| Chapter 17 Howie, Nick and Kevin sat in Brian's room watching him sleep. Nick had filled them in on what happened when Leighanne was there, and Kevin had told Nick what had happened in the hall. Kevin had called A.J. and filled him in on what was going on. He said he'd be there on the first flight he could get. Nick was starting to get worried, it had been sometime and Tara hadn't come back yet. Howie stood up and pulled his cell from his pocket. "I'm gonna go make a call," he said. "Kira?" Kevin asked with a smile. "Yeah, we kinda had a date tonight, I'm gonna tell her I can't make it," Howie answered. He got up and left the room. "Nick can I tell you something?" Kevin said. "Yeah sure," Nick replied. "I can understand Tara being angry and all, but I saw something in her eyes that frightened me," Kevin said. Nick looked at him, "You saw it too?" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Howie walked down the hall and found a waiting area. He sat down and dialed the number. "Hello." "Kira, hi it's Howie," he said. "Hey, what's up?" Kira asked. Howie paused for a moment, "Kira, something's come up, I'm gonna have to take a raincheck for tonight." "Is it Brian? I know you were worried about him when we were out last night," Kira said. "Yeah it is, he's umm ......... not well," Howie said. A page came over the hospital speakers. "Howie, are you at the hospital?" Kira asked concerned. "Yeah we are. We're waiting for the doctor to come in, and then I think we're going to Nicks," Howie said. "Do you guys need anything?" Kira asked. "No, we're OK. I'll call you when we get settled," Howie said. "OK, give Brian my love," Kira said. "K, talk to you soon," Howie said and hung up. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tara sat alone in the chapel. She had been there for quite a while. God please, I don't understand why all this is happening. Please help Brian, he doesn't deserve this. And please help Leighanne, I'm afraid for her. I don't know who that guy was, but there's evil around him. I can feel it. Please God, give me the strength to do whatever it is I'm suppose to do. Tara felt someone touch her hand. She looked up to see Tracy standing in front of her. "Tracy!" Tara said as she grabbed her in a hug. "Tara, I'm only here for a minute. I wanted to tell you that we're close, and not to let your guard down," Tracy said. "We? Who's with you?" Tara asked. "Gideon and Jade," Tracy answered. Tara looked at her surprised, she knew that Gideon and Jade both were considered to be warriors. They worked only in the most serious of situations. "This is worse than I know isn't it?" Tara asked. Tracy nodded her head, "Tara, about what you saw, don't tell Brian, not yet anyway." "Tracy, I'm not sure I can keep it from him. He'll know I'm not telling him something, and he'll eventually figure it out," Tara said. "Tara, he's on thin ice right now. If he finds this out, it'll send him over the edge," Tracy said. Tara looked at her confused, "What do you mean?" "He's finding it hard to fight this, and if he learns about what you saw, we're afraid that he'll give up entirely," Tracy answered. Tara nodded her head, understanding what she meant. "Tara, this is all about Brian finishing this album. If he doesn't the future will be changed forever," Tracy said, "Help him all you can. He needs you more now than ever." "I will," Tara said. Tracy smiled at her and disappeared. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Howie walked back into the room followed by the doctor. Nick leaned over and whispered in Brian's ear, "Bri, wake up. The doc's here." Brian opened his eyes and looked around. "Brian, here is you medicine," the doctor said pulling two bottles from a small bag. He held one up, "This one you take twice a day. This works to shrink the tumor." Brian nodded his head. The doctor held the other bottle up, "This one you take for your headaches. You can take two every four hours, but don't take more than six in one day. If you need something else you can alternate this with an over the counter pain reliever like Tylenol." Brian nodded his head again. "I want to see you in a couple of days to see how your doing on the meds, and if you have any questions or problems before that I want you back up here OK?" the doctor said. "OK," Brian replied. Tara walked in the room. She made her way over by Nick and grabbed his hand. "You OK?" Nick asked. "Yeah, I'm fine," Tara said. "All right, I'll have the nurse come in and take out your IV, then you're free to leave," said the doctor. "Thanks doc," Kevin said. The doctor smiled and left the room. "Brian, you can stay with me and Kris if you want," Kevin said. Brian looked up at him, "No offense, but I'd rather stay at Nick's if that's OK?" Nick looked at Brian, "Of course it is." "Thanks," Brian said. "OK then, I'll run by your house on the way and get some of your stuff," Kevin said. "Thanks Kev, can you also take Tyke and Litty? I'm not sure when someone will be there to take care of them," Brian said. "Sure Bri, what are cousins for but to baby-sit their children," Kevin said with a smile. A nurse came in and began taking Brian's IV out. Everyone left the room so Brian could get dressed. Tara walked up to Kevin, "Kev, I wanna apologize for what I did. I was angry and I tried to take it out on you, I'm sorry." Kevin put his hand on her shoulder, "It's OK, I understand. Just one thing though." "Yeah?" Tara said. "Please don't look at me like that again. I haven't seen that look since the whole Robert thing, and if I ever see it again it'll be to soon," Kevin said. Tara smiled at him, "Sorry, I won't do that again." Kevin smiled back at her, "Thanks." Brian came out of the room carrying his medicine. An orderly walked up with a wheelchair. Brian sat down, "Yeah, yeah, I know hospital policy." Everyone laughed. "OK, let's get outta here," Nick said leading the way down the hall. Chapter 18 |