by: Tyler Peel

© 2007 by the author

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

Chapter 42
Clash of the Titans

Tyler woke up, wondering how he ended up on the outside of the bed with Derek now against the wall and Luke and Mango in the middle. He looked at his watch and saw that it was 7:32 a.m.

"I actually got to sleep in," he said quietly smiling to himself.

Derek was mumbling in his sleep as usual but it was the sound Luke's sucking noises that woke him up. Tyler peered over the edge of the bed to make sure Mango wasn't lying on the floor. He looked over at Luke to see that the sucking noise came from Luke devouring Mango's paw. He sat up and let his feet dangle over the edge of the bed. The cottage felt warmer this morning. He touched the floor with his big toe to see how cold it was.

"Good...," he said to himself, standing up. Tyler pulled the covers back up and tucked Luke and Mango in so that they wouldn't fall out of bed. He pulled on a pair of sweatpants and put some white socks on.

Jesse heard noise coming from one of the bedrooms and woke up. When he heard the creak of footsteps on the hardwood floor he closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep.

Walking out into the living room Tyler didn't even notice Jesse asleep on the sectional. Tyler unpacked, cleaned, and started up the new coffee machine. "Make sweet love to me!" Tyler said as the machine began to percolate. Jesse grinned listening to Tyler but kept his eyes shut.

Tyler opened the fridge and removed eggs, cream cheese, chives, mushrooms, bacon, sausages, milk, and English muffins. It wasn't until he lifted three frying pans out of the bottom of the stove and then stood up that he noticed Jesse lying on the sofa. Tyler walked out of the kitchen to take a closer look. Jesse was lying on the sectional facing the bedrooms wearing only his boxers.

Tyler then headed back towards the bedrooms and Jesse quickly stole a peek only to find an empty room again. He heard some noises and then footsteps returning to the living room so he closed his eyes. Jesse could feel a comforter being placed on him and then lightly tucked in around him. As Tyler walked back towards the kitchen Jesse smiled.

Tyler began breaking a dozen eggs into a bowl and adding some sour cream before whisking them up. He pulled out a box of pancake batter and added eggs, eggnog, and some extra baking powder. He set three bananas and some 'broasted' pecans next to the pancake batter so that he would be ready to make Luke and Casey's breakfast when they got up.

Tyler chopped up fresh chives and threw two packages of fresh mushrooms into a hot buttered frying pan on medium-low to slightly precook them. He began toasting English muffins in advance of breakfast figuring he could reheat them in the microwave oven. The bacon then went into the microwave oven; sausages in a frying pan and a package of frozen hash browns went into another pan with chopped green onion, fresh garlic, salt and pepper, and a hint of celery salt. Jesse rolled on to his side and watched through a slit in his eyelids so that Tyler couldn't see he was awake.

Luke appeared on the scene with Mango a short while later.

"Morning, Pookster! Happy New Year!" Tyler said quietly. A yawning Luke held up his arms implying that he wanted to be picked up. Tyler lifted a sleepy Luke and Mango into his arms and gave them both a kiss.

"What's your shirt say this morning?" Tyler asked and set Luke down on the counter so he could read it. " 'Your sister's hot but your Mom does that thing with her tongue...' Christ, Luke, you're going to get suspended from school!" he whispered.

"Like we don't already know the routine...," Luke mumbled with only one eye open. "Why are you whispering?" Luke asked.

"Look over there!" Tyler said turning Luke so he could see Jesse. "Why don't you go and get some socks on while I pour you a nice big glass of orange juice?" Tyler suggested.

"Chocolate milk please!" Luke said as Tyler set him back down on the floor. Luke wandered back into the living room and over to Jesse. He lifted the comforter that was on Jesse and slipped Mango inside. Jesse could barely contain his smile. Luke stumbled back to the bedroom.

Luke returned to the kitchen no more awake and Tyler suggested he go back to bed for a bit. Luke gave Tyler a look.

"Fine... stay up! You can help me make breakfast?" Tyler said.

"That's women's work!" Luke said, waving Tyler off.

"How much broken glass did you want in your pancakes?" Tyler asked smiling.

"Don't make me come over there?" Luke said. Jesse smiled listening to the banter.

"Yes Sir. How would bananas and pecans in your pancakes be with peanut butter melted over the top?" Tyler asked.

"And chocolate chips too!" Luke said getting down from the barstool. He walked over to Jesse and pulled back the comforter and climbed on top of him. Jesse opened his eyes enough to wrap his arms around Luke after he laid his head down on Jesse's chest. Tyler watched and smiled as Jesse pulled the comforter back over the two of them.

"Morning...," Derek said as walked into the living room.

"Shhhhsh!" Tyler said holding his finger up to his mouth and then pointing over to the sofa.

Derek smiled and shook his head. "When did that happen?"

"Not long ago," Tyler said grinning.

"What's Jesse doing down here?" Derek asked.

"No idea... hopefully nothing happened upstairs," Tyler said with some concern.

"Want some help with breakfast?" Derek asked sitting down on the bar stool holding his head in his hands.

"Why don't you just keep me company and drink some orange juice?" Tyler suggested as he handed him a large glass full.

"You're really trying to get rid of this stuff aren't you?" Derek joked.

"Tell Mom that two cases of frozen mandarin oranges go a long way," Tyler said as he began pouring chocolate chips into a glass bowl.

"Why are you playing with chocolate at this time of day?" Derek asked.

"I thought maybe we might get some quiet time alone and do some body painting?" Tyler teased. They both heard a noise and looked over at Jesse and Luke.

"Speaking of quiet time... I think we really need some time alone together that doesn't involve sleep!" Derek said and Tyler paused to look at him.

"Is something wrong?" Tyler asked.

"Maybe? If you don't think we need some time alone?" Derek asked coldly.

"Derek, don't start this please? I know a lot has happened since we came home and I have to admit that I've been selfish wanting to get to know my family but its something that I've really been in need of," Tyler said.

"I know and I do understand what you are saying but we need some us time as well. I don't mean sex either... but I wouldn't be opposed to the idea," Derek said, not looking at Tyler.

Tyler almost quipped 'you've had more sex than I've had' but knew better than to say a word. "You're right Derek and I am sorry. We'll find a way to get some time alone today but that means you need to help share my workload?" Tyler said opening up the fridge. "And remember we can't have any sex until our blood and urine tests come back!"

"No, we can't exchange body fluids! It means we have to wear a condom but sex isn't important right now," Derek said and Tyler gave him a funny look, as he stood there with the fridge door open.

"What the hell is that?" Derek asked.

"What?" Tyler said looking at him.

"That!" Derek said pointing inside the fridge.

"That! Is a chicken! Biology was never your strong suit was it?" Tyler asked laughing.

"I haven't heard you complain as of yet?" Derek shot back.

<Quiet snort from the living room> Tyler and Derek looked over at Jesse and Luke again.

"Why did you buy a chicken?" Derek asked.

"You should have asked that at the grocery store yesterday!" Tyler said pouring coffee for the two of them.

"You didn't answer my question?" Derek asked.

"What is today?" Tyler asked.

"New Year's Day." Derek said grinning. "And Happy New Year, Ty!"

"You too... how many people are in this mansion right now?" Tyler asked.

Derek began counting on his fingers.... "If there are more than 21 people you know that you're in trouble?" Tyler said shaking his head.

"There are eleven people I think?" Derek said.

"Right! So what did you plan to serve for dinner tonight being New Year's Day?" Tyler asked.

"I hate you! I love you, but I hate you!" Derek said pointing at Tyler. "Thanks, Ty."

"You're most welcome but only because you are my favourite guy in the world," Tyler said leaning across the counter to share a kiss.

"Hmmm... morning breath with coffee is better than I thought," Tyler said.

"You still didn't answer me about the chocolate chips?" Derek asked.

"You're not buying the body paint thingy, eh?" Tyler asked.

"Meh...," Derek said rolling his eyes.

"Luke wants chocolate chips added to his banana pecan pancakes but I figured they wouldn't melt so I thought I would do some kind of chocolate design on them for him and Casey," Tyler said.

"You really do look after us don't you?" Derek asked.

"Derek, you might think I'm avoiding you from all that happened in Iowa but I am not. Our six younger brothers are our number one priority! Feeding, caring, loving, and trying to keep them from killing themselves," Tyler said.

"Six? Don't you mean five younger brothers?" Derek asked.

"Luke, Casey, Kyle, Chris, Jeff, and Jesse!" Tyler said.

"Oh right... I forgot about Jeff... he just seems like he is our age," Derek said. Jesse smiled at being thought of as one of the brothers.

"I'm going to refill my coffee and go have a shower," Derek said holding his mug out.

"You mean have me refill your coffee?" Tyler asked grinning.

"Whatever...," Derek said getting up and heading to the shower.

"Oh, Derek?" Tyler called.

"Yes O' honey bunches of Oh's!" Derek said laughing. Jesse had to roll over to keep from showing his grin.

"That was really lame by the way, after breakfast you can peel and chop about 20 potatoes for dinner if you want to help... make some free time!" Tyler said leaning over the counter.

"I think I have to help Luke build a snowman after breakfast?" Derek said as he closed the bathroom door.

"That would suit me fine as well...," Tyler mumbled. Jesse climbed out of the sofa and covered up Luke. He walked over to the kitchen and sat down on a barstool. Tyler turned around from checking the bacon in the microwave oven and almost had heart failure.

"Ahhhh!" Tyler said holding his chest.

"Did I scare you?" Jesse asked.

"No... yes!" Tyler said grinning as he poured Jesse a coffee and handed it to him.

"Are you hungry?" Tyler asked.

"Always!" Jesse said.

"Know your way around a kitchen?" Tyler asked.

"I don't do potatoes!" Jesse said grinning. "Well... maybe for one of my brothers..."

Tyler winked at him and smiled.

"What's for breakfast? Everything smells good!" Jesse asked as Tyler handed him some orange juice.

"Do you like cream cheese?" Tyler asked.

"On a bagel!" Jesse said.

"This is a slight variation. An authentic French omelette is made with chives and crème fraiche, which is similar to our sour cream. I am precooking fresh mushrooms and adding sour cream to the eggs to make an omelette but I am kicking it up a notch!" Tyler said.

"Sounds pretty kicked up already?" Jesse said slurping on his coffee. "Got sugar?"

Tyler handed Jesse the sugar bowl.

"It is but after I've made the omelette I will slice it into squares, top it off with a few more fresh chives and then place each square on a toasted English muffin that is covered in cream cheese!" Tyler said grinning. "Oh, and Happy New Year, Jesse!"

"Happy New Year, Tyler.... thanks to you!" Jesse said raising his mug in a toast and smiling.

"I doubt it... I think it's due in part to all of your brothers!" Tyler said whisking the eggs. "Now get your ass in here and help with breakfast."

Jesse came around the counter and put his arms around Tyler from behind and hugged. "I love you too, Jesse." Tyler said and Jesse just sighed and smiled.

"What do you want me to do?" Jesse asked.

"Stir up the hash browns so they don't burn and roll over the country sausages please?" Tyler asked.

Danny came out next wearing his cow print pyjamas and Jesse looked at him and burst into laughter. "It's the beats for you little brother!" Danny said pointing at him with a smile.

"Mooooooo!" Tyler said. Jesse laughed even louder.

"Shut the fuck up, Puckhead!" Danny said, "and Happy New Year to the both of you." Danny looked at everything that was going on in the kitchen and said, "What's for dinner?"

Jesse laughed and shook his head as he rotated the sausages.

"Dinner? Can't we get through breakfast first?" Tyler asked.

Danny stared at him. "Fine, Danny, we're having roast chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, orange glazed carrots and peanut butter," Tyler said.

"Peanut butter?" Jesse asked.

"Luke!" Tyler said and Jesse laughed.

"No dessert?" Danny asked.

"Jesus... Yes, we are having dessert as well. I got two raspberry pies. One for you and one for the rest of us and then there is still another tray of 12 puddings in the basement fridge."

"Got cinnamon swirls?" Danny asked.

Tyler reached down into a cupboard below where he was standing and pulled out a bag and handed them to Danny.

"I love you, Tyler...," Danny said tearing open the bag. Tyler looked at Jesse and rolled his eyes and Jesse laughed again.

"Don't believe a word he says... if you tied a bag of cinnamon buns to tree he would love the tree," Tyler said.

"Only if it's knotty pine!" Danny said winking.

Tyler looked at him and said, "Mooooooo... go graze elsewhere!"

"Got coffee?" Danny asked.

"Got Milk?" Tyler asked, and all three started laughing.

"You guys are so lame with your jokes!" Jesse said.

"Too bad you're stuck with us for life, loser!" Danny said with a mouthful of bun.

"I think I can live with that...," Jesse mused.

"I think we can too," Tyler said.

"What's for breakfast?" Danny asked.

"Food. Like it matters to you? You eat anything... and everything!" Tyler said.

"Fine... I know when I'm not wanted," Danny said getting off of the barstool.

"Since when?" Tyler asked and Jesse began laughing again.

"Is it like this all of the time?" Jesse asked.

"No, sometimes Tyler is funny!" Danny said climbing the stairs. "It's time to wake my boys up!"

"How did you sleep last night?" Tyler asked.

"Not very good but not for why you might think? It is so hot up there and Kyle is like a furnace!" Jesse said.

"Yeah, sorry, I should have warned you. He's a little ball of fire in every way you can imagine!" Tyler said.

"I thought I was horny!" Jesse said.

"Shit! Don't tell me he tried something with you?" Tyler asked.

"No. In fact he made it very clear to Chris that I was off limits to everyone, which was really nice of him. It's kind of strange to be held, even loved by two guys who don't insist on having sex," Jesse said.

"Kyle's a sweetie! I didn't think I could love someone as much as I love him but the little brat is high maintenance!" Tyler said.

"At first I thought he hated his brother but I see that he is actually protective of him," Jesse said, sort of wishing he hadn't brought the subject up.

"We are protective of all of our brothers, including you!" Tyler said.

"Thanks," Jesse said.

"Try to understand, Jesse, that everyone is being a little cautious around you but only because no one wants to hurt you any more than you've already been hurt. You need to take the lead in friendship and experience the love of your brothers," Tyler said.

"I was kind of wondering... since you seem to be the leader around here, why you weren't asking me all sorts of questions? If anything, you have stayed clear of me more than anyone?" Jesse asked.

"You're not 11 years old Jesse and next week I will be starting counselling for dealing with the death of my family. No one seems to like the idea that I am dealing with it at my own pace," Tyler said.

"So you're doing it for them?" Jesse asked.

"No, maybe, sort of... but not really," Tyler pondered. "You're not the only one who is fucked up around here." Tyler said and Jesse laughed.

"You don't hold back any punches do you?" Jesse said grinning.

"I did last night!" Tyler said and winked at Jesse.

"How did you know?" Jesse asked.

"I didn't... exactly... I just knew something wasn't right. When someone can't even hold back their anger to attempt to be polite in public then you know they need help," Tyler said.

"Yeah... I'm pretty screwed up I guess...," Jesse said.

"Maybe, but do you realize how far you traveled on the road to recovery from last night to this morning?" Tyler asked.

"A huge amount!" Jesse said grinning. "Hey, Tyler?"

"Just call me, Ty, Jesse." Tyler said.

"Okay, Ty, the bracelet thing was your idea wasn't it?" Jesse asked.

"Does it really matter?" Tyler asked.

"No... I guess not," Jesse said.

"We chose you Jesse and we all hope you will choose us as well? We don't have a lot of time to convince you how much we love and want you in our family but we're all going to do our best to win you over!" Tyler said.

"You said something happened in Iowa this week?" Jesse asked.

"Yeah...," Tyler said.

"But you don't want to talk about it?" Jesse asked.

"I don't want to even think about it. The short version is... my boyfriend slept with Danny and Cody," Tyler said softly as he watched to make sure Luke is asleep.

"Shit! And here you are making breakfast for them? How does one even forgive someone for that?" Jesse asked.

"You just do if the love between two people is real. Holding it in doesn't help in the long run and you and I both know that for different reasons. That's why I am going to get professional help to deal with the loss of my family." Tyler said.

Tyler walked over to the fireplace and pulled out the newspaper with the story of his family and handed it to Jesse.

After reading through it all Jesse could say was, "I'm sorry, Ty."

"Me too, but I have this family that loves me unconditionally and they support me," Tyler said smiling.

"My Mom is really sick. This hits too close to home!" Jesse said.

"Can I offer one piece of advice from my inexperience?" Tyler joked.

"Sure... please!" Jesse said putting the paper back in the bin by the fire.

"It's not the amount of time you have left but the quality of time you spend with that person. Right now Derek is upset with me for spending this entire vacation with all of my brothers and family. He is right, I haven't been spending any quiet time alone with him but right now I need to be a little bit selfish and get through my first Christmas without my own family. Part of it is keeping busy, which keeps me from thinking about them but the reality is that being an active member in my new family brings back a lot of good memories. My point is this... spend as much quality time with your Mom as you can," Tyler said.

"I haven't spent any time with my family in a few years now. I wouldn't have come to Lake Placid if it hadn't been forced upon me," Jesse said.

"Jesse, I don't know your brother that well but he seems really great? If you get a chance would you ask him to tell you the story of him and Chris?" Tyler asked.

"Our Chris? The Chris here?" Jesse asked.

Tyler laughed. "I love that you called him 'our Chris', Tyler said. "And yes, I mean our Chris."

"Can I ask why?" Jesse said.

"You're kind of impatient aren't you?" Tyler asked and Jesse grinned.

"Kyle was chasing your brother and ignoring Chris so Cody got Matt to play up to Chris a bit in front of Kyle. Sort of a teach him a lesson the hard way... no pun intended. <Jesse grinned> They both wanted some private shower time with Matt and your brother handled Chris in a way that you would be proud of and probably wished had happened with you. It's a great story and when it is over I think your trust level with Matt will go through the roof!" Tyler said.

"Moooooooooo!" Tyler and Jesse heard from upstairs and they began laughing. They then heard Kyle and Chris laughing hysterically.

"Why don't you run up and save your brothers from the horny cow?" Tyler suggested.

"Don't you want my help here?" Jesse asked.

"I do, but, Jesse, right now is your time to be a kid and have fun! Some of your childhood was stolen from you. There are a lot of people who would spend the rest of their lives trying to be a kid again. Do it now while you can so when you make that final move into adulthood you won't have regrets. Any anger you hold on to from the guy that hurt you only makes you the loser in the end. Do you understand?" Tyler asked.

"Yeah... I haven't had a pillow fight in years!" Jesse said all smiles.

"And if you are really daring... Danny cut holes in the pockets of his cow pyjamas and you can reach in and grab something and make jokes about how small it is," Tyler said winking. "Just remember they may grab back but it will all be in fun!"

Jesse walked into Tyler with his arms open. "Thanks, Jesse, I needed that."

Jesse laughed. "Not as much as I did. Thanks, Ty." Jesse ran upstairs and jumped on top of Danny from behind and began humping his butt. Kyle and Chris went crazy with laughter and the pillow fight ensued.

The noise woke Luke up and he looked around.

"Pookster?" Tyler called and Luke looked at him.

"Pillow fight, 2nd floor, take Casey with you!" Tyler said pointing upwards and Luke was gone to get Casey. Luke and Casey ran through the living room followed by Cody stumbling into the kitchen.

"Happy New Year, Cody." Tyler said handing him a large glass of orange juice.

"You too... what's all the frick'n screaming about?" Cody asked as Derek came out of the shower.

"Pillow fight with a cow in the loft." Tyler said.

Jeff rubbed his hand over Matt's chest as he began to wake.

"Morning, honey!" Matt said and started laughing.

"Morning. Mmmmm... I could stay like this all day." Jeff said.

"That's probably the last thing I ever thought I would hear from a straight guy!" Matt said kissing the top of Jeff's head.

"I just like being held," Jeff said. "When do you have to be in to work?"

"Noon I think, but I am skipping today! I want to spend some time with Jesse and with you... and all of my brothers before we fly home," Matt said.

"When do you fly out?" Jeff asked.

"Tomorrow, from Burlington, Vermont," Matt said.

"I'm going to miss you...," Jeff said with his voice trailing off.

"Me too, Jeff, me too," Matt said. "Smells like breakfast is ready?"

"Sounds like the roof is going to come down on us?" Jeff said laughing.

"I heard some noises earlier. I think Danny is getting milked!" Matt said and Jeff snorted.

"Let's get some breakfast?" Matt said untangling himself from Jeff.

Tyler stacked up dinner plates, knives and forks, and several bowls on the kitchen counter. He piled the hash browns into one bowl and the sausages into another bowl. After cleaning the two frying pans he was ready to begin the final stages of breakfast.

"What can I do to help?" Derek asked coming into the kitchen with wet hair and wearing only a pair of track pants.

"You can spread cream cheese on every English muffin, please?" Tyler asked.

"You toasted 36 English muffins?" Derek asked.

"No I toasted 18 of them. Two halves make one muffin, Derek," Tyler said shaking his head.

"And you want cream cheese on everyone of them?" Derek asked.

"Right, and maybe you could make some more coffee, pour some chocolate milk and peel some potatoes?" Tyler asked grinning. All the boys came running downstairs from the loft being chased by a cow.

"This place is getting weirder and weirder...," Derek said.

"Word!" Tyler said agreeing with Derek.

"We're starved!" Luke whined.

"Give me a few minutes, Pookster, and I will get your pancakes started," Tyler said. "Casey? Are banana pecan pancakes okay for breakfast?" he asked.

"Got chocolate?" Casey asked, and Tyler furrowed his brow while staring at him. Casey and Luke laughed at him.

"Got...," Tyler began, but Danny finished his line with "Don't even start!"

"Why don't you moooooooooove out of the kitchen, Danny?" Tyler suggested.

"Can I make the pancakes?" Jesse asked.

"Well... hell yeah!" Tyler said laughing. Tyler sliced up two bananas and threw them into the batter along with a handful of pecans from BMK Nuttery.

"I just have to wash my hands, Ty, I might have touched Danny, but can't really be sure," Jesse said grinning at Danny.

"Oooooooooooo!" everyone said laughing.

"You're so dead meat!!!!" Danny said laughing.

"In that case maybe we don't need to use the chicken for dinner after all?" Tyler said to Derek.

"Once you're finished with Jesse I will stuff him!" Kyle said to Danny with a big grin. Jesse came out of the bathroom and messed Kyle's hair.

"Geez, I think I need to wash my hands again...," Jesse said turning on the water in the kitchen sink. Kyle glared at Jesse and fussed with his hair.

"Okay Jesse, butter in the pan, scoop out two large spoonfuls with this serving spoon and don't do anything until the edges begin to brown!" Tyler said. "When the edges are brown flip them over and wait about 3 minutes and then look underneath.

Tyler made two giant omelettes and then sliced them into small squares about the size of the muffins. Derek began warming six English muffin halves in the microwave oven for 20 seconds at a time. Tyler then placed each slice of his chive and mushroom omelette on a muffin. Tyler removed six pancakes from the stack that Jesse was building and placed three on each plate. He added some home fries and bacon and then wrote Casey and Luke's name on each stack of pancakes in chocolate. He added maple syrup and handed each of them a plate insisting that they eat at the table.

Luke returned to the kitchen and stared up at Tyler as he was piecing together the omelette muffins. "What?" Tyler asked.

"Peanut butter?" Luke asked.

"Right!" Tyler said and pulled out a dish of pre-melted peanut butter and put it in the microwave for 15 seconds. "Here you go, don't burn yourself!" Tyler said and Luke gave him a kiss.

"Oh my God, this is soooo good, Ty!" Matt said stuffing an omelette muffin into his mouth.

"Go eat, Jesse, and thanks for the help!" Tyler said giving him a hug.

"I can help with dinner too!" Jesse said.

"Great! We can use all the help we can get!" Tyler said.

When Kyle came back for more sausages it was just he, Tyler, and Derek in the kitchen. "Kyle, can you do me a favour?" Tyler asked.

"Sure?" Kyle said.

"Tonight... could Derek and I have the loft... alone?" Tyler asked and Derek listened in closely.

"Yeah... I mean it's not like it's my loft," Kyle said as he grabbed two pancakes and more home fries.

"No, Kyle, what I mean is can Derek and I have it ALONE?" Tyler said quietly.

"Yeah..." Kyle said smiling. "No problem. Chris and I will look after everyone down here. You won't be disturbed... anymore than you already are!" Kyle grinned and Derek snorted.

"Thanks Kyle. We owe you one," Tyler said smiling.

"No you don't... wait, what am I saying? Yeah, you guys owe me several!" Kyle said winking and walked back into the living room.

Derek put his arms around Tyler and kissed him. "You need a shave Mr. Peel!" Derek said.

"I need to shave in a couple of places... too bad you already had your shower!" Tyler said, grinning.

"I can get dirty real quick?" Derek offered.

"Not in front of the young'uns!" Tyler said stuffing an omelette muffin into Derek's mouth.

"You know...," Derek began with his mouthful. "These could actually replace anything that McDonald's makes for breakfast!"

"I'll take that as a compliment. Now let's eat?" Tyler said and he and Derek filled their plates and sat at the table with Casey, Luke, and Jesse.

"Honey... what do you feel like having for breakfast?" Larry asked of Linda.

Linda came out of the bathroom holding her stomach. "NOTHING!" she yelled storming past him.

"Are you sure?" Larry asked.

"Don't even mention the word food!" Linda warned.

"You do look a little pale, maybe you should see a doctor?" Larry joked. Linda paused to glare at a smiling Larry.

"I'll be fine. I just have a bug Larry. Go eat something and when you come back we can go do some sight seeing," Linda said.

"Want me to get you anything?" Larry asked.

"No, I will be fine. I don't have a fever or aches. It's probably the water here I've been drinking," Linda said, as she hunted through her purse.

"It could be... every water system is different. I'll pick up some bottled water after breakfast," Larry said.

"Please, Larry, don't mention food?" Linda asked, shutting the bathroom door behind her.

"Christ!" Larry mumbled to himself as he stood at the elevator waiting. "You're as cranky as when you were pregnant with Luke."

The elevator door opened with several senior citizens on their way down to the main lobby to catch their bus and head back to the Foxwood's Casino. The elevator door opened to a man standing there staring blankly at them. "Oh Fuck!" was all he said and ran back down the hallway to his room. The ladies all looked at each other as the elevator door closed again and continued down.

"Must be a New Yorker!" One of the ladies said and they all laughed.

"If you are all full and finished, please bring your plates to the kitchen so I can wash them!" Tyler asked.

"Food is good but the service here needs improvement!" Cody said grinning at Tyler.

"What's for dessert?" Danny asked.

"Come here, Danny, and I will shove it down your throat!" Tyler said. Derek turned around with the intent of giving Tyler hell for saying that with Luke and Casey in the room but he then saw the chocolate squeeze bottle in his hand hidden behind his back.

"Okay, get down on your knees, open your mouth and close your eyes," Tyler said.

"And you will get a big surprise?" Cody asked. Everyone laughed and gathered around the kitchen to watch as Tyler pulled out the squeeze bottle from behind his back. He signaled to Kyle to come up behind Danny and quickly pull his zipper down on his jeans. When he did, Tyler inserted the squeeze bottle into his mouth and started squirting chocolate. Too bad that Danny began laughing and Tyler got chocolate all over his face.

"How now, brown cow?" Tyler asked.

"Mooooooo! Give me more, dammit!" Danny asked.

"Get over here, Cody, and lick it off his face," Tyler said. "As for the rest of you perverts... the free show is over!" And Tyler waved them all away.

"We're going to build a snow fort, Ty!" Casey said.

"Coolies! Maybe we can have an all out war this afternoon?" Tyler asked winking.

"Hey Matt, when do you have to be back at work?" Tyler asked.

"That depends on when you want me gone?" Matt asked grinning.

"Really?" Tyler asked and Matt came over to the kitchen counter. Jesse followed and sat beside him.

"Today is my last day so I will just phone them and tell them I won't be coming in. Besides I want to spend the day with my brother," Matt said, putting his hand on Jesse's thigh. Jesse reached down and squeezed Matt's hand.

"What about you Jesse? Don't you have to work today?" Tyler asked.

Matt and Jesse looked at each other. Matt leaned forward on the counter and looked both ways and then said quietly, "Jesse is no longer with the company."

"Good!" Tyler said, "Because I wasn't letting him leave anyway," Tyler winked at Jesse and Jesse smiled. "Why don't you guys help Casey and Luke build two snow forts for the first annual 'brothers snowball' fight?" he asked.

"I want to be on the team against Tyler!" Derek said grinning.

"Fine... maybe you should spend some time making a white flag!" Tyler shot back.

"Eeeeewwwww!" Matt and Jesse said.

"You can't play anyway, Ty! In case you get hurt," Derek said laughing.

"Like hell I can't! I'll wear a snowmobile helmet!" Tyler said smirking.

"Don't worry, Ty, I won't need you to paint a target on it for me to hit you!" Derek said.

"Eeeeewwwww!" Matt and Jesse said and then laughed.

"Just remember you'll need a bigger pole than the one you've got to fly your white flag of defeat!" Tyler said grinning.

"I'll try to remember that you have the hardest throw of any of us... too bad you can't hit a barn door from five feet away!" Derek said.

"Eeeeewwwww!" Matt and Jesse said laughing to the point of crying.

"Wager... flag boi?" Tyler asked.

"Who cooks and cleans up from dinner?" Derek said.

"Random draw of names for teams?" Tyler asked.

"No. We split Luke and Casey up and Kyle and Chris up! The rest is a draw," Derek said. Matt and Jeff laughed.

"That's an odd number of people Derek to draw from!" Tyler said.

"I'll take the odd man and you can have Mango." Derek said. Matt and Jesse roared with laughter.

"Fine with me, but if you hit Mango with a snowball and you have to deal with Luke!" Tyler said.

"Ummm maybe I'll take Mango...," Derek said laughing.

"Loser cooks and cleans?" Tyler asked extending his hand to shake on the deal.

"Yep... but should the earth stop turning and I should happen to lose you need to guide me!" Derek said shaking Tyler's hand.

"I promise to stand over you the entire time laughing and giving you directions!" Tyler said.

"And?" Derek said.

"And?" Tyler asked.

"The loser, i.e. you! Will be my servant till midnight!" Derek added.

"Just remember how I like my coffee!" Tyler said.

"Let's do the draw right now!" Derek said.

When they finished Derek's team consisted of Danny, Jeff, Matt, Kyle and Luke. Tyler's team was made up of Cody, Jesse, Chris, and Casey.

"If we win... and we will," Jesse said to Matt, "You'll be my slave tonight until midnight!"

"Does Matt really give great massages?" Derek asked.

"I'll find out tonight and let you know!" Jesse said laughing.

"Guys why don't you go get everyone started on making two snow forts in the driveway? Derek, you're helping to make stuffing and fill a bird," Tyler said.

"Why don't we wait until I've kicked your ass and then you can do it yourself?" Derek asked.

"Want to eat at midnight?" Tyler asked.

"Ummm... probably not? Point noted!" Derek said. "Hey, Matt?" Derek called upstairs.

Matt ran half way down the stairs to see what Derek wanted.

"When you go outside would you get Danny to hook up the plow on the garden tractor? He'll be able to make two good sized piles just moving the snow." Derek said and Tyler used his finger to call Matt to come over.

"What's up?" Matt said.

"When you get all the guys out their making snowballs would you come back in? Derek and I want to talk to you about Jesse in private," Tyler whispered.

"Sure." Matt said running back upstairs.

"Why do I want to talk to him?" Derek asked.

"I thought you wanted to be included in what was going on?" Tyler asked.

"Sure, sure...," Derek said, gathering up the breakfast dishes.

"Hold up Babe!" Tyler said and Derek froze with his hands full. "You're upset that we haven't had any private time together but life in the past week and half has been more like a free-range circus held together with Band-Aids and Elmer's white glue. I don't think it would hurt for you to spend some time in my world to see that I am not ignoring you. You're just not the most current 911 emergency."

"Settle down, Ty!" Derek said grinning.

"Don't tell me to settle down," Tyler said with a furrowed brow.

"Okay, don't settle down," Derek said grinning.

"Derek. I've gone Christmas shopping, baking and cooking for the Anderson Christmas Eve party and Christmas Day! I've attended and worked at a Salvation Army Food Bank, helped deliver a baby cow in Iowa, chaperoned a hockey team for dinner, done ALL of the cooking here, and had this tiny little breakdown. I've been trying to manage, coach, entertain, love, and arbitrate four kids and let's not even touch on our latest addition, Jesse! <Tyler paused> And I just want to say that I am sorry that you are feeling neglected because obviously I am not a good boyfriend and after all I did ask you to pick out that coffee maker didn't I? Oh... wait! You turned that into an episode of Home Improvement!" Tyler said, and Derek leaned on the kitchen counter and worked his hands up to cover his ears.

"How many times did you offer your help or to even take care of something going on with the exception of when I was collapsed on the floor? For which I do thank you! I'm the first one up in the morning and usually the last one into bed," Tyler said.

"I made the garlic bread and stirred the hot chocolate!" Derek said snorting.

"You really think it's funny don't you?" Tyler asked.

"Yes, but no, not really," Derek said grinning and holding back a laugh.

"Get out of here please!" Tyler ordered pointing to the living room.

"You can't throw me out of my kitchen, Tyler!" Derek said laughing.

"You're right! You can stuff the bird! Stuff it like you stuffed Danny!" Tyler said throwing his dishtowel in the corner of the kitchen and storming past Derek.

"Ty???" Derek yelled and chased after him. "Tyler?" Derek said grabbing hold of his arm from behind. Tyler stopped and turned around and looked down at Derek's hand on his arm and then up at Derek. Derek looked into Tyler's eyes and let go of Tyler's arm.

"Please? Just one minute? Let's go in our room?" Derek asked and then closed the door behind them. "You're right. Completely right! I am wrong and I am selfish. I love you and I want to spend more time alone with you. Your shot at me about Danny was low but not uncalled for? You can call me any names you want to? I deserve it and I will stand here quietly if you want to punch the shit out of me. <Pause> Go ahead, but just remember that you and you alone are the one that I am in love with! I'm sorry for being thoughtless again. I do know and watch what you do for everyone and I guess I am feeling jealous that you do it for everyone else and not me!" Derek said and Tyler was about to speak but Derek held up his hand.

"Yes, you do lots for me. More than I can ever give back to you in a lifetime! I'm guilty of everything you've ever said or thought about me but most of all I am guilty of wanting you all for myself! Now you can hit me or whatever!" Derek said giving a little smile.

Tyler lightly poked his finger into Derek's tummy and Derek started laughing. "I love you, Tyler."

"Why did you laugh at me in the kitchen?" Tyler asked.

"Because... well, you sounded like Mom getting mad at Dad and you know how they say girls marry men like their fathers? I'm thinking I'm in love with a guy who mirrors my Mom?" Derek said, laughing.

"I can see that I am in love with a guy that has the same bed-side manner as his father. Have you thought about becoming a doctor? You'd be a good one!" Tyler said and Derek stared at him.

"Just shut up and tell me you still love me please?" Derek asked.

"I love you," Tyler said. "Now back to work!"

"Sigh" Derek said.

Derek peeled, cored, and sliced Ida red apples while Tyler chopped onion and cooked them in butter, in a frying pan. "Now throw your apples in the sauce pan and add two cans of chicken broth and once the apples are tender you add these two packages of stuffing mix." Tyler said.

"Why me? You're the cook!" Derek said.

"Because tonight we can honestly tell them that you made the stuffing and you will get the true satisfaction of having made something that makes others happy," Tyler said.

"Well... you chopped the onions!" Derek said.

"Only because I didn't think you should be playing with a big boy's knife yet?" Tyler said.

"I play with other big boy things..."

"Turn your heat down and stir while I get Annabelle out of the fridge," Tyler said.

"Annabelle? You named our dinner?" Derek asked laughing.

"No, the guy at Charlie John's said 'goodbye Annabelle and good eats' when he handed her to me," Tyler said.

"Her?" Derek said.

"Derek... just cause they call them chicken balls at the Chinese food restaurant doesn't actually mean...," Tyler said.

"Yeah, yeah, I get your point!" Derek said stirring the stuffing. "Shit, that chicken is huge!"

"It's a capon to be exact! I think it's about 13 lbs." Tyler said as he removed the gizzard and filled the cavity of the bird up with water.

"You don't need to drown Annabelle, she's already dead!" Derek teased.

"You need to clean the cavity of the bird and then salt it, line the inside with cheesecloth and add the stuffing." Tyler said. "By the way would you preheat the oven to 300 degrees, please?"

"I don't think the oven is working?" Derek said playing with it.

"Shit! I never even thought to check that it works." Tyler said. "Let's put Annabelle back in the fridge and turn off the burner and cover up your stuffing for now."

"Hey, guys," Matt said coming in from outside.

"Do you know anything about stoves?" Derek asked.

"Be serious? I'm gay!" Matt said laughing.

"Can you go back and ask the guys if anyone knows anything about fixing stoves or there may not be a dinner tonight," Tyler said.

"Sure, be right back." Matt said. Matt returned with Cody.

"What's the problem?" Cody asked grinning.

"Annabelle is dead and we want to cook her and get rid of the evidence!" Derek said trying not to crack a smile.

"And if we don't get the stove working soon we need to make alternate arrangements for dinner." Tyler added.

"Not to mention Annabelle!" Derek added.

"What's my reward if I fix it?" Cody asked and Derek and Tyler glared at him.

"You don't get a bill for expenses this Christmas!" Tyler said.

"You can have a blow job from Matt?" Derek offered and Matt laughed.

"You don't need to fix the stove for that, Cody!" Matt teased.

"Shushhhhh!" Tyler and Derek said laughing.

Cody put his hand on the clock timer and turned it until it passed 12 o'clock and the stove made a noise, the timer button popped out, and the oven light went on.

Tyler wrapped his arms around Cody and said, "I think I love you more than Derek's cold sore?" Matt laughed and Cody just looked at him. "Thanks, Cody. You can have all of Danny's cinnamon buns for fixing the stove," he said.

"Whatever... c'mon Matt? Let's go finish making snowballs so we can kick Tyler's ass!" Cody said.

"Actually Cody, I need to have a quiet chat with Tyler about Jesse so if you can keep them outside I will owe you one," Matt said.

"Two! You owe me two blowjobs now!" Cody said winking and went back outside.

"Derek, do you want to start making hot chocolate for everyone please?" Tyler asked.

"Why me?" Derek asked.

"Because you are the one who knows how to stir the pot up!" Tyler said grinning and Derek clued into what he was saying.

"What's the ratio again of sugar to cocoa powder? 5 to 1?" Derek asked.

"Four to one with Luke and Casey around!" Tyler said as he joined Derek on the bar stools. "How are things going with Jesse?" Tyler asked.

"Good, well actually really good considering where we were at 24 hours ago." Matt began. "We talked about what happened and the teacher is long gone and removed from teaching."

"Is he going to press charges against him?" Tyler asked.

"I encouraged it but he say no or at least not right now and with Mom's condition he doesn't, well, we both don't want her to know about it. Jesse can only improve from where he is right now!" Matt said.

"Isn't that allowing this guy to get away with it?" Derek asked and Tyler nodded in agreement.

"He's already in jail for other things and is branded. He'll never be allowed in the presence of children without being accompanied by another adult," Matt said. "Jesse is pumped up and all about moving forward though he is soon going to realize that healing won't take place in a matter of days."

"We really don't know how to act around him?" Tyler asked. "I'm almost afraid to hug him because it might bring back bad memories."

"I don't have an answer for that? He hugs and kisses me. Right now he is longing for love from anyone. I told him he had no choice but to go into private counseling. He didn't like it. He thought he could do it with my help but I told him I can't help myself so there was no way I could help him. I will support him, love him, encourage him, and give him a shoulder when needed but this is way out of my expertise," Matt said.

"Is he gay?" Derek asked.

"He says no, which is good because Mom needs grandchildren, but then again you guys told me Jeff is straight," Matt said and Tyler and Derek looked at each other.

"Hold up?" Tyler asked. "We know that Jeff is open minded and all but I doubt he is gay."

"I actually agree with you but I think Jeff observes all the love and thinks that maybe 'being gay' is the way to happiness and love. He isn't really as much about sex as some might think. He is about loving, cuddling, and just being intimate," Matt said.

"So he's curious for the purpose of seeing the other side of things?" Tyler asked.

"Well they say that as many as 80% of heterosexual men may have had some sort of homosexual experience but almost all treat it as a part of finding out what you prefer," Matt said.

"What about if Kyle and Chris try something with him?" Tyler asked. "How will he react?"

"That was my concern this morning but I had a short chat with him about it and he said they were perfect gentlemen and it was Kyle who made sure that nothing happened!" Matt said and Derek looked at them with eyes wide open.

"Jesse mentioned that to me earlier but I may have to rethink how I've been handling Kyle?" Tyler said.

"How so?" Matt asked.

"At first I tried logic and reason and that go me no where. He's been treating Chris like crap so I've been playing it up with Chris sexually but in fun to try to make Kyle see how it feels being Chris. Even Kyle knows I am teasing but he does get upset. Maybe I need to adopt a new approach?" Tyler asked no one in particular.

"Ty, I think your approach has been fine even if it isn't textbook treatment. What Kyle did last night showed that he was putting Jesse's welfare first! I'm really proud of Kyle for what he did and didn't do," Matt said.

"What are you going to do about Jeff?" Derek asked.

"Nothing and I do mean nothing! He loves to be held and kissed and loved and I do love him but I have a boyfriend and even if I didn't, I don't want to be Jeff's first," Matt said.

"I can assure you that you are not Jeff's first!" Derek said and Tyler looked at him. "Kyle and Chris were his first!" Derek said to Tyler shaking his head.

"Anyway Tyler, I wouldn't worry about Kyle. You analyzed Jesse accurately and figured out how to start him in the right direction so I don't think anything you try with Kyle will do damage because he knows that you love him and in the end that is all that matters," Matt said. Derek leaned on the counter and nodded his agreement.

"No pun intended!" Matt added grinning.

"Derek! Hot chocolate!" Tyler said.

"Right!" Derek said stirring again.

"How do you guys do it? You basically raise them all, love them all, and you guys never fight?" Matt asked. Tyler and Derek looked at each other and burst out laughing.

"Ummm... How do we do it, Tyler?" Derek asked laughing hysterically.

"Actually, Matt, we've had two serious arguments already today, but I think beyond all of it is that the love we have for each other is stronger, or getting to be strong enough to survive almost anything," Tyler said.

"And Tyler gets me breakfast and coffee every morning when we're at school so I keep him around," Derek added.

"Sometimes I have to remind myself that there is a lot more to lose than just Derek," Tyler said.

"Excuse me?" Derek asked.

"Derek," Tyler said.

"Please explain yourself, Mr. Peel!" Derek demanded.

"Ummm guys! Let's not go down this road?" Matt asked standing up.

"No, Matt! Let's go down this road," Derek demanded.

"Derek, what have I done to you that hurt you?" Tyler asked.

"You've ignored me!" Derek said.

"I see... anything else?" Tyler asked.

"Really guys! Please! Lets drop this!" Matt pleaded.

"Not off the top of my head?" Derek pondered.

"Hang on, Matt? We're not asking you to be judge and jury!" Tyler began.

"Another thing... you're speaking now on my behalf??" Derek asked sulking.

"Sorry Derek, I apologize. Derek is asking you to be the judge and jury!" Tyler said.

"I never said that!" Derek said defensively. Matt shook his head and laughed.

"Matt, Derek has punched me for thinking that I was sleeping with his last girl friend, he had sex with Danny and Cody earlier this week in Iowa, and he's been angry all day because I haven't been paying him enough attention? And it wouldn't be hard to name 20 other things!" Tyler said.

"Guys really... I don't want to be in the middle of this!" Matt said.

"I made the stuffing...," Derek whined, as he stirred the hot chocolate.

"Yes you did... good boy! Go have a cookie!" Tyler said shaking his head. "My point is Matt! That in spite of Derek's flaws I still love him <Tyler paused and looked at Derek> but it is more than that. I didn't just get Derek. I got an entire family and several brothers and a place to call home. Derek is still the main reason I am here or there or wherever we seem to end up. There isn't much I would change about Derek either though there are a few things like being impatient that I wouldn't mind seeing some improvement in. The end result is that Derek is the most important person in my life and I wouldn't trade him for anything and when we do have problems I remind myself that if I were to leave him I would lose a lot more than just him!" Tyler said staring at Derek who said nothing.

"Our Danny and Cody? The ones here?" Matt asked Derek.

"Get over it Matt!" Tyler said. "That's in the past."

"Why exactly are you guys together?" Matt asked and Tyler and Derek looked at each other.

"Because we love each other!" They said in unison smiling at each other and then all three started laughing.

"Who the fuck would have you two anyway...," Matt said throwing his hands up in the air and walking towards the back door.

"Time to put Annabelle in the kiln?" Derek asked.

"We're not cremating her... I hope. I think we better stuff her first though!" Tyler said.

After sending a fully fed Annabelle to the crematorium Tyler and Derek headed outside to join the others.

"How do you want to play this?" Derek asked.

"I have an idea but why don't you decide?" Tyler suggested.

"Don't fuck with me! Just tell me what to do," Derek said.

"Fine... I suggest we take that Fisher Price plastic basketball stand and hoop out of the garage and place it half way between the two forts. We put some sort of a flag up on top and the winner will be whoever makes it to the net, grabs the flag and brings it back to his team without getting hit by a snowball. If he gets hit the play stops and he places the flag back. Once he returns behind the fort play resumes. Oh, and since I came up with the game plan I want that side!" Tyler said pointing to the right.

"Why?" Derek asked.

"Not telling!" Tyler said and kissed Derek's cheek.

"What if someone gets hurt?" Derek asked.

"Hmmm... not sure but no using or allowing Casey or Luke to get the flag as we don't want them getting hurt," Tyler said.

"How about we each take a hockey stick and it gets held up in the air and stuck in the snow bank if someone is hurt?" Derek asked.

"Good idea! No using the hockey stick to grab the flag though." Tyler said smiling.

"Hey... you're going to wear a helmet aren't you?" Derek asked.

"Yup. I really don't think I need one but I don't want the lecture from Dad," Tyler said.

"We've got four helmets so why don't we make it that if you're going to make a run for the flag you have to wear a helmet?" Derek suggested.

"That's a great idea! They'll all hate it but I love it! No one gets hurt too badly then." Tyler said.

Derek called everyone over and explained the rules.

"Okay Team... Titans!" Tyler said. "We're on that side over there." He said pointing towards the road. Luke, go and grab two helmets and make sure one is white for me to wear. What's your team called Derek?" Tyler asked.

"Ah... ummm... anyone?" Derek asked.

"Luke's Lizards!" Luke suggested and everyone stared at him.

"Hmmm..." Tyler pondered. "Derek's dog breath is accurate but kind of cruel..."

"Eat yellow snow!" Derek said glaring at him. "Derek's Dobermans?" Derek said and everyone stared at him.

"I like it!" Tyler said. "An appropriate name for a group of guys who will be licking their wounds later tonight," he said, laughing.

"Derek's Death Star!" Luke said.

"It exploded in the movie, Luke!" Danny said.

"Let's just call them the 'dumbasses' since the entire team is too stupid to come up with a name!" Cody said laughing.

"You are so marked for death by snow balls!" Danny said pointing at him.

"Don't worry about their threats, guys, I guarantee a win! Even if we lose I guarantee that they will resign their title!" Tyler said.

"So remember that guys when we win? The Titans are cooking and cleaning up from dinner and then they are our slaves until midnight!" Derek said and Kyle rubbed his hands together and made a sinister laugh.

"So Ty will be my slave, Cody will be Danny's; Chris will be Kyle's; Casey will be Luke's; Jesse will be Matt's; and who will be Jeff's slave?" Derek asked.

"We'll all take turns looking after Jeff!" Tyler said, winking at him and Jeff laughed.

"Last call for the washroom!" Derek yelled and Luke ran into the cottage and came back out with Mango. The teams separated to their respective forts.

"Okay guys? Number one rule! Do NOT hit Mango! If you do we are going to resign the game and admit defeat," Tyler said. Everyone booed Tyler.

"Guys, trust me. Even if we lose we will win! Trust me, I guarantee it!"

"Derek???" Tyler yelled. "What about the flag?" Derek ran back into the garage and came out with an old Florida beach towel and threw it up over the Fisher-Price basketball hoop.

"Okay guys! We only get one shot to do this! Chris put on a helmet and make sure you stay low with your head down so you don't get hurt! The second you get the signal from Derek that the game has started run like hell to grab the flag and remember to stagger your run back. We'll give you cover! Everyone load up! Chris, take a couple of snowballs with you," Tyler said.

"Here's the game plan guys! Kyle, you get the runner's helmet on and when I call the start of the game you run as fast as you can and grab the flag and we will be the winners before they can even fire a shot!" Derek said and everyone nodded in agreement. "Hey, Kyle, you better have a couple of snowballs to throw just in case!" Derek added.

"So you really toss a hard one, Ty?" Jesse said.

"Yup, and I throw a mean snowball as well!" Tyler said. Chris laughed so hard his eyes were tearing up. "HEY DEREK!!!! Are you going to start the game or not?" Tyler yelled from behind their fort.

"GO!!!!!!" Derek yelled and everyone stood up to throw his or her first snowball. Kyle slipped getting up but ran fast with his head down low. Chris ran his best staying low until he saw the blue plastic stand. When each team saw what was happening everyone started laughing and began throwing all of the snowballs at Kyle and Chris.

Kyle stuck his hand up, as did Chris. They both skidded on the ice payment and crashed into each other. Both ended up on the ground being pelted with snowballs!

"STOP!!!!!!!" Kyle yelled.

"TIME OUT!!!!!" Chris yelled as they both covered their heads.

When everything was calm they both looked at each other and started laughing.

"Haul your ass back here, Chris," Tyler yelled.

"Kyle! Get over here!" Danny yelled.

Derek stuck his head up and said, "Hey Ty!!!! Nah nah nah nah!!!! Bet you couldn't hit the house, weakling!" Tyler stood up and threw as hard as he could, missing Derek by over five feet but he did hit the Van and set the alarm off!

Everyone stopped to laugh while Derek ran inside and got the keys to turn the alarm off. "Hurry up, Dumbass, before you wake the bears up!" Tyler yelled laughing. Derek ran out of the cottage and opened the Van. He couldn't figure out how to turn the alarm off.

"Does anyone know how to make this stop?" Derek called out. Tyler and Jesse ran over and Jesse grabbed the keys and started the Van up and the alarm quit.

"Told ya I had a powerful shot!" Tyler said, grinning at Derek.

"You could have fucking hurt someone!" Derek yelled.

"Then don't mock me or one day I might hit you. Now lock the Van and let's get back to the game!" Tyler said and he and Jesse ran back to behind their fort.

"Okay guys, we need to teach Tyler a lesson and show him that we can throw just as hard! Danny and Matt grab the hardest packed snowball you can find! We'll throw it on three!" Derek said.

State Trooper's Johnson and Keene were patrolling the cottage area when they heard the sound of a car alarm going off. They followed the sound and drove up the laneway pulling up right within a few feet behind Tyler, Jesse, Cody, Chris, and Casey. Tyler, Casey, and Chris stood up and threw their best shots at Team Dumbass and then ducked back down.

Derek, Danny, and Matt stood up and threw their hardest shots only to hit the police cruiser in the front windshield. Team Titan turned around and when they saw what happened they burst into laughter.

"Oh Fuck!!!!" Danny said.

"You can say that again!" Derek said.

"Oh Fuck!" Matt repeated and team Dumbass all came out as Trooper's Johnson and Keene got out of their cruiser. Tyler snorted as he removed his helmet and the rest of Team Titan began laughing again.

"Officer! Officer!" Derek yelled as they all came running. "I'm sorry Sir! We couldn't see your vehicle until it was too late!"

The two officers started laughing. "We heard a car alarm going off?"

"Yes Sir! That was my Dad's van. Tyler threw a snowball so hard that he set the alarm off. Sorry, Sir!" Derek said apologetically.

"And Derek here, Captain of Team Dumbass, didn't know how to get the alarm to stop!" Tyler said, laughing, and everyone else joined in.

"Have you boys got some identification?" Trooper Johnson asked and everyone froze.

"Yes Sir, but it's all inside the cottage. Do you want to come inside?" Tyler asked.

"Lead the way boys!" Officer Johnson said.

"Can I sit in your patrol car?" Luke asked grinning.

"Sure you can!" Officer Keene said and he took Luke around and let him sit inside. Casey followed and watched.

"Can I turn the lights on?" Luke asked.

"Click that button right there and if you click that one you can turn the siren on!" Trooper Keene said and Luke turned it on. "And what's your name young man?" He asked.

"Casey, Sir," Casey said.

"So what are you guys doing up here?" Trooper Keene asked.

"We're on vacation with our brothers!" Luke answered. "We won the Greenwich Hockey Tournament in Greenwich yesterday!" Luke added grinning.

"Congratulations! So where are you parents?" The officer asked.

"They're having a night away from us... though I don't know why because Casey and me are the two coolest people on the planet!" Luke said, smiling, and the officer laughed.

"So they sort of abandon you guys?" Trooper Keene asked.

"Nah... Mom's got the flu. She's been throwing up the last two mornings!" Luke said and the officer just smiled.

"How are your brothers taking care of you?" He asked.

"Really good! Tyler makes us peanut butter and banana roll ups!" Luke said.

Matt ran upstairs with Jesse in tow to find their wallets. Tyler handed Derek his wallet and they both came out and handed their driver's licenses to Trooper Johnson.

As the Trooper read their licenses he commented on the smell of the cooking Chicken.

"Derek... why don't you go heat up some hot chocolate for everyone!" Tyler said giving him the eye.

"Right!" Derek said and headed around the island and into the kitchen. Danny and Cody handed their driver's licenses to Trooper along with Matt and Jesse.

"Seems we've got people here from all across America... and Canada as well! Is that your Jeep, Mr. Peel?" The officer asked.

"Yes, Sir!" Tyler said.

"How long have you been in New York State son?" The officer asked.

"A couple of days. I actually live and work in Philadelphia as I am attending Drexel University," Tyler said.

"You work there as well?" The officer asked.

"Yes, Sir, at an Italian restaurant," Tyler said smiling.

"How long have you been here?" He asked again.

"Since the beginning of August when hockey camp began," Tyler said and everyone was getting worried for Tyler.

"But you haven't changed your plates over to Pennsylvania tags yet?" Trooper Keene asked.

"No, Sir," Tyler said calmly.

"And you work in this country?" He asked.

"Yes, Sir!" Tyler replied.

"I see...," The trooper said. Derek came along with a tray of hot chocolate for everyone.

"Would you like a hot chocolate, Sir?" Derek asked.

"No thanks, son!" he said smiling. "Whose cottage is this?"

"Its my parents', Sir," Derek said, still holding the tray.

"And you have their permission to be here?" He asked.

"Yes Sir. They're in Greenwich right now and probably arriving late today for New Year's dinner," Derek said.

"Now you have some children under 16 here?" The officer asked.

"Yes Sir, Luke and Casey outside and this is Kyle and this is Chris!" Derek said.

"Are you boys here of your own free will?" The officer asked Chris and Kyle.

"Yes Sir!!!" they replied smiling.

"Do your parents know you are here?" he asked.

"Yes, Sir!!!" They replied again.

"Maybe I can answer your questions, Sir?" Tyler said, walking past him into his bedroom. The Trooper followed Tyler into the bedroom. Tyler pulled out an envelope and handed it to him. The officer looked at Tyler and opened the envelope up. Everyone crowded around the bedroom door.

"I see... very thorough, aren't you?" Trooper Keene asked.

"Sir we wouldn't take anyone underage out of state without proper permission in case something like this happens. The phone numbers are on there and you can use my cell phone to call them if you like. None of us drink or do any drugs, Sir. There is beer in the fridge downstairs but that belongs to Derek's father and if you like you can see that none of us have had any alcohol in our system," Tyler said.

"So you're well prepared, then?" Trooper Johnson asked.

"I would like to think so, Sir!" Tyler said.

"Do you have any other identification beyond your driver's license?" He asked and Tyler opened his backpack again and pulled out his Canadian birth certificate, social insurance number, and passport handing it to the Officer.

"I see you passport is stamped," he said looking at Tyler's identification and then handed the stack of everyone else's identification back to Derek to distribute.

"Mr. Peel, did you know it is illegal to work in the U.S. without a Green Card?" the trooper asked with a grin.

"Yes, Sir!" Tyler said.

"And do you have a green card?" The Trooper asked now smiling.

"Yes, Sir!" Tyler said and the Trooper's smile went away.

"Why didn't you show it to me?" Trooper Johnson asked.

"Because you didn't ask for it Sir. Would you like to see it?" Tyler said.

"Yes," he said coldly.

Tyler pulled out his green card and handed it to him. "With all due respect Sir... unless I am currently 'caught' working illegally it really doesn't matter!" Tyler said, smiling slightly.

"Are you studying to be a peace officer or a lawyer?" he asked handing the Green Card back to Tyler.

"Neither, Sir. My Uncle's a lawyer and I have two lawyers here in the United States," Tyler said.

"Have you been in trouble Tyler?" He asked.

"No, Sir. I am buying a house tomorrow," Tyler said.

"You have the money to buy a house?" He asked.

"Yes, Sir," Tyler said.

"Where would you get the money to buy a house?" Trooper Johnson asked.

"Is this relevant Sir? Do I need to call a lawyer?" Tyler asked.

"I will tell you what is relevant or not. Just answer the question please," he asked.

"Derek, go grab the newspaper please." Tyler asked and Derek ran to the fire pit and grabbed the newspaper. He was glad that the blood now just looked like brown spots on it. Derek handed the Officer the newspaper and he looked at it.

"What am I suppose to see in a July newspaper?" He asked looking at Tyler.

"Read the caption and story to go with the picture on the front page..., Sir." Tyler said getting angry. "Derek, would you grab my cell phone please! I would like to call Greg Anderson. You don't mind if I call my lawyer?" Tyler asked.

The Officer looked up and then went back to reading the paper. He read the name Peel and closed the paper up. "That won't be necessary," he said to Tyler. Everything is in order.

"Thank you, Sir. We are sorry for hitting your cruiser with snowballs. Perhaps you and your partner would now like to have a mug of hot chocolate? You may want to rescue your partner from Luke and Casey as well?" Tyler said smiling.

Before the Officer could answer Tyler told Derek to heat up four more hot chocolates. Tyler called out to the car for all three to come in.

Luke and Casey came in with handcuffs on and everyone started laughing.

"Are those things for sale because there are some days we would really like to put them to use?" Derek asked. Danny was about to say something but Cody shut him up in time.

Tyler came back up from the basement with a tray of chocolate peanut butter puddings and began serving them out to all who wanted them. Only Luke, Casey, and the two officers had some.

"Damn, this is good!" Officer Keene said.

"My wife makes something similar to this without the chocolate in it," Trooper Johnson said.

"I got the recipe from this really nice lady named Greta at Charlie John's in Lake Placid," Tyler said.

Both officers started laughing and everyone looked around.

"That's John's Aunt!" Trooper Keene said pointing to his partner.

"Well next time you see her please thank her again for the recipe!" Tyler said.

Everyone walked outside together. Luke was still wearing his cuffs and thought they were really cool! "Luke, give the Officer his cuffs back," Tyler said.

Luke snarled at Tyler but held his hands out.

"So you really set the car alarm off throwing a snowball?" Trooper Johnson asked.

Tyler picked up a snowball and threw it at the Van and missed by 15 feet. Everyone laughed. "He's got a hard shot!" Trooper Keene said.

"That's why I wanted to be in the fort on this side. I would have the wind on my side and the sun in their eyes! Derek, go stand over where you were! The only way I will hit the Van is if Derek is my target!" Tyler said and several snickers came from behind him. Tyler threw as hard as he could at Derek and hit Van and the alarm went off. Both Officers started laughing while Derek went over and started the Van so the alarm would stop.

"Thank you very much boys for the pudding and hot chocolate!" Trooper Johnson said. He extended his hand to Tyler and said, "Thank you, Tyler, for being so cooperative!"

"Any time, Sir! Are you sure you don't want to lock Luke up for a while?" Tyler said grinning.

"Please, please, please????" Luke whined. "I want to go see the big house?" he said grinning and everyone laughed.

"Maybe I can get a tattoo???" Luke said to Casey.

Everyone waved the Officer's off and then stood around.

"That was just creepy!" Derek said.

"No shit!" Matt added, and then apologized to the Luke and Casey. Luke rolled his eyes.

"They're just doing their job, guys!" Tyler said. Everyone stared at him.

"Hey, guys, if anything happened to Luke and Casey wouldn't you want the police to be suspicious and find them?" Tyler said and everyone laughed and shook their heads.

"That's not funny!!!" Luke said.

"Back to the war?" Tyler asked and the Dumbasses went running to get behind their fort.

Derek called, "GAME ON" and the war continued. No one could ever get near the flag without getting pelted with snowballs. Team Dumbass was in fear of Tyler's throw because they never knew where it might go!

Kyle put the helmet on to go after the flag but decided on a different approach. He crawled on the ground into the woods. Staying on all fours he slowly crawled through the trees until he was positioned behind a fir tree that was behind the Fisher Price basketball net. He gave the thumbs up signal to Derek.

Derek had Luke, against his wishes, put Mango up as a decoy. Tyler spotted Mango immediately and warned everyone NOT to hit Mango or they would be forced to forfeit the game. Jesse still didn't understand why.

Kyle moved into the tree and snow fell from the branch above. Casey spotted it and yelled, "Hey, someone's behind that tree!" he said pointing.

All of the Titans' efforts were concentrated on Kyle hiding behind the tree. During a lull to reload, Kyle reached out and grabbed the flag and began running. Tyler, Jesse, and Chris began a rapid fire at Kyle. Chris hit Kyle in the back, as he was about to dive over the top of the fort. Jesse knew enough to throw in advance of his run and accidentally hit Mango sending him flying backwards towards the Van.

Luke ran back to get Mango and stormed up over their mountain of snow demanding to know who did it! Tyler and Derek both put their hockey sticks up in the air.

Tyler jumped over his fort and ran to see Luke and Mango. "Is Mango okay?" Tyler asked while Derek smiled at him enjoying the moment.

"WHO HIT MANGO???" Luke demanded to know.

"We don't know Luke. We're really sorry! We were firing shots at Kyle," Tyler said apologetically.

"Who hit Mango???" Luke again asked.

"I told you Luke we don't know?" Tyler said and everyone approached Tyler and Luke forming a circle. "Why did you have Mango sitting up there anyway? You knew he was going to get hit!" Tyler asked and Luke turned and glared at Derek.

Luke kicked snow at Derek. Derek laughed and Tyler grinned. "Luke, you shouldn't have put Mango up there! I'm really sorry he got hit. What can we do to make it up to you?" Tyler asked.

"Nothing!!!!" Luke yelled and stormed off into the cottage.

"How are we going to fix this?" Tyler asked and Team Dumbass laughed. "Guys?" Tyler asked.

"It's really your fault, Derek!" Cody said and Derek glared at him.

"Yeah, you're the one who made him put his monkey up there!" Kyle said.

"This is getting more interesting... So Derek, you are ready to let the Titans take the fall for this?" Tyler asked.

"Hey! Hold up a second. I asked him to put Mango up as a decoy so Kyle could get to the flag!" Derek said.

"Derek we had this discussion in the kitchen about Mango? We both knew that Luke was going to insist that he be there!" Tyler said.

"Excuse me... this is none of my business but do you guys realize that you're arguing over a stuffed monkey getting hurt by a snowball?" Matt asked.

"Yes!" Tyler and Derek said together.

"Here's what I think we should do!" Tyler began. "Derek you are going to apologize to Luke. We'll have a shoot out of sorts and that will determine the winner." Tyler said. "Agreed?" Everyone nodded except Derek.

"Matt would you go and lay the towel on the back of my Jeep please?" Tyler asked and Matt picked up the towel off the ground and spread it over the rear window of the Jeep.

"Everyone gets one shot from behind this hockey stick. We count the number of hits and that determines the winner. If it is a tie then have a shoot out matching one for one until there is a winner. Derek, go and see if Luke wants to come out?" Tyler asked. Derek didn't respond but walked down to the cottage.

"Do we get an extra shot because we are short a player?" Chris asked.

"What do you guys think? Sound fair?" Tyler asked and Team Dumbass nodded.

Derek returned without Luke. "He's not coming back out. He's blow-drying Mango's body." Derek said and everyone had a quiet laugh over it except Casey.

"Is Mango going to be all right?" Casey asked.

"He's going to be fine, Casey!" Derek said putting his arm around him.

"Okay Derek, everyone gets one shot for their team." Tyler said. "I'll go first so you guys know what not to do!" Everyone laughed.

Tyler: Miss (hit his driver's side mirror) Derek: Hit Jesse: Hit Danny: Hit Cody: Hit

"Take it easy on my rear window guys!!!!" Tyler moaned.

Matt: Hit
Chris: Hit
Kyle: Hit
Casey: Hit
Jeff: Hit

"Yes!" Derek yelled. "We win!" Team Dumbass congratulated themselves and then laughed at Team Titan. Danny started up the tractor to move the piles away while Kyle and Chris carried the basketball net back into the garage.

Derek wrapped his arm around Tyler and said, "So you lost the game for your team huh?" Tyler pushed Derek's arm off his shoulder.

"Titans! Gather around? I promised you a win and you will get it!" Tyler said. "What are you staring at Derek?" Tyler asked.

"I want to hear this!" Derek said laughing.

"Go away. This is a private meeting!" Tyler said as Jesse, Chris, Cody, and Casey gathered with Tyler.

"Guys you played great and I am sorry I let you down!" Tyler began.

"Sorry guys, I think it was me that hit Mango?." Jesse said.

"This is going to suck being Kyle's slave for the night!" Chris said kicking some snow.

"No, it's going to be okay," Tyler said. "Everything and anything they want we will do! Everyone is to keep a piece of paper and mark down a fine in the amounts of minutes or hours."

"Huh?" Cody asked.

"It's easy Cody, if Danny asked you to give him a back massage. How long will that take?" Tyler asked.

"15 minutes maybe?" Cody said.

"So that would be worth two hours of no 'lovin' from you then?" Tyler said winking.

"Ohhhh... I see what you are saying. We get to determine the value of the humiliation?" Cody asked.

"Exactly!" Tyler said. "Chris, if Kyle wants a foot massage how bad would that be to you?"

"Eeeewwww... that's at least two days!" Chris said and everyone laughed.

"So Kyle is going to have to go without it for two days!" Tyler said. "Now at first you say something like, 'No problem Derek, I would be happy to run your shower and make you a coffee!' Then you say out loud before you do it... 'That will be 6 hours' and you say it out loud as you write it down. Eventually they are going to ask what it is about and you tell them. In Casey's situation Luke might really take advantage of him so Casey might decide that it is 15 minutes of not speaking to him or playing with him." Tyler said.

"I think this is stupid!" Casey said.

"Agreed Casey, but we want to teach them that they can't abuse their brothers or make slaves out of them and if you don't want to do it you don't have to Casey, and don't forget this was Team Dumbasses idea," Tyler said, and patted his head. Casey smiled.

"What about having to make dinner?" Chris moaned.

"Well... we all need to get working at making dinner. So if you guys will help Cody set the table I will look after the rest!" Tyler said and everyone smiled. "Let's get inside."

Tyler grabbed Cody's shoulder to keep him behind. "Watch Derek and Danny very closely from this moment on as to how much they use or abuse us! It's a good lesson in knowing what they are really like inside," Tyler said.

"What do you mean?" Cody asked.

"If we won what would you make Danny do?" Tyler asked.

"Kiss me. Maybe go for a walk together alone? Spend some time in the hot tub alone... Hell, I would make him do something that the two of us could get away from everyone else," Cody said laughing.

"You wouldn't make him pack your clothes, or do your laundry, or reprogram your cell phone?" Tyler asked.

"No, of course not. I love him!" Cody said.

"Exactly! So watch and learn!" Tyler said and they both walked over to wait for Danny before going inside.

Danny pulled the tractor inside and turned it off. He got off and smiled at Cody. "So you're going to be my bitch tonight?" He said to Cody. Cody looked at Tyler.

"Apparently so...," Cody said giving Danny a fake smile. "You're right Ty, this is going to be an interesting night!"

Tyler thanked Danny for packing and clearing the snow and headed back to the cottage alone.

"What did you mean by that?" Danny asked.

"You'll find out later! Right now you need to concentrate on all the things you want your slave to do tonight?" Cody said putting his arm around Danny and walking him out of the garage.

"You guys are planning something, aren't you? That's what Tyler meant about guaranteeing a win?" Danny asked and Cody just smiled and ignored the question.

Tyler began work on peeling potatoes. It was one of the few things that he truly hated. Derek sat down on a bar stool and watched.

Tyler looked behind him and asked, "Did you get Luke taken care of?"

"Yeah, he is fine. I told him we won and he said it was stupid and it didn't matter," Derek said.

"Same as Casey said... maybe they are smarter than all of us?" Tyler asked.

"You aren't thinking of weaselling out of our bet are you?" Derek asked.

"Nope, just remember it was your idea!" Tyler said and turned back to peel potatoes. With only three potatoes left to peel he heard the hair dryer turn off in Danny's room.

Tyler went over to see Luke. When he looked in the doorway Jesse was fluffing Mango's hair up and Luke was smiling and talking to him about Mango.

"As I said, I'm really sorry Mango. I didn't mean to hit you with a snowball and I hope you forgive me?" Jesse said giving Mango a kiss.

"Mango forgives you!" Luke said wrapping his right arm around Jesse's back.

"Hi guys, sorry to interrupt. Just wanted to know if Mango was okay?" Tyler asked.

Jesse handed Mango over to Tyler and he gave Luke a hug and a kiss. "He seems better," Tyler asked.

"He is!" Luke said. "Jesse apologized to Mango for hitting him with a snowball!"

"Yeah, well Jesse's a good guy and no one would intentionally hurt your Mango, Luke!" Tyler said.

"I know...," Luke said.

Tyler stepped inside the room and gave Luke and Jesse each a kiss on the forehead and walked back to the kitchen to finish peeling potatoes.

"Get back to work, slave!" Derek joked and Tyler turned around and looked at him and then he looked at Cody.

Danny caught all of this and whispered in Cody's ear, "What's really going on?"

"I have no comment at this time," Cody said smiling.

"Am I in trouble?" Danny asked.

"Have you done anything to get yourself in trouble?" Cody asked and Danny shook his head no. "Then I guess you aren't in any trouble." Cody said smiling.

"So what are you making us for lunch?" Derek asked. Tyler paused not looking at him and pulled out a little note pad and wrote down 'what are you making us for lunch'.

"That's a good hour's work Cody! What do you think... four hours?" Tyler asked and Cody nodded with a big grin.

Tyler turned to Derek and said, "What you would like me to make for you, for lunch?"

"Something I like!" Derek said and turned and walked away. Tyler looked at Cody and Cody shook his head very slightly as he rolled his eyes.

Cody got up from the sectional and went into the kitchen to find Tyler bent down looking in the fridge. "Want some help?" he said winking at Tyler.

"That would be great! Got any ideas?" Tyler asked.

"Have we got any chicken breasts?" Cody asked.

"Yeah, but just boneless skinless ones!" Tyler said.

"Got tomatoes, bacon, and lettuce?" Cody asked.

"Ummm... yup! Not sure how much bacon we have left though?" Tyler said.

"What about a toasted club house sandwich with a salad and potato chips?" Cody suggested.

"Ooooh yeah! I like that except for the chicken part since we are having roast chicken for dinner but I don't have any better ideas!" Tyler said grinning.

Cody began searching through cupboards and found several cans of salmon. "Hey Ty, do you have mayo?" Cody asked.

"Yup, whatcha thinkin?" Tyler asked.

"Salmon sandwiches?" Cody suggested.

"Ooooh yeah! Ummm... let's see... we've got mayo, mustard, and I have lots of green onions and chives from breakfast. We could do that plus chicken salad sandwiches! I know I bought buns because we have burgers as well," Tyler said.

"How about I go around and take their orders and then we can make it to suit?" Cody asked and then he bent down and whispered, "It will give me practice for tonight," Tyler grinned and winked.

Cody started by asking Derek and Danny what they would like for lunch?

"What's on the menu, slave boy?" Derek asked, and Cody glared at him and then looked over at Danny for just a second.

"Salmon or Chicken salad sandwich on your choice of bread or bun or a grilled hamburger!" Cody said.

"Could you make me one of each and I will sample them and then decide?" Derek asked, laughing.

Tyler heard Derek and wrote down on his note pad 'make me one of each and I will sample them and then decide.'

"Hey Tyler, I think that's good for an extra two hours?" Cody said and Tyler nodded.

"I'm sure that would be Tyler's pleasure!" Cody said. "And you Danny?"

Danny stared at Cody now realizing that something was going on. "I will have either a hamburger or chicken salad please. It really doesn't matter," Danny said.

"Thank you." Cody said and continued to survey everyone in the cottage.

"Okay Ty, we have four burgers, three of them with cheese. The one without is for Luke and you can guess what he wants! Matt said he'd eat anything. Jesse wants two chicken salad sandwiches on bread or bun and Jeff wants whatever Matt is eating," Cody said laughing.

"So we have to open a can of salmon and make a sandwich for Derek because he might want to eat it?" Tyler asked.

"Exactly!" Cody said and they both looked over at Derek who was watching TV. Danny looked back at the two of them.

"Something is going on, Derek," Danny said. Derek looked over at Danny and grinned and then looked back at the TV without saying anything.

"I can eat a salmon sandwich Ty!" Cody said.

"I know I am now!" Tyler said shaking his head. "Do you want to start the barbeque and get it warmed up to cook the chicken breasts and burgers please?"

"Sure." Cody said. "When is the chicken due to come out of the oven?"

"About five o'clock and I want it to rest for about 20 minutes after that, which will give me time to make the gravy," Tyler said.

"Hey! Look at these?" Cody said pulling out two tubes of Pillsbury Crescent Rolls out of the freezer while getting the frozen chicken breasts.

"Sweet! We can make those for dinner in the hot oven," Tyler said.

Matt came along and asked, "Hey, guys, do you need some help?"

"Sure!" Tyler said. "Want to start work on making the salad?"

"No problem! Just give me a sink, a knife, and a bowl!" Matt said.

"Where are Kyle and Chris?" Tyler asked.

"They're in their bedroom listening to their Ipods and kissing!" Cody said laughing.

"I would settle for two hours sleep myself!" Tyler said.

"You're getting old, Ty!" Cody teased.

"I am old!" Tyler said.

Forty-five minutes later lunch was ready to be served. Everyone gathered around the kitchen counter on the living room side to find two bowls of chips, a tossed garden salad, and plates with sandwiches on them.

"C'mon Derek... let's go?" Danny said getting up and heading to the kitchen. Tyler and Cody filled everyone's plates with salad and handfuls of potato chips. Cody was the first to notice Derek's lack of movement.

"I think someone wants to be served?" Cody said.

"Allow me!" Tyler said putting a cheeseburger, and two sandwiches on a plate and walking them over to Derek. "Would you like to decide now?" Tyler asked with a straight face.

Derek sat up and poked his finger into each of the sandwiches and decided on the cheeseburger. "Could you add ketchup, pickles, lettuce, and mayo also?" he asked Tyler.

Danny stopped chewing to watch all of this. He looked over at Cody shaking his head and watching Derek intently. When Tyler left to correct Derek's lunch plate Danny asked him, "What the fuck are you doing, Derek?"

Derek looked over and smiled saying, "I'm training my slave boy!"

"You're a fucktard, Derek!" Danny said and got up with his plate and went to a barstool. Matt, Cody, and Tyler stopped talking and looked at Danny.

"Sorry, is this a private conversation?" Danny asked.

"No, not at all Danny," Cody said but the conversation stopped.

"I think I am interrupting? Sorry, guys," Danny said getting up.

"No Danny you're not interrupting." Tyler said. "Seriously!" Danny sat back down.

"I know what you're doing, Ty!" Danny said as he ate a chip.

"What am I doing?" Tyler asked.

"Now you're going to play that game with me?" Danny asked and got up from the barstool and sat on the arm of the sectional beside Jeff.

When lunch was over Tyler went around and collected all the dishes. He retuned with a second R.C. Cola for Derek as ordered. Tyler turned the taps on in the kitchen sink to begin the dishes. Danny stepped in beside him and said, "I'll do the dishes. Thank you for making such a nice lunch!" he said and kissed Tyler's cheek.

"It's all right, Danny, I can do them!" Tyler said.

"NO! I am doing them. You cooked! I know what you're doing and it isn't right, Ty!" Danny whispered. Tyler just stared at him.

"You're setting him up! It's bad enough how he is treating you but you are encouraging it and therefore you are as much responsible in the end," Danny said as he poured liquid soap into the sink.

"I'm not feeding chocolate bars to a 7 year-old and sending him off to school Danny and Derek's not a little boy!" Tyler whispered as he began rinsing the clean dishes.

"You know exactly what I mean? It's no different than leaving money on the table and walking out of the room to test someone and see if they are going to steal!" Danny said.

"No Danny, it is different. I am not laying a trap. I am letting Derek act on his own free will! I want to know how he handles it," Tyler said stacking plates to air dry.

"You're still at fault... not as much as him but there's blood on you as well," Danny said handing Tyler the last bowl.

"Danny... if you and Derek were both single right now would you date him based on how he is acting today?" Tyler asked.

"Hell... no! I've learned more about him today than I have in four months," Danny said.

"So my question to you is... why should I?" Tyler asked and Danny stopped and looked at Tyler.

"You're not seriously considering..." Danny asked and Tyler looked away.

"You can't say a word, Daniel! I need to know and if you love me as you say you do, you wouldn't want me to be with someone like that, would you?" Tyler asked.

"No...," Danny said and walked away.

Danny returned from using the washroom to ask Tyler. "There's more to this isn't there? You could play along with him for one day. All that is happening could go either as a huge joke or be the end of you guys depending on your mood," Danny said.

"Very observant, Danny." Tyler said. "But there's more to this!"

"What is it?" Danny asked and Tyler didn't respond.

"At least tell me so I can play Devil's advocate and you can consider my thoughts on the subject before you do anything," Danny said.

"Fine. He's mad because I haven't been spending enough personal time with him this vacation. I told him that we have all semester. This is my first Christmas without my family and I am trying very hard to spend time with all my brothers while I can. Yes, Derek, is being neglected, but this is my 'me' time and I don't think I have really been that selfish with it?" Tyler said.

"Nope... you're dead on! You even flew out to help me. I'm sure you've had even less time for yourself than you've had for Derek?" Danny said.

"Word! Danny, I don't want to spend three more years to find out that he is nothing more than a selfish insecure little child. I know we are at different levels in life and I do try to be as considerate of him as I do with Kyle or Luke or Casey!" Tyler said.

"Or Kip!" Danny added.

"Or Kip!" Tyler said in agreement. "If you feel that allowing him to be himself on a bet that HE made and not me is wrong then please go tell him?"

Danny looked at Tyler and then over at Derek and back to Tyler. Danny walked away without saying anything to Tyler. "Who wants to go for a snowmobile ride with me?" Danny asked.

"I would go but Tyler is taking me for a ride this afternoon." Jesse said. Matt started laughing and everyone looked at him.

"My bad!" Matt said grinning.

"Tyler might be too busy to go out this afternoon, Jesse?" Derek said, grinning and Tyler and Danny looked at him. Danny then looked over at Tyler's face.

"I'll go!" Jeff volunteered.

"Get your ski pants on!" Danny said.

Tyler began walking down the stairs to the basement and Derek called out after him, "Where are you going?" Tyler paused and looked at him and then continued on downstairs.

"You're a total fucktard, Derek!" Cody said and Matt looked at each of them.

"Is there something going on here besides Lord Derek's totalitarian rule over Tyler?" Matt asked.

"Nope, that's all!" Cody said. "Wait and see Matt, when Derek no longer has a kingdom to rule." Cody went downstairs to join Tyler.

"Want some help?" Cody asked.

"No thanks I'm alright... well, I guess you could carry one of these raspberry pies?" Tyler asked.

"Sit for a second, Ty," Cody said pointing to the sofabed and they both sat down.

"How much more of this shit are you going to take?" Cody asked. Tyler didn't say anything.

"I'm just about at the point that I'm going to hit him and I'm not even his boyfriend!" Cody said.

"Don't!" Tyler said.

"I don't even want to be in this place with him around," Cody said.

"Cody, something isn't right," Tyler said.

"No shit? It's Derek that isn't right! Danny has told me stories before about Derek's moods and how mean he can be but I never imagined he was like this?" Cody said.

"No Cody, remember what I told you? Watch and learn. Something isn't right here. This is completely different from anything he's ever done before. There is no anger behind it. He's actually having fun doing this. Something is up and I just haven't figured it out yet!" Tyler said.

"It's as clear as day, Ty! He's finally won one over you and he's gloating," Cody said.

"Danny's figured out that something is wrong as well," Tyler said.

"Everyone has figured it out but you, Ty. Sorry, I'm not meaning to be cruel but you need to read the writing on the wall here!" Cody said.

"Maybe... maybe not." Tyler said standing up and then they headed upstairs.

"Hey, Ty, do you want to go out for a run?" Jesse asked.

"Sure, might as well go now." Tyler said staring at Derek.

"Do you need his permission?" Jesse asked laughing.

"Never again after midnight!" Tyler said loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Are you foreshadowing events to come?" Matt asked.

"Enjoy the show, guys, because everything ends at midnight!" Tyler said staring at Derek. Derek just stayed focused on the TV.

Tyler put on his snowsuit and he and Jesse left for the garage.

"Can I drive?" Jesse asked.

"Do you know how?" Tyler asked.

"Not really... but maybe you could teach me?" Jesse asked grinning.

"Okay, let me drive for a while until we come to a clearing. You'll have to wear the backpack though since I am driving."

Tyler left with Jesse's arms around his waist and headed out on the trail that Danny took with Jeff. The trail led up the side of the mountain to a clearing on a relatively flat plain. Trails of snowmobiles led everywhere but they stopped and decided to switch places on the open flat plain they were on and head to somewhere that they could look down over the frozen lake.

Tyler tapped Jesse's shoulder pointing to a large rock face. They both sat down and looked out over the frozen lake and the surrounding Adirondack Mountains.

"What do you think?" Tyler asked.

"It's okay... I live at the foot of the Rockies." Jesse said laughing.

"Word! This would be so cool to be here in the middle of summer watching the sun reflect off of the lake." Tyler said and Jesse leaned into Tyler and he put his arm around him.

"Soooo..." Tyler began. "Twelve plus hours later how are you doing?"

"Good... I told Matt that it feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders." Jesse said. "Luke told me a lot more about your family than the article in the newspaper said. I'm sorry."

"Thanks." Tyler said.

"How are you managing to deal with Christmas and not having your real family around? Matt and me were here for Christmas but we all live at home together. I'm can't even deal with my Mom's health and she's alive!" Jesse asked.

"I guess I'm not dealing with it very well because the truth is that I haven't been dealing with it. In some ways we are one and the same with the exception of me being gay and you being straight," Tyler said and they both laughed.

"I think I would kill myself if Mom, Dad, and Matt died in a car accident and I was left alone? I wouldn't want to live...," Jesse pondered.

"Ummm... thanks for the encouragement, Jesse," Tyler said laughing.

"Oh, right... sorry! I wasn't thinking," Jesse said.

"As I said before Jesse... make the most of the time you have with your Mom. One of the little things that bothered me after my family's death is that I am curious about my grandparents and there isn't really anyone to ask. I wish I knew more about what it was like for my Mom growing up?" Tyler said.

"All my grandparents are alive so I know I can ask them any thing any time," Jesse said.

"It seems strange to say it but my mom was one of my best friends. Every night when I came back home from being out with my friends we would talk. It would be just the two of us. Dad would come out of the family room from watching Jay Leno or the news and give both of us shit for not having gone to bed but those times were the best," Tyler mused.

"Didn't like your dad?" Jesse asked.

"It was more like he didn't like me but then again he really didn't like his family either. We were there for show! He had the 2.5 kids, the cat and dog, two car garage... usual suburbia shit!" Tyler said.

"Do you miss your Dad now?" Jesse asked.

"Yeah, of course because even though it wasn't a good relationship it was a familiar one. I have to say that I am really much better off without him now but the price I paid for that was loosing the two people in my life I loved the most. The downside of my Father was outweighed by the upside of having my Mom and Brother. I had the best relationship with my Brother. We protected each other. Everyone thinks it's weird that we got along so well but I really don't understand why more brothers don't?" Tyler asked.

"Matt and I never had a good relationship but it got worse after what happened to me," Jesse said.

"Say it!" Tyler said.

"Say what?" Jesse asked and Tyler looked at him.

"After I was molested... well... raped I guess," Jesse said and became quiet.

"It's okay, Jesse. Don't try to make it any more or less than what it is. He hurt you and maybe stole a part of your youth but he didn't destroy you and now you're beginning to take your life back and soon you will learn to love yourself and others around you," Tyler said. Jesse stared quietly out the mountains.

"Did Matt ever cover for you?" Tyler asked trying to change the subject.

"No, well, a few times I guess?" Jesse said smiling.

"I won't ask, then," Tyler said grinning. "Did Matt ever drive you places or take you along with him?"

"Yeah, actually he included me when he was going to the show with his friends if I was old enough to see the movie. You know I remember him staying home one Saturday night because I was sick with a cold so Dad and Matt went out and rented some movies and we did that," Jesse said smiling as he recalled the event.

"What about sex?" Tyler asked.

"Huh? We never had sex!!!" Jesse protested.

"No, sorry, I mean when you started puberty and your body was changing didn't you have questions? Was Matt there for you to talk too?" Tyler asked.

"Hahaha... yeah he was! He told me about lube and how to hold it, tight but not too tight!" Jesse said laughing as he used his right hand to demonstrate. "He also warned me about not using tissues or toilet paper so mom wouldn't catch on!" Jesse said laughing hysterically.

"So Matt was there for you?" Tyler asked.

Jesse looked to Tyler and said, "Yeah, he was..., and I turned him away," Jesse lowered his head.

"Can I offer you a little more advice Jesse?" Tyler asked.

"You can offer me several, Ty!" Jesse said smiling.

"When the day comes that you finally forgive the guy that hurt you, only then you will really begin to feel better. Holding all of that anger and hurt in will only eat away at you from the inside," Tyler said.

"Can I ask you a question, Ty?" Jesse said.

"No!" Tyler said.

"No?" Jessed asked.

"You don't ask if you can ask a question of your brothers, you just ask it!" Tyler said winking at him.

"Gotcha! <Pause> I understand the pain you are in from losing your parents but your parents died in a car accident and you weren't driving so how come you hurt so much?" Jesse asked.

"Because I'm not any good at taking my own advice," Tyler said without looking at Jesse.

"Huh?" Jesse asked.

"Remember how I told you that you need to forgive the teacher that hurt you?" Tyler asked and Jesse nodded. "Well I haven't forgiven myself for killing my family even though I wasn't the guy that actually killed them."

"I don't get that?" Jesse asked.

"It's okay because no one else does either... even me for that matter!" Tyler said. Jesse put his arms around Tyler and kissed his cheek.

"If they hadn't been driving me to the airport they would still be alive today," Tyler said lowering his head.

"Damn, it's all or nothing with you!" Jesse said laughing.

"What do you mean?" Tyler asked.

"You either lay it all out or it's locked up in a safe," Jesse said.

"That's a damn good analysis from a guy who hasn't known me 24 hours!" Tyler said smiling. "Between you and me I've said some things to you that I don't think I've ever said to anyone else?"

"Including Derek?" Jesse asked.

"Including Derek!" Tyler said. "What you see on the outside is real Jesse but it isn't all of me! I don't let all of my secrets and fears out and sometimes I pay a price for it. I need help too and I'm going to start getting it after Derek's birthday next weekend. Just remember that while our situations are different we are both fucked up from things in our life and we will only get better if we are willing to work hard enough to fix it ourselves! And it doesn't hurt to have a great group of brothers to help us up when we fall down!" Tyler said smiling.

"Thanks ,Ty, I really don't feel alone anymore. In the last day I am seeing the old Matt I remembered," Jesse said.

"I don't think the old Matt ever left Jesse. You just didn't want to open your eyes to what was around you," Tyler said.

"I am still ashamed of what happened," Jesse said quietly.

"I think that is completely normal but you were just a young teen. You're not at fault Jesse." Tyler said. "I have an idea I would like you to consider? I think it might help you and Kyle."

"What's that?" Jesse asked.

"Would you consider telling Kyle exactly what happened and how it has effected you and what you've gone through since then?" Tyler asked.

"I... I... don't know...," Jesse said playing with Kyle's ID bracelet on his arm.

"It's just a thought Jesse. Kyle is 14 and if you remember when we were 14 and we thought we knew it all?" Tyler asked smiling and Jesse grinned. "Kyle doesn't realize that adults sometimes prevent teens from doing certain things because we have the life experience to know what the damage is down the road. It might do you good to tell someone and it would really do Kyle good to hear it from someone else? Actually it will probably do more good for him than you but you would be helping him to protect himself from getting hurt as you did," Tyler said, and Jesse didn't answer.

"It's okay if you don't want to, Jesse. I completely understand. Kyle isn't someone you're going to see very much of but it is often easier to talk to someone who is a stranger than to your best friend," Tyler said patting Jesse's knee.

Jesse and Tyler heard the roar of a snowmobile and they turned to see that it was Danny and Jeff approaching. Tyler opened his backpack and pulled out four R.C. Colas. Jeff killed the engine and the boys got off the snowmobile.

"Totally fucking awesome!!!!!" Jeff yelled as he jumped up on the rock face.

"Seems like someone is having a good time?" Tyler asked handing Jeff a soda.

"Jeff's a fucking lunatic out there!!! I could barely hang on." Danny said shaking his head and Jeff just laughed at him.

"You should have stuck your cock up Jeff's ass so you would be securely fastened in!" Tyler said winking at Jeff.

"Hey! I offered but he said it was too cold to have his tiny weenie hanging out!" Jeff said, and began running away as Danny chased him.

"Fucktard!!!!!" Danny yelled and Jesse and Tyler laughed at him. "Are you guys heading back?" Danny asked as Jeff returned.

"I want to go ride some more!" Jesse said.

"I would be happy to go back..., but then again not," Tyler said looking at Danny.

"I'm running low on cinni-bun!" Danny said smiling.

"C'mon out with me, Jesse!" Jeff said.

"NO!!" Danny said. "If Jesse goes out he drives! Guys these are not our machines and we don't know the trails! What do you think, Ty?"

"I tend to agree with Danny. I don't think you guys really have permission to ride them off on your own. Maybe Derek will give you guys permission to go out together? Why don't we all go back and I will ride with Jeff and he can drive?" Tyler asked.

"Hehe hehe hehe...," Jeff said, rubbing his hands together. "Get ready for the ride of your life, Ty!"

"He's not shittin you either, Ty!" Danny said.

"You better drop your snow pants Jeff because I want to be strapped in before riding with you," Tyler said and Jesse laughed so hard he fell backwards on to the rock face.

"Shit, Jesse, be careful!" Danny said pulling Jesse back up. Tyler packed up his backpack and crawled on behind Jeff. He wrapped his arms around Jeff and they left first. Danny reminded Jesse to stay well back in case Tyler fell off so they wouldn't run over him. Going down the pathway towards the driveway Tyler seriously considered taking his chances at jumping off as Jeff was riding so fast.

"Shit, Jeff, you could have killed us!" Tyler yelled at him jumping off the snowmobile.

"I wouldn't hurt ya!" Jeff said, laughing.

"Jeff, it's not funny! You're not a safe driver! Sorry, but no more snow-mobiling for you unless you ride on the back." Tyler said angrily. "If you ever drove your Dad's truck like that I would make sure that Chris and Kyle were never allowed in it again!" Tyler yelled at him.

"Settle down, Ty! I knew the trail, I knew the bumps and no one got hurt." Jeff said, getting pissed at Tyler.

"No Jeff! You're not mature enough to handle this! Don't ever take any of my brothers out on this ever again!" Tyler said throwing his helmet into the garage and storming off to the cottage. Tyler kicked his boots off and removed his jacket. When he walked into the living room he saw Derek, Kyle, and Chris watching TV and Luke and Casey playing Monopoly on the coffee table.

"Ty, can you make us a snack?" Luke asked.

"Sure...," Tyler grumbled as he unpacked the excess pop from his backpack and put them back in the fridge. He looked through the cupboards and happened upon the box of eight chocolate Pop-Tarts. He removed two packages of two Pop-Tarts each.

Tyler put all four of them in the toaster on low and got out a jar of peanut butter. He put some smooth peanut butter in the plastic squeeze bottle he purchased at Charlie John's and melted it for 15 seconds in the microwave oven.

When the Pop-Tarts came out of the toaster he put them facing down on two plates. Tyler spread a light coating of peanut butter on each chocolate Pop-Tart and then closed them together so that the tops where facing out to create a peanut butter chocolate Pop-Tart sandwich. Taking the slightly cooled, melted peanut butter he wrote, "Luke" on one and "Casey" on the other with a large heart around each of them. He brought them out on two separate plates and setting them down in front of them with two glasses of white milk.

"Whoa! Thanks, Tyler!" Casey said and got up to give him a hug and a kiss.

Luke looked carefully at his and said, "Needs more peanut butter!" Tyler glared at him and handed him the squeeze bottle and walked back to the kitchen to clean up.

Jesse and Danny slowly came down the hill towards the cottage. Jeff watched how slow they were driving and shook his head. "We didn't find Tyler's body when we came down the hill so we'll assume he is alive," Danny joked.

"Fuck off!" Jeff yelled and walked into the garage.

"Gimmie your helmet, Jesse, and go on to the cottage okay?" Danny winked and Jesse nodded.

"Wot up, Jeffrey?" Danny asked smiling.

"Go away!" Jeff sulked.

"Let me guess... you gave Tyler a thrill ride and guessing that you and I didn't go down any hills as step as this one is to the cottage I will bet that his ride was scarier than mine," Danny said. Jeff looked at him and shook his head.

"Jeff, I'm sure your intention was only to have fun but you were NOT responsible out there! Go ahead and be mad at me or Tyler all you want but if you don't realize that when you have more than just your own life in your hands when riding with another person then you need to stop riding snowmobiles and even cars for that matter? I sure as hell hope you don't drive a car like that with Chris and Kyle in there," Danny said and walked back to the cottage.

"How was the ride?" Danny asked and winked at Tyler. Tyler shook his head and rolled his eyes. Danny sat on the bar stool while Tyler stirred a saucepan on the stove.

"Whatcha making?" Danny asked.

"I'm reducing orange juice to make a glaze," Tyler said.

"Are you on this OJ kick right now?" Danny asked.

Tyler leaned down on the kitchen counter and came within inches of Danny's face. Tyler looked left and then right. Danny then looked left and then right. Tyler whispered, "The truth is that I hate orange juice and I made way too much of it." Tyler winked. Danny snorted.

"I had a brief talk with Jeff in the garage." Danny said and Tyler stopped stirring his glaze and looked intently at Danny. "He's not too happy with me! I told him he wasn't mature enough to drive one and that if he drove a vehicle he shouldn't have Chris and Kyle in it with him."

"I told him almost the same thing. I kept yelling for him to stop the snowmobile but he wouldn't. What if I had been hurt or saw something ahead on the trail he missed? When someone says stop, you stop!" Tyler said.

"Yup... no means no! Not like we didn't get that driven into our heads in Health class?" Danny said laughing. "Where are Cody and Matt?"

"No idea but if you want to know you will have to ask Derek because I'm not really speaking to him right now," Tyler said.

"Hmmmm... you're always stirring up the pot aren't you?" Danny asked laughing.

Derek came into the kitchen and asked, "How's my dinner coming?" Tyler just glared at him. Jeff came into the cottage and sat down on the sectional beside Chris and Kyle. He looked over at Tyler and Derek and then looked away. Tyler went back to watching his glaze.

"Something up?" Derek asked.

"Everything's fine, Lord Vader...," Tyler said, and took carrots out of the fridge to prepare for dinner.

Derek returned to the living room. "So what do you think of snow-mobiling, Jeff?" Derek asked.

"It rocked! That is one fast machine! My arms even hurt from hanging on," Jeff said grinning.

"You didn't dent anything did you?" Kyle asked and Chris began laughing. Jeff gave Kyle such a harsh look that Kyle shut up immediately. Derek looked at Jeff and knew that something had happened but wasn't sure if it involved his parents' snowmobiles.

Derek went back to the bedrooms and found Danny, Matt, and Cody talking on the bed. "I was expecting to find an orgy in here!" Derek joked.

"We were waiting for you, Derek!" Matt said smiling while Cody gave Derek a cold stare.

"Can I see you for a minute, Danny?" Derek asked.

"Sure. Be right back guys," Danny said getting up and following Danny downstairs to the basement.

"Did something happen out on the run?" Derek asked.

"I don't think so. Jeff and I found Tyler and Jesse talking on rock face looking out over the lake. Jeff wanted to spend more time on the snowmobile but I was cold and getting hungry. Jesse and Jeff were going to go out on their own but Tyler said no because they didn't have your permission," Danny said.

"Hmmm, something is going on with Jeff?" Derek mused.

"Oh. That I can answer! Jeff is a maniac on a snowmobile. No fear, no brains sort of thingy... Tyler forbid him to take Chris and Kyle out and doesn't even want them in a car with him driving," Danny said.

"Why? What happened?" Derek asked.

"I'm not sure. Jeff took Tyler back on one machine and Jesse and me took the other but they got so far ahead we almost lost them. I actually feared for my life when Jeff was driving. We don't know what's out there and if we hit something we would have been dead. I didn't know the one could get over 60 mph," Danny said.

"Yeah it can. It's great on a lake, on a clear day, but that is about it because there are so many twigs and rocks in the ground you never know what you might hit. At least that explains what's going on. I just wonder why Tyler never said anything?" Derek asked.

"What can he say? We're all trapped up here together and besides it's Tyler's style to do the take down in private," Danny said laughing.

"What do I do?" Derek asked.

"I would say you would be better to stay out of it from the way you're treating Ty today! I love you very much Derek, but you're being the ultimate fucktard today! I'm surprised Tyler hasn't dumped you yet," Danny said.

"Don't worry about it Danny. It will be fine. I know what I'm doing." Derek winked at him. "If you get a chance go up to the loft when Tyler isn't watching and take a look!" Derek said and got up and went back upstairs.

"Hey, Ty?" Derek asked as he entered the kitchen.

"What?" Tyler responded not even looking at him.

"There's some wood stacked up next to the garage could you bring some in to refill the box when you get a moment. Oh, and I love you!!!" Derek said in a high-pitched girly voice.

Tyler growled quietly to himself as he got the green beans out of the fridge. He began snapping off the ends when Jeff came into the kitchen to get a soda.

"Excuse me," Jeff said as he moved past Tyler to grab an R.C. Cola. Tyler moved back from the sink so Jeff could open the door but he wouldn't look at him. Casey came into the kitchen with two plates.

"Thanks, Ty! Those were amazing!" Casey said giving Tyler a hug. Tyler picked him up and held him.

"Did you have a good With best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year, I am, Casey?" Tyler asked.

"The best!" Casey said.

"Great Casey, me as well, and that is in part because I got to spend it with you," Tyler said. "I'm sure going to miss not being around you guys next week." Casey rested his head down on Tyler's shoulder. "I love you Casey and I'm so proud of you," Tyler whispered.

Casey got down from Tyler and ran back to the bedroom searching for Cody. He crawled up into Cody's arms.

"Everything okay, Casey?" Cody asked and Danny and Matt gave Cody a confused look. Casey shook his head and Cody waved Matt and Danny out of the room. "What's a matter with my best friend?" Cody asked.

"You're leaving tomorrow," Casey said starting to cry.

"We're leaving tomorrow, Casey. You've got school on Tuesday and I have to go back to school in Philly but I will still be around and now that Danny and me and Tyler and Derek are going to live together maybe you and Luke can come and stay with us sometime?" Cody suggested. Casey backed up from Cody and smiled.

"Really?" Casey asked.

"Sure! Next weekend is Derek's birthday so don't be surprised if you see us all again?" Cody said.

"Why can't you marry Mommy?" Casey asked and Cody held back a snort.

"Ummm... well... Mommy's already got Mr. Coulter and besides I would rather have you as a brother and best friend than a son!" Cody said thinking quickly.

"Me too!" Casey decided.

"Now aren't you playing Monopoly with Luke?" Cody asked and Casey nodded. "Get going!" Cody said giving Casey another hug and kiss.

Casey ran back to the living room and jumped on Danny's lap and hugged him. Cody stood at the end of the hallway watching and he could see Danny's eyes closed tight as he held Casey and whispered in his ear. Cody knew that Danny was hooked as well.

"Sooooo... you need any help in here?" Jeff asked Tyler.

"No, I'm fine, thanks!" Tyler said.

"I could cut the potatoes down into smaller chunks so they cook faster?" Jeff offered.

"If you want to, then go ahead," Tyler said as he began melting butter and flour together to make a roux. Tyler checked his watch and opened the oven and poked the chicken with a fork to see if the juices ran clear and they did. Annabelle had a deep dark tan with plenty of burnt juices in her collection pan. Tyler covered her with aluminium foil and moved her to a slicing rack. The cottage filled with steam and the heat became too intense to stay there. Tyler turned the oven temperature down and popped the two raspberry pies and the Pillsbury crescent rolls into the oven.

"I'm going to go upstairs and open the hatch windows for ten minutes to let some of the heat and steam escape." Tyler said to Jeff and anyone else who were listening.

Derek jumped up and said. "NO! I'll do it... you've got work to do in the kitchen" and he ran up the stairs ahead of Tyler. Tyler opened the front door of the cottage and everyone welcomed the draft of cool air. In five minutes the cottage was actually cool and most of the moisture on the windows had evaporated.

Derek closed the hatch window in the loft and came to the top of the stairs grinning. Tyler looked up after closing the front door and then looked away and walked back into the kitchen.

"What are you making?" Jeff asked.

"A roux. You melt butter and then add flour and cook it until it browns and has a nutty smell to it. Then you add liquid to make a sauce, or in this case a gravy," Tyler said.

"So you just add some water and seasoning?" Jeff asked and Cody appeared at the counter, also watching.

"No, we take all these burnt drippings of fat from Annabelle and I add two cans of chicken broth. Pouring the chicken broth on the hot pan helps loosen up the drippings. You use a whisk and scrap it all together and pour it through a strainer into the saucepan. Mix the liquid with the roux, add seasonings and you have chicken gravy without lumps!" Tyler said smiling.

"Annabelle?" Cody asked laughing.

"Well... Danielle was already taken!" Tyler said.

"I HEARD THAT!" Danny yelled.

"Moooooooooo!" Cody and Tyler said in unison

"Who's Danielle?" Casey asked Luke.

"Probably Danny's sister!" Luke said shrugging his shoulders.

"OW!" Luke said about the swat across the back of the head he got from Danny.

"Danielle is a cow! More specifically she is the cow your brothers delivered in Iowa," Danny said.

"You guys have a delivery service?" Casey asked and everyone burst into laughter.

"Told yeah it was Danny's sister!" Luke said laughing.

"Casey, Annabelle is the name that the butcher called her when he gave it to me," Tyler said.

"Right...," Cody said winking at Jeff.

"Derek, are Mom and Dad coming for dinner tonight?" Tyler asked.

"Not sure, I will call them right now!" Derek said getting up and going to his room.

"Hey, Dad?" Derek said.

"Hi Derek, Happy New Year." Larry said.

"You too, Dad. I just wanted to ask that you guys are NOT coming to dinner tonight?" Derek said.

"That really doesn't sound like much of an invitation, Son?" Larry asked.

"It isn't! I was hoping to spend one quiet evening with Tyler and having you guys here would spoil that," Derek said and then adding, "No offence?"

"Offence taken!" Larry said laughing. "And, no, we are not coming. Your mom still has a touch of the reoccurring flu... or something so we are just staying in the room tonight."

"Okay, thanks, Dad." Derek said.

"What are you guys doing for dinner? Pizza? Burgers?" Larry asked.

"I'd rather not say, Dad," Derek said.

"In that case I want to know or we'll be in the car in 10 minutes!" Larry said laughing to himself.

"Tyler's cooked a huge chicken, with mashed potatoes, gravy, two vegetables, and two raspberry pies and I made the stuffing with Tyler's help," Derek said.

"To quote Kyle... You're shitting me right?" Larry asked laughing.

"No shit, Dad! It smells awesome! I've got to go. I'll have Luke call you guys later, love you!" Derek said hanging up.

Larry looked at the phone and laughed.

"What's a matter Larry?" Linda asked.

"That was Derek calling. He wanted to make sure we had NOT accepted Tyler's invite for dinner. Seems he might be getting his fill of a house full of kids?" Larry said.

"One weekend is killing him?" Linda asked. "HA! Try twenty years!"

"Exactly!" Larry said.

"Don't exactly me, Larry!" Linda said and Larry sighed. "Don't sigh at me either! You weren't there for diapers, and colds, and school projects, sports, Halloween costumes..."

"I get your point, Linda!" Larry said rubbing his eyes.

"Don't you start interrupting me!!!" Linda began again.

"They've roasted a chicken with mashed potatoes, stuffing, and gravy for dinner! Lots and lots of gravy!!!" Larry said and Linda put her hand to her mouth and ran to the bathroom.

"YES!" Larry said to himself pumping his fist in the air. "I might be old but I still got it!" <FLUSH>

"Mom's still sick with a flu bug so they're not coming, Ty!" Derek said walking back into the living room. Only Luke and Casey were there as everyone else was gathered around the kitchen counter watching Tyler make the gravy.

"Touch that chicken and I'll break your fingers, Danny!" Tyler said from the stove.

"How can you possibly see that? I swear you are my mother in sheep's clothing," Danny said.

"You use a lot of farm analogies don't you, Danny?" Matt asked, and everyone laughed.

"We don't want to hear about your fetishes involving your mother wearing sheepskin either!" Kyle added to more laughter.

"Nobody likes me...," Danny said pretending he was hurt.

"Shush Danny. Be good and I will milk you later!" Cody said.

"Here, Jeff, taste the gravy!" Tyler said handing him a spoon.

<Jeff slurps some gravy while Tyler removes the crescent rolls from the oven>

"Oh... is that awful! That is the worst gravy ever! You guys definitely don't want to try this!" Jeff said sticking his spoon back in for more. Everyone laughed.

"No double dipping!" Danny yelled.

"Talk about the pot calling the kettle black?" Tyler mumbled loud enough for everyone to hear. "Three, two, one..." Tyler counted to himself and then the roar of laughter began.

"You're evil!" Danny said laughing. Tyler pulled out a large bowl from a cupboard and everyone watched as he grabbed the tied cheesecloth from Annabelle's butt and pulled it out.

"Is that what it's like for you, Derek?" Jesse asked to another roar of laughter. Jesse covered Luke's ears for a few seconds.

"No, I'm much tighter!!!" Derek said grinning. Tyler stopped trying to pull the stuffing out and looked at Derek with a look of shock. More laughter. Tyler ended up spooning about half of the dressing out before the entire cheesecloth would remove. He filled a large bowl and them took a dinner plate and dropped spoonful size amounts of dressing all over the plate and poured gravy on each one.

"Okay everyone gets to sample Derek's dressing and my gravy." Tyler said holding the plate out.

"Oh my God, Derek! That is the best stuffing I've ever had!" Matt said.

"Hey? I chopped the onions for him!" Tyler said and gave Derek a slight smile.

"Oh yeah, onions are great, Tyler but, this is to die for!" Matt added.

"Hey this tastes like...," Kyle began and Tyler kicked him in the leg. "...the best I've ever had!" Kyle finished saying and Tyler tapped his back three times. Everyone patted Derek on the back and complimented him on his stuffing.

Jeff hung around the kitchen not wanting to leave and Tyler knew that he wanted to talk to him.

"Anyone want orange juice with dinner?" Tyler asked and received a chorus of no, never again, and I now hate OJ! He sealed the container and proceeded to take it downstairs and leave it in the freezer.

"Fine then... I'm going to freeze it for the next time we are here!" Tyler said.

"Are we being punished for something?" Luke asked and Tyler made a face at him.

"Jeff do you want to carry the box for the new coffee machine downstairs?" Tyler asked and Jeff grabbed the box almost before Tyler finished his question. They headed downstairs and Tyler put the orange juice in the freezer and told Jeff where to leave the box. Tyler pulled the receipt out of his wallet and put it inside the box in case there was ever a warranty problem.

"Did you want something, Jeff?" Tyler asked.

"No... why do you ask?" Jeff said.

"Because it is like having a puppy in the kitchen while you're trying to cook. Not that I don't appreciate the help but I'm having to watch that I don't step on you," Tyler said smiling.

"I just wanted to apologize for being an asshole earlier." Jeff said.

"Which time?" Tyler said and Jeff looked at him. "It's a joke, Jeff, so lighten up."

"Well I just wanted to say I'm sorry," Jeff repeated.

"Jeff, I already know you are a good driver when you want to be, but it seems like you get an idea in your head and you run with it without any regards to the others around you. If you drive your Dad's truck like some asshole driver that is your business! If you do it with anyone else in the vehicle, especially my brothers then it becomes my business!" Tyler said.

Jeff didn't say anything.

"Kyle is no longer allowed in a vehicle you're driving and I will make sure his parents are aware of that. It's nothing against you personally and if you twist this around to think that I don't love you then you are wrong! I'm not mad at you and I don't hate you! You are simply not mature enough to show that you are a responsible driver," Tyler said, turning to go up the stairs.

"When will I be mature enough?" Jeff asked.

"When you tell me that you won't do stupid things in motorized vehicles when you have other people in your care? I won't waste my breath or your time telling you that doing stupid stuff even when alone is immature. You want to kill yourself or end up spending your life in a wheel chair then that is your business. You're not a kid anymore but it would be damned irresponsible of me to let anyone set foot inside a vehicle you're driving," Tyler said.

"What if I promise you it will never happen again?" Jeff asked.

"Then I know it won't happen again and Kyle can ride with you. End of discussion," Tyler said.

"All I have to do is tell you I promise that I won't ever do stupid stuff when driving again and that's it?" Jeff asked, as he was confused.

"Right. Because if you ever did something stupid and I heard about it then I would no longer consider you my brother and I doubt if any of the others would either." Tyler said. "I will not invest the time, love, and money I put into every one of my brothers to have you kill someone because you weren't thinking or didn't take your responsibilities seriously! That is what being a mature adult is about and I'm not telling you what to do but simply saying if you're not in control then you're not going to endanger our brother's lives. Got it?" Tyler asked.

Jeff nodded his head. "I give you my word that I will never neglect my responsibilities as a licensed driver again," Jeff said with watery eyes.

"Okay! Works for me! Let's go eat!" Tyler said heading up the stairs.

"Can we watch National Treasure while eating?" Luke asked Derek as Tyler was coming up the stairs.

"No, Luke, you can watch it afterwards. This is our New Year's dinner together with our family. Think of it like Thanksgiving Day dinner. While we are thankful for everything we have we are also hoping and praying for a great year," Derek said not realizing that Tyler was behind him.

"I'll bet Tyler told you to say that!" Luke whined.

"No Luke. It was Tyler's idea alone to make sure we had you and Casey up with us for New Year's and at first I have to tell you I didn't want to have to deal with looking after you guys but I'm glad Tyler insisted because it wouldn't be family if we weren't all together. So for me, please sit at the table and enjoy our family because I want you here as much as Tyler and everyone else does," Derek said and he hugged Luke. Luke saw Tyler over Derek's shoulder and Tyler held his index finger up to his lips and winked at Luke.

"You know, Luke, sometimes I think that Tyler is more than a little insane with his obsession of all this family shit and then I realized that it's me with the problem and not him. I've been missing out on all of my family and I don't want to waste another moment of it! I'm learning that you are growing up so fast that I'm missing out on spending as much time as possible with you! As much as I love you Pukey, my respect for you is even greater because you always keep it real!" Derek said, as he hugged Luke again.

"Hey, I'm just a kid; what do I know?" Luke said winking.

"I used to think that about you as well but we both know better than that and Tyler knew it from the first day he met you. He's a pretty smart guy, almost as smart as you!" Derek said smiling.

"But not quite as smart!" Luke said grinning as he looked beyond Derek at Tyler. Derek spun around to see Tyler standing behind him. "Can I see you in private for a minute, Ty?" Derek asked.

"You've seen me in private many times," Tyler said grinning.

"Yeah, well I need to explain to you about the... wood that needs to be chopped." Derek said winking at him.

"You know Mom and Dad usually just say go away or you're grounded!" Luke said walking off.

"Sure... since you've got an axe to grind," Tyler said as he passed Derek. "Cody, could you watch the gravy on the stove please and when the timer on the potatoes goes take them off the stove and drain them well in the sink?" he asked.

"Ah Mastah Chef Ty-one-on has requested my expertise! Wot an honour!" Cody said in a fake Mandarin accent followed by bowing to everyone in the room.

"You're weird!" Luke said and rolled the die, as it was his turn.

"Knuckle dragger," Cody said, walking away.

"Bottom feeder," Luke responded without looking up at him. Casey snorted and then fisted Luke.

Tyler and Derek put their coats and boots on and headed up to the garage. Tyler started to walk towards the pile of wood and Derek pulled him inside the garage.

"I don't care about the stupid wood pile," Derek began.

"You will if it is cold tomorrow morning!" Tyler said.

"Shut up and listen, please!" Derek said. "All afternoon I've been trying to piss you off to make a point."

"Your point is well made Derek. I'm definitely pissed at you," Tyler said.

"Trust me I know that! Danny's already said that you should dump me!" Derek said laughing. "I was trying to help you to understand and trust me. I wanted you to get mad at me and let it all out. I wanted you to release your anger rather than let it build."

"What? Or perhaps I should ask why?" Tyler asked.

"It's two fold Tyler! You can't keep holding it in. Whether it is the death of your family or simply me being an asshole you need to let it out. Deal with it at that moment! I wanted you to yell and scream at me so you could realize that I'm not going to up and walk away on you because you act like the asshole I am most of the time," Derek said.

"Uh huh...," Tyler said leaning against the workbench.

"The second reason is that I want you to let me in. Let me be a part of your world. I want to share in your happiness and help you deal with your pain. I want to be that pillow you always hug. Whether the road is rough or smooth I want to walk it beside you and not behind you. Part of my learning to be a better person than I was in the first two months that we lived together required you to let me in and allow me to love you. I would have an easier time seeing the world from your point-of-view if you let me see everything you see! Does that make sense?" Derek asked.

"It does and I'm sorry that I didn't see it from your side," Tyler said.

"No Ty! Don't be sorry. You don't owe me anything and to this day I still can't even figure out why you love me? I don't want to be Tyler number two and I seriously doubt you would want me to be either, but for me to figure out my place in your world I need to be allowed inside. If you want to treat me like Kyle and Luke then I will never be any more than what they are right now. I can't attain a level of equality with you if we're not traveling down the same road together. I'm not really sure what I am to be in this world but I know I won't achieve it without you and I can't do it if you don't trust me and love me enough to let me inside," Derek said.

"Can you give me an example?" Tyler asked.

"It can be anything Ty. You plan everything out in your head and give us all the answers but none of us will learn how to make it in the world if you just keep handing us the answers. I never thought far enough ahead to even consider New Year's Eve dinner but you probably had that planned out a week ago?" Derek said.

"I actually was thinking about it on the plane to Des Moines," Tyler said grinning.

"Exactly! You never said something like 'hey Derek, what should we do for meals while at that cottage'?" Derek said.

"And you would have said 'whatever... we'll order in or get drive-thru'," Tyler said laughing.

"Right but then you could say, 'grow up assmite, we need to plan a menu here!'" Derek said. "And you would have given me five reasons as to why you were right and I was wrong and I would have learned from it and been more helpful! You don't have to be the world's Superman... you're already my Superman and that is more than any superhero should have to do in a lifetime of service!" Derek said smiling. Tyler laughed and pulled on Derek's coat.

"Tyler, you might just think I am on this fun ride and I'm going to get bored and eventually want off but you are wrong! I am having the time of my life and even if I get bored as long as I am with you it really doesn't matter. I know you don't see the changes in me but I am seeing the world differently every day! There is so much beauty right in front of me, and it can be as simple as a hug from Luke or a good joke someone tells or Abbey simply snuggling up against me when I am asleep. I see everything differently now and it's all thanks to you. I understand that of all the things you've said and taught me the most important might be to live each day to the fullest! I'm not going to spend another day on the side of the road feeling sorry for myself! I want to see the world and I want to do it with you beside me as my other half. I'm going to spend my life trying to make you happy and make myself worthy of the love you give me everyday," Derek said.

"Whoa! To quote Luke!" Tyler said smiling. "You've come a long way Babe!"

"And I have a long way to go yet and I don't want to do it without you, but I can't if you won't let me in? I can take a punch, Ty, though I prefer a kiss!" Derek said, kissing Tyler. "Damn that was good!" he added. "Now tonight I have planned a little surprise for you but you'll have to wait and see! Just remember that when I give you an order you have to follow it!" Derek said grinning.

"I need to get in and finish dinner," Tyler said.

"WE need to get in and finish dinner for OUR family, Ty!" Derek said.

Tyler smiled and rolled his eyes and said, "Right, we need to finish dinner."

"Thanks!" Derek said.

"For what?" Tyler asked.

"For saying 'we'!" Derek said and he took Tyler's hand in his and led him back to the cottage.

"How are we going to seat everyone at the table?" Tyler asked.

"We can't but we can put Chris, Kyle, Jesse, and Jeff at the counter on bar stools," Derek said.

"Why don't we just let whom ever wants to sit on the sectional and watch the movie National Treasure?" Tyler asked.

"We could do that too! I just thought we should be a family at dinner tonight but I guess there really isn't enough room. Maybe everyone will want to watch the movie and you and I will have a quiet, romantic dinner for two?" Derek suggested.

Tyler began mashing potatoes while Derek sorted out who wanted to watch the movie National Treasure. "Okay, got it all figured out! Luke, Casey, Chris, and Kyle are going to watch the movie and the rest of us can eat at the table. Have we got enough stuffing?" Derek asked grabbing a handful out of the bowl and shoving it into his mouth.

"We will if you keep your fingers out of it and we let Danny serve his plate last," Tyler said laughing.

"I HEARD THAT!" Danny said.

Derek wrapped his arms around Tyler and asked what he could do to help?

"Love me!" Tyler said.

"That's easy, give me something more difficult?" Derek asked.

"Go bring some wood in...," Tyler said, laughing.

"That's your job! How about I butcher Annabelle?" Derek asked.

"How about you fill the bowls with potatoes, vegetables, and gravy while I carve up Annabelle?" Tyler asked.

"Come and get it!!!!!" Derek yelled.

Everyone lined up and Derek filled each plate with mashed potatoes and stuffing. Tyler served pieces of the carved chicken for everyone and it was almost completely devoured by the time he filled everyone's plate. Danny made sure everyone had sodas or water.

"Luke??" Tyler yelled. "Not until we say grace!" Luke gave Tyler the evil eye and set his chicken leg back down on his plate. Matt was at one end of the table and Derek was at the other. Jesse, Jeff, and Danny sat on one side with Cody and Tyler opposite them.

"Guys come and join us to say grace, please?" Tyler asked.

Luke, Chris, Kyle, and Casey came over to the table. Each one stood at a corner of the table and everyone joined hands.

"Now who would like to say grace?" Derek asked and no one said anything.

"I can do it," Tyler volunteered.

"Noooooooooo!" Luke whined. "We'll never get to eat if Tyler says it!" Kyle and Derek looked at each other and started laughing.

"Fine!" Tyler said. "If you can do better then show us?" He challenged Luke.

"Everyone please bow your head?" Luke asked glaring at Tyler.

"Dear Lord, we thank you for this chicken!
Cooked just right and finger lickin'.
We've had it fried; we've had it rolled, We've had it hot, and even cold.
Taters, veggies, and gravy too I wanted steak but Danny mooed! <Danny gave Luke an evil glare>

She gave her life, this Annabelle, But sent to market she did sell.
Her dying words a curse they tell That those who eat me rot in Hell! <Matt snorted>

Unlike Tyler, my prayers are quick No one wants a cold drumstick!
<Tyler looked up to see Luke staring at him> Ty's chicken's tender, and can't be beat And Derek says it's oh so sweet! <Everyone starts laughing>

Before she loses all her heat, This prayer is over, so now let's eat."

"Amen!" Luke said and walked away from the table.

"Amen!" Everyone else added as they laughed and clapped. Luke paused to turn and take a bow.

"Oh my God, that was funny!" Matt said.

"We're taking him home with us!" Jesse added.

"Sold!" Tyler said looking at Luke grinning back at him.

"Can I have a burger instead?" Casey asked Tyler with a big grin.

"Moo!" Danny yelled at Casey with a big grin.

"Go eat your dinner!" Tyler said and Casey ran away laughing only to get fisted from Luke.

"Good one, Case!" Luke said, as they sat down in front of the television.

When dinner was over everyone was raving about Derek's stuffing and Tyler's homemade gravy. As Tyler and Cody got up to clear the table, Danny and Derek insisted on helping. They were both told to sit still. Jesse however was told to get off his ass and help since he was on the losing team! With the table cleared and the coffee brewed Tyler brought out two oven-warmed fresh raspberry pies. He set one in front of Derek to begin cutting and one in front of Danny. Everyone laughed.

"Hey, Ty, I'm not going to eat all of this!" Danny said.

Tyler put his hand on Danny's forehead and said, "He doesn't seem to have a fever?" Derek and Cody laughed while Danny growled.

"Growling is a pleasant change from mooing!" Derek said without looking up at Danny.

"Try putting your hand on his crotch!" Cody teased and Danny rolled his eyes as he got up from the table.

"What do you guys want for dessert?" Danny asked the four boys in the living room.

"Pudding!" Luke yelled.

"Yeah, me too please!" Casey added.

"Pie please!" Chris said.

"With ice cream?" Danny asked and Chris grinned. "What about you Kyle?"

"Nothing for me..., I might have a protein shake later!" Kyle said winking at Danny.

"Are you gonna milk, Danny?" Luke asked laughing.

"MOOOO!" Danny said glaring at him.

Danny brought them their desserts and then sat back down at the table to find a full pie and a fork sitting in front of him. "Can I have that knife please?" Danny asked Derek. Danny cut a single piece out and served himself some pie and then took his plate to the kitchen to add some ice cream.

Tyler went back to the kitchen to refill his coffee and whispered to Danny. "You know I got the extra pie just for you!"

"I'm not a hog! I told you that my resolution for the year is to share!" Danny said.

"Trust me we all think of you as more like a cow than a hog!" Tyler said grinning.

"Aren't you going to have some pie?" Danny asked.

"Well there wasn't any left but I really didn't need it anyway. I haven't been out running in days so I don't need extra sweets." Tyler said.

"Please have some of my pie?" Danny asked.

"Nah! I'm good as I am," Tyler said.

"No Ty, I want to share and I need to share. I want to experience the good feelings you talk about from giving rather than receiving," Danny said.

"Fine. I'll have some pie then," Tyler said.

"Just don't take a big piece...," Danny said, walking back to the dining room table.

Tyler sighed.

Tyler broke a piece of his pie off with his fork and as he put it in his mouth as Danny watched closely. Tyler could see Danny's mouth open and close in sync with Tyler's mouth. "Danny! It's really disturbing to be watched while I'm eating!" Tyler said and everyone else at the table stopped eating and leaned forward to stare at Tyler.

Tyler cut into his piece for a second piece to see everyone frozen still watching him. "It's the beats for the lot of you!" Tyler said and they all laughed at him. As Tyler stuck his second piece into his mouth Danny's mouth again opened and closed unconsciously with his.

"That's it!" Tyler said dropping his fork on his plate and sliding it over to Danny. "Here, you eat it, I'm stuffed!" Tyler said.

"Sure, thanks for sharing!" Danny said and lifted the plate to his mouth and slid it inside in one swoop. "Mmmmmm.... Gwood pwie!"

All was quiet around the dining room table. Everyone was relaxing as they digested their meal in silence when Derek started laughing uncontrollably. Everyone looked around at each other not knowing what was so funny. His laughter even captured the attention of Luke, Casey, Kyle, and Chris. Derek rolled forward clutching his tummy as his laughter grew.

"What's so funny?" Cody asked.

"Tyler..." Derek began trying to catch his breath and everyone look at Tyler. "He said... for me to turn the car alarm off before I woke the bears up!!!!!" Derek barely got out and started laughing again. This time he wasn't alone laughing.

"I don't get it?" Casey asked.

"Cops... bears..." Luke said to Casey and when Casey's eyes lit up everyone laughed more.

"I think it's time for Team Titan to clean up!" Tyler said. "If you guys will clear the table and collect the boy's dishes in the living room then I will do the dishes," Tyler said.

"Sweet!" Cody and Jesse said fisting each other.

Derek joined Tyler in the kitchen and asked, "What am I doing? Washing or drying?"

"You should be out there with our family," Tyler said.

"Ty, did you miss what I said to you earlier? We are a team, partners together. We share the workload. We share the good and the bad," Derek said. "Did I mention how much I love you?" he added giving Tyler a kiss. "You didn't shave this morning did you?"

"No I didn't and I didn't shower either!" Tyler said. "And no Derek, I didn't miss what you said. I guess I just figured it was another promise that wouldn't last so I wasn't really putting too much into what you told me," Tyler said.

"Oh... I see." Derek said and paused. "I guess that is fair. I have broken one or two promises in the past!" Tyler snorted. "Shut up and dry!" Derek said laughing as he stuck his hands into the soapy, hot water.

"Dinner was delicious, Ty! Thank you for all the work and planning you put into it," Derek said.

"Thanks for noticing and for all of your help!" Tyler said as he began drying the pots.

"So what's all this talk about hours for slave work done?" Derek asked as he began handing Tyler plates to rinse in the other sink.

"To teach Team Dumbass that your friends and brothers are not slaves we were assigning penalty hours based on the tasks given." Tyler said.

"How was I doing?" Derek asked grinning.

"Well... you were definitely winning Derek, if you want to call it that! A few more hours and we wouldn't be having sex until 2010," Tyler said winking.

"So someone like me would earn so many penalty hours and they could be used to avoid having sex or not speaking to me or however you wanted to use them?" Derek asked.

"Exactly," Tyler said.

"So I might be sleeping alone for a few months?" Derek asked.

"Nope," Tyler said.

"Well then what's my penalty for what I've done?" Derek asked.

"Nothing. If I sought vengeance on you for what you did then I wouldn't be treating you any better than you treated me.," Tyler said.

"You are just way too much of a role model for the average human being!" Derek said laughing.

"When did you move up to average human being?" Tyler shot back and kissed Derek's cheek.

When they finished doing the dishes all that was left was Annabelle and the cutting board she sat on. "What do we do with her?" Derek asked.

"I was going to fill that large pot we used for making the potatoes with water and add some vegetables and her carcass to make some soup for Mom," Tyler said and Derek immediately opened up the fridge door and rooted around for onion, carrots, and celery.

"We'll need these!" Derek said, "Anything else?"

"Just seasonings and a couple of bay leaves... you go ahead and I will chop those up," Tyler said and Derek glared at him. "Fine, let me do the onions and you can do the celery and carrots," he said smiling and Derek smiled back.

As they began working side-by-side cutting vegetables Jesse returned from having a smoke outside. Kyle immediately made room for Jesse to sit beside him and then Kyle wedged himself under Jesse's arm. Tyler and Derek watched as Jesse leaned slightly into Kyle and kissed the back of his head. They saw Kyle discreetly pinch Jesse's free hand three times.

"Looks like our little boy is growing up?" Tyler said quietly to Derek.

"Yeah, who would ever have thought that Kyle would be the one to protect Jesse from having any sexual contact? I wonder if the world has stopped spinning," Derek joked.

"I've been wondering that myself," Tyler said not looking up.

"You know now that I listen more closely to what you say I've learned that you are really sarcastic!" Derek said teasing Tyler.

"Compared to... Luke?" Tyler asked.

"Maybe not. Can I carve her carcass up?" Derek asked holding the 'big boy's knife' in his hand.

"First you need to carefully remove all of the meat still on her and I want all of the skin pulled aside." Tyler said. Tyler cut up the meat and skin that Derek removed and tossed it in the soup pot. Turning the burner down to simmer, Derek placed Annabelle's parts in the pot and they closed the lid and left the kitchen!

Tyler pulled Chris up from his seat on the sectional and sat down pulling Chris back on to his lap. "I didn't say you could sit down Ty!" Derek said grinning at him.

"Don't I get a break?" Tyler asked.

"Nope. You need to go shower!" Derek said. "C'mon!" Derek said pulling Tyler up from his seat and leading him by the hand to the bedroom where he stripped him naked, gave him a towel, and told him not to shave!

When Tyler was done he came back to his bedroom to find Derek sitting on the bed grinning.

"What?" Tyler asked.

"Nothing... well something!" Derek said and stood up in front of Tyler using a scarf as a blindfold he wrapped it around Tyler's eyes.

"I can't breathe!" Tyler said.

"Shush! It won't be long!" Derek said laughing as he removed his own clothes and wrapped a towel around himself. Tyler pushed his blindfold up a bit so he could breath. Derek took him by the hand and led him down the hallway and into the living room. Tyler could hear everyone giggling.

"That's not a good sound!" Tyler said grinning.

"Shut up! You're under my orders till midnight!" Derek said helping Tyler on to the first step. Tyler held on to the railing and climbed the stairs.

He heard Kyle laughing and Tyler grabbed his towel tight and yelled, "Kyle, stop peeking!"

"How does he know?" Kyle asked looking up and everyone laughed.

When they reached the top of stairs Derek told Tyler to stand still and hold on to the banister. Derek quickly got rid of his towel and put on his boxers and robe.

<Sniff, sniff> "Something's burning up here? It's like vanilla?" Tyler asked.

"Will you just shut up and relax?" Derek asked.

Derek removed Tyler's towel and had him lift each leg, one at a time, as he put his boxers on him followed by his matching robe. Derek removed Tyler's blindfold and he blinked a few times to adjust.

"Shit!" Tyler said as he looked around the room to see 14 different coloured vanilla candles burning, a large Valentine's Day heart taped to the wall over the bed, and heart shaped box of chocolates on the bed with a card.

"Do you like? Are you surprised?" Derek asked. Derek turned to look down at the living room below and waved Kyle away without letting Tyler know that Kyle was standing below watching. Derek spied Danny and Cody dragging Kyle away.

"As far as surprises go... I could learn to like them?" Tyler said looking around the room. Derek grabbed hold of Tyler's belt on his robe and undid it. Placing each hand on the collar he pulled Tyler's robe down and it fell to the ground. Derek took Tyler's hands and placed them on the knot in his belt. Tyler grinned and looked into Derek's eyes as he undid the knot.

Derek looked over at the bed and Tyler followed his eyes. Two pillows where stacked on top of the other running head-to-toe with the card and heart shaped box of chocolates near the head of the bed.

"I would request that you lay face down on top of the pillows for me?" Derek asked and Tyler did so that his nose was almost on top of the card.

Tyler looked over to see Derek bring over a bowl with a bottle of Canada Dry Ginger Ale covered in ice and two wine glasses. "It's Diet Ginger Ale! Your favourite if I recall correctly?" Derek said as he untwisted the cap and then made a "pop" noise with his finger in his mouth. Tyler smiled and shook his head. He poured two glasses and handed one to Tyler and set his own down on the nightstand beside the bed.

Derek climbed on top of Tyler's back and opened a tube of lotion. He squirted out a giant heart on Tyler's back and then carefully wrote inside the heart 'D. A. LUVS T. P." Tyler giggled.

"Hey! You're not supposed to be peeking!" Derek said and pushed Tyler's head down on the pillow. Derek began with a neck massage. He kneaded his fingers in between Tyler's shoulder blades and neck and then ran his fingernails up and down the back of Tyler's neck making Ty shiver with each pass.

Derek worked his way down Tyler's back and then massaged each leg from thigh to toe. When he finished he slid down beside Tyler and said, "Open your stuff!"

Tyler picked up the red envelope in front of him with his name on it and opened the card. The card had a white embossed heart on the outside and was blank inside except for what Derek wrote.

"Tyler,

Can you see it in my eyes?
The love for you that never dies!
You're in my every thought and breathe
And all I'll need until my death.

I feel your loving, warm embrace
Like when your lips touch my face!
I feel your hurt and share your pain
To open your heart will be our gain.

Our future together is one that's bright
We will walk together holding tight.
The path now dark will soon see light
Step by step we'll reach new heights.

You'll never walk this road alone
With love and trust we'll soon be home.
Can you see it in my eyes?
My love for you will never die!

I will love you forever,
Your Derek.

"You're getting that nice card wet! It cost me almost two dollars!" Derek said smiling as Tyler's tears flowed. Tyler turned sideways and hugged Derek and cried.

"You wrote this!" Tyler said.

"Doesn't it show?" Derek asked laughing.

"It does Derek, it shows what I saw inside of you when I first met you," Tyler said.

Derek grabbed Tyler's wine glass and handed it to him. "Here, drink some cheap assed wine!" he said winking.

"I know this isn't much, Ty, but I want you to know how much I love you and how deep my love is? I need you to let me in so we can walk the road home together," Derek said and they kissed. Tyler shivered from the touch of Derek's lips.

"Now open your heart shaped box!" Derek said.

Tyler wiped his eyes again and undid the red ribbon around the box. The box had 24 chocolates in it. Twenty of them were chocolate covered cherries with stems and little pink hearts on them.

"What are the other four?" Tyler asked.

"When I was getting the box made up I asked them to put four chocolate with peanut butter truffle centres in because I knew you would want to share them with everyone," Derek said.

"See!!!" Tyler said still crying. "That's the Derek I know and love!" Derek picked up the on chocolate covered cherry by its stem and held it up over Tyler's mouth. Tyler did the same to Derek. With arms interlocked they fed each other one chocolate covered cherry. Derek took the box away and set it on the nightstand. He got up and pressed play on the CD player. Shania Twain's "Your Still The One I Love" came on and Derek got back on the bed, half on top of Tyler and held him in his arms and kissed him.

"Now about that body painting idea of yours..." Derek said smiling.

'(You're still the one)
You're still the one I run to
The one that I belong to
You're still the one I want for life

(You're still the one)
You're still the one that I love
The only one I dream of
You're still the one I kiss good night....'

To be continued...


 

tylerpeel@tickiestories.us

Posted: 01/21/09