Chapter 2 

"Hunter, let me get Nick, you have to be examined by a doctor," Brian pleaded.

"No, Bri, please, not yet. Is Steve out there?"

"Yes, why?"

"Can you send him in but without letting the others know that I, uh..."

"Rejoined the land of the living?"

"Something like that."

"Okay. But I'm warning you, if you're not out of this place by tomorrow, I am personally going to kick your scrawny ass all over the hospital."

"Promises, promises," Hunter snarked. Brian leaned in close and gently kissed Hunter's forehead.

"I've gotten used to you chasing after my dick," Brian whispered. "Don't ever stop." Brian softly caressed Hunter's cheek then left the room.

*****

"About time you came out, I want to sit with him," Debbie grumbled at Brian.

"Not your turn Deb. Steve, you go in," Brian stated emphatically.

"Now wait just a fucking minute," Debbie started, getting very angry. Brian turned his back on her to speak to Steve.

"Steve, go now, it's your turn," Brian said glaring at Steve as if Brian was trying to use the Rage mind control to get Steve to understand. Bobby witnessed the exchange and the look in Brian's eyes. He pushed Steve out of the waiting room and down the hall towards Hunter's room before anyone could argue.

"You son of a bitch!" Debbie shouted as she raised her hand to strike Brian.

"Go ahead and hit me, Maw. It won't make any difference," Brian stood his ground waiting for the slap. It wouldn't have been the first time and probably not the last. Debbie froze then lowered her hand as Michael went to his mother.

"I think you better leave," Michael spat out. "We're Hunter's family, we don't need you here." Michael clung to Debbie.

"I need a fucking cigarette," Brian mumbled as he strode out of the room toward the elevator banks. Justin glared at Michael then ran out to find his spouse.

*****

"Hunter?" Steve came into Hunter's room. He saw Hunter laying so still. "What happened to you, boy?" Steve said in frustration as he sat in the bedside chair.

"I'm awake," Hunter murmured. Steve let out a gasp. "Shh, I don't want them to know yet."

"Why, son, why? They're all sick with worry. Debbie is about to kill Brian for making me come in here."

"I know and I'm sorry but I wanted to talk to you first. We...you helped me so much when I lived up at the farm. I need..."

"Jimmy, what is it? You know you can tell me anything, I promised to listen."

"I know..." Hunter began to cry. Steve got up to sit on the edge of Hunter's bed. He wrapped his arms around the younger man.

"We'll get through this Jimmy, I promise we will."

*****

"What are they doing in there?" Debbie said loudly to no one in particular.

"It's almost time for his medication, I'll check," Nick stated then he went to his lover's room.

"Hunter!" Nick burst into tears when he walked in to see Hunter sitting up and in Steve's strong embrace.

"Nick," Hunter managed. Steve slid over to allow Nick room.

"Oh Baby! I was so scared. I thought I lost you."

"I'm sorry," Hunter cried.

"Shh, don't be sorry. I'm just glad you're back. Please don't ever leave me."

The boys held on tight to each other, Steve decided to make a discreet exit.

"Steve, please don't go," Hunter pleaded.

"Whatever you want, son. But how about you let your Dr. Nick and your other doctors check you out first then I promise to come back as soon as they give me the o-kay."

Hunter nodded. Nick, without letting go of his lover, reached over to the phone to page Hunter's attending physician.

*****

Justin paced back and forth in front of the hospital. Brian had disappeared and Justin feared that Debbie's outburst had a worse effect on Brian than just the need for a cigarette.

"Do you see him?" John came out to find Justin in a near panic.

"No."

"Did you try his cell?"

"Of course I tried his fucking cell. I'm not an idiot!"

"Justin," John said firmly, "calm down. I know you're not an idiot. But sometimes we don't think straight when we're worried." Justin looked up into John's eyes. They held the same warmth and strength of character that Brian's had.

"Forgive me, John," Justin said meekly as the older man hugged him.

"Nothing to forgive. We'll find him or he'll find us. He's probably hiding someplace as he's trying to smoke. He hasn't had a cigarette in such a long time, he's probably coughing his lungs out," John chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.

"Yeah, you're probably right."

"Let me try him, maybe he'll answer now," John said as he took out his phone and pressed the speed dial.

"Kinney."

"Where the fuck are you, little bro? I have a little blond here who's shaking like a leaf. Not a good look for him."

"I'm around the corner trying not to hack up a lung. Shit! I don't trick. I barely drink and now even a fucking cigarette tastes like shit. What the fuck am I supposed to use for pain management now?"

"Just get your ass back here." John cut the connection shaking his head and grinning like a fool. "My brother, you gotta love him."

"Yeah," Justin agreed and then they both cracked up with laughter. In a few minutes, Brian walked up to them looking very contrite.

"What's the matter, little bro? No more vices left to indulge in?" Brian shrugged then leered suggestively at Justin. John burst out laughing again. "Get a room but after we make sure Hunter's all right. Come on you two." John ushered his brother and brother-in-law back into the hospital.

*****

"Rachel, how are the kids doing?" Bobby asked his sister, as he spoke into his cell phone. He and Brian were standing outside the hospital. John, Brian and Justin all wanted to make sure their children were doing okay with Auntie Rachel. Bobby had been elected to call.

"They're fine. They just finished making 'get well' cards for Hunter."

"That's good. Have they been any trouble?"

"Not at all. I kind of like having little ones around again," Rachel replied with a smile. Her girls were so grown up now. "How's Hunter?"

"He's back in the land of the conscious."

"That's good news."

"Yeah, but something's going on. I don't know what it is yet."

"Do you think it's something serious?" Rachel asked with a frown.

"It must be."

"I don't like the sound of that."

"At least he's awake. Maybe we'll find out what happened now that he can talk."

"I hope so."

"Could you make dinner for the little ones?"

"Of course. When do you think you'll be back?"

"We want to be sure Hunter's all right, so it might be late."

"I'll put them to bed at their usual time."

"Thanks, Rachel. Can I talk to Patrick for a minute?"

"Sure. Here he is."

"Hi, Poppa," Patrick said into the phone.

"Are you being a good boy for Auntie Rachel?"

"Yes, Poppa."

"I hear you and Bree made cards for Hunter."

"Yeah. Can you take them to him?"

"Hunter's doing better, but we'll see that he gets the cards tomorrow."

"That's good."

"Someone wants to talk to Bree," Bobby laughed as Brian nudged him once again.

"I'll tell Bree her Dada wants to talk to her," Patrick said knowledgeably.

"Thanks, Son, and have fun till I get home."

"Dada!" Bree's little voice came on the line as Bobby handed the phone to Brian.

"Hi, Squirt."

"Hi, Dada, Patrick says rainbows can't have brown and black in them. Can they?"

Brian frowned. Bree's questions were getting trickier to answer every day. He supposed that Patrick was taking the traditional view about what comprised a rainbow, while Briana was taking the creative, artistic viewpoint.

"Rainbows are beautiful, Squirt," Brian told her. "They are whatever you see."

"See, Patrick," Bree said to her cousin.

"Briana Victoria," Brian said trying to sound stern, "don't be nasty. Patrick is merely stating the standard position about what comprises a rainbow." Brian hoped the big words would diffuse the argument that he saw brewing. Sometimes baffling with bullshit was the route to take, even with a four year old.

Bree wrinkled her brow trying to figure out what her father was telling her. "That's cop-a-clated," she said after a bit.

"Yes, it is. Now be good for Auntie Rachel and go to bed when she tells you."

"I wait for you," Bree said adamantly.

"No, Squirt, we may be late."

Bree frowned. "'Kay, Dada, I be good."

"Bye, Squirt."

"Bye, Dada."

"Your dad said I was right, didn't he?" Patrick asked when Bree handed the phone to her aunt.

Bree shook her head. "No." She crossed her arms on her chest and glared at Patrick. She wasn't exactly sure what her father had said, but she was sure he couldn't have taken Patrick's side over hers.

"Did so," Patrick retorted.

"Did not."

"How about you two help me make dinner?" Rachel said quickly before the fight developed.

"Bake cookies?" Bree asked.

"No, sweetheart, but we could make some Jello."

"Yay, Jello," Bree crowed.

"Strawberry?" Patrick asked.

"Yes, strawberry." Rachel breathed another sigh of relief. Another fight averted. She hadn't been aware of the competitiveness between the two children, but she certainly was now. Patrick was older and very smart, but Bree was a fighter and probably just as intelligent as her cousin. They were quite a pair. "Let's get that water boiling to make Jello," she said quickly.

*****

Lacy let herself into Debbie's. She had left the hospital after they had said that Hunter was awake. He would be all right. She knew that he had to be, for her sake, and for all the other street kids who needed him.

Besides, she couldn't deal with someone else dropping out of her life. She was preparing herself for PIFA in the fall. She had decided that she couldn't afford to take a summer course. She needed to work and make as much money as she could for her tuition. Even with extra hours in the summer, she knew she was going to have to ask for help, probably from Justin.

She had wanted to do this all on her own, but gradually she had realized how unrealistic that was. Justin had said they would find her a scholarship or something, or they would simply loan her the money. She could live with a loan. She would pay them back eventually. She knew she could do that.

Lacy grabbed a can of soda and headed up to her room. She had early shift at the diner in the morning and would work right through dinner. That should make her a ton of tips. She needed the money.

In her room she sat down at the desk and pulled out her sketchbook. She picked up her pencil and it started to move almost of its own volition. She realized she was drawing her first encounter with Hunter. That had been at one of the worst moments of her life. She had been cold and hungry and some john had let her service him and then threatened to strangle her if she didn't give his money back. Hunter had walked up to her where she was huddled on a sewer grate getting whatever warmth she could. That is what she showed in her drawing - the despair of a young hustler and the hope that radiated from Hunter.

She wasn't aware how long she sketched. She just knew that she had to get it down on paper. She would give the sketch to Hunter when he was better. He would get better; he had to. With a sigh she held the sketchbook away from her and looked at her work. It was good, she knew that. But was it good enough for PIFA? There were still those grains of self doubt deep inside her.

Just then she heard the phone in the kitchen ring. She decided she better go answer it as it might be Debbie calling from the hospital with news about Hunter. It might be bad news, she realized, as she ran down the stairs.

"Please be good news," she prayed as she picked up the receiver and said, "Hello."

"Lucinda."

Lacy felt the blood drain from her face and body. Without a second thought she hung up the receiver. When it started to ring a moment later she went back to her room and added the finishing touches to her sketch.

*****

"So what happened to him and why can't I go in there? I'm his father!" Michael griped at Nick. Ben put his hand on Michael's shoulder. He had the same concerns but preferred to wait for the doctor's explanation.

"Simply put, Hunter experienced what might be called a fugue state but without any lose of memory. Basically, the phone call he received caused a shock to his system and he just shut everything down. It may never happen again."

"Well, that's something, I guess," Debbie stated.

"Will he require psychological help?" Ben asked gently. Nick nodded.

"Yes, but not to the extent you may think. Hunter knows what happened but not why. His doctor has recommended some counseling."

"Oh great, the counselor needs a counselor," Michael snarked. Just then Brian and Justin with Bill walked back into the waiting room. Michael and Debbie scowled at them.

"You know, Mikey, sometimes a man has to know when to ask for help," Brian stated as he took Justin's hand in his. Justin smiled sweetly at his partner and nodded.

"A lot you know," Michael sneered. "And what are you doing here? I thought you were helping at the clinic?" Michael asked Bill.

"I was but as you can see, it's after seven. The after hours hotline is set to take any calls that might come in and Karen and Katerina will be there in the morning."

"I repeat, what are you doing here?"

"I'm Hunter's counselor. Steve and I..."

"Steve?! Why him?" Debbie shouted. Claire decided she needed to intervene. As much as Steve loved his ever expanding family, Claire knew he had little patience for the histrionics.

"Debbie, Hunter became very close to all of us during the time he spent living on the farm. He and Steve are especially close. They share many confidences as does Bill who was Hunter's counselor and is still one of his closest confidants. I know you, all of you, want what's best for the boy. Hunter's doctors are aware of Bill's qualifications and of Steve's as well."

"What qualifications? I know Bill is a social worker but I thought Steve was just a farmer," Michael demanded to know.

"When Steve opened the farm to his kids, he took many courses in counseling, anger management and drug rehabilitation. He's a highly qualified counselor," Bill boasted, proud of his long time association with his friend and mentor.

"Oh," Michael and Debbie said in unison. Brian remained silent but smug.

"We're going to transfer him to a private room," Nick broke the silence.

"Why can't he go home?" Michael asked softly.

"We just want to observe him and make sure he eats. I'm sure they'll let him go home tomorrow," Nick reassured the family. "He's out of danger. After he's transferred, you all can go in, then go home. He's feeling overwhelmed."

The family thought that suggestion made sense. They waited for Hunter to be transferred to his new room to say their good byes. Then they all left except for Bill, Steve, and of course, Dr. Nick, who had no intention of letting Hunter out of his sight.

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