Don't understand

Managing to sit up a bit more, Jason tries to get his brain to function again. There was a strange, almost lethargic feeling though that seemed to make him purely exhausted. It was as if all of his energy had been completely sapped, and he could feel the same lingering affects like he'd felt the last time he'd had a bad episode over at the safe house. It was a feeling that created helplessness. It was a feeling that scared him.

Right or wrong, good idea or bad, regardless, Jason closes off that corner of his emotions, not allowing Katie to fully read or feel him. He didn't want her to worry any more than she already was.

Thanks, Hero... I love you too. Don't know what I'd do without you.

Rick stands back and sighs a little, shaking his head. Even if he wanted to, there was nothing more he could do for them. He purses his lips before speaking his mind. "Jason... why don't you go home with Katie?" He hadn't known Jeff was coming and even now had no idea why he was here, but he knew the family well enough to assume that Jeff would be staying with Katie. "That way, you two can stay together and recoup, and Jeff can be there in case anything else happens."

Jason thinks about it and shrugs. "I guess... Trooper will-"

"Stop by there on your way and I can have Wyatt go over again tonight."

"But-"

"Please..." Rick nods and looks to Katie. "I think it would be best if you were near him."

Jeff's arm slips around Katie's shoulders to give her an encouraging little squeeze. "I can drive," he offers...


Thirteen's enthusiastic hug again takes Trent by surprise, but this time he's a little quicker to recover and return an awkward hug. A small smile creases his lips though... perhaps he was finally finding the lost pleasure of making his daughter happy.

Ryder watches the scene, his own thoughtful smile on his face. A part of him was almost sad - there was another man coming into Thirteen's life, and one that would require some of her attention and time. He was in no way worried about losing her, but there was still a bit of melancholy there.

When she shows him the picture, his smile widens and he nods. "I see that. She looks like a right pretty horse too. Fitting, I'd say." He winks at her. "What say we get some lunch together, ay? I bet your dad is hungry from his trip."

"I..." Trent was about to decline, but remembering how Thirteen had seemed thrilled with the idea of feeding him, he changes his mind and smiles instead. "That would be great."

Ryder is just getting up when the front door opens, startling him. Seeing Katie and Jason, then Jeff, his surprise turns to confusion. "Well hello." He cocks his head at Katie. "Home early?"

Jason gives him a wry grin, though he's still pale and moving slowly. "Bad day."

Trent looks at the new arrivals, feeling even more awkward now, though he does manage to smile at Katie and give a little wave.

Jeff closes the door behind them, having driven as he'd offered and after stopping by Jason's to grab a few of his things for the night and taking care of Trooper, they'd come home. He sets Katie's keys aside and glances around, his eyes finally landing on Thirteen. Giving her a grin, he waves. "Hey, stranger."


Ariel cocks her head a bit to the side as she eats and listens to Trey, not breaking her gaze from him. She doesn't bat an eye as he tells her more about his family, or even when he explained about TJY.

Chewing slowly, she thinks a moment then shrugs, finally glancing at her plate to spear another piece of chicken before looking back up at him. "Well, you must not be too much of a prisoner or you wouldn't be here with me now. Though it does explain why Pete's been driving you around." She grins. "He's a good guy."

Studying Trey's eyes, she looks deeply into one, then the other as if trying to find something. "Must've been rough," she concludes. "Caught in that position in Mexico, I mean. I hope it all gets straightened out."

She takes a sip of her drink and glances around the park for a moment, taking a breath of the fresh air. "You landed in a good spot though and at least you're safe."


Susanne looks at the clock and stifles a yawn. She was beat. It was almost eight o'clock and she still had way too much to do, but if she didn't quit now, she'd be here all night. Even Reese had already left for the day. Though he'd planned on going to see Hope before actually going home.

Tying up just a few more loose ends, Susanne dons her jacket and grabs her purse, finally leaving the office. Her stomach growls and she remembers the sandwich that she'd never gotten to. She'd find something else to eat for supper and then maybe watch some television before bed. It seemed rather boring, especially after such an enchanted evening the day before, but it was the norm.

Up the elevator and outside, she fishes for her keys and starts across the parking lot in the dim light. It was almost dark, just a bit of a glow remaining in the sky.

Nearing the row of parking spaces, Susanne suddenly stops short, her eyes widening. Chuck? On his bike? What on earth was he doing here at this hour? Surely he'd left when...

Her heart picks up and though she was sure there was a logical explanation, she couldn't help the excited little feeling that started in the pit of her stomach. Were those butterflies she felt? How silly.

"Chuck, what..." She approaches him almost cautiously, her eyes still wide, keys still in hand. "What are you doing here?" She shakes her head in confusion. "I couldn't... lunch wasn't..." She stops again and blinks. "Your note... my answer... but you stayed? I don't understand why."


Justin knocks on Beth's door and waits, his two dogs by his side as he stands on the front step. He was right on time, this time, without having gotten lost, and he'd opted to bring Danitza and Zora with him. Rebecca had seemed a little disappointed that they weren't going to be going out tonight, but she'd understood why Justin would be coming here instead - at least she'd implied she did.

When Beth answers the door, Justin gives her his typical warm smile and holds up a plastic shopping bag. "I didn't know what movie to bring... so you'll have to pick from what I brought." He tosses her a wink. "How are ya doing tonight?"


Faith's hand on his makes Sparky smile and he moves his thumb to curl around hers. "Yeah... yeah, I'll be okay. It's more Mick I'm worried about. All I gotta do is sit back and watch, unfortunately." He shrugs before he takes another spoonful of soup then smiles again.

"My biggest concern right now is getting warmed up and getting some rest."

One of his eyebrows quirks a little, almost teasingly. "I hear the couch in the other room there is awfully comfortable for watching late night television."


"Thank you..." Mick's voice was quiet and he turns to kiss the top of Rosetta's head as she nuzzles into him. He didn't know what he'd do without her by his side.

Once he's finished eating, he goes to clean up then check in on BJ, just watching him sleep for a few minutes and making sure his blanket was pulled up to his chin. Later on as he lies in the dark, his body is exhausted but his mind still so full. Wrapping his arms around Rosetta a little tighter and sinking his head into his pillow, he tries to sleep, but it's not easy. Tomorrow he would have to make some decisions... make some plans...

Perhaps also, he did not want to dream tonight, for fear of the past infiltrating his mind as it had been all evening. His eyes remain wide open, defying exhaustion.


Karla's reaction makes Kip's smile widen, his eyes brightening just a little bit more. "I... thanks... I guess... it's-" His words are cut off as Karla pulls him into a kiss. His hand moves to her arm as he tilts his head to return the kiss, though as they retreat a few moments later, his face is beet red.

The others in the room all try to hide their smiles, Twila biting her lower lip and Eric's expression the most annoyed but more amused than not.

Kyle clears his throat loudly, forcing his eyes back to his music. "So um... now that we've accomplished that song... let's move on..."

Theo is still busy staring at Kip and Karla wit ha silly grin on his face. "I don't know, but I think we might have lost those two."

Onward

You'll be ok J, I'm here with you, I'm always here with you and we will work through this all together.

Katie does her best to give a smile to Jason so at least he new she would be ok, and was ok. Closing her own eyes again as Jason sits up and Rick checks him over Katie just stays relaxed letting her own body rest and and energy come back to her.

Finally opening her eyes again and sitting up a little bit Katie looks to Rick as he turns to her. Giving a little nod to Rick she lets him check her over knowing this was just the normal motions for them.

"I'm holding. A little more tired than normal but nothing I can't handle."

She tried to give a reassuring smile to Rick and than to her dad who was not standing behind her but behind her eyes did lay some worry. Not for herself though but for Jason. She hoped he would be ok, and all the feelings he was feeling about his new found brother....his...twin.

I love you Jason with everything I am!

Pulling into the parking lot Chuck parked his bike. Taking off his helmet and sitting back a little now it was just time to wait. He'd hopped the flowers had gotten to Susanne this morning ok, and she liked them. He always had a hard time with flowers and picking them out but he thought this time he had done good.

Time slowly went by and Chuck continued to wait. Glancing down at his watch and seeing it was fifteen minutes after the time he had told Susanne to meet him outside his gives a small sigh. He's said if she didn't show that would be his answer, and it was she didn't want to have lunch. But maybe she was busy this time and really couldn't come. Maybe for dinner she would? But what time did she get out of work?

Pulling out his cell phone and hitting the speed dial for Anastasia's cell phone he waits for the familure voice to answer the other end.

"Hey Ana! I got a little held up and I'm not sure what time I will be back. I know you have something going on with that guy friend of yours tonight so go ahead and close the shop early. I'll make up the hours tomorrow ok."

Hanging up the phone after getting the ok from Ana Chuck smiles. He was so lucky to have Ana, she was so good to him and always understood. Sitting back on the bike a little more and getting comfortable Chuck was ready for the long wait not sure when Susanne would be out.

Watching as Justin turns to leave again Dalton lets out a low sigh as he sits down again looking at his computer screen. Knowing his friend was very upset with him hurt, and his brain just wouldn't focus on work again. He wanted to call and try to explain to Scott why he did what he did but Dalton know it wouldn't come to a happy end. So for now he's just let Scott cool down and be there when he needed him.

Leaning forward and taking another bit of his food Trey looks across the table at Ariel. He wondered if she new about him what would she really do? Maybe he could tell some of it but not the whole thing right?

"Back in Mexico my family is one of the leaders to the biggest drug ring there is. Import, export, buy, sell, but about anything you name they can do."

Taking a sip of his pop he continues to look across the table at Ariel studying her eyes. His own gaze was pearcing as he continued to go forward with his explanation.

"I guess my family upset the wrong people, or someone was just trying to get to them so the best way to do that it hit where it hurts the most another member of the family. There was a hit put out over my head. I was almost murdered three times. So my parents to keep me safe called my Aunt and shipped me here."

Looking down at his meal finally he moves some of the food around in the sauce before popping it in his mouth to eat. How did he feel saying the next part aloud...wrong? Defeated? Was he more worried what Ariel would think or what she would say?

"Anyways I am a prisoner of TJY until they think I am read to be on my own, and am on there side. As for going home, I don't know when the hits will be called off, so home is very far away right now."

Taking the picture from Trent Thirteen looks at it for a long moment. Listing to her father at the same time. Hearing him ask if she wanted the horse it was hers Thirteen's head snaps up as she looks at him searching his eyes. She could feel something hot welling up behind her own.

Looking down again at the picture and running her finger over the image of the horse she couldn't help but smile a little through the tears. She'd never been given a gift like this before. It was all hard to comprehend. She was being given a pet, something that was hers.

"She's so pretty. I'd like....I...I'd like to try riding her some time."

Giving a smile and glancing up at Trent again Thirteen leans over and wraps her arms around Trent in a big hug just letting it linger for a long moment. Finally letting go she turns to Ryder and holds out the picture to him.

"Look, I have my very own horse."

Giving a thoughtful nod as Sparky talked Faith did the best she could to understand. She didn't know everything about the family yet but she did pretty good at putting a lot of things together and just listing helped a lot.

"I guess that happens a lot with some of us. Kicking ourself from the past we lose sight of whats to come and the new opportunity that show themselves. But having family and love ones to continue to help us along the path is something good."

Reaching across the table Faith lays her hand on Sparky's for a moment her eyes giving a little sparkle. She'd almost lost sigh of what was to come until she met Sparky. He'd helped her see that there was a bright big world out there still, and that no matter what she was going through there were still people there.

"Are you going to be ok?"

Giving a nod to Mick she understood he would want to call Reese and she would not try to stop him. This was his son they were talking about and she couldn't stop that.

"I'll be behind you Mick. Anything you need just ask. I love you."

Tightening her hand around him just a little again in a hug Rosetta leans her head on his shoulder for a moment. She'd always stand beside him no matter what, even if it was just to offer a shoulder to him.

Going through the band practice Karla kept her fingers crossed everything would go well. She liked seeing Kip play and she couldn't imagine how it would be without the band. As the music starts and Kip slips up Karla can't help but feel her heart break a little. Not for herself but for him as she could see the look in his eyes.

About to stand and go to him she stops as Kyle beats her to it. Watching him and seeing him take the music away Karla cocks her head just waiting. Letting the song play once again and hearing the note Kip played it was like a soft whisper on the wind and it sounded amazing.

A warm bubbling feeling formed in her stomach he was doing amazing and she could see the smile of his face and the light in his eyes. Looking around at everyone else she could see the looks they had too and it made her feel so good for Kip.

"You did it Kip!!!"

Not being able to help the emotions that seemed to over flow anymore Karla went to him when the song was over and threw her arms around him pulling him into a hug. Just letting it linger for the longest moment she just soaked it up.

Finally pulling away a little bit Karla looks Kip in the eyes she smile so big her own joy for him reflecting back in the twinkle of her eye, a whisper on her lips.

"You did it Kip, I'm so proud of you."

Bringing her lips to his Karla press them fermaly to his own just letting her emotions show through at how happy she really was. Everyone around them seeming to fade, and not even really knowing how long she stayed lip locked with Kip.