A/N: Just a warning, but this installment (especially the beginning) is absotively and posolutely complete and utter fluff. Fabric softener fluffy. Expect lots of OOC-ness. All you fluff lovers will be very happy.

21 - Anytime

I was crying harder than ever when I felt someone sit next to me.

'I heard about Johnny.'

I looked up to see Greg, and he looked a little uncomfortable.

But there was also a small amount of compassion in his expression.

I wiped away a few tears slowly, making way for new ones to make tracks of their own.

'Are... You okay?' He asked, looking away.

I looked at him through my tears. 'No, I'm not. I have no idea how he is. It seems like I've been waiting so long...'

'It's okay... He'll be fine.' Greg said, grabbing my hand.

This, of course, visibly surprised me.

But I really needed it right now.

I leaned forward and hugged him softly.

I felt his muscles tense, but I didn't let go.

Deep inside, he needed this as much as I did.

'I'm scared...' I whispered softly.

'I know.' He said, putting arm around me lightly.

'Frankie?'

My head whipped around. 'Mom!'

I pulled from Greg and ran over to my mother, hugging her tightly.

'How's Johnny?' My mother asked, her eyes puffy. She had been crying as much as I had.

I shook my head tiredly. 'I don't know.'

'What happened?' She asked worriedly.

'I don't know...' I said, looking down. I felt so useless.

'Who's this?' My father asked, motioning to Greg.

Finally, a question I can answer

I turned toward Greg. He was sitting there looking on helplessly.

'Oh. Mom, Dad, this is Greg. Greg, these are my parents. Carmen and Louis Labrada.'

Greg stood up reluctantly and shook both my parents' hands.

Before anything could be said, though, a doctor came up to me.

'Are you Frankie Labrada?'

I nodded vigorously. 'Yes, I'm Frankie. How's my brother?' I asked, three stray tears falling slowly.

'The bullet hit an artery, that's why there was so much blood. Fortunately we got to him on time. He should be perfectly fine. We were even able to remove the bullet.' He said, finishing with a smile.

A huge wave of relief washed over me. 'Oh, thank God!' I exclaimed, bringing the doctor into an excited hug, much to his amusement.

I turned to my parents. My mother was crying happily and hugging my father tightly, making him laugh in relief.

Greg was a little to the side, a small grin on his face.

I went up to him and hugged him tightly. Right at this moment, everyone should be hugged.

I broke away from him and turned to the doctor. 'Can we see him?' I asked hopefully.

The doctor smiled and nodded in reply. 'He's in room 212.'

'Thank you.' I said, before turning back to Greg.

'Would you like to come see him?' I asked quietly.

He shot me a small smile in return.

I walked into the hospital room to see Johnny lying in the bed and looking out the window.

'Hey, Johnny.' I whispered, making him turn around quickly.

'Frankie!' He exclaimed, smiling.

'Not just me, there are some other people here to see you.' I said, waving in Greg and my parents.

I watched happily as my mother hugged Johnny so tightly it looked as if his eyes were about to pop out of his skull.

'Hey!' Johnny greeted, smiling. 'Greg!'

Greg gave a light wave. 'Hey.'

My mother whispered something to Johnny and he laughed and nodded while my father eyed Greg suspiciously.

I leaned toward Greg. 'They seem scary at first, but then you get to know them... And then you realize they really are scary.' I whispered to him, making him laugh softly.

'So.' I said, clasping my hands together and walking over to Johnny, sitting next to him on the bed. 'What is everyone doing for dinner?' I finished, looking at everyone in turn.

About forty-five minutes later all of us, even Greg, were sitting in a circle around Johnny's bed eating some pizza from downstairs and talking.

I looked over at Greg.

He was just sitting back, enjoying the insanity with a small smile on his face.

He looked at his watch and dug in his jacket pocket, digging out his pills and popping one into his mouth.

I smiled and shook my head, going back to my pizza.

I looked at Johnny. He was laughing and talking just like nothing had ever happened.

That's Johnny for you. He would always get into trouble when he was a kid, and Tony and I would always have to get him out of it. Whenever he would get hurt he would always be ready for something else the next day.

Now look at him! Not even a bullet could keep my brother down.

I smiled at him as he struck a dramatic pose to emphasize the story he was telling.

I remembered it.

I must have been about eight, which would have made Johnny about six.

We had been playing in the hall upstairs and Johnny fell down the stairs.

I ran down after him, finding him at the bottom of the stairs with his eyes shut.

I was so scared, I started crying and screaming.

Johnny opened his eyes seconds later laughing at me for thinking he was dead.

Needless to say I promptly beat him up afterwards, but nonetheless...

My smile widened as Johnny finished telling his version of the story.

Greg had walked me down to the cafeteria so that I could get dessert for everyone.

I looked over and smiled. He just seemed so uncomfortable the whole night.

'Wow. Loosen up.' I said, still smiling.

My statement obviously surprised him. 'Excuse me?' He asked, raising an eyebrow.

'You seem tense.' I said jokingly.

'Oh, I wonder why.' He said sarcastically, a smirk on his face.

'Listen, I want to thank you. For earlier today. It meant so much to me.' I said, my tone turning serious.

I turned to face him. He was smiling. I leaned in and kissed him softly. 'So, thank you.' I whispered after breaking away.

He raised his eyebrow again, this time somewhat playfully. 'Anytime.'

A/N: There you go! Fluffiness! And Johnny's not dead! (dances) Yeah, I had this typed up yesterday, but I decided to let you guys sweat it out a bit :D Anywho, hope everyone liked! Thank yous and hugs go to all those beautiful people who have taken the time to come here and read this. Dive-tackles go out to all my wonderful reviewers! As always, please R&R, have a fabulous day.