Justin looks at me, "What does it look like?"

"Well, it looks like your friend has beaten him to within an inch of his life. Why the hell isn't he in a hospital?" I asked, anger evident in my voice.

"We couldn't. Johnny would have had a cow and Jayce would just deny what happened anyway. That's why Glen is here."

"And who the hell is Glen?"

"Glen is a doctor. He's been traveling with us for a while now."

"How long?" I start. "How long has this (I gesture towards JC) been going on?"

"We found out about it three weeks ago. We've been trying to keep them apart since then."

"Well...what happened tonight?"

"I thought Joey was watching Lance, Joey thought Chris was....You get the point. Anyway, we lost track of him and he snuck out. We have your friend Rodney to thank for bringing it to our attention that Lance had slipped out."

"What was this? His punishment for you guys finding out or for not going out with you tonight?"

"Probably for us finding out. They never used to go out with us when they were dating."

I scratch my head, "How long do you think this has been going on?"

"I have no idea. Jayce won't even admit that it's Lance hurting him and Lance ain't talking to any of us at the moment."

"I can't say that I'd be sorry about that, if I were one of you. Who's to say now that you've taken his target away, he won't go after one of you?"

"He wouldn't dare. Jayce is the only one that let Lance bully him. Jayce may look like he could kick some serious ass but...He refuses to lift a finger to hurt anyone. Unless they come after one of us, then he's a holly terror."

"So he'll let people push him around or whatever and not say anything about it?"

"Yeah, he's really, really easy going. It takes a great deal to make him mad enough to snap and strike back."

"Have you ever seen him, strike back?"

"Um....Yeah, once...It was back when we were in MMC....Look, I gotta go. One of us will be by in the morning to check on him. Here's Chris, Joey and my cell numbers. If Lance answers just hang up and call someone else. Don't talk to him. We can't risk him finding out where Jayce is."

"Got it. Night." I shut the door after he leaves and return to JC's bed. "God he looks like death warmed over."

"Yeah, he's lucky." Glen states. "If they hadn't gotten there when they did, this young man would probably be dead."

"I still don't get why they won't take him to the hospital to get treated."

"Lance would find him in a hospital. That's why they had me come with him. Hope you don't mind me staying here too?"

I smile, "As long as your taking care of him, you can stay as long as necessary. You'll have to sleep on the couch though."

"That's cool. I'll try to stay out of your way as much as possible."

"Don't worry about it. If you need anything for him don't hesitate to ask. I mean anything."

"Thanks. I may have to take you up on that."

"Just let me know." I pat him on the shoulder. "I'm gonna take a shower and hit the hay." I walk over to my bed and pull the comforter off and grab a pillow, "Here, you can have these for tonight. I'll see if I can get a cot and some extra bedding or something in the morning."

"Thanks again man."

"You just get him well."

"I'm gonna do my best. Hopefully, Lance hasn't broken his spirit this time."

I walk into the bathroom and shut the door, "He better hope I don't see him anytime soon." (Please let him make it through this.)