Who are you?...Who am I? (RE-WRITE!)

Once Frank had come around, and Captain Stokes had given him all the information he had, and left, Frank rushed to his bedroom and grabbed a backpack from the top shelf of his closet, and started shoving clothes into it, his cellphone trapped awkwardly between his shoulder and his ear as he waited on hold to book his plane ticket.

His heart was racing and he was pretty sure he was gonna puke from stress, but he didn't care. Gerard had been found!...His Gerard!...His Gee!...The love of his fucking life!

Nick hadn't been able to tell him much, just that he'd been found in some Jerkwater town in Wyoming, and that he had amnesia. Would he remember Frank?...their lives together?...what they meant to one another?

"Hello, how can I help you?"

The voice in his ear caught him by surprise and he nearly dropped the cell as he fumbled to answer.

"Oh yes...err...hello. I need to book a ticket from Teterboro airport New Jersey, to Afton municipal airport Wyoming. ASAP."

He heard tapping on a keyboard, then the woman's voice returned.

"There is a flight leaving from Teterboro in two hours time, and there are several available seats. Did you require a return flight?"

Frank thought for a second. He didn't know how long Gerard would have to stay in hospital.

"No, thank you. I don't know how long I'll be staying, so I'll just get one-way for now, and sort out my return when I'm ready."

The woman told him the price, and Frank paid with his credit card.

"Your ticket will be waiting for you at check-in. Have a nice day sir."

"You too. Thank you."

Frank hung up and slipped the cell into his pocket as he checked that he had everything. He'd never been to Wyoming, but he knew that it could be pretty cold this time of year, so he'd packed hoodies and thick socks for the trip.

Grabbing his keys off the hook by the door, and swinging the backpack over his shoulder, Frank left his little house and got in his car for the 15 minute drive to the airport.

Traffic was surprisingly light, and he found a parking spot within 5 minutes of arriving. He grabbed his bag, locked his car, and headed inside. Once he had his ticket, Frank sat down on an uncomfortable metal bench and waited. He had just over an hour to wait, and his stomach felt like he'd drunk a gallon of battery acid. Trying to relax slightly, Frank realised that he could be doing something useful right now. Pulling his cell from his pocket, he dialled an old, but familiar number. The phone rang 3 times, then went to voicemail.

"Hi. You've reached the voicemail for Mikey Way and Pete Wentz. Sorry we're not here right now, but we're on vacation, so screw you!...we don't have to answer!..."

Mikey's voice sounded down the line, Pete giggling in the background.

"Leave us a message after the beep, and if we like you, we'll call you back!"

There was some giggling and shuffling noises, then Pete's voice came through.

"Or maybe not...See ya!"

Then Frank heard the beep. He shook his head, rolling his eyes.

"Err...hey guys, it's Frank. I know it's been a while since we spoke, and again, I'm really sorry for what I said, but you really need to call me back. Gee's been found, and I'm on my way to him now. So please call?...and I'll fill you in..."

He wasn't sure what else to say. It had been nearly a year since he'd spoken to them last.

"Well, talk to you soon, I guess. Bye."

Then he hung up and put his phone back in his pocket.

The wait seemed to fly by after that, and soon he was boarding the plane, headed for Afton. He found his seat and sat down, trying to get comfy. His bad stomach was not helping.

A young woman, probably late teens or early twenties, sat down next to him and offered him a friendly smile. They sat in silence for a while, then the girl turned toward him.

"Hi. I'm Hayley."

"Frank..."

Hayley must've seen Frank's distress, cause she asked him if he was ok.

"No, not really."

"I'm a good listener."

She stated, smiling gently at him. Frank sighed. Where to begin.

"I'm on my way to see my fiancé, who disappeared 5 years ago."

"Disappeared?..."

Hayley gasped, her eyebrows shooting up.

"What happened?"

Frank took a breath. He'd told this so many times over the last few years, that it was almost a memorised speech now. One more time wouldn't hurt.

"Gerard and I were together since he started middle school, just friends at first of course, but I asked him out his first year of Highschool, and he said yes. We were one of those sickeningly sweet couples that hold hands, and never fight..."

Frank chuckled at the memory and Hayley smiled, politely.

"Just after he graduated, I proposed, and again he said yes!...I couldn't believe I'd gotten so lucky. Gee was perfect. He was smart, funny, talented and gorgeous. He was also super shy, and very humble. It took a lot to make him believe me when I told him that he was beautiful. But he was..."

Frank pulled out his wallet and showed Hayley a photograph of him and Gerard, taken just a week before the younger man went missing. Hayley smiled at the picture, then handed it back. Frank stared at it for a moment, even though he had every line, every curve, and every inch of that picture imprinted in his brain.

"I came home from work one day and found our apartment trashed, and Gerard gone. I called his cell, but it went to voicemail. I called his brother, Mikey, but he'd not seen him..."

A tear slipped from Frank's eye and he ignored it, continuing to gaze at the picture.

"I called the police and they came to investigate what appeared to be a break-in. At first, they said that Gee couldn't be classed as a missing person, cause it had only been a few hours...but then the forensic people found blood, and suddenly there were detectives and people asking questions and they kept asking me if we'd had a fight, and I told them no...but I think they thought I'd hurt him. I could never hurt him!...I loved him. I love him!! He was...is...my life!"

Frank fell silent, hanging his head.

"So what happened?"

Hayley pushed, gently. Frank looked up.

"They worked out that he'd likely been kidnapped, but there was never any contact made, and there was never a ransom demand. He was just...gone."

"Until now?"

Frank smiled.

"Yes, until now. The detective who dealt with the case rocked up on my doorstep a few hours ago, and told me Gee's been found. He's in Afton, in the hospital. He doesn't remember anything though...it's like, total amnesia, or something..."

He grinned, wide.

"But he's alive, and I'm going to get him back. No matter how long it takes."

"Well..."

Hayley smiled as an announcement came over the tannoy telling the passengers that they would be landing shortly, and everyone should put on their seat belts, and do all that other stuff you have to do.

"I wish you all the luck in the world...and I hope his memory comes back real soon."

"Thanks. Me too."

As the plane touched down a few minutes later, Frank felt that familiar feeling in the pit of his stomach, but he pushed it away and got ready to debark. No time to get sick now.

As Frank stepped off the plane, a cold wind whipped around him. He shivered. He'd known it would be cold here, but this was something else! Wrapping his hoodie tighter around his body, Frank followed the crowd into the terminal.

He went through all the usual rigmarole...passport check, customs etc...then headed outside to the taxi rank, his bag over his left shoulder.

The taxi driver was a tall Lebanese guy, with black curly hair and a goaty beard. His taxi driver's I.D said his name was S. Talasikioma, though Frank couldn't work out how that was pronounced, and didn't care to ask.

The ride to the Star Valley Medical Center only took about ten minutes, then Frank paid and thanked what's-his-name, and headed inside.

Behind the desk was a small, dark haired nurse. She looked up as Frank approached reception, and smiled softly.

"Good morning. How can I help you?"

"Hi..."

Frank murmured.

"I'm here to visit Gerard Way?...I was told that he's here."

The nurse's eyebrows raised.

"Are you the fiancé?...from New Jersey?"

Frank nodded.

"Err, yeah. I'm Frank."

The nurse grinned and picked up a desktop microphone, apparently connected to the hospital's P.A system.

"Dr. Write to reception. That's Dr. Write to reception...thank you..."

She smiled at Frank.

"He shouldn't be too long..."

Then she looked past Frank to the two men sat on plastic chairs against the wall, that Frank hadn't noticed until then.

"Detectives?..."

The men stood up and headed over to the desk.

"Detectives, this is Gerard Way's fiancé."

"Hello there..."

One of the men stuck his hand out toward Frank, who took it and shook.

"I'm Sergeant Butch Mathews, and this is my Deputy, Paul Adler."

Frank smiled tiredly.

"You're handling Gee's case?"

"Gee?"

The Deputy queried. Frank blushed slightly.

"Yeah sorry...Gerard."

The detectives both grinned.

"Yes, yes we are..."

Butch confirmed.

"And we'd like to ask you a few questions before the doctor gets here. If that would be ok?"

Frank nodded.

"Sure."

Butch indicated the plastic chairs, and they all went to sit down.

"So..."

He began.

"Gerard obviously can't tell us anything, so can you? For instance...do either of you have any connection to anyone who lives anywhere near here?"

Frank thought for a minute.

"Well, no one I can think of that lives in Wyoming. Closest I know of would be Pete. He grew up in Illinois."

"Hmm..."

Butch hummed.

"That's too far away."

Frank frowned.

"What do you mean?...Pete didn't do this."

Butch shook his head.

"Not saying he did. We're just trying to find a connection right now cause about 90% of kidnap cases involve someone known by the victim. We're grasping at straws right now though cause there's not much else to go on."

Frank nodded in understanding.

"Ok. But look, I can't think of anyone that we know who is even capable of doing something like this. And why would they? Everyone loved...loves...Gee! No one I know would want to hurt him...ever."

"I'm sure you're right..."

Butch said, softly.

"We just need to cover all the bases. Hope you understand?"

Frank nodded and they sat in silence for a few minutes, as they waited for the doctor to arrive.

When the doctor walked into reception, the nurse pointed toward Frank, causing the doctor to look over and nod. He spoke briefly to her, though Frank couldn't hear what was said, then crossed the room to Frank and the Detectives.

"Mr. Iero?..."

Frank nodded, standing and accepting an offered hand.

"I'm Dr. Write. I've been caring for Mr. Way since he arrived."

"Can I see him?"

Frank said, desperately. The doctor smiled sympathetically.

"Soon. But I think you should know his condition first. Take a seat please."

Frank sat down nervously, glancing at Butch.

"We'll be back later..."

The sergeant said, standing to leave.

"We have work to do."

Frank nodded and watched them walk away.

"Mr. Iero?..."

Frank jumped slightly, like he'd been shocked out of a trance. He turned back to the doctor, sheepishly. The doctor smiled softly.

"So...Mr. Way's condition..."

Frank nodded for him to continue.

"He came to us with a lot of bruising, some current and previously broken bones...mainly his ribs. Upon further examination, it was determined that he had been...sexually assaulted as well..."

The doctor paused, seeing tears slide down Frank's cheeks.

"But he doesn't remember any of it. We don't know exactly why, but he seems to have a form of Hysterical Retrograde Amnesia..."

At the confused look that settled on Frank's face, Dr. Write carried on.

"Retrograde amnesia is where someone is unable to recall events that occurred before the development of the amnesia, even though they may be able to encode and memorise new things that occur after the onset...and I say this is Hysterical amnesia, because it doesn't seem to be directly linked to a physical brain injury, and is more likely caused by the emotional trauma of whatever he has been through."

Frank wiped his eyes with the sleeve of his hoodie.

"So, will he know me?...and will his memory come back?"

The doctor frowned slightly.

"I'm afraid that it is unlikely that he will remember you at this time, as he didn't even remember his own name. But I think that, given time and the correct stimulus, he should regain at least most of his memories."

Frank nodded.

"So, can I see him now?"

Dr. Write nodded.

"Sure, follow me..."

They stood up and headed through a door to the left of reception.

"Just take it slow with him, ok?..."

Frank nodded.

"He's quite jittery, which is understandable in the circumstances, and I'm sure you don't want to scare him."

"No, I don't."

The doctor pushed though another door that had the words 'Private Room 1' next to it on the wall. Frank followed him inside. The room was dimly lit, and the blinds on the window were closed.

"He doesn't like bright lights..."

The doctor murmured to Frank, answering his unasked question. Frank nodded. There was a privacy curtain pulled partially around the bed, and as they stepped to the foot of the bed and Frank got his first look in 5 years at the man he loved, he couldn't help the ragged sob that escaped his chest.

Gerard was so thin and pale. His hair was a faded mess that reached to just below his shoulders, and the bandages and bruises spoke of a fraction of what he must have been through.

The doctor stepped up to the side of Gerard's bed, and placed a light hand on his arm.

"Gerard?..."

Gerard's eyes snapped open and a tiny, fearful squeak escaped his lips as he jolted away from the hand.

"It's ok. It's just me..."

Then he glanced at Frank.

"...and a visitor."

Gerard calmed down a little, and looked over at Frank. The blank look he gave, confirming that he had no idea who Frank was, broke Frank's heart.

"G-Gee?..."

Gerard frowned slightly.

"You don't re-remember...me?..."

Gerard shook his head, his fingers gripping onto his bedsheets.

"It's me!...Frank!"

"I...I'm sorry..."

Gee's voice sounded so small and frightened. He glanced at the doctor, who smiled reassuringly.

"H-how do y-you know me?"

Frank tentatively moved to the side of the bed. He wanted to just take Gerard in his arms and kiss him til he remembered, but he knew that would probably just scare him. Instead, he slowly reached for Gerard's pale hand. Gerard flinched slightly, but then relaxed as Frank's fingers wrapped around his own.

"We've known each other since I was 15, and you were 11. We met in middle school..."

Frank chuckled slightly at the memory.

"You'd been skipped forward a year, so you were in 7th grade, and I was having to repeat a year cause I'd been sick a lot, so I was in 8th. We became best friends straight away. We just clicked."

"So..."

Gerard whispered.

"You're my f-friend?”

Frank smiled.

"Much more than that..."

He grinned at the confused look on the younger man's face.

"I'm your fiancé. We were planning to get married."

Gerard's eyes widened, almost comically.

"We?...Oh, wow!"

He really didn't know what else to say.

"Well..."

The doctor said.

"I guess I'll leave you two to get to know each other again."

And then he was gone, leaving Frank and Gerard to sit in a slightly tense silence. This could take some time.

"So..."

Gerard said quietly as Frank sat himself down on a chair next to the bed, still holding the younger man's hand in his. Frank smiled gently at him to continue.

"We're...err..."

He waved his free hand around a bit, as he tried to think what to say. Frank laughed lightly, a fond smile on his face.

"What?"

Gerard asked.

"You always did that..."

Frank replied. At the confused look in Gerard's eyes, he elaborated.

"Wave your hands when you talk...I'd forgotten."

Gerard frowned slightly.

"Me too..."

He muttered, gaining a small chuckle from Frank. They sat in silence for a moment.

"You said we're...e-engaged?"

"Yeah..."

Frank nodded, a bright smile on his face.

"I proposed to you right after you graduated high school. I was so happy you said yes, that I stripped off and streaked the football field..."

Frank laughed, and Gerard's eyes widened slightly.

"If I still went to the school, I think I would've been expelled."

He grinned. Gerard smiled politely.

"Did you g-get in trouble?"

"Nah..."

Frank shook his head.

"Security couldn't catch me..."

He laughed at the memory.

"I had to hide in a dumpster for half an hour before you found me with my clothes though."

Gerard giggled.

"Really?"

"Yep...it was fucking disgusting, cold too..."

Frank shook his head, smirking slightly.

"It was a good thing that you found me, and not the cops."

Gerard rolled his eyes, but a smile stayed on his lips.

"So d-do you regularly r-run around naked?"

Frank wiggled his eyebrows.

"Only for you babe..."

He winked. Gerard dropped his eyes down, looking a little uncomfortable.

"Sorry..."

Frank murmured.

"Too much, too soon?"

Gerard looked up, hiding slightly in his hair.

"A b-bit..."

Frank swallowed, looking down. Silence fell over them again. After a while, Gerard spoke quietly.

"Could you..."

He hesitated and Frank looked up, expectantly. Gerard cleared his throat before continuing.

"Could you t-tell me about m-my family...please?"

Frank smiled.

"Uh...sure..."

He thought for a second.

"Ok, so you have a brother, Mikey. He's two years younger than you, and he has a boyfriend called Pete. I called them, but they're on vacation right now, and I had to leave a message. I'm sure they'll be on the first flight back as soon as they know you've been found though..."

He bit his lip.

"Um..."

"What about my parents? Are...are they coming?"

Frank dropped his eyes, a frown settling on his face.

"Err...no."

After a few seconds, when Gerard realised that Frank wasn't going to explain...

"How c-come?"

Frank sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly.

"They err..."

He looked back up, and saw inquisitive eyes staring back at him...such beautiful eyes. He sighed again.

"They don't approve...of us..."

He tried to gauge Gerard's reaction, but he couldn't work it out.

"They...*sigh*...they disowned you when you came out...I'm sorry."

Frank looked back down at their hands, taking a small amount of comfort in the fact that Gerard hadn't taken his hand back yet.

"Don't be..."

Gerard murmured, giving Frank's hand a light squeeze. Surprising the older man.

"I think...I think if they c-couldn't accept me for who I a-am, then I'm probably better off w-without them..."

He offered Frank a half smile as he looked back up.

"And I had y-you, right?..."

Frank nodded, his smile starting to spread again.

"And my brother?..."

Again, Frank nodded.

"Did they disown him t-too?"

Frank shook his head.

"No. Actually, he disowned them..."

Frank smiled, wryly.

"He said that if they were gonna be bigoted bastards...his words, not mine...then they could fuck off, cause he wanted cock too."

Gerard laughed.

"He really s-said that?"

"Uh-huh..."

Frank grinned.

"That and a lot of curse words that your folks didn't even realise he knew. It was priceless!"

"You were there?"

Frank nodded.

"Yeah. When you went to come out to them, I went with you. We all thought they'd react differently to what they did."

Gerard looked down.

"Have I seen them s-since?"

"No..."

Frank gently stroked the back of Gerard's knuckles.

"They moved across the country a couple years later. They didn't leave a forwarding address. I'm sorry."

"Please?..."

Gerard asked.

"Stop ap-pologising for s-something they did. It wasn't y-you."

"I know...and you've always told me not to blame myself. But I can't help feeling at least partially responsible. After all, I was the one who persuaded you to come out to them."

"It doesn't matter now..."

Gerard murmured.

"There's n-no point in placing blame. I think I have b-bigger problems to worry about...don't you?"

Frank sighed.

"Yeah...I guess so."

Gerard saw the sadness in Frank's eyes. There was something almost familiar about the older man.

"Tell me about our life? W-where do we live?...do we have any p-pets?...that sort of thing."

Frank appreciated the change of topic.

"Well...we live in New Jersey, we always have. We had a nice little apartment..."

"Had?"

"Yeah..."

Frank frowned.

"I kinda went off the rails when you disappeared. I drank a lot, and ended up losing the place..."

He looked down at their hands again, embarrassed.

"But I guess that was the kick up the ass I needed, cause I straightened myself out and got busy. I got a job, and then spent every spare hour searching for you."

"Oh..."

Gerard seemed a little taken aback by this.

"Wow!"

"You were my life Gee...you always had been."

Gerard blushed slightly, but Frank didn't know if it was from the sentiment, or the nickname. They fell quiet again, but it wasn't an awkward silence. Gerard was the first to break it.

"So d-did we have any pets?"

Frank laughed.

"We had a goldfish! You won it for me at the state fair. We spent $30 on the bowl, food, stones for the bottom, and even a little castle...Damn thing died two days later.”

Gerard chuckled.

"We didn't replace it?"

"Nah..."

Frank shook his head.

"I wanted a dog more anyway.”

Gerard smiled.

"Did we g-get one?"

Frank's head dropped.

"No..."

His voice went quiet and sad.

"We were gonna go get one, but you were taken three days before we were due to go. I could never face doing it alone."

Gerard frowned.

"I'm sorry."

"What the fuck are you sorry for?...you didn't ask to be kidnapped!"

"True..."

Gerard breathed.

"But it s-sounds like y-your life turned bad when I w-was."

"Still not your fault."

Silence fell once more, this time, interrupted by a nurse in a dark blue uniform entering the room.

"I'm sorry to disturb you boys..."

She said, brightly.

"But visiting hours are nearly over."

Gerard suddenly looked terrified, his hands both gripping tight onto Frank's.

"Please c-can he s-stay?...P-please?"

He begged, urgently. The nurse sighed.

"Well...I guess I could arrange something..."

She saw the hopeful looks in both men's eyes.

"I'll be right back."

The nurse disappeared back out the door, and returned several minutes later with two orderlies, each holding an end of a sofa that they had appropriated from the nurses' lounge. She directed them to sit it against the wall, then went to fetch blankets and a pillow.

When she returned and made up the couch, Frank thanked her, then she left.

They hadn't realised what the time was, but looking now they saw that it was nearly 10pm.

"Perhaps we should try to sleep..."

Frank suggested, seeing Gerard yawn.

"We can talk more tomorrow."

Gerard nodded his agreement, and snuggled down as much as he could in the narrow hospital bed.

"Frank?"

"Yes Gee?"

"You..."

Gerard swallowed heavily.

"You'll b-be here in the m-morning...right?"

"Of course I will..."

Frank moved from his sofa, where he'd kicked off his shoes and removed his hoodie, to Gerard's bedside, carefully taking the younger man's shaky hand in his again.

"I'll be here till you're well enough for me to take you home...or until you tell me to leave..."

He leant in, hesitantly, and pressed a tiny kiss to Gerard's faded hair.

"You don't have to be afraid any more. I'm not gonna let anyone hurt you again...I promise."

Gerard barely knew this man before him, but something inside him was just screaming that he could trust him...so Gerard listened.

"Thank you..."

He said, softly.

"Good n-night Frank."

"G'night Gee. Sweet dreams."

They both settled down to sleep, though Gerard still felt nervous and jittery. Frank made sure to stay awake until Gerard was softly snoring, then he too let himself drift off to sleep.

~(Time skip~About two hours later)~

Frank was awoken by the sounds of screaming, and it only took him a moment to discover that the frightened screams were coming from Gerard. Frank shot up off the sofa he was sleeping on and rushed to his side.

"Shh, it's ok, it's ok Gee...you're safe!...I'm here!..."

Gerard threw himself against Frank's chest, clinging on and shaking like a leaf. So what if he'd only known him a day, kind of...Frank made him feel safe, like nothing could ever hurt him. Frank was taken aback, but quickly recovered and wrapped his arms around Gerard's frail body, gently stroking his back and holding him close.

"I got you baby...I got you."

The door flew open and a panicked looking nurse rushed in. As the door slammed against the wall, Gerard screamed and dug himself harder into Frank's arms.

"What happened?"

The nurse hurried to the bedside.

"Nightmare..."

Frank said softly, trying not to frighten Gerard any more.

"It's ok..."

His words more for Gerard than the nurse. The nurse sighed in relief, smiling sympathetically at Gerard before turning and leaving the room.

"Gee?..."

Gerard sobbed into Frank's shirt. Frank could feel it was wet.

"Baby, come on...it's ok now."

Gerard slowly lifted his head, his eyes puffy and red.

"Fr-Frank?"

"I'm here baby."

Frank cooed, stroking Gerard's hair from his face.

"Don't l-leave me?"

"Never."

Gerard asked Frank to hold him til he was asleep. Frank climbed onto the bed next to the frightened man and held him close. He stayed there all night and Gerard slept soundly.

*

*

*

Over the next couple days, Gerard became gradually more relaxed. Frank never left his side and spent much of the time holding his hand, and telling him about things they'd done together, how they'd met, and places they'd travelled.

Gerard liked hearing the stories, and some of them even felt vaguely familiar...though it was more like he'd heard them before, and not that he'd lived them.

At night, Frank always started off on the sofa...but by midnight, he was always curled around Gerard on the bed, holding him and humming to him til he fell back to sleep.

On the fourth day, Mikey called Frank's cell. On the fifth day...he arrived.

"Oh my God! I can't believe it! You're alive!..."

He babbled as he charged straight toward the bed.

"We thought Frank was joking when we heard the message."

Gerard squeaked in distress and tried to back away from the stranger who was suddenly reaching out to hug him. He would've fallen off the bed, had Frank not been there to catch him.

"Easy baby..."

Frank cooed, pulling him gently into his arms.

"It's ok. That's your brother."

"Wait..."

Mikey said, incredulously.

"You weren't kidding about the amnesia either?"

He looked shocked.

"No."

Frank said, simply.

"Then..."

Mikey looked confused.

"Then how come he knows you?"

Frank stroked his hand through Gerard's long hair, soothing him as he trembled against his chest.

"Because I've been here for five days..."

Frank stated.

"You haven't."

Mikey huffed.

"We only got your message yesterday."

Frank rolled his eyes.

"Well, you're here now..."

He looked down at the slight man in his arms.

"Gee? You can come out now. It's ok."

Gerard raised his head just enough to meet Frank's eyes.

"I d-don't know him."

"I know baby. But you trust me, right?..."

Gerard nodded.

"And well, I know him, and when you get your memory back, you will too. He won't hurt you. He's your little brother, Mikey."

Gerard turned his head slightly to look at the gangly young man with the glasses and beanie hat. Mikey smiled at him, hopefully.

"Hi bro."

Gerard gasped and buried himself into Frank's chest again. He didn't trust the stranger, even if he was his brother. Mikey frowned, and looked daggers at Frank. Frank shrugged slightly, shaking his head. He didn't get it either.

"Gee?...what's wrong baby?"

He tried to coax Gerard from his hiding spot.

"Don't l-like him. Make him g-go away."

Gerard sobbed slightly, keeping his face buried so his voice came out muffled. Mikey scowled.

"What've you said to him?"

He spat at Frank. Frank shook his head.

"Nothing Mikes, honest. Nothing bad. I just told him how close you two were, and some stories about when you were younger..."

He looked down at Gerard.

"Baby, please?"

Gerard refused to come out as long as Mikey was there, and eventually, with the boy in his arms becoming more and more distressed, Frank suggested that Mikey go check into a hotel, and try again tomorrow. Reluctantly, Mikey agreed and left the hospital, promising to return the next day.

Frank gently rocked Gerard in his arms, cooing softly to him. He'd climbed up onto the bed now, and Gerard was starting to calm down.

"Gee?..."

Gerard lifted watery eyes to meet Frank's.

"Baby, why didn't you like him?"

Gerard sniffed.

"I...I d-don't know. I just...didn't."

Frank frowned slightly, then leaned in and placed a soft kiss to Gerard's forehead.

"Don't worry. You're safe, you know that, right?"

Gerard nodded.

"I feel s-safe...with you."

Frank sighed as Gerard rested his head against his chest, curling up in his arms and starting to relax again. Whatever had bothered Gerard, probably wouldn't be going away any time soon. Frank could see a lot of tears before this was resolved.

That night, Gerard asked Frank to hold him right from the start. Frank never slept on that sofa again.

*

*

*

A week later, many of Gerard's injuries were healing nicely, though others had further to go. Some of his bandages had been removed, and he wasn't in as much pain as before. He was eating, though his stomach could only handle small amounts of soft, bland food, and he was getting a little bored of porridge and eggs.

Mikey came to the hospital every day, but Gerard still couldn't even look at him without shaking in fear, yet he had no idea why.

The two policemen had been in several times too, asking questions that Gerard was frustrated to say, he couldn't answer...but they kept coming.

"And you still don't remember anything? Not a face, a voice...nothing?..."

Butch asked as he sat in front of the despondent younger man. Gerard shook his head, sadly.

"Well...you have my number, so if anything comes to mind, just give me a call. Ok?"

"We will..."

Frank assured, standing from his chair and shaking the detective's hand.

"And please let us know if you find anything?"

"Of course..."

Butch nodded, then turned toward Gerard.

"Feel better Gerard."

He smiled. Gerard nodded, then both detectives tipped their hats, and left. Frank climbed back onto Gerard's bed, and pulled the slightly trembling man into his arms.

"It's gonna be ok baby, you'll see."

Gerard sniffed a little, then relaxed into Frank's chest.

"What if I n-never rem-ember?..."

He stuttered, quietly.

"What if it n-never comes back?"

He looked up at Frank with big, scared eyes. Frank kissed his forehead softly.

"You don't have to worry about that..."

Frank shook his head.

"You will remember, I'm sure of it...just don't try to rush it. You obviously went through something bad, and this is your mind's way of protecting you, and giving you time to heal."

"I...I guess..."

Gerard murmured.

"But I just h-hate n-not knowing."

"I know you do, but you're safe now, that's all that matters..."

Frank gently squeezed Gerard to him, wary of his damaged ribs, and the bruising and cuts on his back.

"And maybe when the doctor says you can go home...I don't know, like...a familiar place might help with your memory."

Gerard nodded.

"Yeah...I guess."

He rested his head against Frank's shoulder. He felt comfortable with Frank, like a part of him still knew the older man, and was telling the rest of him to trust him. He couldn't explain it, just that he felt safe.

Mikey had been in that morning, always trying to get close to Gerard, and always being rebuffed. He looked like he was trying not to take it personally, but Gerard saw an occasional flash of anger darkening his usual poker face, and it scared him in ways he still didn't understand.

Frank had said that Mikey would never hurt him, that he loved him and had been devastated when Gerard was taken, and Gerard tried to relax around him, but simply found that he couldn't.

Gerard didn't know where Mikey had gone now, he'd left just before the detectives arrived, but he knew he'd be back, and that set a pit in his stomach that wouldn't go away.

Gerard was curled up in Frank's warm arms, just thinking and enjoying the comfort, and Frank's soft voice as he hummed a quiet tune to him, when the door opened and Dr. Write walked in, with a big smile on his face.

"Hello Gerard, how are you feeling today?..."

Gerard shrugged slightly. He wasn't sure how to answer that.

"Well..."

The doctor smiled.

"I have some good news for you."

"What is it?"

Frank asked, hoping to get the answer they were longing for. Dr. Write smiled wide.

"Gerard, you can go home..."

Frank grinned like a madman, while Gerard remained silent, and only nodded nervously.

"Of course, you'll need to see a doctor once you're back in Belleville..."

He pulled a piece of paper from his clipboard and handed it to Frank.

"These are the details of a doctor at Clara Maass Medical Centre. I've forwarded your notes to her, and she's expecting your call when you get home."

"Thank you doc..."

Frank said, looking at the paper, then smiling at the doctor.

"So I can take him home?"

"Yes, that's right. But there's no rush. Get your travel arrangements sorted, and if you have to stay here tonight, that's ok."

"Thanks..."

Frank smiled again, then the doctor nodded and left the room. Frank turned to Gerard.

"That's good news, right?..."

Gerard shrugged, looking down.

"Baby, what's wrong?"

Gerard slowly met Frank's eyes.

"I can go h-home?..."

Frank nodded, happily.

"But I don't know my h-home."

He whimpered slightly, his eyes dropping again.

"Aww baby..."

Frank kissed the top of Gerard's head.

"I know, but you will. And when we get there, I'm sure the town we grew up in will trigger your memories."

"You think so?..."

Gerard asked, hopefully. Frank nodded.

"Ok then. But...but I d-don't want to f-fly."

Frank squeezed him gently.

"That's ok..."

He pulled his cellphone from his back pocket, and logged onto his internet browser.

"We can go by bus or train..."

He clicked onto a link for the local bus station.

"It’ll be like an adventure...Ok?"

Gerard nodded, snuggling down in Frank's arms as they searched for the best travel options that didn't include flight.

It would take a lot longer, but Gerard just really couldn't face flying, and he didn't know why, as Frank had told him about the various vacations they'd taken over the years, before he was taken, and he'd never had a fear of flying before. Oh well...probably just another way his fucked up mind was protecting him. Whatever.

Yawning wide, Gerard closed his eyes and trusted Frank to figure everything out...after all, what other choice did he have?

Notes

Hi there chipmunks, how’s you?

So I know it’s not long since I put up the first chapter of this, but I decided to give you another. Hope you enjoyed it.

Until next time...PLEASE COMMENT and peace out babies!
<3