I don't own The Professional or any of its characters...
Shattered
Chapter Nine: Families
Mathilda sat on her new bed and watched her room get lighter. She didn't sleep at all. She didn't know if it was due to this being her first time in a new house or what. She sat there wondering what to do. This was supposed to be her family now but she had never felt so unconnected to people as she did now. Her thought's rambled and suddenly he crossed her mind. She still couldn't force him out of her nightmares, regardless of the big things happening to her now. She shook to remember how it felt in that bathroom. The eyes are the windows to the soul and she could see nothing but blackness in his blue ones. She would never forget that day or him. She knew it. At least he was dead. She hoped it was painful. He deserved it. Those thoughts were slightly comforting until she fell asleep. Then he was alive again. Always. She lay down and wondered when her new parents were gonna come wake her up. She hoped that if she fell asleep that the nightmare wouldn't be back.
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"Wake up." said a familiar voice in the distance. Norman slowly opened his eyes to see Kim standing next to the bed with a glass of water and what looked like pills in her hand.
"Those for me?" he asked, groggily.
"No, they're for the other drug addict in the room." she replied, her voice was a little cold.
"What? What happened to not fighting?" he asked. He was just coming awake and was a little hurt that she was upset with him. He wasn't certain why though. He usually tried to piss her off.
"Nothing." she replied, shortly. She sat down on the bed as he sat up. He winced at the pain in his back from sitting straight. She set the pills in his hand and gave him the water. He took the medication and looked at her.
"What's wrong?" he asked. She didn't notice that his voice didn't have its usual cold or smart ass tone to it. He was sincerely asking her why she was upset but she didn't notice.
"You care why?" she asked him.
"Kimmie...what is it?" he said using the nickname he used to have for her and rubbing her arm. She looked slightly surprised but answered him in the same upset tone.
"Benny came by this morning. He was trying to drop things off for you." she said, her voice ice.
"Oh. I didn't tell him to ya know." said Norman in defense, but still using a calm tone. He felt a bit grief stricken. He'd had an old nightmare of his that had to do with the night she made him leave.
"The doctors got you off all that. I expect you to keep it that way. If not, you can find a different place to recover. Understand?" she asked him.
"Understood. Kim, I'm sorry." he said. She lost her anger and had total surprise. Those were two words he never used together.
"What?" she asked, bewildered.
"I'm sorry."
"You're apologizing to me?" she asked, wondering what was wrong with him.
"Well, yeah." he said. She simply looked at him to make sure he wasn't joking. She felt herself fight try to fight back tears. One rolled down the her left cheek though. He put his hand up and wiped it away for her without thinking of the lines he was probably crossing. She grabbed his hand, but not to push it away. She held it to her, also without thought. For a second they were newlyweds again. Then reality pulled back into view and she let go of his hand. Wishing as soon as she had that it was still on her face. She cleared her throat and he tried to think of something funny to say to clear the tension. Luke saved them by running in the room holding something on a string. He stopped just in the doorway.
"Mom! Phone! It's aunt Lisa!" shouted Luke, even though he was only a few feet away from her. She quickly got up and took the phone from him. Luke ran over to the bed and jumped on it, plopping down next to his Dad.
"Hi Dad." he said smiling.
"Hey, buddy. Why are you up so early?" asked Norman.
"Cartoons. Plus, you're here." said Luke.
"Aw, well thanks. Come here, ya little hamster." said Norman. He grabbed Luke and pulled him into a headlock, viciously scratching his head.
"AH! Dad! Let me go!" shouted Luke, kicking around. Kim poked her head in the door.
"Hey! I'm on the phone. And no rough housing. Doctor's orders." she said, leaving their sight. Norman let go of Luke and the boy sat back down next to his Dad. A few seconds later Kim came back into the room, sitting next to Luke.
"And what did your charming sister have to say?" asked Norman. Lisa had always hated him.
"The she and her husband have big news that they would like to tell in person. They're coming over next week if all is well." said Kim.
"They know I'm here?" asked Norman, tickling Luke's stomach. The boy laughed hysterically and tried to beg him to stop.
"No. It'll be fine. I hope." said Kim. Luke escaped his Dad's grasp and lay his head on his Mom.
"We're like a family." he said. Kim nearly cried again but bit it back. Norman looked sad for a moment then gave Luke a warm smile. Neither said anything. Part of Norman wished with all his heart that what the boy had said was true the other part knew it couldn't ever be such. She'd never forgive him, plus they'd alread proven a disaster together. Kim thought of her and Norman's little moment mere seconds before the phone call. She pushed the thoughts out of her head entirely and wrapped an arm around her little boy.