Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ Digimon Season 02 Story Arch ❯ A Time to Heal - part 2 ( Chapter 4 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon. I made up the character Lori Tanaka and her mother Anna.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This story happens after "A Time To Fall". Part 1 of my Digi-trilogy.
If you have'nt read it yet, please do. Then this story will make more sense!

"A Time To Heal" part 2 of the time trilogy
A Digimon Fanfic by: Flamedramon_girl

Chapter Two

It was finally Friday, almost two weeks after Flamedramon started staying at Lori's.
Lori was coming home from school and she was happy because once again, she didn't have any
homework on the weekend. Flamedramon seemed to be recovering nicely. He still didn't have
all of his strength back, but her Mom was pleased with his progress. Anna still marvelled
at how he had survived. He was still all bandaged up and had a sling, but was awake for
longer periods of time and moved around more. Anna said that most people, after sustainig
injuries like he did, would still be bedridden.

Lori walked in the house and went in her room to dump her school stuff onto the bed.
She noticed that Flamedramon wasn't on his mat. Lori walked down the hall, into the living room
and saw that he wasn't there either. "Flamedramon?" Lori called.

"I'm out here", She heard him answer. His voice was coming from outside. Lori slid open
the padio door and saw Flamedramon sitting on the floor of the padio, looking through the bars
at her tiny backyard. There was only room enough for a huge tree and it shaded the padio from
the bright sun.

"What are you doing out here?" Lori asked, sitting next to him.

Flamedramon shrugged. "Just getting some fresh air. I...I miss home." He sighed and
rested his head against the bars.

Lori didn't say anything and rested a comforting hand on the sad Digimon's arm. She
could tell that something was really bothering him. She could tell ever since when he started
staying there. The last two weeks that he had been there, Lori had been spending a lot of time
with Flamedramon and keeping him company. They seemed to have developed quite a bond. Also,
there have been nights where she woke to see Flamedramon having a troubled sleep, like he was
having a nightmare that he couldn't wake from. She hoped that he would tell her what was
bothering him so it wouldn't haunt him so. Lori slid her hand down his arm and clasped his hand,
squeezing it reassuringly.

Flamedramon looked at her, with a small smile and squeezed her hand back. Then he
looked away and leaned his head on the bars again. They sat there for a while in silence,
holding each others hand, and enjoying each others presence. Finally Lori looked up when she
heard her Mom pull into the driveway. "I should go in and see if Mom needs help with
supper", Lori said. Flamedramon nodded and reluctantly let go of Lori's hand. Lori got
up and walked into the house, Flamedramon watching her with a sad look in his eyes.

* * * * * * * *

"Well, everything is looking great", Anna said approvingly. It was after supper,
and Lori's Mom was examining Flamedramon's injuries, cleaning them and wrapping them in
fresh bandages. "Digimon really do heal quick, don't they?" She said with a smile as she
finished up the last bandage.

Flamedramon just nodded, and got off the table when Anna was finished. "Thank you",
he said.

Anna smiled and looked at her watch. "I have to go soon, they put me on a night
shift tonight at the hospital." She gave Lori a hug and a kiss. "I'll see you tommorow OK?"

Lori nodded, "sure Mom." Anna went to get ready for work and left shortly, leaving
Lori and Flamedramon alone. Flamedramon had gone back to her room, and Lori was in the
living room, trying to think of ways to help cheer the gloomy Digimon up. She figured that
he had been laying around for long enough and decided to do something fun.

With a grin, Lori walked into her room and sat on her bed. Flamedramon looked up
at her from the floor curiously, wondering what the silly grin was about. "Come with me",
Lori said. "I want to show you something". Flamedramon shrugged and slowly got up off of the
floor. Lori grabbed his hand and led him down the hall, and towards the stairs to the basement.
Flamedramon limped down the stairs after her, wondering what she was going to show him.
When he reached the bottom he entered the rec room that had a large TV and a comfy couch. There
was also an impressive stereo system in the corner.

Flamedramon looked around, interested. "What did you want to show me?" He asked.

Lori winked and headed over to the stereo. "I figured we could have some fun, and
get some excercise too! I'm going to show you how to dance".

Flamedramon's eyes widened, and he suddenly looked self-conscious. He could'nt dance
a step and he didn't want to embarrass himself infront of Lori. She must have been talking to
Davis to get this idea. Lori caught his facial expression and laughed. "It's OK. It's easy,
I'll show you." Flamedramon sat on the couch as Lori put a whole bunch of CD's into the
stereo. "I'll make it interesting and put it on random", she murmured to herself. She set
everything up and started the music. An upbeat song came on and Lori grinned. "I've danced a
routine with my dance club at school to this song", she said posing in the middle of the room.

Flamedramon could'nt take his eyes off of Lori as she danced. She seemed to become
one with the music, she never missed a beat. She was swift, graceful and sure of her movements.
It was all he could do to not have his jaw hit the floor, or his eyes to pop out of his head.
He was so mesmerised that when the song ended, he was speechless. Lori flopped down onto the
couch next to him. "So, what did you think?"

Flamedramon shook himself out of it. "Y-you were wonderful!" He said, barely
able to get the sentence out.

Lori grinned, pleased at his reaction. She suddenly grabbed his hands and pulled the
stunned Digimon off of the couch. "Now it's your turn!" She said with a wink.

"Um....no", Flamedramon said quickly, trying to sit down again. He didn't succeed,
and Lori got him to stand next to her in the middle of the room. Another song started and
it happened to be "Move Your Body" by Eiffel 65. One of Lori's favorites.

"We'll start real simple", she said, facing the nervous looking Digimon. "Just do what
I do." Lori started moving to the music, swaying from side to side from foot to foot.
Flamedramon started to move along with her, but could'nt seem to get the rhythm right.

"I don't think I'm getting it", he said, feeling really stupid. He was'nt on the beat
at all and was almost tripping over himself. His tail almost knocked a lamp off of a table,
and he flushed hotly. Lori tried not to laugh. She kept her face neutral, and the song
mercifully ended. The next one was "We Love To Party", by the Vengaboys. Lori was determined
to help Flamedramon find the beat.

"We'll try something different", she said, getting Flamedramon to stand in front of
her again. "Just close your eyes and listen to the music." Flamedramon did so, wondering
what she was going to get him to do next. "Now try to find the beat and start moving to it.
Not a lot at first, maybe a foot or a bob of the head". Lori watched as Flamedramon listened,
his face in an expression of concentration. After a minute or so, his foot started to move
slightly. Slowly at first, but slowly gaining confidence, he started moving his head. "That's
it", Lori encouraged. To help him out she placed a hand on either side of his waist and started
to guide his body. Flamedramon opened his eyes and grinned as he realized that he was moving at
the same beat as Lori. "See? You got it!" Lori said, stepping away.

Flamedramon had found the beat. He was bobbing slightly in time to the music, and had
a silly grin on his face. As the evening progressed, Lori showed him some basic moves.
Flamedramon was feeling pretty good now, and he didn't feel like an idiot anymore. Wait til
Davis sees this! He thought gleefully. As they danced, the room was filled with the deep rich
sound of Flamedramon's laughter. He was starting to get tired though and Lori sat with
him on the couch. "This is so fun Lori", he said, feeling better than he ever had in weeks.

"I'm glad you're feeling better", Lori said with a pleased smile. "Oh! I'll be right
back", She ran upstairs and came back down a few minutes later with something to drink.
They relaxed and had a refreshing drink while listening to music. After they were finished,
a slow song came on. It was "I knew I Loved You", by Savage Garden. Another one of Lori's
favorites. She got up and grinned. "How about I give you a quick lesson in slow dancing?"

Before Flamedramon could respond, Lori pulled him to his feet and led him to the centre
of the room once more. Flamedramon wondered how someone could dance to music this slow. "There
are different ways to do this but I'll show you the way we do it at school", Lori said,
thinking for a moment. Normally she would've put her arms around her partner's neck but
Flamedramon was a head taller. It was possible, but her arms would get tired after a while.

Lori then wrapped her arms gently around Flamedramon's waist, mindful of his bandaged
injury. Flamedramon looked down at her nervously, almost shyly. He then slowly wrapped his
arms around her shoulders, feeling that his legs were so wobbly that they felt like Jell-o.
Lori smiled up at him. "With this kind of dancing, you just sway to the beat, and slowly
move in a circle. We'll start with the swaying first".

She gently started to sway to the beat, then Flamedramon started to as well. Lori was
impressed at how quickly he had picked up the rhythm. "You're a natural at this", Lori said
with a smile.

The dragon Digimon looked at her with a small grin. "Really?"

"Sure", Lori said, than she hugged herself closer to him and rested her head on his
chest. Flamedramon's eyes widened and he blushed, glad that Lori didn't notice. He hugged her
back, and closing his eyes, rested his chin on the top of her head. He didn't even notice
that they had been slowly moving in a circle. He wished the song would never end.

Lori felt so comfortable and secure surrounded by Flamedramon's warmth. She was
pleased that he was a quick learner. He wasn't even stepping on her feet. She could feel the
strength in the Digimon's arms, and feel the beat of his heart. She felt like the safest
person in the world, and no harm would ever come to her as long as she was with Flamedramon.

Then the song ended. Reluctantly, the two of them let go of each other and stepped
back. Lori found herself blushing up at Flamedramon. "That was fun".

Flamedramon nodded in agreement. Unable to find words to describe what he was feeling.

After a pause, Lori looked at the clock. It was almost 10:00 pm. "Oh..how about we
watch a movie before going to bed?"

Flamedramon thought that was a good idea. The two of them got ready for bed and went
back down to the recroom to watch a movie. While they were watching it, Lori leaned into
Flamedramon, very comfy. Flamedramon smiled, unnoticed and thought that this day was one of the
best days of his life.

* * * * * * * *

~'~Flamey's POV~'~

No! No!

"Nice job Flamedramon! Could'nt have done better myself! HA HA HA HA!"

"NOOOOOOOOO!"

I-it's happening again! It's all my FAULT! No!

Over and over again it's happening. The attack from my own hand....NOOOOOO! Those
innocent people! I DID'NT MEAN IT! PLEASE FORGIVE ME!

"Nice job Flamey! HA HA HA! Now you are a MURDURER! HA HA HA!"

NO! NO!

"YES! YOU ARE A KILLER! HA HA!"

i deserve...to die...i am a.....k-killer...

* * * * * * * *

Lori woke up suddenly. It was 3:30 am, and she had been sound asleep. She heard the
sound again, a soft moan. She looked over at where Flamedramon was sleeping. He was having
nightmares, again. The poor Digimon was twisting and turning, with soft moans. Lori crawled
out of bed and turned on her small desklamp. The room was illuminated in soft light.

Lori knelt next to Flamedramon and touched his shoulder gently. In the light of the
lamp, she could see a slight sheen to his skin. His face was damp with sweat and tears. This
was the worst she had ever seen him so far.

"Nooooo...." The dragon murmured, shuddering with a moan.

"Shhh", Lori said softly, stroking his face. "It's all right.." She stayed for the
next while. Attempting to comfort him. After a bit, his dreams seemed to grow more intense
and he started to move more violently. Lori knew that she would have to wake him soon or
he could hurt himself.

By now, his mat was in a shambles, the blankets all over the place. The way he was
thrashing, Lori was afraid he would open his wounds.

Flamedramon cried out and started to struggle, looking like he was fighting
an imaginary foe....and losing. "NOOOOOOO!" He screamed.

Lori gasped in alarm. She could'nt let this go any further. She jumped on Flamedramon,
straddling his waist and attempting to pin his flailing arms down. "Flamedramon!" She cried.
"Wake up!"

The dragon moaned and an arm wrenched free from Lori's grasp. His taloned hand swiped
roughly at her face and Lori cried out in pain, but did'nt let go. She was more determined than
ever to wake the struggling Digimon up.

Lori called on desperate measures. She thumped Flamedramon in his all ready tender
ribs, which caused the Digimon to grunt in pain. Then she cocked her fist, hauled off and
punched Flamedramon in the jaw as hard as she could. Pain shot up her arm as the bones
connected with a CRACK!

Flamedramon's head jerked to the side at the blow, and his movements immediately
ceased. He lay there with his eyes squeezed shut, breathing heavily. Lori collapsed on him
in exhaustion, feeling the rapid beating of his heart and his heaving chest beneath her.

After a few minutes, Lori heard a soft sound, barely a whisper.

"L-lori?"

Lori looked up and saw Flamedramon move his head a little, his eyes still shut.
"I'm here", she whispered back in the silence.

"W-why...are you lying on top of me?" His voice was a strained whisper, with a tone
of confusion.

"You were having a bad nightmare..." Lori said softly. "I had to wake you. I was afraid
you would hurt yourself."

Flamedramon raised a shaking hand and felt his throbbing jaw. "You..you hit me!"

"You got me first!" Lori responded, and regretted saying anything at the sudden shocked
look on Flamedramon's face. He raised his head slightly, peering at Lori in the dim light.
She heard a trembling gasp and Flamedramon reached up and gently touched Lori's cheek. There was
a long gash there, not too deep, from where he had swiped her. Blood had trickled down her
cheek, looking like red tears.

"Ohhh", Flamedramon whispered. A horrified sound. "I-I hurt you!" The big red-brown
eyes filled with tears.

"It's all right...I'm OK", Lori said reassuringly as she saw the tears flow down his
face. She held his trembling hand that was on her cheek, and squeezed it. She gently got off of
Flamedramon and his hand fell limply at his side.

"N-no...no", Flamedramon whispered rolling over so that he was facing away from Lori.
His hands at his face. The lean body trembled from head to foot.

Lori watched the softly crying Digimon, unsure of what to do. Then after a moment's
hesitation, she bent forward and gently embraced Flamedramon. "Don't worry", She soothed.
"I'm OK". Deep down, Lori knew that him hitting her was'nt all that was making him upset.
"Please tell me what's wrong...whatever is bothering you is eating you up inside", Lori
pleaded softly. "I'm your friend Flamedramon. I care for you..." She murmured, stroking the top
of his head.

Flamedramon shuddered at her words. "I....I a-am a...a MURDURER!" Came the anguished
cry. Lori was shocked at this and the Digimon dissolved into violent sobs. She got up and
moved so that Flamedramon was facing her and held his shaking body in her arms. She held him
while he cried and cried. Slowly but surely in a choked voice, Flamedramon told her
everything. The fight with Tyrannomon, the blocked attack, and the exploding police cars.
When he got to that part, he was almost howling with grief. All Lori could do was clutch him
tighly and slowly rock him.

As Flamedramon poured out his emotional pain, Lori remembered that day. How she had
been with Davis and Cody under that ledge. Watching as Flamedramon's attack got blocked by
that Tyrannomon. Seeing the column of fire hit the police cars. Seeing them explode and the
lives that were taken. And Lori wept. She wept with her friend, for his pain and for the lives
that were taken in a horrible twist of fate.

* * * * * * * *

Later, Lori sat with Flamedramon lying limp and silent in her arms. It was almost five
in the morning, and the sky outside was slowly beginning to get lighter. Lori gently stroked
Flamedramon's head. He had cried until he had fallen into an exhausted sleep. She cradled him,
listening to his soft and relaxed breathing. After a bit, Lori gently lay the Digimon down
on his mat and covered him in the blankets that were strewn on the floor.

Then Lori went in the bathroom and washed her face and cleaned out the small gash. It
was'nt that serious, and it had stopped bleeding. She figured it would bruise eventually.
Not bothering to bandage it, Lori yawned and went into her room and turned off her desklamp.
Then she flaked out in bed and fell asleep instantly.


END OF CHAPTER 2!

CHAPTER 3 COMING SOON!
comments and questions welcome.