Nearly two weeks after Scott's court date and Alex had yet to stop taunting Mitch. The brunette was hoping that send his boyfriend to jail would satisfy his tormentor. Clearly he was wrong.

"I'm sure Scott misses fucking that tight little ass. Bet he wouldn't mind me borrowing it. He always loved when I'd screw him fast and rough. How do you want it Mitch?"

Mitch ignored him. Jeremy of course had other plans.

"Way don't you shut the hell up Kirk!"
"What are you gonna do about it? You his keeper now?"
"As a matter of fact yea, I am. And I have special instructions to fuck you up if you mess with Mitch. So I suggest you back off."

The encounter happened outside of Mrs. Harrelson's room. So course she ignored everything Alex said, sending Jeremy to the office for communicating threats. Kirstie and Mitch didn't see him for the rest of the day but he was waiting at his car after school.

Kirstin ran over to her boyfriend, "baby, what happened?!"
"Suspended for 5 days, then detention for a month with the wicked witch."
"Did you tell them what Alex said about Mitch?"
"Yes! Of course I did. But that douche has them all under his spell. I swear it's crazy!"
"I'm so sorry Jer. It's all my fault."
"Don't even Mitchie. It's not your fault. I promised Scott I'd protect you and that's what I intend on doing."
"But now you've got a suspension."
"You had one first though."
"Shut up Jeremy Michael! It's not funny."
"It is Mitty. I'm not worried about a suspension. It doesn't bother me. I'm more concerned about not being here with you and Kirst and Alex doing something to one of y'all to spite me and Scott."
"We'll be fine sweetheart."
"Y'all gotta watch out for each other okay?"
"We will Jer. Promise."

Kirst reached up and kissed her boyfriend on the cheek. Mitch following suit on the opposite side.

"Thanks for protecting us Jeremy. Love ya bro!"
"Love you too Mitchie-Moo."

--------------------------------------------------------------

Scott found himself sitting in the visitation room again. He hoped Mitch would walk in but he had visited yesterday and had told Scott he had an appointment and wouldn't be there today.

The door opened and Kyle walked in accompanied by a man Scott has seen briefly at his hearing.

"Scotty!" Mr. Ward made his way around the table to engulf the boy in a hug."
"Kyle! How are you?"
"I'm good. What about you kiddo?"
"Okay, I think."
"You sure?"
"No, but I've been having a string of good days so okay seems like a good answer for now."
"Very well then."

Kyle steps back around the table and grabs Daniel's hand, smiling.

"Scott, I brought someone to meet you. This is Daniel. My fiancé."

Dan reaches out to shake Scott's hand, retracting it when he sees the handcuffs restricting Scott's movements. Scott chuckles nervously.

"It's okay. Uhh, hey, I'm Scott."
"Umm... I'm Daniel or Dan or..."
"Babe, chill out."
"Sorry, I don't know why I'm so nervous."
"I'd bet it has something to do with the fact that you're in a jail, sitting across from a prisoner in a jumpsuit."
Kyle rolled his eyes, "Scott, that's not it at all. If anything I'd say Danny's used to this type of interaction."
"Huh?"
"What he means is I work with troubled kids. Not that you're troubled... I mean... uhhh... I deal with kids that..."
"Dan, breath, what is up with you baby? You're bumbling."
"Gee thanks Ky!"
"I don't mean anything by it, just what's up?"
"I think it's the fact that I'm meeting Scott. I hear you guys talk about him all the time and I'm just nervous I think."
"There's no reason to be nervous. I don't bite. Even if I did the guard would take me out before I could do any real damage."
"See... told you he's got a bit of a dark sense of humor. He's a good kid though."
"I have no doubt. Anyway Scott, I work at an alternative school. Kids who get kicked out of traditional schools come to us. Kyle and Mitch were telling me you've been thinking about college."
"Yea, I have. I just don't know my options. If I even have options."
"Why wouldn't you have options?"
"Money and the fact that I have three drug conviction, an assault conviction, and will still be on probation when I start."
"Scott, don't worry about the money. I've got that covered."
"You some secret millionaire?"
Kyle laughed, "not quite. But we all have some money saved. And we rent out the vineyards around our house. It brings in a good bit of money. So we've got tuition covered."

Scott stared at his guardian while Daniel grinned over at his partner.

"You have options Scott. I've seen kids go to college with rap sheets longer than yours. If you want me to I can look into some programs you'd be interested in."
"That'd be great!"
"Okay, do you know what you'd like to do? What are you passionate about?"
"Well..."
"Mitch is not an acceptable answer to this question Scott." Kyle interjected.
"I wasn't..."
"Sure you weren't."
"Anyway, umm I really like music."
"He's good to Danny. Like his voice is amazing."
"You really think so?"
"Scott, you're good. Your control is great and your tone is beautiful."
"Thank you."
"So, Scott, you'd like to do something music related?"
"Yea, if possible. I don't know what but definitely with music."
"I'll look into and maybe I can come back up with Kyle next week and we can talk some more."
"Yea, that'd be cool."
"Yea, I mean you're Kyle's kid so I feel like I need to get to know you."
"There's not much to know but I'll be here if you want to visit. I'm not going anyway."
"Told you, thinks he's funny."

The three break out in laughter before the guard entered saying visiting hour was over. When they left both adults hugged Scott. He felt good for the first time one weeks.