Slow learner

Alec stares out the windshield, the tension of the tug-o-war evident on his face. His jaw muscles tighten and release as his mind tries to work through all he was thinking and feeling. Though emotions weren't new, they had been forgotten and now that he was feeling them again, he wasn't quite sure what to do with them.

What was keeping him here? He hadn't responded, but he had heard the question. Without thinking, the words slip from his mouth, rolling as smoothly as a crystal rain, memorized to perfection.

"The power is not within the arms,
But in the eyes that burn with fire.
They steal the heart, entice the soul,
Leaving a warrior's cruel desire.

Not to chase or pursue the foe,
But bend to fate within her hand.
Look into her eyes just once,
And her will becomes command.

A warriors shield cannot defend,
What lies within the blazing eyes.
He's helpless on the battlefield,
Amidst the raging cries."

Pausing, Alec eventually turns to look at Ryan again. "I guess it has something to do with curiosity. Mama always told me not to touch the fire, especially the one in a woman's eye - but I guess I'm a slow learner."

Putting the car in gear, he turns it around and pulls back out onto the road, aimed for TJY. It only takes a couple minutes and he's parking again in front of the building. Letting it run, he takes his seatbelt off. "Don't come in. I'll take the wrath."


Suddenly interrupted by Libby's mom, Ty looks up from the floor, the scent of alcohol filling his nostrils. His eyes don't show much surprise, though on the inside, he was realizing that the situation here was much worse than he thought. From things Libby had said before, he'd known things weren't the greatest here... but he hadn't known they were quite like this.

His eyes move to Libby, not interrupting, but seeing the color in her face. He knew she must be mortified, and he felt badly - she didn't need to be... he knew this wasn't her fault.

Once her mom is gone and the shouting down the hall starts, Ty nods to Libby's suggestion of them leaving. For once, he was glad he didn't have a vehicle - without one, Libby was forced to leave with him.

Standing up, he offers her his hand. He asks no questions, makes no judgments and shows now embarrassment. "I assume you have a back door."


Ryder rubs Thirteen's arm, feeling pain for the sadness in her voice. It could have gone much worse - Trent could have disowned her completely. But Ryder knew it wasn't quite what she'd wanted.

"It's not that he doesn't want anything to do with you, Thirteen." His voice is soft but firm, trying to convince her. "He cares about you. If he didn't, he wouldn't have given you the time of day at all. It's just... he lost your mother... he lost you... Being here and talking with you - I'm sure it brings up a lot of memories that he didn't think he'd have to deal with anymore. He cares, but at the same time, he's in a great deal of pain."

He kisses the top of her head, wishing he had some magic words to make it all go away. "It's just gonna take time... just be yourself and he won't be able to help but love you. It's just gonna.... take time."