this is a tag to my story called "Hook, Line, and Sinker". read that one first or you won't know what's happening!

I really wanted to have a scene with Shawn and Gus for that story but it didn't seem to fit the way I'd written the last story

so I wrote this one. enjoy!

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-1989-

I was in the hospital. I had three broken toes and a fractured ankle. But all I could think about was my best friend.

Gus.

Gus was terrified of blood and guts and mummies. He panicked if he didn't have a toothbrush packed when he was at camp or on a sleepover. He never did anything dangerous unless I tricked him into it.

But he'd jumped into the lake to save me. He'd been right there. So brave. It stunned me.

I turned my head when I heard footsteps and smiled a little when Mrs. Guster and Gus walked in, Dad right behind them.

"Hello, Shawn, how are you feeling?" Mrs. Guster asked.

I shrugged. "Better. Now that they've stopped poking my ankle."

Dad looked at me and I knew he was about to say something. I braced myself for some sort of lecture, but what he said surprised me.

"Shawn, what you did today was foolish, You could have been killed out there." Dad paused, glancing at Gus, then back at me. "But regaurdless of that, you did great today. I know you were scared, but you did what I asked. Good job."

It always made me uncomfortable when Dad got all touchy-feely, so I let my eyes close. Suddenly, images flashed across my mind - water, all around me, my lungs aching. The pain as I pushed my foot down and the panic when I slipped, Gus grabbing my arm keeping me afloat...

"Shawn?"

I opened my eyes and saw Gus staring at me.

I turned to dad. "Um, can Gus and I talk alone?"

Dad and Mrs. Guster nodded and quietly left. Gus came over to the side of the bed and sat in a chair.

"Does it hurt?" He asked, looking at my bandaged foot.

I nodded. "A little. Not as bad as before."

We sat in silence for a few minutes, not sure what to say. Finally, I broke the silence.

"Gus, how...why..."

"I saw you go under," Gus said, not looking at me but indstead staring at the floor. "Then I couldn't see you for a minute. But then I saw your hand and I knew something was wrong."

I could feel it again, feel the water all around me. I clenched the sheet with my fist, willing my memory to turn off.

Gus shifted uncomfortably in his chair, still staring at the floor. "I was scared, Shawn. I called for your dad and then I just...just ran."

I could see it as if it were happening right then: Gus' face above me, his voice calling my name, his hand on my arm.

"Thanks, Gus," I whispered, looking at him, a smile forming on my face.

Gus' eyes met mine - and he smiled back.