More Paige very soon, I promise. I did, however, have to keep it in chronological order, and therefore I absolutely had to do this is a primarily Ellie-Sean-related chapter. Hope it doesn't freak anyone out too much, and thanks for the reviews and continued support.


Chapter IV - The Sun Always Shines on TV

Sean was in the waiting room, looking downright terrified, when they arrived. He rushed forward to greet them, wrapping his arms around Ellie in a gentle embrace, despite her struggles.

"Are you okay?" he asked, tilting her chin up with one finger so she couldn't avoid his eyes.

She shrugged slightly. "I'd be better if I weren't in this place. And especially if I didn't have these damn handcuffs on."

"You'll get them off when you're checked in," the officer said. He reached out his hand toward Sean. "Sean Cameron? I'm Patrick MacKenna. We spoke on the phone." Sean nodded and shook his hand before turning his attention back to Ellie. He carefully pried the bag from her hands, and she didn't try to stop him.

"It'll be okay," Sean said softly. He pushed a strand of hair away from her face. "Just hang in there." She nodded, somewhat calmer within his presence.

She was half-numb, half-delirious while they got her checked in, and afterwards, she couldn't even remember what had gone on. The next thing she knew, she was sitting on a bed, a guard nearby, and a worried-looking Sean sitting in the corner. She tried to swipe at a strand of hair tickling to her cheek, and to her surprise, her hands were free. She blinked a few times, trying to make sense of what was going on.

"We're waiting for Dr. Cavanaugh," Sean explained. "She'll be here in a few minutes." Ellie groaned and glared up at the ceiling. "Try to talk to her," he continued. "You know she wants to help. And you'll get out of here sooner."

"Can I have my bag?" Ellie asked.

Sean shook his head. "At least not until she gets here. We want to keep you safe, El. It isn't punishment."

"Mom needs me. I should be with her. Not here in this place." She was willing to try any tactic-and the fact was, this was one she believed.

"You can't help her until you help yourself." Sean was terrified. He had no idea what to say-what would hurt, what would help, what would alienate her forever. All he knew was that not being there was the quickest road to hell.

To his relief, he was saved from further comment as Dr. Cavanaugh rushed into the room, out of breath. Her hair was tied back in a loose ponytail, and she was dressed casually and without makeup.

"Fifteen minutes," she said smiling. "Not bad, eh? Fifteen minutes to wake up, change, make myself presentable, and get over here." She observed Ellie carefully, somewhat concerned when she didn't react at all. "Ellie?" she said gently. Ellie still didn't look up. The doctor turned instead to Sean and the security guard. "I think we can take it from here," she said. "For now. Sean, there's a waiting room just down the hall, if you want. You can try to sleep, or watch some crappy TV."

Sean nodded, and the security guard followed him out of the room. Dr. Cavanaugh took the seat he'd been in moments before.

"Ellie?" she said again. "Can you look at me, please?" Ellie remained unmoving for several long seconds, and the doctor was beginning to think she wouldn't respond at all, when Ellie finally glanced up at her.

"My bag," Ellie murmured. "Can I have it? They took it. I can't exactly do anything when you're here."

The doctor hesitated, then nodded, recognizing that Ellie had taken the initiative. "But you have to give me the weapon immediately," she said, aware of the situation. "Promise?" She'd come to realize, through their sessions, that Ellie would almost rather do anything than break a promise. The fact that Dr. Cavanaugh had recognized this, and trusted Ellie, had been a big breakthrough in Ellie trusting her in return.

"Promise," Ellie said reluctantly. The doctor handed her the bag, and Ellie just as quickly, although much more grudgingly, handed her the scalpel. The doctor continued to keep a very close eye on her, protesting when she slipped both hands inside.

"One hand visible at all times," she said firmly. "Or I get it back." It was one demand Ellie had no trouble meeting-she'd already found what she wanted. She yanked it out of the bag.

Much to Dr. Cavanaugh's surprise, a Barbie dangled by the hair from Ellie's clenched fist. The doll was dressed in a miniature plaid skirt and black tank top, and adorned with tiny chains much like the ones Ellie had been known to wear. Her legs were clad in hand-made striped socks, and plastic knee-high boots, and her original blond hair and been painstakingly removed, and replaced with higher-quality auburn locks. Her eyes had been traced with thin lines of black, her lips in lavender. It was upon closer examination, however, that the doctor noticed streaks of red crayon covering the doll's body.

"Eleanor Barbie," Ellie said, giggling. "Now with twenty percent more danger. Miniature razor blade, knife, pills and noose come free with each doll, for your playing pleasure!" She grabbed the doll's legs and twisted them, making it turn around in quick rotation, and laughing maniacally.

"Ellie, what is this?" Dr. Cavanaugh asked. She kept her voice calm, masking her own concern as she had long been taught to do. She'd seen similar before, but never with Ellie.

"Eleanor Barbie!" Ellie said again. "A pocket-sized Ellie to torment when I'm not around." She yanked on the hair, and the head popped off. She stopped laughing for a moment, her mouth gaping, then started up again. "Pop!" she said. "Bye-bye Ellie!"

She barely felt the prick of the needle in her arm.


Paige stared up at the ceiling, trying to force her eyes closed. This whole insomnia thing was not her cup of tea. Dr. Sandford had promised to get the results as quickly as possible-ah, the benefits of having contacts where it mattered-but even so, she couldn't help but worry.

Mono was so NOT worth thinking about, yet she'd almost come to accept it. At least if it were mono, it couldn't be anything worse-not that it was anything worse, she assured herself. But mono would be nice and tangible, albeit gross, but a few months, and she'd be back to her old self.

Yes, she decided, she had mono. She had mono, and it was horrible and embarrassing, but she would deal. She would have bubble baths, and keep up with her work, and she'd come out of it more beautiful and on top than when she'd gotten ill.

Right?


Sean's body ached-the product of trying to sleep sitting up, he supposed-but he wouldn't have left the hospital for any amount of money. An infomercial blared out from the television, and he was reluctantly transported back to the days following the shooting. He'd dealt with it, but there was still an inevitable twinge of guilt when he was reminded of what had gone on. He pushed the thought out of his mind, and turned his attention back to the TV.

"Sean?" He jumped up in surprise at the doctor's voice, and was immediately wide awake.

"How is she? Is she okay? Can I talk to her?" He was more worried than he'd admitted even to himself. He hadn't realized just how close they'd become lately.

The doctor held up her hand in protest. "We gave her a sedative. She was getting too wound up, and we didn't have much of a choice. We attempted to contact her mother, but didn't succeed, and we're going to keep trying."

"Don't," Sean said. "You know what she's like."

"I know," the doctor replied. "But Ellie is a minor. We have no choice."

He gave a very reluctant nod. "Can I be with her?"

"Like I said, we gave her something to make her sleep for awhile. She won't be awake for a fairly long time, but you can stay in her room if you'd like. You should try and get some rest yourself, though. You won't be much good to her if you can't keep your eyes open." She smiled sympathetically. "She's under a huge amount of stress that was dumped on her suddenly, but she's resilient. We'll get her through it. Try not to worry too much, although I know that's easier said than done." She didn't mention the incident with the doll, both due to the confidentiality policy, and the fact that she didn't want to unnecessarily make him too concerned.

Sean thanked her, but he was already drifting toward Ellie's room. She gave a brief nod, and he needed no further prompting-he could barely force himself not to run.

Ellie was asleep, as the doctor had explained. To Sean, she looked tiny and fragile amongst the clean, white sheets. He wished he could pick her up and whisk her away to some place where she wouldn't hurt, then pinched himself lightly. This was reality, and he couldn't save her. He could help, maybe, but he couldn't protect her from everything.

He bent over and brushed a finger over her cheek, pulling a strand of hair out of her face. He gave her a gentle kiss and pulled the chair over next to the bed. He noted that her breathing was even, and her expression peaceful, and it was some comfort to him. He found her hand with his own, and cradling it in his lap, he finally closed his eyes. One tear dripped down his cheek, and onto her hand, and then he was asleep.