Z:: alrighty then. Last chapter. I always feel relieved when I actually finish a story.

Let me know if you liked it or not. Flames will be fed to my monkeys.

Disclaimer: Nah, like I said in the other 3 chapters, I don't own them.

Chapter Four

Endings

"So, did you get into much trouble?"

"Not as much as Tk. I did give my word. . .and he took full rap for me being there."

"He did?"

"Yeah, your brother was cool about it."

"So, do you know how long he's grounded for?"

"Not long, cuz after your dad saw you. . .he forgave Tk. And let your mom know about it too." A pause. "She's rather worried about you."

"Oh."

Tai was visiting Matt at the hospital. In fact, he was the only one who stopped by to see the blonde. His dad popped in once, gave him a hug, and left. Matt had frowned and wondered what that was all about. He had a feeling Tai knew something but the brunette was not talking.

"Can I go home now?" Matt asked, restlessly. He shifted in the bed and moved his casted arm. "I got all bandaged up, I've been here for a couple of days, I'd like to go home. Really."

Tai smiled. "I think you get to come home today, actually," He told the impatient blonde. He patted Matt's shoulder. "Just be patient."

"Heh, coming from you that just sounds odd," Matt retorted.

Tai grinned. "Of course."

Just then the doctor came in and smiled at Matt. "You are all set to go, Mr. Ishida." He saw Matt wince at being called 'Mr.' "Ok, I mean, you're all set to go, Matt. Your father isn't here, but he has already signed the release papers. Take care of that bullet wound. . .if it looks infected, please come back."

Matt nodded. "Then who is taking me home?"

"I am!" Tai said cheerfully. "Now, come on, get dressed!" With that said, he yanked the sheets off of Matt and tossed him his clothes. The doctor had already left, but it still made Matt blush.

"Shut the curtain, then," Matt grumbled and Tai did as he was told. Tai listened and could hear Matt fumble. He sighed and rolled his eyes and opened the curtain back up.

"H-hey, what're you doing, Tai?" Matt cried, blushing even deeper than before.

Tai held out a hand, and retorted, "Helping you with your clothes. I can hear you having trouble. And I know you are itching to get out of here. . .so the sooner you are dressed, the sooner we leave."

"Fine." Matt grumbled, averting his gaze to somewhere else. "It is just hard when one wrist is broken yet on the other arm, you have this huge wound that hurts everything you move. . ."

"I understand," Tai said gently, as he made Matt step into his jeans and pull them up but letting Matt attempt to zip them up. "Why do you think I'm helping, you silly goose?"

Tai then held out a shirt and Matt grimaced. He laughed and said, "Put your arms in, Matt, c'mon." Matt did but as soon as he raised his arms for Tai to pull the shirt down he hissed in pain.

"Tai," Matt said, shrilly, "that. . .that hurts. My wound and all those bruises. And it hurts."

Tai nodded. "Ok. Well, then, we just won't raise your arms. Just. . .hang in there, bud, and I'll pull it over your head and pull it down, ok?" He said, soothing Matt.

Matt nodded and let Tai pull the shirt down gently down over the blonde's head and said, "There, Matt, you're good to go."

But Matt wasn't looking at Tai. In fact, he was looking anywhere but at Tai. His face was beet red and he bit his lip, feeling utterly embarrassed. Tai shook his head a little and grabbed Matt's chin and forced him to look at him.

"Matt. . . stop it, ok?" Tai chided. "I am your friend, best friend at that. Don't you dare feel embarrassed around me. I'm not going to go telling everyone that you're incapable of dressing yourself." A pause. "I meant every word in that bookstore, ok?"

Instead of answering, Matt just nodded and leaned on Tai. Tai wrapped his arms around the blonde and the two stood like that for a few silent moments. He knew that Matt went through a few hours of torture--yet he was glad that whoever this Shiba guy was saved Matt and let him escape before the others even laid a hand on him. He wouldn't know how to handle it if he found out his friend had been raped. Yet he could feel that he still went through a lot of emotional pain. . . and Tai was patient. He could wait until Matt wasn't so shaken up by it.

"Listen, Matt," Tai whispered, "we need to go, ok? Are you alright now?"

Matt pulled back and wiped his eyes. "Yeah, yeah I am. . .I'm sorry, Tai."

"No need to be, Matt!" Tai said, cheekily and lead Matt out of the room. "Besides, after all that you've been through I'm surprised you're not curled up in a ball somewhere!"

------

"He should be coming, everyone." Mr. Ishida said to the rest of the digidestined. "So, lets all get into our positions and give him the best birthday party ever, alright?"

"Right," Davis grinned.

Surprising everyone yet again, it was Davis who remembered Matt's birthday. And it was his idea to have a party.

"Dai, I have to hand it to you," Kari said, sliding up to him, "you've come through for Matt in a big way."

"Yeah, and us, when we were at the book store," Tk added. "Thanks, Davis."

Davis nodded. "It's no big deal. C'mon, guys, I'm still the same Davis!" He protested.

"Yeah, with a few surprising twists!" Ken said, as he walked by them and over heard their conversation.

"Sure, sure," Davis rolled his eyes.

Just then they heard voices and everyone dashed into their places. Soon the door opened and Matt and Tai walked in, apparently arguing over something--but it was all in jest, of course.

"Surprise!" Yelled on half of the room and the other half yelled, "Happy birthday, Matt!"

Matt stood there frozen, surprised. He turned to Tai who merely winked at him. Tai gave him a gentle push and said, softly, "Happy birthday, Matt."

"T-thanks. . .and here I was wondering why no one came to see me!" Matt said, receiving a hug from his dad.

"Sorry about that son, but we had to prepare." Mr. Ishida said. "And I also had to prepare something else and it took a few days for it to happen but here. . ." He handed Matt a phone. "Someone will be calling any second now. . ."

Just then the phone rang and Matt glanced at Tai puzzled. Tai nodded and Matt took the phone and answered it.

"Hello?"

"Matt?" came a familiar voice.

"Shiba. . .is that you?" Matt asked, shocked.

"Yeah. . .it is. How are you?" Shuba answered.

"Broken wrist, bullet wound. . .not bad, it just glazed my shoulder. But it hurts. A lot of bruises from my fall." Matt answered. "But I'm ok. What about you?"

"They were pissed as hell when they found out. Got a total and utter beating." Shiba said, tiredly. "They thought they left me for dead but didn't. I managed to get out and call the police. I called them before your brother did."

"Oh." Matt said. "So. . .what about your sentencing?"

"I'll get some years off. They know that I had helped you. They know that I called the cops. And that the others beat me to almost death because of my betrayal." He told Matt. "Regardless, I'll accept whatever I'll get. So don't worry, Matt."

"Ok." Matt searched for words to say his thanks but found that he couldn't. "Thank you," he said, simply.

"No, thank you, Matt," Shiba told him. "Listen, you have a good birthday. Don't fight with your friend, Tai, anymore. You two have something special. I can see that. He took good care of you while you were sleeping."

Matt glanced over at Tai, who was chatting with Davis. Tai noticed him looking and smiled. Matt smiled back and said, "Don't worry, Shiba, I think we're good to go nowadays."

"I gotta go. Take care." Shiba hung up before Matt could reply. Matt sighed yet felt content about the whole thing. He set the phone down and looked around, his head tilted, watching his friends.

"Matt, you ok, son?" His father asked him, noticing him off by himself and the thoughtful expression on his face.

"Yeah, dad, I am. . ." Matt replied. He looked at his father and could still see the worry in his face. "Dad, I am sorry. . ."

Mr. Ishida shook his head. "Don't worry, Matt. You were at the wrong place at the wrong time. Yet you have an angel on your side. . .that Shiba did help you." He said, and was surprised to get a hug from his son. "I'm just glad he took care of you before you were hurt, and I'm just glad to have you back."

"So am I, so am I," Matt whispered. "I love you, Dad."

"I. . .I love you, too, Matt," Mr. Ishida replied, even more surprised. He pulled back and said, "Your mother will be here shortly--"

"Good. I do want to see her." Matt said warmly.

Mr. Ishida smiled. "But in the meantime, go be with your friends." He ordered Matt and his son laughed.

"Ok, ok!"

Matt ran over to where Tai and Davis were at, and was soon joined by Tk, who gave him a quick hug. Matt found himself soon forgetting his ordeal and lost himself in the company of his friends. He knew he'd be ok because of them and his parents. He also knew that. . .

. . .He really was at the wrong place at the wrong time and yet it provided him with lessons he'd never forget.

yay! you're done reading it! Go you!

Thanks for reading!