A/N: This chapter is pretty short too. Even shorter, actually. But hope you will like it all the same!

degrassichick92, my only one Thanks for your reviews!

sundaym0rning hey there! okay, i'm not fishing for compliments or anything, but is it really? gee... thanks! i hope you didn't waste too many tissues (i meant tissue paper)! ;P

Disclaimer: For this chapter, Rylan belongs to me. Ian and Daphne do not.

Enjoy!


Chapter 3

Ian awoke with a jolt.

He panted heavily, thinking. Was it just a dream, or did he really see Daphne?

No, it's impossible. Daphne's already dead. She can't be here. He told himself. But it seemed so real. I touched her. I hugged her. How can that not be true?

He shook his head, telling himself that it was just his own wishful thinking. Then he switched on the lamp beside his bed, glancing at the clock on the table beside his bed. The digital clock spelt 3:36 AM.

Deciding to get some warm milk to soothe himself, Ian got out of bed and walked down the hallway, but paused outside Rylan's bedroom. Slowly, he turned the doorknob and opened the door. Little streaks of the hallway light fell onto the bed. Rylan was sleeping on his bed, his comforter kicked onto the floor.

Smiling to himself and shaking his head, Ian walked into the room, but jumped back when he heard a 'squeak!' from under his foot. Frowning, he squatted down and picked up a rubber duck. Ian snorted and it was all he could do to prevent him from laughing out. It was only then did he realize that the room was still in the same muddled state that it was as earlier in the evening.

Both sighing and smiling at the same time, Ian treaded across the room and picked up Rylan's comforter. He spread it open and lay it on Rylan, though knowing that some time later in the night the comforter will definitely land on the floor again. Then he quickly placed all the toys in a corner, including the rubber duck, before leaving the room and closing the door behind him.

Suddenly, Ian didn't feel the need to drink warm milk anymore.

TBC...