hacked title number 6

"He found us, more or less." Gaster responded. "He came to the lab again, and is doing better now. His stitches unraveled, but they are redone now, and he has eaten something to help with the slight blood loss. I do believe he will be fine now." He reported. "Layla is with him right now."

Ashton was in the break room, sipping some cold water. He was still in his coat, and hugged himself, deep in thought.

True let out a deep sigh of relief.  "Can I bring the boys over?  Shuni misses Ashton and keeps asking about Lex."

"Is everything okay, Ashton?" Geena asked quietly.

"I think that would be a good idea." Gaster agreed. "Maybe at least give Lex half an hour to calm down a little more before you all come over?"

Ashton jumped a little as his train of thought was broken. "Huh? Oh, yeah. Just thinking."

"He's got an hour before we bombard him," True promised.  "And Dad?  Thanks for calling."

"You look cold," Geena said quietly.  "Do you want a blanket or something?"

Gaster smiled a little. "Thank Geena. That woman keeps me in line. I was so wrapped up in the moment it slipped my mind." He admitted guiltily and honestly. "Without her, it would have probably been a while longer before you heard back from me."

Ashton shook his head. "I'm fine, thank you." He paused. "How's Lex?"

"Then you'd best keep her around," True said, the faint smile evident in his voice.

"Lex is doing alright," Geena told him.  "He's in pain, but the doctor fixed the popped stitches and got some food in him.  Why don't you come see him for yourself?"

Gaster smiled. "I will try to. And thank you again for watching the young 'uns in my absence."

Ashton hesitated but nodded. "Where is he?" He asked quietly.

"It's not a problem, Dad.  Just get Lex better so we can all be together," True said quietly.

"I am trying to." Gaster said with a small sigh. "How are Shuni, Sam, and Paul, by the way?"

"They're doing fine.  A little cabin fevery from the rain, but not bad," True told him.  "Paul's been drawing a lot, and Sam and I have been painting the robot."

"He's in Gaster's office," Geena told him.

Gaster smiled a bit. "Good. And again, I cannot thank you enough, True."

Ashton nodded and made his way down the hall, keeping his arms around him. When he reached Gaster's office, he merely stood in the doorway with a faint smile as he watched Lex and Layla cuddle. He was happy for his friend.

Lex sensed Ashton's presence and opened his eyes.  Gently, he nudged Layla's shoulder.  "Give us a minute?"

Layla nodded. "Want me to try and make you some hot cocoa?" She offered to Lex as she stood and walked out, still limping slightly.

"No, thanks, I'm fine," Lex told her, wincing as he sat up enough for Ashton to have room to sit.

Layla nodded and retreated. Once she was gone, Ashton carefully sat down. He still was acting a little off, keeping his coat on and keeping his arms and hands more to himself. Lex might know/remember that this was a quirk of Ashton's when he was hiding something. "What's up, man?"

Lex narrowed his eyes.  "First and foremost, what's up with you?"

"What do you mean?" Ashton said a touch defensively, shifting away from Lex slightly; all confirmation that he was hiding something.

"Ashton, don't make me force it out of you," Lex growled, a sliver of worry in his eyes.  "What's wrong?"

Ashton hesitated a moment, and unzipped his coat. He had been shot twice, the evidence highlighted by the two holes in his shirt with dark stains around them. Ashton looked down a little guiltily.

"What in the hell?" Lex snarled.  "How did that happen?"

"I was helping look for you, and ran into some street guys." Ashton spilled. "Instead of talk, they wanted to fight, so I took my jacket off and prepared to just beat them down enough to get them to talk, and they pulled a gun out on me."

(*idly* Didn't we talk about the impracticality of gun use in gangs?)

"Sounds like the streets have gotten a lot more gun happy since my day," Lex grumbled.  "Either go get Gaster to fix you or grab a kit so I can."

(*looks down* Maybe.....)

Ashton nodded and slipped into a medical room and grabbed a kit for Lex. "Sorry." He apologized. "I... I don't trust the Doc quite enough yet to do this, you know?"

(M'kay *mind wanders off*)

"Grab a chair and sit," Lex said simply, scooting forward on the couch.

Ashton nodded and sat in Gaster's desk chair, lifting his shirt up enough for Lex to work. Dried blood stained his skin, and had caked a little around the still slightly seeping holes.