Author's Note: Hey readers! Bet you thought you saw the last of me, huh? Lots has happened in my life since the last time I'd written anything on here. I moved across the country twice and had some big life changes, as well as, ya know, being an adult with adult responsibilities now. But I've returned to continue this at last!

I want to add a big thank you to anyone who kept reading these after all this time and especially those who left reviews. Your interest and support has been what encouraged me to pick this back up again, and it means more than you know!

CHAPTER TEN: JANET

She could see the neighbors in the rear view mirror, watching and whispering her from their yard across the street. Denton had always been a town that loved gossip, and the middle-aged couple who loved to watch Brad and Janet fight from their front porch only served as proof of this. She had been sitting in her car for quite some time, fiddling anxiously with the set of keys in her lap. She turned them over in her hand, running her thumb along each set of teeth, her attention still focused on the couple. They had only spoken to them on one occasion since moving into the neighborhood, but she was positive they knew plenty about her. Word spread like an infectious disease in their small community. She could practically hear them, whispering to each other in low voices. "What a shame, those Majors. So much potential."

It seemed word had already begun to spread around town about Brad's hospital trip. Everyone knew Dentonvale wasn't a place you went for a routine checkup - it was a place you took the problems in your life you wanted to forget about. More specifically, people you wanted to forget about. Since their beginning, people used these institutions to dump the burden of their loved ones off on someone else. She wishes she could scream at them, explain to everyone how their situation was different, how she would never abandon Brad in that place. She loved him, she cared for him. She would to do anything in her power to help him get back to the being the hopeful man she fell in love with. But the truth that ate away at her conscious was that she did leave him there. Instead of being inside their home in his recliner watching his shows, he was starring at a white wall by himself, isolated from the only person he had. She was no better than any of them.

After her last visit to Dentonvale, Janet had left the McKinleys with her word to return and sign the papers for Brad's admittance. One swipe of a pen on the dotted line and he would be officially resigned to their care. But something in her gut held her back each time she went to turn the key in the ignition, as if there were a force inside her body trying to pull her away from making this decision.

Overwhelmed by the anxiety boiling in her stomach, she flung open the car door and vomited onto the pavement below.

BRAD

It felt as though his heart was going to jump into his throat and out onto Cosmo McKinley's pristine white sneakers. He tucked himself as far under the desk as he physically could, knees pulled up to his chin, watching nervously as the other two pairs of feet shuffled around the office. It was easy to deduce the second pair of white sneakers, identical to the ones in front if his nose, belonged to the other McKinley sibling. She had settled into the seat furthest away from the desk, next to the window, crossing her legs as she made herself comfortable. The third individual, whose identity remained unknown, took the chair closest to the desk, only a few inches away from Brad's hiding spot. A black suitcase sat on the floor next to the stranger's polished leather shoes. He could feel the sweat beginning to form on his upper lip. He could almost laugh at the sheer humor of it all - almost. If he made even a noise, he'd more than likely be carted off to solitary to become Frank's next door neighbor.

Cosmo leaned back in his seat, tapping his foot in a way that reminded Brad of his own nervous habit. The unkown man, who he now discovered had a thick German accent, had begun bantering back and forth flirtatiously with the female McKinley. As he was able to hear the man's voice more clearly, he was certain he knew it from somewhere, but he just couldn't put his finger on it . It was as if the man's face was being obscured behind a curtain each time Brad tried to picture it. He was starting to feel like a contestant on one of those cheesy daytime game shows where you had to guess what was hidden behind the doors.

Wait a minute. That was it.

He did know that voice. It chanted from his television set every morning when he turned on the DTV station.

The mystery man was none other than Bert Schnick, the host of DTV's most successful game show, Marriage Maze. Brad suddenly recalled the countless stories Janet had brought home from work about Bert's shenanigans and his tribulations with various women at the studio. Bert was known amongst the DTV crew members as being at his best a diva, and at his worst a downright creep. Janet herself told tales of his flirtatious advances towards her on quite a few occasions. However, despite his reputation among studio members, if you were to ask anyone in Denton about their feelings towards Bert Schnick, you would be met with nothing but unwavering admiration. He was practically a household name, and a beloved one at that.

But now a new question found its way to the forefront of Brad's thoughts; what was he doing here at Dentonvale with the McKinleys?

Cosmo cleared his throat dramatically in an attempt to divert their guest's attention back to him and away from his sister.

"I hate to interrupt your reunion, Bert, but I seem to recall you being here with a purpose?" The doctor quipped, making no effort to hide his annoyance.

Bert chuckled and plucked the suitcase from its spot on the floor, tossing it onto the doctor's desk with a heavy thud. Nation shuffled over from spot by the window to observe what was happening as Bert fiddled with the lock on the case. There was a click as it opened, followed by a pause of silence as Bert returned to his seat, leaving the McKinley's to assess the contents inside. He could hear what sounded like paper rustling, like someone counting money.

Cosmo sniffed. "Is this everything?"

Before they could continue their conversation, a loud buzz interrupted them from the intercom on Cosmo's desk.

"Excuse me, Dr. McKinley. I know you're in a meeting but there are visitors here to see you."

Cosmo groaned in frustration, holding his finger on the button to respond. "Very well, nurse. My sister and I will be down momentarily to assist you."

He stood up from his chair, slamming the briefcase shut and sliding it back towards Bert.

"I do apologize, Bert, but Nation and I seem to have a sudden matter we must attend to." The siblings had begun moving towards the exit while Bert remained firmly in his seat, the briefcase now sitting in his lap. "Would you like me to have one of the nurses escort you to your room for the night?"

"It depends.." Bert grinned mischievously. "Can I get the pretty nurse?"

Cosmo merely groaned in response, ushering Bert up and out of the room, grumbling under his breath the whole time. Bert slipped an arm around Nation's waist, which only elicited more muttering from Cosmo. Brad waited until he heard the key turn in the lock and their laughter was no longer audible before he crawled out from his hiding spot, stretching his legs out in relief.

There was something weird going on in this hospital, and he was going to find out what.