Ch. 28 - Begin again.

Shortly after being approached by his sister, Drake made his way to the back of the car, he would be so distracted, not to mention disappointed in himself.

He didn't notice Marlene's gaze or Anna's. Anna's mother spoke up to the girls. "What do you see in that young man? Ealier, I saw a headstong boy, and warrior ready to die. But also... an embodiment of hate and death, can you girls really stand by his side... you two aren't like those other girls, that's a fact."

Marlene couldn't deny those words, this was a first. She's been shaking the entire time, but, also unable to form words. Just going on in the moment. Letting her instinct be the base of her actions.

Anna, never got too involved with crime. Her mother kept her an arms length from that sort of stuff. And today, she saw Drake in his natural state.

"My daughter... and you young lady, are serious about this... you need to accept you'll have to get blood on your hands... that boys killed before, and hes killed today. based on how he fought my men... even I knew he could kill. And those other ladies, are far above you both able to keep up with him. I'd say even bare the same sins. So what's the plan?" Anna's mother said trying to have them open their eyes to the world they were kept away from.

"I'd like to stay by his side." Anna said. "Frankly, I'd say I'm not far... since I'm your daughter. So I've been aware, I guess I've been arrogant about it... hoping I don't become what you have." Anna walked towards Rose who was with Sarah.

"And you?" Anna's mother asked Marlene.

"It was love at first sight with him... so yeah... I'd love to be with him... but... I don't like that my friends were in pain and danger... Alex... and Drake." She would still be shaking.

"Hope and wishful thinking doesn't mean anything in our work... I'd say it's less than... and if you can't fight... what can you do?" Anna's mother testes her.

"Should I leave then? I shaking... I heard what happened to Alex..." she then held her lower stomach area. "But, walking away feels to unfair... and wrong to me..." Marlene couldn't decide.

"Then... if you want to stay with them... you should be useful... if fighting is to hard... then do something else. Become a doctor. You just might stop the death of one of them or his..." she gave actual advice.

"Heal huh? I guess that's not a bad idea..." Marlene would then walk to gather with the others.

Anna's mother soon was approached by Jack. "Another child? What?" She asked.

"Our boss, wants to chat with you." Jack would hand her a phone then walk away.

The phone rang. "Oh... let's see where this goes... I sense... another business opportunity..." she answered twirling her hair aside.

Drake sat alone with Alex laying down on her back. "You wanted to talk?" He asked, sitting close, and wanted to reach for her hand.

"It's not like I'm gonna die..." she said, taking his hand. "I got news... one of my ovaries was destoyed..." she told him.

"Was I really overthinking it that much?" He asked holding her hand tight.

"Hmm... how bad were you thinking it was...?" She asked playfully asking.

"Well... I assumed where the stab area was... you wouldn't be able to have my children... or... maybe it was critical... you bled a lot..." he answered truthfully to a degree.

"Your charming, wanting me to have your child..." she would only stop for a second before sitting up and looking at him in embarrassed. "Your serious?!"

"Ah...?" He looked at her odd. She noticed the stress's around his eyes.

"Hey... I'll be alright... but... are you serious? Me... you'd honor me with that sort of gift?" She asked. Hiding the pain of sitting up.

He would grab her hips carefully and lay her down holding her waist amd placed a hand on her back. "Stay down... and... yeah... eventually I want you all too... if that's alright... but... I'm not sure how your injury will really affect you... during the process."

"As long as I have one, yeah, I can have kids of my own... but let's get down... hey, you got hit hard a few times, you alright?" Alex asked.

"Yeah, I'll be fine... hey... once we're back... can you stay home? I want you... Marlene and my sister to stay safe... maybe Anna as well... rose and I can finish this... you all shouldn't be involved in this." Drake said.

"Are you going back against us? We said we'd help you, and true... maybe we should back off... but... we cant... cause your still in this." Alex said touching his cheek.

"It's my problem... I can't stop either of you... but... I dint want any of you to get hurt. You know that." He explained once more.

"Ha ha... we know... but, seeing you so angry... depressed... and sad. Just hurts us more. I know you well, I know you want to run off and hunt them all down... but you know if you go... well be right behind. Likely get into danger... and you couldn't bare that. We know, the pain your father has cause, and I'm not talking about just what he did to you. But countless people he trafficked. And I know, you feel a sense of responsibility to stop that. You want to end a cycle of evil, and you don't care about putting yourself at the center of it all... but, because of that, we can't leave you to do all by yourself. If we did... I know you'd die... and I know, you'd regret that. I know also, you want to keep us safe, your heart is so full of care for others... but you don't show any to yourself. That's why, we choose to stay in this together with you. So please Drake, lean on us too. You can't be strong all the time... please, don't guy want to rest on laps of their girlfriend? Or be held in their arms to feel their breast's? You should really relax more... you one of kind you know, having 4 girls all to yourself." She would open her heart trying to have him understand her view of him. She laid out her heart to him.

He would lean down, planting the softest and most loving kiss on her lips. Holding her hand that was on his cheek till their fingers gently found themselves intertwined.

After a passionate moment, she would ask. "I know, this may not be the right time handsome, but... why didn't you chase after your father...? You still had your other gun... why didn't you end things?" She asked.

"In the grand scheme of things Alex... you and the other girls are far more important. Even through all my hated and anger for that man... they don't hold a candle to the amout of care I have you amd the others. And also, this is a personal matter, I won't let any of you die for my own selfish reasons... I'm sorry this happened... I want you to know that... at least, I hope you do." Drake opened to her and answered her question honeslty.

"Glad to know, you hold us to a high regard..." she sighed. "I'll be fine... I'll just need some stitches, but if I get stabbed in the opposite side... I'm afraid I won't be having any children of my own with you, lets just be glad and lucky i didnt stabbed any more center to that place, kay big guy." She said making light of her wound. Luckily even with one of her ovaries she can still get pregnant. "Anyways mind if I hang out with the others... I'm tired of seeing you feeling sorry for me, you know I'm tougher than that, I just got caught off gaurd, I won't let it happen again. So stop seeing me like that big guy, you shouldn't think I'm so soft." She'd do her best to reassure him.

He let out a breath, a sigh of relief as her decide to have faith in her words. "Fine... alright. I'm gonna get back to business..." He'd raise her hand and press his lips against her knuckle. Getting up he then left her to recover. Once hoping out, he would find himself back in his territory.

A month went by, stepping out of his room, thing have gone silent from the underground and the streets. It was a strange scenario, but one he was conscious of. He would meet up with the girls as they would head back to school in this time too. It was their first day.

In that month, they would decide together to go back to normal life. Only now, things were in much better circumstances. For the fact, Drake and Sarah were living in the gang affiliated HQ of the Empire. Sarah was experiencing life like a rich girl for the first time. The queen thought it would fun to raise to raise her like her own child, only with a lot more restrictions thanks to Drake. Sarah had a massive room, and would a maid around her to both serve her but protect her. Giving Drake time to be a teen.

Drake lived with Rose, in a room of their own, it was fine for the most part since it was an open secret he was dating more than one girl. And he did respect her boundaries, as she saught to have fun and enjoy while she could the one on one husband and wife lifestyle.

Upon leaving, Alex was first to meet them, then Jessica, and lastly Anna as they were at the gate of the school. Nicole was even there as a nurse thanks to Drake's request to the principle. The principle would soon be in her office with him alone.

"You got some nerve showing up." She said trying to resist the urge to smack him with a both.

"I'm sorry... Ma'am." He said and sure enough his councilor came in too.

"It's mom kid..." he ruffled his hair. "You had us worried... but... your back right...?" He asked.

"Don't be gentle with him dear!" She scolded. But, let her gaurd down. "Ugh... fine... yeah, are you hun?" She asked Drake.

"I hope so..." he then pressed the tips of his fingers together. "I don't know actually... i want to try though... again... as many times as I can... can you guys forgive me?" He asked them. With true sincerity. "I, really wanna just be a normal kid. For a bit again..."

"Course... but, now that your back... and after that viral video, things may be tough... but let's see." She told him.

"About that... Marlene's father... he did queit the amazing favor... he was able t help with that video. Saying in a conference it was a movie skit gone to far. You know, method acting gone to far, and because of the stuff afterwards, the studio cut the movie. So hopefully that's all I get hassled for... so I think it should be fine." Drake said sitting up straight.

"Alright... but now the real question son." His counselor said. "Your dad... your real one... did you get him?" He asked.

It was queit.

"Honey, this is a school..." the principal said.

"No." Drake said. Answering. "He... got away, before I got to finish what he started..." he trusted the. To open up how he felt. "I did. Take care of his goon though, he stabbed alex... so, but, I swear I won't let him go again." Drake looked at him. Both theirs eyes met.

"Gotcha... alright buddy, why don't you catch up with school you missed." His councilor then looked to his wife.

"You mean the mountain of quiz stuff and homework he missed out on... I guess you do need to catch up..." she chuckled.

"Huh? No way..." he looked bothered, but then smiled softly to himself. "Okay... I'll turn it all by the end of the month..." he was more relaxed with them. Adult who saw him as just a trouble kid. Giving him the chance he desperately wanted. To just be a kid.

"Head to class then..." she said coming up and patting his head.

He'd get up and leave. "See you both." He'd leave, and went to his first period.

Entering the class late, he could hear the silence and the loudest thing being his own heartbeat as he took his seat. He was still a teen back in a grade he was suppose to, so he looked out of place. After that class ended, he'd be approach by some guys and gals who asked about the movie. Since Drake was so obvious in it and wondered if he had a double life.

They were quick to fill up the room with such a spark and he was sort of taken aback, he thought he'd be queit the outcast again, like in the beginning, but I guess the thrill of a potential movie star for a student in your school had them all turn 180. He just went along with the lie and just brought up how the movie would be made and excuse after excuse. And upon now getting approach, the girl couldn't help but see how attractive he was. He may have been a grade older in age, but they wasn't much an issue to them.

Soon, he did get up apologizing as he just had to meet up with other. His first day back, was beyond what he ever imagine. He didn't like the attention of admirers, and as he headed out to meet the others he'd see Akane, however he noticed something estranged about this time.

"Hey man." Drake said patting his shoulder.

"Oh, hey Drake, your actually back to school huh?" He was queit unaware of the life Drake had.

"Yeah, sorry about not keeping you in the loop... but hey, are you... more... lean?" Drake asked and felt his brand shoulder from the pat he gave him.

"A bit... ha, I took up working out as just a hobby, I felt inspired after..." he then stopped. "Never mind that, where are the others?" He asked.

"Hey, Don't just dodge the question, but I guess I won't pry... they're around. They're probably hanging out together..." Drake said hearing whispers of guys.

"Have you seen the new babes?!" One guy said in passing.

His friend replied. "Hell yeah! Though, they all look so fine, so you think they might be sluts?" One asked as a jest.

"Damn hope so!" A third got involved.

"Nah, they all look so diverse, they don't look the part... maybe rich girls?" One thought more rational.

"Ignore them drake." Akane told him.

"I am... but, they got good taste... my girls are all the best." Drake said with purr confidence. Knowing the quality and worth of the girls who were standing by him.

"You make them sound like property, don't let them hear you say that." Akane worried.

"Well... I'm not lying, they are some tough girls in their own right. I'm not meaning it in that way, you get what I mean?" Drake said.

"I do... they are queit imposing or fierce. Frankly, I'm impressed you can handle them all?" Akane said in thought.

"It's not like I'm some animal with them man... I just treat them with respect, if they have problems I listen, if I can help I do. I just act like myself and keep things real with them..." Drake finished with that, as he didn't see them the same way others seemed to perceived his way of thinking on it.

Much after a bit of walking, they soon saw the four of them, Alex, rose, Anna, and Marlene all together sitting outside on a bench chatting.

Drake and akane approach as sat joining them so casually.

The sight of the boys bravado garnered attention from others as they clicked so naturally.

"Heya boys!" Alex said sitting across with Marlene and Anna. Rose sat up beside Drake and akane at the end.

Rose quickly hugged Drake's arm tight. "How are you adjusting?" She asked.

"I'm doing fine... I got lots attention for the movie lie... but, at least I'm not looked at like some thug anymore." Drake sighed.

"That's good." Marlene said leaning over to Anna.

"Are we seriously just gonna accept things are back to normal?" Anna asked a real question.

"What do you mean?" Akane asked. "Oh nevermind, you guys all probably don't need me prying in."

"It's alright man, but yeah we should keep it that way..." Drake said. "I rather we don't need to tell ya, just a lot went down..." Drake sighed.

"Hey no sweat, I feel like I'm not cut from the same cloth... but, if you need a spare arm I'm around kay. What are friends for?" Akane would say before then, Jack would come over also.

"Got room for one more to sit around." He asked.

"Sure, the floor puppy." Rose told him.

"Excuse me!?" He was appalled.

Drake chuckled.

"Hmm I guess you can sit up in the table." Marlene said with a look of concern.

"Don't you have other friends?" Drake asked. "No offense, but you did cause her and I some trouble in the start, now you wanna buddy buddy?" Drake tilted his head.

"Yeah, and I apologize for that... you especially miss." He said, being far more polite now as he apologized to Marlene.

"Come here Marlene..." Alex said, lifting the girl to her lap, as they now took up one seat together, with Alex having her arm around Marlene's hips and held her. "Take her spot."

Drake chuckled.

Marlene couldn't believe her position and was absolutely flushed.

Drake, of course got a look from Jack clearly wondering if that was fine.

Drake got the hint and looked at him. "You heard her, have a seat there, just keep your hands to yourself got it." He told him.

Alex looked to Marlene with quite the enduring look, while Marlene would look at Alex in an entire new light. As her heart skipped happily. "Didn't ask if that was okay, but since he did apologize and redeemed himself, hope it's alright?" Alex asked all to late.

Jack just sat down and kept a gap enough between them.

With Marlene soon responding. "Oh, yeah it's fine... I'm here now." She then then was thinking to herself. 'Am I heavy? Do I stink to her? Oh gosh?!'

Alex just softly grinned and held her.

The 7 of them chatted on soon enough.

And of course, they attracted the attention of everyone, ot was such a sight to behold. A pair of delinquents, which prim and proper ladies, and even some look on and about needs were all together like friends.

They were a specter to behold.

"Hey, D, would you like to go to the movies?" Anna asked.

"Just us? Or everyone?" He asked.

"Just us, if that no problem with you or the others? Is it?" Anna asked.

"I have no problem, Alex said." Shrugging

"Same here!" Marlene said smiling, enjoying her position on Alex lap.

"I wanna go? Well depends on the movie." Rose said.

"You have him everyday to yourself..." Anna pointed.

"Kay! Fine." She chuckled. "Was only teasing, what movie you plan to watch?" Rose asked.

Drake pulled out his phone. "Hmmm... what should we see then? You recommend any akane?"

"Huh? Why ask him?" Anna wondered.

"Do you know already which you wanna see?" Drake asked.

"Well..." she thought.

He chuckled. "Let's get some suggestions, we can always watch more than one movies if you got the endurance." He brought.

Which lit up her mood.

"Oh, sure. Recommended some intresting ones." Anna looked to akane.

"Ah... well, they have a sentai one... you know with Rangers, and stuff, a recent adaptation to some of the classic shows... I've heard it's a great adaptation faithful to the source material, if you want an action flick with light hearted comedy." Akane said on the spot.

"You could also see the horror stuff that's out?" Jack pointed out taking out his phone. "Recently this Sci fi serious got a fresh movie that's brings back it's space horror that past movies failed so if you wanna a thrill there's that." Jack said showing the film he recommended.

"Ooh... these are great choices." Anna said enjoying the novelty of both sides. "If we can, can we go on another movie to watch more films?" She asked Drake.

He was about to open with something sarcastic slightly of the line. 'No need to ask, we can just go you know' but when he saw her eyes brim with joy at the idea, he could tell he had to do the proper thing and answer with all manner of respect. "Yeah, of course. If you'd like we can set up a schedule, a day you and I can. Go to movies... maybe once every week or so? Would that please you?" He asked, agreeing to her needs happily.

"Ooh!" She lit up. "That would so fun! Kay, let's go after-school today and make today the official beginning of our dates." Anna was practically brimming. Kicking her feet.

"How cute." Alex said, patting Anna om her head bringing her close as she then grabbed her waist. "Hey now... I hope we can come along some times."

Her advances made Anna flustered and nodded however. "Course! We're all partners to Drake, so why not, feel free join, but today let me have him." She was like a dog wagging her tail in joy from the car she was feeling.

"Okay, it's settled." Drake would put his phone back into his pocket.

Akane and Jack both agreed. "Let's not got anymore involved than we have too yeah."

Both would nod.

"I don't mean to pry... but, haven't you been to relaxed about all this?" Nicole would come over, and appear so suddenly it have half of them jump. And once again, she was drawn into Drake who didn't even so much as recoil.

"I guess we are kinda just ignoring the topic..." Drake did agree. "But... it's not bad to relax now is it?"

"I suppose not... but, am I also included in the fun activities? You did rough me up quiet a bit... and won me in turn." Nicole said hugging Drake from behind where he sat. Draping her arms around his neck.

"Of course..." He'd agreed.

She snickered and grinned. "I get the feeling I'm still not trusted, even though I've been a good girl after being in your care... I'll take my leave." She'd make her mark leaving a kiss on his cheek before getting up.

The girls all felt their position threatened. It was definitely more of a womanly issue than a grand threat.

"Drake..." Alex glared at him. "Your not spoiling her being our backs are you?

"I'm not... your welcome to kiss my cheek too, you all are." He said with no real hesitation.

Inviting all of them to show the same sort of affection.

Alex, thought on it, bit since they had been intimate probably more than most around she didn't feel the need too.

Rose was quiet interested, but. She was scheming where.

Anna was actually hesitate, since she stilled viewed herself as pet to her master. And contemplated if this was his way of giving her permission.

Marlene wanted to do the same, but was on the opposite side of the table, and in Alex's lap. Maybe next time she thought.

"No way I'm doing it." Jack said leaning back in his seat.

"Yeah, not my thing either." Akane even mimicked.

Drake played along sighning loudly. "Shame... I thought you'd both would've for sure. Some friends."

The boys could easily see the jest, however. The girls all cuddly went from envious, to completely being dumbfounded.

The bell rang, as he would easily get up and slip out of Rose's hold since she was still off put. And with the guys they headed to the school again.

"HUHHHH!!" The girls all snapped back as they soon saw the boys already leaving together.

'It has been peaceful... but, why.' Drake asked himself as he was still ever so cautious and alert. Things did settler down after the sudden invasion of Anna's home and property, and after his father ran off, the crime also has been down itself. It was also thanks to the chief of police that the streets got cleaned up.

There were still problems, and business still needed to be settled.