Thicker Than Blood

Chapter 8

"Kathryn…what's wrong?" hearing John's cautious voice, Kathryn turned away from him, trying unsuccessfully to stop the tears from coming. The redhead closed her eyes tightly and set her jaw, trying to get a hold of herself. "Kath…" he trailed off, approaching her tentatively. 'Kath,' she repeated in her head, and a sob burst from her lips. 'She called me that.' Kathryn covered her face with one hand, feeling ashamed of herself for breaking down, but at the same time unable to stop. The bed dipped under a sudden weight as John sat down, touching her shoulder gently. "What happened? What's the matter…Kathryn?"

"John…" she whispered, and dropped her hand from her face as she let out another sob. "I've got to find my father," her voice cracked, and she succumbed to yet another round of tears. Cena moved closer to her, rubbing her back in reassurance.

"I know," he replied, his forehead creasing as he tried to figure out what had happened. His mind told him it was simply her father, and the way he had treated her, settling in, but at the same time, he knew it was something else…something much, much worse. "We'll get your father to come to his senses, Kathryn," he told her.

"I have to tell him something," she said, as if she was talking to herself.

"You will be able to…"

"Not in time," she replied, her voice shaking.

"In time for what?" John answered, frowning. She looked so fragile, her head bowed, her frame hunched over and tears running down her face. He reached over and squeezed her hand. She looked up, and answered his question.

"Death." Her eyes closed, and she looked down at her feet once more, biting down on her lip. "In time for death."

"Death? Kathryn, what do you mean? Whose death?" Kathryn was unable to speak, sobbing once more. She gestured to her throat.

"Dad," she whispered.

"'Taker's death?" John asked, and she shook her head no. 'Something about the Undertaker…and his throat…' he thought to himself. His eyes widened suddenly.

FLASHBACK

John stood in the middle of the ring, bouncing against the rope as he waited for his opponent. His nerves were high-strung, but he tried to ignore them, leaping from foot to foot as the Undertaker's music struck. John froze, staring at the man who came out of the curtains. The black light flooded through the arena, lighting his nervous sweat. Cena barely moved as the Undertaker made his way to the ring and entered it, taking off his trench coat slowly. The U.S Champion looked him over, trying to calm himself. 'Taker had rolled up his eyes, but John refused to let that creep him out. Instead, his gaze traveled downward, settling on the other man's neck, where five letters were tattooed: SARAH. The Undertaker moved, and John looked back up to the man's face, and swallowed tightly. The look on 'Taker's face was deathly; as if he had witnessed something that he shouldn't have.

FLASHBACK

"Sarah," he said aloud, and looked at Kathryn. The redhead nodded silently, more tears spilling down her face at the mention of her mother. Any personal joy John had had at figuring out who the person was diminished quickly as everything clicked into place. 'Oh my God… Sarah, 'Taker's wife…her mother. That's why she needs to talk to 'Taker…' his thoughts trailed off as Kathryn spoke.

"She was diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma," she whispered, "a few weeks ago. She can't move anymore, and she's on the machines. Talking is stressful, and it tires her out quickly," her grip on his hand tightened. "The machines are keeping her alive." Hearing the entire truth, John was consumed with a new kind of hatred for Paul Heyman, turning the Undertaker against his daughter and his wife when they needed him most.

John leaned over, hugging Kathryn. "I'm so sorry, Kathryn…" he whispered into her ear, and she didn't reply. The redhead's body was stiff against his, but suddenly she slackened, leaning into him.

'Wednesday today,' she thought, her eyes closed tightly. 'I have seven days, if Sharon is right…but…I have three full days to get Paul Bearer, convince Dad that that ungodly man isn't his soul, and bring him to the hospital…' feeling suddenly overwhelmed, she sighed shakily, biting down on her lip. After a moment she looked up at John, her thoughts paused for the moment as she looked into his eyes. 'Why is he doing this?' she couldn't help but wonder, 'He doesn't owe me anything, he saved me as much as I saved him… Why does he insist on helping me?' it wasn't that she wasn't grateful for him being there; it was the fact that he seemed to want nothing in return. 'Everybody wants something when they help…' she thought to herself, 'but John doesn't seem to…' it was his opposition to what she had deemed to be the summarization of nearly everyone that confused her deeply. He had nothing to gain, but he helped anyway. Kathryn bowed her head. She felt so guilty, pondering his motives when he was the only one kind enough to offer her help.

"Kathryn…you okay?" John asked softly, pulling away from her, his arm still around her shoulders.

"Under the circumstances…" she trailed off and looked at him, her eyes, against her own will, displaying her pain. John reached out, touching her wet cheek with one hand, his eyes concerned and apologetic. Kathryn felt her heart skip a beat, and cursed inwardly. 'No! I'm not falling for him!' she was firm in her mind, but all thoughts ceased when his other hand cupped her cheek and he leaned forward, bringing her face toward his. Her eyes fluttered shut.

A timid knock and a female voice coming through the door interrupted them. "Kathryn, you in there?"