The Professor and Sean I
By: Scotty
(Copyright 2006 by the author)
 

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

Chapter 8

I

Then all I could do was say his name, tell him I loved him and kiss his face wherever I thought it wouldn't hurt him

"Sean, I love you...Sean, I love you...Sean, I love you." I wanted to take him into my arms, but I was afraid to hurt him.

Suddenly the room was full of staff. Nick was in the lead.

"What happened? Well, look at that! Sean is back with us. Hurrah!" said a gleeful Nick. And to my complete surprise, the staff was applauding. I had so many tears in my eyes, that I really couldn't tell who was there. Then Nick, took me by the arm.

"Ryan, you have to let us do our job now. Just step back, so we can check Sean. Corine, call Dr. Franklin. Tell him what has happened. Tell him we would like to have him come here stat."

I felt someone hugging me. It was Rog. Greg was right behind him. Their smiles were big enough to make the room bright.

"Oh, Ryan" said Rog, his eyes filled with tears, "thank God he's back. Thank God." And then Big Greg, his eyes shiny with tears hugged me in his biggest bear hug.

"I told you, Ryan, not to give up on your man, and you didn't. I am so happy for you. I think Rog and I are heading home. We want you to stay with us until your place is back in order."

"I don't know about that. I can't impose on you guys. And what happens when Sean comes home?"

Greg was laughing quietly, "What do you think happens, duffus, he comes to our place, too. Don't worry, Rog and I will give you loads of privacy. If your place is ready by the time he is released, then you go to your place. No arguments. Rog and I have decided that is the way it will be."

A smiling Rog, hugged me, and said, "No arguments, Ryan, our home is yours and Sean's home until we get things straightened out."

Dr. Franklin arrived and introduced himself. He was a chubby man of 50, with a devil-may-care smile and a somewhat high feminine sounding voice.
He was outgoing and gracious. I liked him immediately.

"Wonderful, just wonderful. How did it happen? Were you here? Wonderful. Amazing."

"I was here I had just spoken some lyrics from a song we both like. I thought he squeezed my hand, but I squeezed his back, but there was no response. I was really tired and I put my head down and kissed his hand. Then I heard a whisper asking me to kiss his lips. And well, you know the rest."

"Give me a minute to check him out. Remarkable. Just remarkable."

He moved to Sean's bedside and took his hand and counted his pulse. He used his stethoscope to check Sean's heart and lungs. He kept smiling and chatting with Sean. He asked him what I thought were silly questions.

"Do you know where you are? What's your name? Who do you live with? How old are you? Do you have any relatives? What color is my tie? Who is president of the US? Where did you live when you were 10 years old? Do you know what day yesterday was, the day you got injured. Who's the most important person in you life? "

Sean had answered all the questions correctly, and then he answered the final question.

"The most important person in my life is my lover and partner, Ryan Taylor whom I love completely and who brought me back here." he told Dr. Franklin as he looked directly at me and smiled. I lost it for a moment and then remembered to be strong. Sean needed my strength. He needed me now more than he might ever need me again in our lives together. I smiled a big smile right back at him.

Dr. Franklin padded back to my side. He was smiling a gigantic smile. "He's going to be fine. Just fine. But he needs lots of rest. And I am going to have Nick give him some medications to help relieve the pain, and he surely must have a lot of it, and something that will let him sleep comfortably for a few hours. Nick will be taking out some of the tubes and wires. Just a few will have to be left in. If he continues in this manner, I will have him moved to a private room. He should sleep for at least ten hours. You, my good friend, should also get some sleep yourself. I'll have Nick give you a sleeping pill so that you can get some rest without running this whole horrible affair again and again through your mind." he said.

"Dr. Franklin, I want to hold him for just a minute. Will that be okay? I don't want to hurt him anymore than he is hurt now. It's just that I want to hold him close for a minute." "No problem, let Nick gets some of the stuff disconnected and then he will be a little easier to hug. Give him a hug from me. He's some guy. Remarkable. Just remarkable." And he padded to the nurses' station, wrote some orders and went to the elevator, waved at me, and disappeared.

While Rog, Greg, and I waited outside. Nick made short work of getting things straightened with Sean. I heard him chatting to Sean, but it was impossible to make out what he was saying. Then he was standing beside me.

"I think we three are going to get a cola. You should have some very private time with Sean. He's waiting for you." and they left.

When I went in the cubicle, there was more light. Nick had propped Sean up a little so that he was half sitting. He smiled the moment he saw me. I walked over to him, and without saying a word, I bent down and took him into my arms and we both were weeping. I got myself together quickly and whispered in Sean's ear.

'Oh, baby, I was so scared. I wanted ....am I hurting you?'

'No, don't you dare stop holding me. I need you close, Ry. I need your strength. I love you so much. I couldn't have come back except for you. I could hear you, but I couldn't do anything. I heard Chopin, but I couldn't move even a finger. I was ready to give up, Ry. I was ready to drift off into the darkness and maybe never come back. I had tried so hard. I wanted to be back in your arms. But I couldn't get there.

"And then I heard you again, this time more clearly and you were saying those lyrics "the story of my life." and I knew I had to get back and with all the effort I could, I moved my hand and I thought you would notice. And then I was so exhausted that when you did squeeze my hand again, I just couldn't return. I felt you kissing my hand, and I wanted more so I tried again, and suddenly I was here in the room and you were kissing my hand. And I told you I wanted you to kiss my lips and you did. But it wasn't what I wanted and I told you so and you then kissed me the way I wanted to be kissed. Oh, God, Ry, thank you for not giving up on me. Nick told me quite a bit and I know now even more than before how very much I mean to you. Please hold me, Ry. I don't want you to let go of me. I was so scared. They hurt me a lot. I tried, but I couldn't stop them."

"Let's not talk about that right now, Sean. There is time for that later. Lover, I am here to stay. I am not going anywhere. They brought a cot in here and I will sleep right beside you. Don't worry." I told him.

"I am tired, Ry. And I hurt. My whole body hurts. What did they do to my balls, Ry. They hurt terribly."

I pulled away from him for just a second and I could see him trying hard to keep tears from running down his face.

"Baby, you are going to be fine, so are your balls and every other part of your handsome body. I guarantee it. Sean, cry all you want. I am staying with you and comforting you. Let it out, baby, let it out. You're home, you're in my arms. I won't ever let you go."

Nick came into the room at that moment. He came over to the bed, followed by Rog and Greg.

"I have to give Sean some pain meds and some sleep meds. Maybe you should go with Rog and Greg and get some sleep."

"NO!" came the unison cry from Sean and me.

"Okay, okay," said a smiling Nick. "so sleep on the cot. I don't mind.'

It was only then that I let go of Sean. Nick took a hypodermic needle and a small bottle from his pocket. He withdrew some liquid from the bottle, squirted a small amount into the air to clear out any air. He lifted the sheet, rubbed an alcohol pad on Sean's butt and gave him an injection. Then he injected something into the intravenous drip Sean was still getting. Nick let the bed back down so Sean would be more comfortable. He took Sean's hand and told him to get some sleep. Rog and Greg came over and said a quick good night. I gave them both a hug, and they left with a promise to check from time to time on how things were going. I sat on the edge of the bed. I looked at Sean and realized how very lucky I was, and that God had indeed wanted us to stay together.

"I need some more hugging?" Sean said sleepily. I put my arms around him and held him until his breathing was regular, a sound I had grown to know and love. I held him for quite a while, then I let him down carefully. He was asleep. Even with his bruises, he was my beautiful Sean.

I was about to lie down on the cot, when Nick appeared again. "Here's some med for you, Ryan. You need to sleep, too. He's going to need you tomorrow more than right now. The horror of remembrance will overtake him. So sleep soundly. I am so happy for both of you. Good night."

I took the two tablets, pushed off my shoes, lay on the cot, took Sean's hand in mine and fell asleep.

It seemed like only moments later that I heard Sean calling me. I woke immediately. Sean was thrashing on the bed. He was crying out for me. I didn't know what to do, so I took him my arms and whispered that I was here and that I would take care of him, and I kissed him and stroked his hair. And he calmed down. Sitting on the bed beside Sean, holding him. I must have fallen asleep. The next thing I knew was someone shaking me gently. It was a male nurse I had never seen.

"Hi, my name is Tim. I'm one of the day nurses in IC. Did he have a bad dream? You did the right thing. He may have more. Why don't you put your legs and feet up and lie beside him. It's okay. I unhooked the camera, so no one will bother you. It's about 8AM, but you both need some more sleep. We won't wake you for breakfast. We will need to wake everyone before Dr. Cassin or Dr. Franklin want to examine Sean again. Rest easily." he quietly left. Lying quietly beside Sean brought back memories of our love making the night I met and fell in love with him. But love making would have to wait. Now I had to concentrate on helping get Sean healthy and strong again. I kissed his neck, put my arm around him, and fell asleep.

II

It was an unfamiliar voice I heard urging me to wake up. It was actually a whisper. I finally opened my eyes and there stood Tim.

"Sorry to have to wake you, but the doctors are going to be here soon to take another look at Sean. You probably want to look a little better. I brought you some towels, toothpaste and brush, a razor, some soap, shampoo, shaving cream, lots of stuff. I'll show you the shower room to use. And here are some scrubs you can put on; they're clean and no one here will mind. There's a bag, too, to put your dirty clothes in. And, well, I am a little embarrassed, but there is a pair of my clean underwear in there, too. Sorry, but it's bikini style. It's all I have."

"Tim, thanks so much. Wish I could model your bikinis for Sean. He has tried to get me to wear them, but I am still a boxer man, myself. Sean wears all kinds of things - of course, I bought them for him." I was laughing lightly then.

"You sound a little like Randy, my partner. He likes boxers, too. I have tried to get him to switch, but he says he would rather see me in bikinis than wear them himself. So whatever suits you, do. I won't wake Sean until you get back. Maybe you can give him his bath." he said with a smile.

"Of course, I want to bathe him. I will be careful of his bruises. He must hurt like hell. The guys who did this to Sean deserve all that the law allows. The bastards!" I said.

"Come on, to the showers with you. Then I will wake Sean and you can bathe him. I know he will like that." Tim said as the showed me the way to the shower.

I couldn't believe the difference a shower and shave made in my entire physical feeling. I was ready to go. I felt totally energized. I looked like a young doctor or male nurse in my clean scrubs. I was getting used to Tim's underwear. I looked at myself in the mirror and could understand why Sean wanted me to wear them. They did make me look sexy. I would surprise Sean one day by appearing in a bikini or a thong. I can see his smile, now.

I hurried back to the nurse's station carrying the bag with my dirty clothes in it. Tim met me. I handed him the bag and asked him if he could stow it somewhere safe as my wallet was in it. He told me he could put it in his locker.

"Now, come on, I'll wake Sean; no, on second thought, I will let you wake Sean. And then you can bathe him. Remember, warm water, a little soap, rinse, dry. And handle with care, `cause he is sore." said Tim.

When we walked into Sean's cubicle, he was sleeping soundly. I looked at him and wanted to love him, to make him be like he was before the beating. Tim watched me as I looked at Sean.

"You really love that guy, don't you? It shows in your eyes. You don't have to be a genius to see that. And from what Nick told me at shift change, the young man loves you just as much. It's great. Take you time, then just push the button when you are finished. The doctors won't be here for about 45 minutes." he said as he left us alone.

I wondered how to do this gently. To wake him but not cause him any fear. I walked over to the bed and bent down and kissed his lips gently. I stroked his hair. I wanted to make love to him, but I knew I couldn't.

"Sean, baby, it's Ry. Can you open your eyes and take a look at this wonderful specimen of a stud, standing here. He wants you to wake up and be amazed at his form and figure." I was laughing lightly as I whispered.

"Come on, baby, wake up for Ry. If you wake up, I'll give you one of our special kisses." I kissed his eyes, then I kissed his lips again. This time I applied more pressure and I licked his lips with my tongue. I pushed my tongue against his lips. His lips opened and I slid my tongue into his mouth. He was groaning, his good arm was now around my neck, pulling me closer. His tongue was in my mouth. I was hard and I didn't have room for my cock in Tim's bikini, but I would have to suffer. Sean pulled away from me.

"If you wake me like that every morning, I plan to stay right here. Ry, I had moments when I thought I would never feel your touch again. That I would never know the awesome pleasure of love making with you."

"I promise you, Sean, everything will be back to normal. I promise you that. Please don't worry anymore. I just want you to get well. Now, baby, I am going to give you a bath.

As I was about to start bathing Sean, Tim came in.

'Okay, let's get on with the bath. I brought a clean johnny. You will have to be careful of the catheter; we don't want it pulled out yet. If it comes out before the doctor tells us to take it out, we'll have to put it back. Now that Sean is conscious, he won't like it because it can be uncomfortable. So just be careful, and yes, before you ask me, you should clean him there. OK, I'll be back in about ten minutes. Good luck to both of you."

I brought the warm water to the bed and placed it on the table. I got the soap open, found the wash cloth and towel and put everything where I could reach it. I pulled back Sean's covers. Somehow he looked smaller to me, but it was just a passing image. I helped him out of his johnny, being careful of his line and the catheter. His body was beautiful even now that there were many bruises on his arms, his chest, his thigh. His testicles were not as swollen as yesterday, but still looked sore and were discolored.

"Bet you aren't too turned on when you see my body now, Ry. I know I am a mess."

"Sean, you are just as beautiful as you ever were and if you weren't hurting so much, I would jump your bones right this minute. I will love you now and when we get old and wrinkled. I hope you love me when my body starts to show the years, `cause gravity is going to get to me before it gets to you. Now, baby, don't worry about how you look. I think you are beautiful and sexy and sexually stimulating. My god, Sean, I have a woodie just looking at you." I was laughing and so was he.

"I would have a woodie, too, but I have a tube shoved up mine and that sort of prevents a hardon. Once I get this thing out of my cock, I may want you to...well let's not worry about that now. Get on with the bath, lover. It's a little cool lying here naked."

I began the bath, carefully washing Sean from his head to his feet. I washed his chest, his abs, his pubes. Sean kept telling me how good it felt. I carefully lifted his soft penis and washed it. Sean remarked that at any other time if I had touched his cock he would have sprung a hardon. I hated to touch his balls, but I did wash them and Sean grimaced just a little. He told me that his balls still hurt. The bruise on his thigh also caused him some discomfort. I kissed it then washed it. Dried and clean, I helped Sean into his clean johnny, and pulled the covers up. I then leaned over and gave him a gentle kiss on the lips. He pulled me to him with his free hand and pressed his lips hard against mine. I opened my lips to him and his tongue was in my mouth and my tongue was in this mouth. We had a long passionate, loving kiss. I finally pulled away from him. He smiled that smile at me.

"Thanks for the bath, lover. But I liked the kiss even more. You can bathe me if you promise to kiss me like that after you finish. It was great." Sean said.

Tim came into the room with a nurse's aide. They changed Sean's linens. Tim did something with his line actually changing the bag so that a new full one was dripping into Sean. Because they knew what they were doing, the bed was changed in a very short time. Sean showed just a shadow of a beard, but his hair needed brushing, something I had neglected at bath time. As soon as the nurses left, I brushed Sean's hair. He looked much better now. Color was returning slowly, but he now looked considerably brighter against the white pillow cases. I kissed him again, the kind of kiss he loved.

"Now you have the idea" Sean said with a giggle, "that's the kind of kiss I want from you, Ry."

"Noted." I replied as Doctors Lewis, Cassin, and Franklin came into the room with a number of other staff. They greeted me quickly, but were most interested in examining Sean. They was a bevy of prods, a number of questions, and some hearty smiles from both the doctors and Sean. I was just out of earshot so I wasn't able to hear what was being said. I waited patiently. Dr. Lewis came over to me.

"Ryan, your young man is making a remarkable recovery. We are going to have him moved to a private room. We will have the catheter and drip line removed. We want him to eat some solid foods, soft stuff at first, then into the more interesting foods. No pizza or anything of that nature for the next few days. At the moment, I would estimate that he will be here for at least one more week. Starting after the removal of the catheter he will have to use the bathroom. We are also going to have staff get him out of bed and get him walking. It's important so that he can regain his strength. We want to make sure that he is 100% before we allow him to leave. He can begin having visitors; we will monitor that to prevent his getting exhausted. I think to start, no more that 3 people in the room at a time. Is that reasonable to you."

"That's fine. I will be here almost 24 hours a day, so I will keep careful watch on him." I told Dr. Lewis.

"You understand, don't you, that we will be monitoring Sean very carefully for the next few days. It is important that if anything out of the ordinary should occur, we want to know about it immediately. So expect nurses and other staff in the room on a regular basis to check on Sean. The college has asked that a policeman be stationed at the door to the room. They are concerned about what might happen until such time as they apprehend the culprits who did this to Sean."

"I appreciate their concern. Thank you so much for all you did to help us through this matter. I know that neither of us can adequately express how we feel." I told the doctors.

"Fine, we're on our way now." said Dr. Lewis. Doctors Cassin and Franklin expressed their pleasure at Sean's recovery. Sean's quick awakening happens in only 7% of all coma patients. Some stay in coma for 2-3 days, many for weeks, some indefinitely. I was very happy. Suddenly, the room was empty, and there was Sean sitting up in the bed with that wonderful smile on his face.

He kept smiling at me, his blue eyes now sparkling. I just stood there and looked at him, smiling too. I had an almost unbearable amount of emotion flow over me. How lucky I had been that Sean was here, apparently on his way back to a normal life. I had not lost the love of a lifetime. I wanted to crush him to me, to never let him go. I saw a tear or two slide down his cheeks.

"Thank you, Ry. Thank you for being with me when I needed you most. I couldn't have come back without you here pulling me with familiar sounds and words of love. I will try to be a better person than I have been. I want to appreciate all the things around me: nature, color, music, friends, everything. But most of all, I want you to know how much I love you. I didn't think it would be possible to love you more than I did, but I do, Ry, I do."

"Enough of that, lover. Let's talk about some other things that we need to get straightened out, okay?" I asked.

Before Sean could answer, staff made its way into the cubicle, asking me in a gentle way to get out. Ian was now the nurse I would have to deal with. He was an enormous black man with a smile as wide as he was tall.

"I'll be Mr. Kelly's day nurse. Could you allow us some private time? We need to remove the catheter and the line We also have to check his bruises and transfer him to a private room. Let's see , yup room 328A. It's just across from the nurses' station on the third floor. You can meet us there, and let others know who might want to visit Sean that 328A is Sean's room number. We'll see to all his clothes, etc. By the way, Dr. Taylor, you might want to bring in some new clothes for Mr. Kelly. His clothes are a real mess. Also, the police kept some of the clothing because of blood. There is a wallet, and some change and a key. That's about all. I'll have it to show you when we get up to 328A."

While he was talking to me, others were already working on Sean. I was surprised when I left the cubicle to find a uniformed policeman outside.

"Dr. Taylor, I am Officer O'Connell. I will be here for the next eight hours. I will be sure that you know who is taking my place. I will be with Sean as he is moved to his private room."

"Thanks." I said and I walked out to the waiting room, where I got out Rog's cell phone. I had a number of people to contact, and I wanted to know what was going on. I was just about to dial the first number when I heard a familiar voice.

"Dear, dear Ryan. We came as quickly as we could. We're so sorry. So sorry." my Mom said between little sobs. She hugged me tightly. My Dad looked on with tears in his eyes.

"Ryan, I told you once to be sure to find someone to love who would love you in return. From what Rog tells us you did that. And then to have this happen. I'd like to get my hands on those bastards..."

I interrupted him by throwing my arms around him. He hugged me hard and with total love. I dissolved into tears. He just kept hugging me, telling me everything would be okay, Mom and he were there to help make things right again. I was not able to talk for some time. As Dad hugged me, Mom stood behind me and patted my back and stroked my hair. Eventually I regained composure. We sat on the sofa, Mom holding one hand, Dad the other.

"I didn't call you because I didn't want you to worry, but more importantly, my total being was concentrating on Sean. It was so frightening, Mom. Dad, I thought I was going to lose him, and if I had, I think I would have wanted to die."

"We know, son, it was obvious from your letters how much you loved Sean. We were so happy for you." Dad said.

"We were so elated that finally you had found that someone special that you could live your life with and for. You can't imagine how happy that made your father and me." my Mom told me.

"When Rog called late last night, we made plans immediately to get here. We had to be here to help you through this, Ryan. We never thought a moment about doing anything but getting here to support you. I hope that things are going well for Sean." Dad said.

"I know you planned to bring him home at Thanksgiving to meet us, that is, if he could arrange things with his aunt. Now we will meet him whenever he feels up to it. Ryan, Christmas might be a better time for you to bring him to Florida. Don't you have a longer break at Christmas? But we can talk about that later." my Mom said gently.

I told Mom and Dad to go to the Cafeteria for some late breakfast or early lunch because I had to call Rog and Cathy. I would join them in a couple of minutes after I found out what time Sean would be in his room. They agreed ,and after some more hugs, they left. I said a prayer to thank God for giving me such wonderful parents.

When I reached Rog, he was elated to discover that Sean would be going to a private room. I told him about the policeman, too. He and Greg would get over as early as they could arrange it. Not to worry about anyone else, he would contact Cathy and others to let them know what was happening.

"Ryan, do you have things that you definitely want to keep in the townhouse? You may want to take a look today. Most things are destroyed. There has already been some cleanup, but there are some things we need to know. Also, we have people who want to get in there and make things right. We need to tell them what they can and can't do. Think about it. Give me a call as soon as you know when Sean will be in his private room"

"Rog, thanks for calling my parents. They just showed up and they make it so much easier. They are going to meet Sean earlier than we had anticipated, but I am not worried. I know they will love him, too. I got some sleep last night. I plan to stay here again tonight. I don't want to leave him, not yet. Rog, have you heard anymore about the two guys who did this.?" I asked.

"Yeh, they have already arrested the younger, Carl. He won't tell them anything from what I have been able to learn. They are not sure where his brother Dennis is. I think that may be why you have a policeman guarding Sean's room. There is an all out push from the college and the local police to find and arrest Dennis. I'm sure, Ryan, that Dennis will be in custody before long. You cannot imagine the amount of support and concern that has been shown by the college and local community for you and Sean. Greg and I are just amazed. Cathy told me earlier that her phone has not stopped ringing. And I have gotten many calls. We have enough help lined up to build a house. It's mind boggling. You and Sean have many friends and supporters."

"That makes me feel really good, Rog. It will be good to see you and Greg again. You have been so strong. I appreciate that. You will be amazed when you see Sean. He is beginning to look like his old self. I have to go now; my parents are waiting in the cafeteria for me, and I want to get to Sean as soon as I can. Bye for now, Rog. And thanks."

I hurried to the cafeteria where I found my folks. They were finishing their small breakfast or brunch or whatever. I told them I didn't want anything. Then I was paged to go to room 328A. We left the cafe and proceeded directly to Sean's room. I asked Mom and Dad to give me a few minutes with Sean. I wanted to tell him what to expect. They understood. I could tell that the policeman outside the door of Sean's room made them uncomfortable. I went into the room and found Ian chatting warmly with Sean.

"Ry, I thought you had deserted me. I was worried about you." said Sean.

"I'm out of here," said Ian, "I'll check on you before I go off duty and let you know who will be replacing me. See ya, guys!" and Ian left.

"I'm sorry if I frightened you, Sean. I have a surprise for you."

"No surprises until I get a special kiss from you." Sean said.

I walked over to him and leaned in to kiss him. All of a sudden, he pulled me down onto him. I had forgotten he had both hands and arms to use now. I tried to hold myself off his body so that I wouldn't hurt him, but he was strong and held me to him. And he kissed me with such strength and passion that it took my breath away.

"There," he said. "Now what's the surprise?"

"Sean, my Mom and Dad are here. They came to support us. They were very worried about both of us. They want to meet you. Are you up to it?"

"I'm a little scared. What if they don't like me. I want them to like me, Ry."

"Don't worry your silly head about that, Sean. They are going to love you. They know a lot about you. I have been e-mailing, phoning and writing letters to them regularly telling them all about you. They already love you, baby. Just smile, and you will melt their hearts."

I went to the door and brought my parents into Sean's room.

"Mom, Dad, this is the love of my life, my partner and the man I love above all others. This is Sean." Sean was blushing magnificently.

"I'm glad to meet the parents of my lover and partner and the most wonderful person I have ever known. I love him very much." said Sean.

My Mom went right to the bed and leaned in and kissed Sean on the forehead. He reached up and gave her a hug. She was beaming. Dad was right behind her, and to my surprise, he reached in and gave Sean a hug.

"Young man, I want you to know how much Mrs. Taylor and I appreciate how happy you have made our son. We are sorry that some idiots injured you for loving our boy. We welcome you into our family, and we want to assure you that you are loved by us, too." my Dad said and he had misty eyes. Sean surprised my folks when he told them he wished he had parents as loving as they were. He told them they must have been wonderful parents because their son certainly was a wonderful, generous, and loving man. My parents beamed and I blushed. It was easy to see that Mom and Dad were as happy as could be that Sean was getting better. I really knew that they meant it when they told me that they loved me and wanted me to be happy. My being gay was not what was important. I was a good man, and that was what they were proud of. I could see that Sean was getting tired so I suggested that we let him get some sleep. They agreed immediately. But Sean was concerned; I could tell by looking at him.

'What's the matter, Sean' I asked.

'Are you going to leave me, Ryan. I want you to stay, please.' Sean almost begged.

My Mom came to my rescue. 'Don't worry about us, Ryan. We have to check into the hotel. We also need to get some rest. You stay here with your young man, Ryan. We'll be fine. Don't worry, Sean, we won't take Ryan away, especially not now. So relax and rest."

After a quick hug and goodbye, they left the room. I looked at my injured lover. I smiled at him and he returned it with his heart-melting smile. I went to his bedside and began to stroke his hair. His eyes were heavy. They slowly closed and he was breathing in the fashion I knew meant he was asleep. I pulled up a chair, took his hand, and settled in for awhile.

I was awakened by loud shouting and thuds and bangs. Then I heard a gun shots. I jumped on Sean and covered him with my body. He was awake now and trembling. So was I. He wanted me to get off from him. But I wouldn't move. Suddenly the door to the room banged open, and I told Sean I loved him.

"You guys okay?" asked Officer O'Connell.

"We're fine." sir, "but a little shook up." I got off the bed. Sean was looking at me with such wonderment in his eyes.

"I know a hero when I see one," said Officer O'Connell. "And you Dr. Taylor are a hero. You put yourself in the line of fire to save this young man. I am mighty impressed. Mighty impressed!"

"No, it wasn't heroic, not at all," I stammered, "I just didn't want Sean to be hurt anymore. That's all." I replied.

"Ry, don't you see? You were willing to sacrifice your life to save me. My God, Ry, how could anyone show more love for someone, then to lay down his life for that person. Ry, you will always be my hero. Thanks, Ry. I thought I loved you without reservation, and I hope that I could do what you did for me. You showed how deeply you loved me." said Sean, tears now running slowly down his cheeks

"I have to get back outside. Someone from the hospital will be in here momentarily to check you guys to make sure you are okay."

"Officer, what happened?" I asked.

"Can't tell you anything just yet. In a little while I will let you know all about the ruckus outside."

"Those were gunshots that I heard, Sean. Someone was shot. I think there was a fight, too. I am so glad I was here with you, baby."" I said.

"Ry, do you think someone wanted to hurt us? Or you? Or me? Why would anyone come here to the hospital except to hurt me? Whoever was out there wanted to hurt me. Ry, I'm so glad you were here to protect me. Ry, I'm scared." said a truly frightened Sean who I held tightly in my arms.

Ian came trotting into the room, his smile a mile wide. "Sorry for the noise and confusion. All is well now. You guys okay? Sean, how ya doin'? Ryan, you okay, bro?"

We both shook our heads in the affirmative. "Someone will be in shortly to tell you all about it. Stay calm. Everything is under control."

Sean and I hugged each other even tighter. It wasn't sexual; it gave strength to each other. It was a comforting hug. Sean was still trembling, and when I mentioned it to him, he giggled a little.

"Hey, Ry, you were shaking so hard I thought you would make me cum. Man it was almost as it you were making love to me."

I was silent for awhile, and then I told Sean, "I was making love to you, Sean, in the best sense of the word. I was protecting you. That's love at its highest level."

Officer O'Connell came into the room. "Well here's the best I can do for you at the moment. I was sitting outside the room when I heard a lot of noise and confusion coming from the corridor by the elevator. A hospital security guard was wrestling with a young man. The younger guy had the advantage, but I couldn't leave my post. Then Ian came out of the nurse's station. By this time the young man was headed down the corridor. He was saying some awful things about you two. And then I saw the gun; he had raised it up and was coming directly toward me. Ian shoved the guy against the wall, but as he landed, he regained control of the gun. Ian had moved away, and I drew my weapon and fired two times, one shot to his gun hand, the other to his left leg. In moments, hospital security was all over the place. The guys name is..."

"Dennis Bronson!"

"Absolutely. How'd you know that? Who told you?" he asked.

"I know because he and his brother Carl are the ones who beat Sean so badly and trashed our home. They already have Carl in jail, but they couldn't find Dennis. Why would Dennis want to kill anyone.? I don't understand."

"He won't be able to tell you for a while as he is in surgery at the moment. He'll live, and he and his brother will have to answer for their actions. Dennis is in real serious trouble with a gun and all. Well. enough for now. I'll keep you posted." and he left the room.

Rog and Greg burst into the room, followed a second or so by my Mom, Dad, and Cathy. They all looked completely relieved when they saw that the two of us were okay.

"Thank God," my Mom said as she hugged me and then Sean. "That young man must be crazy." she told the room.

Dad also hugged us both as did Rog, Greg and Cathy.

"Ryan covered my body with his so that nothing could hurt me again. He's a hero, especially my hero." said a proud Sean.

"I didn't do anything heroic." I protested.

But the room of my supporters would have it no other way. I was a hero to them, and I guess that was all that mattered. Hopefully the ugly experience of the last couple of days was over. Sean and I only wanted to get our lives back to normal.

Little did we know how many wonderful people were going to help us do just that. In the room with us were five of our staunchest supporters and organizers. We would be in remarkably kind hands. Now, if only I could have my Sean home with me again. He clasp my hand so tightly that it almost hurt. I leaned in and gave him one of his favorite kisses.

Our assembled, extended family applauded.

To be continued...

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