Mako's Message: First I want to apologize to everyone who has reviewed. I usually try to respond to every review I get, but I just haven't had the time. Just posting these is taking more time from searching Craigslist than I should be sparring, but damnit, I can't just leave you guys hanging!
Second, thank you to all of you who have wished me luck in finding a place for me and my son. I could really use it.
Anyway, I hope this chapter answers any questions you might have had after reading 57.
Also, at 3631 words, this should be the longest chapter yet. So, enjoy
Today was a hell of a day.
I mean, waking up in a bed that's not yours is always strange. You feel disoriented and there's always that little tinge of panic at waking up in an unfamiliar place.
But it was still nice waking up next to Dave.
The moment of confusion washed away completely when I saw him sleeping beside me and it just made me so happy to see him there I wanted to wrap my self around him, hold him tight and drift back to sleep. I'm not the type to go back to sleep if the sun is up though.
I didn't want to disturb him though, so I got up, took a shower, and put on some fresh clothes. When I went back into the room to see how Dave was doing, he was thrashing around in the sheets and crying out in his sleep.
I ran over to him and started shaking him and calling his name, though how much good that did with all the thrashing he was already doing I've no idea. He did wake up though, and for a second I could see him look around in a panic, and then his eyes turned to me and... he flinched back.
I don't know why he did, but I leaned back to give him some space anyway and asked, "What's wrong? A nightmare?" He didn't answer me though, he was too busy trying to catch his breath, and that's when I noticed he was covered in sweat. When he finally pulled himself together and looked up at me he said, "I'm so sorry."
I asked him what he was sorry about, and he said, "I'm sorry for what happened to your father. It was all my fault. It should have been me that died."
I couldn't believe he was apologizing for that now of all times. I mean, if it wasn't obvious I'd forgiven him for that long ago, it should have been after Christmas, but the fact that he still thought about it. That he still felt guilty about it almost overwhelmed me and I climbed onto the bed next to him and held onto him as tight as I could. I said to him, "Don't say that. It was not your fault. You were tricked and it could have just as easily been you that died."
He said, "It was still my fault. I led them to you."
I appreciated him still feeling responsible for what happened, but he really wasn't. I mean, Dave got into all that because D'Amico wanted to get at us for what we'd been doing to his organization. So to try and get him over it I said, "Fine, If it was your fault, tell me one thing that should have clued you in to it being a trap."
He sat there and he really thought about it. He spent at least a minute trying to think of something.
Finally, he said, "Nothing."
I said, "You sure? You've thought about everything you two did and talked about? Nothing suspicious, even in hindsight?"
He said, "No."
So I said, "Then it's not your fault," dope slapped him, and called him a dumb ass.
That seemed to snap him out of it enough to smile at me.
Then he tried to get up and he groaned and fell back into the bed, too sore to stand.
I asked him if he sore and he just grimaced and nodded his head. I told him I wasn't surprised after the beating he took, and he said, "I know. I'm gonna catch hell from Katie."
I immediately changed the subject. To his nightmare. Not really the best move, but I had to act quick to get off the subject of Katie.
He said he didn't have them often, just if something made him think about the night I saved him. Which explained why the first thing he did when he woke up was apologize for what happened. I figured it was seeing that motherfucker again. He confirmed it and I said, "Well, that just gives us another reason to kill him."
He laughed and said, "As if we needed any more."
Now that I'm thinking about it, I wonder what would trigger the nightmares before. I hope he didn't have any on Christmas, what with him giving me that statue an all.
Anyway, he finally forced himself to his feet and hobbled to the bathroom for another hot shower to try and relax his sore muscles and wash off the rest of the blood.
I talked with him through the wall while he showered, trying to resist the urge to actually go in there with him, and convinced him that we needed to do something fun to relax. BEFORE he called Katie and got his ear chewed off.
I mean, Daddy and I always did something fun after a mission. Like, going to a movie, or to dinner, or bowling. Sometimes even after training.
After his shower I had Dave sit down so I could see what I could do to cover up the cuts and bruising. I had some concealer in the bag I had my clothes in, and I'm still not as good as Jessi, but I'm pretty good. Dave objected, saying he could do it himself, but I told him to just sit down and submit to it since I wasn't going to have him walking around with me if he looked like a run over road whore.
We didn't want to risk running into our parents, and we only had a few bucks that where in Dave's spare clothes so we decided to pick up some breakfast at a McDonalds and go eat in a park. It was really nice to just sit on the grass and eat, enjoying the sun and peace. We talked, about things unrelated to costumed heroism, for awhile. Catching up on what'd been going on with each other in school and stuff.
Eventually he stopped responding to what I was saying, and I looked over to see him sleeping. I thought about waking him up, but he needed it, what with that nightmare and all. Instead I moved over and lay down with my head resting on his stomach and let myself drift to sleep.
And if Katie has a problem with that, she can go eat a dick.
I really wish our day could have ended there.
Of course it couldn't though. We did have to get up and face the aftermath of a public superhero brawl, even if we were facing it privately.
With no bus fare and without a phone we had a long walk ahead of us, and everywhere we looked there was something about the brawl. We picked up a discarded newspaper along the way. Everything on the front page and nearly everything in the first section had something to do with it. Reports on the fight itself, Hit Girl, the body count, the clean up, Hit Girl, witness accounts, speculation on who was under the masks and why they did it, Hit Girl, and of course how and why it was allowed to happen. There was also an article on Hit Girl.
I guess I did draw a lot of attention with that entrance. I bet Daddy is rolling in his grave right now.
There IS a nice picture of Dave and I together though. Probably the first one taken. We're standing next to each other savoring the taste of victory. Well, Dave might be enjoying still being alive more than the taste of victory. I clipped it out and have it stuck to my mirror. There's nothing incriminating about that is there?
Anyway, when I got home Marcus was waiting for me. First words out of his mouth when I walked in the door? "We need to talk."
Despite driving me to the fight, he was obviously displeased with what happened yesterday. He went on and on about how he didn't approve of and couldn't condone my actions. How it was reckless and illegal. And THEN he started in on the fact that I'd just killed over a dozen people and how I didn't want him to get started on THAT. He must have lectured me for a solid half hour. At least.
And then he said, "But I'm impressed."
I'd started to zone out by that point but when he said that I was wide awake.
"Yeah, you kind of ambushed them, and yes, they were tired, but your aim was amazing. I watched the tapes a few times and you didn't miss any of those thugs and you didn't hit a single" he paused then, like he was trying to spit the next word out, "Hero."
I had to grin at that.
Then he continued with, "And I really had no idea you could move like that. I mean, I've seen you work out and practice your gymnastics, but that was like something out of an action movie. I really have no idea how your father trained you to be that good, but I guess psychotic determination will get you results."
He paused for a minute, like before when he was trying to say "hero", but a lot longer.
"I don't like the idea of calling them this... but those guys you were fighting with really were heroes. That guy in the orange..or red... whatever. The guy with the sword. He made terroristic threats against the people of the city and even though we showed up (by "we" he meant the NYPD), we were told to let them be because they weren't actually doing anything. Because he said he was only going to attack the public if the heroes didn't show up to stop them. Because he said they'd start in on the police if they tried to break it up. Because the people in charge actually thought it'd be good to just let their two problems take each other out while they protected the civilians. And I just KNOW that at least one of the people giving those orders was on the take. I'm getting off track.
"Those guys showed up for a fight, knowing this guy was out for blood, to protect people. A lot of them were injured and more than a few died, but they showed up and risked their lives and it wasn't even their job. You went out to protect people. I don't approve of your methods, but I can respect your intentions." It actually looked like it caused him physical pain to say this next part, "And with psycho's like that out there, I think we need you. You can go do your Hit Girl thing."
I leapt up and hugged him so hard I knocked the wind right out of him. I yelled, "Thank you" over and over and over before running upstairs.
He yelled after me, "Just keep it low profile and try to NOT kill people!"
I yelled back, "No promises!" and dove for my phone to call Dave. That's when I remembered something. I went back down the stairs and asked "What about the restraining order? Can you get it taken off?"
He just shook his head and waved it away, "There never was one. What would I have said it was for? Encouraging irresponsible behavior?"
I was too happy to hear it'd all been him just blowing smoke up our asses to really care about anything else and said, "You really are a devious bastard." and ran back upstairs.
Where a text message from Dave was waiting: "Marty's alive. In hospital. Critical but stable."
I didn't have to contain my excitement so I didn't. Marcus came wanting to know what all the hollering was about and I jumped on him again yelling "He's alive!"
Marcus wanted to know who was alive and why I was worried he wouldn't be, so I explained about Marty being Battle Guy and him getting his head caved in in the fight yesterday. He asked, "Wait, Marty? Dave's friend? The short pudgy one with glasses?" When I nodded he said, "Jeez. And I thought it was your father starting the fucked up superhero club."
I explained that, no, Dave didn't have anything to do with Marty putting on a costume, and that Marty didn't even know Dave was Kick-Ass until about a month ago when they met at a Justice Forever meeting.
Now that I think about it I probably could have kept some of that to myself.
Well, I'm sure Marcus isn't going to tell anyone.
Anyway, Dave said he was allowed visitors and that he was already on his way to the hospital, so I asked Marcus if he could take me too.
It took some convincing, and a lot of effort to actually get to his room once we got there, but we did get there and I learned something new once we did.
Apparently being in a coma counts as being stable.
It was a real kick in the balls to walk into the room expecting to see Marty, ya know, awake at least, only to see him laying there in the bed, dead to the world, hooked up to a bunch of quietly bleeping machines. Dave was already there of course, with his Dad, who was talking to Marty's parents. Hell of a way to meet them I gotta say.
I sat down next to Dave who had just been sitting there, staring at him and not saying a word. I'm still new to the whole comforting people thing, so I just sort of put my arm around his shoulders and gave him a couple little pats.
He hasn't said anything about it since yesterday, but I'm pretty sure he blames himself for this. Ya know, since he started the whole costumed hero thing, officially at least. My Dad was doing it before him, I think his first attempt might have actually been before my first night out though. But he didn't make Marty put on the costume. Marty did it for his own reasons.
Marcus talked to his parents for awhile, adding his own condolences to the standard cop promise to hunt the guys who did this down and bring them to justice. I think I may have beat them to it though. Don't know which one of those cunts did it though so I can't be sure.
After awhile I got tired of just sitting there in silence so I dragged Dave out to get some food, and while we were out looking for a vending machine or something, someone called out from one of the rooms, "Hey, Dave! Come to see your old uncle John huh?"
Dave didn't seem to know what the hell the guy was talking about at first, then the guy said, "Don't just stand there in the door like that, come on in and give your uncle a hug or I'll have to kick your ass."
It was like a light bulb went on in his head. He walked in and gave the guy a hug saying, "Sorry, just a shock seeing you like this."
Dave said he was glad to see the guy and asked how he was doing.
This old guy seemed to be really annoyed about whatever he was about to say next, "Heart attack."
Dave almost laughed and the old guy glared at him. Dave came back with, "I mean, of all things right? And you come out alive."
And that's when things started to click. I looked at the guy's eyes, and they had the same sort of look to them that D'Amico and a few of the other high level mobsters we offed had. Not as mean, but still the same sort of eyes.
He looked right back at me and after a second said, "So this is her?"
Dave and I both said, "Who?"
He kind of smiled then and said, just loud enough for us to hear, "Hit Girl."
Dave started back peddling so fast it was almost funny, "What are you talking about? She's not Hit Girl. Why would you even think that? She's a friend of Marty and I's from school."
"Yeah, she's Hit Girl. She's got the eyes of a killer."
I'm still not sure what to think about that. I looked at myself in the mirror for a long time when I got home and I don't know what he was seeing.
I asked, "Is this who I think it is?"
We looked at each other for a second, and Dave was just watching us look at each other for a second, before the old man extended his hand and said, "Colonel Stars."
I took it and said, "Hit Girl."
He said I was younger than he'd expected, and guessed me at ten. (I'm still mad about that.) I told him I was almost twelve and he apologized and said that I was still a little younger than he'd thought, but only by a year or so.
So then he asked Dave why he said he didn't know me when they'd asked about me back when he joined. He said he'd been trying to protect my identity. Then he asked why I gave it up. I said, "Well, he knows who you are, and you trust him, I could tell he wouldn't believe I wasn't her unless he saw the two of us standing side by side, and he knows that if he spills I'll kill him." I couldn't resist saying that last bit in my best "sweet little girl" voice.
Old Man Stars chuckled to himself and said, "That's usually how it works."
Dave asked, "So, do you know if any of the others got out alive?"
Stars said he knew Captain Stripes was dead, and that he thought Insect-Man survived, but he didn't know anything about the others. We talked for a little bit longer, but we didn't want to be gone from Marty's room for too long. It ended with the Colonel telling us to come visit him again sometime and that when he got out he'd post on the registry.
All in all though, for an ex-mafia born-again christian, Colonel Stars is a pretty cool guy.
When we came back, Marcus asked how much longer I wanted to stay, and if he should come back for me. I looked at Dave to ask what he was going to do, and when it looked like he was going to stay, Marty's mother said, "We appreciate you being here, and I'm sure Marty would as well, but you can go home dear. There's no need for you to stay here like this."
The Dad added in, "Yeah, it's not going to make any difference if you're here or not so there's no point in sitting there all the time. You're always welcome to come back though."
Dave agreed with them and said goodbye and that he'd be back soon.
I walked out of the room with him and Mr. L to see if he wanted to hang out for a bit and tell him the retraining order was all bullshit. But he said he just wanted to go home and get some sleep. I guess I can't blame him. He's probably still sore and I bet everything that happened is still taking it's toll on him.
Marcus asked if I wanted to get some ice cream or anything. Now, ice cream always appeals to me, but I'm pretty sure he'd want to go to the NYBC that Riley works at, and I just did not feel like dealing with her, so I declined, but I told him getting food would be great.
I wanted to get a steak, but that was more than Marcus was willing to spend so I just got their Super Burger. He was surprised at the way I tore into it, but if I'm going to be hitting the streets again I'm gonna need to start upping my protein intake. I did get ice cream there though. It was just a little hot fudge sundae, but after that burger I don't think I'd have had room for the sort of thing I get at NYBC anyway.
I sent Dave a text to see how he was doing after we ate, but he hasn't responded so I guess he's asleep. I probably should turn in too. I do have to go to school tomo
Shit.
TODAY was a school day. Fuck. I guess I should go talk to Marcus about writing me a note for school. That's sure an upside to this at least. Marcus can help me come up with excuses for OH GODDAMNIT! What is Dave going to do? How did he explain being out all night to his dad?
Unless he knows... I mean, it's possible, but aside from that comment about needing to be kick ass to get a girl like Katie at Thanksgiving I can't think of anything that might mean he did, and I know Dave hasn't told him...
Well, Dave's been pretty good at coming up with stories so far so I'm sure he came up with something. Or, he will, if it hasn't come up yet.
Anyway, I'm gonna end it here tonight. It's been a hell of a weekend and it was good to get it all out of my head, but I need to sleep.
