Chapter 8:

Henry made it back to the hospital room, after a quick stop at home for supplies, just in time to meet the Doctor. The Doctor smiled when he saw Henry and said, "So glad we were able to find you. After that little scare this morning Shawn is doing really well. I know he will continue to do well with someone he loves in the room with him."

The Doctor left and Henry took up the post next to his only child. He patted Shawn's hand and quietly told him, "Dad's here kid and I am not going to leave you again. I know I am not very good at talking to you the way I should. I hope you know that I am so very proud of you. You are my entire world and I have never wanted anything other than you being happy and successful. I am so sorry for what you have been through. I will never forgive myself for missing the signs that you were being hurt as a kid. I hope that you will for give me. God, I love you so much kid."

Henry held onto Shawn's hand and laid his head on the bed next his hand he fell asleep feeling the warmth of his son knowing that he was very much alive and on the way to recovery and putting this nightmare behind them forever.

Shawn and Henry slept the day away. Henry woke up as the sun set and took a moment to fill in his friends at the Police station and Gus. Gus offered to run Henry up some dinner after he finished his route.

Henry couldn't seem to let go of Shawn's hand. He knew he was unconscious and wouldn't respond to him but he continued to hold his hand for him and to let Shawn know somewhere in his mind that he is there next to him.

Gus was a faithful friend he showed up to the hospital a few hours latter bringing Henry a bag of drinks and a sandwich for dinner. Henry was grateful for the food as well as the company of someone who could talk back to him in a conversation.

The nurses wouldn't let Gus stay long, he assured Shawn that all his friends were thinking about him and sent their love. He said that Lassie even sent "fond regards". He patted his friend's foot and told him he would see him tomorrow.

Henry thanked the young man for being there and bringing food. Gus assured Henry that when they are allowed, the place will be crawling with visitors. Henry just smiled at Gus and he left.

The evening was quiet, a couple of checks from nurses. One nurse in particular was extra cute and Henry told his son, "Man you're missing something you need to wake up these nurses are adorable;" Still nothing from the unconscious man. Henry shut the lights off and threw his garbage away and settled in for the evening.

He had a few magazines and a book to read but he really wasn't in the mood so he just laid his head down on the bed next to Shawn and drifted off to sleep with the rhythms of the monitors like he had done so many times before.

Thankfully no shrill alarms woke Henry up.

He woke up around sunrise his eyes adjusting to the sun breaking through the windows. He felt something was off with his son so he looked down and he was met with two green eyes peeking from behind their lids and a sweet smile on Shawn's face.

Shawn knew he was there. He couldn't react to his Dad more than smiling at him but that smile was gold for Henry. Henry grabbed his hand and reminded him that he was there for him and he told him how much he loved him. As quick as the smile came it went. It was enough to encourage Henry and he began to talk to his son more and even read to him.

When he picked up his fishing magazine to read to him Shawn managed to turn his head away from his Dad. Henry laughed, "Okay kid I get it, no fishing magazines." Henry continued to get these subtle reactions from Shawn all day.

His Doctor came in after lunch and Henry started to tell the Doctor the good news. The Doctor smiled and said, "Sir I know that you want to believe he is responding but I assure you it is just random movements."

Henry fought back with the Doctor, "Really just random movements huh, watch this he picked up his fishing magazine and started to read about rainbow trout and sure enough Shawn groaned and turned his head from Henry."

The Doctor was amazed, "I'll be Damned he is reacting to you." Henry looked hopeful at the Doctor and asked, "Do you think we could try to bring him out of the Coma at least some?"

The Doctor sat on the other Chair next to the bed and sighed, "We will try to cut his meds down to once a day and see if we can still manage his pain level." Henry agreed. The Doctor patted Henry and assured him his boy was doing well and he left.

The evening came again with another visit from Gus with another bag of food. Henry could not wait to relay the good news about Shawn reacting to Gus. Gus cheered and said, "Keep it up buddy and we will have a movie marathon when you are able for me to spend the night." He reached a balled fist to Shawn's open hand and told his friend good night.

Henry prepared for another night in the uncomfortable chair but comfort be damned, he wasn't going to miss the moment his son woke up. He took his now familiar position with his head on the bed next to his son's hand.

The entire bed shaking waked him up, when he opened his eyes his boy was having a seizure. The medical team came rushing in and administered some medicine that stopped the seizure. Henry was so scared when it was all over he looked at the Doctor on call and asked, "What the Hell was that?"

The Doctor assured Henry that it was likely a one-time thing, when someone is as injured as Shawn sometimes his brain misfires and that is what that was. We wont increase his sedation unless it happens again."

Henry looked at his Son and said, "You are trying to give me a heart attach aren't you kiddo." He rubbed his arm for a few minutes and then went back to his sleep. At sunrise something on his face woke him up.

He went to swat whatever it was away when he realized it was human fingers and not just any human they were Shawn's. He didn't raise his head but he did open his eyes. He saw Shawn with his head leaned over to the side to get a better view of his face and he was wearing one of the smiles that made Henry's insides smile. He looked at his Son and said, "Well hello there sleeping beauty". Shawn couldn't answer back because of the breathing tube but he did squeeze his hand.

The two men who more times than not were at odds with each other sat there looking into each others eyes for the longest time. Henry smiled at his boy and Shawn smiled at Henry.

No words were exchanged but there was a mending that was happening between father and son. For the first time each knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that the other loved them enough to lay there life down. Tears began to well up in both their eyes when the Doctor interrupted the moment.

The Doctor was a young man not much older than Shawn. He came in and saw the scene that was unfolding. He hated to interrupt the beautiful moment. There weren't very many beautiful moments in the critical care unit. He had to find out how Shawn was doing.

He ran some tests and decided that Shawn was ready to breath on his own. He got the nurse to assist and they removed the tube from his throat. The Doctor wanted Henry to leave but was satisfied when he moved his seat to the back of the room.

Henry grimaced when he saw the long breathing tube being slipped from Shawn's throat. It broke his heart to hear Shawn gag and vomit as the tube left his throat. Vomiting caused huge trimmers of pain to go throughout Shawn's body and he let out this ungodly yell. The team was able to clean him up and settle him down. They left and promised to be back again in about an hour.

Henry sat next to Shawn and grabbed his hand, "Hey there!" Shawn smiled and mumbled back, "Hey Back". Henry asked the young man if he remembered anything about what happened and Shawn shook his head yes. Shawn looked at Henry and asked, "Are you and Gus okay?" Henry smiled at his son and assured him, "You running away that night all though it was really stupid, helped us find Jack and he is in Jail and will be for a VERY long time and you are finally safe." He rubbed his sweet son's arms and softly told him, "Get some rest now my Baby Monkey" Shawn smiled and then fell asleep with his Dad holding tight to his hand.

The rest of the evening was quiet and uneventful until the phone rang…

I am killing my 12 year old with cliffhangers. There is one more place I want to go with this though. Thank you for reading and reviewing.