Penny's POV
I woke with a start, "Brian!" I tried to sit up, but the pain in my ribs and shoulder held me back.
"Mom, it's ok. You're at the hospital." Chloe was next to me.
"Where's Brian? How long have I been out? He's alive, right?" I didn't even wait for answers between questions.
"He's here in the ICU. It's been about 8 hours. Mom, you've got to calm down."
"Take me to him! Is he going to be ok?" I had a million questions and I just wanted to be with Brian.
"They said that he was extremely lucky, it could have been a lot worse." Chloe was stalling.
"Is he going to be okay Chloe??"
"He's in a coma due to head trauma. They are hopeful."
"Hopeful? Hopeful doesn't sound good to me. Chloe, I can't lose him. To hell with the pain, I'm getting out of this bed."
I sat up and pulled myself up out of the bed. The IV in my arm held me back from going too far.
"Mom, you need to stay in bed, the doctors want you here under observation for 24 hours."
"If they think I am going to stay in this room for 24 hours when Brian is fighting for his life they are fucking insane! I should have already been there with him! Are you going to help me or not?"
"Let me go talk to them and see what I can do, but you need to at least sit down." I nodded and Chloe left the room.

I pulled the IV out of my arm, grabbed some paper towels to press against it to stop the bleeding and was out of there as fast as I could, open back hospital gown and all. I ran to a directory of the hospital and saw what floor the ICU was on, jumped in the elevator and went to that floor. Luckily, I made it with only a few people seeing me and no one tried to stop me, they were probably afraid to confront the crazy woman running around in a hospital gown with a bloody paper towel. I knew that they would be looking for me soon, but I didn't care. I had to get to Brian and not pain, bleeding or any person was going to stop me.
Visitors to the ICU had to be buzzed in and employees had electronic badges to let them in. I knew there was no way they were going to let me back there. Soon a nurse came rushing through the doors and I slipped in before the doors closed. I found his room, I walked in and I could barely recognize him. He had cuts on his face and bruises; his right leg was in a cast. Monitors were flashing and beeping.

I sat beside the bed and held his hand. "Bri, it's Penny. Please wake up, please!" I held his hand. I just put my head down on the bed and cried. "I love you, please don't leave me."
I felt a hand on my shoulder, "Penny, there's a search party out for you." It was Brian Sr.
"I'm not leaving here; I won't leave him!" I was determined to stay.
"You are right to feel that way and I know that he needs you here. But if the staff comes in and tries to make you leave, causing a scene will not help him. Suzy and Chloe are talking to the doctor right now about getting you released so that you can stay up here with him. If they ask you to go back to your room in the meantime, please do it and don't run off again. I will stay right here with Junior until you get back."
"What if he wakes up and I'm not here?"
"It will be okay, I promise. If he wakes up, I will personally go to your room and make them let you come down here."
"Ok, but not I am not leaving until they tell me I have to." I reluctantly agreed.
"That works."
We just sat there in silence looking at Brian and listening to the monitors.
Suzy came in hugged me and sat next to me. "They are releasing you from the hospital, Chloe's running to get you some clothes. They do want you to go back to your room, while they get your release processed."
"Thank you Suzy." I said with a sigh of relief.
I said to Brian. "I'll be back soon. I love you." I kissed his forehead.

Matt's POV
Val and I jumped on a plane as soon as we had someone watching the boys. The whole trip, I couldn't help remembering all the pain and hurt when Jimmy died. But Brian is not going to die I have to focus and help everyone get through this.
Our manager called me. "Have you heard anything else? Are they both ok?"
"Penny is, but they're not sure about Brian. He is in a Coma."
"This is not good, man. I hate to dump more on you, but several online media outlets have started picking up on the story. You might want to check out Loudwire. I'm not sure how Penny is going to react to this."
"I'll take care of it, thanks for giving me the heads up. Are you coming to Ohio?"
"I plan to as soon as I can. Give Penny a hug and tell Brian to wake the fuck up." He said.
As soon as he hung up, I went to Loudwire.com
Top Item on the page:

Scary news for Avenged Sevenfold's lead guitarist Synyster Gates (Brian Haner Jr), who was in a serious car accident this morning along with his wife Penny.
The couple had been at a Wedding Reception in Ohio while on their way home the 2020 Mustang they were in was involved in a collision at an intersection. Penny Haner was driving the vehicle. It is not clear who was at fault in the accident and alcohol is believed to be a factor.
Gates was care flighted to Columbus, Ohio and his current condition is not known. Penny Haner was also taken to the hospital via ambulance, her injuries were not believed to be life threatening. The driver of the other vehicle did not survive the crash.
Avenged Sevenfold has not made an official comment, but word is that the band and Gates' family have rushed to Ohio to be by his side. We will keep you updated as new information becomes available.
Holy Shit, I knew what the media is going to do and I knew that a lot of fans were going to blame Penny.

Penny's POV
I was finally released and dressed in actual clothes, they put my arm in a sling because of my shoulder and my ribs. Chloe made me eat the lunch the hospital brought me before I checked out, l threw part of it in the trash when she wasn't looking. I was heading back to Brian; I didn't have time to eat. Only three people were allowed with him at a time. When I got up to the waiting room, Matt and Val had just arrived.
Val ran up and hugged me. I looked at her "What am I going to do if we lose him?"
"We are not going to lose him; he will fuck up the devil himself to get back to you." Val said.
"Damn right" Matt said.
"That's basically what Jimmy said" I mumbled under my breath. Val looked at me.
Matt continued "Hey Penny, I know you want to get back there right away but I need to talk to you for a second."
Matt showed me the Loudwire site and said that a few others had reported it too, but all had basically the same story so far. He said that there would likely be backlash and I would be blamed.
"It makes it sound like it was my fault and I was driving drunk! What can we do?" I asked.
"I think it would be best to make a statement and fill in the blanks for them, at least enough to keep them happy. The more we act like there's a big secret, the more they are going to assume the worst."
"Do what you have to do Matt, Brian and I trust you."
"I know and he needs you right now. Don't worry, we'll take care of it."
Right then Suzy and Brian Sr. came out. We all hugged and Val and Matt went back with me.
Brian looked the same, I felt a clock ticking down the hours and minutes in my head. It had now been 16 hours since the accident.
Val and Matt talked to him. You could see the worry and pain on Matt's face. I decided to share my vision at the accident. "I saw Jimmy right before I passed out at the accident."
"You did?" Matt asked
"What did he say?" Val asked
"He held my hand and told me he was there to help both of us. He said that he would help Brian fight his way back. I know it sounds crazy, but it felt so real."
Val took my hand. "I believe it was real."
Matt turned to Brian. "Did you hear that? Jimmy said so, so do it. Fight Haner.

Bianca's POV
Wane and I had just set sail on our honeymoon cruise, I tried to call Penny, but she didn't answer. They're probably in the shower..." I joked to Wane.
I was looking at all the congratulations on Facebook from everyone and I ran across a post from the official Avenged Sevenfold page:

A Message from Avenged Sevenfold regarding Synyster Gates.
As many Avenged Sevenfold fans have heard, Synyster Gates (Brian Haner Jr.) was in a tragic car accident in Ohio very early this morning. Syn was with his wife, Penny after attending a Wedding on Valentine's Day. Penny Haner was driving the vehicle they were in and not at fault in the collision. Penny's blood alcohol levels were also well below the legal limit. Penny sustained non-life threatening injuries and was treated and released, the at fault driver of the other vehicle did not survive the collision. Brian is currently listed in Critical Condition. We ask our Avenged Sevenfold Fan Family to respect our privacy as we help our brother through this. Thank you all for your support and encouragement.
I finished reading it and practically yelled "Oh My God!" I handed my tablet to Wane to read. While I called Chloe.
Before she could even say Hello I said.
"Why the hell hasn't anyone called me?"
"Bianca, you're on your honeymoon. Mom didn't want to ruin it." Chloe said.
"How is your Mom?"
"She was pretty freaked out at first, now I can tell she is absolutely terrified he won't make it."
"What is his condition now?"
"He is still in coma in the ICU, luckily the only limb broken is his right leg. He's pretty beaten up; the main concern is swelling around his brain. They said the only thing to do now is wait." You could hear concern in Chloe's voice.
"Give your Momma a hug from me and call me as soon as there is any change."
"Okay Bianca, try to enjoy your honeymoon okay?"
"Okay, Bye."

Penny's POV
It had been over 30 hours since the accident, the worst 30 hours of my life. Being kidnapped didn't even compare to this. The whole band and Brian's family were now in Columbus. The hospital had increased security and my phone was starting to ring off the hook with calls from reporters. I just turned it off.
I had not left Brian. They tried to get me to go eat, take a walk or take a nap. They brought me food, I couldn't eat it.
I had Gwyn pick up some things I wanted from the house, clothes, my iPad etc. I even had her bring clothes for Bri to wear when he goes home.
Gwyn came into the room; Jay was with her carrying the suitcase of stuff I had her bring. Gwyn had a vase with a huge beautiful arrangement of purple roses in her hands.
"Wow, that's a lot of flowers, Bri will love them."
"Penny, they're not to Brian, they are from Brian."
I was sure I must have heard her wrong or this was a really bad joke.
"What did you say?" I could see Gwyn struggle for words, which is unusual for a writer. Jay came over to me.
"Penny, why don't you sit down and we will explain." After I sat, he knelt in front of me and looked at me. "These roses were delivered to your house this morning; Brian had ordered them to come to you today."
"But why?" I asked, I felt the tears start to pool in my eyes again.
"I helped him plan a surprise for you tonight. He wanted to have a romantic night for just the two of you, since Bianca's wedding was on Valentine's Day." Jay said "He hand wrote the card himself, do you want to read it?"
"I nodded." Gwyn took the card from the arrangement and handed it to Jay, he put it in my hands.
"We are going to step out and let you read the card." Gwyn sat the flowers down and they left.
It was a small purple envelope. I was sitting next to the bed, I looked at Brian. I was crying before I even got the card open. It was a card with a picture of our gazebo on it. Inside he wrote:

My Dearest Penelope,
When I met you, my life had new meaning and new purpose. When I almost lost you, I felt that meaning and purpose start to slip away. We now have our whole lives ahead of us, together as one, growing old but never growing apart.
Please do me the honor of joining me this evening for a post Valentine's Day celebration. Dinner and dancing at our special place.
Love,
Junior

"I started crying, not just quietly crying. I was crying like a child in a grocery store who isn't allowed to get candy. I started gasping for breath. Jay and Gwyn ran in, Gwyn knelt down next to me and I cried on her shoulder.
"It's okay Penny, you need to let it out. You two will have this night together just like he planned. It's just been delayed."
Jay rubbed my back. "Penny, I need to call the restaurant he was having the meal brought in from and cancel. He was also renting outdoor heaters so it would be warm enough outside, I need to cancel those too. I will tell them both that we will be calling to reschedule soon. Gwyn is right, you will have this night someday."

Another day passed after the flowers came. I just kept talking to him, about our life together, the band, his family, the twins, anything and everything that I thought would motivate him to wake up. I brought up pictures of us on my iPad and showed them to him, like he could see them.
"Look, here's the picture we had someone take the night we met. When I asked for a "fan" picture. I was so nervous and so amazed that you had kept me from getting thrown out and we were talking and having a drink together. I never dreamed that you would fall in love with me."
"Here's our selfie on the island, laying together in the double hammock. Look Bri, it's us on our wedding day. The happiest day of my life. Please wake up, I can't have happy days without you." I went through every picture I had of us, of him with family, him with fans and on stage.

Zack, Matt and Val came in to see him as they had a couple of times each day on the fourth day. When three people were with him was the only time I would leave to go take a quick shower. Val told me she had to go to the airport soon to get back to the boys.
"Michelle is in the waiting room, Penny. She would like to see him, if it's okay with you." Val said.
I thought for a moment, "I have no reason to not be okay with it. Why don't I run and take my shower and she is with him."
"I'll walk with you to the staff locker room." Zack said. I had the feeling he wanted to talk to me.
"Penny, we are all worried about you. How much have you eaten in the last four days?"
"I have no idea, I've had a couple protein drinks."
"Yea Penny, one each day to be exact. It's clear you've lost weight already."
"I haven't been counting."
"Well we have and so have Brian's nurses. Everyone is worried about you."
"How much have you slept?"
"I put my head down on the side of the bed and nap sometimes."
"How often do you do that and for how long?" He asked.
"What's with the interrogation, Zack?"
"Like I said, we are all worried. It's not going to do Brian any good if you make yourself sick. Please just try to eat and get some sleep. There's a pullout chair in his room at least lay down and nap. The hospital cafeteria said they will bring you a tray of food for meals. Please just eat at least one meal a day."
"I appreciate you all worrying about me, but my focus right now is Brian. That should be everyone's focus." He looked at me with determination, so I relented. "I'll take better care of myself, I promise."
"I'm not sure if I really believe you. I'm going to head back to Brian." He said "I'll see you when you get back there. Maybe we can order some dinner for you then."
"Okay, we can do that." I smiled at him.
I took a little more time taking my shower than I had previously. I didn't have anything against Michelle, but I really wasn't excited about seeing her right then. I figured she blamed me just like the fans did.
When I started to go back to his room, Zack stopped me.
"You can't go in right now, Penny"
"What do you mean I can't go in? Michelle can't tell me I can't go in because she's here."
"It's not Michelle. Something happened, Brian's blood pressure dropped, the doctors and nurses are in there now."
I started toward his room, "I have to be in there!" Zack stopped me. I was panicking.
I tried to push past Zack, he wouldn't let me through. "Penny, you've got to let them work."
"Where's Michelle? What did she do!!!" I screamed.
"Penny, please calm down. They will make you leave this area if you keep yelling. Michelle, Val and Matt had already left, I was with him. It happened all of the sudden, alarms started going off and the medical staff ran in. I was forced to leave."
Just then a nurse came rushing out. I ran up to her. "Is my husband okay?"
"The Doctor will talk to you when he can. Please just wait." She quickly pushed a cart back into the room.
I turned to Zack. "What's happening? He's has to be okay! I wasn't there! I shouldn't have left!"
Zack hugged me and I cried on his shoulder. "It's going to be okay, Penny."

"Code Blue ICU" came over the hospital paging system.
"Code Blue ICU"
"NOOOOOOOO! BRIAN!" DEAR GOD NO!!!"

Notes