Behind Enemy Lines

Hayley was sobbing as the doctors took Ashton into a room for surgery. Calum was holding her back once again. She didn't want to be away from her brother. She was scared she'd never see him again.
"Shh," he soothed, "I'm sure he'll be fine princess,"

The waiting room door barged open and in walked Stephen and Ryder. Calum thought quickly, not wanting to put anymore stress on Hayley.
"Why don't you go call Jackie and tell her to get down here alright?" He said softly.
She sniffled and nodded. He didn't want her to wander by herself, but he had no choice. Someone had to deal with these two.

She eyed them carefully as she walked out. She had lost a lot of trust in her father. She once thought he wouldn't hurt her like that, but he did it to Ashton. He shot his own son.
Once she left, Calum stared down Stephen and Ryder.

"You did this!" Stephen cried pointing at him.
"I didn't shoot Ashton," Calum replied cooly, "you did that yourself,"
He knew that the insults would be flying. He didn't care, he could care less what her father thought of him. He lost Calum's respect awhile ago.

A yelling match was sure to ensue, but Andrew himself appeared. He didn't seem surprised at all that Calum had reappeared. Calum was very intelligent and independent. Andrew had no doubt he could take care of himself easily, so running away was not a crazy idea. It was definitely a Calum thing.

"Nice to see you again Calum," he smiled at his son, "I figured that you ran off,"
Calum gave a slight nod to his father, acknowledging his presence.
"What are you doing here?" Stephen growled
"I've come to see my son and his family." Andrew gave a small smile, "I am very pleased with my new grandchild,"

"That baby is the devils spawn," Stephen spat, "I will have nothing to do with that monster,"
"They're children," Calum growled, "they've done nothing wrong,"
"They?" Stephen scoffed, "there's more?"
"Twins," Calum smirked, "a boy and a girl,"

"You must be thrilled," Ryder mocked
Calum chuckled lowly, "I'd watch myself Collins,"
"I'm not afraid of you," Ryder muttered.
"Sure you aren't," Calum rolled his eyes.

~*~

"Hey Jackie," Hayley sighed, resting her hand on the baby bump, "can you come down to the hospital downtown?"
"What why?" She asked, "wait are you home?"
"Yes," Hayley answered.
"Really? Does Ashton know?"
"Yes he knows," she nodded, "and he-he was shot. I don't want to leave until his surgery is over, so can you come down here? I could use some distractions,"

"Of course," she nodded, "is he gonna be okay?"
"I dunno," she sighed, "and I don't know how to tell Gabby, she doesn't know yet,"
"I can call her," Jackie assured, "and I'll tell Luke and Michael and Luz too. Well all be down soon,"
"Thank you," Hayley said softly.
"Don't mention it," Jackie answered, "I can't wait to see you. I missed you,"
"I missed you too Jackie," she smiled, "I love you, see you soon,"
"I love you too, bye,"

Hayley hung up and waddled back to the waiting room. She pushed the door open and walked in on Calum Andrew Ryder and her father. Her eyes met her fathers and she saw them soften immediately.

"Hayley," he said softly, "you're alive,"
She nodded, "yes I am,"
"I thought you were dead, I'm so sorry," he sighed, "please, come home. we can fix this,"
She sighed and shook her head, "no,"

"Why not?"
"Because I'm happy dad," she looked over to Calum and smiled, "I truly am,"
Calum grinned and came over, wrapping his arms around her protectively. She was enveloped by his warm and love. It was the safest feeling she ever felt.

Andrew stepped in front of them, forming a barrier between them and an angry Stephen.
"Why don't you take her to the room Calum" Andrew advised, "it will be hours until the surgery is over,"
He nodded and took her hand, "c'mon,"

She looked to her father one last time. He looked defeated. His eyes were cast to the floor and his shoulders were slumped. She didn't know what to say, so she just sighed and followed Calum.

They went to Ashton's hospital room and settled there for a bit. They sat together quietly.
"Are they coming?" He asked softly.
She knew who they were.
"Yeah, I called Jackie, she's gathering everyone down here," she answered.

A couple minutes later, they heard someone running down the hallway. Gabby practically tumbled into the room out of breath.
"How is he?" She asked, her cheeks tear stained.
"He's in surgery," Calum responded, "we don't know what's going to happen,"
She walked to the window slowly, leaning her hands on the sill. Hayley stood up and went over placing her hand on her back.

"He's gonna be okay Gab, he's a fighter. he'd never leave us like this," Hayley told her.
Gabby nodded all teary eyed. She turned and hugged Hayley. After a minute or two gabby pulled back and looked down at the baby bump.
"Wow, when are you due?" She asked wiping her eyes.
"Two more months," Hayley gave a soft smile, "another reason for ash to fight through this, he wants to be an uncle so bad,"
She giggled softly, "that's true,"

Jackie Luke Luz and Michael all appeared. They had chosen to walk while gabby had sprinted.
"We don't know anything." Calum told them before they all errupted into questions.

Luke crutched in and set them against the wall before taking a seat. Jackie frowned and took the seat next to him, leaning her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her and started to hum a soft song. Jackie took a breath and closed her eyes.

Michael took a seat, inviting Luz onto his lap. She crawled on and buried her head in his chest. He leant his head on hers and kissed her forehead. He calmed her by rubbing soothing circles in her back.

No words were exchanged between any of them that night. They were all too caught up with their own thoughts and worries. They knew that tonight could change everything.

~*~

Hayley woke up early the next morning. She sat up and looked for Calum after she noticed that he wasn't near. The door was only open and crack, the light peeking in. She could see that everyone else was still sleeping soundly. It was silent except for some soft voices.

She yawned and slowly rose to her feet. She waddled out into the hallway and saw Calum talking to a tired doctor.

"We couldn't save him, he was already gone," the doctor said.
"I understand," Calum nodded.
Hayley gasped and started to approach as fast as she could.
Calum heard her and turned. He grimaced.

"What happened to him?" Hayley asked, her eyes all teary.
"He took his own life, we couldn't get to him in time," the doctor told her.
Hayley was confused, "Ashton didn't take his own life, he was shot,"

The doctor nodded, "yes, I know that miss. We are talking about your father, Stephen,"
Hayley's jaw dropped, "excuse me?"
"Your father, he took his own life late last night." The doctor sighed, "I'm so sorry,"
Hayley couldn't even process what he just said. She only managed a small noddy but then she remembered that Ashton was still unknown.

"What about my brother, Ashton? Is he alright?" Hayley asked
The doctor rubbed his forehead, "he's holding on, but he's in a coma. We do to know if he's going to even make the week,"

Notes

Hello all! Xxx
how are you all? I'm in a good mood, still tired though haha. The weekend is almost here thank god! Anyway, do you all like this? Was this how you respected the reunion? Stephen? Ash? Poor ash he's an angel that just wants to be loved! I feel so bad haha

all these reads are amazing guys! Can we push it to 10,000? That'd be fricken awesome!
continue to vote/sub/comment if you haven't! I enjoy reading all of them! They make me smile:)

its been real
fluffy5sos