A/N: Hello everyone! Thank you so much for your patience. I truly appreciate all the reviews that you've left, and I thank you for your continued support. I hope you're all well and safe during this pandemic!

Now, onto the story!


Bright light stung behind his eyelids, and everything was muffled like he was underwater. He thought he heard someone crying distantly. Was it him? He couldn't tell. He was so cold. It was freezing. He felt a warm sensation down his back that quickly turned cold. He felt something being draped over him next that broke the chill of the wind. He felt himself being carried. It hurt to be touched. There was a sudden temperature change, and he shivered at the sensation. It was warmer now.

He was laid down on something soft and comfortable. The warm garment was suddenly gone and he was cold again, but then a warm sensation spread across his back.

What was happening? The grasshoppers never treated him like this.

Careful, gentle motions swept over his body, and he slowly drifted off to sleep.


Atta had stayed by Flik's side all afternoon. It was evening now, and she thought that she should probably return to her room, but she couldn't bear the thought of leaving Flik alone. She had almost dozed off in the chair next to Flik's bed when Dot appeared in the doorway of the infirmary. Atta instantly covered Flik a little more to conceal him from her little sister. She didn't need to see what bad shape her hero was in, and he deserved some privacy.

Atta slowly got up from her chair, careful not to wake Flik, and approached Dot. Once she reached her, she knelt down and whispered, "Dot, you shouldn't be here." It was then that she noticed Dot was crying.

"I-I want to see him," Dot choked out. "Mom wouldn't let me come before."

"That's because he's in really bad shape. We were taking care of him."

"Please, I just want to see him," Dot blubbered.

Atta reached out to comfort her, and Dot fell into her arms. She stroked Dot's head and tried to reassure her.

"Shhh, it's alright," whispered Atta consolingly.

Atta recalled Dot's anguished screams just a few hours before and another wave of guilt swept over her. Atta drew back and laid a hand on Dot's shoulder and relented, "Be gentle with him. He's very hurt." Her voice broke on the last word.

Dot nodded solemnly and approached Flik's bed. All Dot could see of his sleeping figure was the top of his head and his antennae. She looked up at Atta for approval and then climbed in the bed. Dot gazed down at Flik's severely bruised face. Her tears fell harder. She reached out and gently stroked his face.

"Can I stay with him?" Dot pleaded as she looked up at her sister.

Atta began to tear up again watching the exchange. She nodded as she wiped her cheek with her palm. Atta lifted the blanket just enough so Dot could crawl in next to him. Dot snuggled up close to his chest and gently put a hand around his neck.

Atta bent down and kissed her little sister's head.

"You can sleep here for the night."

Dot nuzzled closer to Flik's chest, and within minutes, she drifted off to sleep


When Flik woke, he noticed that for the first time in weeks, he wasn't cold. It was warm, and he had been cold for so long. He wasn't sure how long he'd been sleeping or whether it was day or night. His body was aching. He attempted to readjust to a more comfortable position when he noticed that a small figure was in his arms. His vision was blurry and he could barely see, but soon he realized that the small frame was one he would recognize anywhere.

Dot.

Was he dreaming? What would Dot be doing here with the grasshoppers?

He then remembered the day that Dot had found him with the circus caravan. It seemed so long ago.

If she had flown to him then, was it possible she had found him now?

Flik grew fearful and distressed at the notion. He wouldn't be able to protect her from the grasshoppers.

He tightened his arms around Dot. An aching pain in his arms and back followed the motion and he let out a small, involuntary whine.

Atta heard a noise and quickly jerked awake in her chair. After talking with Mother last night, it was deemed acceptable for Atta to stay with Flik while the Queen handled colony affairs. It took her a few moments to recall where she was and what had happened. Panicked, she went to Flik's side as she remembered the events from the day before. When she approached his bedside, she saw that he was awake and visibly distressed.

Flik saw a figure approach him and he became more alarmed. He couldn't recognize who it was and this caused him further anxiety. All he could think about was protecting Dot.

"Shhh, it's alright," soothed Atta as she gently placed a hand on the side of Flik's face.

Flik flinched at the gentle touch. He tried to make out the person before him. It wasn't a grasshopper, but then, who was it? He thought he recognized the voice. It suddenly dawned on him that he had taken flight with the grasshoppers. He thought he had dreamed it. He had been given to Slate after Hopper's brother had found him. There was the familiar pain that went with his company, and then Hopper barked orders for takeoff. The flight had been disorienting and he felt sick. He remembered landing on Ant Island and being thrown to the ground.

Was he really home?

"It's okay. You're safe now," the voice said again.

Slowly, his surroundings came into focus and he recognized the person before him.

It was Princess Atta.

Flik looked up at her bleary eyed as she soothed him.

He was actually home. He couldn't quite believe it, nor could he believe that the Princess was before him reassuring him. The last exchange he had with her was when she cast him out from the colony. Sadness and guilt overwhelmed him at the memory.

Atta saw Flik's face fall and she quickly thumbed away the tears that budded at the corner of his good eye.

"It's okay, I'm here now. No one is going to hurt you anymore." Atta winced at the small lie. It wasn't entirely true. There was still the matter of Flik's mangled hand.

Abruptly, the Queen entered the infirmary. Atta jumped a little at her mother's sudden presence.

"How is he doing?" asked the Queen from the entrance.

Atta left Flik's side to speak with her mother.

"He's awake, but scared," Atta replied. "Dr. Flora says we need to set his hand today."

The Queen nodded solemnly. "Poor thing," she said sadly.

"Is it okay if I stay and help?" Atta questioned.

"Of course, dear. Stay with him as long as you like, but I should take Dot. She doesn't need to see that."

Atta nodded and led her mother to Flik's bedside. She bent down and carefully removed Dot from Flik's arms before depositing her in her mother's.

After the Queen collected her youngest daughter, she quietly exited the infirmary.

Just then, Dr. Flora came bustling into the room with a cup and more medical supplies in her hands.

"Hello, Princess. I've brewed Flik a special tea to help with the pain."

Atta gratefully took the cup of tea from Dr. Flora and hurried back to Flik. He was trembling and breathing fast. She knelt down by his bed and brought the cup to his lips.

"Here, drink this," she spoke softly to Flik.

He looked at her fearfully and hesitated. He still didn't fully believe that he was home or that he was being cared for. He expected Hopper or Slate to come back any minute to punish him for some transgression. He shook harder and squeezed his eyes shut.

"Flik, it's okay. You're safe now. This will help with the pain," promised Atta.

Rather than reassured, Flik drank the contents of the cup to avoid the repercussions he was sure were in store for him.

Atta withdrew the cup once the contents were emptied. She gently stroked the side of Flik's face as she waited for Dr. Flora. He flinched at the initial touch, but then relaxed when he realized he wasn't being struck. Almost immediately, the herbal remedy seemed to take effect as Flik's eyes grew heavy.

"Okay, dear. Let's get him to lie on his back and prop him up," said Dr. Flora gently.

Atta nodded and helped her move Flik into a reclined position with the aid of some cushions. Flik's head lulled to the side as the tea became more effective. Dr. Flora handed the Princess a bucket before relaying further instructions.

"I just need you to keep him as calm and still as possible."

"I'll do my best," Atta replied earnestly.

"The herbs I prepared won't take all the pain away, but they should help. I should warn you, this isn't going to be pleasant," cautioned the doctor. She gently reached for Flik's right hand which he had curled to his chest. "Flik, dear, can I see your hand," asked Dr. Flora gently. Flik whimpered and cradled his hand closer to himself.

"It's okay, Dr. Flora is going to fix it," Atta soothed as she laid her hands over Flik's left.

Hesitantly, Flik offered the doctor his ruined extremity. Dr. Flora smiled at him as she took his hand and laid it on a small table next to Flik's bed.

"Okay, I'll try to do this as quickly as possible. Ready?"

The princess looked at the doctor and nodded as she squeezed Flik's other hand.

As promised, Dr. Flora went to work quickly. An audible crack filled the air, and Flik wailed in anguish. He began struggling and flailed his legs helplessly. Atta placed an arm across his chest in an attempt to keep him still.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" shouted Dr. Flora over Flik's cries. "Just one more, I promise. Then we'll be done."

Atta tried her best to console Flik, but with the second time, he threw back his head and sobbed uncontrollably. She apologized profusely as she held his hand. The princess caressed his face and held him against her chest while Dr. Flora went to bandaging his hand. The last time they had dealt with a broken appendage was with Francis. That had been a clean break and didn't require setting.

This was horrible, for Flik as well as his attendants.

Atta tried to maintain her composure, but tears slowly made their way down her face. She was heartbroken that they had caused him further pain when he was already suffering.

Flik's sobs slowed and he shuddered as he went into shock. He suddenly felt a cramping pain in his abdomen and his stomach lurched and its contents came upward.

Atta had noticed Flik's sudden discomfort and quickly grabbed the bucket. Flik continued to heave until there was nothing left. He curled on his side and continued to wretch and sob.

Atta's tears were flowing freely now, and even Dr. Flora looked teary eyed.

"Is there anything else we can give him?" pleaded the princess.

Dr. Flora shook her head vigorously. "I gave him the strongest thing I could make. If we give him more right now, it might make him sicker," explained the doctor. "We'll have to wait until he's settled down."

Atta furiously wiped away her tears. She couldn't just stand there and cry. Flik needed her. She grabbed a small cloth and dampened it with a bead of dew. Atta huddled over Flik's battered frame and began wiping his face. All the while, she tried her best to comfort him.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. It's over now," Atta reassured him.

Tears continued to stream down Flik's face and his breathing was fast and shallow.

It was then that Atta heard hushed whispers at the edge of the room. She looked up and noticed a small crowd gathered by the entrance. Once they saw the Princess take notice of them, they looked guilty and quickly dispersed.

Anger swelled in her chest at the thought of the colony gawking at Flik's agony. She turned to face Dr. Flora who also seemed displeased at their behavior.

The next thing the Princess said caught Dr. Flora by surprise. "Dr. Flora, I'd like to move Flik to my room so he can have more privacy," she ventured boldly.

Before Dr. Flora could reply, Atta had already scooped Flik up in her arms and was making her way down the hall.