Disclaimer: I own nadaaa! :)
A/N: Lalala, this is a somewhat short chapter. Six reviews for the last one?! You all rock. ;) Enjoy!
Chapter Thirteen:
Jeff and Coral pulled up to Destiny's Prayer Clinic about forty-five minutes later after going back onto the road. It was a nice building, colored a tan-gray. There were an assortment of perfectly shaped, dark green bushes around the main doors and a few tiny trees. As they slowed to a stop, Coral's eyes glowed with interest, her hand falling onto the window, tracing something Jeff couldn't see.
"Are we going to go in?" he asked quietly, feeling he was disturbing a moment between Coral and whatever she was touching.
Only after looking briefly to him, she nodded and it was barely noticeable. Slowly, she exited the car, looking hypnotized. Jeff followed, dragging after. They walked together, opening the doors gently. Jeff couldn't get over the innocent look in her eyes, compared to the generally devious look.
There was a woman behind a desk as they came in, staring straight at them. One look at Jeff and she immediately raised her eyebrows. He was definitely used to that. "Can I help you?" she asked calmly.
Coral was first to speak. "Yes," she said in a quiet voice. "We'd like to see Mike Bukely, if that's possible."
The woman was quick to object, her narrowed eyes taunting. "You're not allowed to just come in and see someone. At our facility we work hard to keep family and friends out so it doesn't stop the rehabilitation of the patient."
Jeff was ready to intrude at the woman's snappy words, but Coral was quick with a reply. "Ma'am," she said carefully. "We've driven for about six hours and I haven't been able to see him in almost a year. I know it's not permitted but it'd be very appreciated if we could see him, just for a few minutes. My brother has traveled a long way to see his best friend and I'd like to see my boyfriend."
Best friend? Jeff wanted to laugh. She definitely had a way with sweet talking. A sigh escaped the woman's mouth as her dull eyes darted toward a security guard, not too far away. "Ben?" she asked loudly. The man looked up. "Could you come here for a moment?"
Ben came up beside the two and looked at the woman. "What's up, Jen?"
Jeff chuckled at the 'Ben' and 'Jen' rhyming, though no one heard him. "These two want to see a patient, but it wasn't scheduled. They claim they've come a long way and they haven't see him in—"
"Let 'em go in."
"But Ben!"
"Why not?" Ben shook his head, turning to Jeff and Coral. "I personally feel blocking out relatives and friends here is ridiculous. Sure, they shouldn't be around all the time, but I've never seen you too here before… so hell; why not?" Ben smiled pleasantly and looked at Jen again. "Give me the patient's name, I'll bring 'em over."
"Ben, I don't think—"
Ben sighed, shaking his head. "The name?"
"Mike Bukely," Coral said quickly.
"Mike?" Ben asked with surprise. "Uh… okay; follow me."
-
About five minutes later, Ben came out of a room, a smile on his face. "You're in luck," he said happily. "Mike has just finished a group therapy session and will be heading back to his room in a few minutes." Just as Ben stopped talking, there was a high pitched squeal, followed by some antagonizing screams. Jeff could only think someone wasn't cooperating with the "Destiny's Prayer" ways. Ben sighed, saying he'd be right back.
Jeff smiled at Coral as Ben walked away. "Excited?"
Coral's face became pink. "Very, actually."
Even Jeff had to see the happiness in her eyes and was very glad to have taken her as far as Virginia anyway. "It—"
"Coral?" a somewhat deep voice asked, cutting Jeff off. Both of them turned around and immediately the blonde girl ran forward, jumping into the arms of who Jeff presumed was Mike. He swung her around a couple times, making her giggle and then set her down, a wide, happy smile on his face. "What are you doing here? Who is he?"
Coral grinned widely. "That's Jeff. It's a long story."
Jeff watched as Coral's hand intertwined with Mike's. The happiness in her was just blinding. "I'm so glad you're here," Mike whispered. "I've missed you."
When Coral turned around, she had tears in her eyes. "I've missed you too," she answered. "So much."
"Mr. Bukely, I didn't know you were going to have visitors today," came a stern voice. All turned toward it.
Mike smiled. "Uh… neither did I?"
The man frowned heavily as Mike spoke. "You all don't have an appointment?"
Coral shook her head.
"You can't be here then."
"The security guard allowed it," Jeff said, stepping forward. "Besides, we're not staying all that long." Coral frowned as Jeff said this, but said nothing.
"I don't care how long you're staying; I am Mr. Bukely's doctor and I said—"
"Can I speak with you alone for a moment, then?" Jeff asked impatiently, his green eyes darting.
"Sir—"
"My name is Jeff. Jeff Hardy."
"Mr. Hardy," the doctor started, "I don't think—"
"I won't waste your time."
The doctor sighed and nodded. Jeff pulled Coral over quickly. "I'm going to try to get Mike let free just for today. I can't make promises though, so…" Coral grinned, whispering 'thank you' in his ear. "You're welcome," he sighed. As he walked toward the doctor, Jeff muttered, "Girl's gonna give me gray hairs…"
"Now, what is it that you want, Mr. Hardy?" the doctor asked, his tone dead and monotone.
"Look, we've driven a long way and I know how important it is for patients to remain in a rehabilitation center when recovering, but this girl needs Mike… and I think he needs her. Can't you see how happy they both look?"
The doctor shrugged. "It's policy."
"Do you always follow by the rules?" Jeff asked calmly. "I don't. And I really don't think bending this rule just once will do any damage. All I ask is you let us borrow Mike for the day. I'm a thirty-year-old adult; I can take care of them both. I promise nothing will occur—"
"Mr. Hardy, Mike Bukely is a recovering cocaine addict, I'm not sure—"
"I'm aware and I'm not asking for a lot here. People need freedom and I'm not so sure he's getting that here. All I'm asking is for the remainder of the day. You have my promise he will come back just as he is. I'll give you my number, my credit card; I don't care what you need. All I know is that I didn't drive here for five damn hours to—"
"Fine," the doctor nearly yelled.
Jeff smiled. "So we can take him?"
The older man pointed a bony finger to Jeff's chest, eyes narrowed. "If anything happens to that boy, it's on your shoulders. Do you understand that, Mr. Hardy?"
"I do," he replied calmly. The reason that the doctor was trying to keep Mike in, was the exact reason Jeff never wanted to go to rehab for. He knew the freedoms were limited there and how little he'd see his family and he'd do anything to let Mike experience real life again, only for a few hours, if it made Coral happy.
"Fine," the doctor snapped. "Bukely."
Mike's head snapped up. "Yes, sir?"
"You're free to go with Mr. Hardy and the young lady for the day. But I'd like to talk with you first."
As Mike went to talk to the doctor, Coral ran over. "How'd you do it? Why… how… what?"
"Slow down," Jeff chuckled. "I'll explain later. But now, now is a time for fun."
A/N: I put a picture of what Mike looks like on my profile, towards the bottom. Uhm... yeah, that's it. No updates tomorrow, it's my birthday and I'm forcing my friends to go see 12 rounds with me. :D Hahaha. READ AND REVIEWWW!! :D