Silence was passing over their table in the library as Fiona jotted a few things from Van's notes into her notebook. Yet she couldn't seem to focus on any of the information that was in front of her.
Van looked up from a small book and noticed how Fiona was a little pale. His face contorted with a look of concern. "Hey, are you alright Fiona?" he asked placing a hand on her shoulder. He took it back when he saw her flinch slightly.
Fiona shook her head and smiled slightly at Van. "I'm fine, I'm just a little dizzy," she said putting down her pencil to rub her head slightly. She let off a sigh before getting back to work.
Van looked at her in concern. He then looked towards the clock and his eyes widen when he saw that it said that it was already well past five. "Man, I didn't know that we were here so long," Van said grabbing his backpack because he needed to get home soon.
"Huh?" Fiona said as she looked at the clock and was surprised as well. "No kidding. We better get home," she said grabbing her things as well. She felt so tired that she just wanted to get home and take a nap since she didn't sleep too well last night getting in rather late after her talk with Van.
"Come on then, I'll walk you home," Van said with a smile which she returned. He led the two of them out of the library and headed in the normal direction to her place. It amazed him how he remembered it so easily.
Fiona stole a few quick glances at Van but always averted her eyes away almost immediately. 'He's so nice to me sometimes,' she told herself as she looked at her feet while they walked silently side by side.
'No, don't put yourself through that Fiona. You'll only end up getting hurt,' her mind taunted her but she just shook her head to rid herself of any of the thoughts that she was having at that moment. She knew she couldn't be thinking these things, she just wouldn't allow herself to do that.
A hand suddenly came down upon her shoulder and seeing that Van was in front of her, she had no idea who it was and just freaked out suddenly. She let off a scream and swung a foot back hitting whoever it was that did that straight in the nuts.
Van turned around quickly and saw Thomas crumpled on the ground holding his family jewels while moaning pitifully. It reminded Van of what he looked like that morning. "Are you ok Fiona?" Van asked seeing that she still looked slightly panicked despite now knowing who it was. She also looked a lot paler than she did when they were in the library.
Fiona wasn't sure but she guessed maybe she overdid it with her panicking. She started to feel a little woozy. She swayed slightly before she fell but she felt herself get caught by a string pair of hands. "Sorry," she muttered trying to stand back up but only fell again.
Ignoring Thomas, Van caught Fiona easily. "Come on Fiona, we should get you to a doctor. You really don't look good," Van said helping her back onto her feet but not taking his hands off of her. He figured she wouldn't like it but he didn't want her to fall again.
"I'm fine Van. I just need a little rest," she said trying to stand on her own but Van wouldn't let her go. "Please let me go Van," she pleaded with him because she was starting to feel a little too comfortable in his arms.
Van didn't respond but just placed a hand on her forehead before pulling back quickly. "You're burning up. Come on. My mom should be back by now. She can take a look at you," he said leading her towards his place. He didn't want anyone to know where he lived but he figured he could make an exception this time.
Fiona didn't know why but she just went. 'At least I know I can trust her,' Fiona thought as Van led her in a slightly different direction than she normally went. She also noticed that the houses were becoming much fancier.
Van took a look at Fiona who was walking with a weak expression at his side. Although Van was letting her walk by herself, he remained close just incase she ended up passing out once again.
Fiona's eyes widened when she saw the size of the house that Van walked up to. The way he used to act, she never would have pictured his family ever having the type of money needed to buy this sort of place.
Van just led her up to the door without giving her a chance to question the giant house that he was leading her into. "Mom!" Van yelled hoping that she was close enough to hear. He smiled when he saw her walk into the room drying her hands.
"Oh hello Van. Fiona?" she asked taking notice of the blonde haired woman standing next to Van. It wasn't too hard to tell that Fiona was sick to her. "No need to say anything Van, I understand. Come on Fiona," she said taking Fiona's hand and leading her to another room.
Van just watched them leave but a question formed in his mind. 'How do they know each other? I know my mom's a doctor but she works with critical case people, not ordinary sick people even if she does know that type of stuff,' Van thought but knew he wouldn't get any answer even if he asked so he just walked towards his room.
"Just lay down Fiona," Tina said as she walked into a private office that's he had made just incase something happen to anyone in her family. The most she used of it was to patch up Van's wounds in the past from when he got beat up before he completely changed himself.
"Um… right," Fiona said taking a seat on a small bed that you would normally find in doctors offices. It wasn't very comfortable but she just did as she said as Tina pulled out a few tools from a small drawer.
"You seem to be doing much better than the last time I saw you. How are things going nowadays? I noticed you and Van seemed to be hanging out a lot lately," she said remembering the time she'd seen the two of them walking towards Fiona place.
Fiona took a look at the woman that she knew a few years back and smiled. "I'm doing better I guess. Van has been very kind to me though," Fiona said with a shrug of her shoulders as Van's mother took her temperature very quickly.
"That's Van for you. He can change in appearance but is still the same kind hearted young man that he was when he was younger," Tina said looking at the thermometer with a disappointed look. "According to this, you shouldn't even be out right now," she said looking at Fiona with a look of disappointment.
"I wasn't feeling too bad at the beginning of the day. It just started to come on as the day passed. Maybe it is because I haven't been sleeping well lately. My dreams just won't go away," Fiona said sadly as Tina did all sorts of medical things to her.
"Not surprising, you did go through something pretty traumatic. You should consider this though, it could have been worse than it was," she said giving an amused smile on her face although it was only halfhearted. "Have you talked with anyone about them, like your parents?" she asked jotting a few things down.
Fiona's eyes saddened a bit at the mention of them. "My parents won't talk to me anymore. They send money every once in a while but they won't speak to me anymore," she said clutching the edge of the bed trying to fight back the tears. 'No, I won't cry for them,' she thought shaking her head.
"Some parents they are. I would never abandon Van or Maria if something like what happened to you. You made a bad choice and suffered consequences for it. Let me ask you something, I know you and Van are becoming friends, have you told him about it?" she asked taking Fiona's blood pressure.
"I would rather just forget about it all. What am I supposed to tell him? I once had a boyfriend who became so abusive that I was sent to a hospital for two months?" Fiona asked cringing at the memory of the event that continued to haunt her until that day. "I mean he could have raped me or something like that had Irvine not been there that day!" she said feeling herself starting to shake.
"Calm down Fiona. You are only going to make yourself feel worse," Tina said and watched as Fiona started to breathe easier. "Good. Why don't we just change the subject then? What caused you to nearly pass out earlier?" she asked figuring it wasn't just the fever.
"Van was just walking me home since we were working on a project at the library. A boy that is in our class named Thomas Shubaltz snuck up on me. I kind of freaked out because I remembered that day and after kicking him in the nuts, I nearly passed out but Van caught me," Fiona explained trying to stand up but was just pushed back onto the bed by Tina.
"I've heard of him from Van. He is supposed to be a person with an obnoxious personality. I met his brother once and they seem to have completely different personalities. Karl was always a good person who treated everyone equally," Tina said taking a few pills out. "Here, take these. They should help with your fever," she said handing them to Fiona.
"Thanks," Fiona said taking the pills and swallowed them with some water. "I suppose it would be too much if I asked you if you had anything for my dreams," Fiona said but Tina just shook her head much to Fiona's dismay.
"Sorry. Not my field of expertise," she said with a small chuckle. "I think that all you have to do is put it all behind you. You can't trust anyone because of the events from before. Although I think Van is actually getting through to you. There may be hope for you after all," she said laughing slightly.
Fiona's face darkened slightly but not enough to be noticeable to the older woman. "Thanks for the help. I should probably get going though. I need some rest," Fiona said standing up and walking to the door.
Tina put a hand on her shoulder and just smile. "Why don't you stay here for the night? It's getting dark anyways. I can have Van walk you to your place in the morning. I wouldn't suggest that you go to school for a day or two," she said seriously as the two walked out of the door.
Fiona stopped and Tina did as well. Fiona gave a sad smile and started to head to the door once again. "Thank you for the offer but I don't want to be a burden to you," Fiona said giving the woman a weak smile. A hand on her shoulder stopped her again. She liked the offer but she just figured that it would be a burden.
"Nonsense. If I can raise Van then having you here for the night won't make that big of a difference," she said and was happy when she saw Fiona finally give in and nod her head. "Good, we have a guest bedroom up the stairs and to the right. It is the second door on the left," she said before walking towards the kitchen.
Had it been any other doctor, Fiona would not even have considered accepting. Tina was a good friend to her though. When Fiona was hurt a few years ago, Tina would help her in any way that she could. Fiona almost considered her like a second mother. Although she liked her more than her own mother.
Her parents never accepted her going out with him back then. When she was seriously hurt. She knew they were saying, 'I told you so.' She hadn't been on speaking terms with them since. Whenever they were actually home from their travel for two or three days, Fiona would just ignore them at all costs and they did the same to her.
There was something though that also played a part in it. Something she didn't tell anyone. Not even the doctors. Hell, even Irvine and Moonbay didn't know about it. She intended not to tell anyone about it as long as she lived.
Fiona slowly walked up the stairs and followed the directions that Tina had given her and stepped up to the door but she heard yelling from the door right across from her room. She could hear Van's voice and guessed he was arguing with Irvine across the phone since she heard no reply but she did hear Irvine's name mentioned several times.
She turned around and was about to walk into the room when the door to Van's room opened and he walked out of the door and stared at her confused. "I didn't know you were still here," he said holding a phone in his hand.
"Your mother offered me a place to stay for the night since she didn't want me walking alone in the dark. It wouldn't matter since I do that a lot anyways but I just wanted some sleep so I just agreed," Fiona said resting her hand on the doorknob.
"Oh well. Good night then Fiona. Although my mom is probably done with dinner by now. You're free to join us as well," Van said in a very soft tone. One that he hardly ever used before. He never really had any reason to. She just looked so weak earlier that it just came out that way.
"Thank you for the offer but I'm really not hungry right now. I would really like some sleep so goodnight," she said before turning the knob. The door opened and she just walked into the room without another word to Van.
Fiona walked over and laid down upon the soft bed. They obvious had a lot of money to afford a house this large and a bed this soft. It was like no sooner had her head hit the pillow that she was asleep. Not once in a long time had she remembered that ever happening to her since that day.
Fiona's eyes opened to the darkness of a room that was very strange to her. The only light that was shown in the room was that of the moon shining through a window that was in the far corner by the door.
Fiona gasped slightly when she saw that there was a figure being bathed in the soft light of the moon. She could just barely make out the features to be that of Van's. "Van, what're you doing in here?" she asked covering herself up a little more with the blanket.
Van didn't respond but just quietly walked over to the bed. Before Fiona could say anything, his lips descended upon hers in a fierce kiss that was unlike anything she had ever gotten before. She wanted to get away but her body responded differently and kissed him back.
He pulled back slightly and Fiona slowly opened her eyes expecting to see the warm dark eyes of Van but suddenly found herself staring into familiar ice blue eyes of a man with blond hair.
Fiona sat straight up in her bed with a slight scream. The face always invaded her dreams and wouldn't leave her alone. It was that of her ex-boyfriend. The one that sent her to the hospital. She just knew that things would have been worse had she not woken up when she did. Usually it would end with him beating her just like that day.
The door to her room suddenly opened and Van came into the room looking a little panicked since he heard her scream from his room. "What's wrong Fiona? What's with the scream?" he asked her approaching her bed cautiously.
Fiona suddenly looked away remembering her dream. To her it was a bit embarrassing. "It's nothing, I just had a bad dream again," she said more indicating the final part because the first didn't bother her as much. In fact, if she was honest with herself, she would have said she liked it.
Van grabbed a chair that was in a corner and pulled it towards her. "I'm always open for talking if you want," he said looking at her as she sat up and leaned against the back of the bed. "Do you want to talk about it?" he asked her quietly.
Fiona grabbed her pillow and hugged it to her chest. She couldn't believe herself but she was actually considering telling Van about what had happened. She always told herself that she wouldn't tell anyone about what happened. She had no idea what it was about Van that made her do things that she wouldn't normally do. The man beside her continued to confuse her worse than anything else in her life.
"Maybe you should just get some more sleep. I should get going then," he said as he started to stand up but he suddenly felt Fiona grab a hold of his hand. "Fiona?" he asked seeing her pleading eyes like she was asking him to stay.
She didn't know what made her do that. It just that she felt comfortable with Van around her at that moment. "Please stay, at least until I fall asleep," she said feeling herself blush as she looked towards the floor.
"Uh… sure," Van said slowly as he took the seat again. He noticed that she just seemed a little scared at that moment. 'Probably wouldn't have even considered this if she hadn't of had that nightmare,' he thought but still found himself smiling as he stared down onto her peaceful face as she closed her eyes again and fell asleep.
Tina stood outside the door watching them through a small opening. 'A little push is all that they needed,' she thought as she quietly walked away from the door. 'They are perfect for each other. I saw that the first time I met her,' she thought with a snicker before running into her husband. "Oh, hello dear," she said putting on an innocent expression on her face.
"What are you up to dear?" he asked eyeing her suspiciously looking towards the door that he'd seen her standing outside of. "It wouldn't have to do with Fiona would it?" he asked narrowing his eyes slightly.
"I don't know what you mean. I just gave her a place to stay for the night so I could keep an eye on her because her dreams have been causing trouble," she said keeping the innocent look on her face.
"Some eye. Looks like Van's doing all the watching. There are closer guest rooms to the door you could have used but you chose that one in specific," he said eyeing her carefully. "As much as you can fool others, I've been married to you for too long to be fooled," he said causing her to chuckle nervously.
Tina hung her head in defeat. "She hasn't been able to trust anyone since that day. Yet she is actually opening up to him. So I figured that maybe it would help her more if she was around him," Tina said with a sigh but a happy look still on her face.
Dan still looked at her as if he didn't believe her. "And the fact that you want grandchildren has nothing to do with it?" Dan asked as an eyebrow raised in questioning. He could always see right through his wife's little scheme.
"Maybe," she said before walking right past him and into their room. 'He is probably the only person that can actually help her. Doesn't hurt to push them along as well,' she thought as she crawled into bed and fell asleep.
Meanwhile Van walked out of the room and walked into his own room. Fiona surprised him sometimes but seeing her like she was made him even more curious about her. Her past was a mystery to him and he wanted to learn more about it.