Fifty times

Leaning against the fence still and listing to Hunter Katie gives a small nod. So he had been drinking a lot again. If that was the case than maybe it was a good thing he was here. Getting away might be able to have Hunter find himself again. 

   "Life sure isn't fair but I guess thats the point right. We have to have the bad days to enjoy the good ones."

Turning to look at Hunter Katie gives a smile as her eyes twinkle a little in the sunlight. Searching Hunter's eyes Katie could see how much he hurt on the inside, she could see how much he wanted to be free of all the pain and torment that flowed through him of a past he just couldn't let go of.

   "This is a great place. I know once you get use to everything you'll like it here too. and don't worry about feeling out of place at first...happens to everyone."

Hearing the phone ring Rosetta sets her pen down and looks at the number. Seeing it was Jay she smiles and picks up the phone. It had been a while since she talked to him last and she was happy to call her back. When she did head from it was always the best even if she wished it was for different reason.

   "Hey Jay thanks for calling me back."

Standing from her chair and walking to the window looking out Rosetta see Katie and someone walking with her. She couldn't make out to much but she could tell he was good looking. She wondered if that was Hunter the guy she new a little about.

   "I was wondering if while Jeff was out there for his visit he was acting strange or anything. He hasn't been himself since he got back and he's running himself ragged."

Giving a laugh as she pulls some plates and cups out Misty could hear a bit of worry in Alec's voice but maybe that was a little bit of a good thing. She didn't think he would pull any stunts but if he did he new there would be someone there waiting.

   "The switch is to the left behind those jackets there."

Setting the plates and cups down Misty returns to one of the cabinets and grabs a bowl to dump the chicken wings into along with grabbing a bottle of blue cheese from the fridge. She had a feeling tonight was going to be a pretty good night and it made her happy to find a little joy. 

Having spent more and more time with Jason had done that. It was nice her friend liked to spend time there too. A great way to keep both there minds busy and not have to worry to much.

   "And by the way if I thought you were going to get in the way...I wouldn't have asked you here so you can stop now."

Misty gives a silly little smile to Alec though she really did mean it. He didn't have to say sorry, or ask fifty times for something. This was his home now and he had a right to anything just as much as she did here.

Deeper

"Mm... I do like the zoo. A lot, actually, I just never give myself enough time to go." Justin gives Beth a wink. "So the zoo and a picnic lunch it is then. You wanna come to my place and we'll ride together from there?" It was a long enough drive from his own house to North Spring, let alone from here. And... riding together was always fun.

Still trying to wake up from his short but deep sleep, Alec listens to Misty as he finally stands and stretches, his mouth watering as he hears about the food. At the mention of the card table and chairs, he wanders towards the spare room to find things and help set them out.

Her news of Jason makes him quirk an eyebrow and he sticks his head in the kitchen, giving her a wry grin. "I believe he's a good guy, but harmless?" Jason was Elite. No Elite agent was harmless, let alone one as skilled as Jason. He hadn't dealt a whole lot with him but he'd gotten enough vibes to know that Jason didn't like him much. Not that he had reason to. It didn't matter much now though who liked or didn't like who.

Alec shakes his head. "I dunno why you hope I don't mind though... this is your house after all." He was the one that was intruding, not Jason or anybody else Misty would invite over. Alec was at her mercy and he knew it. "I'll try not to get in the way."

Returning to the spare room, purposely not giving her time to respond, he finds the table and heads to the back door. "Where's the light switch for the outside light?"

Leaning on the kitchen counter while Jessica washes dishes, Jay dials Rosetta's number. He'd gotten the message to call her, but had been kept busy with an emergency at the kennel. Amidst the chaos, he'd totally spaced off calling her back until Jessica had reminded him. 

Hearing his sister's voice, he smiles at the receiver. "Hey, Sis. It's Jay. Sorry it took this lamebrain so long to call you back. What's up?"

Walking around the ranch with Katie, Hunter soaks up all the information, doing his best to tuck it all back into his memory. He wasn't sure yet how long he'd be here, but he'd always liked knowing what was going on around him so he could keep up. Dropping off his things in what would apparently be his bunk, he continues the walk, asking a few questions, but mainly just letting Katie talk. A couple times he just had to smile as he listened, feeling as though he were being led around by quite the experienced tour guide. He was sure she'd led more than one person around the ranch before. 

Coming up beside her at the fence, Hunter leans on the top rail and stares out across the grass, watching as a few horses grazed in the distance. It was peaceful here. Quiet. Out in the middle of nowhere. No city traffic. No horns hoking. Sirens wailing. It had been a long time since he'd been somewhere like this. Although this was on more of a grander scale than what he'd experienced as as kid. 

For some reason, Katie's question seems to go deeper than just her words, and Hunter gives her a sidelong glance along with a wry grin. She probably wondered what made him actually decide to come here. But that's one thing he liked about her... she respected him enough not to pry. She just... dropped hints, and it was up to him whether or not to bite. 

"If I told you I was fine and things were going great, would you believe me?" 

He chuckles and turns his gaze back out to the pasture. "Nah... things aren't so great. But life's not supposed to be perfect, right?" 

He picks at a sliver of wood on the fence rail, not even sure what to say.  It takes him a few silent moments to eventually speak again. "I guess after waking up with another hangover from another bender, I figured maybe it would be a good idea to get away from that scene for a while. Nobody's there to keep me in line, and I sure don't do it myself." Maybe it went deeper than that. Maybe it went a lot deeper than that. But he wasn't so sure he was ready to talk about it.

He shrugs lamely. "Life sucks. What can I say? But... a vacation is always good and it seems pretty cool here so... you get your wish. I'm here." 

Zoo

Sipping her hot coffee Beth leans back in her chair a little bit. Smile at Justin she takes everything in and thinks about his question for a moment. What would she like to do...she had the whole day free and if Justin's didn't have to work maybe they could fill the whole day with something.

   "How about a trip to the Zoo, and than a picnic lunch and after that we can do something you like."

Beth wasn't even sure if Justin liked going to the zoo or not but she'd only been once before and she could hardly remember it. So going again might be a blast and who knows maybe Justin would find it too.

   "That is...if you like the Zoo."

As Alec grabs her wrist Misty gives a little jump but as soon as he lets go and says he is sorry Misty understood what had went through his head without him even saying anything. No matter how much time someone spent away bad memories still could find there way back and she did understand. She'd went through it with Carson and even herself once and a while.

   "It's all right Alec, I understand. A pillow it is...or maybe I can get a really long stick to poke you with."

Giving a little laugh and standing Misty gives a smile giving Alec a little space to wake up from the sleep he'd been in. His comment about the pizza made her laugh as she noded.

   "Yep, I got pizza, barbecue chicken wings and a few flavors of pop. In the spare bedroom I have a card table and a few chars I was thinking since you cleaned up the yard so nice maybe we could sit out there and eat tonight. It sure is a nice night out for it and there is a flood light in the back so we wont be eating in the dark."

Moving into the kitchen Misty moves around but still talks to Alec. She'd better tell him about Jason coming over so he wasn't to surprised. Though she new he might be a little nervous about it he had nothing to fear. Jason was harmless and he might not like the idea of Alec staying with her but she new he respected her wishes.

   "Oh, Jason is going to be joining us for dinner too. I hope you don't mind. You don't have to worry about him though He's harmless and a good guy once he gets to know you."

   "Have a good afternoon Jeff."

Angel was sorry things had gone the way they did but she had to do what she had to do and she new Jeff would be happy with this more than anything else. If he needed her, if he wanted to come to her he new where she was and she would not deny to help him. Angel had only wished it hadn't come down to this.

    "Nah, I was just cleaning Amber and than I had to brush all the water out of her coat and get the tangles out of her main and tale. I'm pretty much done now though so you have great timing."

Untieing the horses lead rope Katie turns the horse around and walks her down one of the isles making sure Hunter was still close. Getting to the empty stall she doesn't even have to lead the horse in she already knows it was time.

  "Now, if anyone puts you outside how about not rolling in a mud puddle ok?"

Giving the horse a little pat on the hind end Katie shakes her head and closes the stall door latching it. Turning and looking at Hunter Katie cocks her head a little smile and smiles again before leading the way out of the barn. 

   "Alright now what to show you first....mmm...how about one of the bunks where you will be staying so you can put your stuff down. You never have fear of anything being taken here but its still better not to tempt fate."

Taking the next hour or so Katie shows Hunter around the ranch pointing out where the important things where. People's houses, her bunk, Angel's office, the mess hall, till she had pointed almost everything out. Giving him a quick run down on how everything works, and the chores that were done in the morning, afternoon and night. She new it was probley a lot to take in but she wouldn't mind going over it with him again if she had too.

Finally ending the walk by one of the fences Katie leans on it looking out across the field. This had already turned out to be a good day and Katie was happy. Now it was time to see how Hunter was doing. She worried about her friend but on the same hand he had come so that meant good things and maybe he could get his feet under him again too.

   "So enough about me and the ranch. How are you? Everything going ok?"

Awkward

Justin chuckles and stands from the table. "Okay. Be right back then. Don't go anywhere." 

It only takes a couple minutes to get the coffee drinks both he and Beth wanted and return to the table. Seated across from her again, he stirs the ice around his glass before sipping the cold treat through a straw. 

"So...." He leans back in his seat and cocks his head, just grinning at Beth. Her cheeks were rosy and her eyes twinkling. He could tell she was enjoying herself but was nervous at the same time. As he would expect. He was nervous too, but at least he'd been in several relationships before, when she had not. And he felt... rather privileged. 

"I think if you don't work tomorrow, then we definitely need to do something together. What would you like to do?" 

Heading across town, Jason checks his watch. He still needed to stop and get gas, but he'd told Misty he'd be a little late. He'd been stuck trying to finish up some work for Reese and hadn't been able to get out of the office quite as quickly as she had.

He was glad she'd asked him over for pizza. It wasn't unusual anymore for him to eat supper with her...both of them wanted the company. But tonight, Jason was more curious about Alec than anything. Misty had told him today about Alec showing up, and what she'd offered him. Jason had expressed he wasn't too sure the whole thing was wise, but he knew it was Misty's home, not his, and it was her own decision, not his. So he hadn't said too much, but was glad he could at least come over tonight and scout things out himself. Misty had enough to worry about without a brother-in-law getting stupid.

Pulling into the gas station, he parks and kills the engine. Maybe he'd grab some ice cream while he was here.

Dead to the world, Alec didn't even hear Misty enter the house. It wasn't until his arm was shaken that he wakes up, and when he does, all he knows is that someone was touching him. 

Sitting bolt upright, his hand grabs Misty's wrist hard, as for a moment he doesn't even know where he is. Blinking and bringing her into focus though, he suddenly realizes where he is, and he lets go of her quickly. "Aw, I'm sorry," he mumbles drowsily. "I thought..." He shakes his head and runs a hand through his hair. He wasn't going to say what he thought. It was bad enough he'd had the bad memory flash through his mind without talking about it. 

Rubbing his eyes, he looks back up at her and gives her a sheepish grin. "Next time throw a pillow at me from across the room or something." 

Only now does his nose pick up the scent of food and he can feel his hunger pains returning. "Did... did you say something about pizza?" 

Jeff swallows hard and finds his eyes looking at the floor once again. He was glad Angel forgave him, but he knew she was still probably not happy about this whole thing. He just wished someone would understand. 

"I... I know." He nods. "I wasn't asking for your help. I just..." He shrugs. "I'm glad you're gonna leave it be and I thank you for respecting my wishes." 

Pausing again, he finally stands up, not knowing what else to say. "Thanks for listening. I, um... I gotta get out to the barn. I'll see ya around." 

Being met with such enthusiasm, a smile automatically comes to Hunter's face. Returning Katie's hug, he's pleasantly surprised she's so thrilled to see him. He'd known she wanted him but... maybe he hadn't realized she really meant it. 

Laughing, he shakes his head. "Eh... it woulda taken more than one bodyguard to get me away from here without seeing you." 

Introduced to the horse, Hunter reaches out and pats her neck. "Howdy, Amber. You sure are a pretty thing. I think you know it too, don't you, hmm?" 

Stepping aside so Katie can continue to work, he shakes his head. "Whatever you'd like. A walk sounds great but I don't wanna keep you from whatever you're doing." He readjusts his jacket in his arms, feeling strangely awkward and at ease at the same time. "I can hang out or something if you were gonna ride."

Excitment

Beth's smile just continued to grow. Since she had first met Justin and opened up to this very moment he made her feel good and gave her the confadance to move forward and enjoy life. Beth new the road ahead was still going to be rocky but she was ready to face it head on, with Justin at her side.

   "There is never a wrong time to have caffeine, It's just good I don't work tomorrow. I'll have a medium extra light no sugar."

Giving a smile and a little squeeze to Justin's hand. Excitement and fear it was a strange combination and Beth couldn't help but wonder if it was normal to feel like this. Her first boyfriend...that thought alone made her smile bigger than she had in a very very long time.

Pulling into the driveway Misty takes note to the living room light that was still on. That was a good sign to her anyways that Alec had stayed. She wasn't quite sure if he would or not knowing that being on his own was all he really was use to. But Misty had hoped.

Opening the passenger door Misty grabs the two large pizza she had picked up from the pizza box along with her bag. She was sure Alec was going to be hungry and right now the house had a little food in in. Shopping was a must that better come soon.

   "Alec, I'm home I got some dinner too."

Going right to the kitchen Misty sets everything down before glancing outside. Seeing the yard a smile spreads across her face even more. She had expected Alec to clean up the yard but she had to admit this was a bit of a surprise as to how well he had done it. Bushes clipped, grass cut Misty was pleased and happy she could offer something to Alec to keep him busy.

Turning from the window and not hearing or seeing Alec Misty wonders if maybe he wasn't here. Wondering into the living room she peeks over the back of the couch. Seeing Alec laying there fast a sleep a smile spreads across her face. He must have worked hard to have passed out and be dead to the world.

Coming around to the other side of the couch Misty bends down and gives Alec's arm a little shake. Not to hard but enough to wake him a little. Misty only hopes it doesn't startle him.

   "Alec, you want to eat some dinner? I brought home pizza, chicken wings and soda."

Listing to everything Jeff has to say Angel gives a nod. She didn't understand why or what he was talking about but she did try. Him still being pig headed was frustrating but Angel did her best to not to let it show.

   "Thats find Jeff, I forgive you we can move on but what I said before still stands. You don't want my help than I wont give it anymore."

Angel's voice was calm and her frustration didn't show through. She did want her and Jeff to be ok and they would be. But she wasn't going to change her mind if he wasn't going to change his. There still was no point in helping him if he wasn't going to help himself.

   "I know you don't understand where I am coming from either Jeff but I can't keep trying to help you when you wont help you. So it still stands like I said before Jeff. But as for us we are fine."

Brushing her horse and humming to herself Katie blocks pretty much everything else. Her chores for the day had been completed and now she was just trying to relax. Giving her horse a bath it's coat smelled like cinnamon apples now, and her main was coming along nicely as it was losing the knots and gaining softness.

Hearing a voice and looking up to see Hunter Katie wore a look of surprise that soon passed into a look of excitement and being extremely happy. It was good to see her friend and even better to have such a surprise.

   "Hunter..."

Katie moves around her horse to Hunter and throws her arms around him in a big hug. She really was excited to see him and she hoped he was going to stay for at least a little while. It would be fun to show him around and maybe even work along side him.

Pulling away Katie smile brightened her face as she took a few steps back. He sure was a sight for sore eyes. It was hard to find words to describe how she was feeling but this emotion...it was...nice. He'd come to see her to spend time with her and it just felt good.

   "Well I am happy the bodyguards didn't run you off. It would not have been a good day if they had thats for sure."

Tired of not getting the attachen like she had been the horse behind Katie gives a stamp and a snort into Katie's hair.

Turning to the horse Katie just looks at it for a long moment before shaking her head at the horse. She'd always been an attachen hog why would Katie think it was any different now.

   "Oh you big bruit..Hunter this is Amber, Amber this is Hunter. Now will you stop being a pain."

Looking back to Hunter and shaking her head Katie smiles still so happy to see Hunter. At the same time though she wondered what had pushed him to this point to come. When she talked to him last he wasn't so sure. He looks ok so that was a good thing, now it was just figuring out the rest.

   "Here, I am going to put Amber back into her stall and than we can talk a walk a little if you want."