[font=Lucida Sans Unicode]“What are your plans, bro?” It was Sledge gracing the end of his hospital bed. Rage had been right, he did have several broken ribs. Thank God he was wrong about the punctured lung though. His nose was also ruined. The docs said they could reconstruct it but... he figured he'd just wear it as a reminder of how close he had come to buying it. Why? He didn't know.
“Hadn't thought that far ahead,” he admitted and nodded back at his friend. “How 'bout you?”
“Me? Hell, man... going home. I'm tired of the stars. Hungry for Houston.” Just then Kreggan waltzed in, carrying a bottle of Sirion Rum all wrapped up in a pretty red bow.
“Now I call that a proper gift,” Rage announced.
“Yeah,” Kreg said, “I thought that's what you'd call it.” He sat the bottle down on the table next to the bed. “Doc says you can't open it 'til you get out of the hospital tomorrow though.”
“Aw... what do them old 'bones' know anyway!” Rage tossed a hand in the air, waving off an opinion he didn't care to hear. He settled down and looked more earnestly at Kreg. “How you doing, bruh?”
“A hundred percent... and ready to head back to Houston with Sledge. We'll wait for you if you want to come with...”
Rage was shaking his head. He didn't know why but he couldn't go back. Somehow this little 'war' had changed him too much.
“Well alright then,” Kreg was continuing, “thought as much. You got the stars in you man... always have.” He made a big show out of elbowing Sledge. “'Sides, I hear the Bounty Hunters are getting ready to elevate you into the brass.”
“Rumor has it,” he pursed his lips, tried to look dignified. “Might require you two loafers to salute me next time we meet.”
“Uh-huh,” Sledge chimed in. “I got a salute for you.” And he presented his buddy with the rude gesture forthwith.
Rage laughed. “Not exactly what I had in mind.”
“Well, admiral... we gotta go... catching a transport to Houston... don't want to miss it,” Kreg explained. “Be careful out there in the deep dark, now. We ain't gonna be around to clean up after your messes no more.”
“Yeah, you're gonna have to learn to wipe yourself from now on, old buddy.” Sledge added.
“Ah hell,” Rage retorted, “how will I ever manage.” He grinned wryly at his friends. They both shook his hand in turn and left. And so closed a chapter in his life.