A/N: I usually update stories in the order that I start them (neurotic I know), but this one was gnawing at me more than It's Raining Again (but I hope to have an update on that one in a day or two). Enjoy!

It was nearly 7 am and Craig still hadn't slept. He wanted more than anything to go back downstairs and watch TV, to take his mind off the nightmares, but he knew he couldn't risk Joey finding him again. Instead, he had been forced to deal with the piercing silence that let his mind wander.

It wasn't long before he heard Joey get up for work. Craig had agreed to help Joey at the car lot this summer. He was hoping that he might be able to get a car by summer's end though Joey had only raised his eyebrows and said "We'll see," when Craig had mentioned the idea.

Slowly, Craig peeled himself out of bed. He didn't understand how he could be so tired yet so incapable of sleeping. He felt terrible. He almost regretted agreeing to work for Joey, but then decided that it was for the best. He could use the distraction.

By the time Craig was showered and dressed, Joey had already dropped Ang off at her grandmother's. Joey had arranged for Angela to spend some time away from home this summer. He told Craig it was because his mom never got to spend enough time with her only granddaughter, but Craig suspected Joey wanted time alone with Craig. Joey hadn't been so accepting of Craig's excuses about his nightmares and Craig feared a summer full of questioning and "serious talks." It was more than he could deal with right now.

Craig grabbed the first clean outfit from his closet that he could find, and joined Joey in the kitchen for breakfast.

"Hey Craiggers, how are you?" Joey was tending to the eggs he was cooking and didn't turn around at the sound of his stepson entering the kitchen.

Craig flinched at the nickname his dad had always used for him. "Don't call me that," his voice was more tense than he had intended.

"Sorry, man," Joey turned around. "Did you sleep at all last night? You look terrible."

Craig knew it was true. The dark circles had been looming under his eyes for weeks. His skin was pale and he knew he showed signs of exhaustion. He wondered how much longer Joey would let this continue before he forced him to see a counselor.

"Craig?"

He had forgotten that Joey asked him a question. "Yah, a bit," he lied.

Joey seemed skeptical. "Maybe you should rest today. You can start at the car lot tomorrow. It's no big deal."

He shook his head. "No, I'm fine, really. I just need some breakfast." He forced a smile at Joey that wasn't returned. "Really, Joey, I'm fine."

Joey just nodded and went back to his eggs. He didn't know what to believe anymore.

Just as Craig had hoped, the car lot turned out to be a good distraction. Joey had Craig washing cars, running errands, and making phone calls. The morning had gone by quickly, and before Craig knew it, Joey was asking him to take a lunch break.

"Come on Craig. Let's go grab a bite. I know a great little place just down the street."

Craig wasn't exactly thrilled at the idea of alone time with Joey, but what could he say? He nodded, and reluctantly followed Joey to the restaurant.

Joey picked out a booth near the back and, by the time the burgers arrived, had already launched into the first, of what Craig feared were to be many, heartfelt discussions.

"I'm just worried about you Craig. You haven't been sleeping well at all."

"Joey I'm fine. It's just some nightmares." He laughed nervously. "Guess maybe I shouldn't watch all those horror movies."

"Is that what they're about?" He asked skeptically, "horror movies?"

Until that moment, Joey hadn't ever asked what Craig's nightmares were about. Though Craig knew the question had to be asked eventually, he wasn't anymore prepared for it.

Craig clamped his free hand on the edge of his seat. The cut from the night before throbbed from the pressure he was applying. He closed his eyes and focused on the pain for a moment. It surprised him how much it relaxed him. He eased his grip and opened his eyes. Joey was staring at him, waiting for an answer.

"Yah. Sometimes. It's different things." He squeezed his hand again until he felt the familiar throbbing. "Can't we talk about something else?"

Joey nodded, but was reluctant to change the subject. "Sure Craig." He smiled, and the two ate in awkward silence for the rest of the lunch hour.

That night, after Craig had managed to make it through his first day at the car lot, he couldn't stop thinking about how the pain of his little cut had helped him make it through the day. All afternoon, whenever he felt pressured, he just gave it a squeeze and his body relaxed. Craig had never known that pain could be relaxing. It seemed unnatural, but in a way, Craig felt he had found a secret. Something that only he knew about. He wasn't sure what he was going to do with his secret. Nothing yet. But it was nice to know it was there if he needed it.