| Chapter 22 Brian slowly opened his eyes, blinking them against the brightness in the room. The first thing that registered was that he hurt, all over. That's how he knew he wasn't dead. You don't feel pain if your dead, right? At least he hoped not. After a moment his eyes finally adjusted and he looked around. A tinge of fear crept up his spine as he realized he was in some sort of tube. He moved his hand to press against the glass, confirming to himself that he wasn't dreaming. He really was in a tube of some sort. He lifted his head and looked at his chest. He didn't have a shirt on, and there were several mesh patches on his chest and wrists. He lifted one of his hands up and studied it. The mesh was made of fine wire, like some kind of computerized sensor. He turned his head and peered out into the room. He knew he had to be in a hospital, simply because this room was the epitome of every hospital room he'd ever been in. The walls were so white they almost glowed. There was a bed on the other side of the room, and a lot of medical equipment scattered around in various places. But as much as this looked like a normal hospital, it was different. Something in the back of his mind was telling him that nothing was as it seemed. The last thing he remembered was letting go of the bay doors. He didn't know how anyone had managed to rescue him, or for that matter, exactly where he was. All he knew was that he was alive, and in a lot of pain at the moment. Someone walked into the room and over to the monitors. Brian watched her, afraid to move, for fear that she would notice he was awake. He'd seen her mark as soon as she entered the room. His mind was reeling. How did the Angels get him, and for that matter, what were they going to do with him? He stared at the girl. She looked to be about his height, very trim and toned looking. Her shoulder length light brown hair hung lose, her long bangs framing her perfect face. Her eyes were just a shade lighter than his own. Brian suddenly realized he could hear his own heart beating wildly in his ears, and knew the monitors would be picking it up. He took a deep breath to try and calm down, realizing when he did that his side hurt like hell. He moaned, not meaning to, but it was to late. She saw him and walked over, a smile on her face. Marie took one look at him and realized he was scared out of his mind. His eyes were wide, and his heart rate was increasing with every passing second. She placed her hand on the glass near his face, Brian instinctively moving away from it. Marie wracked her brain trying to think of the right words in English to calm him down. "Brian, you ..are safe here," she said, hoping that was right. He stared at her for a moment, "How do you know my name?" "Nick telled .. um told us," she said. "Nick? Nick's here?" Brian asked. She nodded, "Try and rest. I'll send for him." Brian watched her leave the room. Nick was here? They hadn't killed him? Now he was more confused than ever. And if he was here, where were the other guys? Surely they were here too? Marie came back into the room, "He will come as ... soon as he can." Brian nodded, settling a little more into his pillow. Hospital or not, this bed was comfortable. Marie smiled, seeing him relax. Brian stared at her, there was something about her that made it impossible to look away. She smiled at him again, and he realized he was obviously staring. "What's your name?" he asked. "Marie," she told him. "Where am I?" he asked. "On Celeste, in the capital city of Cystaleia," she answered. "How did I get here, and where are the other guys?" Brian asked. Marie sighed, knowing she couldn't answer all his questions with her limited knowledge of his language. "Brian, I ..do not know your language well. Nick will tell you," she said. Brian smiled, "I thought you were doing good, but I'll wait for Nick." Marie nodded, taking a seat in the chair next to the chamber. She looked over the monitors once more, then turned to say something to Brian, when she noticed he had drifted to sleep. She watched him for a moment, there was something about him that drew her to him. What it was she wasn't sure, all she knew was that she wanted to find out. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick and Anthony sat on each side of the kings bed. The king was so weak that he couldn't speak. Both boys held his hands, letting him know they were there. LaDonna stood back, watching her two sons with their father. Anthony had ceased to be her nephew a long time ago. She considered him her own, as did the king. When Nick was found, she worried about Anthony. She didn't want him to feel neglected in any way, but she also needed time with Nick alone, to get to know him after all the years apart. She was proud of the man he'd become, and proud of how he stepped up and took on the responsibility that came with his birthright. He didn't have to, but he did. And now he and Anthony seemed to be getting along well. There was only one thing she wanted now, and that was for her husband to get well, but she knew that was just a wish. Over the last few weeks she'd watched the man she loved more than life itself deteriorate. Her only saving grace was that Nick was found, otherwise she wasn't sure how she would have made it this long. The king coughed, a horrible retching sound it was. LaDonna knew his time was near. Rowland stepped into the room, "Pardon me your highness, but the prince's friend is awake." Nick looked back at them, having overheard. He bit his lip, not knowing what to do. He wanted to go see Brian, but he was afraid to leave his father. The queen walked over to him, "Go see your friend. We will call you if anything changes." Nick nodded, getting up, his mother taking his place. He headed to the door, but looked back. Anthony and his mother were talking quietly. That was the true family here, Nick knew it from the moment he saw them together. Sure he was their son by birth, but Anthony was their son by experience. "Your highness?" Rowland said, pulling Nick from his thoughts. "Lets go Rowland. I'm sure Bri's wondering what's going on," he said, leaving the room. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ana was waiting for them outside Brian's room. Nick smiled at her as he approached, "How is he?" "I haven't gone in yet. I was afraid of how he would react to me without you being there," she said. "Yeah, the last time he saw you, you were kidnaping me," Nick remembered, passing his mark across the door and walking in. Marie looked up, immediately kneeling. Nick laughed, he couldn't help it. The ritual of kneeling before a royal was on the verge of absurd to him. "Marie, get up," he said, walking over to the chamber, "I thought he was awake?" "He was, he drifted back to sleep a little while ago," Marie said. Nick looked down at his friend, "Brian? Come on buddy, wake up." Brian stirred, opening his eyes and squinting against the light in the room. Ana dimmed the lights, making it easier on Brian. He blinked a few times, then looked up, a relieved smile on his face, "Nick, God I missed you." "I missed you too Bri," Nick said, "You had me worried for a while." "Man, what happened to me? I feel like hell," Brian said. Nick laughed, "Well, you shouldn't go for a space walk without a suit, I thought you knew that." Brian laughed, holding his side, "Ow, man don't make me laugh, it hurts." "Sorry," Nick said. Brian looked past Nick, seeing Ana. "Oh this is Ana," Nick said, "You remember her don't you?" Brian nodded, "Nick, what's going on here? Are we in trouble?" Nick shook his head, "No Bri. The agents lied to us. Nothing they said was true." "Then why did they take you?" he asked. "They took me because I'm their prince. The king is ill, and I'm the only heir to the throne," Nick explained. Brian stared at him, "Nut uh!" "It's true Brian," Ana said. Brian stared at them. This was a little to much to take. Nick was a prince? "Bri, you OK in there?" Nick asked. He looked over, "Huh?" "You kinda drifted off there, you alright?" Nick said. "Yeah, um I'm just a little shocked," he answered. "Trust me, so was I," Nick said. "So what does that mean?" Brian asked, "We came to take you home." Nick sighed, "I am home Brian. I'm not going back." Tears formed in Brian's eyes, "But ..." Nick shook his head, "I'll explain everything once your feeling better. Just rest for a while alright?" Brian wiped the tears from his eyes and nodded. "Marie, how long before he can be taken out of the chamber?" Nick asked. "We started depressurizing it as soon as he woke up, but it will take several more hours before we can safely take him out," she answered. "Alright, as soon as he's out, I want him moved to my floor," Nick said. Marie nodded. Nick looked back over at Brian. He was staring at him with his mouth slightly open. "It's OK," Nick said, "A lot of things have changed since you last saw me. I've learned my native language, and I have these amazing abilities I never knew existed, but I'm still me Bri. I'm still your best friend, OK?" "OK," Brian said, still not sure about the situation he was in. Nick seemed like Nick, but he was different too. Did they brainwash him? Brian wasn't sure, but there wasn't anything he could do about it until he was on his feet. Brian watched as a man came into the room. He walked over to Nick and whispered something in his ear. Nick nodded, turning to Brian, "I need to leave for a while. Try and rest, Ana and Marie will be here if you need anything." Brian nodded, watching Nick hurry out of the room. "What's going on?" he asked. Ana smiled at him, but there was a deep sadness in her eyes, "His father is dying." "The king?" Brian asked. "Yes," she said. Brian glanced at Marie, she had the same sadness in her face. "Brian, try and rest. We will take you out in a few hours," Ana said. He nodded, closing his eyes. He knew he had to get better quickly, Nick was going to need him, he could feel it. Chapter 23 |