Hey Guys, So again I just want to reiterate how much I'm loving your reviews! Keep 'em coming, I really appreciate it!

So guess what? We made it! It's time to finally find out what's happened to Micah I know some of you have been dying to know for a week now so I wont leave you in anymore suspense here or even in the chapter. That's right, we open up with that scene right away. Enjoy!

A/N: Minor use of expletives.

Cold in the Rain.

Chapter Seven – Finally letting Go.

"Look who's here!" Nurse Michaels said moving into Micah's room.

"Son!" Micah cried weakly.

But Andy, who wanted nothing more than to hug his Papa, had suddenly become rooted to the spot. Not only did he have a weakened voice but Micah was attached to several tubes and had an IV drip sticking out of his arm. Andy hated hospitals and needles at the worst of times, but to see all this on his Papa, seemed to be too much for his mind to cope with.

"Could you give us a minute?" Micah croaked to the nurse.

"Of course," she smiled as she left the two alone.

"It's still me, son." Micah breathed.

"W-w… wh-what h-h… happened?" Andy finally asked.

"In truth, I was an idiot." Micah revealed. "I was down at Babylon and…"

And like that, it was though whatever had Andy frozen had unfrozen him as a wave of cynicism took over.

"Of course you were," he interrupted looking at his Papa sorrowfully.

Now that he could move Andy walked over to his Papa.

"C-c-can I hug you?" he asked, fearing that by doing so he may damage one of the tubes.

"You'd better!" his Papa laughed.

As Andy got closer, he saw that Micah's right arm was actually free. It was only his left arm that was hooked up to the IV Pole and the tubes, though moments ago looked so ominous now hardly seemed as bad as first glance. Andy practically threw himself into his Papa's arm and rested his head on his chest. Just being with him again and even smelling his Papa's scent made him realize how much he had missed him despite the fact that it had only been a few days. But here he was tubes and all and Andy was just so grateful to see his Papa, that everything that had happened in the past week came flooding out of his eyes as he sobbed uncontrollably.

Micah held his son close. There was no way he was going to be the first to let go. Even if Andy cried for an hour straight, he knew this was exactly what he needed. And though Micah wouldn't admit it himself, this is what he had needed too. Momentarily forgetting his predicament Micah sighed contentedly.

"Finally letting go huh?" he asked noting that these were the first tears Andy had shed in front of him since everything that had gone down with Jay.

Normally and especially under these dyer situations Andy would stop himself and apologize for acting this way when clearly the other man was in a worse situation. But there was something about his Papa that seemed to break down all of the walls he seemed to keep up around others and so he simply nodded, still buried in Micah's chest.

"Mmm-hmmm" came the muffled response from the boy.

Twenty minutes, though what had seemed like an hour later, Andy lifted his head and kissed his Papa before grabbing a nearby chair and sitting in it.

"Ok," he said, wiping away the stray tears that had not managed to find their way to Micah's chest. "Continue. You were at Babylon… AND?!"

Micah momentarily paralyzed by Andy's sudden change of tone became quite stunned, but then rightened himself and continued his story.

"Yep, I was at the top balcony area, you know the view point."

Andy smiled and nodded. The 'view point' was the highest point you could stand at the gay club Babylon. The gays called it that because from that point, you could look over the balcony and get the perfect view of all the hot guys on the dance floor.

"Well Brian and I were arguing because-…"

"Oh no! You… DIDN'T!" Andy responded angrily.

"Didn't what?" his Papa asked.

Andy could see it play out in his mind and as much as he loved his Papa for it, he couldn't believe he had said something.

"You talked to Brian about the whole Jay and me thing, didn't you?" he asked, though mad, still quite concerned.

Micah never responded, but by the sheepish look he was giving off now, he didn't have to.

"Oh Papa!" Andy exclaimed. "I love you more than words, but… why?"

"Andy!" Micah tried rolling towards him, but found himself restricted by the IV Pole, so Andy got up and sat on the bed.

"You're my son. I'm not going to have anyone talking crap about you, even if it is…B!"

Micah had lowered his voice so much before mentioning the name of the man who had played a major part in Jay's ex cheating, that Andy was lucky to have caught it at all. He also knew that despite what Andy may have felt about Jay and about B in general that B was Micah's best friend and so to hear this was not only odd, but actually, quite touching.

"So he started it?" Andy breathed in sharply, suddenly pissed off with B.

"Well yeah, he was saying crap about you and I wasn't about to let that happen, so we fought and well… I ended up overboard."

Micah not only had lowered his tone again, but this time had turned away from his son, not daring to finish that sentence facing him.

"Fuck!" Andy replied, shocked that this was how Micah had ended up here.

This was enough to turn Micah back around to face his son.

"Son, language!" he said as sternly as he could.

"But dad…" Andy whined.

"No. I raised you better than that. Despite the circumstances."

Andy just looked at his Papa, having no idea what else to say. Many questions had flooded his mind such as; How did you end up overboard? Were you pushed? Did you slip? And more importantly, where was dad? But he swallowed them all and asked the one and only question he knew he needed an answer to.

"So what happens now?"

"Well," Micah started smiling. "I'm going to get out of this bed, put on my robe and we're going to go to the beach and cruise the hotties of course," he tried to laugh, but ended up coughing quickly afterwards.

Andy just smiled. This was so his Papa. Eternally optimistic whenever something directly happened to him. Despite the fact that he worried like no one else, when something happened to someone he loved, Micah had proven time and time again, that when it had come to something happening to him he acted like nothing happened to spare everyone else. But this was Andy he was talking to and he wasn't about to let his Papa get away with this for another moment.

"Yeah, now I see where I get the hiding what's going on to everyone else from. But Papa, it's me. Cut the crap and give it to me straight. I love you and when you love someone you're honest with them right? You taught me that."

It was true. Micah above anyone else had always favored honesty and had brought Andy up to be the same way. Though Andy didn't always take his advice, when it came to critical moments like this he always did and knew he always would.

"Ok son," Micah sighed. "So they're going to run a few more tests to see what the extensive damage is. After that if it's nothing to big, I'll be transferred out of here and placed in a normal room for observation and then I'll go home. If it's worse than…"

Micah stopped; he didn't know how to address this with his son. No matter his age, he was way too young.

"Then?!" Andy demanded always hating being told half a story.

"Then… who knows?" Micah said. "And that's the truth. We won't know anything until the test results come back."

"You've been talking to way too many doctors," Andy smiled, knowing all doctors said that as though it were a line they were all taught during training.

Micah simply smiled.

"Any hotties?" Andy couldn't help but ask.

For a long time while Andy was staying with his Papa, they had a long running tradition whenever Micah was single. It was a game they played called 'spot the hottie' where they'd go out to the beach and stand there looking around until one of them spotted the man they fantasized would be their future husband. They'd pick him out, tell the other and then after giving them a fake name, would proceed to tell the other about what their lives would consist of. Thinking back on it, Andy missed those days and he vowed that he would play this game before leaving Pittsburg at least one more time with his Papa.

"No one as hot as your dad!" Micah laughed. "Hey can you pass me some water?" he croaked.

Andy jumped up right away and upon seeing a jug of water and plastic mugs nearby poured some for his Papa. Micah thankfully took a sip, before sighing and turning back to his son. In truth, from the moment Micah had awoken in hospital, a part he had purposely left out telling his son, all he had asked for was Andy. Not that he wasn't glad to see his husband by his side, but he had missed his son. Now with Andy here by his side once more, Micah felt that regardless of the news to come that everything was right with the world.

"So," he smiled. "Brian did say one thing that surprised me and I have a big question for you mister!"

"Oh," Andy replied. "What?" he smiled.

"Why didn't you tell me that Jay had followed you back to New Haven?"

"*"

"I really had a great time," Jay said looking at Lauren.

"You know, if this were a movie you would be kissing me goodnight night now," she replied smiling.

"If this were a movie, I'd be driving you home rather than the other way around," Jay laughed, before compromising and kissing her on the cheek.

"Seriously though, I know you don't know anyone here and if you ever need to talk, my lips will remain sealed."

Jay smiled appreciating the gesture as he unbuckled his seatbelt.

"Thanks Lauren," he replied before getting out of the car. "Oh and by the way if those boys give you any trouble…"

"You'll be the first I call. Night Jay."

"Night Lauren, oh and remind Rein she owes me" he cracked.

"Believe me, Rein takes promises as seriously as studying. Remind me to tell you about the time she missed my graduation."

"What?" Jay laughed; surprised that sweet innocent Rein would ever do something like that.

"Next time," Lauren simply replied and he watched her pull out of the drive way before heading back into Andy's house.

Despite the fact that he was still confused with what was happening between them he was happy to think he'd at least made a friend. As he closed the front door behind him, Jay could think of nothing but sleep. Thinking nothing of it he dragged himself to Andy's bedroom before turning on the light and getting undressed.

As he lay in Andy's bed, he couldn't help but notice how his window was perfectly faced for him to look up and out into the night sky. Jay loved looking up at the stars; it always made him feel at ease…

Just as he was about to doze off, his phone rang. Andy smiled as he saw the name flashing on the screen.

"Hey!" he said answering the call.

"Hey, you." Andy's voice rang through. "How's things?"

"Yeah ok I guess," Jay smiled.

"Where are you?" Andy replied, noticing how quiet it was over there.

"I'm in bed actually," Jay smiled; it was the truth after all.

"Oh, I'm sorry did I wake you?"

"No, no. I literally just climbed in. I went out with your best friend tonight."

"Lauren?"

"Yeah."

"Oh? How was it?"

"Great actually, we went to Carmita's thing." Jay replied.

"Oh I forgot!" he heard his friend cry out. "Was she pissed?"

"Honestly we didn't speak so I don't know. I mean she waved at me at one point but she was busy, what with performing and all."

"Yeah that makes sense," Andy smiled.

"So how was it being out with Lauren, she didn't give you too much trouble did she?"

"No, not at all. She's a good woman that friend of yours. I like her."

"Yeah, she is." Andy smiled.

"So what about you how's Micah?"

Andy told Jay about his visit to see his Papa and how though he had looked horrible at first glance actually looked better than Andy thought he would.

"We just have to wait on the results of his tests and go from there. I'm trying to remain optimistic."

"Of course," Jay replied. "Oh by the way before I forget. I met some strapping lads today."

"Oh?" Andy replied, feeling his heart drop momentarily. Sure they were yet to discuss everything, but Andy was really hoping the pair were going to finally get together. But hearing the blonde talk about other guys didn't sound so promising.

"Yeah, one was this jock type and another was so polite, you'd swear he just got out of a monastery!"

"Sounds…great." Andy replied, hoping he'd sounded convincing.

"Oh yeah, I mean they seemed nice, but then again how much fun can you have with a guy name Rick and another named John?"

Jay couldn't help but smile as he heard the sound of Andy sitting bolt-upright.

"OMG! They showed up?" Andy squealed sounding very excited.

"Oh, do you know them?" Jay replied jokingly. "Yeah they said they wanted to see you, but obviously you weren't here. Don't worry though; they're shacked up in my old room at the hotel. I didn't think you'd mind. Don't worry I'm paying for it."

"You shouldn't have to do that Jay! They're my friends!" Andy replied in earnest.

"Andy, it's all good," Jay laughed. "You just focus on things with your dad and I'll let you know what happens this end ok?"

"Ok," Andy replied. "Oh by the way Jay?"

"Yeah," Jay replied.

"I'm sorry we didn't have a chance to have that talk."

"Me too Andy. But don't worry, I'm not going anywhere. You deal with your dad first and we'll talk about it when you get back ok?"

"Ok."

"Sleep well, Andy."

"Night sweetie," Andy replied.

Jay hung up the phone pleased Andy had called. Not that he could take too much away from one phone call, but he genuinely felt that he was exactly where he needed to be. Who knew if they would wind up together? But whether they did or not Jay couldn't help but smile with how well his life seemed to be looking and he closed his eyes as he drifted off to sleep.

"*"

Well after everything the pair of them have been through I wanted Andy and Jay to have a least one nice moment. They've earned that much haven't they? But will it last?

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter especially the Micah and Andy scene. Let me know what you thought. This chapter was a little shorter than my last and I apologize for that but the main focus was on Micah and Andy. Now that we know what's happened to Micah we can focus on Jay and Andy being apart.

Is it true what they say, does distance really make the heart grow fonder? Or does it set the scene for disaster? Also what's going to happen now with Andy sticking around in Pittsburg?

Keep the reviews coming and there will be 2 more chapters coming up next week.

To whet your appetite a character some of you have been asking about finally appears, but who will it be? And what happens when Andy finally comes face to face with B? All will be revealed in the next upload!