A/N: Sorry for the extra bit of time it took me to update this story. I hope you all will enjoy this installment!

Chapter 6

Linda ran up the stairs as quickly as she could, going to Shane's bedroom. She tried opening the door but found that he had locked it. She pounded on the door as loud as she could, calling out to her son. "Shane! Shane open the door!"

Upon receiving no answer Linda tried the handle again, even though she was well aware it was locked. It was that unrealistic hope that somehow the door would no longer be locked between her and her son. While doing this Linda remembered that she and Vince had a key for each of their kids' rooms. She went quickly to the master bedroom, opening up the safe they had in their walk-in closet. She grabbed the ring of keys and headed back to Shane's bedroom door, trying each key until she found the correct one to let her into her son's bedroom.

When she opened the bedroom door Linda saw that Shane was in bed, sitting up, covers pulled around him as tightly as he could. She could see the fear etched on his features. She walked to the bed, sitting down on the edge, reaching a hand out to gently touch her son's leg. Shane flinched at the contact but Linda did not pull her hand away. She spoke his name softly, "Shane? Honey, are you okay?"

Shane, for his part, remained silent. He turned his gaze to his mother's face and the only description to what Linda saw in her boy's eyes was one simple word; haunted. Tentatively, Linda reached up to cup his cheek, watching his eyes close. Shane didn't flinch or move away from his mother this time so she took a chance, shifting closer so she could gently pull her son into her arms. To Linda's relief, Shane leaned into her embrace, allowing her to provide him with some semblance of comfort. Linda didn't attempt to question Shane at that moment. All she wanted to do is try to bring him any little bit of solace she could give him. Slowly she felt Shane's body relax against hers. A tiny sigh of relief escaped her lips. At least she was still able to comfort her son.

His voice was soft when he spoke up about ten minutes later, surprising Linda, as she had thought he had fallen asleep. "I'm sorry, Mom."

Linda closed her eyes, replying softly, her tone reassuring. "No, honey. Please don't apologize. You have nothing to apologize for." She gently combed her fingers through her son's dark hair, hoping to keep him calm as she asked her next question. "Shane? What was your dream about?"

She felt Shane sigh heavily, waiting patiently until Shane spoke again, his voice barely above a whisper. "I remembered..."

"Remembered what, baby?" Linda suspected she knew but she wanted to hear it from Shane.

"The fight with Dad... the accident." Shane reached up to quickly wipe his face. He didn't want to fall apart any further in front of his mother.

"Oh, honey..." Linda had expected that maybe the incident between Shane and Vince would be recalled, but when he added that he remembered the accident, Linda's heart broke for him.

"It's okay, Mom. I'll be okay."

"Oh, Shane. I don't know what it is you remembered.. what you went through... but I am so sorry you had to go through that alone. If I could make it go away I would." She hugged her precious son a little more securely, being mindful not to hurt him still.

"I know you would, Mom." His soft words, this admission, made his mother's night. Her words earlier had gotten through to him.

Shane yawned, shifting just a little bit, but not trying to extract himself from his mother's comforting hold. Instead, he settled against her, not wanting to be alone. Linda was glad that he had not asked her to leave. Stephanie was already in bed and Vince could wait to hear from her until tomorrow if necessary, although she would probably slip away long enough to give him a quick call. She settled in and held her son while he fell asleep again, her hand gently rubbing his back in a soothing motion. She reminisced about how long it had been since Shane had leaned on her for support, first with a smile and then it dawned on her. Shane had pulled away because he didn't think she loved him. Her smile slipped away and she blinked back tears. She vowed at this moment that Shane would never feel that way again, definitely not where she was concerned.

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It was a full hour after Shane fell asleep that Linda carefully released her hold, tucking her son in before she went to call Vince. She knew he had to be going crazy with worry. Once she was downstairs, she picked up the phone, calling the phone in his hotel room. He answered quickly, the worry evident in his tone. "Linda?"

"Yes, honey. It's me." Linda immediately explained, saving Vince the trouble of having to ask. "Shane had a nightmare. He remembered the accident and the fight between the two of you."

Vince sighed; he had been afraid of that. "How is he now?"

"He's okay. He was sleeping when I left the room. I'm going to stay in with him tonight. He was so shaken up, Vince..."

"Of course he was. We have no idea what he recalled from that accident." Vince paused briefly, then added. "I'm coming home first thing tomorrow. We need to have a real conversation about this. I want Shane to know that I'm not just placating him by treating him well when I'm at home. I want him to see that I'll drop everything to help him."

Linda smiled at her husband's words. She was glad that he was willing to take the extra step so Shane understood that he was a very important part of his father's life. "I think that is something that he needs. It will be some of the best medicine for him."

Vince nodded. He could hear the fatigue in his wife's voice. "Honey, why don't you go and get some sleep? Stay with Shane if you must but please, sleep."

Linda smiled at her husband's show of affection. "I will. You get some sleep, too. Especially if you are coming home in the morning."

"Yes, ma'am." Vince smiled. "I love you."

"I love you too, honey. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, sweetheart."

Vince hung up and Linda set the phone in its cradle to charge. She yawned as she stood up. She was very tired. She climbed the stairs, heading back to her son's bedroom. She was happy to see that he was still resting peacefully in his bed. She went into the room, leaving the door open just a crack. She settled in next to Shane, back where she had been before going to call Vince, pillows adjusted behind her back so she could rest comfortably. Shane shifted over, obviously sensing her presence again, resting his head against her side. Linda smiled, closing her eyes as she rubbed Shane's back again. She fell asleep shortly afterwards, neither her or Shane waking again until the following day.