"I won't make you put a nickel in the swear jar," Dan says with a wink, then he purses his brow at her. "Who's Raphael?"

He's prepared to be concerned, but he knows that him making a big deal out of things that Stacia's already been through and gotten out the other side of doesn't help her or their relationship, so it's tempered. He pulls out his pack of cigarettes.

"Thank you so much." He lights up and takes a deep drag. The relief on his face as he exhales is evident. Dan knows there are plenty of drugs that give a better high than a simple nicotine fix, but nothing else quite feels like submerging all his nerves in a hot bath. He feels like all the pain and discomfort in his body has gone down a letter grade now that he isn't jonesing.