The Only

Jared eyes Grace with worry in his gaze. He believed her though. If she said she'd stop him, then he would trust her. All he had to worry about now was himself. Was she right? Could he really break old habits? 

Turning over his hand, he curls his fingers around hers, giving them a little squeeze. He searches her face for a few quiet moments, just thinking things through and calming any lingering irritation.

"Sometimes I wish I hadn't gotten my memory back," he admits softly. "But then... if I didn't remember who I'd been and all the people I'd dealt with... I wouldn't be as amazed by you as I am now." 

He turns his head back to the blank television, but keeps his hand in hers. "I'm sorry about saying I didn't want you to be my therapist anymore. I was just... scared of hurting you and I didn't know what else to do. I... really don't want you to stop coming." 

His gaze turns back to her again. "You're the only friend I've got." 

Rick just chuckles at Misty's comment, leaving his nephew to fend for himself. 

Clay lifts his hands in surrender as he quirks a grin at Misty. "I've gotten beaten up enough lately, and for some reason I think you probably pack a whallop... so I'll come. Better than sitting around listening to my uncle all evening anyway."

"Hey..." Rick smirks, although it was obvious he and his nephew had a special relationship. "You're right about Misty though, so watch it. And don't tangle with the other guys tonight either - trust me, you'll end up on the losing end."

"Sounds like... a nice bunch." Clay gives Misty a wary look, although he was pretty sure he could trust her. 

"Alright, I'm here, make it quick." Jason enters the infirmary, not even realizing he's interrupting until he sees Clay. "Oops. Sorry."

Rick rolls his eyes. "It's okay. Just barge on in. It's not like we have private offices in here." 

"Uh-huh." Jason wanders over to the table to sit, throwing Misty a wink.

Clay catches it and his eyebrow arcs at Misty. "Boyfriend or brother-in-law?"

Jason can't help laughing outright. "Ha! Don't let Alec catch you asking that. He'd - ow!" He glares at Rick as his finger is pricked. "You used to be nicer with those things."

"You used to be a better patient," Rick retorts. "Your sugar's lower than I like."

"Well I can't help it if I've got an overactive pancreas. You told me to lay off the sugar."

"The bad stuff. Eat more fruit and see me next week."

"Yeah, yeah."

Watching the two men go back and forth, Clay still wasn't sure who the guy was, but it seemed he shared the wry humor of both Rick and Misty.

A genuine smile creases Clint's lips, and he nods. "I'd like to come over very much, and I'm sure Wendy will too. Thank you."

Wandering to the door, he leans on the frame and looks out at the dark ranch. It was peaceful tonight. The dark always felt that way. Maybe that was why he worked late, and sometimes got up before the sun to work. 

"Well... another day gone," he muses, more to himself than anybody else. He couldn't remember when he'd gone to bed feeling at peace. Things had felt so overwhelming lately.