By reason of insanity

"MTV."

No kidding. "Did they say if you could go home today?"

"You mean to the Schlesingers'?"

"Yeah."

"I think so. Mom talked to the doctor, but she didn't really say if I could or not." Sienna hesitated then turned her pleading eyes on Quinn. "I don't like it there, Uncle Quinn."

"We'll work something out," Quinn said. "I promise."

He stayed for a few more minutes, awkwardly trying to jump-start a conversation while both of them avoided talking about the night before.

Finally he had an idea. "What's your favorite movie?" he asked.

"I don't know. Maybe Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. I like Johnny Depp."

"You want to watch it?"

Sierra looked skeptical. "How?"

"Give me an hour."

Fifty minutes later, Quinn was back. He brought his laptop and DVDs of all three Pirates movies, just to make sure he had the right one. Annie was awake this time, and Quinn made her go home and take a shower. He pulled a stiff wooden chair next to Sierra's bed, put his laptop on her tray table, and popped in the third Pirates movie.

It was nearly two-thirds over when Quinn heard his niece sniffle. He looked over to see the tears dripping down her cheeks.

"You all right?" he asked, his heart aching for the girl.

"I'm sorry, Uncle Quinn. Please don't hate me."

He leaned over next to Sierra, and she put her arms around his neck. He held her and let her cry. "Of course I don't hate you," he said. "I love you, Sierra. Your mom loves you." He paused, because he had to convince himself first before he could say this next sentence.

"Everything's going to be okay."

Quinn nearly lost it himself when he received a call later that day from Rosemarie Mancini. He could hardly hear her with all the background noise.

"Where are you?" Quinn asked.

"Sin City."

"What?"

"I heard about Sierra," said Rosemarie. "I came to see if I could help."