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Max had gone home an hour ago, and Cody needed to talk to someone. Even if they didn't talk back. He walked down the hall and into Zack's room. It was dark even though it was the middle of the day. Cody saw a window in the back and decided to open the curtain. It was amazing how much sunlight the curtain had imprisoned behind it. The room was suddenly filled with a light that made the room seem more like a home than a hospital room. But the light was too bright, and Cody saw Zack scrunch his eyebrows up. He quickly drew the curtain so that the sun wasn't shining directly in his brother's eyes but so that light could still shine through. When all of this was done, Cody sat down.

"Hey, Zack. I don't know if you can hear me right now, but I just really need to talk to someone. I miss you, man. I just want you to wake up and all of this to be over."

Zack's eyes fluttered for a few seconds. "Zack? Are you awake?"

Zack slowly opened his eyes and moved his hand to place it on Cody's hand, which was resting on the bed. "Look, I know how much you hate it when people ask you this, but, how are you feeling?" Realizing that Zack was unable to talk due to the tube in his mouth, Cody came up with a different plan. "I'll only ask yes and no questions from now on. Squeeze my hand once for yes and two for no. Got it?"

One squeeze was felt. "Cool. So are you feeling okay?"

One squeeze.

"Do you need anything?"

Two squeezes.

"Are you sick of questions yet?"

One squeeze.

"Yeah me to. Look man, seeing you like this is really hard for me. I don't know what to say. I just want you to be better. If something bad happens to you, I don't...I don't know what I'll do. This wasn't supposed to happen. You're supposed to be on a date with some girl, or at home copying my homework. Maybe we'd be in the lounge bugging Mr. Moesby. Anywhere, but here, Zack. Why'd this happen! You didn't do anything to deserve this! You're here because some fucked up person had a problem, and now you, and me, and mom are all paying for it! It isn't fair!" Cody's head fell down onto the bed as he cried. He cried harder than he had ever cried before. Cody could hear muffled sounds coming from Zack and he looked up. Zack's cheeks were glistening in the sunlight. Cody put his head back down and continued crying into his brother's bed. He could feel a hand glide its way up his back where it rested. Zack didn't talk, but Cody could hear him say that everything was going to be alright. And that was more comforting than anyone could ever imagine.

Tommy dropped his keys on the counter as he walked into his kitchen. The housekeeper and nanny had just left for the day. The television was on in the living room, where he was sure his eight year old son, Liam, was watching it. He leaned into the counter a minute. Today, he'd seen his friend get his brains blown out. It'd been a rough day. The only thing he wanted to do now was sit down with his son. He walked into the living room and sat down on the couch next to Liam. He looked at his son and realized how long it'd been since he'd really looked at him. Sure, he talked to him and fixed him supper and stuff, but other than that, he was too busy with paying the bills or thinking about the kid that's supposed to get killed. He just had too much on his plate to think about his kid.

"Hey dad."

"Hey, son. What are you watching?" The show ended after one final breathtaking moment, so Liam was able to rip his eyes away from the television.

"24. Why do you have blood on your shirt?"

Tommy had forgotten all about the blood. He was so tired, it just completely slipped his mind. "Uh...well, a guy at work fell and hit his head so I was trying to stop the bleeding. I'll go change my shirt and then I'll come back and sit with you."

Liam's eyes were instantly brighter. His favorite things to do always included his dad. When it came to throwing a football outside, bowling, or just hanging out on the couch, he always had fun.

It didn't take long for Tommy to get back. "How's school, buddy?"

Liam's eyes, instantly left his father's. "I don't like school."

"Why don't you like school?" Tommy couldn't believe his son hated school. He had always been the most popular boy in his class. He always figured his son would be the same way.

"Because I'm stupid."

"You are not stupid, Liam. Who told you that?"

"Everyone. I can't read very good."

"Well, I think I can help you with that. It just so happens I know how to read very well."

Liam laughed. Tommy loved it when Liam laughed. He sounded just like his mother, Amy. Come to think of it, he looked like her too. Liam had the same light brown hair, blue eyes, and dimples. Liam was only six months old when Amy was killed by a drunk driver. The guy had been caught a couple days later at a bar, but Tommy needed more than that. His wife was dead, the guy that killed her needed to die too. So Tommy joined the mob to seek revenge, much to the admiration of his father. Killing the guy who had killed his wife had been his first job. Suddenly a book was waving in front of Tommy's face.

"Come on, dad! Teach me how to read better!" Tommy took the book and opened it as Liam sat down happily next to him.

"Wait. Let's take it upstairs, it's almost your bedtime."

Though Liam wasn't excited about having to go to bed, he got up from the couch and went upstairs, Tommy following right behind. When they got upstairs, Tommy turned the light on and gasped.

"Liam! What happened to your lip?" Liam's lips were usually quite big, due to the fact he had his mother's lips, but his lips were twice their normal size and a big cut ran down the middle of his bottom lip.

"Well, I kind of got beat up at school."

Tommy wondered why he hadn't noticed his son's condition before, but realized the lights in the living room weren't on and he relied only on the light coming from the television. "Did you get beat up because you can't read? Because I had no idea kids could be so cruel!"

"No. I got beat up because I'm small. But don't worry, dad. I'm fine."

"Do you need some ice or anything? Does it hurt?"

"I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, dad. I'm fine," Liam stated slowly because his dad didn't seem to comprehend what he was saying the other times he'd said he was okay.

"Okay. If you're sure you're okay."

"I am. I'm gonna get changed quick." With that, Liam shed his shirt. Tommy noticed the scar on Liam's belly button from when he'd gotten his spleen removed after a car accident. The doctors had to put a tube in his belly button to get the extra fluid out of his stomach. But Liam had an outtie belly button so the scar was a little strange. A reminder of that horrible night. Tommy shook the memory out of his head for the time being. Liam was dressed in no time at all and sat in his bed waiting for his dad to sit next to him. Tommy did, and opened the book Liam had given him.

"Cody, I want you to go home and get some sleep. You haven't had a decent night's rest since the accident," Carey was saying.

"Mom! I'm not tired! I don't need to go take a nap."

"Don't tell me you're not tired. I can see the bags under you're eyes. Besides, it's almost eleven."

"But..."

"No but's, the taxi's waiting." Carey turned Cody towards the door and gave him a little push. She could hear him cussing under his breath and laughed. When Cody got to the Tipton he paid the taxi driver and went up to his suite. He had no intention of sleeping, but as soon as he fell onto the couch, he was dead to the world.

Carey sat in the waiting room with Maddie, just talking. She was glad to have someone to talk to because with Cody gone, she was lonely.

"So how's Zack doing? I was really worried about him," asked Maddie.

"He's okay now. He still isn't quite himself yet, but he'll get better soon." Just then, the hospital doors opened and Max stepped in.

"What are you doing here, Max?" Carey asked.

"I came to talk to Cody, but he's not here is he?" answered Max.

"No, I'm sorry. I made him go home so he could get some proper sleep. Shouldn't you be at home in bed."

"Well, Mom and I were driving by and I thought I should come in here and see how Cody is doing. Now that I'm here I might as well go see Zack," explained Max.

Go right ahead. He's sleeping so you'll have to be quiet. I'll let the nurses now that I said it was OK. Only family is allowed to be with him at this time," said Carey. Max nodded and went down the hall to Zack's room. He was indeed sound asleep. Max winced as her eyes fell on the support between his lips. Max pulled up a chair and sat down. She rubbed Zack's hand, whispered words of comfort to him. It pained her to think she couldn't really help him. All she could do was be with him and let him know that she cared.

……………

Tommy was woken up his cell phone rang. He grumbled and took it off the bedside table.

"Yeah," said Tommy.

"Tommy, it's Vinny." Tommy sighed.

"Uncle Vin, it's almost midnight."

"Just thought you should know that hit on the Martin boy has been called off for the time being. The Chicago families have more to worry about." Tommy sat up in bed.

"That's great." Tommy could hear his uncle sigh.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't know. I've been thinking a lot about this kid. It just doesn't feel right. I've done a lot of things in my life. But I've never ordered a kid to be whacked."

"What can we do?" Vinny sighed again.

"God help me for saying this but we have no choice. The powers that be have gone too far. Times like this call for desperate measures. I think we need to get the FBI to help us out." Tommy nearly fainted.

"You mean become fucking rats?" He was appalled at the thought.

"No. Not at all. Help them take down the people who want this boy killed. That's uncalled for. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"Uncle Vin, we killed Roger Harlan for the Chicago families. Taking them down makes the whole thing worthless. I lost two men over this."

"Tommy, I know. Believe me I know. But we're talking about an innocent little boy. We can't stand back and watch as he's killed. Now Don Capranza is sending a spokesperson here in a few days to meet with us. Maybe we can work something out. Let's pray to God that we do. But if we can't, we have to help that little boy. We may be thugs Tommy but we're not monsters."

"I agree. I know the agent who is guarding the boy. He helped me out of some jams before. He'll be willing to help and make sure we don't get pinned as rats."

"How?"

"I'll handle it. You just get ready for that meeting."
"OK. Talk to your guys. Let's get this thing handled as soon as possible. I'll be in touch." Vinny hung up. Tommy sighed and hung up. This was not going to end well.

………

Cody woke at seven to his mother coming into the suite. He blinked his eyes and sat up on the couch.

"Not tired, huh?" asked Carey.

"Yeah, yeah. Why didn't you come home?" asked Cody, standing up.

"Maddie and I fell asleep in the waiting room," explained Carey. Cody gave her a dirty look.

"You sent me home and then you stayed," exclaimed Cody.

"Let's stop it with the attitude. I fell asleep. I meant to come home. I'm sorry," replied Carey. Cody bit his lip.

"I'm sorry, Mom. I'm just stressed out because of Zack," apologized Cody.

"Well don't be. You'll give yourself an ulcer. Want something to eat?" asked Carey. Cody shook his head. He wanted to get back to the hospital. He had been given a break from school due to a family emergency. Teachers had been sending over make up work and a few had stopped by the hospital to visit and give their sympathy. Cody's father Kurt had yet to show up. Carey had been unable to get a hold of him. Cody turned on the TV to take his mind off Zack. The early morning news was doing a pot on Mr. Harlan's death.

"Reports are finally coming in about the mysterious shooting death of middle school teacher Roger Harlan. An anonymous source confirmed that this was indeed related to the upcoming trial of notorious mob boss Vito Caprenza. Apparently Mr. Harlan was a witness for the prosecution. For channel 8 news, this is Paula Steele." Cody could feel his heart racing. Zack had been shot during a mob hit. The mafia had killed Mr. Harlan. Cody looked at Carey. Her mouth was open in shock. That explained while Scott Rivers and the FBI were hanging around. They were protecting Zack from the mob. Cody suddenly didn't feel safe. If Zack was a target of the mob, that meant Cody and Carey were too. And that meant they weren't even safe in their own home.

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