Ch 17

Same disclaimer applies. Please don't sue me

The Next Day...

"Look at the sky Rae. What do you see?"

The little girl pointed one of her caramel fingers at the airplane window.

"I see cwoud! Big cwoud! Heaven! With Big Rachel! And Uncle Tom!"

(A/N: In the context of this story, that's just so ironic...but anyway…on with it!)

Rae clapped her hands together and smiled.

Cassie, Ronnie, and Rae were on a direct flight to Washington D.C.

Cassie was in economics class when her cell phone went off. Despite her professor's dirty looks, she took the call. World economy or not, when the President of the United States calls you, you answer. The next few hours were a whirlwind of finding plane tickets, a house sitter, acceptable clothing, someone to cover the office, and people to take notes for her while she was gone. Somehow she managed to score three first-class tickets to Washington. They were going to spend a week there, starting with today's press conference, and the rest of the publicity surrounding the anniversary.

The only problem is...that he'll be there.

She looked down at her ebony hands. The shining engagement ring on her left hand was a constant reminder of who she was going to marry.

Ronnie...

She glanced over across the aisle, where Ronnie was napping.

She cared for Ronnie, she really did. But was he the one for her? She KNEW Jake would never, ever raise a hand to her...

"Stop thinking about him!" her conscience said.

"I can't!" she replied back.

She honestly felt like a jerk for not going to Jake's ceremony or returning his phone calls. It was painfully obvious, from the inflection in his voice that he wanted to salvage their friendship.

Maybe some things are wrecked beyond saving.

She held Rae's little hands in her own, marveling at the color contrast that Jake was responsible for.

"Happy, Mommy, be happy!"

How can I be happy when I won't even let him see his own child?

____________________________________________________________

Jake awoke that morning in a fog. His long, long sleep didn't help the fact that he was still tired. The weather wasn't helping either. The gray, bleary sky was dumping buckets of rain from the clouds.

Another beautiful day by the bay...

Truthfully, he didn't know what to make of PT, or anything in his new life. All this...this...stuff he was forced to do...the Physical Therapists said that the exercises he did were going to help his legs become stronger, and keep him in shape. But what was the point? He was STILL feeble; he didn't even feel like getting up today. And his chicken legs...the doctors told him that no matter how much therapy he did, his legs would still atrophy because he wasn't walking around on them like normal people would.

The bright red clock on the nightstand said 10:00 AM. His nurse was supposed to be here at that time.

Great. Another person who has to take care of me.

Jake heard the jostling of keys and then the opening of his front door. Marco had it set up so that the nurse could key into the apartment, just in case Jake was stubborn and didn't feel like letting anyone in.

"Good morning, Mr. Berenson," a deep but cheerful voice said.

Jake glanced towards his bedroom door. A big, burly, bald-headed guy with tattoos all over his arms walked towards his bed.

"I'm Bruce, your nurse."

Jake's good eye widened in disbelief.

"But, you're-"

"A guy? Yeah, I get that all the time. There ARE male nurses out there, contrary to popular belief."

Bruce pulled out a manila folder from his bag.

"OK Mr. Berenson." He went down Jake's chart and whistled. "My my my. Let's take your temperature, and check your vitals. Then we'll get you bathed, and we can clean up this place. It's a pigsty."
Jake mumbled something about the movers, but Bruce suspected that the empty beer bottles in the hallway were not the property of the movers.

"Well, Mr. Berenson, let's get started."

______________________________________________________________

Cassie's plane landed safely on the runway, and she and her family were escorted swiftly but a bunch of secret service agents.

At least the government is fast at doing something... Cassie thought as she was sitting in the back of a government limousine.

They were to be escorted straight to the White House, where the press conference would be held, outside in the Rose Garden. The conference was scheduled for an hour. Afterwards, the Presidential suite at the Ritz-Carlton awaited them.

If we can just get through this day...

Her anxiety from the plane now turned into all out worry. Jake was supposed to be here.

She could almost see the confrontation now in her head. And the baby...

Rae asked for Jake more and more these days. And though Ronnie tried to be patient, Cassie could sense that his true feelings about the situation were starting to show. He barely wanted to play with Rae anymore, something he used to enjoy. He wouldn't even do little things, like cook for, bathe, dress, or read to her.

And how could she face Jake? How could she?

I'll never deny you your right as a father.

That was what she said to him in the hospital. And here she was, being a total hypocrite.

The van stopped outside the White House. Amid the usual gaggle of reporters, they were whisked through the crowd to the Rose Garden.

There she saw Marco...

Tobias in human morph...

and AX!
"Marco! Tobias! Ax!"

Cassie could barely hold in her enthusiasm as she rushed through the lawn with Rae in her arms.

The three of them came over to her. Marco wrapped her up in a friendly bear hug.

"It's ALWAYS good to see you Cassie. And I didn't forget about you either, Rae," Marco poked her little nose.

"Unca Marco!" Rae said, with Jake's smile.

"It's always good so see you too, Marco. And Tobias..."

She gave a hug to Tobias as well.

"I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to see you at the base...And about the coordinates..."
"It's ok Cassie. It really is. I was busy anyway..." He looked down at his shoes.

"Busy with what?" Cassie asked, confused.

"I...I....my hawk morph...I gave up my wings, Cassie; I gave up my wings..." Tobias said, kicking at an invisible stain.

Cassie held her free hand up to her mouth in shock.

"Tobias, I'm so sorry..." She knew that without Rachel, flying was all that he had.

"Don't be sorry, Cassie...life goes on..."
Indeed it does, Cassie, Indeed it does. She heard Ax's familiar thought speech in her head.

She turned around and gave her favorite Andalite a hug.

"Ax...I never thought I'd see you again..."

Do not worry Cassie. Prince Jake, Marco, Tobias, and Menderash saved me from imprisonment within 'The One."

Ax narrowed his main eyes. That was an experience that I wish to never duplicate. I owe my existence to Prince Jake.

Rae reached out one of her hands to Ax. "He-llo."

Hello. Ax reached one of his hands out to Rae. Who is this little humanoid with you, Cassie?

"I'm sorry, I'm so rude. Guys, this is my daughter...and Jake's daughter...Rachel."

Wait, you and Prince Jake had offspring? How is that possible?

Cassie blushed. "Well-"

A secret service agent cut them off. "Have any of you seen Berenson? He isn't picking up his house phone. And he didn't return the president's calls"

"I don't know what's going on with him. He won't even return MY calls." Marco told the agent.

"Jake's not here?" A wave of panic (and inwardly relief) washed over Cassie.

"No, no one can get in contact with him. He won't pick up his phone." The agent quipped.

Cassie's didn't have time to feel guilty because the President came out of the White House and shook Cassie's hand.

"Ms. Branch. It's always a pleasure to see you. And hello there, little Rachel! How are you doing?"

Rae responded by shying away.

Perhaps all these strange people and places are too much for her...

"Do you want her to go to the press conference? Or would you rather someone watch her?" the President asked her.

Before Cassie could say a word, Ronnie came up behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"We'll ALL go to the conference, Mr. President." he said with authority.

Marco gave Ronnie a dirty look. How DARE he act like he was in charge of everything? It was almost like he was taking Jake's place. First as Cassie's boyfriend, then as Rae's dad.

I get the sense that you are not happy with that man, Ax said in private thought-speak to Marco. Marco just nodded his head as the group processed towards the presidential podium.

"This guy shouldn't be acting all in charge. He doesn't even have the morphing power." Tobias fumed.

"Well, there's nothing we can do about it now. The conference is about to begin." Marco whispered.

They all took their seats at a table to the right of the President, except Ax, who, for obvious reason, had to stand. Ronnie sat next to Cassie, and they both shared in the task of holding Rae. Marco and Tobias sat next to an empty seat with the nametag J. Berenson on it.

The President started his speech.

"Ladies and Gentlemen of the United States of America..."

_____________________________________________________________________

Bruce went to the task of helping Jake with his day. Part of Jake's treatment was to become self-sufficient. But it was hard for Jake to even undress himself. Which was the task they were struggling with now. Jake was having trouble getting ready to take a shower.

"Ungh! I...can't...get these damned pants off!" Jake grunted, his forehead dripping with sweat. He had been at this for at lest ten minutes, with no results

"Just try harder. I KNOW you can do it, Jake!" Bruce encouraged him.

"I can't!" Jake gave up and slumped over in his wheelchair.

"I can't. I'm helpless! I'm totally helpless!" His chest started to heave. "Why did this have to happen? Why me Bruce? Why me?"

"I can't answer those questions, Jake-"

"Why do I have to suffer?" Now sobs were following Jake's heaves.

Bruce made a chart of things-to-do for today, but it looked like that was going to wait for the time being. Jake's mental state was more important than his physical appearance. (Though he did need a shower.)

"All right Jake, I'll take care of it from here. We'll shower, and then I'll make your breakfast. And I saw a Playstation 2 next to your TV. I was supposed to do some vocational training today, but that can wait. Let's have some fun."

Jake nodded his head. Whatever took his mind off this pain was fine with him.

Bruce showered and dressed Jake, and then cooked his breakfast.

"Man shouldn't live by Lucky Charms alone," Bruce said as he gave Jake a breakfast of Eggo waffles and orange juice. He also gave Jake his medication.

"I guess," Jake shrugged and reluctantly took his meds.

"We aren't playing Madden until you eat at least half of that," Bruce told him.

Jake shrugged again and forced the food down his mouth. He didn't quite know what to make of Bruce. He seemed like a nice enough guy, but Jake was thinking that Bruce could easily crush him like an ant. He managed to get the rest of the food down his throat.

"Very Good, Jake! Most people coming out of the hospital don't have such a voracious appetite!"

"Have you ever tasted the food there?" Jake asked sarcastically

"I know, I know, it's TERRIBLE. How can you get healthy off of that?" Bruce playfully retorted

Jake HAD to crack a small smile to that comment.

"Good! I got you to smile! I think we're making a little progress. NOW we can play Madden. I have to warn you though; I won the hospital Madden tournament last year."

All Jake could do was roll his eye. What else did people think he had to do on a spaceship for two years? He was even better than Marco now at Video Games.

 Bruce and Jake started to play Madden. Jake whooped up on Bruce, winning 3 games in a row. Bruce could see an instant improvement in Jake's attitude.

In the virtual world, there was no limit on what he could do.

"Touchdown! The 49'ers beat the Raiders again!" Jake cackled.

Bruce threw his controller down in mock disgust.

"OK, OK, I give up." He stood up and started gathering his things. "That tells me it's time to go."

"But I'm just getting started!"

"Yes, But I have more patients to see today. You can continue humiliating me on Thursday. I'll be back." He shook Jake's hand. "Until then, Mr. Berenson."

"Thanks," Jake said.-

And with that, Bruce left.

Finally...

Jake made his way over to the refrigerator, and grabbed the six-pack out of the vegetable crisper. He hid it yesterday so that no one could find it.

Yes, you truly are the King of Beers.

Jake started to drink one and made his way back to the TV. He polished two off in record time, and flipped on a Sports channel, watching the best of college basketball. Then he fell back asleep.

______________________________________________________________

A couple of hours later, he woke up to an infomercial. Even though he was out-of -sorts, he could find nothing interesting about it. He started to flip through the channels.

Let's see what else is on...

He stopped at C-SPAN. He saw a tape-delay of Marco's face on the screen.

Wait...this could be interesting...

"Jake is sorry that he couldn't attend the press conference today. He sends his regards from his sickbed." Marco said into the microphone.

"Bullshit!" Jake yelled from his chair, as he started on a new beer.

And then he saw a sight that really made his temper start to rise.

That...that MAN was sitting there, holding HIS daughter.

"SON OF A BITCH!" Jake roared and threw a beer bottle near the TV.

"That fucking whore! How dare she act like he's her father! I'm her dad, god dammit!" He switched the TV off. It was too much.

He swigged down the remaining bottle and waited for that warm, fuzzy feeling to overtake him. He was waiting for the alcohol to kill the hurt, kill the fucking PAIN he was in.

He felt lightheaded and soon smiled.

"Beer...you're my only friend..."