| Chapter 33 Nick woke up to the smell of food. His stomach immediately growled, reminding him of how long it had been since he'd eaten. He got up and stretched, feeling like he'd been asleep for ages. Then he made his way into the bathroom to clean up a bit. He mindlessly crawled into the shower, letting the hot water flow over him for a few minutes before quickly soaping up and washing his hair. When he was finished, he turned the water off, climbing out and drying off. Nick walked over to the mirror and used the towel to wipe the steam away. He stared at himself for a moment, studying his eyes. He could see the difference in himself, his eyes had a knowledge about them that wasn't there before. He sighed, "This is who I really am," he said, shaking his head, "Hard to believe." He walked out of the bathroom and searched the room he was in. Someone had put a few of his clothes in the closet. He picked out a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, quickly putting them on and heading out to find the source of the smell. Nick walked out into the living room to find Gideon, Micah, Jade and Tara sitting in the kitchen eating. "Morning Nick," Gideon said as Nick approached the table. "Morning," Nick said sitting down as Tara got up to get him a plate. Jade poured him some coffee, handing him the cup. "Thanks," Nick said, taking a sip. "I trust you're feeling rested?" Gideon asked. Nick nodded his head, "Yeah, how long did I sleep anyway?" "Three days," Micah answered. Nick almost dropped his cup, "Three days?! You're kidding!" Everyone shook their heads, as Tara sat his plate in front of him. "Man, no wonder I'm so hungry," Nick said, taking a bite. "Well, now that you're up and around, we need to go to the counsel," Gideon said. Nick nodded, "I know. We don't have a lot of time." "No we don't," Micah said, "The word is already starting to spread about what happened." "I expected as much," Nick said between mouthfuls. "Nick, after we're done at counsel I need you to help me with something before we start the training," Tara said. Nick looked over at her, immediately knowing what it was she wanted. "I'm not sure she'll do it," he said. "I need her help, you have to help me convince her. She trusts you, she'll listen to you," Tara said. "I'll try, but we can't make her," Nick said. "I know, but we have to try," she said. "So we leave as soon we're done here?" Jade asked. Gideon looked to Nick. "Yeah, I want to go talk to the guys first though. They need to know what's going on," Nick said. "Tracy has already explained everything to them," Tara said. "Even so, I want to talk with them before we leave. It may be a while before we have a chance to again," Nick said. Gideon pushed his plate away, "Alright. I'll go make the arrangements at the counsel, and you all meet me there when you're done." Everyone nodded as Gideon vanished from the table. Nick got up and walked over to the counter, getting a second helping. He glanced at Micah, "So, remind me what your job was before you left." Micah looked at the table then back to Nick as he sat down, "I was a member of the counsel of ethics." Nick smiled, "Oh yeah, now I remember. It seems you kept your job even on the other side." Micah smiled, "I tried. It's hard to explain ethics and honor to a bunch of self serving demons, but it kept me busy." Nick laughed, "I bet it did. Did anyone ever listen?" "Only one," Micah said. Nick downed the last of his food, "Only one huh? Do I know him?" Micah nodded, "Yes, you do." "So who was it?" Nick asked, sipping his coffee. Micah smiled, "You." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lyn sat beside the bed, holding Brian's hand. The nurses had just finished giving him a bath and shaving him. Dr. Skinner had re-run all the tests, getting the results he had expected. Brian was perfectly healthy. There was no trace of any of the damage that had claimed his life. Dr. Skinner had already consulted with many colleagues on the matter and none of them could medically explain it. He was considering publishing the case study in one of the journals, titling the findings Miracles Still Happen. Harold and Jackie encouraged him to do so, changing the names of course. Everyone was there, spread out in the room. They all knew that Brian was just sleeping, but they wanted to stay with him all the same. "Tracy, is he ready to wake up yet?" Lyn asked. Tracy appeared next to her, "Not yet honey, but soon." Lyn sighed. She wanted so much to have him hold her in his arms, to see his blue eyes look at her with all the love he had in them. "It won't be long," Tracy said, reassuring her. Jackie sat on the other side of the bed, facing Lyn. "Honey, why don't we go down and get some coffee," she suggested. Lyn looked up, then back to Brian. She knew he was fine, but she still didn't want to leave him. "It won't hurt for us to be gone for a few minutes," Jackie said, "I'm sure Tracy won't wake him without us here." Tracy shook her head, "I wouldn't dream of it." Lyn sighed, standing up, "OK, maybe for just a few minutes." Just then Nick, Tara, Jade and Micah all appeared in the room. "Nick, Tara!" several people said at once. He smiled, looking at them all, "Hey guys." Kevin walked over to him, pulling him into a hug, "How are ya kiddo?" Nick laughed, "I'm fine, and you can stop calling me kiddo. Technically I'm way older than everyone in this room put together." Kevin laughed, releasing his friend, "Yeah, well, you'll always be my �little brother', I don't care how old you are." Nick smiled, looking Kevin in the eyes. Kevin shuddered under his stare, seeing the difference in him immediately. Nick put his hand on Kevin's shoulder, "It's OK, I'm still me, I just know more now, that's all." Kevin nodded, moving and letting Howie and A.J. welcome Nick back. Tara walked around hugging the girls, then Harold and Jackie. "Tara honey, why didn't you tell us who you were?" Jackie asked. Tara smiled, "Would you have believed me if I did?" Jackie thought for a moment, "No, probably not." Tara shrugged, "I think it all turned out in the end though." "I believe so," Harold said, glancing over at Lyn. Tara made her way over, hugging her friend, "You doing alright?" Lyn nodded, "I'm better now. I just wish he'd wake up already." Tara laughed, "Patience is a virtue." "Yeah, a virtue I'll never have," Lyn laughed. Nick walked over to the bed and sat down, looking at Brian. He looked over at Tracy, "I think he's ready." "Are you sure?" she asked. Nick nodded, "Yeah, he'll be fine with a little help." Tara and Tracy glanced at one another, then back to Nick. "Don't give me that look, you know I wouldn't do it unless He told me it was alright," Nick said, feigning hurt. Both girls laughed at him, shaking their heads. Nick rolled his eyes, reaching down and gently touching Brian's cheek. "Hey Bri, it's time to wake up," he said. Brian's eyes fluttered for a second, then slowly opened. He looked up at his friend and smiled, "You're still here?" Nick laughed, "I left for a while and came back. How you feeling?" "Good, tired," Brian said. "Well, let's just see what we can do about that," Nick said, taking Brian's hands in his. Brian's eyes widened as a surge of energy flew through him. Nick let go, "That better?" Brian sat up, "Yeah, thanks." Brian stared at Nick for a moment, "Nick, you're ....." Nick held up his hand, "I know. Tracy will explain it to you after I leave. I just wanted to come by and make sure you were alright." "Where are you going?" Brian asked. "To the counsel, and then to train, then after that I'm not sure. It may be a while before we see each other again," Nick said. Brian nodded, reaching out and pulling Nick into a hug, "Thank you for what you did for me." Nick smiled, "Thank God not me." "I already have, now I'm thanking you. I love ya man," Brian said. Nick pulled away from the hug, "I love you to." "Nickolas, we should go," Micah said. Nick nodded, "I know." He looked back at Brian, "I don't know when we'll be back, but you won't be alone. Your protectors will stay with you until the war is over and things are settled." Brian stared at him confused, "War? What war?" "Tracy will explain. Promise me this though," Nick said, "Whatever God lays on your heart to do, do it without question. Believe that He is leading you in the right direction, and always trust what He tells you, OK?" Brian nodded, "Always." Nick smiled, "Good, then I'll see ya later alright?" "Take care," Brian said, hugging him again. "I will," Nick said, as he got up. Nick and Tara went to everyone in the room, saying their good-byes. When they finished they walked over to Micah and Jade. "We'll be back as soon as we can," Tara said. "Until then, take care of each other, and follow your hearts," Nick added. Everyone nodded, watching as the group vanished. Brian grabbed Lyn's hand, pulling her down on the bed with him. He held her in his arms and kissed her mercilessly. "Bri, stop, I can't breathe," Lyn protested, laughing. "I can't help it, it seems like a lifetime since I've held you," Brian said. Lyn blushed, "Your parents are staring at us." Brian looked over at them and smiled, "They know I love you." Harold and Jackie smiled at their son, happy to see him full of hope and love. A.J. and Howie walked over, hugging Brian, and rescuing Lyn. "Hey man, great to see you awake and among the living," A.J. said. Brian laughed, "It's good to be here, but I have a feeling that I'm the only person that doesn't know what's going on." Tracy smiled at him, "Sit back and get comfortable, this story takes a while." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick, Tara, Jade, and Micah appeared outside the counsel building. The group started to walk in, but Micah stayed behind. Nick looked back at him, "Girls, go on in. We'll be there in a minute," he said, turning and heading back. Micah looked around at his surroundings. Everything was as he remembered it. Nick placed his hand on Micah's shoulder, "Hey, you OK?" Micah nodded, still speechless. "I bet you missed this place huh?" Nick asked. "More than I ever realized until now," Micah said. "Well come on, we'll be here for a while, and I'm sure you'll find some old friends inside," Nick said, urging him towards the steps of the great building. Micah smiled at him, letting Nick lead the way, glad to be home. Chapter 34 |