Breaker 'verse 8

[random_xtras]

Father, I really need some help here. And this time, I will not complain... Alvin looked at Dove, who just gave him an I-told-you-so look from where she hovered at the corner of the bunk.

"Close you eyes!" came Vangie's voice from the door.

With a glance upwards, he did as he was told, giving a silent 'Thank You'. "They're closed."

There was a quick patter of bare feet, then a scrabbling and muttering from somewhere behind the couch. "Okay, I'm good. Dangit, Ettiene, what you do?"

"Goober not rest." Dove sounded frightened.

Alvin didn't correct her; she was right to be frightened because of their foolishness. He opened his eyes and went to the young girl. "Sweetheart..." He held out his empty arm.

"No!" she said firmly, shoving the first aid kit into his hand and reaching for Star. "Give me baby, you help Uncle Ettiene."

"No." His tone was soft. "Aunt Vangie came because I asked for help. I'm ready to let her."

"Uncle Ettiene is hurt und sick." Dove blinked tears. "I'm scared."

Vangie put one knee on the bunk and muscled her brother out straight, then pulled down the waistband of his pants cautiously before undoing them and yanking them off. "Hand me dat blanket?" She pointed to the one that Alvin and Dove were standing on.

The pair stepped back. Tossing the cover over, Alvin pulled his daughter into his embrace and moved to sit on the couch, where he nestled Star into a corner before settling himself and Dove.

"I gonna need more dan what y' got in dis kit, Al." Vangie looked up from digging through the first aid kit. "Dis all de medical stuff ya got?"

"Other than what you sent this morning? Yeah. I can call... have some stuff sent..." His caramel brown eyes closed in thought. "Sweetheart, can you reach my phone?"

"Jubes brought dat," said Vangie, at the same time as Dove said. "Uncle Vayne said he help."

"Wayne?" Alvin blinked. Maybe I have a concussion I don't know about... "As in Beachhead Wayne? I don't think so." He took the cell phone as she pulled it out of the couch and offered it. "Wait a minute, when did you talk to Wayne?"

"You gone. Phone ring. I talk to Uncle Vayne." Dove looked at him worriedly. "No?"

"Y'got Mama's number?" asked Vangie, going to the cupboard and taking down a basin, which she filled with water from the filter and ice cubes from the fridge.

"No, I don't have your mama's number. Check E's phone." Schooling his emotions, he gentled his tone. "Dove, you talked to Wayne?"

"Yes." She put her ears back. "I goober?"

Smiling at her gesture of inclusion, he kept his voice even. "No, Sweetheart. You're not a goober this time. What did he say?"

"He said vhere is Breaker? I said outside. He said who are you? I said Dove. He said who's Dove? I said Dove's Alvin's little girl. He said Alvin has a little girl? Then he said he Uncle Vayne and please ask your daddy to call me. I said Vader is hurt. He said he'll help if your daddy needs it." Dove flicked her ears, then cringed as Ettiene groaned and tried to sit up and Vangie tackled him down with a growl.

"Ya did good. I'll call him in bit, after Aunt Vangie takes care of Big Goober." He kissed her soft hair and sat back, turning a worried look toward the bed.

Vangie was still holding her brother down as he protested. She barked something in cajun French, then turned worried eyes toward Alvin and freed a hand to toss a pink cell phone at him. "Get on dat phone an' call somebody. He ain' makin' much sense right now. Hide you 'tites when dey get here, 'n we take him someplace else."

"Non!" said Ettiene groggily. "Non! Gotta stay..."

Alvin scowled as he caught the phone. "Wait! What about your friend, then? She knows already... and we can't put him in a boat like this... He'd capsize us..."

"Who said you be comin'?" Vangie gave him a cat glare. "Call a'ready, @#$%&* it!"

"Scared," said Dove calmly. "Jesus, please help."

"Vangie, don't get sharp with me." Years of military training took hold as he set his daughter aside and rose from the couch. "First, you aren't strong enough to wrestle him alone. Second, don't cuss in front of Dove. And third, I don't have her number." He thrust the phone at her, ignoring her murderous look.

"Number four!" she hissed, then yelped as Ettiene shoved her aside and started to try and sit up again.

"No! Goober! You need rest!" A little white fury threw itself at the marine and gently but inexorably pushed him back to the mattress.

"Sweetheart?" Ettiene blinked, then closed his eyes and grimaced. "Dangit... dat hurts."

Alvin pressed four on the speed dial and waited for an answer. "Hello?"

"Jubes' house of ill repute, can I help you?" said the perky voice that he remembered from the day before. "Wait a minute, you're not Vangie."

"Nooo." He felt his face turning red.

"Mr. Paranoid?" Her voice went serious. "What's wrong? Where's Vangie?"

Not knowing exactly what he wanted to say, he said the only thing that came to mind. "Help?"

"Okay," she said tersely. "Explain the situation. What sort of help do you need?"

The preciseness of her questions snapped him into automatic response mode. "Ettiene's sick. Vangie needs help. Can you come?"

"What about the kids?"

"You know about the kids."

"You feel comfortable having me around them?"

"Ettiene needs help." He cut a glance toward the bed as Dove started murmuring softly.

"Tell 'er t' hurry de ... up!" Vangie looked toward him, her face creased with worry. "Dis big idiot be burnin' up."

He turned his back and cupped the phone. "Please. Come."

"I'm here," Jubilee said from the door. "Holy smokes, you look like crap."

Father, how You do that is beyond me, but thanks again. Caramel brown eyes flashed in her direction. "Glad I can't say the same..."

She nodded absently, her gaze going to the bed. "Okay, Vange, what's the story?"

"He overdid it 'n got hisself a fever." Vangie looked up. "'N Al's in no shape t' help. He shouldn' even be up."

"No?" Dove lifted her head from where she was snuggled next to Ettiene and gave her foster father a look. "Vader's feet and hand is hurt. Vader needs rest?"

The 'vader' in question sat resignedly. "I'll rest now, Dove." He gave a wan smile and let his eyes close.

He heard the women talking together, then heard Ettiene growling protests. Jubilee snorted and gave Dove soft words of praise when she discovered that their patient couldn't break free of the little girl's wing-hold around his arms.

"Okay." She snapped her gum. "This'd be a little easier if we had the IV stuff, but instead we're just gonna get you to swallow three of these..."

"T'ree? Y' tryin' t' knock me on my ...butt?" protested Ettiene.

"That's the general idea, bub. You're obviously not gonna be goin' into a coma, so it should be safe."

"But..."

"Stuff it, dude, and take the pills," she advised.

Alvin sighed and scooped Star up, then moved around till he was laying down, feeling himself truly relaxing for the first time in days.



It was dark when he opened his eyes again.

"Ugh," he said, feeling the discomfort of being snuggled by two little Woestijn Feen. Then he turned his head and frowned as he caught a steady stream of soft Japanese from down by his feet, which, he discovered, were laying in someone's lap.

"So, yeah, then Vangie's mom was like, 'don't they ever feed you children?' 'n Vangie was like, 'Mama, you already said that five times' 'n Aunty Lizbet just waved her wooden spoon at her 'n... Oh, I gotta go, Wolvie, one of my patients is awake. Bye bye! Luv ya!"

The person under his feet shifted slightly, then gently patted his legs and switched back to English. "Like, how ya feelin', bub?"

"Dehydrated but well rested. Ya got any water handy?" He loosened an arm from Dove's grip and wiggled his fingers.

A bottle was slipped into them. "There ya go." A bubble popped. "How ya feelin'?"

He tipped it back toward her. "Can ya crack the cap?" The lid snapped loose and he gratefully took a long pull before sinking back into the pillow beneath his head. Staring up at the darkened rafters, he pursed his lips as he thought things over, then wiggled his toes inside their wrappings. "Honestly, I feel much better. What'd'ya put on my feet? They feel pretty dang good."

"Honey." His footrest suddenly went into a massive stretch, then grumbled and let a hand rest on his leg. "Dangit, my butt's flat."

Alvin felt his cheeks burning beneath his three day old beard and hastily took another drink to hide his embarrassment. As much as Wreck teased me, I still can't... A sharp poke garnered his attention and caramel brown eyes met shadowed blue ones.

"You okay?" she asked, cocking her head as Star shifted and grumbled in his sleep.

"Um, I..." Dove shifted as well, knocking Jubilee's hand askew. Alvin grunted as an elbow poked his ribs and a wing slid up over his face. "Hep?"

The dark haired woman chuckled. "Attack of the snuggle monster! Lemme get my camera."

"Ya think this is funny?" His voice held a hint of laughter. With a quick motion, he had one foot behind her and held her pinned between his legs. "I'll show ya snuggle monster..."

Then he gave a roar of surprise and jerked one leg back as she ran light fingers over the inside of his knee.

"Heh, you're ticklish." The fingers gently poked him in the uninjured place on the arch of his foot.

"Vader?" Dove lifted her head.

He bit his lip, tears streaming down as he tried not to bolt off of the couch. The little girl dabbed at the drops as he shook with silent laughter while trying to escape the hands tormenting his foot.

"Uncle?" teased Jubilee gleefully.

"No, Alvin is Vader," said Dove puzzledly. "Vader is crying!"

Alvin shook his head rapidly. Keeping a secure hold on Star, he pulled against Jubilee's grip, causing Dove to hop up on the back of the couch. His face was beet red with the effort of not yielding. Suddenly, the baby was plucked from his grasp and he lunged for his attacker. Jubilee found herself in an iron grip as she was pulled over sideways.

She twisted impossibly, her hands working their way toward his ribs, but then froze as Vangie's sleepy voice came from the bunk.

"You two can't wait t' flirt till daylight?"

"Crud!" yelped Jubilee. "Vangie you moo!"

Alvin sat up hurriedly, face flaming now for a different reason.

"Sorry," he mumbled.

"Vhat is flirting?" asked Dove, cuddling a wriggling Star under her chin.

"Never mind!" Jubilee pulled free and did a running butt-bust onto the bunk.

"Oww!" Vangie shoved her off. "You @#$%&*, I be tryin' t' sleep here!"

"No cussing," came the automatic correction. The dark haired man turned his back to the two women as they tussled. Figuring Star needed a change, he retrieved the baby and made his way to the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

Flirting? He shuddered at the sounds of mayhem coming from the main room, absently hoping that they weren't squashing Ettiene. Flirting? I don't have time for that. I have to take care of the kids. I... His face flamed again at the memory. I was just playin'. I've done the same thing with Shana 'n Allie...

He bit his lip and finished fastening Star's diaper, then carefully zipped the baby's cocoon, noticing that his burned hand had been wrapped while he'd slept.

Shana 'n Allie 're my friends, though. He braced himself as bodies slammed into the bathroom door. "Hey! Cut it out!"

"Non!" retorted Vangie's voice laughingly. "Dis fille gonna pay for sittin' on my 'ead!"

"In yer dreams, loser!" growled Jubilee.

"Play nice!" came Dove's anxious call.

"Don' wanna!" Jubilee yelped. "Ow, dangit, Vangie, no teeth!"

Ignoring the ruckus for the moment, Alvin picked up Star and held him close. He looked at himself and the baby in the mirror, grinning widely. I am a father. Then he heard Dove offering to join in the wrestling and sighed. And now, I gotta act like one.

Opening the door and switching off the light, he called out, "No, Dove. You sit." He raised Star above his head as the two women barreled past. "And you two cut it out!"

"Make us!" Jubilee stuck her tongue out, then grunted and twisted free as Vangie got her in a full Nelson.

Father? I cannot handle this temptation. Schooling his features into the best imitation of Wayne he could muster, he barked an order. "SIT DOWN RIGHT NOW!"

On the bunk, Ettiene struggled to rise. "I tryin', Beach..."

"No!" Dove hurried over and shoved him down again. "Not you!"

Alvin quirked an eyebrow at Jubilee and Vangie, who had obeyed instantly, faces frozen into expressions of innocence.

"Guys," he started, quickly changing it to, "I mean, ladies. I really hate to break up the fun but when Dove wants to join in and E is iller than a pregnant beaver, I'm thinking... well, I'm not sure what I'm thinking. But this ain't it."

"I'm thinkin' y' need more sleep," said Vangie, frowning.

Alvin ran a hand through his tousled hair and agreed. "Yeah, I know." Then he quirked a grin as Star yawned and nuzzled close.

Jubilee stopped fidgeting and suddenly looked wistful. "Um, excuse me."

Vangie watched her go, then turned back to Alvin. "'Tite hungry?"

He absently handed Star to the auburn-haired woman. "What's with her?"

"Jubes? She just moody." Vangie nuzzled Star's belly and grinned at the surprised giggle she got. "You' too cute, y' know dat, 'tite?"

Star blew a raspberry and cooed.

Vangie gave a little squeal and started chattering Acadian babytalk, seeming to have totally forgotten Alvin's existence as she turned toward the camp stove and the cupboards.

He looked after the cajun woman bemusedly, then padded to the door and stopped, watching out the window. Jubilee stood there, leaning against the rail, black hair gleaming in the moonlight. After a moment's hesitation, he went out.

"You okay?" His voice was low as he took a spot next to her.

"Mm hm," she said without looking at him or taking her head from her hands. "You mess up those bandages 'n I'm, like, not fixin' 'em."

He shifted uneasily, wondering if it was him who had caused her mood change. "I'll be careful then. Wouldn't want to wreck your handiwork." The silence grew.

"Did ya get that gum?" she asked suddenly.

"Yeah." He rested his chin on his hands, looking out over the water. "Thanks for includin' it."

"Welcome. It's my favorite, after the pink stuff." She rolled her shoulders. "You're one of Ettiene's army buddies?"

"Yeah." He cut a glance at her, admiring her profile. What am I thinking? With a headshake, he returned his gaze to the bayou.

"Oh. You seem kinda young." She flinched and growled, then muttered something uncomplimentary at herself in Japanese.

"Why do you think that? I think you're beautiful." He froze, realizing his mouth had taken off without his brain in gear.

Jubilee's shoulders went stiff for a few moments. Then she peeked at him around the hand that was against her cheek. "Um, I take it you know Japanese."

He nodded mutely, wishing he knew what to say.

"Cool..." She bit her lip. "Um... oh, well, most'a Ettiene's friends are old guys like him."

"I ain't that much younger than the others," he said absently.

"Okay." She lowered her head and picked at a splinter on the rail. "So..."

Maybe I should go back inside. He absently swiped at a mosquito. But it seems like she needs somebody out here right now. Father, show me what ta do? "I wasn't flirtin', really."

"I know." Jubilee's voice was soft. "We were just playin'. Vangie watches too many soaps."

Alvin wondered at the smile that curled her mouth, then scratched his cheek and winced. "I look like the wolfman."

"No." Jubilee's grin widened slightly. "He's a lot hairier. 'N shorter."

"Huh?"

She chuckled. "My friend Logan. He gets called the wolfman all the time."

"Oh. Okay. I still need ta shave, though."

"No way. You look good like that." She turned a frown his way, then lowered her gaze to her hands. "Anyhow. I guess I better get some sleep if I'm gonna be any use tomorrow."

"Yeah." Alvin followed her bemusedly inside, then paused as he caught sight of Vangie curled up in the top bunk with her arms around Star. "Hey..."

"Aww, that's, like, so cute." Jubilee went over to look at the bottom bunk, where Dove was using Ettiene for a pillow.

Alvin scowled unconsciously and reached down to tap the little white girl on the wing, only to be rewarded with a sleepy swat that made him wince in pain and pull back the abused limb. "Ow! Sweetheart, it's Vader. Come on back to bed."

"In bed," she murmured without opening her eyes or moving her ears. "Sleeping."

"But you're in the wrong bed." He rubbed his hand and grimaced slightly.

"I'm keep Uncle Ettiene warm. Aunty Jubes keep Vader varm."

There was a choked sound from Jubilee and Alvin gently banged his head against the bottom of the top bunk. Cracks in the ground never open up when ya really need 'em.

"Heh, kids, like, say the darndest things," said Jubilee, turning and heading toward the kitchen. "I got dibs on the chair."

"What? No way. You take the couch." Alvin turned and frowned at her.

Jubilee's only reply was to razz him from the depths of the easy chair.

"No, I mean it. I..."

"Stuff it," she advised cheerfully.

His frown increased slightly, but even in the darkened room he could see the smirk on her face. "You're nuts."

"Yup!" Her teeth showed in a wide cheesy grin.

He chuckled and lowered himself carefully onto the couch, feeling glad for the coating of bug repellent that he'd put on earlier. "Good night."

"Good night. Don't let the creepy bugs bite."


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