Don't Stand So Close To Me

Well, at least they let me keep this ... I have some way of venting my thoughts ...

How that kid recognized me is still beyond me, but damnit all to hell..

I turn to question that kid, and next thing I know I'm tackled by three police officers. Or at least they were dressed like them. I struggled a bit, but one of them shoved a cloth to my nose.

After the nausea I don't remember much ...

Just voices ... some sort of car ride I think, I know I heard a radio. Some pain, I think a needle, hit my upper arm. And then everything went black.

Now where the hell I am, God only knows ...

Everything stinks around here, it's a foul stench like singed flesh and blood mixed. I woke up, I think fifteen minutes ago, in this cell with all of my belongings, surprisingly ... even the fish I bought down at the docks. I'm not wounded ... with the exception of a bruise here and there. So I guess so far, so good, right...?

This cell is going to eventually drive me nuts. I've tried sending mental messages out to Mo', Kame, Lisette or anybody ... it's like these walls prevent it. They're thick, no windows, all black concrete and steele. The opening of the cell is different though. It's a large mirror. I can't break it, I've already tried. Even electric shocks seem to just bounce back at me. I know I'm being watched, it's just a matter of who the hell is watching me and why...

Wait ... somebody's opening the door ..

That was interesting. I stand up to go towards this guy as he walked in. He's pretty short, blonde/gray hair and glasses over brown eyes. He asked me a few questions on how I was feeling...

Naturally, I tried to run past him for the door but there was some wierd sheild I couldn't get through. He laughed at me, God an annoying laugh I might add, and seemed to tauntingly tell me that I had no way out and that I may as well just enjoy my 'free time' while I still had it. Then he just ... walked out.

Now, I'm worried. What the hell did he mean by that...? God knows I hate hospitals, but this has to be the most unhospitible one I've ever been to. Since when did they start taking patients hostage?

Great ... the lights are dimming. I can still see ... and I think somebody is in here with me ... I can smell them. Just ... can't see the---------

Well ... I found out that it's Sunday ... around 4:00 p.m. pacific time I think...

God this is fuzzy ... wish I could see clearly...

I hurt ... every fiber hurts ...

I'm not in the same cell ... still have my belongings ... but I don't know how much longer that'll last. This one's different ... that non-see through mirror glass is only on one side still, but the rest of the walls were a white concrete color. There's a drain on the floor ... some table with straps in the middle of the room. I don't like the looks of this ...

It's not like they haven't already shoved enough drugs into me ...

They knocked me out from behind, cheap bastards. I woke up with at least four (or that's what I could count) IV's in my arms ... strapped down. Had me on some sort of gas. I couldn't feel a thing ... but I have this horrible feeling it was a surgery or something.

No ... no stitches .. no places are wounded other than where they pulled the IV's out ... what the hell were they doing behind the sheet then..?

I don't know, but I do know that I still can't feel half of my body. Shit ... it's going dark again...

Today has been the day from Hell.

For starters, I'm back in my dark cell again ... this time with my clothes and my journal ... but that's it. I'm beginning to think they're observing what I write when they knock me out oh so frequently.

Late last night they knocked me out ... I woke up around 9:00 this morning to find myself strapped to that table I mentioned before. They had IV's in me once again and two doctors above me were checking my vital signs. This went on for about thirty minutes before they both left the area. Next thing I know, the room goes black and they begin to send electrical shocks into the room. Luckily, I absorbed it all. Having a genetic bond with electricity does come in handy. But I think they were just testing me ... like they knew I have electric powers or something. Next thing I know they open up the ceiling ... letting the electric shockwaves out of the room.

Bingo...

Concentrating as best as I could while drugged, I sent out a mental stress call, my mind searching for HLM...

Mo .... ??

After, I believe what sounded like I woke her up, Klork...??? Hey...! another pause ... Where are you..??

I watched someone dressed in diving gear flop over to me with a syringe in hand. Great ... just what I need is to be even more drugged ... hn..y-you're there?? I got out...I.....d'no..OW...stupid needle

I'm here...I'm on my way...where are you...?

Looking around, I began to feel a little queasy, things began to get blury so I closed my eyes, solely trying to keep my concentration on the mental connection as they closed the roof. D'no...

Ok...uhm...can you describe your surroundings...?

I opened my eyes, S'a room ... concrete... just huh..? Some guy dressed as a diver is walking over to me..

Can you..uhm...show me...? What happened....?

Obliging, I tried to look around but my face was stilled as the diver strapped a mask to my face. I'm strapped...some weird table..s-standing upright...putting a mask on me... Where was I ... what did happen? I...d'no, can't remember...too much .. drugs.....

Ok...just...stay with me...ok? I'm here for you...I'm trying to find you...what does the guy look like...?

S'...wearing diving gear...think his eyes'r...blue? Truthfully, I couldn't see a damn thing through his mask anyway...

I could hear her voice getting a worried tone to it ... and closer I think ... Ok...that's good... She paused, What else..?

I began to panic as water started to seep into the room. Inch by inch it began to rise. Wa...water....M-Mo...??? I knew my voice was panicking now: Filling..th' room up with water....I can't move ........can't get..

Klork! Just...just concentrate on me...close your eyes and feel that I'm with you...? They put a mask on you right...? What kind of mask?

Dizzily I went cross eyed to look at it, Mask..Oh th'...air....air mask..m' here...I'm here...s'waist deep now...s'cold.... But that didn't do much to calm me, the water swirling around my waist.

Her voice stayed soothing however, Ok...good...just keep concentrating on my voice...you're not alone, ok...? Imagine being in front of the fire at the mansion...nice and warm...

I shivered as the water rose up to my chest, the diver before me just standing there, watching me. F..fire? y-yeah..w'warm I closed my eyes again, trying my damndest to imagine myself there ... but found it nearly impossible with how cold the water was.

It's ok...warm...tell me what's happening...? Everything you know....? I'll be there as soon as I can...

The chill of the water began to sober me up a bit, and I could feel my mind clearing I don't know, they did something t-to me earlier...I don't know why..oh god... The water rose over my head, a sickening sense of claustrophobia settling into my gut: I hate this..oh god I know I'm gonna die...

I could feel the connection getting stronger despite the roof overhead being closed as she continued to speak to me: Don't give up...! Please...use my strength if you need to...I'm coming for you...

The diver leaving the tank from above pushed the currents around and forced me to open my eyes. Off to either side of me there were steele rods pressing out from the wall and into the tank. I-I'll try...diver left...I don't know what's going on but I know I want out..

I'll get you out...I'll find a way...I promise, ok...? You just hold on...tell me anything you think will help...tell me what's happening...

The room wasn't soundproof. I could hear some people shouting ... something about charging. My eyes rounded as I realized what they were about to do to me. Oh God I don't know if ... they're testing my powers Mo'...I can't use them under water...!

Ok...uhm...concentrate on something else...concentrate on my voice...

I tried to, but the electricity started throbbing through the water from the rods. I managed to absorb the first few waves I'm t-trying..I--Aw-SHIT!

Blackness ... the last thing I could hear was Mo' screaming for me as we lost connection .. Klork?! KLORK!!

When I came to I was no longer in the tank, but I was still strapped down. Some nurse hovered above me as she took my pulse, poking me here and there with needles and IVs. I felt sick ... nauseated. It occured to me only then that I hadn't eaten since Saturday morning.

The nurse smiled ... she was pretty ... but I think that was the least of my cares.

"Good to see you've come to, Klork," she smiled, I changed my mind. It'd be pretty if she wasn't shoving another needle in my arm. "How are you feeling?"

"Holy," I uttered, my voice much more raspier than I would like it to be.

She chuckled and spoke in a cheery voice, "That's unavoidable," I changed my mind again ... she was down right irritating. "But otherwise, how do you feel? Do you ache anywhere? Nausea? Itching?" She was beginning to sound like a NyQuil commercial.

"Like shit, all over, starved, and only where you have the damn needles sticking in me."

She rolls her eyes. Waving another man over who's obviously a nurse as well or an assistant of some type. "Well, you can't eat anything," great ... so I am gonna die, "But we can put some food in through your tubes ... hold on, this should hurt a little."

She stabs me with another needle. "Ow, no shit!"

Her smile is sickening enough ... the world begins to go black again. Great .. anesthetics ...

"Did you get the samples put away?"

"What samples..?"

Voices...? Eh..? Now where am I....?

"The sperm samples, I told you to put them into storage for later..."

"Oh, right right ... did that when we took them. Did you get the nutrients into his system?"

Great ... now I know what they were doing when I woke up that one time ...

"Yes, Doctor Andrews .. what are we doing now?"

"Good and you'll see. And how is the other specimen?"

OTHER specimen...?? Hold the phone ...

"In his cell, Doctor, when are you going to put them together...?"

"Later, wait, nurse he's coming to..."

Half drugged, the blurred images of the nurse and a man slowly come into view. As they begin to clear, I recognize one of them from a while ago. Now where do I know that guy from...??

"Ah, Klork, I see you're recovering nicely..."

"Recovering ...? From eating ...?"

The doctor chuckled. Now I KNOW I've seen him before.

"From your operation. I'm glad to see the chemicals we tested are helping your healing. It's going quite fast."

"...Operation ...??"

He only smiled, pushing his glasses up on his nose before pushing the bed. I felt the bed roll and watched, frustrated, as the lights passed overhead. I was going down some hallway..and he still didn't tell me about what kind of operation he did.

"It was necessary, Klork," he said, watching ahead. I wanted to sit up and strangle him but, yet again, I was strapped down. "The electric charges caused some damage. We had to do surgery when your appendix ruptured."

"Wha..??"

"Don't worry, we enhanced your healing capabilities, about an hour after your surgery you were almost completely healed. Science is a true marvel, isn't it, Mr. Curric."

"Yeah, such a wonderful marvel that none of it would have happened if you woulda left me alone..."

The doctor smiled, this one less pleasant, as he rolled my bed into that damn cell I was in before all of this started. "I'm sure, but after you took your twin from here, I had to find somehow to continue my research. Imagine, you walked right into my hands."

Sonofabitch, I knew I knew this guy!

"How the Hell did you know I was in San Fran...?"

Another grin as he unstrapped me ... I would have moved had my entire body not gone numb. Two male nurses lifted me from the rolling bed and onto the bunk in the cell. "We've been waiting for you to return, Klork. That's all you need to know."

With that he and the nurses, and the bed too, damnit, exited my cell. For another three hours I stared at the ceiling, waiting for my limbs to regain feeling and control.

And that leads me to now...

I can feel my limbs .. but God my side aches. I managed to get myself dressed. Sure enough there's stitches all up and down where my appedix was. Sperm samples ... juuust great. If I get out of here I've got to not only find those and trash them, but also beat the living shit out of Dr. Andrews. After what he did to my sister....

Don't dwell on it ... his time will come ...

Muttering, I managed to settle on my bunk, pulling my blankets around myself tightly.

Mo..? Lisette...?

Still nothing. Well, at least I got something out before hand. Until I can do more, I may as well get some sleep...

Until Tomorrow (I hope),
Klork Dean Curric

This morning had to be even better to add onto my time staying here. I woke with an enormous pain in my appendix area. I'd almost swear that it was rupturing if it hadn't been taken out yesterday.

"Ow...Hello?? Is anybody there?"

Nothing ... I managed to stand, walking on shakey legs over to the glass of my cell. Before I could holler any louder for help, I lost control of my entire body. Just after my entire world began to shake, everything went black ...

For the next few hours (though it seemed less than that) my mind was hazed ... and I could only hear clips of things..

Everything was black, my body was numb...and my mind wasn't even functioning...the following is all I heard and my thoughts (as messed up as they must have been)...but I don't know from whom.

"Klork?!"

I'd swear almost that I knew that voice...

"There...that's the last stretch," a male voice said, "That should do it.."

"Very good, Doctor," a female responded, "Would you like us to clean him up?"

Hn..must be talking about me ...

"Yeah, Could you? I have some paperwork to file.."

"Oh God...he's...they're operating--they cut his hair!"

Who the heck is that..?? Hello...??

Nothing...

"Good evening, doctor. What can I help with?" asked another female.

That's a new voice ... I think...

"Hm? Oh, he needs to be taken back to his room ... if you could do that? He needs some rest or he might not recover."

I don't like the sound of that ...

"Of course, doctor. Any instructions once I get there?"

"There's the opening we need..."

That voice is different than the last...wait, God, can anybody hear me!?

Still nothing...

"Give him some of this.." The doctor, or I assume that's who it is, continued, "Put it into the bag ... should lull any pain he might feel..."

Definitely don't like the sound of that... I grimaced .. my body began to ache as I awoke...groggy figures began to show before me..yet the only thing legible I could utter was: "Hn..."

"Thank you, doctor.."

I was being rolled...

"Oh, wait wait..he shouldn't be waking up yet..."

I was being stopped ... God, people, make up your minds!

"...Problem..he's waking.. if he recognizes me..."

If you would tell me who you are I can play along--HELLO?!

Nothing ...

"Shouldn't we just let him rest?"

"We should, that's why I'm giving him this so he can ... here, I may as well put the pain meds in now .."

"Sorry... don't like pain..or death.. thought he could die and..."

Things began to go fuzzy on me again...Just before all went black (yet again), I heard a mental voice...that let me rest a lot easier..

"Heh...I'm right with you...unseen, but...there should be a route outside..."

When I awoke again there were bright lights above me, murmuring voices around me. I coughed to clear the flem that had settled at the back of my throat before I started looking around. Figures were still fuzzy, so I tried to let them focus so I could discern where the heck I was.

"Hey, bub...yer at tha mansion.."

Gruff, blunt, yet oddly unhostile. I know that voice..

"Mans...L-Logan?"

"Yeah...mornin'..."

I turned my head to look around a bit, my body didn't seem to be reacting to any of my movements. Must've been anesthetics still wearing off. "Can't feel ... anything ...when'd I get here..?"

"Not long ago...yer dad's here, too...same with HLM an' yer other lady-friend..."

Waitasec...

"My ... dad?"

Logan nodded, "Yeah..."

I decided not to ask any more on that but more on my present situation, "I..how'd i get here...?"

"Dunno the whole story...but HLM screeched inta the garage...she been searchin' fer ya fer a while...get the feelin' the other lady helped out a lot, too..."

Other lady...? Lisette...?

I squinted over at the other two hospital beds that were no more than a few feet from my own. Sure enough Lisette lay asleep on one while HLM lay asleep on the other.

Whoa ... what'd I miss...?

"Where was I...??"

"I have no friggin' clue..."

He always was the helpful sort...

I chuckled. To my disgust my voice was sounding scratched and sore. This told me that I'd been out for quite a while if not all day. "Heh..sorry.." I paused a moment, remembering the entire situation ... and that Logan was one of HLM's fathers...I grimaced and shifted my weight. "You must be pretty pissed at me..."

"Nah...I understand...y' want some water?"

...Maybe it's because I'm unable to fight fairly currently... But I nodded anyway. "Sure ... you sure you ain't pissed...?"

Logan nodded and disappeared only to re-appear moments later with a glass of water. To my surprise he even helped prop me up so I could drink it. "Yeah...spent that night talkin' wit' HLM...an' the other nights she couldn't sleep 'fore she left fer the mountains...yer choice's a tough one..."

Tell me about it...

I sipped at the water, nodding as it went down my throat. "I've made it though ... I just don't know how to tell them ... one it's easier to explain to ... one it'll be hard.."

He nodded again, still supporting me up, "Gotcha..." His brow furrowed, "No ideas, 'eh..."

I coughed as a bit of water went down the wrong way, setting the water aside and Logan propped pillows behind me to keep me up more effectively, "I love them both ... that's the hardest part..."

He pulled a stool over to sit on, "True...I won't press ya on who ya chose...but...I always go wit' tha straight-forward approach..."

I sighed shakily, "Yeah ... I know that I'm going to tell the one I don't choose first ..." I paused to look over at the two of them, "I just hope she doesn't do anything to hurt herself ... "

Logan arched a brow at that before nodding slowly, "Understandable..."

I paused to mull over what I had just said before shaking my head, "God I sound so egotistical.."

"Don' think there's a way not ta in this situation.."

Good point...

I chuckled quietly, sipping at my water, "I'd give anything not to be in this situation...but at the same time, that'd mean I wouldn't have my children .."

"Tell me about it, bub..."

I looked over at the two of them again, sighing as I stretched my back out, "Guess my time to tell them has been shortened.."

"True...'least 'till after y'all get better..."

"Yeah..." I paused, just now being able to feel the stitches in my side, "Um..you have any clue why I'm stitched up?"

Logan spread his hands with a shrug as he shook his head. Seconds later I heard a moan coming from either Mo' or Lisette and I turned to see Logan stand. "No clue...erk..." He headed over to HLM, kneeling and replacing the washcloth that had fallen from her brow.

"Mo'...?"

"Hn..."I watched her reach up to push Logan's hand away instinctively, then turn her head in my general direction, "K...Klork....?"

I winced as I tried to turn my body to face her. "Mo'...I..you ok??"

"Uhnn..." She tried sitting up before grimacing and laying back down, looking over at me with fevered eyes, "...dunno...be ok...you...?"

"Yeah...any clue why I'm stitched..??"

"Hnn...somethin' 'bout....your appendix...."

Oh yeah ... that thing I don't have anymore ... stupid scientists...

"How'd you get me out...?" I stared at her for a minute, then blinked, pausing momentarily, "...whoawhoa..." I ran a hand through my hair....then mutterd, leaning back. "sonofa.."

HLM groaned as she tried to force herself to sit upright, "You ok??? Lisette 'n I got you out...w...we found ya..." She and Logan exchanged looks before she finally leant back.

"Yeah...they cut my hair, the freaks..." I muttered about my now, shoulder-length hair before I turned the conversation back to what it should be, "I owe you both my life more than likely.."

"I...yeah...you can always grow it back...'n hey...it's our job, right...?"

"We seem to be there for each other quite a bit," I grimaced, my side beginning to ache, "What happened to you...?"

"Battle to the death day 'fore I drove to San Fran...kinda...didn't have the chance ta...take good care o' m'self..."

I grimaced, trying to push myself up to get to her side, "Wha..?! Why'd you--Ow..ow..."

Logan gave me a look, "Klork...lie back..."

HLM gave a fevered glance around, I could tell she was going to go under soon with the way her eyes were looking, "...wha...?"

I leant back, obliging Logan, "Ow...don't have much other choice..ow.."

"Give it a few days, bub..." he said as he pulled a blanket over me.

"Don't want to wait few days.." I muttered.

"Shoe's on the other foot, huh...? Kinda...." said HLM, who was a little more focused and looking over at us.

I laughed quietly, nodding a bit. "Seems to be that way..."

"Man...I was so worried 'bout ya..."

I watched her, feeling that pang in my heart, "I was worried I wouldnt see you again.."

She grinned a bit, but I swear I saw a tear trail down from her eye, "Aw...well...we're safe now..."

"Yeah, for now at least," I smirked, "That'll hafta do tho.."

"Yeah...I...yeah..." she trailed off as she clutched her blanket close to her. I watched her shiver violently, brows creasing with worry as her fever began to overwhelm her.

"You ok..??"

"C...cold...w...was so hot 'fore..." Logan came over and draped a blanket over her ... but it didn't seem to help.

I looked up at him, "Any way you could wheel our beds next to each other...? Body heat might help..."

Logan furrowed his brow and looked at the beds, "Gotta be a way somehow...hah..." within moments he had our beds rigged together.

I scooted over, wary of the IV in her arm that was funneling in medication for her fever. I rolled to my side and wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close, "Easy, Mo'...just relax.."

HLM curled close, still shivering, though she was hot to the touch. I could feel her try to relax as best she could. Sighing shakily, I just held her, "Rest ... the fever will break so help me.."

She nodded, curling close to me, her body was still shaking, "Thank the gods you're ok..."

I smiled, and I could feel a light purring grow in my throat. I curled up closer to her, helping to keep her warm, "I owe you two my life..thank you..."

She grinned weakly up at me, normally pale blue eyes bright with the fever. "Hey...no problem..."

I rested my chin on her brow, "Try to rest..?"

She nodded a little, curling up a little more to me...closing her eyes to doze off slowly, going limp in my arms. I waited until she was resting before slowly drifting myself, my arms protectively around her.

I awoke the next morning (well, almost afternoon, it was around 11:00 a.m.) to voices talking very near by. My thoughts still a bit bleary, I looked around ... pausing when I felt somebody next to me.

Who..?? Oh ... HLM ... Gods, she's still really warm.....

"Mornin', Klork.."

I glanced up, apparently somebody saw me move. At first I didn't recognize the man before me. He stood at around 6'1 holding the figure of a very proud man worn with age. He had graying black hair to just below his slightly pointed ears and a smile that was a thin one, one that was apparently not shown freely. Yet, it wasn't until I saw his blue eyes that I recognized who he was.

"Dad...?"

Birman nodded, pulling a stool up beside the bed to have a seat.

"Well, at least you recognize me.."

I sat up slowly, gingerly trying to avoid bending the stitched area of my stomach. Within moments he was propping pillows behind me to keep me up.

"You've been through a lot of shit, Klork," he said gruffly as he sat down again, "Take it easy on yourself..."

My tired eyes met his own before I sank into the pillows.

"You have no idea ..."

He only smiled, folding his gloved hands in his lap.

"Actually, Quinlan, Logan, and Hank have filled me in quite a bit," he said, eyes turning serious as he scratched his chin. I could hear the skin of his fingers brushing against the stubble he'd yet to shave off. "How'd you get yourself into this mess anyway? Don't think I ever ran into this sort of problem when I was your age."

"Yeah, but you probably had a father who could steer you clear of these things.."

Birman gave me a long hard look for that before slowly shaking his head, chuckle rising in his throat. "Actually, son, even if you did have me there to steer you clear, you probably still would have gotten into trouble," he said, leaning back a bit, "See, when I was your age my father swore up and down that if I married Singapura her family would do nothing but corrupt my mind. You think I listened to his sound advice?"

"So you're telling me that mom corrupted your mind..?"

"Eh, no," he muttered, "And you got her sarcasm. What I am saying is that had I not married her, my family would have never been killed by her brother."

I paused ... furrowing my brow for a minute as I tried to make sense of that. I knew that my uncle had tried various times to kill me, my ex-wife, my sisters ... even tried to kill my father. I didn't think that he had ever succeeded though. "I had a twin brother, Klork. Two older sisters and both parents. They all, conveniently were killed off in a car wreck. The van just happened to get hit by another car and spin off of a bridge."

My eyes went wide, "Oh ... I--when did this happen? What I recall, and it isn't much, is that they were all alive..."

Birman sighed, running a hand through his hair briskly, "Two days after Blue thought he had killed me and Grey had killed your mother. I had escaped and gotten myself to a hospital ... got the news four weeks later when I woke out of my coma to the news blaring in my room. Hospital had me on heavy security until I could get out of there. The news had said that Blue held my daughter captive .. but as for my other two children ... they had gone missing, and most reports from Blue's forces claimed they were dead..."

I watched as he laid his eyes on mine, obviously telling me easily that the kidnapped child was Tabby .. and the two presumed to be dead were me, and Raven (Or Angora as she used to go by..).

"I immediately enlisted from there..."

My dad was cut short when Hank came in the room with two mugs of tea. He gave me a brisk look before smiling to my father and handing him the mug.

Yep ... Hank's still pissed at me..

"I see you're awake and well, Klork," Hank said, lifting the blanket to examine how my stitches were healing, "And healing well, there must still be some of that healing agent running through your system. Clever medications these doctors used, some of them I've never seen before. I'm surprised your body took so well to them-well," he paused with an almost sheepish smirk, "With the exception of one. Apparently that's why they had you in surgery."

Hides it remarkably well, though ...

"You know more about what happened than I do and you weren't even there," I said with a small smile as he settled the mug of tea in my hands. I could tell he had intended the tea to be for himself but he gave it to me when he saw I was awake. The guy may have been pissed at me, but he really does have a good heart.

"Ah," he smiled, "I just put two and two together from the samples I took."

My eyes rounded, "Samples??"

Birman laughed, shaking his head. "No, no no, not those kind, Klork," he chuckled, "Blood samples. We had to see if your system would react badly to any of the medications here. What with all of the stuff you had in you already, we didn't want a repeat of what apparently happened yesterday."

I relaxed a bit, but I still felt a bit edgy. "Oh..."

Hank watched me for a few minutes before standing, "I'll get you a wheel chair, Klork."

"Wheel chair? Why would I need one of those...?"

"The medications are probably still lingering," he said, rolling a chair over, "Your agility will be decreased.."

"What...?" I asked, that going right over my head.

Birman stood, holding a hand out, "Go ahead, try n' stand up, son."

Brow arched I slowly slid my legs off the bed, pushing off to stand like I normally would. To my surprise my legs buckled and I toppled right into my father's catch.

Oh...so that's what he meant...

My father helped me sit, chuckling as he draped a blanket over my legs to keep me from freezing with the hospital gown I was still wearing. Hank then settled the tea back into my hands.

"Thanks," I said, looking up (as strange as that may sound for me) at the both of them.

"Where to, sir?" I heard my father ask in an almost mocking tone.

Chuckling, I pointed towards the windows. "Over there ... kinda missed the snow...San Fran definitely doesn't have any..."

Well .. it's evening now. I spent the good majority of the day 'rolling' around the mansion with my father, talking about random things and just catching up on each other's lives. We didn't stop until around 6:00 p.m. when I heard some sort of commotion in the medlab. I got there to find Lisette awake and speaking to Hank. She was looking between him and HLM worriedly, but she seemed to be well taken care of. I figured I would let her have her space for a bit and wheeled over towards where Logan and Quinlan (HLM's two fathers, that I've met at least..). Before I could interject and find out what they seemed to be quabbeling about, I noticed Lisette had been put back into her bed. I wheeled over there instead to find out what was up, only to find that Lisette had taken a good load of pain from HLM's body. She spoke to me for a few minutes, and I could tell that she was beginning to look incredibly feverish. Apparently she had absorbed more than just pain...

When she fell back asleep I went back to speaking with my father for a while ... and then crawled back into my bed. Now I'm writing in here...

Here's hoping all goes well with these two...

Until Tomorrow,
Klork Dean Curric

Well, I'm still in this damn wheel chair...

It's beginning to drive me nuts ... granted all of the counters are low enough due to Dr. Xavier being in a wheel chair .. but still. I don't like feeling short.

Hold up ... I think HLM's finally waking up...

I heard some murmuring over in her general direction of the med-lab and set my journal down in the little basket-thing that Hank set up on the back of this wheel chair. Then I wheeled my way over to her, brows furrowed.

"Mo'...?"

She was muttering something in her sleep, "Nn...gonna...win..." She rolled her head to the side, "...die..."

That doesn't sound so great...

I settled a hand on her shoulder, brow furrowing in worry. She took a sudden, sharp breath in and grimaced slightly before calming...slowly opening her eyes...she was cooler to the touch than last night, though still very warm.

I smirked a bit, brushing her bangs from her face, "Hey you.."

She blinked a little, then smiled slowly, "Hi...how're you feelin'...?"

"Better," I admitted, ".. sore as all get ... but good."

"Good..." She reached up to weakly rest her hand over my own, "How long I been out...?"

"At least a full 24 hours .. if not more.."

"I...wha..well...jeeze..." She shook her head, "I miss anything...?"

The human race died off, I did a strip tease for the mansion, Lisette woke up and started singing show tunes....

"Not much in all truth..."

Damn me and my truthfulness ... wonder what her reaction woulda been had I told her I did the strip tease...

She nodded a little. She then started to sit up, cringed and laid back down, "That's good...how's everyone holding up...?"

I grimaced at her cringe, "Careful..doing well, Lisette's still out.."

She blinked a little, "...what happened to her...?"

"She took some of your pain from you ..."

She blinked again, "...oh..." Her brows furrowed a little, looking thoughtful as she murmured, "So that's who that was..."

So that's what what was..? Eh, go along with it...

I nodded, brushing her hair from her face again as it fell forward, "Yep..."

She nodded a little, watching me with furrowed brows but not saying a word.

"You gonna be ok...? Feeling any better?" I ventured with a smirk,"You feel cooler.."

She nodded slowly, "Yeah...I'm feeling a lot better...can't...remember a lot of things, but..." she trailed off with a shrug and slight grin. Her eyes turned down to my legs as her brow furrowed, "Are your legs hurt...?"

I blinked, then shook my head, "Just kinda weak...the drugs they put me on are strong ... they've been numb for a while.."

Her face went to that of releif, "Ah...ok...just...been really worried for you...scared for you..."

I smirked, "Hey...I'm good, so long as you're good, I'll be perfect."

She chuckled softly, "Good..." She reached out to touch the loose strands of hair that were falling from my half ponytail, "...sorry about your hair..."

I forced a smirk and a small shrug, "It coulda been worse, right..?"

Yeah, they coulda shoved a red-hot poker up my ass...

She nodded, "Very true..."

Must .. get ... topic ... off ... hair...

I crossed my arms on her bed, resting my chin in them.. "Hungry..?"

HLM kind of paused for a minute, as if that was a revelation to her. Then she blinked, almost taking on a sheepish look to her, "...knew I forgot to do something after that battle...."

I gave her a befuddled look, "Aw nuts..you haven't even eaten???" I shook my head and started grabbing pillows from an empty bed, "Hold up..." I then started propping her up with them one at a time so she could sit up properly, "I'll fix ya something...counters in the kitchen are nice n' low due to the head honcho bein' in a wheel chair."

She shook her head a little, that sheepish look still on her face, "Wasn't hungry 'till now..." she paused with a chuckle, "Ok..."

I smirked, rolling my way into the kitchen and calling out, "Whatcha hungry for..??"

"Mmm......anything but venison and dried stuff! Soup...?"

I laughed, "Soup..okie, what kind?"

"Hmmm...decisions decisions...veggie?"

"Hmm, works!" I went about pulling the pot out and a kettle for some tea, fixing up a can of vegetable soup. I wasn't even going to make her wait for me to do it by scratch. After I was finished I rolled out with a bed tray, settling it over her lap with a bowl of soup and a cup of warm tea and crackers for the soup, "This work?"

She blinked and nodded with a chuckle, "Very well...thank you..." She smiled and slowly ate.

I leant back, snagging one of her crackers and munched on that.

"So...who all has been around...?" She questioned.

"Oh, your dads, my dad, Lisette, Hank .."

She paused .. then laughed, an action that was followed by a short "ow" before stating, "Ohman...sounds funny...."

"Was supposed to sound such," I winked.

HLM chuckled softly as she munched, starting to look better, "I'm glad you're back...even if it did cut our...eh..."vacations" short..."

Yeah .. coulda used some more time to figure out how I'm gonna do this..

I chuckled and nodded, my demeanor just feeling tired all of a sudden,"You could put it that way, yeah.."

She nodded a little. I could feel her watching me as she quieted down so I looked up to meet her gaze, "Hmm?"

She shook her head with a smirk, finishing her soup slowly before sipping her tea, "Nothin'..." Then she shrugged, "You just look a lil' tired."

"Yeah .." I nodded, "I-I've come to my descision .. just .. gonna wait til' we're all feeling better before I act on it ..."

Shouldn'ta let that one out..

She nodded slowly and smiled gently, "Take your time..."

I nodded, "Will do.."

She nodded, yet again, rubbing slightly at her right arm.

Uncomfortable silence .. must change subject .. must find something intellegent to say...

"So.."

*applauds* oh that is just BRILLIANT, Klork ..

She grinned a bit lopsidedly, "Still haven't learned how to do that?"

Saved by the moron!

"Nope, and I had so set my heart on it as well.."

She snickered, "I could tell..." She blinked a little, then smirked, "Ok...that was your father stitching me up..." She rubbed her eyes with a sheepish grin, I think she was starting to remember stuff, "I was so confused..."

"Yeah, his hair's chin length.." I paused, then muttered a sigh of mourning for the foot of hair I lost, "Mine's just below my shoulders.."

She smiled softly, reaching over and ruffling my hair, "It's still nice...and I would have noticed, but...I was kinda outta it..." She paused, "I'd sort of like to thank him for putting me back together...my side was in bad shape.."

"Erf..yeah..." I blinked, then chuckled, "I'm sure he knows you're greatful."

Yet again she chuckled softly, "Went home, I take it...seemed like a nice guy..."

I shook my head, chuckling, "He's still around ... probably exploring .. he..well, doesnt have a home in this dimension.."

She gave me a confused look and tilted her head to the side, "Tell me about him...?"

He looks kinda like me....s'about all *I* even know...

"Hmm? Ah..." I chuckled, "I couldn't say much ... I knew him the first five years of my life ... all of ten minutes when I was fifteen ... and the last couple of days.."

"Ahh..." she nodded.

I furrowed my brows, "Sounds a bit like me if I just left everything behind me..."

HLM bit her lip, nodding a little, "But you didn't..."

It's almost half tempting but...well..

"...I wouldn't be me..funny that eh?"

She grinned a little and nodded, "Exactly...you care too much for your kids...and the rest of us..."

Sometimes more than I should it seems...

I nodded, then chuckled at the irony.

"Hrn?"

"Then again," I mused to myself, "If my wife were killed before me, for certain thought my children were dead ... I probably would do the same.."

HLM nodded, "Of course...that's a huge difference between you two...the situation..."

Is it...?

"Yeah .. what's weird is that he was a cat last time I saw him.." I paused, then furrowed my brow, "He must've been drugged with some weird meds to make him evolve that late in life.."

"I'd imagine so...those jerks like messing with chemicals..." She leant back, brows furrowed slightly, "I got rid of as many of the samples they took from you as I could...went for anything that said "Curric"..." She then grinned wickedly, "And their computer system needs to be rebuilt from the ground, too...."

I blinked, "Man, you guys were busy.."

She grinned lopsidedly, "Eh...that was before Lisette showed up...though I'm really glad she did...wouldn't have been able to get you two out without her...helped keep me aware, too..."

I nodded ... my brow furrowing .. but I smiled a bit none the less, "I'm just glad to know you two..."

"...feelin's mutual..."

I nodded again, reaching up and ruffling her hair.

"...must be a mess..." ... I think she was referring to her hair.

I sighed overdramatically, smoothing it out for her, "Fine fine.."

"Err...well...I didn't mean anything you did...just..." She grinned lopsidedly and laughed softly, "Confused me......"

I winked, "I'll forgive you for now..."

She laughed, "I like you...you make me laugh."

Well I've accomplished the humor part...

"Feelin's mutual, babe," I winked.

HLM chuckled softly, "'babe'..." She shook her head and winked back, "Forgive me for not posing, oh studly one..."

Studly one? Cue Pose #345, titled "Who's the man?"

I flexed, "Aww..I do tho!"

She laughed then let out a small "ow" in reaction, reverting to giggling softly.

I squeezed her arm gently, "Careful now..."

"Oooooohfine..." She patted my hand and shook her head slightly, smirking.

I grinned, wheeling to the kitchen with her dishes...then wheeled my way back out, lifting myself onto my bed that'd been rigged up by hers..."Gettin' tired.." I winked, laying back.

She grinned over at me as I helped her downsize on the pillows that were propping her up, winking back and offering to share her blanket, "You're entitled..."

I smirked and curled up under it, "I suppose now and then.."

She chuckled softly, moving to roll over to face me, then erked lightly at her side and just turning her head.

I grimaced, "Careful..was about to ask how you were healing up...answered my question.."

A sheepish grin crossed her face, "I...yeah...she got in a few good hits..."

I frowned, recalling what was told to me earlier today by Quinlan about how her and her mother had some strange battle to the death in Underhill or something..."I don't like that momma'..."

She gave a wry smile, "Huh...well...don't have to worry about her anymore...you heard about my brother too, huh...?"

I don't recall Quinlan telling me this part...

"No...."

Her eyes turned back up to the ceiling, brows furrowing, "Well...the day before the battle...apparently my mom sent her son after me..." She rubbed her arm a little, "He wanted to rape me...I killed 'im...with my bare hands..." She shuddered lightly.

Damnit .. I wanna kill the creep now!

I grimaced,"Gyah, if I were there..so help me I woulda done worse..."

I woulda gouged his heart out with a spoon--no, a Spork! Even worse..

A sigh escaped from her lips and she reached over to squeeze my arm, "You had worries of your own..."

I sighed, nodding..."True..but still.."

Another sigh, "Yeah..."

I smirked, squeezing her arm in return, "Get some rest...heh...if you need any more that is.."

She grinned lightly, "Actually...yeah...it was kinda...all nightmares...you sleep too..." She poked my shoulder lightly, "You need to get better too!"

"I will," I winked, "Aye aye.."

She smiled sleepily at me, "Sweet dreams..."

I nodded yawning and curling up as a purr rose up from my chest, "Aye ...aye.."

Waking up the next morning was slow, but I did manage to get up by 4:30. I glanced over next to me to see HLM sleeping soundly beside me and smirked a bit to myself.

At least she's sleeping soundly...

Trying not to wake her, I turned from my bed and went to slide off, expecting my legs to need the wheel chair yet again. To my surprise I landed and my legs caught me.

Sweet! No more gimpin'!

But, to be safe, I brought the wheel chair with me to use as a walker as I headed up to the room my father was staying in to take a shower.

Go figure .. he's already awake and gone ... and I thought *I* was up early...

After I showered and dressed, I headed down the stairs to make myself some oatmeal. I noted HLM was still asleep and headed over, pulling the blankets up around her. She didn't really respond, just sort of smiled in her sleep. After doing that I walked over to Lisette. Worry creased my brow when I saw that she was still out. Setting my bowl of oatmeal to the side, I bent over and pressed my brow to hers.

Still a little warm ... but it's coming down...

I sighed, smoothing her hair back.

If only you weren't so stubborn...I'm still curious as hell as to how you broke your collar bone in the first place ...

She turned in her sleep, but not by much. She seemed to know the IV was still in her arm because she turned back to the way she was laying before so as to not pull it accidently from her arm.

I think I might go see my kids today ... sure miss em'...

Those thoughts seemed to bring a small smile to Lisette's lips.

'Sette..? You there...?

Nothing...

Hn...maybe she's just having a good dream or something then...

Picking up my oatmeal again, I began to work at finishing it. After I was done I settled it in the kitchen, tightened my shoes, and headed out the door for a morning jog. God it felt good to move my legs again. After being almost flat on my back for a week they needed the blood flowing again.

Damn ... maybe I'll move upstate rather than stay in the city...it's beautiful out here...

I continued to jog over the snow laden side walk and up and down the streets of the upstate New York town.

Hmm..s'worth a try....Seijin...?

I paused a moment in my jogging and reached out with my mind a bit farther.

Seijin, bud? You there? It's dad...

A small, and tired voice slowly faded in from the distance, "Da'ie? Whs'you at?"

I chuckled, leaning against a light pole as I stretched my legs out, Upstate, squirt. You bein' good for Grama' Thera?

"S'course ... I'sa always good! N' do'call me Squirt ... thas'the ki'tie.."

Couldn't help but grin at that. You hungry at all?

That oatmeal wasn't filling enough...

"Whens' I not hungries, da'ie?"

I began to jog again, opening a portal this time before me that led me straight to my mother's apartment. I caught Thera off guard but she quickly came over to give me an engulfing hug. She then stepped back and examined me over.

"Good...you're healing ... what brings you here?"

I smirked, "Just was hoping to take my kids out for some breakfast ... wouldn't mind bringin' you along as well..."

Thera gave a thankful smile, "I'd love to .. but Meridya's still asleep unfortunately ... that spell Lisette has on her doesn't really let up..."

Nodding I mulled it over, then grinned, "No worries, I've got an idea..."

After breakfast we returned to the mansion where I had my father watching Meridya. Luckily enough he had returned just as I arrived there with my children and my sorta-mom. We did our introductions and went to eat. Meridya's back at Thera's, whom is with her now, but I'm here with my other two children and my father. It was adoreable ... Seijin won my dad over so easily as he started talking "fu'bawl" over with him. Celes sat back and watched on my lap for a while...then politely, if not cautiously, made her way over to Birman, curtsied, and threw my dad for a loop when she called him sir and spoke in the most perfect English. She easily found that Birman was to be trusted when he picked her up and held her ... his own purr bringing a squeal and a hug from his granddaughter. We went on like this for hours until I realized what time it was and took the protesting kids back to Thera's to stay. I let them know that I'd be home soon enough and to mind their grandmother before I returned to the mansion. I then spent a couple of hours walking around the mansion grounds, and when I returned to the med-lab .. Lisette was still out and I was surprised to see HLM no longer in her bed. Curiousity getting the better of me, I headed upstairs to see if she had gone there..

After I knocked on the door I heard her call out, "'S open.."

I poked my head in the door then grinned as I waved slightly. I noted she was working on a shrine of some sort in the corner of her room, "Heya ... am I interrupting anything..?"

HLM grinned, "Nah...just about done...c'mon in..."

I stepped in, hands pocketed as I realized it was a shrine for Hacker, her deceased husband. "Looks nice..I'm sure were he here he'd appreciate all the work you've put into it..."

She grinned a little, and grabbed a cane, using it to help herself up. I noted she was keeping weight off of her left leg after putting the last little statue on the table, "Thanks...I hope so..." She smiled a bit sadly before grinning genuinly, "You're walking..."

"Yeah...been doing so all day ... meds finally wore off.." I furrowed my brow, leaning back a bit to look over her legs, "Cane's new..."

She lifted the left gi-pant-leg to show the bandage running the length of her leg, "Little muscle damage...Hank says it'll heal ok so long as I don't do too much more with it..."

I grimaced, nodding ... then let myself have some fun, whistling a bit, "Niiice leg, I'll betcha you'd look great in a bikini when you're all healed up," I winked.

She laughed, "I see they didn't ruin your hormones at all..." She winked, "Thanks.."

Rubbing the back of my neck, I let out a slow chuckle, "With all of the sperm samples..are you kidding? Sad part is I don't remember any of that part..."

"Probably better you don't..." She headed over to her bed, sitting back down to rest her leg, patting the spot by her, "What do you remember...?"

I headed over, sitting before pulling out the small blue journal from my pocket. Yeah .. the thing I'm writing in now, "Not much in all truth...kinda glad I wrote all what I did when I did down.."

A wry grin crossed her lips as she nodded, "Good...glad you still have it..."

I nodded, flipping it around in my hands before thumbing through the pages, "Hmm..."

She tilted her head, watching me...I think she wanted to peek, but didn't want to invade my privacy.

"Hmmm..." I let out again..

"Sounds serious..."

I laughed, "Goofball .. was just thinking on whether or not I should show you....there's really just .. my thoughts in here..."

She chuckled softly and nodded, scooting back a little and nodding. With a smirk she reached around me to grab her own journal, "You show me yours I show you mine?"

I looked at her black binder, pondering for a moment, "Hmm.." I eyed her..then shrugged, handing mine over.."I suppose it's a fair trade."

She chuckled softly, swapping this piece of work for her own. I flipped through the looseleaf pages, leaning back. She had quite a bit written down. Dating back even to a few years ago around the time she first came to New York. There was a long silence as we both read, and I began to see just how much she cared for me as I came to the most recent writings on her last few weeks. Mixed feelings of emotion came to surface as I read of her fight with her mother, her dreams, and of how she killed her brother in her bare hands. I felt that these might've been showing, so I broke the long silence..

"Day one," I said in a nasal voice, "I had the most erotic dream about Klork today.."

She smirked and smacked my shoulder.

"Agghh..hey," I stuck my tongue out, cackling as I finished reading.

"HUSH!" She snickered and looked back down. I could hear her muttering, "He WISHES he can read THOSE thoughts..."

I cackled, "Oh but I cannn.."

Her brow arched, looking up at me with a grin, "Can you, now? Tell me what they are then."

I mulled this over for a moment, then grinned mischeviously, "You're undressing me, I see it!" I put my hands to my temples, impersonating Miss Cleo from those psychic infomercials, "It's all in de' mind, chil'd..you see me naked wit' de' candles an' de' bubble bath!"

She laughed, "Hmm...that is a nice picture...but are you sure that's not YOUR fantasy?" She winked.

I blinked, "Oh, de chil' es smaht!"

She chuckled, "I'm not as stupid as I look..."

"Awww..." I winked, "Dang, makes things complicated.." I winked again, ducking down to avoid any baps she might throw at me.

HLM snickered and reached around to tickle my uninjured side.

ACK! No..!

"Errrkk!" I pouted, "Notickle!"

She grinned lopsidedly, "Whynot?"

Another long silence as she pulled back to read a bit more. She reached over to hug me gently once she finished reading. "I'm really sorry all that happened to you..."

I smirked a bit as I nodded and hugged her in return, "Ditto, chica...our weeks have been hell.."

"No kidding..." She shook her head, "Vacations are more stressful than work, it seems..."

"Very much so..."

I continued the hug, not really wanting to let go there and then. She rested her head lightly on my shoulder, just staying there, arms wrapped around me, "Do you have a room here yet?"

"Hmm..? Oh, well, dad and I are splitting one currently.."

I know what yer' gonna offer ... don't think it'd be right ... not at this moment at least ... best to stay in dad's room for now...

She nods a little, "I was gonna offer to share this one...but since you already have a place to sleep, guess you don't need it, hm...?"

I chuckled, shrugging, "I've been sleeping in the med lab, in all honesty...Lisette still hasn't woken up...it's worrying the hell outta me.."

HLM nodded as her brows furrowed, "Me, too...I wish I could help her...kinda wish she didn't do what she did..."

I smoothed her hair back, "Not much can be done about her sometimes," I offered a small smirk, "She's more stubborn than I am.."

Another grin as her ice blue eyes looked up to meet mine, "There's something I didn't think was possible..."

I stuck my tongue out with a chuckle, "Fine fine..deflate mine ego."

She laughed, "Oh yeah...really deflated there..." she reached up to brush hair from my brow, "You're gonna burst into tears any minute now.."

There's an idea..

I sniffled.

"Awww..."

I pouted.

"You pouting....how I make you stop....?"

The things I could say ...

"Very carefully?" I winked.

"At least you didn't say 'the same way you get to Carnegie Hall'" She grinned and ruffled my hair a bit, "I'd have to smack you for that one and call you Raph..."

Huh...? What does that have to do--Ohh...oyvey...

"Oy..."

She grinned lopsidedly, covering her mouth as she yawned, "Hrn...gotta stop getting up at five in the morning..."

I blinked, "FIVE a.m.?? Why so early??"

Hello, Klork! You got up at 4:30! Dork...

"Couldn't sleep anymore...just woke up..." She smirked.

I chuckled, then erked as I found myself covering a yawn as well, "Gah, ...catchy."

She chuckled softly, reaching back to undo the loose braid her hair was in, "Mmhmm...stupid things..."

I smirked, hugging her quickly before I stood, "I think I'm gonna go crash.."

She nodded and hugged me back, "Ok...sweet dreams...wish your dad g'night for me too..."

I nodded .. then ventured bravely enough to kiss her brow. She closed her eyes and smiled softly, "Will do, chica..take care..."

"You, too..."

I smirked, heading out the door and down the hall to retreat to bed for the night.

Well ... just hope all goes this well tomorrow..

Until Tomorrow,
Klork Dean Curric

Well, all started out pretty good today. After my morning jog (again) I headed over to Kameko's to fill her in and let her know that things were going for the better. I was surprised to find Angelo gone to work on a Saturday when I got there. So, quietly I came in after wiping the snow from my boots, searching around the house to find my sister. After a few minutes I found her sitting at her window seat in Alida's room, staring out the window.

Hmm .. Alida's gone ... must be at Noche's...

"Hey, Kame.."

Pained turquoise-blue eyes looked up to mine as a smile spread thinly across her lips.

"I heard what happened ... seems you're doing better though, right?"

I smirked, nodding as I took a seat beside her, my smirk fading when I noted the streaks on her cheeks from tears that had fallen.

"Kame..?" I whispered, furrowing my brows, "What's wrong..?"

Her eyes blinked in surprise then I could hear her mentally cursing herself as she wiped at her cheeks. "Nothing..."

I sighed, shaking my head, "Seriously, sis...you can talk to me, you know that. You've been leakin'...so what's wrong?"

She gave a shakey sigh as she leant into my outstretched arms, resting her brow to my shoulder, "I'm afraid.."

"Afraid...? Of what, Kame? It can't be the Mondais or something like that, you've got Angelo, right? What's there to be afraid of..?"

Choking on a sob she shook her head, taking my hand and settling it on her abdomen. Without saying a word her belly began to purr, and I could distinctly detect two of them ... more than likely male.

Now I was confused...

"Oh...I...why are you afraid of being pregnant..? I-isn't that good news?"

She looked up at me, her face once again shimmering from the tears that fell over her cheeks. I could tell just from the pained look in her eyes that she wasn't afraid of the children, or having them. But of losing them. No more than a few months ago did she lose her baby when Nadia took it from her. She had taken off to San Francisco blindly, almost in a hypnotic phase, leaving her wedding ring and a confused, lost, and heart broken husband behind.

"Kame ..." I murmured, shifting as my side ached a bit from the stitches, "Nadia's dead ... they'll be safe..."

Kame nodded, but I could tell that that didn't do a thing to bring her hopes up. She was still afraid.

So I did the best thing I could for her ... I held her, like she held me 8 days ago, and let her cry....

A few hours later, around 8 a.m., we were both feeling a bit better, meandering through to kitchen to fix up some breakfast. She had me making bacon, (seeing that in his time, I apparently taught Angelo how to make bacon and I apparently do it just as good) while she was fixing up some scrambled eggs and toast. I could still tell by her demeanor that she was iffy on the pregnancy thing, but I could also tell that she was definately starting to gain an appetite.

Didn't have the heart to tell her they're going to be twin boys ... she'll find that out just from how much hungrier she'll be during these next few months...

"A'right, foods!" she said with a smirk, settling the food on the table.

With a grin, I added the plate of bacon and watched her face light up.

Well damn! If just bacon makes her happy, Angelo should have no problem cheering her up...

The two of us ate for about twenty minutes uninterupted by talking or anything. Just the occasional "pass the milk" or "Mmmmm" was uttered between mouth-fulls of food. It wasn't until we were working on the very last portion of food that Kame spoke up.

"So what did Celes mean by an unwanted visitor?"

I blinked, looking up, "Huh?"

She tilted her head to the side, "She said Lisette had an unwanted visitor ... the night she took off to see you I think. Who was she talking about?"

Unwanted visitor...?? Could she have meant Gorynel..??? Nah...

"Um, I don't know.." I furrowed my brows, getting more and more worried as I thought about it, "I think, um, if you'll excuse me, I'll go find out for myself.."

Kameko shrugged, small smile on her lips even though her brows were furrowed. "Ok, if you need me I'll be with Nissa ... Alida spent the night there last night and I have to pick her up some time today.."

I nodded, cleaning up after myself and pulling my coat on. "Will do..."

With that I headed out the door and made my way to Thera's.

As I came to the door I paused, opening a portal instead of knocking. Sure enough, when I walked through into their room, Seijin and Meridya were sleeping. Good thing I didn't knock...

Hmm...where's Celes--OW..gyah...stinkin' stitches ... spot they cut me open's startin' to hurt .... meds must be wearin' off...

"Papa?"

I looked up to see Celes in her long blue nightgown, looking up at me with eyes that matched my own. Smirking and ignoring the pain, I picked up my little three-year-old daughter and ruffled her hair. She giggled, purring in response to my own before trying to straighten her hair out in a diginified fashion.

"Hey there, sq--....sweetie," I said, glancing down at the panther kitten who was asleep by Seijin ... No, bad idea to call my daughter Squirt when that's the cat's name as well.., "How come you aren't dressed yet?"

She gave a sheepish smirk before shrugging. "Grandmama Thera is busy and mother always helps me dress, Papa."

I rounded my mouth to an 'O' shape before toting her to the other room, settling on the couch with her in my lap. I could hear Thera's voice instructing the class of kenpo students through the wall in the sparring room.

Ah, teaching a class .. yep, busy

"What brings you to visit, Papa? Did you want to take us out to breakfast again?" She got this hopeful look on her face that nearly made me laugh before I recalled how much my adoptive mother really couldn't cook.

"Heh! Well, not today," I smirked, "But Aunt Kameko already has breakfast ready if you'd like to go there later..."

Celes' eyes went wide in awe before a purr began to rise in her chest.

Ow..damn..there's that pain again, I need to get some pain meds in me before it gets worse...gyah, must distract Celes ... this *hurts*...

I gently poked her in the nose. The response, that anybody in my family with cat in them has, happened shortly after as she gave a short sneeze. It gave me a few seconds to flinch slightly and re-adjust so there was less pressure on my wound.

Egh..not helping...

This repeated at least a few more times before Celes gave me this bleary sort of glare and look of frustration.

"Papa, please don't make me sneeze again? My eyes are watering and my nose is burning..."

Damn...

"Sorry, honey" I forced a grin through gritted teeth, "Heh...so, who's this unwanted visitor that came?"

Celes blinked, then looked down with the most stubborn look she could offer, "I can not tell you..."

Crap ... don't tell me...?

"Why honey?"

She stalled for a moment before her shoulders sank, "Because Mama made me promise..."

It had to be, damnit..!

"It was Gorynel, wasn't it..?"

Her brows furrowed as she looked up, her voice wavered as she whined, "I did not tell you! How did you know?" She then sank, brows crumpling when she realized I had put two and two together, "Oh..."

I sighed, readjusting to hide any pain again as I smoothed her hair back, "I'll let Lisette know that you didn't tell me, babe..."

But that didn't smooth her brows. She looked up at me, her brows furrowing a bit more as she watched my eyes. "You are in pain..??"

Damnit again ..

"I can take the pain, Papa, like Mama did..."

Now WHEN did she learn to do that..??

I shook my head, brow furrowing. "Hun', I don't want you in pain, I'll be ok, really."

Yeah, fine, riiight ...

Her brows crumple before she nods, letting out a hefty sigh. Her eyes then brightened as she looked up at me with a new topic to start on, "I had a very happy dream, Papa! We were at the park and eating those long meat things in the bread and, and," she paused, purring, always did like hot dogs, "And I would like to show you, can I?"

Before I could protest, she pressed her brow to mine to show me this dream she was talking about. No pictures came however and I began to feel the pain from me leave. Half panicked I pulled her away, brows furrowing when I saw her in tears from the pain she had managed to take. Quickly, from what I could draw apon from when I was a vampire, I took it back, watching her sink with relief before she sat up to protest.

"But, Papa!" she almost began to cry again, "I would have taken it! Please, you should not be hurting..!"

I shook my head, sighing shakily as I stood, wincing in the process with how much it hurt to do so. "Honey, this is daddy's pain," I managed, "I'll be ok, I promise..."

She opened her mouth to protest but backed off when I gave her a stern look. "At least talk to Grandmama? She helps when my hurts won't leave me alone.."

Girl's gotta point...

"All right," I managed without yelping .. it was getting really painful now, "I'll go see Thera..you stay here and take care of Meridya and Seijin, ok?"

She nodded, then straightened, "Do not forget Squirt, too, Papa," she corrected me indignantly.

I chuckled, nodding ... and with that, headed over to where I could hear the kenpo class ending.

Thera furrowed her brow, standing over where she had had me lay down in her room. I watched her turn and start digging through her medical cabinets before pulling out a bottle.

Aww crap, I know that stuff...

She came over and sat beside me, holding out the bottle of medication from Hell. It was the worst smelling and worst tasting stuff I had ever tasted in my life. Luckily, if you downed it and chased it down with chocolate, the taste was easily covered. It was also very fast acting, so I sat up a bit to take it.

Ugh..god I hate this ....crap...gross...

I immediately followed it down with the small chocolate piece she held out for me. Then I leant back and waited for it to kick in.

"There, it should be kicking in now, how are you feeling, Klork?"

I winced as the pain continued to throb ... "It's not taking..." I managed out.

There furrowed her brow, then sat beside me with a bowl and pestal, grinding away at another sort of pain medication. It didn't have much of a smell except for a faint sweet scent. She then lifted my shirt gently to examine the stitched area.

"Well, it's not infected," she said, her face relieved, "This is a good thing."

Noo, don't TOUCH it...crudcrud..

I pinched my eyes shut, readying for the impact of pain, when it didn't come I opened an eye to see her looking down at me sympathetically, "Don't look at me like that Klork," she pleaded, "I'm only trying to help..."

Nodding shakily, I closed my eyes again. I could hear her give a sigh of frustration moments before she started very gently putting the powder into the cuts. I hissed, taking in a deep breath at the pain that shot through me in reaction. She stopped for a moment, placing a couple of pillows beneath my hands.

Hn...claws must've slipped ou--OW!

Another hiss as she continued. After what seemed to take forever, she leant back, brows furrowed.

"It still hurts?"

I nodded.

"It should have gone numb instantly..." She swore under her breath, something that caught me off guard and made me blink a few times to make sure it was her that I was hearing. I pinched them shut again when she went about cleaning the medication from my wounds.

"No need in them being there if they aren't effective, Klork," she sighed.

Ow..OW..ow..

After she finished she genty washed my stomach off and pulled my shirt back down.

"Maybe natural medications aren't working?" I offered, brow creased still as the pain throbbed through my entire body. She nodded, then stood, retreating for a few minutes and coming back with a bottle of asprin.

"Take these," she murmured, giving me three and a small glass of water.

I obliged, downing them quickly.

"Only problem is that they take forever to kick in," I uttered, clenching my teeth.

"Maybe you should go back to the lab and have Hank look you over?" she said quietly, smoothing the hair back from my brow. I could tell by the sound of her voice that she was frustrated beyond belief that she couldn't help me where she usually could.

"Yeah .. might be a good idea," and with that I sat up.

Oh shit, ow...bad idea...

"Klork..." she said, standing with her brow furrowed, "I can take you there, you realize..."

"No," I said, slowly standing and grabbing my coat, "I'll be ok ... promise, just need to get my mind off the pain."

When I reached the mansion door the pain had doubled if not tripled. The asprin hadn't even set in. Things were beginning to blurr before my eyes, which made it difficult to go from my truck to the front door of the mansion. The sidewalk seemed to be four, and every step I took seemed to move my body in just the right way to send another shot of agonizing pain throughout my entire system.

Just, five more feet ... I think ...

"Hello, Klork."

Great ... don't tell me....yep, that's her...and...three of her?

"Hey Tabs'...." I muttered.

My sister stood over me, her voice very curt as she watched me. I could tell, just from 'sixth sense' lets call it, that she wanted to help me. However, she was too pridefull and ticked at me to do anything. "Let me guess, you're in pain."

You are absolutely swift, sis. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm four feet from where I need to be..!

"I'm fine."

"Serves you right, you know," she murmured, but I could hear a wave of concern flow through her voice, "Why don't you go where they were helping you before...?"

I furrowed my brow, another pain coursing through my body, "Ow ow ow...."

Before I could say much more, things began to swirl ... then started to go black. But before I completely passed out, I could hear her utter under her breath.

"Aw shit.."

I woke up a while later in the med-lab ... but to my surprise I found Hank nowhere to be seen. Then again, things were still fuzzy and as painfull as all gets. I glanced over to see Lisette still sleeping there, but her brow was furrowed in her sleep, as if her sleep was a restless one. Her lashes were wet, too, as if she'd been crying in her sleep. I winced when the pain surged through me, slowly sitting up and pushing myself off the bed with, yet another wince, then scooted in her direction before leaning heavily against her bed and stroking her hair.

S-so much pain...

"'S.." Another shudder of pain coursed through me, causing me to pause, "'Sette...?"

Lisette moaned quietly. I could tell she was fighting to stay asleep, shaking her head slowly, "No...please..d...ung..Klork..?" Her eyes opened slowly before she let them slip shut. I winced as she tried uneasily to sit up, piling the pillows behind her.

N-no, you can't - don't want to see you in pain also..OW

"'Sette...easy.."

She obliged with a small nod, eyes slightly feverish as she looked up at me, she must have sensed the pain I was in because her face took on a worried look, "Are you sure... you should be the one warning me..?"

I clenched my teeth behind my cheeks to hide any pain I was feeling, "You ok...?" I then nodded, brow furrowed, "I yeah, I'm ok.."

Lisette furrowed her brow, reaching out to rest her hand on my brow. "Let me take it...." She closed her eyes, an almost desperate tone coming to her voice.

N-no more pain-can't...God I want to ... but she..no...

I shifted away, "'Sette..No, you've b-been through enough..I'll be fine."

Stupid liar, God damnit--take it..?!

She looked up at me. I could clearly read the rejection flashing across her face before she lowered it, nodding slowly, "...I..I am sure you will..."

NOT what I meant-OW!

Lisette sat up, pushing her legs over the edge of the bed, closing her eyes and refreshing herself, her hair falling into one long loose braid. Her entire outfit changed so she was wearing a simple white dress with a corsette-styled top.

"Lisette...Y-you took too much from HLM. You're stubborn, you know.." I smiled, trying to lighten the mood but winced a bit that disrupted the smirk. "I don't want to see you in any more pain.."

Lisette shrugged slightly, then yelped, biting it back.

Agh ... almost forgot about your collar bone -- don't do that--OW

I furrowed me brow, heavily leaning against the bed as the pain seemed to almost numb my legs, "You should lay down, Lisette..You aren't fully healed yet.."

"I'll be fine..It's been this way for a while.."

Oh yeah..ow...

"I heard ... Did Gorynel break it..?"

Lisette 's eyes went wide before she turned her head away.

Thought so..

"Yes. Yes, in fact.." she then shook her head, "But it doesn't matter, does it?"

Now I know you're hiding somethi-ow ow OW!

I bit it back, "Actually, it does...Why was he there?"

She bit her lip, she seemed to be deciding before she simply replied, "..He just.. arrived, shortly after I returned."

...Are you lying to me??

I furrowed my brow, "Why...?"

Ow..ow...

"Because I was unprepared for it. My mind was elsewhere... not on my protection.." She sighed, looking at her hands, "Nor that of my children.."

You are aren't you .... why...?

"But you're all rig--OW!"

Can't let her - ow - see me like this..

I sucked in my breath, trying to hold out on any more outbursts, "You're ok, other than the collar bone..right? He didn't want anything?" My voice sounded strained.

She whimpered, reaching out to place her hand on my temple gently, "Please Klork..? Let me help with what I can?!" Her eyes pleaded with me.

N-NO! You don't want this--I can't--WON'T hurt you!

I shook my head, backing up and nearly falling in the process, "N-No..! I..Thera couldn't help, even...I-I have to talk to Hank..I.." I winced, "I don't want you more hurt!"

She jumped off the bed, ignoring the IV and catching me, nearly falling herself, but managing to stay upright. She then spoke to me very quietly, "My pain is a moot thing at this point, isn't it..?" Lisette didn't look at me, then sighed, "Yes...he wanted something else.. Gorynel.. But when doesn't he?"

Jumping .. one topic to another, I KNOW you're hiding something from me, but why?? Sonofa--

I furrowed my brow, shaking my head. I hated how pained my voice sounded as I pleaded with her, "LAY down, please?? I-oww- please..It's not a moot thing to me.."

She sat, her eyes reflecting a bit of defiance, "I can take it without touching you, you know.. Your pain."

Damnit, please just understand...?!

"But you won't, Lisette .. " My brow furrowed as I managed to gain enough composure to stand on shakey legs, "Because you know it'll only make me worry even more for you..."

Crap, that didn't come out right..

She flinced, voice lowering, "...You never asked why..."

Why ... wha? Why I would worry or why you would take the pain? Gyah, ow ow ow, think of something clever to reply with...

"Huh..?"

Are you always this articulate--gyah!

She sighed, shaking er head, "Why he threw me.. I refused to give him what he wanted." She shrugged again, which was followed by a wince from her collarbone. "..We'll... just leave it at that."

Oh no we won't.. I frowned, then nearly doubled over as a stronger wave of pain convulsed its' way through me, Oh God .. must get to Hank...m-maybe he can help..

"I..Stay here. I.." I winced, "I have to go see Hank.."

Her brows furrowed in worry, before she nodded, settling on her cot-like bed again with a sigh.

I shuddered, slowly standing, holding my side as if I could magically stop the pain, going over to Hank's part of the medlab, knocking on the door. The door opened slowly, and sure enough the blue wonder stood before me, "Yes?"

I grit my teeth, trying to make out his face through my bangs and the fuzzy screen that seemed to be before me, "I think I'm gonna pass out..."

Hank blinked, escorting me to the lab and settling me on a table, "What happened??" He then went about checking me over for any other injuries or sicknesses.

I settled on the table with a grimace, "Pain meds...ran out.." I winced, "Thera tried natural stuff..didn't work.." My voice was breaking up so I decided to take time in speaking, "Tried asprin...still hasn't kicked in."

He nodded, "Ah..." Then furrowed his brows slightly, "It just hurts where you were cut open?"

Sure....there .. everywhere ..agghh...ow

"Yeah...hurts.."

There you go being articulate again...

He nodded again, frown seeming to wrinkle his face, "I'll put you on an IV until you start feeling a little better..." With that he started setting one up.

I sucked in my breath through my teeth as I leant back, nodding slightly as I tried to hide the pain I was feeling course through my body.

Beast furrowed his brows as he started the flow of pain meds my system. I grimaced, apparently I wasn't hiding the pain enough.

"How long have you felt like this...?"

Dead give-away that you ain't hidin' it, bud..

I shook my head, wincing and just closing my eyes, "Couple of hours.."

Or more..

He nodded with a frown, "Ahh...why didn't you come earlier? Do you want some water??"

I shook my head, clearing my throat, "No..fine..I went to Thera first to see if some of her meds would help..they usually do.."

You're repeating yourself..

Hank nodded, "Ahh...I can understand that. Your body may have built up a resistance of sorts to the natural remedies due to all the chemicals it is still recovering from."

I... right, I'll go with that..ow...

"Maybe so, but she also gave me asprin an hour and a half ago .. it still hasn't kicked in..." I winced, tightening my jaw again.

Hank frowned, examining my stomach. "Hrn...I'm going to do a little blood-work on you....do you want me to call anyone to keep you company...? I know HLM's in the War Room with Diana and Eloise...your father is...around..."

I shook my head, even though I wanted somebody to be there, but my pride not wanting to let anybody else know of this..

Hank furrowed his brows as he drew some blood, "I can see company would help you...even if it would wound your pride.."

Gyah, I hate you sometimes..

I grimaced as he put the needle in, and I'm sure my whole body deflated with my ego, lowering my eyes and stiffening as another jolt of pain ran through me.

Hank cringed in sympathy, placing a bit of gauze with tape over the needle hole left behind, "I'll get HLM for you..."

I nodded as I calmed myself, trying to make it so little to no evidence of my pain showed. I didn't even note that my fists were still clenched.

He nodded, dissapearing farther into the lab to run tests more than likely. Moments later, HLM hobbled in with her cane, brows furrowed as she headed over to me. "Heya..."

I looked up, forcing a small but genuine smirk, "Hi.."

She pulled up a stool, carefully settling onto it and stroking a hand through my hair with her right hand...resting her other hand on one of mine"...what happened...?"

Can't much lie...ow..

I looked up, flinching slightly, "Ah, meds wore off..heh...others aren't kicking in.."

She cringed in sympathy, "I'm sorry..." She grinned gently, "Anything I can do?"

Yes, beat me senseless please? I'd like to pass out and feel less pain...

I, instead, smiled, shaking my head, "Nothing I can think of...." I winced, lowering my voice to emit a very quiet "ow.."

She chewd her lip as she gently stroked her fingers through my hair, "Hrn...well...how are your kids doing...?"

Clever ... ow...gyah..

I winced again, smirking up at her, "Well...worried about their mother...but well.."

She nodded a bit as she watched me, waiting to see if I'd go on...

God this hurts...!

She chewed her lip with a nod, brushing the hair that was sticking to my brow away,"Yeah..."

Whoa, hold the phone ...

"You heard that...?"

She nodded, as if surprised I hadn't done it on purpose as she soothingly stroked her fingers through my hair.

I sighed shakily, my entire body beginning to quiver as it tried to cope with the pain, "Damnit...I was just getting used to freely walking..."

She bit her lip, "Hank'll find out what's wrong..." She shifted a little closer, looking like she wanted to hug me or something, but seemed afraid to do so.

I offered a weak smile, "I hope so.."

A sympathetic grin crossed her face as she rubbed at my shoulder, "I'm sure he will...that fur leaves room for brains, too..."

I wonder tho, sometimes...

I chuckled, the action itself brought more pain, "Yeah ... just hope he won't be so mad at me f'r much longer..."

She cringed, nodding, "Me, too..." She sighed softly, leaning down to plant a kiss on my brow.

I smiled and could even feel a strangled purr emitting from my chest, "Thanks Mo'..I appreciate it.."

As she still gently stroked my hair she offered a smile in return, "Aw hey...it's what I do..." She winked, her smile turning sympathetic.

God .. pain..

"why won't this kick in..??"

She shook her head, looking in when Hank came back from running the tests. I looked over, feeling sweat begin to run down my face from keeping it all in. Hank sighed as he walked our way, "Bad news...the meds they put in your system counteract the pain meds we have...nulling them...I'm going to try to find a way to take some of that pain away...but it will take a while..."

No surprise...ow..

I grit my teeth, "Great..."

Hank smiled thinly, "I'm sorry..." I winced as he pulled the IV from my arm, "It would probably be a good idea not to introduce any more chemicals than neccessary into your system for a while."

I nodded.

Just make it all end, knock me out, ANYTHING?

"If there's any change...I will be in the lab, trying to find something that will help you...as for now...go somewhere you're comfortable...? It may help a little with the pain..."

I nodded, slowly sitting up to feel my body try and fall over with the movement, "K..."

Hank disappeared off into his lab, HLM immediately helping me stand. "...heh...where to...?"

I shook my head, "Anywhere..." I shuddered with another jolt of pain, leaning on her more than I would have liked to with the condition her leg was in.

She nodded, slowly taking me to the couch in front of the fireplace...leaning heavily on her cane in turn, "Heh...man...feel like an old lady helping her old man somewhere..."

Heh, now that creates a unique image in mind..

I chuckled, settling onto the couch, even chuckling seemed to hurt, "Heh, it's a forseen vision," I winked, holding my side gingerly.

She smirked slightly, "Very well could be...Before I join you, tho...anything I can get you...?"

I shook my head, "I'll be ok, honest."

Liar liar, pants on fire--OW!

She sat by me slowly with a nod after making sure the fire was going nicely, "Ok..."

After a bit I leaned against her, just holding in any outbursts of pain. She gingerly wrapped her arms around me, leaning back so I could lay against her. She did this slowly and I could tell she was being wary of her own wounds. I began to take some deep breaths to try and calm myself, caught off guard when she began to hum softly. It was soothing, and it actually began to calm me even more than my shallow breathing was. She continued, mixing in words liquidly of a language I didn't know much less recognize. I could feel my body calm, all of it relaxing even though the pain was still there. The last thing I recalled was her pulling a blanket over the both of us...I didn't even hear the end of the song, I had fallen asleep.