Henry never left Shawn's side the entire evening. He took turns between nodding off and just sitting and staring at his son. He tried to process the past few days. "How could a grieving father cause another father to suffer so much?" He shook his head in disbelief then looked at his son with pride. "He never stopped fighting." He made him self snicker at the next thought, "I guess that stubborn personality finally paid off for him."

He must have nodded off again because the next thing he remembered the sun was up and Gus was waking him up. Gus tried to be quiet but Henry was not a sound sleeper. Gus saw that he was awake and asked, "How is Shawn doing this morning?" Henry smiled a weak and sad smile and answered, "About the same, no signs of life yet from him."

Gus handed Henry the supplies from his house and then he opened a bag and showed him an assortment of drinks and snacks. He told the older man, "These should help him keep up is strength." Henry smiled and said thank you.

The two sat in silence for a few minutes then Gus broke the silence, "You know Mr. Spencer, he is going to be just fine. He made it through the last few days, recovery should be nothing for him. I will be here to help you with him every step of the way. He is my best friend, there isn't anything I wouldn't do for him."

Henry smiled, "Thank You Gus, that means so much to me. I envy the friendship that you two have, it is a very special thing." Gus smile and patted Shawn's arm, "I know, we are pretty lucky to have each other."

Gus stayed till he had to leave to do his route, but he promised to bring some dinner with him when he visited tonight. Henry smiled in appreciation and then he was left alone again with his son.

Throughout the day there was not any change in Shawn's condition but there was a steady stream of visitors. They all came in for a few minutes and then left Henry to stand watch over his boy.

Gus came in, as promised, that night and brought two jerk chicken dinners for them. The two men sat and chatted about Shawn and Gus's exploits as children. They didn't notice at first, a small tear falling from Shawn's eyes. Henry glanced over toward Shawn and about dropped his dinner when he saw the tear.

He started to rub Shawn on the arm to let him know that he was okay and Gus and him were there for him waiting for him to wake up. Still no open eyes but the two men could have sworn they saw a smile.

The two men sat and examined every breath and twitch that Shawn made looking for any more signs of life from him. After about two hours Gus decided that nothing was going to happen and he was going to go home. He got up to leave and gathered his stuff. Unfortunately he didn't notice Shawn's hand curl into a fist for him to bump on his way out.

Henry was alone again with his son. He cleaned up the room and turned off the lights except the one he always left on and he settled in the chair next to Shawn. He told Shawn, "We finally got you a room with one of those comfy recliner chairs. I can lean back now and not have to put a crick in my neck. I might have to get one of these for the house it really is pretty comfortable."

He leaned back in his chair and covered himself up and put his hand on top of Shawn's and told him good night. He leaned back and fell asleep. He woke up about an hour later feeling Shawn's fingers moving under his hand.

He kept his eyes closed and tried to feel what his son was doing, then it came to him, as his thumb and fore finger extended and made an "L", then the same fingers closed to form an "O", then the first two fingers made a "V" and then he closed his hand to form an "E".

Henry lost it when he realized what he was spelling. He gently rubbed his hand and said, "I Love you to Shawnie" He sat looking at his son with tears streaming down his face. He was almost willing Shawn to open his eyes and his will was rewarded. Shawn slowly opened his green eyes.

Henry was looking at him and with the biggest smile, "Well hello there, it is so wonderful to see you awake. I have started to go a little nuts holding up both ends of the conversation." Shawn just smiled at his Dad.

Henry asked if he remembered what happened. Shawn gave a small sad nod yes. Henry saw the sadness in his eyes and assured him he was safe now.

In that short exchange of words and glances Henry felt the weight of the world fall off his shoulders. He knew that anything they had to face would be okay now that he was awake.

Shawn looked with at his Dad with a pained look on his face and he pointed to his neck. His Dad understood what he was asking and began to tell him the whole story of how they found him and how his airway collapsed and the trach was the only way they could save him. He assured him that now that he is awake the doctor would surely remove it soon.

Shawn looked sad but understood. His eyes were starting to get really heavy. Henry told him to sleep some more and he would let the Doctor know he woke up and call and let people know you're awake.

Before he left the room he called Karen Vick. Henry was so excited he didn't even let her say hello he blurted out, "he is awake Karen, Shawn is awake." Karen let out a huge sigh of relief and told Henry, "Oh Henry, that is the best news I have heard all day." She paused for a minute; Henry could tell something was wrong. He said, "Karen you aren't telling me something really important, what is it?"

Karen answered, "Henry, we got another package today form the kidnapper. I guess he heard that Shawn was still alive and he sent us a letter saying, "So Shawnie boy is stronger than I thought he was. Guess my work isn't through. Oh how I hate to leave things unfinished."

Henry was furious he angrily whispered, so Shawn wouldn't hear, "God Dam it that Maniac is going to try and finish the job! We have to protect him!"

Karen assured him that the guard would continue to be posted outside the room until he is caught. "Henry we WILL catch him and we will not allow anything else happen to Shawn, okay, you have my word."

Henry just stood rubbing what was left of his hair, "Okay Karen, can you let everyone know about Shawn waking up for me. I was going to go outside and call everyone but not now. I know the guard is out there but I am not leaving my son's side till there is a toe tag on that insane freak or he is sharing a cell with a very angry gang member. I know your officer is there but after what he went through I am not going to trust his protection to anyone but me."

Karen said, "Henry, I feel the same way. I told my husband to stay a few more days with his family just in case. Have a good night and we will be in touch."