Hey! Sorry that this is finally getting up. But I think I had the world's biggest case of writer's block. It seemed like every time I sat down to type this I was only able to do about two sentences at a time. Well I hope that you guys enjoy BD

Chapter 3

After they had finished eating their sandwiches, Shaun took Cody home with Gabe following them. On the way there Cody fell asleep in his booster seat. Once at the apartment complex, Gabe pulled in next to Shaun and put his back pack on and walked over as Shaun opened up the back door to unbuckle Cody.

"Did he fall asleep?" Gabe asked, Shaun as he approached.

"Yeah, this is going to be tough on the little guy." Shaun said as he stood up. "Gabe, I want to say thanks about earlier with Jeanne, I didn't know that that's what you thought about me." Shaun said looking at his brother.

"Shaun, you're my brother. I may not have a way with words like you do, when it comes to talking to people. But I promise you that everything I told Jeanne tonight is what I believe. I think that you are doing a great job with Cody. You and Zach are by far better parents than Jeanne ever will in my book. Anyway I like being an uncle to the little guy in a way." Gabe said as he scratched his shoulder.

"Again, I thank you Gabe." Shaun said and he gave Gabe a quick brotherly hug and let him go. "I guess I better get Cody out of here and up to the apartment."

"Here, let me carry him." Gabe moved forward and gently lifted Cody into his arms, and Cody unconsciously wrapped his arms around Gabe's neck.

Shaun smiled and led the way into the apartment and opened the entrance door and allowed Gabe through. They walked over to the elevator and went to the third floor, and then down the hall. Shaun put his key into the lock and opened the apartment and Gabe went in with Cody, still sound asleep. Shaun heard a door open behind him and tall thin lady came out of here apartment across the hall, she had a smile on her face and her shoulder length blonde hair she was putting up into a pony tail. "I thought I heard you Shaun."

Shaun gave a small smile. "Hey Samantha, sorry if I woke you up."

Samantha's smiled widened. "You didn't, I need to take Spencer down to use the bathroom. He's been bugging me for the last ten minutes."

Shaun nodded. "What kind of dog is he again?"

"Spencer is a Siberian husky, and he's got a little Akita in him." Samantha said as she reached back inside the door and produced a dog leash. "You and Zach seem to be out late tonight, you take Cody to a movie or something?"

Shaun looked at the floor and felt the sting of tears form again and then he looked back up at Samantha. Her cheery attitude was instantly replaced with concern. "Shaun what's wrong?"

Shaun gave Samantha a quick synopsis about the events earlier in the night. Samantha was completely shocked by what she learned. "The doctor said that Zach would be okay?"

"They think so, but they want to keep him in the hospital for a few days to be sure. But even then Zach's going to have a long road to recover from this." Shaun said as he leaned against the door jam to the apartment.

Samantha was about to say something when Gabe reappeared. "So this is who has captured your attention Shaun. When did you go bisexual?"

Shaun rolled his eyes. "Gabe, this is Samantha, she's mine and Zach's neighbor. She watches Cody sometimes. Samantha this is my, unfortunately immature younger brother."

Samantha smiled at Gabe. "Ah. I remember you telling me about him, and that I should watch my back around him."

Gabe had look of shock and outrage on his face, but when he spoke he wasn't angry. "Shaun, what kind of lies are you telling this girl?"

Shaun shrugged his shoulders. "I only told her the truth, Gabe."

Samantha opened her door a little wider and Spencer came out and went over to Gabe and Shaun, where they both petted him, as Samantha attached his collar.

"Well, you guys get some rest, and Shaun if you need me to watch Cody tomorrow I can do that for you while you go see Zach." Samantha said as she led the dog down the hall.

"Thanks, I might have you watch him in the morning while Gabe and I go in, to see if Zach's up for his energetic nephew." Shaun said as he turned to go into the apartment. "I'll bring him over about eight."

"Sounds like a plan." Samantha said and she was gone down the hall.

Gabe followed Shaun in, and closed the door and locked it. Gabe turned and then looked to see where Shaun had disappeared and then heard a noise from the kitchen, when he went he saw Shaun had glass on the counter top and leaning on it with hands spread in front of him and he seemed to shaking.

"Shaun?" Gabe called, as he walked up to the counter.

"Did you need something, Gabe?" Shaun asked his voice wasn't the normal confident one that he heard in the hall.

"It's going to be okay bud." Gabe said as he put a hand on his brother's shoulder.

Shaun took a deep breath to steady himself and stood straighter, then he looked at Gabe. "Sorry, Gabe, I'm afraid to lose him is all."

"I know that," Gabe said. "Back when I had that party this last summer, after I found you and drug the truth out of you."

Shaun had a tear slide down his cheek. "Gabe, out of all the relationships I've had over the years, Zach is the one I wanted to settle down and spend the rest of my life with. But with this, it's just worse than that night this summer when he pulled away."

Gabe shifted his weight. "Shaun, I know that these first couple of days is going to be tough, but trust me, Zach is going to make a full recovery and he will be a stronger person because of this."

Shaun nodded his head. "How's Cody?"

"He's still asleep. I just laid him on top of his bed. I didn't want to wake him up."

"That's fine. I'll have him shower in the morning." Shaun said as he headed for the fridge and pulled out a bottle of orange juice and took it back to the counter and poured a glass. "So did Zach really send adoption papers to Jeannie, Gabe?"

"Not really, what papers Zach sent to her were permission forms for school for him. Plus a consent form for Zach to be the primary contact in the case of an emergency. But on one of the forms it pretty much says that Zach has temporary custody of Cody." Gabe said, looking a little irritated. "Thankfully, Jeannie didn't read the fine print. Otherwise this could be a bigger shit festival then it needs to be."

"I am surprised that you hit her." Shaun said as he sipped his juice.

"I surprised myself when I did that. But god that wretched woman knows how to really piss me off." Gabe said. "But I promise I will talk to Erin and see what we can do legally, to get either Zach or both of you to have full custody of Cody after this mess."

"Thanks, Gabe. I just hope Larry won't mind." Shaun said.

"Give the guy a chance. I know that you and him have never really seen eye to eye on occasion…" Gabe started. But Shaun raised an eyebrow that made Gabe sigh exasperatedly. "Okay, a lot, but I'm sure that he'll be fine with it."

"You really think that Larry will be? He didn't really enjoy me coming out and saying that I was gay shortly after high school. Plus he's never really made me feel welcome at home any more the few times that I've been there when he was." Shaun said a little heatedly.

Gabe gave his brother a funny look. "Seriously, Shaun, is that how you feel?"

Shaun nodded. "It is. I know that's hard for you to hear."

Gabe continued to look at Shaun. "When I was with him and mom a lot of times he always told everyone how proud he was of you. He bought several copies of you book at Christmas that year it came out and gave it to all of his employees at the office saying that they needed to read it. I even heard him tell mom one night that his only regret at this moment in time is not being on good terms with you. He hates how he handled your coming out, and how strained its been since."

Shaun set his glass down. "So why hasn't he said anything to me then in ten years about this, or even mom?"

"Well for starters you and Larry both have a lot of pride. Plus mom constantly tells him to try and make up for it. The only reason I bring it up now is because I told them of the semi recent events. Larry actually was the one that brought up the conversation." Gabe said as he moved to sit at the dinning table.

"What did you say exactly?" Shaun asked he was genuinely curious. He was starting to see his step dad in a slightly different light in years.

"He asked if I'd heard from you lately, and I said that you had come down to the house for a little bit after you and Coulter had gone your separate ways. Larry said that he was sad to hear that. I then told him about you and Zach. Mom was surprised to hear that you two had gotten together, but I told her what Zach had told me shortly after he patched things up with you. Mom and Larry both said that they were glad that you found someone that they know will be good for you; I even mentioned that Jeannie dumped Cody on you guys. Larry was a little peeved at that." Gabe said. He then yawned as Shaun took in the information.

Shaun looked at the clock and noticed that it was 1:30 am and then moved to the sink and rinsed his glass. "Do you want to sleep on the couch or in Cody's room?"

"I'll crash with the Codmiester. I'll just sleep on his floor." Gabe said as he stood up and followed Shaun down the hall. Shaun opened up a closet and pulled out a sleeping bag and a couple of pillows and handed them to Gabe.

"See you in the morning bro. Try to get some sleep." Gabe said and then disappeared into Cody's room. Shaun went through and shut lights off and then climbed into bed and slept very little. He had two separate dreams; one was where Zach died before Shaun could see him again. Then in the other Zach died from the complications that came up over night. After waking from the second dream, Shaun was aware that there was another person in the bed with him. He rolled over and found that Cody had come in and climbed into bed next to him. Shaun adjusted his position and kissed Cody's forehead and sighed deeply and wrapped the child in his arms. Shaun spoke softly: "Cody, I am hoping beyond hope that Zach pulls through this and that you, Zach and I can be a family together."

With that Shaun fell asleep until the alarm went off at 7:00 am.

The next morning was a little chaotic to say the least. But Shaun managed to convince Cody to stay with Samantha until the doctor said it was okay for him to see Zach. Plus Gabe was on the phone talking to Tori and letting her know. Then there was the trip to the hospital, and eventually Gabe and Shaun arrived at the information desk up front where they were directed to Zach's room.

Upon entering the room Gabe and Shaun found Jeannie sitting next to Zach. She looked up and then stood up. Gabe narrowed his eyes as Jeannie held up her hands. "Look, I'm not looking for a fight right now. I think we said our peace last night."

"Jeannie, I would like to talk to you for a moment, outside in the hall." Shaun said and he led the way out and waited for Jeannie to follow as she passed Gabe.

Shaun stood next to the door as Jeannie came out of the room. She looked a little better since the last time he saw her, he didn't really notice it last night. But Jeannie looked at Shaun with contempt in her eyes and folded her arms. "What is it, Shaun?"

Shaun squared his shoulders and looked into her eyes. "Look, I know that you really don't like me."

Jeannie rolled her eyes. "That's an understatement."

Shaun ignored her comment. "Damn it Jeannie, for once in your life stop being so self-centered, the world doesn't revolve around you like you think it needs to. Now Zach and I are a couple. You are going to have to find someway to accept that fact and get over it. You were the one who left Cody so you could runaway to Oregon. Zach would have had no way to keep that house, and support himself and Cody.

"Yes I do realize that this is Zach's first relationship with another man, but it's his life to do what he wants, not what you want. That stunt you pulled this summer on him was an all time low, even for you. I am going to help Zach raise Cody, and that's just another thing that you're going to half to suck up and deal with as well." Shaun paused for a moment as a nurse walked by.

Jeannie went to open her mouth, but Shaun cut her off. "Jeannie, I may not like or agree with a lot of the choices that you've made. But for once, I am asking you to please just put aside your differences with me and let us try and get along. I have no desire to be unkind to you. Frankly I would love to one day to be able to have you over to our apartment for dinner and not have to worry about any of this petty bullshit that you seem to harbor for me."

Jeannie was quiet for a moment. Shaun moved to go back into the room, but Jeannie touched his arm to stop him but quickly removed it. "Shaun, I'm just not comfortable with this at all. Zach is all that I have really, and when he showed up at the house with you, I knew then and there that he was serious about you. I just thought that he was doing it to get back at me for all the crap I'd put him through. I agree with you that one day I truly hope that I can accept this relationship fully. But I'm even more uncomfortable with Cody being around you. He's just a little kid and he's not going to understand this thing that's going on between you and Zach."

Shaun looked at Jeannie and realized that for once she was being honest about her feelings. Shaun knew then that this must have been some sort of an epiphany for her. "Jeannie, I promise that Zach and I will be honest with Cody, about everything and for now he seems to be just fine with the way things are."

Jeannie looked at the floor for a second and then up. "After this all over I want to talk to Cody. I'm still not convinced that this is the life that I want for him."

Shaun nodded. "So, I take it that for now you and I are on a truce?"

Jeannie gave a small smile. "I guess so."

Shaun nodded again and then went back into the room and looked down at Zach who was still asleep. After a moment Jeannie came back in and shortly after that the Doctor came in. Her name tag read Dr. Jocelyn Ellsworth.

"How's he doing?" Shaun asked.

"Zach is doing quite well actually. Dr. Conneur did a good job of patching him up. But he's still going to be out for a while with the pain medication that he's on." Dr. Ellsworth said as she wrote down Zach's readings.

"When will he be able to go home?" Gabe asked as he made room for her to scoot around the bed, to check on the drip bags.

"Oh, I'd say at least a week and half two weeks maybe depending on how he's doing. I know Dr. Conneur said that'd like him to be here for a few days, but I think he might be in here a little longer." Dr. Ellsworth said as she moved back around. "If you need anything don't be afraid to ask one of the nurses on duty. I will be Zach's doctor for the remainder of his visit during the day. So if you need me don't be afraid to call me."

"Thank you, Dr. Ellsworth." Shaun said as she exited the room.

"I'm going to go back to my hotel for a while." Jeannie said and she left not ten minutes later. Shaun took the seat that was next to Zach's bed and he reached his hand out and picked up Zach's hand gingerly and leaned in and kissed his knuckles. Shaun remained there for awhile and eventually he fell asleep holding Zach's hand as he slept in the chair.

Shaun awoke some time later, his hand still holding Zach's. After a moment he heard voices out in the hall. Shaun stood up and moved to the door to see Gabe and his step-father in the hall talking. Larry noticed Shaun standing in the door way and broke off his conversation with Gabe and moved towards Shaun and held out a hand.

"Shaun, I'm sorry to hear about this." Larry said, as Shaun shook his hand.

"I'm going to admit that I'm surprised that you're here Larry. I thought that I wasn't your favorite person." Shaun said. Shaun had decided then and there to put what Gabe said the night before to the test.

Larry sighed. "Shaun, I want to apologize for the ass that I've been to you. It was uncalled for, and frankly very inappropriate on my part. I'll admit that I took the news of you being gay hard when you first came out to your mom and me, back when you were 19. Every time that you came home I wanted to say how sorry I was, but I let my pride get the better of my judgment every time.

"Shaun, what I really want to say is that I'm proud of you. I know that I'm just your step-dad, but I love you as if you were my son anyway. I know that I've never really showed it before, but I think it's time for me to start being a better person, not only for you, but for myself."

Gabe was smiling behind Larry as Shaun was shell shocked from what Larry said. Before Shaun knew what he was doing he moved forward and surprised both him and Larry as he gave the older man a hug. "Thanks, Larry. That means so much to me even now during this crap."

Larry patted Shaun a few times on the back. "Come on let me buy you lunch."

"What time is it?" Shaun asked as he backed away from Larry.

"Almost 2:00pm." Gabe said. "Don't worry about Cody, I already went back to check to see how he's doing with Samantha. She's got him pretty distracted for the most part, but I told him that Zach was still sleeping and doing well."

Shaun smiled. "Thanks, Gabe that really means a lot."

After going down to cafeteria and getting something to eat and small talk, Larry finally brought the conversation to a new one of concern. "Shaun, what are your plans for when Zach gets out?"

"I'm not sure really. I figured I'd talk to Doctor Ellsworth after Zach was more coherent and then make plans accordingly." Shaun said as he poured some creamer into his coffee cup.

"That sounds reasonable." Larry said as he put his elbows on the table and interlaced his fingers and set his chin on them. "You're going to need help though. I'm sure that Cody is going to be more than willing to help take care of Zach based on what I've heard from Gabe, but a five year old kid might not be the best thing around Zach with a broken leg and arm."

Shaun closed his eyes for a moment and breathed out his nose to try and stay calm, he didn't want to ruin this new relationship with Larry. "I know. But like I said, I was going to see what the Doctor says and then make the arrangements."

Gabe cleared his throat. "I have an idea for you, Shauny-boy. I'll admit that I'm not doing well in college, sorry Larry, but how about I come stay with the three of you and help out around the apartment while Zach recover's."

Larry still had his folded hands under his chin as he glanced between the two of them. "I personally think that's a really nice thing to do Gabe."

Shaun looked at Gabe and he saw the look of determination in his eyes and decided. "Ah to hell with it, Gabe thanks that really is awesome of you to do this. I'll talk to the land lord and make sure that that is alright with her."

Larry then set his hands on the table. "Alright let me know then and I will help pay for Gabe's moving expenses and get an extra bed for him. But, Shaun I want you to send me all of the medical bills as you get them."

Shaun looked confused for a moment. "May I ask why?"

Larry looked at Shaun with an all knowing kind look. "I want to pay for it. I have to make up for being an ass and this is one way I'd like to help."

"Larry, that's all fine and everything, but you don't need to do this, really." Shaun said he looked down at the table as if slightly embarrassed.

"Shaun, I actually insist on this, I care about Zach as if he were another son of mine. And well if this nation wasn't so damn pig headed I'm almost positive that you'd marry Zach and then he would be." Larry said. He then took a sip of his left over coke.

Shaun could feel the blush working its way up his face and he knew that Larry was right, but damn if had to be so blunt and obvious about it. "Larry I really appreciate it, but…"

Larry cut Shaun off. "Do I need to get you mother involved?"

After a small pause all three men broke into grins and chuckled. Shaun finally relented in the end and agreed to let Larry take care of the hospital bills.

"May I ask what the situation is with Cody and his mother?" Larry then asked.

Shaun shrugged. "Jeannie and I are on a truce at the moment. When Zach's feeling better she wants to talk about it. But for now she's going to let him stay."

Larry raised a questioning eyebrow. "Well, alright I guess just let me know on that one too. But if it comes down to it I agree with Gabe that Cody should stay with you and Zach. From what I've heard about over the last five years about how she's treated that kid, I'm surprised that Department of Family Services hasn't already stepped in and did something."

Shaun nodded and then drank some of his coffee. "Thanks Larry, I really can't thank you enough for everything. I feel that this is going to be easier to manage with the extra help."

Larry waved his hand. "It's nothing Shaun. You've been in my life for 20 years, and for most of that, it seemed that we resented one another and not really feel like a family. But I want you to know that if you need anything don't be afraid to call for some help. I know that it's not your style, but I'd sure appreciate it, because besides your guy's mom, you boys are all the family that I have."

"And the award for the gayest comment of the century goes to Larry." Gabe said with a smile on his face. Shaun half smiled at that, and then broke into a grin when he saw Larry laughing as he stood up from his seat.

"Gabe, you really know how to keep an old man entertained. Thanks you for letting me buy lunch for you two. but I need to get back to San Pedro and get some work done in the office. Shaun, again call me or your mother, if you need anything." Larry said and he walked out of the cafeteria.

Shaun polished off his coffee and then he and Gabe went back to Zach's room. When they arrived they found Annie and Tova there and both gave Shaun a hug, and asked for an update on Zach. For the rest of the afternoon the four of them visited as Shaun again held Zach's hand on the bed. After Annie and Tova left shortly after 6:00 Shaun looked at Gabe. "I think we better get going too. I'm sure Cody's driving Samantha up the wall."

Gabe gave Shaun a small smile. "I actually got her number when I left earlier and I texted her. She said that Cody's out like a light for now and that he wanted to tell Zach that he misses him."

"I miss the little guy too."

Shaun and Gabe both glanced up and saw that Zach had his eyes open. Shaun leaned in and kissed Zach on the forehead as Gabe stepped out to get the doctor.

"How long have I been in here?" Zach asked as he looked himself over. "Boy what the hell happened to me?"

Shaun's short happiness disappeared. "Zach, what do you remember?"

Zach kind of shrugged his shoulders. "I remember being at Gabe's party, you and I had a fight in my truck. Jeannie was pissed at me because Cody told her about you and I…I pushed you away saying that I was done with this."

Gabe came back in with Dr. Ellsworth amazingly, as she began to look over Zach Shaun looked at Gabe with tears in his eyes and then back at Zach. Gabe quickly picked up that something was wrong, but had his answer as to why a moment later. "Zach, that party was almost seven months ago. You've only been here in the hospital for a day."

Zach looked at Shaun confused. "Where's Jeannie?"

"She moved to Oregon remember?" Shaun said, as he felt his whole world just slipping right out from underneath of him. Doctor Ellsworth continued her check up and she could tell that this apparently wasn't going well.

"No, I don't. Last thing I remember is that she and I were fighting about us. She then threatened to take Cody away from me if I continued to see you. Shaun seriously what's going on?" Zach asked again as he became more confused.

Shaun let go of Zach's hand as much as it hurt him to do so, but he had to get away for a minute and he stood and headed for the door. "Sorry, I got to go."

"Shaun?" Zach called after him, but Shaun continued down the hall. "Shaun!"

But Shaun was now on autopilot and he went straight for the elevators. Before he knew it he was standing next to his Outback, with his hands shaking so hard that his car keys were jingling like crazy.

"Shaun, wait up!"

Shaun finally snapped out of his temporary loss of reality and watched as Gabe ran over from the entrance to him. "Shaun, what the hell was that?"

"Gabe, he doesn't remember." Shaun said as tears slid down his face. "He doesn't remember the last seven months that he and I had. It's gone."

"Shaun, it's only temporary. It's not like he's going to have amnesia for the rest of his life." Gabe said.

Shaun turned to Gabe now. "But Gabe what if it is permanent? Then the last thing that he remembers about him and I, is a fight when he was hiding our relationship from Jeannie. He doesn't remember any of his new friends, starting art school, and definitely not coming to LA to live with me and Jeannie dumping Cody on him."

Gabe opened his mouth and closed it again. He took the keys from Shaun. "Look, Shaun, I empathize for you, I really do. Come on let's get you home, and we'll have a talk with Cody. Then you and I will come back tomorrow and talk to Dr. Ellsworth, for she said that she would like to talk to us about Zach. I'll drive."

Shaun nodded and walked over to the passenger side and got in as Gabe started the car. Shaun looked out the window and cursed silently at what ever supernatural tormentor that seems to plague his life. It just seems like he's never supposed to be happy.