Rookie

As Eric realizes how awkward Stacy is suddenly acting, his grin only widens. For some reason, he wanted to laugh, just seeing her the one tongue-tangled for once. He'd never admit to anyone that he knew good and well why and he was milking it for all it was worth. "Maybe I'm the-"

He stops when he sees Ashlee approach and is quick to straighten. Feeling rather inappropriate without a shirt on in front of the girl, he folds his arms and tries to hide any embarrassment that seeped through as color to his face. A smile and a wink is tossed in her direction and he waves a farewell as the two take off. The abrupt end to the short collision left him just standing there for several minutes, wondering why he had this lingering feeling that something significant had just happened. Maybe he was just too tired to be thinking straight.

Shaking his head, he wanders back outside to retrieve his hat and shirt. He'd hit the shower then go get something to eat. Whenever Ashlee got back, he'd see if she wanted to help groom some of the horses.

Things didn't go quite as Eric had planned, however. He did get his shower, and he did get some breakfast. But after that, getting any work done at all just didn't happen. Staying up all night finally caught up to him, and a brief rest on the main building's porch swing ended up turning into a full-fledged nap. Stretched out across the swing with one arm up behind his head as a pillow, the sunshine was his blanket. His sleep was deep enough that he wouldn't even hear when Stacy and Ashlee got back from town.


Hope's hand on his arm wasn't something Kip expected - nor was its warmth. He really wasn't sure how to take her yet. She wasn't what he'd thought she'd be... younger... not like a counselor at all... softer maybe. Where normally he'd pull away, today he doesn't shy away from her touch.

Still just looking at the little flower, he feels stupid for crying. He wasn't even sure why he was anyway, especially in front of someone he barely even knew. He sniffs. At least Hope was probably used to people acting like babies.

Her words didn't quite penetrate at first. But when Karla is mentioned, his eyes snap up to hers. He remembered the day he'd met Karla. He was still grateful for the water she'd offered. And the fire... well, he had nothing to do with her getting out of there, but he supposed maybe he'd helped her afterward at least. But now? He felt like he was more of a burden than anything. He keeps that thought to himself though.

Wiping away the last of his tears for now, he draws in a breath and studies Hope's face. "Alright. I get it. But when someone..." He swallows hard. "When someone you trust tells you over and over again you're worthless... eventually you believe it, ya know? When they tell you enough times that you're stupid and you can't really do anything on your own... eventually it becomes true... in here." He lays a hand over his heart. "I know up here it's not true." He taps his head. "Because people like Erik and Kyle and Karla tell me so. And sometimes I try to act like I actually believe it so I can stay with the band and pretend I know what I'm doing. But in reality..." He slowly shakes his head. "In reality I guess I don't really think I can do it. I don't believe it when people tell me I'm worth the effort. I don't believe it when they tell me I'm a good musician. I don't even believe it when they tell me I'm a good friend. I just..." He shrugs lamely. "I'm not sure I can ever thrive even if I have been replanted."

He gently fingers the flower petals again, unsure if he felt sorrier for himself or this poor little plant. Turning away from Hope before she can respond, he walks slowly to a nearby picnic table and sits down. Setting aside the cup, he hunches forward and folds his arms on the table, hiding his face. He suddenly felt as if all energy had been drained from his body and he didn't even know why.


Thankfully, once Alec had left, he was gone for the night and the apartment was left in peace. The movie was enjoyed as much as possible after the little episode and Tal stayed as long as he could before eventually saying goodnight. Eli didn't talk about Alec to Ryan, but he did give her a hug before heading to bed, which was something he never did. Maybe tonight he just wanted to remind her she was loved.

At least the next night was a race night and worries could be forgotten. The crowd was always something to get the adrenaline pumping and hanging out with buddies made the late hours worth it...

...Eli stands in his usual spot near the finish line, and, as usual, ignores most of the noisy crowd. His eyes remained on the dessert and the small headlights that were fast approaching from a distance.

"Saw we got a rookie tonight." Miles had joined him. "Still time to make a bet he comes in last."

Eli grins. "Naw. I learned a long time ago not to do that. Too many surprises." Any bets he placed were on his sister, but only when he knew she was up against those she could beat blindfolded. He'd never tell her that, not wanting to imply she couldn't beat anybody new, but he'd learned the hard way not to place money on bets he wasn't sure about.

"Well, if he doesn't come in last, you know he'll be eating Ryan's dust anyway."

"True." Eli laughs. "Poor guy won't know what hit him."

"I wouldn't say poor. You see that car of his?"

"Yeah. Good thing it takes more than a car to drive out here." Eli's eyes stay focused on the desert track.

"No kidding."

As the two men watch though, tension rises. The headlights in the lead were not the ones they expected to see. And the closer the cars came to the finish line, the more the tension rose. Eli's eyes remain glued to the scene, his ears not even hearing the shouting crowd. Was that... really? Was it...

His head whips to the side as his gaze follows the car that had just crossed the finish line. But it wasn't Ryan's car. It was the rookie's blue hotrod. Eyebrows lifted in surprise, Eli saunters over to where Ryan would park and waits for her. One eye remained on the nearby scene though, where the sandy-haired stranger was basking in all of the attention.


Gunner grins at Bree and reaches out to rough up her hair. "You're very cute in the moonlight, you know that?"

He glances to his tent, then back to her, his eyes tired but still full of too much energy to sleep. "I got my telescope in there. Join me in some stargazing?"


JT chuckles softly. "Yeah... yeah, Gunner does love her to death and she him. I guess I'd never admit that I always wondered if the right guy would come along for her. Not 'cause of her, but it takes someone special to really appreciate what makes her tick, ya know?" His smile mellows. "I'm gonna miss having her around as much. Sometimes I forget she's not a little tyke with her two front teeth missing anymore."

Chuckling a little again, he glances next to him to see Amanda shiver. There was a cool breeze and the fire was shrinking. "Hey now, if you wind up catching cold, I'm gonna get blamed," he teases. Reaching over, he slips his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer to him. "Huh," he muses. "You fit pretty good here under my arm, you know that?"

He grows a crooked grin before scrunching his nose in a grimace. Turning his head to look at Amanda, his gaze glistens with humor. "In case you haven't noticed..." He bites his lip, trying not to laugh - whether it was from nervousness or late-night silliness, he'd never know. "...it's been a long time since I flirted, and I think I'm doing a pretty poor job."


There was plenty of food left in front of Scott - he hadn't even finished half of it yet. But after forcing down one more french fry, he stopped. He was tired and just didn't have the energy to try and psych himself up to eat any more. He continues to listen, just enjoying being with his sister, really. His body was weary but he didn't want to cut anything short. Picking at his food, he tries to make it look like he's still working on his meal.

Noticing Sapphire's glance to his left, Scott turns just a little then back to her, not knowing what she'd been looking at, but remaining at ease, seeing that she is too. Her words about Hope bring little pangs to his heart. She'd been so sick... and he hadn't been there for her... worse, he'd pushed her away. At least she was doing better now, right? She was a fighter... she could pull through anything. She... didn't need someone weak to pull her down. She probably had someone else by now anyway.

The mention of Domino snaps him back to attention and a faint smile curls his lips. He'd never be able to say how much he'd missed that little dog. She'd been his best friend ever since he'd gotten her. While at Brookshire, he'd rejected everything... but seeing the black and white furball again was something he was very much looking forward to.

"I'm glad she's been taking care of her," he responds. "'Course now I'd feel kinda bad if Hope's gotten used to having her around." He looks down at the table. "I wish things woulda been different... I wish... I woulda done things differently, ya know?"

After a moment, he glances back up to his sister. "I don't...know how to start over," he admits. "So much has happened... so many changes. I don't know how I'll be able to fit in again."


Pausing with Beth at the elevator, her words do make Justin smile - a small, warm smile that he often smiled but didn't even know emitted a peaceful feeling. "Thanks... and pie sounds great though it's not a requirement."

Seeing a lock of her hair hanging down in her face, he reaches out to tuck it behind her ear. But for a moment, his hand lingers on her cheek. "Yeah... yeah, I'll see you tomorrow."

Retracting his hand, he hooks his thumb in his pocket before seeing the elevator open. "Your chariot awaits."


It was debatable whether or not dealing with the Agency was wise. But no one would know for sure until the future was met. The risk was taken, however, because the life of a friend had been deemed more important than computer records. Would the health information shared with the Agency come back to haunt them in the end? It was uncertain. But one thing was certain: no one wanted Jason to die or for Katie to suffer.

Rick felt as though he'd been awake for weeks. All of his research... all of his studying and dissecting what was wrong with Jason... it had all ended in needing help from the Agency. In his eyes, it was a despicable way to conclude, but he was backed up against the wall with no way out. If he wanted Jason to live, he needed to comply. So comply he had. And after one meeting, the Agency had the Elite's health records and Rick had possession of one vile - one vile that held the future of two lives.

Filling two syringes, Rick gives Misty a long look. After test after test after more tests, they had agreed the contents were safe. But Rick still wished they would have had more time... more understanding about what this "cure" would do. But time they did not have. If something didn't happen fast, Rick feared Jason would not survive the next twenty-four hours.

Turning to the two beds, he sighs. Jason lay in one - still and quiet as he had since being brought here. He had not been awake once. Cindy sat by his side, holding his hand, while Derek paced next to her and Liz walked the hall. Rick had given Katie the second bed. He wasn't sure if there would be any ill affects, but just in case, he wanted her here where he could monitor her condition for a while. He'd recommended bringing along some comfy clothes and a good book, knowing he'd at least want her here overnight.

Offering a kind smile, he comes and sits on the edge of Katie's bed. He'd talked to her about this already - he had explained that it would take several shots to each her and Jason and that if the Agency was being truthful, that the connection would fade, and probably rather quickly. Hopefully there would be only slight changes felt since she and Jason had already been on the antidote for quite a while. The side affects were unknown, though Rick had conveyed his confidence that they would be minor. He suspected some physical discomfort but didn't foresee any problems.

"Ready, Hero?" He pats her shoulder before rolling up her sleeve and prepping the needle. Giving one last glance to Misty, he administers the shot, silently praying for the best. "There we are." He holds his smile for Katie and gestures to the pillow. "Make yourself comfortable. This will all be over soon."

Moving on to Jason, he administers that shot as well, again with another silent prayer. And all anyone can do now is wait.


"...Okay. Everyone set?" Reese looks at Wyatt, Chance and Nate. It was the next night and ten-thirty. As far as Wyatt and Nate knew, no one else was aware that Con was already stationed on top of a building across from the mill, ready to fire the tranquilizer darts as soon as the exchange took place.

Wyatt zips up his jacket and takes out his keys before glancing to the other two men. "I'm ready."

Chance swallows hard and nods. "Yeah... me too."

Reese purses his lips. "Good. Be sure to check in with Dalton as soon as you're on the road to make sure everyone's alert and in contact."

Someone out there

Feeling the heat come to her face, Stacy can't take her eyes off Eric. This morning there was light and hope in his eyes, not to mention his rugged good looks. "Good... good morning!"

Finally removing her hand from his arm as his hands slip from her waste, she lets her eyes break from his as she digs her foot into the dirt a little. "Sorry about running into you. I really should look where I'm going more." Looking up again, she gives a smile as her eyes sparkle in the sunlight. Getting stuck in a stare again, she wanted to say more, but she felt tongue-tied.

Coming around the corner, Ashlee was sure she saw her mom come this way. Seeing them both standing there, she stops. A small smile spreads across her face - almost like she knew something no one else did.

Seeing movement out of the corner of her eye, Stacy looks quickly to the left. Realizing it was Ashlee, her face grows even more red and she stands up a little straighter. "Ash, I was just looking for you to see if you wanted to come into town with me quick to grab a few things." She clears her throat quickly, trying to recover from the whole situation.

Taking note to the awkward air that surrounded her mom, Ashlee can't help but feel sorry for her a little. "Yeah, I'll come along. There are a few things I need. Just let me know when you are ready."

"I'm good now." Stacy gives a nod to Eric before starting away with her daughter. Looking over at Ash as they walk, she was looking back at her with almost a mysterious hope in her eye. "Ash, don't even think about it."

"What? I didn't even say anything."

"I know. You didn't have to."


Standing on her tiptoes a little bit to see around Kip, Hope just listens to his words. They were ones spoken from someone who was lost, cast aside, and so much hurt inside them from someone who should have been there to nurture and help him grow. It made Hope sad and even a little angry to think any parents could take the gift of a child and toss them aside no matter the reason.

Coming alongside Kip, she gives a little smile and lays a soft hand on his arm. He was not alone, his life might have scars, but it could be so much more once he could let them heal. "If it was never planted, then the trauma it would not have faced. But in turn, the beauty that God put into this single creation would never have been shown either. There is a reason for everything. There is a purpose for why things are placed on this earth. To the world, this is just one flower. To this flower, just one person could be its world."

Hope gives another smile as she made the connection of the flower to Kip once again, and Karla. She knew little about her, but from what Kyle had said, she was special to Kip and he had helped her through a lot. "I believe you have a friend who would say the same thing. If she had never met you, where might she be now? Would she be okay? Would she have made it out of that fire? Many questions linger of what might have happened if the people we care about never met us... and though we think maybe it would be better if they never knew who we were, that's just not true."

Hope was confident in that alone. Knowing God had put us there for a reason was what got her through many rough times in her own life. He had a reason, though he did not wish bad things on us, he would turn them around and make good, even if we didn't see it right away.


Hearing the bang come to the front door then Alec's voice follow, Ryan cringes a bit and she sinks down into Tal a little more. Alec was really going to sit there banging and yelling. She didn't know if she was more angry, embarrassed or hurt by it.

Feeling Tal's arms tighten around her, she just sinks in next to him even more. She hoped Alec would get the point and not even bother anymore, but something told her that was the easy way and Alec wasn't known for that.

As Eli gets up to handle Alec at the door, Ryan was thankful. She didn't know how much she could take before she went out there and pummeled him, which would only get her into trouble. Shaking her head, she just lets out a whisper under her breath, calling Alec an idiot. "Let's start the movie. We can fill Eli in after."

Ryan just wanted her mind off the whole Alec thing again, and hearing part of the conversation was already upsetting her even more. Leaning her head onto Tal's chest she was happy he was there with them. At least she had someone to get lost with and knew would hold her knowing she was upset without saying anything.


Bree can't help but laugh at Gunner's comment as she stands and returns the hug to him. She would never tire of his big strong arms wrapped around her. If she could stay like that forever, she would.

"You get rather pale, too, without that sleep. I mean, I don't mind it at all, but the lack of pigment in your skin makes other people look at you funny. Then again...they do that to us anyway."

Giving a shrug, she throws a look and smile back at her uncle as she starts away. Hearing his comment, she gives a shake of her head and a chuckle before turning her face, showing not much emotion at all. "Oh yeah, well, Amanda has holy water in hers just in case you need to change again. Doctor or no doctor, it's still not proper you know."

The only sign that she was joking was the faint twinkle that laid in her eyes. They seemed to dance with humor as the fire reflected off of them. Turning again, she walks with Gunner back to the tents. "My uncle drove me crazy a long time ago..." She grins, looking up at Gunner. She knew he would find humor in her comment.


As JT comes and sits down next to her, Amanda gives a smile. She was starting to think she had done something wrong for him to be avoiding her like a plague. But now having him come closer she felt a little better.

Giving a chuckle and shaking her head at his comment about being kidnapped, she couldn't help but let her eyes dance as she looked into the firelight. Maybe people would be mad, but she wasn't. "It's been a long time since I have actually had a vacation, let alone a vacation with people I like. Being a doctor and saving people's lives I guess...my own just kind of slipped away. I guess I would have to say I am thankful for the kidnapping. It was quite an ingenious way to get us away from work, for sure."

Setting her own empty cup down in the grass next to her, Amanda gives a little shiver. The heat from the fire was warm, but there was still a tiny chill in the air. Or maybe it was her body just trying to get some extra warmth from someone else.

"Bree sure is special, and Gunner - he loves her so much. It's really nice to see that. I think they compliment each other nicely. It just proves there is someone out there for everyone."


Sapphire gives a smile to Scott and she looks at him from across the table. He always knew how to make her smile and make her feel so good about herself, even her flaws. Ever since they had been kids, he had told her not to stop any of the habits she had made or she just wouldn't be her anymore. It really had helped her through some rough times and mean people. "You always have known the right things to say, Scott, to make me feel good and know that my normal is okay."

Smiling again as she takes a sip of her water, she leans back in the booth a little bit, just relaxing. At the mention of Hope, she thinks - she knew little things here and there but she didn't know too much. Though it felt good to hear Scott ask about her. It meant he still cared. Not that for a moment Sapphire thought he didn't.

"Yeah, she is out with a new client right now. It's not related to TJY I don't think, but it's one of the first since she has been back where she has traveled out." Taking another sip of her drink and letting it slide down her throat, she continues to look across the table at her brother before movement at the door catches her attention. She knew Scott's blind side was that way and she didn't want anything to startle him. Older sister protection kicked in. Seeing it was nothing, she looks back to him once more and continues.

"You can tell she was sick. She is still thin, and she gets tired easily, but she just trucks along anyway. You should see her hair though. It's started to grow back in, so she has it in this really cute short hairstyle and it looks so soft."

Cocking her head just a little bit, she wondered what else Scott might like to know. Then it hits her that he might like to know about Domino. "Oh yeah, I am sure Hope will be so happy to see you, too. I know someone else as well who will. Domino probably won't leave your side one she sees you. Hope is taking care of her for you."


Sitting with Justin and his mother, Beth does her best to keep a positive attitude for both of them. She wasn't one for hospitals and she was starting to get the feeling she had stayed in this one too long already, but she kept reminding herself today was not about her. It was about being there for her friends who needed her. That was much more important.

As the hours draw on, and vague information comes and goes, Beth wishes she could stay longer just to be there. But she knew she had work in the morning and if she didn't get at least a little sleep, she would never make it through the day.

Walking down the hallway with Justin, Beth stops when they get to the elevators, not ready to get one just yet. Looking back to Justin, she gives a small smile. She could tell this was hard on him and she felt so bad. "You're very welcome, Justin. That's what friends are for."

Resting her hand on his arm for a moment, Beth gives another smile. She hoped it would encourage him and maybe even bring him a little hope that things would work out. It was a lesson he had once taught her. "If anything happens, don't hesitate to call, okay? I'm here for you no matter the time. Once I get out of work, I can give you a call if I don't hear from you to see how everything is. And maybe this time I'll have some pie with me."

Beth gives a small chuckle at least trying to make Justin smile on the inside if not the outside. It had been a long day for sure, and he and his mom, she knew, it was longer yet. "I'll see you tomorrow...okay?"