The old nurse looked at me with disapproval as she tightened the bandages around my chest. I winced as the fastening clip bit my skin.

"Oi, easy, auntie... That stings!"

"You are not supposed to be walking around, boy, more or less sneaking out of the hospital."

"We're not sneaking out."

"Right... That's what the G-Men said." She helped me get dressed then put a packet of pills in my pocket.

"Take two when you feel like your stitches are ripping."

"That's sweet of you, auntie." I snickered and followed her as she went out of the room. I found Agent Order with Gyn and his crew outside, passing around a bag of what I suspect were sinkers.

"Can't believe my last meal is a bunch of fried dough and a cup stale of joe." Ray said as he handed me the bag. I grabbed one that looked like caramel, took a bite and instantly knew it was from the Ritz. I wouldn't mind if it was the last thing I ate.

"Hurry it up, boys... and girl." Agent Order said. "We're taking two cars just like the last time. AJ, Gyn, you're riding with me. I trust Wong will be ready for our rendezvous?"

"They will be, sir."

"I'll bet my socks off we're outnumbered." Ray said as he dusted off the crumbs from his suit.

"We convinced two of the seven elders to have their men fight for us. We have at least thirty on our side."

"How many are we up against?" Norris asked.

"More than that."

"I'm not liking those odds at all." Ray gulped the last of his joe.

"Ditch the odds. We're more than enough. Right, AJ?" Gyn asked. I gave her a thumbs up.

"See?" She beamed.

"You think so, squirt?" Ray smiled. "If that's good enough for you, that's good enough for me. We get out of this kickin', I'm officially calling you my lucky charm."

Gyn grinned from ear to ear.

"Alright let's finish this up." Agent Order said as he crushed his paper cup. "Remember to watch each other's backs. We're on our own out there. We'll arrest as many of them as we can, but if it's your life against theirs, choose yours. Understood?"

Everyone nodded.

"Anything you want to add, AJ?"

"Yes, sir. The men fighting with us will be tying red scarves on their wrists. Be sure to have an extra weapon; a knife, a pipe, anything you can hit with. Having a gun isn't much of a deterrent to the NoLuks and it would be risky to use if we're fighting on close quarters. The brothers have agreed to split their groups. At midnight, Ming will take down those at the gate while Wong will cover the old district exit and the rest of the streets in between. We'll enter by car and bring at least five men to take on the rest at the Dancing Duck. KanBo is meeting the five elders there tonight to discuss the change of leadership. Xiao will be there too. It won't be a walk in the park, and as Agent Order said, don't hesitate. Gyn?"

"Yup?"

"You stick to the G-man like glue."

She began to protest, but I gave her a stern look.

"I'm not holding back tonight, Gyn, and so will KanBo. You know how it is. I won't have him use you to his advantage." She didn't like it, but I knew she understood. The G-man did too. "I can't promise you a warm body tonight, sir."

"I know, but try."

I nodded.

"Alright... I'm guessing we're all set. Let's all try to get home in one piece, shall we?"

*********

We met Ming and his men at an old warehouse just outside the gate of Chinatown. He handed us red scarves and offered us weapons to carry. The lawmen declined but I chose a pair of shortsticks for Gyn. He then picked five fighters to go with us.

Midnight struck. Ming and his men marched up the gates while we tailed them closely. Tak's group met us and had no intention of letting us in. A standoff lasted for a few seconds until one of Tak's men made the first move. Chaos followed after, with Ming waving at us to drive on. Agent Order wasted no time and stepped on it.

Soon we were parked in front of the Dancing Duck. The dining hall was full, not of diners, but of men loyal to KanBo. This was going to be a long night.

I took a deep breath and looked at my companions. Agent Order and I were the first to step off the vehicle and everyone followed suit. We were met at the door by Ping.

"You and your friends are not welcome here, Jin."

"We're only here for KanBo and Xiao. Hand them over, and none of you will get hurt."

"You forgot how to count?" He smirked. "There are more than sixty of us here." Men started to gather around him, ready to pounce us at the signal. "Walk away, Jin."

I knew our conversation was going nowhere. I walked up to him, face to face. He gave me a curious look, waiting for me to say something. I gave him a head butt instead. As soon as I heard the satisfying crack of bone on bone, I knew the brawl was on! As Ping staggered backwards, other men took his place. I let my fists and feet do their job, taking down as many as I can take.

I looked to check on everyone and saw them holding up. The feds opted to stow their guns, mowing down NoLuks with brass knuckles and truncheons. Gyn did her fair shair of damage with her shortsticks. I focused my attention to the kitchen where I knew KanBo was having his little get together.

The guard standing by the door launched a high kick, but I caught his leg mid air, gave his other knee a solid tap and punched him in the base of his skull. He was knocked out instantly. I stormed to the kitchen but was shocked to see all the elders unconscious on the floor. I then heard a weak voice behind me. It was Heng, with a gaping wound on his chest. I held the old man in my arms, and tried to apply pressure on his wound.

"Too late for me, Jin... KanBo... he poisoned the elders... I tried to stop him... Tell Madame Yu, I'm sorry..." Heng's breath rattled, and breathed his last. I closed the old man's eyes, laid his body on the table, and vowed not waste his death.

I headed for the backdoor to go after Kanbo when I heard a vehicle start. I followed the sound and saw Kanbo and Xiao pulling away from the curb. Going after them on foot was not an option. I ran to the dining hall where the Feds had taken control of the floor. Agent Order saw me running, and asked what was happening.

"KanBo's on the run, sir. He's driving away with Xiao."

Agent Order threw me his keys. We both ran to the car, with Gyn hot on our heels. The G-man shook his head in disbelief as she scrambled to the passenger seat. We let her be as there was no time to argue. I maneuvered to car to the direction KanBo took and stepped on it. We were soon on their tail. Gyn pulled something from her trousers, and to my surprise, it was a .38!

"Where'd you get that?!"

The brat didn't answer but instead pointed to the G-man.

"You gave her a gun?!"

"It's Ray's. Only as a last resort, AJ."

"Well? Give it back, Gyn!"

"Not yet. Drive steady." Gyn propped half of her body out the window and aimed the pistol on KanBo's car. She pulled the trigger twice and gave out a whoop as we all heard the hiss of the blown out tire. I stepped on the brakes as the car lost control and crashed on a telephone pole.

It didn't take a while before its two passengers got out of the car and started running in different directions. I told the G-man to handle Xiao and went after KanBo. I chased him down to the old district and cornered him on a dead end.

"I won't go to jail, AJ." KanBo said as he took a defensive stance and gave me a fist palm salute.

He was looking for a fight and so was I. I walked up to him and gave him the same gesture. I didn't wait for him to make the first move. My hands acted on reflex. He had no time to react. I grabbed him by the arms and began punching his vital points and with the right timing, slipped a solid straight to the jaw. He staggered but I didn't give him time to recover. I kept on hitting and let my knee fly to his face. A tooth flew out and his nose will never be the same.

"I forgot how fast you are." Kanbo said as wiped the blood from his face. He steadied his breathing and suddenly lunged, grappling me by the waist. "But I remember where you got shot last time." He brought me down on the ground heavy, and began punching my chest. I bit my cheek as my wounds got pounded, and felt the blood beginning to soak my shirt. I tried to jab him on the face but as he put his whole weight on me and attacked my chest, I felt the strength drain from my arms. I knew I had to do something or I'll lose this fight.

I twisted my waist and brought my knees hard on his ribs. I kept at it until I heard them break. He groaned in pain and shifted his weight, allowing me to take hold of his hips. I lifted him off the ground, and slammed his back on the pavement. Twice. He was barely conscious when I stood up.

"My back's broken." KanBo grimaced as he began coughing up blood. "Finish it, AJ."

"We were supposed to be family, KanBo. But you hurt everyone who should've meant something to you. You betrayed your family for spare change." I poised my fist just below his chin. "This is the least I can do."

I raised my fist to strike but someone called my name. It was Gyn.

"AJ! Don't do it! It's over! We got Xiao!"

"Stay out of this, kid. Get out of here!"

She moved, but instead of walking away, she walked towards us.

"I won't let you do it, AJ. I'm not going to let you end up like him." She lowered my fist and helped me stand.

"Let's go. Loren's waiting for us back at the hospital."

I gave KanBo one last look. "You owe her your life, Bo."

I let Gyn pull me away and started walking back to where we left the car. We met Agent Order on board an ambulance along the way.

"Where is he, AJ?"

"Straight ahead, sir."

"Is he...?"

"Alive. He won't walk again, but alive."

Agent Order sighed a breath of relief.

"Alright. Norris and Ray are already waiting for you two. Head on to the hospital. I'll follow you there once I'm sure the brothers can handle things here."

Gyn gave the G-man a salute as we walked on. We found the two feds leaning on the car, both sporting an assortment of injuries. I remembered the pills in my pocket and gave Norris the whole pack. He nodded in thanks.

"Ahhh, there's my lucky charm." Ray greeted Gyn with a high five. "You two look like hell." he grinned.

"You look worse!" Gyn teased. "I told you we'll make it."

"And so you did!" Ray laughed. "Why don't we all get out of here, eh?"

Norris opened the doors of the car and one by one, we filed in. For the first time that night, I felt my body complaining. Five minutes into the ride, Gyn was snoring beside me.

*********

Loren and Ms Myna were already waiting when we arrived at the hospital. I told them what happened with Gyn filling in as to what happened to Xiao. It turns out that he and Agent Order engaged in a fist fight, with Xiao ending up with a broken arm. Loren then informed me that Madame Yu woke up just after we left. Ms Myna went down to the canteen and returned with food, which Gyn and I wolfed down in record time. She also requested an extra cot for Gyn.

At sunrise, Ms Myna told us that her fiance dropped by while every one was asleep. He was back to the station early with Norris and Ray.

As the doctor made his rounds, I asked him if I can be allowed to go home. After the old nurse taught Loren how to change the dressings, we were given the green light. Gyn and I dropped by Madame Yu's room and was pleased to see Wong outside her door. Gyn went in to give ahpo a kiss.

"How is she?" I asked Wong.

"She was awake awhile ago. The doctor said she'll improve in the next few days."

"That's good to hear. What about the elders?"

He shook his head. Only the two who took our side were alive.

"We'll hold a wake for Heng and the elders for the rest of the week."

"I'll be there."

"I never thought this would happen, Jin. It's like starting from scratch."

"It's better than nothing. Ahpo is alive."

Wong sighed. "You're right about that, my friend."

I shook Wong's hand and reminded him to call me at the Ritzy when the old woman is well enough to receive visitors.

Gyn and I went down to the lobby and saw Loren and Ms Myna waiting for us. Loren took my hand in hers and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

"Ready to go, cutie patootie?" She laughed.

"Cutie patootie?!"

"You don't like it? How about Pookie Bear?"

"Cutie Patootie it is."

"I think I'll alternate between those two."

She laughed even more as she saw me cringe. I loved hearing her laugh.

"Sure, silly melon." I snickered. "Let's go home."