When Brian got back to John’s room, Dr. Ryan and Dr. Walker were standing outside waiting. “Mr. Kinney.” Dr. Walker said as he approached Brian. “I’m Dr. Walker.” He offered Brian his hand that Brian shook automatically. “I need to speak to you about Daniel.” “Brian.” Justin called as he exited John’s room. “John’s awake.” Brian nodded turning back to the doctors. “What do you need?” Brian said pointing toward the door. “Make it fast.” “A decision has to be made about Daniel, Mr. Kinney.” Dr. Walker began. “Mr. Burke explained that you are Daniel’s guardian.” Brian nodded. Justin looked at Brian questioningly but didn’t comment and went back into John’s room. “You’ll be the one who to sign the release -.” “I know.” Brian said shortly. “Let me talk to John first. He may want to say good-bye to his brother first.” “Do you think -?” “If John wants to say good-bye to his brother,” Brian interrupted, “he will be allowed to do so. Do I make myself clear?” “Of course.” Dr. Walker said backing down. Brian entered John’s room to find his nephew sitting up in bed quietly talking with Justin. Justin looked up when he heard the door. “Hey, Uncle Bri.” John called. “Where’s dad? Justin said that dad was here.” “We’ll talk about that later.” Brian said warding off any questions from Justin with a slight shake of his head. “John, Dr. Walker is Daniel’s doctor. He needs us to make a decision about Daniel and the life support.” “Us?” “Yes.” Brian explained. “He’s your brother. You should have some say in what happens, right?” John shrugged. “Now, Dr. Walker has explained to me that Daniel’s brain isn’t working like it should. It has shut down.” John stiffened and Justin placed his hand on the boy’s shoulder. “What that means is that Daniel’s brain isn’t making his lungs work for him to breath or his heart pump. The only thing keeping him alive right now are the machines.” “He isn’t going to get better?” John asked tightly. “No, he isn’t going to get better.” “Can I – um – see him again before he – um – well, you know.” “Of course.” Brian said nodding. “I already spoke to Dr. Walker and if you feel up to it, we’ll go up to the ICU so you can see Daniel right now.” “Okay.” John said sounding frightened. “We’ll be right there with you, John.” Justin offered looking up at Brian. Brian nodded in confirmation. -- “Why’d I have to ride in this?” John asked indicating the wheelchair. “Because your doctor thought it best.” Brian explained. John just rolled his eyes. When they approached the door to Daniels’ room in the ICU, John asked Brian to stop. “What?” Brian asked. “Is it going to hurt him?” John asked softly. “I mean, is he gonna feel it?” “He won’t feel anything, John.” Brian said. “His heart and lungs will stop working once the machines are turned off and he’ll just fade out.” “Can I stay?” John asked. Brian looked to Dr. Walker and Ryan who both indicated that it was up to Brian. “Okay.” Brian said. “But, if it gets to be too much for you, you let me know, okay?” John nodded. “Mr. Kinney.” Dr. Walker said motioning him to the side a moment. “This is the release you need to sign.” Brian nodded and scribbled his name on the paper then handed the clipboard back. Dr. Walker then nodded toward a nurse by Daniel’s bed. The nurse stepped closer to Daniel and disconnected the breathing tube at Daniel’s mouth. Alarms began to go off immediately, but the nurse moved about quickly turning each one off. The last monitor to sound was the heart monitor. The nurse quickly silenced the constant beep indicating a flat line. Daniel’s body never changed. There was no life in it whatsoever. There was no spontaneous breathing, no sudden wake up like in the movies. The air slowly left his lungs for the last time and his heart slowed to a stop. “Bye Danny.” John said almost too softly for anyone to hear. He then looked up at his uncle. “I’d like to leave now please.” Brian nodded and wheeled John back out into the hallway. He moved them to the elevators quickly declining the first car as too full. He had a feeling John would not want to deal with a crowd. The next car was blessedly empty and Brian pushed John aboard as Justin followed. The ride back to John’s floor was silent. John just stared ahead not really seeing anything. Brian knew that look. He could remember it staring back at him from the men’s room mirror in the ER as Justin was fighting for his very life. Justin must have sensed what Brian was thinking and gently took the older man’s hand and squeezed. After tucking John back into his hospital bed, Brian walked over to where Justin stood by the door. Brian wondering offhandedly if he looked as tired and worn out as he felt. “You don’t have to stay, Justin.” Brian said softly. “I’ll be all right with him.” Justin ignored what Brian said and pulled the other man into a hug. They stood like that for the longest time. Brian once again taking strength in Justin’s presence. When their embrace ended, Justin said nothing else simply moved a couple of chairs over to John’s bedside and guided Brian into one of them. He sat next to Brian and pulled the man’s head down onto his shoulder. “I’m not going anywhere, Brian,” Justin said. “Not as long as you need me.” “Thanks.” Brian said lacing his hand with Justin’s. Justin said nothing just wrapped his other arm around Brian pulling him even closer. End chapter 5.