*****

Outside the early morning sun was shining brightly. Inside Grams, Jen and Mitch all sat by Jack�s bedside. They had not slept and Jack had not woken all night. Jen felt Jack�s hand move inside hers and that was the first time she realised that he had finally woken.

�Jack� Jen whispered trying to get his attention. Jack was staring at the far wall of the room, with a totally blank look on his face.

�Are you feeling better?� Mitch asked. He received no answer.

�Who did this, Jack? Please tell me. Who did it?� Jen began crying again. He didn�t respond. Grams left the room, but quickly returned again carrying a tray, which she placed next to the bed.

�Okay you two, out you go� she saw the looks on their faces �No complaints. You both are tired, go get some sleep� Grams stared them both down. They left together knowing that there was no use in arguing with her. Grams stared at Jack affectionately, though he didn�t return her gaze. She dipped a sponge into some water in the bowl on the tray and put an arm under Jack�s head and neck, using the other hand to clean his cuts with the sponge. His wince was the first sign of him knowing what was going on that Grams received.

�I know you don�t feel like talking and that�s okay, but I am still going to talk to you. I don�t know what has happened, but when you are ready to tell me, I am ready to listen. I care about you so much, we all do. We hate to see you hurt� Grams noticed tears streaming down Jack�s cheeks. �It�s okay, I�m here� and with that she leant down and gave him a grandmotherly hug.

�Jen filled me in on you and Mitch� Jack returned her gaze for the first time. His face was blank, but Grams knew what he was thinking and feeling. �Don�t worry, I don�t totally object. I fact I support you. I just want to see you smile again.� Jack had heard what he needed to hear and after about a second he turned back away.

�From what I heard you were really happy, so was Mitch. He really loves you Jack� Jack began to cry again �which is why I�ve come to the conclusion that your relationship, break up and the state you are in now are linked. Am I right?�

Jack didn�t answer but from the fact that he was cry harder she knew she was right. �Don�t worry, I haven�t said anything to them, though I don�t know why they haven�t worked anything out. I guess they are too worried about you. They are in such states� Grams paused and said sweetly �When are you going to talk? Jack, we need to hear your voice, we need to know what happened and that you are okay�

After giving him another hug she walked to the door. �I�ll get the others� as she walked out of the door she heard a small noise.

�I�m sorry� Jack whispered. His face was still soaked with tears that stung his wounds. He still couldn�t look at her.

�You have no reason to be dear� Grams smiled softly �No reason�

*****

Jack lay in the bed. He really wanted to tell them what had happened, but how could he? He hated being the cause of his loved ones pain. Jen entered the room and sat next to him, trying not to cry. For the first time, Jack looked at her.

�Do you want anything? Do you need anything?� Jen asked stroking hair from his face. He didn�t answer. He reached for her hand as she moved it away and clung to it like a child. If he hadn�t been in so pain he would have sat up and given her the hug that he longed to give her. He wanted to feel the protection of her arms around him, feel her love penetrate his aching heart.

Mitch then entered; sitting on Jack�s other side and automatically taking his spare hand. Jack now turned to face Mitch. He didn�t know what was going through Mitch�s mind; he didn�t want to. He had hurt Mitch and didn�t know how to make it right again.

�I�m sorry� Jack whispered. Both Jen and Mitch looked at Jack, shocked that he finally spoke. Jack turned to Jen �I�m sorry� he said slightly louder �I�m sorry, I�m really sorry� he yelled loudly before bursting in to tears.

�Why? Why are you sorry? What�s happened?� Mitch asked. Both Jen and Mitch tried to comfort Jack; both once again near tears.

�Jack, you have to tell us what happened. We can�t help if you don�t tell us� Jen comforted. Jack looked at them both; he couldn�t hide it anymore.

�I didn�t want to hurt anyone, honest. I really didn�t� Jack whispered. �I told him that I was sorry, I really did. Please believe me. I tried to tell him I was sorry, I really did� Jack�s crying became uncontrollable as his repetitive ramblings spilled from his mouth.

�Who, Jack? Who did you tell?� Jen cried.

�He said I wasn�t sorry, but I would be. He started hitting me, kicking me. I didn�t hit him back; I had hurt him enough. I�ve caused enough trouble already. He carried on hitting and kicking me, I just lay there, praying for him to stop, but he didn�t. He said that he was going to make me sorry, but I already was!�

Both Jen and Mitch couldn�t believe what they were hearing; they tightened their grip on Jack�s quivering hands.

�Who?� Mitch whispered. He couldn�t look at Jack; the pain in his face was too intense.

�He wouldn�t stop, I begged him, but he wouldn�t stop. I really didn�t want to hurt anyone� He looked at Mitch �I told you I didn�t want anyone to get hurt and now everyone is� Jack was crying again.

�Please, Jack, tell us who� Jen spoke lightly. Jack looked her in the eyes and said nothing �Please� she whispered.

�He said that he would stop if I broke up with you� now he was looking at Mitch

�I didn�t want to, but I had to. I don�t want anyone to be hurt. He thinks I am trying to steal you away, That wasn�t my intention� Mitch went pale �honest�

�Jack, who? I am not angry at you, I still love you, but you have to tell us who?!� Mitch forced out. He already knew; he just needed clarification. Jack closed his eyes, he couldn�t bring himself to say the word, he could hardly breathe. The name buzzed around his head, but wouldn�t find their way to his lips.

�Jack, please, we want to help. You must tell us� Jen whispered. When he opened his eyes he saw Grams standing in the doorway, nodding for him to carry on. He opened his mouth to talk

�D�Dawson� he whispered. Mitch dropped his hand; no one said a word. Mitch was shaking. He slowly stood and looked at Jack.

�I�I don�t ever want to hear you apologise again, ever. You have done nothing wrong. Everything is going to be okay, I promise. We are not angry, up set or disappointed in you, at all, okay? You have nothing to apologise for!� with that Mitch stormed out of the room. The slam of the front door could be heard from the bedroom. Shocked silence once again ruled the room.

�Jack�Jack?� Jen quietly sobbed. Jack could no longer say anything or look at anyone. �It�s going to be okay. He will never come near you again, if he does he will have me to deal with!� Jen stated.

�He�ll have me to deal with too� Grams said dead seriously.

�I can�t believe it! Dawson? How could he?� Jen whispered.

�He hates me, Mitch hates me� He sobbed.

�He doesn�t hate you, he�s confused, but he doesn�t hate you. He loves you� Grams explained. Jen reached across and gave Jack a hug before climbing in to bed with him, with in minutes, they were both asleep, curled up together.

*****

Mitch stormed in to Dawson�s bedroom where Dawson was sitting on his bed, watching a film with Joey and Pacey.

�Dad?�

�Don�t you �dad� me, you are not my son!� Pacey looked at Joey confused.

�What�s wrong?� Dawson asked.

�When was the last time you saw Jack?� Mitch barked. Dawson said nothing, cheeks starting to go pink.

�What�s going on?� Joey asked.

�Well� Mitch glared at Joey �Your friend, Jack is lying half dead in Jen�s bedroom, with cuts and bruises all over him, because your �soul mate�, Dawson!�

�What?� Pacey was confused �Dawson wouldn�t hurt anyone�

�That�s what I thought, but seeing the state that Jacks in, I beg to differ� Mitch snapped.

�He deserved it! He needed to be taught that he can�t just take what ever he wants� Dawson snapped back. Pacey and Joey were in shock.

�What?� Joey whispered moving away from Dawson.

�Dawson couldn�t stand that his father is gay!� Pacey and Joey were even more confused �He didn�t come and talk to me when he found out I was dating Jack, instead he beat the shit out of him, making him apologise over and over until he agreed to break up with me!� Mitch was red with rage.

�Tell us this isn�t true, man� Pacey whispered. Dawson said nothing.

�Is Jack okay?� Joey asked.

�No, not at all� Mitch held his stare with Dawson. Joey was near to tears. Pacey was deeply disturbed, in the whole time he knew Dawson, Dawson hadn�t even hurt a fly.

�I can�t believe you, Dawson� Joey whispered as she slowly left the room followed by Pacey.

�Da

d, he had no right��

"Dawson, it had nothing to do with you. We were happy, really happy. I love him�

�You don�t! You�re not gay�

�Yes I am! And I do! I can�t believe you, Dawson. I never want to see you again, that�s how angry and disappointed I am. You are not my son, you can�t be. I didn�t bring my son up that way!� Mitch went to turn away �And if you ever come near Jack again, I swear you�ll be in a worse state that he is now. That�s a promise!� Mitch slammed the door behind him, leaving Dawson standing alone, ET playing in the background.

*****

Dawson was still in his room thinking over what had happened between him and his dad. He couldn�t believe Mitch acted like that. The thought of Mitch caring more about Jack than him broke his heart.

Pacey quietly entered the room. Dawson didn�t turn to look, he knew it was him.

�So, do you want to tell what happened?� Pacey demanded

�Not really, Pace�

�Tough, your going to because the Dawson Leery I know wouldn�t hurt a fly, but maybe I�m mistaken� There was silence for a few moments.

�Ever since Jack moved here he has taken things from me. First Joey, then you and now dad!�

�What are you talking about? First of all you don�t own Joey Potter, no one does. Secondly, he wasn�t trying to steal Mitch, they are just dating. And me? What are you talking about?�

�Haven�t you noticed that since Jack moved here we haven�t been as close? The McPhee�s just want what ever I have!�

�Dawson, I don�t believe you. That�s rubbish and you know it! You had no right to do that to Jack, no right! The only thing that Jack has taken from you is the �nice guy of Capeside� title and you are jealous. You are jealous because not everything is about you anymore. You are being a spoiled brat. You don�t want to share your dad so you beat up the competition, no matter how little he deserves it! What you did is unforgivable� Pacey paused �Before, you probably could have got some sympathy, I know that I would have sympathised with you. Jack may have even been seen as the bad guy, but not anymore. Did you even think of the consequences? Jack, Jen, Mitch, Grams, Andie. They will probably never forgive you, they may never talk to you again. And Joey! If anything, you�ve pushed her closer to him. It totally backfired!�

�And you?� Dawson asked.

�What about me?�

�How do you feel towards me?�

�Well, I think you can safely put me in the same category as Jack. You make me sick! I don�t even want to be around you! I am going to go see Jack, make sure that he is okay!� Pacey turned and walked out, slamming the door behind him.

Dawson stood motionless, not really knowing what just happened. Pacey was one of his bestfriends, how could he react like this?

*****

Jack woke up to a shock; the room was crowded. Jen was still curled up next to him, though already awake. Mitch was seated on a chair to his right; Joey was in Pacey�s arms on chairs at the end of the bed. Grams was still standing in the doorway and Andie was pacing the room. Jen, Andie and Joey all had tear stains on their cheeks. Andie must have just got home; she looked tired from travelling.

�I�m guessing that everyone knows?� Jack whispered

�Yeah. Joey and Pacey were at Dawson�s when I went to see him and Andie, well we thought she had a right to know� Mitch answered quietly.

�I�m sorry for not telling you� He said to everyone, but mainly aiming his words towards Andie.

�We understand and we don�t mind� Andie reassured him through her tears. Jack felt a lot better, but by the way everyone was looking at him, he guessed that he didn�t look better. He felt drained physically and emotionally.

�I don�t understand why you are all here� Jack spoke

�What?� Jen asked confused.

�Dawson is the one hurting. It is my fault. I�m the one in the wrong. I upset him. I�m the one in the wrong� Mitch couldn�t believe his ears, nor could anyone else.

�How can you say that after what he did to you?� Pacey asked.

�He had no right to do what he did, no matter what you�ve done� Joey cried. There was a moment of silence.

�Could I have a private word with Jack please?� Mitch asked

�Sure� Jen smiled as she followed everyone out of the room. There was once again a long silence.

�I never ever want to hear you apologise for Dawson again! You have done nothing wrong! You can�t honestly feel like that?�

�I do, I feel so guilty. I hate to see him upset, knowing it�s my fault�

�It�s not your fault. Dawson was one hundred percent in the wrong� Mitch paused �How do you think it makes me feel, having you apologise for liking me, like there is something wrong with it?�

�I�m sorry, you must hate me!�

�No. Stop apologising! I don�t hate you, I�m not angry with you and I don�t blame you. No one does. I love you. I am angry that I brought up a son who could do something like this to you and I feel guilty because I wasn�t there to help you!� Mitch had tears in his eyes. �I should have told Dawson, I should have sat him down and told him ages ago, before we got together. It should be me who he�s angry at, for stealing a friend, not at you for supposedly stealing a dad. It should be me lying there, not you� Mitch cried, Jack couldn�t believe what he was hearing �We just have to stick together, show him he hasn�t won!�

�How can we carry on going out after this? What about school? Family? Friends? We can�t carry on�

�Why not? Everyone that is important already knows. I�ll leave the school if I have to; I can go somewhere else. I�ll do anything� Jack said nothing �I was wondering. When you�re feeling better, if you wanted to move in to the flat with me? It could solve some problems with you family too�

�Mitch, we can�t just carry on. We can�t. It isn�t going to work� Jack whispered. �We can�t carry on. It won�t work. You�re moving too fast�

�Jack! How can you say that? It will work; we�ll make it work. We were happy, everyone noticed that you were happier. Don�t let other people wreck this!�

�I can�t� Jack whispered �I can�t run the risk of this happening everytime Dawson sees us together! I can�t do it!�

�Look me in the eyes and tell me that it�s over, Jack. Look me in the eyes and say it!� There was a long silence.

�I can�t�I can�t�I love you� Jack was crying again. �But it hurts�

�I love you too and that�s all that matters�

�It�s just so hard�

�I know, but we have each other. You�ll be fine. We�ll be fine�

*****

For the next couple of days the gang hardly left Jack�s bedside. He was feeling better but no one would listen. He knew he looked much worse than he felt, though not seeing a mirror, he didn�t know how bad that was.

Everyone was fussing over him, bringing him food and drink without him even asking, most of the time it was unwanted. It reminded him of what his mum used to do before Tim died and she became ill.

�I have to get up, make sure that my legs still work� Jack broke the room�s silence.

�Jack, be careful, you�re still weak. I don�t think that this is a very good idea� Andie said.

�Andie, I�m fine. I feel fine� Jack reassured her.

�Just be careful� Andie moaned. Jack pushed back the covers and slowly swung his legs round. With in seconds Pacey was at his side helping him up.

�I haven�t been in bed that long. I still remember how to stand� Jack laughed.

�McPhee, just let us help you� Pacey couldn�t help but laugh back.

�Where do you want to go anyway?� Jen asked.

�To find a mirror, I need to see the damage and find out why you are all acting as if I am about to break� Jack replied.

�Is that really a good idea?� Joey asked �Jack, just stay in bed, you shouldn�t be wondering around, you�re still weak!�

�Come on Joe, it�s not like I�m permanently scarred, I hope� Jack with Pacey close behind him walked over to the closet. He knew it had a mirror on the inside of the door. Jack swung the door open and starred at his battered form.

His face was black and purple, with only a few white patches. He had a cut over his eyebrow and from the top off his lip. His chest was in the same condition. Jack finally understood the gangs� looks. His face went from a cocky smile to a shocked expression. �Oh, My God� Jack whispered. He felt his legs go from underneath him, and was thankful that Pacey was behind him to catch him. Jack sank to the floor, starring at his reflection.

�Joey, go get Mitch. He�s with grams in the kitchen� Jen ordered. Joey dashed out of the room.

�Jack? Are you okay?� Pacey asked crouching next to Jack on the floor. Jack�s eyes didn�t lose contact with his reflection�s.

�Jack, it�s okay. You said it yourself; they�re not scars. They will go!� Andie reassured.

Mitch dashed in to the room and stopped when he saw Jack. He noticed how surprisingly slim Jack had become. It had only been five days of barley eating, but it was already really showing. Mitch didn�t say a word. He slammed the closet door shut before crouching down and lifting Jack from the floor. It wasn�t very hard as Jack was losing weight and Mitch was reasonably strong. Everyone watched without a word, moving from the path as Mitch near dragged Jack back to the bed.

�Why did you let him do that?� Mitch asked everyone.

�We couldn�t do anything, we tried� Andie replied. Jack was lying in the bed shaking. He looked awful.

�It�s okay. I know it was a shock, but you�ll get better, you�ll be fine. Just stay in bed and rest� Mitch said to Jack. He paused and took a good look at his boyfriend shaking in the bed. �I�ll go get him a drink, something sugary� No one responded as Mitch left the room.

�I�m sorry� Joey whispered �I tried to stop him, I tried�

�Joey, it�s not your fault. Dawson�s to blame for this. I�m never going to talk to him again, Never!� Jen was so angry.

�I can�t believe him, why did he do it?� Joey added

�I don�t care why he did it! He was wrong, that�s all anyone needs to know� Pacey finished. Jack didn�t respond to anyone�s words, just lay there with a blank expression across his face, shaking.

*****

Grams, Mitch, Joey, Andie and Pacey sat around the kitchen the table. No one said a word; they were all thinking of Jack. Jen walked in and joined them at the table.

�Is he asleep yet?� Mitch asked. Jen nodded.

�I thought he was better, I really thought he was getting better� Andie mumbled �If not physically, then definitely mentally, but he is back to how he was�

�It was only to be expected. It must have been a great shock to see himself. Give him time, he will get better� Grams reassured them.

�How long will it take? I can�t stand seeing him like this, not again!� Andie cried.

�Again?� Pacey asked what everyone else was thinking.

�He was like this when Tim died; not thinking straight, shaking. One minute he would be fine, and the next�It was the same as this, just without the bruising� Andie explained.

�How can this compare to Tim�s death?� Joey asked.

�I don�t know. He thinks that he has done something wrong; he feels responsible. He is really confused. He is stuck. No matter what choice he makes someone will get hurt. I don�t know exactly what Dawson said or did, but I think it�s much worse than Jack is letting on� Jen explained. The room fell in to quiet concentration again.

�We have to make sure that he eats� Everyone looked at Mitch �Did you see how slim he has become in only the last couple of days? I was able to lift him off the floor� Mitch hadn�t raised his eyes from the table the whole time he had been speaking.

What they had witnessed earlier with Jack had really effected him. He couldn�t concentrate on anything but Jack. The sight of Jack curled up on the floor like he had been made Mitch physically sick. All he wanted to do was take away his pain, but he couldn�t. He was numbed from his own pain, but Jack�s was amplified inside of him.

The room was shaken by a knock on the door. Grams rose from her seat. Heads and eyes followed her to the door. She pulled the door open to see Dawson standing in the porch with an unreadable expression on his face.

�You are not welcome here. I suggest you leave� Grams said bluntly. By now there was a crowd around her.

�I want to see my dad� Dawson replied just as bluntly.

�I told you that I never want to see you again. I meant it. You are neither liked or welcome here!� Mitch answered.

�Jack�s fine by the way, not that you care� Joey snapped.

�No he�s not� Andie whispered �He�s not all right! Not at all. Why did you do it, Dawson? Why did you do it?!� Andie yelled.

�Were you jealous?! Jack�s ten times the person you will ever be! Deal with it. You�ve lost everything, everyone that used to care about you!� Jen screamed

�Go away and leave us alone!�

�Fine!� Dawson yelled. Before he even had the chance to turn and make a dramatic exit the door was slammed in his face.

�How dare he come here as if nothing happened?� Jen yelled.

�Jen, what�s wrong?� Everyone turned to the doorway to see Jack standing there with a puzzled expression on his face. He had obviously just woken.

�Nothing, it�s okay. Did I wake you?�

�It�s okay� Jack smiled for the first time since he arrived at Jen�s house. A weight was lifted from everyone�s shoulders.

�I�ll take you back to bed� Mitch said.

�No, please. I don�t think I could stand lying down anymore� Jack quickly answered. �Andie, did you bring me any clothes?� all he was wearing was his boxers.

�Yeah, I�ll go get them� Andie walked up the corridor, with Jack close behind her.

�I see what you mean. He is getting very slim� Grams said once Jack was out of earshot.

�Has he been eating? I haven�t seen him� Jen added.

�I don�t know. I�ve cleared away food when he�s said that he doesn�t want it. He says that someone brought him something else� Mitch explained.

�Same here� Pacey added

�And here and I know Andie has� Joey noted.

�Why hasn�t he been eating?� Jen asked

�I don�t know, but with all of us here, it�s easy for him to say that he has already eaten. We must all know when he is getting food and make sure he eats it� Grams said.

�We know what he does and doesn�t like, so by giving him what he does like he had no excuse not to eat it� Joey added.

�Just keep an eye on it, he can�t get any worse; it would be too dangerous� Mitch sighed.

*****

Andie helped Jack get dressed, they both knew he shouldn�t be out of bed. From lack of food Jack was weak and shaky, making it impossible for him to do up the buttons at the top of his polo shirt.

�Come here, I�ll do them� Andie broke the silence. Once the buttons were done up she looked up in to his eyes. Both sets were red and tired, both full of tears. Andie couldn�t help but pull her brother in to a hug �I love you, Jack�

�I love you too� Jack tightened the hug, shutting out the pain. �I�m so sorry that I didn�t tell you about Mitch, I did want to, it was just�Dawson�

�Jack, it�s okay, really. I don�t mind. I�m just glad that you found someone� Andie replied. Jack sat down on the side of the bed to carry on getting dressed. He slowly pulled on his jeans, though once again the button got the best of him. �Come here� Andie laughed as she watched Jack struggling. He got up from the bed and went over to her. �Do you remember when you broke your arm and Tim and I had to dress you everyday?� Jack smiled.

�How could I forget?� he answered.

�Okay, Jeans and T-shirt are done. Sit down and I will do your socks� Andie ordered. Jack did as he was told. He was so used to doing this for his mum, it was weird having someone doing it for him. He wasn�t complaining, he was too exhausted to do it himself and his hands were shaking too much to hold anything.

�There you go� Andie said as she dropped his foot down.

�Thanks, you didn�t have to� Jack mumbled.

�Jack, you�re my brother. I�d do anything for you. Dressing you isn�t that bad!� Andie laughed �Anyway, you have always been there for me. I�m kind of glad that I have a chance to show you how much I care� they both shared a smile. �Jack, you are looking really slim, are you eating properly?�

�Andie, I�m fine. Don�t worry�

�How can I not worry? I see you in pain; you are shaking, not eating. Tell me, how can I not worry?�

�I�ll be fine. I�m getting better, I promise� Jack replied.

�I hope so, I hate seeing you like this� Andie sat on the bed next to him. It was obvious that she was struggling to say what she wanted to say. �Have you thought about telling anyone?� Jack looked up confused.

�Like who?� Andie took a deep breath.

�Like the police�

�What?!�

�Jack, just calm down and listen. I have been talking to Pacey. He�s almost positive that he could convince Doug to come and do an interview here, you wouldn�t even have to go to the station�

�Andie, I can�t�

�If it were the other way around, you would make me report it�

�This is Dawson we�re talking about! Mitch�s son, our friend!�

�How can you call him a friend after what he�s done to you?�

�Andie, I�m not doing it, I can�t�

�Why? Is it really because it is Dawson or because then you would have to tell someone what really happened?� Before Jack could answer Andie stormed out of the room.

*****

Andie, Pacey and Mitch sat in the porch, deep in conversation. �I mentioned the police to Jack and he refused straight away. He totally freaked out! He said he couldn�t because he is your son�� she aimed at Mitch ��and because he is a �friend�. I think it�s really because he doesn�t want to tell anyone what actually happened� Andie sighed.

�I could get Dougie to come without Jack knowing before hand� Pacey said.

�I know Jack. He will just sit there, not saying anything. He can be really stubborn when he wants to be� Andie reminded them.

�It could work. Doug could promise not to tell anyone else if Jack doesn�t want him to� Pacey tried to keep their hopes up.

�Even if Jack talks, he won�t press charges� Andie said

�He won�t have to� everyone turned to Mitch confused. �Jack�s seventeen, his legal guardian would be the one deciding whether to press charges or not. So it wouldn�t be up to him, it would be up to your parents. All we have to do is get him to talk� Mitch said to Andie.

�Are you sure?�

�It�s true� Pacey spoke.

�Do your parents know?� Mitch asked.

�No, not yet. Jack didn�t want me to say anything�

�If you wait, see if Jack talks to Doug. If he does, then call them and get them to press charges� Mitch instructed Andie.

�Okay, so is Doug coming?� Andie asked.

�It�s too late now, but could you get him to come tomorrow morning, Pacey?� Mitch asked.

�I can try�

�Jack�s going to be really pissed off� Andie sighed.

�I know, but there�s nothing we can do�

*****

Mitch walked into the bedroom with a bowl in his hands. �Morning� he said to Jack. Jack was looking more pale today which made his cuts and bruises stand out even more. He was visibly shaking under the covers. Mitch was determined that he would eat before Doug arrived. �I have got you some breakfast�

�I�m not hungry� Jack moaned.

�Jack, stop it. You haven�t eaten for God knows how long, so you can�t say you�re not hungry�

�What is it?�

�Chicken noodle soup� Mitch answered.

�I don�t like it� Jack sighed.

�Rubbish. Andie has already told me that you like it. She has even made a list of your favourite foods, it�s up on the refrigerator. So, you have no excuse not to eat anything we bring you� Jack said nothing �Just eat it�

Jack sat up in bed and knowing he wasn�t going to win, slowly reached out his shaking hand to take the bowl.

�Damn!� Jack yelped as he spilt hot soup on his hand.

�Come here, I�ll do it� Mitch said. Jack looked up, giving Mitch an embarrassed and ashamed look.

�I can feed myself� Jack whispered.

�Jack, you are shaking too much. You need to eat and if I leave you to do it, you will never get any in to your mouth� Mitch laughed, taking the bowl back from Jack. Mitch sat next to him on the bed. He loaded up the spoon and raised it to Jack�s mouth.

�I am not having you feed me� moaned Jack.

�Jack, get over it. Just eat it�

�I don�t want it�

�I don�t care if you want it or not, you are going to eat it. Just open your mouth and eat� after about twenty seconds Jack finally did as he was told but after about five spoonfuls he stopped.

�I can�t eat anymore�

�Jack?!�

�Please, just stop. You can�t make me eat it�

�Okay, I�ll make a deal with you. You don�t have to eat anymore if you tell me exactly what Dawson did to you, why you won�t tell us and why you are not eating� Mitch stared Jack in the eyes before lifting another spoonful of soup to Jack's mouth. Jack accepted it without a single moan. Before long the whole bowl was finished.

�See, doesn�t that feel better� Mitch said in the most patronising voice he could muster.

�I feel sick� Jack sighed.

�You don�t look any paler than you did before. I did give you a choice� Jack dodged eye contact with Mitch. �Why won�t you tell me what happened?�

�I have� Jack was still looking away.

�No, I mean what really happened� the room went silent. �Look me I the eyes and tell me that you have told me the truth, tell me that you have told me everything that happened� Mitch sighed.

�You can�t use the eye thing against me everytime, it�s not fair. You don�t want to know what happened� Jack spoke quietly.

�Yes, I do. Just tell me. Let me help you� Their slow paced conversation was interrupted by Pacey, Jen, Joey, Andie and Grams walking in to the room, closely followed by Deputy Doug Witter.

�What�s going on?� Jack looked horrified.

�Christ� Doug whispered to Pacey �You said he was bad, but I never imagined this� Doug said quiet enough for only Pacey to hear.

�He just wants to talk to you� Andie spoke.

�I said no. Why doesn�t anyone ever listen to me?!�

�Because we know what�s best for you, Jack. More so than you do!� Jen answered.

�Jack, I don�t want to force you to do anything, but it�s in your best interests to tell me what happened� Doug said.

�How the hell would you know what my best interests are?!�

�We�ll leave you to it� Grams said before ushering everyone out of the room.

�I can stay if you want?� Mitch asked. Jack didn�t respond.

�It�s probably best if you don�t� Doug Stated before Mitch left the room. Doug pulled a chair up to the bed where Jack was lying. Jack avoided all eye contact with him.

�So, do you want to tell me what happened?� Jack ignored him. �Jack, I can help. All you have to do is tell me what happened� Doug pulled a tape recorder out of his bag. �This is just incase you feel like talking, it will mean you won�t have to come to the station and make another statement� Doug explained after seeing Jack�s questioning expression. The room went silent. �And I thought Pacey was stubborn� Doug joked �Jack, I know you, and I know that you didn�t deserve this. I can�t imagine you doing anything to provoke this attack� Doug said.

�Yeah, well� Jack replied matter of factly.

�What�s that supposed to mean?�

�It means that what happened was my fault, nobody else�s and I really don�t want to talk about it� The room fell in to silence again. Minutes passed and the silence was finally broken.

�When did it happen?� Deputy Doug asked quietly. The silence returned. Doug was about to give up when he heard Jack speak.

�Six days ago� Jack whispered.

�What time?� Doug asked. Jack wasn�t really sure why this was important.

�I don�t know, late, about half ten, eleven. I don�t know� Jack�s voice was quiet.

�Who did it?�

�Look, I really don�t want to talk about it�

�Jack, I already know who did and why, but I don�t actually know what happened. I need you to say it for the recording. So, who did it?� Once more, there was silence.

�Dawson� Jack forced out �Dawson Leery�

�Good, well done. Why?�

�Because I am dating his dad� Jack was near tears.

�For the sake of the recording, are you gay?�

�Yes� Jack whispered. He was beginning to feel ashamed.

�Now, in your own time, could you explain what happened?� Jack began to fidget. How could he be expected to do this? Minutes passed. �When you�re ready� Doug encouraged.

�I can�t� Jack whispered �I really can�t�

�Why?�

�How can you expect me to do this? It�s not fair. Just leave me alone and let me forget!� Jack cried out.

�You�ll never forget. I�m not saying this because I want you to tell me what happened. I�m telling you because it�s the truth. Everytime you see Dawson or you see Mitch you will remember. Everytime you hear a homophobic comment you will remember. And everytime you remember, you will regret not telling me or anyone what happened�

�Why do you think you know me so well? Why do you think you know the way my mind works? You don�t know anything!� Jack was screaming. Doug knew he was in pain,

�So tell me!�

�NO! I can�t, I won�t!� tears were streaming down Jack�s face as Jen ran through the door and over to Jack.

�What�s going on?� Doug ignored her totally. �Fine, just remember what I said. I know you won�t share this with me, I just hope you will share this with someone. Because it will eat away at you, Jack and soon the Jack that people know, love and care greatly for will no longer be recognisable. I�ve seen it happen to too many people. I will break my heart to see it happen to you� When Doug was finished he picked up his things and silently left the room.

�Jack?� Jen whispered. There was no answer �Jack? Please! Why won�t you tell anyone what happened?�

�Jen, I�m sorry. I just can�t. I want to, but I can�t. I know you don�t understand and hate me for it, but I can�t tell anyone what happened. I can�t!�

�Jack, I don�t hate you for not telling me. I could never hate you. I�m just worried about you. It�s not good for you to keep it all bottled up� Jen reached down and gave him a hug before returning to her seated position. Jack pushed back the covers and went to stand.

�Jack, where are you going?� Jack didn�t answer, just stood up and walked out the door.

*****

�What�s he doing in there?� Joey asked.

�I don�t know, but he has been in there for ages� Pacey answered �God, I wish I had gone to the toilet earlier� Pacey moaned. Joey, Jen, Pacey, Andie, Mitch and Grams were all seated on the floor out side the bathroom which Jack had locked himself I nearly two hours ago

�I�m going to get some fresh air. Call me if anything happens� Mitch got up and left.

�Poor guy, This past few days I�ve watched him go out of his mind. I can�t imagine what he�s going through� Grams sighed.

�Well, he�s made it very clear that he doesn�t want anything to do with Dawson� Jen added.

�He really likes Jack, doesn�t he?� Andie asked �I hate seeing Jack like this. He�s my brother and I can�t do anything to help him�

�Being here is enough dear� Grams assured her.

�What if��

�Shhhhhhhhh!� Pacey placed his ear against the door �Jack?!�

�What�s happening?� Jen whispered.

�Can you hear that?� Pacey asked. Everyone listened closer, finally a faint noise was heard by everyone. �He�s being sick� Pacey said.

�I�ll get Mitch� Joey said as she climbed over the bodies on the floor.

�Jack, are you okay?! Can you open the door?!� Jen called through the door. Grams pushed the crowd away.

�It�s okay, Jack. You�re all right� The noises continued and grew louder. Mitch ran to the door.

�Jack, it�s Mitch. Please open the door. We are all worried about you� The noise continued. Jen disappeared in to her bedroom and reappeared holding a screwdriver.

�What�s that for?� Andie asked

�I�m taking off the lock� She started at the screws �It�s just a little something I learnt in New York� Everyone waited in silence �Jack, if you don�t open the door, I�m coming in anyway� she called through the door. �That should do it� she said almost to herself as the last screw fell to the floor. She pushed the door open slowly.

Jack was at the far end of the bathroom, slumped over the toilet. He had sick on his face and clothes and blood all over him. A blade from a razor was tightly clutched in his hand. It was impossible to tell where the blood was coming from. There was a blood trail from the bath to where Jack was now sitting, only half-conscious.

�Oh, my God!� Andie screamed. Mitch was right by Jack with in seconds. Joey�s face was hidden in Pacey�s chest. Andie was wrapped in Grams� arms and Jen was frozen in the doorway.

�What the hell have you done?!� Jack couldn�t answer �Someone call 911� Mitch yelled.

Pacey took Andie from Grams� arms to enable to find a phone.

Jack�s eyes began to close �Don�t close your eyes, Jack! Jack! Stay awake! Stay with us! Please! Don�t go! Please!� Jack�s whole body was shaking.

The sound of Mitch�s voice, his friends� sobs and screams became more distant and blurred. He felt hot. His whole body was wet with either sweat or blood, he wasn�t sure. He opened his mouth to say something. No sound came out. He wasn�t sure what he wanted to say, just knew that he should say something; they may be his last words.

He had to fight to keep his eyes open; still, he couldn�t focus on anything. Mitch was right infront of him. He could feel him. Mitch was staring back in to Jack�s eyes, though his tears obstructed the sight. Mitch was covered in Jack�s blood. He held pressure on to Jack�s wrists but the blood still escaped. Jack�s head fell forward. All signs of life were slipping away. �Jack! Can you hear me?! Jack! Please! Jack!�