IX. RECOVERY

"He's awake! He's awake!" Violet screamed. She had wakened just moments prior and run straight to Dash's room. He had obviously just gained consciousness himself as he was still quite dazed and confused. Bob and Helen stirred instantly. They had drifted off in each other's arms in the kitchen. Instantly they rounded the corner into Dash's room and found him sitting up rubbing the bumps beneath his blonde hair.

"Wha- what happened?" he asked.

"You scared us you little squirt!" Violet exclaimed as she reached over and gave him a huge hug.

Bob and Helen broke in and simultaneously embraced him. "He's going to be all right!" Bob said; "he's going to be all right."

By now the commotion had reached Jack-Jack's room and he could plainly be heard. "Ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-ma!" he exclaimed in his usual morning greeting. Mama had been his first word a few months before.

"Oh, Violet can you go get Jack-Jack up?" Helen asked not willing to leave Dash's side.

Violet was obviously annoyed and didn't answer as she was no less eager to leave her brother. Bob saw her mood change. "Come on," he said rising, "I'll go with you. I think they need some time to themselves," he whispered to her on their way out.

"Oh Dash I was so worried," Helen said as she coaxed him to lie back down.

"What happened?" Dash asked again as he rested his head back against the bed.

"Well," Helen said. "What's the last thing you remember?"

"We had just beaten those crooks and – and the people started pointing cameras at me and taking pictures so I started running so they'd get good pictures; then- then- that's it. I can't remember anymore after that."

She half laughed at him. "You need to learn to watch where you're going at thirty miles per hour. You had an accident. From what I can tell you only hit your head but you hit it pretty hard. Now listen here young man; you need your rest. I want you to lie right there and not move."

"You mean I don't have to go to school!" he interrupted as she layed him back on his pillow.

"No, not until you're better. But don't think you can fool me to get more time off; we can't afford to raise too much suspicion. Now, do you want some breakfast?"

"Yeah mom, eggs, bacon, and a whole stack of pancakes."

"That's my boy; I'll fix it right up for you just as soon as I get your sister off to school."