CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT: Stabilizing and Relocating

Michael had done all he could to help Alex, with Yolanda and Selene's help. It had taken hours, and Lucian was sure that the drug had worn off long before Michael was done, but luckily Alex had never regained consciousness. He had stood by her side while Michael and the others worked diligently to repair torn arteries, a punctured lung and numerous broken bones. He had worked with what materials he had, admitting that what he had done was not enough. Her best hope now, was for her to have regained enough strength to shift; so that her body would be able to heal on it's own, what Michael had not been able to fix.

Taylor's team had made it back safely, lycan in tow. She was suffering from exposure and according to Michael, was having a bad reaction to the drugs that had been used on her. He had given her an infusion of lycan blood and had Yolanda take off her clothes and wrap her in a warm blanket. He wanted her to warm up slowly, hopefully preventing further shock on her already traumatized body. Michael had then checked on Malcolm noting he had begun to run a fever. He and Selene forced two ibuprofen caplets down Malcolm's throat, then gave Aaron instructions on what danger signs to look for. Lucian then forced them and Yolanda into the plane so they could try and get a little rest.

That had been several hours ago, and it was now near 8:00 pm. Lucian had stayed by Alexandra's side as he promised. She was still unconscious but she didn't appear to be running any fever. The bandages around her arms and feet were leaking, but it was blood not silver that came through the white gauze. She was also breathing easier, though not as deep as he would have liked. Michael had said she had several broken ribs, and had wrapped them tightly; so he had to assume this was the reason for the shallow breathing. Her pulse was still weak, but was stronger than it was before.

Now, they waited. Everyone was on edge, all for different reasons. The women who had been held hostage were anxious to be home. Aaron wanted to get Malcolm back to London where he could be looked over by a physician and his condition monitored. The lycans and Raze wanted to go after Marius. Lucian wanted Alex to open her eyes.

Vladimir had been more than gracious, finding food for the lycans, while the vampires had been able to replenish themselves with the blood bags that had not been used. Khan watched over Selene and Michael, allowing no one to bother them while they were sleeping. Lucian looked over the odd mix of species, and wondered what the future held for them.

"You know, a man your age can't afford anymore wrinkles." was the weakly made comment that brought his attention back to the woman at his side.

"So, sleeping beauty decides to wake," he commented with the half grin that drove her crazy. He looked her over anxiously, looking for signs of her condition worsening.

"Yeah, I'm sure I look real good right now," she said with a grimace.

"Actually, there was nothing I wanted more than to see than your beautiful eyes opened and to hear your whiskey laced voice," he responded gruffly.

Alex was taken back, unsure of how to respond to his candor. She must have scared him pretty badly if he was wanting to hear her talk.

"We found the girl," he told her.

Trying to look around, only earned her a lesson in pain. She quickly ceased her movements, having to contend herself with what information Lucian gave her.

"Did she make it?" Alex asked expectantly.

"She's alive, but suffering from the drug as well as exposure," Lucian confided in her.

"But she's alive…that's good," Alex stated weakly.

"How about you?" Lucian asked, "How are you feeling?"

Alex snorted, wincing at the pain in her chest, "Like I was hit by an ocean liner."

Then remembering the extent of her injuries, she looked down at her arms then her feet. Agony washed over her drawn features, as she tried moving them. Her unresponsive limbs left a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. She looked up at Lucian, fear and anger flaring in the purple/silver of her eyes.

"I can't move them," she told him honestly.

Lucian felt his heart lurch at the pain in her voice. He knew what the loss of her hands and feet would mean to her. It was a life few could happily survive in. He reached out, absently stroking her limp hand.

"I can't feel that either," she said, a tremble in her voice.

He sighed inwardly, and moved his hand so that he was rubbing the inside of her arm, above the wound. "How about that?" he asked.

She shook her head yes in answer, but found she couldn't speak, not without crying.

"Michael had said there was extensive nerve damage, something he could not repair. But we were hoping once you woke, you might feel strong enough to shift. Lycans can usually heal most wounds when they transform, just as you did the lashes on your back," he gently reminded her.

She was weak and in considerable pain; but suddenly she was very nauseous.

"Lucian…I think I'm gonna be sick," she cried out in desperation.

Lucian jumped up, looking for a bucket or something for her to use. Finding a trashcan, he hurried back. He reached her just as she was attempting to turn to her side. He helped her over and held back her hair as she emptied the contents of her stomach into the receptacle. Copious amounts of silver filled the bottom of the can. Lucian thought it was a good sign. When she was done, he used the bottom of his shirt to wipe her mouth.

She closed her eyes and groaned, the pain in her ribs nearly unbearable. She hurt so much she couldn't even work up enough energy to be embarrassed by the fact that she had just thrown up in front of Lucian. And they expected her to have the strength to shift…she didn't think so.

When she had herself under control, she opened her eyes to find she had drawn quite a crowd. Daniel and Sterling had come over to stand beside her. Both with looks of grief etched on their faces.

"Hey you guys," Alex said through gritted teeth. "How's it hanging?" she asked, trying to be strong.

Daniel stared at her, while Sterling chuckled.

"Don't you ever do that to me again, do you hear me lass?" Daniel said in a strained voice.

Alex looked at her useless arms then shrugged at him. "Aye aye captain, though, you'll have to forgive me for not saluting," she said, only half teasing.

Daniel offered her a sad smile then leaned down to whisper in her ear, "I'm glad your back."

As he straightened, Sterling offered her a bit of advise, "Next time, we'll take a boat."

Lucian stiffened beside her. Alex felt his reaction, but she was tiring fast, and could barely keep her eyes open. She'd have to remember to ask him what was wrong, later. Right now, the pain was enveloping her, and all she wanted to do was sleep.

"Lucian, will you be around when I wake?" she muttered under her breath.

Sterling and Daniel looked up, surprise registering on their faces at Alex's question. Lucian had no intention of going anywhere until she was better. He leaned in close so that she could hear him, but spoke loudly enough that her human friends were aware of his intentions.

"I'm not letting you leave me again," he promised her.

She didn't respond verbally, but a small smile touched her lips; a smile that both Sterling and Daniel could plainly see. Sterling opened his mouth to comment, but Michael interrupted as he and Selene made their way over to the group. .

"How's she doin?" Michael asked, checking her pulse and heart rate.

"She woke briefly, just before you walked over," Lucian told him, giving him the details of what she had said.

"So, she can't feel her hands or feet at all?" he asked.

"No," Lucian said shaking his head. "And what she could feel, was not pleasant. Though she did manage to expel quite a bit of silver from her stomach," he noted pointing to the trashcan he had yet to clean.

"Well as best as I can tell, she's stable, though still in critical condition. We need to get somewhere with more resources and medical supplies," he told Lucian.

"Can she be moved?" Lucian wanted to know.

"I think there's a better chance of her condition deteriorating if she were to stay here, than if we were to leave," Michael replied honestly.

Aaron had walked over, after Daniel and Sterling had filled him in on Alex's brief moment of lucidity. Hearing Michael's last comment, he spoke up.

"They all need to be moved," he said agreeing with Michael. "Malcolm's fever is still high; and I believe I can get in contact with that poor girl's family," he said indicating the young woman shivering violently beneath the blanket covering her. "I know Alex can't see a normal doctor, but if we were to get to London, I could at least ensure you would have access to whatever you may need to treat her," he promised Michael.

Michael looked to Lucian, wanting his opinion on the matter. "Lucian, London would be a much better choice than Budapest. Hell, we don't even have anyplace to take them," he pointed out.

"You're right," Lucian agreed reluctantly. "There are matters I will need to settle in Budapest, eventually. But for now, it's best if we get to London as soon as we can."

"The others will be glad to hear that," Raze commented, walking over to speak with Lucian. "The natives are growing restless," he said pointing over to the growing number of women pacing close to the hangar door.

"London should put most of them a little closer to home," Aaron noted. "What about your group? Are they going to want to make the trip to London?"

"The lycans will go wherever Lucian goes, I'm not sure about Selene and Khan," Raze answered brusquely.

They turned to Selene, who had walked over with Michael. "Khan and I discussed our situation while you were on the mountain. The vampires will welcome neither of us, nor would we choose to go back. Our fate, whatever that may be, is currently tied to the clan we have forged with the hybrids and the lycans. If you are going to London, so will we," she stated.

"Then it's decided," Lucian replied. "Let's get the three patients settled into the plane first, then the rest of us can situate ourselves around them," he suggested.

Michael had moved on to check on Malcolm and the lycan, before they were moved.

Raze waited until the others had moved as well, before he spoke to Lucian again.

"And Marius?" he asked bluntly.

Lucian watched as everyone was told of their plans, and readied themselves to go. "I have an idea of where he may have gone," Lucian told him.

"Is that the business you will attend to in Budapest?" Raze asked

Lucian looked back to his old friend, "You know me well."

"I figured as much. And Alex, where does she stand in all this?" he wanted to know.

"Where do any of us stand right now?" Lucian asked. "We are all adrift, no home, no pack. The only thing we can count on is that the vampires want every single one of us dead. Right now, I want to know Alexandra will be okay, after that I plan on taking care of both Marius and Malcolm. Then…I don't know," he stated honestly.

"We are all concerned for her welfare," Raze admitted. "And just to let you know, none of us are adverse to having her in our clan."

"Yes, but will Alexandra be adverse to being with us?" Lucian asked, stating his growing fear outloud.