Chapter Eight
Kat walked into the hospital waiting room wearing a red short-skirted business outfit over her tanned arms. Her hair was the same, but had light brown highlights and she was wearing a pair of large 30s style sunglasses. Seeing Whitney at Chad's bedside, she walked into the room and put a hand on her shoulder.
"How's he doing, Whitney?" She asked softly.
"We don't know...I think my sister is at the cafeteria, Kay." Whitney had moved her head to look at Kay but when she finished talking she just looked back at Chad's unconscious figure.
"Sim... Simone?"
Just then Simone walked in with tear stained cheeks and a teddy bear in her arms. "Hey, Kay... Is there any change, Whitney?" Simone asked sadly and Whitney shook her head. Kat snapped and ran to her former best friend and engulfed her in a big hug.
"Hi, Simone!" She said happily enough to raise suspicion.
"Kay, come with me out to the hallway." She said dragging Kat into the hallway. "Okay, what'd you do to her?"
"Do to who? Do you like my outfit? Ivy took me shopping. What happened to Chad so that he's in the hospital. " Kat rambled, happy to have her best friend back.
"Okay, in that order. What did you do to Charity? Yes, I like the outfit. It makes you look more mature than you act which is ten years old. Ivy CRANE took you shopping?! And you know darn well that stupid Whitney was walking along thinking about tennis and a ton of stuff was going to fall on her, but Chad pushed her out of the way and it's all her fault he's in there. If she would've been looking where she was going, he'd be mine right now and inviting me to the prom, no matter if my mom does hate him." Simone growled out.
"You want Chad to take you to the prom? What about-- I mean, okay." Kat stumbled over her words. In her mind she was trying to figure out how to get Simone away from Chad so he and Whitney could get together like on her world. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Chad waking up and seeing Whitney, then pulling her in for a kiss. "Simone, let's go donate some blood. Then we can get community service for school and Chad will think you're really sweet for being so nice and caring for other people." Simone reluctantly agreed and allowed Kat to drag her to the Red Cross desk set up in the waiting room.
~*~
Sher ran into Julian's office, thankful that Julian was gone. Where would evidence be? The desk! She knew she had some time because she weaved around the house and lost Luis, but he'd turn up soon. Digging around the drawers she came upon one that was stuck. Luis came in and she kept pulling on the drawer. He put his arms around her waste and helped her pull and they both went flying backwards.... The mask laying on the floor next to Luis's face and Sheridan on top of Luis. "Oh, my God.. My brother is so dead!" She picked up the mask and showed Luis.
"You should've trusted me." He said getting off the floor. "I'm putting a warrant out for Julian Crane. Impersonating an officer is a federal offense."
"Luis, I'm sorry... for my family, for not thanking you for being there for me no matter what I did or said to you. I'm sorry." She turned away defeated and tried to think of a new plan.
"Sher, you thought I had used you and didn't want to give me the satisfaction of knowing you were hurting.... I know you're a stubborn, spoiled princess, but I'm going to protect you whenever I think you're in danger. I mean, you are SO stubborn. In paris, I had to shut you up with an apple and then at the ca-" Sher decided that she had to shut him up. This Luis was way too annoying so she kissed him... a kiss that put the Boston Jail kiss to shame. Suddenly, the clock dinged six times and donged six times. "
"It's noon! I have to go. Hey, you're my bodyguard. You better come too." She grabbed him by the wrist, picked up her purse and ran out the door.
~*~
Ethan noticed Tree faint, but he was too close to passing out himself to help her. "You are in love.... with Hank Bennett?" He asked incredulously.
"We've been together since high school. Did you really expect to get married to me and we'd have kids when I haven't even dated anyone else? Oh, you did.... that's so cute. I mean, it was interesting when I thought Theresa was after you. I had a goal. Now, it's just too easy.
Besides, the Bennetts are one of the oldest families in town and they will give us a lot of leverage when we try out hostile take-over so Daddy's very happy. He's so quaint and, well, he's not you. Maybe I'll see you around town though. You're just too... stable for me. I need fun in my life. You're money kept me with you this long but the money's gotta run out sometime." She patted his cheek. "Bye now." She left stepping over the unconscious Tree like she stepped over a roll in the rug.
"Theresa? Theresa?" He lightly shook her.
"Ethan, I had the strangest dream... You were engaged to Gwen and she just professed her love for Hank Bennett and-" Tree started in a daze.
"It was all true. I loved Gwen, but she was right. It was a bore with her. I don't know why I stayed with her that long. I'm glad I have a friend like you here with me." He hugged her.
"I'll always be here for you Ethan... Whatever you need... from a shoulder to cry on or..." She pulled away and looked into his eyes.
"Do you remember the magic plant, Theresa?" She nodded, not knowing what else to do. "Do you think it works? That whoever you're with when you smell its scent, you fall instantly in love with them?"
"No, it didn't make me fall in love with you when I smelled it.. " She stood up off the floor and tried to hide her tears. "I already was in love with you. I have to go now. I have an appointment. Good-bye Ethan Benn- Crane." She walked out the door calmly and went towards the hospital.
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