Mission 37 – Troubled Night
Damon tentatively looked at the clock by his bedside. The blue lights shone, stating that it was 2:19 in the morning. In the two hours since Krystal had come to visit he'd had a myriad of motions. He had traveled from a slightly euphoric state, then he came screeching back to reality and over the past hour he had become numb with dread. He couldn't bring his mind to peace, when everything he though of brought his mind back to his current dilemma. He'd cried so hard he found himself running dry of tears. He could feel his eyes burning, trying to release water that simply wasn't there. It didn't anywhere nearly as bad as his heart was however. He felt as if it were about to break, both physically and emotionally. So much troubles, and anguish, were being caused because of him. First he had landed himself in one of the most horrible crimes that you can commit, murder, even though he knew he didn't do it he felt awful. He felt as if he had committed the crime, and that burden weighed heavily upon him. All the hatred he had harbored for Chad had suddenly become sadness and remorse, and the trouble it was causing his friends was even worse. They were working tirelessly downstairs for him, trying to rescue him from another perilous predicament. He couldn't help feeling useless, as if all he did for the team was cause them trouble. He shuddered, feeling helpless and useless, almost like when he was back under Leon's control. It was the same, locked in a small, dark little room, unsure of what horror awaited him. Then there was his love, which seemed more distant from him than ever. He touched his lips, remembering vividly his first kiss. Krystal had been so kind and gentle; he could feel the love and passion he'd desired for so long. But after she left it only made the chasm in his heart deeper, for it made him realize he was only further away from what he wanted. That was, of course, if he could obtain it at all.
He closed his eyes, images swirling through his head. His lips quivered as one of his fantasies came to mind. It was a warm sunny afternoon, and he was sitting on a grassy hillside near a lake. It was one of the beautiful lakes of Dinosaur Planet, recently renamed Sauria. Fox had shown him a picture of it; the place was called Infinity Lagoon. It was an incredibly large lake, seeming to stretch out like an ocean. The water was pure and pristine, a picturesque retreat. Sitting beside him was the woman of his desires, the jackal girl from the agency. No longer did he need to admire her from afar; in his dreams she harbored just as strong a feeling for him as he did for her. He called out her name softly to himself, barely audible, "…Ivy…" The name was music to him. In his fantasy, Shauna tackled him, holding him to the ground she smiled at him lovingly. She harbored no fear or repulsion at his appearance, and she didn't care about the horrible deformities he'd been ridiculed for all his life. All there was in the universe were them. She bent down and kissed him passionately, making all of Damon's fears, insecurities, doubts, and any problems melt away. He felt blissfully free.
He opened his eyes once again, the clock blared coldly at him, as if denying him the pleasure of his dreams. Only five minutes had passed, he moaned softly, his heart was tearing apart. He thought about his friends downstairs, all working for him, it was the only hope he had right now. He desperately wanted to see them. He wanted to apologize for them so much grief. He needed to pour out his soul, or otherwise he would never be able to look his friends in the eyes again. He would always be a worthless hybrid, useless and troublesome, just as Leon so long ago had treated him.
Damon gripped the railings of the bed. He pushed with all the strength, trying to lift his body up. To his surprise, he got up without experiencing too many difficulties. His body was already mending the wounds he received rapidly. The only significant pain that he was experiencing was in his lungs. The slightest exercise resulted in painful, gasping breaths. However, that was not enough to stop him. Slowly, Damon pivoted his legs around and over the railings of the bed, and then pushed himself off.
His legs felt fine at first, and he was able to stand, but seconds later, they began two wobble. Damon grabbed on to the IV stand, using it as a support while he caught his breath. Conveniently, the stand was wheeled, which allowed him to slowly shuffle towards the door. It seemed to take an eternity to reach the doorknob. By the time he did it, he was breathing harshly, his heart pounding against his chest from the lack of oxygen. He reached for the metallic handle and pushed down, but to his surprise, it barely moved. It was locked.
"No…How could they? Why?" Damon whimpered to himself, as he tried again, "No!" The door was locked due to a safety precaution, now that Damon was a suspected criminal. He beat on the door in frustration, both angry and disappointed. He slid down the door in defeat, laying flat on the ground by the door. He softly began to cry, knowing all his efforts, all his suffering, had been in vain. But furthermore, he was no longer the innocent pup that everyone knew. He was a murderer.
Sirus slowly walked down the hall, it now being four o'clock in the morning. He'd taken a short nap, and decided to visit Damon, to make sure he was sleeping properly. He took his time, quietly padding through the darkened halls. He smiled, knowing Damon would be happy to see him, especially since they hadn't spoken since Damon had been brought to the hospital; he'd spent all his time working to help his poor son. He punched in the number code to Damon's room, the code that kept him locked in.
The wolf was shocked to see his son out of bed and sobbing on the ground. Without questioning Damon, Sirus patted his son on the back as a sign of comfort, "What's the matter son?"
"I'm a horrible son…" Damon said hoarsely, as he tried to stop crying.
Sirus shut the door and cradled his son in his lap, holding his head to his chest, "Why do you say that?"
Damon sniffled, "'Cause it's true, I don't give the team anything but grief and trouble. You all work tirelessly to help me, and I cry up here like some sorry pup. I try so hard, but I always mess up."
Sirus kissed his son on the forehead, "Damon, we all love you just the way you are. No matter what you are a valuable asset to all of us, the team…and our family. We'd do anything to help you. You're not a grievance, and deep down I know you're strong. Your tears don't make you weak Damon. If I had the chance to change you…you know what it would be?"
Damon nuzzled his Sirus' chest, "What?" he quietly asked.
Sirus propped Damon's head to look at him with his middle and index fingers, "Absolutely nothing…"
Damon smiled, his eyes still trickling tears, "Thanks Dad." He dropped his head down again and sniffled, also he tried to burrow deeper into the arms of his father.
Sirus rested his cheek between Damon's ears, "That's not the only thing bothering you, is it buddy?"
"Daddy…I'm really scared." Damon cried.
Sirus nuzzled his son, "I understand…I'm scared too. This is an unfair situation you've been put in, but we're trying our best."
"I don't want to go to jail." He gripped his father tightly.
Sirus lifted his son and himself to their feet, "Hey, why don't we go downstairs, and see how everybody's doing?"
"O-Okay…" Damon whispered.
"Hey everyone, you've all been working very hard, let's go take a break in the cafeteria." Sirus said as he walked back into the small conference room. "I think we've all earned a little rest."
Damon stood behind Sirus, looking a bit distraught, he timidly bowed in front of everyone, "Thanks everybody," he sniffled, "Thanks so much…"
Fox smiled and walked over to Damon, placing a friendly hand on his shoulder, "It's no problem buddy, we're glad to help."
"Come on, come on," Slippy whined, "Let's get to that cafeteria, all this work has made me hungry."
"Oh Slip, give it a rest," Peppy chided, "Damon needs us right now, you can live a few more hours without stuffing your face."
Slippy stuck out his tongue, "Don't gimme that old timer, you've been sleeping for the past half hour!"
"Guys, guys," Krystal chirped in, "We're not going to get anywhere by fighting with each other. We need to pull together right now."
"She's right, we're not going anywhere if we don't work as a team." Fox said, "Let's take a short snack break, and then we're getting right back on the job…and that's an order!" Fox said with a wink.
The group all rose from their seats, except for Krystal and the kits. Cory and Clair slept next to each other on one of the padded benches against the wall. She walked over and readjusted her flight jacket that she had placed over them for warmth.
Fox walked over and smiled, "Are you sure you don't want me to stay behind, you deserve a break too."
Krystal nuzzled her lover, "I'm fine dear, you go with the team."
Fox smiled, "Anything I can get you dear?"
"If it doesn't cause too much trouble, perhaps small mug of hot chocolate," She kissed her husband on the cheek. "You wouldn't mind would you?"
"We'll be back soon," Fox turned to everyone else, "Let's go!"
Everyone walked down the hall together, Damon in the center of the congregation. He knew why as well, while he knew his friends believed he didn't kill Chad, they had to take precautions. Since they weren't sure they had to keep him where they made sure he wouldn't do anything, although it was really more for show than anything else. So no one would think that they didn't care. The next was for Damon's own protection, if he were caught alone he'd be in even worse trouble than he was now. The group finally made it into the Cafeteria, and Doctor Zenotabi opened the door to the kitchen. The robot staff, which normally stood in stand-by mode, sprang to life at the sign of life.
One robot walked forward, "Good evening sir, what can we do for you?"
The rat doctor smiled, "Sorry to disturb your regular operating hours but our group is hungry. We'd like to place a few orders."
"But of course sir," the robot said, "Take your seats and the holographic menus will display, and then just let us know what your choice is."
Everyone sat down at one long table, and green squares with lighter green writing displayed in front of each filled seat. Everyone began placing orders, some light snacks, others ordered simple drinks, and a few full breakfasts.
"What about the young sir?" the robot asked through an intercom on the table. The team looked around the table, and Damon was the only one whose menu had not disappeared.
Sirus nudged Damon, "Come on sport, I know you're hungry, you've been up all night, and you didn't eat dinner."
"Oh…okay," Damon glanced through the patient menu, which had softer foods for recovering patients, "Can I have a small bowl of peach sherbet, and a breakfast smoothie please?"
"Order accepted," the robot chimed, "All your orders will be processed and completed shortly."
"Are you going to be okay son?" Sirus asked, nuzzling the younger hybrid. "How are you feeling?"
"A little sore when I breathe, but I'm okay." Damon slouched and blushed as his father nuzzled him in front of everybody. Suddenly he felt like he grew several years older . . . and should act like his age for once. "Thanks dad."
"Man, you got shot twice in the chest just hours ago, and all that is left is "a little sore when you breathe?" Patrick said in surprise, "That's awesome!"
"Heh . . ." Damon smiled at Patrick, whom he had just noticed for the first time. "I think the doctors did a very good job sealing the wounds up this time . . . Usually I won't be able to walk until tomorrow afternoon when I get wounds like these."
"I would say so." Dr. Zenotabi commented. The old rat participated in the operation to save Damon . . . except there wasn't much to save. The hybrid's body was so regenerative that all they had to do was to stitch up the wounds and allow natural regeneration to take over. Leon was indeed a very talented genetic scientist, perhaps even sharper than Zenotabi himself. Obsidian and Jade, the rat's very own creations, were in many ways lacking to Damon, a genetic marvel that Leon considered a failure.
Damon became even more nervous as everyone's eyes fell on him. His blush deepened and he tried to hide it behind his hands. "I'm really sorry everyone, I've caused the team nothing but trouble."
"Damon don't feel bad," Fox said, "You're an asset to this team, we know you'd do anything to help us. It's no trouble; it's not even your fault."
"He's just nervous Fox, I think he has right to be. We all know he's been mired pretty deep this time." Sirus said sadly.
"Sirus," Peppy said in a scolding manner, "You act as if the boy is doomed."
Sirus frowned, "You're right, I suppose it's not good to dread…"
"But we can't sugar coat this either," a voice rang out, surprisingly it was Damon, "I-I'm sorry, but we can't take this lightly. I know I've caused a big problem. But simply telling me it's not there isn't going to make it go away."
Peppy nodded, "You're right Damon, I'm glad you understand." Then the old rabbit smiled in a fatherly way, "I'm glad to see you trying to be strong Damon, but don't hide your tears Damon. We've never stopped you before; it's perfectly fine to cry if you need to."
Patrick stared at the scene, but blurted out as if he hadn't been paying attention whatsoever, "So Damon, what else can you do!" he asked excitedly.
Cody stared annoyed at his little brother, and then slapped him lightly back of the head, "Have you no manners? Poor Damon is distressed, everyone here is pouring their heart out to help and comfort him. And what do you do, you ask him to perform tricks like a trained animal!"
Patrick bowed his head, "I'm sorry…"
"It's okay, no one can blame you for being inquisitive." Slippy said.
"Yeah, you're nowhere near as bad as Slippy either." Damon said giggling.
Slippy nodded, "That's right you're nowhere near…HEY!"
Pat chuckled a little and looked up, "I really am sorry though, I just let my fascination get the better of me."
Damon smiled, "It's okay, don't worry about it."
Zenotabi smiled, "By the way Obsidian, she's due in about a week."
"Who?" Everyone, save a select few, asked in unison.
"Simply a girl I know…" Obsidian said, smiling at Sirus, Cody, and Damon, who were all in on the little secret.
"Congrats brother," Sirus said, with a wink. "I can't wait to see her."
"Perhaps we should leave it at that, I think we're confusing everyone else gentlemen." Zenotabi said with a sly smile.
Another chime rang through the hall, "Order up!" the robot spoke. Two robot waiters came out from the door carrying the trays of food, and everyone received their orders.
"Perfect timing," Obsidian said, "Time to eat everyone."
Damon looked down at his bowl of ice cream, gently lifting the spoon he took a bite. He gasped as it traveled down, making his insides burn with pain. "Ow…" he softly moaned.
"Maybe you're still moving a bit fast Damon, you've already pushed yourself by getting out of bed so early, perhaps you should stick with the shake." Zenotabi suggested. He smiled as the hybrid nodded in agreement.
Obsidian took a glance at Damon from across the table, as they both began their meals. He noticed everyone had gone silent, unsure of what to talk about with the delicate situation at hand. No one wanted to distress the young hybrid any further than he was at this point. Obsidian knew Damon was just putting on a brave face, right now Damon wanted to burst out crying. Deep down that scared little puppy dog was fighting to get out. Damon was being a trooper and fighting it though, for the consideration of the team. If Damon's complex emotions were to be unleashed now, it would simply be a burden, creating more problems and distractions. Obsidian smiled, proud of his nephew; for as much as Damon wanted to, as scared and as hurt as he was, he smiled.
Obsidian helped Damon walk up to his room quietly. He leaned on his uncle's shoulder for support, his breath a bit ragged from exertion. Damon stopped for a moment, his knees buckling, and then he simply allowed himself to collapse. Obsidian caught him halfway, bringing him gently to the floor. The older wolf brought Damon's head to his chest, cradling him in the empty hallway.
"It's okay Damon, let it all out," Obsidian kissed his head, "It's alright." Obsidian picked Damon up and carried him the rest of the way to the room. Once they got there he laid Damon in the bed and placed a new IV in Damon's arm. "You know, you were really brave out there…"
"Really?" Damon softly cried, tears already soaking his cheeks.
"Yeah, it's was really brave of you," Obsidian said, holding Damon's hand comfortingly, "You put the team first, something I know you've always done, but it really showed tonight. I'm very proud of you."
"But…I'm crying now…" Damon whimpered, "I'll never be strong."
"Damon, how many times do I have to tell you, crying doesn't make you weak. It shows you have a loving and tender heart. There's nothing wrong with it, remember what Peppy said? If you need to cry, do so, you'll only hurt yourself if you try to hold it in." Obsidian smiled.
"But no one else cries," Damon said, "I'm sorry I have to be such a pup."
"Damon, you're different from everyone else. You have a lot of emotions; you've learned to experience them on a higher level. That can be a great asset to you, don't worry, the past is gone. No one in the team is going to make fun of you." Obsidian smiled, "You're a sweet little guy, and we all love you just the way you are."
"I'm sorry Uncle Rocky," Damon reached over and hugged his uncle, "I'm just so scared."
Obsidian patted Damon's back, "I know Damon, me too…but I'll make you a deal."
"What?" Damon sniffled.
"If you let me be your lawyer for the trail, we can be strong together." Obsidian smiled.
Damon gripped his uncle tightly, "That would be great." Damon spoke dreamily, and his grip loosened.
"I'm glad you like it." Obsidian said, suddenly he felt Damon shift all of his weight into Obsidian's shoulder, "Damon?" He felt Damon snuggle in and realized he'd fallen asleep. Obsidian chuckled to himself, "Poor little guy, he's been dead tired this whole time."
Obsidian gently laid Damon down, who was completely limp from fatigue. He had worn himself out from the night's events. He tucked him in with a warm quilt and kissed his forehead again. He walked over to the blinds, so the sun wouldn't disturb his precious sleep when it rose. As he walked towards the door he took one last glance, "Sleep well Damon, don't fret…I'll do everything in my power to protect you."
