Disclaimer: Same ol', same ol'…

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I couldn't eat dinner, I was too nervous about Patamon's arrival. I just sat there, listening to what everyone else was saying. When dinner finished, I sat on the couch, staring at the T.V, but not really watching. Twenty minutes later, the doorbell rings, and my heart does a sort of somersault. Tai answers the door.

"Hey Tai," says Matt at the door.

"Hey Matt, hey Patamon," replied Tai. I turned around in my chair to see Patamon.

"Hey Kari," says Matt. Patamon instantly perks up. I get up and walk over to them. Patamon jumps out of Matt's arms into mine the minute I get close. I look at the poor, innocent creature tormented by grief. I look back at Matt. I see the sorrow in his eyes. Emotions well up again. I sink to my knees and cradle Patamon, but really, I'm thinking. What if I do have something to do with T.K getting worse? Should I go? But I don't think I can handle it, not just yet. Patamon looks up to me, tears in its eyes. But what about Patamon, and Matt?

"Kari? Are you ok?" Tai says, interrupting my thoughts.

"Yeh, I'm fine," I answer. I don't look into his eyes.

"Well, I'd better be going," Matt began, "Dad's waiting. I'll see you tomorrow, ok?" he said to Tai. Tai nodded in return. Matt gave me a swift look, before he left, closing the door behind him. Gatomon entered the room moments later, & I let Patamon fly over to her. While Gatomon and Patamon caught up, I busied myself with cleaning the dishes.

"You do know that T.K is dying, Kari," Tai said quietly. I froze. Emotions were welling up inside me, and I was on the edge of crying. But I fought it back.

"Yes," I replied croakily, "I overheard your conversation with Matt this afternoon."

"This may be your last chance to see him," Tai continued quietly, comfort in every tone.

"I know," I said, "but, I don't know if I can do it. And I don't want to put you through it again either."

"But Kari…" Tai began.

"I'm sorry Tai," I cut in, "I…I don't know." I look deep into his eyes. I see the plead, but… I look away, and run into my room, and flop onto my bed. I don't know what to do.

"Oh T.K…" I breathe into my pillow.

Next chapter up when I'm not totally stressed, or tired, or sick.