Four Years Later...[James/Ash/Luke]

"He's so Claire's son. Feel glad you took your dad's side, James," Evelyn interrupted, reaching out and slipping her hand into James'.

She looked up at Chris. "Guy, I'm studying all sorts of law. As far as I know, seeing s they gave you up, you no longer have any legal relation to them. You can't present a court case, unless they come back from the ddead and reclaim you...your dad, that is. It wouldn't matter what your mom said. You are officially not their son. You weren't at the time of the will written, and you aren't now."

She winced again, and dropped James' hand to lean over and grab a painkiller left on the side-tale by some thoughtful nurse.

James blinked cluelessly and pointed to Evelyn, "What she said."

Chris glared at James, "This isn't over little brother, either I get half of that money or your life as you know it will be over."

James narrowed his eyes at Chris, "I'd like to see you even try to get rid of me."

Chris walked towards the door and looekd back to James, "Enjoy playing while you can because after I'm done with you the only thing you'll be able to do is get a handicapped pass for the parking lot." Chris slammed the door to Evelyn's room.

James sighed, "Wow... my family is seriously messed up. What soap opera in hell did I sign up for?"

Evelyn swallowed the pill she had taken, and ran her fingers through her hair. "What do you want to do now?"

"Maybe I should just die. I think it would make a lot of people happy." James stated bluntly.

Evelyn blinked, at a loss for words. "Um...excuse me?" she asked.

James sighed, "I mean yeah, it would make Chris happier cause then he gets my money, some of teammates happier cause the coach always uses me as the example of what the players should be wokring up to. I don't know I'm just spitting out random crap I mean the reason why Ryan and all of them are after you is because of me and maybe if I was gone they would leave you alone."

"No, they wouldn't. They want both of our inheritances. My dad was some fancy businessman too." Evelyn tugged at James' hand, pulling him down so he sat back on the bed.

"Trust me, your teammates wouldn't be happier if you died. They always want talent on the team. Your friends wouldn't want you dead. Try calling Luke and telling him what you just said. He'd spam you in rage." She gave a faint grin. "Ashlee would be even worse. And your family, think aout Haley, you idiot. You're like her brother and father figure combined." She leaned her head on James' shoulder. "And while you're an ass to me most of the time, I'd miss you. You have too much going for you to back down."

James stared into Evelyn's eyes and smirked, "I knew you liked me, its impossible to resist such an awesome person like me."

Evelyn rolled her eyes, not bothering to move. She debated smacking James, but the painkiller made her slow. "Pity I can't actually see the awesomeness, huh?"

James lowered his face to her's, "No but you can feel it." He kissed her softly on her lips.

Evelyn felt her heartbeat falter, a rush running through her and she pulled back, inhaling sharply and shaking her head. "Big whoop, anyone cna be a good kisser. That's not what I meant."

James grinned, "Right because I'm not just a "good kisser." He made air quotes. "I'm the best." He grinned playfully.

Evelyn snorted. "That is what you think. Really, you're average."

James made a face at Evelyn, "I think its time you took another painkiller." James grinned reaching for one of the pills on her table.

Evelyn smacked his hand away. "Hell no. I hate feeling braindead. Of course," she paused, looking up at James, "you must be used to it, having dealt with that all your life."

"Hmm I think I should call Bertha in here, you may need more painkillers than I thought." James joked reaching for the call button.

Evelyn crossed her arms. "Fine, then she can entertain you while I fall asleep," she snapped. Okay, so the painkillers had anger side effects. She always felt grumpy when she was sleepy.

James grinned, "Nonesense for I James Darko... " He sat next to her cuddling her, "Will keep you comapny."

"Not after I fall asleep," Evelyn replied, resting her suddenly-heavy head on his chest. She stifled a yawn. "Damn it...I just woke up!"

James smiled wrapping his arms around Evelyn and rocking her in his arms he sang to her softly in her ear as she fell asleep,

"My hopes are so high,
that your kiss might kill me.
So won't you kill me,
so I die happy.
My heart is yours to fill or burst,
to break or bury,
or wear as jewelery,
which ever you prefer.

The words are hushed lets not get busted;
just lay entwined here, undiscovered..."

Evelyn gave a sleepy smile as she felt herself begin to drift off. "You should've joined Luke's band," she said, stifling a yawn. She squeezed her eyes shut, burying her face in James' chest. "Hard to believe maybe but," she stifled another yawn, "I wish you could stay longer...I missed you," she mumbled, before sleep won over and she fell silent.

James smiled as he watched Evelyn sleep, he kissed the top of her head and spoke softly, "I've missed you too."

[[A day later]]

"Miss Mathesson, you're good to go." The nurse, Bretha, smiled. Evelyn gave a sigh of relief.

She headed for the bathroom, changing into the outfit Ashlee had gotten for her. After James had left, Ashlee had come over, intent on making her look less of a "dying patient".

Evelyn examined the black sleeveless top and white pants Ashlee had picked out, and then ran abursh through her tangled bed-hair before walking back out to where Ashlee waited.

"I'm good to go. I dunno if James will be able to come over here," she said, shrugging.

"James texted me saying that if we wanted we could meet up with him at the hotel and that he gave the people at the front desk our names so they wouldn't deny us, unless you wanted to go home first?" Ashlee asked.

Evelyn shrugged. "You can go ahead. I'm kinda nauseas.

They both headed down to Ashlee's car. Five minutes later, they had pulled up to Evelyn's apartment building.

"Tell James I wasn't feeling up to it," Evelyn told Ashlee, getting out.