Just a quick author's note. I know it's the holidays, but it's been very quiet in terms of reviews and comments. It would be great to get some feedback. Also, I just want to let you know that the run of short scenes is over and, for the most part, the length of the upcoming scenes will be consistent with what they were before the rescue sequence.
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"I guess the news is out," Bo muttered. Kim looked up from her seat to the television in the corner of the waiting room. The "Breaking News" banner flashed across the screen, only to be replaced with a photo of Shane - his mugshot from the recent arrest.
Grateful that the TV was muted, she looked away just as the screen switched to a view outside University Hospital. Kim did not need the television to tell her that a large group of reporters was now gathered outside.
What will they do with this news? she asked herself. Would Shane still be their Public Enemy Number One? Or would the news suddenly turn sympathetic?
At the moment, Kim could hardly care.
"Vultures," Bo said with a grimace. "Let me go deal with them."
Roman shook his head. "That's not a good idea." He looked at Kim. "Why don't I call Mickey? He's probably the best person to speak to the press right now. I suspect he'll be on his way once he hears the news anyway."
Barely registering his words, Kim just nodded. It did not matter. All that mattered was Shane getting through surgery. She said nothing else as Roman headed to the phone.
"You hanging in there?" Bo asked.
Kim gave him a weak smile and shivered from the incessant cold. "Barely. But I know at least he's still hanging on." At that, Marlena gave Kim a comforting look.
That reminded Kim of her earlier exchange with Marlena and Roman. Should she really believe them? Did anything that happened while Kim was Cal's captive change Shane's mind? It was hard for her to believe it. She suspected that Shane had been worried with her missing; that would have been his normal, over-protective self. And he may have even said he loved her, like Kayla said, but that was nothing. He had admitted that to her, too - and still had turned around and rejected her.
I'm not going to get my hopes up.
That was the reality of life with Shane Donovan. He might have let his guard down a little due to fear, but those walls would return. They always did.
Yet, right now, Kim would give anything in the world to have to deal with Shane's walls. At least, it would mean he was alive.
Her mind flashed back to when Shane left Salem a few months earlier on the mission to rescue Steve. Kim remembered how she felt the icy chill then, probably at the time Shane was raiding the compound in Egypt. She also remembered how she had prayed Shane would come home, even if it meant him coming home to Kayla.
Now she had to pray he pulled through, even if it just meant he went home to an empty house. That's all that mattered.
"Kim." Marlena's voice intruded into Kim's thoughts. She turned her head to where Marlena was seated across the table, but she was looking toward the entrance of the waiting area.
For an instant, Kim felt a surge of hope that Marcus was coming with news, but when she turned, she saw that Neil had just entered.
He obviously detected her disappointment. "Do you want me to leave?" he asked.
"No," Kim assured him. "I . . . I was just hoping it was Marcus."
"I can understand," he said, giving her a sympathetic smile. "I know it's hard, Kim, but you have to be patient. Marcus and Carly are the best surgeons in Salem. They're going to do everything they can."
Kim nodded. "I know." She then noticed that Neil was holding a medical file. In small print, it read "Jeannie Donovan."
"I, uh, took a look at Jeannie's file," Neil said. "I mean, after Marlena told me what you said . . . . I couldn't really believe it. So I had to check . . . and I'm so sorry, Kim."
Kim felt her heart sink. It had just been another of Cal's mind-games.
Neil looked very uncomfortable.
"It's okay, Neil." She sighed. "I guess it was too much to hope that Cal's story was true."
"No," he said quickly. "You don't understand. I checked Jeannie's ultrasound, and it's obvious. Dr. Norris told you she was conceived in November 1989, right? That is what Dr. Norris told you, isn't it?"
"Yes," Kim said.
Neil shook his head. "I'm sorry, Kim. I should have double-checked the file. There's no way that could be true. I looked at the ultrasound you had in May, and the fetus is just way too small. From the image, I'd say Jeannie was conceived in February or so."
February. Then. . . . Kim's mind reeled as she tried to remember. February was after Shane returned. February was when they made love for the first time.
"Then Cal-"
"- was telling the truth," Neil finished.
Even though Kim had believed Cal when he told her, the confirmation from Neil still stunned her. She stood up and took a few steps away from her chair.
"All this time," she said quietly, but her tone masked the fury that was rising in her.
"Kim." Marlena must have stood up also, because she placed a hand on Kim's shoulder.
"I'm just wondering how anyone could be as evil as Cal Winters?" She took a deep breath. "I hope he rots in hell."
Marlena took her hand and led her back to her seat. "Cal can't hurt you any more."
"I know," Kim said. But how much of the damage had already been done? She and Shane had split over her "secret." Jeannie had lost her father for more than a year and, now, might lose him forever. "I just keep thinking . . . if Shane. . . ." She could not say it. "He might never know."
She looked away and ignored whatever Marlena was saying. Her mind was no longer in the waiting room. She was thinking only about what might be happening in the operating room.
You have to live, she silently pleaded. There may be no future for us, but you have a daughter - the baby daughter you always wanted. So if nothing else, Shane, you have to live for her. Your daughter needs you.