I slowly drift back into consciousness and can hear Elliot and Christian talking.

'Jeez Christian, I can't believe you left him on his own.' Elliot says.

'He didn't want me here, he said that he'd be asleep and to go home and check that everyone was ok.'

'You should have just phoned or sent Taylor to collect someone. You should know better than anyone what he's like; he always puts everyone else first.' Elliot snaps.

'Elliot, he said he didn't want anyone. You'd have been better coming with him; it was me that he didn't want.'

'He wouldn't have wanted anyone else. I don't know what shit has been happening between the pair of you the last few weeks but you never used to argue with each other. He's always hero worshipped you and you could never put a foot wrong in his eyes. You've always doted on him and spoilt him rotten. It all started when he came to work for you, what has happened?' Elliot asks.

'I don't know. He's finally growing up and is having an opinion on things. He's started shouting back at me now and giving me what for.' Christian mumbles.

'Good, it's about time someone started telling you what they think instead of letting you get away with stuff.' Elliot says.

'Does he remind you of Simon?' Christian asks. I freeze.

'Yes he gets more and more like him every day. Though Simon never had the temper that he's developing, he's got that from hanging around with you. Up until a few weeks ago I would say the relationship that the two of you had was like the one you and Simon had. You hero worshipped him and he would do anything for you. I know Simon and Sue were like family to all of us but you and Simon had some special bond, even when Matt came along that didn't change. You totally lost it when they died, you went off the rails. I don't think mom and dad knew what to do with you.' Elliot says.

'I know. I still miss them. Sometimes I wonder what our lives would be like if they were still here and what would Matt be like if they'd brought him up?' Christian says quietly.

'He'd be stronger than he is, though he's finally getting there after all these years. He's one of the nicest people to have around and always puts everyone in the family above himself but he's been so insecure about everything especially if anything changes. He likes everything just to be the same. He always kept me amused by telling me what mischief he got up to at school, I think it was because I always made him giggle and he would tell me what he'd done to make me laugh.' Elliot says.

'So it's your fault that he did so much stuff. I didn't realise until I chatted with Mia and Hannah a couple of days ago what a tough time he's had at school. Even Hannah didn't realise how hard it's been for him and she's sat next to him most days since they were five. She didn't even know he was adopted. He kept everything to himself.' Christian mutters.

'Like you do.' Elliot says. 'You and Matt need to sort yourselves out and get back what you had. I know the three of us are close and it's great when we all hang out together but if he's going to end up working with you, you don't want to spoil the bond you have.'

'I know, I think it all started when you went away with Kate. I went to Georgia to see Ana and ended up flying back because of something that happened with him. I got so angry and told him that I didn't want him in my life anymore.'

'Fuck Christian. That will have hurt I'm surprised he's still talking to you.'

'He didn't for five days; in fact he had no words for three days. Luckily Mrs Jones made Taylor follow him and he caught up with him at Sea-tac, he was about to buy a ticket to either Miami or San Francisco. Taylor put him in a hotel until he was ready to go home to mom.' Christian says.

'Shit, that would have been when you both wouldn't answer my texts. Matt did reply before you and told me to enjoy the sun and not worry he'd just been busy. I had no idea. Mom would have been so upset if he'd gone anywhere.'

'I know, when dad found out he got so angry with him. I've never seen dad that angry before. Oh and whilst you were away you missed mom being angry with him.'

'She's never been angry with him though.'

'It was the night of the masked ball; she wouldn't even sit next to him. Apparently at one point she'd rearranged the whole seating plan so that he was on the other side of the room. I felt so sorry for him, when we got to the table mom hugged everyone apart from Matt, she even called him Matthew and then she ignored him throughout the meal. He tried to put a brave face on but you could tell he was distraught. He's now terrified of making mom angry again.'

'Bloody hell, how come I didn't know any of this. I thought I had it bad having Kate nagging me now and again but he's had it really bad and then to end up in hospital on Sunday. I feel guilty because we were teasing him in the afternoon about his love bites and he got upset then.' Elliot says.

'I know, he was having a shitty day as it was. What with being ill and Elena making a pass at him at the party…'

'Fuck Christian how come I've missed all this. That evil bitch, I've never liked her. Poor Matt, jeez Christian we've got a lot of making up to do with him, you especially. Earlier at Escala when he woke up and came in the room he was looking at you and wanting you to smile at him and the look you gave him back probably made him think you hated him. It's no wonder he fled to the bathroom. What did you do to make him so angry and what did he say to you?' Elliot asks.

'Don't tell him.' I say.

'Matt, you're awake.' Elliot says.

'It would appear so. I've had two people talking rather loudly next to me for ages.' I mutter.

'You heard.' Christian says.

'Most of it, yes. What time is it?' I ask.

'Just after one, you've been asleep for a couple of hours.' Elliot says.

'I thought I told you to go home.' I say, opening my eyes and looking at Christian.

'Elliot made me come back. Hannah wanted to come but we made her stay with the others. She can come in the morning when she wakes up.' Christian says. 'We need to talk.'

'Not now. I wanted to talk yesterday morning but you didn't.' I say closing my eyes.

'I'm sorry.' Christian says quietly.

'What for?' I ask, opening my eyes again and looking at him. Christian looks at Elliot.

'I'll leave you two alone and go and get some coffee. Do you want one Christian?' Elliot asks him. Christian nods.

'I'm sorry for the last few weeks and how I've been with you. I've got angry too many times and too quickly. Elena doesn't mean anything to me anymore, I gave her the businesses because she helped me a long time ago, I didn't want to be vindictive.' Christian says.

'I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have got angry with you after everything you've done for me.' I say.

'Matt. I did everything because I love you.'

'I know, you just have a funny way of showing it sometimes.' I say smirking at him. He smiles back at me. 'Will we sort everything out and be ok?' I ask.

'Yes. We're too close not to.' He says. 'Matt, why are you going back to school if it's been so tough for you?'

'Because I know where I am there. I'm the kid who works hard and is top of the class in everything. I used to mess about when I was younger but not anymore preferring to be out of the limelight and I had enough of mom and dad turning up almost every week. You dragging me back to school when you found me in your apartment was the final straw, I keep my head down now so no-one bothers me and spend most of my time alone.'

'But Matt that's …..'

'Hey, it's easy. It works for me.' I say. 'I'll be happier there this year. A few people will have already left; it will be a smaller year group.'

'And you'll be with Hannah.' He says smiling.

'Yes.' I reply shyly.

'Will you let me know if I can help you with anything?' He asks.

'Christian I'll be fine.' I say and he looks at me intensely. 'OK, I'll let you know. Happy?'

'Yes' he says smiling at me. Elliot comes back with coffee for him and Christian.

'Is it safe to come in here now?' Elliot asks.

'Yes.' I reply smiling at him as Christian nods at him. 'I'm going back to sleep now because I'd quite like to leave this place in a few hours. I'll be fine if you want two go home.'

'No, we'll stay.' says Christian.

'Mom would be angry with us if we left you.' Elliot says.

'Well you'd better stay then, I don't want mom to be angry again. Keep the noise down though; I don't want waking until just before I can leave.' I say smiling at them both.