Disclaimer: I own nothing but my own characters!

"Good morning sunshine!" Brooke called as she bustled into Charity's room. Charity gave her a level look. It was far too early in the morning for anyone to be that cheerful.

"I have good news," Brooke said, "You're physical therapist said that since you're doing so well with a walker now that you can start outpatient therapy. You're coming home today."

Charity gave her mother a questioning glance. The last time she'd gone to therapy she'd barely moved a few inches. Gwen must have gotten fed up with her. As hard as Charity tried to keep her expression neutral, she couldn't stop the smile that quickly spread across her face.

"I thought that might help bring you out of your funk," Brooke said. Charity shrugged, feigning ignorance.

"Oh Charity, don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about. Your dad and I have heard all about your behavior lately," Brooke said, as she busied herself with packing up Charity's belongings.

"Right, because it's such a crime to be anything but happy and chipper, right mom?" Charity replied, slipping back into her comfortable sarcasm. Brooke gave Charity a rueful smile.

"You might be able to play this game with your friends, but I'm your mother. You can't push me away," Brooke said softly, staring intently at her daughter. Charity quickly turned away from her mothers gaze. She knew that her mother was right. Brooke had all but invented this particular defense mechanism. As she watched her mother packing up her things, her thoughts began to drift. She found herself remembering how dejected Tyler had looked after their last conversation. His quiet acceptance of the situation had disappointed Charity. She could remember being a young girl and hearing her mom and dad arguing. Her mother had been fond of telling her father that he'd never fought for her a day in his life. Charity used to think that was a pretty petty thing to fight about. In all her immaturity, she had assumed that if her dad loved her mom enough to be with her then that should have been enough. Unfortunately Charity now understood, far too well, exactly how her mother felt. She wanted Tyler to fight for her. She wanted him to need her as desperately as she needed him. The problem was that due to Charity's stupidity, it was entirely possible that Tyler didn't know that Charity needed him.

"Alright, I have most of the big stuff. I'm going to run these things to your dad's and then I'll be back to pick up some more," Brooke said, as she juggled the boxes precariously. Charity nodded. She needed the time alone. She had some major damage to try and undo and she didn't need an audience.

As soon as her mother was gone, Charity grabbed her cell phone and quickly dialed Tyler's number. As the phone continued to ring, Charity's heart sank. He obviously didn't want to talk to her.

"Hello?" he answered, just as Charity was about to hang up. She hesitated a moment, suddenly unsure of herself.

"Hey, it's me. Are you busy?" she asked.

"Yeah, I am. It's not really a good time," he replied quickly. Charity's eyes narrowed suspiciously. She was certain that she'd heard a girl giggling in the background. Who was Tyler with?

"Oh, okay. Well, if you aren't busy later, give me a call," Charity said lightly. She could definitely hear the giggling in the background again.

"I think I'll be pretty busy today, sorry. Anyway, I'll see you around," Tyler said, ending the call. Charity stared at the phone in utter disbelief. Without another thought, she dialed Lauren's number.

"Hello?" a male voice answered. Charity was momentarily disoriented. Had she dialed the wrong number?

"Hi, I was trying reach Lauren Sawyer," she said, sounding a bit uncertain. Suddenly, realization dawned on her.

"Tyler?" she asked.

"Yeah, hang on, I'm getting Lauren," he replied, sounding irritated. Charity shook her head, the irony of the situation drawing an amused chuckle. Of course Tyler was with Lauren; where else would he be when Charity wasn't in the picture. She listened intently, hearing a whispered conversation, but she couldn't make anything out.

"Charity?" Lauren asked.

"Hey. Look, I know I'm probably not your favorite person right now, and I have no right to ask anything of you, but could you please just tell me that nothing is going on with you and Tyler," Charity asked softly. Normally she would have jumped to conclusions and read Lauren the riot act, but Charity couldn't believe that she had meant so little to Tyler all this time. No, he had to care for her enough not to run straight back to her sister at the first sign of trouble, right?