Everywhere. All the time.

Sucks.

*Jon would give all the pets. /All of them/.*

And I'm sure you'll give the others my regards, but I think that's unspoken. *She leads him to the door, giving him another kiss on the forehead before opening it and stepping out of the way so that he could leave.* I'll see you when you guys get settled down again and everything. Have a safe trip, son. * She finished, waving good bye as she watched him leave.*

I'm glad /you/ like it, then. *She rolls her eyes in mock annoyance.* Well, there'll always be a room made up for any of you that should show up at our door. It'd be extremely unlikely we'd find ourselves up there, but I'll keep you in mind; I don't know how I couldn't, of course. But I can't think of anything else, no. Unless you have other business, of course. *But of course, she can't help another hug.* You be safe, and peace go with you.

It doesn't help that he's hiding it, no. But I'm glad to hear it; I have faith you'll convince him. You're one of the few that can get through that thick skull of his, after all. *She gives a nod in agreement.* Always a silver lining. And you know one more place you can always go for that encouragement. It's a bit far most of the time, but you're /always/ welcome.

Exactly, yes. He'll probably feel bad for not having picked up on it earlier, but that's kind of hard when you're on the other side of the country. And whose fault it is doesn't matter either which way. The focus should be on fixing it, yes. *She shakes her head.* Not nearly enough, I'm sure. It's a nice breath of fresh air to have someone around who wants to help.

No. There'll always be consequences, even if you're not the one doing any harm.

He just always finds /some/ way to blame himself for things like this. I don't even know how he'll do it this time. *She nods at the suggestion, sighing.* We'll get it eventually, yes. He'll be back to as close to normal as possible, once we get it figured out. *She gives a slight, half-smile before ruffling his hair a bit.* You're all good kids, you know that?

It'll be better once it all gets sorted out, even if it won't be the same. If he's able and willing, it can't hurt to ask. Maybe they can help each other, somehow. I dunno. *She considers for a moment.* If you want, I guess. The important bit is that he learns. Definitely prep him, at least, so he doesn't freeze up on me.

*She shakes her head before pulling him into a hug.* Now, now. No talk like that. You're the only person who /has/ helped. Everyone else I've talked to seem to be of the persuasion that he'll just get over it on his own. *She kisses his forehead before releasing him.* He's just worried about hurting those he cares. But he needs to learn to not worry so much.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn72iCq-nuw

Play

He needs to. It's tearing him apart. The first few days, he spent all day outside. Just meditating. Didn't seem to get him anywhere, though. *She gives him a confused look before smiling and shaking her head.* We never did all that. As far as the state's concerned, we're roommates. Nothing more.

I don't blame him. I've heard bits and pieces of what's been going on. It's for the best that he stay put. I can honestly say that I have no idea what the issue is. He hasn't told me anything, refuses to talk about it. It makes me nervous; it's not like him at all... I can probably convince him to do whatever needs to be done to get him patched up, if only a bit. It's just not knowing what I need to convince him of that's the issue.

...

The guy was a psychopath, so who even fucking knows. Jon's just afraid of keeping others down for his own needs. He doesn't really feel he has anyone to turn to now that Mark's gone. He was like his brother, basically. *She pauses, shaking her head.* He needs someone to show him. Even though he himself teaches, he has to be shown the way again, every once in a while.

He gave himself up to save me. I don't even know /how/ he isn't dead... *She nods, but shrugs a bit.* Every time I try to talk to him about it, he insists he's okay. That he doesn't need any real sort of help. But he's just so... different. So cautious, jumpy, clingy. He was /never/ like that before... But he doesn't want to dump all of his issues onto someone else. It's never been something he'd do. But I think it may be the only way to get him a sense of normalcy back.

*She watches over her shoulder for a moment until she hears the back door close. Tanis then sighs, shaking her head.* I'm sure you heard about the /first/ attack. That got Jon shaken up. He already had horrid trouble with night terrors, and /then/... He could hardly even fall asleep after that. For a few weeks after I was released, anyhow. Not long after that, we went with a friend of his to go have a few drinks. There was /another/ attack, a different guy, and... well... Mark didn't make it. *She sighs again, shaking her head.* Jon brought a pistol. /Tried/ to save him, but it didn't work. I think he blames himself. He hasn't gotten over it, at least.

Of course, of course. Same goes for you kiddos, as well. *Jon's entire expression lights as upon hearing the news.* I've seen pictures, but not yet. Yes, yes it must. As soon as is convenient for you guys, of course.
*Tanis places a hand on Jon's shoulder.* Unless there's more that needs to be discussed, dear, perhaps you and Daphanne should go tend to the garden and the birds. *She glances at Al slightly nervously before turning her attention back to Jon, stroking his hair lightly.* You have been quite forgetful as of late, after all.

Nah, it's okay, son. I'm sure you've got a lot of stuff on your plate right now. From what I hear, it's a usual thing. *There's a flicker of something in his expression, but it'd be gone far too quickly to pin any sort of name to it. He gives a grin instead.* Livin' the dream, kiddo. Nothing worth complaining about. No one really likes to listen to negativity, anyhow. Too much is bad for the soul.

... Oh. Sorry. *Daph promptly lets go, allowing Tanis to step ahead again. The older woman sighed, shaking her head.* He's not well. I don't think he'll really be the same again. That's my only concern for the moment, to be honest-
*Again, interrupted. This time by a slightly damp Jon. It only takes an instant for him to grab his close-enough-to-son-in-law in a GINORMOUS HUG.*
Hey, kiddo! Long time, no see!