"Your son is stable," the young doctor explained

"Your son is stable," the young doctor explained. "He's suffered some smoke inhalation and a head laceration. But there's no evidence that there should be any lasting conditions."

"Thank God…" James said, half falling, half sitting in the poorly made plastic chair. He was sitting in a deserted white corridor, located right outside of Fox's room. After being quickly scanned by the ER staff (mostly because he was too concerned over Fox's state), he was quickly questioning the well being of his son. He had to wait 2 hours for the hospital staff to work on Fox before the doctor finally came to see him, during which he remained in the corridor on the chair.

"However," the doctor began, "don't be surprised if he show's signs of memory loss."

James' head shot up instantly, concern draped over his sunken, tired face. "What do you mean? I thought you said he was fine."

The doctor fiddled with clipboard. "Oh yes, he is. It's nothing to be concerned over. I tend to see it a lot in fire victims. It usually passes in a couple days when his brains had time to heal. I'm just telling you this because what he said might be emotional for you. He was asking the nurse if he could see his mother."

The already exhausted James tried to take this news with stride but being already mentally drained, it took its toll on him. The doctor must have noticed some strain in the older McCloud as James placed his head in both his hands and sighed. When did his life get this hard?

"You know," the doctor said, beginning to sit next to James in an equally hard chair, "our psychiatric facility is cutting edge. We offer many programs with flexible times. If I may suggest, I know your family has undergone many- "

"No," James interrupted. "There's no way I'm putting Fox through any therapy session or talking or whatever it is you call them. He needs time to heal. I've been pushing so much on him and putting him in stressful situations… and not trusting him. Did he say anything about someone named Wolf? Or Venom?"

The doctor looked a little disappointed from James turning down his offer of help but continued respectfully. "No, I don't think so," he replied with a shake of his head.

"Alright," James seemed to be in a deep thought with his eyes fixed on the tiled floor in front of him. "Can I see him?"

Standing up and being more professional, the doctor adjusted his clipboard again. "Yes, of course. He should be awake."

Without a reply, James slowly got up from his back-breaking chair and left the bright corridor to enter a dimly lit hospital room. It seemed like he lived at the hospital.

The room was a private one which was littered with "Get Well Soon" presents like flowers, candy, and video games. No doubt the video games were from Falco and Bill. The window was positioned on the wall so that when the moons light shined in, it fell across Fox's unmoving body, making an almost eerie scene.

Fox, whose eyes were closed, was dressed in a hospital gown with white blankets pulled up halfway to his chest. He had many tubes and machines hooked up to his young body, many of which made a noises and clicks. It scared James, again, to see his only son so vulnerable at such a young age.

James pulled another plastic chair over to the right side of the bed and slowly sat down it in, never taking his eyes off his son in fear that he would disappear.

"Hey Fox," James began, placing a paw on the bandage on Fox's head. "How're you doing buddy? The doctor told me you were awake."

With this, Fox cracked his eyes open slightly, taking in the picture of his tired father. He understood what a stressful night it was for him too.

"Yeah," the younger vulpine replied, his voice raspy and sore. "You look like crap."

James, mostly out of hysteria from lack of sleep and being drained, chuckled. "It's good to see you still have your sense of humor about you."

Fox could have sworn that he saw his fathers eyes get glossy. But being so tired and in pain, he couldn't be sure. "Yeah. When can I go home?"

Sighing, James sat up a little more and got attentive. "You just got here. Why don't we let these people do their jobs? Let's wait till you properly heal, huh?"

Fox, looking down at his chest, somehow found a stray piece of thread on his blanket alarmingly interesting as he began to pull on it. "C'mon dad. I'm fine. Really."

"Yeah right," James narrowed his eyes a little more at Fox and leaned his head back in thought. "Why don't you tell me what happened Wolf?"

Frowning and burrowing himself in deep thought, Fox continued to play with the thread, failing to meet his fathers gaze. He took a moment to gather his words and decide what to say. It also took him a moment to replay what he could remember.

Sighing, he began to shake his head, "Dad, something's going on," he lifted his head and looked his father in the eye. "Something big is going to happen. With Wolf. We need to do something."

Rubbing his face in his hands, James abruptly pushed the chair out from under him and stalked over to the window. He remained silent as he gazed out in thought, placing a hand on his hip. He glanced at his son a couple times before returning his meaningful look out the window. Finally, content with his silent battle, he turned from the window for the last time to face his son.

"I'm going to Venom."

I know it's short but it's something! Review please!