Lincoln was just coming out of the bathroom when Lynn appeared at the top of the stairs, hissing and leaning heavily on the bannister. She took a hobbling step forward, almost fell, and let out a strangled cry.

"Are you okay?" Lincoln asked as he rushed over.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she replied. "Just twisted my ankle."

Lincoln helped her to her room. She sat heavily on the bed, a pained expression crossing her face.

Kneeling, Lincoln rolled Lynn's sock down, and gasped at the angry purple bruise.

"Wow, you really did a number on it. What happened?"

"I was playing street hockey," she said, "and I stepped in a pothole."

Lincoln gingerly touched it, and Lynn jerked.

"It might be broken."

"Nah. It's a sprain. I just need to get off it for a while."

"I'll get you an icepack."

Downstairs, he rummaged in the freezer and found a gel icepack at the very back, under a bag of chicken wings. He also grabbed a glass and filled it with water. In the bathroom, he grabbed two ibuprofen. Lynn was lying down, her foot propped up on a gym bag. Lincoln brought her the water and the pills.

"This should help keep the swelling down."

"Thanks," Lynn replied, tossing the pills into her mouth and downing the entire glass in one gulp. Sighing, she sat it on the nightstand.

Lincoln, moving slowly and carefully so as not to hurt his sister, wrapped the icepack around her ankle. He didn't know much about sports medicine, but he was pretty sure this was more than a simple sprain. Knowing Lynn, she was probably too proud to admit she was really hurt.

Meathead jock, he thought affectionately.

"I'm still not convinced it's just a sprain," he said.

"I'm telling you, it's a sprain. I've had a million of them."

Lincoln shrugged. "You're the expert."

"Do you need anything else?" Lincoln asked, standing.

"Nah. Just a nap. I'm bushed."

"Alright. I'll leave you alone."

He was at the door when Lynn stopped him. "Lincoln?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you."

Lincoln smiled. "You're welcome."

"I mean it." Lynn paused. "You're a good brother."

Lincoln went over to her, bent, and kissed her on the forehead. "I'd do anything for you guys. I love you."

They embraced...then Lynn shoved him away. "Alright, that's enough girly, mushy stuff." She was smiling, though.

"If you need anything, call."

In the hallway, he closed Lynn's door and went to Luna's door, which was shut. He knocked.

"Come in."

Lincoln opened the door and poked his head in. Lucy and Luna were sitting on Luna's bed much the same way they had been when he last saw them. Luan was on her own bed, writing on a notepad and pausing to gaze thoughtfully into the ether before starting again.

"What's up, bro?" Luna asked.

"Lynn hurt her ankle pretty bad. I think it's broken but she says it's a sprain."

"Aw, man, is she alright?"

"Yeah, she's lying down. Do me a favor and listen out for her. If she calls, let me know."

"Sure thing."

"Thanks."

In his own bedroom once more, Lincoln left the door open so he could better hear, flopped down on his bed, and started a fresh comic.

When you have ten sisters, someone's bound to get hurt sometime.