Hansel and Gretel

[Aisha (DELETED 7303)]

The small hospital room was filled with laugher, siblings laugher. Kestrel and Aisha had been visiting for about an hour now, one one of the rare days Aisha was well enough, and one of the rarer days kestrel had off. The brother's low bellow of a laugh melded with his sister high pitched snorts and giggles, and echo on and down the hall. Kestrel alway's knew how to make Aisha laugh, no matter how somber her day had been. Since they were children, Kes had been the jokester, the rebel, and Aisha the little sister who trailed behind like a puppy.

"Oh man...," Aisha wiped a few tears that had rolled down her cheeks away with the back of her hand, "I need that....but I still can't believe you had to bring up that story." Kestrel chuckled, wiping his own tears away with the palm of his hand, "How could I not? It was a total classic....I should tell it more often." Aisha's eyes widened as she pointed a finger in her brother direction, "You better not! You got be laughing this time but its still too embarrasing to hear all the time....". Kes grinned playfull, a mischevious sparkle in his tired eyes, "ok I promise not to bring it up...for a while."

For a moment after that, the siblings sat in silence, enjoying each other presence for a short while longer. Aisha watched her brother with a warm gaze, admiring the his dark hair that was so much like hers, and the strength in the lines of his shoulders and arms, a strength gained from working hard all these years. She slowly interlocked her hand with his, and gave it a gentle squeeze. With out Kestrel here to care for her, there is no doubt she would have been long dead, and she was greatful. Still, guilt scratched at the recesses of her mind like a cat at a door, and never really left her. Aisha wished he didn't have to work so hard, that things were easier.

All too soon, the visiting hours had ended, and Kestrel gave his sister hand a light squeeze. "When's your next day off?" Aisha tried desperatly to sound casual, but the emotion was already in her voice. Kestrel smiled softly, "A week or two.....ill try for next week...if not," he sighed, itching his head," possible the week after..." A bit of the light ran from Aisha's eyes, but she still tried her best to smile, "That fine! I have vanilla and the nurses and Lancaster," her voice wavered, the tears already in her throat. 'Don't you dare cry' she scolded herself, ' Don't. You. Dare.'

With a kiss on the head, a hug that was too short, Kestrel said his goodbye. "Ill tell the story next time im here...so chin up!" Aisha laughed, "On second thought, don't visit" Lastly, they both laughed, and then he was gone, and the room was quiet again. Aisha lay down amongst her pillows, and let her tears fall at last.