Rana Kane:
Thanks for commenting.
Um, no, no Bobby really isn't, that's for sure.
Ohh, maybe your feelings about this won't be confirmed - or maybe you're actually right with them, who knows? Well, don't worry you soon will find it out.
Yeah, the protectors are supposed to be a little bit like Dungeonmaster. 'beat around the bush' but don't give straight answers - and most of all: disappear when help is needed.

D.B. Cooper:
Thanks for the compliment.
Oh, and thank you for your review.
I did say that your story 'Vengeance' inspired me, didn't I? Any ideas in which way? Well, I must say the end of my story (a great part of it at least) was inspired by yours...

Btw, I just found out the meaning of the small speech bubbles on the review site (when I pointed at it and clicked at the link by accident) - they're for responding to a comment from a user. Yay! After so many times I finally got it. That's great, isn't it? Oh, well, I'm really slow-witted, so to speak lol
When did they invent that? I haven't noticed this feature up to now... I did see those bubbles, though, but didn't know that they have a meaning.
However, I won't use it, anyway not for this story at least since I'm used to reply to reviews in the actual update in the meantime. Maybe I will do it in my future stories (if I don't forget it again gg)
I hope you don't mind

So, you guys, the end is quite near. It's only one chapter left after this one here.
Enjoy

13.

Hank snorted frustrated and stared behind the two. Then he shook his head and turned around towards his friends.

Bobby was still whimpering and Sheila, who would have comforted him and calmed him down, had to be steadied herself.
The girl was a completely nervous wreck.

He walked over to the Barbarian, knelt beside him and stroked gently over his head.

"Easy now, kiddo. We're gonna help you, no matter what. We won't let you down! We're gonna release you from your suffering." he spoke to him.

However, the boy already didn't react to his words any more but kept on crying silently.

Even Sheila wouldn't have been able to calm him down most likely, suddenly flashed through Hank's mind.

And so the Ranger made a decision with probably the most fateful consequences since entering this world and being burdened with the role of the leader.
He knew very well that not everyone of the group would accept this choice but he has realized that there wasn't any other alternative any more.
It was an act of mercy to let Bobby suffer no longer.

He rose slowly and turned to face the others again to tell them his position.

In such moments, he hated it to be the one, who had to make most of their decisions.

"Well, you've heard it. There aren't many possibilities left for us.
Luck has abandoned us completely this time, as it seems.
Well, either we finish what we were coming for in the first place or we sit and wait until...
But I guess it's beyond question that we're gonna help Bobby and only want his best.
That's why I personally decided to do the one thing which will release Bobby from his suffering.
Now I ask you to tell me what you're thinking about it, 'cause this decision has to be made by all of us before we can continue." Hank proclaimed, not looking at any of his friends.

"What? You're thinking about that as well?" Sheila sat up with a jerk, glaring at Hank reproachfully.
"I would have expected you of all people to fight for Bobby's life.
He loves you! He would be disappointed for sure, if he knew that you have failed him and given up on him.
Would you do exactly the same if it was me instead of him?"

"Sheila, that's not fair.
Hank definitely hasn't taken the easy way to come to this decision.
You know that he loves Bobby just as much as we all do.
He never would allow that something is going to happen to one of us.
But I must admit he's right! Just look at Bobby! We can't do anything for him any more.
The water is the sole remedy and if we don't help him, he's gonna suffer even more.
I know it's hard but this way is the most humane by far." the Acrobat said.

"How can you be so sure about that? Maybe there's still something else... and it doesn't have to end this way..." Sheila started.
But when looking into the hopeless faces of her friends, she became aware that there really wasn't anything they could have done.

"Well, I have the same opinion as Hank." Diana announced finally.

"Presto?" Hank applied to the Magician.

"One for all and all for one." Presto answered hesitatingly, glancing at Bobby.

"Eric?"

"Oh well, you know, I hate to wait, anyway." Eric tried to hide his dismay with a casual gesture.

Hank understood and nodded towards him, thanking.
Then he walked up to Sheila, clasped her hands and said softly to her, "Well, even though we all have decided for the one way, your opinion is the determining factor. We need your final approval, 'cause it's about your brother after all..."

This step was difficult for him, you could tell, but it has to be done nevertheless - they all were in agreement about that meanwhile.

"I... I..." Sheila stammered but didn't come any further. She fell into Hank's arms instead and started to cry again.

Hank stroked over her hair tenderly and waited patiently for her Ok.

After a while, she raised her eyes and looked up at Hank.

Hank literally lost himself in her beautiful eyes and wished this moment would last forever.
But that was inappropriate due to their bad situation.

The desperation in her eyes gave the lie to this illusive intimacy, though, and he was jolted back to reality.

He quickly averted his gaze from her eyes - even though reluctantly - and glanced aside briefly before he looked at her again. Only one second later and he would have missed her slight nod.

He nodded back and leaned forward.

"Well, it's not this kind of kiss after all..." he thought to himself with mixed feelings, when he kissed her very gently on the wet cheek.

"Hank..." Sheila blushed surprised.

Hank nodded again, squeezed her hands slightly and turned back towards the others, "OK. Thank you for your sincere opinions, guys. I guess that's the best in the interest of all of us. Needless to say that this step is irreversible. That's why we all had to agree on that."