Seasons
Fanfic by: NekoSama (aka Chris) and Doretta (aka Desiree)
Email: nekosama@ix.netcom.com and dstreeter78@yahoo.com
Status:Part 2
Catagory:Angst
Spoilers: none
Season: after Beholder
Rating: NC-17 for sexual content and violence.
Summary:A time for hate
Standard disclaimer: The Invisible Man and all the characters are not ours and are used without permission. We are not getting paid for this.


"Hello? Are you alright? Can you open your eyes?"
Quinn blinked and tried to move his neck. It was so sore and the heat that rushed through him ached.
"What's your name?"
The young woman kneeled down next to Quinn as he lay on his back, staring at the ceiling.
"Q...Quinn..." he stammered out, mouth completely dry.
"Quinn, my name is Sabrina. Do you know where you are?"
He shook his head as he propped his elbows under himself, trying to raise his head up.
"Not a good idea," she said, placing her hand behind his neck, trying to give him support.
"Whoa," he muttered. "What happened?"
"You passed out," she answered him.
A man appeared above them with a glass of water, handing it down to Sabrina.
"Drink this," she ordered, helping Quinn sit up all the way.
He took the glass and sipped the icy drink.
"Thank you," he said, putting the glass down on the floor. "Wow. Much better."
"You think you can stand?" she asked.
"Yeah, sure." He was sure he couldn't, but he was going to try.
Sabrina put her arm behind his back as Quinn hoisted himself slowly up off the floor. His eyes locked on the wall across the hall, focusing on the pay phone he had stood at earlier.
"There you go," Sabrina said smiling.
"That was really weird." His head still spun a bit, but his legs were steady.
"Where are you traveling from?"
"America."
"Well, that is a long flight. You're probably just very tired." She was trying to make him feel better.
"Yeah, that must be....AAAHHH!" he screamed, doubling over with pain.
"What?! What is it?!" she yelled, waving the man who had helped earlier back over to them.
"God, I don't know," he breathed as pain raced through his abdomen.
"Call an ambulance," Sabrina told the man as she helped Quinn over to a chair. "Relax, Quinn. Try to relax."
He nodded his head and shut his eyes. The pain lessened a bit as he leaned forward, putting pressure on his lower abdomen.
"You're running a fever," she told him, putting her hand on his forehead.
"I'll be fine."
"You'll be fine once you see a doctor."
"I don't think I'm covered for that," he said trying to take his mind off the pain. "Insurance..."
"They'll see you. Don't worry."
He just shook his head.
"Do you have a parent with you?" she asked concerned.
Quinn shook his head again.
"Well don't worry. I'll go with you. I can translate for you, get you the help you need."
It was all too much. He wasn't hearing everything she was saying. All he could see, feel, and hear was the pain racing through him.

****


Eberts looked into the back seat as he stopped at the traffic light. Huiclos' suit jacket was still there. He sighed and turned into a parking lot and went back to Huiclos' home.
Huiclos was starting to feel lightheaded as he continued to swallow the pain pills. He hoped he would pass out before he died. He was pretty sure he would the narcotic in the meds already taking effect.
Eberts pulled into the driveway and grabbed the jacket. He walked up to the door and knocked. He frowned when no one answered so he tried the door. He didn't want to disturb Huiclos, but he had a nagging feeling in the pit of his stomach.
The door was unlocked so he went inside. "Huiclos? You left your jacket in my car," he called. He walked into the kitchen and saw Huiclos passed out on the floor.
He checked Huiclos' vitals. He still had a pulse, but Eberts noticed the bottle on the floor. "Jesus!"
He pulled out his cell phone and dialed 911. He gave the dispatcher the address and hung up. He tried to rouse Huiclos.
The pain medication had codine and tylenol. The only problem with swallowing a huge quantity of tylenol is it will destroy the liver causing the person to die, but very slowly and painfully.
Huiclos still hadn't come to when the ambulance arrived ten minutes later.
"What happened here?" the paramedic asked.
"He swallowed several of these," and Eberts gave the man the empty bottle.
"OK," the man nodded as they strapped Huiclos to the gurney.
Eberts followed them out and went to the hospital following the ambulance with his car. He shook his head and sighed. 'I know how he feels, but suicide is not an acceptable option. I hope he'll listen to me when he wakes up," he thought.

****
He was unconscious by the time the ambulance team arrived in the airport terminal.
Sabrina walked next to the stretcher as the paramedics took Quinn from the airport and loaded him into the ambulance. She spoke briefly with the men as they prepared him for the ride to the hospital, explaining that she was going to interpret for him and that she wasn't family.
At the hospital, a doctor met the team at the door and escorted Quinn into a room. The boy's eyes opened slightly as a light above him clicked on.
"You are in the hospital, Quinn," the doctor told him with a thick accent. "Can you tell me what happened?"
"Pain..." he said weakly.
"Where?"
Quinn placed a hand on his lower abdomen, wincing at the touch.
"Alright." The doctor pushed down on the area Quinn had pointed to, frowning as no pained reflex showed on the boy. Releasing the push, the doctor nodded as Quinn screamed bloody murder.
He spoke in a rushed tone to the nurses around him.
People went running in every direction, making Quinn's head spin.
"What..." Quinn asked, looking over at Sabrina who stood back from the disorder.
"It's your appendix, Quinn," she said calmly. "You need to have it out."
"No. I can't." All he could think about was the time. He didn't have any.
"I'm afraid you can," the doctor said, leaning down to Quinn. "And I'm going to need to call a parent, Quinn. You're too young to give consent on yourself."
"No parents," Quinn said, holding back a grimace as another shot of pain raced through him.
"That's not what your passport information tells us."
Holding up a slip of paper, the doctor read to Quinn his mother's name and information. Next came the information Quinn had no idea existed in his records.
"Where is your father, Quinn? Arnaud?"
The boy only stared at the ceiling, not answering.
"We can find him for you."
Still nothing.
Again in his foreign tongue, the doctor ordered a nurse from the room with the paper.
"We'll be right back," he told Quinn as he followed the nurse out the door.
As he lay there waiting, Quinn wasn't sure what to feel. If they did find Arnaud, things would fall nicely into place. But if they didn't....

****

Catherine woke in the large bed. She sighed and thought about the last 2 weeks,
Arnaud had taken her away from Huiclos, with Claire's child Alexander . He WAS Arnaud's son as well, but she frowned knowing what Clarie must be going through, And Huiclos, she was very worried about him. At least he had Quinn with him to prevent him from doing anything drastic.
The next shock had been the news of the flight Arnaud had misled people to, had blown up. There had been a memorial service for all of the victims and their names had been listed. She had questioned Arnaud about this.
"Why are WE listed among the casualties?"
"My dear, I made reservations at 3 airlines at different airports. I paid to have us accounted for on that flight," he frowned noting the look on her face. "I did not plan for that to happen, but now we will be left alone," he ran his hand down her face and she pulled away.
And after all of this time no one had come looking. She doubted anyone was even trying. The last thing that was strange was Arnaud. He kept to his promise of not hurting her. No drugs or threats or violence at all.
He had insisted that she breast-feed his son along with her daughter. She agreed knowing it wasn't the baby's fault that he was here.
She looked up as Kiersten's cries brought her out of her thoughts. "Good morning, little one," and she picked her up and nuzzled her. She changed her diaper and laid her back down for a moment to do the same for Alexander.
'They are almost like twins,' she smiled. 'When one wakes up so does the other and they both need the same thing.'
She sighed and unfastened her nightgown and let it slide off. She propped the pillows on the bed and picked up both babies. She pulled the sheet over her legs. She gotten good at nursing them at the same time.
Arnaud woke when he heard the babies cry. His room was right next to Catherine's. It helped his delusion of her being his even more. He pulled a robe on and went into her room. "How are you all this morning?" he asked in a cheery tone.
She looked up at him ready to say something when her brain stopped. Arnaud had never come into the room while she was doing this, and whenever she saw him he was always fully dressed.
"Well, chere? Cat got your tongue?" he joked.
She flushed as she took in the sight of him. He was very handsome. And for some reason his eyes just made her melt. 'Why am I thinking this way?' she smacked herself mentally. "We're fine," she finally answered.
"Good," and he brushed the hair out of her eyes and kissed her forehead. He looked at her with such tenderness it caught her off guard. He patted Alexander's head and touched Kiersten's cheek and then left the room.
Catherine just stared after him. 'What was that all about? And God, why did that kiss turn me on?'
After the babies were fed and settled down to sleep she put her nightgown back on. She left her room taking the monitor with her. She heard a muffled sound coming from Arnaud's room. She opened the door quietly and crept in.
Arnaud had a faded photograph in his hand and tears ran down his face.
She wanted to get a better look at the picture, but didn't want to disturb him. She started to back away to leave him be when she slipped on the floor landing on her butt. "Ouch!"
Arnaud looked up startled at the sound. He rushed over to her side. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," she grumbled mostly at herself. "I'm sorry I'll just-" she stopped when Arnaud picked her up gently and set her in a chair next to the bed.
Arnaud took the photo and showed it to her. It was a picture of Rachele, she couldn't have been more than 18 in it. "That's her senior class picture. I proposed to her right after graduation."
Catherine saw the pain that was on his face. She put a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry about what happened," she said with genuine sympathy.
"Thank you," he sighed getting off the bed. He placed the picture in a drawer and held his hand out to her.
Catherine was about to say something as the phone rang.
"Hello?" Arnaud answered the phone. "He is? Of course you have my permission. I'll be there shortly. Thank you." and he hung up the phone.
Catherine stared at Arnaud.
"I'm sorry, chere, I need to go," and he pulled on a shirt.
"Who was that?"
"Hospital. Quinn is there and he needs surgery."
Catherine's jaw dropped. "Quinn is here? Why? How?"
"I don't know, but I have to go," and he ran his hand down her cheek.
She nodded and left the room so he could get dressed. She frowned when she got back into her room. 'Why is Quinn here? Does Huiclos know that I'm alive?' she was very confused. One other thing bothered her. She hadn't pulled away or flinched when Arnaud touched her.

****
Huiclos blinked a few times. "Where am I?"
Eberts looked up as he heard Huiclos. "You're in the hospital," he answered.
"But...how..."
"You left your jacket in my car and I found you collapsed on the floor. I found this bottle next to you," and he held up the bottle. "They were able to give you the antidote for tylenol poisoning."
Huiclos turned away. "Why did you bother?" he grumbled.
"Killing yourself will not solve anything."
"What do you know about it?" he spat.
"I know quite a bit, but that's not the point. What would happen to Quinn when he comes back, if you die?"
Huiclos thought for a moment.
"I understand how bad depression can get," he pulled out his wallet and showed Huiclos a picture of a young woman.
"She's beautiful. Who is she?"
"Saw WAS my fiancé. She was killed by a drunk driver six years ago. So yes, I know what you're going through," he scribbled down a number on a piece of paper. "This is my home number if you need to talk."
"Thank you, but why are you doing this for me? You hardly know me," he asked.
Eberts smiled. "It might be easier to talk to someone who is a friend. I am your friend."
Huiclos nodded. "Thank you again."
"The doctors will probably be in to see you now. I'll wait outside and I can give you a ride back to your place."
"Ok."
****

He wasn't very aware of his surroundings as Arnaud strolled into the hospital room. Quinn had been put in a hospital gown, prepped for surgery. His eyes were hazy, but he saw his father walk up to the side of the bed.
"Quinn." Arnaud leaned against the bed frame, looking down at his groggy son. He had no idea what the boy was doing in Rome, and he wasn't going to trust his intentions just yet.
"Hey.." Quinn muttered, trying not to speak too much. He knew he wouldn't be able to keep his story straight on this many meds.
"How are you feeling?"
"Great." Quinn locked eyes with his father. They were hypnotizing.
"Why are you here Quinn?" He was straight to the point, not a smile anywhere near his lips.
"You." Quinns words weren't forming anymore.
"Looking for me?"
The boy nodded.
"Well it looks like you went about it the hard way." Arnaud snickered as an orderly walked in and grabbed Quinn's chart.
Trying to think straight, Quinn grabbed onto Arnaud's sleeve and tugged a bit. Arnaud leaned down to hear him.
"You can't leave me too..." he barely whispered as a tear slid down his cheek.
Arnaud looked into his son's eyes and realized how much pain he really was in. His mother was gone. He had traveled across the world looking for the man who was his father after that same man had taken off leaving him completely alone. Save for that sniveling whiner he called a brother.
"Quinn. I'm not going anywhere." He took hold of his son's hand as the orderly began pushing the bed towards the door.
Quinn let go and smiled to himself as he was wheeled through the doors to the operating corridor. He may have been on his way to unconsciousness, but his wits were still there. And they had worked wonders just now.
****
Catherine paced in her room. She had to find a way to get out of here. She thought for a moment and then smiled.
She pulled on a pair of pants and a shirt. She opened her door quietly and crept into the hall. The door to Arnaud's room was shut. She grumbled when she tried it and found the door locked.
She went back into her room and grabbed a hairpin and then went back the Arnaud's room. After several frustrating minutes she was able to get the door open.
She went over to the phone. She picked it up and dialed. She groaned as an operator came on and stated the line was not able to make outside calls. It was setup to receive incoming calls only. 'Damnit!!'
She went back in her room and tried to think of something else.

****

He was so calm sitting alone in the waiting room. A cup of coffee sat loosely in his hands as he watched the clock.
Arnaud stood slowly as the doctor entered the room. "How is he?"
"Mr. DeTheil, you're son is doing fine. But things didn't go as planned during the operation. His appendix had already burst by the time we got in."
"What does that mean for him?" Arnaud asked a bit concerned, trying not to show it.
"He'll be in recovery for 5 days instead of 1 I'm afraid. Just to monitor infections, fever, any possible difficulties."
"I can take care of him at home." He didn't want to leave Quinn here. He was too easily traceable here.
"I'm afraid that's not an option, sir," the doctor told him. "He's already admitted. It's required we keep him until I, as his physician, am satisfied with his recovery."
"Fine. Then I'm bringing in my own nurses." Arnaud set his coffee down and grabbed his cell phone.
"That won't be necessary. We have plenty..."
"It's not up for discussion," he said laughing at the doctor. Arnaud muttered a few orders into his phone and hung it up as the doctor waited patiently by the door.
"I'll show you to his room."
"Yes. Do that."
As Arnaud placed his phone back into his coat pocket, he noticed that his hands were trembling slightly. He shut his eyes and clenched his teeth. 'Stop it,' he told himself. He barely knew the boy. It was driving him crazy that he was caring so much. The last thing he wanted was to feel anything for Quinn before he knew the boy's intentions. But there was something inside of him that just wouldn't remain calm.

Arnaud sighed heavily as he drove home. He did want to think that Quinn was here to stay with him, but he KNEW not to let his guard down just yet. He hadn't survived this long without having a level of paranoia.
Catherine was very nervous. She had broken off a piece of the hairpin in the lock on Arnaud's door, and she'd been unable to relock it. 'Maybe he won't notice,' she thought.
Arnaud went inside and to his room. He was very tired having spent several hours at the hospital. 'What the-' his mind reacted to the fact that his door was unlocked. When he moved the handle he heard something rattling inside.
His eyes narrowed as he went into Catherine's room. He glared at her and grabbed her arm pulling her into his room and shutting the door.
Catherine hardly had a chance to react since he had moved so quickly.
"Well, I see you've had quite a busy day," he smirked at her.
"I don't know..."
"Please. Don't try to play innocent. I KNOW you were in my room," and he leaned against the door. "Did you REALLY think that I would let you have access to a telephone?"
"I had to try," she replied with defiance.
"Yes, I suppose you did," he sighed and gave a weak smile. 'She still has the same hatred that gives her strength. She's isn't afraid of me... I will enjoy making her accept that she is MINE. I think I should give her a lesson right now, in fact.'
"How is Quinn?" she asked hoping to change the subject.
"He'll be fine. They had to take out his appendix, but it had already burst, so he'll have to stay there for 5 days," he explained.
"I'm glad he's alright. You should..."
"Shhhhh," Arnaud interrupted her. He walked over to her and pulled her close. "We can talk later." He put his hand behind her head and held her firmly as he kissed her.
Her eyes went wide with shock as he thrust his tongue past her lips and into her mouth.
He let his other hand trail down her back causing her to shiver.
Catherine wasn't sure which bothered her more, him kissing her or her body responding to his touch.
Arnaud purred deep in his throat as she kissed him back pressing closer to him. He hadn't expected that.
She finally regained her wits and pushed him back slapping his face. "How dare you?"
He just smiled at her. "You can't tell me you didn't enjoy that," he laughed as he touched her cheek.
"OH yes I can," she shouted back pushing his hand away.
"Really?" he grabbed her wrist and kissed her again. He ran his fingers down her chest and rubbed her nipples gently.
She moaned and kissed him back. 'Claire was right, he can be gentle and tender.' she tried to fight against her body and was failing.
Arnaud broke away and looked right in her eyes. "Can you tell me you don't want me," he challenged.
"I...I..." she stammered. 'Why can't I say it?' Her ears perked up a she heard a baby crying. She turned and fled from Arnaud's room his laughter following her out the door.
The nanny that Arnaud hired was already in her room as she opened the door.
Catherine almost yelped as Arnaud grabbed her wrist and dragged her back into his room.
He shut the door again and stood in front of it. "Now, answer my question," he leaned back and folded his arms.
Catherine just stared at him frozen in place.
"You can't can you?" he added. He slowly advanced towards her his eyes catching her and holding her in place.
She backed up quickly. She could handle Arnaud being evil and cruel, but this...this was not something she was prepared to deal with. She cried out as she lost her footing and landed on the floor with a thump.
Arnaud moved swiftly scooping her up and carrying her over to the bed. He set her down and unbuttoned his shirt.
"Please... don't..." she stammered finally finding her voice.
Arnaud put a finger to her lips and sat down next to her. He brushed the hair out of her eyes. He smiled softly and took her face in his hands and leaned in to kiss her.
Catherine pushed him away. "No..."
"No? Really, chere, your body betrays how you truly feel," he ran his fingers down her chest again.
She gasped from the sensation and then smacked his hand away. "No..." she restated.
"Very well, but keep this in mind," he took her hand and placed it on his groin. "this is what you do to me. And I KNOW that you want the same thing I do," and he let go of her hand.
She left Arnaud's room quickly and back into her room. 'What the HELL is wrong with me?' she thought as she curled up on her bed.

****

At the last moment, Arnaud decided against the limousine and took his own car to the hospital. He was going to check Quinn out at noon and bring him home.
He pulled into the hospital port and put the car into park, taking off his sunglasses as he strolled into the lobby. Arnaud went straight for the elevators.

****

"I hope you have a good stay here, Quinn. It doesn't seem you've had a good start." Sabrina stood by Quinn's bed as the boy sat on the edge, buttoning his shirt.
His hands weren't quite steady. He was having the slightest anxiety attack knowing his role was about to begin. "Oh, it'll be fine. I wont' be here long."
"When will you go back?"
"Maybe a week. Two. Depends."
"My boyfriend went to the U.S." She hung her head as she spoke. "He's going to be gone a long time. Must be lovely there."
"Lovely?" he asked with a chuckle. "Well, yeah I guess."
"I wish I could go over there."
"Why don't you?"
She shook her head. "I have nobody over there."
"What about your boyfriend."
"No. He's just there for a short educational program."
Quinn looked up at Sabrina. She seemed so lost to him.
"What about here? Anyone?"
She only shook her head no.
"Can I have your phone number?" he asked, standing from his bed. "Maybe you and I can spend some time together while I'm here. I want to say thank you for helping me." He really wanted someone on his side while he was here. He needed another person.
"I'd like that." She smiled as she grabbed a piece of paper from the table next to Quinn's bed and scribbled her number.
"Great," he said, taking it from her.
"Quinn." Arnaud's voice was loud from the doorway.
"Whoa." Quinn jumped as he spun around. "Ar...Dad." He caught himself. HE had prodded that word into his head all morning long.
"Ready?"
"Yeah. Bye Sabrina."
"See you later, Quinn." She gave him a small smile as the boy and his father walked out the door.
The elevator ride down to the lobby was a silent one. Neither son nor father spoke a word. Arnaud held Quinn's bag and almost put his hand on the boys back for support as they climbed down the stairs in front of the hospital, but drew his hand back at the last moment.
Arnaud held the door open for his son and watched as Quinn sat gingerly down in the passenger seat, wincing a bit.
"You alright?" he asked a bit concerned.
"Yeah. I'm fine." Quinn took a deep breath.
Arnaud helped Quinn fasten his seatbelt and walked around the drivers side door. He got in and started the engine.
Twenty minutes into the ride home, Arnaud finally broke the silence.
"Why are you here, Quinn?"
The boy stared straight ahead and didn't say a word.
"Quinn..." he tried again.
"Do you not want me here?" He was quick and to the point, not even glancing over at his father.
"That's NOT what I said..."
"Cause I can leave." Quinn now looked coldly over at the man in the drivers seat. This man was not his father and it was killing him to even be sitting next to him.
"You're staying with me." Arnaud clenched his hands around the steering wheel, trying his hardest not to yell.
"Fine." Quinn looked ahead at the road again.
"I just find this hard to believe. We did NOT part on good terms." He was going to figure this out if it killed him.
"No, we didn't."
"And so you fly across the world to find me."
"Like I said, I can leave."
Growling deep in his throat, Arnaud dropped it.
They didn't say another word until they drove up at home.

****

Huiclos picked up the phone and dialed the number that Eberts had written down. He hadn't been doing much better the last few days and he really needed someone to talk to.
"Hello?"
"Hi," Huiclos sighed.
"Are you alright?" Eberts asked noting the tone in his voice. He'd seen Darien at work and he hadn't looked very good. Claire hadn't been in at all.
"Not really..."
"I can be over in fifteen minutes," he offered.
"Can I come over to your place? Everywhere I look I can see her, it's driving me crazy!"
"Sure. Let me give you directions," and he rattled off instructions. He said goodbye and hung up the phone.
Chibi perked up and meowed at him. Several of the other cats came into the room as well.
Eberts bent down and scratched the kitties and they all purred happily.
Huiclos showed up and Eberts let him in. Huiclos smiled as he saw all of the cats. "So, you like cats?"
"Yes, but its not what you think. I wasn't originally going to keep all of them. It just kinda ended up that way."
Huiclos laughed softly.
Eberts smiled seeing him a little happy.
"It's just, I never had any pets. Arnaud is highly allergic to fur bearing animals in general, especially cats."
Eberts grinned. "That's a good thing to know. So what would you like to talk about?"

****

Catherine had fallen asleep after Arnaud left to pick Quinn up. She hadn't been able to sleep very well the last several days. She was still very freaked out about these feelings she was having for Arnaud.
She shouldn't be attracted to him. He'd kidnaped her, twice in fact. He 'used' her just to hurt his own brother. He was ruthless and evil, so where were these feelings coming from?

####
Catherine rose from her bed and her feet landed on the floor. She had on a sheer silk nightgown. She walked down the hall silently. She quietly opened the door to Arnaud's room. She crept to his bed and sighed.
Arnaud was sleeping peacefully, and from what she could see he wasn't wearing anything underneath the sheets that covered him.
She pulled the sheet back and confirmed her thought. She let the sheer nightgown slide off her shoulders leaving her naked as well. She leaded over and kissed him lightly on the lips.
He moaned in his sleep, responding to her kiss.
She let her tongue mingle with his, enjoying the warmth. She sprawled next to him continuing the kiss.
Arnaud's eyes blinked open. At first he couldn't believe what was going on.
Catherine released his lips and smiled noticing he was awake. She had an almost serene look on her face.
"Hello, chere. To what do I owe this surprise?" Arnaud asked the lust apparent in his loins.
She put her finger to his lips to quiet him.

####

Catherine shot up fully awake from this dream and screamed. 'I'm losing my MIND!!! I have to get out of here!!!' her brain yelled.
Both babies started to cry startled by her scream.

****
Quinn was already out of the car by the time Arnaud could run to the passenger side. HE may have been sick, but he wasn't going to give his father the pleasure of helping him.
Arnaud grabbed Quinn's bag from the trunk as the boy began walking towards the house.
Quinn's eyes scanned the front courtyard. He searched for cameras, guards, anything that my prevent this from going as planned. He saw nothing...but didn't trust that.
"Let me get the door." Arnaud walked quickly past Quinn and unlocked the front entrance. The guard standing just inside the foyer took a step back as the two entered.
Quinn put on his best poker face. "Wow," he said smiling slightly. "This is..."
"AAAHHH!!" Catherine's scream made all three jump.
Their attentions flew down the hallway to where Catherine's room was.
"Who was that?!" Quinn asked, knowing all too well it was Catherine.
The sound of baby cries followed immediately after.
Arnaud dropped the bag and fled down the hallway. "The babies..." he mumbled as he ran.
Quinn didn't waste any time. He followed closely on Arnaud's heels, slightly jogging. His stitches ached as he ran, causing him to place his hand over his abdomen to still them. HE winced as he came to a stop in back of his father.
Arnaud threw open the door to Catherine's room and ran in.
Quinn stood in the doorway, eyes locked on Catherine.
She sat straight up in bed, grasping her throat.
Arnaud didn't even look over at her. He ran right to the bassinets across the room and hovered over the yelling children.
"Quinn!" Catherine yelled as her gaze found him. Her hands shook and tears immediately poured down her face.
He lifted a hand slightly to greet her. He glared over at his father's back, eyes dark, then back at her. He cocked his head once in Arnaud's direction and gave Catherine a serious shake of the head. "No," he mouthed. "You're coming home."
She began sobbing. Arnaud turned to face her.
"What is it?" he asked perturbed. "You woke them both!"
She could only bury her face in her hands as she cried. But the tears weren't coming in sadness. She hid the smile in the palm of her hands as Arnaud stood by her bed and looked down at her.
"Dad...come on...she wants to be alone."
Arnaud didn't budge, even though hearing Quinn call him "Dad" tugged at him.
"And I really need to lay down." Quinn winced loud enough for Arnaud to hear.
The man turned and looked at his son nodding. He didn't say a word to Catherine as he walked from the room.
"Come on, I'll show you your room." He passed Quinn as the boy took the doorknob in his hands.
Quinn turned quickly before he shut the door.
Catherine and he locked eyes for a moment.
Quinn flashed her the slightest smile as he saw she was now slightly giggling. He shut the door and followed his father down the hallway, glaring a hole through his back with his
piercing eyes.
****

Daniel paced up and down the hallway. He had deleted the message Quinn had left on the answering machine, but he was growing more concerned since he hadn't heard back from him since. He looked up as he heard his uncle come home.
Hobbes sighed heavily. He wasn't sure what he could do to make Darien and Claire feel better. Darien had been so withdrawn at work and Lori hadn't heard from Claire. He knew the grieving process takes time, but it was driving him nuts to see Darien like this.
Daniel walked up to his uncle. He knew he HAD to say something. Quinn had been away too many days. "Uncle Bob," he started.
Hobbes looked at his nephew. He saw the nervous look in his eyes. "What's wrong?"
"I... *sigh* I have heard from Quinn..." he continued.
"And you waited until NOW to tell me!!!"
"He called 6 days ago and I haven't heard from him since then. I'm concerned that something happened."
"Did he say where he was?" Hobbes asked hoping this was leading somewhere.
"No, I didn't talk to him. He just left a message on the machine," Daniel looked down on the floor.
Hobbes closed his eyes for a moment. He opened them and looked at Daniel. "When did he call? Do you remember exactly when?"
"Yes." he gave Hobbes the day and time that had been recorded on the machine.
"Good. Then we have a lead. I have a tap on my phone line. I can find out where the call originated from," Hobbes smiled and got to work tracking down the number.

to be continued....

.... Any feedback is welcome