KOTLC Sokeefe One-Shots, Alternate Endings, etc

Flashback 8-10: part 2 (Keefe POV)

Eventually, Keefe's conscience got the better of him. Edaline and Grady were being very patient, probably because they knew he was sending her breezes to keep her calm.

But she was sleeping soundly now and he knew it wasn't strictly necessary.

So he got up, stating he could read her emotions and step in if needed, and let Grady and Edaline move back beside her.

And he went and sat by Fitz, watching him, wishing he could find a way to help him too.

But he didn't sit for long.

The longer they slept, the more anxious he got.

He understood Fitz was sedated, but Foster?

He needed her to wake up, needed to know she was really going to be okay.

So he jumped up and started pacing, the nervous energy making him extremely agitated as he tore his hands through his hair and stewed.

And stewed some more.

Everyone was trying to figure out how the Neverseen had found them.

Mostly Keefe just wanted to make the Neverseen pay.

Eventually, Elwin kicked him out of the Healing Center because he wouldn't stop pacing.

So he paced in the hallway.

Finally answered a hail from his dad, told him briefly what had happened and told him he would not be coming home until he knew his friends would be okay.

Ro jumped in and threatened his dad with some particularly nasty bacteria if he so much as tried to force Keefe to come home, so he backed off.

Ro really came in handy sometimes.

Then he paced some more.

Wondered what exactly Fitz and Sophie had been through.

Snuck to the Mentors' secret cafeteria and ate his way through a plate of treats, not really tasting them, but seeking a distraction.

As he left the cafeteria and walked back toward the Healing Center, determined to go in and see if the situation had changed—even if Elwin just kicked he out again—an awful idea occurred to him.

And if it was true...

It was all his fault.

Sophie and Fitz damaged, physically and emotionally, because of Keefe and his stupidity.

When he approached the door to the Healing Center, his heart rate picked up as he heard Foster's voice—and even felt her emotions.

Then he realized what they were discussing.

They were talking about the caches.

That were apparently fake.

Well...Dad always said I was a failure. At least I'm consistent.

Sophie was finally awake, and what was she doing? Stressing and feeling queasy as she realized they didn't have the real caches.

His fault.

"It's okay to hate me," he said quietly, fighting tears and an urge to kick himself. All eyes turned to him.

Foster's happiness at seeing him punctuated her concern for the caches, but he barely noticed. He tore his hands through his hair and muttered, "that was the one thing I thought I did right. But I guess I messed it up—and don't try to make me feel better, Foster. You know I don't deserve it."