Disclaimer: I dont own Drake and josh.

A/N: So, this is the final chapter, I am truly sorry if it isnt very good... I'm going through a lot of personal stuff right now, just really stressed out. Things got really crazy really fast. I want to thank everyone who has reviewed since the beginning, because those reviews have kept a smile on my face. And to thank all of the ever silent readers for continuing to enjoy this fic.

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"You are free to sever the chains of fate that bind you..." -Legend of the Dragoon

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He opened his eyes to the bright sunlight falling in through the window. He breathed heavily and let that warmth wash over him, let it quiet his nerves as he tried to pull himself out of bed. After today, the way things were would change. He would have to leave his sanctuary and try to re enter the world.

He'd missed so much school since the beginning, almost two monthes worth. He had to go back, to try and pick up the pieces of his life and put them back together. They'd allready told him that he would have to finish this years classes, and attend summer school in order to pass to the next grade. He suppossed that he could understand that, but, he didnt want to go.

He was sure that everyone there knew what had happened, where he'd been. What would they say? How would they look at him now? He didnt want to think about it.

So much had happened to him over the last seven weeks. He'd been kidnapped, abused, beaten and almost killed. He'd come home, tried to take control of himself... Sometimes it seemed like too much. As if he'd been trying to take on too much too soon. He'd wanted so badly to get over it all, push it all away. He wasnt sure he was ready yet.

The world outside his front door was full of uncertanties. People he didnt know, whose intentions he wasnt sure of. Cruelty, dishonesty, and criticism, they were all waiting for him out there. Ready to shun him, to laugh at the pain that still coursed through him. Those people wouldn't be able to see his scars, but they would see the person who carried them.

He listened as the bedroom door opened, turning slowly to see josh standing there. He smiled at the sight of his brother, his closest friend. Without Josh, he didnt know where he'd be right now. When he'd been stuborn, Josh had been patient. When he was weak, Josh was strong, and when he'd cried, Josh had been there to comfort him. If it hadn't been for Josh, Drake was sure that he might have just fell into his own darkness.

"You should get ready." Josh said softly. "We're gonna be late."

Drake smiled, pulling himself out of bad. They had a long day ahead of them. His mom had finally given in to letting him leave, so today, before he went back to school, he was meeting the others to visit Damien. His parents had recovered his body from Brendon's yard, and now it was safe, near their family home in Lancaster.

"I'll be ready soon." Drake said as he headed toward the bathroom.

Over the last few weeks, almost everything had healed. The bruises were gone, the cuts healed. All that remained were the scars, and he would have those for the rest of his life. Milky white lines carved into his flesh by leather straps. each one had its own story, had been given to him for a fault he couldn't control, or an act of rebelion to save himself. Looking at them now, he accepted what they said. He no longer shuddered at those memories. He was alive, he was free, and those scars were proof that he had fought to stay that way.

After his shower, he got dressed and put his guitar gently in its case before heading to the kitchen for brekfast. Audrey was standing at the counter, watching him as he sat at the table and ate.

He'd changed so much. A few weeks ago, he wouldnt even look her in the eyes, always shying away from her touch. He'd held his pain close, protecting his secrets and harboring his rage. Now when she looked at him, she saw into those deep, brown eyes, and they looked back. He smiled, and he laughed. Little by little, he was becoming more like himself. He was letting go of everything that had happened, breaking the chains that held that weight on his shoulders.

She knew that she couldnt keep him safe in the house forever, that she had to let him back into the world. The people that had hurt him were gone, locked away. But she feared for him, in a world where that evil had been free, where there could be others like that waiting in the shadows. She took a deep breath, grabbing his pills from their spot near the window and taking them to him. A few more weeks, and he'd be completly weened from them.

"Promise me you'll call as soon as you get there." She said as she handed him his pills.

"I promise." He said, taking them. "We're only going three hours away, we wont be far."

Three hours... For the month that he'd been missing, he'd only been three hours away. The whole time he'd been suffering, he'd only been a short drive away. It seemed strange to her that the place they'd been held, and their friends resting place had booth been three hours away from their home. Three hours in different directions from home.

"I know." She smiled. "I just want to make sure you boys get there okay." She said, eyes watering. She wouldn't cry, not now.

Drake stood from his chair and pulled his mother into a tight hug. "It's okay mom..." He whispered.

She smiled, holding him tightly. "I know..." She said softly. "I just worry..."

"I know." he said back, pulling away and offering her his best smile. "Josh will be with us, we'll be okay."

She nodded. moving away from him and back into the kitchen. Once she was out of his sight, she let the tears silently fall. He was stronger now then he'd been when they had first got him back. He was moving on. She only hoped that she would have some of that strength, that she would be able to push those horrors away like he had.

"You ready?" josh asked as he came into the kitchen.

"Yeah," Drake smiled, heading toward the door.

Meghan watched as Drake left the house, as Josh looked back at her. She'd forgiven Josh because Drake had wanted her too. But even after all that Josh had done to help him over these last few weeks, she didnt trust him with Drake's safty.

"Bring him back in one piece." she said softly, though he could hear the danger in her voice.

"I promise." Josh said before exiting the house.

Drake looked back at the house, part of him wanting to run back into its safe walls. Inside that house, no one could hurt him. But if he stayed there, safely hidden away, the rest of his life would pass him by. He didnt want to be locked away anymore. he refused to be a prisoner of his memories, or the chains they'd built around him.

He took a deep, shaky breath and turned away from the house, counting the steps it took to reach the car. He could do this. He didnt look back at the house as he got into the car, as they pulled out of the driveway. He could feel his hands shaking as they drove away, could hear his heart beating in his ears. He exhaled.

Nothing had changed in the month that he had been gone, but the world looked different to him now. It seemed too big, the people in it seemed unreal. There were so many of them walking around, driving in cars and just existing. He looked at them, not knowing anything about them, what they expected of him, and it scared him. He knew that they werent all dangerous, but he couldnt shake the fear that uncertanty brought.

They didnt talk much as they drove. Josh was content to let Drake be as he watched the world glide by through the window. The music played softly, filling the silence as the minutes drained away. He knew that Drake was nervous about going back to school, he couldnt imagine what it was like. Though the reports hadnt used his name, people were putting it all together. The teachers had instructed the students to 'be nice', not to mention any of it, but that wasnt going to stop them. They were curious, and, some of them were like that girl who'd been in the Premire, cruel. The best thing he could do was stay at Drake's side, be there for him when he needed him. And he wouldnt let anything stop him.

After hours of driving, they were finally in Lancaster. They followed the GPS instructions until they found the cemetary where Damien's family had burried him. Drake took a moment in the car to call his mom, assuring her that they were all right before stepping out into the bright afternoon sun. He let its warmth sooth the anxiety racing through him before setting out to find the others.

He smiled when he saw them, standing near a stone decorated with flowers. He ran forward, letting his fear go as Zane pulled him into a quick hug, as Ash put a hand on his shoulder. It felt good to be here with them, to feel safe.

He looked over at Damien's stone, not the makeshift slab of concrete he'd had at the house, but a real stone. Drake knelt down infront of it, his fingers lightly tracing the lines that formed Damien's name. He closed his eyes, resting his palm against the stone and let the lonly tear fall. He would never forget Damien, his smile, the comfort he'd offered. Though he wasn't very religious anymore, he said a prayer for his friend. Looking at the stone, Drake hoped that Ash was right, that if there was a god, he'd made an exception for Damien and let him into heaven. "Thank you," He whispered. "For everything you did for me."

Drake turned toward his friends, toward Josh, and smiled. Damien was home, he was safe from the evils that the world had thrown at him. "He's finally at peace." he said softly.

"He's where he was meant to be." ash said, kneeling down next to drake. "he's home."

Drake nodded, swallowing tears. he wouldn't cry today, not now.

"Who wants lunch?" Zane said, lifting up a picnic basket and smiling.

They didnt care what anyone who might pass by thought. They spread out a small grey blanket in front of Damien's grave and passed around sandwiches and chips. They let the sun work the color back into their skin as they talked about home, about the changes in their lives. Nothing was as it had been for any of them, and it could never be the same.

They finished eating, looking over at each other as a cool breeze caressed their warm skin. With heavy hearts, they talked about what had happened in brendon's house. They didnt allow themselvs to relive it as they talked, they simply let it out. All of their emotions, every ounce of pain spilling from trembaling lips. They had to let go, to break the hold the past had on them.

Josh listened as they talked, hearing every memory as the words floated away with the wind. He'd heard Drake's story, now, he knew theirs. It took a lot of strength to live through what had happened to them, to keep going when it was over rather then hide in the darkness. he was proud of all of them, inspired even. They had walked through the fire, and though they had burns, they were clearing away the ashes.

They smiled and laughed as they let the past slip by, as they took in the future. After hours of talk, they finally cleared away the lunch and blanket, standing together around Damien's grave they made a promise. They knew now, that their lives didnt just belong to them. They also belonged to the people who'd died, their captive brothers who'd lost the strength to go on, who'd gone too soon. Tey closed their eyes, remembering. Drake had only known Damien, and even Zane and Ash hadnt known all of the fallen, but they promised to live not only for themselves, but for all of those who had passed away in that place.

As they were saying goodbye to damien, a little girl walked through the rows of stones, flowers in her small hands. The sun shone on her soft blond hair, creating the image of a halo shining above her blue eyes. Abigale approached the group slowly, whiping the tears away from her eyes as she offered a bright smile. She remembered Ash, the others, she thought, must have been there with her brother too.

She walked up to the group, looking over them as she made her way to her brother's stone. She placed the flowers atop it, breathing heavily as she whispered words none of them could hear. Loosing Damien had hurt all of them, and they couldnt imagine what it was like fir his little sister.

"Hello, Abigale." Ash said, smiling.

She turned toward them again, tears in her eyes. "You came to see him."

"We all miss him." Zane said.

"He was a very good friend." Drake offered. He could see the hurt in her eyes, alot like that look meghan had had in her eyes when he'd first come home.

"He would be happy that you were here." She said softly. "I'm glad that your here. I think he gets lonly..."

Ash kelt down beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "As long as he has you, he will never be alone." he offered.

She nodded, pulling Ash into a hug as she tried not to cry. "Thank you."

He pushed back his own tears as he pulled away from her. "anytime." He nodded, standing and rejoining the group.

She watched them as they said goodbye to each other, as they walked back to their cars. It hurt, knowing that Damien was gone, that he'd never be there with her again. But she was thankful that he had had such good friends before he died. She looked down to his stone, placing her hand against his name. He would never be alone, she would always remember him, and, so would they.

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Drake and Josh got back into the car, watching as Ash and Zane slowly drove off. Drake took a deep breath, looking at Josh, seeing the way he was looking back.

"Are you okay?" Drake asked.

"I feel really bad for her." Josh replied. "Her brother was gone so long, and in the end, she didnt get him back. It doesnt seem fair..."

Drake nodded. He was glad to be alive, that his families nightmare had ended. But he would have given anything to bring Damien back to his family, to see him again. "Its not fair..." he whispered.

Josh placed a hand on Drake's shoulder, seeing the hurt in his eyes. "I'm sorry..." he exhaled heavily. "If i'd have lost you, I don't know what I would have done. I thought about it though..." Josh turned his eyes away from Drake. "If you would have... died, I would have gone too. The guilt, the hurt, I would have killed myself." Josh confessed.

Drake shook his head. "My life isnt worth yours." he said. "it would have torn everyone apart, to loose us booth."

Josh nodded. "Your life is worth alot more then you think, you, are worth more..." He whiped away the tears, starting the car.

"thank you." Drake said, offering Josh a classic smile.

The drive home was much the same as the drive down. Drake watched as the sun sank into the horizon, as it set on the past to get ready for the future. Tomorrow he'd go back to school, back to life as it had been. The world was waiting for him, life was beconing him forward.

As they got closer to home, he started asking Josh about school. What was everyone saying about him? He was afriad of their words, of how different things would be. He had no dobt that the cool, suave mguy he'd been was gone now, that the others would look at him differently. Like something dirty, something broken.

There were rumors at school, whispers and speculations, Josh told him. Everyone was curious, many of them, expecially the girls, missed him. The meaner students would no doubt give him a hard time, the nicer ones would give him space and try to pretend nothing had changed.

"No matter what happens, I'm there for you." josh promised. "You dont have to go through any of it alone."

"Im afraid." Drake shuddered. "Not just of what they'll think, or say. I'm afraid of whats waiting for me outside the house."

Josh nodded. "Fear has a pretty tight hold on you," Josh said. "But you have the power to break that hold, to overcome it and leave it behind. It won't happen overnight, but, eventually, you'll be free of it. And I'll be there with you, every step of the way."

Drake nodded, pushing back tears. "thank you." he whispered loudly.

When they got home dinner was on the table. Audrey looked over both of them, assuring herself that they were there, they were all right. She smiled, giving them their space. "Eat up."

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The alarm screeched in the silence, forcing them awake in the early hours of a new day. Drake opened his eyes, seeing the early morning light as it crept in through the window. I can do this... He told himself as he crawled out of bed. He got dressed in his old clothes, tried to follow that routine he'd almost forgotten.

He went down to the kitchen, eating quickly and grabbing his pills. The bottles were nearly empty, when they were, he wouldnt have to take them anymore. Soon, he thought as he swallowed them with a glass of water.

He waited for josh to come downstairs, alert and ready as ever. Their eyes met, and Josh offered hm a comforting smile. Drake smiled back, trying to hide how nervous he was. Over and over, he told himself that everything was going to be all right. He said it until he started to believe it. With Josh by his side, he could do this.

Audrey watched as the boys left the house, her breath catching in her chest. She wanted to chase after them, to drive them herself and make sure nothing went wrong. She stopped herself, letting them go. She put faith in the world as she let her boys go out into it.

They sat in the school parking lot, watching as the students flooded into the building. Over his shoulder, Drake could see the spot where he'd been when he got into that strangers car. Where it had all began. He shook away the memory, nodding to Josh before stepping out of the car.

One step at a time, the approached the school together. Drake looked at all of the people watching him, some whispereing, others offering smiles and waves. I can do this. he told himself again. He waved back, saying hello and swallowing the urge to run back to the car. This was his life, and he wanted back into it.

One foot in front of the other, he entered the school, saw the forgotten faces of his classmates and the welcoming looks on the teacher's faces. Some faces held honest joy to see him back, others pity, and some, curiousity. he let their faces slip by, offering his old smile as he and Josh walked through the halls, toward their lockers.

It wasnt going to be easy, he was smart enough to know that. But he could do this, with Josh by his side, his friends only a phone call away. He wasnt alone, and he wouldnt be afraid. He had been freed of the chains that Brendon had put him in, and now, he would break the chains that tried to hold him back.