"Tiberius..." Gidget mumbled softly, quietly approaching her friend. The old hawk was laying on his side. There was a massive bite on the back of his neck while a long and bloody cut stretched from above his right eye to the left side of his forehead. The injury on his flank was obviously worse. But it wasn't the hawk's wounds that really caught Gidget's attention. It was the four tiny kittens that were beside him that did.

Sitting down while being careful not to wake the kittens, Gidget glanced over at Tiberius as she whispered, "This is why you refused to leave, isn't it?" Slowly nodding his head, the hawk explained quietly, "About a week ago, their mother died protecting them from a fox but she also saved my life. I couldn't just let them fend for themselves."

"Why didn't you bring them back to the apartment?" Gidget asked. Glancing off to the right for a few seconds, Tiberius answered, "When I found them, they were too young to be moved. I also needed some space." Looking Gidget in the eye, he went on, "I'd bring them back now but I can't fly very far in my current state and I'd be leaving two of them here for longer than I'd like..." Shaking slightly, the old hawk nuzzled the closest kitten as he whimpered, "I can't lose them."

"You're not going to lose any of them," Gidget reassured Tiberius. Leaning forward, she gently licked the cut on his head and went on, "First thing in the morning, I'll help you get all four over to Pops' apartment. That way, they can get food and you can get fixed up." Hugging the old hawk, she whispered, "I promise."

Purring softly, Tiberius mumbled, "Thanks Gidget." Smiling a little, Gidget looked him in the eye and spoke firmly, "Get some rest." Blinking his eyes in reply, the hawk curled up around the four tiny kittens and fell asleep. Watching them, Gidget lay down beside her friend and closed her eyes. She was out within seconds.