pick your poison.

Ava listened as the advocate spoke, filling her in on everything that would be happening during Johnny's stay. She then announced that she would leave the room for a few moments, so Ava and Johnny could say their goodbyes. Ava thanked her before turning her attention back to Johnny. "I'll call you as soon as I possibly can, okay?" She closed the gap between the two and pulled Johnny in for a hug, squeezing tight. The redhead pressed a kiss to his temple, exhaling softly. "I'm so proud of you, baby. You got this." The advocate then knocked on the door, signaling that it was time for Ava to leave. Ava gave Johnny one last hug goodbye, told him that she loved him, and headed out of the door. She heaved a sigh of relief, but tears pricked the back of her eyes. This would be the longest that she and Johnny had been apart since they were married.

--

Zack had just finished up his chicken when Kayla suggested laying down. "Sure, babe. Are you not feeling okay? I can get you some Nyquil from the hall closet." He offered, taking his plate and putting it in the sink. Zack would just do the dishes in the morning-- right now he wanted to go lay down with Kayla. "Come on, babe. Let's go." He gently put a hand on the small of Kayla's back and led her up the stairs. "You can even sleep in my favorite shirt," Zack offered, knowing how much Kayla adored that particular t-shirt.

For a second, Kayla considered having Zacky get her NyQuil, to further the ruse that she was sick, but somehow she got the idea that mixing NyQuil with cocaine wasn't the greatest idea in the world. "No, it's fine," Kayla said, shaking her head. She followed Zacky upstairs, smiling when he offered her his favorite shirt. "You mean my favorite shirt?" she corrected teasingly. The shirt was even already in Kayla's dresser. She quickly changed clothes, eagerly climbing into bed. Her high was starting to wind down and she was getting tired and was very eager to snuggle close to Zacky and sleep. But she knew as soon as she was asleep, Zacky would sneak into the bathroom and break into his electric razor case. "Come lay down," Kayla mumbled halfway into her pillow, patting the bed next to her.

---

Johnny barely listened as the advocate explained what would happen during his stay here. It would be hell, that's all he needed to know. Besides, he couldn't hear a damn thing over the jackhammer in his skull. Johnny didn't even realize that the woman was gone until Ava was speaking to him, pulling him into a hug. "I love you, too," Johnny said. He knew it would be awhile before he got to see Ava again and as much as he hated to be separated from her for so long, he was glad she wouldn't be around to witness his detox.

"The doctor will be in to visit with you shortly, Mr
Seward," the advocate said, stepping back into the room. "Is there anything you need?"

A drink? Johnny thought bitterly. "Some Tylenol would be nice," he grumbled.

"Hold on, impatient." Zack teased. He stripped down to his boxers before climbing into bed next to Kayla. The guitarist slung an arm around his fiancee, resting his head against Kayla's. "You're so gorgeous," Zack yawned, kissing the side of Kayla's head. He absently played with her hair, a content feeling replacing how anxious he had been all day. With his free arm, Zack reached over to his bedside table and grabbed the remote so he could put something on tv. "Do you have anything special you feel like watching?" He asked curiously, kissing Kayla's shoulder.

--

Ava was smacked in the face with how quiet it was when she arrived home. There was always some sort of music or television on in their home. Or Johnny could be heard putzing around. But Johnny was at rehab, and Ava was here by herself. She was considering going back to Matt and Val's for the night, if for nothing more than to have some company. It was late, though-- so Ava would have to suck it up and go to bed. She could always call Johnny in the morning-- and she intended to, first thing.

"Don't tell me what to do," Kayla grumbled, although the grin on her face betrayed her playfulness. When Zacky was finally in bed next to her, she immediately moved closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder. She smiled as he started to play with her hair. She'd always loved it when he did that, it was so relaxing. When Zacky asked if there was anything she wanted to watch, Kayla shook her head. "Whatever you want is fine," she said softly. "I'll probably be falling asleep here soon." She knew she should try and stay awake, try and foil Zacky's plans to snort a line or two after she went to bed, but she just couldn't find the willpower to stay awake. Besides, who was she to stop him from doing that anymore?

---

Johnny only realized that the advocate hadn't returned with his Tylenol when the doctor stepped into the room. He was a little pissed until the doctor said something about pain medication. Anything to stop this pounding in his skull. The doctor explained that Johnny would be spending his first night in the infirmary they had on-site so that they could monitor him as he continued to detox. He knew these headaches were only the beginning. He followed the doctor to the infirmary, letting the nurse check his vitals before she hooked him up to an IV. Johnny hoped this was his fucking pain medication, because if he didn't get something soon he was going to lose his mind.