Disclaimer - The Lazytown world and cast are all not mine and no copyright infringement is entended in this work. I'm merely interpreting characters and taking them for a ride.

This story is rated Mature for content and is focused on the SportaRobbie pairing. Read at your own discretion. This is the cut version (for content purposes). The full version is available at the Lazytown fanfiction LJ or by request. As a note, italics signify a character's internal thoughts.

Taking the Fall

By Razoth RedFire

Chapter 1

Robbie chuckled to himself, moving quickly towards the inner mechanics of the airship. There would be no mistakes this time. I'll get that blue sports pixie this time, but I have to hurry! That rampaging lawnmower will only keep the fool busy for so long…

The willowy man bent over the open panel, dexterously wiring a small black box into the now-open control panel. Glancing around nervously, he bit his lip in concentration as he began making the last few adjustments to his handiwork. With this, that Sportakook won't be able to speed around like he usually does. He'll never be able to reach people in time to save them from trouble! He'll have to retire and leave Lazytown out of shame! Failed super hero! Hah, I can see it now…

Robbie closed his eyes in pleasure at the thought, a sly smile gracing his pointed features as he indulged momentarily in the daydream. That one, split-second moment when it all went wrong. As he relished the scene playing through his mind, he unconsciously leaned back, jostling some of the wiring. A snap of cables unplugging and electric crackling ended his reverie abruptly as the airship began to shudder and list to one side.

Robbie began to panic, hurriedly adjusting and prodding the wiring and pilot controls to no avail. Gritting his teeth in frustration, another quake from the airship sent him tumbling to the ground, groping for a handhold. Thin fingers began searching along the floor for the catch to open the poled platform, searching for escape. Robbie's eyes were drawn inexorably to the blobs of shape and color beginning to rush up to meet the aircraft. Finally, his fingers located the trigger. He crawled over to catch hold of the lowering bar when another jolt shook the dirigible, sending him flying down the hole and off the platform into open space. There were a few confusing seconds of light and motion. Someone was screaming his name. Then the world dissolve into pain as his fall came to a stop in a series of rolling blows, depositing him unceremoniously in the dirt. His whole body seemed to be filled with liquid fire as a shape rushed to his side, towering over him. Whatever it said was drowned out by his own pained moans before Robbie's eyes rolled back and he was enveloped in the blessed, numb darkness.

Sportacus had run as fast as his legs could carry him, tailing after his falling ship, but even as speedy as the hero was he had been unable to catch the purple streak that had been thrown overboard before its crash into the billboard. A look of uncharacteristic shock was plastered on his face as he dropped to the ground, examining the broken figure sprawled out on the ground before him. "Robbie!" he called again, and slitted gray eyes gazed up at him uncomprehendingly before rolling back in a faint.

Footsteps rang out behind the superhero as the rest of the town came to view the accident. Sportacus rose to his feet as the kids and the mayor ran into view. "Guys! Can you get some help as quick as you can? Robbie's been badly hurt…"

"Oh my God…what happened? He's not dead, is he?" Stephanie paled as she took in the odd angle of some of Robbie's limbs, one hand fluttering up to her mouth. The mayor was oddly quiet for once, setting his mouth in a grim line before rushing off.

"I think he'll be ok, Stephanie, as long as we get him some help. Don't you have a doctor here in town?"

"N-no. We've always just gone to the clinic in the next town over. I mean…we've never had anyone this seriously hurt before." Stephanie tentatively stretched a hand towards Robbie's limp form before being stopped gently but firmly by Sportacus's hand.

"We shouldn't move him if we don't have to. He could get more hurt." Sportacus frowned thoughtfully, shifting his weight from one foot to another. His finally lifted his gaze to rest on Pixel. "Pixel, I'm not sure how much you know about airplanes, but could you come with me to look at my ship? We may end up needing it. Stephanie, could you watch Robbie for me?" As soon as Stephanie mutely nodded her consent, Sportacus picked up Pixel and dashed away towards the crash site. Not a minute was to be wasted.

Trixie and Ziggy arrived at the airship a little over an hour later, bearing news from the Mayor. Doctors from the neighboring village had agreed to help in any way they could, but there was the small problem of reuniting them with their patient. From the mayor's description, Robbie was too seriously injured to be moved by a bumpy, jerky automobile. At the same time, the doctors would be highly limited in what they could do for him away from the hospital and most of their equipment. Sportacus nodded, taking it all in stride. He's seen broken bones many times before, if not nearly as serious.

Sportacus turned back to his work on the control panel where Pixel was still slaving away, helping him to try to repair the damage. "Man, Robbie sure did a number on this thing. A lot of the circuits have been totally fried," the technophile mused, tentatively rewiring connections. "Luckily, most of the stuff isn't really needed in good weather if you know what you're doing, especially in a ship that never really lands."

"So, you can make it work soon?"

"Work, yes, but it'll be slow, awkward, and a lot of the…non-essentials won't be working. It shouldn't be too much longer, especially with the hull relatively undamaged by the crash."

Sportacus gave a crinkle-eyed smile. "Thank you, Pixel. You're a true friend. I'll be right back, ok? I have to go talk to the mayor." With that, he cartwheeled over to Trixie and Ziggy. Jumping out of the ship and sliding down the now-decimated billboard, they raced back towards town.

A short time later, Sportacus was pedaling slowly towards the hospital, taking care not to steer into rough air currents and jostle his fragile charge any more than he had to. Pixel had finished fixing up the airship controls to the best of his ability while he and the townsfolk had formed a crude airlift stretcher, delicately lifting Robbie into it and securing him as best they could. Sportacus had insisted on getting him to the hospital as quickly as possible, and the dirigible seemed to be the best way to move him while causing as little further trauma as possible. Sweat broke out on his brow as he navigated to the best of his ability. Minutes seemed to stretch into eternity before they finally arrived at the hospital in Vigorville. The ship slowly descended to hover close to the pavement, and Sportacus somersaulted off the ramp, ghosting along behind the doctors as they unhooked the suspended litter and rushed their patient into the Emergency Room. The short athlete was stopped abruptly when an equally petite nurse shoved herself in front of the doors, blocking his path.

"I'm sorry, sir, but you aren't allowed in the Trauma Room."

"But…I have to go! What if something happens to him?" Sportacus gestured worriedly, trying to peer around her to where the doctors were carting Robbie away.

The nurse's expression softened a little and she took on a knowing look. "Don't you worry, sir. The doctors will take good care of him. They'll do whatever they can for him, and then we'll let you go visit." She gently grasped his arm and steered him into a seat by the doors. "Would you like me to get you something?"

Sportacus squirmed restlessly in his chair. "Er…some water maybe? I just don't know what I should be doing. You say I should wait, but I feel like I should be helping somehow!"

The pretty blond nurse nodded, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. "Most people feel that way when a loved one comes in here, especially when they're badly hurt. Some just sit around in shock, but some need things to occupy their mind while they wait. If you're agreeable, we can find something for you to do while the doctors work." She smiled warmly. "Wait right here and I'll be back, alright?"

Sportacus nodded numbly as she strode off, no longer really listening. Loved one?

It felt like floating, of a sort. Floating or sinking into heavy liquid, watching shapes, lights, ideas drift by without seeing clearly, without being able to move. His muscles may not have been able to move and his head may have been filled with fog, but a slow aching still seeped through to his mind. He would have moaned if he could have gotten his vocal cords to work. Disjointed sounds were floating to his ears, but his brain could make no sense of anything. His incoherent thoughts drifted as forms moved busily around him, opening one eye to shine a light blinding light in, causing cool air to rush over his skin, and above all making damnable noise. He fought to remember what had happened, what was happening, but he got only flashes of rushing wind and blue. Blue sky, blue cloth. Blue eyes. Then one of the annoying, prodding shapes triggered a spike of fire and the world went dark once more.