Chapter Twelve

Sharkboy slowly dragged Tucker's limp form onto the boat and they sped away. Lavagirl held him in her arms, tears sizzling down her cheeks as she attempted to warm his frozen body. Sharkboy gently pressed his strong hands into Tucker's chest, trying to rid water from his lungs. About ten feet from shore Tucker awoke. Water gushed from his mouth and nose like a fountain. He coughed hard several times before fainting from exhaustion.

When they reached the beach, they quickly tied up the boat and carried Tucker to the house. Sharkboy laid him carefully on his bed. Everyone left the room except for Sharkboy. He sat at the computer and noticed that the neon green lines he saw from before outlined a map of the world with flashing, moving green dots that, Sharkboy assumed, were supposed to represent sharks. He heard Tucker stir but did not turn until a faint voice called out.

"Sharkboy, is that you?"

Sharkboy started in surprise and came over to where Tucker lay with his eyes still closed.

"You called me 'Sharkboy.' He said stupidly. He could not think of anything else.

"I'm sorry," Tucker continued. "I'm sorry about everything. It's all my fault really. It's my fault you killed Lavagirl, it's my fault Dad left, and it's my fault he doesn't love me anymore."

Tears started trickling down Tucker's cheeks through still closed eyelids. They mixed with the salty water already on his pale face. Sharkboy felt a sense of déjà vu. This time however, he knew what to say. He sat down on the bed and looked down at the pitiful little body lying before him.

This was his brother. Granted they were only half-brothers, but brothers nonetheless.

"Hey, now you listen to me, kid," he said sternly. "Your father loves you very much. Nothing you say or do is going to change that. Now your dad was upset when you lost your leg and probably didn't know what to say to you. People make mistakes when they're upset. I should know. What's going on with your dad has nothing to do with you not liking sharks anymore. You are entitled to your opinion. Your dad should respect that."

Tucker opened his cool gray eyes and stared up at Sharkboy.

"He's your dad too," he said softly.

"I know," Sharkboy said, releasing a deep breath. "And you're my little brother."

"I know." Tucker looked away. After a few seconds he looked back hesitantly. "Do you—do you hate me for what I did?"

Sharkboy hesitated as well. He was about to say he had to think about it, but the hopeful and vulnerable look in Tucker's eyes stopped him.

"No. I don't hate you. You're my brother. I could never hate you." There was a pause. "Do you still hate me?"

Tucker thought for a moment, turning his face away from Sharkboy. Sharkboy waited patiently. This boy had been through much these past few weeks. Finally he turned back.

"You saved my life," he said. "Why?"

"Because you're flesh and blood. That bond is not easily broken."

Tucker sighed. "I guess not. No, I don't hate you anymore."

"Good. And, uh, you don't have to call me 'Sharkboy' if you don't want to. You said my name was 'Taylor' right? Well, you can call me that."

Tucker smiled, the first smile he had ever given Sharkboy.

"Heck yes I'm going to call you Taylor. 'Sharkboy's' such a lame name."

"Hey!" Sharkboy glared, faking indignation.

Tucker laughed a high, carefree laugh.

"Get me in my wheelchair," he said. "I want to tell everyone."

They went into the living room where everyone was gathered. They had been explaining to Tucker and Danny's mom what had been going on while she was gone for she had demanded them to tell her. When Tucker and Sharkboy entered the room, silence settled. Tucker's mom rushed to him and started hugging and kissing him, much to his disgust. When he convinced her that he was okay and to back off, he turned to the rest of them.

"Everybody," Tucker announced. "I would like you to meet my half-brother Taylor."

Everyone, except Lavagirl, gasped.

"Brothers!" Danny exclaimed. "No wonder you look so much alike!"

"Oh my!" Marissa gasped.

"Wow" was all Linus managed.

"I thought you looked like brothers." Max said.

"Taylor?" the mom said. "You're Taylor?"

Lavagirl simply smiled through tears of joy. "Finally," she whispered.