Donut Runs

Hearing the knock on the door, Kip's heart lurched. He'd been pacing his bedroom ever since Karla had said she was coming over. Things were going to be okay, right? He knew things wouldn't be back to normal right away, but she'd give him a chance to prove he wouldn't be stupid again, surely. Whatever she asked of him, he'd do it to make things right again.

Opening up the door, for a quiet moment he just looked at Karla, his eyes wearing the same sorrowful look they had the other night. He wanted to reach out and hug her, but her expression made him leery. Maybe he should wait.

Backing up, he gestured to his bed where they always sat and talked or cuddled while watching a movie. "Come on in," he invited quietly. "I'm... I'm glad to see you." He really was. Her coming over was a good sign. He tucked his hands in his jeans pockets and shifted his weight awkwardly. "If you wanna stay a while, I can grab us a couple cans of pop or something..."


Jason obeyed Misty's directions, though he sighed when she listed all the reasons for concern when it came to the Agency. He winced a little as she cleaned the wound, but didn't complain. He knew good and well this was the wise thing to do.

He gave her a wry grin as she finished up. "It wasn't my bodyguard's fault. Nobody coulda seen this one - the shooter was too far away. Wyatt feels bad enough the way it is."

Rolling his sleeve back down, he remained seated on the bed. It felt a little awkward to have Misty help him. Though they were okay, it felt like things between them just hadn't ever been quite settled. Though interacting at work, there was just this invisible wall, and Jason hated it. Mostly because he knew it was his own fault. He hadn't exactly planned on saying anything today but...maybe taking advantage of the moment wouldn't be so bad. "Speaking of Wyatt... he told me last night that I'm a jerk." He bit his lip. "Talk about a buzz kill." Really? That's where he chose to start? He inwardly rolled his eyes at himself.

"He pointed out rather boldly that I'm awfully good at starting things...and just as good at not following through. I was mad at him...til I realized he was right."

Would saying these things really make any kind of difference? He had his doubts, but it was too late to stop now. "I guess I really have built quite a pattern of getting in too deep then royally messing things up, and... I know I've apologized for what happened with us but...I guess I'm still sorry. I can't change anything now. I was dumb from the get-go. I don't regret being there for you... I just went about things all wrong and... If I could go back and do things differently, I would."

He searched Misty's face, hoping she wouldn't think him crazy. "Guess I deserved the tongue-lashing from your cousin, but..." He shrugged. "Thought maybe we could at least shoot for being friends again?" A little grin surfaced. "And I'm the kind of friend who even goes on donut runs in the middle of the day...in case bribery works."


Jared didn't move or say anything as Grace approached and sat down after shifting his legs. But he didn't complain either. Truth be told...as miserable as he was, her words touched a part of his heart that he usually kept too deeply for anyone to reach. It didn't bring a smile to his face, but he knew what she really meant. He knew her statement didn't just apply to the literal storm clouds rolling by.

Remaining silent, it wasn't clear how many minutes passed until he stirred. It was difficult - especially after going these last few days without any therapy - but he slipped his legs off her lap and shifted his weight. It was wobbly on the swing, but he managed to make the effort anyway, until he was eventually opposite of what he was before. Though his legs weren't as comfortable, he ignored the pain, and leaned back until his head was resting in Grace's lap. He still said nothing, but simply closed his eyes as the swing rocked gently. A tear slipped down the side of his face, as his fingers found her hand. Words couldn't express how dark the world felt to him right now. 

"Please don't make me do therapy today," he whispered.

Wonders

Walking up to Kip's house Karla just stood outside for a long moment. She'd called Kip a few hours ago and asked if she could come over. She wanted to talk to him, she needed to talk to him and it couldn't wait. After the last few days of silence it was time to talk about everything that happened. She new it was going to be hard though, for herself, for Kip...it just was not going to be an easy thing to hash out. She'd cried, she'd prayed, and she'd kept to herself these last days.

Finally getting the courage Karla walked up to the door and gave a knock before opening it and going in. Seeing Gram and Gramps in the living room she smiled a little and waved before heading up to Kips room and giving a knock at the door. Picking at a lose string on her coat she waited till he answered.

Seeing Jason come into the room Misty tried to give a little smile though things seems a little awkward now, and when everything that has been going on she still wasn't her old happy self. Smiles were hard to come by, and her eyes where just dark. Life seemed so different now, she just didn't know how to fix it.

   "Come and sit here."

Misty motioned to the one of the empty beds close to her desk. If Aaron woke up again she wanted Jason as far away as he could be. For all they new Aaron could be the one that was to kill Jason if anything happened. She wouldn't take that chance or risk.

   "My overprotective Uncle is smart. Bullet could of been laced, it could of nicked something a million to one things could of happened specially if it was from the Agency. We all know they know no bounds."

Drawing quiet again Misty sets to work looking at Jason's wound and cleaning it up. The would didn't look to be reacting to any poisons, or any sign that it might, Jason got lucky or the person the Agency send was dumb. Either way Jason wold be ok.

   "You got lucky this time. Just keep clean dressing on it so it wont get infected, and tell your bodyguards to do a better job."

Pulling into the driveway Grace looks at the sky and grimes for a moment. She'd hope to get out and about with Jared today but it looked like the rain had other plans. Getting out of the car and tucking her keys into her pocket she made her way to the porch, up the steps and to the swing. Gentily she lifts Jared's legs and slids under them on the porch swing.

Looking out at the sky again the clouds where thick, and dots of light broke that darkness as thunder formed. A cool breeze blew and she closed her eyes for a moment before opening them again and looking at Jared with a smile.

   "It's always amazing how storms can look so scary, and some times are, but afterwords there is always a calm, a rainbow, new life that forms. One of the many wonders of the world if you ask me."