Edward, Liz and Sabina were shown into Mike's office. They sat in the comfy chairs as Mike arranged for coffee.

"Well, Alex is running late this morning. He's not had a good week but is finally opening up about the nasty details of what Julius and Razim did to him."

Edward then said grimly, "So he was tortured."

"Emotionally and sexually yes."

"Sexually?" said a shocked Sabina.

"Yes. Funny thing is Alex seemed to think it was quite normal and doesn't understand why that particular event is praying on his mind. Yassen Gregorovich sexually assaulted him in France and Alex just passed it off as something that happens." Mike looked at Sabina "This Yassen did not assault you I take it."

"No, just threatened to cut my fingers off." Sabina blurted out. Sabina had spent six months talking to Ruth about her time with Cray and Gregorovich.

"Well, I am going to suggest specialist counseling for Alex. I'm not sure if he was sexually attracted to his Yassen. There's more going on there than Alex has told me."

Sabina looked a bit unwell before asking "Is Alex queer?"

Liz then exclaimed "Sabina! Does it matter what sexuality Alex is. He was forced. It was assault." Liz then bristled "Most people are bi anyway. Being attracted to someone does not mean you are going to have sex with them."

Sabina looked at her mother in new eyes but stopped herself before she made vocal her denials of anything non heterosexual. Sabina did not want to be put back in therapy.

"Right." said Mike "Sabina you should not take Alex's fluid sexuality as a personal affront. Alex is a fifteen year old male. I would expect anything remotely appealing would be arousing for him."

"Just stop talking about sex." Sabina then pleaded.

"Sabina. Grow up." said a visibly ticked off Liz. "We are here to help Alex with his problems, not to discuss you're insecurities and prejudices. Sorry Doctor, has Alex had any more episodes?"

"No, Alex has been very controlled this week. He has discussed his therapy timetable as well. I hope to see enough of an improvement for Alex to be able to have some family time outside of the clinic. We have a lot of ground to cover, but I hope to gat Alex into a routine of discussing his operations in detail so we can uncover any other problem points."

At this point Alex stumbled in. "Sorry, I'm late. I overslept. Well I went back to sleep after breakfast at 7 anyway."

Liz looked at Alex closely, bags under his eyes, drawn skin, the poor kid was worn out . Liz got up and hugged Alex "Not been sleeping?"

Alex gripped onto Liz's hand briefly before as he went to sit down "Bad nightmares about Cairo. Still hate looking in the mirror. So not much has changed. Sorry, this must be costing a fortune."

Edward then coughed, before saying "We're not paying. This is on Joe Byrne's tab."

"You are fucking joking." Alex started to laugh. Then he could not stop. It was so funny. Opps we water boarded you by mistake so we'll pay for your therapy. Alex wiped the tears from his eyes noticing four pairs of concerned eyes looking at him.

"You OK there, Alex" was all Mike said.

"Spectacular. Best joke I heard all year. Next thing Brooke and Damon in Australia will be sending me a teddy bear. Oh Poor Alex we broke him. There lets kiss the boo boo better, Umm. Steamy piles of crap. You work for the CIA lots then Doc. Clean up their little messes. Or do I start work again as soon as I'm better. Go on Alex save the world again." Alex then slumped back into the chair, pulling on his hair.

"Alex we discussed your goals. You get well, cope. Then home and school. Preferably before Christmas, OK"

"Yeah, whatever" Alex then looked at Sabina. "You OK, Sab?"

"Sorry Alex, I can't discuss me. We're here for you." Sabina said sharply before asking Alex the one thing she was dying to ask "So is it true you're queer?"

"Ahhh, been talking about Julius feeling me up. You know Sab. I did not enjoy it." Alex stressed glaring at Sabina. "I thought everyone was attracted at some level to both sexes. I happen to find both males and females aesthetically pleasing. Anyway, Little Miss Perfect. I have not gone all the way. So its just talk for me, no real experience. Hell, you are the only person I've had a serious relationship and you prefer to date that bloody moron Dray Carson."

"Dray is not a moron." retorted Sabina shrilly.

"Oh yes he is. He's a git of the highest order. In fact he'd fit right in with Blunt and Jones." Alex hated that smarmy git with his perfect life. Nothing remotely unpleasant had ever happened to Dray Carson.

Edward then piped up, "Quiet down you two."

Alex did not want to let it go "So Sabina do you just not like anything remotely homosexual or just the fact I swing a bit that way?"

"Urghh, its disgusting. I think it should not be allowed. Its just wrong. Men and women get married and have children, Anything else is unnatural."

"Luckily I'm not into shagging sheep then. I have been to Brecon, so you never know"

"Brecon?" queried Mike

"Alex was being particularly racist there" Stated Edward trying to keep a straight face.

"I never said anything about the welsh. I was just commenting on the inmates of Nut Job central. Sorry Mike I mean the SAS training base."

Liz then stated. "I think Sabina and I should have a time out. I think I need to discuss where her outmoded and outdated prejudices come from. If it is Dray Carson. I think I'll be having words with his parents."

"Stop having a go at Dray, mum. Alex is the faggot. Have a go at him."

"Out not." Liz glared at Sabina and pointed at the door. "See you later Edward, Tomorrow Alex, Doctor."

Edward sighed and closed his eyes after his wife and daughter had left. "I do not have any idea why Sabina has become so anti alternative lifestyles. We live in San Francisco for crying out loud."

Alex shrugged "Jack taught me love was love. It did not matter with who or what. She was open and had a couple of girlfriends over the years. Not that any of her relationships lasted longer than a couple of weeks at most."

"And your uncle?" pressed Mike.

"I don't think Ian did emotional attachments at all. Not to me. Not to anyone else." Alex was now busy looking at his feet.

Edward then remembered the task he had set himself for the week ahead, "Umm, Alex we were going to get you an iPod and upload all your songs. Do you have any requests?"

"Don't bother. Just Don't." Edward then noticed Alex was crying. "I want no reminders of my life before. This is a new start. I'll make decisions on what I like, but I'll do it. Just stop trying to mend whats broken OK. I broke it all for a reason. It was that or something more permanent OK. So just Leave it Edward. You've done more than enough, already. More than I deserve, anyway." Alex then looked at Edward's watch, Alex was at the door and out before either man could stop him.

Edward then looked at Mike, "Some big hurdles for all of us before Alex comes home."