Tony sat back, watching the dynamics play out. A sad, angry, confused and likely traumatized young girl. A well-meaning but hapless teenage boy. A teenage girl now bearing the title of "the other woman" through no fault of her own and an unfortunate willingness to accept burdens for the sake of others.

And then himself--a narcissist in recovery playing therapist. He hadn't crumbled under the weight of the vulnerability on display because he was showing virtually none of his own. He'd been convinced, somehow, that all of this mess could resolve with a bombastic breakthrough with dashing heroics the way all of his own seemed to play out instead of something so hellishly mundane. But every young face in the room trusted him. He had to see it through, even if it took a few late nights with antiquated psychology texts and a lot of mirror training.

"Annie." Tony leaned back in, keeping a gentle tone. "I'd like to spend a little one on one time. I think that'd be helpful. Peter and Liz will be back shortly. That alright?" Tony glanced at every one in the room. The girl needed some space to calm down and work a few things out, and he was fully aware of how intimidating that could be when you were 'outnumbered' by older faces.