The call came in at 2 am. Like any normal person she'd been sleeping. When she heard the news all exhaustion vanished. The air around her constricted as his choked up voice came through the receiver.

"TJ's in the hospital" was all she bothered to listen to. Her phone was on the floor. Pants and a shirt pulled on, and the woman herself out the door in under 45 seconds. She'd perfected the art of a quick getaway. With Doug Hammond as her best friend, you had to always be ready for anything. TJ was in the hospital again. It didn't matter what he'd done to himself this time. Douggie needed her. He'd supported her through every heart break she'd ever had. Especially when she lost her other half. She had told herself she stopped caring about what TJ did a long time ago. Somehow she was able to keep lying to everyone around her. Even herself. If you say something enough times, it becomes true. She'd repeated "I don't love him." Constantly for the last 7 years. It was a habit by now. Even with all of those emotions buried deep down. She'd drop anything and everything if either Hammond brother were in trouble.

Speed limits were things that the poor and poorly connected paid. DC was sick and slick. You could buy anything and anyone. It was disgusting the things that crept through the nation's capital at night. Luckily nothing crept in front of her car as she sped towards the hospital. Barging into the ER she shoved her way through the patients. No concern for any of their misfortunes.

"Lil!" Anne's voice broke through the buzz. Alyssa shoved each person in her way without any shame. She'd consider being polite later. Maybe. The ginger gripped her dark haired friend and dragged her towards the private waiting area. The whole Hammond clan sat. Waiting. Annie rushed over to Doug. He was pacing. Eyes were clearly red. Fear for his twin. Alyssa would only let herself break in Doug's arms. He and TJ had been her older brothers growing up. A trio of troublemakers. That shattered as TJ got older. Things got darker. And one day he just stopped caring. The hug was a brief conformation that they were both there. If Alyssa stayed in Doug's arms for more than a few seconds she'd break. She couldn't break. She wasn't supposed to care. Nana placed a reassuring hand on the young woman's shoulder. Nodding in response to the action, Alyssa wrapped her arms around herself tightly.

"How you been sweetheart?" Nana's voice was soft.

"Alive." She bit out. "Sober…. mostly." Adding on after a second or so of waiting. Nana nodded in response. Stepping back the old woman knew that the only thing that would comfort the poor girl was seeing her idiot grandson open his eyes again. Elaine and Bud entered the room. Stopping the instant their eyes landed on Alyssa.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Bud growled out.

"Alyssa, honey is that really you?" Elaine's voice held disbelief.

"Nothing like a disaster to bring the family together."

"You are not our family." Bud's anger was clear as day. Alyssa's quickly flared just as hot. Grinding her teeth Alyssa started taking deep even breaths through her nose.

"How is he Elaine?" Nana cut through the tension.

"Alive. Stable." Her powerful voice quiet and scared. "Alyssa?"

"Good to see you Elaine." She bit out keeping her eyes on the floor.

"You're the damn reason my son is in this shit!" Bud roared again.

"I didn't shove the damn coke up his nose." She mumbled. She'd joined TJ in the darker parts of his teen years. And because of that Bud decided she was responsible for his flaws. To Bud, TJ was nothing but flaws. Bud's face contorted with rage. Doug stepped forward to defend his sister. Bud and Doug keeping a fierce eye contact. Elaine gently headed towards the young brunette. Her shaking was getting worse with every step Elaine took. Elaine had failed both TJ and Alyssa and she knew it. She reached out to hug the girl. "Can I see him?" Alyssa's eyes still towards the ground. Elaine retracted her hands and nodded.

"Follow me." Bud started to scream in protest. Elaine shut him up with an icy glare.

Elaine left the two old friends in the room alone. TJ was unconscious, Alyssa couldn't have asked for anything more. He was breathing on his own. That was enough for her. She was starting to lose her grip. Too many tears were falling already. She just needed to see his eyes. And she could go. Best way to wake up someone who's sleeping? Violence.

Her petite hand slammed TJ's face to the side. His cheek already reddening. His eyes snapped open. Alyssa grabbed his jaw and forced him to look at her. They eyes met but no words were shared. His eyes were bloodshot. But underneath the drugs and the pain was the boy she fell in love with all those years ago. The boy who she'd planned to marry and had started a family with.

"Lyss…" His voice was scratchy and weak. She had a firm grasp on his jaw. Shaking her head she started to let go of him. With every ounce of strength TJ had he grabbed her hands and pulled her onto the bed with him. His hands desperately brought her face to his. "I'm sorry…" he breathed. Tears were streaming down both of their faces.

"Prove it." Her voice cracked at the words. "Prove it TJ. Actions, not words." There was a lump forming in her throat. She wanted nothing more then to crash her lips on to his. So that's what she did. TJ was her drug. A greater high then any pill or drink could ever give her. TJ kissed her with more force. Desperately trying to pull her onto the bed with him. They broke away for air. Eyes meeting "I hate you." Was all that Alyssa could find to say. Tears welled up in TJ's eyes and he released his grip on Alyssa's face. She grabbed him harder. "I hate that I don't know how to love anyone but you." She took a deep breathe. "I hate how I need you just to breath. I hate you so much." Tears were flowing full force.

"Come here." Was his soft reply. Tangled in a mess of blankets and limbs Alyssa let herself cry for the first time in 7 years. They both clung to each other with all the strength they had. Sobbing. Crying. Wailing.