.Chapter twelve.

Our holiday officially started two days after the tournament because of the All-stars wasting half the day yesterday when they slept in. Unfortunately I didn't have the same taste in fun as the boys did. They were going to some fight or other and I wasn't entirely willing to go with them.

"But we can't leave you here alone, Cal," said Burn. We had all assembled in Monza and Daz's room to discuss this little problem.

"I know; it's just that I might be a bit of a kill joy," I replied.

"But what are you going to do here by yourself besides stay in your room?"

I just shrugged.

Just then there was a knock at the door.

"Who is it?" asked Monza.

"Cloak. Can I come in?" came Cloak's voice from the other side of the door.

"Sure." With that Cloak opened the door and walked in.

"I thought you guys would have taken off for the fight already," commented Cloak, as he came and sat next to me on Daz's bed.

"Cal's worried that if we take her along she'll be a bit of a kill joy and so she wants to stay here," explained Burn.

"And that's a problem because?"

"Because she's so young and anything can happen to her."

"You're leaving Bruno with her, right?"

"Yes, but still; Bruno's a mascot not a guard dog."

"How about a baby sitter?"

There were a few muffled snickers from the All-stars and Zap.

"Oi!" I exclaimed, as I folded my arms and looked at Cloak as crossly as I could.

Cloak just smiled at me.

"Like I would be able to find a baby sitter for an eighteen year old girl," said Burn.

"I wouldn't mind looking after her," said Cloak.

The All-stars and Burn looked at each other; nodded and then turned their attention back to Cloak.

"You got yourself a deal, Cloak," smiled Burn.

"Right. Looks like you'll be spending the day with me," said Cloak, as he put his arm around me. I noticed Zap stiffen up when Cloak put his arm around me.

"I'll go along with this on one condition," I said.

"What?" asked the All-stars and Burn in a despairing tone.

"Can we not call it baby sitting?" The All-stars and Burn just smiled; they were relieved that that was all I was complaining about.

"Sure; you'll just be spending the day with me," smiled Cloak. Bruno barked to make sure he was included.

"And Bruno," added Cloak. I patted Bruno's heads.

"Good. Now that that's all sorted should we get going?" asked Burn, as he turned to the All-stars.

"If it's all the same guys, I think I'll stay here with Cal," said Zap.

"You sure, Zap?" asked Burn.

"Yeah."

"Okay, have it your way."

Zap just smiled.

"Let's go, All-stars, and, Cloak, I expect you to have them back in their rooms by eight this evening," said Burn, as he and the All-stars started to leave.

"Yes sir," chuckled Cloak. With that Burn and the All-stars disappeared out of the room and headed to their fight.

"Come on you three," said Cloak, as he got up.

"Where're we going?" asked Zap; he had his arms crossed and he was eyeballing Cloak suspiciously.

"Just through to my room. You okay with that?"

"Sure."

Cloak just smiled and put an arm around my shoulders as we walked out together followed by Zap and Bruno.

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Once in Cloak's room, Zap walked out onto the balcony with Bruno and Cloak and I remained inside.

"It's a bit odd having him here," commented Cloak.

"Why?" I asked.

"Well…," Cloak made an uneasy noise.

"Well what?"

"I don't know what it is. It just doesn't feel right. Maybe it's because I don't know him as well as I know you."

"You can change that."

"How?"
"Get to know him."

"Again, how?"
"Talk to him; I'm sure you two have a bit in common."

"Like what?"

"You both get tense when you're around each other."

"That's just a male thing."
"Mm hmm." I did my Roxy impersonation from Hannah Montana, but added an amused smile.

"What?"

"Never mind. Just try to get to know him; you may be surprised at how much you two get along."

Cloak just sighed and walked out onto the balcony where Zap was. I stayed inside to prevent them from getting too tense.

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Unfortunately my plan for them to become buddies didn't work out; they were like oil and water. After a very tense lunch, Cloak took Zap, Bruno, and I across to a park that was just across the road from the hotel. Bruno loved it! He had never experienced grass under his paws because of the lack of plants on the Triceraton home world. Zap was walking Bruno because he was pulling harder than he usually does and he wasn't listening. It did give me an excuse to walk close to Cloak though. I guess I was developing a crush on him. Zap had been pulled quite far in front of Cloak and I when I felt Cloak slowly put his hand onto my waist.

"You're smaller than I remember you," said Cloak. He kept his eyes forward as he spoke to me.

"I don't think that I've shrunk, Cloak, maybe you've got high-heels on," I replied trying to get under his scales. Cloak let go of my waist and shoved me away from him playfully.

"I didn't mean smaller as in height. I meant smaller as in thinner, leaner," he explained, as I came back to him and he returned his hand to its previous position.

"Oh. Well, thanks for the compliment. I think I might have lost a bit of weight since I started working with the All-stars," I replied.

"A bit?"

"Not too much."

"Enough to make me notice."

I just smiled.

"I guess you need that belt of yours now," he smiled.

"Yes. You're safe from being led around like a horse again," I replied.

Cloak just chortled.

Just then Zap and Bruno came back to us.

"I thought this guy was well trained," puffed Zap. He was exhausted from being pulled around by Bruno. Bruno on the other hand still seemed to have buckets of energy.

"Do you want me to take him for a while, Zap?" I asked.

"No. I can handle… it."

"Something the matter, Zap?" He had noticed Cloak's hand on my waist.

"No, I'm… fine." Zap gave a look at Cloak.

Cloak didn't even see Zap's look; he was busy looking up at the sky.

"Something wrong, Cloak?" I asked, as I noticed Cloak's intense gaze into the sky.

"Not exactly," he replied.

"What are you looking at?"

"Just the clouds. Come on, we better head back to the hotel."
"Why?" asked Zap.

"You'll find out in a few minutes," replied Cloak, as he turned around with me still at his side and started to walk back the way we had come.

Zap started to follow with Bruno; they were in front of us within a few seconds.

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We did find out the reason Cloak wanted to head back to the hotel very soon. We were half way back when it started to rain and it wasn't a gentle drizzle type rain; this was a serious down pour. Cloak, Zap, Bruno, and I took cover under a low tree that had a bench under it. Cloak and I were in a fit of giggles while Zap just looked at us like we were nuts.

"This is the problem with hair," said Cloak, as he picked my ponytail up in his hand.

"What?" I asked.

"It gets soaked and then it takes forever to dry." He wrung my ponytail out for me.

"Thanks."

"Anytime."

We waited for the rain to subside, but unfortunately it was taking a long time to do so and I started to shiver because I was soaked through.

"You okay?" asked Cloak, he had noticed my shivering.

"I'm just a bit cold," I replied.

"Well, here; let me help you with that." Cloak picked me up, sat down on the bench, set me on his lap, wrapped his arms and tail around me, and put his head next to mine.

"Better?" he asked. Our eyes were in alignment with each other.

"Yeah. Thanks," I smiled.

Zap didn't look too impressed with how Cloak was holding me, but fortunately for him the rain subsided only five minutes after Cloak had helped me keep warm. As soon as the rain subsided, Cloak unwrapped himself from me and we started to head back to the hotel.

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Just before we reached the hotel Cloak stopped stock-still.

"Cloak?" I asked. He didn't reply; he just kept his head high and seemed to be listening to something.

"Hey! She's talkin' to you," said Zap. He had managed to persuade Bruno to walk with Cloak and me.

"Be quiet," said Cloak.

"Why?"

"I need to listen."

"To what?"

Just then Cloak darted to the left; he pushed Zap and Bruno and pulled me in the same direction. Cloak released me and got me behind him along with Zap and Bruno.

"What do you want?" asked Cloak, as he faced off to a bunch of strange aliens. They had shot at us; that was why Cloak had been listening so intensely.

The aliens spoke a language that I didn't understand, but Cloak seemed to be able to grasp what they were talking about.

"Keep back!" he warned, as he started to back up.

The lead thug said something to Cloak, but of course I didn't understand a word.

"Zap," said Cloak.

"Yeah," replied Zap.

"Get Bruno and Cal back into the hotel. I'll take care of these guys. On my mark."

"Yes sir." With that Zap picked me up and had Bruno jump on top of me.

"Go!"

Zap spun on his heels and charged straight back towards the hotel as Cloak charged straight for our attackers. Bruno clung to me as best he could; he was slightly terrified by the sound of lasers being fired in our direction. It didn't take Zap long to get us -back into the hotel and up to Burn's room.

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Once in Burn's room, Zap set Bruno and me down onto Burn's bed and he collapsed onto his; he seemed to be gasping for air.

"Zap, you okay?" I asked, as I walked up to him.

He didn't reply. He couldn't reply. Just then I noticed a small spray bottle of some description on the table next to Zap's bed. He coughed and was just able to point to it. I handed it to him and he struggled to get it to his mouth. I helped him by moving his hand for him. He sprayed two doses of the bottle's contents into his mouth and he started to breathe normally again. He sat up and I sat down next to him.

"You okay?" I asked soothingly, as I put a hand onto his back.

"I'm fine," he puffed.

"What happened?"

"That's why I couldn't become a soldier. My windpipe closes up in times of high stress. That's why I'm given low stress jobs; to prevent my windpipe from closing up."

"Oh."

Just then I remembered Cloak.

"Cloak!" I exclaimed

"I'll go help him," said Zap, as he stood somewhat shakily.

"No. You'll possibly put yourself in more danger if you go out there now, Zap."

"I don't have to protect you now; I'll be fine."

Before Zap could walk out of the room, Cloak came in. He seemed to be okay; just a few bruises.
"Cloak! You're okay!" I smiled.

"Yeah, just a bit sore," replied Cloak, as he sat down on Burn's bed. He breathed stiffly for a few seconds; it was like he was in some serious pain, but didn't want to show it. I was glad see that he was reasonably okay, but something seemed odd about him. I looked him over quickly and then noticed that he was a brow horn short.

"Cloak. Your horn," I said.

"Right here," he replied, as he showed me his broken horn in his hand.

"What did they want?" asked Zap, as he walked up to us.

"They wanted Cal," replied Cloak.

"Why?" I asked.

"You're better off not know."

I wasn't about to ask any more questions on it; if Cloak said that it's better that I don't know then I don't think I want to know.

"You lost a brow horn for her," said Zap. Zap made it sound like it was a big thing, but then maybe it was for a Triceraton.

Cloak just shrugged.

"You were very brave, Cloak," I said.

Cloak smiled at me and then winced in pain.

"Cloak?" I asked. I was a bit worried when I saw his obvious pain.

"Don't worry; it's nothing," he replied through clenched teeth as he clamped his left arm to his side.

I walked over to his left side and gently removed his arm. As I removed his arm I saw a lot of blood staining his uniform.

"Zap, get some help. Cloak's been injured," I instructed.

"On it," he replied, as he ran out of the room and down to the lobby.

"Why didn't you try to find help?" I asked.

Cloak just turned his head away from me.

"Cloak," I implored.

"I can handle it," he replied.

"Cloak, looking at how you're holding yourself you seem to be in a lot of pain."

"I can handle it, okay?! I'm not weak!" Cloak sat up straight and stuck his chest out, but then had to bring himself back into his previous position because of the pain. I was starting to get that nasty helpless feeling; there wasn't anything I could do to ease his pain.

Just then Zap walked in with two paramedics.

"I found these guys down stairs enquiring at the front desk about a male Triceraton that had been shot," said Zap.

"Come on you," said one of the paramedics, as he took hold of Cloak's right arm. The paramedics were blue aliens that looked like they had a moustache of skin hanging over their mouths. Cloak pulled his arm out of the paramedic's grip.

"Look, there's no time for a tough guy act. We need to get you through to the hospital now," said the paramedic, as he took hold of Cloak's arm again.

"Look, I'm supposed to be looking after these three," said Cloak.

"We can take care of ourselves; just get him out of here," I said.

"Right," replied the paramedics, as they tried to get Cloak to move.

"If I don't want to move, I don't move," said Cloak through clenched teeth.

"Cloak, please; just do what they say for your own sake," I implored.

Cloak looked at me; I guess he could see that I was worried about him. He sighed, stood up, and started to walk out of the room; he winced in pain with each step he took. The paramedics started to walk after him. Just before he left he looked back at me. I could see in his eyes that he was unhappy about something or other.

"We better contact the All-stars and Burn," said Zap, as he walked over to a phone.

"Right," I replied.

With that Zap called the All-stars and Burn via Burn's handheld communicator.

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Within five trigons the All-stars and Burn were back at the hotel to check that Zap, Bruno, and I were okay. After they had made doubly sure that Zap, Bruno, and I were fine they led us out to a transport shuttle and we went to see how Cloak was doing. Apparently there was only one hospital on Shiniza 8 and it was capable of holding more than half of the population; so in other words it was big. Once in the hospital, Burn went to the front desk and enquired as to Cloak's whereabouts.

"Come on. He's in the recovery ward," said Burn, as he started to lead the group further into the hospital.

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We walked quite a way into the hospital, but eventually we made it to Cloak's ward. Burn knocked on the door and a nurse answered it; she was the same species as the paramedics.

"Yes?" she asked, as she partially opened the door.

"We're here to see a friend of ours," said Burn.

"Your friend's name?"

"Cloak."

"And your name?"

"Burn."

The nurse nodded and disappeared back into the ward. Within a trigon the door opened and we were allowed to go in.

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As we walked in, we discovered that the ward was empty except for Cloak.

"Ah, you must be the friends my nurse told me about," said a doctor that was standing by Cloak's bed.

"Yes," replied Burn.

"Right. I wouldn't recommend staying too long because he is still a bit weak."

"He seemed fine when he left; besides the wound on his side," said Zap.

"I'm fine, doc, really," groaned Cloak, as he looked up at us. He looked like he was barely able to keep his head up, but he was forcing himself to keep it up. I walked over to him and gently pushed his head back down.

"Rest," I said quietly.

"Why is he so weak?" asked Burn.

"Well…," started the doctor.

"No reason in particular, Burn," said Cloak, before the doctor could reply.

"I would consider being clinically dead for a tecala a 'reason in particular', sir," said the doctor. (A tecala is equal to one earth minute).

"What?" asked the All-stars, Burn, Zap, and I in unison.

"Yes, on his way here he died. The wound was so extensive that he would have died within twenty tecalas if it had been left untreated. Fortunately our paramedics were able to get his heart started again while he was in the ambulance." Cloak didn't look too pleased with what had just been said. I gave Cloak a hard look. He had just been very stubborn and it had nearly cost him his life. Cloak noticed my look and responded with a hurt closing of his eyes.

"I think it's time you went," said the doctor, as he noticed Cloak's distress.

"Right," chorused Burn, the All-stars, Zap, and I as we turned to leave.

"I'll see if I can get Burn or one of the All-stars to bring me down here tomorrow," I said before I left.

"Thanks," said Cloak.

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The All-stars, Burn, Zap, and Bruno were all waiting out in the corridor.

"What did you tell Cloak?" asked Burn.

"I just told him that I would try to convince one of you to bring me back down here tomorrow to come see him," I replied.

Burn nodded and we started to walk off towards the hospital's entrance.

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Once back at the hotel, Zap sat with me out on the balcony while Bruno played with his squeaky toys. I was a bit annoyed with Cloak for being so stubborn.

"Something wrong?" asked Zap.

"Yes," I replied.

"What is it?"

I sighed irritably.

"Well?" asked Zap.

"Why didn't he just allow the paramedics to help him instead of putting on that tough guy act?" I asked, as turned around, put my hands on the railing and looked out over the city as if the answer would materialise in front of my eyes if I stared long enough.

"You're upset with him."

"That's putting it mildly. He almost killed himself, Zap."

"I know, but he was kinda doing it for you."

"Come again."

"He was protecting you, wasn't he?"

"Well… yeah, but still…"

"But nothing. He got injured because he was protecting you."

I just looked away from Zap. He was right; Cloak had been injured because of me.

"Now don't get all 'it's all my fault' on me. There's possibly a few more reasons why he acted the way he did."

"Like what?"

"I don't know. You're going to have to ask him that."

I just looked away from Zap again.

"Maybe tomorrow you can get to be alone with Cloak for a few minutes and ask him these things."

"That's an interesting line coming from the Triceraton who doesn't even like me being too close to Cloak."

"I know, but, let's just say that Cloak has one less rival for your affections."

"And that means what?"

"It means that there won't be any more tension between Cloak and I when we're both around you." I unfolded my arms and gave Zap a hug.

"Thanks Zap," I smiled.

"No problem, but I ain't allowing him to take advantage of you. I'm going to be something a bit more fierce than a boyfriend; if you'll allow me to be that is."

"And what's that?"

"A best friend."

"You got it."

"Maybe now Cloak and I can become friends."

"That would be nice."

"Yeah, no more tension."

I just smiled.

"Why did I fall for you again? I mean women are just stressful."
I gave Zap a good punch to his shoulder for that one.

"Ow! Where did you learn that?!" asked Zap, as he jumped away from me and rubbed his shoulder.

"Cloak taught it to me when we were in prison together," I replied.

"Slag! Maybe once we're friends he can teach me that."

I just smiled and watched the poor Triceraton rub his shoulder.

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The rest of the day was quite uneventful. I was glad that Zap was content with just being a friend and that he was keen on becoming a friend to Cloak. Burn said that he would take me down to the hospital tomorrow to visit Cloak and take him some breakfast.

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When I went to bed that night, I couldn't help but think about what Zap had said about Cloak's possible reasons for putting on the tough guy act. I decided to ask Cloak these questions when I saw him in the morning.