Jesse re-awoke to something smelling good. Stumbling downstairs, pulling his hat over his hair, he scratched his bare chest. "So. What's for breakfast?" He walked the last few feet into the kitchen and was greeted by Tyler's bent back, head flat on the table. "He dead?"

Mia turned form the stove. "No. He's asleep. Must have come down here last night after the big. I don't know what to call it. But he's down here so you keep your voice low. Dom and Letty already left and Vince should be sleeping for a little bit longer. So if me and you are leaving I want you to help me carry him back up to his room. Until then he can sleep down here. He deserves it."

"My room's closer."

"OK, yeah. Actually, maybe we should move him now. His neck must have a God- awful crick in it." Jesse sighed and nodded. He didn't want to do this right now; he was hungry. Mentally he shook himself. What was wrong with him? Tyler's dad had shown up in the middle of the night and had almost killed him and he was whining how he was hungry. Christ, the kid had slept in the kitchen, probably cause he was scared. Slowly, he pulled the chair out and Mia caught Tyler's head and torso in her long hands. Jesse dragged his eyes from her figure. His chances were gone there. Slowly, he put his arms underneath Tyler and lifted.

"He's kinda light."

"He's been on the streets! Doesn't say much for his great eating possibilities, now does it?"

"Yeah, ok, sorry. Should I get you the Midol?"

"Excuse me?" "Nothing." Jesse started walking up the stairs, careful not to smack Tyler's head into the walls. The boy's eyelashes fluttered.

"Jack?" Jesse stopped, teetering on the edge of a stair.

"No, it's Jesse. Tyler, are you ok?"

Tyler shook his head. "Jesse? What the hell are you doin'? Put me down."

"No way dude. You sound messed up and groggy. I'm just going to throw you in to my bed because Mia says I have to. Do what you want from there."

"Look, Mia can-"

"Don't finish the sentence. She's craving the Midol and chocolate right about now."

"What do you.oh my God. Too much information." Jesse slowly dropped Tyler onto his mussed up sheets.

"There. Act like you're sleeping for 5 minutes before switching beds. K?" Tyler looked around nervously. He started to sit up. "No. No, I can't. I just. I can't. Lemme up." Jesse kept his hand firm on Tyler's chest.

"Look, just stay here for a minute or two and then get up." Tyler continued to struggle to raise his chest and torso up. Jesse kept pushing his hand down; some perverse part of him wanted Tyler to just give in. Tyler lashed out with his leg and Jesse fell back. "What's wrong with you?!" Jesse asked, suddenly feeling guilty about the power trip. Tyler didn't seem to see him, his chest heaving and his eyes closed. "Tyler?" "Don't do that!" Tyler sounded scared and Jesse began to back towards the door. Mia might be in order. "Don't push me when I say to stop!" Tyler gulped, his throat arching up and down.

"I'm sorry. I just, I just, lost it. I dunno what happened."

"Damn right you lost it. I can't, I can't take that."

"Look, I'm sorry. My bad."

"Hell yeah was your bad."

"What do you want me to do?"

"I dunno. Just leave me alone for a bit." Tyler stumbled out and into his room. Jesse rested his head in his hands. His appetite was gone.