Chapter 10.
Days passed and the Angels healed, Kelly had been taken off of all machines that were monitoring her and was healing extremely well with the doctors agreeing that she could go home in the next couple of days which pleased everyone but especially Kelly and Cate who was being released the same day that Kelly was told when she would be released.
Cate sat on the side of her bed dressed ready to leave except for a couple of things.
'Staring at them won't help get them on.' Kelly grinned from her bed sat up looking healthier by the day. Cate looked over to her sister with an unimpressed look.
'That as it may be but I'm just trying to figure out how to get them on.'
'Surely you remember?' Kelly teased.
'Yes I remember.' Cate said back mimicking Kelly who only laughed at her sister's frustration. 'It still hurts to bend over and my ankle is still soar when moving it to certain angles.' Cate explained unhappily as she looked at her sneakers again sat on the floor beneath her feet.
'Ready to go?' Jill asked as she breezed in all a smiles flouncing over to Kelly kissing the top of her head in greeting to which Kelly smiled squeezing Jill's hand that rested on her bed.
'Jill can help.' Kelly offered with a smirk to her sister knowing she hated to ask for help with such simple things.
'Sure I will, wait, what am I helping with?' Jill asked looking a little concerned as she circled round to the other side of Kelly's bed closer to Cate; she saw the dilemma. 'Oh, I see, no problem.' Jill bent down and scooped up the sneakers pulling on the laces to widen the shoe. Cate smiled watching her friend. 'All right first foot.' Jill said beckoning the foot to her. Cate leaned back gently lifting her left foot first, Jill slipped on the shoe and tied it, not too tight and not too loose. 'Next.' Cate repeated the motion for her right foot; Jill was a little more delicate knowing full well that it was this ankle that was injured. Carefully slipping on the shoe Cate flinched slightly. 'Sorry kiddo.' Jill apologised as she gently tied the shoe.
'That's OK, thanks.' Cate smiled as Jill lowered her foot. 'Well I guess that's everything and ready to go!' Cate cheerfully said as she gingerly stood up being careful not to put too much weight on her right foot.
'You take it easy and don't over do things.' Kelly warned concerned. Cate moved over to her sister lowering down to hug her then kiss the side of her cheek.
'No fear there, I intend to just go home and relax.' Cate smiled as she stepped back from Kelly, who still had hold of Cate's hand. 'You know there's actually a part of me that doesn't want to leave.'
'The food.' Jill nodded knowingly.
'No air head, the company.' Cate laughed with Kelly at Jill's instinct to food.
'Cate, I'll be out of here in a couple of days and you'll be back to visit later tonight and tomorrow, it will be like you haven't gone anywhere.' Kelly smiled to her sister, despite how they got here Kelly had enjoyed having the time with her, they had talked, laughed and most importantly laid arguments to rest.
'Exactly now come on, your chariot awaits.' Jill smiled as she went to the door opened it and pulled in a wheelchair. Cate hung her head and groaned causing her sister and friend to laugh.
'Go on get out of here, go and phone you mom and brothers.' Kelly laughed throwing Cate's hand out of hers nudging her on.
'All right I'm going, I'll be back to visit later with the others.' Cate smiled hugging and kissing her sister goodbye again.
'Good, give my love to the family.' Kelly said as Cate got into the wheelchair Jill at it helm. 'Jill, take it slow, no crazy race car stunts.' Kelly warned.
'You spoil all my fun Garrett.' Jill said sticking her tongue out at Kelly before giggling and wheeling Cate out. Kelly settled back into her pillows taking a deep breath she sighed a peaceful happy sigh, contented.
From a concealed storeroom Factor watched as Jill wheeled Cate away from her room leaving Kelly alone. Stepping back and quietly closing the door he sat back down in the little den area he had made for himself, this storeroom he was using, that was more of a broom cupboard, was not very big and apparently not often used, he had managed to get out and find supplies to tend to his wounds, mostly the stab wound he had received to his side. He wasn't sure how he had survived but put it down to shear hatred of the Angels and the want of payback for what they had done to him, especially Kelly and the blonde one who had stabbed him. Now Kelly was alone he just had to wait for the right moment and he was patient, very patient.
'Home sweet home.' Cate happily said aloud as she walked into her home to be greeted by Kris who was sat on her couch.
'Hi!' Kris called out bubbling with happiness that Cate was now home; she got herself up with the use of one of her crutches and took hold of Cate in a big strong hug. 'It's so good to have you home.'
'Kris you saw me yesterday at the hospital.' Cate teased as Kris sat back down again, Cate took a seat in her armchair as Jill sat next to her sister.
'Yeah I know but it's different when you're released from the hospital, it means you really are getting better.' Kris beamed.
'So what are you intending to do for the rest of the day?' Jill asked leaning back and relaxing.
'Call my mom and brothers let them know I'm now out of the hospital and home.'
'How are things with Bette?' Kris asked quietly knowing how angry and upset Bette was when Cate had told her what had happened.
'There fine, mom has calmed down and everything's fine, she was just scared and worried as ever.'
'Yeah tell us about it.' Jill nodded knowing full well the emotions Bette must have been going through having gone through them herself. 'Well why don't we leave you to it and we'll call round later with dinner and then on to visit Kel.' Jill said patting Kris on her thigh lightly readying to leave.
'Sounds good to me, thanks guy's for everything.' Cate smiled to her friends appreciatively as they got up to leave Jill handing Kris her other crutch.
'No problem, we'll see you later.' Kris smiled to Cate as she passed her on the way to the front door followed by Jill.
'Just take it easy ok?' Jill warned pointing a finger at Cate before smiling her famous smile and winking. 'We'll see you in a few.' Jill said over her shoulder as she walked out of the house after Kris shutting the door behind her. Cate sat in her chair taking a deep breath; it felt good to be able to do that now without shooting pains across her chest, just dull ones every now and then, nothing she couldn't handle. Cate looked down to her feet and thought about taking her shoes off and then decided against it, it was just more effort she couldn't be bothered with right now. Cate reached for her phone pulling it into her lap and called her mother to update her. Bette answered after only a few rings.
'Hey mama.' Cate cheerfully called down the phone.
'Caitlin!' Bette called back. 'You're home now?' Bette asked unsure.
'Yes ma'am, I'm home safe and sound and relaxing in the armchair.'
'And you're all right, you're healing ok?' Bette rushed through her questions like any concerned mother would.
'I am yes to all of your questions. Kelly is fine and coming home in a couple of days, we're doing great.'
'Oh Caitlin that's wonderful to hear and a weight off of my mind I can tell you. Have you thought about when you'll be heading back to Nashville?'
'I have and I'm hoping Kel will come back with me for a while, she's still going to need time to heal properly after she's been released and before she's fit to go back to work, I'm hoping she'll agree to come back with me for however long that will take.' Cate said with hope in her voice as she twisted the spiral phone cord around her fingers.
'I'm sure she will sweetheart, it sounds like you're both back on track.'
'I think we finally are and she understands more than I thought as to why I left when I did.'
'Oh honey she always knew why you left and probably even understood it she just wasn't willing to admit it.'
'Yeah that's pretty much what Kelly said too.' Cate smiled.
'Have you spoken to your younger brother yet?'
'Not yet, Scotty's my next call.'
'All right sweetheart well you'd better get on with that then, give him and everyone there my love and remind Scott to call me.' Bette demanded sternly.
'I will mama, I promise, I'll speak to you again soon.'
'All right Caitlin, look after yourself and Kelly, I love you sweetheart.'
'I love you too mama, speak soon, bye.' Cate was still smiling as she hung up the phone the sounds of her mothers voice still in her head.
After spending an hour on the phone updating her family Cate was finally able to hang up the phone and place it back on her table, she sat for a while just taking in the sweet sound of her home, the quiet soft sounds of nature outside and the distant hum of traffic out on the main roads. Cate's eyes settled on her guitar sat in the corner of her front room. Pulling herself up she walked across to pick it up sitting down on her couch she strummed the instrument and tuned it until it was right then played music she hadn't played in a long time but the one song she was now playing had so much meaning to her and her relationship with her friends and sisters she felt the need to play and sing it, maybe she would perform it at her bar one night, maybe. Right now Cate felt that everything was at peace, they could all move on a little stronger than before and she and Kelly were finally in a good place.
When Kris and Jill arrived later in the evening carrying bags of food they found the house empty. Looking to one another confused they walked through the house looking for their friend.
'Cate?' Jill called out as she looked in rooms.
'Jill!' Kris called to her sister from the back yard, Jill wandered through to the back yard, there was no panic in her sister's voice so there was no need to run. As she stepped out into the back yard Jill found Kris and Cate sat on the garden loungers.
'You look comfortable.' Jill smiled as she joined them.
'Just catching some rays and relaxing as ordered to do so by my sister.' Cate said as she slowly turned to look at Jill with a wide smile spread across her face.
'You still have you sneakers on I see.' Jill noted motioning towards the shoes. Cate nodded looking at them as well.
'Mama didn't raise no fool, they can stay on until the end of the day.' Cate said as she stretched her arms above her head being careful to pull too hard on her stitches at her side. 'So what food did you bring?' Cate asked seeing the bags Jill had placed on the patio table.
'Burgers with all the works and fries.' Kris said nonchalantly. Cate's head whipped round to Kris with a big smile.
'You knew I was missing real food!' Kris laughed as she got up to retrieve the bags from the table passing out the food.
'I'll get drinks.' Jill volunteered heading back into the house to the kitchen reappearing moments later with a bottle of coke and glasses for each of them.
'I spotted your guitar out on the couch.' Kris said as she chewed on some fries. 'Working on anything special?'
'Just some old favourites.' Cate explained piling up her burger by adding fries then crushing it all down together so she could fit it all into her mouth.
'Anything you're going to share?' Jill added taking a sip from her drink.
'Eventually.' Cate responded managing not to drop the contents of her burger into her lap. 'You'll have to come out to Nashville and see won't you.' Cate smirked wickedly. The three friends sat around enjoying their food and company before getting ready to visit Kelly at the hospital.
Kelly lay in her bed flicking through the TV channels trying to find something to entertain her until her family arrived, she missed Cate's company as soon as she walked, well rolled out of the room. She had read her magazines cover to cover three times and there wasn't anything of interest on the TV. Shutting it off Kelly turned to the bedside cabinet and picked up the magazines again and began flicking through the pages. The room to Kelly's door opened, looking over the top of her magazine she watched a nurse come in walking in backwards pulling a medicine cart after her. Kelly turned back to her magazine but thought it strange as it seemed a little early for the meds to be brought round.
'How are you feeling today Miss Garrett?' The nurse asked still stood with her back to Kelly rummaging through the medicine cart.
'Fine thank you, much better, ready to go home.' Kelly smiled lowering her magazine down to her lap as she spoke, she watched the nurse trying to see what she was doing but the nurses back masked her from everything.
'Well you wouldn't want to rush things, you have to give yourself time to heal.' The nurse said as she walked round to Kelly's left hand side in such a way that she masked her face from Kelly.
'Time I have.' Kelly smiled beginning to feel a little uneasy with this nurse, something wasn't right about her.
'Don't count on it pretty girl.' Factor said in a threatening low tone as he sat on Kelly's bed jabbing a needle into the side of her neck before Kelly could move or stop him. She felt the piercing of her skin as the needle entered her body followed by the burn of liquid being pushed through. 'Schhh, don't move pretty one it will all be over soon.' Factor said softly as he brandished a scalpel and gently ran the blade down Kelly's face, Kelly watched the blade from the corner of her eye. Her body began to feel heavy she wasn't able to move. 'Just a little something to make you comfortable and unable to get away from me like last time.' Factor angrily said tightening his grip on the scalpel without cutting Kelly's skin. 'Just a little more and we'll be ready.' Factor said as he continued pushing through the muscle relaxer through Kelly's system.
Kris, Cate and Jill were stood in the elevator that was now working but seemed to be stopping on every level before getting to the floor Kelly was on.
'This is taking forever, it would have been quicker to take the stairs.' Jill said impatiently punching the button again for the floor they wanted.
'Speak for your self.' Cate said teasing as she stood, leaning back against the elevator resting her eyes as she listened to Jill complain. Jill looked round to Cate about to say something back when she again saw Kris's crutches and the fact that the way Cate was stood you could see she wasn't putting weight on her bad ankle. Jill huffed just as the elevator dinged signifying they had arrived at their requested floor.
'Finally.' Kris said making fun of her sister as she got out first passed Jill.
'Wonder what Kel's been up to today?' Jill said aloud.
'Flicking channels and magazine pages I should think.' Cate smiled as they approached the nurse's station.
'Just can't stay away from the place huh?' The nurse behind the counter smiled to Cate.
'Yeah something like that, has my sister been OK?' Cate asked a little concerned.
'Absolutely fine, she's been waiting impatiently for you all to arrive, hope you brought new magazines or something to keep her occupied whilst you're not here.'
'We did!' Jill excitedly said holding up the stack of magazines she had picked up earlier for Kelly.
'You can go right in.' The nurse laughed, the Angels said their thank you's with laughter as they went in to Kelly's room finding a nurse sat on the bed beside Kelly, blocking the Angels from being able to see her.
'Oh we're sorry we didn't realise you were in here.' Kris apologised as they all filtered in to the room. Factor still disguised sat still looking down at Kelly hiding the scalpel in his hand he held to Kelly's throat motioning to her to stay quiet, not that Kelly could do much, she couldn't move or seem to make a sound, she wasn't sure if it was the drugs or pure fear.
'Is everything OK?' Cate asked stepping forward. Hearing her sister's voice Kelly's eyes widened in panic, tears began to fall down the side of her face, Factor smiled cruelly enjoying what he was witnessing. Cate waited for an answer then noticed something a little strange, the nurses shoes, grubby with mud then she saw what looked like blood on the nurses clothing, Kelly's silence was what really concerned her, her sister would have greeted them whether or not there was a nurse in the room with her. Cate moved beside Kris placing her hand onto Kris left side crutch, Kris let her take it from her as the two Munroe sisters looked on concerned a feeling of dread coursing through them.
'Nurse?' Kris called out. 'Is Kelly OK?' Factor straightened his back he wasn't getting out of this easily but he could at least take Kelly with him he pressed the scalpel to her throat cutting her slightly, not deeply but he split the skin. Cate turned the crutch in her hand so that the hand and arm support was pointed towards the ground. 'Nurse?' Kris repeated.
'Factor!' Cate called out before swinging the crutch into the side of his head knocking him clear off of Kelly's bed. Jill rushed to Kelly's side as Cate stood between Factor who landed face down on the floor and her sister, still holding on to the crutch.
Factor jumped up and rushed Cate who held the crutch across her lengthways using it to push Factor away from her and her family.
'Why won't you just die?' He screamed at Cate trying to get passed her again, Cate swung the crutch into his stomach making him fall back again as Kris rushed out of the room as quickly as she could to get help.
Factor turned to Cate from where he was on the floor and kicked the crutch from her hands he then rushed Cate pushing her back into the wall slamming her back into it to which Cate returned by punching him in the face knocking him away from her, Factor quickly came back at her again brandishing the scalpel bringing it down to slash her with it. Cate raised her arm to block it to receive the stinging pain of the blade cutting her skin as Cate recoiled from the attack grabbing a hold of the injured arm, Jill jumped Factor sending them both crashing down to the floor the scalpel skidding away from the both of them, Factor threw his elbow round clipping Jill in the side of the head knocking her off of him caught off guard by the hit.
Factor searched the floor for the scalpel when Cate quickly kicked him hard in the face sending him skidding along the floor on his back slamming in to the wall. As Factor began to get up again to attack two large security officers burst in to the room flattening him back down to the ground restraining him, one of them pulled out a set of handcuffs and cuffed Factor before they pulled him up off the floor.
'Every one all right?' One of the guards asked looking around to the Angels, Cate with her arm bleeding standing practically on one leg as she had just kicked Factor hard with her bad leg. Jill picked her self up from the floor rubbing the side of her head heading over to Kelly again.
'We need a doctor in here.' Jill said as she checked on Kelly who was awake and alert but not talking or moving.
'They're on their way.' The second security guard said as they dragged Factor out of the room who was seething and shouting at the Angels. As the security guards left doctor Philips and nurses came in rushing straight to Kelly, Kris came back in to the room soon after the medical team. Cate sat on the small sofa cradling her still bleeding arm, she wanted Kelly to be the priority, she could wait.
'What did he do to her?' Jill asked worried looking down to Kelly holding her hand. Doctor Philips stood on the other side of Kelly checking her over picked up the syringe by the side of Kelly's head.
'We'll have to run some tests on what was in here but I'd say a muscle relaxer, her vitals are strong and she's awake and alert, we can give her a shot once we know for sure that's what he has done.'
'I would say he has doctor.' A nurse said handing the doctor a small bottle. 'It was the only one on the cart.' The nurse explained, the doctor Philips nodded taking the bottle.
'All right, I'll be back with something that will help.' The doctor Philips smiled down to Kelly. 'Don't worry Miss Garrett; you're going to be fine. Melissa, see to this cut here would you.' The doctor said indicating to the cut Factor had caused with the scalpel. The nurse nodded tending to the small cut. As the doctor was leaving he saw Cate sat holding on to her arm blood soaked through the sleeve of her shirt.
'We'd better take a look at that now, Mel.' The doctor Philips called over the nurse as he gently pulled back Cate's sleeve looking at the wound the best he could. 'You're going to need stitches.' The doctor Philips said with a sympathetic smile. 'Mel, clean up the arm and have it all prepared for me.' Melissa nodded in response. 'I'll be right back.' Nurse Mel began cleaning the wound causing Cate to wince and take sharp in takes of breath.
'Sorry about that, I'm going to have to give you a little injection just so we can numb the wound a little for your stitches.' Nurse Melissa smiled as she left the room to collect what she needed.
'How the hell did this all just happen?' Jill finally asked once they were left alone for a few moments. 'I thought he was dead.'
'We all did Jill.' Cate responded holding her arm as she tried to stand up the decided again it as pain rushed through her ankle. 'Ahh crap!' Cate cursed in pain. Kris next to Cate looked down to her ankle.
'You think you've broken it this time?' Kris asked placing her hand down towards the ankle which was beginning to swell up again.
'I'd better not have, although I suppose it would be worth it.' Cate breathed in sharply as Kris felt around the ankle.
'You're going to need an X-ray.' Kris decided.
'Great. Jill, come over here and help me up would ya.' Cate asked, Jill did as she was asked. 'Help me get to Kelly.' Again Jill did as she was asked helping Cate across and helping her to sit on the side of Kelly's bed. 'How you doing big sister?' Cate asked as she slid her hand, even though it was covered in blood, into Kelly's hand. Kelly blinked her eyes and Cate could see the relief just as doctor Philips entered back in again with a syringe in his hand. Administering the drug into Kelly's system he rubbed Kelly's arm where he had used the needle and smiled to Kelly.
'You should feel the effects of the muscle relaxer wear off soon. Now let's look at that arm of yours.' Doctor Philips smiled to Cate walking round to her.
'I need you to look at my ankle again.' Cate smiled sheepishly.
'Put too much weight on it I suppose, I'm not surprised by the sound of the fight you had in here with that maniac.'
'Yeah I kicked him pretty hard and it would seem I'm paying for it, again.' Cate half smiled.
After a few hours Kelly was able to feel and move everything again just as Cate came back in to her room using her own set of crutches having had her arm all patched up and her ankle x-rayed.
'What did the x-ray show?' Kris asked as Cate sat down at the side of Kelly's bed.
'It's not broken thankfully but now I really have to rest it and keep weight off of it hence these.' Cate said lifting the crutches.
'Well at least I'm not alone.' Kris smiled across to Cate from where she sat on the foot of Kelly's bed. Kelly reached out for Cate's hand who responded quickly.
'Hey you're moving again.'
'Yeah and talking just, if a little slurred.' Kelly smiled weakly. 'Are you all right?'
'I'm fine, really all patched up and fine I'm more worried about you, that was too close.' Cate said holding her sisters hand tightly.
'I couldn't move, speak, I couldn't even warn you.' Kelly explained of her ordeal her eyes beginning to fill with tears again.
'It's all right Kelly we're all ok. I'm just so pleased we got here when we did like I said it was too close.' Cate pulled herself up and hopped up onto Kelly's bed leaning over her sister and kissing her forehead. 'We're all Ok now and it's all over, Factor's been taken away to the psychiatric hospital the other side of the city he's on the secured wing, no way he's getting out, none what so ever you're safe now, I promise.' Cate smiled reassuringly to her older sister still holding on to her hand. Jill who was quietly watching from the chair next to her sister nudged her sister's thigh and motioned for them to leave.
'Look why don't we give you two some space for a little while, doctor Philips is being lenient towards us about staying late to sit with Kelly so why don't you two take some time and Cate we'll be back for you in a little while.' Jill smiled to her two friends and then helped her sister down from the bed and walked out together leaving Kelly and Cate alone.
'Sit up here.' Kelly said to Cate patting the bed closer to her. Cate shifted herself so she was sat propped up as Kelly was at the head of the bed. Cate put her arm around her sister who moved in closer to her resting her head in to Cate's shoulder. Kelly reached over to Cate's bandaged arm running her fingertips along the bandaging.
'Does it hurt?' Kelly asked.
'It stings a little yeah but it's not very deep so it should hopefully not scar that badly but hey, it would just be another to add to the collection right?' Cate said trying to make light of it all.
'Not funny.' Kelly said resting her hand gently on Cate's bandaged arm.
'No I guess not.' Cate agreed resting her chin on top of Kelly's head. 'Kel?' Cate called her sister's name after a moment of silence between them.
'Yeah?'
'How about you come back to Nashville with me for a while, at least until you're given the all clear to go back to work.' Cate waited quietly and patiently for Kelly to answer expecting a possible argument and questions as to why she would be returning to Nashville again.
'I would love that.' Kelly said with a smile as she made herself more comfortable against Cate settling down hearing Cate's strong heart beat resonate through her. 'It's about time I saw everything that the others have been going about for so long.' Cate exhaled realising she had been holding her breath since after she asked Kelly to come and stay with her. 'Thought that was going to cause an argument huh?' Kelly asked with a slight chuckle to herself. Cate leaned her head back on to the pillows behind her head and smiled laughing herself.
After another week in hospital Kelly was finally released to go home, the Angels had come in to collect her Cate may not have the need to use crutches anymore but she still wasn't ready to be driving just yet not for want of trying.
'You ready to go?' Jill asked as she zipped Kelly's bag handing it to Cate who looped it straps over her shoulder.
'Yes, absolutely yes get me that wheelchair and let's go.' Kelly smiled relieved she was finally leaving. Jill pushed the chair with Cate and Kris following after them saying their thank you and goodbyes to the nursing staff that had taken care of them all.
'Are you sure you want to go back to your place, you can stay with me I mean you have just got out of the hospital.' Cate offered as they got into the car, concerned her sister might over do things being on her own.
'Did you have any one stay with you when you got out of the hospital?' Kelly asked from the front passenger seat, Cate sat behind her next to Kris. Kelly turned slightly to Jill smirking Jill returned the smirk.
'No but then I wasn't shot…wait are you teasing me now, typical. Out of the hospital for less than a minute and all ready it begins.' Cate said turning to Kris for support, younger sisters sticking together. Kris only laughed.
'Cate I'll be fine, the doctor said I would be, he said it days ago but after Factor attacked they all felt the need to keep me there a little longer just in case.' Kelly looked down to her hands twisting the gold ring on her right hand ring finger, as she thought of Factor's last attack. Cate reached forward squeezing her sister's shoulder just to let her know she was there, Kelly placed her hand on top of Cate's appreciatively. 'I'll be fine and it's not like you live that far away any way.'
'This is very true.' Kris noted nudging Cate and smiling.
Arriving at Kelly's home all of the Angels filed out of the car, Jill supported Kelly as they walked up to her door Kris and Cate ahead of them opening the front door ready for their older sisters to enter afterwards.
'Well it's about time you all got back!' A familiar voice said as they walked in the house.
'Julie!' Kelly called out excited to see the missing Angel. 'When did you get back?'
'Yesterday afternoon, but with the jet lag and all of that we thought it best I wait to see and surprise you today. How are you, are you all right?' Julie asked as she walked up to Kelly wrapping her arms around her holding her friend tightly.
'Now that I'm home and you're all here as well I am a lot better. I've missed you!' Kelly exclaimed grabbing Julie into another long hug.
'Where's Marcus?' Kris asked as they all began to take seats in Kelly's lounge.
'He's at the surgery checking up on things.'
'Checking up on things.' Cate said slowly looking to Jill eyes widening. 'Jill where's the car?' Jill looked to Cate then the others.
'It's still with my mechanic, he's fitting it in between other jobs.'
'What's going on?' Julie asked confused looking around the group.
'We borrowed Marcus's car whilst you were away.' Cate began to explain.
'And?' Julie asked not liking where this was going.
'The car's fine Julie, it's just needs some wiring looked at.'
'Why does it need that?'
'Because Cate hot wired it to get to the hospital.' Jill finished.
'Then it was towed.' Kris really finished the story. Julie sat nodding for a while knowing that Marcus wouldn't be amused but he really wouldn't be bothered as long as his friends were safe.
'Well it's certainly a story to tell. So Factor came back then, freaky.' Julie said taking a hold of Kelly's hand as they sat next to each other on the couch.
'Yeah it was but enough about that, what about your trip with Marcus, how was Italy?' Kelly asked changing the subject which didn't go unnoticed. Julie filled everyone in on her vacation with Marcus, food was ordered in and the Angels spent the day and evening together talking and enjoying one another's company.
'All right this time I really have to leave, Marcus will be waiting for me.'
'How nice it must be to have a guy waiting at home for you.' Kris teased a wide smile across her face. Julie looked to Kris as she stood up picking up her purse then placing her hands on her hips; she smirked as she replied to Kris.
'Yeah it kind of is, good night Angels.' Julie sang as she turned and waved leaving Kelly's house.
'We ought to make tracks as well Sweet Kristmas.' Jill said nudging Kris's thigh.
'Yeah, I'm kind of beat.' Kris admitted.
'Yeah a day of sitting around doing nothing but eating, drinking and talking will do that to you.' Cate joked Kris responded by poking her tongue out at her before laughing.
'Help me up Jill.' Kris said waving her hand at her older sister who took it pulling her up.
'Come on hop along.' Jill teased as Kris limped along after her grabbing her crutches as she passed them. 'Good night guys, we'll see you tomorrow sometime, lunch?' Jill asked as she opened the front door.
'Sounds perfect.' Kelly smiled waving to Jill and Kris as they left. With their guests gone the two sisters relaxed in contented peacefulness.
'Tired?' Cate asked she had been watching her sister for the majority of the night, Kelly had noticed and appreciated it, she had missed her sister's constant watchful eye over her.
'Exhausted, it's been a long day despite the fact we have been sat around here all day not doing anything.'
'I wouldn't say that, I'd say we've been doing exactly what the doctor ordered, resting and just taking things easy.' Cate smiled. 'Come on you should really get to bed, you look exhausted.' Cate stood up offering a hand to her sister.
'Who's the older sister now?' Kelly teased smirking at Cate taking her hand and carefully standing up, she was still a little tender from her bullet wound.
'Right now, I am.' Cate returned the smile as she slipped her arm around Kelly's waist supporting her as they walked to Kelly's room.
'Are you staying here tonight?' Kelly asked as she sat on the side of her bed Cate grabbing her night clothes for her setting them on the bed for Kelly.
'I can if you want me to.' Cate said stood in front of her sister, Kelly smiled nodding that she would indeed like that. 'Ok, I'll be in the guest room just call or whatever if you need anything.'
'The way you sleep it'll be quicker for me to get anything I need myself.' Kelly joked.
'That is very true, a little hurtful but very true.' Cate joked back as she kissed her sister goodnight. 'I'll see you in the morning.' Kelly nodded as she watched Cate leave her room pulling the door to behind her.
The following morning Kelly was up and in the kitchen before Cate, she made a start on their breakfast by putting on the coffee pot; the smell of fresh coffee floating through the house certainly did the trick as it drew Cate from her bed.
'Morning.' Cate said to her sister as walked into the kitchen rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Kelly smiled at her younger sister laughing a little to her self; she still looked half asleep where as Kelly looked vibrant, alert and ready for the day.
'Good morning, good night's sleep?' Kelly asked taking a cup for Cate and filling it with coffee and handing it to her.
'Thanks, yeah not bad at all, possibly the best nights sleep I have had in a while.' Cate smiled taking a sip of the hot beverage before she walked through to the lounge. 'How are feeling this morning? You look great.' Cate called back as she went taking a seat on the couch.
'I feel great, sleeping in your own bed in your own home has a lot to be said for it.' Kelly beamed as she came through and joined her sister in the lounge sitting in the armchair to the side of the couch.
'No nightmares or anything like that?' Cate asked concerned, she didn't want her sister going through what she had in the past.
'One or two may be but nothing to keep me up all night.'
'Do you want to talk about it?' Cate asked blowing on her coffee to cool it a little before taking a drink. Kelly looked away to her window out to the front yard. She really didn't want to talk about it that much at all but she wouldn't get away with it not with her sister or friends. 'Kel?' Cate gently pushed. Kelly turned back to her sister smiling weakly.
'It's just going to take a little time is all Cate, I thought I was rid of Factor after the last time we faced him and then for him to attack again, nearly kill us all and then attack again…' Kelly trailed off as she looked down to her coffee mug she held in her hands.
'You're half expecting him to turn up again.' Cate finished for her older sister knowing exactly how she felt.
'Yeah, the shadows scare me right now, I'm worried what's behind an open door in the house, I'm expecting him to jump out like you say. I know it will pass but right now…' Kelly trailed off.
'We can leave for Nashville when ever you're ready to you know, you just have to say the word.' Cate offered as she watched her sister fight off tears.
'There's something I want to do first, something I think I have to do.' Kelly answered.
'What is it?' Cate sat forward placing her mug on the coffee table in front of them.
'You're not going to like it in fact you'll probably try to talk me out of it and then we'll argue about it and be back where we started.' Kelly went on without explaining what she wanted to do.
'Well why don't you try telling me what it is you want to do first and then we'll see how I react.' Cate suggested sitting back in the couch getting comfortable. Kelly shifted herself in her chair and cleared her throat.
'I want to face Factor, I want to see him.' Kelly explained, the room fell quiet as Cate let it sink in processing what her sister had just said. Cate stood and began to pace the room. 'Cate?' Kelly looked to her sister biting her bottom lip worried at her what her reaction would be. Cate stopped mid pace and looked to the floor then to Kelly and sighed heavily.
'You really want to do this, you won't be settled or happy if you don't?' Cate asked resting her hands on her hips.
'Right. I feel that I have to face him, to show to myself more than anyone else that I'm not afraid of him anymore. If I can do that then I can move on from this and get on with healing completely. Right now Factor's a ghost that won't leave me alone.' Cate walked to the coffee table sitting on the end of it opposite Kelly and took hold of her hand.
'One condition.' Cate said looking Kelly in the eyes Kelly nodded expectantly. 'I go with you, you're never alone with him I'm right by your side throughout.' Kelly smiled broadly.
'I hoped you'd say that, I wouldn't do this any other way.' Kelly squeezed Cate's hand appreciatively.
'All right, we'll call Charlie later and see if he can organise something and get it done as quickly as possible.'
'Then we go to Nashville, straight after.' Kelly nodded in agreement.
'Deal.' Cate smiled. 'Now how about I make us some breakfast.'
'Yes please, I think I was actually dreaming about your fried breakfasts the other night.' Kelly smiled laughing, it felt good to laugh again and laugh with her sister.
'Well a fried breakfast it is then, the cupboards and all are stocked so I'll get started.'
'Want help?' Kelly asked as she watched Cate walk into the kitchen and began to open cupboards and the refrigerator.
'Absolutely. Come sit up on the stool here and talk to me whilst I cook.' Cate smiled back to her.