~Fallen Ch. 4~
~~

Antonio gazed at the cross intensely, he hadn’t stayed after Dr. McCoy told him he was going to be Kay’s only visitor, he didn’t need to see the confusion and anger to know it was coming. What could he say, hell, he didn’t even know why Kay asked to see him, what could he tell the others. Instead as soon as the others turned toward him, he made a beeline for the hospital rectory, he needed guidance.

Things weren’t going as his planned, but then what else was new. He didn’t think he’d be dying at twenty-five, so that idea that someone like Kay could die, was just as shocking and disconcerting. How did everything just go so wrong, so quickly, one minute he’d been happy and engaged, and now he was trying to figure how to go with the knowledge tat his family had lied to him, And they had lied to him, constantly letting him believe he had love, when it was only pity, and screwed-up sense of duty.

He wondered if this was what happened to Kay, had she discovered that her friends and family had were keeping something from her. Was this the feeling she had inside of her, this constant kick to the gut, that left him breathless, and unsure he could catch a breath. As his mind wondered down the forbidden road, he didn’t notice the blonde woman entering the chapel, until she moved to sit beside him.

“ Antonio?” Sheridan settled beside him, and tentatively reached for his hand, and wasn’t that surprised when he pulled away. He had been distant and angry ever since she arrived with Luis and Beth.” Are you okay?”

“ No Sheridan, I’m not okay.” Antonio stood and brushed past her. “ Someone I used to take to the park slit her wrist tonight, almost died.” He walked up tot the altar, and lightly touched the cross, praying for strength, before he turned back to her. “ Of course that was after discovering that my brother was my fiancé ‘true love’.” The smile on his face was bitter and twisted, as the shock settled on her face.” Yeah, I found out.” ” Not by my fiancé or brother, like I should have been found out, or even by people that call themselves my friends, but going home too early.” “ But then, it’s not my home, is it.” “ Just so you know, I don’t think you owed me anything but the truth, after everything we’d been through all I would have wanted was honesty.” He took the key too the cottage of his key rings and handed it to her, as he finger brushed the washer he gave her, he gave another mirthless laugh. “ Well at least now, you can get a real engagement ring.”

Sheridan watched him walk out of the chapel, tears streaming down her face, she wanted to stop him, comfort him, but she knew he was right. All she had owed was all the honesty and compassing he had shown her, and she didn’t, for that she didn’t deserve anything Antonio Lopez-Fitzgerald had to offer except his contempt.

~~

Jody sat in her office, looking over the medical file the hospital had on Katherine Elizabeth Bennett; one thing stood out above all the medical jargon. Kay Bennett was resilient, from the time she was two, til just last year she made bi-yearly visits to the hospital, broken bones, viral infections, and even gas inhalation, she keep coming back for more. The thought gave the young doctor, hope, maybe Kay could bounce back form this, and she certainly had enough support.

“ Burning the midnight oil?” Eve asked as she leaned on the doorjamb.

“ Yeah, just doing some background info on my patient.” She put down the folder, and stood motioning for Eve to come inside the office. “ I wanted to talk toy u about Kay.”

“ I thought you would.”

“ Yeah, well I’m asking that you leave the case entirely to my care.” “ I know that you’re a friend of the family, and you’re concerned, but Kay’s not in the state of mind where she should see you.” “ And you have to admit to yourself that you have a personal stake in this, one of he nurse’s told me that you daughter is Kay’s best friend, you’re biased Eve.”

“ Dr. McCoy…” Eve stood and took a defensive stand, and put on her authoritative voice, as she glared at the younger woman.

“ No not Dr. McCoy, she can’t handle it, she freaked when nurse Granger came in, because she knows her mother, you won’t help her and you know it.”
Jody straighten, and met her bosses glare head on.” I’m asking you as a colleague to step aside for the patients well being, and if I have to I take it to the board and have it done on the record.”

“ You’re not making any friends with this.”

“ I don’t need friends, I need a patient on a mend.” Jody nodded to Eve before leaving her office, letting out a breath as she crossed the threshold.

“ She’s very bold.”

Eve turned toward the sound and nodded to Julian.” Yeah, it was very brave on her, her first day on the job.” “ What are you doing here?”

“ Father, thought we should come to show support to the locals in their time of need.” Julian moved from he side of the wall, and looked off in the direction that the doctor went off in.” She seems familiar, are you sure she hasn’t been here before?”

“ Yes, she just arrived this morning from California.”

~~

Sam closed Jessica’s bedroom, door softly, he didn’t why he ever stopped kissing his daughters goodnight, but he sure missed, he only wished he do the same with Kay. He looked over at her bedroom door, and fought back the tears, he already been in there, and had seen no real signs of a suicide attempt, not until he reached own bathroom.

The blood had dried, and Jessica and John had already begun cleaning it up, but no matter how hard they scrubbed he could still see it. He closed his eyes and he could still hear Antonio’s’ voice breaking at his described what he found.

‘ I hear a sound, and I went upstairs to see what it was…. uh, I heard a whimper, and ran to the master bathroom… and she was just lying there.’ ‘Her hair was submerged in the blood around her wrist, and I tried to wake her, but she would come around’

He pushed the voice out of hi head, and headed down to the kitchen, he needed a stiff drink, but a beer would do. He paused at the kitchen door, when he heard voices, and wondered why his wife was still up.

“ I don’t think we should go ahead with this.”

“ Charity, you know your cousin wouldn’t want to feel like you’re stopping because of her.”

“ But Aunt Grace, Kay is my maid of honor, I can’t do this wedding without her, I wouldn’t want anyone else by my side. “

“ Sweetie, you now Kay would want this.”

Sam pushed himself through the door, and tried to keep the look of hatred of his face as his faced his wife.” We don’t know what Kay would want, because Kay’s not here, and I for one don’t think we should have this wedding after what happened.”

“ Sam, we’re just trying to put a positive face on this.”

“THERE IS NO POSITIVE FACE ON THIS, OUR DAUGHTER TRIED TO KILL HERSLF.” He lowers his voice, when he sees the fear enter his nieces eye, and scold himself.” If Charity wants to postpone the wedding then the weddings postponed, and since I’m paying for it I think I have final say.”

Charity took her uncle's arm, and gave a sad smile.” I’m sorry about Kay Uncle Sam, and I now that as soon as she can see visitors, she going to want to see us, and then ca work together to get her well again.”

Sam pulled to him, and kissed her forehead.” I know you’re right, now you go to bed, it’s a been a long day.”

“ Okay, good night guys, I love you.”

“ Good night honey.” Grace walked her to the door, and gave her a small wave before she turned on Sam.” What is wrong with you?”

“ Wrong with me, what’s wrong with you?” “ There is a stain on our bathroom floor, form where out daughter tried to end her life, and you’re trying to plan a wedding.” He grabbed the keys off the hook, and went to the back door.” I’ve been trying to figure out, what could have pushed Kay to this point, and I’m starting to think it’s all centered in this house.” With a regretful shake of his head, his walked out of the house slamming the door behind him.