My Lolita, Cassandra [RFK/Bobby Kennedy] (Alternate Universe)

Part Eleven

"A Bad Case of Heartbreak"

Robert swiftly pulls the car handbrake and twists the key off the ignition. He waits a moment before glancing over you; the hollow look in your eyes only says one thing: you're scared as hell. "Cassandra, come on," Robert says in an attempt to get your attention. "It sounded bad," You inexpressively say. The man wishes he could respond, but he knows it won't really help. "I know it's bad because I'm his sister... you can just feel this sort of thing." Each time an image of your brother emerges in your head, your breath hitches. "Cassandra..." Robert unbuckles his seatbelt and reaches out to you. "Whatever happened isn't your fault," He whispers, bringing your head to his chest.

The smell of his cologne quells some of your worries, but not completely. "I was supposed to take care of him but I was with you the whole time!" You press the palm of your hands against your face, hiding the tears that are streaming down. Your job wasn't hard; do whatever the hell you want as long as Judd is taken care of... and you failed. You failed the only responsibility you have. What will your father say? "You have to stop assuming the worst." Robert inches closer to your face and plants kisses on your forehead. "Look at me," He tenderly says, but you can't bring yourself to look him in the eye.

"Cassandra, my wife is in there." The tone of his voice shifts; it becomes breathy and shaky like yours. You face Robert, and the kindness you see inside his melancholic eyes begs you to wonder how someone as glorious as him can be so unlucky. "You don't have to come with me." You wipe your tears away, as you regain your composure rather quickly. "I don't see what other choice I have." Robert tucks a stray of your blonde hair behind your ear. "I'm not your daughter, you don't have to protect me." You're not taking offense from the man's words, but you're angry at yourself; it seems unfair that Robert would have to accompany you to the hospital where his wife is dying.

Before you could reach the door handle, Robert snatches your hand away. "I'd die if anything bad happens to you," He says out loud, seriously and dangerously. Your heart skips a couple of beats at once, his infatuation for you has just graduated to obsession. Staring him right in the eye, you mutter, "Don't say things like that, Robert." Unfazed and unshaken, you continue, "You have too much to lose." Robert parts his lips, a small gasp escapes his mouth as if he just had a moment of epiphany. "Keys?" You lend your open palm and the man lies the car key in it. Finally unrestricted to open the door, you leave your car behind, unlocked, so Robert could decide whether to tag along or take a taxi home.

As you're approaching the reception desk, a familiar figure catches your eyes. "Dad?" You tap on the man's shoulder, anxiously hoping it's your father and not some stranger. Immediately, the man turns and sighs in relief. "I'm gonna have to call you back," Your father says into his phone. "Cassandra! Thank God, you're here." He pulls you into a hug after sliding the cellular device down his pocket. "How's Judd? Where is he?" You ask, but your father gives you no answer as his eyes are fixed on something else. "Robert?" He speaks up, a puzzled look visible on his face. You swallow a mouthful of saliva before turning around.

"Hey, Grayson." Robert's voice still has that special effect on you; the chills, the goosebumps, and the skipped heartbeats attacked you all at once. "What are you doing here?" Your old man shifts his eyes towards you, looking extremely judgmental. "Well, I... drove Cassandra here. Couldn't let her drive in the state she was in," Robert answers truthfully, something he hasn't done in a long time. "Oh. Thanks for that." Your father nods as he acknowledges how close you've gotten with Robert—and how you went against his request. "How's your son?" The other man brings up the main concern at the moment. "I don't know, he's in the ER. The doctor's still working on it." You gasp audibly, it's been more than an hour and they haven't finished up yet? Oh, goodness, it's worse than you thought.