Help Choosing

Leaning back on his arms after everything was cleared from the blanket Chuck lets out a content sigh. It felt nice, and warm just knowing Susanne was there was comforting and Chuck was happy this night had happened.

"So tomorrow I was wondering if you didn't have plans for lunch we could grab some ice cream and take a walk on the pier. It's nice in the afternoon with the soft sound of a band playing in the afternoon."

Still leaning on his arms and looking over to Susanne the peeking moon shines its light down on Chuck as the wind softly blows his hair. His eyes seeming to twinkle as he looked at Susanne someone that seemed to light up his heart so.

"You really are pretty Susanne, and thats not a lie."

Sitting next to Jason Katie's hand never left his. Feeling his warmth, it was the closest she could get to him right now and it would have to do. Looking up at Cindy as she strokes her hair Katie's eyes followed her over to the window. She wanted to say something but what was there say?

Leaning into Jason a little bit Katie leans her head on his hand. A soft pray come from her lips. It was the best thing she could do. She didn't want to lose Jason, she couldn't. She needed him.

Coming down the steps Stacy was dressed and ready for another long say at work. This morning before she left she would be able to talk to Ashlee. Last night when she got home it had been late and she had been in bed already. Stacy didn't want to wake her if she didn't have to.

Smelling the coffee as she hit the bottom of the steps a smile spreads across her face. Ashlee was always so sleep if she was up before hand and it always amazing Stacy. Entering the kitchen Stacey's face grew even more as she saw the table set and breakfast waiting Ashlee sitting patiently along with it. Walking over to her daughter and place a kiss on her head Stacy sits down.

"Good Morning sweetheart."

"Morning Mom."

Saying a quick prayer with her daughter Stacy strikes up a little small talk with Ashlee finding out how he day was and everything else. Finally though the conversation changes a little and she bring forth what Brown had come to her with yesterday.

"So, I got a new job offer today. But I don't know if I am going to take it or not."

Ashlee looks up from her eggs and cocks her head a little bit. Her eyes searched her moments for a long moment.

"And...? Why wouldn't you take it? You've been wanting to move up for, forever now. The only reason you would say no would be because...we'd have to move wouldn't we?"

Stacy shakes her head a little at her daughters keen memorie and understanding. She could often tell something before Stacy even had to say something. It was funny in a way.

"We would have to move yes. There is a boy in Texas who needs to be protected from some very bad people."

Ashlee squints her eyes a little as she looks at her mom for a long moment and than back down at her eggs. Having her mom the body guard of someone...thats seemed so strange and dangerous on top of it. But than again her mom was out fighting crime all day and thats was dangerous too.

"So you would be the bodyguard of the boy?"

"Well its more like I would be the bodyguard of the ranch really."

Ashlee's head shoots up and she looks across the table at her moment. Almost a look of shock in her eyes.

"Did you say ranch? Like with horses and stuff?"

Stacy can't help but smile at her daughters enthusiasm. She new if she mentioned anything to do with horses Ashlee would be all ears. She love any kind of animal with so much passion.

"Yes a ranch is Texas. It's quite a trip away though."

"Yeah but its a ranch and there would be kids there, and you wouldn't have to worry so much about me. And it could help with my school to mom. "

Stacy can't help but smile again. It was funny listing to her daughter try and reason. Stacy didn't think she would be so excited but it would seem other wise.

"Do you wouldn't mind going?"

"Are you kidding me? It will be something new, and fun. I'll be able to explore and even learn new things. I think it would be fun. And a great opportunity for you too."

"I think your right sweety thank you."

...."I've decide I will take that position in Texas. So when ever Reese wants to give me the interview, and than I'm off just let me know so I can get everything together."

Stacy was a little excited about this whole thing after seeing how Ashlee had gotten excited too. It was a change, maybe a changed they needed. She often worried about Ashlee not interacting with others very much. This could be a chance to change that and hopefully get Ashlee to interact with others more.

Something

Though Susanne's eyes are still down, another little smile does slip through. "I still can't decide if you're serious or if you're just an expert at flattery."

She looks up and studies his eyes. "But I guess either way, you make me feel good."

Giving a little sigh, she cleans up the small mess from supper, gathering her wrappers to throw away later. Pulling her knees up, she wraps her arms around her legs and looks out at the pond, not knowing what Chuck had planned now, if anything. It was a little strange, feeling as content as she did. A few hours ago, she was ready to go back to being alone without any excitement in her life at all. And now... What had happened since Chuck had shown up tonight? What had finally broken down that barrier in her heart?

She rests her chin down on her knees, a few stray strands of hair blowing gently in the breeze as the sky grows dimmer and dimmer. Maybe she'd simply made up her mind to not allow her fear to dictate her. It still existed, but maybe after seeing how determined and genuine Chuck was had finally convinced her that it was worth the risk. No matter the reason...

Her eyes drift across the softly rippling water.

...it was a nice feeling now. It would take a while for her to be completely relaxed and to let Chuck see who she truly was, but perhaps tonight was the first step in the many to come.


Cindy tries to stay out of the way as she watches the others gently take Jason to the car. Her heart screamed at her to go to him but she knew that there was nothing she could do and she knew she shouldn't interfere.

Once he was out of the house and Angel looks back at her, Cindy nods. "I'll... I'll get Kaylee ready and take her to Wendy and Clint, then I'll come over to the office to be with Jason."

It happened as planned - Cindy made sure that Kaylee was taken care of, and took her bag along with clothes for the next day, unsure what would be happening at that point. She always trusted Wendy and Clint though - not only were they close, but Cindy saw how they were with Chase and she trusted them with Kaylee.

At Angel's office, Cindy finds Jason in the back room in bed, Katie sitting beside him, and an IV hooked up to keep him nourished and hydrated. It brought tears to her eyes, even though she tried to be strong. He just looked so weak and pale... such a contrast to the normally healthy, strong son she was used to. He was always the strong one... always the one to conquer and be the best at anything. And now he was here, simply at God's mercy...

...Morning light streamed through the window and Cindy stirred in her chair. Her neck was so stiff it hurt when she moved and she tries to sit up a little straighter. She didn't know when she'd fallen asleep, but she hadn't slept well. It wasn't because of the chair though - it was because of her worry. All night, she had hoped Jason would wake, but he hadn't. Even now as she looks over to the bed again, he hadn't moved at all. Was he really resting a peacefully as it seemed? Was he in pain? Would he wake at all?

She sighs and stands up, rubbing her arms a little to warm up. Wandering past Katie, she gives her hair a loving little stroke before reaching the window and looking out at the morning. It was her favorite time of day. But today she felt so very alone.


Rick grumbles to himself as he flips through the pages of his medical diary. Sighing deeply, he rubs a hand over his face and glances out the Elite jet window. Nothing much could be seen though, through the thick clouds. It's how his mind felt at the moment.

Looking back at his personal notes, he tries again to find the answers.
Jason's first signs of something more than normal emotions. His and Katie's connection. Jason's flashbacks.
Rick remembers telling Jason that the emotions needed a way out, so they'd chosen his worse memory - his abduction. That was then. Was it still true?
Periodic episodes, some worse, some less. Katie's presence a real need. The antidote. The decision to cease the antidote. The worst episode in their history.
That had been a nightmare. Rick leans his head back, remembering the team returning and the scars on Jason and Katie's palms that would forever be a reminder. It had been chemically induced. What about now? Was that the key? Was it that point in time that things had changed?
Jason and Katie had improved. Stronger connections. Ease of communication and control. Jason's episode at the safe house.
That had been brought on by memories of his abduction. It had also been the first episode since he'd been shot with those chemicals. It had rendered him ill for days. Rick rubs his chin thoughtfully.
Katie's help eased the symptoms. Jason's latest episode.
That one had been different, brought on by mere shocking news. Even so, it had also rendered him quite ill - weakened for a worrisome amount of time. No flashback though... no conduit for the emotions to go through. Just simple, raw, dangerous emotions that were once again subdued by Katie.

Then there was this time. From what he gathered from Cindy it was not a flashback that had contributed to this episode - she hadn't mentioned that at least. So was there even a connection? Were they even related? Was any of this connected at all?

Rick slams his journal shut and growls. There had to be an answer. He knew that Jason would probably experience bad bouts the rest of his life - it was an unfortunate truth. But Rick had thought it would be limited to flashbacks, triggered by circumstance. The last two times though... neither one were connected to flashbacks. That meant Rick had missed something. But what?

He racks his brain. One episode with a flashback. Two without. He scribbles on a new page in his journal. So at the very least, it meant that his flashback theory was still relevant - Jason's worst memory still provided a release valve for his emotions. And apparently he had other triggers now as well.

What if Jason's first flashback since the chemically induced blowup triggered an anomaly, that in turn triggered some kind of new response system that caused episodes without the aid of a flashback? Rick shakes his head. His brain hurt. He had to be missing something. There had to be something he could do... something... something...