"Katie!" Reese throws up his hands. "Be glad that we're having a short reprieve from the action here." He shakes his head. "If you want, we got a guy that needs interrogating and I got Gunner on it. If you wanna partner with him, go see if he wants some help. Otherwise..." He sighs. "Settle down, okay? It's not worth an ulcer and you're getting paid just as much as if you were under fire."
Pausing at the partially closed door, Scott swallows hard. He'd been doing well lately, but hadn't been back to TJY until now. The sights and sounds were still a bit overwhelming, but he'd come in the back way so he wouldn't run into too many people.
Looking at the door, he reads Dalton's name and sees the empty spot where his name once was. And he sighs.
Finally mustering up his courage, he knocks lightly on the door and slowly pokes his head inside the office. Would Dalton even want to see him after he'd ignored their friendship? His pulse quickens. "Hey, Dalton..."
Mick's eyes crack open just enough for him to see the bedside digital clock. He groans inwardly. He was still so tired, but he'd had several hours worth of sleep, and he knew he needed to get up and get back to his responsibilities.
Rolling over, he winces as pain shoots through his shoulder. Apparently the rest had made it go stiff and now it hurt even more. For now, he'd just have to put up with it.
Taking a moment in the master bathroom to clean up, he then heads out in the hall. Quietly checking on Dylan and finding his son asleep, he was relieved. It was obvious he still had a high fever, but as long as he didn't have anymore outbursts of rage, things would be fine.
Retreating and heading for the kitchen, Mick finds Stacy cleaning up. His nostrils pick up the scent of chicken broth and he's rather surprised.
"Hey..." Coming closer, he leans on the counter. "Thanks for all your help. Have any trouble while I was asleep?"
3/22/12
Alone
Setting the bowl down on the night stand Stacy gives another smile as Dylan pulls the blanket up around him. Standing she helps tuck him in nice and tight so he would stay warm and it felt like the blankets were extra fluffy.
Hearing Dylan's comment about beating this whole thing Stacy gives another smile. Her eyes held the love of a mother, maybe not Dylan's mother but a mother non the less that was proud of him and all he had done in just this last few short days.
"You sure are Dylan, you sure are."
Running the back of her hand along Dylan's cheek for a moment Stacy finally retreats to let him rest. Picking up the tray with the left over food on it Stacy heads for the door opening it. Before leaving though she turns again.
"Sleep well Dylan!"
Finally leaving she shuts the door behind her and heads to the kitchen to clean up the mess she had made. If Mick was still sleeping that was fine. Rosetta might be home soon anyways not that she was really in any hurry.
Standing in Reese's office Katie walks back and forth before stopping in front of the desk again. The lack of emotions almost made her feel like a caged animel. She wanted to be doing something, feel excitement, feel important she wanted to feel more than she was.
"Nothing? No cases? No little crimes that need to be solved or people to be questioning? Nothing Reese?"
Rick said give it time and she was trying. Feelings were starting to come or so she thought but just not fast enough. Katie was tired of waiting, she was tired of not talking to Jason she felt depressed and each day it just got worse. Why couldn't think be ok again.
"How are you feeling today Mr. Doe?"
Looking up at the dr from his bed his expression was one that was very blank. No emotion in his eyes, no emotion showed on his face. Only the three scars across his eye, nose and mouth from shrapnel bore tell of what happened. A leg that had been crushed by a flying debree of one thing or another, and burn marks on his back that would tell a story not yet revealed. His voice raspy, and very deep from to much inhaled smoke.
"I feel...lost, confused, and....out of place."
The Dr gives a nod as he write a few things down. Mr. Doe had woken up a few days ago in a panic, terror coursing though his vanes and the dr. worse nightmare had been revealed. He remembered nothing.
"Still can't remember anything?"
Closing his eyes for a moment his mind remained blank. He'd had a dream last night, lots of shouting, but the faces were blank, where he was had no color. It was a blur like looking through a shattered mirror or a glass that was dirty.
"I can't even remember my own name let alone anything else. You...You don't know anything about me?"
Shaking his head grimly the Dr wished he did. Not even knowing who this man was he didn't have family to help friends to help. Right now he really did have no identity and it made the Dr said. He wanted to do more, he wanted to be able to give hope but in a case like this it was hard.
"Well continue with the memories skills, and hope that as the swelling in your brain continues to go down you will slowly remember. Just make sure anything you remember you let me know. If we can find out where your from, even something as simple as a state, or a name we can try and contact someone and that will help a great deal. Tomorrow we will start your PT and see if we can start getting that leg to work a little bit as it heals."
As the Dr leaves the room the man leans back in the bed closing his eyes. Who was he? Where was he from? Did he have family? Were they worried? The unknown, being....alone even in his own mind he didn't have himself to keep him company.
Hearing Dylan's comment about beating this whole thing Stacy gives another smile. Her eyes held the love of a mother, maybe not Dylan's mother but a mother non the less that was proud of him and all he had done in just this last few short days.
"You sure are Dylan, you sure are."
Running the back of her hand along Dylan's cheek for a moment Stacy finally retreats to let him rest. Picking up the tray with the left over food on it Stacy heads for the door opening it. Before leaving though she turns again.
"Sleep well Dylan!"
Finally leaving she shuts the door behind her and heads to the kitchen to clean up the mess she had made. If Mick was still sleeping that was fine. Rosetta might be home soon anyways not that she was really in any hurry.
Standing in Reese's office Katie walks back and forth before stopping in front of the desk again. The lack of emotions almost made her feel like a caged animel. She wanted to be doing something, feel excitement, feel important she wanted to feel more than she was.
"Nothing? No cases? No little crimes that need to be solved or people to be questioning? Nothing Reese?"
Rick said give it time and she was trying. Feelings were starting to come or so she thought but just not fast enough. Katie was tired of waiting, she was tired of not talking to Jason she felt depressed and each day it just got worse. Why couldn't think be ok again.
"How are you feeling today Mr. Doe?"
Looking up at the dr from his bed his expression was one that was very blank. No emotion in his eyes, no emotion showed on his face. Only the three scars across his eye, nose and mouth from shrapnel bore tell of what happened. A leg that had been crushed by a flying debree of one thing or another, and burn marks on his back that would tell a story not yet revealed. His voice raspy, and very deep from to much inhaled smoke.
"I feel...lost, confused, and....out of place."
The Dr gives a nod as he write a few things down. Mr. Doe had woken up a few days ago in a panic, terror coursing though his vanes and the dr. worse nightmare had been revealed. He remembered nothing.
"Still can't remember anything?"
Closing his eyes for a moment his mind remained blank. He'd had a dream last night, lots of shouting, but the faces were blank, where he was had no color. It was a blur like looking through a shattered mirror or a glass that was dirty.
"I can't even remember my own name let alone anything else. You...You don't know anything about me?"
Shaking his head grimly the Dr wished he did. Not even knowing who this man was he didn't have family to help friends to help. Right now he really did have no identity and it made the Dr said. He wanted to do more, he wanted to be able to give hope but in a case like this it was hard.
"Well continue with the memories skills, and hope that as the swelling in your brain continues to go down you will slowly remember. Just make sure anything you remember you let me know. If we can find out where your from, even something as simple as a state, or a name we can try and contact someone and that will help a great deal. Tomorrow we will start your PT and see if we can start getting that leg to work a little bit as it heals."
As the Dr leaves the room the man leans back in the bed closing his eyes. Who was he? Where was he from? Did he have family? Were they worried? The unknown, being....alone even in his own mind he didn't have himself to keep him company.
Beating
Trey's comment makes both Pete's and Ariel's eyes snap towards him. Was he still upset over the whole thing? Was he still bitter that they hadn't been entirely honest with them?
Ariel isn't sure what to say, but seeing Trey stumble over his next few words, she realized that he hadn't meant for his previous statement to sound mean. Maybe he was trying after all. Maybe.
Shaking her head, she pretends not to have noticed his awkwardness. "You guys are all alike."
"Whoa!" Pete holds up his hand. "You're putting me in the same category as your brother? That is so not fair."
Colt snickers. "Maybe she thinks you're immature."
Pete was, by far, the oldest of the group, and his eyes narrow playfully. "And your point is...?"
"Pizza!" Dani comes to the table carrying the first of the pizzas.
"Oh, bless you." Colt gives her a wide grin. "You have no idea how many lives you just saved."
Dani blinks as she sets down the pizza. "That hungry?"
"No. But Pete was going to strangle me. Now he'll be too busy stuffing his face."
Dani laughs. "Glad I could help."
"Help me more by joining us." Colt feigns desperation. "If but one more soul is added to my side, my heart shall remain beating!"
Ariel's eyes widen. "Somebody had too much caffeine tonight."
Dani shakes her head, giving Colt's shoulder a pat. "Nice try, cowboy. I belong to someone else's table."
As she walks away, Colt sighs. "All the good ones are taken."
"Nah." Pete grabs a slice of pizza. "You're just not smart enough to find the free - ow!" He jumps as a boot hits his shin. "Play nice!"
Ariel rolls her eyes again and grabs a plate for herself. Glancing to Trey, she winks. "Welcome to the crazier side of us."
"No thanks necessary." Rick gives Katie a little wave, watching her leave the infirmary. After a short sigh, he turns back to his work. He was worried about his two friends, even if he wouldn't tell them so. But he did have confidence that they would be okay. The odd Agency connection was still a mystery, and how it worked was beyond medical science. Despite that, he still believed that what he'd said to Katie was true - that she and Jason would just have to adjust. Nothing was "wrong." They would simply need to get used to this new way of feeling things...
Over the next few weeks, Rick kept a close eye on them, whether they knew it or not. He checked up on Katie several times, and talked with Jason when he'd come in for check-ups with his knee. Thankfully, that was the least of Rick's worries. Without the Agency influence in Jason's system, there was nothing eating away at his weaknesses, and therefore, his knee was healing well and much more quickly than anticipated. By week three, he told Jason he could leave his crutches behind and wear a brace as long as he didn't overdo it yet and continued to put it up when he was sitting and continue his therapy as well. But despite time and the occasional laugh from Katie and Jason, Rick was kept very aware that the two young agents still had a lot of adjusting to do yet...
"I'm fine." Jason spits out the thermometer and shoos Rick away from checking his pulse. "Isn't it about time I didn't have to come in here every other day."
"Twice a week," Rick corrects. "And I suppose so." He retreats, leaving Jason sitting on the table in the infirmary. "How's, um... how's things with you and Katie?"
Jason pulls on his t-shirts and lifts his eyebrows. "Huh?"
"You and Katie." Rick comes back and leans on the table beside him. "You two doing alright?"
"Well, yeah, sure." Jason shrugs. "I mean why not?"
"I don't know..."
Jason eyes him suspiciously. "What are you getting at?"
"Nothing. I was just curious."
Jason's gaze lowers a little. He thinks back over the last couple weeks. He and Katie had spent almost every evening together... just like they always did. Except... things still weren't the same. They didn't... talk much. They didn't... do much. A movie here... a pizza there... but nothing... fun. Or maybe it was fun and Jason just didn't know it. But last night... last night they'd cuddled on his couch and even fallen asleep for a while. And when Katie had left to go home, they hadn't kissed goodbye. Jason wasn't sure why... they always did... and he didn't think either had forgotten. It just didn't seem... necessary. It had been an okay evening and they weren't mad at each other. But... they just weren't... close.
Rick sees the turmoil behind Jason's eyes and knows there is much being unsaid. "How about you two taking some time off? Visit Texas? Or just go to the beach. Go hang out with friends. Do you do anything like that anymore?"
Jason shrugs. "Not really."
"Why not?"
"I dunno. Guess we didn't want to." Jason runs a hand through his hair. "Look... I don't know what you've been told, but apparently you've noticed Katie and I haven't been that close lately. And if you really must know, I don't know why it is. I just... I don't feel much of anything anymore, and..."
Rick waits. "And...?"
Jason wasn't sure he wanted to say it out loud. "And I guess... It's... well, what if the connection was the only thing Katie and I really had? I mean... what if we never really loved each other? What if it was just our connection amplifying everything and now that it's gone... "us" is gone?"
"Aw, Jase..." Rick shakes his head. "I don't think that's true. You and Katie always had more than just being able to talk to each other from miles away. You just need to give this time."
"That's what you said in the beginning."
Rick sighs. "I don't pretend to have all the answers... but I still believe that the both of you will adjust. I know it's hard. But you gotta hang on."
"To what?"
Rick's shoulders drop. He wasn't getting anywhere. "To what's in here." He touches Jason's chest over his heart. "How do you feel right now?"
Jason smirks. "Honestly? Depressed. But I don't want anything to-"
"I'm not trying to cure you with pills," Rick cuts him off. "You feel bad, right?"
"Yeah, so?"
"Jason... you're feeling. It may be negative, but you know what it is. You couldn't do that two weeks ago. One of these days, you're gonna probably feel angry. Or irritated. Or upset. And then one day you're going to have fun. You're going to feel happy. Or joy... Or love." He tries desperately to get his point across. "I know what you feel now sucks. But it's a good thing. The more you try to understand those faint feelings, the better you'll become at it, and pretty soon, it will all be natural again. Please... trust me."
Jason swallows hard, his eyes glued to the floor. He nods though. Maybe Rick was right. He did feel right now. He felt rotten, but Rick did have a point - at least he really was feeling something, and that was an improvement. Maybe the negative was just easier to recognize than the good right now. "Okay... I'll give it more time."
"Good."
Jason heads out of the infirmary, limping just a little. He goes down the hall to his office and shuts the door. Easing down behind his desk, he puts his feet up and grabs his tennis ball. Throwing it at the wall, he plays catch with himself, his mind whirling with paperwork, his mother, Wes, and Katie.
Dylan wasn't used to this kind of treatment, but opening his eyes again, he sees it's true that Stacy really was going to help him. While it felt rather childish, at the moment, he was too weak to fight, and maybe deep down, that little boy still existed that needed to just be loved.
Finally able to get some soup in him, it felt good. Dylan does give Stacy a lame kind of look though at her comment. "Nice try," he responds hoarsely. "It's not the spoon... it's me."
With half the soup finally down, he can't handle anymore, and refuses another bite. Sinking back a little, he sniffs his runny nose and rubs his tired eyes with his hand, only to withdraw more sweat. Shivering, he pulls his blanket up again.
Looking at Stacy, his eyes seems to be far away. "I'm... I'm doing it... right? I'm... I'm beating it?"
Ariel isn't sure what to say, but seeing Trey stumble over his next few words, she realized that he hadn't meant for his previous statement to sound mean. Maybe he was trying after all. Maybe.
Shaking her head, she pretends not to have noticed his awkwardness. "You guys are all alike."
"Whoa!" Pete holds up his hand. "You're putting me in the same category as your brother? That is so not fair."
Colt snickers. "Maybe she thinks you're immature."
Pete was, by far, the oldest of the group, and his eyes narrow playfully. "And your point is...?"
"Pizza!" Dani comes to the table carrying the first of the pizzas.
"Oh, bless you." Colt gives her a wide grin. "You have no idea how many lives you just saved."
Dani blinks as she sets down the pizza. "That hungry?"
"No. But Pete was going to strangle me. Now he'll be too busy stuffing his face."
Dani laughs. "Glad I could help."
"Help me more by joining us." Colt feigns desperation. "If but one more soul is added to my side, my heart shall remain beating!"
Ariel's eyes widen. "Somebody had too much caffeine tonight."
Dani shakes her head, giving Colt's shoulder a pat. "Nice try, cowboy. I belong to someone else's table."
As she walks away, Colt sighs. "All the good ones are taken."
"Nah." Pete grabs a slice of pizza. "You're just not smart enough to find the free - ow!" He jumps as a boot hits his shin. "Play nice!"
Ariel rolls her eyes again and grabs a plate for herself. Glancing to Trey, she winks. "Welcome to the crazier side of us."
"No thanks necessary." Rick gives Katie a little wave, watching her leave the infirmary. After a short sigh, he turns back to his work. He was worried about his two friends, even if he wouldn't tell them so. But he did have confidence that they would be okay. The odd Agency connection was still a mystery, and how it worked was beyond medical science. Despite that, he still believed that what he'd said to Katie was true - that she and Jason would just have to adjust. Nothing was "wrong." They would simply need to get used to this new way of feeling things...
Over the next few weeks, Rick kept a close eye on them, whether they knew it or not. He checked up on Katie several times, and talked with Jason when he'd come in for check-ups with his knee. Thankfully, that was the least of Rick's worries. Without the Agency influence in Jason's system, there was nothing eating away at his weaknesses, and therefore, his knee was healing well and much more quickly than anticipated. By week three, he told Jason he could leave his crutches behind and wear a brace as long as he didn't overdo it yet and continued to put it up when he was sitting and continue his therapy as well. But despite time and the occasional laugh from Katie and Jason, Rick was kept very aware that the two young agents still had a lot of adjusting to do yet...
"I'm fine." Jason spits out the thermometer and shoos Rick away from checking his pulse. "Isn't it about time I didn't have to come in here every other day."
"Twice a week," Rick corrects. "And I suppose so." He retreats, leaving Jason sitting on the table in the infirmary. "How's, um... how's things with you and Katie?"
Jason pulls on his t-shirts and lifts his eyebrows. "Huh?"
"You and Katie." Rick comes back and leans on the table beside him. "You two doing alright?"
"Well, yeah, sure." Jason shrugs. "I mean why not?"
"I don't know..."
Jason eyes him suspiciously. "What are you getting at?"
"Nothing. I was just curious."
Jason's gaze lowers a little. He thinks back over the last couple weeks. He and Katie had spent almost every evening together... just like they always did. Except... things still weren't the same. They didn't... talk much. They didn't... do much. A movie here... a pizza there... but nothing... fun. Or maybe it was fun and Jason just didn't know it. But last night... last night they'd cuddled on his couch and even fallen asleep for a while. And when Katie had left to go home, they hadn't kissed goodbye. Jason wasn't sure why... they always did... and he didn't think either had forgotten. It just didn't seem... necessary. It had been an okay evening and they weren't mad at each other. But... they just weren't... close.
Rick sees the turmoil behind Jason's eyes and knows there is much being unsaid. "How about you two taking some time off? Visit Texas? Or just go to the beach. Go hang out with friends. Do you do anything like that anymore?"
Jason shrugs. "Not really."
"Why not?"
"I dunno. Guess we didn't want to." Jason runs a hand through his hair. "Look... I don't know what you've been told, but apparently you've noticed Katie and I haven't been that close lately. And if you really must know, I don't know why it is. I just... I don't feel much of anything anymore, and..."
Rick waits. "And...?"
Jason wasn't sure he wanted to say it out loud. "And I guess... It's... well, what if the connection was the only thing Katie and I really had? I mean... what if we never really loved each other? What if it was just our connection amplifying everything and now that it's gone... "us" is gone?"
"Aw, Jase..." Rick shakes his head. "I don't think that's true. You and Katie always had more than just being able to talk to each other from miles away. You just need to give this time."
"That's what you said in the beginning."
Rick sighs. "I don't pretend to have all the answers... but I still believe that the both of you will adjust. I know it's hard. But you gotta hang on."
"To what?"
Rick's shoulders drop. He wasn't getting anywhere. "To what's in here." He touches Jason's chest over his heart. "How do you feel right now?"
Jason smirks. "Honestly? Depressed. But I don't want anything to-"
"I'm not trying to cure you with pills," Rick cuts him off. "You feel bad, right?"
"Yeah, so?"
"Jason... you're feeling. It may be negative, but you know what it is. You couldn't do that two weeks ago. One of these days, you're gonna probably feel angry. Or irritated. Or upset. And then one day you're going to have fun. You're going to feel happy. Or joy... Or love." He tries desperately to get his point across. "I know what you feel now sucks. But it's a good thing. The more you try to understand those faint feelings, the better you'll become at it, and pretty soon, it will all be natural again. Please... trust me."
Jason swallows hard, his eyes glued to the floor. He nods though. Maybe Rick was right. He did feel right now. He felt rotten, but Rick did have a point - at least he really was feeling something, and that was an improvement. Maybe the negative was just easier to recognize than the good right now. "Okay... I'll give it more time."
"Good."
Jason heads out of the infirmary, limping just a little. He goes down the hall to his office and shuts the door. Easing down behind his desk, he puts his feet up and grabs his tennis ball. Throwing it at the wall, he plays catch with himself, his mind whirling with paperwork, his mother, Wes, and Katie.
Dylan wasn't used to this kind of treatment, but opening his eyes again, he sees it's true that Stacy really was going to help him. While it felt rather childish, at the moment, he was too weak to fight, and maybe deep down, that little boy still existed that needed to just be loved.
Finally able to get some soup in him, it felt good. Dylan does give Stacy a lame kind of look though at her comment. "Nice try," he responds hoarsely. "It's not the spoon... it's me."
With half the soup finally down, he can't handle anymore, and refuses another bite. Sinking back a little, he sniffs his runny nose and rubs his tired eyes with his hand, only to withdraw more sweat. Shivering, he pulls his blanket up again.
Looking at Stacy, his eyes seems to be far away. "I'm... I'm doing it... right? I'm... I'm beating it?"
Silly Contraption
As Colt sits down next to him Trey lets out a small breath trying his best to relax. He wasn't sure what had come over him to make him invite Colt to stay but it was to late to turn it back now. Who knows maybe He was an ok guy after all if he just gave him a chance. Now that he wasn't drunk and convinced it was Ariel's boyfriend...maybe he could stand him. Wouldn't hurt to have another friend around town either.
Watching Ariel, Pete and Colt go back and forth and around in circles Trey can't help but give a small grin. It was funny watching them argue with each other and intrusting. They were arguing but there was no malice or hate involved. Is was like fighting but not really something Trey had never seen before.
As Colt brings Trey into the conversation his gives a smirk and a chuckle before answering.
"Yeah they have a tendince of doing that."
Once the words were out of his mouth he cringes. He didn't mean them the way he sounded he was only trying to playfuly agree with Colt even though thats not how I came out.
"I mean...they...see to like doing that to you is...is what I meant."
Rolling his eyes at himself Trey lets out a long sigh. Great, he hoped Ariel hadn't take it the wrong way because he really didn't mean it that way it just came out wrong.
Watching Dylan try to eat Stacy's heart goes out to him once again. He was trying and that was really important. Thats what she wanted to see. She wanted to see Dylan have the will to try and do it on his own knowing if he needed it there were people to fall back on but no depending on them alone.
"Here let me help."
Giving another smile and sitting on the edge of the bed Stacy takes the spoon and scoops some of the soup bring it to Dylan's mouth for him to eat. She continued to help very happy knowing it was in fact going down easy. Keeping up his strength was important and he would definitely need it. Even if the worse was over there was a lot more to come.
"Spoons really are horrible contraptions. Half the time I try and eat soup it lands on my shirt and non in my mouth. Thats why I prefer the thick stews so I don't have to worry about it as much."
Watching Ariel, Pete and Colt go back and forth and around in circles Trey can't help but give a small grin. It was funny watching them argue with each other and intrusting. They were arguing but there was no malice or hate involved. Is was like fighting but not really something Trey had never seen before.
As Colt brings Trey into the conversation his gives a smirk and a chuckle before answering.
"Yeah they have a tendince of doing that."
Once the words were out of his mouth he cringes. He didn't mean them the way he sounded he was only trying to playfuly agree with Colt even though thats not how I came out.
"I mean...they...see to like doing that to you is...is what I meant."
Rolling his eyes at himself Trey lets out a long sigh. Great, he hoped Ariel hadn't take it the wrong way because he really didn't mean it that way it just came out wrong.
Watching Dylan try to eat Stacy's heart goes out to him once again. He was trying and that was really important. Thats what she wanted to see. She wanted to see Dylan have the will to try and do it on his own knowing if he needed it there were people to fall back on but no depending on them alone.
"Here let me help."
Giving another smile and sitting on the edge of the bed Stacy takes the spoon and scoops some of the soup bring it to Dylan's mouth for him to eat. She continued to help very happy knowing it was in fact going down easy. Keeping up his strength was important and he would definitely need it. Even if the worse was over there was a lot more to come.
"Spoons really are horrible contraptions. Half the time I try and eat soup it lands on my shirt and non in my mouth. Thats why I prefer the thick stews so I don't have to worry about it as much."
Spill
Though still in a fog, Dylan's eyes mange to open as he hears Stacy return to his room. The scent of broth made him hungry and nauseous at the same time. Part of him wanted to refuse. And part of him wanted to take advantage of the help that was being offered. Part of him wanted to be stubborn. And part of him knew good and well from his past experience that he couldn't do this alone.
Pulling himself up to sit against the headboard, he eyes the food for a moment, trying to control his body's wish to go throw up again. "Okay." He nods numbly. "Thank you..."
Reaching for the spoon, it shakes, spilling half the broth, but the other half does make it to his mouth and goes down easily. Nibbling on half a cracker too, it seemed to agree with him but the broth tasted better. Trying again and spilling most of it once more, he gives up. Leaning his head back, he sniffs and closes his eyes. His face was flushed with fever, his body continuing to wage war. He wanted to eat more, he just couldn't get his fingers to function properly.
Colt can't help his surprise at Trey's insistence that he stay. Really? Was this the same guy he'd seen a couple nights ago? His eyes shift to his sister, who gives him a little nod. "Well... I guess when you put it that way..."
His grin turns a little crooked and he pulls out the chair next to Trey to sit down. "So... I thought there was a hot party at the Sunrise tonight."
Pete chuckles. "Yeah, well... it wasn't exactly a beach party."
"Oh, I see. There was... no... sand?"
Ariel snickers. "Maybe you should actually come to one of these get-togethers once so you're not such an idiot when we talk about it."
"You kidding me?" Colt arcs one eyebrow way above the other. "And mingle with the life of the city?"
"Dude..." Pete looks at him dumbly. "You live in the city."
"Ahh, but I spend my spare time out in the fresh air that is not influenced by exhaust, fumes, and smog."
"No... just... manure."
"I give up." Colt swings his eyes to Trey. "Is it just me, or are those two ganging up on me? 'Cause that's certainly the way it feels."
Pulling himself up to sit against the headboard, he eyes the food for a moment, trying to control his body's wish to go throw up again. "Okay." He nods numbly. "Thank you..."
Reaching for the spoon, it shakes, spilling half the broth, but the other half does make it to his mouth and goes down easily. Nibbling on half a cracker too, it seemed to agree with him but the broth tasted better. Trying again and spilling most of it once more, he gives up. Leaning his head back, he sniffs and closes his eyes. His face was flushed with fever, his body continuing to wage war. He wanted to eat more, he just couldn't get his fingers to function properly.
Colt can't help his surprise at Trey's insistence that he stay. Really? Was this the same guy he'd seen a couple nights ago? His eyes shift to his sister, who gives him a little nod. "Well... I guess when you put it that way..."
His grin turns a little crooked and he pulls out the chair next to Trey to sit down. "So... I thought there was a hot party at the Sunrise tonight."
Pete chuckles. "Yeah, well... it wasn't exactly a beach party."
"Oh, I see. There was... no... sand?"
Ariel snickers. "Maybe you should actually come to one of these get-togethers once so you're not such an idiot when we talk about it."
"You kidding me?" Colt arcs one eyebrow way above the other. "And mingle with the life of the city?"
"Dude..." Pete looks at him dumbly. "You live in the city."
"Ahh, but I spend my spare time out in the fresh air that is not influenced by exhaust, fumes, and smog."
"No... just... manure."
"I give up." Colt swings his eyes to Trey. "Is it just me, or are those two ganging up on me? 'Cause that's certainly the way it feels."
Unexspected Invite
Helping Dylan back to bed and pulling the cover over him she takes her hand and brushes some of the sweaty matted hair out of his face and to the side. Giving a soft smile it was so much different than when Dylan had seen her before.
Standing again Stacy gives a nod. If Dylan fell asleep by time she got back that would be ok she would keep the food at his bed stand waiting for when he woke up.
Leaving the room Stacy goes to the kitchen opening the fridge and cupboards looking to see what she could make for Dylan. Finally deciding on some crackers and chicken broth she figured it would be the best thing for him. It would lay light in his stomach and would also help soak up the sourness that was there a the moment.
...A few minutes later Stacy knocked and opens the door to the bedroom. Holding the trey she enters seeing Dylan still awake she was glad. He'd be able to at least eat something.
"Here you go some crackers and chicken broth. You don't have to eat it all just as much as you can. ok?"
Trey gives a nod to Colt. He had heard that Mom and Pop's was the best place to get good pizza. He really had yet to decied. Sometime her would like to try one of the other places just so he had something to compare it to.
Hearing his comment about liking to hang out with Pete and Ariel Trey is quiet for a moment as he rips at a napkin on the table before speaking again.
"Yeah...I...I do. They are good people even if they are smarty pants sometimes. Keeps me on my toes."
Looking up at Colt and studying him for a long moment Trey wondered what Colt thought of him. He hadn't made a good impression the other night and part of him wanted to change that. After all if he was going to be Ariel's friend than he better get on her brothers good side...right?
"I ordered us way to many pizza's. You might as well stay and join us. You movie can wait but your sister...I don't know. At least have one slice for her sake?"
Katie gives a nod to Rick. He's always done what he could to help her and Jason. Always had there best intrust in mind and though she was feeling down she was thankful.
"Alright, I will. Thanks again!"
Standing again Stacy gives a nod. If Dylan fell asleep by time she got back that would be ok she would keep the food at his bed stand waiting for when he woke up.
Leaving the room Stacy goes to the kitchen opening the fridge and cupboards looking to see what she could make for Dylan. Finally deciding on some crackers and chicken broth she figured it would be the best thing for him. It would lay light in his stomach and would also help soak up the sourness that was there a the moment.
...A few minutes later Stacy knocked and opens the door to the bedroom. Holding the trey she enters seeing Dylan still awake she was glad. He'd be able to at least eat something.
"Here you go some crackers and chicken broth. You don't have to eat it all just as much as you can. ok?"
Trey gives a nod to Colt. He had heard that Mom and Pop's was the best place to get good pizza. He really had yet to decied. Sometime her would like to try one of the other places just so he had something to compare it to.
Hearing his comment about liking to hang out with Pete and Ariel Trey is quiet for a moment as he rips at a napkin on the table before speaking again.
"Yeah...I...I do. They are good people even if they are smarty pants sometimes. Keeps me on my toes."
Looking up at Colt and studying him for a long moment Trey wondered what Colt thought of him. He hadn't made a good impression the other night and part of him wanted to change that. After all if he was going to be Ariel's friend than he better get on her brothers good side...right?
"I ordered us way to many pizza's. You might as well stay and join us. You movie can wait but your sister...I don't know. At least have one slice for her sake?"
Katie gives a nod to Rick. He's always done what he could to help her and Jason. Always had there best intrust in mind and though she was feeling down she was thankful.
"Alright, I will. Thanks again!"
Try
Colt is just ready to give a smart remark back to Trey when he catches Ariel's eye. His sister gives him a warning look, which shuts his mouth until he'd rethought what he'd been ready to say. He remembers all that Ariel had told him the other night and wonders now if Trey needed more friendship rather than someone else razzing on him.
A twinkle returns to his eye and he grins. "Well, pizza can be found on just about every corner around here, but this is the best place."
"Wanna join us?" Ariel invites.
Colt shakes his head. "Nah. I gotta date with a movie at home and I gotta be up early tomorrow to get back to the stable."
Pete fiddles with his drink, listening. "Still working there, huh?"
"Yep. Pay's not the best but I still enjoy it."
Ariel chuckles. "The ol' cowboy. Chick magnet."
"Hey!" Colt throws out his arms and looks around. "Do you see anybody following me?"
Pete smirks. "Try some deodorant, boy. Might help."
Colt's eyes narrow, though he grins. "Thanks a lot." He swings his gaze back to Trey. "And you actually like hanging out with these two? You've got guts."
"Okay." Rick stands with Katie. "How about you stop back in here next week sometime? I'd like to give you a basic check up just to make sure everything's still alright and settling down."
At first, Dylan just looks at Stacy, unmoving. Finally though, he accepts her help and gets his feet under him so he can stand, albeit wobbly. Leaning on her as they go back to his room, he finds his head on her shoulder until they get to his bed again.
Easing down and pulling his blankets up again, he shivers. Looking up at Stacy, tears pool in his eyes. He seems to want to say something but stops, dropping his gaze. "I'll try to stay awake for... for something to eat."
A twinkle returns to his eye and he grins. "Well, pizza can be found on just about every corner around here, but this is the best place."
"Wanna join us?" Ariel invites.
Colt shakes his head. "Nah. I gotta date with a movie at home and I gotta be up early tomorrow to get back to the stable."
Pete fiddles with his drink, listening. "Still working there, huh?"
"Yep. Pay's not the best but I still enjoy it."
Ariel chuckles. "The ol' cowboy. Chick magnet."
"Hey!" Colt throws out his arms and looks around. "Do you see anybody following me?"
Pete smirks. "Try some deodorant, boy. Might help."
Colt's eyes narrow, though he grins. "Thanks a lot." He swings his gaze back to Trey. "And you actually like hanging out with these two? You've got guts."
"Okay." Rick stands with Katie. "How about you stop back in here next week sometime? I'd like to give you a basic check up just to make sure everything's still alright and settling down."
At first, Dylan just looks at Stacy, unmoving. Finally though, he accepts her help and gets his feet under him so he can stand, albeit wobbly. Leaning on her as they go back to his room, he finds his head on her shoulder until they get to his bed again.
Easing down and pulling his blankets up again, he shivers. Looking up at Stacy, tears pool in his eyes. He seems to want to say something but stops, dropping his gaze. "I'll try to stay awake for... for something to eat."
Willing to Help
Looking up and seeing Colt Trey can feel himself stiffen a little and his cheeks become slightly red but not enough to really have anyone draw notice to them. He remembered who cold was and he remembered how much of an idea he had acted in front of him. In a way Trey wished he had forgotten that night.
Giving a smirk to Colt's comment about not seeing him so long again Trey felt like sinking down in his chair even more. Hearing Ariel's comment that followed Trey gives a little smirk before glancing at Colt again.
"A rut where pizza is involved dosn't seem like to bad a thing. Than again back in Mexico pizza wasn't something you find on every corner so maybe I am just partial because I was deprived."
Picking up his straw and unwrapping it Trey puts it into the glass of soda and just watches it sink as the bubbles cling to the straw trying to keep it afloat but failing. Trey wondered if maybe thats how he felt at the moment. Trying to stay float but slowly was sinking not to sure how to stay fast.
Listing to everything Rick had to say Katie finally gives a little shrug. Maybe sooner or later the emptiness would go away and till than she just feel uncomfortable. What Rick said did make sence to her but she couldn't even see herself getting use to it. Only time would tell but as of right now stood she didn't know.
"Well, at least I know nothings wrong."
Standing and scanning the infirmary again Katie lets out a sigh. She'd dont hardly any work today and should probley get back to it. She'd remind herself later to give her Aunt a call and see how they were all doing.
"Thanks Rick, I should get back to work."
Taking the glass back from Dylan again Stacy just studied him for a moment. She wondered how much he remembered from what happened earlier today. She would guess not much but different people remembered things than other.
"You dad needed to get some sleep so I told him I'd stick around encase you needed anything. He just wanted to make sure you'd be ok."
Twirling the glass against her other palm Stacy shifts a little bit. Even if Dylan did remember what happened this was one of the good reasons she was here was for if Dylan needed something. Leaving out the park about making sure he didn't escape again was just not something that needed to be said as well.
"Come on, let me help you back to bed and I will see about getting you something light to eat since your stomach probable can't handle a lot at the moment."
Leaning down Stacy gets Dylan's arm over her shoulder to try and help him stand. She could do all the work for him but she wanted him to try and stand on his own too. He needed to stay strong and if everyone did everything for him though this it wouldn't work. She was more than willing to help though as long as he was willing to try.
Giving a smirk to Colt's comment about not seeing him so long again Trey felt like sinking down in his chair even more. Hearing Ariel's comment that followed Trey gives a little smirk before glancing at Colt again.
"A rut where pizza is involved dosn't seem like to bad a thing. Than again back in Mexico pizza wasn't something you find on every corner so maybe I am just partial because I was deprived."
Picking up his straw and unwrapping it Trey puts it into the glass of soda and just watches it sink as the bubbles cling to the straw trying to keep it afloat but failing. Trey wondered if maybe thats how he felt at the moment. Trying to stay float but slowly was sinking not to sure how to stay fast.
Listing to everything Rick had to say Katie finally gives a little shrug. Maybe sooner or later the emptiness would go away and till than she just feel uncomfortable. What Rick said did make sence to her but she couldn't even see herself getting use to it. Only time would tell but as of right now stood she didn't know.
"Well, at least I know nothings wrong."
Standing and scanning the infirmary again Katie lets out a sigh. She'd dont hardly any work today and should probley get back to it. She'd remind herself later to give her Aunt a call and see how they were all doing.
"Thanks Rick, I should get back to work."
Taking the glass back from Dylan again Stacy just studied him for a moment. She wondered how much he remembered from what happened earlier today. She would guess not much but different people remembered things than other.
"You dad needed to get some sleep so I told him I'd stick around encase you needed anything. He just wanted to make sure you'd be ok."
Twirling the glass against her other palm Stacy shifts a little bit. Even if Dylan did remember what happened this was one of the good reasons she was here was for if Dylan needed something. Leaving out the park about making sure he didn't escape again was just not something that needed to be said as well.
"Come on, let me help you back to bed and I will see about getting you something light to eat since your stomach probable can't handle a lot at the moment."
Leaning down Stacy gets Dylan's arm over her shoulder to try and help him stand. She could do all the work for him but she wanted him to try and stand on his own too. He needed to stay strong and if everyone did everything for him though this it wouldn't work. She was more than willing to help though as long as he was willing to try.
Not so long
Rick sighs and nods, giving Katie's shoulder a pat. He wasn't surprised Jason wasn't talking about it, whether he felt fine or not. He never was one to express himself very well.
"I know you don't like it. And to be honest, I hated to do this to you two. But you and I both knew that there would be some kind of after affects that we couldn't predict." He didn't like making promises with something like this - something so intangible and medically impossible. But there were a few things he was certain of. And right now, Katie needed reassurance.
"It'll get better, Katie. That emptiness will eventually go away. It's just a shock to your system. From what I can tell without actually having experienced it myself, is that you and Jason both have been living in separate rooms full of television sets - all blaring loud and all on different stations. You both adapted and learned how to sort through the noise to understand it, accept it, and communicate. Now all of a sudden, all plugs have been pulled. There is a dead silence in your rooms now and a wall between both of you. It's empty. But... here's the thing..."
He cocks his head a little, trying to see her face. "The room isn't really empty. It's still got you in it. And nobody can steal your own emotions - I don't care what kind of Agency cocktail made it go haywire to begin with, but the origin is still there - you. It's going to take a while to remember how to feel everything again on such a small scale. But you will. There's nothing wrong with you... this is how it's supposed to be."
Dylan looks up groggily as Stacy comes to him, his eyes glossy. Reaching numbly for the water, he accepts it to rinse his mouth and just stays on the floor, leaning against the toilet. He shakes his head slowly and sniffs before wiping some sweat from his eyes.
"I'll just.... lose it," he mumbles. Yes, he was hungry. But the thought of food repulsed him at the same time.
He hands the glass of water back to her shakily, fearing he'd drop it if he didn't. Closing his eyes, he didn't care that he was on the bathroom floor. He couldn't sink much lower than he already had anyway. "What're you... you doin' here anyway?"
Ariel chuckles. "I like almost anything on my pizza, so we should be good. And... too much just means leftovers."
Sitting next to Pete across from Trey, her eyes roam the restaurant. She felt awkward. She really wasn't sure why, unless it was just that things were okay but not quite settled yet. She didn't know. But it didn't do much to help the atmosphere.
A prick to her neck makes her turn quickly and she realizes that Pete had just blown his straw wrapper at her. She smirks and gives his arm a whack. "Behave yourself."
The bell at the door turns her attention, and her eyebrows rise. "Well, well, well, look who the cat dragged in."
Colt immediately sees their table and is equally surprised. "Hey, gang." He approaches and offers his hand to Pete. "Long time no see."
"Yeah, man." Pete gives his hand a hearty shake. "What's happening?"
"Not much." Colt shrugs. He glances over to Trey. "And... not so long time no see." He grins a little, not trying to be mean, but finding this scene rather ironic.
Ariel cocks her head. "So what are you doing here?"
"Hello. Food." Colt grins. "This is my ritual you know. It's my pizza night."
"Hey, Colt!" Carson calls from the kitchen. "Same as always?"
Colt turns and waves at him, hollering back. "You got it!"
Ariel rolls her eyes and looks at Trey. "He needs to get out of his rut."
"I know you don't like it. And to be honest, I hated to do this to you two. But you and I both knew that there would be some kind of after affects that we couldn't predict." He didn't like making promises with something like this - something so intangible and medically impossible. But there were a few things he was certain of. And right now, Katie needed reassurance.
"It'll get better, Katie. That emptiness will eventually go away. It's just a shock to your system. From what I can tell without actually having experienced it myself, is that you and Jason both have been living in separate rooms full of television sets - all blaring loud and all on different stations. You both adapted and learned how to sort through the noise to understand it, accept it, and communicate. Now all of a sudden, all plugs have been pulled. There is a dead silence in your rooms now and a wall between both of you. It's empty. But... here's the thing..."
He cocks his head a little, trying to see her face. "The room isn't really empty. It's still got you in it. And nobody can steal your own emotions - I don't care what kind of Agency cocktail made it go haywire to begin with, but the origin is still there - you. It's going to take a while to remember how to feel everything again on such a small scale. But you will. There's nothing wrong with you... this is how it's supposed to be."
Dylan looks up groggily as Stacy comes to him, his eyes glossy. Reaching numbly for the water, he accepts it to rinse his mouth and just stays on the floor, leaning against the toilet. He shakes his head slowly and sniffs before wiping some sweat from his eyes.
"I'll just.... lose it," he mumbles. Yes, he was hungry. But the thought of food repulsed him at the same time.
He hands the glass of water back to her shakily, fearing he'd drop it if he didn't. Closing his eyes, he didn't care that he was on the bathroom floor. He couldn't sink much lower than he already had anyway. "What're you... you doin' here anyway?"
Ariel chuckles. "I like almost anything on my pizza, so we should be good. And... too much just means leftovers."
Sitting next to Pete across from Trey, her eyes roam the restaurant. She felt awkward. She really wasn't sure why, unless it was just that things were okay but not quite settled yet. She didn't know. But it didn't do much to help the atmosphere.
A prick to her neck makes her turn quickly and she realizes that Pete had just blown his straw wrapper at her. She smirks and gives his arm a whack. "Behave yourself."
The bell at the door turns her attention, and her eyebrows rise. "Well, well, well, look who the cat dragged in."
Colt immediately sees their table and is equally surprised. "Hey, gang." He approaches and offers his hand to Pete. "Long time no see."
"Yeah, man." Pete gives his hand a hearty shake. "What's happening?"
"Not much." Colt shrugs. He glances over to Trey. "And... not so long time no see." He grins a little, not trying to be mean, but finding this scene rather ironic.
Ariel cocks her head. "So what are you doing here?"
"Hello. Food." Colt grins. "This is my ritual you know. It's my pizza night."
"Hey, Colt!" Carson calls from the kitchen. "Same as always?"
Colt turns and waves at him, hollering back. "You got it!"
Ariel rolls her eyes and looks at Trey. "He needs to get out of his rut."
Empty
Sitting down with Rick Katie listened. He was always so nice and he always was trying to help for that Katie was thankful. If he was right thought and this was normal...Katie never relized how bleak emotions really were.
"I just feel...empty."
Stopping to think about Jason and what he might be feeling Katie just shakes her head a little bit. Things with Jason had been...different but he never mentioned there emotions to her. She didn't even know if he missed them like she did.
"I'm not sure...He wont talk to me about it. Everything is just...different now. I dont like it."
Hearing Dylan move around Stacy stays alert and doesn't move as she see Dylan leave the bedroom and go to the bathroom. She didn't want to invade his privacy if he had to use the restroom. Hearing him get sick Stacy finally gets up and goes to the sink and gets some water before heading back to the bathroom. Knocking Stacy enters and looks down at Dylan. Holding out the glass of water to him.
"Here you go, to wash your mouth out. Hungry at all?"
Seeing Ariel come into Mom and Pop's Trey perks up a little bit and gives a wave telling her to come on over. They pretty much could sit where they wanted too and it didn't matter much to him.
"I hope you don't mind Pete and I ordered some pizza's already. Probable to much but we wanted to have a little bit of everything. My treat. So I hope we picked something you like."
Sitting down at one of the tables Trey taps his finger against it. He wasn't sure what else to say or do now that everyone was here. It had been an idea to do something fun but now he felt almost lost on what to do.
"I just feel...empty."
Stopping to think about Jason and what he might be feeling Katie just shakes her head a little bit. Things with Jason had been...different but he never mentioned there emotions to her. She didn't even know if he missed them like she did.
"I'm not sure...He wont talk to me about it. Everything is just...different now. I dont like it."
Hearing Dylan move around Stacy stays alert and doesn't move as she see Dylan leave the bedroom and go to the bathroom. She didn't want to invade his privacy if he had to use the restroom. Hearing him get sick Stacy finally gets up and goes to the sink and gets some water before heading back to the bathroom. Knocking Stacy enters and looks down at Dylan. Holding out the glass of water to him.
"Here you go, to wash your mouth out. Hungry at all?"
Seeing Ariel come into Mom and Pop's Trey perks up a little bit and gives a wave telling her to come on over. They pretty much could sit where they wanted too and it didn't matter much to him.
"I hope you don't mind Pete and I ordered some pizza's already. Probable to much but we wanted to have a little bit of everything. My treat. So I hope we picked something you like."
Sitting down at one of the tables Trey taps his finger against it. He wasn't sure what else to say or do now that everyone was here. It had been an idea to do something fun but now he felt almost lost on what to do.
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