A/N: when I think of this part, I smile.

Hint: I love the ending in this one.

PART SEVEN

When he finally was able to stop, Sock wiped his face. Getting up slowly he went to grab some tissues to clean his nose. Sock's face ached and his brain was fuzzy from all the tears he produced. Rubbing his puffy eyes he slowly opened his bedroom door peering out to see if anyone was awake.

Once assured he was alone he slowly creped down the stairs to get a small snack to eat. Though he wasn't hungry he knew he had to eat something. Collapsing on the couch, Sock turned on the TV and watched what was on too lethargic to push another button.

The news, how comical, he thought. His mind numbing itself in front of the television as he heard news about a heroic dog saving a young boy from a potential kidnapper, to new city propositions on the public transit routes. Any local news you'd hear around any station depending where you lived. It wasn't until five minutes until the next show started that they talked about the plane crash.

Taking a breath in Sock listened to the news as they talked about what happened. Something about engine trouble and strong winds from the Rockies had something to do with it and they'll know more when they review the tapes from the little black box.

They then went to showing the names of the victims of this terrible crash. 216 people including the crew. They started showing the names for those who missed the announcement an hour ago.

Names, so many names. They were seventeen names in each slide and Sock read them. He couldn't attach his feelings to them knowing it would be his undoing. Right now he was in limbo and he wanted to stay there. He knew all the names were of real people who had lives, with families of their own, but right now all he could take was them being just names. Letters placed together in different combinations.

It wasn't until the sixth slide of names that Sock noticed they were in alphabetical order by last name. They were already halfway down the list. He kept reading the names never associating them with faces… with human lives. It wasn't until they got to his parents' names that he felt it.

The hole where his heart was located was opening up. The sadness sealed inside opening, beckoning him toward it. He felt it growing, swallowing the numbness he'd achieved. His parents were dead. Sock didn't want to face that reality: being an orphan at seventeen.

"Sock," He sat up straighter the hole in his heart receding but not fully disappearing. The pain was not planning to leave Sock alone. He turned seeing Mrs. Jones in her pajamas by the entrance of the living room. "What are you doing up so late?"

"I couldn't sleep," his voice sounded strange. Sock lightly cleared his throat trying to get rid of the lump that constricted his voice. "I-I was just watching TV until I felt tired."

"Oh okay," she relaxed, some of the worry lines disappearing. She seemed to have more of those these days. "Don't stay up too late, you have school tomorrow. Good night Sock."

"Night," he answered before turning around. School, he forgot about that. He didn't want to go to school. Acting normal in front of everyone all the while wanting to curl up into a ball and stay in bed all day. No, Sock didn't want to go but knew he had to so as not to raise suspicion from everyone. Plus, school might not be so bad. It might distract him.

He was wrong.

When Sock arrived to his locker there was a note taped to it. Sighing inwardly he took it down and opened it up.

Dear Loser,

Mommy and Daddy don't want you. All your relatives would rather be dead than be with you.

Sick of your sob story, go kill yourself

Well that was wonderful. Crumpling the note Sock stuffed it into his locker as he heard a few guys snicker. Probably the ones who taped the note. Watching them leave from the corner of his eye he made his way to first period and was surprise and sad to see that Jonathan was gone from here too.

Even though Sock knew deep down that Jonathan wasn't at school anymore it took nearly a week to come to terms with it. That's when he learned about his parents' funeral. Though he didn't mind missing it, it was during school hours; he was excused and told he was supposed to attend.

Sock did leave for the funeral, but he went to another cemetery instead. Walking down the worn out path Sock made his way over to a gravestone he hadn't visit in quite some time. Finally locating it he sat down to the side and began speaking like he was meeting an old friend.

"Did you know my parents are dead? …You probably do, since they're probably with you already. Their funeral is today. But I couldn't go. Too hard for me, so I came to visit you instead." Sock said by the side of his great-uncle's grave. Sniffing, his nose stuffed, Sock put a flower on top of his grave. Sock's bubbly front dissipated and a shaky breath escaped as his real feelings surfaced.

"I wish Jonathan was here." Sock lamented before a wave of sadness overtook him, "Oh God, I miss him Uncle Maxwell. Damn it, I still miss him." He shuddered suppressing a sob while he wobbly added, "I miss him," tears escaping his eyes and dropping to the ground by the grave.

"I don't even know where he is, or if he misses me. But knowing my luck he probably doesn't. No point in crying now is there?" Sock laughed hollowly out wiping the tears that streaked down his cheeks, "I know how you hated that I cried for people who didn't care for me. Like my parents. Saying they didn't deserve my tears."

"'Had no hearts' you would say," Sock continued to talk to his dead uncle, "But I can't help it. I miss them… and him."

There was a long pause before he continued, "He was a good friend you know. You would've liked him. …He could have treated me with indifference and just plain nastiness but somewhere deep down he cared for me, you know…" Sock trailed off looking at the gray sky the chill in the air stinging his wet face.

"No, you're probably right." He added some time later, "It was all in my mind. But I can dream can't I? After all I've been through I just thought I finally caught a break and found someone who cared, you know."

Sock stayed quiet contemplating before resignation cloaked his voice, "I guess I was wrong. You were the only one. And now you're dead. I'm all alone now."

The tears started running down his face unable to contain it anymore whispering, "I'm all alone…"

Sock only cried for a few minutes before pulling himself together. "I'm sorry," he mumbled over and over, "I shouldn't be crying, it's stupid. You don't want that, you never wanted that when I was growing up."

"…Remember when I asked you if I was kidnapped." he laughed softly, "The look of horror on your face was priceless but that wasn't what I was going for. I was generally concerned. I even asked you if you saw Mom actually pregnant or if she faked it as an alibi to kidnap.

"Though you asked me all concern-like why I thought that I told you it was because they hardly paid attention to me and I saw on the news about someone being kidnapped and saying the people had treated them like mine did." Sock sighed resting his head by the tombstone. "I didn't know at the time what your reaction meant. I know you felt sadness for me. That a kid of ten years would ask their uncle why their parents didn't love them."

"I still never got an answer to that question. Though you did say I wasn't kidnapped that I looked a lot like your father. Great-grandfather Benedict. So I guess I do have the family genes, but I still never got their love. And then two years later you left me too." He slump leaning more toward the stone. "I know the stroke wasn't intentional and you've suffered from blood clotting so you had a reason to go. You're probably happy now with great-aunt Rita."

Getting up Sock brushed the dirt off himself. "I better head off to the funeral before I get into more trouble. Hope you're doing well up there Uncle Maxwell, say hi to great-aunt Rita for me. And if you have some time, say hi to my parents too."

###

Sock arrived when everyone was leaving. He knew people were probably whispering something bad about him. Of what an ungrateful son his parents had that he decided to show up after it was all over. He didn't care; if he wanted he could've treated this like they've treated him all these years. His parents might've shown up for his funeral but they probably only would've done it to look good in public or forgotten all about it.

He didn't want to be in a crowd with people he hardly knew crying over his parents' death. The only person who should be overly affect was him yet right now he was dried eyed. The trip to his uncle's grave helped with that. He stood still as everyone left and he continued to stay there until everyone was gone.

Finally alone Sock sat in the middle of the two fresh graves. "Hello Father, Mother, it's nice to finally see you again after eight months."

He paused as if they could talk back to him. "I'm glad that you're back even though I hoped it wouldn't be like this. Never like this. I hoped it would've been one day soon that you'll realize you actually cared about me. That this time away made you realize that. But I guess I was wrong. Maybe in the future it could've happened but now we'll never know. Do you guys miss me up there?"

"…Or are you too busy traveling it up there now to pay attention to me still? Do you ever think there will be a time when you guys get your heads out of your ass and actually act like the parents you are?" Sock fumed the hurt he's felt all his life finally turning to anger. "I hope Uncle Maxwell is giving you an earful. You guys were selfish and ungrateful. Was it really that hard to take some time out of your busy schedule to attend to me? You always pushed me off to him. But that excuse ran out a few years back. Then you thought I was old enough to be by myself.

"Every pre-teen's dream come true—except mine—all I wanted was your attention, just some form that you cared about me. But you never gave a damn, even when I started acting out. All it did was annoyed you for having a troublesome kid you got saddled with." Sock took a deep breath reminding himself to relax, "If neither wanted me why not give me up? Was it really only for the image that you kept me? What you guys did to me never even got took into consideration? Was I really useless to you both? A waste of your time?"

He sighed annoyed and tired suddenly. Asking them was as useless as he felt with them. They gave him almost the same attention when they were alive. Sock knew never to pester them and ask too many questions. He felt like he was rooming with moody strangers than with his parents. Getting up he left the cemetery and his parents behind. He had a feeling it was going to be a very long time before he visited them again.

One month.

Don't think about Jonathan.

Two months.

Don't think about him.

Three.

Don't think.

Three months passed in a haze. In all that time Sock heard no news from Jonathan. Maybe he did graduate earlier than planned and had already hit the road. Sure his birthday wasn't until later this month but that seemed to be the only explanation Sock could come up with why he disappeared. Unless Jonathan was specifically keeping his distance from Sock. And had found a way to do so.

Trudging along the snow covered streets Sock shoved his gloved hands into his black winter jacket. He wasn't wearing his traditional purple skirt opting for warmer jeans that didn't have any holes… yet. He traded his brown sweater vest for a warmer slightly puffy coat. Since his hat was dirty and slightly tearing at the seams Sock resign himself to wearing a dark blue wool knit beanie.

He was early for work again. Sock wrapped his red scarf around his face to keep the cold from freezing his face. This cold front was really packing a punch and he sat down on the cold wooden bench trying to keep warm as he checked the time.

He was fifteen minutes early. Though he knew he could go inside to get warm he stayed outside waiting for time to pass. He didn't want to get there any earlier than he needed. Shivering he closed his eyes picturing himself someplace warm.

Sock felt himself relax, the warmth he'd envision warming his muscles. Sock pictured himself in a cabin, next to a roaring warm fire, and he was fine staying that way until a certain blond boy intruded his mind.

Eyes open the warmth he felt left and he was thrown into the real world. His nose was red from the cold and was probably running as Sock reluctantly got up and made his way to work. Just as he was turning around the corner he saw at the edge of his vision what he thought was—

Jonathan!

He turned his head in that direction but no one was there.

A trick of my mind. It's what I get for thinking of him, Sock reprimand himself. For the last few months Sock had managed to block him from his thoughts. It was the only way to keep himself sane. Unless Sock wanted to wallow in emotional pain it was the only thing he could do for the time being. Sock had to keep himself occupied so he'd graduate early too.

The first semester was wrapping up this month and now that Christmas and New Years passed Sock needed to study hard so he could leave this city. It brought too many memories of the roommate he was desperately trying to wipe from his mind.

Inside the shop the warmth enveloped him in a suffocating hug. Taking off his layers Sock made his way to the back putting on his uniformed and got straight to work the vision of seeing Jonathan slowly fading from his mind.

It was too cold to be outside. He walked quickly down the snow covered sidewalk his breath coming out in white puffs. Jonathan didn't know what he was doing outside in this frigid weather. The weatherman said it was going to be in the low teens (-9 to -12°C) but he was willing to bet it wasn't even 10 (-12°C) degrees outside. He felt a little unease as he got near Sock's workplace walking faster to the next street to avoid running into him.

Their last encounter didn't end pleasant and it was all Jonathan's fault. He freaked out about the kiss and wanted to create as much space between the two. Jonathan didn't know what was going to happen to him. He never really meant for Sock to get hurt he just needed space to sort things out.

Part of him laugh, sort things out, he wasn't even close. Jonathan was all kinds of levels of confused when it came to his formal roommate. He had no idea why he kissed him, or why that should've been an option to begin with. He also couldn't understand why even after three months he still thought about Sock.

Maybe it was the guilt of how things were left unsaid, Jonathan lied to himself. He probably knew the true motives behind it but he'd rather live in ignorance than admit the truth.

Jonathan stood still on the sidewalk looking up at the cloudy sky. There might be snow tonight, he sighed meaning there was a change school could be cancelled. He frowned at that, he didn't want to stay home; he was trying to escape it for the last three months.

He shook his head trying to forget that issue. That's why he was outside to begin with to spend as little time there. He'd rather freeze his butt off than return before it was absolutely necessary. Seeing a music store open he walked in to waste some time.

###

Sock got out of work early since there weren't that many people inside. Putting on his layers he exited being greeted by the frigid wintry air. It felt like it got colder. Shivering he made his walk back to the bus stop to take him back home.

Two blocks away Sock stood shivering from the wind that picked up. I'm going to freeze before the bus gets here.

Shrinking into himself for warmth he didn't noticed someone walking toward him. When Sock finally heard the crunching of snow under their footsteps, he glanced at them and truly froze in his spot.

Jonathan!?

"Sock…?"

Sock was breathlessly happy before pulling himself back, took a breath, and calmly said, "Hey, weird seeing you here."

"I—yeah, I could say the same thing." Jonathan stared seeing Sock in anything but his normal clothes weird. He almost looked… normal. He hadn't even notice the person standing by the bus stop being Sock.

Sock tried to stay calm. He wasn't jumping up and down excited at seeing his formal roommate, no. He had to act normal. "How have you been? I didn't think I'll see you here. Thought you'd already hit the road."

"No," Jonathan shook his head suddenly a tad nervous at this meeting. "I-I'm still in school. Just transferred."

"Oh, okay." Sock nodded softly bottling up all the extra questions he wanted to ask. "That's good to know, still planning to graduate by this semester?"

"Yeah," Jonathan answered a little perplex at Sock's behavior. Almost like he'd changed too. To someone that wasn't as eccentric as the kid he met nearly a year ago. He didn't think he'll miss that. Jonathan did say that the foster care system did that to everyone who got in but he was still crescent fallen that Sock fell into that category too. "How have you been?"

"Good," Sock replied, "You?"

"Same…" he replied the wind making them both shiver under all their layers. Snow flakes started falling from the sky. Looking back at Sock, Jonathan saw him looking up in awe of the snow. Guess Sock hasn't completely changed, Jonathan smiled inwardly.

"Are-are you waiting for the bus too?" Sock asked as he went from looking at the snow to the teen. Staying at his spot Sock watched Jonathan. His eyes trying desperately not to overanalyze him. He still looked the same since the last time. Maybe a little more tired but Sock was tired too. He was emotionally drained and wished that the snow falling now would be enough to cancel school. He really wanted a day off.

"No, just walking around." Jonathan replied.

"Well, okay then," Sock muttered under his scarf. He didn't know what else to do. He really wanted to smile and hug him but he remembered their last meeting. So Sock stayed where he was slightly glancing at Jonathan and back up to the sky hoping it would snow more. The awkward silence stretched. Neither one knew what to say to the other or more likely they were too nervous at saying the wrong thing.

Finally Sock's bus came slowly by and they both said their awkward farewells as Sock boarded the bus sitting on the passenger's side and watched Jonathan walk down the street his shoulders hunched. What was I suppose to say to him… he's clearly better off without me bugging him.

There was a two hour delay so Sock got half his wish and walked into school taking his thick jacket off and placed it into his locker. Another pleasant note was taped to his locker. Sighing, he only glanced at it before crumpling it up and putting it inside his locker with all the others. Still wearing his beanie, he had yet to fix his hat; he let a deep breath out before putting on his bubbly persona. Each day it became harder to put it on and today was a little more difficult because someone found out about his parents' death.

"So it starts," he mumbled under his breath glancing at the students in the halls. Someone here put this in his locker trying to get a reaction out of him but he had a few months to fortify his heart to the news. Did it hurt him that they were gone? Yes. However, was he going to burst into tears? Not likely.

###

By the end of the school day four more crumpled notes cluttered Sock's locker. When he arrived home, he went to the kitchen and began preparing lasagna from scratch knowing it would take him a long time to make. Even though he didn't have kitchen duty anymore he still continued because it became a comforting thing. Sock had that, it got his mind preoccupied to think about anything else. Plus it kept him out of his room and any memories he could associate with Jonathan.

Hours later with dinner served Mrs. Jones told Sock he didn't have to continue cooking while her husband kept silent. To Mr. Jones, he didn't mind him cooking.

"It's okay, I like cooking," Sock answered putting their plates down.

"See Becca; let the kid cook if he wants. He's not making a mess and it keeps him out of trouble." Chris Jones said.

"Oh you only care because he makes you dinner." She rebutted, "If it wasn't for that you wouldn't."

"Leave him be, he obviously likes it if he continued. No one is forcing him too."

"Mr. Jones is right, I like doing this." Sock replied getting in the middle of the two, "It helps me unwind."

"Told you," Mr. Jones pointed to his wife who gave him a withering look but continued eating. Sock took small bites his appetite disappearing again but he made himself eat. He didn't want to continue to lose more weight than he already had.

Jonathan ran into Sock twice in the next two weeks. The first time around the same place they previously met and the second a little too close to his home. What was he doing here? He thought when Sock ran into him. Did he find out where I live?

Asking him, Sock replied that he was just walking around for some distraction. Jonathan didn't buy it, it was cold outside still below freezing but maybe he shouldn't complain since he was doing the same thing.

Hesitant on his part he asked Sock if they just wanted to walk together. After a long pause, Sock just nodded and Jonathan led them as far away from his home. They talked for a bit their breaths leaving white puffy clouds in their wake. They talked about school ignoring the elephant in the room.

"You're not having any trouble with any of them? I could tutor you?" Sock prompt remembering that he used to help him in chemistry.

"I'm good; I'm just studying for finals." Jonathan muttered his cheeks warming despise the cold. They talked some more about things happening in school, teachers they liked, teachers they didn't, and which one taught better.

An hour passed before they knew it. Almost like old times, where time slipped away by how comfortable they always seemed to fall into each other despised the months apart. It was getting late and they both parted in better terms, however, still a long ways away from what they use to be. Sock, not wanting to go home started walking around some more. Every once in a while he'll go into a store to warm up for a bit before going back out five minutes later to continue exploring the city.

The temperature was dropping with the clear night sky but Sock refused to go back home. Some of the shops were already closed up for the night. It was only nine o'clock (21:00) and his curfew wasn't until ten (22:00). Even with his good behavior he couldn't get away with getting home late.

Just when he decided that in the next street down he'll turn around because he remembered he had to study for finals that started next week he heard a man yelling.

"WHERE IS IT!? WHERE THE FUCK IS IT?!"

Sock froze unsure what to do. Should he go investigate and help or was it none of his business? He looked around his surrounding finally noticing that he was in the rougher part of the city. Deciding that he would be a hindrance he got to the corner he wanted to turn when he heard more yelling, this time closer. "I swear to God if I don't find it Jonathan I'll—!"

Without thinking Sock sprinted to where the yelling was coming from. It probably wasn't the Jonathan he knew but he couldn't stop, the dread pooling in his gut. Finding the small rundown "house" because calling it a house was pushing it he glanced through the window to see what was happening.

A slightly muscular pale skinned male in a plaid shirt was searching around what looked like the living room shoving things to the ground or out of the way. The man who was obviously in a dark mood had dark brown shaggy stringy hair like he hadn't gotten a decent haircut in months. He was looking for something in agitation throwing things to the ground but he was silent again.

Hesitant to enter Sock was about to turn away and leave when Jonathan came into view. No… it couldn't be.

Still surprise at seeing Jonathan inside, Sock didn't notice what happened until he heard the loud smack echo and Jonathan falling to the ground. Running on instinct Sock rushed toward the door. Just as the taller muscular man was raising his arm again to hit Jonathan with the leather belt Sock shouted, "Don't you dare!"

On the ground dazed Jonathan looked at who stormed in his eyes recognizing the younger teen. Sock face was flushed from the cold but his eyes narrowed at the older male who had a folded belt in his hand, "Who the fuck are you?"

Determined Sock glared at the man's steel grey eyes, "Doesn't matter who I am. All that matters is that you don't hit him again."

"It's not any of your goddamn business how I treat my son," the man spat. Momentarily stunned Sock glanced at Jonathan then back at the man who was making his way toward him trying to see a resemblance.

"Y-your son?" Sock gaped quietly but all three of them were able to hear. Jonathan's father loomed in front of him and Sock was stunned again when he saw under the ashen skin and sunken cheeks that he looked like the spitting image of Jonathan—well an older haggard version of him. He had his brown hair, his face, the only thing that separated them was that Jonathan dyed half his hair blond and their eyes were a different color.

Too surprise by these turn of events Sock wasn't prepare for the belt slapping the left side of his face. The force knocked him to the ground his face stinging and burning like it was on fire. Another pain raced to his brain when Mr. Combs hit him again on his left thigh.

Biting his lip Sock braced himself for the next hit that never came and he looked up seeing Jonathan's father going back to Jonathan. "Now, I'm going to ask you one more time, where is it?"

Getting up, Sock stumbling a little as he stumbled toward them. Looking down Sock found a broken chair leg. Picking it up, he jumped on the couch and swung the object hitting Mr. Combs. There was a loud sound as the wood connected to the back of his head. Sock couldn't let him hit Jonathan again. And Mr. Combs crumpled to the ground.

"What did you do?" Jonathan gasped watching his father collapsed on the floor. He didn't know if he just watched Sock kill him. "Did you just—?"

"—No, he just lost consciousness." Sock answered matter-of-factly after checking his pulse then not giving him another glance back tossing the wood aside and ran toward him. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Jonathan said as he tried to stand up wincing from the pain. He glanced at Sock's face where the welt was bright red. "I'm sorry about that and the other one too."

"Forget about it," Sock said pulling the other teen up, "We have to go now."

"No."

"No?"

"No," Jonathan stated pulling his arm away from Sock's grasp. "I'm not leaving."

"You have got to be kidding," Sock argued. "He's going to wake up soon. Hell, I know he's not going to be happy with what I did and he'll be back to beating the snot out of both of us if given the chance. Let's go."

"No," Jonathan answered swaying slightly. Steadying Jonathan, Sock reluctantly took him to what appeared to be his room. Putting him on the bed Sock closed and locked the door before pushing the dresser in front of the door to prevent Mr. Combs from coming in.

"Are you okay?" Sock asked worried while Jonathan looked daze. "What's wrong?"

"I… I think I… injected myself with the needle." He mumbled his brain fogging as a warmth happy feeling settling in. Jonathan smiled suddenly feeling safe. Sock was here; he'll take him away from this hellhole.

"Jonathan... Jonathan," Sock whispered hearing someone waking up from the other room. Panic setting in. He heard a loud crash followed by another one before he heard the front door slammed against the wall. Sock didn't count on Mr. Combs staying out too long so he talked fast taking the small window of freedom. "What needle, what are you talking about? What did you inject yourself with?"

Jonathan smiled the drug flooding his brain. He didn't have the energy to answer Sock's question but he managed somehow, "heroin."

Sock stood ridged, his body going cold. Jonathan was high on heroin right now. And Sock had no idea what the signs were for an overdose. Worried he knew they just barricaded themselves in the room as he heard Jonathan's dad walk back in. Nervous, Sock took off his own coat and shoes getting in Jonathan's small bed covering them both up with a thick blanket.

Right away Sock was enveloped by Jonathan in a hug. Slightly confused by the gesture he tried to pull back only to be held tighter. Sock, resting his forehead on Jonathan's right shoulder, tentatively wrapped his arms around Jonathan thinking at any moment the older teen would push him away. When he didn't, Sock pulled him closer and Jonathan sighed next to his ear sending a shiver down Sock's spine.

"Are you alright, Jonathan?" Sock whispered.

There wasn't a reply and that worried Sock, releasing him slowly he looked at Jonathan who had his eyes closed in sleep. Sock relaxed slightly before fretting that maybe Jonathan wasn't breathing anymore. Making sure he was and that his heart was still beating Sock relaxed once he knew he was okay. Resting his forehead back on Jonathan's shoulder Sock wrapping his arms tightly around him, "Please, please hold off until morning. I don't know what I'll do if you left too."

Already Sock's tears were escaping and he couldn't help it, Sock didn't want to imagine that Jonathan would die too.

"You can ditch me later if you want." Sock pleaded squeezing his eyes tight gripping Jonathan tighter in the vain hope of keeping him alive. The tears spilled over and ran down the side of his face, "Tell me that you want nothing to do with me. Just please Jonathan, please don't die. I couldn't bare it if you died."

Sock hiccupped as he pressed his face to Jonathan's neck, his body shaking slightly from his suppressed sobs.

He whispered it over and over scared for his safety, "Please don't die on me, please don't die Jonathan, please just hold on 'til morning. I don't want to lose you too. Please stay with me tonight until I can get help…"

There was a long silence that stretched after Sock's pleas. Looking up, Sock glanced at Jonathan's peaceful face. The scared teen wanted to hope that Jonathan was just asleep and that nothing bad would happen to him. As much as these three months apart hurt him, Sock couldn't get rid of his feelings for the older teen. No matter what he did, even avoiding any memories he had Sock couldn't deny it. Not anymore, not when Jonathan could die.

"…I love you, Jonathan…" Sock quietly admitted as he held on tightly to him while more tears slid down his face.

A/N: *nods* I trick y'all. This part is a sob one... but I got Sock to say I love you. That's got to mean something for y'all... I wasn't all mean...

I do hoped you liked this part since its a personal fav of mine. All the angst, the confession at the end... the unexpected cliffhanger (which was not intentional, mind you)... the next part is the last part.

Till next time