Missing...

"Yeah... yeah, okay." Easier said than done, but Jeff would try not to let this get him down as his sister was prompting.

Finishing up with Hawk, he returns his horse to his stall and gives him an extra sheet of hay just to spoil him, before putting his bridle away. Crossing Rosetta's path again, he thinks for a moment. "I... think I'm gonna go lay down for a while before I fall over. If I don't show up for supper... have somebody come check on me, okay?" It wasn't a usual request of his, but he really wasn't feeling well.

Giving Rosetta's shoulder a little pat, he heads from the barn to Angel's first, asking how Hunter was, then going to his own bunk. He was glad Hunter was going to be okay - it could have been far worse. He still felt badly though. Hunter was a very physically active man... being laid up for several weeks minimum was not going to be easy for him. 

Once to his bunkhouse, Jeff showers and lays down on his bed to rest. He hated being so very tired, but he knew he couldn't fight it. The only thing he could do was sleep and hope that he'd bounce back quickly.

And come suppertime, he didn't show up at the dining hall, still sound asleep. 

Hunter lets Katie settle in beside him, his hand finding hers on his chest. Sighing deeply, he lets his eyes fall shut. Now this... this was comfortable. 

Katie's offer to bring him dinner brings a mumbled, "Mm-hmm," as a response. He wasn't exactly hungry at the moment, but hopefully come suppertime he'd be up to eating something. Right now though, the day's events were catching up to him fast and all he wanted was rest. 

It didn't take long for him to fall asleep, and it wasn't until a couple hours later when his muscles involuntarily jerk that he's yanked awake by the pain in his knee. Giving a little groan, he shifts his weight, finding that Katie was gone. When she'd left, he had no idea. Yawning, he glances at his clock. Seemed like just yesterday he was waking about this time - time for dinner. He'd just as soon these past twenty-four hours hadn't happened at all. 

Managing to get up, get to the bathroom and back was enough work for him that he decides not to try traipsing to the mess hall. He knew Katie had offered to bring him something to eat, and he really didn't want her to have to go to all that trouble... so if she didn't think of it, he wouldn't remind her. Maybe he could bribe her to bring him some lemonade though... 

Sighing, he props his leg back up again and lies on his back. He was glad he'd been able to sleep instead of thinking too much. Come to think of it... his sleep had been very peaceful without any help at all. Could it be that... the nightmares... were over? He certainly hoped so. For some odd reason though, he just couldn't let it go at that. It was as if he suddenly knew there was a whole lot more to those nightmares than just bad dreams. Something had happened today... it had been his nightmare in real life. Things like that didn't just "happen." But... why did this happen to him? 

"Ice cream. I can do that." Alec makes that mental note while still thinking about what he'd need for under the sink. He knew where Misty kept the spare cash for when he needed supplies from the store. But today... he'd use his own money. Someone might think the little bit of pay that Misty gave him once week was pitiful - to him it was a blessing on top of a blessing. Not only was she letting him stay here and letting him fix up the shed for his own, but she was paying him for his help around the place too. Never would he ever even dream of being ungrateful. He deserved a whole lot less than this. He knew he wanted to save enough to fix up his motorcycle and have gas money to get him places... but today, buying supplies and a treat for Misty were more important. 

"Okay, well I'll see you tonight then." Ending the conversation, he goes to hunt down his sneakers before heading outside. It would take a little while to get where he needed to go, but it was a nice day for a walk.

Only after returning the favor of sticking his tongue out at Misty does Jason take another bite of his sandwich. Sitting backwards in the office chair next to her desk, he swivels back and forth until she's done with her call.

It had been a little strange for him at first, getting use to the idea of Misty being pregnant. He'd been around his mom some when she'd been expecting Kaylee, but the whole thing really was rather foreign to him. It had always freaked him out just a bit too, though he'd never admit it. Spending time with Misty though... maybe it had shown him that she was still the same Misty he always knew. They could have just as much fun, she was no different, and though there were a few things she had to be careful of now, for the most part, dating was... normal, not strange. And perhaps on the nights when Jason's mind wandered, the thought of being around a baby wasn't quite as scary as it had used to be. After all, he'd been around Kaylee as a baby, and he'd done pretty well with that. He'd never wanted his own kids, and of course, Misty having a baby was not the same as him being a father, but it did give him some new insights. He really was enjoying being with Misty, and he knew that wouldn't change, whether she was a mother or not. So perhaps... something so foreign and scary... wasn't that bad after all. And besides... it did give him some new fodder for teasing...

"Are you always in the mood for ice cream, or is it that you simply crave something or other twenty-four/seven now?" As she hangs up the phone, his eyes twinkle at her, and he pops a potato chip in his mouth, unable to hide his grin. He does shift his chair back a couple inches though, just in case a hand or foot were to fly in his direction.

"Mm... yeah... Pete's kept half an eye on Jaz as well, but it seems she spends most of the time at home. Doesn't even have a job that we know of." Reese sighs again. "You're right though... even Carson has to slip up eventually. He's good, but not that good." 

A friendly conversation? Here? Maybe. Reese takes the folder offered to him and thumbs through a few of the pictures. Carson would have a fit and fall in it if he knew these had been taken. 

"Speaking of friendly..." Reese cocks his head, shifting through a couple more photos. "Remember when you said something felt off about this whole thing, and I wasn't sure I agreed?" This wasn't the first time he'd seen some of these pictures, but today he was noticing something different. "Well... maybe you were right." 

He leans forward to spread out some of the pictures on her desk so they both could see. "What's missing?" He scans the faces of Carson and Jaz in each situation. "No holding hands... no arm over the shoulder... no kissing or making out..." He glances up to Angelica. "Not than I'm an expert..." For a moment, a silly grin quirks the corner of his mouth before he quickly shifts back on task. "But if these two are supposed to be lovers... how come there's no... loving? I mean, I don't wanna set up a camera in their apartment, but wouldn't you think there'd be some affection shown... outside the bedroom?"

Ice cream

Stopping what she was doing and looking at Jeff again Rosetta gives a little shake of her head. Maybe Jeff should of picked a different way to go, or a smoother trail for there first time riding together but still blaming himself was senseless.

   "You were thinking about having a nice time, and picked a wonderful spot to do so."

Finished with one of the horses Rosetta moves to put it away before working on the the other horse. She new how Jeff was feeling and no matter what she said it wasn't going to help really. She just hopped that this wouldn't set Jeff back any either.

   "Everything worked out Jeff, and who knows maybe God had a plan in this all. Just don't let this one accident hold you bad, ok?"

Following Hunter out of Angel's office and to his bunk it was a slow move but Katie didn't mind. She was there to help and a few times when it looked like Hunter might lose his balance she was there to steady him. Crunches were next easy to walk on for that she new. He did it pretty good though and Katie hadn't known better she would of guessed he had done it before.

Finally getting to the bunk and helping Hunter inside Katie gets and extra blanket and pillow for the closet to help prop his leg up and anything else he might need. Sitting down on the edge of the bed Katie gives a smile to Hunter as he pats next to him. After this whole thing she was feeling a little drained herself. Maybe a little rest would be nice.

   "Of course I'll keep you company. I don't have much else to do at the moment."

Swinging her legs around Katie curls up next to Hunter draping her arm over his chest and comfortably laying her head on his arm. She'd stay and keep him company trying not to fall asleep herself. She wanted to make sure he was still ok. After almost losing him being a little over protective was normal.

   "I'll even bring you some dinner if you want too."

Picking up the phone Misty answers hearing Alec's voice. Giving a little smile she thinks for a moment. There were lots of things she was in the mood for but was there anythign she really needed?

   "I could go for some ice cream if its not putting you out to much. I've been craving it today. Than again I always am in the mood for ice cream."

Looking over at Jason Misty sticks out her toung before giving a small laugh. She'd been having lunch with him but it was still ok that Alec had called. She thought it was nice of him to have asked. Having Alec around really was nice and Misty enjoyed the house not being so quiet.

Sitting in her chair at her desk Angelica listens to Reese and gives a small nod. She new everything that was going on and new how this could jeprodise the Elite. There was not much they could do though other than what they have. No information had been found to accuse Carson of anything and that at the moment was the major problem.

   "Well, you can still have someone tail him. Sooner or later he has to make a slip up. How about someone follow that woman he is with now? Maybe if we can find a connection with her, we can find the one with Carson as well."

Angelica holds out a yellow folder to Reese. It had many pictures inside of Carson and the woman together out and about, or at home. There was something off about them and she had told Reese so but she wasn't sure what. This whole thing just seemed off and it bothered her to no end.

   "I guess we could just bring Carson in for friendly conversation too, but I'm not sure how friendly it would be."

Company

Jeff just sighs and shakes his head, retrieving an old towel to rub down Hawk. "I know the accident wasn't my fault - but taking a novice up that trail was." 

Leaning against his horse, he looks to his sister. He was exhausted and knew that today had not been good for him in more ways than one. But he really didn't care. What he cared about was Hunter - a young man - Katie's man - who had almost died... because he'd suggested a rougher trail. 

"I should have known better. I know Hunter rode when he was a kid, but he's been riding here, what? A week? Ten days? Anybody else wouldn't have let him ride that trail. I don't know what I was thinking."

Hunter nods gratefully, sliding off the bed and standing on one leg as he adjusts the crutches under his arms. "Alright... I think I'm ready. Just catch me if I fall." Locking eyes with Katie, perhaps his gaze revealed that his words were not only meant for the trek to his bunkhouse. 

Glancing away again, he slowly heads for the door. It wasn't a comfortable journey to the bunkhouse. By the time they arrived, Hunter's knee felt like it was on fire and all he wanted to do was lie down again. Getting inside, he carefully eases down on his bed, setting his crutches aside. Lying on his back, he sighs deeply. He felt utterly drained... for more than one reason. 

Looking up at Katie, he gives her a sleepy grin before patting the space next to him on the bed. "Keep a cripple company for a while?" He knew she'd have other things to do before supper, but he wouldn't mind her sticking around at least a few minutes. It would postpone anything else he didn't want to think about right now, too.

A curse slips out as the wrench comes down on Alec's finger. Lying on his back, he was staring up at the kitchen sink pipes, his legs sprawled across the floor. Without a list of things to do today, he'd first tackled the dripping sink in the bathroom and now had spent the last two hours trying to unclog the kitchen sink. He'd tried drain cleaning chemicals, he'd tried going from the top down, and nothing was working. His last resort was to take apart the pipes and see what was going on. Unfortunately, the pipes were being stubborn.

In all reality though, he didn't mind that it was taking a while - at least it used up part of his day. He usually had plenty to do though. He was finally caught up on sleep, completely over his cold and getting used to having regular meals again. He'd stopped thanking Misty after she'd warned him to, but he wished there was more he could do to repay her. At least she made sure to keep him busy. He'd cleaned out the garage, tidied the front yard, fixed the kitchen table, gone grocery shopping a couple times and rearranged the living room. Each task he took seriously and he made sure everything was done before Misty got home at night - which wasn't hard on the evenings she spent out with Jason. One ongoing task was the shed, but since it was such a big project, Alec spread it out between the other odd jobs and Misty didn't seem to mind. He was looking forward to it being his and was meticulous about his work on it.

Sometimes though, the days did get long. He still hunted for work, but there were times he sat around with nothing to do but sit and be... lonely. At least Misty was home every night and sometimes Jason for a while too, so he did have some company.

Banging around on the pipe some more, the one he was working on suddenly gives way and his face his met with a downpour of water that had been backed up above the clog. Coughing and sputtering, he sits up too soon and hits his head on the underside of the counter before he slides out on the floor groaning.

After cleaning himself up, he sighs, leaning against the kitchen counter and picking up the phone. Dialing from memory, he waits to hear Misty's voice. "Hey, Misty. I gotta run to the store to pick up a piece of..." He looks at the mess on the floor. "...pipe. Anything you want me to get while I'm out?"

"Nothing." Reese sighs before setting his hands on his hips as he stands by Angelica's desk. "Dalton can't find a thing that Carson might have been doing on the computers here. Which can only mean one thing - he's covered his tracks for some reason. Otherwise, something would have shown up. Anything! But not even Dalton can find it, which means not only has Carson covered his tracks, it was severe enough for him to work really hard at it."

Flopping down in an extra chair, Reese looks at Angelica with desperation. "What do I do? I've had Pete tail him. So far that hasn't proven anything, although it hasn't been too long. I'm just... I'm worried. I'm worried that Carson's into something bad, and if he is, that could mean something even worse for the Elite."

All Day

Coming over to Jeff Rosetta helps him remove the saddles on the horses. It was nice working next to her brother. Team work, thats what they were, both knowing there limitations and being there to help each other. Rosetta liked the feeling it gave her, and the closeness that just seemed to be there.

Listing to Jeff talk as she continues to unhook the horses Rosetta can't help the look of shock. That path was a challenge but it had never been dangerous before. The whole thing seemed kind of bazaar but anything could happen and Rosetta new this. Always expect the unexpected.

   "Wow, thats crazy. I'm happy you and Katie were there with him or who knows what could of happened."

Taking the blankets off the horses and putting them over the holding bar Rosetta stops for a second to give the horse a scratch before looking back to Jeff again. Seeing the look in his eye she new what he was thinking and she shakes her head.

   "Jeff you know this is not your fault. It could of happened to you, or Katie, or anyone. It's just one of those uncontrollable things. So don't go blaming yourself ok?"

Being pulled in for the kiss Katie gladly returns it. If anything today she learned how quickly someone can slip out of your grasp and become no more. She new if it was there time, it was there time but it was not something she wanted to quickly move along.

Pulling away a little and looking down at Hunter Katie looks deep into his eyes searching the depths. She couldn't help but wonder how much of his real emotions he was hiding but she could guess it was quite a few. Something like this might be better thinking about it alone.

   "You're welcome Hunter, and I guess God deiced it wasn't. He must have some unfinished business to do with you yet."

Looking around the office Katie spots the crutches. Going over and grabbing them she brings them back to Hunter. She wasn't sure how long he would need them, or have to be off his feet but it was anything like when Jason hurt his knee it would be several weeks.

   "Here they are. Just take it slow and I will help. No need to hurry though I've got all day."