Todd Wants Key's Face

Sam: You did? Even after you thought Celine and I... you know...

Sarah: Mhmm. I guess I still love you no matter what. You're stuck with me now. :P

Sam: I couldn't imagine myself being stuck with any other person. :P

Sarah: *grins* Guess this'll work out perfectly. <3 *kisses him*

Sam: *he kisses her back* Mhmm... *he slides his hands under her shirt and rubs her back*

Sarah: Mmmm... *deepens the kiss, moving a hand to the back of his head and combing through his hair*

Sam: *continues to kiss her, feeling very happy, content with where he is at the moment - but then it hits him, and he breaks the kiss* Oh... I'll have to talk to Celine tomorrow. And by talk I mean fire her and throw her in jail for treason.

Sarah: *nods* It's what she deserves, for all she put you through.

Sam: ... Kinda a slap in the face that she was able to do all that crazy shoot without me knowing while also WORKING for me...

Sarah: I wouldn't be surprised if she already had practice... I wonder how many other people she's ruined. >:/

Sam: ... I don't want to think about that... at least she won't be getting away with it. DX

Sarah: Right. Jail is the least she deserves.

Sam: Right... okay... NOW I'm getting kinda sleepy...

Sarah: Let's sleep, then... *nuzzles into his neck again, kissing it* <3

Sam: *he nuzzles back, relaxing completely and smiling when she kisses his neck. He closes his eyes, soon drifting off*

Sarah: *falls asleep there, smiling. She was happy to have him back*

*the next morning*

Sam: *still fast asleep - it seems that he is so used to sleeping that he simply can't get up so early on his own to go to work*

Sarah: *slowly wakes up, and notices that Sam is still there. she glances at the clock on the nightstand, and realizes that he might be late* ...Sam... *lightly nuzzles him* Saaam... you need to get up...

Sam: *sleepily answers her* ...Mnn... bed's too comfy... gravity's too strong...

Sarah: *laughs a little at this, and kisses him, rubbing his back* Come ooon... you have to go to work...

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Sam: Heh, right... let's go then, Sarah. :) *he leaves with her, then drives over to their apartment*

Sarah: *opens the door and lets Sam in for the first time in over a month--she was glad to have him back. she yawns* uuuuuugh. You know what sounds really good right now? sleep.

Sam: Not for me. Been sleeping for practically two weeks straight. Buuuut if you feel like sleeping, I'll gladly join you. :P

Sarah: Oh, whatever. Stay awake if you want to. :P *goes into their room*

Sam: *enters the room as well, climbing into bed with Sarah* :)

Sarah: *snuggles into him* Mm, I missed being able to do this... X)

Sam: Same here... and I also miss being WARM... mmm... I'm still a bit chilly, but you're like a blanket that just came out of a dryer...

Sarah: *laughs a bit at the comparison, and snuggles closer, nuzzling into his neck* Glad to be of service. XP

Sam: Ahaha... glad to be serviced by you. <3

Sarah: *snickers a bit* That was worded rather oddly. X)

Sam: I blame my mushy hypothermia-surviving brain.

Sarah: Awww... Your poor brain. *leans up and kisses the side of his head, then nuzzles him* <3

Sam: *he laughs a little at this, nuzzling her back, happy to do this with her*

Sarah: *presses her forehead against his, lightly running her hand up and down his back* ...You know, I never really gave you a proper apology...

Sam: Mm... apology? You mean for the first-wedding thing? <:/

Sarah: Mhmm... I regretted it as soon as I got back here... But I didn't have the guts to go back. I'm sorry.

Sam: It's... it's okay, Sarah... I mean, we're gonna try again, right? And I still believed in you - I kept my engagement ring.

Sarah: ... *cracks a smile* So did I.

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Sam: *finds these odds way too slim, but he says nothing about it Sarah* ... I k-know... y-you're r-right...

Sarah: *nods, but doesn't respond. after saying that, she started finding it hard to believe as well* ...

*It was two weeks later that Sam managed to make a full recovery. He is finally able to go home. First, though, he wants to visit his parents an see for himself whether or not his dad is doing alright enough*

Sam: *knocks on the door to his parent's house*

Inside

Harry: *after a week of feeling nothing but misery, Harry starts recovering, easing into a more comfortable state*

Claire: *opens the door, and smiles widely when she sees Sam* Well, look who's up and about. *hugs him* I"m glad to see you, Sam. <:)

Sarah: :)

Sam: *hugs her tightly* Glad to see you too, Mom... how's Dad doing? <:/

Claire: *lets go of him* He's doing a lot better, actually... do you want to see him?

Sarah: <:/

Sam: ... I'd love to see him...

meanwhile

Harry: *shifts around a bit in the bed*

Claire: Alright, come in then... *steps aside so they can come in, and closes the door behind them* He's in bed right now, you can go on upstairs.

Sarah: *nods, and waits to follow Sam*

Sam: *he nods and heads up the stairs, entering the room* ... Dad?

Harry: ? *he sits up in the bed, smiling a little at Sam* ... Hello...

Sarah: *follows Sam in, standing a bit behind him* Hey, Mr. Gatzsky. How are you feeling?

Claire: *stays by the door* ...

Harry: ... Sick. But better.

Sam: ... I'm really glad to hear that, Dad... <:)

Harry: ... I need to get just better and better. Can't get any worse - I'd miss your wedding...

Sam: ... You remembered that we're engaged? <:D

Harry: ... I wouldn't forget...

Sarah: I'm glad to hear that. <:)

Claire: *smiles from the door* <:)

Harry: ... I'm happy that you're okay now, Sam...

Sam: Happy to BE okay. <:P

Sarah: We're all happy. :) Now we just need you to join him. ^^

Claire: heh...

Harry: Trying as hard as I can... s'not easy.

Sam: I would know. ^^;

Sarah: I'm sure you'll be fine. ^^

Claire: :)

Harry: ... Thank you... uh...

Sam: Sarah.

Harry: ...Thank you, Sarah...

Sarah: *nods* No problem. :)

Claire: :) ...You should probably go home and get some rest, Sam... it's getting late.

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Sam: ... I-If h-he was w-worse, h-he w'wouldn't b-be able t-to GET t-to the hospital...

Sarah: *bites her lip nervously--he had a point* Well... I don't know, Sam...

Sam: O-Oh god... o-oh g-god h-he c-can't... c-can't...!

Sarah: Sam--Sam, now is not a good time to panic. D:>

Sam: Th-then when IS a g-good t-time t-to panic?? D8>

Sarah: Maybe when you're NOT tied down to a hospital bed? D;>

Sam: G-Grrrgh...! I-I hate th-this so m-much!

Sarah: Well, there's really nothing we can do right now... D:> I think you should just take a deep breath and CALM DOWN.

Sam: I-I c-can't c-calm d-down - my f-father is d-dying!

Sarah: And so were you!! How do you think the rest of us--how do you think your MOM feels right now, Sam?? She might lose BOTH of you! Now calm down before you hurt yourself! D:>

Sam: *he huffs, but knows Sarah's right, and instead of angry, he becomes sad* ...

Sarah: *relaxes when Sam does, her slight frustration fading back to anger* ...

Sam: I-I'm s-scared, Sarah... I-I can't l-lose him n-now...

Sarah: I know... I'm worried about him too.

Sam: *quietly* I-I don't... I-I d-don't know... what I-I'd do if he d-died...

Sarah: ...He'd want you to keep going. I know, I've been there...

Sam: ... I-it w-would f-feel s-so empty, though...

Sarah: Sam, I've been there. I know how it feels... I need you to trust me when I say that yes, it's going to hurt for a while, but it doesn't last forever...

Sam: *he nods a little* O-okay... I-I get i-it...

Sarah: ...And besides... no one really knows whether he'll make it or not. Who knows? He could recover, just like you are.

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At The Hospital

Sam: *waits patiently, staring off into space, thinking*

Sarah: *enters the room* Hey... um, I have a bit of bad news for you... <:/

Sam: Wh-what? B-bad news? D:>

Sarah: Yeah... Um... your dad's sick. He's not doing too well. <:(

Sam: *he stares at her for the longest time, fear in his shaking features* ... ... h-how s-sick?

Sarah: I'm... not exactly sure... but if it says anything, Claire hasn't been able to leave the house... <:(

Sam: *he's completely silent now, just staring at Sarah, shivering and shaking* ... ...

Sarah: ...Claire wanted me to tell you that she's sorry she hasn't been able to visit... but she's happy to hear you're doing better.

Sam: *he looks away from Sarah, this news of his father being so very dangerously sick sinking in faster than he'd like* ... ...

Sarah: *doesn't really know what to say* ... <:(

Sam: *he finally lets out a nervous laugh, still unable to look at Sarah* H-he w-w-won't d-d-die... he c-c-can't d-die...

Sarah: Right... He's been through worse, right? <:/

Sam: ... ... You were at my parent's house. Surly you saw and heard him. You tell me.

Sarah: I didn't see him but... I dunno, he sounded pretty bad... I"m sorry... <:/

Sam: *shuts his eyes tightly, trying to block out the image of his dead father that takes over his mind* ... ... I-I wish I c-could see him...

Sarah: I'm sure you'll be able to, you're recovering pretty quickly as-is...

Sam: Yeah... but I also d-don't want t-to see him... like I-I'm afraid-d he'll look w-worse than I e-expected him t-to look...

Sarah: If he was that bad, they probably would have brought him to the hospital... <:/

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Sam: ... B-but I-I'll get b-better. <:D

Sarah: *grins, and nods* Yes you will. <:)

Sam: *he smiles widely at Sarah, happy to see her smiling*

Sarah: *her grin turns into a warm smile, and she runs a hand through his hair* I can't wait for you to be out of here...

Sam: B-believe me... I f-feel the s-same way.

Sarah: Heh... You'll be proving those doctors wrong...

Sam: A-and th-then I c-can laugh in th-their faces... h-hahah-h-ha.

Sarah: And say "I told you so"? :P

Sam: D-damn s-straight... I wonder how M-Mom and-d D-Dad are d-doing... I-I must've w-worried them...

Sarah: I'm sure they're okay... they haven't come to visit again? <:/

Sam: ... N-no... I w-was g-getting worried...

Sarah: I can go talk to them if you want, see if something's up....

Sam: P-please d-do... c-can you d-do that n-now?

Sarah: Yeah, of course. <:( I'll be right back, okay?

Sam: O-Okay...

meanwhile

Harry: *he's dying from the fever, and shaking*

Sarah: *walks out of the hospital and to the Gatzsky residence, which was luckily not that far of a run. she knocks on the door*

meanwhile

Claire: *was upstairs--she quickly goes down the stairs and answers the door* Oh, Sarah! Is something wrong? *really doesn't want to hear any more bad news*

Sarah: Oh no, Sam's actually doing better now... He was actually worried about YOU guys. <:/

Harry: *wonders who may be at the door, then hears Sarah's voice. Oh? Why is she visiting?*

Claire: Oh...

Sarah: He was wondering why you hadn't come to visit after that first time... Is something wrong?

Claire: *bites her lip. should she...?* ...Harry's actually not been feeling well for the past few days...

Sarah: Oh... D:

Harry: *moans a bit from the fever and his suffering*

Sarah: *hears this from upstairs* I see... Is it that bad?

Claire: I'm afraid so... I'm not sure he's going to be getting better...

Sarah: Ah... D:> ...Is it okay if I tell Sam...?

Claire: ... *nods* He deserves to know... and can you pass along an apology from me? I haven't been able to go out, since I have to take care of Harry...

Sarah: Of course. <:( I'll go, then... good luck...

Claire: *nods* We're going to need it...

Sarah: <:/ ... *turns and leaves, heading back to the hospital*

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Sam: *his grin grows wider when Sarah says this and laughs even more, confirming Sarah's guess. Then he calms down to chuckles, then to nothing until suddenly, Sam frowns, a rather confused look on his face* ... What happened? D;>

Sarah: *stares at him, wide eyed* ...Sam, tell me that's you talking right now. D8

Sam: *is even more confused by this* ... w-What d-do you m-mean b-by THAT? D:>

Sarah: ...I think my dad did something... D; How are you feeling right now?

Sam: I-I feel a l-lot warmer... a-and what do you mean y-your D-DAD d-did something...??

Sarah: I dunno, the room got really warm, then you woke up all of a sudden. You were laughing and said you "fixed him," then started acting like yourself again. D:

Sam: ... but... b-but I never d-did any of th-that... D:>

Sarah: Exactly. D8

Sam: W-What are y-you implying? D;

Sarah: Ghostly possession. It's the only explanation. o__________o;;

Sam: Y-your d-d-dad P-P-POSSESSED m-me...?? D8>

Sarah: Yes. Apparently. o____o;; Though he said he "fixed" you, how much better do you feel?

Sam: ... I f-feel w-warmer...

Sarah: That's good... So it was nothing to freak out over, he was helping. <:)

Sam: *he smiles a little at Sarah. Indeed, he is grateful to Mr. Huntings*

Sarah: *smiles back at him* Maybe this means you'll recover faster...

Sam: ... M-Maybe this m-means I won't d-die...

Sarah: *more quietly* You weren't going to die...

Sam: I-I-I was st-tarting to b-believe the d-doctors...

Sarah: *even quieter* ...so was I...

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Harry: *he smiles a little at this* ... If you say so...

Claire: I DO say so...

Harry: *he continues to smile at Claire until the next large wave of pain crashes down inside his head and he cries out and hisses from the blazing heat and sharp throbbing he has to endure*

Claire: !! *holds the ice pack to his head, praying it would help--it hurt to see him suffering like this*

Harry: M'f'ne...! M'nfine...! M'fine... I'm fine... s'okay now...

Claire: *lets go of the ice pack on his head, giving him a worried look--he was only getting worse* Alright...

Harry: *he smiles at her again before closing his eyes, shuddering a little*

Claire: <:( ... *puts a hand on his cheek, rubbing it with her thumb in an attempt to comfort him*

Harry: *keeps his eyes closed, trying to get some sleep. He sighs a little when Claire rubs his cheek with her thumb*

Claire: *leans down and kisses his cheek, then pulls away to sit on the other side of the bed. She didn't want to leave his side--if something happened to him, she wanted to be there to help*

Harry: *continues suffering throughout the rest of the day*

LATER, AT THE HOSPITAL

Sam: *still stuck in the same stupor he was in the day before* ...

Sarah: *had come to visit. she was worried about the fact that he was still unresponsive* ...

Sam: *indeed is quite unresponsive*

*the room becomes much warmer*

Sarah: ...? *looks over at the thermostat--it hadn't changed* ...

Sam: *suddenly twitches - he then starts fighting against the restraints like a wild animal before suddenly calming down again, panting. He is no longer blank, but he wears an expression that he usually doesn't ever make - a sort of self-congratulatory grin, like he had achieved something fantastic and great. He sucks in the warm air through his nose, breathing it out through his mouth, slowly, carefully, as if he had completely forgotten how - but he mainly just soaks in the warm air like a sponge*

Sarah: *jumped and let out a startled squeak when Sam suddenly started struggling, then she merely watches in surprise as he seems to suddenly return to normal* S-Sam? D:

Sam: *turns his head slightly to face Sarah. He grin at her, laughing a bit like he had been told this great joke* ... Fixed him. Mostly.

Sarah: *is extremely confused* What are you talking abo-- ...dad? D8

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Sam: *he follows her movement with his eyes, but otherwise doesn't react, not even to the kiss. It is almost like he is asleep*

Sarah: ...I'll come back tomorrow, okay? *leaves the room, somehow feeling WORSE than when she came in*

*That night*

Blood Puppet: *approaches Celine at she walks home* Good day to you, madam. How are you this lovely evening?

Celine: ! *glares at him* He LIVED, Hobbes. Now they're starting to think that I did it! D:<

Blood Puppet: ... But he can still die. A severe case of hypothermia, don't you know? No one lives from THAT. And once you're in charge, who's to say you can't through Sarah in jail? Who says you can't send her into exile? Who says you can't do that to ANYONE who crosses you once you have the power you've always DREAMED of...? You can't run now, Miss Gris... not when you're so close...

Celine: *through her teeth* They could come in and arrest me any day now. She KNOWS I had something to do with it, and I'm SURE she ran back to the hospital to tell the Lieutenant.

Blood Puppet: And who will arrest you, Celine? The rioting soldiers?

Celine: Not all of them are rioting. If the Lieutenant recovers, I'm completely SCREWED--Why didn't you just KILL him??

Blood Puppet: *under his mask, he grins* Because that's not FUN. *laughing, he runs off*

Celine: *watches him run off, furious--but also somewhat scared. The possibility of her plan falling apart because of his incompetence worried her almost to the point of paranoia. she continues home, constantly glancing over her shoulder to make sure she wasn't being followed*

*the next morning, with Claire and Harry*

Harry: has gotten much worse from yesterday, delirious with fever, completely incoherent. He shifts around in the bed, moaning, sweating and panting*

Claire: *hadn't gotten much sleep that night--she was too worried about Harry. She had been replacing the ice packs as they melted, having him take the medicine, but nothing seemed to be working--she wasn't even able to visit Sam the day before* <:( ...

Harry: *suddenly, instead of moaning, he CRIES OUT in pain, the fever becoming extremely painful to him. He grips the bed sheets as if this could comfort him, his breathing ragged and heavy*

Claire: D:>!!! *takes one of the ice packs, and holds it to his forehead, putting her other hand on his cheek* Shh, shh... it's going to be alright, Harry... <:(

Harry: *whimpers. The sight is quite pathetic, considering how Harry used to be - tough, serious, able to handle a lot at once, but in his old age, and because of this sickness, all that seems to have fallen apart. He knows, in his feverish, confused mind, that this is what Todd meant - this is what will kill him*

Claire: *recalls one morning when Harry had told her that a dream had told him he was going to die soon--her heart sinks, and she prays that it was only a coincidence. with Harry suffering like this and Sam in the hospital, both of them in bad condition... she didn't know if she would be able to take losing one (or god forbid, BOTH) of them* ...

Harry: *he calls to Claire, as if she was distant, or at least TRIES to, but his voice is so dry and cracked that if she wasn't right there beside him, she probably wouldn't hear him* C-Claire... wh-where.... where is... Sam...?

Claire: He's... he's not here right now, Harry... He's sick...

Harry: ... Oh... hope he... gets better... god... I'm sorry... Claire... we must be worrying... you...

Claire: *manages to crack a smile* Just a little bit... I'm sure you'll both get through it, though... you're both strong, you've always been...

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Doctor: You'll be disappointed.

Sam: <:/

Sarah: He's going to make it. He has to.

Doctor: This isn't a Disney movie, Ms. Huntings.

Sam: ... D-d-don't s-s-say that-t-t...

Sarah: You think I don't know that? Don't treat me like a child, Doctor. >:/

Doctor: Then stop acting like one. >:(

Sam: HEY! D8<

Sarah: Well, excuse me for being hopeful. Didn't know that was considered "childish."

Doctor: Oh my g - HE'S GOING TO DIE, MS. HUNTINGS! D8<

Sam: *is very uncomfortable with this thought in mind* ...

Sarah: *snaps* THEN YOU'RE NOT DOING YOUR JOB RIGHT, ARE YOU?? ISN'T SAVING LIVES WHAT YOU GET PAID TO DO?!

Doctor: I CAN'T DO ANYTHING FOR HIM - DON'T YOU GET THAT?? ALL I CAN DO FOR HIM NOW IS MAKE HIS LAST FEW DAYS COMFORTABLE! D8<

Sam: *listens in a sad silence*

Sarah: *simply glares at the doctor. He wasn't doing enough. He wasn't trying hard enough. But she wasn't going to keep arguing with him, not with Sam in the room* ...

Doctor: *glares at Sarah in silence, then changes the ice bag on Sam's forehead, as the old ice bag's ice has melted*

Sam: *shivers more so than he usually does*

Sarah: *waits, fuming, but refuses to say anything* ...

Doctor: *he then leaves, huffing*

Sam: *has become quite dazed, and stares blankly at the ceiling, shivering*

Sarah: *once the doctor leaves, she looks back down at Sam, worried* ... *puts her hand over his again and rubs it with her thumb. no matter how logical the doctor's words had been she didn't want to believe them--she didn't want to even CONSIDER the possibility of Sam dying...*

Sam: *doesn't react when Sarah touches the back of his hand - he has fallen into a stupor, which has shut off his mind, practically making him a brain-dead zombie*

Sarah: *becomes even more worried when he doesn't react to her at ALL* ...Sam?

Sam: *he doesn't react to her at all - he looks tired, exhausted really, but instead of simply going to sleep, he just stares into space, mind shut off*

Sarah: <:( ... *puts a hand on his cheek, then leans down and gently kisses him. The doctor had made her start to doubt--what if he DIDN'T make it...?*

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