The Abduction

(ooc note. the rest of this thread is taken from LiveRP and done with the permission of the muns involved. Enjoy the ride folks!)

He makes it all the way up to Russ' room and into the broken door. There was Cole, sitting beside Russ who was laying on the bed. It looked like Russ was resting comfortably. "Hey Cole..." He whispers, gesturing for him to come over.

He comes up right behind him. "Jeezus Dirk.." He whispers. "Maybe this isn't a good idea."

He looks over his shoulder and levels his gaze into Gage's green blues. "You love him too." he whispers, then he turns and looks over at Cole.

He lifts up off the chair and looks back at the two. "I thought you guys were gone.." He says softly.

"Wanted to say goodbye... the right way... " He holds his arms out. "Let's go into the hall, don't want to disturb Russ."

"Jeezus, I'll have the car waiting..." And he dashes out of the hall.

He looks back at Russ then to Dirk. "Okay." As he walks over to him.

He steps back out into the hallway and leans against the wall, waiting for him.

He steps out the door. "You okay?" He looks up at him.

He grabs up Cole in a huge bear hug. "I can't imagine life without you." He mutters. One hand goes to the back of Cole's head and it forces his head onto Dirk's shoulder.

And he is grabbed up. His head forced on his shoulder and he tries to pull his head back up. "Dirk, what are you doing?" He pushes at him, even kicking at him and nothing can get him out of his grasp.

He starts running, as best he can, down the hall. "shhh... shh..." He whispers as he makes it down the stairs and into the living room. Out the front door he goes. "It'll be alright... shhh"

"Dirk!" He squirms in his arms trying to get free. "What are you doing! Russ! Joel! Let me go Dirk! Stop it!"

Gage has Dirk's truck ready and waiting he is standing outside the back. "Oh shit!" He didn't think Dirk would actually do it but he is ready nonetheless.

"Open the fucking door!" he is fighting to keep his hold on the squirming Cole. "You're going to Miami with us babe."

He hops over and opens the door.

"Let me go!" He screams and kicks at Dirk.

He deposits the squirming and wiggling Cole into the backseat and slams the door shut. Yea, child safety locks baby. He runs around to the driver's seat and hops in, slamming his own door shut.

He smacks on the window, if only Russ or Joel could hear him. "Russ!!"

He hops in. ."Go!"

Into gear and he puts pedal to metal and the tires squeal as they race from the house. He grins broadly and pushes the button for the gate to open and they slide out with just a fraction of an inch on either side. "Woooooo!"

"Oh man!" He laughs, taking a deep breath and running his hands through his hair.

"This isn't funny guys, let me out!" He gives the door a good kick, tries the door and those stupid child locks!

He looks in the rear view mirror at Cole. "Sorry baby, no can do."

"We are both dead, I hope you know that." He grins over at Dirk.

He reaches over and grabs Gage's hand and grins. "Better to die happy, right?" Looking back into the rear view mirror. "We just can't let you go, Monkey Man."

He can't help but laugh. "Yeah."

He turns and looks out the window as the house becomes smaller and smaller.

He applies the gas and laughs. "Can't believe we're doing this." He looks over at Gage. "We're fucking nuts!"

"Yeah, you don't have to tell me." He laughs.

"You guys need to let me go, what about Russ, and Joel. They don't know where I went!"

"We'll call when we get to where we're going." He grins and looks over at Gage. "Wonder what the good doctor Shannon would think of this." And he hoots with laughter again.

"Yeah well we didn't think this all out you know.." He looks over at D. "You know.." He tilts to Cole.

He sighs and his smile fades just a bit. "Hey Monkey Man?"

"What?" He looks up at the two, his lips purse tightly.

"We love you."

"Let me go!" He kicks the back of the seats. That is it, he will kick and kick at both of them and they will have to let him go!

"Can't."

"I'm sorry Cole.." He sighs and reaches back and yeah a fist comes crashing at Cole's face. He never hit him before but this is for his own good, or he will hurt them all by crashing the damn truck.

He winces, knowing full well what it felt like to be punched in the face by Gage. "Ah man we coulda just got him drunk."

And that fist hit dead on and Cole falls in the back seat like a ton of bricks.

"Yeah well, it was faster. Besides I didn't hit him hard." He grins.

"Make sure he's not bleeding... his nose you know..." He keeps his eyes on the road, pulling out a pack of smokes and lighting one up.

He looks over the seat. "Not a drop."

"Okay, a week, but I still want to call Russ when we get there. Promise me." Olive greens on them both and he leans back once again, lollipop back in his mouth.

He grins and looks back at him. "Just a week. And you can still call Russ. But no telling him to come and get you, that wouldn't be fair, and that wouldn't be giving this a try. Alright?" His eyebrows lift just a tad.


He nods slowly. "Okay, I won't tell him to come and get me. But still you have to promise I can call or I'll start screaming right now and not stop." The face he gives them is a serious one, well as serious as an 18 year old boy sitting in the backseat with a cherry lollipop hanging out of his mouth can be.

"I promise." He looks over at Dirk.

He grins and nods. "We promise, you can call him once we get there. And just for one week. Cole, I swear, I know things will be back to where they were. Remember the bath we found and the quicky on the beach?" He looks over at Gage and blushes just a tad.

He shakes his head and chuckles softly. "Yeah, remember those good times Cole. Miami will bring all that back and we will have such a great time at the new house too."

"As long as you promise, then okay." He tries his best not to smile at the mention of what happened in Miami before but he doesn't do a very good job and a small smile is on his lips though he quickly looks out the window and sucks loudly on this lollipop. His mind is still on Russ, he almost lost him last night and now he is being whisked away from him. He just hopes Joel will take care of him while he is gone for the week.

They drive in silence for a long while. He plays with the radio, the buttons to open and close the windows. The drive was getting too long. "Hey, there's a rest area coming up. Anybody need to drain their lizards?" He grins at Gage, then looks in the rear view mirror.
He pulls off of the highway and into the rest area. Opening up the truck door he steps out and stretches. Oh yea, that felt really good! He looks to Cole and opens up the back door to let him out.

Gage kept looking out the window, dozing in and out of sleep till finally he tilts the seat back and does indeed take a nap. When they stop he looks up still a bit asleep. "Not me.." A yawn and he turns in the seat and goes right back to sleep.

Cole on the other hand was far from tired. His head is killing him and he has already eaten about five lollipops, his lips a lovely shade of dark red. He sighs once they pull in and park. Thanks gods he has to pee like nothing else! "Yes I have to go!" He jumps out of the truck and rushes to the restroom.

He smiles to the sleepy head in the front seat and then steps back as Cole nearly runs him over. "I'll be right back, baby." He closes the door with the keys inside, locking it first.

"Uh huh.." He mumbles and waves him away. When Gage is sleeping you don't bug him.

So to the bathroom he goes. Pushing his way into the room, he spies Cole over at the urinal. He walks over and starts doing his thing. His head leans back and he groans. "oh gods yea..."

Cole is inside the bathroom well, using it. When Dirk walks in he is just finishing up and over by the sink washing his hands in the sink. So his thoughts. He can break for the door and be out of here before Dirk can even finish. Olive greens watch him carefully and he makes a break for the door.

"Oh shit!" he turns and just that quick, it's back in his pants and he's zipping up and flying out the door behind him. "Cole! Stop!!" He goes into full sprint mode and it still takes a bit but he does catch him. Leaping for his ankles, he goes for the tackle. "Stop dammit!"

Cole is running, running for his life here. Course he is not nearly as fast as Dirk but if he can just make it to someone and let them know that he needs help. He starts to scream. "Help!" Then his ankles are yanked out from under him and he comes crashing down on the grass. "Help!!" He screams at the top of his lungs. He pushes at Dirk's hands to get them off his feet, and his luck not another soul in sight.

He hears the screaming and quickly gets jolted out of his nap. "What the hell?" He looks around and out the window to see Dirk and Cole on the ground. "Shit!" Surely Dirk can grab him and drag him back but Gage is out of the car and has the door open for Dirk to put Cole back inside. "Do you need help?" Thankfully for Gage and Dirk's sake there isn't anyone around right now, but if they don't hurry there might soon be.

He crawls on top of Cole and covers his mouth as quick as he can. "Shhhh!" He is panting heavily. "Damn, need to quit smoking..."
Rising up, he has his arms around Cole and he bodily lifts Cole up into a fireman's lift. "One more peep out of you and I'll have Gage shut you up like he did before."
Tossing Cole into the truck, he makes sure he's in and slams the door shut behind him. "Jeebus!" He leans against the truck and puts his hands on his thighs. Looking over at Gage he shakes his head. "Looks like he doesn't plan on making this easy."

Cole's screams become muffled as Dirk puts his hand over his mouth. He squirms under him. But since Dirk is much bigger there isn't much anything Cole can do and with a sigh he lets Dirk pick him up and do what he wants. Even a wide eyed look at how he mentions letting Gage hit him again. Then he is tossed in the truck and lays on the seat. Quiet for now. Though a small smile on his lips, no matter what he so loves giving Dirk a hard time.

He watches it all, just shaking his head. "You two.." He moves out of the way as Dirk puts Cole in the truck. "You alright?" He kneels down at looks at Dirk. "Yeah, you do need to stop smoking, you could of lost him you know." He chuckles but pats him on the back. "Just a few more hours baby, and we will be home." He goes around the truck and hops in.

He looks over at Gage when he says, "You could of lost him, you know." And just shakes his head. Then the pat to the back and Gage calls him baby and he smiles. Yea, he could have lost Cole. He'd be more careful from now on.
"I'm fine..." He sighs and gets into the truck. Wait, his door was closed and the two of them were inside. So were his keys. "Hey guys, let me in?"

Gage leans over and unlocks his door. "You would forget your head if it wasn't attached to your neck..." He grins.

"I agree." He says from the backseat, his arms once again over his chest, pouting. He is the king of pouting. "I'm thirsty." He sighs and looks in the back. "What is there to drink?

"Yea yea yea..." he grins and jumps into the truck. He leans over and gives Gage a nice little kiss to his lips. "Love you too, baby."
He looks back and sees Cole pouting. He's so damn cute when he pouts! He's unable to hide his grin when he says just what he's thinking. "You know, you are so cute when you're mad." He chuckles and turns the ignition over. "I got you some fruit juice boxes. They're in the cooler." He looks into the rear view mirror to avoid any oncoming traffic, puts it into reverse and backs out. Then into gear and off they go. "Leave the alcohol alone for now. We'll party when we get there."

Gage leans in for the kiss and shakes his head after. "Alright you two, now let me sleep. My turn to drive soon." As he lays back once again. This time he hopes he won't be woken up by screaming and running

"Juice boxes." He looks in the back and finds the cooler, opens it up and pulls out a strawberry juice box, he sticks the straw in and sips it up. A loud slurp when he finishes it. All that running and screaming really makes him thirsty. He throws the empty box into the bag meant for trash down at his feet and then leans on Dirk's seat. "So we are going to the new house?"

"Ok babe." He smiles over at Gage. Then his eyes go back to the road. Lighting up another smoke, he cracks the window again and just cruises. Watching Cole sip on his juice box gets him a little anxious and he has to adjust himself in his seat.
Then Cole's face is up even with his and he resists the urge to turn his head and kiss that poor bruise. "yea, baby. We're going home. Where we should have been in the first place."

"Hmm.." He purses his lips then is right back in the seat going over the back and grabbing another lollipop and putting it in his mouth as he is right back next to Dirk again. "Have you seen it yet?" Olive greens look up at him.

"Not yet." He smiles and reaches up to caress Cole's cheek for just a second then his hand is back on the wheel. "Babe can you get me a Coke from the cooler?"

"Okay." He slides back to the backseat again and over it to the cooler, pulls out a Coke and goes right back to Dirk. "Here." He holds it out.

"Thanks baby." He smiles and takes the Coke. Holding it between his legs he cracks it open and takes a drink. "You doing alright back there? Still mad at me?" And he smiles that boyish grin and flashes that dimple. He doesn't do it consciously, it just comes natural.

Olive greens look at the road then back to Dirk. "No, I'm not mad but I'm worried about Russ." He sighs. "I just want to make sure he is okay, you know?" He continues to suck on the strawberry lollipop as he talks. "I have a headache though." He rubs the side of his face that Gage punched.

"Yea, I know." he sighs and looks to his side mirror, then the other. "I'm sure that he and Joel are fine and are cooking up some way to get you back." He looks up at Cole with a rueful smile. "I know that's what I'd be doing."
"There's some Tylenol in the emergency kit under your seat. That should help. And you can use the ice from the cooler. That might help too." Brown hazels go back to the road. "I do love you, Cole. Whatever you may think of me right now."

"And you aren't worried about that?" He looks over at him, strawberry lollipop dangling on his bottom lip. He shakes his head slowly. "Mmm, kay.." He goes under his seat and pulls out the kit then pulls out the Tylenol popping the bottle open he downs a few. Olive greens look over at Dirk again as he puts the lollipop back in his mouth. "I think you are crazy, both of you."
"Are we going to stop again soon?"

"Of course I'm worried about that, Cole. But I'll deal with that when the time comes. And if you tell them that you're fine and where you are, maybe they won't be so sore about things." He watches as Cole takes the Tylenol. A soft sigh escapes his lips. "You don't love us anymore?" He frowns slightly. "Got a chipmunk bladder?"

"Uh huh." He nods slowly, coming up and resting on the side of Dirk's seat. "Of course I still love you both but you are also crazy." He smiles, the lollipop almost falling out of his mouth but he catches it. "And yeah, all that juice, I need to potty. Please?"

"Sure thing, baby." He pulls over to the side of the road and gets out of the truck. He stretches his legs a bit before opening up Cole's door. He makes a pretense of taking Cole's hand in his. Yes, he loved holding onto him and touching him. But he didn't want Cole running off either. His legs were cramped a bit from the drive still.
"Gage is sleeping, so we need to make it quick, ok?" He smiles and leads Cole over to the tree line.

He watches him as he pulls over and then looks out his window as Dirk steps out. He yanks the lolli from his mouth and tosses it in the trash bag on the floorboard and waits for his door to be opened.
And then Dirk opens it and takes his hand? "I'm not a baby." He frowns as he steps out of the truck. "You want me to do it all one handed?" He says as Dirk walks him to the tree. He doesn't know where they are but he does look around, not a street name in sight.. nothing but trees and open road.

"Alright." His mouth goes to a thin line. Cole being lippy wasn't something he was used to. He removes his hand from Cole's but grabs hold of his shirt. "Sorry, can't have you running off again. My legs are a little cramped from the drive."
He offers a half smile. He hated treating Cole like this. For the first time since they left the house it dawns on him that Cole may not want to be where he is right now. He averts his eyes back to the road to give him his privacy.

And he does his business. A contented sigh when he is done and zipped back up. "Okay I'm done. But how am I suppose to wash my hands?" He looks up at him.

"I keep hand sanitizer in the truck." He sighs and tugs on Cole's shirt so they can get back into the truck. He hated the woods. They were usually full of creepy crawly things that jump out and eat your face or something.
"Come on."

He gets tugged, and starts to walk, keeping his dirty hands in front of himself. "You really don't have to hold my shirt I'm not going to run, if I wanted to I would of already." He stops a few feet from the truck and then kicks Dirk really hard on the shin, he takes off running towards the woods pulling from his pocket the cell phone he took from Dirk, after the last tussle they had, and he is quickly dialing the house. "Pick up!" As he runs and of course he isn't watching where he is going but he waits for Russ to pick up the phone.

Of course, he takes Cole at his word and lets go of his shirt well before they get to the truck. He was about to turn to open the door for him even when that kick was delivered to his shin. "FUCK!" He screams out and jumps up and down, holding his leg.
It hurt like a son of a bitch and he hobbles on it for a few seconds before trying to take off after Cole. "Dammit Cole get your ass back here! Where are you going?" With the limp he's slowed considerably and nearly cries when Cole is so far ahead. Gods his leg hurt!

Russell picks up the phone and holds it to his ear. "Hello?"

He doesn't look back he just keeps running. He really didn't want to hurt Dirk, gods knows he would never want to hurt someone he loves but he had no other choice. And then he hears Russ on the other line. "Oh my god, Russ!" He cries in the phone, and trips on a tree stump and comes crashing down but the phone is still in his hand! He lays his tummy to the ground and he looks behind him as he sees Dirk still coming for him. He scrambles to get up off the ground.
"Russ! Mmm.. mmm ... mmm!" As it he doesn't realize the phone is too close to his face, well running for your life and trying to keep a tiny cellphone to your ear is a hard feat.

He sees the stumble and ignores the pain in his leg. Pumping his legs as fast as he can, he's on Cole in a few moments, finger tips just barely grabbing his shirt tails. Once in his grasp, he yanks back as hard as he can, coming to a complete halt. "Dammit Cole you lied to me!" He screams out and grabs Gage's cell phone. Clicking it closed.

"Cole, hello? Cole are you there? Where are you? What's going on? Cole, talk to me, what's going on?!?!?" Then the phone clicks dead. He looks over at Joel and his eyes are wide. "He's with Dirk. And it sounds like they're not having a very good time!"

He gets yanked to halt, the force of it even makes his head go back. "I just wanted to hear him!"

He leans over and brings Cole up in the fireman's lift again. "Dammit Cole! Knock this shit off, we told you that you could call once you got there!" He limps his way back to the truck. He'd have a nice shiner on his leg forming, he could just feel it.
He deposits Cole into the truck and slams the door behind him. Hopping into the driver's seat he gives Cole a glare into the rearview mirror. "Last stop before we get home. If you have to piss, do it in a fucking empty bottle."
Ignition turned over, car in gear and the tires squeal and the gravel flies as they take off once more.

He is lifted and put in the truck once more. Once he is in he scoots to the far side of the truck away from Dirk. He keeps his knees up to his chest and wraps his arms around them. A small sigh as they take off again, olive greens stay on Dirk the whole time and soon after an hour or so he moves from the seat and over to Dirk, reaching his hand out to touch Dirk's arm. "I'm sorry." He says softly, his head leaning on Dirk's seat.

Gage can sleep like the dead so he has no clue of what just happened, and he continues to sleep.

He had smoked a few cigarettes in that time period. His leg settled into a dull ache and he was just resigned that it'll hurt until they got to the house. He'd be damned to ask Cole for anything at this point. If he asked for Tylenol Cole just may give him the antihistamine that always put him to sleep!
So when Cole reaches out to touch his arm, he jerks away at first. Then that soft little "I'm sorry" melts his heart and he looks over at Cole and reaches out behind him to take Cole's hand. "I'm sorry I yelled at you, Monkey Man."
Squeezing his hand for a second, he brings his hand back to the wheel. "Don't worry, we'll be there soon."
He nudges Gage with his hand. "Hey, we're in Dade County."

He keeps his hand on Dirk's arm, he felt really bad for hurting him. "It's okay." He sighs and lays his head next to Dirk's shoulder.

A nudge and Gage opens his eyes. "Huh?" He sits up in the chair and looks around. "Oh, alright." He grins at the two. "Almost home. Sorry I slept the whole time baby." He reaches over and caresses Cole's face and then Dirk's.

He smiles and looks between the two. "It's alright. You missed out on an adventure in the woods though." His eyes flicker to Cole and the look on his face is that Cole's second attempt to escape would remain a secret for now. "Cole had to piss." He laughs.
Maybe if he can earn Cole's trust back, he could start trusting Cole again. As it stands, he won't let him out of his sight for a long while. "Can you hand me the Tylenol, Cole? My leg hurts."
He leans into Gage's caress and even kisses his hand softly. "I love you. Now tell me how to get home."

Breathe Into Me..


After slamming the door he runs up the stairs. "Leaving!" He keeps muttering under his breath. Why did he have to remember, things were going so good when he couldn't remember. Dirk was happy, Gage was happy..
He sighs and goes in the room, careful to be quiet when he sees Gage is still asleep. He goes to the closet and pulls out a black t and a pair of jeans. Even pulling his hair back and tying it. He walks over to Gage and kisses him on the cheek before grabbing his shoes from under the bed and pulling them on. He watches Gage for a few minutes then slides out of the room. If Gage was awake he would stop him, so, better to leave him asleep or hope he stays asleep. He quietly trudges down the stairs. He stops outside Dirk's door and lays his hand on it, even leaning on it. He kicks it hard, and then kicks it again.

He just listened to Cole storm off and he shook his head. After finishing his cigarette his stomach finally won the battle and he got up and went to the kitchen for a bite to eat. Thank Gods for Pop Tarts. And thank Gods he bought other kinds than strawberry. He couldn't stand to eat another strawberry right now. Maybe ever. It just hurt to even think about it.So, Pop Tarts and a glass of orange juice in his hand, he spies Cole walk up to his door and then kick it twice. He walks up behind him, munching. "What'd the door do to you?"

He turns around quickly and finds that Dirk isn't in his room he is right behind him. He was eating? Eating usually meant that you were okay, nothing wrong, everything just peachy fricken keen! He grabs the pop tart and throws it on the ground then goes to smack the OJ out of his hand.

The orange juice splashes on the wall and the glass shatters on the ground. Pop tart is now soaked in orange juice. "The fuck is wrong with you?"

"Nothing." He folds his arms over his chest and purses his lips which makes his bottom lip stick out even more pouty. Then out it comes.
"I wish I had never remembered, I wish I could go back and just be myself without worrying so much about what you are doing, or who you are touching or why you keep looking at other people when we are together. I hate being jealous, and I hate being jealous over you! You were right you do deserve it, you deserve everything you get!" And he pushes, not hard mind you but enough to add to that dramatic affect.

He just takes a step back and looks down at Cole. The words are on his lips but he can't make them come out of his mouth. He just steps forward and takes his face in his hands and leans in. He kisses his lips gently and then leans back to look into his olive eyes. "I love you too."

To say that caught him off-guard would be an understatement. When Dirk's lips brush against his, he can feel the surge of energy course through his body. Dirk's kiss, even touch could turn him into a living and breathing torch. "I just love you so much, I ache with it." He sighs deeply and looks up at him.

He sighs softly and lowers his hands to Cole's shoulders. "No more alcohol for you." His thoughts were mottled and scattered. "No more running away either." He opens up the door, the servants can deal with the mess on the floor. "Come in here. We need to talk."

'We need to talk' Usually wasn't a good thing. Hell last time he said that he left him for Gage. He closes his eyes as he turns and walks through the door. Olive greens open slowly and he moves to the bed and sits down on it. Ready.. for anything. Hands brought up to sit on his knees, olive greens on Dirk.

He settles back into the chair he'd been sitting in all morning. Looking over at Cole he sighs. "So what can I do to make things right again? I hate hurting you Cole."

Was Dirk trying to surprise him all morning? He even squints at Dirk. "Huh?" It takes a moment to register. And he says it. "Who is Emily?"

He looks at him, startled. "She has nothing to do with this. But, if you must now..." he sighs and looks back out the window. "She was my sister's nurse. About three years ago. I loved her, Cole. Gods I loved her. She had the most beautiful blue eyes and sandy blonde hair, like wheat in the field, you know?" His face softens as he goes into a reverie of memory. "She said she loved me. That our ages didn't matter. And it was awesome!" Then he goes quiet with a soft sight.

He tilts his head watching as Dirk talks. He keeps his mouth shut for now. So Dirk had loved before..

He looks down to his lap and he starts wringing his hands together. "My mother caught us kissing one day and had a fit. Threatened to fire Em. I begged her not to. Nobody could get through to Abby like Em could. I didn't think that Em would start pulling away. Then one day, after not seeing her for almost two weeks, she wrote me a letter. A fucking letter. 'I've moved on' She says. 'A nice young intern at the hospital.' She says." He frowns, his voice bitter.
A deep sigh and he looks over at Cole. "So now you know stuff that even Gage doesn't know. When you started that last night, I just knew you were going to pull an Em on me."

He sighs shaking his head. "Pull an Em on you? You are just amazing." He lifts off the bed and walks to the door, then turns. "You shouldn't compare people, I couldn't be any more different. I have stuck by you no matter what you have done, and I sure as hell didn't try to replace you, I try with all I am to make you love me and to keep loving me but I'm done trying. If anything it was the other way around Dirk, if anyone would pull an "Em" it is you." He walks out and slams the door not once but twice for good measure.

What good does it do? What fucking good does it do? I lay it on the line, pour my heart out, tell him like it is and he still walks out. I can't take it anymore. I don't have what it takes, that's more than obvious. Well fuck him. Fuck it all. He rises from his chair and walks out of his room, then to Gage's room. If Cole's there, so what? He was going to see the one person who still loved him. Or, he hoped he did. Knowing Cole he'd run his mouth about the Dread Evil Dirk to Gage and ruin that too.
With these thoughts running through his head he turns around and goes back into his room. Pulling on some clothes, he didn't even bother to look at them really. Whatever was handy, he pulled on. And he made sure he had a jacket with him. Out of the room he went, cell phone clipped to his belt.Down to the kitchen. He pulls out a small cooler and fills it with cola, water and a couple of snacks. No strawberry flavored ones, please. Looking up the stairs, it was very quiet. A soft sigh and he pulls out a sheet of paper and a pen.
"Guys, hell of a ride we've taken and I wouldn't have changed a thing. I love you both. Sorry, end of the road for me. Enjoy Miami, enjoy each other, enjoy Cela. Don't worry about me. I'm just going home for a while. Dirk."
He leaves the note on the counter. He knew it was best. No more fighting, fussing. No more busted lips or busted ribs. He gathers his things and makes out of the living room, then the front door. Into his truck he slips, it comes to life and away he goes.

Surprisingly enough Cole didn't run his mouth. Actually he went to the other spare room.
And being that the room was close to the kitchen he knew that had to of been Dirk rummaging and grabbing things. So he would leave. Cole has no more tears, none. They couldn't fall even if he tried to force him so instead he looks out the window. He has a good view of Dirk's truck and when Dirk comes out he watches him. His olive greens stay on him as the truck pulls out. All he would tell Gage is that he messed up, he upset Dirk once again and that this time it was over for good.
He loved Gage, but maybe none of this was suppose to work out anyway. Did thoughts of killing himself come into play? He wouldn't lie, yes it did. Painful ways, non painful ways. But.. he would think to his brother. How would Joel deal with it. A light sigh escapes his lips. He could walk out into the water..

He lifts up off the bed, Dirk was gone, Gage would be angry, Cela was better off not even being involved. He makes his way out the front door and walks slowly out to the beach. This place tainted, just like Rhydin. And who had caused it all? Why that would be me.
I caused it all, I hurt Dirk, I hurt Gage, I hurt Cela, I hurt them all. Here I am the grandson of a God and I do nothing but hurt and be hurt.
What is the point of having powers if you can't even use them right.
He closes his eyes as he walks closer to the water. His body surging with emotion, surging so much he wanted to send it out, send out for everyone to feel his pain.. And just like that, he sends out a wave.
Gods help anyone in it's path, they are getting ready to feel pain like nothing of this world.

Gage was dead asleep, a slamming door here and scream there nothing unusual he has learned to sleep through it. But something jolted him away. A feeling, something was wrong, something was very wrong. It was quiet in the house, with Cole and Dirk that is not a good thing. Gods he hoped they were just out at the beach. He climbs out of the bed and makes his way down the stairs.. "Hello?" He looks around the house.. empty.
To the kitchen, and he finds the note. "Oh shit.." He mutters.

He hadn't even gotten more than a few blocks away and he parked the truck. What the hell was he doing? Just running like a scared little girl. The self loathing was back. He ran his hands through his hair and looks at himself in the mirror. He's a wreck. His eyes red rimmed and bloodshot. A five o'clock shadow on his chin and above his lip. Absolute shit.
He reaches for his pack of smokes and realizes that he left them on the dresser. He could just run into a store and get a new pack, how easy, right? But this is Dirk. Easy is not in his vocabulary. He turns the engine back over and starts to make his way back into traffic.
Pulling into the gates, he gets hit with that wave of emotion. He applies the brakes to the truck hard, coming to a squealing halt. Grabbing his throat, he gasps, eyes going wide. Then the emotions are released on him and he just sobs. His head coming down to rest on the steering wheel, letting out a loud and long honk from his car horn.

After the wave was sent from his body he falls to the sand, the warm, scratchy sand. The tears couldn't come out any faster but Cole.. was no longer even aware of it. His heart might as well be ripped from his body, he didn't care anymore.

Gage slams the note down on the counter, luckily for him he wasn't in the line of that wave so he had no clue..
Suddenly he heard the horn. He comes running out the house, he must of looked like a madman, funky hair, sleepy pants just hanging off his hips but he ran anyway. And he sees Dirk's truck, he doesn't see Cole since Cole is passed out on the sand a few dozen feet away, he runs to Dirk's truck and pulls open the door. "What is it?!" He reaches in to grab him by the shoulders.

He grips at his chest and just sobs loudly. Hiccoughing and shoulders shaking. His eyes roll into the back of his head and he slumps against Gage. "Cole." he whispers softly. Brown hazels wide and crazed.
It takes a few minutes before he can calm himself after that wave struck him. He was very grateful for Gage being there. He just leans and keeps babbling about Emily, Cole, Gage and even Cela. It was mostly incoherent, but there was enough for Gage to probably figure out what had happened this morning.
He finally takes a deep shuddering breath and looks once more to Gage. Biting his lower lip then speaking softly. "What are we doing?"

"Cole?" He's never seen Dirk like this and he just sits and listens to every word that comes out of his mouth. His thoughts were of course where the hell is Cole then but for the moment he keeps to Dirk's side.
"What do you mean?"

"We're killing him." He pants out. His eyes still wild, as if in a dream. "Sand in my mouth... killing him..." he mutters. He attempts to step out of the truck, but only sags against the side of it. "Why are we doing this?"

"Killing Cole?" His eyes widen. "Sand in your mouth, Dirk what are you talking about!" He grabs his shoulders and pulls him close. "Dirk, what is going on, what are you talking about?"

"Beach... on the beach... Cole's on the beach." he leans onto Gage, barely able to stand on his own still.
Man what a scrambled mess his brain was. It couldn't settle on just one coherent thought. Drifting from one painful memory to another over and over, replaying like a bad teenage horror flick. He grabs hold of the image of Cole laying face down on the beach and hangs onto that one tightly.
Pulling back and looking at Gage, his eyes suddenly very clear. "We need to get him off of the beach."

"Cole is on the beach?" He turns to look out, he didn't see him. He turns and looks back at Dirk. "Come on.." He grabs Dirk's shoulders and they walk out towards the beach, at first he doesn't see anything and he look back and forth. "I don't see him."

He's slowly regaining his strength and his sanity. Looking out into the water he sees something floating. "Gage!" He points then tries to take a few steps. They are shaky and he knows there's no way he could go in for Cole. And he just knows, that's his Cole out there.

He pulls away from Gage and rushes out of the room. Down the hall and past the nurses station. One picks up a phone and soon there is an orderly close on his heels. He must have made a wrong turn because suddenly he's in a hallway with no exit. The orderly advances towards him, muttering words of comfort and reassurance. Dirk didn't see the needle until it was pulled out of his pocket and plunged into his arm. He opens his mouth to protest, eyes wide with shock. Then the world goes dark.

After he is sure that Cole is alright, he was soon following after Dirk. He saw the whole thing. He sighs heavily. Dirk needed rest as did Cole. It took a hell of a lot of convincing but he got them to put a bed next to Cole's and let Dirk be right there.
He sat in the chair between the beds, watching them both.

He wakes up slowly. He feels nauseated. The room was blurry and very unfamiliar. It smelled like a hosp... He tries to sit up quickly. "Cole, where's Cole?!" he cries out. His hand strikes something and he blinks rapidly to clear his vision. "Gage?" he frowns darkly. "What happened?"

He gets up from the chair and walks over to his bed. "Cole is still right over there Dirk." He motions to him, the beeping of the machines and the sound of the vent now becoming rhythmic in the room. "They gave you something to calm you down, to take the edge off." He reaches down and touches his hand, which is.. very indeed tied to the bed. "I had them bring you in here but not without safety for the staff, and for Cole."

He looks over to Cole and sighs, turning his head, he looks down at the restraints then up to Gage, anger and hate in his eyes. "You son of a bitch."

"What would you want me to do?!" Dirk was the only human on this planet or any other planet at that that could drive him absolutely insane! "You want me to let them stick you in a damn loony room so you don't hurt anyone or yourself! Or you do you want to be in here with Cole?!"

"You let them put that fucking tube in his throat and you have me tied to a bed. You got it all under control don't you? Go ahead, have me tossed in there, you son of a bitch. That way you can have him to yourself..." His eyes became droopy and his head swam. "Son of a bitch..." he slurs out and falls back to sleep.

"It is to help him breath, he was having trouble breathing on his own!" Somebody had to buckle down and be tough, do what has to be done. "I wouldn't have you tossed in there but the staff sure as hell thought you might of need it the way you ran out of here, how is this doing any good for Cole?" He sighs deeply once Dirk is out again. He moves back to the chair and sits.

He shakes Dirk's shoulder and whispers in his ear. "Wake up, Dirk. It's Russ." And he shakes it again. Dirk had been out like a light when they got there and the brothers gathered around the room sitting where they could, even on the floor. Dougie had curled up on a window ledge and fell asleep even.

"Dirk, come on bro, we're all here. Wake up." He whispers again.

It was all a nightmare. Dirk was having a very surreal nightmare and Cole was dying. He couldn't move his arms and legs to get to him. And the world was shaking around him. He cries out in his dream to Cole but Cole's eyes turn black and then he disappears. "NOOOOOOOOO!" He sits up, screaming. He pants and his eyes are vacant, as if still in that dream.

It takes a minute, but he blinks rapidly and sees a sea of familiar faces. They were here. All of them were here. He lays back down and turns his head to hide from them the best he could. If he just kept his eyes closed, they'd go away. He wanted them to all go away. He wanted to be alone with Cole... Cole! His eyes fly open and he looks at Russ, then Gage. "How's Cole?" He whispers.

"He is resting now." He moves away from the bed and starts talking with the nurse that came in to check Cole's vitals.

Russ was blocking his view of Cole. "Is the tube out?" He looks up at Russ. "Why won't you let me look at him? Move out of the way!" He starts to fight against the restraints again. "Dammit, let me see him!" He yells at Russ.

Russ just steps aside and lets him look over at Cole. No real change there. The machine's rhythmic hissing should have been Dirk's first clue. But then, Dirk seemed to be outside his mind. It really hurt to see him like that.

"Dirk, perhaps you should go back to sleep." He whispers softly and places his hand on Dirk's head. He sent as much soothing and comforting magic into that gentle touch and Dirk falls into a peaceful sleep. Russ looks around the room and sighs softly. "It's going to be a long haul. We should take shifts."

He came over right when Dirk fell asleep. "My thoughts exactly, though I think Dirk should stay here. The younger brothers should go on to the house, Chris doesn't need to see Dirk like this." And of course Gage held it all in, later he would probably cry a river but for now he kept strong for Cole and Dirk, even the brothers.

Jaden walks over to Russ and Gage. "I'll take the kids home. But Joel will want to stay, I know there is no chance he will leave his brother's side." He motions over to the Joel.

Joel clutches his brother's hand tightly in his own. "You know, I remember the time you went swimming, found a little crab out in the water and wanted to take it home, that is until it pinched the crap out of you." A bitter laugh. "Mom and Dad will be here to see you soon, everyone is worried. Becca is coming down with them. It's going to be ok. I'm going to be right here."

Dougie woke up when Jaden shook his shoulder. "Huh?" He says sleepily and scratches his belly. "oh.. sure." He follows Jaden and Chris from the room after giving both Cole and Dirk a pat on the shoulder.

Russ just stands in between the two beds. "You want me to take over so you can go get some rest, Gage?" He looks to Gage thoughtfully and pulls him into a hug. "Gage, you really need to get some sleep."

His eyes flutter open and he sees Russ hugging Gage and he closes them slowly again. Whatever they gave him made him sick to his stomach and he turns his head. "PUKE!" he yells out just seconds before his stomach empties. He turns his head away from it and groans. His eyelids so heavy.

A day in the life


He finally regains composure and they finish up in the shower. He carefully carries Cole back to the chair in the room. Taking a hair brush, he delicately brushes Cole's hair in silence. He's deep in thought and most of it surround his feelings of guilt.

After the shower, he was dressed, kissing his men bye and out the door. Course he is always just a phone call away now, no longer would his voice mail would be picking up, he would be sure of that. An I love you and Gage is gone.

He leans into Gage's kiss and then turns back to let Dirk continue to brush his hair, he felt a little awkward about it though. Like Dirk was doing all of this for him because he was guilty or felt sorry for him. Before long he turns and takes the brush from Dirk and olive greens pierce into hazels. "Please stop this.. I can tell you are upset. Why can't you just talk to me?"

He's on a delicate razor's edge emotionally and even almost starts crying when Gage kisses and says his goodbyes for the day. He just keeps on brushing Cole's hair until Cole takes the brush from his hand.
He doesn't even try to hide it anymore. Just walking to the bed, he flops down on it, burying his face in his arms. "You can't walk, you can't jump up and down and do all the things you used to do and it's my fault. If I hadn't been so stupid and tried to leave. If I had been smart we'd have talked things out and worked them out. But no, I did what I always do. I ran away. I ran when you needed me most. I ran and ran and ran."

He turns slightly in the chair to watch him. "But you are here with me now, I mean.. you didn't keep running." He stops to think for a moment, his eyes look down at the floor then back to Dirk. "Would you of stayed if I hadn't done what I did?"

He rolls onto his side and just considers Cole carefully. How does he answer that question? He thinks back to that morning and closes his eyes. He can see it as if it were some B-Horror flick. The fighting from the night before, sleeping alone, Cole kicking the door the next morning. Spilled orange juice and shattered crystal. The words that came from both of them, accusatory and full of hate. How could that have been possible?
Would Dirk have stayed? He left, yes. But he'd come back before he knew Cole had went into the water. Why'd he come back? A pack of cigarettes? He hung his head, ashamed that it hadn't been for the love of Cole or Gage. "I came back for cigarettes. I stayed for you." He looks up into those olive greens.

Olive greens watch every small movement of Dirk's face. He folds his hands on his lap, and settles back more on the chair. He suddenly felt slightly ashamed for even asking such a question. He was here, Dirk was here with him and that is all that should matter but if it was all for guilt, if Dirk was only here because he felt as though this was all his fault, and not for the love of Cole, then Cole couldn't live like this..
His fingers play on his lap as he watches him still and when Dirk finally speaks he nods slowly. He came back for cigarettes.. not him, not Gage, not love, not anything but a pack of smokes. It takes him a moment to catch his breath. "But if you had come back and I was okay, and just sitting in the living room, you would of left again. Right?" Olive greens already full of pain.

A soft sigh escapes his lips and he wills his eyes to remain locked in Cole's gaze. "I don't know what I would have done. I was outside of my mind. I thought you hated me. I thought you didn't want me around anymore." Another soft sigh and he whispers, tears welling up in his eyes. "I thought you didn't love me anymore." He swallows hard, a huge lump forming in his throat. "But when you were laying there on the sand..." he bites his lower lip to keep it from trembling. "I realized, it didn't matter, the words that we had said. None of that mattered. The pride, the punches, the arguments. None of that mattered. The only thing that mattered was you. I love you, Cole. And I said a prayer and told the Gods that if they spared you, I'd make sure to show you, every day, how much I love you." He reaches out his hand to touch Cole's knee. "And I'm going to stick by my word, if you'll let me."

It all made sense yes. Every word out of Dirk's mouth made him feel that much at ease. "You are right, none of that mattered. I can't stop loving you, no matter what. I've started realizing that a long time ago, I just wish you got that too." He reaches down and takes Dirk's hand into his. "But Dirk, please don't feel guilty anymore, I don't want that to stop us from being happy. I'm going to walk again and we will be right back to how it was in Miami before, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you and Gage." A soft and genuine smile on his lips as he lifts Dirk's hand to his lips and then kisses it softly. "No more guilt." He whispers.

His grip on Cole's hand tightened. "Wish I got that too? Baby through all of this, through everything. I never stopped loving you. I don't think I could ever possibly stop." His brown hazels had turned the color of honey and he smiles at that kiss to his hand. "Once you tell me you've forgiven me, I'll stop feeling guilty. Once you can honestly say that you wouldn't have done what you did if I'd stayed, then I'll stop feeling guilty. I can't help it, Cole. I can't." he sits up on the edge of the bed, not willing to let go of Cole's hand. "But I'll make you a deal. You stop lying to me about how much it hurts and I'll do my best to try not to feel guilty. I'm here to help you, let me."

Deep breath and he lets it out slowly. "I do forgive you, and if you had stayed I probably would not of gone out to the beach and done it, yeah. And I'm sorry too, I shouldn't of said what I did to you before, I never meant to hurt you." He bites on his bottom lip as olive greens look back into Dirk's own hazels. "I will tell you the truth Dirk, there isn't a moment when I am awake that it doesn't hurt. There are even times when I wish I hadn't woken up, or had been saved. I look at you and Gage, and even the other brothers and you all look at me like you feel sorry for me and I don't want to see that anymore. I want you all to look at me like I am me. Normal. I can't even get out of bed by myself, or wash myself, or get up and walk to the bathroom myself. But, I can't give up. Not yet."

A tear rolls down his cheek when Cole says that he's forgiven. He'd been needing to hear that for weeks now and it was finally said. "Baby, we were so mad at each other that morning. Can't we forget that it happened? I didn't know I was hurting you and making you jealous. I'd never do that intentionally. I'm so sorry for all of that."
He listens intently and sighs softly. "Baby, nobody feels sorry for you. They all want you to get better, that's all. And we're all here to support you. There's no pity party going on here. We love you and you're just going to have to get used to us helping you out."

"So, no more guilt and no more lies." He pulls Dirk's hand up to his face and hold it to his cheek and then kissed it once again. "Thank you for staying by me. I'm more then ready to start walking again, I want to show everyone that I'm going to be okay. So, I'm looking forward to the therapy, I know it will hurt but I'm going to walk again." He smiles at him. "After I have breakfast." He laughs softly. "Are you hungry?"

He looks up at Cole and the smile he has is breathtaking. "Hungry? You're hungry?" Yet another small step and he's elated. "I am famished!" He laughs and slides off of the bed and to his knees at Cole's feet. His hands slide up Cole's thighs and he hugs Cole's waist tightly. "You want to go downstairs or stay up here? The staff is here now and they can bring something up. Course, the bros are downstairs and they've all been asking when you're finally coming out of the room. So, what do you say? Can I carry your gorgeous ass downstairs and show off my brave boyfriend to everybody?"

He laughs at Dirk's reaction. "Yeah, I'm hungry." He says quietly as Dirk wraps his arms around his waist, his own hands going around Dirk's shoulders and holding him tightly.
"I know they want to see me, and yeah, I'll go down." He smiles again then laughs. "Show me off? There isn't anything to show off. Though getting dressed might be a good idea." He nods and laughs even more, since here he sits in nothing but a towel around his waist.

"I think you look perfect, just the way you are." He smiles and lays his head against Cole's stomach. "It's telling me it wants a strawberry smoothie." He whispers and looks up at Cole with a grin. He was loathe to pull away, but he does. Not without stretching up and kissing Cole softly. "I love you so much." He looks into those olive greens and a tear rolls down his face. He sniffles and smiles through it. "Ok." He laughs, mostly at himself, and rises from Cole. "What do you want to wear, I'll bring it to you. Unless you want to attempt the closet of doom?" His dimple even makes a brief appearance with this smile.

When Dirk's head is on his tummy his fingers play in those unruly curls before he pulls away. "Mmm, smoothie." Both brows lift with his smile. He leans into the kiss and looks up at him up at him when he rises. "I love you too." He says softly. "Um, just the robe, I'm not really wanting to put on any real clothes today, feel like hanging free." He laughs.

"Oh, that reminds me!" he laughs and goes into Cole's closet. "I had this delivered, I saw it at the mall and had to get it for you." He walks out of the closet with a very plush olive colored terry cloth robe. When opened up there are a pair of pink and olive boxers hanging from the hanger as well. "You can hang free in here baby. Don't think we need to have the bros jealous of what I got..." a crooked little grin and he chuckles softly.

Olive greens watches Dirk with amusement. "You got me something.." That makes his smile a mile long. Olive greens widen at the robe and even more so at the boxers. "I love it!" He laughs and holds out his hands for it.

He walks over and holds it just out of reach. "I don't know. It was awfully expensive. I think I need something in return." He taps his lip with his finger. "What do you got?" He has a mischievous twinkle in his eyes and that dimple is just dancing.

"Aww that isn't nice.." He drops his hands to his lap and smiles at him. "What are you wanting?" He reaches his hands up for Dirk instead. "How about an air kiss?" He laughs then blows him a small kiss.

"Oh, that'll never do." He laughs and brings the robe around so that he can pull Cole into a hug and a very intense kiss.

"Mmm.." He melts into that kiss and wraps his arms around Dirk and squeezes tight, he pulls from the kiss for a moment. "I could go for something else too.." He whispers and smiles sweetly.

"Is that right?" He chuckles and lets the robe fall to the floor. He keeps his arms around Cole and lifts him out of the chair. A shower of kiss and nibbles to Cole's neck and shoulders. "I'm famished too." he whispers in a sultry voice as he lays Cole down on the bed. "We'll get brunch later." He chuckles and leans down and kisses him softly.

Later..
He leans down and wraps his arms around Cole's body and lifts him up. "Come on, let's go eat." He really didn't feel like eating now but it's what they both needed. Cradling Cole, down the stairs they go.

As they go down the stairs he can already hear all the brothers, walking past, some in the kitchen, some saying they were going out to swim, others at the table having lunch. How he missed them all and is so happy to hear the hustle and bustle of his brothers. He smiles up at Dirk as they finally get down on the ground, he spots Chris and waves, Chris waves back and goes on into the kitchen. And he sees Jaden. "Jayjay!" He grins and waves to him.

He was walking past, a cup of coffee in his hand, even circles around his eyes. He had stayed up all night, just in case something were to happen he wanted to be awake and alert.. well at least awake. "Cole, how are you?" He walks up to Dirk and Cole. "Dirk." He smiles at his brothers.

"I'm much better.." He smiles at Jaden.

Of course, where Chris is there's Doug and he grins and waves to Cole and Dirk before heading into the kitchen behind his buddy. Russ was talking to somebody on the phone when they came by and gave a wave and an upthrust of his chin before turning around and continuing his conversation. Dirk just carries him through the hustle and bustle of the bros making themselves at home. Hell even Julian had found a latino beauty and was hanging with her in the pool area. It was just like home and he couldn't help but grin. This was their family and they were home.
He would wave to Jaden, but his hands are kind of full with Cole. "Hey Jayjay, man, you need some sleep."

A glance and smile over at Russ and then he looks up at Jaden, twitch of his nose, Jaden sure did look like he had been awake for days..

Another sip of coffee and an eyebrow arch at Cole giving him a look but he smiles and chuckles. "I'll sleep later. Everything going good with you two, no more fainting right?" He sips the cup of coffee, brown eyes looking at them both over the rim.

He shakes his head and places Cole down on a chair. Shaking the tingly feeling from his arms, he puts his hand on Cole's shoulder. "No fainting, and he even stood on his own in the shower this morning." He smiles proudly down at Cole. Gently touching his cheek, then looking back up to Jay. He wanted to add that Cole's lovemaking hadn't suffered a bit but he bit that one back. Tho his eyes sparkled with the thought.

He reaches up and puts his hand on Dirk's while they continue to talk. He sits and looks at the way Jay is dressed, all the time his shirts seemed like they were wrinkle free, heck he always looked so prim and proper even in a t-shirt and jeans.

"Good, good." He nods, looking down at Cole again. "He looks better as well, the color is back in his face. I'm happy for that." He smiles at them again, another sip of the coffee and he leans on the wall brown eyes still on them. "You know there are things I would like to discuss with you Dirk, whenever you have the time of course."

Russ got off the phone and meanders on over to the little gathering. "Hey there, li'l bro, Dirk, Jay." He nods to each of them and just stands there, picking up the end of the conversation.

Dirk feels a little uncomfortable with what Jaden wants to discuss, but he nods none the less. "After I get some lunch into Cole." He folds his arms across his chest.

"Oh, I'll be happy to make lunch for Cole. Need to get caught up, right?" He grins down at Cole then back up to Dirk. "You go ahead and have your little pow wow." He chuckles and walks around the little group so that he's standing behind Cole.

He gives Russ a look and then looks to Jay. "Seems like I have a few moments now. What's up?"

And you think Dirk is uncomfortable.. when Russ comes over Cole tenses up, been a while since he had been this close to Russ and it was still taking him time to realize the monster from inside him was gone. A deep breath and he looks back up at Russ.

"Russ." He nods, then putting his arm on Dirk's shoulder he walks with him out of the room and into a more private setting. "Listen, his parents they want to take him home. Russ and I, even Joel have tried to talk them out of it, but they will only do it if he comes back to Rhydin and be where the rest of us can keep an eye on him." He says it quick, like a band-aid, just get it done and over with. "Now, I know you probably think we are stepping over the line perhaps but please remember he is our brother and we only care about you, Gage and him."

He turns and levels an angry hazel eyed glare at Jaden. "He's an adult and that's his fucking decision Jay. You know that. I'm not forcing him to stay here. He wants to be here with me and Gage. Are his parents staying here or on a hotel?"

His tone stays calm, more concern then anything is on his face. "Now listen here, no need to become vulgar. I never said you were forcing him to stay here and right now Cole is not in the right mind. Can you not see we are all here to help? His parents are staying in the guest house." He knows all about Dirk's temper, he has known him for some time and it never really surprised him how quickly Dirk can fly off the handle but with him, he just shakes his head. "I understand it has been a trying time Dirk, but he can not possibly stay in the place that he... had the accident."

He tried his best to remember that Jaden was just the messenger. He paces for a minute, taking deep breaths to calm himself down. Of course Jaden was right. The bros were there to help out. But Rhy'din. Man, he did not want to go back to Rhy'din. That's where all of their problems started. "It's up to Cole. Whatever he decides, I stand behind him. We can't take him out of here now though. The home health care nurse is coming daily to do physical therapy. When he's strong enough, you can ask him then. Until then you don't say a word to him. You nor Russ nor Joel. He doesn't need to be any more upset than he already is." He walks up to Jaden suddenly and just hugs him. "Thanks for looking out for us, bro."

"I agree, I never did mean right away, of course I would wait until he is stable to talk with him about it." Course he did not expect to be hugged but he wraps his arms around Dirk and pats his back. "I will always look out for you guys, I love you little brats." He grins and pats him more on the back.

He stiffens in Jay's arms and takes a step back. "What do you mean, stable?" Oh man they thought Cole was crazy or something!

A curious look at him. "I mean when he can walk and get around on his own, stable on the ground?" He takes a moment to think then shakes his head. "I do not think he is insane if that is what you are thinking."

He just steps out of the hug and starts pacing again. "I don't care what you guys think, really. He's not crazy. And you'll see, he'll be up and walking in no time. I work with him everyday. And things are getting better all the time. Even this morning we made..." Yea, it slipped but he stopped himself. Hopefully Jaden would just let it slide. "He's getting better all the time. And you can tell his parents that no matter where he goes, Gage and I are going to be close behind."

Now this was interesting.. He takes a moment to watch Dirk carefully, brown eyes follow his every movement. "Dirk, I said I thought he was just fine in his head. Are you perhaps the one worried that he isn't?" He tilts his head. He left that last comment alone..
"Of course he is getting better. But once again Dirk, do you think he is, sane?"

He could have taken Jaden's head off for that. "Listen, Pal. Don't you presume to know what I'm thinking and what I'm not. Cole's not crazy. I don't think he's crazy. And if you value how your face is arranged you'll keep your nosey limey ass out of it." He storms out the front door and just starts walking. He needs a cigarette and he needs one badly.

Russ walks out of the kitchen, leaving Cole in the care of the younger bros who seem to have a million questions for him. He sees Dirk rush out and looks over to Jaden. "Told him huh?"

All Jaden does is stand there with an eyebrow arched as Dirk once again speaks his mind. He watches as he storms out of the house and then turns to Russ when he walks in the room. "Something is not right Russ. Dirk says plenty of things but that was really.... defensive. And yes I told him, but I think something else is going on. He says he does not believe Cole may not be in the right mind but actions are speaking louder then words here, and why get so defensive, he looked like he wanted to hit me. That would be a first for us." He frowns slightly at that.

He stands besides Jaden and takes a sip of his hot cocoa. Doesn't matter where he is, he has to have his hot elixir. "He feels guilty about what happened to Cole." He looks to the door then back to Jaden. "I don't know what all happened when they got here, but Dirk feels like he's responsible for everything bad that's happened. So he's going to be defensive." He purses his lips and his eyes narrow, as if he's reading something.

His gaze stays on Russ as he speaks, only the utmost respect for his older brother of course. "Understood, I suppose I am just not use to Dirk speaking to me in that manner." He sighs as his gaze goes to the door then back to Russ. "Are you feeling something?" He slides a hand through his fresh cut hair, still felt funny to him.

He blinks rapidly and looks back to Jaden. "Yea, Dirk's feeling guilty. I know I shouldn't have read him but he had to know he's not alone in all of this. He feels like Cole is his responsibility and he needs to make sure that nothing else hurts him. As protective as he's being right now, I'm surprised that Gage can even get near Cole." He sighs heavily. "I dread when he meets up with Cole's parents. I feel there may be a fight." He looks back to Jaden.

"Yes well I understand all of that but if he thinks he can just speak to me like that." He pauses for a moment. "I will leave it to you Russ, I am in no mood for his violence or fighting. I am here for Cole, Gage, and him but I refuse to be threatened." He pats Russ on the shoulder and then makes his way out of the living room.