"Good morning ladies," Helen walked into the Lane household looking around the next morning.

Jane and Daria traded smirks while each taking a sip of the coffee that Trent had made after making a run to the all-night grocery store.

"We were about to have some croissants; would you like one Mrs. Morgendorffer?" Jane asked gesturing towards the kitchen table.

"No, no dear. I was just making sure… about things." Helen looked towards the hallway.

"Well, I think that I will partake," Jane retreated into the kitchen and began to generously butter a croissant.

Helen turned to face her daughter.

"Everything okay?"

"Sure…..and thanks for last night. Trusting me."

"Of course, I trust you sweetie. I also want to make sure that you don't get yourself into a situation that you might not be able to handle."

"I know."

"Part of being an adult is knowing when to seek help."

"I know."

"And part of being a parent is protecting your kids, even when you know that they might get angry with you."

"…yeah, about that… thanks for that too."

Helen studied her daughter's slightly turned face.

Averting the eyes to avoid messy little things like emotions… guess she gets that from me. We'll have to work on that.

"Jane says you're helping her get ready for a math test?"

Daria nodded.

"I'll see you at home for dinner then."

"Okay mom."

She gave a small smile at her daughter and after a cursory nod to Jane she left the Lane residence.

"I'll go tell Trent she's gone." Daria told Jane and headed to Trent's room where he had taken the then, still passed out Tom.

Outside the door she knocked softly. Trent opened the door. She looked up into his dark eyes. The angles of his pale face, his full bottom lip, and the stubble that peppered his jawline made her more than a little aware of his beauty all over again. She lowered her lashes feeling suddenly awkward and shy.

"My mom's gone," she mumbled softly.

"Good morning." His voice was a gravely caress to her ears. "I didn't get to tell you that earlier.

Jane had barged in and got him up to stash Tom away in anticipation of Helen's untimely visit. Jane had put Tom's car in the back yard where it wouldn't be seen without going around back.

"Good morning."

"She give you a hard time?"

"Actually, she was very understanding."

Trent raised a brow.

"I thanked her for trusting me."

You're such a sweet and intelligent young woman. Filled with so many emotions that you hide.

"I'm glad you're in such a good place with your folks."

She nodded.

"How's Tom doing?"

"I'm fine." Tom's voice surprised them both. Trent turned and they both could see that Tom was standing and glaring at them from the middle of Trent's room.

I've got to get the hell out of here. If I see any more of this soap opera crap…well, I'll vomit more than I already have.

"Can we have a few minutes?" she asked Trent.

In my room? With that asshole? Not-

"Please?"

Shit! I'll be in the hall.

Trent gave Tom a warning look before heading out the door.

Daria turned to face Tom. "You shouldn't have gotten drunk."

Really? I'm pretty sure that Trent or any of his 'friends' have gotten more than a little wasted for reasons not nearly as good as mine.

"Didn't mean to crash your- get together with him." Tom sneered and winced from what Daria correctly guessed was a hangover headache. "I didn't tell Jane to bring me here." He stated defensively.

"She wouldn't let you drive in your condition. You could have hurt someone."

Or I could have gotten hurt, thanks for the concern…

"Tom," he looked at her, "I'm sorry."

Yeah, me fuckin' too.

He nodded.

What does she expect me to say here? She's dumping me for that no good-

"What happened to us?" his voice sounded strange even to himself.

I sound like an afterschool special, but I would still like to know.

"Nothing. I don't know. Maybe we ran our course or something."

She keeps looking at me with those eyes. They hold me to her. Despite everything…I don't want to ever see her hurt. Dammit!

"…..Maybe…..." he reached out to touch her, but let his hand drop away at the last moment.

You are not mine to touch anymore…

"I'd better go." He made to leave the room.

"Tom."

He stopped and looked down at her.

"There's croissants and coffee in the kitchen."

Breakfast with you, him, and the one girl that ever really liked me for me that I completely screwed up with- no thanks.

"I'm sure my mom-"

"Actually, Jane got Elise to cover."

Tom raised his eyebrows to that.

Yeah, she would…even when I deserve the worst, she does the right thing- well the best thing for me. She's too good for any of us. Geesh, what a fucking mess!

"If there's anything I can do…"

Come on Daria, even you can't be that naïve!

He looked at her incredulously. She bit her bottom lip.

You are truly spectacularly bad at relationships.

"I only meant, if I could make things better for everyone, I would." She spoke candidly looking to him for understanding.

Tom had turned to leave and only paused slightly at her words but continued out the door.