Jason had never been to war, but he'd heard all of his brother's stories. He figured he had some sort of PTSD. He thought it would be great to be home, but, for some reason, he felt worse here than he did in the jungles of Malaysia for 4 months.

His first night back, and he was being dragged to some fundraiser for his brother's campaign. A fundraiser that his sister-in-law's brother was going to be at... with his no-longer-ex boyfriend. Yep, he was still being punished. He knew better than to piss off his brother. Hell, he just got sent away to a third world country for daring to assert his independence from him. You'd think he'd learn.

He got dressed in a plain black suit that no longer fit him since he'd lost over 20 pounds. He didn't care. He'd gotten his long hair cut in Tokyo before his flight back to the states, but he still needed a good shave. As he'd walked into the bathroom to shave, he suddenly felt the need to shower... again. He hadn't been in one in months. He figured he was making up for precious lost shower time.

He stepped into the shower and turned on the hot water. Well, I guess I'm not wearing this suit to the fundraiser after all, he thought. He stared up at the showerhead as the stream of water hit his face...

Flashback: Early June

Jason entered Robert's office and, hesitatingly, said, "Um, Bobby, I wanted to talk to you about something."

Robert, definitely aware, replied, "Let me guess, you like him. Though why, I have no idea."

Looking around the room, Jason sheepishly added, "Uh, yeah, I guess so..."

"I swear I didn't know you were attracted to jerks, Jase. I would've stopped trying to find you nice guys years ago," Robert added.

"Listen, Bobby," Jason started, "I would sort of, kind of, in a weird kind of way, maybe, just might want to see him again. Is that okay with you? Before you say anything, I just want to let you know you have total veto power. I don't want to do anything that might jeopardize the campaign."

Robert didn't flinch, "Jase, you do what you need to do. I don't get it, this attraction to Kevin, but it's okay with me."

Jason was speechless, except for the single syllabic, "Wow..."

(Present time)

He didn't know how long he'd been standing in the shower, fully clothed. The water was still hot. He was definitely aware of being tired. He sat down. Yep, I'm definitely going crazy, he thought. How long had he been in the shower? He could now see Robert in the bathroom staring at him, but he couldn't hear a word he was saying. Maybe Malaysia had taken his hearing along with his sanity. He wanted to kill his brother. He wanted to kill himself. The problem with the latter is that his brother would kill him. And the problem with the former... is that his brother would kill him. Either way, he'd be a dead man.

"Thanks, Jase, for doing what I asked," Robert said on the phone a month ago.

"Don't I always?" Jason replied.

The phone went silent. Heck, he'd lived in silence for months. He really wanted to scream. The trouble was, he wanted to scream at Robert. But, no one screams at Robert. He'd have to do it like he does everything else, in silence.

Flashback: Early September

Jason walked into Robert's office for the 4th time this week, "You wanted to see me?"

Robert avoided Jason's eyes, "Yeah, I did... listen, Jase. I hate to ask but I need you to cool it with Kevin for a while. You guys are all over the tabloids and the American public is more focused on you than on me right now."

Jason got quiet, and then replied, "Ok, I get it. I'm sure we can avoid public places for a while. Listen, I'm really sorry if I caused you any trouble."

"No, I don't think you do get it Jason", added Robert. "I want you to end things with Kevin."

Jason was trying to stay calm. "Why? No nonononono, I gave you total veto power 3 months ago and you chose not to exercise it. Now, all of a sudden, you decide to use it."

"Jason, I figured you and Kevin would last one date, a week tops. I gave you the go ahead because I figured I would score some points with everyone. I never expected that 3 months later, you'd still be together with no ending in sight," Robert added.

Jason headed for the door, "Well, I'm so sorry you had no faith in me, but you're out of luck, Robert. You're not getting your way. Not this time."

"I'm sorry. I truly am," Robert said to no one after the door closed.

(Present time)

The water is definitely not hot anymore. He doesn't notice. Robert left, and, now, Kitty's sitting in the bathroom staring at him. He doesn't hear her either.

(Earlier in the day)

(Travis enters Robert's office. Kitty is in there going over notes with him.)

Travis entered with his head down. This is never good, thought Robert. Sure enough, Travis starts with, "Um... Robert... there's been some sort of a screw-up. We had on the calendar that your brother was arriving at 7 tonight. But, his plane, um, just landed."

"What?!" screamed Robert.

"Oh My God... Ok, it'll be okay, Robert... Let's Go!!! yelled Kitty as she was grabbing her purse and coat.

(Robert and Kitty race out the door when his cell rings.)

Robert picked up the phone, "Hello?"

"Hey, are you picking me up or what?" It was Jason.

Robert responded, "I'm running a little late, but I'm on my way. Sit tight."

"On your way? As in 'on the road', or 'haven't left yet'?" Jason asked.

Robert started to get angry, "I said I'm on my way, Jason."

Typical, Jason thought, he forgot about me. "Forget it, I'll take a cab. Don't worry about it." (He hung up the phone.)

Kitty, still being optimistic, screamed "Come on Robert, we gotta go!"

"Never mind, Kitty. He's taking a cab to the house," replied Robert.

"Look, Robert, it was a screw up. It happens. He'll get over it," Kitty tried to console her new husband.

Robert knew he didn't deserve to get off the hook, "I don't think you understand, Kitty. My brother just spent the last four months in a remote part of the world all alone. I haven't seen him in 4 months... and I couldn't even pick him up from the damn airport."