Smoldering Thoughts: Sifting through the memories 6/?
Murdock's Crazylady, Now Red and Susie also, with imput by Lacy, Flight, Nikie
PG-13, I think fits the series now
Disclaimer: I don't own the team. I do own CrazyKid and Melly
© 2001 Murdock's CrazyLady (MCL)
Beta reader!!: (Yes, I have one now!!) Thanks to Red, my god-mom for being my Beta reader and for the help with this sometimes confusing AU fic! (and for putting up with me in my 4-year-old mode) LOL
PLEASE send comments.
This is the sequel to Melly and CrazyKid: The 2 youngest patients/Terrors
Campfire
A week after the ghost, CK had recovered pretty well, and began spending almost all of her time with Red. Face also became a hangout buddy, especially when she couldn't be with Red or her sister, Susie. CK's bond with Red had grown, and she was beginning to trust for the first time in her life.
"Going to the campfire?" CK heard someone ask. She silently listened from the doorway of her room. "Yeah, I'll see you there." The other voice replied as they walked in seperate directions. Face walked in and smiled at CK. "It's not nice to eaves drop, CK." He said and CK scowled.
"I not! But, can me come wit you?" CK asked and Face thought a moment. "It's gor grown-ups only, sorry CK." Face replied, knowing there would probably be a few things not for anyone over 18 going on. CK walked over to him. "PUHlease? me be good, pomise!" CK begged, using her puppy-eyes. Face shook his head no...for a second. "Alright CK, Okay." Face said, unable to resist her. "But you have to behave or else I'll send you right back here, understand?" Face said and CK nodded happily.
CK hugged Face and skipped out, headed right for the attic where Red and Susie lived. "Somebody onced toll me, the world gonna woll me, me ain't the sharper tool in the van.." CK sang her own version of Smash Mouth's "All-Star" as she hopped down the hall from square to square. CK felt happy, and she refused to let anything, (including her own deep secret) spoil her good mood. "Her was lookin kinda dumb wit her finner an her fumb in a l on her forehead.." CK continued the song as she got to the bottom attic door and opened it.
Upstairs, Red heard her and quick put anything away that CK might break. CK meanwhile, was nearly to the middle of the attic stairs.
*Bring wine? Sure..* CK heard Face's voice and gasped, it sounded like he was right behind her, and CK turned around too fast, and fell down the stairs with a scream. Red, startled by CK's scream, ran to the door and opened it. "CK!" Red yelled as she saw Ck laying at the bottom of the stairs. She ran down, nearly falling herself, and got onto her knees beside CK.
"CK, what happened? CK?" Red asked, yelling. CK opened her eyes, looked at Red, felt pain and started to cry. Red did her best to be sure CK was okay before picking her up and taking her up to the attic. CK cried on her shoulder as she went back into the attic and closed the door. Sitting down, Red held CK in her lap, waiting for her to calm down. "CK, what happened, honey?" Red asked, as CK leaned her head against her shoulder and sniffed as her tears slowed. "Me..me heared Facey..in mine head..him talkin bout..campfire taday..me heared him here!" CK said, pointing to her temple.
Red looked at CK and mentally asked her what her favorite color was. She didn't expect an answer. "Why Wed?" CK asked, sniffling. Red looked surprised. "Why what, hon?" Red asked. "You say, C-tay, what am you faborite color? me heared you." CK replied, and Red was really shocked. "Honey, can you still hear me in your head?" Red asked outloud. CK nodded yes. "Why can me, Wed? Am it bad?" CK asked and Red shook her head no. "No, CK It's special. Not many people can do that, it's called ESP." Red replied and CK wiped her nose on her sleeve.
"So me have ESPP now? Me can hear Facey an you..an lots of other peoples..it makin mine head owie." CK said closing her eyes. "CK, you know the attic door?" Red asked. "Uh huh, me do." CK replied. "Picture it in your head, okay?" Red said, and Ck listened, drawing a big wooden door in purple crayon. "Otay Wed. Me gots it." CK said and Red nodded. "Now, see yourself slamming closed as hard as you can." Red said, and CK did, her whole body jumping and grabbing for Red at the sudden loud noise. CK opened her eyes and looked at Red. "Better?" Red smiled and asked. CK listened for a minute.
"It work! Me not hear dem, but me can till hear you." CK said, relieved. "You can only hear my thoughts if you want to CK, it's not nice to eavesdrop." red said, and CK giggled. "Dat what Facey sayed." CK said and Red smiled. "Okay you, stand up and let me look at you." Red said putting CK down. CK stood in front of her and watched. "Anything hurt?" Red felt CK's arms and asked, CK giggled. "Yeah. Mine butt. Wanna kiss it an make it better?" CK asked, laughing. Red laughed too as she grabbed CK in a hug, tickling her. CK laughed and giggled until she was sure she'd wet her pants. Catching her breath, Red noticed CK was sucking her thumb. "Wed?" CK asked, taking out her thumb. Red looked at her and nodded. "You tay wif me, iffin me night night? Me's a'scared ta sleep awone." CK asked and Red smiled, pulling CK into her lap again and holding her close.
"I'll be right here, you sleep. You'll be safe." Red said, and CK leaned her head against her shoulder closing her eyes as she sucked her thumb. Red rocked her a little and CK was asleep moments later. Red smiled down at her and wondered..Could CK really be a part of..No.Musn't think of that now. Red shook away the thought. Red stood up carefully and flew up to the cocoon, where she carried Ck and lay her down. CK's hand was tightly clenched to her purple and white robe, so Red lay next to her and yawned. Never a bad time for a nap. Especially when you are able to have peace and quiet from CK's antics. Red closed her eyes and put her arm around CK protectively. Although she slept, Red never let go. CK didn't either.
*******
Worf slammed another stack of papers down and growled. He hadn't told CK of Mel's goodbye and he was angry with himself for that. At the same time, Worf was mad at Mel for asking him such a favor. BA walked by on rounds and nodded, and Worf unsucessfully hid his ittitation. BA merely walked on, knowing to be better to just let Worf go.
******
"Murdock, why that? why not a puppy or a kitten?" Face asked as he watched Murdock feed BJ, CK's baby iguana. Murdock smiled and closed the lid. "Cos she wanted him, that's why. She was 2 years old, saw an iguana in some website and wanted one. So I got him for her. HIM and HER didn't make no mind. They never knew she had him. She carried him everywhere with her, still does, even sleeps with him. She must be with Red otherwise he wouldn't be here." Murdock explained and Face nodded.
Face knew of Murdock and CK's past, and didn't want to think about it. "You let her sleep with..um..BJ?" Face asked, remembering the lizard's name. "Yep. whatever makes her happy." Murdock replied and Face shook his head. For Murdock only being 15 in his head, he sure knew how to spoil CK rotten. Face smiled as Murdock talked to BJ through his glass tank.
******
CK suddenly found herself in the living room od a strabgely remembered house, Murdock beside her and an unseen woman talking to her on her other side. CK wondered why it felt so familiar, yet she couldn't remember it. Pain in her back and the backs of her legs swallowed her, and the dream her screamed. Someone (That voice) talked to her, comforting her..pounding, loud pounding..from the front of the house..pain...strange yet known voice and house...
CK sat up sweating and screamed. Red opened her eyes and looked at Ck as she sat there sweating, panting and staring right ahead. "CK, you alright?" Red asked. Ck looked at her and shook her head no, then she looked down. Red sat up and looked down where CK was looking.. "It's alright CK, just an accident." Red said, seeing the dark wet spot through CK's pants and the one under her. CK grabbed Red, shivering like she was cold. Red held her, trying to calm the pounding heart inside the little girl's chest. "Bad dream?" Red asked, rubbing CK's back. CK nodded. "Uh-huh..C-Tay sowwy fer wettin the bed.." CK whispered sleepily. "It's okay, I'll just clean it up and.." Red stopped as she realized CK had falled back to sleep. Red smiled as she picked CK up, closed her eyes and slowly waved her hand over the wet area, making it disappear.
Then she did the same with CK. Now in purple blue and white kisses and hugs footy jammies, Red put CK back down and covered her with her special crib comforter. A red, blue, yellow and purple blanket, with CK's name in the middle in a circle, lighting all around it. Red tried to see CK's nightmare, but stopped and decided to let CK tell her in her own time.Yawning, Red sat next to CK, keeping an eye on her as she slept. She was about to get herself some tea when she caught something about CK calling Murdock a filthy sock and laughed. CK seemed peaceful in sleep again, and Red climbed out and flew down for the tea she wanted.
"So you've got ESP, CK? interesting. Maybe you've got the gift, we'll have to see. If you do you'll need a teacher. and that teacher will be me." Red said aloud to herself as she made the tea. CK slept and had good dreams, until she felt that she was alone and abrubtly 'changed channels' to that horrific day from her past..
***Something flying at her...hitting her...laughing from behind. CK watched, saw herself as a 2 and a half year old, watching herself like a bystander. 2 year old CK getting mad, shoving the computer off of the table, the loud crash as it hit the floor and broke...HIM yelling...cursing..2 year old CK trying to run away..4-year-old CK watched, remembering everything step by step, dreading what was about to happen next.
HIM getting up in a drugged, alcohol induced rage and grabbing the short, small, pale child by the throat..CK, in dream form, closed her eyes a second, not wanting to see it again. Murdock coming from his room, looking at the terrified CK..and..and..walking away..leaving CK alone with the adopted father she only knew as HIM. 4-year-old CK, standing in the center of the beer can ridden front room, watched as the smaller her yelled and tried to pull away from HIM..crying, trying to scream not to hurt her, but not hardly able to breathe as his hands were around her throat as he carried her to the kitchen, plopping her on the counter...gasping for air..watching HIM wide eyed...HIM screaming at her, holding her hand above the gas flames of the stove top...CK scared and begging HIM not to...CK trying to get away, begging him to let go.. Present Day CK covered her ears as she watched herself being burned, and heard her own screams..the sick thud as he threw her across the room and she hit the wall..the smell of gas as the house filled with fumes..4-year old CK now stood watching in tears, holding the hand that still bare the scars.
2-year old CK sat in the corner where she'd landed and cried as loud as she could..A threat of being drounded like an unwanted puppy from HIM and CK tried to calm down, but the pain was so great, her screams were loud and spine tingling. "No..no..not adain.." 4-year old CK whispered, as she knew it wasn't over. She watched as HIM grabbed CK up again, holding her over the sink he'd filled with hot water..small CK knew better than to fight back, but tried promising not to scream anymore..
Her head was about to be shoved under when the house filled with smoke and he dropped her, and CK got up, running out of the house..The flames soon engulfed the kitchen, exploding the gas stove as CK ran out into the street, nearly getting hit by a car.. She turned and watched tearfully and scared as the flames overtook the house, taking both the adoptive parents with it...4-year-old CK stood next to her younger self, and watched as the fireman came and grabbed her, putting her in a squad car..flashing lights and sirens, and Murdock coming running, finding her in the car..
CK watched as the police shoved someone in another squad car, and was shocked to find out it was a girl..CK's vision suddenly went fuzzy and she couldn't remember...***
**********Red sensed CK was reliving memories, but didn't listen in, she wanted CK to tell her on her own. She was about to go wake CK up when she was caught off guard by a sudden scream, dropping her glass tea cup, shattering it as it met up with the hard floor. "Fire!! WED! FIRE!!" CK screamed, crying as she backed out of the cocoon, her eyes open, yet still seeing the flames of her memory. She backed up so far and nearly toppled out. "CK! stop, you'll fall!" Red yelled, seeing CK on the edge and not stopping. CK continued to scream, and backed up until she fell right out of the cocoon. Red quick caught her, thanking the Goddess for the swift movements as she landed with CK struggling in her arms.
"Fire! Wed we gots ta get out, Fire!" CK yelled, struggling as Red held her. "CK, you're dreaming honey, you're okay. Wake up honey, there's no fire..CK?" Red said and CK finally heard her, the struggling stopped and CK cried on her shoulder. Red rubbed her back as she walked back into where she'd been about to drink her tea, carrying CK along. CK's tears soon turned to sniffles as she hugged Red. Red hugged her back and looked at the broken glass on the floor. Sighing, she tried to put CK down, but CK latched on. Red shook her head a little and looked at CK. CK looked back and sniffed. Sick of standing, Red sat down on the floor away from the glass, holding CK in her lap. She had a feeling CK wanted to tell her about her nightmare.
"Wed?" CK asked silently. "Yeah CK?" Red replied as CK looked down at her hands, remembering her past yet again as she saw the burn scars. Red looked down and saw too, and wondered how she'd gotten the scars. "C-Tay had bad dweams adain..me member what HIM did.." CK said, holding her scarred hand tight. Red nodded, her earlier guess was right. "HIM CK? What did HIM do?" Red asked, as she held CK closer. CK swallowed. "Dis." CK said, showing Red her hand, which was badly scarred. Red kissed it it CK put it down. "He burned you? why?" Red asked. "Cos..Cos me gotted mad an broked the compy.." CK replied, looking down again. "He burned you for breaking a computer? Is that what you're trying to tell me?" Red asked, angry but keeping it mental, she didn't want to scare CK. "Yes HIM did..den..the house sploded an..an.." CK said as she started to cry again. Red held her, getting that dreaded feeling of already knowing about this again.
"Calm down, CK. It's alright, I'm here. No one's going to hurt you while I'm still breathing." Red said, patting CK's back. CK sniffed and went on. "An me runned out..an..den me here..cain't see nomore.." CK said not remembering any further. "You're okay now. I have you. You may not belive it now, but it'll get easier, and soon you'll be able to sleep without your bad dreams. No matter what, I'm always here for you and you always know where to find me." Red said and CK finally smiled. Yes she knew, it was the one thing she'd never ever forget. Seeing CK smile, Red looked down at her watch. "It's seven already. The day flew by." Red said, and CK realized it was time for the campfire, and got up. "Me be wight backed, gots to fine Facey, him pomised ta yet me go wit him to the campfire!" CK said as she ran to the door.
Red stood up and nodded. "Okay, but watch the stairs this time!" Red yelled, and CK yelled okay back as she headed out the door. Red smiled and shook her head as she went to clean up the glass. CK ran down the hall and burst into room W-47. No one was there, and CK's smile faded. Face had seemingly forgotten both her and his promise. CK stared through the darkness at her bed, getting angry. CK walked in to her bed, and crawled underneath it. Grabbing a long leather case, she crawled back out. She stood back up and walked back to the door, carrying the case with her. CK's mind was fried from the death of Mel, and her venture into the spiritual realm, and not to mention her daily memory recalls.
Red cleaned up the glass and sighed. "I am SO bored!" She said aloud. "Bored, mom?" Flight, one of Red's adopted 15-year-old twins, walked in and asked. "Red looked over. "Yes dear, bored!" Red replied and Flight nodded oh. "Where's CK? I gotta tell her somethin for Face." Flight asked as Red dumped the glass into the trash. "Went looking for Face, why? what's going on?" Red asked. "Uh oh, I'm too late." Flight replied, and Red didn't like the sound of that.
"Face sent me to tell CK he couldn't take her, Hannibal said no because there's gonna be wine and stuff an even me and Fancy can't go. BOY Facey's gonna get it." Flight said, and Red smiled. "Just what I need..Action!" Flight heard and shook her head. CK sat on the floor and opened the case, pulling out and assembling a medium sized archery bow. CK strapped on her bag with her arrows, and picked up a small jar from the case. She opened it and dipped in her fingers, smearing the black grease under her eyes. After closing the jar and shoving it back in, CK stood up and kicked the case back into the room, then she left, beginning her hunt.
Face, meanwhile, was at the campfire. He was laughing, flirting and drinking, not at all worried about the 4-year-old he'd had to let behind. CK only knew one thing. Face had done the one thing he'd promised never do to her. In her mind, he'd scammed her, and now he had to pay.
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Next...
The Face Hunter
