Clean

As Kip realizes what had happened, the knot in his stomach tightens. Karla hadn't had much, but it had been everything, and now it was gone. And Rin... Kip had liked her dog very much and he couldn't imagine how she must feel right now to have lost one of her best friends like that.

"Oh, Karla... I'm so sorry." Kip wasn't sure even what to do. She looked cold, dirty and was probably in some state of shock. He didn't want to wake the whole house though - he knew that she wouldn't want a crowd just yet. And if she had wanted a hospital, she would have stayed and not come here. But should Kip get help anyway?

Debating, he looks at her eyes, so sad and he felt something stir in his heart. Reaching out, he puts his arm around her shoulders and guides her to his bed to sit down. "I'll be right back... just sit tight."

Slipping out of his bedroom, Kip is gone for only a few short minutes before returning. Closing his door quietly, he's sure not to alert the rest of the house. There really was no need to wake anyone right now... Karla didn't need that kind of attention yet.

Going back to her, he gently prompts her back to her feet and aims her to his bathroom. From under his arm, he hands her some of Twila's clothes that she kept here - clean sweat pants a tee and undergarments. "Clean yourself up," he directs softly but firmly to be sure she did it. "Then come back out and I'll be here, okay?"

Fire

Staring back at Kip thought the open window, she has seem him go head over heels off the bed. She couldn't help but feel bad for startling him. Her eyes were just a little dull as they looked back at Kip before climbing into his window.

Keeping her arms wrapped around herself Karla gave a sniff. Just thinking about it brought tears to her eyes. Everything she had, what little it was...was important and now it was gone. She was lower than low. Looking up at Kip her sad brown eyes searching his for a long moment. Fight the urge to cry again Karla's words come out soft.

"There....there was a fire down below me. I was in bed already for the night. I sleep like a log sometimes, and I didnt even know anything was wrong...I lost everything. Its all in a pile of ash where the build I use to live stood...and"

Karla takes in a deep breath as she goes into a coughing fit from all the smoke she had inhaled. She hadnt even bothered going to the hospital to make sure she was ok. Lost in a daze and winding up here was all that mattered.

"...if...if it hadn't been for Rin waking me I probably would of been burned alive. I couldn't even save him..he needed me he saved me, he was always there for me...and I just let him die in there."

Karla did her best to hold back the tears but actually saying the dog she had, had for more than 10 years stung. Rin had been her protector, her best friend and now she would never see him again. It hurt, and Karla couldn't help some of the slow tears than ran from her eyes.

Scared

Kip's eyes are almost shut when he hears a strange sound. Was it the tv? No. Odd. Hearing it again, he turns to look at the window. Seeing a face staring back at him, he gives a start, his eyes widening. "Holy cr-" Before he can stop, his own jolt sends him off the side of his bed and he disappears.

Crawling to peek around the foot of his bed, hen then recognizes the face. "Karla? What on earth..."

Confused, Kip gets to his feet and shuffles to the large window, unlocking it and swinging it open. "Karla, what..." His voice trails off as he sees her face and his stomach makes an uncomfortable twist.

The cold night air was coming in fast and he motions her inside. "Get in here out of the cold."

Once she's in his room, he shuts and locks the window again, turning to look at her in the light. He could smell the smoke from here and the black smudges on her face and clothes were further evidence of what Kip dreaded to ask. His eyes meet her, his gaze full of genuine concern. "What happened?"

Smoke

Leaning her head into the crook of Sparky's neck and shoulder Faith rested her head soaking in his warm hug. It was so comfortable here with him, his arms wrapped around her. If given the chance she would surly fall asleep. Faith's emotions ran so deep, in a way it kind of scared her but she would not fear them. They were to inviting, and brought her so much joy.

Smiling up at Sparky as he finally helps her up Faith lets out a content sigh. She'd been worried, but what for? In Sparky's eyes she could see the feelings, the emotions, He really didnt care what the others said, and nether did she.

"I feel the same and more. Your different Tyler than any other person I ever met. and I love it."

Standing on her tip toes and leaning into Sparky again Faith brings her nose to his and rubs it back and forth for a brief moment they smile on her face so big one might think it was stuck that way. Backing away a few steps again she holds his hand.

"I guess I should get some sleep too. Its gonna be a long day at the Dr. tomorrow."

Bree can't help the laugh the escapes her lips at JT's comment about Gunner and the guards. Even thought a few tears still escaped her eyes Bree couldn't help the small smile the formed on her lips just thinking about Gunner with the guards.

"I....can see him doing that too."

Giving a sniff Bree shifts a little sitting up now. Her eyes were bloodshot, her face was red but she didn't care. Her uncle has seen her when she had just woken up before, what was the diffrance when she was crying? It didnt happen much so maybe she was a little embarrass but who cared.

Tilting her head back Bree looking to the moon for a long moment. Whispering her goodnight to it, maybe hoping it would float on the wind to where Gunner was.

"I....really think I love him."

It sounded strange to admit that out loud, love was a word Bree had almost never spoken. Something she thought was not  met for her to ever find. But that day, in the cafe when she had first met Gunner her whole world had changed. A few more tears falling from Bree's eyes the smile stays on her lips, though she was hut, though there was much pain now, she would see Gunner again.

"Why dont you try calling him? He might have his phone still."

Angelica gathers her paper work up moving it out of the way so it didnt get messed up. Placing it back into her briefcase Angelica looking up at David again and gives a smile.

"I always work late."

Giving a laugh and shaking her head it was true but funny when she admitted it. She did work a lot unless she Reese asked her out to dinner, or a movie. Maybe some ice cream wouldn't be so bad?

"Ice cream huh? I guess I can sacrifice a few hours for some ice cream. But than after is back to work...ok?"

Walking down the street black smuges were bore on Karla's face. Walking slowly down the road in her pajamas the smell of smoke still rolled off her.

The first had been unexpected no doubt someone fell asleep while smoking again. But in the old building it took nothing to go up in flames. She had a little money but not enough for anything, she was cold, and the tears were dried to her skin now.

Where she was going, Karla didn't know but when she found herself standing outside the large house she was a bit surprised. Kip's house...why...He was her best friend someone she could always talk to but would he be sleeping would the rest of his family be in bed? Karla didnt know but she didnt want to just knock on his from or unless.

Skinny enough to slip through the bars Karla makes her way slowly up the driveway. Strange enough there was no shadow by her side it was empty for the first time in quite a while.Making her way around the side of the house Karla finds the window she is looking for. Knowing where Kip's room was made it easy enough. Now to get his attachen. In a hushed horse whisper she calls.

"Kip...KIP."

Her voice wasn't as loud as she wanted, the emotions and tears holding her words back so her voice wasn't quite that loud as she wanted. Scanning the sidding She spots a pipe. Going over to it and pulling it was secure with nice bolts to put her feet on.

Starting to climb Karla makes it up to the top in record time. Crawling across the porch roof Karla finally makes it to Kips window. Just leaning against the wall for a moment Karla takes a deep breath trying to control her own emotions that were raging. She didnt know what she was going to do, but she had to talk to someone.

Giving a light rap on the window Karla looks in seeing the TV on, but not being able to see deeping into the room she couldn't tell if Kip was awake or not.

Restless

With his arms still around her, Sparky chuckles and shakes his head at the horse. "Thanks a lot, Twilight."

His eyes move back to Faith and after a moment of simply studying her features, he pulls her close again for a strong hug. Just holding her warmly, he embraces her, wishing that life could be as simple as his feelings ran. He was falling in love with this woman - it didn't get any more complicated than that.

Drawing back, he moves his hands to tuck her hair behind her ears and leans his forehead down to rest against hers. "I thought this world didn't have any hope left... then God sent me an angel."

Sighing, Sparky knows that they couldn't stay here all night. He was tired and sore from a long day and sitting here in the straw with Faith was way too comfortable. But even if this growing relationship felt like a dream, they still lived in a real world where nights only lasted so long, and temperatures only stayed so warm.

He shifts his weight and lets go of Faith to stand then help her up. Brushing straw off of her and himself, he gives her forehead one last kiss. "You've given me something worth living for, Faith... I don't care what others say. 'Cause even if my heart winds up in pieces, it was worth this time with you. I only hope that... that you feel the same."

JT doesn't move or make Bree get up. He just holds her, rocks her and lets her cry. Though he felt like breaking down too, he forces himself to stay a strong shelter for her. He'd have plenty of time to break down later.

Rubbing her back, he croons softly to her, while silent prayers run through his mind to take all this pain away. It just wasn't fair... for a heart as pure as Bree's, to be tortured so.

Feeling her calming down and hearing her words, JT moves his head to look down into her eyes. "You don't need to thank me for anything," he responds quietly. "You're like my daughter, you know that... I couldn't just leave you there."

He kisses the top of her head and pulls her a little closer. "Gunner will be just fine. He's a fighter. If anyone can get out of this mess, it's him." He forces a smile. "Can you imagine the trouble he's giving the guards down there? He's probably already got them convinced he's a vampire that drinks rootbeer floats instead of blood."

Glancing up to the sky, JT points. "See that moon? Even if you can't find the right stars, what do you bet Gunner's looking at that same moon right now?"

David stares across at Angelica, once again his expression seeming not to fit the conversation, but something else that might be on his mind - one that made a smile appear just below the surface.

"Great - sounds like a good idea. The more we can dig up the better. Have your guy check it out. In the meantime I need to try and find JT to see if he got anything else that night. It'll be a while before anyone realizes I'm in town, so I'm safe for a few days."

Finishing the rest of his water, he pushes his plate aside a little. "So do you still work 'til the wee hours of the morning, or could I convince you to go get ice cream somewhere?"

"How's this?" Kip picks out the notes on his bass guitar, sending  the thumping rhythm through the upstairs of  the house.

Kyle and Erik nod. "I like it," Kyle confirms. "That should work better." Standing up from the chair, he stretches and yawns. "I'm hitting the hay, guys." The rest of the house was already asleep for the night. Wandering from Kip's room, only the two men are left.

Kyle passes his room and aim's for Alice's instead. Knocking on the door, he opens it just a crack. "Night you," he calls softly. "Don't forget we're doing breakfast tomorrow, just you and me."

"So..." Erik cocks his head at Kip. "Think this is gonna work?"

"I hope so." Kip nods. "Looking forward to showing our stuff. Can't no more than do our best I figure. Kyle seems pleased with how everything is going."

"Yeah, I think we sound good." Erik rises and aims for the door. "We got an early practice tomorrow... you better get some shuteye like the rest of us."

"Yeah, yeah." Kip waves him out the door, left on his bed to play around with his bass for a few more minutes before putting it on its stand. Stretching out on his bed, he stares up at the ceiling, his mind too full to sleep. Things had been going well with the band. They were getting closer and closer to being ready to perform and they sounded good. No one else would believe they could come together like this so well in such a short time, comparatively speaking.

Around the house, things were going well, too. The band was practicing here now instead of Theo's - it was just too cold in his garage now and his heaters weren't cutting it. A thick frost was forming on the grounds tonight... they were predicting snow in a couple days. The band was getting anxious to move forward, but after their first tryout had been postponed, they were now waiting for the phone call that would tell them when they could come perform.

Kip was enjoying seeing Karla around the house too. Whenever he got a chance, he'd wander around until he'd find where she was cleaning so he could sit and talk with her. Sometimes he'd make sure he ate lunch at the same time she did too so they could eat together. Erik's mom had told him that Karla was doing a great job and had even gone the extra mile by getting the mail or answering the phone a couple times when everyone else was busy. Kip was thrilled it was working out, glad that Karla could get some money so she could take care of herself.

Sighing, Kip rolls over, his light still on. It was getting late, but after all that had been going on, one more thing had still been added to the pot. His father. He'd shown up yesterday, drunk. Erik's dad had sent him away but not before Kip had seen him from a distance. It had put his stomach in knots and the phone call an hour later had just made it worse. Erik had told him not to take the call but he just...had to.

Giving a groan, Kip rolls over the other way and flips on his television. Maybe a B movie would put him to sleep.