A New Day Dawns

Co-written by The Story Lover

© Copyright of this chapter is shared with The Story Lover

---

As Kirk and Dodds ran towards the turbo lift to take them to sickbay, Kirk opened his communicator and did a ship wide broadcast.

"All Clan Short personnel report to sickbay immediately. This is not a drill. All Clan Short to sickbay Stat."

When people started cramming their way into the sick bay McCoy began to address them.

"Everyone, I want you to understand that medical technology, while very advanced, is no match for the will of the human soul. I have done everything that I possibly can to reverse the effects of the drugs that DJ ingested, and while that was successful, his own pig headed stubborn willingness to throw away his life is taking hold of him, and I feel certain that unless a miracle happens sometime soon, we will lose DJ. I am not sure how to deal with this, and I am an adult. You guys are still kids, and I don't have any ideas how to make this easier on you, but I think that it is best if you prepare yourselves for what is most likely going to happen here. You might want to make peace with this young man. I will allow you to talk to him one at a time, with an adult in the room, to say what you will, but understand this. If any of you starts having problems with this, I want you to leave the room and talk to one of us. Nobody here will be alone in this."

"How long Bones," Kirk asked. "Can you prolong it if need be?"

"No clue Jim," McCoy shrugged. "Could be ten minutes, could be ten days, but I can try."

"In that case, I want all involved to meet with me in the conference room," Kirk stated. "And just where in the hell is Tanner?"

"Captain, He asked to be left alone and is in the forward lounge," Teri replied.

"He gets ten more minutes to himself then he sucks it up and comes and talks to me."

"OK Everyone," Kirk began. "This is the situation. We all know that Bones is doing everything he can to keep DJ alive. However, it appears that this might not happen. I think it would be best if people started saying their goodbyes now while he is still alive rather than to wait until after he is gone."

Kirk waited for the raucous noise to die down before he continued, "I think he can probably hear what we would say to him, and perhaps that might jolt his stubborn adolescent ass back into reality."

He again paused as Tanner made his way sulkily into the room.

"Tanner, I know that you are hurt deeply by this, but please try to see past that and show DJ some love now before it is too late. I have seen it all too many times before in my career when people live their lives in a state of regret. Don't fall down that path."

"I also want it made clear, all children will need to have an adult present should they decide to go in and say something to DJ. I don't want people to have breakdowns over this, even though I am sure it will happen should he pass away. But I want a support system in place for all the youth. Cory, I would normally say you should do this, as you are the clan patriarch, but as you are on my ship, and you are an officer under my command, I will ask you to let some of the adults handle this. I am only asking you this because some of us, however ancient we might be, have a bit more life experience under our belts and we all just want to help.

Cory began to argue but was silenced immediately with Kirk saying, "If you won't agree with me speaking as an Uncle to you, then you WILL respect me saying it is a DIRECT order Ensign ... Are we clear.

"Yes sir," Cory replied. "And Uncle Jim, Sir ... Thank you."

Any time Cory ... Any time.

"Now everyone lets go do what we have to do."

---

*Begin DJ's Dreams*

As DJ opens his eyes he looks around at the gray blank room he is in. He sees the fog that surrounds him and off to his side he sees the form of Mikey, the saint that he recently met.

"Mikey," What's going on?

"SILENCE!" Mikey Bellowed.

"You are here in this place because you have committed the ultimate sin and have seriously altered the book of life. The punishment for your sin is eternity in hell, but for some reason I have been sent to you to tell you things which might change your course of action and set things straight."

"I did what I had to do Mikey," DJ began. "I don't want to live anymore and be a part of a book of life that causes me so much pain."

"Are you so self centered that you think that you are the only one in the world who suffers pain?" Mikey said while waiting for an answer. When none came he continued. "Let me take you for a quick history lesson. EVERYONE has to suffer pain. It is what makes us grow. You have, or should I say had, a great work to do here in this life. Your actions in future settings would seriously reduce the amount of pain that others had to suffer and would give you great pleasure. Yes, I said pleasure. You had to go through the pain first to understand what real love is. The answers lie beyond the pain DJ! Think about what our brother Jesus Christ had to do. He hung from the cross to prove that love was real. He atoned for all of our sins that we might be able to be with our Father once again. I can tell you from experience that being in His presence makes all the pain worth it. But you decided to take the cheap way out. That in itself negates the love that He has for us. But like I said, I am going to show you some things and hopefully change your feeling on this. Your chances are down to very few so listen good and hard."

"I don't think."

"I SAID SILENCE DJ!" Mikey thundered as his voice shook the heavens and the very room they stood in. "YOU WILL DO THIS. YOU WILL LEARN. NOW GET UP, RIGHT NOW, AND FOLLOW ME."

DJ got to his feet and hung his head as he slowly followed the saint to what he was thinking would be his worst nightmares.

"DJ," Mikey began a little more softly. "I want you to come here and look at this."

"I don't want to," DJ stuttered.

"You will be ok," Mikey said.

When DJ got to where Mikey was standing he was pointed towards a funeral. As he sat there and looked he recognized the faces of the people who loved him and cared about him, all stricken in grief and silently sobbing as they one by one went up to a casket (presumably his) and touched it before walking away. DJ was filled with emotion as he watched Timmy silently walk up to the casket and wrap his small arms around it. The scene became more and more saddening as one by one each of the people paid some kind of silent respect. But this moment was tuned darker when he saw JJ walk up, arm in a sling, and reach out to touch it, only to fall over in agonizing tears. Next he saw a frail looking Cory being helped up to the front by a very tired and gaunt looking Teri. The blank stare that came from Cory's face made it look as though he was only a walking shell of a human being. But perhaps the hardest moment came when Tanner walked up, his left arm covered in bandages. He stopped briefly before the casket and punched a large picture, which fell to the ground, shattered. As DJ looked on, he saw the picture was of him.

"Why did he do that Mikey, why was he covered in bandages, why was JJ in a sling, what about Cory, and Timmy ... What's going on here," DJ asked?

"Grief has an interesting way of affecting people DJ," Mikey began. "JJ, who has suffered much lately with the loss of his mother suffered a breakdown of sorts and in the process of a temper tantrum directed at your stupidity, broke his arm and hand in 6 places. Cory, who lost his memory when I died, is close to being back in the same place all over again. Timmy hasn't eaten a bite since you took the pills and the doctors feel if they don't intervene soon, he will join you, and Tanner is so grief stricken now that he has become violent, and unless his mood changes quickly, he will end up in serious trouble. Now I want you to know that I am not telling you this to make you feel guilty. These are facts, and it is up to you to decide how to react. I don't want you to feel like you are the only thing holding these guys together, but you are a big factor in their lives. Each one of you has a role to play in this unfolding drama called life. It is up to you on what you do. God gave us a wonderful gift called Agency. You can do what you want, but you must be willing to accept the consequences of your actions. Now follow me over here. I want you to listen to some things. I am going to allow you to listen to what everyone is saying to you while you are comatose. You won't be able to respond, but you can hear."

"Tanner hates me now, doesn't he," DJ asked.

"At the moment, yes." Mikey said solemnly. "But that hate will wither, and from that point, I am not sure what will manifest in its place. Pity, sorrow, resentment, or anger. All are possibilities. Only time will tell. Now, come over here please.

As DJ walked closer to Mikey he heard the voice of Timmy as clear as though they were standing side by side, and he was choked up by the words of his little brother, or big brother, or what ever he was.

"C'mon big bro; you promised you wasn't gonna leave me! You gotta come back; I need ya' with me to help our new big brother! If you come back, Daddy's gonna take us to anot'r planet. We're gonna help a big kid there, then we're gonna find a new bro for you an' me - an' he's a an'roid! I've gotta buncha new friends that're gonna come an see you; promise you'll listen bro - pweeeezzzeeee? I don't want you to go. Don't ever leave me. If you die, part of me will die too."

As soon as Timmy finished his voice was replaced by Cory's, and DJ shuddered to think what would come from his mouth, and what was going to happen to him in the future if he was to continue down the path that he had started down.

"Deej, I know things have been rough. You gotta remember something; no matter what, you are always my son just as much as Timmy. You don't know it yet, but you have a grandpa too - when we go off-planet Ambassador O"Neil makes it very clear that he considers you his grandson just as much as Timmy. Russ and Sara need you too, son; they love you just as much as Sean and I do, and you are their son just as much as if you had been born to them. I'll be honest, with everything that's going on in what you see as the future I need you more than ever, Deej. I need all of my family to help me figure out how to handle the new divisions of the Clan that are popping up; I need you by my side when I take on the Federation regarding the status of androids. When things get tough, I know I can count on you to help keep Sean and me on the right track. You are a lot like me, Deej; just the fact that I'm doing this proves it. Right now, you are kinda like I was when Mikey died; you have let everything that happened get to you until your body could not take it anymore. We need you to come back, Deej. Timmy needs his brother, Tanner needs his boyfriend. Me, Sean, Russ, and Sara need our son. We're about to start our own space fleet, and I really want you there to help get it off the ground. I'm not sure how this all works, but I think that all of the good things that have happened might not happen if you don't wake up. Without you, at least four kids won't have families like I see them having in the future I'm living in. You make that much of a difference, Deej; and I really want to have you with me to see all of the good that will happen just from you being there. I love you son; always and forever I love you. Please listen to us. Life is too good when it's good, but it is only bad when the ones you love leave you. I honestly don't think I could handle losing you now. I know it is selfish, but I need you DJ. Please don't go.

DJ was overcome by emotion as he looked into the shadowy distance. He heard the voices of other friends who were all telling him why he couldn't leave, however, all of that didn't matter the moment that he saw his mother walking towards him.

"MOM!" DJ shouted. "Is that you?"

"Yes baby, it's me." His mother softly said as she got closer. "DJ what have you done? This can't be right. Please tell me that you haven't done this and that it is too late. I want so bad to hold you and tell you that I love you, but if you die now, I will never have that chance. We will be divided by an eternity of sorrow."

"I miss you mom ... I'm sorry."

"I miss you too baby," she began. "But you have too much ahead of you to allow this to happen. I am sorry that I wasn't there for you when you reached your lowest point, but I can always watch over you as long as you don't die. You need to go back David ... You aren't through with your work. Do the right thing son, and I will be waiting for you on this side of the veil, but now you have to go back. Make things right with the people you love and let them love you in return. There is no greater gift than love son, and you have so much to give. Don't sell yourself short. There are many wonderful things for you on the horizon if you just chose life over death. I would ask you to do it for me, but I want you to do it for you son. Live, and live fully, give, and give plentifully, share and share willingly my child. You can do it if you follow the truth you have in your heart. I know you are hurting, and I understand why, but better days are ahead of you and the worst is almost behind you now. Hold on and you will see the truth of my words David. I love you."

"I love you too mom," DJ cried as the form of his mother vanished into the deep fog that enveloped him.

"DJ," Mikey began. "I am going to give you a moment to think before we continue."

With a silent nod, he agreed.

---

*Enterprise*

Chip and JC solemnly walked into sickbay with their sons; emotion written all over their faces.

Once inside, they walked into the ICU Unit and saw DJ laying on one of the biobeds. Justy, Jamie, and Jacob walked over to stand on either side of the biobed. "Why did you do it, Deej?" Justy asked. "Why?"

JC walked over and placed a hand on Justy's shoulder. "Son," he said.

"Yeah, Pop," Justy said, turning to look into his father's eyes.

"Your Dad and I will be in Dr. McCoy's office if you need us, okay?" JC said. Justy just nodded. JC then led Chip out of the ICU Unit and into McCoy's office.

Justy turned his attention back to the bed. "You have everything going for you, Deej. Why did you have to do what you did?"

Chip and JC were walking into McCoy's when their oldest son Keith rushed in through the other door. "Dad, Pop, is everything okay? I got a weird message from Just saying that he and the twins needed me up here. What's going on?"

"We don't know all the details, son, but their new friend, DJ McAlester, tried to commit suicide," JC said. "Your brothers are in with him now."

"Can I go in there with them?" Keith asked.

"Yeah," Chip said. "I think it would be a good idea of you did."

Keith nodded then went to join his brothers in the ICU Unit.

McCoy watched the interaction between Chip, JC, and Keith. Once the younger man was out of the room, he turned to the adults. "Do you really thing that this is such a good idea?" McCoy said to Chip and JC.

"What are you talking about, Doc?" Chip asked.

"Those boys in there by themselves? Shouldn't one of you be in with them?" the doctor asked.

Keith walked into the ICU Unit to find his younger brothers surrounding one biobed. He noticed the twins were holding on to each other while they held on to Justy, who was quietly talking. "You got to get better, Deej," Justy whispered. "We need you, all of us. You got a new family and a whole bunch of new brothers, uncles, and even some aunts."

Keith quietly walked up behind Justy and placed his hands on his younger brother's shoulders. He then leaned over and spoke to the prone figured on the biobed. "We haven't formally met, DJ, but you must be very important to my little brothers," he said. "If they say they need you, then you must be very important to them, and to everyone else." He gently pulled Justy against him, feeling the younger boy beginning to cry.

"C'mon, Deej, you gotta wake up," Jacob said, trying to keep from crying.

"Yeah, Deej," Jamie said. "Who's gonna show us all of Tanner's tickle spots if you don't wake up?"

After a few minutes of praying and watching the readings on the biobed, Keith spoke up. "Bros, why don't we head into the other room? Dad and Pop are waiting on us."

The three younger brothers simply nodded their head and headed to the other office. Keith stayed back for a few moments. "Those boys think the world of you, DJ McAlester. Don't let them down." He then followed his younger brothers into the office.

"Doctor," JC said, "They're going to be fine. Keith is in there with them. Their big brother will make sure everything is okay."

About that time, the four boys walked into the office. Jacob and Keith went to Chip while Jamie and Justy wrapped their arms around JC. After a few minutes, Chip and JC led their family out of Sickbay. "Let's go home, boys," Chip quietly said.

---

DJ woke to footsteps and looking around saw a young boy approaching his bed, one he didn't know.

Tap, tap, tap.

The boots the boy was wearing made an eerie sound on the hard floor in the room as the boy stopped in front of the bed DJ was sitting on.

He looked the strange boy up and down seeing a boy of about eleven standing there looking at him with brown hair and intense brown eyes flecked with gold that almost seemed to be flashing in the bright light.

DJ looked around the room and noticed it was sterile and white. Bare with no furnishings before returning his gaze to the boy in front of him who was still standing there without speaking.

"What do you want?" he asked

The boy cocked his head to the side and a small smile played across his features promising mischievousness as DJ added "You going to try to talk me out of it too?"

"Nah" was all the mysterious boys said now smiling which caused DJ to gape at him in shock.

"NO?" he asked in disbelief, everyone else in this dream had been trying to do one thing and one thing only and that was to get him to change his mind now this kid says he didn't want me to.

"Why bother, no one else's been able to do shit with ya, so why should I try the same crap?" the boy asked still giving him that smile.

"Who the hell are you anyway?" DJ asked in confusion, this didn't make any sense.

"Oh sorry, my name's Sammy" he said

"I don't know you" DJ told him

"Nah you die so we don't get to meet" Sam told him matter of factly.

DJ shook his head in disbelief as this was not going at all like the others had went.

"So what are you doing here?" DJ asked

"Trying the same thing as the others did I guess, Mikey wanted me to try so here I am"

"That's it, you don't even know me and you are trying to get me to change my mind?" He asked incredulously

"Yeah, I know Tanner, Beau, Toby and Timmy and this...it ain't right man. This ain't the way to deal with stuff" he told him

"Yeah what would ya know about jack?" DJ said bitterly as he watched those eyes fill with pain for a moment before saying "I know a few things, a few" with a sadness in his voice which gave the older boy pause as he took a closer look into the young boy's eyes.

"Like what?" DJ asked with a little less anger in his voice

"Like Tanner will never recover from this. He won't ever trust anyone again and he'll grow up to be a mean person. You kept him from that"

"Yeah, the Clan'll help him" DJ replied.

"The Clan can only do so much dude. This hurt he won't get over. Your brothers will never get over it either" he said

DJ looked down for a moment before returning his gaze to the boy

"I don't wanna live no more, it hurts too much" he said with pain in his voice

"I know man, and we all got stuff that's happened to us but there's people who'll help ya if you let em" Sammy told him

"I don't wanna. I just wanna forget and I can't" DJ said looking up with a pain racked gaze at the younger boy who walked forward and wrapped his arms around him looking deeply into his eyes.

"I know Deej, I know. It seems like that'd be best and all but it ain't. My dad says that everything that we experience makes us who we are and if we hadn't had those things happen to us we would be different"

DJ looked at him for a long moment before saying "I wouldn't mind being different"

"Really?" Sam asked him and saw the boy nod his head affirmatively.

"That would mean no Tanner, no brothers, and no Clan, you really want that" he asked as the boy sobbed "No, yes, I mean no... I don't know" as the tears began to fall.

After a few minutes Sammy said "Come on" to the older boy

"Come where?" DJ asked.

"Well the others tried talking, Mikey tried showing you things, I'm gonna try and do both" Sammy said with a grin.

"Showing me what?" DJ asked warily.

"Well my dad says a picture is worth a thousand words, especially this one that he keeps showing people" Sammy said as he giggled "So I'm gonna show you some"

Sammy stood up and commanded "Take my hand DJ" to the older boy.

With some trepidation evident on his face DJ stood up and looking Sammy in the eyes again reached out his hand in trust and grasped the younger boy's hand as Sam began walking leading the older boy away from the bed towards the far side of the room which had become shrouded in gray swirling mist with a smile on his face.

DJ wasn't too thrilled with the fog bank which had suddenly appeared in his room but before he could say or do anything about it they were entering it.

They appeared in a home, in the hallway just as a naked little boy ran into a room down the hall screaming "Can I take a shower with you daddy?"

"Sure honey" was heard from an adult voice in response as Sammy turned and said "They can't see or hear us so don't worry" to an obviously stunned DJ.

"How did we....?" He asked

"Mikey" Sammy replied with a big grin on his face, "Ain't it cool" he said.

"I guess" DJ said looking around

Then the grin vanished as Sammy said "Come on" and led the older boy into the bathroom and to the shower where a sight greeted DJ that provoked an immediate reaction.

"That's sick" he said in disgust as he watched the man collapse back against the wall and looked at what was all over the boy who was smiling.

"Is it?" Sammy asked turning and looking at DJ speculatively.

"Yes it is. Why are you showing me stuff like this?" he asked Sammy

"Because, one little event can change a lot of things DJ" he replied as they watched the man stagger away from the wall and his son as the boy cried "Daddy?"

They heard him snarl "Just finish your shower" as he rapidly exited the tub and then the room before they heard a door slam down the hall somewhere.

"Daddy, wait, did I do something bad?" the little boy cried as he got out of the tub and ran out of the room and they could soon hear him calling plaintively "Daddy what's wrong, daddy. Daddy let me in, please"

A short while later they watched as the boy came walking dejectedly back into the room and crawled back in the shower with tears running down his face.

"So why did you show me some guy messing with his kid like that?" DJ said angrily "Didn't they tell ya nothing bout me?"

"Yeah they told me about ya, and you'll see" Sammy said as he grabbed DJ's hand again. "Things aren't always what they appear to be" Sammy said as he began walking, dragging the older boy into the suddenly forming mist again.

This time they came out in the living room of the same house as the man walked out of the kitchen and the boy ran over wrapping his arms around his legs.

What surprised DJ was the man angrily pushing the boy away from him. "Go eat your dinner" and watching as the boy's face fell in despair.

"It's been 3 days since the shower" Sammy said as they watched the boy pick at his food.

Nothing got eaten to speak of and finally the man said "You don't want to eat then get ready for bed" still with an angry tone of voice causing the boy's head to snap up and tears to begin to run down his face.

"GO" the man ordered

"So the dad's an asshole, your point?" DJ asked as they watched the boy slowly slide off his chair and walk out of the room.

What confused them was the man burying his head in his hands and the sobs that seemed to come out of him until he heard the boy returning at which time he straightened and said before the boy could even get in the room.

"This isn't the way to your bed"

"I..I wanted a kiss and hugs" the boy said as if he were begging for sustenance.

"You're a big boy now, you don't need that anymore, just get into bed" the man said with pain lacing his voice.

The boy reacted as if he had been slapped as he stared in shock at his father finally mustering the courage to cry out "But dad..." only to be told in a growl "Just GO"

The boy turned and ran with tears flying from his face as Sammy took DJ's hand once more and pulled him into the mist.

They next appeared in the same house to find the father on the sofa and the boy hesitantly walking into the room and coming over to find his father dozed off on the couch.

The boy crawled up in his father's lap and snuggled in and the boys could almost hear him purring in contentment as Sammy said "It's been a week since the shower" in a quiet voice.

Both boys watched as the father stirred and wrapped his arms around the boy hugging him to him and moaning in his sleep before waking, looking confused, and then to DJ's surprise at least, panicked as he saw what was in his arms.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" he screamed at the child and before the boy could respond pushed him roughly off his lap telling him "I told you, you are too old for this nonsense anymore, go to bed now" causing the boy to begin crying uncontrollably as he shakily got to his feet and ran off towards his bedroom.

Then they watched as the man began crying again pleading for someone to help him.

"I don't get it" DJ said in confusion "He treats his kid like shit but then cries about it, he must be whacked"

"You don't yet" Sammy said as he waved his hand slightly

"What did you do?" DJ asked suspiciously as he looked around

"Just moved us forward a few minutes" Sammy replied as the man who had been staring off into space got slowly to his feet and headed towards the back of the house.

"Come on" Sammy said as they followed the man then Sammy pulled him by the hand and they were in the boy's bedroom where said boy was touching himself almost absentmindedly DJ thought.

They watched as the father came into the room and froze at the sight. A smile had started to come across his face but it suddenly turned to rage and he advanced screaming at his young son

"What are you doing, you don't do that" and then as they watched he struck the boy once, twice and then again as the boy screamed in pain.

DJ had run forward at the first blow but found out that in this form he couldn't affect anything.

"You can't do anything" Sammy sadly informed him as they watched the father rant at the little boy before turning and stalking from the room.

"You have to do something, you can't let this kid be hurt like this" DJ said furious at what he had just witnessed.

Sammy shook his head as he watched the little one curled up on the floor now crying and sobbing hysterically.

"There's nothing I can do" was all the response DJ got.

"Come" Sammy told him

"I can't leave him like this, what if he comes back?" DJ said "We have to at least call someone" he added in fury.

"Come, there's nothing to be done, the boy survives, for now" Sammy said with tears running down his face as he grabbed an unwilling DJ dragging him towards the mist once again.

"But...." DJ began but didn't get to finish as he was pulled into the swirling tides of time to reappear once again in the boy's room only this time the boy wasn't there but two older boys, both naked and both engaged.

"What?" DJ asked turning in confusion as Sammy said "It's the same boy, just when he's older" and DJ noticed the pain etched on Sammy's face as he asked "What is it?"

"Just watch" was all that Sammy could say and they did.

DJ turned back to the bed and the two boys who appeared to be about eight years of age lying on it exploring one another.

DJ thought it was cute but that thought quickly changed to terror as the door to the room was flung open and the father from before entered screaming at the boys.

His son never got to voice a word that his mouth had opened to do before his father's fist came crashing down on the boy's young face.

"Fuck ... do something" DJ screamed in tandem with the other child who was trying to get the man off his friend.

The man turned and hit the boy in the head sending him crashing into the wall where he slumped down unmoving for the moment as the man pummeled his son screaming in a blind rage.

They watched as the other boy woke and slowly crawled away reaching into his pocket where he pulled something out that DJ recognized as a communicator fumbling with it with one hand until he got it open and pressed what DJ recognized was the emergency signal button and then passed out once again.

It was obvious to DJ as he witnessed these things that the boy was injured and he thought the son had to be dead by now because the man hadn't stopped hitting the boy.

He glanced over and saw Sammy staring at the boy on the ground with tears running down his face.

In a strangled sob he replied "I can't"

Moments later the room filled with the familiar glow of a transporter as Gabe, JJ and Cory all materialized in the room all noticeably older but unmistakably them.

"STOP IMMEDIATELY!" Cory shouted at the man who froze in mid motion.

They watched as the man turned, looking at them and then returned his gaze to what was left of his son before beginning to look back and forth between the two.

DJ watched in disbelief as he said "What have I done?" before crying "NO" and charging the boys.

JJ fired first followed by Gabe as they watched the man collapse to the ground unmoving.

"Aw shit" Cory said as he ran to the boy, pulling a tricorder from his waist and aiming it at the child, JJ was doing the same to the boy on the floor

"Matty, Matty" he called as he waved the device over the prone boy before pulling his communicator from his waist as Cory turned around with tears in his eyes and just shook his head.

"JJ to Lafayette emergency transport plus one injured, one in custody and one...one dead" he said brokenly into the communicator.

"Acknowledged" a voice replied as Cory asked "How is he?"

"Broken arm and concussion that I can see" JJ replied.

"Isn't there anything..." Gabe started to say but Cory shook his head and said "No" with absolute finality in his voice as the transporter hum filled the room taking them away leaving only two very stunned and shocked boys in their wake.

"WHY?" DJ turned on Sammy screaming "WHY SHOW ME THIS?" he demanded with anger clearly in his voice.

"Because you needed to see it" Sammy said with the tears still running down his face.

"WHY, I DON'T KNOW THESE KIDS WHY!!!!" DJ said again

"Cause one of them is my brother" Sammy choked out, before saying "And the other one would have been if you hadn't died" he finished softly causing DJ to freeze in his pacing of the bloodied room.

"What? What do you mean?" he asked stricken of the younger boy.

"Come" Sammy said in a choked voice

"Not until you tell me what the hell that's supposed to mean" DJ yelled at him

"What you didn't think you're leaving this world would cause shit to happen well it does. You weren't there to save Damien and this is what happened" Sammy said with anger replacing the sadness of moments ago.

"You think you don't affect anyone else well just ask that kid there, Damien would be alive if you were!" Sammy yelled back at him before saying in a softer voice "And my brother wouldn't be hurt and spend years blaming himself for his friends death" and DJ could hear the pain behind those words.

"I do something if I live that prevents this?" DJ asked

"Come" Sammy said not brooking any argument this time just reaching out and grabbing a stunned DJ's hand and pulling him into the mists.

When they emerged again it was the same bedroom and the same two boys doing the same exact thing as before.

"No, please" DJ begged as he saw the scene from minutes ago about to unfold once again before him.

"Watch" was all that Sammy would say as once again the door went flying open and the kids looked startled only this time the man laughingly said "Sorry to disturb you guys, next time you might want to shut the door" grinning the whole time as he quickly began to back out of the doorway.

"It's ok dad, I don't mind" Damien said causing his father to blush as he said "Well maybe your friend there does" which caused Damien to giggle and look a bit chagrined as his dad pulled the door closed laughing.

"You're dad is really cool" Matty told him

"Yeah he's the best dad in the whole world" Damien said smiling softly as Matty said "Nah mine is" giggling as they got into a war of "No mine"

DJ turned to Sammy in shock who was smiling now and said "How?, What?"

"Little things mean a lot" Sammy said as he took DJ's hand once again saying "Come and this time you will get to feel what they feel" causing DJ to suddenly become worried wondering what was going to happen next. Before he could get too worried they entered the mists reappearing in the bathroom once again.

This time it was as a little voice shouted "Can I take a shower with you daddy?"

"Sure honey" was the response from inside the shower.

The boys and in particular DJ watched and more importantly felt the events as they unfolded this time and understanding made all the difference.

When it was over DJ looked wonderingly at Sammy and said "He wasn't"

"No he wasn't" Sammy replied.

"But I don't understand" DJ said.

"Come" and took the older boy by the hand bringing him to each of the places he had visited before immediately after the shower.

When they got to the last one DJ turned and said "He thinks he's protecting his son"

"Yes" Sammy replied sadly.

DJ shook his head in disbelief at this.

"I was so sure...." He said as his voice tapered off and Sammy replied "So sure he was abusing his kid and was an asshole?" Sammy asked

"Yeah, I mean..." DJ said before continuing "He loves him and it's hurting him to push the boy away like this but he thinks he has to"

"Yeah, he thinks that's the only way to protect the boy. He sees what happened in the shower and thinks he's evil for what happened" Sammy told DJ

"But it wasn't dude, nothing happened" DJ said

"Yeah but he thinks it did. His son grabbing him and washing him like that brought a lot of feelings suddenly out and he came almost instantly remember?"

"Yeah but he wasn't doing nothing bad" DJ said

"I know that, and you know that but HE doesn't"

"He didn't even have time to tell his son to stop before it happened. Now he's scared to death to touch the kid cause he thinks he's some kind of pervert or something and he's doing this stuff cause of all the crap his head has been filled with" Sammy told him.

DJ was just shaking his head. "I was so wrong" he said

"You reacted to what you saw and sometimes that can be a good thing but other times......" Sammy said letting his voice trail off

"Yeah I guess that's why Russ and Sara are always telling me to think before I do stuff.

"Probably, my dad says that too" Sammy replied with a grin.

"So how do I change things?" DJ asked

"You don't if you don't live" Sammy replied sadly.

"If, I mean if I do?" he asked

"Come" Sammy said as DJ extended his hand and Sammy grasped it and they walked together for the first time into the mists.

They emerged into a mall and DJ looked around with interest before asking

"What are we doing here?"

"Watch" was all that Sammy said

At that moment several boys came around the corner walking down the concourse.

"Hey that's me" DJ exclaimed in surprise

"Yes it can be in about a month or so" Sammy said causing DJ to give him a questioning look as they watched the antics of the boys as they got closer.

It was DJ, Tanner, Jamie and Jacob along with JJ and Gabe and they were obviously clowning around and having fun.

DJ was looking at this intently and had a sad smile on his face and Sammy could see the tears forming as he watched his other self existing with the one he loved.

"I miss him" DJ said softly

"I know and he misses you too" Sammy said with sadness evident in his voice causing DJ to look at him quickly before returning his face to the boys with yearning now present.

Then the other DJ stopped suddenly and pulled on Jamie's arms whispering urgently to him.

The boys watched as the other kids gaze locked on a man and young boy walking across the aisle from them as DJ gasped "Damien"

"Yes, it's been about a month since the shower now" Sammy said as they looked at the boy and his father.

"They look like shit" DJ observed.

"Yeah, dad from guilt he shouldn't have and Damien from not understanding what he did wrong and missing his father's love" Sammy replied.

Sammy and DJ watched as the boys suddenly made a bee line for the father and son and began talking to them.

They watched as the father was taken aside and Jamie spoke with him getting an angry reaction before JJ showed him something in his hand and he settled down.

"What's going to happen to them?" DJ asked

You and Tanner are going to take Damien for now while his dad gets help from Dan and the Clan to deal with his feelings as well as his fears. Damien will also get some help understanding that he didn't do anything wrong and that his dad still loves him. After about six months they will be reunited and.....well you saw what happens in a few years"

DJ looked in wonder at the group before him as they all began walking from the mall.

"All because of me?" DJ asked

"Yeah, little things bro, little things" Sammy said grinning.

"What happened in the shower did it all didn't it?" DJ asked

"Yeah, that one little thing destroyed two lives for nothing, you save two lives just by caring about a little kid"

"And your brother?" DJ put in

"Yeah and my brother who suffered for a long time because of what happened to Damien and because of some crap that he'd been through before" Sammy replied.

"Why didn't the Clan just take Damien for good like they usually do?" DJ asked perplexed.

"That's something your Clan needs to learn, you don't always have to destroy families to protect the children. Sometimes just working through things can save em too. Damien's dad loves him to death, but he did what he did out of love not hate. It just wasn't the right thing" Sammy replied sadly.

"Yeah" DJ said looking after the group as they reached an exit and left the mall.

"Come on DJ one last thing and then you need to get back" Sammy said as DJ reached out and took his hand leading Sammy towards the mist this time and they entered.

Once again they were in Damien's house and in the bathroom as the father was preparing to enter the shower

"Daddy can I take a shower with you?" came the little voice and the boys watched as the boy came tentatively into the room while the father stiffened before relaxing and turning to face his young son

"I think I would like that honey" the father told his son smiling fondly down at him which earned a dazzling smile filled with love in return as the boy quickly ran to his father and was picked up as they entered the shower together.

The boys watched as the same events were eerily repeated from another shower while Sammy whispered "This is the first night that Damien was allowed to move back in with his father"

They watched as everything happened like it had before only this time when it was over the father didn't get upset he just smiled as Damien asked "Did I wash it good daddy, did I?"

"Yeah honey, you washed it good" the father replied as he scooped up his young son and held him to him kissing him on the cheek

"I love you daddy" the boy said

"I love you too munchkin, I love you too" the father replied inhaling deeply and letting out a long sigh as the boy giggled and said "Can we wash this off now daddy?" still giggling as the father said "Sure baby"

Both DJ and Sammy had tears of joy on their faces at what they had just witnessed as Sammy said "That's the way it's supposed to be"

"Yeah it is" DJ replied as the father and son got out of the shower and dried off walking out of the room naked to be met, much to the surprise of DJ, by the other DJ.

"So how's things going?" he asked looking between them

"Fine" dad answered smiling down at his son.

"Weally good, daddy said I did a good job" the boy answered as the other DJ said "I'm glad to hear that" and the relief showed on his face with his words.

"After Timmy set me straight, it'll never be a problem again" the dad said chuckling while the other DJ laughed and said "Yeah the little munchkin has a way of doing that don't he" and the boys watched as they walked down the hall towards their room with the dad reaching down and picking up a giggling little boy.

DJ and Sammy both had smiles on their faces as suddenly the mists seemed to rise up and envelop them in darkness before dissipating and when they were gone they were back where they had started in the white room.

DJ looked around and said "I guess I got some thinking to do don't I?"

"Yeah bro you do, it's all up to you no one can make you stay. I hope you do though, I'd really like to get to know you" Sammy said looking directly into his eyes as he spoke.

DJ just looked back at him and Sammy hoped, really hoped that this had done some good.

"Well I gotta be going before the munchkins get into more trouble" Sammy said smiling at him as he turned and began walking away with that click, click, click again echoing hollowly in the space.

"Sammy" DJ called

Sammy stopped and turned back to DJ who walked over to him and wrapped his arms around him giving him a hug before saying

"Thanks, bro. I'd like that too"

Sammy just smiled and nodded his head hoping as he turned once again to go back to the land of the living leaving a very scared and hurt little boy alone once again to make a decision that would affect so many and hoping that he had contributed in some small way to him making the right one.

There were so many things he hadn't shown him, what he had was the mildest of the things that would happen if he died, as he felt his body regaining it's true age once again.

He just hoped it did some good, too many needed him for him to die.

As DJ looked on he saw the form of Sammy start to fade away. Another unfamiliar form beginning to take shape in front of him as Sammy's voice came back in a whisper through the mists; echoing in the sterile chamber. " The Ones You Left Behind have their own story to tell."

The Ones You Left Behind

You thought you were doing the right thing

You thought things couldn't get better

You thought no one cared

You were wrong many people cared

People you knew, people you hadn't met and people who weren't even born yet.

You thought no one would miss you

You thought you hadn't made a difference

You were wrong you will be missed

Your smirking smiles, the sparkle in your eye

The grin you thought no one could see

You will be missed by the son , the daughter you never had

The son or daughter who asks Mommy can Daddy see my poem?

Daddy, can Uncle or Aunt see me play?

The child on the street who lived for your smile

The parents whose lives now have a hole in it that may never fill

The Boyfriend or Girlfriend you will never meet

These people care and many more

The help is there just ask for it

The help may take some time but it will come

The friend you need may be on their way.

Just reach out for help it will come.

You made a difference to many lives you just couldn't see

Sometimes we are too blind to see those who need our help.

Just give us a chance reach out your hand,

Help will be there it may be slow, but give us a chance

The ones you left behind send you their love

The ones you left behind will shed many a tear

The ones you left behind will ne'er forget

Remember someone always cares they may be near or far but someone cares.

So remember before you go, think of the ones you leave behind!

"The Ones You Left Behind" ©2004 - 2006 By The Story Lover All Rights Reserved.

As the ghostly voice faded away, the next apparition materialized. "Who are you?" DJ asked as the tears continued to fall down his face.

"My name is Rook." the boy answered.

"Rook," DJ asked quizzically? "I don't know you"

"That makes two of us," Rook replied. "Is this a dream?"

"More like a nightmare," DJ answered.

"Dream or nightmare. That doesn't matter. This place looks familiar. You tried to kill yourself didn't you," Rook stated. "I recognize all of this. I have been here before."

"How did you know that," DJ asked?

"Like I said, I have been here before. I know this place. You are caught in between life and death. But for some reason you are talking to me, so I think I am supposed to tell you that you shouldn't do this. I know you don't know me, and I don't know you, but I think that we are supposed to meet each other. I get this feeling down in my guts that if you cross that line lives will be ruined forever and not just yours I mean. You have no reason to believe me, or no reason to trust me, but all I can tell you is that I understand what it is like to be in the same place as you and trying to decide which line to cross. Life or death. It should be simple, but nothing in life is ever simple. That is the beauty of it. Every day is a challenge to make it to the next. I don't know if you have been visited by others, but I know that I was. I am sure they have told you that this is the wrong way to do things, and they are right, I know that from experience, but the only thing that I can tell you is this. No one can make any promises that things will get better. The only thing that they can promise is to support you and be there for you, and if they have done that, then I can say this. You can make a difference. I have this feeling that you are going to make a difference in my life if you chose the right path, so all I can do is ask you to do the right thing. Please?"

DJ sat there with tears streaming down his face as he watched Rook disappear into the fog that surrounded him.

As he shivered again DJ cried out in pain. Pain for all the wrongs and rights that he knews. "GOD! Why can't this be easy? I want to do what is right! Part of me says it is right to die, and part of me says it is right to live. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO."

As his crying subsided, DJ looked around and saw a dim light in the distance.

He didn't know what to expect, but decided to move toward it to find out what it was.

As he moved closer, he saw a group of four boys looking back at him.

"Hey, how you doin?" The smallest of the boys asked casually.

"I... I'm not sure." DJ said in confusion.

The oldest of the boys gave a good natured chuckle and said, "That sounds about right."

DJ walked a few steps closer, feeling instinctively that these guys weren't going to hurt him.

"Who are you?" DJ asked cautiously.

"I believe to ask 'What' are we would be a more appropriate question." The second to the oldest of the boys said, and DJ was surprised to see that he was Vulcan.

"Um... Okay, what are you?" DJ asked hesitantly.

"We are concepts given a physical form. I am the concept of Logic." The boy said without emotion.

The youngest of the boys giggled and said, "I bet he could have guessed that."

The Vulcan boy raised an eyebrow at the statement but didn't reply.

The oldest of the boys said, "I'm Feeling."

The smallest boy quickly said, "Yeah, and I'm Need and this is my twin brother Want. People always get us confused."

DJ considered what they said for a moment, and then asked, "So what are you doing here?"

"We're just here to help you sort out some things in your head. Don't worry about it buddy, it's nothing horrible or painful or anything like that." Feeling said with a warm grin.

"Oh... okay." DJ said hesitantly.

"I believe it would be logical to begin by assessing the motivations and realities of your recent decision to take your own life." Logic said simply.

DJ felt a wave of panic at the words and looked at the four boys with wide, frightened eyes.

"I think we should have eased into the subject T'hy'la. You're scaring DJ." Feeling said gently.

Logic looked up at Feeling with an uncertain expression, and then said, "Proceed."

Feeling gave the boy at his side a loving smile, then turned his attention to DJ and said, "Well, it's really pretty simple. You listened to your feelings and thought you were listening to your logical mind."

"Hey, don't forget about us." Need said firmly.

Feeling chuckled and said, "And you confused Want with Need. Like he said, people confuse them all the time."

"Okay, so what should I do about it?" DJ asked cautiously.

"Just take some time to think. We're not here to tell you what to do or to make any decisions for you. We're just here to point you in the right direction so you can help yourself." Feeling said seriously.

"It is logical to examine the motives driving one's decisions and actions." Logic said simply.

"Yeah, and remember that me and my twin brother ain't the same. Sometimes we're just alike, and sometimes what you want and what you need are completely different." Need said seriously.

Want looked DJ in the eyes and spoke for the first time. "And no one knows what you want unless you tell them. They can't help you if they don't know."

Feeling nodded his agreement and said, "That's right. Just like it's okay to feel whatever you're feeling, but it's not okay to act on every feeling, you need to listen to logic before you start doing crazy things like taking a bunch of pills."

DJ looked at Feeling with surprise at saying it so bluntly.

Feeling shrugged at DJ's expression, and then asked, "Do you have any questions for us?"

"Um... It feels weird to call you Feeling and Logic..." DJ trailed off.

The sound of a clearing throat drew DJ's attention to the smallest boy.

"...Oh, and Need and Want." DJ finished quickly.

Need nodded his head firmly.

"Okay. Why don't we try this? Jake, Xain, Kenny and Kevin." Jake said as he pointed to each one in turn.

"Um, okay." DJ said cautiously.

"Now do you have any questions?" Jake asked seriously.

"Yeah, what am I supposed to do?" DJ asked helplessly.

"Think about why you decided to kill yourself. Think about what was logical thinking and what was just feeling. Think about the things you want and the things you need. After you've done all that, then decide if this is what you really want." Jake said firmly.

"What does it matter now?" DJ said in a hopeless whisper.

"Xain, you try, I'm coming up empty here." Jake said in frustration.

"DJ, if it were not important to consider these things, would we be here?" Xain asked simply.

DJ looked up with surprise at the statement.

"Do as we have said and consider your motives. We will leave you alone for a time to think." Xain said in a calm voice.

"Wait. Will I see you guys again?" DJ asked as the boys started to fade into the darkness.

"That's up to you buddy. If you make the right choices today, someday you'll not only see us again, but you'll be one of our brothers." Jake said with a smile.

DJ stood in silence as the four boys faded from sight, leaving him standing alone in the darkness.

"Mikey," DJ said dejectedly. "I can't do it. I can't go back to a world where Tanner hates me and where I have caused so much damage. I think it is time for me to go now. I heard everyone that talked to me, but never heard his voice. And honestly, he is the only one I need to hear."

"Listen then, you only heard the words, but I will now let you hear a prayer.

Dear God. Why did this happen? Why DJ? I don't want to live without him, but right now all I feel is anger toward him for leaving me like this. I know that is selfish, but I want him back. I thought you were supposed to be a great God, full of love and forgiveness. Why couldn't you keep this from happening? Where is the mercy in letting him die? I need him. I can't imagine life without him. I don't want to even try. Please bring him back to me. I don't ask for much in life, and I feel like you owe me this one. If you are so great and almighty, then give me back the one I love. I need you to do this for me. Either that or take me too. You can prove to me that you are real by granting this one thing to me. If you do, I won't ever ask for anything again. Please God? Help Me? Amen.

"If I die," DJ said. "Tanner will resent God and he will end up like that Sammy kid said, wont he?"

"It is very possible DJ."

Again DJ looked out into the distance and saw in the fog the room that he was in on the ship. As he watched closely, he saw Tanner walk into the room, alone. As he walked up to DJ, he placed his hand on the bed and said the eight words that made DJ decide to live, "Please don't leave me alone, I love you."

With those words said; DJ looked to Mikey and said, "I want to go back."

At that moment, an intense light filled the room that they stood in and DJ looked to see a personage that defied all beauty and glory.

DJ fell to his knees and said over and over, "I am so sorry, please forgive me."

The person, whom DJ could only assume to be Jesus, came to him, placed his hands on his head and said, "I died, that you might live, go in peace and love, and never forget."

DJ opened his eyes to see Tanner next to him, eyes closed, with tears running down his face.

"Tanner," DJ croaked. "I won't leave you again. I love you too."

"You asshole," Tanner yelled. "You need to learn to talk and listen to logic before you go off doing what you want instead of what you need. I am always here for you. Please don't do that again."

The commotion caused Doc McCoy to come running into the room. When he saw Tanner giving DJ a good tongue lashing he smiled and said, "DJ, I see that Tanner has the situation well under control. You guys talk and I will go and get the rest of the gang together. Oh and by the way DJ, you are going to fix the biobed where JJ punched it and broke his hand, and I am sentencing you to a lifetime of family service and love.

"Um ... ye ... yes sir," DJ stammered. "Okay."

"You had me worried kiddo." McCoy replied. "You tested my medical abilities to the fullest extent. Now I need a vacation."

As McCoy walked out of the room, Tanner lit into DJ again and told him how selfish he was, but he was glad to have him back.

"Tanner," DJ Began. "I don't know which way to go after this. I know now that I have important work that I have to do, and I know that I want us to be together forever, but I don't know which way to go. I feel torn between two different worlds, and I am scared."

Tanner thought for a moment and decided it was best to speak from the heart. "DJ, none of us is sure of which way to go, but I believe that if we follow our gut instincts and keep our hearts true, we will go whichever way is right for us. I won't let you go at this alone. I promise you now and forever that I will always stand by your side and support you. I know that you will have some tough choices to make, and so will I, but we have a great family to watch out for us as well."

The two boys were quiet for a couple of minutes and then Tanner lit up and said, "I want you to listen to this song."

Tanner grabbed his iPod and put the headphones on DJ's head and the sounds of REO Speedwagon flooded his ears

Say good-bye

Look to the sky

Set your course on into the night

You Say good-bye

You hold your head high

Wherever you're goin it's alright

Things must change

You know they always do

Get re-arranged

No reflection on you

Just face the danger

And follow it through

And the change is gonna be for the best

Well I know

How crazy it feels

When you go

Go out shufflin your heels

So take it slow

And make only good deals

You're a young man and it's time to go west

Oooh yes

You say good-bye

You look to the sky

Set your course on into the night

You say good-bye

You hold your head high

Wherever you're goin it's alright

Take a chance

Go on make your move

Nothin' fancy

You got nothin' to prove

Just make a stance

You know were countin' on you

You are the one with the vision

So move out

Move ahead of the fear

Have no doubt

In your mind there's a very clear route

And someone must steer

It is you who must make the decision

Oooh yeah

You say good-bye

You look to the sky

Set your course on into the night

You say good-bye

You hold your head high

Wherever you're goin it's alright

After the song finished DJ smiled at Tanner and relaxed.

"DJ," Tanner said. "Wherever you're goin', it's alright. As long as we do it together."

"Bring the family in here." DJ said with his trademark grin plastered across his face. "I guess we have some talking to do"

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The End

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