Patching things up

[Lovely]

Febuary 3, 2009
7:30 a.m.
Brookshire Hotel

As he patched up his holes, Justin was almost completely convinced she just might be -the- girl for him, though he half thought she might be gone this time, really gone, when he woke up. That was the feverish and pained half that cried for some strong meds he'd make the call for, for both of them, although she didn't seem to agree. "Would you listen to me? You -need- a doctor...," he said, pausing as a shot of pain distacted him as he tended the larger hole.

She was still laying on the floor where they had slept or tried to rest in their feral forms after their 'little' fight the night before, which in it's own way had served to bring them even closer together. She adored him more today than ever, though she was busted up and being stubborn about how she felt and what she needed. She was curled up and had been trying to tell him she was fine, but he wasn't accepting it. "You have holes and you're telling me I need a doctor?" She tried a different approach to convincing him she did not need some doctor poking at her. She groaned and pushed herself to half sitting up. "I'm fine. I just slept on a hard floor all night and changing back.. a little broken, always hurts more.."

"Save it. And I'm seeing a doctor. Just making it so I can drive or I'm not getting to him any time soon. I want him to take a look at you too. Just not sure you're good to rock n roll anywhere but that bed. And no, that's not what I meant. Don't push yourself," he said, tearing off another strip to secure the bandage in place over the puncture on his thigh.

"You're nuts if you think I'm going to sit here waiting for you to bring some tongue depressor wielding nerd back." She huffed, trying to act tougher than she felt as she just about dragged and crawled herself to the bed, leaning against the side instead of climbing up into it. "You kicked my ass real good.. alright?.. no need to rub it in anymore with trying to baby me."

"Not rubbing anything, darlin'. Just stating a fact. And he'd laugh his hemostat off if he heard you describe him like that. You think I'd trust a quack with what I am... what you are? f*ck no. I wouldn't trust you to anyone but this guy... how do you feel, by the way?"

She chuckled a little as he spoke of the doctor and then kind of stared at him as he mentioned not trusting anyone with her.. she was touched and surprised that he would feel like that. Her gaze lifted to him and she started to push and pull herself up onto the bed, determined to manage on her own -as if to show him she was fine, though it hurt like hell. "I feel like shit.. like I got my ass seriously kicked. What the hell was that all about.. I don't think I understand it all.." She murmured the last bit as if speaking to herself.

"Well I won't need to ask you if you like the view or not," he said, adding slight insult to the already painful injury as he moved the curtain aside to the bright daylight and the trecherous drop that had been so peaceful and alluring in the moonlight. Either she looked or she didn't, but he let the curtain drop back to darken the room. It burned his eyes too and made the pain that much worse. "If I can get a hold of him, I think he'll make a housecall. In the meantime, I was gonna try and get us some food, too. I can explain the rest as much as I can, but not right this minute."

Her arm came up to block the light as she let herself fall onto the softer cushion of the bed. "I know what started it.. I tried to leave.. I meant the rest.. I just.. forget it.." She curled, pulling one of the pillows toward her middle to give her hand something to grip tightly. "I don't need a doctor.. "

"The 'rest' ... is a long history and I don't think you want a lecture... and it's too serious for a bedtime story, alright? Just... take it easy, Taz. I'm really sorry and I don't think I can say it any way that you can believe me. I'd show you, maybe you'd feel it, but I don't want to hurt you worse. Please. Just rest up for a while."

[Lovely]

She looked up at him almost glaring. "You don't need to be sorry.. You won.. and it was a fair fight. If I was pissed or something.. I wouldn't have stayed with you after or for the rest of the night.. I wouldn't be here right now.. "

"Yeah, there's a lot I probably do need to explain," he sighed, reaching stiffly to get his jeans back on. The tape on his leg wasn't making it easy, but he managed. "Thank you. For staying... for not being pissed... though I wouldn't blame you. So... what sounds good for breakfast?" He switched gears and offered his usual smile.

"Another pillow.. I don't know about food right now.. maybe just something to drink." Her eyes closed for a moment and she sighed. "Alot to explain... yeah.. I don't know.. I should be pissed, shouldn't I? I mean any guy hit me or something.. I'd.. hooboy.. but it was different.. felt different.. and I'm not angry.. just like thats how it's supposed to be, but I don't know why I feel like this."

She slowly brought her gaze to him, there was something slightly different in her eyes today. A bit more respect and admiration.. more like a female who knew he was a strong male and one who'd bested her. She felt different, kinda like she was his now.. deep down, instinctual, but her brain was trying to explain it and she was kind of confused as to what was going on inside her.

"Hmm... it's not much, but try this," he offered, pulling the folded extra blanket out of the lower drawer and rolling it up, bringing it over to add as a prop for her. He sat on the edge of the bed. "It's something at least. Don't worry about the maids or anything like that. If you want to sleep, you're not going to be disturbed. Messages will go to the desk. Watch for the light, just in case. Drinks on me and maybe a few treats if you're a good girl. I'm kidding. How's that?" He asked about the extra padding.

She shook her head about the blanket. "No.. I think it's making it a little worse.. but thank you." Tasa managed a small smile in appreciation for his trying. "Cover me up? Give me a couple asprin from my bag .. and I'll be a good girl and go to sleep while you go forage.. okay?"

"Mmm.. alright," he grinned, moving the padding gently away as she directed and pulling the cover up for her, stopping for a kiss on her forehead. "You are good," he chuckled.

"Hey.." She pouted and lifted her head off the pillow to try to catch a real kiss before he moved too far away. "Don't say I'm good too loud, you might ruin my bad girl rep."

"NNNnn... that's the part that's so good," he whispered, passing his smile over her lips gently.

"Mmmmm come to bed.." She murmured, sinking back down to the pillows and tugging him gently with her.

"Now you are being bad," he smiled, gently leaning over her for another kiss as he moved the cover back away to tease her.

"mmmaybe.. but you like it.." She whispered, not moving alot, but what she could was enticing him closer. Her kiss was deeper this time, her hand sliding to the back of his head to hold him to more.

"Mmmhmm. I do like it... I think you do, too." His play was gentle. Mindful of the breaks and bruises, he caressed lightly, though his kiss held as much fire as the blows he'd delivered in feral form.

[Lovely]

She sighed softly under the gentle careful touch, her kiss tender and lingering. She eased back a little to give him a smile, the fire burning in her own eyes again. "Rock me to sleep?" She whispered invitingly.

He nodded, being a little more intent on pleasing than merely teasing her. One kiss, full of fire, was set over her lips with his smile that traveled slowly down to start rocking her in a sweet lullabye.

Her moans were softly whispered through parted lips and gentle sighs were her breaths as she slowly relaxed and melted under his attentions. Her eyes shuttered and her fingers twined gently into his waves, holding him as tenderly as he sang over her.

He slowly entwined around her, keeping her grounded so she wouldn't jar herself, likewise for his own pleasure, helping her relax into steaming dreams.

She was his for those moments, completely, trusting, open, and all guards dropped to enjoy what he gave so willingly. Tasa relaxed and eased further, her eyes staying closed and her fingers slowly letting go of his hair.

Quenching his thirst with her made him only hungry for more, but would need to wait until Aberto checked her... if he could even get the man out here without a dozen more answers demanded of questions he didn't want to hear or subject her to, either. For now she seemed to be content to rest finally and he lapped her, carefully offering a few passes over tender areas that troubled him with how bad they looked. The scent was raw and ragged, tinted with the hormonal surges that were building in her that tugged at his core, adding more instinctual protection and worry on top of what he already held. Damnit, she was turning him inside out, but damn him for loving every minute of it, he smiled, finding her just as beautiful when she was peaceful as when she was wild. He moved the cover over her again lightly, hoping not to startle her awake as he moved off the bed.

Her eyes flickered, barely opening to see him as he moved off the bed, she sighed softly and settled back to sleep. Her fingers lifting in what might have been a tiny wave or simply shifting for comfort.

Justin stepped away quietly, finding the tiny, sleepy wave too adorable to admit, though he smiled a little just the same. He pulled his shirt over his shoulders, minding the bite marks that he couldn't patch over as neatly as the leg. Sunglasses in place, he pulled his small kit back together and slipped out the door to let her rest. Taking the elevator against his will, he made the call first, hoping Aberto would answer and that there would be no surprises when he stepped off at the ground floor.

Aberto picked up the line after a few rings and souded distracted as usual. "Hel.. hello?"

"Not too bad for a geek," smiled the familiar voice. "You actually answered, which is good. I need you to make a road trip. How busy are you?"

Aberto gave a slight snort at the geek comment. "Listen you little punk.." He chuckled and set aside his sample and ledger. "I'm terribly busy as always.. what do you need?"

"Little? Heh, yeah anyway, so since you're not doing anything this morning.... seriously, Aberto... really serious, actually, I need your help to check someone out for me. I can't bring them there, they'll freak... which believe me, would be very very bad. What are the chances you can do this?"

[Lovely]

"There is an excellent chance you could bribe me into just about anything.." He chuckled teasing back and thinking over agreeing to any favor. There was a short silence and his voice came in a more serious manner. "If it's someone you can't bring here, why should I come to them?.. I need to know what I am dealing with.. or what you're getting me into."

"It's what I got them into," he sighed. "More than they could chew at once and they want more answers than I can give. Breathing on their own, minimally mobile. Even if I would chance bringing them there, I can't on the bike. I think the injuries are pretty bad..."

"What type of injuries and how did they occur?.. are you in any kind of trouble? Do you need more than just me to come?" He asked with concern in his voice, pacing the room and begining to gather some supplies into his bag already.

"Just my kinda trouble," he smiled gently. "No, nothing that caliber of bad and if it can be just you, that would be best, though.. nah, just you for now. If they put up with what you tell them, we'll go from there and work out the rest. Um, I may need a pint myself, actually, but I'm not too worried. It's he-... um... yeah, so how long do you think it might take? Ror set us up at the Brookshire."

"Brookshire.. got it, room number?" He sighed, looking around for a cooler to throw a few pints in and gathered other things he thought he might need. "So.. do you think little Ty would scare.. them? If you need a pint you probably could use a healer.. and if you're calling me all the way out there, they could probably use one as well."

"To be honest, I think I'm the only thing they're not scared of at the moment, but yeah. Tyler's probably worth his weight in scooby snacks for this one if he can help. Probably a couple broken ribs, possibly worse. Getting them to sit still long enough for anything but that probably won't work."

Aberto chuckled and nodded his head, closing his bag and shouldering it to leave his hands free for the small cooler. "Alright.. about an hour? I should probably raid the twinkie cupboard for Ty and of course I have to find the rugrat."

"Open the box... he will find you. May not be a f*cking wolf, but he can smell a damn twinkie a football field away," he chuckled, rattling off the room number as the car finally settled to the ground floor. "Gotta go. Thanks for the help... if they stay put long enough for you to get here."

"You're welcome.. you're going to owe me you know.. I don't know what, but something good." He stepped into the hall and headed toward the kitchen. "I'll see you in a bit. "

"This is something good," he muttered. "I'm out." The phone clicked off and slid into his pocket as he slipped out front to put his kit back in the bike. The morning bustle of downtown had several offerings nearby at least.

He returned with a couple bags with juice and a few selections of food and slipped back up to the room, hoping the smells of breakfast would help some on their own.

Tasa stirred a little when he came in the door, she shifted slightly and made a soft noise. Her eyes fluttered and she took in the air around her enough to know it was Justin, then settled again. The smells of food and the rustling of the bags, kept her from slipping deeply into sleep and her head turned on the pillow, her eyes coming open more and she watched him quietly.

"Apple or orange, take your pick... and your choice of artery clogging death biscuits or fruit... I think," he said, looking in the bags and trying to decipher what was what.

"Apple.. mm and fruit.." She smiled a little, her lids heavy and her expression sleepy -soft.

[Lovely]

She'd stayed this long at least and the relief he felt for it probably sweetened the treats she could smell. He popped open the juice for her and dug out a small tub of what looked like chunks of some kind of something that resembled fruit to offer. "How's your side?"

She shrugged a bit, propping up the best she could to eat, though she didn't appear very comfortable. With a sigh she murmured softly. "It hurts.." She didn't like to admit any sort of weakness, but with him everything felt different and she could smell his concern and the relief that came from him. She looked up and grinned a little, she trusted him.. maybe not completely without question.. but damn it, she trusted him. "It's probably worse than it looks.. I'll be alright, though."

He nodded. "Well, there's more of that if you want some. I'm putting ice in the sink in here to keep it. Sausage things, whatever they are, are in the bag if you want more. And if it's worse than it looks, you're a damn pretty liar," he grinned.

Her eyebrow rose and she smiled around the fingers that were sliding a bit of fruit into her mouth. Licking her fingers free of the juice, she asked. "What do you mean?"

"If it's worse than that looks with the way you sat up just now... or did you just mean the bruises?" He grinned while the feral tint swirled gently through his gaze, picking up the bits and pieces the normal human eye might miss.

"I meant what I meant... I'll live.. I also have a pretty high tolerance for pain." Tasa gave him a slight smile, as if to show him she would just grin and bear it. She wasn't going to whine over broken ribs, bruises, and scrapes.

"Yeah, you'll live," he grinned in return. It wouldn't be too long before the boys showed. "Didn't say you didn't. Just don't get too attached to that pain, okay?"

"Yeah.. well it seems attached to me enough for both of us." She sighed, taking another small bite of the fruit and then looking up at him again. "How's your leg doing?"

"I'll live," he winked. "It's fine as long as I don't move... or breathe... but it is what it is. You can think what you want, but you didn't lose and I didn't win. It wasn't like that at all."

"Justin you kicked my ass and the proof is laying right here." She motioned to herself. "You're a little bigger and you're stronger, faster.. and obviously alot better.. So.. you know just deal with it.. you won."

"It was an initiation, Taz, not a fight. A test... you passed. Far as I'm concerned you passed the minute you promised to take me on someday. I just didn't think it would be then... that soon."

"Initiation? What do you mean?.. I passed what and why were you testing me?" She laid back again and left her cup of fruit forgotten beside her.

"It wasn't intentional," he sighed, pulling the chair aside from the broken table. "It just kinda led into that. It's.. well it's part of what I do for a living. Me... and others like me."

"You take girls to hotels seduce them and kick the crap out of them for a living?" The look she gave him seemed to say he needed to be less vague and more forthright with what he wanted to tell her.

[Lovely]

He chuckled and dropped his head. Well that put a wrench in it pretty well, he thought. "No, not exactly. Others... like myself... like what you are... ," he restated, hoping she'd understand a little. "Are tested... and not many pass. Not many are beautiful... sensual... sensational women, either. The first part... was all about you, because I would be blind, stupid and a hell of a lot less enchanted... not to have gotten to know you. The second part... is about survival."

The sheet was pulled tighter around her and she was silent for a few minutes, her jaw working lightly as she tried to absorb what he said and make sense of it. "Why? I really don't understand this at all.. why would you test me.. and what exactly am I being tested for?"

He silently pleaded that the knock on the door would come and turn the conversation back to the injuries and healing, but he did what he could to explain. "To belong. It's about survival of the smartest and the strongest among those like us, Taz. You're both... smart and strong. Like I said, it wasn't intentional. It was pure instinct... challenge... acceptance. I wanted to show you little by little, not all at once and not like that."

She growled softly, her eyes narrowing at him in frustration at not understanding why or what he was talking about. "Belong to what?" She asked queitly, maybe if he answered that the rest would make a little more sense.

"My family," he said quietly. The word held more meaning to him than life itself most days and that one word uttered with full respect and pride curled an odd smile on his lip.

Her arm curled around her middle and she tilted her head, her gaze questioning. "But... I'm not your family." She murmured softly, watching how his smile had curled up when he said it.

"Yeah... you are," he added, with a nod and a bit of awe and quiet admiration, that same pride with which he'd mentioned his family coating the admission as the smile grew.

"Justin..? I don't.." She searched his expression, his eyes, his scent -anything that could help her understand it better. "How..?" He seemed so far away siting in the chair and she felt small and unsure.

"Would it help if I said you've been adopted?" He chuckled a little, not sure what else he could say. So much hinged on Scotty and his brothers, Josephine, her sisters. "Look, it's a lot to take in at once and I probably should just slow down here." He stood from the chair in favor of sitting on the edge of the bed, offering a hand if she'd take it. "Okay, so... maybe taking things slow just isn't something I'm really good at."

Her head shook and she stared at his hand a moment before slowly reaching to grasp it. "Aren't I a little old to be adopted?.. and you're kind of young to be my dad.. and that would really feel all kinds of wrong considering.."

"Adopted is a lot less scary sounding than.. say... chosen... accepted... selected... help me out here. Although I'm all for all kinds of wrong," he teased, clasping her fingers tighter. "I'm not talking about being your dad, okay? Or your brother..." The stronger scent with him being closer, the pride and acceptance mixed with his hunger for her, might begin to tell her more on a different level than words could explain.

His scent was stronger with him closer and her nostrils flared slightly, taking in a deep whiff of him. Her eyes glowed softly a moment then returned to their natural color, coming to meet his gaze directly. "What are you talking about then?.. tell me so I know if what I think your saying is remotely close to what you mean."

[Lovely]

"I never say things I don't mean," he whispered, letting the sound of the word 'mine' rumble through the softly purred growl that was part human utterance and part gutteral feral tones as he leaned to kiss first her cheek.

The sound he made, the word she heard in the growl, had her turning her cheek to nuzzle him softly. Her eyes slipped closed and she took in his scent gently with him so close, her lips brushed his cheek and ear.

He whispered over her ear, "If that sounds anything like what you thought I was saying, then yes." He curled into the kisses she rested over his own cheek.

Aberto had found Tyler in the kitchen, which had made things much easier in getting him and a box of twinkies out of the house. Ty was usually a smart mouthed kid but when around his uncle was strangely subdued. The knock on the door of the hotel room was a short sharp rap of Aberto's knuckles.

"Hmm... pizza's here," he winked, then sighed, holding the cover now to let her resituate herself to comfort. "Remember that geek doctor? He agreed to come out. No 'buts'... just deal. In fact I'll make you a deal. You put up with this and you won't hurt later... and not hurting later means..."

Her fingers curled into his shirt and her eyes narrowed, the growl was quiet with warning that she was not pleased. She drifted away from him and to curl into the covers and pillows as best she could, she didn't reply to his offer as she couldn't promise she'd put up with anything from anyone.

"Yeah, okay. I understand... and thank you," he grinned. He did understand, but explaining that and why he still insisted would be something he couldn't do in the ten seconds it took to straighten his leg back out and limp to the door. He stepped out into the hall with them for the moment, though her ears were likely sharp enough to gather a few of the words he whispered. "Thanks guys. I appreciate this. You have no idea. Just... don't ask too much, okay? It's been ... well, overwhelming and new," he said, looking to both men, hoping for understanding. The ice of his eyes was ringed darkly with concern and a protective flair he was doing his best to keep subdued, mostly directed at Aberto.

Aberto nearly chuckled and patted Justin on his arm. "You smell.. "His voice dropped even lower. "..like a b*tch in heat... mixed with a protective male, interesting.." He nodded again, pointing to the cooler that he'd made Tyler carry in. "We brought what we could, I wasn't sure what all you might need, but with Ty here most likely you won't need anything else. After you.." He motioned for Justin to go ahead of them.

"Taz...," he kept it informal and simple, though he wasn't sure how she would react. He approached slowly. "Taz, this is Aberto... he's here to take a look at those injuries. And this is Tyler. Hopefully with his help, you won't need to worry about stitches or braces, okay?"

Her eyes glowered slightly at him, but she extended a tentative hand towards Aberto as he was just behind Justin. "Hello." She couldn't quite bring herself to say anything else for the moment, she nodded a greeting to Tyler as he looked for a place to set the cooler.

Aberto shook the young woman's hand, admiring her firm grip and taking in more of her scent as he watched her subtley do the same to him. "A pleasure Taz.. " He glanced to Justin with a look that said he would expect to be filled in more.

[Lovely]

"Um.. so... about those injuries. Aberto... you were pretty close," he nodded about the 'heat' part, but the man likely had sense enough to realize it was more than just that. An idea came to him that she wasn't likely to trust them unless he did something first. He started to undo his belt so he could have them work over the deep puncture first. "Tyler, come here a sec."

Tyler set the cooler to the floor and sighed, shuffling over to Justin with a slight smile. "Work, work, work...." He muttered, teasing of course.

"Yeah yeah... save it. This one's pretty easy," he said, letting the jeans fall to reveal the patch he'd done, though his moving around had caused the bandage to soak through already. "It's clear, but it's deep. Whaddya think?" Taisian was well aware of the pain it caused him and how deep it had gone. He trusted these two enough to back down and wait for their expertise, and hoped that she learned as she watched and listened.

Aberto gave a polite nod to the woman and murmured. "If you will excuse me a moment." He turned his attention to Justin and shook his head gently. "What the hell caught a piece of you like that?" He began setting up the pouch to let Justin take a pint while Ty knelt down to examine the wound a little.

"You remember that time you teased me with the box of twinkies..?" Tyler grinned and made as if he's just roughly tear the tape off Justin's leg, but instead let him brace himself first.

The temptation to backhand the man into the shrapnel that was left of the table darkened his eyes for that brief moment as the bandage was lifted away. The sting on his skin took his mind off the depth of the pain that was shooting up his back for the moment, however as he gripped the chair he curled into. "You sonuva... fine... we're even," he countered, shaking his head and nearly laughing. He turned Aberto's attention to the pieces on the floor and then nodded to Taisian. "I missed, she didn't."

Aberto had to laugh at the explaination and shook his head as he came back over and motioned to Justin. "Find someplace comfortable to settle, you're going to be down for awhile."

Taisian watched them silently, curious, cautious, respectful of the relationship and bond she could see between them all. She didn't interupt or question, much prefering to be forgotten about and left alone for a bit as they worked on Justin. Her eyes sought his when Aberto mentioned him being down awhile, she flickered her gaze to the bed next to her, moving her head a slight bit. Asking and telling him at the same time to be close to her.

"Over there," he nodded, taking the suggestion and making it at the same time. The IV would take a while, but the healing, at least the major sealing of the wound would be fast. He was grateful so far that she wasn't pushing him away, but wanting him near was helping the pain more than she realized. He let go of the chair after the stinging waves subsided and crawled gently into place on the bed, arm at the ready for the tubes and his leg uncovered for the rest. He tilted his head up on the pillow to offer her a smile and keep her included while his free hand reached for hers. "You doing alright over there?"

Tasa laced into his fingers and even offered him a bit of a smile. "I'm fine.." Her look was teasing at using the expression she'd repeated so many times already. "Was watching them torture you.. good thing I'm not bleeding, huh?" It was easy to tell that she was not relaxed, but was making the effort for him at least to try to accept the help of those he'd summoned and trusted.

As Tyler set to healing the wounds, Aberto set the IV, the bag hanging above the bed. He took Justin's free arm and gently inserted the needle, with practiced care it was not even felt as it slipped in.

[Lovely]

He nodded and turned to watch the boys do their work. "They are good at what they do," he grinned, resting back into the pillow. "And yeah, it's good because I don't know your blood type." He looked to see that he was hooked up and waited for the word from Tyler for when he was done.

Aberto observed the girl carefully as he worked around her at first, letting her get used to and comfortable with him and Tyler in the room. There was a definite wild tinge to her scent, fully feminine, strong, she was a beatuiful creature for sure. He was still curious about how Justin came to find her and his intent towards her, it did not appear that this was a simple one night stand or fling. Justin's scent carried heavily with worry and affection, also the distinct -this is my territory- emitted from him. Aberto smiled a little as he hooked a second bag to the IV to be ready, as well as a smaller one filled with one of his serums he often gave to the boys to boost them after being wounded. "What do you think miss Taz.. can you trust me to take a look at you now?"

Tyler held onto Justin's leg, the warmth spread slowly from the points of contact, his breathing was soft and even as he concentrated on getting his gift to trigger. Once he'd gotten the initial 'flow' going he smiled at Justin, nudging him a little. "She's hot.." He whispered as Aberto got her attention. "Is she your girlfriend?"

"She is and maybe.. not necessarily in that order. But she's in the room and can hear you probably better than I can right now," he smirked.

"So?" The teenager grinned up at him. "I don't mind her knowing I think she's hot.. do you not want her to know anything?" The 'kid' smirked and winked up at the feral.

Tasa tightened her grip on Justin's hand as she slowly nodded to Aberto that he could come take a look at her. She watched him intently as he gently ran his fingers over bruises, pressing lightly along her ribs to find breaks and such, leaning to sniff close now and then. She didn't cry out much as it hurt her at times, though Justin would feel the fingers digging into his hand, her jaw clenched and her eyes shining with the pain.

"No, I don't mind if she knows I think that, too," he winked, feeling his hand suddenly vice-gripped, turning his attention. "Aberto... she's not a grapefruit. Take it easy, okay? What can you tell us.. really bad?"

His eyes flicked sharply up to Justin and his grin tipped in a slightly crazed expression, which was normal for him. "I am taking it easy.. if this was you, you'd be on the floor writhing and moaning."

"Well yeah, but usually because Josie takes pity on me and I get ice cream afterward," he winked. "And I don't doubt you're serious, either, but can you patch her up here?"

"Not as well as I could at the estate.. I'd reccomend bringing her there, but I imagine you'd refuse. I'll do what I can here.. " His eyes stayed directly on Justin's, she was in danger of internal bleeding and having worse damage done if she pushed herself too much while trying to heal and recover from the current damage.

"Good man, you know me well," he grinned. He would have blushed, but the palor of his own skin from pain and the slowly feeding IV didn't darken much. "It's only because I personally don't think she should travel anywhere yet." That, and the estate would be far too much for her. He wasn't sure they weren't already overdoing it. "How's that leg, ace? Don't burn yourself out now. She needs you pretty bad, too."

Aberto started to respond and tell him he knew better, that they could easily get her to the estate, but closed his mouth and glowered dark eyes at Justin a moment. He went back to concentrating on Tasa, giving her only a brief apologetic smile as he prodded some more, hearing the soft noise that finally escaped as he found a more tender spot. His head nodded and he shifted to press again.

Tyler looked up at Justin and then at Aberto, biting his lip and concentrating on the healling he was doing. "She'll get whatever I have left.. promise." He whispered softly, as if afraid he would be reprimanded for just saying that much. "Family comes first." He added quietly.

[Lovely]

Arguing it would get him nowhere with Aberto. If the man insisted, it was up to her, not him. His fingers clenched back for her this time. Let her tell him if she would or wouldn't but one thing was certain and clear to him. "She is family," he murmured, relaxing some now that the ache was fading, falling back into the pillow more and shuttering his eyes.

"Don't push yourself there kiddo.. your dad will have my head.. " He sighed and glanced to Justin, hearing his comment and lifting a brow at it.

Tasa raised a hand to push Aberto away as he pressed into her ribs again and she growled, warning him that he was hurting her and she didn't like it. She listened as the three of them spoke among themselves and she turned a questioning gaze towards Justin. "The estate?"

He turned and opened an eye a slit, sighing a little. "Yeah... that crazy little place I call home," he chuckled thinly. "All family, but a lot of it. If you don't want to go, I won't make you."

She looked back at Aberto and the way he watched her, taking in genuine concern mixed in his scent, the boy beside the bed.. nothing but good coming from him, he was friendly as hell and a little wary.. and then Justin himself. She sighed softly feeling the way a deep breath was pained. "You won't make me.. I appreciate that. I know nothing about your family or home.. what do you think I should do? I'm trying very hard not to be too stubborn right now so take advantage of this moment."

"Fake to the left, then shoot straight down middle field. Nobody will touch you that you don't want to," he said softly. He chuckled again. Josie would be curious and bold enough to ask whatever she wanted if Scotty didn't glower the girl under the table first. "Ma will want you to stay for dinner, though."

"I have no idea what that means." She said softly, shaking her head and turning to stare at the end of the bed. Her fingers uncurled from Justin's and she shifted away a little. "Just tape up my ribs and I'll be on my way. Thanks." She murmured to Aberto, wondering if he would even bother to do that.

"Taisian...," he whispered, reaching for her arm to help settle her. "I'm sorry. It means... it means it's a big place with far fewer answers than you need to have right now. Will you stay... listen to Aberto and have Tyler help you with the pain at least? We'll try to answer what we can... but there's just so much..."

She didn't respond to him at first, her jaw working lightly in frustration. "Why should I?" She asked softly with a bit of a sigh. "Or is that too direct of a question for you to give me a straight answer on?" The pain she was feeling did nothing to help her mood or her anxiety with the two strangers there tending to them.

"Because I'd like for you to? Because I think you're hurt bad enough you may need to? Because...," his hand tried again to reel her back in, if she could smell the worry and caring from him. "It's my fault and I want to help fix it so you can do what you need to do."

Tyler patted his leg softly, not wanting to interupt, but letting Justin know he was finished. Not a trace of the gouges on his leg remained as Tyler stepped away to go sit down, grabbing a juice box and a twinkie to replenish himself with.

She turned her head toward Justin, her sharp gaze washing over his face. "Thank you." She meant for giving her a straight forward answer. "I'll stay... for now. This being laid up crap is making me very cranky."

Justin did her the favor of concealing the chuckle, or perhaps did himself that favor since his leg was done, but his side was still welted and sore. He'd heal fast enough once they were back at the house. Or was that part settled? "Stay... here? Or stay and do what the good doc here says? He can only patch you up so far here, Taisian."

Tasa chewed her lip, not sure she was ready to agree to go anywhere with them. "Here.. to start.. let him do what he can, while I consider.." She sighed, eyeing Aberto warily, he was a stranger and she didn't like strangers.

Aberto simply regarded Justin cooly as he shifted around the girl, taking his time in tending her and making no move to call Tyler over to heal her. "This is going to hurt quite a bit." He murmured the quiet warning as he set his fingers to the spaces between her ribs, feeling further as he had no xrays to help him determine how bad or where exact breaks were.