Heechul strode confidently down the hospital corridor.  He hated hospitals, but he liked to move past his fears with his chin held just a little bit higher than normal.  He focused on the sound of his tastefully stylish shoes hitting the tile floor and tried to block out the rest of his sensory experience.  It was the smell and the god-awful lighting that bothered him most.  There was nothing in a hospital that felt natural. 
He honestly had no clue where he was going, but he didn’t get any service in the windowless death –tunnel of the hospital interior, so he figured he’d just wander around until he saw a panicked looking 24 year old with red-blonde hair.  He couldn’t stop a small smile from curling at the corners of his mouth as he imagined poor Leeteuk in one of his slight anxiety attacks:  his face furrowed with worry as he paced.  He was such a mother hen. 

As the maze of corridors became more and more complicated, he almost started praying for a bit of guidance before reminding himself that he’d be wasting his breath.  Plus, if he actually thought praying would have any effect, he should be praying for Yesung.  He his lips nervously, thinking again about what Leeteuk had said to him over the phone. 

He knew better than to believe that no news was good news, but he couldn’t help but hope that the lack of news from Leeteuk meant Yesung was okay if only for the time being.  He was probably the closest thing that Yesung had to a friend, but they didn’t even know each other that well.  There had once been a chance that they might have become brothers, but that was a long time ago.  He often wondered if he’d decided to keep in touch with the strange kid because he felt guilty or because the possibility had seemed so real that they might actually have become a part of the same family.  He turned down another corridor and felt his frustration growing.  What kind of hospital was this?  He hadn’t encountered any concrete signs of life in at least 5 minutes.

He was broken out of his thoughts as he rounded the corner and saw a man with red-blonde hair pacing nervously.  A smile broke across his face:  exactly as he’d imagined it.

“You could have at least taken the groceries inside, you know.” 

Leeteuk spun around, his eyes wide.  When he saw the smug smile on Heechul’s face, the blonde’s eyes flared with anger and relief.  “Heechul you son of a—”

He was cut off when Heechul hugged him out of the blue.  Taken entirely off-guard by the genuine act, Leeteuk just stood there awkwardly.  Finally, he returned the hug uncertainly, asking the only thing he could think of:  “Did you go home first?”

                “The bus goes by our house,” Heechul explained into Leeteuk’s shoulder.  “And seriously, you just left the bag on the front step.  I think we should stop sending you out for food.  Weird stuff always happens.  How’s Yesung?”

                “Good,” he said, still trying to move past the fact that Heechul was hugging him and not in the half-joking way he normally did.  “I haven’t heard from the doctors yet, but Officer Siwon said they’re saying he’ll be okay,” he said all of this distractedly, finally asking what he was thinking.  “Are you okay?” 

                Heechul released the hug, a completely natural expression on his face. “Oh, sorry.  I’m fine…You just looked stressed out.”

                “I am,” Leeteuk sighed, “Thank you.  I was just really not expecting to find Yesung bleeding out on the sidewalk…and I didn’t really know what I was doing and then I couldn’t get in touch with anyone,” he had meant to calmly explain a little bit of what had happened but as he took stock of the past few hours, his heart rate started to race and he began to hurriedly explain, “And I thought you’d been home so the fact that you weren’t answering scared the crap out of me because I thought something might have happened to you too and then I had to have Kangin get Donghae from school and he brought him here just in time for the police to show up to talk to me and I know that Siwon could tell that Donghae’s not ours and he knows Yesung is a forger so it’s really only a matter of time befo—”

                Heechul pressed a finger to Leeteuk’s lips to get him to stop talking, raising an eyebrow in amusement at the look that froze on Leeteuk’s face as he did so.  “Chill pill, Leeteuk.  We’re in a hospital, I’m sure we could find one.”  He made a big showing of looking around to drive home his point.

                Looking peeved, Leeteuk tried to say something which just came out incoherent with Heechul’s finger still over his mouth.  Realizing this, Heechul dropped his hand and asked, “Sorry, what?”

                “I said you came straight from work, didn’t you?” 

                Heechul looked down at his clothes, remembering that they were rather unusual.  “Yeah…Guess I did.” 

                A smile finally appeared on Leeteuk’s face.

                “If you’re going to be angry, you’re not allowed to smile,” Heechul chided him.

                “I hate you sometimes.”

                “No you don’t.” 

                Leeteuk rolled his eyes with a smile but it was a tired smile, and he looked over his shoulder before sitting down into one of the chairs that lined the wall. 

                Heechul leant against the wall across from him and studied the other man for a few moments before asking.  “So, you were saying about the police?” 

                “Yeah,” Leeteuk sighed, running a hand through his hair, “Officer Siwon.” 

                “You keep mentioning this guy like you know him.”

                “I don’t, but he knew me.” 

                This caused a perplexed look to cross Heechul’s face.  “What do you mean?”

                “He knew my real name.”

                “That’s not good…”

                “That’s what I said to Kangin!” Leeteuk threw his hands up in the air in exasperation, though he was happy to know that someone agreed with him.  “But he said the police are supposed to know that kind of stuff.”

                “No,” Heechul said, scrunching his face, “it’s not procedure for the police to show up somewhere already knowing the name of a random bystander in a stabbing.  You sure you don’t know him?”

                “Positive.”

                “Did you tell the paramedics your name or any of the hospital staff?” 

                Taking a deep breath, Leeteuk closed his eyes and answered, “Honestly I can’t remember.  I might have…it’s sort of a blur right now…” 

                “What did you say to him?” Heechul pressed.

                “Just that I didn’t know who Yesung was and that I was just passing by.  He told me more than I told him.” 

                Heechul slid down the wall into a sitting position.  Leeteuk eyed him curiously.

                “Something wrong?” 

                “No, you told him the right thing.  I’m just thinking,” Heechul responded, his eyes closed.

                Leeteuk allowed Heechul a few quiet moments before asking curiously.  “What about?”

                “What else did he say?” Heechul asked, ignoring Leeteuk’s question. 

                “Just that Yesung had been suspected of forgery before, and when Donghae showed up he asked a lot of questions…I didn’t like it, Heechul, I really think he’s on to us.” 

                A breathy laugh escaped the man sitting on the floor.  “You sound like a robber from a kid’s cartoon.  ‘He’s on to us!’” 

                Lowering his voice, Leeteuk shot back, “I’m not kidding, Heechul.  What if he knows Donghae isn’t ours?  I really didn’t like the way he was looking at us. ” 

                “The way you keep saying “ours” makes it sound like we had a child together.” 

                “Heechul, I’m serious!”

                Heechul finally opened his eyes at the desperate note in Leeteuk’s voice and with a steady tone he apologized, “You’re right.  I can’t tell you that you have nothing to worry about.  I can tell you that whoever this Officer is he’s going to have one hell of a fight on his hands if he comes after anyone in our family.” 

                A flare of pride surged in Leeteuk and he strangely felt better, even noting the ominous tone in his friend’s words.  Heechul always seemed to know what he was talking about and that at least was a comfort.  He reflected on those words suddenly.  Heechul did always seem to know what he was talking about.  He thought back on their earlier phone call and frowned.

                “Heechul…on the phone you said you didn’t know what happened to Yesung, but you didn’t sound surprised when I told you,” he was as careful as possible not to sound accusing as he finished, “In fact, you sounded like you were expecting it.” 

                Heechul brushed his hair out of his face as he looked up.  His face was dead even. 

                “I don’t know what happened and I don’t know exactly who did this…but he did tell me he’d been having some trouble with a client.” 

                Leeteuk recalled the conversation he’d overheard the other day in the house the last time he’d seen Yesung before this whole mess.  He knew Heechul knew more than he was telling.  He wished he’d tell him if only so he’d better prepared for what he was getting into.  How much danger was he drawing to his family by getting involved in Yesung’s problems?  There was no way he was going to turn him away, but he’d feel better about what he was committing himself to if he actually knew who it was he was helping.

“Tell me about Yesung,” Leeteuk asked out of the blue. 

                Heechul blinked and then pressed his back against the wall, sliding up and into a standing position again.  “What do you want to know?” he asked nonchalantly. 

                “Anything you’re willing to tell me,” Leeteuk admitted. 

                Heechul took a moment to consider this proposition and then said, “Well, I don’t know very much.  I know that his parents died in a car accident and that he was in the car when it happened.”

                Leeteuk tsked with sympathy, his eyes softening but Heechul didn’t react to this as he continued,

                “And at least while we lived in the same foster house he used to get night terrors like you do.” 

                A flush settled over Leeteuk’s face and he said in a sheepish voice, “You know about those?”

                Trying his hand at a reassuring smile, Heechul said, “I know everything that goes on in our house.  I’m a light sleeper.” 

                “Sorry,” Leeteuk said with an awkward half smile, maybe not even noticing that Heechul was quoting him.

                “It’s okay.”

                “Not really.  I get them when I go to bed feeling anxious.  It’s stupid really, I don’t even remember them but they used to keep Kangin awake and now you too.”

                “Teukie,” Heechul sighed, pushing off the wall and flopping down in the seat next to his friend.  He waited until the slightly older man looked at him then said, “You searched for me for two days in the rain.  Do you really think that an occasional night terror waking me up is going to bother me?  If anything, it bothers me that you worry too much about other people and forget to worry about yourself.”

                Embarrassedly trying not to look too moved by Heechul’s remarks, Leeteuk mumbled, “Aish, we’re getting sappy again aren’t we?”

                “Sappier than a pine tree,” Heechul agreed.

                As Leeteuk barely managed to stop a smile from spreading across his face, he remembered what they had originally been talking about.  Then, something else Heechul had once said occurred to him. 

                “Didn’t you say that he used to do Donghae’s thing.  You know…the thing where he’s not really looking at you and…”

                Heechul nodded.  “Yeah, he used to do that too, but I think he grew out of both of them.  At least he says he did.  I mean, at the very least it’s a good sign for Donghae.  He’ll probably grow out of it too.”

                “Do you think so?” 

                “Hopefully…I mean, they’re not the same kind of person.  Yesung’s friendly and all but he’s much more internal than Donghae…Still, there’s a strong chance he’ll do the same thing.”

                “When did you and Yesung live together?”

                “When I was, I think, 13?  And Yesung was about 7 we lived in the same house.” 

                “And you guys are that close still even though it was only—what did you say—for four months?” 

                “Well, I wouldn’t really say that we’re that close, and four months is a long time when you’re a kid.” 

                “Heechul,” by Leeteuk’s tone, Heechul knew he was about to try to ask a serious question.  He braced himself accordingly, getting ready to set his face in case the question hit too close to home.

                “Why did they take the house you guys were staying in off the foster list?” 

                Heechul debated for a long time about how he was going to answer, but his face revealed nothing of his thoughts.  He finally said, “Because I told them to.” 

                Just as he said this, they both heard the sound of a door opening and turned to see a doctor emerging into the hallway.  The man looked up, saw them, nodded slightly and then turned to walk the other way.

                “Was that Yesung’s room?”

                “Yeah, I think so…” Leeteuk answered.

                Heechul stood suddenly and Leeteuk could tell by his posture that he was peeved.  “Can you believe that guy?  You’ve been sitting here all this time and he’s not going to have the courtesy to talk to you?” 

                “Well, he might have forgotten.”

                “Yeah, we’ll see about that,” Heechul said under his breath.

                Not liking where this was going, Leeteuk warned, “Heechul…”

                The feminine man turned and Leeteuk’s fears were not allayed by the glint in Heechul’s eye as he winked and then strode off down the corridor after the man in the white jacket. 

                “Sir!” he exclaimed in a high pitched voice.

                Leeteuk clapped a hand to his forehead and tried to look like he wasn’t the least bit associated with Heechul. 

                The doctor stopped and turned around, frowning slightly when he saw the person approaching him.  His eyes creased with age peered uncertainly at the harried looking creature that stopped in front of him, taking in the sequenced outfit and longish hair, he made a judgment call. “Um, hello, miss, can I help you with something?”

                Dropping his hands over his face, Leeteuk peered through his fingers at the scene as Heechul popped his hip in a convincingly womanly fashion.  Leeteuk could feel an embarrassed blush spreading across his face on Heechul’s behalf.  Although, Heechul certainly seemed to be enjoying himself. 

                Continuing to use the high pitched voice, Heechul sounded convincingly emotional as he continued, “Thank goodness, sir, thank you so much.  My fiancé…I heard he was here.  I got a call saying something awful happened.  I just don’t know what I’m going to do if he’s hurt.  Pabo.”

                The doctor raised an eyebrow, not sure what to make of the odd woman on the verge in tears in front of him. 

                “Um…who is your fiancé?”

                Sniffing, Heechul responded, “It’s Jongwoon, but he goes by Yesung, the sentimental fool.”

                “Kim Jongwoon!” the doctor realized, “Yes, uh, we have him here, but I was told he didn’t have any family…” 

                Pushing past the embarrassment enough to wonder how the doctors knew Yesung’s name when he hadn’t even known it, Leeteuk slowly took his hands away from his face.  Maybe Siwon had told him.  This day was just getting more and more confusing.

                “Who said he had no family?” Heechul’s shrill voice cut through Leeteuk’s thoughts and he had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing.  Overcoming his timidity, he stood and went to join his bizarre friend. 

                “Just because we’re not married yet doesn’t mean that we aren’t just as much family as—”

                Leeteuk put a hand on Heechul’s shoulder, joining in the act.  “Noona, calm yourself.  Obviously they wouldn’t have it on paper that you are his fiancé.”  He bowed and then extended a hand to the doctor.  “Hi, sorry, I’m her brother,” Leeteuk said, adding in a low voice, “She can be a little oversensitive if you know what I mean.”

                Heechul punched him in the side in a very un-lady like fashion.  “Ow,” Leeteuk mouthed to him with a glare.  Heechul merely smirked and then switched right back into his role as he turned to the doctor.

                “Please, sir,” he said, sounding on the verge of tears.  “Just tell me how he is.” 

                Looking uncomfortable, the doctor explained regrettably, “I’m not really supposed to tell anyone but family about the condition of…”

                Heechul wailed and buried his face in his hands.  Leeteuk sighed and patted his back comfortingly.  “There, there, noona, I’m sure the nice doctor is doing everything he can.” 

                The sound of Heechul’s crying only became more exaggerated and the doctor glanced around nervously before saying, “Alright, alright, calm down.  I’m sure it’s fine if I tell you a little bit.” 

                Heechul lowered his hands and gave a little feminine sniff.  “Really?” 

                The doctor shook his head exasperatedly.  “Yes, I suppose.  He’s resting now.  He received a minor stab wound to the lower abdomen but it missed any vital organs so after making sure no serious damage was done we stitched it up and he should be okay to go home tomorrow.”

                “Oh good,” Heechul said with genuine feeling, forgetting his feminine tone.

                The shocked expression on the doctor’s face was enough to make Leeteuk have to swallow back a laugh. 

                “Yes, well, thank you doctor,” he covered for his friend.  “Can we go and see him now?” 

                The doctor was still frozen with his mouth open, looking at Heechul.  “Doctor?”

                “Um….sorry, I’m afraid he’s resting right now.  You’ll have to wait until later…” He trailed off, still staring confusedly at Heechul. 

                “Thank you so much, doctor,” Heechul said, resuming his feminine tone and scrunching his shoulders happily.

                “It’s…not a problem,” the doctor said, hesitating before turning away and then shaking his head all the way down the corridor and out of sight. 

                With a happy exclamation of success, Heechul slapped Leeteuk on the back.  “That was awesome!  Did you see his face?” 

                “I couldn’t un-see it even if I tried,” Leeteuk said, trying to keep some semblance of maturity by not giggling like he felt like he wanted to.

                “Come on,” Heechul said, spinning around and marching toward the door the doctor had come out of. 

                “He said we can’t go in there,” Leeteuk reminded him.

                “So?”

                Heechul turned and knocked on the door.  After a few moments of no response, he reached for the handle only to have a nurse open the door.  He almost fell forward but recovered quickly.

                “Hi,” he said.  The nurse stared at him with a scrutinizing look in her sharp eyes.  Gears turning rapidly in his head, Heechul threw a look over his shoulder at Leeteuk standing a little bit down the corridor.  “Um,” he lowered his voice and turned back to the nurse, “that man over there is a friend of mine.  I’m here to visit him but he’s supposed to be in the mental ward.  I don’t know how he got out.” 

                The nurse looked around Heechul at the blonde man he had indicated.  Leeteuk was in the process of biting his nail nervously. 

                “I understand,” she said to Heechul with an affirmative head nod, heading out into the hallway and moving toward the blonde. 

                “Hello, sir,” she said to Leeteuk, her face and her voice all smiles.  “How about we just take a walk together back to the P-Ward, huh?” 

                Leeteuk looked over confusedly at Heechul and stuttered over his words as he wondered, “Wh—what…I don’t…”

                “Now, now,” Heechul said poignantly, “don’t be afraid or start running away again.  The nice lady just wants to take you back to the psych ward.” 

                Slow dawning anger rose in Leeteuk’s face and he looked just about ready to kill Heechul before the shorter man jerked his head down the corridor.

                Leeteuk mouthed with fire in his eyes, “You owe me,” before turning his attention toward the approaching nurse and announcing, “He’s on to us!” sprinting off down the corridor and appearing very convincingly insane. 

                Heechul pressed a hand over his face and hunched over, falling into the door frame to stop the outrageous laughter threatening to spill out of him as the nurse hurried after his friend.
 

A/N   -dies- So I wrote a super long author's note and then it disappeared.  XD 

It's late, I just finished, I'm exhausted and sick, so I apologize for this being hurried and grammar .  But I'm happy I got this posted because this to me is a personal victory HA! XD <3 
Also sorry for the long delay and thank you so so much for sticking with the story and I couldn't respond to your comments individually but I really really appreciated all of the wonderful things you said and the encouragement.  It definitely helped me get through finals and back to doing what I love:  Writing for you! :D <3 

And since it's summer expect more awesomem updates XD

Um....Sub, Comment, all that jazz and stuff that I would usually make funny and clever excpet I can't even see straight and I have to get up for work at 7 XD <3  Goodnight, lovely people, or good morning or afternoon. XD  I don't even know who I am anymore.  XD