Chapter 27: Reunion

Mary and Jack half ran into Carter's room. They wanted more than anything to see him awake again. Jack only stopped long enough to hold open the curtain to let Mary through first. She took his hand and dragged him into the room after her. They stood before Carter, unthinking, unable to say anything.

Carter sat back in the bed. Something was bothering him, but he couldn't decide what it was. He had an itch in the back of his brain that was screaming to him, yet not saying a word. With a quick glance over them, his eyes paused on their holding hands. They followed his gaze and just stared at their interlocked hands, having yet to realize what they were doing. They both blushed and quickly let go. Jack stuck his hands in his pockets and Mary fidgeted nervously.

Carter sighed, somewhat relieved. That was all it was. But what happened to Mary and Grey? And why was there this unsettling persistent silence? He had to break it, "Well... Good morning!"

Mary flew at Carter, embracing him tearfully, "You are alright. I was so afraid. But you're alright."

Jack sat down on the edge of the bed and placed one hand on Mary's back and the other on Carter's shoulder, "Carter, how are you feeling?"

"Well, I'm a little sick of this hospital bed, and I've only been awake for not even a hour. I'd really like to get up and about."

Mary took Carter by the arm and tried to lift him out of bed, "Come on then! Let's go for a walk! We can talk. It'll be good for you to get out and about."

Carter pulled back into the bed, "I can't..."

Jack stopped Mary from yanking on Carter, "What do you mean you can't? Did the doctor tell you to stay in bed?"

"No, that's not it. I just can't..."

Mary hugged Carter again, tears welling up once more, "What do you mean? Carter..."

Carter looked away. It hurt. The sadness began to well up in him for the first time. He'd never be able to walk again. He couldn't just spend ordinary time with people anymore. From now on, Carter was a freak, he could never be normal again. It was one thing to contemplate this by himself, it was another thing entirely to have to face the reality, to tell it to somebody else. How could he tell them? He didn't want to tell them yet, but he had to, "My legs. They don't work. I can't walk. Probably never again. Elli is trying to get me a wheelchair as we speak."

Mary sat back. It wasn't true. It couldn't be true, "Carter, this isn't a funny joke. Stop it. Please, stop it right now."

Carter began to cry. It hurt so much. "I wish I was joking... Dear Harvest Goddess, I wish I was joking."

Jack stopped Mary before she could say anything else, "Don't... You aren't making this any easier on him."

Mary fell limp upon Carter and just cried. Jack put his head down, "It's all my fault. I did this to you. I should have been protecting you..."

"Why? You aren't responsible for my safety. Harris is the town's officer, not you."

Mary spoke the words that Jack couldn't, "You are wrong... Harris was killed. Jack is now the town's guardian. Defender of the right. The greatest hero the town has to offer."

"I'm no hero. I've failed. I've failed miserably." Jack buried his face in the bed sheets, "It's all my fault..."

Mary touched Jack reassuringly on the shoulder, "Jack, you---"

Carter interrupted her, "---Please, can you leave us alone for a bit. I think Jack needs to talk to a priest in confidence."

Mary nodded and went to wait outside. She wasn't so sure this confessional was intended as much to help Jack as it was for healing Carter's unseen wounds.