Brodi sat on the edge of Elise's bed, his hands wrapped around his coffee mug. It was so difficult to decipher all the churning emotions right now. There was anger that the one bad event in his life—well, OK, if you didn't count that whole coma, almost being sold for spare parts episode—was intruding into his life now. Humiliation was definitely there, since a lot more people than he cared to think about were going to know about this situation. More anger, at himself this time, since he felt like he should be beyond this macho he-man act. His sense of self and his sense of manhood did not depend on the opinion of others. At least, it shouldn't.

"Want to watch a movie?"

"Hmm?"

Brodi looked up as Elise walked out of he bathroom, fresh from a shower.

"I think you have to drink the tea first before you can read the tea leaves, if that's what you're trying to do." That warranted her a smile, which was her purpose in the first place. "I asked if you wanted to watch a movie? I might even have something with some gratuitous surfing. Point Break, maybe?"

Brodi laughed. "You don't have to entertain me, babe."

Elise smiled. "I know. I'm just looking for a sneaky way to cuddle up to you and hold you without making you feel bad."

Brodi chuckled and patted the bed beside him. "Have a seat. I'll take care of your next question without you having to find a sneaky way to get an answer out of me."

Elise raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"You want to know what Lauryll said to me."

Elise nodded as she sat down beside Brodi.

"She said, among other things, that she had given me my life back."

"WHAT?"

Elise stood and started pacing the room.

"She said she pretended to drug me and talked Coby into going to a party, giving me the chance to escape."

"Brodi, PLEASE tell me you see what she's doing."

Brodi nodded but said nothing, so Elise knelt in front of him, taking his hands in hers. "Sweetie, look at me. This is important, and I need to know that you're listening to me. She's trying to get some measure of control over you by stealing you victory back. Honey, you endured what they did to you. You survived. You escaped. She didn't LET you escape—she was the whole reason you were trapped in the first place. YOU got yourself out. Do you hear me? You did it. You could have let it ruin you. You could have let it kill you. You could have become an alcoholic, a drug addict, a rapist, a killer…ANYTHING but what you are."

"I wonder…"

"Honey, they drugged you, beat you, raped you—you were tortured, Brodi. Tortured, body and mind. There is no other way to put it." Elise wiped a stray tear from her eye. "You have a beautiful, sweet, loving soul, and you are such a bright spirit. I mean, my God, this hellish nightmare from your past comes strolling right up to you and your main thought is to protect US? Do I NEED to say anything else to illustrate my point?" Elise reached up and touched the side of his face gently. "Actually, I will say just this. You are one of the best friends I have ever had, and I am going to see you safely through this."

Elise then stood and crawled back into the bed, pulling the covers over her.

"Now, turn off the lamp and come to bed. I really, really just want to hold you right now, and I'm too tired to think up a ruse to get my way."