Here you are everyone!!  I re-edited this story a little bit.  Honestly you might not even recognize it, but I felt that Hitomi was too perky and giggly at the end of the story.  Now, her character is a more to my liking.  Enjoy!

***Esca-lover

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Van Fanel wearily climbed the three flights of stairs that lead to his apartment, and unlocked the door.  His right hand fumbled to find the light switch, while he tossed his keys onto the kitchen table.  Seconds later, a tiny bell was heard, followed by a mournful meow.

"Hey Merle…ya miss me?" Van sighed, gently picking up the orange ball of fur.  He cradled the kitten in one arm as he took a half eaten can of cat food from the fridge. 

"Liver and Egg, huh…how can you eat this stuff, kitty?" he laughed softly, filling her dish with the odorous meal.  The feline jumped from his grasp and began devouring the food, meowing gratefully in between bites. 

"Your welcome."  The tired, young man stripped to his boxers as he trudged to the bathroom, leaving a trail of clothes behind him.  Stifling a yawn, he glanced at his reflection in the mirror above the sink. 

"Crap…I'll have to shave tomorrow," he muttered under his breath, rubbing the stubble on his chin.  Van managed to wash his face and brush his teeth before stumbling into bed. 

He was about to loose consciousness when the tinkling sounds of the kittens' collar disturbed him. 

"Come on Merle, can't I get some sleep?" he groaned, rolling onto his back.  As if on cue, the feline padded eagerly into Van's room and bounded onto the bed.  She snuggled into his side and purred affectionately as he gently stroked her fur.

"Ya, ya…I love you too," he smiled.  As he lay there petting the kitten, his thoughts drifted to the day's events.  There had been several car accidents and a few domestic calls, but nothing really serious.  Then again…the girl from the apartment complex… Her case kept rolling around in his mind.  He was drawn to her…not for her appearance, but for her situation.

"I met someone today, Merle.  She was a suicide case…but she survived.  Hitomi, I think that's her name…" The kitten simply continued purring as she listened to her master's voice.  "I went to visit her in the hospital after my night run, but she was asleep.  I don't know why really…I guess…I guess I just feel like I could help her in some way.  Am I doing the right thing?  What if she doesn't want to hear what I have to say…" The tiny feline meowed her support and cuddled deeper into his waist.  "You're right.  I guess I'll just have to wait and see, huh. Ya know…I hope no one ever finds out about our little chats, kitty.  They'd have me committed," Van grinned as he closed his eyes. 

"Goodnight Merle," he whispered, but the kitten was already fast asleep, dreaming only of her beloved master.

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*Around 3pm the next day…*

Hitomi felt exhausted as she plopped down into the armchair adjacent to her hospital bed.  It had been a busy morning.  Her parents now knew the truth of her accident, and even though they were startled to find out that their only daughter had tried to commit suicide, they had remained calm in her presence and vowed to help her in any way possible.  There had been tears shed, but Hitomi was no longer afraid to face the reality that she may need counseling due to her depression.  In fact, for the sake of her family, she had agreed to meet with the on-staff psychologist before leaving the hospital.  The session was not as horrible as the young woman had expected, and the doctor had high hopes for a full recovery.

Hitomi sighed heavily as she opened the blinds, giving her a view of the parking lot.  Her parents had left to pick up Kohaku from school, but had promised to take her home immediately after.  She was going to live with her family again for a week or two before she tried living on her own again.  Everything was taken care of…so they thought. 

Deep down tiny seeds of doubt were creeping into Hitomi's mind.  What if this doesn't work?  Can I really depend on a psychologist to fix all of my problems?  Will this feeling of self-pity ever truly leave me? What will my friends say when they find out the truth? 

"How can I possibly change my attitude towards life in one day…"she whispered, her eyes fighting back tears.  "What if I never recover…" With that, the girl leaned forward and hid her face in her hand.  She focused all her attention on breathing deeply, steadying her soul.  'No…I can do this,' she thought to herself.  'I can do this…'  Hitomi slowly stood up and scanned the room, searching for something.  Her gaze caught it sitting on the bedside table.  She walked over, gently lifted the rose from its resting place, and raised it to her lips.  The young woman inhaled its sweet scent and felt strength surge through her body.  'People care about me…I can't give up.'

Unexpectedly, a quiet knock echoed through the room.  Hitomi whirled around, startled by the intrusion.  However, what she saw shocked her even more.  There, standing before her, was a tall, strikingly handsome young man dressed in blue paramedics uniform.  She was suddenly very self-conscious about her own appearance, realizing that all she had on was a dirty tank top and old jeans.  'I probably smell terrible…and my breath!  Oh no!  I haven't brushed my teeth yet…'

"Umm, hi," her intruder said nervously, running a hand through his thick mass of raven locks.  "I'm sorry for just barging in like this, I don't have a lot of time and-…"

"Are you sure you have the right room?" Hitomi blurted out, mystified as to who this guy was.

"Oh ya, well…are you Hitomi?"

"Uh-huh." 'Nice one, 'Tomi!' she scolded herself.  'He'll think you're an idiot for sure!'  The man just smiled and sighed in relief. 

"Good!  You had me worried for a second.  I bet you're wondering why I'm here."  Hitomi nodded.  "Well…as you can see," he gestured to his attire, "I'm a paramedic.  Yesterday, my unit received a call about a young lady who had fallen off a building," he explained quickly.  "That's where you come in.  I guess I just wanted to uhh…well…make sure you were alright."  After grasping the information, Hitomi pursed her lips and cocked her head to the side.

"Do you always visit your patients?" she asked, eyeing him curiously.  The paramedic blushed slightly and looked at the floor.  'Great,' he thought to himself.  'Now she thinks I'm a sicko!'

"No…not exactly," he stuttered, trying to find the right words.  "Look.  I'm not a weirdo or anything, I just…well…I know what you're going through and I thought I might be able to help," he said softly, hoping for redemption.  

"Oh," was all she managed to get out.  Hitomi sat down on the side of the bed, her mind reeling.  'He knows what I'm going through?  But how…'  "I'm sorry…what's your name again?"

"It's Van.  Van Fanel."

"Well Van…I appreciate your concern, but…I'm not so sure you can really understand me…no offense," she said quietly.  Van walked over to the bed slowly and sat down beside her.

"Give me a chance to explain," he spoke gently.  With that said, Van carefully began rolling up the sleeves of his uniform.  The young woman noticed his movement and inched back slightly.

 "Please…you have to trust me, Hitomi.  Hold out your good hand." She looked at him quizzically, confused by his request, but did as she was told.  'What is he doing? I don't understand…' Van's gaze never left hers as he gradually placed his upturned wrist into her palm.  Hitomi glanced at his arm, and immediately felt guilt and sympathy.  Guilt for doubting him, and sympathy…well…

All up and down his wrist were deep, red scars.  Her lips began to tremble as she instinctively placed her hand into his.  All of her pains and sorrows…he'd been there before.  He knew what doubt and fear felt like.  This man…this perfect stranger had humbled himself, revealing his most personal weakness all in an attempt to help her understand that she wasn't alone.  There were others like her…  Hitomi's eyes filled with tears as she looked up at Van. 

"I'm so sorry…I didn't realize…I'm just…" she wracked her brain for something to say, but nothing came.  Instead, she felt his hand on her cheek as he wiped the moisture from her eyes. 

"Don't be sad," he whispered.  "It was a long time ago.  But when I saw you yesterday, I knew I had to tell you that everything was going to be alright.  You can fight back and win, I promise."  A slow smile spread over the young woman's face as she shook her head slightly.

"Guy's and their sports analogies," she teased softly, while her eyes conveyed a deep sense of appreciation.  Van saw her admiration and smiled back at her.

"Ya well, what did you expect?" he winked, causing Hitomi to color fiercely.  Van caught her reaction and grinned broadly.  Unfortunately, his beeper went off before he could comment on it.

"Uh-oh," he sighed.  "Looks like I've over stayed my welcome."  Sure enough, his ambulatory unit was paging him. 

"Oh…you're going?" Hitomi questioned quietly. 

"Ya…I'm sorry, I have to leave."  Van stood up and walked towards the door.  The young woman followed him with her eyes, wondering if she'd ever see him again.  'I hope so…it was really great talking with him…'  

"Oh…and uhh, Hitomi?"  Her heartbeat sped up.  "Do you think I could call you sometime?  I dunno…maybe take you out for a cup of coffee or something?" 

"Of course…I mean, ya…I'd like that," she blushed, and quickly scribbled her cell phone number onto a piece of scrap paper.  Van's face lit up as he heard her reply, and gratefully accepted the note.

"Great," he smiled.  "I guess I'll see you again soon."  With that he winked again, and stepped into the hall.  Hitomi grinned childishly to herself, when she suddenly spied the red rose on the mattress.  'Wait…you don't think…'  The woman fished through her purse and found the note that had been attached to the flower.  

My heart goes out to you,

You don't even know me,

You don't even know…

It had to be him.  She raced to the door and called his name, startling several of the nurses in the hallway.

"VAN!"  He was nowhere in sight.  "Dang it…" Hitomi sank into the armchair and glanced out the window.  If only she had asked him when she had the chance…

Slowly, a warm feeling filled her heart.  She had awakened sad and depressed, feeling all alone.  Now she felt stronger, and eager to face the world around her.  If she ever felt down, she had confidence that her family and friends would support her to the end.  Van's visit had withered the seeds of doubt and given her hope for the future.  Hitomi smiled as she pictured the handsome stranger who had selflessly aided her in her time of need.  Perhaps love was possible, even for a girl like her…      

Brrrrrrring, brrrrrring!

Hitomi nearly jumped out of her seat as her cell phone rang.  'Probably mom and dad,' she thought to herself as she leapt for the phone.  'They are kinda late.'

"Hello?" she answered.

"Hitomi? Hi, it's me, Van."  Upon hearing his deep voice Hitomi's breath caught in her throat.  "Um, I know I just talked to you, but I wanted to let you know that…it was me, you know."  The young woman didn't quite grasp what he was saying.

"What?  What was you?" she spoke curiously into the receiver.  On the other line, Van cleared his throat and smiled before answering. 

"I'm the one who left you the red rose.  It was me."

Yes…love was definitely possible; Especially for a girl like her.

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THE END

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Well girls…what did you think!!!  YAY I finished one!!!!!!  I'm sorry this wasn't up on Monday, I hope you can forgive me…my internet connection wasn't working ::pouts::  But, I still love you all, and hope this ending satisfied you!  For your information, I will be updating my other stories, PROMISE.  In your review, vote for the fic I should update first, ok??  "Whispers of the Mind" or "Ink Stained Hands".  Thank you all soooooo much!  I couldn't have done it without your support!  God Bless!