Just wanted you to know...

Thinking about what Scott said for a moment Sapphire could hear the pain in her brother's voice with out even looking at him. There bond as strong as when they were younger but there was still a bond there, and for Sapphire it gave her hope that things could work out with them.

Reaching out slowly Sapphire puts her hand softly on top of her brothers. If nothing more to simply let him know she was there for him and she wasn't scared that he was in this place or thought any different. He was her brother, her twin, her best friend.

"It's not pointless, You got something to words twords. Getting better for Mom, Dad, Me, Hope and most of all for yourself. I can't say I know how you feel because well I don't, but I do know we are all rooting for you and love you no matter what. Even Hope, and I can garinte she is not mad at you."

Just sitting there for a long moment Sapphire draws silent just letting the quiet surround them for the longest moment. She remembered what felt like forever go her and Scott could just sitting in one spot for the longest time and not say anything at all but feel like they had the best conversation when walking away.

"Your strong Scott, you always have been no matter what, remember in school when you use to fend the bully's off for me. You were my hero, and your still my hero now. That will never change no matter how many fights we have. I just...I wanted you to know that."

Looking to Scott Sapphire smiles her eyes glisting a little as some tears wanted to come but she willed them not to. For her brothers sake she wanted not to let the tears come.

Giving a smile and noding a little hearing about Cassy Ryan was please she was nice and someone Leo once new that had reformed a friendship. Seeing him smile as he talked about her too was nice. Leo deserved to be happy thats was deffintly for sure. He was to nice of a guy not to be happy.

"Hey ya never know, if your helping her with dancing you might end up seeing her more often still. She sounds real nice and I'm happy for that."

Pulling over to the side of the road where Leo's car was Ryan puts the car into park before turning to Leo a little.

"Thanks Leo, for coming tonight it was nice to have you there and share a laugh with you.I hope we can do it again. Oh yeah bring Cassy around the shop sometime too I'd like to meet her."

Giving a smile to Leo Ryan bids him goodnight leaving there conversation for now. It defiantly had been good to talk with Leo again. Giving a wave Ryan pulls out from where she was parked taking the back roads home. Going a little faster than probably should should Ryan keeps her eye out for cops and in no time she was home.

"I'm back, I didn't run away some where...hope you guys didn't miss me to much."

Coming into the living room Ryan flops down on the couch next to Alec giving him a little elbow before she grins at him and than looks over at her brother.

"Dear Eli did I tell you, that I think your a genius?"

Oh

Scott's eyes lower to the ground as Sapphire mentions them as kids. Yeah, she'd been the picky one. Sometimes she'd sneak him the food she didn't like and he would eat it so she wouldn't get into trouble. There had been a bond there when they'd been kids. What had happened?

Scott can feel emotions rising within him and he swallows the lump in his throat. Taking another sip of pop, he listens as she mentions Hope. She was under the weather? Having trips to the infirmary? That wasn't like her. She needed to not be working at all and taking care of herself, and... His thoughts drift off. Who was he to tell her what to do now?

His shoulders slouch a little. "Yeah." His voice had grown quiet again. "She and I... I mean, I..." He shakes his head and takes another bite of jerky. "I haven't seen her in a while," he admits. "I... told her not to come... anymore."

He shrugs lamely. "I was mad at her, ya know? For bringing me here and... and I guess I got tired of her seeing me like this and... I don't know. I just... wound up telling her to stay away. I don't even know if we're even... together... anymore."

Sighing, Scott sets aside his pop and bag of goodies, his nervousness returning. "I...I don't know what to do anymore. It all feels... pointless."


Hearing an apology from Ryan too, Leo lifts an eyebrow a little bit. His wounds were still sore but... having her say she was sorry too, helped them heal just a little more.

The questions about Cassy make him grin and he shakes his head. "Yeah... yeah, she's nice. I've just been fixing up the place for her is all. We knew each other a few years back, see. But... most of the work is done so I probably won't see her as much. Though I've been helping her dance a little bit too."

Seeing that they were nearing the spot where his car is, he's glad and sad at the same time that the ride would be over soon.


"Well I'm sorry!" Alec throws up his arms as he paces the living room. "He started it."

Eli rolls his eyes and takes off his jacket and gloves. "That's what they all say. You really gotta learn to keep your mouth shut, you know that?"

"What, you think I'm happy about Leo taking off with her?"

"No one took off with anybody," Eli chides. "She gave him a ride. Settle down. You already got her so what's the problem?"

"I don't... I don't know." Alec glances out the window for the tenth time.

A grin spreads on Eli's face. "You're jealous."

"I am not."

"Are too. You're jealous and you think that Leo is suddenly going to have everything you do and Ryan will miraculously be taken by him and is gonna ride off into the sunset... er... sunrise with him and you'll never see her, or her chocolate cakes again."

Alec whirls around, a glare on his face. But as he goes for a retort, he suddenly realizes just how ridiculous it all sounded and his mouth hangs open for several moments. He really was being stupid. "Oh."

It really wasn't funny, but such a short response makes Eli laugh. In turn, Alec starts to laugh too and they both sink down in chairs in the living room, their laughter starting up all over again.

Picky one

Seeing the look in Alec's eye Ryan new he wasn't happy but there was nothing she could do to change that. Leo was her friend and he'd asked for a ride. If he was trying to be friendly than she wasn't going to turn that down. She wanted to be friends with Leo like she had long ago.

Finally finshed up and on there way Ryan drives silently for a long while. It was a nice night out and with the windows cracked open the breeze felt nice on the back roads. Hearing Leo start talking and his comment on talking to her while Alec was around Ryan gave a slightly nod of her head.

"It's ok I understand about talking to me with Alec around."

She did understand too, giving Leo credit for wanting to try and be friends with her was enough. If he didn't feel comfortable around Alec still it was completely understand able. If it were her she might be the same way.

"I'd like to become friends again and I'm ok with taking the small steps to get there. So, appoligy accepted."

Drawing silent again for a moment Ryan taps her fingers absentmindedly on the searing wheel as her own mind process a few different things. Shifting a little bit in the car seat Ryan turns down another street coming to a stop sign she glaces over at Leo again for a moment before her eyes go back on the road again too.

"I guess...I'm sorry too about how everything turned out. I could have handled things differently than I did. So if anyone is saying sorry here its me."

There was so much more Ryan wanted to say but weather it was right or wrong she didn't know so for now keeping her mouth quiet was best. Maybe some day she would tell Leo what else was on her mind but maybe when there friendship was strong again.

"So...the guys tell me in you free time you've been helping this woman...Cassy I think they said her name was. She's opening a dance studio, I thought that was pretty cool. Is she nice?"

A smile was still formed on Ryan's face to show she really was interested in this part of Leo's life as a friend. She did in fact think it was cool he had been helping her out. It defiantly seemed like someone right up Leo's ally and she was happy for him.

Taking the can of mountain dew from her brother she takes a sip before handing it back to him just letting the liquid slid down her throat till she looked at him again and gave a small grin.

"I always liked the taste of mountain dew, but never the jerky to much. Twins through and though but when it came to tasting something you always did like more than me. I drove mom crazy being the picky one."

Giving a small laugh and shaking her head Sapphire leans back on the bench some of her nerves were starting to pass. Though she was still unsure on everything she wanted to say it seemed a little easier now. Almost like Scott had accepted her being there and it was ok.

Hearing the question about Hope Sapphire had to stop and think for a moment. She normaly didnt see Hope much and she'd been pretty busy the last weeks but she'd seen even less of her at that.

"I've seen her a few times coming in and out at odd hours. It's been pretty busy at work but I asked Reese about her the one day because it seemed like I saw her less than normal. He said she'd been feeling a little under the weather so she had been doing some work from home. I catch sight of her now and than as she is heading to the infirmary."

Thinking for a moment she searches Scott's eyes. There was something in them that she could see. Had it been a while since Scott had seen her too? His eyes almost longed to be told more about this person he cared for. Sapphire only felt sad she couldn't tell him more.

"I bet she'd like to hear from you. She probably miss you a lot as well."

Apology

Scott manages something close to a laugh... almost. The corners of his mouth turn up just a little. "Yeah... I'm not quite fast enough but I can hit a target."

Justin gives an encouraging nod to Sapphire, letting her know that she was doing a good job. Backing away a few steps, he stays within earshot, but out of the line of sight to offer at least the feeling of them being alone so they could speak freely. He wanted to remain close though, not only to observe Scott, but be there if anything went wrong.

Scott chews a little more on his jerky and gives Sapphire a sidelong glance. "You don't have to finish it." He grins a little. "I just wanted to see if you'd eat it. Here." He hands her the open can of Mountain Dew. "This helps."

Withdrawing again, he keeps busy with his piece of beef jerky. "You, um... seen Hope lately?"


Alec isn't happy, but he knows he shouldn't go up against both Eli and Ryan. It didn't feel right though. He was used to being able to fight his way through and get his way. He wasn't used to giving in because he cared about who the other people were. It was a confusing sensation and one he didn't like. He'd like to take a swing at Leo's mouth, but knowing that it would upset Ryan held him at bay. It still didn't feel good though.

Backing off a step he looks to Eli, then Ryan before spinning on his heel and going back to the car to clean up.

Eli relaxes and lets out the breath he'd been holding. Turning to Leo, he gives him a warning look. "I know you mean well, but you might wanna watch your step there, bro. You know better."

"Yeah, well..." Leo bites his tongue from saying what he really wanted to. "Thanks."

"Uh-huh." Eli throws a glance in Ryan's direction before going back over closer to Alec to keep an eye on things.

Fifteen minutes later, Leo was seated beside Ryan in her car. Eli and Alec had been left to close up the garage then walk the few blocks to where Eli had his bike stashed after he'd met a friend for the replacement car. They'd done a good enough job that nobody would notice anything strange going on or be able to say they'd seen the group.

Leo picks at some dried paint on his jeans, quiet for a few minutes as they head down the quiet street. "Look, Ryan, I..." He stops and shakes his head, a little laugh coming out. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to fire up Alec's temper like that. It's just... I couldn't talk to you with him around because..."

He stops again, watching the passing lights and trying to gather his thoughts. Another awkward laugh surfaces. "I knew exactly what I wanted to say and it has now completely flown out the window." He shakes his head again. "Oh well... I guess all I wanted to say anyway was that I'm gonna try from now on to be a little more, um... friendly at work and stuff. It's time I owned up to the fact that you've moved on with Alec, and... all I've been doing lately is making a complete butt of myself." He shrugs lamely. "I guess that's an apology."

Ghetto, sounds like fun

Thinking for a moment Dalton trys to play through his head all the work he had to do. His morning should be quiet but his afternoon would more likely be busy.

"Yeah I should be home for lunch if your still gonna be here, but its gonna be an early one probley at about eleven."

Giving a little squeeze to her again Dalton finally moves again knowing if he didn't start to get ready no for work than he never would.

"Well I need to shower and get dressed. Help yourself to anything in the fridge and pantry. My home is your home. Do you think you could throw some coffee on for me?"

Dalton gives Dani a smile as he stands. He kind of liked the feeling of waking up to someone. He often found his house lonely so having someone here like this was nice.

Once starting to clean up and put everything away Ryan nodded her head to herself. Tonight had gone smoothly and everyone had gotten along pretty well.

Hearing Leo's question Ryan turns around a small smile on her face. It made her feel good Leo has asked for a ride. Maybe there friendship was starting to build its way back up with little baby steps.

About to answer him Ryan stops as Alec jumps in with his own answer meant for her question. Looking at Alec and than back to Leo as they go back and forth a moment Ryan feels a ping in her head at Leo's comment of her never wanting him. She had at one point in time, but maybe for Leo it was easier to not admit it at all so she said nothing but if anyone looked they would still see the hurt in her eyes.

Once her brother steps in though Ryan straightens a little. Looking at Eli, than Leo than back to Alec Ryan lets out a sigh being caught in the middle before looking back at Alec.

"It wont take me long to bring Leo back to his car. You can ride with Eli Alec to the house and I will be back there when I'm done. I don't see any harm in taking Leo to his car. He is my friend after all."

Ryan looks back to Leo and gives a small smile before looking to Alec and giving a nod that it would be ok. Turning back to the tool box Ryan puts a few more things in it before shutting it and waits for the others to be ready to go.

Taking the offered peace of jerky Sapphire takes a bit. She never really liked jerky much but for her brother she'd eat some. Giving a smile at his offer of love Sapphire was happy. She didn't think her brother hated it but it was nice to hear it as a conformation anyways.


"Your welcome Scott."

Just letting the quiet take over for a long moment Sapphire sits with her brother. The quiet was kind of nice, not as good as talking but it was better than him sending her away too.

"You look good too Scott considering everything. It's nice to see you not giving up too. I'd be pretty sad if you did."

Continuing to talk Sapphire trys to keep the conversation up looking up at Justin for a moment maybe for conformation before looking to Scott again. Giving his leg a gentile pat.

"Justin told me you pretty good at ghetto paintball. I'd like to see that sometime, it sounds like fun."

Make up your mind

"No... I don't mind. Thank you." Dani rests her hand on Dalton's leg. "I wouldn't have known what to tell him anyway. I still don't... though I need to talk to him sometime... sometime when I have the right questions to ask."

Sighing a little, Dani nods. "Thank you, Dalton. I think I will stay here at least for a while. Will you come back for lunch?"


Eli grins and rolls up the poster again, setting it aside. He wouldn't need it until tomorrow anyway. "Okay, guys... back to work. We're burnin' moonlight, and I, for one, am planning on getting at least a few hours worth of sleep tonight."

Though they all would like to just keep hanging out and laughing, they obeyed and got back to work on sanding the car. Two hours later, enough had been done that they'd be able to come back the next day and start painting.

As they were cleaning things up and putting things to the side in case Mark needed the space, Leo wipes his hands on a rag and wanders over closer to Ryan. "Hey... give me a ride back to my car? I parked it about a block from Roth's place."

Alec is close behind and bristles. "She and I rode together. Eli can take you back."

Leo turns a little. "I... wanted to ride with Ryan."

"And I said no."

Leo sets his hands on his hips and looks Alec straight on. "Well I didn't ask you, now did I?"

Alec is already on the defense, not wanting to budge. "No, but I answered you."

"What are you afraid of, huh?" Leo laughs. "That I might lay hands on your property?" He shakes his head. "Ryan doesn't want me. She never did. So if you don't mind, butt out and let me ride back through town with my friend. Or at the very least, let her decide instead of you acting like you own the place."

Alec glares at Leo and starts for him, but Eli scoots in between them, creating a barrier. "Cut it out you two," he growls. His eyes move to Ryan. "Make up your mind, Speedy, before these two meat-hungry dogs tear themselves to shreds."


Scott's eyes stay glued to the ground, and though he couldn't see Sapphire sit to his left, he felt the bench move just a little and knew she was there. She'd missed him something awful? He still had the note she'd written, but still... maybe it was a little hard for him to believe just yet. They hadn't shared a nice word with each other since their argument over Gage. Oh, they'd seen each other at work and nodded across the room but this was the first time they'd actually sat and talked at all. How ironic.

Seeing the bag being presented to him, Scott takes it, though somewhat awkwardly. Hearing what was inside, his fingers curl around it a little, tempted to open it now but unsure if he should or not. The contents sounded good, and his mouth waters just a little.

Sapphire's next words cause his head to snap up and he finally turns to see her. His good eye roams her face, searching for the sincerity behind her words. And it was there... it was there in her voice and in her eyes. She'd said in her note she loved him, and now she was saying it to his face.

Confusion lingered in his own gaze though. He trusted his sister did love him, yet at the same time, he wondered how it could be, when she was still with someone who was a part of the place that had ultimately brought Scott here, on the verge of insanity. If she loved him, how could she take part in that form of betrayal? He'd questioned that, even after he'd received her note. He knew deep down that it was not a fair question, but he couldn't deny that it was still there in the back of his mind.

Scott was upset Sapphire was here... seeing him like this... witnessing his weakened mental and physical state. But with her gift and her words, he would not lash out at her. He couldn't. He never had wanted to hurt her in the first place, and he couldn't bring himself to do it now either.

Looking back down at he bag, his thin fingers slowly open it and he reaches inside for one of the cans of Mountain Dew. Its coolness felt good on his palm as he draws it out. Setting the bag aside, he fidgets with the can for a few moments before popping the top and hearing the familiar fizz. Sighing, he just stares at it. "I love you too," he finally responds quietly. Taking a sip of the pop, Scott enjoys the smooth burn of carbonation and the zing the sugar held.

Setting the pop can down beside him, he opens the bag again to pull out the package of jerky. Fumbling a little with the plastic, he manages to get that open too and pulls out a couple pieces. Without saying anything, he offers one to Sapphire. Taking a bite of his own, he chews it slowly, enjoying the flavor. He'd had a little bit when Susanne and Dalton had brought their basket, but he didn't get it nearly as often as he used to. It was a nice treat.

"Thank you." His words were soft, almost hard to hear. He really didn't know what to say... Things had been so severely damaged between him and Sapphire that he really didn't know if they could even carry on a normal conversation. And did he even want to?

His eyes shift back to his sister. "You look good."

Something awful

Now having everyone laughing Ryan can't stop as she still trys to control it. But finally as her sides hurt, and her throat is dry the laughing stops as she still gasps for air. Just laying on her back Ryan look up at the roof until Alec comes into view.

Taking his hand with her own Ryan stands throwing him a smile and shaking her head wiping he tears from her eyes.

"Oh man....I'm ok....I think. But nothing saying a I wont break out in hysteria when Roth sees his car. Oh Man...sorry about that we can all get back to work now I..."

Ryan chuckles a little again before shaking her head and looking at her brother.

"...I'm ok now. I think..but put the picture away before I lose it again."

Slipping his arm around Dani's shoulder Dalton lets her rest on him. He understood what she said about it just not feeling empty here. It was something different out of her norm and would help her.

"You don't need to call you brother. I...I called him last night to let him know you might not be in today. He said it was no problem."

Cocking his head a little to look Dani in the eyes Dalton smiles hopping she wouldn't be mad.

"I hope you don't mind I did that. I figured you might not get a lot of sleep and I wasn't sure when we would wake. So I though I better call him than."

Taking a deep breath at her brother short greeting Sapphire steps closer and sits down next to him.

"Good Morning Scott. I missed ya something awful so I though I might come and see you."

Fidding for a moment Sapphire wasnt sure what to say. How are you didn't seem right. How is it here well she probably already new what he would say. How was the weather she new. She just wasn't sure the words to use.

Holding the bag out to Scott Sapphire smiles. She was proud of what she had brought for her brother. She only hopped he still liked it.

"I brought you a few cans of Mountain Dew, some beef jerky, and Dalton gave me some of his classical music along with a little cd player for you."

Thinking again for a long moment if nothing else happened, if Scott wanted to talk no more there was one thing she wanted him to know. She wanted to make sure he new how much she still cared.

"I love you Scott...very much!"

Go on

Justin looks up and smiles at Sapphire, picking himself up off the ground. "Hey there, Sapphire. Good morning."

Studying her nervous eyes for a moment, he instinctively sets a hand on her shoulder for just a moment to try and get her to relax. "Come on. Scott's outside. He's had a good morning so far."

Leading the way, a prayer runs through Justin's mind as he walks. He almost always followed his instincts, as he was doing today. But when logic and instincts didn't match, it always made him question himself no matter how many times his gut proved right.

Reaching the bench on the edge of the grassy yard, Justin realized they were approaching Scott's blind side. Rather than risk startling him too badly, he speaks before they've arrived. "Hey, Scott. Jenny said you were up and at 'em. Almost didn't believe her." He sees Scott turning his head, but knows Sapphire is still just out of his line of vision. "I brought a visitor with me this morning."

Scott had just been ready to answer Justin's greeting, when the news of a visitor puts him on edge. Quickly turning his head all the way around, he sees Sapphire. And his heart almost stops.

Justin closes the distance, making sure Sapphire didn't hang behind. "Figured we could take a break from games today."

Scott swallows hard and looks up at Sapphire before dropping his gaze back to the ground. Heat crawls up his neck and into his face. Why had Justin brought her here? Had Sapphire asked to come or had Justin asked her? What was the reason? What was the motive? Scott wanted to run. He wanted to hide. But he knew that this time he couldn't. He was trapped. Eventually, he quietly greets both of them. "Hi."

Justin nods Sapphire to the space beside Scott on the bench, his eyes seeming to say, "Go on."


Having Dalton take her hand, Dani looks up at him, her eyes dark and lacking the light they usually held. She gives his hand a squeeze back though, mustering up a little smile. "I might stay here for a while," she agrees softly. "Even though I'll be alone, it doesn't feel as empty here."

She sighs deeply and leans her head over to rest on his shoulder. "I need to call Carson... I was supposed to be at work in fifteen minutes."


Alec and Leo both laugh as they see the poster Eli presents, both agreeing it was absolutely perfect. Not only were the colors feminine but the design was something a little girl would get excited over. The whole thing was one big slap to Roth's masculinity.

As Ryan bursts into laughter and falls to the ground, the other guys all exchange glances, and stare at her blankly at first. It wasn't rare to see Ryan laugh, but to have her laughing uncontrollably was something fairly new. No matter how bizarre though, the laughter is contagious. First it's Eli who starts to laugh more, just because Ryan is. Then Alec starts to snicker, followed by Leo.

Soon all of them are so shook up that no one can work and all they can do is hold their aching sides and wipe the tears from their eyes. Eventually, it's Alec that wanders over to Ryan, the humor still glistening in his eyes. Reaching a hand down, he offers to help her up. "You alright there?"