Adam didn't know what to say. He was just upset that Alyssa was paralyzed and she was with the person that possibly put her there. He was going to protect Alyssa even if she did not believe him. It was the only thing that he could do for her to make up for the accident and no one was going to stop him---including Jason.

"Can we go and check on her?" Adam asked, feeling out Jason's reaction.

"Adam, that is definitely not a good idea. I promise that Dad will take care of it and I will make sure that you get to see her soon," Jason said, trying to reason with Adam.

"Okay, I guess there is no fighting that," Adam said sarcastically. "Can't do anything with Big Brother watching?"

"As I said before, I am not going to lose you. I don't want to ever go through that again," Jason said as he helped his brother into the van. 'Besides, I am sure that you are going to have some visitors after school lets out today."

Adam just smiled. "Here, I will even play your music for once. Cheer up, things will be fine and you will have a front row seat when Ashita and his gang go down," Jason said as he got out the "Who Made Who" CD by AC/DC. He did not like hard rock, but he thought that it might calm Adam down. For some reason hard rock calmed Adam down, while it drive everyone is the house up the walls. Unfortunately, though, Adam was not paying attention. He was scheming a way to get to Alyssa and he just came up with a great plan. He grinned when he thought about what the doctor had said about his brain, but to Adam it seemed to be working just fine.

* * *

Just as Jason had predicted, Chuck and Craig stopped by the house to check on Adam. Adam had been resting on the couch so he could see the ocean ways crash against the beach in the distance. He wanted to be able to surf the waves, but he had work to do. Chuck was of course making himself at home. He had made himself comfortable in Mr. Kramer's favorite armchair. He was able to tilt the chair back and prop his sprained leg up while munching on "Cheetos". Mrs. Kramer always kept a bag of Cheetos at the house especially for him. She often called him her long forgotten son. At the time, though, Mrs. Kramer was called to the university for a meeting concerning an up-coming excavation in Colorado. She did not want to leave Adam, but Jason convinced her to go. He thought that it would do her good to get out for awhile. He didn't consider a trip to the grocery store and the pharmacy a refreshing outing.

"So you got to see where we wrecked at uh?" Chuck said as he was stuffing his face with the Cheetos.

"Yeah, Jason drove me by there," Adam replied. It was hard for him to concentrate on anything but Alyssa.

"Jason said he is going to start tutoring you in your classes next week," Craig said as he walked in from the kitchen. He brought Adam a ham sandwich that Jason had made everyone and sat down next to Adam.

Adam just looked over at Jason, who was sitting at the dining table. Jason gave him his famous "know-it-all smile. "We will be starting with history and then work our way to Algebra II."

"Hey, maybe Miss Meade will actually start to like you," Chuck said with a chuckle. "No more noon and after school detentions."

"I don't think so Chuck. The woman is probably plotting against me right now," Adam replied. Miss Meade often put Adam into detention for various reasons. Most of them were truly deserved though and even Adam had to admit that.

"Better you than me. I barely get a "C" in that class and I really do pay attention," Chuck commented as he licked the orange cheese from his fingers.

"You get a "C" because you are too busy trying to sneak some bites of your Butterfingers instead of taking notes," Adam pointed out to the other boys. "I swear one of these days you are going to choke to death."

"I will truly die happy with the taste of chocolate melting in my mouth," Chuck said, reaching into his Cheetos bad again.

There was a slight knock at the door and then a female voice was heard.

"In here Kara," Jason said, as he got up to greet his girlfriend. He had not seen her since the accident and he was glad hear her voice in person, instead of over the phone.

"It looks like this is the crashing place. How are you doing Adam?" She said as she made her way over to where Craig, Adam and Chuck were sitting.

"Okay, still sore though," Adam answered. "What brings you over?"

"Well, I got your work for you and Jason. I think the teachers are taking pity on you because there is not much there," Kara said as she gave Jason the paper with the work assignments. "I figured you would really love me for it though."

"As much as always," Adam quipped. He hated schoolwork. "You are such a teacher's pet. No wonder Jason is a nerd."

"I will take that as a compliment," Kara said, grabbing a hold of Jason around the waist. "Do you think I could borrow him for awhile?"

"Sure for as long as you want," Adam said. This was the opportunity that he was waiting for all afternoon.

"I don't know, maybe I should stay with Adam. He just got out today," Jason said reluctantly.

"Go ahead, Craig and Chuck are here. Have a good relaxing time," Adam said, sitting up.

"Only if Craig will come and get me immediately if you need me," Jason said. He really did want to spend some time with Kara. It had been a rough week and he was waiting to hear from their father.

"Sure will," Craig replied. "Where will you be?"

"We'll go for a walk along the beach towards the cove," Jason said as he took his girlfriend's hand and went out the front door. Adam waited until they had started to walk down the path to the beach before he made his move.

"Okay let's get going!" he said as he sat up and put his shoes on. Craig and Chuck looked at him like he had lost his mind. 'Come on, put the food down. We need to get going."

"What are you talking about? Have you completely lost it?" Craig said, looking over at Adam.

"What are you talking about, Tig?" Chuck said after he had spit out his Cheetos all over his shirt in shock.

"I need to see Alyssa. I have to talk to her," Adam said very determinedly.

"I take it Jason won't take you out there. I am not going for that one. No way Adam," Craig said as he lifted his hands into the air.

"Craig you either drive me out there or I will do it myself," Adam said, steadying his balance to stand up.

"Adam, that is not fair. Not only will Jason kill me, your parents will too," Craig replied, trying to talk some sense into his friend's head.

"Alyssa is in danger. I have already done enough damage in her life. I want to protect her," Adam said, almost pleading.

"Adam, the accident was not your fault, even Alyssa told me that. Your dad is going to take care of everything," Chuck said in a serious tone. "You saved our lives. Besides, who is going to protect you?"

"I don't need protection," Adam said in an angry tone. "As I said before, I either do it with or without your help. " He started to walk towards the backdoor. He stumbled a little, but got steadier with each step.

"Why do you always do this?" Craig whined.

"You enjoy it. You secretly live for this stuff, Craig," Adam said as he reached out for Craig's hand to help him get down the back steps. He could hear Chuck using his crutches to catch up with them.

"I do have one question?" Chuck said as he hopped down the steps.

"What?" both boys answered at the same time.

"If you are going to protect Alyssa, and we are going t protect you. Then who is going to protect us from your family?" Chuck asked sliding into the cab of Craig's Ford truck. Adam put Chuck's crutches in the back and Craig helped him in beside Chuck.

"Don't worry, I will handle them," Adam replied. "Just have to trust me."

"That is what you always say," Chuck answered, recalling in his head the many misadventures that he had shared with Adam.

"Yeah, right before we get caught," Craig interjected as he quietly drove away from the Kramer's beachfront home.

Meanwhile, Jason and Kara were enjoying their time together. Jason was happy to finally get his life back to normal. It also gave him the opportunity to talk to Kara about the past day's events. Even though he told Adam almost everything about his life, Kara was a better listener. They had started to head back to the beach house after walking for about a half-hour. Jason felt more alive now. The news of his brother had hit him hard. He was also anxious to hear from his father. He wanted to wrap the case up before anyone else got hurt. He didn't know how much longer Adam was going to contain himself. He knew how stubborn and impulsive his brother could be. They entered the living room and noticed that no one was there.

"Hey guys!" Jason yelled out. "Where are you?"

But there was no answer.

"Guys!" Jason said as he headed up the stairs to check the second floor. Kara walked over to the back door to look out over the backyard.

"Uh, Jason! Come down here!" Kara called out.

"What?" Jason said as he appeared in the living room from the stairway.

"Craig's truck is gone," Kara replied.

Jason same over and appeared out the window to se for himself. He could not believe what was happening. "Where is the world would they go! He just got out of the hospital!"

"Let's go in here and sit down and think," Kara said, trying to calm the eldest Kramer down. It was obvious that Jason was furious.

They both went and sat down on the couch. Jason hung his head, running his hand through his brown hair. It was then he spotted a napkin on the floor and it had writing on it. I was Chuck's handwriting. Jason reached over and picked up the napkin.

"What did you find?" Kara asked, peering over his shoulder.

"Went to get Alyssa. Please don't kill us, Chuck," Jason said as he read the note. He then crumbled it up and threw it on the coffee table. He jumped up and disappeared into the kitchen.

"Kara stay here and wait for Dad or Mom. Tell them what is going on. Stay close to the hone in case I need to get help," Jason said, picking up his keys.

"Let me go with you. I don't want you doing something that you will regret," Kara said, still trying to calm Jason down. "Just try to put yourself in his shoes. What if I was in Alyssa's shoes."

Jason stopped right before he opened the backdoor when he heard the last comment. "Okay, you have a point. But I really do need for you to stay here and wait for Dad."

"What do you want me to tell your mother if she gets here first?" Kara asked, knowing that Mrs. Kramer would not be pleased with the situation.

Jason turned to face Kara as he was getting ready to go out the door, "Just tell her that I am going to save my little brother from killing himself."