It hadn't been that long since he was here last, had it? Part of him didn't want to come back so soon. It seemed unreal that he had believed like he had, fallen into delusion so deeply. But he had been brought to Landel's, and cured of that. Now he knew who he was, the life he had lived.

And he understood, now, why it was so important that he come. He hadn't wanted to, but for that person, it was necessary.

He followed the nurse quietly, wondering how many times he'd done so during his own tenure. Never to this room, however, for better or worse. His pride certainly was thankful that no one he had known had seen him in this place, being that way. Would Julian resent him later for this visit, for the same reason?

Maybe. But it was necessary. He reminded himself of that time and again, even as he looked at the walls that reminded him how far he had fallen.

Julian was there, waiting for him. There wasn't much unusual about that. When they worked together Julian would always get there early, and make some teasing remark about his lateness.

The thought made him smile a bit, despite himself.

"Julian." Michael Sugiyama went to where the man was waiting. Seeing how nervous the man was (no, the magazine act wasn't fooling anyone, certainly not him), Michael sighed. "Relax. This isn't exactly what either of us wanted, but here we are. We should make the most of it."

Said as if he had any clue about what he was doing at all.