An array of scenarios

Reese manages a weary smile and he nods. "Yeah... lunch away from this crazy lot sounds great. You always know the perfect solution."

His eyes find Angelica's and just linger there for several moments, his smile seeming to soften but not leave his face.

Snapping back to attention, he stands up. "Alright... just let me go make sure I don't leave too many things hanging and I'll meet you at the door." Leaving her office, he stops and pokes just his head back in. "And no, leave your wallet here. It's on me today."

Wyatt was just coming down the hall and he stops, a teasing grin on his face before his dad turns around. "Mmm... got a lunch date, do we?"

"And what business is it of yours?"

"Oh, I don't know." Wyatt tries not to laugh as he gives a dramatic sigh. "What a cute couple..."

"I oughtta...." Reese comes alongside and puts his son in a headlock to drag him down the hall with him.

"Ack! Help!" Wyatt laughs and struggles, but not too much as he stumbles along beside Reese. "Alright, alright, alright, I give! I've got a lunch date too! Happy now?"

Reese stops and releases him, catching his breath. "Aww... you and Aerith... what a cute couple."


"Ma'am, is your computer plugged in?" Justin flops his head down on his desk, still holding his phone to his ear. A groan wanted to come so badly, but he keeps it at bay. "Yes? Alright. And you've tried the power button? Well I don't know, I'm sure it's on the tower. I'm sorry, but I don't know what your computer looks like. Look for a round button..."

Getting off the phone a half hour later, Justin feels like pulling out his hair. "Why did I ever offer tech support?!" he yells at no one. Jotting a quick note, he reminds himself to call the paper tomorrow and remove the ad. He needed the money, but this was ridiculous.

The phone rings again. "Yeah, hello? Oh, Mr. Whitaker, hi. Yes, I looked at your porch yesterday and I'd be happy to fix it for you. Just cost of labor and new lumber, but that shouldn't be much. Uh-huh..." He writes while repeating instructions aloud. "Don't go inside the yard. Mean bulldog." His pen goes flying across the room, though a smile was pasted on his face. "Yes sir. Friday. Okay. Yes. Goodbye."

Hanging up once more, he spins around in his computer chair. Minor maintenance wasn't quite as bad as the tech support, but he'd had some doozies lately. "I think I need a therapist," he mumbles.

Wandering to his kitchen, he grabs an orange and heads to the living room, switching on the television. He'd relax for a while then get started on more of Scott's case. He had some puzzle pieces he wanted to fit together before tomorrow. And he had to remember to go in early in the morning to make sure Scott was in good enough shape before Sapphire would arrive.


"Okay... so we're gonna go in, get the car, do a little switcheroo and take Roth's baby over to Mark's shed on the other side of town." Eli doodles on a piece of paper at the kitchen table as he talks of that night's plans.

Alec cocks his head. "And you want me for...?"

"There's a couple locks... one on the gate around the garage and then the garage door itself." Eli gives Alec a sidelong glance. "They can't know anyone was there so breaking anything is out of the question. And... I figured with your, uh... expertise... that you were the man to call."

Alec laughs and leans back against the wall as he sat sideways in the chair, his feet up on another chair and Ryan still tucked into his lap. "Need to break into a building, call the crook, right?"

Eli grins. "Why not?"

"Okay... yeah, I can do that, but what do I get out of this whole mess?"

Eli knew Alec wasn't really serious, but he bites anyway. "I'll let you drive Roth's car over to the other garage."

Alec's eyes spark with mischief as his arms tighten a little around Ryan's waist. "Mmm... do I get someone to ride shotgun and look out for cops?"

Eli roll his eyes. "As if I could separate you two if I wanted to."

Alec laughs again and kisses the back of Ryan's neck. "Mm-hmm." Thinking a moment, a new question comes to mind. "What about your girl? Won't Roth blame her too?"

"She's out of town... he'll be mad but nothing can come back on her."

"And um... just what kind of paint job are you planning for Roth's car?"

An almost-evil grin spreads across Eli's face. "Oh, you'll find out. I'll need both your guys' help on the paint job to make sure it can be done quick enough."


Leo sits in his car, looking out at the lake that shimmered in the late afternoon sunlight. He sighs. It was just one of those days. He'd had a short day at work and after that, he'd found his way here. Tonight at Baxtor had been canceled... he hadn't talked with Cassy all day... and he was bored.

His mind drifts to Ryan, Eli and Alec. He knew what they were doing tonight, and he had to admit that he approved of the shenanigans. Roth deserved every bit of it. But somehow, even though Leo had been invited, he felt left out. It was a silly feeling and completely self-inflicted. But it made him sigh anyway as he continued to look at the water.