Once, We Were

Chapter 3
Warnings: mainly stuff later on - also, POV switch in this chapter, and later ones too
some episode spoilers also, come to think of it - sry!


Chapter 3: Unspoken Ally

It was destined from the beginning

It was something we could not control

It was real, and it was painful

It was all we'd ever know.


Kyle's POV

Like the majority of the human species, I would never list "hospital" as one of my favorite places; after all of the times I've been sent there for fighting with a certain fatass, not to mention the whole "AIDS" thing, the hemorrhoid thing, the kidney thing, and my wonderful diabetes, I've developed somewhat of a sore spot when it comes to dealing with anything medical. The very premise of "hospital" confuses me, because you go in and might never come back out. Well, you'll come back out, but you might be dead, and according to Kenny, "Dying sucks."

From the doctors' white coats, which never dirty (despite the numerous patients they see on a daily basis), to the tiny, twenty-channel t.v.s in every room, hospitals just always strike me as, well, hypocritical. I mean, I'm fairly decent (all right, I'm amazing) with math, and I know that blood plus white equals dirty, and that t.v equals bad. So, if health (a.k.a. legal medicinal drugs) equals good, then t.v. can not equal healthy! So why the hell are t.v.s so widespread in hospitals if hospitals are supposed to cure you!?

...Wow, my brain, thanks for that...

Anyway, before driving us all to Hell's Pass, dad dropped Ike off back at the house. He had some paper to write, or so he claimed; honestly, I think he just wanted an excuse out of going. If there's one person who hates hospitals more than me, it's Ike... well, him and maybe Stan. But definitely Ike, and I don't blame him. Have you ever had a botched-bris?

We got to the hospital and I was rushed in for stitches; luckily, the doctor said that the cuts weren't that deep. He claims that I'll be released within a few hours; I hope so, 'cause Stan's getting antsy. He did not seem to appreciate my "heroic feat," but rather scowled at me as we drove over. It seems like he's in a hurry, but he just got here, so I have no idea why...

As if to answer me, he walks into the room, a large scowl across his face. I glare back at him once more, and he snorts. "I know, I know. I'm watching myself."

Relief simmers across my body. "Good," I evenly answer. Attempting discretion, I begin, "So... it's as good a time as any."

My attempt is an utter failure; he raises his left brow and looks annoyed."...I already told you... I'm not telling you..."

"But -"

"Kyle, I can't tell you."

I awkwardly leap towards him from the bed. "Do you really expect me just to accept that?" I snap. "Because I won't Stan! Nu-uh. I need answers!"

He looks at me like I've gone nuts - I probably have, from all of this stress. "Then why'd you agree to this in the first place?" he questions me sincerely.

I give him a look to match his own. "You're my best friend - what choice do I have?"

My answer simply makes his face grow all the more confused. "What" he asks, "you mean, still?"

I roll my eyes and nod. "Funny, but don't change the subject."

"I'm not, though, I -"

"Stan."

He sighs. "All right - but I'm not answering you either." With that, he leaves the room. I'm tempted to call him back, but I know that I'll be going home in a few hours. And then, I'll see him again, and then, I'll make him answer me.

It's not that I have problems with taking Stan in, but I do have trouble lying to my parents, and I have trouble seeing my super best friend in such distress with no one to turn to because he won't allow it. All I know right now is that his family has been killed, and that he needs a place to stay.

But he told me they died nearly a year ago - so why the sudden need for my help? And why did he lie about removing the swastika - why's he so angry? Why won't he tell me!?

And most confusing of all - when he talks,

why won't he look me in the eye?

Stan's POV

I exit the room and rush to the stairs. The Broflovskis are talking with Kyle's doctor.

"Mr. Broflovski!" I scream, fake cheery. "Do you mind if I meet you back at your house later?"

He looks at me surprised; his wife decides to answer. "But Stan! You just got here -"

I smile bigger, interrupting, "I know, but that's the reason why. A bunch of the other guys heard I was coming back, and they've all gotten together to welcome me home! They didn't expect Kyle to break his hand, so there's sort of a scheduling error - Cartman's dad said that she can drive me, but I'll miss the whole thing if I don't go now." The lie sounds fake even to my own ears, but luckily, they seem to accept it.

"As much as I dislike that proposal... All right, Stanly dear, you can go. But do you remember your way around?"

I inwardly laugh - I don't think I could forget it. "Of course," I answer quickly. "Thank you so much! I'll be back at the house by six!"

I run off quickly to avoid any more questions, whipping out my cell phone and speed dialing Cartman. The phone rings once, twice, three times - Of all the day's for him not to answer, of course he chooses today. "God d*mnit," I mumble angrily, calling Kenny to see if he's there. Kenny answers and sounds surprised to hear me -

"Stan? Stan!! What the f*ck man!? When'd you get here, I - "

Cutting him off, I question gruffly, "Kenny? Is Cartman there?"

I can feel him flinch at the sound of my voice. "Um no - he's at some meeting."

As he continues to talk, I hang up the phone. Some meeting? He never mentioned that...

My phone starts ringing and I check the I.D. - it's only Kenny again, so I ignore it. By now, I'm outside the hospital, unsure of where to head next. But I figure, I've been waiting for months, so what's another few hours?

I might as well head towards Cartman's - he is the reason I'm here, after all.


Well firstly,

MERRY BELATED X-MAS! And happy... sixth night of Hanukkah? I think...
anyways,

1. Thanks for the spelling help! That was driving me crazy .
2. Hope no one hates the POV switch thing - I just wanted some Kyle insight, cause he is awesomeness!
3. Yes, I know, you're not supposed to use cell phones in a hospital! - but Stan's not exactly obeying the rules right now
4. On a side note, I actually wikipedia'd Kyle to find all of his medical problems - I never really paid attention to it in the show, but he gets sick like crazy! Just thought it was interesting...
5. and, uh that's it

So with that, happy holidays and all that the saying entails! Thanks for everything thus-far! And review please - reviews to me are like cookies to Santa XD or cookies to ppl in general I guess lol