Walls Came Tumbling Down

[flash]http://www.youtube.com/v/3NZlwe4bwEE?version=3&hl=en_US[/flash]

Wammy's House was in chaos. Salvo saw it as he passed through from the hallway to the infirmary. Outside the door of the large common room, Ann had one child in her arms and another at her skirt. They were both shrieking with tears, panicking piteously. Inside the hall, the rest of the children were congregated around the laptop, with Hal at their centre. She seemed drained, as she dealt with their questions and angry conjecture. Meanwhile, Linda was right in front of the laptop, demanding answers to pertinent questions - like what this all meant for the future of Wammy's House.

Salvo carried on walking. He could hear his own son wailing in the distant room, so he started to jog. He flashed a weak smile at Ann and she just looked pained in return. He entered the infirmary, glancing at Chrissie without really seeing her, because his attention was taken by Century. The teenager was slumped in a chair with an oxygen mask over his mouth and nose. Even by the standards of his Celtic complexion, he was pale. Madeleine leaned over him, while Lauren was half out of her bed. Gevanni stood beside them looking pensive.

"Hey." Salvo slowed and stood before Century. He didn't need their worried looks to know that this was serious. "Ok, what's happened?"

"He's fine." Madeleine told him in a brisk tone. Century was gasping for breath. "Just calming down, then he will be right as rain."

Salvo raised his eyebrows. "Panic attack, bach?" He turned to see where his son was, only just realising that the crying had stopped. Luleka was draped across his mother's shoulder, with Mrs Evans standing alongside, ready to take him back. Chrissie's eyes were heavy but open. "Chrissie!" Salvo hurried to her side and bent to kiss her.

"Deal with Iestyn." Chrissie whispered to him.

"He's got half of the room dealing with him."

"You." Chrissie replied, weakly. She was barely holding their son. If the nurse hadn't been there with a helping hand, Luleka would have slipped off the bed.

Salvo stood, gesturing compliance and strode back across the ward. He pushed by Gevanni and surveyed Century. "You doing alright there, cariad?" He elicited a tearful glance. "Chrissie's awake and worrying about you."

Madeleine interjected sharply, "There is absolutely nothing to worry about." By which Salvo understood that everyone was concerned that Century was going to have another heart-attack, including the boy himself. "He's calming down."

Salvo smiled, "You know that Fenian got away, don't you? He slipped out right from under Near's nose and he's off in the great beyond. Don't worry about him. If anyone can look after himself, it's Fenian."

"No." Century shook his head, the tears coming thick and fast. He couldn't say anymore and Salvo wondered if that was due to his panicking or the audience around them.

"How about you come and lie down on the bed next to Chrissie?" Salvo crouched and took Century's hand. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Lauren wince. "Chill out with Muse on the iPod. Don't let the bastards drag you down." He afforded Lauren a slightly longer look now, as he waited for Century to respond. The Finnish woman was watching Century carefully. It was hurting her to retain the position to do so. "Ok, everyone, give him some space." Salvo gestured for Madeleine and Gevanni to move away. After a moment's hesitation, Madeleine did just that, but she didn't go far and she kept looking back. Gevanni, at least, crossed the room and kept his vigil from beside the door. Salvo leaned in to whisper to Century. "Mello's just begged me to help him. Weird shit."

Lauren's gaze flickered towards the African. "Are Mello and Matt alright?"

Salvo shrugged. "I wouldn't go that far. They looked like a couple on the verge of a domestic."

Century tried to rasp out a word, but it got lost the first time. He articulated it on the second attempt, "Ireland."

"Is this worrying or a solution?" Salvo asked, quietly, but Century just shook his head, getting upset again. "Cent, I need you to calm down, alright? Fenian is going to be fine. Everything is going to be fine."

Lauren spoke for the Welshman. "He's breaking his heart because it was Ireland that sold out Fenian. All Fenian ever wanted to do was go back home."

Salvo frowned. "Yeah, I know, but nothing can be helped by panicking about it." He looked across at Chrissie. She was lying on her back with her eyes closed. Luleka still lay across her. Salvo bit his lip. He wanted nothing more than to be over there with her. "Century, what do you think Fenian would say if he knew that you were making yourself ill over him? He'd tell you to calm it down. We'll deal with Fenian after we've dealt with you. Ok?"

"Salvo." Lauren forced a smile. "If you want to get back to Chrissie, I can look after Century."

"He's not a burden." Salvo replied promptly, though he did glance back at his wife before inclining his head towards the Finn. "He's..." Salvo smiled suddenly and changed tactics. "Is this a two way thing?"

"What?"

Salvo was sure. He grinned. "So you've fallen for the charms of..." The implications of a union between Lauren and Century occurred to him and Salvo stopped dead. Lauren worked for Mello and Matt. There was no telling how genuine these overtures were. She could just be getting close for some move that those two were making. Salvo looked down at Century, who was staring right back at him. There was shock beyond the tears. Salvo hugged him and that felt like the right thing to do. "Lie back, Lauren." Salvo told her. "You're not helping your own injuries." Century removed the oxygen mask and sobbed on his shoulder.

It was a long time before she spoke, then it was to say, "Gevanni just looked at his 'phone and left."

"He's not my problem." Salvo twisted to check that his wife was ok. Both Madeleine and Mrs Evans stood close to her bed now, but they were watching him and Century. Salvo deduced that he was dealing with the biggest problem in the room. "Is Near still listening in here?"

Lauren stared up at the ceiling. "No. It was switched off when Century got upset."

Salvo glanced up at the camera. He muttered, "Near is watching."

"I'm sorry!" Century gasped suddenly. "I'm..."

"Don't worry." Salvo told him. "On all counts, just chill."

Lauren swallowed, "What's happening with Mello and Matt?"

"Mello wants Matt to have the Seroxat."

Lauren flinched. "Then he should have them. Mello knows best."

"Mello's at the end of his tether. He wants a quiet life."

Lauren blinked, then frowned. There was incredulity in her tone, "Mello?" She shook her head. "Mello doesn't do the quiet life. Let him have the medication, because if not, Matt is going to..." She let her words trail away, wondering belatedly how incriminating her advice might be. Salvo just patted Century's back and nodded. There was a footfall at the doorway and they both turned to see. It was Ann and she was alone. She looked stunned. Her eyes glistened. She shook as she beckoned Madeleine towards her. Salvo shivered, but it was Lauren who asked, "Ann?" The housekeeper looked like someone had died. She stared helplessly at Century and backed away. Madeleine followed. "Shit."

Century struggled backwards. He gasped out, "What's happening?"

Salvo felt cold. "I don't know, cariad." He made a split second decision. "I want you to sit here with Lauren. I'm going to find out." He released the teenager and leapt to his feet. Century watched him, stricken, but Lauren found his hand and held it. Century didn't try to follow, as Salvo, with one last glance at Chrissie, rushed out of the infirmary. He nearly collided with the two women. Madeleine appeared shaken, but Ann was in tears. "Tell me what's happened." Salvo instructed in an urgent whisper. "I might be able to help."

"This house has gone insane." Madeleine started to walk past him back into the infirmary. "That's what's happened."

"Ann?" Salvo pressed.

Ann wiped her mouth with her hand. Pink lipstick was smeared onto her palm. She shook her head. "Luigi slipped out while we were listening to Near. None of us saw him go."

Salvo held his breath, waiting for the worst. When Ann didn't immediately elaborate, he pulled her towards him and held her. "Has he finally succeeded?" Madeleine emerged again and hurried down the corridor. "Ann, tell me."

"We don't know. He's locked the door of his laboratory and there are such smells. Linda and Mr Gevanni are up there." Her voice cracked. "They sent me to get Madeleine."

"The bastard." Salvo snapped, the fury coming from nowhere and dissipating in the next instant. "The selfish bastard."

Ann whimpered, "Don't." She started to turn away, but stopped. "It's all falling to pieces, Sal. All of the children." Salvo silently agreed. He was pondering how he could get Chrissie, Century and Luleka into a car and drive them far away. The whole house was like a pressure cooker waiting to explode. It felt dangerous. "I don't know what to do."

Salvo blinked. "You want my advice? Run away as far as you can go."

"What?" Ann gaped, appalled.

Salvo stepped away from her. He knew what he needed to do. He started into the infirmary, then doubled back to kiss the housekeeper's cheek. "Do whatever you need to do to protect yourself." He hurried into the ward, where Century's face was buried into the edge of Lauren's bed. She had one arm over his head. Mrs Evans was preparing another bed, while Chrissie gripped the back of Luleka's romper. It didn't look strong enough to catch him if he fell, but Salvo knew that it would. Chrissie's eyes were open again and she was watching him. Salvo hurried to her side and snatched up his son. Luleka stirred blearily. Despite everything, he had been asleep. "We need to go."

Chrissie's eyes widened slightly and her lips formed the word, "What?"

"It just doesn't feel right. The kids all know that Wammy's House is in jeopardy. I just want us out of here."

Chrissie gave him a withering look and closed her eyes again. As a delayed reaction, she breathed, "No."

Lauren spoke up, "Sal, what's happening?"

He turned to see her and found Century peering up too. The teenager seemed closer to a nervous breakdown than a panic attack. Salvo exhaled. "Nothing. We're all keeping calm." He gave a smile, but he didn't feel it.

Century asked quietly, "Mello, is it?"

Salvo welcomed the question simply because Century had managed to articulate one. "No." He wondered if he should tell. They were all going to find out soon enough, unless it was a corpse in that laboratory. "Near's left everyone with the impression that Wammy's House might close. The kids are panicking. But we don't have to panic, because we have a home; and who knows? Perhaps this is a good thing."

Century stared. Lauren shook her head. "Near doesn't have that jurisdiction." She scowled. "It would be foolish of him to let us go. We could set up somewhere else. A rival institution over which he has no control. He won't do it."

"What else, Sal?" Century asked. He was trembling.

Salvo looked down at his wife. Chrissie's breathing had deepened. She was sleeping. "Fuck this." Salvo shifted his son onto his other shoulder, so he could get the chewing gum from his pocket. "I don't know how many steps ahead of us Mello is, but he's right. Allies." He turned to face Mrs Evans. "I need to get into the medication room." She was startled. Salvo thrust his baby into her arms and strode across the room. He knew where the keys were. They were attached to Madeleine. He inspected the lock. It was easy to pick. Mrs Evans, Century and Lauren just watched him do it, not one of them tried to stop him. Salvo opened the door and investigated the array of drugs on offer. He found the Seroxat and emerged with the packet in his pocket.

Only now did Mrs Evans open her mouth, but Lauren got in there first. "Is it Matt kicking off out there?"

"Not yet." Salvo said firmly. He looked from the couple by the bed to his wife and the nurse with his son. "I'm going to be five minutes, tops, you need to look after each other and calm down. Ok?"

Lauren replied without hesitation. "Go."

Salvo raced from the room.