A Dragon's feast

"Be careful getting here. We will see you soon, Mr. Blat." With that, the young nurse hung up. Now to return and see if she could be of any assistance. Surely she would be the one to greet the 'family' once they arrived, and deliver whatever news was available at that time....

When Ezekiel couldn't find the keys to the van he headed outside and realized she took it! That left Lexi's car and Mikko's racer. If he took the car he would have to get Laz. And no way would Mikko let him touch her car. With a defeated sigh he ran to the barn and started yelling at Laz to wake up.

Laz was sleeping soundly when Eze came in yelling about needing Lexi's keys. He sat up and grabbed his pants and took them out.

What's going on? Laz ask, still not realizing Lexi was missing.

Lexi's in the hospital. I think she went to to talk to Hun. Some good you did protecting her!

Hearing this news, Laz was quick to get dress and follow eze back out to the car.

She must have slipped out while I was sleeping.

I didn't know ninjas were such heavy sleepers.

Are you seriously blaming me for this!?

Yeah! I am! Ezekiel yelled and got into the drivers seat of the car slamming the door. Laz also got in and did the same.

Soon the men were on the road headed to the hospital, but the drive would not be peaceful as the yelling and fighting continued.

Hun was sitting in the passengers seat of the van. three of his men were in the back seat and one of the higher ups were driving.

Hun lived, but not without some extensive injuries. he had been close to the explosion. His hearing was gone, sight in his left eye was gone. in fact the left side of his face was gone, as was his arm. the rest of his body was badly burnt.

Hun was slipping in and out of consciousness. He couldn't communicate with the men in the van, but he did manage to point to a business card with Baxter's name on it. that was were he wanted to go. If baxter could really do what he had said, then Hun wanted to be rebuilt, not just stitched together.

So his driver raced to the scientist as the others tried their best to keep Hun alive.

Word traveled fast. Dee, one of Hun's higher ranking older thugs was returning from a job out of State. Not only was he a high rank, but the African-American male was also the one that recruited Ezekiel when he was just a teenager. Then later came Gabriel. Both boys had been young, but he had taken them under his wing, along with the assistance of the older woman that everyone affectionately called  'Mama'... even Dee.


Dee was 47, 17 years older than Ezekiel, and 22 older than Gabe. He had always considered himself a father figure. Hell, it had been him that had shown them the ropes, and along with Mama, given them a place to stay. Practically raised them. He watched them grow, watched them make mistakes. Watched them thrive. It was he that encouraged Hun to give Ezekiel the promotion, back when Sally was still alive...


When Lexi entered the picture, Dee figured the bombshell was nothing more than just a pretty face. Another play-thing for Gabe to grow tired of and toss away. But that wasn't the case, and Lexi proved herself stronger than the toughest 'girls' in the gang. Dee had always considered the thug girls dykes, but Lex didn't fall into that category. She was beautiful, and knew how to fire a gun. He often referred to her as 'Firecracker'.


Unfortunately Dee had just now found out about Hun's intentions to have Gabe terminated, and that's what brought him back early. To convince Hun this was a wrong move. But as he drove back towards the city, one of the survivors of the explosion called to inform him that Headquarters was gone, then informed him of who was responsible, and what the gang had done to her...



The news made Dee sick to his stomach. To know that the teenage girl that he had watched grow into a young woman was so brutality attacked, but it sounded as if she had gotten the last 'laugh'....



Grabbing his phone from the passenger seat, Dee dialed Eze's number and waited for him to pick up....

With the argument in the car getting heated, eze almost didn't hear his phone go off. he glared at Laz as both men got quiet and Ezekiel answered the call.

Yeah?

He hadn't checked who was calling, but hoped that it wasn't Hun...or the hospital calling with worse news.

Dee knew that Ezekiel had the habit of answering his phone without looking to see who was calling, hence the lack of any fond emotion. Then again, hell- this was Ezekiel. He had always seemed to have two modes. Neutral and angry.


"Still no manners, dawg..." But he would keep the teasing to a minimal. After what he had heard, it was hard to be in a teasing manner. "I hear our lil' Firecracker went boom... took out heardquarters..." He told Ezekiel, not sure if he had heard or not. Obviously he hadn't been with her, otherwise he never would have allowed the rape to happen, not without being taken down. They protected their own.



"But that ain't all I heard...please tell me she's alive.. and Gabe? Words circulatin' that Hun's gonna take 'im out, that's why I'm comin' back. To talk sense into him, if he's still alive...."

It was quite a surprise to hear from Dee, in fact it took Ezekiel a moment to realize who it was. Hey, man! Long time no see. You just come back when shit hits the fan uh? So it was Lexi that blew the place up? Must be why she's in the hospital. I'm headed to her now. Gabe's alive. but...he's hurt bad, man. Shredder took out his legs. severed his spine, not sure if he'll walk again.

I don't know if Hun is still around. I don't even know how Lexi got to the hospital. I think she went to try and talk sense into Hun. Her idiot boyfriend didn't stop her. he added angerly and glanced at Laz.

He told Dee where Lexi was and that he would meet him there. It was good hearing from his old friend, he just wished things were going better.

I got everyone at a hideout, out of the city. Mama's there too. I'll bring you to Gabe and the others after we take care of Lexi if you want.

Finally, recognition that brought a hint of a grin to Dee's lips. Would have been bigger if things weren't so gloom. Sounded like Ezekiel didn't know  the whole story of what happened to Lexi, and if the guy was driving, it was best not to tell him. His informant hadn't given him the same courtesy, but then again it was kind of important that Dee be made aware that there was no longer a Headquarters. Sure, there was the fall-back spot, but how many Dragons survived?


So Lexi had a boyfriend? Dee didn't think she would move on for awhile after Gabe. Hell it had been what, a year? Well good for her. "Aw, c'mon Zeke, don't be so hard on a homie. You know Lex's like fire, can't contain it. If she had her mind set on goin'.. it was gonna happen. Not even you could stop it."



It was upsetting to know just how bad Gabriel was hurt, but at least he was alive. He listened to the directions and where Lexi currently was and gave an unseen nod. "A'right, dawg. I'll be there in about an hour. See you soon..."

Alright, man. See you in a bit. Ezekiel hung up and looked over at Laz who was waiting for some kind of news.

Lexi blew up HQ.. Don't know who survived yet. This is a mess, I shouldn't have told anyone anything and just delt with this all myself.

Laz didn't say anything, but he did agree. Eze should have kept it to himself.

It didn't take the hour that Ezekiel thought it would, most likely because of the speeding. They made it to the hospital in record time and parked close to the front.

Both men jumped out the car and ran inside asking the first person they seen about Lexi.

After x-rays, scans and ultrasounds had pinpointed all of the damage, hours had been spent in the O.R. to repair off the damage Lexi had sustained. Broken ribs and wrist set and pinned, a tube running between ribs into her chest cavity to aid the collapsed lung. Wounds cleaned and sutured. After the operation, a vest was placed around her rib-cage to aid in healing. The doctor had opted against keeping the ventilator in place after witnessing the distress it was causing. If the swelling in her injured throat continued, then it would have to be put back into place, but for now they would monitor her, and hope that they mask would be enough.



Due to the nature of the attack, tests would be ran at the appropriate time. After checking in on her, the staff left her to rest. As one of the nurses headed back to the station, she noticed the two men and after hearing who they wee here for, she led them to the room...



The room was dark, save for the soft glow of the monitors and the hall light that filtered into the room. Lexi was awake and staring out the door in a drug induced haze, but a spark of recognition crossed her features when she saw Laz and Ezekiel. Finally, she wasn't alone in this. She was relieved to see them, even if she couldn't show it, but the quiet tears should have spoken volumes. Inwardly bracing herself for Ezekiel's scolding, she hoped he could let that go for now.

A shaky hand extended in their direction, needing the physical contact of loved ones....



The nurse hovered behind them, not wanting to interrupt but knowing that they needed to know what happened. "She.. was gang raped and beaten. She sustained broken ribs, a broken wrist, a collapsed lung and numerous lacerations. We're giving her morphine to keep her comfortable..." She told the men. "If you have any questions, I'll be right outside." With that, she headed out of the room to give the group some privacy.

There would be no preaching about how she should have never went to see Hun, no scolding. Not now, now Ezekiel was just happy to see Lexi alive. He and Laz walked up to her bed, each taking a side and sitting down close to her bed.

Eze gave Lexi a small sideways smile and pressed the back of his knuckles against her cheek.

Look, I brought ya boy toy. And we made it all the way here without killing each other. He told her in an attempt to lighten the air.

someone else is on their way here to see ya. Dee heard about what happen, he's on his way here.

The morphine dulled most of the pain, but could only ease her mind to a degree. Awake and for the moment alone, the memories of that horrible event plagued her. How scared she had been, how hard she had fought them... it was enough to consume her, conjuring tears that she felt too exhausted to cry...


Fortunately she wasn't left to her own thoughts for long. Ezekiel and Laz entered the room and for a fleeting moment, she wondered if she was imagining this. As they drew closer and she felt the back of Ezekiel's knuckles, she knew they were really here. A relieved tear rolled down her cheek, even managing a weak hint of a grin at his attempt to lighten the mood. That was a rarity for Ezekiel, and the fact that he had brought Laz along touched her. Maybe, just maybe Eze would warm up to him..


Lips quivering, she weakly leaned into his soft touch.."T..thank you.." She managed in a raspy, low tone. The effort hurt her throat, but she needed him to know that she was grateful for his thoughtfulness. He had put his own feelings towards Laz aside and brought him along, because he knew it would mean a lot to her. And it sounded as if Dee would be paying her a visit soon. The guy had been gone for so long, it would be good to see him again. Reaching to give Ezekiel's hand a small, weak squeeze, her gaze then shifted to Laz, wanting nothing more than to abandon the bed and crawl into his lap for snuggles. If only movement didn't hurt so bad. She tried to shift just enough so that her good hand could reach him, wanting to feel his.....

Laz was heart broken. He should have been there with her. He sat down beside her bed and took her hand in his.

I wish you would have ask me to go with you, Babe. I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you.

Laz leaned over and kissed her forehead. He was doing his best to hold it together, he didn't want to break down in front of Lexi, she needed him to be strong.

You're so brave. He told her and gave her a slight smile.

Lexi could see the emotion in Laz' features, but she knew he was holding it together for her. She weakly squeezed his hand a weak squeeze, another tear slipping past her best attempts, knowing he blamed himself for not being there. "You.. would have been. If you had known." She managed, the strain causing painful coughs. "It's not your fault... and.. you're here for me now...that's what...matters."



This was ICU, so she was certain there were visiting hours, but she would insist that her boys be allowed to stay, if they wanted to....

Laz was still beating himself up over this. To know that he was right there next to her, able to stop her, or at least go with her. But he wouldn't show those feelings. It wouldn't help Lexi right now for her to know that he blamed himself for this. What she needed was support. and he was more then happy to give it to her.

Looks like there will be lots of hot soup and sappy romance movies in the furture for us. Maybe a puppy? Oh yeah, Laz was going to spoil the hell out of her, starting now.

Is there anything you need right now? a pillow, blanket, chocolate?

______________________________________________

Before Laz could offer anymore treats to his girl, a woman walked in carrying a small vase with a blue rose. she smiled at the people in the room and set the flower on a shelf in Lexi's view.

"A Mr. Leonardo sent this for you." She explained.

Ezekiel couldn't help but roll his eyes at Laz. Not because he thought the man's words were ridiculous, but because of how sappy he seemed. It was annoyingly sweet. Then a woman came in with a flower and hearing who it was from answered the one question he had, who had brought Lexi to the hospital.

uh. the lizard got you flowers. i think he's trying to one up us.

Of course Ezekiel knew that Leo was not a lizard, but it was just his attempt at trying to lighten the mood. Man he was bad at this.

Laz didn't have to say it. She could tell that he was inwardly beating himself up and that made her feel guilty. This was nobody's fault but the Dragons and Hun... and herself. She knew before going into this that it might not end well... but she had to try. If Hun couldn't be reasoned with, he had to be stopped and apparently she was the only one willing to stand her ground. She just hoped that the explosion took out the crime lord.


She tried to pull herself from those painful, haunting memories and managed a weak smile at Laz as he suggested sappy movies and soup and puppies. All of it sounded nice, but before she could answer his last question, a nurse came in, bringing with her a blue rose. Before she even spoke, Lexi knew who it was from. Leo. It was beautiful and unique and the thoughtful gesture earned another weak smile.



"...Turtle..." She corrected in her hoarse, barely audible tone. Though, she did appreciate Eze's attempt to lighten the mood. That was certainly a rarity to him. Though, she was still baffled that Eze had brought Laz with him. Part of her figured that he didn't have a choice. Laz would have found his way to the city one way or another. She looked at their group's leader, and even in her state, managed a sad pair of puppy dog eyes that seemed even more pitiful given her condition.


"Doe this... mean....I can... keep him?" She asked, giving a stiff nod over in Laz' direction. He would need to say yes. Surely he couldn't tell her no in her condition... right? Maybe now after all of Laz' doting, he realized that the ex Foot was good for her....

At Lexi's question Ezekiel folded his arms. No he couldn't say no to her while she was like this, though he wanted to. He didn't doubt Laz cared for her, or that he would have stopped her if he could. the point was that having two foot members who screwed over the shredder would be putting them in unnessasery danger.

But, this wasn't the time to talk about all that. And even if he did repeat himself to her it wouldn't matter.

So he nodded his head.

As long as he has all his shots and is paper trained. and he can't be on the furniture.

There was that hesitation that Lexi was expecting but still, it wasn't a flat out and cruel 'NO'. Then came his answer and it came as a shock, not only his decision but the amount of dry humor the 'boss' was putting into it. Yeah. He was certainly trying to make her feel better and it certainly lifted her spirits some to know that he cared that much. She managed a weak smile that hurt her fractured cheekbone, but genuine, relieved and thankful nonetheless.


"Thank... you. You can be.. sweet.. when you wanna.. be." She teased, though speaking was painful, being quiet had always been difficult for her. ]"But don't worry... I won't... tell anyone..." She added a little wink to convince him she was teasing...



A sense of humor was a hard thing to come by considering what had just happened to her, but if Eze was trying, as difficult as it was for the usually 'no bullshit' leader, then she could try, too. There would be plenty of time for grief and depression and insecurities to settle in. She could feel it, ever present and lurking just beneath the surface of the front she was putting on. The emotional turmoil and physical pain that fortunately the morphine was sparing her of for the moment.


Giving Laz' hand another weak squeeze, she looked at him with her one good eye, the other swollen, bruised and still seeping blood. Her gaze then shifted to the blue rose, a special gift from Leonardo.


"He.. brought me here... after...after I blew it up..."

Ezekiel just shrugged and leaned back in his chair.

Laz massaged Lexi's hand and looked over at the flower. He should have got her flowers! damn. Well he was a little too worried to think about gifts at the time.

then I'll have to thank him. I was wondering how you got here. Good thing those turtles always seem to be in the right place at the right time. You need to rest now. No more talking.

Yeah. So maybe Laz was right and she should put less effort into talking. Giving a small nod, she weakly squeezed his hand, enjoying the gentle massage. She wanted him to join her in the bed, but knew even though it would be an innocent invite, it would probably make Ezekiel uncomfortable. Still, the temptation to crawl into his lap was oh so strong. If only she didn't have that darn tube shoved in between her ribs, directly into her damaged lung.

She had no idea what time it was, but assumed it was night....


"Are... you both... staying?" Because one thing was for certain, she did not want to be alone....

Of course I'm staying! I have no where else more important to be. Plus, if I'm not here who will rub your feet for you?

Ezekiel gave his head a shake. I wont be able to stay, babe. Have to get back to the cabin and make sure bella and the others are alright. I'm sure Mama has a handle on most things, but I like to be there in case, ya know.But I'm sure when the others hear what went on they'll all want to come visit you.

Deep down Lexi knew that Ezekiel couldn't stay. He needed to make sure his daughter was okay, and Gabriel. Someone needed to be there to protect them just in case their location was found, though Lexi hoped that she had eliminated the threats. She gave a quiet nod in understanding, but managed a weak smile when Laz informed her that he would be staying. Good. She didn't need to be alone right now and who knew, maybe if they were careful, she could have some snuggle time with her guy. The bed was big enough.



Just as Lexi was about to try speaking again, a dark figure showed up at the door, lingering for a moment, a dozen red roses held carefully in a purple vase. It pained him to see her in this condition, but time and time again Lex had proven how tough she was.



A small knock on the door frame to announce his arrival and Dee stepped in, placing the roses on the bed side table before lowering the hoodie of his jacket and leaned in, pressing a soft kiss against her forehead. "I hear you got Hun...he's alive, but in rough shape.." He told Lexi, wanting to let her know it wasn't for nothing. His gaze then shifted to Eze. "Hey, man. Long time no see..." And then he looked at Laz, extending a hand to the man. "You must be her boyfriend I'm Dee." He introduced.

When Dee walked in, Eze gave him a side smile and nodded to him, but made no attempt to get out the chair just yet. He wasn't too happy to hear that Hun was still alive. If the man hadn't been after them before, he was now.

Laz looked up when someone came into the door. Unlike Eze, he stood up and shook the man's hand.

Lazarus, but you can just call me Laz. good to meet ya. He told the man. There aren't any more chairs here, you can take mine. I can sit on the bed.

Lexi was surprised and happy to see Dee, but it upset her to learn that Hun had survived her attempt to kill him. She just wanted it all to end. For her boys to be safe, even if that meant dying. But she had failed. Hun survived. He was alive and would no doubt come after them. She seriously felt like crying, but tried to hold it together.


Returning Laz' handshake, Dee noticed the emotions Lexi was struggling to suppress. He leaned in for a gentle hug and offered her quiet reassurances. "Hey. Maybe he'll be crippled... or maybe he'll realize he's bitten off more than he could chew.." Wishful thinking, he knew. But he wanted to comfort Lexi in any way he could.


Giving a sad sort of nod, Lexi returned the hug and when Laz offered Dee his seat, she hooked her fingers into Laz' belt loop, pulling him towards her. Of course she wanted him closer, so the offer worked out great for her.


"Yeah, sure. Looks like yer needed elsewhere, anyway." Dee winked at Laz and took the offered seat. "Can't stay long. Just wanted to make sure you guys were okay..." And he looked at Eze. "How you holdin' up, man? Know this is all gotta be a change for you."