The Zodiac of PRA V: The Finale

Chapter 7

The weekend crept up quickly and it seemed everyone was excited about Doug’s date with the doctor more than he was. Erin made herself comfortable on the couch eating a bowl of cereal while Jenna made pancakes “Doug! You’re going to be late!!” Jenna cried from the foot of the stairs.

“I don’t think he’s up.” Ryan said while preparing his syrup on the pancakes “You want some Luke?” he asked when the other roommate walked out from the kitchen with a bowl of hot oatmeal.

“No thanks, I’m on a diet.” Luke shook his head.

“Speak of the devil.” Erin saw his reflection from the glass cabinet.

Doug emerged in a crisp black shirt and a pair of jeans that showed off his fit legs. He earned a few whistles from Jenna and Ryan “Looking good.” Ryan nodded.

“I like to look presentable.” He posed like a GQ model.

“You don’t look THAT good.” Jenna snickered and laugh when he ruffled her hair playfully “Hey, you know how long it took me to fix my out of bed hair and made it seem like it was a style?”

“You’ll be sorry when I end up dating this doctor and have no time left for you.” Doug said heatedly.

Ryan and Jenna exchanged giggles “Oh Doug, say it isn’t so.” Jenna pleaded with puppy eyes.

“Don’t listen to them Doug, I think you look very handsome. She will be pleased by your appearance.” Erin decided to increase his lack of confidence.

“Thank you!” he raised his brows at the other two “Well kids, I’m going now. You guys have fun wherever it is that you’re going.” When he reached the door, he turned to Erin “Mind if I pick a few flowers from your garden? Thanks!” he slammed the door before she had a chance to decline.

Jenna dropped her jaw “You’re going to let him kill your little garden?”

“Didn’t you spend like a whole month growing those pansies?” Luke asked in shock.

“It’s a fair trade for the date.” Erin smiled slyly.

“Ga Jei, you didn’t set him on a date did you?” Ryan guessed by the tone in her voice.

“You’ll hear about it when he comes back.” Erin added with a short laugh.

*************

Doug stood outside the hospital doors, flowers hastily picked and gathered in his hands “Just breath…she’s only a doctor…” he muttered to himself trying to gain some confidence. He entered the familiar building with a goofy grin glued to his face “Hi.” He greeted the receptionist.

“Yes?” she asked with one hand covering the mouthpiece, while trying hard not to look annoyed.

“Yes, I have an…eh…well, it’s an appointment I guess…with Dr. Lai.” He stuttered, not sure if they were told about the set up date.

“Oh, sure. She’s on the third floor, room 305.” The girl seemed to change her tone. Doug thanked her as she waved a fellow nurse closer “Dr. Lai’s got another nut.”

The girl caught a glimpse of Doug before he turned the corner to the elevators “He looks normal.”

“Not from my angle.” The receptionist snickered with a laugh.

Doug was growing nervous and he realized that when the stems of the flowers crushed in his hand. It had been too long since he had done the dating scene and he remembered why he hated blind dates. He stood a few doors down from the destination room, taking in deep breaths, he chickened out at the last minute and turned to leave when he crashed into a petite girl that didn’t look younger than 24 “I’m sorry.” He quickly apologized “Are you okay little girl?”

Her eyes widened “Uh…no, I’m okay. Can I help you?” she gathered the files she was looking at in her hands.

“Oh, you work here?” he asked sounding surprise “Candy-striper?”

The girl smiled and shrugged “Sure, why not.”

“It’s embarrassing really…I’m not sure if I should be telling you this.” Doug stammered.

“More embarrassing than crushing the flowers that you were bringing for your date?” she teased with a head nodding to the flowers he was wringing in his hands.

Doug quickly loosened his grip “You’re right…I couldn’t give her this. Would you like it?” he offered.

She lowered her head with a smile and took the flowers “Thanks, you’re the first guy that ever gave me flowers.”

His face dropped “But don’t take it personally, please…I…well, you see…I have a girlfriend. Dr. Lai, she’s…she’s my girlfriend.” He nodded sympathetically. Not wanting to hurt the girl’s feelings.

She raised her brows again “Oh really? Dr. Lai huh? I’m actually her assistant, she never told me about you.”

Caught in the lie, Doug began to stutter “Well…you see…she doesn’t like to talk to strangers…I mean you’re not a stranger or anything…but well, it’s just no one’s business.”

Her smile was mischievous but he didn’t catch the sparkle in her eye “I see. Well, why don’t you go inside and wait for Dr. Lai, she just went to pick up a file, she should be back soon.” She ushered him into her office, which was as big as Ethan’s.

“So, what is she like?” Doug began his scattered talk.

“Hmm, shouldn’t you know being her boyfriend?” the girl asked.

“Right! What I meant was, how do you like working for her?” he asked, not making eye contact so she couldn’t see the lie in his eyes again.

“Well, it’s okay I guess, but sometimes she can be a real bitch.” The girl laughed. She reached for her white coat and took her seat across from Doug behind the desk “Hi, you must be Doug. Erin warned me you were coming.”

Across from him was the girl, the only difference was she was wearing the white lab coat that fit her like a glove “But…no, it can’t be…”

“But it is. I’m Dr. Lai.” She reached over the table to shake his hand. Instead he shot away like it was made of acid “Well, that wasn’t the reaction I was waiting for.”

He stood up “There must be a mistake…you…you’re so young! You’re only eighteen, how could you be a doctor?” he declared.

She got up and walked around the table and bounced herself on the edge of her desk and made herself comfortable “I guess I should take that as a compliment.” Taking in a deep breath, she let it out “Okay, let’s start over. I’m Jessica Lai, but my friends call me Jessie, but you can call me Dr. Lai.” She began lightly.

Doug’s face went pale as the name reminded him “Oh…” he shook her hand looking dazed.

“Hmm…That ‘Oh’ can only mean ex girlfriend with the same name or evil ex wife with that name? Let me guess…dead girlfriend?” Jessie’s head tilted thoughtfully.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Doug tried to cover with a nervous laugh.

“So you lie when you’re nervous?” she analyzed “This is more serious than I thought.”

He wrinkled his brows strangely “Serious?” And then it hit him “Oh my God, did Erin set up a session?? She told me this was a date!!”

Jessie nodded “She warned me that you would not want to come in to see me if you knew it was a session, so I told her to tell you it was a blind date.”

“Why are all women so manipulative and persuasive?!!” he exclaimed “Is there no respect for human feelings anymore??” he threw his hands up in disbelief “I can’t stand this…I need to leave. Sorry Miss Lai—”

“Dr. Lai.” She corrected with a pointed finger.

“Yeah, right. Maybe in ten years.” He said with sarcasm “Anyways, I don’t need help.” He began storming out the door when she stopped him with her words.

“Doug, do you find yourself thinking about her? Wondering if you would ever find another girl that you could love as much as you loved her?” Jessie worked with a few cases like his and it was why Erin had recommended that she see Doug.

He froze, a cold chill ran down his spine. She had said everything he was feeling and had denied since the moment Jessie died “I don’t need help.”

“Maybe not, but you need closure.” Jessie said wisely “But I’m not going to push you right now, so come back to me when you’re ready to admit that you have a problem.” She returned to her chair and reached for her glasses.

Doug turned to her before leaving “Just because you have on a white coat and put on glasses doesn’t mean you look like a doctor.” He left with a short smile and she too smiled.

*********

The endless stairs took a toll on Jenna’s legs while Ryan climbed the steps casually like he had been doing it for ages. His brows wrinkled from the day’s bright gray sky “What an ugly day. She never liked…” he faded when he realized she wasn’t behind him “Jenna?”

“Go on without me…I’ll catch up.” She waved him away.

“Don’t be silly. I told you to walk more often.” Ryan rushed back down the steps to help her up “Come on, I’ll even support your arm.”

Jenna groaned, “How about supporting my legs too while you’re at it.”

He laughed, “Come on, lazy.” Soon, they reached Shelly’s gravesite “Hey Shelly, sorry, it’s been a long time since I came to see you. How is it in heaven?” feeling himself choke up as he whispered “Jenna’s here to see you.”

“Hey Shelly.” Jenna smiled “I figured Ryan would be bored. But I forget you’re always with him, he couldn’t be. But don’t you worry, the team will make sure he never gets bored.”

Ryan lowered his head and noticed the white oleanders “Oh right, this is for you. I know how much you love flowers.” Kneeling down, he placed it over the gravestone “I hope you’ll like it.”

Jenna’s heart ached watching him still in pain, she knelt down beside him, a hand gently over his shoulder “Hey, I’m sure whatever you get her, she’d be happy.”

“I know…” Ryan sniffed back the tears “Because she was always so appreciative of anything. So simple and so beautiful…like these flowers.” Turning to Jenna, he wasn’t afraid to hide his tears “I miss her so much.”

She opened her arms as he smiled and fell into the welcome embrace “I know you do. We all do. Especially her innocence, no one could ever take her place. It’s hard now but one day, you will find a way to move on. I mean, I eventually did.”

“You…you went through the same thing?” Ryan asked, trying not to sound surprise.

“Shocking isn’t it?” Jenna laughed. She let out a short sigh “His name was Kevin. It was high school. We were two people in love, crazy about each other in every way. Puppy love, that’s what the young kids nowadays call it. We were inseparable but…one faithful day, he was taken away from me. Ran over by a drunk guy in a sedan. By the time I reached the hospital, he was fading…I only had enough time to say goodbye. I didn’t get to hear his last words.”

“I’m sorry.” Ryan whispered earnestly “I never knew…”

“No one did, well, except for Darren. Not even Joe knew about this.” Jenna nodded wide-eyed.

He smiled, grateful that she shared her innermost pain with him “How did you get through that loss?”

“It wasn’t easy.” She said honestly “I cried for months but then I realized crying would not bring Kevin back. And Joe had come back for a couple of months after his death, maybe it was fate, I seldom saw Joe since he lived in Shanghai. I never realized how much he was there for me until I think about it. He was a great father.” Ryan nodded in agreement “Anyways, after a couple of years passed, I learned to get up again. I needed to continue with my life. And then I met the Team. This is my second family, this is my reason for living happy, for making a difference and for making others smile.”

Her goofy grin was contagious as he too had to smile “You’re stronger than I am.”

“No, I realized my purpose sooner. You’ll find yours one day.” She added firmly “If not, I’ll have Doug make up one for you.”

Ryan cracked up with laughter “God, I can’t believe Ga Jei set him up with a head doctor. He’s going to freak out when he sees her tonight.”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Jenna laughed “Come on! We have to get some groceries for tonight!” Bowing quickly to Shelly, she rushed down the steps giving Ryan time alone to say goodbye.

His smile lingered as he watched her head bounce up and down until she was no longer visible “Bye Shelly. Don’t worry about me…I’ll be fine.” Giving a final bow, he headed towards the long flight of stairs.

Chapter 8

Devin sat in the his black Mercedes with a pair of dark sunglasses as he ate his boxed lunch “Aries checking in. Operation Scorpio is ready to begin.”

“Pisces do you see anyone suspicious?” Devin asked between chews.

“No, Aries you’re clear to go.” Mia was dressed like a bum down the street from Chuck’s deli where Erin was working at the cashier.

“Don’t forget your cane.” Darren added. He posed as a flamboyant gay man flirting with random strangers.

Mia turned her head to check for her husband “You’re enjoying your role a little too much, honey.”

"I take my job seriously!" Darren said in defense as he splashed a smile at a cute guy walking by.

Jenna was dressed like an elderly woman with a head full of white hair. A cane in hand, she steadied herself while approaching the deli “Excuse me.” She stammered towards Erin.

“Yes?” Erin asked with a friendly greeting.

“Could you spare an old woman a bowl of rice?” Jenna faked her voice to perfection.

“Ooh, she’s good. I almost didn’t recognize her voice.” Doug said as he approached Devin’s car and seated himself in the passenger while passing him a cup of warm milk tea.

“I’m sorry, but we’re not allowed to give away food.” Erin let her down gently.

“Please Miss, I’m hungry and my kids don’t want me. They kicked me out of the house because they said I was too much of a nuisance. Please…” Jenna begged as she began a fake but convincing hacking cough.

Erin’s heart softened as she got off the stool and walked around the counter to stroke the woman’s back “Careful Aries, don’t get too close, she could probably see your fake skin.”

Jenna moved away “Don’t hit me!!” she cried suddenly causing a couple of people to stop “Please Miss, I’m sorry…I shouldn’t have begged for food!”

Erin tilted her head strangely “I wasn’t going to hit you. I was just trying to—”

“Help!! Help!! Girl beating on old woman!!” Jenna cried in sobbing pain.

A good group of people began to gather and a few even scolded Erin for being rude to an old woman “She’s old, just leave her alone!”

“I wasn’t hitting her!!” Erin raised her hands to her hips and Jenna quickly fell to the floor. From an angle, it appeared that she had pushed her.

Devin laughed as he witness the entire scene “You find this amusing?” Doug asked with a shaking head “You need to get a life…” Devin turned to him with beady eyes “Sir!” Doug saluted.

“Warning! The hawk is coming. Abort! Abort!!” Mia whispered the warning when she saw Ryan walking by her.

Chuck drove up in the taxi when he noticed a huge group outside his deli “Wow, business is booming.” He whispered as he paid the driver and rushed out to see the commotion. He saw Ryan at the same time “Ryan, what’s going on?”

The young guy shook his head in confusion “I don’t know, I just got here.” He pushed his way through the crowd and found Erin hovering over an elder lady who looked fragile enough to break in half. She appeared to be reaching out to help the old woman up but the woman continued to shriek in horrid pain.

“Erin!” Chuck cried, “What’s going on?”

“Please Sir, don’t hit me…I was only begging for a couple of grains of rice.” Jenna pleaded but she quickly lowered her head when Ryan looked at her strangely.

“Erin?” Chuck turned to her with crossed arms while a few people in the crowd began yelling out profanity at Erin “Is this true?”

Erin rolled her eyes “Uncle Chuck, why would I hit an old helpless woman? She asked for a bowl of rice but I know how stingy you get about giving away free food so I gently told her it was against deli rules. She started going crazy and said I hit her and stuff. I didn’t even touch her and she fell to the ground and then you came…”

Chuck turned to the woman “I sincerely apologize for my niece, she probably doesn’t know her own strength.” He reached out and helped Jenna up.

“You people are mean and rude! I curse your business.” Jenna spat at the floor “You will go to hell for the way you treat old people!” She said angrily while still trying hard to hide from Ryan’s growing gaze.

“I don’t want to eat here anymore!” One customer yelled and soon the rest of the people inside the deli got up and walked out leaving them empty.

Erin was in disbelief as she cross her arms “I can’t believe them! Look old woman, I didn’t hit you! How dare you lie like that!” she accused heatedly.

Jenna cowered in fear “There she goes again!”

Chuck ushered her quickly away “Erin, calm yourself.”

“She’s lying Uncle! I can’t believe you’re falling for this. She’s probably mad because I wouldn’t give her a bowl of rice.” She huffed.

“Erin, this is the third time this week. My business is dropping. I can’t afford this to happen anymore. Eve and I need the money, we had to push our wedding off to the end of the year because of this. I’m afraid I’m going to have to let you go.” Chuck sighed.

“What? You’re firing me? You’re only niece?” Erin asked in surprise.

“It’s not like you need the money.” He rolled his eyes.

“But I’m your niece!” she exclaimed.

“I’ll take over from here. Maybe you should go home and rest.” He suggested.

Erin nodded eventually as she walked out red in the face. She paused at Jenna and stomped away without giving Ryan a second look “Ga Jei!” he called.

“Ryan, forget it. Leave her alone.” Chuck called.

“Mission accomplished.” Mia sighed, “Are you happy now boss?”

Doug shook his head at Devin “It’s sick. This is just plain sick.”

Darren sighed “You think it’s wrong too Doug?”

“Huh? No, I was talking about the fly in my drink.” Doug showed it to Devin who winced with disgust “I thought the plan worked beautifully. Aries, you better go before Ryan recognizes you. He’s been staring at you nonstop.”

Jenna’s heartbeat quickened when Ryan leaned in closer to her “Ah Po, are you alright? You look so red.”

“Fine! I’m just fine. I don’t need your help!” Jenna pushed her way through and used her cane to limp away. But she could not speed up her steps with Ryan on her toes.

“Where do you live? I’ll take you home.” He offered.

Devin sat upright “Crap! I think he knows. Pisces, help her!” he ordered.

Mia instantly stood up and rushed towards Ryan “Mister, please spare me a few dollars. I haven’t eaten in weeks!” she begged with her frumpy hair and dirty face. Ryan was taken aback but he nodded and pulled out a few coins and dropped it in her cup. By the time he looked up, the old woman had magically disappeared. Scratching his head, he returned to the deli to have lunch.

***********

That night, Luke returned to the home with a dark aura “Wow, who died?” he asked when he noticed Jenna was curled on the couch in fear. Doug who sat on the other end raised a finger to his lips “What happened?”

“She’s cleaning.” Doug whispered.

Luke frowned “Okay, who pissed her off?” he turned to Jenna “Is it that stupid Uncle of yours again? Do I have to go down there and kick his ass?” he threatened.

Jenna shook her head “Luke, this is no time to joke around. She’s really upset. I’ve never seen her clean this much before since…I can’t even remember!”

He took a deep breath “I’m going in.”

“No!” Jenna popped from her seat as she pushed Luke back with her hands “Don’t, you could be killed!”

“Someone has to go in. We can’t live like this.” Luke urged. He removed her hands from his chest “Remember what I did for the group.” He walked towards the kitchen with his head held high.

“I’m going to miss him.” Doug covered his mouth with a hand while Jenna nodded.

Luke approached the swinging kitchen door carefully “Erin?” he began slowly but she didn’t reply. He pushed the door open and was immediately flung backwards when Erin pushed the mop at the door “Erin?” he moved through the door when it swung open. Her eyes moved up dangerously “You want to talk?”

“About what?” she asked curtly and returned to the sink to ring out the mop “What is there to talk about? I’ve been fired by my own Uncle. I guess blood doesn’t mean anything to anyone anymore.” She grunted and continued to mop the floor.

“Chuck fired you?” Luke asked sounding sincerely surprised “I’m sure it was a misunderstanding.” She snorted in answer “Erin, calm down. You need to stop cleaning. Come, sit with me.” He coaxed and practically yanked the mop from her hands “Whatever it is, we can talk about it calmly…like two adults.”

Erin gave in “Fine. I need some hot chocolate.”

“Done!” he rushed to the since and prepared two cups.

Jenna and Doug sat outside wringing their hands “What is taking so long?” she asked nervously.

“Scared?” Doug asked. She nodded vigorously “Me too.”

Just as they were about to see what damage was done, Ryan walked in “Hey.” He greeted with a slight nod “What’s the matter? You two look like you just saw a ghost.”

“She’s cleaning and Luke is in there with her…” Jenna pointed to the kitchen.

“Ga Jei?” Ryan asked as he stepped towards them “That reminds me, where were you today Jenna?”

Doug and Jenna exchanged glances and he quickly let out a long exaggerated yawn “Oh, look at the time, it’s already 8:30, I need to hit the sack.” He moved quickly before Jenna could stop him.

Ryan tilted his head and placed his hands calmly behind his back “Huh? You didn’t answer me Jenna, where were you this afternoon?”

“I…I was…eating…eh…lunch with my Uncle.” She stammered while taking short steps backwards.

“Really?” he asked with wide eyes. He didn’t buy it one minute “So if I went to your room, I wouldn’t find a wig and a fake skin mask of an old woman?!” he declared with a pointed finger.

“SHH!!!” Jenna reached up and covered his mouth “She can hear us!” she looked towards the kitchen like a mad woman “If you must know, follow me.” She marched towards her room while Ryan followed her with suspicion “It’s called Operation Scorpio.” She began slowly “Uncle Devin thought up of this plan months before to try to get Erin to return to the team. But it seems nothing worked.”

“So all that time when she was fired…that was all rigged?” Ryan asked. Jenna nodded, finally confessing everything “I can’t believe this…She’s gonna flip.”

“Not if you don’t say anything!” Jenna cried in defense “Please, it’s too late to back out. She might kick me out of the house when she finds out. And I like living here…Please I beg you Ryan.” She pleaded with rounded eyes.

Sighing, Ryan nodded “Fine. I won’t tell Ga Jei, but I want to know every move you guys make!” he warned.

“Okay, okay.” Jenna nodded happily “Thank you.”

Chapter 9

After confronting Jenna, Ryan decided he couldn’t be in the same room with Erin, afraid he would weaken and tell her everything. He went out to see some old friends from college. It seemed like hours until Luke and Erin emerged from the kitchen. Jenna gasped as she jumped over the couch and hugged Luke “You’re still alive!”

Erin smiled “I scared you guys?”

“I almost forgot about how you set me up with the shrink instead of a date.” Doug laughed nervously.

Luke raised his brows strangely “She was a shrink?”

“Weren’t you at the table when we were talking about it?” Erin asked, “Wow, you’re slower than Doug.”

“Hey!!” Doug pointed at her dangerously “I am NOT slow, my mother called me challengedly impaired.”

“So in other words…slow.” Jenna said.

“Anyways, how was your ‘date’?” Erin settled herself on the couch, legs curled up to make room for the others.

Doug rolled his eyes to the ceiling and clasped his hands together at the chest “Oh, she is so dreamy, just everything I wished for in a woman. Not only is she a doctor with a higher degree in education than me, she can read my innermost thoughts just by looking at my face. I mean what more can I ask for?” he finished as his face fell.

“Ouch, that bad?” Erin looked sympathetic.

“I thought Becca was bad…no no…you haven’t seen nothing yet. She is so cocky and thinks she knows it all and she’s this tiny little petite girl that doesn’t look a day over 18. How could I take her seriously?” Doug slashed.

Jenna nodded with intense eyes “Wow…you like her already.”

“What?” Doug asked, “You didn’t listen to what I just said?”

Erin nodded at Jenna in agreement “Yeah, you know I think you’re right. Remember how he reacted when Becca confessed her love to him? He was all in shock…the next phase was denial. I think he skipped a phase with Jessie.”

“Wait…her name is Jessie?” Jenna asked.

“Who’s Jessie?” Luke asked.

Jenna turned to him “His would have been fiancé, she was killed brutally during a mission.”

“Wow…what are the chances.” Luke sighed.

“It’s fate.” Erin nodded “And her sign is Cancer.”

“Creepy but so romantic!” Jenna exclaimed “I’m so happy for you Doug.”

Doug groaned painfully as he yanked at his hair and leaned into Luke “Women are evil. Never ever fall in love! NEVER!!!”

Jenna and Erin joint laughter caused Doug to go mad as he jumped over the couch and raced up the stairs, arms flying everywhere. Luke shook his head sadly “Another good man, gone to insanity…women!” he huffed.

The girls stopped laughing. Erin flicked her brow up “What?”

“Nothing, Mam! It’s time for bed, Mam!” Luke saluted and quickly rushed out of the room and away from the growing glares.

When they were out of room, Jenna turned to Erin with a solemn look “You okay?”

Sighing, she nodded “Yeah, I’ll be okay. I guess I shouldn’t be angry at Uncle Chuck. He does have a family to take care of. But I can’t believe that old woman would lie like that.” Jenna smiled sadly “It just comes to show you that old people are not always nice.”

“Yeah…” Jenna said softly.

************

Mia was at home enjoying a family dinner when her pager began to vibrate on the table. She stared at it, making no move to answer it “You know how to stop it from doing that? Push a button.” Darren said sarcastically.

“But I’m hungry!!” she whined.

“It’s Doug.” Darren said after he checked it for her “He’s got a lead on Ah Bat.”

“Me and my big mouth! Why did I have to be such a smartass?” she asked him with frustration.

“I wonder that a lot too.” Darren nodded “Anyways, you better go. I’ll have Yuk Jei heat up the food for you later.”

Mia sighed tiredly “Okay.” Dragging her feet she got a ride over to Erin’s place in the limo. Approaching the door, it swung open before she had a chance to knock. Doug appeared to be rushed as he was putting on a jacket while closing the door.

“Ready?” he asked. She nodded lifelessly “What the hell happened to you?”

“Food…” she groaned, “I didn’t even get to eat dinner!”

“Okay, we’ll pick you up some fish balls from the side stands.” Doug patted her head as he dragged her towards the car “We’re going to take the Doug mobile if you don’t mind.” He waved goodbye to her limo driver.

“Yes, we wouldn’t want to bring more attention to ourselves.” Mia said as she stared at his unusually bright yellow car “Where did you get this dump?”

“I got it from one of my friends at the car shop, can you believe they were going to put this in the car lot to be destroyed? It was a good think I got it.” Doug laughed.

Mia looked bored “Friends don’t give friends junk.” She tried the door but it wouldn’t budge “It’s broken!”

Doug looked over at her “Oh yeah, you have to really tug it for it to open.”

She yanked it open with all her might and nearly broke her nails “It’s a treasure.” She rolled her eyes after getting into the car “What the hell is that smell?” she asked disgustedly.

“What?” Doug started the engine “It’s just a car smell.”

“Like death!” Mia covered her nose and manually opened the window.

“You are so spoiled.” Doug shook his head sadly as he drove off to Midnite. The club was overflowing with people and a few drunken bodies scared outside the bar “The good old days.” he sighed after watching the security bring out a drunk guy that couldn’t even walk on his own.

Crossing her arms, she walked in unenthusiastically “Come on. Let’s get this over with.” The two entered and instantly looked around. They found Ah Bat at the counter flirting with a bunch of short skirted girls “Weasel, twelve o’clock.” Mia nodded. She approached him and leaned around the counter “Hey.” She nodded.

Ah Bat recognized her anywhere, his eyes bulged out as he began backing away and was stopped when Doug stood his ground behind him “Girls, will you leave us for a moment?” he asked the women nicely. They quickly obliged thinking they were from a gang.

“Dai Jei, please…what is it now? I’ve been out of trouble for the past six months! I only had that parking ticket, please…stop harassing me.” He begged. He lowered his head and prepared to sprint out when Doug punched him straight in the gut.

“Why don’t you save us some time and just come back with us then?” Mia knelt down on one knee “Or maybe you just like the torture?” she raised her brows.

Ah Bat nodded and suddenly, his eyes moved up “Hey, look it’s your friend Becca.” He pointed.

Doug turned quickly towards the direction of his finger “Where? Where?”

Mia also turned her head giving Ah Bat time to run away “He’s getting away!” she pointed and rushed after him. He was heading to the stairs which led to the rooftop of the 10 story building. She reached the third flight and suddenly felt a sharp pain hit her on the side.

“Mia! You okay?” Doug asked.

She nodded “Yeah, go…go get him. It’s just a cramp.” She pushed as he nodded and quickly chased after Ah Bat.

Ah Bat was out of breath by the time he pushed his way to the top. He looked around and found a girl sitting by the ledge, she turned and his face went pale “Why can’t you people just leave me alone!!”

Becca wanted to get some air after her friends practically deserted her to pick up guys. She wanted to be alone but they insisted for her to come along. She turned away “I’m not with them anymore.” She said.

“Stop!” Doug pointed as he cowered onto his thighs “Stop…get …back…here…”

“Doug?” Becca recognized the voice. A smile sprung to her face as she got up and rushed over to him “Doug!”

He raised a hand at her “Don’t come near me.” He warned.

“You hate me that much?” she looked hurt “I was your wife…” Ah Bat saw his perfect chance to get away as he began running towards the stairs. Doug was about to go after him but Becca quickly pulled him back “I want to talk to you!”

On his way down, he found Mia using the banister to help her stand “You’re not getting away that easily.” She said.

Ah Bat turned back and realized footsteps were getting closer, in a desperate plea to get away, he pushed Mia out of the way “I’m not going back!” he didn’t realize she lost her balance until she came tumbling down the flight of stairs.

Her cry echoed through the stairwell “Mia!!” Doug cried when he too saw her rolling downwards, the wall stopped her from continuing. Ah Bat was in a panic as he jumped down the steps and left Mia rolling in pain “Mia!” Doug didn’t care about Ah Bat as he helped Mia up “Are you okay?”

She was in tears as she held onto her stomach “It hurts…why does it hurt?”

Becca widened her eyes “Doug…she’s bleeding.” She pointed.

Doug looked down at Mia’s face and noticed how pale she was turning “Mia, oh my God…please…hold on.” Her head was getting wobbly as the blood continued to pour out from her bottom region. Wrapping one arm over his neck, he picked her up and carefully went down the stairs “What are you waiting for? Call the police!!” he yelled at Becca.

The ambulance came within minutes as she was escorted away “You wanna ride with her?” one emergency nurse asked Doug.

“I want to go too!” Becca exclaimed.

Doug turned to her with a vicious glare “No, you caused this! If you didn’t stop me, he wouldn’t have the chance to push her down the stairs. If anything happens to Mia, you’re responsible!” he stepped back and jumped onto the van leaving her looking shocked.

The team came as quick as they can after Doug had called each and every one of them. Darren was the first to arrive with Bonnie in his arms “How is she?” he asked the second he saw Doug in the waiting room, his shirt full of Mia’s blood.

“They’re still working on her.” Doug sighed.

“Daddy, is that blood?” Bonnie pointed to Doug’s shirt.

The guys exchanged glances as Darren placed his girl on the chair and quickly took off his jacket for Doug “Put this on before you give her nightmares.” Doug nodded and hastily peeled off his jean jacket and replaced it with Darren’s blazer.

“Doug!” Erin appeared at the door with Jenna, Ryan and Luke “How is she?” he shook his head, eyes on Bonnie.

Jenna was quick to catch on as she smiled at the little girl “Bonnie, let’s go get a snack.”

“Okay!” Bonnie slipped from the chair and took Jenna’s ready hand.

Erin thanked her with her smile “What happened?” she asked when they left the room.

Doug quickly explained. When he finished Matt, Reina and Devin showed up “What happened?” Reina asked, “How’s Mia?”

“They’re still working on her.” Erin patted Reina on the shoulder.

“How did this happen?” Devin asked.

“Becca, it’s all her fault!” Doug cried angrily “If it wasn’t for her, Ah Bat wouldn’t have the chance to push Mia down the stairs.”

“What? He pushed her down the stairs?” Reina asked “If I get my hands on him, I’m gonna kill him!” she vowed.

Doug turned to Darren sadly “I think she was pregnant.” They gasped, “She was bleeding…down…” he couldn’t finish.

Darren covered his face “I sensed it too! I was going to tell her to go to her gynecologist but it slipped my mind!” hitting his own head as he lowered his head to his chest.

“Darren, it’s not your fault…” Erin coaxed as she seated herself next to him “It just wasn’t mean to be. She needs all the support from you right now.” He looked up and nodded as she smiled trying to console him.

SIUBINGLIBRARY 2004