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Chapter 61-Taking Blame

No POV

"What exactly do you mean by paralysis?" Sasha asked, not looking up from the floor. She was afraid to see the looks on the others' faces.

"Well, we're not sure if it'll be permanent. But from the waist down, he might not be able to move. Now it could be temporary, only for a few weeks or maybe even months," Dr. Daniels said, his voice full of empathy.

"And if it's permanent..." Jayden asked, looking up at the doctor. She was seated in a chair, her legs pulled to her chest.

"He'll be confined to a wheelchair for the remainder of his life. I'm so sorry for this incident that happened to your friend. Things like this are always the hardest to deal with. I'm going to go check on Vince then I'll be back. Then, one at a time, you'll be able to visit him," Dr. Daniels said, excusing himself from the room.

The room remained quiet for a few minutes. Jesse stood from his chair, carrying baby Jessica in his arms. He walked over to Shaye, who was sitting at a table in the back of the room.

"Hi, I'm Jesse. This is my daughter, Jessica," he said, holding his hand out. Shaye smiled and nodded, shaking Jesse's hand. He sniffled, trying to keep in his tears as he took a seat next to her. "Ya know, I used to be like that too," Shaye gave him a curious look, "shy. When I first came to the family with Leon, I didn't speak to anyone unless it dealt with cars. But when you're ready to talk, we'll be listening," Jesse said, smiling at Shaye.

I'm proud of ya Kid, Leon thought to himself as he watched his younger brother finally grow up.

"Anyone have any idea what could've happened?" Sasha asked, not bothering to look around.

"Guys, there's a bit of information I didn't mention before," Brian's voice was barely audible over the pounding hearts and whimpers. Dom looked at Brian with angry and slightly curious eyes. "Carter escaped from his home a few days ago. The Miami PD called me to warn me that he could have possibly been on his way here," Brian said, preparing for the beating he was sure that was coming.

"And you thought you'd tell us after one of us was lying in a hospital bed clinging to our life?!" Dom exclaimed, getting in Brian's face. Brian was a few inches away from being pinned into between a pissed off Dominic and the wall.

"Hey, I wasn't the one who took Vince out there and pissed him off. If you didn't get one of your ingenius ideas again, we wouldn't be in a hospital right now!" Brian defended himself, poking Dom hard in the chest.

"Why you little shit-" Dom yelled, pulling his fist back, ready to pound on the blonde.

"STOP! Enough!" Sasha yelled, handing Desmond to Shaye. She approached Dom as if he was her prey, ready to pounce at any minute. "Don't go pointing fingers at anyone. Yeah, Brian you should have spoken about this earlier, and yes, Dom you shouldn't have left him alone and pissed off. But this is nobody's fault. Shit happens okay. Now we need to be a family. We need to be here for V because he's gonna need us now more than ever. For one second, can you stop acting like a complete jackass!" Sasha yelled, finally fed up with Dominic's attitude.

Dom lowered his head, as if he was ashamed of his behavior. "I'm sorry," he said, he bottom lip quivering.

"Oh Dommy," Sasha pulled him to me, allowing him to bury his head in my chest while he cried softly. Sasha hated to see Dom crying more than anything.

"Look Dom, this isn't your fault. Just like it isn't Brian's or anyone elses here. It was an unfortunate incident and I'm gonna try my damnest to find out what happened to our boy," she whispered into his ear so no one else could here. He nodded and wiped his eyes.

Sasha handed the comforting duties over to Letty while she walked over to Jayden, who sat alone in a corner. She looked distant and lost. She had already lost her mother and if she was to lose Vince, she might have gone crazy. Sasha was tore up on the inside, but had to be strong for her family. Especially Jayden. The poor girl had gone through so much in her life.

"Hey Kid," Sasha said, sitting at Jayden's feet. She tore her gaze away from the tile pattern to smile at Sasha. She gave a curt nod and changed her stare back to the floor. "Look, don't worry. You're Uncle V will be okay. He's been through a lot, but he's survived even more," Sasha tried to coax her niece into believing that all was fine with Vince. Even if she wasn't sure for herself.

"I know. It's just, he was trying so hard, ya know. To change. He was doing good. He took me to the movies and we stayed up late playing video games. He was so sweet. I was so proud of him," Jayden's lips curled into a small smile at the times her and Vince shared that past week.

"Why you talkin' like he dead? You know, a part of me blames myself for this," Sasha said, raking her shaky hands through her hair. Jayden turned to her, curious as to why she blamed herself. "If I hadn't pressured him into changing so much, maybe he wouldn't have done whatever he did to piss Dom off. That way, Dom wouldn't have angered him and left him to walking. I dunno, but if anything happens to Vince, I think I'll kill myself," Sasha admitted, tears finally falling from her eyes.

Nobody had heard the conversation going on, for they were off in their own talks with one another. Jesse held Jessica in his hands, having a one-sided conversation with Shaye. Shaye was bouncing the now awake Desmond on her knee, causing him to smile with glee. He had taken to her quickly, although he usually didn't trust strangers. Dom was sitting on the floor between Letty's legs as she massage his shoulders. He was talking to CJ about the import magazine that she had with her. Chrystal was playing with Angel's hair, though her mind was cleary on other things. Roman and Brian had left the room to figure out what they were going to do with Carter. Lily was sitting with Ricky, talking about something unimportant. It was almost time for Mia and Senia's shifts at the hospital, so they went to get changed. They both promised to stop back in on word for Vince. The other children were still occupied by the boy on the television with the pink hat and the fairy godparents.

Diana walked over from her place by the door and sat on the floor with Sasha. She laced one of her hands with Sasha's, giving it an assuring squeeze.

"How are you?" she asked, her tone soft, but concerned.

"As good as I'm gonna be. I mean, my husband was shot in the head and may be paralyzed. But other than that, I'm cool," Sasha smiled, trying to make light of the events.

"Hey don't talk like that. You know the Big Bad Wolf will be alright," Diana replied, nudging her friend. Since she had met him, she had taken a liking to calling him the 'Big Bad Wolf'.

"I hope so. Being a widowed single-mother is not what I had in mind for today," Sasha joked, sighing afterwards.

Just then, the waiting room door opened, revealing Dr. Daniels. He was clutching his clipboard to his side. He pulled his glasses down from his face, allowing them to hang, thanks to the string around his neck.

The Team quieted at the moment, wondering what news he had on Vince's condition.

"Hi again. As of right now, Vince's condition doesn't seem to be improving. We gave him some sedatives to keep him stable. He's slipping in and out of a comatose state. We removed all the bullets, but his pain is just beginning. Due to the wound to the head, he may suffer extreme migranes. We've given him a dosage of meds to keep the headaches at bay, but we aren't sure how they are going to hold up. There's not much more we can do until he wakes up," the doctor said, his tone sympathetic, yet firm.

"So can we see him? Is he awake now?" Sasha asked, standing from the floor. She still clutched Diana's hand, afraid of being 'alone' at the moment.

"Yes, I'll lead you to his room. I'll remind you that he is very weak. Don't stay too long," he replied, leading most of the gang out the room.

Sasha grabbed Dom's hand, asking him to stay for a few minutes. He feared for the worst, knowing that getting on the opposite end of Sasha's wrath was never an option. He took a seat in one of the chairs, leaving her pacing the hospital floor.

"Dom, what happened between you and Vince? I need to know," Sasha said, continuing to pace the floor.

Dominic sighed and sat forward on the chair, leaning his elbows on his knees.

"He came into the garage today acting all perky. The same way he's been acting for the past few days or so. So I told him to take a ride with me. Letty told me no, but I didn't listen," he dropped his head in his hands, "I should've listened," he mumbled.

"Dom, finish your story okay," Sasha replied, taking a seat next to Dom, rubbing soothing circles in the back of his head. Even if she and Dom rarely got along, they still treated each other as family.

"Okay. But I took him for a drive, not too far, just a few miles from the garage. We got out and I hit him on the arm. I was just trying to get a reaction out of him, ya know. But it didn't work. So I hit him again," Dom said, talking as if he had just been caught stealing out of the cookie jar.

"Dom, what did you say to him? I mean, what were you trying to prove?" Sasha asked, a hint of disappointment in her voice. For once, Dominic felt so small under Sasha's microscopic gaze.

"That he was changing for all the wrong reasons. I told him that he had become a pansy and was only making a fool of himself. He kept saying that he was finally growing up and didn't want to be the sidekick anymore," Dom switched his eyes to the floor, as if he were talking to it, "I had no idea he felt the way he did. I thought he liked hanging back with me and the guys, helping us out. I had no idea I kept him from his dreams," Dom said, his voice cracking.

"Dom, you didn't-"

"No I did!" he roared, his anger finally flourishing, "I kept Vince from doing what he truly wanted too! He didn't want to be a mechanic his whole life. I mean, the man loved cars, but he wanted to be a musician. He wanted to play the guitar and have his own band. I knew he wanted these things and kept it from him without even realizing it. How could I do such a thing?" Dom blamed himself, nearly losing all hope for his friend and himself.

"Dominic, you were afraid. You may not see it, but from day one I saw it. You feared being alone, that's why you kept Vince around with you. You made every excuse you could to keep him by your side because you feared that after your dad died, you'd have no one. Letty was fed up with the cheating, so you feared she'd leave you too. Mia was close to being a college girl, and you would be stuck with the house and garage by yourself. Dom, you may put up a macho front, but I can see right through it. You're afraid and that's okay," Sasha comforted, talking soothingly.

"How do you know?"

"Because I'm the same way. That's why I kept Diana around. I knew she wanted to do other things with her life. She wanted to be a marine biologists. She's got the smarts to do it. But I kept her around because I was so damn scared to be alone. That's a reason I agreed to join the Team in the first place. I knew it was a chance for another family and I'd never be alone. I put up that angry, tough girl front, but I just wanted somewhere to belong. And thankfully, this was the family I belonged to," Sasha smiled, half hugging Dom. He smiled up at her, finally seeing that she wasn't half bad.

"Yeah. I-I just never saw Vince that angry with me. I mean, he looked like he had hated me, like really hated me. I guess I take Vince for advantage more than I should huh?" Dom asked.

"Yep, I think you do. And you know what, he's starting to realize himself. When he comes out of this, I think you guys need to have a long talk," Sasha said, standing from the seat, stretching her long arms.

"I think you're right. And Sasha I'm sorry for giving you so much shit. I'm just looking out for my boy, you know that. You're good for him. He loves you a lot," Dom said, mimicking her actions.

"I love him a lot too Dominic. I'm not trying to take Vince away from you. I know he's like your brother. But he means the world and more to me and I need him to tone it down for us to work. No more bullshittin'?" Sasha asked, holding her hand out for him to shake.

"No more bullshittin'. I love ya little sister," Dominic said, smacking her hand away and pulling Sasha into a hug. She smiled against his chest, returning the gesture.

"I love ya too Dommy. Let's go see our boy," she said, walking with her arm linked with Dom's out the room.

Jayden's POV

I paced the hall outside of my uncle's room. Everyone was in talking and crying. I couldn't see him. I didn't want to see him. Not like this. Too many times I had to visit the hospital when my mom was doing the drugs because she ODed so many times. The last thing I wanted to see was my only living relative with three holes in him.

I still can't get the image out of my head. All the blood, the screaming people. His body was so lifeless. I was sure he was gone then.

When I would finally build up enough courage to go in, what would I say? 'Hey Unc, glad you aren't dead. But you'll probably never walk again, but I'm glad you aren't dead'.

I felt the tears spring to my eyes as I continued to pace the floor. I never cried this much before. I was always so tough. Never let anyone get the best of me, but this was. I loved Vince too much to see him this way. Whoever done this to him would pay. They'd pay with their life.

Before I could continue with my thoughts, the door to Uncle V's room opened. It was Chrystal.

"Hey Jay. I'm sorry about Uncle V," Chrys said, walking slowly to me.

"Yeah, me too. He's gonna be okay though," I said, my faith restoring.

"You know, after he gets out of here, we're gonna take him ice skating. I'm dying to go ice skating with him," Chrys said, causing us both to laugh.

"What's so funny?" Dom asked as he and Sasha approached us.

"The thought of the Coyote ice skating is actually hilarious," I said, truly laughing for the first time today. Dom chuckled and Sasha smiled wide. I knew they weren't in the happy mood, but I needed it.

Dom excused himself as he went into the room to see Vince. Feeling nervous, I chose to sit down outside the room. Sasha noticed this, and she sat next to me.

"Why aren't you in there with everyone else?" she asked, wrapping her arm around my shoulders.

"I was waiting for you. And honestly, I'm scared. I don't want to see him like this," I admitted, rubbing my arms self-consciously.

"Hey, neither do I. But we're gonna do it together. When everyone's gone, just me, you, and Dez. Come on, let's clear them out," Sasha said, helping me get to my feet.

We entered the room, and suddenly the atmosphere felt like it had changed. All the little hope and faith I had going into the room was out the window.

"Alright guys, let's clear out. Mia and Senia, go back to work. Letty and Di, take the kids home. They don't need to be here anymore. Guys, let's have a talk out in the hall," Dominic said, his voice firm and final.

I could by the glint in Dom's eye that his talk wouldn't be about cars.

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There's 61. In the next chapter or so, things will start picking up. Carter has a very extreme demise. Read & review please.

-Kita