The Phoenix Club (written as CJ Bishop)

CH 20: "An Ample Offer"

"A R E you mad at Dr. Grant?"

Abel emptied the plastic bag of new magazines and a couple pocket books, stacking them on Savannah's table beside her bed. "Why would you think that?" he met her eyes, and his stomach pinched hard. She was doing her best to be brave, but something had died behind those sea green pools the moment he'd told her how sick she really was.

"The other day, it just seemed like you were ignoring him – on purpose."

"I wasn't ignoring him." Abel murmured and shifted his eyes to the roll-away table. He picked up her plastic water pitcher. "Do you want me to refill this for you?"

"Abel."

He sighed and set the pitcher down. "What?"

Savannah just gazed at him. "He's a good guy, Abel." she said quietly, sincerely.

"I never said he wasn't." His throat hurt as an ache began to squeeze and vein up into his jaw and face. "Why are we even talking about him?"

"Because you like him."

"Savannah..."

"And he likes you." she said. "Really likes you."

Abel ducked his head and rubbed his forehead with his fingertips. "Savannah, please. Just...stop, okay?" He raised his head. "Maybe from your perspective it seems all romantic and such...but this is real life. And if anything, real life has taught me very little good actually happens in people's lives." his face tightened and he looked away. "It isn't going to happen, Savannah. So please...just let it go."

Her hand covered his and squeezed gently. "You don't have to be afraid of him, Abel. He would never hurt you."

"Dammit, Savannah." he choked tightly. "I said just let it go."

"I don't want you to be alone, Abel." she said suddenly, a rush of emotion pushing into her voice. Tears filled her eyes.

He frowned. "What?"

"If...if something happens to me." she whispered, chin trembling. "I don't...want you to be all alone. I don't want you to be afraid to love someone."

He shook his head, vision blurring. "Nothing is going to happen to you. You're going to be fine."

"But what if I'm not?" she cried softly. "I want you to have someone."

"Well I don't!" he choked hard, instantly regretting his harshness. "I don't want anyone else in my life, Savannah. It's you and me...against the world. It always has been. If..." he bit his lips and turned his face away as tears broke loose. "If you ever leave me...I won't waste my time loving someone else...just so this fucking world can take them away, too."

♦ ♦

The boy quickly wiped his eyes and turned away when Devlin entered the room. He smiled warmly at Savannah but couldn't keep his eyes from drifting repeatedly to Abel. The young man's pain wafted off him like heat waves. "Good morning, Savannah."

The girl's eyes were red and damp, but she still managed a soft smile. "Good morning, Dr. Grant."

Abel remained silent, messing with a stack of magazines on the table.

"Good morning, Abel."

The boy nodded but refused to look at him. "'Morning." he mumbled. Savannah looked at her brother, her large eyes sad.

"How do you feel today, Savannah?" Devlin asked softly.

"Not too bad." Her gaze continually jumped to her brother.