Dealing

Summary: Josslyn and Dev deal with being on lockdown, Trina overhears something devastating, Cameron talks to his mom about how he's feeling.

A/N: figured I'd answer a question by an anon who doesn't watch the show regularly. Liz, Franco, and the boys are going through financial struggles which were brought up specifically when Franco went to Scotty for some help because their basement keeps flooding. That on top of taking care of three boys and Cam going to college in a little over a year brings about a financial strain for them, apparently. Liz even goes to Neil to discuss therapy for Cam and asks if he takes insurance.

Josslyn sighed in annoyance as she walked into the kitchen of the Corinthos family home and dropped her backpack near a chair. Although it had been going on for over a week, the blonde still wasn't used to this lockdown. Of course, she knew she should probably be grateful that she was at least allowed to go to volleyball, but it wasn't the same. She couldn't hang out with her teammates alone or celebrate a win with them. She had to leave with her bodyguards back home. And the looks the other girls through her were devatating. It was clear they knew why the guards were there and it scared them, understandably so. Honestly, she was ready for this to all be over.

"How was volleyball?" Dev asked, looking up from where he currently stood. He set down his slice of pizza and turned his full attention on her.

Her eyes rolled and she pulled her hair out of it's ponytail, shaking it out. "Annoying." She stated bitterly, falling into a chair. "It sucks not to be able to celebrate with my teammates. And the way they look at me. They know why the guards are there, there's no hiding it." She shook her head, lifting her gaze from her hands. "The girls act differently around me. They feel pity."

Her companion gave her hand a sympathetic squeeze. "I know what you mean." He told her. "I feel more awkward than I did when I started school here."

There was a hushed breath and then, "Can I tell you something?"

Dev nodded. "Of course you can, Joss."

Josslyn threw him a grateful smile and then steeled herself. "When I can, I'm getting out of Port Charles. I love my family and my friends, but...I want to be safe. I want to live a normal life." She glanced up to see Dev staring at her with wide, understanding eyes. "I want to be able to walk around and not see pity in people's eyes. I don't want to be worried about being shot at or being on lockdown." Then, she leaned in closer, close enough that she could see all the small details of Dev's face. "And I was thinking that Florida would be a great shot for you, too."

He looked at her in shock, not knowing what to say. He knew what he wanted to do. He wanted to agree. Wanted nothing more than to be able to be free with her somewhere safe. Maybe then at least, he could be honest about his feelings for her. Another part of him worried that saying yes would put him in danger with Raj's men still after him. He'd kill himself if she got hurt because of him.

She must've noticed the struggle on his face because she shook her head. "You don't have to answer yet. I just..." She sighed. "I want you to think about it, okay? You just deserve a normal life, too."

Trina groaned as she walked into the hospital where she'd agreed to meet her mother, heading towards the woman in question's office. Today had been a long day at school between avoiding Cam and dealing with the looks of pity from the teachers and students who knew what had happened to her father. She just wanted to get home and collapse on her bed.

She was about ready to open the door, ready to fall onto the sofa that was in there and take a nap when she heard voices. Her hand hesitated on the door knob as she leaned in close.

"You and Curtis seem to know each other." The familiar voice of Liz said, sounding curious.

It was silent for a moment before Portia Robinson finally spoke, "We did, seventeen years ago." She answered. "Things were messy between us. I was unhappy in my relationship with Taggert and I made some mistakes."

Trina froze at those words and pulled her hand away from the doorknob as if she'd been burned. She felt as if her entire world had fell out from under her, as if she were spinning on an axis with no chance of stopping. Rage filled her as she thought of the looks she'd between her mother and Curtis, how her mom had admitted knowing the man once. How she demanded Trina be kind to him. She wanted to throw the door open and scream at her mother, yell how much she hated her. How her words of loving her father had all been bullshit. Instead, she took a deep breath and pulled away from the door, stalking off quickly.

Her hand reached into her pocket to pull out her phone and texted a message before leaving the hospital to await an uber.

"Cam, honey?" Liz said when she entered the house to see her oldest child staring blankly at a wall. Her breath caught in her throat when he didn't respond for a moment. Trying not to panic, she walked to the couch and rested a hand on his shoulder, saying his name again, gently.

He jumped slightly and turned his head to look at her. "Mom." He tried to smile. "I didn't hear you come in."

"I just got home a couple of minutes ago." She answered, sitting on the couch. "Are you okay?"

Cam knew that he could tell his mother the truth. She'd be there for him if he did. But another part didn't want to worry her. "I'm fine." He lied, voice strained. "I just..feel a bit tired."

Liz reached out to touch his cheek. "You don't have to lie to me, you know. Your obviously not fine. You haven't been sleeping and when you have, you've been having nightmares. Your coach called and told me you haven't been making it to soccer practice. Your teachers are worried because you can't seem to pay attention in class. I just want you to be honest with me, honey." She pleaded.

A shaky breath escaped the boys lips and he let out a sob. He looked at her with teary eyes and confessed, "I just didn't want you to worry. You and Franco have enough on your plate as it is."

His mother's heart felt as if it were about to break in a million pieces. "Oh honey, it's my job to worry. You're my son." She pressed a kiss to the top of his head and pulled him into her arms. "You've been through so much these past few months and I just want you to be okay."

Cam sniffled at that. "I just feel so guilty. I feel like a bad brother and a bad son.

Arms wrapped around him tighter. "You're not a bad brother or friend for struggling. You're a human being and we all make mistakes. Your brothers know that you're dealing with something and they still think you're the best big brother in the world. And you've always been an amazing son. Maybe I don't tell you that enough, but it's true. And what we need-me, your brothers, and Franco is for you to heal."

"What if I don't know how to do that on my own?" He asked, hugging his mother back.

"Then we'll get you help. I've already talked to Neil and he takes insurance. If you're willing to give therapy a try, he'll help you."

Cam hugged his mother tighter and thought of his brothers, his mother, Franco, and his friends. He wanted to get better for all of them. "I'll go." He whispered softly into her ear.