O.O SORRY O.O

   "Why would you want to stay if you didn't trust us? Kinda seems like you want to but that Banks blood running through your veins is getting the best of you huh?"

As Misty goes to reply she stops as Alec speaks up again. Just letting him handle it, it seemed like he was going a pretty good job and making hearing this stuff from Alec, her blood would do better than it would coming from her. Misty didn't know much of what was going on in the young girls head but she couldn't help but wonder if maybe right now Misty was on her bad list because of what happened with her and Carson. There was so much a child might not understand but Misty really didn't want to be the one to break it to her. It was Carson who really should and it was his responsibility as a rather. 

As Mackenzie moves the paper closer to her Misty picks it up and looks at it for a long moment before looking back at her and giving a soft smile. She's always had a soft spot for her and that hadn't changed. She'd always think of her as a daughter.

   "You know, your dad might be mad for a little while but he'll get over it because he loves you. Maybe too if you work with him a little bit and not be so stubborn he'll let you do a few more things like come to see us."

Standing again and taking her phone with her Misty leaves the room and goes into the living room to make the call. Letting out a small sigh, this whole situation made her worry. Seeing Mackenzie and what she was going through it scared her about her own child. What would happen with them growing up without a father. Misty wouldn't change having this baby for the world but it still made her a little bit scared more so that she was before. Would she make a good mother? Hearing Justin's voice it breaks her train of thought and for now she was glad.

   "Hey Justin its Misty Banks. Listen I've got Mackenzie here with me....yeah she's ok. Think you can give us maybe a half hour to just visit with her? Yeah I understand...thanks Justin. See ya soon."

Hanging up the phone and coming back into the kitchen Misty looks down at the plate of apples and the jar of peanut butter. Shaking her head she gives a laugh and a small grin. At least Alec had tried with the meal.

   "Justin will be here soon. How about I cook us all some lunch before he gets here, sound good?"

Feeling Rosalyn's hand mover there path over his skin he can't help the small murmur that escaped as his lips break from hers for a moment but wasting no time return once again just letting his moment continue. It sent chills down his spin and over the rest of his skin. A sensation that shot through his body and nothing else mattered time, place, they were alone, and Chad had all the time in the world to stay in this moment. Time didn't exists and didn't matter. 

Shifting himself just a little he keeps his one hand behind Rosalyn's head while the other goes around her wast.  Lifting her up off the ground and using the tree of leverage Chad moves his hand from her wast down her leg to help her warp them around him before returning to around her wast again. Continuing the kiss and forgetting of all else.

Moving his lips from her's finally to take a quick breather Chad kiss her cheek, and than her jaw, making his way slightly down her neck lingering there to place some more kiss and than working his way back up and to her lips again to let the miss continue. Passion seeped forward, longing to be needed and wanted by a woman, the feeling of being alone for to long, and finding someone worth sharing it with. This was a moment that would last forever in his mind.

Erm...

Mackenzie nibbles a slice of apple as Misty speaks, acting as though she weren't listening. She was though, and it wasn't anything new she was learning. Except maybe coming from Misty, the girl took it a little differently.

Hearing she knew Justin, Mackenzie glances back up to her. Carson had said he knew Justin, but she didn't know Misty knew him too. Besides that, she figured Misty had known who it was, unless her dad really didn't care enough about the whole thing to even talk to his wife about it. Maybe that was some of the problem. Maybe Carson hadn't talked to Misty anymore and that's why they were really getting a divorce. Not because of some other stupid woman getting in the way...

Mackenzie shrugs, as was her usual answer. "He's okay I guess. I mean... he's nice. He's different than other counselors I've had to talk to. But he's still just on my parents' side no matter what. Everybody is on their side. Even you." 

Alec smirks and taps her on the shoulder. "Did you ever consider that perhaps that means we all were right?"

"Just because it's the majority, it doesn't automatically make it right."

The bold statement makes Alec's eyebrows shoot up. This girl was way too grown up for her age. "True. But don't you trust anybody?"

"No." The answer came very quickly. Coldly almost. Mackenzie finishes her milk and wipes her mouth on her denim jacket sleeve.

"Well you should," Alec states flatly. "Take it from me. I didn't trust anybody either. But if I hadn't trusted Misty here, I'd be homeless right about now, or worse. If there's anybody you can trust, it's her." 

Mackenzie squints at him, studying his face as if trying to figure out if he was telling the truth. There was no doubt, she liked her uncle, whether she'd admit it or not. She had from the beginning. And she adored Misty, too. But past experiences had shaped her young heart into something that dared not trust, lest she be hurt again. But today... this time... could she risk it? "Why can't I just stay with you guys?"

Alec flops back in his chair with a sigh. "Misty, how about you trying to explain that one?"

Mackenzie rolls her eyes. "I know, I know. Because you don't have the right kind of home for a little girl, and because I already have a 'family that loves me' and so I should be grateful." 

Not giving time for Misty to intervene yet, Alec leans forward once more, almost a scowl on his face for the girl's sarcastic tone. "Do you know what I'd give to have a family like that? A mother and father that loved me? And took care of me? I may be a grown man, but I kid you not - I'm jealous. You have it way too good. So good, that you've obviously overlooked the fact that it could be a whole lot worse - and you've had it worse! This is the best you've ever had, and you're throwing it all away." He shakes his head. "Any niece of mine would be smarter than that." 

Instead of getting mad this time, the tears return to pool in Mackenzie's eyes and she looks down. Maybe, just maybe her thick walls really were being chipped away at. Maybe... just maybe Justin had been doing some good. For right now... the flame of her temper had been put out. 

Sitting quietly for several moments and sniffing, Mackenzie finally reaches in her jeans pocket and pulls out a crumpled piece of paper. On it was Justin's handwriting that had his name and cell phone number. She sniffs again. "He.... he said I could call him any time I was in trouble.... Am I in trouble?" 

Alec's eyes soften, as does his tone. "Probably. You've got a choice though... we can call Justin, your parents, or the police. It's up to you." He glances up at Misty. He had absolutely no idea what he was doing, and had just said everything without even thinking. He hoped he was doing the right thing. 

Mackenzie fingers the paper before slowly pushing it over to Misty. "Justin won't get mad at me like my dad will." 

Giving a start, Rosalyn had thought she was alone. Opening her eyes quickly and spotting Chad, a smile immediately forms. He'd found her. Butterflies churn in her stomach.

"I don't mind being stalked," she admits. "As long as it's you." She'd thought way too much about the night before to mind his company now. He was so far from being a stranger now. She felt the comfort of being with an old friend, yet it mixed with the thrill of meeting someone new. A confusing combination, but one she liked. 

As Chad comes nearer, Rosalyn can feel her pulse quicken. She wasn't sure what his intentions were, but at the moment, she really couldn't care less. His mere presence made her melt, and she trusted him. 

Feeling him lean in for a kiss, her eyes fall shut. His lips on hers sent a fuzzy shock down her spine. The awkwardness she'd felt last night though was gone, now knowing what to expect. Returning his kiss with warmth, she invites his passion, not even trying to pull away. She was trapped against the tree, yet she had never felt safer. 

As he takes her hand and she suddenly feels his warm chest under her fingers, she gives a little gasp, catching herself in another deepening kiss. Falling into all of these new feelings, she gives back the same affection he gave. Pressing her lips back against his, she lets the passion grow. Under her palm, she could feel his racing heartbeat, and knew that hers was racing just as fast. Her knees grew weak and she almost felt dizzy. 

Letting her palm wander in small circles, her hand slides up to the back of his neck, down over his shoulder, then returns to his chest, a little lower, then repeating the path again. He was smooth. Warm. Strong. 

As he doesn't retreat, her free hand slides around his waist, gripping him tightly. Time existed no more, and neither did the world around them. Nestled in the grove of apple trees, nothing else mattered. 

Mirror Fling

Listing to everything that was going on between Mackenzie and Alec she is just silent letting them go back and forth. Carson was an idiot but said nothing about it. Only showing anger twords him would do no good, not at this point with Mackenzie, Misty would rather stay off the topic of Carson all together but having his daughter here would make that hard. 

   "I am sure if you had asked your parents if you could come see me they would have let you. As far as I know I've done nothing wrong for them not to let you. And your dad well...thats a whole different story but its for your own good they keep you from him right now."

Misty does feel bad for Mackenzie, and she wasn't sure what she could tell her. She'd no kids of her own yet so had no idea what the young girl was going through or how much she was hurting. All Misty could do was try to encourage her and help.

   "When we are young I guess it's hard to know why our parents do what they do. Sometimes we don't  see there reason, or understand but I bet once you look back you'll think that was pretty smart of them. I do know though running away isn't going to help them trust you, or making them think your responsible to make your own depositions because right now your not."

Leaning back in her chair Misty looks to Alec before giving a small nod and a smile. She was happy he called. She didn't know what good she would do but at least she was trying and she was safe.

Hearing the name of her councler Misty stops and gives a small grin. So she was seeing Justin. If she had to pick someone herself she didn't know anyone better than him. He was a good guy and good at his job.

   "I know Justin, he's a good guy. Helps a few good friends of mine, and an easy guy to talk to. You don't like him?"

After escaping his brother's twenty questions about why he seemed to be smiling more than normal, and why he was in a better mood Chad finds himself alone leaning against one of the fences. He hadn't seen Rosalyn much today but that didn't mean his mind didn't wonder to her. He couldn't help it as his mind went to the night before and there kiss, than again to this morning and helping out in the kitchen. It had felt nice and he's really enjoyed being with her.

Catching movement out of the corner of his eye another smile spreads as he see it was Rosalyn. He wasn't sure where she was going but she was alone and maybe if he followed her and she stayed alone they could just get a little more time together.

Slowly following and being quiet Chad stops as she stops by a tree. Leaning against it and just watching her he can't help the smile that stayed on his face. Giving it enough time to ensure she was here alone he finally pushes off the tree and draws closer.

   "I figured if I just continued to follow you and someone saw me they might think I was stalking, but than again maybe I was."

Placing his one hand over Rosalyn's head on the tree and leaning in Chad's eyes were still twinkling like they had been this morning. Around her he just couldn't help himself his feelings, emotions they really were hard to contain. Just looking deep into her eyes he searches for many different things. The biggest one was once he left would Rosalyn forget about him?

   "It's pretty nice here...I like the view."

Bringing his free hand to the side of Rosalyn's face Chad lets his finger just run over her cheek for a moment before his hand slips behind her head and he leans in closer letting his lips press against hers. Not letting it linger to long he pulls away and little before smiling and returning just brushing her lips lightly with his own in a teasing manor before retreating a little again and than coming back pressing his lips to hers firmly this time letting his emotions go. His heart picking up it's beat pounding so loud in his chest once more. 

Still kissing her Chad he takes his hand from behind Rosalyn's head and searches for her hand while not breaking the kiss. Finding it his fingers play with hers for a moment before he brings her hand up to his chest where his shirt was slightly unbuttoned just enough that her hand could slip inside the shirt. Pressing her hand against his heart just letting it stay there. The act alone spoke so many unspoken words. She made his heart beat, race, that was no mirror fling that did that. Returning his hand to the back of her head with what little free space he had he lets his fingers run thought her soft hair before just resting on the back of her head deeping the kiss but providing comfort for her head so it wasn't against the the rough surface of the tree.


 

A Little Late

"Yeah, yeah, things'll be... fine." Alec didn't sound to reassuring, but he tried. Once off the phone, he wanders back over to the table, hands on hips, and sighs. "How long's it been since you've eaten?"

Mackenzie lifts her head and shrugs. "I dunno. Since yesterday I guess."

Alec rolls his eyes and goes to the refrigerator. Searching for a moment, he goes for the milk, an apple and some peanut butter. Making fast work of it, he pours a small glass of milk before cleaning and slicing the apple. Bringing it all to the table, he sets a plate with the apple slices in front of Mackenzie, along with the milk, and opens up the jar of peanut butter.

Mackenzie quirks an eyebrow. "Seriously?"

"What? You've never put peanut butter on apples?"

Mackenzie grimaces. "No. That's gross."

"Oh for Pete's sake." Alec pulls out a chair to sit next to her and takes an apple slice, dipping it into the peanut butter. Taking a bite, he nods. "Call me weird, but I like it. Last I knew though, you had the weird Banks gene too, so you might as well at least try it."

Challenged with belonging to the family, Mackenzie finally tries the snack. Glancing at Alec, she grins a little. "I guess it's not too bad."

"Ah. There, see? I knew you were my niece. This definitely proves it."

Mackenzie giggles a little before reaching for the glass and taking a long sip of milk.

Alec waits a few minutes before finishing the one slice of apple and just watching her eat. "So... you said you ran away from home 'cause they wouldn't let you see your dad anymore - but you hate his guts for leaving Misty anyway, so... what's the real deal here?"

Mackenzie shrugs again. "Nobody lets me do what I want. They treat me like a kid."

Alec smirks. "You are a kid, Blondie."

"Well, I shouldn't be." She scowls as she licks some peanut butter off her apple.

"So that family of yours - they're that bad, huh? Locking you up in a dungeon, I suppose? Scraps for meals, sharing a bed with rats and they beat you for no reason, huh?"

Mackenzie's eyes narrow at him. "I never said that."

"They why, pray tell, are you sitting here right now wanting me to feel sorry for you? You're just gonna get us both in trouble."

"I didn't know you were here, remember? I just wanted to see Misty."

"And what was she supposed to do?"

Mackenzie shrugs once more. "Who said I had to have a plan?"

"A Banks always has a plan." Hearing the front door open, Alec ceases the conversation. "In here," he calls to Misty. Seeing her come in, he lets the scene speak for itself.

Mackenzie turns around, her eyes widening a little. "Misty!" Excitement was evident in her voice. "Yeah, I'm okay." As Misty sits down next to her, she moves, almost as if she wants a hug, but something holds her back. "I just wanted to come see you. I didn't know Alec was living here too now."

Alec sits back in his chair, folding his arms over his chest. "She ran away from home again. They won't let her see her dad since he's being an idiot and-"

"He's not an idiot!" Mackenzie snaps.

Alec doesn't flinch. "He is, and you know it."

Tears pool in the girl's eyes. "Yeah well I've heard some not-so-great things about you, too."

Alec leans forward to rest his arms on the table, lowering his eyes to her level. "I told you once before that I was a bad person, so your observation doesn't bother me a bit. But you gotta know that your parents were probably smart in not letting you see Carson anymore. It was for your own good and you know it."

Mackenzie takes another sip of her milk, willing herself not to cry. She looks back at Misty pleadingly. "I just missed seeing you, and my parents don't understand. They won't let me do anything."

Alec straightens back up, catching Misty's eye. "She tells me they've been forcing her to see a counselor. She's got his number on her but she won't give it to me."

Mackenzie frowns. "Justin will just tell my parents anyway."

Alec looks back to Misty. Justin? Justin Hawks? The same guy who had worked with Scott? She probably knew about the guy, since it sounded like Mackenzie had been seeing him since before Carson had left. But did she know anything else?

Smiling at his daughter, Jeff reaches over to take Katie's hand, giving it a squeeze. "I'd like nothing more than some father daughter time."

He gives her a wink. "I'm gonna miss you too - but that just means that I'll have to visit all the sooner. Besides - I bet you're gonna be kept way too busy to think too much about back here. They're probably pulling their hair out down at the Elite without you there."

Maybe it was just a lame attempt to convince Katie she'd be fine and fall back into her routine at home again. He knew she didn't like being separated from her family, but that was life. She could always quit the Elite too, but he had a feeling she wouldn't. Last he knew, she loved her job too much for that anyway. Of course... that was when she'd been close to Jason.

Letting the subject go for now, Jeff eats breakfast with Katie, soon joined by Hunter as well. The three were able to chat a bit before Katie's other friends showed up too and the crowd became bigger. It would be later in the day when Jeff would catch up to Katie again for that walk.

"Hey.... Sis?"

Rosalyn continues to wipe down the dining room tables with the wet cloth, having taken the initiative to clean after lunch. She hadn't seen much of Chad except from a distance, catching his eye every once in a while, and dying to talk to him again. As luck would have it, Clint was interrupting her thoughts once more. "Yes, dear brother?"

"Uh... you got a minute?"

She looks over her shoulder to see him leaning on the back of a chair, shifting his weight rather nervously. "I guess so. What is it?"

Clint shrugs and continues fiddling with one of the chairs. "I, um... well I just wanted to talk to you about something."

Rosalyn sets one hand on her hip, the washcloth in the other. She really didn't have time for beating around the bush, but she holds back her annoyance. It wasn't often her brother looked so serious. "Yes? I'm listening."

"Well, it's just..." He shrugs again. "You know... me and Wendy... well, be both started out doing something stupid, ya know?"

Rosalyn blinks. Yes, everybody knew. "Uh... yeah. I sorta figured that one out."

"Oh, I'm happy now, don't get me wrong." Clint wouldn't trade Chase for the world. "It's just... well at the time, we sorta both lost our heads there in the heat of the moment and-"

Rosalyn holds up her hand. "Clint, spare me the details. You got your girlfriend pregnant. Now what is this about? I know she's pregnant again, but you are married, so I hardly have anything to be upset about."

Clint's face flushes slightly. He and Rosalyn were close, but they'd never talked about anything like this before. "It's not about me," he backtracks. "I mean, it was, so I know how it started off bad, and I do regret it, but not now. I mean it's not about me now."

Rosalyn's brow furrows as she tries to figure out what he was saying. "Okay..."

Clint purses his lips, his eyes showing genuine concern. "I just... don't want you to make the same mistake I did."

Rosalyn's eyes widen slightly. "Excuse me?"

"Or Wendy," he corrects. "I mean... since, you being a girl and... well..." His face grows redder. "I just don't wanna see you have the same regrets we do. You know..."

Setting the cloth aside, Rosalyn folds her arms. She really had no idea why this subject had come up. "I know.... what?"

"What I mean."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I'm just looking out for you!" Clint gestures with his hands, trying to explain without using blunt vocabulary. "Just making sure you aren't... you know what I mean!"

Rosalyn rolls her eyes. "If you're trying to explain the facts of life, I'm afraid you're a little late."

Clint's eyes widen. "I... I'm.... you've..."

"No!" Rosalyn's own eyes were just as wide. "That's not what I meant, pervert. I meant I have all the information I need, thank you. But why on earth are you telling me all this?"

Clint's cheeks had grown a little more hot. "I was just... worried."

"About me? With this sort of thing? Why?"

"Well I... I saw you leaving Chad's bunkhouse last night."

Rosalyn's face immediately transforms from light red to deep crimson. She had hoped that her brother's look to her this morning hadn't meant anything. But apparently when he couldn't sleep and had been out and about, he'd spotted her. "And you think that we... that I... you... seriously?!"

"It was three in the morning!" Clint throws up his hands. "I thought you were smarter than that, but it sure didn't look like it!"

"I can't believe we're having this conversation."

"I was just trying to help!"

"Well you didn't do a very good job." Rosalyn's eyes narrow. "Do you really have that much time on your hands that you sit around sticking your nose into other people's businesses?"

"I'm sorry!" Clint shoves the chair back into the table and huffs and frustrated sigh. "What was I supposed to think? If you weren't sleeping with him, then what were you doing there until the wee hours of the morning?!"

Rosalyn picks up the washcloth to resume her work - cleaning the tables a bit more vigorously now. "Not that you need to know, but we were talking and playing some cards. I fell asleep. When I woke up, he was asleep too, and I left. End of story."

Clint was relieved to hear that, and he did believe her. Except now he'd really made a mess. "I guess I'll never quit being the dumb one, will I?"

Rosalyn pauses her work and sighs at him. "I appreciate your effort, Clint. But you have nothing to worry about, okay? I don't plan on making that mistake."

"I didn't either..."

Rosalyn catches her brother's eye and gives him a weary sort of smile. "I know. Thanks for being my big brother. But as far as Chad and I are concerned, you don't need to think any more about it. Nothing happened, and nothing is gonna happen. Besides all that, he's leaving tomorrow anyway."

"Mm." Clint cocks his head. "Sad?"

"Who, me?" She rolls her eyes. "Guests come and go all the time. He's nice, I'll grant him that, and he's a flatterer, but I fell asleep while playing a game with him - what does that tell you? I'm sure it looked like something bad last night, and that was my own stupid fault. But really... there's nothing to worry about," she repeats.

"Yeah... okay." Clint gives her a sheepish glance. "I better get back to work."

"That's probably a good idea."

"And you don't need to... uh... tell anybody about... you know..."

Rosalyn grins. "Oh don't worry. You wouldn't catch me dead repeating this conversation." Only when she's alone again does her smile fade from her face. For one, she was more embarrassed than she'd let on - she knew she and Chad had done nothing wrong, but she still felt that same guilt, at least for what it had looked like. And for another thing, she'd led her brother on. She had unexplained feelings churning beneath the surface, and whatever had sparked between her and Chad was far from anything as boring as she'd implied. What was true though, was that he really was leaving tomorrow, and she knew that would end this little whirlwind of poetry and flattery...

...Walking amidst the small grove of apple trees, Rosalyn's mind wanders. She didn't usually just go off on her own, but today, it was too difficult to concentrate on her tasks. She was thinking about Chad... a lot. And her conversation with Clint was still bothering her. It all felt like one big mess, even though nothing was really going on at all. Maybe it was just all in her head. She was making a big deal out of nothing. Well... not really nothing. There was definitely something.

Leaning back against a tree, she looks up at the ripening apples. She should pick some to make something special. Although she didn't make as good of desserts as her mom did.

Sighing, she closes her eyes and just lets the warm breeze wash over her. What was Chad doing now? Where was he? Was he thinking of her? Did he want to see her again? Would she get to see him again before he left? Did he feel badly for her request to keep it all a secret?

I'll miss you

Chad was happy to spend that little extra time with Rosalyn chatting, laughing a little more and exchanging silent looks that only they new about. As as the dinning room became more and more crowded Chad made himself fade a little bit in the background till he finally faded away with his other friends not wanting to giving any hits that anything was going on with him and Rosalyn, but one that that wasn't removed was a smile that was no spread on his face. Maybe a little later Chad could find her somewhere alone and they could spend a little more time together. Tomorrow was coming all to soon.

Looking back to Jeff Katie gives a smile though in her eyes there was a bit of sadness. She really didn't want to live. She loved it here, she loved her family, and she loved her father so very much. No one ever new how hard it was for her to be away from him, not even Jason. That was one emotion she'd never let though.

   "Yeah, I'm packed but I don't know about ready to go. I'm really going to miss it here, I'm really going to miss you."

Katie new her life back in Nevada was waiting and she had to get back to it. Things would work out and everything would be ok once she got back but the feeling of being home sick was still there and Katie hated it. The first time she'd left the ranch what seemed like forever ago she had been angry, with Jason, she'd now returned angry at him again but she was leaving with that anger now gone. So now it hurt just a little more there was no pain to drive her.

   "Would you like to talk a walk a little later just the two of us? I could use some father daughter time before I leave."

Picking up her phone Misty was a bit surprised to hear it was Alec. Why he wasn't calling on her cell...oh thats right she'd left it in the car on mistake this morning. Well that made sense now but still it was a not odd.

  "Hey Alec, whats up?"

Hearing his voice she did not like the way he sounded. It put her on edge enough to stand up and already grab her things. It wasn't like Alec to have a little bit of panic in his voice and it made Misty's head race. 

   "Ohh boy....Just tell me everyone is ok and I am on my way home now."

Once getting off the phone with Alec she loves over to where Rick sat. Giving him a not and putting a few things away quickly she talks as she is heading for the door.

   "Rick I'll be back in a little bit. That was Alec and something is going on at home."

Closing the door behind her Misty wastes no time getting in her car and heading home. It didn't take as long as normal but she'd pushed the speed limit a little bit herself. She just wanted to get home and know what was going on for sure and make sure no one really was hurt.

Getting out of the car and heading inside Misty looks around wondering where Alec was. Everything seemed to quit for her liking.

   "Alec?"

Putting her stuff down on the hallway stands Misty looks into the living room seeing nothing she makes her way into the kitchen. Entering and seeing Alec she looks at him with question before looking at the table and not being able to help her surprise.

   "Mackenzie....What are you doing here? Are you ok Hun?"

Misty looks to Alec again before moving to the table and sitting down next to the young girl. Laying a hand on her shoulder Misty could tell something was wrong even though she didn't know what.

Slight Problem

"Umm.... two more I think." Rosalyn concentrates on the food, trying not to let her brother's look bother her. At least it didn't seem Chad had picked up on anything. He probably felt weird enough the way it was.

Glancing over her shoulder at him, she automatically smiled. She couldn't remember anybody who had ever had that affect on her, but... she really didn't mind one bit. It was something that felt... special.

Letting Chad help her with the rest of breakfast, Jade does eventually come, apologizing for sleeping through her alarm. She was just in time to help serve though, and Rosalyn hadn't minded having Chad to herself for a while. Once breakfast starts though, he was gone and she was left to her normal tasks, unable to help but wonder if she'd get any time with him again before he left. She knew that this was something short-lived. He was leaving tomorrow and going back to his life. This had just been a vacation for him. Even so, she wanted to enjoy these last few hours and soak it all in, in the hopes that one day she'd really have someone like him to call her own.


Joined by Katie, Jeff smiles. "Hey, Kiddo. I'm feeling alright this morning - better than yesterday. I think it's going to be a good day."

He cocks his head a moment, studying her face. He hoped that she truly was ready to go back to Nevada. He'd want her here forever, but knew she had a job to do. He just hoped that she was ready and that she would be able to easily adjust once she was back to work and back to her other world. "What about you? All packed?"


Cradling the phone between his shoulder and chin, Alec waits for Misty to answer. He'd gotten her voice mail on her cell phone, so he'd tried the Elite infirmary directly. One ring... two.... Come on, Misty, pick up....

Once he hears her voice, he breathes a sigh of relief. That was only half his stress though. "Hey, Misty, it's Alec. Um... can you come home?"

He glances over his shoulder to the kitchen table where Mackenzie sat, her head bent and resting on her folded arms.

"We.... have a slight problem."

Girly

Staring to stir the eggs a little bit Chad nodded. When he was home more he liked to keep, and when he'd been married he'd dont most of the cooking too so her was alright at it. No great chef and he was sure Rosalyn's food was better than his but no one would spit it out either, and he new not to burn anything. Thats really all he needed, everything else was trial and error.

Having the bacon offered to him Chad smile and takes a bit before giving a nod. This felt nice, it was different but he felt needed and being able to help, while being close to Rosalyn it was definitely the perfect combination. About to say something he stops at Clint's voice and turns around slightly throwing him a grin.

   "Don't get use to the sight, you never know this might be my first and my last time in the kitchen."

Though he teased about not coming back in and cooking Chad couldn't help the but know that if Rosalyn needed help or asked for help he would be right here and the same spot to help again. He didn't mind being in the kitchen, or taking on chores. He wasn't worried about people thinking he was to girly for doing more feminine things. He was comfortable with himself and anything he did.

Just leaving Rosalyn and her brother be to talk Chad turns back to the stove switching out pans and putting the one in the stove to keep warm like Rosalyn had said. Cracking a few more eggs and whipping them up into the next pan he lets it sizzle for a second before mixing them around like the last eggs.

It wasn't till Clint was gone that Chad turned to her again and gave a little smile. Her brother seemed pretty nice and like he cared for his sister a lot. It was nice to see family interaction like that. He'd never had his parents to be close to but he'd had Mark and he was very thank full for his brother. Without him who new where he'd be right now but Chad had a feeling it wasn't here.

   "So, how many batches of eggs should be made?"

Wondering into the dinning room Katie looks around. Hunter hadn't been awake yet so she left him a little note that said she would be here and if he needed anything to call or if he felt up to joining her he could. Seeing her dad she smiled and goes over to the table sitting down. It was her last day and she wanted to try and see everyone before she left. 

   "Good Morning! I was hoping I could catch you before the events of the day started. How are you feeling?"

Bacon

Rosalyn can see a little hesitance in Chad's eyes, and she didn't blame him. It did feel strange to keep this a secret. It made it feel as though they were hiding something they were doing wrong, when they were being quite innocent and pure. But she still saw that red flag quite clearly and even if she didn't understand it completely, she'd learned to rely on those instincts, and she wasn't going to risk ignoring it this time.

Grateful he agrees, she gives his hand a squeeze. Returning the light kiss, she can't help another smile. He was so sweet and tender, but not even close to weak. Even his light kisses held adventure and she was quickly falling for them.

"I'd never ask you to lie," she responds quietly. No... no, that was something she would never do. That was a line she would not cross. "And if I'm asked, I won't lie either."

Grinning at his offer to help, she nods. "I would love your help, actually. I don't know where Jade is, so I'm a little swamped in here."

Moving to the side, she gestures to the eggs. "Just make sure those don't burn there for now. When they're done, we'll put them in the oven just to stay warm and start another batch. I don't like cooking too many at once." She could use a bigger pan, but she chose not to, preferring to maintain control over smaller portions.

Continuing with the bacon, she snitches a piece and takes a bite, nodding. Not too crispy, not too limp. Turning to Chad, she grins again and holds up the rest of the piece to his mouth so he could taste it too. "How's this?"

"Whoa! Man at the stove. That is just not right." Clint saunters through the kitchen, heading for the coffee. Grabbing a cup, he throws his sister and Chad a sidelong glance. "Rosalyn, you know better than to rope our poor guests into helping in the kitchen. You want to give him nightmares?"

Rosalyn rolls her eyes and leaves Chad be, wiping her hands on her apron. "I didn't rope anybody. He offered. Which is more than I can say about other people..."

Clint snickers and sips the fresh coffee. "Mmm... I needed this."

"You do look a little tired."

"Yeah, I was up half the night. Couldn't sleep and I was keeping Wendy awake so I went out to the shop. Now I'm paying for it."

The look he gave his sister made Rosalyn recoil just slightly. There was that red flag again. "Oh well I'm sorry. Stick around for a few minutes and breakfast will be ready."

"Okeedokee. Thanks." Lingering a moment, he finally sidles back out of the kitchen.


Easing down in a dining room chair, Jeff yawns, but felt fairly alert this morning. He hadn't done much yesterday, but today he'd woken up feeling pretty good. His energy level felt better at least, as did his stomach. He knew this was Katie's last day here, and though he wanted to spend it with her, he knew that most of her time would be spent with Hunter, and he didn't want to crowd them. Maybe he'd go for a short ride this afternoon to get some fresh air.

Lie

Having Rosalyn lay her hand over his it felt nice, and it felt warm. It was a feeling that spread through his hand, up his arm, and through the rest of him as he stood there not feeling like he had a care in the world at the moment. Everything seemed alright.

Hearing her request Chad is silent for a long moment. He felt a few different things about it once not voiced. Was this a smart idea if it was being kept a secret? Was he doing something wrong if he new people would not approve? Though reason knocked at the door Chad pushed it away. He wasn't doing anything wrong and as long as no one asked anything he wouldn't have to lie. Rosalyn was so special to just give up.

   "It already is our secret, just as long as you don't have to lie if anyone askes."

Maybe for now keeping it on a down low was a good thing. He had been here only a few days and to have grow so close to someone it did look kind of funny to those outside looking in. It would simply be the matter of them not knowing the feeling or connection but Chad really couldn't blame them either, he understood how it looked but he simply didn't care either.

Leaning down and bringing his face to Rosalyn's his lips brush hers quickly in a morning kiss. He didn't let it linger to long not sure when people would be showing up for breakfast like they had yesterday. So a quick one for now would just have to do and hold them both over till maybe later in the day if they were alone at all.

   "So, it looks like you could use some help. I've got nothing better to do at the moment just tell me what to do and I'll do it."

Secret

Hearing Chad's voice, a smile spreads on Rosalyn's face, though she doesn't turn around yet. As he slips his arms around her, she stays busy with the bacon, but lets one hand fall to his, letting her fingers rest against his. Her heart gave a flutter and she could feel her cheeks growing rosy... but this morning was different than yesterday. Chad was no longer a stranger. It wasn't nervous tension she felt, but rather a new kind of excitement.

"Good morning," she greets softly. Letting him help with the eggs, she was grateful for his assistance. Cooking eggs and bacon required more hands than muffins in the oven.

Leaving her hand still resting on his that remained around her waist, she looks up at him, catching his eye. A new little smile emerges and she shakes her head. "No, I left about three. Everybody else was sound asleep, so no one's the wiser. Which... is probably best."

She didn't want Chad to think she was ashamed of him or that she didn't think he was good enough. She just wanted to avoid any unnecessary tension if she could. Would he understand? Her eyes search his and she bites her lower lip as her fingers toy with his. "Can this be our secret?"