Disclaimer: See first chapter.

Well everyone, another week as come and gone. I hope it was relaxing for all of you, as I know some of you were on spring break and got back into school, while others like me do what most adults do and work.

Crunch time is coming up for me though. I need to get a passport...and though I think I know what I'm doing (I'm stupid on many levels) if I don't get it filed soon, I may run out of time. Wish me lucky?

Ern Estine 13624: I know. Honestly, I cried a bit while typing that chapter up. I never meant for it to go so dark but...his past is important to the story. It's not all bad though, I swear!

Nellie: And we may see more of them in the future. Either in the story itself, or in more memory/dream chapters. I'll leave that topic for you all the discuss and see what you would like more.

Different Guest: I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make so sad...but their actions directly impacted Edd and how he became who he is in this story of mine. Also, I'm glad you liked the story I wrote for you. You remind me a lot of a certain friend of mine...

Thanks to the three reviews and for the several readers who are following and faved. You feed my soul and my plot bunnies. Keep up the great work!

For now...please enjoy.

XxX

When Edd woke up, he was laying in his bed and the sun was just starting to rise, thin beams of light shining into his room and making some dust particles gleam and shimmer as they danced past his head.

Pushing himself up and looking around, he found a note on his desk, carefully folded, with his name scrawled on the front. After making sure his hat was still firmly on his head, he swung his feet out from under the warm blankets, stuffing them into his worn bunny slippers and padded across the room to read the note.

"Hey Edd, Rolf said to let you sleep whatever happened to you off. He's sorry you missed supper with his family but would tell his parents that you passed out again. Also said something about trying again next weekend and that I better show up or he'll take a 10lb ham to my head..."

Edd stopped to chuckle at that part. No matter how old they got, somethings just never changed...

"Anyway, he went home and after a few hours, I brought you upstairs. I didn't touch anything, swear, but I thought you would sleep better if you were, you know, in your own bed."

Kevin had a good point there...despite the dream/memory he had, he was more relaxed and rested then he felt in a long time.

"I'll be back sometime in the morning to check on you. Kevin."

Feeling a small twinge of...something...Edd gently placed the note on one of his shelves, next to a large bored with some of the more loving sticky notes he kept. Back before the accident...before his parents had left him...he had collected all the more special notes his parents had left him.

'I bought you some new clothes Eddward. Love, Mom.'

'You did a wonderful job on your test son! Father is very proud of you.'

'We'll be gone for the next month, but we'll call you every second night to make sure you're okay. Remember to eat your vegetables dear!'

Giving himself a brief moment to bask in the old love that had once been a constant thing, Edd sighed heavily before grabbing his things for his shower. He would need to put the special oil and lotion on his back sometime soon or risk the skin drying and cracking. That would lead to infection, which would mean spending more time at the hospital.

And he had spent more then enough time there, thank you very much.

XxX

Hours later, the sun was continuing its climb into the sky, warming the air. Edd was in his backyard, enjoying the weather after having a nice, long hot shower and applying the last of his mineral oil to his back. He would need to venture into town today to get some more, but with it being Sunday, most stores would be closed until noon, when the churches let out for the day.

The thought of being around all those people made Edd uneasy. His therapist told him it was normal to have feelings of unease, more so with the fact the person who ran him down was never caught, but that he couldn't allow those feelings to rule his life. School had been nearly impossible...thankfully Rolf had kept most students away, sensing his friends unease. After a while, Edd's numb attitude and change in general had kept the other students from approaching him.

Even Marie had stayed away from him for a while, until her love for his new 'bad boy' persona had kicked in. Now, she was even more annoying then ever.

"There you are man. I've been knocking on your front door for almost five minutes now."

Opening one eye a crack, Edd watched as Kevin walked across his lawn towards him. "Salutations Kevin. I do not recall inviting you onto my property. Perhaps I should have you charged with trespassing." He couldn't help but smirk when Kevin froze mid-step, a look of concern flashing across his face.

"Dude, you wouldn't."

Edd was grinning now. "Care to test that theory, Mr. Barr?"

"Someone is smug today..." Kevin's stomach was doing flips as Edd was smiling at him, as though he had done something to tickle his funny bone. "Glad to see it though. You sleep well after...you know...passing out? Rolf said that most times, you're more exhausted then before."

"Surprisingly, yes. I feel more rested then I have in a long time...it also helps that I slept through the night for once..." He trailed off, thinking about his project in pieces on his desk. He could almost hear it calling to him, demanding that he finish putting it together.

"So...I was thinking we could go into town today...maybe check out that new ice cream shop that opened up..."

But...perhaps one day of relaxation couldn't hurt...

XxX

"You know, we easily could have walked here..."

"I never walk anywhere unless I'm forced to. If my car breaks down, Rolf gives me a lift. If he's unable to do so, I wait until he can or my car is repaired." Edd licked some of his double fudge brownie ice cream as it slowly started its escape down the side of the waffle cone. Neither was even close to being healthy, but Kevin had offered to pay, so Edd went for one of his hidden favourites.

Kevin had gone for coffee ice cream with bits of cookie dough mixed in for an extra charge in a waffle bowl as opposed to a cone...something his father had never really allowed in his house. He gave Kevin extra jawbreakers, so in his mind, he didn't need any other kind of sweets in the house.

"You're quiet Kevin."

"Uh? Oh, yeah...I was thinking..."

The smirk was back on Edd's face as he took a long lick of his ice cream. " A dangerous pass time...but please, share with the class."

"For starters, I never realized just how smug and funny you could be at the same time." Kevin mumbled as he took a bite of his own froze treat. "Also...what are you working on in your room? There's pieces of metal and wire all over your desk..."

"Damaged though I am, I am a man of many talents. You have yet to see me on a good day." Edd leaned back in the chair he sat in and thought. Did he really want to tell Kevin what he was working on? The past three years, the guy had avoided him at every turn...it was only in the last couple of days that he had reached out in some kind of effort at being...what exactly?

A friend?

Something more?

Whatever his reasoning, Edd was...pleased...that someone from his childhood, bully or not, wanted to be in his life again.

"If you make a solemn vow never to speak of what I'm about to tell you, then I will indulge your curiosity."

XxX

Across the street from them, walking back with his family, who were gushing over the fact his oldest sister had been accepted into a top school for her musical skills, the student who everyone ignored and picked on was watching Kevin and Edd.

He had no clue why Edd...an outsider like himself...was hanging out with the king of jocks.

Was he working on a plan of his own?

Would it clash with what he was planning?

Hoping that wasn't the case, as he wanted Edd to be there and witness his plan in action. He wanted Edd to worship him like he deserved to be...he was doing this for all the students that were picked on, that the school ignored or downplayed on their plight just being something all high schoolers went through.

Vengeance would be his...

And Kevin was on his list.

XxX

Uh oh...the mystery student is back...just what is his plan anyway? I would tell you guys, but...yeah, I'll leave that as a major cliffhanger for you all. *insert evil laugh here* *coughs* Anyway...I thought after all the stress I put Edd and the others though, they needed some much needed down time. Plus, Kevin needs to work on rebuilding their friendship...such as it is...and maybe turning it into something more.

And will Edd ever feel the same way?

Keep tuning in Peeps, and find out in due time.

Remember! Reading + Reviewing equals one happy Deadly Fangs!