True to myself

Searching Kirk's face again Misty's emotions churned more. He had a point, he had a very good point. But there was stuff he didn't know too. Shifty Misty looked down focusing on some things on her desk. Oh how she hated this, oh how her emotions did too and yer there was still a part f her that wanted to defend Carson.

   "A few times he was blackmailed. He was trying to keep the people he loved safe."

Looking up again Misty's eyes held a few tears. This was all so hard to talk about, so many memories, so many emotions that were not good. Finding Rick in the room she wondered if he was listing too.

   "I would always be true to myself when it came down to it. That's all I can do."

Jamie giggles as Con kisses her neck and leans her own face into him. She soaked up the moment and didn't care who saw.  She wasn't going to let this oppertunity slip by her.

   "You make my day better by just being here."

Being turned around to face him Jamie's smile grew even more. Looking up in his eyes  Jamie searched the never ending pools. Glancing back at her paper work for a second Jamie finally stands pacing a kiss on Con's lips.

   "Subs sounds like an amazing idea. Lets get out of here before anyone sees us." 

Just watching Travis Ashlee smiles folding her arms across her chest. Travis was so gentle with the horse. It surprised her, but made her happy at the same time. He'd get along just find here even if he wasn't the best at riding just like her.

   "Fishing sounds like fun. I've never been but it looks like fun anyways."

Hearing Travis wanted to help her groom made her perk up. That would be nice to have someone to just hang out with. She could feel and excitement in the pit of her stomach something that seemed to chase the loneliness away.

   "That sounds great. I was going to head to hose Stardust down and than brush her if you want to take along we can go at a slow pace. I dont mind one bit. The company would be nice. I can show you around a little too."

Groom

"Ups and downs?" Kirk almost laughed...almost. "I'll say. He was involved with how many Agency women? Then in the end he wound up bending to Agency threats and lying to everyone around him about what was really going on. I honestly can't believe Reese still allows him to work here after he's caused so much damage." He cocked his head. "What's to say he won't just lie again? Or be seduced by an Agency woman again and let his loyalties slide? It's his pattern after all. You...came here to stay, and never looked back. Carson...he hasn't stopped looking back."

He paused, tapping his own on his notepad. "What would happen if you found out he was going back again? Would you endanger the Elite or turn him in?"


Con chuckled and bent down low to kiss the side of Jamie's neck. "Mmm... I don't know if I can make your day any better... But I can take you to lunch if you want."

He spun her chair around so he could face her. "I'm thinking subs. In the park. Unless you'd rather stay here with your paperwork instead."


A new smile emerged on Travis' face as he was given the sugar cubes. Handing them to the horse, it was obvious he was used to the large animals. Scratching her cheek again, he gave her some loving. "Mmm, you're a pretty girl, aren't ya, Stardust, huh?"

He threw Ashlee a glance. "I'm not so great in the saddle myself, but that's prolly 'cause I don't get to ride as much as I want. Only when I stay with my dad, and half the time we go fishing instead...if he's not wrangling cows." He might be upset with his dad right now, but he knew Lane had been the best father he could.

Realizing he'd let his mind drift, he snapped his attention back to Ashlee. "Going for a ride sounds like fun, but it might be a while til I can handle that again." He reached out to stroke Stardust again. "Wouldn't mind helping groom this girl though..."

Together

As Con comes up behind her Jamie gives a small gigle. She wasn't expecting to see Con today but she could never forget the smell of his cologne and the feel of his skin. She'd play along though.

   "Is it my knight in shining armour coming to save me from the disaster of a day?"

Bringing her hands to to Con's Jamie give them a squeeze. What a nice surprise this was to have him here. She missed there interactions at work and flirtatious ventures.

Misty eyes Kirk for a long moment thinking what what he said. The look on his face was full of judgment and it made Misty feel very self conthious. No one talked to her in a long time a about her involvement in the Agency.

   "I was for a short time. We all make mistakes Mr. Young. It's what we do to correct them that matters in the end."

Looking down at her ring for a moment Misty could feel her emotions churn. Everything with Carson was still being sorted out. It was hard to talk about it. But she new if she didn't Kirk wouldn't go away.

   "As for Carson, really that's my business. He's had his ups and downs, but he's trying. He's come a long way since first coming to the elite."

Misty couldn't help but wonder just how much Kirk bew about her life.

Ashlee cant help but laugh and shake her head. She should of guessed Angel was still giving him liquids still. She was good like that nursing everyone back to health.

   "Well maybe we can convince her to tonlet you join us all in the mess hall tonight. Becky is making her amazing burgers."

Just looking over Travis for a moment Ashlee could feel her smile widen. In this light, he was cute, bruses and all. He looked a lot like Lane, and Angel too. You could tell they were related.

 Hearing his questions Ashlee pulls herself from her thoughts and smiles again. She liked her was asking questions and engaging with her. It felt nice to be noticed.

   "This is Stardust. As much as I wish she was mine she is not. She belongs to the ranch. I just like riding her the most."

Petting the horses neck again Ashlee pulls a sugar cube from her pocket and hands it to Travis her fingers brushing his for a moment.

   "I'm not the best rider yet. Stardust has a calm about her so I can ride myself and not ha e to worry to much but can still learn. Maybe when your better we can ride together."

Impressed

Con looked down at Katie with a little more seriousness, and he sighed. "I miss you guys too," he admitted. "I...haven't been able to find my niche since leaving." 

Jason ceased his teasing, knowing good and well how much his best friend had suffered lately, trying to survive with jobs he hated. "Reese...he still have an opening for you?"

Con rolled his eyes. "He hasn't stopped badgering me about coming back. Although from the sounds of it, even if..." Oops. He bit his tongue and tried to recover. "Well...just, things have changed some."

Jason quirked an eyebrow and glanced at Katie. Con was holding something back. "Even if what?"

"Nothing." Reese would kill Con if he spilled the beans about the real intent of the FBI. "Anyway... great to see you guys." He reached down and patted Trooper's head. "And you too."

Trooper gave a short woof, then a little whine.

"Not you too," Con chided. he sighed again. "Okay. I gotta go. And we'll see about the future." He tossed Katie a wink before finally leaving. He still didn't leave the building though. Instead, he walked the short row of cubicles before stopping at Jamie's. He might be big, but he could be quiet when he wanted to be, and he slipped in behind her chair. Leaning down, he put a hand over her eyes. "Guess who."


Kirk nodded slowly, then eased down in an empty chair. "What about before that though?" He flipped through a file. "You were... involved in the Agency, right?" He continued to browse a few pages. "Ah yes. Then after you came here, you got romantically involved with an Agency man."

He quirked an eyebrow at her. "Some might say you have an unhealthy attraction to the enemy." Without giving her time to respond, he went on. "How's that working out for you, by the way? I see you're still wearing your wedding band. I'm pretty impressed after all I've heard about your husband - who also just can't seem to make a clean break with the Agency."


Seeing Ashlee ride up and hearing her comment about the fence, Travis smiled and stayed right where he was. As she dismounted, he cocked his head. Seeing her out here when he wasn't groggy in bed, she really was cute, especially in those jeans and t-shirt. His smile widened and he leaned both arms on the top fence rail to set his chin on his hands, which put him down nearer her height. 

"Nope. Well, last night I still had soup. But I'm really hoping today she'll let me eat something else. I mean, I like soup, but..." He grinned again. Despite his slowly heeling, beaten face, his eyes twinkled just a little. This whole thing had been a nightmare. Then yesterday with his mom, it hadn't helped any. But today...at least it was a new day, right? 

"So..." He straightened and reached over the fence to stroke the horse's cheek. "This your horse?" 

Thinner Skull

Sapphire was thankful for Scott's impute and his calming words. She was feeling better not like she could finish the rest of her day.

   "Thank you Scott. Hopfully you are right and he is. He sure is doing a number on peoples emotions."

Looking up at Kirk Misty eyes him with question. From what she had heard he was causing quite a stir with people. Why was he do intrested in her now?

   "I have a moment to talk."

Hearing his question about how she got there Misty found it odd. Why was that important and what did it have to do with anything.

   "I had a passion for helping oeople. I went to medical school in England and got my degree. Reese my Uncle offered me a job here and this is where I have been ever since."

She wondered if that was a good enough answer for Kirk. Even if it wasn't it was the truth, and that's all she could give. She had nothing to hide.

Katie shakes her head in reply to Con's statement she loved the banter they all shared, oh how she'd missed Con. And how she missed Jason's smiling face, his sparking eyes when he laughed. Stopping her train of thought right there Katie looks to Con again not daring to look at Jason least he see her cheeks she was sure were red.

   "I've tried Con...just dosnt stick. Somethibg I think Trooper has a thinner skull."

Laughing again Katie finally looks to Jason, and than back to Con. It would have wonderful if Con did come back. She missed seeing him every day.

   "You should come back. I miss moments like this. Heck, we all miss you in general. You are an important part of our team."

Out in the pasture Ashlee had just slowed down from a sprint on Stardust. Movment by one of the fences caught her sight. Seeing it was Travis she smiled. It was good to see him up and about even if maybe Angle would advise against it. Yelling to him she cant help but laugh at the same time.

   "Watch out how to lean on that it could give way at any moment."

Walking over to him and stops and swings her leg over the house and jumps down. Her hair was in a lose ponytail as some stray hairs had broken free,  A while tshirt was her shirt of choice today, with a flannl tired around her wast, washed out jeans with holes in the kneeds, and cowgirl boot. Keeping a hold of the rains she pats the horse on the neck before looking back to Travis.

   "You are starting to look a lot better than a few days ago. Hardly even recognized you. Has Angel finally let you eat something besides soup?" 

No idea

Con wrapped his arms around Katie in a big bear hug. Maybe he'd missed their friendship more than he'd admit. He'd always see her as his little sister, and without being around the office lately...he'd been deprived of her sunshine. 

Smiling, he thought to himself how Hope had been right. He needed this. The confirmation from others that he wasn't a monster. Maybe...he did still have a purpose. A crumpled piece of paper hit his shoulder and he looked over to Jason, surprised. "What was that for?" 

"I just asked what you were doing here." 

"Well next time say it louder." He smirked down at Katie. "You gotta teach that boy to have better manners. He knows I can't hear worth crap." Turning back to Jason, he shrugged. "I just got back from Texas." 

"Wait...the ranch? We heard something was going on, then next thing we knew, Reese said he had it covered. That was you?" 

"Yeah."

Silence. Jason's eyebrows rose. "So... does that mean..."

"No." Con paused. "No. It just means...I helped out."

Jason glanced at Katie as a grin formed on his face. Con was going to come back...he knew it. 

"Hey," Con growled. "I said no."

"Uh-huh."

"It's true!"

Jason just grinned. 

Con finally smirked. "Well. It did feel good to be on a case again."

"I knew it!"

"But that doesn't mean anything!" Con looked to Katie again. "You'd think I'd need the interpreter, not him." 


Scott returned Sapphire's hug, just letting her cry more if she needed to. "I'll always be here," he assured. "I might get grouchy but...you know I always got your back." 

Pulling away a little, he smiled and reached for a tissue to hand her. "Try not to think about it any more, okay? You're right about him being a jerk, so nothing we say or do is gonna change anything. He'll be gone soon." He at least hoped that was true. Surely he was almost done here.


"Misty?" Kirk entered the infirmary and gave a nod to Rick before approaching Misty's desk. "I don't want to interrupt, but I'm trying to catch as many people as I can before my stay here is over. I'd like to talk to you about a few things, including how you came to be ere on the Elite, if you don't mind?" 


Angel's words meant the world to Lane, and he could only hope that one day he could somehow make up for all the lost time he'd caused. He hadn't meant to hurt anyone...but he had. Having his sister now encouraging him in spite of that fact was a bold reminder of how much he'd missed family. His real family. Here. 

"Thank you," he managed quietly. "Hopefully Amber won't surface again for a while. I don't know what Travis said to shut her off, but I'm glad he did. I'm...glad to know I have some options though." The last thing he wanted was for Amber to drag him to court over bogus accusations. But if Angel said she had a lawyer friend then...maybe he didn't need to be scared, just like she assured him.

"I, um...I appreciate all you're doing here for me and for Travis. I had forgotten how nice it was to be here. With family. I think of everyone here as family too, even if I wasn't around all these years." 

Thankfully, Amber really had left, so the rest of the evening was quiet. No more visitors. No hint of the Agency. Perhaps they really could start to relax just a little...


...Travis opened his eyes to find morning light faintly streaming in through the windows. It had not been a good night. He had tossed and turned, and twice Angel had given him something to ease the pain. He must have slept at some point, since at least for the moment he felt halfway rested.

Wincing as he sat up, he cradled his ribs with his good arm, while his other had been put in a brace to help speed the heeling of the sprain. A clean set of clothes was on the nightstand. A pair of jeans and a plain tshirt. He didn't know who had brought them, but he was grateful.

Managing to get changed, and slip on his old cowboy boots, he wandered slowly through the office. He assumed Angel was at breakfast. That was okay...he'd rather be on his own for now anyway. He was going stir crazy and needed some fresh air.

Getting outside, the morning air was a little chillier than he'd expected, but he didn't mind. Walking wasn't the easiest thing in the world, so his pace was slow until he reached a nearby corral fence to lean on. His eyes roamed the main ranch yard. It was a nice looking place. Clean. Well-kept. Lots of horses. A repair shop? Nice row of bunkhouses. It had a peaceful feeling to it, and though he was upset about this whole ordeal, he had to admit it was a nice place to be until he recovered. After that? Now, he didn't know. He'd had a job interview at bookstore that by now he'd missed by several days. His mother hadn't been happy about it anyway. She'd prefer he went to school, but he just didn't yet know what he wanted to do, even if she had her own ideas. After yesterday though...he'd be lucky to find any of his personal belongings still at the house when he returned home.

Still leaning on the fence for support, he turned to gaze across the corral to the pasture and beyond. How long would he really be here? A few more days? And what about his dad? That was a sore spot in itself after learning all the history he'd never been told. How could he just suck it up and move on? 

He sighed and picked at a splinter on the fence rail. Things had changed in the blink of an eye, and he had no idea where to go from here.

Would help

Listing to her brother Angel's heart broke. She could tell by the look on his face how much it hurt him. Amber sounded like she was lovely when they first met, someone Angel really could get along with but now...it was sad how people changed like that. 

   "Lane, I am so sorry. I wish I could of been there to help you. I want you to know, even if you already do...its not your fault."

Angel felt like that was such a silly thing to say, something people said all the time but she meant it. She wanted Lane to know it wasnt. No one forced Amber to do anything, even if she was unhappy it was still her choice.

   "It's sad how people can change sometimes. Be influenced and sometimes become unrecognizable, blaming everyone for there problems when really its there own self that is the problem."

Placing a hand on Lane's arms she offers a smile. How she missed her brother, and how upset she had been with him. But it all seemed to fade away. No matter what he was family and she loved him and she new he loved her too. More importantly he loved his son more than anything.

   "You wont lose Travis I can promise you that. If it comes down to it, I know a good lawyer myself who wont let anyone walk on her, or blind side her. Payment is not an issue with her and she is one of the best. I know she would help, She'd do all she could. 

Angel stood tall as she looked at her brother. He wasn't alone, not anymore, not ever again. She'd always have his back even if he didnt want the help.

   "Your ex-wife dosnt scar me, and nether does her fancy pants husband. You shouldn't let them scar you eather. You are not alone Lane, you and Travis are my family, and I wont go down with out a fight, not to mention every single person at this ranch looks at you as family too."

As Scott talked with her Sapphire could feel herself calming down a little. His voice was so soft, his words were always the right ones. Even since they had been kids, he just new what to say and when to say it. Sapphire loved her brother so much, even if they had drifted apart. How she wished they hadn't but it was life, and at least they were doing better now.

   "Kirk the Jerk...that is what he is."

Looking down at her brother hands her thump ran over one of his own fingers and she let out a long sigh. More tears fell, but she did feel a little better. Hearing Scott's words about Gage meant a lot to her, not just because of what he went through bit because he was her brother.

   "Thank you Scotty, for always being there for me. It means a lot to me to have you in my corner. I've missed talking with you."

Reaching out Sapphire put her arms around Scott and hugs him tight. Tears still ran from her eyes as she hugged him. She couldn't ask for a better bother, through everything they were still there for one another.

   "I'd be bored too because cooped up in your house all day too."

Katie laughs and sticks out her tongue at Jason before going back to scratching Trooper behind his ears. Hearing someone at the door Katie looks up and can't help the excitement that spread across her face seeing Con.  It had been to long and she missed him.

   "Tank!!!"

Excitement was in her voice as she got up off the ground and went over to him for a big hug. He always did give some of the best hugs around. Stepping back Katie looks up at him her eyes sparkled. Today had been one of the best days she had, had in a long time. Something was different about Con too. A good different and it made her happy.

   "I'm always working hard. One way or another I gotta protect this one over here. It's hard work you know."

Grinning from ear to ear Katie looks back at Jason. It had been a long time since all they of them had been in the same room together and oh how it brought back memories. Oh how things had been different than, but oh how Katie's life had changed knowing Con and Jason. Her heart skips a beat for a moment even surprising her a little as she thinks of the past. Bringing herself back to here and now though Katie still cant help grinning from ear to ear.