Author's Notes: I did not quite realize I hadn't updated this story since last September (hangs head in shame). My "real life" got a little crazy and I'm afraid I got a bit of a block on this story, however, here's a short chapter for you to enjoy (if anyone is still reading this story, which I hope you are.) The next chapter is the wedding! Woot! And…I have nothing of it written except the hot sex scene for the honeymoon. :-)

Thanks to everyone who reviewed Chapter 19 (so long ago!)

Chapter 20 Visiting

"I can't do this." Corbin turned away from the door.

"Yes, you can." Jack grabbed hold of his arm firmly.

"Jack, you don't know-"

"I have some idea." Jack answered, turning Corbin back around. "You are going to do this."

"Why? Why do I have to?"

"Because your healer and I both think you should."

Corbin sighed, biting his lip.

"And," Jack leaned in close, "if you do this, I'll do whatever you want."

Corbin blinked at him.

"Anything." Jack kissed him quickly and turned to knock.

"Wait." Corbin grabbed his hand before it reached the door. "You love me, right? I mean, it's just—"

"Nothing she will say will change how I feel about you." Jack said calmly. "I love you."

"All right." Corbin squared his shoulders. Jack heard him muttering under his breath, "You love me. Okay. I can do this."

"Can I?" Jack gestured with his free hand at the door. Corbin nodded.

After a moment, the door was opened and Corbin's mother stood there. She raised her hand to her mouth in astonishment. Jack heard Corbin swallow. Neither of them spoke.

"Good morning, Mrs. Hill," Jack said cheerfully, when the silence had continued to stretch, "Corbin's come to visit his grandmother. May we come in?"

Mrs. Hill nodded, smoothing her hair as she backed away from the door. A moment later, they were shown into a small bedroom where a frail old woman was propped up on several pillows.

"Mother," Mrs. Hill said quietly, "Corbin is here."

"Corbin?" The old woman's eyes fluttered open, gazing around the room before landing on Jack. He pushed Corbin forward. "Corbin?"

"Yes, Gran, it's me." Corbin's voice cracked.

"You've gotten taller."

"Yeah, I suppose I have." Corbin took a step closer, "I've got grey hair too. It's been a while since you've seen me."

"Since August 29, 1981." His grandmother said softly, "We missed many birthdays. I got you a present each year. Even though…"

"Even though I was wicked." Corbin's voice was shaking with anger and Jack wondered if he'd been right to bring him hear.

"You weren't wicked. We just were too blinded to see," his grandmother reached out, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Blinded by ignorance," his mother said softly.

Jack quietly stepped back towards the door. He felt as if he was intruding on something extremely personal and painful. He stepped out into the hallway but stayed near the open door, trying not to listen unless he heard his name. He could hear both of the women's voices, soft and plaintive, and Corbin's, sharp and angry. He stepped further away, towards the window at the end of the hall and looked down at the garden where Corbin had played as a boy. Corbin hadn't been back to this house since before their seventh year of school had started. Jack wondered if his room had been kept the same.

The sun was high in the sky before Corbin and his mother came out of the room. Jack turned, trying to gage how Corbin was. Mrs. Hill came over to him and hugged him tightly.

"Thank you for bringing him back to us." Mrs. Hill dabbed at her eyes with her handkerchief.

"I didn't—"

"He told us you made him come." Mrs. Hill smiled, "I'm glad you did, for all of us."

"You're welcome." Jack said sincerely.

They'd stayed for lunch and then spent the early hours of the afternoon with stories and laughter, most of it at Corbin's Gran's bedside. Jack had joined them and enjoyed himself noticing how similar the family's humor was: dry and witty. When they'd left, there were promises of another visit the next weekend.

"I'm very proud of you." Jack said softly, as he closed the front door behind him.

Corbin shrugged.

"I think I did too strong of a calming charm," Jack caught Corbin by the back of the neck and pulled him close for a kiss.

"I didn't throw up. Not once."

"I know. As I said, I'm very proud."

"It wasn't horrible." Corbin's hands were on Jack's hips now, Jack could feel the warm weight of them.

"No, I didn't think so. And I think it was good for all of you to talk it out."

"I get anything I want now." Corbin swayed into Jack.

"I knew I shouldn't have done it, but you looked like you were going to hyperventilate after your Gran pulled out all the presents right before we left."

"Mmm," Corbin rubbed his nose contentedly against Jack's neck. "Anything."

"Which makes that….how many presents today?" asked Jack teasingly.

"You're my best present."

"You are so high," Jack laughed.

Corbin's answer was unintelligible, mumbled against Jack's skin.

"Let's go to bed."

"Bed." Corbin echoed happily, allowing Jack to pull him up the stairs.

Jack flooed back into the kitchen to find Corbin standing at the sink drinking a glass of water.

"You're awake." Jack said, brushing the soot from his robes. "I got take-out."

"Brilliant." Corbin said, setting his glass down. "How long was I asleep?"

"Couple hours." Jack answered, kissing him. "Sorry I got you so dopey, I just didn't want you freaking out."

"'S fine." Corbin answered, hugging Jack close. "Thanks for going with me."

"You're welcome." Jack set the bag down on the counter.

"I…I didn't…We didn't have the sex, right?"

"No, once you got to bed, you were out." Jack smiled as he got two plates.

"Good." Corbin opened the fridge and got out two beers. "Cause I've been thinking about what I want."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"And?"

fade to black