A/N : Thank you to RKOsgirl92, redrose88, Laura and Sinfully_Sined for reviewing, I reaaalllyyy appreciate it. I'll try be more consistant with my updates, but I've had a really bad case of writer's block recently. Please keep reviewing so I know people are enjoying this one, thanks!!

The quiet was deafening.

That was all Shawn could think about as he sat at the island in the kitchen, eating his bowl of cornflakes and watching as his wife made sausages on the stove. The entire house seemed to be doused in silence. Usually, on a Saturday morning, there would be noises coming from the television in the sitting room, or from Cameron's stereo in his bedroom. There would be continuous thumping of the stairs as the kids ran to and from their bedrooms, and the occasional crash as someone fell or banged into an inanimate object. Then of course there was the constant sibling squabbles that seemed to take place moreso at weekends than any other time.

But today, things were different. There were no sounds. Shawn couldn't hear any televisions or stereos, he couldn't hear anyone moving up or down the stairs and didn't hear any sibling squabbles or any accidents with the furniture. Even Barney, possibly the most over-excited pup Shawn had ever seen had been very subdued, choosing to stay curled up in his basket or sprawled out in Becky's room, rather than follow Cameron anywhere he went. He didn't like it, but there was nothing he could do to change it. They had fallen into a routine ever since Becky had arrived and now that she was no longer in the house... things were different, and Shawn could see it was hard for his family to adjust to the absence of the young girl.

Rebecca turned away from the stove, frying pan in hand, intending to place the kids breakfast on the plates set out in front of her. As she turned, she immediately caught her husbands eye, and a small smile of understanding graced her features.

"He'll be okay, Shawn."

Shawn frowned. "I'm not so sure about that.... he's taken it hard, harder than I thought."

Rebecca sighed. "You need to remember Becky almost died right in front of him... it's not something I think any of us want him to see again-"

"The doctors said it probably won't happen again." Shawn protested slightly.

"Probably." Rebecca raised two perfectly sculpted eyebrows so they almost disappeared into her bangs. "It's not a risk I'm willing to take."

Shawn sighed and glanced back down at his cereal, lost in his own thoughts as Rebecca left the room to call their children for their breakfast. A few moments later, Cheyenne bounced in, followed slowly by Cameron, who plonked himself down into the seat across from his father with a loud, self-pitying sigh.

"Morning Cameron." Shawn said, watching his son intently as he nibbled on his breakfast only half-heartedly. "Morning Chey."

"Morning." Cheyenne replied brightly, tucking into her breakfast with a lot more vigour than her brother, who had replied with a half-hearted, "Morning dad." and gone back to eating with non-gusto.

"What do you two want to do today?" Cameron looked up hopefully and Shawn bit back a groan, wishing he'd picked his words better.

"Can we go see Becky in the hospital today?"

"No." Cameron's face fell, and he got back to his breakfast as Rebecca re-entered the room, one hand covering her cell-phone, the other motioning for Shawn to follow her. Shawn quickly got to his feet and swept after his wife, who paused just outside the kitchen and resumed her phone call.

"Yeah, Melissa, we can be there after one." Rebecca glanced at Shawn, slight concern and worry etched on her face. "I'm sure Shawn's parents won't mind looking after the kids for a little while...... Becky said what?" Suddenly Rebecca's features softened and she let out a breathless chuckle. "Yeah, I can bring her some of my muffins. Okay, tell her we'll be there soon, okay, bye." Rebecca hung up the phone and turned to her husband, her eyes alive with excitement. "That was Melissa."

"I gathered that." Shawn replied cheekily, earning himself a slap on the wrist for his troubles. "I take it Becky's feeling better if she's requesting some muffins."

"Melissa says she's in better spirits today than she has been all week." Rebecca replied excitedly. "Today's the first day she's actually welcomed conversation rather than sleep." She trailed off a little and glanced to the now-closed kitchen door. "Melissa says she still doesn't want the kids there.... but she still has a few weeks before she can be discharged.... do you really think she won't let them see her for five more weeks?"

Shawn couldn't help but smirk at his wife's unease. "Was it not you who two minutes ago was telling me you weren't going to allow them in to see her until she was one hundred percent?"
"That was before Melissa told me she's in better spirits." Rebecca pointed out. "I think if she's feeling better, and constantly asking Melissa to ask how they are, it means she wouldn't mind seeing them in another week or so."

"Why don't we leave that up to Becky," Shawn said gently, pulling her closer and wrapping his arms around her waist. "I take it she requested our presence today?"

Rebecca nodded, looking thoughtful. "Melissa says she asked if we were coming to visit today? Because she knew we hadn't planned on it, she thought she'd phone and ask if we could pop in even for a little while. Melissa's flying back to Florida this week, so Becky'll need all the company she can get."

"Of course." Shawn nodded and pulled her back into the room to their forgotten breakfast and children, who glanced up at them curiously. "We'll eat and get dressed, drop the sprouts off at my parents and get going. If you can make muffins quick enough that is."

"The chocolate chips easier than blueberry." Rebecca replied with a wink.

"Chocolate chip?" Cameron piped up curiously. "Are you making Becky muffins, mom?"

Rebecca and Shawn shared an exasperated look. "Yes, Cameron. Your father and I are going to visit Becky for a little while this afternoon."

"Can we-" Cameron began desperately.

"No." Shawn cut in firmly. "You know Becky isn't up to seeing you right now," His sons face fell and he felt a small stab of pity. "Maybe soon if she's feeling better..... it's for the best Cameron-"

"The only reason I'm not allowed in is because you all think I can't handle it." Cameron burst out angrily. "I'm not a stupid little kid. I'm not gonna cry if something bad happens to her like some people." He shot his little sister a death glare as he spoke.

"Hey!" Cheyenne protested.

"Cameron." Rebecca warned.

"Well it's true!" Cameron shot back. "If Chey hadn't cried like a baby maybe Becky wouldn't think we're too stupid to go visit her in the hospital!"

"I'm not a baby." Cheyenne replied indignantly. "Becky was dying Cameron, it was scary!"

"It's because of you we can't see her anymore." Cameron spat bitterly. "It's cause of you Becky hates us!"
"Cameron that's enough!" Shawn barked as Cheyenne's bottom lip began to tremble dangerously. "Apologise to your sister."

"No," Cameron said, grabbing his plate and shooting up from his seat. "It's true. I'm not saying sorry for telling the truth."

"Cameron, get back here!" Shawn called, but as he heard the door slam, he slumped in his seat, defeated. It was only when he glanced up that he caught sight of the tears in his daughters eyes.

"Did he mean that daddy?" Cheyenne whispered pitifully. "Does Becky hate us now?"

Shawn was too surprised to react quick enough.

"Oh honey, no, of course not." Rebecca pulled her daughter into her embrace as Cheyenne began to cry. "Becky doesn't hate you! She just doesn't want you seeing her when she's so sick."

"But-"

"No, Chey, you have nothing to be blamed for." Shawn said firmly. "None of this is your fault. Becky's just ill, and she just needs some extra time alone before she'll let you and Cameron see her. It's not your fault, Becky just doesn't want to scare you. Don't cry, sweetheart."

"I didn't mean to act like a baby." Cheyenne whined. "I thought she was going to die, that's all."

Shawn sighed and ran a hand over his face. "I know, Chey. We all thought that too. But Becky didn't die. And eventually, when she's feeling better, you can both go see her. Cameron's just upset, don't let what he said bother you."

Rebecca held her daughter closer and kissed the top of her head. "I'll let Becky know you miss her, okay? She doesn't hate you, Chey, don't ever think that."

Cheyenne sighed and wiped her tears away. "Okay, mom."

Shawn shared a glance with his wife and rose to his feet. "I'll be back soon." He left the kitchen and went to the hallway, not surprised to see Cameron had taken his shoes and jacket out with him. Shawn knew San Antonio General was at least a half hours walk away from their home. And he wouldn't put it past his son to try walk there and sneak in to see Becky alone without permission. He opened the door and glanced around, surprised to see that Cameron was leaning against the front gates, the scowl on his face conveying the frustration he was feeling. Shawn knew he should be sympathetic to his sons feelings and not be too hard on him, but he hated seeing his little girl cry. And Cheyenne had done nothing to deserve her brothers wrath.

"I want you to go in and apologise to your sister for what you said to her." Shawn said the moment he came within his sons earshot. "And then I want you to apologise to your mother for leaving the room during breakfast."

There was a moment of silence, and Shawn thought he was going to be fully ignored, but eventually Cameron replied quietly. "I will."

"Cam, you'll see her soon." Shawn promised, his tone softening as he leant next to his son. "She's just..." He trailed off and Cameron glanced up at him expectantly. "She doesn't want you to see her in such a state, and I agree with her-"

"But you said so yourself that she's getting better!" Cameron exploded. "Clearly the only reason for not letting us in there is because she doesn't want to see us!"

"Do you really believe that Cameron?" The young boy blushed and glared at his feet. "Because if you believe that then you won't want to see Becky at all, would you?"

"I said she hated us, I didn't say I hated her." Cameron mumbled back.

"I know what you're planning on doing, and I won't let you sneak off to the hospital yourself." Cameron looked up, rather mystified. "Don't tell me you haven't thought about it Cameron, I know you better."

Cameron sighed. "Fine, I won't go see her until you let me."
"Promise me you won't sneak off." Shawn pressed further. "Your mom would be upset if you disappeared suddenly. I want your word."

Cameron faltered ever so briefly, biting his lip a little and shuffling his feet for a few moments before eventually catching his dads gaze and holding it. "I promise that I won't sneak off, dad."

"Thank you." There was another few moments silence before Shawn spoke again. "I think you better go in and apologise. And Cameron?" Cameron, who had moved forward a few steps, turned back. "I don't want to hear you talking to your sister like that again."

Cameron rolled his eyes but didn't speak, and Shawn watched as he walked back to the house, waiting until he was inside before following. He was even more determined now more than ever to get some answers out of Becky and try convince her to let the kids in to see her. The last thing he or Rebecca needed was a sulky teenager crashing around the house biting everyone's heads off for the next three weeks.

Later on that day, Shawn turned back at the hospital door. "Are you sure you don't want the kids to come with us next time?"

Becky hesitated slightly. Shawn could see the dark circles under her eyes, and could tell by her shallow breathing that despite what she said, she was still heavily medicated. "I don't think so, Shawn. Not just yet."

Rebecca smiled supportingly. "It'll be okay, Becky. You'll be out of here before you know it."

Shawn could tell Becky was trying desperately hard not to roll her eyes or say something sarcastic in reply. "Yeah, I know, Becs."

"At least think about it Becky, please." Becky gave him an exasperated look, and he shrugged. "Cameron went crazy at Cheyenne this morning because he hates the fact that he can't come see you. I think you're doing more harm than good with all of this, but that's just my opinion."

Becky sent him a strange look, then glanced at the clock on the wall. "Look, I'll think about it, okay? But you have to understand where I'm coming from. I nearly died Shawn, and if I had died, two kids would have stood there and seen the whole thing. I don't want to scar them like that. I'm a wreck and I'm constantly in pain and I can barely move. I don't want them to see that. I don't want to put them through that." She glanced at the clock again and was unsuccessful in stifling her yawn. "Thank you so much for coming, but I'm totally beat. I think I might pass out halfway through a sentence if I don't get some sleep."

"We'll be back soon." Rebecca promised. Shawn could see there was something his wife wanted to say as they made their way through the hospital to the carpark. It was only when they were settled in the SUV that she finally spoke. "She looked terrible."

Shawn glanced at her strangely. "I thought she looked better than she's been. She was much more talkative. A bit more responsive than usual. Considering the amount of medication she's on, she looked great, Becs-"

"I'm not talking about that." Rebecca interrupted impatiently. "I'm talking about mentally. Did you see those black eyes, Shawn? She's still not sleeping and she's still in denial about it. She's exhausted and she's in pain and there's nothing anyone can do and I hate it. I hate that someone so young as her has to go through such problems."

Shawn stayed quiet, not knowing exactly how to make his wife feel better. He felt the same way, angry that such a young, happy kid like Becky would be blighted with so many problems so early on in life.

"We need to help her Shawn." Rebecca said quietly, staring at her hands intently. "When she's done with all these operations and her rehab and everything, we have to help her. We have to make sure she stays happy and healthy."
Shawn reached over and gripped his wifes hands tightly. He knew his wife and Becky had talked. And he had a strange suspicion that Becky had revealed some of her past to his wife. Considering Rebecca hadn't told him about it, he realised it must be serious, and wasn't something that Becky wanted anyone else to know. His wife had grown quite close to Becky over the past couple months, he knew it broke her heart to see the teenager in such pain. "Of course we will, she's part of the family now, whether she likes it or not."

Hours later, when Shawn and Rebecca had already been to see Becky, deposited her desired muffins and picked their children back up from his parents house, Shawn was relaxing in his study, going over the card for the upcoming Summerslam pay-per-view that would take place in a weeks time. Shawn's original plan had been to take the entire family - including Becky - to the show, where they could watch from front row and then relax backstage for a while. Now, though, those plans were scuppered. Becky wouldn't be going anywhere out of the hospital for weeks, and Shawn knew Rebecca had grown too attached to the young girl to leave her behind.

"Shawn!" His wife's panicked cry had him shooting up out of his chair and up the steps to his bedroom before he'd even had a chance to think. He found Rebecca standing at the top of the stairs, her face white, her eyes wide with fright.

"What is it? What's wrong?" Cheyenne popped her head out of her room to see what all the commotion was, frowning in confusion when she saw the distress on her mothers face.

"It's Cameron, he's not in his room. I looked around the house, I can't find him anywhere." Shawn felt like cursing as he made his own way to Cameron's bedroom, as though to make sure for himself that what his wife said was true. Sure enough, Cameron's room was empty and after a few moments searching, it was obvious he was no-where in the house or in the garden.

"He wouldn't have went to Martin's at this time without asking permission first, would he?" Rebecca asked, looking uncertain as she glanced in the kitchen for the fifth time.

Shawn glanced at his watch. It was six thirty. He knew the hospital allowed visitors for another few hours. He couldn't believe the nerve of his son. Especially considering he'd specifically made him give his word that he wouldn't do what Shawn was positive he'd done. Exactly like he'd feared, Rebecca was panicked and scared, wondering why her son had took off randomnly, not leaving any inclination as to where he might have gone. If Shawn hadn't been so disbelieving of his sons insolence, he might have been scared and angry himself.

"Dad, what's going-"

"Go back to your room, Chey, everything's fine." Cheyenne shot him a 'Yeah right' look, but did as she was asked and retreated to her room. Rebecca turned back to her husband, slight tears in her eyes.

"Where could he have gone, Shawn? I didn't think he was this upset."

Shawn sighed and walked over to her, sliding his arms around her waist and kissing her cheek gently. "Don't worry, I'll find him."

Rebecca watched as he walked to the front door. "But how do you know where to look for him?"

Shawn turned back to her, a sad smile playing about his lips. "Because I know exactly where he is."