Stan stood up so quick that his chair fell backwards. He glanced at the doctor, and asked him to write everything important about Kyle's condition down, because he had to go find Kyle, and Kyle's Mum obviously wasn't up to hearing about the details at that point.

When the doctor nodded, Stan lost no time and tore off after Kyle.

The hospital was not a small place, but Stan did have some idea where to find Kyle. He had an obsession with going right (as opposed to left), and he knew if he just kept making right hand turns, he'd find him eventually.

It took a while, but Stan was proved right when he found Kyle half an hour later, curled up in an alcove in a deserted hallway. It didn't look like this part of the hospital was operational at the moment, but that was good – he didn't really want to be disturbed.

Slowly he walked up to Kyle, and crouched down next to him, placing his hand hesitantly on Kyle's shoulder, trying not to startle him.

"Are you alright Ky?" Stan asked quietly. Kyle looked up at him with a blank face, and Stan sighed.

He recognised the expression as the one Kyle got when he was in an apathetic phase. They weren't often and never lasted particularly long, but had occurred enough for Stan to understand what they were and how to deal with them.

The only thing that could get through to Kyle in that state was music, but Stan had none to hand. Mentally cursing himself for forgetting his mp3 player (he tried not to show agitation outwardly because it upset Kyle) he just sat next to him and hugged him tight. Physical touch, especially touch that was very affectionate, helped ground Kyle, and it was all Stan could do at that moment.

They sat there for about an hour; Stan lost in thought as he hugged Kyle and rocked him gently. For the first half hour Kyle didn't move an inch, but slowly he began to relax against his friend, until he was fully leant on him. Hesitantly Stan spoke up.

"Are you feeling better Ky?"

Kyle turned his face upwards to look at Stan from his position on Stan's shoulder and nodded slightly.

"Yes thanks. I think I...i think I zoned out for a bit"

Stan nodded

"Yeah you did, but only for a little bit" He reassured with a smile "Do you remember what happened before?"

Kyle closed his eyes for a moment, remembering.

"Yeah, the Doc told me that the tests had come back positive, and Mom freaked. I..i ran" His eyes flashed open again, before he looked down at the floor.

"Why did you run Ky?" Stan asked curiously, but he was careful not to push Kyle into answering if he didn't want to, that would just have made thinsg worse.

"If she freaked, who else will? Cartman will spread it everywhere and tell them that i'm just a weirdo, and though I don't really care what they think, well....." Kyle trailed off.

"Who are you worried about then Ky?" Stan inquired gently.

Kyle shook his head

"I don't want to talk about it at the minute. Can we go home? I promise i'll tell you later! Honest I will! I just don't want to talk about it right now, I..." Stan cut Kyle off, who had been getting increasingly agitated.

"That's fine Kyle" He murmured with a smile, before standing up and offering his hand to Kyle. "You don't have to ever tell me if you don't want to."

Kyle stood up and took Stan's hand, before gazing at him curiously, tipping his head to one side.

"I don't?"

Stan's smile grew sad, and he shook his head.

"Nope, you don't have to do anything"

Seeing his previously extroverted friend so..so...meek broke Stan's heart at times, but he swore he'd never allow Kyle to know this, and to support him no matter what.

Kyle grinned

"Okay! Can we go home then?"

"To your home or my home?" Stan questioned, not wanting to get it wrong and ruin Kyle's sudden good mood.

"Can we.... well can I stay at yours tonight? I don't really want to run into Mom again today" Stan nodded

"Of course you can. I just need to go back to the doctor to get a list he said he'd write for me, and then we'll go back to mine" Kyle's smile was blinding, and he began leading the way back to the Doctor's office.

When they got there, Stan knocked on the Doctor's office door and went in after he heard the invite from within. He led the way into the room and asked quietly for the list he'd mentioned before. The doctor smiled not unkindly, and stood up to hand the paper over with a business card.

"I think everything important is on there. If you come across a situation you find difficult, then please just contact me – that goes for you too Kyle" For the last few words, the doctor turned to speak to Kyle directly. Instantly Stan liked him, most especially for the way he didn't patronise Kyle.

"Of course doctor, thank you" The older man inclined his head in acknowledgment.

"Anytime"

The two youths walked out the hospital, only for one of them to stop abruptly just past the doors.

"Mom's…Mom's over there. Do you think…ermm…?" Kyle stuttered, anxiously biting his lip. Stan glanced sideways at him

"You wanna avoid your Mom?" Kyle nodded "Come on then, we can go around the back, it isn't a long walk". Stan took his friend by the hand and led him to the opposite side of the car park to where Kyle's mom was sat in the car with a deep-set frown on her face. Stan hadn't ever really thought that Sheila was particularly accepting, and it didn't look like this would be an exception. He shook his head angrily – how dare she do this to Kyle when he needed her so badly? It was cruel and, though it made him feel guilty for the unchristian feeling, he hated her for it. There were times when he hated living in such a small conservative town, and that was one of them.

"What's wrong Stan?" Kyle asked, the smile having returned to his face once his Mom had been left far behind. He swung their clasped hands happily, acting more like a small child than a grown teenager.

Stan smiled reassuringly

"It's nothing, I'm fine" He murmured warmly, hoping Kyle bought it. This time he was lucky, and Kyle just shrugged and carried on walking and chatting nonsensically.

There you go! Chapter 2! I'm sorry for the long wait, I got serious writer's block. Anyway, it's done now and dedicated to my wonderful uni friends who inspired me to write today, and the brilliant fanfic I've read today which spurred me on!

Wildeyedangel xxxxxx