"Hello?" It came out as a question, and her voice cracked. Her eyes were still holding onto Finn's.
It took her a minute to comprehend what the voice on the other end of the line was saying.
"I'm sorry, could you please repeat that? What?" Her heart sped up. Finn stuffed his hands in the pockets of his jeans. Darcy's face scrunched up and she put a hand on her heart. She quickly hung up the phone and dropped it in her purse.
"I have to go." She said hurriedly. She fished in her purse for her keys.
"Where are they? Where are my keys?!" She was borderline panicking.
"What's wrong?" Finn asked as he sprinted over to her.
"Its my mom! She's at the hospital. I have to get there now!" She was crying, and shaking.
"Where are my bloody keys!?"
"Here," he pulled on her arm, "I'll drive you."
To his surprise she didn't argue, didn't jerk away. She let him lead her to his car. He opened the door and she got in and buckled up. He sped to the hospital. Occasionally he shot a glance her way. She was rigid. Hands in her lap and staring out the window.
She was worried, and scared. He wanted to reach out and touch her hand. Feel her skin and let her know he was there for her. But he wasn't a fool. He knew better.
He pulled up to the emergency entrance and she muttered "Thanks." Before she rushed into the hospital.
Darcy sped up to the front desk and asked about her mother. The nurse told her that Diana was in the intensive care unit. Her mind was reeling. How could this happen?
She was waiting for the elevator when Finn caught up to her. She saw him sprinting across the foyer.
"What're you doing here?" She asked just as the elevator opened.
"I didn't want you to be alone." He said as he followed her on.
Darcy didn't reply, just gave a small eye roll and tossed her hair over her shoulder. The movement released a fragrance and Finn could've sworn it was 15 years ago again. Her scent, her smile...all of it was his once, but he gave it up.
He was beginning to feel something stronger than remorse towards her.
They stepped off the elevator and were greeted by Doctor O'Hare.
"What happened?" It was slowly grounded out through gritted teeth as Darcy rounded on her mother's doctor.
"Her cold has progressed to pneumonia. She became quickly dehydrated, and when she came to fill her prescription today she fainted at the office."
Darcy backed off, "How could it progress so quickly? She was fine this morning...I was with her, and she was fine. She was fine." Darcy repeated.
Tears welled up in her eyes and Finn placed a hand on her shoulder. She shrugged him off and kept her focus on the doctor.
"So, when will she get better?"
Her voice sounded so fragile to Finn.
"It's hard to say. You know her lungs weren't strong to begin with. We'll just have to wait and see. Hour by hour." He placed a hand on her shoulder, "I'm sorry, Darcy. We will do all we can." With that he left the room. Leaving Finn, Darcy, and her mother alone.
The beeping and whirring of the machines was a sound that Darcy could go the rest of her life without hearing. She walked over to her sleeping mother and gave her a kiss.
"Darcy, where's your da?" Finn asked.
Darcy stared at her mother's pale face, "He died."
Finn kicked himself, "I'm sorry. I didn't know."
She wiped her tears, "You weren't here."
It was more of an accusation than an explanation. They both let it drop.
After a while she turned to him and asked him to take her home to get her things, and then back to the pub so she could fetch her keys and go back to the hospital.
She guided him to her house, "Make a right up here."
Finn was impressed by the long driveway, and even more impressed by her house. It wasn't a mansion like he was used to seeing. Some stars in America had huge homes. Still, it was impressive.
"This is a nice place." He said as they entered the front door.
"Thank you." She said flatly.
She went upstairs and he followed her, trailing behind like her puppy, or maybe rather her guard dog.
He glanced around her bedroom, a pale shade of green with lovely white trim. It was cozy, and beautiful. Like the woman who owned it he thought.
She was busy packing things into a bag with her back towards him. Suddenly, he realized she was crying. He went to her and to his surprise she let him embrace her.
Her hair felt heavenly, her skin so soft. He couldn't remember a time that he felt this intoxicated. He just held her as she cried.
Darcy couldn't salvage any of her pride at this point, and it felt good to have someone there to comfort her. Even if it was a snake like Fergal. She knew better this time though. This time, she wouldn't get bitten.
All too soon she pushed him away and finished getting her things. The ride to the pub was silent and awkward. He wanted to reach out again and hold her, and she wanted to forget it ever happened.
Darcy went inside alone to search for her keys. She checked the office, behind the bar, the bathroom...they were no where to be seen.
She heard Fergal come in, probably wondering what was taking her so long. She looked up and he was standing in the door of the pub.
Something happened then...something she didn't expect. A weird electricity filled the room. Finn held up her keys as he made his way over to her, "I found these on the parking lot." He whispered right before he dropped them on the floor and backed her up against the bar.
They stared into each others eyes and before Darcy knew what was happening he was kissing her. His hands on her face, holding her to him before moving onto her back to pull her close.
It felt like she was melting in him. Like she was dying and bring born again all at the same time. A tear slid from her eye, and her lip quivered. Shaking herself back to reality she pulled away from the kiss.
Finn didn't though, and when he didn't back off she slapped him. "Stop!"
He took a step back, "I'm sorry." He whispered as he rubbed his mouth. Without another word he turned and left the pub. Darcy quickly gathered her thoughts and headed for the hospital.
With the all too familiar taste of Fergal Devitt on her lips.