Forever
Chapter 7: The Realization
By: Cimmy

Dedication: Well, to none other than Kristine, of course. Without her, I never would've updated any time soon. She got me off my lazy ass, so this chapter is all thanks to her. (Keep that in mind, in case you end up disliking it to death. Just kidding. Ha. Sorry, weird humor.)

Kristine; thanks for getting me inspired. You have that effect on me. When I came up with this? Oh, I recall a certain week when someone decided to leave for a week long vacation, leaving me all alone to cause all sort of destruction. And don't cry! I'll never forgive myself...
Nellie: Thank you for the kind words, and sorry for taking so long to update... I hope you'll like the outcome of this story, but who knows, I write weirdly sometimes...
Chelsea: Ironically, this update took the truth out of your last review. Updates are tricky that way. I hope you eventually got your rootbeer. Blueberries are fun too. Oh, me, ranting? Nooo...
Flat*Out*Crazy: Uhm, yeah, Connie is coming off as a bit weird in this story. Mostly because I force her to act that way. It's fun. You'll see.
Emily: Okey-dokey, I won't ask about the Irish thing. Not that I would mind a weird answer, but you told me not to. I'll put you on the list for those who want an invisible Guy. Haven't spotted one yet, but I'll get back to you about it if I ever do.
goblz: Don't you worry; there'll be some more concern soon. Unique, huh? More like maniacable if you ask me. But that's probably not even a word.
Quimby: Eh, I'll get Guy out of the coma, hopefully. I wouldn't want to be beaten up, even though I could use some combat skills. Nah, I'm too wimpy. It would be fun if someone sat on Guy, although they'd probably enjoy that more than he would. Sorry, mental picture. I think I need a vacation.
Bubbelgirl: I'm continuing. Slowly, but I am working on it. Thanks for the feedback, keep reading!
Oh, and Sam? You can stop looking for Fred and Cecilia; they're not in this story. Since they're not actually part of the Ducks, you see. They weren't in the movie. Just to clarify things... (Yes, I'm teasing you, but just because I have no life.)

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The hospital was still dark. Even though the sun was shining – a bit unexpectedly since the last few days had been filled with rain – it was still some sort of dark shimmer surrounding the building, as if it knew that something terrible was happening within the walls.

Connie hesitated before stepping in through the doors. Then she jumped with surprise when Guy passed her on her right, walking right through one of the glass doors, skipping like nothing could ever be wrong in his little world. She jumped again when Charlie grabbed hold of her shoulders, prying her away from the spot outside the doors.

"Come on, you can't stay here all day. Don't you want to know if Guy's okay?" Charlie asked, sounding annoyed and concerned at the same time. Connie realized that he hadn't been visited by his own, personal, stuck-up Guy all day long, and therefore was a bit more shaken up than she was.

"Of course I want," she said, but throwing a glimpse at that other maniac – Guy, who else - running around trying to hit the button to the elevator repeatedly without success, made her giggle. Charlie shot her a glance filled with dismay.

"You should at least be a bit more upset about this, Connie!" he exclaimed. "Everybody else is sad, and you keep smiling, or attacking walls. Can't you behave for at least one second?"

Connie rolled her eyes. She was just as upset as them, only a bit more disoriented. Charlie always found reasons to give his 'valuable' lectures, so she hadn't expected him to keep quiet this time either. "I am upset, I just... I saw a funny balloon." Okay, she had to work on her excuses, because she hadn't been able to convince anyone anything, all day.

"I'll buy you your very own balloon later," Charlie muttered and dragged her over to the elevator. "His parents are up there, so could you stop with the uncontrollable laughter? It's rude."

"Yes, Captain," she agreed. Charlie gave her a warningly gaze, but didn't reply.

Guy was already leaning against the wall inside the elevator when the doors opened up. Connie sighed. Had he finally been able to come up with a way to push buttons? She'd better keep him away from the vending machine. Think of the disaster. "So, I had to go up to the next floor before somebody was nice enough to push the button for me," Guy explained.

While he kept chatting, Connie ignored him the best she could. Charlie was silent, probably tired. Somehow, she wasn't tired at all. Maybe the ghost of Guy was a figment of her imagination, caused by the lack of sleep? "...and then there was this doctor who had to go up to the third floor, but..." Guy's voice kept finding its way into her brain. No, it must be brain damages. Insomnia didn't cause this much pain.

Charlie walked by her side, all the way to Guy's room at the end of the hallway. He probably figured she'd take off again. "Now, Mrs. Germaine is over there, and I don't want any smiles of any sort smacked on your face when you see her. I always thought you'd be in grief if anything happened to Guy. What is wrong with you?" he snapped.

"Nothing, I do miss him. Charlie, believe me!"

"Whatever. Just try to act like you're sad and I'll be content."

She watched as Charlie pushed his way through the bunch of players gathered outside the room. How could he not believe her when she told him how she really felt? What did he want anyway? Tears? Panic attacks? Cries of despair?

"What's that on your finger?"

Uh-oh.

"Eh, nothing." Connie quickly hid her hands behind her back, staring at Julie with her most innocent face. The others turned around, their attention directed towards her for a change.

"Is that a diamond ring?" Julie went on, tugging at Connie's arm. Connie tried to push her away, without success. She heard Guy chuckle from the doorway.

Charlie tilted his head to the side, frowning instantly. "You found the ring, didn't you? Connie!"

"What? It's not like I meant to find it!" she shrieked. "Wait, you knew about this?"

"Knew? I was the one who helped him pick out the damn thing!"

"No, it wasn't! That was me!" Julie objected.

"I borrowed him the money," Adam pointed out.

"Well, it was my idea where to hide it," Averman said.

"Yeah, congrats. That was a great suggestion!" Fulton muttered. "It was supposed to be somewhere she couldn't find it! And now she's found it. Great plan."

Connie watched as they all started to argue over the whole thing. They didn't even notice when she stepped out of the circle they had created around her. Guy nodded at her when she walked over to him. "What's up?"

"I thought this was a secret?" she muttered. "This is unbelievable. I have to get out of here."

She pushed him away from the door, starting to walk towards the elevator. Then, suddenly, she turned around. Guy seemed just as surprised. "Hey, what happened?" Connie gasped for air, realizing what was going on.

"He must be getting worse," Guy mumbled, turning his head back towards the now quiet Ducks. A couple of nurses hurried into the room Guy was in. Connie rushed back, doing her best to avoid brushing against the 'other' Guy in any way.

Now when she was finally able to shove at him, she suddenly wished he could turn back into the untouchable ghost he'd been all along. This was just a sign. She was losing him.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Author's Note: Sorry if this chapter wasn't all that great. I'm struggling with a stupid writer's block. But eating blueberries helped a little. I've already figured out the ending, so hopefully I'll get there before I drive myself insane.