"I have good news and bad news," announced Nick's lawyer as he approached a sitting Nick, who then stood, in anticipation of news that he expected to be, for better, worse, or both, shocking.

"I don't care about the order you give it in; just give me the news," Nick solicited frantically. His hands were clasped and beginning to develop films of sweat over his palms. His legs, clothed in the gray pants of the mental health facility's resident uniform, were shaking.

"The judge said you will still be eligible for release in a week, but she wants you to have a 'trial run' at home first, to make sure you're mentally fit to leave this place, after what happened during your last house arrest privilege."

"Great; so she wants me to go home. What's the bad news?"

"She has required that you have someone speak on your behalf after the home trial, in order to help her deliver a verdict."

"Fine. My dad can do it"

"It's not that easy. She knows that your father would lie for you, even if he didn't think you were stable. I'm just gonna tell you outright; she has required that your 'mentor' be Jesus Adams-Foster."

Nick suddenly felt sick. He gagged slightly, which caught the attention of his lawyer.

"Are you alright?"

It wasn't that he would mind hanging out with Jesus during his reattempt at house arrest. He still cared about Jesus, even if Jesus hated him, but the thought of having to face The Adams-Fosters after what he'd put them through made his stomach turn. He'd single-handedly "terrorized" the twins, is what he knew was the sentiment of Jesus' family, especially Stef and Lena.

Nick began to stutter. "W-w-why Jesus?" He asked, while trying to catch his breath.

"Essentially, the judge knows that he wouldn't lie for you after all you've 'put his sister through'. He'll give an honest report on how you do outside of this facility. Unfortunately, there's more bad news."

Nick looked distraught at the idea of any more difficulties.

"Should Jesus not agree to monitor you during your house arrest, you will be staying in this institution indefinitely, until an alternate method is concocted. The judge simply doesn't wanna run the risk of you having another episode and Jesus is the only person she trusts to report back to her."

"Another episode!? I thought Mariana was in trouble! That's the only reason I left the house! Even she told the cops on the scene I was defending myself when I punched her brother!" Nick defended.

"And, of course, the judge knows all this, but that doesn't change the fact that she simply doesn't trust you yet. Don't forget you broke into the Adams-Foster's home with a loaded weapon. That's a serious offense, Mr. Stratos."

"Yeah, I was there. I don't need the play-by-play. When is the judge or you or whoever gonna call Jesus and ask him?"

"Judge Maynard has required that you call Jesus...yourself, and ask him," Nick's lawyer informed with a denotation of pity in his voice.

"I'm so screwed." Nick placed his face in his hands.

"Would you like to call him right now? The sooner you get an answer, the sooner we can move this process along."

"I might as well. He's gonna rip me a new one anyway."

Nick's lawyer handed him his cell phone. "Do you remember the phone number?"

"Yeah." Nick started to reluctantly dial the numbers, his heart rate increasing with each button press.

After a couple of rings, Jesus answered. "Hello?"

Nick was quiet for the first couple of seconds. "H-h-hi, Jesus."

"Who is this?"

"Um, this is Nick. I'm calling from my lawyer's cell phone"

"Do I need to tell Stef you're stalking Mariana again?"

"No! I'm not calling for her...I'm calling for you."

"Yeah, right."

"No, I'm serious...look, man. I'm just gonna be a straight shooter with you. I need you to be, like, a sort of mentor for me because they're gonna put me on house arrest again and they want someone to tell them how I do outside of this place. If I do well, they'll release me next week."

Nick waited anxiously for a response from Jesus. He finally spoke after a few agonizing seconds. "Fine."

"Wait, really?"

"Yeah. Don't make me change my mind."

"Wow, I cant believe you would do this for me. You're such a great friend-"

"I'm only agreeing to do it because you were looking out for Mariana that day. You violated your house arrest for her and...you didn't deserve to be sent back there."

Nick smiled in a way that he hadn't in a while. "Thanks, man."