Lex had to bite his tongue to keep from saying something hateful. He didn't need what was essentially a complete stranger to tell him that his mother was alone, afraid. He had been her primary caretaker all these years; he knew better than anyone their situation. But, through his tangible spite at being attacked from two sides, he realized that this cattiness was the alcohol talking, not him. He sighed and returned Blue's squeeze to his hand. "What if he's affected?" he asked hollowly. He didn't want to even begin to think of how he would feel if they had to kill Dicen for going rogue.<br/><br/>"Then I'll make sure you're not in the room when I do what I would have to do in that situation." Marcus chose his words carefully, very interested in not stepping on his brother's toes. This was as close to permission as he saw them getting, and Lex was skittish enough to regress and start fighting back again if anyone said the wrong thing. "What do I need to do?"<br/><br/>Lex shook his head in dismissal. "If he's going to wake up,  I need to be the first thing he sees. I'll drain the suspension, myself. I don't want you two anywhere near the canister." He wasn't sure who he was being more protective of: Marcus and Blue, or Dicen. But he wanted to put himself in the middle of either party getting hurt.<br/><br/>"Okay, genius, and what if he tries to attack you?" Marcus asked.<br/><br/>Lex offered a half-shrug of response. "Well, then my life's work will be ruined, just like my sight and my marriage. Kind of apt, don't you think?"