Author's Note – Right so the story took a turn in direction. Don't ask how, but it did and I think it'll be a better ending this way.

Summary – Mercer and Tommy finally work things out, but not with the results most expect.

-o-

'Family'

Tommy

-o-

Stopping, fork halfway to my mouth I'm not sure I've heard right. Did he just tease me back? Is that what that was? "Didn't plan to…well aside helping you get better."

"Well my son and his friends seem to think me bedding you is the way to do that." So they do. Leave it to teenagers to think sex is the solution to all of life's problems.

"I'm not sure if I disagree with them in a way. Maybe all you need is a good tussle. Maybe you should give Elsa a call. She seemed pretty attached to you at prom." Can't say that didn't bruise my ego a bit. Here she does nothing but hound me during her evil career, but the second I save her it's basically 'Tommy? Tommy who?'.

"She's closer to your age than mine, Tommy. Besides I hardly think a tussle is going to chase away my ill health. If anyone needs such a thing I think it'd be you." No I just need a friend that is over the age of eighteen.

Giving a muttered response I finish off the cake and my drink suddenly realizing that driving home isn't a problem as Connor drove me here. Sneaky little brat. "Right now I'd settle for a ride home."

"I shouldn't have let you have so many drinks." Frowning and taking my empty glass from me, he has to be kidding.

"Let me? I'm twenty eight Merc, you didn't let me do anything. Besides it's not because of that. Connor brought me here so now that he's gone I'm a bit stranded." But he's right, even if I had my jeep I shouldn't and wouldn't drive it after so many drinks.

"I'll take you home." Suddenly looking a bit more concerned, he's studying my face a little too intently. "Are you going to be alright by yourself? I've never seen you drink anything alcoholic besides a glass of wine once or twice. Wouldn't want to leave you to get sick with no help." I doubt I'll get sick. I didn't have that much. Still have plenty of coherent thoughts and such.

"Been alone through worse." The second it's out I wish desperately that I could take it back. I wasn't even referring to recent Ranger injuries, but I know that's how he took it. Let the guilt roll.

"Tommy I-"

"You know if you really want to keep an eye on me I guess I could maybe crash at your house tonight. I'd suggest you stay at mine with me, but it's still in the midst of repairs thanks to Zeltrax, and I know you don't like cramped and cluttered spaces." What am I doing? I was just trying to head off an apology and guilt laced discussion. Great now it sounds like I do want to sleep with him. I think not.

"I suppose you could stay in your old room. Well not your room, but the one you and Hayley stayed in when you spent the night." Okay shouldn't read too much into that. I mean it's just a room, doesn't mean he kept all my old stuff that I left there. "You can take your old CDs and movies when you go. You left them there the last time…" Yeah, five years ago. Okay maybe it does mean something.

"You kept all that?"

Clearing his throat and carefully avoiding my gaze, he looks more than a little embarrassed. "Yes, well it was your stuff and I didn't feel right throwing it out. Knowing you the day I'd decide to do so would be the day you'd show up demanding it all back." He's probably right.

"Yeah well, um, I guess I get that. I mean I still have some of your shirts and stuff too. It was at Hayley's place with most of my things before…" Why did we start this? Now he's going to wonder why I even kept his stuff…or maybe not, maybe he's still thinking it sounds weird he kept mine.

"Before the island."

"Yeah." Looking intently at the table, I wish we hadn't gone that route. We were almost getting along.

"Are you ready to go?" Jumping slightly as a warm hand is placed on my arm, I wonder if there's any way out of this now.

"Yeah."

-oooooo-

(20 minutes later)

"You have a slow metabolism don't you." Helping to keep me steady, he closes the door behind us with a bit of difficulty.

"Why do you say that?" Is it hot in here or is it just me?

"Because it took the better portion of dinner and the drive home for all of those drinks to catch up to you." Oh. I didn't even have that much either, maybe three of those mixed things, what was in those anyways?

"Oh." Following/leaning on him, I let myself be led through the foyer and towards the stairs. I don't think the room should be tilting like this. "I think I need to lay down for a minute."

"That's what I'm trying to get you to bed for." Suddenly pausing he looks worried again. He worries too much. If he keeps it up he's going to get those worry lines all over his face. "You're not going to be sick are you? Your face is awfully flushed."

"I'm good." Trying to move up the steps on my own to prove my point, I don't make it very far as his arms suddenly catch me mid-fall.

"Sure you are." I am, but if it makes you feel better to help me up the stairs then I guess I won't stop you. After all I am nothing if not generous with making people feel better. Even people who had split personalities with dinosaurs and tried to destroy the world, but didn't really because they're not split personalities because that's a whole different psychology lesson and…and…wait what?

"What?"

Turning his head and seeming confused, he drags me into the bedroom I haven't seen in years. "What?"

"That's what I assed you." Is he trying to confuse me?

"First of all it's 'asked' not 'assed' and second I don't know what you asked me as all you said was 'what'." Oh…wait, what?

"Huh?"

Sighing and more or less leaning me on the dresser as he turns down the bed, I think I've annoyed him, which stinks because I wasn't trying to. If anything I was trying to be nice. I'm always nice.

Turning to tell him this, my attention is seized as I accidentally bump the dresser causing a framed photo on it to fall. What's this than? Retrieving the picture and smiling as I see it's one of me and Merc on a dig, I hold it up for him. "Hey, s'us."

"I know." Moving slowly to me and putting the photo back in its place, he suddenly looks very tired. "Come on, go lay down. You'll feel better after you've gotten some rest." No I won't. I'll still be mad at you and we'll still argue, and Trent will still be here and nothing will be fixed.

"What happened to us? Why'd it have to get all screwed up?" Sitting on the edge of the bed, I lazily kick my boots off, sighing as they land near the bookshelf which holds old college books and more photos. "You hurt me."

Sitting down beside me, he seems to be taking my words hard. Well at least he's listening and not offering worthless excuses. "I know."

"No, you don't. You weren't just my friend, you were like a father to me. Trent and the others were right to think there was something more there than just friendship because there was. I looked up to you, respected you, and I thought you cared about me I thought you wanted me around and in your life like Trent is. I thought I meant more to you than just some stupid kid to be used and tossed aside."

"I did want you in my life, and you do still mean more to me then just some kid." Bull.

"Yeah, then explain Trent. You took him in, you actually made him your son and after the fact too. You used me, you lied to me, and then you throw your new son in my face. Do you have any, ANY idea how much that hurt?" Standing and beginning to pace I know I should sit back down, I'm sure I'm not walking too steadily, but I'm furious and if I don't move, don't do something then I'm liable to hit him.

"Trent was unexpected, he was more or less dropped in my lap in the midst of my…work." Right, 'work'. "Not that I don't love him now, he's grown on me, the same as you did back then. I'm sorry I hurt you Tommy, I am so sorry and I swear if I could take it back I would, but we both know I can't." Moving to the dresser and retrieving the picture, he heaves a sigh. "I was so proud of you that day. You know I never wanted kids. I thought they were noisy, loud, demanding, emotional, destructive…then I met you and realized I was completely right." I'd kill him if I wasn't feeling so nauseous right now. "And you know, despite all that, or maybe because of it I changed my mind. I realized how wrong I was and what I had been missing out on."

Stopping mid-step I give him a look. "Yeah?"

"Yeah." Replacing the picture and nudging me back to the bed, he watches intently as I lay back down. "I wasn't trying to replace you Tommy. I was just trying to do it right the second time around. You don't need my protection or praise anymore, Trent still does and I still need someone to give such things to." Damn it. "What is it parents say when a new baby comes into the house? We don't love you any less or the baby any more, you're both loved equally." Ha ha.

"Aren't you just so funny tonight. Well in case you didn't realize it the new baby got a shiny new car, a bigger and permanent room, and a sizable trust fund, while I got thrown into the Atlantic Ocean."

Laughing and moving for the door, he hits the lights. "Alright so I owe you a new toy the next time I go shopping. Get some sleep."

"Does this mean I don't get a trust fund?"

"Goodnight Thomas." Closing the door and leaving me to my thoughts, I guess asking for a new car is out too.

To be continued………