Whistle

Leo laughs and helps Ryan wipe away a few more tears. "You have my word - no one else will ever hear of this."

Stepping back and giving her space, Leo bites his lip, not sure if he should say more or not, but it seemed to be settled at least for now. "I... better let you get back to work. Maybe... it was a good thing I forgot this note earlier."

Giving her a smile, he backs away, then turns to head out of the garage. Once he's in his car with the engine running, he takes out his cell phone, debating for a moment, then finally dialing. "Hey, Cass, it's me... I know it's late, but... how does some ice cream sound?"

Though the evening had been long, the sun insists on rising, just like it did every other day. It's golden rays spring out from the horizon, giving hope of a better day ahead...

"Not here anymore?" Leo raises an eyebrow at Reese's information as he stood on the main floor of TJY early the next morning.

"Nope - he moved into his apartment yesterday," Reese explains, telling him where it is. "Anything wrong?"

"No... no, just wanted to talk to him." Leo nods. "Thanks. Sorry for the time."

"No problem." Reese watches the young man leave, wondering at Leo's appearance. Though healing, one could still see he'd been in a fight. Had he been the other party in Alec's brawl? Maybe he shouldn't have given out the address. At the same time though, it was time for Alec to be on his own, free from Reese's thumb. If he got himself into trouble, he'd have to get himself out. And on top of that, Reese knew that Leo had a clean record.


Leo pauses outside the apartment door, wondering if this really was a good idea. He'd called in to work saying he'd be late... but was this something he should be doing? Normally it was not wise to involve oneself in the middle of someone else's affairs but... if it would help... And even though he hadn't expressed this to Ryan, he felt to blame for much of this. He'd thrown the first punch. If he hadn't, there would have been no brawl and Alec and Ryan would not be on the outs right now.

He knocks. "Alec? You up?" Stumbling footsteps could be heard, along with the locks on the door being unlatched.

Alec had been woken up and his clothes were matted and wrinkled. He opens the door a crack and squints into the hall. "Leo... what are you doing here? What time is it?"

"Time for you to get your head out of your hind end," Leo retorts, pushing the door open further to allow him access inside.

Though annoyed and confused, Alec lets him, then shuts the door again. "What is this?"

"Look..." Leo paces a small circle. "I know that the fight between us was mostly my fault because I swung first. But I've done all I can to make it right and now you're this close to losing Ryan." He measures with his first finger and thumb.

Now fully awake, Alec blinks, taken completely off guard. "What? Why?"

"Because you haven't seen or called her, you dope."

"Well she hasn't come to me either!"

"She said she wouldn't," Leo retorts. "Besides, that's not the point. Do you even realize that you're hurting her feelings?"

Alec folds his arms, confused. "Why? Just because I haven't seen her for a few days?"

"That hurts people's feelings, Alec! Are you feeling good about this whole thing?"

"Well I... wait..." Alec's eyes narrow. "This whole thing? What do you know, and how do you know it?"

Leo isn't sure how to answer that one. If he said the wrong thing, it could be fatal.

The pause is too long, and Alec bristles. "You and her-"

"No," Leo states flatly. "But it was a close call, and I'm not kidding around here. You be glad I've got someone else now, or you'd be out on the street again."

Something passes in Alec's eyes... something he had never felt before, nor would he want to again. Panic. "But..." Ryan had almost gone back to Leo? It was that serious? "But just... just because I didn't call?"

"Not calling is just a symptom, Alec. You're not respecting her the way she needs you to, and in turn, she's got some hefty assumptions about what you want and why you're acting this way. But I don't believe you really want to be a jerk."

"Of course not," Alec snaps. "But I don't understand."

"Then figure it out." Leo couldn't tell him any more than that. He couldn't get any more involved than this, and he couldn't stand here and list all what he thought was wrong. There was miscommunication, assumptions on both parts, and probably lack of respect to a certain degree on both parts too. But they would have to sort through those things themselves. "Just take my advice and swallow your pride," he warns. "I'm only doing this because I know Ryan is happy with you and I like seeing her happy."


...Mid morning. J&J Auto was bustling with activity, noise and the scents of the garage. Leo was back to work with the other guys and Ryan as they all tossed around their laughter but remained hard at work with a long lineup for the day.

A shadow appears in one of the open bays, but no one seems to notice. Alec stands, hands hooked in his jeans pockets, just watching Ryan work. His shoulders were a little lower than normal... the usual spark in his eyes was a little dim today. There was worry in his gaze. Whether he'd admit it or not, Leo had scared him.

Not venturing into the busy garage, but wanting to see Ryan, he gives a little whistle to try and get her attention and draw her outside.


Justin paces the floor, cell phone to his ear as he's put on hold, awaiting transfer to Dalton. It had been a long week. Days were spent at Brookshire like normal, working with Scott and seeing Beth. He and her had gone fishing one more time, but otherwise, it was still just brief meet and greets on the sidewalk, but he wasn't going to push it. He was still waiting for her invitation to her home to look through pictures, but he would say nothing until she did. As for Scott... things had been going fine up until last night.

Justin comes to attention as he hears Dalton's voice. "Dalton, hi, this is Justin Hawks. It's Scott. He's in the medical wing here at Brookshire after he collapsed yesterday. Apparently he wasn't eating and drinking as much as he'd made the nurse believe." Everything else had been going well - even their sessions working with Agency data. But Scott's body had had enough neglect. "They're forcing nutrients and liquids into him, but I cannot get him to understand he needs to take better care of himself. If he doesn't, he'll never leave."

He really was at his wit's end. It was the one thing, he was unable to convince Scott of. Or even if Scott understood, he had simply lost his will to fight. He seemed motivated now to overcome the Agency data in his mind, but as far as anything else went... he had simply quit fighting.

"I didn't want to alert Sapphire... not yet. And... you were the only one I could think of that might be able to help him. I'm asking you to come... if you can... for Scott's sake."


Jason keeps the scrambled eggs moving in the pan, watching the bacon too. He was making a good breakfast that filled the house with a delicious aroma. He didn't know if Destiny was a breakfast person or not, but if she was, the scents would wake her.

So far, the morning had been quiet. Reese had given him the go-ahead to stay here as the main bodyguard at least for now, so Jason was staying put. He wanted to go see Laura and Nate at some point, but they'd figure that out later. For now, it was breakfast and he only hoped Destiny would pull herself from bed and start a new day.