PART FOUR

The trip to the airport and the flight itself had gone pretty smoothly. Matt had served as a guide for Lita, walking her through the crowded terminal with his arm around her waist. Jeff had flanked her right side, carrying Lita's carry-on bag. Four hours later, Lita
was sitting at her kitchen table, a glass of water before her that Matt had brought her.

"I can't thank you enough for everything you guys are doing for me"

"Lita, you know we'd do anything for you", Matt said, watching her while he busied himself about her kitchen. Jeff had left a short while ago to go to the boys' home in nearby Cameron to get a few items for them. They had decided to both stay with Lita for the week at her home. They figured she would be more comfortable at her own place rather than at one of theirs.

"Yeah, I know. Sometimes I wonder why though."

Matt took a moment and just stared at her before responding. Sometimes he just didn't understand her. Didn't she know she was a beautiful person? She was beautiful physically, but more importantly, she was a wonderful person on the inside too. She was
funny, outgoing, sensitive and probably the strongest willed person he'd ever met. If she set her mind to something, look out. Matt opened his mouth to say what he was thinking, but froze. "Lita, you don't realize just how special you are", he said simply instead.

Lita smiled, dropping her head as she felt her cheeks blush slightly. She reached out to her glass to take a drink of water. But she misjudged the distance and knocked the glass over, sending it rolling off the table and crashing onto the floor. Water flooded the
table, Lita's lap, and the floor. Lita jumped up, knocking over her chair. "Dangit" she muttered, reaching around helplessly for a towel or anything to stop the water.

"Lita, Lita, stop and don't move around" Matt instructed, springing into action with his towel.

"There's glass everywhere, you'll cut yourself". But Lita never heard him. When the water spilled, it was like a waterfall of emotions was let loose too. She felt angry, helpless, and lost all at the same time. She wanted so badly to fix the mistake, to do something as simple as clean up after herself. She ran her hands
over the table, feeling for the water, as if her fingers would be enough to absorb the liquid. She didn't hear the glass crunching under her shoes as she moved around the table. "I got it, I'll fix it" she cried. Her bandages absorbed the tears that were surely
falling.

Matt saw her distress and immediately went to her side, catching her arms and pulling her into his embrace. "Sshh, hold still" he soothed, stroking her hair.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry" she whispered, crying softly.

"It's alright. Let's move into the living room, away from this glass" he said as he led her to the living room and helped her get settled on the couch.

"Are you ok? Are you cut anywhere?" Matt asked, lifting her arms and looking her over for injury.

"No, no I'm fine" Lita sniffled. "I just hate this so much! Matt, I have never felt so helpless in my whole life. I don't know what came over me. I don't know what to do. I'm..." she stopped suddenly.

"Scared" Matt finished for her. He pulled her close again, soothing her by rubbing her arms slowly up and down. "Lita, you listen to me. In the last 48 hours you have been through a traumatic experience. Your actions are justified. It's natural to feel
scared. I'm scared for you. It kills me to see you have to go through this."

"I just want to wake up and find this was all a bad dream. Matt, what if I do lose my sight? My career, my life as I know it, it would all be over."

"We will cross that bridge when and if we get to it. You have got to focus on the positive here. The doctor said you would most likely recover with no loss of vision. These are mostly preventative," he said, brushing his fingers lightly across her bandaged eyes.

"But," Lita interjected, but Matt stopped her, placing a finger against her soft lips.

"But, when you are feeling scared or unsure, I promise you I will be here for you. Always." Almost as an afterthought, he added "Jeff and I both will be here for you".

Lita sighed, feeling more secure, especially with Matt's arms around her. "Thank you" she whispered. The words Matt spoke warmed her like she'd never felt before. She reached up then, feeling Matt's
whiskers, and tipped her head up to kiss him lightly on the cheek. She then rested her head back on his chest, sinking into his arms.

Just then, the door opened. "Luuucccyyy, I'm home!" Both Matt and Lita jumped, caught off guard by the sudden motion. Jeff's silly grin faded immediately as he saw Lita and Matt on the couch. It was obvious that something had gone wrong.

"Jeff, you scared me to death," Lita said, sitting up straighter.

"What's wrong?" Jeff asked, anxious to know why Lita had been upset.

"Nothing a warm bath can't cure" Lita said. I think I'll go upstairs now and find my way to the bathroom.

Matt stood to help Lita upstairs. He turned around to Jeff as he walked Lita towards the stairs and silently mouthed "I'll tell you later". Jeff nodded in understanding.

to be continued..........