A/N: Whoo! Mysecond chapter today! I'm on a roll! Actually, I just didn't have anything better to do today...

Chapter 9 - The Return of Eddy's Brother

Eddy woke up an hour later in the hospital. No one was around and he was in a lot of pain, but at least the terror was gone. He looked down at his wrist and noticed it was in a green cast. There were a few bandages on each arm as well. He sort of felt like crying again, but he was just too tired.

"Eddy!"

He winced at the loud voice, but was glad to see Ed standing in the doorway. Ed came and stood by the bed and was followed by Dea and Edd. Dea immediatly threw her arms around Eddy.

"Thank God you're alright," she said, "I was so scared."

"So was I," he said. He hugged her back and didn't let her go for a few minutes.

Dea pulled a chair up close to the bed, like Edd had already done. Ed stood behind the other two. Dea took hold of Eddy's hand and smiled sweetly.

"We've got a surprise for you, if you're up to it," she said.

"A surprise? Sure." Despite how tired he felt, Eddy could never pass up the promise of a good surprise.

"Bring him in, Ed," Dea instructed.

Ed ran to the door and smiled excitedly.

"Introducing...Eddy's brother!" Ed announced. He opened the door and a tall guy with blond hair wearing a leather jacket walked into the room.

Eddy's eyes went wide in shock. He couldn't believe it. He didn't even realize he had begun to shake ever so slightly as his brother neared the hospital bed. You'd think he'd just seen a ghost.

"Hey, little bro," his brother said. He took a seat in the chair Edd had kindly vacated for him.

"...hey, Nick," Eddy finally said.

Dea smiled as she watched the two. Despite his shock and nervousness, she could tell that Eddy was really happy with their little surprise. She still held onto his hand- he wouldn't let it go and he was squeezing it too tight for her to pull it away.

"Hey, don't worry 'bout that bastard no more," Nick said, referring to their father, "Ed gave him his due and then I had a little chat with him before the police carted his sorry ass off."

"Ed?" Eddy looked over to Ed, confused.

"Yep, that's me!" Ed replied, waving.

"What'd he do?"

"Pounded some sense into the old man," Nick answered.

"Really? Ed, you did that for me?"

"No one messes with my friends," Ed said, serious for once.

"Gee. Thanks...wait. Nick, you were there?"

"Yeah. I came in after you passed out I think."

That would explain why I saw him right before everything went dark, Eddy thought, it wasn't just a flash back triggered by the ambulence lights--he really was there. I was wondering about that...

"Why don't we leave Eddy and Nick alone for a little bit," Edd suggested, "I'm sure they have a lot to catch up on."

He went to the door and Ed followed. Dea stood up and leaned over the bed. She kissed Eddy a few times and then exited the room too.

"So that's your girlfriend, huh?" Nick asked.

"Yeah," Eddy replied, staring after her dreamily.

"Not bad. She's pretty hot. Did ya get any yet?"

Eddy laughed nervously before answering, "...yeah."

"Really. So you're serious about her?"

"Yeah, I am. I think she's the one."

"Well, congratulations then! You beat me to the chase!"

They laughed lightly and a beat of silence passes between them.

"So...what have you been doing?" Eddy asked, "Did they just let you out or what?"

"No, I've been out for a while. I've been working. I got a job working on people's cars. Figured it was better than coming home. I guess I should have come home sooner though, huh? If I knew what Dad was doing to you..."

"Don't worry 'bout it. I wouldn't have come home either."

Another beat of silence.

"Hey, if any of the kids around here ask you where you've been, tell 'em you've been making movies in Hollywood, Ok?"

Nick looked at his little brother quizically, "Ok, I can deal with that. What am I? A movie star or what?"

"You work backstage making sets and stuff...You are staying for a while, aren't you?"

"Yeah. I'll stay for a few weeks probably. I came back because I knew your graduation had to be coming up soon."

"Three weeks."

They were silent yet again. They were both glad to see each other, but neither of them were comfortable when it came to emotional situations.

"I'm glad you're ok, Eddy," Nick said at last, "you gave us quite a scare."

Eddy didn't respond, so Nick continued.

"Listen, I've had a lot to think about since I went away, and I want you to promise me something. Promise me you'll never get messed up like I did with the drugs and all that."

"I promise..."

"And I know high school is almost over, but don't jack around in college.Keep your grades up. Don't do like me and rely on sports or whatever to pull you through. You can lose it all before you even know what hit you."

"Ok."

"...so what are you going to major in?"

"Business."

"Cool. You know, you'll be the first in this family to graduate from college."

"Yep," Eddy got that characteristic, prideful grin again, "and when I'm rich, I'll buy you a new house."

"You'd better, you little punk," Nick teased, "So how's about your girlfriend? What's she plan on doin'?"

"She wants to be an accountant."

"Wow. Accountants are like millionaires, aren't they? You two could make it big together, ya know?"

"I hope so..."

"I'm sure you will. I know I just got here, but I can read people really well, and it seems like she really loves you."

A nurse poked her head in the doorway, interrupting their conversation, "Visiting hours are over."

"Just give as minute, alright?" Nick said. The nurse nodded and went on down the hall. Nick turned back to Eddy.

"Hey, I'll see ya tomorrow," he said. He got up and hugged his younger sibling briefly. "I'll send your friends back in."

A few seconds later, the other three re-entered the room. Edd and Ed both hugged Eddy and promised to visit him the next day. Dea was the last one to leave. She hugged him and kissed him goodbye, whispering a simple, "I love you."

"I love you too," Eddy told her, not wanting to let go.

Eventually the nurse came back and Dea reluctantly left for the night. Eddy layed back down and tried to go to sleep. He fell asleep with out much trouble. It would be waking himself back up from his oncoming nightmare that would be the problem...

A/N: Nightmare chapter will be graphic, so heads up! But please R&R this chapter first. Thank you!