Squirming

Michaela,

Hey, it was sweet of you to send me a letter. I'm just glad I recognized your name on the return address so it didn't wind up with my junk mail. And you can rest assured - I only freaked out a little.

I wondered why you'd dropped off the face of the earth. At first I thought maybe I needed some stronger deodorant. Then I realized that smells don't translate well across cyberspace so it must have been something else. Hope you get things worked out soon, though I totally get cutbacks. A while back, Cryptic was all the income I needed. Now... well, I guess there's a reason I'm a delivery guy.

I've been doing alright, and so has Puzzle. We've been spending a lot of quality guy time together... you know, lazing in front of the television, sharpening our claws on the couch, and sharing cans of sardines. Okay, maybe I don't have claws. The sardines? That'll be our secret.

Glad to know you're doing well, and yes, I'd be happy to take care of that chatroom for you. We'd been wondering where you were. Since I can tell them now, I'll just jump in and keep things moving.

Take care of yourself, Michaela and don't let Sassy boss you around too much. It was nice hearing from you. We should do coffee sometime.

-Rocky


Chance swallows hard, his feet feeling as though they were nailed to the porch floor. The pain in Destiny's eyes cut him to the quick, and he knew he didn't even deserve to be here. At least she hadn't yet slammed the door in his face. Was there any hope at all?

Her question it met with silence as he tries to form words around what he felt. "I... I couldn't keep running away." His eyes seem to grow even dimmer as he simply stares at her. "Every night I lie awake and think about how I hurt you. And every day I try to come up with ways I can fix what I broke."

Chance isn't sure if he should continue or just turn around and leave now before she told him to. "I'm a despicable creature that would do anything if only to gain back one small sliver of the sunlight you gave me before." His hand aches to reach out and touch her, but he wills it to remain at his side.

"I came because... every time I close my eyes, I see you."


Lydia was thrilled that Beth could come over, so as soon as their conversation ended, she bustled about the house, straightening the living room and making sure everything was in order. By the time Beth arrives, the coffee is ready, and so is the cozy kitchen table.

Delighted with the cherry pie, Lydia retrieves two plates and forks, complimenting Beth on the wonderful looking dessert. More compliments follow, and she's sure to ask Beth for the recipe.

Soon though, with the slices of pie half-eaten and coffee poured for the second time, Lydia grows a little more serious. A gaze out the dim kitchen window is followed by a sigh. "I'm glad you came," she admits. "I was glad to know that Justin is doing okay. I worry about him more than I should."

She fidgets with her coffee cup. "You seem to know more about his argument with Jared than I do. But... in the end, it does not matter." She forces a small smile. "At first, I was too shocked to think straight. But... I know that Justin would never strike out unless provoked."

Lydia pauses and takes another bite of pie. "He's much like his father - a big heart and a sharp mind. They always had a special bond... until his father died." She sighs again. "Jared... he has the sharp mind... but I think his heart is small. I... I am ashamed to admit that I know Jared has not told me the truth about a lot of things. But..." She shrugs in defeat. "I know Justin is well and he is on the right path... so if I must try to save one son, it must be the son that is lost."

Sadness pools in her eyes. "But I know Justin is being hurt too and that... that hurts me too." She pats her heart. "I do not know what to do."


At home today, Tal grabs his phone, smiling as soon as he saw who it was. Hearing that Ryan liked the flowers makes his smile grow. He knew it had probably been a tough day for her, and he wouldn't ask how things went - he was sure he'd find out soon enough. "I'm glad you like them. Just don't let the other guys get too jealous," he teases.

Her invitation for supper makes him glance into his kitchen that wasn't much of a kitchen anymore. "I'd love to come over. Your cooking is enough to make any man's stomach growl." He looks to his kitchen again. "I, um, just can't stay too late. Holly is due any day now and I don't wan to leave her alone for too long. But supper I can definitely do."


Kip shrugs, kicking at a pebble on the sidewalk. "Erik knows I guess. I don't know... I guess the others probably do too. I just don't play much other than my bass. The others have the other parts covered." He honestly didn't realize that Erik was the only one who knew he'd dabbled with other instruments - the rest of the band was clueless, and even Erik didn't know how good he was.

Coming to a stop in front of the ice cream shop, he changes the subject again. "Okay, take your pick. It's on me tonight."


"Okay good. Um... probably mid-morning." Sparky nods to Stacy, appreciating her willingness to work around any awkwardness in company or schedules. "Thanks. If anything changes, I'll let you know."

...Nothing much did change. Plans were kept and by the time Saturday morning rolled around, the small group was getting ready to head to town. Two pickups were ready - Sparky and Dylan in the lead, allowing Stacy to drive the second vehicle in case anything happened and she could be in control.

"Hey, are you coming or what?" Jeff hollers to Eric.

En route from the barn, Eric picks up his pace a little bit, not wanting to make anybody late. Much of his time was spent in the barn lately, usually grooming the horses. Ashlee had kept him company several more times too, and while teaching her all about grooming, he was still debating whether or not he'd be the one to teach her how to ride. She was almost starting to become like a little sidekick though, and he wondered how he could really tell her no.

"All aboard." Jeff gestures into the pickup where Stacy was already behind the wheel.

Eric pauses outside and quirks an eyebrow at his brother. "You're skinnier. You take the middle."

"I get carsick," Jeff counters. "Anything happens, it's your lap or the window - your pick."

"Well why isn't one of us riding with Sparky and Dylan?"

"Because Sparky wanted to let Dylan have his space."

"Then why aren't we taking a more comfortable vehicle?"

"Because Mick wants us to pick up some grain and we can't very well do that in the SUV." Jeff thumbs inside again. "Now come on. You're holding up the caravan."

Eric glances in at Stacy, not having planned on such close quarters. But after a moment's hesitation, he climbs in. With Jeff entering after him, the fit was a bit tight, and getting seatbelts on proved to be a bit of a task. Eric finds himself squirming and trying not to crowd Stacy, resenting the fact that his cheeks were growing hot. Failing at keeping his knee from resting against her leg, he finally turns, but all that does is shift his hip over to hers, making it all the more worse. Turning straight again, his elbow whacks her arm. "Aw...sorry..."

"Everybody cozy?" Jeff asks, a crooked grin on his face.

Eric shoots him a glare, getting a funny feeling that he was having too much fun watching. "Cozy. Very... cozy." Squirming a little more, he finally gives up. His knee was against Stacy's leg and it would just have to stay that way. Shoulder-to-shoulder, he stares out the windshield, not even able to look at her. Seeing the other truck pull away, he's glad they can finally get a move on.


Jason's condition continued to worsen. And though Rick and Misty worked around the clock, they were no closer to finding a cure. Jason had many visitors though, making the days bearable. Con and Jamie... Nate and Laura and the baby... the others from JetStream... even Kyle came by. No one talked about his condition, but he was thankful for that. He didn't want anybody telling him goodbye.

Cindy did her best to help keep him comfortable. She made sure Katie could be at the house whenever she wanted, knowing that Katie's presence was a comfort to her son. It didn't make this any easier though.

Despite her main reason for being here, there was one other thing of which she was determined. And a short trip to TJY was taken one afternoon...

..."Trey?" Pete taps lightly on the door in the lower level of TJY. Smiling his greeting, he leans on the doorway. "Saw Ariel today... said she enjoyed your company at the beach party the other night."

He pauses, the look on his face making it obvious that there was something else. "Look, Trey, um... I know you might not want to hear this, but I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place here. There's um... there's a woman upstairs who came here for other reasons but while she's here... she really wants to meet you."

He searches Trey's eyes. There was no easy way to say this. "She's your mother."

Why?

Rocky,

Yeah, I know this is a different way to talk to you, but I always did think this was as more personal way to write. Don't freak out though - I'm not stalking you. Just saw one of the guys from the band the other day and asked for your address.

Sorry I haven't been around online much. I am a little behind on a few things because my car decided to act up. So I had to give up my internet for at least a month.

So how are you? How is Puzzle? Sassy is doing good. Being a pain in the butt like normal. Work is going well. Thinking about getting a second job, but just thinking. lol

Hey, while I am MIA, think you can keep up the web page and devotions for me? For a bunch of people there it means a lot to them. Would be great if you could. :)

Anyways, Sassy is looking at me funny so I guess that means I should go to bed. Take care and talk again soon.

Michaela


Going to the door and opening it, Destiny is taken aback for a moment, seeing the one person she wished she never would again, but in the same breath, wanted to just one more time. No matter how ragged he looked, how much he needed to shave, there was no denying those eyes, no matter how blank.

Just continuing to look back at him, Destiny's own smile was missing. The life sucked from her eyes, all but one small twinkle that maybe she was happy he was there.

Shifting a little and pulling her sweater closer around her, Destiny finally speaks. "Why? Why did you need to se me? After everything - all this time, why now?"

It was an honest question that she wanted an honest answer for. How this would go from here, she did not know, but it was what she wanted to know to start anything.


Answering her phone this late was unusual for Beth. She was usually visiting Justin for dinner, but tonight just happened to be a free night for her. "Hell. Beth Parker speaking."

Hearing it was Lydia, Beth's lips turned into a smile. She was happy to get the call. "Actually, you called on a good night. I have nothing going on. I'll be over as soon as I can."

...As promised, Beth was pulling into the driveway a while later. Carrying a freshly baked cherry pie, she was excited to be sharing it with Lyida. Justin liked them - she could only hope his mom would as well.


Sitting in the back, Ryan had slipped in unnoticed. She had gotten off work today and by the way no one put up a fuss, she was sure they all knew why.

Was she here to cheer Alec on? To hope the Elite wouldn't fall? Or was she here to see Alec go to jail? That was a question with no answer because Ryan didn't even know herself. Listening closely to everything, Ryan can't help but watch Alec as he takes the stand. As his eyes meet hers, Ryan doesn't even blink as her cold gaze just watches. Hearing what he had to say, she can't help but feel a little pity for him.

Continuing to sit, listen and wait, Ryan was a bit surprised with the judge's ruling but a little sigh escapes as well. Standing as everyone else does, she leaves her seat and makes her way to the door. Stopping though, she looks back to Alec, feeling he was watching her. Giving a nod of her congratulations, she just stands there a few moments longer before leaving.

Getting out to her car, Ryan sits, her mind moving a mile a minute, and not landing on any one thing. She had off work today but she had to go in. At least for an hour or so to take her mind off everything.

Getting to the shop in record time, she gives a small nod to the guys as she passes. Getting to her work bench, she is surprised as she is met by the colorful arrangement of spring flowers. Not being able to help the smile that spreads across her lips, Ryan leans a little closer, taking in the sweet smell. Pulling the little card from the middle and seeing they were from Tal, her smile grows even more and she pulls out her phone. Dialing his number, she waits.

"Hey, Tal, it's Ryan. Thank you for the flowers. They brighten up my work area nicely."

Pausing for a moment and smelling the flowers again, Ryan continues. "How would you like to come over for dinner tonight? Eli is going to be home, but I could cook something special for you guys."


"Chocolate and peanut butter sound amazing right now, for sure."

Continuing to walk, Karla's mind kept going back to the fact that Kip could play other instruments. She never would have known, and it was totally cool. "So do the others know you can play more? I think it would be cool if you could try playing something else sometime."

Holding her smile, Karla really did think it was cool. Kip was talented and she knew it. It felt good to be able to be a part of that too.


Anastasia can't help the little bit of color that came to her cheeks. It happened every time Quinn made mention of her being a princess.

As Quinn puts his arm around her, Anastasia brings her own hand up to meed his and hold it. She didn't know how long this would last or where they road was taking them, but so far, she was enjoying it and that was enough for her.

"Walking to get coffee sounds great. It's too nice out to drive."

Smiling up at Quinn, she leans into him a little bit, just absorbing the affection. "So, how was your day?"


Leaning on the fence, she takes everything in once again from this angle like she did every night. Hearing someone alongside her, Stacy moves her head just a little to see. Seeing it was Sparky, she relaxes a little.

"Hey. Yeah that should be fine. I just want Dylan to be comfortable. I can pretty much deal with anything."

It was the truth too. Stacy had been in worse being a cop. For Dylan, she didn't want to make things harder on him. "What time on Saturday did you want to leave?"