A/N: Huge thank you to itsnotrightbutitsokay for reviewing 4. Glad you are
enjoying the story!
Disclaimer: I don't own Will and Grace or its characters.
Chapter Five Return
Jack, Karen and Sara looked over at Katherine. She was looking at her sister, a calm expression on her face.
"Kath!" Karen cried suddenly. She stood up and squeezed her hand tightly, not sure if it would be alright to hug her.
"I'll go fetch her doctor," Sara said. She got out of her chair and ran out of the room.
"Where am I?" Katherine said in a hoarse whisper.
"You're at the St. Francis Hospital," Jack said. "Welcome back."
Katherine smiled weakly and looked up at Karen. She was about to say something when Doctor Stiles came into the room, a few nurses following him.
"Hello Ms. Riley," the doctor said, walking up to the bed. "I'm Doctor
Stiles, I've been your physician since you were brought in." He turned to Jack and Karen. "I'm going to need you both to leave, I have to look over her.
She'll be moved to a regular room and you can meet her there."
"We'll see you in a little Kath," Karen said. She let go of her sister's hand and then left the room with Jack.
"I took the liberty of calling Mr. Truman and letting him know Kat was awake," Sara said as Jack and Karen sat down in the chairs in the ICU waiting room. "He said he would let Amber and Grace know of the news."
"Are you going to tell your husband?" Jack asked.
"Good question," Sara said. "And to answer that, I'll let him know once Kat's been moved to the new room."
An hour later, Karen, Jack and Sara were allowed into Katherine's hospital room which was now on the eighth floor.
"God Kath," Karen said as soon as she got into the room. "Don't do that to me again! You had me worried you were going to die." She went straight to the bed and hugged her sister carefully, trying not to disturb the IV in her arm.
Katherine hugged her back tightly and said, "I hope you'll answer some of my questions. The doctor wouldn't while he was taking those machines off of me."
"Do you remember what happened?" Jack asked. When Karen had stepped away from the bed, he went up and gave Katherine a quick hug.
"I remember hearing someone yelling," Katherine said as everyone settled down in the chairs next to the bed. "And seeing a car coming towards me. That's about it though. Next thing I remember is hearing you talk Sara. How long have I been here anyway?"
"It's been two weeks now," Karen answered.
"Two weeks..." Katherine said, trailing off. "Amber, is she all right?"
"She's fine," a voice at the door said. It was Will. He walked into the room, followed by Grace who was holding Amber's hand.
"Mummy!" the little girl cried out, seeing her mother sitting up in bed. She let go of Grace's hand and ran over to the bed. With some help from Jack, she climbed up on the bed and hugged her mother tightly.
"Oh Amber, my love, I've missed you," Katherine said, holding her daughter tightly. She kissed Amber's forehead softly and tears started to run down her cheeks.
"I th-thought you weren't going t-to wake up Mummy," Amber said, looking up at Katherine, tears in her own eyes.
"I'm sorry I scared you ma petit amie," Katherine said softly. She looked up and reached out her left hand to Will and Grace. "Hullo you two," she said, smiling.
"Let me take Amber," Sara said, standing up. She picked up the girl and then stepped out of the way for Will and Grace.
"We're all really glad you're back," Will said, giving Katherine a hug.
"I know our clients will be ecstatic to hear you're alright," Grace said. She gave Katherine a long hug. "They're the ones who sent the flowers and
cards."
"I'll have to thank them," Katherine said when Grace had let her go. She looked around at everyone for a moment, and then she burst into tears. "I didn't know I mattered that much to all of you," she said once she had gotten control of herself.
"You know we all love you Kat," Will said.
Katherine smiled and then looked over at Sara, who was sitting in the chair closet to her on the left side of the bed. "So you were able to escape Robert's clutches and visit me here?" she asked.
Sara sighed and shook her head. "He's here," she said simply.
Seeming to grow pale at the news, which was hard since Katherine was already pale, she closed her eyes. "He thought I was to die," she said.
"Aye," Sara answered. "I called him just before we came into the room.
Should be here at some point."
"Why didn't you tell me that you and Robert hate each other so much Kath?" Karen asked.
"It's a long and complicated story," Katherine answered. "Of which there was very little profit in telling. Seeing as I still don't know why Robert
kicked me out of the manor."
"It would do you no good to hear that reason," a familiar voice said from the doorway.
Everyone in the room turned and saw that it was Robert.
As he walked into the room, he seemed to ignore the others, simply staring at his adopted sister. "Glad to see you're getting well," he said, nodding his head.
"I thank you for coming so far to visit my lord," Katherine said stiffly.
"As I understand it Katherine," Robert said a little angrily. "You were ill with pneumonia."
"I was told such," Katherine answered.
"Have you no respect for your own health?" Robert then said. "Do you not remember all the times Mother stayed by your bedside when you were sick with pneumonia? Was all her work for naught or are you just intent on killing yourself again?"
Karen, who saw the two small patches of pink appear on Katherine's cheeks, jumped out of her seat. "Shut up you bastard, you don't have the right to yell at her like that," she said angrily.
"I have every right, she's my sister," Robert said.
"Your adopted sister," Karen retorted. "If anyone should be yelling at
her for letting herself get so sick, it should be me. But I won't do that because I care about her."
"Are you saying I am a bad brother?" Robert snarled.
"At least I'm not the one who kicked her off the family manor," Karen replied just as angrily.
"Well at least I didn't force my sister to suicide!" Robert yelled.
"Robert stop!" Sara said, standing up and putting a free hand on her husband's chest. "For god's sake, just keep quiet."
The room was silent for a moment as Robert and Karen glared at each other. Robert broke off and looked down at his wife, who was still holding Amber.
"I won't be coming back Katherine," Robert said. "I have no wish to agitate you further. You or your sister." He then turned and left the room as quickly as he could.
Karen sat down slowly and looked at Katherine. "Sorry Kath, but-" she started to say.
"It's alright Kare," Katherine said. "I appreciate you standing up for
me."
"You sounded quite a bit like Kat did when she fought with Robert at home," Sara said, trying to lighten the mood.
"She did, didn't she?" Katherine asked her sister-in-law, smiling.
Everyone started to laugh, and then they all began to talk.
~~~
At six o'clock, Will, Grace and Sara left the room as visiting hours were over. Karen, Jack and Amber remained for a few moments more to say goodnight.
"I hope you've been a good girl for your aunt and uncle while I was sick," Katherine said.
"She's been fine," Jack said.
"Good night Mummy," Amber said, hugging her mother's neck.
"Night love," Katherine said. "I'll see you after school tomorrow, okay?"
"Do I have to go to school?" Amber whined. "I'd much rather visit you."
"I don't want you to fall behind," Katherine said. She kissed her daughter's forehead and then handed her to Jack.
"It's really great to see you awake," Jack said, taking one of Katherine's hands and squeezing it.
"Thank you for watching over Amber," Katherine said. "I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Of course," Jack said grinning. "I've been taking and picking her up from school." He said a quick good night and then left the room so Karen and Katherine could have a few minutes alone to talk.
"Was it really worth all this to get the fabric for the wedding Kath?" Karen asked as soon as Jack had left.
Katherine laughed softly. "It seems I have a problem admitting I'm sick," she said, her face growing serious. "I am truly sorry Kare, if I hurt you at all."
Karen was quiet for a moment before saying, "You really scared me Kath, I thought I was going to lose you. And I know that I would miss having you around if you were gone."
"Because you wouldn't be able to make fun of my clothes?" Katherine asked.
"No," Karen answered.
"Because you wouldn't be able to force me to wear a short skirt and-" Katherine began to say.
"No! That's not why I would miss you Kath," Karen said, a little annoyed. She stood up from the chair and then sat down on the edge of the bed. "This is really hard for me to say you know, so you better pay attention because I'm only going to say it once."
Katherine nodded, looking like she might start laughing.
"This is really serious Kath," Karen said sharply. "Anyway, I would miss you because you're my only sister. My little sister." She paused for a moment and said, "And I've gotten fond of you. I love you Kath, but not in that way. You know, like a sister loves a sister."
"I know Kare," Katherine said, smiling. "I love you like a sister too." She leaned forward a little bit, to try and give her sister a hug, but she stopped, wincing in pain.
"Are you okay?" Karen asked, suddenly worried.
"I'm fine, the skin just folded on my cut from where they put that tube
in," Katherine said, leaning back against the pillows. "Well I was going to hug you, but that will have to wait."
"Good night Kath," Karen said, giving her sister a hug. "And you better rest, because you need to be well in time for the wedding."
Katherine laughed as Karen got off the bed. "I wouldn't dare miss it,"
she said. "Have you settled on a date?"
"We're thinking the sixth of next month," Karen answered.
"A nice day," Katherine said. She yawned suddenly and said, "I suppose I should get some rest."
"I'll be back tomorrow Kath," Karen said. "Night."
"Night Karen," Katherine said.
Karen left the room, going over to the elevators to meet Jack and Amber
and go back home for the night.
enjoying the story!
Disclaimer: I don't own Will and Grace or its characters.
Chapter Five Return
Jack, Karen and Sara looked over at Katherine. She was looking at her sister, a calm expression on her face.
"Kath!" Karen cried suddenly. She stood up and squeezed her hand tightly, not sure if it would be alright to hug her.
"I'll go fetch her doctor," Sara said. She got out of her chair and ran out of the room.
"Where am I?" Katherine said in a hoarse whisper.
"You're at the St. Francis Hospital," Jack said. "Welcome back."
Katherine smiled weakly and looked up at Karen. She was about to say something when Doctor Stiles came into the room, a few nurses following him.
"Hello Ms. Riley," the doctor said, walking up to the bed. "I'm Doctor
Stiles, I've been your physician since you were brought in." He turned to Jack and Karen. "I'm going to need you both to leave, I have to look over her.
She'll be moved to a regular room and you can meet her there."
"We'll see you in a little Kath," Karen said. She let go of her sister's hand and then left the room with Jack.
"I took the liberty of calling Mr. Truman and letting him know Kat was awake," Sara said as Jack and Karen sat down in the chairs in the ICU waiting room. "He said he would let Amber and Grace know of the news."
"Are you going to tell your husband?" Jack asked.
"Good question," Sara said. "And to answer that, I'll let him know once Kat's been moved to the new room."
An hour later, Karen, Jack and Sara were allowed into Katherine's hospital room which was now on the eighth floor.
"God Kath," Karen said as soon as she got into the room. "Don't do that to me again! You had me worried you were going to die." She went straight to the bed and hugged her sister carefully, trying not to disturb the IV in her arm.
Katherine hugged her back tightly and said, "I hope you'll answer some of my questions. The doctor wouldn't while he was taking those machines off of me."
"Do you remember what happened?" Jack asked. When Karen had stepped away from the bed, he went up and gave Katherine a quick hug.
"I remember hearing someone yelling," Katherine said as everyone settled down in the chairs next to the bed. "And seeing a car coming towards me. That's about it though. Next thing I remember is hearing you talk Sara. How long have I been here anyway?"
"It's been two weeks now," Karen answered.
"Two weeks..." Katherine said, trailing off. "Amber, is she all right?"
"She's fine," a voice at the door said. It was Will. He walked into the room, followed by Grace who was holding Amber's hand.
"Mummy!" the little girl cried out, seeing her mother sitting up in bed. She let go of Grace's hand and ran over to the bed. With some help from Jack, she climbed up on the bed and hugged her mother tightly.
"Oh Amber, my love, I've missed you," Katherine said, holding her daughter tightly. She kissed Amber's forehead softly and tears started to run down her cheeks.
"I th-thought you weren't going t-to wake up Mummy," Amber said, looking up at Katherine, tears in her own eyes.
"I'm sorry I scared you ma petit amie," Katherine said softly. She looked up and reached out her left hand to Will and Grace. "Hullo you two," she said, smiling.
"Let me take Amber," Sara said, standing up. She picked up the girl and then stepped out of the way for Will and Grace.
"We're all really glad you're back," Will said, giving Katherine a hug.
"I know our clients will be ecstatic to hear you're alright," Grace said. She gave Katherine a long hug. "They're the ones who sent the flowers and
cards."
"I'll have to thank them," Katherine said when Grace had let her go. She looked around at everyone for a moment, and then she burst into tears. "I didn't know I mattered that much to all of you," she said once she had gotten control of herself.
"You know we all love you Kat," Will said.
Katherine smiled and then looked over at Sara, who was sitting in the chair closet to her on the left side of the bed. "So you were able to escape Robert's clutches and visit me here?" she asked.
Sara sighed and shook her head. "He's here," she said simply.
Seeming to grow pale at the news, which was hard since Katherine was already pale, she closed her eyes. "He thought I was to die," she said.
"Aye," Sara answered. "I called him just before we came into the room.
Should be here at some point."
"Why didn't you tell me that you and Robert hate each other so much Kath?" Karen asked.
"It's a long and complicated story," Katherine answered. "Of which there was very little profit in telling. Seeing as I still don't know why Robert
kicked me out of the manor."
"It would do you no good to hear that reason," a familiar voice said from the doorway.
Everyone in the room turned and saw that it was Robert.
As he walked into the room, he seemed to ignore the others, simply staring at his adopted sister. "Glad to see you're getting well," he said, nodding his head.
"I thank you for coming so far to visit my lord," Katherine said stiffly.
"As I understand it Katherine," Robert said a little angrily. "You were ill with pneumonia."
"I was told such," Katherine answered.
"Have you no respect for your own health?" Robert then said. "Do you not remember all the times Mother stayed by your bedside when you were sick with pneumonia? Was all her work for naught or are you just intent on killing yourself again?"
Karen, who saw the two small patches of pink appear on Katherine's cheeks, jumped out of her seat. "Shut up you bastard, you don't have the right to yell at her like that," she said angrily.
"I have every right, she's my sister," Robert said.
"Your adopted sister," Karen retorted. "If anyone should be yelling at
her for letting herself get so sick, it should be me. But I won't do that because I care about her."
"Are you saying I am a bad brother?" Robert snarled.
"At least I'm not the one who kicked her off the family manor," Karen replied just as angrily.
"Well at least I didn't force my sister to suicide!" Robert yelled.
"Robert stop!" Sara said, standing up and putting a free hand on her husband's chest. "For god's sake, just keep quiet."
The room was silent for a moment as Robert and Karen glared at each other. Robert broke off and looked down at his wife, who was still holding Amber.
"I won't be coming back Katherine," Robert said. "I have no wish to agitate you further. You or your sister." He then turned and left the room as quickly as he could.
Karen sat down slowly and looked at Katherine. "Sorry Kath, but-" she started to say.
"It's alright Kare," Katherine said. "I appreciate you standing up for
me."
"You sounded quite a bit like Kat did when she fought with Robert at home," Sara said, trying to lighten the mood.
"She did, didn't she?" Katherine asked her sister-in-law, smiling.
Everyone started to laugh, and then they all began to talk.
~~~
At six o'clock, Will, Grace and Sara left the room as visiting hours were over. Karen, Jack and Amber remained for a few moments more to say goodnight.
"I hope you've been a good girl for your aunt and uncle while I was sick," Katherine said.
"She's been fine," Jack said.
"Good night Mummy," Amber said, hugging her mother's neck.
"Night love," Katherine said. "I'll see you after school tomorrow, okay?"
"Do I have to go to school?" Amber whined. "I'd much rather visit you."
"I don't want you to fall behind," Katherine said. She kissed her daughter's forehead and then handed her to Jack.
"It's really great to see you awake," Jack said, taking one of Katherine's hands and squeezing it.
"Thank you for watching over Amber," Katherine said. "I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Of course," Jack said grinning. "I've been taking and picking her up from school." He said a quick good night and then left the room so Karen and Katherine could have a few minutes alone to talk.
"Was it really worth all this to get the fabric for the wedding Kath?" Karen asked as soon as Jack had left.
Katherine laughed softly. "It seems I have a problem admitting I'm sick," she said, her face growing serious. "I am truly sorry Kare, if I hurt you at all."
Karen was quiet for a moment before saying, "You really scared me Kath, I thought I was going to lose you. And I know that I would miss having you around if you were gone."
"Because you wouldn't be able to make fun of my clothes?" Katherine asked.
"No," Karen answered.
"Because you wouldn't be able to force me to wear a short skirt and-" Katherine began to say.
"No! That's not why I would miss you Kath," Karen said, a little annoyed. She stood up from the chair and then sat down on the edge of the bed. "This is really hard for me to say you know, so you better pay attention because I'm only going to say it once."
Katherine nodded, looking like she might start laughing.
"This is really serious Kath," Karen said sharply. "Anyway, I would miss you because you're my only sister. My little sister." She paused for a moment and said, "And I've gotten fond of you. I love you Kath, but not in that way. You know, like a sister loves a sister."
"I know Kare," Katherine said, smiling. "I love you like a sister too." She leaned forward a little bit, to try and give her sister a hug, but she stopped, wincing in pain.
"Are you okay?" Karen asked, suddenly worried.
"I'm fine, the skin just folded on my cut from where they put that tube
in," Katherine said, leaning back against the pillows. "Well I was going to hug you, but that will have to wait."
"Good night Kath," Karen said, giving her sister a hug. "And you better rest, because you need to be well in time for the wedding."
Katherine laughed as Karen got off the bed. "I wouldn't dare miss it,"
she said. "Have you settled on a date?"
"We're thinking the sixth of next month," Karen answered.
"A nice day," Katherine said. She yawned suddenly and said, "I suppose I should get some rest."
"I'll be back tomorrow Kath," Karen said. "Night."
"Night Karen," Katherine said.
Karen left the room, going over to the elevators to meet Jack and Amber
and go back home for the night.
