by: Tyler Peel

© 2007 by the author

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

Chapter 39
Flirting… with death

"Alex? Be quiet or you'll wake up everyone in the house!" Zach said in a loud whisper.

"Too late for that...," Tyler moaned as he opened his eyes.

"I'm not being loud... it's the floor that's loud! Is this the final load?" Alex asked.

"Yeah, we've loaded everything except your empty beer bottles," Zach said.

"Let them explain it to their rents!" Alex laughed.

"ALEX!" Zach said.

"Fine... there are three pairs of boxers lying around downstairs. Can I at least put them in the freezer?" Alex asked, grinning at Zach.

"I don't want to know about it, but if a pair belongs to Derek leave it alone. I might keep them and use it as an excuse to visit him in Philly," Zach said smiling.

The roar of the fireplace made up for the cold hardwood floors Tyler walked on as he stumbled into the kitchen wearing only his boxers.

"Morning, Tyler, I hope we didn't wake you?" Alex asked as he packed up his empty beer bottles into the case.

"No I always get up around this time," Tyler said. "Tell me there is a coffee machine here?"

"Ha ha ha... we wish! There is a kettle though and they have teabags in the cupboard over the stove," Alex said.

"Morning, Ty," Zach said. smiling as he came down the stairs one slow step at a time.

"Morning Zach, I have a couple of boxes of Folger's singles coffee. Would you guys like a coffee?" Tyler asked.

"No thanks, Ty, we'll get some on the road when we stop for gas," Alex said.

Tyler quickly popped two chocolate pop-tarts in the toaster for Zach and then put the kettle on.

"If you guys want to stick around for a while I'm going to make a nice breakfast for everyone," Tyler offered.

"Thanks, Tyler, but it's more than a full day's drive back to Illinois. If we leave now even if the weather turns bad and we have to stop for the night, we'll still be home in time for New Year's Eve," Zach said.

<Bing> and the pop-tarts came up from the two-slice toaster.

"You stealin' my Pop-Tarts?" Zach teased.

Tyler wrapped each one in a folded paper-towel and set them on a plate handing them to Zach.

"For me?" Zach asked grinning.

"Who else?" Tyler said.

"Wow... at our apartment this would classify as breakfast in bed!" Zach joked as Alex came back in from packing the car.

"You're mocking me again, aren't you?" Alex said, rubbing Zach's back.

"Hey, you know better than to touch me when I'm eating Pop-Tarts!" Zach said, winking at Tyler.

"True dat! I'm surprised he still has all of his fingers," Alex said grinning.

"Mpfmmt mmposfottt!!!" Zach said with his mouth full.

"Now if I could just teach him to swallow," Alex said, winking and Tyler almost fell to the floor laughing. Zach didn't catch the subliminal sexual undertones of Alex's comment.

Tyler held up a plastic bag filled with boxes of chocolate Pop-Tarts. Zach smiled as he took the bag from Tyler.

"Zach would say thank you if he didn't have his mouth full at the moment," Alex teased.

"Wank hu!" Zach said grinning and swallowing his last bite. "It's not everyday I meet someone who can make breakfast without burning it... or starting a fire!" Zach added and Alex glared at him.

"Zach... want me to wake up Derek so you guys can say goodbye?" Tyler asked.

"That's okay, Ty. Just tell him we said bye and that we love him. It was really great to meet you guys!" Zach said, and Tyler came around from behind the counter to give Zach a hug.

"Maybe you guys could just ummmmmmmmm... knock next time?" Alex suggested with a huge grin as he hugged Tyler.

"Well, alright... but only since you asked nicely," Tyler said smirking. "Try to get down to Philly if you can. We just bought a townhouse and there's lots of room for family to visit."

Tyler walked them both to the back door and waited to make sure they got out the driveway safely. He went back into the kitchen to search around for pots and pans.

"Let's see... I've got a bag of home fries, green onions, garlic, and butter... I'll need the eggs, toast, English muffins, stuff to make pancake batter, bacon, and sausages... Where are the sausages? Bet someone left them in the van? Looks like we're going to have all the grease anyone will need to make it through a day on the ski slopes," Tyler said as the kettle whistle went off.

"Morning...," <yawn> Derek mumbled.

"Morning, Babe, how did you sleep?" Tyler asked.

"I think I got about 5 hours which is obviously more than you got so I won't complain." Derek said stretching. "I heard a car start up in the driveway. Did Zach and Alex leave already?"

"You just missed them by five minutes," Tyler said looking for a frying pan.

"Damn! I wanted to say goodbye. I still feel like shit over the way I've ignored him over the years," Derek said slumping down on one of the bar stools outside the kitchen.

"I think he knows you've changed Derek and I doubt it will be the last time you hear from him. Are there anymore pots and pans around here?" Tyler asked.

"Not that I know of but remember I've never really been in a kitchen before I met you," Derek said as Tyler handed Derek the coffee he had made for himself and started to make another one.

"Maybe we should just eat out?" Tyler said.

"What do you need?" Derek asked slurping on his coffee.

"I can't find the sausages. I think they are still in the van. I could make the bacon in the microwave but there isn't any newspaper to make it with," Tyler said looking through the lower cupboards.

Tyler looked up and Derek was gone. "Derek?" Tyler called confused as to where Derek went until his boyfriend came back into the kitchen fully dressed.

"I'm just gonna run out to the van and grab the sausages," Derek said. "There should be some old newspapers from the summer in the basket by the fireplace," he added, running out the door to the van as quickly as he could.

Tyler put the frying pan on the stove and turned it up to high heat. He added butter and the home fries. He then walked over to the basket of kindling near the fireplace and pulled out a stack of newspapers. The top newspapers were wet from the fresh pile of kindling Derek had brought in the day before, so Tyler grabbed a stack from the middle, placing the rest back on top of the pile to dry out.

He walked back into the kitchen and set the newspapers down on the counter next to the stove. He opened up two packages of bacon and hunted out a roll of paper towels from under the sink.

Tyler grabbed the hot pan of home fries with an oven mitt and shook them a couple of times to keep everything from sticking. He grabbed the stack of newspapers and pulled out the Sunday edition of the Buffalo Evening News. He pulled out the flyers and set the paper back down on the counter. The picture on the front page caught Tyler's eye and he picked the newspaper up to read the headline.

"Horror on the Highway: Parents killed, 15 y/o boy in critical condition!" He read out loud. "I killed my parents..." Tyler said calmly. He began to feel hot and sick to his stomach. His legs felt shaky and weak and he began to twitch. Tyler went to lean on the counter but collapsed down to the floor knocking the hot frying pan off the stove along with him.

As Derek returned from the van with the sausages he heard a loud thump followed by the clanging noise of a pot spinning on the floor.

"And Zach thinks Alex is clumsy in the kitchen?" Derek said as he took off his boots. "Ty?" Derek called. "TYLER!" Derek yelled and ran to the kitchen.

"Oh fuck!" Derek yelled. He grabbed the hot frying pan handle that was lying partially on Tyler's back and burned himself. "Fuck!" He yelled and grabbed an oven mitt to remove it.

"DANNY!!!! CODY!!!!!!!!" Derek yelled. Danny came frantically stumbling out of bedroom he was sharing with Cody.

"Wot?" Danny said running out and not seeing anyone.

"Get over here!" Derek yelled from down on the floor behind the kitchen counter.

"Shit!" Danny yelled and ran around the counter. "There's blood!" Danny added.

"I can see that, assmite, now help me get Tyler up and out of here," Derek yelled.

"What if he's broken something? Won't moving him make it worse?" Danny asked.

Derek was feeling for a pulse. "His pulse is slow," he said counting. "Twelve beats in 15 seconds. That's about... 48 beats, which is slow and also means his blood pressure is low. He's really pale and may be in shock. We've got to move him and get his feet elevated." Derek said grabbing the newspaper that was still clutched in Tyler's hand and setting it up on the counter.

Derek rolled Tyler over on the floor and dragged him partially out of the kitchen away from the hot grease.

"His eyes are fluttering!" Danny said.

"Danny will you shut the fuck up with the commentary and help me carry him to the bedroom?" Derek asked shaking his head.

"What's going on?" Tyler said as he was being lifted on to the bed with the left side of his face covered in blood.

"I taste blood," Tyler said trying to free himself from Derek's tight grip.

"Relax, Babe! You collapsed and we brought you to the bedroom!" Derek said, as they set him down on the bed.

"Danny will you get me some wet towels," Derek said. "Danny?? Stop staring and get me some wet towels!" he yelled and Danny ran out of the room

Tyler wiped his nose and looked at the blood. "Is my nose broken?" He asked still dazed.

"You tell me?" Derek said and Tyler touched his nose.

"No, I don't think so but my cheek hurts and so does this side of my head!" Tyler said gently touching a growing bump at the top of his head.

"Just stay still for a moment, Ty. You're going to be okay," Derek said.

"Did you punch me?" Tyler asked and Derek smiled.

"No Ty, I would never ever hurt you again," Derek laughed and Danny returned with the wet towels. Danny grimaced at the sight of Tyler's face.

"Oh fuck is it that bad?" Tyler asked.

"What?" Derek said.

"I just saw the look on Danny's face," Tyler said.

"Danny get the fuck out of here and make up an ice pack for Tyler," Derek said and Danny left the room. Derek gently wiped Tyler's face, cheek, and neck. Every time he pulled the towel away Tyler would look at all the blood on the towel.

"God... Am I going to bleed to death?" Tyler asked and Derek laughed.

"Not a chance in hell, Ty. There really isn't that much blood it just ran down the side of your face and you got some on your chest. The wet towel just spreads it out and makes it look like more than it is," Derek said as Danny returned with a Ziploc bag filled with ice and wrapped in a washcloth. Danny handed the bag to Derek who placed it on Tyler's head for him to hold.

Tyler noticed that Danny was no longer wincing when he looked at him.

"Can you tell me what happened?" Derek asked.

"I have no idea? I was making breakfast and the next thing I remember is tasting some blood in my mouth. How long was I out?" Tyler asked.

"Shush, Ty. Don't talk, just relax. I don't think you were out for more than a minute," Derek said. "We're going to let you rest a bit."

"We have to get going skiing!" Tyler said trying to get up.

"You're not going anywhere today, Ty, and if you attempt to move again I will call for an ambulance!" Derek threatened. "Danny, will you go clean up the kitchen? I will be out in a second. Close the door behind you please?"

"What's up?" Tyler asked still trying to focus on Derek.

"You!" Derek said smiling. "I'm going to get Danny and Cody to get the boys out of here to go skiing. I'm going to tell them you have a headache and slight fever. When they are gone I am going to phone Dad and find out what we should do," Derek said.

"NO! Don't go phoning your Dad!" Tyler protested.

"Ty? Listen carefully? I probably should have dialed 911 and Dad is going to yell at me for not doing that! I am not going to play tricks like telling you I am going to leave you alone to rest and the next thing that happens is a couple of guys from a hospital show up. Don't make me lie to you! Do as I say and I will be straightforward with you about everything okay?" Derek asked and Tyler nodded and then cringed from moving his head.

"You're going to be fine and we will first ask dad what he thinks? If I don't get the others out of here first then everyone, especially Kyle, will be in a panic and the last person you want to be upset is Kyle right?" Derek asked and Tyler nodded slightly.

"You will do what I say and you will tell me if anything changes or hurts or if something else is wrong and I will be honest with you. You need to trust me to take control of the situation, Tyler? Now, if you are okay I am going to get the kitchen cleaned up and then get the boys out of here. I'll be back in just a few minutes. I love you," Derek added, smiling as he kissed Tyler's lips softly.

"Thanks, Babe." Tyler said. "I know I am safe with you looking after me." Derek went and got Tyler's cell phone and programmed in his number.

"Okay, Ty, all you have to do is click send if anything feels wrong and I will quietly come and see you so that no one will be any wiser that something is up. Okay?" Derek asked, and Tyler nodded. Derek left the room and closing the door behind him.

Derek ran to the kitchen to see Danny standing there reading the paper.

"Danny? You're supposed to be cleaning this up! Go and wake Cody quietly and get his ass out here!" Derek said and Danny looked up at Derek with tears running down his face.

"What's wrong?" Derek asked.

Danny turned the newspaper around for Derek to read and said, "I think I know what happened to Tyler."

Derek read the headline and noticed there was blood all over the newspaper. "Shit!" Derek said.

"Do you think he fainted?" Derek asked.

"That would be my guess." Danny said, as the tears flowed and he put his arms around Derek for a hug.

Derek held and hugged Danny and said, "The good news is that if seeing this is the reason Tyler passed out then he doesn't have a more serious medical problem. Now Danny, I really need your help here? I need you to get Cody up and tell him very quietly what happened. Then I need you and Cody to get the three boys out to the ski hill. Tell them that Tyler has a headache and fever and is not to be disturbed. Let them think that we will come out later in the day. Do you understand?" Derek asked. Danny nodded as he wiped his eyes.

"Listen closely, Danny! Everything for skiing is in the glove box in the centre console of the van. The credit card that Dad gave me is in there and there's two hundred in cash for anything you need," Derek said.

"Do you have your cell phone with you?" Derek asked.

"No, I left it in the charger at Boyd House. I didn't think I would need it up here," Danny said

"Well, when you guys are ready to leave to go skiing I will give you my cell phone and I will have Tyler's cell phone on me so if we need to reach each other we can," Derek said and Danny nodded wiping his eyes.

"Danny, I need you to pull yourself together? Do you want to upset Kyle which will upset Tyler?" Derek asked and Danny shook his head.

"Good! Now go wake Cody up and don't let anyone into Tyler's bedroom. I'm going to clean up the kitchen and you tell the boys that you are taking them to McDonald's for breakfast," Derek said and Danny headed back to the bedroom.

Derek cleaned up the kitchen as quickly as possible. Danny and Cody managed to get the other three up and out the door in 25 minutes. Kyle was the only difficult one because he wanted to see Tyler before he left but Derek warned him about waking him. When they were all gone Derek opened the bedroom door and found Tyler sleeping. He removed the cell phone from his hand and gently squeezed Tyler's hand three times. Tyler squeezed back and smiled.

"Your colour is coming back!" Derek said smiling.

"I still feel sick to my stomach... a little," Tyler said.

"Tyler, you should have told me that right away? You have to keep me informed," Derek said

"I sort of stopped thinking about it when I tasted blood in my mouth," Tyler said.

"I think you might have bit your tongue when you fell and if you swallowed any of the blood that might explain why you feel nauseated," Derek said, and Tyler moved his tongue around in his mouth.

"I think you're right! Ugh, it tastes awful!" Tyler said.

"Can you remember anything before you blacked out?" Derek asked.

"Not a thing," Tyler said.

"Why don't you sleep for a little bit? I'm going to phone Dad," Derek said.

"You don't need to phone Dad!" Tyler said.

"Yeah I do and he's going to scream at me for not calling an ambulance as it is," Derek said smiling.

"How do you know so much about how to take care of someone who faints?" Tyler asked.

"It's the first thing they teach us at football camp. Rehydration and First Aid! There are a lot of people our age who die from heat during training camp," Derek said.
"Thanks for saving my life, Derek," Tyler said, smiling as he squeezed Derek's hand.

"It's no biggie, Ty! I sort of want to keep you around at least until we get moved into the house. I don't want to have to do all the heavy lifting by myself," Derek joked. "Sleep for a bit and I will come back and check on you after I've talked to Dad," he said holding his wrist to take his pulse.

"You're taking my pulse aren't you?" Tyler asked.

"Shush. 17 beats in 15 seconds! That's good! You're almost back to normal. Technically speaking it's the beats for you, Mr. Peel!" Derek said winking.

"Ooooh!" Tyler said laughing. "Don't make jokes; it makes my head hurt worse!"

"Does your head really hurt?" Derek asked.

"Not really. Having the ice pack on it hurts more," Tyler said.

"Take the ice off for a little while," Derek said, as he kissed Tyler and left the room closing the door behind him.

Derek opened Tyler's cell phone and dialed his Dad.

"Hello?" Linda said.

"Hi mom, I need to speak to Dad right away?" Derek asked.

"Is something wrong, honey?" Linda asked.

"Yes Mom! Please put Dad on the phone!" Derek said.

"He's not here honey. Can I be of help?" Linda asked.

"Where is he?" Derek yelled as he walked into the kitchen.

"He went downstairs to get some newspapers to read. What's wrong Derek?" Linda asked.

"GET HIM NOW!" Derek yelled.

"What's wrong?" Linda asked again.

"MOM! What part of go find Dad NOW don't you understand?" Derek yelled before realizing that Tyler could probably hear him.

"Luke! Go back and watch TV I'm busy right now!" Linda said into the phone. "Derek, please tell me what's wrong?"

"Mom! Listen closely. At this moment I don't care how mad you get at me for saying this! Are you stupid? Can you not understand when I say GO GET DAD that I mean take the phone with you and go find him immediately!" Derek screamed.

"Honey, I understand you're upset but yelling at me isn't going to make him come to the phone any faster!" Linda said.

"And standing there asking stupid questions isn't going to keep Tyler alive either mom! Just forget I called!" Derek yelled as he closed the phone and threw it at the sofa. He paced back and forth wondering if he should call an ambulance now. Walking into the kitchen Derek picked up the bloodied newspaper to read the article.

When the elevator door opened Linda walked right into Larry. "Oh. thank God you're back!" she said.

"What's wrong?" Larry asked.

"Derek just called. Something has happened to Tyler and he is frantically trying to reach you," she said, putting the cell phone in his hand. "Call him now!"

"Are Casey and Luke aware of any of this?" Larry asked, dialling Derek's cell phone.

"No, they don't know anything," Linda said.

"Okay I will stay out here in the hallway and you go back into the room," Larry said.

"Hello?" Danny said answering the phone.

"Derek?" Larry said.

"No this is Danny. Hang on a second!" Danny said.

Larry heard Danny tell Cody that he was to keep the guys away from him. He then heard a door open and close and the sound of the outside was gone.

"Sorry about that, Dr. Anderson," Danny said.

"Where's Derek?" Larry asked.

"He's at the cottage! I have his cell phone and he has Tyler's. Do you have the number?" Danny asked.

"Hang on Danny." Larry said and he looked at the cell phone. "Yes I do, it is stored in the received calls list."

"Sir, do you know what has happened?" Danny asked.

"No, that is what I am trying to find out!" Larry said, getting angry.

"Tyler was making breakfast and he collapsed. Derek and I carried him to the bedroom and he woke up after we put him in bed. He has a bloody nose and a bump on the side of his head," Danny said, with his voice starting to break.

"Okay, thank you Danny. I'll call Tyler's cell phone right now," Larry said hanging up.

Derek heard the phone ring and he ran over with the paper in hand to answer it.

"Dad?" Derek said.

"How is Tyler doing?" Larry said.

"He seems okay right now. His heart rate is back up to 68 and his colour is better. He is still nauseated. I have him lying down with his feet elevated and an ice pack on his forehead," Derek said panicking.

"How long ago did he fall down?" Larry asked.

"Almost an hour ago! Danny and I carried him to the bedroom," Derek said.

"How long was he out for?" Larry asked.

"A minute at the most, maybe two? He woke up right after we put him into bed," Derek said as he moved over to a bar stool at the kitchen counter.

"Do you know if this has ever happened to Tyler before?" Larry asked.

"Not that I know of but I'm pretty sure I know why it happened," Derek said.

With Derek out of the bedroom, Tyler lay there awake and feeling better. He had to pee so he sat up in bed and let his legs hang over on to the floor. "So far, so good!" Tyler said aloud. He stood up put his hand on the dresser to steady himself. He felt woozy but okay. He could hear Derek talking and he figured he was on the phone with his Dad so he decided to walk out on his own.

"He was looking for newspapers to cook bacon on in the microwave while I went out to the van to find the breakfast sausages because we forgot to bring them in. When I found him he was clutching a copy of the Buffalo Evening News in his hand. It had a front page article about his family being killed along with a picture of the accident," Derek said, as Tyler walked up behind him.

"Buffalo Evening News? Your Uncle Ted must have picked it up on the way to the cottage and reading that article would certainly explain Tyler's fainting. He hasn't really come to grips with death of his family. Not that I am sure anyone ever would in that situation?" Larry said.

"Dad, I can't believe they would even put a picture like this in the newspaper! You can't even identify the vehicle," Derek said.

"I killed my family," Tyler said leaning on the hallway wall.

Derek spun around and yelled into the phone "Dad! I have to go!" he said throwing the phone on to the sofa.

Tyler began crying and slowly sank towards the floor. Derek caught him and carefully eased him down.

"C'mon, Ty. Help me here? I need to get you up and on to the sofa." Derek said lifting Tyler up. Tyler wrapped his arms around Derek and sobbed. Derek slowly dragged a shaking Tyler over to the sofa and set him down. Derek held Tyler in his arms while he cried.

"I killed my family!" Tyler said again as the tears flowed. Derek didn't respond, he only held him and rubbed his back.

After a few minutes Tyler's crying subsided and Derek said, "Ty, please listen to me, I understand why you think you killed your family but it isn't your fault. It could have happened at any time, anywhere, and to any one! I know what you are feeling right now is normal given the circumstances. I just thank God every day that I have you in my life," Derek said softly.

Larry was listening to the conversation though Derek and Tyler didn't know he could hear them. Larry walked down to the room and tapped on the door. Luke answered and Linda came running up behind Luke. Larry indicated that he needed a pen and paper to write on. Linda got some hotel stationary and a pen and gave it to Larry.

Larry wrote a note to Linda saying that he needed her to call down to the front desk and get a rental car with four-wheel drive for him as he was heading up to the cottage. Linda signalled him to cover the mouthpiece of the phone and he did.

"If you're going then so am I!" Linda said.

"What's going on?" Luke asked.

"You need to take Luke and Casey to their hockey game," Larry whispered.

"I'm not going to a game if Tyler is sick!" Linda said.

"Tyler's sick? What's wrong?" Luke asked.

"Shush Luke!" Linda said. "I'll find another parent to look after the boys and we'll both go!"

Larry rolled his eyes.

"What's wrong with Tyler?" Luke said, raising his voice and Casey came over to join in.

"Is Tyler sick?" Casey asked.

"I don't know! No one will tell me anything!" Luke said glaring at his father.

"Call Greg Anderson and see if he can take care of the boys for the day," Larry whispered, as he tried to listen in on the conversation between Derek and Tyler.

A frustrated Luke kicked his father in the leg getting Larry's full attention. "If Tyler's sick I'm not playing some stupid hockey game!" Luke yelled. "You want to play it then go play! I'm going to see Tyler!" Luke yelled and stormed back into the room.

Larry looked down at Casey. "If Luke's going then I'm going! Tyler's my brother too!" Casey said defiantly and turned around and walked back into the room.

Linda grinned at Larry. "I'll call the Coach and tell him that the boys are going to miss the first game today," Linda said, and Larry just rolled his eyes.

"Look at Cody?" Derek said to Tyler as an example. "He lost his Mom and his sister in an accident and even worse... he was with them and Coach Conner was the guy driving! Think about how they must feel? It's okay to hurt for your loss and I know I can't really do anything to make you feel better except to be here for you. But you need to accept that it wasn't your fault. Life isn't fair, Ty, it's just life and none of us know what the future holds. All I know is I love you with all my heart. If I could take away just a little of your pain I would," Derek said, with tears running down his cheeks.

"Way to go, on!" Larry said though neither of them could hear him.

"Why couldn't it be me who died instead of David?" Tyler asked breaking down again.

"We don't get to make that choice, Ty. Think about it though, don't you feel David would have been less prepared to handle a world without his family than you are?" Derek asked. "What happened wasn't right and isn't fair, Ty, but it still isn't your fault!" Derek said as Tyler hugged him tight and cried louder.

"I miss my family...," Tyler said sobbing.

"I know you do... I know you do!" Derek said crying harder himself.

Larry sat on the floor of the hallway crying too as he listened to the conversation.

"I don't want to lose you or Mom and Dad or my brothers," Tyler said as his tears slowed.

"None of us want to lose you either, Tyler," Derek said.

"I need to pee!" Tyler said and Derek began laughing.

"C'mon, let's go pee! Do you want a tree outside, a diaper or the washroom?" Derek asked.

Luke opened the door and saw his Dad sitting on the floor crying. He walked out and sat on his Dad's lap and hugged him. "It's going to be okay, Dad." Luke said.

"I know, Pookey." Larry said hugging Luke and closing the cell phone.

The Andersons and Casey were on the road to Lake Placid just before 8 a.m.

"Should we stop at McDonald's for drive-thru?" Larry asked.

Casey and Luke looked at each other for a second and then said together, "Just drive!" Larry smiled at Linda.

"Are you all peed out now?" Derek asked as he held Tyler's member in his hand.

"I really could have done it myself!" Tyler said smiling at him.

"But isn't it more fun this way?" Derek asked. "How's the head feeling?"

"Which one?" Tyler joked.

"Having either one feel better is fine by me!" Derek said grinning.

"No headache... just a little sore to touch. I sure could use a coffee though!" Tyler asked.

"Well let's go back to the living room and I will call Dad and ask him if you can have one?" Derek said.

"You don't need to call your Dad... I mean our Dad.!" Tyler said as Derek helped lower him down to the sofa.

Derek dialled his Dad's cell phone praying that his Mom wouldn't answer.

"Derek?" Larry asked.

"Yeah, it's me, Dad." Derek said.

"You sound like you're in the van?" Derek asked.

"Is Tyler near you?" Larry asked.

"Uh huh," Derek said.

"Okay, tell him we are on our way to Luke and Casey's first game." Larry said.

"But?" Derek asked.

"We're on our way to the cottage," Larry said.

"Well, wish Casey and Luke good luck in their game. Tyler and I both wish we could be there to support them," Derek said smiling at Tyler.

"Tyler was wondering if he could have a coffee but I thought I better ask first?" Derek said.

"Is he still feeling nauseous?" Larry asked.

"Dad wants to know if you're still nauseated?" Derek asked.

"No, but I am hungry for McDonald's breakfast burritos! Hint! Hint!" Tyler said.

"He's hungry Dad, and says he wants McDonald's burritos?" Derek said

"I'll see what I can do on that front, can't be any worse than hospital food," Larry laughed. "Make him drink orange juice first so that he gets some sugar into his blood and make the coffee mild."

"No problem, Dad. I will call you if I he looks like he's dying or something...," Derek teased.

"Are you okay?" Larry asked.

"Scared to death, but better now because Ty is back to his obnoxious self...," Derek said teasing Tyler.

"Give me the fucking phone?" Tyler yelled.

"He must be feeling better because he's getting cranky. Here's our patient, Dad!" Derek said passing the phone over.

"Hi dad, I'm doing fine!" Tyler said.

"Good to hear Tyler. You need to stay relatively still for a couple hours yet and no skiing today. No bright lights, loud music or anything else that is stressful," Larry said.

"But it's okay to have sex right?" Tyler asked and Derek's mouth dropped open.

"You didn't just say to our Father what I think you just said, did you?" Derek stuttered out and Tyler nodded yes.

"Sorry, Tyler, you will have to wait a bit for that. We don't want massive amounts of blood running to either head," Larry teased and Linda looked over and glared at him.

"C'mon, Dad... it's just with Derek... how exciting can it be?" Tyler joked.

"Tyler!" Larry said.

"Yes, Dad, I hear you. I don't have a headache but can I take a Tylenol just in case?" Tyler asked.

"Sorry, Tyler. You might have a mild concussion from the fall. You're your own best doctor in situations like this. Do you feel dizzy or weak?" Larry asked.

"Only when I stand up but each time I've stood up it happens less and don't worry I wouldn't even think about driving!" Tyler said.

"I wasn't worried about you driving. I'm worried about you standing up. No getting up without Derek's help. I know you got up when I was on the phone with him. Don't be stupid, Tyler, this isn't a time for the male ego to be in control. This could be very serious!" Larry said.

"I know, Dad! I'm going to rest on the sofa all day and make Derek MY slave... for a change!" Tyler said, grinning and Derek stuck his tongue out at him. "Okay, love you too," Tyler said hanging up.

"How long until they get here?" Tyler asked.

"They're not coming here, they're going to Casey and Luke's hockey game," Derek said, getting up and walking to the kitchen.

"Don't lie to me Derek!" Tyler said.

"I'm not lying to you...," Derek said with his voice trailing off as he poured a glass of orange juice for Tyler.

"Derek you promised me that you wouldn't lie to me! You are a rotten liar and I will give you one good reason why you shouldn't lie to me!" Tyler said and Derek leaned on the kitchen counter listening.

"If you told me the truth I could make your life much easier. For example I'm alive enough to think of things like a porn DVD that's even now sitting on the coffee table that should probably be safely packed away someplace," Tyler said and Derek stared at the video and then looked back at Tyler.

"Approximately two hours...," Derek said turning to plug in the kettle.

"Thank you!" Tyler said grinning. "You need to get the loft cleaned up first. Then make sure all of the bedrooms are not showing any signs of sex. Oh, and be sure and check the sheets on the bed that Zach and Alex slept in just in case your parents stay the night."

Derek handed Tyler a glass of orange juice. "I liked you better when you were passed out on the floor," Derek said bending down to give Tyler a kiss.

"That goes both ways, Babe, now get to work!" Tyler said, grinning, and Derek ran for the stairs up to the loft.

"Derek!!!!!!" Tyler yelled.

"Wot!" Derek said leaning over the stairway.

"Bareback!" Tyler said pointing at the coffee table.

"Shit!" Derek said running back downstairs to hide the movie.

"So where do we go?" Chris asked getting out of the van.

"Up to the Chalet over there!" Kyle said pointing. "I've skied here a few times."

"We have to ask for Matt at the Chalet and he will take us over to the rental shop. It's all set up," Danny said, pulling his skis and boots out of the back of the van.

"Hope he's cute!" Chris said fisting with Kyle.

The five boys walked into the Chalet and went over to the reception desk and waited in line.

"Wow! Look at this place?" Cody said.

"Definitely the home of the rich and famous," Danny said.

"Let's go ask him! He's a total hawtie!" Kyle said. Danny and Cody looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders while Jeff just laughed.

"Excuse me?" A grinning Kyle asked. "Do you work here?"

"Yes I do, little boy. How can I help you?" the guy said. Jeff, Cody, and Danny couldn't contain their laughter over 'little boy'.

Kyle looked back at the boys and glared at them. "We're looking for a Matt Durrell. Do you know where we could find him?" Kyle asked.

"You've found him! You guys must be the Andersons?" Matt asked.

"Crap!" Kyle said with his mouth hanging open.

"Double crap!" Chris said wiping drool from his mouth.

"What do you think?" Cody asked Danny quietly.

"Hmmm, I would say 6ft 2in, about 190 lbs of raw, hard muscle. The spiky brown hair and green eyes give him that wild but romantic look! Yeah... I would fuck him or even his grandmother!" Danny said and Cody laughed.

"Actually I am the only Anderson here today!" Kyle said sharply as he was still not amused at the little boy comment.

"Aren't there supposed to be seven of you?" Matt asked flashing his perfect smile. Kyle turned around and looked directly at Chris and mouthed the words 'total hawtie'! Matt looked at Chris to see him stutter and bite down on his upper lip.

"One is back at the cottage sick and his boyfriend is looking after him," Cody said stepping forward and smiling. "I'm Cody. by the way. This is Jeff, Danny, Chris and you met The Kyle!" Everyone laughed but Kyle.

"The Kyle huh?" Matt grinned. "Who all needs skis and boots?"

"Cody, Jeff, and Chris do," Danny said.

"Okay guys come on along with me and we'll get your equipment. Everything is already on reserve but we need you to try on the boots to ensure they fit right," Matt said. "Is there anyone who doesn't know how to ski and needs some basic lessons?"

"ME!" Kyle yelled grinning.

"Kyle!" Chris said. "You've been skiing all of your life!"

"Shut up! I need lessons!!!!" Kyle growled in a low voice.

"No problem guys, everyone should have a refresher course -- even skiers as good as The Kyle!" Matt said, smiling, and they all laughed.

"Look at that perfect smile? Shit! Is he hot!" Danny whispered to Cody.

"Mmmm hmmm..." Cody mumbled walking off following Matt's ass to get fitted for boots.

"I've actually got a hard on from looking at Matt!" Kyle said.

"Yeah, everyone's already noticed... including Matt!" Danny teased.

"As long as Matt noticed that's all that matters!" Kyle said grinning.

"He's older than me Kyle!" Danny said, shaking his head.

"But still young enough for me to breed!" Kyle said grinning.

"You are a pig and I want you to know that my pig standards are very low!" Danny said and they fisted and laughed.

Chris, Jeff, Cody, and Matt returned. "Is everyone ready?" Matt asked.

"I've been ready since I arrived!" Kyle said grinning while Matt glared at him

"Well if everyone has their gloves, goggles and lift tags then let's go!" Matt said.

"How far are you going to take us?" Kyle teased.

"Only as far as you can handle Kyle!" Matt said smiling and walking off towards the door to the outside.

"Give it up!" Cody said passing him.

"Take a pill!" Danny added.

"I think he needs to be neutered!" Jeff said grinning at Kyle.

"The Kyle? Whatever...," Chris said not impressed as he passed Kyle.

Cody caught up to Matt and whispered in his ear. "By the way, Chris is Kyle's boyfriend so don't hesitate to have as much fun as you want teasing Kyle."

"Sweet!" Matt said and fisted Cody. "You know he looks familiar... I usually remember the pervs?" Matt said, grinning and Cody laughed.

"I doubt you could ever forget this one!" Cody said laughing.

"Okay guys let's go over there out of everyone's way while I explain a little bit about this place," Matt said pointing toward a quiet area away from the Chalet.

"I want him naked...now!" Danny whispered to Cody.

"Get in line, Puckhead!" Cody teased.

"Do you think he's gay?" Danny asked as his cell phone went off. "Hello? I'll be back in a second guys!" Danny said skiing back toward the Chalet.

"Okay guys here are the basic things you need to know. Number one is to always have this tag showing!" Matt said holding Chris' tag in his hand.

"I'll never wash this tag again!" Chris said teasing Kyle who just scowled at him.

"Depending on the hill there are two ways to get up it -- lift chair or tow bar. Do not, and I repeat do not, SIT on the tow bar! Let it pull you up. We have four basic ski areas -- the beginners, the moguls for snowboarder and experienced skiers, and two mountains with a total of nine different paths to take." Matt said. "Kyle, you have a question?"

"Are you single?" Kyle asked grinning.

"No!" Matt said, ignoring Kyle, "Now since Kyle and Danny are experienced skiers they don't need to stick around too much longer, but I want you guys to make your first couple of runs on the beginner's trails on the mountains until you feel refreshed enough to try some of the others. Where's Danny?" Matt asked.

"He had a phone call but he'll be right back," Cody said.

"Boyfriend or girlfriend?" Kyle asked.

"Boyfriend!" Matt said, "Now we're going to go over some basic things to make your first day of skiing a little easier. Legs! Always bent a little. Elbows should be tucked into your sides and ski poles should not be sticking out or else you might hurt someone. If you begin to go into a fall, remember to spread your arms out so your poles don't hurt you," Matt added.

"Do you go to school?" Kyle asked.

"Yes! University of Washington studying for an MBA," Matt said. "Now for Chris, Jeff, and Cody who don't know how to ski, we're going over to this little hill to practice."

"So what do you like to do?" Kyle asked.

"Anything to do with snow in the winter and anything with water in the summer," Matt said. "Now when you are skiing down hill and want to stop just point the tips of your skis together while bending your knees in towards each other. Just be careful not to let your skis cross over each other."

"Do they have a sauna here?" Kyle asked smiling.

"Sauna, pool, health club and weight room, and a Dunkin Donuts for those who like something sweet and round with a hole in the middle!" Matt said and everyone started laughing.

"I think we should all go take a sauna to loosen up our tight muscles!" Kyle suggested.

"Would you like a personal full body massage too?" Matt asked bending down to look Kyle straight in the eye.

"Would I? You bet!" Kyle said smiling.

"Good! Go back to the Chalet and ask for Mrs. Olga Angstrom! She's about 50 years old and visitors tell me she's the best masseuse around here," Matt said taking Chris' hand to begin their glide down the beginner's hill.

"That's a great idea, Kyle. Then you can teach Chris how to do a massage and he can give all of us private massages tonight," Cody suggested. Danny snorted and Jeff laughed.

"All done! I can finally sit and relax!" Derek said, flopping on the sectional beside Tyler.

"You've done good, Babe! Would you mind grabbing me some clothes before they get here?" Tyler asked.

"Sure thing... just let me rest for a second. How are you feeling?" Derek asked.

"I'm starved!" Tyler said putting his arm around Derek and holding him. "I'm sorry about the mess I made in the kitchen."

"What the fuck? Don't even go there, Ty! You scared the fuck out of me. When I tell you I can't imagine my world without you in it and I hope you know that I'm being totally serious," Derek asked.

"I do and it felt really good to relax and trust you to take care of me. Once I knew you were around I wasn't scared anymore," Tyler said.

"I love you, Tyler," Derek said, resting his head on Tyler's chest.

"I love you too Derek. You and our family are my world," Tyler said. "I really should get some clothes on before they come and you need to add another log on the fire before your Dad... I'm meant OUR Dad... notices!"

"Let me help you up," Derek said.

"No Derek. Let me stand up on my own. I want you near me but I need to know if I am feeling better," Tyler said standing up. "I feel fine. Would you walk in front of me so I have those big, strong football player shoulders to lean on if I need to?" he asked.

"Lean on me... when you're not strong...," Derek began singing.

"Derek! Please! I get your point... but please no singing... it hurts my head!!!" Tyler said as he walked on his own back to the bedroom with Derek leading.

"What do you want to wear?" Derek asked.

"I can get it," Tyler said.

"NO! You're not bending over until you've been checked out by Dad!" Derek ordered, and Tyler started laughing.

"Don't even go there, Ty!" Derek said grinning.

"You're the doctor... errrrr, doctor's son...," Tyler said grinning back.

Tyler put on sweat shorts and a sweatshirt with Derek's help and on the return trip to the living room Tyler led the way. They returned to their same positions before Tyler got dressed.

"I'm sorry I am fucking up your vacation," Tyler said.

"I'm with you and that makes every day the best vacation I've ever had Ty. You're not fucking up anything. I'm just happy that I could be here for you, for a change. If fainting means we get time alone together you can pass out everyday!" Derek teased and then winked.

"You realize that you really need to get professional help to help you deal with what's happened, right?" Derek asked rubbing Tyler's groaning tummy. Tyler didn't respond.

"Dads going to insist on it! What about Cody's doctor?" Derek asked.

"Dr. Reynolds?" Tyler said.

"Yeah. He's on campus and it's free of charge!" Derek teased.

"Maybe... I'll think about it," Tyler said.

"No. It's Dr. Reynolds or I will have Dad find you someone," Derek said.

Derek looked up at Tyler. "Ty, like I said before, if I could make all the pain go away I would, but I just don't know how to help you accept what you've gone through and move forward," Derek said.

"I guess I should tell you that Dr. Reynolds already wanted me to visit with him after the incident with Dakota," Tyler said.

"So why didn't you go?" Derek asked.

"To be honest I felt good that I had helped Cody and Ryan. Dakota is gone from my life and it wasn't a sudden incident like... like...," Tyler said.

"Say it!" Derek ordered.

"Like my family being killed in a car accident," Tyler said. Derek watched for any signs of distress but didn't see any unusual reaction from Tyler.

"Stop staring at me Derek! I know they are gone. I know it really isn't my fault yet we both know it wouldn't have happened at all if I hadn't been going to the airport to leave for Drexel that day. I feel guilty, and I feel at fault and that's that," Tyler said matter-of-factly.

"We'll make it through this together, Ty," Derek said.

"I wouldn't have it any other way, Derek," Tyler said, kissing the top of Derek's head.
"Is that the sound of a car I hear?" Derek said, jumping up and running to put a log on the fire.

Derek opened the door to find Luke and Casey running down the walkway towards him.

"Outta my way!" Luke yelled kicking his boots off and running past Derek.

"I love you too, Pookster!" Derek said laughing.

"Hey, Casey!" Derek said holding his arms open.

"Hi, Derek!" Casey said giving him a quick hug and then pushing past him too.

"Boy do I feel loved today," Derek said to himself.

Luke ran into the living room and jumped on Tyler. He hugged him to the point that Tyler couldn't breathe. Luke began crying as Tyler opened his right arm to include Casey.

"Guys! Relax! I'm fine! I fell down!" Tyler said.

"That's it?" Luke asked wiping his eyes.

"Hey! You know I'll do whatever it takes to get you guys to come visit me?" Tyler teased. "I didn't think you two were coming. I figured it would just be Mom and Dad."

"It's just hockey Ty? You're way more important!" Casey said.

"Besides you always buy us super cool stuff so why wouldn't we want to make sure you're okay? We gotta protect our investment!" Luke said.

"Gosh, Luke, your sincere words of caring and concern have left me speechless! Seriously speechless...," Tyler said laughing.

"Then shut up about it!" Luke said grinning and gave Tyler a kiss.

"What does your tee shirt say today Luke?" Tyler asked and Luke held his shirt wide open for Tyler to read.

"Too many right-wing Christians and not enough Lions!" Tyler read laughing out loud! "I want that shirt!!!"

"You two! Up, off, and out!" Larry ordered with a big grin holding up a McDonald's bag.

"BREAKFAST BURRITO'S???" Tyler said jumping up.

"Sit back down! You're sick remember. Be a good patient and you can have the bag?" Larry teased.

"Bribery! They didn't teach us that one at football camp!" Derek said leaning against the wall by the kitchen.

"Let's do this in the bedroom!" Larry said and Luke and Casey said "Oooooooooo!" and began laughing.

"You two out! Go play on the cracks in the ice 'til next week!" Larry said teasing.

"Larry!!!!!" Linda yelled as she came in the back door. "How's my baby feeling?" Linda asked hurrying over to give Tyler a hug and kiss.

"I'm fine mom. Feeling much better now... except for the fact that I am starving to death!" Tyler said glaring at Larry and Derek.

"Don't worry Tyler there's a doctor in the house!" Larry said laughing.

"I would prefer a Chef?" Tyler asked.

"C'mon baby brother...," Derek teased. "Let me help you to the bedroom!"

"Since when did you become a doctor?" Tyler asked smiling.

"I'm not a doctor! I'm the doctor's assistant! When he tells you to turn your head and cough I will be the one assisting," Derek teased.

"I hope he takes my temperature before that happens!" Tyler said walking on his own back to the bedroom.

"I get to do that part too!" Derek said patting Tyler's butt.

"Why would anyone want someone to turn their head and cough?" Casey asked Luke. "Mom always tells me to cover my mouth!"

"Grown ups are weird! Haven't you figured that out yet?" Luke said as they both put their winter boots back on to head outside.

Tyler sat down on the bed and Derek sat beside him while Larry opened up his Doctor's bag.

"Okay, Tyler, this won't take long... first we're going to test your temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration so take your shirt off. Derek, would you please close the door on your way out?" Larry asked.

"I'm staying, Dad. I need to know what to look for if something happens to him again?" Derek said. Larry looked at Tyler.

"Yeah it's fine, Dad. I want Derek to be here. He saved my life today." Tyler said, squeezing Derek's hand.

"Here Derek you can record everything on this pad. Just follow the list as I call things out." Larry said. "Temperature is 98.8, blood pressure is 110 over 70, pulse 78... a little high."

"I don't like physicals!" Tyler said.

"Respiration is 22... also a little high," Larry said.

"I'm still not liking physicals!" Tyler said.

"Okay Tyler, you're doing fine so relax and strip naked!" Larry said grinning. Derek burst into laughter.

"But I'm a little shy getting naked in front of Derek, Dr. Anderson?" Tyler grinned as he protested while he stripped naked.

Larry touched his face and forehead. "You're a little clammy and a touch pale but that isn't out of the ordinary with what happened," Larry said. "Turn around in place please?"

Tyler did a slow, complete turn. "He does have a nice ass doesn't he Derek?" Larry said winking at Derek.

"I am sooooooo hating this right now! Can it get any worse?" Tyler asked Derek.

Larry couldn't resist saying, "Turn your head and cough." As he firmly grabbed hold of Tyler's testicles.

"Dad!!!! Can we take out the snow... mobiles?" Luke asked with a fading voice as he opened the bedroom door to see his father holding Tyler's balls in his hands. Everyone froze.

"Hey, Luke, do you want to see how doctors check a man for testicular cancer?" Larry asked winking at him.

"GET OUT!" Tyler yelled as he turned to see Derek lying on the bed in a fetal position laughing.

Luke just laughed and said, "My therapist is never going to believe this!" Derek laughed more and Larry snorted.

"Luke, go and pull the covers off of the snowmobiles but don't even think about starting them or you'll be the next one getting a physical exam!" Larry said.

Luke scrunched his face and left closing the door behind him.

"Hey Ty, you did ask if this could get any worse?" Derek teased as he sat back up.

"Are you done down there, Dr. Anderson?" Tyler asked.

"Not quite!" Larry said grinning. "While I'm here..."

"That's the last thing you want to hear a doctor say!" Tyler said turning red.

"Could be worse Ty, he could be probing your ass!" Derek said.

"Enjoy it while you can Derek! I will get even!" Tyler said glaring at him.

"I am, Ty, I am!" Derek said laughing.

"Now Tyler I want you to sit down on the bed and lie back." Larry said.

"You can let go of me, Doctor!" Tyler said uncomfortable with Larry's hand still holding his crotch.

"Tyler! If you start to fall I can use these to pull you back up," Larry teased. Derek went into a bigger fit of hysterical laughter.

"Isn't there some sort of law you are breaking right now?" Tyler asked Larry with a slight grin.

"I'm not in Maryland Tyler? I can do anything I want to you!" Larry said laughing. "Okay Tyler, please just relax?"

"Relax? I have a full-blown erection that is being held by my boyfriend's father! Can't wait to tell this to my therapist. I think I'm going to be scarred for life," Tyler said putting his hand over his eyes.

"Don't worry, Tyler, you'll get the chance to talk this all out with a therapist! You're definitely going to get some professional help!" Larry said.

"Told ya!" Derek chimed in before Tyler could say anything. Tyler punched Derek's thigh.

"OWWW..." Derek said.

"Please make a note that Tyler's reflexes are excellent, Derek!" Larry said grinning at Tyler.

"I hate you both!" Tyler said.

"But you love us too!" Derek added.

"That's beside the point...," Tyler said shading his eyes.

"Okay, Derek, here is something you can do to Tyler on a regular basis...," Larry began. Tyler snorted and they both stopped to look at Tyler.

"What?" Tyler yelled.

"Tyler this is very serious here!" Larry said and then they both snorted. "Okay Derek for most people we would need to get them fully erect but since Tyler is so well-endowed we won't need to worry about that." At the mention of 'fully erect' Tyler's cock went to full mast.

"Derek, could you also please make a note that Tyler's hearing is fine?" Larry asked and Derek snorted. "Now you gently pull the foreskin down as far as you can but not too tight." <Tyler snorted> "Now please note that you don't see any white film or sticky protein like substances underneath the foreskin so you know that someone is keeping himself very clean," Larry said winking at Derek. <Tyler snorted and Derek grinned> "Now release the foreskin and it should go most of the way back over the head of the penis."

"Can I practice that a few times to make sure I understand how to do it right, Dad?" Derek asked winking at Larry.

"NO!!!!" Tyler yelled.

"Should I note that the patient is easily irritated, Dad?" Derek asked holding the pen to the clip board.

"No, that's okay... after all he is a teenager!" Larry said smiling. "You see the testicles are more egg shaped orbs than round balls and you want to gently caress them as you feel for any unusual lumps," Larry said to Derek.

"Please don't say caress when you are holding my balls in your hand? And I really think you should let go of my 'things' or you are both going to get wet!" Tyler said.

"Notice the testicles are beginning to pull up to the body a little?" Larry asked.

"Many times Dad... many times!" Derek said grinning.

"Dear God... when is this going to be over?" Tyler asked looking up at the ceiling.

"Now while Tyler is lying down I want you to learn how to examine the abdomen. Please note the patient's good physical condition as evidenced by the muscle definition of his abdominal wall," Larry said as he pulled out his stethoscope. "Here have a listen!" he said to Derek.

Derek put on the stethoscope and Larry moved it around to the four quadrants of Tyler's abs. "Sounds like a construction crew in there," Derek said as he took them off.

"That's good! His bowels are working then," Larry said.

"You're both wrong! There's been nothing in my stomach all day and I will likely die of starvation on this very bed," Tyler whined.

"Hmmmm... patient is still irritable!" Larry said pointing to Derek's clipboard.

"And erect?" Derek asked winking at his Dad.

"And erect!" Larry said smiling.

"Kill me now...," Tyler whined.

"Here's Tyler's liver and here is his spleen." Larry said. "Now we're going to check his head, eyes, ears, throat, and nose!"

"Good!" Tyler said. "You can let go of my penis now, Dad!"

"I'm not touching your penis," Larry said.

"DEREK!!!!!!!" Tyler yelled.

"Oops! My bad!" Derek said laughing as he released Tyler's cock.

"Okay you can sit up, Tyler," Larry said, and Tyler sat up.

"What day is today?" Larry asked as he looked in Tyler's mouth.

"The most embarrassing day of my life!" Tyler said.

"More specific?" Larry said, taking out a small penlight to check Tyler's pupils.

"Friday, December 30th 2005," Tyler said.

"Where are we right now?" Larry asked, looking in Tyler's ears.

"I'm in Hell but you call it Lake Placid, New York!" Tyler said sarcastically.

"Patient is increasingly irritable!" Derek said, faking a tick mark on his clipboard.

"Who are you?" Larry asked.

"God's idea of a joke, obviously! I'm Tyler John Peel Anderson of Toronto, Canada and Baltimore, Maryland, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania."

"Can you spell Pennsylvania?" Larry asked.

"No!" Tyler said.

"Fair enough because I can't either!" Larry said feeling the glands on each side of Tyler's throat. "Starting from 100, would you count backwards subtracting seven digits each time?"

"100, 93, 86, 79, 72, 65, do we have to go all the way down to Derek's IQ?" Tyler asked, and Derek hit Tyler's kneecap, which caused his leg to go out and kick Larry.

"Reflexes good, attitude bad!" Larry said to Derek.

"Now I understand the whole bedside manner thingy!" Tyler said and Larry laughed.

"I can't hold your penis forever, Tyler...," Larry mumbled, as he felt his forehead looking for lumps.

"You could have finished what you started!" Tyler said winking at Derek. "And to think you complain about your eldest son never finishing anything?" Derek rolled on to the bed laughing.

"You know I was going to skip the rectal exam...," Larry said.

"Sorry Dad! I apologize..., and I will wash your van when we get back, too!"

Larry pulled out his otoscope to look closer into Tyler's ears. "I want the inside vacuumed as well! Okay Tyler, you have a bump on the side of your head and I want to look for any blood behind the tympanic membrane. Don't you kids ever clean your ears?" Larry asked as he pulled the scope out and cleaned the earwax off of it. "Okay... good... very good!" Larry said. "Smile for me, Derek, and I'll take your picture!" Larry said as he stared in Tyler's ear. Tyler groaned.

"That usually makes my patients laugh... or not?" Larry said. "Follow my finger, Tyler," Larry said as he held a finger in front of Tyler's nose and moved it left to right and then up and down. Larry moved his finger down towards Derek's crotch and Tyler grinned. Larry again checked Tyler's pupils and looked into his eyes using his opthalmoscope.

"Derek, please note that there is no papilledema and the extraoccular motions are fine!" Larry asked.

"Got it!" Derek said.

"Lets look up that nose!" Larry said. "You know Tyler, you could try blowing it once-in-a-while! Hmmm... I see you gave up the cocaine since I don't see any sign of bleeding or swelling," Larry said, winking at Tyler. "You bit your tongue when you collapsed?"

"I believe so, Sir. It feels huge in my mouth!" Tyler said.

"I was going to make a Derek joke here but we'll just let that rest...," Larry said, winking at Tyler.

"Oh I assure you that there is still room in there for Derek," Tyler joked.

"Obviously, with a mouth as big as yours, Ty!" Derek shot back with a grin.

"Nice comeback... maybe I was wrong about you only having a single digit IQ?" Tyler said.

"Stand up!" Larry ordered and Tyler jumped up with his penis sticking into Larry. Tyler moved it away as Larry looked in his eyes again with the ophthalmoscope.

"Any dizziness?" Larry asked.

"Only from Derek's breath but it's passing," Tyler said, and Derek glared at him.

"Any dizziness?" Larry repeated.

"No, Sir, sorry," Tyler said.

"Headache?" Larry asked.

"No, Sir," Tyler said.

"Swallow, please!" Larry ordered and Tyler and Derek burst into laughter.

"Dad... that's kind of a personal request," Derek teased.

"Who's your boyfriend?" Larry asked.

"I have so many... let me think, ummm... right now guess I'd have to go with Derek, Sir," Tyler said.

"Who's your girlfriend?" Larry asked.

"Abbey!" Tyler said so quickly that Larry grinned with surprise.

"Who's your favourite Anderson?" Larry asked.

"My Dad!" Tyler said with a huge grin and Derek laughed.

"Good answer, Tyler!" Larry joked. "Get your clothes back on and sit down."

Tyler put his clothes back on and slid back on the bed to lean against the wall. Derek backed up as well so they could sit beside each other. Larry sat down on the bed in front of them.

"Okay, this is for the two of you!" Larry said, lowering his voice. "There is to be no sexual activity without a condom until I have blood and urine samples from both of you and they have been tested and come back negative."

"What?" Derek protested sitting up.

"Derek. You slept with two other guys in Iowa so don't even think about protesting. I will also demand the same thing of both Cody and Daniel. Once I have all the test results back then you may resume normal, private activities. As for you Derek..., you should know better. If either one you choose to have sexual contact with anyone outside of your relationship than you should wear a condom and be honest enough to tell the other about what happened. That's the kind of honesty I expect from both of you if you want your relationship to succeed. AIDS isn't the only disease out there. Assuming the results of all the tests come back negative then you are free to continue with unprotected sex with each other ONLY, but even so I strongly recommend condoms for all sexual activity. You're both adults and as a doctor I can only advise you. But until I have your test results back there will be no exchange of bodily fluids with anyone! Do I make myself clear?" Larry asked.

"Yes, Sir!" they both said in unison.

"I assume I don't need to lecture either of you on cleanliness before and after sexual activity?" Larry asked.

"No, Sir!" they both said glumly.

"Boys? This is up there with drinking and driving or abusing drugs! You DON'T mess around with this and if I have not been completely clear about Cody and Danny I will say it again. Neither of you should be exchanging bodily fluids with them ever!" Larry ordered.

"Yes, Sir," They said.

"I love you both, and I want you guys to bury me not the other way around," Larry said, sternly and Tyler's eyes instantly began to water.

"I'm sorry, Tyler. That was bad timing," Larry said gently. Tyler leaned over and hugged Larry.

"No, Dad, it wasn't. I would never want you to feel you couldn't speak what was on your mind because then I would feel I wouldn't be able to," Tyler said as he began to cry. "I love you so much, Dad, I couldn't imagine not having you or my family around." Derek rubbed Tyler's back as he hugged Larry with one hand and wiped his own eyes with the other.

"This is probably a good time to touch on the subject at hand. Tyler you really need to seek professional help? I won't do it myself because I am too close to you. Having said that it doesn't mean that I wouldn't do anything to help you or be an ear for you any time you need me, but I think you really need to talk with someone outside of your family," Larry said.

"Ah, Dad?" Tyler said.

"Just a moment Tyler! You have an incredible support group of people who love you and are more than willing to help you deal with your tragedy. You have Cody who's been in a similar situation, Derek who loves you, and Danny who is your best friend though I'm not sure I understand, why," Larry began.

"DAD???" Derek interrupted.

"Hang on Derek! You've got Jeff and Chris who lost their Mom, and Casey who doesn't have a Dad. Not to mention the rest of the Anderson family that seems to love you for some strange reason," Larry joked.

"Dad??? Tyler's already agreed to go see Dr. Reynolds at Drexel. He's been helping Cody and Ryan deal with Dakota and it's free," Derek said, shaking his head.

"Free?" Larry asked quizzically.

"It's part of student services. Mostly it's supposed to help students away from home for the first time that are having difficulty coping with the separation, but he can help anyone. Cody and Ryan like him so much they are still going to see him," Derek said.

"Ummm... are you sure you don't want me to find someone? I will pay for it!" Larry offered.

"Dad, it's really okay. I've gone further today in handling the situation than I have since the accident... since they died," Tyler said. "While Derek was cleaning house I read the entire article. I knew I had to face my fear of dealing with it. When I finished reading it I wouldn't say that I felt any better but I felt less fear of dealing with how I feel about it. If that makes any sense?" he asked.

"It makes perfect sense Tyler!" Larry said kissing his forehead. "I don't want to belabor the point but I've given a lot of thought to what you are going through and it is natural to feel guilty for liking and loving your adoptive family. It can make you feel like you are choosing one family over the other and cheapens the value of all you got from your real family," Larry said quietly.

"Dad, you're always going to be my second dad but you'll always be my favourite Dad," Tyler said smiling and hugging him. "I know what you are saying and I have thought about it and I agree that the Andersons will always be my second family. To think any other way would only be denying how much I loved my first family. I know that I'm not the only person to have gone through what I have lost but I sometimes just wonder what I've done to deserve you people?" Tyler said hanging on to Larry.

"We think the same thing about you Tyler!" Larry said.

"Soooooooo... can Tyler go skiing?" Derek asked.

"No, I'm afraid not Derek. Skiing is out for this vacation. We can't take a chance of you bumping your head again. No driving for a couple of days and no snowmobiling either. I'm sorry, Tyler," Larry said.

"I really don't care about the skiing. The truth is I just wanted to be with my family all together!" Tyler said. "Sorry, Derek, I know we both agreed that we needed some time alone together but right now I need my whole family," Tyler added, giving Derek a kiss.

"Is there any chance of the four of you coming back here to spend New Year's Eve with us?" Tyler asked and Larry saw the look in Derek's eyes.

"Tyler, you have your family right now and you will have your family the rest of your life. I think you also need to spend some time alone with your lesser half," Larry said winking at Derek. "Mom and I would really like to have one evening alone. Now if you want we will happily spend it here but if you don't mind we would really like to be alone."

"I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking about that...," Tyler began.

"No Tyler! Listen please! I am teaching you about being honest with your feelings. The only words spoken to a parent that mean more than what you just said is when we hear 'I love you,'" Larry said.

"Could we have Luke and Casey for New Years Eve?" Tyler asked Derek.

Derek was about to sigh but he knew it wouldn't change anything so he said, "Sure thing Ty, anything to make you happy!" Derek smiled and Tyler wrapped his arms around him and kissed him.

"Yes!" Larry said to himself.

"Thank you Derek! I love you so much for doing this. I just need to get to know my brothers better! We can go to their game and then maybe take all the kids on the team who want to go out to dinner and then we can all come back here for midnight...," Tyler suggested excitedly. Larry just grinned at Derek.

"Anything for you, Babe!" Derek said giving him a kiss.

"Thanks, Dad, for everything!" Tyler said turning to hug Larry again. "Can I eat now?"

"Sure thing!" Larry said and Tyler got up and walked carefully out of the room and then ran to the kitchen.

"Derek, I can't decide if I am more proud of you for how you handled Tyler's situation or for showing unconditional selfless love and taking your brothers overnight to make Tyler happy," Larry said giving Derek a hug.

"It really isn't a big thing when you truly love someone, Dad!" Derek said as he nuzzled into Larry's chest.

"Now you know what it is like for me to be the luckiest dad in the world. My number one son is really number one! You have become more than I had ever hoped for Derek and I'm so very proud of you," Larry said.

"When I came in and saw Tyler lying there on the floor I was scared to death that he was dead, Dad," Derek said breaking down crying.

"Now you have a better understanding of what Tyler means when he talks about living every day to the fullest?" Larry asked. "You're going to make a great doctor one day, Derek!"

"What? I'm not gonna be a doctor!" Derek said laughing.

"Wait and see Derek... wait and see!" Larry said putting his arm around Derek's shoulder.

"Oh, Dad, we have to talk about something else?" Derek said.

"Oh oh! What now?" Larry asked.

"It's about Cody and Danny." Derek said rubbing his hands nervously across the top of his thighs. "Cody is so totally upset and embarrassed about what happened in Iowa that he had to be dragged back to the house. He wanted to get on a bus and head back to Philly. We've worked it all out between us and everything is cool. Cody really believes he's let everyone down and I don't want him to feel like he isn't part of the family because of it. I'm worried that you confronting him and Danny about getting tested and not doing anything unsafe with Tyler and me might make Cody feel bad all over again," Derek said.

"Don't you worry, Derek, I will handle it all very carefully. I appreciate your telling me in advance so I don't let my anger with them take over," Larry said.

"Dad, it really wasn't either Danny or Cody's fault. It was my fault. I already said this to Tyler and I'll say it to you now. I accept full responsibility for what happened in Des Moines," Derek said, still not looking at his Dad.

"Like I said before you're going to make a great doctor!" Larry said smiling.

Tyler came into the kitchen to find Linda reading the article in the newspaper with tears running down her face as she cried quietly. Tyler put his arms around her and said, "It's okay mom! They're all in a better place now."

Linda folded the paper over. "It's okay. I've already read the entire article," Tyler said, and Linda hugged him.

"I'm so sorry Tyler... I just wish I could do something to make it better for you," Linda said.

"You and everyone have from the moment I met you!" Tyler said smiling and kissed the back of Linda's head. "But if you really want to make me feel better could you make me a real cup of coffee?" he asked.

"Sure Tyler!" Linda said getting up and going around the counter to plug the kettle in.

"Wait and see Derek... wait and see what the future has in store for you. Together, you and Tyler are going to make the world an even better place to live!" Larry said.

Derek walked out into the living room of the cottage with Larry's arm around his neck. Tyler was scarfing down his breakfast burritos.

"Did you save any for me?" Derek teased.

"There's six left!" Tyler said holding the bag over towards Derek. Derek sat down on a bar stool next to Tyler.

"Hello?" Larry said answering his cell phone. "No, he's outside with Casey building a snow fort. I will tell him. Yes, he's right here... hang on. Tyler, it's Greg Anderson on the phone and he says little Greg wants to speak to you since Luke isn't here," Larry said.

"Hello?" Tyler said.

"Hi Ty, this is Greg!" Greg Jr. said.

"Hey Greg, how did the game go?" Tyler asked.

"We won 5 - 4 and everyone played the game in your honour!" Greg, Jr., said.

"Wow, that's great! Thanks Greg that means a lot to me! When's your next game?" Tyler asked.

"Today at five and if we win we play tomorrow at 3 and if we lose we play at 2!" Greg Jr. said.

"Good luck Greg! I'm going to try to come and see the game tomorrow!" Tyler said hanging up the phone. "Luke and Casey have another game at five this afternoon. The team won their first game five to four."

"And?" Larry asked Tyler

"And what?" Tyler said glaring at Larry.

"Tell them!" Larry said grinning.

"Tell us what?" Derek asked.

"Nothing!" Tyler said.

"They played the game in honour of Tyler when they heard he was sick. Someone went and bought a two-inch wide roll of masking tape and every player had it wrapped around their upper left arm with the initials T.P. written on it!" Larry said smiling.

"Oh that is so sweet! They really do love you, Tyler!" Linda said messing Tyler's hair. Tyler moved his glare over to Linda.

"Don't they usually only do that when someone is dead?" Derek asked.

"Exactly!" Tyler yelled out and everyone laughed at him.

"Derek, why don't you go tell the boys to come inside because we've got to leave in the next hour if we are going to make it to their game," Larry said.

"Derek, would you go play with Casey outside for a bit and just tell Luke we need to see him. I want him to finish his story for school!" Linda asked.

"Sure Mom." Derek said getting up and giving Tyler a kiss on top of the head. "You don't really look dead, Ty,... well, not completely?" Derek teased and jumped out of the way of Tyler's fist.

"Hmmm... maybe I will go join Derek and see if we can get the snowmobiles running." Larry said getting an evil eye with a smile from Tyler. Larry laughed at him and ran down the hallway before Tyler's hand could reach him.

Linda made a fresh cup of coffee for Tyler and brought it over to him on the sectional. "How are you doing sweetie?" Linda asked gently touching his cheek.

"I'm really good, Mom. I have my second family and I realize that my first family is always here with me," Tyler said pointing to his heart.

"I hope your parents are happy that you are with us? As a mother, I'm sure they are happy you are not alone," Linda said smiling.

"Can't speak on Dad's behalf but I know Mom would love you and everyone else. She had this wicked sense of humour that she never really let out when Dad was around. She was always more relaxed without him now that I think of it," Tyler pondered.

"Life was that bad with your Dad?" Linda asked.

"Yes and no. It's not like he beat on us or anything... He played mind games. You could never trust what he said because you didn't know if he was doing or saying something to make your life better or worse? There was always a competition between us. He seemed to always be jealous of my existence," Tyler said.

"There are a lot of people like that in the world Tyler. Some people can only elevate themselves by putting others down. I'm glad to see you didn't pick up that trait," Linda said, giving Tyler a hug. "I better get this place cleaned up before we head back." Linda got up and moved to the loft upstairs.

Luke opened the back door and came inside. "How are yer balls?" Luke asked laughing.

"You want to feel them and tell me for yourself?" Tyler teased.

"Eeeewwww that's disgusting!" Luke said laughing.

"Can I have a hug?" Tyler asked.

"Got a dollar?" Luke teased and winked.

"Take a check?" Tyler asked.

"From you? Be serious!" Luke grinned.

"How about an IOU?" Tyler asked.

"Do I have to hold your balls?" Luke laughed.

"Only if you want to? Seems like everyone else in this family has had their hands on them...," Tyler groaned.

"Mom too?" Luke shrieked.

"Sorry! No, Mom hasn't either... yet!" Tyler grinned and winked. Luke curled his lip and furrowed his brow.

"Hug?" Tyler asked.

"In a sec... I need a drink!" Luke said going into the kitchen.

"Luke, did you finish writing your story?" Linda asked.

"Yes, Mom...," Luke sighed.

"Good! I want to proof read it," Linda yelled from up in the loft.

"No! You'll just give me a long lecture about it," Luke argued sitting back down beside Tyler.

"Luke! I don't want to spend the first week that you're back in school sitting with the principal and the school psychologist again. I want to see the story and remember what I said about no blood, gore, or death!" Linda warned.

"She's really not gonna like it!" Luke whispered in Tyler's ear. Tyler laughed.

"If I don't get to read it then your father has to!" Linda yelled.

Luke sighed with his arms crossed. "His lectures are even more boring!" Luke whined.

"Want me to read it, Pookster?" Tyler asked.

"Really?" Luke asked grinning.

"Bring it on... how bad can it be?" Tyler said and Luke gave him the evil eye. "That bad, eh?" Tyler asked, and Luke nodded.

"MOM? Ty's going to proof it for me," Luke yelled.

"Huh? Who said anything about proofing it?" Tyler asked.

"Okay honey!" Linda said happy to know she wouldn't be in need of her Valium ... tonight!

Luke went out to their Van and pulled the hand written story out of his backpack and brought it in for Tyler to read.

"'Wally the Waffle Cone Salesman,' interesting title!" Tyler said laughing.

"Hey! I know how important the title is in catching the reader's attention!" Luke said grinning proudly.

"Should I read this out loud or to myself?" Tyler asked.

"You can read it out loud but read it quietly so mom can't hear!" Luke said smiling.

"Once upon a time..." Tyler began. "Good opening Luke! A lot of great writers use that opening line," Tyler said grinning at him.

"I'm not afraid to go where Walt Disney won't!" Luke said fisting Tyler.

"Where was I? Oh yeah, Once upon a time there was an ice cream salesman named Wally. Wally had a big truck painted with ice cream cones all over it and the words 'Wally's Waffle Cones' painted on each side of his truck. Wally would drive through all the neighbourhoods in his ice cream truck dressed up as a clown. He would play this really bad music to attract all the boys and girls on each street he drove down. Wally had only two flavours of ice cream, chocolate and vanilla. He was usually sold out of chocolate by the time he drove down the third street and out of waffle cones by the fifth street. This didn't stop Wally from making his rounds."

"After a couple of weeks all the kids began getting angry with Wally for not having any other flavours than vanilla and because he never had any waffle cones left. They would hear his music playing on the street and they would run outside and throw rocks at Wally's truck," Tyler read out loud.

"That's not a nice thing to do!" Tyler said pausing from reading the story to look at Luke.

"Great! I've got a Liberal for a proofer!" Luke sighed folding his arms across his chest.

"Fine. Luke why don't you give this to your mom to proof?" Tyler offered holding the piece of paper in front of Luke.

"Do you know what the difference is between a Liberal and puppy?" Luke asked.

"Do I really want to know?" Tyler asked.

"A puppy stops whining after it grows up!" Luke said smiling.

"How many Liberals does it take to change a light bulb Luke?" Tyler asked.

"Dunno?" Luke said grimacing.

"None! They let President George Bush fix it because it's his fault that everyone has been left in the dark!" Tyler said.

"Nice one, Ty!" Luke said laughing and fisting Tyler. "Now keep reading, hippie!"

"Kids would go out of their way to tease Wally by asking for every flavour they could think of even though Wally would tell them that he only had vanilla. Wally's truck got really beat up from the rocks thrown and the graffiti spray-painted on the side of his truck.

One day Wally didn't come around at his usual time and the kids wondered where Wally was? He didn't come by the rest of that week or the following week. The kids eventually forgot about Wally until one day they heard the familiar sound of that awful music!

Wally had his truck redone with titanium-reinforced walls, steel blinds on the windows, machine guns, photon torpedoes, radar, and laser beams!" Tyler read out loud.

"Photon torpedoes?" Tyler asked.

"This is America, anything can happen!" Luke defended.

"Word!" Tyler said as he continued reading. "Wally mixed up his flavours for the children this time. He had vanilla with broken glass, vanilla with worms, vanilla with roaches, and vanilla red ripple that had real blood in it," Tyler read, pausing to look at a proudly smiling Luke.

"Betcha can't find those at Ben and Jerry's," Luke asked.

"Betcha you're right... even if this story is so wrong!" Tyler said.

"You go ahead and try writing something Mr. Tyler Peel and we'll have a competition to see whose story is better. We'll post both stories on the net, and I'll bet everyone who reads it likes my story a whole lot better than anything you could write?" Luke challenged.

"No way! I already know I would lose that bet!" Tyler said smiling and shaking his head.

"As each child left his ice cream truck Wally would pull out his AK-47 semi-automatic and fire several rounds into them for daring to come near his truck. This went on for a few blocks until the police S.W.A.T. team cornered Wally's truck. It took four hours to take Wally down because he was so heavily armed and when they did he was covered in melted vanilla ice cream. Wally is now serving 45-to-life with no chance of parole in Joliet and he has to listen to his ice cream music 24 hours a day. The End! Luke Anderson." Tyler read.

"So what do you think?" Luke asked grinning.

"This is unbelievable, Luke!" Tyler said in shock.
"You really think so?" Luke asked with a huge smile.

"Is there a moral to the story?" Tyler asked.

"Yeah! Don't come down our street if the only flavour you've got is vanilla!" Luke said.

"I take it that this has been a problem in the past?" Tyler asked.

"Word!" Luke said with his arms crossed.

"You know, Luke, this is going to earn you some serious time with the school psychologist?" Tyler mentioned.

"Of course it is! Every Tuesday and Thursday from eleven till noon, which happens to be the same time we get Spanish!" Luke said grinning.

"Palabra!" Tyler said fisting Luke.

Luke hugged Tyler and grabbed his story and ran off yelling to his Mom. "Tyler okayed my story!!!!"

"Good honey... now you can go outside and play with Casey and Derek!" Linda said.

"I okayed his story? What the fuck!" Tyler said shaking his head and laughing.

"Who owns this pair of Scooby Doo boxers that were stuffed under the pillow?" Linda yelled from the loft.

"Oh shit...," Tyler sighed.

"You guys rented Brokeback Mountain? I wanted Larry to watch this!" Linda said coming down the stairs with a DVD in one hand and a pair of boxers hanging off of one finger in the other hand.

"Dear God... this day CAN get worse!" Tyler said to himself.

"Do you mind if we borrow this to watch in the hotel?" Linda asked.

"Ah... I think it has to be returned today but I am sure you can probably watch it right off the hotel's movie channel!" Tyler said grabbing the DVD from her hand. "I better remind Derek that he has to return it!"

"Did you like the movie?" Linda asked.

"It wasn't exactly what I thought it would be!" Tyler said smiling.

"I think it's going to be great! The scenery will be worth it even if the movie isn't good and any animal lover will enjoy the horses!" Linda said.

"No shit!" Tyler said to himself walking off to the bedroom with the DVD.

"So whose boxers are these?" Linda asked when Tyler returned.

"They're not mine and I have no idea but I remember hearing that if you want to teach someone a lesson about leaving boxers around you put them in the freezer!" Tyler said, laughing.

"Good idea! I'm guessing I don't want to know anything about these do I?" Linda asked.

"Like you have to ask that question?" Tyler said smiling.

"Where do you think they are?" Kyle asked Danny as they skied over to the beginner's hill.

"No idea. Maybe they are in the Chalet?" Danny suggested. "Let's go see. I'm done in for today anyway!"

Danny and Kyle entered the Chalet with their skis in hand to find Chris, Jeff, Cody, and Matt sitting in club chairs with towels wrapped around their necks catching water from their wet hair.

"Hey guys!" Matt said smiling with Chris on the loveseat snuggled up close to Matt. "How were the big boy hills?"

"It was incredible!" Danny said smiling. "I would have to go to Colorado to find anything like this. I'm so exhausted. My thighs are aching!" Kyle just stared at the four of them with his mouth half open.

"Did you have fun?" Chris asked grinning. Matt casually put his arm around Chris' shoulder. Kyle just stared at them.

"Kyle?" Cody asked and Kyle looked over at him. "Did you have fun?"

"Probably not as much fun as you guys had." Kyle said sarcastically.

Everyone laughed and Cody winked at Danny when Kyle wasn't looking.

"We had a great day out. No broken bones or bruises. And we finished it up with a nice relaxing sit in the sauna. My muscles feel better already," Cody said.

"So you guys went into the sauna without me?" Kyle said in a whimper.

"It's open all day and most of the evening Kyle. You and Danny should go ahead take a nice sauna. It will relax you," Matt said as he dried his hair a bit with the towel.

"I liked the showers better!" Chris said grinning at Matt. Matt, Jeff, and Danny all began laughing.

"Word!" Cody concurred. "Wish we had powerful water jets like that at the dorm. Matt, thanks for the massage by the way!"

"You're very welcome Cody. I just happen to know all the muscles that need stimulating after a long day of skiing," Matt said grinning. Chris snorted.

"Do I get a massage?" Kyle asked almost hyperventilating.

"Anytime you want Kyle! Olga's in there right now... just go and tell her that Matt said you are on a house account," Matt said. Even Danny was having a hard time keeping a straight face.

"Can't you give me a massage?" Kyle begged of Matt.

"Kyle I just got dressed and besides we were in there for a long, long time!" Matt said winking at Chris. "I should probably wait a couple of hours before going back in. I have to... recharge you know?"

Jeff snorted and Kyle looked at him. Jeff began laughing hysterically only to be joined in by everyone else.

"You guys are all fucking with me aren't you?" Kyle asked with narrowed eyes. The laugher got louder.

"Fuckers! Every last one of you!" Kyle said not seeing the humour.

"You guys are good, really, really, good!" Danny said laughing. "This is Tyler quality!"

"We all went and soaked our heads and grabbed towels so it would look like we'd been in the shower!" Chris proudly announced.

"Who's idea was this?" Kyle demanded to know with his arms crossed as he stood staring the four of them down.

Chris, Matt, and Jeff all looked over at Cody. Cody began laughing and the rest joined in.

"Fucktard!" Kyle said to Cody. More laughter.

"I've never heard that word before," Matt said, and they continued laughing.

"We probably should get headed home...," Cody said, as he cautiously watched Kyle glaring at him.

"Are you guys coming back tomorrow morning?" Matt asked as he stood up and then the others followed.

"Probably!" Cody said.

"Not likely!" Kyle said glaring at Matt and Cody.

"I'll definitely be here for some more private lessons, Matt!" Chris said grinning at him.

"You've got my email address, right Chris?" Matt asked.

"Skierhottie@hotmail.com" Chris said.

"You got it! Just email me and I will send you those pics!" Matt said winking.

Matt extended his hand to shake with Kyle. "It's been nice to meet The Kyle and if you don't come back tomorrow I hope you have a Happy New Year!"

"Whatever...," Kyle said shaking his hand. Matt shook hands with everyone and then gave Chris a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"If you ever decide to dump Kyle just give me a call, okay?" Matt asked grinning.

Chris just grinned at Matt and said, "Thanks for everything today Matt!"

Chris crawled into the first bench seat and sat behind the driver's seat. Kyle got in and deliberately moved to sit in the second row right behind Chris. The drive was silent until Danny spoke.

"You guys are all so evil! If I didn't know better I would still think Tyler was behind all of this?" Danny said.

"You okay?" Jeff asked as he turned around to look at Kyle.

"Fine!" Kyle said steaming.

"I wonder how Ty is feeling?" Chris asked and Cody and Danny looked at each other.

"What's going on?" Kyle yelled.

"I dunno," Jeff said.

"I saw that look!" Kyle said to Cody and Danny.

"Tyler's sick. We'll be home in ten minutes, Kyle," Cody said.

"You guys know something! What is it?" Kyle demanded.

"Kyle we don't know anything. I'm sure he is fine!" Danny said.

"Whatever...," Kyle said staring out the window.

As they drove up the driveway Kyle spotted his parents' van. "You fuckers!" He yelled getting up. "Mom and Dad are here! I knew something was wrong and none of you would tell me." Kyle yelled as he jumped out of the van before it came to a complete stop. Kyle didn't stop to notice his Dad, Derek, Luke and Casey just inside the garage. He tore down the walkway and ran into the cottage. Slamming every door shut after looking in each bedroom he found Tyler sitting on the sectional chatting with his Mom.

Kyle began crying and jumped on Tyler and hugged him. "I was so worried about you!" Kyle said with tears running down his face.

"Oh... not-so-little-dude I am fine! Nothing to worry about," Tyler said, looking strangely at Linda. Linda just threw her arms up in the air not knowing what to make of it.

"Are you okay?" Tyler asked Kyle.

"No!" Kyle said and cried on Tyler's shoulder.

"Do you want to go talk somewhere?" Tyler asked and Kyle only nodded. "Let's go up to the loft. It will be quieter up there."

As Tyler and Kyle climbed up to the loft they heard the roar of one of the snowmobiles.

"Can I talk with you two for a moment?" Larry asked.

"Umm... I was just going to go in and use the washroom, Sir!" Cody said nervously.

"It really wasn't a request Cody! Come with me boys." Larry said leading them down on to the deck and walking to the front of the cottage.

Cody looked back at Danny as they followed Larry to the front of the cottage.

"I'm not going to touch on the subject of what happened in Iowa beyond telling you exactly what I told Derek and Tyler. The four of you will NOT have unprotected sex or share any body fluids with each other or anyone else until you all get back to Baltimore and I have taken blood and urine samples and they come back clean! Forget for a moment about the emotional and moral ramifications of what the three of you did; think about the diseases you may have shared? You're not little children! With all the education and advertising directed at your age group you boys should know better than to have unprotected sex! And I ask you both to think about how you are going to feel if you gave one of your brother's some sort of sexually transmitted disease?" Larry said to Cody and Danny. Danny and Cody both stared at the deck.

"I doubt I have to remind you that there are young children around here and at my house. You are both welcome and wanted in our home. Linda and I want you to feel that it is your home as well, but remember, whatever you do, there are two 14 year olds and two 11 year olds observing how you act! We might be able to excuse how Kyle acts because of his age but not the four of you! One really has to wonder how much you guys love each other and your brothers when you do stupid things like this," Larry said and walked away.

Tyler and Kyle lay down on the bed and Tyler put his arm around Kyle. "Tell me what's wrong?" Tyler asked.

"Everyone is picking on me!" Kyle whined.

"Ahhhh... Muffin, tell me what's a matter? Why would anyone want to pick on you?" Tyler asked.

"You're just mocking me!" Kyle said, attempting to get up and leave but Tyler pulled him back down.

"Yes I am mocking you! Do you know why?" Tyler asked.

"Because you hate me too!" Kyle pouted.

"No Kyle! I'm really disappointed in how you behaved last night around Chris. You basically treated him like a toy that you take out and play with only when you're bored!" Tyler said.

Kyle didn't respond.

"I thought last night with Chris and me would have taught you a lesson but I guess it didn't? You weren't too happy with me flirting with Chris were you?" Tyler asked.

"No," Kyle mumbled.

"Kyle, it's your life and I'm not about to tell you what to do. You can learn things the easy way or the hard way. A guy who looks like you can get all the sex he could ever imagine but will find it difficult to have someone who loves him for the beauty within. You're going to find that it won't be easy in life to figure out who likes you for your body and who likes you for all that is real inside of you. You've already got someone that loves you for you in Chris, and if you're not mature enough to realize it then I can promise you that one day you will regret not making the most of your time with him!" Tyler warned.

Kyle didn't respond.

"We've been through this before. I'm not judging you for wanting to play the field and have a lot of fun. This is the time of your life to do that and learn from it but you can't have it both ways. It's not fair to Chris and I won't let you use him that way either! Chris is one of our brothers now and we WILL protect him even if it means protecting him from you. I know you don't like me saying that to you but understand I would say the same thing to Chris if he were in your position. I don't even know if you are hearing what I am saying, but I will give you one suggestion and you can do with it what you want? You need to be honest with yourself and figure out how you really feel about Chris. Once you know that, the answers to your other questions will come much easier. I love you, not-so-little-dude," Tyler said kissing the back of Kyle's head and leaving the loft.

"I'm going out to the garage, Mom!" Tyler called from the back door.

"Dress warm honey and put some sunglasses on so you're not getting too much sunlight!" Linda called from one of the bedrooms.

"Yes, Mother...," Tyler said jokingly.

Tyler walked into the garage to see Cody sitting on a pile of wood with his arms around Casey. Danny and Larry were working on fine-tuning the engine of the snowmobile. Derek and Jeff had gone out on the other snowmobile, and Chris and Luke were throwing snowballs.

"How are you feeling?" Cody asked, lifting Casey off of him and giving Tyler a hug.

"I feel fine. Everything's good. They're making me go see Dr. Reynolds when we get back," Tyler said.

"Making?" Cody asked winking.

"Okay. I want to go get better, eh! You know what I'm saying," Tyler said smiling.

"You know I love you, Ty!" Cody said.

"And you know I love you!" Tyler responded. "What's up with Kyle?"

"C'mon, let's take a short walk." Cody said as Casey went off to help his best friend defend his fort against Chris.

"Something happen today?" Tyler asked.

"It's not really just today but it was more obvious today. We had this ski instructor named Matt. What a total hawtie, Ty! He makes you look ugly!" Cody said and Tyler laughed.

"And why do I get the feeling that Kyle was hitting on him?" Tyler asked.

"Hitting on him doesn't even come close to describing what Kyle was doing! If we hadn't been there I think Kyle would have raped him in the middle of the Chalet. He was close to humping his leg as it was" Cody said laughing. "I have to tell you that I am partially responsible."

"How so?" Tyler asked.

"Kyle was making an ass of himself and Chris was getting upset so I told Matt that Kyle was Chris' boyfriend and that he was welcome to have some fun teasing Kyle," Cody said.

"What kind of fun?" Tyler asked.

"He just poured on his love for Chris and made a fuss over him while ignoring Kyle. Kyle got upset at everyone, but he was really asking for it! If I were Matt I would have refused to work with any of us. It was almost crossing the line of sexual harassment," Cody said.

"That bad?" Tyler asked.

"You know Kyle better than I do," Cody said.

"Okay, I just had a talk with him but I want to talk to Chris right now so let's go back. Maybe you can keep Luke and Casey busy?" Tyler asked.

"That's not exactly work, Ty!" Cody said smiling.

"You're really attached to Casey aren't you?" Tyler asked.

"Damn, Ty, I love him so much! I think about him, worry about him and wonder if he's doing okay. Shit, I would marry his Mom just so I could take care of him, but I think Danny might get pissed," Cody added and Tyler broke up laughing.

"That's so cute... and funny... and sweet! Casey's a lucky guy!" Tyler said putting his arm around Cody's shoulder as they walked the trail back to the cottage.

"You think I'm weird, huh?" Cody asked.

"Nope. I can relate exactly to how you are feeling and I know how great it is to feel that way," Tyler said.

"Hey, Chris?" Tyler called. "Got a second?" Cody ran over to take Chris' place behind one of the snow forts that Casey and Luke had built.

"C'mon with me." Tyler said putting his arm around Chris and walking towards the garage. "Dad, is it okay for me to go in the hot tub?"

"Ummmmmmmmm... No!" Larry said smiling.

"What if we keep the temperature under 90?" Tyler asked.

"No more than twenty minutes! Chris, Tyler passed out earlier this morning so you don't leave him alone and you yell loud for me if anything appears to be wrong," Larry said.

"Yes, Sir, I won't let anything happen to my brother!" Chris said. Larry and Danny looked at Tyler and smiled.

"That's kind of different, Danny... seeing you all covered in grease for a different purpose," Tyler said grinning.

"Permission to run Tyler over in the snowmobile if we get it running Dr. Anderson?" Danny asked.

"Granted...," Larry said, not looking up. Danny stuck his tongue out at Tyler.

Tyler and Chris walked around to the side of the house. Chris ran up to the hot tub and checked the temperature. "It says 82 degrees, Ty!" Chris said.

"Good. By the time we are changed it will be up to 90. Pull the cover back over and come inside." Tyler said as he turned and programmed the thermostat to 89 degrees.

Tyler grabbed two towels and headed back into his room. Chris knocked and opened up the door to Tyler's room as he was changing. "Do you mind if I change in here? Kyle's in our room and the door is shut," Chris asked.

"Do I get to help you get naked?" Tyler teased.

"You bet!!!!!" Chris said laughing as he pulled his clothes off. Chris hugged Tyler from behind and said, "I love you, Ty!"

"I love you too Chris! I'm glad we are getting a little bit of time alone," Tyler said. Tyler could feel Chris' growing erection from their naked hug and said, "Let's get out there while we can before everyone joins us!"

Tyler wrapped a towel around Chris's waist and gave him a kiss. "I love you Chris and I couldn't be happier that you are my brother!"

As Chris opened the bedroom door they both heard Kyle's bedroom door shut. Chris paused and looked back over his shoulder at Tyler and smiled. Tyler shook his head and smiled.

"How are we going to cure that boy of eavesdropping?" Tyler asked quietly with his hand on Chris' shoulder.

Tyler stopped Chris in the hallway and said, "Should we invite Kyle to join us?"

"Nah. I want to have some Tyler time to myself, besides, he won't come out anyway," Chris said grinning.

"Okay, that's an even better idea. We'll kill him with kindness. You wait here!" Tyler said and turned to go back down the hallway to Kyle's room. Tyler knocked and there was no answer so he opened the door.

Kyle was lying on the bed facing the wall. Tyler noticed that Kyle had his hand inside his jeans and was in the midst of pulling his member out as he heard the door open.

"Sorry to disturb you Kyle. Chris and I are going into the hot tub for 20 minutes and we thought you might want to join us?" Tyler asked, but Kyle didn't respond. Tyler closed the door.

"Leave our towels here so they will be warm when we come back inside," Tyler said.

"But Mrs. Anderson will see us naked!" Chris cautioned.

"Mrs. Anderson has seen lots of naked boys over the years!" Tyler said to Chris as he looked at Linda in the kitchen. She grinned and winked. "In fact one might wonder just how many naked boys she has seen?" Tyler asked teasing Linda.

"Which towel is yours Chris? I want to make sure I don't toss it over the railing into the snow!" Linda asked teasing Tyler.

"How often do you get to moon a lady, Chris?" Tyler said and they turned, dropped their towels and bent over. <Snap>

"She's got a camera!" Chris whined, quickly covering up his privates.

"She's got your butt too!" Tyler said laughing as they ran across the deck to the hot tub.

"You've got a nice cock, Ty!" Chris said grinning.

"Yours isn't so bad either, Chris," Tyler said grinning back at him.

"So you've been checking me out then, huh?" Chris asked, smiling.

"I always check out the hawties!" Tyler said.

"Speaking of hawties... you've got to meet Matt! When he kissed me I thought I was going to blow my load right there!" Chris said.

"He kissed you eh?" Tyler asked.

"He was just teasing Kyle. Kyle's been an assmite all day," Chris said frowning.

"Yeah... he was yesterday too. I thought I might have taught him something last night but I gather not," Tyler said.

"You just don't understand him Ty. He's always like that. Two months ago he wouldn't talk with anyone at school and now he flirts with everyone," Chris said.

"And you're okay with it?" Tyler asked.

"I guess. Part of me gets super jealous and part of me says that's my boyfriend!" Chris giggled.

"So you're not mad at him then?" Tyler asked.

"Oh yeah! I'm angry with him. He was a total jerk today and he's sunk to new levels of flirting," Chris said, as he slid around to sit beside Tyler. Tyler put his arm around Chris and Chris laid his head down on Tyler's shoulder.

"So what are you going to do?" Tyler asked.

"Not sure. I don't think there is anything I can do?" Chris sighed.

"Does Kyle love you?" Tyler asked fearing the answer.

Chris grabbed his necklace that Kyle gave him and rubbed it between his fingers. "Yeah. I'm sure he loves me and I already know I love him. I've been obsessed with him for so long I can't imagine ever getting tired of being with him. I look at other guys too but all I want is Kyle. What I can't figure out is why he is chasing every guy he sees. I know I'm not super sexy and a complete hawtie like Kyle but I didn't think I was as ugly and stupid as Kyle must think I am?" Chris said with his voice trailing off.

"I feel sorry for, Kyle," Tyler said, and Chris looked up at him in shock.

"Why?" Chris asked.

"Because he doesn't realize how lucky he is," Tyler said smiling.

"You're just saying that to make me feel better," Chris said.

"Chris if you were 18 and I wasn't with Derek I would be following you around just like a lost puppy," Tyler said taking his hand under water and squeezing it three times. Chris turned and crawled up on top of Tyler and hugged him. Tyler couldn't tell that Chris was wiping his eyes from the emotions he was feeling but Kyle could from the slit in the drapes in the bedroom.

"I hope you won't take this in a bad way, Chris, but I think we are a lot alike," Tyler said.

"Bad way?" Chris asked sitting back on Tyler's legs facing him. "That's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me next to Kyle telling me he loves me."

"What I meant is that it is really nice to see that there is someone else who feels the same way about their boyfriend as I do about Derek," Tyler said. "Get back down under the water or you will freeze!" Chris sat back down beside Tyler.

Chris was reaching over the side of the tub and packing snowballs and then throwing them over the railing at trees when Kyle came out running naked to the tub.

"What's up guys?" Kyle asked smiling.

"Chris was giving me a nice hand job until you showed up!" Tyler teased.

"Bullshit! Your arms have been slung over the side of the tub and Chris has been making snowballs!" Kyle said grinning.

Tyler grabbed Chris's right hand and placed it on his crotch. Chris' eyes bugged out.

"See! I told ya he was giving me a hand job!" Tyler teased. Kyle stuck his tongue out at Tyler.

"Chris, you can remove your hand now?" Kyle asked. Chris just grinned at him.

"Maybe, you better Chris. I'm really close. Damn! You are really good at that!" Tyler said smiling. "I better get out of here I think my 20 minutes is up."

"Why only 20 minutes?" Kyle asked.

"Because Dad said so after all that happened this morning. I don't want to risk getting another physical as punishment for staying in the hot tub too long. Dad already gave me a complete physical and you know how they test for hernias?" Tyler asked.

Chris and Kyle snorted.

"Exactly! He had my balls in his hand and Luke walked in on us!" Tyler said. Kyle and Chris burst into laughter. Tyler stood up with a full erection.

"Maybe I'll just sit on the edge of the hot tub for a moment before going in!" Tyler said.

"Just go in, Ty, then you can take Mom or Luke off the list of family members who haven't felt your balls?" Kyle said, laughing.

"Actually your Mom is the only one who hasn't yet and I would like to keep it that way!" Tyler said getting out of the hot tub.

"Luke?" Kyle yelled.

"Yeah... unfortunately, and I don't want to talk about it!" Tyler said leaving them alone in the tub.

Kyle sat across from Chris in the hot tub and neither spoke for a few minutes until Chris said, "It sure is pretty up here in the mountains!"

Kyle didn't say a word.

"Want to go out for a ride on the snowmobile?" Kyle asked.

"Might be kind of crowded," Chris said, wondering if Kyle would catch his sarcasm.

"I meant just you and me," Kyle said.

"There's no such thing as just you and me Kyle. It's you and whoever you're lusting after today and me when you have nothing better to do," Chris said standing up in the hot tub. He undid the leather necklace with the teardrop pendent and handed it back to Kyle. "I know I'm not super sexy or a fantastic skater or maybe even all that smart. But I really thought that at least to you I was somebody special? You should keep this. It hasn't brought me any luck and maybe it will help you hook up with Matt or whoever else catches your attention tomorrow." Chris said walking back to the cottage.

To be continued...
 

tylerpeel@tickiestories.us

Posted: 01/07/09