Disclaimer: See Chapter 13

Seraphalexiel Hmm… Don't know. I kinda like it. I'll have to run over some of these names and use them in the next chapter. I don't know. I think a lot of us did. Yep yep! As always. Thanks!

Redsandman99 We'll have to see where her and Paul go. Who knows? Yeah. I do too!

NeroAnne lol. Yeah. Well probably not. Yeah. . oh yeah. Yes yes they do! Lol He's really sneaky. Lol. Yeah. Yep yep. That too. Yeah. I won't lie, it was one of the hottest images in my mind at the time. XD . lol oh yeah!

InYourHonor yeah. It's greatly adorable. Lol. Yay! Well… yeah. Everyone loves a little humor. Man MTV has some perfect timing. That's funny!

Takerslady True… yeah. That's what a lot of people are saying about. Hopefully it turns out pretty good though. I'll keep them in mind. I've got to get a name for them eventually out. I think I'm gonna use the name next chapter. Thanks love! Sorry it's over a month later though.

XAngelofHardyx Thanks love!

Megsjedi well thank you very much. I'm looking at anything really. Retro is super cool to me too. Now I have some good names now the hard part of choosing… awww…. Lol. Oh yeah! Yeah. I agree just sometimes I get rather annoyed if I can't get anything down at all ya know? lol

Better Than Drugs

Weeks went by with Shannon only seen by Gail and Ron. During those days Jeff could do nothing but worry. He knew that Shannon had been on more drugs than he had for longer than he had but he'd hoped, thought even, that Shannon could bounce back just as quickly as he had. He sighed, looking down at Cody, who at the moment was painting his toenails a beautiful shade of dark blue. "How's Ted doing?" he asked, trying to take his mind off of his best friend just down the hall.

Cody looked up with a smile. "For the sixth time in almost an hour Teddy is doing fine," he giggled, putting the nailbrush back in the bottle and closing it up. "He's okay Jeff. I'm sure that Ron and Gail are taking good care of him." He patted Jeff on the leg gently. "It's ok."

Jeff nodded, smiling down at Cody. "Thanks," he whispered, resting on hand on Cody's. "For everything."

Cody nodded. "Now, how is Phil doing? I haven't heard a word about him since Shannon got here and since no one's left and no one's come over I know you haven't seen him," he said, climbing up on the bed with Jeff, already starting to fiddle with his hair. "You're too pretty not to be done up everyday."

Jeff tried to hide a blush. "Cody," he warned lightly, chuckling. "He's doing ok. We talked for almost an hour last night. He had to get off because he had work in the morning though," he said, leaning back on the bed, earning a frustrated growl from Cody, who after a moment gave up and laid down next to him. "You think he could be the one?"

Cody rolled over to his side and propped his hand under his head. "I don't know Jeff. You believe in that kind of thing?" he asked, scooting closer to the other man so he could rest his head on Jeff's exposed chest.

Jeff folded his hands under his head and thought about how was going to tell Cody what he was thinking. "I did when I was a kid. I used to tell Matt all the time that I was gonna be his bride since mom passed away. I used to think that there was always love out there," he started, then pausing. His tone changed. "When I left I stopped believing in just about everything, everything but drugs and sex. But I have to say when I ended up here, you and the others made me believe in anything."

Cody smiled, curling into Jeff. "Teddy asked me on a real date," he whispered, looking up into Jeff's widened eyes.

Jeff sat right up, taking Cody's shoulders in his hands and yanking him up. "When? Where are you going? What time is he picking you up? What are you wearing?" he questioned, firing each one out faster than the last. "Tell me!"

Cody blushed. "Maybe next week sometime. I'm kinda scared to go out with him," he admitted, pulling his knees to his chest and looking back at Jeff. "Teddy is great and sweet but I'm not sure I'm ready for a lot of commitment yet. What do you think?

"I think you better call Teddy and tell him you'll bump that date up sooner!" Jeff said, hugging Cody to him. "Cody, just go where it takes you. I mean he obviously likes you and he isn't going to hurt you like that."

Cody smiled. "You think so?"

Jeff pushed Cody completely out of his bed. "Of course I do silly," he said, poking his head over the edge of the bed to look down at Cody. "Ted is too much of a gentleman to pass up something like that."

"What in the world are you two doing?"

Cody looked back towards the door while Jeff looked up, his half covered butt sticking in the air. "Talking," they answered together, giggling at the face John was making.

John rolled his eyes, walking into the room and patting the bare bit of Jeff's butt. "You know these super short shorts are not going to last long on you with us around," he said, sitting down on the bed.

"I'm just that sexy," Jeff teased, rolling onto his back and running a hand down his chest. "Aren't I?"

John chuckled, lending a hand for Cody to sit up on the floor. "Ron's with Shannon. He says he's doing a lot better through everything," he explained, earning a smile from Jeff. "And Ted called a minute ago. He wants to talk to you when you're free Cody."

Cody jumped up, thanking John before running off to his room.

Jeff chuckled, loving Cody like a little brother. He looked up at John and frowned when a deep serious expression covered his face. "What's wrong John? Is it Shannon?" he asked, getting apprehensive.

"He's not taking the countering drugs the best and he has a high fever but other than that he's doing good. I didn't think the withdrawal was going to be this serious," John answered, clasping his hands together and looking down at his bare feet. "Ron's a little concerned. His body is so strong but the inside is fucked, terribly."

"All the drugs huh?" Jeff asked lowly, curling up on one side and holding the pillow to him. "All those damn drugs that we took, knowing it was going to kill us… but it made us feel so good…."

John rested a hand on Jeff's hip, stroking it lovingly with the pad of his thumb. "I think he'll pull through though. He's like you, a complete fighter," John whispered gently, smiling softly into the darkened eyes. "Don't worry too much Jeff. You'll get sick too."

"I'll be okay," Jeff whispered, sitting up and resting his head on John's shoulder. "I'm just worried… that's all." He felt arms wrap around him and before he knew it tears were slowly leaking down his cheeks. "I'm so scared John. I don't want to lose him and everything around here is getting worse and… and I don't know what to do…"

John held Jeff to him, stroking the long blond hair gently. His arms tightened around Jeff. "It's going to be okay," John whispered, lifting Jeff's chin up so they could share eye contact. "I know it will."

Jeff smiled, chuckling a little, leave it to John to make him feel better. "Thank you," he whimpered, leaning back into the warm embrace. "What would I do without you?"

"Go insane."

"What did you do to Jeff?!" Cody snapped, running over to Jeff's bed and yanking him away from John. "You can't be mean to him like that! I leave for a few minutes and you go and make him cry!" He held a giggling Jeff to him and shooed John away. "Get away from him!"

"Boys try to keep your voices down a little bit please."

The three turned their heads towards the doors, finding Papa Paul. "Papa!" they said happily, their attention on him.

Papa Paul sighed, shaking his head at them. "Where're the others at?" he asked, walking inside the room and leaning against back against the doorframe.

"Well Ron's with Shannon," John answered, thinking about the others.

"Randy's with Gail downstairs in the kitchen," Jeff put in, pulling away from Cody just enough to answer and wipe the tears from his eyes. "What are you up to Papa?"

"Well I came up here to see what all the commotion was, since Cody was yelling," he replied, earning a blush from the smallest boy. "I was thinking that all of us could go out for dinner. Melina is taking the girls out so why should we stay home?"

"Will Gail get to come with us?" Cody asked, smiling. He really loved Gail, she was like his big sister.

"Well Melina wasn't going to take her and I wasn't just gonna leave her here to fend for herself," Paul laughed, crossing his arms before looking down at his boys. "You think Ron'll want to go?"

"If not we can always bring him something back," Cody said, getting up and stretching for a moment. "I can go ask."

"That's ok. I'll go ask him in a few. You three get ready and we'll leave here in about half an hour."

"Okay!"

"How's Jeff?" Shannon rasped, his throat dry and arms too weak to push the overly warm blankets off of him.

"He's doing well, worried about you. He's out with the others to dinner right now," Ron answered, bringing over a cup of water with a straw for Shannon. "Drink this."

"Don't wanna," Shannon gasped, opening his eyes and squinting in the dim lighted room. "It's really dark in here."

"The light was bothering you earlier so I dimmed it down. Don't move so fast, I'll help you sit up," he chastised, setting the water glass on the nightstand and moving to help Shannon sit up. "You're doing better than you were."

"Still feel like shit," he muttered, leaning against Ron as he helped him up. He sighed, the warmth of someone else's body against his a welcome change. "You feel nice."

Ron smiled. "That's because I've been the only one in here with you," she answered, sitting on the edge of the bed and holding the glass up for Shannon to drink through the straw. "You need more water."

"Don't want it."

Ron sighed, raising a hand to brush across Shannon's brow. He felt the elevated temperature but smiled slightly, it was going down. "Your fever is trying to break," he said, bringing his hands back to his lap and looking over Shannon's pretty face. "You're really handsome."

Shannon looked up into the dark eyes before looking down at his own hands in his lap. His cheeks started to blossom with heat and color as a smile broke across his lips. "Thank you," he whispered, looking up at Ron suddenly feeling a little shy.

Ron reached forward, a lock of blond hair falling in Shannon's face. He moved it behind his ear and smiled, his eyes locked with the emeralds in front of him. He couldn't help but stop and keep focused. Those eyes were so soft and full of life. He leaned in, a hand cupping Shannon's cheek as he brought their lips together in a soft kiss.

Shannon's eyes widened before he relaxed and kissed Ron back, unsure of why it felt so different than all those times he'd been with all his tricks. He groaned the lips suddenly pulling away and the sound of the phone by his bedside going off.

Ron picked up the phone and muttered a hello. He perked up slightly, hearing Jeff's voice on the other side. "Yeah, he's doing better. His fever's breaking now. I'll talk to you when you get back." He hung up but kept his eyes on the phone

"Jeff…" he murmured, smiling slightly.

Ron nodded. "I'm sorry for just now," he whispered, eyes dragging up to Shannon's green ones. "That was really stupid and forward."

Shannon smiled. "Forward yeah, stupid no," he chuckled, moving on hand to rest on Ron's. "You'll have to wait until I'm better and I'll show you a good time." He gave Ron a wink and chuckled again.

Jeff flew in the door as soon as him and the others returned from dinner. He knew Papa Paul had Ron's take out box with him and all he had to do was tell him and then he could get a few minutes alone with Shannon to find out how he was doing and how well he felt. He knocked on Shannon's door and after only a moment the door was opened. He smiled, seeing that Shannon was sitting up and more or less alert. "Papa's got your food," he said, stepping into the room and sitting next to Shannon on the bed. "I'll sit with him for a little while."

Ron nodded, knowing that Jeff just wanted some time with his best friend alone. He couldn't blame him after all. He nodded, looking over at Shannon, who was looking back at him, a certain wonton look in his eyes. He smiled, sure that once Shannon was better he was going to have a hell of a time focusing on what he was doing and not that little body.

Jeff waited for Ron to shut the door before he looked back at Shannon and demanded to know everything that had gone on while he was away. "I know something happened between you guys. Ron didn't want to leave you and you… well Shannon you look like you just had the best fucking of your life," he said, taking the smaller man's hands in his.

Shannon failed to hold back a little bit of laughter and even though it still sounded a bit hallow it was genuine. "We didn't do anything Jeff. He just kissed me," he explained, smiling. "What? Did you expect me to jump on him?"

Jeff gave Shannon an all-knowing look.

"Ok so I did think about it, but I can't do much but sit here until my body stops feeling like a giant lead weight," he whispered, his cheeks giving off a little color. "He's really nice though. You think the others are like him?"

Jeff smiled. He knew Shannon would come around. "All of them are nice in their own ways. I can have them come up if you want to actually meet them," he suggested, squeezing the smaller hands lightly. "They are all really sweet, especially Cody. He's just adorable."

"That flier boy?" he asked, trying to remember what he looked like. He sighed, his brain already on fire and even the idea of thought was only adding fuel to the flames.

Jeff struggled to suppress the laugh. "Yeah that's Cody," he giggled, smiling at Shannon before leaning in and hugging him tightly. "I've missed you so much Shannon."

Shannon smiled softly, bringing one heavy hand up to rest in the middle of Jeff's back. "I missed you too," he murmured, letting his weight rest into Jeff. "It was hard out there without you. It was lonely and a lot happened."

"How's Trish and Mickie?" Jeff asked, wondering how everyone from his previous life was. He had to go back and talk to them sometime, at least let them know he was still alive and that he cared.

Shannon started to chuckle at Jeff. He was so childish. He suddenly got quiet and serious when he thought about what had gone on while Jeff was away. "So much shit has went down since you left," Shannon whispered gravely, his eyes meeting Jeff's. "Mickie died of an overdose. Some old dealers got her and fed her a hot shot and left her in an alley. Trish moved on. She's the only good news. She's in rehab, a friend of hers came to get her a few days before I ended up here. Dave got tired of Maryse and a bunch of cops raided her place. Got all the drugs and booked her on pimping out all those girls. He's doing time too since she squealed on him. And I'm here."

Jeff nodded. His heart was saddened to hear about Mickie, she really was, from what he'd heard, a nice girl. He couldn't help but chuckle at Maryse and Dave though, thinking about Papa Paul and Melina arguing about how Papa Paul was going to tip the cops off about her too. He was happy that Trish was getting help though. At least her addictions weren't as deep as theirs and she had family taking care of her. "I'm glad about Trish," he whispered, forcing out a small smile. "How're the streets?"

"If anything worse," Shannon muttered, thinking back on how hard it was to keep up the apartment alone and how he would stand out for hours without a single trick. "The drugs were getting harder and harder to find. I had to go all the way out to that Escobar guy's place and it was fucking scary. I think I went clean for two days before I found a new dealer. That guys got some problems."

Jeff nodded, soaking up everything Shannon had to say. "You hold up okay while I was gone?" he asked, sure that it sounded more egotistical than he'd meant it.

Shannon shrugged. "It was hard but hey, I'm alive. That's all that matters now," he answered, giving a small smirk. "Anyway, you gonna introduce me to everyone of are you gonna just sit there and listen to me talk?"

Jeff chuckled, nodding. He turned and walked out to find the others. When he returned, Shannon was still in place, lightly dozing with his head leaned to one side. "Shan?" he questioned, seeing the other man jerk awake. "Hey we'll be quick with this."

Shannon shook his head. If was even remotely going to stay he wanted to know everyone's names at least. He looked over the four behind Jeff, remembering three of them faintly from the day that Jeff came to get his things, the last one being Ron himself.

"This one is John." He pointed to John, who at the moment was wearing a white fur coat that he'd worn out to dinner, the matching pants on underneath with a black and white shirt underneath it. "This is Randy." He pointed to Randy, who, as always, was in nothing but pair of hot pants, making Jeff think that he'd changed pretty quickly since they'd gotten home.

"He looks like a regular street whore," Shannon interrupted, looking Randy up and down.

"Why I oughta," Randy murmured, taking a step closer before behind held back by Ron's stiff hand. "He started it."

"He's a whiny little shit."

"Shannon!" Jeff chastised, giving Shannon a stern look. "Be nice. This is the baby, Cody." He pointed to his favorite little brother and smiled once he came forward and sat on the chair. "He's the cutest one."

"Hey, I thought I was the cutest?" Ron asked, feigning hurt as his hand covered his heart.

"You're the hottest," Jeff mended, shrugging.

"What about me?" Randy and John asked simulations.

"You two are just good eye-candy." Jeff chuckled, earning two glares from the other men. "You know all of you are hot and I love you," he amended, taking Shannon's hand in his. "Well since you know them. Guys, this is Shannon, my best friend."

Cody scooted in. "You're really pretty," he said, smiling at the small man in front of him.

Shannon's emerald eyes widened, his lips upturning into a smile. He'd never been called 'pretty' before. "Eh… thank you," he whispered, looking down at his lap, Jeff's hands wrapped protectively around his. He couldn't help but smile, Cody, was just too sweet. "I'm sorry for everything I said to you the last time I saw you and Ron and John. I was high."

Cody reached out and touched the blond's hand that wasn't complete covered by Jeff's hand. "Don't worry about it," he said, tipping Shannon's chin up. "You'll have plenty of time to make up for it."

Jeff chuckled, ruffling Cody's hair lightly. "That's if he wants to stay here with us," he said, looking over at Shannon with soft eyes. "It's not like you think. It's actually really nice."

"The sex is abundant," John said, earning a good smack on the back of his head from Ron. "What? I'm just saying!"

"Just because you're a horn ball doesn't mean the rest of us can't go without it," Ron snapped, glaring at John before looking back at Shannon. "What he meant is that he'd like it if you would stay."

Shannon couldn't help but flush at Ron's kindness, his mind running back to their shared kiss. "I might have to," he said, his eyes locking with Ron's. After all, he had to prove to Ron that he wasn't some little push over and he couldn't just steal a kiss from him without some kind of fight.

Jeff hugged Shannon close. "I'm glad you're going to stay," he whispered, tears evident in his eyes. He sniffled, pulling away and smiling.

"Well the withdrawal was a bitch but if that's the hardest part then I think I'll be ok," Shannon whispered, brushing back a lock of Jeff's fading hair. "You really need to dye this again."

Jeff chuckled. "Yeah. I gotta go out and buy some dye first," he answered, brushing back some of the golden hair from Shannon's face. "You should get some rest. I'm sure Ron will watch over you pretty good for the rest of the night."

Shannon wished he could smack Jeff for that comment, knowing that it was a stab at what had happened between them. He shot Jeff a dirty look.

Jeff smiled back at the dirty look, thinking that his life was almost perfect. He turned and herded the other three out before looking back at Shannon and thinking about what Gail had said. He really needed to talk to Amy about Matt even if it wasn't much. He bit his lower lip, unsure if he had the strength to do it alone quite yet.

(A/N): Well that was the hardest chapter I've had to write so far. I don't know how many times I've scraped this chapter and started over from scratch. Well I hope that since this is the final one it's good. I hope everyone likes it. I am sorry that it's taken so long to get out. So hopefully the next chapter will come out faster and won't be so hard to get out! Lol. Well either way. Shannon's going to stay and it's a big family but Jeff's still thinking about Matt and Shannon and Ron have a little chemistry going on! Honestly it's a bit of a crack pairing but I've been wanting to try it out so yeah. Well this is getting a bit long so let me know what you think! Title is Better Than Drugs by Skillet.

JacktheSinister_JaketheJust