15: Recovery

You didn't think it would end there, did you?

Disclaimer: You're probably sick of me by now, so I'll just say I don't own them.

"Highest rating we've had in a long time," Mr Dickenson said with a grin. "That would have to be the up side of it all."

Mariah's hands balled into fists. "Ratings? Ratings!?"

Ray reached out and layed a hand on her shoulder. "Mariah…"

"Ray." Ray glanced back at the bed where Kai was lying. "Punch him for me, would you?"

Lee pushed himself up. "Don't worry, I've got it."

Mr Dickenson held up his hands as he saw the 9 angry faces bearing the death glare. "Please, let me finish. The ratings were the only up side to it all. Every person who was in the crowd is suing us. Even Brad Best, A.J. Topper, and D.J Jazzman are asking for damages."

Tyson smirked. "Maybe we should ask for damages."

Kenny nodded. "Kai and Ray could certainly. They were both injured."

"I doubt being shot by a crazed maniac is on the insurance, Kenny," Dizzi spoke up.

Mr Dickenson sighed, slumping back in his seat. "The BBA has already decided to award you compensation. How much is still yet to be decided."

"Good," Kai spoke up. "I could use a little extra money to build a kennel for my dog."

"You're already rolling in it," Tyson said, turning toward him. "Anyway, do you have a dog?"

Kai smirked. "I'll buy one with the money I get from suing."

Ray chuckled.

Mr Dickenson looked toward him. "So how are you, Ray? How's your arm?"

Ray looked down at his slinged arm and sighed. "I'm not allowed to use it much for a while. I tore some major ligaments that are going to need time to heal."

Mariah smiled at him, then reached out and patted Kai's arm, which was sitting above his blankets. "Someone else is going to need time to heal as well."

Kai narrowed his eyes, then looked at Ray. "Do me a favour and squeeze one of those bags would you." He gestured up to the drip's that hung by his bed.

Ray chuckled. "Now you know what I had to grow up with."

Mariah narrowed her eyes and stuck her nose up in the air. "Sorry for caring."

Kevin smiled. "I still like you Mariah."

"Me too," Gary agreed.

Tyson and Max exchanged a wry smile. "So does Kenny."

Kenny, for his part, turned bright red. "Uh…"

"Oh look everyone," Dizzi piped up. "A Kenny Christmas light!"

Mr Dickenson waited til the laughter died down before he continued. "We've scheduled a rematch."

A silence hung over the group, Tyson blinking as he came out of it first. "You… what?"

Mr Dickenson smiled. "A rematch between the White Tigers and the Blade Breakers. Next week." He held up a hand to wave down and protest. "You have also been placed straight through to the final rounds of the American tournament."

Kenny's grip tightened on Dizzi. "You mean… you want us… to do it again!"

"When you fall off a horse, just get straight back on it." Mr Dickenson stood, moving toward the door. "By next week I'm sure Best, Topper, and Jazzman will be back at work, so once they return, we will hold the match. Until then, take a nice little break, but don't forget to train!"

A silence threaded its way through the group, broken only by the steady beat of Kai's heart monitor and other such equipment. They stared at the door, not knowing what to say.

Kai grunted. "Too bad Winton didn't shoot him."

The others nodded in mutual agreement.

Not over yet, don't worry. Please drop in a review while you're waiting. In the meantime, I have another Kai quote for you:

Sanguinex: It's too late for that, we have chosen the tall one as our challenger.

Kai: Huh, not me.

Sanguinex: Afraid?

Kai: I'm not afraid of you sideshow freaks.

Cenotaph: So foolish, your little friend is counting on you to save him.

Kai: Yeah, sure, whatever. Enjoy your home cooked Kenny burgers.

Kenny: KAI!