He wakes with a jolt. He hears buzzing and beeping and presumably the sound of monitors surrounding him, which causes confusion. He hears all sorts of things that don't belong in his bedroom unless he and Ally were-

never mind.

He also hears his parents, which definitely do not belong in his bedroom. He opens his eyes then – an action that hurts a little. He squints instead (which also hurts). As his eyes begin to focus, he realizes he's in a white, sterile room.

"What's going on?" he croaks. It comes out really hoarse which startles him. There's a chorus of sighs around him. He looks around to distinguish the voices and sees his mother and father, sees Ally and Trish, two doctors. "What's going on," he repeats.

"You don't remember what happened?" Ally says, shocked. "The fight?"

It comes back then, briefly, and in sequences, but it comes back. And he remembers Dallas beating the shit out of Dez and he remembers returning the favour with interest. He remembers Dallas threatening everyone he loves. He remembers the gut-wrenching crack of his back. He flinches. But then he grins. "I'm not going to apologize," he explains. "I'm not in the slightest sorry for defending Dez."

Mike and Mimi shake their heads woefully.

"Austin," Ally starts.

"Ally, don't," he interrupts. "I don't want to hear it. You didn't hear the shit he said about you three. You saw what he did to Dez."

"I wasn't going to say that. I was going to say it was scary," she explains. "Scary seeing you so easily jump in to combat. But that it was also very admirable. Dez didn't deserve the shit he went through."

"Where is Dez," Austin asks suddenly, realizing he wasn't there.

"He's in his own room. He's in worse condition," Trish explains. "His parents are there and so is Deedee."

"I need to go see him," Austin mutters, trying to pry himself out of the wires and tape.

Ally and Trish push him back on the bed. "You can't leave yet," the doctor says. She comes over and starts to read from a chart. "You sprained your spine somehow. It'll take a while to heal, and it'll hurt for quite sometime to sit because you severely bruised your tailbone in doing so. You have a bunch of minor cuts and bruises and you only needed two stitches in your hand. So you're okay. I just need to clear you and have your parents sign a release form since you're still 17," she explains.

Austin nods.

The doctor leaves and Mike and Mimi come over to the bed. "Austin, what were you thinking," his mother asks, upset.

"I was thinking that this asshole was literally close to beating my best friend unconscious and that it wasn't okay."

"His parents are charging you with attempted murder," Mike says.

Austin laughs, annoyed. "If I had tried to kill him he'd be dead."

"Austin," they both yell.

"Well, what. I'll face the trial and I'll plead however I have to. I don't give a fuck."

Ally is quiet, taking it in.

The doctor returns with the release forms. "If he begins to suffer from any of the symptoms I listed to you earlier call me immediately. There could still be a concussion, it's just that sometimes the signs take a while to pop up. Otherwise, we'll see you again in a week to remove the stitches.

Everyone gets up to leave at once and his parents go to wait in the car. Ally and Trish direct Austin to Dez's room and knock lightly on the door. His parents open the door and Dez's mom pulls Austin in a bear hug, pausing when he winces. "Oh, sorry, dear," she bawls.

"It's okay, Mrs. Wade," he soothes, rubbing her back. "How is he?"

"He's awake – sort of," she answers. "He's got two black eyes and three broken ribs. He's bruised just about everywhere and has a fat lip. But luckily it wasn't as bad, believe it or not, as they thought it'd be. I can't believe someone would hurt my baby."

He shakes his head. "I know. But apparently I almost killed the other guy, so there's that." She's quiet. "Could I have a few minutes alone with him?" he asks kindly.

"Of course," she answers, pulling her husband and the girls out of the room and closing the door.

Austin takes the chair closest to Dez's head and waits for him to open his eyes and notice him. When he does, Austin practically dies and goes to heaven. He's so glad to see him.

"H-hey," Dez whispers painfully. "How are you?"

"How am I?" Austin laughs. "That's funny. I'm in better shape than both of you."

"I heard you're a murderer," Dez jokes.

"Almost," Austin corrects him, chuckling. "The bastard didn't actually meet his grave."

"That sucks."

"Yeah, but you know I'd kill him if it had gotten any worse."

"I know."

"I can't believe he did that to you."

"I know," Dez breathes shakily. "I literally didn't do anything to him except walk past him in the locker room." He rolls his eyes. "I think he thinks I'm gay."

"It doesn't excuse the way he treated you and I don't give a fuck what he thought," Austin replies harshly. "And even if you were, and even if you didn't have a girlfriend pursuing a modelling career in LA, and even if all he did was verbally harass you, I'd do exactly what I did again. I'd kill him for you."

"Why?" Dez asks. He seems genuinely sad and confused.

"Why?" Austin repeats in disbelief. "Because fuck him, and fuck anyone who thinks this is okay. Because you're my best friend in this godforsaken world and I love you even if I have to love you from jail."

"Thanks, I love you too," he whispers.

"You better," Austin nods. It's silent between for a moment and then Austin laughs. "So whattaya think? Should Trish be my attorney?"

"Absolutely," Dez answers with ease. "She'd probably scare him in to confessing with just her face and her 'vast' knowledge of court words."

"Perfect."