Chapter 26

Visiting Hours

Cassy had been moved out of I.C.U. and was in a double room in the recovery ward on the fourth floor, room 420. The other bed was empty when we went to see her. She had an I.V in one arm, an oxygen line across her nose, and a monitor beeped rhythmically--quite frankly, she looked like she'd been dragged through a knothole backwards. She was pale and weak, but she was awake. A halfhearted smile dusted her muzzle as we walked in.

"Hey guys," she said, her voice reedy. "Did you guys see who sucker punched me?"

_'Oh God, she looks like hell and she's making jokes,'_I thought. Mike swallowed hard.

"Morning, Honey bunny. How are you feeling?" Mike was doing his best to put on a brave face, as she smiled weakly.

"Oh, the doctors say I'm going to make a full recovery. I'm a little sore, no _real_pain. They have me on some real good stuff... Did--did he get away?" she asked with trepidation.

Mike shook his head. "No love. He didn't. He'll _never_hurt anyone again."

"It, it all happened so fast, I don't quite remember it all...he yelled, you threw your knife, his gun went off...and I guess I got in the way of the bullet." She tried to laugh, but was rewarded with a spasm of pain.. "Ooh, Maybe I shouldn't do that."

"Oh honey, I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry, I didn't think..." Mike took her paw in both of his.

"Ssssh, no, no," Cassy crooned. "Love, It's okay, it's not your fault, I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, that's all...it's going to be all right..." Cassy paused, closing her eyes. "They figure I'm going to be in here ten, maybe twelve days, then I can come home...I love you Mikey, no matter what...I love you..."

"Oh hunny bunny..." Mike moaned.

"It's okay, we'll get through this...trust me love." 'Oh Gods,_I thought,' _she knows. 'They must have told her this morning.' I took Gwen's paw; she squeezed it reassuringly as we approached the bedside.

"Hey you two..." Cassy tried another smile.

"Cassandra, if there is _anything_I can do for you." Gwen offered, She nodded weakly.

"Thanks Gwen, just take care of Mike for me...He's a nervous wreck. He needs a good home cooked meal, and good friends around, ya know?' Cassy said trying to smile.

"We'll take good care of him," I said.

"Mike honey, I'm sorry...they shaved my belly fur..." Mike choked back a sob.

"Oh, honey, s'okay...It'll grow back..." Mike tried to sound up beat, but the look in her eyes said beyond the shadow of a doubt they told her this morning about not having kids. She was putting up a brave front, but the news had _devastated_her. Mike could see it, and Cassy knew he could see it. Her eyes were bright with unshed tears...as they gazed into each other's eyes the tears freely fell; Cassy was determined not to break down, it was a losing battle and she knew it.--surrounded by friends and lovers the floodgates fully broke, and Cassy held back nothing. To be honest, there wasn't a dry eye in the room.

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