Illness Reserves
October 9, 2013; Raymond James Stadium...
Peg-Leg wheezily sighed as he looked over the schedule. It was bad enough that his team was having a outbreak, but now Ish's power's were blocked. October was not looking like a good month as he coughed.
Peg-leg: *raspy* It can't be forever. Ish will be back on his feet in no time.
?: Peg-Leg.
The Buccaneer Rusher looked over seeing Shelton Quarles, concern on his face.
Shelton Quarles: Peg-Leg, are you feeling alright? You look pale.
Peg-Leg indeed looked pale, shaking as he mulled it over.
Peg-Leg: *raspy* Y-Yeah. Maybe catching a bug-coughs-*covers*.
Shelton was about to go over-then he froze paling at what his eye caught.
Shelton Quarles: *bit fo fear* Peg-Leg...
Peg-Leg stopped as he looked where the Director of pro scouting was looking at-A small red pustular was on his pale arm.
Peg-Leg: *raspy*-Teams gonna freak *trails off*-.
And then, the world went dark.
.
.
.
PEG-LEG?! PEG-LEG CAN YOU HEAR US!?
Peg-Leg had to squint his eyes as he woke up, before adjusting to the light.
Malcolm Glazer: *Relieved* Peg-Leg thank goodness your awake!
Peg-Leg: *Raspy* M-Malcolm.
Malcolm, his wife Linda, his five sons and his daughter were around the hospital bed; relief on their faces.
Linda Glazer: Peg-Leg dear, how are you feeling?
Peg-Leg: *raspy* Tired, bit sore-I'm so sorry for worrying you.
Avram Glazer: No no, it's not your fault you got sick.
Peg-Leg sighed as he closed his reveled eye, taking deep hard breaths.
Peg-leg: *raspy*-MRSA. I'm number four aren't I? *They nodded; opens his eye* Why are you all here, you know it's contagious and last thing I want is to shorten your lifespan Malcolm.
Bryan Glazer: The positives of being a Rusher, you don't spread illnesses, remember.
Malcolm Glazer: So I'll be okay, don't you worry.
Peg-Leg could not help but smirk and chuckle.
Peg-Leg: *raspy* Very true, almost forgot...is the team aware of this?
Joel Glazer: Yeah, we told them once the Doctor got done.
Peg-Leg: *raspy* Good, last thing I want is them panicking. Bad enough we're a Guardian short for a while-*looks around* H-How did I end up here? Don't remember anything.
Malcolm Glazer: You passed out and Shelton called the ambulance. He called us immediately and we came here as fast as we could-
Linda Glazer: *stern* Fast is a understatement, you nearly crash five times darling.
Malcolm gave a bashful chuckle as did Peg-Leg, though a small weak one.
Peg-Leg: *raspy* I'm glad you all are here. Think I'm the first Rusher to get this aliment; passed by Washington, St. Louis and Cleveland, but struck me down.
Edward Glazer: Hard as well, you have a Respiratory infection with this too.
Peg-Leg groaned in annoyance, he could feel an oxygen mask over his mouth.
Peg-Leg: *raspy* That explains the chest pain, great- gonna be out for a good while so...*small smile* At least it's better than you all getting it.
Peg-Leg let out a raspy pained breath as Malcolm brushed his hair.
Malcolm Glazer: Take it easy okay? You got a long road ahead of you.
Peg-Leg: *nods;raspy*-Can, we make a call quick?
HOK...
Liberty and a few Rusherz were looking at the screen on Ish.
Liberty: -sighs- Still blocked, great. There's got to be something we can do to help Ish with this-
It was then a screen popped up with the Buccaneer's Logo.
Sonar: Peg-Leg's calling. I wonder what he needs?
With curiosity Sonar opened the screen-and all paled.
Steed: *worry* Oh no...
Peg-Leg was on the screen in a hospital, looking very pale and an oxygen mask on his face.
Peg-Leg (screen): *raspy* Hey-guess whose number four.
Spot: *worry* Oh shards Peg-Leg...
RZ looked over immediately seeing the Buccaneer Rusherz' ill state, he too was in shock.
RZ: Peg-Leg you caught-
Peg-Leg (screen): *raspy* MRSA, aye. I did. Respiratory version as well. Sorry lads, I know we're down a Guardian-
Freefall: *shakes his head* Peg-Leg just focus on getting better. It is not your fault you got sick, and don't you dare feel like your inconvenience us due to recent events. We told him this we're telling you this.
Peg-Leg gave a small nod smiling weakly behind the mask.
Sonar: *frantic* I'll head over asap! Keep you posted!
Sonar immediately ran through the Buccaneer Portal.
Talon: I'll let the teams know! If you caught it we need to make sure that any items that the Bucs use is cleansed and it doesn't spread, I know you do not want that to happen.
Peg-Leg (screen): *raspy* Aye, thank ye Talon. Last thing we all want is a league wide outbreak.
Tampa Bay Hospital; An hour later...
Sonar: *opens door* PEG-LEG!
Peg-Leg and the Glazer family turned to see Sonar, worry in his eyes as he ran over and grabbed the Buc's hand.
Peg-Leg: *raspy;weak smile* H-Hi Sonar. I'm really happy to see you.
Sonar: *Worry* Oh man you really got it bad.
Malcolm Glazer: We actually caught it just in time so-it could have been alot worse.
THAT DID NOT HELP CALM SONAR'S RACING HEART.
Sonar: *frantic* COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE?! L-Look at him! He's got a oxygen mask on and he's in pain breathing!
Peg-Leg: *raspy* Sonar...
Sonar and the Glazers looked over to the ill Buccaneer.
Peg-Leg: *raspy* I-It's okay. I'm happy I got infected this time round and not me team. Heavens above I would be in a panic if Malcolm caught it.
Sonar: *Worry* -sighs- I know..just-why you?
Malcolm Glazer: He does have a point, it shouldn't have to be you.
Peg-Leg gave a weak smile to his dear friends.
Peg-Leg: *raspy* Hey, it could be worse right? This could of happened when Warren went bonkers on all the cities.
Malcolm Glazer: You, have a very valid point. Oh gosh that would make things so much worse.
Sonar went over and gently grasped the Buccaneer Rusherz' hand.
Sonar: Well in any case, I'm staying here by your side till you got better. *warm smile* I'll let my team know where I am, But I'm helping you no matter what.
Peg-Leg gave a weak and grateful smile, as did Malcolm who nodded.
Two week later; October 24...
Sonar couldn't help but wince as Peg-Leg slept, wheezing as he struggled in his sleep. He held his hand in worry as he kept his vigil. With the idea of Peg-Leg having MRSA, the Rusherz and his team decided to keep contact via NFLcomm to be safe under Peg-Leg also decided to keep this from the Guardians, knowing all of them were still recovering with what happened at the HOK.
Sonar: -sighs- I know your fighting Peg-Leg, but I don't want you to tire yourself either.
Sonar gentle brush a hair away from the Buccaneer's face, the door opening as a doctor walked on.
Doctor: Pardon me, but i need to refill the medication.
Sonar: Oh! Sure.
The Doctor went over and traded the now empty bag with a full one.
Doctor: In your words, how do you think he's doing?
Sonar heart broke and it was noticeable in his eyes.
Sonar:-He's in pain breathing and there is nothing I can do about it.
The doctor looked over to see Sonar, looking in sorrow. She placed a hand on his shoulder, giving him a small gentle smile.
Doctor: Your here by his side, I think that's more than enough.
?: She's right.
Both turned to see Peg-Leg weakly looking at them, a small meek smile behind the mask.
Peg-Leg: *Weak* I'm happy your right here next to me. It-would be lonely here.
Sonar gave a small sad smile.
Sonar thoughts: You two are right. At least, I can be here for you, Peg-Leg.
November 24...
Peg-Leg was sound asleep, Sonar next to him sleeping as well. Peg-Leg slowly was getting better, and the Dolphin Rusher could not help but hope he would get better in time for Thanksgiving-
-Both shot up in fear, Peg-Leg slowly sat up as Sonar went on the offensive.
Sonar: WHAT IN THE SHARDS OF THE CORE IS THAT ENERGY!?
Peg-Leg: *taking breaths;calm* S-Sonar, you know what that is right-THAT'S FROM ONE OF US.
Sonar paled as he ran to the window, eyes widening in fear seeing the storm clouds darkening the sky.
Sonar: *fear* Oh no-No no no..
Sonar went back as fell to the ground, he was shaking as he felt the energy. He turned to Peg-Leg, who shoke as well. Sonar shaking went over and hugged him protectively, Peg-Leg surprised for a moment as he hugged back.
..
It was a few minutes when the energy finally faded, both looking out to see the sky slowly clearing.
Peg-Leg: I-It's gone-please, please let everyone be alright.
Sonar: S-Same here. I-Just what happened that caused a spike like that.
.
.
It was night when they had visitors, the door opening revealing Malcolm Glazer.
Sonar: Mr. Glazer!
Malcolm Glazer: *small smile* Malcolm, Sonar.
Sonar: *Small smile* Sorry, we..had a very stressful day.
Malcolm Glazer: I know-*smile falls* I know. I came here to tell you what happened, *To Sonar* you team is in the know but we wanted to tell you once things calmed down a bit.
Sonar and Peg-Leg looked on in worry, and a bit of fear.
Peg-Leg: Malcolm, which Rusher was it?
Malcolm sighed, seeing the two felt it was indeed a Rusher.
Malcolm Glazer:-BOLT. He wanted to take Sudden Death out in one blow after Ish got taken by him and used to try and get the Megacores. Needless to say he fail and Ish go his powers back, but Bolt decided to take matters in his own hands even if it killed him.
Sonar eyes filled with tears as he began to shake.
Sonar: *sorrow;fear* No-oh shards no Bolt he's-is he-
Malcolm Glazer: He's alive, Ish stopped him just in time-
Peg-Leg: WHAT! ISH STOPPED HIM WHEN HE WAS THAT FAR IN!?
Malcolm Glazer: Yes. But he's in rough shape, Liberty got him and Ish benched for their stunts. Ish a week and the burns he got on his arms help, Bolt's till the new year.
Sonar began to sob and breath rapidly.
Sonar: *mix emotions;heavy breathing* DANG IT BOLT WHY DID YOU DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT!? YOU COULD OF BEEN KILLED! I-I-I CAN'T BEAR TO SEE ANYONE ELSE IN HERE! I
Peg-Leg: *takes off the oxygen Mask* Calm breaths Sonar..calm breaths.
Sonar followed Peg-Leg lead and did calm breaths-
-ALL FROZE. Peg-Leg eyes widen as he placed a hand on his chest, taking some breaths.
Peg-Leg: I-*Tears form* I can breath on me own.
Sonar covered his mouth in shock as Malcolm's tears formed.
Peg-Leg: I'm-I'm breathing by myself.
It was quiet for awhile. Sonar finally cried but this time it was tears of joy falling, hugging Peg-Leg who smiled back.
Malcolm Glazer: *joy* HAHA! PEG-LEG THIS IS WONDERFUL NEWS! I-I'll get the doctor at once!
He ran off as the two Rusherz cried in relief and joy.
Next day, November 25...
Doctor: *Smiles* Well, this is very good news. You have recovered nicely, but I would like to run some text on you before we release you.
All present smiled in tears of joy as the Doctor wrote down on her clipboard.
Sonar: When will he be release?
Doctor: The day before Thanksgiving.
Malcolm Glazer: OH OH! I have a wonderful idea! Why not we surprise the Rusherz and Guardians. Me and my family will keep hush hush, only telling them that we told you what happened.
Peg-Leg: Perfect Malcolm! That will brighten all their moods with this!
Sonar smiled as he hugged Peg-Leg with on arm. He was just as excited to surprise his friends with the wonderful news. It took time and patents, but Peg-Leg had gotten better. The Buccaneer looked up at the two smiling as the doctor left.
Peg-Leg: Ish is back, Bolt is feeling better mentally, and I'm gonna be home for the holidays. Things, despite how scary they started, are looking up.
Sonar: Y-Yeah...they are.
They couldn't wait till Thanksgiving Eve.
THE
END
See their reactions in Chapter 8 finale of Ish and the AFC West Rusherz