Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters of "Storm Hawks", nor am I making any type of profit from this story. It is a work of fan fiction, for enjoyment only.

Chapter 5 - Awakenings

The group sat in silence for a few minutes after Piper left, before Aerrow glanced at his shivering mechanic and asked solicitously, "Hey, Junko, how're you doing?"

The Wallop looked up uncomfortably and met his gaze. "I…I'm fine. I th..think I'm a l..little warmer now," he stuttered out between still-chattering teeth. Nodding his head to indicate the blanket-covered lump in Aerrow and Finn's lap, he asked, "How's S…stork?"

Before Aerrow could reply, Finn lifted a corner of the cover and peeked at the Merb. "I think he's greener…in a good way," he commented. "What's all this 'cold-blooded' stuff, anyway? Did you understand any of that?"

Aerrow, who had been retrieving blankets from the skimmers during Piper and Junko's conversation, looked up sharply. "What?" he demanded.

"Stork says Merb's are cold-blooded; they can't keep themselves warm," replied Junko succinctly.

"So that's why his room is always like a sauna!" remarked Finn.

"And why he hadn't wanted to go to the Blizzardians' festival," murmured Aerrow in realization. He closed his eyes momentarily as he remembered the argument he'd had with Stork over attending, despite the Condor's recalcitrant heater coils. For once the pilot hadn't been exaggerating - the cold really could have been life threatening for him. They were going to need some sort of method to differentiate real problems from hypochondria in the future. 'I mean, extreme thermal paralysis? As if.'

Just then a muffled moan came from beneath the blankets. Aerrow unfolded one corner to expose the Merb's face, gratified to see that it really was less pasty and more of a natural green color. Tapping the pilot's cheeks carefully, he asked, "Hey, Stork? You in there, buddy?"

The Merb cracked open one yellow eye blearily and gazed up. "C..cc….cold…" he shivered.

"Yeah, but not as cold as you were," replied Finn from behind him.

Stork twisted around and looked at the sniper in surprise. Slowly taking in their relative positions and state of undress, both eyes flew open as he began pushing the two boys weakly away. "Do you know what germs you could be spreading? There are a dozen diseases I can think of off the top of my head that are transmitted through skin contact!"

Aerrow just held him tighter. "Woah, hold on there, calm down. We're just warming you up. You were in a freezer all night, remember?"

Stork hunched into himself, eyes darting from side to side as he searched his fragmented memories of the night before. Finally he met the Sky Knight's gaze and asked, "Junko? Is he all right?"

"I'm right h..here," answered the Wallop with a grin. Stork's neck swiveled until he could see for himself that his teammate was indeed safe and sound.

"He probably saved your life," commented Finn. "He shared his body heat with you."

The Merb nodded and gulped, submersing the thought of disease below that of freezing to death. "Th..thank you, Junko."

"It was actually quite clever," commented Piper, returning from her errand. Putting a hand to the Merb's forehead, she decided, "Still cold, but better. I think it's safe to let him finish warming up on his own. Thrush will be here with some of his troops in about fifteen minutes."

The boys lost no time scrambling into their shirts, although Stork needed Piper's help when his still-cold muscles started to spasm. He and Junko were both swaddled in blankets again by the time the security forces arrived. A medic broke off immediately from the group and began examining his two patients. Captain Thrush approached Aerrow, face grim. Lieutenant Chukar followed closely, radiating enough anger and suspicion that Aerrow's eyebrows raised.

Thrush was succinct. "What's going on here?" he demanded.

"Besides the obvious robbery?" quipped Finn, who received the benefit of Piper's elbow. He was going to have to start padding that area of his ribs.

"How did you happen to be on site?" sneered Chukar. "What tipped you off? Why didn't you consult with us?"

Aerrow was taken aback by the accusatory tone, and immediately defended his people. Still, he was hesitant to reveal their decision-making process to this man. "Now wait just a second. We reported to our assignments, but the merchant at Junko's sent him away. Piper had identified this warehouse as a possible target, so he just came over here." The truth, although it didn't explain Stork's presence. Hopefully the two men would just assume that the Merb had been with the Wallop.

That seemed to be the case. Thrush was much more interested in the fact that Piper had identified the warehouse as a probable target. "Young lady, is this true? You were also concerned about the convoy the night before last, as I recall."

Piper blushed at the recognition of her skills. "Yes, sir, I was. If you don't mind…."

Chukar interrupted her with a snarl. "How do we know they aren't in league with the robbers?"

Captain Thrush's face reddened angrily as he turned on his Lieutenant. "That is ENOUGH. Just because she is better at predicting their attacks than we are is no reason to suspect them. The Storm Hawks only arrived on this terra 2 days ago!"

"But…." The weasel-like man cringed.

Thrush's tone lowered dangerously. "You…are…dismissed."

Chukar gulped and hurriedly excused himself.

Turning back to the team, Thrush took a deep breath then smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry about that. We're all on edge with this thing, and the Lieutenant is naturally…suspicious…of outsiders. My deepest apologies." Turning back to Piper, he continued, "You were saying?"

Piper blinked, realizing that everyone's attention was back on her. "Umm…I just thought it would be a good idea for me to meet with you strategists."

Thrush grinned and slapped her on the shoulder, almost knocking her off her feet. "Excellent idea! I was hoping you'd suggest that. They'll be gathering in my office at three today, before our planning meeting at 4; can you make it?"

The girl nodded enthusiastically. "You bet!"

Just then the medic approached the group. "Are you here with the Merb and the Wallop?" he asked.

"Yes," Aerrow replied quickly. "How are they doing?"

"The Wallop? Fine. A little cold wouldn't hurt an aging grandma of that species, let alone a young, robust specimen like your friend." He took a deep breath before continuing. "The Merb? Not so good, but, thanks to the Wallop's quick thinking, he'll live. He needs a warm room and lots of hot beverages for the next 24 hours, and he'll likely be weak for a day or so after that. Still, he should make a full recovery."

Aerrow smiled apologetically to Captain Thrush. "If you don't mind, it's been a long night and I'd like to get my team back to the Condor. Piper will be in your office at three, and we'll both make the meeting at four. Will that work for you?"

Noting the concern Aerrow showed for his team, the older man had a new respect for the young Sky Knight. Smiling sympathetically, he replied, "Anything else can wait until then; go take care of your people."

When they arrived at the Condor, Junko had recovered enough to carry the unprotesting Merb to his room himself. Tucking him into his hygienically-sterilized sheets, the Wallop pulled two blankets out of the closet and unfolded them over the shivering form while Finn and Aerrow watched anxiously from the doorway. Stork promptly curled up in a ball and pulled the blankets over his head. Junko rested a hand briefly on his friend before slipping away; Stork didn't like people in his room. Piper, however, disappeared into the kitchen only to return a few minutes later with a steaming cup of hot chocolate.

Finn gawked jealously as she returned to the room. "Piper, are those mini-mallows?" he asked, catching sight of the small, white lumps bobbing on the surface.

Piper smiled. "You bet. Nothing but the best." She set the mug down on the nightstand by the bed.

Stork peeked out from beneath the covers, and, spying the hot chocolate, reached a trembling hand out to take it. Piper knelt at the side of the bed to steady his hand as he took a sip. The Merb's eyes thanked her wordlessly.

"Why don't you ever bring me hot chocolate with mini-mallows?" Finn whined. "What makes him so special?"

Piper just stared wordlessly at him with a raised eyebrow as she continued to hold the mug steady.

"Uh, yeah…well." Finn had the grace to look slightly embarrassed, but recovered his aplomb quickly. Addressing the room's occupant, he continued, "Hey, Stork? Get better soon, dude."

Aerrow smirked at the attempted recovery, then added, "Seriously, need anything, Stork?"

The blanket-smothered head shook once, negatively. Aerrow nodded. "All right then; get some sleep." Eyeing Finn pointedly, he added, "We will, too." The two youths then headed for their own rooms and some well-earned rest before they went on patrol again that evening.

Piper stayed a few minutes longer, until she was sure her shaking patient wouldn't spill any of the cocoa in his bed. "Stork, stay here; I'll be right back, OK?"

She popped out to return momentarily with a thermos that she set on the nightstand next to the almost-empty cup. "Here you go - an entire thermos full of hot chocolate. I'll be back to check on you in a few hours, and I can refill it then. Remember, the medic said to drink plenty of warm liquids."

"Are there mini-mallows in there, too?" came the quavering question from the mound of covers.

Smiling brightly, she replied, "Of course there are. I know how much you love them." Her smile faded a bit as she muttered, "No matter what Finn might think."

Before she closed the door, Piper turned up the room's thermostat and turned off the light. Her smile brightened again at the barely-audible sighed "Thank you" that followed her out.

TBC…..

AN: Sorry this is such a short chapter, but at least Stork is safe and sound! How'd you like the whumping?