Yawning Michael sat up in the big comfortable bed that he'd slept in the night before with Scotty and Shann and looking around wondered where they were. Seeing a note on the dresser with his name on it, he got up and opened it.

Hey Yo Mikey!

Shann and I went to get ya'll some supply's… clothes and stuff. Then we're gonna pick the three of us something up to eat. We should be back before you are up, but just in case we ain't DON'T WORRY! We'll be back baby I swear!

S.

Mike reread the note several times before deciding whether or not to worry after all. Carrying the note he walked out into the outer room and just as he got there the suite door opened and Shannon came running across the room as fast as his little legs would carry him and smiling ear to ear. "POP POP POP POP POP POP POP POP!" Shann squealed and smiling Mikey picked him up and swung him in a big circle making him giggle.

Turning his head he saw Scotty standing inside the doorway watching him with a soft smile on his face. Suddenly shy Mikey smiled and let Shannon slip to the ground and offered a soft, "good mornin'."

"Mornin' Chico," Scott greeted in return and held up the bad with the Crossanwich and hash browns form Burger King in it. "Hungry baby?"

Mikey nodded and took the bag Scott held out to him then eyed the huge teddy bear the big man was carrying. Remembering his new friend Shann squealed again and held his arms out wanting the teddy bear. "TED!" He demanded hopping up and down.

Grinning Scott handed him a teddy that was ALMOST as big as he was and proudly Shannon turned and showed it to his father. "SEE!" Sitting down Indian style Mikey set his food to one side and turn his full attention to the new teddy.

"Very nice!" Mike said seriously and Shannon smiled proudly. "MINE!" The baby declared and Mike nodded. "I can see that. Have you named him?"

Shannon little face scrunched up momentarily as he considered the question then looking up at Scotty and back to his daddy declared, "HE COTTY BEAW!"

"Scotty Bear, I like it," Mike nodded. "Well hello Scott Bear! How are you?" Scott watched grinning as Mike nodded as if he were hearing a big tale from the stuffed animal.

Finally the baby giggled and looked up at Scott holding his arms up to be picked up. Lifting Shann and the teddy Scott settled them on his hip. "Daddy siwwy!"

"Yes he is, and he needs to eat," Scott said sternly and Mike grinned. "But slowly baby. I don't want you getting sick on me."

"Fursty," Shannon pouted sticking out his lower lip and Scott smiled.

"Whaddya want kiddo? Juice, milk or water?" Scott asked and Shann's face scrunched up again as he considered his choices.

"JOOSS," the baby declared nodding and after digging out the new sippy cup Scott carried the baby to the small kitchen in his suite and filled it with orange juice. Getting two glasses out of the cabinet he filled each with juice and carried them and the baby back to the kitchen table where Mikey was eating.

"Tell me somethin' Kiddo," Scott started watching the young man eat carefully.

"Anything," Mike replied pausing as he chewed his food and swallowed.

"You know how to drive?" Scott asked unexpectedly and Mike sighed with relief not ready to have a heavy conversation.

"YEAH!" Mike said grinning happily.

"Good you can drive us to Florida," Scott replied happy that he had changed his mind. The panic on the kid's face made it apparent that he wasn't ready to tell his story yet.

"When we leavin'?" Mike asked excitedly.

"As soon as you get done," Scott replied laughing. "I packed my shit this morning and yours and Shann's are already packed in the car. I got you some clothes to wear. There are pants, sneakers, socks, and underwear in the bag. There's a shirt there too if'n you don't wanna wear that one anymore."

Mike smiled shyly and asked, "If you don't mind I'd like to wear this one."

Scott shrugged and grinned in return. "Ain't no hair off my ass. It's Kev's shirt."

"I know," the kid replied again shyly. "I've seen him wear it on TV before."

"You like Big Sexy huh?" Scott teased as Mikey's face flushed bright red.

"I always thought he'd make a good big brother," Mike replied quietly and Scott nodded smiling seriously. "He does baby and he's gonna love you and Shann."

"Can we go now?" Mike asked and Scott nodded. "Let's book!"

Later Scott guided Mike through the streets leading to the house he shared with Kevin. More than a little nervous Scott looked over at Mike and saw the young man studying him. "Will you just spit it out?" Mike asked then giggled when in the backseat Shann spit out the cheerio he had been eating.

"Pit out dad," he said and Scott shook his head.

"I think he was talking to be munchkin," Scott laughed then sighing turned his attention back to Mike.

"There uhh is something you need to know about me an' Kev," Scott said shifting nervously in his seat.

"You squirm more than Shann does," Mike commented and Scott made a face. "What do you need to tell me."

"Well uhh Kev and I are together," Scott said and Mike turned his head to look at Scott confused.

"Together?" He repeated not understanding.

"We're partners," Scott tried but got another look from Mike.

"Uhh yeah I know," Mike replied shaking his head. "The Outsiders… I am familiar with you."

"NO," Scott snapped then sighed. "I mean we well…."

"Oh you mean you fu…. Uhh F*U*C*K," Mike spelled grinning. "Yeah I know that."

"You do?" Scott asked surprised and Mike laughed. "Yeah man I mean Kevin gropes you every chance he gets on TV. I assume you two uhh play with Shawn and X Pac too?"

"PAY WIF ME TOO?" Shann asked and Scott almost choked on his water.

"I am sure they will play with you too baby," Mike assured laughing at the older man.

"You know most people don't pick up on Kev an' I," Scott pointed out logically.

"Most people aren't gay," Mike offered knowing instinctively what Scott was fishing for.

"Gay?" Scott asked and unconsciously turned and looked at Shann.

"I fucked a girl once," Mike said easily. "It was the best lay of my life and decided that I better quit while I was ahead. After all you can't get a beautiful miracle like Shann every time right?"

Scott snorted and shook his head. "You ain't kidding. Third house on the left. That's it."

Mike pulled into the driveway and shut off the car as he stared at the massive house. The car was barely stopped before the front door flew open and a huge man hobbled out. Limping as fast as he could with a broken leg and crutches Kevin hobbled down the front steps and across the driveway. The young man couldn't help but grin as Scott flew out of the car and into Kevin's arms.

"POP OUT POP OUT POP OUT POP OUT," Shann sang and grinning Mike got out of the car and moved around to the back where he freed Shannon from his car seat. Immediately he squirmed out of his dad's arms having been cooped up too long and ran around the car and straight to Scott where he attached himself to the big man's leg.

"Baby I think you have a growth," Kevin joked then looked down at the little human looking up at him with huge eyes.

Turning Shann looked to see his dad walking slowly towards them and pointing to Kevin said, "POP BIG!"

Scott laughed and picked up the precocious baby swinging him around until he giggled before settling him on his hip. Pointing at himself the baby looked at Kevin and said, "I SANN!"

Grinning Kevin pointed to himself and said, "I KEV!"

Shannon giggled and Scott shook his head before saying, "Damn Kev we've finally found someone you can talk to who'll understand ya!"

Kevin growled making Shann giggle then turned his attention to the obviously awestruck young man standing staring at him. Holding out his hand he said, "Hi baby I'm Kevin."

Mike stuck his hand out to shake Kevin's but instead found himself yanked into a big hug. With the strong arms locked around him Mike was suddenly overwhelmed with all his new good fortune and broke down in the yard. Kevin let the crutches drop and picked the young man up balancing on one leg. When the small arms tightened around his neck Kevin twisted slowly back and forth at the waist trying to comfort the overwhelmed kid. "Shh Mikey it's ok. You and Shann are safe now. Scott and I are gonna take care of ya."

Eventually the young man quieted and embarrassed tried to get down and hide his face at the same time but found that it wasn't happening unless Kevin wanted it to. "Kiddo look at me," Kevin ordered softly and slowly Mike raised his blue eyes to meet Kevin's hazel ones.

"Scott was right," Kevin said softly. "Your eyes do put Shawn's to shame. Now I want you to listen to me. From this second you and Shann are family… period. Scotty and I are taking care of you and Shann. You are welcome here as long as you want to be. Whatever you need we'll give you. No more being afraid and alone. You got family Kid and I gotta tell ya more than just Scotty an' I, but we'll talk about the Kliq later. Scotty and I couldn't love ya more than if you were our own child."

"How could you love me?" Mike asked astonished. "You don't even know me. I could be a murderer… I could be a rapist. I could be…"

"You could, but you aren't and nothing you did yesterday matters. All that matters now is here and today. Your past is just that. If you wanna tell us someday about it we'll gladly listen and we'll help you with whatever comes of it. But if you don't… ain't NOBODY gonna force you or they're gonna answer to Big Pappa Wolf."

Mike's eyes filled with tears again and with more hope than he knew existed asked, "Can I call you and Scotty dad?"

It was not Kevin's turn to be choked up and it took him several moments to answer. "We would be honored baby."

"I love you dad," Mike cried and felt his heart fill with hope when Kevin responded with, " I love you too son."

Read Story #3 A Child's Story