JACK SAT by the window. He held a magazine in his hands as he absentmindedly flipped through the pages.

It was late into the night and Rory hadn't woken up yet.

Jack had told Layla to take herself and Belle home for tonight and he'd call when Rory had awoken.

There was a small knock on the hospital door and Milton popped his head inside.

Jack smiled, standing to his feet and meeting Milton halfway, pulling him into a hug.

"She hasn't woken up yet?" Milton asked.

"Nah, still out."

"She must have a Sever TBI." Milton sighed, sitting on the edge of Rory's bed, "She'll be out for about 24 hours... maybe longer."

Jack sighed, slumping down into the seat in once sat in. He rested his head against his hand.

"The others our on their way." Milton spoke softly, "Jerry's parking the car."

Jack nodded and Milton brushed hair from out of Rory's face.

This was Rory's family. Milton, Jerry, Rudy, and Kim were people she consider to be her family, those were her uncles and singular aunt.

And they were going to be there whenever she woke up.

Jack looked over at the duo over on the bed. His mind running wild with a million questions.

What did I do wrong? How did this happen? What didn't I see?

Milton turned, looking over at Jack, "What did you say?"

Oh, he was speaking aloud.

"You've done a great job with Aurora and Belle, Jack. Don't doubt that."

Jack sighed, "This karate shit isn't that same. Whatever happened to her was because of the sensei's she's had. I wouldn't have thought that it would lead to any of this."

"And it's not your fault, Jack. You couldn't have known that any of them would've happened. No one could've planned for this."

"I just... I wish I could've been there."

"I know we all do."

There was absolutely nothing that could sway Jack's mind about what happened to Rory and who could've done such a thing to her.

He blamed himself and he would do that for a long time.

LATER THAT night, Jack had stepped out of Rory's room. Milton and Jerry couldn't stay at the hospital long because they weren't blood related to Aurora, but they would be staying at the Brewer's until further notice.

The door soon opened and shut.

Robby sat down on Rory's bed, slipping his hood off as he looked down at her.

It didn't take long to figure out what hospital she was in or the room number, but what matter, in his mind, was that he was here by her side.

Her eyes still shut, peacefully under. Robby took his hand and gently brushed his fingers against her stitches. Tory had gotten her pretty good.

He heavily sighed, removing his hand from her cheek and holding her hand. No movement from her.

"I'm so sorry." He whispered.

He lifted her hand, pressing a gently kiss against it before dropping it.

He couldn't stay long, no matter how much he wanted to.

Robby stood to her feet, placing a kiss against Rory's forehead and swiftly left the room before he was caught there.

AND THAT next day, Rory woke up.

"Hi, Aurora." The doctor softly spoke, "I'm Dr. Paige. Glad to see that you've woken up."

Rory held her eyes shut, but it was very evident that she was awake and possibly aware of her surroundings.

The doctor was more focused on Layla and Jack. The only two allowed in the room for the time being. Jack held Rory's hand, rubbing his thumb back and forth on top of hers for reassurance.

"...she may not remember much from what happened at school for a few days. She may also experience some vomiting and she may say she's seeing stars, but other than that she should be fine." Dr. Paige spoke, "I would say to let her stay home until the stars are gone, but other than that she's free to go home today."

"Thank you do much, you've been very helpful." Layla smiled.

"No problem, Mrs. Brewer." The doctor smiled, turning towards Rory, "We'll do a few more things and discharge her to you. We just need one of you to sign a few things and we'll be on our way."

Layla and Jack gave each other a look before Layla followed the doctor out into the hallway.

Jack took a seat on the edge of Rory's bed, his hand still holding hers and a small smile on his face.

"Hey, Rory." He smiled, sitting down on the bed, "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine."

"That's good." He sighed, "You scared us, Aurora."

He wasn't going to ask her why she kept the head ponding to herself, not now. She probably didn't remember much of anything leading to the events of the fight.

"I'm sorry."

Jack gave her hand a small squeeze and soon Layla made her way back into the room with Jack.

For now, everything was okay.

— lucy has something to say !!

hello friends :) i took a week break from writing because... I WANTED TO SLAYY

anyways i'm back and i'm grooving :)

enough about me

so glad she woke up to read this filler lol

bye :))))