~ BACK IN THE HOUSE ~

When Sebastian and Lois arrive in the backyard, they find everyone else around the table drinking coffee.

Lois: Good morning.

Sebastian: Someone pour me three quarts of coffee.

Matt: I have a better idea. Giving you an enema. Where the hell have you been? We've been worried sick about you.

Alexander: I just barely stopped him from calling the task force.

Lois: I was sure you would.

Jared: Doll, what happened? Where did you spend the night?

Isabella: Where are Jace and Mary?

Matt: And more importantly, why on earth is he painted gold?

Sebastian looks around, and when he sees that there is no child within a safe distance ...

Sebastian: I fucked King Midas last night. I'd told him not to touch me, but he couldn't resist the temptation to touch my divine body and here is the result. Now that you have your answer, can I have a sip of coffee in peace?

The others laugh as Matt rolls his eyes.

Matt: Why do I bother with an asshole like you? Your pervert brother-in-law has really rubbed off on you.

Sebastian: I love you too, Divine Ass.

Matt: Shithead Wolf!

As Sebastian throws kisses at Matt, irritating him even more, Lois goes on the attack.

Lois: I'm starving. What's for breakfast here?

Chloe: As you can see, Duchess of Plaisance, there's a little bit of everything. Toast, butter, jam, honey, croissant, boiled eggs, bacon, cheese, and more.

Lois: I'm gonna ignore your outrageous comment because I'm awesome and... Let's see. I'll have some toast with jam and ... Matt, do we have that cheese you had the other night? That Greek one, the white one.

Matt: You mean the feta?

Lois: Yeah.

Matt: I'm going to puke.

Simon: Are you really going to eat feta with jam? Disgusting!

Isabella: It's her pregnancy. Give her a break.

A few minutes later, Jace and Mary join them. Lois is enjoying her weird breakfast and everyone else is looking at her with a look of disgust on their faces. Everyone? Hmm ... Not so much.

Mary: Lois, what exactly are you eating?

Lois: Toast with jam and feta.

Mary: Will you pass me some? The smell of the cheese makes my mouth water.

Lois gives Mary a taste.

Mary: Mmmh ... You know what would be even more delicious? A little tomato.

Jared: Come on, ladies. Give us a break.

Matt: Jared, wait a minute. What's going on, Biscuit? You got something to tell us? Jace?

Alexander: Of course! There's only one explanation for Mary's sudden craving for tomatoes.

Chloe: What?

Matt: Pregnancy.

Everyone starts applauding and congratulating!

Jace: Don't celebrate yet. We're not sure.

Simon: Yeah, like the last three times.

Mary: Don't say anything to the kids. Let's make sure first. I don't want them to be disappointed.

Alexander: Of course, Sugar, but between you and me, it's 99% safe.

Jace: I hope so.

Mary: I hope so, too.

Matt: We all do. Besides, it's the only thing the perv is doing right. Babies.

Jace: You are an asshole, but thanks for the compliment, Sweetheart.

Jace is happy, but not for long. The sound of the message on his phone steals his joy.

Sebastian: Is it from Clary?

Jace: Yes.

Sebastian: Give it to me.

Jace hands the phone to Sebastian and he gets up and goes on to talk.

Alexander: What's going on here, Jace? Why the grim face?

Jace: Angel, please tell them.

Mary: Someone from the prison hospital is looking for Jace. It's about Lisa.

Matt: About Lisa? And why are they looking for Jace?

Lois: Sebastian's talking to them. We'll find out in a minute.

Until Sebastian finishes talking to the prison hospital, the others try to cheer Jace up, but to no avail.

Matt: Oh, come on! Don't be like that now. You know I can't see you sad.

Jace: I'm trying, but you know it yourself. You were there. The blood got to your feet.

Matt: Yeah. Unfortunately, I was there and I'll never forget those moments, but it's different now.

Jace was about to reply, but Sebastian's return stopped him. He sits in his chair, rubbing his face with his hands.

Mary: So? Did you figure out what this is all about?

Sebastian: Yeah.

Matt: And judging by your face, it's something pretty serious.

Sebastian: Yeah.

Jace: I really don't want to know.

Sebastian: Jace, she's dying.

Lois: From what?

Sebastian: Brain cancer. Metastatic and unresectable. She only has a few days to live.

Mary: I should probably be happy about this, but I'm not. What's wrong with me?

Matt: No, Biscuit. There's nothing wrong with you. You're not happy because you are really a very good person.

Jace: And what does that have to do with me?

Sebastian: She's asking for you. She wants to see you before she dies.

Alexander: But she's banned from visiting.

Sebastian: The judge granted an exception for Jace because of the situation. Something like a dying person's last wish.

Simon: That makes sense. I would do the same thing.

Isabella: I'm thinking of her parents. Whatever Lisa is, she doesn't stop being their child, and she's dying. Her father may be far away, but her mother ... I hate Beatrice to death, but ... no mother deserves such pain.

Matt: I don't know how to feel. That woman almost destroyed us.

Jace gets up rather abruptly and leaves the table.

Mary: Jace ...

Alexander: Mary, let him go. It's too hard for him.

Mary: I know, damn it! I know, and it pains me, that I can't do anything for him. Oh, damn it!

Simon: Matt, maybe you should go and talk to him.

Matt: That's exactly what I was about to do.

Matt gets up and walks over to Jace, who is sitting on a bench, staring blankly at the horizon. He sits down next to him.

Matt: I can't even imagine how you feel right now.

Jace: I don't know what Ι have to do.

Matt: It's not what you have to do, it's what you want to do. Do you really want to let a person die unhappy when you can change that?

Jace: This is Lisa we're talking about, Matt. She's the reason we almost lost Mary.

Matt: I know. I hate her as much as you do, but don't forget that this woman spent more than ten years in prison and now, at just 40 years old, she's dying.

Jace: What would you do if you were me?

Matt: I would go. I don't know if I would have the strength to forgive her, but I would at least listen to her. I'd give her a chance to redeem herself.

Jace: If I go, will you come with me?

Matt: Me? You don't prefer Mary or even Alex?

Jace: No. I want you. I need you.

Matt squeezes Jace's shoulder.

Matt: I will.

Jace pulls Matt into a hug and he hugs him back.

Jace: Thank you, brother.

Matt: Don't. I'd never leave you alone at something like this, but enough of the hugs. Don't get too familiar with me. I'm going back to the table. Are you coming with me?

Jace: I'd rather stay here a little longer.

Matt: You need something?

Jace: Mary.

Matt: I was sure you would. I'll send her your way.

When Matt returns to the table, he finds it even more full. The kids have woken up and are eating breakfast.

Matt: Biscuit, go to him. He wants you.

Mary immediately gets up and goes to Jace. Matt pulls up the chair to sit down, but ...

Stefan: G-man, don't sit down yet.

Matt: Why?

Stefan: I want to talk to you in private.

Matt: What the hell is going on with the Harronate men today? Please! Give me a break!

Stefan: Stop your bitching. You know perfectly well that you can't live without us.

Matt: Whatever! Let's go.

A little further on, Stefan stands in front of his godfather, hands in his pockets, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, kind of awkwardly. Matt looks at him and raises an eyebrow.

Matt: Well, Jellybean, I'm all ears.

Stefan: Normally I'd talk to my dad about it, but mom told me he's got a lot on his plate right now and I don't want to bother him.

Matt: Nothing about you would bother your father, but you're right.

Stefan: It's ok, I have you and that's fine.

Matt: You always say things like that to me and I can't say no to you. Tell me what's going on.

Stefan: Next Saturday ... I mean, there's a girl. I like her a lot. I asked her out and she said yes.

Matt: That's great! Who is she? Do I know her? Is she beautiful? Tell me everything.

Stefan: My god! Keep your voice down. If I wanted everyone to know, I'd talk about it on the table.

Matt: You're right. I'm sorry. I'm just so excited. We're talking about your first date here. Your dad needs to know. It'll cheer him up.

Stefan: What's wrong with him? Can I know?

Matt: You can, but don't tell the other kids. It's about Lisa.

Stefan: Don't tell me she's being released?

Matt: No, my Jellybean. Quite the opposite. She's dying.

Stefan: Oh! And what does my father have to do with this?

Matt: She asked to see him.

Stefan: And he's going to go?

Matt: Yes.

Stefan: I understand.

Matt: That's ok. Don't worry about it.

Stefan: I'm worried about Dada.

Matt: Don't be. Your dad is strong. He'll be ok with it. Especially when he finds out about your date.

Stefan: My date can wait.

Matt: Are you kidding me? No way. If your father finds out that we left your love life behind, he'll kill us. Well, as soon as we get back from there, we'll all get men together and talk about your date.

Stefan: Oh, God! What's waiting for me?

Matt: The most amazing first date, my Jellybean. I can guarantee you that.

Stefan: Why am I sure I'm going to regret this?

Matt: Because you are a drama queen like your dad.

~ PLENTY OF TIME LATER ~ AFTER LUNCH ~

Jace has gone with Matt to the prison hospital and the others have gone to their rooms to rest. All except Mary, who is upset. She's worried about Jace, and if she's worried, she can't be alone. She needs company and most of all she needs Alexander.

Alexander, who is the only man besides Jace she can feel safe with. She may adore Matt and trust Simon. She may see Sebastian like a brother and love Jared, but no one offers her the security Alexander does.

With no time to waste, she runs into his house and knocks on his bedroom door.

Alexander: Who is it?

Mary: It's me. Mary.

Alexander: Come in, Sugar.

Mary opens the door and enters the room. Alexander is lying in bed reading a book. She climbs into bed and sneaks into his arms.

Alexander: You are late.

Mary: Did you know I was coming?

Alexander: Yes, of course. You always come to me when Jace is away. Are you worried about him?

Mary: I'm scared to death for him. This whole thing is way out of his league.

Alexander: Don't worry. You know he's strong. He can handle this. Besides, Matt is with him. He won't let anything bad happen to him.

Mary: That's a little reassuring.

Mary yawns and stretches her body.

Alexander: Are you tired?

Mary: A little. Your brother kept me pretty busy last night.

Alexander laughs.

Alexander: Go to sleep. I'll be here.

Mary: What are you reading?

Alexander: Edgar Allan Poe. The Raven.

Mary: It's a little macabre, but would you read me something?

Alexander: Sure. Make yourself comfortable and close your eyes.

She curls up in his arms and he gets his book back.

Mary: Thank you, brother.

Alexander: You're welcome, sister.

She closes her eyes and he opens his mouth.

Alexander: * This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing. ... To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core; This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining ... *

* ~ *

~ IN THE MEANTIME ~ AT THE PRISON HOSPITAL ~

Jace, who always has Matt by his side, walks through the entrance of the hospital and heads straight for the doctor's office.

The building is old, but the inside is fairly modern. In the hallway, outside each room, are female guards who, as the two men walk towards the doctor's office, stare at them and whisper something to each other.

Jace: Everyone's staring at us.

Matt: Don't let that bother you.

Outside the doctor's office door, Jace raises his hand to knock, but it stays in the air.

Matt: Come on, knock.

Jace: Matt, I can't. Please, let's get out of here.

Matt : Oh, no. No! No! No! Don't chicken out now. Do it to get it over with. It's time to close this horrible chapter forever.

Jace: I want to, but I guess I'm a fucking coward. All I want now is to run as far away from here as I can.

Matt grabs Jace by the shoulders and shakes him hard.

Matt: Hey! Listen to me! My brother Jace is not a wimp. He's a hero. A fearless hero who has fought and conquered death. He brought his wife back from a fucking coma. He can do the impossible. He can do anything. Do you understand me? Anything!

Jace: Anything. I can do anything!

Matt: That's right! Now knock on the fucking door.

Jace knocks on the door with determination.

Matt: That's the Jace I know.

The doctor's voice sounds from just behind the door.

Doctor: Please come in.

Jace opens the door and the two men enter the office. The doctor leaves his desk and extends his hand.

Doctor: Good afternoon. I am Dr. Hudson. To whom do I have the honor of speaking?

Jace shakes the doctor's hand.

Jace: I am Jonathan Harronate, and this is my brother-in-law, Mr. Matthew Firewood.

Doctor: I am very pleased to meet you, gentlemen, and I am even more pleased that you agreed to come.

Jace: I just hope I will not regret it.

Doctor: That will not be the case.

Jace: Would you mind explaining what this is all about?

Doctor: Yes, of course. Please sit down.

The two men sit down on the chairs in front of the doctor's desk.

Doctor: Would you like something to drink? A coffee perhaps?

Jace: No, thank you. I just want to get this over with sooner rather than later.

Doctor: I understand completely. I would feel the same way, but the situation is very serious. Miss Osborne has very little time left to live. The only thing keeping her alive is her desire to see you one last time.

Matt: Tell me something, Doctor. Is there no way to save her?

Doctor: No. She was doomed from the start. The tumor is too deep, and if we try to remove it, she will not survive the surgery. The progression was rapid, and by the time we found out, there were already metastases in the bones and lymph nodes. Of course, we tried chemotherapy, but it was useless. Her tumor is, as we say in our language, a monster tumor.

Matt: And how can she still have contact with the environment?

Doctor: That's the paradox of this case. Normally she should have been in a coma for several days, but even though she goes into a deep sleep for several hours, when she wakes up, she communicates flawlessly and just says, "Bring me Jace."

Jace: Can you prepare me for what she's about to tell me?

Doctor: I'm afraid not. She refuses to tell us anything. She just wants to talk to you.

Jace: Very well. Let us get this over with.

The three men change position from sitting to standing.

Doctor: Follow me, please.

They arrive outside Lisa's room, which is the only room without guards.

Matt: Doctor, why are there no guards?

Doctor: There's no need. She has nowhere to go. She's been paralyzed since day one of her hospitalization.

Matt: Well, Jace, I'll wait here.

Jace: No, please. Come with me. Doctor, can he come in with me?

Doctor: Yes, of course. Lisa probably will not even notice his presence.

Matt: In that case, we should.

The Doctor opens the door and they enter the room. First the doctor. Then Jace and finally Matt with his hand on Jace's shoulder.

The room is small and bright. A large window with bars takes up most of the wall. On the opposite wall is a door that obviously leads to the bathroom. The large bed, surrounded by screens and machines, is right in the middle. And on it, a woman. Lisa, or rather someone who used to be Lisa.

She has grown too old. Her once blond hair has been replaced by a wig that looks completely fake and covers her bald skull. Her closed eyes are deep in their sockets and her eyelids have a sick, bluish tint. Her cheeks are puffed up, making her cheekbones look terribly high. And as for her body. A skeleton. Just bones and skin. Sharp bones that threaten to tear the thin, dry and almost blue skin.

The sight is riveting to Jace. He gasps and tries to swallow the lump in his throat. All these years, all he's wanted to do is watch this woman struggle, suffer. Just like he did then. But what his eyes see now is too much. No one, no matter how bad they are, is not worth something like this.

Jace and Matt stand behind the door as the doctor approaches the bed and places his hand on Lisa's forehead.

Doctor: Lisa?

Lisa opens her eyes and a faint, tired smile appears on her lips.

Lisa: Is he here?

Her voice is weak, tired and comes out with difficulty.

Doctor: Yes, my dear. He's here.

Lisa tries to sit up, but can't.

Lisa: Where is he? I can't see him. Jace ...?

With a pleading look from the doctor and a little nudge from Matt, Jace wakes up from his slumber, approaches the bed and holds onto the railing. His knuckles turn white from the grip and his throat is scratched as he tries to speak.

Jace: I'm here, Lisa.

She turns her head in his direction and her eyes narrow as she tries to see him.

Lisa: Oh, Jace. Come closer. I can't see you standing so far away. My eyesight is not so good anymore.

Jace takes a deep breath, comes even closer, and sits on the edge of the bed, folding his hands in his lap, careful not to touch her.

Lisa: You don't want to touch me, and it's not because of the cancer.

Jace: Yes, Lisa. It's not because of the cancer.

Lisa: All right. I deserved that.

The doctor discreetly moves away from the bed and sits with Matt on the couch across the room. Lisa watches Jace with great effort.

Lisa: You haven't changed a bit. You are still beautiful.

Jace: Is that why you asked to see me? To talk to me about my appearance?

Lisa: No.

Jace: Then why?

Lisa: All those years in my cell, I followed your life through the magazines and newspapers. I saw you happy and, it's going to sound strange, but I was happy about your happiness. I wanted to hate you, I wanted to hate your wife and children. But I couldn't. I was a mystery even to myself. But at some point, I remembered something your wife had said just before the shooting.

Jace grimaces.

Jace: Please, don't.

Lisa: I'm so sorry. I know it hurts you, but I have to tell you. I don't have much time left, Jace. Please! Let me tell you what I want.

Jace: All right.

Lisa: Your wife, uh ... Mary, right?

Jace: Yeah. Mary.

Lisa: Mary said that love means that you rejoice in the happiness of the person you love, even when you are away from him. Even if you are not the one giving him the happiness. At the time, in my crazy arrogance, I couldn't grasp that. But in the solitude of my cell, when I began to think clearly, I realized how much I loved you, and that I loved her too, because she made you so happy.

Jace: Lisa ...

Lisa: I am sorry, Jace. I am sorry for what I did to you and to her. It was a mistake. My whole life was a mistake. I know it's too late and I can't get anything back. All I can do is apologize. I'm begging you, Jace. I can't leave without your forgiveness. Give me the strength to face God.

Jace: You're asking too much.

Lisa: I know. I was punished when I was alive, and I know that God will punish me even more for my sins now that I'm facing Him, but I also know that you can give me what I want because you are a great man. Please, Jace. If you do it, Mary will.

Jace: Mary has already forgiven you.

Lisa: Tell her I'm grateful for that.

Suddenly, Lisa begins to cough uncontrollably. Her body jerks back and forth convulsively on the bed. Her eyes roll back in her head and she begins to spit up blood. The machines start screaming. The doctor runs to her and Matt goes to Jace and pulls him close to the window. The doctor puts the oxygen mask on Lisa's face.

Doctor: Come on, Lisa. Stay with me. Breathe. Breathe.

As the mask delivers the oxygen she needs to her lungs, her body calms, and the coughing stops. Tears flow from her eyes as life slips away from her.

Lisa: Pain.

The doctor presses the button for morphine, but nothing happens.

Doctor: Damn it!

As he examines her arms, he only confirms what he already knew.

Doctor: Mr. Harronate, please! This is the end. Her veins are collapsing. Her organs are failing. There are only a few minutes left. Give her what she asked for. Don't just let her go.

With all the strength she has left, Lisa raises her hand as her eyes, fixed on Jace, tell him everything her mouth can't. Then everything around Jace goes still and all he hears is Mary's voice in his head.

* Do it, Prince. It's the right thing to do. Show me once more how superior you are. Show me that my faith in you was worth it. Show me my God! *

Without wasting any more time, Jace walks over to Lisa and takes her hand.

Jace: It's all right, Lisa. I forgive you. You can go. You can rest now and, who knows? Maybe one day we'll meet again and everything will be better. Goodbye, Lisa.

Lisa smiles from behind the oxygen mask, squeezes Jace's hand lightly, and closes her eyes forever. The doctor turns off the machines, covers her dead body with the sheet and looks at his watch.

Doctor: Time of death 4:23pm. Rest in Peace, Lisa.

Matt, saddened by Lisa's end but proud of Jace's reaction at the same time, walks up to him, grabs him by the shoulder and pulls him out of the room with a nod to the doctor.

Matt: It's over, Jace.

Jace: Yeah, Matt. It's over.

Matt: What do you want to do now?

Jace: Break something, screaming. I'm drowning, Matt. I'm suffocating.

Matt: Follow me. I know the perfect place.

They run out of the building and get into the car. Matt gets behind the wheel because Jace is in no condition to drive. After fifteen silent minutes, Matt pulls up in front of a junkyard.

Jace: What are we actually doing here?

Matt: You'll see. Come with me.

The two men get out of the car and walk into the junkyard. Matt walks up to the booth and starts talking to the clerk. A few minutes later, he hands him a wad of bills and the clerk points to an old, junked '67 Impala and hands Matt a crowbar. He walks up to Jace and hands it to him.

Jace: What am I supposed to do with this?

Matt: You see that Impala?

Jace: Yeah.

Matt: It's all yours. Take the crowbar and smash it!

Without another word and with eyes glowing gold, Jace approaches the car, raises the crowbar, and starts hitting it full force, shattering the windows, bending the bonnet and fenders, and breaking the headlights. He tries to exorcise all the evil he experienced some time ago, screaming like an animal. He tries to cleanse his soul of all the hate he's felt over the years, burying the memories as deep as he can. While Matt sits patiently around the corner, waiting.

A long time later, Jace, sweaty as a pig and completely exhausted, throws the crowbar away and sits down next to Matt, having left the wrecked car behind.

Matt: How are you feeling?

Jace: Light-hearted and, I owe that to you. Thank you, Matt. I really needed that.

Matt: Well. We'll say one last thing and then we will close the chapter called Lisa in the dustbin of history. She was evil, but she didn't deserve such a horrible end. But it was God's will and we are in no position to judge. And what you did was brave and wonderful. You are an amazing man, Jace Harronate, but if you tell anyone I said that, I will kill you.

Jace: My lips are sealed.

Matt: Good.

Jace: Matt, thanks for being there for me.

Matt: You are welcome, but now we need to go home. You need to take a bath. You stink.

Jace: Will you keep me company?

Matt: You and me, in the shower, just in your dreams, you Perverted. Stop trying to do that.

Jace: I don't give up that easily, Sweetheart. I'll convince you eventually.

Matt: Don't hold your breath until then.

The two men got in the car and drove home, laughing.

* ~ *

~ MEANWHILE ~ BACK AT HOME ~

After Matt's news that everything was over and that he and Jace were coming home, the others gathered in Jace's living room to wait for them.

Alexander: Well, when they come, the women will do us a favor and go next door.

Mary: Oh, really? And why would we do that?

Simon: Because we men have some very serious business to discuss.

Lois: And we are not supposed to know about it?

Sebastian: Not yet, Kitten.

Chloe: Can you at least tell us what this is about?

Jared: We can't. If the person in question wants to, he can tell you.

Isabella: What's the secret? Who is the person in question?

Stefan: Me.

Mary: What? Tell me now!

Stefan: It's nothing, Mama.

Mary: STEFAN ALEXANDER HARRONATE, don't tell me it's nothing. Even the smallest thing about you is vital to me. Tell me now!

Stefan walks up to his mother, kneels down in front of her and rests his head on her thighs. Mary strokes his blond hair.

Mary: Stef, baby, what's wrong with you?

Stefan lifts his head and looks her straight in the eye, just like his father does when he wants something from her.

Stefan: Mama, I love you unconditionally. You are the woman of my life. My own Virgin Mary, but there are some subjects I can't discuss with you. You've never pushed me to do anything. Don't do it now.

Isabella: Holy Mother! Look at him! It's like seeing Jace. An exact replica. Unbelievable.

Mary, ready to melt, leans over and kisses her son between his violet eyes, the only thing he took from her.

Mary: You know you don't play fair, right?

Stefan: I know. My father taught me well.

Mary: I'm doomed.

~ SHORTLY AFTER ~

Matt and Jace have returned, filled the rest in on what happened at the hospital, and are now taking a bath. Not together. Each to their own.

The women and girls went to the mall to window shopping and why not do some real shopping. For understandable reasons, they also took the twins so the men could talk in peace.

The men are in the pool with a bottle of whiskey for the adults and a giant banana smoothie for Stefan and they are waiting for Jace and Matt to finish their bath, which they're taking separately. I said that again, didn't I? HaHaHa ... But anyway!

Everyone is excited about Stefan's upcoming first date. Everyone? Not exactly. Someone has something else in mind that won't let him be happy. Like who? Let's see ...

Jared: Sebby? I want to talk to you. In private.

Sebastian gets up right away.

Sebastian: Let's go.

The two men walk on and lie down in the grass. They put their hands under their heads and look at the moon and the stars.

Sebastian: I remember it like it was yesterday, when we were kids and spent our nights lying in the grass staring up at the sky. What about you?

Jared: Of course, I remember. And I also remember your father coming and ripping our shirts off and dragging us home. Those were good times!

Sebastian: Yeah, but it's even better now, isn't it?

Jared: Sure. You have Lois. You're getting married, and most importantly, you're going to be a father in a few months.

Sebastian: And you have Chloe.

Jared: Yeah, I have her, and I'm grateful for that.

Sebastian: But?

Jared: But I don't have a baby.

Sebastian: And why is that? Chloe doesn't want it?

Jared: No. It's the exact opposite. She wants it. That's all she talks about.

Sebastian: Then what's the problem? Stop taking precautions.

Jared: I never took precautions with Chloe.

Sebastian sits up and looks at Jared in confusion.

Sebastian: You are coming into her, aren't you? I mean, you don't pull yourself out, do you?

Jared: Most of the time, yes.

Sebastian: Then why? I don't understand.

Jared sits up as well. He takes a deep breath and drops the bomb.

Jared: Sebby, I'm afraid I am sterile.

Sebastian rolls his eyes and smiles.

Sebastian: What kind of bullshit is that? Where the hell did that come from? Of course, you are not sterile. Stop thinking those thoughts right now.

Jared: Then how do you explain this? You have been with Lois for five months and she's almost four months pregnant. So, the baby was conceived in the first month. I have been with Chloe for three months and still nothing.

Sebastian: Wait. Chloe is okay? I mean, has she been tested?

Jared buries his face in his hands.

Jared: Yeah. She had a menstrual problem a few months ago and she's had all the tests. She's perfectly healthy. So, the problem is with me.

Sebastian: That's not necessarily true. Well, maybe... Maybe it just hasn't happened yet.

Jared: I need to know. I can't stand living with a grain of doubt. I need to know so I can warn Chloe.

Sebastian: What do you mean?

Jared: If I have a problem, she needs to know. She wants kids and she deserves a man who can give her what she wants.

Sebastian: Bullshit! Chloe loves you very much, and she's not going to leave you even if that crap is true.

Jared: I know that, and that's why I'm going to have to send her away. I can't stand the thought that one day she'll hate me for keeping motherhood from her.

Sebastian: Hey! Hey! Hey! Don't go there.

Jared: Alpha, please. I'm begging you! I need to know, but I can't go to the test alone. Will you come with me?

Sebastian stands up and hugs his friend.

Sebastian: Of course, I'll come with you. I would never leave you alone for something like this, but I want you to promise me something.

Jared: Like what?

Sebastian: You will not do anything stupid with Chloe until we finally know what's going on.

Jared: I can't do that. She needs to know. I need to talk to her tonight.

Sebastian turns his head and looks Jared straight in the eye. His eyes start to sparkle and a growl comes out of his throat. And unfortunately, Jared knows exactly what that means.

Jared: Sebby, NO! Please, don't make me ...

Sebastian: You leave me no choice. I can't let you push the woman of your life away because you are a fucking idiot.

Sebastian gains stature and real strength pours from his body. He tenses his muscles and uses his other voice.

Sebastian: You won't, beta. You will not reveal anything about this. This is all between you and me. This is an order from your Alpha.

Jared lowers his head.

Sebastian: Say it!

Jared: I won't. I will not reveal anything about this. This is all between you and me.

Jared sinks to his knees and Sebastian exhales in relief, running his hands through his hair. He knows Jared will not disobey him.

Sebastian: God damn it, Jay! You know I hate to do this to you. Why are you making me do this?

Jared: I'm sorry, Sebby.

Sebastian: Whatever! First thing tomorrow morning, you and I will go to the diagnostic center. Think of something to tell Chloe.

Jared: Okay.

Sebastian: Now change your face. We need to get back to the others. Stefan needs us next to him.

Jared takes a few breaths and forces himself to smile.

Jared: How do I look?

Sebastian: Like your ass is on fire, but that's okay. It's not much different than your usual face.

Now that Sebastian's influence is waning, Jared bares his teeth.

Jared: With all due respect, Alpha. You are an asshole.

Sebastian pats Jared's cheek and smiles.

Sebastian: That's a lot better.

Jared covers Sebastian's hand on his cheek.

Jared: Sebby, thank you.

Sebastian: You are welcome. Come on now. Let's go.

* ~ *