It was a perfect spring day when they buried Dan. As JD stood by the freshly filled in grave he wished that the weather had been able to match the roiling emotions inside him since his expression had been unable to. His face had been a placid mask since Dan had died, unable to shed a single tear since his passing. He dug his nails into the palm of his hand but was unable to produce even a wince at the biting pain.

The gravesite was empty, everybody else had gone long before. The sun was setting and JD watched its slow descent behind the hilly terrain. He couldn't bear to look down at his brother's eternal resting place, knowing that it would only cause more heartache that he'd be unable to express. He heard footsteps behind and didn't bother to turn around, expecting it to be a member of the grounds crew or perhaps the priest, come to give more condolences and empty platitudes.

"How are you?" There was compassion in Dr. Cox's voice, something he didn't expect to hear.

J.D. turned away from the grave, surprised that the other man had stayed behind, and glad for the distraction. He gave a wry smile in response.

"You know..." Cox paused too long, trying to gather his thoughts. "If you need someone to talk to..." He trailed off again, but this time he didn't attempt to go on.

"Thanks." JD said. Although it had been expressed awkwardly, he could tell the offer was heartfelt, yet another surprise from his mentor.

Dr. Cox nodded and started to head back, but turned around after a few steps. "How are you getting home?"

He hadn't thought about it. Ever since the accident he'd been wary about cars, but he'd need to get home somehow and he hadn't brought Sasha with him, think it would be out of place at a funeral. He had insisted on riding in the hearse on the way there, trying to get some final peace with his brother. "I guess I'll take a cab home."

"Let me give you a lift." Dr. Cox motioned with his head towards his Porsche, which was parked close to the cemetery.

"I'm alright." J.D. said. A raindrop fell and he looked up at the sky in surprise. A rather nasty looking bank of storm clouds had snuck up on him while he had been in reverie. Great, now it rains.

"Come on." Dr. Cox said, starting towards the car. He didn't bother to look behind him to make sure J.D. was following him, which he was.

They managed to get inside the car before it began to rain too hard.

"Well, that was fun." J.D. said, attempting to blot some of the moisture away with his coat, althought it, too, was soaked.

Dr. Cox held up a box of tissues.

"Somehow I don't think that's going to do the job." J.D. said, still futilely trying to blot. "You wouldn't happen to have a towel handy, would ya'?

Dr. Cox just held up the box of tisues again with a knowing, sympathetic look.

And J.D. wept.