Fake Fan Fiction ❯ Time For Healing: Aftermath ❯ Delicate ( Chapter 2 )

Disclaimer: We do not own FAKE or its characters. They belong to Sanami Matoh, lucky girl! Any original characters belong to either Irish or Wildefyre.
Warnings: Shounen AI/ Yaoi but then again that's what FAKE is anyway. May contain graphic descriptions of a sexual nature. The guys out of Character somewhat, so Gomen for that but we are not following the manga per-say. Also, we have taken some creative freedom on histories & backgrounds, and the character's lives as they are now. ^_~

Once Dee was sure that Ryo being tended to, he then, with the help of a nurse found Drew's room. Rapping on the doorframe Dee strolled in. "If you're naked or waxing the pole then tough shit. We need to talk." Dee scowled as he walked over towards the bed, his cane gracefully sweeping the area in front of him.

"Neither and I'm glad to see you too Sunshine." Drew responded. His voice was a little gravelly and Dee could tell that he sounded woozy, probably from whatever pain meds they had him on. There was the whir of gears as Drew pressed the button to move the hospital bed into a sitting position. "How's your head?"

"Feels like a hangover that won't go away. But other then that, it's okay. I'm just lucky that this time I sensed what was about to happen and was able to move with the blow. Granted, she did nail me enough to knock me out and give me a nice little gash but she wasn't able to hurt me like she had before." Dee sat down on the edge of the bed, being careful not to jostle it too much. "Drew? There's no easy way to say this and since I'm not one to beat around the bush, I'm just going to say it. We may have a problem and frankly neither Ryo or I know what to do to solve it."

"If you're about to tell me about Lyn, I already know." Andrew sighed. "He's lost weight. I can tell just by the way that he wears his clothes that he's trying to hide it."

"That's exactly what Ryo said. Ryo's always had this sixth sense about things. Sometimes he appears to be so clueless but when it comes to people he cares about, it's a whole new ballgame." Dee sighed. "Lyn has Ryo worried enough that the damn jerk sat up just to hug him. Just don't tell Lyn though, Ryo doesn't want Lyn worrying anymore than he all ready is."

"Shimatta! I'm sorry Dee... Don't worry, it'll stay between you and I."

"Thanks and don't worry about it. You know Ryo... What the hell he and Lyn are so much alike in so many ways that it's spooky. Anyway, Ryo is known to do things like that. It drives me nuts that he'll try and play the martyr at time but I can't change that in him especially since I've been known to do it as well." Dee reached out and found Drew's hand, lightly patting it. "What can Ryo and I do to help Lyn? Name it buddy. If it's just helping to take some of the stress away, we'll find a way... If it's just to be there to talk to him or listen to him, we can do that too."

Drew took a deep breath. "I'm not really sure. My biggest advice is to not push him. He's stubborn as a mule and the more you want him to do something the less likely he is to do it. He'll keep himself going despite what you say. He knows that the girls need him.... Hell I need him. He'll come to you when he's ready."

"Okay, will do. I should warn you though. We'll either have to strap Ryo down or sedate him. Ryo got pretty worried earlier." Dee tilted his head upwards. "If Ryo thinks Lyn is hurting he'll want to do what he can to help. If he hurts his back that'll upset Lyn! God dammit it's a frigging Pigheaded People of America convention!"

Andrew groaned. "Maybe if we knock their heads together we can beat some sense into both of them at the same time. All right. I will talk to Lyn and you tell Ryo try and be calm. Lyn won't die or anything. Ryo needs to try and wait for Lyn to come to him that's what will help him best right now. Once you guys get home, see if you can convince Lyn to go out with Bikky to the arcade or something to just chill out. That would probably help." Andrew wracked his brain, trying to think of anything else that may help.

"Well I get out tomorrow and Ryo's here for at least another week and a half to two weeks. The damn shit really blew that disk to hell when he sailed over the counter to tackle Miss Bitch!" Dee shook his head. "Why are our lovers such heroic nitwits? I mean they risk their health for others and us like it was nothing. Don't they understand how lost we'd be if something happened to them? PPA I tell ya! Pigheaded People of America! Ryo and Lyn founded the group and hold the top titles with in the group." Dee chuckled though his heart all ready ached for the man he had only left a little while ago.

"We would do the same thing given the chance. We just weren't given that chance this go 'round. Which reminds me. How are you doing? I mean besides your head?"

"That light I saw and outlines are gone! I have been trying to look out the windows, stare at lights and there's nothing. I even had Bikky bring in Ryo's camera and just shoot off the flash, hoping for something but it just wasn't to be. Maybe it'll come back but I don't want to get my hopes up. The bitch using my head for baseball practice just may have screwed all of that up." Dee sighed. "I haven't told Ryo about either thing. I figured why bother. He doesn't need anymore stress either." Dee went quiet not wanting to bring up the other things.

"I'm sorry Dee." That still hadn't been what he was trying to ask. He had gotten more or less no information out of Lyn but he wasn't about to push Dee either. Andrew was nothing, if not patient. "Well I'm sure that Ryo would kick your rear for not telling him but I happen to agree with you on that one."

"Anything else you need to know?" Dee sighed a little. "I mean I had to listen to that monster hurt you just so that I could retain my dignity only to lose it later anyway." Dee turned his face away from Drew, shame and humiliation ringing loud and clear on his face and the silence that now fell upon the room.

Drew gave Dee's knee a squeeze. "Hey we tried. We did everything that we could. You lost face but only to yourself. You know none of us think any less of you."

"Not exactly just to myself. To Lyn and Ryo as well." Dee started shaking. "She uh... She... Oh God Drew." Dee raised a hand to cover his eyes. "I... Lyn... What she was forcing us to do... I'm so ashamed." The memories were starting to grip his mind now, memories he was trying so hard to suppress.

Andrew wasn't sure if he wanted to know... "Lyn was there? He wouldn't tell me how he broke his wrist..."

"He... He didn't tell you? God Drew maybe that's the reason he's not taking care of himself." Dee wiped at his eyes and took Drew's hands in his. "Please Drew, promise me that you won't think any less of him. What I'm about to tell you wasn't his fault. Please?"

The blonde gave Dee's hands a squeeze. "You know that I won't... of either of you." He held Dee's hands tightly; knowing this couldn't be good and wondering when this excessively long nightmare would be over.

Dee began telling Drew about how Marlo was talking and how Lyn tried to keep her distracted in order to give Ryo time to get him out of there because he was unconscious. He then told Drew about Marlo forcing Lyn to expose himself and then forcing them to have oral sex though it never reached that point. Luckily Ryo stopped it before it could go further. "Lyn didn't do anything other than kiss my neck and even then I could feel how he tensed up over being placed in such a position." Dee was crying by the time he finished, unable to contain the flood of emotions that he had been trying to hold back. "I kills me knowing that Ryo had to witness most of it and that Lyn had to be apart of it. Oh God."

Dee broke even more as tears flooded his face. "I'm so sorry Drew. Lyn is a good man. He showed a great deal of bravery and for that I am so thankful. I know Ryo thinks the same thing. It's against department policy to put citizen's in those types of situations and that makes this harder on Ryo but Lyn insisted on helping. Thank God he did or I seriously doubt that any of us would have made it out alive. Ryo included."

Andrew reached up and pulled Dee into a warm embrace to which Dee gladly accepted, needing the comfort more then his own stubborn pride would admit. "You don't need to convince me that Lyn is a good and brave man. I know that all ready. So are you Dee and so is Ryo. None of this was anybody's fault. It's funny actually. You are all so worried about each other when in the end it's only yourself who views you any differently and only you who needs to forgive yourselves."

"I feel so dirty... " Dee sobbed into Drew's shoulder. "After you were knocked out. She started touching me again. She made me touch her. If I hadn't she would have shot you. I feel like I cheated on Ryo even though in my heart I know that I haven't. She knew that I was bisexual and wanted me to prove that I knew how to get a woman off. That bitch is sick!" Dee spat the confession out. It wasn't easy since he had kept it to himself for the better part of a week now.

"You were forced Dee to do those things that wasn't cheating." Andrew rubbed his back comfortingly. "I'm sure that Ryo would agree and like I said, it's just you making peace with yourself. None of us think any less of you Dee."

"If I would have had my sight I wouldn't have been such a pushover. Even if I would had fought her I wouldn't have been able to get away. Then there was you... I didn't know if you were alive or dead. I didn't know what else to do." Dee's sobs subsided as Drew's comforting words surrounded him, bringing him warmth and solitude. The very things he needed at that moment. Dee started realizing just how true Drew's words really were.

"Feeling better?" Drew asked softly. Dee nodded and sat up, wiping at his eyes.

"Yes and I will try and see what you told me. Thank you." Dee gave him a small smile and then sighed, hating to bring this next topic up. "Drew? What about Lyn? How much of what happened could be affecting him?"

"Well... I don't know. Lyn can be a real Pandora's box. It might have opened that box but I doubt it's what the main issue is. I hate to say it but I think the responsibility for this one falls strictly on my shoulders. Things were real rough for him the last time we went through his. I think he's very stressed and worried about how much ground I may have lost."

"All I know is during the whole ordeal I could sense the disgust oozing off of Lyn. I wanted to strangle her for hurting you and Lyn." Dee found himself virtually thinking out loud. "Either way, Ryo and I are going to make sure that you get the best of care. Whatever it takes we'll do. Ryo was very adamant about that." Dee sighed. "I think that he'd sell his soul if it helped. We both know how much Ryo respects and admires Lyn."

"Maybe you should talk to Lyn and see how he feels about what happened if it helps you. As I said before, this the first I have heard of any of this about what happened after I was knocked out. Secondly, don't you and Ryo worry about me. I'm not as bad as I was the first time and I'll be back on my feet in no time." Andrew wasn't so sure about that last part but hey, optimistic thinking never hurt.

"You lie as well Lyn does... Very badly!" Dee sighed. "Sorry for rambling and thinking my thoughts out loud. So many things are running through my head right now that I need to verbally express them to get then straight up here." Dee lightly touched his head. "Whenever I get like this Ryo sits me down and massages my shoulders then gets me to just let it all rest for a moment until things don't seem so jumbled." Dee sighed.

"Well I'm obviously not Ryo but I don't mind rubbing your shoulders." Andrew offered, reaching up and doing just that. "And I'm not lying. I'm being optimistic."

"I understand but I want to hear your true thoughts as well. How worse off are you Drew?" Dee sighed. It wasn't Ryo but damn if the man didn't have a magic touch.

"I'm not sure yet. We have to wait and see how the surgeries take. If they go well then hopefully not too far. If not so well then it might be a different story and be more long term. It's hard to say but the arthritis is gonna be a killer."

"Well you know that Ryo and I will help out in any way we can. Shit I won't be able to keep Ryo away." Dee grabbed Drew's hands to stop him. The massage was feeling a little too good and actually making him drowsy. "I just hope that for Ryo's sake that Lyn's okay... For all our sake actually. He's the healthiest and if he goes down we are going to be so screwed."

"Lyn will be." Drew let his hands fall back into his lap. "Go back to your koibito and let me worry about mine." Drew smiled. "Things will be okay, really."

"Thanks Drew. Let's hope for the best huh?" Dee stood grabbing his cane but stopped and bent down to give Drew a hug and like he had heard Ryo do, he kissed Drew's cheek. "You get better soon so that we can get back to shooting the breeze on your back porch once in awhile." Dee smiled as he started for the door, feeling a little better about everything at least for the time being.

"Definitely." Andrew grinned resting back in his bed, all ready running through his mind what to do about Lyn.

Dee headed down the way he had come and just as he was about to go into Ryo's room he heard Ryo talking. Realized that it was Lyn whom he was talking to Dee walked in and smiled as he announced himself. "So are you two behaving yourselves or are you trying to find a way to take over the world?"

"Trying? We all ready have." Lyn said with perfect assurance as he took another bite of the plain pasta on his plate.

"Hi koibito! Lyn and I were just talking about the orderly that was in here just a minute ago." Ryo snickered and then winked at Lyn. "So Lyn do you think that that was sock down his pants or the real deal?" Ryo giggled. The pain meds were kicking in full force now and that made Ryo act in a way that was completely out of character for him.

"It was something other then natural that's for sure." Lyn said after swallowing. He rolled his eyes to Dee despite the fact that the man was unable to see the gesture. "Ignore him Dee. The pain meds are making him loopy."

"Apparently!" Dee crossed the room, carefully sitting down on the edge of Ryo's bed. "Ryo babe, you're supposed to look at my package only, and I assure you that that's one hundred percent all natural. No sock needed what so ever baby." Dee smirked, leaning down and kissing Ryo's forehead then brushing the hair from his brow.

"Oh I know that, silly goose! Can I see anyway?" Ryo laughed. "My boy lollipop. You make my heart go giddy up. You set my heart on fire. You are my one desire... " Ryo sang and then started laughing hysterically.

Dee gently placed his hand over Ryo's mouth. "Shhh baby. We need to use our indoor voices." Dee chided like he was speaking to a very small child. "Man Lyn, I was just talking to Drew and he wasn't half this loopy."

"Yeah that's because Drew isn't any fun drunk either, though I bet that Ryo is." Lyn chuckled rolling his eyes again as he picked at the food on his lap.

"I can be lots of fun." Ryo smirked and grabbed Dee between the legs. "Hey! It's a loaded pistol!" Ryo laughed again. "Bang! Bang! He shot me down. Bang! Bang! I hit the ground. Bang! Bang! My baby shot me down." Ryo sang once again, this time though he did so in softer voice.

Dee returned his hand to Ryo's mouth while at the same time extracting Ryo's hand from his crotch. "All right there cowboy, I think that it's time for your nap before you get us into trouble."

"Nope! No nap! Ryo wants to play." Ryo snickered. "Cowboy huh? Are you my horsy?" Ryo smirked. "I wanna ride Dee-san! Yippee Yi Yay!" Ryo started laughing hysterically again. "Hi ho Silver and away... Err Dee-san and away!"

Lyn set his tray aside and dug in his backpack to pull out one of Keiry's children's books. Standing, he walked over to Ryo's bed. "Here you might find this entertaining." He handed Ryo the children's book. "Might keep your mind out of the gutter."

"What did you give him Lyn?" Dee asked out of curiosity.

"It's just a kid's book called, 'Sometimes I like to Curl up in a Ball.' It's about a wombat. I have no idea, so don't ask, but Kei loves it."

Ryo stared at the book; his face was one of puzzlement. "Uh for me to read this, I have to hold it up like this. See?" He showed them by holding the book above him his head with his arms extended. "I can't sit up. This way hurts my arms..." Ryo frowned and then smiled again. "Oh Dee-ee... Wanna read to me while my hands do better things?" Ryo smirked and then broke into another series of giggles.

Lyn and Dee groaned in unison. "All right it's story time children." Lyn sat back down and opened the book. "Sometimes I like to curl up in a ball..." Lyn carefully read through the whole book, showing Ryo each picture and describing it for Dee, hoping the meds and reading would put Ryo to sleep, finally.

Ryo listened and every so often his hand would travel up Dee's thigh only to have Dee take it away. After awhile though, Dee merely smacked his hand away, which got Dee the biggest pouts from Ryo, which only Lyn could notice. Soon enough though, Ryo was sound asleep and Dee was sighing a huge sigh of relief.

"Now if Ryo could just be frisky like that when he's healthy." Dee smiled. "Hmm I wonder if I could get some of those meds to take home?" Dee laughed softly. "Better yet, maybe I should just get him buzzed once in awhile and see what happens then. Not drunk, mind you, but lightly buzzed."

"Indeed. Good Lord! I suppose that I will have to bring more books tomorrow. Maybe I'll get them in Braille so that you can read them to him." Lyn chuckled standing with a bone cracking stretch. "How was Andrew?"

Dee brushed the hair from Ryo's face, bending down to plant a soft kiss to Ryo's lips. "Drew seemed to be in really good spirits. I commend him for his ability to always see the sunny side of the street." Dee smiled as he leaned down to lay another kiss to Ryo's lips, unable to get enough of them. "Sleep tight baby. I love you."

Lyn nodded, more to himself then anything as he slipped on his backpack and picked up his food tray. "Yes Drew's good at that. You should rest too Dee. Take advantage of your last day of peace and quiet because tomorrow you get four kids foisted off on you."

"Uh Lyn? Could you walk with me a minute? Maybe help me get back to my room safely so that I'm not accosted by some evil nurse? They love to pick on me for some unknown reason." Dee chuckled nervously before getting more serious. "I-I needed to speak to you about something." Dee sighed softly.

"Uh sure." Lyn set down his tray, moving over so that Dee could take his elbow. "What do you want to talk about?"

"It's sort of embarrassing but... That day with Marlo and her forcing us... Forcing us to... Do all those things... Is what I wanted to talk about." Dee stammered. "Lyn I'm sorry if that affected you in anyway. I would have let her kill me before it got too far." Dee spoke softly as they headed down the hall.

"I don't mean to open old wounds but before you and Ryo got there I was on the verge of losing it... What she was doing to me... Forcing me to do to her..." Dee stopped walking feeling a knot tightening in the pit of his stomach that had him almost wanting to throw up.

Lyn stopped, tugging Dee into an alcove. He faced Dee, resting his hands on Dee's shoulders. "Dee, listen to me carefully. I don't blame you in anyway. We were in a tight spot. I'm sorry that we didn't get there sooner and that we couldn't spare you some of that pain."

"I know and I don't blame anyone either. Drew helped me to see that as well. We all did what we had to, in order to survive. I'm just worried about how it affected you. I know how much you love Drew. None of what happened could have been easy on you." Dee sighed. "If you ever need to talk, you know where to find Ryo, or myself. Though I'd wait until the pain meds wear off when it comes to talking to Ryo."

Lyn laughed softly. "Yeah that's probably a good plan. Man it's always the quiet ones." Lyn's laughter died off as he looked at Dee and then embraced him tightly. "Listen, that goes for you too. If you need to talk I mean. Drew, or I, are always here for you."

"Thanks dude. We'd better watch it or someone's going to think naughty thoughts if they see us like this." Dee smirked still unable to shake off fully, what had happened to him yet again. Dee knew that it would take time, time to heal the physical wounds as well as the mental.

Lyn stepped away. "Yeah okay." He cleared his throat. "So where to? I should run over and see An again before I go recapture the kids."

"Ah the hell with it. Let them talk!" Dee grabbed Lyn and hugged him tightly. "You sound as though you could use a dozen of these right now and I have plenty to go around... So does Ryo." Dee spoke softly to him, hoping that in some small way he was helping to settle Lyn's restless soul.

Lyn hugged him back, almost breaking. "Yeah I do. Thanks Dee."

"Well take all the hugs you need buddy. They're free of charge and like I said, I have plenty to give out..." Dee continued hugging Lyn. "You're a good man Lyn. Ryo and I are honored to know you and feel blessed to have you in our lives." Dee felt Lyn's body relax. "I'm sure that if he could, Ryo would be standing here hugging you just as tightly. You know that buddy."

"Yeah I do. You guys are great, really. Drew and I... Well, you've really added to our lives too. Thanks Dee." Lyn stood in Dee's embrace for a few more moments before stepping away. "Come on I need to go pick up the girls. I'm sure that Keiry has driven Mother Lane to drink and then some by now."

"Nope! If I know Mother she's having the time of her life and so are the other sisters at the orphanage. They all love kids. Kind of like Ryo in a habit." Dee started laughing as a vision of Ryo in a nun's habit flashed in his mind.

Lyn chuckled as well. "Ryo, the cross dressing nun... Now that could be interesting. And I don't care how much you love kids, Kei is a handful and then some."

"Well you don't know Mother then. I was one hell of a handful myself. Then I got older and became this streetwise punk, drinking and smoking, even stealing. Yet Mother had the patience of a saint. With me, she had to. Bless her heart." Dee sighed softly. Penguin was indeed the only mother he had ever known. "I never knew my biological parents. They didn't want me. They stuck me in a blanket and left me in an alley either to be found or to die... Your choice. Mother gave me love and a sense of family, even if I had to share it with a slew of other kids." Dee lowered his gaze.

"Penguin wanted you and that's what counts. Having a kid isn't what makes you a parent. Love is what makes you a parent. You were loved. Just as my girls are loved."

"Yeah you're right. I guess that's what Ryo feels with Bikky and visa versa. Ryo once said that anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad. I finally see the meaning in that." Dee started understanding better than he thought, the reasons why Ryo had latched onto Bikky so quickly.

"Ryo is one hell of a dad to that kid. It makes me wish that I would have had a dad like him. I mean Jess treated me well and all, though he wasn't so touchy feely as Ryo is and I didn't live with him. Bikky is lucky because he's got a living angel for a father and a Saint for a dad." Dee smiled more than ever before.

"Two of 'em by my count." Lyn grinned, ruffling Dee's hair. "You don't give yourself enough credit, ya know? You and that kid just need to stop trying to out cool each other and realize that Ryo can love you both then you'll be good to go."

"Who knows maybe I'll even rethink that 'No baby' rule too?" Dee put his arm around Lyn's shoulder. "Now wouldn't that blow Ryo away? Imagine if I suggested that we maybe adopted a kid together? Not right away, mind you. It's not like you picking out a puppy, it's something that takes a lot of thought. It's a serious issue and one he and I can't approach lightly."

"Hmm... Yeah you might want to have the oxygen handy and 911 on speed dial for that one. You're right about taking it slowly though." Lyn hid a smile. That would blow Ryo away... though the word 'floored' came to mind as a more appropriate description. "We're at your room." Lyn stopped at the door.

"Thanks Lyn." Dee grabbed Lyn and hugged him before kissing his cheek. "Jeez I've kissed more men today then I have in over two years. Holy shit. What has become of me?" Dee laughed. "Now remember to get Bikky and Cal to do things for you. Don't let them get lazy on you because they will, given the chance. Also, get some rest and take care of yourself."

"Yeah I will. You know where to reach us if you need anything. And no Dee, playgirl doesn't come with raised images so don't ask for that." Lyn smirked.

"Very funny! Keep that up and tomorrow I'll force you to sit beside Ryo while he's doped up and then you can fight him off as he tries to feel you up!" Dee started laughing hysterically.

"I think that he would notice that I wasn't you unless those are some damn good drugs." Lyn chuckled giving Dee a pat on the back. "Have a good night and don't grope the nurses. They don't appreciate it." With that, Lyn departed, already compiling a list of what he needed to get done in his mind.

Dee stood there for a moment longer, shaking his head. "Damn fool! He won't listen! He'll run himself ragged, mark my words." Turning to go into his room, Dee sighed. He just wished that there was more that he could do to help his friends but for now he had to let the scene play out and bide his time. Eventually Lyn would seek out some assistance and then Dee could help. "Just be careful buddy..."

Climbing into his bed, Dee found himself more tired than he had realized as his eyes slowly drifted closed. Sleep was beckoning and soon it swept him off to a place where everything was as it should be... Happy and full of peace.

Lyn ignored Keiry as she yanked on his hair from where she sat in her kiddie backpack, obviously wanting his attention. Lyn was trying to herd Cal and Bikky up to Drew's room as he bounced a crying Annie on his hip. "Shhh, shhh little one. It's okay, we'll get you a bottle in just a minute." Lyn tried to soothe Annie as his head was yanked back by Kei's fist in his hair. "Bikky, Cal this way." He ushered them through the noisy waiting room to the elevator.

"Here Lyn let me take Keiry." Cal's soft voice echoed in the small compartment. Lifting the child from the pack she held her on her hip and smiled. "You look like you could use a break Lyn. Bikky take Annie please and give Lyn a breather."

"You're just trying to make a good impression on him Cal. We all know that you're all sweet on Lyn." Bikky laughed and then made faces at Annie, who stopped crying and started laughing, much to everyone's relief.

Lyn leaned back against the elevator wall closing his eyes, glad for the reduced weight on his back. "Thanks Cal. I swear that kid weighs a ton."

"No she doesn't, silly. You're just tired." Cal rubbed his arm. "Maybe a nice long relaxing bubble bath and some hot tea would do you a world of good. You're due for some personal time anyway. Bikky and I could watch the girls while you took some time to pamper yourself." Cal smiled softly, looking up at Lyn and blushing. There was no doubt in her mind, the man was utterly handsome and she couldn't deny the crush on Lyn that she had developed either.

"Just as long as you stay away from the bathroom... Cal." Bikky smirked.

"BIKKY!" Cal acted shocked before that devilish glint flickered in her eyes. "You didn't act like this that time when you and Dee burst into the bathroom as I was getting out of the shower! You do remember that, don't you?" Cal giggled when Bikky started blushing.

"Well that was an accident. I uh... Oh nuts! I lose either way!" Bikky hid his face, his cheeks burning red.

Lyn laughed softly. "You two are the strangest kids I've ever met. Besides my own of course." He sighed contentedly as Annie snuggled against his chest, one of her little hands resting over his heart. The elevator binged all too soon for Lyn's exhausted body and he forced himself off the wall heading towards Drew's room. "He might be a little sore guys, so just watch out for his legs okay?"

"Got it." Bikky grinned up at Lyn. "It's cool that Dee comes home tomorrow and all, but is he staying at the apartment? I mean Ryo's in for at least 2 weeks yet so it would be just him and I. I guess that we'll manage, Dee's gotten better at handling things and I can do what he can't."

"That's great news about Dee at least. I can also come by and help with cleaning and meals." Cal laughed when Keiry covered her mouth with her hand.

"Dee seemed happy to be going home. I think that he's just relieved that this time the damage wasn't any worse, you know?" Bikky followed Lyn down the hall to Drew's room.

Lyn smiled upon hearing that. "Ah... Well I think that Dee will be staying at the apartment and I'll most likely stay with you guys or you'll stay at our house, since you guys are pretty well set up at there anyway. I forgot to talk to Dee about it... Hey baby." Lyn called offering Andrew a weary smile as they entered the room.

"Hey sweetheart." Andrew adjusted the bed. "Bikky, Cal, how are you two?" He grinned to the kids as Lyn crossed the room and sat on the edge of the bed, handing Annie off to Andrew as she reached for him.

"Okay I guess. It's such a bummer to have you guys in here, you know?" Bikky sighed as he sat down on the floor. "How is everything going with you and don't BS me man. I'm wise to that. Dee and Ryo have been pulling that on me all week and it doesn't fly there either." Bikky winked, smiling up at Drew.

Keiry struggled in Cal's arms, also trying to get to her Daddy An, whom she hadn't seen in several days as Andrew nuzzled Annie close. "I can take her too Cal. " Drew smiled before turning to Bikky. "Well I'm all right. A little frustrated and in a lot of pain but hey it could be worse..."

"Drew I'm sorry... If I had just come downstairs sooner..." Bikky lowered his head as Cal handed off Keiry to Drew. She then walked over to Bikky and sat next to him, trying to cheer him up by placing her hand over his. "You and Dee didn't deserve any of this... It bites man! That woman is just evil and I hope she gets what she deserves!"

"Hey it's not your fault Tiger. Lord knows what would have happened if she had seen you. You did exactly the right thing sport. You too Cal. You were both very brave." Andrew snuggled both girls close, happy to see them while watching the quiet Lyn out of the corner of his eye. "I'm sure that justice will be served in the end. At least we all hope so."

"No way man! You and Dee were the brave ones. They should be giving both of you medals or something." Bikky smiled a little. "I heard that Ryo was pretty awesome too..."

"Yeah Lyn said that he dove over the island in the kitchen and tackled that monster. He's just so cool." Cal sighed.

"Oh great she's back on the Ryo worshipping kick again. Man I have too much competition!" Bikky leaned against a wall and pouted. "Can't a guy catch a break here?"

"Yeah Ryo rocked." Lyn offered. "You should have seen him! He flew and took that bi... bad lady down in a big way. I don't think he even noticed that he got shot because he was in 'the zone.' He's a great cop." Lyn nodded.

Drew shifted in the bed uncomfortably, his legs driving him nuts. "Yeah I don't know. I missed all the fun." It was Drew's turn to pout.

"I'm bummed that I missed Ryo in action." Bikky sulked a little. "And to think he did all of that with a bad back no less!" Bikky beamed with pride over the man he viewed as his dad.

"Well he's paying for it now, isn't he?" Cal remarked, frowning. "Think about it Bikky! If he had come at her from a different angle that bullet could have killed him!"

"But it didn't! Besides, all that comes with the territory of being a cop and you know that as well as I do." Bikky was proud of Ryo and no one was going to shoot that down. "I'm not crazy over that thought either but I have to accept the fact that one day Ryo could go to work and never come again. It's life Cal and we all have to live it." Bikky wound up sounding much older than his age let on as he spoke.

Lyn and Andrew exchanged glances briefly before Lyn spoke. "Yes I suppose that it does."

"Are you two staying out of trouble with the general lack of adult supervision?" Andrew asked a bit bemused as he handed Annie off to Lyn. Having both girls was getting to be a little bit much for him all ready.

"Yeah though we don't have much of a choice. Between Lyn here and the sisters from he... heaven, we're being kept on tight leashes. Do your chores Bikky! Don't watch so much TV Bikky! That show is not appropriate for someone your age, Bikky! Sheesh it's almost like a prison. Juvvie gave you more lead way! " Bikky stuck his tongue out at Lyn. "It's a good thing that I think you're so cool dude... Otherwise I'd be more work for you."

"Good thing I let you get away with murder. That pint of ice cream lasted less than twenty-four hours ya little punk." Lyn managed a small laugh as he tried to entertain Annie with the car keys. "And the bag of carrots has been there for over a week. That's it! Nothing but tofu and rice for the rest of the week."

Bikky wrapped his fingers around his own throat, made a face and fell over backwards. "I'm doomed! Health food is for the birds! Give me junk food or give me... Well just give me junk food!"

"You're so dramatic Bikky! Honestly..." Cal laughed then looked at Lyn. "Do you want us to take the girls for a walk or something? Maybe help them to burn off some energy?"

"You guys have been great with them, so if you want to, go ahead but don't feel obligated." Lyn felt guilty about foisting his kids off once again.

"Come on you ham... We've got work to do." Cal smiled at Bikky and jumped up to take Annie. "Grab Keiry and let's go."

"Oh sure you take the easy one." Bikky smirked. "Next time you can wind up looking like the Smurf." Bikky looked at Lyn. "We'll be back in a half-hour or so okay?"

Lyn nodded and the men handed off the babies. "Thanks you guys. I promise I will pay ya back once this all gets sorted out." Lyn offered a weak smile.

"Hey you need the break man." Bikky nodded to both men. "Talk some sense into him Drew, will ya?" Bikky commented as he and Cal walked out leaving the two men alone.

Lyn watched the kids go before leaning down and kissing Drew's cheek. "How are you feeling lover?" With the kids gone Lyn started to slip away from Andrew to one of the chairs half way across the room but Andrew grabbed his good hand before he could escape thereby forcing Lyn to sit next to him.

"I'm all right but it is you we need to talk about."

"What do you mean?" Lyn's smile faltered some.

"Are you eating?"

"Christ! Yes I'm eating!" Lyn snapped.

"I know that Ryo made you eat today but before that it's just been fruit and hard candy hasn't it? Ingesting just enough sugar to keep you on your feet." Lyn said nothing, looking away. "That's what I thought." With another wince Andrew shifted again. "Come on lay down with me."

"An your legs..." Lyn protested.

"We will be fine. You used to lay with me all the time the last time I was in the hospital so lay down." Andrew guided him down so that Lyn lay beside him. His narrow body fitted easily on the bed as he rested his head in the crook of Andrew's shoulder. "Thank you." Andrew kissed his forehead softly. "I love you baby more then anything. I'm not sure what's bothering you..." Andrew brought a hand up, stroking Lyn's hair. "And I know that you're not going to tell me so I'm going to guess for a while, all right baby?"

"Drew I'm fine. You need to just focus on getting better."

"You're not fine Lyn. You're not going to convince me of that. I love you Lyn; the girls and I need you, the one hundred percent you. So are you going to talk or do I have to play Freud?"

"Tell me that I have an Oedipus complex and that I am leaving you."

Drew chuckled. "I promise that I won't tell you that have an Oedipus complex." Andrew pulled Lyn a little closer so that he fit tight against his side. "I think that what happened upset you a lot. I think that you are worried about going through what we did before but with two active children this time. I think that you're worn down from caring for Ryo. I think that what happened with you and Dee reminded you of a lot of things. I think that you're scared and hurt and worried and confused but you don't dare let anyone else help you with your burdens. We're worried sick Lyn. Ryo is practically frantic."

"H-He is?" Lyn turned his head to look at Drew, who nodded. "The kids told me that he was... I shouldn't have said anything!"

"Lyn don't you dare close yourself up!" Drew's voice was commanding. "You have two little girls who need you to be open and honest and caring and I know that you feel like you can't do that right now but if you would just let Dee and Ryo and I help you out you would be fine. Don't be stubborn."

"I'm not being stubborn."

"Now you're being stubborn about being stubborn. Lyn, please baby..." Andrew saw this was going nowhere. "Fine, I'll leave it at that, but I want you to lay here with me until Bikky and Cal come back with the kids, okay? No worrying or running around or making phone calls or doing paperwork! You're just going to lay right here with me."

"But Drew..."

"No! No 'but Drew,' you're stuck and I'm not letting go so you better just get comfortable."

Lyn sighed in defeat and rested back against Andrew. "I love you An..."

"I love you too dear heart." Andrew kissed Lyn's forehead again laying back and closing his eyes as well; just holding Lyn close and hoping his touch could help heal even if his words could not.

It was almost an hour later when Cal and Bikky returned along with Dee who was holding Keiry and laughing as they walked into Drew's room. "Anyone here lose two kids? You know? Those short holy terrors that most people find so cute?" Dee grinned.

"Shut up big mouth! Lyn's sleeping." Bikky whispered and then kicked Dee's shin.

"Ouch! That hurt." Dee growled softly. "You brat!"

"Moron!"

"Monster!"

"Jerk!

"Anal cavity!"

"Thorn in my side..."

"Boys! God you two are worse then Keiry on a good day." Cal shook her head at them. "Drew if you want, we can go find something to do for a little while longer. Lyn looks like he really needs the sleep." Cal smiled softly.

Lyn promptly sat up much to his husband's chagrin. "What? No, I'm up. We'd better go and let An get some rest." Lyn was up and on his feet before further word of protest could be made.

"See what you two did? When are you ever going to grow up! No wonder Ryo gets irritated with you two at times." Cal turned to Bikky and Dee. "Lyn was finally getting some rest! Rest that he desperately needs! And you two idiots... You had to ruin it!" Tears sprang up in Cal's eyes and she covered her face with her hands.

"Uh oh! She's crying... We're screwed." Bikky commented and nudged Dee.

"Stop it Bikky! It's not funny!" Cal wiped at her eyes then turned to Lyn. "We're sorry Lyn. I'm sorry."

"Oh hey there little lady." Lyn frowned, kneeling down in front of her. "It's okay, don't be upset." He hugged her and Annie close. "I'm fine. I got the nap that I needed. Don't worry about them waking me."

"I'm worried about you... We all are! Ryo too..." She wrapped her arms around him. "You need to take care of yourself Lyn. Drew Keiry and Annie need you healthy. Please let Bikky and I take care of the girls tonight and you do something relaxing. Okay?" She sniffled while keeping a firm grip on Lyn.

Lyn thought for a moment... "Well... actually I had been toying with this for a while..." Lyn exchanged glances with Bikky and Cal. "You think we can convince Dee to watch the midgets for a few hours tomorrow? I was thinking that maybe the three of us could get all dressed up and go get dinner at a fancy restaurant then maybe catch a movie. That will give me a chance to relax and a chance to thank you guys for the uber amount of babysitting you've been doing."

"I think that I can handle that." Dee grinned. "Can we put a bell or something on Keiry though? Please? That little rug rat got into the bag of flour Cal left on the counter the one day and well.... Your kitchen wound up looking like it had been dusted for fingerprints." Dee laughed.

"Oh I remember that! Keiry looked like a ghost." Cal smiled then looked at Lyn. "We'd really like that. Thank you." Cal kissed Lyn's cheek.

"Boy! Another excuse to kiss Lyn. Jeez!" Bikky smirked. "You get more kisses from Cal and Ryo then I do! Not that I'm big on Ryo kissing me or anything..."

"Someday you'll be fending them off with a stick Tiger so take your carefree, women free days while you can." Lyn gave him a wink as he scooped up his kids, putting Kei in her kiddy pack and Annie in her sling. "All right kids ready to hit the road?"

Andrew remained quiet as he watched them. He was worried about Lyn but for the moment he had to follow his own advice and let Lyn sort things out and come to him on his own terms. Lyn, when he put his mind to it could make Dee seem weak willed.

Dee sensed where Lyn was and grabbed his arm. "Ryo wanted me to tell you that if you ever need someone to just talk to that he's there for you." Dee sighed. "You're his best friend and he wants to help where he can and so do I."

Lyn nodded making his tone cheerful. "I know that you guys are. Thanks, really. I appreciate it."

Dee listened as Lyn walked out. Shrugging his shoulders in Drew's direction he let out a long sigh. "He's a stubborn as Ryo and as pigheaded as I am... Pigheaded People of America! You're one heck of a man to be able to deal with all of that." Dee sighed and headed for the door. "I'll say a prayer for both of you tonight." Dee opened the door and walked out knowing that for now there was little he could do but play the waiting game, just as Drew was doing.

Wildefyre: Will the guys ever be healthy again? Will we ever see hot man sex? Will Irish and I ever stop torturing the guys? *Laughs evilly* I guess you'll just have to wait and see. Sorry for this horrendous delay in getting this chapter out but between Irish being back at school and my hectic schedule, we've been more than just a little busy here a late. The good new is.... Irish and I are also working on a series of Erotic stories, involving our fearless four, which we're hoping to post in the near future. It will be strictly, AU and OOC for our men but hey, a little lemon can make anyone smile.

Irish: Another dramatic Angst filled chapter hehehe. Sorry this has taken so long to get out to you guys, but I was offered, very last minute, a position as a Resident Assistant at school. So I spent a week frantically packing to go up earlier then expected, then a week and a half doing 16 hour training days, then another week trying to get my freshmen settled in. But we are still here and still working, don't worry we will keep updating!