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Is Love All or Nothing? Ch. 16

Welcome one and all to the next chapter of "Is Love All or Nothing?"! I know the wait has been long and everyone is eager to see what I have written. Your patience will be well worth the wait, unlike waiting for the hidden scene in Spiderman Homecoming.

As always thank you Tigersman for editing my work and making it look a whole lot better than my first draft I sent to you. For those who remember my first chapters that I posted without and editor, ehhh!


*****

Keith, Jackie and Jackie's parents were waiting in the waiting room, hoping to hear something from a nurse, a doctor, or the surgeon, really just anyone.

Keith and Jackie had arrived after Caleb had been taken in the operating room. All they knew is that his car was hit on the driver's side and he was rushed by ambulance. At this point, they had been waiting for two hours with no answers.

Finally a doctor comes to them and they stand to meet him, hoping for good news.

"How is he?" Mary, Jackie's mom, asked desperately hoping her son will live.

"He's going to be alright," the doctor answered calmly. "His left arm and leg were broken in a couple of places but nothing that several months in a cast won't be able to help heal."

"Oh thank god!" Mary said relieved to hear the news, almost collapsing if her husband wasn't there to catch her. "When can we see him?"

"They are closing him up now, but we plan on keeping him under for a while to let his body heal. He will be on very strong pain medication for a while and we plan on keeping him here for at least a week. Once we get him into recovery, we will let you in to see him."

"Thank you doctor," Bob said grateful for the news.

The doctor left and everyone started to relax, happy to hear the news.

An hour later a nurse escorted them to Caleb's room where he lay in bed asleep, a cast over his left arm and left leg. There were a few cuts on his face from the glass of the driver's side window but nothing that looked bad. Each of them took a turn talking to Caleb, telling him to just take it easy and that they'll be with him the whole time. They knew he probably couldn't hear them, but it didn't matter to them. They simply wanted to talk to him.

Another nurse walked in to check on Caleb's vitals. After she was done she turned to leave when she recognized Keith sitting on a couch with Jackie in his arm. She wanted to say something but figured that moment might have not been the best time. She knew Keith didn't have a brother and figured that was the woman's brother or someone really close. Either way, she figured Jackie must be Keith's girlfriend by the way he was holding her. It warmed her heart to see Keith with someone. She knew he would find someone to love him for the amazing guy he is and it warmed her heart seeing them together.

**********************************************

"So how long will your brother be unable to work?" Melissa asked after setting her cup of coffee on the table.

"At least a couple of months," Jackie replied not happy about it. "Knowing him, he's just going to be even needier and I know my parents will only put up with so much."

"Maybe you and Keith could stop by there one weekend and help out, give them a little break."

"I don't think that would be a great idea. Keith and Caleb didn't get along that well last time."

"That was Thanksgiving, almost two months ago now. I'm sure Keith can forgive him for what happened."

Jackie rolled her eyes at her best friend. "I really doubt it. Even if Keith did forgive him about what happened, I'm sure Caleb will find a way to piss us off anyway."

"He's your brother Jackie," Melissa reminded. "I get things between you and him always haven't been the best, but he's family and whether you like it or not, the uncle of your future children."

"Still doesn't change who he is," Jackie said, far from convinced that she should help.

"Have you talked to Keith about it?"

"No and I don't plan on it. We still aren't a hundred percent normal with each other since the fight."

"How so?" Melissa asked curious to what's different.

"Well he's stopped playing his video games altogether when I'm at his place which has led him to not knowing what do to with himself. I want to tell him to just play and not worry if he gets angry but he won't. Because of that, I'm worried that he is just going to give up something he loves doing and not find a good, productive replacement."

"Since when are video games productive?"

"They give him something to focus on and push all the worries of his world away. Some of the games he plays require a lot of thinking and while it sometimes causes him stress, the happiness I see when he wins makes it all worth it to him."

"You know there are a lot of board and card games that are becoming a thing again and some don't take that long to learn and play. Luke bought a game from Walmart called 'Boss Monster' and convinced me to play it. To my surprise, it is a lot of fun and requires lots of thinking. Maybe you and Keith should give it try."

"That might not be a bad idea," Jackie said thinking it could work, "but it will take some convincing. If there is one thing I've learned about Keith and his Asperger's, it is that it is easier for him to want to try something new if he already has an interest in it. He doesn't always react well to people suggesting things for him."

"It doesn't hurt to try though, right?"

"I guess," Jackie said still unsure.

"Let me ask something," Luke said having heard most of the conversation without Jackie or Melissa knowing. "Are you treating him differently more than you would any other guy you would date because he has Asperger's or do you use ways to use it to both of your advantages?"

"How are either of those different?" Melissa responded.

"They both seem the same to me," Jackie agreed.

"Maybe on the surface," Luke said as he sat down at the table, "but the first makes it obvious you are doing things differently because Keith has Asperger's. The second doesn't acknowledge that fact directly."

"I still don't see the difference," Jackie responded.

"Have you ever tried playing any video games with Keith?"

"Hell no, I would be so lost and do so bad."

"But you know he loves them."

"And he screams and shouts when people on his team aren't doing well," Jackie rebutted.

"Have you seen him play when he has to teach someone how to play?"

"No, but how would that be any different?"

"One time Keith and I were trying to get a group together of a raid in 'Destiny'," Luke began, "and we got two people who knew what to do and two who had no clue what they were doing. Keith took it upon himself to teach them what to do, what equipment to have equipped at various points, and not once did he scream or yell when they died or messed up. As usual he over communicated but not once did he make them feel dumb. After all was said and done, we beat the raid and they thanked us for carrying them and thanked Keith for all his help."

"Why did he treat those two people differently?" Jackie asked confused.

"Because he knew going in that they were going to mess up and cause us to wipe, as in everyone die and start that section of raid over, and accepted that fact. In that case, his Asperger's focused on ways to help them, using it to his advantage."

"But those are people who play video games a lot. I don't even play games on my phone."

"Doesn't change what I'm saying. Have him teach you how to play 'Halo'. The controls are simple and you might even like the story."

"Why don't you teach me? Jackie asked. "Then I could play with Keith and not be so bad."

"Did you just miss that part where I said you should learn from HIM?

"No, but"

"But nothing," Luke interrupted. "It is either you do it with him or not at all."

Jackie thought about what Luke suggested. On one hand it would be nice way to learn why Keith likes playing video games so much, but she is afraid that he will just get angry with her even more so, leading to another fight.

***********************************************

"You can't just stop playing video games," Andy said between taking bites of his burger. "Last time you did that, you went stir crazy."

"Well what else am I supposed to do?"

"Don't play online, focus on games that don't make you as mad like 'Defense Grid' and 'Sonic', or an RPG (role playing game for those not familiar with the term). Didn't you say you wanted to get through the rest of 'Life is Strange'?"

"Yes, but," Keith took a few moments to find the words he's looking for, "I'm just worried I'll explode again."

"So if you get angry again and yell, you get angry and yell," Andy said bluntly. "That is part of who you are when you play video games."

"Should it be?" Keith argued back. "How does me yelling and screaming change anything when I'm playing?"

"Because if you don't you'll just hold it in and bottling things up is and has never been good for you."

Keith knows Andy is right about this. "So what do you recommend then?"

"Again, play different games that don't get you so mad."

"Even if I have no interest in them?"

"Oh my god," Andy exclaimed. "You are impossible sometimes."

"Just part of my charm."

"Sure whatever."

That was not a response Keith had ever heard Andy use before. "Sure whatever? You've never said that before in response."

"I have now," Andy shot back sharply.

"Ok, what's going on?"

"Nothing, geez!" Keith said, setting his burger down on the table and stared at Andy. "Stop staring at me like that." Keith didn't stop and continued the stare as Andy continued to eat his burger. Minutes passed by as Andy tried to ignore Keith's stare but finally gave up. "Things with Lauren haven't been going so well lately," he finally admitted.

"What's been going on?"

"I don't know. Her work has had her working more mornings and afternoon shifts so we haven't seen each other as much lately and when we do, we just seem to fight."

"Fight about what?"

"That's just it," Andy said frustrated, "it seems like we are fighting over nothing and everything. She thinks I could be a better boyfriend but when I ask 'how' she doesn't answer or give me any specifics. Lately she been comparing our relationship to you and Jackie."

"Wait, what?" Keith was shocked to hear that. "That makes no sense to me."

"I know and I tell her that we are not like you and Jackie, but she insists we could be closer or something." Andy rubbed his hands over his face before placing them on the back of his head. "Lately I've been getting the feeling she wants to end this but then I get a text the next day after we fight and she apologizes and says she is not giving up on us."

Keith finished his burger and picked up his plate. "What started all of this?"

"I don't know." Andy handed his plate to Keith. "It started around Christmas I think."

"So it's been going on for about a month." Keith put the plates in the sink and rejoined his friend at the table. "How much more do you think you can handle before you put an end to it?"

"Honestly I have no clue." Just then the door to Keith's apartment opened and Jackie walked in with a bag in her hand. "Hi Jackie, you just missed lunch."

"Let me guess, burgers with only pickles because Keith doesn't stock ketchup or mustard."

"He actually sautéed some onions today to add to the burgers this time."

"What the hell?" Jackie protested. "You never did that for me."

"First you never asked," Keith defended, "and second, Andy brought the onion himself and cut it."

"I guess I need to start stocking ketchup for myself then," Jackie said, "and maybe make my own burgers with peppers in them."

"I'd be down for that," Keith said with both Jackie and Andy looking at him strangely. "What? I never said I didn't like peppers."

Both Jackie and Andy laughed realizing Keith had never said he didn't like peppers. Andy stood from the table and prepared to leave.

"Well I have to get going to the bar."

"Since when do you work on Sundays?" Jackie asked.

"Since I gave two bartenders the day off and didn't realize it until Friday that I gave them the same day off. It's my punishment for being stupid, but I can handle it."

"Have fun with the NBA crowd," Keith said.

"You know I always do," Andy went to Jackie and gave her a hug. "Take care of him while I'm gone. I know that is no small task."

"I know, he takes so much looking after," Jackie continued the sarcasm.

"And where will I find friends who are so concerned about my well-being?" Keith added, deciding to play along.

"Bye guys," Andy said as he closed the door laughing.

"So what is in the bag?" Keith asked having noticed it when Jackie walked in.

"A card game I thought maybe we could learn to play together," Jackie said as she put the bag on the table, "but I was also wondering something else, but I'm not sure if you'd go for it."

"Well, if you never ask you'll never find out."

Jackie took a deep breath before she asked her question. "Would you be willing to teach me how to play 'Halo'?"

That shocked Keith as he never thought Jackie wanted to learn how to play any video games, much less the one where he screamed and shouted that started their last fight. "Umm, sure, but where is this request coming from?"

"Well I was discussing things with Melissa and Luke decided to jump in our conversation and suggested that."

Keith took a minute to think about it before asking a question. "Do you want to play by yourself or play cooperative with me in the campaign?"

Now it was Jackie's turn to be shocked. "You're willing to teach me? But what if I mess up and..."

"Everyone messes up the first time they play any new video game," Keith interrupted, "or in your case, your first video game ever."

"Promise you won't get mad if I don't do things right," Jackie begged.

"I promise to not get mad but won't promise not to laugh."

With that, they went over to Keith's couch as he turned on his TV and XBox One. He then started up the 'Halo Master Chief Collection', made a profile for Jackie and started teaching her the controls. Once she said that she believed she knew the controls, he selected the first mission of the game for them to play together.

They got through the first part very fast as they navigated the level, but there was no firing their weapons involved. Once Jackie got her first weapon, she tried to fire at the enemies but was missing horribly while Keith was dropping them in a couple shots, sometimes one.

As they continued to play through the level, Keith was getting most of the kills while Jackie gets only a few and dies a lot. She was ready to quit at one point, but Keith convinced her to keep playing. He gave her a few suggestions and asked if she would mind playing more of a supportive role, which she agreed to. Through the rest of the level, she would enter an area first, fire a few shots or throw a grenade, back out and let Keith do his thing. As they got farther in the level, she would re-enter an area soon after Keith did and giving some back up fire. She even figured out how to use the pistol's scope on and kill some of the weaker enemies with one shot.

They got to the last stretch of the level and Jackie said she wanted to take lead this time and Keith play the supporting role. He agreed to it as they set up their attack. Once Jackie said go, Keith threw two grenades and Jackie jumped the barricade just as the grenades detonated. She opened fire on the stronger enemies whose shields were down and took them down while Keith gave supporting fire taking down the weaker enemies. Once all the enemies were down, Keith directed Jackie to go to the escape pod which she enters and end the level.

"Oh my god!" Jackie exclaimed once they were done with the level. "That was intense and so much fun! I can see why you love playing this game."

"Want to play the next level?" Keith asked.

"Sure, why not."

They go through the cut scene of the beginning of the next level and Keith guides Jackie through the beginning. This level is more open so Jackie gladly followed Keith's lead. They slowly make their way through the level until they get to a point where they have a hard time getting past.

Keith pauses the game. "How do you want to approach this?"

Jackie took a few minutes to think about how the enemies were coming. "Do you think you can take out the enemies already in the rear where we entered and then join me where the next group of enemies drop?"

"If I throw my grenades where I need to, I can at least take out the Elites (strongest enemy) and then rejoin you."

"Let me know when you're on your way. I'll lay down some fire on the Elites to drain their shields so you can finish them."

"Make sure you use the plasma rifle. It will drain their shields faster and if you drop them each hit will stun them."

When Keith un-pauses the game they commence their plan. The first two times Keith had to restart from their checkpoint because he messed up but the third time he succeeded in killing the Elites he needed to. He communicated that he was on his way to Jackie who laid down fire on the Elites that had just dropped in from their dropship. She got one of their shields to drop as Keith finished it off and then they shot at the other one and killed it in no time.

The rest of the level was more of them taking turns firing and covering for each other until they finally finished that last objective and the last cut scene for the level appeared.

"Damn, you could have warned me how long that level was," Jackie said exhausted.

"You seemed really into it and I wanted you to finish the level."

"Are the rest of them this long?"

"'Assault on the Control Room' is pretty long. That is the fifth mission I believe. Some others are kinda lengthy but nothing we can't make short work of."

"I just hope there is nothing more annoying than those Elites. They take a lot of shots."

"You'll just have to wait and see."

Jackie turned her head and glared at Keith. "There are more different type of enemies aren't there?"

"There are but you'll just have to wait and see what they are."

"Hopefully on a different day because I feel drained."

"I don't blame you. I remember playing through these levels in middle school and how long it took me to beat them."

"Wait, middle school? I may not be a video gamer but these graphics look nothing like they were from ten years ago."

"Well to make long story short, Microsoft decided to release the games with updated graphics so they look better."

"Ok, I guess that makes sense," Jackie said. "So tell me, what about playing video games makes you happy?"

It didn't take long for Jackie to realize that she should have asked for the short version because Keith went into his history of playing video games and how certain games made him calmer as he played, hyper focus until he figured out the puzzle in which he would be ecstatic when he figured it out, or completing some amazing feat, well that was amazing to him. The whole time though she nodded her head and smiled, letting him speak.

"Seems like you've played a lot of video games," Jackie said after Keith had finally finished.

"I have. My parents didn't seem to mind because I was quiet most of the time when I played them."

"Did you ever read any books growing up?"

Keith chuckled. "My mom tried to get me to read books but nothing ever worked. She tried bribing me, punishing me if I didn't read a book, but nothing ever worked."

"Just prefer your video games to the good story of a book."

"Who says video games can't have a good story?"

"Name a video game with a great, captivating story," Jackie said, doubting that such a video game existed.

Keith wasted no time in going to the game library on his XBox One and started up a game called 'Life is Strange'. "Play the first episode of this game."
"Why?" Jackie asked confused. "You know I won't do well."

"This isn't one of those games you need to be good at video games to play. Just trust me."

"Ok."

Keith handed the controller to Jackie and she started to play. She liked the conversations the game developers had put in as she interacted with the characters in the game. Then she got to a point where it is discovered the main character can rewind time and that made Jackie even more interested. By the end of the episode she was hooked and wanted to play the next episode, but Keith had taken the controller away from her.

"Hey! Give it back!" Jackie protested.

"If I let you keep playing it will be tomorrow."

"But I want to see what happens next. Do they find out what happened to that Rachel girl?"

"You'll have to find out another day. It is time to get some dinner anyway."

*************************************

"Are you going to place a room down or not?" Caleb asked very impatiently.

"I am, just need to figure out which hero to lure into my dungeon," Jackie answered.

A minute later she placed her room card facedown and she, Caleb, and Keith flipped over the room cards. Keith sighed as he realized what was about to happen.

"Dammit, she's got us."

"How? She can lure the cleric and the thief, but she can't...oh shit," Caleb said as he realized that Jackie was just going to destroy a room card with another card's ability to give all the other rooms higher health. "That spell card that freezes rooms helped you last turn."

"Not my fault you boys were trying so hard to beat each other this game that you hardly noticed me luring and defeating all those heroes," Jackie said.

"But I'm still winning for the day," Caleb bragged.

"By one game," Keith said, "and if Jackie didn't make the play she did, I was going to win."

"Yeah right," Caleb said in disbelief.

"Look at the card I played for the turn," Keith said as he pointed at the card. "Next turn I would have destroyed it and lured the heroes to my dungeon and killed them."

"Will you two stop," Jackie begged. "My god, what is it with you men being so competitive?"

"It's just part of our charm," Keith said sarcastically.

Jackie rolled her eyes at Keith's response. "Well I think we are done with 'Boss Monster' for now. Are you guys interested in pizza for dinner? Mom and dad left some money for that."

"Have an issue with pepperoni and sausage from Domino's?" Keith asked Caleb.

"I don't but she might."

"I'll just customize the order so it is half of what you two want and half of what I want."

"Meaning pineapple," Keith and Caleb said together.

"Maybe I'll get more than just pineapple," Jackie defended.

"So extra pineapple," Keith teased.

Jackie gave him a glare before she left to go to the den and place the order online.

"So you don't believe pineapple should be on a pizza either," Caleb said.

"The only fruit allowed on a pizza is the sauce made from tomatoes."

"Amen to that."

"So how bad do the casts itch?" Keith asked.

"Not as bad as I feared, but changing clothes is even worse. I'd never thought I'd have to let my mother help me change my underwear or use the bathroom."

"I can only imagine."

"Yeah, it is not that fun." Caleb took a deep breath before he continued. "I'm sorry how I treated you at Thanksgiving."

"It's ok."

"No, it's not. I was out of line when we played 'Halo' and didn't treat you right. You've been amazing to my sister and I...I shouldn't have been such an ass."

"It's ok Caleb, really. I forgive you."

"Just don't break her heart or I'll kill you."

"First you have to catch me and use your good arm."

"Oh, you got jokes huh."

"Jokes, nah. Truth bombs, maybe."

"Like the bombs known as grenades I'll stick on you next time we play 'Halo'."

"If you can get close enough for a throw if I don't snipe you."

"As if you two will be able to play once I hide the HDMI cables, the power block, and the controllers," Jackie said as she came back into the kitchen. "Is there anything you two can do without getting so competitive?"

"Enjoy watching you get mad at us for being so competitive," Caleb quipped.

"It is fun watching her not understand guy nature in this case."

"You'd think she be used to it with how competitive me and Derrick used to get."

"Oh god don't remind me," Jackie complained, remembering all the screaming, cheering, and accusations of cheating. "And you two are still pretty bad. He's married now so he has to watch it."

"So you think."

"What do you mean?"

"We still play 'Halo' and 'Call of Duty' against each other online. You're just never home to hear it anymore."

"How do mom and dad still put up with it?"

"Same as before. Dad ignores it and mom yells for me to do something else or for us to play a different game."

"Sounds just like my mom," Keith said. "All that ever did was make me madder. Sometimes you would think she would have understood that."

"Just might be something guys understand and women won't."

Jackie could only shake her head. "You guys are crazy, but I have to put up with both of you."

"Well I'm family," Caleb stated. "You can always dump his ass." Jackie glared at her brother. "I'm kidding! I know you love him and believe it or not, I think he is good for you." Jackie continued the glare. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything by it."

Jackie just continued to glare as Caleb kept apologizing, trying to figure out how to get his sister to stop glaring at him. He was beginning to think she was really mad at him until the doorbell rang and she left to get the pizza, smiling. "You're right Keith, that was fun."

Caleb looked over at Keith, but Keith had a response ready. "I told her she needed to practice on someone not me for when Melissa goes bridezilla crazy. You just happened to open your mouth saying something stupid enough to get her to glare at you."

************************************************

The nurse who helped take care of Caleb opened the door to her apartment, made her way to the fridge in her kitchen and got a beer out of it. He twisted the cap off and sat back on her couch. A few minutes later her roommate came out of her bedroom.

"Hey Stacy, how was work today?"

"Long ten fucking hour day!" Stacy exclaimed. "These three days off could not come at a better time so I can catch up on sleep."

"You knew ten hour days were a part of being a nurse."

"Yes but not when there were three code blues within two hours of each other on top of the four that there were yesterday."

"I can only imagine the stress that must put you under," the roommate said quietly.

"It is rough but something about this job makes me feel...I don't know."

"Complete?"

"Good word choice but that isn't it. I guess I'm just happy helping people and knowing I'm helping them get better."

"Like that one little boy you told me about that didn't want to take his medicine because of how it felt in his mouth."

Stacy laughed remembering that little boy. "Everyone else had no clue what to do. I was the only one who asked him why he didn't want to take the tablet and once he told me, I knew what to do."

"You got a piece of salami from that cafeteria and wrapped it around the tablet."

"Everyone thought I was crazy but he never complained again about the texture of the tablet."

"How did you think of that anyway?"

"I had a friend in high school who didn't like foods based on the texture. I remember he liked salami so I'd thought I'd try that with the kid and it worked."

"This the same guy you tell me about all the time and saw recently?"

"Yeah, he was with his girlfriend's family after the brother was in a bad car accident."

"Have you thought about trying to reconnect with him?"

"I have, but don't think I will."

"Well why the hell not?" the roommate asked confused. "I can tell you miss him."

"I do, but he has someone now and the last thing I would want to do is make anything complicated or bring drama that isn't needed with his girlfriend."

"Leave it to you to find an amazing guy and not pursue him."

Stacy knew her roommate was just trying to help, but she didn't know Keith like she did or what happened the last time they saw each other. Knowing what she knows now, she doesn't think she could be in a relationship with him that would have led to marriage, yet she always put Keith on a pedestal of the type of guy she wanted to eventually marry. She had dated several guys in college and was in a relationship for over two years with one guy before she finally ended it, knowing full well he wasn't the one.

Her thoughts drifted to that last day they hung out before they left for college. Keith had already accepted the fact that they were going to drift apart, but she hadn't. She asked him why they couldn't try a long distance relationship, why they couldn't make it work. He told her that they weren't right for each other. She had wanted him as her boyfriend that whole summer but he never wanted that.

Keith tried to give her a hug as he dropped her off at her parent's house, but she refused and instead went into the house without even saying goodbye. Stacy felt horrible for doing that and cried herself to sleep that night wishing she had accepted that hug and didn't end things in such a bad way. Keith never called or texted her after that and she was too afraid to communicate fearing his response. That was the real reason as much as she wanted to see Keith again she couldn't bear the thought of what he might say to her after leaving like that. That evening was the one regret in her life that she wished she could take back.
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