Notes: There's a scene early in the Dark Signer arc where an area of the Satellite is shown that has people wearing nicer clothes and seems relatively normal. It was such a surprise to me to see that. I believe it's when people are being brainwashed into the Dark Signers, or when the disappearances are first being discussed. The dub also has Kalin make a crack about a math book at one point, and so I've always had the image of there being schools in the Satellite.

'Cause You Help Me Be Strong

Kalin wasn't sure how long he'd been asleep when he was suddenly jerked out of it by a blood-curdling scream from Radley's room. Immediately he was awake, leaping out of bed and running to Radley's room in a single bound. "Radley?!"

Radley was trembling in his bed, clutching the pillow with all his might. His eyes were wide open and filled with horror, yet Kalin wasn't sure he was awake at all.

"Radley?" he said again as he approached.

"Stay away from me!" Radley yelled. "You've hurt me more than enough!"

Kalin froze. Did Radley know what he was saying? Did he really mean Kalin, or was he lost in a dream?

He drew a shaking breath. It had to be a dream. Nothing else made sense given Radley's devotion to Kalin.

He went over the rest of the way and reached for his friend. "Radley, it's me," he said. "It's just me."

Radley tensed and then trembled in Kalin's grasp. "Kalin?" His voice was very small now, desperate and lost.

"Yeah." Kalin hesitated. What to even say? He wasn't good at this sort of thing at all. Radley himself was likely excellent at it, given how he took care of all the Bunch and they had no doubt had more than a few nightmares in their time.

"It's over, isn't it?" Radley said softly. "Malcolm's men aren't here and they're not torturing me to death?"

Kalin's heart broke. "They're not here," he said. "You're safe." He gathered Radley into his arms and hugged him close. "You'll always be safe now." Several tears slipped from his eyes and landed in Radley's hair. Radley was hurting like this because of what Kalin had done in leaving him behind. He might never fully recover emotionally.

Radley wrapped his arms around Kalin. "I'm sorry you heard that," he whispered. "I always try to be strong. . . ."

"You shouldn't have to be strong all the time," Kalin said. "You wanted someone to share your pain. You have that now."

"I don't want to make you feel worse," Radley said. "Every time you hear me acting out, you will. . . ."

Kalin couldn't deny that. "That's the consequences of what I did to you," he said. "I want to help you. It's the only way I can try to make up for any of what I caused."

"You don't need to do that, but it's a nice sentiment," Radley said. "I'm glad you're here, Kalin. I've never liked living alone, and it would be especially hard right now."

"You'll never be alone again," Kalin vowed.

Radley smiled and relaxed. In a few minutes he was dozing, resting against Kalin.

Kalin held him for several minutes, not quite sure what to do with him. He wanted to go to bed, but he didn't want to leave Radley alone after such a terrible dream-memory.

Finally he laid Radley down gently on the bed and stretched out next to him. It wasn't something foreign to him, since the Enforcers had doubled up on beds out of necessity and lack of enough beds. He hadn't ever thought he'd be doing it again, but it was just for tonight. Surely.

Anyway . . . it was nice.

After a moment Radley rolled over against him and snuggled close. Kalin started, but had to smile. This was fine.

He drew an arm around Radley as he finally began to doze again too.

xxxx

The rest of the night passed peacefully. When they both stirred again, it was morning.

Radley looked up sleepily in surprise. "I thought I sensed you still here," he greeted. "It felt warm and good."

"I thought I should stay," Kalin admitted. "You were so upset."

"I'm glad you stayed," Radley said softly. "It's the first time I've ever had that. It was nice, to finally experience what it's like to not have to weather the pain and the fear alone."

". . . You've really never had that?" Kalin said in dismay.

"Well, you know I haven't wanted to burden the Bunch," Radley said. "And no, there hasn't been anyone else."

"Your family was never there for you at all?" Kalin asked.

"Sometimes," Radley said. "But back then I didn't have so much pain and fear."

Kalin sighed. "At least you didn't have to grow up with that drilled into you, like most from the Satellite did. We learned pain and fear at an early age, and as time went on, that only increased."

"What was the Satellite really like anyway?" Radley wondered. "I got the impression of it as one huge ghetto, but I heard later that it still had some stores and schools that weren't too bad off."

"The Satellite wasn't the same all over," Kalin agreed. "There were areas where people wore fairly nice clothes to go to work. There was even a shopping mall. Of course, it wasn't anything like what the City had. And as for myself, where I grew up was one of the worst areas. There was a school, though. It was plagued by bullies and attacks from hoods, but it was there."

"Did you go?" Radley asked.

"Yeah, I did," Kalin said. "At least it was an escape from my drunken father, so it was worth it on those grounds alone, as far as I was concerned."

"Didn't you have other problems there?" Radley wondered.

"I learned to fight and I kept bullies off the playground," Kalin said. "The kids were grateful and I was the hall monitor."

"So you were protecting at an early age," Radley smiled.

Kalin stared off into the distance. "Yeah, I was."

"What was school like?" Radley asked. "I was always privately tutored, so I've only seen schools in movies and TV shows."

Kalin shrugged. "It's nothing that special. Mostly it's a breeding ground for cliques and bullies."

"There wasn't anything you liked about it?" Radley frowned.

"Aside from giving me the chance to be away from my father, not much," Kalin said. "I resented being told what to do and not being able to learn and study at my own pace and with what would actually interest me. Even with gym class, I hated having the specific sports chosen for me and being forced to participate."

"So what did you wanna learn about?" Radley wondered.

"A lot of times I wasn't even sure," Kalin said. "Just . . . not always what they picked. And sometimes I even liked what they picked; I just detested being made to participate."

"I get that," Radley mused. "I don't think most people like being forced, unless they're sheep and prefer being told what to do."

"I used to think the Bunch were sheep," Kalin admitted. "Then I saw that they're not."

Radley smiled a bit. "I'm glad. They do like me leading them, but they all have their own minds."

"Like the Enforcers," Kalin said.

"Yeah," Radley agreed.

Kalin glanced at the clock. "Do you want to have something to eat now? I can fix breakfast."

"Sure, that sounds great," Radley smiled. "I have stuff to make waffles and pancakes and omelettes. Other things too."

"You'd probably like cheese omelettes," Kalin remarked.

Radley's eyes lit up. "I would!"

Kalin had to smile a bit. "We'll go with that."

Radley got out of bed and headed for the kitchen. He seemed to have a bit more strength than last night and Kalin followed, enjoying seeing him up and around.

The meal was easy to make and Radley was very appreciative, again telling Kalin how good he was at cooking as he started to eat.

Kalin watched him in amazement. It was still so strange to get so much recognition for it after years of his father not valuing it or him. To have it now felt like a dream.

"So we need to think about how we're gonna fix up the town," Radley said. "I don't mean the physical buildings. The people are already taking care of that. But how are we going to make it a respectable place?"

"You probably already have ideas about the mine," Kalin said.

"Yeah, I do," Radley smiled. "That's no problem . . . I hope." He sobered. "I need to see if Malcolm's side of the mine is fortified with all the safety measures and sturdy structures it needs. I'm afraid Malcolm's the type who'd cut corners to save money, even if it put people in danger."

"No doubt," Kalin growled. "Everything looked okay when I was there, but I'm no expert."

"I saw some places that could probably use some work," Radley said softly. "I want to go back and look at them again when I'm well enough. Meanwhile, Klaus is checking things out for me."

"Then you probably won't need to go back," Kalin said. "Klaus is thorough."

"I trust him," Radley agreed. "But I'd like to see it for myself."

"Will you even feel like going back to the mine?" Kalin asked in concern.

"I don't know," Radley admitted. "That's also why I want to check it out . . . to see if I can. How can I run a mine if I'm too scared to go in it?"

"It's only reasonable you'd be afraid," Kalin said.

"It's a fear I'll need to conquer." Radley stared out the window.

"It could take time. Don't force yourself to rush it," Kalin said.

Radley smiled a bit. "I won't."

Kalin looked out the window to where two townsfolk were carrying two by fours down the street. ". . . I'll probably join in with the renovation efforts at least some days," he said.

"You should!" Radley agreed. "And I know I wouldn't be able to do any heavy lifting for a while, but maybe I could sit down and do some hammering or painting or something."

"As long as you don't strain yourself," Kalin said. Radley desperately wanted to feel useful, so it would be a good idea in that respect. He needed his morale to be boosted back up again.

"I'll be careful, Bro," Radley smiled.

"I'll see that you are," Kalin said, and then took pause. "'Bro'?"

"You're being a big brother. It fits." Radley winked.

". . . Yeah, I guess it does," Kalin mused. "I don't remember ever being called that before."

"Not even by the other Enforcers?" Radley asked. "I hope they didn't call you 'Boss' or something else far removed like that."

"No, we were all on a first name basis," Kalin said. ". . . And actually, I was the one calling the others 'bro.'" He shook his head. "I was so different back then."

Radley smiled a bit sadly. "I would have liked to have known you."

"You wouldn't have recognized me," Kalin said. "Sometimes I don't recognize me. I wonder how could I have ever been that . . . or how could I have gone from that to this. It doesn't feel real."

"Growing up and changing often doesn't," Radley said. "Sometimes we don't even fully realize how much we've changed until we stop and take a look at ourselves now compared to the past."

"I've been practically drowning in the past," Kalin said. "It's only now that I finally have my mind clear enough to try to move forward in the present. I may not deserve that, but everyone who loves me and looks up to me does."

Radley smiled in pleased amazement. "You've really gained some good insight, Kalin."

"I'm surprised myself," Kalin admitted. "I've just felt so much different since Yusei and the kids got through to me . . . and since allowing myself to accept how much I care about you."

"That means the world to me," Radley said in all sincerity. "I thought something like what we're sharing now could never happen."

"So did I," Kalin said. "I thought I wasn't worthy and that you deserved so much better than me."

"But you were what I wanted," Radley said firmly. "I always sensed something different about you. Something special. I'm glad I was right."

Kalin just looked at him in bewilderment. "How did you sense anything positive about me? I never gave you reason to. It was only because of your persistence that I softened at all."

Radley paused, pondering. ". . . I really don't know," he admitted. "That is wild, isn't it? Somehow I just knew." He shrugged. "I've always tried to be good at reading people, but I've made mistakes sometimes, like with my ex-girlfriend I told you about."

Kalin's eyes darkened. "She truly is garbage. If she ever shows up again, I'll make her regret what she did to you."

Radley had to smile in touched surprise. "I'm not sure anyone could do that, but it's a nice thought."

"I'll let her know she isn't welcome in town," Kalin promised. ". . . I can do that, right? Decide who is and isn't welcome in town?"

"The town all wants you as their sheriff, so yeah, you can make those calls," Radley said. "Of course, you have to try to be fair, but since we know what Brittanie is and what she does, we've got every right to tell her that's not acceptable behavior in town and she's not welcome if she's going to do that some more."

Kalin nodded. "That's what I thought." But he hesitated again. ". . . Can I really be the sheriff, though? Wouldn't I have to go through the police academy or something like that first?"

"I . . . honestly have no idea," Radley chuckled in a bit of embarrassment. "This town is technically under New Domino City's jurisdiction, but it's been its own thing for so long. It reminds me of the Old West towns where a position like sheriff usually went to whoever was good enough and brave enough for the job. They didn't go through a lot of official training beforehand, at least not always. The towns just accepted whoever they could get. And as far as I'm concerned, Kalin, you're the best one for the job. The town loves you and believes in you because you've already led it to victory against Malcolm and Lawton. I would trust you as sheriff way more than I'd trust some Sector Security officer I've never met and don't know from Adam."

"Maybe Sector Security won't agree, though," Kalin grunted. "The town is under its jurisidiction, even though they never cared about it before. And while I'm not sure they realized who I am at first, I have no doubt that Trudge will tell them."

". . . Yeah, he probably will," Radley frowned. "But Yusei will put in good words for you. Maybe Jack and Crow too, since they all seemed pretty tight with Trudge."

"How ironic, considering that Trudge was among our worst enemies when the Satellite and the City were separate," Kalin said.

"You knew him that long ago?" Radley was intrigued. "Then he's gotta see you're different now! He could be a really important ally."

"Maybe so," Kalin said. "It's hard to think of him that way, but he no doubt feels the same way about us."

"He seemed pretty happy with everything you guys did for the town," Radley said.

"He was," Kalin mused. "And he even admitted to Yusei that the Enforcers did good before I completely went off the rails."

"And he's right," Radley said. "It's what I've been telling you for weeks."

"I know. I just never thought Sector Security would agree. They hated all Duel Gangs in the past, us included." Kalin stared off into the distance. "Of course, I saw them as the worst Duel Gang of all."

"I guess most Satellites did," Radley remarked. "I wanna believe they're really changing for the better, but I heard so many horror stories about Sector Security. If they were really that bad, I can't imagine they could completely change this fast." He sighed tiredly. "On the other hand, there's so much hatred of law enforcement these days in general. I've wondered if a lot of the hate directed at Sector Security is just because of that."

"They were far worse than any other law enforcement agency," Kalin insisted. "There was actual torture going on in the Facility."

Radley flinched and stared at him in horror. "For you too?" he softly asked.

"Yeah." Kalin lightly touched the permanent marks on his cheek. "This was only the beginning."

Radley looked like he was reeling. He had known about and abhorred the way they treated people from the Satellite, but this twist was new on him. "Did all of Sector Security participate in that?"

". . . I honestly don't know," Kalin said. "Maybe it was like with Malcolm and only the top ranked ones were involved. Or maybe not even all of them knew. Trudge said he didn't know how bad it got until recently. People like Warden Armstrong kept things even from him."

"Do you believe him?" Radley asked.

"Yusei does," Kalin said. "I'm not sure what I think."

"Hopefully it won't be something you'll need to figure out any time soon," Radley soothed.

"No, but there's still the question of whether I can really take over as sheriff," Kalin said. "Even if he okays it, will I keep wondering if he has some ulterior motive?"

"What kind of ulterior motive could there be?" Radley frowned.

"Maybe nothing more than thinking or hoping I'll sink the town to Hell," Kalin said. "I mean, Sector Security didn't care about Crash Town all this time. Why suddenly change now?"

"If they're truly trying to be better, they should care about it," Radley said. "They helped with the clean-up, which is already more than I thought they'd do . . . especially when they let me stay."

"That's true," Kalin said. "Maybe I should take their mercy to you as the best indication that they are truly changing. In the past, I'm sure they would have dragged you off with the others. They might have even taken the Bunch and others in town." Anger flashed through his eyes.

"That's a terrifying thought," Radley frowned.

"They were both terrifying and outrageous," Kalin said with bitterness. "Maybe I'll ask Yusei what he thinks of my chances at becoming the sheriff when Sector Security will likely have a say."

"That's a good idea," Radley said. "Then the townspeople want me as mayor."

Kalin smiled. "There's no one else as deserving. You've fought for them so long and so hard."

"I tried my best," Radley said softly. "I wish I could have helped lead the town to victory, but I'm glad you and Yusei did." He managed a smile. "It was a worthy comeback for the Enforcers."

"There wouldn't have been a town to save without you," Kalin said. "If Malcolm had had control from the beginning, he would have run it into the ground long ago."

"I tell myself that," Radley agreed. "Sometimes it's easier to remember than other times."

Kalin nodded. "That's understandable. I never thought I'd be able to have days where it didn't constantly haunt me, but finding a new purpose in life has helped with that a lot."

Radley smiled a bit. "I'm glad something has."

As they finished breakfast, Kalin took the dishes to the counter. "Is there anything you're hoping to accomplish today?" he asked.

"I was thinking of taking it easy today, but maybe trying to see if there's anything I can do to help with the town's restoration tomorrow," Radley said.

Kalin nodded. "Only if you really feel up to it." He hesitated. "Is it easy to set up the device the Bunch brought over?"

"Oh yeah. You pretty much just plug it in," Radley smiled.

"Good. I wanted to try that out," Kalin said.

"We can listen together," Radley said, pleased by the idea.

Kalin smiled a bit. "I was hoping we would."

He rinsed the dishes and set them in the dishwasher. This was all so different, so domestic. He had never taken on these tasks in the Enforcers, having had enough of it with his father. But now, here like this with the knowledge he had gained since then, he liked it.

He could get used to this. He wanted to. Being here with Radley, the two of them a family, felt so right.

A family? Was that assuming too much?

No . . . surely not. Radley had said before that was what he wanted. He had said it again yesterday. Now Kalin finally embraced that he wanted it too.

He smiled more as he turned back to face Radley. "Let's go see about the music then," he said.

Radley grinned and started to get up. "Yeah. Let's."