But I'll Take What I Want

[Blackout]

*I see that some food was given out after I take another pill, and I go to have some when I notice the raze on my shoulder. It doesn't seem that bad so I quickly wrap it myself before sitting down next to the others*

[jumpstart]

*I give Renegade as many pain meds as I can spare. I only have the light stuff, all our heavy painkillers used up long ago. Then I have him look away and talk to me as I suture the cuts. I try to get away with as few as possible, feeling extremely guilty for not having local anesthetic. Next time I raid a hospital... I carefully wrap the wounds, telling Renegade to sleep on his back and that I'll change them in the morning, but to tell me if he feels an inordinate amount of pain, no matter what time of night it is*

*I go around to the others, treating those who will let me look at their wounds. I don't push the ones who refuse as long as they seem like they are not loosing a great deal of blood. It's been a long day for all of us and I don't want to add to their stress. PB comes up to me and pushes a plate of food at me, but I refuse again* PB, I have one more patient to look at, then I'll rest.

*I go up the stairs again to check on Red and Arson. I'm pretty sure the latter thinks she is off the hook. When I go in the room is quiet* Hey *I smile at Arson* How is it going?

[Arson Anthem]

*Damn it... I was hoping Jump had forgotten about me. I give him a small smile, shifting my arm slightly so the bloodstained bandana isn't as obvious* As good as it could, considering. Red ate a bit, and drank all her water. I had some too, and think I might be able to fall asleep soon.

[jumpstart]

*I go to the other side of the bed and check on Red. Her pulse had slowed, which is a good thing. I want her to relax, she'll heal faster that way. She looks sleepily over at me, cheekbone bruise now a gradient from purple to blue. I gently change the bandage on the back of her neck and her side. All the stitches are holding, which is the most I can ask for right now. After Red is settled again I move my chair over to Arson, sit, and hold out my hand*

Alllright, you're not fooling anyone. Let me see that arm.

[Arson Anthem]

*I mutter something noncommittal, but reluctantly hold out my arm. The bandana's stiff with dried blood, and I wince when I feel it tugging on the cut as Jump starts to undo it.* It's fine, I swear.

[jumpstart]

*I get the shirtsleeve off and examine the wound. She has a deep cut on the underside of her arm. There's no doubt about what I have to do. I look up at Arson, meeting her eyes* Arson, I'm going to have to clean this and put in a few stitches to hold it together. Do you... ah, do you want me to get Gear. Sometimes having someone else around for these procedures can be very comforting...

[redhavoc]

*I'm almost asleep when Jump enters the room again. The new bandages bring back the pain a bit, but I know it necessairy. Besides, I realize, what could I really do? As it is I don't really feel like moving ever again. The noises downstairs have died down by this point. It sounds as if everyone is going to sleep. Unlike the quiet in the hospital section of BLI, this sleep feels peaceful, organic...*

*I watch Arson as she learns she will have to be stitched up. Her face pales and I get an idea. It's something I've seen others do, but never tried myself. Slowly and carefully (so I do not disturb the bandages on my arm) I reach out from under the blankets and lightly touch Arson's hand. When she doesn't pull back I wrap my hand in hers and try to squeeze a bit, try to tell her it's ok. Stitches aren't really that bad...*

[Arson Anthem]

*I'm shaking my head before Jump finishes talking, but I'm taken off guard when I feel Red take my hand. I look down at her, surprised, then back at my arm, not meeting Jump's eyes. There's not a single part of me that wants to agree with Jump. The rational voice in my head is more than drowned out by my fear of needles. But Red... she's been through so much, without a complaint, and here I am, refusing a stupid set of stitches. I squeeze Red's hand and give Jump a little nod, looking away and trying not to hold my breath* I'm fine. Go ahead.

[jumpstart]

*I'm elated by Red's remarkable compassion. Not only does it mean she's cognizant enough to access the situation, she also is displaying non-BLI behavior. From my doctor viewpoint, these are both excellent signs. I smile, even though Arson is not looking, and turn around to prepare the alcohol swab and needle. Working as quickly as possible, I clean the wound (which is even deeper than I think, no wonder she bled so much...) and give Arson four stitches, firmly holding her arm as she squirms a bit. I then carefully wrap up the wound*

There! You did an amazing job, one of my easiest patients. Really, Arson. *We talk for a bit and agree I will come up a check in a few hours. I then go downstairs and eat cold pancakes with PB. I tell him to go to bed, I'll be up for a while, and for once he agrees with me. I forget that he took the night watch last night, so he must be exhausted. The night sky is clear and beautiful and I just stare out the window for a while, thinking in the silence*

[Glass~Vendetta]

*I see Jump reject food again and give PB a shrug.* He'll eat later. *I offer the lame excuse. My side has a new bandage, and I feel kinda bad for ruining PB'S bandanna. But, he didn't seem to bothered by it.*

[Cynical Paranoia]

~Finally done checking over my bike, I walk a little ways away from the house before lying on my back and staring up at the stars. I had a lot to think about, and after having been away from people for so long, I was a little unnerved at the prospect of being near a bunch of them. I would go back soon, but for now, I was enjoying the night air.~

[Funhouse Gear]

*The house goes silent as people settle down, but I can't seem to fall asleep. I stand up, opening the front door as quietly as I can and slipping outside. I start a slow circuit of the perimeter, but haven't gone far before I stumble - almost literally - across someone lying on the ground* Oh, sorry! Didn't step on you, did I?
*I finally recognize the killjoy as being Twisted's friend, the one who joined up with us near the end of the rescue* I'm Gear, by the way. Mind if I join you? The house is a bit quiet for my taste.

[Cynical Paranoia]

~I look up as I feel a foot pass close to my head~ No you didn't, and... sure. I should warn you... I'm not the best of company. ~I smile slightly and sit up, loosening the straps of my mask and slipping it off, toying absentmindedly with the leather.~

[Funhouse Gear]

*I sit down a few feet away, shifting slightly so I can still see the road past one of the low bushes* So what's your story? Do you have any idea where you want to go from here?

[Cynical Paranoia]

~I look up at the stars, leaning back and resting on my elbows~ I was abandoned at birth, hopped from home to home before the fires. I was ten when they started... At first they were a blessing y'know? I could get away from all the abuse, make my own way. I've been on my own for a long time, it seems. ~I laugh humourlessly~ But, a group of killjoys picked me up when I was thirteen, saved me from some dracs... I was sure that day I was going to die. Twisted was part of the group, only a few years older than me. I'm glad I was able to find him again, I'd though everyone had died when we got attacked that day. He'd set out on his own a little earlier, but... since I didn't hear anything for a couple years... ~I grimace slightly at the memory before talking again softly~ I don't even know how I got out alive then... I think for now, I'll rest... Then I'll see who else needs help. I guess I'm not entirely sure..