Thanks again for the quick reviews. Shout out to username: Puppies and Nightlock, and username: supremedanker70. Thank you both so much. Any further reviews, I'll make mention of at the end of this chapter. As I'm writing this, not quite sure what to write but I've already envisioned the framework already, the gist of the entire story I mean.
I Knew You Were a Weirdo
00000
X - Shadow Play
It was well into the evening and all was well. Mostly. And yet somehow, a feeling of unease still settled on the Moon group as though many dangers laid ahead.
"Yeah? Yeah? Good. The next time I phone ya, have that bit of good news for me. Ta Javier."
Marcus 'Big Daddy' Egerton hung up the pay phone, just a few blocks away from the Citadel Tower. He cracked his knuckles. "Right then."
"So?"
Marcus turned to a woman clad in black. She was sitting on a bench. Her face was not visible as it was shrouded in shadow.
"They'll look into it," Marcus said. "If he's involved, they'll find out. As well as whoever's helping him."
"Good." The woman stood up and walked away.
"How do I get a hold of you?" Marcus called out.
"You don't," the woman in black said. "Someone will contact you with the details."
"What about her mother? Can you assure that she'll be safe?"
The woman stopped. "I can assure that she'll be watched. But further security will take time. But with DiMarco's gang in limbo, they'll be hard pressed to make any move against your son and whoever is involved."
Marcus pinched the bridge of his nose. "Don't know how to thank ya, Miss."
"Just doing my job. Good day sir."
00000
"JOHNNY!" shouted the familiar, joyous chorus that was Rosita and Norman's children.
Half terrified, half overjoyed, Johnny was forced back into his seat as the swarm of squirming, squabbling sea of pink shrouded him.
Iggy was on top of Johnny's head, trying to cover his eyes. Hannah was yanking on Johnny's right arm while Moe was snuggling into his left side.
The rest either crowded around him or mingled and played with the others.
Porsha was happily giving an equally happy Ada a ride on her shoulders.
"Wheeeee!" Porsha shouted jubilantly as Ada bounced on her shoulders, holding on to her ankles tightly.
"Faster Porshy!" Ada cried. "Faster!"
Nooshy was giving Caspar kissy faces while the latter was laughing and struggling to avoid her lips.
"Help! Help!" Caspar screamed as he squirmed in Nooshy's arms.
"Get her!" one of the piglets shouted, pointing at Nooshy as though executing a plan of attack.
At least a dozen of Casper's brothers and sisters came to his rescue. They jumped on Nooshy, hanging by her arms, shoulders and her legs until she finally fell back in a heap.
She was covered over by a small army of pink bundles of joy. She laughed hysterically as they dispensed their usual routine of poking every tickle spot they could find.
"Johnny help!" Nooshy shouted through her wild laughter as she vainly attempted to cover her sides and neck.
Johnny shook his head in amusement. "That's all they need, more confidence."
Meena was cradling a sleeping Vida in her trunk, and cradling two more in her massive hands, singing a lullaby.
Ash was simply writing notes for a new song she had been thinking of. All the while, Tess was playing with her quills.
Eventually, Johnny shooed away Nooshy's tormentors and then pulled her to her feet.
Exhausted and out of the breath, Nooshy fell against Johnny, laying her head on his chest.
Johnny stiffened.
"These kids drive me up the wall sometimes," Nooshy gasped.
"M-Me too," Johnny stammered, cheeks red hot.
Realizing where she was and what she was doing, Nooshy pulled back, ears burning. "Sorry."
Johnny gave an awkward smile. "It's ok."
Porsha pretended not to see that. "So…" she said, trying not to smile. "How long till they get back?"
"They didn't say," Ash said, not taking her eyes off her musical notes.
For the past hour, Buster, Clay, Rosita, Norman Gunter and Eddie had been called away by Nana Noodleman. They were told that she had something of utmost importance to discuss with them.
Miss Crawly however turned in for the evening, exhausted as she was.
Alfonso turned in as well, overwhelmed by the events as if late as he was. He hadn't wanted to but Meena insisted.
The rest of them were told to stay with the children.
"I wonder why they didn't want us to sit in on whatever it is they're talking about," Meena said, a bit hurt.
"Probably because it would be too heavy on us," Ash said, slightly indignant. "Besides, someone would have to keep an eye on these ones," she said, pointing a thumb to the two or three piglets fiddling with her quills.
"And it takes a village to raise a child," Porsha said, grinning while swishing her tail at Ada who was joyfully trying to catch it.
"We're not kids anymore," Ash almost snapped. "I mean I get we're young and all but…"
"It's not like they won't tell us later," Johnny said. "The way Nana puts things can be...pretty rough. I mean it's Nana. Once Buster and the rest get the whole story, they'll just tell us themselves and they'll be a sight more gentle about it too."
Ash groaned but said nothing else.
Johnny looked aside and stared off at an unseen distance before sighing wearily..
"You ok?" Nooshy asked, concerned.
"My dad," Johnny replied warily. "Said he had to make some calls with his contacts. Won't be back until the morning he said."
"Contacts?"
Johnny nodded. "He's set up with old friends of his in the prison system. They hear things through the grapevine and they feed it back to my dad."
"Cool," Porsha said, her eyes shining with excitement.
"Yeah," Johnny said, crossing his arms. "Real cool."
Porsha looked hurt by the reply.
Johnny immediately looked regretful. He groaned at his own insensitivity.
"I'm sorry Porsh, I'm just...worried about my dad."
Porsha bowed her head. "At least you still have a dad."
Looks of sympathy and pity were on the young wolf.
Meena patted Porsha's shoulder while little Ada hugged her leg.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Nooshy whispered to Johnny, taking his hand in hers.
"Sure, but let's wait until the kids are put to bed. Dad told me some other things, things not for young ears."
00000
"And in what part of the Andromeda galaxy do you think I would-?"
"Please Miss Noodleman, just one interview-!"
"Absolutely not! I made myself perfectly clear that this is a private affair."
The man's voice took an indignant tone. "The media won't keep quiet about this madam, you know that? This story is just too big to bury."
"Be that as it may Mr Anderson, my answer is final. Any further leaks to the media would only put my employees in greater danger, you know that."
"If I don't get the story, someone else will, madam. It's in your best interest to give me something…" The tone became insolent. "...or else I'll have to acquire other means to get a hold of the details."
Nana's face soured. "My best interest? Alright Howard, if that's how you're going to play it."
"Now Nana-!"
"How do you think your superiors will feel when they discover that you purchased information from a certain police sergeant in Newark? Information concerning the attack on the hospital? An action which is highly illegal?"
There was a pause on the other end. "How-?" His words sounded choked with disbelief.
"It doesn't matter," Nana said firmly. "I can only imagine what this will do to your mother when this comes out in the wash, to your sister and her husband. As for you, I'm thinking at least ten years for purchasing confidential information from a local police precinct."
"I...I...uh…"
"Under normal circumstances, I would give you a chance to do the right thing but not this time. You've endangered my people with your stupidity. You have 24 hours to turn all the information you purchased and yourself over to the proper authorities. Or else I release everything to the media. Do I make myself clear?"
"...crystal madam." The man sounded broken.
Nana hung up the expensive phone and her butler carried it back to its place on the polished marble table at the far wall.
She brandished her fan and wafted.
Buster sipped his tea, his eyes huge. "Whoa."
Eddie nudged him from his spot on the luxury sofa. "Actually, it's pretty typical when Nana does business."
"Now then…" Nana said in her usual stern demeanor. "...that should conclude the media's prying, for now. But until they muster up the courage to poke their noses, we should be relatively safe until this mess with DiMarco is over and done with."
Rosita sipped her cup of tea with a smile. "Much appreciated. Such a load off our minds."
"No kidding," Norman said, downing his tea. "Mmmm," he said appreciatively. "That is some excellent tea."
Nana rolled her eyes. "You'd enjoy it more if you savored it." She cleared her throat. "As you all already know, they're still dragging the river, therefore DiMarco's demise has yet to be determined. But judging by the fact that no body was found in the submerged Myers' vehicle and the seatbelt which bound him was clearly cut with a knife, I'm afraid we cannot rule out the possibility that he may yet remain among the living."
Buster gulped, his tea going down a little too fast, causing him to cough.
Clay frowned, a stern, severe look on his face.
Rosita covered her mouth while Norman comfortingly rubbed her arm.
Gunter casually but shakily drank his tea, trying not to show fear.
Eddie put down his tea and pulled out his laptop. He began punching keys as though it were an oblique instrument that few could master.
"What are you doing?" Buster asked.
"Just checking some details," Eddie said, without taking his eyes off the screen. "If DiMarco is alive, he'd have to have been dragged from the river or someone pulled him out. Either way, someone should have seen him...or they will."
"If he's alive, and that's a pretty big if, what do we do?" Norman asked anxiously.
"What we've always done when danger comes," Nana said matter of factly. "Improvise and prepare for the worst. Until then, we keep our heads down." She turned to her grandson. "Any progress on whoever is paying DiMarco?"
"Gettin' there grandma."
Buster almost spat out his tea. "Paying?!"
"Yes?" Nana said as though it were a simple truth. "You didn't think that the attack on Miss Wright was random, did you? Or that DiMarco would go through so much trouble to hurt you and your people on a whim?" Nana shook her head. "No no, we believe that a person or persons have hired him to target, not just Nooshy, but all of you."
A gasp came from all those concerned. Clay was silent but his eyes widened.
"What?!" Rosita exclaimed in shock and horror. "But...why?!"
"My contacts believe that it might have something to do with the events of Red Shore City. You've...shaken something loose. Do you know what Mr Crystal was charged with after he was arrested? Besides the two counts of attempted murder?"
Buster stammered. "Uh...no?"
"Money laundering."
Eyes grew huge in the room at this revelation.
Clay Calloway scoffed. "Figures. But you're not suggesting that Crystal is behind this? He's in jail and from what little I know of him, a subtle plan like this seems beyond him."
"Oh it is," Nana said, imbibing a cup of tea. "We believe that he was working with someone, someone who was less than pleased with their money laundering scheme being disrupted and now demands retribution from all of you." She sighed deeply. "Including me."
Buster stared at the old sheep. "You? But why you? You had nothing to do with what happened."
"I funded the building of the New Moon Theater, thus giving you the proverbial and literal platform which made your impromptu success at Red Shore possible. Actions taken against me have not gone unnoticed." Nana bowed her head. "One of my accountants, Trisha, was...accosted two nights ago, just two blocks from here."
"Is she alright?" Rosita asked, wringing her hands.
"She'll live," Nana said, clenching her jaw and her eyes, fanning herself incessantly. "Savages."
"How…" Gunter said, putting his tea down. "How do you know all this? You know a lot and I mean a lot." His tone was almost accusing.
"Gunter!" Rosita almost snapped.
"It's alright Rosita," Nana said, waving a dismissive hand. "It's true, I seem to know a great deal too much for someone of my status but there is a good reason for that."
"Which is?" Clay asked, arching an eyebrow.
"I am working with a federal officer who has been shadowing this unidentified party for some time now. Would you like to talk to her?"
"Her?" Buster said.
Nana shut her fan and eyed her grandson. "Ed?"
The youngest Noodleman shut his laptop and produced a metallic suitcase. He placed it on the center table and put it in view so that all those sitting could see as Eddie opened it to reveal its contents.
Instead of empty space, it was actually the screen of what appeared to be a space-age laptop.
It's dark screen came to life and a voice spoke.
"Good evening everyone."
All eyes in the room grew huge, with the exception of Eddie and Nana.
"You?!" Buster said, quite beside himself with bewilderment and surprise.
"Me. It's time we talked."
Nana stood up from her seat and removed a small package from one of her drawers.
"Douglas."
A finely dressed penguin obediently approached her. "Yes madam?" the indentured servant replied politely.
"Take this and put it in Miss Wright's dresser. It contains her replacement phone. All data and services have already been applied. Just remove the packaging and place it in her dresser, along with a note of who it's from."
Douglas nodded. "As you wish madam."
00000
Nooshy cradled a sleeping Caspar in her arms as she carried him to the room where the children slept.
Caspar's head laid on Nooshy's shoulder as he snored softly. The lynx smiled down at him, finding the rhythm of this little one's heartbeat quite relaxing.
"He sure is sweet when he's asleep."
Nooshy looked up to see Johnny standing by the open entryway leading to the kid's room. He was smiling warmly and sincerely.
Nooshy returned the smile. "Yes, mostly when he's not awake."
She took little Caspar and put him to bed. The room was filled with light snoring. The bunks were filled with tiny, slightly moving bodies, tiny pink heads poking out under blankets.
Nooshy smiled sweetly. "Sleep tight loves."
She looked down at Caspar and gave her a little kiss goodnight.
Then she looked about at the other sleeping piglets.
Then she shrugged. What the heck.
She proceeded to give them all a kiss goodnight as well, being as quiet as possible.
It was only fair. She couldn't give Caspar a kiss and not the others.
Ada was last, but she was not quite asleep as Nooshy thought.
She sprung from her bed and hugged Nooshy around the neck and kissed her back. "I love you Nooshy," she said in her ear.
Eyes glistening, Nooshy smiled and returned the hug. "You too love."
She laid Ada back in her bed and tucked her in.
She nodded off almost immediately.
Nooshy looked at her lovingly. She gave the other kids the same look.
Lovelies.
Nooshy slipped out of the room and closed the door.
Johnny was leaning up against the wall, arms crossed, smiling coyly at her.
Nooshy arched an eyebrow. "Whatcha lookin' at?"
"Someone who'd make a fantastic mother someday."
Nooshy blinked and she looked down. "Not so sure about that."
Johnny frowned and put a hand on her shoulder. "You're not your mother Noosh, just like I'm not my father. Besides, I've seen how you handle those kids. I mean, Rosita asks you above all others to watch her children. If you ask me, I can hardly think of anyone better."
Nooshy's smile became wider, more radiant, as she placed her own hand on top of Johnny's and caressed it. "You say the nicest things to me."
They looked into each other's eyes, taking in every facet of the windows to each other's soul and getting lost in them.
Johnny was enamored by how full of life Nooshy's eyes were, the energy, the passion and the compassion, the richness of their amber color, the flecks of gold near the edges of the iris.
Nooshy was doing much the same. Johnny's dark brown eyes were absolutely beautiful to her. There was a certain childlike naivety to them, an innocence that she had never seen before.
She breathed in lightly. All was well with the world as far as they were concerned.
"Ahem?"
Johnny and Nooshy broke out of their trance to see a smug Ash leaning up against the wall, arms crossed. "If you're both done making eyes at each other, are we doing this or what?"
Johnny flared red while Nooshy was trying her best not to, turning her head and pouting, arm crossed tightly across her chest.
Ash covered her mouth to keep from laughing.
00000
The younger generation of the Moon group sat in a circle, each drinking brown bottles of cream soda, hoping to lighten the moment with the strong, frothy substance.
"I'll just cut right to the chase," Johnny said as he took a swig. "My dad says with DiMarco outta the picture, all power is seized by his deputy, Khan."
"Who is this Khan?" Ash asked, sipping her pop through a straw.
"One of DiMarco's lieutenants. A tiger mammalite. Big as a mountain, scary smart but he lacks the patience and brains of his boss, according to my dad. But he's far more sane, which is good." Johnny shuddered, the memory of that mad look in DiMarco's eyes flooding back to him, filling him with mind-shredding dread.
Only Nooshy's touch managed to calm him down and prevent a mild panic attack.
The touch of her hand on his was cool yet warm.
He turned to look at her.
She smiled at him in a way that said it would be ok.
Johnny smiled warmly and continued. "Dad says his contacts in the prison system will keep an eye on things. If Khan tries anything, they'll give dad a shoutout and he'll take action. And if God forbid, DiMarco shows up-"
"But he's dead isn't he?" Meena asked, barely managing to down her beverage. "You tied him to that car and it plunged into the west river."
"It did," Johnny said, nodding glumly. "But dad's skeptical. He...he knew DiMarco when he was in prison before, ten years ago. He says he's…" Johnny cleared his throat. "He said taking DiMarco down was easier said than done."
The others stared at him, dumbfounded.
"Your dad knew DiMarco?!" Porsha exclaimed.
"He was in a cell next to Sean and his brother Gus. They weren't close, actually they loathed my dad."
"Why?" Meena asked.
"Because before my dad did his time, the DiMarco brothers were in charge of the prison. They were the brother kings. No one would dare cross them. But when my dad was put away…" Johnny smiled with pride. "Everything changed. The DiMarcos couldn't scare him. That made them mad and they sent their boys after him. Dad mopped the floor with them. Eventually it got so bad that the DiMarcos wanted to make an example of my dad personally. They cornered him, every con watching...and dad won. He beat them, humiliated them, made them cry." Johnny laughed. "Really cry."
The others laughed.
"Wow!" Porsha said. "That dad of yours!"
"So…" Ash said, smiling. "Did he take over the prison?"
"Not exactly," Johnny said, shaking his head. "He never wanted to be a big shot. He just wanted to survive. But he did become something of a guardian in the pen. He kept the cons from killing each other. He wanted to stop people from stepping on people, the powerful overpowering the powerless. My dad hated bullies. Always have."
Nooshy grinned, her eyes twinkling. Whoa. "Like father, like son."
"Huh?"
"You're a lot more like your dad than you think Johnny. The way you fought to save Jimmy, to save me? Your dad must be proud."
Johnny clenched his teeth to hide the flinch.
How did I end up with a son like you eh? You're nothing like me. You never were and you never will be.
Johnny smiled tightly, brushing off the unwelcome memory. "He never lets me hear the end of it."
Nooshy paused, taking notice of Johnny's attempt to hide his true feelings.
She decided not to pry, this time. Smiling toothily, Nooshy gave him a punch to the shoulder.
"Ow."
"Whatcha you mean ow?" Nooshy said. "You could take a beating from Kickenklober and those three goons and not make a sound, but when I hit ya?"
"Only you could," Johnny said, smiling warmly at her.
Nooshy's cheeks shown a rosy tint as she gazed at him.
That adorable blush broke Johnny, causing him to smile goofily.
Ash gave them both a deadpan look. "Is there anything else your dad said, Johnny?"
The young gorilla did not answer.
He was lost in the gaze of the lynx's amber gems once more. Same with her.
Meena smiled at the touching sight.
Ash shook her head. "Hopeless," she said under her breath.
Porsha covered her mouth as well, trying very hard not to laugh.
She was failing miserably.
Neither Johnny or Nooshy seemed to notice.
Rolling her eyes, Ash took a piece of discarded music notes, crumpled it into a ball and tossed it at Johnny's head.
Johnny's goofy look fell and he rubbed his head.
"Huh?" He said.
Ash gave him a look. "I just asked you if your dad told you anything else? Clearly you didn't hear me because you got lost."
"Lost?"
Ash groaned. "Never mind. Now...your dad?"
"Oh! Yeah! Yeah! He also said…" Johnny trailed off. "Actually, I think that's everything. He said he'd have more to tell me tomorrow."
Ash smacked her forehead.
"What?"
Ash smiled to herself, mirth overshadowing her frustration. "Nothing."
Porsha giggled. "Anyway…Nooshy." She cleared her throat, trying to cast off her girlish hysterics. "...did you have a chance to talk to Rosita about…?"
"My dream?" Nooshy said. "We...talked a bit."
"Are you still bothered by it? You were pretty shaken up."
Nooshy pursed her lips tightly.
Johnny looked worried. "Nooshy?"
Nooshy smiled forcefully. "It was no big deal. I mean it's been a rather rough couple of days. Almost dying and you almost dying. And of course, finding out I killed someone." She flinched when she realized what she had said. She tried to shake off her growing anxiety by laughing it off.
Johnny frowned. He knew her well enough to know when she was laughing for real and when she was faking it.
"Noosh, what was the dream?" Johnny asked.
She looked away. "It was nothing."
"...Nooshy."
"I don't want to talk about it ok?!" Scowling, she stood up in a rush. "You know what?! I don't have to deal with this!"
She stormed off but the door was blocked by Ash and Porsha.
"Hold up girl," Ash said, holding her hands up.
Nooshy almost snarled. "Ash, get outta my way."
Her look of anger melted away when she felt two large hands cover her shoulders.
"Noosh, whatever it is, whatever you were dreaming about, we want to help. If you're not comfortable, we can talk alone, if you want."
Nooshy looked up at Johnny and that gentle smile of his.
Her heart melted.
Her ears down, she bowed her head. "I...I think I can talk about it now." How does he do that? "But...not all at once. It was...a very bad dream."
"Of course," Johnny said, rubbing her shoulders comfortingly. "We'll take it slow and we're right here, ok?"
Nooshy closed her eyes blissfully. The way Johnny rubbed her shoulders was so relaxing, so soothing, the anguish departed and she actually purred.
She covered her mouth to stop a sound from escaping her lips.
Fortunately, it was so soft, only Johnny heard it.
He covered his mouth to keep from snickering.
Nooshy turned on him with an indignant snarl. "Hey shut up!"
The look on her face didn't help.
Johnny held his stomach as he busted out laughing.
"Johnny!" Nooshy whined angrily.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Johnny said through his laughter.
Ash gaped incredulously. What is with these two?! "What just happened?!"
Nooshy fixed Johnny with a warning glare. "Tell them and you're dead," she whispered through clenched teeth.
The chill up his spine managed to settle Johnny down a bit. "N-Nothing Ash. Let's...let's sit back down."
00000
Marcus walked down 5th Avenue, garbed in a long black coat and black knit hat.
He sipped a steaming styrofoam cup of tea he just purchased.
Crikey, this is a mess. How? How?! How could he possibly live through all that?!
Big Daddy Marcus had just received confirmation from his prison contacts that the authorities had finished combing the river. The Myers vehicle was pulled out but there was no evidence of the body belonging to Sean DiMarco. No body has been found, none whatsoever.
I might have to call in some favors. If Sean is alive, he'll be as dangerous as ever. He'll come after my boy and his friends with a vengeance.
Marcus bared his teeth and crushed his tea in his hands. The styrofoam caved in and scalding hot tea spilled on his hand and dripped on the ground at his feet.
He showed no sign of pain from the burning tea, his mind a tempest of fury.
And fear.
He pulled out his phone and speed-dialed.
"Ello? Yeah it's me. Yeah. Yeah, I know it's been a long time. I'm calling in my favor. Yeah, it's serious. Ok, how long till he gets here? Perfect. Right. Cheers guv'."
Marcus ended the call.
He sighed. My parole officer may not like that I'm reaching out to old contacts, but as long as my boy is safe, I don't care what happens to me.
Feeling a chill, Marcus buttoned up his coat and placed his hands in his pockets.
He strode forward.
He did not stop when he detected the sound of an automobile driving closely behind him.
A black limousine.
00000
Nooshy gripped her knees, a Kleenex crushed in between her fingers. Her head was bowed and Johnny had a hand on her back, rubbing it soothingly.
Porsha had her left hand on Nooshy's right, which held the Kleenex.
"And then…" Nooshy wiped her nose with her tissue. "And then he pointed at me...he said, in a way like his brain was mush, he said I killed him." She gasped as fresh sobs came.
Johnny pulled her into a comforting embrace.
This seemed to help Nooshy relax. She nestled her head into his broad chest.
"Mmmm, you're so warm," she whispered, eyes half closed.
Johnny chuckled. "You're not."
Nooshy laughed. "That's pretty typical. You're like a furnace and I'm more like an ice box."
"Probably all those volcano ice creams that you've been downing like water," Porsha said, grinning.
Nooshy laughed harder at that, not moving an inch from Johnny's protective embrace.
"Nooshy?" Ash said. "We can stop now if you like."
"No. I can say it." Nooshy took a deep breath. "I said I was sorry, that I didn't mean to kill him. That he was trying to kill me and I was just trying to survive. I told him I was sorry and that it had been eating at me ever since."
Nooshy clenched her eyes as fresh tears came forth. "And then the room went dark and...he was there. The brother."
Johnny's eyes widened. "Sean?"
Nooshy nodded. "He looked drenched, just as filthy as his brother and…" She gagged. "...dirty water was coming out of his mouth."
"Ew," Meena said.
"You were there Johnny. You were sleeping in bed and DiMarco...he...he was trying to touch you and I screamed at him to leave you alone." Nooshy gripped him tighter.
"And...and he said that you killed him. And I said that he tried to kill you, that if anything he killed himself, just like his rotten brother did." Nooshy gulped. "And then he snapped." Nooshy's grip tightened around Johnny's middle. "He...grabbed me. Pinned me up against a wall." She was whimpering. "I...I felt him trying to...crush me...and his thumb was very close to my eye...and I fell and then I woke up on the floor."
She buried her face into Johnny's chest and let it all out, all the anguish, the pain and the fear, for the near loss of her own life and Johnny's, the fear of DiMarco coming back and coming after her and him again, her heaving, wracking sobs muffled by the rough fabric of Johnny's long sleeve t-shirt.
"It's gonna be ok Noosh," Johnny whispered, rubbing her back.
"How...how do you know?" she gasped. "We've...we've never faced anything like this. This is not like Red Shore City."
"I know what you mean," Ash said, her tone weary. "I'd rather deal with Crystal's goons than DiMarco's gang."
Porsha looked stricken at the reminder of her father and his horrible deeds.
Meena caught her look. "Ash…"
The rockstar's face fell, realizing her mistake. "Sorry Porsh."
"It's ok."
Johnny ignored them, his attention focused on the trembling girl nestled in his arms. "Noosh, this situation may be different from what we've been through before, whatever happens, if we stick together and keep our heads, we'll be ok. I'm sure of it."
"How?!" Nooshy snapped, hot tears matting her fur, her eyes feeling numb. She thought she should be used to this by now, all these tears, but the truth is she hated every moment. Feeling weak and looking weak in front of the people she loved so much, it was too much. "How do you know it will all work out?! You guys were fortunate when your theater literally came down on your heads. We were doubly fortunate when Crystal sent his thugs after us and nearly killed Mr Moon. Me getting hurt. The hospital." She clenched her teeth. "Almost losing you Johnny." Her breathing became hitching gasps. "How much more before our luck finally runs out? I...I can't stand the idea of any of you dying, especially you Johnny. When...when I saw you on the telly, you...you weren't moving...you weren't breathing…I thought you were dead…"
Johnny's heart felt like it had been run through with a knife and the way Nooshy was trembling, as though she would shatter like glass, was like a twist of that knife. His eyes began to sting. Seeing the strongest woman he ever met so vulnerable and broken, it was like his chest had been pierced by a spear.
He leaned down to whisper in her ear. "I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am for scaring you Noosh."
"I...I know," Nooshy stammered. "You were just being you." She smiled lightly. "You're the kind of guy who'd never turn his back when someone is in trouble. You just can't help but be a hero. It's what I love about you."
Johnny hoped she wouldn't notice his sudden rise in body temperature. Love? "Um...thanks."
Nooshy giggled slightly. "But seriously...if you scare me like that again, you'll be sorry."
Johnny laughed. "Understood. But I'm no hero."
"Yes you are."
"She's right, you know?" Ash said, smiling sadly. "That was pretty cool what you did for Sue's nephew and that lady and her kid."
Johnny attempted to protest, unwilling to take credit he thought he was not due. "My dad and uncles-!"
"They helped," Ash said, cutting Johnny off. "But when your dad tried to get you out first, you screamed at him to help Mrs Myers and her son. Even when your life was at risk, you thought about someone other than yourself."
Meena nodded, smiling warmly. "Wouldn't be the first time. Johnny, you remember when the Moon Theater flooded and I got stuck in the ticket booth?"
"Yeah?"
"You saved me," Meena said, misty eyed. "Rosita and Gunter couldn't pull me out and the water was already over our heads. You were the only one strong enough to break the glass and get us out. We all would've drowned if it weren't for you."
Johnny scoffed. "I was saving myself just as much as I was-!"
The gorilla's mouth was stopped when a dainty hand pinched his lips shut. He looked down to see a very stern, very annoyed Nooshy staring at him hard.
"Never talk down to yourself or cheapen what you did again Johnny. Meena is absolutely right. You are a hero. Never forget that. Got it?"
She released his lips so he could answer.
He didn't at first.
"Got it?!" Nooshy said, repeating herself, eyes narrowed.
"Uh...got it," Johnny squeaked meekly.
"Hmm," the young street dancer said, satisfied with the answer. "Good." Eyes fluttering tiredly, she rested her head against Johnny's chest.
Porsha did not bother trying to hide her amusement.
Ash leered at the spoiled rich girl before she yawned. "I think we'd better get to bed."
"Good idea," Johnny said. He looked down to see that Nooshy was still laying her head up against him, not moving an inch. "Uh...Noosh?"
She did not reply.
Johnny looked more closely and saw that her eyes were closed and she was breathing very lightly, making it all too clear…
"Huh," Johnny said, a bit annoyed but also a bit amused. "She fell asleep. Unbelievable."
Not surprising. The past few nights had obviously taken their toll and pouring her heart concerning her fearful dream had utterly exhausted her.
"Uh oh," Porsha said with sarcastic mirth. "Better carry her then."
Johnny gave the rich girl an annoyed, deadpan look.
He shrugged and as though carrying glass, very gently propped Nooshy in his arms. She did not stir an inch.
All those lessons from dad about nicking things are paying off after all.
Paying no mind to the looks that Ash, Porsha and Meena were giving him, Johnny, very soft footed, carried Nooshy out of the room and down the hall toward her room.
00000
Meena opened the door.
Porsha entered and turned on the light.
Johnny followed inside, a sleeping Nooshy in hand.
Porsha undid the covers to her bed and Johnny very gently laid her in it.
He covered her up and Nooshy instinctively nestled into her pillow, moaning in her sleep.
Looking down at her sleeping face, for no particular reason, Johnny removed his leather jacket and placed it over her as an additional covering.
Ash shook her head from the door. Ok, this is getting too gooey for me. "Well, g'night," she said before turning to leave for bed.
"Me too," Meena said, smiling dreamily. So romantic. She too turned to leave.
"I'd better turn in too," Johnny said, yawning. "G'night Porsh."
Porsha smiled cheekily. "Night lover boy."
Johnny shuffled out of the room fast without another word, hoping the color in his cheeks wasn't obvious.
It was.
Shutting off the light, Porsha plopped into bed, giggling girlishly to herself.
She dozed off before her head stopped bouncing on the pillow.
After a few short minutes, Nooshy stirred.
Slowly opening her eyes, she felt around and felt something slick on her bed covers.
Looking down, she was shocked to see the familiar leather jacket covering her midsection.
What's this doing here? Last I remember, I was-
Her ears burned. She knew what happened.
Ugh! I fell asleep and he carried me to my bed. And then gave me his jacket?! Hang it all, why do you have to be the way you are, Johnny?! She covered her face, her cheeks burning. Why do you have to be so previous?!
Laying her head back down, she spread her arms and her left hand brushed something hard and made of wood.
Hmm?
Looking to her left, Nooshy saw that the top drawer to her dresser was open slightly. She saw something glinting inside.
Very quietly, she opened it further.
She gasped when she saw a brand new phone with a note attached saying, Nana.
Nooshy grinned. You beautiful, beautiful woman.
She picked it up and pressing the power button, she saw that it had already been fully charged and everything.
Looking through its contents, she was beyond delighted to see that no data had been lost.
Not even her audiobooks.
Looking through her messages, she saw that quite a few people tried to get a hold of her.
One thing that stood out was the one video message.
It was from Porsha, just a few nights ago.
Hmm. That was the night after we went to the safehouse before this one.
Putting her earphones on, she clicked the video message and hit play.
Let's see what we got here Porsha.
Nooshy narrowed her eyes, focusing on the clip.
What the? Are those air vents? Wait…
Her eyes widened. That must be the hospital?
She looked toward the sleeping wolf just across the room and glared, almost menacingly. Spying through air vents? Really Porsh?
Shaking her head, Nooshy continued watching.
And she heard a familiar voice.
"...don't know if you can hear me Noosh but I'd take beatings from Kickenklober a thousand times if it means you'd wake up."
She gasped softly. Johnny? And...what did he just say?
Despite the view being partially blocked by air vent grating, Nooshy could still see enough to see herself in hospital bed, bandaged and sound asleep with Johnny sitting right by her side.
At an almost imperceptible angle, she could see that Johnny had taken her hand in both of his, stroking it.
Nooshy blushed, her right hand coming to her mouth. What? She looked at her hand, the same hand he took while she was near comatose.
"I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you…" Johnny had said. He sounded tearful. "...as you have protected me so many times, Noosh."
Nooshy had to force herself to hold the phone steady. Johnny…you've protected me in more ways than you know…
And then, Johnny did something that Nooshy did not expect.
It shocked her to her core.
Should I try to hide
The way I feel inside
My heart for you?
Would you say that you
Would try to love me too?
Nooshy almost dropped the phone.
I...heard that song before…
Her heart started to race.
It...it wasn't a dream...it was really happening.
The singing continued, every note being fuel to the fire burning inside her heart.
If I feel that I
Could be certain then
I would say the things I want to say tonight.
Oh my God...Oh my God...I...I don't believe this. Nooshy put her hand to her chest. Her heart felt like it would beat out of her chest any second now. It was Johnny...he was...it was no angel...it was him. It was him!
Nooshy closed her eyes as tears leaked out. I don't believe it...I just don't believe it!
Dropping her new phone, she grasped the leather jacket. His leather jacket.
Her burning heart was doing flips and she suddenly felt like dancing.
What...what's going with me?
Almost without thinking, she exited the message page and looked up her photo gallery.
She looked up photos of him and her.
One of him in his costume in Out of this World. He had an arm around her, both holding up a hand with the two fingered universal victory sign.
Nooshy smiled dreamily.
Continuing, she looked up another photo of him and her at Rosita's house, with several of her children in the shot with them.
Johnny had Ada and Vida on his shoulders with Gus and Moe in his arms. Nooshy was sitting beside him with Caspar nestled in her lap.
Nooshy almost cried. Our first day babysitting together. Who knew he had such a way with kids.
Shutting off the screen, Nooshy held the phone to her chest.
Her heart hadn't stopped racing. Smiling, she sniffled as more tears leaked out.
Bewildered, she just couldn't help wondering why she might be feeling this way.
No...no...I can't be...could I? Could I be...falling in love with him...my best friend?
Dismissing the idea, she rewatched and relistened to the video.
The idea, ridiculous as it sounded, would not waver.
And her heart felt like it would burst with all that warmth that came with listening to the beautiful voice she had heard in her dreams.
I never realized just how beautiful his voice is.
She could control herself no longer. She pulled up the leather jacket, his leather jacket and hugged it close to her chest.
It was still warm and it still had its unique scent.
His scent.
The smell of ginger and honey.
"You big weirdo," she whispered giddily as though it were the most beautiful sound in the world.
So full of enamored joy she was, with a radiant smile, Nooshy was asleep before she even knew it.
There were no nightmares tonight.
Nothing but blissful, dreamless sleep.
…..
There you have it. Thank you all for the favorites. Please review soon. Happy Valentines Day.