This one-shot is to just show Justin's side of the adoption conversation. Then after this it should be random one-shots.

Typical, generic disclaimer: I don't own anything. Anything in Italics are lines from the show.

Justin didn't like when people talked around him. Being out of the loop was one thing, but when the conversation was about you that's another. Mrs. Jensen had been acting weird from the moment Justin was released into her custody for Hannah's wake. Every now and then, he would catch her glancing his way as if Justin would disappear. After weeks of fighting for his release, Mrs. Jensen and Dennis was able to pull off this miracle. Now sitting at the coffee shop table Clay and his Mom were being vague and sharing looks.

The boys were left in awkward silence as Mrs. Jensen left the coffee shop table. One look at Clay and Justin knew the teen was close to chickening out. About what Justin didn't know. The guy looked nervous just staring at the table top.

Justin broke the silence, "What- what things?" He had to prod, otherwise at this rate they wouldn't get anywhere.

Clay took a deep breath and shifted in his seat. "So, um… I think my Mom explained to you how she got you released into emergency custody."

"Yeah, she explained it," Justin was exasperated. Was this conversation going anywhere? He was grateful for what they did. Being able to walk through the coffee shop doors and joyously being greeted by Zach. That was best kind of welcome Justin's had in a while, even before going to juvie.

"The thing is that's only temporary," Clay gave a pointed look towards him. "Since you're not 18 for almost a year, once that expires you become a ward of the state." Way to rub it in Clay, Justin thought sarcastically.

"Yeah, the social worker told me about that," replied Justin. Man, this guy could ramble. He had no idea why Clay was mentioning group homes, Liberty and school districts. Justin made his peace when he left Liberty the first time. He already lost Jessica and hit rock bottom living on the streets in Oakland. Then on top of it, he knew what little rebuilt would be taken away going through with testifying. Justin learned his lesson about trying to hold on to things.

"My parents," Clay stuttered through his sentence. "I mean- me and my parents…wanted to see if you might want them to adopt you." The other teen rushed out before the table fell silent. The two boys sat there staring at each other. Disbelief was written on Justin's face. This had to be a joke. Who would ever willingly want him in their family?

"Wait, what?" Justin scoffed out. Clay Jensen must have finally lost his mind. He couldn't stand Justin, the guy even said it to his face before the Baker's trial! Justin wasn't going to take the bait, thinking clay would only yank the offer out from under him.

Awkward Clay was still talking, "Like adopt you into our family." As if Justin was a small kid, maybe it was Clay who needed the explanation.

There was no other way to put it. But still, "you mean…like- I'd be your brother?" stammered out Justin. Clay was definitely messing with him now. There was no way this guy wanted Justin near his family. He screamed 'territorial only child" based on the time Justin spent in his house. Sure, they were helping with his trial, but Justin didn't expect anything else from the Jensens.

"I'm not familiar with all the lingo but- "

"Why are you asking me and not them?" If this was a legit offer shouldn't it have come from Clay's parents? It was going to take a lot to convince Justin. He didn't like to be treated as some charity case. He could take care of himself, has been for years.

Clay looked away. "Because it was their idea, to be honest," he begrudgingly revealed. "At first I thought it sounded idiotic. They left it up to me, seeing as I was the person who brought you in their life in the first place."

Justin was lost for words. He didn't think after everything was done, anyone would bother with him. Cause face it, Justin played a hand in a few horrible events. The Jensens were aware of his home life and drug abuse. Yet they still wanted him? The fuck-up? The idea of someone actually choosing him for all his worst included. Justin felt a stinging sensation by his eyes. Then he realized what Clay had said. His parents had left it up to Clay as the final decider. The guy who supposedly still hated him. If that was true wouldn't have Clay, just kept his mouth shut?

"Maybe it's a good idea so…" Justin heard him trail off. "Are you- crying?" He looked away from Clay sniffling. Is this what people meant, about light being there after darkness? His conversation with Mr. Porter was becoming relevant. Justin didn't have to do everything on his own. It was okay to ask for help.

"You know I'm like really fucked up, right?" The Jensens had to know what they were getting themselves into. Clay had laid it all on the table there was no going back from the offer.

"Well, A yes but you're clean and going to meetings. And B, I'm also fucked up in certain ways so…" Maybe the two boys could make this work. Eventually over time they would discover they needed to balance each other out so to speak.

"Okay. I'd like to be adopted, yeah."