"Can we please talk" Marcie said.

Michael took a deep breath. "If you feel like heading down to the cafeteria for some stale coffee and an old turkey sandwich." he said. Marcie smiled softly, nodding. They made their way down to the cafeteria.

"Michael..." Marcie said. "I've been thinking. I mean... really thinking. About us."

Michael immediately stopped, taking a seat, "Why do I have this strange feeling that I'm not going to like this?" he said.

"Just listen to what I have to say?" Marcie said softly. "Please?" Michael was silent. "This whole thing going on in my family" she said "With Eric and Ronnie and my Dad... I feel like it's going so... it's so overwhelming, Michael. And every time I think that I'm actually coming up for a breath, somebody keeps pushing my head under water."

Michael didn't speak. He only listened, nodding at what she was saying.

"They are so... My Dad and my brothers are so important to me. I can't even bear the thought of losing any of them. But if I side with Eric... My Dad and Ronnie... will never talk to me again. And if I side with them, not only will I be going against everything I believe in, but I'll be betraying Eric and I couldn't live with that. Either way, I'm gonna lose my family." Marcie tried hard not to cry. "I don't want to lose you too Michael. You're just as much an important part of my life as they are."

"Marcie..." Michael said. ""Sweetie.... I wish you didn't have to choose. This whole thing just stinks. But listen to me OK. Whether you side with Eric or with Ron... no matter what you choose, I'm gonna support your decision. I'm gonna stand behind you and I'm going to be there for you, even if I don't agree with it all. I love you Marcie and I want you to be happy." He got up and circled the table. "Come here," he said pulling her into his lap. "I know that I'm not the spokesman for gay rights. And I don't lie about still being a little uncomfortable around the subject, but I don't ever want to disrespect you and I don't want to disrespect your brother. He's your family. And if standing beside you means that in the long run that it costs me my friendship with Ron, I'm still gonna do it. I'm still gonna have your back, Marcie. Just... don't expect to see me at any of those gay rallies... not any time soon at least."

Marcie sniffled, nodding slowly. She cast her arms around Michael. "I'm so sorry," she said

"You don't have anything to be sorry about baby" Michael said. "OK, you don't. This is a sensitive issue. And it is a big deal. It's just gonna take some time, I'm willing to give it that time."

Marcie nodded. "Me too," she said "Me too, Michael." She hugged him again.

>>>>>>

"I don't know what the hell you're talking about" Nick said. "Is that why you came in here? To accuse me of something."

"I just want to know what you're doing. Because you know what, Nick. I lied for you out there. I looked in Michael's face and I told him that you weren't using. When both you and I know that you are."

"You're out of your mind." Nick said

"No, you're out of your mind!" Mark said. "You're not an idiot, Nick. You've got to know that whatever you're taking almost killed you."

"You don't know... anything about me!" Nick said. "You think I want to be here?! To be stuck here wearing this freakin' hospital gown. You think it was my plan to hit the ground out there when today was my chance... probably my only chance to prove that I could go pro?"

"No" Mark said "But I do think that you wanted to prove it to more than yourself. I think you wanted to prove it to more than the scout. Even you Nick... even you aren't as cruel and condescending as you've been these past few weeks. I just can't believe that you'd go so far as to take something to get an edge. You're smarter than that."

"Jesus, Mark! You're not my father!" Nick said.

"Yeah well I sure care a whole hell of a lot more about you than he does." It was out of his mouth before he even had a moment to think about it.

"Get out," Nick said softly.

"Where is he, Nick?" Mark said. "You're doing this to prove something to him. Where is he? You're here... and he's not."

"I said.... get out!" Nick yelled now. "Get the hell out Mark!"

"I'm gonna figure it out," Mark said. "I'm not going to let you do this to yourself. Not for him. None of us want you to get hurt Nick. Just think about that OK?" Mark sighed turning and stepping out of the room. Nothing could be done now, but he was set on finding out the truth. And he would do whatever it took to get to the bottom of things.