Chance and Austin run into the house to get Tim and Avi some clothes. Chris closes the door behind them as they leave.

Walking back into the den, he sees Nate waiting on the couch.

"Uh, can I talk to you about something, while we are alone?" Chris asks as he sits down next to Nate.

"Sure. Is something wrong?" Nate asks.

"I'm not sure." Chris chuckles slightly. "I think you might have heard something tonight that you weren't supposed to hear."

"Oh, you mean the hitman comment." Nate says nervously. He really didn't know Chris that well. They have only been dating for a week. What if he was fixing to get murdered for hearing something he shouldn't have.

"Yeah, I know Tim was delirious. He would have never said that in front of anyone." Chris says.

"Is ...Is he?" Nate asks with a frightened look on his face. "I .. I swear. I w..won't say a .. a word."

Chris reaches and takes Nate by the hand. He could feel him trembling in fear.

"Will you calm down." Chris chuckles. 

"You're not gonna kill me, are you?" Nate asks with a shaky voice.

"What? Of course not." Chris chuckles. "Nate, I know we haven't known each other very long. But I really like you a lot."

"I ... I like you too, a lot." Nate nods.

"Uh, there's a lot of things about our little group that is very secretive." Chris says. "I'd like to know that I can trust you."

"You can, Chris." Nate nods. "I promise, whatever secrets that you guys have are safe with me. Mr. Foust kinda gave me the impression that I was intruding."

"That's the way Tim is. It's hard for him to trust people." Chris says.

"So. I have to ask. Is he? A hit man?" Nate asks as he takes a hard swallow.

"He is or was a hitman. The rest of us are his bodyguards." Chris confesses. "We moved up here to kind of escape the chaos of the pressure of the big city. You might say, to start a new life."

"So does this McGrubb that Tim asks me if I knew have anything to do with it?" Nate asks.

"McGriff." Chris chuckles. "Yeah, part of it, but I'll leave it at that, alright?"

"Okay. But can I say something." Nate says with a small smile.

"Sure." Chris says.

"I think this is so cool." Nate smiles. "I have a badass boyfriend that works for a hitman."

"Boyfriend?" Chris says with a smile. "I like the sound of that." He leans over kissing Nate softly.

~~

"So. What was all the whispering about?" Tim asks.

"Uh, you might have accidently announced that you were a hitman in front of Nate tonight." Adam answers, biting his bottom lip.

"What? Why would I do something like that?" Tim asks with a shocked look on his face.

"You were delirious, Tim, when they pulled you from the well." Kirstie says and Adam nods in agreement.

"Holy Moly." Avi says, also in shock. "Sure hope he's trustworthy."

"Oh, this ain't good." Tim groans, rubbing a hand over his face.

"Chris is going to talk to him." Adam says as he gently rubs Tim on the chest.

"Chris is a pretty good judge of people and he told me that we could trust the guy. I hope he's right." Tim says with a worried look in his eyes. "I mean, if he and Chris start dating, he'll catch on pretty quick."

Before anyone could comment, the door opens and the doctor enters followed by Chance and Austin. The couple was carrying a change of clothes for Tim and Avi.

"Well, let's see how things are looking." The doctor says as he looks at the monitors. "Everything is looking good. Heart rates are back to normal as well as your body temperatures. You guys are free to go whenever you like. The release forms will be at the desk for you to sign. I will be back in just a moment with a boot for your ankle, Mr. Foust."

Avi got dressed quickly. Tim was more of a problem. Adam had to help trying not to cause him more pain due to his ankle. The doctor prescribed both men something for pain.

Soon, they were all headed home. The sun was beginning to rise, a light fog hovers just above the ground.

They wearily walk into the house. It had been a tiresome day. No one had eaten and only Tim and Avi had had a few minutes of sleep.

As they walk inside of the lodge they smell the aroma of breakfast coming from the kitchen. Chris and Nate were fixing breakfast, knowing that they would all be hungry.

"I don't know what's gonna kill me first, starvation or exhaustion." Kirstie says as Avi pulls a chair out for her.

"Let's eat something and then we'll go snuggle and get some sleep." Avi says, kissing her on top of the head.

"Umm, that sounds awesome." She smiles as she fills their plate.

"I hope you like it. I pride myself on being a pretty good cook." Nate smiles nervously as he meets Tim's eyes. He was being awfully quiet which made Nate even more nervous.

"I'm too tired to eat." Austin mumbles, laying his head on Chances shoulder.

"You need to eat something, Sweetie." Chance says, kissing him on the forehead and putting some food on Austin's plate. "Then we'll go lay down."

"And snuggle?" Austin whispers.

"And snuggle." Chance smiles.

As they finish eating and the table was cleared. Tim reaches for his crutches.

"Nate. Can I have a word with you, please?" He groans as he stands. "In the den."

"Uh, yes, Sir." Nate stands up slowly as if he were a child expecting punishment. He heads for the den.

"Tim?" Chris asks softly in a pleading tone.

"It's okay. I just need to know that I can trust him." Tim says quietly.

"Just don't threaten him, alright?" Chris asks with worry in his eyes. "I really like him a lot, Tim."

"What do you think I am? Some kind of heartless monster or something?" Tim asks with a smile.

"The jury is still out on that one, Timbo." Avi laughs.

**********

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