Steve had turned all his attention to his younger brothers, and was still bent over them trying to ascertain the extent of the damage, as Sean re-entered the common room, shutting the door as quietly as possible behind him. Andrew was standing against the wall nearby, and he glanced at Sean as his friend moved in beside him. “Are James and Alex all right?” he asked in a tone meant only for Sean’s ear. Sean shrugged.

“They will be,” he returned just as quietly. “Pat and Jesse are with them. How are Ryan and Danny?”

“Word’s still out. James clobbered them pretty good, I think.”

“Are you guys ok?”Steve inquired softly. Neither of his brothers had shown signs of moving, and now Steve received no answer. “Will somebody get me some icepacks please,” he requested, “and some paper towels?”

“I’m all right,” Ryan struggled to a sitting position, dabbing at his lip. His cheek was bruised and he was clearly in pain, but he seemed more irritated than anything, and Steve turned his attention to the youngest of his injured brothers.

“Let me see, Dan,” Steve coaxed as he tried to part Danny’s hands.

“Oww!” Danny sucked air through his teeth. “Fuck! It hurts!” he sobbed as Steve gently pried his hands from his face. Steve glanced at Ryan and Ryan met his eyes, swallowing hard. Danny’s whole face was covered in bruises, his lip was bleeding, his jaw was swelling, there was not a single place that didn’t look tender.

“Will somebody get me some damn ice please!” Steve repeated his earlier request with agitation. This time several of the fraternity members responded as Steve’s sharpness penetrated their shock, but Sean and Andy were already returning with the desired items. Kevin stood looking down at his three brothers in horror as he tried to sort out his emotions. Part of him was appalled by what James had done, but part of him felt that both Danny and Ryan had deserved it.

Ryan was cradling his little brother’s head in his lap now as Sean squatted beside him and handed him the ice. Ryan took it silently and as gently as possible placed it against Dan’s hot, swollen jaw. “Owww! Owww! Holy shit, it hurts!” Danny struggled to sit up, but Ryan gently kept him down.

“You’re all right, Dan,” he soothed, “you’re all right. The ice will help keep the swelling down. Lie still,” he coaxed.

As he saw how much pain Danny was in, Kevin’s feelings for his brothers won out, and he dropped on his knees beside them. “I’m sorry, Danny!” he choked. “I’m so sorry!” Ryan looked at him sternly and Steve got to his feet, taking Kevin by the arm and pulling him up after him. “Steve!” Danny became agitated, and struggled to sit up once more. “Please! I’m all right!”

“Sh . . .lie back!” Ryan coaxed again. He too had recognized the look in his older brother’s eye, but his concern for Danny overrode his empathy for Kevin.

Steve did indeed regard his youngest brother severely, and Kevin looked away as tears stung his eyes. His oldest brother’s voice, however, was patiently paternal when he spoke, “This is not your fault, Kevin,” he said gently, and Kevin put his hand to his face. “Look at me please,” Steve instructed and Kevin did so. “I do not blame you for what happened to Danny and Ryan,” he continued, “and I know they do not blame you either, but Kevin this is precisely the kind of wild, reckless, behavior we have been trying to prevent. It starts with a basic lack of respect for rules and codes of conduct like that which you have demonstrated all semester. What you did tonight, coming in late to a meeting, and bringing girls is just one example. Your fight with Danny this morning is another. You’ve had a good spanking coming all semester, Little Brother. Now you are going to get one, and after tonight the kind of disobedient, inconsiderate behavior you’ve been engaging in will no longer be tolerated. Is that clear?”

“But we didn’t mean . . . ,” Kevin started.

“No! No ‘buts’! There will be no excuses, tonight, Kev! It is about time that you learned to do as you’re told!” Steve looked back at Ryan, wordlessly indicating the paddle he had left lying on the floor, and with a heavy heart Ryan handed it to him.

“No! No!” Danny tried a third time to get out from under his brother’s strong hands, but his attempts were fruitless. Ryan once again soothed him, forcing him to lie quiet, and keeping the ice against his face as his younger brother sobbed in frustration.

With resigned determination, Steve turned back to face his petrified little brother, and he looked at him grimly. The blood drained from Kevin’s face, and instinctively he clutched his bottom with his free hand.

“This is long overdue, Kev,” Steve reprimanded quietly. “Let’s get it over with. Turn around, and bend over!” Kevin blanched. He had received plenty of spankings at home for his, at times, outlandish behavior, and he had dreaded every one. Well into his teenage years his father had marched him out to the woodshed and bared his bottom for the strap. Often it was because he had been backtalking. His father would look at him just as Steve was looking at him now, and just as he respected his father then, Kevin obeyed Steve now without question. He had been naughty and he would have to be punished.

Steve shifted his grasp from Kevin’s arm to his waist as little brother yielded to his authority. He could feel him shaking and he tightened his grip to steady him. “Stick your bottom out,” he directed firmly as he raised Kevin’s t-shirt to expose the full rounded back of his jeans. Kevin clutched at Steve’s arm, and Steve gave him an answering little squeeze of support. “Come on,” he encouraged gently, and Kevin once again obeyed as tears started to streak his face. Steve tapped the paddle against Kevin’s inner thighs. “Spread them,” he ordered, and Kevin did as he was told, dropping lower over Steve’s arm, and tucking his chin against his chest in an effort to hide his face.

Steve placed the paddle against his bottom and he whimpered in anticipation as his oldest brother paused and looked up to address the freshmen. “You do not ever come in late to a meeting that has been designated as mandatory!Count aloud, Kevin!” There were some mutterings and whisperings in response to Steve’s admonishment, but as he drew back his arm silence descended once more.

WHACK! The sound of the paddle resonated in the stillness of the room. “One!” Kevin yelped.

WHACK! Kevin’s face contorted and he clutched Steve’s arm tighter. “Two!”

WHACK! “Ahh!” Kevin squeezed his eyes shut, and gritted his teeth, “Three!” he finally managed.

WHACK! The blow landed hard on his now tender bottom and his knees buckled, “Four!” he sobbed.

“Straighten!” Steve commanded, and slowly Kevin did as he was told.

WHACK! “OWW!” he shrieked, shooting straight up and grabbing his bottom.

“Did I tell you to get up?” Steve queried.

“No,” Kevin protested brokenly, “but it hurts!”

“You will learn to take direction, Kevin! We will start over. Bend!” Tears burned Kevin’s eyes, but he did as he was told, giving his bottom a final rub as he bent once again over his brother’s arm. His eyes found Danny’s, and Danny struggled to sit up as Steve raised the paddle. This time Ryan did not stop him.

“Hang in there, Kev’bo,” he mouthed to his little brother, “it will be over soon.” Kevin bit his lip and looked away, swiping at the tears that trickled down his face.

“Count, Kevin!” Steve commanded.

WHACK! There was a long pause as Kevin struggled to maintain some little bit of dignity.“One!” he sobbed finally.

WHACK! “AHH . . .! TWO!”

WHACK! “JESUS, OWW! THREE!”

“Watch your mouth!” Steve cautioned.

“Sorry,” Kevin choked.

WHACK! “GOD!! Jesus Christ, it hurts!”

“Kev, I just now told you to watch your language!”

“I’m sorry, Steve, but it really, really hurts!”

“Regardless, Young Man, you will do as you’re told! You did not count that stroke either. Count it now, and don’t swear!”

“Yes, sir!” Kevin sobbed. He clutched Steve’s arm again and his oldest brother gripped him tightly, encouraging him with another little squeeze as he raised the paddle once more.

WHACK! The sound reverberated throughout the room as the paddle thudded into Kevin’s bottom once more, and he inhaled sharply. There was a long pause as he hung his head and fought to get his breath. “Four!” he finally croaked.

WHACK! The paddle fell again in the same exact spot it had hit just a moment ago and Kevin screamed. “Five! That’s five! Please Steve! Please!”

“All right, Kevin,” his brother finally relented, “you may stand up.” Kevin collapsed into sobs, his dignity forgotten as he stood slowly up. His hands went immediately to soothe his bruised and burning bottom and Steve looked sternly at him. “I said you could get up, Kevin. Did I tell you, you could rub?” Kevin looked at him dismayed. “Bend Over!” Steve’s strict command caused the juniors and seniors to begin to whisper among themselves. He was sure being hard on the kid. A couple of the freshmen began to cry and their big brothers responded, doing their best to soothe them.

“No! Please, Steve, please!” Kevin pleaded.

“Steve!” Danny was on his feet now despite Ryan’s efforts, and Ryan got to his feet too, trying to reason with his little brother.

“Stay out of it, Dan!” he whispered urgently. “You’re only going to make it worse!” Danny, however, wasn’t listening.

“No! No! Please!” Kevin clutched his bottom as Steve took him roughly by the arm. His strength was no match for that of his oldest brother, however, and his heartrending sobs filled the air as he found himself forced to bend for the paddle once more. Steve took aim and raised his arm.

“Steve, no!” The desperate cry of his second youngest brother caused the fraternity president to pause and look in his direction. “Please!” Danny protested, struggling against Sean and Ryan as they restrained him.

“He has to learn, Dan,” Steve responded gently.

“He needs a break!” Danny sobbed.

“And he’ll get one,” Steve responded calmly, “just as soon as he learns what it means to follow directions and do as he’s told.”

“You are not being fair!” Danny fumed.

“Fair? I’m not being fair?” Steve lost his patience. “Well, let me tell you something, Danny, and this goes for all of you,” he looked around the room as he spoke and a hush descended until the only remaining sound was that of Kevin’s gut wrenching wails. “We have become way too lax around here recently. We all seem to have forgotten that there are rules to follow and certain codes of conduct that must be observed. I will not tolerate anymore rule breaking or disrespect,” he paused and looked sternly at Danny and Ryan. “I will especially not tolerate anymore fights!” His younger brothers reddened, and after a moment he went on in a more compassionate tone, “I will do what I have to, to get my point across, and if my brothers must pay the price to set an example, then that’s the way it is, but you all better pay attention and learn from their experience. Be grateful it’s not you and understand that next time it could be!”

There was a derisive snort and some snickering amongst the juniors and seniors and Steve glared in their direction. “That means you too, Mcarthy!” The room became quiet again, and even Gregg dared not respond as Steve continued, “I know exactly what happened this afternoon! Ultimately, Danny and Ryan were in the wrong and I will deal with them when it is appropriate to do so.” An air of shock settled over the room as Steve openly condemned his two brothers. The older students shifted uneasily, exchanging nervous glances, and Ryan and Danny stared at the ground to avoid the sympathetic looks that came their way as Steve continued. “I know the part you played, though, Gregg, and it was far from an innocent one. Know now, that I will be watching you, and if I ever hear of you behaving again the way you did earlier today, I will not hesitate to summon you! Consider today a gift, Mcarthy, and do not push me ever again! Count, Kevin!” Steve turned his attention back to his weeping little brother and before the consternation in the room had a chance to settle he had resumed the punishment.

WHACK! “OWW!” Kevin screamed. “One!”

WHACK! “TWO!” he yelped as he scissored his legs.

“Stand still!” Steve commanded and Kevin instantly obeyed, continuing to sob out his unhappiness.

“Steve, Let him go! Please!” Danny begged, struggling with Sean and Ryan again. This time, however, Steve did not acknowledge his younger brother’s plea, and Sean and Ryan tightened their grip as he raised the paddle once more. “Please, Steve! Please!”

WHACK! “OWWW!” Kevin howled. “Three!” Danny glowered at Steve, clenching his fists and his teeth as Sean and Ryan held him helpless.

WHACK! “AHH! . . . .Four!” Kevin uttered hoarsely.

WHACK! Kevin’s knees buckled, and Steve tightened his arm around him in support. For a long moment there was silence as Kevin struggled for breath. “Five!” he finally managed in a strangled sob.

“All right, Little Bro, stand up,” Steve urged gently. Stiffly, with bitter sobs, Kevin complied. “Don’t rub,” Steve cautioned as Kevin’s hand left his arm, and Kevin nodded, digging his nails into his hands to keep them fom going where they most wanted to go. “I’m proud of you, Kev,” Steve said softly. “You’re learning. You’ve earned a break, but understand that we are not done!”

The expression of dismay on his little brother’s face sent Danny over the edge and he twisted violently to get away from Ryan and Sean. It took all of the strength his brother and friend could muster and all of their ingenuity to keep him in their grasp as Andy hovered nearby. “Let him go,” Steve instructed quietly, his attention attracted by the commotion. Ryan looked at his big brother and raised his eyebrows skeptically as Danny pulled away from him once more. “Do it,” Steve commanded again, and all at once Danny found himself free as Sean and Ryan complied. Danny glared at Steve for a moment, clenching his fists. Then he scowled at Ryan, and without a word turned towards the door.

“Danny,” Ryan tried to call him back, placing a hand on his arm. His little brother jerked his arm away. “Dan,” Ryan tried again and Danny pushed at him.

“Let him go, Ryan,” Steve directed more firmly this time, and tears welled in Ryan’s eyes as he did what he was told. Sean silently came up beside him and put a hand on his shoulder as Danny stalked angrily out of the common room, and into the hallway, slamming the door behind him.

“Go on, and get to the corner, Kevin,” Steve directed soothingly as Kevin stood before him, sobbing. “You may rub once you are there, but be sure to come back to me when I call you.” He indicated the corner behind the couch, farthest away from the other fraternity members, where Kevin would have the most privacy. Kevin swallowed and nodded. Then without a word he limped his way over to stand with his head against the wall. Once there, he collapsed into sobs again, his shoulders shaking in relief as he finally brought his hands back to soothe his swollen, smarting bottom.

“Matt, The Code!” Steve called, and from the crowd of juniors and seniors, his big brother came forward. As the former year’s president, he had returned to support his little brother and to read The Code, as was tradition. He had slipped in discretely, however, and only a few had known of his presence, so his appearance now created a stir.

Leaving the room in Matt’s capable hands as Kevin sniffed in the corner, Steve made his way over to Ryan and his friends. Ryan had his hand to his eyes and was still fighting back tears as Sean and Andrew tried to comfort him. “It’ll be all right, Ry,” Steve assured his little brother as he came up beside them. “Come on,” he placed his hand tenderly on the back of Ryan’s head, “let’s see if we can talk some sense into him.” Ryan nodded and took his hand from his eyes as tears began to streak his face. Steve moved his hand to his little brother’s shoulder and they started for the door of the common room.

“I’m going to check on the compatriot faction,” Sean called after Steve quietly. Steve turned, and keeping his arm around Ryan, nodded to show that he had heard.

“I’ll go with you,” Andy said to Sean. Sean nodded, and silently they made their way to the backdoor as Matt unrolled the parchment he was carrying, and the reading of The Code began.