Part 114

It was going on 9 in the evening. Alphonso and Meena had gotten the twins to bed and were watching television.

"Well, bedtime wasn't too bad. They don't fight it like many kids," she said as she leaned against her husband.

Alphonso nodded. "With everything they've been through recently… They've had to grow up too fast. That Raquelle is a smart little girl too. I can't believe she beat me at Chess."

Meena giggled. "Oh you mean you weren't letting her win?"

The elephant shook his head. "Didn't need to. Ash needs to watch out for her." He chuckled as his phone rang. He looked at the caller id. "Hey, Tyler, how did… What? What! How did a simple dinner date… Yes, yes, I'll come pick you guys up. I'll be right there." He hung up and looked at his wife. "I have to go pick them up from the hospital. They were mugged and Tyler was shot in the shoulder."

Her mouth fell in shock. "Oh my goodness! Go on, I'll stay here with the kids."

————————

The three Green ladies were still up when they came through the door. Porsha sat beside a sleeping Airlia, a book in her hand. Quietly, she got up, putting the book down, and hugged him. "Oh my gosh, are you alright? I was worried sick." She whispered.

Her boyfriend trembled. "Thank you…" he said softly. "For babysitting her. You were the first person I thought of and I knew your dad would be able to help."

She nodded. "Of course. But you should know," she whispered. "She's nine years old, she doesn't need a babysitter."

He laughed softly despite himself. "She hates being treated like the kid she is." He held her close, squeezing, needing to feel something.

Suki was surprised when Marcus hugged her just as tightly. She pulled him into the dining room and gave him back his dinner. "What happened?"

He shook his head. "The hardware store was robbed and… his parents were… they were killed. According to the security footage, it was while we were all at the park. I said they could stay the night here and we can figure out the rest tomorrow. The police wanted to take the girl but I talked them into giving us a chance to figure things out first. I hope it's okay."

She nodded. "Of course it's okay, you big softie." She turned her head to the television.

"And this just in. There was a shooting on Pinkerton Street just outside of Nigiri Express. A diner inside the restaurant recorded the incident..."

She and Marcus both gasped when they saw the footage. "That's Ash! And Tyler!"

Marcus jumped up. "Glenn," he called over softly. "Are these the guys?"

The young man came over and looked. "Yeah! That's them! They did it! Those bastards!" His lip trembled while Porsha held him.

Suki picked up her phone and dialed. "Ash, we just saw the news. Are you both alright? Yes, it's on the news. Someone was recording. Are you alright?"

———————

In Alphonso's suv, Ash groaned. "Really? So what we just went through has been broadcast to the whole town?" She looked at Tyler. "It's on the damn news! Wait, what?" She returned her focus to the phone call. "Are you serious? That's terrible. Are they alright? Yeah, those assholes were very cocky, no wonder. After that, they probably felt invincible. My dad fixed that misconception for them. You can let him know that one is dead and the other is going to jail for a long time. Yeah, Alphonso picked us up, we're on our way home now. Tyler's shoulder is pretty banged up but he's okay. Tell Marcus that we are okay and Mom and Dad are okay too. They are the reason we survived so… I figure we owe them a conversation at least. Yeah, we'll see you all tomorrow at the theater. Thanks for checking on us." She hung up. "Those guys that attacked us." She saw Alphonso watching through the rear-view mirror. "They robbed the hardware store. Glenn's parents were killed."

Alphonso shook his head sadly. "That's terrible. Is there anything we can do?"

She sighed. "Marcus is asking everyone to come to the theater tomorrow. Since Glenn promised to go see Gunter and Eddie." She smiled. Everytime any of them needed help, the rest answered without question. Her phone rang again, this time with Clay's ringtone. "Hey, Clay. You saw it too. Yes, we are both fine. Tyler has a bum shoulder for the foreseeable future but we're okay. Yeah, they saved us… We're having breakfast with them at Croc's tomorrow morning. Do you think you and Sitara could join us? Oh sure, they're welcome to join us. We'll ask Meena and Alphonso too." She looked at the bull elephant who nodded. "I'll see you tomorrow." She hung up.

"I'll talk to Meena but I'm sure that's no problem," he chuckled. He looked at Tyler. "What about your car?"

He nodded. "The cops had it towed back to the condo so we wouldn't have to worry about it. What should we tell the kids?"

Ash shook her head. "I don't want them to go around afraid of being attacked like we were. But I also don't want to lie to them. Besides, we can't hide your shoulder."

Alphonso nodded. "Why not just give them the literal truth without going into detail. You fell to the ground and hurt your shoulder," he suggested. "How bad is the wound?"

"It was a through-and-through, went through the muscle. By the grace of God, he didn't need surgery but he did get six stitches. It'll scar but his fur will conceal it once it grows back," Ash replied. "Idiot! Should have let me just fling my quills at them." She scolded him.

He chuckled. "I was just going on instinct." He wondered if they'd talk about that kiss but he was almost scared to.

———————

Glenn sat quietly in one of the plush, overstuffed chairs. Porsha was rubbing his back. "I don't know what to do…" he said softly. "Without our parents, how can we…"

Marcus nodded. "That's what we're going to figure out tomorrow. Together. It's going to be okay. You don't have to deal with this alone." He promised.

"Yeah, it's going to be okay, Glenn," Porsha tried to comfort him. "I'm so sorry…"

Suki looked at Marcus. "How should we handle sleeping arrangements?"

Marcus bit his lip. "Carry the child back to our bed. You stay with her. Glenn can sleep in Porsha's room since she and Nooshy still prefer to bunk together. I'll take the sofa bed." He would miss holding his wife but the child might have nightmares and would need her.

Nooshy bit her lip. "Wait, Big Daddy, let her sleep with me. I think Porsha should share with Glenn."

The gorilla felt ice fill his stomach as he saw how Glenn was holding Porsha. He remembered how Johnny needed Ryan. "Would… would you two… be ready for that?"

Porsha smiled at Nooshy. "I am. And I promise Big Daddy, we won't do anything." She reassured him.

"Nooshy, are you sure you are alright letting Airlia share with you?" Suki asked. "She's welcome to lay with me."

The lynx nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine with it. I'm sorry for your loss, Glenn. I want to help where I can."

The German shepherd tried to smile. "Thank you. I'm sorry to steal your sister from you but… I don't want to be alone… not right now…"

She nodded. "I get it… it's no problem. I'm good at preventing nightmares."

Porsha gently led Glenn to her bedroom.

Marcus smiled at Nooshy. "Thank you, Nooshy. You're a great big sister." He hugged her. "I know it's been weird lately and I'm very proud of you. I promise that things'll settle down soon."

"I know, Big Daddy, it's okay," Nooshy said. How could she begrudge any of them for any of this? Of course, Glenn needed her big sister more then she did right now. And this child shouldn't be alone.

He nodded. "I promise, we'll do something as a family soon." He picked the little girl up in his arms and carried her to Nooshy's bed.

"Sounds great, Big Daddy. Is there anything we can do? I feel horrible. I mean… I know what it's like not to have a family. They've lost the only one they've ever really had," the cat said sadly. "It's not fair."

The gorilla shook his head while he tucked her in. "It's not. No. But unfortunately, as you know, life isn't fair. That's why we are going to do everything in our power to help them. And if you can think of anything, please say so in the meeting tomorrow." He ruffled her head. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight." She rolled over and watched Lia briefly, waiting to see if she would wake up or have a bad dream. She looked out the window at the silvery moon. "Mr. Moon, maybe you have some ideas." She said softly. "You can tell me." She closed her eyes, sleep taking her away.

————————

Meena wanted to see Ash when they all got home but she understood when the porcupine just wanted to go to bed. She eagerly agreed to join them for breakfast the next day.

"It feels good that they'll be there," she admitted to Tyler as she helped him get ready for bed. "Just in case… I just hope it's not a mistake letting them back in my life."

"Then don't make that decision yet," he advised. "You've made no promises past this one breakfast. So make this their one chance and if it goes well, maybe you'll open the lines of communication at the very least." He began fumbling with the bottle of pain relievers they'd prescribed him. He couldn't open the bottle one handed.

"Can I help?" She asked. He let her the bottle and she opened it. "You're right, of course. They've only earned this one breakfast." She helped him into bed. "Sleep well… If you need me, I'll be on the couch."

He looked up. "Oh… okay… Sleep well…" Maybe he'd misunderstood that kiss. He closed his eyes as the medication took effect.

———————

She wanted to stay with him but she also wanted to respect his boundaries. And he hadn't asked. Maybe she'd been misreading everything. Maybe he really was just fulfilling a promise to a friend.

She laid on the couch, covering herself with a blanket.

————————

Tyler looked at his arm. It didn't hurt and the bandage was gone. He looked at the clock. Why was he was awake at 1 A.M.? He went through the apartment. Ash was not on the couch. "Ash?" He called.

"It's okay, Mr. Davis," a strange voice made in turn around. A koala was sitting in a chair. "Is it okay if I call you Tyler?"

The primate nodded. "Sure… Who are you?" He should know this but he was in a state of shock.

The koala's blue eyes glimmered with mirth. "My name is Buster Moon. I've been watching over you since you and Alphonso joined the crew. Thank you for being there for Ash, for saving her life tonight. You did very well." He chuckled. "So why haven't you told her how you feel?"

The orangutan shook his head. "She knows how I feel. I have told her. Sort of… I just don't know if she feels the same way."

Buster laughed. "Tyler, tonight could have gone far worse. How would you feel if you died, never having told her? How would you feel if she died? You won't know if you don't take the chance." He touched his shoulder. "Look, just think about it. Life is short. None of us know just how much time we really have. So don't waste what you have."

"Tyler?" A voice broke into the dream.

Tyler looked around as the room began fading. "Don't waste what you have." Buster said again before he disappeared as well.

He realized he was in his bed. He looked up at Ash. "Is everything okay?"

She bit her lip. "I can't sleep… would you mind if I joined you?" She asked.

Tyler smiled and pulled back the blankets. "Of course…" He opened his good arm to her and happily let her curl up with him. Within minutes, she was fast asleep. "I love you…" he whispered to her sleeping form. He would have to really make an effort to tell her. Tonight was just too close for comfort.

AN: Next Chapter: Nooshy gets an idea, Breakfast w Ash's parents followed by the Meeting about Glenn's situation. If you were at the meeting, what would you suggest? Please comment.