Voldemort Had Kittens

On a sleepy afternoon in the town of Alexandra Gareth Dunham saunters up to Earthcakes Bakery and sees his boss, the fire chief "Hey Cap. Great minds eh?" He gestures at the bakery and then looks back at the lady in the hat and grins at her "Hello."

Hank.Stanley gets out of the red golf cart that serves as a FD car and chuckles. "Dunham. How you doin, son?" he looks at the lady in the hat and nods. If he had a hat, he would have tipped it.

Oshi Shikigami smiles at the two gentlemen, and looks to see if they are going inside.

Gareth Dunham opens the door for the lady, grandly "After you Miss."

Hank Stanley nods at his fireman in approval and waits for the lady to enter.

Oshi.Shikigami  "Why thank you sir." Oshi smiles.

Gareth Dunham follows her in, but holds the door for Hank "Captain...." He looks into the counter after "Hmm chocolate or chocolate..."

Oshi.Shikigami: Well, if you like cupcakes at all, their chocolate ones, are 'to die for' Oshi mentions nonchalantly...

Hank Stanley walks in and nods. "Thank you, Dunham." he intones and waits slightly behind the two as Zilpha comes out smiling at them all. "Ladies first." she reminds them bellying up to the cash register and wiping it clean. "Can I help you ... oh you've been here before haven't you?" she asks the woman. Hank looks at Dunham. "By the way. Dunham, I have you cooking next shift. Speaking of chocolate."

Oshi.Shikigami: Well I want a half dozen of the chocolate cupcakes, and if it is not too early, I would like a pumpkin pie for Halloween?

Gareth Dunham gives the small lady a little smirk "To die for? If you faint...I'll have to resuscitate you." he teases with a little wink.

Hank Stanley watches as Zilpha nods, already bending down for the cupcakes. "I already have several ... October it is Thanksgiving then Halloween so plenty of pumpkin pies." she boxes the cupcakes and turns to the fridge where she pulls out a pumpkin pie.. As she boxes it, she looks at Gareth but speaks to the woman. "Lets call it 20 shall we?And the firemen here are top notch ... if a little flirtacious." but her eyes move to Hank. Hank is looking at Gareth. "In other words, we can expect delivery from you ... again." he shakes his head, as if he doesn't know what to do with the boy. Zilpha giggles. "And for you?" she asks Gareth.

Oshi.Shikigami: Well, at least it would be from a trained specialist... I could be worse, I suppose? Oshi chuckles a real laugh.

Gareth Dunham nods at Zilpha and glances back to Hank "Maybe I'll bring them some treats then. Zilpha, can I get some of those to die for cupcakes to, a dozen...but one to sample now please."

Hikari Horatio walks up the counter.. 'excuse moi, i zink i call in a order for a cake.. 'he says softly

Hank Stanley grins as Gareth replies to Zilpha who grins at him. "Cupcakes, eh? None of my phallic doughnuts?" she looks at Zilpha and replies. "Let's cal it twenty-TWO." she then looks at Hank. "Chief Stanley? She smiles at him and blinks. he looks at her. "A lemon loaf, I think Mrs Ainsworth. Please." he replies. Zilpha nods and looks at the new man. Welcome back professor. What kind of cake?" she asks, bending to get Gareth's cupcakes and handing one to him directly.

Oshi.Shikigami  Oh my, Monsure' Hikari Horatio san, Oshi says in on breath, almost. Good to see you again. She smiles, your student is pleased with your teaching, and wants you to know, although busy across the waves, she is studying studiously for your classes.

Gareth Dunham takes the cupcake with a wink at Zilpha "That you M'Lady." He glances at the one she calls professor and drinks in the awareness of his accent and then looks past him unabashedly to Oshi and licks some icing off the top of his cupcake before saying "Lemon loaf?" with a bit of a face.

Hank Stanley watches as Zilpha packs up his lemon cake. Zilpha slides Gareth's box over to him. "Ten, young man." and moves to Oshi again. "Ma'am, that will be Twenty-five dollars." Hank arches a brow and glances at Gareth moment. He replies. "Hey, the men like hers better than mine." he sighs dramatically. "But I have to admit .. it is." Zilpha beams. "Seven dollares for you Chief." she almost gushes and Hank pays her immediately.


Hikari Horatio smiles at Oshi and then to Zilpha bow his head graciously 'hello ... yes that cake i called .. hmm .. lets me look..' he looks at a pink slip of paper adjust his glasses. .. 'oh yes double chocolate ' he says softly

Tamela.Douglas walks by, looking around unsure and then down at her phone muttering "OK Fire Station then.."


Hank Stanley counts out seven dollars and sets it on the counter, then watches Zilpha smile at this professor type. Probably some kind of teacher at the Academy. She goes in the back and comes out before the door has even closed with a cake box. "Double chocolate, Professor. That will be ten dollars." she looks at Oshi, a bit exasperated. "And that's twenty-seven dollars, ma'am." she looks at hank, taking his money. "Thank you, sir."

Oshi peals off a few colors from her rainbow pack of cash bills, thank you very much for your lovely food, it is greatly appreciated. Oh hey prof, would you like some company for Halloween? Just thinking. of course.

Gareth Dunham keeps licking his cupcake and then starts to peel it and eat it and makes a happy food "Mmmm" with closed yes "Oh yeah Zilpha....that's chocolaty." He watches the exchanges casually with Hank, the professor and the woman the professor called Oshi. Did he hear that right? And then just casually stands and eats, waiting for his order. He chuckles a bit when Oshi says Halloween in this town.


Hikari Horatio pats his self down checking all of his pocket before finding his wallet and getting the money out before dropping all of it and the contents of his wallet out.. he bends over to pick it all up..'excuse.. moi.. ill get it ' he say with red cheeks.. he looks up to her as he scramble to pick up the content .. 'Halloween i did zink zey did that here. its all ready looking like Christmas here."

Tamela.Douglas strides in and steps over the man fumbling for something. She nods to the fireman in uniform and a woman who looks familiar, like she may have seen her back home She holds up her phone and scans the room and then puts it beside Gareth's face "Gareth right? Your Facebook picture is slightly obscene. Keys. I'm Megan's sister."

Hank Stanley gives Zilpha a look as she puts the cash in the register. He shakes his head at her, a little disbelieving, but he will wait. He takes his cake box. "We don't." he replies, sternly. "It's against every municipal code in Alexandra, ma'am." he sighs and looks again at Zilpha, who looks back at him placidly. "Mrs. Ainsworth...." he seems to be encouraging. With a huff, Zilpha goes in the register and takes out seven dollars and drops it on the counter, looking almost like a child who got caught doing something mean. He takes it in his hand and holds it out to Oshi when the woman walks in. He looks at Gareth with arched eyebrows .. like a cross between father and boss.

Oshi.Shikigami: Well no pressure prof, But if you wish, you can spend whatever time you wish on that night with me and a few friends, having a good time with no serious party, just a relaxed time together, Just let me know by a few days ahead, so I can be sure we have enough for all? Oshi smiles.Love to have you, but everyone has things going then."  Oshi seems a bit perplexed as she is handed money, and flushing slightly she says, Perhaps I do not understand? what?

Gareth looks the woman holding out her phone at him right up and down with a huge grin "You most certainly are. And Facebook stalking me? I can think of better ways to get to know me."

Hikari Horatio grabs his cash and card and pocket them in his wallet before sheepishly putting his cash on .the counter 'that is a school night i don't zink i can i have to watch the dorms.. 'he say sadly 'ozerwise i would have love to he blushes.. "

Tamela.Douglas  looks completely repulsed "Ugh...no...just fuckin don't already. I didn't know what you look like and you're on Megan's Facebook friends....just keys...no flirting. Gah..." She rolls her eyes and focuses on the other people in the room as if she has to endure this guy.

Hank Stanley watches as Zilpha completely ignores Oshi in favor of the newcomer woman. "Can I help you, Miss." she aske all friendly old lady. Hank turns to Oshi. "I think Mrs. Ainsworth overcharged you by this amount." he lens forward a bit and lowers his voice. "That's what happens when you get old like us." then he straightens and turns to Gareth. "Not ANOTHER one?" he says, looking at the young lady. "Damn it, Dunham." he sounds exasperated.

Oshi.Shikigami: Oh my? well then... Oshi takes the remaining "extra" cash, and lays it on the counter. Her face is beat red, and she picks up her already packaged goods, and turns to the door. She says as leaving. Donate it to the uh, fire department, or...  um something, then. And heads hurriedly out the door.

Gareth Dunham just laughs at the rejection "Well it was worth a try." He fishes out the Brate house keys and passes them to Megan's sister "Can I at least ask your name or do I have to look you up on Facebook too?" He smiles at his chief "It's all good."

Hikari Horatio watches as she runs out . 'mademoiselle ' he say as she leave. he picks up his box blinking frozen and pink cheek 'ill go check on her ..'he say softly to no one then he gets a text looking pain and confused on what to do ..'Zut' he says softly, cursing in French.

Tamela.Douglas  sees the woman run out , hears the French guy's concern and then looks back to Gareth and the man in uniform "Tamela."

Hank Stanley looks at Zilpha as she grins. "Don't you get mad because you miss YOUR fire groupie days." she chides, as if missing the whole overcharging thing. "I remember when you were new here, Chief Stanley. Why hey still call you Captain I will never know." she moves to the counter and, without looking at the Chief, puts the cash back in the register. Hank sighs, watching the woman leave and then returns his attention to Gareth and the woman. "Well, thank goodness for THAT." he nods at the woman now. "Chief Hank Stanley." he watches the keys change hands. He nods at her. "A pleasure ma'am." his manners are .. well like his age ,. old.

Hikari Horatio walks out .. wave 'merci,, au revoir' he say softly as he look at phone and whacks into the close door before opening an head off to work

Gareth Dunham winces slightly as the French man hits the door. He lets go of the keys and then his eyes go wide "Uh Tamela...there's something you should know about the house.....about the cats..."

Hank Stanley arches his brows. "Ohhhh .. your Megan's sister." he realizes.

Tamela.Douglas  looks annoyed, like Gareth's keeping her there longer than he needs to. She smiles politely at the Captain though and returns his formality "Officer Douglas of the CPPD. Good to meet you Sir." She sighs loudly at Gareth "Yeah, they have a lot of cats...I get it....my sister and her little creatures...what is is 4 or something now?"

Gareth looks a little awkward "Well it's 4 more...on top of the 5 they already have. Voldemort had kittens."

Tamela.Douglas  looks like she's trying not to laugh "Does JK Rowling know? I'm assuming this is a cat. Megan and her Harry Potter mania...4 more?" She scrutinizes Gareth "YOU haven't told them have you?"

Hank Stanley 's blue eyes twinkle and crinkle with mirth. "Oh ... please ... Adum is going to stroke out now." but he is clearly amused. The cats are Island legend.

 Gareth shrugs "Well they've been busy. I didn't want to add to the stress....and it JUST happened....yesterday. They seem healthy. I asked my roommate...she's a midwife. She said just let them be and put out food and water for the mother. Voldemort is aptly named and a little volatile. You can't really get near her so steer clear of the dresser maybe. They're in the bottom drawer."

Tamela.Douglas face palms and can't help but chuckle. She looks at Hank and back at Gareth "You guys realize I'm here to get Megan clothes right? Which are probably in...the fucking dresser full of cats who should not be named."

Hank Stanley shakes his head. "Welcome to Alexandra, Tamela. We just stopped getting cats out of trees, but the midwife handles any and all mammals." he raises a brow. "I can loan you some turn-out gear. It might help." he offers with the usual small town generosity.

 Gareth Dunham nods and gestures to Hank now, looking a bit intimidated by Tamela "Yes that...what he said..."

Tamela.Douglas  glares at Gareth and then smiles at Hank "Thank you. I'll give it a try."

Hank Stanley chuckles. "And how about I give you a ride." he additionally offers. "Gareth, you can come with. Since you are the bearer of such good news, the least you can do is help the chief's sister-in-law." he considers. "She can use one of the smaller turn-out outfits. You aren't busy this afternoon?" he arches his brows in a manner that says Gareth CLEARLY is not in the least busy and would be thrilled to help ...

Gareth Dunham's eyes go wide for a second and then he sighs "Well the other cats do know me at least and I will keep taking care of them all. But Tamela....would you...tell them...maybe in person is best?"

Tamela.Douglas smiles wryly at Chief Stanley's order and then looks over Gareth like she's assessing how to take him down in a hand to hand combat. She gets right in his face now and says "Oh I'll tell them...and I'll let them know you forgot to mention it. Let's go pretty boy." She turns and walks out, waiting for Hank to lead the way.

Hank Stanley looks evenly at Gareth. Hank is a firm believer that a fireman is always a fireman, just like a cop is always a cop and a bartender is always a bartender. He watches Tamela and turns after her. "I like her." he announces. "Come on, Fireman." and he follows.

Gareth Dunham and the Order of the Felines

Gareth Dunham arrives at the Brate house, grabs the mail from the post box, lets himself in with the spare key, and takes off his shoes. He was there to care for the cats, all 5 of them. Sparkles greeted him at the door like an old friend, bumping him and rubbing at his leg as he set his shoes on the mat.

“Hey Sweetie.” Gareth cooed and gave her a good chin scratching.

He takes the small pile of mail to the kitchen where he’s been gathering it on a shelf. Several floral arrangements had arrived over the week from well meaning but misinformed well wishers. Gareth had been texting pictures of them to Megan as they would not survive the length of Adum’s hospital stay. He was awake now though and the visits to the cats didn’t feel as emotional. Gareth was so relieved he stepped over a bunch of raffia bow on the floor and then crunched his foot into broken glass and a small puddle. One of the cats had knocked over one of the flower vases, more likely it was a specific pair of them. Gareth backed his foot off the glass and followed the trail of raffia to two orange tabbies kicking some more around and chasing it all over the dining room; Fred and George of course. Up on the dining room table staring down on the pair with disdain was clever old Minerva, a grey tabby, just like in the film.

Gareth looked at all three in exasperation but spoke directly to Minerva “Professor, why didn’t you put them in detention?” He laughs at himself as Minerva just yawns and curls up in a cat ball in an ebbing sunbeam from the window.

“Oh I see…it’s like that is it?”

He trudges to the broom and dustpan for the glass and floral debris and then soaks up the water with a dishtowel. He fills the food and water and puts the dishtowel on top of the washing machine. He scoops the litter box and then does one last walk around. There’s one cat he has not encountered yet, Voldemort. This one is very aptly named and Gareth is quite fine with the idea of not running into him. He’s a large dark grey fluffy mass of malice. Gareth tiptoes up the stairs and peers carefully into each room as he passes the doorways. It’s quiet, too quiet. Sometimes Voldemort likes to sleep in the bathtub so he wanders into the bathroom and peers behind the shower curtain. Nope. There’s a scratching sound coming from the master bedroom followed by tiny little mews. Gareth frowns wondering if Voldemort is somehow injured.

He heads back to that bedroom that he had just sort of glanced in and pinpoints the noise to the dresser, the bottom drawer, which is ajar. Gareth mutters “Ugh, you’ll get the clothes all hairy you vicious little shit.”

Gareth yanks on the handles and pulls the drawer open causing a loud warning hiss but followed again by the mewing. But the mewing is not from Voldemort. Four grey kittens are snuggled up to the big cat, nursing. Gareth winces “Oh they got that wrong….I guess you’re just so fluffy down there and who would dare look twice.” He smiles at the kittens because despite their nasty mother, they are…kittens after all. The whole family is on top of a drawer full of slightly familiar looking bunched up sweaters, specifically every sweater owned by Adum Brate.

Awake, Fair Prince

Kitty Carmichael lay on the couch of the furnished apartment in Greenwood Park. The apartment belonged to the hospital and was for people who had long term patients in the hospital. Granted, there were rules. For example, Megan would not have been able to stay at this place had she not been married to Adum. But she qualified for the place and Kitty was able to talk them into the two bedroom, so that she could stay with her friend.

Megan hadn't been asking many questions about how all of this had been made possible. Kitty had taken her out shopping, as the only clothes she had were destroyed by her husbands blood. Telling her to just not worry had helped, and worry about Adum had as well.

Their business was now being taken care of by the small temp staff Kitty hired, in order to keep the money coming in. And again, Kitty had not been asked hos they had managed all of this.

But Kitty suspected, once Adum was better, the questions would come.

For now, she lay on the couch reading a slash werewolf novel and finishing her modest delivery breakfast. Neither she nor Megan were much in the kitchen, although Kitty insisted that her skills at microwave reheating should count for something.

Megan had been crying in the shower again. Kitty might have even heard it. She had so rarely showered alone before Adum went into the hospital. It was a thing with her and Adum. Sometimes a sex thing and sometimes just sweet. But she missed him and it felt so cold in this one by herself. Every day she told herself she wouldn't cry, and everyday she cried. It had been eight of those days.She came out from the bathroom dressed in clothes that had replaced her trashed ones and wearing no makeup. She just couldn't be bothered. It was weird for her though since she always wore it. She didn't fuss with her hair either, just scooped it into a wet ponytail. She noticed the book and shrugged. Kitty was always reading it seemed. She smelled the food and considered it and then just sat down on the couch quietly.

Kitty glances up and sees it all . no make up, no attention to her hair. Actually, she thinks Megan looks incredible without make-up and she knows Adum does too. After she sits on the couch, Kitty picks up the plate and brings it over. "One piece of bacon, a forkful of eggs and one piece of toast." she insists. It's been like this for 8 days now, but Kitty found out fast that she didnt mind making her friend take care of herself. "Then we can go to the hospital and see your hunk." she tries to make it sound like an adventure, but she knows Megan is probably worried that Adum hasn't come out of his coma yet.

Megan gives Kitty a weak smile and complies with the eating, mechanically almost. She barely tasted it. Life had lost it's substance while she waited for Adum. After she ate she looked at Kitty with some gratitude. She knew she was no picnic right now to care for. "Thanks."


Kitty smiles as Megan eats. "You're welcome." she takes the plate and moves back towards the dining room to get her own. "I don't want Adum pissed at me when he wakes up because I let you waste away on him." she goes into the kitchen to wash up the few dishes. Technically she knew she didn't have to. There was full on maid service here, to give the families that much more free time. But it gave her something to do, so she did it. Heading back into her bedroom, she grabs a pony tail holder that matches her jeans and sweatshirt and puts her mane in a pony tail. Then she heads back out. Grabbing a small bag, she tosses in a couple of books and looks at Megan. "Ready? It's almost time for them to open the gates." she quips. Most of her jokes are falling flat, but she isn't giving up.

Aine Stone walks into ICU-4 with a smile on her face. "Good morning, Mr Brate." she calls, cheerfully, as if the patient were wide awake and aware. "Let's see how you're doing." she runs through what has become her morning routine, checking bandages and making any notes for the doctor. So far, nothing out of the ordinary. As normal a coma as you could hope for. Moving to the IV, she looks it up and down, making sure it is working flawlessly. When she looked back at him, her basic smile widened.

The patient's eyes were open.

Megan gives a derisive laugh and rolls her eyes "I do love you Kitty. I know you're trying." She follows along, going through the motions of the routine. They arrive at the ICU desk and Megan gets ready to go through the usual greetings and requests, thinking nothing has changed.

Kitty hugs Megan. "I have to help my kindred spirit." she explains, ready to go. They get to the ICU and the place seems more alive. They are greeted by a nurse named Gretchen, who has always been one of the bitchier nurses. Felt like she stood at the door with a stop watch timing Megans visits. "Mrs Brate. Miss Carmichael, please wait in the waiting room." she motions in that direction, as if they couldn't find the place on their own after 8 days of the same thing.

Aine stands beside Adum, assisting Susan as she examines the patient. He had not said a word, but seemed to recognize Susan.

Susan smiles, cheerfully as she examines Adum. He's all in the green. She had been at the desk while Aine examined him and come running when she called for her. Now she looked down at him. "Welcome back." she began. "Can you hear me?"

Adum looks up at the women and frowns. He knows her. He's sure of it. "Yes." he croaks, his voice hurting a little bit. It is hoarse.

Not using his voice for over a week, Susan isnt surprised to hear how rough it is. But his answering her told her two things. He could hear and he could talk. She takes out her penlight. "Follow this." he turns his head left and right. "Now just with your eyes." he does that and her smile twitches, but she maintains her professionalism.

Adum does as the woman tells him. "Where ...." he begins.

Susan smiles at the word. "You're in the hospital, Adum. What do you remember? The last thing?"

Adum looks at her and thinks back. He feels slow, almost half asleep. Thinking back he tries to remember .. anything. "Shower...." he rasps and turns his head towards the door. "With my ... wife?" he begins to look for her.

Susan nods. So he remembers he is married. Good. "She's here." she confirms. "Can you tell me your full name?" he remembered he was married, but if the last thing he remembers is a shower, there was still a gap of several hours in his memory.

Adum hears the question. "I'm ... he considers. "Adum ... Colm ... B ... Brate." it took him a minute to remember it.

Susan smiles and nods. "Right. Great. You mentioned your wife. What's HER name, Adum?"

He looks towards the door again. "Spar ...." he stops mid word. That wasn't right. He looks back at the doctor. "Meg ... Megan ...." he looks relieved. "Megan Brate." it almost didn't come to him. "What happened to me .... Doctor ...." he looks at her closely, trying to remember her name.

Susan notices he almost gets the name wrong. Could be a problem there. And he doesn't seem to be able to come up with her name and they'd know each other twelve years. "Yes. Megan is your wife's name." she considers covering her name on her lab coat, as she asks him. "And you know me. Doctor ...." she urges him to try again.

Adum looks at her and blinks. "Blurry...." he tries to make out the name on the coat and can't. "You're .... Doctor .... Doctor ...." he bites his lip. "Mac. Mac.... Ken ..." he smiles. "McKinney .... um ... S ... it starts with an S .... sparkles? No ... Sparkles ... is ... a ...." he frowns in concentration. "A cat ...." he remembers. "Can I see my wife? Megan? And .. what happened?" he raises his left arm and touches his bandaged head, wincing as the IF digs into him strangely.

Susan begins to look at his eyes with her pen light when he mentions things are blurry. "Aine, get an optometrist up here STAT." she murmurs as she straightens and looks at Adum as he tries to recall her name. "Pretty good." she tells him. "I'm Doctor McKinney. The S is right too, but no ... Sparkles is your cat." she doesn't tell him how many pets he has. "I'm going to go talk to your wife and bring her in here, alright?" she notes Adum raised his left arm to touch his head and makes a note of it. "Don't move." she winks at him and heads for the door.

Adum turns his head and watches her go.

Megan frowns at Nurse Gretchen but complies. She turns around and gives Kitty an irritated look about the woman but then walks to the waiting room looking completely anxious about the activity and energy of the space "Something's up Kitty. I don't know if it's good or bad..."

Kitty goes into the waiting room, after giving Gretchen an appropriate glare. She was scared to give the woman the telling off she deserved, because the nurse could ultimately keep Megan from seeing Adum and that would be just too tragic. Nodding at Megan's words, she looks out of the waiting room door, as if she could see anything, which of course, she can't. She can't even make herself sit.

Susan walks down to the ICU waiting room and sees Megan and Kitty. She moves up to them. "Adum's regained consciousness." she announces, and lets that sink in before she gives them the details.


Megan sees Susan coming and has a look of dread. At her words it shifts to elation and then she bursts into tears, her breathing wracking. It's a mix of fear and relief. She wants him back, lucid, awake, with her in the world. But she knows and she's been warned all week that a head injury can change a person. What if he's awake but a shell of his former self? What if he doesn't know her? She fights to get her breath back to normal and just looks at Susan with all the questions burning in her eyes, unable to verbalize a single one effectively.

Kitty listens and, while she doesn't burst into tears, she realizes they are there, leaking down her face. Her week had been full of her own kinds of fears. Two of her lovers ... two of her best friends ... worked in dangerous jobs. If something happened to them like this .... she didn't know what she would do. Even handling stress differently than Megan, she knew there would be several different things .. not the least of which is not being allowed to see them, because of their legal status. Shoving Gareth and Sam aside, she, too, listens to the doctor.

Motioning to the seats, Susan encourages the women to sit. Joining them, she looks at Megan. "He can hear and he can talk." she explains. "When I asked him his last memory, however, he replied that it was a shower with his wife." she doesn't blush, she's better than that. "Which means his memory wasn't going right up to the shooting. Also, when I asked for his name and your name, he had a bit of a problem recalling them, so there is some memory .... lag. He pulled the names out, but it wasn't easy for him." she grins then, which might surprise them. "He almost used the name Sparkles a couple of times ... that's your cat, isn't it?" she knew they had at least two cats, but that Megan seemed to attract them. Fortunately she seemed particular about which cats she adopted into the Brate household.

Megan laughs through her tears "Yes Sparkles is one of our cats....hopefully the rest aren't a shock later." She wipes at her face, smiling in relief "Can I see him Doctor McKinney?"

Kitty can't help but giggle at the Sparkles reference. It was somehow very sweet. Sniffing, she listens for more.

Susan loves the relief in these cases. "Well, I don't know how bad the memory loss is. The bullet didn't cause as much damage as it could have, but there may be a few things that change." she doesn't want to alarm her. "One thing is, he went to touch his bandages, but used his left hand. Now I know Adum to be right handed, so the IV was put in his LEFT arm. That is most comfortable to put the IV in the off arm." she raises a finger. "Now if he is suddenly left handed, that can effect a few things in his recovery, but ..." she shrugs. "If he continues to do well, we can have him in a regular bed by tomorrow." she stands. "Yes, you may see him. I would like to visit as well, just to observe him, if that's alright."

Megan nods vigorously "Of course it is. Thank you Doctor, thank you so much." Megan looks eager to go to Adum after a look of relief at Kitty too "He's awake..." Quiet tears spill over her smiling face. And from what the Doc said, it sounds like he is Adum, her Adum.

Kitty smiles and feels full of joy. Just seeing Megan after 8 days of .... her worry.

Susan motions for them to follow. When they enter ICU-4, they find one doctor leaving. She pauses long enough to tell Susan that he will be seeing Adum later in the day for an eye exam, but that he thinks it may be a passing thing. Then she walks in, but says nothing, simply going to a place she can watch Adum as he meets with his wife and friend.

Adum turns his head and smiles when he sees Megan. "Hey, you." he is still a little confused. He raises his left hand to her and says, a little guiltily. "I'm in a hospital."

Megan nods with a quiet sob as she walks to Adum, carefully taking his left hand after it drops "Hey you." she gets out in a strained whisper. She hugs his arm to her and kisses his hand like she's been afraid she never would again.

Kitty stands to the side, feeling incredibly happy. She had also been afraid Adum would never wake up ... and then what? Now ... it doesn't matter. He is awake and he recognizes is wife. That's all that matters.

Susan watches as Megan moves to take his left hand. It's the happy endings that make her job so rewarding.

Adum smiles as his hand is kissed. "Wow ..." he looks at her and to her she is incredibly beautiful. "Have I been here long? Did you hit me on the head with a pan or something for being ..." he frowns, as if he can't remember why she might want to hit him. "Annoying?" he settles on, hoping that will come to him like the names. He looks at the other woman for along time. "You're ..." he pauses again. "Cat .... it's Cat, right?" he asks. "You're Megan's ... her friend." he nods, sure he has some of it right, at least.

Megan can't help but laugh "I didn't hit you on the head with a pan Adum "You've been here 8 days....and this is...Kitty. Kitty Carmichael." She's really hoping more starts coming back to him but she's not going to push him. Still hugging his hand she looks over to Susan with the question "Does he know anything?" written all over her face. She's afraid to cause any kind of regress. The brain is a complicated thing. She doesn't need to be a doctor to know that.

Kitty laughs. "She's been tempted, I think." she adds. "But she hasn't yet." she smiles at him. Shrugging she grins. "Close enough." she glances at Susan as well.

Susan grins and chuckles a bit at what Adum is saying, but she looks at Adum, the question Megan is not quite asking in her own mind. "Adum, can you tell us about yourself?" she asks. "It doesn't have to be a long drawn out life story. I just want to know what you remember and what you haven't .... yet." she smiles encouragingly.

Adum arches his brows. "Eight DAYS?" he looks concerned. Then the doctor speaks and he considers. "I ... I was born in Alexandra, British Columbia." he begins. "My parents are divorced ... wait ... they are but .. my mother ... committed suicide." he frowns. "After the divorce, I went back and forth ... for a long time. Weekends with Dad. In Cedar Point." he squeezes Megan's hand. "Thats where I met you." he inhales as if hit by a memory. "And Ryan ... Yak .. no Yamada." he nods, pleased he can remember. "Then there was college. And military. And ... I'm a cop." its almost like he is just realizing this himself. "Cedar Point PD .. at first." he frowns. "I liked that job, but wasn't happy." he looks concerned. More unhappiness. "Then I quit and I came back to Alexandra. I ... wow .. I'm the youngest police chief in Alexandra history." he laughs, amused. "Megan and I just got married." he still looks confused. "I've loved her for ... years and years but we only JUST got married .. like .. last week." he blinks. "And I remember the shower ... and ... and there was cake ... at the shop .... and ..." he begins to frown. "A silent alarm .... the ... the pharmacy .... I ... told the suspects ... to lower their weapons .... but .... after that ... " his eyes grow big. "Someone shot me, didn't they?" he is sure of it, and a little upset.

Megan listens and squeezes his hand back as he talks about Cedar Point and their story and then looks up to Susan and nods at Adum "Yeah, someone shot you, in the head. You were in a comma. I was afraid...." she breaks off as her throat closes and then she swallows hard and squeaks out "But you're OK..." she smiles again as more tears fall.

Kitty listens, still smiling. He seems to have the gist of it, at least. She watches Megan cry and moves to pat her on the back. "We were all afraid."

Susan nods to herself as Adum speaks. She has known him for a dozen years or so and knows there are gaps that should be in his highlights that seem to be missing. But for the most part, he seems to have most of his memories. The bulk of them. And within half an hour, he's remembered up to the shooting. "She's right. You were shot in the head. Had surgery and .. you came out of your coma when we were hoping you would. Within ten days." she lifts a cautionary finger. "You're back .. and now we can see just how fast we can get you out of here."

Adum listens and lays his head back a bit. "What happened to the suspects? Did they get away?" he remembers .. the last thing he remembers .. was preparing to shoot the suspect, because he felt the suspect was going to shoot him.

Megan feels Kitty's comforting pat and eases her stance. She smiles at Susan's words before answering Adum "OK I'm not one of your officers but I have parts of it. The guy who shot you was named Colin Rankin. He's dead. You shot him at about the same time as he fired on you. The other guy ran and stole a speedboat to leave the island. I don't know if they know his name yet. Don't overwhelm yourself with work though Adum...we just you back."

Kitty watches over Megan's shoulder as she fills Adum in, just drinking in the look of a conscious Adum ... even with a feeding tube up his nose, he looks hot.

Susan watches her patient as his wife fills him in. She isn't sure Megan should have delivered that news, but ... water under the bridge.

Adum listens to Megan, and his face seems to drain .. its a professional face. "Colin ... Rankin." he frowns a little. "Oh hell ... that's ... that's ... " he can't come up with the name he wants. "That's Ryan's sisters ex .... his nephews father, right?"" he blows out a breath. "Are they okay? Man..." he tightens his grip on Megan's hand. And in a near whisper. "I killed a man."

A nurse comes in then. "It's been ten minutes."

Susan turns to face the nurse. "They're fine, Gretchen."

Gretchen visibly tenses. "Very well, Doctor." she sniffs and turns to leave, huffily.

Megan nods gravely "I'm sorry. I probably should have waited until you felt better to get into all this." She reaches out and gently slides a hand over one side of his face "Adum, he didn't give you any choice. I think Ryan and Stephanie will be fine once they know you're going to be too." Megan looks back and notices Kitty gazing at Adum as she's about to give Nurse Gretchen another death glare. She blinks at Kitty and then turns back to Adum "No more work talk. Dr. McKinney said you remember Sparkles." She changes the subject with a sweet smile "All our cat babies are being fed and cared for by Gareth. He sends his...love....lust maybe depending on the day, but he does like cats."


Kitty's gaze turns to the nurse, who she beats severely in her mind before the Doctor gives them a reprieve.

Susan shrugs. "It had to come out sooner or later." she looks at Adum. "It's SOP anyway, but now that you're awake, someone from Psychiatry will come visit you ... you know thats the drill in any shooting." she grins as Megan expertly changes the subject. "He remembers I am NOT Sparkles ... that's all I really care about." she teases.

Adum nods, solemnly. "Yea. I know its procedure. THAT much I remember." he sighs and comes back when Megan mentions Sparkles. "Gareth .... he has a crush on me. Has for ... ever." he chuckles to himself. "Wait .. how many cats do we have?" he frowns wondering if he's missed something. 'All' sounds like more than two. He remembers he loves cats, but who was he forgetting.

Megan smiles sheepishly at Adum "Well we have the 5...Sparkles was our first and then came the orange tabby twins, Fred and George. We found Minerva down by the docks...poor old thing. And Voldemort I rescued from that big cat fight behind the clinic...before we realized he started the fight. I do hope Gareth keeps him apart from the others....could be a mess to come home to...."

Kitty watches Adum's face, suppressing her laugh, but unable to keep from grinning.

Susan's shoulders shake as she makes notes in her tablet.

Adum's eyebrows lift at each name. "Five ..." he considers. "You want the whole cast and crew." he sounds amazed. "I married my father." but he smiles. A genuine thing. "How did Sparkles get a non Harry Potter name?" he wonders. But his mood is lifting.

Megan giggles a bit "I thought Sparkles might end up living with Tams but they never bonded. Tams is not such a fan so I have her a regular name. I suppose we could change it but she seems to know it now. And I am holding out for Hermione and Luna next...." she's completely not joking and seems not phased by his reaction. She sees a glass with ice chips on the side table and asks Adum "Babe are you thirsty?" gesturing at the glass.

Kitty finds herself simply watching them, thrilled to see them 'together' again.

Susan simply shakes her head. To her mind, Adum is the Chief of Police ... he won't bust himself for having too many cats.

Adum smiles and laughs a little, which makes him cough. "Ow .... and Tams .. didnt like ... ohh she didn't like how you don't do litter boxes..." he nods to himself. "And I don't often say no to you, do I?" he knows he doesn't. "All these years. It's a miracle we don't have 50 cats." ne nods. "Yes, please."

Megan finds a spoon with the glass and gently offers and ice chip on his mouth when he's ready "Well we just got married. I'm sure you'll find something to say no about one of these days." she teases. She looks at the edge of the bed and the rail and can't figure it out so she just leans on it slightly. She's clean and decently clothed but there are huge dark circles under her eyes and she's paler than normal, even normal with no makeup. Offhandedly she says "You know I haven't changed my name...I wasn't sure I would. But all these people calling me Mrs. Brate had been kind of comforting, kept me connected to you...while you were sleeping." If he's ready for more ice she'll offer a second. With all the tubes, he probably can't just drink from a cup yet.


Kitty keeps her vigil, only backing up a bit to get out of Megan's way.

Susan continues her observations, and grins a bit when Megan says that being called Mrs Brate gives her a bit of comfort.

Adum accepts the ice chips gratefully. They melt and it gives him a feeling of relief. "Oh ... maybe. I can't imagine that day." he admits, but he is also getting hits of bits and pieces ... his life falling back into place one memory at a time. He accepts more ice chips and grins. "So does that mean you'll keep my name?" he asks, trying not to sound too eager. He takes in more chips and then asks the doctor. "How long do I have to have this tube in my nods, Dr McKinney?"

Susan glances up. "We'll try you on soft foods in a few hours and if you do alright with them, we'll try something solid tonight and, if THAT goes well ... I can remove the feeding tube tomorrow." she agrees. "Then we'll get you up and walking .. see if we can get that catheter out."

Megan glances down to the tube coming from under the covers and makes a bit of a face "That one must kinda hurt...." She smiles at Adam after "I suppose if I had your name that's a no brainer later for..." she hesitates "Which one to give to a kid." She looks a little self conscious, only having revealed this desire to Adum very recently and having only joked about it with Kitty. She remembers Kitty's reaction and snickers a bit to herself, offering more ice "Right now we'll just work on reuniting your with steak....oh and chocolate.....good goals."

Kitty giggles. "I'm not sure, but I think you guys should probably delay conception until Adum gets discharged." she grins. Then she looks at Megan. "And stay out of the stock until then." she warns.

Susan arches a brow. "Yes. No sex until after you're out of the hospital." she tisks. "Newlyweds."

Adum sighs. "I don't feel it, unless I think about it too much." he sighs and then smiles back at Megan. "Brate is a good name for a kid, but we'll worry about that until its time." he reaches up and, rather weakly, caresses Megan's face. "No Harry's or Ron's or Hermionie's. MAYBE a Molly, cause I liked that name before Harry Potter came out." he blows out a breath. "I've been asleep for over a weak. Why am I tired?"

Susan grins. "Because you have a lot of healing to do, young man." she nods to Kitty and Megan. "I think half an hour is enough. Back to the regular rules." she motions for them to say their goodbyes and head on out.

Megan gives both Kitty and The Doc a little giggle and then looks longingly at Adum. She doesn't want to leave him but she knows it's for his best health. She leans into the caress and then leans down carefully kisses his lips "We have time for all that...later. Sleep now. I love you." Her eyes are misty again but she's no longer a wreck.

Kitty grins and waves at Adum. "Rest. It's so GOOD to see you awake, Adum." and she heads out.

Susan watches the couple, hope in her heart.

Adum returns the soft kiss. "I love you, Megan. Thanks for not leaving me." and by the time she is out of the room, he is asleep.

Megan exhales loudly as she steps out of the room, deflating a bit "Wow I'm tired too...but happy..."

Kitty smiles. "I know ... probably not on the same level as you, but ..." she shrugs. "What say we celebrate? There's a Sigh across from the emergency room." Megan has mostly gone from the hospital to the apartment, except to buy them both some clothes. "My treat."

Megan nods "Yes please. I could use a coffee....or three." She laughs and smiles, the first genuine and full version of those in 8 days and then hugs Kitty.

Returning the hug, Kitty leads Megan to the elevators. "I'm getting text messages that the mayor is decorating Alexandra for Winter already. The lights are sung up and everything ... because its Adums favorite season." as the elevator descends, she grins. "But I bet here, its still pumpkin coffees."

Megan beams "Thank god for pumpkin lattes. I had to marry a Christmas guy...oh well it's a pretty season. Say hello to Gareth eh."

Kitty laughs. "Done almost every day since we got here." the admits. "I guess when you grow up in Alexandra, Halloween sort of gets bred out of you." she speculates. The move on to the Sigh and Megan orders two of the largest pumpkin lattes they have, complete with whipped cream and two slices of pumpkin bread. "Anything else?" she asks, like a kid in a candy store.

Megan looks delighted at all the pumpkin goodness and beams "You're a goddess!" She gestures to a table and slides into one of the chairs looking more at ease than she has in far too long "So Kitty, you've just taken care of me and I haven't asked any questions because I was such a wreck. But I must owe you a shit ton of cash right now?"

Kitty sits in a chair near her. "You don't owe me anything." she insists, breaking off a piece of her pumpkin bread. "We're friends. And if I can help you, I will. Heather is minding the shop until we get back ... be that a week or a month or sometime next year." she grins. "It's no big deal." she doesn't mention the prices of anything, but a furnished apartment so near the hospital has to cost. It has maid service and everything. Not to mention food and the clothes.

Megan looks a little confused by this but doesn't press the issue too hard "Ok, well I know Adum will still need a lot of care and rehab....I'm glad we can help Heather. The more she's out of her place, the less she's with that jerk guy. So, do you think I should become Megan Brate? " She smiles a bit.

Kitty nods. "Well, the apartment will do for the duration. Maid service. Doesn't it make you drool?" she giggles. It could become quite expensive. "Yea and if she can save up some money, maybe she can leave him for that Tom guy." she grins and looks at her friend. "You should. Take his name. We all know you're no Mrs Cleaver, so if you take his name, maybe it will make up for your lack of housekeeping skills." Adum has those ... hopefully they didn't get knocked out of his head.

Megan pretends to look offended and then laughs "Yeah I know. And I was serious about it being easier for kids...." She looks pensive and then quizzical again "Kitty, I've seen the books. how much are you making at your other jobs to pay for a maid service? Sorry, but I need to know...don't put yourself in debt for me..."

Kitty laughs as her point is accepted. "Yes. You're gonna be a great mom, too." she sighs as Megan goes on. She goes into her bag and pulls out one of her werewolf romances. She sets it in front of Megan and points to the publishing logo; Catherine Publishing. "My father named it after me." she admits. "So I am sole heir little miss princess." she shrugs. "Usually I tell my father to keep my money and he tells me it's always there if I need it. I didn't need it .. the Blue Door and our shop pay my bills. But ... I dipped into my bank account for this luxury vacation." she looks sheepish. "I didn't want to tell you because I wanted you to love me for me, not my money. I'm nowhere near worth what Kagiso is. Don't think I'm a millionaire. I'm not. But I am ... comfortable." sh shrugs and reaches for Megans hand. "You're my best friend. Ever. All this really IS the least I can do for you."

Megan looks more closely at the book and then in amazement at Kitty "Wow....and you know I'd never take advantage of you, or think differently of you Kitty. Are they at least good books?" She smiles at Kitty "You're my best friend too."

Kitty smiles. "I know that NOW." she replies. "But ask Sam ... life in New York City or Seattle ... there's no telling who your friends are." she giggles. "Honestly? The gay male fiction is the best. The hetero stuff ... is kinds meh. And some of the non sexual stuff is pretty good. My father is relatively picky but .. it's basically pulp fiction ... you can't demand too much. No Rowlings or Stephen Kings." she giggles and sips her coffee again. "My father is going to want me to take over the business ... but I don't want to. Being under Daddy's thumb .... he thinks I'm still a virgin, I think." she giggles.

Megan wiggles a brow "Two hot guys getting hotter together? I can see the appeal." she bursts out laughing at the virgin comment "Uh...no, really? Oh god...course I worked in my Dad's bar as soon as I was 18 so he saw me sneak off when I went home with guys."

Kitty nods. "Exactly! But ... hell all sex is hot to me. I have my father libido ... so I think he must be in denial. He adores Sam ... the law student blah blah blah .. who turned his baby girl into an orgasm addict. But he'd probably love Gareth as well. But then he'd be thinking marriage ... my father doesn't have to marry, but I do." she shrugs. "If I had been a boy, he wouldn't mind. That old double standard." she rolls her eyes and drinks deeply from the cooling coffee.

Megan rolls her eyes a bit "Well meaning chauvinism, no offence. My Dad had some too but Tams rebelled and screamed it out of him. Not a pretty transformation though...but good on the other side."

Kitty rolls her eyes. "I know it is ... and probably always will be." she giggles. "Give Adum a son ... he's been through enough already." and she remembers something. "Is it me, of did he seem to be missing a huge part of his life ...."

Megan bites her lip and then whispers "Alison...but I'm not going to tell him if it doesn't come back. Am I a terrible person? It's not like she enriched his life...and she's the reason we took so damned long to get together."

Kitty considers it. "I think that's fine." she agrees. "I heard she was like the super bitch from Hell .... someone should have thrown a parade when she got herself killed." she holds up a hand. "I know I am horrible." she shrugs. "Someone is bound to tell him .. but it doesn't have to be you. Hell the doctor knows and she didn't say anything either."

Megan shrugs "Alison was toxic. She had a kid that she told him was his that wasn't...he wanted to kill himself..literally. He had so much baggage from her when we got together it was insane. He can forget that, we all can. He'll be happier for it."

Kitty raises both brows in shock. "God ... that's MORE than toxic. As much as Chief Adum loves kids?" she shakes her head. "He will be. I hope he never remembers that cunt." she snorts. "And YOU were right there ... like the first thing he remembered." she teases.

Megan smiles "Yes me and one cat..." She laughs "Good thing we didn't have 5 kids at home to forget.....god 5...that's scary to think about eh? Even though I want babies like crazy...5 is bat shit crazy."

Kitty giggles. "The way you two go at it? You'll be that stereotypical Irish couple. No periods since 2016." she smirks. "That big ol house you guys could probably manage ... eight ... four boys and four girls." she looks innocent.

Megan lightly kicks at Kitty's foot "Oh shut up....I'd just have big saggy tits and a zipper on my ladyflower...so not hot!"

Kitty giggles as she is kicked. "You'll still be hot and loved." she guesses. "Probably make Adum go get his nuts drained before you hit double digits in kids." she giggles again, nearly overwhelmed with mirth.

Megan almost spits out her current sip of coffee and then just manages to swallow it and holds up a finger as if defending her next point "K It's NOT going to be like the cats...I swear!"

Kitty laughs aloud. "NO! I didn't mean have all five kids at the same TIME!" she protests. She shakes her head. "Man it's good to hear all this again."

Megan smiles "Yeah.Thank you for seeing me through the worst of that. Like I say, I know he still has a long road but I'm hoping the scariest parts are over. Dr. McKinney seemed positive so that helps a lot. How did we get her as our small town Doc? She's amazing."

Kitty nods. "I'd think so. But who knows how long he'll still be here. Hopefully not too long." she considers. "I'm not sure. I know she's from Chicago. Worked the ER's there, so maybe thats why she can snap to it faster? Alexandra is definitely slower paced. We should ask her."

Megan finishes her coffee and then leans back "I agree. Ok we've had 8 days of all me, and Adum, and trauma. How are you Kitty?"

Kitty shrugs. "I'm alright." she replies. "I'm pretty good at keeping my head when all about me are losing theirs. But I don't ever want to see anyone like THAT again." she shudders. "I know I've been thinking a lot about Sam ... it could be him someday. Or even Gareth in some fire or whatever."

Megan looks sympathetic "I know. That did cross my mind when Josh and Gareth were looking at Adum. I know it seemed like I had tunnel vision."

Kitty nods. "Well, I can't make either of them quit, even if I wanted to. They both love what they do, even if it means the victims are people they know." she pauses a second. "Do you want Adum to quit? Or do you think lightening struck and won't do it again? I mean ... you guys got the sickness part of the vows down."

Megan sighs after finishing her pumpkin bread "In terms of Karma, I hope so. Course I still wouldn't want him to be a different person.. Like with Sam and Gareth, they choose it because they want to help people."

Kitty pops the last of her pumpkin bread in her mouth as Megan speaks. "True. Sam is going to law school ... but hell .. accountants help people." she chuckles to herself. Then she blinks. "Holy hell, I forgot to tell Gareth to tell Sam to tell Lieutenant Greene." she whips out her phone and sends a text message.

Megan sees Kitty and grabs her own "I haven't texted anyone. I need to tell Tams and Ryan, better from me. It dawns on me I should get a charger for Adum's phone for his room. He'll be able to use it soon and he may want to talk to folks himself." Megan taps away as well for a few minutes and smiles at the responses.

Kitty smiles. "I've been keeping Gareth informed and he's been telling Sam whose been telling Greene whose been telling ... the Chief in Cedar Point, I guess. I don't know any of them, so I didn't want to." she reaches into her bag between posts and dangles a charger cord, then winks. "You've been kinda .. out of it the last week or so .. go figger, right?" she looks up. "What are they saying?"

Megan looks up "They're happy...and Ryan's going to try and come visit Adum. Tams is offering to get stuff from our house if I need anything, on her next day off, so I'll think on that." She smiles at the charge cord "How did you think of EVERYTHING?"

Kitty giggles. "I forgot to tell anyone about the biggest thing to happen since all hell broke loose." she reminds her. "And once we got settled in the apartment, I used some of the money Kagiso Jackson gave me when he lent us his car to come here." she shrugs. "Adum is very popular." she thinks a second. "Of course when Gareth started taking care of the cats, he sent the original. So ... I'm definitely not thinking of EVERYTHING."

Megan looks totally confused for a second "Kagiso gave you money and lent you his car? I'm aware we drove here....but I honestly wasn't even thinking about what the vehicle was...original?"

Kitty nods and laughs. "I sent him a text message telling him to come get the keys to your car then get IT and he showed up in HIS car ... said it was stupid to take that extra time and he didnt need his car for a while anyway. Then he helped me get you into the car and pressed some money in my hand. He said he's had friends shot, and one thing you always need is cash. It was about 400 bucks." she snorts. "We're both American, so we use cash a lot still. We've been eating on it." she grins. "He says Adum and his boys are the nicest cops he's ever met."

Megan's eyes go wide at this tale and then she slowly exhales "Wow.....remind me to invite him...and you for that matter over for dinner...like once a week for the next 10 years. When Adum is well again, my cooking would be no gift."

Kitty smiles. "I might take you up on that." she looks at her phone. "Alright, its been about 45 minutes. Time to go back." she hisses slightly. "That Gretchen bitch won't let you visit for more than the allotted ten minutes." she rolls her eyes. "Maybe Dr. McKinney can get him out earlier. But .. if not ... tomorrow you can camp in his room every minute of the visiting hours." she begins to gather her things.

Megan stands up "They might just have to find me a cot if my time is unlimited. I'm ready. Buckle up Gretchen."

The Breakfast Nook - Alexandra RP scene October 16th

Francis Sharp sits in a booth a the Breakfast Nook and motions for her usual, sitting and sort of staring at the street out of the window.

Oshi Shikigami Hello Officer. If I may I ask, how your Chief is doing? I have been out of touch for a while. I have been concerned. And was hoping he may be improving?

Francis Sharp turns to look at the small woman asking about her Chief. "He's in a coma." she reports. "They seem sure he'll come out of it." she pauses and considers the woman. "Are you a friend of his?" although everyone was asking, of course.

Oshi Shikigami Oh that is good to hear. I met him once. He was kind to me, and seemed a good person. So it is just an acquaintance. But I am so sad to see he ended up this way.

Francis Sharp nods. "Well, usually we say just part of the job, but Chief Brate really is a great man." she sighs deeply. "We're all sad. I will make sure to have your well wishes sent along with his first visitors. What's your name, so he knows who sent it."

Oshi. Shikigami That would be very kind of you to do. I am Oshi Shikigami. He and I were waiting to get a table for dinner, the Greek restaurant was very busy, and he offered to share a table so I would not have to wait longer. We had a delightful chat during dinner, about a month ago I believe. Osh smiles

Francis Sharp nods and pulls out her phone, making a note of the name and circumstances. "Consider the message delivered, Miss Shikigami." she returns the smile and looks out the window. "I am trying not to sing 'its beginning to look a lot like Christmas' here. It feels SO SO early."

Oshi. Shikigami I kinda was wondering at that as well?

Francis Sharp chuckles. "Well, Halloween is illegal here, and the mayor loves Christmas, despite being such an old scrooge ... but he continues the tradition of early winter coming to Alexandra. but THIS year ... it's the Chiefs favorite season ... and he LOVES the Winter Festival. So .... its sort of in homage to him."

Oshi. Shikigami Oh my, that is very interesting, indeed. Well I am touched that the mayor would do such a tribute for the chief. Impressive.

Darcy Lynch wanders in and smiles at the familiar face "Sharp." and then nods to the other woman standing talking to her "Hi." She looks back out to the street "Christmas, already.....yikes..."

Francis Sharp shrugs as she is given a cup of coffee by the waitress. "Well .... the mayor is always looking for an excuse .. but yea. It's a nice gesture." she looks at Darcy when she walks in. "Lynch." she says casually. "Have a seat?" she offers and glances out of the window again. "Well ... its a town tradition, but early this year in homage to the Chief." she shrugs. "The lights ALWAYS go up first. Just wait till he sets up the winter Festival gazebo and the Christmas house." she warns.

Oshi. Shikigami Well I bet you will have it all chrismassy just like Tokyo. It is the most festive time of the year there. Oshi smiles at both ladies.

Darcy Lynch looks tentatively at the other woman, smiling back as she sits. She's unsure whether this is a friend of Frank's or another friendly local so she scoots right in, leaving room in case she joins them. "For him I'll put up with it and try not to humbug too loudly. " She waves at the new woman "I'm Darcy by the way."

Francis Sharp nods. "Well, here its usually from Halloween through Valentines day. Fully a third of the year. Just like three weeks early this year. Don't get me wrong, I love Winter Festival, too." she starts and looks embarrassed. "I'm sorry,. This is a woman who came to visit once and ... was impressed by the Chief. So she was asking for a well wish to be sent." she chuckles. "Whoever pulls the first visit will probably look like Santa with his bag of mail." she muses. "Probably be I-Chief Green." she refers to the Interim Chief.

Oshi. Shikigami Darcy, glad to make your acquaintance, Oshi smiles. I am from Cedar Point. So sad what happened. Well I helped out during the quake And my cousin and I assisted on phones then, If you end up needing some part time help like that, I am sure we can work out details.

Darcy Lynch gestures at Frank's coffee cup when a waitress catches her eye and mouths "Please." and then raises a brow "Lieutenant Green in a Santa Suit? THAT would be interesting...." She smiles at the woman from Cedar Point "I keep hearing about that place. Sorry, I didn't catch your name, and I'm very bad with them."

Francis Sharp snorts. "If by interesting you mean so scary, the Chief might sink back into a coma out of pure FEAR ... then I agree." she looks at Oshi. "Well ... I think we're a little more ... strict about civilian workers here than in Cedar Point ... they're great and all but ... right."

Oshi. Shikigami Oh? Sorry. My name is Oshi Shikigami. (Oshi blushes.) Ok, well It is just like I would like to do something useful, especially if there is a need I can fulfill.

Darcy Lynch takes in the young woman's white hair but smooth young skin and muses "Missus Claus? It's good to meet you Oshi and I am kidding. It's been a really stressful week here for everyone so my humour is getting a bit odd. What do you do over in Cedar Point?"

Francis Sharp nods. "I understand miss . Shikigami. But well wishes are what we need now." she admits. Then she blinks. "Green in drag ... oh ... yes ... make it so. I'll take pictures ... put it on-line. Oh .... it'll be worth throwing both my career and my life down the toilet." she admits.

Oshi. Shikigami Oh trust me, I have been called much worse. The hair color is natural, and since birth, I have a genetic deficiency that doesn't let the hair get pigmented. I am an artist and photographer, And until I broke my leg during the quake a licensed plumber as well. But I want to get back to university, and finish my doctorate when I can afford to.

Darcy Lynch snickers "I meant Oshi, not the Lieutenant. But that's pretty funny Frank." She looks apologetically at Oshi "I wasn't meaning to pick on you. My sister's a hairdresser and she's had every colour. I didn't realize it was genetic. Sounds like that quake was pretty bad? I just got here not long ago. What are you studying for your doctorate?"

Francis Sharp glances at Oshi. "Vitaligo .. like Michael Jackson had?" then she realizes what Darcy meant and deflates only slightly. "She'd make a great Mrs Clause too. It's actually not a religious symbol, so it can slip under the radar I think. You notice no churches, synagogues, mosques on the island?"

Oshi. Shikigami Oh, no problem, I could dye it if I wanted anyway. But I just like it natural. I am going for a doctorate in Engineering. I am a fancy name for a rocket plumber scientist This the familiarity with the earth based stuff. Oshi smiles. Oh, really no churches and such at all? Is there an ordinance or something? Oshi looks perplexed.

Darcy Lynch smiles wryly "Yes, my parents noticed that, and my mother fretted. Course she also frets over the weirdos in the tabloids. So we're a den of sin...then the Chief gets shot at the end of thanksgiving dinner. I think my mother is coming back with holy water next week."

Francis Sharp shakes her head slowly. "Nothing illegal, because that in itself is illegal." she points out. "There just ... nothing religious ever seems to stick from Christians to Wiccans ... they never set up churches, mosques or temples here. Its odd, but in a way ... kinda nice." she grins. "Yea ... this was a bad week to show off to family." she admits. "I suppose holy water could be interesting. Mrs Norris might melt and then your mother would get the Key to the City."

Oshi. Shikigami I wonder how long a Torii would last here (a Shinto gateway)?

Darcy Lynch shrugs after laughing a bit at Frank "I think on private property you can do what you like. I mean this is Canada and we have freedom of religion. However that Mrs. Norris imposes her religious views on other people....bit of an in your face judge of the town. I suspect your approach is very respectful Oshi."

Francis Sharp considers. "In your own home, you can decorate the place to look like the Vatican and no one will care ... ." she admits. "But even respectful, why your religion and not Christianity, Judaism, Wicca, and whatever all else there is out there?"

Oshi. Shikigami Well if there was any interest, I suppose I get something figured out. One should not be placed anywhere it is not wanted to be. But not to sound superstitious but I think it just might be a positive thing to have? Well I would not be oppose to any others,either in addition, or in replacement. But My belief is that a religion, is better than none.

Darcy Lynch: Darcy looks truly intrigued by the view points back and forth and muses "Hmm well it was forced on me by my folks but I guess where I'm at now is kind of agnostic. I think there could be something beyond us, but it probably doesn't take the form all these religions seems to argue over. I mean all the beliefs, and so many are similar. I find it all interesting in an anthropological sense, and I do respect all views."

Francis Sharp shrugs. "Well, in its history this island has supposedly been blessed, cursed and exorcised .. and its still here." she chuckles. "All I care about is NOT being converted." she considers. "And maybe better lesbian clubs in Vancouver." she muses.

Oshi. Shikigami Well Shinto does not try and "evangelize" anyone. Believe or not it is up to you. But there are many other similar in premise. So If there were to be something here, I also would wish it to be there because someone wanted it so. On the other hand those without any faith are often ones that do a "negative" evangelism that can be quite intense. In my experiences anyway. But as I say, No pressure for anything.

Darcy Lynch had just gotten her coffee and was sipping it when Frank had said "better lesbian clubs". She choked a bit as she giggled and then joked "So we have a lack of churches, shrines and lesbians? Not things always linked together but I'd read that book if you write it." She takes another sip and then turns to Oshi "I really don't know tons about the Shinto faith but you make it sound like a gentle persuasion."

Francis Sharp arches a brow at Oshi. "If you can get it past the Town Council, anything is possible." she looks over at Darcy when she chokes. "Now don't tell me you didn't know I was a lesbian, Lynch." she teases. "Unless you're one of those who simply assumed I was a man." she chuckles "But my mother DID think that my father should beat the fear of God into me ... he didn't .... he couldn't even get me to wear a dress." she chuckles. "My mother STILL won't speak to me ... cause she had friends who called her a liar when she introduced me as her daughter." she laughs softly and sips her coffee.

Oshi. Shikigami Well of all the major religions of the world, it is the only one without "Holy" writings, yes there are writings, but no claimed to be written by god, or infallible. And as I said they don't try and convert. So I guess that makes it fairly mellow? In a nutshell it says there is a part of god in everything, and because of that, all creatures, and the world itself should be treated with reverence.

Darcy Lynch nods at Oshi "Sounds like a good motto for life in general, to preserve it. Kinda why Frank and I do what we do.." She gives Frank a little smile "I knew. And you're way too clever to be a man. Don't tell the boys at the station I said that."

Francis Sharp looks at Oshi as if not understanding a single word, but is polite about it. "Pretty much." she agrees with Darcy. Then she laughs. "I sort of have to agree. But if we take everyone in the shop and combine their skills .. we're really lucky to be so well rounded." and she winks. "No worries ... I told them all that already."

Oshi. Shikigami Oshi nods at the positive remarks, and says, if you have any interest at any time, I am happy to do what I can. But like I said, do what you believe. And I am glad to see ladies that are not intimidated by gender. I am always teased by any guys, to show my license when I tell them I am a plumber, so I think I can relate. Osh smiles.

Darcy Lynch tips her cup to Frank and then takes a sip and then nods at Oshi "We need more women in the trades so it becomes normalized. Good for you. I actually don't mean to slag on men. They're some of my best friends and I've mostly worked with men. There are a lot of good ones to balance out the rotten apples. Our station here is pretty lucky. We could have way more testosterone to contend with. Chief Brate is part of what keeps us all balanced...I just hope..." she trails off looking out the window "I hope he heals fast."

Francis Sharp sips at her coffee. "They figure you're a woman, so you can't find your way around a pipe?" she deadpans. "That sounds about right." she nods to Darcy. "Actually all the guys at the shop are great. Well ... Lieutenant Green ... he's just ... older ... so some things he simply cannot fathom, if that makes sense."

Oshi. Shikigami Well I don't mind. I feel my work speaks for itself. And I certainly think that both genders can do most anything, If they want to. And someday this will be such a non-point that it never is brought up any more, for it has been gone longer than any remembers.

Darcy Lynch gives Frank a knowing look about her comment on Greene "Yeah I know. He's like my Dad in some ways. Hopefully he doesn't have a wife stuck at home who does all the cooking because he can't find the fridge. To my father's credit he does clean.....bit of an obsession really." She glances at Oshi "Someday, getting a little closer every day I hope."

Francis Sharp snorts. "I should live so long." she replies to Oshi and then to Darcy. "Well Greene is 55, so around my own Dad's age. They know each other ... And the fire Chief .. Captain Stanley. They're all divorced now, for various reasons. Green can't cook to save his ass." she predicts.

Oshi. Shikigami Back home in Japan, there are a lot of very long live presumptions that have very strong prejudice for gender assignment. I am fortunate that my parents 'allowed' me to pursue my higher education. But I know it hurts them that I have gotten married, and started a family by now with a respectable Japanese man. Still many there that are worse then my parents. But it is slowly changing.

Darcy Lynch sets her coffee down after sipping it, looking confusedly at Frank "Is your Dad Captain Stanley?" She may have heard that all wrong. She listened to Oshi with a grim look on her face "Allowed? Geez....and what if you fell for a respectable Japanese woman? Not to assume either way but are they open to that in your family?"

Francis Sharp nods slowly. "My mother isn't speaking to be because I haven't gotten married." she lifts her coffee mug and looks a little devilish. "I keep telling her when I meet the right woman I will marry her. A Butch has to be particular." She looks at Darcy. "No .... but they are good friends the three of them. My Dad is off fishing most of the time." and then she looks at Oshi, curious for the reply.

Oshi. Shikigami Well gay is not forbidden in Japan. But it is a very small minority. It is more the desire for continuing the family line, I believe. I am an only child. If I do not have children, the family line ends. And that is a huge thing. SO the best for them is heterosexual. Japanese is preferred for more continuity as well. But this has gotten a lot less so recently. But yeah, they are just following what was passed down to them for countless generations.

Darcy Lynch thinks about this and looks at her coffee "Hmmm so the whole blood lines thing. Well my parents have given up on my sister and I thankfully. That's pressure." She adds on a nod to Frank "Your mom too it sounds like. Ah parents....."

Francis Sharp arches her brows. "I don't know ... I asked my father about that and he said he would rather me adopt some African kid and teach him the Sharp family values .. well my Dad's anyway ... then be with a man and use him as a sperm donor. Who would do that to a kid? 'We had you because it was expected.' ... that just ... seems wrong to me." she admits. She looks at Darcy. "You don' need kids, you have Vincent." it seems like a tease.

Oshi. Shikigami I am not opposed to marriage. If or when I met the right person. But I am not shopping now. I wish to get a few things done first. Like getting my doctorate, and a job I am trained for and to be happy where I am. So it is likely a few more years at least. Oshi grins.

Darcy Lynch nods about Vincent as her phone buzzes and she takes it from her pocket "Aunt Darcy is what he calls me..." She starts to explain Vincent to Oshi "This kid in my build..." She breaks off as she reads her phone "Oh for fuck's sakes......NO WARNING!" She texts back quickly and stands up "I'm sorry I have to go. My sister is coming off the ferry for a surprise visit....kill me now!"

Oshi. Shikigami Nice to meet you both, stay safe, hope to see you again!

Francis Sharp nods. Her voice takes on an old woman's harpy tone "Don't wait too long, young lady. Your biological clock is ticking." she rolls her eyes and stage whispers "Get a digital." she watches Darcy jump almost straight out the window and opens her mouth to say goodbye when her radio crackles. "Gotta go myself." and she too jumps out to rush out.

Double Shot

*****WARNING*****This blog post contains violence. Reader discretion is advised. It's also very long:)
______________________________________________________


Alexandra Island, October 10, 2016, 16:48

Thanksgiving Monday, late afternoon

Colin Rankin sat in the passengers side seat of the speedboat as it approached Alexandra Island's smaller public docks. There were only three of them; one belonging to the fire department, one to the police department and one apparently private with an apartment house boat moored beside it. The plan was to tie the boat up and walk up to the clinic from the water. It was the same size and layout of the Cedar Point Pharmacy, except that the clinic was across a small parking lot. This time, they would have much further to go to get to the escape vehicle, but the only ways to get to Alexandra were by air and boat. As he climbed out of the boat, he only hoped that this time, things would go more smoothly. No more smart-ass pharmacist and ex-girlfriends to fuck things up.

Adum Brate stood in the 'bull pen' of the Alexandra Police Department chuckling and drinking coffee. The air around him was filled with a bit of happiness. For the most part it had been an impromptu party with the skeleton crew assembled today. He, Sam Wright and Josh Greene. at the moment. After six o'clock this evening there would be others. Thanksgiving was a day when the usual scheduling went out of the window. It was a holiday, however and more on this holiday since he and Megan had suddenly gotten married. No criticism had come from his subordinates, although Josh Green suggested they get the mayor to open the records office and have the day declared a holiday.

He played with the wedding ring on his finger ... a present from Mayor Shirley Douglas. It almost hadn't made it over his knuckle, but as he'd worn it, he realized that it was more because he seemed to have larger knuckles than anything. With a smile, he helped to finish the cake that Josh himself had bought from Earthcakes and they had been grazing on all shift.

Ken Hall pulled down his ski mask after docking and tying the boat. He glanced towards the Olin with narrowed eyes. "I'll come back for you after Heather." he thought to himself.

He followed Colin and slung the assault rifle across his body, ready.

The young pharmacist stood behind the counter, watching the clock. She looked annoyed to be working on a holiday. Everyone thought they were closed anyway. It was so dead. What a waste of a shift. She restocked the boxes of latex gloves for the fourth time and sighed loudly.

Colin pulls on his ski mask as they come up into view of the Alexandra Clinic, which appears to be closed. It's Thanksgiving after all. He walks behind the building and along the back of the pharmacy and through the tiny pocket park. Then he places his back to the wall and nods at Ken and prepares to enter first, with Ken behind to guard the door, as usual.

Ken waits for Colin and hangs back, stepping in after him. He'll watch the door. The streets are nice and quiet. This one should be a cake walk.

Colin walks into the pharmacy as if he is not holding a large gun and wearing a skin mask. He almost laughs when he sees the girl restocking. Without firing, he looks at her. "Be a good girl and fill THIS." he sets the empty bag on the counter. "All your cash and all your Ficharnol. DO it now and we won't kill you."

The boxes of gloves tumble to the floor and the pharmacist freezes on an intake of breath. With shaking hands she darts her eyes sideways, thinking as she chooses to head to the till first. She unlocks the drawer sliding a swift and careful hand under it to the silent alarm button before scooping all the bills from each section of the cash drawer. Just her luck on the slowest day of the year. She leaves the drawer hanging open to cover the location of the button she just pushed and unlocks the cabinet from a wrist chain. She clears the bottles he's seeking right into the bag in one fell swoop and then holds out the bag with a shaking hand hoping this is the end of it.

Ken pops the door open and looks down the street both ways. By slim chance he does one last look back in the first direction and yells "COPS!" as several squad cars silently pull up.

The pharmacist dives for the floor in terror.

Adum comes out of the bathroom feeling like he has raised he water level a few inches. He is about to speak to Sam about some paperwork that he may as well catch up on when an alarm goes off beside Mert's desk. Moving to it, he snaps his head up, adrenaline beginning to course through his system. "It's the pharmacy." he announces. "Green take car 1, Wright car 2, I got the SUV." that leaves Mert to man the station, but how many crimes can be committed in Alexandra at the same time?

Joshua Green and Sam Wright move to their assigned cars and, with Adum in the lead drive the half a block to the pharmacy. Adum turns the SUV around and blocks traffic eastbound on Water Street; not that there is any on Thanksgiving. Green and Wright stop their cars in positions to block traffic turning north on 2nd Street and heading south on same. Both officers get out of their cars, leaving the doors open for some little shelter.

Adum gets out of the SUV with his pistol drawn and looks in the window. He doesn't see the pharmacist, but he does see two masked individuals, one of which is still holding the door open. He realizes the situation can go from bad to worse, so he trains his gun on the man propping the door open. "Drop your weapons and come out with your hands linked behind your heads." he commands in a loud and commanding voice.

Colin swears seeing at least three cop cars, one of which has disgorged an officer. Risking half a glance back towards the counter, he sees the pharmacist girl is no where in sighs ... and he doesn't have time to go behind the counter, grab her and use her as a hostage. He's trapped, and he knows it. Raising the gun, he fires at the cop outside. Suddenly he feels a solid pressure and great pain in his chest.

Adum sees the masked man further inside the studio begin to lift his gun. He reacts by raising his own and firing at the robber. There is only time for him to pull the trigger once when he feels a blinding hot pain in the left side of his head.

For a moment, Sam freezes, as Adum Brate drops to the pavement like a sack of potatoes. He moves his eyes to the store window which is shattered and sees no one now. Had Adum made that shot?

Josh watches Adum drop and also sees that there is no one but the man in the open door. He raises his gun to line up a shot to the remaining suspects center of mass.

Ken takes one look at how many cops are emerging from the vehicles and decides to ditch Colin and run. He can hear shots being fired. His gun dropped behind him he sprints through the pocket park and behind the restaurant and to the gas station beyond. He tosses the mask into a dumpster there and keeps running. It's nice and deserted and he can't hear anyone chasing him yet. Colin's fight has bought him some time. He races through woods all the way to the north side and sees a house, one he even knows. It was where he took the cash after gunning down Roy Carver. He's aware that it belongs to the head of the organization and this is beyond a breach in protocol. but desperate times call for desperate measures. He stays on the grounds and finds his way to a dock with a speedboat. Ken hot wires it and it starts. He takes off without looking back and heads right for the mainland.

Josh sees the glass door of the pharmacy shatter as the bullet tears into it and the wall beyond. The suspect is gone. Now he has a couple of choices. Chase the suspect and leave to bleeding victims, or remain to see after his chief. He ducks into the car and grabs the radio. "Mert! Officer down. Call the ferry landing and tell them they are docked until further notice." he glances up and sees the Doctor running toward Adum. He follows, motioning to the building. "Check the other suspect, Wright!" he orders. He falls to his knees beside Adum and stares at him. His head is mostly bloody.

Sam swallows hard when Josh barks at him, but it gets him moving. He moves inside of the building and can see the suspects foot sticking out of the far aisle. Moving forward, he can see the man is laying on his back in the aisle. The gun flew out of his hand when he was shot, but Sam kicked it further away, as he'd been taught. He squats beside the man and reaches out to see if he can find a pulse. But he doubts it. There is a hole in the mans chest and he is not breathing that Sam can see.

Susan McKinney comes flying from around the back of the clinic with her medical backpack in her hand. She skids to a stop and sinks to her knees beside Adum and takes a shuddering breath. It is always so hard when she knew them. "Alright, Adum, lets see here." her voice remained calm and professional. She tried to avoid a reaction when he blinked at her. He was alive.

Gareth Dunham sauntered along the road coming from his solo Thanksgiving Dinner at The Breakfast Nook. Breakfast food was always suitable for ANY holiday in his book. He was whistling to himself and grinning until he saw the array of cop cars by the pharmacy. Shit. Was there a robbery? A switch flipped in him and he crossed over into his emergency first responder role, jogging towards the scene and ready to assist the police. It looked like there had been a shoot out from the way the doors were open. Gareth craned his head around and sees Sam Wright kneeling by a man in a ski mask. He's about to head that way to offer back up when he notices Josh, Susan and another officer down. He can't make out who it is at first because there's so much blood but it looks real bad. Gareth jogs closer and then recognizes Adum from the colour of his hair and his lanky form, splayed out. A lump rises in his throat but he pushes it down and kneels beside Susan "How can I help you Doc?"

Megan had been giggling and telling the story of her fast wedding just minutes before. The sound of shots in the street made her eyes go wide and she looked at Kitty "What the hell was that?!"

Kitty had been sitting and actually enjoying the story of Megans wedding. And she could imagine Adum being over the moon about it all. The wedding rings were beautiful also. Then there were shots in the street? She jumped up as Megan demanded to know what it was. "Hold on. I'll look." she moves to her patio and opens one of the doors, stepping outside. She can see three police cars and a pair of legs on the other side of one of the police SUV's. With cautious steps, she moves forward a little more and sees what looks like .. Adum laying with the doctor over him. Gareth suddenly runs up, but Kitty cant hear him. Partly its the distance and partly its the roaring of the blood in her ears. She backs up, hitting the door and almost closing it before the turns and goes back inside. How to tell Megan? Kitty was no weak girl who would fall apart. She moves over to Megan and bites her lip. "There's been a shooting. The doctor is working on Adum." she bites her lip, wondering what to do next. For them, it would be to try and get to whatever hospital Adum was going to be taken to. Her mind goes through several names.

Sam looks out of the door. "He's dead, Lieutenant." he calls out to the doctor. He stands and moves further inside, wondering what happened to the pharmacist. In Cedar Point he had been shot.

Josh nods in relief when he sees Adum blink and Gareth arrive. Then he looks over to Sam and sees him heading further into the pharmacy. "Doctor, I'm going to warm up the helicopter and call this in. I can take both of them." and he moves off, knowing the doctor well enough to know that she heard him.

Susan nods vaguely at Josh's words as she goes into her bag and pulls out bandages. Even as she wraps Adum's head, she gives orders to Gareth. "Start an IV TKO. No morphine with this head shot." her voice is urgent but not panicked. I think we can stabilize him in the helicopter. I'm just not equipped here." but that was why the island had so many helicopters and speedboats. To get people to the mainland in a hurry. "Once the IV is started, go to the copter and lets get him on a gurney and in transit. Make sure Josh called White Rock. Vancouver is too far away." she raises her voice. "Sam get that body on the copter, STAT. I'll take off without him if I have to." she then looks again at Adum, who is looking up at her. He's afraid she can tell, but he trusts her .. and she prays she won't let him down.

Gareth digs into the doc's equipment on autopilot now. He sanitizes his hands, pulls on a pair of latex medical gloves and sets up the IV, working quickly but carefully. After it's done he looks at Adum who seems to be looking at Susan and says "It's OK Adum. Just stay.... with us..." His voice cracks a bit on the last words but then he swallows hard.

Megan feels her breath leave her body, rolling Kitty's words through her head again "There's been a shooting. The doctor is working on Adum." Kitty said it so calmly. Megan's mouth is open and she leans forward like she might pass out or throw up. Then she bolts out the door in sock feet and tears down the stairs, the hallway to the front entrance and right out the front door. She can see the scene of all all down the street and she runs faster than she can ever remember but feels like she's moving underwater. She falls to her knees beside Susan and Gareth and starts shaking uncontrollably. She manages to spit out "Is.....he..." She sees his eyes open, looking at Susan and heaves out a sob "Adum...." She reaches for his hand and just touches his fingers, not wanting to be in the way of what's being done for him.

Kitty is about to try and calm Megan, but suddenly Megan is gone. Following in bare feet, Kitty stops close to Megan and looks at Adum. She sees Megan reaching for Adums hand and she would swear she saw Adums fingers twitch in response. But ... maybe it was a trick of a hopeful mind. "Where are you taking him? We can be there .... soon." she grasps Megan's shoulders to move her away, already with a good idea how they were going to get to the hospital.

Sam gets crime scene photos with lightening speed and then moves to the copter and gets one of the gurneys out, laying the open body bag on the mattress and pulling it back into the pharmacy. He sees the girl sitting now at the register and he nods to her, holding up a finger to let her know he really WILL be right with her. Alone he gets the body onto the gurney and into the body bag, zipping the guy up and wheels him to the copter.

Josh is almost ready to go when he sees Sam coming back with the body. He helps the officer get the body in the copter then turns to him. "You got the crime scene photos?" Sam nods and he nods as well, clapping him on the shoulder. "First thing, call Sharp. She's next in command after me. Then get the witness statement and then process the crime scene photos. It;s too late to look for the perp. He's probably stolen a private boat by now, but call a few of the cops on B shift and have them examine everyone getting on that ferry ... then let it go, but until I say different every person getting ON that Ferry will be questioned and looked at to see if they match the physicals." he knows exactly who is in charge now ... he is. "I'll call from the hospital, but I have no idea when I will bring the Doc back here." he claps Sam on the shoulder. "Go, son! Take the gurney to the Doc so I can get us moving!"

Susan looks over her shoulder at Megan and swallows. "Mrs Brate." she says, still working on Adum. She glances at Kitty and speaks to them both. "We are taking your husband to Greenwood Park Hospital. After you get there, ask for me and they will page me and I will let you know what is happening, alright?" she sees Sam approaching and nods to Gareth when he locks the wheels. "On my mark. Three, two, One, mark!" and they lift Adum onto the gurney. Susan covers him, checking his IV and she runs for the helicopter, not thinking Gareth, but he knows she will ... when things calm down .. she always does.

In their wake are torn bags and a massive MASSIVE bloodstain.

Megan doesn't fight Kitty, allowing herself to be moved. she knows it's necessary and wants whatever needs to happen to get Adum to the hospital fastest to happen. That's the logical part of her brain. The emotional side is however, the visible aspect. She crumples into Kitty just sobbing loudly like a small child would from a place of absolute agony.

Sam starts making calls the moment the helicopter skids leave the ground. Frank Sharp recovers from the news quickly, putting on a professional shield, one Sam suspected they would all be wearing for some time.

Kitty begins to lead Megan back to her apartment, simply holding her. What words could comfort now? None, so Kitty didn't waste her breath. She took off Megan's socks and, in a fit of OCD, washed her friends feet before helping her with loaned socks. If Megan needs to Kitty will listen to her words as she cleaned Adums blood off of her own feet and got into fresh socks. "OK, Megan. Lets go to your house and get the car. I'll drive you to White Rock and stay with you as long as you need." she grabs her phone and sends a text message.

Susan leans over Adum, fussing with him as little as possible. This was the worse part for her ... there was nothing she can really do but take his vital signs every few minutes and hope for the best. The patient keeps drifting in and out. Adum had seemed the most alert those few moments when Megan was beside him. She smiles. "You don't know how happy I was to hear about you and Megan getting married, Adum." she tells him, even though his eyes are now closed. "Finally happy. And now you have to be strong, Adum. It's not just you anymore." she knows she sounds like a chiding mother, but ... all of her patients were also friends ... or sometimes enemies ... but well known either way.

Gareth looks pointedly out the window as Susan speaks to Adum. He's on standby, checking the IV from time to time and just quietly moving through this to get his friend to wholeness. One leg of his jeans is soaked with Adm's blood from the knee to the ankle and there are patches of it on his button up plaid shirt from his gloved hands. As much as he had joked and flirted with Adum, he really did value his friendship. Now his friend was falling from this place of absolute happiness into god knows what and as much as he'd seen injuries and death in his line of work as a firefighter he could barely watch this.

Megan is aware she's moving with Kitty and lets herself be led, her feet be washed and new socks put on her as if she was a compliant doll. She's in a constant state of soft sobbing. Her makeup is all down her face and her eyes are beyond bloodshot. She's still shaking through the migration back to Kitty's. She knows in that hidden logical part of her brain that Kitty will get her to Adum, as long as he's still there to be reunited with at the end of the journey to him.

Susan falls silent as they fly and is relieved on many levels when the copter lands and they are met by what feels like more people than can even fit in her little clinic. As Adum is wheeled to the door, she updates the trauma team and at long last he words "We got it from here, Doctor." and they wheeled him off. Vaguely, she is aware that someone has taken the other body off someplace too. For her part, she has blood all over her, it seems. Both legs, the sleeves of her blouse to the elbows. And she is left standing one the roof with Gareth and Josh.

Once the bodies are off of the chopper, Josh moves it. Greenwood Park Hospital was centrally located for many far away small communities like Alexandra, so its roof had something akin to a helicopter parking lot. Once the chopper was parked, he gets out and joins the doctor and the EMT, Gareth .. on the roof. "Come on." he urges them, realizing that they are all a mess. "Let's get some coffee or ... something." Coffee is a funny thing, he realizes as he leads the way in the building, grasping at the mundane to keep his mind ordered. Drunk to stay awake and to soothe. "I'm buying."

Kitty sent a couple more text messages and, about two minutes left Megan, who did not really seem to notice her, to toss her keys to Kagiso Jackson, who was down on the street looking grim. She tossed him a set of keys she had liberated from Megans pocket and went back inside to check on her friend. Ten minutes later, a horn honks and Kitty leads Megan downstairs, locking her place up. On the street stood Kagiso, who helped Kitty sit Megan in the car. He then handed Kitty an envelope which contained the brand new marriage certificate. He also handed Kitty cash, which Kitty pocketed blindly without counting, took the keys, hugged Kagiso and got behind the wheel.

The wait at the ferry landing was incredibly frustrating, as it seemed that every cop in Alexandra was floating around. But the ferry captain was allowed to take a single car to the mainland. The silver BMW.

Gareth nods noncommittally and follows Josh and Susan. Coffee might help, or coffee, Jack Daniels and a fucking joint. Gareth's whole body was sore from holding tension as he watched Adum, or tried not to watch him, on that helicopter. He slides his phone up from his back pocket and text Kitty as they walk "He's in."

Megan was moved around by Kitty and Kagiso and was barely aware of each transition. She heard their voices talking at her like they were very far away, calling down a long hallway. It was almost trance like, except with the surface layer being quiet hysterics. At some point she looked up and saw the ferry as the car moved onto it. As soon as it stopped she curled into a ball and closed her eyes, not wanting to move.

Susan moves into the hospital with the men and looks at her hand as she reaches for the elevator button. The sleeve of her blouse bloody. It hit her that she hadn't even taken off her bloody gloves. She sighed. "We can't go around like this." she tells them and, when they get on the elevator, she hits a button for the fifth, or top floor. Getting off the elevator, she leads them to two locker rooms ... one for men and one for women. "Scrubs in there ... and showers." she pointed to the men's door. "We should ... change before we go anywhere." it was mundane thinking, which is what she needed. "Then we can walk around without ... upsetting ... anyone." she blows out a breath and enters the women's room. The moment the door closes, she strips off the gloves and puts them in a bio-hazard container for that very purpose. Then she moves into the room and finds, in clearly marked and organized shelves, scrubs in her size. Setting them on a bench, she strips off her bloody clothing and, naked, steps into the showers, turning the water on full and hot. Only then does she give the doctor a moment to be human. She bursts into tears.

Kitty leans back as the ferry gets underway, glad not to have to be driving for a while. Just before they landed on the mainland, the receives the text from Gareth. She blinks away a tear and swallows hard before she replies to him. "Surgery? We're about to land, then I'll drive straight there." she sends the message and looks over at Megan, who is curled up in a little ball in the passengers seat. Right now, Kitty isn't sure what to say, but doesn't want to keep any information from her best friend. "Gareth just sent me a text." she says, not trying to put any sort of false cheer in her voice. "They're operating on Adum." in the movies, this was where they would say something as if this meant he would be just fine. Kitty did not ... this was not a movie. When the ferry docks, she drives off it and towards White Rock at just enough over the speed limit to be safely ignored by police.

Gareth nods at Susan about the bloody state of their clothes . He mechanically goes into the men's room with Josh and takes all his personal items; phone, keys, wallet and several condoms out of his jeans pockets. He was travelling light since he had only walked down to have dinner by himself. Unabashedly he strips naked and walks nude to bag his clothing and set the bag in a locker. Stepping into the shower he lets the water wash over him but is simply numb. He uses some of the available soap and shampoo, washing on autopilot and then rinses and steps out to dry off and find scrubs.

Megan doesn't unfurl until she sees the long mainland coastline through her peripheral vision as Kitty drives off from the ferry. Mutely she presses the button for the automatic window and lowers it, letting the wind whip at her face and hair. She had heard Kitty say Adum was going in for surgery. She had seen all that blood and wondered if they were taking a bullet out of his brain. Two days ago her biggest concern had been getting a wedding ring over his stubbornly big knuckle. This had become unimaginable.

Kitty drives and says nothing when Megan rolls down the window. It's the first sign of ... anything ... that she's shown since ... it happened. She blows out a breath ... and speeds up to go through a yellow light. Then she goes back to the ignore-able speed. Quickly, she takes her hand off of the steering wheel and reaches to take Megans hand and squeeze. And then back to the steering wheel.

Susan finished her cry and her shower. Utilizing her anger, she shook the water out of her dreadlocks almost violently. She uses a towel to wrap her hair and another to dry her body. Then into scrub pants and shirt and surgical booties. Giving her locs a final, violent rub with the towel she takes it off. Her locs would dry ... in time.

Joshua doesn't watch Gareth, but undresses without any shame himself. He showers in an efficient way and comes out to dry off. Then he finds where the scrubs are and changes ... shirt, pants, booties. He'd stood in Adums blood. Suddenly he growls like a dog and punches one of the lockers, which promptly bends. He takes a deep breath and releases it. "OK ... I'm a little better now." he announces and heads for the door. Outside he and Gareth have to wait almost five minutes for her to come out, looking professional and more at home in their new outfits.

Gareth doesn't say anything to Josh about his locker punching. He's numb now but who knows what's coming when that wears off. He stands quietly with Josh, waiting for Susan. Normally Gareth was a continual stream of friendly banter, when Adum was in range, friendly flirty banter even by Josh's view. At one point he meets the other man's gaze and half smiles and then leans his head back into the wall, closing his eyes. When he opens them, Susan is in view, her locs still dripping a bit.

Megan felt Kitty's hand on her, squeezing and squeezes back. The air was bringing her around. She still would not be very communicative but lucidity and awareness were growing.

Kitty breathes a sigh of relief at the squeeze. She'd take all signs of not being catatonic. At her speed, she knows they are about halfway between the ferry landing and the hospital. Hardly anyone was on the road and she is grateful for it.

Susan sees the men in their scrubs and nods. "Alright ... lets go into the cafeteria." she suggests. "There's a Sigh across the street, but Megan will come here first." she blows out a breath and heads in that direction, not wanting to talk .. not truly talk ... until she had coffee in her hand.

Josh nods. "Good idea. I need to check in, so .. lead the way." he get on his cell phone and, his voice clipped. "Report." he pauses, nodding as they walked. He gives simple orders and gives what little information as he has. Adum is in surgery. Wait and see. In the cafeteria he sits at a table for a good half dozen and says nothing. He watches Susan motion Gareth to the non existent line for food and drink. The nearly sleeping cafeteria workers snap to in anticipation.

Gareth can't imagine eating but orders a coffee and picks out a cinnamon bun from a basket, moving along behind Susan. It was clearly not Perkatory quality but he might pick at it later. The cashier was a gorgeous little Filipino man with a smile that could melt a glacier. Gareth simply nodded at him like it was work to do so, paid and left to sink into a chair beside Josh.

Megan looked back from the window and quietly said "Thank you Kitty. I couldn't do this without you." Her voice was hoarse from all the crying but she spoke in an even tone.

Kitty beats another yellow light. "It's nothing, Megan." she demurs. "You're my best friend. I couldn't do anything less." her eyes are on the road, still legally speeding.

Susan takes two more cinnamon buns and orders two coffees. The hospital had good food, for hospital food. She pulls her wallet out of the front pocket of her scrub shirt and pays, then piled on several creamers and a handful of sugars onto the tray and brings it back to the table with Gareth in tow. Setting a bun and coffee in front of Josh, she speaks to him with some familiar authority. "Eat it, of you'll be in here, too Josh." she sits beside him, which puts him between her and Gareth. Adding one creamer and a single sugar into her coffee, she speaks into it. "What happened?"

Josh had opened his mouth to announce he wasn't hungry when Susan gave him an order. "Yes, ma'am." he says in a somewhat dry but kidding tone. He adds three creamers and half a dozen packets of sugar to his coffee and blows on it. "Someone robbed the pharmacy. My guess one of those guys is Colin Rankin, who was ID'd for the Cedar Point robbery." he blows on his coffee and sips it. It's still too hot but the pain on his tongue revives him. "One of them was watching the door and it was propped open. The shooter was deeper in the pharmacy." he tears a bit off of his cinnamon roll and sighs. "It was standard procedure. Adum pulls his weapon out and commands them to drop their weapons and the shooter tenses. I knew he was going to fire, and thank God Adum did too. They fired at the same time." he pops the piece of pastry into his mouth. "The lookout ran like a scared rabbit. We'll get him. Sam told me that rich ass on the other side of the island reported his speed boat stolen, but we'll catch the fucker." he sips some more of the coffee and sighs yet again.

Gareth picks at his cinnamon bun and listens to Susan and Josh. He had literally happened upon the scene and knew less than Susan. Afterwards he pushed the bun away and said "Well at least he got the bastard that shot him, whatever his name is."

Megan nods at Kitty "You're mine too. How far away are we now?" She looks present but anxious. She likely won't see Adum for hours but she'll settle for in the same building. 

Kitty blew yet another yellow light. "Maybe half an hour, at this speed." she suggests. "The upside to it being a holiday." and she sighed. She'd had no plans, but it was still a shitty holiday.

Susan listened and nodded. "Yes ... whoever he is." she leans back a bit, letting her locs drip a bit onto the floor and simply not caring. She picks at her bun and swallows a little coffee, then looks at Gareth. "I know its not easy, but if you haven't eaten today ... you should at least eat that. I have enough patients, thank you very much, Gareth." she chides him kindly. Of course, it would be hard to stomach anything after their afternoon, but if she can do it, he can do it. All three of them were emergency responders and had, truth be told, seen worse. The difference being the worse had been strangers and Adum was a long time friend to all of them.

Josh ate a bit more of his cinnamon roll and lets his hand hover over it. "Someone downstairs will go through the clothes and see if he had any ID, but when the mask came off, he fit the description of Colin Rankin ... which reminds me ..." he pulls his phone out of his pocket and scrolls through the numbers trying to reach Nick Callahan. He needed to know ... all of this. Adum used to be one of his cops, after all.

Meanwhile in Cedar Point, Police Chief Nick Callahan is about to sneak off early when Angie blocks him at the side door with a grave expression "Line 3....Nick, you need to take this one." Her dropping protocol and calling him by his first name indicates it's personal. Nick looks worried and steps back in, shutting the door.

"Callahan here?"

Josh went through a woman at the Cedar Point police department and told her only that it was urgent, but given his day, his upset remains in his voice. "Chief Callahan, this is Lieutenant Joshua Green, of the Alexandra Police Department." he pauses to let that much settle in. "I'm afraid I have mixed news." he inhales and looks at Susan, using his thumb to turn on the speaker, so she can hear. It's not like anyone is in the cafeteria. "The Alexandra Pharmacy was robbed earlier today. One of the suspects got away but not before ..." he swallows before continuing. "Not before the other suspect, who we have identified by your eyewitness descriptions as Colin Rankin, exchanged fire with Chief Brate." he pauses again and just wants to get the news out. There IS no good way to deliver news like this. "Chief Brate killed Rankin, but not before Rankin shot the Chief in the head." the suggestion that they fired at the same time is pretty clear.

There is a long pause. Nick pulls the phone from his face and holds it against his chest, closing his eyes. Then he catches his breath and begs the obvious question "Is he...Did Adum survive?"

Josh nods and shrugs. "He is in surgery now, sir." he tells him. "And his wife is on her way. I can keep you informed."

Nick exhaled audibly enough to be heard into the receiver. He knew it didn't mean Adum was in the clear, just that he was still alive. "Thank you Lieutenant Green. There are some folks here, myself included, who will want to know how he's doing."

Josh nodded. "I thought that might be the case, Chief." he replied. "On a couple of levels. I know Adum was one of your cops ... and Rankin is wanted by you." he paused. "We're going to be a bit busy, but I also know Adum's best friend works for you. If you'd pass the news on, as I give it to you?" the request would free him up by giving him a central, high ranking Cedar Point contact.

Nick glanced in the direction of the main office "Yeah, I'll tell Ryan...course I will. Thanks again Green, and watch over him for us."

Josh nods. "Yes, sir, I absolutely will." he swallows audibly. "He's my Chief." he pauses. "I will get a picture of the body for a positive identification as soon as possible. Thank you, sir. Goodbye." and the conversation is over. He looks at Susan. "Is there someone you can text or call to get a picture to me?" he asks.

Gareth sighs "God that's right...Cedar Point. They'll be a mess over this too."

Megan looks eagerly out the window now, getting edgier and edgier again. This might be a bit of an unpredictable dance with her. "Kitty are we there yet?"

Kitty looks along the streets, still driving way too fast, but much of the city seems deserted. "Almost, Megan. Almost." she tries to learn the lights so she can make as many as possible.

Susan nods. "Hold on ..." she sends a text message and holds the phone in her hand a moment .. then sends another. "They're sending it to you, Josh ... You can send it to the Cedar Point police chief."

Josh is about to reply when his phone announces an incoming message. He looks at it. "Bless you, Susan and thank your friends in Pathology for us all." he looks at the picture a moment. It is only from the shoulders up, not showing the gunshot wound to his chest, but it is the man who shot Adum. The only question is, he asks himself as he forwards it to Callahan, is is it Colin Rankin.

Gareth glances at the man in the picture slightly over Josh's shoulder and frowns, even dead, he evoked a boiling in the gut. With a forced bravado, he glances up at Susan "Well at least some closure can happen if he's a match."

Megan watches Kitty drive and just nods before closing her eyes and turning back to the window, the wind whipping at her again.

Kitty believes she has figured it out and a slow smile spreads across her face as she makes several green lights. Blowing out a satisfied breath, looking in her rear view mirror for flashing lights, she pulls into the hospital's parking lot, parking as close to the emergency room as she can. "Come on. Let's find Dr. McKinney."

Susan nods, looking at her own copy of the picture. "I hope so." she murmurs. "And as much as I love Adum ... my work in Chicago taught me ... everyone has a family to mourn them ... even when they do the unthinkable." and she sighs deeply.

Josh nods and pinches the bridge of his nose. "I can't think like that right now. I know it's true, Susan .. but you know ... it's hard to see both sides of the coin simultaneously. That's not in me." he tenses his jaw.

Megan steps out of the car when it stops and is about to take a step when her phone rings. Her ring tone is The Elle King song "Good Girls" from the new Ghostbusters movie. It does not fit the mood of the day at all. Megan answers after seeing it's her sister calling "Tams..." she bursts into tears at the sound of Tamela's voice "No...we don't know anything. I just got here......no Kitty drove......Thank you....I know... I'll call you when I have more to tell....can you tell Dad?" she sniffs and sobs quietly again "I have to go...I love you too Tams." After she clicks off she looks up at Kitty with wide eyes "I need to call Adam's dad.....oh god...I don't even know the number yet......he's in fucking England. Kitty, I don't know how to do this...."She breaks down again looking like she's trying to fight it so they can go in.

Gareth reaches out a hand tentatively to Josh and will squeeze the other man's shoulder if it seems well received. At the same time he looks at Susan "I know you're right Susan. It's just shitty."

Kitty hears Megans half of the conversation and pulls Megan into a hug when she seems overwhelmed. "Don't worry about that. You just concentrate on Adum. I'll call his Dad, if you want. And anyone else you need me to call or whatever. Just ... you concentrate on Adum. I'll concentrate on everything else, okay?" she will take Megans hand and squeeze, then head into the hospital, stepping right up to the emergency desk and speaking in a confident voice. "We're looking for Dr McKinney, please?" the receptionist picks up a phone when a woman steps up to them with a bundle in her hands. "Oh, perfect! I was just going to see her." the woman replies, looking very friendly. "I'm Aine Stone. I'm Dr McKinney's assistant slash nurse here. If you'll follow me, we'll go to her office and I'll send for them." she motions them towards the elevator, pulling out a phone and sending a text.

Susan nods. "Happy Thanksgiving." she sighs deeply and then her phone vibrates and she looks at it. "Great. My nurse is here." she stands, abandoning the coffee and roll. "And she's taking Megan and Kitty up to my office. Come on." and she heads towards the elevator.

Josh looks at Gareth a little startled, but doesn't have a negative reaction to the touch. He snorts a derisive laugh at Susan's holiday greeting and stands without a word to follow her up to her office.

Gareth only squeezes Josh's shoulder briefly. He's a demonstrative person himself but gets the sense Green is not so much. When Susan says "Happy thanksgiving" he laughs sardonically "Oh god....no.....just another one of my breakfast holidays...."He was about to say more when Susan said they were meeting Megan and Kitty. He looks serious again and follows.

Megan hugs Kitty back and takes deep cleansing breaths "Thank you." She takes her hand and squeezes back and is put at ease by Aine's manner. She walks after her and tries valiantly to keep it together. What she needs more than anything now is information about Adum.

Kitty is also relieved by Aine's personality. She follows the woman into the elevator, up to the top floor and she leads Megan down to a door which seems unmarked.

Aine stops at the door and the first thing she does is slide a placard into the slot around eye level which says Dr Susan McKinney. Then she unlocks the door, adjusting the bulky bundle under her arm. Inside is a nice office, but it doesn't seem to belong to anyone in particular. "They have a couple of empty offices that they use for visiting physicians, like Dr McKinney, to use when they're here." she motions to a couch, love seat and comfortable looking chair. "Have a seat. She'll be up her in a second." she puts the bundle on the desk and its several things. She sets them out, including a doctors lab coat and tablet computer. Just then the door opens and Susan walks in, Aine smiles at her. "Hello Doctor. I have your backup tablet, in case you didn't bring yours. I've already opened Mr Brates file for you. I'll get the coffee on, since no one is here today and then I will get on the phone and see how things are going in surgery." she nods to everyone AS she flies out of the door like a pleasant spring breeze.

Susan walks in and nods as Aine speaks and leaves. "She is a lifesaver, but too hyper to work in Alexandra with me. Working here she can do her nursing duties and becomes my nurse assistant when I am visiting patients in the hospital. She picks up the tablet and sits in the chair. "How are you holding up, Megan?" she asks, her voice full of sympathy and understanding.

Josh walks in and stands beside the door, as if planning to be a sentry.

Gareth takes a page from Josh's book and assumes the same approach. He gives Kitty a loving look and Megan a sympathetic one. It dawns on him that greeting Kitty with affection right now would be salt in the wound for Megan's anguish.

Megan squints at the question and then wipes at her eyes as more tears escape them and just manages to whisper "I don't know how to answer that."

Kitty tries to give Gareth a loving look back, and does manage a small smile, then sits at her friends side, close but not touching. SHe is still in a bit of a protective mode, but says nothing.

Susan nods. "That's about the right answer, considering." she leans forward. "I know you want nothing more than news. I'll tell you what little I know." she pauses and takes in a deep breath. "Adum was shot in the left side of his head." she reports. "I didn't see an exit wound, so the bullet is still in there, and that's what the are doing in surgery right now. Now, I wish I could tell you how long that would take, but the bullet could literally be anywhere in his head. But I CAN tell you." she adds, confidently. "That Adum is young, strong and healthy. On the way in, he faded in and out of consciousness, although he did not speak. But I have confidence that he will survive the surgery." she doesn't go any further than that. Not with a gunshot wound to the head.

Josh remains by the door at what can be called military at ease, but he is listening, even if it looks like he isn't.

Megan sniffs and nods, thinking about this and then looks Susan in the eyes "Thank you."

Gareth looks pained as he listens to Megan, trying not to look at her too often as he does so.

Kitty remains still beside her friend and listens, in her own way calming herself in case she is needed.

Susan offers half a smile. "I havent heard anything out of the surgury, which is a good thing." she tightens her jaw a moment. "I don't know if you were aware that Adum has stated that he doesn't want any heroic efforts to be made to save his life." she holds up her hand to stem anything. "That means I can do everything in my power to save him, but he does not want to be in a vegetative state with no end in sight. I'm not telling you this because I think it will come up, but you need to know. This is not currently a situation where I have to think of it, although Adum may be comatose for a while after such a traumatic head injury. You, as his wife, deserve to have the facts laid before you, Megan."

Josh listens and nods to himself. He has similar requests in his file in Susan's office.

Megan looks down again and then quietly agrees "I wouldn't want that for him either. I understand." She's stopped crying and is simply serious. She and Adum got married so fast, they never even had time for these conversations.

Gareth nods, his plan of this type, also well laid out.

Kitty nods as she sees Megan start to calm a bit more, wondering if the doctor taking plain with her is helping.

Susan nods. "I know. I'm the same." she opens her mouth to say more when her phone beeps. Holding up a finger, she stands. "This might be about Adum." and she heads out of the door, saying only "Dr. McKinney." before the door begins to close behind her.

Aine catches the door and slips in, moving over to the couch. Her red hair is now in a bun and she is looking at Megan, encouragingly.

Josh watches the doctor leave and the nurse return and bites the corner of his mouth.

Gareth 's eyes follow Susan's movements and he looks apprehensive as well.

Megan's mouth drops open at the possibility of news and she misses a few breaths waiting for news, just staring at the door.

Kitty realizes the doctor has left something of a vacuum in her wake. In an attempt to fill it, she speaks. "Have you ever visited Alexandra, Aine?" she motions to the men. "These are Gareth and Lieutenant Green." she introduces them all, since that just hadn't happened yet.

Aine shakes her head. "Dr McKinney talks about it all the time, of course. I really should go .. it seems so nice. But I always see parts of it that wind up here." she shrugs.

Josh looks uncomfortable in the social turn of the tide. He had, of course, worked with Gareth before, but always in a professional setting. His own Chief ... Hank Stanley ... lived on the same houseboat with him ... two older divorcees. Hank was a bit more social than Josh was, but they had been friends a long time. Now, he simply nods at the young nurse ... who can't even be 30 years old yet.

Gareth gives Kitty a twinkley eyed grin. She was always trying to make everyone comfortable even in life's worst moments. He gave Aine a little wave as he leaned against the wall "Good to meet you Aine."

Megan appreciated Kitty's efforts but was not at all up for any social graces so she just kept quiet and watched the door.

Kitty stays close to Megan and listens, hoping it won't be long.

Aine nods and grins a little back. "And you." she opens her mouth to say a bit more when Dr McKinney opens the door and returns.

Susan walks back in, pocketing her phone in her lab coat pocket and moves back to her chair, looking at Megan with a smile. "Adum is out of surgery and in the Intensive Care ward." she announces. "He's in serious, but stable condition."

Josh closes his eyes as the doctor speaks and then opens them, fishing out his phone and texting Chief Callahan, who he knows will text anyone who needs to know.

Gareth's smile fades and he just listens intensely with a somber look on his face. It was good news, sort of.

Megan looked like she was fighting to keep her breathing even and looked pleadingly at Susan "Can I...see him?"

Kitty looks at her friend, wondering if she will go as well ... of course she will ... if she's allowed.

Aine simply stands watching, quiet.

Susan is able to answer immediately. "If you want to." she agrees. "But he is unconscious and I can guarantee you, he doesn't look too good." she pauses. "His head is bandaged, but it was also shaved, so when the bandages come off, don't be surprised." she glances at her nurse. "ICU rules are strict, as well. Two visitors for ten minutes every hour. And visiting hours are eight a.m until eight p.m every day hospital wide. But once he is moved to a regular room, you'll be able to stay the whole twelve hours, if you want to."

Josh nods from the door. "Tell him we're all rooting for him, Megan. And no one from the shop will visit until he's out of the ICU." he won't allow them to take a possible slot from her. It just doesn't seem right.

Gareth nods along with Josh "Give him all our best."

Megan looks resolute "In sickness and in health. I made a vow and he'd be by my side if it was reversed. I just need to be near him. i know it's bad....but just to know he's breathing and in the world..." she breaks off in a quiet sob.

Kitty nods, a small smile in her lips.

Aine smiles outright and nods.

Susan nods. "No doubt." she stands. "I do not count as a visitor, so why don't we go now. Would you like Kitty to come with you?" she looks between them.

Josh nods. "I'm going to stop in the basement for a bit, then head back." he looks at Gareth. "You need a ride, kid?" his tone is almost friendly.


Megan looks between Susan and Kitty and nods vigorously "Yes please."

Gareth smiles at Josh "Yeah that would be alright. Chief's in good hands." He gives Kitty another loving look but doesn't approach her. This is about Megan and he wants Kitty to be able to do all she needs and wants to do to support her friend "You ladies call if you need anything. We'll come right back."


Kitty nods and looks ready to go. "Let's go."

Susan smiles and stands. "We'll head down there now."

Josh nods at the room, then turns, holding the door open for the women. "Come on, Kid." he tells Gareth. His plan is to go down tot he basement ... to talk to the coroner.


Gareth follows Josh after saying goodbye. His casual stride and expression pause when Josh seems to be taking a different way out than they came in. He follows more tentatively but considers that the older man may know a short cut.

Megan walks after Susan with an uncertain feeling. Yes she wants to be with Adum, but she fears this unknown right now.

Josh takes a center elevator down to the basement and they come out directly into a room lines with steel doors ... the morgue. An older man at the desk looks up. "Green! I thought I heard your back behind that text." he stands up and looks at his tablet, then to Gareth. "Civvie?" he looks concerned.

Susan leads them in another elevator to the third floor and through the doors of the ICU. The walls are all clear with a center nurses station. Many of the nurses watch as Dr McKinney walks to ICU-4 and slides a glass door to the side.

Adum lays there attached to all kinds of machinery. Many monitors beep, but steadily, almost slowly.

Kitty walks in and looks at Adum. She feels a lump in her throat and pauses, staring for a bit.

Gareth looks a little confused by where they ended up but replies a little distractedly "First Responder, Alexandra Fire Department. I'm Gareth Dunham." He gives Josh a questioning look.

Megan stops in her tracks looking at Adum in alarm. She thought she was prepared but she really wasn't. She walks closer to him like she's moving through a dream, a nightmare more like and looks for a way to gently hold one of his hands among all the apparatus. She looks back at Susan with a scared expression "Am I allowed.. Can I touch him?"

Josh nods as Gareth introduces himself. "Sam Fujisawa." the older man returns the favor. "I'm the medical examiner. Pretty much the only one that handles cases coming off of Alexandra." he doesn't offer a hand to shake, knowing in advance that when in this chamber, it isn't always welcome. He glances at his tablet. "I'll send you a copy, but ..." he shrugs. "The victim .. did you get an ID Lieutenant?"

Checking his phone, Josh nods. "Yea. Positively identified as Colin Rankin."

Dr Fujisawa nods and types on the tablet. "Mr Rankin is a very simple case. A single gunshot to the heart." he glances up. "How's the Chief?" he asks as if he knows Adum.

"He just got out of surgery." Josh replies. "He's in a coma but stable." he nods. "I just wanted to make sure of the report before I got back. The shoot was clean, no question."

Dr Fujisawa nods and smiles. "Of course. This is the only other body I've had this year out of Alexandra." he shrugs again. "Maybe nothing the rest of the month, eh?"

Josh snorts. "Let's hope so, Sam." he nods and lifts a hand. "Come on, let's go home." he turns back towards the elevator and calls it.

Susan watches Megan watching her husband. "Sure. Hold his hand. Even kiss him. We don't know a lot about coma. Maybe he can feel you or even hear you, even if he forgets. At least I like to think that." she tells her.

Kitty looks at Adum, silently. The bandages hide hair that she realizes isn't there anymore, and she sighs slightly. But he isn't alone ... which is important.

Megan nods slowly and steps right beside him, taking hi fingers in her own, being careful not to shift him too much for the IV. She leans over and kisses his cheek lightly, his mouth being obscured by the mask. He smells medical. She looks up at the bandages and where his hair would have been. Her hands were in it just hours ago, his mouth on hers, their bodies joined in the most beautiful ecstasy she'd ever felt. Now they were here...She feels the urge to say something, thinking her voice might reach him and she begins in a soft sad tone "Adum Brate, you need to get through this. Do you hear me? We have stuff to do together, lots of it, and we're just getting started. I've loved you for half my life and now I get to spend it with you. Please come back to me. I'm serious about the babies. I want them, I want them with you. But you're going to have to wake up for that because it takes two. And I need to...." she starts getting weepy again "call your Dad...and I need to tell him it's all going to be OK....because I have to believe that too. I love you Adum. I hope you can hear me."

Susan concentrates on her tablet, appearing not to listen ...but she is and she swallows hard.

Kitty listens and covers her mouth with her hand, to contain a sob. They really were such a beautiful couple and Megans words were just ... so touching. She can almost hear the clock ticking on their allotted ten minutes and tells herself she will make sure Megan can be here for every visit possible.

Gareth respectfully says farewell to the coroner and follows Josh to the elevator "There's a lot of procedure here I didn't know about. Is that part of it going how you'd prefer? I mean I know the situation is nothing any of us ever wanted..."

Josh gets in the elevator when it comes and, after the doors close and the elevator begins to ascend, he nods. "I want to make quadruple sure this goes well. Should Rankins family tries to say he was gunned down unarmed or some other crap ... Adum's getting one in the head won't stop that nonsense. The gun is in a bag and someone from the White Rock PD will run prints on it instead of us, to avoid tampering." he snorts as the elevator opens directly onto the roof. "I don't know whats harder ... police work, or fire work. Hank and I have debates on it all the time."


Gareth chuckles "Well I'm no expert on all the higher up stuff so you two duke that out. I got into it to help people. So far I've never made a call that's come back on the station in terms of legalities but I guess that could be any of us. "

Josh moves to the helicopter and nods for him to get in. Once in Josh does the pre-flight stuff and grins. "If this was a big city, who knows. Alexandra ... as strange as it is ... it's still pretty ... homelike. The people appreciate the fire department, at least." he chuckles as the copter takes off. "Even if you don't rescue cats from trees anymore."