Hurts too much

Eli's heart hurt just a little bit as he listened to Ryan. There was a lot more going on inside of her than just the whole Alec and Leo thing.

Moving closer to her, he wraps his arms around her from behind and kisses the top of her head. "I miss them too." Swaying a little, he tries to help her feel better but he wasn't sure how. She was always so strong... often times he just stayed out of her way and let her figure things out on her own because she preferred that. But this morning, it was apparent that she needed a little extra boost.

"You gonna be okay, hmm?"


Pete searches Nikki's gaze, wondering what was going on in her mind. But having permission, his fingers continue to comb slowly through her hair. A softer touch? "Maybe I just hadn't had any reason to be soft before."

Quite suddenly, a laugh surfaces and he shakes his head. "Nikki Keller... are we flirting?"


Though Leo continued to listen to Cassy, his eyes are closed as he leans against the closed door. He just felt... stupid.

Hearing Cassy's words... her sweet, kind, genuine words, Leo's hand slides from the wall. She meant it... she really meant it... every word. His stomach gives a little lurch and he wonders if it's because of this mess or because he hadn't eaten anything in over twenty-four hours.

As the silence signals she has said all she can, finally, finally Leo looks at her. He knew his face was as mess and his eyes were tired and red... He felt even more stupid.

Leaning a shoulder on the door, he reaches out with a bruised hand to run a rough finger down the side of Cassy's face. "All I can do when I'm by myself is make a mess of things. All I can do at the shop is break things. All I can do at the studio is be a clumsy oaf. And all I can do around you is be a bumbling idiot."

He tucks aside a strand of her hair, his eyes meeting hers. "You're the only one who would still want me."

Licking his lower lip, he realizes it's split again. "I don't... want to be afraid of the future anymore. I don't want to be afraid of getting hurt again anymore. I just..."

His hand moves so his palm cradles her cheek. "I just don't know how an I always get it so messed up. I try and try and I just..."

Sighing, he feels even more stupid. "I want to kiss you but my lip hurts too much."

My own bed...

Sitting there still and taking a sip of her tea Cassy gives a slight jump as Leo gets up with out warning. It causes her to get up from the table as well, and seeing Leo go to the door she only became more confused. His behavior was odd and she didnt understand it. Hearing his reason though that he was falling for her Cassy could feel her heart beat faster. She new it already but to have him admit it, that was a step forward right?

"Leo its nothing to be...scaird...of..."

Cassy's voice train off though as Leo pushed off the doorway and made his way to the front door this Cassy close behind him. If she hadnt known Leo she would of thought him a mad man. Following him once more Cassy was quiet till he was done apologizing.

"I don't know why on earth your saying sorry Leo, other than beating up my poor door frame."

Drawing a little closer to him Cassy lets out a sigh for a moment thinking before saying anything. It was an up and down roller coaster with Leo and Cassy didn't know how long she could keep doing this.

"Leo, I like you a lot, and if we could be more than friends that would be great. I'm not like Ryan, I don't cheat on people, or throw them away like a used up peace of cloth. I can't say I'd never hurt you because than I would be lieing, because getting hurt is part of growing, but getting past that hurt with someone you can about is what is important. What I can promise though is I'll be your still something happens, I'll be kind to you and take care of you. I'll laugh when you laugh, cry when you cry and set you straight when you walk out of line. I'm only me, and no one else."

Cassy leans against the window next to Leo turning her head a little to look at him. She didn't know what was gonna happen, or how Leo was going to take her words but she had to know. It had been long enough now and she thought they had grown close as friends she couldn't second guess everything anymore.

"I need to know Leo before you leave though if we are going to stay friends and only friends, and your going to be miserable and if I should move on. Or if we are gonna try this whole thing out and be happy again. I can't hold onto a hope that might not be there Leo, I like you a lot, maybe more than I should and thats why I need to know today what to do."

Stopping in the doorway and giving her brother a nod, she than shakes her head a little too. He shouldn't be saying sorry for anything, it wasn't his fault.

"I made my own bed Eli, now I gotta lay in it. Maybe I deserve this for the designations I made."

Letting a small sigh out Ryan leans against the door frame for a moment. Maybe it was getting to be that time of the month and thats why she was so emotional, or maybe it was because in a few days it would mark there dad's death. She never did take that day well even if she never said anything about it.

"You ever wonder if Dad's looking down from heaven at us with Mom by his side and wonder if they are proud of us and what our life has become? Some days I wonder it more than others. Some days I miss him more than others too. But thats why I love having your around Eli...you look just like him, and you smell like him too. Your my best friend and I always know you got my back no matter what just like Dad would of wanted it. You defiantly make him proud. I was always the little rebel, even when I was small. I love having you here even if I don't show it."

Pushing off of the door frame Ryan gives it a soft whack with her hand as a little tear rolled down her face. She hated feeling like this, and it wasn't often she did. Maybe after yesterday she was scared Eli though she didn't want him around and maybe it was just everything mixed together at once. And maybe it was just her own way of saying sorry.

Feeling Pete run his fingers through her hair Nikki closes her eyes for a moment just enjoying the feel. A soft content sigh coming from her lips to show she did indeed like it. Reaching over her head Nikki finds Pete's other hand and for a moment she just holds it before running her fingers up and down his arm in a soothing manor before opening her eyes again to look up at him.

"I think your touch has become softer than it use to be..."

Nikki gives another smile cocking her head a little and blinking her eyes delicately. Looking up into Pete's eyes again she felt like no matter how many times she looked into them she always found something new to get lost in, and they just seemed to go on forever.

"...defiantly like it though."

Embarrassed

"Yeah... yeah, I should be around." Eli sits back and watches Ryan for a moment. It was obvious that she was not really okay. She was still upset and... rightly so.

"Ryan..." He stands up and nears her, but doesn't want to stop her if she'd rather just go. "I'm... I'm sorry. Right, wrong, indifferent... I'm sorry you got in the middle of all this." He never had really approved of Alec, though he wouldn't say so. But no matter, he really was sorry that Ryan was suffering right now.


Pete laughs and retracts his hand, leaning on his other arm to look at Nikki as she stared up at him. "Well... as long as I'm comfortable."

The pause that followed felt awkward. At least to Pete it did. He couldn't remember having awkward silences with Nikki before. But they'd just been kids. Maybe it was just because even though it felt like they'd never parted, it still had been ten years. Not everything was the same. Last they'd seen each other, he'd been twenty-three and she'd only been eighteen. She'd just been a teenager and now she was... a woman.

Pete blinks.

Shifting a little, he lowers his hand again and this time instead of ruffling her hair, his fingers run gently through it. He didn't know if it bothered her or not... but her hair was softer than he remembered.


Leo's eyes move up a little as he's brought into the kitchen to sit. His gaze goes to the table instead of the floor, but no higher. Cassy's question resonates in his head.

Without warning, he stands up, the chair scraping on the floor. Heading out of the kitchen, he stops, leaning on the doorway, his back to Cassy. Fighting the urge to walk out, he plants his feet, remaining stubborn this time.

"Afraid that if I spent any more time with you that I'd have to admit that I was falling for you."

There. He'd said it. And he also felt more stupid than he ever had before. Completely and utterly embarrassed, Leo leaves the kitchen and goes to the front door, but stops again. His hand smacks the wall and he growls in frustration. "I'm sorry..." He'd totally just made an idiot of himself. "I just... I'm sorry."

Did I do something?

Feeling Pete ruffle her hair Nikki gives a laugh before snuggling her head into his leg a little more before looking up at him again. From this angle his eyes glittered with the light from the tv and it made her smile grow even more.

"Mmm...I think your just as comfortable."

Rolling to her back so she could look back up at him again and just studing his face for a moment the movie forgotten. This was the same, but it was different too. There was something new she felt even if she wondered about it. It was a different kind of warmth.

Bringing Leo into the kitchen she lets him sit down and going to the sink she gets a glass and some water and bringing him back to Leo. Sitting down at the table and listing to what Leo was talking about inside it felt like a punch to the gut but she did her best not to let it show. She didn't want Leo to feel anymore crapper than he was.

"Why on earth were you scared Leo? Did I...do something wrong?"

She wasnt upset, only confused. She was doing her best to just be friends with Leo. Did she push to hard or something. Waiting for Leo's response she tried to rack her brain figuring what it is.

Ryan gives a nod. If they worked things out that would be great but she wasn't making the first movie this time. She was tired of having to say sorry for something she should be sorry about.

"That would be good if they did."

Once finished with her coffee Ryan stands putting her coffee cup in sink before standing there for a moment and looking out the window. Turning again she lets out a sigh and shakes her head a little before starting out of the kitchen once more.

"I'm off to work. See you for dinner tonight?"

Ryan felt miserable, but what was done needed to be done weather she liked it or not and she just needed to move on with her day.

Afraid

"Mm-hmm." Eli sips his own coffee and nods, unsure if Ryan wanted any more details than that.

Finally glancing up, he studies her for a moment. He knew she had been hurt. He knew she had disapproved of the fight - all the fights - and that she was tired of it all. If she was talking now though, it must bean she wasn't too mad at him though, right?

"Yeah, they're okay. Beat to a pulp, but they'll live." He shrugs. "I had Alec taken back to TJY since all I had was my bike with Scarlet and Leo drove himself home." He pauses. "For what it's worth, I think things will be a little easier now."


Leo wasn't surprised at Cassy's reaction, but his face still reddened under the mess it was already in. Being ushered inside, he didn't have much of a choice. Just standing their lamely, he stares at the floor. "I'm fine," he manages to assure. He looked horrible, but he didn't need a doctor.

Still eying the floor, his hands are safely tucked into his pockets and his shoulders are drooped. "It was my own fault," he mumbles. "I threw the first punch."

He swallows and still refuses to look up at Cassy. "It was Alec... my ex's boyfriend, ya know."

Stopping again, he now regretted coming at all. He felt like a fool. He could have just not said anything... he didn't have to tell Cassy all of this... he could have stayed away a couple more days and she would have been none the wiser. But... that's not what friends were supposed to do.

"I spent my weekend getting drunk," he blurts, "sleeping off the mother of all hangovers, then getting into a brawl at the races..." He stops, finding the words painful, inside and out. "...instead of coming to see you instead. Because... because I was afraid to."


Engrossed in the movie, Pete is almost startled as Nikki comes closer, leaning on his leg. She used to do that too... it had been more like a big brother, little sister thing, and when there were three or four on the couch, they naturally had to get cozy. Was this... the same thing? There was plenty of room so... so she was just getting comfortable... like... a brother/sister thing... right?

Turning to see her smiling, his own grin slips onto his face. She looked pretty cute looking up at him like that... even he had to admit it.

Shaking his head, he moves his arm and ruffles her hair teasingly. "Sorry, I'm a little bonier pillow now than I used to be."

Intro

Holding on tight to Chance with her good arm Destiny looks up at him. Her eyes still held the bit of sadness in them, but she hoped after being able to say goodbye to her parents the right way would help her to heal as well. Chance had been nice enough to alone her to come let along be the one to suggest it.

"Yeah, I'm as best can I can be right now...considering."

Coming closer to the graves Destiny stands still holding onto Chance till they were in front of them. Looking down at the graves her knees felt week but she let go of Chance and sinking to the ground. Tears rolled down her cheeks but it wasn't as bad at the first time. Just crying she let it out as she talked softly under her breath saying her goodbyes. It was hard, but it was something that had to be done.

Finally after a few moments go by and finally Destiny rocks on her heels for a moment before turning to Chance. Taking his hand she pulls him a little closer leaning into him.

"Chance, these are my parents. They would of loved you because your so kind, and your keeping me safe. Thats all they ever wanted and why they wanted out. "

Leaning her head on his arm Destiny lets a few more tears out and than a long sniff so nothing got on Chance. Letting out a sigh next to follow the sobs. Standing up again she looks up at Chance and gives a small smile the best she can anyways.

"I think I'm ready to go now. Thank you Chance!"

Hearing a knock at the door Cassy holds the cup of her tea in her hand her feel scuffing on the floor. It was early still and only an hour before she needed to be to work though she wondered who would be at the door.

Opening it and seeing Leo Cassy instintly takes note to his swollen face, and cuts and bruises. Feeling her heart race Cassy opens the door even more.

"Leo...come in. Good heavens what happened? Are you ok? Do you need to see a Dr or anything?"

Ushing Leo inside Cassy was worried something was really wrong since she hadn't seen him all weekend and now he showed up all busted up.

Exiting her room Ryan's work shirt was still unbuttoned her tank showing under neath showing her just started getting ready for work. Heading into the kitchen to get some coffee she new her brother started making. Seeing she was right and grabbing a cup she pours it before coming over to the table and sitting down. Taking a sip of her hot drink and letting the warm liquid slide down before looking to her brother.

"Did they both make it home ok? No one died?"

Ryan was still upset about yesterday but not at her brother anymore. That anger had faded quickly. Now she just wanted to know they were ok. The rest if they ever talked to her again would come.

Enjoying the meal together Nikki felt like time had never passed and they were kids again. It felt so good to just sit here and enjoy the movie and eat with her friend. Getting so comfortable she new the movie was coming to an end even if she didn't want to.

Scooting closer to Pete Nikki lens on his legs like she had so many times before while watching movies in the past. It just seemed to fit now and it was comfortable even if the movie ended soon.Looking up at Pete she smiles and just holds it taking ni that he was really back.

Confinement

Pete laughs and shakes his head. "I forgot all about my sandwich. I'll just eat it cold, thanks."

Going and getting it, he returns and this time sits down on the couch. Eating and chatting a little while watching the movie, it feels like old times. A few times as they laugh at the movie, he almost feels like a kid again. It seemed too long since he'd just broken out and had fun like this. Sometimes being on the job with the Elite tended to put a damper on things.

Eventually, Pete claims one corner of the couch, tucking his feet up behind him and leaning an elbow on the armrest. With the movie three quarters over, he almost wished it would last a little longer.


Justin smiles and nods to Beth. If she was that thankful that he would come over and be with her to face her memories, then he'd made the right choice.

They continue to fish for a while longer, each catching a few more. Tonight, Justin didn't keep any either. He had plenty of food in the house and didn't want to keep them and just have them spoil. Only once does he have to call the dogs back after they'd gone racing through the brush after a rabbit.

As the afternoon wears on though, he knows Beth needs to go. He would stay a little longer though. He didn't say so, but the pond water was waiting for him and he planned on taking a dip before heading home himself.


Leo stares himself in the mirror, taking note of every bruise, cut and swelling. he was lucky he hadn't received a broken nose, but they base of his nose and around his eyes were black and blue enough that it looked like he could have. His lower lip was obviously split, bit it had dried enough that it wasn't bleeding anymore. Overall, he looked like he'd been run over by a herd of horses. Alec had a fist like iron.

Sighing, Leo finishes drying his hair with a towel but doesn't bother combing or gelling. It was just an old white t-shirt and his light blue, paint-spattered jeans today... maybe it matched his depressed state.

Lst night after things had cooled down, Eli had distributed the ice. Leo and Alec had somehow come to a truce... maybe because both finally realized that their fighting was useless. Leo agreed to stop harassing, and Alec had agreed to quit being so possessive. Both were a bit sheepish, especially when Eli reminded them that Ryan had obviously had enough. Maybe Alec had also seen more stamina and strength in Leo than he though he had. And maybe Leo had seen that Alec really was determined to hang on to Ryan as his own. In the end, perhaps some mutual respect had been formed. And perhaps there was even some home for a possible future friendship.

Leo wanders into the living room where he finds his socks and shoes. He'd snubbed a good friend this weekend - all for a drunken night at the bar and a desert brawl. This morning he was miserable and had called in sick to work - but what continued to nag at his gut was his lack of respect for Cassy. He didn't want her to see him like this today but... maybe it was time he admitted why he'd been doing all these stupid things.

Hesitating again, he finally gets up. It was early enough yet that he would probably catch Cassy at home still.

...Getting to Cassy's apartment door, Leo rings the doorbell. But his eyes stay on the ground. He wasn't so sure he'd be able to look her in the eye. He runs his tongue over his sore lip and swallows hard, waiting.


Eli eases down at the kitchen table after making coffee and pouring himself a cup. He'd only slept a few hours, but he had work today and knew if he didn't get up now, he'd have a harder time later.

He hadn't seen his sister yet, and part of him wondered if she was okay. he wasn't used to her being upset with him, but her look last night proved that she wasn't too amused, to say the least. He didn't know now exactly what to do, so he'd decided just to wait and if she wanted to talk, she would... he hoped she would... right? If she knew Alec and Leo had come to an understanding, would she feel differently?


Alec tosses and turns on the cot, having been uncomfortable all night. Ever since Eli found him a ride back here last night, he'd wrestled with some pretty unsettling feelings. For one, it was weird having a truce with Leo. He couldn't really explain it, other than they had reached mutual respect for each other. Alec was used to winning though, so being satisfied with a truce felt strange. And then there was being yelled at by Ryan. Any other time, if a woman dared chew him out, he would have left her so fast her head would have spun. But this time, he was angry and still wanted Ryan at the same time. It was confusing to say the least.

Grabbing his phone, he starts a text message to Ryan for a second time. And again, he stops and sets the phone down again. Before he can do anything else, a shadow forms in the doorway and he looks up to meet Reese's stare... and Con's too. "Good morning guys. What's up?"

"Alec, what happened to you?" Reese asks sternly.

Alec lifts an eyebrow, knowing he looked like crap. "I got hit. What of it?"

"Who did you fight with?"

Alec bites his tongue. He didn't want to cause trouble for anyone at the races, lest he get jumped for involving the law. "I can't say."

Reese nods to Con, who moves forward with a device in his hand. "Then I'm sorry, but you are officially in confinement until it's proven that you've been involved with these recent killings."

Too shocked to even react, Alec doesn't move as Con adorns his ankle with a bracelet tracking device. Staring up at Reese, he blinks. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

But Reese did. Last night there had been another killing of someone loosely connected to the Agency, that the Elite had been closing in on.The state in which the body was, made it obvious that there had been quite a fight before he'd been stabbed. "You'll be hearing more from me," Reese responds coolly. "For now, I advise not leaving unless you want to be put in jail."

Con rises slowly and follows Reese back out of the room and upstairs.


Chance shuts the passenger side door of the SUV and takes Destiny's arm, giving her an encouraging look. It was a peaceful day and the cemetery was quiet. But there was still sadness that lingered here. The two new grave sites were just a short walk away, and though Chance was keeping his eye out for the Agency, there was more that his mind was on now.

"You okay?"