Surprise arrival

Stacy's voice makes Eric jump. He hadn't heard her come in, and his head now snaps up. Depression? Kidding or not, maybe she was right. It had been a long time since he'd felt this low. He gives her something close to half a smile and turns his attention back to his coffee, figuring she'd leave. He guessed she was just making her rounds.

When she approaches instead though, his eyes crawl back up to watch her. The firelight had a gentle touch as it caressed her facial features and glowed within her gaze. He feels his guard being lowered. Maybe the fire really did have a calming effect. But was it really the flames at all? As Stacy looks at him, his eyes meet hers. What did she want? Why hadn't she turned and left? Surely after the fiasco today in town she didn't want anything to do with him. But.. she looked far from perturbed tonight. Her eyes were... deep... almost soothing in a strange sort of way.

He still hadn't spoken when she breaks the silence once more. Anyone could have asked if he was okay. It was a polite enough question. Nothing odd about it, really. And yet... when Eric cocks his head and squints slightly to see deeper into her eyes, it's a genuine concern he sees. It wasn't fake. For some reason, she really did care.

"Not really." His own response surprises himself. He could just as easily say yes he was fine and leave it at that. But after today's events, he just didn't have the energy to pretend anymore. His gaze finally drops and he takes another sip of his coffee. Maybe one more apology needed to be made tonight. And maybe... he needed to explain a few things. Now was as good a time as any - maybe better since they were alone. He gestures to the empty seat across from him. "Have a seat." If she was brave enough to talk to him, he could be brave enough to do the same.

"I, um..." He fidgets with his fingers around his coffee mug. "I guess I want to apologize. I think Jeff's right that I've... been kinda cranky ever since I got back to the ranch and... I ain't got an excuse." He shrugs lamely. "Just kinda hard for a guy in my position to keep his head up I guess, and it got the best of me."

A wry sort of grin creases his lips and he shakes his head before looking up at Stacy again. "I... don't know what you've heard around here, but the truth is I was married recently for... about three days before she left, never to be seen again." Even though the grin remains, the pain is still in his eyes... pain from losing love and pain from feeling so stupid. "But I guess that's what I get for falling for a con-artist."

He sighs deeply. "Took everything. My life's savings completely gone, and with it, my reputation." And his heart. "I should've seen it coming - apparently it was pretty obvious, but... I was blind. Now I'm dealing with trying to get the whole thing annulled." He gives a sorry kind of laugh. "After that, I don't know what that makes me. Not married, not divorced... just damaged goods I guess - as if my own stupidity didn't make me undesirable enough." He smirks and taps his temple. "That came from an accident years ago that took a nice chunk of sense out of my brain."

Shaking his head again, Eric takes another sip of his coffee. His eyes fall back to Stacy, knowing that surely he must look like the biggest loser in the world. "At any rate... none of that's a very good excuse and... I'm sorry if I haven't been myself. I'm... sorry about today especially. I shouldn't have acted like I did."


Tal's eyes widen for a moment, his cheeks reddening slightly, but his grin spreads. "Careful," he warns. "You wouldn't want me to get a big head." His laughter finally bubbles over and he pulls Ryan close for a tight hug. "Mmm... you spoil me, you know that?"

Finally letting her go, he gestures to the array of utensils and ingredients on the counter. "Alright, Miss Sexy. Time to put your money where your mouth is. You said pancakes. Have at it. Me - I'm gonna give my dog some of her own breakfast. Oh, and I called into both our works already to let 'em know we wouldn't be in today."


Running back to the house with Alice, Kyle couldn't remember when he'd been this happy. This was bliss. This was joy. This was a gift God had given him that he would never take for granted.

The house itself was a blessing. Never would he have had the money for such a purchase, but when his aunt and uncle had gotten wind of his future plans, they wouldn't let him say no. He'd pay them as he could and they insisted on blessing others with a house with which God had blessed them and their family so much. The only stipulation was to take good care of it, to fill the rooms and halls with joy, and to use the house in any way God might lead - including the Christ-filled band. Kyle had wanted to say no - he'd said that he couldn't accept such a thing, but they had insisted. Finally, Kyle had given in, as long as he could continue to pay them what he could, when he could, until everything was paid off. And they'd agreed.

And now that Alice loved the place too... it made it perfect. And Kyle knew he'd made the right choice. Some might hold it against him - that others had to work for what they had or that some didn't have families like that to just hand things to them. But Kyle knew that it wasn't a gift from family - it was a gift from God, and whether through the band or through raising a family, he would honor God with these walls. And he knew that Alice would do the same.


Watching the door at Mom and Pop's close, Carson sighs. He stands in the kitchen, looking out through the serving window for a few moments, dishtowel in hand. Mackenzie and her family had just left after coming in for lunch. It wasn't the first time. Since they'd moved here, they had gotten together several times, whether for a lunch, an evening of board games, or once they had met at the lake for a picnic. The little get-togethers never lasted too long - just long enough for Mackenzie to get her wish to see her dad, and for Carson to slowly get used to socializing with his young daughter. It was a good arrangement. It was a safe one. But each time, Mackenzie was a little less willing to leave... a little less willing to say goodbye.

Ken and Jeanette were doing all they could. They were trying to compromise, and though it was obvious that Mackenzie loved visiting Carson, she was starting to push the limits again. The family had moved not too long after they had visited Nevada. Now in Lewis City, Ken had settled in with his insurance job and they were all getting used to their new home. Mackenzie had told Carson it was a nice house - a big one out on the edge of town with a big yard and a swimming pool. She seemed to love it, but preferred talking about her time with Carson rather than her adopted family.

Settling into school was another matter. A Christian school was a godsend, and Tina was integrating well. Mackenzie, on the other hand, was not. With low grades and getting lippy with teachers, she had spent more than one day staying late after winding up at the principal's office. The teachers had been informed of Mackenzie's background and they were willing to work with her, but it wasn't going well.

Carson's eyes watch as the family car drives away from the restaurant. Ken had admitted some of their struggles to him today. Carson wished he could help, but he wasn't sure what he could do. They could stop all communication and force Mackenzie to move on, but they all knew she'd just run away and come here anyway. It was good to see her smile... to see her laugh. She had more color in her face now and her eyes were a bit brighter. But there was so much going on in her young mind and heart. It would take time for such deep wounds to heal. And Carson had yet to figure out exactly where he fit in to things. It was still awkward to give his child a hug.

He sighs again and finally turns back to the kitchen. He couldn't let the day get to him. Seeing Mackenzie was only one thing in a very busy day.

"Carson?"

He whirls around at the female voice and stares at the woman who stood in the kitchen doorway. He hadn't even seen her enter the restaurant. The rest of his worries vanish and he blinks. "Jaz?"


Spotting Bree emerging from the hospital with Amanda, Gunner grins and waves, heading to the driver's side of his car. It looked like they were going to pull this off after all. He could only imagine which tactic Bree had decided to use on Amanda to get her out here. "Are you ladies ready to roll or what?" he hollers.

Inside the car, with the windows down, JT glances in the rearview mirror in time to see Amanda and his niece. What kind of scheme had been cooked up here anyway? He didn't know whether to be happy or mad at this point.

As Bree's voice carries to the car, her comment about him and Amanda being in love reaches JT's ears. Even though no one could see him, his face goes red and he sinks lower in his seat. If this was some forced romantic getaway, Gunner was dead meat. Putting a hand to his forehead, he just waits. Apparently they were just going to have to ride this one out to see what shenanigans Gunner and Bree would come up with.

Gunner catches Bree's wink and returns one. They'd deal with any resistance as they went. As far as the two doctors wanting to return to work... well, they'd just be out of luck. "Ready to go, Captain?"

The car rocks slightly as Gunner gets in but JT doesn't move, keeping a hand over his eyes. "Just you wait, Gunner... just you wait."

Gunner only grins and looks out the window to Bree, who was, by now, in her car. He waves her to go ahead and he'd follow.

Just as planned, the foursome stops at Amanda's, but only briefly and Gunner forces JT to remain in the car while they wait. A comment is made about not letting the fish get away and it only serves to make JT sink even lower in his seat, folding his arms in defiance. By now, he wouldn't even look out the window... he couldn't face Amanda yet. This was his niece and friend kidnapping them... what would she think? He was on the verge of mortified.

Being mortified, however, has a way of diminishing with the miles. And miles were what the two vehicles put between them and town. Out of town, off the main highway and into the foothills. It was a gorgeous day - sunshine and a light breeze the whole way. JT gave up asking where they were going - Gunner would only engage in small talk and wouldn't reveal their destination.

Soon, they turned off the highway onto a main road, then off of that onto a back road, and eventually off of that onto a narrow, wooded lane that wound up into the foothills. Ruts made for a bumpy ride and the two cars had to take it slowly. Finally though, they emerged into a clearing of grass that waved gently in the breeze. Surrounded by trees and adjoining a large pond, it was the perfect spot for camping. Cattails danced near the calm water's edge and the sun glistened off the tiny ripples. A dock stretched out a short ways into the water, though there wasn't much need for a boat - one could easily swim to the other side and back, and the pond was just big enough for fishing. A tall, old oak tree provided an ideal spot for tents, and a worn place in the ground proved others had camped here, though the location was little-known.

Gunner parks a ways from the pond and kills the engine. He glances over to JT, who was still in his hospital garb. "You'll prolly wanna change," he suggests with a grin and a teasing punch to JT's shoulder. "Come on. The fun is just starting."

Though impressed with the little campsite's atmosphere, JT gives Gunner a dry look in return. "I can hardly wait," he retorts. Getting out of the car, he goes to the trunk to rummage through the things his niece had packed.

Gunner wanders over to Bree's car and waits for her to get out before giving her a quick kiss to the lips. "Well... we got 'em here... when do I get to suck their blood?"

"I heard that!"

Gunner stifles a laugh as he looks over to his car where JT had his back turned. "He's even more of a stick in the mud than I thought." Finding Amanda, he tosses her a wink. "Welcome to the hideaway. You might wanna go get that stick in the mud out of the mud before he gives himself a hernia. Bree and I will start on the tents. Oh, and..." He raises his voice so JT could hear, too. "Don't bother using your cell phones - no service up here. And don't even think about pagers - there's a pond for those."

JT rolls his eyes but doesn't respond. He finally finds a t-shirt and pair of jeans, along with his old tennis shoes. Shutting the trunk, he glances around, finding only trees.


Hanging up the phone, Justin really wasn't sure what to feel. Part of him was a little tense about seeing Beth - though she said talking could wait, it didn't mean that it erased what had happened. But part of him was relieved. He hadn't know how she'd react to his call, and seeing now that she would come... it made him respect her and her growth all the more. He knew that he was asking a lot of her. He knew that this was probably another step out of her comfort zone. But she'd said yes. And somewhere, Justin was proud of her, once again.

Taking a deep breath, he finally gets up to finish gathering his mother's items. Then he left the house and headed to North Springs...

...Walking up and down the halls, Justin grew weary. They were still working on Jared. His mother was faring okay. With her friends to help, it had eased his burden a little, and at least they were keeping her distracted by walking, sitting in the cafeteria or visiting the little gift shop. Now she had fallen asleep in the waiting room. Justin had let her be, but couldn't sit still any more.

He glances at his watch. Not that it mattered. Time really didn't seem to exist anymore. It was as if this was all a dream. Or a nightmare, rather.

Just ready to turn and go back, he stops as he hears the elevator ding. Glancing in that direction, he stops as Beth comes into view. And for just a split second, he feels how much he's missed her. Approaching her slowly, he realizes she's juggling the coffee, so he offers to take two of the cups. Catching her eye, he offers a sorry sort of smile. "Hi." He nods in the direction of the waiting room. Walking, he's silent, trying to figure out his own jumbled thoughts. Reaching the little room, he pauses, then opts for a couple chairs in the wide hall instead. Maybe it was selfish, but he'd rather have Beth to himself for at least a few minutes.

Easing down, he takes one of the coffees as his own, nodding his thanks to Beth - he really was grateful for something to keep him awake. "Still no news," he explains. "I guess that's good at this point." He sighs heavily, knowing he should at least explain what had happened. "Idiot was in the middle of the street and there was a car wreck and he got mangled in the middle of it." He scoffs. "Leaving a woman's house, no less. A woman who we'll probably not see again, nor will she pay her respects or visit Jared if he lives, because her live-in boyfriend might find out she was cheating on him." He shakes his head. "My brother never changes, you know that? Just when I think he couldn't get any lower, he proves me wrong, yet again."

Justin wanted to say that Jared deserved this, but he holds his tongue. It was difficult, dealing with hating Jared's lifestyle, yet deep down still knowing he had a love for his brother, simply because he was, in fact, his brother.

Leaning back and staring up at the ceiling, Justin's mind bounces from one thing to the next, never staying for long... until he again thinks of Beth and their last parting. He sighs once more. Giving her a sidelong glance, he finally turns his head and just studies her for several moments. Even though he'd given her the silent treatment, she'd come when he needed, and there was a lot to be said for that. Maybe she'd made a mistake... maybe there should have been better communication... but she was here now, and Justin was glad to have her company again.

"I know you said not to worry about this for now, but... I'm sorry," he apologizes, "for giving you a cold shoulder." He rests his head against the wall, still looking at her. "I guess I wasn't sure how to deal with everything so I retreated into my own little world. Funny thing was... I found out that my own little world wasn't very hospitable anymore." He pauses, searching her eyes. "I know you didn't mean to upset me. I guess I wish you would have handled things differently, but I still shouldn't have reacted like I did. I know you were only trying to help and for that, I'm grateful." He purses his lips in a weak smile. "I guess in light of everything happening today, my little lapse in behavioral judgment seems kinda trivial. I..."

He stops, unsure if voicing those particular thoughts was what he really wanted, and rephrases. "Thanks for coming, Beth. It means a lot."


Cindy was glad to see Katie leave with Jamie. It was hard watching the young woman so sad... digressing so as she watched the man she loved slowly die. While Cindy's own pain was great, she knew Katie was suffering so much as well.

Seeing the two women leave, she wanders slowly back down the hallway, her arms folded. She was tired... weary... and in a way, she just wanted all of this to be over. Sighing, she aims for the infirmary. She would see Jason... talk to him... then she would go back to her room.

As she nears the open door though, she hears a man's voice, and she stops. Curious, she looks cautiously around the corner. She puts a hand to her mouth, shocked to see Trey. Her motherly instinct screamed at her to enter and try to talk with him - try to embrace him. But her good sense warned her not to. After their last encounter, she didn't want to risk hurting her heart again.

She's almost ready to simply move on, but then it's Trey's words that stop her. Did he... actually care? As she listens, tears sting her eyes. So badly did she want to embrace this son she didn't know. It wasn't true that it would be better if she never knew him. She did want to know him. She did want to call him her son. She did, so much. Especially now. She was losing Jason... would she be forever without a son, now?

Unable to hold her composure any longer, Cindy slips past the door and to the next room where she closes herself in and lies on the bed.


Rick rubs his tired eyes and throws away his paper cup, empty of coffee. Exiting the break room, he goes back to the infirmary for another check on Jason... and more work. He knew it was hopeless now, but nothing could stop him from continuing to try and find the cure.

Entering the infirmary, he stops short, very surprised to see Trey. The young man hardly ever showed himself on the main level, let alone near Jason. Was the young man... showing emotion? Not wanting to startle or make Trey feel unwanted, Rick simply heads to the counter. Sifting through some paperwork, he clears his throat. "There's a chair there if you want to stay a while," he offers.


Chance looks to Nate, his eyes still holding a dull stare. "She won't put up a fight. I... hurt her too badly. She'll probably be glad to see me go to the Underground."

Reese nods. "I'm sure, Destiny will go with you willingly. But if not, Nate, you mostly likely have more muscle. Don't hurt her, of course, but be sure she gets to the car. Wyatt, you're to stay in the car unless you are absolutely needed. We don't want to jeopardize the exchange or anyone's safety and the Underground was pretty specific about the number of men allowed."

He takes a deep breath and looks around at everyone again. "If that's all... you're dismissed to go about your duties. We will reconvene here tomorrow night before you have to leave. Chance - after a short break, please come to my office."

After he leaves, Chance simply stares at the table, figuring that, within moments, he'd be left alone. Wyatt fidgets a little and glances between Nate and Dalton. He didn't like this. Something about it just seemed... wrong. And he didn't understand his father's perspective on the trade. "Well... I guess that's that."


Kip sits alone at the picnic table, scraping some chipped paint with his thumbnail. The park was quiet today - of that, he was glad. He'd almost left... twice. But something had kept him here. Maybe it was his promise to Kyle that he'd at least try this once. Apparently Kyle had talked to this woman, Hope, and she'd agreed to meet Kip here. Kip had refused to meet her in an office... the thought alone made him squirm. This was better. He could see and move and leave if he wanted. He wasn't so sure that this would help though. He supposed Kyle had given Hope background information about his family... about his abuse. He wasn't sure he was ready yet to even admit it had been abuse but that seemed irrelevant. Kip really didn't know what this would help at all. Talking about his problems? How would that solve anything?

He sighs as his knees start to bounce. He'd had a can of pop earlier and that was only serving to amplify his already-hyper state. Maybe he should go for a walk. Maybe he should just leave. Maybe this Hope counselor woman wouldn't even show-

His thoughts come to a halt as he sees a woman emerge from a car that had just pulled into the park's lot. From Kyle's description, Kip knew that this was Hope. She was younger than he'd thought - not that it really mattered. For a moment, he doesn't know if he should get up or stay where he was, so he just decides to remain seated. Though part of him would rather take off for the other end of the park, he forces himself to make eye contact so she'd know it was him.

He draws in a shaky breath, not even sure why he felt nervous. But he did. And this was way outside of his comfort zone.


Hal's eyes catch movement and he turns to look more closely at the screen that monitored the back door into that went through the garage and lower level. No one ever used it other than an occasional exit, but whoever had just arrived was using it as an entrance, and they had a key card. Put on edge, Hal hits a few keys on the keyboard to focus the indoor cameras on the garage and lower level halls. He's about ready to call Con when the visitor stops and looks directly up at one of the cameras, putting a finger to his lips.

Hal breaks into a smile, even though he's confused. In the back of his mind, he wonders if letting this go was wise. He didn't think he'd ever see this man around here again, and there had been questions as to his loyalty to the Elite. But... something told him that this was safe. Leaning back in his chair, he lets it go.

It was a quiet day at TJY, and the unexpected visitor was glad - it made his walk through the lower level then up the stairs to the hall much easier, while unsuspecting eyes were busy elsewhere. He hoped that Hal had not notified anyone... if Hal was even still in charge of the cameras. It had come to mind that there could be many things different now. A year's time had a way of changing things.

A baseball cap hid most of his face and shadowed his blind eye, and an open flannel shirt hung from his thin shoulders over a white t-shirt. The closer he comes to his destination, the more hesitant his steps grow until he's barely moving. Out of the main walkway, no one seems to notice him, and he likes it that way. This was going to be hard enough without a bunch of unnecessary attention, let alone the questions. It seemed something was going on in the infirmary, but he doesn't stop to investigate.

Finally arriving at the open office door, he stops then hesitates for what seemed an eternity. Eventually, he looks inside, but finds it empty. His stomach gives a little flipflop. The light was off. And the thought occurs to him that Hope might not even be here anymore. But a quick glance up to the nameplate on the door proves otherwise. Maybe she was just not working today.

Mustering up what gumption he has left, Scott slowly heads towards the main floor. His hands tremble slightly and he hopes that no one notices him yet. Peering out into the couple rows of cubicles, he sees it really is a quiet day. He spots a few heads bent over computers and is just as glad for their concentration. But there is one cubicle his eyes remain glued to.

Swallowing hard, Scott moves again. His fingers fiddle with the corner hem of his flannel shirt and his steps are short and quiet. Finally coming to the cubicle, he stands in the narrow doorway and just watches for several moments. Fear of rejection was running rampant through his veins today and it almost made him sick to his stomach.

Eventually, he clears his throat. "Hi, Sapphire," he greets softly.