~*~ Chapter 13 ~*~

Mac was standing a watchful vigilance outside the interrogation room, when Scott arrived. "The boys' lawyer has arrived; they're inside waiting for you."

Scott pushed open the door. The expression drained from his face turning to an expression of disgust, as he saw who the boys had hired for their council. "Ah. Hell. I should have known it would be you. What are you doing here, Alexis. Let me guess, their OTHER personalities bought the drugs, or even better, the butler did it."

Alexis just stood there, with her normal 'I'm not amused' expression. "My clients are prepared to fully admit their guilt." Scott dramatically turned, "Oh, now there's a novel idea, someone was arrested around here and they're actually guilty for a change."

Alexis ignored Scott's dramatics, and continued, "They are prepared to plead guilty, in exchange for a lighter sentence."

Scott turned back around and glared directly at Alexis, "Not a chance. Frick and Frack there are going to do some serious time in Sing Sing for what they put my family through."

Alexis turned slightly, and picked up a folder. "Wouldn't you rather prosecute the dealers rather then the teenage boys who made a bad choice? In this folder is information regarding the dealers, locations of the places that the boys have bought drugs, and the boys will co-operate with police by willingly volunteering to give any other information that is needed, as well as ID-ing, and testifying against the real criminals here."

Scott looked over Alexis's shoulder at the two boys who are sitting quietly, and very politely, allowing Alexis to do her job. He snatched the folder from Alexis's hand, "We'll think about it, but if these leads don't pan out, I guarantee you that these two will have a long, educational stay at the state pen."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Karen and Rhonda were discussing the details of the baby and the long path to recovery to which she is about to embark. Karen looked up to see Serena standing in the doorway staring at the busy nurse's station. "What's going on?" Karen asked Rhonda as she nodded in Serena's direction. Rhonda just shrugged and shook her head in response to the question. "Can you give me a minute with her, please, mom?"

"Sure, honey?" Rhonda answered and left.

"Hey sis, is there a cute guy standing at the nurse's station with his shirt off or something?" Karen jokingly asked.

Serena quickly turned around "Huh?"

"What's going on, Serena? You've been standing there in a spaced daze for 20 minutes. Is something bothering you?"

"Why don't you leave the psychoanalysis to Grandma?" Serena retorted trying to give Karen the hint that she didn't want to talk about it.

"Psychoanalysis …wow that's a big word for you? Grandma's the shrink, not me. I just thought you might like someone to talk to."

"I'm sorry, Kar." Serena finally said and sat down next to the bed. "I was just replaying a fight that I had with Jessie in my head."

"How is Jessie?" Karen asked remembering that she was the one driving the car.

"She's okay. You got the worst of the accident. Your side of the car hit the tree." Serena explained.

"So what did you two fight about? Or do I even have to ask?" Karen said.

A panicked look crossed Serena's face. Finally she answered, "I blamed her for the accident. It basically came down to that fact that we are no longer friends."

"That's a little harsh, don't you think? It was just an accident."

"NO, Karen, I don't!" Serena said with a raised voice as she got up and stomped out of the room.

Moments later, Lee and Gail showed up at Karen's room. "Hey, up for some visitors?" Lee asked.

"Your mom called us to let us know that you had wakened," Gail explained. "How are you feeling?"

"As well as can be expected, I guess."

"Was that Serena that we just saw storming out of here?" Lee asked.

"Yeah." Karen said putting her head down.

"Is something wrong, sweetheart?" Gail asked.

Karen looked into Gail's eyes, "I'm worried about her. We just had an argument. It's seems that she is blaming Jessie for the accident and everything that has happened."

"Well, Karen, it is only natural to want to blame someone for an accident such as this. Jessie was driving the car, so Serena naturally thinks that it is her fault."

Karen looked at her grandmother with skepticism, "I understand what you're saying, but I can't help to think that there is more to the accident that Serena isn't telling us. Unfortunately, I don't remember too much about that night."

"Do you think that maybe she has told you're father anything?" Lee asked.

"No, she's letting it bother her. If she won't tell me, then she wouldn't have told Dad."

"Well, if there is one person who can pull a secret out of someone, it's your father. Talk to him. Tell him how you feel. I think he'll get through to her." Lee comforted.

"So, tell us about this new great-granddaughter we have?" Gail smiled changing the subject.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Serena was standing at the nurse's station with the phone receiver to her ear. She had been trying to call Todd; but not being able to get Todd, she finally decided to call their mutual friend, Becky.

"Becky? Hey it's Serena," she said when the phone was answered.

"Hey, Serena, how's your sister doing?"

"She's better, thanks. Hey, have seen or talked to Todd? I've been trying to get him all day."

"Oh my God, Serena, you haven't heard?"

"No, heard what?"

"Serena…Todd and Seth were arrested this morning for possession of marijuana …They're probably at the police station talking to your dad right now."

All expression drained from Serena's face, "Oh shit…" she exclaimed as the phone receiver fell from her hand.