Chapter 5

The next week went by like usual for Alex and Marissa. Alex returned to work each day, waiting for more news from Luke. Marissa spend her days locked up in the same old room, each day hoping it would be the day Luke would show up again.

Luke in the meantime had been busy preparing tests. He bought a camera and tape recorder so he could record the performing of all his tests. That way, he would have solid proof to present to the National Medical Committee.

After that week, he knew he was ready to really get started. Preparation time was over, it was time to perform for real. So that night he went to Foster's with a bag filled with papers, his cam and his tape recorder.

At the gate, he greeted the security guard. "Hi Charlie, how's everything tonight?"

"Pretty quiet so far doctor. But you know, I've got my magazines and cell phone to help me through the night. Not to mention a gorgeous girl waiting for me at home, so I have something to look forward to." He smiled broadly.

"That's good to hear Charlie. Listen, I've got to finish a huge pile of paper work and reports so it'll probably be an all-nighter for me. I'll come by in a few hours for a cup of coffee if that's okay with you."

"Sure, you know where to find me."

"Okay, see you later then."

Luke quickly went in. He made his way through the dark corridors to Marissa's room.

Glancing around one more time to make sure no one had seen him there, he went in.

"Luke!" Marissa whispered excitedly when she saw Luke come in. She went over and gave him a big hug.

"I'm so glad to see you."

"I'm happy to see you too Marissa. I'm sorry it took me so long, but I really had to make a lot of preparations for tonight. I just want to make sure all goes right, you know?" Luke replied.

Marissa nodded. "So… what's in that big bag?" she asked curiously.

"A LOT of papers, a camera and a tape recorder. I have to record everything so it will be valid proof. So I'll just go and set up everything first. In the meantime, you can fill in this form" Luke said handing a paper to Marissa. "I need you to fill in all your personal information, then sign the statement saying you're doing these tests voluntarily and willingly. Then when we're all set up, I need you to make that same statement for the camera. And then we can start the real tests."

As Luke started setting everything up, Marissa sat down with the papers in front of her. She started writing and it didn't take them much longer before they were entirely ready.

"Okay Marissa, before we get started I want you to know there's nothing to be worried about. We're gonna pull this off. You think you're ready?"

With her resolve face on she replied. "Never been more ready in my entire life. Bring it on."

As Luke turned on the camera, he gave Marissa a thumbs up sign.

"I, Marissa Caroline Cooper hereby declare I'm volunteering for the tests performed. I'm doing this willingly and give my full co-operation. I will answer in full honesty to all questions asked."

Luke stepped into the camera line. "I, doctor Luke Ward, psychiatrist at Foster's mental health center will be performing the tests according to the regulatory rules and protocols. We will start with a standard questionnaire."

Luke started sending questions Marissa's way. It started with the basic questions, having Marissa stating her name, date of birth, place of birth and more of that same routine. After that a statement was made on the purpose of the tests. Soon, Marissa was filling out paper after paper, answering more questions and then filling in more papers.

The hours went by quickly. At around three a.m. Luke decided to take a break so he could go over to Charlie and have the coffee they had agreed to.

So, Charlie, don't you think it's a perfect time for a hot cup of coffee? Luke asked upon entering Charlie's booth.

"Doctor Ward, I was starting to think you fell asleep on top of your papers!" Charlie said laughing.

"No, nowhere near sleep. I've just been working really hard. By the way, call me Luke, okay? I'm not here as some sort of a superior."

"Sure doc. Luke, that is." Charlie stood up to get the two of them a cup of coffee.

Luke was browsing through the huge pile of magazines to see if there was anything interesting in it. Just then he heard a familiar voice.

"Charlie, you in there?"

The door to the booth went open when doctor Hamilton stepped in. Luke's breath got caught in his throat. "Luke, what are you doing here at this time?" doctor Hamilton asked surprised.

Luke quickly regained his pose.

"Doctor Hamilton, how nice to see you. I'm just here to grab a quick cup of coffee with Charlie. I'm working on a few papers I need to finish soon, so I figured; Why stay locked away in my office alone when I can get a nice hot coffee with a guy like Charlie. After all, there's no better way to stay awake than having a heated discussion on the NFL."

"You got that right Luke, you got that right."

Charlie came back in with two steaming cups of coffee.

"Oh, doctor Hamilton, I didn't know you were here as well." The good natured guy smiled broadly once again. He definitely was one of a kind, most security guards at Foster's were old guys who hardly said anything besides a grumbling "Humbug"

"I just arrived. Just came to tell you I need to pick up a few papers, I'll be gone in five minutes again."

"Sure thing doctor. You sure you don't want a cup of coffee as well?" Charlie asked him.

Doctor Hamilton refused. "I would love to, but my wife is complaining enough as it is. I promised her I'd be back within half an hour, so if I want to live to tell the tale… well, I better get home within twenty minutes!"

"Okay, suit yourself. Will you let me know when you'll be leaving again?"

Doctor Hamilton nodded, then turned to walk out of the door.

With the closing of the door, some of the most nervous minutes of Luke's life began. He could only hope doctor Hamilton would not go anywhere near Marissa. If his equipment would be discovered, all hope was gone.

Minutes crawled by, but no sign of doctor Hamilton. Charlie was avidly talking about the NFL game that had been played earlier that evening. Luke tried to engage in the conversation, but found it difficult to keep his focus. His eyes darted to the door every thirty seconds or so. When Luke's worry really grew and he thought something might have gone wrong, doctor Hamilton finally stepped in again.

"Charlie, Luke, I got all I needed so I'm going to return to my lovely wife now." He said sarcastically. "Have a good night."

Luke never felt more relieved in his life. If something had gone wrong, doctor Hamilton would not be saying goodnight like this. Luke quickly drank the remainder of his coffee, thanked Charlie and rushed back to Marissa. This had been a narrow miss. He wasn't planning on having any more of those so the sooner they got finished, the better.

When he got back, the testing went on. Luke didn't mention the fact they had almost been caught to Marissa. The whole operation alone caused enough stress and he wouldn't put more pressure on Marissa than necessary.

The remainder of the night swiftly flew by and at around five a.m. they were ready to take the final statement for the National Medical Committee. In this statement, Marissa declared all that had happened. She spoke of the night her mother had sent her away, the events that had led up to that night and the things doctor Hamilton had told her about receiving money to keep her institutionalized.

Finally, Luke discussed the outcome of the tests, stating Marissa was perfectly sane and that he saw no reason why she had been committed for so many years, explaining why he believed there was no more reason to keep her at Foster's any longer.

"That's a wrap." He said when he turned off the camera. "You did great Marissa, and you proved what we knew all along. Everything is perfectly normal inside that pretty head of yours."

"Thank you so much Luke for doing this." Marissa said tiredly.

"It's no problem and you know it." He dismissed her 'thank you'

As he removed the mini-dvd from the camera, he spoke up.

"I was thinking…" he then put in an empty mini-dvd. "I was thinking that maybe you'd like to record one more thing on camera. How would you feel taping a message to Alex?"

No matter how tired she was, Marissa was fully awake again at the mentioning of Alex. And even more so because she finally got the chance to address her girlfriend herself with the help of the camera.

"Luke… that would be great."

"Then sit down and get ready." He once again pressed the record button, then held up his thumb.

"Hi Alex, it's me, Marissa. As you can obviously see." She started out visibly nervous.

Because Luke hadn't given her any time to really process the thought of speaking to Alex, Marissa had no idea what she was going to say. She just went along with whatever popped up in her head.

"So, I just found out like, two seconds ago, that I was going to be able to make you a video message. So if I look nervous… well, it's because I am. I've been waiting so long to be able to say something to you. Of course, in my mind I would tell you in person, but then again I'm happy enough to say anything to you. To know you'll actually hear it, and see it. To know it's not just thinking what I want to tell you, but to be able to put it into real words. It's strange in a way, but it feels SO good to me. I've been wanting to tell you all these years that I love you, I never stopped loving you and I never will. I miss everything about you. Your eyes, your voice, your smell, the feel of your arms around me. Just, everything."

She took a deep breath before continuing.

"I can't wait to get out of here, to take you in my arms again, to hold you and kiss you and to wake up next to you. I know we have to hold on a little longer, but I promise you that I'm never ever gonna let you go again once I get out. And we're gonna rebuilt all that was lost, and make it better. Every day with you will be like a fairytale to me, and I'm gonna treat you like my princess. So hold on a little longer, it won't be long anymore. Each breath we take from now on will bring us closer together. Each second that ticks away is one second closer to holding you. I'm thinking about you, and I'm fighting. For us. Together."

Marissa's eyes had started to water, so she wiped away the tears threatening to fall.

"Look honey, I'm starting to cry and I don't want to… So I'm gonna leave it at this for now. I love you sweetheart. Take care, and we'll see each other very soon. Bye baby."

Marissa ended her speech and Luke turned off the camera.

"I'll get this to Alex first thing in the morning. Are you gonna be alright?" Luke asked concerned.

"Yeah, I'll be okay. You should go. I don't think we can push our luck much longer."

"I agree, we shouldn't jinx it." Luke gathered all his stuff together, then checked again to see if he hadn't left anything that could get them caught.

"Take care Marissa. I'll see you soon again." With that being said, he left. One special delivery was to be made to Alex Kelly.