So much for acting before the inner struggle got in the way.

Brandon stood just outside the door. The butterflies in his stomach were flying around like locusts eagerly feasting on a harvest. All he wanted to do now was turn and run.

"It's one in the morning, maybe he fell back asleep..."

Brandon awkwardly shifted between his two feet, biting his lip. As terrified as he, oh how terrified he was, of going into that room, he knew better. Rhett's mother had asked him to do this, and he had just learned about the costs and running from his problems. He was sick and tired of running. He was going in there.

Fists tightened, LeBay gulped heavily. He sighed, releasing his inner strife and stress. Building up courage, he reached and knocked on the door.

"Come in?"

Hearing his voice alone made Brandon take a step back, but he held himself. Closing his eyes, he opened the door... a little.

Azure eyes peeked through the door. The lights were on, since Rhett was awake, and oh there was Rhett. Sitting up on the bed, he was looking outside the window. Despite having apparently just come out of surgery, he had a plain white t-shirt and black pants on. He skin was several shades lighter, even for a redhead, and his hair was a mess. Hazel eyes shifted from the window to the door.

They made eye contact a lot sooner than Brandon was prepared for.

For a moment, Brandon felt faint, but he had come at least a little far. A nervous smile crossed the blond's face for a moment, he spoke, "Hi."

Rhett watched with a naturally puzzled face, Brandon walked into the room and closed the door behind them. This room was an absolute disaster, various chords just laying on the white floor. Hospital equipment not even used were shoved into corners. Still, the seats were clear and Brandon sat on the closest one the exit. Nervous as a twitch, he did not want this become another long silence, but for all his grief he was lost on how to even start.

Brandon let out another sigh, once again receiving stress, and just started, "Okay, I hate when stuff drags out, so I'm going to cut to the chase."

Rhett tilted his head in confusion, breathing slightly slowed.

"I was an idiot." Brandon started, "I was being a selfish jerk and I ran from all my problems instead of facing them. I pushed everyone I should of turned to away, you most of all. I honestly never felt so sick in my life, and I apologize for being a fool. I'm sorry."

Rhett looked away from Brandon, towards the wall, lost in thought. Once again, threats of dragging silence seemed on the horizon. However, it was only several seconds after that Rhett replied, "Prove it."

As much as he still felt hurt by the hesitance, Brandon could not blame him. Damage was the strong word, and it perfectly described what Brandon managed to do to him. No wonder Rhett was in a state of doubt. One problem though, how could Brandon prove he meant what he said. The saying was, actions spoke louder than words. But what actions were at Brandon's disposal? Yeah, he had turned down that job, but he needed more than that. What though? Some kind of pledge of allegiance?

Then, it hit him.

An act of selflessness at least on introverted Brandon's terms, he stood up and walked up to Rhett. Without hesitation, he did something he'd sworn numerous times he'd never do. He hugged somebody.

Rhett stiffened in surprise. Indeed, Brandon's massive personal space bubble was so huge, he didn't exactly even know how to hug. It was stiff and awkward, but Brandon was trying over here. After a moment, he felt Rhett relax.

"Nope, not good enough."

Brandon yanked himself away in shock… then saw that insolent grin on his face. Rhett smirked, "Nah, that was great!"

"You punk!" Brandon hit his arm.

Rhett just started laughing. That lighthearted, usual laugh and joyful smile letting Brandon know all was forgiven - after the prank, of course. For the temporary anger built up from the slightly cruel joke; relief was washing over Brandon like the desperately cold drink after a blistering hot day. For everything that had transpired in the last two weeks, Rhett's laughter and innocence now caused Brandon to smile warmly.

In that moment, he knew everything was going to be okay.

The rain had stopped, but it was soaking wet. As rainwater dripped off buildings, trash cans, and pipes, Gage slowly made way through the empty streets of the night. As bugs flew around the dull light poles, Gage's jacket, muddy from dragging on the ground, was barely on one of Gage's arms. As it dragged, Gage watched the sidewalk ahead in vast confusion and mental chaos. He hardly heard the car pulling up behind him until he heard a familiar voice call.

"Gage!" Gwen Green called in shock and confusion from her green car.

Gage stopped, stepping into a puddle. He turned to face her, eyes bloodshot and outfit dirtied. Instantly, his mother extended her arms to him, "Sweetie..."

Gage's jacket slipped to the ground in his sudden burst of movement. He ran straight into her arms, starting to cry. His mother hugged him back, sighing sadly. Sure, he was the law enforcing protector of the city. Sure, he was a well-respected leader even by his peers. Sure, he was a hero... but she knew better than anybody that he was still but a child. He never should of gone through the things he had today. She hugged him, "Your dad and I have been looking everywhere..."

She pulled him to the car, placing her hand on the boy's shoulder, "You're filthy. Come on, let's get you cleaned up."

As they got into the car and left, neither caught the amber eyes watching from the shadows of an alley.

The sound of the breathing respirator working to keep him alive was accompanied with the beeping of medical equipment. Hooked up to various IV's, despite his troubled state Wyatt actually looked so peaceful. The heart monitor was a worry, but the slow heartbeat was due to only him slipping into comatose. Yes, he was alive, but the fight had exhausted him so much. Now in an extremely deep sleep that could try to recover his own strength, he was not alone in the room.

Elderly hands held his own. Through her glasses, her eyes were shaded with worry over her fallen grandson. He was usually so lively and energetic, even in his sleep he tossed and turned a lot. Now, he was icily still. It was like all there was of a shining star was its white dwarf skeleton - he seemed so frail, he looked like bone. However, even the darkness of a solar eclipse could not last forever. As she rubbed his skin with her thumb, she knew he was going to make it.

At the other side of the room, watching the yellow tanagers fly outside, Belinda hardly seemed to care. If anything, she seemed annoyed. In a tone so low she would not be heard, she mumbled, "Just like his mother..."

She pushed herself off the wall she was leaning on, walking towards her mother, "Don't worry yourself, mother, he'll be okay. But we have to leave now, you've been here for a while."

After a moment of thought, the elder woman nodded slowly. She squeezed his hands, those snow white, cold hands. She whispered in instinctively response, "Gammy Gram loves you too."

With that, she got up from the seat she had been on. Belinda put the chair back and assisted, guiding her aged mother out of the room. As they left, nothing changed. Everything from breathing patterns to chances of awakening stayed the same.

A/N:

Aaaaaand this is the last chapter

With all the dragged out, emotional stuff going on in this story, I wanted Brandon and Rhett's scene to be more short and sweet. They cut to the heart of the matter, there's a heartfelt sibling hug, a joke is cracked, and everything's good. Now, Brandon's problems aren't completely gone, and I look forward to exploring how they both generally behave coming out of this, so it's not like all of Brandon's problems are solved…

I decided on Gage's scene following Brandon and Rhett's for a reason. Gage is the main character of the movies, and in the second part of the fanfic, Discord, he'll be the main character again. I wanted to show a shift between Brandon, who's now seen resolution to several of his problems, to Gage who has his own just beginning.

! I have Wyatt's scene done last, so the fanfic started with him waking up and ended with him sleeping. xD

I've already started on Discord, but I'm thinking of re-writing at least chapter one (I'm halfway through chapter two, I like that one) because it sets off the story in a way that I didn't want. Either way, the sequel is in the works!

I hope you all have liked my story this far, and stay tuned for the next installment!

~ Ashla.