Phone Call

Gunner silently fell into step next to Bree, walking to the house and to the little makeshift bedroom, aka JT's office with a futon. It was either that or the living room though, and Gunner would just as well tuck himself away where he didn't have to see anybody. Not that being here would make it all that easy.

Had Bree just said something? He looked down at her, trying to get his brain back on track, but it seemed stuck in a thick fog that just wouldn't go away. "Um...sure...whatever you want to do. It's not like I have anywhere to go." 

He set down his bag before looking out the window to the backyard, getting lost in thought once more. He should have brought his telescope with him. Or perhaps stargazing was just a foolish way to pass the time, holding no meaning other than to stare at worthless space. On the other hand, it kept his mind occupied, which was worth something in itself. 

His eyes focused on the backyard again. He realized he'd been silent for several moments, so he turned around and tried the best smile he could for Bree. "You decide about food or whatever." He shrugged. "I'm on a roll with letting people tell me what to do." 

Garret drew Victoria into another hug...perhaps only to hide his face. "You wouldn't be lost," he responded quietly. "You're too strong. Too smart. Without me, you just wouldn't have quite as much practice looking over your shoulder."

He nuzzled his face into her until his lips found her neck to kiss. A clap of thunder didn't even make him flinch. "We're too strong to fall apart," he whispered. "And too weak to let go." Another trail of kisses led him back to her lips to conclude his passionate affection before he let her go and set his hands on her shoulders. 

Looking at her through the rain and amidst erratic flashes of lightning, he wanted to smile, but it just wouldn't surface. Being with Victoria grew in torture every time they saw each other. He loathed it, yet wouldn't trade it for the world. She had his heart in the palm of her hand, whether it was dangerous or not, and he simply had no say in the matter. 

His hands gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze. "I love you."

"...totally busted, so I ain't got any idea if anybody's called or texted me." 

Mick managed to swallow a laugh, imagining Eric's story of driving right over his cell phone with his big rig. "Well that stinks."

"No kidding. I'm on a payphone now. Just wanted to let y'all know I'm still alive."

"Good to know. Other than your phone, how's the run?" 

"Alright. Few hitches, but nothing I can't handle. Hey, do me a favor? Get Stacy on the line? Without my cell, I couldn't remember her number." 

"Sure thing." Mick was already on his feet in the ranch office. "Drive safe, brother." He set the phone aside without hanging up, and went to go find Stacy. He was glad to hear from Eric - it had been almost two weeks since he'd left, and things weren't the same around here without him. Mick had wanted to ask Eric what he'd really called about. He could tell there was more than just smalltalk that Eric wanted, but he also knew he was short on time, and Mick wouldn't begrudge him talking to Stacy.

..."Hey, Stacy?" Mick had spotted her in the dining room as it was nearing lunchtime. "Eric's on the phone in the office. Apparently he drove over his cell phone and could only remember the ranch's number." He gave her a wry grin. "Maybe you should convince the big goof to get one of those indestructible cases for his next phone." 

Awaiting

Smiling at Susanne Chad was happy she mentioned the bike. She was getting more comfortable with riding on the bike and it was happy. He liked having her arms around him, and just feeling her close. It was a nice feeling that he enjoyed very much.

   "You are lucky I just happened to bring my extra helmet. So I would love to be able to take my bike."

Backing away from Susanna and holding out his hand Chad continues to smile. Susanne's timid ways was cute and he loved every moment of it. It just added to the joy it gave him when she wanted to do things.

   "Alright my lady, the white horse awaits,"


Looking up at Gunner Bree smiles. She couldn't be mad with him, or upset with him. This was just another step in life and her love for Gunner was to big to look away.

   "I am happy Hope did, and I don't know whats wrong with you either, but we will figure it out together and I wont leave you high and dry. Not now, not ever."

Taking Gunner's hand in her own Bree walks with him up to the house. Showing him to the room he had been in before Bree just wanted to make sure he was comfortable. She new this wasn't easy for him and she just wanted to help with that.

   "Want me to cook some dinner and than we can watch a movie?"

Feeling Garret's arms around her Victoria melted into his embrace and his kiss. This had been the longest they had been away from each other in a long time. She hated the weekend they were not together, and the hours away. It always seemed though that it made there time that much sweeter.

   "You're the only things that keeps me going at times. I couldn't imagine how life would be without you. I'd be lost."

Everything in her life that she had done, that she had gone thought, wrong or right, good or bad, with Garret near it didn't matter. It wiped the slate clean and made her feel good. Maybe he would be the only one that would ever understand, being with him in these moments it was worth the risk.