"It's not our first rodeo with him hurting himself and trying to do worse, but no matter how much it happens, you can never be prepared for it, and it always feels like it's ripped your heart and soul out by the roots. He's 16, but I'm just as protective of him as I would've been of a baby I gave birth to if I'd ever actually given birth. He's only been in our lives a short while in the grand scheme of things, but neither of us is ready to see him leave. Nobody should ever feel like that... Like life would be better if they could just stop living it. But I'm not naive enough to believe that no one actually suffers from those kinds of feelings." Her eyebrow immediately raised in question, though, and she was tilting her head, interested in what Quentin was saying. "Mark's a fantastic attorney. If anyone can help you with any kind of legal issues, it's him. He likes doing pro-bono work when he can, because he's been through a lot of hell on his own and seen Justin go through it. He knows how much a second chance can mean to someone who's been through the shittier side of life."

The little boy was definitely tiny, and Gen's maternal instincts were in full swing here. Quentin was holding the little one so protectively and sweetly, and she wanted to give him a hug and reassure him... But there was little reassuring that could be done in a situation with a child who'd been abused. She was helping to raise one herself, and it was never as easy as, "Don't worry, buddy! It'll all be fine!" It wouldn't be fine. To say so would be a slap in the face to anyone who'd been through the struggles of raising a victim of abuse or neglect. "He's gorgeous, but I definitely wouldn't have said two. Looks like he's bonded right with you, though. Who's the we?" She paused, looking at him with an understanding nod. "What happened, Quentin? When last I saw you, you were in the throes of young infatuation, and looking forward to the future at music school."