Fresh Start

Chapter 23:

Gwen was the first to go in and see Michelle while everyone sat in a waiting room. "So what did the doctor say?" Chris asked.

JC sat in a chair and nervously wrung his hands, "she is going to be okay. But she has a concussion and a gash in the back of her head. She is also going to have black eyes as a result of the blow she received. She has four fractured ribs and two broken ones, not to mention scrapes and bruises."

"Why would someone do this?" Joey asked.

"It's your standard robery," JC said as Gwen came into the room. "They took all her jewlery and her purse. I suppose I scared whoever it was off before they could take her car."

Krystine frowned, "Did they take the charm bracelet you gave her?"

JC just nodded as he looked at Gwen's tear-stained face. "Um, she is asking for Krystine and Stacy," Gwen said. JC stood up to hug Michelle's cousin as the girls made their way to her room.

*~*~*~*

Stacy and Krystine slowly walked into Michelle's hospital room. They found her propped up in bed with her eyes closed. Bluish-black bruises were beginning to form around her eyes.

As the door closed, she slowly opened her eyes, "Hey guys. How are you?"

"How are we?" Krystine asked. "You are the one layed up in a hospital bed and you're asking how we are?"

Stacy looked at Krystine, "Krys-- calm down! We're fine, Michelle. How are you feeling?"

"Oh, just peachy. Sorry I ruined your evenings."

"You didn't! Michelle, none of this was your fault. Besides, you didn't ruin our night," Stacy said comfortingly

"'Chelle, JC is really worried about you," Krystine said. "Why don't we get out of the way and let you two be alone."

"Good idea Krys," Stacy said standing up. "We'll see you tomorrow."

When the girls had left, Michelle closed her eyes and allowed the tears to stream down her face.

*~*A few minutes later*~*

Everyone agreed that it would be best to wait to see Michelle the following day. JC thanked his friends for their support and told them goodbye. He went to Michelle's room, knocked and walked in.

She quickly wiped the tears away when he walked in. "Hey," she said trying to sound brave.

His heart broke for her, "Hey yourself. How are you feeling?" He sat down on the edge of the bed and took her hand in his.

Michelle tried to force a smile, but failed and burst into tears. "JC, I am so sorry this happened. It's all my fault. They took your bracelet too, I am sorry. You told me time after time to have my mace ready when I went into a dark parking lot. I couldn't even defend myself, I just let everyone down."

"Michelle, you are not making sense at all. None of this is your fault. You can't think that. If you do, it let's these scumbags win."

"I know you mean well, but there is nothing you could say that will make me change my mind. This is all my fault."

Chapter 24:

Justin and Krystine drove bck to her apartment in silence. Seeing Michelle in the condition she was upset her more than she let on. She was so caught up in her thughts that she didn't hear Justin talking to her.

"Krystine? Are you all right?"

"Huh? Did you say something?"

Justin took her hand, "I just asked if you were okay. What are you thinking about?"

"I was thinking about Michelle. Justin, she looked so terrible. I can't imagine what she went through. It must have been so horrifying."

"I know," he said parking the car. "But you have to remember that Michelle is a strong person. She can bounce back from this. Besides, she has all of us to help her back on her feet."

Krystine and Justin walked toward her apartment. "Thanks for your reassuring words, Justin."

He flashed his million dollar smile, "That's what I'm here for. Now go on in and try to get some rest. I will pick you up in the morning to go to the hospital."

"Okay," she said nodding.

He leaned down and lightly brushed her lips with his, "Sweet dreams."

She watched him go as she realized that he had eased all her worries.

*~*~*Stacy's Apartment*~*~*

Stacy sat on the couch and stared at the blank TV screen. Lance walked over and sat next to her, "so are you going to turn the TV on or just play it in your head?"

She smiled weakly, "Sorry, I spaced out. Here's the remote, watch whatever you want."

"Why don't you tell me what you are thinking about instead."

"Well........"

"Come on sweetie, what is it?" He asked.

"It's Michelle, she blames herself for what happened to her. The look she had on her face.....I don't know. It was as if she was retreating from herself. Kind of withdrawing," Stacy said.

"Maybe she is just in shock or something. Michelle will be back to normal soon. The inner bruises have to heal like the outer ones do. She has JC to help her with everything. She is going to be fine."

Stacy leaned back into his arms, "I hope you're right. I would hate to see her push away the people who love her."

He kissed the top of her head, "She can get through this. I know she can."

Stacy nodded, but couldn't get the thought out of her head. She was worried about Michelle, and she had good reason to.

*~*~*At the hospital*~*~*

Michelle stared out the windo while the nurse made sure that everything was situated in the room. "Are you ready for another pain pill?" She asked.

Michelle looked at her, "Yes, please." She took the pill and swallowed it hoping it would ease the pain she felt from her broken heart as well.

"Do you need anything else before I go?"

"Actually I do," Michelle said putting down her water glass. "What do I need to do to keep people from visiting me?"

Chapter 25:

Everyone sat in the lobby of the hospital waiting for JC. He was half an hour late meeting them. When he finally came running through the doors, he was out of breath.

"JC, where have you been?" Justin asked as he stood up.

"Sorry, I had to stop by the jewlery store. I called last night to see if they could get me an exact replica of Michelle's bracelet for me. I went by to pick it up and it wasn't quite ready so I had to wait."

"That's amazing," Stacy said as she stood up. "Michelle will be so thrilled."

JC smiled, "I hope so."

"Why don't we go see her so you can give it to her," Krystine said.

"Come on, man--" Joey said slapping JC on the back, "Let's go see your woman!"

*~*Michelle's room*~*

"Michelle, don't you want to finish your breakfast?" the nurse asked.

"No, I am not hungry. You can just take it away," she replied.

The nurse nodded and took the try away, "Buzz if you need anything." She walked through the door and pulled it too as JC and everyone walked up. "Can I help you?"

"Oh no, we were just going in to see Michelle," JC said smiling.

"I'm sorry," the nurse said, "the patient has requested no visitors other than her cousin and her cousin's family. I'm sorry, but you'll have to leave." The nurse turned to walk away.

"Wait a second," Chris said, "you mean that Michelle has asked that we all be kept from visiting her? Are you sure JC Chasez isn't on the list?"

The nurse smiled politely, "I'm sure. She made it pretty clear, the only names on the list are Gwen Littrell and family. I'm sorry."

JC stood in shock and stared at the door to her room. "I can't believe this."

Lance put his arm around JC's shoulders, "Let's go down to the waiting room and talk this through. Surely there we can find some way to get you in there."

Chris had watched as JC's face fell, he felt terrible for his friend Everyone turned to go down the hall, hey didn't seem to notice that Chris didn't join them. He made sure no one was watching and slipped into Michelle's room.

Chapter 26:

Chris walked in and saw Michelle staring out the window from her hospital bed. There was nothing that could have prepared him for the shock he received when he saw the condition she was in. "What are you looking at out there?"

Michelle looked over in shock, "What are you doing here? I specifically asked for no visitors!"

"Oh, I know. But I don't always play by the rules. You know that. I came in here to find out what is going on with you and to knock some sense into you. Apparently when you got hit over the head, all the sense you had fell out."

"You wouldn't understand."

Chris walked over to sit next to her on her bed, "Try me."

"I just can't," she said as tears slowly fell from her eyes.

"Michelle, try. JC is out there and he is crushed. You should have seen his face when we were told we couldn't come in. He loves you and wants to see you."

"I can't see JC, or anyone else."

"Why?"

"Because I let everyone down! Look at me, I am a big disappointment. I couldn't stand to have JC look at me with pity."

"He looks at you with love," Chris said. "I'll be blunt Michelle, you are being ridiculous. Down the hall is a room full of people that care about you and you are pushing us away."

"I am simply trying to save you all a lot of time and energy. Look at me, I am a burden. I can't take care of myself or defend myslef!" The floodgates opened and Michelle sobbed tears that she had been holding back since the attack.

Chris leaned over and gently hugged her, careful not to hurt her. "Michelle, please listen to what I have to say. I love you like a sister. None of this was your fault. You were going to your car and someone attacked you." He looked her in the eye, "You should Ynot be ashamed of what happened to you. None of us have expectations of you to be able to fight off thugs when they attack you. Why would you think that? All we expect you to do is to get over this hurdle and lean on us when you need to. We all want to help you get through this because we beleive you can. You have a learning disability and you got your masters degree when people said you couldn't do it. We all believe that you are strong enough to bounce back from this. We all want to help when you want us too. Don't push us away."

She looked at him for a moment and then smiled. "I suppose you're right."

"I know I'm right, I'm always right!"

She laughed at him, "thanks, I needed that."

"No problem, I enjoy knocking sense into people," he said smiling. "Now, why don't I go get JC before he gets too upset."

"Yes, please go get him before I make a bigger fool of myself than I already have."

"You got it," Chris said before kissing her on the forehead. "That is the smartest thing I have heard you say today. I'll go get him."

"Thanks!"

Chris smiled and got up to leave. He shut the door behind him and ran down the hall to the waiting room. "JC, you can see Michelle now."

JC looked up at him in shock, "What? How did you manage it?"

"Don't question it man, just go see her."

JC smiled and got up to leave. He ran towards Michelle's room and stopped outside the door to take a deep breath before walking in.

Chapter 27:

JC slipped througth the door to Michelle's room and stood in the doorway. The bruises around her eyes had deepened in color and she looked exhausted. Michelle turned to look over at him and smiled shyly.

"May I come in?" He asked.

She nodded, "Of course."

He shut the door behind him and slowly walked to her bed to sit down, "How do you feel today?" He wanted to avoid the subject of him being restricted from seeing her.

"Very sore! Just the thought of moving hurts. But, I will be okay."

"I am sorry you are in so much pain. If it is any consolation to you, those black eyes you are sporting make the blue of your eyes stand out."

She laughed a little, "Thanks. Listen, JC, I am sorry I restricted you from visiting me. I was just extremely ashamed of what happened and at myself. I hope you can forgive me."

"Of course, sweetheart. But what made you change your mind?"

"Let's just say that someone made me open my eyes and see what an idiot I was being."

"So, what did Chris actually say to you?"

She smiled, "He just gave me some good advice."

"Well, I have to remember to thank him later then."

"Okay, what is that in your hand?" She asked with curiosity.

He looked down suddenly remembering the charm bracelet. "Oh, I almost forgot. I picked up a little something for you this morning." He handed her the box.

"Why do I have this strange feeling of de' ja vou?"

He smiled as he watched her open the box. It brought him so much joy to see the look on her face.

"JC, it's my bracelet. How did you get it?"

"I made a few phone calls after I left the hospital last night and I went by the jewlery store to pick it up this morning."

She held it in her hand and smiled, "It looks just like my other one."

"Well this one is a little different, a little more special. There is a new charm added to it."

Michelle flipped it over and found the gold rectangle that had 'survivor' inscribed in it. Tears began to form in her eyes, "It's perfect! Thank you so much."

"You're welcome," he said. He leaned over and touched her cheek with the palm of his hand. "I hate to see you hurting because I love you more than words can express."

"I love you too," she said before he leaned over to kiss her. When they broke apart he reached over and gently kissed each bruised eyelid and then the tip of her nose.

"It's good to see you smiling again, I missed seeing that."

"As long as I have you," she said as she laced her fingers with his, "I have every reason to smile."

"Okay, I can't just sit here anymore. I'm going in there," Justin said standing.

Krystine grabbed him by the hand, "Justin, JC needs some alone time with Michelle."

"Well, you know--" he said, "if we don't bust in on them he will never come out. I want to see Michelle before the next millenium."

"Even though you make it sound so melodramatic, I'm with you," Lance said.

They all got up and made their way down the hall to her room. Justin turned the doorknob and walked in, "Hey, we're here!"

JC turned to see their friends walk in, "Hey guys, I forgot you were waiting."

"Thanks a lot," Joey said as he walked to the other side of Michelle's bed. He leaned over to kiss her on top of her head.

"Hey Michelle," Justin said, "I love the way you are applying the eye makeup these days."

Krystine slapped him, "Justin, that's terrible. Michelle can't help it that she has those black eyes!"

"Oh, it's okay. Humor is the best medicine. Just don't make me laugh too hard, it hurts," Michelle said through giggles.

"Then don't let Lance tell a joke, it would take him all day to get you to laugh with the way he tells a joke," Joey said.

"Hey! At least I don't get them last like some people," Lance said looking at JC.

"Okay boys, chill out," Stacy said. "How are you feeling today Michelle?"

"Other than foolish, very sore. Guys, I am so sorry I asked for no visitors. I had a moment where I wasn't thinking straight."

"Don't worry about it," Lance said smiling. "We all have moments like that."

"No hard feelings?" Michelle asked.

"None at all," Chris responded with a wink.

"All right, you have seen her. Now get out of here so we can be alone and she can get some rest," JC said.

Stacy smiled, "Okay okay! We are going to the beach then and leave you two here. See you later." She went to give Michelle a hug.

Chris followed and did the same. As he leaned over, he whispered in her ear, "If you need anything, don't hesitate to get in touch." She nodded and smiled at him, "Thanks."

Joey, Justin, Krystine and Lance all took turns hugging Michelle. Before leaving, Justin turned around and smiled impishly, "Michelle, I really do like the eye makeup."

Krystine walked back in and grabbed him by the arm, "Justin!"

After they had all finally left Michelle said, "How do you live with them in a little tour bus?"

JC smiled, "You get use to them pretty quick." He brought her hand up and kissed it. "So level with me, how much sleep did you get last night?"

Michelle looked down, "Not much actually. I had a couple of nightmares and then I got too afraid to close my eyes."

"Okay then, scoot over," JC said standing up.

"What?"

"Scoot over, careful not to hurt yourself, though."

Michelle shrugged her shoulders and moved over slowly. Once she had gone as far as she could, he crawled in the bed. He put his arms around her, "I will protect you from your bad dreams. Now get some sleep," he said before kissing her on the top of her head. She smiled at him, layed her head back and closed her eyes. Sleep quickly came and nightmares were no where in sight.