A/N: Thanks for the review, Dragon1727! Don't worry, there's still quite a bit to this story. I've got quite a bit written, but some of it needs to connect together. Right now I'm thinking this story will have somewhere around 50 chapters. But it might be more depending on what the plot bunnies decree! Again, thanks to everyone that's reading! Enjoy.

Chapter 33

The next morning, Quatre awoke from a dreamless sleep feeling more refreshed than he had in a long time. He got out of bed and took a long, hot shower. It was nice to take his time. Living with Tony, he'd had to hurry in order to get his chores done. Hisa had made it very clear the day before that Quatre was to take it easy until SHE said so. Quatre had started to protest because he felt it necessary to earn his keep, but Odin had informed Quatre that Hisa was to be obeyed or there would be consequences.

Seeing the terror in Quatre's eyes, Odin had immediately apologized and explained to the blonde that, while he was serious about Hisa needing to be obeyed, Quatre had nothing to fear.

"Quatre, right now you are supposed to be resting. Heero told me that the doctor said you are to stay out of school for at least two weeks, possibly longer, and you need to rest if you're to recover. I understand that what you went through was very traumatic, but I want you to understand that you have nothing to fear from me. I will never raise my hand to you. Discipline in this house is usually carried out in the form of chores. However, in your case, disciplinary action will entail being confined to your bed until the doctor clears you for more rigorous activities," Odin explained.

Quatre nodded, trying to convince himself that Odin would never hurt him. It was just so different from what he was used to. He knew that his relationship with Tony wasn't healthy, but that didn't mean that Quatre was used to interacting with adults who had his best interests in mind.

"Quatre?" Heero was looking at him funny.

"I'm fine," Quatre insisted.

"If you're sure…"

"Yeah…I'm sure. Just…thinking."

Heero nodded and let it drop. Quatre had spent the rest of the evening analyzing the interactions between the members of the Lowe family and reminding himself that he was allowed to join in and that no one would hurt him for adding to the conversation.

Quatre turned off the water and stepped out of the shower. He looked in the mirror as he dried himself. The stitches on his stomach were probably ready to come out. He was a little embarrassed to note that he would probably sport a smiley face scar for the rest of his life. He was sure there was something ironic in that thought. Some of the bruises were starting to change color, but it was still very obvious he had been beaten up. He was grateful that his face was no longer swollen even though he still sported black eyes and was certain that the cut on his head would scar. He had woken up a little stiff, but the warm water had helped.

He dressed and was putting on his shoes when there was a knock on his door. He opened it to find Heero.

"Odin wants to see us downstairs."

Quatre nodded and silently followed Heero down to the living room. He froze as the room came into view. In addition to Odin and Hisa, all of his teachers, Principal Po, Dr. Noin and an older man that Quatre didn't know were waiting for the two boys.

"Quatre, come in here please," Hisa said gently, motioning for the two boys to join her on the couch.

Quatre warily made his way to the couch. Heero let Quatre sit between him and his mother, hoping the blonde would feel safer that way. Hisa idly stroked the back of Quatre's head as Odin spoke.

"Quatre…I thought it would be a good idea to speak to your teachers and Principal Po in person, rather than letting them hear what happened through the grapevine. Now, I understand that you are embarrassed by the situation, but you don't need to be. Everyone in this room has your best interests at heart and we want to help you to be comfortable."

Quatre nodded hesitantly. He wasn't sure why they had to know what happened. His brow furrowed as he thought about that. "W-why does everyone need to know?" he asked quietly.

"I spoke with Dr. Noin, Dr. J and Marshal Noventa this morning. We agreed that the more people who are able to look out for you, the safer you'll be," Odin explained.

The man Quatre didn't know cleared his throat. "We have the men responsible for your assault, but there are no guarantees that Tony won't contact someone else to try and silence you."

Quatre paled and he shrank back into the couch and found Hisa's arm around him. "We'll do everything we can to keep you safe," she told him quietly and gave him a gentle squeeze.

"Can we get on with this?" Mr. Darlian asked with an annoyed tone.

"Patience, please, Mr. Darlian," the older man insisted. "This is a very delicate situation and—"

"So the kid mouthed off and got himself beat up. What's the big deal? Any kid who's as much of a know-it-all as Winner is should expect to get beat up once in a while."

"Mr. Darlian, you are excused," Principal Po said. The blonde woman escorted Mr. Darlian to the door and said quietly, "We'll discuss your behavior tomorrow," before shutting the door in the spluttering man's face. She returned to the living room. "Please accept my apologies for his behavior, Quatre."

Quatre gave her a small nod but didn't trust himself to speak. He realized that he was going to have to tell them what happened or risk letting them think what Mr. Darlian had. A tear slipped silently down his cheek and he hurriedly brushed it away.

Coach O frowned and asked, "What's going on, Winner?"

Quatre looked at Heero, begging with his eyes for his boyfriend to explain it. Heero nodded and started explaining the situation as he had to Odin and Hisa. Quatre leaned into Heero as he talked, unsure of why he needed to feel safe, but letting Heero's touch calm him. What if his teachers were angry at him? What if he failed because the doctor told him not to go to school for a while? What if…what if the other kids found out and…

"Quatre?"

Quatre looked up at Dr. Noin. "Um…yes, ma'am?"

"Do I have your permission to tell everyone about your condition when you were brought to the hospital?"

Quatre hesitated but swallowed and forced himself to nod. The only way he would know how his teachers felt was to let them know everything and then gauge their reactions. He didn't want his teachers to be disgusted, even though he knew that they would be. And he figured that if it bothered him too much, he could convince Odin to let him transfer to Alliance and start over. Though, that would mean not being at school with his friends anymore…

Quatre looked up from his thoughts when he realized that everyone in the room was silent. His teachers weren't happy. Principal Po looked like she was going to cry or kill someone…or both. Dr. Noin and the older man were sitting there quietly, letting the shocked educators absorb what they'd been told.

"What needs to happen now?" Coach O asked evenly. Quatre hadn't been around the coach much, so he wouldn't have noticed, but Heero could tell the coach was aching to beat the hell out of something. He only used that tone when he was beyond pissed.

"I'll let Marshal Noventa explain what we discussed this morning," Odin said, gesturing for the older man to speak.

Quatre realized that he had never met Marshal Noventa, which is why he hadn't recognized the man. He wondered if others had addressed him by name during the conversation and he'd just missed it due to his lack of concentration this morning.

"…imperative that precautions be taken. I've talked to the other young men that found Quatre and they've assured me that they are taking his safety very seriously. But they are minors and the boy needs protection."

"I think I speak for all the teachers at Colony High when I say that we will do everything we can to keep our students safe," Principal Po stated as the other teachers nodded. "Quatre, with your permission, I'll speak to the staff about this tomorrow."

Quatre nodded but kept his eyes down. He didn't want everyone at school knowing about it.

"I've told Quatre he needs to take the next couple of weeks off of school in order to recuperate," Dr. Noin said. "I don't want him getting banged up in the halls, even by accident. He's had enough of that to last a lifetime."

Quatre gave the doctor a shy, but grateful smile.

"That shouldn't be a problem. Heero, would you be willing to bring Quatre's assignments to him so he won't get behind?" Principal Po asked.

"Of course."

"Good." She turned her attention to the teachers. "Please make sure that the assignments are ready for Heero to pick up either during the classes he has with you or by the end of the day. I will leave it up to you when you want the assignments turned in." The teachers nodded their agreement.

"Is there anything else we need to discuss?" Hisa asked.

Coach O spoke up. "Quatre, there will be no assignments from me, but I do want you to bring me a note from Dr. Noin to let me know when she's cleared you for class again. We're going to be playing touch football in gym for the next month but it can still get a little rough. I don't want you hurt again."

Quatre nodded. He didn't want to be hurt again, either.

"I'm sorry, Quatre, but I'd rather you sat the next month out," Dr. Noin told him. Looking at Coach O she asked, "How will that affect his grade?"

"It won't. I'll find him something else to do so no one can claim I'm giving him special treatment."

Quatre was okay with that.

Hisa offered the teachers coffee, tea, and Danish and the conversation changed to something more casual. Heero and Quatre grabbed some breakfast in the kitchen while the adults talked about whatever it was adults talk about.

Duo called and invited them over to swim at his house. Trowa and Wufei were there and the five boys spent the afternoon enjoying their last day of freedom before school started up again. Quatre felt a little guilty because he was getting an extra two weeks off without any penalties at school.