HDA - Living in Darkness Trilogy - Pt 2 - The Search

At the nurses' insistance, Casi returned to her own hospital room. They wanted to check the bandages, allow her to take a bath and rest in her bed. When she reached the room, the first thing she saw was the flowers--purple hyacinths, yellow roses and columbine. Casi studied the bouquet and went very still. Whoever had put that bouquet together obviously knew nothing of the meaning of flowers--or did they?

"Cassandra."

She gave a start and saw Chad sitting in the single chair. His suit looked rumpled, his eyes sunken as if he hadn't slept. "Chad."

"I....wanted to make certain you were okay before I left."

Casi managed a nod. "All right."

Chad's hazel eyes seemed to focus on the white bandages. "God, Cassandra, all right are you?"

"Yes."

"Cassandra--"

"All I can say is I'm sorry," Casi whispered. God knew she didn't want to do this. Not now. Probably not ever. She swallowed hard. "I'm so sorry."

"Why? Why him? After all he's put you through--"

"Stop, Chad. Don't say another word. Joe and I are soul-mates."

Chad pushed himself to his feet. "Cassandra...I can't say that I'm happy for you."

"I understand, Chad. I really do." All she wanted to do was collapse across the bed and cry.

He walked to the door, then glanced over at her. "Goodbye, Cassandra."

She waited until he left, pulling the door closed behind him before she burst into tears. She swallowed hard and touched the small petal of a purple hyacinth. She vaguely remembered her floral lore. "Sorrow...." She touched the silk-soft petal of a yellow rose. "Jealousy." Lastly, she looked at the columbine. "Folly."

She glanced at the door again and felt the tears come harder. If Chad had meant it intentionally, he had had the last word this time. And even though she knew she'd hurt him and deserved the implied meaning, it still hurt.

A tap on the door made her dash away the tears and clear her throat. "Come in."

The door swung open and Miranda walked into the room. She glanced at the flowers, then at Casi. "Chandler left those, didn't he."

Casi merely nodded. She was so tired right now, she was in no mood for company or even commiseration. "Do you need something?"

Miranda frowned, then sighed. "I thought you could use a few things." She held up Casi's suitcase.

"Oh thank you."

"You're welcome." Miranda looked away, then took a deep breath. "Emerson explained the whole situation. I know I was out of line being so mad at Kurt--I mean, MacKensey. I'm glad you both are okay."

"Thank you."

Miranda set the suitcase down on the edge of the bed. "I guess I'll go."

"So it was a set up? You and Emerson--?"

"Yes." Miranda flashed her a smile. "He even hinted at a surprise for me when all this is over. I have missed him so much."

"Good luck."

Miranda gave her another, more genuine smile. "You too." She left and Casi sat down on the bed. With her own clothes, she could rid herself of the hospital gown. For the first time, she noticed the ring was missing. A quick search through the drawers in the room though and she found it. She slipped it on and felt fresh tears fall. But this time, it was happiness. They would finally be together. A moment later, she took it off and put in the small jewelry pouch she carried her stuff in. She was going to take a shower and change, then she'd put it back on.

She cleaned up, careful to keep the bandages dry but they got damp anyway. A nurse came in soon after her shower and scolded her for taking the risk of getting the stitches wet. Casi used her good arm to towel dry her hair while the nurse put new bandages on. "How did you get these?" she asked in a strong Romaneste accent. Casi immediately thought of an old-world gypsy, even down to the large hoop earrings.

"Someone stabbed me."

The nurse's dark eyes widened. "Imi pare rau."

"Excuse me?"

"I said I am sorry. It must have been very painful."

Casi remembered the pain and shuddered, "It was."

The nurse finished the bandaging. "There. You look much better now," she added refering to the dark blue pajamas. "May your healing be fast."

Casi arched an eyebrow. "Are you a gypsy?"

"Some might say so. Does it offend you?"

"No. Not at all. Thank you."

"You are welcome. Rest now."

Casi watched her leave and leaned against the pillows, not caring if her hair dried every which way. She was so ready to go home--with Joe at her side. She'd had enough of Romania to last a lifetime--maybe even two.

***

"What's this?" Joe looked up from the newspaper to see Ethan and Marc walke into his hospital room. "Is this a raid?"

"I took the liberty of buying something," began Ethan.

"I'm touched. I never realized we had that kind of relationship," countered Joe.

"For Casi, idiot."

"Casi is not an idiot."

"No, I believe he was calling you that," said Marc, smirking.

"I was trying to ignore that fact." Joe glanced at Ethan. "Why?"

"Why what? You are an idiot."

Joe shook his head. "No. Why for Casi?"

Ethan grunted and glanced at Marc. "Do you want to do the honors since you were dense too?"

"Hey, now wait just a minute---"

"What is going on?" asked Joe.

Ethan didn't look like he was ready to be nice. "What is today? I'll give you a hint. Colors are black and orange."

Joe thought a moment. "Halloween?" He blinked and nearly fell out of the bed. "It's Halloween."

"Yes, I think we established that," said Marc, still smirking.

Ethan glanced over at him. "Shut up."

In an instant, Joe flashed on all the times Casi had visited Provincetown for her birthday. "It's her birthday. Today is Casi's birthday."

"Give the man a stuffed goblin," said Marc grandly.

Ethan rolled his eyes and handed Joe a wrapped package. "Now, it's not for you, so don't peek."

"Well, what did you buy her?"

"Why not let it be a surprise?" countered Ethan.

Joe grunted. "Meaning you don't remember."

Marc grinned. "You two sound like me and Donovan."

Joe arched an eyebrow. "Well, when's the party?"

"As soon as Emerson gets here."

Joe went blank. "Emerson who?"

"Whitfield."

Joe blinked, startled. "Whitfield? As in Chad?"

"His brother." Ethan pulled up a chair and sat down. "Seems Emerson owns an investigative agency and was working with Interpol to track down Hadad."

"Hadad." Joe felt the anger grow inside of him. "He hurt Casi. I want to kill him."

"He's dead, Joe. Kendra shot him in the back," said Ethan.

Joe sagged against the pillows. "Good."

A tap sounded on his door and a tall slim man stepped in. "Cheerio, cheerio." He held a large white box. "That inspector certainly knows his bakeries."

Marc chuckled. "So did you get a nice cake?"

"I took the liberty of getting a fudge cake. Most women are addicted to chocolate, Miranda being one of them."

"Emerson, don't," came a woman's voice from the doorway--one that sounded embarrassingly familiar to Joe.

"I'm merely speaking truth, Miranda." Emerson set the cake box on the table at the foot of the bed. He nodded to Joe. "You must be Kurt Varick."

"Actually it's Joe MacKensey."

"Ah....then I was correct."

Miranda walked into the room, her eyes going immediately to Joe. She blushed and turned away to set a box by the cake box.. She cleared her throat. "These are the presents. Let's go, Emerson."

"There's no need to rush off, Miranda."

Miranda gave Joe a guilty look and Joe sighed. "I'm not mad at you, Miranda."

"I'm sorry though. What happened at the inn--I'm so embarrassed."

Emerson glanced at her, then at Joe, his eyebrows rising dramatically. "Oh?"

Miranda shook her head. "It was nothing."

"Hmm," said Emerson, sounding quite unconvinced. "Anyway, I sent the two inspectors to bring the birthday lady down here for a little party."

Miranda looked over at him. "That might not work. Chandler had just been there when I brought her suitcase to her."

"Oh damn," muttered Emerson.

Before Joe could ask the man what was wrong, the two inspectors walked into the room, Henerik shaking his head. "She said she didn't feel up to company or want to go anywhere."

"Chandler left her flowers," said Miranda. "What I saw wasn't good."

"What do you mean," asked Joe, feeling a tad bewildered. He realized he was still holding the present and handed it back to a startled Ethan. "Here."

Miranda shrugged. "From what it looked like, it was columbine, yellow roses and purple hyacinth."

Joe felt even more bewildered. He shook his head and frowned. "Well, we'll go to her."

"Not like that you're not," stated Ethan. "I'd rather not see flashes of your skin. I'll have nightmares for sure."

Joe glanced down at the hospital gown. "Well, it would have helped if you'd brought me some clothes."

"As a matter of fact I did. I even packed your suitcase. Don't blame me if all your clothes are wrinkled though."

Joe spotted the suitcase by the door. "Oh be quiet." Careful to keep the back of the gown closed with one hand, he went over to the suitcase and hefted it. "As soon as I dress, we'll go down there."

"You sure?" asked Ethan.

"I feel fine. Stop mothering me."

"Wouldn't dream of it."

"I was once told as long as he argued, he was okay. It's when he doesn't argue that you have to worry," spoke up Marc. When Joe looked over at him, surprised, Marc shrugged. "Seems Jonny-boy told Casi that after you tangoed with a tree."

Joe just shook his head and ducked into the bathroom. Emerson glanced over at Marc. "Must have been an interesting tree."

Marc laughed. "You don't know the half of it."

***

The knock on the door roused Casi from a light sleep. She ran her hands through her hair and sat up. "Come in."

The door swung open and Natalya Corwen walked in, followed by Gil Henerik. She nodded to Casi. "Hello."

Casi managed a smile. "Hello."

"We wanted to check on you," said Gil.

"I'm fine."

Natalya smiled. "Good. Why don't we go for a walk down the hall."

Casi shook her head. "I'd rather not. I'm tired."

Natalya glanced at Gil, then smiled at Casi. "All right."

Gil nodded to Casi. "Then we won't stay. Just wanted to check on you. Come on, Nat."

"Thank you for everything."

Gil shrugged. "If you ever want a job with the police department, let me know."

Casi found she could still laugh. "I'll keep that in mind, Inspector." She waved as they left the room. She sighed and let her head fall back against the pillows. She was so tired. Suddenly, she sat up and got out of bed. She walked over to her suitcase where she always kept a small pocket calender. She flipped it open to October. It was Halloween. Tears pricked her eyes. It was her birthday. She heard the door open and sighed again. "I really don't want any company." She turned around. "Joe..."

"Hey."

"What are you doing out of your bed?"

Joe grinned and walked into the room. "Well...since you wouldn't come to me..."

"Huh?"

Marc and Ethan stepped up behind Joe, one holding a sheet cake with a single candle, the other holding a small stack of presents. Casi's eyes widened as other people crowded in the doorway--Emerson, Miranda, the two inspectors. "What's going on?"

"Happy birthday, Casi," said Joe smiling.

She managed a smile as tears spilled on her cheeks. "You remembered my birthday?"

Joe stepped further into the room until he was face to face with her. "How could I forget," he whispered and kissed her.

Casi closed her eyes, her exhaustion and sadness fading away. As he deepened the kiss, pulling her closer, she felt herself grow happier. She forgot about everyone, everything. Here was the only present she'd ever wanted, ever needed. He was hers now. She needed nothing more....

***

It was quiet in the room now but the soft sound of breathing. Casi stared up at the ceiling and felt her eyes fill with tears. After eating the fudge cake and opening presents, everyone had left her and Joe to themselves. Now hours later he'd drifted off to sleep, next to her in the narrow bed.

It was a tight squeeze but she didn't want him to go yet. I still would die for him, she thought, directing her silent admission heavenward. I love him that much. She felt a tear slide down the side of her face. But that wasn't what you wanted of me, was it? Living is so much harder than dying. Living means facing your mistakes, your losses...

"Casi?" Joe's voice was slurred with sleep. "You okay?"

"Yes, I am. Now."

Joe shifted carefully and propped himself up on one elbow. "You're crying."

"I love you."

"Don't cry, Casi."

"Come back to Provincetown with me. You need to recuperate and heal."

Joe grunted. "I don't know, look what happened last time."

"Joe!" Casi lowered her voice. "Joe, I didn't ask the gallery to be broken into.."

"Nope, you didn't. You just plunged in where even angels fear to swim."

He winced as memories flooded through him. "Did I ever thank you for saving my life?"

"I could stand to hear it again."

Joe laughed softly. "God, I'm such an idiot. You're the only person who's certifiable enough to put up with me."

"What?" asked Casi archly. "Excuse me?"

Joe laughed harder, making the entire bed shake. He leaned forward and kissed her. His smile faded as he pulled back and saw the bandages again. "God, Casi--"

"Don't. It wasn't your fault. You didn't drag me here against my will. No one did. I've always wanted to visit Romania, see a vampire--"

"Or two. Did we imagine that?"

Casi took a deep breath. "I don't know, Joe. I don't know but at least they're together now."

"Yeah. I thought she looked a lot like you."

"So did Dorian. The night I met him outside the embassy, I suspected something was wrong."

Joe shook his head. "Case closed, detective. No more suspects, no more suspicions allowed." Joe tried to get comfortable and sighed. "Is there anyway we can ask for a double bed?"

"Hospital beds don't come in any other size than twin."

"Well, if we moved my bed in here or your bed in my room, that might work."

Casi shook her head. "I think the nurses would wonder why we're rolling a bed into a room that already has one."

"Not if they don't see us."

Casi grinned. "Enough complaining. We have a wedding to plan."

Joe settled down beside her. "What's there to plan? You call your family, I'll call mine. We'll meet at Castle MacFairlaigne at sunrise and that old friendly priest will pronounce us husband and wife. Hmm, I think I like the sound of that."

Casi laughed. "You are so clueless. It took nine months to plan Cat's wedding."

Joe jumped and nearly fell off the bed. "Nine months? Nine?" He frowned and counted on his fingers. "I have to wait until June?"

Casi shrugged carefully. "Well, June is the month for weddings."

"June?"

"What, you wanted to get married tomorrow?"

"Can we?"

"Joe," Casi said, shaking her head. "You don't have to wait nine months. Marcus bought all those extra decorations and such, so...how about April?"

Joe frowned. "That's seven months."

"Six. It'll soon be November 1st, All Hallow's day."

Joe sighed and rested his head carefully on her good shoulder. "What is All Hallow's day?"

"It's also called All Saints' Day. Usually, it's customary to honor your patron saint on All Hallow's Day."

"You have a patron saint?"

Casi shrugged again with her good shoulder. "Well, I'm a writer, so that would make St. John, my patron saint."

Joe looked thoughtful for a moment. "Is there one for me?"

Casi looked down at him. "St. Michael. Technically, he's for policemen but your father and grandfather were policemen and in a way you are too, just in a different way."

"Wow, you learn something new everyday."

Casi rolled her eyes. "If you're going to chatter all night, go on to your room. I'm a bit tired."

"Chatter? I never chatter. That's as bad as babbling--or worse. In fact--"

Casi cut him off with a kiss. When she pulled back, she grinned at him. "Well, that's one way to shut you up."

Joe gave her a devilish grin. "Hmm, that's what you think."

Casi laughed and gave a contented sigh. Her world was perfect now.

The End

(for the time being anyway)

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Disclaimer

The Hardy Boys belong to Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer Foundation. The authors have just borrowed them for an adventure or two. The authors promise to put the boys back when they are done with them. The authors do claim copyright to the original characters in this story. Please do not borrow original characters without express permission of the authors.