Farces of the Soul: Disconnections and Reconnections
By: Lady of The White Water
Disclaimer: Don't own them…well, maybe…Charlie.
Takes Place a Week After The Three C's
The alarm clock is buzzing in his ear and yet, Chip Thorn didn't want to get up. Normally, he would be so happy to greet the morning. Now, he isn't. The only thing that he looks forward to now is swallowing more potions, his stomach twisting and turning, and his friends ignoring him. He knows that they don't mean to do that on purpose. They have been very busy with Toby's first year anniversary of the shop.
So, it takes him forever to get anyone attention. He would have to wave his arms around to get someone's attention or poke them with his board. Then he would have to write quick enough on his board to get his message across. With costumers around, that prove to be difficult and a big time waster. So, he has to wait to crowd dies down before he could get anyone attention which was so hard.
More often than not, he left standing there...lost in the crowd.
Sometimes, he would use Charlie to relay messages which work only part of the time since his brother's attention span is shorter than his. Oh, lets not forget that his brother's attention is totally focus on V. A wave of jealousy hit him…but there was really nothing he could do about it. He wasn't blind from the looks that Vida have been giving Charlie either.
Maybe….
"Wakey…Wakey, Chipper. It is time for us to go to work," Charlie says as he shakes him.
He growls softly as he puts the pillow over his head. Why didn't Charlie go for him? They look like alike. Oh…right…they were able to tell Toby that Charlie was Chip's cousin. Who knew Xander was a fan of the Pattie Duke Show? A good case of a sore throat prevents him from talking. He doesn't think Toby believe them when they told him that.
"Come on, my dear other half…we have to get to work," Charlie says.
"Fine….Fine," He said into his brother's mind.
This telepathy thing was strange to say the least. He wishes he could use to talk to the others. Charlie and he test limits of what they can do. His brother could only send thoughts a few feet and they were half sentences. He could send his thoughts a good mile or more before it gives him a headache.
He throws the blankets off and heads toward the bathroom. Charlie was already dress and out the door. He steps into the bathroom and notices the potion bottles around the sink. His stomach starts to twist with a thought of taking of another potion. Some of the potions make him sick to his stomach and he would throw up few minutes later. Some of the potions send chills all over his body then he would start sweating. Then the cycle would continue. Some has no effect on his throat and voice. He picks another potion and stares at it for a moment. He pops the top and makes a face at the awful smell. He finishes the potion and rubs his throat. This one didn't taste too bad.
"Hello, my name…." He says before he cuts off. He feels scratching then tearing in his throat. The familiar warm blood fulls his throat and then well…he coughs it up. Quickly, he grabs a towel and coughs the blood into the towel.
He hates this but he continues to do it in hopes that one will work.
"Chip? Anything wrong?" Charlie says as he bangs on the door.
He sighs as he stuffs the feelings of sadness and frustration deep inside. He didn't want his brother to feel even guiltier about it.
"No…nothing is wrong. Just another potion didn't work," He says back.
"Sorry…bro…" Charlie says softly. He could feel the guilt coming from his brother.
"It's okay…" He says.
Somewhere in the back of his mind, he wonders…if it is going to be okay again.
---------MF--------------
Chip kicks a rock out of the way as he walks down one of the many forest paths. He sighs softly as his thoughts try to make sense of them which only give him a headache. Funny thing is he was supposed to be working. Who was he kidding? No one notices that he was there. He doubts they notice that he was gone. Over the course of the week, everyone has seems to forgot about him. Maybe, it is part of the Soul Scepter….to be forgotten. This morning, Xander passes out assignments, he forgot about him. Once could be thought of as a mistake but three times in a row. Sure, it is nice not to work sometimes but he feels the need to do something. Anything would do! It took five minutes to get Maddie's attention and then minute he got it, Nick took it away. Vida just pass by him without a hello. Of course, she says hello to Charlie.
Maybe, that is it. Charlie was his replacement. Everyone seems to like him…expect Nick. Charlie doesn't care about that.
Stop it! Stop it!
He wipes the tears starting to form on his eyes. He wasn't going to cry! He wasn't!
First thing he will stop feeling sorry for himself. He is training to be a knight. He needs to start acting like one. Second thing is he needs to step up and start looking for a way to cure his throat. Undonna and Daggeron can only do so much. This is his problem. He is going to fix it. Third thing he needs to do is quit the Rock Poruim. As much as he loves working there and his friends, he can't stay there. It isn't helping him one bit. He is just stressing out himself and his throat. Maybe once it heals, he can go back.
He hopes…
He sighs softly. It is going to be tough because of Charlie will fight him on this. Who was he kidding? Everyone is going to fight him on this. He can image what fun disagreements he is going to get into.
Maybe, he could sneak into Toby's office and tell him then.
……
Maybe, he shouldn't have gotten out bed this morning.
He hears something and quickly, he turns around. He looks around to see nothing was there. Maybe, it was a tree branch or something. He turns back around to Phineas right in front of him. He stumbles back in surprise.
"Hey!" Phineas says. He waves a hello at Phineas. He didn't think to bring his board with him. It is currently being use as a note board for Charlie…if he ever discovers that he is gone. He feels a twist in his stomach at that thought and then shakes his head. In this case, he didn't know if Phineas could read or not. Phineas just stares and tilts his head at him.
"Ohh…Hey, Chip! Uhh…where is everyone?" Phineas says.
He sighs as he waves in his hand in a vague direction toward Rootcore. Well, he thinks it is the direction of Rootcore. He really couldn't explain to him that they were at work.
"Hummm…I am sorry about your voice. You know I lost my voice to a cricket for three days once. It was dancing in my throat. Man, I had the best singing voice." Phineas says. The image of Phineas singing like a cricket made him start chuckling. He was about to ask how Phineas got his voice back but he couldn't. He sighs and he tries to grab the air and put it toward his mouth. Phineas just gives him a strange look. Okay…try it again. He grabs the air and this time put it to his throat. Phineas's face lights up.
"Oh…how did I get my voice back? Well, you see…I had to visit this centaur, which ran this hut…." Phineas says as he throws his arm around his shoulder.
MF
Something has been bugging Charlie all day. For the life of him, he couldn't figure it out. They were fairly busy at work and he was busy flirting with Vida. Definitely that was a highlight of his day. Just wish he could figure out what is wrong. There was no monster attack. No sign of trouble from the Underworld. Nick has stay away from him most of the day. Xander did something call work which everyone should have got a picture of. Madison is fairly happy and so was V. So, what in the hell is bothering him? Maybe, he should ask his brother. He stops in his tracks. Where was his brother? He didn't remember seeing him at lunch…or this afternoon.
Maybe, he is in the stock room. He walks to stock room and pops his head inside.
No Chip.
Break room?
No Chip
Bathroom?
No Chip….and it really needs to be clean.
Toby's Office?
No Chip.
"Charlie…what's wrong?" Madison asks after he pops his head into Toby's office.
"Have you seen Chip?" He says. Madison thinks for a moment.
"You know…I haven't seen him since this morning. Did you check the stock room?" She says.
"I have looked everywhere. Does anyone remember seeing him this afternoon? He says in a slight panic. He turns to look at everyone else.
"No," Vida says as she shakes her head.
"Nope…not since this morning," Nick says as he finish stocking the shelves.
"Same here, mate," Xander says from his chair.
Where was he? He couldn't just walk out of the shop. Someone would notice that he was gone. He would have notice….wouldn't he? His stomach starts to twist and turn. His brother hasn't been acting like himself lately. Chip isn't opening up to him anymore. He knew the potions and not be able to speak has been taking its toll. He tries so hard to reach out but his brother refuses his help which hurts more than anything else. Now…now…something could happen. He bolts toward the break room and rush to their locket. Quickly, he opens the combination lock and opens it. He blinks as he saw Chip's board staring right at him.
I went for a walk in the forest. Don't worry. I will be back before Uncle picks us up. Not that anyone would notice.
Chip.
He shakes his head as he tries to process the message. Damn it! He left the cell phone too! Didn't he know that he could be hurt! Didn't he know that he could get attack by the Underworld? Didn't Chip know that he would worry! Didn't…he sighs…Didn't really matter… His brother left because he was lonely and isolate here.
Some brother, he is.
He didn't notice his brother's leaving.
"Charlie…what's wrong?" Madison says from the doorway.
"My brother left. And we are going to drag him back!" He says with determination.
----MF-----
Slowly, Chip pops his head into the Rock Porium. He was slightly surprise that no one is here. He glances over at the clock. It wasn't time for anyone to leave unless they finally notice that he was gone. It is too depressing to think how long it took them to realize that he was gone. Beside, he didn't want to think about it. His day was good. He taught Phineas how to fish which prove to be interesting. Since Phineas's way of fishing is throwing his body into the water and hoping for the best. Phineas was so excited when he caught his first fish with the rod. He did this strange dance and song. He smiles softly at the memory. Maybe, he should make Phineas some cookies as a thank you for cheering him up. But first…..
He sighs softly. Let's get this over with.
Chip enters the Rock Porium and slowly heads toward Toby's office. He stops at the door and stares at it. Could he really do this? He never really quit a job before. He really like working here and Toby is a great boss. His friends and his brother would probably never forget about him again after this incident. But that doesn't change anything…does it? He will still have the same problems as before. Well, lets get this over with.
He knocks on the door.
"Come in," Toby's voice says loudly.
Slowly, he opens the door and walks inside. He closes the door behind him then turns his head toward Toby.
"Oh…hello, Charlie…Have a seat…Wait a minute…are you Chip?" Toby says as he digs around his desk. Then he looks back up at him.
"Chip," He says softly then he looks around for something to write on. He walks over to the printer and grabs some printer paper from the top. He takes a seat and grabs a pen and a book from his desk. He puts the book under the paper.
"So…what can I do for you?" Toby says.
He looks down at the paper and tries to figure out how to write those two little words. Better yet, could he write it?
"You know…I miss you around here," Toby says. He shot his head up to look at him in surprise. Did Toby notice that he was gone?
"This place seems so…I don't know. It doesn't seem right. It lacks the energy it once had. Your cousin is great and everything. He makes the place more…colorful. But you…this place seem alive and kids seem to love you. Charlie seems to scare them. I hope you can speak again soon. You seem so out of place here without your voice," Toby says softly.
The words almost make him drop the paper and book.
He knew he couldn't do this now. He should get up and leave. He will wait outside for his brother and the others.
You seem so out of place here without your voice.
The words cause a wave of determination rushes through him. He writes on the paper and then he holds it up to Toby.
"You quit? What? Why?" Toby says with amazement.
His hands trembles as he writes on the next sheet of paper. Then he lifts it up to Toby.
"Because you have too…what?" Toby says with a confuse look on his face.
How could he make him understand?
How can he explain it?
He runs his hand through his hair. He wants to scream in frustration. He didn't know what to do. His eyes widen slightly at the thought. This is going to hurt but if it was the only way.
"I can't talk…," He says the words before the familiar surge of blood and pain from his voice. He leans over and starts coughing.
"Chip! What's wrong?" Toby says in a panic. He struggles to regain himself. He needs to do this.
"It hurts…" He says as the pain increases. He could feel the warm blood on his hand. He removes his hand from his mouth and he shows his hand to Toby.
"Because of this…" He says as the pain ripple through his body. He covers his mouth and starts to cough again. He could feel more blood in his hands. He just wants to curl into a ball and block the pain out. He knew he couldn't. The only thing he could do was lay his head on the edge of the desk.
"Chip! CHIP! I am going to call 911. Just rest," Toby says as he rushes toward the phone. He jerks his head upward to stare at Toby's horrified face.
"Sorry...," He says as he bolts out of the chair. He could hear Toby shouting out to him but he didn't pay attention. He tries to shake off the lingering pain that runs through his body as he runs toward the bathroom. He opens the bathroom's door and slams the door behind him. He locks it then rams a chair under the knob. He stumbles back into a corner and falls to the ground. He curls himself into a ball and starts to cry.
What a mess.
He knew he shouldn't have got out of bed this morning.
MFMFMFMFMFMF
Charlie is piss off. When he finds his brother, he is going to tie him up or something like that. Second thing, he plans to do is punch Nick. He hates the guy. He has no clue why. The minute he starts talking, he wants to punch him. Ahh…he can't wait to get back to Rock Poruim and talks some sense into his brother. Then get the hell away from Nick before he does something stupid. Maddie wouldn't like him anymore if he punches her boyfriend. Damn….
That probably would explain why he nearly took off when he saw the store.
The minute he steps into the store, a wave of pain hit him. He nearly stumbles back in surprise.
"Chip?" He says softly. He got no answer from their link. He knows that his brother could feel his presence. Chip was probably so focus on his pain that he didn't notice him. He walks toward the bathroom. He watches as Toby bangs on the door. He reaches out and touches Toby's shoulder. Toby turns around and blinks in surprise.
"He started talking about quitting…and blood started come out of his mouth…and…then he took off into the bathroom! And…I want to see if he was alright. If not, I am going to call 911," Toby asks in a panic.
"Don't! Don't! Let me see what's wrong with him first, okay?" He says quickly. The last thing, he or his brother needs. He could only image the can of worms that would open.
"Okay…I am going by the office…if you need me," Toby says before he walks away. He sighs as he turns toward the door and knocks.
"Chip?" He says into the door.
No answer.
"Chip…please?" He says again.
No answer
"Chip? Open the damn door! I know you are in there!" He says angrily.
No answer.
"Chip…open the door before you make me do something stupid! Like blast the door opens!" He shouts.
"You can't," Chip's voice echoes through his head.
"Please…I have three other people to ask that can do it for me," he says.
No answer.
"Bro….Please?" he says softly. He hears another door open and turns around. He sees the others starting to file in.
"Charlie? What's wrong?" Maddie says as she approaches him.
"Stay there, okay?" He says.
"Chip is there? Why?" Vida says. He could hear the worry in her voice that she is trying to hide. She looks like she ready to break down the door.
"Just stay there…I am going to try to talk him out," He says.
"Good luck with that. I think I would rather stay here. Me and the toilet are becoming great friends," Chip says in his head.
"You can't do sarcasm, bro. It isn't your nature," He snaps back.
No answer.
"Damn it! Don't get all quiet on me. Fine, screw you!" He says as he turns around to look at the others.
"Blasts open the door, Xander." He says loudly. Xander blinks in surprise.
He got no answer from his brother but he got a terrible sense of sadness and pain from him. It almost cut his heart into two. He turns away and leans into the door.
"Bro…please…I just want to talk. The others are going to stay out here….okay?" he says softly.
For a moment, there was no answer.
"Okay…but only you. I just can't face everyone else right now." Chip says.
"Okay, I promise." He says softly. He could Chip moving around. He hears a dragging of a chair and unlocks noise of the door.
"Everyone stay here. Do something…I don't care," He says before he slowly he opens the door. Quickly, he steps through and closes the door.
"Lock it," Chip says in his head.
He locks the door at his brother's request.
"You look like hell, bro." he says as he looks over Chip. It was probably the nicest thing he could say. There is blood on his hands and shirt. His eyes were red and puffy from crying. He is curl up in a corner.
He takes a seat next to him and lays his head on his brother's shoulder. It seems to ease his brother's pain a little.
"I'm sorry." He says softly.
"Not your fault…." Chip says.
"You do a great job of relieving me of my guilt. I know I have been a terrible other half. My question is…why you didn't tell me?" he says.
"You would feel guilt," Chip says softly.
"Too late. I'm all for the guilt trip now," he says with a sigh.
He could feel his brother relax a little and starts to uncurl himself from his ball.
"Show me," he says.
"What?" Chip says.
"No more hiding, bro. Show me," he says. He hears his brother sighs and then offers his hand to him. He takes the hand and outside world seems to disappear. It wasn't like when they need to morph and they become one again. This is different. It like they were brushing against each other. He feels flashes of pain. Suddenly, his throat becomes rough and scratchy. He could hardly breathe because of the pain. He is feeling a little bit light headed as his brother let go of his hand. He shakes his head to clean his thoughts.
"You okay…?" Chip says into his head. Why in the hell does he look so concern for him?
"How can you ask me that when you are the one in pain!"
"Because this is normal for me."
"It wasn't before…"
He feels his brother mentally shrug.
"I knew this was a bad idea."
"NO! I want to know!"
Chip nods his head but he didn't look to happy about it. Chip offers his hand to him and he takes it.
His world melts away again.
MFMFMFMFMF
Chip didn't know that how he went from holding his brother's hand to hugging him. He really didn't care. He is so emotional and physically drained. His cheeks are still wet from all of the crying. Charlie wasn't any better shape. He just wants to go somewhere and take a long nap. Oddly enough…he feels so much better. His brother pull away from him then he hits his shoulder.
"You idiot! You could have told me! You didn't need suffer like that!" Charlie says angrily as he wipes his face.
"I'm sorry…it just…you are so guilty about it….," He says as he rubs his shoulder.
"I know…I know…" Charlie says softly.
"No more feeling guilty, okay?" He says as he looks directly into his brother's eyes.
"Then you better start talking to me. No more being broody," Charlie says as he sticks out his tongue.
"Deal," He says with a chuckle. He sighs as he leans on Charlie's shoulder. He closes his eyes and leans against his brother's shoulder. He feels Charlie's head lie on top of his head. For the longest time, they just sat in each other presence.
"Ten bucks say that they are listening at the door," Charlie says.
"Fifteen says that they cast a spell to listen to us," he says with a smile playing on his face.
"You have a deal, bro," his brother says then he pauses.
"You are still going to quit…aren't you?"
"Yes…."
"I wish you didn't…I am going to miss you around here."
"I am not going to vanish, bro. I will be around…especially around Tuesday and Wednesday. It is comic books and DVDs days. Beside, you do go home, right?" He says with a chuckle.
"Smart ass." Charlie says affectionately.
"I learn from the best."
Charlie bursts out laughing.
"The others aren't going to like it."
"I will…uhh…write a note explaining it to them."
"No…I will explain it to them."
He blinks in surprise.
"I don't want you to go but I understand why you must. Don't worry about the power rangers stuff…we figure out a way to make it work. Beside, once you get better, you will be back," Charlie says with a smile.
"Yes, I will," He says. Even if deep down in his heart that may not be true. He may never get better. He shakes his head to clear that thought away. He will get better. No ifs and buts about it.
"Well, I will talk to the others. You get yourself clean up." Charlie says as he gets up from the floor.
"Thanks…"
"Blah…that is brothers are for." Charlie says as he unlocks the door. He watches as his brother slips out of the door.
He sighs as he gets up from the floor. Suddenly, he hears the door opens and closes. He looks up to Vida standing in front of him. She folds her arms across her chest and she is giving him that look. In his head, it is the look that screams she is going to talk and he is going listen look.
Oh, boy.
"Bro?" Charlie says as he knocks on the door.
"Don't worry. It looks like its V's turn. She is giving me that look," He says.
"Damn…need your board?" Charlie asks.
"He isn't going to need to his board." Vida shouts as she stares at him.
"Damn…Good luck, bro." Charlie says.
"Thanks…I have a feeling that I am going to need it," He answers back then focuses his attention to V. She looks him up and down.
"You look like crap." She says.
"Bravo, V. State the obvious," Charlie shouts through the door.
"Will you stay out of this?" Vida shouts back.
"Uhh…Let's me think…uhh…no."
"Listen here…me and everyone else let you two talk it out,"
Charlie pauses for a moment.
"That isn't what Maddie's guilty face is telling me," Charlie says in a sing song voice.
He covers his mouth and tries not to laugh.
"Oh, shut up!" Vida shouts.
"Charlie…Stop teasing V," He says.
"Fine…I was giving you a chance to escape," Charlie says.
"Why in the hell does he want to do that?"
"Uhh….I will be right back…I am going to get his board."
"Great…she even more mad at me." Chip says as he watches her turn around. He takes a seat right back on the ground as he stares at her. She look like she was about get into a fight but he knows better. He could read her better than anyone. Her eyes were telling a different tale. Her eyes were sad, angry, and a little annoy at him.
"YOU IDIOT! You…You…" Vida says then she suddenly throws her arms around him and hugs him. He blinks in surprise and hugs her back. Slowly, she let go of him and sighs.
"I'm sorry. I have been a lousy best friend lately," She says.
He shakes his head no.
"Yes, I have. I left you all by yourself when I should have helped you out. It just Charlie…He is…,"
He understands…Charlie was new. One of things that V and him has in common, when there is something new that catch their attention…their attentions are totally focus on it. He grabs her shoulders gently and makes her look at him.
"It is because Charlie is sexy and hot?" Charlie says.
"Please…you are average. Chip is cuter," She says with a smirk.
"HEY!"
Chip starts to laugh and Vida turns toward him.
"It is good to hear you laugh again," Vida says with a sigh.
He smiles at her and waves his hand in the air. She smiles back then frowns.
"Toby told me that you are going to quit."
He nods his head yes.
"Have we really been that bad to you?" Vida says softly. He shakes his head no. He needs his broad.
The door opens and his broad drops on the ground. The door closes again.
"Pen, Charlie." Chip says with a grin.
The door opens and a pen drops on the ground. He takes board and the pen. Quickly, he writes something down.
"Hard to talk…very stressful. Retail isn't my friend," He writes on the board and shows V. Vida reads then cracks a grin.
"We could make it easier for you…We could make you stock the shelves or something? We could find a way. And…And…What about being a ranger?!" Vida says as she tries to think up stuff. Chip smiles sadly and shakes his head no. He erases his broad and writes again.
"I think I figure out that Ranger thing. I have the morpher since Charlie works here…me and Charlie going to meet up and do our merge thing when there is an attack."
"I am not going to talk you out of this…am I?" Vida says sadly.
He shakes his head no then he erases his broad. He writes something else and shows her.
"I am not going to go poof. You guys are my friends. I am going to visit! But I have to figure out how to fix my voice myself."
Then he wipes it off and then writes something else.
"Beside, we had Charlie…we could put some good pranks on the others now. Xander can't stop us. I doubt Toby would get rid of a pay costumer."
Vida smiles then laughs.
"Oooh….what do you have in mind?"
Chip wipes off his broad and writes something.
"Well…It involves a balloon, dye, and Charlie under the door…"
End of Disconnections and Reconnections
A/N: This chapter really didn't go off as planned. Originally, Chip was going to stay at the Rock Poruim. Boy, that changed…but for the good! I promise! Chip isn't going to vanish…I have plans for Chip… . I am just not saying what. Anyway, read and review if you wish.