[Story] Resurrection ~ Chapter One
Title: Resurrection
Summary: Fred's true love was his high school sweetheart. After she tragically dies, he’s convinced he’ll never be happy or feel alive again. The bar becomes his second home, until the day a girl sits down on the chair next to him and offers him a drink.
Rating: R – for language, sexual contents and violence.
Dedication: For Kristine. Thank you.
Genre: Angst/Romance/Humor
Disclaimer: The story and original characters are writing copyright to Cimmy, 2004. The character of Lex O’Leary is used with the permission of NYgoldfish54.

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...:.:.:.:.:.:.By: Cimmy.:.:.:.:.:.:...

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Chapter 1. Untitled
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She died a snowy morning in March. The hour was still early enough for the lack of the heavy morning traffic to be heard from the street. Big snowflakes fell down from the sky, covering the roads and the windowsill right under the big glass windows in the bedroom. The sky was still in a transfer between night and dawn, black and shades of grey.

Fred leaned over her side of the bed, putting his hand on her forehead, noticing a cold sensation go through his fingers at contact and further down his spine, all over his body. He knew she was gone. She was crawled up into a little ball, covered by two blankets and layers of clothes. He thought she’d never looked as peaceful as she did right at that moment. No more pain. No more aching. No more worries.

She was gone.

With one last effort, Fred kissed her cheek slowly, closing his eyes to avoid the tears from falling. There was no breathing coming from her. She just lay there, empty and still. Her fingers were still loosely holding the blanket. As soon as he moved her a little, she lost the grip of the fabric and her hand fell limply down on the mattress.

He couldn’t stand to watch her emotionless face anymore. Feeling too hollow inside, he reached for the phone on the nightstand. He pressed one and waited. The signals went through. A voice met him on the receiving line with the standard welcoming phrase. Fred cleared his throat, still in a shocked daze over what to come. “Dr. Edwards?” he spoke. “She’s gone.” Pronouncing the words made it so final. He wanted it to be a lie. If he settled with the thought that she was gone, she would never come back. He would be alone. “Sh-she passed away overnight. I don’t think she felt anything.”

The call was over quickly. He slid off the bed with an awkward movement, deciding he couldn’t wear what he was wearing when the ambulance came to take her away. Without looking in her direction, he pulled off his white, food-stained T-shirt and searched around for a clean one. Realizing the laundry basket was still out in the hallway, he left the bedroom.

The apartment felt so gloomy and unfriendly. Fred turned on the lights so he wouldn’t be trapped in the dark. He found the clean clothing in the laundry basket, took off his red and blue checked sweatpants – she had always told him how ugly she thought those pants were, but giggled every time he determinedly told her he wouldn’t get rid of them – now deciding he could never again wear them for that reason only.

The buzzer went off. They were already there, ready to take her away. He dressed quickly in a plain black sweatshirt and a pair of worn-out jeans, then buzzing them up, telling them what number they lived at.

He retreated to the bedroom, checking so she was dressed properly in clothes she would have wanted to wear. The light blue pajamas she always chose over anything else, the white socks with stars on the side that her mother gave her one Christmas, and the ring. That was all she specifically told him not to take away from her. The golden wedding ring, which she nowadays wore around her neck in a chain, ever since her fingers became to narrow to wear it.

Fred answered the door and let the paramedics in. They greeted, asked questions about her last living hours and checked her vitals. Watching them carry her out from their common apartment was too much for him to bear. Reaching for phone again, hearing the one paramedic – was his name John or Damien? He couldn’t remember – tell him to contact someone to talk to, he swallowed back his grief and focused on the rest of the day.

The door closed behind them and he found himself staring into the wall, the dialing tone finding its way into his numb mind. He knew it would happen one day. It was only a matter of time. He was actually surprised that it’d taken this long, much longer than he’d expected. He pressed the number two this time, again hearing the signal go through. “Fred?” Daniel’s voice said.

“She’s gone,” he repeated, hoping to get a less clinical answer this time.

Daniel sighed forcefully. “I’m sorry, buddy. Do you wanna come over? Kate’s making waffles for breakfast.”

Fred nearly smiled. “I have to go to the hospital.”

“Yeah, of course. I’m sorry for your loss, you know,” Daniel said with a strained voice. There was a moment of silence between them. “Look, you know me; I’m not very good at saying the right things. I’ll get Kate. She’ll know-”

“It’s okay. You don’t have to say anything special,” Fred promised, still staring into the wall, not knowing what to do besides from talking to Daniel.

“I don’t know what to say,” Daniel admitted truthfully. For as long as Fred had known him, Daniel had always been the outspoken one. Saying exactly what was on his mind without consideration. He was grateful for that. He didn’t need anyone’s pity or sympathy, or Kate’s coddling. He needed Daniel’s outspoken truth and coarse manner. “When did she die?”

“This morning. I watched her when she drew her last breath. Maybe an hour ago.”

More silence occurred. “Look, are you sure you don’t want any breakfast? You’re welcome here any time.”

“I’m sure. Hey, do you think you could give me a ride to the hospital? I don’t think I’m fit for driving.”

“Of course,” Daniel replied, sounding relieved for being able to do some good. “I’ll pick you up right away. I’ll bring waffles.”

“I don’t want any waffles,” Fred said automatically. The way he was feeling, food couldn’t possibly be an option for a while.

“I don’t care. You’re having waffles whether you like it or not,” Daniel stated. “Either you eat them or I’ll feed them to the stray dogs down the alley, because I’m sure as hell not eating Kate’s food all by myself.”

Fred snorted out a short laugh. Daniel was the only one who could’ve made Kate’s inability to cook sound funny at this point. “Okay.”

“I’ll pick you up in half an hour. Be dressed and sassed. Maybe we can pick up some women on the way?”

“Just be here,” Fred said, shaking his head. His wife was dead and Daniel made crude jokes. And Fred hadn’t expected any less. After all, that’s why he’d called him first.

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“You should ask her out.”

Kate McKinley was looking at him encouragingly. They’d been friends for a long time. Sometimes too long, Fred thought, noticing the eager glimpse in her green eyes at the thought of her favorite hobby – matchmaking. “I doubt that would ever happen.”

“I’ll do it,” she offered, taking a few steps in the direction of the girl in question.

Fred grabbed her arm and pulled her back. “The hell you are. I’ll manage my own love life, thanks.”

“What love life?” Kate grinned, shoving him in the chest with her unnaturally thick Advanced Algebra book. “For as long as I’ve known you, you’ve never dated anyone.”

“I have plans,” Fred assured her, throwing another glance down the hall towards the girl’s locker. “She’s new. Give me a few days and I’ll know her better.”

“That’s your problem,” Kate said dejectedly, starting to walk in the other direction, and then stopping to take his arm and drag him along. “You make it your mission to become friends with everyone, even the girls you like, resulting in nothing but friendliness between you and them. And that’s where the story ends. No romance. Not anything.”

“But I do have many friends,” he smiled, holding the door up for her as they passed the science labs and walked towards the math classrooms.

Kate turned on her heel, once again shoving at him with the book she was holding. “Fred, by the way you do things, you’d be happy if you find one girl to date during high school.”

“That’s all I need, Katie. One girl. That’s it.”

“Sounds boring,” she said merrily. “Did you ever have a thing for me? ‘Cause we’re practically best friends and that would mean – in the screwed up world of yours – that you love me.”

“Sure, I love you,” he replied. “You’re annoying and you talk too much and your taste in guys is horrible-”

“But?”

“There’s no ‘but’. I’m stating the obvious.”

“You love me,” she teased with a voice of triumph, skipping over to the door to their classroom. They were about to start with their usual bickering back and forth over something pointless – debating anything more important than the color of the cheerleading squad’s latest outfit was impossible with Kate – when Kate’s inattentiveness caused yet another embarrassing encounter. Before being able to stop, she walked right into another person – to Fred’s dismay the same girl he’d looked at five minutes earlier – and they both dropped their books. “Oh, sorry.”

“That’s okay.”

Kate’s face brightened when she recognized who the victim was. “Oh, sorry,” she grinned jovially. “You’re the new girl.” Being her usual perky self, Kate let go of her books and held out her hand. “Hi, I’m Kate and I’m very clumsy. When you get to know me, you’ll notice it’s a permanent issue.”

“Hi-”

“Oh, and this is my friend. His name’s Fred and he got tons of friends but no girlfriend,” Kate interrupted. “He and I aren’t together, if you got that impression. He’s sweet and all, but he’s not just my type. We’re just friends.”

“Shut up,” Fred hissed, pinching her arm until she squealed. He picked up the books and started dividing them to the girls. “You have to excuse my friend. She was raised by a pack of wolves.”

“He says that to all new people we meet,” Kate nodded fervently, exchanging books with the other girl. “You’re giving us the wrong books, Fred. What was your name again?”

“You never gave her as chance to tell you her name,” Fred muttered, wishing he’d taken another way to his classroom. Deciding not to be rude, he held out his hand to the strange girl. She was wearing a black shirt with short sleeves and jeans that fit her body nicely – not that he was staring or anything. Her hair was dark brown, maybe even black; her eyes had a deep brown color, while her skin had more of a light chocolate complexion. In his eyes, she was beautiful. “I’m Fred.”

“Catalina. Maybe you can tell me where two-oh-seven is supposed to be at?” she asked shyly, holding out her timetable. Fred nodded, trying hard to smile, but not to smile too widely so she’d think he was crazy. “I’m a sophomore.”

“So are we,” Kate started, about to throw herself into another rant. Luckily, the bell rang and she had to leave for her Advanced Algebra class. Fred had never been so relieved to see her go. “Show her the way,” she had time to mumble to him. “Be a gentleman. Be… not so much yourself.”

“Bye Kate,” he said pointedly, shoving her into the classroom. Feeling a bit stranded for more than one reason, Fred looked down on the sheet of paper he was still clutching onto. “So… All loony girls aside… You have Bio,” he pointed out. “We have the same class.”

“Oh. Good. At least I’ll know someone,” Catalina said slowly, leaning over the paper. He drew in her scent. She smelled sugary, like some sort of candy. Only based on his constant hunger, he loved her from the start. “Kate’s nice.”

“Yeah. I’ve known her since… Four entire months,” Fred smiled.

“No childhood bonding, then?” she asked curiously.

“Nah. But she’s so intense that it feels I’ve known her for years instead of months,” he laughed. “And you?”

“Me?”

“Yeah. Where are you from?”

“Transferred,” she said.

“Oh.” Not big on words, he noticed. Well, words weren’t always necessary. “You play any sports?”

“Not really. Do you?” she replied. He held out his arms so she would see his team jacket. She closed her eyes and shook her head. “Sorry. I’m nervous. First day, you know. I make stupid and obvious comments when I’m nervous.”

“Don’t worry ‘bout it. I remember how it felt to be new around here. Luckily Kate took me under her wings. She’s really opened up since then,” he smiled, making Catalina laugh.

“Maybe you can show me the way?”

“To Bio?”

“For example.”

“Sure. We’re only five minutes late so far.” Kate’s words rang in the back of his head. Don’t be too friendly, he thought. It’ll lead nowhere. At least not to where I want.

An entire Bio lesson later, including five minutes of plain hanging around, Fred joined Kate’s ‘study session’ in the library. The term study session was used loosely for the gathering of girls that sat around gossiping about the latest news within the school. Fred, who cared blankly about who was dating whom, interrupted in the middle of an especially loud discussion. “You come bearing interesting facts about your meeting with the new girl, I hope,” Kate said determinedly. “Otherwise you’ll be forced to tell us all what Bruce Henderson was doing with Carrie Smith in the locker-room after practice last week.”

Fred shot her a tired glare. “Kate, be quiet. I come bearing nothing at all, except maybe asking you if you want to have lunch soon.”

“You’re asking me? What about Bambi?”

“Bambi?”

“Because of her big Bambi-like eyes,” Kate clarified. “Why’d you not ask her out for lunch?”

Fred shrugged, sitting down next to her and Patti Clarkson, Kate’s favorite gossip friend. “I thought she was busy, that’s all.”

“Did she say she was busy?”

“No, but-”

“She’s new, she’s got no friends yet and you’ve talked to her and she’s nice, right?”

“Yeah, but-”

“So ask her out! It’s simple. I do it all the time.”

“I know, it says so on the wall of every bathroom in school,” he growled tiredly. A few of the other girls snickered while Kate scowled. “Kate, I beg you. Stay out of it.”

“Fred, you have a problem. Everyone thinks so. Right girls?”

Agreements in unison was heard, making Fred roll his eyes. “You discuss me with your friends?”

“Someone ought to,” Kate decided, sweeping a lock of bright red hair out of her face. “You’re our favorite single guy. We’ve all wanted to date you at some point. Except for me. I think you’re too nice.”

“Oh, yes. Since I don’t have a police record, I’m way out of your league.”

“Shut up. All I’m saying is: you’ve got nothing to lose here. Ask her out. If you don’t, someone will. We just don’t want to see you be mopy all year long.”

“Thanks for the tip, McKinley.”

“Anytime… Fred.”

Fred smiled lopsidedly. “Gotta learn to pronounce my name some day, McKinley.”

“And you need to stop calling me McKinley.”

“Deal.”

Fred got ready to leave, pulling on Kate’s arm so she’d take a hint. Not getting to the cafeteria in time before they opened the doors was one of his nightmares. Kate referred to him as ‘the human waste disposal’ because he could eat anything at anytime, barely without chewing. He blamed the fact that he was still growing, though Kate seemed to think it was more of a gluttonous thing. Apparently, with his six foot two, he wasn’t allowed to grow anymore inches. On the other hand – as he often pointed out – Kate could eat just as much, and she was only five five when it came to height.

Lunch had to wait this time. Kate only just spotted Catalina by the library doors, giving up a happy shriek and hurrying over to say hello. Fred thought it’d be best to join her so she wouldn’t cause anymore damage than she’d already provided with. “Hey! Bambi!” Kate yelled across the room. Discretion wasn’t something Kate had ever been good at. “Hey! Got homework?”

Catalina seemed horrified at the attention drawn to them by Kate’s shouting, but nodded politely and smiled at him when he finally reached Kate. “Yeah. Bio homework.”

“Fred’s got bio too,” Kate said cheerfully, winking at him without even trying to be subtle. “Hey, maybe you should study together? Fred’s got no practice today.”

“I don’t know-” Catalina said weakly, obviously trying hard not to step on anyone’s toes.

“Oh, it’s alright,” Kate smiled brightly. “Fred’s got no life. He’ll help you.”

“Thanks, Katie,” he hissed angrily. “I think she wants to do it herself.”

“Ah, come on, no one wants to do homework. Hey, homecoming is just around the corner, got a date yet?” Kate babbled, sounding energetic and a bit scary. Fred, who was used to her by now, saw that Catalina wasn’t at all happy about this question, and decided to save as much of the situation as possible.

“That’s weeks away, McKinley. We were heading down for lunch. You wanna join us?” he offered.

“I don’t know-”

“Of course she will!” Kate exclaimed happily, clapping her hands together. “Lovely suggestion. Hey, what are you doing tonight?”

Catalina was very confused by now, looking back and forth at the two of them. “Uh… Nothing. No plans.”

“Great! Fred was just saying how much he wants to go bowling tonight. You should go. I’m so tired of that bowling alley anyway. I’m starting to smell like bowling shoes. You know, sweat combined with-”

“I think that’s quite enough,” Fred cut her off. “I’m sure she’s got better things to do than hanging at the bowling alley all night.”

“Do you?” Kate asked Catalina.

“Well, no-”

“There you go! Fred, be sure to be a real gentleman and pick her up at seven. You can eat at that new restaurant in – wait, are you a vegetarian?” Kate questioned. Catalina shook her head and Kate picked up mid-sentence. “-town where they have steaks and stuff. Yum. You’ll have a good time.”

Fred wasn’t sure how to deal with this. Kate had never been so brazen that she’d actually asked a girl out for him before. This had got to be some sort of record. “And when we get home, we’ll kill you and bury you behind the gym,” he said.

“There, you’ll make a night of it!” Kate smiled. “Now, go to lunch you two. Fred, I’ll come by later. We need to sort out your wardrobe. You need clothes that aren’t hideous if you’re going on a date. Oh, Bambi-”

“Her name’s Catalina.”

“Sorry, bad with names. Catalina, we got to go shopping someday. Tomorrow, alright? I know the perfect sweater for you. Saw it yesterday. Patty’ll kill me ‘cause she wanted it first, but I like you, so we’ll go look at it, okay?”

“A-alright,” she stuttered, taken aback at the sudden plan making.

“Now, I have better things to do than watch you two flirt with each other, got homework to do – shut up, Fred – and so I’ll let you stray off.”

She turned and left, leaving them to wonder what had just happened. “So… you free tonight?” he asked with a smile.

“Yeah… Is she always like this?”

“Sometimes she’s hyper,” he said, rolling his eyes. “You’ll see tomorrow. Shopping is her turn-on.”

“Yay,” Catalina said without feeling. “You don’t have to take me out, though. You don’t have take pity in me because I’m new-”

“No, I don’t. Kate’s right. I have no life. Bowling’s fun. Pick you up at seven?”

Catalina beamed at him, nodding. He opened the door for her and followed her down the stairs. “We’re still on for lunch?”

“Definitely,” he smiled, feeling his heart skip a beat. The strangest emotion hit him. Gratefulness. Towards Kate.

He would always remember that day. The day when Kate crossed all laws of friendship and boldly asked out the girl he liked for him. He wouldn’t know it until years later, but they wrote history that day, him and Kate.

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