A/N- THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR REVIEWS, QUESTIONS AND ALERTS. I have been more than just a little busy with RL and I have not been able to write. Finally life is cooperating and things are calmer. I hope that it is not as long before I can update again. I appreciate everyone's patience. Thanks again for your continued support! j.

I had known that it would be a long day. Having seen Lucas when he got home with his father the night before had told me that. However I had hoped that things might go a little smoother. Instead of helping release the built up tension and fury, Lucas' explanation seemed to have him back swimming in a deep pool of guilt and self recrimination. Taking a 'medical' break was as good a reason as any to halt the proceedings.

I had never known a situation where Lucas had deliberately made choices that were deceptive or so blatantly against the rules. Lucas' found trouble , that was a given, but generally it snuck up on him rather than him running full tilt into it.

I didn't need to prompt him much. He was eager to get it all off his chest. Confession is truly good for the soul. I spoke very few words all morning, a glance here or there enough to keep the story flowing. It was a turbulent journey but it still came out.

Seeing Lucas cry broke my heart. He was always the kid that could keep it all together, tough emotionally even though not physically. He seemed genuinely worried that he wasn't going to be forgiven, that he'd gone too far outside the accepted to be allowed back into the fold. I didn't understand that. Not at first. Not until I came to the conclusion that he too realized this was really the first time he'd gone looking for trouble. And as such he must have made the incorrect conclusion that forgiveness was only granted for "mistakes" not "deliberate" occurrences.

I didn't understand that at first. Hadn't Lucas witnessed his younger brother screw up a million and one times almost always of his own making and hadn't Sam always been forgiven. And then I thought back to my own teen years, feelings were always a mess and you barely understood them yourself let alone trying to tell anyone about them.

My original plan when I helped Luc up was to go and fetch a cup of tea or soda or something for the pair of us. But when I saw him wince when I barely moved him I was sure he'd been pretty badly hurt. Lucas wasn't one for complaining. As soon as I saw the nasty bruise across his chest I knew Palmer needed to have a look. I made a mental note to smack McGee a good one for not looking after this already.

We got to the truck and for the first time I notice what time it was. Food became something of the utmost priority as I figured a hungry kid would be a cranky kid and a cranky kid was much harder to deal with. Lucas had always tried to be different than his brother, distancing himself from him in many ways. One of them was his distaste for fast food. The more Sam raved about burgers and fries the more Luc tried to eat healthy. With pitas and juice being consumed I headed to headquarters.

Luc's hesitation to exit the vehicle was understandable but I had no interest in a show down. His jaw was set, his gaze straight ahead. But he his body held signs of trepidation. As I rounded the truck and pulled open the door I made mention of earlier in the day by saying "Let's not have a repeat of this morning". Although I was had not witnessed any altercation that morning I had surmised from Lucas' demeanor as I approached the door and his quick look side to side that he was trying to decide if he should make a stand or not. His indecision was easy to read and I made the leap that it was due to an unsuccessful attempt that morning. His look of surprise and immediate response of getting out of the truck told me I had been right.

Getting into headquarters was easy. Very few people were around on a Saturday morning so we met very few people on our way to autopsy. As the elevator doors opened Lucas ever so slightly leaned back about to retreat further into the car. Taking his elbow none too gently I escorted him through the large sliding doors. Palmer's assistant ran like a rabbit chased by a hawk. Lucas skulked by the edge of the closest table watching as I officially handed over care to the ME.

I stood, my back to the door, giving Luc and Palmer the privacy they needed but still providing cover should the younger of the two decide to make a run for it. I ate my lunch standing, not paying attention to what was going on inside. Palmer would assess the injuries do any care he was capable of and direct us elsewhere if anything different was needed. I had no question in his abilities. Instead I used the time to think through what Lucas had told me, his reactions, Tim's reactions and make a plan for the afternoon's conversations.

My thought process was interrupted by loud shouting and several nasty curse words. I left it a moment to see if Palmer would reign in our charge; however when the verbal onslaught continued I marched into autopsy ready to explain forcefully if necessary that this type of behavior was not going to be accepted. I was taken back when I noticed the calm countenance on Palmer's face as he stood listening to the tirade. And when he held up his hand for me to cease my obviously pending confrontation I smiled. Palmer was a father as well, he had achieved that title before anyone else on the team had, and he had the situation well in hand.

I returned to my post and waited. When the doors slide open I turned to listen to Palmer's assessment. Lucas' injuries were mainly superficial and although he was probably aching pretty severely it was nothing a couple of ibuprofen tablets and some rest couldn't cure. He quickly described how each of the injuries had occurred and then motioned for Luc to join us.

Saying the kid looked dejected wouldn't be accurate enough. He looked mortified as well. The trip back to my place was stone silent. We both entered the house and trekked to the basement resuming this morning's posts with not so much as a whisper.