It had been several hours since Abigail collapsed and Marguerite had called for help. Veronica was inside Abigail�s chambers with the healer while everyone else was outside pacing and hoping for good news about Abigail�s health.
Everyone ceased their movements and looked up when they heard the door open revealing Veronica. Her face looked very grim and they feared the worst.
Malone walked over to stand at her side and caught one of her hands and gave her a squeeze of support. �How is she Veronica?�
Veronica drew in a shaky breath and tried uselessly to fight back the tears that already were winning the battle. She used her free hand to wipe them off her face. �She�s slipped into a coma. The healer doesn�t know if she�ll ever regain consciousness because her body was already so weak to begin with. She told me a couple hours ago that she was dying and now this�� She couldn�t fight the tears anymore, Veronica broke down weeping. Malone immediately turned her to him and held her closely as she sobbed into his shoulder. He ran his hand softly through her hair while his other traced soothing circles on her back. He led her to a chair and sat down next to her without letting her go.
The others were shocked as they watched Veronica break down and at the news that Abigail was dying. It was only hours ago that she had welcomed them and she seemed perfectly healthy.
�I don�t understand, Vee. How can your mom be dying?� Finn asked softly.
Veronica sniffed and tried to get her breathing under control. She tried wiping some tears off her face with the back of her hand but gave up. Malone reached into his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to her. �Thank you, Ned.�
She didn�t use it to wipe her face but instead just passed it back and forth between her hands nervously. �After you all went to bed, my mother and I stayed up for a while talking. She told me some things she felt that I needed to know but she saved the part about her dying for last. She said she didn�t have a lot of time left, but that she had enough to stay and help when the time came. Why now, when I finally found her�?� Veronica trailed off as she raised the handkerchief to her eyes and sobbed again.
�I�m so sorry, Veronica.� Marguerite reached out and put her hand on Veronica�s shoulder. �If I had known��
Veronica turned and faced Marguerite. �If you had known what, Marguerite? Just exactly what were you doing with my mother?�
Marguerite took a step back from Veronica in shock. �We were just talking, Veronica. What exactly are you trying to imply?�
�Well my mother was perfectly fine when she left our room and after talking to you for a couple minutes she collapses! You tell me what I should think!�
While Veronica�s words hurt her and angered her a great deal, Marguerite fought back the temptation to lash back. �How about you think that I�m your friend and I would never do anything to harm your mother. I�m just going to assume that you�re too upset to think clearly at the moment.�
�You�� Veronica shook her head and sighed. �I�m sorry, Marguerite, I didn�t��
Marguerite held up her hand. �Don�t worry about it.� She reached for Veronica�s hand and pulled her slowly to her feet. �You are exhausted and you still have a bump on your head, you are going right to bed.�
�But��
�No buts, you�ll thank me in the morning.� Marguerite gave Veronica a brief hug and whispered something in her ear. As they pulled apart, Veronica had a shaky smile on her face. �Now Malone here is going to escort you to my room since I wasn�t planning on sleeping anymore anyways.�
�I am?� Malone nodded his head, �I mean, I am. Come on, Veronica.� He draped one arm around her shoulders as they walked down the hall.
�The poor dear, all of this is such a shock to her.� Summerlee looked at the closed door of Abigail�s room. �I know Abigail wanted more time with Veronica. It�s a shame this had to happen now.�
Challenger rose from his seat where he had been sitting quietly the past few hours. �Arthur! You don�t mean to say you�ve known Abigail was dying this entire time and you didn�t tell us?�
Looking at Summerlee, it would seem he hadn�t changed since that horrible day he fell over the falls. But looking closely, he looked wise beyond his years. �It wasn�t my place to tell, Challenger. While I�ve been here, I�ve learned many things and tried to help where I could, but in the end it�s not up to me is it?�
There was silence for a few moments as his question had an unspoken answer. Summerlee excused himself to go sit with Abigail for a while.
Challenger cleared his throat. �Well, seeing as how it is almost morning, there is no use in going back to bed. I think I will go for a walk.�
�I�ll come with ya, Challenger.� Finn kicked her feet in front of her and got out of her chair. Marguerite and Roxton watched them disappear down the corridor.
�So,� Roxton began as he turned to face Marguerite, �what are you going to do since you�re not going back to bed?�
Marguerite shrugged her shoulders. �I don�t know, probably just take a walk around the city. Maybe watch the sunrise and try to clear my head.�
Roxton offered his arm. �Mind some company?�
�I suppose not.� Marguerite slipped her arm in between his and smiled. �Lead on, Lord Roxton.�
They walked down the hall that led to the door while a pair of watchful eyes slipped back into the shadows and disappeared.