Chap 21: Again on the feet

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The following days had been very quiet. Guido allowed Modo to stay at home so he could help Sharon with the cares at her back. By her side the lady black mouse followed the advice of her brother and often she replaced her husband when Jimmy enjoyed the drawing. In fact the child had showed a strong passion for the drawing and willingly he sat at the small table of the living room and surrounded himself with pencils and papers. It was positive that Jimmy was a quiet boy but Sharon wanted him play with other children and obviously she thought to her nephews and nieces, Vice's and Leila's children "I think that making him socialize is very important." she said watching the little mouse that enjoyed to color another drawing and sang happy the tune "Te tete te"

Modo was at her side and nodded "Yes. It's been a long time he didn't play like a child, or better... he has never done it." he smiled touched "And it's the moment he starts to do!" then he hugged his wife "How's your back?"

Sharon rested her cheek on his chest "Much better! I didn't know you know massage so good!" she kissed his lips and he kissed her back with a light redness on his cheeks. Massaging her back was an occasion to tighten their relationship but every time the grey mouse saw these scars, his thoughts went back to the period of the war and what his wife had put up with.

Jimmy continued his drawing with a little smile on his lips, in those days he changed too. He seemed more joyful and he called Sharon almost for everything. Since Clair stepped aside the situation proceeded in the right way. Receiving no more answers from the old lady mouse, the child turned to Sharon. But the things didn't finish there, Clair offered herself to teach to the black mouse how to cook new dishes and promised to teach how use the loom "So when you're bored you can do something of creative."

In the first Sharon wasn't convinced, she knew her mother was one of the best loom workers but the use of that object didn't attracted her "I prefer to learn new dishes. Definitely." she commented with insecure smile "At least we'll eat something of different sometimes."

Clair sniggered "Okay okay! Where's the little monster? I must greet him that I have to go." soon Jimmy's voice echoed across the house, the child had left his papers and now was attached to his grandmom leg and greeted her "But isn't too little this house? After all, it isn't far off for the baby."

"All the clan will move as my father wakes up but some already did." Sharon answered.

"Then have you planned to live all together in the same area?" the old mouse understood perfectly. Since the time immemorial the members of a clan preferred live all together, possibly in an area only for them and often they build it by themselves, generally in a city it was an entire district. Clair remembered that it was one of the reasons for which Bruce was recalled to Sierra by his father "And where did you decide to go?"

"In short in the same place were we did our marriage and the Games." Sharon answered "The Sand Runner's meadows, along the Great lake."

Clair smiled almost pleased "Oh well, it's a beautiful place!"

"Yeah! Guido moved almost immediately. He says it's a perfect place for his crops." Modo said grabbing Jimmy in his arms and the little mouse climbed on his shoulders and sat on them "Hei! You're so tall now!" the grey mouse commented and the child giggled waving his hands. Modo squeezed them in the his spreading his arms "And now you're flying!" Jimmy smiled happy under the amused gaze of the two ladies.

Everything then was going for the better way above all because Vice had announced that Ronald was dismissed from the hospital and finally Bruce would be woken. The day finished in the best way with a good news, but that same night was sleepless. As usual Jimmy from his bed went to the big one of his adoptive parents but his voice was low, he coughed and whimpered under the blanket. Sharon lighted the lamp on the bedside so she could see the sleepy face of the child. She touched his warm and dry nose, a clear sign that he had the fever "Just now, man!" she commented with a resigned sigh rubbing her hand on the back of the little mouse.

"Tomorrow you'll go to you father, I'll handle the rest." Modo said with determination "You waited for so long and it's right that you'll bee there. I'd like to come but is better I stay here with Jimmy."

Sharon wasn't convinced, she thought that it wasn't fair but she felt the duty to attend her father awakening "So I'll make Vice come here right after. The time to check-up my father and then we take care of Jimmy." she said still dubious, she sighed deeply "Though he seemed so happy today!" she lowered her gaze on the little blond mouse who finally fell asleep but his breath was heavy and he couldn't stay still. In the end the girl switched off the light and went back to sleep, Modo did the same but both the spouses didn't sleep well. They spent the entire night moving from the kitchen to the bedroom and vice versa to prepare something of warm for the child so he could finally sleep because he woke up and cried. It was Modo who often got up, he didn't want that Sharon would wake up.

So when the grey mouse took a look on the clock it was almost the dawn. He snorted conscious that he would sleep only for a little, Jimmy looked definitively calmed down and Modo could sleep for about two hours before someone knocked to the door of their home waking Modo up again "What..." he murmured rushing to get up when he heard a knock for the second time. When he opened he found Vice "Oh.. Vice.. What.."

The Gladiator stared at the grey mouse "You don't look so good." he commented "What happened? And where's Sharon?"

Modo ran a hand on his face "Jimmy has the fever, he woke up more times this night and me and Sharon made the turns to make to him something of warm." he explained, he was exhausted. Not that he wasn't used to the sleepless nights but going back to sleep and awaking all the time was worst than doing the sentinel during the war "Sharon's still sleeping, I wake her up."

Vice nodded "Meanwhile she prepares herself I can keep an eye on Jimmy if you want."

The grey mouse called Sharon who, despite the tiredness, ate the breakfast hastily and went to wear something. Meanwhile Vice visited Jimmy "From what I see it's all caused by the sore throat." he sighed "As I finish with my father I go to the hospital to take what I need. We simply have to bundle off the sore throat and everything will be over." he looked at Modo attentively "I think that Sharon's better with her back but with Jimmy? And what about your mother? You didn't tell me anymore."

Modo felt ashamed "I'm sorry but I've been busy between Sharon and Jimmy." he smiled innocently "By the way everything's okay. My mama has been very comprehensive and stepped aside. Rather when she comes here she only helps Sharon with the cooking and the house things, she does the shopping etc. But it's Sharon who takes care of Jimmy and the progresses are already visible. Yes, Jimmy is still very attached to me but I don't think is bad, no?"

"I suppose not. The thing worried me because missing your mother, Jimmy searched only for you. But now I think it's okay." Vice answered "And now we only need to solve this problem. Then I suppose we'll have to work all together to solve the bigger one."

"The Scorpions?" Modo asked how it was obvious "I got it. Then we won't have peace."

Vice gave a shrug like if he didn't know anything about it "I dunno. The clan is upset. I noticed that the more unsettled belong to the Ponga's family and it worries me a lot. I hope my father will recover fast. Oh Sharon, hi. You've a horrible face!"

The girl glanced annoyed at the monophthalmus mouse "Thanks, I don't need someone points it out." she commented serious "Then we go? I think Modo has spoke about Jimmy."

"Of course! As I finish with our father I'll take care of him too. But now is better hurry, they're waiting for us. You must see how's Solana! Ahahahaha!" Vice grinned "She doesn't admit it but she can't wait for his awakening!"

The silence that was in the Bruce'd house was almost creepy. Though in that same room there were the old Cloud, Arthan, Arya, Solana, Ponga, Roy, Charley, Ronald, Macy, Stoker and Cid. The brown furred scientist was ready to act "I'm not sure if Sharon's berser will have a good effect, then be ready to block him if he'll react like Ronald did."

Vice nodded and went close to Bruce, Arthan did the same because he was called with Ponga and his brother Roy for this reason. Cid had asked to Sharon a few of her berser because this time he wanted to try a different thing that would avoid the status of berserk, or he hoped. Solana watched with apprehension and her friend Arya made her company "I hope everything's okay." the ginger mouse murmured.

Arya squeezed a hand on her shoulder and nodded "Cid 's smart. If he did it with Ronald, he'll do it with Bruce. So you can hug him again!" she says a little sly.

Solana blushed "Oh stop it..."

Meanwhile Bruce was thinking, he couldn't wait to open again his eyes, to feel again his body under his control. The idea to restart to live excited him and he waited anxious the big moment. He trusted Cid and from what he had heard the risk to go in berserk was high but the scientist had found a way to avoid it. He only felt two pinches in two different places of his body and then nothing else.

Everyone stood with the bated breath, Cid hoped with all himself that everything would go well, without berserk. The silence lasted some minutes and Bruce sent the first signs of recover. His muzzle moved like his nose was analyzing the air, his eyelids trembled slightly and his tail twitched back and forward. Charley moved away a little and Vice himself shifted Sharon with his tail, he didn't want that would happen something of bad.

But despite the concern nothing of dangerous happened. Bruce opened his eyes slowly to make them used to the light that entered into the room trough the opened window, there was a beautiful weather outside. He shook hi head a little and breathed deeply, finally he could move his hand how he wanted. As he finally sat resting his feet on the floor, someone jumped on him squeezing him in a big hug, it was Sharon. The Gladiator hugged her back for some seconds and then he shifted away her for look at her in her eyes, she had the polishes eyes and smiled for not cry "I'm happy to see you!" she said.

Bruce breathed deeply again and smiled "Me too, literally!" he exclaimed caressing her cheek and then her white hair, he wanted ask her a lot of things but he thought it wasn't the right moment "How are you? You've a horrible fac..."

"Eh no! I'm happy that you're good but I don't want hear you say it!" Sharon pouted and folded her arms "A lot of peoples are saying it from days!"

Her father chuckled shaking his head "Okay okay blossom, sorry!" he looked around "Unh, is there a show or something else? How many peoples!"

Cid hurried to explain "Well, Solana was already here with Arya. Charley and Stoker wanted assist to your awakening and... well... I asked the presence of the others to keep you under control in case of berserk. Vice struggled to hold Ronald, I can't imagine you, having the same strength!"

Solana's face relaxed, everything seemed okay. Bruce didn't had problems and now he was speaking with Vice and Cid. Suddenly the clan leader became serious, nearly angry "Where's Ronald?" he asked authoritarian.

The one concerned made himself little, or he tried because of his size. He greeted his father shyly waving his hand, he had lost some weight but he was good "Hi... dad." he said uncertain.

Bruce looked at him up and down and sniffed "Offering yourself like a guinea pig was the most unwholesome and stupid idea!" he told him off and made a sign to come close to him. When the young mouse was close enough, his father squeezed him in a strong hug "But I'm happy that nothing happened to you. Not being designed to the leadership doesn't mean you're not important."

Ronald smiled feeling guilty, he knew he deserved that telling-off "And I'm happy to see you again on the feet."

Solana delayed to come close and Arya grinned mocking her at low voice, in the end she pushed her patting her hand on her shoulder so the blond mouse moved ahead for not fall and only in that case Bruce noticed her. He turned to her and smiled "Hei Solana!" he exclaimed and asked her to come close and then he hugged her too "Thanks for all the patience you had." he said rocking her in his arms "Your help has been very important. If it wasn't for you probably Sharon would get tired more than now." he fell silent thoughtful "Also if I have no idea of what she did." he pulled away the girl for look at her in her face "Thanks." that thanks went over of the cared that the lady mouse had given to him since they were back to Sierra, that thanks was true above all for the determination with which she had protected both him and Modo.

By her side Solana wanted escape, she felt heat and she was sure her knees wouldn't hold out to a so close touch, he was still holding her hips in his hands "Duty." she barely answered, her heart was beating fast and she felt the insane instinct to touch those white hair she had taken care in those weeks. An unnatural silence fell while the two mice looked at each other in the eyes.

To save her from that embarrassing situation was Stoker who patted his hand on his friend's back "It's awesome seeing you back among the alive, if we can say so." he exclaimed "And just know that your daughter has worked on some interesting projects! Then you won't have peace!"

Bruce smiled resigned "And who wants the peace! After... three weeks of total darkness and boredom I can't wait to be back to work!" he exclaimed gesturing with his arms.

"Perfect! Then we can start with the program Safeguard of Mars!" Stoker answered "Sharon has prepared something of great! That is, nothing of so great but her idea was inspired by your project!"

The clan leader nodded "I'm curious to see and..." he laid his eyes on Ponga and his sons and greeted them with a movement of his head, he did the same with Charley "I suppose you're available to give me a hand with the project of the Great Ocean, right?"

The mechanic nodded "But only when I'll be free from the work." she pointed out.

"Obviously! On the earth you'll have a lot of things to do."

Charley sniggered "I'll move on Mars! Also if I'm searching for home."

Bruce opened his eyes wide "Don't tell me! Why? Oh about the home you can stay at mine. After all there are Clair and Prime, I have not problems. Above all because the clan will move and I have to leave my home to someone. Oh... but what about Clair?"

"She's at my home, the little Jimmy isn't good and seeing that we haven't slept this night she decided to help us." Sharon answered.

"Aw! Here because you've that fac... unh.. yes this!" he corrected himself seeing the sulk of his daughter.

Ponga did a step ahead "I think that our presence isn't necessary anymore." he said.

Bruce nodded "Yes but I want you advice the rest of the clan: tomorrow I need everyone for a reunion. I discovered some things and it's fundamental discussing about it and organize."

The yellow-eyed mouse nodded, he did a sign with his head to his sons and went away greeting waving his hand.

"Did you discover something? How do..." Vice was astonished but then he looked at Cid and remembered that Ronald had been able to perceive the external world, this meant that his father could hear "Did you hear what the Scorpions said?"

Bruce nodded, Solana went again close to Arya to avoid to be seen, her hands on her muzzle and the face shocked, this meant that the black mouse had heard all the speeches that she and Arya had done in those days. She felt her ears and cheeks in flame.

"Well, this is good." Stoker commented "It means we have more weapons to face them."

But Bruce wasn't of his same idea and shook his head "We can't fight them." he simply said "Not now, not in their actual conditions." at the perplexed gaze of his friend the black mouse sighed "We can't fight them. We must find a way to finish this useless feud and in the best ways."

Stoker agreed but the problem was finding a solution "And how you'd do it? You know I'm the first to be for the peace but it seems a dead end. I dunno if you know what I want say."

Bruce stretches himself hearing his bones creak "Well, I have no idea. I'll think to something, but for now I'd like to recover a little the mobility of my body. I feel old and full of rheumatisms."

"Yes but before we must do a check-up if you don't mind." Vice intervened "It's the praxis. Besides why the berser didn't give problems?"

Cid grinned "Because my theory worked." he said "Sharon's berser is calmer. If a Gladiastor with a calmer berser doesn't upset the more turbulent, then the thing also applies to this situation."

Vice smacked his forehead "Do you know I didn't think about it?" He chuckled embarrassed for a so serious failure.

Sharon assisted to the chek-up, her brother measured the pressure, heartbeat and the reflexes noting that his father was in full health. He was good but he needed to do movement and it was Vice's sentence that was welcomed by Bruce with a nearly devilish smile "Good! So I have an excuse to go out!" he exclaimed "Then Charlene, if you want you can choose a room. I think that we still have two rooms free."

Charley smiled "Thank you Bruce. But I take my time. I have to settle a pair of things on the earth or I can't move here."

"As you want. My home is always available."

"Always gentle you!" the earthling exclaimed happy to have found soon a place in which she could stay.

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Oh yeah! Finally Bruce is again here! And Charley found a place in which stay :3 See you in the next chapter!