Tough stuff

Seeing his daughter in trouble, Jeff is instantly concerned. "Katie... are you okay?" His hand goes to her shoulder instinctively. Feeling panicked, he tries to remain calm, not understanding why his hand starts to shake with nervousness. When Katie mentions Jason though, he suddenly realizes what's happening and he nods. "Don't worry about lunch. Let's go." He'd offer to drive, but she's already pulling out again, so he just keeps a close eye on her, wondering what was really going on. He knew all about Katie and Jason's connection, but there were still so many unanswered questions that it just made him worry all the more. Seeing her suffer... it didn't seem fair. He didn't care about postponing lunch or any silly inconvenience - it was seeing his daughter in pain that was the worst for him.

Her apology after the phone call makes him roll his eyes. "There's nothing to be sorry about. It's not your fault."

Back at TJY, Jeff does his best to help Katie inside and to the infirmary. There was a strange tension in the air... or maybe it was just his own emotions that were being unintentionally toyed with. He couldn't tell. Reaching the infirmary, he stands back just to watch, not wanting to get in the way, and confused about what had happened.

Jason's eyes had fallen shut and he was now shaking, desperately trying to put a lid on all of these rampant emotions. Suddenly realizing Katie was there, his hand reaches for hers and unknowingly puts it in a death grip. A simple touch broke a hole through the wall and like a breath of fresh air, he could feel her... he could hear her.

Katie... I'm trying... trying so hard. It just won't stop.

Rick is right there and coaxes Katie to lie on the bed where she could remain with Jason and not collapse. "Take it easy," he prompts gently. "We weren't sure how he'd take the news of..." He glances back over his shoulder at Jeff. "Would you mind closing the door?"

"Oh... sure." Jeff goes to leave as well, but Rick stops him.

"No, no... you can stay. Please, actually."

Confused but compliant, Jeff shuts the door and comes closer, setting his hand back on Katie's shoulder again and giving it a little squeeze, though he knew it wouldn't help any.

Rick nods and goes on. "We've discovered that Jason has a twin brother. The news was a shock and Jason's emotions took over."

Jason shakes and seems to be completely out of it, but he responds in a strained voice. "Stupid emotions... I ought not... not care."

"You're still human," Rick reminds. Checking Jason's eyes with a pen light, he tries to keep him conscious. "Jase, you have to let go. Katie's here now... you have to do it or we're going to have to severe your connection before you guys get hurt."

Jason grits his teeth. "I don't want to hurt-"

"Do it," Rick orders sternly. He knew that though painful, it was still the best option for everyone in the room.

Eyes still closed as he curls on his side, Jason's grip on Katie's hand doesn't loosen. He knew Rick was right. The only way was for him to let go and let Katie absorb everything so that no one was harmed.
This is gonna hurt. I love you, Katie.

Cringing as the pain rages through him, he finally lets it go, allowing all of the strong emotions to race towards Katie - the only source for relief. All of the pain, anger, hurt, confusion and more swirls around in a venomous whirlpool - his poison, her life. Along with the emotions are the images and sounds from the shock itself - the meeting in Reese's office, who was involved and why it was so upsetting. Jason gave freely, knowing that Katie would now know exactly what was going on and would know that it was Trey.

Jeff is still behind Katie and Rick paces nervously, wishing, as always, that he had a better solution for these two. He glances to Misty and nods to the syringe. "I don't think we'll need the rest of that." The tension in the room was lessening and they could tell that the worst was behind them now.

Though over in a matter of minutes, it felt like hours and Jason's heart races, sweat running down his face. His grip on Katie's hand loosens though, his free hand reaching up to run through her hair. "I'm sorry," he whispers weakly. "You okay?"


Justin heads down the hall at TJY, figuring he probably should have called first but... if he had, he might have lost his nerve. This visit was necessary... it was something he had to do whether he liked it or not.

Reaching Dalton's office, he pauses and takes a deep breath before knocking. Once hearing Dalton's voice, he enters slowly, but only a few feet, not wanting to invade the giant's space. "Dalton." He nods his greeting. "I'm sorry to just drop in like this, but I won't keep you."

Taking a deep breath, he cuts right to the chase. "Look, um... I just wanted to let you know that I'll finally be out of your hair. I have... been asked to no longer be Scott's counselor." His gaze holds frustration, a bit of sorrow, and some disappointment. "After he found out about Hope, he was pretty upset with me for not telling him sooner and... he told me not to come back, so... that's that." He pauses, wanting even less to say the rest, but he knew he needed to. "I'm... also here to let you know that at the moment, Scott is quite upset with you and Sapphire as well, for the same reason."

Searching Dalton's eyes, Justin tries to make it easier, even though he knows well enough that it won't do much good. "He's asked that you don't return. However... I'm confident that he'll come around. He'll need a shoulder when Hope is gone and whether he'd ever admit it or not, you and his sister are the stability he's often relied on." He stops for another moment, not wanting anyone to be upset with Scott. "I take full responsibility for all of this. I'm sure I could have handled things differently so that I would have been the only one he'd blame. So I'm sorry that he's reacted this way to you now too. It should have just been me."

Justin bites the inside of his lower lip, really not knowing what else he could say. "I'm sure you're thrilled that I won't be back around here anymore," he muses wryly. "I guess the last thing I want to say is I would advise waiting a while then maybe calling up to Brookshire to Doctor Hawks. He'll be able to tell you if Scott wants any company at that point."

A final pause gives Justin time to search Dalton's eyes one last time. "If I've offended or wronged you in any way, you have my apologies - I wish I could have done more for both you and Scott. You've been a good friend to him... and I know that you'll continue to be. He's lucky to have someone like you around."


Ariel orders the orange chicken with fried rice, then smiles gratefully when Trey pays for the meal. "You didn't have to, but thank you."

Letting her eyes settle on his as he speaks, she shakes her head. "The park is pretty close - we might be able to walk if we took a couple shortcuts, but carrying all our food would be a hassle." She grins. "Call me lazy."

Their food is ready in only a few minutes, so Ariel leads the way out to her older red car. Driving to the park takes about five minutes with stop lights and traffic, but once they arrive, the park is pretty empty. Parking in the gravel lot, Ariel grins and gets out to come around and help Trey with the food, again taking the lead as she shows him to a picnic table under a nice shady tree. "This looks good."

Getting settled and saying a quick prayer of thanks, she unwraps her plastic fork to begin eating. "So... you've been here a few more days now," she comments. "Still unsure how long you'll stay?"


"Uh..." Trent was just a little overwhelmed, and unsure how to respond to Thirteen's enthusiasm. "I... well, Jeff is with me... you remember him? He came to see Katie so... so that would be two of us."

"We've got room for you both," Ryder offers. "I'm sure Katie wouldn't mind her dad sticking around too." He cocks his head in a silent prompt. Trent had come this far - would he follow through with a genuine effort?

Trent looks down then glances back to Thirteen. As his shoulders slouch a little, he starts to relax and he finally nods. "Okay... it'll save money for a hotel and... I'll get to try some of this cooking of yours."

Ryder grins. "She does a right good job."

"I hear you're doing some cooking yourself."

"Yeah, they're trying to turn me into an Italian cook. Guess it doesn't bother me too much."

"What is it with you Australians anyway? First Carson, then you..."

Ryder smirks. "Just one of those weird coincidences of life. I may not mind cooking and I'll admit I have fun in the kitchen sometimes but I could never take it on full-time. Not like Carson does."

Trent grins a little. "Then I guess it's a good thing you've got Jas... Thirteen around, huh?"

"I suppose it is." Ryder tosses Thirteen a wink and a smile.

A bit of an awkward pause follows, and Trent leans his elbows on his knees, fidgeting his fingers nervously. "So..." He glances to his daughter again. "How have you been?"


Hearing the knock at her door, Jade glances to her clock. She figured everyone had parted for the night after supper was over, so most likely it was only one person. A grin forms.

Sliding off her bed and padding in her bare feet to the door, she opens it and looks up at Dan. His comment makes her giggle and she bites her lip coyly. "She's doing very well - much better now that her husband-to-be came calling."

Opening up the door wider, she ushers him inside before shutting out the chilly night air. Turning around, she stands on her tiptoes to give Dan a lingering kiss on the lips, ending with a bright smile. "I was hoping you would come spend some time with me."

Going back to the bed, she slides on top and pats next to her as the movie she was watching on television still played. "I'll give you another kiss if I can use you as a pillow," she bribes.


Though weary, Faith's greeting brings a smile to Sparky's lips, forming little wrinkles under his eyes. Returning her kiss, his eyes are a little brighter now, seeing that she'd stayed up waiting for him.

"Mmm, that sounds great." He nods in response to the offer of something to eat and drink. He really was quite hungry.

Taking Faith's hands, he wraps her palms in and around his, feeling her warmth against his icy cold skin. "You're nice and warm," he teases. "You might just have to sit on my lap to warm me up."

Heading to the table, within a few minutes, Sparky's finally letting the hot soup slide down his throat. On a night like tonight, it hit the spot. Looking to his side at Faith, he smiles again. "Thank you."


Mick's uneven footsteps are tired as he limps up the porch steps and enters the house, closing the door quietly behind him. He knew BJ was probably in bed by now, and felt badly that he hadn't been there to say goodnight to the boy, but he'd make up for it in the morning. Seeing the light on in the kitchen and smelling the coffee and dinner, Mick knew that Rosetta was still up and gratefulness didn't cover half of what he felt.

Slipping off his boots, he winces as his knee twists and he leans on the wall for support, sighing wearily. Hanging up his jacket and hat, he runs a hand through his matted hair and finally makes it to the kitchen. Standing in the doorway for a moment, he cocks his head and just looks at Rosetta in the warm light, remembering why he came home every night.

Still favoring his sore leg, he bypasses his chair to go to Rosetta first, leaning down to give her lips a tender kiss. "Thanks for waiting up," he mentions quietly. "I could use the company for a while."

Going to his normal seat and easing down a bit gingerly, he rests his elbows on the table and sets his forehead on his folded hands, his head bowed. He was tired, inside and out and though determined to do something about the current situation, a part of him was still broken and blaming himself for it all. He was so hungry and cold, but it was going to take a few minutes to gather his thoughts before he could eat. Maybe he needed comfort and just wasn't sure how to ask.