This Is Me

Part 63

Mark got to his feet, pacing along the cell bars as he waited to see Sean's routine on the TV. There was something wrong. They were showing medical crews leaving the locker room and people were all talking in Russian about it. Mark stopped to grab the bars, his grip tightening with worry. He should be there! Had Quintin woken up? Had he gotten to Sean? Mark glanced up at the TV praying that he wouldn't see them carry Sean out. It was times like this were he wished he could at least understand all languages. Leaning his head on the bar, he watched the judges give their say on the matter. A woman slowly stepped into the cell block in a fancy suit with a briefcase, asking him in a thick accent. "Mr. Fischbach? I am Sora. I'll be working on your case to dispute-" Mark raised a hand politely to stop her, then pointed to the TV as he cut in desperately. "Sora, was it? Can you translate that?" Sora brushed her braided hair off her shoulder, saying uneasily. "Why? Shouldn't we be using this time to discuss-"

Mark shook his head, pleading with her. "Please? My husband is supposed to be skating... but they showed medical crews and... Please? I'm begging you!" Sora set her briefcase down on the desk, her eyes going to the screen to watch. Mark shifted from foot to foot, waiting anxiously. She was showing no emotion and it was killing him. After a minute, Sora finally told him in a light tone of voice. "They are talking about an incident in the mens locker room. Which has caused a slight delay in the next skater's performance." Mark sank to his knees, clutching the bars in a death grip as he shakily asked her without looking at her. "Is he ok...? Are they saying what happened?" Sora didn't answer for a few more minutes, then told him in a tender voice. "They are saying he had a mild asthma attack that was possibly triggered by the pressure of competing. They say he'll be ok." Mark sat himself down on the cold floor with his back to the bars. Lowering his face into his hands, he muttered to himself guiltily. "This is my fault... I should have been there. He... I knew..."

Sora moved closer to him, telling him hopefully. "Mr. Fischbach, I know this is a bad time. But we need to get this sorted out. I need your statement so that I can help fight your case. The sooner we get this done. The sooner you might be able to see him." Mark looked her in the eyes, mumbling out a bit numbly. "This is the biggest skate of his life... and I'm missing it because some dick pressed charges? This is what he wanted... He knew Sean couldn't do this without me. The pressure is breaking him. And I'm stuck here... Helpless." Sora reached through the bars to tap his shoulder, asking him curiously. "Is that him?" Mark glanced over his shoulder to see the TV. Sean was exiting the tunnel and heading to the rink. Mark scrambled to his feet, clutching the bars to watch him. He watched Nate and Stacy motivate Sean before he pushed from the wall to head for the center. Mark's heart leapt with worry. Sean looked a bit paler than usual... but damn if he didn't look good. The gold glitter on his outfit sparkled in the lighting and his beautiful blue eyes were so bright against his black eye shadow.

Mark clung to the bars, whispering to himself. "Come on, Sean. I'm right there with you." Sean started into his routine and Mark found it hard to breathe. He was afraid to breathe. He desperately wanted Sean to just complete the routine without injury. It's all he wanted. Sean's routine sped up and Mark's hands clung to the bars like they were a lifeline. Sean was adding so many jumps to this routine that they weren't just making him so nervous, he felt like he was going to be sick. How did Sean plan to have any energy left for his Harley routine? The bigger the jumps got; the more Mark needed the bars for support. Slowly a warm smile spread over his face. When the camera panned on Sean's face, he could tell... Sean was having fun. Mark relaxed, releasing the bars to say warmly to himself. "Show off." Sora chuckled softly to herself, interjecting coolly. "He's pretty good. It's like watching a leaping Leprechaun." Mark snorted, chuckling out without tearing his eyes off Sean. "Ya. He's special."

Sora cleared her throat, reluctantly telling Mark. "Mr. Fischbach? I hate to keep bringing it up, but we only have a few minutes to get your story together. I can't dispute the charges if I don't understand why you did what you did." Mark watched Sean finish up his routine, then turned to face Sora to say confidently. "Where do you want me to begin?" Back in the rink, Sean stepped into the Kiss & Cry. It was a weird feeling to sit down without his coach. Hugging the Septic Sam to his chest, he anxiously waited to see his scores. Although, he wasn't as concerned for his scores as much as he was worried about how Mark was fairing. Glancing at the empty seat next to him, Sean hugged the plushie tighter. For years, this was all he had dreamed about. He was here in the finals. Awaiting the scores and the cheers. He imagined that he'd be overwhelmed with excitement and would burst into tears. Yet, sitting here. He couldn't help wanting to be somewhere else. Staring down at his ring, he smiled.