Author note: Enjoy the next chapter

The Doctor lead Henry through to a part of the hospital he had never seen before and found that Shawn's room was being guarded by medical staff. It seemed that Shawn had his own personal suite. He pushed opens the door hesitantly and couldn't belief his eyes when he saw his son, breathing, awake and smiling at him.

"Shawn..." Henry whispered, eyes watering with relief.

"Sorry to keep you waiting" Shawn whispered, back.

Henry let out a choked sob and grabbed his son's hand and squeezed.

"I'm so sorry dad"

Henry gave a watery grin. Dad. He never thought he would hear those beautiful words again.

"You have nothing to be sorry for" Henry assured him.

Shawn shook his head sadly, "There are lots of things I'm sorry for"

Henry frowned confused.

"We don't have long...you'll be kicked out soon" Shawn told him. "You should go home and get some sleep. You look like shit"

"I'm not leaving you again" Henry insisted.

Shawn smiled sadly, "I'm the one who chose to leave you... but I also chose to come back. It just took a bit of planning"

Henry raised his eyebrows, "I know I shouldn't ask but will I get an explanation?"

Shawn grinned, suddenly looking ten times better.

"Two weeks max" he told him. "Then I'll tell you everything I can"

Henry nodded numbly. "What do you want me to tell people?"

"That it was such a shame I was unconscious for your visit?" Shawn replied cheekily.

Henry actually laughed, "Fine"

Shawn however frowned. "I know this is gonna be hard on everyone...especially Gus. Jules...Lassie. They deserve an explanation and I know me coming back is a bit of a shock..."

"A happy one Shawn" Henry promised, "They won't be mad at you"

Shawn tried to smile, not quite believing his father's words.

"You can't tell them anything" Shawn muttered. "But I swear I'll..."

"Shawn." Henry interrupted, "I trust you. You are my son and I love you"

Shawn almost cried when he heard those words.

"I assume the doctors won't say anything?"

Shawn gave a small smile, "They will say what they are supposed to"

Henry gave a small laugh. "Shall I come back and visit tomorrow"

"Do what you would do if I truly were unconscious right now" Shawn suggested meekly.

"Then I'll be back" Henry promised.

"Mr Spencer" the doctor called through. "It's time to go"

Henry approached the doctor and shook his hand.

"See you tomorrow son"

Shawn gave a small wave as he left.

"Your son is stable but still very weak. We are concerned about his head wound he sustained and are worried about brain damage, we won't know the extent of which until he wakes up which most likely won't be for at least 12 hours."

Henry simply blinked, then glanced in at his son. "Right"

Henry replayed the conversation in his head. He had no idea what had actually happened or what was going to happen but he wouldn't let Shawn down. He would repeat what the doctor said, he was obviously in on whatever Shawn's plan was. He had faith. Gus spotted him first and ran up to him with a hopeful expression.

"He ok? He awake? How does he look? What's the prognosis" Gus rattled off.

"Breathe" Henry insisted, forcing Gus to copy his breath. He noted that the few occupants of the waiting room were eagerly awaiting an update.

"He was unconscious...but still breathing. The doctor said he's stable" Henry told him, watching as Gus relaxed slightly.

"They..." Henry choked back a sob. It wasn't hard to fake. "...are concerned about brain damage. He hit his head pretty hard at some point"

Gus sank down into the chair. "Do they think..." he couldn't get the words out.

"They won't know till he wakes up" Henry admitted. Seeing Gus' reaction was horrible.

"Are you ok?" Gus asked Henry after a few moments, "I'm not even sure I would have been ok seeing him like that" he admitted.

"To be honest, just seeing his heart beating" Henry trailed of, "I'm sure he'll make it. That kids too stubborn to die"

Gus gave a small laugh and Henry sat down beside him.

"Ugh, I need a shower " Henry admitted, "and some food"

Gus shrugged, "Me too... I just"

"Yeah, I know"

They stayed in the waiting room for another ten minutes before they made a move. Finally heading home. Henry drove home, Gus' car still parked outside his house from earlier that morning. Had it really only been that morning? It felt like weeks.

Henry had almost forgotten about Maddie when he opened the door. He was thankful to see her suitcase gone and he phone his answering machine flashing.

"Hi Henry it's me. Maddie. Look I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I found the photograph. I think it was my fault they met... I remember now. She was struggling with her groceries and I forced Shawn to go and help her. Which I guess actually makes it my fault she formed an obsession... I get you probably don't want to see my right now and that's fine. I've booked a hotel and I'm flying back home first thing in the morning. I wasn't sure if I should stay to see if...Shawn is ok but I have every faith that as his father you will do right by him and be the parent I never could. Goodbye Henry."

Henry really didn't know what to think about that. She was running away again, that is seemingly what she always did and Henry wasn't surprised. He was surprised at the apology though. However that was probably more so because of the alcohol she had so obviously consumed before ringing him. He couldn't deny though, that it felt extremely good to be referred to as Shawn's father though his cynical mind hypothesised that is could be because she knew an answerphone message was public and despite not liking Shawn, was protecting his identity for her own safety. The CIA would definitely take action is she exposed him, they had threatened as much in the past.

Henry's mind had done too much thinking today. He was hungry but he was tired and one of those took precedence over the other. Without another seconds thought he made it to his bedroom, changed into his pajamas and crept into bed. He was asleep within seconds.

Author note: yay, Shawn is awake!