A/N: I'm sorry for the delay. Life sucks (especially this week). See the first chapter for the disclaimer. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter, and please review. :)

Chapter 2

Adam made his way to the escalator, heading down to the baggage claim area tiredly. He yawned, stretching slightly and readjusting his bag on his shoulder before rolling his head around. The plane ride had sucked, and Adam wanted nothing more than to curl up in bed. As he came down the escalator, he saw Greg waiting for him, and he walked over to him.

"Hey," Greg said softly.

"Hey," Adam replied tiredly. They walked over to the baggage claim, and Greg grabbed Adam's bag for him. Adam said nothing, following Greg out.

"How was the flight?"

"Sucked."

"I'm sorry to hear that." They walked to Greg's car, climbing in quietly. Adam sat in the front seat, closing his eyes. They rode to Greg's house in silence, Greg wanting Adam to try and get some sleep while Adam tried to contemplate his life.

"Mom, I'm home," Greg called out as he and Adam entered the house.

"You're late!" Nancy called back from upstairs. Greg rolled his eyes.

"I guarantee she's either cleaning my room or Caden's room," he said to Adam. Adam smiled slightly. "I told you I would be, Mom!"

"When did you tell me that?"

"Last night before I left. I told you I had to pick up Adam at the airport."

Nancy appeared at the top of the stairs. "Oh, that's right. I'm sorry. I forgot. And you really need to keep your room clean. I could barely find the floor in there." Greg turned to Adam, giving him a look that said 'I told you.' Adam smiled again as Nancy walked down the stairs. "Hi, Adam. It's good to see you again. Just not under these circumstances, of course."

"It's good to see you too, Nancy," Adam said softly. Nancy walked over to him, giving Adam a big hug.

"How are you, sweetie?"

"I'm hanging in there."

She frowned, hugging him tighter. "I'm so sorry, hon. If there's anything I can do, let me know."

"I will, Nancy. Thank you."

"Mom, Adam and I are pretty tired," Greg said. "Can we just…"

"Oh, yes, of course," she said, letting go of Adam. "The kids got to school just fine, and the guest room's all set up, so you guys can get some sleep. I'll drop by later."

"You don't have to. I have the night off."

She huffed. "I want to. I love spending time with my grandkids."

Adam smiled slightly at that, and Greg smiled.

"I know," Greg said. "Okay, we'll see you later, Mom."

"Love you."

"Love you too." She walked out the door, and Adam furrowed his brow.

"So where exactly does she live?" he asked.

"Right next door," Greg replied. Adam nodded, and Greg smirked. "I wouldn't let her move in with me."

"Why not? You could use the help."

Greg shrugged. "I don't need her doting over me every second. I can take care of myself and my kids just fine."

"I'm not saying you can't." Adam sighed, sinking into the couch. "I didn't mean to offend you, Greg. I was trying to make a joke."

"Yeah, I figured that after," Greg replied, sitting next to him.

"I'm just tired," Adam tried to explain.

Greg shook his head. "I know. You've got a lot going on. If you wanna talk, I'm here. If you'd rather get some rest first before the twins come home, that's fine too. It's up to you."

"I'm not ready to talk yet."

"That's fair. I've got a room set up for you upstairs." Greg stood up, and Adam shook his head.

"I don't wanna sleep, either. I can't sleep. I've been trying, but I… I just… I can't sleep."

"If you just wanna throw your stuff up there, then we'll watch a movie?"

"You've been up all night, Greg. You should sleep before your kids get home."

"Adam…" Greg said.

"Greg, I don't need babysitting," Adam half-snapped. "I'm an adult. I can friggen handle myself."

"I'm not saying you can't," Greg said gently. Adam sighed painfully, sinking further into the couch.

"I'm sorry, Greg. I didn't mean…"

"It's okay. I understand."

"No, it's not okay." Adam tucked his knees into his chest, curling into a little ball. Greg stood back, leaning against the wall, knowing that right now, Adam needed a lot more than he said. Adam rested his head against his knees. "It's not okay," he repeated. "I shouldn't be angry. I should be sad. I should be everything that I'm not right now." Adam's hands balled tightly into fists, and Greg continued to watch him from across the room.

"Why?" Greg asked softly. Adam looked up to see Greg sympathetically leaning against the wall.

"Why what?"

"Why do you feel that way?"

"I don't know, I just do. Why did you feel the way you did after Audrey died? After Warrick died? You can't just ask someone why they feel that way, Greg! They just do!"

"You feel guilty," Greg commented softly, ignoring Adam's outburst. "Whether it's because of what happened when you were a kid, or because you don't think you're reacting appropriately right now, you feel guilty. And that's why you keep striking out."

"I'm not striking out," Adam said.

"Oh, really? You're argumentative. You're snapping at me. Whatever the hell you wanna call it."

Adam shook his head dismissively. "You're tired. We shouldn't be having this conversation."

Greg sighed. "I'm fine, Adam."

"Yeah, well I'm not, and I really don't want to talk about it anymore!"

Greg nodded, understanding that with Adam in this state, he was going to have to swallow back a lot of things. "I'll bring your stuff upstairs," Greg offered softly. "And then I'm going to get some rest before the kids come home. You're welcome to anything in the house." Adam nodded, silently burying his head against his knees again. "Let me know if you need anything else, okay?"

"I will," Adam mumbled softly. Greg walked over, giving Adam's shoulder a gentle squeeze before grabbing Adam's stuff and bringing it upstairs into the guest room. Greg walked down the hall to his own room, kicking off his shoes and crashing onto the bed. Truth be told, Greg was exhausted, and he was going to need a lot more strength to help take care of Adam.

Adam stayed in that position on the couch until his phone rang. Pulling it out without a second thought, he flipped it open and put it to his ear, still with his head against his knees. "Adam Ross," he answered dismally.

"Hey Adam," Stella said softly. He frowned.

"Hey Stel. What's up?"

"I just wanted to see how you were doing."

"Not well," he sighed along with his semi-surprising candidness. "I'm fighting with Greg over everything."

"You sound tired."

He scrubbed his hand over his face. "Can't sleep."

"You might want to try, Adam. Might make you not fight with Greg as much."

He shook his head, even though he knew she couldn't see it. "While I'm sure that's true, I don't know. I'd probably still fight with him. I don't want to fight with anyone, but I can't help it, Stel. There's just so much… and I can't…"

"I know, Adam."

He could practically hear her frown from the other end, and he sighed. "I'm sorry, Stella."

"You have no reason to be sorry, Adam. You've done nothing wrong. I'm proud of you for going out there."

"Yeah," he said with a sigh.

"Do me a favor, though," she said. "Get some rest and take care of yourself, okay?"

"I will."

"I'll call you later."

He smiled at her maternal persistence. "Okay. I'll talk to you later, Stella."

"Bye, Adam." They hung up, and Adam sighed. Knowing she was right, he made his way upstairs, finding the room Greg had left his stuff in. He kicked his shoes off, throwing himself into bed and praying that he'd actually be able to fall asleep this time.