|
Mack
stepped carefully into the room, kicking the broken stool by the door aside. He
looked over at the man sitting on the bed, still calmly stroking the red hair
of the boy on his lap. His first impression was that the small form was hardly
more then a kid, he looked so small. He cleared his throat. The man holding him
looked rather the worse for wear and hardly anything at all like the calm cool
professional gentlman he'd met a few times before. "Mr. Dominic ? I
understand you feel the need to protect the boy.. Lex, is it?"
Faal
nodded slowly but didn't take his gaze off of Mack nor did he pause in the
gentle stroking of the boy's hair.
"There
were several complaints from visitors and my guess will be the staff as well
against Dr. Blinkin. I don't think you'll have to worry about him being Lex's
doctor anymore. I doubt he'll be anyone's doctor for quite sometime, if ever.
My men are loading him into the car and reading him his rights as we speak.
I'll have one of my men take picture's of the boys injuries received from the
doctors treatment of him for the case of malpractice that will definately be
drawn against him." Mack paused, trying to find the right way to phrase
what he needed to say. "Mr. Dominic. There were complaints made against
you for assulting Blinkin, and I couldn't help but notice several orderlies
look a bit bruised around the edges... Judging by his actions a moment ago, I'd
say the witness reports of your attack being provoked are very believable,
but... well.. I'm sorry, sir, but i'll need you to come downtown with
us..."
Mack
watched the man sigh and lean down, careful lifting the boys head off his lap
and lay him back down, tugging the blanket over him. The boy whimpered and
reached out for him and he leaned down to stroke the hair one more time and
kiss his forehead, speaking softly to him until he stopped whimpering.
He walked slowly towards Mack, stopping a few feet away so he still stood
between the officer and the bed. "I'd like either Ms. Lehey or Mr. Mordant
to be here before I leave this room. " he said softly. And Mack nodded and
called down the hall.
Both
Chaos and Auron appeared in the doorway and and Faal smiled softly at them.
"Don't leave him alone and don't let anyone but Sheldon or Ally administer
anything."
Chaos
nodded slowly and he nodded back then turned and bowed his head slightly to
Mack. "Shall we?" he asked softly and Mack waved him ahead.
Lex
watched Faal leaving with the officer and whimpered softly, before hiding under
the blanket. The moment Faal and Mack went out the door, another person rushed
in. "Lards almighty, we just heard!" Jasmine said, more than little
concerned, to Auron and Chaos. She knelt beside the bed, pulling the blanket
back enough to see Lex.
"Hi
baby doll. How you feelin'?" She cooed gently, stroking his hair. Lex
shook his head, with out a word, other then a whimper and drew deeper under the
blanket. Jasmine sighed, and tucked him in, kissing his temple and standing.
"Just
heard?" Auron asked with slight amusement. "Xander perhaps?"
Jasmine
chuckled. "Alright, so that was the wrong term, but you know me...sixth
sense and all."
"Frightening
at times." Auron replied with a good humored tease.
Jasmine
chuckled. "SO what exactly happend?" She glanced at Lex, before
grabbing Auron's arm and dragging him toward the door, dropping her voice.
"Lex and Faal's apartment is totaled."
Auron
nodded. "Xander had apparently stopped by to try and apologize...for
something and Lex couldn't take it. He went over that edge. He apparently, from
what I can gather, attacked Xander...Faal tried to restrain him, but Lex
scorched him. Faal put him in the shower to cool him off and had Xander call
me...When I got to the apartment, Xander was putting out one fire, but another
apparently started in the library...probably durning the moments I took control
of Lex and attempted to get him through the portal...he went quiet balistic. I
should have had Xander stay behind and check the place over." Auron
sighed, shaking his head.
"Lex
doesn't know yet?" Jasmine asked softly.
Auron
shook his head, "We're leaving that to Sands...who'll be his
psychologist."
Jasmine
nodded. "I need to speak with Sands then."
Auron
eyed her. "You know what Xander was apologizing for then?"
Jasmine
sighed. "Yes...in fact I was the one who TOLD Xander to apologize...not to
night, but..." Jasmine sighed. "Xander should have waited until some
one could have been there with Lex...it's not Xander's fault."
Lex
was peeking around the edge of the blanket, staring at them all. He felt
totally alone now that Faal had left.
**
Estehl
was in the hall, speaking with Rue when Faal and Mack emerged from the room.
Estehl let his gaze travel over Faal's numerous bandages and raised an eyebrow.
"He
was tried to restrain Lex earlier, but got the blunt end of it." Rue said
softly, glancing at Faal as well. She wondered if Lex was okay, she didn't hear
him sobbing or screaming, but Chaos and Auron, and of course Jasmine, where now
in there with him.
"Lexine
isn't going to be particulary happy about that..." Estehl answered softly.
"There's
a LOT Lex isn't going to be happy about." Rue replied with a look.
Estehl
nodded and moved away from her. "Mack, good to see you again." He
said to the officer in charge, Detective Macarthur Stern.
Mack
smirked slightly and nodded. "Mr. Delany. I gather then you're acquainted
with Lady Chaos and Rue?"
"Yes,
absolutely charming ladies." Estehl replied with a smirk. "I'm also
well acquainted with Mr. Dominic." He nodded to Faal, giving him an amused
look. "I see Lexine's managed to get you into a spot a trouble
again."
"Again?"
Mack raised an eyebrow.
Estehl
chuckled. "Not exactly what you think, Mack. In fact I believe this is the
first time the police have been called in, because Mr. Dominic felt the need to
protect Lexine so...fiercely." Estehl said, patting Mack on the shoulder.
"Jasmine is going to remain with Chaos and Auron," Estehl told Faal.
"You on the other hand are going to need a ride from the station once
everything has been cleared, so I believe I'll tag along. Unless that's a
problem?" He inquired from Mack.
Mack
snorted. "No problem at all, Mr. Delany. But you have to bring your own
car."
Estehl
laughed out right. The last time Mack had escorted ESTEHL down to the station,
Estehl had stolen a police car upon leaving. But that was a whole other story.
"Of course Mack." Estehl gestured for them to continue.
They
were just leaving the hospital when Sylvie and Xander arrived back. Both stood
gaping as Mack escorted Faal toward a police cruiser with Estehl in tow.
"What
happened?!" Xander asked Estehl as Estehl drew past them.
"Misunderstanding
with the doctor I believe. The others will explain. What have you got
there?" Estehl inquired, pointing to the book Xander was holding.
"Oh...the
only book in Lex's apartment that didn't get burned." Xander said, holding
it out.
Estehl
took the hard back first edition signed printing of The Club Dumas, and
chuckled. "Of course. Not a word to Lex about the apartment Xander,
Sheldon intends to break the news to him when he's sure Lex can...handle it a
bit better."
"Right..."
Xander muttered, looking troubled.
"Go
on, go inside and speak with Rue. She's waiting for you. Sylvia." Estehl
nodded to them both, before heading after Mack and Faal.
He
paused at the cruiser as Mack opened the door. "Appearently Xander was
able to salvage this." Estehl said, handing the book to Faal. "I'll
see you at the station house." Estehl turned and headed for his red
corvette near by.
**
Chaos
watched Lex huddle deeper and deeper under the blanket and wished Faal could
have stayed. She turned and caught one of the nurses and asked if they had
something for Lex something to wear aside from his damp clothes. The nurses
nodded and moved off and Chaos pulled Auron over to the bed side. "Sit
with him, Auron... I think out of all of us, you'll make the most impact.
"
She
watched him walk around to the far side and sit on the bed behind him, and she
sat down on this side, the two of them just rubbing the blanket covered lump
between them and speaking softly. The only comment that seemed to get any
reaction short of a whimper was that Faal would be back as soon as he could.
Sands appeared in the door way of the room. He spoke briefly with Jasmine
before grabbing the other turned stool and turning it over, sitting down.
"They've got a privet room ready for Lex." he told Auron and Chaos.
"We're going to hold off on medication...really I don't think Lex needs
it...just a few...therapy sessons..." he said with a slight smirk.
Jasmine
snorted. "He doesn't want to be here anyway, what makes you think the
therapy sessions are going to help?" She asked.
Sands
shrugged. "He may not WANT to be here...but Auron did the right
thing...mostly...Blinken was definitely not expected I think. But for the most
part, it'll do Lex some good. If you two can convince him to get up, I think
he'll be more comfortable in a privet room."
Auron
smiled tightly, a hand on Lex's shoulder, he leaned over, speaking softly.
"No..."
Lex moaned.
"Come
on, Mon petit garçon." Auron urged, gently pulling back the blanket.
Lex
rolled over, facing the wall, shivering from the cold wet clothes, refusing to
move. A nurse appeared with a change of small sweats. "Best I could
find...I hope they fit..." She said softly, handing the clothes to Chaos.
Jasmine
frowned slightly, and said softly to Chaos. "I'm going to go and get some
other clothes for him, later." She said softly.
Auron
leaned over Lex, and whispered something. Lex shook his head, closing his eyes.
Auron sighed, then stood, only to bend down and scoop Lex up. Lex whimpered,
but didn't fight.
"The
privet room, Sheldon?" Auron asked softly.
"This
way." Sands got up, leading them out of the room. They passed Rue, Xander
and Sylvie, and Sands led them down a hall, through a pair of double doors into
a more spacious looking hall with light rose colored walls and cream carpet.
There were a few large privet, and spacious hosptial rooms, all empty.
Sands
turned into the one at the end of the hall, next to a large glassed in
recreation room, with a large, inclosed garden beyond. A waterfall could be
seen just beyond the windows, in the garden.
He
turned on the light. Instead of a typical hospital bed, there was a large
wooden sleigh style bed with fresh linens and a very fluffy comforter. There
was a armore in one corner, a small plush sofa against the wall opposite of the
bed and a writing desk under the window. A door near by led to a privet
bathroom.
The
whole thing was very expensive, but Auron hardly cared. This was his youngest
after all. Sands turned back the comforter on the bed, and Auron put Lex down.
Lex rolled over, away from them and curled up into a small ball. Auron sighed,
turning back to Chaos.
Chaos
sighed and looked to Auron."Would like me to leave so you can help him get
changed? Or would you like me to help him... I seemed to have some small amount
of effect on him and I'm not bashful..."
"If
you could, Chaos." Sands said softly. "I'd like to have a privat talk
with Auron."
Auron
sighed, sliding one arm around Chaos' waist, he kissed the top of her head.
"Would you mind, mon cher? He'll repsond to you..." Auron said
softly.
Sands
waited in the door way of the room and when Auron joined him, they slipped out
onto the hall ,closing the door behind them.
Lex
heard the soft closing of the door and flinched, curling up smaller. He wasn't
aware anyone was left in the room with him and he began sobbing, whimpering for
Faal. He still felt trapped, and lost. He just wanted it to stop.
**
Sylvie
held Xander's hand in hers, idly stroking the back of it with her thumb. Her
other arm she had slid around his back and was leaning against him slightly,
needing to feel close to him and knowing he need the closeness as well.
Rue
had explained a bit about what had happened with Dr. Blinking and Faal, and she
was releived to know that he hadn't been arrested and that Lex was safe. She
knew he wouldn't come out of his shell enough for the therapy to help at all
until Faal was back with him, though. She gave a soft sigh, looking off towards
where the others had gone, and let Xander's hand fall as she slid her over hand
over his chest instead. She might look a tad clingy standing here with both
arms wrapped around him, but she didn't care.
"God...this is all my fault..." Xander muttered misrable, leaning
against Sylvie. He was glad she was there with him. He needed her.
"Don't
say that, Xander." Rue replied with a hiss. "Lex was on the verge of
this long before now. I'm sorry you had to be the one he exploded on, but it
could have happened to any one, Auron, Saffron...Faal. And it could have been
much worse with one of them. "
"Rue,
he tried to stab me." Xander muttered. "And he tried to burn the shit
out of Faal..."
"And
he's going to be perfectly misrable when he finds out he did those
things..." Rue replied.
"Maybe
to Faal." Xander muttered.
Rue
shook her head. "Stop it, Alexander." She hissed. "You and Lex
have your problems, but he's never wished harm on you, and I doubt he'd ever
intentionally harm you himself."
Xander
snorted illy. "You act like you know..." He replied slightly coldly.
Rue
smiled grimly. "I do know. I've known since Jack died. I know what
happened when Lex was seventeen...I know why you agreed to work for Hope. And
if you want my opinion Xander, you've done what you set out to do...you've made
ammends..." Rue said seriously, a hand on Xander's shoulder.
Xander
stared at her, slightly wide eyed, then shook his head. "No...part of
my...ammends is...getting his forgiveness."
Rue
smiled ever so much. "You might, Xander...in the end, I think you
will..."
**
"Before
I go bring this up with Xander, do you have any idea what it was...between them
that set them off?" Sands asked Auron softly as they stood in the recroom.
Auron
shook his head. "Possibly Xander's sister, Evelyn...who died protecting
Lex...or possibly something else. you're best asking Xander...if he'll say. I
get the feeling that what ever it was, is not something either want to really
discuse...Lex more then Xander."
Sands
shook his head slightly, then lowered his voice a bit more, and said seriously.
"Auron did you know Lex and Rowen were lovers?"
Auron
looked at him a moment, his expression neuteral. Then said. "I had my
suspecions." He said simply. "Hardly surprising considering Lex is in
love with Faal."
"Part
of Lex's problem, right now, is that...the relationship he had with Rowen.
Rowen wanted it a secret, and now it rather seems Lex is sticking to that. Now
I know Faal probably knows, Lex couldn't keep that from him. I wasn't sure if
you knew, or even if Chaos knows...but Lex needs to talk about it." Sands
said seriously. "And I may need Faal's help to convince him to do
so."
**
Chaos
stood for a moment watching Lex as he curled into a ball and cried. The
whimpering sounds he made almost broke her heart... and at the same time filled
her with one of the strongest rages she'd ever felt... that someone could hurt
someone so badly that they'd wind up like this whenever threatened with hurt
again... She made a promise to herself to look into Abadon and find out
everything she could about the bastard. After all, a good hunter should know
their prey...
She
walked across the room and sat on the bed, laying the clothes in her lap. She
reached out and stroked his hair. He flinched and whipped his head up startled,
his eyes wide in fear. She smiled softly and continued to stroke his hair.
"It's okay, Lexi... it's just me. Faal asked me to stay with you until he
got back, remember?" She asked, her voice gentle and soothing as she could
make it. "I have some dry clothes for you to put on. they're not yours,
sweetie, but at least they're warm and dry. Jasmine said she'd get you something
better later on, and once Faal comes back, I can get you some things as well.
Some books, maybe?"
He
seemed to peek his head out a bit more from the blankets, and he didn't seem to
be curled as tightly as before, so she kept stroking his hair and talking softly.
"Rue and Sylvie are both here. They wanted to know you were okay."
she decided it might be better not to mention Xander's name yet.. just in case.
"And I'm sure your sister will be here as soon as she knows. Would you
like it if Regan came to see you? And Fairlen as well, I'm sure. They're both
very fond of you, Lexi. And we'll probably have to put up blockades to keep
everyone else out of here or you'll never have any peace..."
Chaos
slid her hand donw to stroke his cheek. "Lexi, hun? How about we get you
into these, huh? Wouldn't it be nice to be warm and dry?"
The
only motherly figure Lex had ever known in his life had been Evie. He'd wished
earlier, in the other room, before Faal had come back that Evie had been there.
But he'd soon come to realize she was dead and gone and he'd wanted, despertly,
another mother...
And
now he had one, he realized. He rolled over, facing Chaos with a whimper and
with out a word, at least for a moment, and out of the need comfort, put his
head on her lap, just laying there a moment. He was shivering from the cold and
the wet clothes. Why did hospitals always have to be so cold?! They always kept
the air conditioning on.
But
as Chaos stroked his hair in the silence, Lex began to calm down. He calmed
down well enough, after a few minutes of silence, like that, he finally set up
on the bed. She handed him the clothes and he peeled off the wet ones slowly.
There was a large black and purple brusie covering the left side of his chest
and around to his back and he winced painfully as he pulled the wet tank top
off, probably had at least a fractered rib from the way the orderlies had
slammed him into the floor before. He slid out of the wet pj pants. His boylegs
were damp, but not soaked, and he wasn't about to take them off. It really
wasn't anything to do with Chaos, he just refused to in the hospital.
The
shirt wasn't exactly a sweat shirt, but a long sleeved cotton thermal shirt
that was quiet warm, but the sleeves were so long on him they hung over his
hands, just the tips of his fingers showing. He shimmed into the sweat pants,
which even though they said small, were still rather big on him. Obviously they
were men's sweat pants, and even the smallest of those were big on Lex.
He
shoved the slowly drying red hair out of his face with a sleeve covered hand
and looked at Chaos, the wet cloths laying on the carpet beside the bed. He was
paler then normal, his green eyes wide and large, the only emotion in them was
fear and look of being lost. And he knew he couldn't leave the hospital, not
yet anyway, but he said it anyway, in a child like whisper. "I wanna go
home..." He lay back down on the bed, started to curl up away from Chaos,
then curled back over, laying his head back on her lap.
It
was pretty much at that point, because she let him lay his head back on her
lap, that Lex began considering Chaos his mother.
Auron
started to open the door again to come back in, but paused, seeing Lex curled
up against Chaos with his head on her lap as she stroked his hair. Auron
swallowed hard and he silently cursed Lillian for having ever subjected Lex to
what he'd been through in the first place. Seeing Chaos comforting Lex touched
Auron's heart and he hadn't thought it possible, but he was falling even more
in love with Chaos, for being a mother to Lex when he needed one so badly.
Chaos
smiled sadly, feeling her eyes burn with tears. The only thing in memory that
she had ever cried over, was Regan. What was it about this boy that touched he
heart so? The easy answer would be because he was Auron's son, but she'd known
Lex before she'd remembered Auron, and had felt for him then, too.
She
stroked his hair, noticing how pale his skin was against the flame red hair.
"I know, sweetie... and you will, just not yet. But I don't want you to be
scared, alright? "she said, her voice soft and soothing. "Jeff and
Ally, are going to be your doctor's and they're going to help you get a handle
on things again. No one is going to hurt you again, I swear it, Lexi. And if I
have anything to say about it, they're not going to dump a bunch of pills down
you either. But you need a safe place where you can get away from all the
fighting and stress and danger and deal with all the stuff going on in your
life, both past and present."
There
was a soft tap at the door and chaos looked up to see Auron peeking around the
door. "Pardon, m'chere... but there's a gentleman here from the police who
would like to take some photos... may we?"
Chaos
swallowed and nodded. It had been all she could do not to run out of the room
and beat the living shit out of the bastard when she'd seen the bruise on
Lex... she wasn't sure how Auron would take it. In her line of work she'd seen
bruises like that plenty of times, and they generally went with broken or
cracked ribs, occasionally internal bleeding, but she didn't see any of the
other signs of that.
"Lex,
baby... you're going to have to let me lift up your shirt for a moment, okay?
The police need a picture so we can file charges against the doctor who did
this to you."
Auron
and the policeman entered, the man was loading a camera. He looked up and gave
Lex and Chaos a sympathetic smile. "Hello, Lex, my name's Officer Patrick
O'Riley. This'll only take a couple moments and I wont even need to touch the
bruise." he said gently, finishing loading the camera.
Lex
stared at the man a moment wide eyed a moment, then nodded silently. He moved
slightly and Chaos pulled the side of the shirt up enough to reveal the entire
bruise. If Officer O'Riley was effected by it, he kept a professonal
expression, turning on the near by floor lamp for better lighting.
Auron
on the other hand, scowled, a fist clenched. He had to steel himself, not to
turn and storm out of the room to go in search of the so called doctor.
Although he was failing there, and just as he started to turn to do just that,
Sands slipped into the room and shook his head, seeing Auron's expression.
Auron scowled more, glaring, but Sands ignored him, moving over.
As
Officer O'Riley took a few of the pictures, Sands looked at the bruise then
asked Lex softly. "How bad does it hurt?"
Lex
stared at him blankly, then muttered softly. "It hurts...a lot..."
"You
might wanna get an x-ray done, just in case." O'Riley said to Sands.
"Yes,
I was just thinking about that...I think maybe we'll wait for Faal to return
though." Sands replied thoughfully. He then spoke to Auron and Chaos.
"Normally, the hospital would not allow anyone to be staying with
Lex."
Lex
heard that and sat up wide eyed, "I dont wanna be alone!" He
whimpered.
Sands
gave him a grim smile. "Yes, I know that, Lexine. I've managed to arrange
with the hospital that some one can stay the night with you, tonight. I'll
leave it up to Auron, Chaos and Faal who would be best suited for that. At the
moment, I need to go and find Alexander." Sands said mostly to Auron. He'd
said the name soft enough he hadn't expected Lex to hear him.
"Xander's
here?!" Lex's tone was hysterical.
"When
did the boy get such good hearing?" Sands muttered to Auron, who was
forced to smile grimly. "No, Lexi, Xander ISN'T here, which is why I have
to go find him, I can beat him up for you." Sands lied pleasently.
Lex
however must have known it was a lie. "He is here, isn't he?!" He briefly
remembered that Xander had helped Auron drag him through the shadow portal in
the first place. "I don't want him back here!" Lex whimpered.
"Lexine,
he isn't going to come back here." Auron said calmly. "He's worried
about you, but he isn't coming back here."
"God,
we need to get that boy's hearing checked. You sure he ain't part
vampire..." Sands muttered, shaking his head.
"Why
don't you just give him something to calm him down?" Officer O'Riley said.
Sands
snorted. "That boy's got enough drugs in him to knock down a bull
elephant, it's beyond me why he isn't stoned on his ass and sleeping."
"I
want Faal!" Lex whimpered, attempting to hide under the blankets.
"Office
O'Riley, you and I, come on." Sands took the other man's arm and escorted
him out, with a nod to Auron, leaving Auron and Chaos alone with Lex.
"Lex,
he'll be back as soon as he can." Auron said calmly, moving toward the
bed. Lex pratically dove behind Chaos with whimper, hiding behind her. Auron
stopped half way there with a frown. He looked at Chaos.
"You're
angry. Doesn't matter that it's not at him... plus you're a guy.. Lex hasn't
had much luck with angry men..." Chaos said softly and offered a sad smile
and half shrug. She shifted slightly, turning to she could reach Lex. "It's
alright, Lex... your dad would never hurt you, you know that, sweetie..."
She reached out and gently wrapped her arms around him, trying not to touch the
bruise, and rubbed his back. she rested her cheek against his hair and sighed,
glancing over at Auron. She nodded her head slightly for him to come join them.
Auron
moved over to the bed with a sigh and sat down gently. He hated seeing Lex like
this. Lost and submissive. He hoped everything was going okay at the station
with Faal, because Lex seemed dead set on wanting him back. Still, he asked the
question softly anyway. "Lexine, is there any one in particular you want
staying the night with you?"
"I
want Faal..." Lex whimpered.
Auron
smiled slightly watching Lex clinging to Chaos. Really, he understood. Faal was
the first person Lex had come to trust fully, trust and love openly. Auron
supposed he should be thankful to Faal for being so good to Lex. "Remind
me to thank Faal at some point." Auron said softly to Chaos as he reached
over to touch Lex's hair.
Lex
flinched, but didn't pull away and after a moment, Auron stroked his hair.
"m'délicat petite garçon..." Auron said softly, stroking his hair.
Lex closed his eyes, his heart wasn't beating so hard and fast, and Auron felt
him slowly starting to relax. He figured if Lex relaxed enough, he'd eventually
fall asleep.
**
Rue
found herself scrying the room because Xander wanted to know Lex was okay.
She'd taken out a small mirror out of her purse as Sands came up to them.
Running her finger tips over the mirrors surface, she scryed the room and
showed it to Xander and Sylvie.
What
they saw was the most touching scene involving Lex that Rue had seen in a very
long time since knowing him, with Chaos holding him and Auron stroking his
hair, Lex looked so peaceful. "Thats how it should've been..." Rue
muttered softly. "He should've had them as a family." She glanced at
Xander to see of all things, tears in Xander's eyes. She felt Sands slip his
arms around her waist.
"As
soon as Faal returns, I'm going to set up x-rays for Lex's side. The bruise
didn't look good." Sands said.
Sylvie
tightened her hold around Xander, hugging him tightly and smiled softly up at
him when he glanced down. Her eyes were filled with tears aswell, and she
reached up to gently brush away one of his as it slid down his cheek. "See
? He'll be fine.. look at how much love and suport he's surrounded with?"
she said softly and slipped her hand behind his neck, pulling his head donw for
a kiss. "And I'm here for you, Xander, so don't be shy or ashamed or
embarassed about needing me." she kissed him again, smirking slightly.
"although you are adorably sexy when you blush."
***
Faal
shook Mack's hand and promised to be available should he be needed, making sure
Mack had his cell phone number and that it was indeed turned on. With a grim
sigh he walked down the steps with Estehl at his side.
"Well,
it's always an interesting evening visiting our boys in blue..." Estehl
said softly in an attempt at humour. Faal turned a cold gaze on him and he sighed.
"Right then... back to the hospital?
Faal
started to nod as he appraoched the car and then stopped. "No.. I need to
go out to the house and get some of Lexi's things. I think he left a few things
there... some clothes or something.. if not, then i'll need to pop into
whatever store we can find open."
Estehl
gave a soft snort as he slid behind the wheel. "This time of night, about
the only thing you'll find is a Walmart..."
Faal
nodded, his expression serious. "Fine then.. that'll do for now. I can't bear
the thought of my Lexi in one of those drag hospital gowns or pajamas..."
Estehl
started the car and pulled away from the curb, speeding toward the outside of
town where Faal's house was. He was quiet for a long moment, and occassionally
glanced at Faal. Estehl found himself thinking about the recent coversation
with Jasmine, concerning Estehl's lost brother, Ellander. Estehl was under the
firm opinon he'd found Ellander, but he knew he'd only be sure once Teliveer
was dead.
Estehl
turned a corner. "Look, Lexine'll be fine...he just...needs some
professional help...it's better now, then later and him be worse with out a
chance ever getting out. What would you do then, Faal?" Estehl asked
softly, glancing at Faal. "Could you handle him, if he really got
bad?"
**
Auron watched Lex, who seemed about to fall asleep. He watched Lex's eyes
flutter close, his body relaxing and his breathing deep. He was slowly falling
asleep. Auron continued to stroke his hair, even after he knew Lex was asleep.
"This
is killing me, Clarice...I'm so tempted to just take him out of here now and
screw all of this..." Auron said in a whisper, finally looking at Chaos.
Lex whimpered in his sleep.
Faal
sighed, watching the street light pass by. "I know that Estehl...I was the
one who told Xander to call Auron to have him commited. It was MY call... I put
him in that hospital...Auron signed the papers, but I'm the one who made him.
" He closed his eyes and leaned his head back. "I know he needs
help.. I've know for as long as I've known him... but he's always refused. I'd
hoped he'd come around on his own ... I was wrong..."
Chaos
reached out her free hand and took hold of Auron's. "You'd only be hurting
him worse if you did that, Auron, and you know that. As hard as it is, Lex
NEEDS to be here right now... What happens if we take him home and he loses
control again, only this time burns someone else.. one of the kids, maybe? If
that happened, Auron .. we'd loose him forever.. he would NEVER recover from
that..."
"I
don't even think what he did to Faal has set in, Clarice." Auron answered
softly. "And I'm afraid of what will happen when it does. He's so
fragile...I wonder some times how he survived Abadon..." he said with a
deep sigh, moving his hand from Lex's hair to touch his cheek a moment. Lex
whimpered in his sleep, shifting, almost cuddling closer to Chaos.
Chaos
sighed and leaned over Lex to kiss Auron. "It'll be alright, Auron. Lex is
fragile, yes.. but he has a lot of hidden strength as well. Plus he has us, and
Faal... He'll get through this, hun. We all will."
**
Sylvie
hugged Xander as tight as she could, stroking his hair and rubbing his back...
she could feel Rue behind him leaning against his back. hugging him as well. At
some point she realized she was crying too. Crying because he was in so much
pain over what had happened and she felt like she couldn't do enough to help
ease that pain.
She
kissed the tears off his cheeks as they appeared and wished she could just take
him away form here.. take him home. Which home she wasn't sure and didn't
care.. his, hers.. as long as they were alone and away from everyone...
"Xander,
why don't you go with Sylvie." Rue said softly, rubbing Xander's back.
"There isn't anything more you can do here tonight, and you need to get
some rest."
Xander
turned slightly to look at Rue. "Are you sure?" He asked, with a
slight sniffle. Rue nodded. "Go Xander...go with Sylvie." Rue said,
smiling softly at him before kissing his cheek. She turned and headed out of
the room, following Sands.
Xander
sighed deeply, shoulders sagging, he watched Rue leave, pulling the door closed
softly behind her, before looking back at Sylvie. Not knowing what else to do,
he pulled Sylvie closer to him, and kissed her, before just holding her.
Sylvie
sighed softly at the kiss and held him tight, feeling his heart beat against
her cheek. "Where you like to go? Your place or mine? As long as you don't
mind the plastic wrap on some of the furniture and the various boxes and bags
laying about..." she said softly, offering a soft chuckle as she reached
up and stroked his neck, letting her fingers run along the base of the collar.
**
Faal
got out of the car, but stood looking down at Estehl. "I know, that
Estehl. I've always known that. I may have had a hard time doing it in the past
at times, but... I won't let him down again. I can't." he glanced towards
the house for a moment then back at Estehl. Are you hanging around to give me a
lift back, or should I say goodnight now?"
"I'll
wait here." Estehl answered softly, Faal nodded and turned, heading for
the house. Estehl watched him go, then sighed deeply, leaning back in the seat
and running his fingures through his hair.
Faal
went straight to his bedroom and looked around, wondering if Lex had left
anything here... since he'd moved in with the young red head they'd only been
here once... and he'd been back rarely since...
He
sighed after a brief search turned up nothing more then a pair of boylegs, a
blue night shirt and a black ribbon... He left them where they lay and headed
back donw to the car, determined to buy Lex some new clothes...
Estehl
raised an eyebrow as he climbed in empty handed. "Find something that
sells clothing, sleepwear and toilettries that's still open... Lex hasn't left
enough here to bother with..."
Estehl
started the car, and took out his cellphone, sliding the one half into his left
ear. The other half he scrolled through a list of numbers, before selecting one
and setting it to auto dial. As he pulled away from the curb, he waited for the
other line to be picked up. "We'll take care of toilettries and all that
later..." He said to Faal as he turned a corner, his fingers drumming out
the rings of the phone. "First the clothes."
Finally
the phone was answered. "I don't care who you are, do you have any idea
WHAT time it is?!" Came an annoyed first words. Estehl snickered.
"Jennifer,
be a dear and open your shop." Estehl replied as he suddenly pulled up out
side a small but classy retail shop with an apartment over top. It carried
daywear, evening clothes and sleep wear.
"Why
should I?" Came Jennifer's reply.
"Because
you owe me, my dear, and because we're in a bit of an emergency, I'll explain
once we're inside." They saw the light in the apartment come on and Estehl
heard Jennifer sigh.
"Alright,
just a moment." She hung up and after a couple moments they saw the light
come on in the shop and the main door was opened by a young woman with dark
hair. Estehl nudged Faal, before getting out.
Estehl
went up to Jennifer and kissed her on the cheek. "Thank you. My best
friend Faal," He motioned to Faal.
"Charmed."
Jennifer said with a way that lacked the conviction behind her words, she gave
Estehl a look. "You said you'd explain."
"And
I shall, inside. Have a look around Faal and see if you think anything will
meet...Lex's taste at least for now. I'm sure Jasmine intends on raiding Candy's
later." Estehl said, taking Jennifer's arm and leading her back inside.
Faal
snorted. "Which is exactly why I'm here now... he's traumatized enough as
it is.." he muttered but quickly set about searching the racks.
He
selected a few pairs of satin pajamas and a dark green satin robe along with
some slippers, then moved on to the day wear. With in no time, he had an arm
full and was heading for the counter.
He
set them down and went over them again. Three pairs of pajamas ; a dark green,
a black & red, and a pale irridescant green; the deep green robe with
slippers that matched; two long sleeve hoodies; two pair of jeans, a pair of
lounge pants, a couple t-shirts and a collection of boylegs and socks.
**
Xander
sighed and shook his head. "Anywhere, darlin'. Long as it's away from
here..." He cast a look at the door with another sigh. "Your place I
guess, that is if you're moved in enough to handle a visitor." He looked
back at her, still holding her around the waist.
Sylvie
sighed, smiling softly. "I think it'll be okay... if not, you can always
help get it that way." she said pulling him down for a kiss.
"Luckily, the kitchen, the bathroom and the bedroom are basically set up..
and I don't think we'll need more than that... do you?" she asked softly,
stroking his cheek. "If you want a drink, the strongest thing I have is
wine.. but I'm sure we could always knock on Nate or Eire door...
**
Estehl
had started to explain to Jennifer what this was all about, but after a few
moments, she held up a hand. "I don't need to know any more." She
muttered, shaking her head. Estehl smirked slightly.
Jennifer
glanced over as Faal returned with an arm load of things, shook her head and
went over to the counter to start ringing things up. "Do i just put this
on your tab, Estehl?" Jennifer asked as she worked, taking the hangers out
and bagging everything.
"How
far has Jasmine run it up?"
"We'll
just say up there." Jennifer replied.
Estehl
snorted, but nodded. "Yes, just put it on my tab, I'll be in later this
week to take care of that. I hate to imagine what she's run up on
shoes..." Jennifer snickered, took out a leather bound ledger and wrote
the price on a list under Estehl's name.
"Well
i certianly hope this helps." Jennifer said, sitting three bags on the
counter infront of Faal. "Now if you gentlemen will excuse me, I need to
get back to bed, I've got to be up early for fashion week. "
"Right,
I'm sure it will." Estehl said, heading for the door.
Faal
sighed as he tossed the bags into the car and slid in. "You know.. you
didn't need to do that... either wake the poor woman up OR have it put on your
tab. I do have my own money you know... and I don't have anyone helping to
spend mine, unlike you..."
"So
sue me." Estehl replied with a smirk getting. "Jasmine can spend all
my money she likes, it doesn't deplete the account. I've got too much
money...It's good to get rid of it some times. I don't get rid of it fast
enough..." Estehl chuckled, pulling away from the curb. "Besides, I'm
fond of Lexine, wouldn't feel right if I didn't do my part t' help." He
added seriously.
Faal gave a snort and turned to look out the window. "If you find your
money that much of a burden to deal with, perhaps you should start a charity or
something. Or just make several large donations. There are plenty of people out
there who would love to spend your money for you." he leaned his head
back, trying not to think about how badly his chest and hands hurt.. and why
they hurt. "Let's just get the rest of Lex's things and get back to
him..."
Estehl
smiled slightly."you'd be surprised of the charities here and around the
world I've started. In fact the last one was in Lexine's name...for abused
children. Jasmine's idea." He said softly, before stopping at the only
open store, a wal mart. "Do hurry, I don't know about you, but I have the
feeling you'd best get back soon..." Estehl said, leaning back in his
seat.
Faal
practically flew into the store and quickly gathered a collection of 'neccesseties',
stopping at the craft section to get a couple lengths of black ribbon. By the
time he got back to the car he doubted any more then ten minutes had gone by.
He
dropped the bag on the floor between his feet and turned to look at Estehl.
"Well? What are you waiting for? Let's go see Lex!"
Yes
sir." Estehl replied, pulling out of the parking lot with a peel of
rubber, narrowly missing a car coming up the isle. He winced slightly as the
horn blew, but other wise kept going, pulling back onto the road.
**
Auron
and Chaos had been sitting quietly with Lex for a while now. Everything seemed
fine until Lex began whimpering in his sleep, becoming restless. Auron looked
down at him, frowning slightly and reached over to touch his hair.
As
he did, Lex pulled away from both of them coming a wake with a strangled cry.
He didn't register where he was, or who was in the room with him and he
practically rolled off the bed on the other side to get away from them,
huddling in the corner with a whimper and wide eyed.
"Lex,
it's alright, you're safe..." Auron said softly, Lex with drew farther
into the corner of the bed, shaking his head furiously. Auron sat back with a
sigh, knowing Lex wasn't going to respond. He glanced at Chaos to see if she
had any ideas.
Chaos
sighed and slowly got up off the bed and moved to squat down a few feet away
form Lex. "Lexi... honey, it's okay.. you're in the hospital, remember?
Faal will be here as soon as he can..." she held out a hand. "Come on
back to bed, sweetie... it's alright.. your dad and I will keep you safe until
Faal comes back..."
Lex
stared at her a long moment, it seemed to take a while for him to realize and
remember just what was going on. But after a few minutes, he seemed to realize
and crawled back onto the bed, leaning up against the headboard, his knees
drawn up and he rested his chin on top, with a deep sigh.
Chaos
stood and followed him back to the bed, sitting beside him against the head
board. she reached out and slipped an arm around his shoulders and gently
pulled him against her. "It'll be alright, Lexi. We're here for you."
Lex
sniffled, leaning against Chaos. He didn't say anything, he just leaned against
her. The nightmare that had woken him had been a particularly bad one and he
didn't want to think about it, despite the fact that it kept replaying in his
mind. He squeezed his eyes shut and just lay there. Auron just sat quietly on
the corner of the bed, not moving unless he was needed.
Chaos
rested her cheek against Lex's head and stroked his arm as she held him. She
glanced down at Auron and offered him a small smile. She knew this was hard on
him.. doubly so that he couldn't even do much of anything to comfort his son
because of the boys fear... she sighed softly hoping Faal would be back soon.
"Auron.. why don't you call Estehl and see how things are going? surely
they must be alsmot done at the station by now..."
Auron
nodded, getting up. He slipped out into the hall, leaving Lex and Chaos alone
for the moment and took out his cellphone, giving Estehl's a ring.
They
were only a couple blocks from the hospital when Estehl's phone rang, he
slipped the ear piece back into his ear and answered. "Auron, delighted to
have you call." He said cheerfully, and listened for a moment as he turned
into the parking lot of the hospital. "Actually, we're back now." He
said, putting the car in park, and hearing the passanger door open. "He
should be back there any moment. Yes...of course. " Estehl shut the car
off, and got out with his phone, turning it off and heading after Faal.
"Lex
apparently had a nightmare." He informed Faal as they went through the
main door of the hospital, through the other door, where Ally pointed them down
the hall toward the doors leading to the private rooms. "Last room on the
hall, before the rec room and garden." She instructed them.
Faal
quickly made his way towards the room indicated and felt his stomach tense up
as he saw Auron in the hall. "What's wrong.. why aren't you in with
Lex?!"
Auron
held up his hands. "Calm down... I came out to call Estehl so I wouldn't
disturb Lex... I was just waiting for you. He's been really... skittish.. I can
barely get near him, but Clarice is.. incredible with him. She's the only one
aside from you he'll let close. "
Faal
made towards the door, but Auron grabbed his arm to stop him. "Faal... you
need to have those wounds healed..."
Faal
shook him off. "It can wait.. Lex can't..."
"Faal...
wait..."
Estehl
sighed and lay a hand on Auron's shoulder. "He won't hear you right
now...his mind is on one thing and one thing only..."
Auron
sighed and shook his head. "I suppose I can't blame him." He said
softly as he and Estehl lingered in the hall. They glanced up to see Sands
coming down the hall.
"Ah,
great, I take it Faal's back. That's good, cause I really wanna get an x-ray of
Lex's side." He was carrying one of those little paper cups of medication.
Auron eyed it.
"What's
that?" he asked.
"Just
tylanol three. Lex said his side hurt earlier. I meant to get it to him before
now, but, I've been caught up with the paper work concerning Dr. Blinken. The
hospital is still trying to assign one of their OWN doctors to Lex, Ally and I
are trying to over ride it." Sands said simply.
**
Faal
ignored the two men behind him and opened the door with his free hand and
slipped into the room.
Lex
looked up as Faal entered. He didn't move, but his eyes at least reflected that
he was happy to see Faal. He never took his eyes off of Faal.
Even
as Sands entered with a soft knock. "Lex, I got somethin' here to help
with the pain in your side. I promise that's all it is, just good old tylenol
three with codiene." Sands said, sitting the paper cup on the nightstand
next to the bed. "If ya don't believe me ya can look at the pill yourself,
says tylanol three on it." He said with a slight smile. "But in a
little bit, I'm gonna come get you to get an x-ray of your side. And I promise,
Faal, or Chaos or even your dad can come with you, not a problem."
Lex
looked at him a long moment, then nodded silently, but he eyed the medicine cup
warily.
Faal
set the bags down and moved to the bed. He looked at Chaos as she gave Lex a
final kiss on the forehead and stood up. She lay a hand on Faal's shoulder for
a moment then turned and left the room, going straight to Auron and burrowing
herself into his arms.
Faal
turned and nodded to Sands. "Thank you Sheldon.", he said, turning
back to Lex. He was vaguely aware of footsteps retreating and the door closing,
but all he could do was stare down into those luminus green eyes. "Hi
little flame... miss me?" He sunk down onto the edge of the bed and opened
his arms.
Lex
looked at him a moment, before sliding across the bed and into Faal's arms,
with wince and soft whimper from the pain in side. He snuggled as close to Faal
as he dared. "Yus." Came the whispered reply to Faal's question to
rather he'd missed him or not. Lex shut his eyes, curling up as much as possible.
**
Auron wrapped his arms around Chaos and rested his cheek on her hair with a
soft sigh. Sands leaned up against the wall near by next to Estehl and they
spoke softly to each other about what had happened while Estehl and Faal had
been at the station house.
"I've
got to make sure they're ready to take x-rays. And then while doing that, I'll
speak to Faal, about staying with Lex tonight, and helping me to convince the
boy to talk about Rowen..." Sands said, pulling away from the wall.
"I
really doubt Lex can be convinced to talk about Rowen...especially
considering..." Auron said in reply, glancing at Sands.
"The
kid's got to talk about Rowen, that's one of the problems." Sands said
seriously.
Faal
held Lex close for a moment longer then gently pushed him away. "I brought
you somethings... I had to buy you knew stuff... I'll explain later... But I
have your book..." he said softly, stroking his hair. "Did you want
to get changed into some pajamas before we go for the xray? I can help you
change if you'd like.. perhaps you should take those first.. I know you're
hurting Lex... take the pills so you don't have to hurt..."
Lex
looked up at him for a long moment, before looking at the little cup with
medication. With out a word he snatched the pill, and took it with out a fuss.
He sat there on the bed for a long time, legs crossed under him, staring at the
comforter and sheets under him.
Finally,
he looked back up at Faal. "I'm sorry..." He said in a whisper, tears
glistening in his eyes.
Faal
reached out and stroked his cheek before cupping his face in his hand.
"You don't have to be sorry, little one.. you have a lot of pain inside
and it had to come out sometime... better I be the one to take the brunt of it
then someone else. " he said softly. "I don't mind."
Lex
shook his head slightly. "It's not fair to you." He said softly,
before taking Faal's hand gently, looking at it. "You should get some one
to heal those..." He added, before glancing at the bags Faal had brought
in. "And I should change before these fall off me..." He indicated to
the over sized shirt and sweat pants.
Sands
tapped on the door, before sticking his head. "When you're ready Lex, I'll
take you for x-rays. And I need to speak with you Faal." He said, before
closing the door, to wait in the hall. He turned to Chaos and Auron. "If
you guys wanna go on home, go right a head, Rue's staying with me, and anything
happens either she or I can call you."
Faal
sighed and brought Lex's finger to his lips. "Don't worry about it, little
one. I'm fine. I was forced to leave you long enough to have the nurse smear
them with ointment and wrap them... the only pain I feel is over seeing you
like this..." He looked down at the hand Lex was carefully holding. "While
she did excellent work with the bandage I think i'll change to a pair of
gloves..." he said softly then gave Lex a soft smile. "Really, Lexi..
don't feel bad or worry over this. You needed me and I knew the risks... I
could feel you getting warm and knew what would happen if I didn't let go.. I
made my choice and I don't regret it." He gently kissed his forehead, and
decided to change the subject.
"I
suppose we should get you changed and over to xray and get it over with. I
picked out some pajamas.. and your beloved boylegs.. i'll get them for
you." he said and went to the bags, returning quickly with a clean pair of
underwear and the robe and slippers, and a pair of the pajamas and set them on
the bed. "Shall I help you out of those?"
Lex
sighed and started to pull off the shirt, but pain shot through his side, and
he whimpered, dropping his arms. He stared sullenly at the floor a moment,
wishing the pain medication would kick in and then at least he wouldn't feel
the pain, when lifting the arm on that side.
He
was aware Sands was probably still out in the hall waiting and sighed again.
"I suppose you are going to have to help me..." He said softly,
looking back at Faal.
Faal
tipped his chin back and gave him a soft kiss, barely more then a gentle brush of
the lips. I'd love to, little flame..." he said, and helped Lex slip the
shirt off the good arm first, then over the head then slip it down the bad
side. He snapped the price tags off the items he'd chosen and helped Lex on
with the shirt. He buttoned it for him, before helping him off with his pants
and underwear, replacing them with the new ones, followed by the pajama pants.
He looked up at a slightly embarrassed Lex and smiled softly at the blush.
"Sweetheart... surely you're not being shy... I have seen this all before,
after all" he chuckled softly and moved up to sit back beside him, turned
his chin for another kiss. "Robe and slippers as well, my love?"
Lex
leaned against Faal, resting his forhead against Faal shoulder for a long
moment, "Slippers atleast." He muttered, not really wanting to move
just yet. However another knock came to the door and Sands peeked in. "Ya
ready Lex?" He asked.
Lex
sighed and nodded, slipped into the slippers and stood. He hadn't realized just
how much all the medication was effecting him until he did stand and he wavered
a moment, feeling dizzy.
"X-ray's
not far." Sands said. "Could get ya a wheelchair if ya can't make
it." He said with a slight smirk.
Lex
scrunched up his nose, giving Sands a look, which Sands chuckled at. However it
was quiet obvious Lex was going to need help.
Faal
stroked back the red hair and looked down at him, concern etched on his face.
"I could carry you, Lex.. but I don't want to wind up hurting you. I
suppose if I carried you so the bruise was outwards and you let me know if I
hold you too tight or bump you or anything..."
"You're
choice Lex. Personally, I'd go with being carried, not only is it more romantic
then the wheel chair, the hospital will frown on it more." Sands said with
a conspiratal tone, and got the slight traces of a smile out of Lex.
He
nodded to Faal, who scooped him up gently and Sands led the way from the room,
down a side hall through antoher set of double doors into hall was definitely a
hospital hall and into the large x-ray room.
They
had Faal put Lex on a table as a young woman, the x-ray tech came over.
"Hello Lex, I'm going to need you to lay on your good side," She said
as Lex rolled over on that side, and she place a clip board with a letter,
against him, "Now I need you to lay perfectly still for a couple
minutes."
"I'm
going to snag Faal a moment, Lex." Sands told the red head. Which was a
good thing, because fae didn't do well with radation nor all the iron in the
room. He pulled Faal into the hall where they could speak with out Lex hearing.
"The
hospital has submitted to allowing some one to stay the night with Lex tonight,
I've already told Clarice and Auron, but I think it's been silently decided it
should be you." Sands told Faal, putting his hands in his pockets.
"I
talked to Xander about what set Lex off...Xander apparently only came to
apologize for...raping Lex, when Lex was 17...I can understand why that'd do
it...but there's some underlying issues there...and one of them is Rowen...I'm
gonna need your help convincing Lex to talk about Rowen..." Sands said
softly.
Faal
sighed and looked back towards the door. "You know how closed off he is
about his personal life. Yes, he has told me things he probably has never and
will never tell anyone else.. and I am both grateful and... humbled by
that." he turned back to face Sands. "Think about what you're
asking... Xander coming to apologize set him off this badly... Rowen..."
he sighed, shoved his hands into his pockets and slouched against the wall.
"Jeffery... just because everyone knows some of what happened with rowen,
and he speaks of the man on occasion.. doesn't mean he's going to talk about
all of it. I doubt he's even told me more then a small portion of what
happened. I'll try, I will... but I don't think... I suggest you have plenty of
fire extinguishers handy..."
Sands
actually laughed. "Let me worry about him trying to burn the place
down." He said, leaning against the other wall. "But that's the
problem Faal...he NEEDS to talk about it...even if it's just callin' the
bastard names...He and I have discused it on other occassions, he feels
comfortable enough with me to get into the subject. Rather or not I can really
get him to talk about the deeper aspects..." Sands shrugged. "But
don't underestimate my pyshocology degree, I worked hard for it." He said
with a slight smirk. "I've dealt with a lot ot hard cases since having it,
he can't be harder then Cecelia..." Cecelia..his first wife, who he'd
manipulated so badly she ended up in a mental hospital for life. "Besides,
Cerise...went through something very similiar, so...I'm familiar with the
area..." he added softly as the x-ray tech came back out with the x-rays.
She put them up on a lighted board next to Sands for him to see. "It's
definitely broken." she said pointing out the small break.
"Well
fuck..." Sands said with a sigh. "Right, I'll make sure the cops get
this...should be a heavy suit against the good doctor..."
Faal
scowled looking at the xray. "I should've hit him a bit harder.. pushed
him *through* the damned wall instead of just into it." he muttered,
looking down at the finely bandaged hands.
They
stung, but didn't really hurt. same as his chest. But he knew it was more a
mind over matter thing at the moment and that when things calmed donw, he was
going to be in considerable pain...
He sighed and dropped his hands, looking back at Sands. "I'll do my best.
Perhaps between the two of us, who, aside from Clarice, are the only ones who
have managed to be allowed inside his shields at all..." he gave a slight
shrug then turned to look at the door. Walking into the room was rather like
walking into a trap... it felt sufficating and cold being surrounded by that much
Iron, and he felt so tired and weak being in there... but it was worth it for
Lex. He'd have stay if Lex asked him too, despite all that.
Sometimes,
the amount he felt for the boy frightened him.
"Where
do I need to take him now? I suppose you'll need to bind his ribs... If you
perscribe pain meds, I might be able to get him to take them, but I wouldn't
hold your breath... and as you might have noticed, drugs don't hold him for
long..."
Sands
rocked back and forth on his heels, looking at the ceiling, appearing for the
moment to look like he wasn't paying attention. "What's the most powerful
pain medication you have here?" He asked the x-ray tech after a moment.
She raised an eyebrow, faulting. "That's okay." Sands waved her off,
pulling a prescription pad from his back pocket. "I'll just prescrib the
brat sodieum penithol. Small dose...got a pen..." He asked the woman. She
pulled a pen from her lab coat pocket and handed it to him, eyebrow still
raised.
Sands
wrote a prescription, sending a mental message to Rue over the connection they
had.
"Can
you really do that?" Faal asked, eyeing Sands
Sands
just smiled at him, as Rue came through the doors and over to his side. Sands
leaned against her a moment, whispering in her ear, while passing her the
prescription. Rue nodded, smiled at Faal and turned, heading off.
Sands
turned back to the x-ray tech, tucking the prescrition pad back in his back
pocket and removing a slim black wallet from the other. "Okay, I didn't
want to have to let more then the nessasery people know this, but you look
worried." He said to her smoothly, before the open wallet appeared between
them. The woman looked down and saw the CIA badge.
"This
is an internal investigation into Dr. Blinken, who we believe is highly linked
to terrorists. For your own safety, I would advise you not to say a word about
what you hear and see in this hall Or the patient. In fact I advice you not to
even remember seeing me or my associates here tonight. But I assure you, I
will, personally, see to any complications you should have. Should you have
them You can contact me at this number, and my office at this number if you
have any legal concerns or questions." He produced a business card quiet suddenly
pointing out the numbers, and said this all very fast, holding her gaze and
giving her a look he liked to call the innocent bunny expression.
The
x-ray tech blinked, taking the card slowly. "O-okay..." She said
slowly.
Sands
turned back to Faal. "Would you like me to bring him out to you, or do you
think you can manage braving the room of death a moment longer to get him back
to his room. We'll bind his ribs back there in private."
Faal
was doing his best to keep a straight face through all of this, his lips
pressed firmly together. Of course, with Sands he was never quite sure what was
meant as a joke and what was serious, but when something strikes you as
funny... He coughed lightly, his eyes sparkling as he let a bit of the smirk
out. "I think i can handle a quick trip in and out... just don't shut the
door or anything... metal walls make me claustrophobic..."
Sands
smirked slightly, moving over to the door, which he shoved open before
gesturing Faal on through, sneaking a peak inside. Lex was sitting on the table
hugging himself. He looked up when the door opened, obviously half asleep.
Sands smirked slightly, before moving out of the door way to allow Faal to
enter to get Lex.
Taking
deep breath to steadying himself, he focused on Lex and quickly made his way
across the room. "Hi little one.. ready to go back to you room?" he
asked softrly, brushing his fingers through the tangled red hair as he bent to
give him a quick kiss.
Lex
gave a weary smile and nodded reaching his arms around Faals neck as he scooped
him into his arms.
He
breathed a sigh of relief as he stepped back into the hallway, aware of the
room behind him like a cold dark hole waiting for him to fall into. He gave a
shudder and headed for Lex's room.
**
By
the time the reached back to the room, Rue was coming back down the hall with a
small bag and the supplies to bind Lex's side. "That was quick."
Sands said with a smirk. "Asia had it waiting." Rue replied with a
smirk, passing Sands the things. She leaned in very close and said softly. 'She
included an insulin syringe, you know, tiny needles...Good luck giving it to
him..." She said with a wicked smirk.
"Love
you too." Sands replied, kissing her quickly, before turning and following
Faal into the room.
Auron
and Chaos were inside near the window. "Ribs definitely broken."
Sands said calmly. Auron scowled.
Faal carried Lex as gently as he could and sat him on the edge of the bed. He
stood for a moment, looking donw at him and brushing the red hair away from his
forehead, noticing how in need of a brushing it was since his impromtu
shower... then again.. he looked kind of cute all mussed up. The thought
provoked a smirk and he sank down beside him, being careful not to bump him. He
slipped an arm around his waist, letting his hand lay along Lex's hip where his
arm wasn't in danger of putting any pressure on the broken rib.
It
toko him a moment to realize Clarice was standing in front of him and had said
something. "Hmmm? he asked, looking up at her. "I'm sorry, Clarice..
my mind was else where...."
Chaos
gave a soft snort. "Faal.. when Lex is around, your mind is Always else
where..." she squatted down in front of them, resting a hand on Faal's knee
for balance. "Are you alright? I didn't think at the time.. but.. the
X-Ray room... I know how you feel about places like that..." Faal snorted.
"I'm fine, Clarice.. thank you. I wouldn't care to spend any more time in
there, thank you ..."
Sands
pulled a chair over. "Now we can do this one of two ways, Lexi...I can
bind your side first, which will no doubt be painful...or you can have the pain
medication first and then I bind your side..."
Lex
eyed him as he prepared the syringe. Sands sat the bottle down, tapped the air
bubbles out and looked at Lex who looked back at him slightly wide eyed. Sands
leaned forward, Lex whimpered and tumbled back itno Faal. "Alright, hard
way then." Sands said as if it were no big deal, sitting the syringe on the
table and began perparing the binding.
Faal
slipped an arm around Lex as he huddeld against him. "Wait, Jeffery,
please..." he said andleaned donw to kiss the top of Lex's head.
"Little one... please..." he said softly, his other hand stroking
Lex's hair, only slightly awkward in its bandages.
"I
don't want you to hurt, sweetheart... I can't bare to see you hurting...
please... ?"
Lex
turned his head slightly, looking up at Faal with large wide eyes, slightly
bleary. He whimpered softly, then sighed, looking back at Sands who had the
syringe again. Sands gave him an inquiring look, not saying anything and after
a moment, Lex sighed again and nodded.
"Turn
on your g ood side a bit." Sands said softly, taking up an alcohol pad.
Lex turned over a bit, leaning into Faal. Sands pulled the hip of Lex's pj
pants down a bit, cleaning a spot on his hip with the pad, Lex was watching him
with wide frightened eyes. Sands looked up at him a moment, then with out a
word slipped the small needle under Lex's skin. Lex whimpered, turning his head
against Faal's chest as Sands gave the drug.
Faal
kissed the top of Lex's head. "Thank you, sweetheart. "He said
softly, one hand gently rubbing his back. "This will help, correct
Sheldon? I mean ... they've already given him so much medication and it seemed
to have very little effect..."
Lex
gave a sniff and slipped his arm over Faal's chest, and he leaned down to kiss
the red hair again. For a moment he was suddenly aware of the pain in his chest
and hands and considered healing them... but after a moment he pushed aside the
pain and let it be. They were nothing. Lex was going through much worse and it
was his doing. Why should he go through a quick healing and be fine when Lex
would continue to be tormented in the place? He'd known what would happen when
he grabbed the fire elemental... he'd understood the risk and did what he'd
felt he had to do... now they would both pay the concequences.
Sands
chuckled softly as he prepared to bind Lex's side. "Oh, it'll help, it'll
probably knock the brat out too, so you'll both get some semblance of a good
night's sleep...as much as you can in a place like this. " He glanced
momentarily at the plush love seat in the corner, and yet knew chances were
Faal wouldn't be sleeping on it. The hospital would probably have a cow if they
knew it, but Sands wouldn't be telling, and he doubted any one else would
either.
Lex
could already feel the medication working, the pain was stopping, and he was
incredibly sleepy. He fought to stay awake, refusing to go to sleep, afraid of
the nightmares and afraid he'd wake up and Faal wouldn't be there. He lay
against him, one arm over Faal's chest, his head on his shoulder and whimpered
softly. "Faal..." He whispered, turning sleeply eyes up to him.
Sleepy but lost and despert. "Don't leave me...please..." He gasped
with a whimper as Sands set the hot pack for a splint against his side,
starting to bind it.
Faal
smiled softly, and kissed Lex's forehead. "Never, little flame... "
he said softly as he reached up to caress his cheek. "Rest easy,
sweetheart.. I'll be right here beside you. I promise."
**
Auron
was standing in the corner, near the door watching silently, next to Chaos. It
wasn't Sands working, he watched. He found himself watching Faal with his son.
As much as his son's happiness ment everything to him, he had to be honest with
himself, he'd been...weary of his son falling love with the fae. He didn't
dislike Faal, he was just simple a father who didn't want to see his son, who
was already fragile enough getting his heart broken again. But the more he
watched the two of them together, the more he realized Faal truly loved Lex.
Chaos
leaned her head on Auron's shoulder and sighed, closing her eyes. She wanted to
go pull Lex into her arms and hold him, but knew that Faal was the only one who
could do that right now.. the only one Lex wanted and needed to do that now.
She also wanted to beat the crap out of something or someone... she wondered
what kind of shape the trainging room was in and whether or not it could
withstand a few hours of her working out with her swords...
She
felt Auron's arm tighten around her slightly and she glanced up to see him
staring resolutely at Faal and Lex and sighed again. She also wanted to pull
Auron away from all the pain and crap the fates kept throwing at him over his
children...
This
unfamiliar internal battle between the urge to give in to the anger and destroy
something ,and the urge to care. To take hold of something and sooth and
heal... this was driving her nuts... A part of her toyed with the thought of
making an appointment to speak to Ali about this...about the two halves of her
life .. her two very different lives and very different personalities... trying
to come together.
She
turned to watch Sands finish binding Lex's ribs and Faal gently tug the shirt
back down. Lex leaned limply against the fae as he lifted him into his arms and
Sands pulled the sheets back off the bed for Faal to lay him down. She thought
he was asleep until she saw one hand lift weakly to grasp at Faal.
"Come
one, hun.. lets go say goodnight before he goes under completely.." she
said softly to Auron, slipping her hand into his.
Auron sighed, and raised Chaos' hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles, before
casting a look back at the bed. After a mometn, they went over to the bed. Lex
turned a sleepy gaze up on them. Auron smiled slightly. "I think we'll bid
good night before you pass out completely." He told Lex softly.
Lex
managed a weary and sleepy smile and a slight nod, still curled up against Faal
on his good side, but Auron had the disentic feeling Lex hadn't heard anything
he said. He shook his head slightly, still smiling a bit watching Lex close his
eyes.
Chaos
bent down and kissed Lex's forehead, brushing the hair aside. "Sweet
dreams hun..." she said softly, feeling the sudden sting of tears. She
stood up and tightened her hold on her husband's hand, turning away from the
sight of the tiny figure huddled on the bed.
"Go on home, Clarice..." Faal said softly. "I'll watch over him.
Get some rest." Clarice smiled and pressed her face against Auron's chest,
nodding as she did so. "Auron... " Faal's quiet voice continued.
"thank you for coming when we called... I'm sorry it had to be this
way...."
**
tbc....
** |
