Forward

Beth gives a little knowing nod to Justin. He was right soon his job would be done, and he would be gone. Maybe thats why kept Beth from interacting with him more the fact soon...he'd be gone too.

"Mm...hey you never know maybe someone else will pop up needing help and you'll stay longer. Never know whats gonna come you way right?"

Knowing she had stood out in the rain a little longer than normal and it was past her normal time seeing her sister already Beth gives a little shakes though just gets wet again.

"I better get going. It was good seeing you again Justin. I look forward to our little chats."

"Mmm...Supreme sounds good."

Heading off into the kitchen it doesn't take Sapphire to order a sheet pizza and some wings. Once finished she comes back into the room seeing Gage flop back down on the bed.

Coming closer and looking down at him she gives a laugh a little. It was a bummer he had to work again tomorrow she new he was sore, but there really was nothing she could do.

"Well at least you get to rest today, and we get to spend today together right?"

Sapphire tried to look on the bright side for Gage trying to keep his spirit up knowing this was hard on him, but also knowing that in time his body would get use to it.

"Maybe what you really need is a good soak in the tub to loosen everything up. Trust me it does wonders. On the days I am stressed at work its amazing."

Unless

Justin chuckles and shakes his head. "Yeah, well... one of these days my job here will be done, and someone else will have to be the clown around here."

Looking around through the rain he just stands, his mind wandering many directions at once. Eventually, he looks back at Beth again. "Unless there's something else to keep me coming back here."


"Uh... whatever. Supreme? Whatever suits you, suits me." Gage swallows the rest of his coffee, feeling halfway alert now.

As Sapphire orders the pizza from her phone, Gage's phone rings. Checking the caller ID, he didn't recognize the number but decides to pick up anyway. "Yeah?" As his conversation continues, his shoulders drop a little. "Yeah... okay."

Hanging up, he sighs and flops back down on his mattress, forgetting about his sore spot and biting his lip as he lays flat on his back. Seeing Sapphire return, he shrugs. "That was my boss. I have to work tomorrow now too."

Clowns

Beth was happy to know Justin was doing a little better. Though there seemed to be a weary look in his eye still things seemed at least a tad better.

"I am happy to know your doing better, defiantly a good thing."

Shifting her weight a little but Beth sticks her hands in her coat pocket. Just standing there for a moment Beth takes a look around for a moment at the now quiet yard. Most people having gone inside to get out of the rain. Maybe she was crazy to be standing here, but she loved it. If they let her she would bring Sarah out in the rain too.

"I'd have to say...I like clowns. It was odd not seeing you for so long, But I am happy you rested and your better now."

Continuing to rub Sapphire gives a nod though she was behind Gage and he couldn't see her. She was happy he agreeded to her paying and she didn't mind calling ether.

Feeling him suck in she new she found a sore spot and tried to remind herself to take it a little easier that way. Hearing his comment it made her chuckle just a little.

"Mmm...I only enjoy it if its feels good. If not than its no fun."

Giving his back a tiny pat Sapphire stops and stands. She'd go order a pizza and than see about a movie to watch.

"What do u want on the pizza today?"

As Dani slides off his lap and takes his hand causing him to stand, Dalton grabs his sun glasses from the desk before putting them on and following Dani out of the office. A chuckle escapes his lips.

"Hey, its ok I'm just going to say it was a woman thing and leave it at that, I think it will keep me out of trouble that way."

Humor was laced in Dalton's words though he didn't think Dani would find it as funny as he. Continuing out of TJY Dalton opts to take his truck finding it had a little more space than Dani's. Pulling out of the parking lot he thinks as they drive.

"I'm thinking we hit up the Western Buffet, I am really hungry today."

Better, thanks

So Beth's mother was dead. Justin had wondered if both her parents were dead, the way she'd talked about her sister, but now at least part of it was confirmed.

He chuckles lightly at her comment of not seeing him. "What, you noticed I wasn't here? I thought maybe my absence would be a nice reprieve. No fool clown to embarrass himself."

Cocking his head, his wry grin remains on his face, though it was almost as if his words were more serious than a flippant tease. "My head's better, thanks. Headache's are gone so I'm back to climbing ladders and fixing air conditioning units."


Moving away from the wall, Gage leans forward, letting Sapphire rub his back. As her fingers hit a knot, he winces, but says nothing.

Mulling over her offer, deep down he hated it that she was constantly having to buy him things. But one day it would be different. One day he would be able to stand on his own two feet.

"Okay... that sounds alright. You can call and order." He didn't like admitting that he didn't really like talking on the phone with anybody but Sapphire either.

Her thumb hits his sore spot again and this time he sucks in a sharp breath. "Having fun?"


A smile spreads on Dani's face and she leans into Dalton's hand. "Surprises keep life worth living." Her smile widens. "I like to think you were a surprise in my life."

Laughing softly, she leans up to give him a light kiss on the lips. "Lunch it is then." Sliding off his lap, she turns around, her hand finding his. "You get to pick where we go though. I... I know I haven't been easy to be around lately so... this one's yours."

Memorie alive

Seeing Gage wince a little bit Sapphire new his back was hurting him. Motioning for him to sitting up and away from the wall Sapphire moves again so she is sitting behind him. Placing her hands on his back Sapphire starts to rub his back trying to get the muscles to loosen a little.

"How about you save your money to buy some grocery tomorrow and I'll pay for the pizza. Than when you get your first check you can take me out to dinner if you wanna pay me back."

Sapphire really didn't mind buy for things someone times, it made her feel good that she could help out too and she would never ask or payment. But she new Gage hated when she did so offering for him to repay her would at least let him help.

Continuing to keep his arms around Dani Dalton rubs one of his hands over her arm while still holding her close. Just letting his love flow through him holding her.

As Dani pulls away and asks about lunch Dalton gives a smile. Bringing a hand to the side of her face he runs a thumb over her cheek.

"I'd love to go to lunch with you, as for coming over without calling I enjoy surprises from you."

"I've always thought rain was calming. My mom always liked it and I would sit for hours with her watching it rain. I guess thats where the love comes from. Its kinda like keeping her memorie alive."

Lifting her head to the sky and smiling again as the rain falls on her Beth didn't care about getting wet, a little rain never hurt anyone. Feeling the rain start to let up a little Beth turns back to Justin wiping some of the water from her face.

"I'd say same stuff different day but for a week there was no you to chat with so I guess today since I am talking to you its something different. Hows your head feeling?"

Somebody hears me

"Mmm." Gage shakes his head, his eyes falling closed again. "There's not enough food in the kitchen to make anything... unless you want a bowl of cereal for supper. I have to go shopping tomorrow if I can scrape together a few bucks."

He opens his eyes and takes another sip of coffee. "Just give me a couple minutes for this to kick in." Moving a little, he winces. The longer he was up, the more his back hurt. He really didn't want to go out anywhere tonight. He didn't feel like it at all.

"Or... I can scrape together the money now and... we can order in pizza. But only if you want to."


Dani nestles into Dalton's big arms, feeling so small, but so protected. She was moving on and dealing with her problems, but he morning had been a tough one. The best place to go was Dalton's arms.

"I like it when you call me that," she murmurs softly.

Her fingers move to fiddle with the buttons on his shirt. She could be a strong young woman who knew what she was doing and take care of herself. But sometimes it was nice to just be a little girl in Dalton's arms and know she was loved.

"I thought maybe we could go somewhere for a late lunch?" She straightens to look at him, staying on his lap. "Unless you've already eaten. I'm sorry I didn't call first."


Hearing a voice behind him, Justin snaps to attention, his eyes opening and arms lowering as he turns in surprise. Seeing it was Beth and receiving her comment, a wry grin emerges. "Oh, Somebody hears me... no matter how loud the the thunder rolls."

He looks back up to the dark sky, blinking as the rain hits his face. "It is calming though, isn't it? Nothing you can do but just let it rain, so you might as well embrace its peace instead of fight it."

Lighting flashes across the sky and he stretches out his arms again, completely at the weather's mercy. After a moment or two, the rain still comes but not quite as hard. Soaked to the bone, Justin lets his arms fall back down to his sides and he looks back to Beth again. He cocks his head a little, his smile still there but it seemed a little different than it had the week before. "What's up?"

Just me

Smiling back at Gage Sapphire gives her head a little shake at his apology. She understood and had no problem with it at all.

"You don't have to be sorry Sweety, you were tired and that can't be held against you. At least I get to see you now."

Wondering over to the mattress Sapphire sits down next to Gage softly making sure not to shoot him and his coffee all over the place. Leaning her head aganst his shoulder before sitting up again and leaning against the wall Sapphire glaces at her watch.

"Its five thirty...Day light is burning but sometimes staying in is nice. Did you want me to make us some dinner and we can watch a movie. I don't wanna make you go out if you sore and tired still."

Keeping her arms around Jason and leaning her head slightly on his back Katie enjoys the ride. It ever failed she liked the feel of having her arms around Jason on his bike and leaning into him. Feeling free was nice, and being with her love was even better.

Mmm...the lake...are you reading my mine or something?

Katie gives a few tugs on Jason's emotions letting her joke linger. Letting her arm tighten around Jason a little more too.

Looking up to see Dani enter the office Dalton smiles. About to say something he stops as she just continues to the desk and turning his chair around. Blinking just a little it was uncommon for Dani to enter and not say anything.

As she slips into his lap though and her words follow Dalton's arms slip around Dani and bring her close to him. Leaning his head down on top of her Dalton smiles as her can smell the sweet smell of her shampoo.

"I missed you to Sunshine!"

Dani always made Dalton feel so good. When she was in his arms it felt like nothing else mattered. His looks weren't important, his past didn't matter Dani cared about him for who he was and that was all that mattered to her.

As the rain starts Beth gets out of her car. Just standing there for a long moment she lets it hit her in the face. Just letting the cooling sensation run down her skin not minding the feeling at all. Finally shutting the car door and making her way up the sidewalk a smile spread across her lips continuing her walk.

Completely lost in the moment of the rain Beth's head snaps to attachen as she hears someone shout though the thunder and the rain. Squinting trying her best to see through the rain she can make out Justin. It had been almost a week since the last time she saw him. She even missed him a little since it broke the normal ruteen. But seeing him now she was happy to know at least he was still alive.

"I'm going to have to try that next time I need to let it out. Just yell into the thunder and no on can hear me. The rain though just feels way to calming."

Standing there it was obvious to see rain, thunder and lighting didn't both her at all, in fact the look in her eye said she liked it.

Honesty in the rain

Gage had managed a quick shower and clean clothes by the time Sapphire comes. Wandering in from the kitchen with a mug of coffee in his hand, he greets her with a weary smile. "Hi. Got your message. Sorry."

Easing down on his mattress, he sips his coffee and leans his head back against the wall. He felt like crap, that's how he felt. He was still tired, sore, and he'd pulled something in his back from lifting too much last night. But he wasn't going to complain. He had a job, and he should be grateful that someone had finally been willing to hire him. He'd get used to it. "I'm alright. What time is it anyway?"


Hmmm.

Jason wasn't fully convinced about Alec, especially after recent events with Destiny. But Reese was in charge, and he needed to trust his judgment.

Yeah, I'm glad he's turning around too, I just... I don't know. Guess I just don't trust him much.

He slings an arm around Katie's shoulders and leads the way outside, stopping by his office briefly to grab jackets and helmets. Once on the motorcycle and heading through town, Jason takes a spur-of-the-moment getaway, heading all the way to the lake instead of staying in town for lunch.


Dani taps lightly on Dalton's office door before opening it slowly and stepping quietly inside. Her eyes were a bit tired, though she manages a small smile. It had been a rough few past days. More memories had been surfacing, now that they'd started, and she was feeling emotionally drained and physically tired. Several heart-to-heart talks with Carson had proven her memory correct. She hadn't wanted to cry in front of him, but she had. He'd apologized even though she'd insisted none of it was his fault - he hadn't known back then what all had happened. She thought perhaps she saw his own tears in his eyes, though he did well at hiding them.

She knew she hadn't been great company the last few days, even though she tried. Carson had given her several days off work and she was grateful but lonely. She hadn't planned on coming to see Dalton today, but she knew he usually wasn't doing anything over lunch and she was glad to see him here now.

Closing the door behind her, Dani wanders around behind the desk and without saying anything, she turns Dalton's chair so she can sit sideways on his lap, wrap her arms around his neck and nuzzle her face into his chest. "I missed you," she mentions softly.


A week. Scott looks outside at the darkening gray sky. The view hadn't changed. He was still here. A week didn't mean much to him anymore. The nightmares still came. He'd almost been dragged into the shadows at least twice again. But it didn't matter. Time just all melted together into one mass of some kind of dark pit.

A week. Had Justin given up on him? He wonders. He knew Justin had stopped about five days ago and had left. But since then, he hadn't come at all. Had he finally given up? Scott should have liked that prospect, but something down deep felt guilty... guilty for treating Justin like he had. He felt slightly abandoned. He'd told Justin he didn't want to go through the motions, but... at least he'd had someone to talk to and do things with. This last week had been the loneliest of any time he'd spent at Brookshire. He missed Hope. He missed Justin. He missed his sister. He missed Dalton.

Sighing, Scott lets the curtain fall back into place and turns to wander across his room and to the hall. He didn't feel like doing anything, but if he didn't at least show himself, Jenny would be up worrying over him.

Walking down the hall and to the steps, Scott's feet drag. His eating habits hadn't changed much. Physically, he was withering away, now on a downhill spiral that would be even harder to stop. His eyes were dark, his skin pale. Had the Agency succeeded? He wonders.

Making it to the landing, Scott stops in his tracks.

Justin looks over from where he was leaning on the counter, talking to Jenny. "Well, Scott. I was just ready to come up and see you. Wanna go for a walk?" Yes, he'd been away. Five days away from here completely, and Justin had been ready to return. Recovered from his fall, and maybe a little more ready mentally as well. He'd let Scott be, letting him cool and settle down after finding out a few days ago that their fight had started a backslide. But time was still against them in a race to see who would win - the Agency data, or Scott's strength. Justin had been compiling a lot more information through phone calls with Rick and Alec both and had been analyzing Scott's behavior as well, during his time away. Five days ago, he'd been bull-headed and wanted to conquer this thing immediately. But he had realized Scott wasn't yet ready. Seeing him walk downstairs on his own today - Justin knew he was ready to start again. It might go well - it might end in disaster. But it was time to test the waters again. Failure today only meant another chance would come later.

Scott studies Justin for a moment, not sure what to say. He didn't really want to go for a walk. It was dreary outside. But even having Justin here was better than no one today. He shrugs. "Okay."

"Great. Come on." Justin throws Jenny a little wink and heads for the door, waiting for Scott to join him.

It was muggy outside and only after a few moments of walking, do they hear a low rumble of thunder in the distance. "Why are we outside?" Scott questions. "It's going to rain."

"So?"

Scott puts his hands in his pockets and trudges alongside him down the sidewalk. "We... playing a game or something?"

"No, not today. I still need to take it easy on the rough and tumble for a few more days."

Scott lifts an eyebrow. "Something happen?"

"Yeah, it's called a concussion."

Scott stops walking and looks at Justin quickly. "From.... from me?"

"Uh... yeah" Justin stops with him. "Still angry with me?"

"Maybe." Scott scuffs his toe on the ground. "But I'm... I'm sorry I hit you."

"Well... I forgive you. Just warn me next time, will you?"

"Don't bring my sister and I won't have to warn you."

"You don't want to see her anymore?"

"I didn't say that."

Justin folds his arms. "Then what do you mean, Scott? Or is it that you don't like being in control of when other people want to see you?"

Scott bites his lip, growing defensive. "Did she ask to come, or did you ask her?"

"I asked her if she wanted to come."

"See? I don't appreciate you doing that without my consent."

"Alright. What if I ask her to come tomorrow?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"I don't know." Scott starts to walk again. He'd missed this? What had he been thinking?

"Is it me?" Justin walks to keep up. "You want someone else, I'll go tell Dr. Hawks right now and I'll take myself off this case."

Scott frowns, not even sure what he wanted. He already knew Justin though. Someone else in the mix would just be a pain. "No... I just don't understand what you want from me."

"I don't want anything from you. All I want is to see you well again and able to control what's going on inside of you so that you can get your life back."

A raindrop falls on Scott's arm as he stops again and turns to face Justin. "It's impossible. I can't do it."

"Yes you can."

"No, I can't! I can't do it."

"You haven't even tried!"

"I have too!"

Justin sighs. "Remember the deck of cards? You gotta be ready, and I understand and respect that, but you're not even willing to try. Do you like being here?"

"Of course not."

"Then why aren't you working with me here?" Justin shakes his head. He could see Scott was growing more and more defensive, but he had to find some way in. He couldn't just let this go. His tone lowers to a more gentle one. "You're wallowing in your own misery, Scott. You've been here long enough now that you've dug yourself into a rut so deep that it's going to take a lot of doing to get yourself back out again. But it's not impossible. Not if you want it bad enough."

Scott swallows hard. He missed his old life. He did want it back, he did. It was just... "I'd rather just die now and not have to go through this garbage," he mumbles.

Justin stops short and looks Scott dead in the eye. "You want to let yourself die just because it's easier? I didn't take you for a coward, Scott. I guess maybe I was wrong."

"I'm not a coward," Scott hisses. "I'm just tired. I'm tired of all this. I can't take it anymore."

"Yes you can!"

"No, I can't! Why does all this have to happen? Why couldn't I have just had my nice normal life? Why was it torn from me? I just want it to go away!"

Another couple raindrops splatter on the ground. Justin points up to the clouds. "It would be just as easy to remove trials from our life as it would be to tell these clouds not to pour their rain. It's going to rain whether we like it or not, Scott." It starts to sprinkle in earnest and he turns to gesture to a couple hurrying inside. "See them? They're scared of the rain. They don't like the feeling of getting wet and they don't want to deal with drying their clothes. They're in too much of a hurry to realize that there is good in the rain."

Scott is still scowling. "But they have the option to go or stay. I don't have an option in my life."

"You yourself pointed out that you do," Justin counters. The sprinkles turn into a light rain, growing heavier by the second. "You have a choice to just let yourself fade away until you die a miserable death, or stand up tall and fight this thing."

"But I'm tired!" Scott repeats desperately.

"We're all tired!" Justin holds out his arms as the rain comes. Thunder rolls, shaking the ground. "But you gotta learn to walk in the rain, not run from it! The rain is going to come whether we like it or not. You got rain in your life and I've got rain in mine. Sometimes it sprinkles and sometimes it storms. But it's up to us to hold our head high and walk through it." He spins, pointing again to someone making a mad dash inside. "See that? That's what you're doing right now. You're tired of getting wet, and you're just gonna run inside and hide. But you know what? It's going to rain again one day. Could be in an hour. Could be a week from now. But it will come again. If you don't learn to walk in it now, you'll always run from it."

He stares through the pouring rain at Scott as they both become soaked, the water dripping down their faces as they blink away the drops. "Walk in the rain, Scott," he begs. "It's going to be uncomfortable and it might even hurt." Another roll of thunder reverberates in the sky. "But you gotta do it."

Scott wipes some rain from his eyes and looks back at Justin, feeling his heart being pulled in two directions. Run. Hide. Stay. Heal. He didn't know what to do or how to do it. He didn't know which was best and which he was willing to do. He didn't know! Spinning on his heel, he heads back to the building.

"Scott, no!" Justin pleads. "Don't keep walking away!" But there was nothing he could do but watch as Scott bends his head and trudges all the way back to the building, disappearing inside.

Justin's frustrated yell is hidden in a crash of thunder. He glares up at the clouds. "What do I keep doing wrong?" he shouts angrily. "This was supposed to be a good day! Why does he keep shutting me out?" A clap of thunder booms and the rain increases. "I don't understand!"

Never had a case been so frustrating. Each moment, he could see and feel Scott on the brink of recovery, just to have it ripped from his grasp. He could see Scott listening and understanding his words. He could see him internalizing the information. What was he missing? What was he doing wrong?

"Are you trying to tell me I can't do this?" he shouts with the lightning. "Then for pete's sake, quit bringing me these stupid opportunities! I can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped! Why are You doing this to me?"

Breathing heavily, Justin slowly stops, enveloped by the rain and thunder. His words shouted in frustration had never sounded more selfish. This wasn't about him, or what he was capable of. This was about Scott. This was about what God would do in Scott's life - Justin was just a tool.

Whether he wanted to admit it or not, in any case Justin had ever had, he'd gotten too close. He and Scott weren't friends. He didn't know him that well, other than facts in a file. But every time he came and saw the look in Scott's eyes, Justin's heart broke. Every time he saw someone who just needed to turn around... who just needed an extra push... who just needed someone to believe in them, it broke his heart a little bit more. But he couldn't fix it. He never could. Only the person themselves and God could.

Hanging his head, Justin lets the rain keep falling on him, drenching his body and soul. In a way, this case was his last ditch effort to see if he really could help anybody anymore. He didn't do things the way other people did. He was rough around the edges and more blunt than he probably should be. He knew all the rules and often broke them, knowing full well that he was. He'd gotten in trouble for his unorthodox ways more than once. But it was who God had made him... passionate... driven... stubborn. This case with Scott... if he couldn't help, Justin knew it would be his last. Ever since getting fired from his last full-time job as a counselor, he'd picked up cases here and there from his uncle. But if he couldn't help Scott, he would move on.

His attitude softens as he swallows his pride. I'm sorry... I know it's not your fault and I know You have me here for a reason. I just don't know what to do. ...Please help Scott. Help him see there is a way up. Help him realize that the sunshine does still come after the rain. Please... take away his fear that he might live again. Whether it's me who helps him or someone else, please just... heal him.

Justin remains standing as the rain continues to fall. Taking a deep breath, he closes his eyes and tilts his head back to let the rain pelt his face. Stretching out his arms, his palms catch the drops as they fall and he spins ever so slowly as inner freedom soars.

Never changed,

Taking Jason's hand Katie stands with a giggle. Like she had much choose in the matter though she didn't mind and always loved spending time with Jason on top of that. Her eyes lit up a little bit at the mention to his bike. She always liked riding with him.

"Oooohhhh....that makes it even better. I think I can handle going now."

Looking twords where Jason had seen Alec Katie thinks for a moment. She'd had a few conversations with Alec and she had seen him with Ryan while she was out a few times. She had to admit they were cute together.

I'm sure Reese really hasn't done anything because he's leaving to see Ryan. I think he's making a nice change for once being Agency.

Looking up from her book Destiny had been wrapped in it once again and now was almost finished but seeing Chance a smile spreads across her face. Placing the bookmark in she would finish it later.

"Heya! Lunch sounds like a great idea to me. I was so wrapped up in my book I didn't realize just how hungry I was."

Standing and coming around to the other side Destiny holds her book as she comes over to the entrance of the door. She really was hungry and could use something to eat.

Pulling into Gage's parking lot Sapphire replays her steps that never changed not that she minded. She liked coming to see Gage, and having a key to his place, and she never want that to change.

Unlocking the door and heading inside Sapphire smiles seeing Gage up and moving around.

"Hey sleepy head. Feeling better after your nap?"

Resident psychologist

Jason grins and comes around into Katie's cubicle, offering her his hands so she can stand up. "Good. It's all settled then. I even brought my bike this morning so we can have a fun ride while we're at it."

Movement catches his eye as he sees Alec walk by on the far side of the room again.

I wonder what he's up to. He's been getting out at night without permission, but Reese seems to be letting it slide. I don't feel right about that whole thing... I think we should be more careful with him.


Dead to the world, Gage never hears the phone ring, or Sapphire's voice on the answering machine. It wouldn't be until the afternoon when he would finally wake up to realize he'd totally missed lunch, irritated with himself for having slept right through it.


Chance knocks on the door where he'd found Destiny and smiles in at her. "Hey, you." They'd been there for a while now, and the morning was growing late. "How about some lunch? I finished up what I needed to do."


"...so what do you think I should do?"

Justin looks up from the couch to see Nichole's face and he stares at her blankly. "What?"

Nichole sighs. "What do you think I should do? I mean about Clark."

Justin burrows back a little further into the corner of the couch. He was the only one there not sitting straight. Everyone else looked halfway human, while he was in his bare feet, one leg tucked up under the other one that was bent with his knee up. It wasn't a crowd, but seven people in Jake's living room could seem a bit crowded anyway. "Dump him."

Nichole gets a shocked look on her face. "I can't do that!"

Justin shrugs. "He's playing you and you know it. If you can't leave him, then anything that comes is your own fault."

"You certainly are cold tonight."

"He always is," Lane quips, raising his beer bottle. "A cynic through and through."

Justin smirks and takes a sip of his pepsi. He was the only one not having a beer. "I'm just logical."

Nichole shakes her head. "Sometimes feelings override logic."

"Well then? What are you asking me about Clark for? You've already made up your mind to stick with a guy who's two-timing you. What am I supposed to say? Congratulations?"

Give the girl a break, Dirk chides from the other side of the room. "Clark isn't all that bad. He'll come around."

Justin quirks an eyebrow and grins wryly. "Okay."

Paula comes back into the room after having gotten some snack food. "Justin... I was gonna ask you about that situation with my two girl friends. Did you think any more about that?"

Justin looks around the room at the six pairs of eyes staring back at him. "What am I? Your resident psychologist?"

Jake laughs. "Isn't that what you wanted to be?"

"I think I'm on my last case."

Paula's eyes widen. "You're kidding. You're going to give up your career?"

"What career? Straight out of college, I've been pushed around, given the cases no one else wants, then when I actually do my job, I'm fired and no one else wants me. I've dealt with stupid teens, drunks, wife beaters, beaten wives and nut cases. And what did I get? A paycheck hardly enough to pay my bills." Justin shakes his head. "Not worth it any more."

Nichole furrows her brow. "But I thought you loved helping people?"

Justin sighs and leans his head back into the couch. "I can only help as much as someone lets me. Problem is, most people don't even want the help. So I sit... talk... baby them... and get paid for it? No... no, that's not what I want. The whole system of social services made me sick, working for that other other organization was a disaster... no... that's not the kind of help I wanted to give people."

"What about starting your own place?"

"You got the money?" When there's no answer, Justin shakes his head again. "Nah... I'd just wind up ticking people off anyway and then nobody would come to me. I don't think I'm cut out for the counseling job." He sips on his pepsi again and looks at the clock. "I gotta get going."

"What?" Jake looks at him with disappointment. "You're not even working tomorrow."

"No, but I promised my mother I'd be over for supper."

Lane snickers, Paula elbows him and Justin throws him a warning glance. Going to his mother's really was just an excuse. These were his friends... but they weren't close. He came and hung out once in a while but... he could take it or leave it. He had a headache again, and sticking around here until Jake got drunk was not what he liked to do for fun.