So, here is chapter two. Warning: there will be a bit of angst in this chapter. I still don't own any of the Coolidge's, or Wes, and Dakota. Enjoy.

As they reached a room with a closed door, Wes, and Kat stopped, and Wes turned to Stephan, "I'm sorry, but you're going to be sharing with me."

He just nodded, and Wes sighed before opening the door. All at once a blur of black streaked out of the room.

Wes lunged, but missed, stumbling against the door frame "No boy! Don't!"

The blur darted past Kat, and came to a stop, barking and wagging its tale, at Stephan's feet. He startled, then bent down slowly, petting the dog. Wes, and Kat, who had been watching tensely, relaxed as they saw Stephan, not exactly, but almost smile.

Wes stepped forward "Sorry about that. He's a rescue we found, and I forgot that he was in there. He doesn't have a name."

Stephan looked up, and Wes was startled by the look in his eyes, a look a hope. But in a instant, the look disappeared, going back to the guarded look he had before. Wes motioned into the room, and went in, leading Kat and Stephan.

Stephan looked around at the room. There were two beds, both made, with bedside tables beside them, and a dresser in between. He waited till Wes sat on one of the beds, then moved to the other bed and sat down. Stephan sighed looking at the floor as the silence began to get uncomfortable, he heard Wes shift, and looked up, watching him and Kat.

He could see that Kat was thin, and pale, and that she was wearing a wig. All signs of someone having cancer. Movement from the other bed startled him, and he jerked his gaze over to see Wes standing. He tensed, waiting to see what he was going to do, when suddenly something soft bumped his hand. He looked down to see the big black dog nudging him, and he smiled to himself. At least they had a friendly dog. Wes walked to the door motioning to Kat to follow "If you'd like you can stay here till supper, or come out with us."

Stephan looked away, and the door closed, leaving him with the dog. He sighed and got up, heading to the door, searching for a lock, when he found none he leaned against it, sliding down, till he was sitting with he knees to his chest. Mindful of his broken arm, he rested his head on his knees, taking deep breaths, trying to calm his fears. This wouldn't be the same, it was starting out differently already. But he had thought that about other 'homes' as well. He felt a warm body curl up against him, and he drifted off into a troubled sleep

He jolted awake, breathing heavily from the dream, as he scurried away from the door. He was glad he was woken up, but he didn't know why he woke up. There was a knock on the door, and he scrambled back further, trying to get away, while the dog came and stood in front of him. The door opened, and the oldest boy that Stephan had seen, Hank stuck his head in. When he saw Stephan on the floor, with the dog standing in front of him, he frowned and stepped in "Are you okay?"

Stephan moved further back, berating himself for not standing faster. The dog, sensing his distress, growled softly at Hank, who looked surprised, then backed up, "It's alright. I was just letting you know that supper's ready."

Stephan scrambled to his feet, and nodded, when Hank had left, he bent to pat the dog, then followed Hank silently down the hall. When they reached the dinning room, Stephan froze as he took in the new person sitting at the table. She was tall, and had dark hair, and she seemed to be about eighteen.

She stood and went to him, holding out a hand "Hi, I'm Dakota."

Stephan stepped back, as he looked at her hand, and she quickly withdrew it, her smile faltering for a second before she turned to someone behind him "Popeye, it smells so good!"

He jumped and spun to find Mr. Coolidge coming into the room, and he involuntarily let his mask slip, shewing his confusion.

Mr. Coolidge laughed and explained "That's what they call me."

Just then Mrs. Coolidge walked in "Good! We're all here. Stephan, you can sit where ever you'd like."

Stephan watched as everyone took a seat, then looking around he took the one that was farthest from the others, hesitating a bit before he sat tensely, he hadn't been in a situation like this for a while, and he didn't want to make them angry.

After the meal, when every one was getting up, Stephan hurriedly stood, looking around at what to do next, and Wes motioned to the table

"We all work together to clean up after supper."

Stephan nodded, and began stacking the dishes. He watched Kat out of the corner of his eye; she had seemed shaky during the meal, and now as she was carrying some glasses, he saw her tremble. He jumped toward her catching her lightly by the shoulders, as her grip on the glasses slipped, and she started collapsing. Stephan held her steady till she regained her balance, then led her to one of the chairs, he stood up, after making sure she was fine, then turned to the others who were frozen, staring at them. He clenched his jaw, and stepped forward, he wouldn't let her get hurt,

"Leave her alone." His voice was rough, from not using it in a long time, but he didn't care. He turned back to Kat "You need your room?"

She hesitated, then after glancing at the others nodded, she stood but swayed and would have fallen if Stephan hadn't lowered her back down. He turned to study the others, and saw their concern, he sighed and motioned to Hank

"Don't hurt her." He stepped back to the table as he watched Hank step up to Kat and pick her up. He looked down, continuing to stack the dishes, and noticed that his hands were shaking, he frowned and pressed them down on the table, taking a deep breath. A sudden voice broke into his thoughts, and he jumped.

"Stephan, why don't you go back to your room. We can finish here."

He looked up to see Mrs. Coolidge looking at him with concern, he sighed, then moved towards the room. Once in, he took off his shoes and lay down on the bed, smiling slightly as the dog came and lay beside the bed, looking up at him.

So...what do you guys think? Please let me know. Criticism is welcome, and appreciated. Untill next time...