This is my Thanksgiving present to all of you.  Happy Turkey day… I'm just gonna go warm up my can of chicken noodle…. Ya know what I just realized?  Eminem's got a song called "Lose Yourself."  This saddens me, but I promise to be civil.  Hey!  I kinda live near 8 Mile! 

I got this great idea from another author to help boost ratings (ha ha, I sound like a TV person thingamajiggy... humor me.)  She says to reply to reviews, and make friends.  I gave her a blank stare, and she told me to be more hospitable.  I kicked her in the shin.  Besides, it's a great way to answer questions, cure confusion, and so on.

Great chapter. It seemed a bit similar to chapter 6, but at least we're moving along, eh? And the whole Nancy jealousy description was good. Nice touch. It's a compelling read, with all that disease stuff and all. Let's hope we see chpt 8 before New Year's. -- I don't know who wrote this, but I'll reply anyway.  Um...  that kinda makes me sad, how you say chapter 7 sounds like the last.  You sound like J (or L. -- let's not get started on that initial thing again) who always said the same thing... hey, waitaminute... are YOU J (or L)?  Well hel-friggin-lo!  :D  'K, I'll cut the crap....  Can you give me a bit more insight of what I keep repeating?

Meg - Yeah!  I'm back... somewhat.  I'm never really quite all there... lol.  To explain about Dave's bindings, let's just say I drew from personal experiences.  But ya know... now I kinda wish I had made Dave attack Lisa.  That would've been funny.  :D  And you never know what's gonna happen with Nancy.  I promise a happy ending with her (I kinda liked her, too.  She seemed too sweet to be a lunatic.  lol)

Carrie - I should be thanking you guys for reviewing.  I almost lost hope...  I thought I had lost my entire audience, and then my motivation was on death row.  But even if I received reviews that told me I sucked, I'd still finish my story and post, just to make them angry at my false hope.  Ha.  And oh, the humor.  I like the humor... I just can't always find a place for it.  I tend to write when I'm angry, and then, it's all depressing crap for crap.  But I'll try my darndest.

Crystal - In my humble opinion, Shmoo is the best name you could give a pet.  My mom doesn't seem to accept it, though.  She keeps trying to change her name to Smootchie, or something like that.  Poor thing's getting confused.  Anywho, I'm glad I made you cry, kinda sorta.  lol! :D

thedtree - It was saaaaaaad, wasn't it?  I like sad stuff...  I don't know why.  Maybe 'cause I have a sad, sad life.  Waitaminute... damn!  Anywho, I'm glad I know I'll still have one reader, and I don't know about a happy ending...  They're just so... happy.  _  But if you can keep a secret, it'll probably be happy... oh frigg...  Also, thanks for the congrats, and I must warn you, the cookie... let's just say, I doubt it'll be cookie-like.

dragon-reborn5 - You are one of my most faithful readers... although you don't say much besides "pleeeeeeease write more soon" and etc.  Actually, there is no etc.  Well yeah, don't be afraid to say more, and thanks for sticking with me!

Lose Yourself

Chapter 6

*~ Syren ~*

* ~ *

Last Chapter:  Having finally risen from his coma, Dave is… kinda greeting the world with not-so open arms…  Yet again, even more sadness ensues.

* ~ *

It was late, and the office was evacuated, save one.  He sat at his desk, his only lamp illuminating the entire workplace.  His shoulders were hunched over, his forehead resting in his palm tiredly.  In his other hand was his pen, and before him were his notes, which he prided over.  It was rare for him to actually dig into an assignment, but this one he had been excited over.  This one had had meaning to him, but now, so many things had changed, and so many surprises had occurred.

"Come on Matthew, it's not so hard," he scolded himself, flipping through his legal pad.  In all actuality, this task was the most difficult one he had ever faced.  The idea he had been given didn't seem worthy any more, but Matthew's new plan could easily backfire.  People's feelings were at stake, and there were assumptions he would be making that could split the group even further apart.  But it seemed so right.

"Matthew?"  Cecile's voice caused Matthew to jump, his chair almost flipping backwards with the motion.  Swiveling his seat to face his coworker, Matthew smiled innocently. 

"What are you doing here so late?"  Cecile continued, setting her jacket and purse down on his desk. 

Tensely, he tapped his pen at his notepad, covering it with his hand to block her view.  "Just some work… You know me: work, work, work…"

Laughing, Cecile shook her head.  "From what little I do know of you, I'd think you were up to something."

Innocently, Matthew raised his hands.  "It's nothing, I swear."

Seeing an opening, Cecile snatched the legal pad from his desk, giggling as she trotted a few feet away from Matthew's flinging arms.  "Looks like you've made some changes to your report assignment, huh?"

"No, no, no…" Matthew tried to reassure her, lashing out to retrieve his notes.  Each time, Cecile twirled away, her eyes scanning the papers.  Soon, she stopped, as did Matthew, in confusion.  Her playful expression fell, and she met the man's gaze.

"So you know about this?" Cecile mumbled, her face alternately looking at him and the notepad.

Eyeing her, Matthew placed his hands on his hips.  "How do you know about this?"

"I have my ways," she returned, handing him back his notes.  "Besides, Dave and I have a… history together."

"Oh, I failed history class…" Matthew dropped his inquiring demeanor and lowered his head in shame.

Sighing, Cecile pushed her thin-framed glasses to the top of her head.  "Dave and I used to work together in Wisconsin.  We worked at Green Bay University's news station: a reference radio station for the college students that announced the school's updates and information."  She chuckled.  "He and I had the biggest rivalry going.  We both served as co-anchors on-air, and we would always compete for the same promotions and whatnot.  I admit, I often took things too far, and he often got the best of me, but I did beat him in something…"

Matthew grinned.  "History?"

Looking up, Cecile quickly shook her head as Matthew mouthed a 'what?'  "Oh, nothing.  Anyways, I feel awful for the enmity we constantly shared.  I never meant for it to be so serious, and he never realized that I thought of him as a friend."

Matthew's eyes glistened, and his voice was choked.  "Oh, that's so beautiful…"

Shrugging, Cecile giggled again.  Pulling her glasses back over her eyes, she smiled slightly.  "Do you think I could help you with your report?  I'd like to do something for Dave, just this once."

His grin matching hers, Matthew nodded.  "That'd be great."

* ~ *

The next morning came all too soon, and the chore of packing was the last thing Jimmy wanted to do.  They were setting out to New Hampshire that afternoon, and though his cabin would be a welcome sight, New York would still be tugging at his heartstrings.  Of all his vacation homes, his stay in New York had always been his favorite, even after he sold his residence.  The change of scenery that New Hampshire offered was nice for the first few months, but the cows had become mundane, and the fresh, country scent and scenery had become dull.  It didn't compare to the hustle and bustle of the big city, but it would have to, for the sake of his station.

The phone rang, stealing Jimmy's attention away from his packing.  Picking up the receiver, he greeted the hotel lobby clerk and waited for her to patch the call through.

"Jimmy James speaking, what can I do you for?"

"Mr. James," Beth's voice was hushed and agitated.  "It's Beth."

Jimmy chuckled.  "Well hi there sweetie, how's things?"  At the silence, Jimmy let out a defeated sigh.  "Okay, how'd you find me?"

"Naturally, I just phoned the most expensive hotel in New York… Nearest to the hospital…"  The last line Jimmy almost didn't catch.

"You know, don't you," he surmised, rubbing his eyes beneath his glasses.  He could almost see Beth nod in shame.

"We, uh, accidentally came across a hospital bill…"

"There's no need to feel bad," Jimmy interrupted.  "I shouldn't have kept this from you all…"  Glancing at the caller ID set in the phone, he chuckled.  "How's your stay at my cabin?"

Beth's voice brightened.  "Matthew was afraid to be alone, so he had Joe, Max and me come down with him.  It's so gorgeous, Mr. James."

"Yeah, yeah," Jimmy answered with pride, losing himself in the fulsome memory.  "It sure is, little lady.  It sure is."

Another awkward silence fell before Beth cleared her throat and continued.  "So how is he?"

"Well, he's doing a-OK," he replied.  "I'm bringing him home."

Beth squealed.  "You're bringing him to New Hampshire, against his will?  As Bill would have put it… delicious…"

"I do have my intentions," Jimmy countered.  "There's a wonderful diabetic therapist nearby the station."  He emphasized the word station.  "You know, nice and close in case he'd like to check it out, see the perks, etc." 

"You're a sly one, Mr. Grinch," Beth teased, reticently 

"I sure am."

* ~ *

Lisa could remember the first time she rode in Mr. James' helicopter.  It was exhilarating, unlike a plane ride or anything else.  The thought of how thin the vehicle's walls actually were made her uptight, but that was what fueled the thrill.

Though the view out the window was nice, Lisa turned away from it to take sight of the man sitting beside her, quiet and almost completely unresponsive.  Dave didn't seem to be having as good a time as she was.  Their departure had taken more time than expected, on account of the hospital's paranoia that matched Dave's own.  He was held back for some remaining tests, then, three days after his awakening, he was released, and, without another word, was packed up and threw into the present helicopter situation.

Upon his release, Lisa recalled word for word the conversation he, Jimmy and she had had, and it hadn't been a calm one.  Jimmy had announced to him, in agreement with his mother, that the best place for him was in New Hampshire.  Mrs. Nelson was needed back in Wisconsin, though she promised to join them in New Hampshire ASAP, and as a parting wish, she had made it clear that she did not want her son back at work so soon.  Understandably, Dave complied, but on hearing of the destination in mind, he had not been so ready to agree.  Jimmy put in his own two cents, making a point of the therapy center and how he had taken no for an answer from Dave only once.  He wasn't about to take it again.

So, within the three days of arguments and persuasion, the decision had become final.  Against Dave's will, or what he had thought to be his own will, they were on their way to New Hampshire.  Now, he stared ahead, his eyes half shut and his breathing steady.  At first glance, Lisa thought he was sleeping, but she knew better.  He was in a mood; it wasn't self-pity; he was beyond that.  His mood seemed more oriented towards reluctance and nervousness, which did not bode well with her.  It was almost as if his fears were coming true, and the minority was taking him down with them.

* ~ *

"Matthew, get your cats away from me, for the last time."  Joe's anger was on the edge, and a small vein was pulsing in his forehead.  The cats in question stood before him, staring at him like he was a can of tuna.  Ever since he and the others had come to the cabin for Matthew's sake, not to mention the free food and stay in the rustic mansion, the cats had taken a liking to him, and had 'chosen' him, as Matthew put it.

"Oh, they just like you, Joe.  No big whoop."  Joe held down the urge to use one of the cats as a football when suddenly, what sounded like little pellets began panging against the windows.

"What the…?  Hail?"  Matthew skipped over to the window and peered outside, his eyes going wide.  Jumping up and down, he ran out of the den and to the front door, flinging it open.  A gust of wind startled him, pushing Matthew back a few steps before he regained his composure.  "Beth, Joe, Max, come on!  They're here!"  Just as soon as the words escaped his mouth, the three of them were behind him and outside, shielding their eyes as Jimmy's helicopter hovered above them.  Swinging downward, the propellers kept running as it touched surface in Jimmy's massive front yard, doubling as his helicopter's landing pad.  The small door pushed open, and out came Lisa, who immediately ran over to them.

"Hey you guys," she shouted over the noise.  "Dave's back."  The group again watched as Jimmy James and Dave emerged from the helicopter's side door, Jimmy waving at the pilot before slamming it shut.  They ducked their heads as the vehicle rose slightly off the ground.

Looking over at Joe, Lisa couldn't dismiss the smile he wore.  It seemed… knowing.  "You knew about this, didn't you."  It wasn't a question.

"We all did," he shouted back, gesturing to Dave in the distance.  "Besides, who do you think got Dave to wear that shirt?"  Lisa frowned, looking in the direction of the two men.  Sure enough, Dave was wearing the "I Kicked Joe's Ass" t-shirt Joe had given him when Foxy, an intern, had chosen Dave over him.  Laughing, she held back the tears, and out of the corner of her eye, she could see that Joe's were as watery as hers.

* ~ *

Author's Note:  Yeah, sorry for the really long author's note at the top, but you might wanna get used to it.  Also, if you are wondering why I didn't address Nancy in this chapter, do not fret your buns off, it's coming.  And so is further insight with Jimmy and Patricia.  Everything will be explained in "all deliberate speed." ß Anyone know where that quote came from?  History lesson!  (ha, bad pun in relation to story… I crack me up.)

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