(no subject)

It isn't easy to juggle a young baby, three upset kids, a frightened housemate, and a husband who just had to have a bullet removed from his chest. Oh, and work.

Fortunately, Turtle didn't decide to go into a coma as tends to happen extraordinarily often in fiction for no logical reason, which meant that the cops were able to interview him pretty quick on who he thought was his attempted murderer.

"We think Ted is the most likely suspect." one of them says to Turtle. "He's the only person we can confirm as a shooter at the scene."

But Turtle shook his head. "No, Ted didn't do it."

"You remember your shooter?" the detective asks.

"No." Turtle says. "I think I was drugged. But I know it wasn't Ted. I might not be his Dad, but I'd be proud if I was. He saved my life, Bonnie's too, and Billie's."

He looks around, and sees Ted standing in the hospital doorway. He gives the lad a nod, and gets a nod back.

"Come here, Ted." Turtle says.

Ted slopes over awkwardly, and sits on the edge of the bed.

"I would never want to replace your father." Turtle says. "But if you ever decide you want me to adopt you, you just say the word."

"That doesn't prove he's innocent." the detective says.

"Why don't you try focusing on some of the people who actually want to kill me." Turtle says. "Start with Picket and Cassandra."


Later in the day, the cops find the bullet that went through Bonnie's arm in the grass outside the house. It doesn't match the gun that shot Turtle, and the second gun is confirmed.


In the evening, some of the bikers come to visit. Turtle hands them a letter.

"This is my resignation as president. I'm not putting my family in any more danger."

"You cain't." Rusty Nail protests.

"Cain and have." Turtle says. "I'm startin' a new gang, when I'm back on my feet, fer family road trips. I'm gonna show my daughter the world of bikin', and anyone keepin' to the four drink limit is welcome to join. If Picket ain't the one that shot me, that leaves him free to lead the Scorpions."

"I think you did the right thing." Bonnie says afterwards. "I'll miss being an Iron Scorpion, but it's not been the same."

"We'll design new colours." Turtle says. "We'll admit women as standard members same as men. The boys can learn to ride a motorbike in a year or two and it'll be a suitable environment fer them to hang out, and you won't have to have a babysitter."

"I think I like this plan." Bonnie agrees. "Just don't let Terry design our colours."