<span style="color: #FFFF00">"It's like this. In a manner of speaking, Wesley's dead. I mean, no response to outside stimuli. Just laying, comatose, I guess. Yet, his vital organs all seem functioning. Obviously the machines will help some of his more vital functions, but quite frankly - I could take him off the machines and it wouldn't make a difference. The best I can call it is some sort of self-perpetuating stasis. Now, my hospital doesn't want me going down this road of explanation. I'd say he's brain dead; I'd say we could keep a feeding tube in him for nourishment. But when you're brain dead, you pull the plug and usually you just go. This is more like a cocoon state ... maybe hibernation? The heartbeat is extremely low. I can let you listen to it if you want."<br/><br/>Doctor Stevens looked over his notes, scribbled some other thought or observations he might have had, and ruffled his nose.<br/><br/>"I've seen this before; one time before. I can tell you what happens next, or what could happen next. But it's definitely not scientific and ... let's say it's on the fringes of medical practice." He gave a deep sigh, seemingly saddened by his inability, as a doctor, to diagnose a regimen or a plan for the family going forward. <br/><br/>"Look Audrey, the good news here is, he's not gone yet. But the bad news is, I don't know where he is. His body is here, but his mind and being - that's beyond me. We can keep him here for a little while, but everyone else will classify him as a veggie. In which case, they'll encourage me to take him off everything ... which as I just stated, wouldn't matter. The machines aren't keeping him alive, the machines aren't killing him. It's more of an outward show for everyone else ... or ..."  The doctor hesitated, but continued. "Or, I could do a big no no and get the body to you to take care of at the house. I could set up home care unit with myself as the presiding doctor in the case. Maybe then, I could explain more. But inside this hospital, my hands are tied to say anything more."<br/><br/>The doctor took out a pen and some paperwork. "You can go and see him; believe me, he's receiving visitors at anytime. At this point, maybe your voice can reach him. Do you have any questions for me? I have a waiver here for home care if you want to sign it."</span><br/><br/>*********************************<br/><br/>Wesley got lost in the small gesture; he gently scooped over Kiara's hand, palms open, and he pressed harder. He wasn't sure why he did that; was it the human contact he hadn't felt in a long term. His friend, Audrey, tried to hug him all the time. He always found an excuse to run away from his emotions; now, with Kiara's hand on his heart, and what seems to be a very intimate gesture for someone he just met, he wasn't sure if he was helping her feel his heart or if he was just enjoying the human contact that he hadn't had for so long.<br/><br/>"My mistake" Suntop stated. "He's crying; he is like the rest of us." Wesley didn't realize he was crying immediately until Suntop said something. It seemed like years of emotions suddenly poured out of his eyes; he realized a few drops fell on the princess's hand. He brushed off her hand and his eyes. Then, he did something which he was an expert at. He did something he had become good at; it was more than procrastination. At least with procrastination, you eventually start. No, it was outright denial and refusal to deal with what was going on in the inside of him.<br/><br/>"Don't" Wesely stated, trying to stop the gushing of his eyes. "Don't tell me if you hear a heartbeat. I'm not ready to face the truth of my own deadness."<br/><br/>For a moment, he didn't know what else to say or what else to do; except, that he had the eerie feeling that the postponement of the truth was an unnecessary stall. He had a feeling that there was a long journey before him, and that he would have to face the truth of who he really was. He did not notice that Suntop and the other elves began forming a circle around both Kiara and Wesley; he looked up. It was as if the tribe of elves showed a great concern and support and knew that what was happening now was an incredibly important moment.<br/><br/>"Yes" Wesley finally admitted. "I need to find my way home; I think it is a different situation than finding where I lived before coming here."<br/><br/>Suntop replied, "The noble Princess Kiara can help you; she's our queen after all."<br/><br/>Wesley let go of the queens hand realizing he probably held it too tightly. "Apparently, if I'm to find myself ... she's my queen too."