Title: Downfall
Type: 7th Heaven Fan Fiction
Rating: PG-13 (Sex, Alcohol, possible drug content)
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters of 7th Heaven. I do own all my original characters and this story, though. Don't take.
Summary: Tragedy strikes Lucy and Kevin, who then must decide what to do with their lives.

Downfall

Chapter Fourteen: The Return of Satan

Lately, Nichol's life had consisted of simply existing. In his mind, he wasn't sure if having sex with Lucy was wrong. He'd been forced to keep his emotions in from the beginning, but now it was worse. Since Ruthie was visiting, he was expected to be his normal, sarcastic, witty self. His excuse of not feeling well wouldn't last the entire visit.

At this moment, he sat at the table. He was staring at the table, smoking a cigarette. Ruthie, or, as he'd nicknamed her, The Whirlwind, entered and sat down across from him.

"Hey, Nichol!" Ruthie exclaimed. Nichol looked up and smiled half-heartedly.

"Ruthie."

"You look kind of down in the mouth," Ruthie informed him. He shrugged, then took a long puff of his cigarette.

"I haven't felt the best lately," Nichol explained. It was true; he hadn't. Ruthie just didn't know why he'd felt like blowing his brains out.

"I'm sorry," Ruthie told him, showing true sincerity.

"You're a cool kid, Ruthie," Nichol replied, smiling a little. He blew more smoke through his mouth, unenthusiastically.

"You're cool too, Nichol," She assured him.

"Thanks." They sat in silence for a few minutes. Lucy had left early in the morning. Kevin made the excuse that she needed to pick up something at the store, which was a story that Ruthie believed. Nichol, on the other hand, knew better than that. He'd been awake when Kevin and Lucy had their argument and had heard nearly every word. Now he had to pretend that he wasn't a helpless innocent party and that he didn't want to blow Kevin's brains out before he blew out his own.

Kevin entered the room. He was all smiles and had been taking the acting thing a little too seriously. He patted Nichol on the back. Nichol hunched forward. He felt like crying, but knew he couldn't. That made him want to cry even more. He didn't, though.

"Buddy!" Kevin exclaimed, addressing Nichol.

"What?" Nichol asked, completely deadpan.

"We should go out tonight and do some manly things," Kevin laughed. Nichol glared at him.

"I don't feel well," He simply stated. Ruthie watched this unfold. She was still completely clueless as to what was happening, but she'd picked up that something wasn't right with Nichol.

"You haven't felt well in weeks!" Kevin exclaimed, "Fresh air would do you some good."

"I wouldn't say weeks. You're unusually chipper today. Any special reason?" Nichol asked, his tone not changing once throughout their whole conversation.

"The beauty of the day has put me in an exceptionally great mood," Kevin explained, breathing in.

"Kevin, it's fricking freezing outside. There's nothing beautiful about the remains of an ice storm," Nichol replied.

"Yeah, well, it's almost gone. I guess that's the beauty of it."

"I looked out this morning. It looks the same to me."

"It's melted a little."

"A little. Nothing to be unusually chipper about."

"You know me, Nic, everything puts me in a good mood."

"Since?"

"Since forever. Come on, come to the store with me."

"Didn't you just go to the store?"

"Yeah. I did. Guess that plan's dead now."

"It was never born. It can't have died."

Phone rings.

"Frick, who's that?" Nichol asked. Ruthie picks up the phone.

"Hello?" Ruthie answered, then paused, "Nichol, it's for you."

"Who is it?" He asked, curious.

"I don't know. I didn't ask," Ruthie replied, then handed the phone to Nichol. He put the phone to his ear, wrinkled his brow, and left the room for privacy.

"He never gets calls," Kevin stated. A few minutes later, Nichol entered the kitchen again, rushing around.

"Frick! Where the frick is Amelia?" Nichol demanded.

"I think she's taking a nap," Kevin replied, "I think. She was, but yeah."

"Thanks," Nichol stated, then rushed to their bedroom and shook the sleeping Amelia.

"God, Nichol, what?" Amelia shouted.

"We've got a very big problem," Nichol explained.

"What is it?" Amelia asked, her voice softer.

"Jake is coming to visit."

"What?" Amelia shouted, "No. I don't want him here."

"He says he lives close by and wants to see our place. I couldn't say no. You know I can't talk to that guy!" Nichol exclaimed.

"Ruthie's here," Amelia reminded him, "And I'm still afraid of him."

"I know, Amelia, I'm afraid of him too," Nichol agreed. Tears streaked Amelia's face.

"That guy tried to rape me," She reminded him.

"I know," Nichol replied.

"He beat the living crap out of you."

"I know."

"He's a pervert."

"I know."

"And Ruthie's here."

"I know."