That must have hurt. Wiping his hand off in the dish rag he massaged his jaw, returning to his seat. He slumped against the island with a measured sigh "Gods, I'm shot. I can barely keep my eyes open".

I went and soaked a large hand towel in the pot, rigging it out of any extra water, then I laid it gently on his upper back. At first he stiffened, then the knotted muscles in his back slackened as the heat coxed him to relax. Bleary eyed he propped himself up on his good arm,watching me in silence for half a second "You still wanna know what happened?" he asked, sounding hopeful that I might have changed my mind.

I nodded "You haven't gotten this banged up in a fight since we lived at our parents place".

He sighed resigned, about to pick at the cut on his cheek, when I reached over to clean it and slap a large band aid over it, then I started on cleaning up the rest of the tools and supplies I had used to treat him.

"We were out numbered for one thing. I thought we had a pretty good handle on the number of recruit they got, but we were off. Way off, it makes me wonder if or inside man's bin selling us lies for a time now.

"You mean, you think there's a traitor in the BitterEdge?".

He nodded "This isn't the first time we've had intel that didn't quit match up, but Eric wont hear a word of it".

"Because Gnats his younger brother" and Gnat was in charge of gathering info and infiltrating other gangs.

"Exactly! The douche is going to get our guys killed if he doesn't start thinking clearly. He's putting us all in danger because he refuses to believe his baby brother is a back stabbing son of a bitch mixed with sperm of a bastard!".

"You should be able to understand how he might feel. What if it was me in the gang, back stabbing all of you? Would you have it in you to turn me in?".

"Like hell I wouldn't! I'd drag your scrawny ass in there and beat the crap out of you myself. A gang is your family and you just don't knife family".

I felt for him on the last part, his voice pitching faintly. He was hurting over this, to him, to, both of us the BitterEdge was extended family. Not only that he often hung out with Gnat and fought by his side, it must hurt to think someone so close to you was jilting you all that time. Worse, he must feel at loss of what to do. What do you do when you know someone is guilty yet you don't have the power or authority to put a stop to them? The entire gangs safety might be resting on his shoulders, a heavy burden to bare. I scooted closer, hugging him, and resting my head lightly on his shoulder.

He wrapped his good arm around me "I can't off him myself, that makes me a traitor in their eyes and puts you in danger. I have to get him to admit it on his own, it's the only way I can save them and keep you safe..." but how do I do that? I could almost hear him thinking.

"Maybe you should sleep on it, by morning when you're not so worn out you will come up with a solution".

"I d-don't have time to sleep on it" he yawned hugely, really struggling to keep his eyes open, the fight had taken a lot out of him.

I almost smiled at the way he sounded like a small child arguing with his parents. Urging him to his feet and meeting no resistance, I guided him to our bedroom, helping him to sit gently on the bed then I removed his shoes. I stopped by the bathroom for a brief second to grab some Aleve for him and a cup of water.

"Here, this will make it easier to sleep" I said as I handed it to him.

"Thanks Doc" he grinned sleepily, downing the pills and water in one fell swoop, then laid down on his back with care. Sighing when he no longer had to put forth effort to sit up, his good arm behind his head.

I climbed in to my own bed across the room, changing out of my street clothes, into a pair of shorts and loose shirt. Once snuggled under the covers I rolled on my side so I could keep an eye on him.

"You know, maybe you're right. Taking a breather might shed some light on it" he yawned.

"Of course I'm right. I am a doctor".

A deep chuckle "Yeah, you are".

"Ray?".

"Mm?".

"I'm glad you're back".

"It's good to be back".