Author note: Hi everyone sorry for the delay been a busy time here at work and trying to do this and working 12 hour days is not fun. Thanks for the reviews and all errors are mine I am just borrowing my fav 80's TV show characters and adding some of my own. Enjoy.

Chapter 78

Everything was going in slow motion. I could hear more shots coming from the direction Momma and Wick and Beast were at. Someone was still returning fire behind us. We were sitting ducks.

I looked over. Popeye was behind a table, Too Mean was close to him but I couldn't see who was shooting.

"We need to do something Houston. I heard Star scream if anything happened to her…"

I looked at Popeye, "like you said, we need to play this smart like you said we will be no good to them hurt or worse dead. Do you think you can move around behind the person shooting behind us? We will cover you right, Too Mean."

He gave me a thumbs up. I asked if he could see anything. He said he thought it was 1or 2 shooters behind us and he could have sworn the man that was sitting with Momma was the one firing in front of us.

"That's Wick he is a good shot he will not let anyone get close, we need to get the shooters behind us."

I nodded, Popeye made his move and climbed over the fence when shots were fired at him. Too Mean started to lay cover fire as did I. I started to move closer to him when a shot went right over my head.

"Stay down Houston, if anything happens to you little sister will have my hide. I was not anticipating this to be a shootout at the OK Corral. Who are these guys?"

I shrugged my shoulders and tried to position myself closer to see if I could see our shooter or shooters.

Something nagged me when the shooters were aiming at Popeye. I didn't hear any shots fired from in front of us, dread started to fill me. I hoped our family was okay.

"I know that look Houston, we need to cover Popeye, we will get to them, they know we are here we will take care of the trash and then we will take care of our own."

I moved thinking if the shooting had stopped it might be safe. But that went out the door when a volley of gunfire started to come from behind us again.

"Has to be two shooters no one can shoot that fast." I started to move closer to the fence that Popeye had jumped over calling out to Too Mean to do the same but he wasn't answering.

"Too Mean, answer me buddy!"

I had to get to my friend. In the distance I could hear sirens, hoping it was the Calvary I made my move to get closer to him. More gunfire erupted and screaming.

"Houston!" That was Popeye, please CJ would kill me if I had let her new friend get hurt.

"Popeye you okay Too Mean isn't answering me!"

"Shooters are getting away, it's clear I'm going after them."

I was torn but I needed to see if Too Mean was okay. I stood up just to see Popeye running after the two shooters. I tried to get a look at them but they were wearing hooded sweatshirts. I came next to Too Mean, he was dusting off the potted plant that had been on the fence. It must have fallen on top of him when I had moved.

"Hey how about a warning next time I'm looking out for bullets flying at me not getting taken out by a potted plant."

I looked him over and there was some blood on his forehead but he said he was okay.

We got up and looked around for our family. People were still hiding, others were scattering towards the beach but I couldn't see them. We started to move, we pushed our way through the crowd and found Tiny on the floor out cold. He was behind a table and I moved it. I came down next to Tiny and checked to see if he was breathing. There was a pool of blood from the back of his head.

I saw momma as she tried to stop the blood from the wound in Wick's chest. Beast was lying next to Tiny. He was also injured. Poor boy whimpered and tried to get up but fell back down and looked at me to find his best friend. I looked for Star. She would not have left her best friend hurt, here alone. I knew she was in trouble.

I wanted to call out to her to tell her she was safe but I was afraid to do that. What if there were more than two shooters?

My blood ran cold. I scanned the area hoping I'd catch a glimpse of her. Josh came with more towels and handed some to me then went to Momma. She saw I was there but then looked down at who I was helping and she let out a wail.

"My baby!"

Too Mean came next to her and took over for her as she made her way over to Tiny. She was crying and yelling at him to open his eyes but he wasn't responding. Too Mean was yelling at someone to call 911.

I kept looking around the table with the boys that were sitting next to them. They were all gone. I needed to get some answers when a shadow covered us from above.

"Preacher, where's Star?" Momma asked.

I looked up at him and he started to scan the area he was about to leave when I grabbed his arm.

"Where is she? Someone yelled at her to run, was it you?"

He started to fight me and Beast started to growl hearing the urgency and panic in my voice.

"Preacher, I need you to stay, this is Houston. I know Star has told you about him, he's the one that hired her to find out information about Jake's momma. Please I need you here, wait till Popeye and Devin get back don't go."

Momma pleaded with him as Tiny started to open his eyes.

"Mom?"

"Oh thank god are you okay baby where does it hurt your bleeding from your head."

Tiny groaned, "I'm fine mom, Houston it was me that yelled at Star to run, I also yelled at you guys to get down. We were on our way back from the restroom when Beast came towards us. She had said that he couldn't be two steps from her. It made me laugh. I turned around and saw you two. I was about to tell Star her bodyguards were there when I saw Boyd as did Beast. He was so close to us how he had blended in and to get that close to her I'll never know. He saw where I was looking and he recognized Popeye and started to shoot. I yelled at you to get down, Beast attacked. I pulled Star to my side. It was like a war zone. She screamed and I pushed her towards the restaurant, I felt something hit me from behind and yelled at her to run. That's the last thing I remember."

I looked over to Beast who was still trying to get up. I pulled Preacher with me, "I need your help. That's Star's best friend and if he doesn't make it she will be heartbroken so are you going to stick around?"

He nodded and we went to tend to his injuries.

"Momma, where do you think Star went?"

She started to cry and said she didn't know.

"Will find her Tiny don't worry. Too Mean, how's your patient doing? His name is Wick."

He yelled back that he was losing a lot of blood and someone came up to them saying she was a nurse and if she could help. She kneeled next to them and started to help.

I looked at Beast, "Buddy where are you hurt?"

He whined and I saw the wound on his hind leg was bleeding but I couldn't tell how bad it was. The bastard had shot my dog and he would pay.

"Josh, do you have any more towels and where the hell are the ambulances!"

Josh came with more towels and a first aid kit, he said the police were here but the ambulances are being delayed. "Houston, everyone scattered off the beach and boardwalk. The cops couldn't control the crowds and there were more injuries. What the hell is going on? It was like the wild west. Who's responsible?"

I told him to bring the Paramedics we had injured people that needed attention now. He left.

"Houston, where's Devin and Popeye?" Momma asked.

I whispered that Popeye had gone after the shooters and Devin had gone back to the Hospital. I wasn't about to tell them that the message that had been left behind had been for Star not CJ. I hope that Popeye caught up to Boyd but I felt bad that he had gone on his own.

"So this is Star's pooch? She said he was protective. I saw him go after Boyd. He's lucky he had a gun with him. He was tied down to the table my crew was sitting at and he took it out with all of our lunch on it. He is one big mean guy."

He was petting him and Beast kept looking for Star, the whimpering was getting louder and it was painful to hear. I stood up and debated if I should go after Popeye. He might have gotten into trouble with the shooters.

"Mr. PI I see you looking down the pier don't worry about Popeye he can handle himself he will find the shooters and if one of them is Boyd he's a dead man. We need to take Star's friend to the Vet. There's one by the Bar Dr. Carter. She's cool."

Before I could respond he let out a whistle his crew was on him in an instant. He told them that someone needed to go get Dr. C and tell her Star's dog had been injured on the pier. They scattered and he turned back to me.

"She's got a soft spot for Star like everyone else Star encounters. We just want to keep her safe."

I nodded.

The police finally arrived. Preacher stiffend I said I'd vouch for him and he looked like he wanted to bolt.

"Please don't go once they are taken care of. I am going to need your help finding Star you know her hangouts, please I am barely hanging on to a shred of sanity right now. She could be hurt or worse he could have her so please I'm begging you. I need your help."

He nodded and came down next to Momma as Tiny tried to sit up.

"I'm fine we need to find Star help me up Preacher, if Popeye finds me on the floor taking a nap he's gonna have my hide and Devin will never let me live this down. So get out of my way.

"Tiny no don't…"

He started to get up, swayed a little and his eyes rolled back and he almost hit the pier but Preacher caught him. He shook his head.

"Momma, talk to you son, he is one stubborn son of a bitch."

"Language! I don't care you need to watch your mouth Preacher I will not have you speaking like this it rubs off on Star and…"

She sniffed and started to cry again. "Where is she? Do you think that monster has her?"

I looked at them not wanting to tell them about the message. Too Mean looked at me and I shook my head. Preacher caught our exchange and was about to ask when the paramedics came. They took over asking for names and information. Momma gave all of Tiny's information and I gave them Wick's name. I didn't know anything else and the man had not regained consciousness. I looked at my shirt and it had blood on it as did my hands. Too Mean looked the same.

The Paramedics shouted out vitals and while hooking up monitors to both Tiny and Wick one of the paramedics looked familiar.

"Andrew?"

He looked up and smiled, "Should have known either you or CJ was involved. How is she? I heard the whole hospital was in an uproar over what happened to the little man and Emma and Roxy and the whole NICU staff are on administrative leave. It's been crazy but all I want to know is how the little guy is? That's one thing those Administrators never understand it's about the patient not stupid red tape."

"Couldn't agree with you more, she's good oh and they are going to let us continue with caring for Jake, thanks to all of you I don't even know how we will ever repay you or everyone else."

He was putting an IV in Wick and just shook his head, "Just be there for Jake that's all that matters I'm sure I speak for everyone and a picture of the three of you would be appreciated once he's out of the hospital."

I placed my hand on his shoulder and told him it was a done deal. Tiny started to open his eyes again and momma read him the riot act saying if he attempted to get up again she was going to hit him over the head herself.

The paramedics helping him both laughed. Preacher smirked, "I'd listen to your mom Tiny, I'd never want to be on Momma's bad side."

I was about to leave when I saw Popeye coming towards us. I went to him and he was upset.

"Assholes got away. I swear Boyd's a dead man and whoever was with him just got put on the death list also."

I gave him an update on what Tiny had told me and only made him swear some more also wondering how he had gotten that close to her.

He went to Momma and Tiny, Wick was being put on a stretcher having woken up and wanting to get up.

Popeye stopped him, "Hey lay down Wick I can't have you dying Luca will have my head, come on buddy let them work on you."

He asked if he had shot any of them and Popeye said he winged one of them and he smiled, "Good at least it was worth getting shot. Tell Luca I'm sorry I let that bastard get that close, the dog growling and taking out a table behind me should have been a clue but hearing Tiny yelled to get down I feel I let all of you down."

How could he feel that? He had been injured and thought he could prevent this?

The paramedics said they were taking them to the same hospital CJ and the rest of our family was at. Tiny was being loaded on a gurney as well and Momma was torn between going with him or staying to find Star. I looked at Too Mean and he said he had this that he had just got off the phone and told the rest of his guys to go to the hospital. If Boyd and his friend found out where they were being taken they might try to finish the job.

"Come on Momma we will go to the Hospital, we will let everyone know what's going on and Houston and Popeye will find Star."

Popeye patted both Wick and Tiny and hugged Momma whispering to her that he would find Star and bring her home. She tried to smile and nodded and was escorted off the pier. Beast was still whimpering and Popeye looked down "Bastard shot the Hound from Hell? Damn I wish I had caught him!"

Before I could answer, a tiny woman in shorts and a lab coat came around me and yelled, "Who the hell shoots a dog? Popeye of course, where's your sidekick Luca? If it was either one of you I am pressing charges on behalf of the dog." She had a backpack with her and kneeled next to Beast and started to talk to him and give him a treat telling him that she was there to take care of him and if the monster behind her was responsible she would use her own gun to shoot him in the leg.

Popeye groaned and looked at me, "Was this your ideal Houston? Oh and for your information Doctor Doom, I don't shoot animals well, not the 4 legged type more the 2 legged ones and are of the human species."

She was cleaning Beast's wound and said she needed to get him back to her clinic. I said I'd help and she looked up at me. "This isn't your dog, it's Star's, where is she? I can't move him unless I have permission from the owner and she isn't around."

"Ah, hi we haven't been introduced.I'm Houston, Matt Houston and yeah that's my dog, well technically my cousin Will's dog but he is part of our family so he's owned by all of us. Beast is Star's best friend and we are about to go look for her she scattered when the shooting started."

She shook her head, "Hey Navy Boy, do you want to tell me what the hell happened here? How did you get Star involved…"

"Whoa, nope not gonna blame this on me so stop Dr. Doom not everything that goes wrong on this pier is my fault."

She rolled her eyes, "we need a gurney to transport Beast to my clinic can you get one from the paramedics?"

I went over to the police officers and said that everything was cleared. 8 people had been injured but Tiny and Wick were the only ones seriously hurt, I then found Andrew he said he had stayed behind to help out and then I asked him for a gurney so we could transport Beast.

"I'll do you one better Houston, we'll drive you to the clinic, let me talk to one of my friends and we'll be right down."

I went back and told Dr. Carter and she smiled, "at least you're useful. Not like some people."

Preacher laughed and I asked if they were always like this and he nodded yes, "So once Beast is okay are we going to go look for Star I think I know where she's at."

"Where Preacher? We need to get Star to safety, I didn't want to say this in front of Momma or Tiny but Boyd broke into the Bar this morning and left her a message ``We need to find her so spill it buddy I need your help and you know I don't ask for help very often."

Andrew came with the gurney and we all helped pick up Beast he was starting to nod off and Dr. Carter said she had given him a sedative but after examining the wound it had just nicked him and he would only need stitches hopefully she was still going to X-ray him and I told her money was no object for his care.

"Ah great I thought I'd have to pull pennies from your friend there he's not the giving type. So Navy Boy knows where my clinic is. Navy Boy, I heard what you told Preacher . I could have told you that jackass was nothing but trouble, he was always after your girls."

Popeye was counting and stopped, "And you didn't say anything, everything else you complain about but this…"

She got in his face even though she was only up to his shoulder, "I was going to but the girls said not to since he was one of your friends they didn't want any trouble."

She threw up her hands and started to walk after the paramedics and Beast.

"Find her Navy Boy or I will do something about it!"

Preacher started to walk down the pier also and turned around, "Well are you coming or not?"

Popeye looked at his hands and then to me, "All the women in my life are going to kill me."

I understood that statement more than he could imagine, "Come on we need to find Star. Preacher is calm so I'm thinking she's in a safe place only they know about, so she isn't in any danger."

We walked with a purpose to find Star and to hurt Boyd for striking at our family.