It was a couple of days before Marshall Graham got back to Keith and Lance about Sven. They had him on proper medication; the infection that he had been so worried about was gone and showed no signs of coming back. Plus, while he was in the hospital he was getting the best counseling that Marshall Graham could arrange for him.

Marshall Graham would also see to it that he would continue his counseling even after he was released from the hospital. Keith and Lance were really glad that things were going to turn around for Sven but as far as the yearend class work, the outlook looked grim.

They decided that since the physical and mental part of Sven were taken care of; Keith and Lance decided they would take care of the academic part of Sven's recovery.

They went around to a lot of Sven's teachers and got all the work that Sven would need to know to complete the semester. Then Keith and Lance sat down and between the two of them worked out simple lessions that Sven could do in an evenng or weekend but wouldn't tire Sven out too much mentally. They knew he had enough on his mind as it was without adding more burden than really necessary. When they had finished Keith looked at Lance.

"So, are you going to be the one to talk to Sven about doing these lessions or am I?" asked Keith.

"You know I gotta, I just hope he's receptive to it."

"If he isn't, you'll just have to make him."

"I'm just hoping it don't come down to that. He'll be allowed to come back to the apartment this weekend from being in the transition house, though he's not allowed to attend classes. That'll give us evenings and weekends to get him back on the right track."

"Here's hoping he goes for it."

"Here's hoping." Lance whispered with a heavy heart.

The weekend came very slowly as Sven came home. Keith conveniently arranged a date so that Sven and Lance could have the place to themselves.

After Sven got settled, Lance sat him on the couch and then sat across from him.

"Now, I know there is a lot going on in your life right now and a lot of stuff that you can't talk about yet but there is one thing we need to discuss. There is two months until final exams; you are in danger of failing everything and repeating the year.

"If you repeat the year, you know what that means. More tuition fees, losing the credits you have all ready accumulated for the year. Plus there is a strong chance that your name will be dropped from the space program.

"I know how much going into space means to you. When we started here it was all you could talk about. It brought you out of your slump and shell even if it was only for a little while."

Sven looked down at his hands. He spread them helplessly. Too much coming at him at once. He knew what Lance was saying, he knew it was true but yet he didn't really care right now.

"I don't know what to say. I don't know what you want me to say. If you want me to say I care, right now I don't, I really don't."

"I can understand. You need time. I'm willing to give you all the time you need, the only trouble is there isn't much. I don't want to see you fail."

Sven looked up sharply, his eyes flashing viciously.

"I won't fail. I ain't gonna fail. I'll do the stupid work, I'll get it done, and do the best I can. I just need time, that's all, just time."

"Sven, I hate to push you on this but time is a luxury that you cannot afford right now."

"Look Lance, I gotta get things back into perspective. I've got a trial coming up and I still feel like shit. So, just get the hell off my ass." Sven got up and went to his room slamming the door hard behind him.

Lance sat staring at the door, a lump growing in his throat. He knew Sven didn't mean that but it still hurt.

Keith came home at that moment. He didn't have to ask to know how it was going. He could tell by the look on Lance's face that it hadn't gone good.

"He didn't go for it, did he?"

"No, he's still really angry. I can understand his point but the only trouble is that we don't have time to waste."

"I know and I hate to see him held back a year because of all this mess."

"I guess the only thing I can do is let him cool off then try again."

"No, let me talk to him." Keith got off his coat and had a quick lunch then went to talk to Sven. He knocked lightly then waited for Sven to let him in.

"Can we talk?"

"There's nothing to talk about." Sven growled.

"I know you're pretty upset and you have every right to be but, Sven, you can't let your education slip away. Lance and I want to help you in every way that we can. We're willing to give up our evenings and weekends to help you. You were so excited when you got accepted here and now you're willing to throw that away. Throw away all the money and work you've put into this so far."

"You don't understand, Keith."

"No Sven, I don't understand. But what I do understand is that if you throw all this away now, you're letting him win. You're letting him take your pride, dignity and self respect."

Sven jumped up from his bed; grabbing Keith by the throat he slammed him back against the door.

"You don't know what the hell you are talking about."

"No Sven, I do, it's just that you don't want to hear it."

Sven snarled and roughly pushed himself away from Keith. He knew Keith was right but it was like fire to his skin to hear it. He turned his back to Keith to keep him from seeing the tears that streaked his hot cheeks.

"Just leave me alone."

Keith left the room visibly shaken.

Lance turned the TV off and looked over at Keith. Keith shook his head sadly.

"Forget it, Lance. I don't think we can expect any cooperation from him. I'll give Marshall Graham a call and tell him not to expect Sven at the finals this year."

Lance nodded slowly.

"Yeah, he hasn't done enough work to qualify."

At that moment Sven came out of his room.

"Just give me two weeks to get the trial over. I only have to testify, I don't have to be there through the whole thing. Once I get that agony over with then I think I might be able to re evaluate the situation better. Right now, I'm too angry and bitter to think straight. I feel like I've just been raped in every sense of the word in every way possible and it could get worse, it could get uglier. I just need time."

"That's all we can ask, Sven."

Lance replied as Sven went back into his room and quietly closed the door.