I do not own the BMFM and write for the shear enjoyment of sharing with those who have a like passion.
The Pink Ribbon

Part II

Each step taken brings you closer to the finish.

Venna had arranged for Charley's surgery to be performed late in the evening so that Throttle and his bros could be there with her. Instead of the hospital the whole procedure would be done in what was called a Surge-a-Center. This facility was completely equipped with everything needed to give Charley the best medical attention, but was far more private and smaller than a regular hospital,

She and one other person, that was allowed into the small circle of persons privileged to know about the guys, Doctor Raymond Venellaz. A skilled breast surgeon and long time college of Venna. The fact that he was always fascinated with the thought of life existing on other worlds was a definite plus when they had to explain why everything had to be done with so much secrecy.

Throttle was allowed to actually be in the operating room and stay until they put Charley under. He stood by the table holding Charley's hand between his own kissing her fingers softly. She was a little groggy from the medicine they'd given her to relax.

"Hey… you keep doin' that… and we gonna have to make… the good doctors leave and use… this table for another kinda of… operation." She giggled playfully slurring her words just a little.

"Keep your mind on goin' to sleep, Missy. We'll have plenty of time for that when I get you back home." He leaned over to kiss her forehead.

"Alright, its time we get started Mrs…umm...Mrs…"

"Just… Charley… is fine, Doctor Venellaz. It's gonna… take us both time… to learn to say… my Martian last name."

"I'll be waiting just outside, zaz' vec san." Throttle kissed her lips through the mask covering his face while gliding his fingers down her cheek.

Venna injected the final anesthetic into the tube leading to Charley's arm and her hand went limp. Throttle held it tenderly next to his cheek saying a small prayer then laying it down next to her side he left to wait with Vinnie and Modo.

"What was that he called her?" Doctor Venellaz asked before they got started.

"From what Charley tried to explain to me, it means my eternal light. She is the life force that keeps his heart beating. I don't think we have words that can really explain what it means but Charley has to be most fortunate woman I know, to have that kind of love." Venna sighed almost envying what Charley had found.

"Well let's make sure that they can enjoy it for a long long time." Doctor Venellaz smiled and began.

Vinnie jumped out if his chair seeing Throttle coming down the hall. Modo walked over to the door and said nothing while Throttle walked in and sat down to take off the green hospital scrubs.

"So give, bro. What's goin' on?" Vinnie asked nervously.

After taking a breath Throttle leaned back. "They just got started Vin. Its gonna be a couple of hours until they're done, then they haveta send something to the lab and maybe do more cutting if the cancer has spread further then Dr Williams thought. We just gotta wait it out,"

Modo walked over and put an encouraging hand on Throttle's shoulder. "I'm sure it hasn't, Bro. Why don't you try and catch a few zzzz's, your gonna need em.

Throttle leaned forward burying his head in his hands. Modo knew he was just on the edge of losing the fragile hold on what he perceived was acting like a leader. As Throttle did, too many times, he took everything on his shoulders concern that if he showed even the slightest bit of weakness others would suffer. Modo knew if his bro were going to get through what he and Charley were about to face Throttle had to let go of the already pent up emotion he was so desperately attempting to bury.

"Hey Vin. Why don't ya go to Chef Andy's and grab some hoagies. It's gonna be awhile and we could all use a little nourishment."

Vinnie knew the tone and without a word in protest he simply nodded. Walking toward the door he stopped by Throttle and reached down and took his hand. Throttle looked into Vinnie's eyes and saw everything that didn't need to be said. A brief squeeze was exchanged and Vinnie left.

Throttle got up and stood by the window remaining silent. Peering out he seemed mesmerized by the flickering lights of the still bustling metropolis. Modo walked over and stood a few inches behind him. Modo's strong flesh hand rested on the base of Throttle's tense neck while knowledgeable fingers began to lightly massage just where it was needed.

"It ain't good for you to keep it all inside, bro. This kind of hurt needs more than one set of shoulders to help carry. We've been through so much together. If it weren't for you and Vin, I'd have jumped into Mons Olympus when Crystal and the kids were taken from me. This ain't a time when your brains or your bike can help, just your bros and we're only a reach away."

Of course Modo was right. If you can't lean on your friends at a time like this then life had no meaning at all. Throttle turned and grabbed hold of the support offered by his life long friend, his more than a brother. Tears of anguish came uncontrolled as shaking sobs help release at least a little of the fear.

The hours past by very slowly, but before the day broke the operating room's doors swung open and they were taking Charley to the recovery area. Throttle was the first to the door though he didn't stop the bed as it was pushed past him. He never took his eyes off Charley.

Venna pulled her surgical masked down and from the smile on her face he knew the news was good. "Well, our girl did fabulous. The tumor was about as large as we though and the cancer hasn't spread to any of the surrounding area. We took more tissue just too make sure we got it all. After a while she won't even be able to see the scar but don't be surprised it she thinks it's enormous."

Throttle knees buckled in relief and a quick thinking Modo grabbed him around the waist before he fell to the floor. Venna reached up and as she had seen Charley do a number of times she brushed his bangs away from his eyes.

"She'll be out for a good four to five hours why don't you go home and I'll call when she's awake." Venna suggested not thinking that he would actually take her advice.

"I gotta be there when she does. I gotta be the first one she sees." He managed a tired smile, caught a second breath and stood on his own.

"I knew it was a long shot. Come on I'll see if I can rustle you up somewhere to sleep in her room, but you two can't stay." She pointed to Modo and Vinnie.

"What, just because he's her old man how come we gotta go. She's our Charley girl too." Vinnie pouted looking more like a hurt stubborn preschooler than an intergalactic hero.

"I'm sorry Vinnie, but she's still weak and besides the day staff will be coming in soon and trying to hide all three of you is just too much of a chore as tired as I am. So you have to scoot."

"But…I…just wanna let her know…I mean I want her to see..that I…um.."

Modo put an arm around his disappointed younger friend, "Charley knows we were here and she knows we love her too. But you don't want to do anything that isn't good for her do ya?"

"Nah… I guess not."

"So we get back to the hideout, see if old Lard butt is skulkin' around causin' any trouble and when the doc says it's okay, we come back and see Charley-girl."

"I promise as soon as it's safe for you and her, I'll let you know. Besides they would never get any work done if the woman on this floor got a gander at all those rippin' muscles." Venna teased pinching Vinnie's cheek then giving him a playful peck.

"Well I guess, but as soon as you can you'll tell us, right?"

" I Promise. I'll talk to you later, Modo." She winked at the sweet gentle giant with something a little different twinkling in her eyes.

He took her hand, kissed it, gave her a little nod in the affirmative then he and Vinnie took their leave.

To be continued…