A/N:

Character development!

Another slower chapter after the action from the previous two. This is where things are going from bad to worse for our heroes, but I still tried to add some classic THW humor where I could. We never get to see how the team could potentially react to possible extreme loss, and I wanted to illustrate how Brandon is already a bit isolated away from the others.

I enjoyed writing my take on Gage's mother. She was existence dropped once in this series by his dad, and I've been wondering what kind of mom Gage has. In the end, I landed on "strict but warm." She also carries a temper and some of Gage's own bad habits xD I loved writing her personality bouncing off dad's. We already know what Mr. Green is like, and it wasn't that hard to write him.

I love blue jays. Just sayin'. My favorite birds are owls, but blue jays are great too. I was going to use a blue bird in this chapter originally, but I did research. While blue birds represent innocence and cheer, blue jays represent bravery and courage. Uh, yeah, I know what symbolizing bird I'm using in this chapter.

~ Ashla.

Brandon refused to let Wyatt step foot into the hospital without cleaning himself up. After changing into his casual clothes and using many baby wipes on his face, Wyatt jumped out of his truck, where Brandon was waiting. Usually, when Wyatt's mind was set on something, there was no turning around; yet Brandon was one of the few people who could change his mind for him. Brandon was also in casual clothes again, on his phone as he leaned against the truck.

Wyatt attempted to take a look at his phone, "What you lookin' at?"

Brandon instantly pulled his phone away, preventing him from seeing and turned it off, "None of your business."

Wyatt rolled his eyes, "Fine, fine, let's just go!"

With that he raced towards the hospital, not minding traffic in the crowded parking lot at all and leaping over the hood of a moving car. As several horns beeped at once, Brandon stayed where he was, turning on the phone one last time.

Brandon was reading the about section of the official website of the LeBay Research Lab of New York.

Rhett had adopted Gage's impatience, as well as his extreme distaste to waiting, throughout the years.

He had turned to pacing back and forth in the waiting room. He was waiting for Brandon and Wyatt, he was waiting on word of Gage's condition, he was waiting for Gage's parents (whom he had called as soon as he could.)

While Rhett was still capable of being very patient, this was one of those moments when he felt the time ticking away was unbearable. At last though, footsteps into the room caused Rhett to stop walking and turn around. Wyatt raced up to Rhett, panting heavily, "How is he?" He demanded.

"Believe me," Rhett replied, "I wish I knew."

"Patience, guys, he'll be fine."

The hardheaded youths turned to see Brandon walking into the room. He seemed just as anxious as the others, but was doing a much better job at holding it together.

Rhett though, was a different story.

"Says you..." Tears were already forming in his hazel eyes , dripping down his cheeks as his childhood memories flooded through his mind.

Wyatt put an arm around him, smiling sadly at him, "Rhett, you know Gage, he'll be great." Of course, he seemed to be trying to convince himself of that too, and started crying as well.

Emotion upon emotion, thoughts of both Gage and- other things... entangling his head, Brandon was the last to cave in. He turned from the others, outright crying for the first time in... who knew how long? Rarely the emotional type though, and branded into the ways of a cold, apathetic mother, Brandon's soft crying was nothing compared to the other two members of the team banding together behind him, finding relief in each others' embrace.

There were several minutes of this.

After a while, Brandon stopped. Still keeping a bit separate from the rest of the team, he picked up a magazine and read it at the other side of the room. Wyatt and Rhett had taken seats next to each other, and Rhett was rubbing Wyatt's back as he struggled to keep himself together. As much as Brandon wanted to be over there, with them, he kept staring at the magazine with blurred vision. He had no idea what to do to help them...

Eventually, the sound of what was pretty much a scream echoed from the hallway, causing all the boys' attentions to suddenly shift towards the entry way.

A doctor, dressed in white, was just casually looking down at his billboard when-

-"Where is he!? Where's my son?!"

The poor, unfortunate doctor had been grabbed by the collar, close to being strangled by a rather emotional looking Hispanic woman. She was wearing jeans, a light green t-shirt, and a cotton, white sweater. Her hair was short, not even reaching her neck. Brown eyes flooded with tears, jaw twisted in impatient temper, this was every Type A personality ever.

Gage had obviously inherited her impatience, as well as her extreme distaste to waiting.

The innocent doctor was basically at the mercy of someone so skinny, so small, yet so serious.

Luckily for him, she had not come alone.

"Gwen," Mr. Green also stepped into view, appearing so much more relaxed, "Maybe we should find out who our kid's doctor actually is before blindly running around, making demands..."

Suddenly, her eyes brightened.

She casually let go of the shocked doctor, smiling sweetly as she waved him along, "Have a nice day, sir."

With that, suddenly appearing like a basket full of sunshine, she stepped into the waiting room. Mr. Green followed.

Several moments of silence passed. Brandon's slow, scared submergence back into his magazine was never brought up, but was indeed noticed.

After another moment or so of standing at the entrance, Gwen suddenly stomped her foot, "Man, we should have been updated by now!"

Her husband had already made himself quite comfortable in the waiting room, his feet even reclined on one of the coffee tables. "Patience, dear, nothing good is not worth waiting for."

She just threw her arm, her rage hardly hidden, "I hate waiting! I hate waiting for serious things especially, like my son! We've been at this hospital for four minutes and fifty three point eight seconds and counting, they should be faster than this! Heck, I'm going to write a written complaint to these so called doctors about how slow they are when they keep agonizing parents waiting! Heck, I'm going to sue them, becau-"

"-Dear, he's my kid too," Mr. Green spoke, "At least he's got both our good looks but, unfortunately, he inherited all your bad genes. Still, he's my kid too. I'm obviously worried, but am I making a fuss over it?"

"My bad genes!?" Gwen screamed at him, "What kind of- kind of- anything is that?"

Mr Green just turned another page of his magazine, "Asks the mother who made such an undercooked meatloaf, it left her kid camping out forty eight hours in a public restroom."

Gwen stalked right up to him, yanking his magazine straight from his hand.

"Hey..." Mr. Green stood up in shock.

Gwen growled, clenching her fist, "Why, you little-"

Another doctor walked into the waiting room, reading off a billboard as he spoke, "-Is anyone associated with Gage Green in here?

Every single person instantly locked their gazes on him, eyes dilated wide as they all answered at once, "Yes."

The doctor almost seemed to smile awkwardly at the instant response. Pushing up his glasses, he looked across the room, "His parents or guardians?"

Both of Gage's parents raced up to him.

An amused smile spread across his face. He tilted his head to a direction away from the waiting room, "Follow me, please."

The most fearless member of his team, and currently apparently the most anxious, cut in from his seat, "Wait! How is he?"

Doctor and parents turned to see a wide eyed, concerned Wyatt watching them with knowledge hungry, anticipating pupils. The doctor quickly noted the similar expressions from the other two members of the team, and smiled warmly.

"The boy is going to be okay," he reported, "That gun shot is going to leave a painful wound for a while, but Tylenol is your friend. The worst worry, at this point, is infection even though the wound's been properly cleaned - twice now. He's unconscious now, but bound to wake up soo-"

Yet another doctor raced in, "-He's awake!"

The sound of of hospital machinery and the sunlight pouring through the windows were the only really notable things about the hospital room... aside the extremely comfortable bed, of course.

Sinking into a sea of pillows, wrapped up in a single layer of blanket that felt more like a cocoon, for once in his life Gage was slow to wake. Dazed eyes, a bit drowsy from the pain medication pumped into his system, stared up to the ceiling. He felt ready to just fall back asleep again, but the sound of the door opening caused his senses to begin returning to him. Still, he didn't notice his edgy mother until she was right next to the bed... when she backhanded him across the cheek.

Gage was on pain medication, so it didn't hurt. However, he still let out a shocked cry, reaching up and holding his face.

"That is for getting shot and worrying me sick!" Immediately after this, Gwen bent down and pulled him into a much softer, warm hug.

Mind in static, Gage did not respond at all, simply taking it in, as she whispered gently, "Oh, honey, I'm so happy you're okay..."

Gage's eyes caught his father, watching from the doorway. He made eye contact with Gage and pushed himself off the wall, walking up to him, "Congratulations, you have taken a bullet and survived. You are officially awesome." He offered Gage his fist.

An amused smile crossed Gage's face. Despite still being amidst his mom's deep hug, he lifted his arm and fist bumped his dad, "Thanks."

Gwen finally broke the hug, sitting on the side of the bed and rubbing one of her child's arms with nurturing care, "How do you feel?"

Gage raised a confused eyebrow, "... I don't know? Pain medication..."

His parents laughed. Gage's dad sat down in one of the chairs next to the window. Gwen still rubbed Gage's arm, "So... did the silver driver do this?"

The memory flashed across Gage's mind. The sand dunes, the heat mirages... Wyatt's plight, Gage's lack of understanding. Silver. The gun. Quick, sharp pain. Lights out. Goodnight.

"Yeah." Gage responded. His eyes widened slightly larger, remembering the impossible accomplishment Silver managed to pull: dodging a bullet.

Concern crossed Gwen's eyes, "You're going on another week of this..."

Gage bit his lip, anger crossing his eyes as he chose to vent, "I know! We should have caught him a long time ago, but-" Once again, he mind drew a blank. Green had no idea why they couldn't just... catch him.

Gwen stopped rubbing his arm and took his hand instead, "Gage, dear, I believe in you. You've already done so much, and-" Suddenly, her eyes dilated. Her mind seemed to snap somewhere else where she remembered something, "-And I left the stove running..."

Gage's dad's eyes dilated as well, "Whoops, here we go again..."

Gwen gave Gage a final, quick hug, "Love you, son! Gotta go, bye!" And she ran over, grabbed her husband's hand, and pulled him out of the room.

"Bye, Gage!" Gage's father called from down the hallway.

A moment after just staring at the door they just raced out of, Gage softly laughed. "Every day..."

The three boys just watched as Gage's parents raced past them, towards the elevator. Wyatt raised an eyebrow, "That was quick..."

"It's Gage's mom," Rhett responded as she repeatedly slammed the elevator buttons, "Of course it's quick."

The elevator door finally opened up on them. They stepped in, Gage's dad pushed one button, laid back as could be. Gwen on the other hand, shouted the millisecond between when the button was pushed and nothing happened, "Come on, you stupid door! Faster, faster, pasta's on the line here!"

As the door closed, Mr. Green shouted to the three forths of Team Hot Wheels watching them, "Your turn, kids!"

After a long moment of just staring at the closed elevator door, Brandon let out a whistle of disbelief. No longer willing to waste time, Wyatt and Rhett exchanged one look then ran towards Gage's room. Only after several seconds of thought, Brandon trailed behind them.

"Gage!" Rhett shouted from outside the door, "Buddy!"

It gave him warning to brace himself.

Buffeted by a ton of Rhett, Gage briefly lost control of his breathing. He maintained himself after a second and fondly returned the embrace. "I'm okay, buddy, I'm good..."

Gage rubbed Rhett's back as Wyatt entered the room, excitement visibly on his face, "Welcome back to the land of the living."

Rhett pulled away from Gage, both kids eyeing the stuntman. Wyatt pulled his arms up, hands resting on his head, "Eh, I knew you'd be fine!"

Rhett quickly turned to Gage, "He bawled in the waiting room."

His eyes flashed, "I did not!" Wyatt pulled his arms down, clenching his fist, "You can't prove nothin'!"

Rhett rolled his eyes, smiling, "Maybe I can't, but I'm sure trustworthy!"

Gage just smiled warmly as they continued to fight over whether or not Wyatt really cried or not (Gage already could tell Wyatt had.) He shook his head, then noticed Brandon stepping into the room. The blonde put his hands on their shoulders, pulling them towards the door, "Go argue somewhere else, guys."

Wyatt reacted by grabbing Rhett's shoulder, actually going out to 'argue somewhere else.' Gage just laughed at them after they were gone, Brandon smirked, turning to Gage, "Yeah, he bawled in the waiting room."

"Big softie..." Gage smiled.

A moment of silence passed between the two older members of the team.

Brandon finally spoke, "So, do you feel okay?"

Gage shrugged, "I'm on pain meds... Some of the best in the world."

Brandon let out an amused scoff, "It's good to see you're okay."

Gage smirked, "Of course I'm okay!"

Brandon and Gage shared the confident smile (less confident on Brandon's end) before the team's gadget guy nodded and turned to leave. Only after Brandon took a single step though, that Gage spoke again.

"Wait."

Brandon froze in place.

Gage had already dropped his smile, he reached beneath the blankets as he spoke, "Wyatt was right, I tore myself down."

Brandon turned slowly back to him. His fearless leader's mood had suddenly changed from that of cheer to one of worry, "I'm going to be out of action for a while. Even if the doctors don't push it, my parents will..."

Sudden panic exploded, adrenaline rushing through Brandon's body. The fact that this was the first time he even realized made him want to facepalm, scream, and wail all at the same time. A master of composure, however, he managed to keep calm. Only that sudden brightness in his eyes showed he was close to panic. "Uh..."

Gage sighed. Beneath the blankets, he placed his hand lightly against the spot of his wound. His brown eyes darted there, then back to Brandon, "I'm so sorry... I have to ask a favor from you, Brand-Oh."

For another moment, confusion ran through Brandon's ever so brilliant mind. It was only when Gage continued that he got it, "You're the only one I can trust while I'm out like this..."

Okay, now a bit more of a reaction came from Brandon. Jaw down, he raised his hands in front of him, "Wait- you really..."

Gage's eyes never seemed so pleading in his life, "You're mature, professional on the field, an-"

"-No!" Brandon almost shouted, dread building up even more every second, "No, I can't."

Now it was Gage's turn to be confused, "You're the oldest..."

Brandon had to move somehow, to escape this physical pressure the mental strains had on him. He walked over to the window. Outside, a blue jay rested on the branch of a cherry tree in the hospital garden. Strong and mighty, the fact that this majestic bird was the LeBay company's symbol crossed his mind, only reminding him of the important job decision looming over his head. Even more pressure added to the boy, Brandon turned his head from the window, back to Gage, "I can't do it. Not like you do it. You're amazing..."

Gage sighed, pulling his hand away from his wound and slipping his hands over the sheets, "I'm not asking you to do it like me. All I ask is that you provide them direction until I can again. This is only temporary-"

"-What? Like Larry leaving was quick too?" A scoff escaped Brandon as he rested his hands on the window sill, leaning against it.

Gage frowned, "We've never managed to hear from him even once... When is he getting back?"

Brandon sighed, sweat collecting on his forehead, "Like I know, nobody knows! Gage, trust me, this is the worst time for me to assume a sudden responsibility like this..."

"Brandon, please," Gage pleaded once more, "You're the only one I can trust to do this. Nothing against the other two, but they don't have the reasoning skills you have. Not to mention, you took the lead before."

Brandon shook his head as Gage pressed harder, "You made the calculations to get us through the Super Loop, you guided us through the SpinStorm..."

Brandon bit his lip, squeezing the air conditioned window sill.

"Brandon, I don't want to put pressure on you. You do a lot worse under pressure than me, but push has come to shove, and I need you to do this."

Brandon looked out the window again, and with decent timing too. He just caught the blue jay spreading its wings. As it flew away, several pink petals floating slowly to the ground, Brandon sighed. Head lowered, he knew he really had no time to think it over. As scatterbrained, emotionally edgy, and oppressed as he felt, he knew this was something he had to do. Whether or not it was horrifically timed, he knew now was not the time to fail them. Besides, this was only for a little bit, right? Gage would recover soon, right?

Reluctant as he was, he raised his head, making the decision.

"I'll do it."

Over at the bed, Gage smiled in relief, "Thank you, Brandon..."

His blond hair covered his eyes, so Gage would not catch the uncertainty in them. As much as Brandon was at least somewhat confident in his abilities, being a leader was not one of them. Brandon could hand out orders, sure, but Gage was so much more than just handing out orders. The way he carried himself, his abilities to contain his emotions and band them together, raise their morel in the worst of situations. He had it as long as he knew him, and Brandon highly respected him for it... especially because he didn't have it. Even more, this really was a nightmarish place to pick this up. His family and his own job decision were haunting him all day, threatening to make him sick. Tuesday was drawing to an end, and he had until Friday to answer that critical question - yes or no. Change nothing or everything... As much problems as simply taking the job and moving could solve, especially problems within his family, he had a huge lot to lose.

None the less, he still had to do this. Every day, Gage was so selfless in his decision making, and he always put himself second. These last several weeks certainly proved where he was willing to go as a leader. It was one of his best qualities, and Brandon could at least try to do it himself and give Gage a break. Poor kid certainly needed it! Besides, Brandon knew Wyatt and Rhett... at least he knew Wyatt. Would he be able to communicate to them since he knew them both since first grade?

For all his uncertainty, Brandon's voice was calm and stern, "You can count on me."