Late-Night Visit
by Kawaii.Megami
Disclaimers: In A Heartbeat and all its characters belong to Disney. Nothing here really belongs to me except maybe the plot.
Timeline: A few hours after "A Night To Remember".
Archiving: Please ask first.
Note: This has nothing to do with "CCC" (Confession, Confusion, Comfort). The reason I wrote this fic is to simply get rid of my writer's block. This is my first Caitie fic so, please R&R. (I never brought Caitie into any of my other fics until now). I might not write a sequel for this, but I don't know yet. If something comes to mind, I will. If not, then no.
Another Note: Also, since they didn't give Kenny a last name on the show (at least, not that I know of), I made one up. After a long time of deciding, I've settled on Cahill. Just so you know.
Warning: This fic contains an unconventional coupling. If you don't like them, I suggest you turn back now.
***
It was already 12 o'clock, but the visiting hours of Kingsport Hospital was not over yet. Caitie Roth slowly exited the elevator, carrying the ballons and magazines she got for her hospitalized friend. She looked around for someone so she could ask where was the room. She spotted a nurse and quickly walked up to her.
"Excuse me, miss?" she said quietly. The nurse turned around.
"Yes?"
"Can you show me the way to room 217?"
The nurse pointed down the hallway to the left of the elevator. "It's down that way, on the right. Are you a family member of the patient?"
Caitie shook her head. "No, but I'm a... very close friend," she decided.
The nurse seemed to be thinking for a moment. Then she nodded. "I'm only supposed to let family members in at these hours, but alright. Just once."
Caitie smiled. "Thanks," she replied and headed to the room.
When she reached the outside of room 217, she paused for a while before knocking, as if to organize her thoughts. She'd decided what she was going to say to him to make him feel better. Finally, she knocked.
No response.
She knocked again, this time a bit louder.
"Who is it?" a voice inside the room answered.
"It's me," Caitie replied, asuming the person inside knew her voice. And he does.
"Go home, Caitie. I don't feel like talking," the voice simply stated.
"You just did," she countered. "You're gonna be bored to death in there by yourself. Besides, I brought mags."
There was silence for a few seconds. At last, the voice gave in. "Fine, come in. But don't blame me if I fell asleep."
Caitie couldn't help but allow her lips to form a small half-smile. She felt for the doorknob and turned it. Squeaking sounds were produced as she pushed the door open, causing her to wince. She walked to the side of the bed and let go of the ballons, letting the float in the air, and dropped the stack of magazines on the nightstand by the bed. She then pulled a chair over by the bed and sat down.
"You were pretty stupid back there, Kenny," Caitie said, her voice just a little more than a whisper.
"I was, wasn't I?" he replied with a small chuckle. "It's just that... ever since Jamie started doing time with the EMT stuff, he barely hangs with us anymore. Well, at least, me and the other guys. I'm pretty sure you two still hangs at school."
She blinked silently. "You mean you thought Jamie is going to turn into a prep?" she asked, surprised.
"Yeah...," Kenny admitted quietly.
"I can guarantee you. He's never going to bail on us," Caitie assured him confidently.
He sighed. "I guess you're right," he responded. "Oh god, I am stupid."
She smiled at her friend's understatement. "Well...," she started, but trailed off.
"What time is it?" Kenny asked, trying to change the subject.
"12:10. Why?" Caitie answered.
"What are you doing here this late, anyway? I mean, I thought you would be at home or with Val. Or even with James," Kenny stated.
"My parents are out and I didn't want to be stuck with my siblings. Val's still at the station. And Jamie-- Why Jamie?" she questioned after realizing what her friend asked.
"Because," Kenny began, "you guys are so close lately and you know you like him. And as far as I know, he likes you too."
Caitie narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Um, what?"
"C'mon, you think I'm that blind?" he asked teasingly.
"I don't like him," she denied.
"I'm unconvinced," Kenny simply said.
"I don't. Why does everyone thinks that? First Val, then Brianne, now you too," Caitie replied seriously.
"Because it's true?" Kenny suggested jokingly.
Caitie glared at him and hit him playfully in the arm.
He winced. "Ow! You do know I just fell from 40 feet above ground!"
Caitie frowned. "Sorry," she apologized. "I didn't know it still hurts."
Kenny looked at her as if she was insane. "Why don't you give it a try? I'll help after I get out of here," he replied and rolled his eyes. "Anyway, back to the subject. Everyone knows you like James."
"For the last time, I do not like Jamie Waite. Besides, why am I explaining my love life to you?" Caitie asked.
He shrugged slightly. "I don't know. Well, who do you like then, if you really don't like him?"
"No one," she stated flatly. He gave her the "I-know-you're-lying" look. "Fine, I like someone."
Kenny nodded, but still not satisfied. "And does this 'someone' has a name?"
Caitie took a deep breath and held it for a couple seconds before letting it back out. Then she nodded ever so slightly. "Yes."
"Uh huh. And..."
"And what?"
"His name..."
"Oh, right. It's... Kenny Cahill."