Jeff's Protector

by Voyager Tip

When Drake gets control of the omni, dangers come from many directions. Phineas is forced to make some difficult choices in order to protect Jeff, but will Jeff be able to forgive him? Rated T bc I needed a disgusting scene in chapter 5.

22. Katie

Chapter 22 Katie

Rick Wilson sat dejectedly on the narrow bed in the minimum security cell. He'd been surprised that Katie had come to see him this morning. He pictured her sitting in front of him and thought about everything they said.

She had asked him to explain his actions. She had wanted to understand. And with a heavy heart, he had done just that. He hadn't held anything back. He'd confessed everything, poured his heart out really, and tried to convey to her how ashamed and sorry he felt.

But there was one thing he couldn't say, and he knew now that he'd never get the chance to say it. She was never coming back, he was sure of it. He would never get to tell her that from the first time he'd seen her, he had fallen in love with her. He'd never believed in love at first sight, but then it had happened. Out of the blue, an anvil hit him and he'd known it was true love. As he got to know her better, the feeling had only grown stronger. When he finally asked her out and she'd said yes so quickly, it seemed like it was meant to be. He could still feel where she'd brushed purposefully against his arm. It was right before Drake had made his last request and Rick's life finished spinning out of control. And now he was alone. Soon he would face the Tribunal and answer for his actions.

Still, he was glad he'd come back. Even to see Katie one more time, it was worth it.

A key clicked in the lock. "Time to go," the guard's voice said.

He rose and walked out without comment. It was time to bite the bullet.

He entered the courtroom with his eyes downcast, and sat in the seat he was shown. When he felt a warm hand on his shoulder, he looked around and his eyes widened in disbelief. Katie was leaning forward, from her seat in the visitor section of the room. The warmth of her hand made his heart seem to melt and for a moment he was too shocked to speak.

"What are you doing here?" he whispered.

She looked at him with a steady gaze. "I thought you could use a friend," she said, repeating the words she'd heard from Phineas a short time ago.