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

[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.)