Disclaimer: I hate these things. Just leave me in peace to pretend I own Digimon, okay? You don't have to crush my dreams.

A/N - I'm on a roll, baby! This is Chapter 4: Code Red of Segregation. Things are heating up for Cody, Matt, and their friends. The police are after them and the whole town wants nothing to do with them. How will they win if they can't get support?

Shout outs to Dreamer4, Dark Gamer, Light Gamer, EeyoreP, Quisonito, Knight, Wolfie, PhoenixChild, TogetherAgain, Arylwren, AAUK, Digicowboy, Fallen angel of Hope, Immia, and AlexPG13.

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Segregation

By: Hopeful Writer

Chapter 4: Code Red

Cody was very afraid as he and Matt made their way to the restaurant. He wasn't afraid of the scorn of others. He was afraid of being arrested. As the ringleader, he had to take the rap for his friends, even if that meant condemning himself. Matt noticed the boy's hesitance and pounced on it.

"What's wrong?" he demanded, pure concern shining in his crystal eyes.

"Nothing," was Cody's immediate response, averting his eyes so Matt wouldn't see his reluctance.

But Matt was much faster than the brunette anticipated. "Cody Hida, something is wrong. Would you just admit it already instead of making me beat it out of you?"

Cody blushed, then looked hard at the ground. "I'm scared," he whispered. 'What else is new?' his brain seemed to scream at him, but his boyfriend looked sympathetic.

Matt put an arm around Cody and gave him a small hug. "About what?" he asked gently.

"About... about being arrested," the younger boy squeaked. "I don't want to go to jail."

"Me neither. So we'll run from the cops."

"But that's illegal."

"Cody, what planet are you on today?"

The brunette flushed. "Oh, yeah. Sorry."

Matt kissed the boy's forehead. "Are you ready?" he inquired as Cody looked up with emerald eyes gleaming, half with unshed tears, half with renewed confidence.

"Let's go." Matt took his hand and they walked forward, fear dragging them back but duty pulling them forward.

"Hey! You're the two kids that have been causing the gay riots," one of the restaurant workers exclaimed as they entered.

The two boys stole a glance at each other before Matt demanded, "What are you talking about?"

The worker laughed. "Ever since your little stunt in that diner, all the gays and lesbians have been just walking into places, even the ones with signs." He shook his head. "Get out of here before I call the cops on you. They'll lock you up this time for sure."

Cody felt his knees buckle with fear, but it was not evident to anyone watching. His face was set and his glare was fixed on the restaurant worker. "No," he answered coldly.

"What?"

"I said no. Make us leave."

"Cody, you're getting more and more dangerous with every passing moment," Matt told him. Cody blushed, and waved him off.

The small boy shot a look around the restaurant. Everyone was staring at them. Now was a good time for a PDA (public display of affection). He grabbed Matt's shirt collar and pulled their faces close. The older child looked surprised, but pleased nevertheless, as they kissed. There were several gasps, but someone began to applaud. It roused the crowd, who joined in, no longer in fear of punishment. That's when the police came.

"Let's get out of here," Matt whispered, his face still close to Cody's. The latter nodded, his emerald eyes reflecting the fear in his heart.

The boys needed a distraction. Of course, they had properly planned it all out in advance. TK and Tai, who were the backups for this assault, slipped in between the police and the couple. Though Cody and Matt didn't stick around to see how it played out, they knew their friends were going to put on a full-fledged gay act.

This was the first stop of many. It would take more time than available to describe all of them, but it is suffice to say that they were all similar. But the time came when Cody and Matt found themselves cornered.

They approached the building cautiously, but they knew what was in there. The police were inside, but the boys couldn't run. "We're stuck," Matt admitted. "If we go inside, the cops, if we run, we completely lose."

Cody sighed and hiked up his shoulders, a confident demeanor he could turn on and off. Matt usually saw right through it, but this was different. "We have to go in, Matt. It's no longer about being arrested; it's a question of honor. We either go to jail with honor, or we go running away. I'm sick of running. Let's stand and fight. Who knows? We may just win."

"Don't get your hopes up," Matt replied cynically.

Cody looked up, a little hurt. "We have to try," he whispered, his voice cracking as he fought the sobs.

Matt looked upset about hurting his boyfriend. "Okay, Cody. Let's go in."

The younger boy had a look of renowned confidence. "Okay."

Cody was not afraid as they marched into the building, a certain death. Having come so far, was it really going to end here? There was nowhere to run this time, no place to hide until the fuss blew over. They were in for keeps. No attorney could help them; they were in too deep. It was up to two children, one ten, one sixteen, to change the rules of the town.

As Matt thought about it, it was amazing what the boys had accomplished in so little time. Just yesterday, they had read the sign and complained about it, then taken their first step of action. Today, they were fully prepared to be arrested for their beliefs. It had started out because of morals. It had continued because it got personal. It would end because of strength.

"Put your hands up!" a booming voice declared.

"Code Red," another person cried into a two-way radio.

Matt looked ready to comply, but Cody crossed his arms across his small chest. "I'm not afraid of you," he declared, his voice sounding pitifully weak against the reverberating voice of the officer.

"And we're not either," a brave but young voice added. Everyone turned to the door to see TK, Tai, Sora, and Kari leading a small army of the homosexual people Cody and Matt had seen in the past. Suddenly the tide had turned and the cop got worried and fired his gun towards the crowd. There was a high-pitched yelp and Cody crumbled.

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A/N - Now /that/ is a cliffhanger. That's Chapter 4: Code Red. There's only going to be one of two more chapters to this, but stay tuned for Chapter 5: Gone But Never Forgotten. Please review. You know the drill. §¡LaTa¡§ -- hW