Caged Tiger

Tal wraps his arms around Ryan, holding her close. His eyes roam the shop, an he gives a little nod of thanks. He'd seen the men ready to step in if need be and he was grateful. Leo gives him a little salute with his wrench before getting back to work.

Returning the light kiss after Ryan's backed away, Tal nods. "That's why I came early - to take you out instead of meeting you. That way I get your company for a little bit longer." He cups her face with his hand for just a moment, his thumb caressing her cheek. "Go ahead and clock out. I'll go wait in the car."

It wasn't long before they were in Tal's car, heading across town to grab a sandwich. Tal gives Ryan a sidelong glance before giving her his hand to hold. "I forgot to tell you to remind me never to make you mad... You've got a mean right hook."


"Hey, Carson?" Dani pokes her head in the kitchen. "It's slowed down out here... mind if I take my lunch break? Hate to break up your little party here."

Carson is just getting up from the table and nods. "Yeah. Give me two minutes."

"Got it." Dani retreats to the front counter again, preparing to leave while finishing up a few odd tasks.

Carson sighs and takes the dirty dishes to the sink before returning to say goodbye to Misty for the rest of the day. Pausing with her at the kitchen door, he suddenly becomes very quiet. Slipping his arms around her, he draws her close, but not as roughly as he normally would. His kiss is more tender than usual too - though lingering, there's a lack of playfulness today. Pulling her into a hug her, he whispers in her ear. "I love you... with all my heart."

Drawing back, he gives her a last kiss to the forehead. "I'll see you after work."


Alec paces his living room like a caged tiger. Anger was almost visibly seeping off of him. A hole in the drywall near the bathroom proved he'd been allowing his frustrations to vent in the wrong direction.

It wasn't fair. It just wasn't fair! Why couldn't Ryan take him back? Why?! She didn't bring up him helping kill people or siding with the enemy or stealing cars or anything! Why did she have to dwell on his indiscretions with another woman?? When they met, he'd been with other women! She didn't seem to mind then. Granted, this time he was cheating on her, but still! Why couldn't she just forget about it and move on? Why couldn't he have her back??

Stopping at the window, Alec glares out at the world. He knew he shouldn't have acted like he had today - bullying Ryan didn't feel good, nor was it getting results. But he didn't know what else to do. He wanted her back in his life so badly he could taste it. He was lonely. Bored. And he had a hole in his heart so big he wasn't sure there was any heart left at all.

So she had another man in her life. He hadn't wanted to believe it, but it was pretty obvious now. Alec had been replaced. He'd never felt such an intense gnawing at his insides before, and had trouble recognizing what it was. Maybe if he would stop and let himself think about it, he'd realize that it was hurt and regret.

He had to get her back. His glare wanders up and down the outside street. He'd like to bomb this whole place if only to forget it ever existed. So he'd made a mistake. He'd done it to save people. And what did he get for it? Hard labor and a girl who wanted nothing to do with him anymore. So what was the point? Why couldn't he have just taken pride in what he'd done and get thrown into prison? At least he'd be too far away to think about all of this.

Flopping down in the corner of the living room, his anger is turned down to a slow boil. Leaning back against the wall, he stares into what really was his prison. There was a part of him deep down that wanted to just curl up and cry. But he kept it safely tucked away, not allowing it to surface. He was a man. He was in control. He wanted to gain back what he'd lost and had absolutely no idea how. The only thing he could think of was getting rid of the competition. Maybe then, Ryan would get lonely and want him back.