Is Love Enough (ILE) – A Kish Drama

Chapter 36: I'm Always in Your Heart

Kyle lunges towards the gun and Zach. He seems to be moving in slow motion.

Zach's hands begin to shake as he brings the lighter to the floor and grips the trigger on the gun.

The old and dilapidated house is engulfed in flames within seconds.

Zach pulls the trigger.

Kyle's hand brushes the gun as it fires.

The bullet releases and grazes the side of Zach's head. Zach yells out in pain. "Son of a bitch." Blood starts to pour from the side of his head. He falls back on the floor due to the severe head pain he feels. "Damn it, Kyle. Couldn't you leave well enough alone?"

Kyle kicks the gun out of the way.

"Kyle, we have to get out of here now," says Brody as the flames close in on the trio with each passing second.

Kyle removes his shirt and wads it into a ball. He bends down and places the shirt next to Zach's bleeding head. "Here, Zach. Hold this against your head. We have to stop the bleeding."

In between the throbs of pain Zach manages to push Kyle away from him. Kyle's shirt falls to the floor beside his bleeding head. "Get away from me. You both need to go. I'm fine here. I don't want to leave."

Kyle looks to Brody. "Find us a way out. I'll deal with him."

Brody starts to look around. The room exit is engulfed in flames. He soon figures the only way out is through one of the already cracked windows. Brody looks around for something to throw through the front bedroom window.

Kyle returns to Zach He bends down, places the shirt back against Zach's head. "Listen to me, Zach. I'm not sure what in the hell you're tryin' to prove here, but we don't have time to deal right now. Get your ass up and help us get out of here."

"Just go. Why do you give a damn? Forget you ever knew me."

Kyle grabs Zach's hand and places it over his balled up shirt. "Not an option, pal. Put pressure on this and get yourself up. We're gettin' out of here."

Suddenly a smashing of glass is heard behind Kyle and Zach.

Kyle turns to face Brody. "What's the plan?"

"I guess we need to run for it before the flames get any larger. We may get some cuts from the glass, but we don't have any other options."

Kyle turns back to Zach who has not moved from his position on the floor. "Ya' here that? We're makin' a run for it. You first. Get up now."

"I'm not going anywhere," says a defiant Zach. "I want this. I want it all to stop."

Kyle's exposed skin is starting to feel the heat from the fire that engulfs the room. "Not on my watch. Brody, you grab his one side. I'll get the other. We'll run through the fire as fast as we can as a group and out the window. We have to move now."

Brody races to Zach's non-injured side. Kyle maintains hold of the bleeding side with his hand keeping pressure on the shirt over the bleeding wound. The two lift Zach up. The guys struggle with Zach's almost dead like weight, but adrenaline from the dire circumstances kick in. Brody and Kyle run towards the shattered window practically carrying Zach on their respective shoulders. Brody leads the charge. Even though to Kyle and Brody it seems like an eternity, within minutes all three are outside of the burning inferno. Various articles of their clothing catch fire through the escape. The guys lay Zach down and roll him to extinguish the flames on his clothes. They both drop and roll to put out the flames on their clothing as well.

Kyle returns to Zach to keep pressure on the bleeding wound.

Zach yells out in more pain. He begins to shake and cry. "Why. Why didn't you let me be? I'm so tired of it all. Tired of the past. Tired of him. Tired of not being myself. I want the pressure to stop. You took that chance away from me, Kyle. I hate you. I'll never forgive you for this. Never." Tears smother Zach's face. The shaking intensifies and he soon blacks out.

Outside the house prior to the start of the fire, Oliver and Nick race towards the front door. Within seconds flames cover the doorway. They hear the gunshot soon after. Oliver keeps running towards the front door. The door is engulfed in flames.

Nick grabs Oliver's arm before Oliver can rush inside the burning house.

"Let go of me, Nick."

Nick moves around to face Oliver, preventing him from continuing his forward momentum. "You're not going in there."

"The man I love is in there. I have to help him."

"What's the plan, Officer? Run through the flames and kill yourself before you even get to Kyle."

Oliver pauses and realizes Nick is right. He had not thought his actions through. The fire, plus the gunshot let his emotions get the better of him. "We can't stand here and do nothing."

"That's exactly what we're going to do. Kyle has Brody with him. They'll figure out what to do."

"I can't lose him, Nick."

"Neither can I, Oliver. I love him too, but getting ourselves killed isn't going to help anything."

Oliver sighs. All he can do is pray that Kyle is okay.

Suddenly Brody, Kyle and Zach come through the window of the corner bedroom.

Oliver and Nick run over to them. They simply watch as the guys put out the flames on their respective bodies and Kyle returns to Zach's head wound.

Oliver touches Kyle on the shoulder.

Kyle jumps from the touch.

"You okay?" asks Oliver.

"I'm fine. It's Zach we need to be worried about. Did you guys call 911?"

Nick and Oliver look at each other.

"I'm on it, " says Nick. He grabs his cell from his pocket and dials 911.

"Kyle, you're bleeding," says Oliver noticing a huge cut from the broken glass on Kyle's back.

"It's not important, Oliver. I have to keep pressure on Zach's wound. We have to stop the bleeding."

"What happened in there?"

"Not now, Oliver. Please. There will be time to discuss all the details later. You okay, Brody?"

Kyle and Oliver look over at Brody.

"I'm okay. A few cuts and a little shaky, but I'm fine."

Nick returns. "Emergency services are on the way."

"Let me take over, Kyle. You should take it easy, until you're checked out," says a concerned Oliver.

"No, Oliver. I've got this. Back off." Kyle's tone is a combination of anger and frustration.

Oliver is hurt by the tone of Kyle's voice. He knows Kyle is just caught up in the heat of the moment, but the words still sting. Oliver backs away from Kyle, turns and looks away from the scene that is unfolding on the ground.

Nick notes Oliver's facial expression before he turns away. He approaches Oliver. He stands directly beside Oliver. "He didn't mean anything by it. He's stressed, that's all."

Oliver can't say anything out of fear of letting his emotions get the better of him. He does not want Nick to see him in a weak light. He continues to stare forward trying to avoid eye contact with the man now standing at his side.

Nick turns and walks over to where Kyle kneels beside Zach. He bends down and places his hand over Kyle's hand that is placing pressure on Zach's wound. "I've got this. Go tell your guy that you're okay. He needs to hear that from you now."

"I can't. I need to take care of Zach."

"You've done the best you can for now. The ambulance is on its way. We simply have to wait. Go."

Kyle hesitates.

Nick takes his free hand and pulls Kyle's hand away from Zach's wound. He puts full pressure on the wound once Kyle's hand is removed.

Kyle stands and sighs. The sigh allows him to let some of the pent up stress out. He approaches Oliver.

Brody, who kneels on Zach's other side, looks over at Nick. "That was nice of you to do. I know they'll appreciate you doing that at some point."

"Well, I haven't always been supportive of them. It's the least I can do. So did Zach really try to hurt himself? I knew something wasn't right with him. I could just sense it."

"I'm afraid so. His plan was to shoot himself and then let the fire take care of the rest. I can't even imagine what would drive someone to that point."

"Me either. The amount of pain he's in must be beyond understanding."

"You guys close?"

Nick shrugs while maintaining pressure on the wound. "I guess closeness in Zach's world is relative. He doesn't really ever let anyone get close."

"It seems like you three are on his side."

"I hope we get the chance to show him."

"The bullet simply grazed his head. He'll be fine."

"How do we stop him from trying to do something like this again?"

"I think you guys need to make sure he gets help. He needs to talk with someone."

"That'll be a challenge. Zach is not one to seek out help or assistance."

Nick and Brody look down at Zach.

Kyle walks and stands by Oliver. "I'm sorry."

Oliver continues to look forward at the field that surrounds the house. "You have nothing to be sorry for. It's fine."

"No, it's not. Ya' were simply tryin' to help and I acted like a jerk. I was caught up in the moment."

"You don't need to baby me, Kyle. I'm a big boy. I'm fine. Go back to Zach."

Kyle looks back to ensure that Nick and Brody still have control of the situation. "Nick and Brody have it covered."

"I need to be by myself for a while."

Kyle turns to face Oliver. "Look at me, Ollie."

Oliver turns his face away from Kyle.

Kyle reaches for Oliver and grabs him by the arms.

Oliver's reluctantly lets his body turn, but still he refuses to make eyes contact.

Kyle reaches up and turns Oliver's face so that his eyes are looking into his. "I love those blue eyes. I'm so mad at you for takin' off like that, but I get why ya' did."

Oliver melts as he stares into Kyle's brown eyes. "I've missed you so much. I thought I might never see you again when I saw the fire and heard the gunshot. I don't want to imagine life without you, Kyle. I just got you back."

Kyle runs his hand across Oliver's cheek. "I'm not going anywhere. I promise. I'm right here."

Oliver turns away again. "Don't say that. Don't make promises you can't keep."

Kyle walks around so that he is facing Oliver again. "Hey. Don't turn away from me. You're right. Life is unpredictable and we don't know what will happen from one day to the next, but I'll always claw and fight my way back to you. I love you more than life itself. I always have. I think ya' now know how I felt when you were shot. Ya' died for a short time. Remember?"

"I didn't get how you felt until now. I'm sorry I put you through that."

"Stop apologizin'. Ya' didn't plan on getting' shot. Life happens. We'll deal with it. Together."

"Unless one of us is gone."

"Oliver Fish. Stop talking like that. We have a long life ahead of us. We need to live each day to the fullest and be thankful."

Oliver is quiet. He continues to struggle with the feelings that churn inside.

Kyle brings him into an embrace.

Oliver accepts and returns the embrace.

"Ouch."

"Sorry. I forgot about the cut on your back. I told you it's bad."

Kyle grabs Oliver's arms and pushes them down a little lower. "The paramedics are on the way, but keep your strong and sexy arms below the cut. Hold me, Ollie. I need to feel you."

The two embrace. The embrace is tender and sweet. A feeling of peace spreads over the two guys.

Oliver begins to hug Kyle tighter and tighter.

"Whoa, big boy. Are ya' tryin' to squeeze the life out of me?"

Oliver pulls away. "Sorry. It's like I can't get close enough to you sometimes."

Kyle takes Oliver's hand. "Ya' okay, now?"

Oliver squeezes his hand to answer Kyle's question. "Can I ask a question?"

"Anything, ya' know that"

"What is it with you and fires? I mean it seems like every other day you're in some burning building."

Kyle smiles at the question.

In the distance they hear the emergency sirens getting closer.

Rex races out of the back of the house prior to the start of the fire. He runs and hides behind a huge oak tree that grows to the east of the house. He debates about making a run for his vehicle, but doesn't want to chance Kyle and Brody seeing him. He soon sees Oliver and Nick drive up to the old house. He wonders how many other Llanview residents will arrive. He turns to watch the house, which suddenly goes up in flames and hears the gunshot soon follow. He wants to run back to the house and help, but is frozen after hearing the gunshot. He should have forced Zach to leave with him. The guilt that builds inside is unbearable. He falls to the ground in disbelief. His own selfishness took precedence yet again. His life is a broken record. He couldn't help Gigi. He can't be a son or father to Roxy and Shane. Now he couldn't even be there for someone crying out for help.

As the emergency crews go to work, a truck pulls up the drive and parks off to the side of what's left of the actual drive.

The paramedics are attending to Zach behind a nearby ambulance.

Kyle, Oliver, Nick and Brody stand off to the side beside Oliver's car watching as the paramedics attend to Zach.

A man exits the truck and approaches the guys by the car.

"Hey guys. I was driving by and saw the flames from the road? What's going on here?"

No one speaks right away unsure about what to say in terms of what transpired.

Oliver finally speaks up. "You from around here?"

"Used to be. I'm back for a brief visit. I used to live near here."

"Did you know the family who used to live here?" asks Brody.

"Not that well. They kind of kept to themselves. I didn't think they still lived here."

"Our friend, Zach, grew up here. He's been injured. The paramedics are attending to him," says Oliver.

"Zach Stafford?" asks the man in a surprised tone. "He was a teenager the last time I saw him. Is he going to be okay?"

"We think so," replies Nick.

There is a moment of awkward silence.

"Is it okay if I go over and check on him?"

"The paramedics asked us to move away to give them some space," says Kyle.

The man starts to walk towards the back of the ambulance and away from the guys.

The guys watch the man walk away.

"Okay, is it me or is that guy beyond creepy?" asks Brody.

"My thoughts exactly," says Nick. "In fact this entire town gives me the creeps. I'm definitely not a country boy."

"Oh really. I wouldn't have guessed that in a million years," says Oliver sarcastically.

Nick smiles at Oliver. "Very funny, Oliver."

Oliver returns the smile. "Remember Indiana?"

"I've blocked that from my mind."

"That's a shocker."

Kyle interrupts the banter. "I think you guys have some stories to tell about your road trip."

"Oh do we ever, Kyle. I saw Oliver in a whole new light. He definitely is packing some nice equipment." Nick gets a huge grin on his face.

Oliver's face turns beat red. "Shouldn't we check on Zach?"

"Fine, Oliver, change the subject, but at some point I want to hear all about it," says Kyle.

Oliver cringes. How can he explain that Nick saw him in all his naked glory?

They soon hear a now awake Zach yell out. "Get the hell away from me. I want to be left alone. I don't need this."

"Mr. Stafford, you need to calm down for your own good," says one of the paramedics.

"Fuck you, man. Leave me be."

"Listen to the paramedics boy," says the man from the truck as he approaches.

"Sir, please step away. We need room to work here. We'll let you know where we are taking him when we leave," says the other paramedic.

The man glares. "This won't take long. I'll need only a second." The man bends down so that he is inches from Zach's face. "Nice boy. You go and burn my house down. Not smart. You'll pay for that." The man watches the paramedics work on Zach's wounded head.

"I hate that house."

"I love it. It holds lots of nice and dear memories, but you've gone and ruined all that for me. You're a pathetic pain in the ass."

"Sir, you really need to step away now," says the paramedic again.

The man leans up and looks at the paramedic. "What happened to his head?"

"We can't disclose that."

"The hell you can't. I'm family. His father."

Zach tries to open his mouth to deny the claim, but the pain shoots through his head again. The pain is so intense that it makes it too difficult to even speak.

"In that case. He suffered a gunshot wound to the head. He's lucky. The bullet only grazed his head. We've got the bleeding stopped, but the doctors will still need to look at him and determine the course of treatment."

"Oh my. I didn't realize it was that serious. I'll let you do your job." The man bends down in Zach's face again. "Feel better, I'll see you soon." The man bends to the side and whispers in Zach's ear. "Please tell me you didn't try to shoot yourself. You're so useless. You couldn't even do that right. Pathetic. Next time, call me. I'll be more than happy to put you out of your misery." The man leans back up and smiles at the paramedics. "Thanks for what you do guys. It's much appreciated." The man then flashes a final evil grin at his stepson. He walks back towards the guys still standing by Oliver's car. "They have the bleeding stopped guys. They say the doctors need to check him out for next steps. I'm sorry this is happening to him. Give him my best. I tried, but I'm not sure he'll remember me. He's still in a lot of pain." The man walks away.

"You're leavin'?" asks a puzzled Kyle as the man walks away. "I'm sure Zach can use all the support he can get right now. He probably would appreciate ya' bein' at the hospital."

The man turns and faces the four guys again. "I'll be at the hospital later. You can count on it." The man smiles at the group and walks away.

"What's with the creepy smile?" asks Brody to Kyle, Oliver and Nick.

Several hours later the guys are sitting in emergency room waiting area at the Clinton Medical Center, a neighboring town to Deepwater. Clinton is larger in scale from a population standpoint, hence the closest medial center to Deepwater proper.

Kyle and Oliver sit side by side. Kyle is asleep with his head resting on Oliver's shoulder. Kyle now wears a shirt of Oliver's.

Kyle had tried to stay awake, but being awake all night the night before and heading halfway across the country today is a bit much for anyone.

Nick and Brody sit across from Oliver in Kyle in the waiting area.

Oliver looks over at Brody. "Thanks being there for Kyle, Brody. It means a lot."

"No problem, Fish. I'm glad I could be there. We're friends now. Friends stick together."

"Did you get a hold of Jessica?" asks Oliver.

"Yes, finally. She was worried, but understands the situation. She send her thoughts and prayers for Zach."

"That's really sweet of her."

"Jess, is the best. I love her so much."

"I think I finally know how you feel, since I let Kyle back in that is." Oliver smiles thinking about Kyle sleeping on his shoulder and then looks over to Nick. "Why are you so quiet?"

Nick shrugs. "I'm not sure what to say."

"What? You never shut up normally."

"Well I never had a friend try to kill himself before either."

"Me either. It's kind of unsettling. I wonder what was going through his head. Did he ever say anything to either one of you?"

"Not me," replies Brody. "Zach wasn't a real fan of mine since I was assigned to be your partner. I guess he thought he should be your partner."

"I know. He's a complicated person for sure. Its like we know him, but we really don't if you get my drift."

"That makes sense," replied Brody. "He seems really private."

Nick does not instantly respond. He soon stands and walks over to a nearby window to the left of where the guys are sitting.

"You okay, Nick?" asks Oliver.

"Not really, Oliver."

"Listen, why don't I go get us some more sodas and coffee. You guys can talk."

"Thanks, Brody."

"No problem, I'll be back in a few minutes." Brody exits and heads down the nearby hall.

"What's going on, Nick."

"I'm so pissed, Oliver. This should not have happened. I'm mad as hell at Zach for doing this, but I'm even angrier with myself. I should have seen the signs. I should have known something was going on, but I'm always so wrapped up in my own drama. I'm so selfish sometimes."

"Look, Nick. I agree that you're selfish. The stunts you've pulled in recent months are evidence of that."

Nick turns and glares at Oliver. "So much for confiding in you."

"Hear me out before you jump on my case. I'm telling you how I feel. Your actions in recent months scream selfish, but what happened here with Zach today is not on you. This is all on him. He could have asked any of us for help or let us in. I mean who is the guy? He doesn't let people in. Whatever is going on with him, I think it's a lot deeper than any of us can even imagine. He's a troubled soul."

Nick turns back to the window. "I wanted him to let me in so bad, but he always kept me at arms length. He always chose to hide behind that rough and tough exterior than talk or open up. That should have been my sign that something is wrong."

"Nick, stop beating yourself up. Some people are simply private and they don't go off and do what Zach pulled today. He needs help. He needs support. We all need to be there for him now if he will let us."

"What if he doesn't? How do we know he won't try something like this again?"

"Sadly, we don't. All we can do is make sure he knows we're here and trust that he can learn to lean on us."

"I hear you, but all I really want to do is yell at him for putting us through this."

"All in good time, Nick. Be honest with him on how you feel. If we're honest with him I'm sure it will have to help him be more open with us."

Nick turns to face Oliver. "Kyle loves you so much."

Oliver scrunches his face. "Where did that come from?"

"I see and watch him sleeping on your shoulder like that and he's so at peace. His face and body are so relaxed and at ease. He fits with you. I see that now. I don't like it and in fact I hate it. I wish he fit with me like that."

"I hope that someday…"

Nick interrupts Oliver. "Don't even say that. I'm over trying to find love. It's exhausting and tiring. Especially when you make as many wrong turns as I do.

Maybe I just need to take a break."

A doctor approaches from the nearby hallway. "Okay guys, you may see him now. One at a time and no more than five minutes each. We had to sedate him to keep him calm. He is in and out of sleep, but I know you want to see him. After I advise that each of you get out of here and get some rest. We'll see how things are tomorrow with Mr. Stafford."

"Thanks, Doctor," says Oliver. "We appreciate you letting us see him."

The doctor departs.

Nick freezes.

"Go ahead, Nick. I'll go when you're done."

"I'm not sure I can. What do I say? How do I act?"

"You can do this. Be yourself. Be the person he knows. Show your support. He needs you. He needs all of us."

Nick sighs and shrugs. "Okay, here goes nothing."

Nick walks away from the waiting area and down the hall to emergency room number five. He peers in the doorway and sees Zach on the bed. The side of Zach's head is covered in a large white bandage and his head is on the pillow facing away from the doorway. Several IV's are running into his arms. Nick walks in and goes to the other side of the bed so he can see Zach's face.

As Nick approaches he sees that Zach's eyes are half open. "Hey."

Zach does not respond. His eyes remain half open. Zach almost appears lifeless. It's as if he is looking right through Nick.

Nick sits down on the bed.

Zach does not move or make eye contact with his visitor.

"You don't have to say anything. I wanted you to know that I'm here." Nick pauses. "I'm so mad at you. You have no idea, but I'm not giving up on you. I know we used each other for various reasons, but it doesn't mean we didn't connect on some level. You're not alone. You have a waiting room full of friends here for you. Do you hear me?"

Zach still does not respond.

Nick is unsure what else to say. He is a bit taken aback that Zach is not even acknowledging him, but he realizes that he has no idea what is going on in Zach's head. "Okay, I'll leave you be. The doctor is only giving each of us five minutes. Please, Zach. I'm begging you. Let me help you. Whatever is going on we can figure it out, together." Nick hopes for a response, any kind of response from his acquaintance. Nick wants to think of Zach as his friend, but in truth he barely knows the guy. They shared some time together, but mostly of the physical variety. Nick is determined to change that though.

Zach doesn't respond in any manner.

"Okay. I'll be back tomorrow. I'll leave my contact information with the doctor and staff if you need to get a hold of me." Nick reaches out for Zach's hand.

Zach pulls his hand away before Nick can get a hold of it.

"Sorry, Zach." Nick shakes his head and walks out.

He heads back to the waiting room.

Oliver remains sitting, but Kyle is no longer there.

Nick sits down across from Oliver again and sighs.

"How did it go," asks Oliver.

"It was pretty much one sided. He's pretty out of it. I guess it's the sedatives plus whatever he's processing inside. Where's Kyle?"

"He ran to the restroom to splash some water on his face. The poor guy is so exhausted."

"You going to hang out and go to the hotel with us or just head on over?"

"I'll hang out. I'm curious if Zach will reach out to any of us."

Oliver stands. "Okay, I'll be right back."

Oliver heads back to Zach's current room.

Zach remains in the same position he was in during Nick's visit.

Oliver walks to the other side of the bed and sits down similar to the way Nick did.

Zach looks directly into Oliver's eyes and instantly turns his back to Oliver.

Oliver touches his shoulder. "It's okay, Zach."

Zach mumbles. "No, Fish. You must hate me."

"No way. Why do you say that?"

"I'm weak. I can't handle my life. Look at what I tried to do."

"Well, I don't hate you. I wish you didn't have to go through whatever led you to this point. I wish you had confided in someone. You don't have to be alone."

"I'm always alone, Fish. Please go. I don't want you to see me like this. I don't want to see you look at me with pity."

"I don't pity you, Zach. You're in a rough place. We all simply want to help."

"I can't be helped. I'm cursed. I always have been."

"It doesn't have to be that way."

"You don't know anything about it."

Oliver stands. "Maybe you can tell me about it sometime."

"I can't see you again, Oliver. I'm sorry. Please forget you ever met me."

Oliver walks to the other side of the bed.

Zach begins to turn away over again, but Oliver grabs him before he can move.

Neither of them notice that Nick approaches and stands right outside the door watching their interaction.

"Look at me, Zach," says Oliver.

Zach tries with all his might not to make eyes contact.

Oliver takes his hand and turns Zach's chin towards him.

Their eyes meet.

"It's okay. I'm right here. I'm not letting you go through this alone."

Zach's eyes fill with tears. His cheeks are quickly wet. "I'm sorry, Oliver. I didn't know what to do."

Oliver grabs a Kleenex and dries Zach's cheeks. "You don't have anything to apologize for right now. I'm going to go. Try to get some rest. I'll be back tomorrow."

Oliver turns to walk away.

Zach reaches for his hand.

Oliver takes his hand and gives it a squeeze. "Get some sleep."

Anger builds on Nick's face and begins to storm off. He plows directly into Kyle who is coming down the hall.

"Hey, what's goin' on?"

"Forget it, Kyle, like you give a damn."

Oliver exits Zach's room.

Kyle reaches for Nick's arm.

"Let go of me, Kyle. Or I swear I 'll knock you against the nearest wall."

Kyle releases his grip. "Okay, whatever."

Oliver approaches, "What's going on with you two?"

"I have no idea. Nick's all bent out of shape or somethin'," says Kyle

"What's going on, Nick?" asks Oliver.

"Nothing. I'm fine. Can we get out of here?" Nick's anger is rising with each passing second.

"Come on, Nick. It's obvious that's somethin' is wrong."

"You really want to know, Kyle? I'm sick of being second best for everyone."

"What are you talkin' about?"

"I'm so sick of being second best to Oliver. Everyone wants him. You. Zach opens up to him, but doesn't give me the time of day."

"Nick. Zach is not himself. Don't read anything into what just happened in that room," says Oliver.

"Don't talk to me, Oliver."

"You're out of line, Nick," says Kyle.

"Perfect. Defend your man, Kyle. You never take my side on anything."

"And ya' blame me for that. Ya' only have yourself to blame. Try bein' honest with people."

"So, Oliver wins. You can't understand why I did what I did? I love you. Damn, I wish I didn't but I do."

"I don't know what ya' want me to say."

"There is nothing to say. You guys go check on Zach, snuggle in your room tonight and forget I ever existed. I regret the day I ever met you Kyle."

"Nick, you need to go before you say something more that you will regret. We'll see you in the morning," says Oliver.

"Oh, wow. Oliver finally steps up and tries to end a tense situation. To bad it took you years to come to Kyle's aid. He needed and wanted you for years, but poor Oliver wasn't strong enough to step up to the plate. I hope you're strong enough to help Zach, because it looks like to me you're the one for him. I hope you can handle sharing your boyfriend with another man, Kyle. Mark my words, Oliver. If you hurt Zach you'll answer to me. "

Kyle approaches Nick. "Ya' need to go before you say anymore."

"Fine. Toss Nick to the curb. You already did it once. Why change your pattern now?"

Nick turns and walks off.

Oliver approaches Kyle and places his hands on his shoulders. "You okay."

"Sure. Nick's created his own mess. Ready to go to the hotel?"

"Definitely. Let me find Brody and we'll head out. I'll meet you back in the waiting area."

"Okay," says Kyle.

Kyle turns to face Oliver. "I love ya'."

Oliver pecks Kyle on the cheek. "Me too, handsome."

Oliver heads down the hall.

Kyle walks to Zach's doorway and leans inside. He hears a door open down the hall and turns to look.

Rex pops his head out the door and sees Kyle. He quickly ducks back behind the door of the stairwell. Damn. All he wanted to do was check on Zach and apologize for leaving earlier. Now, Kyle was sure to come after him. Damn guilt. He barely knows this guy. He just met him earlier today at the diner.

Kyle is in shock. Did he really just see Rex? He begins to run to the door. He races and opens the door. "Stop," he yells at the back of the figure heading down the steps.

Rex keeps walking.

Kyle races to catch up with him. "Hey, stop."

Kyle reaches Rex and grabs him by the back of the shirt. "Is that really you?"

Rex does not turn around. "Forget you ever saw me, Kyle."

"It is you. Ya' son of a bitch! Do ya' know how worried Roxy is about ya'? What the hell are ya' doin' here?"

"Like I said. Please forget you saw me today. I knew I shouldn't have come here."

"I can't do that." Kyle grabs his cell phone and dials a number. He places the cell to his ear. "Hey, Roxy. "

Rex turns to face Kyle. "What are you doing?"

"Guess who is standin' in front of me at this very second?"

"Please, Kyle," whispers Rex. "I'm begging you. Let this go."

"Hold on a second, Rox." Kyle lowers the phone. "No deal, pal. Roxy is like a mother to me and you're going to make up for what you've put her through. What about your son? Did ya' forget about him? The boy needs his father."

"I can't. I can't deal with all that. I'm sorry."

"Ya' don't have a choice. You're goin' back to Llanview with me tomorrow."

"You can't make me do anything."

"Try me, pal."

Rex ponders how to make an escape.

Kyle lifts the phone to his ear and mouth again. "Hang on Roxy, someone wants to talk with ya'." Kyle holds the phone next to Rex's face. Kyle looks at Rex with a fierce determination. "Talk."

Rex stands in complete silence.

Kyle kicks him in the leg.

"Hey, stop that."

"Then open your mouth. You're mother needs to know you're okay and alive."

Rex turns and begins to flee down the stairs.

Kyle chases after him. Kyle grabs Rex's shirt again, turns him around and pins him up against the wall. "Run again and I'll kick you somewhere where it'll really hurt. Now talk." The phone is instantly at Rex's face again.

"I hate you for this."

"So be it. Your mother and son don't deserve this treatment."

Rex realizes that Kyle is not going to let this go. 'Hey, Roxy."

Kyle hears Roxy yell with excitement through the phone. He hears multiple questions fly out of her mouth and then a statement that she should flip Rex over her knee and whip the crap out of him. Kyle chuckles at his Roxy. He loves her to death.

"How's Shane?" asks Rex. There is a pause. "I'm sorry." Rex looks at Kyle. She wants to talk to you now."

Kyle takes the phone. "What's up, Rox?" Kyle listens to Roxy words. "Okay. I'm on it."

Kyle closes the phone and puts it back his pocket. "We're goin' back to Llanview tomorrow."

"I'm not going anywhere. I have a life here now."

"No, Rex. Ya' have an escape here and that's over."

"You can't make me go back there."

"We'll see about that." Kyle grabs his arm and starts leading Rex back up the steps.

Once in the hallway, Rex tries to make a run for it again.

Kyle races after him and tackles him to the ground in the waiting area.

Oliver and Brody come running over.

"Let go of me, Kyle."

"Not on your life, buddy. You're goin' home tomorrow. Llanview here we come."

"You can't make me go back there."

"There's three against one here, Rex. Ya' don't have a choice."

"I'll press kidnapping charges."

Kyle laughs. "I have Roxy in my corner. So I think I'm safe." Kyle stands and continues to hold Rex's arm.

Oliver grabs his other arm. "Hey, Rex. Good to see you."

Rex does not respond.

Kyle, Oliver, Brody and Rex exit the hospital.

Kyle and Oliver enter a hotel room and close the door behind them.

"That bed looks so good. I'm wiped. We owe Brody big time for watching Rex. It's really to bad that you guys had to use the handcuffs."

"Rex is not to happy with us."

"I think I'd rather have Rex upset with me than Roxy. She's a little hellfire on wheels."

"Agreed."

Kyle sits on the edge of the bed and kicks off his shoes.

Oliver sits beside him and does the same. Oliver pulls himself back on the bed and lies down. "Come here, you."

Kyle pulls himself back up on the bed and lands into his guy's arms. He lays his head on Oliver's chest.

"Thank you for coming after me. I appreciate you being here, " says Oliver.

"I wouldn't be anywhere else," responds Kyle.

Oliver's arms feel so good. Home is where his Oliver is. "I love ya' so much Ollie."

"Me too, K-man. Me too."

Sleep comes fast for both guys.

The next morning, Brody and Rex sit in the rental car as Kyle says goodbye to Oliver outside the hotel entrance.

Kyle is looking into Oliver's eyes. "I'll see ya' soon."

"I wish you didn't have to go."

"I know, but Dr. Evans was clear that I needed to be back for my shift."

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For letting me back in your life."

Kyle smiles.

Suddenly, Oliver is surprised as tears come from almost out of nowhere and start running down his cheeks.

"What's goin' on, Ollie?"

Oliver's voice breaks as he tries to speak as the tears flow even more. "I'm sorry. I don't know what's come over me. I guess with everything going on here and all of yesterday's events, I realize how precious our time together is. I'm so at peace when we're together. I'm sure I seem like a blubbering fool."

"You're my blubbering fool and I love you no matter what."

"Kyle, we need to get going. We have a couple of hours of drive time ahead of us. I don't want to miss the flight," yells Brody from the car.

"On my way, Brody," responds Kyle.

Kyle brings Oliver into his arms.

Oliver's tears continue to flow.

"Ya' goin' to be okay?"

Oliver pulls away, places his hands on Kyle's cheeks and brings him in for a slow and passionate kiss.

Kyle is literally swept off his feet.

The kiss ends and they look into each other's eyes.

"I miss you already," says Oliver.

"Remember I'm always with you." Kyle places his hand over Oliver's chest where his heart is. "I'm always in your heart."

Oliver smiles at Kyle's words. "You're so damn sweet."

"You're love makes me a better person, Ollie."

Brody honks the horn.

"I better go, before Brody gets out and carries me to the car."

Oliver smiles. "Being carried by Brody could be both fun and interesting."

Kyle shakes his head in a no fashion. "Nope. He's not you." Kyle kisses Oliver on the cheek and heads to the car.

Chapter 37 Preview

The boys are back in Llanview.

Oliver wants some Kyle loving, but Kyle is not forthcoming.

Nick gets a roommate from hell.

The Balsom family reunion is rocky.

It's Mother's Day in Llanview.