Next of Kin (Champagne Challenge #135) PG

[allegrita]

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc., are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Author's note: This conversation was written in response to the Champagne Challenge #135, "Two Hundred Fifty Spoken Words." Rated PG-13.

Next of Kin

“Who is it?”

“Officer Richard Hamilton, ma’am. LAPD.”

“Oh, my goodness! Sorry to keep you waiting, Officer. I always check, with all these hoodlums and whatnot these days. Please, come in!”

“Thank you. Uh… is your husband home, by any chance?”

“Let me go fetch him. Can I get you some iced tea?”

“No, ma’am, I…”

“Michael?”

“Yes, dear?”

“A policeman’s here to see you.”

“What’s this all about, Officer?”

“Sir, I think you and your wife had better sit down.”

“What is it?”

“What’s happened?”

“Your son, Mick, and his wife… there’s been an… incident.”

“Mick? Is he hurt?”

“We’re not sure, ma’am. They’ve gone missing. And there are signs of foul play.”

“What signs?”

“Well, there were signs of a struggle. A lot of blood.”

“Oh, no… oh, my lord.”

“Now, honey, don’t cry. I’m here.”

“Oh, god! Mick! How could this happen?”

“Please, ma’am, don’t cry. We’re doing everything we can to find them.”

“Honey, shhhhh. Officer, what can we do?”

“Let us know if you hear anything. And tell your friends and neighbors, if anyone sees him, contact the LAPD immediately.”

“Of course.”

“Do you have a list of his friends?”

“Not really. Mick… well, he left home soon after the war. We don’t see him much.”

“An address?”

“Oh, yes, let me write that down… here you go. His landlady will probably know his friends.”

“Thank you. And ma’am, I’m sorry to bring you bad news.”

“It’s not your fault, son.”

“We’ll be in touch.”
<>

[Marigold]

Oh, Alle.

Mick's turning was a tragedy not only for him, but also for his human family and friends. His parents lost a son, one who had survived the war and was just starting a new chapter in his life (marriage). Their pain and grief would have been compounded by the lack of facts. Not knowing what happened to Mick would've been a nightmare. Did they ever stop searching for Mick? Did they ever find closure?

Beautiful.

[jen]

Alle

Thank you for this lovely peek at another scene that we all knew took place but was never talked about outside of fan fiction.

Jenna

[choccyterri]

Alle, this is wonderful. I agree, a scene that we know must have taken place. And so beautifully put babes, another hint at who or what's left behind.

[francis]

Oh no, this breaks my heart. Of course this is what happened. And they never knew more.

[MickLifeCrisis]

Well done, Alle! Even if it did make my tummy all full of knots.

[allegrita]

Thanks, everyone. I got a little choked up myself, writing this, imagining that awful moment when Mick's folks found out. I was inspired by some of the wonderful stories in this challenge-- especially DSR's "Bloody Mystery" and Laughter's "Scene of the Crime." So many questions must have been raised when Mick and Coraline disappeared... and they were almost certainly never answered.

[PNWgal]

When Mick told Beth in Dr. Feelgood that he had to give up his family and friends after he was Turned...that always stuck with me.

This really drives it home. I can't imagine Mick's poor parents, never knowing what happened to their son, and Mick never being able to tell them.

[allegrita]

I know. It breaks my heart.

[Luxe de Luxe]

oh, the pain. of course there must have been a conversation like this. yes, the police must have been involved. Very indiscreet of Coraline really.

[allegrita]

Well, we don't know whether she cleaned up her mess or not. (Or whether she HAD it cleaned.) But in any case, the St. Johns were faced with the disappearance of their newly married son, and that had to be an utterly devastating loss. We know Mick's suffering, because he told us about it. But the suffering of those who loved him wasn't revealed on the show. So we can only imagine their pain. The poor people.

[Lucy]

INCIDENT.... 8 letters that spell bad news...

Whenever someone uses that word...it just isn't good... THIS, however is poignantly good...

[SharonC]

Oh god THAT meeting, so hard but it has to be done. Makes it so much tougher when there is no body to bury too. Mr and Mrs St. John I can't imagine how they must have felt...

Beautifully done Alle

[allegrita]

Thank you, ladies.

[cassysj]

This is heartbreaking. You have to feel for the St Johns. They first lose their son as a young man to war and then just when they think his life is settling down he's gone for good.