Later, if anyone had asked him how he'd spent that first day, Shawn wouldn't have been able to answer. In a grief-induced haze, he went home with Jack and Sam, his eyes closed most of the way and his arms wrapped around Jaffer, who was sitting in the back of the extended cab of the truck with him, and his face buried in the lab's silky black fur.

First they put him on the couch, bundled up in blankets because he was cold and given a hot cup of tea that he didn't drink. Sam sat with him, close enough that if he needed a shoulder to cry on – and he did twice – that she was there to give it to him.

While Sam stayed with Shawn, Jack made several phone calls. First to Hammond, telling him that he and Sam weren't going to be in that day – and probably for a couple more at least. Hammond, of course, told them to take as long as they needed and told Jack that if there was anything that he could do to let him know.

The next call went to James' folks, who didn't live in Colorado. The airliner had only recently contacted them with the news, and they were still in numbed shock themselves. Jack told them that he had Shawn, and made sure that they had his address and phone number. They would be in town as soon as they could catch a flight – but it'd probably be the next day. Which was fine, because that would give Shawn a little more time to get over his own shock. They said they'd also call the Adams' lawyer, to find out what – if anything – Dotty and James had done to prepare for such an event, and would give the lawyer Jack's number, if that was all right. Which it was.

Then Jack went and set up the spare room – which was still a lab for Sam but could easily be converted into a guest room – as they'd done for Ian for Thanksgiving. He pulled the folding bed out and made it up and put Shawn's things in the dresser that was acting as a stand for one of Sam's computer monitors. Then he went back out into the living room, where Sam was holding Shawn, although he was simply staring at a wall, and not actually looking at anything.

They both looked at him when he came over and sat down on the other side of Sam, and Jaffer hopped up beside him, burying his nose in Jack's side, silently asking for a little attention of his own. Cuddling the black lab, Jack looked over at Shawn, his brown eyes concerned and sad.

"I talked to Randy…" That was Shawn's grandfather.

Shawn nodded, but didn't say anything.

"He and Mae will be down tomorrow sometime."

Another nod.

"They'd be here today but they probably won't be able to get a flight – although he said they'd try."

"Okay."

"Is there anything I can get you, Shawn?" He asked, wishing there was more he could do. "Anyone you'd rather see otherthan me and Sam?"

Shawn shook his head, his hold on Sam tightening almost imperceptibly – although she noticed, of course.

"I just want to stay here…"

Sam tightened her own hold on him, and his head went back to her shoulder and his eyes closed, effectively blocking out the whole world, although not the huge empty spot in his heart. Jack reached over and put his hand on the top of his head for just a moment, as comforting an embrace as he could give with Sam between the two of them, and then simply sat there with him, holding Jaffer and being close by in case he was needed.

OOOOOOOOO

"It's not your fault."

Ian didn't even bother to turn over. He'd been sprawled on his bed most of the day, looking up at the ceiling of the room and ignoring everything that was going on around him. Including his roommate, who every now and then would try to strike up the same conversation with him.

"Go away, Hayden."

"Ian…"

"Seriously, Hayden, I don't want to talk about it. Just leave me alone. Please."

This was one of the things that had River the most concerned. Not only had Ian been unfailingly polite in his efforts to ignore him, he'd also kept his temper the entire day – even though at one point River had lost his and called him every name under the sun. And Ian had ignored it. Hadn't even flipped him off.

"We should talk about this…"

"I don't want to talk about it."

"I could call-"

"Don't call anyone. Just go away."

"Maybe-"

"River, go find something to do."

That had been the kicker. River. Ian so rarely called River by his first name that half the time the Californian wasn't even sure Ian even knew his first name. Even with that perfect memory of his. And when he did, it was only for special reasons. Like when he was sorry – or depressed.

Giving vent to a loud, frustrated sigh, River did as he was told, leaving Ian alone again and heading off for dinner. He'd bring back a tray for his roommate – like he had for lunch as well – and maybe this time he'd even be able to convince Ian to eat. Maybe he'd threaten to call his mom and dad or something.

Ian heard the door close, and with a sigh of his own, closed his eyes, trying to fall asleep once more and block out the world for a little while. And, surprisingly, he did.

He felt him almost immediately, as if he was waiting for him to fall asleep. Ian opened his eyes and looked around, but didn't see anyone, even though he knew he was there.

"I'm sorry about what happened, Alexander…"

"It's not your fault."

The voice was filled with sorrow, and Ian could easily picture Alexander's face with an equally sorrowful expression.

"Did she ascend?"

He didn't know exactly what was involved with ascending, but thanks to the learning device, he at least knew it had been an option for Dotty. Although he hadn't thought about it until just then.

"No."

"She could have, though, right?"

"She could have, but James couldn't. There wasn't time to show him, and she wouldn't leave him."

"What?"

The sorrow in Alexander's voice was even more pronounced, then, and Ian felt bad for pressing the question, but the Ancient answered it anyways.

"James Adams is the only man my daughter ever loved. She didn't want to remain without him."

"That's nut… she sacrificed so much for love?"

"You're sacrificing your own happiness for the happiness of someone you love. Isn't it the same thing?"

Ian scowled, despite his guilt.

"That's different. It's nowhere near the same scale."

"Probably not," Alexander agreed. "But it is the same thing."

Ian shrugged. He wasn't going to argue.

"What happened was an accident."

"I gave them the-"

"It doesn't matter, Ian," Alexander said, interrupting. "There's something I need you to do. And I need it done as soon as possible."

"Whatever you need," Ian said, immediately. He owed him that much, after all.

Alexander started talking fast, knowing there wasn't a lot of time, and knowing that he'd never need to repeat himself. Then he was gone.

An hour after he left the room, River returned, carrying a tray. He looked over at the bunk above his own, and to his surprise, found it empty.