Shrimp

Scott stares at the spread of photos on his coffee table, standing back and folding his arms across his chest. He'd hardly slept at all for the past ten days. After turning in his resignation to Reese, he'd been back to TJY only once to clean out some personal belongings from his office. He hadn't spoken to his sister, and only a little to Dalton. Katie was the only other one he'd said anything to, making it a quick explanation that he was leaving.

Since then, he'd taken up company with his camera, disappearing during the day, then returning at night to develop his own pictures. Some were color, some were black and white. Some were touching and emotion-filled, almost sad. Others seemed to hold bittersweet themes. Nights were spent on his computer or on the phone with little time to socialize, even with Hope.

Eating hadn't been a priority, even though Rick had read him the riot act about it. To any outsider, his only focus was his photography. His hiding place. Glancing over at his phone, he knew he was supposed to call Hope about lunch. But he just wanted to pick his top three pictures... it would only take another minute... or two.


Leo spins a rag in the air and boogies past Jed's car to the rock music that was playing on the radio. It had been a week and a half and he didn't know where the time had gone. Working around Ryan every day was still a nightmare inside, but on the outside, he was holding his own.

Most days he joked and kidded around with the other guys, maybe throwing Ryan a nod now and then, but no real conversation had happened between them.

Sashaying up to his own car, he ducks down as if he were dancing with the open door, shining the wash job as he sways to the upbeat music.

"Woo!" Miles laughs and throws up his arms. "Go Leo! Go Leo!"

Jed joins in, spinning around and using a wrench to make out part of an air guitar for the guitar solo on the radio. It would be obvious to anyone that Darell was gone for the day.

Axel grins and shake his head as he sits on top of the work bench in the corner and cleans up some of the tools. It felt good to be back on the job a few hours a week. It was all his hand could take yet, but he was able to pick up tools and even manipulate a nut and bolt if he concentrated hard enough. The healing was slow, but feeling and mobility were gradually coming back. There was still some pain, but it was worth it and he could never thank Misty enough.

His eyes glance over to Ryan as he still grins. "Thing around here never change, do they?"


"Okay, so David said maybe tomorrow we can go see Gunner." JT sets down a plate with sandwiches for himself and Bree's lunch on the kitchen table. Falling back into the daily routines at home hadn't been too hard. He was back to work and with a little prayer and a little legal magic from David and Angelica, he and Amanda were in the clear. Now the only thing remaining was getting Gunner out of jail.

JT sits down and looks across at Bree, trying to smile. It had been a long week and a half since they'd gotten back from Texas - each day filled with question as to when Gunner would be free. "You got that gum to take to him?"


Ty falls onto his bed, worn out from being at work all night. He hadn't bothered to undress and just lets his head sink into his pillow. Reese had been giving him extra hours, and while the money was nice, he was exhausted during the day. How long had it been since he'd seen Libby? Seemed like forever, but he thought it was just a few days. He'd been able to meet her once for some lunch and arcade time, then an hour or so of trying to read. She knew he was busy at work though, so for now, it was okay. But he really did want to spend more time with her. She was fun, and it was nice having a friend to hang out with. For now though.... for now.... he yawns as his eyes fall shut. Just a few hours... that's all he needed.


Alec sits on his cot, fingering the note from Ryan that had been left a few days prior. He hadn't seen her for over a week now, and he wondered if it was him or if her brother had given her too hard of a time for seeing him. Apparently she'd come a couple days ago though when Reese had had him downtown and she'd left a note. So maybe she'd just been too busy lately to stop by TJY.

Nibbling some more on his lemon, he spits out a seed, sending it shooting across the room and into the waste basket. It was getting tiring now... sharing information, negotiating for a few perks here and there... He had free lunch hours but hadn't done anything with them except wander the halls and stay out of Trooper's way. There had to be more than this... there had to be.


"What, are you kidding me?" Dani shakes her head as she heads out of the kitchen with an order. "Carson would kill you."

"For taking the shrimp off the menu?" Ryder throws up his hands. "I can't cook shrimp! Chicken, yes. Steak, yes! But those shrimp are so..." His voice trails off as Dani disappears, returning a couple minutes later.

"He'd still kill you."

"Nah. By the time he and Misty get back, he'll be so turned around he won't even notice."

Dani sets her hands on her hips, smirking at Ryder. "Honeymoons are supposed to do that, but I guarantee that he'll notice if the shrimp isn't on the menu."

"It's only a couple days!"

"I don't care! I'll cook them, for crying out loud. You're such a baby."

"Am not." Ryder wipes his hands on a towel and looks out to check on the tables and make sure Thirteen was getting along okay. It had been hard saying goodbye to Texas, but more than a week had passed and Ryder thought she was settling back into things again. At least he hoped she was. He hated seeing her sad. The smell of smoke makes him whirl around and he gives a little wail. "I wrestle crocs, not lasagna!"