A Broken Crew

Chapter 21

Roman sinks back to the floor once they leave, suddenly exhausted. He stays there until Mikko comes to get him. He covers his eyes then uncovers them, pointing downstairs, saying that Grey is coming to. Roman nods and fills a cup with water, then goes downstairs. Grey is just waking up.

Roman sits beside Grey on the couch and pulls the water from the cup, stringing it out into long lengths and then laying them on Grey. He closes his eyes a pours healing power into the water- or tries to. He fails and returns the water to the cup, then leans against the couch, exhausted. Grey opens his eyes and sees Roman, but also doesn't. "H-Hiro?" His voice is almost hopeful. Roman raises his head. "No, Grey. It's Roman." Grey turns his head away from Roman. Roman sighs and rests his head against the couch and closes his eyes. *I'll call* abuela *later.*

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August didn't really remember much of the car ride, but being in a hospital bed was all too familiar. He felt relatively calm given the situation. He had lots of ice packs around him and an IV. "He should be fine." the doctor told his mother. "You got him here at an early stage. We've given him medication, and he should make a full recovery." His mother started to sob. "Thank goodness..." The doctor patted her shoulder. "I've seen his medical history." he said. "I know how scary this must be, but I promise he'll be okay. It looks like there was a healer that actually had some affect on him." Maggie looked at August. "A healer? When did you see a healer?" August tried to think. "I think Roman is one." he said. "I'd really recommend him seeing a healer regularly, it could really help with his immunodeficiency." His mother thought about it. "At the time we considered it, it couldn't work out, but now, it could..."

August listened to his Mom and the doctor talk. "Mom, can I have my phone?" he asked. "I'd like to call my friends and let them know what's going on." His mom smiled. "Sure honey, call your friends." *I'll call Roman first and see how Grey's doing, and if Dakota's come back.* He dialed Roman and waited for an answer.

Roman almost immediately answers, not even checking the caller ID. "Hey, Roman Prince speaking."

"Hey, how is Grey? Has Dakota come back yet? My house is the first place he'll come."

Roman sighs tiredly. "Grey's... OK, I guess. Dakota.. isn't back yet. Grey is starting to come around, the first thing he said was 'Hiro?'. Does that name ring a bell? "

"um... no, I don't think so..." he said. "I'll ask my Mom, maybe she'll know something about it. I wish Dakota was back... anyway, I was just checking in. I'm going to be okay. I'd better call the rest of my friends. I'll be in the hospital for a couple days, so... yeah."

"Get well soon, August." Roman smiles."Oh, I nearly forgot. *Mi abuela* is, as I mentioned, a healer. She doesn't charge anything for healing sessions, I can talk to her for you."

"Okay." August says. "That sounds good. Thanks Roman. Goodbye!"

"Bye!" Roman hangs up and lets his phone fall to his lap, closing his eyes.

August dialed November. He picked up and tapped on the phone a couple times. "Hey, Nova." he said. "Oh, is that August?" That sounded like Kaaria. "Who's with you?" "Me and Jocelyn are." August smiled faintly. "Well, I have a little bad news, and frankly I'm exhausted but in need of some company, if you could pass it on..." "What's wrong?" Jocelyn asked. "I'm in the hospital right now." "WHAT!?" There was a unison cry. "Relax, right now I'm stable. I'm just tired and lonely." "We'll definitely come over!" Jocelyn exclaimed. "I'll let everyone know." "Thank Joce." he said. "I'll rest till you guys get here." He hung up and close his eyes.

Grey sits up and looks around, finding both Mikko and Roman asleep. He carefully, slowly stands and limps out of the room. He goes to the kitchen, looking around, hands clenched. Tears slowly fill his eyes and he kneels down, covering his eyes, silently sobbing, wishing what he heard would go away. What he saw.

August woke up again when his Mom gently said. "Your friends are here. Are you up for visitors?" August nodded and propped himself up. "Of course!" Instantly they were all crowded around him. "It's okay." he said. "It was rough there for a little bit, but the doctor said I'll make a full recovery within two weeks. Have any of you heard from Dakota?" They all shook their heads. August sighed. "Anyone up for watching a movie?" asked Stephen. "I brought a few. And some snacks." "I have to leave in 15 minutes for work." said Nehemiah. "And I have a dinner to attend." said Alspehina. "But let's go ahead and start it." They all settled down together to watch a movie. August started to cry a little. "I'm happy you guys are here." he said, wiping his eyes. "But I'm also sad Dakota isn't, so these are happy sad tears." He laughed, and they shared a tight hug before watching the movie.