Love in Passing

Chapter 24

At eight o'clock that night, the group caravanned to the airport. Ever since leaving the shooting range, Alex always within arms reach of Daryl, Patrick observed. Something had happened between the two men but neither was willing to talk about it. As for his brother, it was quite a while before the wide eyed look left his face.

After all six cars had parked at the private airstrip, Alex left Daryl's

side for the first time in hours to make sure his men had the place covered. This gave Patrick a chance to ask a few questions.

"What's going on between you and Alex?"

"Nothing? at least nothing to be worried about." Daryl replied.

"Then you wouldn't mind telling me." Patrick pressed.

"He was a patient I treated."

"Not just treated? but saved from what I understand."

"I know?" Daryl sighed. "I'm sorry but I think Brian has gotten to Alex."

"Brainwashed him?"

"No? at least I don't think so. When his men captured Alex, he and Brian had a long chat. Brian knew at once that Alex had been one of my patients. He's been keeping a very close eye on my career."

"What did they talk about?" Steven spoke up from the driver's seat.

"About Alex's dreams? how since his trip to the ER I've become a constant subject in them. I've told Alex that it is most likely because of remaining emotional trauma from almost dying. I'm afraid Brian has convinced him otherwise."

"Oh shit? just what we need, another armed fanatic." Steven cursed.

"No? it's not like that. Alex thinks Brian is a creep and doesn't trust him. It's only that he has come to agree with Brian about the mythology the Father has been building around me."

"Which is?" Patrick pressed.

"That I am possessed by some divine spirit."

"Do you believe that?" Steven asked.

"No? I know my own imperfections. I'm not a saint or an angel but?"

"Yes?" The twins asked.

"But sometimes I wonder if some of it is true, what Brian believes? that when I want to save another person's life, really want to, I can give away a part of myself to save them."

"That might explain why you pass out." Patrick nodded.

"This is stupid." Steven said, leaving the car.

"Steven!" Daryl shouted.

"Let him cool off." Patrick said, quickly pushing the button that would lock the doors. "It's about time his agnostic view of reality was challenged but let's not go there right now. Explain Alex to me."

"He told me his life was mine."

"Probably he feels he has some sort of wookie life debt?"

"Wookies?"

"That's right? you've still not seen a Star Wars movie," Patrick sighed. "He feels he owes you his life."

"Maybe? but can explain why almost every person who should have died but didn't because of me eventually tell me the same thing? our lives are yours. Even a girl who was just three years old."

"Now that is strange," Patrick nodded. "What do you think it means though?"

"I know what Alex thinks it means? he treats it literately."

"How so?"

"He believes that he did die back in the ER, or at least a part of him did, with my own life, energy, soul, whatever you want to call it, replacing it."

"So what he should be saying is 'his life is your life."

"That pretty much sums it up."

"Dang? no wonder he wants to get into your pants," Patrick chuckled.

"He wants to sleep with me?"

"Dare? come on, you can't expect me to believe you are this clueless."

"Well I won't."

" Don't make a promise you can't keep. You saw how he handled Steven. You want to tell me you can't picture him doing the same to you?"

"I have pictured it? and it frightens me to be honest."

"I know he's big but?" Patrick chuckled.

"It's not that? it's just that last night I dreamt he and I made love? and it was wonderful, almost as wonderful as when we make love. Only when I woke up, my whole body was shaking with terror, my heart almost beating out of my chest.

"What do you think that means?"

"I don't know. A part of me wants to make love to Alex but the very thought of acting on those feelings puts in mind the image of a crazed man jumping off a cliff."

"Then don't do it."

"I don't know if I can stop myself. Not if I keep on dreaming about him."

Patrick let out a sigh before responding. "There are medications out there, drugs that Steven can prescribe that can put you in such a deep sleep so that you won't be able to remember your dreams. Do you think that would help?"

"Our church?" Daryl began only to be cut off by Patrick.

"Stop it Dare? enough about your church! What is the point of believing in something if it stops you from finding happiness?"

"I'm sorry," Daryl apologized.

"If only I could merge your blind faith with Steven's skepticism," Patrick chuckled, the harshness gone from his voice. "Will you ask Steven for the pills?"

"Yes? I will. I promise,"Daryl said just as Alex knocked on the tinted glass of the window.

"You two do know we have a flight to catch," the man chuckled, his eyes focused only on Daryl.

"We better get going," Daryl sighed.

"Not without me giving you this first," Patrick said, leaning forward to kiss Daryl on the cheek.

"Thank you Patrick," Daryl said, squeezing the hand of the man who was friend, brother, and lover before exiting the car.

Walking toward the midsize jet, the two stopped at the bottom of the stairs.

"This is it Dare? the point of no return," Patrick whispered.

"I'm ready? nervous but ready," Daryl replied. "I love you."

"I love you too Dare."

Hand in hand the two climb up into the plane's cabin where Steven was already seated. Just looked at his brother's face Patrick saw the pain his brother was in. Where he, Patrick seemed to be getting closer to Daryl every day his brother's relationship with the man they both loved seemed to be in limbo.

Patrick knew what the problem was? he just didn't know how to help Steven fix it.

Chapter 25

"Can I talk with you Patrick?" Steven asked mid-flight.

"Sure," Patrick nodded, letting go of Daryl hand. The pill Steven had given him would keep Daryl asleep for another three hours at least.

Following his brother to the back of the plane where the roar of the engines would prevent eavesdropping, Patrick sat himself down in a leather chair. "What's up?"

"Why do I keep on fucking things up?" Steven asked, his tone one of hurt.

"Relationships are never an easy thing to build."

"You seem to have no problem with it," Steven said bitterly.

"Well let's compare our records. Each of us have had almost the same number of boyfriends? right?"

"Yeah."

"But if recollection serves me right? most of mine last twice as long as yours."

"Maybe," Steven said grudgingly.

"Also? where I have had five live in boyfriends you have had none until Dare."

"You saying I can't handle making a commitment?"

"No? I am saying you have no experience making commitments. It is not something that comes naturally or can be taught. It is something that only comes from experience."

"So I am in 'virgin' territory. That does not explain why I lose my temper so often."

"That's my fault? I've spoiled you by letting you get your way too often."

"What should I do Patrick? Even Alex is doing better than I am with Dare." Steven sighed, pointing toward the mercenary, now sitting next to Daryl where Patrick had been sitting.

"The two of them have a special connection." Patrick said. "You would have known that if you had not had your latest temper tantrum."

"That's what I'm talking about. I don't understand how an educated man like Dare can believe some of the shit he does."

"It's called faith? you should try to find yours again." Patrick said sharply. He too did not like some of the things Daryl believed but he was not the skeptic his brother was. "Not everything can be explained by tidy numbers or facts."

"But we don't believe in God."

"You don't. You have only assumed that I didn't as well because I never openly disagreed with your narrow views."

"What?"

"Steven? when was the last time you called mom?"

"Her birthday?" Steven said guilty.

"That was over nine months ago."

"Steven? she only lives five miles away from us."

"You know why I don't call her," Steven said defensively.

"Because she would try to invite you to church?" Patrick laughed. "She'd invite you and you would say no like always but feel guilty about refusing. Damn, I should have your job."

"I'm only human." Steven said weakly.

"Yes? Try to remember that some times. Try to remember that as humans there are forces out in the universe that are greater than us and incomprehensible to us. That's where faith comes in."

"I can't believe in God and I don't see how you can after years of listening to our father's hate."

"Fine? but you need to believe in something Steven or lose Dare completely," Patrick warned.

"I do believe in something? someone that is."

"Dare?" Patrick guessed.

"Yes? I believe he is a good, selfless man in a world filled with self centered people. I believe he is the man I am meant for. I believe in my love for him."

"Then you're halfway there," Patrick said encouragingly.

"What's the other part?"

"Remembering that Daryl too is human." Patrick chuckled.

Chapter 26

Daryl woke up slowly, finding six blue eyes and three smiling faces looking down at him.

"We've landed Dare," Alex whispered.

"Already?" Daryl yawned. "It took me almost two days to drive out to California."

"Planes do tend to move a bit faster." Steven could not help but to chuckle.

"How far from New Hope are we?" Daryl said as he stood up.

"Not far? we landed on the airstrip Brian had the mining company build two years ago," Patrick said.

"An airport in New Hope?" Daryl said skeptically.

"Brian seems pretty determined to modernizing the place," Patrick said.

Once on the tarmac the four men saw that a welcoming committee was waiting for them, led by Brian, Sheriff Landon, Mayor Will, CEO Stan, and Judge Kevin... all of the men who had been among Daryl's closest friends.

"Thank you for coming home," Brian whispered as he embraced Daryl.

"I had no choice," Daryl replied coldly.

"I know, and for that I'm sorry. I think you know everyone here."

"Yes, of course," Daryl said, shaking each of his old friends' hands. When he took Stan's, he noticed the man's hard stare as he felt a slip of paper put in his hand.

Quickly putting his hand in his pocket to hide the message, Daryl let himself be led away into one of the waiting cars? new cars by the look of them. It was not until the car started moving that Daryl realized that he had been separated from the rest of his group, finding himself alone with Brian.

"It's ok Daryl? I just wanted a chance to talk with you privately," the Father said when he noticed the worried look on the other man.

"What do you have to say that can't be said around my friends?"

"That I am still in love with you."

"I think they are aware of that," Daryl replied.

"You don't understand. I guess I'm not being very clear. Since your parents are dead and you are not married, the role of arranging your marriage falls to me as the Father."

"Am I not still betrothed to Diana?"

"She's been shunned Daryl. You know our law? you can not marry a person who has been shunned."

"Who would you have me marry then, Father?" Daryl said coldly.

"Why, me of course."

"But?"

"Can you name one single church law that forbids two men from marrying?" Brian challenged.

"That's because none of our ancestors ever considered the possibility."

"Still? the law is the law."

"I don't want to marry you Brian," Daryl said flatly.

"But you do love me?"

"Yes," Daryl sighed? hating being honest.

"Then we have more going for us than most of our people have," Brian insisted.

"Now I see why you wanted to talk to me alone. You knew my friends would never let this happen."

"But it's going to happen Daryl," Brian said flatly as the car turned onto a paved road that Daryl knew all too well.

"We're going to the church now!"

"Yes? all our people are there waiting for us."

Reaching into his pocket, Daryl took out the scrap of paper, scribbled on it was a single word? 'trap'. He should have read the message as soon as Stan had given it to him.

Brian reached over and took the slip of paper away from Daryl. "I see Stan is up to his usual tricks? little good they will do."

"I won't marry you Brian? I won't say the vows."

"Who said anything about you being the one to say the vows?" Brian chuckled, in reference to the fact that in church marriages, the future husband spoke for both groom and bride. "Think about it? we can't have the Father go up to the altar and remain silent like some woman."

"But you want me to! I won't go through with this."

"But you love me Daryl," Brian said in a pained voice.

"But I don't want to marry you," Daryl replied.

"Then I guess you leave me no choice," Brian sighed, as he took out a sheet of paper from his coat pocket.

"What is that?"

"It was to be my wedding gift to you but because you won't marry me I guess I will have to throw it away," Brian said as he rolled the window down.

"What's on that piece a paper?" Daryl demanded, his eyes frozen on the page flapping in the wind.

"Just an address? to an orphanage," Brian chuckled.

It took less than a second for Daryl to realize what Brian was hinting at. Instead of getting him to beg Brian for the address, Daryl rushed toward the Father, even with his seatbelt still on.

For a brief moment the two men struggled, Daryl only able to tear away one corner of the page before Brian managed to throw it out the window. Popping his seatbelt free, Daryl opened the nearest passenger door open, intending to jump out after it. He would have almost made it had Brian not tackled his left leg as he made his leap. As a result Daryl ended up being dragged several feet before Brian was willing to let him go, Daryl'n leg causing the car to jump when it was run over.

Chapter 27

Daryl did not remember much of what happened in the following hours other than he was in a lot of pain. He did recognize Brian's voice constantly begging him for forgiveness. He thought he remembered entering the massive auditorium of the church sanctuary which seemed to be filled with the sounds of crying. The last thing he could recall was the sound of an ambulance siren.

Waking was painful. It was as if every bone in his body had been broken by what happened. Opening his eyes Daryl saw he was in an empty hospital room, both arms and one leg in castes. Swirling his tongue in his mouth he could also feel the gaps where several teeth had been broken. It was his left hand however that his eyes froze for located on the bottom of his ring finger was a thick gold ban.

For a long time he bounced in and out of consciousness, each time with a new pain. It did not take Daryl long to realize where he was and what was happening. He was at the mining clinic and like all Blessed who visited it, the Father had given orders that he was to remain sedated while the doctors worked toward repairing his body.

It was not until he awoke to find new teeth in his mouth that he had his first visitor? Stan.

"I tried to warn you Daryl. Why didn't you read my message? Why didn't Diana warn you."

"I'm sorry Stan," he mumbled. "I didn't read your message until it was too late. Diana didn't warn me either."

"Figures? she lost whatever backbone she had when her brother wouldn't remove her punishment." Stan sighed as he sat himself on the edge of the bed. "I've missed you."

"So have I? in the end you were the only one I could count on." Daryl smiled weakly.

"I owed it to you? you saved my life... more than once in fact."

"All I remember is the lake," Daryl whispered.

"Yes? I almost drowned but you rescued me. Your first miracle." Stan chuckled.

"It wasn't a miracle."

"It was to me. Brian thinks so too. That's why he doesn't dare have me shunned."

"Is there anyone else around here half sane?" Daryl asked.

"Everything fell apart after you left. Without the blessing of your family to protect us, everyone turned on each other. The only person I truly trust is my son."

"So you got married." Daryl chuckled, regardless of the pain it caused.

"Yes? I did my duty, but that's it. Helen didn't mind. We've never been fond of each other. She even brings her other lovers to my house to make love."

"Is she infected?" Daryl asked, concerned.

"I don't know? I hope not. Only the outsiders Brian has brought in and a few of us higher ups have any clue how bad it really is."

"What about you Stan? have you found any happiness in your life?"

"I have my son? he's been my only source of joy," Stan said as he placed a gentle hand on Daryl's bruised stomach. "I've missed you Daryl. I've missed the old days."

"I had to leave? don't you still believe that."

"More than ever? which has me confused as to why you are here now. Why didn't you stay away where you were safe."

"Because of two reasons. This plague that Brian has unleashed on our people? it has to be stopped."

"I agree? what is the other?"

"David? he and Diana had a pair of twins together. The old Father stole them from her and put them in an orphanage somewhere."

"So you came to get them back?"

"Yes?" Daryl nodded.

"As a father I can understand that? more than I can agree with you thinking you can save our people," Stan said as he took a dirty, crumpled piece of paper out of his jean pocket.

"I was at that so called wedding? most of the locals were horrified by it I hope you believe."

"But none of them stopped it," Daryl pointed out.

"With all these heavily armed outsiders patrolling the town can you really blame them? Everyone is scared Daryl? including me. Anyway? you were yelling and screaming the whole time during the ceremony? mostly out of pain. I was able to piece together enough of what happen to know that Brian had something you had wanted but he had thrown out the window. Leaving the church I searched the road, only finding this single piece of litter." Stan said, handing the page to Daryl.

"Whitmore Home for Boys." Daryl read.

"I looked it up? it's in a town about a hundred miles south of New Hope."

Now knowing where his brother's sons were, Daryl wanted to leave the hospital and go right to them. Just the effort to sit up racked him with too much pain however.

"Don't try to move Daryl," Stan stated emphatically.

"Do you know where my friends are?" Daryl asked once the pain had eased some.

"Yes? it seems you have quite a few. Right now they're bunkered down at your folks place. One of them, Alex I think, has threatened to blow the entire gas field sky high unless you are returned to them."

"You better do as they say? Alex is an expert at mayhem." Daryl chuckled.

"You know I would like to do that Daryl but?"

"I know you have your son to think about. If things get too bad for you, get to my friends, they'll protect you."

"We'll see?I'll go over to their place tonight and give them the address to the children's home."

"Be careful." Daryl warned.

Chapter 28

That night:

"How you doing Kevin?" Stan asked worriedly, looking to the back seat of his truck.

"I think I'm more bruised than Mister Gavin." The thirteen-year-old youth said from under the blankets that covered him.

"Trust me son? you're nowhere close." Stan laughed.

"Are we even still on the road?" the boy asked.

"Nope? haven't been for the last three miles."

"I thought so."

"I'm sorry Kevin but I don't want the outsiders to notice us on the road. After this hill, the ground is pretty flat." Stan said, trying not to show the worry he was feeling.

With the moon less than a third full, there was very little light for Stan to use as he guided his truck over the hill that would lead to the ranch of the Gavin homestead. Having hiked this hill with Daryl as a youth, he knew all too well that the side of the hill was littered with boulders. Still he did not dare turn his headlights on, not after the Father had declared a sunset curfew for everyone but the outsiders.

Except for a few hard bumps Stan almost succeeded in guiding his vehicle all the way to the bottom only for the ground to shift from under the truck, causing it to slide rapidly down the remaining hundred yards, only to be stopped by a giant boulder, triggering the release of the airbags.

Stan, touching his slightly burned face, winced with pain. That did not worry him as much as the silence coming from the back of the truck. "Kevin? you ok back there?"

Not getting a response, Stan freed himself from his seat, got out, and pulled his seat back to get access to the back seat. Reaching for the blanket, he found it damp, causing his pulse to quicken. Taking a risk, he reached up and turned on the interior lights, finding his son, unconscious, a deep gash on his head.

Not knowing what else to do, Stan carried his lanky son in his arms, walking at a slow pace toward the lights of the old Gavin home. "Come on Kevin? you can make it." Stan cried, walking half blind from the constant flow of tears.

Blind, and deaf to everything but his own grief, Stan did not notice the flashlights aimed at him, nor the shouts of several men until he almost fell forward into a trench, jerked back at the last minute.

"Hey now? watch yourself." A man with a southern drawl said, lifting Kevin out of Stan's arms.

"Please save my boy," Stan wailed, when he realized he had found the other people.

"Don't worry sir? my best medic is checking him out. Now sit down and let Kurt look you over."

"There was a rock slide. I lost control? I shouldn't have come."

"Well you're here now and you're safe," a redheaded man said calmly as he began removing Stan's blood stain clothes to make sure he wasn't hurt before letting out a loud whistle. Why is it that almost every person here is a hottie."

"Keep your mind on the task at hand," the commander, Alex, warned.

"He seems to be ok sir? the blood is most likely the boy's," Kurt said a few moment's latter, triggering another wail from Stan.

"Please sir, try to calm down. There are a few questions I need to ask you," Alex said as calmly as possible.

"I'm sorry? is my boy ok?"

"Kurt, go check on this man's son," Alex ordered.

"Yes sir," Kurt nodded, before running off.

"While we wait for him to come back, why don't you tell me why you were trying to drive blind through those hills."

"Because I promised Daryl I would."

"You've seen Dare?" Alex asked excitedly. "Where is he? Is he ok?"

"I saw him a few hours ago. He's in bad shape but the doctors are taking good care of him. Brian even had some plastic surgeons flown in from Chicago."

"Why does Dare need plastic surgery?" Alex demanded, his voice heated.

"There was an accident of some sort where he got dragged by the car he was in."

"And how did that happen?" the commander pressed.

"Brian threw something out the window? something Daryl wanted very badly, so badly that he jumped out of the car after it."

"Damn it," Alex swore just when Kurt came back.

"My son? is he going to live?" Stan asked desperately.

"He is going to be fine sir? a deep cut and a concussion. He woke up while Hector bandaged him up. Kevin is riding in the jeep now heading back to the house so that the doctors can close the wound up with stitches."

"Can I join him?" Stan asked worriedly.

Seeing Kurt look in his direction, Alex nodded his head. The two men were almost gone when Stan remembered why he had taken such risks in the first place. Running back to the commander, he offered the man a slip of paper.

"What is this?" Alex asked.

"It's what Daryl tried to jump after. It has the address of the orphanage David's boys are at," Stan explained. "Please save them."

"I will. If you need anything Kurt will get it for you," Alex said before going to his own jeep.

Turning on the computer he had on the dashboard, he plugged in the address. Within moments, his satellite connection to the internet gave him a map to the Whitmore Home for Boys.

"A and B squad meet me at the barn, we got ourselves a mission," Alex said over his walky-talkie.

Chapter 29

"Now what do we say Aaron?" a wrinkled old woman asked, a short ruler in her hand.

"Thank you for coming Father Reeves," Aaron said as one hand rubbed his sore ass.

"Just try to do better next week," the cold faced priest said. "What is the point of confessing your sins if you are not willing to repent?"

"Oh they'll learn eventually Father? that I promise," the woman, Sister Margaret, promised.

"Hopefully before they join the rest of society." Father Reeves sighed before picking up his hat and leaving.

"There, he's gone. Now you can go get your brother out of whatever hole he hid himself in this time. No supper however? I'm not going to waste the good lord's food on an unrepentant sinner," the nun spat.

"Would you mind then if I gave him half my supper?"

"Knowing you, if I say no you'll only eat half your meal, excuse yourself to the bathroom, only for Adam to finish your meal for you."

"So why go through all that effort? You know what I am going to do. You know you haven't been able to tell us apart since you had your cataracts removed so why don't you serve two plates at the table. That way you can keep a fuzzy eye on both of us."

"You have always been the more reasonable of the two." Sister Margaret sighed. "Why those two nice families sent you back here I will never understand."

"Because you talked them out of adopting my brother you old hag," Aaron said under his breath as he went looking for his twin.

Aaron was the good one of the pair and when he was younger many families had tried to adopt him. The problem was that most quickly dropped the idea when they saw what kind of hellion his twin Adam was. During the two trial periods where Aaron was adopted separately, he had used every trick he had learned from his brother to get him sent quickly back to the home.

Sometimes Aaron wondered if sabotaging his own adoptions had been the right move, but only for short periods. Eventually, a night like this one would come and remind Aaron how much his brother needed him.

Going to Sister Margaret's bedroom, the last place the nun would think Adam would hide, Aaron gave the agreed upon knock before entering the room where he once again found his brother dressed in the nun's bland outfits.

"What do you think?" Adam asked, turning around dramatically to face his brother.

"I think you better put everything back before the old hag catches you," Aaron replied, trying his best not to laugh. Laughing at Whitmore was one of the fastest ways to get assigned extra chores.

"She never comes to his end of the house until she's ready for bed," Adam insisted.

"Come on Adam? dinner's ready."

"Let me guess? fish," Adam said sourly.

"It is Friday," Aaron replied.

"But why do we have to have fish on Friday? I've read the bible the old hag keeps under her bed. Nowhere does it say we have to eat fish on Friday."

"You better stop reading it."

"Why? Why shouldn't I be able to quote back the same verses the old hag and Father Reeves use on us?"

"Because it gets you in trouble."

"Like that matters now. No one is going to adopt us Aaron? we're too old. You should have jumped ship when you had the chance."

And leave you behind?"

"You would at least be happy. You might have also been able to snag a few of your new mom's dresses and mailed them to me. Everything the old hag has is old and grey."

"And getting too small for you," Aaron couldn't help but point out.

"See? I should stop eating now so I won't grow any more."

"If you do that, the old hag might be able to tell us apart again and we wouldn't be able to get away with half the stuff we, or I should say you do."

"Yeah? I guess your right," Adam sighed, as he started to take the clothes off.

After eating their bland meal of steamed fish and overcooked vegetables, the two washed the dishes, as was their assigned chore, being the oldest boys living at Whitmore. Then, since school was out for the summer, the brothers joined the rest of the children upstairs for the night. Sister Margaret had not bothered to come up to turn off the lights, since they had not been turned on. It was still light out.

"Three more years?" Adam sighed, looking out the window at the setting sun.

"What?" Aaron whispered.

"Three more years till we get out of this hell hole."

"And that's a good thing? We have nowhere to go."

"The streets would be better than here."

"In the summer maybe, but come winter the old hag's open door would look like a welcomed sight," Aaron pointed out.

"I'm sorry Aaron," Adam whispered after the room had been plunged into darkness.

"What for?"

"For keeping you here."

"You know I will never leave you Adam."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

"Can we?" Adam asked hopefully.

"Yes? we just got to make sure we wake up before the old hag catches us." Aaron said as he pulled down his sheets and moved over so his brother could join him. The two soon fell asleep in each other's arms.

Chapter 30

Sister Margaret had fallen asleep in front of the television, where she had been watching a catholic program hosted by two priests on the public access channel, when the doorbell woke her up with a start.

"Goodness gracious! Who could be coming at this hour?" The nun said to herself as she scurried toward the front of the house.

"Hello?" She asked behind the screen door at the tall man who towered over her.

"Sorry madam to disturb you at this hour, but I was wondering if you could help us?"

"If I can." The nun replied.

"Thank you. My engine stalled just a block from here, so I was wondering if I could borrow your phone and intrude on you while I wait for a tow truck."

"Why certainly? please come on in. Just try to be quiet, the children are sleeping."

"I promise to be as quiet as a mouse," the man promised.

Half awakened by the sounds of whispering Daryl jolted his eyes open when he felt several pairs of hands lift him off the bed and transfer him to a gurney.

"He's awake?" An unfamiliar voice said before one that Daryl had longed to hear spoke.

"Don't make a sound Daryl? we're trying to rescue you," Steven or Patrick said; Daryl did not know which. If his mind was clear of fog he would have guessed Patrick.

Holding back the pain caused from being jostled around, Daryl's heart quickened as he was wheeled out of the clinic and taken to the airfield where he was put onto a helicopter.

It was only when the internal light popped on that Daryl could see the faces of his rescuers, finding to his surprise that it was Steven, not Patrick who was now holding his hand.

"God Daryl? you look like shit," Steven said as tears began to roll down his face.

"That's about how I feel," Daryl said. "What are you doing here?"

"I already told you, I'm rescuing you. Didn't think I had it in me? did you?" Steven chuckled.

"But where's Patrick?" Daryl asked.

"Where's Patrick?" Steven said as if he had been offended. "Not thanks, not I love you, not where's my nephews?"

"Stan told you where they were?" Daryl said excitedly.

"Yes? that's where Patrick is, getting your boys. By the time we land and clean you up a bit they should be halfway home," Steven promised.

"Thank you God," Daryl cried.

"Don't forget me," Steven insisted.

"Yes? thank you Steven."

Chapter 31

"These have to be them." Patrick said once the gas had cleared. They didn't want any of the children to wake up and witness the boys' kidnapping.

"How do you know?" Hector asked from behind his gas mask.

"Don't they look like twins to you?"

"I guess."

"Take that mask off." Patrick scolded.

"Sorry sir? yes, they do look similar."

"They look like Steve and I when we were kids," Patrick chuckled, looking with affection on how the two were embraced.

"We should get moving sir."

"Yeah? you take the one on the left."

Carrying the twins down the ladder, it was a short jog to the waiting suburban. Once everyone was inside and back on the highway toward New Hope, Patrick took out his cell phone and gave Alex the all clear.

Halfway back, the gas began to wear off, as both twins slowly opened their eyes, it taking several minutes before they were lucid enough to realize they were no longer in their beds."

"Hello you two," Patrick said in his friendliest of voices.

"What?" One of them yawned.

"Aaron?" the other twin said, a hint of worry in his voice. It seemed he was the more lucid of the two.

"Don't worry? this is a rescue mission," Patrick explained.

"Uh?" the scared one said as he tried to shake the one named Aaron awake.

"Stop it!" Aaron barked, finally waking up.

"Hello," Patrick grinned, causing both boys to scream.

"Want me to gas them again?" Hector joked.

"I wish?" Patrick sighed, before turning back to the kids. "Shut Up!"

Both boys went dead silent.

"Good? now listen you two. As I said before this is a rescue mission. Your uncle Daryl sent me to get you away from that awful woman you were living with.

"Uncle?" Both boys said, taken aback. They've never heard of them having any uncle.

"Yes? and before you two start wondering why he didn't come for you all sooner? he only found out where you were today."

"Why do you have guns? You didn't kill anyone did you?" Aaron asked concerned.

"What a stupid question," Adam scolded. "Do you really think that old hag would let us go? They most likely had to take a machine gun to her."

"No Aaron, we didn't kill anyone. One of my friends kept 'the old hag' busy while Hector and I rescued you."

"Rats? I would have liked to have seen the old hag full of holes," Adam said disappointed.

"Don't mind Adam? he likes being difficult," Aaron apologized on his brother's behalf, only to be elbowed by Adam.

"Trust me I know how twins can be? I am one."

"Cool." Both brothers said at the same time.

"Is our uncle your twin?" Aaron asked, while Adam busied himself looking out the car window.

"No? but he was a twin. His brother was your father."

"And what happened to him?" Aaron asked.

"I'm afraid he died before you were born."

"And our mother?" Aaron asked, elbowing his brother to get his attention.

"She's alive," Patrick replied.

"See? I told you we were abandoned," Adam said before going back to looking out the window.

"Not true at all Aaron," Patrick said, seeing the pained look on the young man's face.

"Then why did she leave us at Whitmore? Why didn't she come back for us?" Aaron demanded, on the verge of tears.

"Just like we are kidnapping you, you were kidnapped from your mother." Patrick explained.

"Kidnappings are fun," Adam blurted out, bouncing in his chair.

"Don't mind him? he's retarded," Aaron said, his eyes not leaving Patrick's face.

"Am not? I'm smarter than you!" Adam insisted.

"Ok? he's a HDAD." Aaron corrected himself.

"Ritalin, Ritalin Ritalin." Adam laughed.

"He never takes his meds," the brother explained.

"That's because they make me boring," Adam replied.

"I got a gas grenade right here? just say the word," Hector joked.

"Don't tempt me," Patrick said. Until Daryl was well enough, he was going to have his hands full with these two. At least they were taking their kidnapping well.

"Sir? can I ask you another question?" Aaron asked politely.

"Of course? if you agree to call me your Uncle Patrick, or if you prefer Aunt Patty."

"Aunt Patty?" Aaron and Adam both laughed.

"I'll explain it to you two later," Patrick promised.

"Why are we going to an uncle and not our mother?" Aaron asked.

"Don't worry, your mother will be there when we arrive. It will be Uncle Daryl who will be mostly raising you two."

"Why?" Aaron asked.

"Because that was what was decided," Patrick replied.

"Our uncle won't try to separate the two of us? will he?" Aaron asked worriedly.

"He loves you two too much to ever do a thing like that."

"He must be stupid then? nobody ever wants me," Adam replied.

"Shut up Adam. You are going to mess things up," Aaron said angrily.

"It's true," Adam insisted. "You're the only one people want to adopt."

"But haven't I always come back to you?" Aaron asked, clearly hurt.

Patrick let out a deep sigh? It was so clear to him. Aaron was in love with his brother but Adam was blind to the fact. "Don't worry Aaron? when we get home I'll force Adam to take his meds even if I have to shove them down his throat myself."

"Good," Aaron said, reaching over to hug Patrick's arm.

Chapter 32

"Daryl? they're here," Steven whispered to his lover when he heard the shouts of excited young voices.

"Can I see them?" Daryl asked hopefully from the bed where he was resting.

"Matt? Steven asked, turning to the doctor.

"Just for a little bit. You really need your rest Daryl." Matt stressed.

Eventually Patrick's head darted popped in the room. "May we come in?"

"Yes," Daryl said eagerly. As he pushed a button to raise the bed.

The door opening wider, first Patrick then two lanky boys walked in nervously.

"I don't believe it? they look just like David." Daryl said amazed.

"Don't they?" Patrick beamed. "They're like miniature versions of you. Boys? I would like you to meet your Uncle Daryl."

"Hello you two." Daryl smiled, glad he at least now had a full mouth of teeth.

"What happened to you?" Aaron frowned.

"Sort of fell out of a speeding car." Daryl chuckled.

"That was stupid," Adam laughed.

"Maybe it was," Daryl smiled.

"Cut it out," Aaron said, glaring at his brother.

"It's ok," Daryl said.

"Are you really our uncle?" Aaron asked timidly.

"Don't he look like it?" Steven said.

"He looks like one of Sister Margaret's patchwork quilts," Adam replied.

"Maybe I do? but I am your uncle," Daryl insisted.

"What are you going to do with us?" Aaron asked.

"I'm going to try to raise you two boys? from what I've been told you're a pair of hellions."

"Dang? he knows our secret, Adam said, glaring at Patrick.

"Don't worry, your father was a bit of a hell raiser himself, Daryl chuckled.

"I promise I'll try to keep Adam out of trouble if you don't try to separate us.

Aaron pleaded.

"I won't ever do that. I very much doubt I could keep the two of you apart if I tried."

"Thank you, Aaron whispered.

"Time for your nap," Matt finally interrupted.

"But?" Both Daryl and Aaron protested.

"Doctor's orders," Patrick insisted. "Now go hug your uncle goodnight."

Aaron went first, taking great care to see that Daryl was not hurt. Adam was more hesitant, having to be nudged by his brother to lean forward and hug his uncle goodnight.

"Thank you Patrick," Daryl said as Matt started lowering the bed.

"Anything anytime," Patrick said, leaning down to kiss Daryl on the forehead. "You rest and get better now."

"Ewww!" Adam shouted.

"Shut up Adam!" Aaron said, threatening to elbow his brother.

"Come on you two? time for both of you to go to bed," Patrick said, leading the pair out of the room.

Chapter 33

"Aaron?" Adam said an hour after he and his bother had been sent to their new bedroom.

"What Adam?" Aaron said, feeling both physically and emotionally exhausted after all that had happened.

"I think our uncle is a fag."

"Why do you say that?"

"I don't know? just this feeling I got. I think our Aunt Patty is his butt boy."

"Adam!" Aaron said, sitting up from his bed.

"Don't you sense the same?" Adam replied.

"Does it really matter? They took us away from Sister Margaret and Father Reeves? no more confessionals, no more hours saying Hail Mary's."

"Fine? you stay here. Me, I'm getting out of this fairy house," Adam said as he jumped out of bed.

"Adam," Aaron hissed as his brother sneaked out of the room.

Adam didn't really plan on running away. Not when he noticed there wasn't another house within miles. He just wanted to explore his surroundings. Sneaking past the other adults, he made his way down to the basement where he heard the sound of laughter and jazz music blaring. On reaching the bottom of the stairs he saw the most muscular man he had ever seen in his life, dancing with what looked like a tall, big boned woman, wearing a deep purple dress.

"You always were an excellent dancer my dear." The muscular man laughed.

"I did have a good teacher." Adam heard the woman laugh in a voice that was less than womanly.

"Aunt Patty indeed." Adam could not help but laugh. He did have to admit though, Uncle Patrick did have good taste in clothes.

At the end of the song, the strong man dipped Patrick down into a passionate kiss, Adam seeing his uncle staring right at him.

"You can come out of your corner now Adam." Patrick chuckled.

"How did you know it was me? Most people can't tell me and Aaron apart."

"You forget I too am a twin," Patrick chuckled, taking off his wig and placing it on Adam's head.

"Dang? this place isn't going to be half as fun as I thought," Adam whined.

"Well since you're awake? want to help me out of this dress?" Patrick asked, turning his back toward the boy.

Carefully, as if afraid his fingers might damage the glittering sequins Adam undid the laces that held the dress up.

"Why? you can be a conscientious young man when you chose to be," Patrick chuckled as he slipped the dress off.

"Are you a fag?" Adam asked, in an attempt to disprove the theory.

"Well that was short lived," Patrick chuckled while Alex gave Adam a hard shove.

"Ouch? do that again and I will scream rape," Adam threatened, glaring at the larger man.

"Go ahead? no one here will mind," Alex chuckled.

"Why? you a fag too?"

"You're right? this one will be a challenge," Alex said to Patrick, ignoring Adam's comment. "If anyone can get him over his internalized homophobia it's you." "Did you just call me a fag?" Adam asked, wrinkling his nose.

"If the shoe fits?" Alex shrugged before looking back at Patrick. "I'm going to check on Daryl."

"Alright? that will give us girls a chance to chat," Patrick said, smirking at Adam.

"Well?" Adam said nervously, as Patrick started removing his fake eyelashes.

"Well? shall we play a game?" Patrick said, going over to his rack of outfits.

"What sort of game?"

"Dress up of course." Patrick said, pulling out a sea green gown. "This one looks fabulous on your uncle Daryl."

"Can I try it on? please?" Adam said his eyes wide with excitement.

"I see no reason why not," Patrick chuckled. "Now go sit by the mirror and I'll help you with your makeup while you tell me about your brother."

"Alright," Adam said eagerly.

Chapter 34

It was well after three in the morning when Adam, exhausted by being so happy, crawled into his brother's bed.

"I thought you were going to run away," Aaron mumbled, embracing his brother.

"I got a little side tracked." Adam confessed.

"You got caught." Aaron chuckled.

"I got to put on dress though. Aunt Patty has an entire collection," Adam said excitedly.

"So I take it you won't be running away any time soon."

"At least for the moment," Adam said grudgingly.

"Or until you find a way of taking all those dresses with you," Aaron said knowingly, laughing until he felt his brother's lips kiss his bare neck. "Adam?"

"I'm sorry," Adam said as he moved to leave the bed.

"Don't go? I'm not mad. You just surprised me is all."

"I'm such a fag," Adam said, hot tears running down his face as Aaron held him.

"So am I bro," Aaron confessed.

"I know? Aunt Patty told me. He told me you loved me? really loved me."

"I do." Aaron admitted.

"And I love you too."

Chapter 35

Daryl awoke to the touch of an exploratory hand on his body. Opening his eyes, he saw Alex's unshaven face looking at him with awe and longing.

"Am I hurting you?" Alex asked, concerned.

"No? actually I feel a lot better," Daryl said.

"Good, I didn't know if it would work," Alex smiled.

"What work? What did you do?" Daryl asked, noticing the gray that now colored Alex's hair.

"I returned a part of what you gave me," Alex said.

"What?" Daryl said, confused.

"It was the least I could do," Alex said, rolling Daryl on top of him.

"You shouldn't have done that? you could have died."

"I should have died two years ago when you saved my life," Alex insisted.

"What now?" Daryl whispered, he could feel Alex's massive sex hardening against his body.

"That's totally up to you. But know this? we are bonded now Daryl. I did not just give you back a part of what you gave me. I also gave you a part of myself."

"I can feel it."

"I tried to take that damned ring off you," Alex said, holding Daryl's left hand. "It's on so tight it will have to be cut of though."

"I know, I tried to take it off when I was in the hospital."

"We'll get it off. I promise. In the mean time? I want you to have this." Adam said, handing Daryl a large ring.

"What's this?"

"My class ring."

"You went to the Citadel?" Daryl read from the inscription.

"Yep? sort of an old family tradition."

"I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything? I already got your answer." Alex chuckled, grinding himself against Daryl's hardening cock.

"What about the twins?"

"Steven was hard to convince, but they've agreed to add me to our little family."

"They didn't ask me," Daryl chuckled.

"Was there ever a need?" Alex said between heavy kisses.

An hour later, Patrick walked in carrying a breakfast tray, his half naked body showing the dog tags Alex had given him. "You two having a happy honeymoon?"

Alex looked around and smirked. "I think we're going to need a larger bed."

"Steven is looking into that right now," Patrick said, sitting on the edge of the mattress.

"Kiss?" Daryl said, sitting up to meet Patrick's lips.

Daryl intended the kiss to be a light peck on the lips but Patrick would have none of that. He pressed down hard, almost falling on top of Alex and Daryl in the process.

"You and I are going to need some alone time," Patrick insisted.

"But we are on our honeymoon," Alex whined. He had been hoping to have Daryl for himself for a few days at least.

"We agreed to share," Patrick pointed out.

"Then take those shorts off and get your ass in here," Alex said, slapping Patrick on the back.

"As you already pointed out? we need a larger bed," Patrick laughed. "Anyways? it's time for Daryl to eat."

"I already fed him? gave him a nice protein shake, didn't I?" Alex said, nudging Daryl.

"Actually I'm famished," Daryl said, taking a strip of bacon off the tray.

"Good. Once he's finished eating, clean him up and bring him to the living room. It's time we had a meeting," Patrick instructed Alex.

"Mind if we take our time?" Alex grinned.

"As long as you don't exhaust him," Patrick chuckled.

Chapter 36

Kevin watched at his dad with eyes wide. Stan was lying on his back on a sofa, the redhead lieutenant laying on top of him, the two men chuckling softly. For the first time in a long while his father seemed genuinely happy, with Kurt and him often exchanging several kisses with each other.

Kevin would have been happy as well if there had been other kids to play with. There were the twins Adam and Aaron, but the two of them seemed preoccupied with each other.

Letting out a sigh, Kevin almost jumped when he heard a thumping sound that grew louder as it came down the hall into the living room until a bruised man, supported by a cane and Commander Alex, walked slowly into the room.

"Daryl," Steven said, standing up from his chair to embrace the other man. "Are you sure you should be out of bed?"

"I'm fine." Daryl said reassuringly, as Alex helped him sit down in a lazy-boy.

"How are you two?" Daryl asked his nephews. "Sleep well?"

"They're fine? even though I don't think they got much sleep." Patrick chuckled when the boys did not answer.

Seeing the sparkle of glitter in one of the boy's hair, Daryl chuckled. "How are you Stan?"

"Don't worry Dr. Gavin? I've been taking good care of your friend," Kurt said as he ticked the sides of the body beneath him.

"Well if everyone can disentangle themselves from their present love interests we can get down to business," Steven said, clapping his hands to get everyone's attention.

"Can anyone bring me up to speed?" Daryl said as he propped his legs up.

"We are basically living under siege." Steven began. "After your daring rescue, Brian's people have been watching the roads. So far they are not stopping us from coming and going but we can't leave the ranch without having our vehicles searched."

"Is that legal?" Daryl asked.

"According to the police? all they are doing is standard drug searches," Alex grunted.

"Basically we believe it is to make sure you never leave the ranch," Patrick explained.

"Don't we still have the helicopter?" Daryl asked.

"The police came for it last night? saying we didn't have a landing permit. We could always call in another one though," Alex said.

"With the Father's connections with state officials you wouldn't make it to your first refueling." Stan warned.

"Only if we used official airstrips," Alex replied. "It would not be too much of a problem for my men to set up fuel depots someplace where Brian's people wouldn't think of looking."

"Sounds like a plan to me," Steven said. "The sooner we're out of this hell hole the better I'll feel."

"You're not really thinking of leaving us?" Stan said worriedly.

"After what that madman did to Dare?" Alex shouted.

"I got what I came for Stan," Daryl replied.

"Only because I helped you," Stan insisted, lifting Kurt off him. "Our people need you Daryl. The mother of my son needs you."

"What's wrong with mom?" Kevin asked.

"She might be sick? very sick Kevin," Stan said.

"But you can help her right? take her to the clinic where you work."

"The Father is not letting any of our people go to the clinic anymore. He doesn't want the outside doctors to know the extent of our people's situation," Stan explained to Daryl.

"Dare? we're not staying," Steven insisted.

"If you don't stay, all that will be left of New Hope will be one giant graveyard." Stan argued.

"If we stay here we might end up being buried here as well," Alex said.

"You owe me Daryl. When you wanted to run away it was me who arranged for you to meet you know who," Stan said.

"You know who?" Steven and Patrick said at the same time.

"You didn't have to bring that up," Daryl said, his face blushing.

"Want to tell us who this mystery stranger is?" Steven pressed.

"How many times do I have to tell you I'm not a saint?" Daryl said evasively.

"Want to take the boys out of the room?" Steven asked his brother.

"And miss out on something like this?" Patrick asked as he sat himself in Daryl's lap. "Come on hon? spill, and don't leave out any of the juicy parts."

"I'm going to get you for this Stan." Daryl glared.

"I don't see why you are so embarrassed." Stan chuckled. "You did what you had to do. It's not like he was ugly. He was really cute? still is in fact. Well he's more handsome then cute these days."

"Do tell," Patrick said, a wide smile on his face.

"I was cheating on Brian," Daryl said under his breath.

"Really?" Both Patrick and Steven said.

"Both Daryl and I were appetencies at NM Mining. As it turned out the governor's son was doing a medical internship at the clinic there."

"You fucked the governor's son?" Steven said shocked.

"Or did he fuck you?" Patrick asked, curious.

"A little of both," Daryl admitted.

"While Scott drove Daryl out of town, I made sure no one knew until it was too late. Cost Scott's dad the next election."

"I take it that led to a falling out?" Steven asked.

"More like me being thrown out," Daryl replied.

"By Scott or his father?" Alex asked.

"His father? having a gay son was one thing. Us having sex in the governor's mansion was another."

"You dirty dog!" Steven laughed.

"So have you been in contact with Scott recently?" Daryl asked Stan.

"He comes by once every two years? he's a member of Congress now."

"With a token wife to hide his sexuality?" Steven guessed.

"He was married but only for three years? been a bachelor ever since. He always asks me about you, Daryl, whenever he comes by during an election year."

"Sounds like the congressman is still in love," Alex chuckled. "Should we ask him to stop by for a visit?"

"Oh gosh?" Daryl sighed. "I think three is as many as I can handle at one time."

"It is an election year," Stan chuckled, while Kurt nuzzled against his neck.

"Having him on our side would prove useful. I very much doubt that Brian would pull any shit while the congressman is here," Alex said.

"Thinking you are up to making few campaign contributions?" Steven asked.

"I don't know?" Daryl said nervously.

"Scott still cares about you Daryl? he did save your life once," Stan said earnestly.

"Give me a cell phone," Daryl sighed, giving up.

Chapter 37

Scott Whitmore walked through the halls of the most powerful government in the world, waving at his fellow Senators as he made his way to the underground tram that would take him back to his offices.

Having risen from the House of Representatives only during the last election, the junior senator had risen quickly to becoming one of the Senate's most influential voices? finding his way onto the powerful Ways and Means Committee.

Scott had known for a long time that there was something different about him. Back when he was a doctor, he saved the lives of people who should have died. When his father pressed him into politics his opponent didn't lose? he dropped out of the race when the polls showed Scott leading by a massive percentage. Of course it did not hurt that the small but wealthy community of New Hope backed his campaign due to the good will he had built there during his time as a doctor.

Still, even without their support, Scott did not believe he was over confident in thinking he could have won without it. He felt he was being guided by the forces of destiny toward great things which nothing would stop from happening.

"Good evening sir." One of his interns said, the young woman handing him a list of scribbled down messages.

"Any one of these important?" Scott said as he scanned them.

"There was one from New Hope," The girl replied.

"Really?" Scott said surprised, shuffling through the notes.

"Daryl Gavin?" Scott said surprised. "When did he call?"

"About two hours ago? while you were debating the Henderson Amendment."

"Cancel all my appointments," Scott said as he hurried to his office.

"But there is a committee meeting in one hour."

"Cancel that too, and see if you can get me on the next flight back to Helena."

"Yes sir?" The girl nodded, knowing it best not mention the up coming votes.

Closing and locking his office door, Scott stared at the phone sitting on his desk, not sure if he wanted to make the call. He had not heard from Daryl in over ten years? not since that election night his father had lost the governor's race. Deep down though, Scott knew that Daryl was caught up in whatever grand plan his life was following. He had known that the day he had saved the young man's life? one of the people that would have died if he had not been there.

With a shaking hand, Scott picked up the phone and dialed the listed number.

"Hello?" A stranger's voice answered.

"This is Senator Whitmore? I am returning Daryl's call."

"One moment?"

"Hello?" a more familiar voice answered.

The voice was a little deeper, a little more mature but it was indeed Daryl's voice. "Oh my God? it is you."

"Scott?" Daryl asked.

"Yes? damn Daryl, how are you? Where have you been hiding yourself for the past twelve years?"

"I grew up? became a doctor like you," Daryl replied. "Been working in an inner city hospital."

"Wow? but what the fuck are you doing in New Hope. That's the last place I would expect you to be."

"Some things have come up."

"Good or bad?" Scott asked.

"A little of both."

"Well tell me the good news."

"You remember my brother David?"

"Yes? such a tragedy."

"I just found his two sons? they were at the Whitmore Home."

"That shit hole? My great aunt, the nun, set that home up. I thought they tore it down long ago."

"It's still standing."

"But you got them out of there?"

"Yes? they're living with me now."

"Ok? that's the good news. What's the bad?"

It took almost two hours of questions and explanations before Scott felt he had a grip on the situation and when he did understand, a part of him wished he didn't.

"This is a bad situation Daryl."

"You telling me?"

"If you were anyone else I would tell you to take the kids and run like hell. I know what kind of person you are? or at least once were."

"What would you have me do then?" Daryl asked

"Stay right where you are? and expect me at your place sometime before dawn."

"Alright? thank you Scott."

"And Daryl?" Scott hesitated.

"Yes?"

"There's never been anyone but you," Scott said, quickly slamming the phone down.

"Dang it? why did I have to say that?" Scott cursed.

Chapter 38

"Well?" Steven asked when Daryl closed the phone.

"He's coming. He'll be here sometime before dawn."

"I think someone has high placed admirer." Steven chuckled, laying back down on the blanket he and Daryl had put down outside on the grass.

"It's not like that? quiet the opposite," Daryl insisted.

"You mean he was your hero?"

"Scott is ten years older than me, not to mention he once saved my life."

"I understand? When I was in the Peace Corp, I slept with the man who was sort of my mentor. The question I have for you is how do you feel about seeing him again?"

"I don't know? we didn't part company on the best of terms."

"But you still have feelings for him?"

"When I left New Hope, I was still very upset about David. That, trying to adapt to life in the outside world, and my age left me very dependent on Scott." Daryl tried to explain.

"But do you still love him?" Steven pressed.

"It's been so long?"

"Do you?" Steven insisted.

"I love you and Patrick? I am also like Alex."

"Yet?"

"I'm such a slut?" Daryl sighed, rolling onto his stomach.

"So are we all," Steven said, just as the sound of Patrick and Alex's laughter could be heard coming from the next blanket.

"You haven't found anybody?"

"My brother and you are more than enough for me."

"Why isn't it enough for me?"

"My God? you really are still in love with the senator."

"I told you it's not like that."

"You desire to see him again? don't you, for him to touch you, kiss you, make love to you," Steven said as he explored Daryl's body with his lips.

Slipping the robe off Daryl's body, Steven climbed on top of him, kissing, licking, and touching Daryl's chest and nipples. For the first time in a long while he had the man he loved all to himself. As gently as he could he made love to Daryl, slowly entering the man's body with his sex, one hand caressing Daryl face while the other stroked his cock, their lips never parting.

"I could die now as the happiest man in the world," Steven whispered after both of them had settled down from their climax.

"I hope you don't," Daryl chuckled softly, running his fingers through Steven's blond hair.

"Let's run away? if we go now we could reach Canada and be married the next day."

"I ran away once? and looked what's happened."

"You're not blaming yourself for Brian's actions? If you are, I'm going to have to tickle you to death," Steven threatened.

"Brian, my people, none of them would be dying now if I hadn't left them."

"But you would have never have become a doctor and saved the lives you have." Steven insisted.

"And I wouldn't have met you and Patrick," Daryl replied.

"You mean meeting us is just as important to you as the hundreds if not thousands of lives you've saved?" Steven said in disbelief.

"Jesus had to die for our sins to be forgiven, but only you and Patrick were able to get me to forgive myself," Daryl replied.

Stunned, Steven knew of only one way to respond to such a statement and that was to make love to Daryl all over again, this time not gently but with all the passion his emotions could muster. The two of them must have started shouting at one point, for soon both Alex and Patrick were running towards them and what had been only a twosome turned into an orgy as the others joined in, Daryl being the focus of all the other men's attentions.

Consumed by the act of love, Steven lost track of both time and his number of orgasms, at one point blanking out. At some point during the early hours of morning, before the sun had risen, he was jostled awake. Opening his eyes he saw Daryl walking away toward a taller shadow, the two meeting just as the sun reached the horizon, filling the valley with light. With the sun rising in front of Steven, it almost appeared as if an aura of light was wrapped around both Daryl and the stranger.

Chapter 39

"You're still hurt," Scott whispered as he saw Daryl's naked body limping toward him.

"I'll live," Daryl chuckled.

"Let me help you," Scott said as he reached a hand toward Daryl, only for the man to take a step back.

"I don't know if I want you to heal me again."

"But your leg." Scott said, taking a step forward.

"I can survive that. I don't think I can survive a greater burden than you have already given me."

"It was never meant to be a burden," Scott insisted.

"But that's what it became. I've used up almost all of what you gave me? trying to save as many lives as I could. Now? just when my people need me, I don't have the strength to save them."

"They don't deserve it," Scott replied.

"Is that God's will? for my people to die?"

"I've never pretended to know God's will Daryl? you know that."

"But this power? it had to have come from somewhere."

"Maybe, but that's all it is, power, lacking both the guidance and wisdom on how to best use it," Scott said as he reached for Daryl only for him to step back again.

"I don't want the responsibility any more."

"As I said, it was never meant to be a burden? but to help you find happiness."

"And I found happiness." Daryl said, looking back where the others were, Steven gazing blindly in his direction.

"I noticed? I'm glad. It pains me to see that you are still not whole however."

"I will never get back what I lost with David."

"I could?" Scott offered.

"No? I don't want to lose that pain. It has become like an old friend who will never leave me."

"Like I did," Scott said sadly.

"Daryl?" Steven voice shouted.

Turning back to look at Steven, Daryl was distracted just long enough for Scott to lunge forward and grab Daryl hand.

Looking back at Scott in shock, Daryl felt for the second time in his life an exhilarating rush of power fill his entire body, causing him to fall down on his knees. Like water washing away sand, the bruises, cuts, and scars covering Daryl body disappeared.

Just like the first time, Daryl was blind to everything but the all-consuming white light that filled his vision. Then, sooner than he had expected, everything went black as he collapsed. When his vision returned he could see Steven and Scott wrestling on the ground, Patrick and Alex standing over him, looking confused.

"Dare, you ok?" Patrick asked.

"Yes? no? no I'm not," Daryl said, not able to remove the wide grin that was on his face.

"What did you do to Dare?" Daryl heard Steven shout as the man pinned Scott to the ground.

"Nothing that will harm him," Scott said calmly.

"Are you alright Dare?" Steven asked, not letting go of Scott.

"Let him go Steven," Daryl said as he stood back up.

"But?"

"I recommend you take Daryl advice. He's trying to save your life after all," Scott chuckled.

"You really think you can take all three of us on?" Steven asked.

"Scott don't," Daryl pleaded.

"Then you better get your friend off me," Scott warned.

"Steven, get off Scott? he didn't hurt me."

"Not until he tells me what he just did to you."

"Steven, for your own sake, get off him!" Daryl shouted.

Patrick, not deaf to the fear in Daryl's voice, nudged Alex forward so that together they could pull Steven away.

"At least some of your friends have a little common sense," Scott said as he brushed the dirt and grass off him.

"Why did you do that? I told you I didn't want anymore of your gifts," Daryl shouted at Scott.

"I did it for your own good. Hopefully you won't waste them this time," Scott replied.

"Saving lives was a waste?"

"You can't use the power I gave you without me knowing about it. I know exactly who you've save and what's happened to them afterwards."

"Then how can you call it a waste?"

"Do you know how many people you've kept alive? who really should have died, the ones who are being forced to live in pain, crippled, or even brain damaged."

"They live." Daryl said defensively.

"Only as shells of their former selves," Scott argued. "That's why I quit being a doctor and went into politics. As a doctor, I did as you did? keeping people alive well past the point that is humane."

"You saved my life."

"And you saved Alex's. But for every life that was worth saving, we both extended the suffering of hundreds more."

"So why politics?" Daryl asked.

"I learned that, just as we are able to heal people's bodies, we can influence their minds. Using the gift that way I have helped guide the country."

"But what right do you have to do that?"

"Why not? You've seen into my heart. You know all I want is to use my power to help humanity."

"I know?" Daryl sighed. "But why did you give me more of your power when I didn't want it."

"Because even as powerful you think I am? I am still only one man. There is only so much I can do."

"But why me?"

"For three reasons. Out of all the people who I have saved with my power, you are the only one who has used the power I have given them to save others. The second is something I just discovered about you. I can't control you? you or any of the people you've touched. After a few years of people doing whatever you want them to? I find this situation quiet liberating."

"And the third?"

"I think you know the third," Scott said as he walked toward Daryl. "I told you on the phone that there's been no one since you."

"I'm not some lost kid anymore."

"I wouldn't still be interested in you if you were," Scott said as he wrapped his arms around Daryl's waist, pulling him closer, the others frozen in place as he kissed his chosen.

"It was as you predicted Father? Daryl has brought him back." Landon whispered.

"I knew he wouldn't fail me." Brian chuckled.

Chapter 40

"Do any of you know what the hell is going on?" Steven asked Patrick and Alex from where they were huddled together in the living room.

"I think this is the point where you will finally have to make that leap of faith I told you about," Patrick replied.

"I'm not making any promises but go ahead and tell me."

"Alex?" Patrick asked.

"As both of you know, I once ended up in Dare's ER with gunshot wounds to the chest. Daryl more than saved my life? he gave me new life? new energy? new power. After we rescued him I gave him much of it back to help heal him. You've seen the results," Alex said, touching the gray that now mark his short curly locks.

"You want to me to believe that Dare has this strange mystical power that can be transferred between people?"

"I told you this would take a leap of faith."

"But where did he get this power from?"

"Weren't you listening outside? It clearly came from Scott," Patrick said.

"And where did he get it?"

"No one knows," Alex said.

"Well I'm going to find out," Steven said, as he stood up to go looking for Daryl and Scott, only for Alex to tackle him.

"No you don't? Daryl told us to sit put," Alex grunted, using his superior strength to hold Steven down.

"But you have no idea what Scott is doing to Dare? he might be hurting him."

"Do you really think Dare really would ask us to stay away if he was in danger?" Patrick said. "He's trying to protect us."

"But who's protecting him?" Steven demanded, as he struggled to free himself.

"You can't protect Dare from this kind of power," Alex said.

"How can either of you say that? Don't y'all care about him?" Steven demanded, his anger causing him to slip back into his southern accent.

"We do? but the only thing we can do for Dare right now is not add to his burdens by having him worry about us," Patrick scolded.

"Fine? you two just be that way," Steven said as he finally freed himself from Alex.

"Don't!" Patrick shouted after his brother to no avail.

Chapter 41

"Was it as you remembered it?" Scott asked, sticking his tongue out to lick the underside of Daryl's earlobe.

"No?" Daryl whispered. "Each time has always felt different."

"Good, I always try to make it so. May I ask you some questions though?"

"You've never needed my permission before."

"You're no longer a kid I can push around," Scott joked.

"If I remember things? I was the one pushing you around," Daryl chuckled.

"You did have a lot of spunk back then. May I ask?"

"Yes."

"Why did you leave me? Don't blame it on that fight we had when dad lost the election. I'd bet my life you wanted to leave well before that."

"I was in pain."

"Why didn't you tell me? You know I could easily take it away."

"But I didn't want it to go away," Daryl said angrily. "I knew if I stayed you would find out and make it go away."

"This is about David? isn't it?"

"Yes?shunned my own twin."

"Because they forced you to," Scott replied.

"I could have fought longer? done something, anything to save David. I needed to punish myself for failing him in a way that you would have never allowed. That's why I left."

"How did you punish yourself Daryl?"

"I shunned myself, denied myself the love the church taught me that all people need in order to live."

"You're right? I would have never let you do such a thing to yourself. Reminds me of the offer I made to you after your brother died."

"And I turned you down."

"And I still think that was a mistake. I could have destroyed New Hope, ignite gas buried beneath it. It would have put an end to this madness once and for all."

"It would have killed thousands of innocent people."

"None of the Blessed are innocent? naïve maybe, but not innocent, not with the complacency they've shown to the crimes their leaders commit."

"Can I ask you a question?" Daryl said after a moment of silence.

"That would only be fair."

"Did you ever sleep with Brian?"

"What?" Scott said taken aback.

"Have you ever slept with Brian?" Daryl repeated.

"I never have, nor have I ever wanted to," Scott replied.

"But you did give him some of your power?" Daryl insisted.

"I think you know the answer to that," Scott said as he left the bed.

"Why?" Daryl demanded, sitting up. "Don't you know what's he's done with it?"

"I'm well aware of what he's been up to. He's been keeping me up to date on everything? except where it deals with you."

"And you've allowed this madness?"

"You wouldn't let me destroy New Hope my way, so I gave Brian the power to do it himself."

"I want you to put a stop to him."

"There's no need? Brian has used all the power I gave him. Soon he will be dead? all the unrepentant Blessed will be dead and this sad chapter in your life will be closed."

"I thought you wanted to help mankind?"

"I am? by removing this small dark chunk of it."

"But?"

"Do you still cling to your church's teachings Daryl after everything you've witnessed?"

"Some of what we believe is good," Daryl said weakly.

"Not enough to save the life of David," Scott pointed out.

"What should I believe in then?"

"Only two things? yourself and your loved ones."

"Which includes you?" Daryl asked.

"You tell me? mind reading is not one of my talents."

"You've destroyed everything."

"Not everything... only those who have harmed you."

"But that makes everything my fault," Daryl insisted.

"Only if you want it that way," Scott said, offering his hand to Daryl and its healing touch.

"I don't want them to suffer."

"I can make it so they don't. Take my hand Daryl."

Daryl took a first step?

Chapter 42

Steven, having listened by the door, could not believe what he had just heard. It was insane. Scott was acting as if all he had to do was snap his fingers to bring fire and brimstone down upon the town. Daryl believed it though? he was even going to let it happen, something which completely baffled Steven. Part of him wanted to see how far the two men's obvious delusions went. Then again? Daryl believed it was true.

Nothing that had happened ever since that first day he met Daryl made much sense when Steven thought about it. Out of all the bizarre events that had happened of late, Steven knew of only two that he would call true miracles. The first one was that he had finally forgiven himself for the Stockton tragedy. The second was the extent of his love for Daryl.

To his shock, Steven found that he indeed believed in something? or in this case, someone. That's all that really mattered in the end. It did not matter that he did not believe in whatever power Scott claimed to have. So long as Daryl believed it was real, Steven could not let the man he loved take part in such destruction.

Ramming his body against the door, he burst into the room, finding Daryl almost within arms reach of Scott's offered hand.

"Don't do it Dare!" Steven shouted.

"But I have to? I don't want to feel this pain." Daryl said even as he stopped walking forward.

"It's for the best Steven?" Scott said, his eyes not leaving Daryl's face. "These people need to die? they are a cancer, a disease of the human soul. All I am doing is sparing the only one of them who is redeemable. Do you love Daryl so little that you would have him suffer so?"

"I hate the Blessed as much as you do for what they did to Daryl but don't they deserve a chance to redeem themselves?"

"Why should you care? You don't believe in God," Scott replied, his hand only inches away from Daryl.

Steven stood silently, knowing his next words would decide everyone's fate. "I believe in Daryl."

"Why?" Scott, said, lowering his hand.

"Because he makes me believe that I can become a better person. You would destroy that if Daryl were to let his people die."

"Even though most of them deserve to?" Scott asked, taking a step away from Daryl towards Steven.

"There is always a chance for forgiveness," Steven said, amazed by his own words.

"So you, like Daryl, would let people live crippled lives? You believe it is better to live and suffer than be granted peace through death?"

"I do? if there is one thing I have learned as a psychiatrist it is that suicide is never a good answer."

"So be it," Scott said, letting a smile grow on his face before looking back at where Daryl was frozen in place. "You were right about him Daryl. You have done well. I free you from your obligations to me."

Looking at Daryl, Steven saw his lover slump to the floor like a puppet whose strings had just been cut. Running to the man's side, he held Daryl tightly.

"Thank you Steven? I knew I could count on you." Daryl smiled weakly, his whole body coated with sweat.

"I couldn't let you let Scott kill all those people no matter how much I hated them."

"They were never in danger of dying, at least not immediately.." Scott chuckled as he looked down at the pair.

"What?" Steven asked confused.

"I'm sorry Steven." Daryl said guiltily.

"It was a test...for both of you," Scott said, joining the two on the floor.

"What?" Steven repeated, this time with a hint of anger in his voice.

"I am the angel of judgment? sent to punish the people who call themselves the Blessed for the crime of killing Daryl's parents."

"You don't really expect me to believe that." Steven said skeptically.

"I am what I am." Scott replied.

"Whatever?" Steven grunted. "Why were you testing us?"

"To see if the possibility of redemption was possible."

"Daryl's people or my own?" Steven asked suspiciously.

"Good? you're starting to catch on. The answer is both," Scott chuckled.

"What was my test?"

"You should know? you would not have been able to pass it without knowing."

"Faith?"

"Yes."

"I don't understand."

"You have to understand what Daryl's test was to fully understand your own."

"What was Daryl's test?"

"Ask Daryl," Scott suggested.

"Dare?" Steven asked, looking down at the man's exhausted face.

"Scott chose me to bear the burden of my people's guilt. It was by my example that he was going to decide their fate."

"But you're a saint." Steven laughed.

"A saint who until now has never once turned to God for forgiveness." Daryl replied. "I had to be willing to sacrifice everything and take Scott's hand out of the need for forgiveness in order to save my people the full wrath of God's judgment."

"This is the second time I have given Daryl his test. He failed the first time when he could not ask for forgiveness for the death of his brother. Brian and the tragedy he bestowed on his people was my first judgment. Still I had faith in Daryl that he would pass this test and save his people from the second? forgiving himself for failing the first... to pass that one he needed the help of another, he chose you. That is why you were tested."

"And what was my test?"

"Your test had two parts? first, like Daryl you had to be able to forgive yourself? in this case the indirect part you took in the death of Mr. and Mrs. Stockton and Mr. Stockton's male lover. Faith, as you already know, was the second part. You had to defeat your own skepticism and believe in something? in this case that of Daryl's good nature."

"And what would have happened if I failed?"

"Daryl would have touched my hand, triggering a massive gas explosion that would have destroyed New Hope and sent so much pollution into the air as to trigger a new ice age."

"I'm glad I passed. There is something I don't understand?you can not make me believe you are the agent of a benevolent force. No God would put the burden of an entire people's sins on a child."

"You're right again. As I said before, Daryl was wise in picking you."

"You're no angel. What are you really and why would you punish the entire world for the actions of some kooky religious cult."

"Sleep Daryl?" Scott commanded, and the man's eyes quickly closed. Scott then looked back at Steven. "What I am about to tell you is for your ears only. You will remember but not be able to communicate it to anyone."

"I understand." Steven nodded.

"We are not fully human? me less so than Daryl."

"You expect me to believe you are some sort of advanced alien?" Steven chuckled.

"I expect you to believe that there are forces beyond your understanding? that is why your faith was tested.

"What are you then?"

"Living energy that you might call ghosts, spirits, demons, Gods? some weak, some very strong."

"The Force?" Steven joked.

"No?" Scott laughed as well.

"Is Daryl just a spirit? a ghost?"

"No? he is mostly human. A small part of him though is like us?lying dormant unless revived by one such as me. Most of the Blessed are like that."

"Why Daryl then? Why did you pick him to bear the Blessed's sins?"

"Would you believe he offered his people the best hope of forgiveness?"

"Knowing the kind of person he is? I do. I still don't understand why any supernatural force would target the Blessed over a pair of murders. People are killed every day."

"It was what Daryl's parent's wanted. The Gavin family, more than any of the other Blessed, are spiritual beings? making sense since it was the Gavins who introduced the trait to the Blessed when they saved their ancestors during a blizzard."

"So you are saying that Daryl's ancestors were not human."

"They weren't." Scott nodded. "They were beings formed out of both faith and need. The original settlers so believed that something would save them from the storm that their need for salvation gave birth to the original Gavin."

"Out of thin air?"

"From your perspective."

"I find that hard to believe."

"Then you will have an even greater problem believing that, until forty years ago, there was no natural gas under New Hope."

"You're right I would. You saying another spirit turned itself into the nation's largest gas field."

"There was no need? Daryl grandfather willed it into existence when a drought killed off the Blessed's cattle and sole source of income."

"Then I think I know where you came from and why Daryl was chosen. You are not the angel of judgment? you are whatever leftover negative energy Daryl's parents left behind when the Blessed betrayed and murdered them."

"You are smart," Scott laughed.

"I still don't think it was fair to put him in such a position."

"That no longer matters? he's free now, his obligations fulfilled. He can now live a normal life without the burden of power."

"He will no longer be able to heal the sick?"

"Not in the fashion he once did." Scott nodded. "I too will soon just be a normal man? my purpose having also been served. You are another matter."

"What do you mean?" Steven said nervously.

"Our power can not so simply evaporate? it has to go somewhere."

"It's going to me?"

"Yes? most of it anyway. Some will also pass to Daryl's nephews."

"But I don't want it."

"You already have it? always have had it in fact. All you needed was faith which you used to stop Daryl from reaching my hand."

"And my brother?"

"Perfectly normal? that is why Daryl had to choose you. He could have picked Alex, but he gave up his power to Daryl to help heal him. So you see in the end you were the only one Daryl could pick. Luckily you figured things out in time."

Steven sighed? he didn't feel lucky. "What happens now."

"That is totally up to you. Only one thing is certain? you will soon become the Father."

"Yeah right? why would I lead a religion I despise?"

"The same reason the Gavin family existed? to save them."

"But what if I don't want to save them?"

"You would not have stopped Daryl from reaching me if you really believed that."

"Well? if it is as you say, then I'm going to be making some serious changes."

"And that is exactly what the Blessed need." Scott chuckled, his eyes beginning to droop.

"Can I ask you one more question?" Steven said, sensing the time of questions was running out.

"Yes? I think I can answer one more." Scott said tiredly as he rested his head against Daryl.

"What's going to happen to Daryl and me?"

"He will love you as he's always has, but he's destined for another." Scott whispered.

"Who?" Steven demanded but it was already too late. Scott was deep asleep.

Holding Daryl in his arms, Steven rocked him as he cried uncontrollably. The moment he felt a weight lift off his shoulders an even heavier one soon fell upon him. In saving Daryl, Steven had lost him? the pain of such realization was almost too much to bear, a much greater burden than the one he now carried for the Blessed.

So consumed by grief, Steven did not notice two figures entering the room until one of them spoke.

"Finally? someone whose still awake," Adam said loudly.

Turing around Steven saw the two Gavin boys, Aaron wearing a worried look while Adam, dressed in Patrick's geisha outfit looked annoyed. "Come here you two? help me put your uncle back to bed."

With mostly Aaron's help, Steven placed both Daryl and Scott into bed, covering them with a thick quilt.

"Do you know why everyone but us is asleep?"

"I do?" Steven started to say, wanting to tell the twins everything Scott had told him, only to have his voice to leave him.

"Well?" Adam asked.

"I'll tell you when you're older," Steven said, not knowing why but feeling the truth of his words.

"Uncle Daryl looks happy at least? last time I saw him he looked like he was hurting," Aaron said from where he was sitting on the bed.

Looking at Daryl's face Steven saw that Aaron was right; Daryl's lips were smiling, and the furrow that once marked his forehead gone. "I freed your uncle? like we freed you from the orphanage."

"Will they ever wake up?" Adam asked.

"They will? as soon as the wind of change stops blowing." Steven replied as he caressed Daryl's face, silently promising to the man he loved that he would live up to his responsibilities.

Epilogue

The wind of change rarely comes but when it does it can have the power of a hurricane. The very moment Steven found his faith, a series of events were triggered, starting with the unexplainable disappearance of what had been believed to be over a trillion cubic feet of natural gas remaining under the town of New Hope. Also on that day, federal warrants for the arrest of Brian Gano and his inner circle were issued. Many tired to flee but Brian, refusing to believe that his own downfall was nigh, was handcuffed and taken right from his pulpit screaming 'he lives,' over and over.

With Brian's arrest, the spell the Father had weaved over locals and outsiders alike was lifted. It was not long before the extent of the AIDS epidemic became front news world wide.

Since the church coffers had been practically emptied by Brian's actions and Peter's embezzlement, only one person had the resources and the will to help the Blessed. That person was Daryl Gavin, the man whose family the church had betrayed.

While Daryl provided the resources and treated many of the sick, it was Steven who rose above the crowd to restore order to New Hope. So after three years, and even against his protests, the Blessed declared Steven Nash the Father by a unanimous vote and, just as Steven swore he would, he brought many changes to the church.

One thing remained a mystery to Steven however. After five years, Daryl had yet to meet his one and true love. Then? on the day NM Mining finally closed their doors for good, a stranger arrived on the doorstep of the Gavin ranch where Daryl, Steve, Patrick, and Alex still made their home.

His very outdated clothes were a few inches short, fitting poorly on his incredibly thin frame. The man's hair was light brown with a hint of gray and very long, as was his beard. Talking to the stranger Steven found the man very confused but certain that he belonged here. It was when Patrick handed the man a cup of coffee that Steven saw the scars that marred the man's wrists.

"Those bastards," Steven cursed? with rage and joy at the same time.

"What?" Patrick asked, confused.

"I think I know who our guest is. First call Tommy and tell him to get his ass over here? I want to see what this man looks like after he's cleaned up a bit."

"And what are you going to do?"

"I'm going to have a long talk with Stan." Steven said as he reached for his cell phone.

It took a lot of digging and the making of veiled and not so veiled threats but Steven eventually found out at least where their guest had come from. As it turned out, the man had been in a coma and kept in an isolation room at the mining clinic; only one doctor and a now elderly nurse knowing of the man's existence. Five years ago? on the very same day the gas fields had vanished, the John Doe woke up. The man had then been transferred to a rehabilitation facility where, due to his mental condition, he had remained until two weeks ago when NM Mining defaulted on his bill. It seemed the man had walked all the way from Helena back to New Hope without food, water, or protective clothing. The single most important fact Steven was able to discover was the man, now 37, had only been seventeen when first admitted to the clinic.

By the time he had all the information he could get from Stan, Patrick had been waiting frantically for his brother to get off the phone. "You won't believe who I think this person is!"

"Want to make a bet?" Steven chuckled.

"Have you called Daryl yet?"

"No? I need to see for myself." Steven insisted, going down to the basement where Tommy had been working on their guest.

Cut, shaved, and bathed, the man sat in front of Patrick's mirror, dressed in a white bathrobe. His cheeks were thin, his eyes sunken, and his arms and legs toothpicks like but the resemblance was strong.

"Well is he?" Patrick almost shouted.

"Call Daryl? but don't tell him anything other than he is to come right home," Steven said. Patrick dialed the number before his brother finished speaking.

Twenty minutes later Daryl came walking into the house. "What's up?"

"We have a guest," Steven said as calmly as he could.

"Oh? anyone I know."

"You can say that," Patrick said, his eyelids open so wide that his eyes might pop out.

"Is there something wrong? Who is it?" Daryl said, not blind to the tension in the room.

"Go sit down Dare." Steven suggested.

"Why? Brian didn't escape from the mental hospital, did he?"

"No? but I want you to be seated with what I am about to show you."

"But?"

"Are you trying to be difficult again? I thought we broke you of that habit," Steven grunted, pointing to the sofa.

"Sorry," Daryl said, finally sitting down as instructed.

It was a good thing Steven had Daryl sit, for their guest didn't get within ten feet of him before Daryl turned red as if he were choking and passed out. Recovering in less than a minute, he jumped up and screamed? causing their guest to do the same. For a while both Daryl and the guest circled around each other screaming at each other until the thin man charged Daryl and surprisingly tackled him. The two then rolled on the floor until they came to a sudden halt, the only sound being their mutual sobs? Daryl repeating the name of his long dead brother.

Whatever had happened to David, being reunited with his brother healed him. Over the coming months he slowly regained his memory and health thanks to Daryl's constant help, doing long group sessions with Steven. By the time the boys came home from college, David was back to being as close to his old self as Daryl ever remembered. Aaron automatically attached himself to his father but Adam remained skeptical.

One night while Steven was working late in his office, both brothers came into the room.

"Thank you." Aaron said, ever the polite one.

"Yeah thanks?" Adam said less than enthusiastically.

"What for?" Steven asked, putting his pen down.

"For giving Uncle Daryl what he wanted more than anything, regardless of what it cost you," Aaron said, a tear running down the man's face.

"I don't understand."

"David? for giving Uncle Daryl David back."

"I didn't give him back? the man came here on his own." Steven chuckled even through the dull pain in his heart. Ever since David had come back, Daryl had less free time with him.

"No? he didn't," Aaron said with a wink.

"Want to tell me what your brother is tiptoeing around?" Steven said, looking at Adam. Where Aaron was polite, couching his words carefully, Adam remained blunt, and to the point, even when it was not appropriate.

"Sure? I don't know why he won't go out and say it. He wants to thank you for being a fat assed cheater."

"What?" Steven said, even more confused.

"You're a cheater? you didn't give Daryl what he really wanted. You only gave him a photocopy? a facsimile? a clone. You could have had Uncle Daryl all to yourself eventually but because of some subconscious feelings of guilt you created David? version 2.0."

"I didn't?" Steven started to argue then he remembered what Scott had told him of Daryl's grandfather? the one who had created the gas fields that had been under New Hope out of thin air when all their cattle had died.

"You did." Both Aaron and Adam insisted.

"Oh God? what if Daryl finds out?" Steven said as he ran his finger through his hair.

Seeing realization dawn of Steven, Aaron continued. "We don't know for certain, since we can't read minds, but both of us suspect Daryl already knows. Why do you think Uncle Daryl had those sessions with you? He wanted to you to know everything he knew about his brother because if you know?"

"David would know?" Steven sighed in disbelief. Scott had said Daryl was destined for another but Steven had never suspected that he would actually create out of thin air the man Daryl would love above all. It proved one thing to Steven? he did not have as much control over his power as he first believed.

"Will stuff like this happen often?" Steven asked worriedly. "Us changing the very fabric of reality?"

"We don't know? all we know for sure is that this is only the beginning." Aaron replied.

"What do you mean?"

"David," both brothers replied before Adam took over. "He is much stronger than any of us."

How can that be? I created him."

"Yes? because you inherited Scott's power, you are much stronger than us since we both have to share what power Uncle Daryl once had. David is different. You created him out of pure need, pure faith, pure energy. He is therefore as powerful as the first Gavin? the one who saved the Blessed from the blizzard over a 120 years ago."

"Is that a good thing or bad?" Steven asked, unsure himself.

"It all depends?" Aaron sighed.

"On what?" Steven demanded.

"On the only person David or you really care about." Adam whispered.

"On Daryl?"

"Yes." The brothers replied.

"Is this? is this another test?" Steven asked, his voice trembling. Tests of any sort were always bad as far as he was concerned.

"It is? the final one." Aaron whispered, his voice barely audible.

"How soon?" Steven asked, his heart beating with a deep thump as his face became flushed.

"Soon?" A third voice said as David walked into the room. Steven did not even make it to his feet before he fell unconscious on top of his desk.

David, dismissing the brothers, took out his cell phone and dialed the hospital. "Hello? the Father has just had a heart attack; please send an ambulance at once."

The final test had begun.