9 June 1989, Evening

[noteful]

Meg needed to be away, just for a little while.

But, things being what they are, she doesn't want to be far away. She needs to be where people can still find her if they need to. For whatever reason.

So Meg has gone to find the hospital chapel.

It's quiet, removed from main hustle and bustle.

No one else is there, at the moment.

Meg takes a seat away from the door, and folds her hands in front of her.

And, rather than a conversational sort of prayer, Meg tries to just be still and wait to see what comes to her.

Comments

[bannion_sight]

"I don't think there is any 'supposed to,' when it comes to something like this," Kim murmurs.

By now she's almost reached Meg's side. Kim stops in front of her sister, and raises her hand as if to brush a lock of hair back from the cut on her cheek.

"Oh, Meg."

[noteful]

Meg puts her head on her sister's left shoulder and wraps her good arm across Kim's back and over to her other shoulder.

"I'm really glad you're here," she says again.

[bannion_sight]

She hugs Meg tight and holds her close, stroking one hand soothingly over her sister's hair.

"So am I," she murmurs. "So am I."

[noteful]

Meg closes her eyes and stays right where she is, for a long couple of moments.

And then takes a deep breath, only a little shaky.

"How are you? Did Mom and Dad catch you up on everything? Do you need anything?"

[bannion_sight]

"I'm fine," Kim assures her. "I'll probably need more coffee in a little while, but not just yet."

She pulls back a little, just enough to search Meg's face.

"Mom said you hadn't slept?"

[noteful]

Meg smiles very, very slightly.

"I wound up in Milliways and got knocked out by an angel who decided I looked like I needed a nap, and decided not to give me the chance to argue about it.

"So I've slept. A little while ago. I just . . . didn't want to go into it in the middle of all this, you know?

"I had an omelet, too."

[bannion_sight]

"Really." Kim sounds a little amused at that. "I guess he must have considered it a heavenly mission."

"But I know what you mean."

She glances down at the sling, then back up at Meg's face.

"How's your arm feeling?"

[noteful]

"He can be pushy, when he wants to be," Meg says.

She looks down at the sling, too.

"It doesn't hurt that much. My shoulder was dislocated, but I didn't need surgery or anything.

"My injuries were pretty minor, given . . . well, given what they could have been."

Which is to say given what Alain's are.

Only without actually saying it.

[bannion_sight]

"Maybe it goes with the job. Heavenly insistence?"

She nods.

"Okay. That's good, at least."

A pause, and Kim adds, gently,

"Do you want to talk about it?"

[noteful]

"I don't really know what to say.

"I can't even think about it, except that I can't not think about it, either, and I hate making everyone worry, and I hate being worried myself and I feel like there's something in my chest squeezing my lungs, like I can't get enough air or something.

"And I have no idea what I'm going to do if he doesn't wake up."

[bannion_sight]

"Oh, Meg," she says again, and squeezes her good shoulder lightly. "You're not making anyone do anything, I promise. It's not your fault that we're worried."

Kim bites her lip, and nods. She knows.

"There's still hope. And whatever happens... you won't be alone."

[noteful]

"I know," she says.

Except . . . except in some ways, she would.

But that's one of those things she's not thinking about.

[bannion_sight]

Kim nods again, keeping her thoughts to herself.

"Want to sit back down?"

[noteful]

"Okay," Meg says.

"Or we can get you some coffee, if you need it?

"I know how you are about coffee."

[bannion_sight]

"There has to be a cafeteria around here somewhere," Kim says.

"Why don't we get me some coffee, and you some tea, and go from there?"

[noteful]

Meg links her free arm through Kim's.

"It sounds like a very sensible pl--" she breaks off as the door to the chapel opens.

"Meg?" Luc asks. "Are you here-- ah, yes, you are. And this is your big sister, yes?"

Meg nods. "Kim, this is Luc. Alain's older brother."

[bannion_sight]

"Hello," she says.

He looks a little like Alain, but it's their voices that are more similar than anything.

A sudden stillness forms deep within her, whispering into her inner ear; outwardly she stills as well, glancing back and forth between them once before her gaze settles on Luc, waiting.

[noteful]

Meg knows.

She knew the moment she saw him come into the room.

"He's awake?" she asks.

Luc's smile is wide and amused. "He's mad. And refusing to believe anyone that you are all right. It is probably good that the nurse does not seem to know French, given what he's calling her."

He looks over at Kim. "I need to borrow your sister, if I may."

[bannion_sight]

Her breath rushes out of her in a relieved sigh, and Kim smiles at them both, then lets go of Meg's arm.

"Go see him," she says. "I'll tell Mom and Dad."

[noteful]

Meg hugs them both, Kim first, and then Luc.

"Okay," she says, turning towards the door Luc is holding open for her.

And then stops, and turns back to Kim. "Do I look okay?"

[bannion_sight]

"Yes," Kim assures her.

A beat.

"Well, aside from the stylish sling you're sporting, and that cut on your cheek -- but you know what?" She's still smiling. "I don't think it's going to matter one bit."

Because really, it's the joy lighting Meg's face right now that makes all the difference in the world.

"You look wonderful, Meg. Go on."

[noteful]

Luc looks amused again, and a little impatient. "Your sister is right. Besides, my brother is not going to care about what you're wearing."

Which, Meg suspects, means the clothes are pretty ridiculous. Not that she doesn't know that.

It doesn't mean that Kim and Luc aren't right about the rest of it, right?

"Allons-y," Luc tells her, with a wave at the door he's holding open.

"Okay," Meg says. "I'll see you soon," she promises Kim, with a smile.

And then goes to assure Alain that she's fine.

(Because she is. Now.)