by: Tyler Peel

© 2007 by the author

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

Chapter 38
You Don’t Want To Know!

Waking up on any given morning in the Anderson home, Tyler wasn't at all surprised to find Kyle on one side of him, Luke on the other and Abbey at the end of the bed. But this morning he also had Casey lying half on him, on top of the covers. As Tyler opened his eyes he reached out to wrap his arms around Casey only to find the boy shivering from the cold. He pushed the comforter down which made Abbey raise her head in question, and then lifted Casey up and pulled his young friend underneath the covers to hold him close on top of his chest.

"You'll be warmed up in a minute," Tyler whispered to Casey. Casey smiled momentarily and then fell back into a deep sleep. Tyler lifted his head to look at the clock and saw it was 5:40 a.m., "Time to get up," Tyler thought to himself as he slid out of bed with Abbey following.

As his left foot touched the floor, Tyler felt something soft squish under him. Looking down he realized that he'd stepped on Mango's head. Tyler apologized to Mango and then wondered why he would apologize to a stuffed monkey. Bending over, he picked up Mango and put him into Casey's arms figuring that Casey might take better care of him than Luke did.

"5:43 a.m." Tyler said yawning. "I wonder if they remembered a wake up call, or else they'll miss their flight."

Tyler and Abbey headed downstairs to the kitchen. Tyler scooped some food into Abbey's bowl and then put a pot of coffee on for himself. Opening the sliding patio doors to let Abbey outside, he turned back to pick up the phone. Staring at the handset for what seemed like hours he heard the dial tone go dead and then gently placed it back in its cradle. After contemplating the phone again for another minute he made his decision, picked it up and dialed Derek's cell phone.

"Hullo?" Derek said groggily.

"You need to be up now if you're going to catch your flight," Tyler said.

"Tyler?" Derek asked sitting up in bed.

"Did you remember to get a wake up call?" Tyler asked.

"Shit! No, ummm... sorry, and thanks!" Derek said.

"No problem, I didn't want you to miss your flight," Tyler said.

"How are things over there?" Derek asked as Cody stirred.

"Kyle's mad at me but everything else is fine so yeah, things are normal," Tyler said and Abbey barked wanting back inside.

"What's Kyle mad at you for?" Derek asked.

"He knows something is up and I won't tell him," Tyler said.

"You should tell him and tell him that I fucked up as usual," Derek said.

"It's not his business! You better get the others up and get moving if you're going to make your flight on time," Tyler said.

"Yeah. Thanks," Derek said, yawning.

"You're welcome. Have a safe flight," Tyler said.

"Will you be there when I get home?" Derek asked.

"I'm not sure," Tyler said.

"Okay. If I don't get to talk to you again then just know that I love you and I'm sorry," Derek said.

"I love you too. Get moving or you'll be late and don't forget the gifts for the boys," Tyler said.

"Right! Thanks again," Derek said.

"No problem." Tyler said. He hung up as Larry walked into the kitchen.

"Making crank phone calls at this time of the morning? That's so Lucas!" Larry teased.

Larry hugged Tyler's almost naked body. As he held Tyler quietly in his arms it made Larry think back to mornings when Derek would walk around dressed only in boxers. As Larry felt the smoothness of Tyler's skin under his hands he thought about each of his boys when they were about a year old and still wearing diapers. He would hold each one of them at night before bed and rock them to sleep. He knew that each one felt loved and secure in his arms and he could tell that, at this moment, Tyler felt that way too.

"I was on the phone with Derek," Tyler said not letting go of Larry.

"And?" Larry asked kissing the side of Tyler's head.

"I woke him up," Tyler said.

"You woke him up?" Larry repeated confused about what Tyler was actually telling him.

"I didn't think the three of them would remember to get a wake up call for their flight and I was right," Tyler said.

"Oh? Okay. Sorry, I didn't follow you for a moment," Larry said. "Can we do this a lot more often?"

"I sure hope so, Dad," Tyler said cryptically.

"Are you going to be here when the boys arrive home from the airport?" Larry asked and Abbey barked again -- impatient that she hadn't been let back in the house yet.

Tyler separated from Larry and walked over to let Abbey in. When he returned Larry was pouring himself a coffee while intently watching Tyler.

"I'll be here," Tyler said firmly. "This is my home."

"Damn right it is!" Larry said messing his hair. Tyler frantically restyled his hair mocking Kyle and they both laughed.

"I was wondering if it would be okay if I tagged along for Luke and Casey's tournament?" Tyler asked and Larry looked at him.

"You're welcome to go wherever you want Tyler. We would love to have you but isn't that going to make what happened very public to the rest of the family?" Larry asked and Tyler didn't respond as he considered the potential outcome from such an action.

"To be honest, Dad, when it comes to Derek and me I'm more upset with myself. I'm partially to blame for this. I sort of gave him permission, but what really hurts is Danny and Cody's involvement. Danny really is, or was, my best friend and only two hours before all of this happened I had a talk with Cody. He knew exactly how I felt about anything like this ever happening," Tyler said.

"Danny is trying to steal Derek away?" Larry asked.

"No, not at all and I'm absolutely certain of that. Danny is very sexual. He's just come out to himself in the last five months, and I think it's a bit like a kid tasting candy for the first time. In that sense he is more at Kyle's maturity level," Tyler said.

"So the problem with Danny is?" Larry asked trying to lead Tyler on.

"Danny knows that I don't approve of stuff happening outside of our own relationships so I really don't understand how this could happen?" Tyler said.

"And Cody?" Larry asked.

"Cody follows Danny and does as he's told. It's not that Cody isn't capable of making decisions but he lacks the self-confidence to stand up for himself. He was involved in an abusive relationship with Dakota," Tyler began.

"That's the guy who slashed your tires and wanted to kill you but you wouldn't have charged," Larry said shaking his head.

"There's a lot more to it than that, Sir," Tyler said defensively. "Dakota was blackmailing two members of our hockey team with videos he made of them. One of them was Cody. I made a deal to get those videos back and in exchange Dakota walked away from anything he did to me," Tyler said, getting angry.

"I understand what you did, and why, Tyler but I don't agree with it. Let's just leave it at that!" Larry said attempting a smile. "So you blame Cody for his actions but you also excuse him because you recognize how weak he is inside?"

"No, Sir. I don't excuse him. Especially after we spent time talking about relationships and where we both stood with each other, and with Derek and Danny. I just have to factor in all that I know about each of them," Tyler said.

"Good Tyler! It's good that you are capable of analyzing an emotional situation clearly. It shows maturity," Larry said.

"I don't want to be mature about this. I want to yell and scream and cry!" Tyler said.

"That's normal, Tyler," Larry said, smiling. "Thank you for sharing this with me."

"Thank you for listening, Dad. If I've learned anything out of what happened yesterday it's that I'm not spending enough time with the people I love one-on-one," Tyler said, refilling his coffee.

"How so?" Larry asked.

"If I had spent more time with Cody, and did it long before this trip, he would have been strong enough to not involve himself and therefore it would likely not have happened," Tyler analyzed.

"I think you need to focus mostly on you and Derek. What Derek did was wrong. It's simple common sense the world over. You also have to figure out how much of the blame lies on your shoulders because you didn't have the balls to be straightforward with Derek about the boundaries of your relationship. Do you still love Danny and Cody?" Larry asked.

"Yes, Sir. Danny is my best friend," Tyler said.

"Is, or was, your best friend?" Larry asked and Tyler thought about it for a moment. "It doesn't matter right now, Tyler. You sound like you are almost as guilty as Cody for not having the balls to speak up," Larry said. "No offence Tyler," he added, slurping some coffee.

"None taken, Sir, and you may be right?" Tyler pondered.

"Can you forgive and forget?" Larry asked.

"Forgiveness is easy... forgetting is not. But, can you really forgive someone for something if you can't forget it?" Tyler asked.

"That's a millennia old question to which no answer has ever been agreed upon. If you find out, and I think you'll likely be the one to finally answer it, please let me know!" Larry said kissing Tyler's forehead.

Luke stumbled into the kitchen half asleep slamming each step he took into the floor. Larry and Tyler looked at each other.

"Morning, Pookey!" Larry said.

"Hmmmmpt!" Luke moaned.

"Morning, Luke?" Tyler said, and Luke glared at him as he reached for a jar of peanut butter in the cupboard.

"Something wrong?" Larry asked.

"Mango slept with Casey last night!" Luke said making a pouty face.

"Oh dear God... this can't be happening... again?" Larry asked rubbing his forehead and Tyler grinned.

"I think I can explain that one Luke!" Tyler said.

Luke furrowed his eyebrows as he glared at Tyler wondering how he was involved.

"When I went to bed last night I was alone," Tyler explained to Larry. "When I woke this morning I had three people in my bed." Larry snorted his coffee.

"As I crawled out from underneath all of my visitors, I accidentally stepped on Mango's head because he was left lying on the floor," Tyler began.

"You stepped on Mango's head?" Luke yelled pointing at him!

"So I picked up Mango and put him in Casey's arms because Casey was in the centre of the bed and I didn't want Mango to fall out of bed again," Tyler said smiling.

"You stepped on Mango's head? How would YOU like it if Mango stepped on your stupid head?" Luke yelled. Larry snorted and Tyler held back a big grin.

"I can't take any more of this!" Larry said rolling his eyes as he sipped the last of his coffee. "I need to get dressed and get into work," he said, walking out of the room. "Oh Tyler... have you factored in the phase of the moon?" Larry asked laughing as he left.

Tyler laughed at that comment and then returned his gaze to an angry Luke. Luke kicked Tyler in the leg and then yelped in pain as he grabbed his foot. Tyler picked up Luke and sat him on the counter to check his toe.

"It's still attached, Luke..., I don't think we'll have to cut it off," Tyler teased.

"Don't talk to me!" Luke said jumping down and hobbling out of the kitchen as if his entire leg was broken.

"Hey, Luke?" Tyler called and Luke stopped and turned. "Please tell Mango that I'm sorry about what happened." Luke didn't respond but instead turned again to storm out of the kitchen at a step and a half pace.

"It's good to be home," Tyler said, laughing to Abbey as he petted her.

Cody's eyes were partially open when Derek leaned down and kissed him.

"What's that for?" Cody said.

"For being here for me, I thought a lot last night about what you said and realized how much we have in common. There's a lot of comfort in knowing I'm not alone in my pain," Derek said laughing.

"You sound better this morning," Cody said.

"I am!" Derek said.

"I wish I felt better. I don't want to go back to your house, Derek," Cody said. "I think I'm going to get a bus from the airport and head straight to Philly."

"Cody, I need you with me. If we're going to be best friends then you need to understand that I need you to be beside me today. If you really can't be there then I will understand but I want to be clear that I do need you today. Especially if I'm gonna have any chance of making things better," Derek said.

"What makes you think that things are going to be better?" Cody asked.

"I'm not sure they're going to be okay, or even better, but I don't think it is going to get worse either," Derek said.

"Huh?" Cody asked.

"Tyler phoned this morning to wake us up. He knew that none of us would remember to set the alarm or have the front desk do a wake up call," Derek said grinning.

"Really?" Cody asked smiling.

"Uh huh!" Derek said smiling.

"You're supposed to say 'really, really'" Cody teased.

"Doesn't seem right without Ty here," Derek said looking sadly at his bracelet.

"Yeah. I know what you mean. How did he sound?" Cody asked.

"Okay. Not good, not bad. He said he loves me but I knew that already," Derek said.

"So all is okay now?" Cody asked excitedly

"Nope. He's really hurt. If I've learned anything from Tyler it's that his love is real. He may never want to speak to me again but I know that he will always love me just as I will always love him!" Derek said. Cody threw himself into Derek's chest crying.

"Don't cry Cody. It's not over yet," Derek said.

"How do you know that?" Cody said wiping his eyes.

"I know it from his voice. We're all going to come out better for what has happened even if Tyler and I aren't together anymore," Derek said. "Come on we've got a flight to catch! I'm going to shower and you go wake up Danny."

Tyler cooked up some bacon in the microwave, toasted English muffins, and sliced tomatoes. He'd just taken his first bite into his bacon and tomato sandwich when Linda came into the kitchen.

"Morning, Tyler." Linda said as she sat down at the bar.

"Morning, Mom." Tyler said, as he poured her a mug of coffee.

"Ooooh, that looks good enough to eat!" Linda said.

"I made ten of them!" Tyler said, setting one on a plate and sliding it across the island to her.

"Oh God, that's disgusting!" Linda said making a face after her first bite.

"Oh, sorry, I think I gave you one of the ones I made for Luke and Casey!" Tyler said laughing and exchanged it for a regular bacon and tomato sandwich. Linda swigged some coffee to clean her mouth out and tried her breakfast again.

"Oh yeah... I love when you are home to cook!" Linda said smiling.

Tyler put six sandwiches on two plates to take upstairs for the boys. Four on one plate had peanut butter added to them and the other two for Kyle didn't. He poured three glasses of orange juice and set everything on a tray. Just as he picked the tray up Luke came into the kitchen, carrying Mango in his arms. Mango's head was wrapped in gauze bandages so tightly that his head looked deformed. Tyler had to set the tray down out of fear of dropping everything from his pent up laughter. When he looked back Luke was glaring at him as he sat down beside his mother. Tyler couldn't hold it in any longer and burst into laughter. Linda soon joined Tyler laughing. Tyler dropped to the floor with weakness from his giggle fit. When he returned to calm he stood up and looked at Mango, snorted, and started laughing again.

Mango whispered in Luke's ear. "Mango says, 'Bad Tyler! Bad bad bad!" Luke shared with his Mom and Tyler.

Tyler snorted.

Linda wasn't doing a much better job at containing her laughter. Tyler took Luke's two sandwiches off the plate and served them to him with his glass of orange juice. As he left the kitchen he burst into laughter loud enough to wake the entire house up.

"What happened to Mango, honey?" Linda said trying to hold back her laughter.

"It's not funny!" Luke pouted.

"Actually it sort of is!" Linda said. "Can Mango even breathe with that tape wrapped around his face?"

"He'll be fine as long as Tyler doesn't go near him," Luke pouted.

"Tyler?" Linda asked.

"He stepped on Mango's head this morning!" Luke whined.

<Snort>

"Oh honey. I'm sorry. Here give me Mango please?" Linda asked and she then gave Mango a kiss and a hug. "Honey, I think Mango's doing better but removing that tape could be a real problem."

"How so?" Luke asked.

"Well Luke, you've covered him in sticky gauze and that is likely going to pull all of his hair out. I think you are going to have a bald monkey for a pet!" Linda said as she tried to peel a little of the tape off.

"Nooooooooo!" Luke cried as he bit into one of his bacon, tomato, and peanut butter sandwiches. Linda was almost sick to her stomach as she watched Luke devour the two sandwiches.

Tyler walked into Derek's room and saw Kyle and Casey were both still asleep. Tyler kissed Kyle's cheek and he opened his eyes.

"I brought you something for breakfast. I will just leave it here," Tyler said. Kyle was about to say something and Tyler shushed him. "Don't say a word! Luke is mad and not speaking to me! You're mad at me! If I can I am going to see if I can have the entire family not speaking to me before midnight!" Tyler joked and Kyle glared at him.

"That's the spirit Kyle. Keep it up!" Tyler laughed and walked around to the other side of the bed where Casey was still sleeping. Tyler set the tray down on the nightstand and cuddled with Casey, which woke him up.

"You're back!" Casey yelled with joy, and Kyle pulled a pillow over his head.

"I got back last night," Tyler said. "I did come in and kiss you good night. Didn't you see me when you crawled into this bed?"

"I couldn't tell who was here. I just woke up and found Luke gone and went looking for him," Casey said.

"I missed you, Casey!" Tyler said giving him a kiss and a hug.

"I missed you, too!" Casey said smiling. "Are you coming to our tournament today?"

"Maybe! I might not be going skiing." Tyler said and Kyle rolled over and sat up looking at him.

"What are you talking about? Not going skiing?" Kyle asked.

"You shouldn't listen in on private conversations and you're not speaking to me, remember?" Tyler said.

"Eat your breakfast guys." Tyler said giving Casey a kiss. Tyler reached over to Kyle to give him a kiss but he pulled away from Tyler.

"Fine! No more kisses for you then," Tyler said leaving the room.

"Can this day get any better?" he asked himself walking down the hall.

Tyler walked back into the kitchen carrying an empty tray only to have Luke glare at him. Linda caught all of this and asked, "Luke can you tell me what exactly happened?"

"Tyler stepped on Mango's head! He said so himself!" Luke whined and grabbed Mango and began hugging him.

Tyler poured himself another coffee and leaned down on the island facing Luke and Mango. "Why don't you tell your Mom what really happened?" Tyler asked.

"I just did!" Luke said defensively.

"I thought there was more to this...," Linda said grinning at Tyler.

"Sure! Take his side!" Luke moaned.

"Tyler, why don't you tell your side of the story?" Linda asked winking at him.

Tyler took out two pieces of bread cutting the crusts off of them. "I went to bed in Derek's room last night -- alone -- to wake up this morning with three people in my bed and a monkey on the floor beside Luke," Tyler said pulling out a jar of peanut butter.

"Casey was outside the covers and asleep on top of me so I put him in under the covers and decided to get up because there wasn't enough room left in my bed for me to go back to sleep," Tyler said peeling a large ripe banana.

"Crawling out of bed I accidentally stepped on Mango who had been abandoned and left lying on the floor alone," Tyler said looking at Luke. "I picked him up and he seemed fine... but he was cold. So I put him in Casey's arms because he was lying in the middle of the bed and I didn't want Mango to fall out," Tyler continued as he rolled up the peanut butter and banana sandwich.

"This is bogus! A kangaroo court at best!" Luke said. "I've seen fairer trials held behind a barn in Iraq with a jury pointing weapons at the accused!" Luke added, waving Tyler and his story away.

"Shut up, Lucas!" Linda said.

"As I was saying... Luke once said to me that Casey was his best friend and anything he had was also Casey's so I knew that he wouldn't mind Casey holding Mango. Then a sleepy and angry young man came down into the kitchen this morning complaining that, and I quote, 'Mango slept with Casey last night!'" Tyler said finishing with a cheesy smile directed at Luke.

"So you abandoned Mango and Tyler cared enough to put Mango in a safe place so he wouldn't get hurt and now you are taking it out on Tyler?" Linda asked.

Tyler slid a plate of peanut butter and banana roll ups all sliced and ready to eat over to Luke. "Why don't you take Mango over to watch some TV and see if you can get him to eat something? He might feel a little better with some food on his stomach," Tyler said. Luke got up and made a face at Tyler and then walked away with Mango. When he got half way into the great room he turned around and came back and grabbed the plate. Linda laughed quietly and Tyler smiled.

"This day can only get better right?" Tyler asked.

"Speaking of...," Linda said in a low voice. "What's really happening between you and Derek?"

"You don't want to know," Tyler said.

"Yes I do!" Linda replied.

"No! You don't!" Tyler said.

"I have to go pick him up and I need to know what the hell is going on between the two of you?" Linda asked.

"You don't want to know!" Tyler repeated.

"I need to know!" Linda said.

"You won't like it!" Tyler said.

"If you're trying to shock me then I have to tell you that I got over being shocked by Derek and his actions long before he finished kindergarten!" Linda smiled.

"Seriously, you don't want to know!" Tyler said.

"Give it to me straight Tyler." Linda looked at her watch. "Short version please!"

"Short version?" Tyler asked.

"Short version!" Linda said.

"And you won't breathe a word that you know anything?" Tyler asked.

"On Mango's honour!" Linda said smiling.

"Mango's a stuffed monkey!" Tyler said.

"Not to everyone in this house, he isn't!" Linda said, narrowing her eyes as she smiled at Tyler.

"I walked into the hotel room yesterday afternoon to find Derek in bed with Danny and Cody!" Tyler said.

"You're right. I don't want to know that! Why did you tell me?" Linda asked.

Tyler sighed.

Tyler began cleaning up from breakfast and Linda said, "Are you alright?" Tyler turned and gave her the 'do I look like I'm all right?' look.

"Right! You're here and they're not!" Linda said and Tyler flashed a cheesy grin.

"You do love him, right?" Linda asked.

"With all my heart!" Tyler said.

"Good! Make him suffer the fires of Hell and then make him beg a thousand forgivenesses!" Linda said getting up.

"You're the one who takes Kyle to Karate class right?" Tyler asked grinning.

"I could coach Luke's hockey team better than his Coach too!" Linda said.

"Mango could coach Luke's hockey team better!" Tyler said.

"Mango's a little under the weather right now!" Linda shot back.

"I didn't think women were supposed to let out trade secrets?" Tyler asked smiling.

"Oh, the fires of Hell are pretty much common knowledge today, but I won't tell if you don't tell," Linda said and came around the island to give Tyler a hug. "Derek's a screw up, Tyler, but I know he loves you more than anything, or anyone, in this world!"

"You're right on both counts!" Tyler said, releasing Linda from the hug.

"Are you still going to the cottage?" Linda asked.

"I asked Dad if I could go with you to the tournament instead and he said it would be okay," Tyler said.

"It's not okay!" Linda said and Tyler's eyes widened. "You want me to trust Derek in a cabin with a fireplace, snow, and his underage horny little brother? Get real! <Tyler laughed> If you're not going, they're not going! I have to go and get skates sharpened and pick up some things for our trip before we leave," Linda said giving Tyler a kiss.

"You're not leaving this family, Mr. Peel-Anderson!" Linda said winking while wagging her finger at him.

"Not a chance in hell, Mom!" Tyler said.

"Watch your mouth, Tyler, or I will put sticky gauze tape over it!" Linda said winking.

"I doubt we have any left!" Tyler said grinning.

"It's on my list of things to buy, Tyler!" Linda said.

"Could you grab me a first-aid kit while you are out?" Tyler asked.

"Are we going to need it for when I bring the boys home?" Linda asked.

"I hope not!" Tyler said.

"Good! Now fix this mess up, Tyler!" Linda said putting her shoes on.

"Why me?" Tyler asked. "I didn't do anything wrong."

"Christ! You sound like my other three boys now!" Linda said and Tyler grinned. "Who else is capable of fixing things up and keeping this family happy and together?"

"I love you very much, Mom!" Tyler said smiling.

"Sucking up won't change your to-do list, Tyler," Linda said winking.

"Speaking of... Kyle isn't speaking to me either!" Tyler said.

"Why?" Linda asked buttoning up her coat.

"Because I won't tell him what is going on," Tyler said.

"Enjoy the peace and quiet Tyler. It won't last long!" Linda said winking. "I'm outta here." She said as she ran over to kiss Luke and Mango goodbye. As she left the great room she flapped her jaw open and closed to quietly let Tyler know that Mango was eating his peanut butter and banana roll ups.

Tyler walked over to the sofa and leaned over to look down on Luke. "Would you or Mango like more to eat or drink?" Tyler asked. Luke wouldn't reply.

"Okay... I guess you know where to find anything you might want. I'm going upstairs to take a shower and then I'm going to search the net to see if I can find out how to remove sticky gauze from Mango's face without pulling his hair out," Tyler said.

As Tyler was walking out of the great room Luke yelled. "Mango's allergic to bleach!"

"Yeah, but you aren't...," Tyler said to himself.

Tyler passed by Luke's room and saw Casey lying on the floor reading a comic book. When he returned to Derek's room he made the bed and got out his backpack. He pulled out some clean clothes to wear. He turned to see Kyle frowning at him in the doorway of the bathroom.

"Excuse me please?" Tyler asked trying to get into the bathroom but Kyle wouldn't move.

"I really don't have time to deal with your selfish mood today, Kyle?" Tyler said pushing his way past Kyle. He turned on the shower and got in. When he finished and opened the shower doors Kyle was still standing there. Tyler walked to the sink and Kyle moved to block his access.

"Maybe I will just shave when I get back to Philly!" Tyler said.

"You're leaving?" Kyle yelled.

"I'm sure as hell not staying where I'm not wanted!" Tyler said going back into his room.

"You can't leave! We're leaving for the cottage to go skiing," Kyle yelled at him.

"You're half right Kyle! Guess which half?" Tyler grinned. "I really do love you Kyle but I'm in no mood to deal with YOUR mood today," Tyler said putting his hand on Kyle's shoulder. Kyle grabbed his wrist and pulled it off his shoulder.

"Hey! You're not wearing your bracelet!" Kyle said.

"In thirty seconds when you want to apologize... don't!" Tyler said. "I'm not wearing it because I gave it back to Derek. I was planning on talking with him when his flight got in but you've made being here so miserable that I don't want to be in this house anymore!" Tyler said.

Kyle's eyes popped open wide and as he was about to speak Tyler said, "Not a word! Maybe some day when you get your anger under control but not before! I'm not your brother's whipping boy and I'm sure as hell not going to tolerate a snotty 14-year-old having a temper tantrum! I've done nothing to you to be treated this way and if I am guilty of being a bad older brother to you then I will learn to live with the guilt," Tyler said as he turned away and began to get dressed. When Tyler turned back around Kyle was gone.

Tyler turned his laptop on and searched for solutions to remove sticky gauze without removing hair. "Shit! I know what to use but I can't think of the name!" Tyler said.

Linda waved her arms like a crazy woman when she saw Derek, Cody and a third young man walk out with their bags. "Derek! There's your Mom!" Cody said, waving to her that he saw her.

"Welcome home, boys!" she said smiling and then glared at Derek.

"Hi, I'm Linda, Derek and Tyler's Mom!" she said, shaking hands with Danny.

"Nice to meet you, Ma'am!" Danny said.

"Oh. Sorry! How rude of me. Danny, this is my Mom, the most understanding and wonderful woman in the entire world!" Derek said grinning at Danny.

"Not today I'm not!" Linda said shaking Danny's hand again and looking at Derek.

Linda turned to Cody and gave him a hug and a kiss. "Welcome home, Cody!" she said.

"Thanks," he said, not wanting to look her in the eye.

"Do you guys have all your stuff? Good. Then let's get going! We really need to get on the road for Luke's tournament," Linda said.

While Linda drove out of the airport, Derek began to describe their cottage and the fantastic ski runs on the nearby mountains. Without warning, Linda interrupted him.

"I'm sorry, boys, but I don't have time to have this conversation with Derek in private," she said briefly glancing back at Danny and Cody.

"You fix the problem with Tyler, or you're not going anywhere near the cottage!" Linda said coldly.

"What? You can't do this now!" Derek yelled back at his mother.

"Derek, don't you dare talk back to me! It is not your cottage and you are not going unless Tyler is there to keep an eye on Kyle and Chris, and that is final!" Linda yelled and Cody and Danny looked at each other with guilt in their eyes. "Kathy will be at the house so you don't have to stick around if you don't want to, but Kyle is not going to be out of my sight without adult supervision!"

"I'm older than Tyler!" Derek said sulking.

"Only physically," Linda said. Danny grinned but Cody kept a solemn expression with his head bent down.

"Look at the houses on this street!" Danny observed. "I've never seen a neighbourhood like this."

"Welcome home!" Derek said as Linda pushed the button to open the gate.

"Whoa!" Danny said.

"There's Tyler's Jeep!" Derek said and Linda looked over at Derek for a brief second.

"Feeling lucky today, are we?" Linda said quietly to him as she pulled into the garage.

"Not so far...," Derek said opening his door.

"Well you can't get lucky every day of the week now, can you?" Linda asked not waiting for a reply. "Okay, boys, get your stuff out of the van because we are taking this one to Connecticut," she said. "Danny, make yourself at home. The boys will show you where everything is. Where in the hell is your father?" Linda said to no one in particular.

Tyler heard the garage door open and sighed. "Kyle!!!!" Tyler yelled. "They're here!" He heard Kyle run out of his bedroom and down the staircase.

Derek looked over at Tyler's Jeep and saw that it had been emptied out. "Shit!' he said to no one.

Kyle came running into the garage and saw Danny. "Danny!!!!!!!!" He yelled and ran into Danny's open arms.

"Hey Kyle!" Danny said, hugging him. "I sure missed you. And Merry Christmas, not-so-little-dude!" he said, messing his hair.

"How's she hanging?" Kyle asked Danny with a big grin.

"She's not hanging anymore!" Danny said winking.

"Danny!" Derek yelled. "My mother is home. Take a fucking hint. Kyle at this moment mom says our ski trip is off, so don't do anything to make things worse while I see if I can fix it."

"Too late for that!" Kyle said.

"What did you do now?" Derek asked grabbing Kyle's sweatshirt to yank him close.

"I got mad at Tyler for not telling me what was going on!" Kyle said. "So Ty got mad at me and said he was leaving. He's packing right now!" Kyle said tearing up.

Derek hugged Kyle while Danny and Cody exchanged looks.

"Kyle, I'm going to try to fix this mess if I can. You take Danny and Cody into the great room and keep them there out of Tyler's way! Whatever you do, be on your best behaviour. The mom is out in full force like never before!" Derek said kissing Kyle's forehead.

"Hey!" Derek said as he carried his suitcase into his room. Tyler didn't look over at him from the computer.

"Hey," Tyler said.

"What are you doing?" Derek asked.

"I stepped on Mango's head this morning and... never mind... it's all too stupid to repeat," Tyler said and Derek snorted.

"I'm the King of stupidity so entertain me," Derek asked.

"Luke went and wrapped Mango's head up in sticky gauze and it won't come off without removing Mango's fur. I am trying to think of the name of the stuff to remove the glue without doing damage to Mango's fur," Tyler said.

"Did you try turpentine?" Derek asked.

"Shit! That's the stuff! Thanks Derek!" Tyler said running out of the room.

"Tyler!" Derek yelled and Tyler returned to the doorway.

"Just so you know Danny and Cody are in the great room with Kyle," Derek said.

"Do you see a baseball bat in my hand?" Tyler said seriously with empty hands held out in front of him.

Derek just stared at him.

"Can we talk before you leave?" Derek asked.

"Yeah, just let me fix Mango up. I'm sure you've got stuff to get ready for your trip," Tyler said as he turned to leave.

"The trip is cancelled." Derek said. Tyler came to a stop in the hallway for a moment and then continued on to Luke's room.

Tyler tapped on the door and he heard 'go away'.

"I found out how to make Mango better!" Tyler said and Luke opened the door.

"Bring Mango!" Tyler said and Luke and Mango followed him downstairs. "I want you to meet Cody's boyfriend okay?"

"Yeah," Luke said, slightly happier now that Mango was going to be all right.

"I would like you to be especially kind to him as well," Tyler said at the bottom of the stairs.

"I'm always nice!" Luke said grinning and Tyler gave him a straight, cold stare.

"You made your point, Tyler!" Luke said.

Tyler took Luke's hand and walked him into the Great Room. Cody and Kyle were sitting down and Danny was reading Tyler's adoption certificate hanging on the wall. Everyone froze when Tyler came into the room.

"Master Lucas Anderson please meet Master Daniel Armitage, better known as Danny to his friends!" Tyler said. Danny walked over to meet Luke. Cody wouldn't turn around on the sofa to even look in Tyler's direction.

"Hi Luke! It's nice to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you," Danny said smiling at him.

"Well, I've heard a few things about you," Luke said innocently as he checked Danny out. Danny looked at Tyler who refused to look back at him.

"Lucas!" Tyler said.

"What?" Luke said, grinning, but Tyler wasn't. "I mean I've heard that you are Tyler's best friend. It's nice to meet you....Cody!!!" Luke yelled seeing the back of his head and dropped Mango on the floor and ran over to give him a hug and a kiss.

"Hey, Pookster, are you all ready for the big hockey tournament?" Cody asked, holding him in his lap.

"You bet! We're going to kick ass," Luke said.

Danny looked questioningly at Mango as Tyler picked him up. "I stepped on Mango's head by accident and Luke decided to fix him up. Now we have to figure out how to remove sticky gauze," Tyler said.

"Have you tried turpentine?" Danny asked.

Tyler looked at him and said, "Just about to. C'mon Luke we have to get Mango fixed up before you go!" Luke ran over and grabbed Tyler's hand and they exited through the rear kitchen entrance to head into the laundry room.

Tyler used an old paintbrush with turpentine to wet the sticky gauze and dissolve he glue on it as he slowly pulled the tape away. Luke held on to Mango. Fifteen minutes later Mango was back to normal except for needing a bath to remove the turpentine that soaked the fur on his head. Tyler filled the laundry tub halfway with water and detergent. He pulled a straw out of his back pocket and held it against Mango's mouth.

"What's that for?" Luke asked.

"So Mango can breathe while I clean his skin... ummmm fur... look I dunno, his hair?" Tyler said. Luke smiled and quietly put his arm around Tyler's waist and rested his head against Tyler's side.

"Do you want to go ask your mom for a hair dryer please? It will speed drying Mango when I'm finished giving him his bath," Tyler said and Luke ran off to find his mother.

Tyler felt another arm go around his waist and then he got pinched three times. Tyler tapped Kyle's head three times with his elbow.

"How's the patient doing, Dr. Peel?" Kyle asked smiling.

"He'll be fine. It's nothing that turpentine and some Tommy cologne won't fix," Tyler said as he scrubbed Mango's head.

"I'm sorry," Kyle said but Tyler didn't respond.

"Are you leaving us forever?" Kyle asked.

"No Kyle. Did anyone ask me to leave?" Tyler said.

"No, not that I know of," Kyle said.

"And I gave you my word that I would never leave unless you or some other member of this family didn't want me around," Tyler said.

"So?" Kyle asked.

"So I'm not leaving your world, Kyle. I love you far too much to ever leave you. Love doesn't end just because people have problems. It's love that helps those people find solutions," Tyler said. "Would you go and take care of Danny and Cody, please?" Tyler asked.

"Yeah, okay. I just needed my time with you today," Kyle said.

"Me too, Kyle, me too!" Tyler said.

"I'm sorry I added to all the shit you had to deal with today," Kyle said.

"Me too Kyle, and for the 1000th time I just hope that someday you might start to trust my word," Tyler said as he turned on the water and began rinsing Mango's head. Kyle removed his arm and turned to leave but Tyler called him back.

With his wet hands still in the sink he bent down sideways and kissed Kyle. Kyle wrapped his arms around Tyler's neck. Kyle opened his mouth and sucked on each of Tyler's lips and the heat between them grew. Tyler pulled back and winked at Kyle and then returned to rinsing Mango's head out.

Linda gave Luke her hair dryer and then she went searching for Derek. Finding him lying face down on his bed, Linda sat down next to him and placed her hand on Derek's back.

"Have you decided what you are going to do?" Linda asked him.

"There's nothing I can do," Derek said.

"Derek, you can accomplish anything you want if you just set a goal and then focus on achieving it. You're going to be twenty years old next week. It'd be nice if you started acting like it!" Linda said.

"I know," Derek said not looking up at her.

"You've spent so much of your life thinking only about yourself and no one else. Since meeting Tyler you've come a long way towards becoming the man I think you can be but you really have to work harder at it," Linda said. "You've got every girl's dream man and you do something stupid like this?"

"I know, Mom, you don't have to rub it in. There's a lot more to what happened than you realize," Derek said rolling over.

"Don't try to justify your bad decisions to me or yourself. You're my first child and I love you more than anything in this world but you won't get an ounce of sympathy from me for what you did! No parent should be forced to have this conversation with their adult son," Linda said, giving him a kiss and leaving the room.

Tyler and Luke came up the stairs as Linda was headed back into her to room to pack.

"Look Mom! Mango's all better!" Luke said, grinning from ear-to-ear.

"That's good, honey! Did you thank Tyler?" Linda asked.

"Uh huh!" Luke said as he walked off to his bedroom to show Casey.

Linda grabbed Tyler's sweatshirt and pulled him into her room closing the door behind them.

"I don't want to put any added pressure on you but I should tell you that I have cancelled the ski trip to the cottage if you don't go. Derek isn't responsible enough to keep an eye on Kyle and Chris. I know I can trust and depend on you but I won't take any chances when it comes to Derek until he proves he is mature enough," Linda said.

"Derek sort of mentioned it in passing...," Tyler said

"Tell me what you are feeling Tyler?" Linda asked.

"I don't like to sleep alone!" Tyler said and Linda smiled.

"That's a heck of a good reason Tyler!" Linda grinned. "I know you already know this, but try to remember that Derek has matured a lot in just four months. Yes, he has a long way yet to go to be the man you want him to be, but he can get there with your help."

"I wouldn't give up Derek to anyone without a fight, Mom," Tyler said half smiling.

"That is so sweet of you to say and even nicer for a Mom to hear," she said.

"I'm not really angry with Derek... or at least not any more. It's Danny and Cody that are the problem and I don't know how I am going to handle living with them next semester," Tyler sighed.

"Remember that you weren't in the room so give them time to explain and see who apologizes. Anyone can say they are sorry, but I'm sure you can tell who really means it and who doesn't. I'm so sorry you have to go through this, Tyler," Linda said giving him a hug.

"Ma'am, I have Derek and I have a family now. There's nothing I can't handle because I know I'm never alone," Tyler said.

"Oh Tyler... I'm never letting go of you!" Linda said giving him a hug.

"I hope not, but I do have to pee," Tyler said and Linda laughed.

"You do realize how much we all love you and that you really are a full member of this family?" Linda asked.

"I never needed an adoption certificate to feel I was part of this family, Mom," Tyler said, giving Linda a kiss on the cheek.

Tyler paused before entering Derek's room and took a deep breath. Walking in quietly, he saw Derek lying face down on his pillow. Tyler went around to the side of the bed and crawled in behind him. As he began to put his arm around Derek he heard, "Get lost, Kyle."

"It's not Kyle!" Tyler said, "But I can go get him if you'd prefer to have his arm around you instead of mine." Derek grabbed hold of Tyler's hand and wouldn't let go.

After a few minutes of silence Derek asked, "What are you thinking about?"

"How much I hate to sleep alone," Tyler said and Derek squeezed Tyler's hand three times. Tyler returned the gesture.

"I'm sorry that I hurt you and I am sorry that I hurt us. I had this long speech all planned out in my head to try and convince you to forgive me but I can't even bring myself to say it," Derek said squeezing Tyler's hand so tight that it was beginning to hurt Tyler.

"Derek, you already said what I wanted to hear!" Tyler said.

"Really, what was that?" Derek asked and Tyler tapped Derek's chest three times.

"You did mean it didn't you?" Tyler asked.

"More than I've ever meant it to anyone in my life," Derek said. "Tyler, I wasn't doing anything to intentionally hurt you even though I know I hurt both of us."

"I know and I know what Danny is like and I'm not forgetting that I said it was okay even if I didn't really mean it," Tyler said. "Could you please stop squeezing my hand so tight? It's starting to cramp."

"Sorry, but I can't stop thinking that this is the last time I'm ever going to hold your hand," Derek said and a tear ran from his eye on to the pillow below. "Can you tell me what you've been feeling? I need to know what is going on inside your head."

"Lots of things. I know that you wouldn't intentionally hurt me but you always seem to. I know there is a huge difference between you sleeping with Danny or Cody than say... someone off your football team!" Tyler said laughing a little. Derek smiled but Tyler couldn't see it.

"I know you love me, but I'm not sure that you take our relationship as seriously as I do. Maybe being with me isn't the right thing for you at this moment in your life. Maybe you want to play around a bit. I can understand that. Maybe we should just take a break from each other," Tyler said.

"No! Please don't say that," Derek said his eyes watering again.

"Be honest with yourself and with me, Derek. You might like to date other people," Tyler said. "At least think about it before you answer!"

"I think I need to explain something to you, Ty. The three of us went back to the hotel room and I took a shower to get the Bessie smell off of me. When I came out of the shower Danny and Cody were fucking like rabbits. There I was naked watching the two of them have sex. I think they felt a little awkward and also probably felt that they had to invite me to join in -- and not because anyone was trying to do something behind your back! It just happened and if the situation had been Tony and his new boyfriend the answer would have been NO! Cody and Danny are supposed to be our brothers. I actually thought that having sex with Danny might shut him up about wanting it all the time! I can handle his teasing and whining just fine, but sometimes I'm not sure he would be satisfied even if the whole hockey team lined up and did him. <Tyler chuckled> All of this doesn't matter and to be honest it really doesn't bother me except for one thing!" Derek said.

"What's that?" Tyler asked.

"I don't even want to tell you this..." Derek sighed. "I'm not sure if I would have told you what had happened in the room between me, Danny and Cody right away. I'm sorry but it's the truth. I know I would have told you eventually and I would never have lied to you about something like that. But I can't honestly say I would have told you right away. And for that I really am sorry," Derek said.

"That was going to be my next question. Your honesty says a lot more about you than I had ever imagined possible. Derek, what you just said took guts to say and I do believe that you are telling me the truth," Tyler said.

"How mad are you at me?" Derek asked despondently.

"I'm not sure I was ever mad at you, it was more like I was shocked. I couldn't believe what I saw. My stomach clenches even now when I think about it. Danny and Cody made me angry. I had discussions with both of them and in the case of Cody I had this discussion just a few hours before. I don't think I will ever forget the look in Danny's eyes," Tyler said.

"What was the look?" Derek asked.

"I haven't figured it out yet. It was either the look of being caught with your hand in the cookie jar or it was 'hey, cool, Tyler's finally here,'" Tyler said.

"You know how Danny gets that glazed over look, Ty," Derek said and Tyler responded with, "Could be that too."

"The three of us talked about what happened last night. Cody is a wreck. He got up in the middle of the night and threw up. He slept with me because he was so angry with Danny and worried about me," Derek said. "I can't really tell if he is angrier with himself or Danny. He just cried most of last night over hurting you."

"Why is he angry with Danny?" Tyler asked.

"Because Danny was trying to justify everything that happened. I think he truly believes that he did nothing wrong and that you are just over-reacting... though I am just giving you my opinion," Derek said. "Cody didn't even want to come to the house."

"Speaking of Danny, if he lays a finger on Kyle in an inappropriate way I will tear his little body apart!" Tyler said.

"You say that like we are going skiing!" Derek said.

"We are going skiing!" Tyler said and Derek rolled over to see Tyler smiling. "I told you I don't like to sleep alone but what I really meant is I don't like to sleep without you beside me!"

"Would you forgive me? Please!" Derek asked.

"You are truly, sincerely and completely forgiven," Tyler said and Derek started to cry.

"Will you forgive me?" Tyler asked.

"Don't even say that shit! There isn't a damn thing you did that needs forgiveness!" Derek said, wiping his eyes as he hugged Tyler.

"I left you... again, and I never should have done that," Tyler said.

"No you did the right thing! You went away to think things out and calm down so shut up, Ty, and hold me and don't you ever let go!" Derek said and Tyler did.

"Danny and probably Cody want to talk with you. All four of us need to talk together and away from everyone else," Derek said.

"Do I have to?" Tyler teased.

"Yeah you do because if you really love them they need to know that right now, especially Cody! A lot of good came out of the last 24 hours. I've seen a side of Cody that I never knew existed. He's actually a lot like you inside," Derek said and Tyler burst into laughter.

"Not that way, assmite!" Derek said laughing along with Tyler.

"Was it good?" Tyler asked.

"With Cody and Danny?" Derek said.

"Yeah," Tyler asked.

"Yes and no. It's not so much that it seemed wrong without you there, but that there was no joy or fun in doing it if you aren't with me to share in it," Derek said.

"Wow! That may be the nicest thing you've ever said to me," Tyler said.

"Well there's a little more I need to tell you." Derek said pulling his arms back away from Tyler. "What happened yesterday didn't make me love you any less. I just wished you were there with me, but I have to say it did help me bond with Danny and especially Cody. The bond you have... or had... with Danny came in part because you did have some sex with him back before you met me. I think it just naturally makes two people come closer together but it doesn't mean that they have to become lovers or love someone else less," Derek said.

"If I could go back and erase what happened yesterday I would because I hurt you and I hurt us. But aside from that I wouldn't change a thing that happened. I never would have become as close to Cody without yesterday happening. I think Cody and I will become best friends regardless of how you feel about him. I've been feeling worse for him than I have for you or me," Derek said with a slight laugh. "I would highly recommend that you spend a night with Cody!" Derek said and Tyler's eyes narrowed.

"Tyler, I'm so sure of your love for me that I'm not worried in the slightest. I would like you to have the same feelings towards Cody that I have. There's this really cool person inside that he hasn't let out before. Only in an intimate circle like the four of us do I even think that it might be a good idea to physically share with each other like that. If anyone has any doubts then this is a sure way to confirm them. After yesterday, I am even more convinced how much I love you and now I think I am going to have Cody as a best friend!"

"And Danny?" Tyler asked.

"I think you need to hear him out and consider where he is coming from. I've gone through the 'I wanna be like Tyler' phase. You've taught me to learn to love and accept myself. Danny hasn't passed that stage yet. He is still trying to be to Cody what you are to me. I think there's still a lot of his Mom in him and that it's going to take time for him to relax and figure out who he really is. We both know that he has wanted you from day one. He might just settle down if you fucked his brains out... though don't you dare do it to him as good as you do me!" Derek said winking at Tyler. Tyler smiled and pondered Derek's words.

"I really can't believe you've let me talk this much?" Derek said.

"I told you I am trying to be a better listener so that it is easier for you to teach me," Tyler said.

"Teach you?" Derek said laughing.

"Derek, I learn as much from you as you do from me. I've also learned that I am a million times luckier than you because I have you and your family where as you just have me!" Tyler said.

"Okay... ya got me there!" Derek said and winked at Tyler.

"Ty?" Derek asked.

"Yeah." Tyler said.

"I never intended to deceive you, hurt you or hurt us. I just wanted to become closer to my brothers," Derek said.

"I know and I understand and I don't love you any less for being you," Tyler said. "You had better go bring the others up here. I need to go pee and talk briefly with Mom about us going skiing.

Tyler tapped on Linda's bedroom door and she let him in.

"How are things?" she asked.

"Better!" Tyler said smiling. "We are going skiing if you will permit us?"

"Of course, as long as you are going and you will be in charge! I will make sure that they all know that!" Linda said.

"You trust me, don't you, Mom?" Tyler asked.

"More than I trust myself, Tyler," Linda said.

"Then trust me when I say you need to tell everyone that Derek is in charge. He's much more mature than either of us thought and I will be right there next to him keeping an eye on everything," Tyler said.

"Are you sure?" Linda asked.

"I thought you said you trusted me?" Tyler asked grinning. "He needs to have you give him the responsibility so that he can prove to you and himself that he is maturing."

"Okay, I see where you are coming from," Linda said.

"I have one more question between you and me!" Tyler said. "What is Luke's hockey schedule for New Year's Eve?"

"I think final game is at three o'clock. No parent would be in shape to attend a game on New Year's Day." Linda said.

"I love Derek very much, but I would really like to be with you, Dad, Luke, and Casey on New Year's Eve so is it okay if we'll all drop by?" Tyler asked.

Linda grabbed him and hugged him. "Oh Tyler, that is what every mom wants to hear -- that her family wants to be together," Linda said.

"How are things with Cody and his boyfriend and you?" Linda asked.

"That drama is just about to happen. I can tell you this much though, Cody is rising above any of us as being worthy of being your 'next' son and Derek is realizing that they are likely to end up as best friends!" Tyler said as he hugged Linda.

"It's times like this that people either rise or fall to the occasion," Linda said.

"You can be very proud of your Derek then and I'm not saying that to be nice," Tyler said.

"I know Tyler. By the way, thank you for getting my locket back! It's something that means so much to me that I wear it all the time as opposed to just putting it away to remain safe," Linda said, giving Tyler a quick kiss.

Tyler held out Derek's gold chain with the hoop earring on it and said, "I know exactly what you mean. I better get in there and get this over with."

"One question Mom! How did you find out I had anything to do with your locket?" Tyler asked.

"You don't want to know!" Linda said.

"Sure I do!" Tyler said.

"No you don't!" Linda teased.

"This isn't that funny second time around!" Tyler said with a grumpy tone in his voice.

"Do you like cats Tyler?" Linda asked.

"Not particularly!" Tyler said.

"Then think of how many you are killing right now!" Linda joked and laughed hysterically.

"You're really enjoying this aren't you?" Tyler said.

"How often does a straight Mom get to be on top of her gay son?" Linda teased.

"That is so deeply weird that I don't think Freud would even touch it!" Tyler said.

"So it's like The Mom 1, Tyler 0?" Linda asked.

"Yes! Yes! You win! You are the master! I bow to your superiority! Now who sold me out?" Tyler pleaded giving a slight bow.

"Aren't you supposed to curtsy?" Linda asked.

"Grrrrrrrr!" Tyler said.

"Fine! No one sold you out! Casey was playing hide and seek with Luke and he was under the sofa in the living room. Casey saw it all and he told Kathy who in turn told me." Linda said. "By the way I hope you gargled before you kissed anyone after kissing her?"

"Meh!" Tyler said waving her off and leaving the room with a big grin on his face. Tyler stopped outside of the bedroom again and said to himself. "Okay, Luke, Kyle, and Derek are solved that leaves two to go." Tyler took a deep breath and walked into Derek's room and closed the door behind him. Kyle then shut his bedroom door as well.

Derek was in mid-sentence when Tyler came in but he didn't stop talking. "...And like we agreed yesterday I think you both need to be completely honest with your feelings," Derek said.

"Did I miss anything?" Tyler joked and no one picked up on what he said.

"I must say it's a pleasant change to walk into a room that has all three of you on the same bed but fully clothed!" Tyler said laughing alone. Derek looked at him and rolled his eyes. Tyler took Derek's desk chair and rolled it to the side of the bed.

After thirty seconds of silence Tyler stood up and said, "Okay! I guess we are done here."

"Sit down!" Derek ordered and Tyler dropped back into the chair and faked a grin. Derek stared at him and then Tyler stuck his tongue in and out of his cheek repeatedly trying to make Derek laugh. Derek just looked away from him.

"Have you got something to say, Danny?" Derek asked.

Danny looked at Derek and then across at Cody who looked away. "I'm sorry for what happened, Tyler. Nobody meant to hurt you," Danny said and stopped. Derek's mouth dropped open. Derek turned to Cody and asked him the same question.

"I'm very sorry and very embarrassed, Tyler," Cody said, staring at Danny. "Instead of doing something to earn your trust I gave you a damn good reason to hate me as much as I hate myself right now. There are no words or excuses that can make up for what I did. I wish you would just hit me so it might make you feel a little better," Cody said wiping his eyes.

Derek looked at Tyler not knowing what to do. "Danny would you excuse the three of us for a little bit." Tyler asked. "Go down to the great room and watch some TV or something." Danny stormed out of the room angry.

"Cody would you tell me exactly what happened when the three of you arrived at the hotel room?" Tyler asked. Cody looked at Derek who nodded his approval.

"Cody. Look at me please? I already know what happened. Derek told me. I'm not trying to find out if your story matches Derek but I have the feeling you didn't feel free to talk in front of Danny," Tyler said.

"We came in from shopping and Derek had been complaining all day about the smell of cow all over him so he went to take a shower. As soon as Derek was out of the room, Danny started acting like 'Danny on a triple dose of Viagra'. I think that was because I'd refused to have sex with him in the Armitage's house. I knew Mrs. Armitage didn't like me or us rather, and I didn't want to make things any more difficult for any of us while we were there. You know what Danny's like at the best of times and his being away from me over Christmas just made things a hundred times worse. The second Derek went into the bathroom Danny practically tore my clothes off. He pulled me down on your bed and the next thing I know we were going at it. We didn't really think about Derek in the shower or at least I didn't until he came out," Cody began.

"We stopped because we really didn't know what to do. It was really awkward. We were in your room and there is Derek standing naked. Danny invited Derek to join us. I looked at Danny and he gave me this 'well what else do we do?' look! I knew right away it was wrong. There was never a moment that I thought otherwise. I wanted to object but then I thought it would sound like I was rejecting Derek and I didn't want to do that either. I've been trying to develop a friendship with Derek and... I can't explain it and it doesn't matter because it was all wrong and I accept full responsibility for what happened," Cody said, in a rush with his voice breaking and tears in his eyes.

Derek grabbed his hand and said, "You are not responsible for my actions, Cody! You have shown me, and I hope Tyler as well, how mature you are and how loving you are. I just got through telling Tyler how much I love and respect you for caring about the two of us."

"Cody?" Tyler said taking his other hand. "Sometimes in life, the dumb things we do are much less important than the ways we try to right our wrongs. I am honestly beginning to wonder if I will ever be worthy of your friendship," Tyler said and Derek smiled at him proudly.

Cody began to sob and Tyler reached over and hugged him. "I love you, Cody," Tyler whispered in his ear. Cody cried even louder and began to shake uncontrollably. Tyler rubbed his back and Derek squeezed his left hand.

"Calm down, Cody. We have a ski trip ahead of us!" Tyler said hoping to give Cody some reason to feel good about himself? "Derek, why don't you take Cody to the main bathroom to get cleaned up and then send Danny up, but I want to talk to him alone, please!" Derek frowned.

Danny came back up to Derek's bedroom to find the door closed. He knocked and Tyler opened the door and waved him in and then closed the door again.

"Sit down over there, Danny!" Tyler said pointing to the side of the bed. Danny sat down and Tyler stood in front of him. Tyler bent over to within inches of Danny's face and said, "What I'm going to say doesn't leave this room! EVER! Are we clear?" Danny nodded.

Tyler grabbed Danny by the plaid shirt picking him up off the bed and did a 180 degree turn slamming Danny into the bathroom door! The shock of the noise sent Kyle to the floor from behind the door where he had been listening.

"You listen and listen good! You lay one hand on Kyle in any inappropriate way and I will tear your body into so many pieces you'll make Humpty Dumpty look like a two piece jigsaw puzzle and all the King's horses and all the King's men won't waste one second trying to put you back together again." Tyler yelled.

"You may be able to sleaze your way into sleeping with my boyfriend but if you ever touch Kyle or Luke or Casey or Chris I will kill you. I don't care if you hug Kyle or give him a kiss but any sexual play or hints thereof and I will be spending twenty years behind bars. And that's twenty years I'll consider time well spent. One bad touch! One sexual tease! One step over the line and you will suffer the most painful and agonizing death ever recorded in history!" Tyler said with rage in his eyes.

"Am I clear about this?" Tyler yelled and a ghostly white Danny nodded. Tyler let go of Danny and he dropped to the floor with a bang as his head hit the bathroom door. Tyler walked out of the room and slammed the door shut behind him. Kyle sat on the bathroom floor shaking from what he'd heard.

Tyler saw the bathroom door was closed and he heard voices so he knew Derek and Cody were still in there. Tyler went down to the kitchen to make a coffee for himself and when it finished perking Larry came in from the garage.

"Hey, Tyler!" Larry said with a big smile giving Tyler a hug. "How's it going?"

"Better!" Tyler said.

"Good!" Larry responded.

"I didn't say good, I said better!" Tyler mumbled against Larry's chest.

"I love you, Tyler," Larry said.

"I love you too, Dad. Can we just stay like this for an hour or so?" Tyler asked, from inside the circle of Larry's arm holding him.

"I wish but I think we all have to get on the road!" Larry said.

"Oh yeah... speaking of. I sort of got you in a bit of trouble and I want to apologize in advance!" Tyler said.

"You're definitely my son!" Larry teased rubbing the top of Tyler's head. "So what did you do to me that has me in trouble with Linda?"

"You don't want to know!" Tyler said.

"You're probably right but humour me!" Larry grinned.

"No, you really don't want to know!" Tyler said.

"Tell me or I'm sending you back to Iowa!" Larry said grinning.

"You can be soooooooooo mean at times!" Tyler said grinning.

"I have five sons now... you pick up a few torture tricks over the years." Larry said.

"I told Mom that you said it was all right for me to go with you guys to Luke's hockey tournament," Tyler said lowering his head.

"Ah... and she knows this before I got the opportunity to discuss it with her?" Larry asked.

"Am I kicked out of the family now?" Tyler asked grinning.

"Worse! We're now keeping you forever!" Larry said hugging Tyler again. Larry looked up to see a stranger walk around the corner into the kitchen and asked, "Did we have another kid while I was gone?"

Tyler turned around in Larry's arms and saw Danny. "No it's okay dad. I want you to meet my best friend from school Daniel Armitage, but he goes by Danny or Puckhead!" Tyler said.

"Hi Puckhead! Nice to meet you! How is Bessie doing?" Larry asked.

"Nice to meet you, Sir. Bessie and her newborn calf are doing great thanks to Tyler and Cody helping with the delivery," Danny said.

"Tell dad what we named her!" Tyler said grinning.

"THEY named her Danielle!" Danny said and Larry roared with laughter.

"So I guess we know who the father is then?" Larry asked as he winked at Tyler.

Neither Danny nor Tyler responded.

"Alrighty then! Welcome to the family Danny. Hope you have a great time skiing," Larry said. "Please excuse me as I have to go kiss some major ass thanks to Tyler!" Larry added, leaving the two of them alone in the kitchen.

"Do you want some coffee?" Tyler asked emotionlessly staring at Danny.

"No thank you," Danny said quietly as Tyler poured himself a mug.

"Can we talk somewhere private?" Danny asked.

"No! You had your chance to say whatever you needed to say and you ended up saying nothing. You really shouldn't be wasting your time with me. If I were you I would be tending to your boyfriend right now instead of forcing Cody to depend on Derek," Tyler said sipping on his coffee. Danny looked at Tyler and turned around and left the kitchen.

"First door on your left as you go towards Derek's bedroom!" Tyler yelled after him.

Derek came into the kitchen and Tyler handed him a mug of coffee. "How did you know that I was coming into the kitchen?" Derek asked.

"I have intuition!" Tyler winked.

"What happened with Danny?" Derek asked.

"Nothing to concern yourself with," Tyler said.

"Let's just say I would like to be concerned with it," Derek said.

"You don't want to know about it," Tyler said.

"Yes I would!" Derek said.

"Let's just say that he's likely to be hanging around you a lot more than me from now on," Tyler said.

"Did you tell him you love him?" Derek asked.

"No!" Tyler snapped.

"But you do love him," Derek said.

"You don't know that Derek!" Tyler said.

"Yes I do and it wouldn't be bothering you if you didn't," Derek said grinning.

"You know, if I wanted more abuse today I would step on Mango's head again or go anywhere near Kyle." Tyler said giving Derek a kiss and walking past him to leave the kitchen. As Tyler rounded the corner he stopped and turned back towards Derek and said, "Thank you for loving me!"

Tyler saw people approaching the front door and he opened it before they could ring the doorbell. "Hey, guys!" Tyler said and he got a dual hug from Chris and Jeff.

"Welcome back Ty. We missed you!" Chris said giving him a hug and kiss.

"Thanks Chris. I missed you guys too!" Tyler said. "Hi, Mr. Coulter!" Tyler said shaking his hand. "Coffee is fresh made in the kitchen."

"We brought our guitars, Ty." Jeff said. "If there isn't room in the vehicles after we pack we can leave them here."

"We'll make room even if we have to leave Chris at home!" Tyler said winking at Jeff and Ian.

"Heeeeeeeey!!!!" Chris said.

"I love you as far as you know!" Tyler said messing his hair. "Your lesser half is in his bedroom, I believe." Chris kicked off his winter boots and dropped his stuff at the front door to run up the stairs and see Kyle.

Tyler, Jeff, and Ian all stood at the front door in an awkward silence.

"Did you want some coffee, Sir?" Tyler asked.

"Oh... I think I'm okay right now. Thank you anyway, Tyler," Ian said.

"Sir, that's called a polite way of telling you to get lost so I can speak to Jeff in private," Tyler said and then gave Ian a cheesy grin.

"Oooooh. Gotcha!" Ian said, smiling and left for the kitchen.

"What's up?" Jeff asked.

"Let's go into the living room," Tyler said and Jeff followed.

"There's no real time to explain any of this but you have a right to know what is going on," Tyler said.

"Okay...," Jeff said, confused.

"Just listen, don't ask questions, and don't try to understand it all!" Tyler said.

"Sure... I guess?" Jeff said more than slightly confused.

"In the last 24 hours I caught Derek, Cody, and Cody's boyfriend Danny in bed together," Tyler began.

"WHAT?" Jeff yelled.

"Shssssh Jeff! Don't ask anything or comment. I am just trying to tell a few things so you'll understand all of the tension that is going on in the house right now. Now please just listen. I stepped on Mango's head and Luke is pissed at me but I think things are better. Kyle doesn't know anything yet but he knows something is going on. He's pissed because I won't tell him anything. Derek and Cody apologized and meant it. Danny apologized and didn't really mean it. He and I aren't really speaking except to be socially polite in front of others. So that in itself could be entertaining for you to watch! <Jeff laughed> Linda's pissed at Larry but that will be fine in no time if Larry remembers to pack his Cialis! <Jeff snorted> All that and it's only 2:15 p.m.! Just think, anything can still happen yet?" Tyler said smiling and giving Jeff a kiss.

"So I assume that Danny isn't riding with you?" Jeff asked.

"Unless I am a sadist and want to inflict pain on him," Tyler said, winking, and got up; Jeff followed him into the kitchen so Tyler could refill his coffee.

"Who's going in what vehicle?" Jeff asked in front of his Dad.

"Good question but this isn't for public discussion alright?" Tyler asked and both nodded.

"The reality is that if there was a car accident no family needs to lose all of their children in one vehicle so we're going to divide up families. Kyle can't be in with Derek so he has to ride with me. Chris will want to be with Kyle, which means you can't ride with me. Understand now how this will work?" Tyler asked.

"This is creepy!" Jeff said.

"But very smart and loving of you, Tyler," Ian said.

"Jeff, think about it for a moment. My entire family died together in a car accident," Tyler said, and Jeff looked away not wanting to think about it. "Cody's family were all in a car accident and only he and his dad survived. No parent should ever have to face losing a child but we're damn well going to ensure that if something did happen that every child still has a parent and every parent still has a child," Tyler said and Jeff wrapped his arms around Tyler and then around his Dad.

"I love you, Dad," Jeff said and Tyler smiled at Ian.

"So who's going to be the fourth in your Jeep then?" Jeff asked.

"Ummm... it could be Danny, Cody, or no one but I better work this out with Derek right now." Tyler said leaving with Jeff following him. As they both cornered the hall to Derek's room they saw Kyle and Chris talking and both stopped and stared at Tyler.

"What's that about?" Jeff asked.

"No idea, but it doesn't look good and I'm sure it involves me!" Tyler said as they entered Derek's room.

"Jeff, this is my best friend from school, Danny," Tyler said, and both Danny and Derek looked at him funny. Jeff shook hands with Danny and they began making small talk.

"Can I see you for a moment?" Derek asked.

"Funny, I was just going to ask you that!" Tyler grinned but Derek didn't.

Derek and Tyler walked down the hall and into the master bathroom where Derek closed the door behind them.

"Danny made a comment to me that you keep introducing him to everyone as 'your best friend from school'?" Derek said.

"Right! Is there a problem with that?" Tyler asked.

"Maybe? I don't know? I asked him what went on in the room after Cody and I left and he said nothing," Derek said with his arms folded across his chest.

"Can we discuss something far more important right now?" Tyler asked.

"What?" Derek asked not wanting to change the topic.

"I have to take Kyle and Chris in my Jeep. That leaves room for one more and it can't be Jeff. Do you want me to take Danny or Cody with me?"

"Good question. They're not really speaking to each other right now," Derek said.

"Okay. Here's what I will do. I will take them both aside and explain the seating arrangements and let them decide," Tyler said.

"You are evil you know that don't you?" Derek said and Tyler smiled. "Now back to Danny. Have you now made it your life calling to cause him pain and suffering?" Derek asked.

"Are you defending him or his actions or lack of words?" Tyler asked. "Tell me because I would like to know right now!"

"Down boy! You know I don't, and I won't," Derek said. "But I do want to know if you're playing some kind of a game."

"Maybe! He loves to brag about being my best friend so why shouldn't the world meet him for what he claims to be?" Tyler said and Derek shook his head.

"Okay... at least I know what you are up to," Derek said heading for the door. Tyler followed him back to the bedroom and again Chris and Kyle stopped talking and stared at Tyler.

"Can I steal you two for a moment?" Tyler asked pointing to Danny and Cody. They both stood up and followed him out Derek's bedroom and down the staircase.

"I will explain this really quickly," he said as they entered the living room and then closing the French doors after all three were inside.

"For the trip we need to separate families in case of a car accident." Cody and Danny looked at each other slightly confused. "Cody, this should be a no brainer for you," Tyler said.

"If an accident happens we want to make sure no family is completely wiped out." Tyler began and Cody nodded understanding fully what he meant. "Because Derek is driving, Kyle has to ride with me, which means his boyfriend Chris will be with me and therefore Jeff has to ride with Derek because he is Chris' brother. I can take one more person only so you guys can ride together with Derek or one of you can ride with me. I will leave it up to you guys to decide." Tyler said standing up and starting to walk out.

"Hang on a second, Tyler!" Danny said getting up and grabbing hold of Tyler's left arm.

"Are you really sure you want to touch me?" Tyler asked raising a clenched right fist in the air. Cody jumped up thinking Tyler was about to punch Danny. Danny pulled his hand away from Tyler's arm as if he'd been burned.

"What the fuck has gotten in to you?" Danny asked.

"You constantly remind everyone that you are my best friend so I think everyone should know that!" Tyler barked at him. "Maybe we can sit everyone in this house down around a table and you can tell them all what best friend's in 'Danny's world' do to their best friend. In public, I will be as civil as one can be but I suggest you don't push my limits," Tyler said, and walked out.

"What the fuck is that about?" Danny said to Cody.

"If you don't know then you are dumber than everyone thinks!" Cody said shaking his head. "Tyler is at least partially right," Cody added.

"You're on his side?" Danny asked.

"If you think this is about taking sides then you really are fucked in the head. This is about right and wrong. It's about love and trust and communication," Cody said.

"This is coming from the guy who preferred to sleep with Derek last night instead of his own boyfriend?" Danny said getting angry.

"Are you trying to pick a fight with someone?" Cody asked. "Derek needed to be with someone who understood what he was feeling. All you've been doing is trying to justify your overactive hormones. You don't seem to have much of a conscience as of late, do you?" Cody asked.

"Shut the fuck up!" Danny said and turned to walk over to the piano.

Cody came up behind him and said, "I know you are hurting and I do feel for you but until you realize what you did was wrong and sincerely apologize for it I don't think things are going to get better."

"You're trying to put all the blame for what happened on me?" Danny asked rudely.

"You're so angry right now you're not even hearing me!" Cody said. "I've already apologized for my part and I assume Derek did as well. Maybe we should ask to be dropped off in Philly and not go skiing. I think all this tension is going to ruin everyone else's trip."

"Now you're saying that I am going to be responsible for ruining everyone's trip? You just don't want me to go, do you?" Danny asked.

"Again you are not listening to me, Danny. I said WE would not go and I am not the one yelling with the clenched fist!" Cody said. "If you want to hit me then go ahead but let's do it outside so nothing gets broken."

"Fuck off, Cody!" Danny said.

"I know what you are feeling right now, Danny," Cody said.

"You do huh? How the fuck do you know?" Danny asked.

"Cause I've been there. You're in a corner and you think you have nowhere to go," Cody said.

"Why don't you just go be with YOUR friends?" Danny said glumly.

"Do you love me Danny?" Cody asked.

"Isn't that a stupid question?" Danny said.

"No, but that was a stupid answer. Do you love me?" Cody asked.

"Yes."

"Do you trust me?" Cody asked.

"Of course."

"Do you think I would try to hurt you or give you bad advice?" Cody asked.

"Are we playing twenty questions now?" Danny asked, as Derek walked into the room.

"You didn't answer the question," Cody said, as he turned around to see what Danny was looking at.

"What's the problem now?" Derek asked.

"Hang on! Answer me, Danny!" Cody demanded.

"No! I don't think you would try to hurt me or give me bad advice," Danny said snarling.

"Lose the attitude Danny!" Derek said. "No more of this shit in my house!" Danny glared at him.

"Derek! We're leaving!" Linda called from the front foyer.

"I'll be right back! Neither of you leave this room or else!" Derek threatened as he walked out closing the French doors behind him. Danny and Cody sat down at opposite ends of the sofa.

After Larry, Linda, Luke and Casey had left, they saw Derek run up the stairs and then come back down with Tyler. Derek was yelling at Tyler and finally Tyler sat down on the stairs and looked in towards the living room. They then heard Kyle, Chris and Jeff being called. Jeff was sent away... probably to the garage from the direction he was headed.

"What's going on?" Danny asked.

"It's all about to end!" Cody said with the pain of his words written across his face.

"What?" Danny asked and Cody looked over at him and shook his head.

"What?" Danny asked again.

"Friendships! The Brotherhood! Relationships! You name it," Cody said.

"Right...," Danny said.

"This is all ending in the next 38 minutes or the trip is off! Both of you out here into the hall!" Derek ordered and Cody looked at Danny and shook his head again.

"Here's one piece of advice that you'll listen to if you have a brain cell left in your head, Danny. This is your last and final opportunity. If you blow this you could lose more than just Tyler," Cody said. He stood up, opened the French doors and walked out on Danny.

"Everyone take a seat on the stairs!" Derek said. "Now shut up and listen! Jeff is holding a baseball bat and if anyone tries to punch, attack, shove, push or use any other type of aggression then Jeff will use the bat. If you want to know if he knows how to use it, ask Casey's Mom! Only one person will speak at a time!" Derek said and Tyler raised his hand.

"Question, Tyler?" Derek said.

"Why are Kyle and Chris here?" Tyler asked.

"We were asked to be here and this is my house not yours!" Kyle yelled and then realized what he said.

"Excuse me?" Derek asked.

"I apologize, Tyler." Kyle said and Tyler just looked at him.

"Question still stands Derek!" Tyler said.

"They are our brothers and they have a right to be included. The clock is ticking," Derek said. "Who wants to go first?"

<Silence>

"Okay first question is to Cody and Danny. The first to respond will have the floor." Derek said. "What was going on in the living room?"

"I was advising Danny that he should apologize to Tyler for what happened if he sincerely felt he was wrong!" Cody said. "Isn't that right, Danny?"

"Yes," Danny said not looking up.

"Good... now we are getting somewhere," Derek said.

"Next! What went on the bedroom between you two?" Derek asked pointing at Tyler and Danny. They both looked at each other and said "Nothing!" in unison.

"Good... now we know that something went on I want to hear what it is," Derek said.

"No!" Tyler said.

"No way!" Danny said.

"At least you two agree on something. Then we will sit here quietly until one of you chooses to answer." Derek said.

"Fine! I will tell you but Kyle and Chris need to leave the room," Tyler said.

"I don't need to leave the room...," Kyle said looking at the floor.

"Why is that Kyle?" Derek asked.

"I heard what went on in the room." Kyle said, "and I agree with Tyler and Danny it doesn't need to be discussed and it really has nothing to do with what is happening here."

Danny covered his face in embarrassment while Tyler stared at Kyle. Everyone was silent for a moment until Tyler spoke.

"I apologize, Danny, for what happened in the bedroom. After Christmas night I should have known better," Tyler said staring at Kyle who wouldn't look up at him. Tyler then looked over at Derek who was also staring down Kyle.

"Kyle?" Tyler began. "What I said to Danny was unfair, untrue, and uncalled for. I was angry with him and it's one of those times you should really forget what I said. If you need to judge someone over my words then judge me and not Danny," Tyler said softly and Kyle and Danny both seemed to be wiping their eyes.

Derek signaled Chris to take Kyle back upstairs. Chris helped Kyle up and Kyle ran over to Tyler and hugged him. Tyler whispered something in his ear and Kyle went over to Danny and sat on his lap and hugged him.

Derek pointed to Jeff, Chris and Cody to all leave quietly. Danny had tears streaming down his face mixed with Kyle's tears.

Derek sat down on the stairs beside Tyler and kissed him. "I knew you would come through and save the day... like always!" Derek said getting up and removing Kyle from Danny's lap and taking him out.

Danny was wiping his eyes but he couldn't stop the tears flowing. Tyler wasn't crying at all but he wouldn't look over at Danny for fear he would. Danny rested his face in his hands and cried.

'Why do I always have to make the first move?' Tyler said to himself as he got up and then sat down next to Danny. Tyler held out his open palm and paused before touching Danny's back. Danny shivered at the touch and both of them froze. Tyler pulled a little and Danny fell into Tyler's chest. Tyler held Danny still until the tears slowed.

"Danny, I meant what I said to you about Kyle," Tyler said and Danny sat back with a stunned look on his face. "After the last 24 hours I'm still not sure what to think about you or how much I can trust you."

"But you just said...," Danny began with his voice trailing off.

"The moment I knew that Kyle had heard what I said I had to say something so Kyle wouldn't be afraid of being around you," Tyler said. "I hope I can trust you around Kyle but I honestly don't know at this moment."

"I would never hurt Kyle!" Danny said looking into Tyler's eyes.

"Kyle is a 14-year-old boy who has a sex drive that makes you look like a Nun!" Tyler said and Danny smiled a bit. "You want me to trust you again then give me your word that nothing will happen between you and Kyle no matter how hard he tries!" Tyler asked.

"You have my word, Ty. The only thing that would be worse than hurting Kyle would be losing your trust," Danny said not looking up at Tyler.

"I've never stopped loving you, Danny, but I'm really not happy with you at the moment. We have a lot more that we need to talk about but it doesn't have to happen this weekend. If we are all going to live together there needs to be a clear understanding on some things that we all have to agree to," Tyler said.

"Derek is an adult and Derek can sleep with you or anyone else he wants to, but it may not happen without Derek paying a very big price for whatever pleasure he gets," Tyler said.

"We really weren't trying to hurt you! I swear!" Danny said.

"But you did, Danny, and you knew it. I saw the look in your eyes when I opened that door. I will never forget that moment for the rest of my life," Tyler said.

"Me neither...," Danny said with his voice trailing off.

"Have you even considered Cody's feelings?" Tyler asked.

"What do you mean?" Danny asked.

"What message did you send to Cody when you invited Derek into something that was already in progress?" Tyler asked.

"Hmmmm... hadn't really thought about that," Danny said.

"How often do you buy cinnamon buns for everyone else? How often do you go back to the dorm and share them with the guards who protect us?" Tyler asked.

Danny didn't answer.

"They're your cinnamon buns Danny and you can do what you want with them but what all of that really says about you is that you are selfish! You're an only child who's never had to share," Tyler said and Danny stiffened a bit from the accusation.

"Part of being a brother is that we share. What's yours is mine and what's mine is yours for the most part, and, no, that doesn't include boyfriends!" Tyler joked. "You will never have the love and respect of everyone if you don't give more than you take!

"I don't have your money, Ty! I can't give what you give," Danny argued.

"You're missing the big picture, Danny. Money means very little. I'm talking about what you give from your heart, mind, and soul... the very essence of all that is real within us," Tyler said. "You can feel sorry for yourself or you can begin making the investment in your family. Your blood family comes first, Cody second, and your brothers third. This isn't going to happen overnight, Danny, but you really need to figure out what is important to you and begin looking after it." Tyler said taking his hand away from Danny's back.

"Do you remember when the four of us celebrated Christmas and Cody made the comment that he felt like the outsider?" Tyler asked.

"Yeah...," Danny said.

"That didn't clue you in, did it?" Tyler asked.

"Apparently not," Danny said thinking about it.

"Is that sarcasm?" Tyler asked.

"No. I understand. I've not been making enough effort to help Cody fit in and become friends with you and Derek because I've only been thinking about myself," Danny said.

"Can you do me a favour, Ty?" Danny asked.

"Maybe? What is it?" Tyler asked.

"Please stop introducing me as your best friend until I've earned it," Danny asked.

Tyler gently took Danny's face in his hand and pulled him into a kiss. "I'm already starting to like you again!" Tyler said, and got up to walk up the stairs.

"Hey, Ty?" Danny called.

"Yup?" Tyler said.

"Do you still love me? I mean really love me?" Danny asked.

Tyler walked over and leaned down over Danny and said, "That's a question you should never have to ask and to which you should already know the answer." Tyler kissed the top of his head and left the room.

"Because I can't!" Kyle said.

"Why not?" Chris asked.

"It doesn't concern you and if I tell anyone Tyler will never trust me again," Kyle said as Derek walked into his bedroom.

"Can I see you alone for a moment, Kyle?" Derek asked.

"You can stay here, Derek. I'm going. He doesn't talk to me anyway!" Chris pouted and stormed out of Kyle's bedroom.

"What's that all about?" Derek said as he sat down on the bed next to Kyle.

"I can't say so don't ask please," Kyle said

"No problem Kyle. I was actually asking about the problem between you and Chris. I thought we had most of this cleared up?" Derek asked.

"Chris is mad that I won't tell him what I overheard," Kyle said.

"So tell him!" Derek said matter-of-factly.

"I can't!" Kyle said.

"Why not?" Derek asked.

"Geez, Derek. You're not listening to me! It was private and I overheard it and it was about me," Kyle said. Derek put his arm around him.

"Okay Kyle I can respect and understand that but if you really love and trust Chris you won't keep secrets from him. Learn from my mistakes, little brother!" Derek said.

"It scared me," Kyle said quietly.

"What you heard?" Derek asked.

"Yeah," Kyle said.

"I thought Tyler just said that he really didn't mean what he said?" Derek commented.

"He did mean it! I know him! I could tell by the look in his eyes," Kyle said.

"In that case I think you really need to talk to someone. Probably Tyler is the best one for you to talk with," Derek said.

"NO!" Kyle said.

"If you don't want to talk to Chris, Tyler or me then there is nothing anyone can do to help you Kyle. Sitting here doing nothing isn't going to change or solve the problem and you're just going to upset Chris more. If I were you I would ask Tyler if you could quietly tell Chris because he is hurt over knowing you are keeping a secret from him," Derek said.

"No!" Kyle said as Tyler came up the hallway.

"Ty? Can you come in here for a moment please?" Derek asked and Kyle glared at him.

"Sure. What's up?" Tyler said.

"Chris is mad at Kyle because Kyle is keeping whatever you said to Danny secret because he doesn't want to hurt you or lose your trust. Fix it!" Derek said grinning.

"And Kyle?" Derek began, and Kyle looked up at him. "Feel free to be angry with me at any time you want but I don't know of anyone who worries about you more than Tyler," Derek said and walked out of the room and closed the door.

Tyler sat down beside Kyle and took hold of Kyle's right hand. "I'm sorry, Kyle. All I was doing was trying to protect you. I really don't know how much you know about what has happened between me, your brother, Cody and Danny but I will fill you in," Tyler said.

"Yesterday afternoon I arrived back at the hotel in Des Moines to find all three of them in bed together and I don't mean that they were sleeping. Cody and I had just had a long talk a few hours before about relationships and the four of us. Danny and I had a similar talk before he flew home for Christmas. I'm not prepared to discuss what Derek and I said to each other about the whole situation but if you really want to know then feel free to ask your brother. Danny thinks I have blown everything out of proportion. I think the first thing that came into my mind was that if Danny would sleep with my boyfriend then he would have no problem sleeping with you. I know that you two play a game of teasing each other but you're too young to be with someone my age and based on Danny's actions yesterday I had to say something to him. I'm sorry you heard what I said because I didn't want to influence your friendship with Danny but I had to make sure you were protected from being hurt," Tyler said and paused.

"You really did mean what you said didn't you?" Kyle asked.

"Every single word of it Kyle... sorry," Tyler said. "I know you think you are an adult already but I can assure that it takes a lifetime to become one. Everyday I learn how little I know. I think both of us are smarter than we were one year ago so it only makes sense that we are going to be wiser one year from now. You may not believe me now or ever, but I'm not going to wait for someone to hurt you to prove myself right. I'm sorry that this scares you but I will do whatever is necessary to protect you, Chris, Luke, and Casey! When you turn 18 you can make all of the stupid decisions you want, but until then you're stuck with me watching over you," Tyler said grinning.

"You're only 19 years old. How do you know what will hurt me and what won't?" Kyle asked.

"I don't actually, but if you read enough and listen enough there is a mountain of evidence to suggest that there are some long term consequences to certain situations that may not show up until much later in your life. A good rule of thumb to live by is if a warning bell goes off in the back of your head about something then it is probably wrong or not safe to do. But, and it's a big but, you have to have a conscience for it to work," Tyler said.

"So I can't go near Danny then or you will kill him?" Kyle asked.

"No Kyle. That is why I didn't want you to know what I said. Danny loves you so much. He thinks you shit gold," Tyler said laughing. "I'm not sure about how much self control Danny has and I know you have none!" Tyler said grinning and elbowing him. Kyle smiled.

"Look at it from my point-of-view. If I think something wrong could happen and I don't make the effort to stop it then I too am responsible," Tyler said.

"You don't trust me!" Kyle said pouting.

"Kyle if you really want to have sex with Danny that bad then I will go get him right now and you two can fuck each other's brains out. Afterwards you can think about how your boyfriend is going to feel when he finds out and how Cody will feel! I have this feeling that someday you will be regretting it but that is for you to deal with and not me. If you really want Danny that badly I'm sure you can figure out a way to get him without any one of us knowing but if you have a conscience it will know and it will never let you forget," Tyler said getting up and opening the door.

"CHRIS!!!!" Tyler yelled and Chris came running from Luke's bedroom.

"Get in here!" Tyler said, giving him a displeased look and shutting the door.

"What did I ask you at the front door?" Tyler said.

"I dunno?" Chris said.

"I told you that a lot of shit had gone down today and to take it easy on Kyle, didn't I?" Tyler said.

"Yeah...," Chris said looking down at the floor with his hands in his jeans pocket.

"Kyle's had a rough day already and what he really needs is the love and support of the guy he cares about most in this world," Tyler said. "If he can't tell you something it's probably because he is keeping his word to someone. If you want him to keep his word to you then you better expect him to do it for others as well," Tyler said and kissed Chris's forehead

"Kyle, tell him everything. And Kyle, Chris and I are going to try to spend some time together on this trip and I would like you to spend some time alone with Danny, because you and he hardly get to see each other while you and Chris get to be together everyday!" Tyler said winking at Kyle.

Kyle smiled and said, "Yes, Sir!" as if he had been ordered to do so rather than just being given an excuse to be with Danny.

Tyler left the room and Chris walked over to Kyle and said, "I'm sorry. Sometimes I forget how lucky I am that you will have me as your boyfriend."

"It goes both ways, Chris. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I was just scared about what was said," Kyle said.

"It's okay and I don't want you to tell me what was said," Chris said.

"Are you sure?" Kyle asked.

"Ty's right! If I want you to keep my secrets then I have to expect you to keep other people's secrets as well. Now I've got Ty mad at me," Chris said sulking.

"He's not mad at you. I didn't even remember until now that he had promised that he would make time to be alone with you," Kyle said.

"Yeah, you're right!" Chris said smiling.

"I love you, Christopher!" Kyle said leaning in and kissing Chris.

"Love you too, Kyle!" Chris said between kisses.

"I think we are all packed now!" Derek said to Tyler as he walked into the garage.

"Got the coolers?" Tyler asked.

"Okay, we're ALMOST all packed!" Derek said giving Tyler the evil eye. Tyler grinned.

"Where's Danny?" Tyler asked.

"No idea," Derek said.

"Can I have my bracelet back?" Tyler asked.

"Did you lose it?" Derek teased.

Tyler glared at him with a smile.

"Hmmmm.... I'm pretty sure I remember seeing it someplace." Derek pondered aloud.

"Give me the fucking bracelet back, assmite!" Tyler said. Derek pulled up the sleeve of the sweater he was wearing to show Tyler's bracelet on his wrist next to his own.

"At least you weren't keeping it in your underwear!"

"I tried that but it kept pulling at my crotch hairs," Derek said grinning.

"I hope we still have enough turpentine left?" Tyler said walking back into the house with his bracelet after unhooking it from Derek's wrist.

"Danny!" Tyler called seeing him still sitting on the sofa.

"Yeah?" Danny said turning around.

"I need your help, please," Tyler asked and Danny jumped up and ran over. "C'mon!" Tyler said and Danny followed him up to Derek's room.

Tyler closed the door behind them and Danny froze remembering the last time Tyler did that. Tyler took Danny's hand dragged him over to sit down on the bed beside him.

"I need your help and I need a favour!" Tyler asked.

"Sure. Anything?" Danny said a little frightened.

"Would you put this back on me?" Tyler asked holding up his bracelet.

Danny grinned and took the bracelet. He opened the clasp and put it on Tyler while Tyler stared into his eyes. When Danny looked up at Tyler their lips inched closer together until they kissed.

"I do you love you, Danny!" Tyler said. "I was wondering if you would ride with me to New York." Tyler asked taking Danny's hand in his.

Danny smiled and hugged Tyler. "Thanks, Ty!"

"I need you in my life, Danny," Tyler said.

"Will you two stop making out or up or whatever it is you're doing and get your asses out here!" Derek said grinning.

"Damn! I was about to give Danny a spanking for being bad... but we can do that later!" Tyler winked and threw himself on top of Danny. Danny was gasping for air from laughing.

"Okay has everyone got everything?" Derek yelled.

"Have you got the keys to get into the place?" Tyler asked.

"Shit! Be right back!" Derek said and ran back into the house. Cody and Danny snorted.

"Washroom, people! Our next stop is Brewed Awakenings and Danny's dorm room to get his skis!" Tyler said, and no one moved.

"Two hours before the next pit stop!" Tyler said and everyone climbed out of the two vehicles and headed back in the house.

"What the fuck?" Derek said as he walked out of the garage only to be passed by everyone going back into the house.

"Last call for the washroom!" Tyler said.

"Damn!" Derek said and ran back into the house too.

Tyler shook his head and laughed. "Hmmm... maybe I should have a quick pee as well?"

"Where is Derek going now?" Tyler asked.

"No idea?" Danny said as Derek pulled up in front of 'No Vacancy Video Rentals'. Derek got out and ran inside and came back out grinning with some DVDs. He opened the back of the van and stuck them inside his backpack.

Tyler led the way to Philly with Danny in the front seat and Kyle and Chris in the back both listening to their Ipods. Tyler phoned ahead and had four dozen cinnamon buns packaged up.

"I'm not sure I can eat that many!" Danny, said winking.

"Maybe I should call back and order five dozen?" Tyler asked grinning. Danny took hold of Tyler's free hand that was resting on his thigh and they squeezed each other's hand three times. Chris elbowed Kyle who was reading a skater magazine and nodded to look up front. Kyle winked and smiled at Chris.

Chris took Kyle's hand and held it like Danny and Tyler were doing. Kyle pulled Chris' hand over on to his lap and placed it on his crotch. Kyle set his magazine down over his crotch and unzipped his jeans slowly watching carefully for Danny to turn around. Chris slid his hand in and began tugging up and down on Kyle's now erect cock.

Kyle looked over at a grinning Chris and put his sunglasses on. Chris put his on as well. Tyler looked in his rear view mirror and saw Chris' shoulder moving slowly up and down. Without turning his head around Tyler said, "Hey, Chris?"

"Yeah, Ty?" Chris said freezing up.

"If you want to join the 78 mile per hour club would you do it in the van please?" Tyler said and grinned into his rear view mirror at him. Danny turned around just in time to see Chris yank his hand out of Kyle's jeans.

"Oh my God! That's too funny!" Danny said laughing.

"No, what would have been really funny is if the State Trooper driving in the lane beside us had seen something," Tyler said and Kyle and Chris quickly turned around to look.

"There's no cop there!" Chris said and Kyle swatted the back of Tyler's head with his magazine.

Arriving back at their Drexel campus home, Tyler, Kyle, Danny, and Chris took in a chocolate pecan pie for Gus while Danny took the elevator up to his room to grab his skis.

"How was Iowa?" Gus asked laughing.

"All the cows are plaid there!" Tyler said and Danny swatted the back of his head.

"Oh... you're back!" Tyler said, grinning. "Have a Happy New Year Gus!"

"Bye, Guys! Have a safe trip!" Gus said, as he looked around to make sure the coast was clear and got up to slip into the back room and eat his pie.

"Gus Man, over!" Came the call on his walkie-talkie. Gus looked down and stared at his walkie-talkie.

"We saw the Peel kid drive in. What did he bring us?" Mike said from the front gate.

"He... um.... brought me one cinnamon bun! That's all!" Gus said.

"Right... we're all on our way over there now, you lying little son of a..." <Click> Gus turned his walkie-talkie off and went back into the control room and locked the door.

"So where exactly are we going?" Tyler asked.

"To our cottage!" Derek grinned.

"Right... More specific please?" Tyler asked.

"It's near Lake Placid, New York. It's about 4 to 5 hours from Philly. Take the turnpike to the Garden State parkway to 87 north and we are there. Tank up here and we'll stop again in Secaucus, New Jersey to fuel up and maybe grab some drive-thru dinner," Derek said.

"Okay, got your cell phone on?" Tyler asked.

"Always. I love you, Babe!" Derek said kissing Tyler. Horns started honking from both vehicles and Derek flipped all of them the bird!

When they pulled into an Exxon station in Secaucus the snow was coming down hard.

"How much farther do we have to go?" Tyler asked.

"About three hours if the roads are still clear," Derek said.

"Okay. I want to stop over at that Wegmans' store and get some supplies for breakfast," Tyler said writing out a list.

"Three dozen eggs?" Derek asked.

"Seven boys!" Tyler said.

Tyler and Derek split everyone into two teams that picked out enough groceries to eat for the rest of the week. They met at the check out counter. "You want two cases of mandarin oranges?" Derek asked.

"Ummm... yeah. They are for Luke's hockey team," Tyler said quietly.

"You're not going to drive to Greenwich are you?" Derek asked.

"I guess not if you don't want me to," Tyler faked a pout. Danny and Chris howled over Tyler's response.

"When?" Derek asked.

"When what?" Tyler said.

"When are you planning on going to see Luke and Casey play hockey?" Derek asked.

"I really didn't have a specific time in mind...," Tyler said.

"Fuck you, you don't! When is his game that you want to see?" Derek asked.

"It starts at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday at the Dorothy Hamill Arena in Greenwich," Tyler said grinning. Derek looked at his watch and began counting silently.

"I have ten fingers if you need them to help count," Tyler said, and everyone quietly chuckled. "You don't have to go Derek. I can find my way there," Tyler added.

"Right... my brother already ranks me below slugs. I'll be one below a sewage crawler now if I don't show up," Derek said.

"Did you guys remember your hockey sweaters and skates?" Tyler asked of Cody and Danny and they both nodded.

"You fucktards! You already planned this out?" Derek said, laughing and shaking his head. "You better have us back in the hot tub by midnight or your ass will become public property."

Kyle slapped Tyler's butt and said, "Save room for me!" Everyone laughed.

"Will there be room in the hot tub for Luke, Casey, and your parents?" Tyler asked.

Derek started to hyperventilate. "You invited them back?" Derek yelled.

"Check please!" Kyle yelled out in the middle of the grocery store.

"This is supposed to be our vacation away from rules and regulations!" Derek moaned.

"Well... it sort of is; after all, you are in charge!" Tyler said grinning. <Snorts and snickers all around>

"And how, oooooh wise one, are we going to sleep all those people in the cottage?" Derek said.

"No problem! You can bunk up with Casey and Luke!" Tyler said smiling.

They were about ten minutes from the cottage when Derek dialed Tyler on his cell phone.

"I can't see your head lights! How far behind me are you?" Derek asked.

"How the hell would I know, Derek? Talk to Danny, I'm driving." Tyler said passing the phone over.

"Derek says in about a half a mile you will see a sign saying Thunderbridge Road. Turn right. He'll wait on the side of the road about a hundred feet down," Danny said.

"What's that in metres?" Tyler asked grinning.

"Shut up and drive, assmite." Danny said, shaking his head.

Tyler followed Derek up a winding hill until Derek came to a sudden stop. Tyler's phone rang.

"What's up?" Tyler asked.

"We have a problem!" Derek said.

"Uh huh?" Tyler asked.

"The gate at the edge of the road to the cottage is open and I can see smoke coming up from the chimney!" Derek said.

"Maybe your parents are here?" Tyler said.

"Fuck! That's probably it!" Derek said and drove up the driveway to the Anderson cottage.

They turned off their engines and everyone got out of their vehicles.

"Whose car is that?" Tyler asked.

"I don't know but I wish Jeff had packed the baseball bat," Derek said.

"I did actually just in case there was any more arguing," Jeff said smiling.

"Nice one Jeff! Go get it." Derek ordered.

"You two into the Jeep and lock the doors." Tyler said pointing to Kyle and Chris. "Here are my keys. If anything goes wrong you guys get the hell out of here." Kyle and Chris took the keys and ran to Tyler's Jeep.

"Jeff would you write down a description of that car and the license plate number and give it to Kyle and Chris along with Derek's cell phone number. Remind them how to dial 911!" Tyler said winking.

"Grab your hockey sticks guys!" Derek said.

"Told ya we might need them!" Tyler teased and Derek glared at him.

The view down the side of the hill from the top of the driveway only showed the top of the cottage.

"How fucking big is this 'cottage' of yours? It looks like a lodge." Tyler said.

"It's only got five bedrooms, Ty," Derek said grinning.

"Look at the pathway!" Tyler said as he brushed the snow away with his boots.

"What about it?" Derek asked.

"Whoever is here has been here for a while! How many entrances are there?" Tyler asked.

"Three. There's a front and back door. Then there's a sliding glass patio door that you can use to walk out onto the cottage's wrap-around deck. That one leads to the hot tub!" Derek said.

"Lodge!" Tyler said grinning.

"Whatever...," Derek said holding the baseball bat. Danny, Cody, and Jeff came back armed with hockey sticks.

"Jeff, you're going to guard the van. Stay inside and keep the windows open so if we call for help or tell you to go get help you can. Here's my cell phone," Tyler said. "Danny go open the blue cooler and pull out my 10" Chef's knife. It's wrapped in a tin foil sheath."

"What's the plan?" Derek asked.

"You've got the keys to unlock the door?" Tyler asked.

"Yup!" Derek said holding the key up in his hand.

"How new is the deck?" Tyler asked.

"Only about two years old!" Derek said. "Why?"

"So it won't make much noise when we walk on it then!" Tyler said.

"Good idea, Ty. The bedrooms are all in the back half so if Danny takes one side and Cody takes the other then you and I can go in through the back door," Derek suggested.

"You guys yell if anything goes wrong," Danny said.

"Does the key work for the other door as well?" Cody asked.

"Yeah. Why?" Derek asked.

"When you unlock the back door you can give me the key and I can go around to the front door. I'm not gonna be much help if I can't get in," Cody said.

"I knew we brought him along for a reason," Tyler said smiling.

Tyler led the pack down the walkway to the cottage. As they approached they could hear music playing loudly.

"Who the fuck listens to Kansas?" Derek said laughing quietly.

"I think it's Chicago," Danny said and everyone stopped and looked at him.

"Wot?" Danny asked.

"He's from Iowa, give him a break," Cody said grinning.

"Danny only listens to music with cow bells in it," Tyler said and everyone snickered quietly.

"Anyone think about just calling the police and letting them handle this?" Danny asked.

"Wimp!" Derek said.

"Remember Danny... it's never fun until someone loses an eye," Tyler said and everyone laughed. "Let's do it!" Tyler said.

"Let's hope they are as drunk as Kathy's boyfriend Paul was," Derek said.

"Listen to that crap they're playing. They're more likely to be stoned," Danny said and everyone laughed.

"Okay, guys, just remember none of us wants to end up in jail over this," Tyler said as they approached the cottage and readied themselves.

Derek inserted the key in the door and turned the knob. He pulled the key out and handed it to Cody. When Derek opened the door the music came blaring at all of them and they all said in unison 'Journey!' and laughed quietly!

"If we kill them we might be doing them a favour," Danny said and everyone laughed.

"Guys? We'll count to 15 and then begin moving in. That gives you guy's time to go around each side of the house quietly. I'll go first, Ty, because my weapon isn't as lethal as yours," Derek said.

Tyler, Danny, and Cody all snorted!

"Fucktards!" Derek said glaring at the three of them. Derek pushed the door open quietly and kicked off his boots. The smell of the fireplace hit them immediately. Tyler tapped his shoulder and shook his head.

"What?" Derek whispered.

"You're worried about getting the floor wet?" Tyler whispered.

"Mom will kill me!" Derek whispered seriously and Tyler shook his head and kicked off his boots.

"If they try to escape maybe they'll trip on our boots," Derek whispered and Tyler nodded up and down sarcastically and then rolled his eyes.

Tyler tapped on Derek's back and held up one finger, then another, and then another, and finally pointed at Derek and smiled.

"Me too, Babe," Derek whispered. Tyler closed the door behind him quietly and followed Derek down the hallway. There were two bedrooms on each side of the hallway and a bathroom on the left at the end and then the room opened up into an open concept kitchen, dining, and living room with a fireplace.

Derek pointed to where they could see two pairs of feet sticking out from under a comforter. Whoever was there were sitting on the floor lying against an L shaped sectional sofa. They could see a few empty Michelob beer bottles on the coffee table and an open pizza box.

"Ready?" Derek whispered.

"Ready, ready!" Tyler whispered and smiled.

"Let's run in and surprise them," Derek said, grinning, and Tyler nodded.

"War cry?" Derek asked quietly.

"No!" Tyler said.

"You're no fun at times like this," Derek moaned and Tyler pushed him forward.

"On three," Derek said. "One, two, three!" Derek ran into the room holding the baseball bat up over his head and Tyler followed behind with his kitchen knife pointed outward.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" The two guys lying naked under the comforter yelled.

"ZACH?" Derek screamed slowly lowering the baseball bat.

"What are you doing here?" Zach said blushing with embarrassment over his state of undress.

"What am I doing here? This is my cottage not yours!" Derek yelled as Cody came in through the front door and Danny came running in through the back door to meet up with them both holding their hockey sticks in the air.

Zach's buddy burst into laughter. "You brought the Buffalo Sabres with you?" Tyler snorted and Danny and Cody just looked at each other and lowered their sticks.

"Guys. This is my fucktard cousin Zach! Get up, get dressed, and get the fuck out of here," Derek screamed.

"Danny... Cody? Go get Jeff, Kyle, and Chris and tell them everything is okay!" Tyler said.

"We're not going anywhere," Zach said.

"Cody, grab my cell phone. We're calling the Police!" Derek said snarling at Zach.

"Hang on a second Derek." Zach said trying to calm Derek down.

"GET OUT!" Derek yelled.

"Did you say Kyle is here?" Zach asked smiling.

"Can we go get some clothes on first?" Zach's friend asked and Tyler grinned.

Tyler could easily see that they were related. Zach was just about six feet tall with sandy blond hair and light blue eyes. He had a nicely sculpted body with the beginnings of some chest hair. It was Zach's killer smile and his eyes that made Tyler think of Derek.

"Hi, I'm Tyler!" Tyler said shaking hands with Zach.

"I'm Zach and this is... Alex," Zach said fumbling for what to say.

Alex was no slouch himself Tyler thought. He was a little taller than Zach with a smooth, pale and well-defined body though he appeared much thinner standing naked next to Zach. His eyes were a much deeper and more piercing blue than Zach's, but his reddish-blond hair was exciting Tyler more than he would ever admit to Derek.

"You had to think about who he is?" Derek asked shaking his head.

"Well... um he's my boyfriend but it's not public knowledge yet. I wasn't sure how to introduce him," Zach said, blushing even redder now.

"Does Uncle Ted know you are here?" Derek asked.

"Ummm... not exactly," Zach said, smiling and Tyler started laughing.

"Kyle's going to be in here in thirty seconds. Get your ass off my floor and out of my cottage," Derek screamed.

Tyler took off his coat and handed it to Alex. "Here use mine!"

"Thanks!" Alex said removing his hands from covering his crotch to accept the coat.

Tyler and Derek both paused to take note of Alex's well-endowed features.

"Nothing there to be ashamed of," Tyler said smiling.

"Don't I know it?" Alex said grinning.

"Derek, give Zach your coat," Tyler ordered and Derek just looked at him. "Give him your fucking coat before Kyle gets in here," Tyler yelled and Derek begrudgingly removed his coat and handed it to Zach.

"We brought food. Are you guys hungry?" Tyler asked.

"Hell yeah!" Zach said smiling. "That's yesterday's pizza. The snow was too deep to chance driving down that steep driveway to go for supplies."

"That would be great, Ty. I have to pick all the crap off of his pizza to eat it myself."

"They're not staying Ty!" Derek said glaring at him.

"Well they're not leaving tonight either. We barely made it here so you can't make them leave," Tyler said, as Alex ran up the stairs to the loft. Zach limped a little and climbed one step at a time.

"Shut the fuck up, Tyler!" Derek said.

"Why is Zach limping?" Tyler asked.

"I don't know and I don't care," Derek said.

"They're not leaving Derek. Get that through your head," Tyler said as everyone piled into the cottage.

"What's up?" Kyle asked.

"Zach is here," Derek said.

"Really?" Kyle asked, with a huge grin.

"Do you want to call your parents right now Derek? We can have this discussion with them. You can't make them leave in a snowstorm. They can go in the morning," Tyler said and Derek didn't answer.

"Okay. All four of you empty out both vehicles and bring me the coolers first," Tyler said. Tyler forced a hug on Derek and said, "It will be okay Derek. They can leave in the morning." Zach came back downstairs one step at a time dressed and carrying Derek's coat and saw them hugging.

"So you guys are a couple?" Zach asked with a perfect smile showing that caught Tyler's attention again.

"He's cute," Tyler said loud enough for Zach to hear and grin even wider.

"Thank you! It's genetic! I got the looks and Derek got the personality," Zach said and Tyler burst out laughing while Derek's face only got redder.

"Did you forget to pack your personality?" Tyler asked Derek and Zach turned away to cover his laughter. "I'm just teasing you, Derek. Lighten up. I can tell you guys are related by the way you both blush," Tyler said

"I was just teasing you as well, Derek. How about a hug for your cousin?" Zach asked holding out his arms.

"Zach!" Kyle yelled and ran over to give Zach a hug after he set one of the coolers down.

"Kyle! Oh my God. Look how tall you are. Cool slice, dude!" Zach said moving the hair out of his eyes. "Where's Lucas?" he asked.

"He's not far away. Mom, Dad and Luke are all in Greenwich for a hockey tournament," Kyle said.

"Cool! That's only about two and a half hours away. Gosh I've missed you, Kyle," Zach said picking Kyle up off the ground and spinning him around. "Have you still got our tree fort?"

"Yup and our initials are still there!" Kyle said winking at him.

"Remind me to check out the tree fort," Tyler whispered.

"Mmmm hmmm..." Derek said with his arms folded.

"C'mon Zach, I want you to meet my boyfriend Chris and his brother Jeff!" Kyle said dragging Zach by the hand.

"Boyfriend?" Zach asked.

"Derek! Go grab a shovel and clean off the entire deck. A little fresh air and a change of atmosphere will do us all a bit of good," Tyler said as Alex came down the stairs with Tyler's coat.

"Thanks, Tyler!" Alex said smiling.

"Damn, who knew that a strawberry blond could be so hot? Nice ass by the way," Tyler said, grinning.

"We'll have to compare later," Alex winked and they both laughed. Derek slammed the front door as he went outside.

"I better go out and talk to him," Zach said.

"Give him a minute Zach. It's been a long 24 hours for all of us. We all just got back from Iowa and there's been a lot of drama."

"Chris. This is my cousin Zach." Kyle said grinning and almost hanging off of Zach.

"Nice to meet you, Chris." Zach said shaking his hand. "And you must be Jeff?" Zach said, extending his hand.

"Nice to meet you as well! You really look a lot like Derek," Jeff said.

"In some counties that would be considered fighting words but I will take it as a compliment," Zach said winking.

"Hey, Alex, do you want to help me in the kitchen?" Tyler asked.

"Nope!" Alex said and Tyler stared at him. "I'll get Zach. I am banned from cooking anything. Zach says I could burn a house down boiling water," Tyler laughed.

"Well, aside from looking damn fine when naked what else do you do?" Tyler asked of Alex.

"When I'm not primping in the bathroom..." Alex began and Tyler laughed with him. "I'm in my 3rd year at Illinois State studying psychology."

"When you say Illinois State I assume you don't mean the prison?" Tyler joked. "Being a Canadian I haven't quite got the finer details of American speech down!"

"Sorry Ty, I should have said it slower," Alex teased, and everyone else in the living room began laughing. "I'm attending ISU but most people out of state wouldn't know what state that was," he added.

Danny and Cody arrived with the last of the things from the two vehicles and everyone was introduced to Zach Anderson and Alex Edwards.

"Zach!" Tyler yelled. "Haul your tight little ass into the kitchen and help me put this stuff away." Zach came over to help and Tyler asked for a brief history of his relationship with Derek.

"I'm not sure I should really say, Tyler," Zach said.

"It's okay. It will help me deal with him tonight," Tyler said.

"Yeah, true and thanks for sticking up for us," Zach said. "What you saw earlier is what it's always been like with Derek since he became a teenager. He's moody and angry most of the time. When our families would visit each other I would hang out with Kyle more than Derek because he never wanted to be around me. All you had to do is say one thing that pissed Derek off and he would go insane and then not speak to me. As his boyfriend you probably think I'm crazy," Zach said.

"As his boyfriend I would say you hit a bulls eye with Derek. We've only been together a little over a month but we've been roommates since Labour Day. I love him more than anyone on this planet but he does have his moments. Then again, so do I!" Tyler said and they both looked out the front windows to see Derek leaning on the balcony railing looking down over the frozen lake.

"I better go check on him," Tyler said.

"Let me, Ty. It's time to bury the hatchet... I just hope he doesn't want to bury it in me!" Zach joked.

"He's my entire world, Zach," Tyler said.

"I can tell and I hope he realizes how lucky he is." Zach said putting on Tyler's coat. "Umm, you don't mind if I borrow your coat?"

"You're family, Zach. Anything that is mine is yours as well," Tyler said. Zach smiled and said, "Thanks Ty! I'm really happy Derek has someone like you." Zach put his boots on and opened the front door.

Derek looked over from where he was leaning and saw Zach coming out. He turned back to focus on the frozen lake down below.

"Isn't it getting a little cold to be standing out here?" Zach asked.

"No," Derek replied.

"I'm sorry I am messing up your night Derek. I had no idea that you would be here. It's taken a full semester to get connected with Alex after the car accident. I lived with his family for a few months while I healed. This has been our first chance to be alone together without having to think about school or anyone else but us. I know you won't believe that I'm sorry but I am. If the roads weren't so bad I would be gone by now. Don't worry, we'll be gone first thing in the morning," Zach said and Derek didn't respond.

"Alex and I will clear our stuff out of the loft right now and move into the family room in the basement and sleep on the sofabed. You won't hear another word out of us," Zach said turning to go back inside.

"I didn't know you were in an accident," Derek said.

"It's not like Dad and Uncle Larry talk much," Zach said.

"I'm sorry," Derek said.

"Don't worry about it," Zach said.

"I saw you limping. Is your leg going to heal all right?" Derek asked.

"Eventually they tell me but I won't be playing much volleyball or jogging for a while," Zach said.

"A car accident?" Derek asked.

"Yes. Alex hit a deer on the road just over a year ago," Zach said. "I really don't want to talk about the accident."

"I'm sorry," Derek said again, gazing out over the lake.

"Derek! Stop saying that. You don't like me. You've never liked me and I really don't know what I did to you but let's just leave it alone and go our separate ways," Zach said, turning back towards the door.

"I'm sorry about that, too," Derek said, as Zach had the doorknob turned halfway.

Derek turned and leaned back on the railing packing a snowball. "From the time I was... probably about 11 years old I had a crush on you. You were smart, sexy, and nice... too nice," Derek said as he turned to gather up snow from the deck railing and threw the snowball he'd made out towards the frozen lake. It hit with a crash on the boathouse. The noise made Tyler and Alex run to the door and open it thinking something had happened.

"Everything okay?" Tyler said.

"Yeah... it's all good," Derek said.

"Zach?" Alex asked.

"Yeah... we were just discussing the old days. Now close the door, you're letting the heat out!" Zach said, and turned to grin at Derek. Derek smiled and threw another snowball at the boathouse.

"I was mad at you because I was too shy," Derek said.

"Huh?" Zach asked with his mouth hanging open. "You weren't around me enough to even be called shy. You were more like a hermit. The only times I ever saw you were at meals and if we went water skiing."

"Well, if we went water skiing I got to see you in a wet Speedo," Derek said refusing to look at Zach.

Zach burst out laughing. "You little pervert!" Zach said and Derek grinned, biting down on his lower lip.

"I was jealous because you spent all your time with Kyle and Luke," Derek said as Zach packed a snowball.

"Why do you think I spent all my time with them? You wouldn't speak to me," Zach said laughing. "See the tires that are tied down on the roof of the boat house?" he said, pointing.

"Uh huh!" Derek said and Zach threw at it and missed hitting the ice.

"Stick to playing chess Chi-boy!" Derek said as he threw a snowball and hit the tires.

"How's football going?" Zach asked.

"The chicks are dumb, the Coaches are on the take, and we made it to the Conference semi-finals. Apparently that's the first time in six years so they are happy," Derek said.

"Are you happy?" Zach asked.

"I didn't know life could be this wonderful and I have no idea why Tyler puts up with me but I'm glad he does," Derek said.

"He's definitely the calm to your storm," Zach said and winked at Derek.

"I've missed you, Zach," Derek said.

"I haven't missed you." Zach said laughing.

"Really? I can't see why," Derek laughed. "Don't most of your relatives greet you with a baseball bat?"

"Funny you mention that... but let's not talk about family," Zach said.

"No problem. We don't need to discuss the step-monster," Derek said. "Would you stay around?"

"A half hour a go you were trying to kill me and now you want me to stay around. Meds still aren't right yet huh?" Zach teased.

"I wasn't trying to kill you... I was trying to kill the intruder, Zach!" Derek said.

"I know and hopefully you and I will laugh about it in twenty years," Zach said.

"I hope for that too, Zach. I'm sorry for making your life difficult. That's all I ever do anymore is apologize for being me," Derek sighed.

"It's not about what happened in the past as much as what you do about it in the future," Zach said. "My leg is starting to ache. Let's go inside."

"Just one more thing, Zach. Please accept my apologies for tonight and stay as long as you like," Derek said.

"I think we're likely going to head back tomorrow anyway but I will talk with Alex about it. Thank you for your offer though," Zach said, and Derek opened up his arms they held each other tight in silence.

"I see our boyfriends hugging," Alex said, as he watched Tyler making garlic bread with cheese.

"Sweet!" Tyler said grinning. "Can you stir the chili? I thawed it in the microwave for ten minutes first but I don't want it to burn on the bottom."

"Are you sure you want me to go anywhere near the stove?" Alex asked.

"There's a fire extinguisher over there," Tyler said pointing to the wall. "I wonder if there is any chili powder here?" he said, opening the cupboards. "Why is there a cupboard filled with Chocolate Pop-Tarts?"

Alex snorted.

"Did you heat up the hot tub?" Derek asked.

"Take a walk around the corner!" Zach said smiling. Derek took Zach's hand in his and they walked around the corner to the right side of the cottage where the barbecue and hot tub where.

"Sweet!" Derek said grinning.

"Not sure if it will hold everyone at once though," Zach said.

"No problem, you can sit on my lap," Derek teased and Zach burst out laughing.

Alex slid the patio door open. "Are you okay, Zach?" He asked.

"I'm fine! Relax. Go help Tyler in the kitchen by not helping Tyler in the kitchen," Zach said.

They both watched Alex go back to the kitchen and then Derek straightened Zach's coat up and pulled him close enough to kiss him. "Sorry, I needed to fulfill one of my fantasies," Derek said grinning as he backed away.

"And?" Zach asked.

"It was much better than I had ever dreamed!" Derek said. "Let's go inside!"

Derek pulled away on Zach's hand but Zach pulled Derek back to himself and kissed Derek.

"I needed to fulfill one of my fantasies, too!" Zach said, grinning and Derek winked.

"I really am sorry for how I've treated you over the years, Zach," Derek said.

"Want to make it up to me?" Zach said smiling.

"Maybe." Derek said smirking.

"Don't lose touch with me, Derek," Zach said and kissed his cheek and then pulled Derek's hand along with him back into the cottage.

Everyone froze when they returned. "What?" Derek asked and everyone smiled when they saw him holding hands with Zach.

"Guess you don't have to sleep in the basement," Tyler whispered in Alex's ear.

"Maybe we get to sleep with you guys?" Alex said, nudging Tyler in the side.

"I call your side of the bed!" Tyler said, and nudged Alex back.

Alex adjusted his equipment.

"How's the chili doing? Tyler asked.

"It's not burning on the bottom," Alex said.

"You let Alex into the kitchen?" Zach asked laughing.

"He's been great Zach!" Tyler said.

"He's not supposed to go near any kitchen unless he's returning dirty plates," Zach said.

"This is coming from the guy with a chocolate Pop-Tart fetish?" Tyler said grinning.

"Hey! At least I don't burn them when I cook them," Zach said, and Alex stuck his tongue out at him.

Tyler removed four open halves of cheese and garlic French bread from the oven and began slicing them up on the diagonal. He set out nine bowls and spoons and hollered, "SOUPS ON!" Everyone came running and as each one filled his bowl Tyler topped each with a small handful of shredded cheese. Danny was the last to fill his bowl and Tyler came around behind and wrapped his arms around him saying, "I'm glad you're here, Danny."

"Me too, although I feel bad about leaving my family early," Danny said and Tyler paused to consider what he said.

"Hey, Danny, can we eat here and you and I talk about something?" Tyler asked and Danny flinched. "That's more or less in the past Danny. I wanted to ask you about your Mom but I don't think that you're going to like what I am asking. It's just that it's eating away at me," Tyler said.

"Sure... I guess," Danny said with a mouthful of chilli.

"Sorry. I think I'm scaring you and I don't mean it so forget I brought it up," Tyler said.

"No Ty. It's really okay. I want us to talk about everything and anything. I'm just sort of afraid I'm going to lose you now," Danny said as Tyler filled his bowl and they sat down at the table while the others crowded around the sectional in the living room.

"We're best friends Danny and as long as we both realize that we have to work at it to keep that relationship then we will always be," Tyler said quietly.

"So toss me a question, Puckhead!" Danny said grinning.

"Okay... but you've been warned. Why don't I like your Mom?" Tyler asked. "I can't explain it, but I don't feel comfortable being around her."

"You're asking the wrong guy, Ty. Ask Cody. He likes her more than I do," Danny said laughing. "Don't worry about it because most people don't like her. I have to say though that she has changed in the last three days," Danny pondered.

"I kind of think she had no choice," Tyler suggested. "Anyway, I'm sorry for asking about it. I always try to search out the good in everyone and beyond her love for her son...," Tyler said, with his voice trailing off.

"Next time you meet her and get to know her better you will like her," Danny said smiling. "She thinks the Sun shines out of Cody's ass. He's like the son she always wanted." Danny said tipping his bowl up to scrape the last of his chilli into his mouth. "Do we still have more chili?" he asked.

"Tons! Go crazy," Tyler said grinning.

"This stuff is amazing. What's in it?" Danny asked.

"Secret ingredients. I got the recipe from Mrs. J.!" Tyler said.

"Mrs. J?" Danny asked.

"Mrs. Johnson. She's our next-door neighbour. She's looking after our house while I'm away."

"So what are the secret ingredients?" Danny asked as he sat back down with a second bowl and four slices of garlic cheese bread.

"Are you going to leave room for dessert?" Tyler asked.

"Probably... if I don't have more than three or four bowls," Danny said. Tyler rolled his eyes.

"Stop avoiding the question and tell me what the secret ingredients are," Danny asked.

"Green pepper and Campbell's tomato soup!" Tyler said raising his eyebrows up and down a few times.

"Tomato soup?" Danny asked. Tyler nodded.

"Sweet!" Danny said as he finished his second bowl.

"I could just bring the pot over if that would make it easier?" Tyler offered.

"Naw... tis okay! I could use a bigger spoon though," Danny said grinning.

"Are you doing any better now?" Tyler asked quietly.

"Yeah... I guess. I mean sure. I still have you in my life and that is the most important thing," Danny said as he stopped eating.

"You never said what you wanted to say, Danny," Tyler asked.

"It's not important, Ty," Danny said.

"It is to me. I value your opinion. If I didn't then you and I wouldn't have gone up to the roof that night," Tyler said. "I told you my secret chili recipe, so spit it out," he said, grinning.

"What I want or feel isn't as important as what our brothers want collectively. I've been selfish. Hell, I am selfish. So it doesn't matter," Danny said, pushing away his half empty bowl of chilli.

"It is important and I know it's bugging you otherwise you would have finished your chili," Tyler grinned.

"Shut up, assmite!" Danny said.

"You and I both know we're going to have this talk sooner or later and you know that when Derek and I were not communicating what we felt it just led to a lot of anger and even more problems," Tyler said. Danny thought for a moment.

"I don't agree with the sex thing," Danny said.

"Go on," Tyler said listening.

"I went through my phase of being in love with you. I'm glad I went through it because it confirmed my feelings for Cody. If we had already had sex, you and me alone that is, then I wouldn't have wasted so much time thinking about you. Kind of like the kid that gets the toy and plays with it for one day and never touches it again," Danny said.

"Sort of the grass is always greener on the other side?" Tyler asked.

"Huh?" Danny asked.

"Never mind I get your point. Continue on, please," Tyler said.

"I don't know how to say this?" Danny said.

"Then just say it from the heart," Tyler suggested.

"Okay... I think your fears, or maybe it is insecurities, about your feelings for me and Cody are what's holding us all back," Danny said picking up his bowl and was absently stirring his chilli without eating any of it. Tyler just stared at him with a blank face.

"For me, sex is a part of love. I love you as a friend and a brother. I could have sex with you and feel that we are even closer because we shared one of the most personal experiences two people can share. Would I then become truly, madly, deeply, passionately in love with you? Maybe, but it's not likely because I'm not looking for something that I already get from Cody. You always bring home food from the restaurant for everyone else to try. You want everyone to experience and share in all that you love in this world. The guy that buys the porn magazine and gets all horny and then goes and fucks his wife isn't cheating!" Danny said, and Tyler nodded silently.

"Well... I love having sex and I'm damn good at it too!" Danny said grinning and Tyler laughed. All the boys stopped talking and looked over at the two of them. "Eat your damn dinner!" Danny said laughing.

"Ty, you think having sex or making love is the ultimate personal way of showing Derek that he is number one in your life. You also think that if you did it with anyone else then you would be hurting Derek, yourself or maybe what the two of you have together. But in my opinion only... you're the one being selfish with your love. In fact, you'll do anything you can to avoid having sex with anyone else or getting intimate or letting them inside of you. Derek, Cody, and I are all really cool about it. We know how far we can go with you but for the three of us sex is more of a physical thing than an emotional thing. I will tell you something personal but it can never leave this table okay?" Danny asked.

"Okay!" Tyler said leaning on his hands.

"I would rather be held silently in Cody's arms for one hour than have sex with him for four hours," Danny said and Tyler's mouth dropped open.

"Don't you ever say that to anyone!!!!" Danny warned Tyler.

"That's so beautiful, Daniel!" Tyler said, smiling.

"How important is Derek's cock or ass to you?" Danny asked.

"It's doesn't even make the top ten list!" Tyler said.

"Exactly! Sex isn't going to make or break a relationship unless one of the partners is insecure about how real their love is," Danny said. "Now I'm not saying Cody has the freedom to sleep around. That would simply be disrespectful of our relationship but if he slept with say...," Danny pondered.

"Your Dad?" Tyler teased and Danny glared at him. "Sorry, Danny, just joking."

"I know you were, Ty. If Cody slept with Jeff or Zach it wouldn't bother me as long as I knew in advance or knew that he had always wanted to sleep with one of them. If I kept him on a leash...," Danny began.

"Like Tony and Thomas?" Tyler joked and Danny almost spit up his R.C. Cola.

"Yeah... like that, then he would always be wondering or even wandering behind my back. I don't have a need to have sex with you anymore, Ty. I have a need to get closer to you and build our friendship. For me, sex is a natural part of that process. I know you don't feel the same and because you don't, I respect that," Danny said.

"And having sex with Derek?" Tyler asked smiling.

"That was low. Even for you, Ty," Danny said staring at him.

"Sorry! I take the question back and apologize," Tyler said.

"No, I want to answer it honestly," Danny said lowering his voice.

"Okay," Tyler answered, leaning in.

"I think Derek is sexy but I've never been attracted to him in the slightest. I think this has already been explained too many times but it was a fluke situation and Cody and I are not that close to Derek. We are trying to be closer but time and events seem to always get in the way. Derek's a football player, like Jeff. They are different from us. We don't get a chance to build that locker room relationship," Danny said and Tyler nodded.

"The second you walked in that door I knew I had fucked up and I knew that you knew it was my idea. And it was, but it wasn't to trick you or hide anything from you. It was just an opportunity to get closer to Derek. If you love him then he has to be damn special and as I told you... I'm selfish. I want to see and know and share in all the great things about Derek but I don't want him or you or anyone else to replace Cody. You don't really know Cody yet, but there is a lot to him. He's absolutely and totally giving. He's a lot like you now that I think about it," Danny said.

"Thanks, Danny, I'm just learning that about him myself. This whole incident brought Derek and Cody a lot closer and have them wanting to be even closer," Tyler said.

"They can be if you set both of them free," Danny said.

"Yeah... I guess that's what real love is about," Tyler said.

"Why should you and I be the only ones to have best friends?" Danny asked.

"I've not been fair have I?" Tyler asked.

"That isn't for me to answer, Ty, but I can tell you that you're a better human being than anyone I've ever met. If you were gone tomorrow, I'd still be the happiest guy in the world just for having known you," Danny said seriously.

"Thanks, Danny. I feel that way about you too," Tyler said.

"Original comeback, Puckhead!" Danny said, digging back into his bowl of chili.

"I'm glad we talked and I hope we have more times like this in the future," Tyler said.

"You know that I would never hurt Kyle right?" Danny said.

"Yeah I do. I'm sorry. It was just my defense mechanism kicking in after Iowa," Tyler said.

"I know you try not to play favourites and you go to such extremes to make sure everyone is treated equally. But, if someone watches carefully, one can see who your one true love is," Danny said quietly.

"Don't go there, Danny. We both know the answer to that question and let's just leave it alone," Tyler said.

"No problem. We'll never discuss it again unless you decide you want to. Just do me one favour?" Danny asked.

"What?" Tyler said leaning back in his chair feeling uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation.

"Just because I noticed, don't ever change what you're doing. You are the most influential person in his life and he needs you more than anyone else," Danny said. "And you're damn good at it as well." Danny added.

Alex got up and came over to throw a couple more logs on the fire and Danny and Tyler stopped talking.

"Thanks, Danny," Tyler said, squeezing Danny's hand three times. "Let's go join the others!"

Alex was sitting in the recliner and Zach got up from the swivel rocker he ate his chili in and sat on top of him with his leg elevated while Jeff sat in the corner of the sectional next to them. Tyler, Derek, Kyle, Chris, Danny and Cody filled the rest of the sofa. Alex wrapped his arms around Zach's waist and Zach seemed to finally relax.

"You two should get a room!" Derek teased.

"I was thinking our room," Tyler said grinning at Zach and Alex.

"Let's go use the hot tub," Kyle said to Chris.

"Hey, guys, we rented some DVDs." Derek said, getting up, "and I've got a special one to watch after Chris and Kyle have gone to bed or hot tubbing."

"Why can't we watch it?" Kyle said.

"It will give you nightmares." Derek said winking at Tyler.

"Must be the Power Ranger's movie he rented!" Zach said to Tyler, Alex, and Jeff. Everyone laughed. Kyle gave all of them the finger.

"Fuck the lot of you! I rented the porn version of Brokeback Mountain." Derek said holding up the DVD. "It's called Bareback Mountain!" he said and everyone started laughing.

"Sweet!" Kyle said and Chris and Kyle fisted.

"I was younger than them when I saw my first porno so I don't have a problem with it," Alex said.

"I say no but it's not my decision," Tyler said and Kyle punched him in the arm. Derek laughed.

"Hey Kyle? Who's your favourite brother?" Derek asked dangling the DVD in front of him.

"Tyler! Duuuuuuuh!" Kyle said and everyone laughed. Kyle and Chris fisted. "Just teasing, big brother. You know I love you!"

"I'll accept a fake half compliment. You can stay. Chris has to have Jeff's permission to watch it though," Derek said and everyone looked over at Jeff.

"He can stay and watch as long as I don't have to," Jeff said grinning. More laughter.

"You're not going anywhere, Jeff," Tyler said, putting his arm around him. "You're just too sexy for us not to try to turn you into a gay man," he said and kissed his cheek. Jeff laughed and shook his head. "Besides Jeff... if Derek picked it out it has got to be funny."

"Fuck you, and you, and you... and all of you!" Derek said pointing at them as he inserted the DVD.

Cody stood up and began collecting everyone's chili bowls and Danny joined in to help. Tyler tried to get up and help but Danny stopped him. "You cooked. We clean," Danny said and Tyler smiled.

"We'll clean them later after the movie," Cody said and they both hurried back to watch the movie.

"Sodas for anyone?" Danny asked, and brought back four R.C. Colas for Alex, Jeff, Kyle, and Chris.

"Can I read the DVD case?" Tyler asked and Derek tossed it over to him. Tyler began reading to himself.

"Hey Cody? Good news for you. The horse must have a part in the movie. His name is Chestnut but he plays a character named 'Dirt Star'," Tyler said laughing, and only Alex, Zach, Cody, and Derek found that to be incredibly funny.

"I don't get it?" Danny asked.

"Derek did you read the plot to this movie?"

"Oh yeah, Danny, the night desk manager at the hotel had the hots for me and gave me his email address," Cody said and then whispered the email address into Danny's ear.

"What about it? It's the porn version of Brokeback Mountain," Derek said.

Danny roared with laughter. "Are you serious?" he asked and Cody nodded smiling.

"I really don't think you realize what you rented, Derek," Tyler said, starting to laugh.

"What's it about?" Zach asked.

Tyler put his finger to his mouth and tossed the case and liner notes to him. Zach and Alex read them and snorted. "Oh my God! Are you guys into this shit? ...no pun intended!" Alex asked wide-eyed!

"I can assure you that I'm not!" Tyler said.

"Will both of you shut up!" Derek said looking over at them. "There's always someone who has to act like a critic before the movie has even been watched."

"Kyle, how do I get this damn thing to work?" Derek asked. Kyle reached for the remote control on the coffee table in front of him and clicked the DVD button and the movie began.

"I think I'm going to go do the dishes," Tyler said, getting up and Zach added, "I think I'll help you!"

Derek pushed Tyler back into the sectional and said, "You'll do no such thing," Derek ordered. "And you as well," he added, pointing to Zach. Tyler and Zach looked at each other and grinned.

"Think of it this way, Ty, you're learning something new about your boyfriend tonight," Zach said and Derek snarled at him.

Kyle and Chris burst into laughter at the opening credits. "Circle Jerk Video presents" They both said in unison!

<Narrator> "The year was 1963 and love, forbidden love at that, existed everywhere... even in Wyoming!"

"He shore is a fine colt Annus!" Jackoff said as he patted the Colt's behind.

<Snort from Tyler and Zach>

"He's the best one they had, Jackoff! Cost me two-hundred and fifty to take him out for the night!" Annus said as he rubbed Dirt Star's butt. "Want to set up camp here?"

"Sure thing Annus!" Jackoff said. "I've been waitin' all day to get naked!" He said grinning and Annus winked at him.

"Let's tie Dirt Star up over by that there stump!" Annus said, and Jackoff nodded pulling Dirt Star along behind him.

"They don't exactly look like they spent much time trying to cast Heath and Jake," Danny pondered out loud.

"I'm pretty damn sure the colt isn't Cigar Butt either!" Tyler said and Zach burst into laughter.

"Ya gots dat right, pardner!" Zach said and he and Tyler laughed.

"Actually Cigar Butt might have been a more appropriate name!" Alex added as he squeezed Zach and kissed his back.

"Shsssssssh!" Derek said glaring at the two of them.

<Annus and Jackoff stripped down to only their chaps, boots, and cowboy hats. >

"Did you bring yorrrrrrr cowboy hat Derek?" Tyler asked in his southern drawl.

"Grrrrrrrr!" Derek said glancing at him.

"Is that thing real?" Chris asked and everyone laughed.

"What thing? The horses' is real but I'm not sure about the other two!" Alex said laughing.

<Typical background porno music comes on>

"Casio 158 keyboard!!!!" Alex and Zach said together as they high-fived each other.

"Bow chick-a-bow, chick-a-bow, bow, bow, chick-a-bow, chick-a-bow, bow, bow..." Alex and Zach sang together. Tyler, Danny, and Cody were laughing so hard they were crying.

"Will you two shut the fuck up?" Derek said glaring at the Zach and Alex.

"My bad!" Alex said.

"They obviously don't appreciate the artistic merits of high quality cinematography!" Jeff said winking and Alex and Zach snorted laughter.

"What's a Casio 158 keyboard?" Chris asked.

"It's sort of a running joke Chris!" Zach said. "Every low quality porno has this really bad background music and the joke has always been the music was made by a 15 year old playing a cheap Casio keyboard with only one hand." Everyone laughed.

"Why only with one hand?" Chris asked and this brought more laughter.

Kyle cuffed Chris upside the head and whispered in his ear while making a jerking off motion with his hand.

"Ohhhh!" Chris said. More laughter!

"What's the harness for?" Chris asked.

"Shsssssssh!" Derek reprimanded him.

"Ask Danny!" Cody said and looking at Tyler and Zach. Danny punched Cody hard on his thigh.

"Owwwwww!" Cody said laughing

"Kind of gives a whole new meaning to a strap-on don't you think?" Tyler asked.

"I think I need a beer, now," Alex said, getting up from his chair. "Excuse me, Babe."

"Derek really has no clue does he?" Zach asked grinning as he sat back down.

"You've known him longer than I have," Tyler said.

"Enough talking, if you don't want to watch it then leave!" Derek said.

Tyler and Zach began to get up. "Sit your fucking ass' down!" Derek said and they did and then laughed.

"Oh my God!" Cody yelled and Alex looked over from the kitchen to see everyone's head turn to the right.

"He's not really going to...?" Kyle asked squinting his eyes.

"Now we know why they tied up Dirt Star by the stump." Zach said and Tyler and Jeff giggled.

"I think the stump is the best actor in this film!" Jeff said. <Snorts all around>

"If the horse has a speaking part I'm outta here." Zach said to more laughter.

Alex looked over from the kitchen and watched as all seven of them slowly tilted their heads to the right again.

"What's going on guys?" Alex asked opened a Michelob.

"You don't want to know!" Danny and Cody said in unison.

Alex ran back from the kitchen just in time to hear everyone's screams of horror.

"Shit, he's fucking the horse!" Kyle said covering his eyes but peeking through his fingers.

"And the horse is fucking Annus!" Cody said looking wide-eyed at the TV.

"Dat's gotta hurt!" Zach said laughing at Annus strapped under Dirt Star trying to 'ride' him.

"Is this what you use your harness for at the farm, Danny?" Cody asked through his laughter and Danny jumped on him.

"It's the beats for you, Mr. Conners!" Danny yelled as he tackled Cody down onto the floor.

Derek grabbed the remote control and turned the DVD player off. Everyone froze and sat silently. Tyler slowly turned his head to the left and looked over at Cody and Danny after they sat back down. Tyler started to grin, which made Cody and Danny start to grin, which got Kyle and Chris laughing. A minute later everyone was in tears laughing except Derek.

"Okay, okay, everyone." Kyle began, "I've got a joke for you all." Everyone calmed down a little to listen to Kyle. "How does Tyler let Derek know that he wants to have sex?" <Snorts all around and one evil stare from Derek>

Kyle cupped his hands together and clapped "clip clop, clip clop, clip clop...." Laughter erupted and Derek dove on top of Kyle and began tickling him. Cody and Danny banged their right feet down on the ground to make the sound of a horse.

"You two are next!" Derek yelled at Cody and Danny.

"Hey guys, are you coming to Derek's 20th birthday party next week?" Tyler asked Alex and Zach. Derek's ears perked up at hearing acknowledgement of his birthday and party being mentioned in the same sentence! He released Kyle and turned his attention to hear what Tyler was saying.

"I doubt we could travel all the way to Philly with school starting back for me and Zach on the job hunt," Alex said.

"Too bad guys... we're going to take him to a petting zoo!" Tyler said and everyone went crazy laughing. Alex's beer came up through his nose and Zach excused himself to go change his now wet shirt.

"I'm heading into the hot tub," Tyler said.

"Me too!" Kyle said,

"Me three!" Chris added.

Everyone had piled into the hot tub except for Jeff and Tyler. Tyler came out of his room wearing only a towel to find Jeff still dressed playing his guitar.

"Aren't you coming?" Tyler asked.

"Nah! I just want to try to learn this song," Jeff said.

"Everything okay, Jeff?" Tyler asked.

"Yeah, it's great! I just miss Ashlea!" he said and Tyler went back into his room and grabbed his cell phone.

Tyler tossed his cell phone to Jeff and said, "Call her! Tell you love her and tell her I have a bigger cock than you," Tyler said winking and Jeff laughed.

Tyler gave Jeff a hug and a kiss. "You know Jeff, between you and me, Ashlea's going to become the first female to join the brotherhood," Tyler said grinning.

"You really think so?" Jeff asked.

"Yep. I know that you will tell us if and when it's time," Tyler said. "We'd really like you to come out to the hot tub but it's not a problem if you don't want to."

"I love you, Ty!" Jeff said, as he dialed Ashlea's phone number.

"Don't I know it?" Tyler said teasing him as he dropped his towel inside the door and opened up the sliding patio door.

"Make room guys I'm coming in!" Tyler yelled as he ran across the snowy deck to the one open seat left in the hot tub.

Tyler sat down between Alex and Kyle.

"It figures that the guy with the biggest cock has to put on a show and come out naked!" Cody teased.

"You're just jealous because I was smart enough to leave my towel inside where it will be warm and dry!" Tyler said smiling.

"That's second biggest cock, Cody!" Zach said.

"Huh?" Kyle said with his ears perking up.

"Alex is about eight and a half inches." Zach said.

"Shut the fuck up, Zach!" Alex said laughing and began tickling him mercilessly.

"Hey, Ty?" Kyle asked. "Can I trade seats with you?" he said, grinning.

"Not a chance in hell, Kyle!" Tyler said and put his arm around Alex.

"No problem... once Jeff gets out here he can have my seat and we can play musical chairs!" Kyle said and Chris pinched him. Everyone laughed.

"What are you two guys studying in school?" Zach asked.

"Computer Science!" Cody said.

"Agriculture and Business." Danny said. "I live on a farm in Iowa."

"Inbreds Out Walking Around!" Zach and Alex said in unison and everybody laughed.

"We're just teasing Dan. We are, after al,l neighbours," Zach said.

"And we have to protect each other from the Easterners!" Alex said.

Danny stood up in a semi erect state and walked across the hot tub and sat down on Alex's lap. "I'm protecting Alex from Kyle. Oh yeah, oh yeah...," Danny said laughing and Kyle splashed water at him.

Kyle moved over to take Danny's seat. Tyler noticed that Cody and Derek's hands were together. He caught Derek's eye and winked at him. Derek smiled.

Tyler slid into Kyle's old seat and invited Danny to sit there!

"Hey! I wanted to sit there." Kyle yelled.

"Oh. My bad!" Tyler said, laughing.

"We could have an orgy in the hot tub!" Kyle said standing up showing his full erection to everyone.

"Geez Kyle... put it away!" Derek said.

"I call Chris," Tyler said and lifted Chris up on to his lap. Kyle frowned at Tyler while Chris enjoyed the attention. Tyler wrapped his arms around Chris and kissed his back. "Have I told you I love you yet today, Chris?" Tyler asked.

"Only when Kyle's not around!" Chris said laughing and was joined by everyone else but Kyle.

"You know Chris... I think you would be more comfortable if you turned around?" Tyler teased as he gently tweaked Chris' already erect member. Kyle was fuming.

"Hey, Danny?" Tyler called, grabbing his hand. "You've got to feel this! It's huge!" he said, placing Danny's hand on his own cock.

"Wow! You're right. Chris has got a huge one." Danny joked along with Tyler. Chris was beside himself giggling at knowing what was really going on.

"They're not talking about me, Kyle. Settle down." Chris said, shaking his head. "They're just teasing you!"

Tyler and Danny burst out laughing and Kyle dove onto Tyler trying to tickle him while getting the occasional grab in at the same time.

"If I wasn't sleeping with Alex and Zach tonight I would sooooooo get you!" Kyle said sitting on Tyler's lap facing him. Kyle reached under the water and carefully lifted Tyler's cock up and pressed it against his own and then leaned in to hug him. With his ass lifted slightly up and half out of the water Derek couldn't resist pressing his index finger up against Kyle's butt.

"Derek! Get your tiny little cock out of my ass!" Kyle said giggling and Derek pulled Kyle back and dunked him under the water.

"This is enough for me. What do you think, Alex?" Zach asked.

"Yeah... almost being beaten with a baseball bat, hacked up by a knife and then watching bestiality videos is all I can handle for one night. Unless someone else brought more beer or we are having an orgy?" Alex said. Tyler and Zach laughed the loudest. Derek gave Alex the evil eye with a grin afterwards.

Alex and Zach gave everyone hugs as they exited the hot tub but Zach and Derek's seemed to last the longest.

"I love you Zach, and always have. I'm happy you have Alex. He's a great guy," Derek said.

"Thanks Derek. I love you too. I'm really happy that we can now build our friendship up. I will try to make it to Philly some day," Zach whispered in Derek's ear.

"You're leaving?" Derek asked.

"I think we are going to head back early in the morning if the snow has stopped," Zach said.

"No! Stay for a while. Spend New Year's Eve with us," Derek asked.

"Thanks but we have plans for New Year's Eve... alone." Zach winked, getting out of the hot tub and extending his hand to pull Derek out.

"Where's my towel?" Tyler asked, as he stood naked inside the patio doors.

"You're right, Ty," Kyle began as he dried himself off with Tyler's towel, "A warm towel is much nicer." Kyle laughed and Tyler ran naked and wet after him. Kyle ran into his bedroom and tried to close the door but Tyler was too strong and tackled him on to the bed.

"Little bastard!" Tyler said as he tickled Kyle and kissed him.

"Serves you right for teasing me about my boyfriend," Kyle said.

"That's cause your boyfriend is one of the nicest and most loving guys I've ever met and you're not worthy of him," Tyler teased.

"Shut up! It's the other way around." Kyle said laughing. Chris stood at the doorway watching and listening. Tyler blew kisses on Kyle's chest and tummy and then flopped down on top of Kyle.

"I think you're getting hard!" Kyle teased.

"I can't help it... we were just talking about Chris," Tyler said, grinning.

"You assmite! Don't you feel anything special for me?" Kyle asked spotting Chris and sticking his tongue out at him. Chris just stood there and grinned.

"Of course I have special feelings about you Kyle. Some people call it gas pain but I call it love," Tyler joked. Chris snorted and Kyle bopped Tyler on top of the head.

"Get the hell in here!" Tyler said to Chris. Chris threw off his towel and jumped on top of Tyler who was on top of Kyle.

"You're killing me here. Will the two of you get off of me?" Kyle yelled. Tyler looked over his shoulder to see a grinning Chris. Tyler winked at Chris.

"No problem, Kyle. You don't want us so we can take the hint," Tyler said as he got up with Chris still hanging on to him. Tyler flopped back down on the bed and twisted Chris around so that he was lying naked on top of him. Tyler winked at him so Kyle couldn't see.

Tyler ran his hands up and down Chris' naked sides and thighs. "Damn you have one hot body, Chris." Tyler said, and kissed him.

"Thanks, Ty! You have one fine assed... ass," Chris said, winking at him.

"What the fuck is going on here?" Kyle asked sitting up.

"Sorry, Chris!" Tyler said and reached between them and adjusted both of their cocks. "I wasn't meaning to stab you... it's just that you get me so hot," Tyler said grinning at Chris.

"This is completely not funny," Kyle whined.

"Did you hear something?" Chris asked and Tyler almost lost it with laughter.

"It must be the wind. It sounds very hollow and shallow," Tyler said and Chris snorted.

"Okay! Joke's over guys!" Kyle said.

"Maybe it was gas passing?" Chris suggested and Tyler burst into laughter.

"You guys have had your fun and this is no longer funny," Kyle pouted.

Tyler turned and looked at him and said, "I still don't have a warm, dry towel." Tyler said. "And I'm starting to get really wet here with Chris," he said grinning.

"Wet? I'm gonna blow in about thirty seconds," Chris said.

Kyle jumped off the bed and ran to the washroom to grab a towel. He threw it at Tyler and said, "Get the fuck out of my room."

"We can go somewhere else, Chris." Tyler said and Chris dropped his head down on Tyler's chest laughing.

"Just you, Ty! Get out!" Kyle said, and Tyler laughed.

"Hey, Kyle?" Tyler asked.

"What?" Kyle said, with his arms crossed standing at the foot of the bed.

"What's the moral of the story here?" Tyler asked.

"The same as always... Be thankful for what you have and remember to look after it or you will lose it!" Kyle sulked.

"Normally yes, but tonight's moral is don't fuck with The Tyler!" Tyler said and Chris howled laughing. Tyler rolled Chris off of him and crawled on top. Tyler grabbed hold of Chris' member and squeezed the precum out into a small pool on his tummy. Tyler pulled Chris' cock out of the way and slurped up the pool. He then kissed Chris goodnight and said, "Anytime he isn't treating you right... you know where my bedroom is!" Tyler winked as he got up.

"OUT!" Kyle yelled.

Tyler walked over to Kyle and asked, "Don't I get a good night kiss?"

"OUT!" Kyle said again pointing towards the hallway.

Tyler took Kyle's hand and held it open and squeezed his own precum on Kyle's hand and then rubbed it on Kyle's chest. "Sorry, Chris, I don't have any meat to rub on him to get him to play with you," Tyler apologized. Chris howled with laughter lying on the bed kicking his feet in the air.

"You are so evil," Kyle said laughing at him.

"Thanks for the towel, Kyle!" Tyler said giving him a kiss. "I love you, Kyle, sweet dreams!"

"Vengeance shall be mine, sayeth The Kyle!" he warned Tyler.

Tyler laughed and removed his dry towel and hung it on Kyle's erection. "Bring it on!" Tyler said winking and left the room.

Kyle pushed the bedroom door shut and got on the bed beside Chris. He reached over to grab Chris' erection but Chris pushed his hand away.

"Don't even think about it! I'm never going to wash this cock again now that Tyler has touched it," Chris teased.

"Tyler!!!!!" Kyle yelled and Tyler came running into their room only wearing boxers.

"What's wrong? Are you guys okay?" Tyler asked.

"Chris won't let me touch him now that you've touched his cock!" Kyle pouted and Chris winked at Tyler.

"Oh Kyle that's a problem I can fix." Tyler said. "Chris, anytime you want me to I will touch your cock for you." Chris roared again with laughter and Kyle threw his pillow at the door.

"Are you picking on my brother again?" Derek asked.

"Yes," Tyler said.

"Good! I was just wondering," Derek said, washing the chili bowls.

"Want some help?" Tyler asked.

"Nope. It's all good," Derek said smiling.

"Good because it's after one in the morning and I am going to bed. Where are you sleeping tonight?" Tyler asked as he began drying bowls.

"With you I thought?" Derek asked.

"That's fine. I thought you might want to sleep with Zach and Alex," Tyler asked.

"I don't think that's an option," Derek said.

"Okay, but feel free to sleep wherever you want!" Tyler said.

"Did I do something wrong that I don't know about?" Derek asked worried.

"Not that I know of," Tyler said.

"Explain yourself Mr. Peel," Derek said quietly as he looked over to the sectional to see Jeff, Danny, and Cody talking about music.

"Derek, I know you love me for me and I've become much more secure about that in the last 12 hours," Tyler said.

"Huh?" Derek asked.

"I know that having 'fun' with Danny and Cody will only bring you guys closer together and that it does not change how much you and I love each other, or what we have together," Tyler said.

"You're serious aren't you?" Derek asked.

"I am, but it's not so much about you as it is about Cody. We left him as the outsider and I think you're the one to bring him closer into the family," Tyler said grinning.

"Ty, I just want to be with you tonight and no one else. I love my brothers but tonight, tomorrow night, and the night after I really, really want to be with you," Derek said with his eyes watering.

"How's tomorrow night?" Tyler asked.

"Huh?" Derek asked.

"Jeff. We can't leave him alone tonight," Tyler said quietly.

"Right, so let's haul his ass off to bed," Derek said as he rinsed the soapsuds down the drain.

Tyler and Derek walked over to Jeff. Tyler removed his guitar from his hand while Derek lifted him up.

"What's going on?" Jeff asked.

"Night guys!" Tyler said giving Danny and Cody a hug and kiss.

"We're taking you to bed with us," Derek said.

"I was just going to sleep on my own," Jeff said.

"We know you're fine Jeff, but we're not and we need our brother with us tonight," Tyler said.

Tyler and Derek each took one of Jeff's hands and dragged him back to the bedroom.

"One of us here isn't naked?" Tyler asked.

"Not for long!" Derek said and they both started undressing Jeff. After getting Jeff into the middle of the bed Derek and Tyler pulled the comforter up over the three of them. They each turned on their side and snuggled up to Jeff.

"Are you going to turn out the light, Derek?" Tyler asked.

"Somebody's got a hard on...," Derek said teasing Jeff looking down at the tent in the covers.

"That's cause Jeff's got his hand wrapped around my cock," Tyler said to Derek.

"What? I do not!!!!!" Jeff protested and Tyler took Jeff's hand and put it on his cock. "Okay... maybe I do now, but this doesn't mean that I am straight! I mean gay!" Jeff said and Derek and Tyler laughed.

"He seems confused!" Derek said.

"Not from where I'm lying," Tyler said, and kissed Jeff's cheek.

"Hey, Ty?" Derek whispered.

"What?" Tyler whispered.

"Want to go check out his goods while he's sleeping!" Derek asked very quietly.

"I'm not sleeping, guys," Jeff said laughing.

"Shush, Derek, or you'll wake him," Tyler said quietly.

Jeff laughed out loud. "You guys should do comedy," he said sarcastically. Tyler and Derek moved under the covers and down towards Jeff's crotch.

"Now you see why I left the lights? It's so there's enough light for us to clearly see what's down here," Derek said, and Jeff giggled hearing what they said.

"Look at how hard he is," Tyler said, smiling at Derek and Jeff's cock twitched.

"You know what the problem is, Ty?" Derek asked.

"You're here when I wish I was alone with Jeff?" Tyler answered winking at Derek. Jeff laughed.

"The problem is that our little brother thinks he isn't a full member of this family," Derek said.

"Looks like a full member to me," Tyler said, and Derek snorted and Jeff laughed.

Jeff lifted up the covers and said, "Enough guys! I want my two brothers up here now," Derek and Tyler looked at each other and moved back up.

"Guys, I really appreciate you trying to make me feel...," Jeff began.

"Shut the fuck up, Jeff!" Derek said. "I told you before. Our bedroom is your bedroom. When you are with us you are expected to be in our bed. If you don't want to then you don't have to be but this is your bed. At my house my room is your room!" Derek said.

"Anything we have is yours Jeff. Do you want Derek's Ipod?" Tyler asked laughing.

"I don't need anything when I have my brothers!" Jeff said.

"He's a quick learner, Ty!" Derek said. Tyler grabbed Derek's left hand and together they cupped Jeff's cock and began a dual stroke. Derek and Tyler each took one of Jeff's nipples in their mouths and began sucking.

"Ohhhhhhhhhhhh God guys! This is too much. Now I know where the expression 'two heads are better than one' comes from!" Jeff said causing the other two to start laughing. "And I appreciate it but I really need you guys to stop!"

"Huh?" Derek asked.

"How do I say this without sounding rude?" Jeff pondered.

"Ashlea?" Tyler asked.

"Yeah... it feels like I'm cheating on her," Jeff said.

"I'm sorry, Jeff, we should have been more thoughtful," Derek said.

"I'm really sorry Jeff," Tyler said, giving Jeff a kiss.

"Of all people you would think I would know better after Iowa!" Derek said. "Please accept our apologies."

"Guys you don't need to apologize at all. You're showing how much you love me and I might even consider taking a rain check for another time," Jeff said laughing.

"Jeff?" Tyler asked. "Just remember you're in our bed and in our life because we want you to be, period. In the future we will leave it up to you if you wish join us in anything else."

"You're a full brother, Jeff," Derek said.

"You guys are just too much!" Jeff said kissing each one of them.

"Yes we are, Jeff, and don't you ever forget it," Derek said laughing.

"Are you mad at me, Cody?" Danny asked.

"No, why would you ask that?" Cody said.

"Just seems like something is wrong and I figured that I was probably to blame," Danny said pulling back the covers.

"It's been a long week and I'm jet lagged, Danny. Don't forget we woke up in Des Moines this morning, so let's just go to bed," Cody said, as he finished refreshing his deodorant.

Danny crawled in and rolled over on his side facing away from Cody. Cody got in lay on his back. He turned to look at Danny and went to say something but stopped. He shut the light off.

"You were going to say something?" Danny asked still turned away.

"It's okay... nothing important," Cody said.

<Ten minutes pass>

"Why didn't you tell Tyler what you told Derek and me?" Cody asked.

"I did tell him," Danny said.

"When?" Cody asked.

"You don't believe me?" Danny asked.

"Sorry. I didn't mean it to sound like I didn't believe you," Cody said rolling onto his back.

"Yes you did!" Danny said.

"Yes I did, but I'm still sorry. It was out of curiosity because I didn't think you had any time to really talk with Ty alone," Cody said.

<Two minutes pass>

"I know you're sorry," Danny said.

<Two minutes pass>

"I told him at the table while you guys were eating dinner in the living room," Danny said.

"Oh." Cody said. "How did it go?"

"Really well. I think he might even agree with me," Danny said.

"Really?" Cody asked and Danny turned his head and stared at him.

"I told him that I no longer had any desire to do stuff with him though I wouldn't turn down the offer. I told him that if I had been with him earlier my feelings about him would have been put to rest much sooner. Tyler is the smartest guy I know and I love him very much but I don't want to be led by anyone. I want someone who will walk beside me," Danny said and Cody's hand found Danny's fingers.

"We also talked a lot about you and Derek," Danny said.

"Like?" Cody said.

"He has finally come to realize that there are lot of great things about you that he never knew. I already knew this of course and you are also to blame for not opening up to him sooner," Danny said.

"K..." Cody said.

"We both agree that you and Derek need time alone to get to know each other and bond as friends and brothers. A stupid ID bracelet doesn't make us brothers!" Danny said.

"I sure learned that with Ty. An ID bracelet doesn't keep us as brothers either. We gotta always work to keep what we have," Cody said.

"Do you think I am a sex pig?" Danny asked.

"A what?" Cody asked laughing.

"Do you think that all I am interested in is sex?" Danny said repeating his question.

"Well... it's not all you're interested in... at least I think it's not," Cody said laughing.

"I guess we could talk more when we fuck," Danny suggested laughing.

"Or fuck when we talk!" Cody said grinning.

"Either way is okay with me, but do you really believe that all I ever think about is sex?" Danny asked.

"Not when we are alone, but in a group that seems to be your main topic choice," Cody said.

"Hmmm..." Danny pondered.

"Did you like Casey when you met him today?" Cody asked.

"I didn't really get a chance to talk with him. Luke sort of took my time along with all of the drama that unfolded," Danny said.

"Good! You just made my point. I love Casey so much! I just want to hug and hold him. He makes me want to be a Dad. There just seems to be something that clicks between us," Cody said.

"And your point is?" Danny asked.

"You're missing out on life because you have a one track mind Danny. Will you spend tomorrow skiing and enjoying the scenery and fresh air or will you just be ogling all the guys on the mountain?" Cody asked.

"That's really not a fair question!" Danny said.

"Yes it is, but you don't have to answer it," Cody said.

"Fine then... it is a fair question. I dunno, I guess I am a people person. Should I apologize?" Danny asked.

"No Danny. That's part of what makes us one. We both bring different strengths into the relationship. It would just be nice if you took a little time once-in-a-while to see what I am seeing and understand what I am thinking," Cody said.

"So you are saying I don't listen now?" Danny said releasing Cody's hand.

<Sigh> "Yes Danny, that is exactly what I am saying because you didn't hear what I just said!"

"I heard ya... I was just playing 'bust your balls'!" Danny said laughing.

"See! It's always goes back to sex," Cody said.

"Are we going to fight or... have... 'conversation'?" Danny asked winking at Cody.

<No response>

Danny pulled back the comforter and climbed over Cody and out of bed. He went and opened Tyler and Derek's bedroom door.

"Ty! Are you asleep?" Danny whispered.

"Not anymore...," Tyler mumbled.

"I need your help?" Danny asked quietly.

"What's wrong?" Tyler mumbled.

"Come with me!" Danny said and Tyler crawled out of bed still half asleep.

"You really don't need to lead me by my cock," Tyler said stumbling along behind Danny.

"Maybe not but it's more fun this way," Danny said.

When they entered Cody and Danny's room Cody turned on the light and Tyler shaded his eyes.

"What's the fucking problem?" Tyler asked.

"Why are you holding Tyler's cock?" Cody asked.

"Because I can!" Danny suggested with a big smile.

"I already asked that question, Cody. Now what do you guys want?" Tyler said slapping Danny's hand away and sitting down on the bed.

"Tell Cody what I said about him today!" Danny ordered.

"You're shitting me right? You woke me up over a conversation?" Tyler asked.

"Just tell him what I said!" Danny yelled.

"Shhhhh Danny! You'll wake everyone up," Cody said glaring at him.

"Danny said... umm... your dick is too small, you're no good in bed, and you're ugly... even in a darkened room. Was there anything else Daniel?" Tyler said glaring at him.

"Fucktard!" Danny said.

"Oh yeah... you're a fucktard too, Cody. Sorry, I forgot!" Tyler said winking at him and Cody was holding his pillow to his mouth to cover his laughter.

"Tell him what I really said!" Danny said getting angry.

"He said he would rather spend an hour talking with you than have four hours of sex! Slide over Cody," Tyler said, getting into bed with Cody.

"He really said that?" Cody asked.

"He really did Cody. I, on the other hand, would rather have one hour of sex with you than listen to Danny talk for one minute... so Danny go sleep in the other room!" Tyler said, pulling the comforter over him and Cody.

"Grrrrrrrrrrrr!" Danny said.

<Tyler and Cody kissing passionately>

"Oh Cody... that's a nice erection...," Tyler mumbled between kisses.

Danny stormed out of the room and went to go sleep with Derek. He crawled into bed in the dark room and rolled on to his side wrapping himself around Derek.

"Wait. You're not Derek!" Danny said waking Jeff up.

"No, I'm not!" Jeff said sleepily.

"You're Jeff, right?" Danny said.

"Uh Huh!" Jeff said and Danny rested his head down on Jeff's chest.

"Do you mind if I suck on your nipple?" Danny asked.

"Why not... everyone else around here does...," Jeff mumbled as he wrapped his left arm around Danny and fell back to sleep.

To be continued...

Special thanks (and apologies) to Greg Anderson of the story "Alex and Zach" @crvboy.org for allowing me to borrow his characters. Yes, I had his permission to do so!

tylerpeel@tickiestories.us

Posted: 01/06/09