~03~

"That's the nice thing about dreams, the way you wake up before you fall." –Marva Hornbacher


September 16th, 2012

Orange County, California

"So, how are things between you and Logan?"

Ah, the age old question, Rhuben thought to herself, turning her gaze from the city coastline and over at her therapist, who was staring back at her, his pen held above his notepad, waiting to hear what she had to say.

If it wasn't the rumors of her supposed relationship with Dak Zevon, which thankfully have all but died down, it was whether or not she was dating anyone. People were always trying to pry into her private life, wanting to know what makes her tick, what she really thought about things, and how her life really was.

There were dark places in Los Angeles that any celebrity could fall into if they weren't paying too close attention, but it was rare to have that brought up into the spotlight. However when it did, you became more famous for your downward spiral and your scandals than anything you've ever done with her career.

That's why she thought she was a lucky person. She had been in a dark place for a good chunk of her life, but now she was in the light. Being in a successful band al the while having to deal with child abuse at the hands of her father, it was enough to capture even more public attention. In essence, it did help with their career and her image, but it made moving on that much harder.

Dr. Trevor Angelo was one of the most prominent therapists in the city and he deserved every positive connotation to his name. He knew what she was doing; despite all of Rhuben's reservations when she had first met him, even she couldn't deny that he knew what he was doing and that he knew how to get emotions and dark secrets out of her without batting an eyelash. Most surprisingly, he did it all without making her feel like he was prying for prying's sake.

There was no doubt in her mind that he took his job seriously. He treated her like an individual with her own thoughts and ideas and not like a kid or like a typical teenager. He was a patient man, never pushing things too far out of her comfort zone when asked.

"Bonzer, Doc. He wants to get back together," Rhuben replied and Dr. Angelo nodded his head, peering at her, pressing the end of his pen into his bottom lip.

"But, you don't?" he asked, raising his eyebrows when he didn't receive any other form of explanation from her.

"I do," Rhuben slowly replied, her eyes narrowing slightly. She shifted in her seat, bringing her knee to her chest, resting a foot up onto her cushion. "But you know me." Dr. Angelo nodded, writing down on his notepad. "You know I hate to make mistakes and I hate to mess things up that are good."

"Yes, I do know you and I know you're not being exactly truthful," Dr. Angelo replied, using his pen to scratch at his eyebrow. He wiped a finger through the hair to check and see if he got any ink on his finger. He peered down at her elevated foot which started bouncing up and down.

Rhuben twisted her mouth to the side but didn't reply. "Are you worried that if you do take that chance to be more than friends again, that you'll do something and it'll really sever that friendship? For good? That's what you're scared of?"

"Yeh," Rhuben replied shortly, bringing her thumb to her mouth, chewing on the nail.

"Nails," Dr. Angelo said in a dull tone, as if he had said it many times. Which he had. One of her nervous quirks, apart from tapping her feet on the ground was to bite her thumbnails. No other finger, just her thumbs.

Rhuben removed her thumb from her mouth, spitting out the bit of fingernail that was in her mouth. Dr. Angelo arched an eyebrow, peering down at the carpet where the off white nail bit sat on top of the carpet before looking back up at her. She gave a sheepish grin and leaned over to pick up the nail, setting it on her jean-clad thigh.

"My friendship with Logan isn't what we had as kids," Rhuben slowly replied, "but it's what I want and need now."

"Are you sure?" Dr. Angelo asked, looking curious at her. "You and I can both agree that your friendship with Logan when you were kids was important."

Rhuben nodded. There was no more truer fact than that. She lived down the straight from Logan for about a year. He was her first friend when she and her family moved to America. When she moved, she never thought she'd see him again so it was a surprise to see him when she had walked through the doors at Rocque Records to meet his new "fire".

But, everything was different. She wasn't the wide-eyed, Pokemon card collecting, creek stomping little girl anymore. She was a hard worker, more cautious about people, and wanted to do anything and everything she could to be successful, even if it meant she had to push him away. She didn't want him to know about the abuse, she didn't want anyone to know. Here she had an image as being tough and taking crap from no one, and for years she took crap from her dad.

It was embarrassing.

Much like it was when he had found out. She knew she could handle it, but being the worry wart she remembered him to be, he all but freaked out. He fired statistics in her face, reported on any research that he found on the subject and it annoyed her. She wasn't a test subject or a statistic: she was a person who needed help and didn't know how to ask for it. Or rather, was too stubborn to ask for it.

She knew where Dr. Angelo was going with his suggestion; their friendship when they were kids was just easier. At the time the only thing they cared about was beating the Texas heat and seeing who had the rarest Pokemon card.

"It's really unique and very important to me," Rhuben replied, choosing her words carefully. "We just click, more so now than we had before. I feel like when we were kids, it was kind of like…a childish friendship if that makes sense. We were into fads and catching frogs. To mess up what we have now would be so hard."

"I see," Dr. Angelo replied with a nod, his pen scratching over the notepad. "I just find it a little odd for you. From what you've explained to me, you've never essentially had a childhood and you're upset that you missed out on being a kid…yet you choose to have the friendship, relationship, however you're describing it, now."

"I think it's because I've had to grow up so fast and face adult things like business meetings and marketing plans," Rhuben replied, scratching the side of her neck. "I was attending industry parties and premieres when people were going to soccer games and homecoming."

"Ok, let me ask you something else," Dr. Angelo replied, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Could you kiss Logan? I mean a real kiss."

"I don't know," Rhuben replied, without skipping a beat.

"He's not back together with Camille, and you know he wants to get back together with you," Dr. Angelo pointed out to her. "We've already established why you don't want to change things, but as we've seen with your life, with Ronan, and your friends in Big Time Rush, change can be a good thing. Everything at home is good?"

"We're still unpacking a little bit, but, it's good," Rhuben replied with a nod. Better than I could've ever imagined.

Good didn't even begin to describe it. She hadn't remembered when she had honestly been so happy in her life. She was safe, she was moving into a new house, and she had a new dad in a friend she greatly respected. Most importantly, her brothers and her sister were safe.

"You haven't given Ronan any more tests?" Dr. Angelo asked, his eyebrows shooting up and Rhuben turned her gaze back out to the window, biting her lower lip.

That was one of the many things she had felt guilty for in her life. Here was her music producer and friend, Ronan McGuire, trying to make a better life for her by taking them in as part of the foster care system and she made his life hell. It was part of her and her sister, Riley's, plan to see if he really wanted them.

They'd act out every now and then; talk back, deliberately disobey orders, in short, act like the teenager she always wanted to be. She knew she was hurting him just by questioning his intentions; waiting for him to change his mind and leave like she was used to. She was also used to taking matters into her own hands. Why wait for someone to leave when you could speed up the process by pushing them away yourself?

"No, no more tests," Rhuben replied shaking her head, brushing loose strands of her hair behind her ears. "We've all changed over the summer and for the better. Going back home really helped. I mean, as you know, we always go home every six months, but I knew this was different. Home just felt different."

"Maybe it was just you that changed," Dr. Angelo suggested, shifting in his seat, crossing one leg over the other, tapping his pen against his notepad. "I see you've got a new hairstyle." Rhuben smiled, reaching up a hand to touch her side ponytail. "It looks good, it looks nice."

"Thank you," Rhuben replied.

"You're quite welcome," Dr. Angelo replied, an amused look on his face. "And as such, I know that it's not the only thing that has changed." He then set his notepad down and got out of his chair. He walked around to his desk and pulled open the bottom drawer, revealing a large white box. "I happen to know that it is in fact your birthday today." Rhuben peered curiously at the box as he handed it to her. "Now, I'm aware you and Riley had celebrated with Logan the other day, but seeing as I didn't see either of you…"

"So you decided to schedule another session on my birthday just to give me these…" she trailed off to lift the lid, "cupcakes!" She sucked in a deep breath of air, smiling as the smell of sugar wafted up her nose.

"Well, I'm glad you approve," Dr. Angelo replied as he settled back down in his chair. "So, I know you, Riley, and Logan like to celebrate your birthdays together. How was it? What'd you do?"

"We went to Disneyland," Rhuben replied and Dr. Angelo allowed a smile to come to his face. "It seemed childish, but there's something about having a whole bunch of your friends in a place like that just kicking back, that made it a whole lot of fun." She scratched the side of her jaw. "Plus, Sydney hadn't been there in so long; I know he had a good time."

"Were you expecting something bad to happen?" Dr. Angelo asked, flipping through the notepad on his lap. "You've stated in a previous session that you always worry that something bad will happen every time something good happens."

Rhuben scratched the back of her neck, feeling her happiness slowly slide away, much like it did every year around her birthday. Her past few birthdays have been great, being surrounded by friends and family, having a good time. She did her best to keep her mind preoccupied with what she was doing at the time. Because nine years ago to that day, her parents died in a house fire that changed her life forever. Her life had essentially gone downhill from that moment.

"I understand why," Dr. Angelo quietly continued, "I was just curious about what it was you were worried about happening."

"Um," Rhuben said and cleared her throat for a moment. She had to stop herself from snorting. She worried about everything and anything if she got the chance. To pinpoint just one thing was kind of funny. "Everything I guess. I mean…I hadn't thought about it for so long, I just blocked it out." She shifted her gaze to her lap, twisting her fingers in her lap. "Parents are supposed to be there for your 18th birthday, you know?"

Dr. Angelo silently nodded.

"That's not to say I'm not happy that Ronan is around," Rhuben quickly continued, "it's just because I don't know for how long. I mean, our past always comes to bite us in the ass one way or another." She got up out of her seat and walked over to the shelves of books and other doo-dads on the shelves. She grasped rubik's cube, looking it over before starting to twist it in her hands. "Nothing ever seems to stay…right for long."

"I see," Dr. Angelo replied, watching as she started to work the toy, twisting the lines and columns. "Life is like this rubik's cube."

"Not another metaphor, Doc," Rhuben commented with a brief laugh, moving to sit back down in her abandoned chair. "Monopoly and Sorry! weren't your brightest moments."

"The point is that you remembered them whether they were bad or not," Dr. Angelo said with a bark of laughter, shaking his head. "Just hear me out; alright? Every square on that cube is an aspect of your life; friends, family, health, your job, what have you. It won't ever run smoothly until you take the necessary twist and turns to make a clear path."

He then held out his hand, wiggling his fingers and she passed the toy over to him. Rhuben blinked, watching in surprise as he quickly solved the puzzle of the rubik's cube, holding it out to her. "But, sometimes you need help to align the pieces; to have everything flow together." He peered curiously at her. "Who do you think that is?"

Ronan, she thought, automatically. He's always been there for us, to see things get better for us despite not knowing the full extent of what was going on.

But, she didn't say it automatically. There were still things she didn't let him know unless he specifically asked what was wrong, if she needed advice, or if she gave him her notebooks filled with thoughts and feelings about what was going on with her as part of her therapy "homework."

And even in some cases, she wouldn't tell him as they had a "If you ask, I'll either tell you the truth or not say anything at all" kind of relationship. That's not to say that she was trying to hide something from him, but because she didn't know how he would handle the things she had seen and been through in her life. She didn't know how anybody would react to it.

Logan was the second name that came to her mind. She felt like she could tell him anything and everything, as they had built up their friendship over the past few years. It wasn't what their old friendship was; they generally just hung out doing homework or talked and while she was happy to have someone to confide in, she knew she couldn't be truly truthful to him about what she has gone through. It would change everything between them; it would change how he looked at her, and maybe how he felt. She wouldn't be the person he had loved and fallen in love with.

She was protecting herself. That was it. She had let enough people in her life down and she wasn't going to do it to him.

"Well, it looks like we have much to explore in this area, but I'm afraid our time is up today," Dr. Angelo said, glancing at the watch on his arm. "However, I want you to have a good birthday. Have fun, and enjoy your time with your family. I want you to keep writing and we'll pick this up next time. Enjoy the cupcakes, and make sure Patrick doesn't get to them before you or Riley can taste any."

Rhuben laughed. "Will do," she replied as she got to her feet, reaching for the box.

"One more thing," Dr. Angelo replied before handing her the rubik's cube. "I want you to solve this. You can't get any help from anyone; not online and not in real life. When you're at your most frustrated and you want someone or something to know just how messed up, turn to this and only when you're truly ready to allow yourself to let your life run smoothly, do I want you to solve it. Do you understand?"

Rhuben took the cube in her hand, arching an eyebrow as she peered down at it before looking back up at him. "Yeah," she replied with a nod. "I got it."

She was skeptical, as she was with some of the things he had her do since starting her therapy sessions, but she did always give things a chance…unless she really thought it was incredibly stupid. Even at that point, she most likely wouldn't say anything out loud.

"And, again, Happy Birthday," Dr. Angelo said as he got to his feet. He took the notepad and flipped the cover to the front. "I know I don't have a professionally trained voice such as yours, but I could sing if—"

"No," Rhuben quickly said and he started laughing. "Sorry, but Carlos pretty much ruined that song for me with his—annoyingly catchy—off key made up birthday song." She shuddered. "I'll see you next time. Hoo roo."

"Good work today," Dr. Angelo called after her as she made her way out of the room. She took the elevator down to the ground floor, managed a one handed wave to the receptionist in the lobby and made her way out to her car. She was soon on I5 on her way back to Los Angeles.

With the sun shining down on her face, and the music cranked up, she sang along to the music (turning the music up louder when a Big Time Rush song came on), dancing to the beat of the music as she made her way home. She was trying to be happy, it was her 18th birthday after all and she had something to look forward to; an early dinner with her family, and hanging out at The Grove with her girlfriends later on that night. She didn't know how Riley was handling things, but she was going to do her best to stay positive.

At least, that was what she had planned until she turned onto the street her house sat on. She immediately recognized the black Saab that sat at the end of her driveway. She slowly turned into her driveway, parking behind Riley's car, and killed the engine.

Bollocks. Oh God, not now, Rhuben thought draping her arms over the steering wheel, resting her head against it. She shook her head back and forth before sitting back, running her hands over her face. She heard the dull thud of a car door slamming and removed her hands to look into the rearview mirror.

She watched as a blonde haired boy walked around to the front of the car, pulling a cigarette out of his pocket. He moved to sit on the hood and lit the cigarette with a lighter, sucking back a breath of air before puffing it out. He had on a white t-shirt and dark wash jeans.

"Shit," Rhuben whispered as she pulled her car keys out of the ignition. She locked the car doors before slamming the door shut, sliding her keys into her pocket. She then made her way down the driveway. "Heard a rumor you were around."

"Confirming it for ya," the boy replied, blowing a puff of acrid smoke into her face.

Rhuben's upper lip curled slightly before she grasped the cigarette out of his hand, dropping it to the ground, grinding it out with the heel of her shoe. "Why are you here?" she asked quietly, glancing over at the house.

"Haven't been 'round Hollygrove lately," the boy replied with a shrug. "Came to see how y'all were—" Rhuben grasped the front of his shirt, pulling him off of the hood. She dragged him around the side of his car before slamming him into the driver's side door.

"Why are you here, Ace?" Rhuben repeated, as he reached up and grasped her wrist, pulling at her hand. His shirt snapped back into place. "Why?"

"Can't even have a friendly visit with you going aggro, eh, mate?" 'Ace' asked, tilting his head to the side, mocking her accent. "Got some info for ya; something you'd like to know."

Rhuben sucked her lips into her mouth, dropping her gaze to the ground. She shifted her weight from foot to foot before looking up at his face. He raked his fingers through his hair, staring back at her, waiting.

"What?" Rhuben asked, crossing her arms over her chest. A satisfied smile crossed his face, but he didn't start talking. Rhuben rolled her eyes. "Don't come the raw prawn, you muffin. Tell me or get off my property."

She paused for a moment and the feeling of dread washed over her for a moment. "How do you even know where I live?" she asked and Ace's made a noise in the back of his throat.

"You're kidding, right?" he asked, his eyebrows shooting up. "Every photog on this planet tries to snap a pic of you guys to write up an article about how well you're doing with your 'recovery'. Anybody could figure it out after a while." He scratched the side of his neck. "Least you got out. That's good."

"Yeah," Rhuben agreed with a nod, shaking her head.

Hollygrove was a part of the EMQ FamiliesFirst Agency serving abused and neglected children to help them find safe homes, and extended family members, while serving them with an education. They worked with potential foster and adoptive parents to help them learn how to create a welcoming environment and provide behavioral and emotional therapy for the kids.

For a few years now, the Jacksons would go to Hollygrove to spend time with the younger kids to play with them, take them to the beach to run around, just to talk to them about their lives and their worries. However, up until recently, the kids didn't know that the Jacksons had gone through the same thing in their lives. But, with Robert and working on their career, they hadn't had to go through Hollygrove. It just made them that more thankful for Ronan to be so invested in their lives.

Hollygrove was where they had met Ace McFadden. He was one of the older kids at the place, and had been one of the kids who had been one of the few kids who had been there the longest. Much like a lot of kids in the foster care system, he "aged out" before he had an opportunity to be put with a family or even considered to be adopted. It was hard to deal with; essentially knowing that no one wants you, but it was the reality of the system.

"So, what is it that you came here for?" Rhuben asked. "I don't have time for this Ace, seriously."

"I have it on good authority to know that your boy bander buddy, Logan?" Ace replied and Rhuben gave a slight nod, feeling her stomach start to twist into knots. Ace could've said anything to her, but as long as it was Logan or anyone she knew, she would instantly panic internally. "His dad got paroled a few days ago."

Rhuben blinked in surprise, feeling her jaw drop slightly. She open and closed her mouth before clearing her throat and managing to squeak out, "Really?" Ace nodded. "Wow." She then suddenly gave a violent twitch of her head. "How do you know?"

"…How do you think?" Ace asked in a low tone and Rhuben raked her fingers through her hair. "He didn't tell you? Huh. That's interesting. I thought he was your best friend. You sure do brag about him often enough."

"He is my best friend," Rhuben replied and Ace chuckled.

"Really?" he asked, giving an odd smile. "So, tell me. Does he know about you then? And the things you've done?" Rhuben kept her gaze locked onto his amber eyes before briefly shaking her head. "Thought so." He then turned and popped open his car door. "By the way, Happy Birthday. Tell Riles I said 'hi'."

"Yeah, thanks," Rhuben replied with a nod, pushing his door closed after she was sure he was in all the way. She slapped the top of the car twice before stepping back from the car. She watched Ace drive off, disappearing around the corner before letting out a heavy sigh, her shoulders slumping.


Fort Worth, Texas

Charlie whistled to himself as he made his way down the busy streets of his town on his way to the barber shop. He was aware of people doing double takes when they passed it, stopping in the street to make sure they were actually looking at him. He adjusted his shirt collar and continued on. He was aware of the bulletin that had went out about him being back in town. He couldn't blame anyone for warning the town about him. He had messed up, and he had to take responsibility for it.

The bell to the barber shop chimed as soon as he pushed the door open, stepping into the cool building. Everyone's eyes were on him, all the conversations stopped. And then the man closest to him, threw down his towel, giving him a smile, offering his hand.

"Charlie Mitchell, long time no see," he commented, grasping Charlie's hand, shaking it vigorously. "Never thought I'd see your ugly mug again."

"Better be glad you can even recognize me," Charlie replied and the man laughed along with him.

"What with the missing patches of hair you call facial hair, anybody could miss ya," the man chuckled, clapping him on the shoulder.

"Alex Williams, how are ya?" Charlie asked with a grin.

"Good, good," Alex replied, clapping him on the back. "Bet, I don't feel as good as you. It sure is nice to see you back here. Sure is."

"Thank you, kindly, I appreciate it," Charlie replied with a smile. He let out a breath of air. The politeness and warm welcome caught him off guard, but it felt good to know that someone was indeed happy to see him. "How are your kids? Your wife?"

"Good, good, proud of 'em all," Alex replied, motioning for Charlie to follow him to an empty chair. The other patrons watched him before going back to their own business, talking quietly amongst each other, about him no doubt. "Now, what can I do for you today? A nice wash and cut would do you good, my friend. What with your long hair."

"Just looking for a change," Charlie replied, sitting down in the empty chair, allowing Alex to fasten a bib around his neck. "Want to start over with a clean slate. Just cut it shorter."

"So how's life outside those iron bars?" Alex asked.

Snip. Snip.

Charlie heard the sounds of scissors and felt the tickle of his hair falling down his neck. "It feels good," Charlie replied with a nod, "real good. You don't know how amazing life is until you don't have control over it anymore. It was bad there and that makes being out all the more amazing." He bowed his head for a moment. "Staying at my mom's right now. Just looking for a way to get back into the swing of things, you know?"

"That's rough, man, but I know you can bounce back, you're a Mitchell after all," Alex said, pausing in his cutting to clap Charlie on the shoulder. "I'm sorry about your father; he had a beautiful ceremony. Everyone came out to give their respects. He would've been mighty proud to see you get out. But, your mom, she's doing mighty fine, never let a day go by where she didn't smile."

"Thank you," Charlie replied. He knew that that was where he got the "Mitchell Fighting Spirit" from, from his mom. She was always strong despite moments in her life where her world was crashing down around her. His wife and son were gone, but his mom was still around; he was going to make her proud. "Really appreciate it."

"Hey, Charlie, you know this world is a fickle place," Alex said as he grasped Charlie's head, gently turning it to the side. He slid a small comb through Charlie's hair, cutting snippets of hair at the end. "We've all got to look out for each other. It just takes that one person to take a risk and stand behind an old friend, no matter what. And your family's been good business to mine. We've got to help each other out."

"I can't thank you enough, bud," Charlie replied.

"Of course, of course," Alex replied with a nod. "And I can look around for jobs for you. You still looking to get your hands dirty?"

Before being sent off to jail, Charlie was a contractor. While floods, mudslides, or tornados were rare in their area, when it hit it hit hard. If he wasn't rebuilding homes or other buildings, he would be sitting at home, waiting for another job while his wife, who was a real estate agent, would be out bringing home money to provide for the family. That was where the trouble all started.

"Looking to work just about anywhere as long as they'll have me and give me a second chance," Charlie replied. "But, I'm looking, yes. I've got to do what I can to get my family back together."

"Understandable," Alex replied. "Well, I'll keep an eye out for you, man, and keep my ears open. If anyone deserves a second chance, it's you." He tilted Charlie's head forward. "Heard from your wife or your son lately? I expect you're mighty proud of your son and all that he's been up to lately."

"I…don't really know how they're doing," Charlie replied after a moment of silence. "I haven't spoken to them."

"No kidding?" Alex asked, dropping his arms. Charlie tilted his head back and saw a shocked and amused look on his friend's face. "You really don't know what your boy's been up to. Shoot, Charlie, you'll be mighty proud." He then whistled and a man in the corner, reading a magazine looked over at him. "Hey, Leo. What's the name of that band that this man's son is in? Logan Mitchell. It's really big now."

"Oh, uh, Rush…or sumthin," the man replied, his salt and pepper mustache twitching before coughed. "Um…Rush…like Rush Limbaugh or sumthin."

"Yeah, yeah, Rush," Alex said, sliding his scissors and his comb into his pocket. "I've got a magazine or something 'round here somewhere. Sit tight."

Charlie wouldn't even have moved if his son was standing right outside the door. He was in awe. My son is in a band? He thought to himself. He didn't even know Logan even liked to sing. He knew he missed a lot, but he sure did miss a lot. His fingers twitched at his sides as Alex came back over, carrying a stack of newspapers.

"Oh my God," Charlie breathed, a smile coming to his face as he looked at the first scan of a magazine called U! Girl. He didn't recognize the three other boys, but they did make a good group. "Big Time Rush." He flipped to the next scan for Parade Magazine. And on and on he flipped, with older pictures and newer one. His eyes took in every picture, l

"Ay, that's it," Leo replied in a wheezy tone, nodding his head. "Big Time Rush. My daughter's love 'em. Fine, handsome, young men every one of 'em."

"Really know how to sing," Alex agreed, moving to finish cutting Charlie's hair. "Their albums are incredible; two of them doing well in stores." He clapped Charlie on the shoulder. "You should be proud."

"Mighty proud, mighty proud," Charlie replied with a smile. He looked through the pictures a second time, this time focusing only on his son. He's grown up so much.

"Alright, that's it, sir," Alex said as he brushed excess hair from Charlie's shoulders before removing the bib.

"Thank you," Charlie said as he got to his feet. He reached for his wallet, and flipped it open, but Alex grasped his wrist, stopping him.

"It's on me, brother," Alex replied with a shake of his head. "Happy to do you some service today." He then stepped forward to give Charlie a quick hug. "Keep your head high, man. Good things will come, I just know it. You're welcome here at any time, if you need a haircut or if you'd just like to talk."

"Thank you, I appreciate it," Charlie replied. He glanced down at the scans in his hand before looking up at Alex. "Mind if I-?"

"By all means," Alex replied, putting his hands up into the air. "Take 'em. And good luck. I promise to keep an eye out for a job for you."

"I can't thank you enough," Charlie said with a smile as he put his wallet back into his pocket. He rolled up the magazine scans, tucking that into his back pocket as well. "I do appreciate it, from the bottom of my heart." He gripped the magazine scans tightly in his hand as he made his way out of the store.

"Now, that looks lovely," Abigail said with a warm smile, getting up from her seat on the bench outside the store. Charlie instantly moved to grab some of the bags that sat around her. "My handsome son. I can see your eyes again. You look just like your father."

"Thanks, mom," Charlie replied as they started making their way through the town, back to their car.

"It sure is a lovely day out today," Abigail said as she hitched her purse up her shoulder. "The warm sun on your skin. It's great to get out for a little while."

"Yeah, mom, it sure is," Charlie agreed, placing the hand on the small of her back, guiding her through a crowd of people.

"—don't think he should be back here. i mean, isn't he putting the rest of us in danger? His friends…or suppliers are bound to know he's out."

"Keep your voice down, he might hear you."

"Well, that's our town," Abigail said, reaching out to pat Charlie's hand, giving it a firm squeeze. "You remember of course, they gossip and gossip about the new story until something else blows in."

"I know," Charlie replied with a nod. "After all, I used to be just like them. Seems like a lifetime ago." He sucked in a breath of air before letting it out.

The words hurt, but he couldn't help but smile. Someone was actually going to take a chance with him. He wasn't going to let Alex down. He wasn't going to let anyone down. They deserved that much. He was a well respected man before his jail sentence and he could be that way again. He knew it was going to be hard to gain that respect back, but he was going to try hard.


A/N: I went back and forth about whether or not I was going to have this fic all be from Logan's point of view, or have this from both his and Rhuben's. I decided that this will be mainly Logan's point of view, and see things from Rhuben's from time to time. I'm thinking 80/20.

A few answers to questions.

SoccerLaxGod25: Yes, you'll be seeing more of Joanna in this story.

youspineme: Good catch. Evelyn was originally going to be her name than I changed it to Abigail, since Evelyn would've been too much emphasis from Dawson's Creek on this fic.

Hope you guys liked this chapter.

Cheers,

-Rhuben