Killjoy

"Yeah... goodnight, Ryan." Leo gets out of her car and stands back, watching her leave and the taillights disappear down the street and around the corner, a little faster than maybe should be. He grins a little and shakes his head.

Wandering to his own car, he gets in and just sits for several minutes. Bring Cassy to the shop? He probably wouldn't. It would feel too much like he was showing off a girlfriend. Maybe if the gang was getting together for something else, or happened to meet somewhere... that would be different. No, he may have started down the road to getting over Ryan tonight, but he was far from implying to anybody that Cassy was his girl. They were still very much just friends.


Perking up as Ryan comes into the apartment, both men are still a bit flushed in their faces from their silly laughing. Eli nods vigorously. "Oh, yes. Yes you did call me a genius but it never hurts to hear it again. Lay it on, sister."

Alec snickers. It was way too late and everything seemed funny. Swinging his head over to Ryan, he grins, laughter pooling in his eyes. "Glad you made it back, babe."

Sliding his arm around her, he pulls her top half down into his lap, his fingers tickling her ribs. "I didn't wanna have to come looking for you, ya know."

"He means your chocolate cake," Eli adds.

That's all it takes, and once again, both guys start laughing. Eli covers his face with his hands and tries to stop, his shoulders shaking. Finally he stands up and staggers into the kitchen, wiping his eyes as he goes and trying to compose himself. "Come on, Alec," he calls. "Kiss your woman goodnight. I gotta get you back to TJY."

"Awww." Alec's laughing and tickling both stop. "Killjoy. They won't even know I'm gone and besides, half the night is already over."

"It's only two-thirty and I am not gonna get woken up at five by Reese or Jason come pounding on the door looking for you."

Alec sighs, not even realizing his one hand is running softly through Ryan's hair. "If I promise to leave right away in the morning, can I stay?"

Eli wanders back into the living room, his hands on his hips. Looking at Alec, one would think he was some lost puppy. More than likely, this ruffian didn't even realize that his eyes were begging them to let him stay. Was it loneliness? Eli sighs. "Ask Ryan, it's her apartment."

Alec looks down at Ryan pleadingly. "Can I?" All it was was a lonely dark room awaiting him. He might never admit that he was lonely at TJY, but spending so much time with Ryan and Eli the last few days had become quite addictive. TJY held nothing anymore but work and emptiness.


Feeling Sapphire's hand, Scott looks down at it, just quietly listening to her speak. A few weeks ago, he would have turned her away, snapped at her, maybe even yelled at her. But today he was ready to hear and accept her words calmly without arguing.

Was Hope really not mad at him? He still didn't feel like seeing her yet. It was a strange combination of missing her terribly and not wanting to see her that made his insides churn. Was it just pride that was getting in the way or more? Were they really meant to be together? Or would he have to really say goodbye to another love lost?

His mind shifts with Sapphire's voice. He had been her hero? Still was? That surprised Scott a little bit. From what he remembered of school was him failing at taking down the bullies and getting beat up himself. But maybe it was just the effort she remembered. How could she still view him that way now though? He was weak... he was in a mental facility. How could anyone look up to someone like that?

Finally Scott turns to see Sapphire's face and dares to look in her eyes. Could they really get along again? Could they really work around this issue with Gage? Scott didn't know how. He loved his sister, and he was sorry for the things he'd said to her. But that didn't change the fact that she was dating someone he hated - literally.

Looking back down again, he lays his other hand on top of hers. "I'm sorry," he whispers. His voice wavers as he tries to hold back his own tears. "For... for the things I said to you. I... I just... I don't know how to... to work it out with... with everything." What he said seemed to make no sense at all and it frustrated him to not be able to put into words what he was feeling. He loved her. But he was still hurt and confused. He wanted to be around his sister again and get along with her again. But he couldn't ignore the things that angered him so.

Giving her hand a little pat, he backs off and goes for another piece of beef jerky. "Thank you for coming," he mentions softly. "I... I appreciate it."

Justin's hand comes up from behind to lay on Sapphire's shoulder. It was time for her to go.