| Chapter 80 Howie stood up and stretched. He rubbed his face for a moment, then looked around the room. A.J. was stretched out in a chair, his head leaned back, snoring. Kevin was next to him, slumped down, his elbow on the chair arm, his head resting in his hand, asleep. And Marie was across the room, her legs curled up underneath her and her head resting on the side of the high backed chair. He sighed, walking to the windows and looking out. The twin suns were just rising beyond the mountains. The group had spent all night in Brian's room, taking turns sitting with him. He had sweated for most of the night, only in the last few hours had he stopped. But he was still sleeping. Howie wasn't sure if he should be grateful or worried. "Hey D," someone whispered. Howie jumped, then turned around to find Brian staring at him, a smile on his face. He crossed the room and sat on the edge of the bed, "Hey, how you feeling?" "Great, is it morning already?" Brian asked, sitting up to look out the window. "Yeah, suns just rising. So you feel alright?" he asked again. "Yeah, I feel like I could run a marathon. I haven't felt this good since. ..... wow, since the wedding," he replied. Howie smiled, "That seems like ages ago." Brian nodded, "Yeah it does. To long. I really didn't mean to sleep this long, what's happening on the news?" The older man shrugged, "Not sure. We haven't watched it since last night." "Has Nick been down?" Brian asked. "No, he had a lot to deal with yesterday, but I'm sure he'll try to come today," Howie answered. "Ohh, Ok," Brian said, sounding somewhat disappointed that his best friend hadn't been down to see him. Both men looked up as Ana came into the room. She smiled when she saw Brian awake and walked over, "Hey, you look much better than you did last night." Brian laughed, "Thanks, I feel better." "Good," she said. "So what brings you down this early?" Howie asked. Ana shifted her weight, "Um, I wanted to see how Brian was doing before I started work." "The queen still got you busy?" Brian asked. She nodded, "Yeah, we're doing what we can to help. The techs are working overtime, and we've been going in and relieving them." "So anything new?" Howie asked. "Not really. After the brawl yesterday, nothing but angry politicians," she said, looking nervous. "So what's that look for?" Brian asked. She sighed, "I'm worried. Several of the planets are massing a fleet .... they're angry at us, making threats. It doesn't look good." The two men looked at each other, exchanging worried expressions. "If we can do anything to help, let us know," Howie offered. "Yeah, I'm hoping to get out of here sometime," Brian smiled. Ana grinned, "You need your rest." "I've rested enough for three people, I'm ready to get out of here," Brian replied. "I'm sure you are," Ana said, moving towards the door, "I'll see you guys later." "Later," Howie called after her, then looked at Brian, "Why am I worried?" "Same reason I am, if Celeste doesn't do something soon, we may be facing a war," Brian said. Howie sighed, nodding, "I really wish I didn't know that." "Me too bro," Brian said, "Me too." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "No general I will not reconsider," Nick said, frustrated, "If you are fired on, then you protect yourself, but we will not start this." "Your highness, it's best to strike first. Take the offensive," the general argued. Several more agreeing with him. Nick closed his eyes for a moment, trying to keep his cool. He couldn't have a tantrum, not in front of the generals that lead his army. He looked back at the holograms. Each man well his senior and with years of experience in their fields. "We will not fire first, is that understood?" he asked, his voice low and stern, "Celeste will not take the blame for this war, if it comes to that. We will defend our home, and those we have allegiance to. Nothing more. If one of my ships fires first, I will personally see that commander imprisoned and his crew relieved of their duties. Do I make myself clear?" Several of the generals muttered a yes. Nick could see they were unhappy with his decision, but none of them wanted to be on his bad side either. "Now that we have that settled, keep monitoring them. I want a report every hour, and I want to be the first person to know when they move," Nick instructed. The men nodded. "Alright, dismissed," Nick said, flicking off his transmission. "So they are gathering strength," Joseph asked. Nick turned in his chair to face the council, "Yes. They are starting to mass near one of Jeptim's's moons." "Do we know who is involved?" Nathaniel asked. "Jeptim, and several of the outlying planets. A few of the industrial sectors ...... almost the entire system this side of the Great Cloud," Nick answered. The three men glanced at one another, stunned. "Nickolas, we cannot fight such an army. They are to many," Mason said. Nick gazed at them with immense sadness in his eyes, "I know, but we may not have a choice." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kevin chuckled, listening to Brian sing in the shower. He was so happy, and bouncing off the walls. Brian hit Cameron up as soon as he walked into the room that morning, asking him if he could leave. The doctor wasn't so sure, not wanting him to leave to early and have a relapse, so he ordered several tests. They were awaiting the results. "Dude, I don't remember him singing in the shower like that," A.J. smiled. "He's happy and he feels good, what better reason to sing?" Howie laughed. Marie sat in her chair, listening to her husbands voice. It had been so long since she heard anything happy come from him, and now she just wanted to revel in it. Brian walked out of his little bathroom, still towel drying his hair. He'd changed into a pair of his sweats and a t-shirt, happy to be out of the breezy hospital gown and unhooked from everything. He hummed the rest of his song as he found his comb and started to brush his hair, curls going everywhere. "Man, I need a haircut," he commented, trying to tame the wild tufts of hair. He finally gave up, running his hand through his sandy blonde locks and messing them up, "I give," he said with a laugh. Marie settled beside him and kissed his cheek, "I like your curls." He grinned, "Good, I'll give them to you when I get them cut off," he teased. Cameron walked into the room with Brian's chart in his hands, reading as he walked. "So Cam, do I get to leave?" Brian asked, so anxious to hear the answer he was swinging his legs and bouncing where he sat. The doctor looked up at him and smiled, "Well aren't you chipper?" "Yeah, so can I? Huh? Please?" Brian begged, making everyone laugh. Cameron shut the chart, "All your tests came back OK. There's no trace of the toxins in your system. You, my friend, have a clean bill of health." "So I get to go?" Brian asked. "Yes, you're free to leave," the doctor replied. "Yippee!" Brian yelled, springing to his feet and grabbing Marie's hand, pulling her toward the door. "Thanks Cam, for everything," he said as he drug his wife out of the room. A.J. stood up and clapped his hands together, "We all sleeping in different rooms tonight?" "Oh yeah, "Kevin said, "As far away from those two as we can get." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick walked into the dining room expecting to eat once again by himself. The day had been long and tedious. He was surprised to find Kevin, A.J, and Howie waiting for him. "Hey guys, what are you doing here? Nothing's wrong with Bri is it?" he asked, getting worried. Kevin held his hand up, "No, he's fine. Cameron let him leave today." Nick sat down as a servant placed his plate in front of him, "Thanks. So he's better?" "Yeah, you could say that," A.J. laughed, causing Howie to blush. Nick glanced at him, wondering what he meant. "Dude, he jumped up and grabbed Marie and practically ran out the door with her," A.J laughed. Nick smiled, "Man I miss all the good stuff. So I guess we're sleeping elsewhere tonight?" All three nodded. "Did someone tell mom?" Nick asked. "Yeah, we vacated the entire floor," Howie answered, still blushing. Nick chuckled, "Good, I could just see mom wondering what the hell was going on down the hall." Everyone laughed. Nick took a few bites of his food, knowing his brothers were here for more than just to warn him of Brian's release. He looked up, finding three sets of eyes plastered on him. "So ... tell me why you're here," he said. The three glanced at each other, Howie and A.J. silently appointing Kevin to speak. What else is new? "We wanted to see how you were," he started, "I know what's been going on has to be hell. Can we do anything? Do you need anything?" Nick stared at his food and smiled. There they were, being the protective big brothers he loved so much. Just that small act filled Nick with so much emotion, he felt tears brimming. He quickly blinked them away before looking back up. "I'm alright guys. There's nothing you can do. I have to deal with this on my own," he said, feeling his heart break. He knew what those words meant, the guys didn't, and they could never know. "You're sure?" Howie asked. Nick nodded, "Yeah, but thanks." "For what," asked Kevin. "For being here, for believing in me, for caring about me .... just everything. I love you guys," Nick said, the words in his letters flashing through his mind, threatening to bring more tears. Howie got up and walked over, giving Nick a huge hug. "We love you too Nicky," he said, smiling as he let go. Nick brushed the vile tear away that slipped down his cheek and smiled, nodding, he didn't trust his voice. "Hey, I got a great idea," A.J announced. The three looked at him. "Let's all bunk together tonight. Ya know, like the old days. We can watch movies and just hang out," he said. "J, that's a great idea and all, but I'm sure Nick has things to do," Kevin said. A.J. looked at Nick, disappointment in his face, "Oh yeah, I forgot." Nick shook his head, "Naw man, that sounds cool." "You sure Nick? Don't you need to get some rest?" Howie asked. Nick smiled. Big brother's till the end. "I'm good. I'm used to a lot less sleep now anyway. Besides, I need this ... It'll take my mind off what's going on for a while," he said. "Great then it's settled," A.J. said, standing up, "I'll go see if I can get us some movies." "Stop right there," Nick said, making A.J. jump and look at him. Nick grinned, "Take D with you. I don't wanna be watching porn all night." A.J. rolled his eyes as Howie joined him and they left the room. Kevin smiled at his youngest brother, "Thanks, I don't think I could watch porn all night either." "Welcome," Nick said, taking another bite, "What's the fun in watching if you can't do it anyway?" Kevin laughed out loud, "True that kiddo." Nick glanced up from his food. "Um I mean Nick," Kevin said. Some things never changed. Chapter 81 |