Thanks again to October Sky, CharlieClaireforlife, showmethehobbit, The Pirate Illusionist, a.k.a.-ashley, rain1657, smilez4eva, jackkate, litgal, kate and jack, and Lilywriter for their reviews!
Disclaimer: I still do not own any of these characters.
Crash
Later…
Silence fell over the room as the jury filed in solemnly. Kate balled her fists and dug her nails into her palms.
"Has the jury reached a verdict?"
"We have, your honor. The people in the room collectively heald their breaths.
"We find the defendant guilty of all charges."
Kate's face turned ashen. She knew what was coming next, and she wasn't ready for it.
"The sentence is death by lethal injection."
Her world went black.
Jack ran. He didn't know where he was headed, and he really didn't care. He didn't care about anything at this point. He kept running until the crashing of his footsteps had pounded out every ounce of anger and disappointment and fear. Until all that was left was numbness.
Finally stopping to take in his surroundings, he realized that he was across town at the hospital where he had his medical practice. He had taken off for today, but at the moment burying himself in his work seemed like a good idea. Walking briskly into the building and up the steps, he tried to catch his breath and regain his composure.
He faked a smile for the secretary as he checked in, but she just frowned at him. "Dr. Shepard," she said shaking her head. "I suggest you go directly to speak with Dr. Patters."
Jack was confused. Dr. Patters was the hospital's new chief of surgery. He went directly to the office and knocked. Dr. Patters allowed him in, but looked very unhappy about it. "Can I help you, Shepard?" he asked irritably.
"Sir? What's going on? Why is everyone acting strange?"
"Have you been home today? Have you picked up your cell phone?"
"No, I'm sorry. I've had some, um, personal issues."
"Well, then I suppose I'll tell you face to face. You are fired and your license to practice surgery is in the process of being revoked."
"What!" For the second time that day, Jack felt as if his world was crashing down around him. "Why?"
"Your girlfriend, Lorraine, finally reported you today. She told us all what has been happening."
"What?"
"About your recent drinking problems. Apparently that runs in your family, Shepard. Still, I'd have thought that you would have learned a lesson from what happened to your father. But I guess not. Lorraine told us all about how it's been causing your impaired judgment and even your confessions of near slip-ups in surgeries. In addition, she told us about your little problem with embezzling the hospital's money."
"Neither of those are true, though!"
"Miss Reiners had evidence Dr. Shepard. She gave us many papers documenting the embezzling…"
"All forged!"
"I don't believe that. Moreover, there is ample evidence of you developing a drinking problem. Did you or did you not pay bail for and then take in a murderess? Did you or did you not skip work to go to her trial? Did you or did you not speak publicly about knowing people from some dream, thereby discrediting and embarrassing the staff of this hospital? Can you deny any of this?"
"No, Sir, but…"
"I don't want to hear it. Your personal belongings have been shipped home. Now, if you would kindly get the hell out of this hospital and never come back." Dr. Patters coupled a dismissive hand motion with a sneer of contempt, then went back to his work.
In silence, Jack walked out of the hospital. Wordlessly and near-thoughtlessly, he wandered back to his mother's house. Objectively, he knew that he was in a state of shock. Deborah opened the door, took one look at him, and immediately came running out to him. "Jack! Oh my God, are you okay? What happened?"
He was silent. She ushered him inside to the living room. "Here, come sit down. You can talk to us?"
"Us?" he echoed softly. "Yes, you'll be so happy to know who's here, you can talk to her, too."
Jack froze as he saw the woman who was sitting on the couch. It was Lorraine. All the shock and numbness in him finally gave way to pure, unbridled anger. His voice dropped, low and dangerous, as he near hissed, "How dare you come here after what you did."
She stood up, alarmed, but faked a smile for Deborah. When she spoke, she sounded sweet and innocent. "Why, Jack, we weren't expecting you home. After what I did, Jack? I don't know what you are talking about."
"You ruined my career!"
Deborah looked confused. "What?"
"Jack, are you okay?" Turning to Deborah, Lorraine added, "I don't know what's going on, Ms Shepard. Maybe he's still upset from our big breakup the other night."
"You broke up with him!"
"No, he broke up with me. Maybe he hasn't been in his right mind for awhile. It might explain these bizarre accusations he's making now."
"Shut up, Lorraine, you know what you did."
"Jack!" Deborah exclaimed scoldingly. She had always been a big fan of Lorraine.
"No, I don't. I think that we were perfectly fine together. Better than your new girlfriend anyway." She grinned. "At least I'm not going to die within the month."
Jack couldn't control himself after this. He stepped forward and slapped her. "You bitch! How dare you say that!"
"Jack! What is wrong with you?"
Lorraine whimpered and rushed out of the house. Deborah followed her, "Lorraine! Come back, darling. Lorraine!" It was too late. Deborah whirled on her son. "Get out of this house. You want to throw your life away, go ahead. But don't involve me in it."
"Mom, let me explain…"
"Get out!"
Jack saw that there was no use in arguing with her. Slowly, he walked out the door. AT the last moment, he turned and said, "No matter what happens, I love you, Mom."
Her response was to slam the door in his face. After a moment's reflection, however, she opened it and whispered to his receding figure, "I love you too, my son." She sadly walked inside, thinking that he hadn't heard her.
He had.
Across town, Charlie was rushing back to the apartment, clutching his new possession under his coat. Claire was home with Lyle, sobbing hysterically, no doubt. At least she would have everyone else from the island there to comfort her and to cry with her. Charlie didn't want to show his emotions like that. He gathered all his fear and anger at Ethan and at Kate's sentence and he went downtown to purchase an illegal firearm. He was determined to keep his fledgling family safe by any means necessary.
Dark was coming quickly to LA that night. Charlie picked up his pace. He had finally reached the front of his building safely. He moved to open the door when he heard a small snap. He whirled around, readying his gun. He saw nothing. He began to turn when the door behind him flew open. Claire rushed out into his arms. "Oh, Charlie – I was so nervous! Everyone has been wonderful staying here with us, but I wanted you here."
"Well, everything will be okay now, I promise."
Claire smiled. "Good." Gently, she disengaged herself from him and went to move past him.
"Claire, where are you going?" he asked, nervously.
She laughed at this. "Oh, Charlie, calm down. I'm just going to get the paper, silly."
Still hesitant, he watched her as she walked down to the street corner. The darkness made him antsy.
Suddenly, a figure appeared directly next to Claire. She began to scream, but a strong hand gripped her mouth. "Where is the baby?" hissed Ethan.
Jack was walking slowly to Hurley's. He had nothing left in his life at this point, and these were the only friends he knew. He froze momentarily when he saw a man forcibly restraining a terrified Claire. There was also the vague outline of a woman with wild hair in the nearby bushes, but he ignored her. He ran towards them and shoved all his weight into the strange man.
Ethan dropped Claire in shock. Jack grabbed him and punched him in the face. Angrily, Ethan howled and again made a grab for Claire. Jack moved in on him again, when he heard Charlie scream from the porch, "Jack, get out of the way!"
Jack flung himself to the ground just in time to see a series of bullets rush by and bury themselves in Ethan's chest. The doctor crumpled to the ground, dead. Jack and Claire rose, horrified, unable to take their eyes off the body. Charlie, too, remained frozen in place. None of them moved until blaring sirens approached. Jack put his arm around Claire to lead her inside while Charlie was taken in by the police.
"Letg me go, Claire. I'll be okay – just take care of Lyle!"
Despite his words, Claire tried to rush to him. Jack tightened his grip and stopped her. "Jack!" she cried, struggling. "I want to be with him now!"
"You can't," he said simply. "Lyle needs you now. We all need you."
"You wouldn't understand!" Claire hissed. "I love him. He can't take all this blame."
Jack stopped and faced her. "I love her, Claire."
Her eyes widened with understanding and regret for her harsh comment.
"Claire, I'm sorry. But right now, there's nothing we can do."
"Oh, Jack, our lives are falling down around us! I feel even more helpless than the day that we crashed onto that island."
He hugged her sadly. "And there's still absolutely nothing we can do."
Last chapter: We finally find out the truth.
Please review and let me know what you thought of this chapter.
