Note: I hope you're in the mood for some angst; I'm working through a few family issues here, sorry. As the subject matter is rather grim, I'm not going to tell you to 'enjoy' the chapter as usual, but still … be so kind to pass by the feedback box on your way out? DB
Forty Ranger Romance Themes: Jason and Kat
#36: Worst-Case Scenario
-I really shouldn't.-
It was almost midnight, on a workday, and as far as that went, definitely the wrong time to be ringing a friend's doorbell, but Jason couldn't help himself. He needed someone to talk to in the worst possible way, and Tommy had come to his mind instantly. Best friend, almost-brother … if he couldn't understand, all the years of their friendship, the closeness they'd always shared would be nothing but a sham.
So Jason didn't hesitate to lean on the bell.
Somewhere above him, he could hear a window being opened.
"Who's there?"
Tommy sounded sleepy and rather annoyed; small wonder, had Jason probably yanked him from the first stages of sleep. And Tommy was always a bear when someone woke him.
Jason stepped back from the front door just enough to be recognized.
"It's me, Tom."
"Jase?" Marginally more awake, Tommy leaned out and peered into the darkness. "What are you doing here? Do you know what time-"
"I need you, Bro," Jason interrupted, trying not to shout and wake the whole neighborhood. "Please … let me in!"
There was a moment's pause, then Tommy nodded. "Sure. Hang on, I'll be right down." The window sash was lowered again and there were muted sounds in the house. Then, a light was switched on in the hallway, and barely a minute later Tommy unlocked the door. "Come on in."
Drawing a deep, shuddering breath, Jason closed his eyes in silent thanks for friends who were willing to help first, ask questions later.
"Thanks."
Tying his bathrobe and running a hand through his sleep-mussed hair, Tommy held the door open and stood back, waiting for Jason to step inside. When he didn't, he focussed his eyes. -Damn, I shouldn't have left my glasses upstairs! The older I get, the less I can see without 'em. Crap.- "Come in," he repeated. Then, huffing exasperatedly, he grabbed Jason's arm and literally drew him into the house. Jason seemed dazed, and in no condition to move on his own … or make sense for the time being.
A sinking feeling made itself known in the pit of his stomach, and quelling his sudden fear with an effort, Tommy steered Jason into the roomy kitchen. He pushed him onto a chair, switched on the more muted lights over the work surface and fixed his best friend with a stern glance. "Wait here. I'll be right back."
When Jason didn't react, just slumped forward, Tommy ran up the stairs in record time. Up in their bedroom, Kimberly peered sleepily from under the cover.
"What's up?" she slurred, her eyes widening as her husband hastily threw on a track suit and grabbed his glasses.
"I dunno; Jason's downstairs, looking like death warmed over. Something must've happened."
Awake now, Kim sat up. "Oh God – the children?"
Tommy was already halfway out the door again. "No idea yet. Try to get back to sleep; I'll talk to him." He didn't wait to hear her answer. Barely refraining from slamming the bedroom door shut – he did not need the kids to wake up, too – he dashed downstairs again.
"Okay, Bro, I'm here. What's wrong?" As quietly as possible, Tommy scooted the second chair next to his best friend. To his dismay, he could see even in the subdued light that faint tremors were racking the broad frame. He laid a soothing hand on Jason's forearm. "Talk to me, Jase"
With a shudder, Jason finally looked up. He was pale, and his expression sent a corresponding shiver of dread down Tommy's spine. "I … it's Kat," he said hoarsely. "She's in hospital."
"Shit," Tommy breathed. "Why? An accident?" An inordinate amount of gruesome possibilities flashed through his mind, from car crashes to household mishaps that had taken a sinister turn. But Jason just shook his head.
"No …"
"Then what? Bro, I'm imagining things which are probably ten times worse than what's actually happening … come on, give. You know I care about her, too."
Jason did know; that was one reason why he'd come here in the first place. While anything romantic between his best friend and his wife had died a natural death long ago, there was still a strong bond of affection between them – much like he stil regarded Kimberly as the little sister he'd never had. With an effort, he gathered his wits.
"You know that she hasn't been feeling well all week, right?"
Tommy nodded. "Yeah; didn't she have a bad cold, or something? That's why she called Kim to cancel the kids' sleepover this coming weekend; didn't want to infect them."
"Uh huh. Anyway, after dinner Kat started feeling worse; she had trouble breathing, was dizzy and nauseous, and nearly passed out when she tried to go upstairs to the bathroom. I took her temperature, which was over 103 degrees … she was practically burning up."
"Oh boy," Tommy murmured. "Sounds really bad."
"It was," Jason confirmed, shuddering at the memory. "That's when I bundled her up and drove her to the ER. Doc Richards is on vacation, Kat has a couple allergies against some meds, so I figured they could probably help her best at the hospital."
"That was good thinking," Tommy told his friend. "I gather they kept her there?"
Jason swallowed. "Yeah. I drove back home to get a few things for her and our insurance stuff, and when I came back, she was already in intensive care." He looked up, dark eyes haunted. "Tommy, in the half hour I was away, her fever had risen to over 105 degrees already, and they can't get it down!"
Tommy blanched as well. "Oh man." Even if it hadn't been for his scientific training, he knew that was dangerously high. Ever since the children were born, he had become familiar with how fast temperatures could spike for no apparent reason, but Kat was not a child; 105 degrees were really bad in a child, but for an adult it could well be fatal.
"Have they determined a cause yet?" he whispered.
Jason shrugged. "They're guessing viral pneumonia and have put her on antibiotics and stuff, but …"
"Then why are you here and not with her?" Kimberly exclaimed from the doorway – under her breath, because she didn't want to disturb her children, either. Despite Tommy's admonition to go back to sleep, concern and curiosity had driven her downstairs afte him. "I would've thought nothing could keep you from Kat's side right now!"
Jason laughed bitterly. "You think I wanted to leave Kat? If it had been up to me, not all of our Zords combined could've gotten me out!"
The petite woman came forward, a puzzled frown on her forehead that quickly changed to concern. -Tommy was right about the way Jase looks; 'like death warmed over' doesn't even come close!- "Then why … I don't understand," she admitted, sympathy softening her stance. "You should've insisted they let you stay."
"I tried. The staff more or less kicked me out," Jason grumbled. "Said I could do nothing anyway, I was disturbing her … basically, they told me I'd only be in their way. What could I do?"
Tommy sent a quelling glance to his wife. He understood her position only too well; Kim was very protective of her family and friends, but the very last thing Jason needed right now was a lecture on how he should've stood his ground. If he knew his best friend at all, Jason already had done everything short of physically attacking the doctors and/or nurses, and apparently to no avail.
"You did exactly what I would've done, Bro," he soothed. "Come here to tell us – and now you should go home, in case they call you back. Or did you give them your cell phone number?"
Tommy hated the helpless look that passed across Jason's face and the confused patting-down of his pockets that followed. "I … no … I never can remember that number anyway, and I forgot to take the cell anyway…"
"And you guys say I'm the one with the Swiss cheese memory," Tommy joked weakly, but nobody was smiling. "In that case, I'll drive you home; it's quicker that way." -And probably safer, seeing the state you're in!- "Aren't the kids alone?"
Numbly, Jason shook his head. "No, I did remember to call my folks. Dad was picking them up when I got Kat's stuff."
"Then you know they're in good hands," Kimberly sighed, relieved. "But Tommy's right; you should be home – just in case."
"I guess …"
-But you don't want to sit by the phone in an empty house all by yourself, do you, Bro? Well, there's a way around that.-
"Then come on. Let's get you home," Tommy said firmly. He only needed to exchange a single look with Kimberly to tell her his plans; her slight nod showed him she understood and approved. He reached for Jason's arm, all but dragging him to his feet. "Come on, Bro."
Dazedly, Jason obeyed. Tommy hated the zombie-like movements and lost expression, but knew that if he was in Jason's shoes, he probably wouldn't fare much better. Gently, he steered his best friend towards the door. Kim followed a couple of steps behind, restraining herself with difficulty from making suggestions or uttering comforting platitudes that would most likely not register anyway at best – or be taken as condescending at worst. She watched from the doorway as Tommy all but pushed Jason into the passenger seat of his car; Tommy would either walk home once they had news, or she'd pick him up at the Scotts' once the kids were in school.
"Drive carefully," she called out softly as Tommy climbed behind the wheel, and received a grateful, reassuring nod in return. With a sigh, she waited until the car vanished down the street, then went back to bed. If she could sleep at all, it wouldn't be restful.
···
Jason had left the hallway light burning; most likely an oversight, but Tommy was glad for it nonetheless. At least they weren't entering a house that was dark as well as empty.
-Strange how you can actually feel that nobody's home,- he mused as he slowly followed Jason into the family room. -There's almost something in the air that says CRISIS in flashing huge letters. It never felt like this when I came here to water the plants when Jase and Kat were on vacation.-
He made his way over to the couch and sat down, fighting the need to just curl up and go back to sleep. -Damn. Getting older sucks; I never had a problem staying awake all night back at school, or college!- To help him, he fumbled for the dimmer switch on the small lamp in the corner and turned the light to its lowest setting. The shadows in the corners deepened, but at least he could see Jason – observe his restless movements as he prowled around the room. Tommy understood all too well; he wasn't one to sit quietly and wait for … whatever … either. Especially not if there was nothing one could actually do. Physical activity seemed to help both him and Jason in situations like these, but the middle of the night was not the time to do yardwork, say, and he seriously doubted that suggesting a sparring session was the right course of action under the circumstances.
-Jase'll probably deck me if I even hint at moving more than three feet from the phone.-
Finally, Jason's aimless pacing was too much.
"Sit down, Jase; you're giving me whiplash," Tommy suggested gently. "You're not helping Kat by wearing a rut in the carpet."
With a sigh that more closely resembled a groan, Jason flopped into the nearest armchair. "Can't help myself," he muttered half-defiant, half-sheepishly.
"I know. But you need to reserve your strength; I understand that sleep is impossible for you, but you're gonna need all your strength to see Kat and the kids through this. At least try and catch what rest you can, okay?"
"Yeah …" Exhaustedly, Jason leaned back and closed his eyes. Silence descended between the two men. Tommy was careful to preserve it; maybe it would help to put his friend at least a little at ease. If Jason had sat down next to him, he would've offered him a comforting hug – of the kind Jason used to give to him during those trying days when he'd lost his Green Ranger powers, or when Sam Trueheart had died. -Uh-oh. Don't go there! Sam was just old, and his death was simply the natural end of a long, full life. Kat's nowhere near that, and none of us is ready to give up on her yet!-
Much to Tommy's surprise, however, it was Jason who broke the silence – and with the very topic he tried so hard not to think about.
"What am I going to do if I lose her, Tom?" Jason mumbled hoarsely into the near-darkness.
Startled out of his own thoughts, Tommy sat up. "Don't even think that, Bro!" he said, a bit more sharply than he'd intended. Thankfully, all of their group of friends were still around; while there had been a few close calls over the years due to accidents or illness – Tommy shuddered at the memory of both Kimberly and Rocky's accidents back during their high school days, and never mind the too-many harrowing moments they'd lived through as Rangers – but so far, Fate had decided to take it easy on them all. "Kat's not dead yet, and she's not going to die, either!"
"You don't know that," Jason replied in a low, strained voice. "God, she just had a bad cold; when her fever spiked so high, so suddenly, I nearly went out of my mind."
"So would I have," Tommy said. "And not just if it were Kim; you know I care about Kat, too."
That evoked a small, tired smile from Jason. "Yeah, I know."
While there no longer was any romantic interest between Tommy and Katherine, both Jason and Kimberly were aware that their spouses would always have a special soft spot for each other in their hearts. It took nothing from them, so they accepted it fully … and it had helped to create an even closer bond between the two families.
"Then stop talking as if she's going to die tonight. She's not!"
"I wish I could be so sure, Tommy. You didn't see her – she was practically burning up with the fever, and at the same time shaking with cold … she didn't even recognize me at the hospital!"
Tommy felt a cold chill skitter down his spine. His own voice was raspy with worry. "It's not an uncommon side effect of high temperature," he said. -Damn, I'm starting to sound like Billy!-
"That's what the ER doc said, too," Jason sighed, running both hands through his hair. "Still …"
"Just try not to think about it, Jase," Tommy pleaded. "Come on, Angel Grove Memorial has a good emergency department; she's in capable hands and I'm positive they'll do their best for her."
"I keep telling myself that, but it's very little use," Jason murmured, then slumped back against the back rest. "If only there was something I could do …"
Tommy understood Jason only too well. They were both men of action, used to solve problems as they occurred both by their wits and by their strength. However, the enemy they were facing now were a few malignant micro-organisms that had chosen to attack Katherine within her body – on a plane where only trained professionals could fight back. Unfortunately, neither Jason nor Tommy's training was of a kind to be able to help. And that very helplessness was probably the worst of all.
There was only one thing Tommy could think of to say.
"You can always pray," he suggested quietly. He knew that Kim was likely doing that very thing right now, and he himself had also sent up a quick but heartfelt plea to the heavens.
"Already did …"
-Well, duh.-
"Then do it again. It surely can't hurt."
Once more, there was silence. Occasionally, a rafter creaked somewhere in the house; a couple of cars drove by and once a distant bell tower rang, but other than that, the night was quiet. Only Jason's ragged breathing could be heard in the dimly-lit room, and the soft rustle of fabric when either man shifted in his seat. Time seemed to crawl as the two waited, until at around 3am, Jason stirred and reached for the phone. He dialled the hospital's number and after a short delay of connections, spoke to someone at the ER. Finished, he replaced the receiver and walked over to the window. He stared outside, onto the deserted street, for what seemed like hours to the anxious Tommy.
"Well?" Tommy finally asked with bated breath.
Numbly, Jason shook his head. "Nothing. Still no change."
-Damn.-
"I'm sorry, Bro."
Jason made a non-committal sound that could be approval, or just an acknowledgement he'd heard … something. "How am I going to tell the kids if Kat dies, Tommy?" he asked at last, his voice soft, faintly distant. "I mean, it'll be hard enough to tell everybody else … our folks, the gang, her students … but our children? Julia is only nine years old; she still needs her mother!"
"She isn't going to die, Jase," Tommy said, alarmed by the morbid turn his friend's thoughts seemed to take. But Jason didn't, or couldn't, hear him.
"It'll be hard on the boys, too. Jared is old enough to understand, kind of, but I fear he'll go into some kind of withdrawal from everything without Kat. And Kit … he's so much Kat's son, it's scary sometimes. He has her artistry, her sensitivity … I have no idea what he'll react like, or how I'll be able to handle him."
"Kat isn't dead yet, Jason. She's a fighter; and as long as there's life, there's hope." -Man, I sound lame even to myself!-
"The longer it takes, the less hope there is," Jason murmured forlornly. "I don't even have the faintest idea on what to do about a funeral … how to go on living without Kat. I have a full-time job, I need to earn a living … how am I supposed to juggle all that with three children? I can't afford day care or a sitter five days a week, and my mother isn't well enough to look after them all the time; it'd be okay for a while, or on occasion, but permanently? No way."
"Jase, don't …"
As if Tommy hadn't interrupted him, Jason went on, in a soft monotone that was dreadful to hear. It spoke too clearly of the fear and anguish he must be feeling.
"Kat's folks have wanted to relocate back to Australia for some time now; they're only staying because they want to be close to their grandchildren. I think they may offer to take the kids with them … and I can't help thinking that it might be the best solution for them. Get a new start, and everything – go away and leave all the bad memories behind. I know they'll take good care of them, too." He swallowed. "But how am I supposed to live through not only losing Kat, but our children as well? I can't afford regular visits halfway around the world, and if they go, I'll be left with nothing, just an empty house and my memories … how am I supposed to go on?"
Tommy desperately wanted to contradict Jason, to tell him he was looking at a situation that might well never come to pass – at least, he fervently hoped it wouldn't, but by now anything he could say would just be yet another, rather empty phrase. Still, like a mantra he repeated what he'd said before.
"You won't have to, Bro; Kat's going to live, I'm sure …"
He might as well have kept his mouth shut; Jason just rambled on, painting a picture so bleak and dark it made Tommy nearly physically ill. With every word, Tommy could clearly hear the fear and pain his best friend was experiencing, and it seemed a hopeless endeavour to even try and get him to change the subject. Most likely, Jason wouldn't hear him anyway.
-Dammit, what does it take to get him to shut up? I don't even want to think about Kat being so ill, much less losing her, and here he is, going on and on about what it'd be like if she really died. Can't he see that I'm hurting, too? For him, and with him?-
With an effort, Tommy attempted a balancing act between tuning out most of what Jason was saying while still watching him intently, poised to jump in with a – hopefully – comforting word, a hug … or whatever else might be needed and/or appropriate. It was more difficult than he'd ever imagined. Letting his mind wander a little as he sat in the dimly-lit room, Tommy was somehow reminded of the times when he and Jason had been Rangers together – while Jason was still the Red Ranger and he was wearing his first Green uniform. How often had they sat together like this during a crisis, mostly at the old Command Center, and tried to plan strategies for when things would really go to hell in a handbasket? Too often for comfort.
-Like during that time right after Zedd first showed up, my powers were getting iffier by the day, and the old set of Zords was destroyed … we didn't know yet that Zordon had had a contingency plan for just that situation, and were trying to envision any possible kind of worst-case scenarios. Plus some pretty impossible ones,- he thought. -As if anyone can ever think of how bad it can really get. But we sure tried …-
To be honest, while they hadn't been able to predict much of what they'd had to deal with, these strategy sessions had served a purpose.
-For one thing, it brought us closer; cemented our friendship in ways that would've taken ages otherwise. We learned how the other thought; what either one of us would do in any given circumstance. For another, while we never were able to use precisely what we'd imagined, a lot of things helped to formulate an action plan at other times. Basically because we'd already thought through several scenarios and could adapt things accordingly. Like some kind of mental shorthand.-
Tommy permitted himself a slight smile at the memory. Those had been good times, despite the danger, the daily risk-taking and the constant disruption of their normal lives. However, the smile vanished almost as soon as it had appeared; the current situation was too serious, too fraught with very real pain, to indulge in long walks down memory lane. He concentrated briefly on Jason's exhausted musings again.
-Dammit, he's still coming up with worst-case scenarios! Why can't he stop?-
Almost right away, he answered himself.
-He couldn't stop then, either. And once he'd given me the habit, neither could I after I took over the team for him. Man, I remember how pissed Kim used to get with me; the only one who didn't mind was Billy. He thought it was … how'd he put it? Oh yeah … 'as much an act of planning for eventualities as of catharsis'. Because even if we couldn't do a thing but wait because of that stupid 'never escalate a fight until the bad guys force you to' rule, thinking about what we might do given half a chance at least gave us the illusion of doing something. Even if all we did, really, was sit, wait and talk.-
Suddenly, Tommy gained a new perspective – surprising enough that he straightened from his slouch and looked at his distraught best friend with new eyes.
-That's exactly what Jason's doing here,- he realized. -Trying to think his way through his own ultimate worst-case scenario.- Jason's nature, while generally thoughtful and anything but shallow, was normally more optimistic. The doom-and-gloom attitude he was displaying at the moment was so disturbing because it usually was Jason who tried to cheer others, tried to point out the silver lining in any dark cloud. Only, with things hitting so close to home, it was understandable that for once … he couldn't. So he did the only thing left to him, forced into inaction as he was and being denied even staying with his wife – he tried to plan for a time when everything might go wrong in the worst possible way.
-Because if it does – and I refuse to believe that! – he can just kinda go on autopilot and deal with stuff. It's a coping mechanism, nothing else.-
Tommy drew a deep breath and released it slowly. Recognizing the underlying – and probably subconscious – reason for his friend's rambling didn't make it much easier to cope with. But now he could draw on experience and their friendship to help … at least a little, anyway. So the next time Jason posed a question on how he could possibly tell his children that their beloved mother might have died, Tommy was able to make a gentle suggestion.
Jason seemed surprised for a moment, but the fleeting look of gratitude and relief in the dark eyes told Tommy he'd finally managed to hit the right track. It was beyond painful to talk about Kat dying, or being dead, for both men, but the knowledge that someone understood and was willing to share the pain as fully as possible enabled Jason finally to wind down. His mind, which had gone into overdrive with possibilities of which one was more gruesome than the next, calmed down and seemed to go blessedly blank at last. With a sigh that seemed to rise from the soles of his feet, he sank onto the couch next to Tommy. Both men were silent for several minutes.
"You really think Kat will live?" Jason asked hoarsely into the stillness.
Tommy considered his answer carefully. "I don't know that anymore than you do."
"Tommy ...!"
"I'm not gonna lie to you, Jase. I don't know. I do know something else, though."
"What's that?" The quiet desperation in Jason's voice tore at Tommy's heart, so he gave his best friend an encouraging smile and gripped his shoulder firmly.
"One, Kat's a fighter. She won't give up easily to a stupid bug she's caught because she loves you, the kids … life too much to just fade away. Two, the staff at the hospital know what they're doing. Angel Grove Memorial may not be big, but it is one of the best facilities in the state. Three … call me stupid, but I just refuse to believe that fate, whatever, can be so cruel to you, or any of us. We've done our share; we've tried to make the world a better place. After all, we're not asking for the moon and the stars as rewards; all we want is to live our lives in peace and a little happiness. I don't think that's totally unreasonable … do you?"
Jason pondered the words. "I … I guess not," he murmured. "But what if …"
Tommy shook him once, hard. "Jase, stop it!" he commanded firmly. "You've been doing the 'what-if' thing all night; trust me, you've covered every possible angle. Whatever happens, you're prepared. Well, as much as anyone can be, I guess," he amended. "Now's the time to look forward – and I mean that in both senses of the word. Look to the next day, and think of what you can do when Kat recuperates."
"When? Not if?"
"Definitely when," Tommy confirmed. "Now let's go into the kitchen; you must be parched from all the talking. I think we could both use some coffee."
Jason let himself be dragged halfway upright before he balked. "I can't leave the phone," he mumbled. Tommy rolled his eyes and with a final jerk managed to get his friend fully on his feet. Giving Jason a push, he pointed towards the kitchen door.
"Two words: kitchen extension," he said dryly. "Or take the mobile unit along. Your choice."
"Oh. I'd forgotten," Jason said sheepishly.
"It's okay; we all have our idiot moments now and then. Now go already. Or I'll make the coffee."
That, at last, brought a fleeting smile to Jason's stressed expression and propelled him out of the living room. "No thanks. I'll make it myself; I'm not sure they'd let me share a room with Kat at the hospital when I have a heart attack from caffeine overload."
-YES!- "My coffee's not that bad," Tommy protested, smothering a relieved grin. Seemed as if he'd managed to bring Jason out of his funk at last, however briefly. The crisis was far from over, but at least they were having a brief respite from worrying over it. He blew a raspberry at Jason's back when he passed him, tossing a "Wanna bet?" Tommy's way.
···
The sky was turning a glorious shade of dusky pink and orange in the east when the phone rang at last. Wired from a sleepless night and too much coffee, Jason and Tommy jerked upright from the couch where they'd returned. Wide-eyed and suddenly pale, Jason stared at the shrilling plastic device lying on the low table.
"T-the phone's ringing," he mumbled stupidly, stating the obvious.
"Yes," Tommy confirmed, feeling his own heart beat like a triphammer in his chest. It had to be the hospital; it just had to. "You gotta pick it up, you know. Or you can't talk to whoever's calling."
"Yeah." Still, it took another four rings until Jason managed to lift the receiver with shaking hands. His voice was hardly recognizable as he answered. "Hello." Realizing that he'd managed little more than a croak, he swallowed several times, then spoke in a slightly stronger tone. "Scott residence."
Tommy waited with bated breath for the conversation to end. Jason had turned away from him so he couldn't see his expression, and his monosyllabic replies didn't provide much of a clue, either. The only thing Tommy did manage to discern was that the person on the other end was from the hospital, but only because Jason finished the call with a quiet "thank you, doctor", thumbed off the phone and carefully laid it back onto the charger. He still wouldn't look at Tommy.
-No … please, no …-
"Jase? What is it?" Tommy could barely speak himself, he was so nervous. "Talk to me, Bro, please!"
At last, Jason looked up. There were tears in his eyes as he sought for words. Tommy felt his throat clam up with dread. "Jase?" he whispered, fighting to retain hope. Had the worst-case scenario arrived after all? It took him a second to understand what Jason was saying, his voice a mere shadow of sound.
"The fever broke an hour ago. Kat is sleeping quietly now."
-Thank you, God!-
"Aw, man …!" At a loss for anything else to say, Tommy just reached out and drew Jason into a fierce hug, letting his action convey his relief and gratitude towards a fate that was merciful after all.
"Uh huh." Jason returned Tommy's embrace with equal fervor. He was too drained to speak or even think; all he knew was that his wife would return to him safe and sound after a while … and that he couldn't have weathered this night of fear and uncertainty without his best friend at his side.
"I'm so glad for you," Tommy murmured, sending a quick, silent prayer to whichever deity was listening. He held Jason tightly, knowing that the other probably needed the physical contact to ground himself again. Jason shuddered and gasped a little; before Tommy could wonder what he was thinking, he felt hot moisture seep into the collar of his sweatshirt, and the broad shoulders began to shake with subdued sobs.
"Ssshh, Bro, it's okay …"
Sighing a little, Tommy waited out the mini-storm; Jason rarely cried, but he had more than ample reason to tonight. Tommy was just glad they were tears of relief and joy, not of sorrow and pain. He rubbed soothing circles on Jason's back, waiting for his friend to calm down. At last, Jason quieted a little and released the death grip he'd had on Tommy.
"Sorry," he murmured, flushing slightly as he noticed the moist spot his tears had left on Tommy's shoulder. "Didn't mean to get you all wet."
Tommy grinned. "Don't mention it. I've had worse with the kids in my time." -From upchuck to pee – as have you, Bro.-
"Mmm." Jason still seemed rather dazed, so Tommy decided it was up to him to be practical. Again.
"So Kat's gonna be fine?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah … she's still pretty weak, and they want to keep her in hospital for a week or so; through the antibiotics at least, but barring complications, she should be okay soon."
"That's great news," Tommy said sincerely. "The best, really. So, when can you go see her?"
"I'm going right now," Jason replied, looking vaguely around the room and patting his pocket for something. "Where are my keys?"
Tommy snatched them up just in time. "Here, but you can't drive; your car is still at my house, remember?"
"Oh. Yeah. Right. I'll take Kat's car," Jason murmured, still obviously disoriented.
"No, you're not," Tommy stopped him. He deliberately ignored the hurt/indignant look Jason sent him. "Listen – I know you want to be with Kat as soon as possible, and I'm not gonna stop you. I'd want to be with Kim, too, if she were in hospital. But you're in no condition to drive, Bro."
"I'm not sleepy at all," Jason protested.
"No – just beat from a night of worrying, and all wired from too much caffeine," Tommy said wryly. "I know I'm totally keyed up, but I'm at least in a little better shape than you."
"I'm not waiting until later to see Kat!"
"Nobody's saying you should," Tommy said firmly, glaring Jason into silence. "What I am saying, though, is that you should go take a shower, pack a bag with a few more things for Kat -- she'll want a pretty nightgown, maybe a book and, well, stuff -- and then I'll drive you to the hospital. You can walk home later, come crash at our place or take a cab home whenever and Kim or I will get your car here later today. How's that sound?"
"Okay, I guess," Jason grudgingly admitted. He really wanted to be with his wife as soon as possible, but there was much in favor of Tommy's suggestion. How much became obvious when he suddenly had to fight an enormous yawn.
To his credit, and Jason's gratitude, Tommy refrained from saying 'I told you so'. He just repeated his plan.
"Go shower. Meanwhile, I'll call your parents so they have good news for the kids when they come down for breakfast."
Jason blushed. He'd all but forgotten about the rest of his family! "Right. Gimme five minutes." Before he could embarrass himself further, he left the room and nearly sprinted up the stairs. Tommy chuckled, shook his head and went for the phone.
"You're welcome, Bro," he murmured, knowing that Jason would thank him for being there later. Not that he needed to, or Tommy needed to hear the words. They were friends, almost brothers; some things just went without saying.
Upstairs, he could hear the muted rush of water hitting tiles in the shower; Jason really would be ready in the five minutes he'd requested. Stifling his own yawns as exhaustion after the long, anxiety-filled night began to settle in, Tommy began to dial. He had phone calls to make, and go back home to his own wife and children.
Kat was going to live, and all would be well again in time.
Which, all things considered, was the best-case scenario.