The atmosphere around the hospital bed could have matched that of a morgue.

Doctor Tina was explaining everything as plainly as she could to the Diaz's, who looked like they were in shock. Tom and Star stood beside the king and queen. The second Star had seen Marco again, she had dropped Tom's hand and hadn't even noticed when he asked her if she was okay. She sat beside the bed, holding Marco's hand in both of hers.

"Star," Tina whispered, coming back to them from her conversation with the Diaz's. "Would it be okay if Marco's parents spent some time with him before... oh, my..."

Star sniffed loudly and nodded, standing up.

"Wait," Tom said suddenly. "I've got an idea."

"What do you mean?" River asked.

"Well... as I was explaining to Star outside, it was actually her love for Marco that woke him. Now, maybe she can do it again."

Star blushed and looked away.

"I'm sure it was a fluke," she whispered.

"But if there's a chance..." Mrs Diaz began, unsure. "Why not give a go, Star?"

She looked around at them all: her parents, who looked tired and wan, sick, she knew, of the whole situation; Marco's parents, pale and trembling, terrified beyond comprehension; Tom, ever present, red in the face, hid jaw clenched.

They had come so far.

She couldn't give up now.

She returned her gaze to Marco, who was hooked up to so many machines he looked more robot than human- or robot than demon. She took his hands in his and closed her eyes.

Please.

You are my everything.

You are my magic, my brother, my best friend.

She reached out with her magic just as Toffee had done through Marco's subconscious.

I love you like I've never loved anyone in the world.

I love you.

I need you.

Please.

Please.

Beep, went the heart monitor. Beep. Too slow. Too shallow, too uneven.

Beep.

Please.

Beep.

Please, Marco.

Beep.

Beep.

The silence between the beeps grew.

I need you. Please wake up. I'm begging you.

Beep.

Bee-eep.

A falter. A jutter.

Bee-eeep.

Whining. Uneasy. Precarious.

Marco.

Beep-beep

Marco.

Beep-beep

Marco!

Beep beep beep beep beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.....

High pitched. Drawn out. Like the scream of a dying stag.

Then silence.

Star felt herself falling away.

It was over.

He was gone.

But then Marco opened his eyes.