My Car

Hunter takes another slow sip of coffee before staring down into the hot liquid and watching it swirl. 

"Hmm?" He'd barely heard Katie. "Oh... yeah, everything's fine."An image from his nightmare flashes in his mind. "Guess maybe I didn't sleep so well," he admits with a shrug. "Once I get going, I'll be right as rain." 

Glancing back to his coffee, he gives a little smirk. "Although right about now, a stiff drink would be nice." So far though, he hadn't seen a drop of alcohol at the ranch, not even beer. It seemed a little strange to him that with this many people, nobody drank, but if they did, perhaps they hid it well. 

Looking to Katie again, he manages a smile before clinking his cup of coffee to hers in a toast. "Cheers." 

Jared stars up at Grace, half feeling like a burden to her, and half feeling awfully good. She really was making an effort, and he knew she was trying to make him feel better. He probably shouldn't have been grouchy in the first place so she wouldn't have needed to do this, but he might as well not buck her. It was obvious she was determined to go out for ice cream. 

"Okay," he finally relents. "But you'll have to help me pick a good flavor, 'cause I don't know what I like." 

Reaching up to take her hands, he takes a deep breath. This was gonna hurt. But he could do it with her help. Pulling himself up, he was glad that Grace knew what she was doing - she was strong, but it took know-how to be able to help someone up like this and not topple over. Partway to his feet, Jared's legs tremble with the effort. He had yet to stand up straight since therapy started, but at least this was an improvement, and at least he's close enough to the wheelchair to let himself fall back down into it instead of going the other direction. 

Giving a huff, he glances at Grace with a wry grin. "I might get the hang of this after all." He looks down at his feet and wriggles his toes in his socks. "I'm gonna need shoes if we go somewhere though and..." 

He purses his lips, giving a little cringe, not sure if he should ask or not. "Can we take my car? It needs to be driven but my mom doesn't drive and Justin won't use it even though I offered."

Justin is glad that Beth is willing to stay up, and he smiles. "Good. I'll get the ice cream and..." He points over near his television to a little shelf. "My DVDs are over there in no specific order. I like 'em all so pick whatever you want." 

Before long, they both were settled on the couch as  the movie played and enjoyed the cold treat. Food didn't make things better, but it sometimes was something that could be enjoyed despite a bad day. 

And when the bowls were empty, for the first time, Justin felt he could do what he'd wanted to for longer than he'd admit. Sliding back into the corner of the couch, he turns a little more sideways and sinks down until he's almost laying down, making room between his legs. Motioning Beth over, he offers for her to come settle in with him for the rest of the movie. He knew that she was tired and still somewhat upset from the day - hardly a time for him to make a move for anything more. He'd leave it up to her, though, whether she really wanted his chest for a pillow or not.

Standing in front of the window on the fourth floor, Garret's eyes wander the grounds. The returning black van had not escaped his sight, nor had the movement of Victoria heading inside. His relief was hidden well - she had returned once more. There was still a small ache though, in the pit of his heart. He knew what kind of mission she'd been on, and he knew that she'd been with another man in ways that were denied him. 

He knew that he and Victoria both, somehow through this nightmare, had developed a strong sense of loyalty and respect for each other - without marriage, neither would cross certain lines. But without even the hope of marriage, it had become a tiresome battle. Even so, Garret would never trade her for any other woman. If they had to spend the rest of their lives as they were now, always hiding, never married, never publicly affectionate - he'd do it.

Still... Garret knew her seductive jobs on most missions. And she knew about his own roles on most missions. Neither of them could avoid the inevitable. But they never spoke of it. Garret refused to look at Victoria any differently - the same as she never lost respect for him. It didn't take away that ache though... that pain way down deep that he was forced to keep hidden. 

"...and I will give those plans to Terrance." 

Garret's mind suddenly registers again the conversation that he'd been having with Medridge. He'd lost the train of thought, and for a split second, his adrenaline races. Thankfully, he recovered too quickly for Medridge to catch on. "That sounds like a good idea." He turns from the window and slowly walks around the other side of Medridge's desk, his hands clasped behind his back. "Might I suggest sending Jacobson on that job? It would be a good trial to see if he follows through." 

"Excellent suggestion." Medridge jots down a note on his desk and nods. "Oh and by the way, you're going out tomorrow."

"Oh?"

"Yes. I need you to visit Sarah Regal again. She needs to be...persuaded to give up that intel we've been looking for." 

Garret bristles. Speaking of loathsome jobs. Sarah was one of his "regulars" when it came to softening up someone the Agency needed. He wasn't sure which he'd prefer - a mission like this, or a mission where he'd murder innocent victims. Both made his stomach churn in ways that it didn't used to. How had he stayed numb for so long? "Good. I'm sure I can bring back what we need."

Medridge's lips curl into a crooked grin. "Your confidence is well-founded, I'm sure." 

Half an hour later, Garret was heading down the long staircase. His combat clothing rustled as he moved, weighted by the usual gun on his thigh and other hidden weapons. Always be prepared - that was his job. 

Making his way casually across the grounds, he stopped often to take up an observant stance as he watched. When not in Medridge's office, he was on guard duty - at all times. Soon though, he has slipped past the security cameras once again to disappear into the thick brush...the wall of safety. 

As he sees Victoria on the swing, his heart gave a jolt like it always did. She was beautiful, no matter what. Coming up behind her, he leans down, draping his arms over her shoulders and burying his face along her neck. He breathed in deeply, filling his nostrils with the scent of her freshly shampooed hair. Leaning over her shoulder, he kisses her cheek softly. "I'm glad you're back," he welcomes quietly. 

Withdraw?

Giving a laugh at Hunter's nickname he'd given her this morning Katie shakes her head a little bit. That was a new one for sure but Katie didn't mind. She could be called worse things so sticking with cupcake sounded good.

   "Good Morning!"

Sitting down Katie could see the exhausted look in Hunter's eye and it makes her cocks her head a little bit. She'd never seen Hunter quite this tired before when she's known he went to bed last night. Was it a bad night for him or just a rough mornng?

   " You look like you're half asleep still. Everything alright?"

Taking a sip of her coffee Katie continues to study Hunter. He looked, worn out, tired, or like a person with a lot on his mind. She wondered what one it was or maybe it was all of them. I was it the lack of bad hobbits that was catching up with Hunter and maybe causing him withdraws?

   "If I had better things I wanted to do I would be doing them Jared."

Gathering her things up and putting them back in her bag Grace works quickly before looking up at Jared and giving a smile. Holding out her hand to him his last comment goes ignored. She'd help him back up in his chair as long as she showed the effort to try and do it himself too.

   "Alright lets get you up and hit the road. Not literately though. Since I mentioned ice cream I've got a craving for it and it's to nice to just sit here. So shall we?"

Grace's eyes give a sparkle as she looks at Jared. She'd see the wave of hope in his eyes, and the spark of excitement. Thats what she wanted to see, she wanted him to keep having that and not let it die out. Maybe getting him out and around was the way to do that. 

Getting to Justin's place and petting the dogs for long moment Beth just lets them nuzzle her hand. They were was soft and there noses were wet and cold. On Beth's hand it kind of tickled and she didn't mind it at all. The dogs were almost comforting to her and gave a sense of shelter.

Following him inside and to the couch Beth puts her bag and pillow down. She didn't mind sleeping on Justin's couch. If asked that was where she rather sleep anyways. Sometimes they could be a lot more comfortable than a strange bed.

   "Ice cream is always good, and a movie to go with it is a must. Though I can't promise I will stay away for the whole thing, I will try."

Giving a little smile to Justin Beth's eyes still held some of the fear from earlier. She probley wouldn't be able to sleep right now as it was with the thoughts that were running through her mind. So spending a little more time awake with Justin sounded like a better plan and the sweet treat was a nice all. Maybe that would help her feel a little better.

   "Where do you keep your movies? I'll see about picking one...if you want."

Exiting the black van Victoria sets out a few shopping bags in hand. Her mission away this time had been a intrusting one to say the least and while she'd hated being two weeks away from the estate the good side was she got to go on a shopping spree and spend someone else money.

Going straight to her room to put her stuff away Victoria sits down in front of her vanity and just looks at herself for several long moments. This was lift, in and out of the same thing, seducing whoever for whatever...and yet her heart belonged to one. It was a horrible feeling honestly and inside something screamed at her that it was wrong. But...this was life.

Taking a quick shower, and slipping into one of her dresses she lets her hand just hang damp for the moment. She didn't feel much like putting it up at the moment. She only goal was one thing to see the one person who always made her feel ok.

Making her way outside, and to her favorite spot  on the whole estate Victoria sits down on the swing and gently rocks back and forth. She still needed to report to her grandfather but right now she wanted to see someone else first. She new, he would know she was back and she new he would come if he could get away. But she would wait and see for a little bit if he would or not.

Cupcake

Justin offers Beth a smile and heads for the door. There was no point in sticking around here any longer. 

The drive to his house was long, but seemed even longer tonight. It stays mostly quiet, Justin making sure his hand was available to hold if Beth wanted it, but letting her rest on the way too. After they arrive at his place, the dogs greet them both with licks and wags of their tails, happy to see them. Seeming to sense something was wrong, they don't get too excited, but simply stick close, nuzzling hands and following on their heels. 

Once inside, Justin lets Beth put her bag in the living room - he'd give her his bed in a heartbeat... if his bedroom was in any shape for anybody but him to see it. As it was though, it was a war zone and he'd prefer she bunk down on the couch, which was still pretty comfortable for sleeping. 

Retrieving a sheet and a couple blankets from the hall closet, he joins her in the living room. It was early yet, but he'd let her decide if she wanted to stay up or go to sleep. 

"I got some ice cream in the fridge," he offers. "We could watch a movie or something if you want or... if you'd rather call it a night, that's okay too." He kind of hoped she'd want to stay up for a little while - he wasn't tired yet and he'd kind of been looking forward to being able to cuddle up with her for the first time since they'd started dating. But if she wanted to sleep, he'd leave her be. 

Jared's head turns quickly to Grace as he looks at her in surprise. Ice cream? She wanted to take him away from here and go do something? Really? He had no idea that a hopeful excitement shot through his gaze. 

"We're... not even done," he reasons, still a bit confused. She'd said she wanted to keep working with his legs - they'd hardly done anything at all today yet. She'd chided him for not wanting to do it, and now she was offering to give him a break? Though appealing, it had caught him off guard. 

"But if you want to... I mean... I'm sure you've got better things to do today."

His gaze drops again. He really wanted to go. All he'd seen was the hospital, the scenery on the way to his mother's house, and his mother's house. That was it. He didn't remember anything else, and really did want to see more. Go do something. Get out of the confines of the house. And yet... he knew that this wasn't Grace's norm. He knew that she was probably just trying to be nice to him since he'd been grouchy. And he didn't want her to think she needed to do this since she did have a job to do. He was just another client and he didn't want to take advantage of her kindness. 

"We can keep working here," he reasons quietly. "I won't complain anymore."

Hunter was so close to dozing off, that he didn't even hear Katie until she speaks. Forcing his eyes open and turning to look up at her, he gives her a drowsy smile. "Nothing's ever free, but I'm not saving it." 

Pulling out the chair next to him, he gestures for Katie to sit down. Yawning, he rubs his eye with the heel of his hand. "Good morning, Cupcake."