"Jason, why are you walking clear up there? Do we embarrass you?" She said in a joking tone. She reached out and took Jason's hand and held his arm affectionately. Jason blushed at first, but then turned around and smiled at his mother. It was weird that he could see his brother's face in hers. It was often noted that Jason looked like Carl while Adam favored their mother.

"No mom, I am just thinking," Jason answered softly.

"Yeah right. You're stewin'," Adam spoke up and looked over at his brother. "I can even tell you what you are stewin' over and it is nothin'. You are worrying over nothin'."

"Adam, please don't start to sound like Jacob. The word is noth-ing," Laura corrected her son. Ever since they went to Ohio to visit her family, Adam and Jason had gained a new dialect. Adam especially would start with the dialect, for which really stood out in southern California.

"So what am I stewing about?" Jason asked defensively.

"Christine," Adam said abruptly. Jason just sighed at the sound of the name. "Jason, I know that she caused us many problems before, but it is not going to happen. We have been through too much together and I have learned many things. Time is too precious to argue with the ones that you care about. It is a waste of time."

Jason looked back at his younger brother thoughtfully. He knew that Adam meant what he said, but Christine just had this way about her to cause trouble, especially between the brothers.

"What are you going to do if she does cause trouble?" Jason asked.

"Then she will have to go."

"And what about Alyssa?" Laura chimed in. "I am sure that Alyssa is not comfortable with this situation."

"Mom, I love Alyssa and she knows that. Christine is not my type at all. She never was my type. She was just someone to hang out with for awhile," Adam said. He then noticed the look flash between his mother and his brother. Adam immediately stopped in his tracks. "I know what you two are thinking, but I swear to you. I am not interested in Christine Micheals. Not now, not then, not ever!"

"Okay, I will trust you Adam. But please don't let her ruin things for you," Laura said, looking into Adam's deep blue eyes. She slightly smiled.

"Thank you mom," Adam said with a slight smirk. He was getting sick of the Christine thing. She just comes back into town and everyone thinks that things are going to be the same was Adam's thought. He looked over at his older brother. Jason looked at him dead in the eye.

"All right, but I am going to be looking right over your shoulder little brother. I still can't believe that you invited her to lunch," Jason muttered in disgust.v

"Don't you always? Ever since the accident, you have been looking out for me like a personal bodyguard," Adam quipped. But then he did smile at his brother to let Jason know that he understood. If the tables had been reversed, Adam would be just as protective over Jason too. The family continued to walk back home, not mentioning the name Christine Micheals again, much to Adam's relief.

The next day at lunch the whole gang gathered at the usual spot. They used to go out for lunch, but having to load and unload the wheelchair took precious time away. It seemed to be easier to just eat lunch at the school or have one person make a food run. Today, though, Chuck had brought in a pizza from Giovanni's, a small Italian joint next to the school. Everyone, including Kara, Jason, Craig, Chuck and Adam and Alyssa dug into the two large pepperoni pizzas. Jason and Alyssa were relieved to notice that Christine was on the other side of the cafeteria with another group of girls. Adam did not seem to mind that his long time friend was not there either. He was too concerned over getting to the pizza before Chuck and spending some time with Alyssa. But the calm did not last long as Christine made her way to the table.

"How's it going?" her voice boomed as she squeezed her way in between Alyssa's wheelchair and Adam. Alyssa could have killed her, but instead took comfort in the nod of understanding from Adam. Everyone greeted her and continued on with their lunch. "So, are you all coming down to the theater Friday night?"

"I have to work for my dad," Craig spoke up first in between bites.

"I have to too. We have to rebuild some stalls in the barn that blew down during that past storm," Chuck said, wiping the pizza sauce from his lips and getting another piece.

Christine's face turned a little glum and looked over at Adam. "Are we still on?"

Adam was taken back by her statement, but chose to ignore it. "Yes. I am picking Alyssa up after physical therapy and Jason said that they were coming since they had not been to the movies in awhile."

Kara looked at Jason and then smiled towards Alyssa. At least they would suffer together.

"Great!" Christine immediately piped up. She got up from her seat and reached over to hug Adam from behind. "I will tell you, those strong muscles have never changed. See you all later."

At this point, Alyssa was boiling and Adam was squirming. He was also taken off guard by Christine's reaction. He was also blushing at the comment, but chose to ignore it as much as possible.

After Christine left, Adam leaned over and gave Alyssa a peck on the forehead. "You know that you are my only lady."

Alyssa smiled and looked over at him with small tears in her eyes. "I know, but why does she have to do that. If you want to remain friends with her, you are going to have to set her straight."

Adam sighed as he hugged her. "I know, but she is just that type. She hugs everything. I promise I will be on the lookout." He looked over at Jason. He could tell that Jason was not happy with the situation either. "Guys, really, she is just like that. I really don't think that she is interested in me. She knows that Alyssa is my girlfriend."

"She might know it, but does she care, that is the question," Kara said crossing her arms.

But again, Adam chose to drop the issue. He really did not think anything of it and did not feel like hearing anymore about it. In five minutes, the lunch bell rang and everyone started to pour out of the Emerald Beach High cafeteria. Adam walked Alyssa to her class as he always did and went to the bottom floor to the special education rooms. The rest of the afternoon was spent studying and rehearsing for a science test.

After school, Adam continued with his usual daily ritual of taking Alyssa to her Cherokee and waiting for Jason by the van. He had forgotten his keys so he chose to sit down on the curb beside the van and wait for his older brother. Probably still saying good-bye to Kara, he thought with a smile. But he could no longer tease his brother about such issues now that he had Alyssa. He was so deep in thought that he did not even notice Christine walking up behind him.

"Whatcha thinking about sweetie," Christine whispered into his ear. Adam stood up and faced his old friend.

"Oh, nothing really. Just thinking about old times," Adam said with a smile. Christine was pretty. She really looked exceptionally good today in her tight jeans and low cut green Henley. Her hair hung like Alyssa's hair, in small ringlets. Adam loved that about girls. He liked girls with long hair and a strong personality, just like Alyssa.

"Really, I think about those times a lot," Christine said getting a little closer to Adam. Adam backed up a little to keep his space.

"No, I was talking about Jason and Kara. I always teased my brother about things and now I can't because I have Alyssa," Adam said with a chuckle. Christine grinned as well.

"She is pretty, but do you really think that you love her. I mean, do you love her enough to marry her?" Christine said, almost in a repulsed manner.

"Alyssa is very special. We share something that even Jason and I do not share. We are survivors and she has stuck by me through so much," Adam said with the wondering stare. "No one has ever made me feel that way about a girl except Alyssa."

Instead of saying something, Christine instead moved closer to Adam. Adam backed up the same space again. He did not think that she was happy about his response.

"Adam, you know that I have always liked you and as a friend I have to ask. Do you really think you have a future with Alyssa?" Christine then reached up and playfully pulled his curls from his medium length bland hair. Adam felt the swear start and he backed up again. Christine noticed his hesitation. "I mean think about it, everywhere you go, you have to haul that wheelchair. How would you even have kids let alone keep up with them? She would need constant care. I just think that you deserve better."

"Christine, I am only seventeen. I am not exactly thinking about a marriage right now. Gee Whiz!" Adam muttered. "But I do picture myself being married to her. I love her and I am not exactly all right anymore either."

"You are still investigating with your brother and father, right?"

"How did you know about that?" Adam said looking at her strangely.

"Word gets around, even over time," She said with a flirtatious smile. "But my point is, that no matter what happened to you, I would still be a sucker for those muscles and those baby blue eyes."

Christine advanced towards him again, but he could not back up any further. He was now up against the van. He scanned the parking lot in search of someone, anyone even to call attention to, but no one was around.

Christine noticed his watchful eye. "Don't worry no one is around." Then she put her hand on his face and held it in place. "Look, I understand that you do not want to drop Alyssa with her condition, but that does not mean that we can't just be friends, right?" She drew her face closer to Adam's.

"Look Christine, I don't mind us being friends as long as you understand that Alyssa is my girlfriend. I feel different about her than I do you. I don't want to give you the wrong impression," Adam finally spoke up, but it fell on deaf ears.

"I seem to remember sitting on the beach when we were younger. We would snuggle and kiss while we watched the sunset," Christine said. She then wrapped her hands around Adam's waist and pulled him close. Adam tried to politely break free, but Christine had him cornered.

"Christine, that was---," Adam started to reply, but he was interrupted.

"No one even suspected that we had a thing going on since we were both just twelve. Jason never even had a clue, but he knew that we were close. I think it scared him then and it still scares him. He knew that we were meant to be together and he did not want to give you up. But afternoon, we would disappear together. I loved those times. I never felt safer anywhere else, but in these nice strong arms," Christine said, again ignoring Adam.

Adam had never felt so awkward in his life. Christine was right. There was more to their friendship then even Jason knew about, but that was years ago. Now that he had Alyssa, he realized that back then was just curiosity and just being a young boy.

Christine leaned in to sneak a kiss, but Adam quickly avoided her.