Black Pepper

Keeping Brian on her hip as she tried to clean grape jelly off the kitchen counter, Laura was interrupted by the ringing phone. Answering it and holding it between her chin and shoulder, she smiled when she heard Nate's voice. "Hey, Babe."

It was almost lunchtime and he hadn't taken anything with him this morning so that's probably why he'd called. She opened the fridge and grabbed the Mayo to make some tuna sandwiches. Hearing about the chicken noodle soup though, she paused, then put the Mayo back. "Oh no... He looked so tired last night, I was worried he was coming down with something. Of course I can make some soup."

She scrunched up her nose and looked in the fridge again before moving to the cupboard. A trip to the store might be in order. Stopping mid-thought though, she set Brian in his high chair to give her arm a break while continuing her conversation with Nate. "If...you were sick... do you think you'd wanna hang around the Elite? I mean..." She bit her lip, not sure why she felt so sorry for Garret. He was a grown man after all, and certainly knew how to take care of himself. But...when he was here...there was just am emptiness in his eye that struck her soul. 

"Why don't you bring him home with you? I'd hate to leave him in Rick's unamused hands. And he seems to... I don't know...find something here he needs. Besides...I think he could use some family time til he's better. Unless you think it's a bad idea. You know him better than I do."

Kirk rolled his eyes but smiled. "Shoulda known you'd choose the option that would make me work the most." He grabbed the eggs and set them by the stove, then came over to the counter where she was sitting. 

Reaching around, he opened the cupboard behind her. "Watch your head, Goofy. Want black pepper in yours?" His arm came up beside her head to reach the spices. "Or maybe we should go with something mild because you're already too wired." 

He ruffled her hair before retreating to the stove and grabbing a frying pan. "Orange juice in the fridge. And grab the green peppers." He smiled big. "Please."

Seeing Ashlee, Travis smiled before finding a seat on a hay bale. "I think I'm starting to feel better. I can actually walk the speed of an old man today."

A kitten wandered over and crawled up Travis' denim pantleg to stare at his face. Grinning, he picked her up to cradle her on his chest and pet her as she purred. "Hey, Cutie," he crooned. 

Looking up at Ashlee, his smile returned. "So...you're up at the crack of dawn huh? Every day?"

Chicken Noodle Soup

Putting his arm around Addy and picking Violet up to rest her on his hip the other boys where close but looking around the ranch with amazement. Looking to Mick he smiles.

   "Abby, this is Mick. He and his wife own the ranch. They are old good friends. Mick this is my wife Abby, this is Violet, that's Colton and James."

He couldn't express how happy his family was there now. He new Chance was keeping them safe but now he could. Where they would go from here he was not sure, but they would take it one moment at a time and they were safe at the moment so that's what was important.

   "So who wants breakfest?"

   "FOOD!!!!"

Violet threw her little arm in the air before shyly pressing her face into Xanders shoulder.

   "I should of known. Lets go and see what we got."

Looking up at someone enters the barn Ashlee smiles seeing it was Travis. She had just finished some morning work that been assigned to her. Walking over to him he looked so much better than the last few days. Though his face was still changing colors from the brusing he looked more away, a little more healthy too.

    "Morning! You are looking better and better every time I see you. How are you feeling this morning? Better?"

Just laying there for a few more moments catching her breath Adison finally pops up off the ground. Standing there for a few long moments listening to what Kirk listed off for breakfast. Hearing the last statement she stops her eyes going wide for a moment before shaking her head. She was so tired she was starting to hear things now.

Backing up a little to get a running start she makes her way to the kitchen. Hitting the door was she forces herself to stop so she goes sliding across the floor and stopping next to Kirk. Looking over his shoulder into the mostly empty fridge and things for a long moment. 

   "I dont know if taking me out like this is a good option and I do like your omelets so....if you don't mind cooking...that sounds like a plan to me."

Going over to the other counter Adison hops up on it and sits there for a long moment letting her feet swing. She had to keep her body moving some how or she herself would never make it into work today. Hopefully though there wouldn't be a mountain of paper work waiting for her. If there was she'd was done for.

Nate laughs and shakes his head at Rick. A harder head than Carson? Was that even possible, he didnt think it was. He felt bad he was sick. Specially if he was not use to it. He should of mad sure he stayed in the morning but even if he had that might not of helped so there was no point dwelling on it.

   "Thanks Rick."

Turning and heading back to his desk for now he'd check on Garret again in a little bit. Picking up his phone he dialed home waiting for Laura to answer as he wrote a few things down on paper.

   "Hey Babe. Just called because one I love you, and two I was wondering if you could make some of your amazing chicken noodle soup you usually make when I am sick."

He falls silent for a moment, but than realizes he'd better explain a little more before she became worried it was him who was sick.

   "Garret came down with the flu, and docs orders he eats better. You are one of the best cooks I know so I thought...maybe...you could help."
 

Flu

It was late morning, coming up on lunchtime, and Rick stood in the hall with Nate outside Garret's room. No one had seen hide nor hair of Garret all morning, until Nate had come to tell him the Brookshire footage had arrived, finding him in a feverish, lethargic state. Rick had immediately checked him over, despite Garret's desire to be left alone.  

"I don't think it's anything to worry about." Rick shrugged at Nate. "I'd say the main culprit is an immune system compromised by Agency drugs. Top that with exhaustion, bad eating habits, spending hours in a cold rain, and what I'd guess is a dose of depression. It's gonna take a few days at least to pull out of this one, but it shouldn't require more than your over-the-counter flu medicine. As far as the lifestyle and emotional aspects, that I can't help with."

He tucked his hands in his lab jacket pockets. "I did take a blood sample just in case but I'm not expecting signs of anything but a virus. Hard part now will be getting him to rest and eat properly so his body can fight. I dare say he's got a harder head than Carson ever did."


In his bed, Garret could hear a muffled conversation but was too tired to try and figure it out. Just getting up to go to the infirmary and back had been difficult, and he'd complained, but he was too weak to fight off Rick's poking and prodding. It wasn't fun - feeling too lousy to function - but apparently he was just going to have to let it work itself out. He wasn't used to being sick - other than from coming down off drugs or fighting infections from wounds. But maybe his misery was less about being sick and more about his emotional state, and he just couldn't figure that one out. 


"Gah!" Kirk's eyes went wide as Adison scampered over on all fours, stopping short before landing on his face. "What have I created?!" Hearing they were done though, he breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh thank heavens."

Just lying still a few moments he knew remaining here was dangerous - he'd fall asleep and not wake up til the afternoon for sure. He turned his head to look over at Adison. "The Barnes won't kill us because he'll never know."

Standing quickly before he could change his mind, he stretched tall and yawned. "Okay. Here we go." He stepped over Adison, but not without letting one foot come down lightly on her stomach, just to make her flinch. "How about breakfast?"

He went to the kitchen and peered in the open fridge door. "I got eggs," he called over his shoulder. "Bacon... I can make omelets." He ran a hand through his long hair. "Um...toast. Or I can take you out to eat."


Standing on the porch just watching the little scene, Mick couldn't help his smile. How obvious it was to see how much Xander loved his family, and how much they loved him. Despite current circumstances, a little sunshine had broken through. 

Chance shook his head at Xander. "No worries. I'm just glad everyone is safe." Leaving him be with Abby for now, he wandered closer to Mick. "We were followed a bit of the way when we left California." Abby and the kids were unaware of a run-in with a guy at a rest stop. Chance had come away unscathed - the other guy...would probably need to see an oral surgeon. "No problems since, though," he continued, "and I just got word about an hour ago that the Agency isnt planning a strike on this place any time soon. So you all can at least knock the high alert down a couple notches."

Mick frowned. "How can you be sure?"

"Trusted sources." Chance grinned. "That's all I can say. But the fact is, it would take too many Agency resources to attack all you here at the ranch right now. They want you, but it's a bad business move. For now. So enjoy the time you've got."

Mick wasn't so sure he believed him, but Chance was with the Elite so...he was trustworthy, right? "Thank you. What now?"

"Well, Xander's next move is up to him, altho staying here is the best choice for now so his family won't be vulnerable out in the open. Me, I've got a contact picking me up to go get my car and I'll be headed back to Nevada. Home sweet home."


Travis pulled on a clean shirt and tucked it into his jeans. He was feeling a little improvement this morning since he actually felt like getting out of bed. The commotion outside had caught his attention, so he figured he might as well get up and see if there would be anything for breakfast. 

He pulled the curtain aside with a finger to see out the window at what was going on. He had a few puzzle pieces but not enough to really understand what was happening. People were smiling though, so it must be a good thing. 

After pulling on his boots, he went outside and still a bit slow, aimed for the barns first. Not that he'd find breakfast there, but maybe he'd find a familiar face so he wouldn't have to walk into the main house alone. It was still just a bit awkward. 

Greatful

Looking around at the piles Adison mulls over Kirk's question. Seeing a paper on the far side of the room she perks up. Coffee, Sugar, and no sleep....what a deadly combo. 

   "Whats this...what this...there is magic in the air..."

The nightmare before chirstmas theme just popped in her head as she scurried over to grab the paper and than crawl back to Kirk leaning over him.

    "Whats this....I can't believe my eyes Jack this isn't fair..."

Leaning in closer coming within inches of him.

   "WHAT...IS....THIS?"

Quickly putting the paper between there faces she goes cross eyes looking at what was written on it.

   "Oh...thats just the reminder I wrote that the boss is going to kill us."

Sitting back she flops on the ground looking up at the spinning fan. Letting out a long sigh she didn't know how she was going to function today. No matter though this had been fun.

   "I think we got everyone...now its out of our hands."

 Hearing he had vistors Xander stands quickly already knowing who it was. He couldn't help the smile that spread across her lips. Coming out the door he stood at the bottom of the steps, Just waiting. 

With in minutes three young children were running twords him arms spread wide.

   "DADDY!!! We missed you."

Wrapping his arms around all three of the kids Xander laughs. Ruffling the two boys hair and giving a kiss to his daughter four head.

   "I missed you guys too, more than anything."

Seeing Abby come twords him with a smile his own smile grew even more as he straightened. Reaching his hand out he ran his finger down the side of his wifes face before cradling it. A tear ran down his cheek as he pulled her in to kiss her, and than put her into a tight embrace. Oh how he loved her, and had missed her. 

Looking to Chance he smiles and gives a nod. He'd kept his word and was forever greatful. 

   "Thank you...for all you have done for my family. "