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Chapter 18

"We need to talk." Tina says as Chance opens his door. She steps past him and walks into his apartment. 

"Uh, sure. Want you come in?" He chuckles as he closes the door.

"Did you hurt him? Did you force yourself on him? If you did, Chance, so help me." The much shorter lady turns and puts her hands on her hips.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Calm down." Chance says as he lays his hands on her shoulders. "What are you referring to?"

"Oh? You don't know? You don't think I noticed that he was in pain when he started to get up from the bed?" Tina asks.

"Tina, I never forced myself on Tim. Honestly." Chance says.

"Then why was he hurting?" Tina asks.

"This is a little awkward to talk about to you." Chance smiles shyly as he adjusts his cap but continues when she only glared at him. "It's, uh, it's been a while since Tim has been with anyone in, uh, that way."

"So you DID have sex." Tina states.

"Tinaaa." Chance whines as he sits down on the couch. "Tim and I care very much for each other."

She sighs and hangs her head as she sits down beside the bearded man.

"I know and I'm sorry for accusing you of forcing yourself him." Tina says. "I'm just...."

"Over-protective?" Chance smiles.

"Maybe just a little." Tina smiles. 

"A little? Hell, I thought you were going to hang me from the rafters." Chance laughs.

"You know, I heard him speak earlier when he thought I was going to punish him. But I don't think he knew I heard him." Tina says softly. "And then when he grabbed you, Nate and I saw him whisper something to you."

Chance stays quiet as he stares at the floor.

"It's okay, you know. At least I know that he's found someone that he can trust enough to confide in." Tina smiles.

"He trusts you too, Tina. It's just that he's afraid." Chance says quietly.

"Afraid of what?" Tina asks.

"That he'll be released and he has nowhere else to go." Chance says.

"Chance, he's not here because he doesn't talk. He's here because he does have a few mental issues. They may not be extreme like seeing imaginary friends but he does have them. You can see that." Tina says.

"Yeah, I know." Chance nods just as someone knocks on the door. "That's Nate. I've misplaced my phone charger and he has an extra one until I find mine.

He goes to open the door. But instead of Nate, it's Tim holding his camera in his hand with an excited smile on his face.

"I wanna show you some ..." Tim says before Chance kisses him quickly to shut him up.

"Tina is here." Chance whispers.

Tim's eyes widen in horror as he looks past Chance and sees Tina sitting on the couch. She smiles and waves at him.

His eyes fill with tears as he hangs his head, letting go of a quiet sob. He's screwed up and he knows it. Not only was he not suppose to come upstairs while she was here but she heard him talk. She will surely release him from the hospital.

"Honey, it's alright." Chance says as he pulls a weeping Tim into his arms.

"No, I have nowhere to go." Tim whispers as he holds tightly to his lover.