You tell Randall goodbye and come back tomorrow to help him go 'home.'

Following after Allison, still not entirely convinced this was a good idea, but really having **** in the matter, you headed towards Randall's room and after giving a little courtesy knock on the door, the two of you headed in.

"Hey guys, just came to check up on how things are going," Allison said, practically pulling you in after her, "And look who I've brought."

Inside, you found Randall sitting on the bed, still in his green gown looking rather red in the face while your mother stood over him holding what looked to be some sort of feminine sanitary product. "Oh thank God," he said, somewhat under his breath as he looked up at you with an expression of great relief, clearly glad for the interruption, "Please tell me you've come to rescue me."

"Rescue you?" your mother asked him, looked rather confused by this statement, "Randall...I uh, I mean Laura. This is important stuff you need to learn."

"I know but...C'mon Mrs. C, can't we take a break for a while? We've been going over this stuff for hours," Randall told her, practically pleading now (the sight of your English teacher pleading with your mom being very unusual to see), as he then looked over towards you, "Tim...Allison, c'mon, help me out here."

Aware how full on your mother could be at times, as well as being rather uncomfortable yourself with the hygiene product she was waving about, you decided to step in. "Eh, yeah, maybe he should take a break for a bit, mom. You don't want to overload his brain."

"Oh, I guess you're right," your mother responded, sighing a little in defeat. "Sorry Randall, I just want you to be prepared. Especially if you're serious about not coming home with us tomorrow." This was a conversation you had clearly missed, but you could tell that it was probably a long drawn out one, your mother being very protective of Randall and not liking to think of him having to cope with all this alone (which wasn't exactly the case).

"I know, and I am," he told her, being genuinely sincere, "I appreciate the offer. But I think it's probably best if I just jump straight into the deep end, so to speak. Anyway, Tim's gonna come with me to check Miss. Card...I mean, my new place so it's all good."

"Well of course he is. We all will. You don't think we're just going to leave you to get settled in on your own do you? Your step mother and father might not want to get too involved, but you have another family right here."

This was definitely not part of the plan, at least not a part of the plan Randall had told you about earlier. "Eh, tha-thanks..." he said, rather awkwardly, the expression on his face telling you that he was thinking the exact same thing as you were, as he once again looked to you for help, not quite sure how to get out of this one himself.

"Uhm, mom. I think maybe Randall just wants to get a feel for the place himself first," you said, speaking up, " Y'know, without everyone crowding him."

"What? Nonsense," your mother replied, brushing this suggestion immediately of and looking back at Randall, "You don't want that do you?"

"Well, yeah...kinda," came his rather nervous response, being quick to add after seeing the somewhat disappointed look on your mom's face, "Not that I don't appreciate everything Mrs. C. But I think I'd just be more comfortable by myself to start with, if that's okay with you."

"No, that's...that's quite alright. You need to do whatever feels best, and when you need us we'll be right here," your mother then told him, much to everyone's relief, meaning well, but also knowing when to take a step back, "Besides, I'm sure Tim will be a great help getting you settled."

With that awkward moment over with then and everything decided, your mom then smiled and said, "Well I guess I'll just leave you all too it then," informing you that she was off to get something to eat while Randall had a break and the three of you all caught up, and assuring him that she'd be "back in a little while", before heading out the door, Randall thanking her as she did.

"So what's happening now?" Randall asked after your mom had left, obviously wanting some kind of distraction. "Please tell me you guys got some DVD's to watch or something. All this 'lady talk' is driving me nuts."

"Yeah, I can tell. Looks like you were about ready to self com-bust when we walked in," you replied, recalling the look on his face and trying not to chuckle.

"Oh you have no idea, dude. I mean I love you're mom and all, she's a great lady. But some of this crap women have to do...Fuck me, it's gross!" Then looking over at Allison, as if suddenly remembering she was still in the room, Randall nervously added, "Uh, no offense."

"Hey, I'm not exactly thrilled you've joined my gender either you know, Laura," came Allison's reply, using Miss Card's first name as an underhanded insult (somewhat falling back into their old routine), "But you've got to know this stuff. It's important."

"Yeah, yeah, I know. Doesn't make it any less embarrassing though. So, what's up?"

"Well the good news is, Dr. Saunders gave me the all clear. Which means I can head home!"

"Speaking of which, I better just grab your mom before she leaves," Allison then said, recalling what Saunders had told you, "You still need that paperwork signed don't you?"

"Oh yeah. Thanks Allison," you called after her as she headed out the door after your mother, thankful that you had a girlfriend with a lot better memory than you.

Congratulating you on this fact, not being able to wait to get out of the hospital himself (as well as informing you that "this place is like ten times worse than weekends at my Auntie's"), he then inquired, "You're still gonna come to Miss Card's apartment with me tomorrow though right?" obviously not wanting to go alone, and hoping that your plans hadn't changed for that.

"Course. I'll get mom to drive me over here first thing, then we can head there once you've been discharged," you assured him, having no intention of breaking your word.

"Sweet! I think my dad's gonna drop by for a brief visit before hand. Just to like make sure I'm okay and shit. I doubt he's gonna actually come with us. But after that, we'll be good to go!"

"Sounds good," you replied, getting the feeling that what he'd said about his dad was probably true, though glad at least that his dad hadn't disowned him completely. Then, realizing that he didn't actually have any of his own stuff here at the hospital, other than the clothes he'd come in with (which you doubted were in any fit state to wear), you asked,"Is there anything you need me to bring? Clothes or anything?"

"Nah, I wish. But I doubt anything other than Miss Card's shit is gonna fit me now," he told you, looking a little bummed as he once again briefly thrust out his large bosom, "Especially around the chest department. Looks like I'm gonna have to wear what Miss Card had on her until I find something more suitable at her place."

"Ah, okay then."

With this all sorted and arranged, your conversation then turned to other matters, Randall not really wanting to dwell on such matters for the moment (not after having just sat through 3 hours of your mom explaining about periods and female underwear and stuff), and neither really did you. So instead, you just sat there in his room shooting the shit and watching whatever crap was on TV, waiting for Allison and your mom to return with your discharge paperwork signed so that you could head home.

About an hour or so later, they did indeed return, your mom having nipped down to the cafeteria for some lunch and Allison having clearly joined her, presumably wanting to give you and Randall a little space for a while. With everything now in order, you said your goodbyes, telling your best friend that you'll see him tomorrow for the grand tour of his new apartment, before the three of you then headed out into the car park towards your mother's car (though not before your mom promised to return later for a little more 'training' which caused Randall to groan). Though initially, the thought of getting back into a car after what had happened made you a little wary, you soon got over it, and the drive back home was pleasant enough, the conversation mostly being about Randall and how remarkably well he was doing considering, your mom remarking somewhat wistfully, "That boy's a real soldier, coping with all this craziness. I just hope that tomorrow, once he gets out and back into the real world, things continue the same way. Because his life now is going to be a lot different to how he remembered it."