Nick went right over to the frat house after his run and shower. He wasn't much in the mood for a party, but there'd be a keg and at least he could get drunk, Forget about that whole day.

"Nice of you to show up, Messina," Sean said, approaching him with a cup. "We tapped it without you."

Nick took the cup. "I told you I'd be here and I'm here. So what did I miss?"

"Nothing yet," Sean smiled. "The SDD is throwing a party of their own and we're just going to... wander over there, try to scare up some ass."

"Scare up... some ass." Nick said, downing the brew. "Right, like any of those girls are even gonna take a second look at your sorry ass."

"Well excuse us if we all can't be as lucky with the ladies as you are, Messina," Ethan said, coming into the conversation. "Word's going around that you bagged the McBain chick, Shannon."

"That's the word," Nick said, grabbing another cup. "She wanted it, she begged me for it."

"So you gave it to her." Ethan laughed, sheering him on. Way to go, Nick. Chisel another on into the bedpost."

"Dude gets more action than both of us," Sean said.

"Hey, speak for yourself," Ethan spit. "You're the only one who isn't getting any."

"Yeah, well... at least I don't have to go around boasting about what a tough stud I am, just because you kicked the nuts out of that queer."

"What?" Nick said.

"I know, unbelievable, right?" Sean said. "He thinks just because he crippled the fgt."

"You're the one who kicked his head in?" Nick said. "You almost killed him."

"Chill out, Messina," Ethan said. "People are gonna start to think that you cared about what happened to the queer."

Nick grabbed Ethan by the neck. "You son of a pregnant dog," he said "You almost killed him!" Nick tightened his grip. "Tell me Ethan, did he fight back when you broke his ribs? How about when you were kicking him in the head?"

"What the hell are you doing, Messina?" Sean tried to stop him, but Nick pushed him away.

"Does that make you a big man! Huh! Kicking a guy while he's down! Son of a pregnant dog! I should kill you!" Nick pushed Ethan down, kicking him quickly. "How do you like it?" He kicked him again. "Is that what it was like with Mark? Did he just lay there too, did he! Did he! Tell me how beating the daylights out of him made you a big man. What were you afraid of the scary queer? Well how's it feel to get your ass kicked by one?"

>>>>>>

"So is Eric still around?" Michael asked, getting Marcie a soda, sitting down on the sofa beside her.

"Yeah," Marcie said. "Yeah, he's doing some work here in Llanview. He's not really sure how long he's staying. I'd really... like you to get to know him."

"I'd like to" Michael smiled. "You talk about him all the time. I'd love to meet the guy."

"So... how about we have dinner? We can go out, get something to eat, you can get to know Eric, it'll be so great."

"If we can get in touch with him... anytime is good with me." Marcie smiled as a knock came at the door. "I'll get that" Michael said, going to the door. "Riley." he said. "Hey man, come on in."

"Michael..." he said "Is Marcie here?"

Marcie had gotten up. "What's wrong, Riley?" she said "Is it Jen? Did something happen?"

"No" he said "No it's... it's Nick." Riley sighed. We just got a call..."

"What happened?" Marcie said. "Is he sick again, did he get hurt?..."

"Marcie..." Riley said. "Nick's in jail. He got arrested."