Chapter 9:

It was getting late, to late for a normal phone call. Henry answered the phone with a concerned tone, "Hello, Shawn Spencer's room."

It was the Chief, Henry was glad to hear from her, he knew something was wrong. Before they had to deal with the problem that caused her call he blurted out that Shawn was awake now. Chief Vick was thrilled at that news. She then got quiet for a second and told Henry she had some bad news for him.

Chief Vick didn't wait for a response she spit the news out, "Henry, Jack tried to escape prison this afternoon and he was shot and killed attempting to escape. I am so sorry for your loss." Henry was very stoic hearing the news of his brothers passing, "That is a shame he wont have to stand trial on earth for what he has done. Thank you for informing me." With that he hung up the phone.

Shawn was listening to his father's conversation and the all to familiar look of terror was back in his eyes. He looked at his Dad and asked, "Jack escaped?" Henry patted his son's hand and smiled a sad smile, "No son he didn't escape, he tried too but was shot and killed in the attempt. It is all over he is dead and he is NEVER going to hurt you or any other boy ever again."

"Oh thank God" escaped from Shawn's lips but he instantly felt bad for being glad about another person's death. He also felt bad that this was his Dad's brother. Shawn reached over and grabbed his Dad's hand and told him, "I am so sorry you lost your brother"

Henry smiled at his son, he was a 32-year-old man but in that moment he was a 7-year-old boy in Henry's eyes. He told Shawn, "Jack ceased being my brother when he did those horrible things to you in your own house. I am sorry he died but I am not going to mourn him. What he did to you then and now is unforgivable. I only hope when he stands before God he will finally get the punishment he deserves."

Shawn smiled at his dad, "So the nightmare is really over now?"

Henry answered, "Well almost, we have to get you all healed up and back to work, and then the nightmare will be over. I don't know if I will ever be able to forget the image of you lying in a pool of blood in the Psyche office or you sitting in that chair in the hotel room dying before my eyes."

Shawn noticing his Dad was about to start crying he smiled a huge smile at his Dad and said, "Well if you think about those times remember this face." Henry couldn't help but snicker looking at his son's huge toothy grin. "Gee thanks for that image" teased his Dad.

Henry turned out the lights and they went to bed. For the first night since all this began they both slept peacefully all night.

Epilogue:

Recovery was painfully slow but steady. Shawn had to endure three more operations to fix all the damage to his body. He was in the hospital for 4 months. The only time Henry was not right by Shawn's side was a week period when he had the flu. During that time other friends helped to fill the void.

Finally the day arrived for Shawn to leave the hospital for good. The bruises and the abrasions were all healed; the shoulder from the first shooting was healed. He still moved slowly but he was happy to be moving.

The really cute nurse that his Dad told him about when he was comatose wheeled him out of the hospital. Shawn had to say goodbye to everyone on his way out. After 4 minutes he made friends so after 4 months the nurses and doctors almost seemed like family. His Dad was waiting in the truck and soon his face lit up when he saw his son.

Henry could tell the sun hurt Shawn's eyes so he jumped out and handed him his sunglasses. He smiled and said; "You haven't seen the light in four months I am sure it will take some getting used too kid."

Henry helped Shawn settle in to the truck and they took off to home. Henry pulled over a few blocks from the house.

"Shawn, I have got to tell you something, you running away that night was really stupid, but I know you did it to protect us. Remember how you told me to not put myself in danger to protect you; well the same goes for you okay? I almost lost you several times. I watched your heart stop in the hospital and I don't ever want to do that again. I told you this when you were asleep but I am going to man up and tell you now when you are awake. I love you so much son and I am so very proud to be your Dad."

With that he didn't wait for a response he started again for home. Not looking at Shawn because he felt embarrassed. When they pulled in the drive way he looked at his son to help him unbuckle his seatbelt and he noticed the tears in Shawn's eyes. Shawn looked at his Dad and said, "I am so glad that you are my Dad, I love you too".

Shawn quickly wiped his eyes and Henry helped him get inside, When he came through the door the lights flashed on and a crowed of people yelled SURPRISE. Shawn smiled and chirped, "For ME"

The rest of the evening was spent catching up with friends he hadn't seen in months and finally being Shawn again instead of a patient. Both Spencer men enjoyed the party and the realization that the nightmare they had been living is indeed over.

And so is this story Thank you for reading this.