when he reached her, causing her head to snap up, a smile lighting up her face when she saw him.

"Hey there. What can I help you with, sweetheart?" she replied, in a caring voice.

"I-um- I wanted to know if I could see my friend, Kendall Knight?"

Her eyes softened, and she put a hand on his arm, "Of course, sweetie," she said softly, "I just need to make sure he's cleared for visitors," and she guided him gently to the front desk.

"Hi, El, I just wanted to know if a Mr. Kendall Knight is okay for visitors?"

The woman at the desk smiled a little at them, before checking her computer hastily. "Yes, honey, but only a few minutes, he seems to be experiencing some severe-"

The nurse quickly cut her off, her expression only wavering momentarily. "Don't worry, El, I'll make sure he doesn't stay too long, right-ah... What's your name, sugar?"

"Carlos..." he whispered, his eyes following the silent conversation between El and the nurse.

"Right, Carlos?" she finished.

Carlos felt his cheeks redden. "Right."

The nurse sighed with relief, nodding, "Good."

They seemed nice enough, especially the nurse, but didn't like how they were treating him; like they were hiding something serious because he was too young or innocent to understand. Lots of people treated him that way, and he didn't like it. But that was pushed to the back of his mind as she led him down the hall to Kendall's room. He was what really mattered right now.

Entering the plain white room, Carlos really didn't know what to think. In fact, he was rendered nearly speechless by the sight of Kendall lying asleep in the hospital bed, looking pale and scared, and in pain. So unmoving and cold, and… dead looking...

It frightened Carlos so badly.

His breathing quickened, stepping back a couple steps, leaning against the wall and taking deep breaths. He almost jumped out of his shoes, however, when he heard a soft sound coming from Kendall's direction.

A whimper of fear, and pain.

That sound was enough for Carlos to let out a breath and toughen up, pull himself together. He walked to the edge of the bed, where Kendall lay, trembling, his breathing quickening and his heart rate rising, according to the machine that was beeping next to him. Carlos reached out , placing a hand on Kendall's head, stroking his hair softly, like Kendall did for him when he was sick.

"Shh, " he whispered, "It's okay, buddy, I'm here-'Litos is here."

He sat next to Kendall, not really knowing what else to do, just stroking his hair, and holding his hands, warming the cold fingers by rubbing them gently. He kinda wished Kendall would open his eyes. Kendall's eyes would be able to tell Carlos so much about how he was actually feeling, whether good or bad.

Now, he felt like he was cut off, incapable of knowing what the blonde boy was going through. His only choice was to sit here, offering what little comfort he could.

It hurt.

It still hurt.

Ribs, burning.

Head throbbing, pounding, a debilitating ache.

Arms and legs heavy.

It hurt to move.

It hurt to breathe.

Hell, it hurt to think.

Hurt, hurt, hurt. Pain, pain, pain,

A cycle. It was a cycle.

Of pain, fear and confusion.

Where was he?

Voices. Those voices he kept hearing; worried, concerned, distraught tones coloring the garbled words. He was sure his name was mentioned more than a few times.

He felt tired and scared. He could only hear and think it short bursts and in short sentences. If he tried harder to concentrate, the pain in his head skyrocketed.

So, he sank back into black oblivion.

He was safe there.

A/N: Finally, the story is picking up some action! And finally, Kendall POV! :D Do you guys think James is going to make himself sick with worry? Also, do you think the Nurse is really hiding something important from Carlos and the boys? If so, what do you think it is? Love you guys, please answer the questions if you can, I'd love to hear what you think!

Until next time,

-Candie