Fosters: Blackhawk

by L. Ann Marie

  I feel something on my shoulder and open my eyes. Steve is by me, "been more than an hour, nurse was worried."

  I nod and kiss her head. She squeezes my hand so faint. "She's moving." I tell him watching her. "Come back to me baby." Her eyelids flutter. Fuck she's fighting to come back. "That's it CJ, fight for us." The nurse comes in going to her other side; she looks at the machines and smiles at me. "Keep fighting baby, you can do this." Her eyes open. Fuck. I lean over her. "Stay calm baby, you did it. I'm right here. I won't let you go." She blinks twice. Fuckin CJ. "Two for yes." I smile at my girl.

  The nurse tells me the doctor will be in and to keep her calm. I look at her. It's not like she's doing fuckin cartwheels over the bed. She's already fuckin calm.

  Steve laughs. "She'll stay calm." The nurse walks out.

  I look back at CJ. "You were shot when we were on the horse. We don't know who was shooting. Ben, Beau and Geek are trying to find out. The kids are fine. Everyone is fine but you." She blinks once. "You'll be ok." Her eyes move to my arm. "It's just a flesh wound, nothing to worry about." She rolls her eyes making me laugh.

  "Says you're full of shit." Steve says from behind me. She blinks twice. "Really is a flesh wound." He tells her.

  A doctor comes and checks her. He asks us to leave the room while he pulls the ventilator. Steve pulls me out; I won't leave the hall so he waits with me. The nurses are watching us.

  The nurse in the room comes to the door and waves me in. I walk around her and go to a smiling CJ. "She's breathing fine on her own but we need to keep her on oxygen. Everything looks good. If she continues to do well over the next couple of hours we can move her to a room downstairs. Do you have any questions?"

  "No but I didn't listen to anything but she is alive. Can you tell the guard at the door her condition, he's our team medic as well?" He looks to CJ, for approval I guess, she nods. He smiles and walks out the door. I bend and kiss her head.

  "Water." She says in a whisper. I fill her cup and put the straw to her mouth. "I love you, you never left me."

  "Never." I tell her. I feel the burn in my nose and lump in my throat. Breathing deep I kiss her head again just to feel her with me.

  "I felt you." A tear slides down her cheek.

  I wipe it away and smile. "I felt you too. The spirits kept us connected. I think Steve even called on them."

  She smiles. "The kids?"

  "They're all fine. I need to call them. I can't use my phone in here but I'll call them soon."

  "Is Steve still here?" She asks but doesn't move to look. I turn; he's at the door watching. I nod to her. "Can he stay while you call?" She takes a breath, she's laboring to breathe.

  "Yes, you need to rest so you can get out of here." I kiss her head. She blinks twice. Fuckin CJ. I laugh. "Steve can you stay with her so I can call the kids?"

  "Yeah Brother. Christian is waiting." He comes to the bed and takes her hand.

  I put my hand over theirs and look at him. "Thank you." He throws chin.

  In the hallway I ask Jake about her breathing being labored. "Her lung collapsed, it's repaired but it will take some time to heal. The bullet missed everything else Cloud. Hit an artery in her neck, thank fuck we got her here on time. Everything will be ok; she's recovering quicker than they thought. She's fighting for it buddy; she's doing good. Don't tire her out." I nod, thank fuck.

  I walk into the waiting room and I'm stunned. Everyone is here. Christian runs to me I lift him up and just hold on. "She's going to be fine; I came out to call you. She didn't want you to worry." I feel his tears on my neck.

  "You didn't let go, she was trying to hold on but couldn't and you caught her. You wouldn't let go. I saw you. You wouldn't let her go."

  "Shh, I'd never let her go. She's ours. We don't ever let go. She's ok Christian. She's awake and talking but she gets tired fast. She's going to be fine." I look at Jamie. "Will they let them in, just so they can see her?" He goes out the door.

  Christian loosens his hold. "Everyone wants to hug you. You kept her for us. They need to touch you too."

  I nod and put him down. I go to my knees and the J's run to me. I hold them tight. Jacob fuckin thanks me. Fuckin kids. They let me go and Taylor hugs me, then Brantley. I look up and see Joey crying on the side of everyone. I pat the boys backs and go to her, lifting her out of her chair, I hold her tight. Jamie says they can go in two at a time but only for a couple of minutes. I keep Joey and hold out a hand for Christian looking at the other boys, they nod.

  We walk in the room and CJ smiles. She's still not moving but she’s smiling. "Thank you." She says looking at me.

  I lower Joey to kiss her. Christian holds her hand. "She says she's glad we can see that she's ok. She loves us and doesn't want us to worry. Give her a few days of rest and she'll be good to go home." He smiles. "She didn't swear once."

  Joey laughs. I take them out and bring the J's. The nurses are watching with smiles. Jeremy holds her hand. I lift them both to kiss her. Jeremy looks at Steve then me. He takes Steve hand and pulls him to CJ putting Steve's hand on hers. He puts mine on top of it then he puts his on all of ours. Fuckin hell if heat isn't running through me. I look at Steve, he's watching CJ. She's smiling, fuck she's beautiful. Jeremy lifts his hand keeping mine he walks us out. I look at CJ wondering what the fuck is happening. Steve is still standing there but he's not really. Shit. Jacob laughs.

  I need a minute to breathe. Brantley and Taylor are waiting. Christian laughs watching me. Fuckin kids. I take Brantley and Taylor hoping to clear my fuckin head. Thank fuck they kiss her and talk to her but nothing else happens. When I take them back Pres tells me they'll be staying overnight at his house. Kate tells me they have Joey's meds and machine. Pres got a bed for her for tonight. She'll wait with the kids in the hall. I hug them all telling them I love them. I don't have to tell them to be good. I know they will be.

  When she takes the kids out Pres puts his hand on my shoulder. "Brother, we're taking them as a precaution. Christian sees something at the house that has him nervous. Tess says they need to stay with us." He waits for me to get that. I nod. "We still don't know what's going on. Someone is looking for the kids. We have the whole High Security team with us downstairs. Baxter's are here in the hospital. I have tracking for them at the house; we'll get it on them when we get there. They'll be safe. I'll have Danny text you with updates as they come in."

  Fuck! I nod and look at Jamie. "They've got them covered Cloud. You need to be here. Christian needs to stay close to Tess and Knight. They understand better than we do."

  "I get that. I don't understand who would want one of the kids. Want them bad enough to shoot for them."

  "I don't know Brother but we'll find out." Pres says.

  "Thank you. Thank you for taking them."

  "We take care of our own Brother, always." Pres says. I throw him chin and he turns to leave.

  I look at Jamie. "Is there anything that I need to know?"

  "We have Aleena back at the compound. Watching the video we saw they went through every room in the house. The calendar was pulled off the wall, the computer is gone. Masks were worn, it was armed men. I put security on the City house."

  "They didn't know about the safe rooms?"

  He shakes his head no. "The alarmed rooms were opened. These weren't just thugs, they had skill." Fuck. He puts his hand on my shoulder. "Go to CJ. She needs you with her. We'll take care of the hospital. The MC has the kids. This is what we can do right now. Max is working with Rich to keep the kids covered from both of us." I nod. He man hugs me and goes out the door.

  People touch my back and shoulders as they leave. I don't see any of them, I breathe and ask for guidance. How the fuck do I keep them safe when I don't know who the threat is?

  I go back to CJ. She's sleeping. Steve's at the window. I stand on the side of him. "My family is in danger, I don't know where it's from. How do I protect them from the unknown cuz?" He is the best man to have by my side. He knows more abou
t security than I ever will.

  "Brothers coverin you. Ben won't stop til he finds out. The kids will always have a threat. Christian can pick up anyone. He sees more than he says. He doesn't understand it. He can be a weapon, money maker. Makes him an asset to be used. Jeremy sees and hears, uses it to heal. You felt it. You know. Need to protect them. Know she won't like it, but need you on the compound at Baxter's or with us. Need the kids under Security like ours. Baxter's don't get it. We know, live it with Tess." He looks at me. "Not want them protected, need them protected."

  "Yeah. I'll talk to her." I tell him. I turn and see she's watching.

  She heard. "Whatever it takes." She says, her voice is hoarse. I bring her some water. "We do whatever it takes. They deserve a life."

  I look at Steve. He's smiling. "Heard the lady." I laugh. "Callin Ben to set it up." He walks out.

  "How are you feeling baby?" I have no idea what to do for her.

  "Better than I was. Whatever Jeremy did helped." She's breathing easier. I nod. "He's special Cloud, we have to keep him safe." Whatever drew me to her drew the kids to her. We have a house full of kids that are special. Then CJ.

  "Whatever it takes." I tell her sitting on the side of her. "I was so scared I was going to lose you. I called for guidance and help from Nunánuk. Felt them with you. Helping me hold you. I won't let you go CJ. I'll do whatever it takes." She cries. "No baby, no crying. You came back to me, no tears today." She smiles with her tears then coughs and moans. Fuck. "Tell me what to do for you CJ."

  "Hold me. I need to feel you." She's so fuckin small. I lift her as gently as I can and hold her against my chest. I sit on the bed so I'm not pulling the wires out. She kisses my chest.

  Steve comes in and smiles. He goes to the window. I picture the wind in the trees and let my mind float with it.

  Steve touches my shoulder. "Time to move her. She's better." I open my eyes, he's smiling. "Need to put her down." I look at her; she's watching me with a sweet smile. I kiss her head and lay her back on the bed trying to be gentle. She sucks in a breath but doesn't say anything.

  A doctor is here. "She doesn't need the oxygen all the time anymore. We'll watch her and use it as needed." I nod. They take the tube from under her nose. "She's doing remarkable. It's unusual but good. Very good." The doctor smiles. "Are you doing Reiki?"

  "I am Indian. We have spirits that guide us. My spirits use the wind and earth to connect us to them and each other. The connection binds and heals where it's needed. For me it's my head, for CJ her body." I watch for his reaction.

  "Whatever works. Keep doing that." He says. Steve and the nurse laugh.

  I look at CJ, she just watches me. I shrug. "Whatever it takes." She blinks twice.

  Chapter Eleven

  Three days

  CJ

  I'm so glad I can go home today. The kids come every day for an hour then Cloud goes home for a few hours to see them. Steve or Chase stay with me while he's gone. I feel bad for him at night; he sleeps on a bed that's too small right on the side of me. Tonight we can sleep in a real bed. I don't know where I'm going but it's home with my family. I don't really care where that is.

  Tiny comes in with a bag. "Got your clothes red. Bet you're ready to be sprung from this fuckin place huh?"

  I hold my chest and laugh, "Yeah." I take the bag and sit it on the bed.

  "You need to put the clothes on red."

  I hold my chest but don't laugh, "I need help, you are not helping me get dressed so I'll leave them there until help walks through the door."

  He laughs. "Clouds settling the bill he'll be right up."

  I'm confused. "My insurance should have covered it."

  "Don't know about insurance coverage, only know he's settling the bill and he'll be right up." He says sitting in the chair flipping the tv remote.

  I already have everything packed up so I sit and watch the remote fly through the air.

  Cloud comes in with a smile. "You're looking happy to be going home."

  I smile, he's so damn handsome. "Yes, I'd like to sleep in a real bed with you wrapped around me." He stops short and Tiny barks out a laugh. I hold my chest before I laugh.

  "Fuck that's a nice picture. Let's get you dressed and out of this place so I can be wrapped around you." He grabs my hand and the bag bringing us both into the bathroom. He stops and kisses me. "I love you CJ. I'm glad you're coming home." He pulls the johnny off me and slides a t-shirt on.

  "I'm missing a bra." I tell him.

  "No bra, I like this look. I'll be in the shower every hour but the look is good." He bends and kisses me pulling a hoodie out of the bag. "Nurse said no bra for right now." I nod. He finishes dressing me and guides me out. I missed him doing that. The nurse is waiting with a smile and enough paper to cover a full wall. Holy shit!

  "Call if you have any questions." She tells us as she walks on the side of the wheelchair.

  I hold my chest. "With all that paper does anyone ever call?"

  She thinks about it. "I don't think I've ever taken a call, no."

  Tiny laughs so loud people stop and stare at him. Cloud is laughing behind me. "Fuckin CJ".

  We get to the doors and Cloud stops. A truck pulls up then Cloud's truck. Two motorcycles pull behind it. I look up at him. "Security baby. No chances with precious cargo." He bends kissing my nose and lifts me up. Tiny walks on the side of us. Jake opens the truck door. I thank him and he smiles tipping his imaginary hat. Tiny gets in the driver’s seat and Cloud slides in after me. He buckles me in and nods to Tiny.

  We start moving and I breathe a sigh of relief. No more hospital. I'm so friggin relieved I don't realize they're silent and tense as we're going over the bridge to get home. Motorcycles pull on the sides of us. I look at Cloud. He's watching the mirror.

  "What's going on?" I look at him. I hear the shots and the motorcycles spin around. Holy Shit! They're shooting going the wrong way on the damn highway. Tiny speeds up. "Baby I need you to stay calm. Steve and Danny are on their way."

  "Fuckin pussies." Tiny says. He slams on his brakes. Cloud holds me so I don't go flying. The truck in front of us flips over. Motorcycles are coming up on the wrong side of the road. More shooting. I duck into Cloud not wanting to hear anymore. My whole damn body is shaking.

  "It's ok baby, that's Danny and Steve. They're clearing our way, they'll get us home." He sounds so sure but a damn truck just flipped over in front of us. The motorcycles from behind us move to the front and Tiny follows them. We pass our exit then I remember we're not going home. He takes the next exit and more motorcycles line the road. I see police cars here and there. Cloud lets out a breath. Me too! Holy Crap I'm glad to be in our town. I feel safe here. The outside world is a little crazy.

  We drive through a neighborhood and through gates that have a guard. Like the Baxter's, he's armed. I'm seeing it but I don't believe it. "Cloud this is not my street but that is my house isn't it?" I think the pain meds messed with my friggin head. Tiny laughs.

  "Well since your house was already perfect for all of us, just in the wrong spot, they moved it. We can sleep there tomorrow night. They're hooking up water and sewer right now."

  "They moved it? It's a house. Not one with wheels. A big house." I'm still not believing my house is on a strange road. There's a beach on the right. I don't live by the water.

  "Couple years ago Jess and Steve had to move, Danny just moved their house cause it was the house Jess wanted. Since your house is fuckin nice and just got finished he moved your house. He's pretty good at it now, even moved the playhouses and garages. Called in three other builders to help get it all done. He's thorough." I look at him. He's friggin serious.

  I look at Cloud. He's smiling. "That's really my house on a different street." I whisper. "He's thorough. These people are friggin crazy."

  "Red, I told you about the crazy when nimrod here let the kid repel down a rope from a fuckin chopper. He's got nothin on the fuckin MC. Fuckin Steve was in a shootout with Litt
le Ben on the back of his bike when he was eleven."

  "Holy Shit. What happened?" My hand is at my mouth.

  He looks at me. "What do you think; he's still here and ain't stuttering or nothing. Steve dropped three fuckin Outlaws going sixty on Main Road."

  I look at Cloud. "It's more dangerous outside the gates than inside right?"

  He laughs like I'm telling a joke. I'm not laughing; I'm waiting for an answer. He kisses my head. "CJ they'll protect your life with theirs. It's only dangerous if you're on the other side of them."

  I look at him. I guess they just did that on the bridge. "Ok."

  They laugh like I told another friggin joke. What the hell? Tiny pulls in a driveway and looks at me. "This is Danny's house. You'll be sleeping in Patches old room. It gets fuckin crazy in there but it's a good crazy."

  "Ok, thanks for the warning." I think I can handle the kids. Cloud pulls me out, lowers me to the ground and kisses me. "I missed that."

  "Welcome close to home baby. We need to get you in the house, I need to check in with Pres." He steps back and walks me into the house. The kids are waiting for me in a line. I kiss and hug every one of them. Patches hugs me gently. They sit me at the table and Cloud squats in front of me. "I need to get to Security; I'll be back as soon as I can."

  I lean closer and kiss his lips. "Go, do what you need to do. I'm happy to be here with the kids."

  "Don't do too much, Tiny will be here with your meds and instructions." He hugs me then stands. Something passes between him and Tiny and he's gone.

  The kids make me laugh with all they've been doing. They show me their new watches that track them and Joey's new necklace. Up until today they've been out and having fun. I thank Patches and Tiny for taking such good care of them. They tell me about the trucks, cranes and big pieces of steel that the house moved on. I just nod still not quite believing my house is on a new road.