STOPPING BY

Zack paced back and fourth in front of the hospital entrance. He'd found out from the article in the Times which hospital they had brought Alistair to after the fire and he wanted to stop in and check on him and Ahnna and see if there was anything he could do to help. He still couldn't get over the fact that such a terrible thing had happened to such a good man. In his line of work, the death of others was sometime inevitable and often a regular occurrence, but when it happened to a friend or loved one, well, that was something entirely different and harder to get past.

Taking one last puff from his cigarette, he stumped it out in the large, cement ashtray and made his way through the sliding glass doors. After a quick stop by the nurses station, Zack made his way up the elevators and finally found Alistair's room. The door was closed, so he paused outside of it, listening for the sound of voices inside the room. Hearing the faint sound of a woman's voice, "most likely, Ahnna's," he thought to himself, he lightly knocked on the door.

Ahnna came to the door, opening it to see who was there. "Zack!" she said with a pleased smile. She'd come to like the quiet man during the time he'd spent on their couch. "Alistair's awake. He'll be delighted you've come."

Zack hesitated, "Sure it's alright? If he's not up to it... I mean... I could wait..."  

"No, no, it's fine. Please come in."

Alistair recognized Zack's voice and called from the bed. "Zack? Is that you?"  Calling out made him cough a little, but he got it under control and smiled in welcome as Zack came somewhat hesitantly  into the room. "It's good to see you."

"You too," Zack replied, smiling. "I wasn't expecting to find you awake and talking." The last he had heard, Alistair was still in critical condition, so he was quite pleased to see the man had made somewhat of a recovery. He stood a bit awkwardly next to Alistair's bed, thinking of the last time he'd seen him.

Alistair coughed some more, then asked, "How has it been going for you, Zack? What's going on in your life? I'm afraid I've been a bit out of the loop for a while."

Zack chuckled a bit, "Um... yeah, under the circumstances, I'd say you would be."  Feeling a bit more at ease, he ran a hand through his hair and added, "Things are going well, I suppose. Got myself a room up at Millie's... for now, anyway. How are you feeling?"  

"A little better every day. So long as I don't develop pneumonia, the doctor says I'll be able to go home in a few days." He looked over at Ahnna and smiled. "And I promised her I wouldn't."

"That's great news," Zack told him, smiling. "I have to admit, when I saw the paramedics and fire engine at your home...I....well..." he looked down at his hands, thinking about that day, seeing Alistair being carried out on a stretcher. He swallowed hard, then looked up at Alistair and continued, "I'm just very glad to hear you're going to be okay. If there's anything I can do for you two... anything, just ask. I mean it. You were both so kind to me the first night I arrived in town... letting me crash on your....um... couch..."  

"Ah, yes, the old couch," Alistair smiled wryly. "I understand it was the source of much of the toxic smoke. I'm glad, though, it was there when you needed it. Are you thinking now you may stay in the Glen? If so, I hope you'll come by the mill often, maybe for dinner sometimes. We enjoyed having you, you know, and you're always welcome."

Zack was surprised by Alistair's positive take on things. That damn couch... the couch he had slept on... the couch that had nearly cost Alistair his life... and still, the man was 'glad it was there' when Zack had needed it? He stared a moment, then answered, "Yeah, I think I might just stick around. Aside from the fires and murders, seems to be a nice place to live. About dinner...thanks, I'd like that a lot. Haven't had a home cooked meal in... well, a long time. But for now, you just work on getting healthy again."  

"I'll do that," Alistair replied, then had an attack of coughing. "Sorry. It comes and goes." He wiped his hand across his face, then smiled again, trying not to let his weariness show. "I'm glad to hear you'll be staying, Zack."

"Umm...maybe I should let you get some rest," Zack said, a look of concern on his face. It was obvious Alistair still had quite a bit of healing to do.

Ahnna could see how tired Alistair was. "Thank you again for coming, Zack." She stood, walking toward the door with him. Looking back over her shoulder, she could see Alistair had already closed his eyes. "It means a lot, you know, to both of us that you came all this way." She lowered her voice. "I think it means a lot to him, more than he'd ever say, that people there care about him." She continued with Zack on into the hallway. "He's always giving and giving of himself and his time. It's good to see him getting a little of his back. It means a lot to me to see that, so you truly have my thanks."

Zack nodded. "He's a good man and a definite asset to this community. If there's anything I can do, if you need anything while he's in here, just let me know. I'm staying over at Millie's, and I'd be more than happy to lend a hand." 

Ahnna watched him as he walked down the hallway. "He's a good man," she said softly to herself, "but too alone."