It seemed to Brian that the tide had shifted as the sea of mourners migrated to the Novotny house. He tried to keep an eye on Michael in attempt to keep him from being swallowed up by the current in his fragile and seemingly broken state. Brian kept his distance however, knowing that being even more overwhelmed might send Michael over the edge.

Brian observed the crowd, all standing around, eating their little tea sandwiches, sipping their coffee, going on and on about what a wonderful man Ben had been. Debbie was keeping Hunter close to her, allowing the boy to grieve, knowing he was afraid to do so, to show his vulnerability.

Michael blankly stared around the room, before abruptly turning and walking into the kitchen. He made his way to the coffee pot, pulling down two cups and beginning to pour.

"Don't you have time for at least one cup?" Michael pouted playfully.

"That's what happens when we rely on the alarm clock in the morning." Ben said, tucking his shirt in. "It doesn't go off and then we all end up late for work."

"It would have gone off this morning of we hadn't knocked it off the dresser last night when we were..."

Ben pulled Michael closer, pressing their lips together. "We can continue this discussion later." Ben whispered against his lips.

"I might have to refresh your memory," Michael smiled.

"As if I'd forget how wonderful you are Michael......."

".... Michael," Brian's voice was now the one that echoed in his mind. "Christ, Mikey," Brian grabbed the coffee pot. "You're gonna burn your fucking hand." The cup was practically overflowing. "We have coffee out there... everyone's serving themselves... the food whores that they are."

"Right...I don't know why I..." Michael put the second cup away. He knew exactly why he had taken it out, sighing, refusing to believe that there would no longer be any need for it.

"Maybe we should get out of here for a while." Brian said. "There are too many people out there anyway and..."

"You don't have to stay," Michael responded very monotone. "You have other places to be... Don't let me stop you."

"That's not what I meant, Mikey." Brian said.

"I need to get back out there," he said softly starting back out of the kitchen.

"Mikey!" Brian called.

Michael went out and gathered his coat and umbrella. "I need to go home," he said to Debbie.

"Honey..." she said. "You and Hunter can stay here tonight. You can stay in your old room..."

"No I... I need to go home," he said. "Hunter..."

The boy looked at Debbie. She pulled him close against her, squeezing tightly before he pulled away. She cupped his cheek. "You need to call me... you call." Debbie said. "I don't give a fuck what time it is, OK?" Hunter nodded. "OK, honey."

Brian was just walking out of the kitchen when he saw Michael and Hunter leaving the house. "He's leaving?" Brian said, standing behind Debbie.

"Leave him alone, Brian." Debbie said. "Just leave him alone, let him grieve."

"Yeah, right" Brian said. "I'm just gonna sit back and watch as Mikey self destructs."

"You're just going to make it worse for him" Debbie turned to face him. Brian was already putting on his jacket. "Brian." Brian ignored her, heading towards the door. "Brian Kinney!"

"You're not my fucking mother, Deb!" Brian spit.

"No, you're right," Debbie said. "I'm his fucking mother and I don't want you getting on his ass."

Brian laughed. "And all this time I thought that's what he wanted." Brian smirked, shaking his head. "Don't worry, I'm not going to bother your son. I've got places to go."

"To get your dick sucked." Debbie said.

"My own very special way of grieving" Brian said sarcastically, not noticing Michael stepping back into the house. "We're all sitting around here weeping... He's dead for Christ's sake. It's not like Ben's gonna come back to life if you cry long enough." Brian noticed Deb's gaze shoot behind him. He turned, coming face to face with Michael. Suddenly, Brian Kinney was speechless. "Mikey..." Michael shook his head, backing towards the door. "Michael..." Michael left the house as silently as he had reentered, a hurt look on his face. Brian went unmoved.

"You're a real asshole, Brian, you know that?" Debbie said turning away, leaving him standing there, consumed by the sea of darkness and despair... alone.