Chapter Text
Tango had to wait a while to be allowed to visit Jimmy. With the excessive blood loss, injury to his neck, and other unknowns, he was under strict observation by multiple doctors and specialists. Tango took the risk to tell them about the possibility of excess vampire venom in what little of Jimmy’s blood remained. They appreciated the information, considering it was the first time they had some inkling of what was going on with Jimmy’s condition.
While waiting, Tango sought permission to see Mumbo in quarantine. It was denied, since Mumbo was still in active treatment. Tango managed to find Xisuma in a waiting area, rifle propped up and secured next to him. Even though he had a helmet on, he looked exhausted. Xisuma turned his head when he saw Tango.
“You look better,” said Xisuma.
“Yeah. Thanks. I don’t know how it would have gone without you,” said Tango.
“You can thank Shubble too. She made Mumbo and I leave with her before the others could show up. Poor Impulse had a crash course explanation. Sounds like he did a good job though so I suppose it worked out,” said Xisuma.
“I’ll tell her when I see her. By the way, how did you move that fast?” Tango asked. “I thought he had you when he got your helmet.”
“It was very close.” Xisuma’s eyes widened momentarily. “I’ve had my fair share of scuffles if you recall. Normally I’d stick with the tranq rounds, but I wasn’t about to risk another round of anything like One again.”
“Wait… you’ve never killed before this?” Tango asked.
“I have, unfortunately. We got desperate toward the end, and One would always move slightly off and the shot would get one of his bodyguards,” said Xisuma. “I felt bad for them, being stuck listening to his orders. It’s part of why I started CHUG in the first place.”
Tango nodded. Part of him wanted to ask about stories of that time, but given how cagey most people were about that time, he decided against it. At least for now.
“Tango, I’m not supposed to tell you this, but I didn’t stop Mumbo all by myself. When Shubble went down to fight Xornoth, I called Grian,” said Xisuma. “He wasn’t picking up when we first called back at the apartment. When I told him what was going on he hung up. I couldn’t call back since I had to help you four.”
“So he did show up?” Tango asked.
“I think he’s the reason Cub wasn’t chased into the room after he poisoned Mumbo. A little after you went to help Jimmy and Scott, Mumbo got thrown in. Zedaph and Shubble had to avoid Cub and Mumbo for a bit. It was a nightmare to distract him from Skizz. Had to pop a blood bag open on myself to keep him focused on me. Not a fun clean up by the way,” said Xisuma. “Grian was there when I got Mumbo to chase me to the courtyard. He’s… he’s something else.”
“Yeah. Something else is the perfect description. I talked to him a bit ago,” said Tango.
“Did it go well?” Xisuma asked.
Tango scoffed. “No. I’m pretty sure I’m lucky I said the right thing to him. Or I’m lucky that he doesn’t want to upset Jimmy any more.”
“Speaking of Jimmy, I’ve had the chance to check in on him; it looks like another round of transfusions,” said Xisuma.
“That’s what they said. Still ‘human’ though,” Tango said human with air quotes.
Xisuma’s eyes widened. “What’s with that?”
Tango sighed. “It’s a long and confusing story. He’s not a vampire, and something magic is stopping that from happening. Now that I’ve seen it I’m sure.”
“Oh dear,” said Xisuma. “You’ve got an idea of who’s responsible, don’t you?”
Tango nodded. “I don’t think it was done maliciously, but it’s backfired. Jimmy deserves to know the truth. All of it. That way he can choose if he wants to stay as he is or change something. I want him to have his life back, even if there’s a chance I might not be part of it.”
“What makes you so sure you won’t be part of Jimmy’s life after this?” Xisuma asked.
“For all I know, he’ll look at me and be reminded of the hell he’s gone through. He deserves to have some peace,” said Tango.
Xisuma ruffled Tango’s hair. “I wouldn’t jump to conclusions so soon. Don’t forget when you were garlic poisoned he wanted to see you as soon as possible. Chances are he’ll ask for you the moment he wakes up.”
Tango was glad to hear that. He hoped Jimmy’s wish for this being the last hospital stay would be true.
“I hate to ask this, but it’s safe to assume Xornoth is dead, right?” Xisuma asked.
Tango nodded. “Scott and I burned him after. We didn’t keep the head through.”
Xisuma stifled a laugh. “I imagine you wouldn’t. We’re lucky he didn’t get powerful enough for people to think he could resurrect. One was a special case in that department.”
He certainly was. One’s shadow still haunted the entire city. His relation to Tango wasn’t going to help either. Keeping the secret of who was his ‘sire’ by technicality wouldn’t hold for much longer. Tango was sure of that.
“Got any advice for rebuilding?” Tango asked.
“Hmm… go with your gut. You’ve got a decent head on your shoulders, so I think you’ll turn out alright,” said Xisuma.
Tango sighed. “Trust myself. I should have known. Alright.” He stood up and stretched.
“Where are you headed?” Xisuma asked.
“I’m gonna find Scott. See if I can convince him to take the role of a clan leader again,” said Tango. “He’s a mess and he’s pissed me off a couple times, but I’d prefer to work with him instead of a random upstart.”
“Good luck,” said Xisuma.
“Thanks,” Tango left Xisuma to rest.
----
Finding a spot in the hospital to make a call was difficult, so he chose to leave the building and called Scott’s number. At first it went to voicemail. Tango called again.
“Tango, why are you calling me now? We’ve taken care of Xornoth, Jimmy’s free of me, you don’t need anything--” Scott began.
“Are you gonna rebuild your clan?” Tango interrupted.
“What? What makes you think they’ll listen to me now?” Scott questioned. “I’m disgraced, my brother beat me, absorbed my clan into his, and now that they’re clanless they’re not beholden to my orders. Some might rejoin, but some are just going to try to build themselves up. Not to mention whatever is left of Xornoth’s clan that didn’t get caught will stir things up.”
“How did you do it the first time?” Tango asked.
“Those of my clan followed me because that’s what they were used to. The clan split after kicking Xornoth out of Mezalea, and half of them joined up with Katherine. Back then I had their respect. I doubt I do now,” said Scott. “It might be better if I stay out of vampire politics like Mumbo does.”
Tango paced for a bit. Allowing the clan dynamics to change could be a good thing, or it could have it’s own issues with new clans popping up here and there. Technically the current major leaders could handle that.
“I’d still like you to attend the next meeting,” said Tango.
“What meeting?” Scott questioned.
“The meeting I’m about to schedule,” said Tango.
“Where? Joey’s? Katherine’s? Martyn’s?” Scott asked. “It can’t be your place. I don’t think it’s suited for meetings like that. Now that Rivendell’s dissolved, Jimmy has no reason to move now. If he’s free to stay with you it’d be wise to keep the others out of your apartment.”
Tango had an idea. “What if we held it at your place?”
“Well… I suppose that could work. Normally I hold the meetings I host at a restaurant,” said Scott.
“Think about it for a bit. Owen’s your second right? Is he still with you?” Tango asked.
“For now. I’ll see who’s still loyal and hire them as security. They won’t have obligation otherwise unless they pledge themselves to me,” said Scott. “I doubt they’ll do that when I’m ‘weak’ in comparison.”
“Lets try it,” said Tango.
“Tango, why would you want to work with me? You know what I did. I’m part of the reason you got dragged into this,” said Scott.
Tango sighed in frustration, “Just do it to make it up with me.”
“How is that making it up to you?” Scott asked.
“Katherine is right to look after her own interest and her clan’s, Martyn schemes and is liable to pull something on me, and Joey--”
“Had something going on with Xornoth,” Scott cut in. “Is this a power play? Making sure one leader is always on your side, indebted to you? Is that it?”
“Scott, you know me well enough by now,” Tango began, “Neither of us want a repeat of what happened after One’s death--”
“You weren’t there--”
“—No, but Zed’s done a lot of research. I want you to be one of the clan leaders I work with. You know your stuff, and you’re not afraid of getting your hands dirty to get vampires in order,” said Tango. “Work with me on this.”
Scott sighed in exasperation, “This is going to be a disaster. Alright. Let me get back to you once I’ve figured out who still wants me as their leader. You should check on Jimmy… is he awake?”
“Still in transfusions,” said Tango.
“I wish I told him sooner. I almost told you both the truth after you found out ‘human Scott’ was just me,” said Scott. “Jimmy would have been furious with me but at least he wouldn’t have learned that in front of a bunch of vampires.”
“What’s done is done. Now we’ve got to fix things,” said Tango.
“We’ll see if that’s possible,” said Scott. “I have to go. I need to gather my clan mates and figure out if they’re going to replace me or give me another chance.”
“Good luck,” said Tango.
“Thank you.” Scott hung up.
Tango stuffed his phone back into his pocket. It occurred to him that Jimmy’s car was still parked at the bus station. While he’d rather not make the trip across town, it’d be better to at least move the car back to the apartment. Tango got to the bus stop, showed his pass once he boarded, and sat close to the front to take the route to the bus station.
The bus was mostly empty, which Tango was glad of. He texted Simon that he’ll explain what happened once he gets back into work, and added that he didn’t plan on missing work like that in the first place. He suspected he’d get a reply in the morning, which would be in a few hours. His phone lit up.
Simon: Don’t worry, you still have a job. What was that surprise hospital visit anyway?
Tango: Long story short, I had to visit a prison cause the guy wouldn’t tell anyone else except me. Then a vampire leader from another city staged a jail break with bombs and took a bite out of me.
Simon: Yikes! And I thought my old friend had a crazier life. Are you actually okay to come in though?
Tango: I should be. With any luck, I won’t have more surprises for the rest of the year.
Simon: Knocking on wood right now for that one.
Tango: Why are you up anyway?
Simon: I’m trying out that ‘first sleep, second sleep’ thing. It’s where you sleep a few hours, wake up for an hour and go back to sleep.
Tango: How’s that working out?
Simon: Terrible. I keep sketching up game ideas and I hate them in the morning. I’m gonna run the better ones by Scar anyway. He might get a kick out of it.
Tango: Good luck.
Simon: You too.
Tango got off the bus at the station and retrieved Jimmy’s keys from the code lockers. Hours before, he wasn’t sure what would happen to him, to Skizz, or to Jimmy. Now, he had new things to worry about. Nothing quite as life threatening, he hoped, but still something of a trial.
Tango started the car. The radio was silent from the earlier drive. He turned up the volume slightly to listen to the music playing and hummed along with the song. The uneventful return to the apartment gave Tango enough feeling of safety that the moment he parked the car a wave of exhaustion just about wiped him out. Tango fumbled for his phone to send a quick message to Impulse:
Tango: Went to get Jimmy’s car back to the apartment. I’m wiped. Gonna sleep for a few hours.
Tango climbed out of the car and meandered back to his apartment. It took a couple tries to find the right key to open the door. Home smelled heavenly to him; better than blood and certainly better than the ashen smell that crawled into his senses hours before. Tango didn’t have the steps in him to make it to his bed. He flopped onto the couch, sinking in with a deep sigh. Skizz was changed, but safe. Jimmy was safe, and he could stay with Tango if he wanted. Zedaph survived his battle. Impulse could rest easy. It was a horrible ordeal, but it was over.
Tango’s sleep was completely dreamless, and the most peaceful he had in months.