| Chapter 53 Micah walked over to the bed Nick was lying in and stood next to it. He looked around the room, smiling at the sheer number of people that came to see Nick and Tara. Instead of taking them back to their house, Michael insisted on taking them to the great hall. Beds where brought in for them and placed in the middle of the room. This was the same room Nick had been judged in when he first arrived, and as before, a light shown from above, illuminating both of them. Gideon walked over to Micah, "Still sleeping huh?" Micah nodded, "It's only been a week. I don't expect them to wake up anytime soon." "Yeah, well it'll give us time to get their surprise ready anyway," Gideon said. Micah smiled, "How is that coming?" "Good. The crew is already working. It won't take them to long to finish," Gideon said. "And our friend is alright with the transfer?" Micah asked. Gideon laughed, "He was ecstatic." "Great. It's so good when a plan comes together," Micah said. Gideon nodded his head, "That it is. I just hope they like it." Micah looked at him like he was nuts, "Are you kidding? They're gonna love it." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian slowly opened his eyes. It took him a moment to realize where he was, and when he did he thought he would scream for joy. Just as he was about to yell for someone, he felt movement on the bed. He looked over to see Tara Gail sitting next to him, playing with her favorite doll. Brian looked around the room, noticing that no one else was in there. He sat up a little looking at her, "Where's your mommy?" Tara Gail smiled at him, then went back to her doll. Brian smiled as he watched the toddler play. She seemed to have everything worked out in her head, it didn't matter if no one understood but her. Tara Gail moved closer to Brian, handing him her doll. "You want me to have it?" Brian asked, taking the doll. Tara Gail reached out and touched the scar on Brian's wrist, "Boo boo." Brian looked at what she was pointing at, and his heart almost stopped. He quickly looked at his other wrist, seeing the same thing, "Oh God," he whispered. Tara Gail took Brian's wrist and bent down, softly kissing his scar. Brian smiled at her, tears welling up in his eyes, "You kissing it and making it all better?" Tara Gail smiled, then crawled up into Brian's lap, taking her doll from him and resuming her play. Brian sat with the child in his lap for several minutes. He wasn't sure if he wanted to laugh or cry. He was so happy to be home, but the scars where unexpected, and shocking. He heard the door open, looking over to see Leighanne and Lyn walk into the room. "Hey," he said, holding Tara Gail's waist as she stretched across the bed to retrieve another toy. Lyn ran to him, taking his face in her hands and kissing him, "I can't believe your awake, God I missed you so much!" Brian laughed as Leighanne took Tara Gail from him. "I missed you too, I love you so much," Brian said, wrapping his arms around her and holding her tight. Leighanne held her daughter in her arms, "How did you get in here?" Brian looked up, "She was here when I woke up. She kissed my boo boo's." "Aww," Lyn said, wiping the tears from her cheeks. Tara Gail looked at her momma, "Bri Bri boo boo's," she said. Leighanne smiled, "I know baby. Let's go find daddy, OK?" Tara Gail smiled, "Da da." Leighanne walked to the door with her child in her arms, "I'll let everyone know your up." Brian nodded, "OK." Lyn took Brian in a deep kiss as Leighanne left the room. Brian's laughing caused her to break it. "And what is so funny?" she asked. He shook his head, "Nothing. I'm just so happy to be back. I thought I'd never see you again." Lyn looked at him, a sad expression on her face, "So did I." "How long have I been here?" Brian asked. "A week," she answered. He nodded, looking back down at the scars on his wrists, running a finger over them. Lyn watched him for a moment, "Baby, you're OK, that's all that matters." He looked up and smiled, nodding, as the rest of the group entered the room. Kevin was the first to give him a hug, "We missed you." "I missed being here," Brian said, hugging each of his friends. After their initial greetings an awkward silence fell across the room. Brian watched them all fidget and glance at one another, knowing what they where all to afraid to ask. He looked over at A.J. and almost burst out laughing. The boy looked like he was about to pee his pants or something. "A.J.?" Brian said, causing him to jump. "Yeah Rok?" A.J. asked. "Whatever you where just thinking, just ask it," Brian said. A.J. looked at the others in the room for a second, then back to Brian, "Um did it hurt?" Brian nodded, "Yeah it did." "Bri, what happened, exactly?" Kevin asked. "Well, they took me, beat me, and nailed me to a cross," he said. "We know that," Howie said, everyone chuckling at him. "Guys, it really doesn't matter now. Everything turned out the way it should have, so going over every second I was gone really doesn't need to be done," Brian said. "I'm sorry, it's just that, we love you," Leighanne said. "I know guys. It was that love that kept me going, but I'm not sure if I can talk about it just yet," Brian said. "We understand," Kristin said, gently patting Brian's shoulder. "Bri, are you alright with the ... um scars?" Kira asked. Brian looked back down at his wrists, "I will be. I just have to get used to them I guess." Brian looked over seeing Tracy in the room, "Hey, what's up?" She smiled at him, "Just checking on you." Brian nodded, "I'm OK." Gary leaned over to Kevin, "Who's he talking to?" Kevin shrugged his shoulders. Brian looked over at them, seeing the confused look on their faces. "You guys don't see her?" he asked. "Who?" A.J. asked. "Me," Tracy said, appearing to them. Everyone jumped. "Dang girl, stop doing that!" Howie said, laughing. "Sorry," Tracy smiled. Brian looked around for a moment, "How come I could see you and no one else could?" Tracy sighed, "There are some things I probably need to fill you in on." "That would be good," Brian said. Tracy looked at everyone in the room, "Would you guys excuse us for a little while?" "They can stay," Brian said. Tracy looked at him, "This might be easier on you if they didn't." "Oh, um OK," Brian said, not sure how to take that. Everyone filed out of the room, leaving Brian alone with Tracy. "So, what's going on?" Brian asked. "OK, first things first. Get up and go over to the mirror," Tracy instructed. Brian thought this was a little odd, but got up, dragging his IV over to the dresser, looking in the mirror. "OK, now what?" he asked. "Pull up your shirt," she said, walking over to stand next to him. Brian pulled his shirt up, seeing the scar on his side. "Oh crap," he said. "Now turn around and look at your back," she said. Brian turned around, pulling his shirt up more and looking in the mirror. The horror on his face could not be hidden. He looked at Tracy with tears in his eyes. She smiled at him, "Now look at your feet." Brian looked down at his bare feet, letting the tears fall as he did. His body shook with his sobs, "Why?" Tracy stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him, holding him. "Brian, each mark you bare is a reminder. A reminder of your love for God, and your love for your fellow human being. It is a mark of honor among us. You where willing to sacrifice yourself for another's soul. For that, you have received certain gifts," she explained. He looked up at her, tears streaming down his cheeks, "Gifts?" She nodded, "You will always be connected to our realm. You will see us when no one else does. You can call us anytime you need to. You can hear us and understand our language, even though you can't speak it." Brian wiped his eyes as Tracy lead him back over to the bed. They sat down and she waited for his questions. "They won't ever go away?" he asked. She shook her head, "No." He sniffed, "And I can understand your language?" She nodded. "Say something," he said. Tracy laughed, "OK, um You have snot running down your nose." Brian reached up and wiped his nose with the back of his hand, "Thanks." "No problem," she said. Brian took a deep breath letting it out slowly, "Tracy, why did they pick me? Why did they do that to me?" Tracy put her arm around Brian's shoulders, "They wanted to hurt Nick and distract the army. Your pain hurt Nick more than any physical torture to him ever could have. He blamed himself for your suffering." "But he couldn't help it," Brian said. "He thought he could. He thought he should've known that was what they where planning and should have been able to stop it," she said. "But how could he? He's not a mind reader...... Oh wait, he kinda is, but still," Brian said. Tracy laughed, "I know, but he feels responsible for you, for all the guys." "Who would've thought, our �little bro' taking care of all of us, turning out to be what he is, it's just so sur-real to think about sometimes," Brian mused. "I think you've all taken it very well," Tracy said, "And back to distracting the army." Brian shook his head, "No explanation needed there. I still remember their faces when they lifted me up. It was pure shock followed by great sadness." She nodded, "That act is difficult for us to see. It brings back memories of when Christ died and we couldn't help him. Even those of us who weren't there when it happened still react the same way." "Nick's face," Brain said, "It was just awful. I wanted to cry for him." "I'm sure he'd say the same thing about you," she said. Brian laughed, "I guess so." "Brian, don't be ashamed of the marks you bare. Always remember that you got them in a selfless act, and that they demand great respect from those in my realm. Everyone there knows of what you did, and what high regard God has for you." Tracy said. "I'm not sure I'm worthy of such respect," Brian said. "You are Brian," she assured him, "Your work here on Earth is far from over, but what you've already done to change things is remarkable." Brian blushed, "Stop it, I was only doing what He wanted me to." "And so you will continue to do so," she said. "Nick and Tara, are they OK?" Brian asked. "Yes, they are still resting," she answered. "How long will they do that?" he asked. "Until they've gotten back the energy they lost. There is no time table on it," Tracy said, "They gave everything of themselves to do what they did. I'm sure it will be some time still before they wake up." Brian nodded, "I want to see them, just to make sure they're OK." "Brian even though you have access to our realm, you can't enter it again until you pass from this world," Tracy said. "Oh," Brian said, somewhat disappointed. "But you can see through our eyes," she said, grinning. "I can? How do I do that?" he asked. "Take my hand," she said, holding her hand out. He took it. "Now close your eyes and I will show you," she instructed. Brian closed his eyes, his mind filling with the vision of a great hall of some sort. Nick and Tara where laying in the middle of the room, each in their own bed, sleeping peacefully. A great light shining down on them as countless angels came to see them. Brian opened his eyes and looked at Tracy, "Wow, that's amazing." She smiled at him, "They are well taken care of, just as you saw." He nodded, wincing as his stomach growled. Tracy laughed at him, "You should probably eat, huh?" "Yeah, it sounds like it," Brian said, standing up and pushing his IV over to the door. "I can call on you whenever I want? Even if it's just to say hi?" he asked. She smiled, "Even if it's just to say hi." Brain grinned, "Thank you. I feel a lot better about these now," he said, hold up his arm, displaying his wrist. She nodded, "Go eat before you collapse." Brian laughed, "OK, talk to ya later," he said, opening the door and heading into the kitchen. Chapter 54 |