Castle Vitale

Part 12: Hospital Visit

I wasn't crazy about tests in school, and I sure don't like medical ones in a clinic...or hospital...or facility...or what the hell ever. But twenty four hours had gone by. I had another twenty four to go.

I decided I didn't want to see Drake until the tests were over and done. I heard his voice outside my door, deepening and becoming more clipped every time Darius or Nurse Josie turned him away. The first eight hours he came by every hour. The second eight hours Josie asked if I'd changed my mind every hour. The last eight hours, not a word or a peep, but I was asleep.

I had just started wondering where Charlotte was and she came.

"I was wondering when you'd call," Charlotte smiled gently, entering the room. "Got my old room I see--"

"Charlotte!" I cried softly, reaching out to her. She rushed into my arms, and held me close. She kissed my hair. "All the tests have been run for the most part, it's all about observation now. Home stretch."

"Thank God!" I said dramatically, then raised an eyebrow at her. "What is this-this glow about you?"

"What?" she smiled.

"I could have sworn I've seen it before," I giggled. "about a certain doctor?"

She rolled her eyes. "Okay, okay, yeah."

"Really?" When she nodded yes, I took her hand and squeezed it. "I'm so happy for you! He is very sweet, very caring."

"It's in his nature, he's a doctor."

"But he feels more than that for you," I told her. "I touched his watch."

"What?"

"Well, yes, he is in your room more than you are in his."

She laughed softly, "Yeah, it is kind of like that. He has so much stuff in my room--games, files that we discuss, cards-did you know he had a deluxe power strip put in so we can run all our tech? I'm starting to wonder if he has anything left in there."

"Me too." I teased.

"Let's get to the situation at hand," Charlotte gave a mischievous look. "How long are you going to keep that poor man in the doghouse?"

"What?!" I burst out laughing. "I thought you didn't like him."

"I don't," she shrugged. "But he's pitiful out there."

I froze. "Pitiful out where?"

"He's been in the hall for the last sixteen hours, sitting in a chair," she told me. "He's shielding himself from you, isn't he?"

"He didn't go to sleep?" I asked. No, I won't feel guilty, I won't.

"He says he wants to stay close if you need him."

I sighed. "Why? I'm here, aren't I?"

"Truthfully?" she gave my hand a squeeze. "I think he needs be near you but won't admit it." 

I watched Charlotte's eyes take on a faraway look. "What is it?"

"Darius has no problem admitting how he feels," she shrugged. "Drake acts as if he would die before he did something like that, but Darius said that he had a wife who died and that he was never the same."

"What was she like?"

"I don't know, and Darius doesn't either," she sighed. "But she must have been special."

Just then, Darius entered the room. "Hello, you two!"

"Good morning Darius!" I smiled.

"Hi," Charlotte greeted. She looked breathless, like she would swoon. He put an arm around her and kissed her temple. I sat there, trying to hide my amazement. Charlotte was a warrior, a fighter, until him. I wondered if he knew that.