"Has anyone called Security?" asked the man in the doorway to the room at large.
Catherine tried to whirl away from Jason, but he had her pinned tight. The most she could manage was to turn her head and scream viciously. "I can be here. The hospital called me. ME, not you, Evan. So don't try your high and mighty bullshit with me!"
The man in the doorway, who Ethan assumed was Conner's father, approached his shrieking wife. He didn't raise his voice or change his tired tone. "You're in violation of your restraining order. You can't come within 1,000 feet of me or the boys."
"Fuck you! Conner's dying and you can't keep me away from him!" Ethan winced as though he'd been slapped. He was shocked and disturbed by the revelation of Conner's home life; he had no idea Conner's mother was so around the bend. Catherine's language and volume were alien to the quiet that had been established in the room; and her flat out declaration that Conner was dying hit Ethan like a punch to the gut.
Kira and Kimberly slipped into the room behind Evan McKnight. Kim made a beeline for Tommy who was white-faced and struggling to stand. Kira joined the human wall by the side of Conner's bed. Ethan thought he could hear her singing under her breath, but that might have been just a trick of his hearing. Kira too laid a restraining hand on Hunter; Ethan hoped for Conner's mother's sake that Jason kept a good hold on her. If she made another move for Conner Hunter would probably kill her.
Being wrapped up in Jason's arms didn't keep Catherine from continuing her nasty diatribe. "What kind of father are you, letting him go out in this storm anyway? Too busy with work to keep an eye on him? Too busy with work to make the time to come to the hospital?"
"If someone could just call Security," Evan repeated speaking over Catherine, this time addressing the hospital staff that had followed his wife into the room.
Catherine's mood changed as if someone had flipped a switch. Instead of struggling against Jason she strained tried to catch a glimpse of Conner though she couldn't clearly see him around Ethan. Her voice took on a weirdly crooning quality. "Conner? Mommy's here. Time to wake up, baby." Catherine took Conner's lack of response as a personal offense. Her voice became louder and more insistent, like she was trying to get him up for school. "Time to get up, Conner. Do you think I'll wait all day for you?" She seemed to think her commands would make her son to rise from his bed, and when he didn't she became incensed again. She lurched toward the bed screaming, "You stupid, lazy piece of shit! Do you think you can just lie there when I tell you to get up?"
Evan McKnight moved to stand between his wife and the assembled rangers by the side of the bed. For the first time, Conner's dad responded with anger as he cut her off. "You're drunk," he spat with disgust. "You have no rights here. You never should have come."
Hunter was thrumming with tension next to Ethan. When Catherine lurched toward the bed, he'd moved in response. It was Kira, who'd swung around to stand directly in front of Hunter, who stopped his forward motion; though Ethan had taken a firmer hold on his arm. Hunter's face was enraged and a peal of thunder from outside punctuated his emotional state; but Kira stood quietly before him humming. Ethan didn't know why that got Hunter's attention over all the screaming, but it did. Hunter didn't lose the murderous expression on his face, but he wasn't actively trying to do any damage.
Catherine continued to struggle against Jason. Realizing the danger from Hunter he moved them backward away from the bed, closer to Tommy's side of the room. She ignored her husband and turned her attention to him. "Get your hands off me, you son of a bitch! You have no right to put your hands on me. I'll sue this hospital. I'LL SUE!" She fruitlessly tried to free her right hand from Jason's grip; being unsuccessful, her struggles increased. She tried to elbow and kick him, but he had no difficulty avoiding her clumsy blows.
"Who are all you fucking people? Get out of this room! Only family should be in the room. I'm his mother!" She screamed at the hospital staff in the doorway and noticed they were making way for the Security personnel to come in from behind Catherine McKnight's struggles became more frantic as Security approached. Her screaming became hysterical and incoherent. She tried to kick at them, but only succeeded in losing her balance. Jason tried to keep her on her feet and switched his grip. She took advantage of her slight freedom by striking out at those around her. A flailing elbow unexpectedly caught Jason on his cheek. He wasn't hurt as much as he was surprised, and let out a gasp.
The gasp from Jason set Hunter in motion. Kira and Ethan both tried to impede his progress. Carter, who had returned with Dana after hearing the ruckus, grabbed Hunter from behind. But it was Evan McKnight who saved his wife from the enraged Thunder Ninja. He simply laid his hand on Hunter's chest and meeting his gaze, shook his head. He acknowledged and understood Hunter's impulse, but he refused to let anyone else be sucked into and damaged by his wife's destructive behavior. Hunter stopped dead though he was still trembling in fury; all of those who had a hold on him were wise enough not to let go.
Ethan watched in dismay as the ugly scene unfolded. The security personnel had given up any pretense of trying to talk to or cajole Catherine McKnight. They swiftly interposed themselves between Jason and Catherine. When she dropped her weight to the floor, they let her. Realizing her mistake, she tried to flail and escape their grasp. With one person pinning her legs, the other knelt on her back; quickly she was handcuffed. Two other security guards joined the entourage as they hauled the screaming and weeping woman to her feet. Hurling obscenities at them and the assembled people in the room, she was dragged away. The sound of her hysterical shrieking faded gradually as she was taken away. All that was left behind was shocked and shaken silence.
Ethan's heart was pounding and his mind was racing. He had never experienced parental discord on that level, and it profoundly disturbed him. How could anyone claiming to be a mother act like that toward her son?Greater than his personal dismay was Ethan's deep embarrassment for having witnessed something so private. Conner never mentioned his mother, and now Ethan knew why. He felt ashamed for having seen Conner's mother drunk, when Conner had gone to such lengths to hide it from them. And he berated himself for handing over all the phone numbers in Conner's phone to Dana; but how was he supposed to know that Catherine McKnight shouldn't have been called? Even though it was out of his hands, Ethan felt responsible for the horrible scene they had just witnessed.
Evan McKnight was the first one to move. Long experience with his wife's irrational behavior made him somewhat immune to its effects. Dropping his hand from Hunter's chest, he walked past Ethan to stand by Conner's bed. Because of all of the hysteria and drama there had been when he entered, this was the first time he got a good look at his son. Because he was the only one who was moving, all eyes were on Evan as he contemplated Conner's condition. His left hand reached shakily to cover his eyes as he reached out with his right hand to touch Conner's motionless hand.
That was all Kira could take, she fled from the room. After a moment's hesitation, Kim gave Tommy a little shove toward Jason, then followed the Yellow Ranger out. Kira's flight seemed to break the paralysis of the rest of them. In unspoken agreement, Ethan, Hunter and Carter all moved toward Jason and Tommy, giving Evan a moment of relative privacy to be with his son. Jason placed a steadying hand on Tommy's back.
Dana approached Conner's bed with some hesitation. She wanted the family to have a moment, but now that a parent was available, there were things that needed to be done. "Mr. McKnight, I'm Dr. Mitchell. I'm in charge of Conner's care." As Dana approached Even took his hand from his face. His eyes never left Conner's face as he softly said, "I'll sign whatever you want me to sign. I've got sole custody of the boys; you don't need my wife's permission for anything."
Ethan could see some tension leave Dana's shoulders. She laid a hand gently on his arm. "We're doing everything we can for him, Mr. McKnight." Evan glanced sideways at her, but his smile was enigmatic. "I'm sure you are doing everything you can. I appreciate that." He took the clipboard Dana offered him and began signing the various papers she handed him. When the paperwork was finished he handed the board back to Dana. She swiftly left to gather up the staff she would need to begin the next round of tests on Conner.
Alone by the bed again, Evan leaned in close to Conner and spoke softly in his ear. Ethan was glad he couldn't hear what was said; Evan's body language made it clear that whatever he was saying was very personal, and Ethan had had enough of Conner's personal business for one day. Evan placed a hand on Conner's face and gently kissed his head before straightening up and looking over at the group standing on the other side of the room.
"Is one of you Dr. Oliver." Tommy stiffened next to Jason. Evan caught his reaction and pointed at him. "We need to talk."
TBC
I know this chapter was short, but I needed to resolve the McKnights before I went to school. More DT parents to come! Thank you so much to everyone who had read and reviewed! Your comments are greatly appreciated!
Jenna – I'm glad you think the Red Ranger connection makes sense. It made sense in my head, but I wasn't sure how well it translated on paper. I love Blake and Hunter too! Jason's inability to read Conner has more to do with Conner's reaction to his injuries than Conner's differences. Kanoi is on the way…but no guarantees if he can help or not. Kira and Kim are really similar, and I think that's good for Tommy. I don't know if Conner's parents are ever really mentioned in DT, but for the purposes of this story, there're a lot of McKnight family issues. They'll be explored more as the story goes on and we hear from Conner's dad. Aside from those you mentioned, no one else really understands the connection between Hunter and Conner, but more will be explained soon.
LJstagflower4e – I'm so glad you liked the last two chapters. And, I'm happy that Jason's explanation of events is making sense. Kim and Kira really makes sense to me, of course they would bond! Isn't Conner's mom a nightmare?
P-W-G-4ever – The intervention from the Bradleys was a true inspiration. I needed some higher power to help Cam, just for that split second before Blake was truly gone, and who better to help than Mom and Dad? I'm glad you love the Kim and Kira talk! Yeah, I love Jason's leap across the room – he's the man!
CMR – I'm glad that you find that things make sense within the story and the continuity of the show itself. I'm a continuity freak!
Funky in Fishnet – I had to find some place to explain how Jason came to Reefside, and this seemed the best place to put it. Blake has some idea what's going on with Cam, but he doesn't want to freak Cam out or anything. I love that Cam's so totally unsure when it comes to Hunter. I think everyone wants to hurt Conner's mom! We're definitely on a downhill slide now – the end is near…but there's still a lot to learn between now and then.
the real vampire – I'm happy you're enjoying the story. NS rangers will be returning soon, have no fear! I'll try to keep the updates coming.
Akume – I hope you're feeling better! hugs You didn't see the Bradley's coming? gives self "I surprised Akume" sticker (Actually that idea came out of the blue for me too, but it just seemed to fit.) Cam could see them because he was literally connected to Blake and Hunter at the time – and they needed him to see them. I liked the balance of Tommy having done the katas all the way through his imprisonment, so then Jason's doing it the same one too. It made sense to me that they'd end up doing the kata together. Doesn't the image just make you smile? Conner's mom may be scarier than your Dustin's mom…but no one beats your Dustin's evil grandmother!