Nathan looked like he wanted to say more – his expression told Ian that he had a million things on his mind and wanted nothing more than to lash out at his son with them. Ian knew the look – he'd seen it a lot – and braced himself mentally as well as he could for an ass chewing.

It didn't come, though.

The elder Brooks sat down on the edge of Ian's bed, his scowl firmly in place – although there was a different quality to it, now.

"The police want to release one of the guys into custody of his parents. They say he's not a flight risk because his knee is badly injured and he's going to need another surgery on it or it'll probably never heal right…"

"Mother fucker. I hope it falls off," Ian said, shifting in his bed just a little as he tried to sit up a bit. Only to find his dad's hand planted carefully against his chest holding him still.

"Don't move, boy," Nathan said, his scowl replaced by a frown. "You rip your stitches open, you might end up having something important come sliding out – and I don't want to have to pick it up and try to stuff it back in."

Ian bit back the instant reaction to being called boy and couldn't help the snort of amusement at the picture that came to mind with the rest of his father's statement.

"I don't think it's that bad, dad…"

Although it hurt like it was that bad.

"It looks bad, son," Nathan said, moving his hand from Ian's chest. "They sure worked you over. Bastards."

Before Ian could say that he had to see the other guys – something he knew he was going to say a lot until his bruises were faded – his dad's hand went to his cheek in an uncharacteristically gentle fashion.

"Your mother was frantic when we got the word… we were on a plane before the guy on the other line had even hung up."

"She doesn't need to worry… I'm-"

He didn't get to finish what he was going to say. Before he could realize what was happening his father had gathered him into his arms, holding him tightly in a hug that was agonizingly painful for Ian – and something he hadn't done in so long that even Ian wasn't sure just then when the last time had been. Biting back any sign of just how badly the tight grip hurt, Ian felt himself choking up for another reason completely, and his uninjured arm wrapped loosely around his father's shoulder, holding him as tightly as he could – which was pitifully weak just then.

"Goddamn it son," Nathan said, his face buried against Ian's bandaged shoulder. "If you scare me like this again, I'll…"

"I'm sorry, dad…"

Ian rested his cheek against Nathan's neck, his chin on his powerful shoulder and closed his eyes against a wave of pain that washed over him. Hugging your dad for the first time in a dozen years was a new experience for him – and a nice feeling, he decided – but holy shit, it hurt like a motherfucker.

Nathan felt the tremor go through Ian's body – he couldn't miss it holding him as tightly as he was – and the retired General realized what he was doing and eased his grip, carefully lowering Ian back against the stack of pillows.

"Jesus, son… I'm sorry… I-"

Ian's face was pale, but he shook his head, moving his hand back to where it had been resting on his stomach.

"It's okay, dad…"

The two of them looked at each other, sharing a moment that neither had expected, but then Nathan cleared his throat, uncomfortably.

"Big fucking baby, that's what your mother would say…"

Ian smiled. She wouldn't use the word fucking, but knew his dad was right about the rest.

"I won't tell anyone if you don't."

There was a snort of humor.

"Deal. I can't have-"

The door opening and Maggie Brooks walking through it with a doctor Ian didn't recognize interrupted him. His mother was instantly beside the bed, scolding Nathan for waking his son and then taking Nate's place on the edge of the bed so she could make certain for herself that he was alive and awake and already recovering from his ordeal. Then she started scolding him for worrying her. She didn't try to hug him – mercifully – but her hands were constantly touching him, the gentle touch countering the thorough chewing out she was giving him.

Ian had been chewed out before. He knew when to say yes, ma'am and no ma'am – and knew better than to say anything but that – and he did it automatically as his father watched on in amusement. When she was finished, and had threatened him with everything under the sun that she could think of if he worried her like this again, she leaned over and kissed his forehead, the signal that the lecture was over.

"We're not allowed to stay," Maggie told him, scowling for the first time in a long time. When she did it, she looked exactly like Ian did when he scowled, and Nathan carefully hid his smile of amusement. It wouldn't due for him to get another lecture, after all. "The doctors say you can't sleep when you have company, so we have to go."

"But-"

"Don't worry, son," Nate said. "We're not leaving. We'll be in the hospital, and if you need us, they'll let us know."

"I don't mind the company-"

"You need your rest," the doctor interrupted, smoothly. "They're planning on transferring you to a different facility tomorrow morning. You can have all the company you want, then."

Ian knew better than that – since he knew where he was going – but he didn't argue.

"You'll be around?" he asked his dad.

Nathan nodded, looking pleased at the question.

"Let them try keeping us away."

Maggie leaned over and kissed Ian once more, and then stood up and went over to Nate, who wrapped her up in his arms. Where he was always reserved around Ian, he'd never had a problem showing his wife how he felt about her.

"We'll be back soon," Maggie said. "Do you need anything?"

Ian shook his head, feeling better than he'd ever expected he could have after a visit from his father – and knowing that this time it wasn't his mother that had made him feel that way. He smiled – as well as he could anyways.

"You could bring me a Big Mac…"

The doctor frowned, but Nate and Maggie smiled.

"I'll see what I can do…"

And they left him.