The one thing that keeps me sane...

DISCLAIMER :
STORY - MINE
CHARACTERS - MINE
EVERYTHING ELSE - MINE
STEAL IT - ME NOT HAPPY
ME NOT HAPPY - YOU IN TROUBLE
GOT IT??????

ONWARDS ----------->


Ben groaned and his eyes slowly opened. Got he felt like hell. He hadn’t felt this bad for quite some time. He could see people in the room, but things were still blurry so he didn’t know who they were. He closed his eyes again and tried to wake up some before opening his eyes and seeing Michael, Ryan, and Jess standing there.

“Hey there Ben.” Michael smiled softly. “How you feeling?”

“Like shit.” Ben muttered. “Where is Jacoby?”

Michael sat in the chair by the bed. “He’s out with Cathy. He’s fine.” Looking around Ben sighed. “He was here.” Michael told him and Ben looked back at him confused. “Some guy came...and took Laraine somewhere...we don’t know where he is.”

With a wince Ben pushed himself up a little. “Someone...took him?” Michael nodded. “Well where? Have you called anyone?”

“His mom called me.” Ryan told him. “She told me she’d gotten a call telling her that they, someone, had taken Laraine and they weren’t bringing him back. That she better not call the cops...”

“His uncle sent someone after him!” Ben snapped and winced. “That’s who did this!”

Michael set a hand on Ben’s shoulder. “Ben calm down. Laraine is going to be fine. You just work on getting better okay? The doctors said you were pretty roughed up.”

Ben dropped his head back against the pillow. “How do you expect me to react. Michael you know these people! What if they hurt him?” Ben groaned. “Why am I so stupid?”

Jess smirked. “Ben don’t tell me you’re regretting breaking up with Laraine.”

“This is my fault!” Ben yelled at her, and then coughed. “If I’d just listened to you...to all of you...Lain would be okay.” he groaned again. “We have to find him.”

“Ben you are going to get better before you do anything!” Michael ordered. “You got that? The police are handling Lain. You get better.”

The door opened and the doctor came in. “I have to ask you all to leave now.” he told them.

“Get better okay Ben?” Ryan smiled and they left.

They walked back out into the waiting room where Jacoby and Alex were playing with the toys on the floor. Ryan walked over and sat by Zak, who was watching Alex play with Jacoby on the floor. Zak smiled at Ryan, who in turn gave Zak a knowing smile.

“You really like him don’t you?” Ryan asked him.

Zak kind of nodded. “Yeah, I do.”

Alex stood and dusted himself off. “I should probably head back to my aunt’s house. She’ll be worried.”

Michael nodded. “Ryan, Jacoby is gonna come home with us. That okay?” he asked.

“Of course.” Ryan nodded and stood. “Zak?”

“Oh.” Zak stood. “I was...thinking...maybe I should give Alex a ride back.”

Ryan saw Alex blush a little and nodded. “Good idea. We’ll be at home.”

They all left and Zak and Alex headed over to Zak’s car. Once they were inside they just kind of sat there a moment. “You don’t have to drive me home you know.” Alex told him. “I mean...I can walk. It’s no problem.”

Zak smiled. “I wanted to give you a ride home.”

“Thank you.” Alex muttered and let Zak pull him over so they could kiss. He let the kiss go on for a moment before pulling away and taking a deep breath. “I can’t do this! It feel wrong!”

That shocked Zak. “What do you mean it’s wrong?”

“I have a girlfriend Zak!” Alex told him. “I really...really like you but I have a girlfriend! I can’t do this to her! That’s just to wrong!”

A sigh escaped Zak’s lips and he leaned back against his seat. “Yeah. I can respect that.”

Alex felt his stomach drop. “It’s just really confusing. Cause I really like you...and I’ve never liked a guy...at least not like dating wise liked a guy. And of course the one time I am actually dating someone I find...you.”

A smile formed on Zak’s face. “That’s the way these things go I guess. Truth be told three months ago I broke up with someone I’d been dating for two years. I had told myself I was never going to date again...and I had pretty much stuck with that...” he looked over at Alex. “I just figured I’d give it a go with you and you turned out to be taken. What luck we both have huh?”

“That’s horrible...” Alex muttered. “Why did you two break up?”

“Well,” Zak laughed a little. “He cheated on me, to be honest.”

Alex dropped his head into his hands. “God...and how does that make me look? Like some sort of cheep whore...god...” he brought his head back up. “I’m not usually like this I swear! I’ve never...never done something like this before.” he was stumbling with his words and felt like an idiot. “I mean...I’m not even used to someone like you! Someone who...I dunno...makes advancements...it’s usually the other way around...not that I make advancement on a lot of people or anything...I just-”

Zak set a finger over Alex’s lips. “I get it Alex. I never thought those things about you. You’re a good boyfriend for not wanting to do that to your girlfriend. She’s lucky to have you Alex.” he kissed the boy’s lips softly. “I’m jealous a girl gets you.” He sat back and turned the car on. “Lets get you to your aunt’s.”

“Can we go somewhere else first?” Alex asked him. “I...the last time I was here for a while Lain and I found something really cool and...I’d like to show you.”

“Sure.” Zak told him. “I’d love to.”

They drove for about fifteen minutes, Alex telling Zak where to turn and all of that. When they finally had to stop they had come to a dead end. Zak stopped the car and was about to ask Alex what was going on but the boy was climbing out of the car. He got out of the car and followed Alex back into the woods.

“Where are you leading me to Alex?” Zak asked him as they walked.

“Just a little further.” Alex promised and smiled back at him. “Close your eyes.” he stopped Zak and faced him. “Come on, close your eyes.”

Zak smirked and closed his eyes. “Your not gonna do anything bad are you? I better not run into a tree or something.”

That made Alex laugh as he took Zak’s hands in his own to lead him. “Promise I wont. Just a little further is all.”

“I hear running water...” Zak muttered. “Alex I swear to got if I fall into some kind of river...”

“No, your not.” Alex stopped and stepped to Zak’s side, letting his hands go. “Alright, look.”

Opening his eyes Zak looked at the place. It was beautiful alright. A small stream running by, trees surrounding the small grassy area, and complete seclusion from everything else in the world. “This is nice Alex.”

Alex just kind of stood there as Zak looked around. “I’m happy you think so.”

Turning back to Alex, Zak smiled. “Why’d you wanna bring me here Alex?”

“I just wanted to come here.” Alex told him and sat down in the grass. “It’s a nice place to think and let everything go...”

“A nice place to be alone?” Zak asked as he sat by Alex, the boy nodding in answer. “Your worried about Lain huh?”

There was a silence a moment. “You know how...my aunt called me at the hospital?” Zak nodded. “She told me that Laraine was okay. That I shouldn’t be worried and that if I wanted I could stay at the hospital with the rest of you. When I asked her why she just told me that I would find out later.”

“That doesn’t make sense to me.” Zak told him.

“Me either.” Alex bit his lip and then looked at Zak. “Zak?” the guy looked over at him. “If I didn’t...have a girlfriend...would you...want to go out with me?”

Zak smiled. “Yeah, I would.”

Taking a deep breath Alex looked back at the stream. “I want to be with you...but I don’t want you to think I’m just like...a whore or something.”

“Alex I don’t think that at all.” Zak argued. “I understand that you have a girlfriend and I realize that its confusing, I’ve been there myself. You just have to do what you think you need to do...if that doesn’t sound corny at all.”

Shaking his head Alex looked back at Zak. “No, it doesn’t. I think...I’d rather be with you Zak.”

Leaning over Zak softly kissed Alex. They looked at each other a moment before Zak moved close to Alex and brought their mouths together again. They kissed softly, Zak bringing his hand up to the side of Alex’s face. He didn’t want to have Alex back away again, like he had before, but from how Alex was kissing him back he doubted that would happen.

We’re with Ben now...he’s not into following the rules


Ben had an arm wrapped around his stomach in pain as he walked up to the door. God life sucked. This should actually have probably been the last place he should have gone to but whatever. The hospital was probably trying to hunt him down now and after this little endeavor he was going to go from recovery to intensive care.

Forcing the door open Ben stumbled inside and leaned against the wall wondering which acre of the house he should go to first. He heard voices from the living room and pushed himself up to walk over there. When he entered the room he found Trik standing there with none other than Ian and Ray.

“Well, well, well.” Ian smirked. “Shouldn’t you be in the hospital or something? We heard that’s where you went.”

“Where is he?” Ben hissed, leaning against the wall. “Where is Lain?”

Trik set the glass in his hand down. “Why are you here Ben?”

Ben forced himself to stand strait, wincing as he did so. “To get Lain! What have you done with him? I know he’s here! Where is he? I swear to god if you hurt him I’ll kill you!”

“Benjamin?” turning Ben saw Laraine standing on the stairwell. “Benjamin your hurt...”

“Are you okay Lain?” Ben asked him as Laraine walked closer. “Did they hurt you?”

Laraine shook his head as he looked over Ben’s wounds. “Benjamin you should be in the hospital. What are you doing here?”

Ben ran a hand through Laraine’s hair. “I had to make sure you were okay...I wasn’t just gonna sit in that hospital not knowing what was happening to you.” Ben leaned down and gave Laraine a kiss. “Lain I love you. So much.”

“Benjamin...” tears left Laraine’s and he smacked Ben. “How dare you not tell me!” Ben looked at him a little confused and shocked. “You killed people Benjamin! You killed people!”

“Lain...” Ben framed Laraine’s face with his hands. “I realize that what I did in my past was not good. That I’m completely fucked up in every way. I have to spend the rest of my life repenting for what I have done...” he kissed Laraine again. “And hopefully the rest of my life trying to show you just how much I love you.”

That made Laraine smile. “I love you too Benjamin.”

Ray clapped and Ben glared at him. “You two are so adorable.” he looked over at Trik. “Is this over with now? I’m sick of it.”

“Come you two,” Trik told Benjamin and Laraine. “I’ll have you taken you home.”

Laraine helped Ben out to the limo and they slid inside. They said goodbye to Trik and the limo took off. “Are you sure you’re okay?” Laraine asked Ben. “We should have you taken back to the hospital. Wait, where is Jacoby?”

A laugh erupted from Ben. “I’m fine love. Jacoby is with Michael and Ryan and I really just want to go home.”
“Alright, but I’m stayin’ with you.” Laraine said sternly. “Don’t even think for a minute that I would leave you at your house alone in this condition with Jacoby. No way!”

“You gonna stay with me and be my little wife sugah?” Ben smirked and that earned him a dirty look form Laraine. “Well, hon, sounds like it huh?”

Laraine just stared at Ben a moment. “Well, whatever you want to call it I am staying with you!”

Ben leaned over and pulled Laraine to him as he molded their mouths together. Laraine immediately opened his mouth for Ben and Ben slid his tongue into that warm cavern. A small moan left Laraine and he wrapped his arms around Ben’s neck. Ben slid his hand up into Laraine’s shirt and kissed down his chin to his neck.

The entire ride back to Ben’s apartment the two were kissing and making out in the back of the limo. When they finally pulled up to Ben’s apartment the two got out of the limo and went up to the place. Laraine ordered Ben onto the couch and immediately began to pick up the place.

“Love come here.” Ben grabbed Laraine’s hand and pulled him down onto the couch with him. “Just leave it alone for now sugah.”

“I’d rather get it down with.” Laraine argued. “Especially since Jacoby will be here and having a three-year-old in a messy house is not a good idea.”

Ben groaned and fell over as Laraine got up. “Lain...brat.”

Laraine just ignored him and began to clean the place up. “Call Michael and tell him to bring Jacoby over.”

“Yes ma’am.” Ben grumbled and grabbed the phone. “Michael? Hey there, I’m home.” Ben rolled his eyes. “I know I should still be in the hospital but you can bring home Jacoby home.” Ben groaned. “Michael, Lain is here with me. Just bring him over.”

“Is he coming?” Laraine asked as Ben hung up. Ben laid down and dropped and arm over his eyes. “Ben. Ja. Min!” Laraine snapped. “Don’t ignore me just cause I want this place clean!”

Ben smirked. “Go ahead and clean then love.”

Resisting the urge to grab the pillow on the chair and hurl it at Ben Laraine walked into the back. He glanced into Ben’s room and his eyes widened. There was blood on the bed. Enough to show Laraine he had barely even seen what had happened to him. Quickly he stormed out and dropped on his knees next to Ben.

“What did they do to you?” Ben turned his head to look at Laraine’s distressed face. “Benjamin tell me what they did!”

He sat up a little bit and looked at Laraine. “Babe don’t worry about it.”

“Why is there so much blood then?” Laraine snapped and Ben finally caught on to what he had seen. “Benjamin what is that?”

Biting his lip Ben tried to think. “They just kinda cut me up. It’s fine babe. The doctor said I was fine.”

Laraine sniffed a little. “Show me.”

“Excuse me?” Ben asked him.

“You heard me...” Laraine told him. “Show me!”

Hesitating for a moment Ben sat up and pulled his shirt over his head. Laraine covered his mouth with his hand in shock and tears left his eyes. “Babe it’s not as bad as it looks. It barely hurts.”

Laraine shook his head. “I can’t believe my uncle had this done to you! How dare he!”

Ben pulled his shirt back on and pulled Laraine into a hug. “It’s fine love. It’s gonna be okay.” someone knocked on the door and Ben kissed Laraine. “It’s gonna be okay love.” he stood to go answer it.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Sorry this chapter was a little short...but I have an idea for what I want the next chapter to be and I didn't want to make this one super long and then run out of ideas...I needed to stop so I could have a next chapter up sooner...
Anyway, review please...and I'm sorry it took me so long to get this up...it's so hectic with new years and everything. Thankfully now all of that is over...
~Kay