Just To See Her

~~~~Chapter 20~~~~


Nick was still sleeping as the plane began its descent to the runway of the Tampa airport. After Kathy had gotten him settled down, she and Bob awkwardly carried him back to his seat. "What happened?" Aaron had asked her, his eyes wide and frightened. Kathy stood and moved to sit beside Aaron. Jane had her nose still immersed in her book. Kathy had a feeling she was too shocked to say anything, after what had just happened. "Well, Nick went through a very scary experience when the plane crashed. And being scared of flying anyway would just make it harder for him." Kathy paused and glanced over at Nick. He was twitching slightly and making small noises, but otherwise seemed to be still sleeping well. "He just had a lot of bad memories to deal with and it upset him when the plane took off." "Oh." Aaron said sadly and then sat quietly for a moment before turning to look at Kathy. "Will he ever be the same old Nick? He yells at me a lot now and he is sad all the time." Kathy almost burst into tears. It was so obvious that Aaron worshiped the ground Nick walked on and didn't know how to deal with his brother having problems. "It will take Nick some time hun." Kathy pulled him into a hug. "Just keep loving him and give him some time and he will be back, okay?"

Kathy requested a wheelchair to be ready for Nick when they landed. "I don't want him walking, even he does wake up." she informed the family. "He will still be groggy and disoriented from the after effects of the drug." She half expected Jane to say something, but she kept silent. Nick started to stir and Kathy kept an eye on him as she gathered her things up. "Where am I?" Nick was slumped in the seat and groaned as he tried to sit up. "What happened?" "You had a little problem with the plane taking off." Kathy smiled at him. "Did I do something stupid?" he moaned. "Not really. It was completely understandable for someone that has been through what you have." "What did I do?" he persisted. "You begged me to get you off the plane and then you went screaming down the aisle." Kathy said bluntly. "I gave you a shot and you fell asleep for the rest of the trip." Nick shook his head. "All I could see were the trees coming at me." he whispered. "I could hear the plane crashing. I felt all the pain again, and the fear." Tears slipped from his eyes and he bent his head into his hands. "I'm sorry Kathy." She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tight, rubbing his back through his jacket. "It happens Nick, you went through a terrifying experience. You won't get over it in a day. There is nothing to be sorry for."

The stewardess tapped Kathy on the shoulder, just as Nick was about to reply. "Your wheelchair will be waiting on the tarmac for you. Can he get down the stairs alright?" "Yes, thank you very much." Kathy waved her off. "Nick, I need you to walk down the stairs, okay? You will probably feel a little dizzy or sick when you stand up. Your dad and I will help you down the stairs and then into the chair." "I'm fine!" Nick protested. "No." Kathy said firmly. "You will be sitting in the chair until we get to the car." "Hmph!" Nick pouted and crossed his arms over his chest. Kathy laughed silently to herself at his childish attempt at attention getting. That was until Jane scurried over and starting fussing over him again. "Damn her!" Kathy thought, frowning to herself. "How is he ever going to be able to do things for himself with her around?"

Just as Kathy had suspected, as soon as Nick stood up in the plane, he swayed dizzily and reached wildly for something to hold on to. "Whoa, what the heck did you give me?" he asked. "Never you mind, because I'm sure you won't need it again. It did the job this time." Bob slipped his arm around Nicks waist and ushered him towards the doorway. "This way son, take it easy okay?" The stairs proved challenging because they were too narrow for Nick and Bob to walk side by side. Kathy stayed behind Nick, with Bob in front and together they navigated him down the steep staircase. Another stewardess rushed over with the wheelchair and Nick collapsed gratefully into it. "Thank you, you were right." he said apologetically. Kathy smiled and rubbed his shoulder. "Years of experience, my friend!" Jane once again assumed her position as chair pusher, so Kathy fell back a step and walked with the Carter children. "Thank you for coming and agreeing to look after Nick." Angel smiled shyly at her. "He can be a handful though, don't let him give you any grief!" BJ laughed. "I can hear you, you know!" Nick called back to them. "Don't be telling Kathy tales about me!" "Nick's a goofball!" Aaron giggled, as he grabbed Kathys hand.

Once again there were what seemed like thousands of fans waiting for Nick at the airport. Kathy peeped her head out of their private room and scanned the crowd. "My God Nick! There are so many people out there!" Nick smiled briefly. "Do I have to go out? I'm still really tired and confused. I just want to get home and into my own bed." "Of course not, honey." Jane murmured, hovering near his shoulder. "We will get you home as soon as we get our luggage." At that moment, a porter wheeled a cart in with all their bags. "Carter family and Westerfield?" he confirmed. "Your limos are waiting at the service exit, we can send a cart to take you there if you wish." "Yes, thank you." Bob replied. "I am going home, to my house, mom and dad. I need to get used to things, right Kathy?" He craned his neck trying to figure out where she was. "I'm over here Nick. Yes, that is a good idea." she paused and noticed Janes furious glare. "But, perhaps your mom could come tonight and show me where things are and get you settled tonight." Nick groaned softly. "Now come on! You are tired and want to sleep and I will need to know where everything is. Just tonight, deal?" He nodded reluctantly. "Deal. Feel better mom? You get to come home with me." Jane smiled triumphantly and hugged her son around the neck.

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