o.O

Being pulled in for another kiss, JT accepted that as Amanda's approval of the affection. What he didn't count on was the passion with which she kissed him. Held in her embrace, he's taken a little off guard, but doesn't hesitate to return her kiss. As she pulls away, he blinks but doesn't have time to say anything before her lips are pressed against his again.

For a moment, he hesitates, but it's a short-lived moment, giving way to the release of his own passion that felt as though it had been stored up for too long. Falling into the moment, his arms slip around Amanda to hold her as he returns her kiss. It was sweet. It was deep. It was theirs.

Leaning to the side a little, JT pulls Amanda with him until they were leaning against the log, still locked in their embrace. It was as if it were finally the right moment.

Making Up

As JT turns her head twords him Amanda dosnt resist. Looking into his eyes and hearing his words She can feel her heart start to race beating loudly she thought for sure JT would be able to hear it. The fire danced in his eyes and his words rang in her ears.

Feeling his lips brush against hers if only for a moment sent a tingle down her spine and a warmth through her veins. It was a feeling she'd never felt before and she liked it.

"I don't think I want to wast another moment missing out either."

Bringing her hand behind JT's head Amanda pulls him close to her pressing her lips against his. Letting out a small murmer Amanda's other hand goes to JT's back and rubs it slightly. Pulling away for a moment she smiles as she trys to catch her breath.

"We have alot of making up to do you know."

Tilting her head the other way Amanda returns for another kiss just letting it linger a long time this time. Time seeming to stop, and all knowledge of what was going on around them was no longer there. It was just her and JT, this moment...seemed perfect.

Firelight

Carson's eyebrows rise a little and he turns his gaze to the counter to clean up. "Oh, um... yeah. I mean yeah I'm fine. Sorry." He wipes up a little spilled sauce. "Just talking... I guess."

He pauses at the sink with his back to her. "How's work been today?" The change in subject was abrupt, but he doesn't seem to notice.


Though JT's eyes remained on the fire, Amanda's comment brings heat to his own cheeks for a moment. It did make him grin though. "That might not be so bad," he teases.

For the next few minutes, the crackling of the fire seems to be the only sound. Eventually though, JT finds himself looking to his side at Amanda, just watching the firelight dance on her face, accenting her features. He swallows hard, suddenly realizing his pulse had quickened.

Shifting a little towards he, he reaches out with a gentle finger under her chin to turn her face towards him. "I probably should have told you a long time ago how beautiful I think you are," he mentions quietly. "It shouldn't have taken us getting kidnapped for me to have the guts to say it."

His finger lingers under her chin before wandering up her cheek. His eyes gaze into hers, a million and one thoughts going through his mind. Leaning in a little closer, his voice grows even quieter. "I don't know about you, but... I don't think I wanna miss out on living life anymore."

Slowly, slowly, he closes the gap between them, tilting his head slightly and letting his lips brush against hers ever so softly. Drawing back a little, he checks her eyes once more to make sure what he'd done was okay with her.

Lap

Enjoying dinner and than the warmth of the first after Bree likes the small talk with everyone. It was always a fun time sharing story, talking about things of the bast and bringing up good memories.

"I don't know about this whole stargazing thing. Kinda freaks me out something else might happen."

Giving a laugh Bree stands anyways and links her fingers with Gunner's. She was happy he could take a joke and not get bent out about it. If he did that would make for an awkward relationship.

"Alright lets get a move on. The stars are calling and..."

Bree looks from side to side.

"Lets just leave it at that. Come on."

Smiling at JT Amanda moves where she sits and comes next to JT. Sitting down next to him She watches the fire quiet for a moment.

"It might be hard but its still comfortable and if it gets to bad I'll just slip into your lap."

Amanda can feel her cheeks turn red but she dosnt shy away or try to cover up what she said. It was about time she took everything into her own hands. Even if it was slowly it was a start and thats what she wanted.

As Carson starts to ramble Misty can't help but laugh a little. It wasn't often he wasn't so talkative, but maybe since she hadn't seen him all that much in the last few days it was just everything he wanted to get off his chest at once.

Shaking her head Misty goes up to the counter next to Carson and starts on there own pizza. Listing to what he had to say Misty just nods and as she continues to sprinkle the cheese on just taking in everything he had to say.

"Yeah I see where your coming from. Maybe you can meet herb half way or something. Like one night a week having a special where you serve the chicken parm or something else from the menu. That was we have the pizza people want, but we still have the older feel for the regulars that come in like Mr and Ms. Conner who always order the chilli on Friday nights."

Now placing the pepperoni, sausage, and bacon onto the pizza Misty is silent again for a moment. Redecorating might be kind of fun, and she didn't see Herb not liking the idea depending on how Carson wanted to do it.

Giving a laugh she couldn't believe she was actually considering that with Carson. It was a crazy notion but fun at the same time to think about. If they could do it together that would even be better. Misty trys to stop her brain before it got to far ahead they didn't even know if Herb would agree.

"Your pretty talkative today. Not that its a bad thing, I like it. But just wanna make sure everything is ok?"

Campfire

Carson shakes his head but grins, going into the room across the narrow hallway to make his phone call. A few minutes later he reappears in the kitchen. Turning his cap around backwards, he rubs his hands together in anticipation. "Okay... pizza. I can't believe you're not sick of it since I bring it home so often."

"Carson! Need a small pepperoni and mushroom," Dani calls.

Already on the way to the counter, he stops and sighs. "Alrighty." He looks over his shoulder and nods Misty to the counter with him. "Come help me throw ours together while I take care of this other order."

Grabbing the necessary ingredients, he sets to work with speed, proving this is what he did every day. "So I've been thinking about talking to Herb," he muses. "The majority of our customers, by far, order pizza. What do you think he'd say if I suggested we downsize our menu to just pizza and a couple subs? I mean, financially speaking, there are plenty of things that I've had to throw out lately because it's gotten old because people just aren't ordering things like lasagna and chicken parmesan anymore." Still keeping his eyes on cooking, he continues, rambling at an unusually fast pace for him. "People have gotten too busy -they want something quick and everybody loves pizza and subs. There are other pizza places around town, of course, but that hasn't hurt our own business so far, since we've got a different flavor and use more toppings, if I do say so myself."

He spreads sauce and cheese over the small pizza he was making, still not pausing his speech. "And on top of all that, if we minimize the menu and have a smaller selection, it would be easier to train help or have someone take over if I'm gonna be gone. And then if we did just go down to mainly pizza, we could expand our ingredients on that - like now we don't have Hawaiian pizza but I've got people asking out it every once in a while and it wouldn't be hard to keep those ingredients on hand. Or we could even come up with some of our own new combinations that other pizza places around here don't have. But anyway, I know Herb has always taken his menu quite personally and I know he's tried to keep this place like a little homey, nicer than fast food type Italian place - but at the same time, I think our clientele has changed and if we don't change with it, we may wind up losing customers. Personally, I think we'd do a better business if we were a little more targeted and didn't have such a broad menu. I've even thought about redecorating, but that's a whole other story."

Popping the pizza into the oven, he turns around, seeming to take his first breath. "Thoughts?"


"Neat freak? Neat freak?" Axel gives Jess a teasing look of shock before holding up his hands. "Would a neat freak walk around with hands that look like these?"

Liz smirks. "She and I both know that it's only because you can't get all that grease off. Otherwise, you'd walk around like a doctor. Like this." She puts up both hands like a surgeon who had just washed before a procedure."

Axel kicks her under the table, but his eyes dance. "I'm not that bad!"

Liz giggles and looks at Jess, having fun teasing Axel with her...

...All fun times had to end though, and Axel has to get back to work. Liz agrees to meet him back at his place later that evening, accepting his invite to stay with him for a night so Derek could have some time alone. It's a rather quiet evening until both bed down for the night...

...Liz's eyes pop open and she stares into the dark living room. What had woken her? She squints, trying to see the clock on the microwave in the kitchen but can't make it out. Judging by the darkness, it was the middle of the night. She settles back down into the couch only to hear a soft shuffling sound. Squinting again, this time she sees a figure heading to the door. "Axel?" she whispers. She receives no response, but she was able to make out Axel's form now. He appeared fully dressed except for being in his bare feet.

Sitting up, she watches, confused as he gets to the door. As he unlocks it, turns the knob and starts to open the door, his trusty alarm system of a string of bells comes crashing to the floor with a loud announcement. Glancing down at them, Axel pauses, then heads outside, leaving the door wide open.

Liz, now more concerned than confused, gets up from the couch and wanders to the door, shivering a little as the cool breeze goes through her thin pajama bottoms and t-shirt. Looking down the outside stairs, she spots Axel just getting to the ground level and starting across the parking lot, still in his bare feet. Noting his slow, steady walk, not to mention not having shoes on, Liz immediately knew what was happening. Without taking time to get her own shoes on, she pads down the stairs and goes after Axel.

"Hey, Axel?" she calls softly. She winces as she steps on a stone. Swinging wide around him, she tries to get within his line of sight without startling him. "Axel?" Smiling, she approaches a little more quickly, trying to get to him before he went into the street. "Hey, it's a little late for a walk, don't you think?"

Axel blinks and slows to a stop, jumping just a little at Liz's sudden appearance. "Late?"

"Mm-hmm." Liz wraps her arms around herself, shivering. "Come on back inside, okay?"

"Um..." Axel furrows his brow, starting forward again.

As gently as possible, Liz puts her hands on his chest to stop him. "Now, now, we don't want to walk into the street. It's much safer in bed."

Axel yawns, his eyes starting to droop. "Yeah. Bed is a good idea. Why are we in the freezer?"

Liz stifles a laugh. "Because you're sleepwalking. Come on, big guy, let's go back to bed."

It takes a little bit of prompting, but she finally gets Axel back up the stairs and into his apartment. Getting him back into his bed, she makes sure to tuck him in, then goes to the door, locking it and resetting the bells so in case he left again, at least she'd know. Snuggling back down under the blankets on the couch, she sighs deeply before drifting off to sleep again...

"Heeeey, sleepy head." Liz grins as she flips the sizzling bacon in the frying pan. "Figured some breakfast might get you out of bed."

"Uh-huh." Axel's eyes were only partially open as he trudges into the kitchen, going straight to the refrigerator for some orange juice. He was so glad he didn't have to work today - for some reason he felt utterly exhausted this morning. Chucking down a half a glass of juice, he finally nods at Liz. "Morning."

She laughs and divvies up the bacon onto two plates. "Have a seat. Still like your eggs scrambled?"

"Yeah sure." He manages a grin. "Thanks. You didn't have to fix breakfast."

"Aw well... when you weren't up early like usual I figured you probably hadn't slept well after your little midnight adventure. Thought a good breakfast might be nice."

Axel eases down at the kitchen table, running a hand through his matted hair. A shower would probably help wake him up too. "Well you're sweet." He pauses then frowns. "Wait... midnight adventure?"

Liz chuckles. "I didn't think you'd remember. You never did. Though I must admit I was surprised your bells didn't wake you."

Axel was growing more alert now. "Bells?" His eyes widen. "I was outside?"

"Yeah." Liz dishes out the eggs and butters as couple slices of toast. "You were headed somewhere in your bare feet. I caught you before you got to the street though."

"Wow." He tries to remember, but can't. He only knew he didn't feel like he'd slept well at all. "And... I knocked the bells off?"

"Mm-hmm." Liz comes to the table with their breakfast, setting a plate in front of him. "It's okay though. Reminded me of the time Dad found you halfway down the block."

Axel's cheeks flush.

Liz giggles. "You were pretty glad it was him finding you in your boxers and not me or Mom."

Axel smirks and tries to think of a way to divert the conversation before starting in on his eggs. But one thing really did bother him... a lot. "I slept through my alarm..."


Gunner soaks up Bree's attention, murmuring his pleasure. Holding her close, his fingers run through her hair. Grinning as they pause, he nods. "Yeah... I think you got it right." He doesn't let her comment though, simply returning for more.

Sitting under the tree for what felt like an eternity, there really was a sense of peace here. Tranquility. It was definitely a much needed break from everyday life. As the sun begins its descent, Gunner walks with Bree back to the campsite to find JT and Amanda back as well, JT already starting to build a fire to make supper.

It isn't long until supper is enjoyed and the stars are beginning to shine in the sky. Conversation between the four is accompanied often by laughter, everyone relaxing and simply enjoying the short time they had here.

As the evening grows on, Gunner's the first to break up the little group. "I'm thinking stargazing," he hits, glancing to his side at Bree. Standing up, he offers his hand. "How bout it? No clouds tonight."

JT looks up at them. "Just be careful.... chiggers... snakes... with the kind of day you've had, Gunner, it could be anything."

Gunner throws him a withering look. "Yeah, yeah... don't remind me."

JT laughs and watches as his niece and Gunner head to a darker spot in the clearing away from the crackling campfire. Sighing with content, JT slides down from his seat on the log so he's seated on the ground and can stretch out his legs. Staring into the fire, he enjoys its warmth. His peripheral vision sees Amanda close behind him where she'd been seated for supper and he pats the ground next to him. "It's a hard seat but at least the log can be a backrest," he offers.

Understatment

Returning the kiss than giving a laugh at Dani's comment Misty shakes her head. You could definitely tell Carson and Dani were brother and sister But it made her smile anyways. She was happy Carson had found his sister. She new it was one thing he always had wanted.

Going in before Carson Misty's didn't have to wait and look what she wanted on it, she already new. Sitting down at the little table that was in the back of the kitchen she smiles.

"Oh thats easy I don't need to think about it I already know. But go make you phone call so I can have you all to myself. I'm selfish like that."

Misty's eyes sparkle as she watched Carson. So much love could be seen in those pools and the first that had been there when they first met had only grown stronger. Misty often wondered what she'd do without Carson. He'd become such a big part of her life.

Sitting and having lunch with Axel and Liz was nice. Getting to catch up on what was going on was a bonus. It was nice to know what was happening in everyone's lives and made Jess seem closer. Jess new how close Axel was to Liz and being part of that made her feel wanted even more and at home.

"A neat freak....thats an understatement."

Looking at Liz she gives a wink before turning to Axel and grinning leaning into him a little bit. He might be a clean freak but that was ok seeing as she wasn't the neatest of people. She'd been working on that though at least so he wouldn't have to clean after her as much.

Sitting with Mick Rosetta searches his face for a long moment still leaning into him. She was worried, he would get to depressed again but he had assured her he was ok so she would trust him.

"I think where you went wrong is where you keep telling yourself so. This is not sourly your fault and you shouldn't have to take all the blame for it."

Moving her head down again Rosetta's one hand slips into Mick's as her others softly run's through BJ's hair. Time moved so fast she wished she could slow it down. She wasn't getting any younger and it seems time was just slipping away. Moments like this she wanted to last forever!

"You have three kids who love you. Even if they dont say it or show it, they do. Its just going to take some time for them to come around. He's takes after his father. God has a plan though Mick, and he wont give you anything you can't handle. You're gonna be ok and so is Dylan."

Laughing again as Gunner breaks free and pulls her close Bree just lets him this time. Her lips meeting her it was like the first time they kissed all over again. Soft, sweet and just plan wonderful.

Bringing her hands around one on Gunner's back and one on his head the kiss is broken all to soon and the smile moves across Bree's face her eyes twinkling.

"Oh so thats now its done huh? Let me see if I can get it right."

Bringing her lips into Gunner's again Bree just lets the moment continue as the soft warm wind blows. Pulling away for just a moment Bree moves her head the other way and comes back for more. The moment seeming lost, or the moment was standing still as she continues the kiss her passion, and her love just being expressed in that kiss.