Hermano

He continued to stare in the mirror, analyzing every bit of his new paintjob. It was definitely a different pattern scheme than his last one. Last time he had mostly a white underbelly with a forest green color on top and black accents. Now, he looked very different. He was mostly white now, save for the natural black part of his muzzle. The "wings" of his landing gear housing were navy blue, and so was his roof and the top half of his tail. A part of his roof and the attached visor above his eyes had been painted like a helmet, with a blue and gold stripe and a police badge design. He still had his 301 numbering on one side, and on one side of his tail were the words "Helicopter Patrol." A logo had been painted on his flank: a helicopter with the words "California Helicopter Patrol" stamped around the outside.

Blade Ranger took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. He had also been outfitted with a green visor for his eyes, but he decided to keep it off for now. His icy blue eyes gave his new look another once-over. After several small parts, he finally landed a major role for a new TV show called "CHoPs". The director seemed nice enough, and he instructed Blade to get this new paintjob and then meet with him today for something very important. Blade glanced to the wall clock of his L.A. apartment. It was almost time.

"Well," Blade sighed. "I guess I shouldn't try to avoid this."

As Blade made his way through the studio, he couldn't stop smiling the entire time. The awe he felt from seeing the studio for the first time had yet to wear off. He figured that, after spending some time practically living here shooting for the show, he'd get used to it. Blade finally found set A113, where the director asked him to meet. It only took a few minutes to locate said director—a red-orange 1975 BMW with a thick black grill plate mustache—out of the crowd of crew members.

"Hey, there he is!" the director laughed. He looked to the other vehicles who joined him. "Ladies and gentlemen, meet our newest acting prodigy: Blade Ranger."

Blade felt his face growing hot. "Uh, I wouldn't exactly call myself a prodigy, sir."

"Kid, we saw you at auditions." A female forklift laughed. "You have more raw acting talent than a lot of other guys your age." Blade stuttered a thanks, hoping he didn't look too pathetic in front of them.

"Right this way, Blade." The director instructed, leading Blade towards the doors. "I got a special job for you."

"Oh yeah?" Blade asked, curious.

"Don't worry, it'll be easy. At least it should be." The director assured. "See, we won't start filming until this weekend, and I don't want you to feel like you're working with strangers. When you start working, I want you to feel comfortable. Over the next couple days, you'll meet everyone else in the cast and crew. But for today, I want you to spend some time with your co-star."

"Co-star?" Blade repeated.

"Yeah." The director nodded. "We got two protagonists for the show: that's you and the other guy we hired a while back. I want you two to be able to work together, hence the job I have for you today." He paused, forcing Blade to do the same, and began looking around the area. "Now if we could just find him."

Blade heard he was joining a good-size cast, but he didn't realize he and just one other actor would be the focus points. It certainly raised some of the anxiousness he felt, but he steeled his nerves. This was what he always wanted, after all. But he didn't realize he would work so closely with just one actor. Blade knew that making friends in the world of theater and acting was judged on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes, you would enter into a cast and crew who became like a second family. Other times, you came in and the relationships were very neutral. Then there were the times when friction arose amongst actors and crew members. Blade really, really, really hoped the last scenario wouldn't be the case here.

The sound of propeller blades furiously chopping the air caught Blade's attention, and he glanced skyward. "Head's up!" he yelped, forcing himself and the director to duck down as someone zipped past them. Blade swore the "someone" came inches from his own propellers. Looking up, he saw the culprit to be a Hughes 500D helicopter with a paintjob almost identical to his own.

Is that him? Blade wondered. The Hughes whooped and laughed as he did several loops in the air.

"Nick Enrique Lopez!" the director snapped. "What have I told you about flying like that around the studio?!"

"What have I told you about how fun it is?" the Hughes laughed.

The director rolled his eyes. "That boy is gonna be the death of me." He raised his voice to shout at Nick again. "Get your tail down here, Lopez! Ya gotta meet your new co-star!"

"Ooh!" Nick suddenly seemed extra-excited. "Fresh meat!"

Blade would've paled if it were possible, and he gulped inaudibly. The director sighed. "Lopez." He intoned.

"Eh, calm down!" Nick laughed as he landed before them. "I was only joking."

"I don't find you funny." The director droned.

"Sure ya do!" Nick laughed. "Ya can't even deny it!"

The director sighed, but grinned. "Well save it for another time. Nick, meet your new co-star."

Nick finally looked to Blade, and the larger helicopter could see Nick also didn't wear his eye visor to reveal his bright and alert amber eyes. He looped around Blade, giving him a once-over and humming to himself in thought. Blade noticed Nick didn't have wheels for landing gear. Instead, he had a pair of skids that made twin clanging noises every time Nick hopped around to move. Nick finally stopped right in front of Blade, staring at him. Blade gave a friendly—albeit nervous—smile.

Nick's eyes narrowed in thought. "What's the name, big guy?"

"Uh, Blade." Blade introduced. "Blade Ranger."

The smaller helicopter continued to stare, almost unnerving Blade. "You sure he won't be stuck-up like the last guy?" Nick asked the director, turning to him.

"Nick, the last guy couldn't even act." The director said. "Blade here has plenty of raw talent and a good personality. I assure you, he will be fine."

Nick cast a sideways glance to Blade. Something in his eyes told Blade that Nick didn't fully believe the director. "How can I know for sure?"

"Because you two are going to spend the day together." The director said simply.

Nick and Blade stared at the director. "What?" They asked simultaneously.

"This recasting for Blade's part was a last-minute deal." The director explained. "But your roles require you two to act like childhood friends. Filming for the first episode begins this weekend, and I need you two to at least pretend that you're good friends. So you two are going to spend the day together to get to know each other."

"Huh?" Blade and Nick asked at the same time.

"It's not that difficult." The director assured. "Just taxi around the studio, go get a coffee, do something. But I want your friendship on the show to at least look a little believable." He drove off. "Have fun, you two!"

Nick and Blade stuttered protests, but the director already disappeared. The two helicopters sighed and exchanged looks.

Huh. I guess this could be worse. Nick thought.

I'm gonna die. Blade thought.

"So, you seen much of the studio?" Nick asked.

"Uh, not really." Blade admitted. "In fact, I got lost my first day here."

"Eh, no problemo." Nick assured. "Come on. I'll give you a tour."

"Thanks." Blade said. "I appreciate it."

"Don't worry about it." Nick said dismissively. "All new guys go through it in their first couple days. Besides, the place is pretty cool when you get a chance to look around." Blade nodded in agreement. As a child, he always dreamed of being on a real Hollywood studio. Nick had already spent a couple years at the studio, and he proved very knowledgeable as he described the different set buildings and what many of them were famous for. As they continued with the tour, the talk soon became a mix of describing the buildings and Blade's and Nick's personal lives.

"So, what kind of acting experience do you have?" Nick asked as they made their way around.

"Nothing professional, really." Blade said. "Unless you count the little skits I did as a kid for my family."

Nick barked a laugh. "You kiddin'? When I was a kid, the cable was so terrible that my family always had me and my siblings do little shows for everyone during the holidays."

Blade chuckled. "Well, apart from that, I did a lot of drama in school."

"Nice! Me too!" Nick said. "What'd you do?"

"A variety of different shows." Blade answered with a shrug. "Straight plays, musicals, that kind of stuff. We even did Grease."

"Not bad." Nick mused. "High school theater was the big thing for me, too. We had a good range. You're looking at the first Latino Romeo in the history of Lexington High School, New Mexico."

"Romeo, huh?" Blade chuckled. "With your reputation, you must've played him well."

"So I've heard." Nick chuckled. "Admittedly, Shakespeare is my guilty pleasure."

"Not a bad choice." Blade said. "I actually enjoy musicals myself, but I can't sing to save my life."

"I dunno." Nick smirked. "I'll bet you sound nice as a baritone."

"You'd lose that bet." Blade laughed.

Nick chuckled along with him. All right, this guy isn't half-bad.

"So is there much to do between shooting?" Blade asked.

"Well, I spend most of my time messing with the crew or flying." Nick said. "You should see my loops."

"Loops?" Blade repeated.

"Oh yeah!" Nick's eyes brightened considerably. "Around here, they call me 'Loopin' Lopez!' Just wait until you see my inside loop. I'm the only helicopter in the whole world who can do it!"

"You bragging about that loop again?" a human crew member chortled as she passed by.

"Is it really that special?" Blade laughed.

"Well, Nick does have a point." The crew member admitted. "His signature inside loop is one that no other helicopter has ever been able to perform."

"Told ya." Nick snickered, hopping off with a new air of pride in his body language. The crew member shook her head, but continued to giggle as she walked off.

Blade chuckled as he hurried after Nick. "You really like to fly, huh?"

"Of course I do." Nick spoke as though it were obvious. "You don't?"

"I like it, but I wouldn't say that I'm obsessed like you are." Blade said.

"Come on, flying is a part of who we are." Nick stopped and looked out towards the distance. Blade suddenly discovered they had stopped next to a small runway. A ways away rested the city of Los Angeles. It was the perfect view, and Blade had to wonder if Nick came out here often. Blade noticed a content, almost joyful look in Nick's eyes.

"I guess I never really thought about it." Blade said.

"But we're aircraft." Nick protested. "The word 'air' is in our name. Other vehicles were made to stay on the ground. But we were made to fly. Aircraft were given wings and rotors." He gave his own rotor blades a spin for emphasis. "We weren't meant to spend our lives on the ground. The sky is open for us, so why not go play in it?"

Blade stared at Nick for a while, awed by the almost poetic nature of Nick's love for flying. He wouldn't admit it out loud, but the day he learned to fly was an experience of pure freedom. Remembering that day helped Blade to understand Nick's feelings about being able to fly. Nick's grin became almost infectious, and Blade found himself smiling broadly.

An idea came to him.

Nick became aware of the fact that the wind picked up around him, and he noticed Blade started spinning his rotors. "Uh, what're you doing, chico?"

"Well, the sky's open to us." Blade said, a grin still on his lips. "Let's go play in it."

Nick stared at Blade for a moment before he broke into smiles, and he began spinning his rotors as well. He and Blade took to the skies, heading towards the city. They soared over the buildings and streets, getting a perfect bird's eye view of the place as they passed the city and headed out towards the park area. Now over clearer air with no traffic, Nick took the opportunity to start his aerobatic maneuvers. Blade hovered in place and watched in amazement as Nick shot through the air and did several loops, laughing and whooping the entire time.

"Yeah!" Nick laughed. "I'd like to see another helicopter do what I can!"

Blade rolled his eyes. "He's nuts."

Then Nick did something amazing. He shot up into the air and performed a loop like Blade had never seen before. Blade knew at once this must've been the inside loop Nick talked so much about. Okay, he had to admit it: what Nick did was pretty cool.

Nick came out of the loop smiling like a Cheshire Cat, and he noticed Blade staring at him with his jaw dropped. Nick's smile became a mix of pride and sheepishness. "What do you think?"

"That was amazing!" Blade breathed. "How did you do that?"

"Lots of practice." Nick chuckled. "And some trial and error."

"Well it was cool." Blade laughed. "Nice job."

Nick's smile grew, if it were possible at that moment. "Hey, why don't we head back to the studio? I'm starving!"

"Sure." Blade agreed. He and Nick began making their way towards the studio again. Blade couldn't stop smiling, and secretly he felt relieved that things were going so well. It came as an immense relief.

Nick showed Blade the mess hall of the studio, and thankfully the food looked pretty good. Nick joked that it was better than high school cafeteria food but not exactly gourmet, to which the chef in the mess hall threatened to throw his pot at him if he didn't shut up.

While the two helicopters ate, they began exchanging stories about their families and childhoods. Blade didn't think his story was all that interesting in comparison to Nick's. After all, Nick was born in Southern Mexico and his family moved to the States after the death of his father. Nick had always loved acting, so he pursued his dream and quickly became a success. Blade also loved acting, but he used to hide it from his father in fear of disappointing him.

"I still don't know how I managed to hide the fact I was going to rehearsals after school almost every day." Blade chuckled. "But I did. Then opening night came. I convinced my dad into thinking I was going on a camping trip with friends. But after the show, I was shocked to see my dad coming into the dressing room."

"He found you?" Nick asked, entranced by the story.

"Found me? He watched the entire show with my mother!" Blade corrected. "I was so scared of his reaction. But after I finally confessed the truth, he told me he was so proud. He even complimented me on my acting skills."

"Wow." Nick breathed. "Good to know he was proud."

Blade sighed, smiling softly. "Yeah. After that, he and I grew a lot closer."

"Wish I could say the same about my dad." Nick scoffed softly. "Then again, I never really knew him. Kinda hard to miss someone you've never met. But my brother knew Dad pretty well. Spent a lot of time with him."

Blade nodded in understanding. "You're brother older? Younger?"

"Older by about ten years." Nick said. "Mamá told me that Ben was originally going to be her only child, but I sort of came as a surprise. After we moved to the States, my mother even adopted a little girl."

"You get along well with your siblings?" Blade asked.

"Eh, more or less." Nick shrugged. "You know, we got along as siblings do. I've grown closer to my sister than Ben these days." He paused, looking past Blade. His amber eyes fell into a small glare. "Hablar del demonio."

Blade followed Nick's gaze to see another Hughes 500D hopping into the mess hall, coming right towards them with a paper sack in his teeth. The Hughes was beige in color with a black underbelly, and he had deep brown eyes currently in a mildly irritated glare. Blade figured this must be Ben Lopez, Nick's brother, but the glare in Ben's and Nick's eyes forced him to keep his trap shut.

"Que pasa, hermano?" Ben greeted as he approached and set the paper sack down.

"Nada." Nick replied. "Just getting to know my co-star. This is Blade. Blade, meet my brother, Ben."

Blade smiled in a friendly manner. "Hey. Pleasure to meet you."

Ben cast Blade a disdainful look. "Que pasa."

Blade's smile faltered, and he got the distinct feeling that Ben already didn't like him. Oh boy.

"Mamá wanted me to bring this for you." Ben nudged the paper sack forward. "She was worried you had forgotten to pack a lunch."

Nick looked to the lunch sack, his eyes going soft. "Why didn't she bring it herself?"

"Taking care of hermanita." Ben said. "She's sick again."

Nick chuckled. "Because she works too hard."

Ben cast a glare to Blade, who had only watched and listened to the conversation. "What're you lookin' at, burro?"

"Hey!" Nick snapped, speaking to his brother rapidly in Spanish. Ben retorted back in the same language. Blade, having only studied Spanish for a couple years in high school, didn't pick up much. But when Ben turned to leave, he shot Blade one last glare before disappearing. Nick rolled his eyes and sighed, taking up his sack lunch and dumping its contents out on the table. He started eating the sandwich his mother packed, despite having recently eaten. Blade watched him, suddenly feeling awkward. Nick shoved the apple from the lunch towards Blade.

"Oh, uh—"

"Just eat it. I won't be able to finish this all myself. But touch those cookies and you're dead."

Blade noticed a couple homemade cookies wrapped in plastic wrap, and he chuckled as he took the apple and chips Nick shoved towards him. He thought about asking Nick about what just happened, but he decided against it. Nick's relationship with his brother really wasn't any of his business.

But after finishing lunch, Blade noticed Nick's attitude took a drastic turn. Nick decided they should go get a better look at the set where they'd do a lot of filming, but he didn't speak the entire way towards the building. Blade wanted to say something to ease the stress of what happened, but whenever he opened his mouth, nothing came out.

He didn't think things could get any worse…and he was quickly proven wrong.

"Hey guys, check it out!" a voice called that made Nick freeze in his tracks. "It's our favorite little whelp."

Blade and Nick looked to the owner of the voice: a black sedan, joined by two other sedans colored green and orange. Blade's eyes narrowed a little in confusion, but he noticed Nick's eyes drop into an irritated glare.

"Don't you punks have better things to do?" Nick growled.

"Why? You worried you're gonna be late bouncing around like you do?" the black sedan laughed.

"They ought to call you Bunny-Copter!" the orange sedan jeered.

"More like the Hopping Helicopter." The green sedan sniggered.

"Ooh, the 'Hopping Helicopter.'" Nick's tone practically dripped with sarcasm. "Never heard that one before."

"I haven't seen this hunk of helicopter before." The black sedan mused, circling Nick and Blade but eyeing the latter. "What's up, Bunny Boy? Couldn't fight your own battles so you had to hire a bodyguard?"

"Hey, I don't need anyone to fight my battles for me!" Nick snapped. "Just buzz off."

"Or what, Hopper?" the black sedan goaded, smacking Nick's landing gear with one tire. "You gonna do something about it?"

"If he doesn't, I will." Blade growled, finally having enough of the bullies. "Like he said, buzz off." He began nudging Nick away from the cars. "Come on. Let's get to the set."

Nick rolled his eyes. "Fine." He and Blade began departing.

"Hey come on, ya Hopper!" the black sedan taunted, his buddies joining in the name-calling. Blade glared at them for a moment before looking to Nick. The smaller helicopter glared straight ahead, but he also seemed upset. The words hit hard, no matter how much Nick became used to them. The fact that he had landing skids instead of wheels seemed to be the one thing nobody would let him forget, least of all those three. Blade wanted to comfort the helicopter, but suddenly the black sedan appeared in their path.

"Move it, punk." Nick growled.

"I'm not done with you yet, Hopper." The black sedan sneered.

"Well we're done with you." Nick snapped, beginning to hop around the sedan and even shoving him aside.

"You turn your tail to me, I'll run you over like a speedbump!" The black sedan threatened.

"I'd like to see you try." Nick scoffed, continuing on with Blade right beside him.

The black sedan suddenly revved his engine, and—to the shock of his buddies and most of the people there—he shot forward and aimed to ram Nick. The Hughes helicopter turned and prepared to take the hit, but he suddenly found the "CHoPs" symbol in front of his eyes. Blade grunted in pain as the black sedan slammed into him, shoving him back a few inches and pushing into Nick. Nick's eyes widened, shocked from Blade jumping between him and the attack. The sedan looked surprised too, bouncing back and staring at the larger helicopter.

"Blade!" Nick yelped, finally coming to his senses and moving to stand in front of Blade. "Are you okay?" He winced when he saw the nasty dent in Blade's side, and he realized he probably asked a stupid question.

"I'm fine." Blade said through gritted teeth, his eyes still squeezed shut from the impact. He forced his eyes to open and tried to will the throbbing pain in his side to go away. "I'm fine."

"You're not fine." Nick protested, wondering how he could help.

"Hey!" everyone jumped when a black security car drove up to the scene, accompanied by several other guards. "What's going on here?"

"Blade was attacked." Nick said immediately, despite Blade's attempts to calm him.

The lead security car glared at the sedans, who suddenly looked much more timid. "I thought I told you punks not to cause any more trouble. Nick, take your friend here to the infirmary. I'll handle this."

Nick only nodded, guiding Blade away. He couldn't stop staring at Blade the entire time. Why? Why did you do that?

"Ow!" Blade yelped.

"Oh stop squirming." The psych-man mechanic huffed as she continued working on the dent in Blade's side. "Honestly, it's your own fault. Although I am rather glad someone finally stood up to those punks. Most of us just tolerated their idiocy."

"I can understand that." Blade said, grimacing a little. "But there comes a time when you have to stop putting up with it and do something."

The mechanic smiled. "Well said." She patted the metal she recently finished sanding. "There you go! Give it a day or two to heal and then get that spot repainted. But you're good to go."

"Thanks." Blade said gratefully, exiting the infirmary. He still felt sore, but he could live with it. He just hoped the director wouldn't get too angry. All he wanted was to help.

"Blade!"

The shout nearly made Blade jump out of his paintjob, and he realized he became lost in his thoughts. He already made it out of the infirmary, and he saw Nick hopping up to him with a worried look on his face.

"You okay?" Nick asked.

"I'm fine." Blade assured, still a little surprised. "You…..waited for me?"

Nick looked down, sheepish. "Well, I was worried. I just…uh….you know, wanted to make sure that pretty face didn't end up too damaged." He smirked at Blade, who rolled his eyes.

"It'll take more than something like this to destroy that." Blade chuckled.

Nick laughed. "Then come on. Daddy Director heard about what happened and wants to check up on us." He led the way as he and Blade started towards Set A113, but Blade could almost see the gears turning in Nick's mind.

"Something bothering you?" Blade finally asked when they reached the door to the set.

Nick cast Blade a sideways glance, but quickly looked away. "Why did you do that?"

"Do what?"

"That. Put yourself between that moron and me. I mean, you got hurt because of that, idiota."

"What was I supposed to do? Just let him ram you like that?"

"I never asked you to do that."

"You didn't have to. That's what friends are for."

Nick froze, staring at Blade. Blade froze as well when he realized what he said.

"Uh…..I mean…" Blade stumbled over his words. "Just…if you….you know…consider us…..friends….."

Nick continued to stare at Blade. He hadn't really noticed it before, but he was suddenly seeing Blade for who he was and not just his role as an actor. Now that Nick was truly looking, he could see Blade as someone who liked to look out for others. He was loyal and strong, and those were qualities Nick admired greatly.

"I…uh…." Nick cleared his throat. "Look, I never really had anyone looking out for me. I learned to be strong on my own…and I'm okay with that….."

Blade gave a little shrug. "I dunno. Sounds lonely to me. There's nothing wrong with someone being there to have your tail if you need help."

Nick went silent, but after a moment he started smiling again. "Thanks, Blade."

Blade grinned. "No problem, Nick."

"Hey Lopez! Ranger!" a crew member called from the door of the set. "Director's lookin' for you two and he's getting antsy!" He darted back inside the building.

Nick chuckled. "Let's go, hermano."

Blade's eyes squinted a little in confusion. "Er-mahn-oh?"

"Hermano." Nick repeated. "It means 'brother.'" He hopped off into the set.

Blade mouthed out the word a few times before deciding he rather liked it. His smile grew as he hurried after Nick.

All right, Nick Loopin' Lopez. You ain't half-bad.

A/N: I figured we needed to give Blade and Nick a little love, because you know how rock-solid their friendship is.