Chapter 1: In which Tom finds out

Tom skidded through the door into Kyle's room at a dead sprint and only just managed to stop short of crashing into the bed head first. His breath hitched as his eyes clung to the form of Kyle in the bed, hooked up to numerous machines and his face blank in unconsciousness. He looked broken but breathtakingly alive and the comforting beep of the heart rate monitor rang through Tom's mind above the rush of his own heart pounding through his ears. Tom reached out his hand shakily, placing it on Kyle's chest, just focusing on the rhythmic heartbeat and gentle rise and fall of his lover's warm chest. He brokenly breathed out "Oh, Kyle," shutting his eyes for a moment in wild relief before opening them race over the rest of Kyle's body. He was as pale as the hospital sheets he lay on, an IV delivering fluids directly into his veins. His left arm lay splinted on top of the covers and his face was still and relaxed, framed by a bandage taped onto the left side of his skull.

Tom reached his free hand out to grab Kyle's unbroken one before he collapsed into the chair next to the bed, bringing their joined hands to his lips. His head bowed and his eyes closed against the tears slipping down his cheeks. He sat there for a long moment before he moved their joined hands down to the bed to rest comfortably at Kyle's side. Sliding his other hand from where it still lay over Kyle's heart, Tom reached up and brushed gently over Kyle's forehead, tucking an errant lock back into place before settling softly over his cheek. Tom just stared at Kyle's face as relief cascaded through him. With every beep of Kyle's heart and each soft breath echoing in his ears, Tom felt himself relax a little more, let himself believe in the tactile proof of Kyle's life. Smiling gently, Tom stood and bent to brush his lips to Kyle's forehead before pressing a soft kiss to his lips.

Tom was startled out of his reverie by the loud clearing of a throat behind him and a voice saying "Hi, I'm sorry to interrupt this little moment as I can see how happy you are that Kyle's alive, but you're kissing my unconscious son and I'd quite like to know who you are."

Tom spun around, still grasping Kyle's hand tightly in his own. "Your son, oh, Mrs Bishop, um, I'm sorry I didn't realise anyone else was here. I'm Tom Levitt, uh, a friend of Kyle's." The occasional tear still dripping slowly down his face Tom stuck his free hand toward her for a quick handshake. "I thought he was dead." He trailed off and had to clear his throat before continuing "Will he be ok? I mean, he's obviously hurt but he'll be fine, right?" Turning back to look at Kyle again and squeezing their joined hands he murmured "He has to be."

Marie Bishop studied Tom's face carefully for a moment before speaking "Yes, the doctor told his father and I that Kyle is out of the woods, barring any unexpected complications. He has a concussion, broken arm and several broken ribs. He was also bleeding internally when he was brought in but the doctors were able to patch him up and he should be just fine. He's expected to wake up sometime in the next few hours and then he'll need to take it easy until everything heals.

"Oh, thank God" Tom exhaled, bending over the bed again to press his lips into Kyle's hair. Turning back to Marie he asked "What happened, the police told me he was dead," his breath hitching. "They wouldn't even let me see him."

"Well, Tom, was it?" Marie paused for Tom to nod then continued "I'm Marie Bishop, by the way." As Chris stepped back into the room holding two coffees she added "This is my husband and Kyle's father, Chris. Chris, this is Tom Levitt, a friend of Kyle's. I was just telling him about the hospital mix up with Kyle and that poor other boy. Turning back to Tom, Marie continued "There were apparently two local hit and run accidents the night before last and both boys were brought here. The other kid didn't make it but somewhere between when they entered the hospital in critical condition and when they were rushed into surgery, the hospital accidently switched their records. Apparently Kyle and the other boy were both about the same age, build and colouring and one of the hospital staff just made a mistake. Since the other boy died and Kyle hadn't woken up yet, neither could tell the doctors that they had the names wrong. So the mistake wasn't discovered until Chris and I came in to identify Kyle's body. You weren't allowed to see him because the rules don't permit anyone who isn't family to see him until all the legal requirements have been completed." She added "Kyle's an only child. Of course his father and I flew out here as soon as the police contacted us but we were both at work by the time the police called our home yesterday morning. The police told us that they had spoken to a friend of Kyle before they informed us last night. I guess that was you?" She paused for Tom to nod again. "They're not really supposed to notify friends before family but apparently you had called Kyle quite a few times and left several messages of a personal nature?"

Tom glanced back at Kyle again and blushed slightly "I, yes, I had. We were supposed to meet up that night and he's always so polite so I was surprised when he didn't show up or call to cancel." He winced "I just thought he forgot our plans or he was trying to give me a hint. Still, I was a little worried so I called and left him a few messages. When I heard what had happened and I thought I'd never see him again" he shuddered. "I don't think I'll ever forget what that felt like, saying goodbye to him. We even dimmed the lights of Broadway in his honour last night. Well, our theatre at least."

Marie looked carefully down at Tom's hand, fingers still entwined with her son's then lifted her eyes to Tom's and asked "Who are you really to my son? I mean you were so focused on him when you ran in here that you didn't even see me sitting three feet away. The first thing you did was feel for his heartbeat, you still haven't let go of his hand and you kissed him. You obviously care very deeply about my son, it's written all over your face. I thought he was dating that nice Blake boy from the theatre but I don't believe that the two of you are just friends. Or at least, you don't want to be. So who are you really?"

Chris interjected "Yes, I'd like an answer to that too."