Chapter 24

Lucille and Jessica met the others at the lair just as they were bringing Mason into the lab and helping Dirk to the couch. They managed to revive Mason on the ride over here.

"Dirk, what happened?" Vanessa asked when she saw the condition Mason was in

"He got shot"

"Is he gonna be okay?" Erica asked sitting down next to her older brother

"I don't know, he lost a lot of blood on the way over here. Auntie V, you gotta help them in there" he coughed and shivered violently

"Alright, but Erica go get your brother a blanket" she told her then went to the lab

"I'll be right back bro" Erica said

He nodded and shut his eyes. A few minutes later he felt a little warmer when Erica covered up his shivering body. He opened his eyes when he felt someone touch his forehead

"Hey Dirk, did you sleep well?" Mike asked

"I fell asleep?" he sat up quickly "How's Mason?"

Mikey avoided eye contact at that point and ignored the question

"Dad, why won't you say anything?"

"Because I don't know yet Dirk, they're still working on him" Mikey said "I came to check on you, you didn't seem to be feeling well"

"I'll be fine" he said trying to get up off the couch

"Not if you keep trying to get up. Don said you might have the flu, if that's true then I don't want you moving around so much"

"But Dad…"

"No buts Dirk"

"What about Mason?"

"… I think he'll understand the condition you're in"

"This nothing compared to what Mason's going through right now"

"I know Dirk, but your health is just as important to me as Mason's, okay"Mikey said "Now I'll be right back, stay put got it"

"Fine" he said with a cough "You're just lucky I'm weak"

"Mikey" Don called from his lab "We're done"

He nervously walked up to him fearing the worst "How is he? Did he…?"

"As of now… no, he's still alive, but he's in a coma"

"Will he wake up from it?"

With that question Don fell silent

"…I get it… can I see him"

Don sighed and nodded stepping out of the way. Mikey walked into the lab where Lucille and Vanessa were still standing there "What's the damage?" Mikey asked

"There's an infection on his leg from the bullet wound that ended up giving him a pretty high fever, his arm needed stitches, and we got the bullet out of his side and leg…"

"What about his chest?"

"That… not so much. It would've done more harm than good if we removed it" Lucille explained

"…Alright, you're the doctors" Mikey said sadly "…Do you mind?"

"Sure Mike, come on Mom" Vanessa said

Both Lucille and Vanessa left the lab leaving Mikey and his comatose son in there. He stood next him and held his hand "I'm sorry Mason, this is my fault. I should've been able protect you… jeez, I'm turning into Leo" he shook his head "You have to wake up. You can't die… you just can't. I'm so sorry" he apologized again let the tears fall from his eyes

"Daddy?" Erica asked

He looked up to his daughter and quickly wiped his tears away "Hey Erica"

"What do you mean it was your fault?"

He looked back down at his son "Nothing"

"Dad?"

"… He saved me" he mumbled

"What?"

"He took that bullet. Both bullets were meant for me"

"Dad, he was protecting you. Dirk would've done it and I would've done it"

"That's just it, I should be protecting you guys not the other way around"

"Have you seen the gene pool we come from? We look after our own no matter what, it's just the way it is… and possibly the way it always will be." Erica said sternly "Don't start turning into Uncle Leo on me now. The last thing we need is another one of him"

Mikey gave her a questioning look "What? You don't think he told us about all the times he had an identity crisis issue every time he felt like he messed up or should've done something different… Don't do this to yourself Dad, he needs you… we need you"

He gave her a smile, a small one, but it was still a smile. He held out his arm "Come here princess"

He wrapped his daughter in a one armed hug "He's going to be okay Dad. He has to be"

"I know" Mikey kissed the top of Erica's head then thought 'I hope so'

Mikey and Erica had stayed in the lab for hours never leaving his side, Paige and Jessica had joined him in case there were any changes. None of them wanted to leave.

"Guys, I think you need to get some rest" Don said

"What? No we don't" Erica said as her eyes drooped slightly

"Yeah you do, especially you Mikey"

"Don, do we have to do this now, can't it wait"

"Guys, you need to get some rest. I'll watch over him and let you know if there are any changes"

"And Dirk" Don nodded and Mikey sighed in defeat "Fine, but only for a few hours… that's it"

"Fine, now go"

Mikey hesitantly left the lab and went upstairs to his room as soon as his head hit the pillow he was out like a light.

A few hours later

Mikey somehow and for some reason woke up on his own. His anxiety over his sons was getting the best of him. He had to see Mason and Dirk, make sure they're okay. He walked down the stairs to find Donnie on his way up… and he didn't look like he was too happy. He looked over to the couch to see that Dirk was nowhere in sight

"Don, what happened? I thought you said you were going to watch my kids"

"I am"

"Well where's Dirk and how's Mason?" Mikey asked

"Dirk is in the lab and… Mason… he…" his voice trailed off

"He what? Don what happened?" Mikey asked now panicked

"He… didn't make it" Don said softly looking down at the floor "I'm sorry"

XXX

Read and Review