A/N: This is tomorrow's chapter because I'm going to be out all day. Enjoy it, I'm sure some of you will enjoy it more than others xD

Twenty Four:

Here Beginneth The Lesson

One good thing had come from Petey going AWOL earlier; it had meant Gary had been free to scope the town for a decent hideout. It had to be somewhere in close proximity to the school, but not on the grounds. Somewhere where no one would think to look for them, but not somewhere they would forget. Gary knew he would never forget, but Petey seemed to have lost half his brain power since being admitted to Happy Volts. And it wasn't as if he had actually been paying attention where he had been going after Gary picked him up off the wet ground and led him away from the alley.

Actually, Petey had only just managed to pull himself together. He was still snivelling pathetically, reminding Gary of a spoilt five year old, but at least he had his eyes open now. He sat on the edge of the bed, one of the stiff stained sheets pulled over his lap as he wiped the moisture from his face. He hadn't said anything since they arrived at the old motel by the underpass that bordered New Coventry, but Gary didn't mind. In fact Petey's wordless state was a welcomed relief. Well, it would be better if he wasn't still whimpering like a wounded puppy.

'You're getting on my nerves, Femme-Boy.' Gary grumbled, peering out through the old dusty blinds. Half of the window was boarded up, but there was a gap big enough to see out onto the street. There wasn't even any sign of dawn yet, which meant the two of them would have a long wait until evening came around again so they could head into the school. Gary had originally planned to go straight there after they left Fruity Owen, but after Petey's little trick and considering the emotional wreck he was right now; the school reunion would have to be postponed.

Petey sniffed, wiping his nose on the back of his hand. 'I'm sorry, Gary. I can't help it.'

Gary released the blinds and they snapped back into place. 'Yeah, well you better start helping it. If I'd known that you had tendencies to throw little hissy fits like that I would have left you behind. You're lucky the light fixtures are attached to the walls.'

Petey frowned, eyes still puffy and red. 'What did you expect me to do?' he snapped. 'I saw that look on your face. I thought you were going to attack that girl! It's one thing busting out of hospital. I didn't sign up to see people hurt.'

Gary waved a hand dismissively and prodded at the dials on the TV. Nothing happened of course as there was no electricity in the building. The only light that came into the room was from the street light out front, and even that had difficulty getting in due to the heavy wooden boards there. 'I wasn't going to hurt her,' Gary snorted, turning away from the old TV. 'I just wanted to... scare her a bit. Make sure she didn't try and do anything stupid like, say, get us caught. I'm starting to think it should have been you at knife point. You're a lucky bastard for not getting caught out there, Petey. Very lucky.'

'Yeah.' Petey grumbled, pulling his legs up onto the bed and hugging them to his chest. 'I'm so lucky I realised my mom was betraying me.'

Gary leaned against the scarred table beside the TV and regarded Petey with distain. Femme-Boy was going to be a like this all night and it was going to drive him insane. It was bad enough that the two of them would be cooped up in this dump until tomorrow evening; Petey really didn't have to make it drag. It looked like Gary was going to have to perk the little twerp up in his own way.

'Suck it up, Femme-Boy. You're boring me.'

Petey must have sensed something in his voice because he looked up suddenly, expression growing wary. Gary moved towards him, savouring his white, frightened face in the dimness. He put his hands on Petey's slim shoulders and squeezed them.

'Anyway,' he grinned. 'I think it's about time we talked about how we even the score.'

Petey swallowed hard. 'Even the score?' he squeaked.

'Yeah,' Gary grinned. 'You know, you tried to bash my melon in with a freaking lamp. I think it's only fair if I get a little payback for that.'

'But...' Petey stopped, blinking rapidly. 'But I thought you'd...'

'You thought I'd what, Petey?'

'I thought you'd forgiven me.'

Gary chuckled, shaking his head. 'Ah, Petey, Petey, Petey... How long have we known each other, huh? A few years?'

Petey nodded. 'Something like that.'

'You'd think you would have realised that I'm not a very forgiving person by now.' He flashed one more grin at Petey, enjoying the look of terror on the smaller boy's face, before pulling him off the bed and pushing him to the floor. He stepped back, chuckling as Petey got on his hands and knees, frantically trying to get back to his feet as quickly as possible. He finally got his feet under him again but Gary put his hand on his head and pushed him back down.

'Gary!' Petey cried, terrified. 'What the hell?'

'I don't want to beat the crap out of you, Petey,' Gary sighed. 'It'll make this whole sneaking around thing pretty hard. Last thing I need is some whiny little cripple slowing me down...' He tilted his head, considering something. 'So... I guess there's only one way you can make it up to me.' He smirked, and began to unfasten his belt.

'What are you doing?!' Petey cried, voice shrill. 'G...Gary! C'mon man, this isn't funny!'

Gary reached forward quickly, grabbing hold of Petey's left ear. He let out a cry as Gary twisted hard and leaned close to speak into it. 'Now listen here, moron, because I'm only going to say this once. Without me you would be still rotting away in that hellhole. You owe me, Femme-Boy. I've gone out of my way to do a hell of a lot for you. The least you can do is give me a quick thanks, huh?'

Petey was trembling, his breathing quick and laboured. He winced at the pain in his twisted ear. 'I... I won't do that!'

Gary twisted his ear again, causing him to cry out for the second time. 'Well then if that's the case I don't really see why I'm bothering with all this,' he clicked his tongue, disappointed. 'I mean, I go out of my way for you. Y'know, if we actually stop and rack up the scores... what exactly have you done for me since we bust out? Huh? I can't think of anything. And here I've done plenty for you. I thought this was a two-way thing, Petey. Share and share alike. Now if you're going to be a glory hog and not share like a good girl then...' He sighed and shook his head. 'Then maybe it's time I just kick you to the curb.'

Petey looked up at him with wild, frightened eyes. He had a good idea of what Gary's translation of 'kicking to the curb' entailed; a hell of a lot of kicking and probably not much breathing afterwards. He started to shake his head but Gary's grip on his ear just tightened and he hissed in pain. 'Gary man... c'mon... Joke's over, okay? This isn't funny. I...if you want me to stop complaining I will, okay? I'll do more, okay? I swear Gary just... just don't make me do this...'

Gary just grinned. 'So what's it gonna be, Femme-Boy? C'mon, I bet it won't be the first time you've taken a shot in the mouth to save your ass.'

Petey whimpered, shaking his head. 'Gary, please...' he moaned, but his struggles had subsided. 'I can't...'

Gary let go of him and finished undoing his belt. 'Good choice, Petey.'

Petey shuddered and released a shaky breath. Fresh tears rolled down his flushed cheeks. He moved to a kneeling position reluctantly and closed his eyes tightly. His girly little lips trembled and he wetted them nervously. Gary decided enough was enough and, with a groan, he planted his hand on Petey's tear streaked face and shoved him back. Petey lost his balance and fell on his back. He lay there, blinking up at Gary with confused, red-rimmed eyes.

'You really think I'd want to stick my vitals anywhere near your whiny little mouth, Femme-Boy?' He snorted irritably and turned away, fastening up his belt. 'Yeah it's been a while, but I'm not that desperate.'

Petey lay on the floor, staring up at him in bewilderment. Then suddenly his face flushed red and his jaw clenched tightly. 'You bastard!' he cried, voice high and wavering. 'What the hell is wrong with you?'

Gary frowned and waved a hand like he was batting away a bug. 'You're such a little girl, you know that Petey? I knew there was a reason behind that pink shirt...'

Petey scrambled to his feet, face burning red. He lunged for Gary, but Gary shoved him aside easily causing him to hit the bed hard. He turned and glared at Gary again, tears of humiliation in his eyes. 'You're completely insane!' he accused. 'Do you really enjoy torturing people that much? You're sick!'

Gary turned to him, arms out by his sides. 'I'm trying to teach you something, Petey!' he cried. 'Geez I'm trying to do you a favour!'

Petey was outraged. 'A favour?'

'Yes!' Gary replied. 'You're a pussy, Petey. Probably the biggest pussy I've ever met in my life.' He took a step forward and wasn't surprised when Petey recoiled. 'How the hell are you going to confront Derby Harrington with an attitude like that? He'll have you down licking his shoes within about ten seconds. Don't you see what I was doing? I'm trying to make you stand up to me, Petey! You've got to be more assertive. If you want to get anything out of this little expedition from the nuthouse then you're going to have to be a bit manlier. You understand that?'

Petey was still staring at him, chest rising and falling quickly, but some of the redness had left his cheeks. He opened his mouth to say something, but found himself lost for words.

Gary chuckled, shaking his head. 'I can't believe that you were going to let me shoot a load in your mouth. That little piece of info is stored for future reference.' He grinned and tapped his temple.

Colour flushed Petey's cheeks again and he snorted furiously. 'You're a complete jerk, Gary.'

Gary shrugged and moved to the bed. 'Yeah, yeah. Tell me something I don't know.' He pulled off his hooded sweater and tossed it aside. 'Well goodnight, Femme-Boy. If I wake up and catch you spooning me don't expect to see the sunrise. And get some sleep. Soon as night comes around again we're going to pay a visit to some old friends. You'll want to be on top form for that, trust me.' With that, Gary lay down on the bed and closed his eyes.