Doctor Perry seemed to have about a million things to discuss with the three of them before they left. For Tony and Lucas, she seemed to have a list of do's and don't as long as their arms. She gave Tony a bag of medications with strict instructions as to their usage. Lucas knew well enough why she didn't give them to him.

Dagwood was told about things he may need to watch out for, so he could help Lucas if he needed it. He took his responsibilities very seriously, and in turn seemed to have a million questions for Perry, which she was very happy to answer.

After the last talk she had with them, she asked Lucas to stay back for a moment.

'Lucas, I heard some news about a new drug that been developed that could really help you. It sounds like it would be significantly better for the pain relief, with fewer side effects. It seems to leave the patient with little to no nausea, and I know you'd appreciate that.'

'I would.' He pulled a face. Everyone kept telling him that he needed to put on weight, but it was hard to do when he constantly felt sick to his stomach.

'So, why are you asking me? What's the catch?'

'The catch is that they're not in this for their love of mankind, and it's not a cheap drug. But that's not a problem, is it?'

Lucas paused. There were things about his life that he had never shared with anyone, and his financial situation was one of them.

'How much is it?'

'It would be $30,000 for a years supply, which would probably be what you would need. That's $2500 a month.'

He looked startled. 'That much?'

'As I said, they're not in it to help humanity. They know they've got a good drug, and they feel they can charge accordingly. I don't have to tell you that people in pain will pay anything to feel better.'

He thought about it for a minute. If it did everything they said it would...she was right, he would gladly give that amount to feel normal for a few hours each day.

'Do you really think it would be worth it? Does it really work?'

'It seems to. They've done a few trials, and everyone so far has been very impressed with the results.'

'I'd be happy just to get rid of the nausea! Do I have to give you the money now?'

'No, we can sort out all the details after the shore leave. I've printed out some information, and you can research it yourself over the break. It's a lot of money, you need to be sure.'

'Okay, thanks.' He took the sheets from her and quickly looked them over. 'It sounds too good to be true.'

'That's probably why they feel they can charge so much!'

He smiled. 'If it's as good as it sounds, then it's worth it. I'll look it up over the break, but right now I'd give every penny I had for it.'

'Just let me know when you get back. And Lucas?'

'Yeah?'

'Take care of yourself, okay? We've worked really hard to help you, but you've got to help yourself. Don't be too hard on yourself, it's still only been two months. You're going to get better, but it's going to take awhile. Take it easy, and give yourself some time. It's a break! Relax and enjoy it.'

He bit his lip.

He didn't tell her how frustrated he constantly felt, or how humiliating he found it to ask for help from everybody for every little thing. He didn't tell her how bad the nausea really was, or how much pain he was still in every day. Because she knew, that was why she was having this conversation with him. She was telling him, in her very tactful way, that she knew how bad things still were for him. It was why she gave the pills to Tony, and not to him.

He decided to be honest with her.

'It's better now. I get to stay on SeaQuest, I know how much everyone is trying to help me, I wouldn't throw that back in their faces. And I would never do anything while I was with Tony and Dagwood, I wouldn't do that to them.' He gave a sudden smile. 'Besides, you'd probably kill them if anything happened to me!'

She smiled back. 'I would, trust me!'

A few days later their taxicab pulled up outside a large house in one of the less salubrious areas in New Cape Quest.

Tony's aunt rushed outside to greet them as they pulled up outside.

'Tony!' She kissed him effusively on both cheeks and then turned to meet his friends.

Dagwood pulled out Lucas' chair and positioned it ready for him.

'You must be Dagwood!' She leaned forward and kissed him too, and he beamed. Then she turned to look at Lucas.

He was leaning out and positioning himself to get into his chair. Tony had prepared her for the fact that he had been seriously ill, but she didn't think she'd ever seen someone look so thin and pale.

She looked at Tony, wondering why he and Dagwood weren't helping. Tony gave a minute shake of his head. She understood, and turned her attention back to the others.

'Well, if you'd like to take your bags inside! Tony, you're upstairs with your cousins. Dagwood, you and Lucas will be sharing Irene's old room. Tony will show you the way.'

As Dagwood got the bags from the back of the taxi, Lucas wheeled himself over to greet her.

'Hello, I'm Lucas. Thank you for inviting us.'

'We're glad you could come! Come on, let's get in out of the cold.'

He smiled, and she realized that her daughter was going to fall completely in love with her cousin's friend the minute she saw that smile.

Tony led the way in, and the rest of them followed.

'Luke, Dagwood, this is your room.'

'Don't call me Luke,' he said, automatically.

He looked around. The front door led in to a large, comfortable family room with lots of chairs and a big sofa. That room led on to a dining room with a large table, and he presumed the kitchen was next to that.

His room must once have been part of the family room, sectioned off years ago, probably, he thought, to serve this very purpose. To have suitable accommodation for someone who was in a wheelchair. The thought depressed him a little. He suddenly realized that everywhere he went from now on would have to have special facilities for him. He saw a small bathroom attached to the room that was also wheelchair accessible.

He had a sudden moment of panic, of intense claustrophobia. He wanted to jump up and run out, far, far away from this scary room, with it's handles and rails and low, convenient fixtures.

But of course, he couldn't. He would probably never be able to do that again.

He realized that he was breathing too loud, and he was shaking. He saw that he and Tony were suddenly alone in the room. Tony knelt down beside him, and held his face so he was looking into his eyes.

'Lucas? Lucas, look at me. Good, that's better. What's up? What's wrong? Are you sick?'

Lucas tried to calm himself. His breath hitched in his chest, and he made a small, involuntary sound. He hoped it didn't sound too much like a sob.

He tried again, and worked on controlling his breathing.

'I'm sorry, sorry, I didn't mean to, that was rude, your aunt...'

'Never mind Aunt Angie, she's fine. What happened?'

'Just...all this...it suddenly hit me. It's real, it's all real, this is it from now on, whenever I want to go somewhere they'll have to have all of this, it just hit me. It all started closing in on me, I can't just run away from it...I can't run anywhere...'

It was starting again, he was talking too fast and couldn't stop.

Tony left his side and got him a glass of water.

'Here, drink this. Slowly.'

Lucas held the glass with shaking hands and started to drink. The mundanity of the action made him feel better, and he felt his breath calming. His hands felt steadier.

'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...'

'Stop talking, alright? I think you had a panic attack, it's not surprising.'

'It isn't?'

'No, Doctor Perry lent me this book and it's all about this stuff.'

'You're reading a book Doctor Perry lent you? What's it called?'

'The Psychological Effects of Trauma. It's not that bad, some bits are pretty interesting.'

'Why are you reading it?'

Tony sat down on the bed and looked at his friend.

'Perry's worried that you haven't really reacted to all of this yet. She was concerned that it hasn't hit you yet. I asked her what might happen when it does, and she lent me the book.'

'You're reading it for me?'

'Well, I sure as hell ain't reading it for fun!'

Despite everything, Lucas laughed.

'So was that it then? I'm going to be okay now?'

'No, sorry chum, I think that was just a pre...pre...c'mon, what's that word? Means something before, I looked it up...'

'Precursor?'

'Yeah, that's it! I think you just had a small panic attack. According to the book, it'll be pretty huge when it finally hits you properly.'

'So I still have that to look forward to?'

'Yeah. 'Fraid so.'

'Great.' Lucas rolled his eyes.

'So what do I do now? Your aunt probably think I'm nuts and is calling a cab as we speak.'

'You don't know Aunt Angie. With the crazy she's seen in this family, I doubt this will even register.'

'I don't want her to think I'm ungrateful, that was really rude.'

'She didn't think you were ungrateful, and she won't think you're rude. She WILL think you're a pain in the ass if you go around trying to be grateful and apologizing every two minutes. And she might think it strange if we don't come out of this room again today.'

'Sure. Okay,' he took one more calming breath, 'let's go.'

Tony went out first and Lucas followed. Angie was talking to Dagwood as they came out. Despite Tony's advice, Lucas started to speak.

'I'm sorry, I didn't mean...'

Tony spoke over him.

'Hey, where is everybody?'

She smiled at Lucas but answered Tony.

'The boys are at a friends house - I don't imagine we'll see them before dinner - and Gina should be home from school any minute. It was just a half day today, because of the holiday. And your parents went to visit George and Martha in the nursing home. It was the only day they could do it, but they were really looking forward to seeing you, so they should be back soon. So I was just about to make lunch, who's hungry?'

Dagwood answered seriously. 'Me. I am very hungry.'

'Well, good, I have plenty of food, let's go and make some lunch for everybody. Lucas, you're vegetarian, is that right?'

'Yes ma'am. But don't worry if...'

She cut him off. 'It's no bother at all. Just so long as you don't mind seeing the rest of them obliterate a roast now and again!'

He smiled, 'No, ma'am.'

'Angie, dear, call me Angie.'

At that moment, the door crashed open and a teenage girl flew in.

'Are they here yet?'

'Gina!'

Tony picked her up and whirled her around. She looked embarrassed, and straightened her hair and clothes.

'Tony, I'm fifteen, stop it.'

'Ooooh, sorry!' He teased. 'These are my friends, Dagwood,' Dagwood solemnly shook hands with her, 'and Lucas. He likes to be called Luke,' he teased.

Lucas smiled at her. 'You can call me Luke if you want to,' he said, grinning at Tony.

Happy to be included in the joke, she smiled back at Lucas.

'I think I prefer Lucas.'

They grinned at each other, instantly friends.