Cancel This Fucking Day

Participants:

abby_icon.gif elisabeth_icon.gif richard_icon.gif

cameo by Kasha

Scene Title Cancel This Fucking Day
Synopsis There are a lot of people who'd love to see it stricken from all calendars.
Date November 8, 2020

RayTech Apartments, Ray/Harrison Household


It's still and quiet in the hours between midnight and dawn. They are both more than well acquainted with this silence. Most nights — tonight included — it's peaceful. It's clear outside and in the cold winter air, stars seem almost close enough to touch. Elisabeth is standing out on their balcony with her hands wrapped around a hot buttered scotch (don't tell Jared, he'll lose his shit. It's the really good scotch).

November 8th is a day whose coming she faces with dread. Just waiting for all hell to break loose. Even though there have been years when nothing happens on that date, the horrors of the times that something has happened are what haunt her. That's one of the two times she died. And there are too many to count where she almost died because of some fucking insanity in riots or throwing herself into a portal or by a sniper's bullet. It's not exactly a wonder she doesn't sleep well at this time of year.

She's at least dressed warmly enough to be standing out here — her jeans are sturdy, there are thick socks under the fleece-lined slippers on her feet, and she's got a heavy woolen wrap around her shoulders, which are hunched in just a little as she leans on her elbows.

It’s not 3:33 am. It’s likely by this point, just past 4 am when EMT’s are making their way through a brownstone in Williamsburg and Kasha is standing back to let them through. Blue and red lights splashing repeatedly against the neighbourhood and not long after, police arrive. 911 prompts a plethora of emergency response. It’s not a good morning in the Caliban household and as people make their way through to upstairs, the chitter and screech of a monkey that goes skittering down the stairs and for the kitchen, Kasha’s standing where she can watch Abby being tended to and holding tight to her mother’s cellphone.

Richard insisted that they take the day off. All appointments have been cancelled, he made sure security was going to be on medium alert all day despite no known threats, and generally he’s been on edge about this day coming.

He’s been through enough horrors that happened on November 8th. His superstitions about the day are well known by the staff after all these years.

“Liz!”

Stepping out onto the balcony, he holds out Liz’s phone, “Your phone’s ringing. It’s Abby.” There’s already worry in his eyes. Is it starting already?

Jesus, the day is barely hours old. She turns from the railing and trades him — phone for toddy. She can feel her stomach twisting. "Abby doesn't have night shift," Elisabeth murmurs softly. It's enough to add to the worry they're both already feeling. Someday, someone is going to call her in the middle of the night and it's going to be about cookies!

(They're not.)

The phone comes up and she doesn't say 'hello' or even start with 'Harrison' as she usually does. She just asks, "Are you okay?"

“Aunt Liz” It’s not Abby on the other side but Kasha and the noise of people can be heard in the background on the phone. The sounds of the medical professionals and Tabaqui chattering his distress faintly. “Somethings wrong with mom.” The girl being eerily calm. But then, she’s always been like that. “She told me to call.” How many months since Liz was called by Kasha, only then it was that her mom was nowhere to be found. “I need help.”

Almost as soon as she realizes it's Kasha and not Abby, Elisabeth hits the speaker — it's not work, therefore it's not private in this case. "Kasha—" Her tone is gentle, she doesn't want to upset the girl. "We're on our way. Are you at home?" She thinks the answer is yes — the monkey is in the background, buuuuut….

At the words ‘we’re on our way’, Richard’s eyes widen slightly and he heads right back into the apartment without another word.

"Go with, kiddo. They might not let you in the ambulance, but one of the officers will take you." It won't even be a question — Abby is one of their own. "We'll meet you at the hospital. Which one are they taking her to?"

Elisabeth is moving through the apartment, stepping out of her slippers, and pausing only long enough to check what Richard is doing. Hand over the mouthpiece, she asks him, "You driving?"

What’s Richard doing?

Richard is hauling out the hard-sided cases near the bed that contain AEGIS suits, that’s what Richard’s doing. He lifts one with a grunt onto the table and cracks it open, stating flatly, “Not going anywhere without armor today. I don’t even know what’s going on, but I know that much, lover. Suit up.”

They can hear her asking someone, a gruff voice responding before she does. “Elmhurst. Officer Tisdale is going to take me. Aunt Liz, she’s…” Here her voice breaks. She doesn’t finish it though, but she can hear Kasha breathing heavily.

"Hold tight, Kasha. We're coming. It's going to be okay. Tell Tisdale that I'll meet you there." Elisabeth's voice remains calm for the sake of the tween. "Just breathe, baby. It'll be all right."

Covering the mic in the phone again, Elisabeth stares at Richard and says, "We cannot show up to the ER wearing full battle armor, Richard." Her tone is careful. She completely understands the instinct here — stress is wending its way down her back. She peers at him and tries, "Vests and helmets?" She's trying to compromise with him! Cuz she normally would just say flat-out 'no.' Then she adds in a hiss, "And get one of the guards up in here so we can leave. I don't want to wake Aura."

“I already called one up, they’re on the way,” Richard replies, giving her a look, “…fine. Vests and helmets, but you’re not taking the helmet off.” She’s been shot in the head far too many times, and in far too many timelines, for him to budge there!

“Yes Aunt Liz.” Though the phone is passed to the officer, and the exchange is surely brief, as the sound of sirens starts up and soon enough fades away to indicate that Abby’s on her way to Elmhurst.

Soon enough, Kasha and her escort will be too, once the monkey is corralled and a bag is packed in haste for the pre-teen.


Elmhurst Hospital

4:50 am


Time will have passed far too slow, even if it’s nowhere near as long as either group thinks it is. The hospital being a busy one, people in the waiting room, others checking in, some coming and others going in wheelchairs manned by attendants.

Kasha is sitting off to the side with her officer escort, backpack on her lap and the same expression on her face as the last time that Elisabeth was called out to come fetch the girl. Calm, watching whatever is on the TV’s in the room and any movement from the doors into the actual ER gets a flick of her gaze that way then back to the TV when it’s obviously not someone for her or familiar.

When those doors finally swish open and the people Kasha's waiting for arrive, it's a little… unusual. The officer waiting with Kasha, Tisdale, gets a grateful nod from Elisabeth as she slides the helmet off her head. At least her vest is hidden beneath the heavy wool wrap. She feels ridiculous, but… truth be told, maybe not as ridiculous as one might think. "Thanks, Tisdale. I appreciate you staying."

She wants to ask about a hundred questions, but she doesn't. Instead, she moves toward Kasha. "Hey, kiddo." The greeting is an invitation to speak or not, as Kasha needs to.

Helmet.” Richard, whose helmet is still on thank you, folds both arms over his chest as he regards his wife sternly through the visor. His leather jacket doesn’t quite cover the vest.

He looks to Kasha as well, flashing her a smile, “Hey you.” Then, “Liz, I’m gonna talk to the desk and get her status.”

Leaving the child-wrangling to her, he heads over to see if he can get an update on Abby’s current status.

There’s Liz and the moment that the helmet is removed, the young girl is up out of her chair and bodily thumping into the woman and wrapping her arms around her. The officer only offers a nod and grim smile and moves to allow them privacy. Stuck on her like a starfish on a rock.

The desk proves to have answers after a few minutes, people moving from the desk and then coming out to talk quietly with Richard.

Elisabeth wraps her arms tightly around Kasha, merely giving her husband a rueful look. They're inside! She rocks the tween gently as they stand there hugging, and she smooths her hand over the girl's hair. "It's going to be all right, Kasha." It has to be. This is Abigail. She keeps her worries and fears solidly locked down.

"Richard will see if we can get in to see her, okay? Why don't you tell me what happened?" She doesn't release her little starfish, simply remaining the rock on which the girl can cling.

Richard speaks with the woman at the desk quietly for a bit, then leans back - drawing in a slow breath, he grimaces before moving to head back over to his wife and Kasha, shaking his head.

He doesn’t interrupt, though.

”I don’t know. I was sleeping then mom started screaming my name. She stopped and then she screamed again and she was in the hallway and crawling into her room while holding her head and then she stopped talking and wasn’t answering me.” All spoken into Liz’s shoulder and in a rush of words.

Rubbing her hand up and down Kasha's back to soothe, Elisabeth nods slightly. Her blue eyes are worried and she gives Richard a questioning look as he returns. What Kasha just said doesn't sound good at all.

Kasha’s looking to Richard as well when he returns, tears in her eyes.

Richard manages a faint, reassuring smile for the girl as he returns, one hand lifting to rest on the back of Liz’s shoulder lightly. “Don’t worry, kiddo, she’s not gonna die or anything like that,” he says gently, “I don’t think she’s ready to see anyone but I’m sure we’ll be able to in a little bit.”

Her mom isn’t going to die or anything like that. To say Kasha looks relieved that Abby isn’t going to die is likely an understatement. That she can’t see her right now is likely still upsetting but being assured that Abby is alive and likely to remain that way is good news. She can wait. Waiting is a lot easier now and she lays her head against Liz’s chest.

Breathing out a soft sound of relief, Elisabeth cradles Kasha to her with one hand gently on the girl's head, the other wrapped firmly around her back. She searches Richard's expression, seeking the truth of what he's saying and asks softly, "Do they know what happened?"

Richard gives his head a slight shake, but as she pulls Kasha closer he looks at her more seriously and mouths the word ‘stroke’. Once he’s sure Liz got the message, he sinks down to sit beside them, reaching out to rub the back of the kid’s shoulder reassuringly.

“It’ll be awhile before we can go in, probably.”

—-

(3 hours later)

It is of course, a wait for the trio, Kasha eventually dozing against the pair of them, curled up in the chairs. People come and go, some called back, others leave and occasionally the wail of sirens heard. The people in the E.R. are familiar with Abby, she was also one of theirs and when a nurse comes out, it’s with at least a better expression on their face then. It’s to call them back. November 8th is not a good day for a lot of people.

Through the maze they go and past the others who are having as bad a day as they are, though without the vests and helmets and chattering monkey’s likely. They don’t go into the technical details, what with the 10 year old with them. But they distill it down enough. There was, they are sure, a bleed. In a part of her brain that they are unable to look at due to the electromagnetic disruption. A small stroke from what they have been able to tell and there was damage. How much, further tests will determine.

They’re stopped outside a more private ER room, shades drawn and lights off save for one in the corner. Quiet voices are needed and she was going to be moved soon as a bed was sorted out but she could finally have visitors. Stick to her left side, and things would be fine. There’s a comforting smile given to Kasha by the nurse and when they go in, it’s not hard to figure out where Abby is. Tubes and tape, wires snaking out from beneath a soft cotton hospital gown and the cuff around her left arm, the sounds of machines that dispense medication and track vitals. She looks tired and small in the bed, sitting up somewhat and looks to the doorway at the noise. It’s been a while since either of them had seen her in this state. Tired and pale, and to Kasha, far more calm and far less screaming of her name.

The tween hangs back near the door, hands on the doorframe and watches, uncertain whether she wants to step in or not.

“Come on in, kiddo,” Richard encourages gently, touching her back, “I know it’s scary, but I bet Abby really wants to see you right now.” He’d finally set down his helmet, at least, although he’s still wearing the armored vest.

He steps in, then, moving to the left side of the bed and reaching out to touch Abby’s hand— the ghost of a smile on his expression as he looks down to her, murmuring, “You scared the heck out of us, Abs. Glad to see you awake and alive.”

He’s seen her in worse states than this, but not in a very, very long time. And he’d hoped he never would again.

With an arm wrapped bracingly around Kasha's shoulders, Elisabeth moves at the girl's pace to enter the room. Hearing that Abby had a stroke is definitely not a good thing. She's worried and afraid for her friend too, but she also has a lot of experience keeping calm for the kids. She stands back when Kasha goes to her mother and smiles at Abby gently.

"Hey lady. You look like crap." There's a teasing tone to it. She and Abby have been through too much — if she cries, she worries it'll make Abby think it's even worse than it is! And truly, it's bad enough. Her blue eyes give away her own fear to those who know what to look for. "This was carrying dislike of desk detail just a bit too far."

She touches Abby's ankle, just that physical contact of comfort. Maybe for both of them. She can't get more words past the lump in her own throat. Seeing Abby like this brings back way too many bad memories.

“Yeah. Got real tired of doing the donut runs” Abby tries to joke weakly, looking between the two adults. Then to Kasha. “I need a hug.” She tells her daughter, motioning with her arms, left side not as co-ordinated.

And like that, Kasha’s breaking free from Liz and crawling so carefully on the bed to lay beside Abby and hug her, sniffling.

“You saved me bug. Good job. You did real good” She assures her daughter before looking back to Richard and Liz. “They want to do more tests. Don’t know how long. I’m real sorry. I…” She swallows hard. “Hard to see outta my right side right now. They think it’ll pass. Can uhh, can one of you call my Dah and see if he can come up? I don’t feel safe staying alone. Kasha needs help” Abby needs help but she’s never been good at saying it.

“Just take it easy,” Richard reassures her as she tries to apologize, shaking his head, “This sort of thing… happens. Don’t worry about expenses, either, if you have any trouble paying for medical care just let me know and I’ll take care of it.”

He’d killed people to save her before. Paying a medical bill isn’t anything compared to that.

The request earns Abby a gentle smile, and he nods before stepping back from the bed, one hand sliding into a pocket to pull out his phone. “Absolutely, I’ll call him now,” he assures her, moving to step into the hall politely.

Just outside the door, he pauses, looking down at his phone. At the messages.

“…Liz?”

There’s something in his tone that immediately should put her on edge.

Elisabeth just says, "Of course" at the same time Richard's already pulling out his phone. "We're going to take Kasha home with us for now, and if you're not up to being alone when you get out, we'll put all of you in family housing so that things are easier to get to for you."

And then Richard says her name in that tone. She pivots on her heel and looks at him, suddenly on alert and immediately ready for … battle? More bad news? Something.

She glances at Abby and Kasha and then steps just outside the door, murmuring, "What is it?" It can't be good, whatever it is.

“Thanks” For callling her dad. For taking Kasha. Abby squeezes Kasha against her, careful to not set monitors off, closing her eyes and resting her head back. “If my Dah can’t get up here then.. yeah. Uhh get Tabaqui to.. to the lighthouse kids.” Words take a little effort. “Hailey. She can take care of him. He likes her.” But Richard has a tone, and Abby cracks her eyes open and looks at them. Kasha has her eyes closed and starfishing on Abby now.

“It’s not just her,” Richard says in quiet, tight tones, “Kaylee, too. The same thing, so— so it’s probably all of them. She’s here at the hospital too, um— take care of Abby, okay? I need to go check on her.” His hand trembling slightly as he slides the phone away, looking up to his wife with the look of someone who’s afraid terrible things are about to happen— and he’s powerless to prevent them.

Well, fuck. Her blue eyes meet his gaze and she reaches up to clasp her hands behind his head, drawing him down to her for a brief, soft kiss. "Go," Elisabeth tells him quietly. "Text me when you know what's happening." Usually she's the one being called away. "I've got this." Her worry is obvious, but there's no point right now in running around like a chicken with her head cut off. Now is the time to just breathe.

“Yeah.” Richard returns the kiss briefly, closing his eyes for a moment as he leans in, hands resting on her hips - and then he pulls away, moving to stride back towards the nearest reception desk without another word.

Abby watches, the silent monitor increasing its pace just a little at Richards words but she doesn’t say anything and just watches him go. Watches the two of them and their moment of affection before looking down to Kasha who has fallen asleep now that she knows Abby is fine.

When she comes back in to talk to Abby, Elisabeth allows concern to show, but nothing bad enough to scare Kasha as she cuddles with her mom. A small affectionate smile quirks her lips. "As long as you're all right with her there, we'll just stay here until she wakes again, okay?" Lowering herself into a chair next to the bed, she slips her hand into Abby's. She won't leave her friend alone. "If you feel like talking, we can do that. If you just want to sleep, I'm here," she says simply.

“I scared her bad Liz.” Abby squeezes the other woman's hand. “I just… I had a nightmare and I… I smelled burning and things felt strange and I hallucinated. Then my head just…” Abby grimaces. “Lord help me Liz. I knew it was a stroke too late and all I could do was lay there. She saved me. But she’s ten and shouldn’t have to save me.” Words take effort but she makes it, shaking her head at the offer to sleep then regretting and lays still. “Medical leave now I guess. No way ‘round it”

"No, no way around that," Elisabeth agrees quietly, squeezing Abby's hand in reassurance. Sympathy and worry cloud her blue eyes but she says, "No kid should have to see their parent hurting. But I'll make sure she's okay, Abby. Promise."

She tips her head thoughtfully. It sounds like Abby was maybe reliving the plane crash, and things feeling strange is somewhat to be expected, she'd think. But maybe not. It's hard to say when the stroke is damaged tissue so close to the super dense tissue all the survivors have … and others had the same kind of reaction to something tonight. "Do you remember what you hallucinated?"

“A room in.. Paris? I’ve never been but I know it was Paris. A severe room. Just a bed and desk and then shoes. Men's shoes. “ She closes her eyes. A woman was there in pants and suspenders and a white shirt. Maybe from the twenties or so? It was strange. My arm tingled then and was going numb and she yelled out Lucas. I ran for the door and it ended. I was screaming for Kasha and…” She shakes her head carefully. “I knew I was having a stroke by then. Got to the floor and then that was it. Lord Liz. My head still hurts and the big spots fading on the edges but…”

She looks down to see if Kasha is well and truly asleep then back to the woman. “My dah’s too old Liz. He’s… they had me late in life. He’s too old if something happens. Would you and Richard think about taking her if something happens and I don’t….” She wets her lips. “If I don’t.. if something happens and the lights are on but no one is home and odds are looking not favorable, turn me off” Tears well up. “Turn me off, take what can be used for others and just… bury me with my mum”

The grip on Abby's hand firms to a solid hold and her blue eyes are stern. "Don't." Kasha won't hear it because Liz is keeping any of what they're saying from being heard by the child — even unconsciously there are some things kids shouldn't have to hear.

"You don't even have to ask — I will make sure that Kasha is fine." She doesn't even have to ask Richard really — he's a sucker for kids. Somberly, she tells her friend, "We have been through so much, Abby. You're one of the strongest people I've ever known. Don't give upon me now."

But she has to acknowledge the reality of what she's being asked as well. "If you want that, I'll bring you papers, okay? Dad will come and help us make sure you are squared away. But I really can't bear the thought of you giving up."

Tears edge her lower lashes and she reaches up to brush them away. "We're going to figure this out."

“I’m not giving up. I’m being realistic and practical. They can’t even look except for x-rays and dye Liz. They can’t do much of anything. I just need to make sure that if something happens, that she’s gonna be as okay as possible. God bless those kids at the lighthouse but I dun want her growing up with them. And she can’t go live in Butte, Dah loves her but… he deserves retirement, not another fifteen years of caring for a granddaughter”

The assurance that it will be figured out is taken at face value. “I haven’t flinched away from what the lord has placed before me before. I ain’t gonna now.” She promises Liz.

She looks down to Kasha, watching her sleep. “I miss Robert.” She frowns. “I made him promise to wait for me. We had ten minutes the night before. He never divorced me. I dream of that. All the time. His hands, his lips and then he’s falling and hanging. I wish he was here Liz. Right here, right now, I wish he was here.”

"Believe me, I know," she replies. Elisabeth spent far too many nights in far too many hellholes with her baby curled in her lap while she made sure they were safe. It was lonely. And it was years. "I wish with everything I am that I could make that happen for you." She shakes her head a bit. And she's quiet for a long few moments thinking about — and not able to — picture a world without Abby out there saving someone. No.

"You aren't alone in this. We've got Kasha covered and your Richard will get your dad brought in as fast as possible." She grimaces. "He'll probably be checking in on you all night while I take Kasha home to bunk with Aura." Her thumb strokes the back of Abby's hand. "Kaylee was brought in too. We're not sure yet how many others." Of the crash victims. That'll be on Liz's agenda — to check with the ones she knows and to check in with SESA.

“She uhh, someone needs call in for her today and uhh” Abby’s just holding Liz’s hand tight. “Uhm if she wants to stay home rest of the week then let her. Just make sure to get her work. She probably won’t wanna eat, but she will eventually. Don’t worry” She rattles off the care and feeding of one Kasha Beauchamp.

“Gillian. Gillian was one and then tell Richard that one of the lighthouse kids. Brynn. But she’s deaf so he needs to get one of the others to probably handle that and th-” Abby pauses, letting right hand to rub at right eye. “Oh thank the lord. I can see” The spot is gone and she looks just a little relieved.

Elisabeth smiles at the mom-instructions. She's just as bad with Aura's bodyguard some days. "I'll call and let them know what's happening," she promises. "School will be very flexible about it all. And I'll see what I can get her involved in to get her mind off everything." She also nods along with Abby's information on who to check on.

She pauses in surprise. "Really?? That's great, Abby. Maybe it won't be as bad as we feared. Gaining back those things seems like a good sign of recovery." Liz can only hope and pray that it is a good sign. But it's clear that something has to be done sooner rather than just trying to wait it out.

It’s a good sign. Has to be a good sign right? Abby’s the one with medical training. So the smile, even but small is surely a good thing. Time will tell one supposes, if medicine can’t, if things will get worse or get better. It’s been six months. Surely something has to.

“How long have you known about Richard and his… friends? My old… friend”

Elisabeth tips her heads and replies quietly, "From the start." She was, after all, living with the man. "Hard to miss when he couldn't touch me or the kids for weeks."

Dragging a hand through her hair, she observes, "I'm assuming he can't heal whatever happened to all of you when you lost your powers…" She trails off and glances at the door before looking back at Abby. "Did he try with this?"
—-

“He hasn’t tried. He.. doesn’t know how to make mine work and The other would… it was never really adept at healing the few times I saw some facsimile of it heal “ Abby point out then shifts some, getting as comfortable as one can with all the tubes and wires. She closes her eyes though, for a moment, inhaling deep the smell of Kasha’s shampoo. “And even then Liz, healing the kind was… tricky. It makes new. So whatever that part is responsible for, if it fixes, it might do more harm than good. Things might…be lost”

There is an immediate nod from Liz. "Yeah, I get you." Although she happens to know he can make the healing work. Still, Abby's experience is vastly superior to her own.

"I wish SESA knew more than they do," she admits with a sigh. "You close your eyes and get some rest, okay? I'm going to let Kasha stay here for a little bit if you want." Her blue eyes rest on the girl. "You might both get a little sleep that way. I'm not going to go anywhere."

“Department of the Exterior. They seem to be working with SESA on this” Close her eyes, get rest. “Maybe the ice pick will go away proper” She notes, closing her eyes. “Sleep till they find me a room. Then take her home. Let me know how Kaylee is” She murmurs. It will be an hour at least before they’ll come to move her. Before Kasha will have to get up. Nurses will be flirting in and out between then and it’s going to be a long day and night for all.


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