Shawn was beyond nervous as he walked alongside Eddie, who hadn't said anything since they left the apartment. They were already outside the complex, walking along the dingy sidewalks, littered with tumble weeds of empty paper cups, broken glass, and so forth. The morning mist made the weather as cold as the atmosphere and feeling the streets gave off. Perhaps it was because no one was really up. It was a Sunday after all, often a sleep in day for many people. Behind Shawn, whispers were passed inbetween the rest of the group, and Shawn had a strong feeling they were talking about him. And they continued their akward walk, until they reached a seemingly vacant lot. It was then that Eddie nodded to the rest of the group, grabbed Shawn by the arm, and pulled him aside.

"So Shawn, how ya been?"

"Tell me what you want and just let me go..."

Eddie gasped, put a hand to his chest, and contorted his face into mock offense. "Shawnie! I'm your brother for petes sake! I just want to be close to you man!"

And it was at that point that Shawn's anger went into full blossom. "You know what, you always say that! I'm your brother Shawn, we're sibilings Shawn! When inside you know perfectly well that your the last person I would ever call my brother! You don't know a thing about me! All you ever did was get on my case about how stuck up I was or how I'm trying to be better than you, when I honestley don 't give a fuck Eddie! Every time my life got a little better, the more you hated me! And you know what? I hate you too! I hate you, I hate everything you stand for, I hate everything about you! So don't even tell me I'm your brother. We both know its just one big lie."

There was a pause. Eddie gazed at Shawn, who was shaking and taking deep breaths, looking like he was about to hit something.

"That was years ago Shawn."

"Yea, whats any different now?"

"I am. The years have changed me and my ways Shawn, with all that time spent in prison. I saw things in a new light. I was in a wrong way back then Shawnie. Look, the reason I came here was I just wanted to know that your alright and you know...to ask you if maybe every once in a while, you and I could hang out. Be better brothers. Get aquianted. Thats all. I came to make peace with you."

Shawn stood there looking at his older brother. Did he believe Eddie? Of course not. Eddie was a liar, a criminal, and anything but a good man or brother. And although that thought enveloped his mind, his heart, his good ol' Hunter family soft spot tugged at him like godzilla playing tug of war with the smallest mouse in the world. He did not believe Eddie. But his love for family and all the hope in his body wanted to. Eddie reached out a hand. And after a few minutes, or it might have been several akward and mind twsiting years, Shawn reached out and shook it.

"Brothers?"

"...Brothers."


"No!"

"Yes! Cory, what if? What if he really has changed? What if this could be a new beginning for the Hunters? What if I can finally have the brother that I've always wanted?"

"Ahem!" Jack cleared his throat and raised his hand slightly. Eric, Jack, Cory, and Shawn were back at the same apartment. Jack, Cory, and Eric had stayed there andwaited until Shawn came back. Shawn told them of Eddie's new revelation and his newfound trust in Eddie. However it soon became obvious that Shawn's trust was the only bit of trust Eddie was getting.

"Shawn, he told you a bald faced lie and you know it!"

Even Eric picthed it on the retorts.

"Eddie said he was here on bussiness," Eric said, "Making peace with your brother is not bussiness, theres something more to it!"

"Look who cares what he wants as long as you don't get involved!" Cory pointed a finger to Shawns chest who grabbed Corys fist and moved away from him.

"Cory, Eddie is my brother. Family has to have faith in family..."

"This guy cannot be trusted..."

"I trust him..."

"How can you after everything hes put you through..."

"I don't know what your talking about..."

"You know very welll what I'm talking about..."

"How bout you not go there and just let me do what ever I want, its my life..."

"...I'm more your brother than he'll ever be. How can you not have learned that by now?"

Cory gave Shawn a look of dissapointment, or could have been disbelief, or disgust, but whatever it might been, it made Shawn's heart feel stabbed at. But Shawn kept silent as Cory took his jacket off the couch and walked out of the apartment. But before slamming the door behind him, he screamed, "And I am so not selling you the purple curtains!" And with that he was gone.


It was 1 in the morning. And Jack was once again the only one awake. He was sitting at the kicthen table, drumming fingers on an already finished cup of hot cocoa. He had been silent most of today. Only of course due to the fact that he couldn't imagine what could be said for the man he never knew of now being his brother. Of course like always, today had been about Shawn, and Jack knew very well this issue wouldn't end here. Jack did love and care for Shawn, but at the same time he harbored a small peice of resentment for the fact that Shawn always seemed to need a pity party. And he always got it. Not like anyone asked Jackhow he felt about random family members popping up everywhere. Or maybe they simply didn't understand. Shawn was mistreated by his family, Jack never even knew his. And yes, it hurt. Despite whatever they had put Shawn through, at least Shawn had the memories. The life Jack couldve had, wether it was good or bad, was lost. 'I guess lost lives really do exsist' Jack thought.

And his mind went to Eddie. Chet was gone. Shawn was withdrawn. Jack thought there was no chance of him knowing anyone in his blood family. What if Eddie was his last chance? But Cory and Eric had said so many negative things about Eddie. Right now, for what it seemed, the only thing Jack should be doing with Eddie is protecting Shawn from him. And yet, all his mind could tell him is:

'I'm so tired of it always being about Shawn...'

It was his chance to be close to blood. He did care for Shawn plenty, but Shawn hardly talked to him! He barely knew Shawn, and Shawn barely knew him. What else is there?


Cory went in to his and Topanga's dorm. Topanga was sitting in the living room, licking on a cherry popsicle. She smiled at him as he walked in, and he sat down next to her on their couch and gave her a kiss.

"Cherry licous." Cory smiled and Topanga giggled.

"How was your sleepover with Shawn honey?"

"Well I---"

"Oh!" Topanga interrupted, "Did you sell those purple curtains? Nana Boo Boo called in, she said she really needed to sell those to close up the fundraiser."

"Eddie came by today."

Topanaga looked confused, "Who?"

"Shawns half brother...the one with the eleven year old..."

"Oh him!" Topanga exclaimed, which followed through with a gasp. "Is Shawn okay?"

"No, no he's...brainwashed!" Cory cried. Topanga gave him a weird look.

"What I mean to say is that he told Shawn all this stuff about him changing, and being a good person now, and Shawn believed him! He actually believed him!"

"Why would he do that?"

"I dunno something about faith in family..." Cory sighed and plopped his head onto Topangas shoulder, who ran her fingers through his curls, twirling them every once in a while.

"Do you think he'll be okay?"

"No, no I don't."


Eddie stood outside his own home. It was hardly a home. Old and dingy looking, with rust upon every scrap of metal insight, including his truck. Morning was beginning to dawn yet again. And Eddie leaned on the wall, fipping a quarter up and down. Up and down. And Eddie was smiling. A smile that had not left his face since he watched Shawn walking home...

END CHAP 3