Date: Wed, 3 Aug 2011 08:38:44 -0700 (PDT)
From: Mary Barrett <mommab_78@yahoo.com>
Subject: To Rise Again Ch. 5 Gay Male/Sci-Fi

Disclaimer: The following is a work of fiction that came from the recesses
of my own mind. Any names or places are all of my own creation. Any
characters that may engage in sexual activity are over 18. If reading this
is illeagal where you are from then please do not continue, you know your
laws. I hope you enjoy what I have tried to create. This story includes M/M
relationships..if this is not for you, then please leave now.

This is my 1st attempt at writing anything, so please be kind. Comments are
welcome..good or bad.

Also...THANK YOU to all of "My Boys",without you I never would have done
this, you know who you are.

Note: You can also find my story located at http://thestorycloset.org/node/17


River lay there trying to figure out what was going on with his boss.  He
saw the concern and the worry on his face, he also noticed a hint of what
appeared to be a look of hurt when he told him to go.  But what did he
really expect?  All of these thoughts were going through his head, making
him think about all the times that Mr. Donavan had demanded things from him
instead of just asking.  If he didn't act like such an Alpha male, then
maybe the employees would not be so afraid to approach him with their ideas
and concerns.

But noooo...his attitude deterred them, therefore making River the one they
came to. So it was always him that had to bring it all to Mr. Donavan's
attention.  Praying that whatever it was did not set the boss off.  Just
thinking about that man put River in a bad mood, and he so did not need any
added stress to his life at the moment.  River was brought back to the here
and now when he realized that someone had entered his room.  Looking up, he
saw an older gentleman in a white coat.  `Must be the doctor Molly was
talking about' he thought.

"Hello Mr. Addison.  It's good to see you awake finally, you had us all a
little worried."

"Finally, what do you mean finally?  How long have I been here?" Now River
was more confused and afraid.  It couldn't have been more than a few
hours. Right?  "What is the last thing you remember Mr. Addison?" the man
in white asked, avoiding the question.

"Ummm...I remember getting up and heading to bed.  After that, nothing.
Again, how long have I been here?" He couldn't tell anything by watching
the doctor.

"You took a pretty nasty hit when you fell, you were brought in
unresponsive, but all of your vitals were normal.  You just would not wake
up, and we did not understand why.  As for how long you have been here, it
has been three days."

"THREE DAYS !!! I have been here THREE days?" Suddenly River started having
flashes of images.  Images of his daughter.  He couldn't explain them, he
couldn't tell anyone about them. His head was pounding again.  It hurt so
bad.

The doctor noticed the pained expression on his patients' face and assumed
that he was just hurting from his ordeal and from the stress of it all.  He
had no reason to think otherwise.  "Sir, I need you to try and calm down.
We still don't understand why you wouldn't wake up.  We will need to run a
few more tests before we can release you.  But you NEED to calm down.  We
don't want to chance you slipping again into a coma."

"Make it go away...please...make the pain go away...my head...it hurts so
bad."  River begged of the doctor.  The man walked over and inserted
something into his IV, and he felt himself drifting off to sleep soon
after.  He did not wake up again until morning.

	******

Eithen pulled into the parking deck of the hospital and just sat there, not
sure if he was up to feeling the anger towards him from River.  `I know
that I can be a difficult boss, but I have to be hard on my employees from
time to time.  They need to remember who's in charge.  I don't think I've
been that bad.  So why does he hate me?  I need to get him to understand
why I have been harder on him, he needs to know that it was for his own
good.  River needs to learn to take commands and still feel like he has
control. I can teach him that, if he is willing to learn.  I need to get
him to trust me.  How can I let him know all of what I have done and
learned about his daughter without him feeling like I have invaded his
personal life?'  All these thoughts, and no answer in sight.

Eithen managed to get out of his truck and head into the hospital, hoping
that River would be in a better mood after a night of regular sleep.
Stepping out of the elevator onto the floor that River was on, he saw the
doctor standing there by the nurses' station.  As he got closer he called
out. "Hey Doc, having a good morning? Ma and pops said to remind you about
dinner this weekend."

"Ah, Eithen my boy, always good to see you." Doc said while pulling his
nephew into a hug.  " "How is he today Doc, is he going to alright?" He
knew he had no right to ask this, but he needed to know. "Mr. Addison seems
to be doing better this morning.  We're still not sure why he was out of it
for as long as he was, there was no reason for it.  However, all of the
tests have come back normal, and his vitals have never wavered.  It's a
good thing you found him when you did though. No telling how long he may
have laid there, and from what you have told us, there is no one else right
now in his life. He's a lucky young man to have you as a friend." Eithen
just stood there, not willing to correct his uncle.  Doc stood there a
moment in thought while looking at Eithen, he had to ask the question that
had been nagging at him since the morning that River was brought in.

"Eithen, I understand that this young man works for you, but what you have
done, by being here at his side, that is not normal for a boss and his
employee.  What does he really mean to you?"

Eithen had to think about that.  What did River mean to him?  He felt the
need to protect him, to keep him safe, to make sure he was happy.  But what
did all of that really mean?  He had never been like this with anyone
before, it confused him.  Looking at his uncle he answered with what he
knew.  "I honestly don't know, it confuses me, these feelings.  This desire
to keep him safe and protected.  Do you understand any of what I'm talking
about?" His uncle sighed and then just nodded his head in the affirmative.
"All I can tell you Eithen, is to talk to your parents about this.  They
can answer your questions far better than I can."  With that, Doc turned
and headed to check on his patient.

Eithen followed his uncle into River's room and stayed close to the door in
case he was not wanted there again.  He noticed that River looked better
this morning. He had more color to him, not so pale.  Eithen also noticed
that River was looking right at him.  "How are you feeling today River?
You look better, bet you can't wait to get out of here huh."  He knew he
was starting to ramble, but for some reason he was suddenly nervous.  He
did not like this feeling, he liked being in control.  And control is one
thing he did not have at the moment.

River watched as the door opened and the doctor came in, noticing someone
else behind him.  He did not expect to see Mr. Donavan again so soon after
last night.  He thought he made it clear that he was not wanted here.
"What are you doing back here Mr. Donavan?  I thanked you last night for
getting me here, what more do you want?  Are you just here to make sure I'm
not playing hooky, or are you here to find out when I am able to come back
to work?  Gotta keep that leash on your employee huh."

Eithen was hurt by what River was ranting, but he refused to let it
show. Rather he went into business mode and made sure his face was
expressionless. "Actually, Mr. Addison, I came by this morning to check on
the well being of my most valuable employee. I was not concerned about when
you would be returning to work. The only thing I was concerned about was
what caused you to be here in the first place.

I can see that you are still in the same mood as you were last night.  And
if I remember right, Nurse Molly said that was not good for you.  So, as a
concerned boss, I suggest you calm down and stop taking your shit out on
me.  Are we clear Mr. Addison?"  Eithen hated to do it, but it seemed like
the only time River actually listened to him was when he let just a touch
of his Alpha power seep out and he became more dominant.

River dropped his gaze and simply nodded, pushing his anger into the
background for the time being.  He knew that he was being unfair to
Mr. Donavan, but there was just something to that man, it made River want
to defy him one second and submit to him the next.  It confused him, it
scared him, and it angered him.  No one had ever made him feel this way
before, and he did not like it. "Yes sir, I'm sorry for taking it out on
you."

The doctor just stood there with his mouth open, not believing what he just
saw.  In just a matter of minutes his nephew was able to make this man who
had been nothing but angry and defensive anytime he was awake, calm and
complacent.  If he didn't think that these two were mates before, he had no
doubts about it now.  But, he had a job to do and he needed to pull himself
together.  Walking over to Mr. Addison's bed he picked up his chart and
made a few notes on it before turning his attention to the man himself.

"Mr. Addison, I am happy to inform you that all of your tests have come
back normal, therefore we see no reason to keep you here any longer.  You
will be sore for a few days still and you might experience some headaches
for the next week or so from hitting your head.  Now, I understand that you
live alone.  Is that correct?" getting a nod he continued.  "Ok, well do
you have anyone that can either come stay with you or would let you stay
with them over the next few days?  Since we are still unsure of what is
causing you to have these episodes, you are not to be alone in case you
should have another one."

Doc. noticed the panic on his patients face, already knowing the answer was
going to be no.  He got his answer as Mr. Addison slowly looked up and
shook his head no, quietly saying that he had no one.  "Unless we can
release you to someone that will guarantee us that you will be looked after
for the next two or three days, I'm afraid that you will have to stay
here."

This was Eithen's chance to prove to River that he was not a bad person.
Probably his only chance to gain his trust and friendship.  Before he
realized what he was doing, he stepped forward and cleared his throat
getting his uncles attention. "Doc, he can stay with me.  My house is big
enough as you know, and there is always someone around.  He will be watched
carefully, and if there are any signs of a reoccurrence we can have him
back here in just a few minutes."

During all of this, he kept his eyes locked with Rivers, he could see the
doubt there.  He had to make sure River did not turn down his offer.  "I am
not giving you a choice in this River.  You either come home with me or you
stay here.  As I see it, you are better off at my place where you can be
more comfortable.  And I am sure that my Ma would be more than happy to
make sure that you are well fed and taken care of."  Eithen and the doctor
both chuckled with that last part.

"Ok...if I really don't have a say in this, then I guess I'll be going with
Mr. Donavan here.  I just need to stop by my place before we go anywhere to
grab a few things."  River thought to himself, `What the hell am I supposed
to do now?  There is no way I can live with this man for the next three
days.  I have to find a way out of this.  I have to come up with
something.'  "So when can I get out of here?  You've all been great, but I
really hate hospitals."  The doctor informed him all he needed to do was to
get his discharge papers ready and he was free to go.  Within the hour
River had all of his paperwork signed and was ready to get the hell out of
there.

	******

As Eithen went to get his truck from the parking deck he scolded himself
for his reaction and behavior when it came to River. "What the hell am I
doing?  I want him to trust me, not hate me or fear me.  So what do I
do...I demand that he come and stay with me.  Not even giving him a choice.
Well done Eithen, what a great start at changing his feelings about you."
Eithen pulled up in front of the doors and got out to help River into the
truck, knowing that his help was not needed or wanted.  He just had to do
it though, something in him made him want to be there for River.  Once
River was in the truck and all settled in, he took off toward River's to
get whatever was needed to stay at Eithen's place for the next few days.

It was a silent ride, neither said a word to the other.  They both were
lost in their own thoughts.  Eithen was thinking how he was going to reveal
to River what he knew about his daughter and how he came about that
information.  River was thinking of ways to get out of staying with his
boss while he recuperated from his most recent episode. He also needed to
figure out what the hell was going on with him and these images he kept
getting of Raivyn.  River just knew that something was wrong, he feared for
his daughter's safety.

Pulling up in front of River's house, Eithen turned to him and asked if he
needed any help getting his things together.  This was it River thought, I
just need to tell him thank you again for finding him and getting him the
help he needed, but he was ok now, and that he would be fine on his own.
Glancing over at Eithen, he got caught in the look that was aimed at him.
He was unable to look away, unable to voice his denial of needing to be
looked after.  River was only able to nod and say yes, please.

They gathered up what River would need and then headed out of town to
Eithen's place.  Once again the ride was silent.  This time Eithen was
thinking of how to explain all the people that came in and out of his home
without revealing a secret that was only meant to be learned by his mate.
While River sat there thinking about what happened back in front of his
place.  Never had he been affected by someone like that. Never had he been
unable say what he wanted to.  What was it about Mr. Donavan that made him
react the way he did.  So lost in thought, neither realized that they had
arrived and stopped in front of the house.  They sat there, both unmoving,
both unsure of what to say or do next.

Eithen cleared his throat, looking out the window towards the house. "Well,
here we are, home sweet home.  Let's head in and I can show you where you
can put your things.  After that we can have some lunch, I'm not the
greatest cook, but I manage. Then I will show you around the house."
Getting out, Eithen walked around to make sure that River was able to get
down ok, knowing that he was still hurting.

Grabbing the things that River brought with him, they headed into the
house.  Eithen led him down a hallway till they reached the end, pointing
out where the bathroom and his office were along the way. "You can use this
room while you're here.  If you need anything else for it, just let me know
and I can get it for you. I want to make sure that you are as comfortable
as possible."  Eithen was interrupted by his cell ringing, looking he
noticed that it was his pops.  "Sorry, I have to take this.  If you need
me, just holler ."  With that, Eithen left River to get settled into what
would be his room for the next few days.