Lucas stood on the edge of the bus platform, bags in hand. The day had finally come for him to leave behind a town called Merlow, and with it, a family that he considered himself fortunate to be a part of. He still couldn't believe that his time in Merlow was over. He always believed this would be the place he would spend the rest of his life. Now it seemed life needed to be somewhere else if it was to find any kind of future.

San Diego beckoned, and so too a fresh start. He had his doubts about leaving initially, but almost instantly he realized that he was making the right move. The longer he stayed here, the more he would wonder about what life could have been, and perhaps should have been.

Looking down at his hands, Lucas pulled out a photograph of a very dear group of people. The sight of them made his already emotional state that much more indulged. He had to stifle back tears as he studied the photo intently. The Pack, in days when life seemed so dramatic, and yet in reality was so much simpler than it became. Days when smiles were true and hopes were bountiful.

Marcel Lewis, blonde and glowing with a cocky, good natured grin. The one member of the Pack that Lucas felt something always prevented them from being closer, and yet despite that, Marcel had done so much for him. Lucas had an endless amount of respect and admiration for the person Marcel was, and became with each passing chapter of time.

Next to Marcel was a character that made Lucas smile. Someone who always seemed to be finding his place, and as far as Lucas was concerned, an often neglected member of their clan. Dade Marcus. His infectious grin and wisdom beyond his years had been lost since this photo was taken, but he still thought of Dade like this. In Lucas's mind, Dade was always part of the Pack, if not their collective youngling. It seemed slightly foretelling that in this photo, Dade's grin and eyes were aimed squarely at a certain Blondie.

Daniel Phelan Marcus, the one who to this day, still held Lucas's heart. The one they called Storm. The one Lucas called Love. Even he seemed so much brighter in the photo, possessing the cheekiness he was well known for. The subtle way Storm's hand clutched almost possessively on Lucas's hip without realizing, made Lucas pine for those little gestures again.

There would never be another who impacted his life the way Storm had. And despite the way their paths splintered, Lucas would never regret a moment of their time together. Not one moment.

"Sarah." Lucas smiled, "Always so beautiful."

This was a Sarah Leo full of life, before she was brought down by the ravages of cancer. She had Mike in a headlock, reminding him who wore the pants in their relationship. In her prime, she was the mother of the group. The one girl for all of her boys. The head bitch, as she liked to be known.

Lucas's phone started to ring and he pulled it out, flipping it open to find a familiar, warm face on the screen. The face made Lucas's eyes well up and he stroked the screen affectionately.

"Dude." Lucas smiled, "Hey. I was just getting to you."

"Sorry I'm not there." Mike said, "I wish I could have been. I just ..."

"I know. I know. But I'll see you soon, right?"

"Real soon." Mike said, sniffling a little, his eyes red from crying, "I just wanted to call and tell you, I'm really going to miss you. I hope you don't forget about us out there in the real world."

"You're my brother. I'll always be here for you." Lucas's face was already a mess of tears as he kissed the screen, wishing he could hug Mike, "I love you so much, Dude. So much."

"I love you too, Lucas." Mike replied, his voice lacking its usual conviction, "You just get yourself back on track and maybe ... maybe we'll see each other again soon. Your parents will be good for you. It's been ... awesome having you in my life. I hope ... I just hope it works out for you. I need to go now, I ... I just wanted to call so you'd know I was still thinking of you. I just ... I don't have another goodbye in me. I'm sorry."

The call disconnected and an emotional Lucas shed abundant tears as he clutched the phone to his chest. He'd said a lot of goodbyes to the small group that had come to see him off, but Mike was one goodbye that Lucas wanted more than anything. He didn't want to leave Merlow when he thought about the people he was leaving behind, but no one was letting him change his mind.

"How much do you charge per night? I can't pay, but I can cook breakfast."

Lucas raised his head and gave a grin as wide as he could muster, "Dude! You came!"

Storm nodded his head as he approached, dropping a box of cookies that he'd made from one of his mother's recipes. A firm favourite for Lucas, from right back in his and Storm's early times together. The box settled on the top of one of Lucas's bags, before Storm wrapped his arms around Lucas and hugged him tightly.

Lucas returned the gesture, for a long time just holding Storm, smelling him, listening to him breathe. He didn't think he'd ever feel this again in his life, and wanted to burn the moment into his mind.

"Wouldn't miss this for the world." Storm whispered in Lucas's ear.

"Making sure I finally fuck off out of your life, huh?"

"Naturally." Storm smiled, breaking the hug but letting a hand linger on Lucas's arm, "I'm sorry. I've never said that to you yet. I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what?"

"For us. For me. I got lost for a long time after I lost her. I didn't do enough for us. Even without Ashley, I just ... I think we could've made it if I ... if I ..."

"Dude, you lost your rock. Everything fell apart after that. I don't blame you for us, and I don't want you ever to either. If I've learned anything lately, it's that life does as life does. We just have to hold on for the ride and hope we don't get thrown off."

"Are you going to be okay?"

"I'm going to be fine, Dude. I really am. This move has been a long time coming."

"Kinda like me in bed, right? A long time till I come because I'm just that good?"

Lucas laughed out loud, leaning his temple against Storm's in a way that was all too familiar. He smiled and clutched Storm's hand, grateful that he was allowed to be so casual and free without being rejected. It had taken them a long time to get to this point again, but Lucas was grateful nonetheless.

"Dude, you're the best. In bed, out of bed, in the shower, on the floor, against the door, just give me more."

This time it was Storm's turn to laugh and without intending to, the two were hugging once more. The goodbye was coming and it seemed neither was truly looking forward to it. Yet when the bus beeped its arrival, the hug broke and Storm stepped back, picking Lucas's bags up for him.

"I still don't understand what San Diego has over Merlow. We all know that place is falling into the sea any minute now. And if the world did end, wouldn't you rather end it in paradise?"

"Dude, my parent's house is already on the market, the rest of my stuff has been sent ahead. You're just being an asshole and messing with my head now that I'm leaving and you realize I'm the best thing since sliced bread. It's perfectly understandable."

Storm grinned and nodded his head at that, "I think you're going to be fine."

"Oh, and just before you start thinking I'm leaving and don't care about you anymore, suck on this." Lucas pulled out the necklace Storm gave him, which had been hidden under his shirt, "At least one of us still wears theirs, hmm?"

"Excuse you." Storm said with a 'pfft' look on his face, before he pulled down his sleeve and revealed Lucas's necklace was right there, but being worn as a bracelet today, "Yeah, now what?"

"What would you say if I asked you for it back?"

"Fuck you, fuck off, go to hell, not a chance." Storm shrugged, "That cover it?"

Lucas smiled at that, before he took his bags from Storm and turned toward the bus. He turned back to Storm, giving him a small, sad smile.

"So, Dude ... this is goodbye."

Storm fidgeted, his expression slightly pained as he nodded his head, "You'd think after how it all ended for us, that I wouldn't care this much about you leaving, and yet all I want to do right now is cry. I'm never going to see you again. All the other times we said goodbye, you were still in Merlow, and I knew we'd cross paths, but ... today?"

"I know, Dude. I ... I think this is it too. Maybe best for both of us, you know? We never could get it right."

"We could get it right. If we couldn't, why would I be here now? Why would I still ... care so much about you. We got it right, Lucas. I'm proof of that. Take today for example. I never expected to be here today. But in some ironic fate, a bus brought us together, and a bus will finally part us. The symmetry is almost painful." Storm said, approaching Lucas slowly, hands fixed in his pockets, "It started on a bus."

"It ended on a bus." Lucas said softly, frowning as he looked at Storm, "Goodbye, Dude."

Storm nodded his head, eyes blinking rapidly, "Yep. Yeah. You take care, Lucas. You take care, okay?"

As if mirroring their moods, the skies crackled with thunder and opened upon them with a torrent of rain. Neither moved

Lucas, without warning smashed his lips against Storm's, kissing him, "I'm still breathing."

Lucas whispered those words as he clutched Storm's hand to his chest. Surprisingly, the words elicited a gasp and a sob from Storm, who seemed to have lost his voice. Without another word, Lucas picked up his bags and ran into the bus.

Lucas stowed his bags away and wiped the water from his face. He sat down next to the window, staring out of it to where Storm stood in the rain, hands in his pockets, obviously crying. For some reason, Lucas found that so very surprising. Tears over him?

As the bus pulled away, Lucas watched the figure of Storm standing in the rain grow smaller and smaller. As he stared at the shrinking sight of his former lover and best friend, Lucas began to recall the events that led to this point ...

* * * * * * * -- Five Months Earlier

"I could kill that bitch." Sarah said, growling tiredly as she sat in Mike's lap, "I could kill Ashley too!"

Mike chuckled at that, shaking his head and kissing Sarah's hair. He held her securely, his jacket wrapped around her to keep her warm. As always, he made sure she was taken care of, right down to the little things.

The couple were sitting outside Lucas's hospital room, which had an open door policy and was monitored due to his injuries being self inflicted. Legally, he was under no obligation to have any next of kin informed of his condition, and he'd regained consciousness enough to make sure that right was upheld. Right now however he was sleeping.

Sarah sighed softly, playing with one of Mike's hands. She raised it to her lips, kissing each finger as though she was mildly bored. They both wanted to be here when Lucas woke up. He'd been on his own for a while now, and they wanted that to change. They weren't back in Merlow just for themselves. They were here to be with the people they loved. Lucas was one of those people.

"I don't think he meant to kill himself." Sarah said absently, "If he did, he did a piss poor job."

"He didn't." Mike said, "I hope he didn't. I don't think he meant to. I think he just broke. If he meant to kill himself, it wouldn't have just been one arm, and he wouldn't have missed."

"Dudes?" A croaky voice called from inside the room.

"Ooh!" Sarah said excitedly, jumping out of Mike's lap and rushing in.

Mike stood up and followed her inside, giving a bleary eyed Lucas a small smile, "Hey, Mate. How you feeling?"

Mike sat on one side of Lucas's bed, while Sarah sat on the other. Lucas held his hands either side, gripping a hand of his two companions. He looked at them, smiling weakly as they squeezed his hand. He seemed oddly happy.

"Dudes, I am so sorry. I didn't mean to ... I just ..."

"We know." Sarah said quickly, nodding her head, "It was that psycho inbred whore piece of cunt ass mother fucking slut food cow!"

"She's trying to say we understand." Mike smiled wryly at Sarah, before turning to Lucas.

He kissed Lucas's hand and brushed a strand of hair from his forehead. Lucas seemed, and in fact was, so much older than in years gone by. Back when their biggest concerns were whether sharing a little kiss in football camp made them complete homosexuals. Lucas was quick to boot Mike out of that club, fortunately for Sarah. Now, Lucas seemed older now just in how he looked, but in his eyes, worn down by depression and loss of self respect.

"I'm so glad you're here." Lucas said sincerely, looking to each in turn, "Dudes, are you really going to stay this time?"

"We are." Mike promised, "We're home now."

Lucas let out a pained smile, clearly happy and quite emotional, "Really?"

"Really." Sarah said, her voice soft and reassuring, "And we're with you, Baby. We're with you."

"Guh." Lucas gasped, crying, but happily so, "Kisses!"

The three shared a small laugh before Mike and Sarah leaned in either side of him and kissed his cheeks. Lucas grinned, clearly happy as ever. He didn't feel so alone anymore. He lived for love, to be with those he loved, and to give love to them in return. In many ways, despite Ashley's intent to break him, Lucas was beginning to already feel a weight lifting with each passing moment.

* * * * * * *

"You know the reason you guys suck is because you didn't let me back on the team. Still hate you for that by the way." Brad said to Josh as the pair walked toward Lake Herren and their favourite tree.

"I know, I know." Josh sighed, "I'm sorry."

"I could take you, you know. Still owe you for that punch."

"Brad ..."

"Relax, I'm not going to. No point. You got your way."

"I'm sorry, okay?" Josh frowned, sensing that this wasn't going to be the lovely little outing he was hoping for.

"Just get over there and take your shirt off." Brad somewhat demanded, motioning his hand for Josh to stand against the tree, "I wanna draw you standing up. Yeah, just like that. Take your shoes and socks off."

"Anything else, Master?" Josh asked, giving a half smirk.

"This is my zone. You have to do what I say here. Now stand still and let me draw you." Brad said, pulling out a pencil to start the outline, "Just turn your head."

"I feel like Rose in Titanic." Josh blushed a little, feeling quite exposed.

"I like drawing you." Brad said thoughtfully, "You capture well in the stillness, because when you open your mouth, you never say what you mean. You always stutter or stumble on your thoughts."

"You're really going to make me suffer for punching you and keeping you off the team, aren't you?"

"Mainly the off the team part. I was ready. I'm still ready." Brad said, before he put his pencil down and looked up at Josh, "I was V.C. under Mike when you were still running water bottles. You need me there, especially with Lucas gone."

"He's doing fine. He's got Mike and Sarah. Sure the other two will pop up soon enough." Josh said, "Storm tell you that?"

"Does everyone know I'm his secret squirrel or something?"

"Kinda." Josh chuckled, "I can't believe Lucas did that though. Makes me feel even worse for pushing him out of the team."

"You need me in there. Put me on second string. There's enough games left in the season for me to help make a difference. You suck, Josh. The team is ass."

Josh sighed, "I was hoping to have Mike come in and run a session with us, like the old days."

"Bring me back in." Brad said, "I want in at the next training. I'll run the complete test. Beep test, whatever test you got. Come on, Josh. You owe me."

"You really want this, don't you?"

"Before I graduate, I want to be there. Bring me in and I'll give you a blow job."

"Brad!" Josh said, eyes wide with shock and horror as he shook his head, "No!"

Brad rolled his eyes and sighed, "Too gay for you?"

"I just ... we've got time, don't we? To ... to do that?" Josh asked, looking uncomfortable with the topic.

"I thought I was the one who was supposed to have problems."

"It's just ..." Josh said as he sat down on the grass next to Brad, rubbing his feet absently, "Sex before marriage, maybe harder for my parents to take than sex with another male."

"No way." Brad said, shaking his head, "Josh, no ... way. Okay? I did not get into this relationship with you just to be denied the only likely sexual encounters of my miserable life! Josh, where's my gay sex?"

Josh blushed and turned away, before he looked at Brad again, "You'd want that? With me?"

"Well duh, it'll make a great upgrade from Mr. Right, who let me tell you, needs a holiday."

Josh burst into giggles, sighed, and then fell down with his head in Brad's lap, "I keep waiting for you to tell me this is all too weird for you."

"Josh, look, don't take this the wrong way, but for a guy, you're really kinda good looking."

"You are too." Josh said, still blushing as he looked up at Brad, "Never thought I'd think of you that way, but ... now I can't think of anything else but you being that way."

"Yeah that's really kind of gay, Josh." Brad said, having his own turn to blush, "But I suppose that fits now, huh? You ruined my drawing by the way."

"Draw my face."

Brad looked down at Josh and put his drawing pad aside. He bit his lip and leaned down, stealing a small kiss as if he was trying on a new shirt. Josh looked up at him with curious eyes, wondering what Brad's response was.

"Yeah, I'd still prefer a blow job."

* * * * * * *

"Dude? You know how Mike and Sarah married, well ..." Lucas began to say, before Storm cut him off.

The two were wading in the waters of LakeHerren as the sun beamed down on them. Lucas had his arms draped around Storm's neck, and the two were in plain sight of everyone around them. Ever since Storm had pushed their relationship into the open, life had been good for Lucas. He couldn't think of any reason why he'd ever want anything other than this. To be with the one he loved.

"I know." Storm replied, hands wading as he supported the weight of Lucas hanging off him, "Married. You want to be married. I'm not going to answer that, because I think you should decide for sure, when I actually ask you."

"And ..." Lucas said, biting his lip, "Do you ever intend to ask me?"

"I don't believe in marriage, but if you're looking for some kind of confirmation of how crazy I am about you, and how much I want this every day, then I do intend, most definitely ..."

"Hey, Kid." A voice whispered, stirring Lucas from his sleep.

Lucas opened his eyes and sat up. The room he was in was dark and the other patients were asleep. Lucas felt fine physically, but he knew they were keeping him in to assess his mental state and make sure he was fit to leave.

He found himself staring at a man in the next bed over, who had a flask in his hand. He extended it to Lucas, offering it. Lucas looked at the flask, so very tempted to take a drink from it.

He reached out on instinct to take it and raised it to his lips, nodding in gratitude to the man. His memories of times with Storm continued to play on his mind, but he suddenly realized that drinking would not solve his problems. He sighed and handed the flask back without taking a sip.

"Thanks, Dude, but no thanks." Lucas said, shaking his head.

Once the flask was given back, Mike revealed his presence and closed the curtains around Lucas, giving them some privacy. He sat down next to Lucas, grabbing his hand and squeezing it.

"I wanted to see what you'd do. I'm glad you didn't, Lucas. I'm really glad."

Lucas sighed and nodded his head, "Won't be easy, Dude, but I really think that now I've let my anguish out and accepted that it wasn't my fault and I'm not a bad person, the alcohol just won't seem as appealing anymore."

"You know how much I love Storm. He's my brother. But I love you as well, and I don't want to see you destroy yourself over him, and he wouldn't want that either. Lucas ..."

"I know. I need to get over it." Lucas interjected quickly, "And believe it or not, I'm getting there. I still think about him a lot, but I've just ... accepted that he's moved on, and I need to do the same. The alcohol has to go down, big time, and I need to just rebuild my life and finally accept he's not a part of it."

"I will always be here for you, Lucas." Mike said, rubbing Lucas's hand and kissing it, "For as long as I live, you will always be a part of my life."

"And Dude, you have no idea how much that means to me. No idea at all. If it wasn't for you and Sarah, I just don't know where I'd be right now."

"You're a good man, Lucas. Don't ever stop believing that. We don't want to lose you."

Lucas shook his head, truly touched by Mike's sentiments and presence, "Dude, you will never ever lose me. I'm not sure how to tell you how much I love you without sounding completely infatuated and in love with you. But I'm being strictly bromantic here."

Mike chuckled at that, "Hey, why hold back?"

"Because Sarah would skin me alive, cut off my nuts, and then start doing really horrible things to me."

Mike laughed out loud, smiling at Lucas, "She's really just a big softy."

"Oh ... Dude, I believe you." Lucas said, nodding his head, "Really. Did I tell you about this awesome rubbish dump that I think could make you millions?"

"Oh shut up and leave my beautiful girl alone."

Mike chuckled and crawled onto the bed with Lucas, holding him a little, "Been a while. We're probably way too old for this now, but ... just gimmie a little time like this."

"Dude, you're the best." Lucas said, melting into the embrace, "And you're warm, and comfy, and awesome."

"Just go to sleep, so I can sneak back to my wifey."

Mike smiled and Lucas yawned softly, snuggling up as close as he could. He'd forgotten all the times he (and everyone else) would sleep with Mike. He was the cuddly one you knew would never have any ulterior motives. All he wanted to do was hold you and make sure you knew you were loved. Right now, Lucas knew he was loved. He liked it.

* * * * * * *

"I miss Dade." Claire sighed, sitting Indian style on her bed, June cradled in her arms.

Claire was breastfeeding her daughter while Carl readied for bed. The adjustment to living together had been rather swift and Claire was surprised at how much she missed being with Dade. She didn't doubt that she was in the right place, but she couldn't pretend that it wasn't nice to lie with Dade's arms around her.

"I hope you don't plan on kissing me with that mouth." Carl called out from the bathroom.

"Oh be nice!"

"You don't miss him enough to leave me all over again, do you?" Carl asked as he settled on the bed beside Claire, "We should've just been a threesome."

"You know he would've made you bottom for him. I don't know if I want to see that."

"Well that's hardly fair! What if I wanted to see that?"

"Baby, if you wanted to see that, you'd have run off after Dade or been taking it from Storm all these years."

"I don't think I'd like to boost Storm's ego by having yet another person think he's a bit of alright."

"Behave!" Claire laughed, swatting at his arm.

"You going to be okay when you go and visit Dade?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, do you think you'll ..."

"Have sex?"

"Well ... I know how ... persuasive he can be. And if you miss him ..."

"I miss him and I love you. I just ... I worry about him, out there on his own. I know it's selfish of me to want him here, but I do. I think he's missing so much with June, but he just left because he thought we were better off without him. I wish he was here. With us. With June. She should know her father."

"You two really couldn't make it work?"

"Would you want us to?"

"I don't know, Princess." Carl said, taking June from Claire so she could ready herself for bed now, "I guess it would have made a nice ending for a family."

"But you'd miss me." She pouted, "You'd miss making me squeak."

"Did Dade make you squeak?"

"Oh, Carl. Dade makes everybody squeak."

"I really must try him out one of these days. See what the fuss is all about." Carl chuckled, "Bedtime now?"

"Yes, bedtime now. Before you start seriously considering an unnecessary exploration of your Kinsey scale potential."

"Kinsey, hmm?"

"Carl, shh!"

* * * * * * *

"Bradley." Sensei Takada said, approaching Brad on the mats.

"Hai, Sensei!" Brad replied, bowing instantly.

"Have you spoken to Daniel lately? How is he doing?"

"He is well, Sensei." Brad said, hands clasped behind his back, "He is eager to return home and resume his place in the dojo."

"Is he just?" Takada smiled, "And what brought about this change in his mindset?"

"I believe the fact he won the Nationals and his ego is wildly out of proportion, Sensei."

"Naturally." Takada nodded slightly, "We do breed winners here, don't we? I see you've made remarkable progress yourself."

"Only with your guidance." Brad said, before he frowned a little, "Admittedly, I am ... not as adept as some others."

"And yet you are adept enough to notice such things. In time, Bradley, in time." Takada said, patting Brad's shoulder.

"I suppose we can't all be Marcus brothers or Millers."

"If I recall, Marty Lee seemed to decrease in skill under my tutelage."

"That's because you weren't teaching him how to fight Sensei, you were teaching him how to feel, and think."

Takada nodded thoughtfully, before he sighed, "I suppose, Mr. Sisto. Now, I understand you are rejoining the Warriors?"

"Yes, Sensei!" Brad said, unable to hide his grin, pumping his fist, "I have a tryout this week to make a midseason replacement, starting off the bench."

"Well, good. It's good to see you coming out of your shell a bit more. I just hope it doesn't mean we'll be seeing you less."

"Never. I really enjoy it here." Brad said sincerely, giving an unsolicited bow, "It's changed my life. So much, Sensei. So much."

* * * * * * *

"Dudes, I am okay. I am okay!" Lucas said as Mike and Sarah both ushered him into the house.

"Shut up!" Sarah snapped at him, "Let us fuss. We're good at fussing. You're staying with us for at least a week, okay?"

"But what if I decide I like living with you guys and want to stay longer?"

Mike gave Lucas a big, long, wet kiss on the cheek, before hugging him from the side, "That'd be just fine. The house needs more noise in it. It really does."

"It does. It's making a comeback!" Sarah proclaimed, rushing ahead to open the door before it opened itself, "What the?"

"Sorry?" Claire blushed, "I still had a spare key and I wanted to come over and see Lucas. I hope you don't mind, but I went ahead and made us some lunch?"

"I love you!" Sarah gasped, hugging Claire tightly, "You brought baby, yes? Better have."

"Of course I did. She's with Brad inside."

"Dude!" Lucas smiled at her, rushing forward and giving her a warm hug, "Thank you for thinking of me."

"Lucas, let me down." Claire laughed, wriggling in his arms.

He was much taller than her. Everyone was much taller than her. So a hug from the quite tall Lucas usually meant she was being lifted off her feet. She didn't mind though. She was just glad he was okay.

"Quick, come on in, the food is getting cold!" Brad said, standing just inside the door with June, "Hey, Lucas."

"Hey, Brad." Lucas smiled, letting Claire go as he moved to June, kissing her temple, "Hello."

Once everyone had proceeded inside, Mike stayed back in the doorway with Lucas. He put his hand on Lucas's arm, giving him a soft, curious look. Lucas could tell Mike was still worried about him and tried to give a reassuring smile.

"Lucas, please come to us, whenever you need anything. A hug, encouragement, anything. You're our family." Mike said, sliding his hand down to squeeze Lucas's, "We don't want anything to happen to you."

"I'm sorry I didn't come to you before, but I promise, it won't happen again. Not now that you're both here with me." Lucas gave Mike a hug, rubbing his back and blinking back some emotion, "I love you so much, Dude."

"Always here for you, Bud." Mike said, relieved as he returned the back rubbing gesture, "Always."

* * * * * * *

"A huh. Okay, good." Sarah whispered into her cell phone, hanging up the moment Lucas came out.

She and Lucas were at the Sheridan house getting some of his things to take back to their place. The house was now spotless and clean, and all the furniture Lucas had sold or destroyed in his breakdown had been replaced. It looked as good as new. She gave him a warm smile and he raised his eyebrow at her suspiciously. She started to break down and her warm smile turned into a smirk, before she stomped her foot.

"Alright, fine! I was up to mischief!"

"What kind of mischief?" Lucas asked, doing his best impression of a raised Dade eyebrow, but failing miserably.

"The mischief I sure ain't telling your ass about. Shall we go?"

"Sarah, I just ... thank you so much for cleaning this place up, but I can't take all this new furniture. I mean, it's just too much."

"Lucas, I love you, but I am not a walking cash machine. Sorry." She shrugged.

"Then ... who?"

"Umm ... does it matter?"

"Dude, who!?" Lucas asked, chuckling, "I need to thank them."

"But ... what if they don't want to be?"'

"Then I want to thank them even more!"

"It was Marcel. He didn't want you to know because ..."

"No." Lucas said quickly, "There's nothing wrong with us. I love him, he loves me. There's no problem. Pack for life, right?"

"That's what he said ..." Sarah said, giving Lucas a strange look, "Okay, well, so you're not awkward about it?"

"No. I know what he's like and I'm just touched that he thought of me." Lucas sighed, "I mean ... I just have to get over it, right? And be grateful that everyone still loves me. I just ... I mean, I know it seems odd, because I didn't even tell anyone what happened, but they seem to know. And everyone has somehow tried to contact me except ...

* * * * * * *

"Daniel Phelan Marcus. It says my name right there." I said, pointing to my ID, "I've already filled out your stupid survey. Let me be, yes?"

"I'm so excited!" Corey said, peeking out the window, staring down at Lake Herren, "It's like some big adventure!"

I let out a yawn, nodding my head as I sat back in my seat, "Too bad Su couldn't join us."

"Wow, it's so beautiful, Dan. You left this place?"

We were starting to circle for our descent now, and I had intentionally chosen the aisle seat so I wouldn't be able to see Merlow as we came closer to landing. This was only my second time home since I'd left to live elsewhere. I was somewhat nervous, and despite our fractured relationship, I wasn't really excited about coming home without Dade being here. That just seemed odd and a little wrong to me. Another area of my life that I needed to address in the very near future.

"I feel like a King." Corey grinned, bouncing in his seat, "First class! That Marcel is a legend. Legend, I say!"

I looked at Corey and nodded softly, "Yeah, that he is, Cor. Thanks for coming."

"Anything for my man Dan." He said, patting my back, "I'm so excited!"

'Attention all passengers, we are beginning our descent into the Greater Merlow Airport, please ensure your trays are put away and you are securely fastened into yo…'

"Cor! That means you too!" I said quickly, pulling him down into his chair, "Come on. You're like having a kid or something."

Corey just grinned brightly at me, "You're getting all grumpy and serious now we're getting closer. Do I have to call you Storm now that we're in your old stomping grounds?"

"No. It'd just sound odd coming from you. Look, Mike and Sarah are going to keep an eye on you, but I just want you to try and relax and act like a tourist, okay?"

"Dan ... I am a tourist." Corey said in a drone voice.

"Oh, right, right. Anyway, just enjoy yourself. I'll try and be around as much as possible, but in case I'm not, just try and have fun, okay? My house is your house."

"Don't worry, I'm used to being a loser. I hang out with you as proof of this."

I grinned at that, "Yeah well, in Merlow, it isn't quite the same."

"I know! You're like, popular! Who'd have thought it possible, huh?" Corey grinned, leaning over to kiss my cheek, "Thank you for bringing me!"

"And we have plenty of nice girls for you to dream about having, since none of them will ever agree to having sex with you."

"Be nice to me!" He laughed, "I'm a lovely boy."

"I know, Cor, I know." I said sincerely, "Shit, tell me again why I'm coming back here?"

"To check on the boy you love? Or used to love? Fellow Pack member? Pick whichever of those is least messy."

"Unfinished business. Closure on something I thought was closed, but clearly isn't." I said, taking a deep breath, "That's why I came back."

* * * * * * *

"Dude?"

Mike was chopping some carrots in the kitchen, preparing a pot of Irish stew for the large gathering. It was one of the few things his father taught him that didn't require a fist to the face for Mike to catch onto. Mike didn't have any hate in his heart for anyone, let alone his father, despite their rocky past, and he'd been considering building some bridges, though Sarah was firmly against it. Still, he figured she was merely being her usual overprotective self.

"Lucas." Mike replied without looking up, "Wanna help me out by chopping some of those peeled potatoes?"

"Dude!" Lucas said again, squeezing Mike's arms from behind before hugging him, "I love you!"

"Lucas, I'm married, it won't work."

Lucas laughed riotously, hugging Mike even tighter, "Dude, you are the heterosexual man love of my life. I pledge myself to you forever!"

"Yes, yes, we've been through this." Mike chuckled, patting Lucas's hand, "I love you too, Babe."

"You should clone yourself." Lucas sighed, smiling and hugging Mike's back, "You could make me so happy."

"Time to let me go now, Lucas."

Lucas grinned, latching on tighter, "I'm so happy! So, so happy. Everything has just felt so ... so much better since you two came home."

Lucas suddenly felt a rush of emotion and tried to quell it, not wanting to get melancholy or too thoughtful at a playful moment like this. But it was true to him, that Mike and Sarah's return to Merlow had restored some much needed heart and stability that had been missing for so long.

"You'll be okay, Lucas." Mike said, patting Lucas's hand before he turned around in Lucas's arms, "But you really do need to let go, before I start reacting to this close groin action."

Lucas laughed loudly, breaking the embrace and grinning at Mike, "Dude, you make my life complete. I am going into the lounge to declare my love to you to the world."

Lucas turned and made his way through the dining room, into the hallway on his way to the lounge. The moment he reached the hallway, the front door opened and he turned his head instinctively to see who it was. When he saw, his eyes went wide and he stopped dead in his tracks.

"Hello, Lucas."


On to Chapter 5.12
"Just Go With It"

Back to Chapter 5.10
"Lost in a Strawberry Haze"

Chapter Index

Storm Front is © 1998-2011 by SF Writer (Tyrel "Rock" Wolf)
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