The rainstorm had lefts its mark. She had been down with a fever throughout the weekend and for the entire Monday. On any other day she would have celebrated being allowed to skip school, but even school was better than being bound to her bed coughing and sneezing with a massive headache. This must be what it felt like to be run over by a freight truck.

When she heard the door to her room open, she forced her eyes open and groaned. "Oh my god, I'm hallucinating. There's someone in my room."

Eric rolled his eyes and put the tray he was carrying on her desk. "I see your sarcasm hasn't been affected."

Alisson sighed. "Even in my nightmares he's annoying."

Eric pulled a chair towards the bed and sat on it backwards, leaning on the back support, and smirked at her. "You look like crap."

"Go away," Alisson groaned.

"No can do," Eric shook his head, "that Valerie-lady told me to bring you this chicken soup and I have your homework with me."

Homework? Seriously? Like she needed to be reminded of school all the time. Couldn't he just let her copy his? She'd even add in a mistake here and there to make it look like she had done the work. "I repeat," she said, "go away."

Eric sighed. He was already used to her behavior and didn't let it deter him. "You want some soup before it gets cold? It actually smells really nice."

"You eat it then," Alisson said tiredly, though she had to admit, some soup did sound nice. She struggled herself in a siting position, but in her weakened state is was near impossible. Every move made her head spin.

"Need some help?" Eric asked cautiously. He knew she didn't like to admit defeat.

Alisson sighed and gave a reluctant nod.

Eric blinked in surprise, but moved to assist her before she would change he mind. He slung one of her arms over his shoulder and wrapped the other around her back. "You know," he said amused, "I think you should get sick more often. It makes you a lot more compliant."

"Ugh," Alisson groaned, "don't use big words. It makes my head hurt."

Eric rolled his eyes. "It means you don't argue about pointless things. Are you comfortable like this?"

"I'm fine," Alisson said annoyed.

Eric nodded. "Good." He went to pick up her bowl of soup and dipped the spoon. "Open up."

She glared at him. "I don' need you to feed me!"

He chuckled. "I was only joking. Here." He handed her the bowl and leaned back onto the chair. "So, what happened?"

"Rainstorm," she replied.

He whistled. "You got caught in that? No wonder you're sick. Why didn't you call me? I would have given you a ride."

Alisson raised an eyebrow. "No phone, remember? And I got a ride. The rain was just too much."

He nodded in understanding. "That sucks." He glanced at the door and hesitated before turning back to her. "Hey," he said, "I know you don't like talking about your personal life, but... is everything okay?"

Alisson snorted. "What?"

Eric sighed and stood up. He walked over to her desk and returned with an envelope. "Because usually when the courthouse sends you letters, it's not a good thing."

Alisson narrowed her eyes and hissed. "You read my mail?! That's private!"

Eric sighed and handed her the letter. "The return address is on the envelope, you know." He sat back down. "And that guy that sometimes picks you up... he's in the kitchen talking to Valerie. It seemed serious." He looked at his hands. "Look, you don't need to tell me anything. I just want to make sure you're okay." He nodded his head towards the door. "That guy... you said he's not your dad. Is he a lawyer or something?"

Alisson sighed and put her now empty bowl on the night stand. Perhaps it was because she was so tired. Or maybe she was just tired of avoiding questions like this. Maybe that was why she answered him. "His name is Trevor. He's my caseworker."

"Caseworker?" Eric blinked, "like parole officer?" He had never considered that the reason Alisson refused to talk about her personal life was that she had broken the law.

"Like CPS," Alisson answered.

Eric frowned. "You mean foster care." He thought a moment. Of course she lived in a group home for a reason and she had told him her parents weren't in her life. But still... "I thought once you turned eighteen, you're automatically out of the system. You're nineteen, aren't you? Why do you still have a caseworker?"

Alisson sighed and closed her eyes. "Special circumstances."

His eyes moved to her wheelchair and then to the letter from the courthouse. It was like the answer was staring him in the face, but he just couldn't connect the dots.

Eric sighed. He knew not to ask about it. If she wanted him to know she would tell him herself. "I'll let you rest," he said, "I'll drop off your homework again tomorrow and once you feel better, I'll help you catch up." He stood up and put the chair back. "Take care, Alisson." He smiled at her and walked towards the door.

"Hey," Alisson said. He paused and looked at her over his shoulder. She hesitated and averted her eyes. "I'm not very good at this 'friends' thing..."

His smile turned into a smirk. "Don't worry," he said, "I'll teach you."

***

Tess leaned back in the chair she was sitting on and pursed her lips. "What's on your mind, Chase? You're been distracted al afternoon."

Chase sighed and played with the straw in his drink. He ran a hand across his face. "My uncle called," he said, "a date has been set for the hearing."

Tess looked down at her hands. "You mean about your father," she said softly.

Chase gave a nod and stared at his glass. "I may have to testify against him. He can go away for a long time for child abuse."

Tess placed a hand on his arm. "He's hurt you, Chase, for years. He needs to answer for his actions."

"I know," he nodded, but there was a tortured expression on his face. "I just want to leave this all behind. I got emancipated. I don't want anything to do with him anymore. He'll be there. I don't want to see him."

Tess smiled at him comforting. "Do you want me to go with you?"

Chase shook his head. "No. I need to do this on my own."

"You don't have to do everything alone, Chase," Tess said, "I'm here for you. Zeke too, even if you don't want him to. And Archer..."

"I know," Chase said, "but I need to do this thing myself." He didn't want his girlfriend anywhere near his father. He didn't want anyone he knew near his father for that matter. Besides, he didn't know how he would react, seeing the man again. He didn't want Tess to see him all vulnerable. It was bad enough that she had seen the bruises he had received time and time again. It was bad enough that she knew. She didn't need to see the man who had inflicted that on him.

"Are you sure?" Tess asked quietly, "will you come over after then?"

Chase sighed. "I'll try. I don't know how long it will take, but I'll call you, okay?"

Tess nodded. "Sure." Of course she was a little disappointed, but she knew Chase. He didn't like to show his emotions, even to her. It had been a big step for him already to ask her if he could stay the night when he had been beaten again, something her parents still weren't aware of.

She smiled at him. "Let's get out of here. Want to catch a movie?"

Chase nodded. "Okay." Perhaps a movie would distract him for a while. He drew his wallet and threw a few dollar bills on the table to pay for their drinks.

"Did you finish that Biology assignment yet?" Tess asked while they walked down the street towards the movie theater.

"Nah," Chase denied, "there's still time."

"It's due next week, Chase," Tess reprimanded him.

"Like I said," Chase answered, "there's still time. Don't worry so much."

Tess looked at him skeptically. "Please tell me you're not gonna buy one of Lucas'' reports again. If you get caught, Chase, you'll get in trouble."

Chase sighed. "I can't afford Lucas' rates anymore anyway now that I have my own bills to pay."

Tess gasped and slapped his chest with the back of her hand. "Chase!"

He rolled his eyes and grabbed her hand. "It's a joke, Tess. I was actually hoping, you would help me out. You know, maybe you can come over. We can have dinner together and then study."

Tess blushed and looked away shyly. "I'd like that."

He smirked. "I knew you would. So, you're coming over then?"

"Yeah," Tess nodded, "yeah, I am."

***

"What's the matter, son?" Richard Vermeer looked at his son over his laptop questioningly, "you have been staring at the wall for quite some time. Do you need help with your Math homework? We can look at it together."

Eric's mother smiled amused as she stirred the pot on the stove. "He has girl on his mind, honey. Men tend to forget everything else when a girl is involved."

Richard raised an eyebrow. "Is that so, son? When will you introduce her to us? What's her name? Do we know her?"

Eric flinched. "W-what?"

His father gave him a stern look. "If you found yourself a girlfriend, Eric, it's only natural that your mother and I meet her. I do hope you are being responsible."

Eric could feel the heat rise to his face. He coughed. "That's not... I-it's not like that."

"Oh sweetheart," his mother said. She cupped his face. "it's nothing to be ashamed of. Once a boy hits a certain age..."

Eric looked sick and pulled away. "Mom! Stop! It's not like that! I'm not in love with her!":

"So there is a girl," his mother smiled.

Eric sighed. "She's a classmate. She's in a... difficult situation and I don't know how to help her."

His father now sat up straighter. "Tell me son, this classmate of yours... she's not pregnant or something, is she?"

"No," Eric answered, "it's nothing like that. She doesn't really want my help anyway. She doesn't want to talk about it either."

His father nodded. "I see." He sighed. "Eric, if you suspect she is being abused at home, there are organizations you can contact. They will investigate the matter and take the necessary actions."

Eric wasn't sure if he should laugh or cry. There was a certain irony to the situation. He couldn't bring himself to tell his parents that ship had already sailed. "I know, dad," he said, "it's just complicated." He could see the worry on his father's face, so he forced out a smile. "I'll work it out."

His mother smiled and planted a kiss in his hair. "I'm proud of you, sweetheart, for wanting to help that girl. Be a good friend to her. I'm sure in time she will trust you with her story."

Eric sighed. He hoped so, but he couldn't help but think there was more going on than just Alisson living in a group home.

His father was more skeptical. "It is good that you want to help your friend, son, but promise me you'll inform the right people when it comes to it. Some things you can't solve on your own."

Eric nodded. "I promise."

"Good," his father smiled, "now, let's have a look at your Math homework and then we can have dinner."

***

Alisson looked up when Valerie placed a small box on the table. "What's this?"

"Open it," Valerie nodded at the box with a smile.

Blinking confused, Alisson opened the box and took out a phone.

Valerie's smile grew wider and she sat down across from the girl. "Trevor and I had a long talk this week while you were sick. We both agree it's time you have your own phone. I wasn't comfortable with the fact that you can't reach me when you're out. And with that rainstorm you got caught in, I think it's important you have the means to call for help. And with your case coming up in court again, you need to be able to talk with Trevor too. I already entered Dandelion's number, as well as my personal mobile number. And Trevor's number is in there too. I trust you to use it responsibly." She looked at Alisson sternly. "I trust this mean you'll stay out of my office from now on too."

Alisson ignored the last comment and placed the phone in her pocket. "Whatever."

Valerie pursed her lips and shook her head in disapproval. She had expected at least an apology, but Alisson just acted like she didn't care. She didn't press the matter though. Experience had taught her it would only have the opposite effect. "You're welcome," she simply said, "now seeing as how you're feeling better, you'll go back to school tomorrow. Maybe you can add your friend's number too. I like that boy. He was really worried about you."

Alisson rolled her eyes. "He needs to chill."

"That's not nice, Alisson," Valerie told her, "he came all the way here to bring your homework and check on you. He's even offered to tutor you. You should do something nice back for him."

"Like what?" Alisson scoffed.

"I'm sure you'll think of something," Valerie stated, oblivious to the sarcastic tone in Alison's voice, "I need to check on Jamie now. His psychologist is coming over today to evaluate him. Don't forget Trevor is stopping by today to discuss things with you for the hearing."

Alisson sighed. "Yeah, I know." She turned around and headed for her room. Vincent's case was approaching and it was causing her a lot of stress. After what had happened, she had hoped she would never have to see him again. The look in his eyes that day... It had been like looking at a madman.

She wasn't sure she could handle being confronted with him. She could already imagine his gloating eyes and condescending smirk on seeing her like this.

Alisson took a deep breath and took the picture out of her desk drawer. She stared at it for a long time. If only she could turn back the clock. If only she had made different choices. If only she had known...

But it was too late for that. Nothing could undo the past.

With a determined look, she placed the picture back and closed the drawer. She couldn't change her past, but she could decide her future. She would make him pay.

If it was the last thing she did.

A/N Hmmm Seems Eric is quite worried abut Alisson :)

Next chapter will bring us back to Ray. Stay tuned...