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"Vin, let me see Aunt Nettie," Casey's shaken voice cut through the babble. "She's hurt Vin, let me see how bad," she coaxed. Tanner was holding Nettie protectively and snarled anytime Casey tried to touch either of them.
"He's never acted like this," Casey warned. "Aunt Nettie?"
"Son, turn loose of me now. I'm not hurt bad. Easy child, you're not in that place no more. You're with me, the Nichols are all gone," she soothed the agitated Tanner.
Vin whimpered softly, petting Nettie's hair the same way he did his pony. The sapphire eyes glowed when a flash of light hit them. "Nate, mah Nettie's done hurt," Tanner said clearly, a Texas drawl now evident.
"Sit back and let me look at her," Nathan ordered sharply.
"Be real careful Doc," Chris warned softly, his hand resting on Nathan's shoulder in an attempt to stop any sudden movements. "Vin's 'here'. If he misunderstands what you're doing, you could be in a world of hurt."
Startled looks were exchanged as it registered that Vin had really spoken.
Ezra's eyes widened as he glimpsed a shadow of another face over Tanner's. He's channeling someone!
"I'm not gonna hurt Ms. Nettie, Vin. I need to fix her shoulder." Nathan hesitated, holding his hands out but not touching.
Vin gently eased Nettie down on his sleeping bag and sat back. "Casey, you want to help me here?" Nathan asked. "Standish, sit down before you pass out. Somebody sit on that fool 'til I can look at him. The rest of you find something to do. Ms. Nettie doesn't need an audience," Nathan snarled.
Everyone but Vin and Chris moved away, leaving Nathan with Casey and his patients.
"I said git," Nathan huffed at Chris.
"Keeping an eye on Kilkenny," Chris growled back, obviously not planning to back down. "I'll drag him over to the corner if you'd rather."
"Leave him," Nathan grunted before gently pulling up Nettie's shirt in order to examine her shoulder. Touching the bruised flesh he frowned and 'pushed'. "Nothing's broken, it's a deep bruise though," Nathan muttered. 'Reaching' into himself, Nathan 'repaired' the injury. "That ought to help. I'm sorry I can't do more, but I'm going to need what strength I have for Ezra and Kilkenny," Nathan sighed.
"You've done a lot more than you should have, thank you," Nettie pulled her shirt back down.
Vin frowned and brushed his fingers over Nettie's shoulder.
"I'm alright son," Nettie petted Vin's hair.
Vin wrapped his arms around her and held her gently.
Nathan smiled, rising to go check on Ezra.
Ezra's breath caught as he locked glances with Tanner. The sapphire eyes danced and Vin winked before dropping his head. How much damage did that imbecile Cedric do to my brain?
"He talked Casey. Did you hear him?" Nettie kissed the top of Tanner's bent head. "He knows me," Nettie's voice quivered as a tear ran down her cheek.
"Of course he does, Aunt Nettie. Vin loves you!" Casey cuddled up close.
"He's gone again. It's so hard sometimes," Nettie stroked Vin's hair when Pony appeared and was moved in an agitated manner across the floor.
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"Let me see, Standish. I heard the bone break so don't give me any crap, alright?" Nathan growled.
"I was . . ." Ezra began only to be interrupted.
"Where are we?" Nathan asked, examining Standish's bleeding temple.
"The furthest spot from the bright center of the universe," Ezra sniffed.
"What day?" Nathan huffed at the answer.
"The day after yesterday but still before tomorrow," Ezra grinned.
"How many fingers?" Nathan demanded, holding up his hand.
"Dr. Jackson, do you always test your patients with that particular gesture?" Standish asked in an affronted tone, trying to keep the amusement out of his voice.
"Only you," Nathan huffed.
"Why am I granted 'special' favors?" Ezra demanded.
"You're a pain in the ass," Nathan grinned.
"That tickles," Ezra grumbled when Nathan 'scanned' the head wound. A frown drew Nathan's brows together.
"Dr. Jackson?" Ezra asked softly.
"Most likely nothing, but you've got a bleeder in there," Nathan scowled.
"Is this something that you can repair?"
"I don't have enough strength for that kind of intense control," Nathan sighed. "It should stop on its own. Let me see this arm." Nathan once more faced his inability to 'repair' with frustration. Gently he examined Ezra's arm. "I can set it for you or you can wait until you can go to a hospital."
"It would be foolish in the extreme to wait. You are quite capable of setting it more accurately, without exposing my delicate system to harmful radiation," Ezra sniffed. "It will only be more painful once the swelling begins.
Nathan nodded. "With that head injury, I don't want to give you anything unless it's absolutely necessary."
"Now why did I know you were going to say that?" Ezra sighed.
"I'll be quick." Nathan reached down, taking the injured limb between his hands.
Chris hid a grin at Ezra's dignified, politely stifled little 'ow'.
"One of you find me something I can make a splint out of," Nathan growled distractedly as he scanned Ezra's arm. "Good news for you Standish, everything went back in place on its own. I'm not going to have to align it at all."
"I'm counting my blessings," Ezra hissed.
A loud cracking noise startled the searchers. "Hey Nate, will this work?" Buck walked over and held out several sections of the broken pool cue.
"These will be fine for splints if I pad them. They'll work 'til we can get a cast on this," Nathan said.
"Poetic justice," Ezra sniffed.
Jackson worked quickly to splint Ezra's arm. "I'm sorry that I didn't get over here quick enough to prevent this," Nathan sighed.
"Doctor Jackson, you can in no way be held at fault for Mr. Kilkenny's behavior. I am thankful that you are uninjured and in a position to minimize my suffering," Ezra drawled faintly rubbing his forehead.
"You tell me if that headache gets worse, you get nauseated, or have vision or hearing problems," Nathan frowned.
"My good Doctor, I have been seeing and hearing the dearly departed for some years now, and it has proven a definitive problem! Could you perhaps clarify your statement slightly? That being said, you have already indicated there is nothing to be done in the event such symptoms should occur, Dr. Jackson," Ezra reminded softly.
"I can relieve some of the pressure is all," Nathan sighed and looked miserable.
"Then we will pray that your intervention is unnecessary," Ezra breathed, laying his head back against his chair and closing his eyes.
"Ms. Nettie, I hate to ask . . .," Nathan looked over at the retired nurse.
"Cognitive Evaluation every two hours?" Nettie asked worriedly.
"Yes, keep an eye on him if you would," Jackson straightened tiredly. "Now to see to Kilkenny," he huffed.
"I'll take care of the peacock," Nettie promised, sitting down in her chair, smiling her thanks to Ezra for protecting her boy.
Tanner had scooted up tightly against Nettie's legs and had escaped into his own world. The cards were spread out in front of him and Pony's head stuck out of his shirt.
The smile soon disappeared as Nettie scowled at the reviving Cedric and muttered, "What in the world got into that boy?"
Steele walked over, carefully carrying a cup of coffee. "Are you alright Ms. Nettie?" Jock asked, genuine concern in his dark eyes as he offered Nettie the cup.
"Thank you," Nettie smiled weakly. "I'll be fine."
"Who were the Nichols?" Jock asked curiously, sitting down in a nearby chair.
"They were Vin's foster family," Nettie said shortly.
"They were negligent?" Steele questioned.
Nettie didn't answer, simply petted Vin's hair.
"Abusive." Jock sat back with a horrified look on his face.
"Mr. Steele, leave my boy alone. There's plenty for you to write about without hurting that child," Nettie growled in warning.
"He's part of this story about Petrie's Folly," Jock protested.
Nettie sat the coffee cup down with an angry clatter and it slid off the small table. Jock's stared in wonder as the cup's fall was halted and it rose to settle gently back on to the table.
"Did you see that?" he bleated excitedly.
"Did I see what, Mr. Steele?" Nettie demanded icily.
"The cup," Jock exclaimed.
"It's a cup," Nettie sniffed.
"It was levitated," Jock breathed.
"You need more sleep Mr. Steele. You're seeing things," Nettie huffed.
"Tanner really is a telekinetic." Jock smiled widely.
"I don't know how much Vin understands, Mr. Steele. He's been tortured enough by those that were supposed to take care of him. Don't try and make him the center of some damn media circus. I won't have any part of it," Nettie warned softly.
Jock sat back with a bewildered look. "I don't understand."
"Don't write a word about my boy." Nettie's snarl carried clearly.
"I'll let you read my story before it's posted," Jock offered appeasingly.
Nettie huffed at the troublesome itch and sighed.
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"We'd be out of here if Standish hadn't got in the way and let me knock the dummy out," Cedric snarled.
"Open your mouth again and I'll break your jaw," Chris promised icily.
"I must protest the inflicted violence and continued threats upon my student," Crooks interjected at that point.
"Guess we're going to have to wait and see if Standish wants to sue Kilkenny. He could probably sue the college. I guess you could be sued too, couldn't you Professor? I mean you are in charge of the students and you failed to keep Kilkenny under control." JD reminded.
"I'm certain it was a simple misunderstanding," Crooks spluttered.
"Tell that to Standish. I'm sure that broken arm and headache are all in his imagination," Nathan snapped, pushing past the professor with a growl.
"I can check you over and see what's wrong or I can leave you sitting. It's up to you. Of course, if you're bleeding inside, there's not a thing I can do for you." Nathan addressed Cedric impatiently.
"You're a doctor. You have to treat my injuries," Kilkenny huffed.
"But I sure don't have to be gentle about it," Nathan smiled widely.
"I'll sue your ass," Kilkenny snarled.
"And I'll recommend a competency hearing which your current behavior warrants. Drug tests as well to rule out whether or not you're currently using. Daddy won't be pleased. I bet it will look real bad with him running for office," Nathan smirked.
"Check out my injuries Jackson, and keep your opinions to yourself," Cedric hissed.
"Please," Chris said softly, his voice low and dangerous.
"What?" Cedric huffed.
"You say, 'Please Dr. Jackson, my unprovoked attack has caused me great pain and I require your services'," Larabee directed.
"I did . . ." Cedric's sneer was cut short by Larabee's deadly glare and he gulped nervously. "Please, Dr. Jackson would you examine my injuries."
"Well, you haven't busted your thick skull," Nathan grunted as he began checking Kilkenny over. Jackson's hands were gentle despite his tone as he cleaned and bandaged the contusion on Cedric's forehead. "Sprained your wrist. Must have happened when you were trying to murder Standish." Nathan pulled an ace bandage out of his bag.
"I didn't . . ." Cedric's protest trailed off.
"Jury might not agree. Two swings with a club at an unarmed man?" Josiah rumbled angrily.
"I'd say three, maybe four, cracked ribs and a bruised knee," Nathan continued, ignoring the by play. "Anything else hurt?"
"No," Kilkenny grunted. "How about something for pain, Doc?"
"Not with a head injury," Jackson answered shortly before pulling away. Beside, I think he's self-medicated himself sufficiently for one night.
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"What are we going to do with him? He's dangerous," Josiah sighed.
"He's stoned out of his mind. Look at his eyes," Nathan hissed as he joined them.
"Hell," Chris groaned.
"Duct tape," Bruce chirped.
"What?" Everyone demanded.
"Put him in a sleeping bag and duct tape the zipper and around the hood. I promise it's almost impossible to get out of." Bruce flushed at the curious looks. "Summer camp when I was twelve. It gets awful hot so I'd suggest just his underwear. It'll be harder for him to hide a knife or something too." Bruce shrugged, "I was the kid with a kick-me sign on my back."
"Ah hell!" Buck winced in sympathy.
"That is until I rubbed poison ivy in their underwear. I convinced them that they had picked up some horrible disease. They were trying so hard not to scratch around the girls they left me alone." Bruce grinned cheerfully.
Tony muttered something under his breath and glanced over at the sullen Ivy.
"The plant," Bruce spluttered, turning crimson.
That sounds like it will work…the tape I mean." Angel blushed as she attempted to get them back on track. "But where are we going to find duct tape?"
"Oh, some will turn up no doubt," Josiah chuckled.
After a trip to the bathroom, Cedric was zipped into his sleeping bag and Buck sheepishly provided a roll of duct tape. Josiah laughed aloud as Bruce, Tony, Casey and, lo and behold, Nathan put their own rolls away.
"Where is yours, Preacher?" Chris asked softly.
"I'm pleading the fifth," Josiah grinned widely.
"Refusing to answer on the grounds you might incriminate yourself? Really Preacher, I'd have thought you'd have a better defense," Chris grinned.
"Not the fifth amendment to the constitution, my fifth of Jack Daniels. I slid it around my bottle; it makes an excellent cozy." Josiah grinned widely.