A\N: Thank you so much to everybody who has been reading and reviewing this story. It helps me keep writing. I want to dedicate this chapter to my good friend and role model to Andorian Ice Princesses-AIP who encouraged me to keep going even though I was having a diffuclt time. This chapter is dedicated to you and I hope it makes you feel a little better.

Disclaimer: I do not own Flashpoint, CTV, ION the NBA, Hersey or Applebee College.

Spoilers: Between Heartbeats, Clean Hands, One Wrong Move, Jumping at Shadows, Fault Lines and Personal Effects.

Warnings: None

No Comparisons

The next day as Joanne King approached her sons hospital room she was not surprised to see Dean alone. The Greg Parker she had know would not have cared less that his son was injured and certainly wouldn't bother visiting him. She however was surprised to see the amount of flowers, gifts and cards that surrounded her seventeen-year-old son and figured that he had been in the hospital longer then her ex had said.

"Dean," Joanne knocked on open hospital room door, "How are you feeling?"

"Hi Mom," Dean turned to his mother, "My shoulder's really sore but I'm on controlled morphine," Dean explained.

"I see, and where's your father?" Joanne crossed her arms in an angry huff.

"Mom!" Dean immediately went into a defensive mode, "Dad just stepped out for a few seconds, he wanted to get an update on the case. He's been with me all night and hasn't slept at all."

"Uh-huh," Joanne scoffed at the idea, "And where did all of these gifts come from?" She inquired.

"Oh, well this is from Spike," Dean showed her his small stress ball that was supposed to help strengthen his uninjured and less dominate left arm. "And this is from Spike, Sam and Clark!" Dean showed her the signed Dallas Mavericks jersey that they had gotten him at the pervious nights game, "Oh and these are all from the Lane's and Wordsworths," Dean motioned to the candy, "The flowers are from Sandy and Lilly and the TV and DVD player is from Jules. She said she wished she had those when she was in hospital. Clark's going to come visit later and we're going to watch some movies."

"The Lanes?" Joanne questioned, "You mean Sophie and Ed Lane? They had a son named Clark right?"

Dean nodded his head, "Yeah Clark's great! So is Mr. Lane! He's really cool."

"Ah," Joanne let out a low sigh, "I don't remember that," She commented aloud.

"A lot's changed since you've been here Joanne," Greg walked slowly into the room coming face-to-face with his ex-wife for the first time in ten years.

"That I don't believe," Joanne turned to face her ex-husband, "You know what I think about your job and family priorities."

"Leave Dad alone! He's changed, he's a great father and he's great at his job!"

"Well, well I see you've corrupted my son, I hope you're happy."

Hearing his ex-wife refer to Dean as her stung Greg deeply.

"I'm not just your son," Dean stated, "I'm glad you're here Mom but I don't like seeing the to of you fight."

"Well you don't have to worry about that Dean," Joanne promised her son, "Because as soon as you're able we're flying back to Dallas."

"No!" Dean's tone became angry, "You can't make me leave again! I like it here, I have friends here and Dad and Marina treat me better then you ever did, no comparisons."

Joanne looked dumbstruck and all she could get out was "Why?"

"They don't slam you or tell me what an awful mother you are. Dads told Marina all about what happened in the past. They have an open and honest relationship. You told most of your boyfriend's that Dad didn't even exist and when I was younger you didn't even mention him at all, sometimes not even me."

"Dean, it's perfectly normal-"

"Look, I know most of your families in Dallas and you like it there. I know that's where you grew up and you miss it. I'll miss Toronto Mom, I'll miss Clark and Lilly and Dad's team but most importantly I'll miss Dad and Marina and I know you don't want to have to drag me home."

Joanne rolled her eyes, "Who's this Mariana? Is she some nanny?" She turned to Greg with a sense of pure hatred.

"No. She's my girlfriend, she lives with us."

"Oh, she lives with you. I was wondering why Dean wasn't dying from starvation! You probably don't even take care of him."

"Mom, that's enough!" Dean could sense his father's sadness turning into anger, "I think this might be a good time for you to leave. And if you're only here to insult my father and force me back with you then you may as well just leave all together."

"Dean you shouldn't say that to your mother," Greg spoke up, "All she want's is what's best for you."

"Why are you defending her? She's done nothing but criticize you."

"Dean," Greg held up his hand in an effort to silence his son, "I think now would be a good time to rest while your mother and I go outside and talk this over."

"Yes Sir," Dean nodded his head as he picked up his novel he had placed on the table when his mother walked in.

"Joanne," Greg led his ex into an empty waiting room, "I don't appreciate those kind of comments. Whether you choose to believe it or not I've changed my life around. I'll be the first to admit I made a lot of mistakes but I'm trying to fix them now. Dean's a great kid and he's happy here."

"I can see that. He seems to have a lot of friends."

"Yeah he does."

"Including Clark Lane. If I remember correctly his father Ed used to be your drinking buddy."

"Ed made sure I came home alive each night. When you took Dean and left seven years ago he support me through my rehab and my recovery ever since. His son Clark remembered Dean as soon as he came back. They go to the same school and they do everything together. They lean on each other for support just like Ed and I do."

"And how about Spike, Sam and Jules. Are they friend's from school?"

No they're all on my team. They've all taken quite a liking to Dean, Spike especially."

"Ah, I see and what makes Spike so special?"

"They're both into math and science. Spike more so then Dean but he has fun helping Spike make robots anyways plus Dean like's playing pranks on people and so does Spike."

"I see, so you're letting him hang around with those types of people? Do you really believe they are the best influences on him?"

"If you're referring you the fact he wants to be in the SRU he wanted that before he came to live with me. So you can't pin that one on me."

"He didn't want anything to do with you until he sneaked off to see you and saw you supposedly save someone's life." Joanne smirked, "I'd be the first to bet it was all a set up."

"Feel free to come by the station and see what you say I supposedly do anytime you want."

"Uh-huh, like that's going to happen."

"Hey Joanne," Ed suddenly appeared in the room followed by Clark and a clearly uncomfortable Sophie who was holding Izzy. "You remember my wife Sophie and my son Clark."

"Yeah, I do." Joanne turned to Ed, "You've lost your hair," She commented.

"That's not the only thing he's lost," Clark snickered.

"Yeah, this one stole all my hair," Ed ruffled Clark's curls.

"Dad!" Clark groaned.

Izzy who was still tired from her toddler-sized medication looked at Greg, "Geggie," The Toddler reached her arms out for him.

"Not now sweetie, Uncle Greg's a little busy, we should all get going." She glared at Ed.

"Yeah come on Izzy I'll take you to Dean," Clark took his little sister in his arms.

'Yay!" The toddler clapped happily.

"We'll go with you," Sophie, whose hands were now free grabbed Ed's arm and began dragging him out of the room.

"Soph," Ed stared at his wife in embarrassment when they were out of the room, "What was that for?"

"For bragging in on a private conversation," Sophie punched his shoulder, "You know better then that."

"Soph," Ed moved his wife out of earshot, "Joanne's a monster, you heard what she said. And that's not all she's done she-"

"And you don't know what Greg did to her ten years ago. While you were out with Greg I was comforting and helping Joanne manage. She wanted to help him but it got to the point where she couldn't do it anymore. She left for her and for Dean."

"Yeah well it tore Greg apart. I'm not going to stand here and watch as she leaves with Dean again."

"It's different now, he's sober and Dean is old enough to choose who he wants to live with. And you and I both now he might not have stopped if Joanne didn't decide to leave in the middle of the night. Things might have turned out a whole lot differently. No one knows."

"Yeah well I know she's not taking Dean anywhere," Ed turned and walked towards Dean's hospital room.

At two o'clock when Dean and Clark were on their third movie in a row there was a knock on the now closed hospital room door.

"It's Dr. Carver, I have a surprise I think you'll want to see."

Clark paused the DVD and looked suspiciously at his best friend. After their previous experience with the man who clamed to be a doctor both teenagers did not trust him.

"How come when I told my parents you fixed my arm they said they'd never heard of you?"

"That's because another doctor told me to. He knew I was young and he thought I might be able to connect with you. I should have told you that but I forgot. Now can I come in?"

"What's the surprise?" Dean wondered.

"Now if he told you that it wouldn't be much of a surprise," Sandy walked in. She was wearing a pair of skinny jeans, a blue-checkered button down shirt, with three buttons open and, to Dean's displeasure a white tank top underneath. Paired with her outfit was a green scarf.

"Hey," Dean sat up and smiled, "Thanks for the flowers."

Sandy smiled, Dean loved her smile, "No problem I was so worried about both of you."

"Yeah well Clark worries a lot of people," Dean joked.

"Very funny," Clark retorted, "So I'll just leave you to alone now, you know you make-out and stuff." He grinned as he left the room followed by Dr. Carver.

"Clark, are you and Dean finished?" Joanne walked down the hallway and towards Clark and Dr. Carver.

"Uh…"

"Are you one of Dean's doctors? I'm his mother Joanne." She then turned to Dr. Carver.

"No, sorry Mrs. Parker I'm not."

"It's King." Joanne stated bluntly.

"Sorry," Dr. Carver apologized, "Anyways I'm not one of his doctors just a visitor. I have to go see patients not though." He excused himself.

Turning her attention back to Clark Joanne asked again, "Are you finished visiting with my son."

"I am," Clark nervously spoke, "But his girlfriend is in there with him."

"Oh well," Joanne walked past Clark and opened the door to her son's hospital room.

"Mom!" Dean who was flirting with Sandy groaned when his mother stormed into his hospital room, "The door was closed for a reason!"

"Uh-huh, does your father let you do this sort of thing with the door closed?"

"I should go," Sandy blushed furiously, "Feel better soon Dean." She placed a soft kiss on his cheek as she quickly walked out of the room.

Joanne raised her eyebrows at Sandy as she left and then turned to Dean, "I see she's quite the fashion queen."

"Mom! Why are you acting like this? Just leave me alone," Dean had never been as furious at his mother as he was right now. "Why can't you let me stay here?"

Joanne walked towards his hospital room door and closed it, "Dean you were young when we left. You don't remember some of the things your father put us through. I'm just afraid he'll do the same things to you again.

"Mom, he's changed. I don't know how many times I've told you that!" Dean heavily sighed, "Why can't you see that?"

"Because I know better."

"No Mom you don't," Dean insisted, "Dad's a better person now. He saves people lives on a daily basics and he leads the best SRU team in the city. He always has time to help me with my homework and he helps is teammates as well. Ask anyone that knows him and they'll tell you how great he is."

"The problem is Dean I know how he was. One day he could snap and then start drinking again. You shouldn't be living in an environment with someone as unstable as that.

"He has dealt with a lot of stress Mom. A few years ago when some calls he made came into question a military physiatrist had to come and evaluated the team. He's had to deal with loosing team members and other's getting shot as well. He's the glue that holds his team together. But he also talks about his feelings and he goes and gets help when he needs it. And when I say help I mean a doctor not a bottle."

"Dean, you're acting like a child! If you hadn't gone sneaking off you see him none of this would have happened."

"If I hadn't gone to see Dad I never would have realized all the lies that you've fed me."

"Don't you dare talk to me like that young man!"

"Mom! I'm not going to Dallas, it's that simple; Now either you start accepting that Dad has changed or I'll call security have tell them not to let you enter the hospital again."

"Don't come crying to me when you show up in Dallas with another broken bone!" Joanne stormed out of the room.

"Hey Clark, are you okay?" Lilly tried to sound calm as she followed her boyfriend into the hospital.

"Yeah," Clark didn't turn to look at her, "I'm fine, why wouldn't I be?"

"Because you were involved in a shoot-out," Lilly grabbed his arm, forcing him to look into her eyes, "And we both know you were in pretty bad shape after it happened."

"Nah, it was just shock," Clark released himself from her grasp and continued on his way, "You worry to much."

"Clark!" Lilly huffed, "For someone who doesn't want to be anything like his father you're currently acting like him."

"I'm fine!" Clark turned to look at her and then sped up his pace. "You coming or not?" He turned around just in front of the doors.

"Yeah," Lilly sighed.

When the pair walked into the hospital Clark spotted Sandy sitting in the common area where they had agreed to meet.

"Hey Sandy," Clark offered a smile to his new friend, "Hope you weren't waiting long. Lilly here had to go home and change into new clothes." He pointed at his girlfriend.

Sandy stood looking somewhat confused, "But I thought you went to a public school?"

"We do but Lilly has to change five times a day," Clark laughed.

"Clark," Lilly punched his shoulder.

Sandy chose not to respond to Clark and turned her attention to Lilly instead. The teenager had shoulder length golden blonde hair and blue eyes.

"Hi," She offered her hand, "My names Sandy."

"Hi," Lilly shook her hand offering a small smile, "So Clark tells me you go to Applebee?"

"Yeah," Sandy had expected her peers eye roll and light sigh. Just because she went to a private school people thought she was a snobby rich girl.

"I see," Lilly released her hand, "So how do you like it?"

"It's okay," She said, "I don't stay in residence so I'm home a lot."

"So your parents aren't like ambassadors or anything?" Lilly's stance indicated what she felt like she was under attack.

"No actually my mother's a judge and my father's chief of police."

"Oh okay," Lilly was still defensive.

"Yeah Sandy's pretty cool." Clark sensed something was wrong, "Dean and I met her at that police dinner on Friday."

"Oh cool," Lilly shrugged her shoulders as they began to make their way towards the elevators.

As they approached Dean's hospital room Clark knocked on the door and waited until Dean said they could come in.

"Wow!" He exclaimed as he saw the new load of sweets that had been dropped off "I feel like I've just entered Dean's Chocolate Factory. Is this your Dad's way of making sure you don't become a cop?" He wondered as he helped himself to a full sized Heresy chocolate bar.

"Maybe," Dean chuckled at his friend's remark.

"Who keeps bringing you all this candy?" Sandy asked?"

"How long do we have?" He motioned to the names on the different gift bags and packages, "I think every cop in the city have sent at least one thing."

"But why?" Lilly wondered, "You're not a cop? Why are they doing this?"

"I don't know?" Dean shrugged his shoulders.

"Sargent Parker Chief Reynolds's will see you now," A secretary hanged up a phone and motioned for Greg to walk through the oak double doors and into the Chief's office.

"Thank you," Greg rose and walked into the all to familiar office.

"Sargent Parker," Chief Reynolds's paused slightly noting the envelope in Greg's hands, "If that's a letter of resignation, I don't want to hear it."

"No, this letter arrived in my mail box today. I thought you might want to read it."

"Take a seat and I will," The Chief said as he took the envelope out of the SRU Sargent's hand.

"This letter is addressed to your son," He observed, "Why did you open it?"

"I don't have to tell you the unusual occurrence of an unstamped and unaddressed letter. Especially given the circumstances."

"No, no you don't," The chief opened the envelope that only had Dean's name written in pencil and read it to himself. As he read the letter his facial expressions changed a number of times and then he finally folded the letter and placed it back in the envelope. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention,"

"Of course Sir, now do you want to tell me why my seventeen year old son is getting death threats if he continues to see your daughter or is it classified?"

Chief Reynolds's rubbed his brow, "No, no I guess you should know." He sighed.

"Does it have anything to do with the new crime bill?"

"Yes," Chief Reynolds's nodded his head, "A few years ago Lilly and her cousin Dylan were got robbed at gun-point by a notorious gang. They were walking to his house from a late movie and got caught by surprise. The guys were wearing masks and this gang is known to kill its victims so no charges were pressed.

"Hence the crime bill."

Chief Reynolds sadly nodded his head, "A lot of people advised me not to put the bill through considering what happened but I wanted to make sure it never happened again."

"It was a risky move for sure," Greg agreed, "But from my perspective I think it was a good one. Unfortunately the person who dropped this letter off at my apartment was wearing a black hoodie and walked around the cameras. I don't think we'll be able to get a clear picture."

"I'll put your apartment building on immediate surveillance, and put armed guards outside your son's hospital room door." The Chief picked up his phone to make the calls.

"Thank you, but the surveillance at my apartment won't be necessary they aren't after me."

"I'm afraid it's not up for discussion Sargent."

TBC

A\N: Please review and tell me what you thought about this chapter.