Hurt

Katie's response was all Hunter needed to know. If asked, he might not have an answer as to why he felt so strongly about helping Katie. Maybe it was because it felt good to do something right for once. Maybe because he had a soft spot not many people saw. Maybe it was because if he really thought about it, she'd helped him in more ways than she knew by simply spending some time with him, and he wanted to return the favor. Whatever his reasoning, he respected her current wishes and would stick to his word. 

Unlocking then opening the door only partway, Hunter keeps his foot against the inside edge to prevent it from being pushed open any farther. His body moves into the opening as an immediate signal that no one was welcome to enter. "Jason." 

Jason is a bit taken back by the defensive stance but he nods. "Hunter. Is Katie here?" 

"She is." 

"May I see her?" 

"No." 

Jason blinks. No? Just like that? "Excuse me?" 

Hunter straightens a little, leaning one arm on the door frame while his other hand remains on the door handle. "She doesn't want to see you, Jason." His tone remains cool and calm. "I advise you to leave."

Jason's eyes narrow as theories he didn't like started to enter his mind. "She was here all night, wasn't she?" Accusation laced his tone. "If you so much as-"

Hunter interrupts him. "Chill. We didn't do anything. But she doesn't want to see you, so please... leave." 

Jason folds his arms, now starting to feel desperate. Was this really, truly it? Katie had said it was over but... but it was true? She still didn't believe him that there was nothing between him and Sandy? It was just... over? Like that? "I want to talk to her," he states flatly. 

"Well I'm sorry, but you can't." 

"Let me in!" Jason steps forward to push Hunter out of the way and catches just a glimpse of Katie in the kitchen before he's shoved back into the hallway. With adrenaline pumping and pain in his eyes, he stares back at Hunter. "This isn't over."

Hunter shakes his head. Being pushed around had raised his irritation several notches, and his new tone proved it. "Actually, it is. You've caused enough damage here - how about stopping before somebody gets any more hurt, huh?" 

"I-" 

"I'm serious." Hunter stares him in the eye. "Katie wants nothing to do with you. You have ignored her, hurt her, and betrayed her trust. She told you it was over and she meant it. Take it from me - she wasn't kidding." 

Pain. Oh, how Jason hated this feeling that seeped into his emotions. For several seconds, he simply looks at Hunter, feeling stupid and hurt. Without saying any more, he finally turns and leaves, taking the stairs faster than his knee would have liked. 

Heaving a sigh, Hunter closes and locks the door once more. He'd never admit it, but he was glad Jason hadn't tried any more to force his way in - Hunter could street brawl, but he wasn't so sure he wanted to take on a trained Elite agent, let alone one the size of Jason. 

Coming back into the kitchen, he slowly sits across from Katie again, his eyes roaming her face. "You okay?" he asks gently. 

Jared nods a little, hoping that Grace was right. Was he really getting a second chance? And yet, what good was it when he couldn't even remember everything he needed another chance for? It was confusing, frustrating and... 

His thoughts drift off as Grace pats his hand and he looks down at it for a moment. Turning his palm up so her hand rested in his, his fingers curl around hers just slightly. "Thanks... for believing in me." 

He looks up at her again, truly thankful. "You better be careful though... keep being so nice and I'm liable to start seeing you as more than my therapist." 

Was he kidding? Or was there truth there? Perhaps only he knew the answer. 

"Nope." Eric shakes his head at Stacy. "Not unless.... there would happen to be an invitation to some bodyguard around here to walk with her on her rounds... but then again, I'm moving extra slowly today, so that invitation might not come anyway... that is... if someone like that actually even exists in the first place."  His eyes twinkle, and a teasing grin quirks the edges of his mouth.

Smelling the apple pie, Dylan's mouth waters and he nods. "Yes, please..." Once taking a bite, he murmurs his appreciation to Faith. "Mm... you're right.... this definitely didn't come from a box." He nods again. "Ya know... my sister tried to make a pie once... I think it was probably close to your grilling..." He lifts an eyebrow. "Don't tell Dan though - he might change his mind about her."