Chill

Alec grits his teeth, feeling his hands shaking slightly. He didn't like being afraid, but he couldn't help it. Not after what had happened as a child. Getting bit by Trooper a while back only added to it all, and he'd just as soon walk home now and let Misty and Jason stay here together. 

Feeling Misty's hand on his shoulder, he flinches before realizing it's just her. Swallowing hard, he stares into her eyes as if searching deeply for reassurance. He wasn't strong enough to deal with this right now. Not on top of everything else. He didn't want to. He couldn't. He wanted just to leave. 

Instead though, he finds himself nodding numbly. Would a dog know he didn't have the same attitude as before? Or would Trooper just remember that Alec had struck his master?

"Okay," he relents quietly. 

Returning to the table, he picks the far end away from Trooper, his eyes never leaving the dog, just in case. 

Jason glances over his shoulder and is glad that Misty had convinced Alec to settle down. He'd forgotten entirely about that whole incident - had he remembered, he probably would have left Trooper home. In a way, he felt badly, but he also didn't want to give in just because Alec had a fear either. Trooper was a safe dog unless crossed. 

"I didn't hear anybody tell me how they like their burgers," he muses loudly, asking once again as he starts the fire in the grill. 

It wasn't long before the mouth-watering aroma of grilled meat wafts through the air, making even Trooper drool. At some point, the dog wanders over to Jason to watch him cook, hoping for a scrap to be dropped. Alec remains at the table, still uneasy but trying to relax, listening to Misty and Jason chat. 

Soon the three were settled in for their meal after a prayer, and the food was being enjoyed. Alec really was hungrier than he thought... and perhaps his stomach wanted as much as it could get, for fear of not knowing if this luxury of regular good meals was going to last.

At some point, Jason looks over and realizes just how many onions Alec has on his burger, and he has to comment. "Want a little burger with your onions there?" 

Alec grins sheepishly as he swallows his bite. "I like onions... but I can't taste them unless there's a lot." 

Jason chuckles. "I suppose it's okay as long as you don't have a hot date. I don't think a stick of gum would help you." 

Alec can't help a laugh and he shakes his head. "You should see me with garlic." 

"Whooo boy. I don't think I want to." Jason grins and takes a bite of potato salad, throwing Misty a silly look. This fellowship was... nice. Even with Alec there. As surprising as it was... the guy really did seem to be changed. He simply wasn't who Jason remembered. "So... I brought my guitar in case we wanted any entertainment later... but I can't play and roast marshmallows at the same time..." 

As the conversation circulates, Trooper finds several handouts from Jason before moving around to Misty, his leash dragging on the ground as he goes unnoticed. Seeing Misty busy talking to Jason, the dog waits only a few moments before passing her by and coming up alongside Alec. 

Alec was paying little attention, having finally forgotten about Trooper even being there. Feeling a cold, wet sensation on his arm, he looks quickly to the side, only to come almost eye-to-eye with the giant dog. Reflects control him faster than thoughts, and without even realizing what he's doing, he's abandoned his food and tried to get away from the table. Unfortunately, his foot catches on the bench, sending him sprawling onto the ground. 

Rolling over, it's just in time to see Trooper pouncing. With a shriek of terror, Alec covers up his face with his arms as the dog lunges at him. 

It takes a moment for Jason to even realize  what's going on, and by the time he stands, Trooper is already on top of Alec, his paws at his shoulders as he stares down at him, growling. 

"Trooper, back off!" Jason orders sternly.

Trooper glances over at him, but for once, he doesn't obey. Returning his gaze to Alec, his growling continues until he barks loudly. 

Scared beyond anything, the bark sounds like thunder to Alec and he jumps, his arms going to try and push Trooper away. "Get off of me! Get him off! Get him off!" 

"Trooper!" Jason commands. What was wrong with his dog? He shoots Misty a concerned look before finally leaving the table, now having no idea what Trooper might do, or why. 

Alec's pushing does no good, and all of a sudden, there's a great weight to his stomach, knocking the air clean out of him. Lowering his arms from his face slightly, Trooper's eyes stare back at him, along with a few gleaming teeth showing. The dog's paws were on his shoulders and the rest of him spread out on top of Alec, pinning him down by simply lying on top of him. 

Breathing heavily, Alec's eyes are wide. The growling had stopped, but having the huge jaws inches from his face was not comforting. "Get him off!" he cries again. 

By now, Jason had reached them and was bewildered at Trooper's behavior. "Trooper, get off," he orders, grabbing the leash and giving it a yank. 

Trooper turns to take the leash in his teeth, yanking right back before returning his gaze to Alec's frightened face. Jason tries to push him off, but all he receives is a growl. "What on earth..." 

Alec thought for sure he was going to pass out. And as Trooper's muzzle comes even nearer, he cringes, ready to have his face mutilated. But when he feels a large tongue run up his cheek, he dares to open one eye. Trooper's head was down now, resting on Alec's chest, just watching him. 

Jason has no clue what's going on, and he looks to Misty again, confused and surprised at his dog's strangeness. There was no threat though, so he just stands and watches. 

Swallowing hard, Alec's pulse races as sweat runs down his face. Trembling, he tries to roll over, but Trooper gives a little woof, making him lie flat again in fear. Finally, he dares to reach up with a hand and lay it on Trooper's massive head. He was softer than Alec would have guessed, and the fur felt kind of warm under his fingers. 

Trooper leans forward and gives Alec's face one last lick before standing up again and backing off. Released of the weight, Alec gasps for air and sits up, wiping his face with his shirt sleeve. Trooper cocks his head at him, before yawning and stretching lazily and going back over to the table. Looking up at Jason, Alec doesn't know whether he was still afraid, angry, relieved or what. "What did your dog just do?"

"I... have no idea." Jason blinks, trying to figure it out. "I... think he was trying to tell you to chill." 

Alec scoffs. "By pinning me to the ground? He's a menace!" 

"Him?"

Alec looks over to the table where Trooper was now lying in the grass and rolling around on his back. "Well what... he..."

"Come on." Jason offers Alec a hand up and nods back to the table. "Let's finish eating." 

"But..." Alec follows along lamely, feeling foolish, embarrassed, still scared, and shaky. Sitting back down at the table cautiously, he keeps one eye on Trooper, who suddenly spots him back at the table. Getting up off the ground, Trooper shakes off the loose grass and saunters over to Alec, licking his chops and setting a paw on the bench next to him. 

Though still scared spitless, Alec takes one of his potato chips and offers it to him. With the gentleness of a lamb, Trooper accepts the chip, crunching it happily. When it's gone though and he doesn't get another one, he nudges Alec's shoulder with his head. Alec rolls his eyes and gives him another one. 

Jason looks at Misty once more, this time with a grin. Perhaps his dog knew Alec better than they even did. 

Hunter smiles as he hears Katie's response, and feels her tighten her grip around him. "Hang on..." Shifting gears, the bike gives a lurch as it takes off at a higher speed. Pushing it harder, the bike surpasses the speed limit and then some. Hunter had taken Katie fast before... but not this fast. 

Bending low, he makes sure he can feel Katie bend with him. The scenery flies by in a blur. His eyes zero in on the road ahead, seeing only blacktop and a solid yellow line. Something red comes into view. A pickup. A very slow pickup. 

Coming up on it fast, Hunter leans to the side, smoothly taking the motorcycle into the other lane then back again, going around the slower vehicle. The wind made it feel like they really were flying. The sun warmed the air while fences and trees zipped by with enough speed to skew the colors, making it seem almost like an abstract painting was surrounding them. And this... this is what Hunter loved. 

It was no surprise that they made it to town in record time, and very soon, Hunter was parking at the hospital. Cutting the motor, he puts the kickstand down and takes off his helmet. Shifting to look over his shoulder, he gives Katie a wide smile. "I didn't lose you, did I?" 

"Great!" Ending the call with Dalton, Dani heads the rest of the way home. Once there, she makes sure that her shower is as quick one, knowing that it wouldn't take Dalton long to get here. 

She'd just finished changing her clothes and putting her wet hair up in a bun, when she hears the door. Grinning, she trots over to it and opens it cautiously, peeking out with one eye before opening it all the way. 

"Well hello there, stranger. What can I do for you?"