Chapter 12 - Broken Bones
"Andy! We need you!" Tet was on one side of Kiba, Ryon on the other as they carried him into the medbay. "He got hit by a car that went out of control."
She quickly stood, "Get him in a bed." She began checking him over, scanning for broken bones and any internal injuries.
Several ribs and the left arm were clean breaks. His right leg was a compound fracture, the bone jutting through the skin. Spleen was lacerated. His skull was undamaged aside from some swelling.
He was thankfully unconscious.
She began surgery to fix the spleen and leg. After getting things back together, she recited healing spells and forced her light into him to try to heal the bones back to normal.
He stirred, his eyes blinking open. "Oww."
"I can give you more pain meds, if you'd like."
"What happened?" He tried to move and went pale, hissing under his breath.
"You were hit by a car."
"Oh. Guess I didn't look both ways?" His eyes were hazy as he tried to stand.
"Just keep resting for a while," she gently pushed him down.
"Can't. Have to stand watch." He began fighting her, his anxiety growing.
"Stand watch?" She raised an eyebrow, "I'm sure someone else can do that. You aren't allowed out yet." She grabbed a medicine from her pocket and injected him to try to calm him.
"I'll get punished.." His eyes slid closed and he relaxed in her arms.
She sighed and laid him down gently before trying to focus on the swelling in his head.
Tet entered and paused. "How bad is he?"
"Physically, he's sore. Mentally, I'm working on it, but when he was up I don't think he was entirely in the here and now."
Tet scowled. "Let me guess, he mentioned standing watch?"
She nodded as she continued pouring light into Kiba.
Tet moved to the vampire's side and looked down with a sad smile. "When I rescued him, he was chained to a stake on the roof of a facility. Z calls it standing watch. I found out later that they also used it as punishment, withholding the cream vampires use in daylight."
She shook her head, "I'm going to take them down someday.."
"Can't wait." Tet gave her cheek a soft kiss. "Take care of him."
"Where are you going?"
"I'm going to recon a facility with Ryon."
"Be careful."
"Always am." He gave her a smile before leaving.
She worked on Kiba a while longer before sitting down and watching him.
Several hours later, he awoke. He gave her a confused look. "Why am I in here?"
"You were hit by a car."
He looked away for a moment, then snapped his fingers. "It went out of control. Didn't have time to move. How bad?"
"You had quite a few injuries but you're mostly healed now. Just need to rest more and take it easy for a couple days."
"Alright." He sighed, looking up at the ceiling. "I'll be a model patient, I swear."
"How are you feeling?"
"Sore. Thankful you saved me." He smiled at her.
She smiled a moment before scanning him over again to double check everything was healing right.
"You know, if it was anyone else here, I'd have left by now." He chuckled wryly. "But I don't want to leave you for some reason."
She sat down, giving him another smile, "Well, everything looks like it's doing well, so if you do want to leave, you can. But if you want to keep resting here, that's fine too." She motioned to a medical book, "I've just been reading here. Having company is a bit more entertaining."
"Should have brought my costume. Every Queen needs a jester, after all." He gave her a bow as he slowly sat up.
Her eyes narrowed before chuckling, "Well I don't think you need to be a jester. And who said I'm a Queen?"
"You're a Queen to me. And being a jester is what I do best. Better to laugh than to cry, right?"
She chuckled before looking thoughtful, "I don't think we ever had a jester in our castle.."
"What a shame. Maybe we should build you another one and we'll take care of you forever." He stood carefully and kissed her hand softly.
She smiled and blushed slightly before admitting, "I do really have a castle."
"You should show us some time. Unless you'd rather go back and forget about us."
"I'll show you it soon, and I'd never want to forget. I have been going back more lately, trying to get things ready."
"Might be better if you didn't. Witches tend to dislike vampires. And they dislike shifters even more. Don't want you getting hurt on our account."
"Oh, there's going to be a few changes around the community real soon and I'm expecting them to be pissed at me for them."
"Watch your back then. The head of the community is a real bitch. Just ask Kenji." Kiba tested his leg carefully, exhaling in relief as it held under his weight.
"I know, he's enlightened me on the subject. But unless they feel like fighting me, I outrank them anyway. Hopefully they'll just listen to me and accept things."
"I'll be sure to bring popcorn to the fireworks." He grinned.
"I just want things to go smoothly. We already have to fight Section Z, I don't need to be fighting my own people," she looked down. "Debating on hosting an event at the castle to let them know I'm back. Though it'd paint a larger target on my back, but I can't make change from the shadows."
"How much bigger can the target get?" Tet asked from the door. He showed them a wanted poster with her picture. Wanted Alive. Reward of 5 million Simoni.
She frowned, "Is that from Section Z?"
The shifter nodded. "We all have kill on sight posters aside from Ryu and Nara."
She looked thoughtful, "We can lure Section Z out.. If I do hold an event, someone is bound to try for the reward. A lot of witches would probably sell me out.."
Both men visibly paled.
"Granted, that could put my people in danger, and that's one thing I'm trying to avoid.." She sighed. "I'll make an announcement to the community that I'm back. Someone will turn me in. And Section Z knows where the castle is already, so when they send people after me, I can take them down and try to get more info from them," she said decidedly.
"Are you insane?" Kiba asked.
Tet struggled for words. "You're more worried about your people than yourself? Have you stopped to think what Z will do if they capture you? Do I have to get all the people I've rescued to tell you?"
"It's my duty to protect my people, so yes, I care more about them. Though I doubt they care that much for me.. But if I can take down Z, I can keep them, and others, safe. I'd rather try to fight Z than to keep hiding and letting them hurt people."
Tet growled, turned and slammed his fist into the wall. He shook with anger, his lips tight.
Kiba quietly disappeared out the door, not looking at either of them.
Andy went silent, tears filling her eyes.
After a moment, Tet cradled his hand and spoke softly. "Sorry about that. I'm just scared to death that I'll lose you to them. I had a friend- a witch, and Z turned him into a mindless puppet. But it's your life and I have no right to interfere." He winced as he jostled his hand, then turned toward the door.
"I just.. I don't want more people to go through what I did.." She said, barely above a whisper. "The head of the community's been doing well enough leading the people.. They don't need me..so it's not a big deal if I'm caught.:" She trailed off and let out a small sob. She prepared to teleport, the desire to go home and cry increasing.
Tet grabbed her with one hand. "That's not true. You're the true leader and your people need you. Frankly I'm in awe of how well you adjusted. Gods know none of us are even halfway adjusted. Plus.." He let go of her and became quiet.
She sighed, "Yeah.. a leader who's been hiding in the shadows. At least the community head has been there for them.." She looked down, "I wasn't supposed to be in charge. It was supposed to be my brother. I wasn't raised for this like he was. I have no idea what I'm doing. I feel more at home in the human world than I do there now.."
"At least you wish freedom for everyone. Did you know the head is a collaborator? She exiles or hands over anyone who wishes to fight Z. Everyone is terrified, that's why we only have four witches in the resistance." He sighed. "It's your life. I can't order you to do anything. Just think about what I've told you."
He looked down at his hand and winced. "I need to go get some ice. I really need to reign in my temper sometimes."
She went to him, gently putting her hands around his and pouring light into it.
He visibly relaxed as the pain subsided. "I broke it huh?"
She nodded, "It's alright, just give me a minute and you'll be better."
He gave her a slight smile. "What would you say if I told you I was in love with you?"
She was quiet a minute, still looking at his hand, "I'd probably first say, I have at least some feelings for you. Secondly though, Kiba and I also kind of have something too. So maybe you should talk to him?" She then let the light fade, still holding his hand. She finally looked up before giving him a soft kiss.
He returned it gently, then answered. "You could be with every person here and it wouldn't change my feelings. I'm not territorial. I love you for you."
She gave him a soft smile.
"I should go. Need to go over the notes on the facility we reconned."
She nodded, "I should probably see if Kiba is okay. Or would he rather be left alone?"
"He's okay. Just knows to make himself scarce when my temper erupts. Don't worry."
She nodded, "Alright. I'm probably heading home for the night to check on Kona."
"Have fun looking after the delinquent." Tet teased before kissing her again.
She smiled before disappearing.