Author's Note: As we know, it doesn't take THAT long for a ruff to recover. So, exit Brick from hospital!

Chapter 11: Catch and Release

Brick

Boomer yawned and walked through the doorway.

"Morning, sleepyhead," I teased, throwing a pillow at him playfully.

"Well, you seem to be cheerful," he said, wiping his eye. "What's gotten into you? Huh. Wait, let me guess. I saw Blossom leaving. I bet it has to do with that."

"Yup," I said proudly. "I'm making a really fast recovery. I can even move my leg!" I pulled my leg off the bed and wiggled it around. Boomer gasped and lunged at me, bracing my leg with his arms so I couldn't move it.

"Are you crazy? Don't do that!"

"You gotta admit, that's pretty cool. I couldn't do that three hours ago. I can move both arms now -- couldn't do that until yesterday. I can move my entire body -- everything that I hurt I can use again. Wow, I love being a guy with superpowers. Life-threatening injuries, and I won't be in here for more than a month. Awesome. In fact, I think I could leave if I wanted to. I can move everything," I said proudly. "Though everything still hurts like hell."

Boomer laughed, sitting down. "Hey, where's Butch?"

"I pissed him off about something," I said.

"Holy crap, I wasn't just dreaming that conversation?" Boomer said, his eyes nearly popping out of his head. "You said that Blossom was prettier than Buttercup to Butch? What are you, suicidal?" Boomer looked me up and down. "Meh. I take that back. You are suicidal.

"Look, I think Bubbles is the prettiest, and you think Blossom is, and Butch thinks Buttercup is. Unless you have a death wish, just keep those things to yourself and don't say anything to Butch. You're hurt enough as it is," he said.

I laughed. "He couldn't touch me."

Boomer stared at me, one eyebrow cocked in disbelief. "Look at you, Brick. Just look at the condition you're in. All you need is one more injury and you're a gonner. Just lay low for awhile, for all of our sakes."

"Hey, how is it with you and Bubbly anyway?" I asked curiously.

Boomer blushed a deep shade of scarlet and replied, "Fine. I asked her if she would be my girlfriend yesterday. With this whole hospital thing, she's been really dedicated to midnight phone calls and cute notes in my locker at school. She's one of the nicest girls I've ever known.

"It was really romantic. I had just left the hospital at about six in the morning, and there she was, standing out on the sidewalk in a little coat, and she gave me a big hug. And as I hugged her back, I realized that I wanted her to be mine. I didn't want any other guys being able to touch her. I needed her to be mine and mine alone. I know it sounds selfish, but I really really really like her. I dream about her every night, and --"

"That's called love," I pitched in.

I hadn't really wanted to know all of the details, but it was nice to know that I hadn't taken his life away from him with worry for me and being at the hospital with me so often.

"And how about Butch and Buttercup?" I asked, holding my breath, almost afraid of the answer.

"They're actually doing really well," Boomer replied, smirking. "Makeout sessions and everything. I heard they were going skydiving tomorrow? If he's not too cranky." He laughed. "But not skydiving from a plane. They're going to the very top of the atmosphere and then falling, only to catch themselves from five feet above the ground. I would go too, with Bubbles, only..."

"... You have to stay here with me," I said, finishing his sentence. He nodded. "Bro, don't let me ruin your life! I'm sure I'll be fine for a few hours. Go. Go and have fun," I said, shooing him out the door.

"If you say so..."

"Go!"

I owed him a few days off.

A few minutes later, the doctor came into the room. He checked my legs, my arms, etcetera, and finally (after pokes, prods, and pulls) said, "Why, Mr. Jojo, you're... healed. I've... I've never seen such a quick..." He gulped, then started again.

"My goodness. I don't exactly know how to say this, my boy, but... you have recovered completely. Are you still in pain?"

"Pssh. Yeah," I retorted.

"Well. That's too bad. But, as far as injuries... you're... healed. You're... free to go..." he muttered, his eyes wide in shock. I laughed.

"Thanks, doc. See you around." He removed all of the tubes and machines, staring at me like I had just risen from the dead. He let me go.