Chapter 187: Bad Luck or Something

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Skip Beat, for if I did, Kyoko would have an overprotective father.

Tadashi stared absentmindedly at his computer screen. He was analyzing the financial data of a business he acquired for Rising Sun before he left for Japan to help out his ailing partner. The venture would eventually transfer over the Mya and the New York team, but Tadashi wanted to lay as much of the foundation down before he permanently relocated to be closer to his daughter. He did have a short trip planned of utmost importance that he couldn't afford to miss, but even with the loss of time, he'd be able to wrap up all his responsibilities here before Christmas.

His eyes wandered to his phone, tempting him to make some calls rather than wait to be contacted. Kyoko's shadow detail already checked in with him for the hour and visual confirmation that she was doing well was received. As an overly doting father, he had stipulated in the bodyguards' contract that they were not only to check in with him hourly but also provide a picture of his daughter each time without invading her privacy. Tadashi personally warned the security company that there would be heavy consequences should they breach the contract.

"Oh, hell," he muttered to himself, ignoring his work and snatching up his phone to check his messages. Nothing. Instead of going back to work he once again admired the pictures sent of his daughter and Ren just this morning— one showed them driving in a vintage convertible and the other caught them watching the sunrise. Tadashi thought the picture taken of them sitting on the beach was sweet and should be framed. He was tempted to ask if the guy who took the photos was a professional photographer on the side. They were that good in his opinion and he couldn't wait to give the picture to the couple as a gift. He ignored the little voice in his head telling him that this was borderline spying.

Before he could go brooding down that train of thought, Tadashi's phone rang just as he was contemplating looking up quality photo places in NYC that could enlarge, print, and frame the image.

"Took you long enough," he growled into the mouthpiece.

"Easy, easy, this stuff takes time. Specter is only one man. I already have him doing the work of ten and he only just got up to take a piss for the first time since you called him to find pretty boy," Sota scolded Tadashi, making him feel sheepish. "I swear that guy needs to get laid. I hired a new girl that's very innocent and sweet. I'm hoping she's his type and they hit it off."

"You hired a girlfriend for him?... Wait, no, focus Sota! Why did you call me? As much as I would love to help play matchmaker there are more important matters at hand. Why are you calling? Did Spectre find those shitheads that hurt my kids yet or not?"

"That's why I'm calling! Not only did he find them, my guys already handed them over to the LAPD."

"What? When?" Tadashi held his cellphone to his ear with his shoulder to open a web browser on his computer while Sota explained.

"A few hours ago, Spec got a ping on his facial recognition software from one of the guys. He was able to get the plates off the SUV they stole and hack into its GPS. They were already over an hour outside of L.A. before we even found them. I'm assuming they were running for the border because my guys intercepted them at a diner in San Diego. Those guys weren't that bright. I doubt they thought about how they were going to get past border patrol with warrants on them."

Tadashi snorted. He took the phone back in his hand, giving up on his search after coming up with nothing.

"And you're sure you got the right guys?" Tadashi asked skeptically. Not even the police blotter showed their arrests.

"My guys never make mistakes," Sota scoffed. "I just sent you a video."

"I'm at work right now. I can't be opening up any of your surprise videos again. Because of you, I make sure my volume is off before I open any video," Tadashi grumbled.

Sota erupted into a belly laugh. "You're still bitter about that one. It was ages ago."

Tadashi felt his cheeks go warm at the memory of opening that uncouth video his friend had randomly sent him out of the blue. Thankfully everyone in the conference room got a kick out of it. For a few minutes, he allowed them to stray off topic and share their similar experiences.

While Sota continued to laugh at his expense, he opened the new message. It was a video of the criminals looking worse for wear while they were handed over to the cops. Although Cedric ended up being severely hurt, Tadashi was glad that the actors held their own and put up a good fight until the very end. They managed to cover these guys' faces in bruises and cuts.

"Did you get the video?"

"Yeah, just saw it. Thanks, Sota. Your team did well."

"Damn straight they did!" His friend replied, praising his employees.

"I'll be sure to throw in some bonuses for their quick work."

"Thanks, T! They'll appreciate it. So what now? Are you still going to have the princess followed?"

"Yeah, they're staying with them until their plane takes off," Tadashi stated. It might have been overkill, but he wasn't taking any chances anymore.

"And when she's back in Japan?"

"I haven't told her yet, but she's going to have bodyguards there too." He had already discussed the topic with both Lory and Linh. Kyoko's boss and her manager agreed that it couldn't hurt to at least add one guard since Linh was already highly skilled in martial arts. Tadashi wasn't denying the manager's abilities, he just knew how hectic things could get from his limited experience as Kyoko's manager. If her career continues to take off at a rapid pace, Linh would only get busier trying to manage everything. Having someone to double as a driver and a bodyguard could make their lives easier while working. He wasn't sure how his plans would affect her intentions to learn how to drive. It could be something he would address later.

"She's not going to be happy about that."

"She'll understand. I've only just found her and she's already been in so much danger. I can't help but think this is all my fault. I might have bad luck or something. Maybe my blood is cursed and it's affecting her since she's my daughter."

"Don't be stupid! You're the luckiest son of a bitch I know," Sota chuckled. "Yeah, sure you got the raw end of the deal when you were just a kid and made some mistakes, but look at you now. You're a successful businessman and you have a family. Don't think too hard about it and enjoy this new chapter of your life. Talk to the princess. She'll understand where you're coming from."

Tadashi sighed and prayed it would be that easy. He doubted anyone could blame him for being overprotective. In the short time he had known his daughter, she was involved in one life-threatening situation after another. Kyoko had been drugged and nearly thrown off a three-story balcony then almost poisoned and burned by the jealous Morizumi. He couldn't forget about the sabotage at the Sacred Lotus set or the thugs that tried to abduct her on the streets while acting as Setsuka Heel. Last night's shooting was the icing on the cake. It was alarming how many times he could have lost her before he even met her.

"Anyway, now that the threat has been neutralized, do you have any more instructions for my men?"

"No, let's standby for now and let Bennett's family handle the rest."

"You got it, boss."

"Sota, what's the status of the other thing I asked for?"

"Spec, oi! Spectre! Don't just fall asleep there! You'll catch a cold!"

"Five more minutes, Jiji," Tadashi heard the hacker whine.

"Wake up! Who you calling Jiji? I'm young enough to be your brother. Wake up! Aren't you supposed to be a vampire! Why are you sleeping when the sun is not even out?"

"Gah, so annoying, what do you want?"

"Tadashi wants to know the status of the agency info."

"Oh."

Tadashi smiled and waited while Sota coaxed an answer out of the guy. Maybe he could get Sota to put a cot in that back room so Spectre could have a place to rest whenever he got tired.

"T, he said he would send a file to you later tonight."

"Thanks, I don't want to drop the ball on that one."

"You really going to go for it?" Sota asked excitedly.

"If Spectre provides evidence that the rumors are true, then yes."

Sota shouted gleefully, "I can't wait!"

Tadashi grimaced. He didn't want the added responsibility, but he would take it on for the sake of justice. At least he would be killing two birds with one stone.

"Alright, we'll talk later. Thanks for the help."

"No problem, call if you need anything," Sota said and ended their call.

Tadashi sank into his leather seat as a huge weight he didn't know he was carrying lifted from his shoulders. Now that his daughter was safe, he could relax and do his work properly. But first, he needed to send out a few messages.

A couple of hours had passed since Tina and Damian entered the hospital. Most of that time was spent waiting. After the initial assessment by the nurse, they had to wait for the orthopedist to have a look. Five minutes of poking and prodding at her injured hand, the doctor came to the same conclusion as the nurse. She had a fracture near the knuckle at the ring and pinky fingers, typically called a boxer's break. Tina groaned. It was so aptly named. Suddenly, punching Cedric in the face didn't seem like a good idea after all. It felt liberating at the time, but now she just felt guilty, especially while knowing that somewhere in this very hospital Cedric was fighting for his life.

The doctor couldn't determine the extent of the fracture due to all the swelling without a proper x-ray so they had to wait for a radiologic technologist to be available. Ten minutes later, the rad tech confirmed the break, pointing out the single fracture at the knuckle of her pinky finger. With x-rays done, Tina followed the nurse to a more private exam room with a quiet Damian in tow. The poor guy was silently berating himself, still upset that he had let her endure the pain rather than bringing her straight to the hospital. His guilt appeared when the doctor first brought up her medical history and instructed her to alternate over-the-counter medication every three hours to manage the pain and fever if it returned.

Tina glanced at Damian as he watched her face, obviously looking for any signs of distress in her expression. He wouldn't find any since her hand was numb to it all from the local anesthetic the doctor had injected into her hand. She wanted to reassure Damian that this wasn't his fault, maybe even kiss away the cute little pout on his full lips. Unfortunately, they weren't alone, so whatever comfort she wanted to give him would have to wait. Tina focused back on what the doctor was saying. He was explaining the process of wrapping her hand and demonstrating how to put it in the splint to Damian. It would certainly make things easier for her if she had someone to help; however, she couldn't ask that of Damian. Tina was surprised that the man hadn't gone running for the hills after learning the truth behind her hand.

When they were finally alone, Tina made a sad attempt at trying to make herself look worthy of standing next to this gorgeous man. Lack of sleep, her puffy eyes from crying, and hours in the ER left her looking washed out and gross. Damian stood and held his jacket open for her to put on. Tina sighed and slipped her arms into the soft leather. She took a deep breath, inhaling the smell of his cologne and personal musk while he pushed the sleeves up to free her hands. She was surprised it fit easily over her splint.

"Looks like the sleeves fit you perfectly," he commented zipping up the front. "Everything, okay?" he asked sweetly and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Tina nodded and managed a small smile. "I'm glad," he murmured and pressed his lips to her forehead. "Still cool," he mumbled so low she thought she misheard.

"What do you mean?" She cocked her head to the side.

"Your forehead. Your fever hasn't returned," he flashed her a lopsided grin that made her heart flip and butterflies take flight in her gut.

"Oh," she squeaked. Her cheeks heated up by how much he cared and the love she saw shining in his eyes. It had been a long time since a man looked at her that way. Tina's eyes darted away from his unable to handle their intensity but eventually drifted back again. Nibbling on her lower lip with uncertainty, she asked bluntly, "Are you sure you don't want to run for the hills?"

His eyes lit up as he let out a deep sexy chuckle. "You're not getting rid of me that easily, Angel," he winked, cockily. She was trying to give him an out before things got too serious between them and he saw more of her flaws. He called her angel, but she felt far from one.

"Thank you for staying with me," she smiled, her words encompassing so much more of her feelings.

"Always," he promised, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close. His perfect response and the soft kiss he placed on her lips had her falling a little deeper.

Ahem! A throat cleared reminding them of where they were at. The nurse that helped her gave them a teasing smile and a wink.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but if you two don't mind taking that somewhere else I'd like to get this room cleaned for the next patient."

"Oh, of course, we're very sorry," Tina apologized and practically dragged Damian down the corridor toward the receptionist. As she was turning left to head to the ER, Damian stopped her.

"Wait! Let's go this way," he said tugging her down the opposite way.

"Damian, where are we going? I'm pretty sure that was the way out," she stated as she followed after him.

"Shhh, we're almost there. Walk faster," he urged, tugging her along that she was almost jogging to keep up with him. His head kept darting back and forth to look behind them suspiciously.

"This has to be it," Damian muttered to himself as he pulled her down another hallway. Tina could only make out a few doors in this corridor. The signs above them were unreadable at her distance. Damian slowed his pace but continued to walk. For a few moments, they were the only people in the hall until a man in uniform rounded the corner at the other end of the hall.

Her heart began beating erratically when she heard Damian's sharp inhale.

"Hey, you! Stop right there!" The man shouted angrily and charged at them. As he got closer, Tina could see that he was a policeman.

"Whoa, man, easy. We just got turned around in this maze. Can you show us the way out?" Damian held up his hands in obvious surrender. The cop relaxed his guard a little as he approached them.

"You guys can't be back here," the cop said sternly.

"Sorry, we didn't know. My girlfriend was getting her hand fixed and we were just leaving."

Tina waved her hand to show him her injury.

"Well, only essential personnel is allowed down here. Come on, I'll show you the exit."

"Thanks, officer. We appreciate it," Damian complied a started a friendly chat with the policeman. As they neared one of the few doors in the hallway all hell broke loose. Damian yanked and shoved Tina into a room so quickly she had no idea what the heck happened.

"Damian," she shouted and tried to push open the door, but it wouldn't budge. Something or someone was blocking it. She could hear yelling and scuffling taking place right outside the door.

"Tina?" A familiar voice called her name from behind, making her turn abruptly towards it.

"Mr. Duris?" She gasped at how much he aged since she saw him last night. Tina glanced at her surroundings and found that she was standing in an empty waiting room.

"What's going on?" His brows furrowed in confusion.

"Oh my God! I'm so sorry!" She exclaimed. "I didn't mean to come in here. It was a mistake." She grasped for the door, but the knob was yanked out of her hands as it was pulled open.

"You!," The cop from the hallway seethed. "You're not allowed in here. Please follow me. I don't want to have to drag you out of here." Tina didn't have to be told twice.

"Tina, wait. What's going on?" Eltra pulled at her arm gently to stop her from leaving.

"You know this woman, Mr. Duris?" The police officer questioned.

"Yes, she's a dear friend. I would appreciate it if you let her be."

Tina's eyes widened at Eltra's generosity. Why was he lying for her?

"Well, your dear friend just tried to weasel her way inside here instead of going through the proper visitor protocols. Her boyfriend is in the hall getting arrested as we speak."

"What? Why?" Tina demanded, eyes burning from unshed tears.

"For trespassing and obstructing a police officer," the cop responded matter-of-factly.

"Please let them go, Officer Kincaid," Eltra instructed. "I'll take full responsibility if there is any more trouble."

Kincaid didn't look happy but he reluctantly opened the door for his partner to bring in a handcuffed Damian.

"Looks like you found him," Damian smiled sheepishly while Tina glared at him. "I'm sorry. This wasn't at all how I expected things to go down."

"Explain," she snapped at him.

"I thought if you saw him, it would free you from your misplaced guilt," he shrugged awkwardly, his hands still bound behind his back.

"Could we please remove his restraints?" Eltra addressed the police officers. Once the cuffs were removed, Eltra thanked and dismissed the cops.

"I'm Eltra, Cedric's grandfather and you are?" Eltra held out his hand for Damian.

Tina watched as Damian instantly warmed up to the older man and shook his hand introducing himself.

"Come let's sit. Tell me everything that happened. Can I offer you a stale pastry or some cold coffee? There's a microwave here to warm both if you care for some."

"Don't mind if I do. I'm starving. I haven't eaten anything since yesterday afternoon."

Tina flushed guiltily. They were supposed to go out last night.

"Want something, Angel? There's a blueberry cake donut here. Don't you love those?"

He remembered. Tina smiled and gravitated toward the men at the counter. They spent several minutes refueling their bodies with food and drink. Tina quietly munched on her donut while Eltra and Damian became easily acquainted with one another as if the older man didn't just catch them breaking and entering into his grandson's hospital room. Perhaps, the conversation gave him a sense of normalcy after a long and trying night. Eltra at least seemed very interested in Damian's musical abilities.

"That hit the spot," Damian groaned and patted his full belly. "Thank you for the food."

"You can thank the Hizuris, Kyoko, and Ren. They were kind enough to bring us food. I'm sorry there wasn't any of Kyoko's stir fry left. That young lady sure can cook."

"She sure can," Tina agreed. "If she wasn't taken, I would have married her in a heartbeat."

"Thank goodness for me she's in a committed relationship," Damian teased and kissed her cheek.

"It's good to see you happy, Tina," Eltra interrupted with a sad smile on his face. The friendly atmosphere cooled as she was reminded why they were in here in the first place. First thing was first, she sidled up to Damian and smacked him upside the head with her good hand.

"Ouch!" He cried, rubbing the back of his head. "What was that for?"

"That's for your lame brain scheme. What if you went to jail? Or worse, what if the cops tasered or shot you, you idiot," Tina choked back a sob and glanced at Eltra, worried that she might have upset the older man with the reminder that his only grandson was fighting for his life right now. She would have to talk to Damian when they were alone.

"Hey, sorry," he pulled her into his arms. "It was stupid, but I saw an opportunity when I recognized the door. I thought I was helping."

Tina deflated in his arms and rested her head on his broad chest. The adrenaline she had coursing through her moments ago was almost depleted. She started getting a headache just thinking about how many things could have gone wrong if Eltra hadn't come out.

Oh my God! We are so rude! His grandson was just shot and here we are intruding in on his family. She pulled out of Damian's grasp and addressed Eltra. "I'm so sorry about all this Mr. Duris. I never asked how you are doing. H-how he's doing?" They had grown to know each other better at the gala, but that didn't mean anything. Everyone was just being polite and it still wasn't her place to be here at all.

"That's very kind of you to ask, my dear. I'm doing as well as one could under the circumstances, but as for Ceddy..."

Tina tensed, bracing herself for the news and praying it was good.

"Would you like to see him?" Eltra offered instead of explaining. "He hasn't woken up yet, but I'm sure he would be happy to hear from you...he regrets…" Eltra's voice broke. He cleared his throat and let out a shaky breath. "Anyway, the doctors are keeping him here for another hour under close observation then he'll be moved to the ICU. I have to warn you, he's not pretty," Eltra stated gravely and his red eyes glossed with moisture.

Tina swallowed the lump in her throat. A part of her told her they should leave and give them privacy, but a bigger part of her wanted to see him, confirm with her eyes that he was going to be okay.

"He was…" Eltra began shakily then cut off. "You'll see. Come on, I'll take you back. My daughter and son-in-law went home to get some rest a few hours ago. They could be back at any moment."

"Okay," she replied hesitantly. Cedric's mother probably wouldn't be too happy to see her here.

Tina caught Damian's gaze before she moved. Her new beau squeezed her hand for encouragement before letting go. Tina followed Eltra with trepidation through the other door in the room that opened to a sterile hallway with a normal door on the left and an automatic door on the right. As they traversed the short walk, Tina could hear the faint sounds of machines beeping and whooshing as they approached the large door on the right. Once the sensors picked up on their movement, the doors opened with a gust of wind, revealing Cedric lying eerily still on a hospital bed beyond the second set of automatic glass doors. Tina tore her eyes away as her emotions stirred. Eltra motioned her to the sink in the prep area to sterilize her hands. Tina had no intention of touching him but focused on washing her hands thoroughly to keep her mind off the scene in the other room. With clean hands, Eltra offered her a disposable face mask then headed into the room.

Tina put on the mask and froze as she entered the room. Fear gripped her as she stared at Cedric, motionless on the bed. Memories of the past came flooding through her mind and for a moment she saw Rick laying on the table with a white sheet draped over his entire body. Her eyes burned and her throat clenched making it impossible to breathe. She tore at the flimsy material on her face and tried to remember how to inhale and exhale. Why now?!

Her heart felt like it was shattering into a million pieces as she fell to the floor on all fours, reminded of that horrible night. Black dots began to fill her vision as she struggled to suck in air. For a moment, Tina thought she was going to faint until strong arms pulled her into a tight embrace off the cold tiled floor. Her vision was blurred by tears, but she immediately recognized the man holding her.

She squeezed her eyes shut and focused on the present while Damian rocked her on his lap and whispered soothing words against her ear. They were interrupted as a silicon mask was placed over her mouth and nose, forcing fresh oxygen into her airways. She gulped at it greedily, trying to regain her bearings. Another minute passed before Tina felt the convulsions in her body begin to subside. She kept her eyes closed, too embarrassed as someone picked up her wrist to check her pulse. After a minute, the firm hand holding her arm placed it gently on her lap. She could hear several people in the room discussing her condition with Damian and decided it was time to face the music.

Tina opened her eyes just a slit to make sure she wasn't facing Cedric's direction. It was obvious that seeing him like that triggered memories of Rick's death that she thought she buried long ago. Damian must have sensed the change in her demeanor because he shifted and pushed her matted hair out of her eyes.

"I'm so sorry, Angel. I didn't think…" He didn't finish and just held her tighter, once again constricting her breath.

"You," Tina began and pulled at the oxygen mask covering her face to speak. "You didn't know. I didn't know."

"How are you feeling, Ms. Flores?" A woman's kind voice drew her attention away from Damian. Tina blinked in her direction to clear her vision and took in the pretty young doctor. She had beautiful golden skin, shiny ebony hair pulled into a practical ponytail, and hazel eyes. She looked too young to be a doctor, but Tina knew better than to judge a book by its cover.

"I'm Doctor Patel. Do you feel well enough to walk and move to the waiting room? I'm afraid we've exceeded the recommended capacity in here," the physician stated while she gently removed the mask from Tina's head and handed it over to the nurse.

"I got her," Damian offered, moving Tina's arms to grip his neck. He showed off his physical attributes as he went from sitting with her on his lap to standing with her still in his arms with relative ease. All she could do was gape at him in wonder. How the hell did he do that? She wasn't exactly light.

"Close your mouth sweetheart, you might catch a fly," he teased and walked with ease back to the waiting room. They argued briefly when he made the move to sit with her still on his lap. Reluctantly, he put her in the seat next to him and held her uninjured hand.

A nurse handed her a warm rag to wipe her tear-stricken face. Tina could only imagine what she looked like now.

The kind doctor smiled and took the vacant seat beside Tina. "May I?" She asked, placing her stethoscope in her ears and holding the chest piece in Tina's direction. With Damian's help, Tina slid out of his leather jacket. She fought the urge to squirm as Eltra, the nurse, and Damian quietly watched the doctor do her thing.

"Everything sounds fine," Dr. Patel informed after listening to her from the front and the back. "Mr. Bird and Mr. Duris filled me in on your fiancé's accident. I'm sorry for your loss." To the doctor's credit, she really did look sorry. Tina felt the lump in her throat return and all she could do was nod. "Do you often have these kinds of attacks?"

Tina shook her head. "It's been several years since I had one like this. I think seeing Cedric in his condition triggered some painful memories," she admitted and glanced nervously at Damian. This wasn't at all what he signed up for when he asked her to be his girlfriend. As if reading her mind, he interlaced their fingers and squeezed. He gave her a silent look that she interpreted as you're not getting rid of me."

"Are you taking any medication for it?"

Tina shook her head again. "I'm a recovering addict. I-I see a therapist once a week."

"Good. That's very good to hear," Dr. Patel smiled proudly. Tina couldn't help returning her smile. This doctor was going to go far in her career if she kept up this level of high-quality bedside manner.

"I don't think there's anything more I can do for you unless…"

"Unless what, doc?" Damian asked curiously.

"Unless you want to try again," Dr. Patel suggested, looking directly at Tina. "I can be right outside if you need me."

Tina gnawed on her bottom lip contemplating the doctor's suggestion. She knew she needed to do this, but she wasn't sure if she was mentally strong enough to do it alone.

"Will you come with me?" Her voice sounded feeble to her ears as she asked Damian to accompany her into the room.

"I'll be right by your side, Angel," Damian promised and kissed her temple.

"Is it okay, Mr. Duris," Tina asked turning her head to face Eltra.

"Anything for you, my dear," Eltra declared, coming to kneel before Tina. "I'm so sorry for putting you through all this."

"It's not your fault, Mr. Duris, nor is it his," Tina assured him. "I knew that last night, but I was still awful to him."

Eltra shook his head vigorously, "you're far from awful." She gave him a small smile. Not knowing what else to say, she took a deep breath and steeled her resolved.

"I think I would like to go see him now," Tina announced with a strong voice. Eltra stood and stepped out of her way.

With Damian close behind her and Eltra and the doctor watching through the glass in the prep room, Tina managed to stand by Cedric's bed. She stared at his face, unable to believe that this was the same man she had seen last night. The parts of his face free of gauze were swollen, bruised, and cut. Tina could barely look at him as tears stung her eyes. She stood there for several minutes without speaking and watched the myriad of machines monitor his vitals. Tina didn't even think twice about laying her palm on his body. Relief flooded her instantly the moment she felt the rise and fall of his chest, confirming that he was going to live. Satisfied, she left the room and promised Eltra to visit again when he awoke.

AN: Hiya everyone, thanks for sticking with me. I'll admit it took me way too long to be satisfied with Tina's part. I lost count of how many times I tweaked it. I apologize for the lack of RenKyo in this chapter and promise to bring them back in the next one. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it!

Thank you for always reading and for the reviews of the last chapter. I LOVE you all!

Until next time, ja ne! ^_^