"Brotherly Love"

Chapter 5

Disclaimer: The following story is based on the characters of the TV Series "Drake and Josh". The characters belong to their creators and Nickolodian, but the story is mine. ALL DISCLAIMERS APPLY. (No copyright infringement is intended.)

After Josh had been in with Drake for a few minutes, Audrey gently knocked on the door. "Josh?" Her eyes moved past her step-son to Drake, who was once again asleep.

Josh brought his finger to his lips, hushing his step-mother as he stood. He paused briefly at the door, taking another look at his injured brother before stepping out into the hallway. "It's OK for him to be asleep, right? I mean, he said he was tired and he just sort of drifted off . . ."

Audrey nodded. "The doctor said it was normal." She smiled slightly at Josh. "Josh, would you mind driving me to the Henderson's? I think it's time we tell Meagan what's going on and I had rather leave your dad here with Drake."

Josh nodded. "Sure, I'll drive you, but are you sure that it's a good idea to tell her?"

"Son, we have to tell her something. She's a smart little girl. I'm sure she already knows that something's wrong and if Drake gets to come home tomorrow we don't want her to see him without knowing what happened." Walter stated.

"I guess you're right." Josh replied.

Audrey kissed Walter on the cheek. "The doctor said that they should be moving him out of ICU within the hour. We'll check at the front desk to see which room when we get back."

"I love you." Walter said as he pulled his wife into an embrace.

"I love you too." She whispered.

"Audrey, we haven't told her anything." Mrs. Henderson said as she greeted Audrey and Josh at the door. "How is he?"

"He's going to be fine. He's pretty bruised and broken right now, but . . ." She couldn't hold her composure any longer. Mrs. Henderson led her to the bedroom and wrapped her arms around her.

"There, there, Audrey, let it all out." Mrs. Henderson soothed. But as much as she tried to contain it, Audrey's sobs could still be heard through the door.

Josh caught sight of Meagan on the staircase. Tears were streaming down her face as she slowly made her way to him. "You and mom are both here and you're not as upset as she is, so it must be Drake and not dad."

Josh nodded mutely.

"Is he . . . dead?"

"No!" Josh said quickly. "Oh, Meagan, no." He wrapped his arms around his step-sister and hugged her.

"Where is he, Josh? Where's Drake?" Meagan demanded.

"I . . . I . . . think mom wanted to be the one to tell you what happened." Josh stammered.

Hearing her daughter, Audrey quickly tried to compose herself as she left the bedroom. "Meagan."

Meagan squeezed out of Josh's embrace and ran to her mother's arms. "What's wrong mom? What happened to Drake?"

Audrey knelt in front of her daughter. "Meagan, our house was broken into and Drake surprised the robbers. He was beaten pretty badly and is in the hospital."

"How bad?" She asked her mother and then quickly turned to Josh. "Where were you when all of this was going on?"

"I . . . I . . . was . . ."

"Meagan, this is not Josh's fault. It could have just as easily been him."

"I wish it had of been!" She shouted and ran out of the house.

Josh stood there, staring at the door, suddenly wishing that it had of been him too.

Audrey put her hand on his shoulder. "She didn't mean that."

Josh nodded. "Yes she did."

After finding Meagan sitting under a tree, her knees drawn up to her chest, Audrey breathed a slight sigh of relief and took a seat beside of her daughter. "You really hurt Josh's feelings, you know."

"I know." She whispered. "But where was he? He's always there when Drake gets into trouble and he usually manages to keep him safe. Where was he when Drake really needed him?"

Audrey wrapped her arms around the little girl. "Honey, this was a situation that neither of your brothers had ever faced. It was terrifying and I don't think either of them knew exactly what to do."

Audrey felt Meagan's body tense. "So he was there!" She said through gritted teeth. "What did he do, watch them beat the crap out of Drake?"

"Meagan, that's enough of that!" Audrey said sternly. "I'll not have you talking about your brother that way."

"He's not my brother!" Meagan shouted.

"Meagan, Josh is your brother now. He loves you and Drake and I know that deep down, you really love him too . . ."

"I hate him! I hate him for not stopping what happened. I hate him for letting Drake be hurt and I hate him for . . ." She broke into sobs and fell into her mother's arms.

Audrey smoothed her hands over Meagan's hair and as she looked towards the Henderson's house, she saw Josh standing by the swing set.

"Meagan," he said softly. "I'm sorry for what happened to Drake. I wish that it had of been me instead of him and if I could do it all over again . . ." He began to cry.

Meagan lifted her head and stared at Josh. "I didn't mean what I said Josh." She whispered and gently placed her hand in his. "Can we go see Drake now?"

Josh's head lifted slightly. "Are you sure you want me to go with you?"

Meagan nodded. "I'm sure." She paused. "I'm sorry for what I said Josh."

Josh smiled slightly. "It's OK. I know that you and Drake are closer than we'll ever be. I mean you guys are brother and sister and well, we're not."

Meagan could feel the tears welling up in her eyes. "Don't say that. You're just as much a brother to me as Drake is and I love you."

Josh felt tears stinging his eyes as he looked at his little sister and then embraced her. "I love you too."

To be continued . . .