Wow, so this is a really long one...hehe, but it's good. Uhm, I think that's all I have to say acutally, so faretheewell!
Thankyou's: Mouse, Dodger, and Spades thanks for the reviews
Ducky: Thank you sosoooooooooooooooo much for helping me write this...I wouldn't have gotten to 26 chapters with out ya!
We loaded up into the cars and headed to the nearest hospital. Blink drove Dodger, Media and Mush in his car. Ace claimed Spot, Mouse and Bumlets; and I was left with Jack, Skittery, and Spades. About ten minutes later, we pulled up in front of the emergency room, letting Mush and Media go in front of the rest of us since he had been fading in and out of consciousness on the way. The rest of us sat in the waiting room for a while until they took Dodger and Spot away. I wanted to make sure that they were all right, but the hospital staff ushered me away to get stitches in my lip, which hurt really bad. Spades came to visit me and said that she had just called mom and dad.
"Whahd ey say?" I asked through half of my mouth since the other side was still numb.
"Something about say? What?" she asked.
"Whad id dey say?!" I asked again.
"What did they say, is that what you're trying to ask?" I nodded my head vigorously so that she would get the point.
"They said they were on their way."
"Great." I mumbled.
"How's the lip?" Spades asked looking at me. I wanted to kick her so bad at that moment.
"How do you think it is?" I asked sarcastically.
"Sore?"
"Duh"
"You're obviously feeling like yourself." She commented, thank the Lord she wasn't in the warehouse too, she might have gotten herself killed.
"How's Spot, or do you know?" I asked.
"He's banged up, no internal damage, but he'll be bedridden for a little while."
"Oh, poor Spot." I said.
"Yeah, he's not nearly as bad as Mush though."
"How bad is Mush?"
"He was stabbed above his heart and then in the back, which sliced his shoulder muscle and a cut ligament behind his knee along with a sliced calf."
"Wow, how's Media holding up?"
"Very quietly."
"Ok, note to self don't make her mad, she's ready to kill."
"Um, do you know the last time she slept?" Spades asked.
"Um, no"
"Because I was there when Mush was conscious and he made a comment that she hadn't slept in a while, which is why she's been downing coffee like it was water."
"Oh, well, if you can somehow convince her that Mush will be fine while she sleeps do that, we don't need another casualty." I said.
"Fine, but I'm gonna visit Dodger first." She said leaving the room. Time slowly passed until they released Me, Jack and Spot and my parents had arrived.
"Oh honey your lip." My mom said cradling my face in her hands.
"I'm fine mom, Spot was the one who got kidnapped."
"My baby boy!" she said running over to where he was sitting. He shot me a death glare as my mom fussed over him.
"I'm okay!" Jack said.
"I'm glad." My mom said giving him a second of attention.
"Where's Riley?" My dad asked.
"Um, she hasn't come out yet."
"All right, we'll wait."
"STUPID CRUTCHES!!!!!" Dodger yelled from behind the door.
"That's me Dodgah!" Blink smiled.
"Do you need help figuring out how to use the crutches?" Mouse asked.
"No, I've got them, they're just annoying!" Dodger replied hobbling over to us.
"Oh my God what happened?" Mom shrieked.
"She got on da wrong side a someone's foot." Spot laughed.
"Shut up before I kick you!" Dodger snapped.
"Would you two stop?" My dad said.
"Can we just get Media and Mush and go home?" Bumlets asked.
"It might take awhile." I said.
"Why?" Ace asked.
"Well, um, Mush is in really bad shape and Media won't leave his side." I told her.
"Oh"
"Even if they hold him overnight, she can't stay." My dad said.
"Knowing her, she'll try. They'll probably have to drag her out of his room." I said. We waited in the lobby until Media finally got kicked out of his room. We all headed back to the house where the younger kids parents came to pick them up.
"Whaddaya mean I gotta stay in bed foh a couple a days?" Spot roared.
"Because you need it. Now stop arguing!" my dad said.
"I'se gonna be bohed!" he complained.
"Is this you NOT arguing?" my dad asked.
"Aight I get it!"
"Good" Dad said turning to leave Spot's room.
"Heya Spotty!" I said plopping down on his bed.
"Hi." He said warily.
"I haven't gotten to talk to you yet, how are ya doin?"
"I'm a little sore, I'll be fine."
"I wasn't talking physically, but okay." I said.
"Mentally, it's kinda shaky havin you as a sistah." He smiled.
"You know, as soon as you stop hurting, you're dead." I said.
"Yeah probably, ya might have ta get in line wid Ace dough."
"Did you get lectured on the way to the hospital?" I joked.
"Kinda"
"She was worried, heck so was I."
"So was I."
"What happened?"
"When"
"When do you think genius!"
"Nah, I mean, while I was dere, da cah?"
"Well for starters when they grabbed you."
"I was woikin, and I was drivin it ta da garage. Den I felt a gun ta me head comin from da backseat. So I stopped da cah and den some guy in a mask came runnin out and threw me in da trunk."
"We seem to have a thing with parking garages. What happened after that?"
"We got dere and I almost got free, but den dey ganged up on me and den dis happened." He said gesturing over his body. "And den dey put me in chains because dey said dat dey didn't want me runnin off like da oddah one, which I took ta mean Skits."
"Eeh. Well I'm glad you're safe."
"Foh now."
"Why do you say for now?"
"Da goon Blink took down said he wadn't finished wid me yet."
"Hm, we'll keep you safe." I smiled.
"Okay, shohty." He said rolling his eyes.
"Hey, I fought off a guy and all I got was a split lip."
"Good, I tink Dodgah needs ta take fightin lessons or sumptin."
"She was that big of a whimp eh?"
"Nah, she just didn't know what ta do."
"Ah, well between me and Media, we've got ya covered."
"Speakin a Media, I smell coffee."
"Do you want some?" I asked not catching his drift.
"Nah, I'se just wonderin why she's drinkin caffeine dis late at night."
"She hasn't slept for a while, and something tells me she won't tonight either." I said standing up.
"Ok councilah." Spot laughed.
"Shush." I said walking to the door. "Night Spot"
"Night Angel." I closed his door and walked out into the hall starting downstairs to try to convince my cousin to sleep.
"I don't want to." She said flatly.
"Media, how long has it been since you've slept?" I asked genuinely worried for her.
"I've napped." She said defending herself.
"I'm talking more than an hour at a time." I crossed my arms over my chest.
"Um a while?" she said.
"Media, you need to sleep!"
"No!"
"When Mush gets back do you want to crash, instead of spending time with him?"
"I'll crash when I'm not with him!"
"Why won't you sleep?"
"I don't want to talk about it."
"Whatever it is, you need to!"
"That's a great comeback."
"You've always been able to talk to me, what's wrong?"
"What kind of question is that?"
"Answer mine"
"Yours is redundant."
"WHAT-IS-WRONG?!!!!!"
"Didn't Aunt Maggie teach you not to yell in the house."
"Stop avoiding the subject!"
"I really don't want to talk about it."
"It's keeping you from sleeping, you need to talk about it!"
"It's in the past it doesn't matter."
"If it's in the past then why can't you sleep?"
"Because everytime I try, I see it again and again."
"What are you seeing?" finally progress.
"The night in the alley everyone got jumped except me, so I got to see everything!"
"Eeh."
"Yeah."
"And how does that make you feel?"
"If I wasn't holding my coffee I would punch you right now."
"Answer the question."
"Obviously not well, since I can't sleep bimbo."
"I am NOT a bimbo! So you keep seeing everyone fight over again?"
"Parts of it."
"Such as?"
"Mush"
"Gah you are so elusive!"
"What, you asked what part!"
"I was hoping you would give some explanation!"
"Why?"
"Because, you need to vent this, if you keep it inside it'll just haunt you until you let it out!"
"Okay, imagine watching Jack getting beat to a pulp while you stand there unable to help because you're keeping Ace from seeing her boyfriend getting beat up."
"That's horrible."
"Yeah and Mush and I are closer than you and Jack."
"I'm sorry, Media."
"I still have his blood under my nail." She said picking at her nail.
"Ew"
"You try putting pressure on a gushing wound."
"No thanks, blood makes me squeamish."
"Wanna know something ironic?"
"What?" I asked warily, she had a weird glint in her eye.
"Mush was just helping me with my nightmares and now I have images of his bloody body falling in the dirt!"
"Eeh." I said cringing.
"Yeah, I threw the shirt I was wearing earlier away because it was stained with his blood." She said tears starting to roll down her cheeks.
"Oh, Media, come here!" I said pulling her into a hug. At first she had her arms folded against me, but she finally broke down and hugged me. At that moment, Dodger came hobbling into the kitchen in search of a midnight snack.
"Don't mind me." She said rummaging through the fridge.
"Too late." I said with annoyance.
"How are you doing Dodger?" Media said wiping her eyes.
"Oh uh, my knee hurts." Dodger replied absently.
"Usually when you break something it does hurt." I said rolling my eyes.
"Nice one." Media smirked.
"I thought so." I laughed.
"We probably ought to get to bed." Dodger said.
"Yeah, probably. Is Spot asleep?" I asked, feeling the overprotective sister mode kicking in.
"I think so." Dodger answered.
"Dodge, as soon as your knee heals, take some self defense classes!" I said.
"Have no fear"
"Oh that reminds me, Media, we need to keep an eye out for Spot, I'm scared that those thugs aren't done with him."
"With him, or the family?" she asked.
"Well, the way they kept saying the more the merrier, I wonder."
"Note to self, carry knife in purse." Media said.
"Yeah, I hear ya." I said putting my knife in my purse.
"Do you know how to use that?" Media asked.
"The pointy end goes in the person." I said.
"Oh my gosh, maybe we should get you a stun gun instead." Media suggested.
"Um, yeah, bout that." I said.
"What?"
"I had one, but I ended up stunning myself everytime I grabbed my keys." I said, "That's why I got the knife."
"Perhaps, mace would work best." Dodger said.
"No, I'd only spray myself." I said.
"You are a bimbo." Media said.
"Not."
"You just proved it!"
"So show me how to use the flippin knife!"
"Okay"
"Um, or Jack could." Dodger suggested.
"He knows how to use a knife?" I asked.
"Did you think he was a boy scout?" Dodger laughed.
"I wouldn't go straight to boy scout." I said.
"Remember, he's from New York." Dodger said.
"So are we." I told her.
"I think I hear your dad moving around." Media said.
"So?"
"I think we're being loud, since their room is right above the kitchen."
"Oh, let's continue this discussion in my room." I said leading the way.
"Do we need to carry Dodger?" Media asked.
"I can make it on my own." She said.
"Sure you can!" I laughed.
"Acorn, you get behind her on the stairs so she doesn't fall over and I'll get in front and pull her up!"
"Okay, sure, why not?" I said.
"The way you two act, you'd think I was an invalid!" Dodger complained.
"What's up?" Spades asked looking down from the top of the stairs at us.
"Not much, these two are just being punks!" Dodger glared.
"We're having girl talk wanna join?" Media asked.
"Yay." Spades cheered.
We talked for several more hours, until our eyes were burning and we all drifted off into dreamland.
The next day I rose to laughter coming from the living room.
What time is it? I wondered blearily. I was the only one still in my room, so I grabbed my bathrobe and glasses and walked to where the voices were coming from.
"Morning Angel!" Dodger called.
"Good morning." I said my eyes still half closed.
"I'm lovin da haihdo." Jack said smiling.
"Gotta love bedhead." I said flopping down on the couch.
"Spades, do not charge when you're holding a knife." Media's voice said from somewhere behind me.
"Media, what the san juan hill are you doing" I asked.
"Dodger, wanted know how to use a knife, and I'm using Spades to demonstrate." Media answered.
"Which is why everyone is laughin." Spot said.
"Leave me alone!" Spades said.
"Yeah, Jack, Skits and me came ta see how everyone was doin." Blink said.
"Yeah, I wanted ta see how dat lip a yohs was doin Angel." Jack said.
"What?"
"Here, let me check dat foh ya." He said kissing the corner of my mouth.
"That was original." I said smiling.
"I take it you two are dating?" Dodger asked.
"Uhm, not sure?" I said looking at Jack.
"Eh, not quite dere yet." Jack said looking a bit sad as he said that.
"Well you kissed her, that's why I asked." Dodger said.
"She kissed me da oddah day." Jack said.
"It was in a friend saying thank you way." I protested.
"Yeah sure!" everyone said.
"Oh go away." I said.
"You enjoy us teasing you!" Spades said.
"Oh, Blink, how's your hand?" I asked.
"I wrapped it, it's good."
"Ya call dat a knife fight?" Jack asked Media.
"You wanna fight me?" She asked.
"I don't wanna cut ya up." He said.
"That's not funny." She said her eyes taking on a dark menacing glow.
"I'se just sayin, ya wouldn't last ten seconds like dat." He said indicating to how she was holding the knife.
"Maybe, but then again, I have a really good throwing arm." She said.
"Media put the knife down." I said.
"I'm not actually going to throw it at him." She said.
"Your eyes have that mean glow, just don't get blood on the carpet."
"Hey!" Jack said in protest.
"Whatever" she said tossing the knife on the ground.
"Why don't you show dem, Jack." Blink said.
"Okay, uh who'm I gonna fight?"
"I'll go." I said standing up.
"Hold the handle firmly, but keep your wrist loose." Jack instructed.
"Like this?" I asked.
"Yeah. If ya gonna slice someone across dere stomach, toin ya ahm and bring it across dere gut." He said.
"So I roll my arm like this?" I asked.
"No da oddah way." Jack said.
"Okay. And then bring it down like that?"
"Nah if ya gonna bring it down, ya wanna have ya wrist tightah."
"Okay tighter, got it."
"And dat'll do foh ya foist lesson." Jack smiled.
"I'm hungry!" Spot said.
"I'll get lunch." Media said.
"Crap!" I said looking at Media sullenly leaving the room.
"What?" Jack asked, since he was the only one close enough to hear what I had said.
"We're talking about knife fights while her boyfriend is in the hospital with three knife wounds." I said.
"Ya know, I'm going to run into town and pick something up." She said taking Mush's keys from her purse.
"Okay, we'll be here." I said.
"Of course!"
"Media, hold on!" I said running out the door after her.
"What?" she asked crossly.
"I'm sorry, I didn't think."
"It happens." She said revving up the engine.
"Ya want me to come with you?" I asked.
"Nah, I'm good."
"Ya sure?"
"Yes."
"Ok, call if you need anything."
"Be back in a bit." She said pulling out of the driveway.
MEDIA'S POV
Crap, I have to get them food! I thought as I pulled out of Acorn's driveway. Thank God for Spot being hungry! I was heading to Quizno's when I looked in the rearview mirror and saw the blood on the backseat. That needs to come out. So I went to the car wash and bought upholstery cleaner and peroxide. I drove to a closed Sonic, so I could be alone while I washed the stains out. Ew, blood. As I scrubbed it, I kept thinking about my baby laying in the hospital, and freaking Jack knife fighting! It wasn't the same when I was doing it, I was teaching her. They were actually swinging at each other. After I was satisfied with removing the stain, I went to get their precious food. While I was waiting for my order to come up, there was couple cuddling in the corner. Gah, does everything have to remind me of Aaron today? The creepy little guy working the counter handed me the bag of food along with his number.
"What is this?" I asked.
"You look like a cross between Princess Leia and Rogue from X-men." He said snorting in a geek like manner.
"I'm also pissed and have a boyfriend, so keep your nasty little number!" I said throwing the slip of paper at him.
"If you ever change your mind, I'll be your Han Solo!" he said giggling nervously through his nose.
"It won't happen! Cause he can kick your ass even in the state he's in!"
"Han Solo is respected where he's from!" he snorted after me. I didn't know whether to start laughing from hysteria or to beat the punk into a pulp. I threw the food into the car and sped to a gas station to get some gum. EEEEEWWWWWW. I want my Mush! The gas station clerk was fairly cute, but just as gross.
"Do you have a band aid, cause I scraped my knee falling for you!" he said looking me up and down.
"What are you 12?" I asked.
"No, I'm 24, so it'd be legal!"
"Here," I said sliding the money over to him. He then placed his hand on top of mine and lightly squeezed it, just like Mush does right before he goes in for a kiss. My left hand flew up and punched him in the nose with a sickening crunch of his nose breaking.
"That's nothing compared to what my boyfriend would have done!" I said grabbing the gum and running out the door.
"Wait, I might need a nurse for this!" he called after me.
I hate my life! I said pulling out of the parking lot and hit a stoplight where some 12-year-old was checking me out from his mom's van.
This is not right! I thought. I rolled up my window and turned down the radio before punching the steering wheel and screaming. I heard a car honk and then realized that the light had turned green, so I floored the accelerator. I was almost back to Acorn's place when I realized that I'd have to put on a happy face. I wanna see Mush, not see their retardedness and flirting knife fight crap! I pulled into the driveway and was relieved to see that Aunt Maggie and Uncle Nate's cars were gone, since they would have tried to lecture me.
ANGEL'S POV
After Media pulled out into traffic, I walked back inside feeling very guilty.
"Why didn't she just make sumptin in da kitchen?" Blink was asking Dodger as I walked in.
"I do not know." Dodger said honestly not having a clue. Jack saw my face and gave me a reassuring smile that it wasn't my fault even though I felt that way.
"So what do ya want to do?" Spades asked.
"Umm lets get me some water please." Dodger said.
"Ya lazy bum!" Spot said.
"I'm crippled!" she protested.
"Only cause ya can't fight!"
"I wasn't the one who got kidnapped!"
"SHUT UP!!!!" I yelled. Everyone in the room stopped and starred at me, because normally I didn't get that loud.
"Thank you." I said.
"I'm thirsty." Dodger said quietly.
"Uh, fine if I get you water, will you stop whining?" I asked on edge.
"Yes."
"Fine, I'll get you water!" I said getting up and walking into the kitchen.
"Pst, Jack, talk to her!" Spades said.
"Tanks send me in wid da lion." Jack said walking into the kitchen behind me.
"What do you want?" I asked looking for a glass.
"Uh, just wanted ta talk ta ya." He said keeping his distance.
"I don't want to talk right now." I said flipping through all of our cabinets and not finding a glass anywhere. "Does no one empty the damn dishwasher around here?!"
"What's wrong?"
"I pissed off my cousin and now my brother and sister are arguing over a serious and touchy matter." I said.
"Media gets pissed off a lot, and Dodgah's just Dodgah."
"You know you're not helping."
"Sahhy."
"It's just I feel responsible for everyone because I'm the oldest in the family, and when one of them gets hurt it's like I'm not doing my job!"
"Ya job ain't ta monitah and protect, it's ta be dere when dey need ya."
"Trying to 'be there when they need me' and getting them to talk to me is like trying to get the meat out of an armature of a crab!"
"Dey're all like dat."
"Except Spades."
"I don't tink ya have a problem wid Spot and Dodgah, dey're just arguing."
"I know, I need to punch something." I said looking around for a pillow.
"Ya can use me ahm." Jack said holding his arm out for me. I swung with all of my might and made contact, which made me feel a lot better.
"I can't feel me hand." He said.
"Sorry, it takes a lot to push me over the edge to mad, but today just about did it." I said apologetically.
"It's aight."
"Yay a glass." I said pulling one out of the dishwasher and filling it with water for Dodger.
"Here." I said handing it to her.
"Should we watch a movie?" Spades asked.
"What?" I said.
"Skittery, when I get bettah, remind me ta beat ya." Spot said.
"What'd I do?" Skittery asked dumbfounded.
"Ya caused dis, by runnin." He said pointing to one of the visible bruises.
"Did ya want me ta stay dere?"
"Guys don't start please." I said weakly.
"Let's watch Lord of the Rings." Dodger said sensing my mood.
"I'm gonna go down to the barn." I said walking out the back door.
"Jack you were supposed to talk to her!" Spades said hitting him.
"I did."
"Well not very good!" Spot laughed.
"If I wouldn't get in trouble wid Angel foh doin it, I'd beat ya up even woise right now." Jack said.
"Yeah, ya'd hafta take me now, ta get me down." Spot said with a cocky smirk.
"Spot!" Dodger gasped.
"I'll be outside if ya need me." Jack said standing up.
"What?" Spot asked Dodger.
"We're trying to get them back together, stop it!" Dodger hissed.
"Dat ain't my priority!" Spot answered.
"Well at least stop trying to drive them apart!"
"I don't trust 'im!"
"You didn't trust Skittery when you first met him!" Spades said.
"Ya didn't?" Skittery asked.
"It ain't da same!"
"How?"
"Skittery didn't try ta run off."
"Neither did Jack!" Blink said.
"Yeah, because we caught him befoh he could!"
"He wouldn't have gone without saying goodbye!" Dodger said in her maternal tone that said don't argue with me.
"How am I supposed ta relax wid dis?" Spot said.
"Bye Kids, your dad and I are leaving and won't be back until late!" Mom said.
"Bye!" everyone said.
"Where is Aleisha? I needed to talk to her." Dad asked.
"She left a while ago." Dodger said.
"Hm, I'll talk to her later."
"Bye Dad!" Spades called.
IN THE BARN
"Hello Shoni, baby" I said petting his nose as he nickered. "At least you won't get mad at me." I sighed.
"Everytime I come in heah, ya pettin da horse." Jack said.
"Yeah well he's my baby, aren't you Shoni?"
"Let me know if he answers."
"You wanna go for a ride?" I asked.
"Uh, on what?"
"What do you think, a horse."
"Eh, I dunno Angel. Hohses don't like me much."
"Ah, they won't bite." I smiled.
"If ya say so."
"You can ride behind me."
"Aight."
"Let me get him saddled." I said getting Shoni's tack. I saddled and bridled him before leading him out to the mounting block and hopping up on Shoni's back.
"Ok, your turn." I said holding out my hand for Jack.
"Ya sure he's safe?"
"Positive, come on." I pulled Jack up behind me and went off on one of the trails behind our house that lead through the woods.
"Is it supposed ta be dis bouncy?" Jack asked as Shoni started walking.
"You think this is bouncy?" I asked rhetorically as I urged Shoni into a trot.
"Gah, it's like toibulance on a plane." Jack complained. I urged Shoni into a canter and his gate evened out.
"Better?" I asked.
"Yeah dis ain't so bad." Jack said. I could feel him starting to relax his grip on my waist.
"This is what I love about horses." I said. "The freedom."
"I can see why."
"You almost just want to spread your wings and fly!" I said looping the reins over the saddlehorn and lifting my arms into the air.
"What ah ya doin?" Jack asked.
"Calm down I'm steering with my legs." I said.
"Ya can do dat?" Jack asked.
"Yes, otherwise I'd hardly be doing it now would I?"
"True."
I led Shoni through the woods rather successfully, until we came to a tree with several low hanging branches. And surprisingly I wasn't the one who got hit in the head it was Jack.
"OW!" he yelled.
"What?"
"The tree hit me in the head." He said putting his hand to his forehead.
"Oh, stop being a baby."
"It's bleeding!" he shrieked.
"Oh good gravy!" I said spurring Shoni in the sides causing him to gallop back to the house. "Hang on!" I called over my shoulder.
WE arrived at my backdoor a few minutes later and I tied Shoni to a post next to the step before ushering Jack in to put something on his head.
"Geez Angel, ya didn't have ta hit him!" Spot said.
"I didn't it was a tree branch." I said snatching the bottle of peroxide from the table. At that moment, Media walked through the front door carrying a bag from Quizno's.
"Come and get it!" she yelled walking in.
"Yay FOOD!" Spot said gleefully.
"You have no idea how much I had to put up with to get this!" Media fumed.
"Hey Med, what's up?" I asked dabbing peroxide on Jack's forehead.
"Creepy people." She said turning to look at me. "What did you do to him?"
"Why does everyone assume that I'm the one who did this?" I asked pointing to the barely bleeding scratch.
"Do ya hafta ask?" Blink said.
"Well, that's the second person in a row that has said something about it. Isn't it possible that he hurt himself?" I said.
"Yeah but you have a history of violence." Media said smiling.
"So do you smart butt."
"That is true, and I proved it today."
"What did you do?"
"Due to creepy guy number 1, I had to get some gum when I met creepy guy number 2."
"Creepy guy 1?"
"Sci-fi nerd."
"And number 2"
"Pervert, with a broken nose."
"Was it broken before or after you met hi-wait, never mind I know the answer." I said putting the peroxide back where it was.
"He held my hand."
"Ah, I see. So you punched him right?"
"No, I kissed him, heck yes I punched him!"
"Uh, Angel, did you tie Shoni up?" Spot asked looking toward the backdoor.
"Yeah, I always tie him up, why?" I said.
"Because he ain't tied up no moh."
"What?"
"He was runnin around a second ago."
"Crap."
"Ya might wanna go catch him." Dodger said.
"Ya think?" I asked sarcastically. "I'll be back."
"I'm coming too." Spades said.
"Yeah." Skittery followed.
"It's my fault ya didn't tie him up, so I'll come too." Jack said as they followed me outside.
"Shoni, here boy," I said clicking my tongue at him. Just then the clouds decided to open up and a deluge came down.
"GREAT!" I said getting completely soaked. "Shoni, come on, let me get your reigns so that I can go inside before I get sick again."
"I don't think he wants ta come Angel." Jack said.
"Well then help me!" I said turning my head and flinging water everywhere.
"Aight, ah dere any deep holes in da yahd?" Jack asked.
"You are such a city boy!" I said, "No there aren't."
"Ya shoh?" Skittery asked stepping in an ankle deep puddle.
"That's not a hole!"
"It's still cold!"
"Whatever, the faster we get Shoni, the faster we get back inside."
"Someone is going to have to guide us through the maze of puddles." Spades said.
"Oh fine, I'll go." I said walking out deeper into the yard. "Jack, step to your right, Skits you and Spades go to your left." I said stepping through a puddle.
"It's deepah dan it looks!" Jack complained.
"Oh stop whining, I'll get you some hot cocoa or something once we get inside."
"I got him!" Spades said catching Shoni's reigns. She hopped on and rode him back to the barn where she groomed him and put him back in his stall.
"Spades, ya my hero!" Jack said not moving.
"You're just a wimp." She said walking inside followed by the rest of us who were completely drenched.
"What happened to you?" Dodger asked.
"God decided to flood the earth again." I said dryly.
"What?"
"Deluge!"
"Hehe, you got stuck outside in the cold rain!" Dodger laughed.
"Take that!" I said hair whipping her.
"Oh, if I didn't have to hobble after you, I'd kill you!"
"Hehe, good for me then!" I said turning to walk upstairs. "I'm going to go take a shower."
"Why ya just did!" Spot laughed.
"I mean to get warm smart one." I stuck my tongue out at him.
"Heya Angel, what about dat cocoa you promised?" Jack said a sly grin on his face.
"Media, can you get Jack some hot cocoa?" I yelled into the living room.
"He can't get it himself?"
"Please?"
"Fine"
"Tanks Media." Jack said shivering.
"Uh-huh."
MEDIA'S POV
I walked into the kitchen to make the cocoa when I felt someone behind me, and judging by the chill radiating off of them, it was Jack.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"Uh, just wantin ta see where tings ah." He replied.
"In the cupboard, see?" I said opening the door.
"Uh, yeah. Shoh. So, how ah ya doin?" he asked.
"Fine"
"Really, cause ya seemed a lil upset eahleah."
"Still am." I mumbled thinking that he didn't hear me.
"Why ah ya still upset?"
"Uh, the- why do you care?"
"Cause ya me friend."
"I am?"
"Yeah, well sorta, if ya hadn't pummled me." He laughed.
"Ya gotta admit, it was funny."
"Foh you maybe."
"Yeah, Mush taught me some moves."
"I'm really glad he decided not ta fight." He mumbled to himself.
"What?"
"Uh, a few weeks ago, and I threatened ta beat ya up, he didn't take it too kindly." He said.
"Oh, yeah, you two were gone awhile."
"We was talkin."
"That's nice."
"Well, considerin what ya just told me, I'm glad he decided not ta fight."
"And yet he did yesterday!" I replied bitterly.
"He was just tryin ta protect ya."
"Ok Jack, you obviously don't know me that well."
"I also wadn't dere." He said.
"No, I mean, I don't 'open up' to like anyone, so whatever you're trying to do, stop now." I said.
"Aight, I'se just tryin ta help."
"Cause Acorn wanted you to?"
"No, because I wanted to."
"Whatever."
"Ya stubborn."
"Yeah," I smiled.
"And now I know where Angel gets it from."
"Here's your cocoa." I said handing him the cup.
"Tanks."
"You're welcome." I said walking back to the living room.
ANGEL'S POV
I got done with my hot steamy shower, and went back downstairs to see what everyone else was doing. They were all in the living room watching TV, since we couldn't exactly do anything else, seeing how Spot and Dodger were injured.
"Skittery, would you stop (giggle) stop tickling me?" Spades asked.
"No way!"
"Fine" she said tickling him back.
"Ah Spades, no fah!" Skits whined.
"Haha, yeah it is."
I noticed during the rare public display of affection between Skittery and Spades, Media got a sad wistful look on her face.
"Peace out!" Media said getting her keys.
"Wait, where ya goin?" I asked.
"To the moon!" she said.
"Okay, how about where you're really going?"
"Where do you think?"
"Mush?"
"No my other boyfriend."
"Well, hold on I'll come with you."
"You don't need to."
"I want to though, Mush is my friend ya know!"
"Fine." She consented.
"Okay, let's go."
"Lead on Capitan."
"Argh matey!" I said in my attempt at a pirate accent.
"Wow."
"I'm a theater kid, it's what I do." I laughed walking out the door into the pouring rain.
"Mud puddle at ten o' clock!" Media shouted.
"Danger Will Robinson, Danger!" I said going into cheesy TV special mode.
"You're really weird!" Media said unlocking the car.
"Haven't we established this?" I asked hopping in.
"It's still fun to say!" Media said sticking her tongue out at me.
""Punk."
"Yeah yeah." We drove along the rainy highway until we reached the hospital. We ran through the parking lot and I almost fell over a wheelchair as we raced to the elevator.
"Smooth." Media taunted.
"Oh hush you." I responded. We walked down the hallway and entered Mush's room.
"Hey babe, hi Angel." Mush smiled as we went in.
"Hi Mush." I said giving him a light hug not wanting to hurt him.
"Hey baby," Media said giving him a kiss.
"You look kinda wet!" Mush said taking a closer look at us.
"Yeah, well, Shoni decided to be retarded." I said.
"Ah, I see."
"Well, actually, Jack was being a wimp, so I had to tie Shoni up outside the door because he didn't duck under a tree branch and got a scratch on the head. So while I was putting a band aid on his forehead, Shoni decided to get loose." I explained.
"Yeah it was funny!" Media snickered.
"You could have helped ya know." I said.
"I was handing out the food."
"It was already handed out, and we were all eating."
"Yeah, he's your horse."
"That you ride."
"Sometimes."
"True."
"So how's the j-ello?" Media asked Mush.
"You have to ask?"
"No, but I did anyway!" Media said poking him.
"How are ya feelin Mushy?" I asked.
"Better."
"Good, I get to go home tomorrow!"
"Yay!" Media cried.
"Wow, you won't be at my house anymore." I laughed before ducking to dodge the pen she threw at me.
"Eh, only for a little while."
"Do your parents ever miss you?" I asked Media.
"They work a lot, so we communicate through voicemail." She answered.
"At least you still communicate." Mush said.
"You don't talk to your family?" I asked.
"Eh, kinda fell apart when they divorced and then I moved out when I was 18." He said.
"Which is why it's funny when Uncle Nate and Aunt Maggie start parenting him, because he's not used to it." Media said.
"They tend to do that. I feel sorry for Jack and Blink, I swear my mom wants to adopt everyone into our family!" I said rolling my eyes.
"Well they could get married in." Media said poking me.
"Blink would have more of a chance of that right now than Jack would." I said.
"Right now yes, but what of the future?" Mush asked.
"My God, you're worse than Dodger! I don't know! Is the entire family, except for Spot and Media trying to get us back together?!" I exclaimed.
"This is the first time I've even mentioned your relationship." Mush countered.
"Sorry, I've been cooped up with Spot and Dodger all day and it's about to drive me loco!" I said.
"Yes, you have been kind of off today." Media commented.
"And just what do you mean by 'off'?"
"Chill spastic."
"Sorry, cabin fever."
About that time Mush's nurse came in to change the bandages on his shoulder and leg.
"Don't mind me." She said rolling up his pant leg.
"Um, okay." I said.
"Are those my keys?" Mush asked looking at Media.
"These?" she said jingling them in my ear.
"Stop it!" I swatted at her hand.
"Play nice children." Mush laughed.
"But it's so much fun to torture her!" Media said.
"For you maybe."
"Well duh."
"MMMM" I stuck my tongue out at her.
"Oh that's mature." Media said.
"You did it to me earlier!"
The nurse finished wrapping his leg and began to work on his shoulder.
"You're healing up pretty fast." She beamed.
"Yep because he wants to get out." Media said as she warily watch the nurse as she kept her hand on his shoulder a little too long.
"That I do, I miss my own bed." Mush said.
"What kind of bed is it?" the nurse asked a flirtatious tone oozing from her mouth.
"Media, why don't you tell her."
"It's a queen, I know, because I'm his girlfriend." Media said threateningly.
"Lucky you." The nurse said, losing her politeness.
"Yes I am." Media said territorially.
"Well, keep a good eye on him, you wouldn't want to lose him now would you?" The nurse asked coolly.
"She won't." Mush said getting into it.
"They're very territorial of each other." I added in.
"That's what they all say." The nurse said walking out before Media could jump her.
"You need to get out tonight." Media said turning back to Mush.