Chapter 10: Epilogue
Jay and the others wait impatiently in Hera's Aviary room once more. They hope that soon Chiron or Hara will come by and tell them how Neil is after their run in with Cronus. Each of them felt bad that Neil's injury almost cost his life during his run in with the evil Time God. They silently prayed they would not have to encounter Cronus for at least two weeks or so in order for Neil to properly heal.
Although Neil did mention on the way back to the school that Cronus had hit a bee's hive and most likely been stung by a couple of annoyed bees. The team is counting on that bit of info as an excuse for Cronus to lay low for a while.
For almost an hour, Jay and the others sat quietly as they are all deep in thought over this resent experience. They wondered if Neil's stitches tore open. On their way to the school, Neil complained a great deal of pain he was in, but refused Odie's chance to have a look at his wounded stomach. The former model was defiantly trying to keep a brave face though, that the team had to admit.
This waiting was about to get really frustrating and before their patience ran dry the door opens. Out comes Hara with a stern expression on her face. As she is about to open her mouth to say something, the six young heroes stand up to confront her.
"How is he, Hara?" Jay asks first.
"Yeah, he's going to be ok, isn't he?" Atlanta jumps in second with a question.
"Can we go see him?" Herry is the third speak.
Hara raises her hand to halt any further questions from the young heroes. "Neil's going to be fine, and no, you can not see him right now. Chiron took him to Miss Aphrodite's room and gave him a sedative for the pain. He is now resting soundly and will most likely be asleep for hours. The best thing that you children can do for him is to let him rest till he wakes up."
The others groan in disappointment, regardless of the fact they are relieved to hear their friend will do alright. They stand with their shoulders slumped forward with the feeling like they've lost a battle. Hara can sense their guilt in facing Cronus when they knew they shouldn't in Neil's condition. Yet, she must assure them that it will be ok.
She leans forward slightly and smiles down on them. "Why don't you kids go out for a bit, get something to eat and come back later tonight. Then you will be able to see Neil."
"Alright," all six young heroes sigh in unison. Reluctantly, they scuffle their feet out the door to head out of the school for a while.
OoOoOoOoOoOo
Four Days Later…
After waking up many hours from being given a sanative, Neil was told to spend a day at the school so Chiron and Aphrodite could take care of him. Chiron, especially, wanted to make sure the young hero's stitches were holding.
Now that Neil is recovering nicely, he is able to stay back in the dormitory. The other young heroes have promised not to try and go after Cronus for at least another week until Neil's stitches can come out. Since returning back to the dorm, Jay and the others have made it their main focus to give Neil their full attention. Neil, of course, has no complaints. He is indeed enjoying every ounce of attention he is receiving from everyone.
Neil enters the kitchen with an empty glass in his hand. He puts the glass on the table and walks over the fridge. After looking at his choices between orange juice, milk, and soda pop, Neil decided to go for some orange juice. He closes the fridge door before heading back to the counter that he placed his empty glass. He has just finished opening the top of the bottle when his cell phone starts ringing. This confuses Neil, being that the cell was mainly used for his modeling career. He pulls the phone out from his pocket and looks at the caller ID. The name is indeed from his former boss, which brings more confusion to Neil. The curiosity finally is getting to him, so he decides to answer it. He flips the phone open and raises it to his ear.
"Hello…?" He calmly says into the speaker end of the phone.
"Neil, baby… I'm glad I got a hold of you." The voice at the end replies with excitement.
"Frankie…? What do you want?" Neil responds with a slight annoyed tone.
"Ah, very forward, I like that. I was just telling that to my assistances the other day…" Frankie sounding quit suctorial.
With a groan, Neil slaps a hand on his forehead. "Get to the point, Frankie."
"Right…" the flamboyant photographer pauses for a brief moment as he puts together the right words in his head. "You see, I'm in somewhat of a pickle…"
"Uh-ha," the former blond model hum's in a nonchalant manner. Neil just happens to catch his reflection on the shiny metal toaster. He begins to pick at a piece of food that is caught between his teeth.
"…My latest star model has come down with mono, and well, the other male models are not available…"
"So, what does this have to do with me? You fired me…remember…" Neil growled. He started turning back to the juice bottle and begins to pour the content into his glass.
"Yes, I remember. I'm calling to apologize about that and to ask if you wouldn't mind filling in for a while." Frankie says in a both pleading and sheepish manner.
Neil stops pouring his drink to think about what is being said to him over the phone. This is defiantly an unexpected twist. He is actually debating if he should even take this offer in the condition he is in.
"Gee, I-I don't know…" Neil finally starts. "I too haven't been, well, feeling that well this past week and a half."
"Well, I won't need you till this upcoming weekend… With a little luck you would feel better by then" Frankie admitted in a hopeful manner.
"You see, I've also been under a great deal of stress since you've let me go…"
"I'll make it up to you…I'll pay you 20 more then your usually earning from a shoot."
Again Neil pauses. The offer is starting to sound much sweeter now. He starts raising his eyebrow in an appealing manner. For a brief moment he was lost in thought over the fact he has been offered his job back, but instantly he remembers his friends and the loyalty they have shown him. Neil feels it is fair to at least talk to them about this first. Even talking to the Gods first would be important. Heck he doesn't even know if this is a topless shoot. This makes him quite nervous thinking about that. He would need more details about this deal that his former boss wants him to participate in.
"I-I'm going to have to have some time to think about this…" He says in a minor tense tone.
"Neil, baby, this is me you're talking to; time is of the essence…" Frankie starts to argue.
"Yeah, I know…just give me at least a day to think about this ok…" before Frankie could respond to that, Neil hangs up.
He lets out a deep sigh before screwing the cap back on the juice bottle and taking it back to the fridge. He grabs his glass as he walks out of the kitchen. In the other room Jay and the others wait patiently for their blond teammate. They are sitting around a long table. Herry looks up to see Neil walking out of the kitchen, finally.
"It's about time… What happen, did you get lost or something?" The brawn hero jokes.
"Naw…just had a phone call." Neil answers honestly.
"Oh, from whom…?" Theresa asks.
"From no one important," Neil shrugs. He walks over and takes his seat at the end of the table. After placing his glass and cell phone down on the table, Neil picks up a small pile of cards that has been set in front of him. He begins to quietly rearrange the cards in his hands.
Before anyone says something the cell phone begins to ring once more. Neil leans over slightly and recognizes the caller ID. He smirks before returning his attention back to the cards in his hand. 'Frankie could never take no as an answer…even if I did say I would think about it,' he muses to himself in thought.
Everyone at the table glances at each other with a puzzled expression before returning their attention back to Neil.
"Uh, Neil… Aren't you going to answer that?" Archie finally asks pointing down at the blond hero's cell phone.
"Nope…" Neil replies with a low chuckle.
"Why not…?" Odie whines.
Neil grins wider before responding, "Because it's not that important." Neil makes a mental note to explain the actual conversation between him and Frankie earlier in the kitchen to his friends later.
"And what is important, Neil?" Atlanta cries out in an aggravated tone.
With a wide grin, Neil looks up at his six best friends and says, "Finishing this game with my friends."
"I see, not too much like an after school special…" Theresa chuckles to Jay, whom couldn't help but to snicker at that comment as well.
The phone stops ringing, which brings relief to everyone at the table. Neil knits his brow forward. He looks up at his friends with a confused look on his face.
"Um, who's turn is it anyway?" He asks.
"Ah, yours…" Atlanta answers with an annoyed tone.
"Oh right," Neil chirps. He reaches over the table to pick up another card from a pile in the center. He takes one look at his hand and starts to flash a bright smile.
"Ah, looks like I win." He cheers, laying down all the cards for everyone to see. "Full House."
The others groan as they toss their cards on the table in defeat.
"That's the third time he's done that in a row." Theresa complains.
"Yeah," Jay nods in agreement, "but it, for some reason, doesn't bother me. I'm just glad that we are still a team…all seven of us…"
THE END!
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Hey all, glad you've been enjoying this story. Sadly, this is the final chapter. If I am able to get more time I might write another story. I do have other ideas, but for now I must temporarily retire due to a busy schedule ahead for myself. Writing both "Vengeance: A Dish Served Cold" and "Teammate Down" has be a lot of fun. My beta-reader deserves credit too. She also has been a busy person, but was able to take some time to help read over the chapters of this story.
Anyway, I must go now. However, I do look forward in reading your reviews. Positive feed back is always encouraging for creative energy. I may return with more, but it is undecided at this time.
Safe Journey, and Stay Creative.