"I'm hungry," Shannon said, walking into the cottage. "Tell me Nick didn't take off again."

"You just missed them." Mark said. "Everyone went out to Rodi's. You might still be able to catch them if you run."

"Gee, thanks" Shannon said, turning to leave the cottage, walking passed Marcie, who was coming in.

"Marcie?" Mark said. "Marcie what is it? What's wrong?"

"Nothing. It's nothing," she turned her back.

"Don't lie" he said. "You've been crying. Marcie..."

"It's Michael, OK? It's Michael." Marcie cried, falling back on the sofa. "I'm sorry..."

Mark sat beside her, looking over at her. "No, it's OK" he said soothingly. "Did you two have a fight?"

"When's the last time we didn't fight?" Marcie sighed again. "Sorry." She sniffled. "It's just that... he knows that Eric and James... he knows that this wedding is important to me. He knows how I feel about this."

"I know that he's not our biggest supporter" Mark said "He's going to fight the wedding?"

"No," Marcie said

"He's OK with it then?"

"No" Marcie said again. Mark looked confused. "Michael says that... he says that he doesn't support gay marriage but... he's not going to stand in Eric's way."

"Then... what's the problem?" Mark asked, tilting his head to the side.

"You don't... This is a huge step for gay rights..."

Mark smiled. "I know that as much as the next guy. And... believe me, I hope that one day if I ever find somebody..."

"You will" Marcie said.

Mark shrugged. "I know how much of a vow and how much of a commitment... it's a testament of love between two people. And... it would really be nice to get married and not have it be a big deal. But... you know what Marcie? I think... it's always going to be a big deal. There are always going to be those people who think that this is wrong, who think that being gay is wrong. But for every person who's against gay rights, there's a person who supports it. And then... there's Michael."

"What are you saying?" Marcie asked.

"Marcie..." he said. "Michael's not standing in your way. He's not asking you to choose between him and Eric and he's not asking you to give up what you believe in. Michael... he just doesn't agree. But even you said he's not standing in the way. He's trying Marcie. He's trying to keep an open mind."

"You think I should forgive him?"

"I can't tell you what to do" Mark said "But he loves you, Marcie. He really loves you. Don't lose that." Marcie sniffled, nodding. "You going to be OK?"

"Yeah," Marcie said. "I think so. Thanks for listening."

"Anytime" Mark smiled. "If you're up to it, we could catch up with the guys at Rodi's..."

"Thanks but... I have to make a call. Rain check?"

"Sure" Mark smiled. He leaned back as Marcie went upstairs. He was just shutting his eyes, drifting to sleep as the door opened and Nick entered. Mark had been exhausted, sleeping right through the entrance.

Nick paused, looking down at him for a moment, transfixed. He immediately shook his head hard, trying to knock every thought out. He took a deep breath to compose himself, heading up to the bathroom.

Some magic bullet, he thought locking the bathroom door and pulling the hypodermic out of his gym bag. He was still tired. He was practically exhausted. Forget partying, he couldn't even stay awake through dinner. He lowered the back of his pants slightly, poking the needle in, expelling the fluid. Nick let out a deep sigh, wrapping the needle. He paused a moment before slipping out of the bathroom, heading to his room. For now, he would sleep.