I\'m a father?

Title: I\'m a father?

Subtitle: It\'s just a tournament

Author: Lady Snowblossom

Rating: PG-13

Pairs: Rei/Bryan, Kai/Tala, Spencer/Ian, Tyson/Max and various other pairings.


The crowd fell silent, as they stared in horror at the carnage before them. The inside of the dish was scorched beyond recognition by the heat of that last terrible blow. Here and there in the crowd, some of the fans began to weep at the pitiful sight of Rei and Tala cradling their fallen lovers; their grief etched in the set of their bodies.


Rei buried his face in his love\'s soft hair, and drew in a deep breath of Bryan\'s scent: a mixture of pine and icy air, much like a December country morning. \'Why didn\'t I do as you wanted?\' Without noticing Rei began to rock back and forth, his guilty thoughts burning his soul like acid. \'I just had to have things my way and now look, look at the price paid for my stubborn pride. Bryan, how will I ever make this up to you? To Kai, or Tala?\' He raised his head and turning it blotted his nose on his shoulder: uncaring of how it would look.

Rei looked down at his arms and idly noted the fine tremors that ran their length. Raising his eyes, he looked toward the wolf: who knelt clutching his wounded phoenix to his breast. A lump threatened to cut Rei\'s breath off, as he watched Tala gently pull Kai\'s bangs back from his face and lean down to press a kiss to the battered warrior\'s temple.

Sensing something Tala lifted his head, turned it and met Rei\'s anguished eyes. The wolf and tiger stared at each other, then Tala quietly mouthed, \"It will be all right.\"

Rei blinked, he had braced himself for Tala\'s condemnation, indeed he had expected to see hatred in those bottomless sapphires; he certainly hadn\'t expected comfort. \"Tala?\" He choked.

The redhead smiled sadly and mouthed, \"end this.\" Then he turned back to Kai, no longer caring about the tournament, his world having narrowed down to the pale, silent youth in his arms, and he had - for his sanity\'s sake- to focus all his energies on caring for him.

Rei turned from the redhead and stared down at his own ravaged Russian. \'Tala\'s right, I have to end this.\' A steely glint entered his eyes and he pressed a kiss to the top of Bryan\'s head, then he carefully lowered the lilac haired fighter to the carpet-covered surface of the platform and slowly rose to his feet.

Carefully, Rei stepped over Bryan\'s supine body and headed down the steps. At the bottom of the stairs, he was met by a trio of paramedic\'s who taking one look at his face decided to not ask any questions; instead they merely stepped to the side allowing the determined looking youth to pass them in silence.


\"What is he doing?\" Lee said aloud, as Rei headed for the judge’s table. The lion had watched the savage match between the icy falcon and the fiery phoenix wan ian increasingly sick feeling in his stomach, and the outcome had brought to mind: a similar incident in Moscow.

\"I think he is going to do something he should have done earlier.\" Robert said quietly resting a hand on Lee\'s right wrist in a comforting gesture. When Lee didn\'t seem to object, he left it there, as he watched Tyson, Max and Kenny running out to intercept the Chinese. \'Good luck, Rei.\' he thought.


Tyson barreled out of the dugout with Max and Kenny on his heels. The three carefully skirted Ian and Spencer, who stood waiting for Tala to descend from the platform; where he had been ejected by the paramedic\'s who needed the room to work on Kai.

\"Rei!\" the bluenette yelled, as he raced up to the Chinese, who stopped and looked at him. Panting, Tyson bent over; hands on thighs, as he struggled to catch his breath.

\"Tyson,\" Rei\'s eyes warmed briefly, but soon dimmed again, as he spotted Bryan being carried off. His heart yearned to be at his lover’s side, but he had to do this first; and then he could devote all his energies to caring for his mate. Quietly he whispered to himself, “I’ll be with you soon, my love.”

Tyson straightened, his dark eyes searching Rei\'s face. \"What are you doing?\"

“Tyson, do you believe in me?” Rei asked, as he looked back at Dragoon’s companion and beyond him, to where Max and Kenny stood quietly waiting.

The bluenette stared at the tiger slacked jaw. “Of course, I believe in you! What kind of a stupid question is that?”

Rei drew himself up and crossed his arms over his chest. “One I needed to ask, and here’s another one. I’m going to tell Mr. D. that I withdraw from my match against Spencer, will you support that decision?”

Max began to smile, while Kenny blinked.

Tyson stared at the floor, his mind whirling; part of him was angry that Rei would wait till this late date to declare himself; but a part understood; Rei had been there for the team; but now he needed to think of what was best for his family.

Worried about Tyson’s taking so long, Max put a hand on his shoulder; ready to plead Rei’s cause. Ignoring his lover, Tyson raised his head, “Rei, you have to do what’s best for you; its only a tournament after all.”

“Thanks, Tyson.” Rei smiled gratefully, “you don’t know how much that means to me.”

Embarrassed, Tyson put his hands behind his head, and rambled, “you know, its not like there won’t be other tournaments, and once Max is better, you won’t be put in this position again.”

Max elbowed him. “Tyson, shut up.”

The Dragon’s mouth snapped shut.

Max smiled at the Chinese tiger, “you already know my answer.’

Rei smiled at the blonde and bluenette.

“Chief?”

Kenny smiled and adjusted his glasses. “Its’ only a tournament, Rei.”

“Then we agree.”


Standing by the dugout, the white-haired old martial artist gazed at the stalking tiger, a hint of pride in his eyes. ‘I knew you’d finally come to your senses, Rei. Now show this crowd what the tiger is really made of.’


Stanley Dickenson lowered his arm from where he had shielded his eyes from the devastating last blow of the two mighty avian warriors and gasped at the sight of their proud companions lying still as death on the platform.

“Kai. Bryan.” He breathed, as Rei and Tala came scrambling to succor their mates. The old man shook his head at the sorrowful sight: his heart going out to the boys, who had battled so bravely.

“Mr. Dickenson?” A hesitant voice brought him back and he turned his head to look at one of the other judges.

“Yes, Lonnie?”

Lonnie Mitchell looked toward the dish and winced, “Mr. Dickenson, what of the tournament? Do we continue, or should we call it?

“We can’t call it! The fans would never go for it!” A red haired woman exclaimed, and Lonnie turned to her.

“Look at Rei, Elene! He’s in no shape to continue!” Lonnie waved at the Chinese boy, who was rocking the pale haired Russian. “I’m willing to bet Bryan means something to Rei, else he’d have gone to Kai! Are you gonna force a grief stricken boy to fight?”

“No, but the fans expect.” Elene began, but was cut off by a tall dark skinned man.

“While the fans are important, Elene, they cannot be allowed to influence our decision on this. We have to do what’s best for our athletes and none of them are up to battling right now. It would be wiser to just tell everyone that we are going to postpone the final match until say, tomorrow at which time the teams will have come to grips with this tragedy and can go on.”

“I have to agree with Santosh. That would be the sensible course to take.” A small Asian gentleman nodded from the other side of the table.

Elene frowned, “And what are we to do with the fans, who have to leave tomorrow, Hideaki? Refund their money?”

Unperturbed by her comment, the Japanese merely smiled. “If they ask for it. But, I doubt many will, because after all, they have seen a great deal of excellent blading.”

Mr. D tuned out his arguing judges, as he watched the paramedics tend to both Kai and Bryan and then bear the boys off. From where he was standing, he couldn’t see Rei since the Chinese had left the platform, but he could see Tala and the slender Russian was very pale and leaning against Spencer’s sturdy body. And given what Lee had told him, Rei had to be hurting even more than Tala.

“Mr. Dickenson? Mr. Dickenson?”

The old gentleman turned from the sight of Kai being strapped down on a stretcher and focused on Lonnie’s concerned face.

“Yes?”

“Sir, if you agree we’ve decided to postpone the match between Rei and Spencer until tomorrow. By that time; we should have some word on Bryan and Kai’s condition and the boys will have had a chance to regroup.” Lonnie said quietly, behind him the other judges nodded.

“That won’t be necessary.”

Mr. Dickenson turned and Lonnie looked over to see a pale, fist clenching neko-jin staring back at them.


While Rei was talking to Tyson, Lee stood, pulled away from Robert and brushed past the nobleman. The German watched the lion head for the stairs and said quietly, “Where are you going?”

Lee paused, as Kevin and Gary joined him, without turning to look at the German, said calmly, “Rei and Tala need the support of all of their friends, now. And I for one, am going to be there for them.” There was a faint hint of challenge in those words and Robert heard it.

Standing, the proud blueblood stepped out and said firmly, “Then I will accompany you.”
\"Are you sure?” Lee glanced at him, “I plan to take the straightest route to Rei, I can. Will your dignity stand up to something a little unorthodox?”

The challenge was definitely there now, and a tiny smirk crossed Robert’s lips and he bowed shortly, “I will follow where you lead and let you judge for yourself.”

A light blazed in Lee’s onyx eyes and a feral smile stretched his dusky lips, “then follow.” And he shot down the stairs heading for the rim of the wall, Kevin and surprisingly Gary, right on his heels; leaving Robert flat-footed, but the German was up to the challenge and darted forward.

“Robert!” Oliver cried, “what are you doing?”

“Following his heart!” Johnny snapped, as he got to his feet pulling at Michael’s hand. “Come on, we’re going with them!” The Scot rushed out into the aisle and raced to where Lee, Keand and Gary were leaping over the wall to land on the dugout roof, before dropping to the ground. Michael shrugged and scrambled out of his seat and tore after his flame haired lover: leaving an opened-mouth Oliver behind.

Reaching the wall, Robert didn’t hesitate; he planted his right hand and pushed, sailing over the wall and onto the roof. With a soft grunt, he rolled to the left and dropped to the ground. Lee met him, a hint of pride in his eyes.

Johnny and Michael’s movement broke the dam: Eddy and Steven left their seats and Oliver blinked when Enrique rose to his feet and moved to join the rush. “Enrique!”

The blonde Italian turned to his French lover and waved. “Am I the only one, who has not lost his mind?” The petite Frenchman wondered, as Johnny and Michael leapt as one over the wall. He watched as Steven dropped straight from the wall to the floor, and Eddy took the route over the dugout.

Enrique paused and looked back at his lover and beckoned, before making his own leap. Oliver sighed, rose and walked toward the wall. “Mon Dieu, the things I do for you!” He sighed as he prepared to make his own descent to the floor.


Lee led the wave of bladers to where Rei was talking to the rest of the Bladebreakers. The lion paused for a moment, as he spotted Tala bidding Kai farewell. The redhead had stopped the paramedics long enough to lean over his lover to press a kiss to Kai’s lips. Then he had stepped back and allowed the medics to bear his lover off, while he and the remaining Demolition Boys also saluted their fallen companion. Now, the wolf, snake and whale were coming over to join them.


“Then we agree.” Rei’s calm voice snapped Lee’s attention back to the tiger. And he gazed at his ‘little brother’. Rei had a air of resolve about him, that Lee could only remember seeing in Moscow, when he had faced Bryan; knowing that he might very well die; but refusing to give in to the falcon’s terror tactics.

“Agree to what?” He asked, as Rei turned to face him.

“That I will forfeit.”

Lee blinked. Then he shook his head. “Why did it take you so long to do what you should have done first thing?”

Rei looked at him with dignity. “I had my reasons.”

“Reasons, smeasons.” Lee replied, “now, that you have finally decided to come to your senses, what are you going to do?”

“I’m going to tell Mr. D. to declare the Demolition Boys the winners and then I’m . . .” Rei’s voice trailed off, and he looked at Lee with uncertainty in his eyes. “Lee?”

“Yes?”

“I have to make right that damn story.”

Tala gasped. “Rei.”

The ebony haired beauty turned to his best friend’s mate and shook his head. “Tala, it is only fair. You and Kai have been greatly wronged and its’ only right that the truth comes out.”

Tala shook his head, “No! You don’t have to do this! It doesn’t matter what people think of me!”

Rei growled. He advanced on the Russian and gripped the front of his uniform. His eyes burned topaz as he looked up in the slightly taller boy’s eyes. Tala was astounded at the fierceness he saw burning there.

Slowly, deliberately, Rei hissed, “Elder brother, it . . .matters . . .to . . . me! You are the mate of my brother and I will not stand aside, while you and he are defamed! I can not make people believe the truth, but I can at least put it out there, so that both sides of the story is there for people to make up their own minds!”

Lee stepped to Rei’s side. “What about Mariah?”

Rei turned his head and glanced at the lion. “I will not mention her, but if someone asks directly, I won’t duck the question.”

“Fair enough.” Then Lee smirked at a perplexed Tala. “Well, I adopted Kai, and now it seems Rei has adopted you, so welcome to the family - brother.”

Tala blinked. “Huh?”

Rei laughed and released Tala’s shirtfront. “Explain it to him, Lee. I have to go.”

As he walked away, Rei sighed and fixed his eyes on the portly gentleman; who had formed his team. ‘I just hope that when I get through, all of you understand that I had to make the choice I’ve made.’

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“Ladies and gentlemen, we wish to thank you for your patience and to make an announcement. And for that announcement, we will be turning the microphone over to Rei Kon of the Bladebreakers.”

The lights of the arena went out, until there was only a single white spotlight and into the center of the pool of light, stepped the white tiger. The crowd burst into applause, as the boy stood proudly surveying the fans, as the lights came back up.

Rei’s golden eyes swept over the stands and then he turned to look fondly at the knot of bladers and supporters, who stood along the wall to his left. From Grandpa Granger to his ‘elder brothers’, they were all there, and he felt their love and support; his only regret was that Bryan and Kai were not there.

Looking to the crowd again, he tilted his head up. ‘This for you: Bryan. Kai.’

Slowly and deliberately he bowed slightly from the waist to the four cardinal points, then he straightened and began to speak.

“There will be no third match; I forfeit.”

The crowd gasped in surprise: before beginning to shout questions at the slender youth. Rei raised his hand and the noise gradually abated.

“There are reasons for my decision, please hear me out and I will explain.” He shot a look at Lee, who nodded. Nodding back, Rei launched into his off the cuff speech.

“A couple of days ago, a paper here in New York printed a story; concerning Lee, captain of the White Tigers, Kai Hiwatari and Tala Valkov. Most of what the paper printed was a lie: the result of a misunderstood conversation. The picture accompanying the article of Lee, Kai, Tala and Bryan was remastered to make it seem that Kai was protecting Tala from Lee; when in actuality, Tala was trying to keep Kai from getting into a fight with Bryan. Lee was merely attempting to separate them.”

Rei paused to let that sink in, then he continued, “the fight was over the fact that Kai, Lee and Tala with my consent had hidden the fact that I’m pregnant from the child’s father: Bryan Kuznetsov.” And he pulled his tunic tighter, so the swell of his child was clearly visible.

There were gasps from the crowd and a buzz started, as people began to understand what they were hearing.

Rei turned slightly to face another part of the audience and drew himself to his fullest height. “Lee is NOT pregnant, nor is he Kai’s lover; Tala Valkov is.”

The buzzing from the audience grew louder, as Rei stared up at the sea of faces unflinchingly. “But, why?” A voice cried.

“Why?” Rei sighed. “Because the person responsible believed that Lee’s honor was being besmirched by his mate and that the only way to repair the damage was to punish the ones, who were responsible for that dishonor.”

A faint sheen of tears came to his eyes, as he whispered, “And what better way to punish them; than to have the fans believe that two of their heroes were having an affair, while one of them was waiting for his child to be born. This was nothing less than an plot to destroy Tala and Kai’s careers.”

He turned slowly to face another part of the crowd. The people gazed down at the youth, standing there, his shoulders slumping as he bared his soul to them. “Some of you here, may have been in Moscow for the Worlds and know what happened there between Bryan and I.”

A hum of agreement drifted down to him. And he sighed again.

“Bryan was under orders to kill me, but disobeyed and he paid a terrible price for that disobedience; as did Tala for his failure to win his match. After they were rescued from their intolerable existence. I was asked by Mr. Dickenson to help Kai rehabilitate the Demolition Boys. And since I bear them no grudge, I accepted and got to know them, as few will. And in the course of that learning I came to love Bryan and he to love me.

Rei shifted his position once again to favor another part of the crowd, and this shift brought him face-to-face with the others. A fleeting smile touched his lips, but then he returned his gaze to the stands.

“Bryan and many of the others you see standing here, tried to get me to withdraw from the tournament, but I refused. Kai had placed me in reserve and I could see no reason to step aside. Then Max broke his arm and due to the BBA’s substitution rules, we couldn’t bring in anyone to take his place. So against everyone’s wishes, I was determined to see things through for my team’s sake. I was wrong.”

Rei lowered his head and locked eyes with Tala. “Kai said something to me down in our locker room before the finals that started me to thinking and I realized that he was right. There are some things more important than a mere tournament and that reinforced my decision that if either Tyson or Kai lost their match, and the other one tied; I was going to withdraw.”

He sighed, “now, because of my selfishness, I have hurt some of my dearest friends. And I will make amends in the only way I know how.”

Lee’s eyes narrowed. “Rei.” he hissed, “don’t do anything stupid.”

The tiger tore his eyes away from Tala’s and turned to face Mr. Dickenson. “I hereby resign from the Bladebreakers and the BBA. There is no place in this sport for someone, who wrongfully and willfully endangers his sport, his friends, his teammates and his family.” Slowly, Rei removed the wireless microphone he’d been wearing and dropped it to the floor, then he turned and began to walk away.

An angry voice cut through the silence that met his announcement clear as a clarion call, “If you take one more step, I will hunt you down and beat you senseless!”

Rei swung around, as a bristling wolf stalked toward him. Rei blinked, as Tala grabbed his forearms, the Russian’s eyes blazing with fury. “Rei Kon, that was the biggest load of crap, I’ve heard since Ian tried to convince Bryan that he wasn’t the one, who stole his clothes and towel from the showers in the Abbey; forcing Bryan to run naked through the corridors until he got back to his room!”

“Hey!” Ian protested, “don’t go telling tales on me!”

Tyson stare Ian Ian in surprise. “Man, that took guts! I wouldn’t have tried something like that for love or money! Why’d you do it?”

Ian shrugged, “In the Abbey, you had to make your own entertainment and Bryan’s streak show was the talk of the Abbey for weeks. Rumor has it that some of the guards made copies of it from the security camera footage and passed it around to their friends. Bryan was a tad miffed about it.”

“A tad?” Johnny raised an eyebrow. “From what I know of Bryan, I’d say he was probably more than a tad upset.”

“Ok, so he was a lot miffed. But, I still say he over reacted.” Ian complained.

“What did he do?” Kevin grinned. Ian huffed, “sewed the legs of pair of my pants closed at the ankles, waited till I went to the showers, stole my pants and substituted the other pair, then went and pulled the fire alarm.” As everyone began to snicker, the snake waved his arms and growled, “Its’ not funny! I almost killed myself trying to get into those damn pants!”

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Tala and Rei ignored them all. “Rei, you are not a fool, so don’t act like one! Everyone makes bad decisions in their lives; sometimes from a lack of information, others because at the time, they thought they were doing what was right!”

“But, Tala!” Rei began, but the Russian cut him off. “No buts, Rei! You made a judgement call and it was the right one, until circumstances changed, then it became the wrong decision; your only mistake was sticking to that decision for too long!”

“But, if I had stepped down sooner, Kai and Bryan wouldn’t be in the hospital, now!” Rei cried, struggling against Tala’s grip in his frustration.

“True enough, Rei, my man!” A new voice entered the conversation, as Grandpa Granger leaned on his big stick. “But, what you ain’t seeing is that Kai could have stopped this, by going to my man, Stan and telling him, he was withdrawing the team. Or, Bryan could have gone to Stanley and told him that your doctor recommended that you not compete and why. So, instead of shouldering all the blame, its time you accepted that we all had a hand in what happened and move on!” The old man banged his stick on the floor to emphasis his words.

“Mr. Granger is right, Rei.” Tala said calmly, “I could have pull my team out, when Wyborg fell apart, but I didn’t, so I had a hand in what happened as well.” The Russian gazed into Rei’s eyes and whispered, “besides how do you think Bryan and Kai will feel, when they find out that you’ve abandoned your career; because of it?”

Lee walked up, the rest of the bladers behind him. “They would be as mad as I am.”

“Lee!” stunned, Rei could only stare, as Tala released him and the lion pointed a tawny finger at him.

“Don’t you, Lee, me!” The lion hissed angrily, “How dare you cheapen their sacrifice! They gave everything they had to protect you! So, don’t you dare walk, because if you do, you’re not worthy of Kai’s friendship, nor do you deserve Bryan’s love!”

Rei’s head jerked like he’d been slapped as Lee’s words sank in.

“That’s enough.” Stanley Dickenson walked up to the knot of bladers and his old friend.

“I have something to say.” He sighed, “Rei, I am disappointed in you.”

Rei hung his head in shame. Mr. D. thumped the end of his cane against the floor and said firmly, “Get your head up!” When Rei raised his tear-dampened eyes to look at him, the older man nodded. “That’s better. Now, Rei, you have always impressed me with your maturity and the cool way you handled the adversity life has handed you. But this time, you made a mistake and now you want to run away.”

“No! I wasn’t running away!” Rei protested.

“That’s what it looks like to me.” Dickenson looked around at the group gathered around them, his gaze lingering on Lee and Tala. “And to these others. Lee told me about your child and I had hoped that you wouldn’t be foolish enough to attempt to battle, and I’m glad to learn that you would have stepped down.” He raised a finger and sighed, “Loyalty to your team is a good thing, Rei, but there is taking it too far. And if you had spoken up sooner, we could have announced that due to the illness of two members of the Bladebreakers, the team was withdrawing and we could have substituted the White Tigers; since they were already here.”

“I- we - didn’t think of that as a possibility.” Rei stammered.

“No,” Mr. D. agreed, “I don’t suppose you didn’t.”

“Now, what?” Tyson demanded, storming up them. “Kai and Bryan are hurt. The tournament is over, so where do we go from here?”

“Shut your yapper!” A voice roared and Tyson cringed. Grandpa Granger shook his stick at his grandson. “What we do is as plain as Dragoon’s scales! We take Tala and Rei to the hospital, put them in with their significant other and throw away the key!”

“But, Grandpa! What if the hospital won’t let them stay!” Tyson shouted, “They have rules about that sort of thing!”

“Oh,” Mr. Dickenson stroked his mustache, “I think arrangements can be made.”

“Arrangements? What kind of arrangements?” Rei questioned, as Tala listened in, not daring to hope that they might be allowed to stay with Kai and Bryan. Now that the tournament was over he needed to be with Kai, and he knew Rei needed Bryan.

“I’ll have to make a couple of phone calls, but I’m almost sure that I can get Bryan and Kai placed in a four bed ward and you’ll be able to stay there without trouble.” Mr. D. answered.

Rei and Tala couldn’t help the smiles that spread across their faces; if anyone could pull off that miracle; it would be Stanley Dickenson. “Thank you, Mr. Dickenson.” Rei whispered, as he hugged Tala, who wrapped his own arms around the neko-jin. “Da, thank you.” Tala murmured trying to hide the tremor in his own voice.

Mr. Dickenson looked up at the growing increasingly restless crowd, “No thanks are necessary, Tala, Rei, just get out of here and see to your boyfriends.” He turned from the group of teenagers and one old codger and went to where a BBA official stood holding a microphone.

Taking the microphone in hand, Mr. Dickenson cleared his throat and began. “Ladies and gentlemen, it is the decision of the judges to award the tournament to the Demolition Boys.” The crowd growled a bit about that. Disregarding the growls, Mr. Dickenson continued. “Plus, Rei Kon has rescinded his decision to resign.” A few cheers went up. “Lastly, The BBA will be issuing a report on the condition of Kai Hiwatari and Bryan Kuznetsov, as soon as we hear anything. Please join me in sending our best wishes for a speedy recovery to them at NYU.”

The crowd responded by shouting, cheering, and whistling.

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“Let’s go,” Rei said quietly to Tala, as Mr. D began to speak. “I want to get out of here as soon as I can.”

“But where are we going?” Max asked.

“NYU.” Kenny piped up. When everyone turned to look at him, the little genius sweatdropped and confessed, “I was curious about some of the paramedic’s equipment and one of them showed me a couple of things. They work for an ambulance service, but they said, that if any of us needed to be taken to the hospital; they’d be using NYU.”

“All right, then.” Tyson enthused, “So what are we waiting for? Let’s go!” And headed for the nearest exit.

“Ah, Tyson.” Michael said inquiringly. “How do you plan on getting there? NYU’s not within easy walking distance.”

“I have the answer to that, Michael.” Judy Tate stated, as she worked her way through the group with Emily at her side. “I had Emily call up the busses, so all we have to do is get down to the lower level and leave.” She looked around and then she beckoned Ian. “But first, we have something for you.”

She held out her hand and nestled in its palm was Wyborg in an ultra-hyped purple and gray blade.

“Wyborg!” Ian shouted joyfully, as he snatched the blade from her and began to examine it from all angles.

\"You’re welcome.” Judy said drolly.

Spencer nudged Ian, who looked up in surprise. “Say thank you.” The big blonde ordered. “Oh, thank you.” Ian parroted, then he waved Wyborg in the air and crowed, “Look at Wyborg! He’s got a whole new blade! I can’t wait to try it!”

“Later.” Spencer sighed, trying to curb Ian’s enthusiasm by grabbing for the purple and gray blade. But, Ian guessing Spencer’s intention curled his fingers ad thd the blade and cradled it to his chest. “No way, Spence! Mine!”

Michael looked at his coach and groaned. “You just had to give it to him, now, didn’t you.”

Judy smiled.

Emily gave Ian a disgusted look and sniffed, “if they’re going, they had better get a move on before the fans start leaving.”

“You’re right, Emily.” Judy nodded, “Maxie, I have to see to the dismantling of our equipment and Emily is staying here with me, but as soon as that’s done, we’ll be joining you at the hospital.”

“Ok, mom.” Max sighed, he had hoped that his mom would accompany them.

“Now, Maxie,” his mother chided, “I won’t be more than a hour, all I have to do is see that everything is underway and then I promise I’ll be right over.”

“Whatever you say, mom.” The little blonde perked up. “See you then.”

Judy ruffled his hair, “Get going all of you.”

Rei and Tala didn’t need to be told twice, they were halfway to the exit, before she had finished speaking; the rest streaming after them.

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Ten minutes later, they were on the bus and heading for the hospital.

Rei sat next to the window and stared out at the colorful parade of people, buildings and various modes of transportation from suicidal bikers to the ever-present cabs; and didn’t see a thing. He was lost in his mind wondering what they’d find when they reached the hospital.

Now that he wasn’t running on adrenaline, his headache had returned full force and had brought a queasy stomach along for the ride. He sighed and started when a hand fell on his thigh, looking over he met the concerned eyes of his newest ‘brother’.

“Rei?”

“Thinking.” He twined his fingers with Tala’s and found comfort in the warmth of the Russian’s hand.

“It shouldn’t be much longer before we reach the hospital.” Tala said quietly, as he stroked the webbing of Rei’s hand between his thumb and forefinger with his thumb. “Rei.”

“Yes?”

“Lee explained the brother thing to me.”

“And?”

“Thank you, I’m honored that you would want to adopt me.” Tala stared straight ahead. “Its’ still very strange for Bryan and I to know that anyone cares about us, or Spencer and Ian for that matter.”

Rei sighed and gently withdrew his hand from Tala’s grasp and reached up to grasp Tala’s chin and pulling the Russian’s head around.

“Tala, I have told you before, it was what the Abbey made of you that we hated, it wasn’t you, Bryan, Spencer or Ian. I’ve come to love in my own way each of you for the people you are, for who you want to be and I’m proud that you’ve allowed me to have a hand in your struggle to overcome your collective past.”

Tala blinked against the tears that had collected in the corners of his eyes. “Thank you, brother.” He whispered.

Rei smiled and hugged him and whispered in his ear, “You’re welcome, brother.”

Grandpa Granger sitting directly behind the pair; smiled. ‘Good job, Rei. Tala really needed that.’

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A nurse smoking a cigarette outside the automatic door\'s of NYU\'s emergency room raised an eyebrow as a bus pulled up in front of her and a seemingly endless wave of young men spilled forth like jewels out of a broken treasure chest.

The crowd was led by a breathtaking pair - a delicious looking brunette with calf-length ebony hair and his partner - a stunning redhead. As they and their entourage swarmed passed her, she dropped the cancer stick and sighed, \"If I was only thirty years younger.\"

One of the boys; a short big nosed thing smirked at her and winked; before vanishing through the doors. Behind him, came an older man in a pair of Bermuda shorts and a blu blue and fuchsia Hawaiian shirt. \"There\'s a lot to be said for older women.\" and grinned, before disappearing into the hospital.

The nurse blushed.

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Tala beat Rei to the receptionist\'s desk by a half step, but both boys\' spoke at the same time. \"Could you tell me where to find Kai Hiwarati? Bryan Kuznetsov?\"

\"Just a minute: boys! One at a time, please!\" the receptionist said calmly holding up a hand, she looked directly at Tala, as Rei\'s mouth snapped shut. Taking a deep breath, Tala said anxiously, \"I\'m looking for Kai Hiwarati, he and Bryan Kuznetsov were brought here from the arena by ambulance.\"

\"Just a moment,\" she said fingers poised over the keyboard, \"How do you spell the last name?\"

\"H-i-w-a-r-a-t-i,\" Tala spelled slowly and clearly, as the woman typed. He could sense Rei at his side, practically vibrating with the need to get to his mate, not that he didn\'t feel the same way.

Rei twitched with impatience; he felt like climbing over the damn desk and doing the typing for the woman! \'What was taking so long? Was she hunting and pecking?\' His impatient thoughts were cut off by her brisk, \"Here he is.\"

The chestnut haired woman read from her screen, \"Kai Hiwarati was just taken to the fourth floor and placed in Room four eleven: bed two.\" She hit a couple of buttons and read further, \"In bed one of the same room is a Bryan Kuznetsoff.\"

\"Kuznetsov.\" Rei corrected quietly. \"Can we go and see them?\"

She looked at the notes attached to the patients, and then she looked up at the pair of anxiously watching youths. \"I\'m sorry, but their doctors are recommending that only their next of kin be allowed in the room at the moment.\"

\"Thank you.\" Tala said, taking Rei by the shoulder and turning him. As they walked away, Tala spoke slowly to his new \'brother\'. \"Let\'s tell the others what she said, then we\'ll grab an elevator and go to the fourth floor and find Kai and Bryan.\"

\"Oh, right, Tala.\" Rei nodded and followed the redhead to the where the others had grabbed seats.

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Lee sighed at the downcast look on Rei\'s face. \"Not allowed to the them?\"

Rei shook his head, \"only next of kin for now.\"

\"Well,\" Max said brightly, in an attempt to brighten Rei\'s spirits. \"They certainly can\'t keep you out, after all you\'re Bryan\'s lover, and Tala\'s, Kai\'s. And you two are the ones they need more than any of us.\"

\"Besides,\" Enrique pointed out; \"we can always come back tomorrow. It\'s not like any of us will be that far away.\"

\"You really don\'t mind.\" Rei asked in relief, he really didn\'t feel like dealing with Bryan and the others at the same time.

\"Of course not,\" Robert rose and walked to stand in front of Rei. \"We understand perfectly.\" the German indicated the others with a wave of his hand. \"We\'ll simply have the bus take us back to the arena, and contact Mr. Dickenson and see what arrangements have been made for housing Spencer, Ian, Max, Tyson and Kenny. Then perhaps, if all is well, the two of you can join some of us for dinner.\"

\"Michael and I would be delighted to take them out.\" Johnny spoke up quickly. He wasn\'t about to allow Robert\'s chivalrous upbringing ruin his chance with Lee tonight.

Lee glanced at Johnny in surprise, the Scot was determined that he and Robert spend some time alone. He smiled to himself; it seemed that Michael really was good for the irascible warrior.

\"Then that\'s settled.\" Robert said calmly, and extended his hand. Rei quickly clasped it, giving Robert a swift smile, before releasing him to move on to his teammates and friends.

Quickly everyone extended their wishes for a speedy recovery for the invalids, and then Grandpa Granger shooed the pair toward the elevator bank. \"Get going, there\'s a couple of boys, who need the two of you more than we do, now git!\"

Tala and Rei got.

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The elevator whooshed open onto the fourth floor and Rei and Tala exited. A quick scan of the message board told them that Room four eleven was to the right, so they headed that way, their stride lengthening in anticipation of seeing their lovers again.

A nurse glanced at them as they went pass her station, but she didn\'t say anything. Tala scanned the room numbers and grabbed Rei and pulled him into a darkened room. Kai and Bryan lay silent and except for the slight movement of their chests - still as death on the white sheets of their beds.

Each was hooked to a heart monitor and a pole with two IV bags hanging from it stood sentinel at the corner of each bed, as clear plastic lines snaked down and over the rails to disappear under the blanket. By each bed was a dark padded vinyl and metal chair; a vent ran the width of the room under the two windows the room boasted. A door led to the bathroom and the ever-present privacy curtains ran along a narrow rail on the ceiling.

Tala left Rei to go to Kai\'s side, the Russian quickly lowered the railing so he could lean down and kiss his beloved on the lips. He began to whisper to Kai in Russian, as he stroked wild slate bangs with a trembling hand.

Rei blinked back tears, as he went to Bryan\'s side and following Tala\'s example lowered the railing, then he too pressed a kiss to soft slack lips. Setting down in the chair at Bryan\'s bedside, he took a hold of his right hand and pressed it to his cheek.

Time seemed to stop for the pair of conscious boys, as the only sounds they heard was the soft whisper of the nurses shoes, the beep of the monitors and the soft snores of their lovers.

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Rei leaned back in his chair and sighed. His stomach was beginning to cramp and he really felt like throwing up, but he didn\'t want to alarm Tala. He glanced over to where much to his surprise the redhead was sound asleep, his head resting on Kai\'s arm, just above where the IV\'s contents were flowing into the needle in Kai\'s lower arm.

Quietly, he rose to his feet and began to slip over to the bathroom door. Just as he reached for the handle a soft groan from behind him, made him turn. Bryan was stirring restlessly, his head beginning to thrash from side to side and his hands were beginning to clench, as he drew his legs up. He was murmuring something and Rei strained to hear, as he hurried back to Bryan\'s side; leaning over the boy, he attempted to soothe the agitated youth; \"Bryan.\"

All of a sudden the Falcon\'s eyes flew open and he lashed out, screaming. \"Leave me alone, Boris!\" His sudden movement caught Rei by surprise and the blow took him right on the chin, knocking him backward against the wall and he hit his head hard.

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Tala shot up at Bryan\'s cry and stared in horror as he watched helplessly as Rei took the hit and slammed backwards into the wall. He was on the move, as Rei slid down the wall with a dazed look in his eye.

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Rachel Hope put down the phone and turned to the gray haired older woman sitting in front of a computer. \"Well, both the boys in Four eleven are being transferred to sixth. They\'re being put in one of the four bed wards.\"

\"Hmm, I wonder why?\" Angie Westcott paused in her typing.

\"Dunno.\" Rachel replied, \"that\'s all it said. Transport will be up in a few minutes to take them up. I better go see if either of them is awake.\" Angie nodded, as Rachel rose and skirted the desk to head down the hall.

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Tala reached Rei, just as a nurse flicked on the light. Her eyes went wide as Tala went to pick Rei up and paid the price. Rei lost control of his stomach and the poor neko-jin emptied its contents on Tala\'s shoes.

Rachel rushed to where two kidney shaped bowls were sitting on a tabletop, then spinning; she hurried back and shoved the bowl under Rei. Tala backed off, as the woman deftly maneuvered Rei and herself over to the chair at Bryan\'s bedside. She stood patiently holding the bowl with one hand, while Rei finished emptying his stomach and leaned back against the cool vinyl. With the other she used the call button to summon help.

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Angie looked up and seeing the light outside Room four eleven burning, she got up and hurried down to see what was wrong.

\"Rachel?\" She said, as she entered the room.

\"Careful, Angie. Someone had a little \'accident\'.\" The strawberry blonde said, as she exited the bathroom from where she had cleaned the bowl.

Angie looked down at the mess on the floor and said, \"So, I see. What happened?\"

\"Don\'t know yet, but the cat-looking boy was being sick all over Red over there, when I walked in.\" Rachel nodded at Tala. Angie looked from one boy to the other; she could see why Rachel described them the way she did. The pale cheek brunette did look like a cat, a very embarrassed one, but a cat, nonetheless. While you couldn\'t miss that flaming red hair.\" Then her eyes narrowed and she snapped her fingers.

\"Got it! Ever since those two came in.\" She waved a hand at Kai and Bryan. \"I\'ve been wondering why their names sounded familiar. Looking at these two, I remember! They\'re members of beyblading teams!\"

\"So?\" Rachel said.

Angie grinned, \"My two grandsons are amateur Beybladers, and they idolize the Bladebreakers!\" She chuckled at the look on Rachel\'s face. \"Your cat-boy is Rei Kon, a member of that team and the boy in bed two is his captain, Kai Hiawatri. Red is really Tala Valkov, captain of the Demolition Boys!\"

\"And the other boy?\"

\"Is Bryan Kuznetsov, also of the Demolition Boys, they\'re considered the bad boys of the Beyblading world.\"

\"Well, be that as it may,\" Rachel said firmly. \"They can\'t stay here. Only immediate family members are supposed to be here, and Rei, was it?\" She didn\'t pause for confirmation, \"needs to be check to see if he has something contagious; so he won\'t infect anyone.\"

Tala opened his mouth to protest, but froze when . . .

\"They\'re leaving over my dead body.\" a weak but determined Bryan rose up on one elbow to glare at the two women.

\"And that makes two of us.\" Kai slowly, stubbornly pushed himself upright on his bed.

\"Kai!\"

\"Bryan?\"

As promised, here is chapter nineteen. This tale is almost wrapped up, everyone. I only envision maybe two more chapters, then it\'s done.