Part 2

It all went by in a blur while he was in and out of consciousness. He heard wheels rolling by and felt himself being propelled through corridors. He heard people shouting and felt pins pricking him briefly before darkness completely took him away.

The next time he woke, he heard a strange beeping sound. He looked over to the right at a monitor. Wires went from the monitor and into a device clipped to his finger. Tubes connected him to an intravenous solution bag.

Where was he? What happened? He looked around the room with confusion. He couldn't remember anything. He didn't even remember the night before. He didn't even know what time it was.

"Last night, Mr. James Crystal's limousine was struck by a truck after running a red light," His eyes found the tv set hanging on the ceiling. "Mr. Crystal and his talent scout, Suki Lane are both in critical condition at Redshore City General Hospital. Story at 11."

Oh yeah, they were on the way to the theater to stop Mr. Moon's show. Crystal was ready to throw the koala from the city's highest point and Suki was trying to talk him down. Then that terrible crashing sound, terrified screams echoing through his head.

"Porsha?" He finally managed to ask, just hoping to hear anyone answer him.

"She's back at the hotel with the gang. I knew you wouldn't want her here all night," Mr. Moon's voice nearly made him jump out of his skin. "But I didn't know if she should be alone at home either."

He turned his head as best as he could. "Mr. Moon? What? Why are you here?"

The koala sighed. "Porsha didn't want you to be alone when you woke up. So I promised I'd stay with you."

The entertainment tycoon stared at him in shock. "Why? I tried to kill you?" It didn't make any sense.

Buster shrugged. "Yeah but that's the difference between you and me." He pointed out. "Don't worry, I kept her away from the mess. You missed seeing her as the Green Alien but Linda got it all on video for you." He wasn't sure if bringing up the show was a good idea but the wolf couldn't hurt him now.

Crystal just stared blankly. "I don't understand you. Why are you so… infuriatingly nice?"

Buster shrugged again. "I'm a good person. This is what good people do." He rationalized. "If you'd worry less about looking good and more about doing good, you'd get it."

The white wolf looked away. "Thank you…. For keeping Porsha safe. She's my world…" He said, the morphine in his system loosening his lips.

Buster cocked an eyebrow. "Is she? But you never pay her any attention. You're always on your phone. Or talking to Jerry or Suki, it's all about work."

"Which is all about Porsha! I'm her father. Providing for her is my job! This company will one day be hers," Crystal explained. "So I can't stop working…"

Buster felt the wind leave his sails. For a moment, he didn't see the monster who tried to kill him. He saw his father on his bed. He remembered holding his hand, promising to remember everything his father had done for him.

He nodded. "My dad… for 30 years, he worked. Washing cars. Every single day. He didn't stop. Not once. All so I could buy my theater."

Crystal met his eyes. "So you do understand. That's my job, even if it means I don't get a lot of time with her." He sighed and laid his head back. "Where is… Miss Lane?"

The koala looked away. "She's in surgery. It's pretty bad. She was bleeding into her brain. But they think they can fix it."

"What… what about Jerry? Is he alright?" Buster was encouraged to hear he was asking about his underlings. Perhaps he could still work with this wolf.

He shook his head. "Johnny's dad and his friends were able to get you and Miss Lane out, but the gasoline ignited, and the limo caught fire. They were still inside. I'm sorry."

Jerry was dead? He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Jerry was his most loyal assistant, always there to do his bidding the moment he snapped his fingers. And his bodyguards and driver? And he had narrowly dodged fate as well. He was alive. And it was because of Mr. Moon's amateur friends.

"How was… the show?" He was curious now. "Did Calloway really come?"

"He sure did. As for the show, after Porsha did her number, they decided that Ash and Calloway would entertain the crowd and we'll redo the show another time," Mr. Moon explained. "Everyone was too worried about you and Miss Lane. But the crowd was satisfied just seeing Calloway."

Blue eyes closed. The day before he tried to kill this koala to defend his fragile ego. Yet he was there now, and they had postponed their show out of concern for him. For the first time in his life, James Crystal experienced a foreign emotion. He couldn't identify it but it didn't feel good. "I suppose I owe you a few apologies…"

"Yeah. I'd accept them," Buster was trying not to be judgmental but it was hard given the circumstances. "I never fired Porsha. I was only trying to give her a part that she was better suited for. She misunderstood and stormed off before I could explain." He didn't know why but he needed Crystal to understand. "And I think you should apologize to her too. What you said really hurt her."

Never before had Crystal been in the position. Bedridden and powerless, cheating death only because of Mr. Moon's friends. "I'm… sorry…" He couldn't very well kill Mr. Moon now. "I should have confirmed her story before flying off the handle."

Buster shook his head. "Linda shouldn't have made a story about it. Sorry but that horse is the source of oh so many of your problems. She acts like she cares about you and your family but she really only cares about her viewership. You get views. Stories about you get views. Stories about Porsha get her views. You're so concerned about looking bad but she doesn't waste any chance to do just that. She just makes it sound good so everyone else gets the blame." He waved his hand. "It's what reporters do. They did it to me too. Any chance they got. The only reason they even came to our first concert is because they were hoping we would crash and burn."

He thought about what the koala said. "Perhaps…" He might have to have a chat with his favorite reporter. "I just don't understand… Why did you save me? When you knew I was coming to kill you. Why?"

Buster regarded the wolf, confused by the question. Did he really expect Buster to let him die? Did he expect him to let him burn to death in his car? It took all of a minute for him to realize that's exactly what he expected. The people who idolized this wolf or worked under him all would have left him to perish. Linda was just going to do another big story about it that would surely win her ample awards. It made him wonder, did Crystal have anyone he could really call a friend? He had so much. Money, houses, cars, even his own helicopter but did he have anything of any real value? Buster thought about his troupe, his family, about Eddie and Nana, even Miss Crawly. Especially Miss Crawly. In many ways, he was actually wealthier than the wolf lying in the hospital bed. He felt sympathy welling up inside him. "It was the right thing to do. Porsha still needs you."

The room was silent except for the tv and the monitors while Crystal studied Buster, trying to accept that explanation. Two pairs of blue eyes locked.

The door opened and a lithe, young gazelle came in wearing a nurse's uniform. "Mr. Crystal, you're awake. "I'm Shakira and I'm the nurse on duty right now. How are you feeling?" She asked as she proceeded to check his vitals.

"Sore…" he admitted. "How long am I stuck here?"

She looked at his chart. "Mr. Crystal, you were just in a severe car accident. You're not going anywhere for the foreseeable future. But don't worry, we'll take good care of you. I'm going to let your doctor know that you're awake. If you need anything at all, just push this button." She showed him the wire attached to a device with a button.

After she was gone, he looked over at Buster. "I would like to see my daughter?"

"Just sent her a text while you were talking with the nurse. The gang will be here shortly," he promised. "Look, I think we got off on the wrong foot. I said some things I should not have said, I should not have lied about Calloway. Despite everything, we still want to work with you. Maybe on a little more equal footing though."

Crystal thought about it for a few quiet moments. "Very well. I suppose in light of these circumstances, I would be remiss not to give you another chance." 'As you have given me,' was left unsaid.

The door opened again and this time a warthog wearing a pair of black slacks and a white coat came in. "Good morning, Mr. Crystal. I am Dr. Hertz. How are you feeling?"

"Like I told the nurse, sore." Crystal hated repeating himself.

The doctor nodded. "Well, considering you have a massive concussion, broken ribs and a broken leg, that's to be expected. You're lucky to be alive. If not for Mr. Moon's friends, you would be six feet under now."

"So I've heard," he shot back at the doctor. "Just get on with it." He hated being in the hospital and he hated being stuck in bed like an invalid.

"Uh huh,' Dr. Hertz said, dismissing his attitude. "You're going to be with us for at least a few days. Standard procedure after such a serious accident." He read the monitor on the wall. "I'll be back to check on you in a few hours. If you need anything, just call the nurse."

"All I need is my daughter," he said sharply, looking away. He didn't like this at all. He hated being indebted to anyone, especially to someone like Moon but for several moments, he'd been truly terrified that he was going to die. For the first time in his life, he realized just how mortal he really was. And he had said some terrible things to his daughter the day before. What if those had been the last words he ever spoke to her?

AN: What will Crystal do with the second chance that Moon and his crew have given him? Will he make better choices and clean up his act? What about Suki? Will she be alright? Keep reading and please review.