Note

Trent nods and eases down in a chair next to Katie's. "Thanks... It's good to see you. Been a while." 

He offers her another smile, but something didn't seem right. Katie's eyes were... dim. He'd heard that things had been a little rough after the whole Jason almost dying thing, then their connection being gone. Was he here with her? He wondered. "I've been alright. Same ol' same ol' I guess." He chuckles. "I haven't stirred up any trouble lately, so that's probably good." He cocks his head, still studying her. "How 'bout you?"


"Yeah, I saw her for lunch yesterday." Jason sits in the sand on the lakeside beach, feeling as though time had stood still and he'd never moved from this spot. Except things were different now.

Kyle nodes slowly, having just heard the whole story from start to finish about Sandy, Katie, the kiss, Katie leaving and now Jason trying to work things out with Sandy. His eyes drift to the lake, then over to where Phil and Rayne were splashing their bare feet around in the water, then further to where Alice was walking. He and Phil had opted for a double-date to the lake today for a picnic, but when he'd gotten Jason's phone call that he just needed to talk, he hadn't hesitated to invite him. It wasn't quite the same with an extra person along, but Kyle would never complain, and he was glad when the others hadn't minded either. That's what he loved the most about his close friends and family... they were all Christ-focused and ready to be a friend to someone in need no matter the day or hour. "How'd that go?"

"Oh... alright." Jason shrugs. "She felt terrible, especially when I told her about Katie. She never meant any harm and said she just acted on impulse. I believe her... I don't think she had any ill intentions, and she knows now that I'm not interested in her that way." He pauses, picking up a small, smooth stone to fiddle with. "I think we'll still be able to be friends and hang out - might be a little awkward at first but I think it'll be okay. We decided not to tell the other guys about it just to avoid embarrassment."

"Mmhmm." Kyle sighs and lays back, propped up on his elbows. "So how are you feeling?"

Jason shrugs again. "I don't know. Hard to tell anymore. I guess I was crushed at first - couldn't believe Katie would fly off the handle like that... never giving me a chance. Then I realized that if that's what she wanted, then so be it. We're not connected anymore so we actually can go our separate ways for once. All that time fighting it and worrying about what each other felt and not being able to be with other people... it's over." He pauses, squinting at the sunlit water. "I guess I'm angry that she handled things that way. Just wham, goodbye, never want to see you again. But... all I got now is my own future. I'm freer than I've been in a long time. No more hassles. No more needing to be rescued. No more knowing when I hurt she hurts. No more of that stupid connection."

Kyle listens quietly, sensing that despite Jason's words, his friend was in pain. "You miss it, don't you?"

Jason scoffs. "I guess a bit. Hated it, and now that it's gone, it feels too empty. At the same time, I'm glad. It just goes to prove that without the connection, Katie and I had nothing."

"You really believe that? You don't think you loved each other without it?"

"Maybe... but it obviously wasn't strong enough to hold us together when we couldn't read each other's minds."

Kyle didn't know if Jason had a point or not. He didn't know if their love had been driven by the connection or if it was genuine. But seeing them break up was sad, and he was also sad, not knowing how Katie was either - it had been a while since he'd seen her, and he missed her. He and the band had performed a few concerts lately and were getting busier, but he now regretted not making the time to see more of Katie along with Jason. There were days he missed JetStream, but still wouldn't trade his current life for anything. Not the band, not the life of music, and certainly not his fiance. "What are you gonna do now?"

"I don't know. Just move on, I guess. Katie hates me so... I can't revisit that. Just do my job, try to have some fun and keep trying to figure out my own emotions so I can get back to normal too."

"Dude... you were never normal."

Jason shoots Kyle a look before a grin emerges. "Thanks."

Kyle smiles. "Hang in there. God can bring good from this somehow, you know that."

Jason nods. He'd had a few shouting matches with God the last couple days, but every time, had ended up knowing that God was the one in control here, and somehow, some way he'd bring something from the chaos. "Yeah, I know... thanks for listening... guess I just needed to get things off my chest." He might have chosen Con first, but as close as Con was to Katie, Jason wasn't so sure he wanted to upset the big guy just yet.

"No thanks necessary." Kyle gives his shoulder a pat. "Ready for some lunch? I'm starving."

"Yeah... yeah, that sounds good." Jason checks his phone as he stands, making sure the office hadn't called. He was still on duty today and had just told Susanne he'd be gone for a long lunch.

Carson hurls a dishtowel across the kitchen, sending it into a pile of pots and pans that clatter to the floor.

Dani sticks her head in from the hall, her eyes wide. "You okay?"

"Fine," Carson growls. "Just... fine." But he wasn't. The last few days, things hadn't gotten any better. Misty hadn't pressed him to figure out why he'd gotten drunk last week, and he was just as glad. But he hadn't done a very good job at faking happiness either. And now, today it was noon. Misty would be going home for lunch. He'd said he'd meet her. But instead, he'd left her a note. A note that would change everything....

...At the house on the kitchen table was a hand-written note:

Misty,

Thank you for being a good wife. What I have to say next is not because of you - you've done nothing wrong and it's not your fault. It's mine.

I've been seeing Jaz DeMoy. My late nights haven't been spent at work. They've been spent at her place. I'm sorry I lied to you.

Jaz has agreed to let me move in with her. I've already taken some of my stuff - I'll get the rest later. If you need anything, let me know.

- Carson

...And now, as the clock ticks, Carson knows that Misty is reading it. He imagines the look on her face and her eyes... those eyes he had fallen in love with so long ago.

Shedding his apron, he slips out of the kitchen and heads to the bathroom to regain his composure before returning fifteen minutes later. Thankfully it was a quiet lunch hour and Carson starts cleaning tables even though Dani had just done it earlier. He needed to keep his hands busy.

Tweaks

Still in the same spot by the window with the cat nestled in her lap Katie hadn't even heard the door to the dinning all open. Her thoughts seemed to be lost darting from on thing to the next. It was hard to quiet her mind right now as she was feeling a whole lot of things she didn't understand, or even know how to identify.

Hearing Trent's voice Katie gives a jump as the cat on her lap gives a new and jumps down. Standing seeing her Uncle Katie gives a smile. Letting her heart return to her chest she shakes her head a little embarrassed that she had been startled. Giving a little wave she can feel a little color on her cheeks.

   "Hey Uncle Trent. I got in late last night. The only ones who saw me were Mick and Rosetta. I had to make sure my old bunk was still open."

Falling silent again for a moment it had been so long since Katie had been back here she wasn't even sure what to talk about. She'd changed without really changing but this emotion she could define it was awkwardness.

   "If you want to sit with me you can. How have you been?"

Dalton couldn't help but be slightly excited that Scott was willing to test his work. He'd missed this, the challenge of having someone else break his code. It was the only way to really know how well it would hold up. The Agency had some of the best so why not use the best to try and crack it.

   "Alright, its a simple code but underneath its something far more complicated. I put it into layers, the first on easy and than from there on out...no so much."

Reaching into one of the other drawers Dalton pulls out a disk and hands it to Scott. There were no marking on it so if anyone was to see it, they would just think it was a blank disk. But Dalton new what was on it and thats what really mattered. 

   "If it works, and can add a little more security I want to put it on all the computers so the files and data are fully covered. I am sure there as some tweaks that still could be made, and extra stuff that can be added. But its a start...no a rough draft but not the finished project either."

Five bucks

Scott grins, thinking about poor Ty having to clean up a mess. Mopping floors was bad enough. 

Seeing Dalton focusing on work again, Scott figures it was time for him to go, but just as he moves to get up, he has to rethink his options. Help Dalton today? He hadn't planned on it but... he didn't have anything else to do this afternoon. 

"Um..." It sure would feel good to get his fingers back on a keyboard again. "Okay." He nods. Leaning down to turn on his computer, it felt like he was getting reacquainted with an old friend. Watching the screen come to life, he blinks, jerking back slightly. To anyone seeing it, they might think he had some kind of a tic, not realizing what had just gone through his mind. Logging into the system, he squints a little before rubbing his eyes. He could do this... he knew he could. He just needed to focus. 

"Alright... what'dya got? Five bucks says I can get through."

"Daisies and plants." Eric nods, making that mental note. Asked what he likes, he shrugs. "I dunno..." No one had ever really cared to ask before. "The best gift is time... I love the rain... favorite music is soft rock... and I love quiet walks in the dark." 

He smiles as he continues walking with Stacy around the ranch. This was... nice. Unexpected, but nice. After making such a huge mistake with Dana, he'd thought for sure he wouldn't have another chance, let alone want one. But... Stacy was different. Maybe nothing would come of this at all. Maybe they'd date for a while then be done and go their separate ways. But for now at least... he was enjoying this. 

Eventually the walk brings them back to the row of bunkhouses, and Eric sighs. He was only a little sleepy, but he knew if he wanted to walk at all tomorrow, he needed to give his leg a rest on the heating pad. 

Stopping in front of his bunk, he turns to face Stacy. "Thanks for letting me walk with you. It was nice." 

Bending down, he gives her just a soft kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow." 

Trent slips quietly into the back of the dining hall, stifling a yawn. It was barely light out yet, and it was spitting rain off and on, creating a dim outside atmosphere. Trent had woken early and been unable to quiet his mind enough to sleep any more, so he'd finally given in and risen. 

Smelling coffee, he wonders if Becky had also gotten up earlier than usual... he'd thought she wouldn't be here for another half hour yet. Just as he reaches the kitchen though, he sees a lone figure sitting near the window. Unsure who it was, he wanders a little closer before his eyebrows rise. 

"Katie?" Approaching, he gives her a small smile. "Hey, I didn't know you were here."

Shot

Starting to walk again Stacy felt really good. It was nice knowing Eric and herself where going to be able to start something and not having to worry about going to fast. They both needed time, trust to grown and for even deeper relationship. It really was an exciting thought and for once outside of her daughter Stacy was looking forward to the future.

   "I like daisys, but truth be told I kind of like plants more. They last longer so I can look at them and remember who gave them to me more than a week at a time."

Continuing to walk and leaning into Eric just a little bit Stacy couldn't remove the smile form her lips. She just felt so happy, like the missing puzzle peace had finally be found. It was a new journey, and she was read to walk it no matter where it took her.

   "So, what are some things you like?"

Dalton gives a laugh as he sits back in his chair and takes a bit of his own jerky. This day had started out as a not so good day, but now it was starting to turn around. There was always a good side to everything it was just finding it that mattered and today he had.

   "Ok, I will definitely watch how much of it you eat. If you barf on me, I will more than likely lose it myself and I am a pretty sure Ty does NOT what to clean that mess up."

Giving a laugh and turning his chair back to his computer Dalton looks over what he was working on for a moment. He new he'd have to get back to work soon and get this done for Reese but he was just so happy about Scott being back work seemed like something far from his mind.

   "Sooo...while you were gone I worked on some code, and new security features for our files and what not. I haven't had anyone test them out yet because I don't know anyone good enough to really give them a run for them money. You want to fire up your old computer there and give them a shot?"

Barf

Eric could feel his face turning hot at Stacy's words, not really knowing how to respond to that. He'd received compliments occasionally... Dana never said anything, though she'd been after him from the get-go. He'd assumed that was a compliment in itself. But... she'd never said it like Stacy. She'd never mentioned kindness, let alone smarts, and those were more important to him than looking good... although he couldn't help that one did make him feel good too.

Glancing down, he found it difficult to receive Stacy's compliments. "You're just sayin' all that so I'll get a big head and my hat won't fit anymore." Grinning, he moves his gaze back to her eyes again. "You're pretty amazing, you know that? You're the only person that can turn my face red more than ten times in five minutes flat."

Chuckling, he moves to slip his arm around her shoulders and start walking again. "So there's just one thing I gotta know before we start this thing... What's your favorite flower?"

Scott was grateful for Dalton's words. They made him feel better, with a little more confidence that he'd be accepted back into this circle without disappointment or condemnation. He's going to thank Dalton when he's suddenly tossed some jerky. Catching it, he laughs, a little sparkle coming to his eye. 

"You kidding? A man can't live without beef jerky - that's just wrong." 

Taking a piece, he tears off a bite with his teeth, still grinning. "I can't make a whole bag disappear like I used to," he admits. "Stomach just can't handle things like it used to but..." He takes another bite. "I can definitely partake in a small bit of daily goodness." He points the jerky at Dalton. "Just don't let me eat more than few pieces or I'll barf it back up all over your lap and trust me - you don't want to clean up that mess. Nastiness." 

Laughing again, he leans back in his chair... his chair. He might not be back here full time every day yet but... he was back. Oh how long it had been, and what a horribly difficult road he'd been traveling. But finally, finally, he could see the light he'd been searching for at the end of the never-ending tunnel.

Perfect

Looking up at Eric a smile spreads across Stacy's lips. There was something some his words that make her really believe what he said was true. Maybe it was because in a way he was like her. He'd been beaten, broken, abused and now just wanted someone to be easy with him and show him soft love.

   "I promise I will take the great care in the world while handling you heart. We will both mend them together. Together, we will learn and push forward."

Giving another smile and standing a little straighter to reach Eric's lips Stacy takes in the soft gentile kiss and her hear almost skips a beat. This was so much different than the love she once had a long time ago. That was what made this special...it was not like something old she had already experienced, it was new, she was discovering these feelings for Eric for the first time and though it scared the heck out of her, it drove her forward with excitement too.

   "Some of the things you do wont always be right...but thats what makes it perfect. Eric Pent, your one of the smartest, kindest, most handsomest guys I have ever met and I will be proud to tell people you are mine."

Watching Scott and listing to him Dalton gives a nod bringing his hands to his chin to rest it on them. He understood what Scott was saying and hearing him talk Dalton could tell he was a different Scott. His little buddy was in there but the experiences he went through had changed him. It didn't matter much to Dalton though Scott was still here, he was well, and on the road to recovery that was what matter...that he was ok.

   "Oh I have a feeling more people are proud of you now than disappointed. I think they all understand too that your not the same guy. Everything you have been through has changed you and it doesn't necessarily mean thats a bad thing either. Sometimes change is good."

Leaning back in his chair and giving a stretch Dalton goes once again into the draw and pulls out some beef jerky. Looking it over for a few second he finally holds it up and quirks a grin to Scott with a little humor in his voice.

   "Please though...tell me...your love for Beef Jerky is not gone."

Following his statement with a laugh Dalton throws some to Scott. He felt like a little kid again who's best friend had just moved back into town again. Scott was like a brother to him, his best friend and he was so happy for his return even if he had changed he's always be Scott to him.