Awkward Introduction

Watching Hope, Justin nods as she talks, studying her eyes and her movements. He could see the pain and he wished there was more he could do for her. He hoped as well that Scott would one day revive their relationship, but Hope was right - it was Scott's choice and his alone.

"You're welcome. And I'm sure everything will work out the way God intends. I'll...let you know how things progress." Justin hoped that he'd brought more good than bad by telling Hope about Scott. He thought he had. He knew she was sad, but he didn't think talking about Scott had upset her so that was good.

After leaving her office, it was finally time to leave TJY for the day. It wasn't a short drive back home, but the Elite was paying him well for working with Alec, and if he actually did some good too, then it was worth it. He wasn't convinced he'd be able to succeed with Alec, but he hoped so. He could see the good man behind the veil... it was just getting to it that was the problem.

Getting out to his car, Justin heads out of town. Driving gave him time to think, and after everything with Alec, Scott and Hope, he really didn't need anything else. But his mind didn't seem to care. It had one more thing for him to think about, and it was a situation that was still unresolved after too much time had passed. Maybe... maybe today was the day he should stop at his mother's house. He'd tried calling her several times lately but had only gotten the answering machine. He'd heard from someone else that she was fine, so he knew he shouldn't be worried, but it still bothered him to no end that she wouldn't have anything to do with him.

Eventually, he does find himself driving down the quiet street, only to stop at his mother's house and feel dismay. His brother's car sat in the driveway. Again. What was he doing here? How long had he been here? Why?

Justin's fingers grip the steering wheel until his knuckles turn white. Finally he drives away again. Today was not the day to try and get into that mess. The rest of the drive home was a tiring one and by the time Justin gets there, he just feels drained. Though the dogs were happy to see him, he pays little attention to them, letting them loose but then going inside the house. The couch was his destination and he flops down, holding a throw pillow tightly. Beth was coming over for supper tonight... he couldn't fall asleep... he just needed to rest his eyes... for a few minutes... Unfortunately, resting his eyes turned into sleep, and sleep turned into much longer than just a few minutes. He wouldn't even hear Beth's car pull up.


Eric sighs but nods at Angel's instructions. "Yeah, okay." He cringes as he's given the shot and is glad when it's over. "Thanks. I'm, um... gonna be around for a while probably so I'll have plenty of time to take it easy."

Able to get down off the table and put himself back together again, he waits for the painkillers and slips them in his pocket. "Yeah, I'll be back. If I don't show up, just send your husband after me or something." He gives Angel a weary sort of smirk. He was trying to be funny, even if he didn't feel like laughing right now. "See ya later... thanks again."

Exiting the office, he aims for his bunk again, but then glances to the dining hall. He saw a few people headed in that direction and he knew breakfast was probably just about ready by now. He hadn't planned on seeing too many people this morning but... maybe it would be better to just get the initial greetings over with, rather than prolonging the inevitable. Once everyone knew what happened, he could move on again, right?

Changing his route, he limps to the main building instead, slowly making his way inside where the smell of coffee makes his mouth water. A few waves are tossed in his direction... some hesitantly and some that proved word was spreading already. He's polite and returns the silent greetings before ambling to the kitchen. Pouring himself a cup of coffee, he finds a place to stand by the window alone for now.

Mick had just come in the back and spots Eric. His brother-in-law looked... tired... sad. It wasn't a happy picture at all. Mick had been angry at Eric at one point through the whole Dana thing but now... now that feeling had been replaced with pity.

Grabbing his own cup of coffee, he comes over to Eric and just stands quietly for a few moments. "Morning."

Eric fiddles with his coffee cup and nods. "Yeah." His eyes roam to the side to find Mick. He knew Rosetta would have told him everything. "Look, I... I'm sorry. I-"

Mick holds up his hand. "It's over. Water under the bridge."

"Yeah, but-"

"No buts. I'm fine. We're all fine. It's time to move on."

Eric bites his lip, feeling even more humbled. "I shouldn't have-"

"Eric." Mick turns to face him sternly but gently. "If you want to share your story sometime, you can. I don't mind. But we're not gonna stand around and discuss what we could have or should have done differently. Okay?"

Eric sighs deeply. "Yeah, okay. Your mouth alright?"

Mick rubs his jaw and grins a little. "Takes more than one punch to keep me down. That was so long ago, I forgot."

Eric's lips curl slightly and he looks down at his coffee before taking a sip. He could feel the tears wanting to come again... but not for himself. He was so overwhelmed to be a part of this family... a family that never held grudges... a family that was always forgiving. He was so undeserving.

The sound of the front door opening catches both men's attention. Eric looks to see a woman and a young girl entering. Who were they? Guest breakfast wasn't served until later... and he didn't recognize them as friends of the family.

"Hey." Mick touches Eric's shoulder. "Come here. You need to meet someone."

Eric shrugs and follows slowly, still favoring his leg and carrying his coffee with him. As they near, he continues to look at the woman. She looked... familiar. But he didn't know her, did he? Mick was introducing them, so it wasn't like Eric was supposed to know who she was. A few more steps though and it suddenly dawns on him. Stopping short, he spins around to put his back to them, his eyes going wide.

Mick stops with him, wondering what on earth was wrong. "Eric? What is it?"

"Who is that?" Eric hisses.

"Well that's why I'm introducing you." Mick furrows his brow in confusion. He looks over to catch Stacy's eye and nods to have her wait for a moment, signaling that he wanted her for something.

"Yeah but who is she?" Eric continues hoarsely and gestures with his hand, forgetting that he was holding his coffee. Out sloshes the hot liquid and straight onto Mick, soaking into both his jacket and shirt.

Mick jumps back, his eyes going wide. "Eric!"

Eric's face grows red and he grabs a napkin off a nearby table and tries to help, but Mick slaps his hands away. "I'm... I'm sorry."

"Give me that." Mick swipes what was left of Eric's coffee from his hand, and sets it on the table, cleaning up the mess himself. Rosetta was going to have fun getting this stain out of his shirt. At least his jacket had enough other stains on it that a little more would never be noticed. "That's our new security," he explains impatiently. "On account of Dylan. An extra pair of eyes - Reese sent her. Why?"

"Security? As in staying here? Living here?"

Mick was getting pretty frustrated by now and he sighs. "Yes. What is wrong with you?"

"You've got to be kidding me!"

"Eric!" Mick looks at him sternly. "What is wrong? Do you know her?"

Eric's eyes narrow. "In a manner of speaking."

"Well tell me about it later. For now, act your age and let me introduce you so she knows who you are and doesn't draw a gun on you."

"I wouldn't put it past her," Eric mutters.

"Come on." Mick grabs his arm and pulls him back en route. Finally approaching Stacy and Ashlee, Mick smiles, trying to act as though everything was fine. "Good morning," he greets. "I'd like you to meet my brother-in-law, Eric Pent. Eric, this is Stacy Cullen and her daughter Ashlee."

Eric forces a smile. Maybe Stacy wouldn't recognize him. She probably pulled over a bazillion people all the time - maybe she wouldn't remember he was the truck driver that gave her such a bad time. He reaches out his hand. "Hi. Nice to meet you." He looks next to Ashlee and offers her a handshake as well before glancing back to Stacy. "Mick says you're the new security around here?"


"We bear a heavy load,
Down a broken road.
And they don’t seem to understand,
Why we keep on trying.
But the best is yet to come.
We know it in our hearts.
So we just keep on pushing toward,
Our one-day perfect home.

They don’t understand why we,
Care to make a stand.
They don’t understand why we,
Lend a helping hand.
They’re blinded by the darkness,
While we hold the light.
Let’s show them the new way,
Give them new sight.
Help them understand."

Logan's voice rings out as the Cryptic concert continues. Axel sits a ways from the stage, keeping a close eye on everyone else and a close ear on the sound as his fingers continually tweak the output. Rocky's voice blends behind Logan's as he stands behind his keyboard. The song ends and another begins, this time with Rocky leading vocals.

"I don’t wanna see the change.
I don’t wanna recognize the uncertainty,
That clouds my mind.
I don’t wanna see the years.
I don’t wanna see the time,
That’s left me behind.

Come to me. Tell me it’ll be okay.
Hold me. Tell me I’m gonna shake this lie.
Speak to me. Tell me this won’t last forever.
Come to me. Tell me they’ll be brighter days."

Rocky's eyes roam out into the audience, but his eyes couldn't make out much through the bright lights. Cryptic wasn't often the main event anymore, but tonight they were, and it felt good.

"I don’t wanna see the rain.
I don’t wanna see the flood that’s rising,
Filling my soul.
I don’t wanna see the dark.
I don’t wanna see the lies,
That strike my heart.

Come to me. Tell me it’ll be okay.
Hold me. Tell me I’m gonna shake this lie.
Speak to me. Tell me this won’t last forever.
Come to me. Tell me they’ll be brighter days.

I don’t wanna face the world alone.
Come to me. I don’t wanna be the only one,
Fighting on the battle field.
Hold me. I don’t wanna take a stand alone.
Speak to me. I don’t wanna be the only one,
Crying in the night.

Come to me. Tell me it’ll be okay.
Hold me. Tell me I’m gonna shake this lie.
Speak to me. Tell me this won’t last forever.
Come to me. Tell me they’ll be brighter days."

Spotting Axel's thumbs up, Rocky grins as the song comes to a close. He usually got the spotlight once or twice during concerts... it wasn't what he sought, but it was kinda fun.

About halfway to the back, Quinn leans back in his seat by the aisle, cocking his head so he could see the stage. He could just make out the back of Axel's head, too. Ever since he'd decided to stay in town, the two brothers hadn't talked. Quinn wasn't sure if it was his lack of effort or if Axel really didn't want to have anything to do with him. Maybe it was just coincidence and busy schedules. Or maybe both brothers knew their last meeting had ended better than either expected, and neither wanted to ruin that. Even so, Quinn had decided to come here tonight and watch the concert. One, it was good music. Two, it was an excuse to hang out with Anastasia. And three, if the opportunity to see Axel presented itself, then maybe he'd be ready this time. He still wasn't convinced about Axel's innocence... but... too much had happened lately for him to deny at least the possibility.

Glancing to the side, he catches Anastasia's eye and grins. His hand crawls over to find hers and give it a squeeze. Most likely, she knew exactly what was running through his mind, and... he was okay with that.