Hard Part

Jason loved every minute, every second, of being with Katie. It was more than just satisfying the want to kiss and hold her...it was getting to know her again... gaining back what had been lost.

He had no idea how long they just silently sat and let their passions show. But he didn't care either. In the end, he wound up on his side, Katie tucked in front if him with his arm wrapped around her. No movie was ever played...the quiet darkness of the living room like a warm blanket.

Jason gave her a little squeeze and kissed the back of her head before closing his eyes and sighing with content. He knew he was close to falling asleep, but he wasn't going to fight it. It crossed his mind that this had been the most passionate he and Katie had been with each other since losing their connection. Maybe time apart had done them both good in the end. He never wanted to repeat it though. They did have more than just their connection. They did have love. And that's what counted.


Pacing the porch at his mother's house, Justin listens carefully to everything Nate told him. It was painful, hearing how badly Garret was doing. Justin knew it was his own fault that this was happening. He had taken a path in life to help people - and he had intentionally torn someone down instead. This whole past week had been a nightmare. From stewing about his mistake with Garret, to losing a client at Brookshire because they didn't like him, to being ill at ease with Beth since the whole Elite subject had yet to come up again. And now this. But he had to pull himself together. This was his one chance to help fix what he'd damaged.

Sinking down on the porch swing, he sighed. "I'm sorry to hear Garrett's doing so poorly. I honestly thought he'd go the angry route, not the depressed one." That much was true - he was genuinely surprised to hear of Garret's current behavior.

"The good news is it sounds like he's actually thinking through the past, and even though it seems bad, it's good he's finally getting it out of his system. I can only guess what he went through at the Agency but I think I'd be safe to assume he was never allowed to work through his grief as a child, and that never goes away. So what he couldn't do then - cry, be angry, miss his parents, feel abandoned, all that - is what he's going through now. And that's good. The hard part now is getting him to move past that stage."

He rested his elbows on his knees and closed his eyes as he tried to think. His confidence with this case was shot...but he needed to at least try. He wished he could be there himself, but he'd ruined any chances for that.

"Eating is obviously a concern. If he refuses, try to find out what he really likes - everyone has a weakness that's hard to resist, and his body is wanting food badly at this point, even if his mind isn't. Maggie may be an important player. It's good no pressure has been applied up to this point - you've done the right thing. Now though, he needs to be pushed just a little. See if Maggie can get him to eat. Share just a bite of her food. Something simple. Even one bite is a step forward."

Justin paused as Lydia opened the door, looking for him, then went back inside when she realized he was on the phone. "You also need to try and get him to talk. He's not going to want to discuss any of this yet - he'll need to eventually, but not right away. Most likely, he's feeling incredibly embarrassed. It's not easy for anyone to be so emotional, let alone in public, let alone a man, let alone a man like Garret. So he needs something else to focus on. Something that makes him feel useful and that will distract him away from his depression and embarrassment." Justin thought for a moment. "Maybe it's something you need help with around the house. Maybe it's work-related...a question about a case he can help with. Anything like that. Being needed is key."

He pursed his lips, thinking for another moment. "To be honest, without being there myself to see him, that's all I've got. Start pushing just a little, to redirect his thoughts. If there's no change three days from now, I'd suggest getting someone like Hope to see him." Oh how he wished he hadn't messed up. He so badly wanted to see Garret for himself.

"You and your family have already done wonders," he encouraged. "You're doing the right thing - just keep it up."