I don't own The Professional or any of its characters. They belong to Luc Besson. I receive no money for this.

Shattered

Chapter Four: Slow Progress

She opened her eyes and saw the sun full up. It was really bright in the room and getting hot. She threw the blanket off but quickly grabbed it before it could hit the floor. She wasn't going to let anything of Leon's get dirty. Getting up she made the bed exactly the way he'd showed her. She walked into the kitchen but couldn't bring herself to get into the fridge. She didn't think she could handle getting into that stuff by herself. She sat in her chair at the table.

What now? she asked herself. What do I do now? She sat in thought for quite a while then reached a decision. Getting up she went back into the bedroom and packed anything of her's that she thought she may need. Leaving enough for intruders to know someone lived there. She grabbed the pig oven mitt that Leon had and put it in her bag as well. She left the apartment. Slowly walking down the hallway she stopped in front of her old home. She climbed under the "Caution" tape and walked into her room. She grabbed a few more items of clothing. Then, she wandered into her brother's room and grabbed one of his stuffed dogs. Edgar was what the two had named it at Christmas time.

"Hi Edgar." she said aloud. She was startled to hear how rough her voice sounded or that she could talk at all.

With these things over her shoulder in a bag and Leon's plant under her arm she left the building.

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Norman opened his eyes and immediately noticed his son inches from his face. A kind smile crossed his face. Then a grimace. Pain. Terrible pain. His whole torso felt as if engulfed in flames. Mainly in his rib area. He didn't want to scream so as not to wake up Luke. So he bit his tongue and clenched his hands around the bedsheet. He looked over to get Benny's help or even Kim's but they weren't in the room. He tasted blood already from biting his tongue. It was dark and he couldn't find the string for a nurse. He knew rolling over would be too much for the pain he was already in. He felt wetness in his palms and saw that his nails had actually penetrated the sheet to peirce his skin. He couldn't handle it anymore. As much as he didn't want to, he screamed. Luke jumped up and registered what was happening at once. He got off his chair and ran for the door. Opening it he shouted for a nurse and help. Two nurses came running at once. They reached the bed and one of them, the male nurse, held Norman still so that the other could stick his IV with a sedative. Once that was done they held him for a another minute then let go. He remained still. Not asleep just calmed and numbed. He passed out only a moment later. One nurse wrapped his hands and checked to make sure no lasting damage was done to his tongue. The other turned to Luke.

"Are you ok?" she asked.

"Yeah. I think."

"Is he your Dad?"

"Yeah."

"You did a good job getting to us that quickly. He'll be ok. He's just a little late on his next dose. He also hasn't switched sedatives yet. Is your Mom here with you?"

"Yeah. At least she was."

"Ok. She should be back soon then. If she's not back in a little while let us know and we'll do what we can to find her."

"Ok."

"Do you need anything? Hungry or anything?"

"Not really hungry. Thirsy though."

"You want a soda or something?"

"Sure."

"Does it matter what kind?"

"No. As long as it's not diet."

"Ok. I'll be back in a minute little man."

Both nurses left the room and Luke went back to his chair. He sat in it instead of curling up. A few minutes later the nurse was back with his drink. Luke thanked her and sat back down in his chair. He opened his soda and chugged for a few seconds. Then he set it down on his Dad's bedside table. He stayed sitting up and just watched his Dad. Listened to the hum and rythmic beat of the machines and watched his Dad's face. He was absolutely determined to be his Father's guard dog. At least until Benny came back.

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Mathilda ceased walking. She was on the lawn of her destination. The Spencer school she ran away from. She walked up the front steps and to the secretary's desk.

"I need to see the headmistress." she said to the lady behind the desk.

"Ok. Wait here a minute and if she's free I'll let you in" the lady got up and walked to a back office. She returned moments later.

"You can go back there." she told Mathilda.

Mathilda walked back there and went into the office. The headmistress motioned for her to sit, so she did.

"Nice to see you again Mathilda." she said.

"Yeah."

"I expect you to tell me what has happened."

"Ok."

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Luke heard footsteps outside the room coming their way. His Mom walked into the room.

"Mom?" he whispered

"Why are you up?"

"I woke up. Dad was hurt. He was late on his medicine I guess. He started screaming. He even bit his tongue and cut his hands with his nails to try not to scream."

"Oh my god. Luke I'm so sorry I wasn't here."
"Don't tell me sorry. Tell Dad sorry. When he wakes up that is."

"Honey. Please don't blame me for this."

"You could've told the nurses out there that you and Benny were leaving."

"I'm sorry. We were only gone for a few minutes honey. Just getting something to eat in the hospital cafeteria."

"Can't change it now so, let it go I guess."

"Oh, baby. How do I make this up to you?"

"It doesn't matter. He's ok now so, no problems."

"I'm so sorry Luke. You shouldn't have had to be the one to get him help."

"It's ok Mom."

"You want something to eat?"

"No. I've got a drink. That's good for now."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

"Ok. What do you want to do?"

"Stay here."

"You want me to pick you up a new comic or something?"
"Sure."

"Ok. I'm gonna get that and some snacks for today. It's just gonna be you and me here. Benny had to go back to work. I should be back in no more than an hour. Is that ok?"

"Yeah. It's fine. I'm up now so he'll be ok."

"Ok. I'll be back. I love you."

"Love you too Mom."

She left and Luke resumed his newest game of memorizing his Dad's pulse.

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The headmistress sat with her mouth open. Mathilda had finally told her the truth. About everything. All the way from Stansfield executing her family to Leon dying.

"Can I still stay? I've got a place to live but, I won't be able to completely take care of myself. I'll understand if I can't stay Miss." finished Mathilda.

"Yes you can stay. I'll make sure you get back into your classes and a room to yourself for the time being. You let me know if you need anything at all."

"Thank you." Mathilda felt tears at the corners of her eyes again but didn't let them fall.

"I'll have someone take your stuff to your new room Mathilda."

"Can I go outside for a while?"

"Certainly. You can start your classes tomorrow if you're ready."

"Ok. Can I share a room with someone please?"

"Sure. You can share with Kiesha. Do you know who she is?"
"No."

"That's ok. I think you'll get along just fine. When you come back in she can show you where you two sleep."

"Ok. Thank you."

"You're very welcome Mathilda."

Taking Leon's plant she left the room and went outside to the front of the school. She walked to an area near a tree and grabbing a stick began to dig a hole. When it was as deep as she wanted it she took Leon's plant out of its pot and put it in the hole. She put the dirt back around it and patted it flat.

"I think we'll be ok here Leon." she said aloud.