Rejected Again

Jason nods numbly before turning to look at Misty and reaching out to pull her into a hug. What if it had been him tonight? Kissing the top of her head, he gives her an extra squeeze. "Tea sounds good... I need to settle down. Just give me time to change out of these clothes." 


Being released from Rick's care felt good, especially since Carson wasn't sure how much longer he could survive just a room away from Misty without being allowed to see her. What he hadn't planned on was the day he was able to get out, being informed of Dalton's condition. And despite the rift between him and his sister, he wanted to make sure she was okay. So before going back to the apartment, his destination was the hospital. It also gave him more purpose for leaving TJY... otherwise he might stick around and try to see Misty again, but he knew he was not wanted. As hard as it was for him to accept, he knew that his company was no longer welcomed, whether he'd told the truth or not.

Getting to the hospital, he goes inside and asks around to finally be pointed in the right direction. Though still feeling more depressed than ever in his life, he at least had regained physical strength under Rick's care. Color was back in his face again and he had slept enough the past few days to make up for most of his exhaustion. He'd been warned though, to take better care of himself. Another attack like that and he could wind up spending more than just a few days at TJY.

Finding the waiting room, he hesitates a moment before going inside. For the moment, Dani was the only one there. "Dani?"

She looks up quickly from the magazine she'd been browsing, her eyes going wide at seeing Carson. She hadn't expected him to come here at all, and her surprise is quickly overcome by a bitter tone. "What are you doing here?"

Carson hadn't known what to expect, but he hadn't thought she'd be this cold, especially at a time like this. "I... I came to see if you were okay."

"Me?" Dani stands up, tossing the magazine back on the table. She was upset about Dalton, she'd had very little sleep, and she didn't want to deal with her mixed emotions about her brother right now. "I'm not the one who got shot. If you want to go see Dalton, be my guest, but I'd prefer it if you left me alone."

Carson's shoulders drop. "But... didn't anyone... I mean..."

"Did I hear the so-called truth that you didn't really let your life go to pot? Yeah, I did. And all I know now is that you're an even better liar than I thought."

"But I-"

"I don't want to hear it, Carson." Dani points to the door. "Please leave."

Dani too. First Misty, now his own sister. Both knew the truth, and both chose not to let him back into his lives. How could he have been so wrong? "Can I just... sit a while with you?"

Dani looks away from his pleading eyes, fearing she would give in. She'd never seen him like this before. He looked terrible and he was so... so... crushed. It was heartbreaking, but she still didn't want to deal with him. Especially not now. "I'd rather not."

"But-"

"Out, Carson!" She points to the door one more time. "Take your good will and stick it up your butt. I don't need it, and I don't need you."

Swallowing hard, Carson finally backs away before turning around and leaving. How had his presence just made things worse? He'd come to help... come to make sure his sister was okay. And she treated him like this? Why? He'd been so sure that the truth would make everything right again. But it was as if it had almost made things worse. How could he have misjudged everyone so much? It made him feel sick. And worse, it made him feel worthless.

Sitting back down in the chair, Dani leans forward to put her face in her hands as she cries. She did want company. She did want comfort. She did want someone to talk to and a shoulder to cry on. But not Carson's. Not the man who lied to everyone and broke their trust. Not the man who knowingly hurt those around him because of his pride. No... she just couldn't do it. But how it made her heart ache. And more tears come.


Eli purses his lips as he thinks, trying to subdue the irritation he felt below the surface. Not against Ryan - against Alec. Alec was not to be trusted. He had hurt Ryan and hurt Tal, almost killing him. And now he was obviously trying to get back into Ryan's good graces, and in the process, he was upsetting her. If he hadn't shown back up again, Ryan wouldn't be struggling with her feelings now. But Eli knew he couldn't be harsh. He knew his sister, though tough, had tender feelings deep down and he wasn't about to step on them. She couldn't help it that she still loved Alec. 

Sighing, he gives Ryan a good long stare. He wanted to advise her. He wanted to tell her to quit being so nice to Alec. He wanted to tell her that Tal was the better man - that Alec was scum and would just hurt her again. But he knew it was her life, not his. This was her choice, whether he liked it or not. 

"Well... I guess I can't say I've ever been in that position, so I don't know what it feels like, but..." He shrugs lamely, not even knowing where that train of thought had been going. "I guess if you hate to love Alec, then you have the choice of either not hating it anymore, which would separate you and Tal, or resist it and tell Alec he has no business in your life anymore. I just hate seeing you stuck like this... I miss your smile."