When will love be through with me?

Tucker nodded, "What... What about Arty?"

Jacen frowned and shook his head. "That's not a good idea. It...he said it just hurts to be around Artemis knowing he's with Alex..." He said quietly, looking worried.

"He... He blamed Alex for why the others wouldn't talk to him..."

"He did?" Jacen frowned. "Why?"

Tucker shook his head, "I don't know maybe he isn't thinking clearly, but Alex is a sweet kid i don't think he would do something like that.:

"Maybe..." Jacen said quietly. He sighed, looking away as he thought about the situation before looking back up at Tucker. "What if you tried talking to him?"

"To Mikey?" Tucker asked his boss.

"Yeah..." Jacen said, nodding. "It wouldn't hurt to try it, would it?"

Tucker nodded, "I'll be glad to try and help, i want Mikey to be ok."

"Thank you," Jacen said with a small smile. "So do I, obviously."

Tucker nodded with a small smile, "Your a good boss, not a lot would care."

"He's not just someone who works for me though," Jacen said. "Arty and I have known him and our friend Devyn for years, we went to school together..."

"Still it shows your a very careing person boss." Tucker said, "And I am proud to work for you."

"Um...thank you?" Jacen said almost nervously, not used to getting told things like that. "I guess we should go down for dinner now..."

Tucker nodded and headed down the stairs to the kitchen.

Jacen slowly followed Tucker to the kitchen, smiling at Devyn as he sat beside him, though he frowned slightly when he didn't see Mikey.

Tucker sighed as he put the food on the table, he had hoped Mikey would come.

Alex murmured lightly in his sleep as he snuggled cutely closer to Artemis.

Jacen looked up at him, about to say something until Mikey appeared in the kitchen doorway, looking worse than he had while he'd been talking to Tucker earlier.

Artemis smiled, only half asleep, gently kissing Alex's head.

"Hey Mikey." Tucker said, more then a little worried for his friend, "Ready for dinner?"

Alex smiled in his sleep. "Arty."

Mikey just nodded silently before coming over to sit at the table.

Artemis laughed quietly, hugging Alex closer.

Tucker put a plate of food in front of him.

Alex slowly opened his eyes.

"Thanks..." Mikey said quietly, not looking at any of the others.

Artemis smiled, reaching a hand up to gently stroke his cheek.

Tucker nodded and passed out the rest of the food.

Alex smiled as he leaned into the touch.

Mikey stayed quiet as he ate, though the others talked with each other.

"Hey." Artemis said softly.

Tucker tried to get Mikey to talk, about anything.

"Hey." Alex replied with a small smile.