| Chapter 19 "Brian, wake up," Aleisha said, gently shaking him. Brian opened his eyes and looked at her. "Hey, I just got off the phone with my doctor friend, he said that he'd see you in a couple of hours," she said. "Oh, OK," he said, trying to sit up. "I'm running a bath for you," she said, "I figured you'd want one before we left." "Thanks, yeah I do," Brian said. Aleisha helped him up from the couch and followed him into the bathroom. She gently removed his sweat shirt and started cutting the bandages from his arms. When she had removed them, she gently pulled the ones from his chest, and his face. Brian winced as he flexed his fingers. He could move them, but not much without stretching some of the stitches. Aleisha looked up at Brian, "You think you can get the rest?" "Yeah," he said. "OK, I'll go get you some clean clothes. Yell if you need anything," she said, turning and leaving the room. Brian managed to take his sweat pants off and stepped into the tub. The water was hot, but it felt good. He slowly sat down, then grabbed the wash cloth Aleisha had laid out, and began washing up. The water and soap stung his wounds. He just bit his bottom lip against the pain and kept on. After a few minutes he heard a knock on the door. "Brian, is this OK for you to wear?" Aleisha asked, walking in and holding up a pair of jeans and a shirt. "Yeah, that's fine," Brian said, holding the wash cloth over himself. "Do you need help washing your hair?" she asked. "Um, yeah I guess," Brian said. Aleisha walked over and knelt down next to the tub. She grabbed a pitcher that was sitting nearby and filled it with water. "OK, lean over a little," she said. Brian leaned forward, groaning a little from the pain in his side. Aleisha poured the water over his head, then grabbed the shampoo bottle and squirted some out. She quickly lathered Brian's hair, and filled the pitcher again, rinsing it. "All done," she said, as Brian raised back up. "Thanks," he said. "Are you done?" she asked. "Yeah, I guess," he said, feeling quite awkward carrying on a conversation with her while he was sitting naked in the tub. "Do you need help rinsing off and getting out?" she asked. Brian thought about it, getting in was hard enough, he had no idea how he was going to pull himself up enough to get out. "Brian, you don't have to be embarrassed. It doesn't bother me that you're naked," Aleisha said, seeing his dilemma. He looked up at her, "I'm glad you feel that way, but it kinda bothers me." "OK, um, I can close my eyes, if that helps," she said. Brian laughed, "Alright. It's not like I have much of a choice anyway. I can't do it by myself." Aleisha laughed, "Well, I could just leave you there." "No, don't do that. The water's starting to get cold," Brian said, smiling. Aleisha laughed as she stuck her hand in the water, pulling the plug and letting the water drain out. She helped Brian to stand up. "I'll turn on the shower for a minute so you can rinse off," she said, reaching over and turning it on. Brian jumped a little when the hot water hit his back. He stood in it for a minute, then stepped away from it. It was hurting his stitches. Aleisha turned the water off and handed him a towel. Brian wrapped it around him and stepped out of the tub. Aleisha had another towel in her hand, "Let me dry these," she said, gently drying his arms and chest. When she was done she handed the towel to Brian, "Here, you can do the rest. I'm not gonna bandage your wounds cause they'll just take them off at the doctor's anyway." "OK," Brian said. She walked to the door, "If you need help.." "I'll yell," Brian said, smiling at her. She smiled at him before leaving the room. Brian stared at the back of the door, "So much for modesty," he said, laughing to himself. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick was in the woods. He was frightened, but of what he didn't know. Then he saw something moving in the distance. He was trying to see what it was, but his body wanted to flee. He turned and started walking, hearing whatever it was closing the distance behind him. He glanced back, fear consuming his body, he started to run. He was running as fast as he could. Tree limbs hitting him in the face as he fled. He ran out of the tree line and skidded to a halt just inches from a cliff. He looked around, trying to find a place to hide. There was none. Nick was trembling with fear as he looked back into the woods. He could see the outline of the creature, hidden in the darkness. "What do you want?!" Nick yelled. His answer was a menacing growl that sent chills down his spine. Then he saw the creatures eyes, glaring at him. They were filled with hate. Nick was frozen, he couldn't run, there was nowhere to go. Suddenly the creature lunged, and Nick jumped back, falling over the cliff. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "NO!" Nick screamed, sitting straight up in bed. Lyn was at his side, a concerned and frightened look on her face. Nick was breathing hard, and trembling. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and tried to calm down, as the others ran into the room. He could see them talking to Lyn, and to him, but he didn't want to answer. Lyn took his face and raised it so he was looking at her, "Are you OK?" she signed. Nick nodded his head as Kevin handed him his hearing aid. He put it in and rubbed his face with his hands, "I'm OK guys." "Nick, I could hear you all the way downstairs," A.J. said. "I'm alright, it was just a nightmare," Nick said, getting out of bed and walking across the room. "Nick, are you sure?" Howie asked. "Yeah, sorry I scared you," he said, as he went into the bathroom and shut the door. Lyn and Kevin looked at each other, confused. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Jason Cummings?" the nurse called. Brian and Aleisha got up and walked with her to the back. Brian had chosen to use an alias, still concerned that someone would find him. "Jason, I see you have some stitches on your face, is that why you're here?" the nurse asked. "Um, yeah. That and these," Brian said, as Aleisha helped him take his shirt off. The nurse gasp, "What happened to you?" Brian looked over at Aleisha, "Well, a mountain lion decided that I'd be a good snack." The nurse stared at him in amazement, "How did you get away?" "My dog jumped it and ran it off," Brian said. "My goodness. You are lucky to even be here," the nurse said. Brian smiled, "Yeah." "Well the doctor will be in in a few. I'll go set up the x-ray machine, I'm sure he'll want some of your side there," she said, pointing to Brian's black and blue ribs. Brian watched as she left the room. "It's cold in here," he said a few minutes later. "Here, lets drape this over you until he comes in," Aleisha said, taking Brian's coat and putting it over his shoulders. "So how do you know this doctor?" Brian asked. "He's a good friend. We went to high school together," she answered. "Oh," Brian said as the doctor walked in. "Morning, Jason is it?" he asked. "Yes," Brian said. "Hello Aleisha, nice to see you again," the doctor said. "Good to see you too. How's Lacy?" Aleisha asked. "She's good, she's visiting her mother for a few weeks in California," the doctor answered. "OK Jason, let's get this off so I can see what the damage is," the doctor said, taking the coat away. The doctor began examining Brian. He checked his stitches and felt Brian's stomach and back, checking for internal injuries. "Jason, I want to get some x-rays and some blood," he said. "OK," Brian said. The doctor called for the nurse, and she appeared in the door. "Take Jason here and get a complete blood work, and a full set of chest x-rays," he instructed. She nodded and motioned for Brian to follow her. Brian slid off the table and left the room with the nurse. "So, where'd you find this one?" the doctor asked. "Ben, shut up," Aleisha said. "He's lucky to even be here, if what he says is true," Ben said. "Oh it's true. I saw the dead cat on the side of the trail," she said. "So are you gonna tell me who he really is?" Ben asked. "No, I'm not," she said, smiling. Ben smiled and shook his head, "Fine, be that way. What kind of friend are you, won't even tell your best friend who this strange guy is that's staying with you." Aleisha laughed, "Ben, just because we've been friends forever, doesn't mean that I tell you everything." "Yeah, yeah, I know," he said, turning to leave the room, "Kathy will bring him back in here when she's done." "OK," Aleisha said, grabbing a magazine and sitting down. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick walked downstairs and into the living room. Everyone was there, talking in hushed tones when he walked in. They all looked at him. Nick sighed, "Guys, it was a nightmare, that's all." "Honey, you've had one every night that I've been here," Lyn said. "Nick, maybe you should talk to the doctor about it," Kevin suggested. Nick sat down on the couch, running his hand through his hair, "I have," he said quietly. "You have? When?" Howie asked. "I called Ted yesterday and talked to him," Nick said. "Well, what'd he say?" A.J. asked. "He said that he wasn't sure if my problem would be causing them or not," Nick said. "Nick, maybe you should go see Dr. Spencer, maybe there's some test he can do," Kevin suggested. "Kev, I'm fine. Why won't you guys believe that?" Nick asked, exasperated. "Because you don't look fine," Howie said. "Yeah man, you like you're about to go running out of here at any moment," A.J. said. "Nick, we're just worried about you," Lyn said. "Well stop," Nick said, "I can't stand all this constant mothering by you guys! It was a fucking nightmare! I'm not dying, and you guys keep acting like I am. Stop it!" "Nick," Kevin said in a harsh tone. Nick stood up and pointed his finger in Kevin's face, "Say one word and I'll kick your ass. I'm fine, now drop it." And with that he left the room, slamming the door as he went out onto the patio. "Well, someone's in a pissy mood this morning," A.J. said. Kevin looked down to see tears in Lyn's eyes. "Maybe one of us should go talk to him," Howie said. Lyn wiped her face, "I will," she said getting up and exiting the room. The three men watched as she left. "Somehow I think this is about more than a bad dream," Howie said. "Yeah, so do I," Kevin said. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian had been back in the exam room for almost an hour now. He had laid down on the small table and had managed to go to sleep while they were waiting on the doctor. Ben walked in the room, carrying the x-rays in his hand. Aleisha leaned over and woke Brian up. "Well Jason, you've got three cracked ribs," Ben said, "Darn lucky that's all you got." Brian smiled. "I'm going to prescribe you some antibiotics, we don't want you getting an infection," Ben said. "OK," Brian said. "And the stitches should come out in a couple of weeks. Until then, I want you to keep an antibiotic sav on all your wounds, and keep them dressed. Change the dressing twice a day, OK?" Ben said. Brian nodded his head, "OK." "Wait here and Kathy will come in and dress them for you, then you are free to leave," Ben said. "Thanks doc," Brian said. Ben laughed, "Yeah, well, just don't go fighting mountain lions anytime soon." "I won't, trust me," Brian said. The doctor left the room, and after a few minutes the nurse came in and dressed Brian's wounds. Aleisha helped him put his shirt on, and they walked out. Brian stopped at the receptionist and paid his bill in cash. Then he and Aleisha left. "We'll stop by the pharmacy on the way out of town," Aleisha said when they got in the car. Brian nodded. "Is there anything you need while we're here?" she asked. "Yeah, I could use a few things," Brian said. Aleisha pulled into the Walmart parking lot. "Tell me what you need, and I'll run in and get it," she said, as she turned the car off. Brian told her, and she left. Brian was listening to the radio, when As Long As You Love Me came over the speakers. He laughed to himself, remembering how young they were when they recorded that. He could still see Nick screwing up on his part and having to do retake after retake to get it right. Brian looked out the window, suddenly feeling bad for what he'd done to Nick. He needed to call and make sure Nick was OK. Aleisha was making her way across the parking lot. Brian smiled, she looked so cute swinging the bag back and forth as she walked. He decided he'd wait till later to call. Aleisha got in and threw the bag in the backseat. "OK, pharmacy then home," she said, backing out. Brian smiled at her as they headed out of the parking lot. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick was standing in the gazebo, leaning over the rail. Lyn walked up, handing him his coat. "Thanks," he said, putting it on. "Nick, tell me what's going on," she said. He looked at her and sighed. "Please," she said. Nick sat down and motioned for her to sit next to him. Lyn sat down and looked at him. "Lyn, do you remember when I called you and told you about the dream I had?" he asked. "Yeah," she said. "Well, something's not right, and I can't figure out what it is," he said. "What do you mean?" she asked. "The dreams. They keep getting more intense. I know that something is gonna happen, I just....," he started. Lyn put her hand on his knee, "What happens in the dreams?" "I..I'm in the woods, and something is chasing me. I can't get away from it, and then I come to this cliff. All I can see is this things eyes, God I'll never forget the look in them. It was like pure hate....and then it jumps at me, and I fall," Nick said, trembling at the thought of it. "How long have you been having them?" she asked. Nick looked down, "Almost every night since Brian left." Lyn stared at him, "Do you think they're about Brian somehow?" Nick shook his head, "I don't know. All I know is they are driving me crazy. I'm sorry I yelled at you in there, it's just that, everyone keeps asking me if I'm fine. Damn it I'm not fine!" Nick said, tears in his eyes, "Tara's dead, and Brian's missing. How can I be fine?" Lyn reached out and pulled him to her as he began to cry. "I know honey. None of us are fine. We are all just trying to go on with our lives, somehow," she said. "Lyn, I love you so much," Nick cried. Lyn hugged him tighter, "I love you too." They held each other for several minutes, until Nick pulled back, holding the side of this head. "Nick?" Lyn said. "I gave myself a headache," he said, half smiling. Lyn stood up, "Let's get you in, and get you some medicine before it gets to bad." Nick took her hand and stood up, walking with her into the house. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian and Aleisha walked into the house. Angel was there to greet them, wagging her tail and barking happily. Brian sat down on the couch, "Man, I'm tired." Angel walked over and put her head on his lap. Brian ran his hand over her head and around her ears. "I got a few extra things," Aleisha said, dumping the contents of the Walmart bag out next to Brian. She had gotten him a couple pairs of jeans, and a few sweat shirts. Plus underwear, socks, and the things he'd asked for. Also in the bad were some dog toys. Brian picked up a ball, "Leisha, you didn't have to get this." Aleisha smiled, "I know she likes to play with you. Might as well have the proper toys." Brian laughed, taking the ball out of the package and tossing it across the room. Angel ran to get it, bringing it back and happily placing it in his lap. "So Dances, what do you want for lunch?" she asked. Brian laughed, "I'm not gonna get rid of that name am I?" "Nope," she said, smiling. Aleisha moved the things over and sat down next to Brian. He threw the ball again, and Angel took off down the hall in hot pursuit. Brian looked over at her, staring into her eyes. "�Leisha, thanks for doing all this," he said. She smiled at him, "No problem." Angel came back with the ball, dropping it in Brian's lap. Brian and Aleisha both reached for it, their hands touching. They looked at each other, and Brian let her have the ball. Aleisha threw it down the hall. She looked back over, Brian was staring at her. She smiled as he leaned closer. Angel walked back up. Aleisha took the ball from her and threw it again. Turning back around only to meet Brian's lips. She closed her eyes and breathed into the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck. The kiss became more passionate as Brian reached around and ran his hand up her back, pulling her closer to him. Angel came down the hall and up to the couch. She dropped the ball on the floor and barked at them. They seemed to not hear her. She barked again. Aleisha waved her hand, to shoo her away. Angel growled and picked the ball up, tossing it at them. It hit them both in the face. They broke the kiss and looked at her. Then they looked at each other and burst out laughing. "She is truly jealous," Aleisha said. "Yeah, I think so," Brian said, picking the ball up and throwing it again. Angel didn't go after it this time, instead she sat down next to Brian. Brian reached down and patted her on the head, "It's OK girl." Angel looked at him like she didn't believe him and snorted. Brian laughed, "Go on. Go get your ball." Angel got up and slowly walked down the hall in search of the ball. Brian turned back to Aleisha. "I'll go get some lunch together," she said, starting to get up. Brian reached up and grabbed her hand. She looked back down, seeing in his eyes what she also felt. She bent down and passionately kissed him, then pulled away and walked to the kitchen. Brian watched her as she went about preparing lunch. Angel came back, and he turned his attention to her, throwing the ball for her. When she ran to get it, he looked back at Aleisha. He didn't know how much longer he could resist what he was feeling. And he didn't want to. Somehow, he'd fallen for her. Every little thing she did, just made him want her more. He never thought that he'd feel this way again about anyone, especially so soon. But here it was, and he couldn't deny it. Tara would want him to be happy. She'd be upset with him if he moped around for the rest of his life, denying himself the chance at love again. So what if it was so soon. You can't put love on a time table, can you? Brian got up and walked in the kitchen. Aleisha turned around and looked at him. "Leisha, I, um..." he started. She smiled at him, "I know. I feel it too." "You do?" he asked. She nodded her head. "Brian, are you sure about this?" she asked, "I mean you're still grieving...." Brian put his finger over her mouth, "I'm sure." She smiled at him as he took her hand, pulling her out of the kitchen. Angel met them in the hall, and turned to follow them into the bedroom. Brian stood in the door, "Angel, go lay down for a while." She whined at him and took a step towards the door. "Angel, now," Brian said, turning and shutting the door in her face. Angel stared at the door for a moment, then hung her head and walked back to the living room. She lay down in front of the fire place and whined as she closed her eyes and went to sleep. Chapter 20 |