Frank's POV

Two days. Its been two days since I last saw Gerard. Two guys had died on my watch, scouting out the area of the forest that Mikey was certain Gerard was in. Everytime someone had gone in, they'd been on the phone to us, telling us that there was nothing but forest. And then out of the blue they would be shot. Whenever we went in to retrieve the body, they left us alone. We were about to retrieve the second guy to be shot but had planned it differently. We were going to make them think we were getting the body, but at the same time, the guys would be talking to us like they were talking to each other. About the forest.

I was going out of my mind. Cole hadnt called at all so I had no idea what state Gerard was in. Someone had been stupid enough to say that he was probably dead by now and that we should focus on something else to take my mind off of it. He was now nursing a broken nose and a black eye. I knew Gerard was alive. If Cole had killed him, he would have made it known. He would have made sure I felt worse than I already do.

"Frank...?"Bob said quietly behind me. I looked up from the book that I had been staring at and waited for Bob to say whatever he wanted to. He was holding out a phone,"Linda's on the phone."
I grabbed the phone from him, muttering a thanks before putting the phone to my ear and breaking down.

"Oh Frankie baby,"She sighed.
"Mum I dont know what to do,"I cried,"He's just- gone. I cant stand it. I need him back."
"I know Frank, I know,"Her voice soothed me,"Frank listen to me. You need to keep it together okay? For Gerard. Sweetie Frank's busy right now."
"No no put Claire on. I need to hear her voice,"I sniffed and wiped my eyes.

"Hi Frankie!"
"Hey kiddo,"A smile broke out onto my face.
"What time are you getting here tomorrow? Are we still having your birthday party at home?"She asked me. At the thought of my birthday I couldnt stop myself from breaking down again.
"I uh- I'm not sure sweetie, Gerard- I cant come without Gerard but he's a little tied up right now and might be for a while,"I sobbed.

"Frankie whats wrong?! Are you okay?! Is Gerard okay?! Is it the people that tried to kill you? Do you want me to come and beatm them up? Nana taught me how to fight."
"No Claire,"I chuckled,"Thats okay sweetie. Claire I need to go okay? You give Mum and Lily and Nana my love alright? I love you so much and I'm gonna do my best to get there tomorrow but- dont expect me."
"Okay. I love you too Frankie. Tell Gerard I love him,"Claire sighed.
"Mmm hmm. Will do,"I uttered out before ending the call so I could break down again.

"Frank! Get in here!"Pete screeched from outside the door. I stood up and walked out into the seating area of the bean.
"What?"I sighed.
"Cole's on the phone."Ray held up Gerard's phone.

I rushed over and grabbed the phone, putting it to my ear,"Listen you little bastard. I'm gonna rip your head-"
"Whoa whoa whoa, Frank. Calm down. No need to be like that. You listen to me, I remembered that its your birthday in about three hours so I decided I'd send a little present to that old safe house you were in. You know where Ryan Ross used to live?"

"I swear to god if you've cut off part of him and sent it there I'm gonna do the same to you twice you hear me?!"I screeched, already grabbing Bob's car keys from the table. Mikey was already following me as I walked to the door.
"No I wouldnt do that to you. He's in the basement. And I'd hurry, he's losing a lot of blood,"Cole said then hung up.

"He's in Ryan's basement!"I shouted as I walked out the door, Mikey following me.
"You guys wait! What if its a trap! You're walking right into it!"Bob grabbed me as I was about to get into the car.
"What if its not? I'm supposed to just play it safe? Bob, I need him back. I'm not gonna sit here and twiddle my thumbs while I wonder if my boyfriend is dying in a fucking basement okay?!"I wrenched my arm out of his grip and got in the car, slamming the door and the keys into the ignition.

"Go,"Mikey said. I floored the gas and sped off as fast as I could, ignoring the traffic lights and speed limit. In two minutes I was screeching to a halt outside of Ryan's house. The front door was wide open as I ran up the path and straight down the hallway, Mikey hot on my heels. I almost fell down the stairs into the basement. I staggered out onto the floor and looked around,"Gerard?"

I heard a muffled yelp from the other side of the room. I skidded around the shelves and saw him sitting tied to a chair with a bag on his head.
"Gerard!"I yelped, fear gripping my throat and making it hard to breath. I yanked the bag off of his head and almost fainted with relief.

I ripped the tape off of his mouth and smothered him in a kiss,"Oh god Gerard I missed you."
"Frankie no. Go before they get you,"He sniffed.
"No Gerard its okay. They moved you to Ryan's basement. You're safe now,"I whispered, pressing my forehead against his.

I moved away and let Mikey grab a hold of him at which point Gerard started shouting at us to leave.
"You guys he's gonna come and get you you need to leave! Please I cant watch either of you die again please,"He sobbed.
"Gerard!"I yelled and slapped his face,"Gerard listen to me!"

His eyes went wide as he stared me in the face,"Its okay. This is real okay? I'm real. You're real and you're okay. Cole let you go. You're okay. You listening to me?"
He closed his eyes and nodded,"Yeah... Okay..."
Mikey had already untied him so I grabbed his arms and pulled him to his feet.

"Be careful with my arms,"Gerard winced. I looked down and carefully pulled his sleeves up to reveal thick bandages soaked with blood.
"Oh jesus. Come on we need to get you to a hospital."

-time lapse-

"Can you tell me in english please?"Mikey asked angrily.
"He's been stabilized and his arms have been stitched up. He's going to be okay. We're moving him to the rehabilitation unit in an hour,"The doctor smiled at Mikey and I,"He's asleep right now but you can see him if you want?"
"Yes, please. Thank you Doctor,"I managed to pull the corners of my mouth up for a second.

He stepped aside and opened the door into Gerard's room. Mikey and I took a few steps in, the door shut behind us and the room was silent except for the quiet beeping of the monitor. I could barely breathe. He looked so fragile and small in the hospital bed. His eyes were closed and his chest rose and fell very slowly.

"Frank what do we do?"Mikey asked quietly.
"Uh... I'm not sure."
"Um..."Mikey and I looked at each other before I decided to go and sit next to Gerard. I grabbed a seat from the corner of the room and set it down next to the head of his bed.

Mikey stayed standing by the door looking terrified.
"Oh Gerard,"I sighed, placing my hand lightly on his. At my touch his eyes fluttered open.
"Gerard?"Mikey rushed to the end of the bed, gripping it tightly. Gerard's eyes slowly roved the room, going from 'what the hells going on' to 'holy fucking christ' in two seconds flat.

"Where- where am I? What the fuck?!"Gerard shouted out. He yanked his hand away from me but then he actually looked at me,"Frankie? Frank whats going on?!"
"Gerard its okay! Calm down its okay. Cole kidnapped you for two days but he let you go. You're in the hospital now,"I grabbed his hand again and held it tight.

"No... No no no. This is just another hallucination. No I wont fall for it again,"Gerard squeezed his eyes shut then opened them again.
"Gerard this is real okay? This isnt a hallucination,"I stood up and grabbed his other hand, squeezing them tightly,"Look at me Gerard."

Gerard slowly turned his head to me, tears streaming down his face,"Frank?"
"This. Is. Real. You hear me? I'm real. You're in hospital and this is real,"I stared hard into his eyes.
Gerard looked from me to Mikey who nodded at him enthusiastically,"Frank what the hell is going on?"

"Cole kidnapped you. You've been underground somewhere in the forest. A few hours ago Cole called me saying that my birthday present was in the basement of Ryan's house. My present being you,"I could see the exact moment it all started coming back to him.
"I watched you die... Three times..."He whispered.

I flinched slightly and perched my butt on the edge of the bed,"It wasnt real, Gerard. It was just a hallucination."
"What if this is a hallucination?"He asked softly, squeezing his eyes shut before opening them again.
"Think about it Gerard. In any hallucination you've had, have you ever heard anyone even say the word hallucination?"

Gerard looked at me, thinking hard before shaking his head,"No."
"Well there you go. Whenever you get unsure you just ask me and I'll tell you. I'm here for you okay? I'm never leaving your side,"I leaned down and kissed him softly.
"So what did I miss then?"

"Not much. Just me freaking out every second while everyone else tried to find you,"I sighed. I couldnt even explain the sheer amount of happiness and fucking relief that was filling my body.
"Did the doctors say when I'm allowed to leave?"Gerard asked, running his fingers over the bandages on his arm.

"Yeah umm... About that,"I looked at Mikey for help but he just gestured for me to continue,"Um. Because we dont want the police involved in any of this we uh we told the doctors you tried to kill yourself..."
"I thought you might. It does look like it doesnt it,"Gerard chuckled awkwardly, his hands dropping to his sides.

"Well yeah so... they think you have- problems. And they're moving you to the rehab unit soon..."
"Wait so-"
"They wont discharge you for a while..."I flinched away slightly from Gerard as his face contorted with emotions.

He took a deep breath and his face cleared,"Guess I'll just have to get out of here now,"He sighed and sat up properly. His hand went to the iv needle but I stopped him just in time from ripping it out,"No. Gerard. You've been held against your will for two days. You barely eat anyway and I find it hard to imagine Cole feeding you, let alone giving you a drink. You're staying for a couple of days."

"For your information, he gave me water."
"You sound like your defending,"I sighed and took my hand off of Gerard's slowly, watching his arm for any sudden movements.
"Of course I'm not defending the bastard. I'm just saying, I'm fine. If I get a good meal in me then I'll be good as new."

"Gerard no matter what you say, you're not leaving this place until we come and get you. Okay?"Mikey said frustratedly.
"No this isnt fair. I dont want to be here!"Gerard shouted, throwing his arms up in the air as the doctor walked in. Boy that sure helped our case.

"We're ready to move you to the rehabilitation unit now if you want? Or we can give you another ten minutes alone,"The doctor smiled.
"I want to be transferred,"Gerard said suddenly, a light seeming to come on in his eyes.
"Transferred? To where?"I looked at Gerard in confusion.

"San Diego Hospital."
"Well I can call to see if they have room but-"
"No I need to be there today. There's a little girl just dying to see my boyfriend on his birthday,"Gerard smiled widely at me.

"Jesus christ its my birthday!"I smacked my hand to the top of my head.
"Happy birthday dude,"Mikey grinned at me,"Sorry we all forgot."
"Dont be sorry. Even I forgot,"I muttered.
"I'm sorry but your boyfriend tried to kill himself on the eve of your birthday?"The doctor raised an eyebrow at us all.

"Oh um. Can you give us a minute alone?"I asked hopefully. He nodded and left the room,"We've gotta get you out of here."
"Thank you. Now come on, I'm dying to see everyone else."