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~Claire's POV~

Claire lay crumpled in the hospital bed. She had gone to see Ben in his own hospital room. He was so weak, weaker than her. In her hands she clutched a cell-phone tightly; much tighter than she thought possible. Whatever effects the medicine had on her had long since faded away. Seeing Ben was simply sobering. Her head was pounding again, but she didn't want to ask for more medicine. She didn't like the way it made her groggy and weak.

Ben's words were still jumping around her head. "Call Patrick..." he had whispered. He made sure Claire received his cell-phone and car keys, and he told her to leave. So unable to sleep or make the call, Claire just curled up and cried. Hours had passed and she wondered when she would be released.

Obviously not too long, because a few minutes later a doctor walked in and began checking her over one more time. Less than half an hour later Claire was standing outside of the emergency room entrance staring at the phone. She was thinking about going home and calling later, but as if it was fate, the phone started ringing.

"Hello..." Claire answered shakily
"Hi... um can I talk to Ben, Please..."
"Who is this?"
"Patrick..." After he said that Claire didn't say anything for at least a minute. Finally, she took a deep breath.
"Patrick... I was just about to call you..." she said sadly.






~Patrick's POV~

Ben was in the Hospital. He had cancer. He wanted to see Patrick. Claire just kept rambling on about things. Patrick knew she was trying to calm herself down, but it was freaking him out more.

"I will be right there!" Patrick finally yelled into the phone, before hanging it up and turning the car around.


A few minutes later Patrick pulled into the hospital and saw Claire standing outside.

"Hey!" Patrick yelled jogging up to her. He shoves his hands in his jacket pocket and darted his eyes to her shirt. It was still covered in blood.

"Oh god... Your shirt... I'm so sorry." Patrick stammered pulling off his hoodie and handing it to her. Even though it wasn't cold anymore, there were dark clouds in the sky promising rain. Claire took the jacket and slid it on; zipping it up just enough to cover the blood stains. It was too big for her, but nobody was staring at her like she murdered someone.

"Thank you..." she said timidly. "He um... doesn't want to see me, but he asked for you."

"Where is he?" Patrick asked stupidly. Claire raised her eyebrows.






~Claire's POV~

Claire really saw him for the first time when he came running up to her at the hospital. There was no haze or blurriness; Just him. He looked so familiar, but she just couldn't place him. When he offered up his jacket, Claire took it without hesitation; anything to cover up the huge bloodstain on her tank top. She thanked him and told him how Ben didn't want to see her.

Then he asked the dumbest question.

"Where is he?" He said looking toward the hospital.

"Where do you think he is?" Claire said sarcastically. "He couldn't possibly be in the FUCKING hospital behind us!"

Patrick had stepped back a little. His hand flew to his hat and he slid it off a bit and then back on.
"I meant which room..." He muttered

Claire sighed. Her head hurt so badly she knew she was going to be extra bitchy. "Sorry... I... follow me." She finally said hesitantly walking toward the doors. The doctors and nurses gave her curious looks as she walked back into the emergency room.

Her doctor stopped her. "Ms. Pryce? We just released you. You brought your 'husband'" he said cocking his head at the last word. Patrick visibly tensed next to her. She shot a glare at him.

"We came to see Ben, actually. He is expecting him." Claire said through clenched teeth gesturing toward Patrick.

"Oh..." the doctor said motioning down the hall for them to proceed.
"I..." Patrick began but was quickly cut off.

"Shut up!" Claire said holding a hand up for him to leave her alone. A few more feet and she motioned toward a door. Patrick walked away from her and into the room.






~Patrick's POV~

Ben was laying peacefully watching something on TV. He noticed Patrick and smiled.

"Patrick, come here." He whispered motioning for the chair.

Patrick couldn't help but feel it was his fault; if he hadn't put Claire in the hospital maybe Ben wouldn't have collapsed. That was ridiculous! If he hadn't collapsed in the hospital room he would have collapsed at the theatre. Some things you couldn't change.

"Hey Ben; how're you feeling?" Patrick asked faking enthusiasm. He would rather be anywhere else.

"Let's not talk about this ... situation. I want to know what you needed me for. I want to help you before... I just want to help you." Ben asked quietly, but with a scary persistence. Patrick just sighed.

"I needed help writing some songs. You know how bad I am with lyrics." Patrick said almost joking.

"You just don't have any faith in your own words." Ben chuckled smiling. He leaned back, against his pillows. "I obviously can't help you now, but Claire can." Ben paused. Patrick's eyes grew wide, and he stifled a laugh. How could a kid write better lyrics than him? He immediately felt bad for his thought. If no one had faith in his singing at a young age, he wouldn't be where he was.

"Is she any good?" Patrick finally asked.

"She is the best." Ben said sadly. "You probably already heard some of her songs."

"What?" Patrick asked confused. Ben just ignored him.

"I know she is probably outside right now. Send her in please." Ben motioned for the door as he spoke. Patrick got up confused, but did what he was told.

Claire was clutching her head, when Patrick told her she could go in. She pushed past him without a word. Thought swirled around in Patrick's head; there was no way she could be a better writer than Ben/






~Claire's POV~

Ben looked a bit better than before. But he was still sick, she could tell. She walked close to the bed and grabbed Ben's hand in hers.

"Claire, I want you to do me a favor." Ben said his voice was raspy.

"Anything" She said quickly a tear sliding down her cheek.

"Go with Patrick back to the theatre, and help him with his music." He whispered. "He is a very old friend of mine, and I would help him myself, but ... anyway, please do this for me Claire. He is only here for a couple of days, and he needs help."

"Ben, I am going to do it." Claire let out a small laugh. "You can stop begging."

Ben smiled slightly, and held out his arms for a hug. A few moments later Claire was walking out of the emergency room with Patrick behind her.

"What's going on?" He asked stopping in the parking lot. He was looking between her and the rental car that was parked a few feet away.

"Ben, asked me to help you with your music. I don't have all day. Meet me back at the theatre." She yelled walking towards Ben's car.

Claire's head was pounding. She usually drove with music on but, her ears just couldn't take the noise. She drove to the theatre in silence, her tears only making her head pound worse.