But that’s the thing, ‘tasha. I know I need help. God, do I know it. But who is there ta help me? Johnny? He won’t do it. He never had this much trouble with it. He was always the calm, cool and collected one. He made the deal, I jus’ wore it. There’s nowhere ta turn, ‘tasha. Y’can’t jus’ cure what I got.
[She holds his face in her hands, shaking her head defiantly] No, Danny. I’m not trying to… Wait… [She lets go and leans away from him] You think I’m trying to cure you?
[He drops his head, unwilling to meet her eyes] I don’t know, ‘tasha. I mean, it’s always bin bad, but… maybe it’s not the Rider’ats gotten stronger. Can’t help but feel I’m jus’ gettin’… [he sighs] that I’m jus’ gettin’ a whole lot weaker at fightin’. I used ter be able ter figh’, but… maybe I jus’ gave up along the way. An’ what with all the shit tha’s bin happenin’ lately… I just can’t keep it down any more.
You’re not getting weak, Danny. If I’m not allowed to have some demon or whatever in me allowing me to say I’m weak, then you’re sure as hell now allowed to say it. Do you understand? You just need help.
Thanks, mom. [He grins, the pain beginning to subside] Man, sorry t’have ter dump this on you. Jus’… jus’ give me a lil’ bit and I should be fine. Ain’t had this much’ve a problem with it ‘fore now. Must’ve… must’ve had it collared too long, an’ bein’ in Vegas fer so long didn’t exactly help the cause, hey.
[Crossing her legs and sitting in front of him on the couch, she held his chin in her hands and gently tilted it from side to side] It’s not a burden, Danny, stop thinking that it is. I’d drop everything and help you in a heartbeat and you know that. Is there a reason you’re just now having a problem with it all of a sudden?
[He holds onto Natasha for support and they start to slowly limp in the direction of her apartment.] What… *huff* what c’n I say, I’m a… I’m just a sensitive guy. [He grins, then winces as his shoulder throbs.] Thanks fer… y’know… just thanks. [His breath is ragged, but they finally reach the apartment.] Ah, good… y’weren’t kiddin’ ‘bout the distance. Don’t think I could’a lasted much longer’n that.
You know you don’t need to thank me, Danny. [Laying him down on the couch, she brushed some more hair away from his face] I’ll go get you some water, okay? Try not to catch on fire. [Standing up quickly, she went to go grab him a glass of water and some tylenol] Here, take this and then we can go from there, okay?
[He groans as his wound is tied] Never bin good with pain, y’know? And in my defence, that is a bloody big hole in my shoulder. My bike should be ‘round here somewhere if y’need it, don’t think I can ride it in this state though. How far is far, ‘tasha? Might need some help here.
I’m not riding your bike without you, Ketch. And yeah, I’ve noticed you and pain aren’t on great terms. [She slides her arm around his waist and helps him stand] It’s less than five minutes on foot.
You jus’ want… y’just want me fer my body, hey ‘tasha? [He manages a strained smile as his jacket and shirt are pulled off, pain lancing down his arm as he maneuvers it around the shirt. He] Ooh that is nasty. It doesn’t go right through, does- yep, yep it does. ‘course it does. Man, that’s fuckin’ gross, I can see the bone through the- aww, man. [He cringes and looks away] Do we have firs’ aid or somethin’? Jus’ so my damn shoulder don’t fall off in the meantime.
[Ripping a piece of fabric off the hem of her shirt, she wraps it around his shoulder and shakes her head] You’re a baby, Ketch. Come on, I have a home not too far from here. If I’m correct, Bruce made it his home on more than one occasion. I can stitch you up there, yeah?
You expected a different response?
Should I have?
