Disclaimer: If sex between two males offends you then please leave. If you're under the legal age( you've probably skipped this part anyway) please leave as well. All this material is mine and mine only. It is not to be copied or anything like that without my consent.

~*::Ocean Blue::*~

"These are the times that try men's souls"-Thomas Paine

An hour later Kelly and Tristan were so involved in their game of "Go Fish" that they didn't hear the knock on the door.

"Tristan?"

They looked up to see Tristan's mother standing in the doorway looking completely worn out. Her hair was thrown carelessly into a ponytail, makeup hadn't even been considered and the bags under her eyes had become even more prominent since the last time Tristan had seen her.

"Yeah mom?"

"He hasn't woken up yet?"

Tristan shook his head. He knew his mom wouldn't go home until she had spoken with Aiden again. She was like that with all her patients.

"Alright." Tristan's mother sighed as she turned to leave.

"Mom?"

"Yes?"

"You should go home and get some rest. Aiden will be fine."

"Tristan-"

"Really Mom, you should get some sleep."

Tristan watched her cave.

"Well, I suppose an hour or two wouldn't hurt. I'll be back by then."

"Ok I'll see you later then."

"Bye, oh and your friend is sitting in the hallway looking a little lost."

Friend? Tristan followed his mother into the hallway to find David. He should have figured.

"It's ok mom I got it. I'll see you in a little while" She just nodded and continued down the hall.

Once she was out of sight Tristan turned his attention to David. "Why are you sitting out here?"

David jumped. Apparently he hadn't noticed Tristan. "Oh, I just- I dunno."

Tristan thought for a moment. He couldn't just leave David in the hallway, but he had his qualms about inviting David into the room. "Well you can come inside if you want."

"Um is uh Aiden-"

"He's still asleep."

"Oh, um, ok then." David rose and followed Tristan into Aiden's room.

"David this is Kelly, Kelly this is David."

David froze. There was no need for an introduction. He knew all too well who Kelly was.

"Um hi," he stumbled.

"Hi." Kelly said smiling brightly, "You're in my economics class right?"

She had noticed him? "Yeah, uh, I am. I sit behind you."

"So do you want to play cards with us?"

"Um, yeah" David stopped as his voice squeaked. He cleared his throat and started again. "Yeah sure." He sat down to play while Tristan just watched with an amused smile on his face.

***

Aiden awoke to the sound of voices. He opened his eyes for a brief moment then quickly shut them when they were greeted by the harsh sunlight.

"Any 6's?" That was Tristan's voice.

"Go fish. Any 4's?" That was that girl...what was her name...Kelly that was it.

"Dammit. You're cheating! I know it." That was... no, he knew that voice.

Aiden snapped his eyes open and jerked his head to the side, ignoring the pain that shot across his chest. Because of the way his head was angled, all Aiden could see was David. He didn't give a second thought to logic or reason and immediately began to panic. He flailed his arms for a moment then tried to push himself up with his one good arm only to be pushed down again. This only increased Aiden's panic and he swung blindly hitting someone with his cast.

"Ow! Aiden calm down." A voice snapped but by then Aiden was too caught up in his panic and shut his eyes swinging out once more.

"Aiden, baby, hold still, you're going to hurt yourself." Finally Aiden recognized the voice and slowly opened his eyes to see a very worried Tristan.

He relaxed back against his pillows, thoroughly relieved. It must have been a dream.

"You ok?" Tristan asked placing a gentle hand on Aiden's cheek.

Aiden just nodded.

"You sure?"

Aiden was about to answer when he glanced towards the corner of the room.

"T-t-tristan!" He squeaked grabbing Tristan by the wrist. "H-h-he t-t-thats-"

"What is it?"

Aiden lifted an arm and pointed in David's direction. "T-t-that's h-h-e-"

Tristan quickly got the message. "No, no, no Aiden he's cool. It's cool."

Aiden let go of Tristan's wrist in shock. He's cool? Behind them Kelly was quietly ushering David out the door. She knew that his presence was only making the situation worse.

"T-t-tristan, what's h-h-he d-d-oing h-h-ere?"

Tristan sighed. He knew he was going to have to explain but he had never considered how he was going to explain.

"I um, I let him stay."

"You l-l-let him s-s-tay?!"

"Yes." Tristan mumbled.

"W-why? Don't you k-k-now w-w-what he did to m-me? Don't y-you know w-w-ho h-he is?"

"Yeah, I know, but-"

"You k-k-know?!"

"Yeah he explained everything and he's actually a nice guy."

"N-n-nice guy?" Aiden snapped, "Tristan he h-h-helped b-b-beat me and then w-w-atched as I was s-s-tabbed and l-left t-t-o die. I g-g-uess I'm lucky h-he's n-n-ot an a-a-s-shole. Then h-h-uh?"

Tristan unconsciously took a step back. He didn't think Aiden would get this mad. He thought he'd at least get a chance to plead his case. But it was becoming painfully obvious that he'd misjudged the situation.

"Aiden please just listen to me." Tristan pleaded stepping forward only to be stopped by Aiden holding up his hand.

"N-n-no, just g-g-et out. I can't b-b-e around you r-r-r-ight now." Aiden said trying to sound cold and detached, but the tears in his eyes giving him away.

"What?" Tristan whispered in disbelief.

"Get. O-out." Aiden said slowly, looking Tristan dead in the eye.

Tristan turned, and choking back sobs exited the room. He could only hope he hadn't lost Aiden forever.

***

David couldn't sit still. Ever since Kelly had dragged him out of the room he'd been in constant motion. Pacing, bouncing in his chair, tapping his feet; anything to keep his mind off of what was happening in that room. He hadn't meant to cause this much trouble. All he wanted to do was apologize to Aiden, not break up a couple.

"David?"

"Mmhm?"

"Sit still."

"Ok." David was still for about 30 seconds, then he began drumming his fingers against the armrest.

"David!" Kelly snapped grabbing a hold of his hands, "Sit still

David's breath caught in his throat, "Yeah ok"

Kelly released David's hands and leaned back in her chair, "It's going to be ok you know."

David let out a bitter laugh, "Yeah, right."

Kelly opened her mouth to reply but was interrupted by a very upset Tristan stepping into the hallway.

"Hey, you alright?" Kelly asked softly.

"No, I mean uh yea, I just, I gotta go."

Before David or Kelly could speak Tristan rushed away. David couldn't stop himself and began to pace.

"Do you think everything's ok? I mean do you really think things will work out?"

"Yes." Kelly answered simply, picking up a magazine that lay on the table beside her.

"How can you be so calm about all of this?"

"I just can, you need to relax."

"How can I possibly relax now?"

"I don't know, um...let's play a game."

"A game?" David asked, shocked, "Shouldn't you be checking on Aiden right now?"

"He just found out that his boyfriend has suddenly become friends with the boy who helped beat and stab him. Do you really think he wants to be around anyone right now?"

David didn't answer.

"So you wanna sit here and worry some more or do you wanna play that game?"

David sighed, "Ok, um what game?"

"Um, 20 questions. You can go first."

David felt a little awkward playing 20 questions in a hospital hallway but he figured it beat pacing again, "Are you single?"

The question was out before David realized what he was saying, but it was a question that had been on his mind since he'd taken the seat behind Kelly in economics.

"Yep, very. What about you?"

"Yeah, I am." David said breaking into a wide smile.

***

"Tristan, hey, you gotta calm down"

"I can't!" Tristan cried into the phone. After leaving the hospital he'd caught a cab home and then immediately called Abbey. "What if he breaks up with me? What if he never speaks to me again?"

"And what if he completely forgives you?" Abbey shot back.

Tristan paused for a moment, "Abbey, be serious."

"I am being serious. You have no idea what Aiden will do. Don't jump to conclusions."

Tristan sighed, "I hate it when you're right."

"Really? `Cuz I love it." Abbey laughed for a moment then suddenly grew serious, "But really though, I'm sure things will be fine."

"I hope so Abbey, I really hope so."

***

"Ok one more question then I need to go see if Aiden's alright."

David thought for a moment then took a deep breath. It was now or never.

"Would you like to um, hang out sometime?" David stumbled.

`Like on a date?"

"No! Well I mean if that's what you wanted it to be but we could you know, just um, study or watch TV or something?" Great, He was blushing. He never fucking blushed.

Kelly didn't say anything for a moment.

"I think that might be nice. How's Saturday at eight sound? Pick me up at my place? Good see you later." She said walking away with an amused smile not giving him anytime to answer the questions presented. Maybe this could be the beginning of something truly special.

***

Kelly stepped cautiously into Aiden's room, "Aiden, you all right?"

"W-w-what do you t-t-h-ink?" He snapped brushing a few tears away.

"I guess that was a stupid question huh?"

"Y-y-yeah, it w-w-as."

"Can I sit?"

"W-w-whatever." Aiden mumbled.

"Thanks. So I'm guessing you're pretty pissed off at Tristan right now huh?"

"W-why d-do you c-c-are?"

"What do you mean?"

"You b-b-barely even k-k-now me."

"I care because Tristan cares and he's a good friend of mine and I wouldn't mind being a good friend of yours as well."

"T-t-tristan has a f-f-funny way of s-s-howing he c-c-ares." Aiden said bitterly.

"But he does care. You know it and I know it."

"If he c-c-care s-s-so much, he would h-h-have kicked t-t-that guy out t-t-he minute he s-showed up."

"Aiden try to understand. Tristan isn't the kind of person to just turn his back on someone without at least giving them a chance. I thought you of all people would know that," Kelly scolded.

"Y-y-yeah I know t-t-that but I just d-d-don't s-s-see why this guy d-d-deserves a c-c-hance."

"This guy's name is David and maybe you'd see if you talked to him."

"N-n-no way in h-hell." Aiden responded immediately.

"Ok then, maybe you should at least talk to Tristan. I know he's upset."

"M-m-maybe."

Kelly didn't say anything more and instead leaned back in her chair. They sat in silence for a few minutes until Aiden's mother walked in followed by two policemen.

"M-m-mom? I t-t-thought you were at w-w-work."

"I came home early. These gentlemen have some questions for you."

Kelly stood, "I'll uh, give you some privacy."

After the door was closed Aiden's mother took the vacant chair, "You doin ok sweetie?" She asked taking his hand.

"Y-y-y-eah." Aiden stuttered, barely able to get the words out. The two policemen were making him nervous.

"Hi, um Aiden is it?" One of the officers asked.

"Y-y-y-yes."

"Well I'm Mike and this is my partner Hank. We'd like to ask you some questions if that's alright."

"O-O-K."

"Ok, first off, why don't you give us a short version of what happened?" Mike prompted.

Short version? There was no short version. But Aiden tried his best and managed to get through the whole story without breaking down. The officers didn't comment and instead moved on to the next question. They continued asking questions and throughout the whole process the thought that he'd have to press charges never entered his mind. That is until his mom mentioned it.

"So what do you think will happen after we press charges?"

"Well-" Hank began, but was quickly interrupted by Aiden.

"W-w-what charges? I'm n-nn-not pressing c-c-c-charges!"

"Aiden what are you talking about, you have to press charges!"

"I j-j-ust, I j-just c-can't."

"Why in the world not?"

"I-i-it's complicated." Aiden whispered.

"Gentlemen can we have some privacy for a moment." His mother requested.

"No problem."

After the men stepped outside Aiden's mother took in a deep breath then spoke, "Now would you like to explain why you don't want to press charges."

Aiden looked down at his lap and slowly shook his head.

"And why not?"

"B-b-because you w-w-wouldn't u-u-understand."

Aiden's mother ran her hand over her face, "Why don't you let me be the judge of that."

"C-c-chad w-w-won't g-go to j-j-ail mom, he's 17 and h-h-he c-can't s-s-stay in j-juvie forever. Eventually h-hhe's going to g-g-et out and I'm w-w-willing to b-b-bet he's g-g-gonna be p-p-pissed when he d-d-does."

Aiden's mother was quiet for a minute. She was trying to figure out how to respond. She could understand how frightened Aiden must be, but there was no way in hell she was going to just let this Chad guy get away with what he did.

"Aiden, I know that you're scared, but honey do you honestly think that if you don't press charges Chad is just going to leave you alone?"

Aiden didn't say anything and instead just shook his head."

"It's up to you what you wanna do, Aiden, but I hope you make the right decision."

It only took Aiden a few seconds to decide, "F-f-fine, I'll d-d-do it."

Aiden's mother leaned over to give him a kiss on the fore head.

"You're doing the right thing sweetheart, I'm proud of you."

***

When David saw Aiden's mother approaching with two cops the only explanation he could come up with was that they were coming to arrest him and he was going to spend the rest of his life in jail over a huge mistake. He would never get to see his mother again. He wouldn't get to go to college. He wouldn't get to take Kelly out...

David was so caught up in his thoughts that he never saw the policemen enter Aiden's room and he never saw Kelly come out.

"David....David!"

"What?!" David squeaked.

"Are you ok?"

"Um, yeah." But he knew he wasn't. He was shaking a bit and he'd broken out in a light sweat.

"Good." Kelly said taking the seat beside him.

"Um Kelly?"

"Yeah?"

"What are um, what are the cops doing here?"

"I'm not sure, talking to Aiden I assume."

"Oh," David mumbled softly.

He had a million thoughts running through his head. He opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted by the two policemen stepping out of Aiden's room looking slightly uncomfortable. There was an awkward silence until one of the men spoke.

"So are you two friends of his?" He asked jerking his head in the direction of Aiden's room.

"Um, yeah, sort of," Kelly answered.

"What do you mean sort of?" The other officer asked, not bothering to hide the suspicion in his voice.

"Well, I'm a friend of his boy- uh, I'm a friend of a friend."

The officer raised an eyebrow, "What about you?" He asked, turning his attention to David.

David froze. He had been trying to be inconspicuous but he'd obviously failed.

"Um I, uh, I'm-"

"Officers, we're ready for you."

Aiden's mother stood in the doorway oblivious to the tension in the hallway.

"Alright then," One of the officers said giving David one last lingering look before turning away.

***

Tristan sat on the edge of his bed staring off into space trying not to think of Aiden and the look on his face when he kicked him out. He had promised Abbey that he would go back to the hospital and try talking to Aiden, but so far he hadn't been able to work up the courage. If and when he did he would still have to wait for his mom to wake up and catch a ride with her since he didn't have enough money for a cab and his car was still at school. He considered just waking his mom up himself, but decided against it. He tried telling himself that it was because she needed her sleep, but knew that, in actuality, he was just stalling.

***

Aiden let out a tired breath as the door closed behind the officers. They had left with the promise of letting them know when they had Chad in custody. Now all he wanted to do was get some sleep.

"M-m-mom I'm g-g-getting kinda t-t-ired..."

"I know sweetie, just relax."

"W-w-will you b-b-be here when I w-w-wake up?" He asked, desperately wanting the answer to be yes. He wanted his mom to take some time off work, even if it was just sitting next to a hospital bed for a few hours.

"Yep, I should be." His mother said, yawning slightly.

Aiden let a tired smile grace his face before drifting away.

***

David knew something was wrong when the same two police officers came strolling down the hall a half hour after they left. He knew something was really wrong when they stopped directly in front of him .Kelly had gone to get a soda and he was left sitting in the hallway alone.

"Are you..." The man paused to look down at a notepad in his hands "David Sterling?"

David froze, his eyes going wide. It wasn't as if he could run. He knew they would catch him. He was fucking trapped.

"Ye-yes I'm uh, I am." He stammered showing his hands in his pockets trying to hide the fact that they were shaking.

"And you're friends with a Chad Baker?

"Um.. I used to be."

"Used to be?" One of the officers asked, then continued on when David didn't say anything. "Do you have any idea as to where he might be? Places he goes to get away maybe?"

David looked up sharply, "Chad's missing?"

The officers nodded, "We think he might have gone someplace to hide and his parents don't seem to know where he is, but they told us you might."

David thought for a second trying to figure out where Chad would go, but at that moment he didn't have the slightest idea, "No, no I don't know here he would go."

"You sure about that?" They clearly didn't believe him.

David just nodded.

"Do you know of anyone who might?"

"No, sorry I don't."

"Well ok then. Thanks for your time."

David could only nod numbly as the two officers walked away. As soon as they were out of sight he let out a shaky breath and slumped backwards in his chair. He didn't get the chance to relax for very long because only seconds later Tristan was standing in front of him.

"What did those cops want?"

David paused. He did not want to be the one to break the news to Tristan.

"They were um, looking for Chad. He's missing."

"What the fuck do you mean he's missing?" Tristan demanded pulling David out of his chair by his collar.

"I mean he's gone Tristan, nobody can find him. Chad's gone."

Tristan got this look on his face like he wanted to lash out and David knew exactly who would be on the receiving end. He started to struggle, trying to get out of Tristan's hold, but Tristan only held him tighter.

"Tristan man, let me go."

Tristan didn't appear to hear him and didn't say a word. This worried David and only caused him to struggle harder, but Tristan was almost twice his size which made it nearly impossible to escape.

"Tristan!"

Both David and Tristan's heads snapped in the direction of the voice. Kelly stood a few feet away with a worried look on her face.

"Tristan you alright?" She asked in a soft voice, stepping closer.

Tristan let David go and slowly nodded.

"Yeah, I just- sorry I don't know what-" Tristan stumbled. He hadn't wanted to hurt David, he wanted to hurt Chad, but David was there and Chad wasn't.

"It's ok." David mumbled straightening his shirt.

"Hey, Tristan, you wanna get some air? I could take you to go pick up your car"

Tristan gave another slow nod. He knew he was supposed to be working things out with Aiden, but he needed some time to calm down, "Sure."

Giving David a small smile, Kelly led Tristan away. David sat back in his seat and placed his head in his hands. He felt like absolute shit. He knew that anyone else would have left by then, but he felt like he had to be there. He had to make things right. He just didn't have the faintest idea as to how he was supposed to do that. He didn't have much time to dwell on the subject as his phone rang.

"Hello?"

"David?" A small voice came across the line.

"Chad?!"

so whatd u think? again SO SORRY for the delay. hopefully it was worth the wait. lemme know blnch@msn.com Also check out my yahoo group... http://groups.yahoo.com/group/whispered_secrets/ there you'll find other stories of mine as well