It's time to leave but I'm putting off going until that last Vicodin kicks in a little more. I didn't need to read the paper or look at that Intraweb thingie to know that bad weather's coming.

I want to just go home and turn up the heat and relax, but I can't -- there's nothing in my fridge but an apple, a beer, and a jar of olive spread. Now I have to go out shopping and brave the stupid crowds. I hate being jostled, it makes everything hurt that much more.

Let's see: milk, bread, cereal, beer... and rat chow. Great: not only do I have to go shopping, I'm going to have to go all the way out to Plainsboro. This is all Stacey's fault: her rat, her making me so distracted that I forgot to get groceries....

Can't think about that right now. I look up. Cam's at the other computer, Chase is in the lab, and Foreman's back is turned. So I'm safe. I take a deep breath and lean against the table as I slowly stand up. Time to go.