Chapter 6: The Secret

When the pair had reached the kitchen, Alyssa dropped her arms from Billy's waist and walked over to her cousin sitting in a chair by the table. Shawn stood up and Alyssa pulled him into a tight hug. "Thank you" she whispered softly so only he would hear.

Shawn bent his head down so his lips met her ear, "It was my pleasure. I'm just glad I could help you out." She looked up and he smiled. "Now go to your boyfriend. He's more important than me right now." Alyssa squeezed him tightly then dropped her arms.

She walked over to where Billy was standing. He still looked weak, but who wouldn't after spending the previous few days in a hospital bed. Taking his hand, Alyssa moved closer to him, so she could rest her head on his chest. Billy leaned against the kitchen counter and wrapped his arms around his girl, holding her close.

"Where do we want to go for breakfast? Billy, do you feel up to going out?" Rocky looked over at his fragile friend.

"Yeah, as long as you'll be here to catch me when I fall. I'm not used to walking anymore." Billy smiled and kissed the top of Alyssa's head. He heard her sigh softly and he grinned.

"Let's go to that small diner downtown. It's usually quiet." Alyssa suggested. "Shawn, you're coming, right? Because I'm buying you breakfast."

Shawn laughed. "How can I say no to a free breakfast?"

The group climbed into their cars: Billy, Alyssa and Shawn in Alyssa's car, Tanya and Adam in Adam's black jeep, and Kat, Rocky and Tommy into Tommy's white one. When getting into Alyssa's car, there was some fighting over who would sit in the front with the driver. The two men eventually decided on Shawn sitting shotgun with Billy lying on the backseat, not completely used to the motion of the car.

When the large group arrived at the diner, they were seated by an astonished looking waitress. "Apparently they don't get groups this large," Rocky whispered to everyone when they had sat down.

Alyssa had made sure that Billy sat on her right side and Shawn on her left. The Rangers chatted throughout the meal while Alyssa held on to the hands of her boyfriend and her cousin. She couldn't remember when she had been this happy.

The Rangers spent the day telling Billy all that had gone on during the previous week while he had been incapacitated. Alyssa didn't want to leave him, but she figured she should at least bring Shawn to her house so her mother could see him.

"Hi Aunt Melanie." Shawn said, entering the house.

"Oh Shawn!" her mother cried when they walked into the house. "What are you doing here?"

"I came down for the day to spend some time with my favorite cousin." Alyssa laughed at the comment and responded, "I'm only your favorite when Kyle's not around!"

The trio spent the day telling stories and finding out how the rest of the family was doing in Seattle.

"Mom's doing well, but you already know that because you talked to her yesterday." Shawn grinned. "Uncle Tommy's still working at NTAC and his old partner Diana is back. They still can't find Alana. Alana was Uncle Tommy's girlfriend." He explained after seeing the quizzical look on his aunt's face. "She's one of the 4400 and she just vanished. No one, save Isabel Tyler, knows where she went and Isabel isn't talking." Shawn made a face at the name but only Alyssa caught it.

Alyssa shot a concerned look at her cousin who waved his hand as if to say, "We'll discuss it later."

"Well, I hate to cut this short, but I have to be at my book club in about a half an hour. Are you two going to be okay here by yourselves?" Melanie asked, standing up.

"Yes mom we'll be fine. We're gonna end up going to bed soon, Shawn's got to be tired." Alyssa winked at her cousin and smiled up at her mom.

"Oh alright. You behave you two." Melanie grabbed her purse and walked out the door, whistling as she went.

When she was out of earshot, Shawn began laughing. "What are you laughing at?" Alyssa asked.

"I forgot how much I loved your mom. She's hilarious. I miss not having you guys up in Seattle. It was strange when I got back and they told me you had moved."

"Mom insisted we move after the divorce. She said Seattle had too many memories and she wanted out. So we came here. I am glad we did though, I have great friends as you've seen."

Shawn yawned widely and Alyssa glanced at the clock. "Oh wow! It's 10 o'clock already! You must be tired. Come on, we'll put you to bed." Alyssa walked up the stairs and Shawn followed. She had dropped his bag in the spare room earlier and he walked over getting out his pjs.

"Do you need anything?" she asked.

"Just a towel. I'm going to take a shower if you don't mind."

"No problem, my bathroom is just down the hall a little ways. The towels are in the closet on the second shelf." Alyssa pointed down the hall. "I'll be in my room if you need me, it's right there." She smiled and turned towards her door. Stopping she turned back, "Shawn?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you again."

He laughed. "If you thank me again…" said Shawn, still laughing as he walked into the bathroom.

Once in her room, Alyssa picked up her phone and dialed Billy's apartment.

"Hello?" came the weak voice from the other end.

"Oh! I love you!" Alyssa said immediately upon hearing the voice.

Billy laughed softly. "I love you more. Now what are you calling me for? Haven't you seen enough of me this past week?"

Alyssa laughed. "No. Not nearly enough of you. Are you going to be okay in your apartment? Do you want to stay here? We can sneak you in and sneak you out." She heard Billy smile on the other end.

"Thanks for the offer my love, but I think I'm going to stay here. I want to sleep in my own bed. But I do wish you were here with me. I'd love to sleep in my own bed with you in my arms, especially since I haven't been able to hold you for so long."

Alyssa blushed. "I can't. Shawn's here until tomorrow. I will stay tomorrow night, if you still want me."

"Of course I'll still want you. Oh one more thing." Billy paused. "You can trust him, right? Shawn?"

"Of course, why?"

"We were discussing it. We figured if you want to tell him about…you know. You can. He did save my life and all."

"They…they don't mind?" she managed to stutter.

"No. They talked it over and decided he should know what he did."

"If they're sure, I'll tell him tonight, after he gets out of the shower." Alyssa smiled into the phone. "I love you."

"I love you more" came the response. "Bye Allie."

"Bye Billy."

"I just wanted to pop in and say good night." Shawn said, standing in her doorway in his pajama pants, hair still dripping from the shower (AN: yeah I know he's her cousin but I can dream, can't I?).

Alyssa looked up and smiled. "Could you come in for a second, please? I have something I need to tell you."

AN: I read this in a story and I loved it… "It's someone else's sandbox, I just play here because it's fun"