Hollywood Hills -- Upside Down

[Moonlight Lady]

This first one is kinda short, it was started over on another board by Chelsea and myself. She thought it would be better to post it here and get more people to do it and I agree. :) So, we're gonna take turns posting until we're caught up.
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Upside Down

by: California Dreaming, JohnR Lover, #1 John Ritter Fan, Retrogirl82, BlueMoonFan, JACKANDJANETFOREVER

Larry Dallas saw his family off to work and school. Finally, he had time to himself before school let out for summer. He grabbed another mug full of coffee and the paper and sat on the patio to enjoy the sports page.

It was around 9:30 when he got the call that would change everyone's life dramatically. "Damnit! where the hell are my keys!" he hollered as he tore the house apart frantically looking for them. Jack ran in through the backdoor and hollered for his best friend and brother-in-law.

[Number 9 Dream]

Hmm, you've got me wondering! ;) More soon, I hope :)

[Moonlight Lady]

Hmm, you've got me wondering! ;) More soon, I hope :)

There sure will be, Once Chelsea and I get caught up over here. It'll turn into group participation. I sent you a PM. :)

[Number 9 Dream]

Yay! I'll go read it :)






There sure will be, Once Chelsea and I get caught up. It'll turn into group participation. I sent you a PM. :)

[Moonlight Lady]

Yay! I'll go read it :)

Oh my god, I'm having a Chrissy moment. :faint:

[Heart Shaped Box]

"Larry! Hey, what's all the yelling about?" Jack asked as he made past the kitchen, watching Larry run around the whole house like a mad man. He crossed his arms and leaned against the side of the doorway that led to the living room, waiting for Larry to tell him what was going on.

"Jack..something happened at school. No one will tell me but I have a feeling it's not good. I have to get down there now." He finally managed to find his keys, and he quickly put his coat on, about to walk out the door.

Jack was going to ask Larry how come no one notified Jack or Janet, but he knew that would be wasting time. Instead, he followed Larry out the door. "I'm coming with you."

[Moonlight Lady]

"Come on...Move!" Larry screamed at the cars ahead of him when the light turned green. He leaned on the horn all the time cursing up a storm. Jack had never seen his buddy like this and it was really scaring him. "Larry! take it easy! This routine isn't gonna get us there any faster, Pull over and I'll drive!" Jack yelled at him. Larry did one better, he pulled into a Denny's parking lot.


Just then Jack's cell rang. It was Janet, her voice was shaking and Kate could be heard in the background, crying hysterically. "Janet, what's going on? Larry and I are our way to the school and..."

[Heart Shaped Box]

"Jack, LJ and Bobby got into an accident at school." Janet cut right to the chase, even though her and Katie were sobbing their eyes out and Jack's eye widened with fear and sadness. Janet's voice was so loud that Larry could hear what she was saying while he was in the driver's seat.

"W-What..h-happened?" Jack's voice was cracking already, and he was already thinking of the worst. Whatever was going on, Jack and Larry both needed to know now. When Jack got no response from Janet, he spoke up again. "Janet, what the hell is going on?"

[Moonlight Lady]

"I don't think I can even say it." Janet started crying again. Jack demanded that she tell him what happened. He hated to yell at her, but, he and Larry needed to know. He put the phone on speaker.

"Well...the boys had just finished their last final. They met Robin in the cafeteria waiting for them to give her a ride to Jenny's house, Some lousy kid came in with a gun and started firing." She went on to tell him that Robin was hit as well, but, her injuries were minor compared to the boys. Bobby got hit in the stomach and LJ in the chest, quite close to the heart and he was losing alot of blood.

Jack was stunned and Larry felt sick to his stomach. He dashed out of the car and ran behind some bushes. Jack gave him a few minutes alone and then made him sit in the passenger seat. "I'm fine Jack, I'll drive!" Larry snapped.

[Heart Shaped Box]

Jack was too shocked and stunned to even argue with Larry at that moment. His only goal was to get to the school as quick as they can, and he knew that Larry wanteget their fast too. All these emotions were running through Jack's head. Were Bobby, LJ, and Robin going to be alright? What would happen if one of them died? Or maybe all of them? How would the families survive? Jack was also angry and the person who could have brought a gun to school. His hands started to form into fists and his anger was growing more and more inside him every second they got closer to the school.

"Oh god.." Jack was shaking all over but managed to get out of the car once they got to the school. There were yellow tapes around everywhere, and the police were there. But Jack and Larry's only focuse was the ambulance that was in front of the school, and they instantly found the three children on a stretcher.

"Janet!" Jack yelled as he saw his wife's small figure, that was shockingly watching all of the children being put into the back of the ambulance. She had just gotten out of the car and her and Katie were headed toward the ambulance, but Jack and Larry's calls stopped them.

"Oh Jack!" He could tell that Janet was already sobbing before because he was looking at her tear stained face. More tears came down and the first thing Jack did was take her in his arms and kissed her forehead, telling her that everything would be ok.

[Moonlight Lady]

"No Jack! how could it be!" She sobbed. "Our Son and his cousins have been shot how can you tell me they'll be okay." She punched him in the shoulder, which hurt like hell, but, how could he get mad at her. "Because we just have to believe they'll be okay baby and pray alot."

Katie couldn't stop shaking, no matter how close Larry held her or tried to convince that everything would be okay. He didn't believe it himself. How could he expect her to as well. He was trying really hard not to cry as he stroked her hair. He needed to be strong for his wife and kids, especially his kids.

Robin, his baby, was calling out for her dad. They had a very special bond.
She loved her mom very much, but, Larry was the one she was closest to.
Larry and Katie switched roles after Robin was born. She went to work full-time and he became Mr. Mom. He never regretted it.

He sang her to sleep, taught her how to swim, helped her with homework,
took her almost everywhere with him, protected her from monsters in her closet and neighborhood bullies. Why couldn't he have protected her today.

"Larry, you better go ride with Robin, I'll be okay." She held his hands. "Are you sure honey?" He brushed the stray hairs away from her face. "Yeah , i'm sure, she really needs you right now." He kissed his wife and climbed into the ambulance. He gently took his daughter's hand in his. "I'm scared Dad."

[Heart Shaped Box]

As Jack was trying to console his wife as best as he could, he noticed that there was another ambulance right next to the first one he and Larry saw when they arrived. He instantly knew that's where Bobby was.

He stepped back to look into Janet's eyes and they both looked at the ambulance. He gently took her hand and they both were holding their breath as they walked towards the aumbulance. They were both afraid of what Bobby would look like. They weren't even sure if he was completely ok, which made matters worse.

Soon though they were relieved to see Bobby on the stretcher breathing and hooked up with a few IV's already. "Oh god." Janet couldn't help herself when she took a look at her son. She burst out crying and Jack squeezed her hand. He wanted to cry too, but he knew that if Janet wasn't going to stop crying, he was going to have to be the one who had to be strong.

"Hey there kid." Jack looked at his son, who's eyes were open the whole time watching his mother break down. He didn't say one word though, and they didn't even know if he could or if he even wanted to. Suddenly though, a quite voice escaped from Bobby's lips. "Hi dad." He closed his eyes though in pain, and it was obvious that it caused him pain to talk.

"Mom..hey mom don't cry. Please." Janet suddenly looked up at him and she tried her hardest to not cry. But his sad smile and courage made her want to cry even more. Jack was on the verge of crying also. Their son had an enormous amount of strength inside him, and they knew that he was going to fight it out.

"We love you son," Jack said and him and Janet both kissed him on the forehead. Everything was just too much for Jack and Janet, but they had the same amount of sadness. For Janet, it was tough for her. To bring in a boy in the world and watch him go through serious pain that might be worse was too much to handle. And for Jack, he taught Bobby pretty much how to do everything. Jack was his guide in life.

Why him God? Why him and his cousins? Janet thought as she held Bobby's hand and Jack rocked her soothingly to keep her from going crazy.

[Moonlight Lady]

"I know baby, I'm right here." Larry assured her. "Where's LJ, where's..." She was getting agitated and he had to keep her calm. "Shhh....honey, you need to lie quietly and stay calm, everything will be okay." He told her that her brother and cousin were in another ambulance with Uncle Jack and Aunt Janet.


Katie ran to Larry's car and got in on the driver's side. She wished she hadn't made Larry go with Robin, she needed him too. This was not the time to be selfish though. She sat hold on to the steering wheel. She got lost in her memories of her children's births. A rap on the window, brought her back to
today. She looked over and saw Terri standing there. Katie got out of the car
and embraced her friend. Terri got in the driver's seat and they drove to
Wilshire Memorial.

The ambulance carrying the two boys, arrived at the ambulance entrance,
followed by the one Robin and Larry were in. The parents got out first and then the children were lifted out.

[Heart Shaped Box]

The whole time Bobby was being taken to the emergency room, Jack and Janet never let go of his hand. They both like if they ever did let go, then they were giving up on him. It was the only thing that was keeping Janet and even Jack from getting even more depressed.

A few times they looked back and saw Katie and Larry with both their kids being pulled down the hall by doctors. Unfortunately, their rooms weren't close together at all.

"Daddy..is Bobby going to be alright?" Jamie asked as they both sat down on chairs outside his room. A while after Jack and Janet found Bobby and LJ inside the ambulance, a scared and alone Jamie was wandering around the grounds looking for her parents and her brother. They had both been caught up in the events that were happening that they totally forgot about their daughter, which made matters worse.

"He-he's going to be fine. Your brother is a fighter," Jack said as he kissed Jamie on the forehead. He was about to reach over and kiss Janet, but he remembered that she went to go see how Larry and Katie were holding up. Jack had already visited them and he knew that if Janet stayed around where Bobby was she would start breaking down again.

"I'm scared though daddy." Her quite little voice brought tears to Jack's eyes. It seemed like Jamie was lost. She didn't know if everything was going to be alright or not. She was too little to be dealing with all these emotions and all the violence. Both Jack and Janet were the ones that wanted to keep their kids away from all of that, but somehow it all got to them.

"I know sweetheart. I am too," he said, and suddenly he saw Janet coming towards them, but the one thing he did not want to see was the doctor behind her and what news he would bring.

[Moonlight Lady]

"Jack, this is Dr. Richards, he needs to talk to you and Larry in his office, I need to get back to Kate." Janet put her hand on his shoulder. "Janet, what..." He started to ask before she cut him off. "Go to Larry...Jack, it's not good." Janet took Jamie with her and they went to keep
Kate company.

Bobby was being rushed into surgery to remove the bullet, his spleen
would have to be removed because of all the damage done, but, he would
recover. LJ is a different story. Terri stayed with him until she had to leave to pick up her own kids, John was around the same age as Bobby and LJ Anna, Jamie and Robin were around the same age as well.

Kate stood by a window in an waiting area, down the hall from the OR, where
LJ was in emergency surgery. Larry was with Robin around the corner. She had just come out of surgery. A bullet had removed from her leg, it did some damage, but with physical therapy, she would be able to walk on it, but, with a bit of a limp. Larry sat at her bedside, holding her hand and singing to her softly. Jack appeared in the doorway. He watched quietly. He was moved to tears, but, afraid to make a sound. He sat outside the room listening, Larry started to pour out his heart. Jack could hear him crying and wasn't sure what to do at that moment.

[Heart Shaped Box]

As Jack was outside listening to Larry sing to Robin, there was a sudden silence. He figured that Robin was asleep, so he thought it would be the perfect time to take Larry into Dr. Richard's office.

He quitely opened the door just enough for him to squeeze in. "Hey Lar..you need to come with me. It's about LJ." Jack tried to show the sadness in his eyes, but Larry caught on to it quickly and he instantly knew something was wrong.

"Yeah, sure I'll be there in a second," he said and Jack nodded and knew what he meant. Jack quickly went outside the room and sat down waiting for Larry to come out.

While he was waiting, Larry sat there looking at Robin. She looked so pale and tiny. He gave her one last kiss on the head and told her how much he loved her before he came out of the room and headed to the office with Jack.

[Moonlight Lady]

Larry walked out into the hall, closing the door quietly behind him. "How's our girl doing Lar?" Jack asked as he put his arm around his best friend. Everything kinda bore down on Larry and he felt like he was gonna pass out. "Whoa buddy! It's okay, I've got you." Jack caught him and helped him over to a wheelchair. Luckily, Kate didn't see it, because she was upset enough. Jack went to get a nurse who ran over with smelling salts and a damp cloth, another brought orange juice in a little styrofoam cup.

"Mr. Dallas...c'mon...wake up." He started to come around. One nurse named Ann, helped him place his head between his knees, to get the flow of blood back to his head. "Now that's funny, he never had any up there to begin with." he said hoping to lighten things up a bit, it was needed, but, not appreciated. Larry lifted his head up enough to shoot a look of annoyance at Jack. "How can you joke at a time like this!" He needed to vent and Jack was an available target.

[Heart Shaped Box]

"I-I'm sorry Larry.." Jack knew that joking around at a time like that wasn't really a good idea, but Jack needed something to take his mind off everything that was going on.

"Let's just go to the doctor's office," Larry said as he got up from the seat. Touching his forehead lightly, he and Jack walked slowly down the hall to the office. A few times Larry kept closing his eyes, because he still was a little lightheaded. He couldn't just take everything in. He didn't even know why all of this was happening.

"Hello Mr. Dallas. Mr. Tripper. I have some news about LJ."

[Moonlight Lady]

"Just give it to us straight, Is my son going to make it?" Larry was afraid of the answer, but, he needed to know. Dr. Richards, a tall, good looking man, who could almost be Jack's double, sat before them.

"Well, he's still in surgery, they're trying to get the bleeding under control before I can go in and repair the damage to his heart." He went on to explain that the bullet actually hit a section of LJ's heart. The technical terms were going way over Jack and Larry's head and they were both getting short on patience. "Look, I don't understand all these medical terms. So just cut to the chase, will he make it!" Larry started raising his voice and it was making him feel worse, so he sat down, once again, putting his hand on his forehead.

"We're doing all we can Mr. Dallas, believe me, but, LJ has lost a lot of blood that when he comes out of surgery, he'll be in a coma. You need to prepare yourself for the worst." "The best thing you can do now is pray."

Kate and Janet fell asleep on two of the couches in the waitingroom. Terri came back with John and Anna, they stayed awhile and went back home, taking Jamie with them. Janet couldn't stand for her to be around all the sadness a minute longer. After the conference with the doctor, Larry and Jack joined their wives in the waiting room. Kate woke up when she felt Larry's hand on her back.

"Honey, let's go for a walk, we need to talk." Larry put his arm around her as they walked down the hall.

[LuLu Rogers]

(Hey Katie! This story is so good! :D Is this the one you were telling me about the other day?)

[Moonlight Lady]

(Hey Katie! This story is so good! :D Is this the one you were telling me about the other day?)

Yep, this is the one Chelsea and I started.

[LuLu Rogers]

Cool! I'm enjoying it! You both make the characters seem SO real! Especially Jack & Larry. Great job you guys! :D

[Heart Shaped Box]

"Janet..honey.." Jack said soothingly as he rubbed her back with his hand. What he wasn't expecting though was for Janet to jump up from her sleep, shaking all over. She was breahthing heavily and Jack knew that she had a bad nightmare. He quickly sat down and wrapped his arms around her while she helplessly clung to him.

"Jack..why is this all happening? Why to us?" Janet knew that she had already asked that question to herself many times that day, but even she couldn't find the right answer. No one knew the answer but for some reason it was something she had to ask.

"I don't know Janet. All we have to do is just pray. We have to." Jack whispered to her as both of them silently cried.

[Moonlight Lady]

"So, that's why he's been in surgery for so long." Larry just finished telling Kate what the doctor told Jack and him. "Well then we'll just have to pray." she insisted. "It's always worked for us before." he reminded her. "I don't understand, why is this happening to us Larry?" He turned to face her and took her in his arms, holding her tightly. "I don't know sweetheart, sometimes...bad things just happen, it's just part of life, I guess. I don't know what else to tell you." He wasn't about to lie to her. "It's not fair, It's just not fair." She cried into his chest. "Yeah, you're right, it's not fair, honey."

They walked back to the waiting room where Janet and Jack were and sat down. "Snowball...Oh god, I forgot all about the dog, she hasn't been out since this morning." Larry said as he put his hand to his forehead. "Larry, isn't that why you installed the doggie door in our backdoor?" Kate reminded him. "Oh that's right, what about food and water?" He asked. "I called Diane and told her what was gonig on, she's gonna take care of it on her way over here, she'll also bring the kids pajamas and stuff, don't worry sweetie, it's all taken care of."

"I CAN handle some things, you know, Larry." she snapped at him. "I never said you couldn't" Larry understood that she was upset and needed to vent, but, she was starting to get a little nasty towards him. He was trying to remain calm until the attacks started getting personal They didn't even have to be true, they didn't have to be anything, they just had to hurt. She wanted to hurt the kid that shot her kids and her nephew, but, since he wasn't available, Larry was her target.

Despite Jack and Janet's pleads for her to cool it, she just kept going after
Larry until he lost it. "THAT'S IT...ENOUGH!!...."

[Heart Shaped Box]

"Lar..cool it.." Jack said softly as he reached out for his friend, but Larry was already filled with anger and he couldn't be stopped. The whole accident was tearing everyone apart and they all knew it. They just didn't know how to stop it. "No!" Larry suddenly screamed at all of them and turned around, stomping down the hall.

"He hates me." Katie quickly burts into tears. Jack and Janet knew they were the only ones to get them back together - like they were the parents of them or something.

"He really hates me." She whined again, and as she had her back against the wall, she slid all the way down until she was sitting on the ground. Jack and Janet looked at each other and nodded.

"I better go get Larry," Jack said, but Janet's arm stopped him from continuing to walk down the hall. "He won't listen to you. You stay here with Katie." He nodded and sat on the ground next to her while Janet ran off to find Larry.

[Tibbs]

Hey, this this really good. :D

[Moonlight Lady]

Janet went off to search for Larry. She peeked her head in Robin's room. He wasn't there. She tried the cafeteria, but that was closed. "Where could he have gone?" she thought. Diane walked into the hospital with the kids' clothes and Janet told her what had just happened. "The Dallas temper strikes again." Diane sighed as she rolled her eyes. "Katie's thinks he hates her now, so i'm off to find him and try to talk to him."

Jack put his arm around her. "He doesn't hate you, he's just really mad right now and he wasn't feeling well. See, he didn't want you to know this, but, he passed out earlier this evening." He explained further about that.

She shook her head. "No, this is different from any argument we've had in the past, why didn't I listen to you and Janet?" He knew why. "The same reason Larry didn't, he needed to get out his anger." Jack explained that because the real person they wanted to hurt, the shooter, wasn't there. "So you and Larry became available targets to each other."

It made sense to her, yet she was still convinced that Larry hated her. "Jack, he'll never forgive me, I said some really mean hateful things to him, I didn't mean any of them, I love him so much Jack. He and the kids mean the world to me, I don't know what i'd do without them." She wrapped her arms around her legs and put her head down and cried. He knew exactly how she felt. The only thing he could do was to stay with her and be her big brother.

Janet finally found Larry sitting on a bench outside. She sat down next to him and put her arm around him. "Larry, we need to talk." He looked up at her with tears in his eyes. He was very pale and Janet was worried about him. "Larry...you look terrible." He started getting angry again. "You came all the way out here to tell me that, some friend you are!" He turned his back to her. She walked around to face him and he turned the other way. "LARRY DALLAS YOU LISTEN TO ME!"

[Tibbs]

LOL, Janet is the boss. ;)

[Moonlight Lady]

:lol: Larry better just watch it.

[Tibbs]

LOL, yea :lol:

[Heart Shaped Box]

Larry had no idea what was going on around him, or even what was going on with himself. It felt like he didn't know anything. His head was faced down to the ground, but Janet's finger lifted it up.

"Please..Larry. Katie needs you. We all need each other." As soon as he looked at her face, he could see the pain and sadness in her eyes. He couldn't believe the way he was acting. Everyone felt the same sadness as he did.

"I know. I just..can't believe this is all happening. It's just so unreal..you know? Sometimes I even tried to believe this whole day was a dream," Larry said as he sighed again.

"We all thought this was a dream Larry. Now, let's get back to Katie and Jack." She tried to put on her best smile, and Larry did the same.

"Thanks Janet. You're a truely great friend. I don't know what I'd do without you."

They both leaned in for a friendly hug. But what Janet wasn't expecting was a kiss on the lips from Larry. It wasn't a romantic kiss, but that's what Jack Tripper thought when he caught then at that moment as he rounded the corner.

[Moonlight Lady]

Larry was down on the ground, out cold so fast, he didn't know what hit him. Jack grabbed him from behind and beat the life out of his so-called best friend. "And you!" he turned to Janet. "I thought you loved me, I guess I should've known better...you...tramp!!!" He walked off into the night. "Jack!!!"

Security guards, doctors and nurses came running out with a stretcher. The picked Larry up, put him on the gurney and wheeled him into a cubicle to examine and treat him. Fortunately, his injuries were minor, he just needed to sleep them off.

Janet called Terri and told her what had just happened and begged her to come down to the hospital. John and Anna stayed home with Jamie and Terri made it to the hospital in record time. Both women went back up to the waitingroom and told Kate exactly what happened. She wasn't thrilled with Larry at that moment. She knew in her heart that Janet was not to blame and she assured Janet of that. "I guess I understand the kiss, I don't know, this whole day is like a nightmare."

She was now furious at Jack for hurting Larry that way. "He didn't even bother to let you or Larry explain, I'll never forgive him."

[Kristen J.]

Drama, drama, drama!!! I love it! You guys are doing GREAT!! :D

[Moonlight Lady]

Aw thanks :) Yeah, I love drama. Larry needs to keep his lips to himself :lol:

[Heart Shaped Box]

As Jack exited the hospital doors, he looked around the whole area. There was no where to go. He couldn't go back home, nor could he go back inside. He was stuck against the wall outside the hospital. He sunk all the way to the ground and buried his head in his hands.

"Why is Janet doing this to me?" He asked himself as tears started to pour down his tan face. The whole day was just hell. It felt like the day was never going to end, and they would be stuck there in sadness and mixed emotions.

Then suddenly his thoughts shifted to Larry. He couldn't believe what just had happened. Larry was his best friend, but Jack guessed that he was wrong. He was all alone now with no one to console him or even care about him.

"Whoa, you ok there buddy?" Jack was to tied up with his feelings that he didn't even notice a tall man come up beside him, smoking a cigar. It looked like he was rich, because he was wearing a very expensive suit.

[Moonlight Lady]

"Well, let me see..my son and his cousins are basically fighting for their lives, my wife is cheating on me with my best friend and my step-sister is probably in denial. So what do you think?"

"It was only a question Jack." Jack looks up at him. "Mr. Furley???" Jack was totally stunned. What...how...why...?" Jack was completely stunned. "Let's go get a cup of coffee, you look like you could use one." He was right. The two went to a coffee shop next door and Jack caught him up to today's events.

Larry was admitted just for overnight. He was put in the same room with Robin. Kate insisted on that, Kate and Janet took turns sitting in the waitingroom for news on LJ. It was Janet's turn. Katie sat staring at Larry, she held his hand and poured her heart out to him. "Larry honey, I'm so sorry for the things I said." I never meant them, you know that. I love you with all my heart. I don't know what i'd do if I ever lost you." she started to cry.

Janet sat beside Bobby's bedside. He was resting more comfortably now that the tubes and wires were removed. "Bobby honey, you and your cousins are so lucky to be sleeping through all this, everything is such a mess. Robin's out of surgery, she'll be okay, she'll probably need physical therapy and she'll walk with a bit of a limp, hopefully that's temporary. LJ...we still don't know anything on him, we just have to pray. I love you very much Bobby and i'm gonna be right down the hall." she kissed him on the head and went back to the waiting room.

"I'm so mad at Jack for doing this to you and calling Janet a tramp, doesn't he know that you two would never, in a million years, hurt him? This is my fault, all of it, us fighting, the kids getting hurt. If we had just stayed in Connecticut, none of this would've happened, I am so sorry. You'd all be better off without me." Kate was convinced that she was the reason why all this bad stuff was happening.

She rested her head on his chest and cried quietly, the sound of his beating heart comforted and lulled her to sleep. What she didn't know was that he heard everything she said, the last part scared him.

[Heart Shaped Box]

"..And that's why I was outside the hospital." Jack finished his story to Mr. Furley, who was listening contently to him. He couldn't believe all the things that were happening to his friends and their kids. It seemed like yesterday that they were all happy and peaceful.

"Gosh..I'm really sorry that this is happening to you and your family Jack." It looked like Mr. Furley was going to cry, but he held it in.

"My family? What family? Janet is cheating on me with Larry! You call that a family?"

The anger inside Jack was never going to go away. He didn't know why he was still there. He needed to get away, but then his mind shifted back to Bobby, LJ, and Robin. He couldn't leave them. Why was he even thinking of leaving?

"Jack, Janet isn't the type to cheat. Maybe you just assumed that Larry and Janet kissed "romantically". Do you really think that she would go off and kiss Larry while her son was in the hospital fighting for his life?"

Still, Jack didn't see what Mr. Furley was getting at. He knew what he saw. "Yes because I saw her with my own eyes!" Jack hissed.

Mr. Furley sighed, thinking. He needed to find a way to convince Jack that Janet wasn't cheating on him. Mr. Furley knew that Janet would never even think about doing such a thing like that. Suddenly something popped into his mind. "Well did you even give them a chance to explain?"

Jack froze. He didn't give them a chance. He didn't want them to. He closed his eyes and took a huge sigh. "No."

[Number 9 Dream]

(( Whose point of view am I taking? :confused: :happyface ))

[Heart Shaped Box]

(( Whose point of view am I taking? :confused: :happyface ))

Hm..you can take Janets. :D

[Moonlight Lady]

(I'll take Katie's and Robin's POV)

[Tibbs]

(I'll take Katie's and Robin's POV)

This is really good :)

[Heart Shaped Box]

I guess I'll take Jack's and soon Bobby's hopefully.

[Number 9 Dream]

Janet watched Katie slowly drift off to sleep on Larry's chest. She noticed Larry looked a bit perturbed but she decided to keep her feelings to herself.

If only Jack could've done that... She replayed Jack's words in her mind and the way in which he distrusted her...the sting of it just pained her to no end.

How could my own husband, the father of my two adorable children, call me a tramp? How could he suspect me of kissing Larry, especially during such a troubling time as this one? Doesn't he know I was only trying to comfort him?

Janet sighed and got up, prepared to go look for Jack. We need to work this out...all we need to focus on right now is our children.

"Hey, where are you going?" Larry called softly in order not to stir Kate.

She turned around and looked at Larry with sad eyes. "Going to make things right," she said before she turned away to look for her husband.

[Heart Shaped Box]

Suddenly Jack jumped up from his seat. "Thanks so much Mr. Furley. I won't forget this." Jack quickly hugged him and ran out the coffee shop. Now everything was in a whole different light. He finally knew that he was wrong, and it was a stupid thing to think that Janet was cheating on him.

I really said some mean things about her.. Jack slowed his paced down and hit his head. He did say all those mean things to her and he wouldn't even trust her. Now he felt like dirt. She was probably still furious at him now. What was he going to do? He knew it would probably take a while for her to forgive him.

"God..what am I going to do?" By now, Jack was already back at the hospital - and stuck at the same place he was. His back was against the wall as he slid all the way down until he was sitting. He screwed everything up.

His eyes were pinned to the ground as his head was lowered. He was positive that Janet would never ever take him back, which made him so sad. Tears started flowing down his eyes. He was about to wipe them away when he heard a familiar beautiful voice call of his name. His sad eyes even made Janet want to cry.

[Moonlight Lady]

Larry dosed off again, he was started to feel a little bit better, but was still sore, but the dizzyness was gone. A little more sleep would do him good.
Kate woke up and got up carefully so she wouldn't wake up her husband.

Robin opened her eyes and saw her dad lying in the bed next to hers. Her eyes shifted over to her mother who was stretching her legs. "Mom?"
Katie turned around and smiled to see her daughter awake. "Hey sweetie, I was wondering when you were gonna wake up, how do you feel?" Geez, how does she think I feel. Robin thought to herself. "I've been better...What happened to dad?" Katie wasn't sure how to answer that question, she had to think. "Oh slipped and fell, he'll be okay though, he just needs to rest, listen honey, i'm gonna go see how your cousin is doing and wait for news on your brother, but, you're dad will be here, if you need anything."

Katie kissed her forehead and hugged her. Robin was looking better, her color was coming back a little bit. She walked over to Larry, stroked his hair and kissed him softly. "Please forgive me" she spoke softly. Katie needed to leave before anything else happened. Larry opened his eyes a little and could see the desperation and sadness on her face. He had to act fast.

[LuLu Rogers]

You guys are doing a good job. I'd love to help out, but there really aren't any characters left that I could do a good job with. I'll just read, I guess.

[JJ4EVER]

"Janet...I am sorry," was all Jack could stutter as the tears slid down his face. Janet so much wanted to rush into Jack's arms and forgive him but she held her ground. "Your words really hurt me Jack," said Janet but even she couldn't stop the tears now coming out of her eyes

Jack knew he had been wrong but he had apologized. He was starting to get angry. "Janet, I am extremely sorry and I never meant to say what I did. I should have thought but I was in a state of panic."

"Jack, I love you, but you have got to trust me. I love you with all my heart, but I was extremely dissapointed with your reaction. Why would you do that, and especially in such a delicate time?" Janet's tears had started flowing more than ever as she thought she said to much. It was now her turn to apologize. She sighed," Jack, I-"

"You know what, I can't take any more of this," Jack said angrily. What did I do now? he thought. "I am going to check in the kids," and with that he stomped down the hall.

[Moonlight Lady]

Larry was getting worried but, he didn't let Robin see the fear on his face, he was glad that she went back to sleep because he had to think of something quick.

Kate was up on the roof. She was terrified of heights but as long as she stayed away from the edge, she'd be okay, she just needed time to think.
the warm breeze was refreshing and the sunrise was breathtaking. She just stood there, staring at it in awe.

Diane Dallas entered Robin's room and saw Larry lying in the next bed.
"Larry what happened.." she wasn't expecting to see him looking so terrible.
"Shhh...Diane, i'm okay, I don't want to get into it right now, I'll tell you later." Larry was feeling better and he got dressed in the clothes she had brought him. "You need to go find Katie, I'm really worried about her." he whispered before disappearing into the bathroom to change.

[Number 9 Dream]

"Shh, it's alright....Daddy's here," Jack whispered in to his daughter's hair. He felt so completely horrible about everything that was going on-- most especially all the hurt and pain he'd caused his wife and his best friend. Now his own little girl, his pride and joy, was sobbing in his arms, feeling just as scared as he was.

I'll have to be the strong one...for Jamie...

"Jamie, I know you're really scared and feeling worried right now...and I'm sorry for the way I acted with your Uncle Larry and your Mom....you don't deserve to witness that. And it's ok for you to cry.."

"I know," she whimpered in a small voice...she hugged her father even tighter, not wanting to let go. He grasped her hand and looked in to her watery eyes, giving her a small smile.

"Come on, pumpkin...let's go find your Mommy." Together, they walked down the hallway to look for Janet.

[Number 9 Dream]

Janet looked up at Jack and softened. Every time she looked in to Jamie's eyes, she saw a little bit of her husband twinkling back at her....she just couldn't ignore that, no matter how angry she was.

"Oh, honey, you did nothing wrong," she said, her voice breaking with emotion. "Your father and I just under a lot of stress right now...and we're sorry we handled it this way. But we love you very much and we just want you to know that."

"Yes, we do," Jack said softly. Janet and Jack both hugged their daughter, sandwiching her in the middle of them. Jack leaned over and kissed Janet tenderly on the lips and broke away.

'Sorry,' he mouthed, tears brimming in his eyes.

"Me too," she whispered.

Jack cleared his throat. "Come on, guys....let's move 'em out...we've got to check on Larry and Kate."

[LuLu Rogers]

Jamie looked up at her father seriously. "Daddy, I know I told you that I'm not a little girl anymore, but that's not really true. I'm your little girl!" She said as her face beamed and her eyes twinkled like her father's. "Daddy, Will you carry me on your back the way you used to when I was little?" She gushed hopefully, giving him the sad face she knew he couldn't resist.

[Number 9 Dream]

"Well, sure!" he exclaimed with a chuckle. He pretended to grunt as he lifted his 13 year old daughter up, hoisting her on his back.

"This was a lot easier when you were four, Jamie," he joked. She giggled and he began to trot down the hallway like a horse, while Janet screamed: "Careful, Jack! We don't need another injured child!"

Together, the family went off to find their good friends.

[LuLu Rogers]

Jamie laughed hysterically at her father's antics. He knew how much she loved horses, so he acted like one for her on a regular basis. "You don't make a very good horse daddy." She said honestly with a grin. At that remark, Jack fliped her off his back and carried her like a baby. He grinned at her and she knew that only ment one thing. She braced herself for her father's mercilous tickling.

[Number 9 Dream]

"Hey, that remark is good cause for a hazin'," he said in a fake Southern drawl...He tickled her a bit, causing her to laugh hysterically. It made him feel good that his daughter was laughing again....Janet was even smiling.

"Hey, Jack...where are Larry and Kate?" she asked suddenly, peeking in the hospital room. Robin was sleeping soundly but there was no sight of Larry or Kate anywhere.

Jack's brow wrinkled and he looked at her with confusion. "I don't know...come on, let's go check outside."

(( Ok, we'll leave the next part for Kate since she usually plays Larry and "Kate"...then someone else can take over Janet and Jack for a while...I don't want to hog the part! :happyface ))

[JJ4EVER]

(((lol I typed up a paragraph but when I was about to put it all of you were already ahead of me and I did another one and you guys already did that part also. :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: )))

[LuLu Rogers]

((ok, but I think Katie gave you the part of Janet. She gave me Jamie and Larry, and she has Kate and someone else, can't remember! LOL! Chelsea has Jack & Bobby, I think. But you're right about needing Kate & Larry now))

[Moonlight Lady]

Larry was searching frantically for his wife. He looked everywhere and couldn't find her, he returned to the waitingroom where he met up with
Jack, Janet and Jamie. When he saw Jack, he had all sorts of emotions
coursing through him; hurt, anger, sadness, fear, they were all muddled and he couldn't sort through them. Jack tried to approach him, but, Larry backed away and went back into Robin's room.

Jack felt awful, Larry was afraid of him now, didn't trust him. He needed to fix
things. With that he walked into Robin's room. He kissed his niece on the forehead.

(Aw thanks for saving Larry for me, I was thinking we could take turns writing him, give him all these dimensions)

[Number 9 Dream]

(( LOL, yea, cause I'm really confused now...I wasn't sure if we were actually assigned parts or if we are just taking whatever part comes up next naturally...cause I saw in the earlier posts that they were just shifting around to whatever came next...Also, how did Jamie get there? I thought she was at home with John, Anna, and Terri? I'm all confused :lol: :confused: :lol: ))








((ok, but I think Katie gave you the part of Janet. She gave me Jamie and Larry, and she has Kate and someone else, can't remember! LOL! Chelsea has Jack & Bobby, I think. But you're right about needing Kate & Larry now))

[LuLu Rogers]

(( LOL, yea, cause I'm really confused now...I wasn't sure if we were actually assigned parts or if we are just taking whatever part comes up next naturally...cause I saw in the earlier posts that they were just shifting around to whatever came next...Also, how did Jamie get there? I thought she was at home with John, Anna, and Terri? I'm all confused :lol: :confused: :lol: ))

((oops! That's my fault! LOL! I guess she got a friend to bring her to the hospital, maybe. *blushes* my bad!))

[Number 9 Dream]

(( It's ok..I thought our part was cute :) Next up is Kate again and then we'll just see what happens from there...I'll let other people post for now...))






((oops! That's my fault! LOL! I guess she got a friend to bring her to the hospital, maybe. *blushes* my bad!))

[LuLu Rogers]

(( It's ok..I thought our part was cute :) Next up is Kate again and then we'll just see what happens from there...I'll let other people post for now...))


((Gotcha! I'll probably drop Jamie out for a little while too, unless she's needed))

[LuLu Rogers]

Jamie looked into her father's face and saw the hurt in his eyes. She knew that somehow she had to help make things right. She had to bring her family back together. While her parents weren't looking, she slipped into Robbin's room to talk to her uncle. "Uncle Larry, can I talk to you?" She whispered quietly, so she wouldn't wake her cousin.

[KissMyGrits]

Gret job guys!! Keep up the good work!! I am having fun reading this!

[LuLu Rogers]

((Is anyone doing Larry right now?))

[Number 9 Dream]

(( Yea, I think we're waiting for Kate...as soon as she logs on, she'll update))

[LuLu Rogers]

((Well, I'm out for now guys. Hopefully Larry and Jamie can finish this scene later. I'll be back in a little while!))

[Heart Shaped Box]

See ya! :wave:

[Moonlight Lady]

Kate came down from the roof, She made sure nobody was around, so she could make a quick getaway. "I just need to go someplace and figure things out." she said to herself. Dr. Richards came out of surgery and happened to see her. "Scuse me Mrs Dallas?"

She stopped, turned around and faced him. "LJ is out of surgery, it's still very much touch and go, he lost alot of blood and his heart stopped a few times because of it. He's in very critical condition. He pauses "I'm sorry to tell you this, but, it doesn't look very promising." The doctor let her sit in his office to have some quiet time to think about what he said. "Do you have any questions?" Kate shook her head no. "If these kids are gonna have any chance at all, I need to leave" She got up and shook his hand. "Thanks for taking care of my family." She walked out of the office and out of the hospital, but only got as far as the same bench that Larry had occupied last night after the fight with Jack.

[LuLu Rogers]

Jamie looked intently at her uncle, waiting for him to acknowledge her. She could tell that his mind was some where far off, away from what was happening to them.

[Moonlight Lady]

"Oh Jamie honey...i'm sorry." Larry apologized for not answering her. His mind was a million miles away, worrying about his wife and son. "What did you wanna talk to me about?" She stood in the doorway and he motioned for her to come in. "It's okay, she's sound asleep, you won't wake her."

Jamie walked into the room and sat on the small couch next to her uncle.
It was hard for her to come out with what she wanted to ask, but she did it.

[LuLu Rogers]

Jamie took a deep breath. "Uncle Larry, you and daddy have been best friends for a long time, right?"

[Moonlight Lady]

"Yeah, over 20, maybe 25 years." Larry wondered what she was getting at.
"Why do you ask? He was curious as to where this was leading.

[LuLu Rogers]

She swallowed and started again. "Well, I know that I'm not an adult yet, and I know that you, daddy, mommy and Aunt Kate know a lot more than I do about life, but I remember something you once told me when I was little. Robin and I had a big fight because I thought she had taken my teddy bear. As it turned out, Bobby was the one who had taken it. I was too embarressed to talk to Robin about it since I had been wrong, but you told me that our anger wasn't worth giving up our friendship." She noticed that her uncle wasn't quite understanding what she was getting at. "Don't you see Uncle Larry? I don't know what happened between you and mommy, but I know it made daddy mad. I also know that daddy found out that he was wrong and he wants to ask you to forgive him. So, will you please talk to him, for me?" She gave him that same look that always made her father give in to her.

[Moonlight Lady]

Larry smiled at her and gave her a big hug and a kiss on the forehead "Thank you sweetheart. You're right. I'll go talk to your father." Larry opens the door for his niece and she walks out with him following.

Jamie walks over to her mother and aunt and they watch Larry and Jack.
"Hey, Jack, can we go someplace and talk?" Jack looked up at him through teary eyes and a small smile gave way.

((I'm going to bed, I'll see everyone tomorrow))

[LuLu Rogers]

Jamie smiled as her uncle and her father walked away together. She looked up at her mother adoringly. "I did that!" She annouced with a smile as she pointed in the direction that her uncle and father went. She looked over at her aunt's unhappy face. "I wish I could help her too." She thought to herself.

[Heart Shaped Box]

Jack didn't know how to get the words out. Apologizing to your wife is one thing, but apologizing to your best friend who was a guy, that was even harder. He took a big breath, but nothing came out of his mouth. When he tried again, he at least got something out.

"Larry..I-I.." Jack avoided contact with him and he suddenly stopped talking as more tears fell down his cheeck. Suddenly he felt a hand pat his shoulder and he and Larry both hugged each other.

[JJ4EVER]

Diane Dallas suddenly came from behind Kate and put her hand on Kate's shoulder. Kate squeaked with surprise and jumped up. "D-Diane....what are you doing here?"

"Oh come on, what's wrong? Wipe those tears off your eyes," she said as she fetched a handkerchief from her bag. "I know this is tough but you have to be strong. If not for Larry, do it for the kids."

"No, you dont understand," weeped Kate. "This is all my fault." My and my best friends' kids are in the hospital fighting for their life right now, and it is all my fault. I mean, this whole damn mess would have been fully avoided if I never moved here. You know what? Janet's kids were actually waiting for my kids when the shooter arrived!!" The sheer realization of this was too horrible for Kate to imagine, as she collapsed on the bench next to her, bringing a fresh flow of tears. "Now you look here Katie Elizabith Dallas. Your kids are in there fighting for their life, and all you can do is weep like an old lady. You get back in there and support your family," said Dianne, who was close to tears herself. Kate just sat there bawling her eyes out. This was when Dianne lost it. She slapped Kate lightly across the face.

Kate was stunned, but it also brought her back to her senses. "Y-you're right," admitted Kate. Dianne helped her stand upand they walked back in.

[LuLu Rogers]

Jamie looked up at her mother who was smiling down at her. "I'm so proud of you Jamie. You're growing up to be the caring and compassionate young woman that your father and I always hoped you would." Jamie smiled and held her mother tightly. "Mom? Can we go see how Bobby is doing while we wait for daddy and uncle Larry to come back?" She looked up at her mother, her big blue eyes twinkling like her father's.

[Number 9 Dream]

"Of course, honey," she whispered, running her fingers through Jamie's silky hair. Together, they went in to Bobby's room, hands clasped together. Jamie looked stunned to see her brother laying there so helplessly, tubes and ivs snaking in to his arms. Bobby stirred and looked at them through half-closed eyes.

"Mom? Jamie?" he hushed weakly.

Janet could hardly hold back her tears as she sat down at his bedside. She held his hand in to hers, squeezing it lightly.

"Hey, kiddo...how you holding up?"

"Well, I could be better," Bobby retorted, flashing her a smile, which was so identical to Jack's.

'Well, he still has the Tripper sense of humor ', she thought with a smile.

"I want you to get some more rest, Bobby...your father, Jamie, and I will be here for you throughout the night, ok? You'll never be alone."

"Ok, Mom," he whispered one last time before his eyes closed again. His chest was rising and falling softly and Janet knew he had fallen asleep again.

[Moonlight Lady]

"Diane, thanks" Katie hugged her sister-in-law and took the elevator back to the 5th floor. She was finally able to see LJ. Kate cautiously walked into to the Intensive Care Unit and talked to one of the nurses. "He's right over here." She led Katie over to his bed. She wasn't prepared for what she would see. He was white as a sheet, hooked up to machines, tubes and IV's
lying perfectly still, almost lifeless.

Larry and Jack rejoined their family. Diane was there and told her brother
that she found Katie and that she had to slap her because she was so out of control. Larry was not happy with Diane at that moment, but, he couldn't deal with her right now. He walked into the intensive care unit and walked up behind Katie and put his hand on her shoulder. She turned around and threw her arms around him. "Larry, I love you so much, I didn't mean to hurt you." He hushed her with a long romantic kiss, he led out out into the hallway and to a private area where he could talk to her.

[LuLu Rogers]

Jamie followed her mother out of her brother's room. She saw her father waiting for them and she ran up to him to see if he was alright. "Is everything alright between you and uncle Larry now?" She asked hopfully, her bright blue eyes searching his.

[Heart Shaped Box]

Ok, we're going to pause this for a second. Me and Katie decided to instead assign characters. I hope you all are ok with that, because sometimes if anyone just posts on here it could get really confusing. So here's who taken..

Jack - JohnR_Lover
Janet - retrogirl82
Katie - California Dreaming
Jamie - #1 John Ritter Fan
Bobby - JohnR_Lover
Larry - #1 John Ritter Fan
LJ -
Robin -
Diane -
Terri -
John -
Anna -

Ok, if this list is wrong or if you don't like the way this list is, please let me or Katie know.

[LuLu Rogers]

Ok, we're going to pause this for a second. Me and Katie decided to instead assign characters. I hope you all are ok with that, because sometimes if anyone just posts on here it could get really confusing. So here's who taken..

Jack - JohnR_Lover
Janet - retrogirl82
Katie - California Dreaming
Jamie - #1 John Ritter Fan
Bobby - JohnR_Lover
Larry - #1 John Ritter Fan
LJ -
Robin -
Diane -
Terri -
John -
Anna -

Ok, if this list is wrong or if you don't like the way this list is, please let me or Katie know.

Sounds like a plan to me! :D

[Number 9 Dream]

Cool! I think JackandJanetforever is doing Diane, right? Other parts are open...consider this your casting call! :D





Ok, we're going to pause this for a second. Me and Katie decided to instead assign characters. I hope you all are ok with that, because sometimes if anyone just posts on here it could get really confusing. So here's who taken..

Jack - JohnR_Lover
Janet - retrogirl82
Katie - California Dreaming
Jamie - #1 John Ritter Fan
Bobby - JohnR_Lover
Larry - #1 John Ritter Fan
LJ -
Robin -
Diane -
Terri -
John -
Anna -

Ok, if this list is wrong or if you don't like the way this list is, please let me or Katie know.

[Moonlight Lady]

I'll take Robin too.

[KissMyGrits]

Good idea.... I would like to do Terri if she is still availble.

[JJ4EVER]

Sure I would love to do Diane.

[Number 9 Dream]

Ok cool! Does anyone else want to take the remaining kids?

[JJ4EVER]

if no one shows up we could always have someone play another character. :)

[Number 9 Dream]

That's true :) I might take another kid if no one else is interested.




if no one shows up we could always have someone play another character. :)

[JJ4EVER]

That's true :) I might take another kid if no one else is interested.
Same here. I wonder how long this story will be!! It is so fun to write!!

[Number 9 Dream]

Yeah, I agree! It's fun that everyone can participate :D





Same here. I wonder how long this story will be!! It is so fun to write!!

[Moonlight Lady]

Jack - JohnR_Lover
Janet - retrogirl82
Katie - California Dreaming
Jamie - #1 John Ritter Fan
Bobby - JohnR_Lover
Larry - #1 John Ritter Fan
LJ -
Robin - California Dreaming
Diane - JACKANDJANETFOREVER
Terri - BlueMoonFan
John -
Anna -

Okay, So we have LJ, John and Anna left over.

[Heart Shaped Box]

Hm..well if no one else wants to play the kids I could play one of them. I'm not sure about LJ because we don't know what'll happen to him.. ;)

[Moonlight Lady]

Hmm...maybe somebody could be him in flashbacks or something. Like
Larry could remember a father-son talk with LJ or Jack could remember
something he did with LJ.

[LuLu Rogers]

so, where do we go from here?

[Moonlight Lady]

Okay, if nobody wants to play Anna and John
We could just say that they went back to Connecticut because they missed Zack or they went to visit Terri's parents.

[LuLu Rogers]

Okay, if nobody wants to play Anna and John
We could just say that they went back to Connecticut because they missed Zack or they went to visit Terri's parents.

Sounds like a plan, Stan! ;) :lol:

[Heart Shaped Box]

Hmm...maybe somebody could be him in flashbacks or something. Like
Larry could remember a father-son talk with LJ or Jack could remember
something he did with LJ.

Hm..yeah like a talk or maybe they could have a fight or something like that. I could be LJ if you guys want. :wave:

[JJ4EVER]

Just tell me when you are ready to post :happyface :happyface :happyface !!! And I could be one of the kids if no one else wants to.

[Moonlight Lady]

Hm..yeah like a talk or maybe they could have a fight or something like that. I could be LJ if you guys want. :wave:

Ooh fight fight fight! It's more exciting. :D

[Moonlight Lady]

Sounds like a plan, Stan! ;) :lol:

:lol: Hey do I look like Mr. Roper to you? ;)

[LuLu Rogers]

:lol: Hey do I look like Mr. Roper to you? ;)

:rofl:

[Number 9 Dream]

Ok cool! I'm mean, if the other kids are just minor roles, I can't see why the person posting can't just add them in if they're needed, you know? Unless someone else wants to fully play them, cool! :happyface

[Moonlight Lady]

Ok cool! I'm mean, if the other kids are just minor roles, I can't see why the person posting can't just add them in if they're needed, you know? Unless someone else wants to fully play them, cool! :happyface

Yeah, we could just mention them once in awhile. Like maybe Robin could say "I got a card from Anna today" Or Terri could mention them calling her.
This is gonna be so cool :D

[Number 9 Dream]

Yeah, this was a great idea, Katie! I'm glad you and Chelsea thought of it! :happyface I like your idea about mentioning the kids here and there too. Alright so now that we've got an idea of how it's running, who's gonna post next? :lol:



Yeah, we could just mention them once in awhile. Like maybe Robin could say "I got a card from Anna today" Or Terri could mention them calling her.
This is gonna be so cool :D

[Moonlight Lady]

Well, Larry still has to apologize to Katie for yelling at her and confront her about what the things she said to him when she thought he was sleeping.
about everything being her fault and stuff. So I think it's Lauren's turn.

[Heart Shaped Box]

Jamie followed her mother out of her brother's room. She saw her father waiting for them and she ran up to him to see if he was alright. "Is everything alright between you and uncle Larry now?" She asked hopfully, her bright blue eyes searching his.

Actually I think it's my turn, because Lauren was the last to post. :D

Jack smiled down at his daughter. Even though she had his eyes, he could tell she got some of her mother's personality. Always trying to fix things up. Just hearing her voice made him smile. He pulled Jamie in for a big hug and kissed her on the forehead. "Yeah sweetheart. All thanks to you."

[Moonlight Lady]

Kate and Larry were the only ones in the coffee shop. He took her hand in his and looked right into her sad, bloodshot eyes. She cried a million tears over the past 24 hours and it was taking it's toll on her beautiful hazel eyes.

She was afraid of what he was gonna say. She didn't know he had heard everything she said last night about everyone being better off without her, she didn't know that such a thought scared him deeply. Kate braced herself for what he was about to say.

[Chain Gang Member]

Can I play Zack?

[LuLu Rogers]

Actually I think it's my turn, because Lauren was the last to post. :D

Jack smiled down at his daughter. Even though she had his eyes, he could tell she got some of her mother's personality. Always trying to fix things up. Just hearing her voice made him smile. He pulled Jamie in for a big hug and kissed her on the forehead. "Yeah sweetheart. All thanks to you."

She giggled happily. "I love you daddy!" She hugged him tight. "Let's go rest in the waiting room. I'm kind of tired." She grabbed her parents hands and walked with them to the waiting area. When her mother and father had sat down, she looked up at her father. "Daddy, can I sit in your lap?"

[LuLu Rogers]

Kate and Larry were the only ones in the coffee shop. He took her hand in his and looked right into her sad, bloodshot eyes. She cried a million tears over the past 24 hours and it was taking it's toll on her beautiful hazel eyes.

She was afraid of what he was gonna say. She didn't know he had heard everything she said last night about everyone being better off without her, she didn't know that such a thought scared him deeply. Kate braced herself for what he was about to say.

Larry looked deeply into his wife's eyes. "Kate honey, I know that things have been hard for both of us lately, but I don't want you to blame yourself. You and Robin and LJ are my life, you mean the whole world to me! Without you darling, I have no idea where I'd be today. Probably still working at that dead beat used car lot looking for any woman who would pay attention to me." He took his hand and cupped her chin. "I love you more than anything else in this world and I mean that. Now, our son isn't doing so well, and I can honestly say that I don't know what's going to happen, but I do know that we should continue to pray for our son. God has helped us out many times before and he'll do it again if we ask him." He smiled at his wife and pulled her closer, carressing her cheek.

[Moonlight Lady]

After twenty years of marriage, he still made her melt. Everytime she looked into those big brown eyes of his. "Everything has just been upside down, I haven't even had time to call Mom and Dad and let them know what was going on." He was taken aback by that last statement. Both their parents
were gone. He thought maybe she just wasn't thinking clearly.

"I'm so tired, I wonder if we should go home and sleep in our own bed tonight. We're really not that far from the hospital. I dunno, it's just a thought." She got up, walked around behind Larry and wrapped her arms
around him. "I love you sooo much, I don't know what i'd do without you."
She kissed his head. "I'm really scared Lar, Why is this happening to us?"

[LuLu Rogers]

After twenty years of marriage, he still made her melt. Everytime she looked into those big brown eyes of his. "Everything has just been upside down, I haven't even had time to call Mom and Dad and let them know what was going on." He was taken aback by that last statement. Both their parents
were gone. He thought maybe she just wasn't thinking clearly.

"I'm so tired, I wonder if we should go home and sleep in our own bed tonight. We're really not that far from the hospital. I dunno, it's just a thought." She got up, walked around behind Larry and wrapped her arms
around him. "I love you sooo much, I don't know what i'd do without you."
She kissed his head. "I'm really scared Lar, Why is this happening to us?"

He looked into her eyes, searching them. "I don't know Katey bug, I just don't know." He pulled her into his lap and started stroking her hair. "Jack, Janet and Jamie are staying at the hospital tonight, so if you wanted to, we could go home and sleep in our own bed." He looked at her with nothing but love in his eyes. "Kate darling, I have a suggestion, it's just a suggestion, so don't get angry with me, ok?" He gave her a tender kiss and his big smile that he knew she loved. "Why don't we go home and I'll make love to you? I know we're both upset about LJ and Robbin, but we need to keep our marriage on track. I don't want us drifting apart." He looked at her lovingly and leaned closer to whisper in her ear. "I promise to do whatever you want sweetie. I love you more than anything else in this world and I want to show you that love." He pulled her closer to him and rested his head on her shoulder, waiting for her to answer him.

[Number 9 Dream]

Meanwhile, Janet, Jack, and their daughter lounged in the waiting room, not sure what to do other than wait. Bobby was most likely sleeping and they didn't want to disturb him.

Janet stretched, the cold plastic chair aching her back. "Jack, I wonder if you, Jamie, and I should just head back home....Bobby will be conked out for the remainder of the night....maybe we should just go home?"

[Moonlight Lady]

He was pushing all the right buttons. It had been weeks since they were intimate with each other. Either she was tired from working all day or he was tired from running all over the place with kids, tennis lessons, orthodontist appointments and the usual chores that came with being a house-husband and stay at home dad. She cupped his cute little chin in her hand and kissed him softly, tenderly. "Can we just say goodnight to the kids first?" She asked him. She read his mind. "Then you're all mine." she whispered to him in a husky tone. That made him tingle with excitement.

He flashed her a smile and batted his eyelashes at her. They met up with Jack, Janet and Jamie and told them their plans. "So, we thought it would be best, We're really not that far from here." Kate reminded them.

[Number 9 Dream]

"Jack and I talked it over...we are going to head home too, you guys," sighed Janet tiredly. "Waiting for any news in this depressing hospital isn't the best solution right now."

[Heart Shaped Box]

After Larry and Katie said their goodbyes and headed out of the hospital, Jack, Janet, and Jamie all got up from their seats. "Let's go Jack. This place has been giving me the creeps." She sighed and his hand entwined with hers as all of them left the hospital, hoping they never had to come back again.

"Well..home sweet home." Jack sighed as he closed the door behind them. It was already night time and Jamie decided to go to bed early, which left Jack and Janet sitting quitely on the couch.

[Number 9 Dream]

"Jack, I'm so scared," Janet whispered, laying her head on his chest. He played with her hair and admitted he too was afraid.

"I-I just don't want to see anything bad happen to LJ or any of the kids...god, it would just tear Larry and Kate apart. I guess we just have to let God work his magic on this one."

She sighed, fearing she would cry at any minute. All they needed at this point was a miracle.

[Heart Shaped Box]

Once Jack saw Janet's face filled with tears, he quickly grabbed her shoulders and turned her towards him. "Janet, please don't cry. You know we both have to be strong for the kids." Why couldn't he have said anything better? That was the only thing Jack was saying, and it wasn't working. But that was all they could do.

"You know I'm trying I'm best. It's just too hard." Fresh new tears slowly ran down her face. Jack put his arm around her, but he easily noticed how tense she was. She needed to get her mind off of the hospital, the kids, the accident. He needed that too.

"Janet.." He called out to her, and she lifted her head up. In a second his lips were on hers.

[Moonlight Lady]

"Then sing to me -- softly." His voice was smooth as velvet and it's what drew her to him one night at the Regal Beagle, they were doing a karaoke night and Larry sang "Handy Man" by James Taylor He was not only handsome but he had a beautiful voice. She moved down in front so she could be close to him and he sang right to her as if it were just them.

They were now in bed together, under the covers, clothes strewn everywhere. He held her close to him. His skin was soft, warm, comforting.
He cleared his throat and started to sing the song that made her his.

[Moonlight Lady]

"Night Sweetie pie" She kissed him and fell asleep in his arms. Kate was out in a matter of minutes. It felt so good to be back in their own bed. Morning broke. The sun peaked through the sides of the bedroom shades and a soft breeze moved through the room, carrying the smell of lilacs and azaleas.

Kate was still asleep but she could feel Larry's hands rubbing her back. It was his gentle way of waking her up. She wasn't ready to wake up though. She lied there with her eyes closed wondering what he was gonna do next. Kate felt the bed move as he got up. She was about to doze off again when she heard Snowball yelp. Kate was now awake. She looked down to see Larry petting snowball who had gotten underfoot again. "She did again huh?"
Kate stretched and threw her robe on. "I wonder if Jack and Janet are up yet, we should probably find out what time they're going to the hospital."
at that moment the phone rang. Larry answered it and it was Terri.

[Heart Shaped Box]

Can I play Zack?

We don't have a Zack in this story. Sorry. :( Something happened to him in the story so now we don't have one.

[Moonlight Lady]

Yeah, Zack had a stroke. :( He worked himself too hard.

[Number 9 Dream]

Is BlueMoonfan next or should I post something? :confused:

[JJ4EVER]

Diane had decided to stay at the hospital. Everyone had gone home, and she had a feeling she knew what the two couples were up to. She slept on the chair, though it was extremely hard for her to get to sleep.

When she woke up, her hand immediately went to her neck. It was so stiff she could hardly move. "Oh god, do I need a bath," she muttered to herself. She knew she couldn't go home, because she lived thirty miles away, in Beverly Hills, and knew she shouldn't leave now. She might go if someone actually showed up for the kids. She got up and tried to get her neck to move again. Diane walked out of the room, and saw a sleepy Jack and Janet walking towards her, with Jamie in the middle, holding both their hands.

"Hi guys," said Diane, trying to sound cheerful but without avail. "I was waiting for you." Janet and Jack looked at each other embarrased and depressed. "You stayed here all night?!" asked Janet. "I can't believe we couldn't have stayed for the kids," said Jack sounding downcast.

"Look, I am getting some strong black coffee, you coming?" asked Diane, looking at them. They told her that they would rather stay with Jamie and go visit the kids, so she went to the cafeteria. After a couple minutes, she walked back and saw some doctor's running into LJ's room. "Code blue, code blue!" one of them yelled. Diane sprinted throwing her coffee on the ground until she reached Jack and Janet. What they told her shocked her. LJ's heart rate was going a mile a minute, and he could have a heart attack.

[Moonlight Lady]

Kate got dressed and went downstairs to start the coffee, the dog scampered down the stairs behind her.

The phone rang again and this time Kate answered it. It was Janet and she sounded panicky and upset. "Janet, calm down, take a couple of deep breaths...relax...okay now tell me what happened".

[Number 9 Dream]

Janet tried to gather her composure but it was difficult...her words came out in ragged gasps and she felt she would throw up any second. She held on to the pay phone booth for support.

"Kate...it's LJ," she whispered hoarsely. "You need to get to the hospital quick....he's not doing good at all."

[Heart Shaped Box]

"Oh my god.." Jack whispered as Jamie sat down next to him on a chair. He watched as Janet was trying to tell Katie what was happening. She looked so helpless and it just made him want to cry just looking at her being in pain. His pulse started quicking, like he knew something big was about to happen. Like everything was doing downhill quicker than usual.

"They're on their way now," Janet said as she suddenly burst into tears and ran right into Jack's arms. She clung onto his shirt and never wanted to let go. It felt like she was never going to stop crying, and she felt so helpless.

[Number 9 Dream]

Janet felt so fragile, so weak inside. She was worried for LJ and worried for her two best friends as well....god, Katie and Larry would just fall apart if anything happened to their son. Janet knew it would KILL her if it was Bobby that was in LJ's position instead.

She turned to her daughter, who was looking at them with confused eyes. "Jamie, your father will explain everything to you," she whispered...Janet quickly ran off to sob somewhere private, somewhere where Jamie couldn't see how weak she was.

[Moonlight Lady]

"Oh my god..." she clasped her hand over her mouth. Kate put her hand over the phone and screamed for her husband "Larry!!!!" He had just gotten out of the shower.

Larry ran down the stairs and took the phone from Katie who was crying.
he put it back on the charger and managed to calm her down long enough to tell him what's wrong. "That was Janet...Larry, it's LJ...we have to get down there."

[LuLu Rogers]

Jamie saw the tears in her mother's eyes and she instantly new that something was wrong. Her father looked so helpless as he struggled to tell her what was going on. She gently grabbed his hand. "Daddy, you don't have to tell me what's going on if you don't want to. After all, I'm used to being in the dark about this kind of stuff." She said it with a laugh, but she was hurting inside and she felt terrible about it because it had nothing to do with what was going on. She longed to talk to her father alone, but he always seemed too upset, or too busy to talk to her, so she held everything inside.

[Number 9 Dream]

(( guys, Chelsea left me Jack's role while she's away...so I'm her from here on until she gets back ;) ))

[Moonlight Lady]

(( guys, Chelsea left me Jack's role while she's away...so I'm her from here on until she gets back ;) ))

((okey dokey :) ))

[LuLu Rogers]

"Oh my god..." she clasped her hand over her mouth. Janet kept calling her name. Kate put her hand over the phone and screamed for her husband "Larry!!!!" He had just gotten out of the shower.

"We'll be there as soon as we can Janet, is anybody with Jamie?...Robin..I meant Robin..." Larry ran down the stairs and took the phone from Katie who was crying.

He listened to the phone, but Janet had already hung up, so he hung up too. He grabbed Kate into his arms. "What's wrong Kate? I need you to tell me what's wrong!" He felt bad about yelling at her, but she was hysterical and he needed to know what was going on.

[Moonlight Lady]

"It's LJ's heart Larry, It started beating to fast and something about cardiac arrest." She cried into his chest. He left water for the dog, grabbed her pocketbook and they were out the door.

He drove quickly, but, with in the speed limit. A speeding ticket was the last thing in the world they needed. They pulled into the parking garage found a spot and ran into the hospital. Kate wanted to run to LJ's side but the cardiac team was busy working on their son. Larry had to hold her back.
"What do you mean I can't go in there that's my son!" she screamed.

[Number 9 Dream]

Meanwhile, Jack was trying to comfort Jamie, who was confused about what was going on. He could hear his wife sobbing down the hallway but he decided it was best to leave her alone to sort out her emotions. When Janet was vulnerable, she shut herself up like Fort Knox and there was little one could do to penetrate that wall.

"Sweetie, your cousin isn't doing well," Jack began in a shaky voice, eyeing his daughter carefully. Her chin started to tremble and she looked on the verge of tears.

"We have to pray now," he whispered.

[Moonlight Lady]

Robin woke up and all this excitement was going on down the hall. "Daddy!"
"Mom!!" Her leg felt like she had a million knives stabbing her. Something was happening to her brother, she just knew it. Where were her parents?

Janet heard Robin's voice and came running to her. "Aunt Janet?" Robin was crying and it hurt everytime she sobbed. "Where's my parents?"

[Number 9 Dream]

Janet tried sucking up her own tears and enveloped Robin in to a tight hug. She decided she should be strong for little Robin, especially when it was her that would need the most comfort during this trying time. "Mommy and Daddy are on their way, sweetheart...come with me, ok? Come sit with Uncle Jack and I while we wait for them in the lobby."

[Moonlight Lady]

"Okay, do you think they'll let me go home yet?" she asked Janet who helped Robin on with her robe. She was still weak from surgery. Terri arrived at the hospital and walked into Robin's room to see her out of bed, holding on to Janet.

Robin was still a little weak, but, she wanted her parents to take her home.
She had enough of the hospital. Everyone did.

[Number 9 Dream]

"Oh, Terri, thank god you're here!" Janet exclaimed. She looked down at little Robin, who was shaking in fear as the chaos around her deepened.

"Robin, oh god, I'm sorry...don't get up...I'll bring everyone to you, sweetheart...my mind isn't in the right place."

[LuLu Rogers]

Jamie prayed for her cousin, but she couldn't help but cry. She felt horrible because she wasn't crying about her cousin, she was crying about the battle she was going through inside. She longed to tell her father about it, the person she trusted most in the world, but she didn't want to bother him, so she sat still and burried her anguish.

[Number 9 Dream]

"Jamie, if you want to talk about anything, you know I am here for you...we are in this as a family...we're not letting each other suffer alone," Jack reminded her.

[LuLu Rogers]

Jamie gulped hard as she looked into her father's eyes, knowing that what she was about to say might make him angry, but she knew she had to tell him, otherwise she would live with her guilt and pain inside forever. "Well daddy, you see, Mommy told me that when you found out she was going to have Bobby you were very excited because you had always wanted a son." She stopped to take a breath and choose her words carefully.

[Number 9 Dream]

Jack was surprised to hear her words. "Well....yeah, sure I was, sweetie. I've always wanted a son but having a daughter is also a blessing in itself." He wasn't sure where Jamie was going with this, so he continued looking at her, urging her to go on.

[Moonlight Lady]

Robin got back in bed with Terri's help. While Janet went to get her parents.
Kate had calmed down. Larry sat beside her as she drank her tea.

Janet offered to stay with her while Larry went to sit with Robin.
"Go ahead Larry, Jack, Janet, Jamie and Terri are here with me"
Larry promised he'd be right back after he got Robin settled down.
He ran into her room and held her. "What's going on Dad, where's LJ!"
She was really upset and she wanted to go home. "I just wanna go home."

[LuLu Rogers]

She took another deep breath and started again. "Well, I you talking to Uncle Larry one day about when I was born and I heard you laugh and say 'Yeah, Janet and I were shocked to find out we were having Jamie. We hadn't exactly planned on having 2 children!' I didn't really think much about it then, but when Bobby told you that he wanted to be a chef, you were so proud of him. I had written a poem that had gotten first place in the writing festival and I was so proud of it, I just knew you would be too, but when I tried to show it to you, you told me that you didn't have time because you were going to take Bobby to tour the college where you studied to be a chef." She stopped to wipe a tear from her eye.

[LuLu Rogers]

Robin got back in bed with Terri's help. While Janet went to get her parents.
Kate had calmed down. Larry sat beside her as she drank her tea.

Janet offered to stay with her while Larry went to sit with Robin.
"Go ahead Larry, Jack, Janet, Jamie and Terri are here with me"
Larry promised he'd be right back after he got Robin settled down.
He ran into her room and held her. "What's going on Dad, where's LJ!"
She was really upset and she wanted to go home. "I just wanna go home."

Larry held his daughter tightly and kissed her forehead. "It's alright sweetie. Daddy's here." He couldn't bring himself to tell her about her brother, not yet anyway. He held her in his arms and prayed sliently.

[Number 9 Dream]

Jack was shocked to hear those words come out of Jamie's mouth...He grabbed her hand and looked at her intently. "Look, honey....I care about you a whole lot....hell, I love you more than you could ever know. The love a father has for his children is beyond understanding...I would take a bullet for any of you. Jamie, I love you....if I've ever made you feel underappreciated, I am sorry."

[LuLu Rogers]

She started to sob. "Daddy I didn't mean to make you upset. I shouldn't have told you about this now! I'm always doing the wrong thing. I'm just trying so hard to get you to notice me, to get you to listen to me, the way you do with Bobby. I wish I was the one in the hospital instead of him so that you could have your son back. You always have this great smile on your face when you're with him. I'd take all the pain from Bobby for myself just to see you happy." She didn't want her father to think she was only thinking of herself, because she wasn't. She was thinking of him and his happiness. "I'm sorry that Bobby is the one who's hurt." She offered as she squeezed his hand in her own.

[Number 9 Dream]

"Honey, I would never ask you to trade places with your brother and I'm so sad you feel that way...I don't want either of you to be in that hospital bed..but, don't you worry, honey...Bobby is going to be fine. Right now it's LJ we have to pray for."

[Number 9 Dream]

(( Kate, if you're there...should I post as Janet? and if so, where am I and what am I supposed to be doing? I got confused ))

[LuLu Rogers]

"Yeah you're right, just forget about what I said. I need some fresh air." She jumped out of her chair and ran out the front door. She sat down on a near by bench and burried her face in her hands. She hoped that no one would come after her and she knew that if things were like they way they were at home, no one would.

[Number 9 Dream]

Jack sighed and followed after his daughter...he didn't know what else to do for her, especially since she wasn't believing anything he was telling her. He stood by and watched her sob outside.

"Honey..." he trailed off.

[Moonlight Lady]

(( Kate, if you're there...should I post as Janet? and if so, where am I and what am I supposed to be doing? I got confused ))

((Yeah, Janet's trying to keep Kate calm while Larry's with Robin))

Kate is getting more and more restless. "Janet, I can't stand this anymore, i'm going in there, I need to know what's going on." Kate starts walking towards the ICU and almost passes out. Luckily Janet was there to grab her.

[Number 9 Dream]

"Kate, oh no, Kate," she cried as she grasped on to her friend tightly. She tried to keep her friend steady, but it was obvious that Kate wouldn't be able to stay under control much longer. Her face was as white as a sheet and her breath was coming out in ragged pants.

"Breathe deeply, honey...we can only wait for now...the doctors will be out as soon as they can, ok? We need to let God work his miracle."

[LuLu Rogers]

Jack sighed and followed after his daughter...he didn't know what else to do for her, especially since she wasn't believing anything he was telling her. He stood by and watched her sob outside.

"Honey..." he trailed off.

"You didn't have to follow me out here! I'm not a baby you know!" She retorted. She was trying to hurt him the way she was hurting inside, even though she didn't really want to hurt him. "Why don't you go check on your son?!" She replied bitterly as she turned away from him.

[Number 9 Dream]

"Jamie, don't talk to me like that," he said, his voice a little more edgy. Although he was getting frustrated, he was still hurt by her words. "I am still your father, you know. Thirteen or not, you still have to listen to me. And you've just got to understand that I don't love you or your brother any more than the other. I love you both equally."

[LuLu Rogers]

"You sure have a strange way of showing it." She bit out as she rolled her eyes. This attitude wasn't like her, but she didn't care. She had to escape her hurt somehow, and the only think she could think of was hurting her father, the person she loved most in the world, other than her mother and brother, of course.

[Number 9 Dream]

"Alright, young lady...if you're going to treat me like this, I'm going to treat you like a baby," he said between clenched teeth. He grabbed her hand and pulled her up.

"Come on inside."

[JJ4EVER]

Diane was just on the side, watching everyone's hysterics like she was watching a movie. She didn't want to interfere with anything, but she was trying her best to help. She had decided to stay outside LJ's room, but when she saw Janet holding up Kate, she knew she had to do something. Finally, she knocked loudly on the doctor's door.

The doctor came out. Immediately Diane started plauging him with questions. "Is he okay? What happened? What is his condition?" She wanted to cry, but she knew she had to be strong. She and LJ had had a special bond. When Janet and Kate saw the doctor they ran towards him. After a minute, the doctor said, "Well, I've got some good news, and some bad news. LJ is alive, we got his heart rate down, but another episode like that would surely kill him. The bad news - There is a chance he might need open heart surgery."

[Number 9 Dream]

Janet gasped, starting to tremble. The whole room was starting to spin and she had to focus on Diane's words in order to stay upright.

LJ....oh no, poor LJ...poor little guy... She imagined Kate's son on that operating table, fighting for his life. She looked over at Kate...she didn't seem to be doing well.

[LuLu Rogers]

"Alright, young lady...if you're going to treat me like this, I'm going to treat you like a baby," he said between clenched teeth. He grabbed her hand and pulled her up.

"Come on inside."

"Oh joy! Daddy's taking me inside! Just what I've always wanted!" She said sarcastically as she clasped her hands together, feining happiness. She knew she was pushing it, but she didn't care anymore. She let him pull her along beside him. "Where are we going dear father?" She asked, as she pretended to be interested.

[Number 9 Dream]

"Honey, if you and I weren't in this hospital worrying about your cousin's life, I would be spanking you just like you were a baby again! Is that what you want?"

He sighed and let go of her hand. "Obviously this isn't doing any good," he muttered, looking at her angry face.

[Moonlight Lady]

Robin seemed to be calming down. She hugged her father tight and kissed his cheek. "Would somebody please tell me what's going on? I think I can handle it. I'll probably cry, but, it's better than not crying." He was amazed at that. He still wasn't sure if he should tell her, but, she would find out eventually. "Dad?" She looked up at him with her big brown eyes.

((I'm going to bed, I'll see everyone tomorrow or later since it's already tomorrow. ))

[Number 9 Dream]

(( ok :) Night, hon))



Robin seemed to be calming down. She hugged her father tight and kissed his cheek. "Would somebody please tell me what's going on? I think I can handle it. I'll probably cry, but, it's better than not crying." He was amazed at that. He still wasn't sure if he should tell her, but, she would find out eventually. "Dad?" She looked up at him with her big brown eyes.

((I'm going to bed, I'll see everyone tomorrow or later since it's already tomorrow. ))

[LuLu Rogers]

"Come on dad! You've never spanked me once in my life! Mom is the only one who spanked me the few times that I needed one. You were never home." She threw that into his face. She knew it had always hurt him that he had to work a lot when she was little. "In fact, mom pretty much raised me on her own, don't you think?" She eyed him, her blue eyes peircing with anger, she had that look on her face that her mother had when she was angry and Jack knew it well.

[JJ4EVER]

Diane was just standing there, shocked. She finally glanced at Janet who was crying and leaning against the wall, while Kate wasn't moving, she was just standing there dumbfounded. Larry came in and when he saw the scene, he braced himself for the worst. "D-Diane, what is the update?" he asked. "Talk to the doctor, he can explain the details," she replied. As Larry walked off scared to death of what he might hear, Kate suddenly fainted. Diane did a trophy-winning jump and managed to barely catch her. Janet had finally come to her senses, and they picked up Kate to take her to a hospital bed.

[Number 9 Dream]

Jack sighed, forcing himself to breathe deeply, counting to ten in his head as she glared at him. He was trying so hard not to spank her, even though he knew deep inside he could never lay a hand on any of his children.

"Jamie....I had to work...If I didn't work, what do you think would've happened to us? We can't survive on your mother's salary alone! I had to raise a family and working a lot of hours was the only option! I was thinking of you guys, not myself! Jamie, listen to me...I'm sorry for anything I've done that could've hurt you...but it was never intentional and I never meant for you to feel left out."

[Number 9 Dream]

(( I replied, Lauren))

Janet and Diane layed Kate out on the bed, fanning her face repeatedly so she could get some air. "Oh god...oh god," Janet repeated. She hated seeing her friend crumble like that and she wished she could make everything go away...all the hurt, the pain, the frustration...but she knew she couldn't. She waited for Kate to come to.




Diane was just standing there, shocked. She finally glanced at Janet who was crying and leaning against the wall, while Kate wasn't moving, she was just standing there dumbfounded. Larry came in and when he saw the scene, he braced himself for the worst. "D-Diane, what is the update?" he asked. "Talk to the doctor, he can explain the details," she replied. As Larry walked off scared to death of what he might hear, Kate suddenly fainted. Diane did a trophy-winning jump and managed to barely catch her. Janet had finally come to her senses, and they picked up Kate to take her to a hospital bed.

[LuLu Rogers]

"I'm sure you didn't, but you can't take away the pain I've went through." She started to sob again. "Great! Here I go, crying like a little baby again!" She hit her fist against the wall. She had the same stubborness that her mother had. She sunk down to the floor as she continued to cry. She hated crying in front of her father. It made her feel weak and vulnerable.

[Number 9 Dream]

"God, what am I supposed to do?!" he shouted at the ceiling. His daughter was crying freely in the hallway, which caused many passerby to ogle her. He thought tears would come down his own cheeks but he took a deep breath and forced them away.

He just felt so completely frustrated at life right now..he didn't know what to do.

[LuLu Rogers]

"Now you're upset!" she wailed. "God, just take me now!" She yelled at the ceiling, shaking her fist. She put her head down. "Oh God I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" she whispered, almost inaudably. She felt beaten. She had finally expressed her feelings, but I got her no where, so she surrendered.

[Number 9 Dream]

"Come on, Jamie...we can talk about this later," he said hoarsely. He took her hand and helped her up, hoping she would follow him.

[LuLu Rogers]

"No, that's ok. We don't have to talk about it anymore. I'll just have to keep it inside like I always do." She rubbed her eyes. "You go back with the others....I'll catch up later." She offered.

[Number 9 Dream]

"I give up," he muttered...the tears fell down his cheeks and he rushed to find his wife.

(( gonna go now...this was fun!))

[LuLu Rogers]

((ok! Bye! It was fun and all too real at the same time. LOL))

Seeing her father walk away from her was all it took for Jamie. Tears poured down her face as she cried hysterically. She ran to the bathroom and hid inside one of the stalls. She sat down in the floor and hugged her knees to her chest as she wept bitterly. She hated herself for hurting her father. She had no idea why she had done it, since it only made her feel worse. She hoped that no one would find her here. She needed to grieve alone. She had just ruined the relationship that was most important to her and no one could make her feel better about that.

[JJ4EVER]

Diane was sitting next to Kate and Janet. Kate had recovered, and was crying fiercly. Diane again had the urge to slap her in the face and tell her to grow up and take control of the situation, but held back, partly because she was crying to. Janet had silent tears going down her cheeks. Just then Jack came in with a flustered expression, but as soon as he saw all of them, he became worried. "Janet...What happened?" was all he could say. Diane sensed they should be alone, so she took the hysterical Kate out of the room. Outside, many people were staring at her, some with sadness, and other with confusion. Finally a doctor came to Diane. "Would you mind taking her outside until she's a little--settled?" he asked. Diane was furious he would say this, but knew he was right. She half-dragged Kate out onto the same darn bench where Larry had kissed Janet and Diane had slapped Kate, but this time, she comforted Kate.

((Ok, bye all!! LOL this is a fun story to write. I like the drama and suspense.))

[KissMyGrits]

Terri had been all over the hospital. Since she was a nurse people would talk more to her than the others. They also gave it to her straight. She was afraid for Larry and Katie's son. She knew that it wasn't good. She also knew that she had to tell her friends something. They were all looking to her for some kind of sign. God, it was times like this that she wished she wasn't a nurse. How could she tell her best friends in the world some of the worst news they would ever hear. There was a chance that he would be okay, but it was a slim one. Terri walked into the chapel to pray for guidance. She needed to compose herself before she went to talk to her friends. If they saw her break down then she knew it would possibly destroy them.

[Number 9 Dream]

Janet was still sitting on the hospital bed, tears falling down her face when Jack burst in the door.

"Janet...what happened?"

"LJ's not doing well, Jack...if he has another episode with his heart...it could kill him ," she whispered. Jack rushed over to her, grabbing her in to his arms protectively. She sobbed in to chest.


"Janet, all we can do is pray at this point," he reassured her, his voice wavering with emotion. "I just saw Kate in the hallway with Diane....she doesn't look too good. We need to be there for her."

Nodding, Janet agreed and grabbed his hand. "We need to be there for Kate and Larry right now," Janet repeated firmly.

"Yes...and I just saw Terri too," Jack said, peering out the doorway. It appeared that Terri was now back with the others...."Let's go talk to them."

[LuLu Rogers]

Jamie stayed inside the stall in the bathroom, trying to hide from reality. Her cousin wasn't doing well, her father practically hated her for the way she acted adn she couldn't balme him. She knew that no one wanted to see her right now, so she stayed put. She remembered her mother telling her that when he father was angry, it was best to stay out of his way, so she was going to take her mother's advice. She looked up at the ceiling, her tear stained face wrinkled in anguish. "God, why did this have to happen to my family? What did we do to deserve this?" She put her head down and started to cry again. Nothing would make her feel better now.

[KissMyGrits]

Terri was sitting with everyone. It seemed like their little group was back together again. God, how Teri prayed that everything was normal. She wished that this was a happy occasion. She went to use the bathroom and heard someone crying in one of the stalls. She recognized the sobbing as Jamie. She knocked softly on the door and waited. She heard her sniff and try to stop her sobs.

"Jamie, honey do you need to talk?"

[LuLu Rogers]

"I don't want to bother you with my problems. You have enough to worry about." She sobbed. She and her Aunt Terri had always shared a special relationship. She would love to run into her arms and tell her everything, but she didn't want to bother her now.

[KissMyGrits]

"Honey you are not a bother. I love you and I want to help you. We all need someone to talk to. I know that your parents are under alot of stress right now. Things might seem a little crazy. People are doing and saying things they never would have done or said before. Jamie come out here so we can talk. It would help me too."

Terri stood outside the stall. She wished she could hug Jamie tight and tell her that everything would be all right. How could she tell her that when she wasn't sure of it herself? She just needed to do something to help Jamie. That was something that she felt she could control. Her life was so out of control lately that she needed this small thing to help her regain control.

[Moonlight Lady]

Robin cried some more into her father's chest after Larry finished telling her about her brother and Bobby, at least Bobby would be okay and so would she, still, She didn't understand why this was happening to them.
"Dad, why would somebody want to shoot us?" She asked him, searching his eyes for an answer. "I know just about every kid in that school and I've never seen him before." Robin really wanted to go home and begged her father to take her out of there.

Downstairs, Kate was doing alot better for the moment. She hugged Diane
tightly. "How'd you get so tough, huh?" Kate asked with a little smile, that made Diane very relieved. "Although, I think maybe you liked slapping me a little TOO much." Kate laughed a little. "Thanks though, I know Larry's ticked off at you for that, but, you had to do it, I mean I was totally out of control." Kate promised to talk to Larry and explain it to him, she knew he'd never lay a hand on her, although she was sure he felt like it sometimes.
The ladies went to the chapel. They sat silently and prayed.

[LuLu Rogers]

"Honey you are not a bother. I love you and I want to help you. We all need someone to talk to. I know that your parents are under alot of stress right now. Things might seem a little crazy. People are doing and saying things they never would have done or said before. Jamie come out here so we can talk. It would help me too."

Terri stood outside the stall. She wished she could hug Jamie tight and tell her that everything would be all right. How could she tell her that when she wasn't sure of it herself? She just needed to do something to help Jamie. That was something that she felt she could control. Her life was so out of control lately that she needed this small thing to help her regain control.

Jamie opened the stall door and ran into Terri's arms. "Oh Aunt Terri! I feel awful! I hurt daddy's feelings and now he's angry with me!" Jamie told her aunt everything that she had told her father and how he had reacted. She knew her aunt would understand because they had talked about it before.

[LuLu Rogers]

((If anyone would like to take over Larry's part, I'd be very grateful. I'm having trouble finding the right way to write his character. Just let me know! :D ))

[Moonlight Lady]

((If anyone would like to take over Larry's part, I'd be very grateful. I'm having trouble finding the right way to write his character. Just let me know! :D ))

((I'll take Larry, and leave Robin for whoever wants her))

[KissMyGrits]

Terri led Jamie to a quiet corner of the hospital. Somewhere that she knew they wouldn't be interrupted. She needed to have a good long talk with Jamie.

"Jamie, I don't think I ever told you about the first time I met your dad. Let me tell you the story."

She proceeded to tell Jamie about how she met her dad. Jamie laughed when Terri told her about giving him a shot in the bottom. She knew that her dad was a big baby when it came to shots.

"Then I met your mom and she asked me to share their apartment with them. I wasn't so sure that your dad would agree to it. After all a man does have a pretty big ego. Well, your mom finally talked him into it. Unknown to her though he was going to play some pretty mean tricks on me to get me to change my mind. Your Uncle Larry was helping him and the tricks got out of hand. It was mean and embarassing. But it made your dad realize that he was wrong. He asked me to live with them. I accepted and the rest is history."

"So Jamie, what I am trying to say is that nothing you say or do could ever make your dad stop loving you. He is under alot of stress right now. The best thing you could do is tell him that you are sorry and tell him how your feeling about everything that is happening. Trust me sweetie, he will understand. If he doesn't, I'll give him another shot."

She smiled and looked at Jamie.

[Moonlight Lady]

"I don't know baby, I've been asking myself the same thing ever since this happened." He was quite honest with her. "About going home, I would love nothing more than to walk out of this place with you, your mom and your brother right now, believe me." He promised her that he would talk to the doctor and see what he could do. "You need to do something for me though." He uncovered her food tray and quickly covered it back up again.
"There's a coffee shop next door to the hospital, If you got you chicken soup, would you eat it?" She nodded and he left to go get it. He stopped
off at the chapel first where he saw Katie and Diane praying.

[LuLu Rogers]

Terri led Jamie to a quiet corner of the hospital. Somewhere that she knew they wouldn't be interrupted. She needed to have a good long talk with Jamie.

"Jamie, I don't think I ever told you about the first time I met your dad. Let me tell you the story."

She proceeded to tell Jamie about how she met her dad. Jamie laughed when Terri told her about giving him a shot in the bottom. She knew that her dad was a big baby when it came to shots.

"Then I met your mom and she asked me to share their apartment with them. I wasn't so sure that your dad would agree to it. After all a man does have a pretty big ego. Well, your mom finally talked him into it. Unknown to her though he was going to play some pretty mean tricks on me to get me to change my mind. Your Uncle Larry was helping him and the tricks got out of hand. It was mean and embarassing. But it made your dad realize that he was wrong. He asked me to live with them. I accepted and the rest is history."

"So Jamie, what I am trying to say is that nothing you say or do could ever make your dad stop loving you. He is under alot of stress right now. The best thing you could do is tell him that you are sorry and tell him how your feeling about everything that is happening. Trust me sweetie, he will understand. If he doesn't, I'll give him another shot."

She smiled and looked at Jamie.

((Thanks Katie!))

"Thanks Aunt Terri!" She hugged her aunt tightly. "Will you go and talk to daddy first though? I don't want him to kill me." She said with a laugh. Her father could have a horrible temper sometimes. "Oh, and Aunt Ter, Thanks...for everything." She looked up at her aunt, her blue eyes sparkling.

[KissMyGrits]

"Sure sweetie!! I will talk to your dad for you. If you ever need to talk you know I am glad to listen."

With that she walked out of the room in search of Jack. When she found him he was sitting in the waiting room with Janet.

"Jack we need to talk."

[Moonlight Lady]

Larry brought soup back for Robin and sat with her making sure she ate it. She practically inhaled it. It made her feel alot better too. Kate was calmer and after praying, felt like she could handle anything that happened. She walked into Robin's room as her daughter finished her lunchplate.

"You must have been hungry to eat that stuff" Kate teased her daughter.
"Oh mom." Robin replied as she started in on her dessert. Kate walked behind Larry and started massaging his shoulders. "Thanks honey, you don't know how bad I needed that." He leaned his head back and closed his eyes as he enjoyed the massage.

Janet walked into the room to see Kate doing better. She commented on this. "Yeah, well Diane slapped me again and that did the trick and Larry, before you go yelling at your sister, she had to do it. I was really out of control, although I do think she enjoyed it a little too much." Katie kidded him.
"I'll be right back, I need to go apologize." Larry kissed his wife and daughter and went off to find his sister.

[Number 9 Dream]

Jack saw Terri approaching him. "Jack, we need to talk," she said..He looked at her with quizzical eyes. "What is it, Ter?"

[KissMyGrits]

Terri sat down next to Jack. She looked at him and started talking. How she hoped he listened.

"Well, I just finished talking to Jamie. She told me all about the fight that you guys had. Jack, we have known each other a long time. I feel that I can be totally honest with you. Jack Tripper you need to talk to your daughter. She is going thru alot right now. She feels terrible about the things that she said to you. She thinks that you hate her. Do you remember the story you told me when she was born?"

Michelle

[Number 9 Dream]

Jack was feeling horrible at that moment...If only he could rewind the last few days...to take everything back and start anew.

"I-I don't recall it, Terri," he admitted sheepishly. "God, it's been so long."

[Moonlight Lady]

Larry walked into the chapel and sat next to his sister. He put his hand on her back and rubbed it in a circular motion. She was trying really hard not to cry, but, she couldn't fight it anymore, she broke down.

"It's okay to cry, Diane, you don't have to be so tough all the time." he reminded her. "God knows I've cried enough since this happened and Kate's cried enough for all of us, i'm sure...I'm going down to the cafeteria, come with me, we need to talk." She looked at him warily.

[Number 9 Dream]

Janet watched Kate as she wiped her daughter's lips with a napkin. Her throat felt closed, like she would cry at any moment. She felt like she was intruding on this special mother/daughter moment, so she simply watched, feeling completely touched. Finally, Robin was done eating and Kate smiled up at Janet.

"She has her mother's appetite too," joked Kate. Janet chuckled and patted Robin's head fondly.

"I'm so glad you're feeling well enough to eat, Robin," whispered Janet, winking at Kate. "Although hospital food is hardly what I'd call gourmet cuisine...when you get out of here, I should make Uncle Jack prepare you a real feast!"

Robin smiled softly, her eyes lighting up happily as she nodded. "I'd like that Aunt Janet."

[JJ4EVER]

Diane and Larry walked over to the cafeteria. Larry bought them two coffees. As they sat down, she was scared of what Larry might say. "Larry, look, I--didnt mean to hit Katie. It was really the only way and it wasn't even a hard slap in the first place! Even so, I am sorry for that." Larry stared at her. "Look, Diane, I actually wanted to say thank you. what you did means a lot. But please just stop crying for god's sake!" He took out a handkerchief and wiped her face. They finished their coffee and hugged eachother. "Well, we might as well go check up on the kids," said Diane and they both walked towards the rooms.

[Moonlight Lady]

"Janet, have I told you what a wonderful friend and sister you are?" Kate looked at her gratefully with a sincerity in her eyes that was very real.

"I mean it, I don't know what'd do without you these past few days and in my life, not only are you always there for me, Larry and the kids during times like this, but, you're one of the funnest people I know, our family has had so many good times together, not only that but you put up me." she chuckled.
"What I'm trying to say is, Thank you so much." Kate walks over to Janet and hugs her tight.

[Number 9 Dream]

Now the tears began to fall as she hugged Kate tightly. "I'd do anything for you, Katie," she said honestly. "I don't know where I'd be without you."

Robin watched and giggled. "Aww, mushy moment," she cooed, rolling her eyes. Janet stuck her tongue out at Robin.

"Hey, you're getting better...you don't want to go back in to that infirmirary, do you?" Janet threatened with a grin on her face.

Kate hugged her again, laughing loudly. "You better listen to the boss, Robin!"

[KissMyGrits]

Terri smiled. She was hardly surprised that Jack didn't remember the story he told her so long ago. "Well, I seem to remember that it went something like this. You told me that it was the happiest day of your life. You told me that you finally had your little princess." Terri smiled at the memory. She remembered the day that Jamie was born like it was yesterday. She remembered how Jack eyes filled with tears when they told him he had a daughter. His smile was so big that day that she wondered if his face hurt.

"Jack you need to tell Jamie about that. She thinks that she is in the way and that you love Bobby more. Jack you need to go sit with her and tell her the day she was born. She needs to know that you love her. Even if she is way off base Jack, you need to help her understand how much you love her. And Jack, keep your temper in check. Cause if you don't, I still know where they keep the needles."

[Moonlight Lady]

Larry and Diane walked into the ICU and over to LJ's bed. Larry gently held his son's hand and gave it a little squeeze. What he wasn't expecting was to get a squeeze back, although very weak. "Oh my god, Diane, go get Katie...now!" he spoke softly. "LJ just squeezed my hand" Larry started to cry a little.

Diane ran out of Intensive Care and into Robin's room. "Larry needs you in intensive care." Diane was smiling. Janet, Katie and Robin exchanged hopeful expressions. "Well don't just stand there c'mon!" Diane dragged Katie out the door. They ran around the corner into the ICU. Katie ran up to her husband.
"Honey, go over to the other side and give LJ's hand a very gentle squeeze."
She did and got a weak squeeze in return. "Oh my god, Larry, did he just...Thank you god." she said looking up and then back down at her firstborn child. his eyes started to flutter.

[Number 9 Dream]

Janet let out a gasp as she saw LJ give Larry a weak squeeze. Her eyes began to brim with tears all over again.

This is wonderful!

[LuLu Rogers]

Jamie leaned against the wall outside the waiting room. She could hear her aunt Terri talking to her father, but she couldn't understand what they were saying. She took a deep breath and prayed that everything was going alright.

[Number 9 Dream]

"You're right, Terri...I need to work things out with her...she needs me more than anything right now. Thanks, blondie!" Terri laughed as Jack enveloped her in a grateful hug and Jack continued down the hallway with a new purpose.

He cautiously knocked on the women's bathroom door, hoping to god Jamie was still in there.

"Jame...you in there?" he called. "We need to talk."

[LuLu Rogers]

Jamie couldn't help but laugh as she saw her father with his hand over his face about to enter the women's bathroom. She ran up behind him and tugged on his shirt before he went inside. She looked at him timidly, searching his eyes, trying to read what was going through his mind.

[Number 9 Dream]

"Hey!" he cried out in surprise, not expecting to see her behind him. He cleared his throat and grabbed her hand. "Here...let's go outside and get some fresh air while we chat, ok?"

She nodded, her eyes still filled with pain and hurt as he took her to the bench outside the hospital. Despite the grim emotions that day, the weather was absolutely gorgeous. Jack and Jamie watched geese strolling along the pathways for a few moments before Jack finally spoke up.

"Jamie, I never told you the story about the day you were born, did I?"

"No...you didn't," she said softly, her eyes looking at him with confusion, wondering just where her Dad was taking this.

"Well, your Aunt Terri reminded me of how positively radiant I was that day...how much I GLOWED when you were born. You were the little princess I had always hoped I'd have and you still make me proud to this day...god, I couldn't stop raving to anyone that would listen after you were born. I'm sure everyone at my restaraunt was sick of it!" His eyes looked dazed as he recalled the past, his mouth forming in to a small smile.

"I bet some of them were ready to quit by the fourth week of me talking about how special you were," he remembered with a chuckle. "God, I can't believe how much life makes us forget those special moments. Honey, I am so sorry you thought I ever ignored you...because, you see, it would kill me to know I caused that much pain to my only girl, the darling angel I've always wanted so much."

[LuLu Rogers]

Jamie looked at her father with new admiration. Her eyes filled with tears as he smiled at her. "Oh daddy! I'm so sorry!" She wailed.

[Number 9 Dream]

"It's ok, it's ok," he reassured softly, wrapping her up in a hug. "You're not wrong for expressing any sort of feeling or emotion you may have. I'm glad you told me instead of bottling it up."

[LuLu Rogers]

Jamie clung to her father tightly, never wanting to let go. "I love you daddy!" She whispered as she kissed his cheek. She needed him now more than ever, so she wanted to hold on to him as long as she could. She knew if she stayed by his side, she would feel much better about everything that was going on.

[Number 9 Dream]

"I love you too, pumpkin," he whispered, using the childhood nickname he'd given her when she was a little girl.

Man, I am so lucky to have such wonderful children, he thought happily.

"If there's anything you ever need to talk about, don't be afraid to come to me," he said. She looked up at him and nodded.

"Except for when it comes to boys," he added, making his face look stern. "That answer will always be no, no, and NO!" He laughed and tweaked her nose playfully.

[LuLu Rogers]

She laughed and gave her father a stern look. "You know that I'll be getting married someday daddy. After all, I know you want grandchildren to spoil!" She laughed at the face her father made at the thought of grandchildren. She sat in his lap as he held her and they watched the people walk by in the parking lot.

[Number 9 Dream]

"Grandchildren would be wonderful...someday," he admitted. "But you're too young to think about that now, so don't scare me! I still want to baby my only daughter for as long as I can...probably til you're 18 ;) "

[LuLu Rogers]

"Whatever man!" She said, imitating a character from one of their favorite movies. Her imitations always made her father laugh. She had inherited his sense of humor and she could always make him laugh.

[Number 9 Dream]

He chuckled heartily, giving his daughter a kiss on the head. She always made him feel better, always put a smile on his face.

"Let's go see how your mother is doing, ok? She's probably worried sick about us by now...besides, I was thinking about treating us all to some pizza and ice cream later...how does that sound?"

[Moonlight Lady]

Kate moved aside and let Janet hold LJ's hand. He did the same thing to her.
Janet looked at Kate and they both started to cry as they hugged each other. Diane started to cry again as well. "You three better stop or I'll start crying" Larry warned them, The foursome enveloped each other in a group hug.

"We should probably let him get some rest." Kate suggested. The others agreed and the four walked out of the ICU. They saw Terri standing outside
and she knew from the smiles on their faces, that her nephew was improving.
"Terri, he squeezed my hand." Larry beamed.

[Number 9 Dream]

"Work it, girl!" Jack laughed. Together, they strutted in to the hospital together....




Janet could barely stop grinning as they exited LJ's room together. There seemed to be a boost of spirit, a new hope for LJ yet. She was so happy she could just cry(well, she had done enough of that for the lot of them!) Tears of joy fell down her cheeks instead.

As they all huddled outside of the ICU, they spotted Jack and Jamie walking towards them, huge smiles spread on their faces as well.

[LuLu Rogers]

"Sounds like a winner to me!" She announced loudly. "I'm hungry!"

She grabbed her father's hand in her's and hopped down off the bench.

"Boogie Mamma! Whoo!" She yelled, sounding just like her father. She started walking her "silly" walk, as her parents called it, all the way up to the hospital doors.

[Number 9 Dream]

(( hehhe sorry about the confusing post...I edited my post to include both Jack and Janet's point of view so it fit better! Sorry! Well, I'll be back in a bit...wanna work on my fic for a few....talk to you ladies soon!))

[LuLu Rogers]

(( hehhe sorry about the confusing post...I edited my post to include both Jack and Janet's point of view so it fit better! Sorry! Well, I'll be back in a bit...wanna work on my fic for a few....talk to you ladies soon!))


((Oops! My bad! LOL! I'm going to go now too. Later!))

[KissMyGrits]

Terri smiled at Larry and hugged him, "I am so happy for you!! That is a great sign!!"

Terri smiled as she watched Jack and Jamie. It was obvious that they had worked out their differences. Terri sat on the bench and watched everyone. She felt strangely sad, but she couldn't figure out why. She should have been relieved. Jack and Jamie were getting along great. LJ was starting to respond to his family. She was sitting on the bench with a sort of sad smile on her face. She wasn't really listening when Kate spoke to her.

[Moonlight Lady]

"Terri...I'm talking to you, silly, How are Zack and the kids?" Terri was a million miles away in thought. "Are you okay?" Kate asked her.

A nurse went into check up on LJ and was surprised to see him looking right at her, eyes wide open. "Well, look who's awake." she talked to him. "I'll go get the doctor and let him see you." She got on the phone and paged him.
He sprinted past them with a smile on his face. He did all sorts of visual tests on LJ and he passed with flying colors.

"Well, you won't be needing this tube down your throat anymore, would you like your parents here when we remove it?" LJ motioned that he wanted a pen and paper. The nurse found what he asked for and handed them to him.
he wrote down "Aunt and Uncle too" The nurse went outside to get them.
"LJ is asking for his parents and his aunt and uncle. Terri said she'd stay with Jamie. Jack and Janet followed behind Kate and Larry as they walked over to LJ's bed. "Okay LJ, I'm gonna remove this tube now, it might hurt your throat, but, that'll go away." LJ held out his hand and Kate held it and Larry put his hand on top of hers. She loved his hands, his gold wedding band stood out against his tan skin. "Okay, I'm gonna take it out now." The doctor warned and removed the tube. LJ coughed a little, but he was able to at least whisper now. "Dad...Mom?" he was able to get out.

"Shhhh...We're right here baby." Kate assured him as she caressed his face. "Try not to talk anymore son." Larry urged him. "Ever?" They all laughed. "That's our son." Kate was so proud.

[JJ4EVER]

Diane couldn't help smiling through her tears. They were becoming a family again. Diane and Kate and Janet and Jamie were all smiling and crying at the same time now. Larry and Jack were looking at them happily. Diane was so happy they were going to make it through this ordeal. But she had to get home. She had missed work, her boyfriend, and a shower. She said goodbye to everyone and left to the parking lot.

[Moonlight Lady]

"She probably misses Mark." Larry said as he rolled his eyes about Diane's boyfriend. "C'mon honey, let's not ruin this moment thinking about him." Katie reminded her husband. "Fine...I'm hungry, I think we should probably go home and eat something, not to mention feed poor Snowball, she's probably starving." Larry commented. "I hope I closed the door to the downstairs bathroom, you know she'll be in there trying to eat the wallpaper." Jack remembered talking Larry into buying her for Robin's 13th birthday. He laughed, thinking about it.

They said goodbye to LJ and met Terri and Jamie out in the hall.
Larry walked over to his niece and put his arm around her. "Hey kiddo,
I haven't seen you all day, have you been avoiding me?" he teased her.

[KissMyGrits]

At the mention of Zack's name Terri started crying and covered her face with her hands. She was trying to be so strong for everyone else that she didn't want to mention her problems. She stood up to run out and suddenly her world went black.

[Moonlight Lady]

"Terri!" Kate ran to her side. Janet ran to get a nurse "Terri...honey...c'mon...wake up" Larry tried to revive her. "Kate, hand me that magazine over there." Kate looked at him funny. "What're ya gonna do hit her with it?" Larry rolled his eyes at her. Larry starts fanning her with the magazine. A nurse arrived with smelling salts and brought Terri around. Terri asked what happened. "You fainted sweetie." Kate said as she and Janet helped her up and sat her on a couch in the waiting area. Larry and Jack took Jamie to visit Robin while Kate and Janet stayed with Terri.

[Number 9 Dream]

"Terri...Terri, what's wrong?" Janet demanded worriedly. She and Katie looked at each other with concerned eyes but then focused on Terri. Terri looked pale and shaken, her eyes haunted.

"Terri...what's wrong?" Janet repeated in a softer tone, waiting for Terri to gather enough strength to talk.

[LuLu Rogers]

"She probably misses Mark." Larry said as he rolled his eyes about Diane's boyfriend. "C'mon honey, let's not ruin this moment thinking about him." Katie reminded her husband. "Fine...I'm hungry, I think we should probably go home and eat something, not to mention feed poor Snowball, she's probably starving." Larry commented. "I hope I closed the door to the downstairs bathroom, you know she'll be in there trying to eat the wallpaper." Jack remembered talking Larry into buying her for Robin's 13th birthday. He laughed, thinking about it.

They said goodbye to LJ and met Terri and Jamie out in the hall.
Larry walked over to his niece and put his arm around her. "Hey kiddo,
I haven't seen you all day, have you been avoiding me?" he teased her.

Jamie gave her uncle a strange look "Me? Avoid you? Come on Uncle Lar! We've been through way too much together for me to ignore you!" She smiled and took both her uncle's and her father's hand as they went to see her cousin, Robin. She saw her Aunt Terri collapse and she ran toward her, but her father stopped her before she could get to her aunt. "Aunt Terri!" She screamed for her aunt and started to sob helplessly.

[KissMyGrits]

Terri was crying so hard that it took a few minutes for her to regain her senses. The pain was still very raw. It had only happened a little over a week ago. She still couldn't believe that she was in this position. She came back to be with her friends. Anna and John were with her parents. Her voice was strained and sounded strange and far away to her.

"God, I can't believe that I am having to say this. Zack....The kids and I went out for dinner one night and he wasn't feeling well. So, he decided to rest. I came home and got the kids ready for bed. I went to our room and tried to wake him up. He didn't....God, he had a major stroke. I called 911 and the ambulance came. There was nothing they could do.. He passed away while we were at dinner. I should have been able to help him."

With that she broke down crying.

[Number 9 Dream]

Janet was absolutely stunned. Zack....he's dead? She could barely fathom it. Now that things had been looking up, there was yet another trajedy for their families to handle.

Why does this have to happen to us?she asked herself, feeling tears glide down her cheeks.

"Oh, god, Terri..." she whispered hoarsely. "There was nothing you could have done...you can't beat yourself up over this." Janet thought she was going to be sick so she quickly turned away, walking down the hallway. She didn't want to go outside, nor she did she want to be trapped within this hospital any longer. But she couldn't abandon her family and friends...so she simply paced the hallways. She suddenly stopped short to see her daughter crying in the corner.

"Jamie?" she called.

[LuLu Rogers]

Jack's hand was on Jamie's shoulder as she sobbed quietly. "Jamie's upset about her aunt." He said quietly to his wife as she approached them.

"Aunt Terri is like my best friend!" Jamie sobbed. "I hate seeing her upset." She looked up and saw her mother. "What's wrong with Aunt Ter, mom? Please tell me!" She looked into her mother's eyes, her face helpless with grief.

[Moonlight Lady]

"He always seemed so healthy, I just don't understand. I'm so sorry Terri." Kate held her. Zack was healthy, she couldn't believe her cousin was gone, Technically, he was her step-cousin, but, she never counted the step part. He was her cousin, same with Jack, he was her step-brother, but, she dropped the step part, Jack, Janet, Terri and Zack were family. Kate had to be strong now. She had cried enough for everyone. "How are the kids holding up, did his doctor tell you anything?" Kate just couldn't believe this was happening.

Larry walked into Robin's room. She was eating a bowl her 2nd bowl of pudding. "Are you still eating that?" chuckling as he asked her. "Nope, this is my 2nd one." she informed him. "Robin honey, take it easy, I realize you're feeling better, but just slow down...I think you've had enough food for tonight." he insisted. "That's not fair!" she protested. "Don't shout at me young lady, I know you're irritable, but, let's watch that tone." he reprimanded her. "I'm sorry Dad" She didn't mean to yell at him. "It's okay, Robin, I know you don't feel well, but, let's just remember who the parent is here okay?" he kisses her forehead. "I want you to lie back down and try to rest okay?" He helped her get comfortable when the nurse came in with her pain shot. Larry let her squeeze his hand and sat with her until she fell asleep.

[Number 9 Dream]

"I need to talk to Daddy first, ok sweetie? Then I promise you and I will have a talk about it," Janet said gently. Jamie nodded and sniffled, allowing her parents to be alone for a moment. Janet pulled Jack aside, looking deeply in to his blue eyes.

"What's wrong, Janet? I'm getting really worried!" Jack demanded.

"Oh, Jack....it's about Zack...he passed away from a stroke," sobbed Janet quietly. Jack's face turned to one of shock, his mouth dropping open, his head shaking in denial.

"No..not Zack! He was so healthy, so strong! He was in to wrestling...I can't believe he's dead...I won't believe it!," Jack stuttered.

Janet's eyes glittered with tears. "That's why Terri's so upset, Jack...Zack passed away...she decided to come back here to be with us...to make sure we're ok."

"Oh god," Jack mumbled. He brushed passed her, rushing over to Terri and the others.

Jamie rushed up to her. "Mommy...what's wrong?" she whimpered. "Why did Dad run off like that? Why is he so upset?" she questioned.

"Oh, baby...it's your Uncle Zack," Janet cried. She hugged her daughter protectively. "He's passed away, sweetheart...he's gone to heaven."

[KissMyGrits]

Terri looked at Kate and said "That's the funny thing. He was in good shape, but he never went to the doctor to get himself checked out. It was a fluke. His heart valve was partially blocked and if he would have went to a doctor they could have possibly caught it sooner. God, why didn't I make him go to the doctor?"

When Jack rushed over to her she just lost it. They hugged and cried together.

[LuLu Rogers]

Jamie stared at her mother, her mouth open in shock. "No, No!" She shook her head and pulled away from her mother.

"This can't be happening! I...I just..."

Jamie took off down the hall and out the door. She needed to be alone for a minute, to grasp what was happening to her family. She prayed that her mother wouldn't follow her. She knew if she could just be alone for a minute, she might be able to sort things out in her mind. She sat down on a bench outside and looked up at the sky.

"Why are you doing this to my family?!" She screamed as she shook her fist at the sky. "What have we done to deserve this?!" Her tiny frame melted down onto the bench as she began to sob.

She needed comfort, but her father and aunt Terri were too upset, and her mother wasn't good at making her laugh, though she always tried. She knew who she needed. She needed Uncle Larry. She and her uncle were very close since she used to stay with him and Robin while her parents were at work. They had a very special bond.

She put her face in her hands and continued to grieve alone.

[Moonlight Lady]

Larry walked out into the hallway, Kate and Janet grabbed him and told him why Terri was so upset. "What?....No way...He was a wrestler...He always seemed to be in perfect health." Terri told him what she had just told Kate.
"Oh god, Terri honey come here." He held her and let her cry on him. "It's okay, just let it out." He rubbed her back. The others made it a group hug.
Terri's crying had slowed down and she felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders, she had held it in for so long. Larry took his handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped Terri's eyes. "Where's Jamie?" he looked around.

Janet told him that she was very upset about Terri and she probably was sitting on that same bench he had cried on a few days ago. "I'll go talk to her." Larry headed toward the elevator. When he got to the lobby, he saw Jamie sitting on the bench crying. He walked out to where she was and sat next to her, putting his arm around her. "Hey sweetie." he said pulling her close. "Talk to me."

[LuLu Rogers]

Jamie clung tightly to her uncle. "Oh uncle Larry! I'm glad you're here!" She sobbed. "This is all just too much for me!" She admitted. "Everyone is upset and no one thinks I'm old enough to handle it except for you, dad, and aunt Terri. Mom still treats me like a baby. I may only be 13, but I'm not 2!" She wailed angrily. "I want to be here for my family when they need me, but people just keep pushing me aside." She wiped her eyes on her sleeve.

"Jamie honey, you're too young to hear about this. Jamie honey, your uncle Zack has gone to heaven." She said mockingly. "I mean come on! Do they think I don't speak english?" She added sarcastically.

She was more angry now than she was sad.

[Moonlight Lady]

Jamie clung tightly to her uncle. "Oh uncle Larry! I'm glad you're here!" She sobbed. "This is all just too much for me!" She admitted. "Everyone is upset and no one thinks I'm old enough to handle it except for you, dad, and aunt Terri. Mom still treats me like a baby. I may only be 13, but I'm not 2!" She wailed angrily. "I want to be here for my family when they need me, but people just keep pushing me aside." She wiped her eyes on her sleeve.

"Jamie honey, you're too young to hear about this. Jamie honey, your uncle Zack has gone to heaven." She said mockingly. "I mean come on! Do they think I don't speak english?" She added sarcastically.

She was more angry now than she was sad.

Larry hated to see her so upset, but, he never stopped her. He sat quietly and listened to her. Which is why she felt so close to him and trusted him.
When she was finished, he walked over to her and held her some more allowing her to cry. "It's okay to cry, everybody does it, even I do, god honey, I think your Aunt Kate cries enough for all of us...but, when you're done, I want you to listen to me okay?" She noded her head as she let out a little more pain.

When she was done, she was about to wipe her eyes with her sleeve. "Wait honey, I got a better idea." he took out his handkerchief which was getting a little bit damp and wiped her eyes. She sits down next to him and he starts to talk to her.

[LuLu Rogers]

Jamie nodded at her uncle. "I'm ready to listen now."

She stared at him intently, ready to listen to what he had to say. He was one of the people she truly admired most in her life, so she was willing to listen to whatever he had to say to her.

[Moonlight Lady]

"Your parents will probably kill me if they knew I told you this, so you need to keep it between us." she promised

"Okay, what happened was Uncle Zack had a stroke while Aunt Terri, John and Anna were out to dinner, Apparently, he didn't feel well that day and just wanted to sleep and it happened while he was sleeping, by the time Aunt Terri got to him, he was gone, now I can't tell you what exactly a stroke is, not because i'm trying to treat you like a baby, I don't really know what it is. I guess it's like a heart attack. You must think it's pretty weird that somebody my age doesn't know what a stroke is". He thought it was pretty stupid that he couldn't explain it to her, but, that medical stuff gave him the creeps.

[LuLu Rogers]

Jamie watched him intently. "So he was gone...just like that?" The concept was somewhat hard for her to grasp. "Poor aunt Terri." She whispered. She hated the thought of her aunt being unhappy. It tore her up inside. To Jamie, family was everything. It was all she had and she wanted to hold on to it and never let go.

"I'd love to talk to her, but I'd only get pushed away by a mob of squawking adults." She said sarcastically as she rolled her eyes. "I'll be glad when I'm older. Maybe people will take me more seriously then." She knew that she was wise beyond her years, both her uncle and father had told her so, but no one else seemed to agree, especially her mother.

[Moonlight Lady]

Larry knew exactly what she meant, but, he tried to explain it to her from a parent's point of view. "Aw Jamie honey...don't be so hard on your mom and dad." he said to her as he rubbed her arm. "I know it's a drag to hear "oh you're too young" or "You wouldn't understand" believe me, I used to be a kid once and my parents always said that to me and Diane and we hated it." He could still hear his parents saying that to him and his sister whenever something serious or grown up was going on.

"What we realized as we got older was that, they didn't do it to be mean or make us feel inferior. They loved us so much that they just wanted to protect us from everything that was horrible and that's why your parents, honey, especially your mother, does it. I'm not saying that it's right, i'm just saying that's why they do it. I'll admit sometimes Aunt Kate and I do that with Robin. You two are both wise beyond your years and sometimes, we tend to forget that, it doesn't mean we don't love you, because we do, more than anything." He hugs her close and kisses the top of her head.

[LuLu Rogers]

Jamie smiled at her uncle. "I know you love me. I love you too, more than anyone could ever understand." She hugged him back.

Uncle Larry gives the best hugs, other than dad! She thought with a laugh.

No matter how upset Jamie got, she had too much joy inside her to let her feelings of hurt and anger take over. She felt she had a mission in life, and that was to make people laugh and forget their troubles. She was even able to make her father laugh, which really thrilled her. She took her job seriously, especially in times like this.

"Well, with all that's going on here, it looks like we're stayin home tonight, kiddo." She made a face at her uncle as she performed the perfect immitation of her father.

[Moonlight Lady]

"You mean we were gonna go out and eat?" Larry pretended to be sad.
"I wanted to go out to dinner" he whined. She just shrugged her shoulders.
Jack, Janet, Kate and Terri met them outside. "Everything okay here?" Kate asked Larry and Jamie. "Whaddya think kiddo?" Larry asked Jamie.

[LuLu Rogers]

Jamie punched her uncle's shoulder playfully. She looked up and saw her aunt Kate and she smiled at her. "I would be ok, but I have this pain right here.." She pointed to her stomach and winked at her uncle. He knew that her stomach was where she was the most ticklish.

[Moonlight Lady]

"Oh you do huh?" Larry said as he tickled her until she pleaded him to stop.
Kate smiled as he watched them play. Larry was so sweet with his daughter and nieces; Jamie and Anna.

Kate and Larry walked to the car, they were parked in between Terri and Jack and Janet. "If you need ANYTHING at all, you make sure to call us" Larry reminded Terri. "And next time something major happens, please don't keep it in, tell us, we're your family, we love you Terri." Kate added. Terri hugged them both and promised not to hold out on them."

Everyone pulled out of the parking lot, Kate and Larry pulled into their garage and closed the garage door. When they walked in the door leading into the kitchen the dog was very happy to see them. She crouched down on her front legs and stuck her butt in the air as she yapped at Larry to feed her.
"I think Snowball wants her dinner Lar," Kate laughed. Kate went out back to clean up after the dog while Larry filled her food and water dish. "There, are you happy now?" he talked to her. Snowball ignored him as she devoured the contents of her bowl "I'll take that as a yes." Kate came back in and washed her hands. Why don't we order Chinese, we'll invite Jack, Janet and Jamie over." Kate suggested. "That's a great idea, but, I think the three of them need time together. They have alot to work out, besides, I was hoping to have you all to myself tonight." Kate liked this idea.

[LuLu Rogers]

Jamie remained quiet in the back seat of the car as her father drove home. Once they pulled up in the driveway, she got out of the car and tagged her father's shoulder.

"I'll race you inside!" She challenged him, her blue eyes gleaming. She knew her father never ignored a challenge, but he walked right past her and entered the house silently.

She was hurt, but she didn't let it show. She knew her father was still upset about Zack. She walked inside and shyly sat next to him on the couch, trying to read his feelings. She knew that sometimes it was best for her to remain silent until her father was ready to talk to her.

[Number 9 Dream]

Janet headed to the bedroom, where she quickly peeled off her high heels and stockings. She was so tired and so emotionally drained that she couldn't wait to just collapse in bed. When she had slipped in to her nightgown, she went in to the bathroom to wash her face and brush her hair, hoping that her nightly rituals would keep her mind off of things...


Meanwhile, Jack was on the couch, head in his hands. Jamie sat next to him, silent but watching him with interest. He sighed.

"What a day," he mumbled to himself. "I don't see how it could get any worse."

Jack knew his family must be starving by now, but he was too upset to even get up and order a pizza. He layed back on the couch, resting his arms behind his head as he stared at the ceiling. All he could think about was his poor dead cousin.

[LuLu Rogers]

Jamie got up and grabbed the cordless phone. She ordered a pizza with extra cheese, just the way her father liked it. She pulled the money out of her purse and counted out the amount for the pizza and layed it on the table. She knew that sometimes it was up to her to take care of her family. She walked through the den and looked at her father. He looked as though he were in deep thought, so she decided to keep quiet. She went into her room and got her notebook. She returned to the den and made a spot for herself in the floor. She decided that she would work on her latest story, so she got busy writing, trying to take her mind off of her problems. A little while later, the pizza came. She thanked the delivery boy and payed for the pizza. She sat it on the kitchen counter and put two slices on a plate, then, she pulled a Coke out of the fridge. She placed the food and drink next to her father and walked back into the kitchen to fix a plate for herself. She took her seat in the floor as she ate her meal in silence.