Daughter of the Deadman III
Chapter 7: The Turmoil
It was about four hours later and everyone was still in Taker's room. Wyatt sat on Adam's lap, looking worried. Kristy sat on the other side of the bed with her knees pulled up to her chest and her head resting on them. Judging by the way she was shaking, she was sobbing. Lea still refused to leave Taker's side because she was so afraid of something else happening, so she was lying next to him, trying to sleep, but not having any luck.
Taker laid awake staring at the door. He was waiting for two things, the Harts to stampede through the door or for the doctor to come back and give him some sort of news on Angel's condition. It had been four hours and they had heard nothing.
Just then, Kane came in followed by Bret, Owen, and David. Owen didn't say anything. He just walked over to Kristy and pulled her to her feet. He hugged her. Bret and David looked at each other and then looked at Taker.
"What happened?" Bret asked.
"How is she?" David asked at the same time.
"We were hit by a drunk driver coming back from dinner. And I don't know. It's been four hours." Taker said.
"What do you mean you got hit by a drunk driver?" Bret asked.
"Just what I said, Bret. We were on our way home and some drunken idiot ran a red light and hit us! She was thrown from the car and she's been in neurosurgery for the last four damn hours and I haven't heard a damn thing!" Taker snapped.
"Is she going to...die?" David asked.
"She already has! They've already had to bring her back three times!" Taker snapped.
"D, don't ask that again, man. We've already heard it from the doctor and hearing it from Taker isn't going to change it." Adam said.
"What else did the doctor say?" Bret asked.
"It's not looking good for her. She's got numerous cuts and scrapes, both her legs are broken and so is her left arm. She's lost her sight. And right now they're in the process of trying to fix her head injury! Anything else you want to know?" Taker asked, tears rolling down his cheeks again.
"My God..." was all Owen could say.
"She's broken all over. We saw her...she's all bandaged up..." Wyatt told them.
"Shush, Wyatt. It's OK, Bubby." Adam said, pulling his son into a hug.
"Are you telling me you let Lea and Wyatt see her like that?!" Bret asked.
"Of course. And Kristy was the one that let Wyatt see her, not me." Taker said.
"Bret, I know you're upset, but stop. What if something does happen to her now and they hadn't seen her? Besides, it's better for them to cope with the truth then their fear, don't you think?" Kane asked.
"I...well, OK. You've got a point..." Bret said.
"I want to see her." David said.
"You can't! I told you that she's in surgery, David! You'll have to wait!" Taker said.
"STOP IT! Screaming isn't going to help anything." Owen said.
Ang is gone, Uncle Owen and when that happens, we all fall apart. Kristy signed to him.
"How did Mommy know what we were talking about?" Wyatt asked.
"She can read our lips." Bret said.
"Oh." Wyatt said.
Angel isn't gone, Kristy. She's just hurt. The doctors will do what they can for her. Promise. Owen signed.
"At least she's calmed down some." Adam said.
"She was having a panic attack earlier. She couldn't even bring herself to go and see Angel. She waited outside." Kane said.
"But she got a glimpse of her." Adam said.
That was bad enough. She looked...broken. Kristy signed.
"Yeah, I'd say it was a good thing she didn't see her fully." Bret said.
Kristy, I know you don't want to, but you need to put your hearing aids back in, sweetheart. Owen signed.
No! Kristy signed, tearing up all over again.
"Even if she did put them back in, they might not work. After the doctor came in to tell us how Angel was, she pulled them out and threw them at the wall." Taker said.
"Let's leave them out, Owen. It could be better...in case..." Bret said.
Taker just glared at him, telling him not to finish his sentence. Just then, the doctor came in. He seemed shocked to find more people there than before. He didn't even get a chance to speak before David and Bret jumped all over him, asking about Angel's condition and if she would be alright. Taker rolled his eyes at them as he listened to the doctor explain to them what had most likely happened to Angel that night. Then he turned to Taker.
"We just finished up. She gave us a bit of a scare when we first started, but she's hanging in there. You have one tough girl, Mr. Calaway." the doctor said.
"I want to see her." David said.
"I'm sorry, young man, but you're going to have to wait. She'll be in the recovery area overnight and we'll move her to Intensive Care tomorrow. You can see her then." the doctor said.
"You can't make me wait till then!" David snapped.
"D-D-David, s-stop I-it." Kristy stuttered.
"Krissy?" David asked his sister.
"S-She's a-alive...a-and t-that's...a-all t-that m-matters." Kristy said slowly
"I don't care! I just want to see her and if you don't let me..." David started.
"DAVID, THAT'S ENOUGH!" Bret shouted.
"Come on, D. Let's go for a walk. You need to blow off steam and so do I." Adam said, grasping David on the shoulder.
"I am not going anywhere until I see her." David snapped.
"David, seriously. That's enough. We're all worried about her. And if anyone should be yelling and screaming that he wants to see Angel it should be Taker not you. We've already waited most of the night, a few more hours won't kill us. Now, go with Adam. Get away from here for a few minutes." Owen said.
David sighed. Owen was right. Taker had more right than he did to throw a fit and scream that he wanted to see Angel and he wasn't complaining. He walked out of the room with Adam. Wyatt stood up and walked over to his Mom. He hugged her. He was really worried about her.
"Owen, is there anything that we can do that will make Mommy better?" he asked.
"Honestly, my Mini Me, I don't know. Right now it's a waiting game." Owen said.
"The...only thing that's going...to make me feel better...is Ang waking up." Kristy said slowly.
"Mommy! You talked." Wyatt said.
"And she didn't stutter..." Bret said.
"Kristy...how...?" Taker asked.
"If I talk...slower...I don't...stutter. I...just have to stop...and say every word...in my head...before I say it out loud..." Kristy said, just as slow as the first time.
"How did you figure that out?" Kane asked.
"I...don't know..." Kristy said.
"Kane, don't question it. It works, that's all that matters." Owen said.
"True." Kane said.
Just then, there was a knock on the door. Taker looked up and saw Dean and Liam standing there. They both looked exhausted. Taker was sure that they had just gotten off work. He also got the feeling that something else was bothering them both.
"Mark, I've got to say you're looking better then you were a few hours ago." Dean said.
"What do you mean?" Bret asked.
"They...were there...tonight." Taker said, a look of realization crossing his face.
"What?!" Bret said.
"Dean's a firefighter and Liam is a paramedic. Remember?" Taker asked.
"Oh, my God." Owen said.
"What...happened...to Angel...you two?" Kristy asked, trying not to cry again.
"Kristy...she was thrown from the car. Luckily, she didn't land too far away from where we found the car. They were hit by a semi pick up." Liam said.
"Was it...there?" Kristy asked.
"No. But we could tell by the damage. Whoever was driving that pick up is most likely wandering around hurt right now." Dean said.
"Whoever they are, they had better hope that Adam and David don't find them or they're not going to be living much longer." Taker said.
Dean and Liam nodded. Liam reached into his pocket and pulled something out. Whatever it was, it was shiny. He walked over and put whatever it was in Taker's hands. Everyone watched as Taker teared up.
"Uncle...Taker?" Kristy asked.
"Angel's jewelry. Her necklace...her bracelet with the locket on it...and the promise ring David gave her..." he whispered, staring down at his hands.
"Papa Taker, can I see the bracelet?" Wyatt asked.
Taker nodded. Wyatt climbed up on the chair next to the bed and looked curiously at the things in Taker's hands. He separated the bracelet from the rest of it and opened the locket.
"Oh! Who are they?" Wyatt asked, looking at the pictures.
"Well, this is Nana Beth. And the other lady is Amber. She took care of your Aunt Angel when Nana Beth gave her up. I gave this to Aunt Angel after she won her first match on a pay-per-view." Taker said.
"Nana Beth is pretty in this picture and Ms. Amber looks nice." Wyatt said.
"Amber was very nice. And she loved Angel very much." Taker said.
"Papa Taker, what's that?" Wyatt asked, pointing to the necklace.
"That's Nana Beth's wedding ring. I gave it to her when I married her a long time ago before your Aunt Angel was even born. Nana Beth's Mommy sent it to Aunt Angel when she was little, but she didn't know who we were and told Amber to get rid of it. Amber didn't. She kept it and Aunt Angel found it later, after Amber died. She always wears it." Taker said.
"Except when she's in the ring." Bret said.
"Well, you can't wear jewelry, now can you Bret?" Owen asked.
"No. Technically you're not supposed to." Bret said.
"But Owen always wears his wedding ring." Kane said.
"Hey! I put tape over it!" Owen said.
"It doesn't stop it from hurting like hell when you punch with that hand." Bret said, making everyone else laugh for the first time.
"And what about Aunt Angel's ring? What's a promise ring?" Wyatt said.
"Your Uncle David gave that to Angel and basically it means that he wants to marry her someday." Taker said.
"Is that why he's so upset right now because he really loves Aunt Angel a lot?" Wyatt asked.
"That's why, Mini Me." Owen said.
"Dean...Liam...can you tell me...was she awake...at all?" Kristy asked, kind of dreading the answer.
"No. She was completely out of it." Dean said.
"Good. That means she didn't feel any pain." Bret said.
"I wish I could remember exactly what it was that happened. I was talking and laughing with them...and then Angel yelled at me to watch out. She must have seen the car coming. Then the next thing I knew, I heard Lea screaming at me that Angel was gone. When I looked over, all I saw was a broken seat belt. I didn't even remember the two of you being there until you showed up here looking like you've been through hell." Taker said.
"You were hit head on, Mark. The lights were so bright, I'm not surprised you didn't see it at first." Dean said.
"It's my fault. I never should have taken them out tonight. Now, Angel is near death and Lea is so scared she doesn't want to leave me." Taker said.
Don't say that, Uncle Taker! You didn't know! Kristy signed, glaring at him.
"Kristy calm down or you'll start stuttering when you talk out loud." Owen said.
Kristy sighed, but she nodded. Taker told her to come over and stand beside him. He picked up Angel's necklace and put it in her hand and closed her fist around it. Kristy started to cry. Taker hugged her.
"You hold onto that until Angel comes back, alright?" he said.
"But..." Kristy said through her tears.
"Listen to me, Little Krissy. I want you to hold onto that because I know you'll keep it safe for her." Taker said.
"O-OK..." Kristy said, breaking down completely.
Just then, Adam and David came back in. They looked angry about something. Adam looked from Kristy to Taker and back again as if to ask what was wrong. Taker looked at Kristy and pointed to Adam. Kristy turned around and opened her fist, showing Adam the necklace. David walked over to the bed. Taker handed over the promise ring. Taker looked at Wyatt.
"Hold out your hand, Little Man." he said.
Wyatt nodded. He held out his hand and Taker put the bracelet in it and closed his fist around it. Wyatt looked down at his hand and then up at Taker. Then he flung his arms around Taker's neck with a smile.
"You have a very important job, OK? You have to keep that safe until your Aunt Angel wakes up. Can you do that for me?" Taker asked.
"I'll do the best job I can, Papa Taker. Then when Aunt Angel wakes up I can tell her all about it and she'll be proud of me!" Wyatt said.
"OK." Taker said.
"By the way, how is she holding up?" Liam asked.
"Not so well. She's...already died three times. She got out of surgery a bit ago and she's in the recovery area. No one will be able to see her till tomorrow." Taker said.
"Oh, my God." Liam said.
"No..." Dean said, shocked.
"By the way, David, Adam what's got you two so angry? I noticed it when you came in." Taker said.
"They just brought someone in. We overheard it. She was telling the nurses she had been in an accident and she had seen one of the people thrown from the car. She...kept apologizing and asking the nurses to say sorry to the girl's father..." David said.
"She said she drove off because she didn't want to get in trouble." Adam said.
"WHAT?!" Bret asked.
"Krissy, did you catch all that?" Owen asked.
I'll be right back. Kristy signed.
"Adam, go with her. Keep her calm and don't let her attack the poor woman here where there are police and security around." Bret said.
"OK. Lord knows, she's going to be plenty angry." Adam said.
"That's Bret's temper." Taker, Dean, Liam and Kane said in Unison.
"Hey! I'm right here you know." Bret said.
Everyone laughed. Kristy and Adam left the room. Out in the hall, Kristy asked for her hearing aids back. She was going to need them if she was going to be yelling and if she wanted to get her point across fast enough. She put them back in and all of a sudden, she could hear everything. She sighed in relief. They still worked. The two of them headed to the receptionist area and asked for the patient who had just been brought in, claiming to have been in a car accident earlier. The nurse pointed them in the right direction.
Kristy and Adam walked into the room, Kristy gasped. It was Alexia or Lexie, the exact same person who had hurt her Aunt Beth over twenty years ago. Kristy fought back the urge to jump on her and start beating the hell out of her.
"You...you...I don't believe this! Killing Bethany Calaway wasn't enough for you?! You had to come back and try and take out the rest of her family?!" Kristy snapped.
"Kristy...is she...?" Adam asked.
"She's the one who took Aunt Beth from Uncle Taker! And now she's done the same thing to Angel! Do you have a deal with someone that every time my Uncle Taker is happy you have to come along and ruin it?! HOW THE FUCK COULD YOU DO THAT TO HIM AGAIN?! HM?!" Kristy asked.
"I...don't remember the accident. I just remember...a lot of noise...and I saw the girl. I got scared and took off. I didn't even realize I was hurt until about an hour ago. I swear...I didn't mean to hurt him or his family. I really didn't." Lexie said.
"That girl you saw being ejected from that car has a name! Her name is Angel Calaway. You've met her before. At the Cemetery Remember? You know who she is! And because of you she's lying in the post-op area of this hospital having just gone through neurosurgery. She's fighting to stay alive!" Kristy snapped.
"Look, I don't know who you are, but I swear that I didn't mean to hurt them." Lexie said.
"I'M HER BEST FRIEND. HER TWIN SISTER, YOU BITCH! I DON'T CARE IF YOU MEANT TO HURT THEM OR NOT! THIS TIME YOU'RE NOT WALKING AWAY FROM THIS, I SWEAR TO YOU! THIS TIME YOUR SORRY, GOOD FOR NOTHING ASS IS GOING TO ROT IN JAIL WHERE IT SHOULD BE! I'M GOING TO TELL THE COPS WHAT YOU DID TO AUNT BETH AND WHEN THEY FIND OUT YOU WALKED THE FIRST TIME, YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY AGAIN!" Kristy screamed.
"That was twenty years ago! You can't charge me for that." Lexie said.
"It was twenty-two years ago this past September and you can be charged for that because it's considered murder and there's no statute of limitations on murder!" Adam snapped.
"AND I AM GOING TO GO THROUGH AND LOOK UP EVERY ACCIDENT YOU HAVE BEEN IN EVER SINCE AUNT BETH'S AND SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS BEEN HURT BY YOU AND IF WE CAN, YOU'LL PAY FOR THOSE TOO! THERE IS NO WAY IN HELL WE'RE LETTING YOU GET AWAY THIS TIME!" Kristy screamed.
"Please...look...I didn't mean for anyone to get hurt." Lexie said.
"DON'T HAND ME THAT CRAP! WHEN YOU MET ANGEL AT THE CEMETERY AND GAVE HER ANSWERS, SHE COULD HAVE PUMMELED YOU INTO THE GROUND WITH ONE HAND TIED BEHIND HER BACK FOR WHAT YOU TOOK FROM HER, BUT SHE DECIDED TO SHOW YOU MERCY AND LET YOU GET AWAY WITHOUT BEING HURT AND THIS IS HOW YOU PAY HER BACK FOR THAT?! YOU WAIT FIVE FUCKING YEARS AND THEN DO THIS TO HER?!" Kristy screamed.
"Be glad I'm standing right next to her right now because if I wasn't, she would jump all over you and pummel you herself and believe me, she's itching to. And you'd wind up in worse pain then you're in right now." Adam snapped.
"OH, AND I SHOULD MENTION THE SEVEN YEAR OLD GIRL WHO'S SO AFRAID OF SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENING THAT SHE WON'T LEAVE MY UNCLE TAKER'S SIDE! AND THE SIX YEAR OLD BOY WHO IS TERRIFIED OF LOSING HIS GODMOTHER!" Kristy yelled.
"Please...you've got to believe me. I didn't plan this. And I wasn't asked this time either...it just...I made a dumb choice and...it just happened...and I'm sorry." Lexie said.
"Dumb?! You call killing a woman and then years later hurting her family dumb?! YOU KNOW WHAT'S DUMB?! WHAT'S DUMB IS THE FACT THAT MY MOTHER HAD TO RAISE ME ALONE BECAUSE MY FATHER—IF I CAN EVEN CALL HIM THAT—WALKED OUT ON HER BEFORE I WAS EVEN BORN! BUT YOU? YOU GET DRUNK AND KILL A WOMAN AND THEN YEARS LATER YOU GET DRUNK AND HURT THAT WOMAN'S FAMILY! YOU LEAVE HER OLDEST DAUGHTER HANGING BY A THREAD, HER HUSBAND SO BANGED UP THAT HE DOESN'T EVEN REMEMBER WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED AND HER YOUNGEST DAUGHTER SO SCARED THAT SHE DOESN'T WANT TO LEAVE DADDY! IT'S PEOPLE THAT YOU THAT MAKE ME THANK WHATEVER OR WHOEVER RULES THIS WORLD THAT PROTECTING MY GIRLFRIEND AND SON IS MORE IMPORTANT TO ME OTHERWISE I WOULD TAKE MY BARE HANDS AND KILL YOU!" Adam screamed.
"AND ALL THE APOLOGIZING IN THE WORLD ISN'T GOING TO MAKE ANGEL ALL BETTER OVERNIGHT! IT'S NOT GOING TO MAKE MY SON OR HER SISTER FEEL ANY BETTER AND IT'S NOT GOING TO MAKE EVERYONE THAT YOU'VE HURT WITH YOUR ACTIONS OVER THE LAST FEW HOURS FEEL ANY BETTER EITHER, SO YOU CAN SAVE THE APOLOGIZING FOR SOMEONE WHO WILL LISTEN TO IT!" Kristy shouted.
"Come on, Kristy. Let's go back and tell everyone. We'll let them come and have their time. We've said what we needed to." Adam said.
Kristy nodded. They walked back down the hall. Kristy wondered how her Uncle Taker was going to feel knowing that the same person who killed his wife was responsible for this too. When they got back to the room, Kristy noticed that Taker, David, Lea and Kane weren't there anymore. What's more was that Wyatt, Bret, and Owen were crying, obviously upset.
"What's going on?" Adam asked.
"The doctor was just here. Angel's having complications. Kristy...I know you don't want to hear this...but the doctor thinks they're going to lose her..." Bret said.
"No! No! No! NO! NO! Adam, you have to do it! You have to kill her! Please!" Kristy said.
"Kristy, killing her is not going to do anyone any good. And I thought you wanted her to rot..." Adam said.
"SHE KILLED AUNT BETH AND SHE MORE THEN LIKELY KILLED ANGEL, SO WHY IN THE...CAN'T YOU KILL HER TOO?!" Kristy asked.
"Kristy, it's alright. No one is going to kill anyone. I know this isn't going to be easy for you, but you need to go and be with your best friend." Owen said.
"I can't! I can't see her that way! I caught a glimpse of her earlier and it was worse than all the times Jason hurt her combined. I can't do it!" Kristy said.
"Mommy...please...maybe if Aunt Angel knows you want her to get better too, she won't leave us." Wyatt said.
"I can't, baby. I can't. I'm sorry." Kristy said.
"Kristine Lesley Hart-Smith, I can't believe you're doing this! Angel needs you now more than ever and you're turning your back on her!" Bret snapped.
"LEAVE HER ALONE, BRET! DO YOU WANT TO KNOW WHO IT IS EXACTLY IT IS THAT SHE WANTS ME TO KILL?! IT'S THE SAME WOMAN WHO KILLED BETH AND COULD QUITE POSSIBLY DO THE SAME TO ANGEL! AND YOU HAVE THE NERVE TO STAND THERE AND TELL HER THAT SHE'S TURNING HER BACK ON HER BEST FRIEND! SHE ALMOST TOOK OUT HER DAMN KILLER!" Adam yelled, his eyes blazing with that familiar look.
"Daddy has that look, Uncle Owen!" Wyatt whispered.
"I know, Mini Me, I know." Owen said.
"KRISTY NEEDS TO GO AND SEE ANGEL! IF THINGS WERE REVERSED, ANGEL WOULD BE SITTING THERE WITH KRISTY TALKING TO HER AND BEGGING HER NOT TO LEAVE!" Bret shouted.
"Bret Hart, if you don't stop screaming at everyone, I'm going to haunt you till the day you die." Beth's voice said.
Everyone looked around. Beth appeared right in between Bret and Kristy. None of them had ever seen her look so angry as she was at this moment. It really reminded everyone of both Angel and Taker. After she had glared at Bret for a minute, she turned and looked at Kristy, kneeling down so she wasn't looking down at her.
"Aunt Beth...please don't take her away yet...I wish I could go and talk to her...but..." Kristy said, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Shush. Don't cry. She understands." Beth said.
"I just..." Kristy said.
"Beth...I..." Bret said.
"Don't you even open your mouth right now, Bret Hart. If you saw what I just did, you'd be over here hugging your niece and trying to be an Uncle rather than standing there, yelling at her like she's a child or something!" Beth snapped.
"Nana Beth...are you taking Aunt Angel away?" Wyatt asked, voicing the question on everyone's mind.
"No, my sweet little Warrior, I'm not taking Angel away from any of you." Beth said, holding out her hand to Wyatt.
"Look what Papa Taker gave me. He gave me Aunt Angel's special bracelet and said I have to take care of it for her." Wyatt said, taking Beth's hand and showing her the bracelet with his free one.
"Oh, wow." Beth said.
"He said it's an important job! I'm gonna do my best so that Aunt Angel will be proud of me when she wakes up! But I am kinda wondering why he didn't give it to Lea to look after..." Wyatt said.
"Maybe because Papa Taker knew you'd take good care of it for her, Bubby." Adam said.
"Nana Beth...if Aunt Angel is really hurt...can she come and see us? Like you are...?" Wyatt asked.
"No. But she can see everything that's happening right now. She's watching. She knows how upset everyone is and she knows that Lea, David, Mark, and Kane are with her right now. And...she saw what just happened between you and that woman, Kristy." Beth said.
"What are you talking about?" Bret asked.
"Honestly, Bret. If you couldn't hear all that screaming from down the hall, you're as old as Dad." Owen said.
"Alexia...the same woman that killed Beth...she caused all this." Adam said.
"WHAT?!" Bret said.
"I somehow managed to fight back the urge to pummel her to death, but I did give her a headache. I think..." Kristy said.
"So...the same person who took Beth from Taker tried to basically finish what she started?!" Bret asked.
"Yeah. And boy did Kristy and Adam give her an earful." Beth said.
"Kristy gave her an earful more than I did. I think Kristy scared her more than anything and as far as a headache goes...well, she could be—and sorry about this Kristy—she could very well be deaf after all the screaming Kristy did." Adam said.
"Aunt Beth...when you said Angel understood...did you mean that she understands why I don't want to see her right now?" Kristy asked.
"Exactly, Kristy. She knows how hard it is for you." Beth said.
"Does she know that Mommy wants her to get better too?" Wyatt asked.
"Of course." Beth said.
Just then, David, Kane and Lea came back in. They looked exhausted, but they weren't upset. Kristy asked if Angel was alright and Kane said that although she had stabilized somewhat, she was still having a hard time.
"Daddy wanted to be alone with her, so we left." Lea said.
"So, what happened with that woman?" David asked.
Beth quickly explained what had happened and how Kristy and Adam had yelled at her and vowed that she wasn't getting away this time. Kristy also added that she was going to go on a hunt to see if Lexie had been in any other accidents and if they could get her for those, they would. Kane said it was a good idea and he'd help if it meant getting the woman who had hurt his brother in more ways than one off the street.
"How is Papa Taker?" Wyatt asked.
"He's not doing so well. I've never seen him this way. He's so...emotional right now. He was adamant about staying with her so she wouldn't be alone." Kane said.
"He is human, you know." Kristy said.
"And after all the time he spent searching for her and all the time they've spent together over the last five years, he doesn't want to say goodbye to her. He's not ready to let her go." Beth said.
"And...Ang doesn't want to go." Kristy said.
"That's not entirely true, Kristy. Part of her does want to go. Part of her wants to be with me. Granted, it's not a huge part of her, but it's still there." Beth said.
"She's not going anywhere!" Kristy snapped.
"There it is." Bret said.
"Hush up, Bret." Owen said.
"I think Mommy is right. Aunt Angel is strong. She won't just give up. She'll keep fighting. Besides, she knows that we're all here for her too." Wyatt said.
Everyone agreed. Just then, Taker came in. He looked exhausted and he looked like he'd been crying. He carefully climbed back into bed. Kane laid Lea in beside him. The little girl was still too scared to leave him unless she had to. Kristy sighed and decided to just tell him what she had found out. That the same woman who had killed Beth had caused all this. As Kristy told the story, Taker's face changed from shock to anger, but when she got to the part about how both her and Adam had yelled at her and Kristy had said they were going to get her, Taker couldn't help but smile.
"Papa Taker, is Aunt Angel still having a bad time?" Wyatt asked.
"Yes, Little Man, she is." Taker said.
"What happened, Papa Taker? How come she all of a sudden got sicker?" Wyatt asked, looking upset.
"This isn't easy to say, Wyatt." Taker said.
"I know...but I wanna know what happened." Wyatt said.
"You should just tell him, Uncle Taker. I know how he is. He'll sit here and imagine what it was that happened. It's better for him and Lea and the rest of us to cope with the truth..." Kristy whispered.
"My Little Wyatt...Aunt Angel...is in a coma." Taker said.
Everyone froze. They all looked shocked. Lea started to cry again. Wyatt did too. Kane and Kristy both had tears rolling down their faces. Bret punched the nearby wall out of anger. Even Owen looked upset by the news.
"Papa Taker...what's a coma? What does that mean?" Wyatt asked.
"Daddy says it happens sometimes when people get hit on the head or something. It's a really deep sleep and you don't wake up for a while. And...some people don't wake up at all." Lea explained to her friend.
"Is it like Sleeping Beauty?" Wyatt asked.
"Sort of. Only David kissing Angel isn't going to wake her up. She's too hurt." Lea said, tears rolling down her face now.
"That's right, Little Wyatt." Taker said.
"Is that going to happen to me when I go to sleep tonight?" Wyatt asked, sounding afraid.
"No, Little Wyatt. It only happened to Aunt Angel because she hit her head really hard on the ground. It doesn't happen just by going to sleep." Taker said.
"Can I see her?" Wyatt asked.
"That's not up to me, Little Wyatt. You'll have to talk to Mommy and Daddy about that." Taker said.
Wyatt looked at his parents with a hopeful expression. Kristy and Adam looked at each other. They weren't sure what to do. They wanted to let Wyatt see her in case she didn't make it. That way he would at least know what had happened and that she wasn't suddenly just gone. On the other hand, they didn't want Wyatt to have to remember her that way if she did leave.
"I don't know..." Kristy said.
"But Mommy!" Wyatt said.
"It's not that we don't want you to see her, Bubby. It's just...we don't want this to be your last memory of Angel if she decides to leave us." Adam said.
"Why don't I take him with me?" Bret said.
"Please Mommy?" Wyatt asked.
Adam and Kristy seemed to stare at each other for a long time. Finally, they both nodded. Wyatt could see her if he really needed to.
"Alright, Bubby, you can go with Uncle Bret and Uncle Owen to go and see Aunt Angel. But don't be gone for too long, OK?" Adam said.
Wyatt beamed and hugged both his parents. Then he left with Bret and Owen. Both brothers were just as worried about how he was going to react as they were about what they would see when they saw Angel. Everyone looked at Kristy. She had taken the news of Angel's condition a little bit too well and they were worried.
"Kristy...are you OK? You took the news...well, you don't seem too upset by it." Taker said.
"I need some air." Kristy said.
She left. Taker and Adam looked at each other with worried expressions. Lea looked worried too. She hated seeing everyone so sad and she was beginning to think Kristy was right. Every time something happened to her big sister, everyone else seemed to fall apart.
"Um...Daddy, do you think we should call Davey so he can be here for Kristy? She seems more upset then the rest of us and I think she needs her Daddy." Lea said.
"Davey is over in Japan, sweetheart. I don't know if he could get away long enough." Adam said.
"But...Kristy needs him!" Lea said.
"Lea, why are you worried about Kristy when you're hurt too?" David asked.
"Because she's like my sister too. Besides, I'll be fine. And...I spent a lot of time watching Angel when I was little...she taught me to not be selfish..." Lea said.
"That explains it." Adam said.
"Kristy is going to be alright, Lea. This is just upsetting for her because she can't really help Angel this time." Taker said.
"Taker, I don't know about her being alright. Kristy is strong, but this is Angel we're talking about here." Adam said.
"Do you have to go into character all the time? You've been retired for six years." Taker said, rolling his eyes.
"You know he's right, big brother. Kristy's strong, but this is different. This is her best friend and sister we're talking about here." Kane said.
"I said she would bealright, not that she's alright at this very moment." Taker said.
"I know, big brother, but this is Kristy we're talking about here." Kane said.
"I know." Kane said.
"Daddy, why hasn't she gone to see Angel? I think she should. It might help if she faces it." Lea said.
"I agree with you, Lea. It probably would help Kristy a bit if she faces it...but the thing is, Kristy doesn't want to see Angel the way she is right now. It's too painful for her." Taker tried to explain.
"Why, Daddy?" Lea said.
"I'm not sure. You'd have to ask Kristy about that." Taker said.
Lea nodded. Just then, Bret, Owen and Wyatt came back. Bret and Owen looked like they had both been crying and Wyatt's face was very pale. Right after that, Kristy came back, something clenched in both of her fists. Taker knew that one thing had to be Angel's necklace. Owen sighed. He walked over and opened Kristy's fist.
"Guys, we have a problem here." Owen said.
"What happened?" Bret asked
"Kristy's hearing aids are broken." Owen said.
"WHAT?!" Bret yelled.
"No use in yelling, Hitman. She can't hear you." Taker said.
Kristy, how did your hearing aids get broken? Owen signed.
I threw them on the ground and stomped on them. Kristy signed.
Kristy! Why would you do that? David signed to his sister.
Because it's my business! Kristy signed, giving her brother a cold glare.
Kristy, come on, sweetheart. Why did you break your hearing aids? Taker signed, looking at Kristy with a worried look.
Like I said, my business. Kristy said.
Kristy, I know why you did it. You broke them because you lost your temper and you couldn't keep your anger in anymore. Right? Owen signed.
Yes. Kristy signed.
And did you happen to think about the fact that you've got no way to communicate with your son without them? Bret signed, glaring at Kristy.
"Bret, don't! Everyone is having a hard time. Don't add to it!" Taker said.
"You leave my Mommy alone, Uncle Bret! She's worried about Aunt Angel. And so what if she can't talk to me? She can read my lips! That's all that matters." Wyatt said.
"Calm down, Mini Me. Your father's temper is showing." Owen said.
"Daddy? Can you ask Kristy why seeing Angel is painful?" Lea asked
Kristy, did you catch that? Taker signed.
Because, LeLe, I've seen her like this before and it's hard seeing her like that. Especially when nothing like this has happened to her in a while. Kristy signed.
"I think I get it." Lea said.
"Um...Papa Taker...what are we going to do? Mommy can read my lips...but I can't talk to her." Wyatt said, bursting into tears.
"We can teach you sign language. Just like we did with Lea." Taker said.
"Actually, we didn't teach it to her. She just...kind of learned it by watching." Owen said.
"Well, I'll teach Wyatt how to do it. That way he can talk to his Mom until she gets her hearing aids fixed." Lea said.
"OK, Lea." Wyatt said.
Kristy, Lea told me something earlier. You don't have to do it, but don't you think it would be a good idea for you to face this and just go and see Angel? If you want, someone can go with you so you won't be by yourself. Taker signed.
I can't...I need air again. It's getting stuffy in here. Kristy signed.
She left the room again. This time Owen followed her and caught up to her before she could get too far. He tapped her on the shoulder and Kristy turned around. Owen hugged her and she started to cry. After a few minutes, she looked up at her favourite Uncle with tears in her eyes.
How come everyone keeps telling me to go and see her? Don't they know that I can't? Kristy signed.
Krissy, I know it's hard to see her like this, but there's something else going on with you. This isn't the hospital back home. This is Houston, not that one. Owen signed.
How did you know? Kristy signed.
Because you get this look in your eyes whenever we talk about hospitals or are anywhere near one. I know you love Matt, sweetheart, but you've got to let go of what happened. None of us knew that would happen. Owen signed.
I know, Uncle Owen. It's just...every time we're in a hospital I remember that. I was only three...and he was a lot like Angel...he cared about me in spite of the deafness and everything. Kristy signed.
I know he did. And I know you miss him a lot, but no one knew he would get so sick, sweetheart. Owen signed.
Every time I see someone in the hospital, I see him and it hurts way too much to have to see someone like that. I...can't be strong this time. Kristy signed.
Kristy, I know it's not easy, sweetheart, but I think Lea is right. You can't keep running away. Owen signed.
Uncle Owen...will...you go with me...? Kristy signed.
Of course. Owen signed.
They walked back the way they had come and headed to the recovery area. Owen had never seen Kristy so afraid before. She was taking deep breaths as she walked, trying to keep herself calm. When they got the recovery area, Kristy stopped outside the door.
Uncle Owen...Kristy signed.
It's OK. Whenever you're ready. Owen signed back.
Kristy nodded. They seemed to wait there forever until Kristy finally opened the door. Owen lead Kristy over to where Angel was laying. He looked down to see Kristy's eyes widen in fear. In a way, Angel had looked worse than when she had caught a glimpse of her. She was still hooked up to a ventilator and blood and fluid were still being pumped into her through IV lines. She seemed to have more bandages then Kristy had seen the first time, but that was probably because they were now on her head from her nose up. Kristy walked forward slowly and took Angel's hand.
Kristy closed her eyes and fought back tears. Owen could tell that she was trying to put on a brave face for his sake, but he also knew that this was killing her.
Kristy, are you alright? Owen signed.
She's...so hurt... Kristy signed.
I know, sweetheart, but she can't feel any pain right now. Try...talking to her. She'll hear you. Owen signed.
"Ang...I...want you to know that I'm here...and that I want you to get better. I...would have been here...before now...but...well, you understand. Just...please...get better...OK? Uncle Taker...Lea...Wyatt...everyone needs you. We're all...falling apart...please come back...I...know that...I had Uncle Taker tell...you this earlier...but don't forget...that I love you...and you're always going to be...my sister." Kristy said.
She let go of Angel's hand and then turned to Owen and signed that she was ready to leave now. Owen nodded. They left and went back to Taker's room. As soon as she saw Taker, she ran to him, bursting into tears and throwing her arms around him.
"Ouch. Easy there, Kristy. What happened?" Taker asked.
"I took her to go and see Angel. She actually went in and held Angel's hand and talked to her. Now, apparently, she needs you." Owen said.
Taker nodded. He didn't say anything to Kristy. He just hugged her and let her cry. Eventually, Kristy fell asleep. Owen picked her up. He laid her on the couch and put his coat over her. Everyone else sat down in chairs. One by one, they all fell asleep. It was just after seven in the morning. It had been a long night.