Yes

An incredibly amazing looking woman? Her? Susanne didn't think her face could get any hotter, but it did and her heart thumped in her chest. Why this man was getting to her like this, she really didn't know. Maybe it was simply the combination of her embarrassment and his good looks. Whatever the case, she knew she was acting completely out of character for her and yet it was as if she was helpless to do a thing about it.

Still silent and not having a clue how to respond to Chuck on the phone, she suddenly sees a slight shadow and hears his voice right over her head. She lifts her face from her knees and stares wide-eyed at the back of the office, not moving a muscle for several moments.

Swallowing hard, she finally gets up enough nerve to turn and cock her head to look up. Her eyes lock with his as if they are magnets, drawing her in. Her face turns another shade of red. "Yes," she answers quietly. "My marbles."

Glancing down, she points under the desk. "I think they rolled somewhere under here with the dustbunnies."

Realizing that she was still clutching the phone, she manages to stand up clumsily, bumping into her chair and getting the phone cord all wrapped around every which way. No one would believe she'd been able to fend off a robber with a knife only hours earlier. Finally hanging up, her eyes return to Chuck's, everything from embarrassment to unrealized hope showing in them. Clearing her throat, she brushes herself off, straightening her blouse and tucking her rebellious strands of hair behind her ears. Her eyes fall again, her demeanor becoming more shy now.

About to say something, her line of sight suddenly catches a figure coming towards the offices. She lets out a gasp, her eyes widening. "Chief Brown," she whispers in a panic. She was a total mess - she couldn't let him see her like this, and she certainly didn't want him asking who this stranger was. She would die right where she was if she had to explain. "Quick - over here."

Without thinking, she grabs Chuck by the arm and pulls him into the corner of the office away from the door so anyone walking by could not see them. Pushing his back against the wall she cautiously peers around the corner to see Chief Brown walk past the office in order to engage Gunner in a conversation. It was probably about the case that Gunner was working on. With any luck, Brown would leave without having to come through this office at all.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Susanne straightens, only to realize that her hands were pressing against Chuck's chest to hold him in place. She may very well have broken a record for how many times her face could grow red as it did turn shades once more.

Quickly dropping her hands, she clasps them behind her back, looking at him with wide eyes again. "I'm sorry," she apologizes. "I just... the chief... um..."

Spinning around, she walks back to her chair and sits down, reaching for her purse to retrieve her wallet. "It's early," she states flatly, drawing out several bills. "I can't leave yet, I have too much work to do." Trying to compose herself, she refuses to look back up at Chuck. "How much for the CD?"


"What's wrong, Justin?" Rebecca lays a hand on his shoulder as they sit on the porch swing at her place. It was evening and the sky was turning into a rainbow of colors. "You've been so quiet all night."

Justin looks to her and gives her a small smile. "I'm sorry." He usually wasn't talkative anyway, but he must have been extra quiet this time for her to have noticed. It had been a long day, running errands, finishing some odd jobs and helping out his mother. All in all though, he was still pretty upset about losing Scott, and then there was Beth and the odd feelings she was evoking lately. His mind had dwelt on that subject for much of the day. "Lots on my mind, I guess."

Rebecca cocks her head. "Wanna talk about it?"

Justin stares into her eyes, something inside screaming at him to say yes. He needed to talk through what he was feeling, and he knew he could trust Rebecca. She was one of the easiest people to talk to that he knew. Sighing deeply, he leans forward to rest his elbows on his knees. "It's Beth."

"Ah." Rebecca withdraws her hand and leans back in the corner of the swing to get a better look at him. "Something go wrong?"

"No... no, on the contrary, maybe it went too right."

"I don't follow."

"I was... with her all night last night."

Rebecca's eyebrows rise while she tries not to jump to any conclusions. "You mean you...?"

"Naw." Justin shakes his head. "It wasn't like that - you know me better than that." His tone wasn't chiding, just informing. He knew what he'd said hadn't come out right. "She broke down and fell asleep with me on the couch so I stayed until this morning. Figured it was the best option since she'd been so upset."

"Oh, I see. Well, what's wrong with that? It sounds like you were a perfect friend."

"Yeah." Justin can feel his gut twist again and he gets up to lean on the porch railing and look out into the yard. "It's just... I broke the rules, you know? I shouldn't... I shouldn't get that close to her."

"Why not? Isn't that what friends do?"

Justin bites his lip as he remembers the feeling of holding Beth in his arms. "It's just... dangerous." He scratches some dirt off the railing with his fingernail. "I mean when I looked at her, I... I... I could have slipped and fallen and that would have been a disaster."

"Slipped and fallen? I don't understand."

It was rare for Justin to feel so discombobulated and he wasn't even sure why. His voice lowers to a quieter tone. "The more time I spend with her, the... the more... I get close. And the more I get close... the more..." He stops, unsure how to say what he wanted.

Rebecca rises from the swing and slowly comes up beside him. "Do you... have feelings for her, Justin?"

His eyes snap to hers and for a moment, he felt as though he might be sick. "I'm sorry," he apologizes. "I shouldn't be going on like this." He reaches up to rest his palm against her cheek. "I put you in an awful position."

"It's okay." She smiles and puts her hand over his, leaning into his warm touch. "I really like you... if it's not obvious." She blushes and chuckles. "But that doesn't mean you feel the same and I understand that. If you have feelings for Beth then I can't stand in the way."

Justin locks eyes with her, his emotions doing things they'd never done before. Last night, he'd loved feeling as though he were a strong shelter for someone who needed him. Tonight, he loved feeling as though he had someone to support him. Rebecca's cheek was soft beneath his palm and he moves closer, closing the gap between them. As he looks down into her eyes, his other hand finds hers, curling their fingers together. "I like you too," he responds quietly.

A smile creases her lips and her own free hand slides up his arm to cradle the back of his head and pull him down close. "Then why don't you finally kiss me?" she whispers.

Justin grins and allows the gap between them to grow smaller before his lips brush hers.

Dropped

Continuing to stand in the middle of the room with the cubicles Chuck see Susanne's head look his way and than look away again. Her words seemed panicked and a little lost. He hadn't though it would of bothered her that much.

Trying to get some kind of words in Chuck can't and he just walks forward and into the room where Susanne had hide behind the desk. A grin spread across his lips.

"I can't forget about the whole thing. What kind of fool would that make me to turn down an increadably amazing look woman? I think dinner is a must now."

Chuck taps his fingers on the desk before leaning over it a little and looking down at Susanne on the other side. He couldn't help the chuckle and just teasing her a little bit.

"Did you drop something down there?"

Pouring coffee for herself and for Justin Beth gives a smile and a nod of her head. She though he would like the coffee and was happy he had. Chatting a little more as they enjoyed there warm drink time seemed to pass to fast.

"I'll see you soon Justin, if not at the same old bench than I will call again."

Following Justin to the door and following him out Beth gives a wave as he drives down the street. Once he is out of sight Beth gives back inside drinks her own coffee before heading to the bathroom and getting ready for the start of the day. Today...it seemed...she wasn't scared to face the unknown as much as normal.

Misty can't help the beam that showed on her face even if Alec hated he had been quoting his brother. She loved Carson's sensitive side, and she would always like the little post it notes he would leave her. It was nice and helped her feel close to him even when he was not home.

Stopping for a moment from cutting the bread Misty thinks for a moment on Alec's question about why she stayed with Carson. It hadn't been easy and the road was long and hard even though she had forgiven Carson, and no longer thought about it, it did still leave a ping.

"Well...I guess its because I love Carson very much. I have since day one. The road certainly has not been an easy one, and a few times a long the way I thought I had given up and let him go. Not wanting anything more to do with him."

Misty finishs cutting the bread and puts the knife down. Picking the bread slices up and place them on a bigger plate Misty walks over to the table and sets them down before going back to the stove and stiring the sauce.

" But what mattered the most was when I needed him he was always there. He's been the one to save me many times. So I stuck it out, and I continued to wait. I saw something in him, I saw the good. We dated other people once and I though I was happy, but my heart always came back to your brother."

Pulling the meat balls from the over next Misty take some tongs and puts them into the sauce to cook with it for a little bit. It seemed odd talking to Alec about this but maybe he just simply wanted to know about his family.

"So the last time we got together I told him this was it. No more chances after this because I couldn't take it anymore. He tattoo my name on his arm, and well here we are now. That last time I think he new I was searus. When people are ment to be, they will be."

Till holding Gage's hand Sapphire manages to smile through her tears. Gage was saying sorry, and yes maybe it was a silly thing to do but she couldn't blame him. There was still so much in the world he didn't know.

"It happens Gage and sometimes we think we are doing whats best. I can't blame you for just wanting more time."

Hearing his last comment the smile on her face fades a little and if he hadnt just woken from a coma she would of whacked him over the head.

"Don't you ever say that again Gage. If you hadn't of woken up I would be lost. Your everything to me and I love you with all my heart. To lost you...I...I don't know what I would do."

Hearing Reese voice on the other end of the phone Amanda gives a small sigh. When she got a free moment she was going to call him even if she hated too. Giving bad new, and than worse news was never on her list of best things to do. It came to times like this she hated being a Dr.

"Hi Mike, I was going to be calling your later. Hope's finally fallen into a coma like we new should would. We are still doing all we can for her for this is just another step down the road that we new it would come too."

Amanda lets out another sigh as she leans aganst the counter and rubs her hand along her temple. She felt bad for Hope. After having the visit from her boyfriend she was doing her best to hold on. Even now in the coma her brain activity was amazing and she was still hanging in there but her body was just simply taking to much and giving in.

"Keep praying...God's healing powers are amazing, and I believe its in his hands now."

Mortified

Amidst the chaos, Susanne hears the ringing phone and growls before setting her paperwork aside to answer it as she stands behind her desk. Her hair was falling out from where she'd had it pinned, sweat was running down the back of her neck and her mascara was starting to smear. Just another typical day in the office. "Elite headquarters, how may I help you?" Hearing the male voice, she furrows her brow, trying to distinguish who it belongs to. Then when he says who it is, her heart stops. The man from the shop. He'd... changed his mind? But... why? And why was he asking about her office?

Leaning forward over her desk so she can see out onto the main floor, she suddenly spots him. Snapping back out of sight, her eyes are wide and her face already beet red. Her confidence from earlier in the day was completely gone, now replaced with panic. "I um..."

Looking around, she sees there's nowhere to go and she was absolutely mortified. She had embarrassed herself to no end earlier, acting like some stupid teenager or something, all over him with her hairbrained idea. Remembering how she'd actually run her fingers through her hair, a chill runs down her spine and she swallows hard. And now Chuck was here? Why, why, why?

Turning around, she sinks down behind her desk and out of sight to sit on the floor, the phone still clutched in her hand. Not only was she utterly embarrassed, but she was a hideously unkempt sight at the moment. "I'm... I'm not here. I mean I'm busy. Just... just go away before I tell someone you... you..." She racks her brain. "...you're stalking me." Cringing at herself, she figures that couldn't have been any more lame. "Forget about tonight. I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking... I was stupid. I'll... I'll come pick up the CD tomorrow and... and..." And what? She swallows hard, her heart racing. An incredibly gorgeous man was asking to see her, willing to go out tonight even though she was basically using him, and she was still scared spitless? She was an Elite agent for crying out loud! She faced murderers and she couldn't bring herself to go on a silly little date? Where was her confidence from earlier? Maybe it was because before, she'd had the upper hand. Now he'd caught her off guard and her true reaction was coming through.

Bringing her knees up to her chest, she pounds her forehead on them before hiding her face completely. "...and we can forget this whole thing," she mumbles.


Not hearing any more from Karla, Kip figures she'd accepted his response. It was better that way. He wasn't sure he could hide his misery today like he had yesterday. Tomorrow... tomorrow would be better.

Rolling onto his side, he faces the wall. But that made him feel claustrophobic. Turning over again, he lies on his other side, staring at the open doorway. Then he rolls onto his stomach... then his back... then his side again. He sighs.

Finally getting up, he wanders to the living room and flops down on the couch. Flipping on the television, he finds a cartoon marathon. Twila would tease him to no end if she found him watching these, but at least he didn't have to think while they were on.

Stretching out, his attention is diverted and though his eyes droop, he didn't sleep. It was an odd feeling... not wanting anyone around, yet being so lonely at the same time. He wanted to see no one, yet a hug would be nice. Would things ever make sense?


"Right." Justin points down the hall too before he heads that way to clean up. He doesn't take a shower though - he would do that at home. He does splash some cold water on his face, rinse his mouth and wet his hair though, at least feeling halfway presentable now.

He's only a couple minutes before he's wandering back towards the kitchen. Smelling the coffee, he smiles. "Mmm... you figured out how to wake me up." He decides he has a time for one cup before he leaves, so he sticks around a little bit longer.

Soon though, he knows he really does have to go, and he's slipping on his shoes by the door. Giving a last look at Beth, he offers her another warm smile. "I'll see you soon, okay?"

Feeling an odd sort of tingle on his spine, he makes sure not to look into her eyes for too long. "And if you need anything, call."


"Agh... I've been quoting my brother." Alec gives Misty a queer look. "That's just not right."

Standing in the kitchen and still feeling a bit lame, he doesn't mind when Misty engages him in more conversation. "Um, things are good... I think... as far as I know."

He furrows his brow, realizing that it just didn't sound correct. "I mean..." His cheeks redden slightly and he laughs. "Yeah. I guess Ryan's the only girl I've ever stuck with so... I don't have anything to compare it to. So I guess as far as I know, it's good."

He feels stupid and turns around to fiddle with a knife on the counter, his face turned away from Misty. "How come you stayed with Carson?" he questions out of nowhere. "I mean, there aren't many girls who will stick it out with a guy that cheats."


Gage blinks, still squinting in the light and trying to focus. It had been the pills? Now on top of everything else, he felt like the stupidest person on the planet. "Oh..."

Seeing Sapphire's tears, he bites his lip, feeling horrid. Without asking, he knew he must have scared the wits out of her. Those tears were his fault. Lifting his hand, he puts it to her face, using his thumb to wipe away a few of the salty drops. "Please don't cry," he asks hoarsely. His eyes beg for her forgiveness. "I'm so sorry."

He swallows hard and tries to ignore the pain in his head. "I guess I just... wanted..." He gives up. It was all his silly fault anyway, so it really didn't matter why he'd done it. "I know it was stupid," he resigns, his hand falling from her face. "I can't win no matter what, can I? I was probably meant to never wake up."


"Yes, Doctor Fuller..." Reese paces his office, phone in hand. "I was just calling to inquire about Hope Garrison and her condition." The last he'd heard, there wasn't much time left. "I wondered how she was."

Suprise Visit

Once Susanne was gone Chuck lets out a breath of air and turn around leaning against the counter. Watching the door where Susanne had left Chuck just stood lost in through for a long moment his mind just wondering. Finally snapping out of it though Chuck let out a sigh and before turning around starting the search for the CD.

...Getting back to the shop and giving Quinn a kiss on the cheek Anastasia gives a wave as he drives away. They had made plans to meet later for dinner and Anastasia would show Quinn where he apartment place was she was talking about.

Giving a smile and letting out a long sigh Anastasia heads back inside the little bell on the door tingling on the way in. Looking around for her Uncle to let him know she was back Anastasia didn't see him finding it a bit strange.

"Uncle Chuck, I'm back."

Popping his head up from the far far corner of the room. Seeing his neice was back a small smile forms on his face thought his eyes still held he was thinking about much.

"Hey Ana, I thought you would be gone with your friend a little while longer."

Going back down and rummaging around more Chuck talked to himself a little as he was searching. He had checked the inventory log and it said they had one copy in but now came trying to find where it was at.

"You haven't seen the Jackson Turner cd laying around have you? I know we have it but where I am not sure."

Looking across the room at her Uncle Anastasia cocks her head a little bit. Something seemed different, he was himself but there was just something about how he was acting that seemed odd. Going to the counter and putting her stuff behind it Anastasia walks over to where her Uncle was and looks over the counter at him.

"You mean this one here?"

Reaching down to the shelf she was leaning on she holds it up to Chuck with a little giggle. He must be far away if the cd had been right there and yet he'd missed it.

Looking up at his niece Chuck rolls his eyes and stands up again taking the cd from her. Turning it over to look at the back of it his gives a laugh again before heading to the counter. Pulling Susanne's number from his pocket and putting it on the counter.

Cocking her head and taking a look at it Anastasia can't help but wonder if this was why her Uncle was in a funny mood.

"Who's number is this?"

"A woman who came into the shop looking for this cd."

"Was she pretty?"

"Extremely!"

"Did you ask her out?"

"Yes."

"Did she say yes?"

"No, but than she said yes only to show her friends she could get a hot looking guy for a date."

Letting her train of though come to a halt for a moment. She'd only been joking around but seeing the flicker in her Uncle's eyes she could tell he was not.

"So...your going out tonight than?"

"No, I'm not there is no one to close the shop."

"You know I can do it. Why would you say no when your the one who asked her to go out?"

"You have plans tonight Ana, I don't want to mess them up even if I don't think it safe. Anyways she would only be going to dinner with me because she wasn't to prove something not because she wants to try to get to know each other."

Raising an eyebrow again and leaning against the counter Anastasia looks at her Uncle and just blinks. What she really wanted to do was slap him over the back of the head, but she didn't.

"Sooo...maybe something more would come out of it. Your always telling me to watch myself and who I go out with but Quinn is a great guy and God has a plan. If I never took that first step than I wouldn't have known him. Maybe now you need to forget the rules a little and just go for it. No matter what your gonna have a nice time with a hot lady."

Tapping his fingers on the counter he looks down at the cd for a moment. When Susanne had walked into the shop this afternoon he had a strange pull to her. It was odd and not like something he'd felt before. Was it a higher power that had been at work? Was God setting up a plan for his own life.

Reaching across the counter and brushing a peace of hair from his neices face he gives a smile and than a small shake of his head. It was almost like yesterday he was still changing her diapers and now she was so grown up.

"Your to smart for your own good sometimes. I know I shouldn't worry about you but I do."

Giving a sigh and bringing his hand down again he takes his cell phone along with the peace of paper and slips it into his pocket again.

"You'll close the shop for me? It won't mess up your plans?"

"No it won't now go before you miss out."

Giving a smile and Anastasia's nose a tap Chuck grabs the cd and heads out of the shop before coming back in and to the back grabbing his nieces helmet.

It didn't take long to get to TJY Chuck has passed the building before and new how to get there. Not sure if there was security or not he was happy to find out he could walk right in. Heading down the steps he could only guess where he was going but making it through one more door and seeing all the cubicles he now was lost as he glanced around but did not see Susanne.

Ignoring the looks he was getting Chuck walks forward and catchs sight of Susanne finally in one of the room. He didn't know if that was her office or not and the last thing he wanted was to barge into someone elses. A crocked grin forms as he waits from someone to answer on the other line. Hearing Susanne's voice his own trys to stay calm as he talks.

"Hi Susanne its Chuck from Disc O Round. Listen I found the CD for you and I changed my mind about dinner. I'd like to go after all. But I do have only one question now. What office room is yours?"

As her own phone goes off again Karla reads the message and can feel a pang inside. Sure he wasn't feeling good but it was strange for him to still not want food. Continuing her way to the coffee shop she just shakes her head a little bit. Maybe after coffee and her own breakfast she would go over and see how Kip was. Right now all it seemed like he wanted was space and she didn't want to crowd him.

Beth gives a sleepy smile as she stands and gives her own little stretch she still felt bad she had left Justin here all night but on the same she felt so rested, and just good.

"Its down the hall there and to the right. There are fresh towels in the cabinet in there if you want to take a shower."

Watching him as he walked down the hall Beth sank down onto the couch again. It felt strange waking to someone in her house and her heart was racing. Only now willing to pay attachen to it. Beth wasn't sure if it was an excitement, the joy of having someone who cared or if it was the fear of bringing someone close.

Choosing to believe it was the first on Beth tryed to push the fear away. She was trying to get her lift back, starting to move on she couldn't let the fear dampen that.

Standing again and going into the kitchen Beth pulls the coffee pot out and starts some coffee. She new Justin would have to get going, and she had to get up to the hospital to see Sarah but maybe they both could at least have a cup of coffee for the road.

Finishing with the meal balls Misty puts them into the oven to cook part of the way before turning around and coming back to the counter where Alec was looking at the paper. Giving a smile hearing his comment she nods a little bit.

"He did write those. Mr big and bad has a soft spot. From the moment I met him he started to say poems to me. Even if your from the wrong side of time there is still good inside, and a desire for something more."

Taking a bread knife and than the loaf of bread Misty cuts the bead up. Silent for a moment before looking up at Alec again.

"How are things with you are your girl going?"

Sitting next to the bed Sapphire had been dozing in and out. The days seemed long, and the nights seemed short. Just waiting for Gage to wake, work was missed, and she new Reese wasn't happy but she really didn't care. Gage meant the world to her being by his side just felt right.

Hearing a faint voice Sapphire thought maybe she was dreaming but hearing it again her head snaps up and she stands looking at Gage. Her smile spreads across her face and tears formed in her eyes. Her head raced.

Leaning down to give Gage a kiss on the head Sapphire sits next to him on the bed. She new Dr. would be in soon to check on him so she wanted to get in what she could now.

"Oh Gage...you were taking pills to keep yourself away and your body shut down and you went into a coma. The Dr's weren't sure you would wake up at all and I was so worried for you."

Sapphire couldn't help the tears that streamed from her eyes. She had been so worried and now she was so happy to see Gage awake again. If she lost him she didn't know what she would of done. He meant the world to her.

What happened?

Susanne is genuinely surprised at Chuck's response, and her raised eyebrows prove it. Watching him walk away, she tries to shrug it off. For as bold as he'd been, it seemed odd he wouldn't go along with the idea just so he could have gotten her to dinner... not to mention, if her reason of him being hot wasn't good enough to go, then what was his own reasoning for asking her out? Maybe she'd just read him wrong from the get-go. Men. They all seemed alike. And Darlene wondered why she didn't date? Absurd.

"Thank you," she replies lamely. Well, at least she might get the music she wanted. Finally turning around again, she aims for the door once more and this time makes it all the way outside. As she walks to her car though, a wave of guilt washes over her and even more embarrassment than that. She really had just acted quite foolishly, even if she tried to blame the man for it all. He may have jumped the gun on asking her out, but her request really was degrading, no matter how bold he was. Only now did she realize just what she'd asked of him, and she felt pretty close to rotten. She hadn't meant to imply she wanted to use him but... that's how it had come out.

Stopping at her car, she looks at her reflection in the window. And maybe... wanting to use him had been the only thing she could think of to actually make herself say yes to going out. She always said no, and by now, people had given up asking. She finally had a dashing man ask her to dinner and not only had she refused, but she'd completely twisted it around and probably made him feel stupid in the process. What kind of woman must he think she was?

Looking back over her shoulder, Susanne considers going back in and apologizing. But would it really do any good? She'd already made quite the fool of herself... again. Darlene was right. She was hopeless.

Finally getting into her car, she starts the engine, but still sits for several minutes longer. Why this whole thing was getting to her, she didn't even know. The guy was probably some criminal anyway, out for more than just dinner. What man in his right mind would have asked her out so quickly anyway? It was silly. The whole thing was. He was silly, she was silly... it was all just.... silly.

Perhaps though, she didn't want to admit that looking into those soft eyes and believing for just a moment that he might find her attractive was a warmth that struck a much deeper longing than anyone knew. But she would always end up saying no. She never said yes. It just wasn't safe.

A lump rises in her throat and her fingers knead the steering wheel. Why couldn't she just break out and do what she really wanted? Inside the shop, she'd made a royal fool of herself, yet she still couldn't look a man in the eye and simply agree to dinner. Maybe it was good that she was able to surround herself with Elite work every day - it kept her from thinking she could actually have a life.

Swiping at her eyes and feeling moisture, she growls at herself and pulls out into the street. She was losing it - plain and simple. Never had she felt so idiotic. Now she almost hoped that the music she wanted would not be found and that way she wouldn't ever have to face that man again.

By the time she gets back to TJY, she'd managed to put the episode behind her, at least for the rest of the work day. Getting inside, it's chaos all over again and she sets to work right away, throwing herself into her tasks like normal. She would probably end up working late tonight. She was supposed to leave at five, technically, but with so much to do... she'd be here until at least seven. Who cared that her friends would be having a great time about then and she'd be at work? She loved her work. She wanted to work. She... sighs and stars at the paperwork on her desk. Well, it had to be done.


Kip jumps as his phone buzzes in his pocket, signaling a text message. Drawing it out and looking at he sighs. He looks at his mushy cereal then back at the text, then back and forth one more time. But his heart just wasn't in it this morning. Karla would know for sure something was up.

Typing a reply, he sends it back to her.

Thanks. Sorry, still don't feel good. Tell the bagels hi.

It was lame, but the best he could do at the moment. Rising from the table, he dumps out the ruined breakfast and heads back to his room, leaving the door open, but flopping down face-first on his bed. It was a rare day when he lacked energy.


Letting Beth move off his lap, Justin's arms slide from around her and he offers her a warm smile at her apology. "Naw... it was okay."

Her thanks only makes him shake his head. "I didn't do anything Beth," he replies softly. His eyes roam her face, finding it different to see her in this light. Never had she been so... relaxed as she was right now. "You did it all yourself."

Though there's an odd temptation to remain, Justin forces himself to stand up, breaking the moment. Stretching tall, he yawns again, his muscles thanking him for getting out of their cramped positions. "I should probably get going... my girls probably wonder where on earth I am. First though..." he glances down the hall and around, unsure which door was up. "Um...." He grins almost sheepishly. "Bathroom?"


Following Misty to the house, Alec finds it a nicer part of town than he'd expected. He'd often wondered where the apartment was but had figured if he'd snooped, someone would have gotten him into trouble for it.

Parking his bike next to Misty's car, he follows her inside, picking up the small talk, though it did feel a bit awkward. Once inside, he sheds his leather jacket and wanders behind her to the kitchen, his eyes roaming the inside of the apartment and taking in the details. So this was where his brother lived. It seemed almost too... normal. And Carson actually liked it?

Not sure what to do with himself, he stands in the kitchen still feeling out of place. Her hope of him liking spaghetti, brings a wry grin to his face. "Tastebuds, remember? I'll eat anything."

Being handed a task to do, for a moment, he looks at the meat. Come to think of it, he'd never fixed meatballs before... he really hardly cooked at all. But this was easy, right? He glances to Misty then shrugs, accepting the job. He sets to work, not sure if the meatballs were the right size or not, but figuring it wouldn't matter too much.

While working, his eyes catch some scribbled notes on scratch paper lying on the table. It wasn't the words themselves that caught his attention, but rather the handwriting. Finishing up the meatballs quickly, he then wipes his hands on a towel and picks up one of the notes. That handwriting was so familiar. Where had he...

Then it hits him. His eyes widen and he looks to Misty, then back at the note. "No way. This is Carson's handwriting, isn't it?" He shows her the note to confirm before looking at it again. "It was him..." The spiral notebook he'd found several years ago. What were the odds?

"Poems? Carson?" He looks to Misty again, baffled. "I found a notebook, but... A hired killer of the Agency created some of the most romantic writing I've read? Tell me I'm crazy."


Strange, quiet but steady beeps. Voices in the distance. Odd whirring noises. Pain. Fog.

Gage's eyes slowly crack open. His eyelids felt like they weighed five pounds each. His whole body felt like one big dead weight. For a moment, he thinks he's at his own apartment, perhaps waking up late on one of his days off. But as a few things come into focus, he realizes that he's certainly not at home.

His head pounded like nothing else and he squints in the dim light of the hospital room. Hospital? His mind strains to remember why he was here, but he can't. His hand moves and though his remained barely cracked open, he sees the thin tube that ran up to an IV bag.

Swallowing is painful his mouth and throat were so dry and he cringes. Why was he here? What had happened? The last thing he could remember was being at work. Had there been an accident? He didn't feel injured other than his head hurting.

Licking his lips, he then manages to turn his head. His eyes still almost shut focus on the figure next to the bed. Sapphire? Why was she here? She looked tired. Sad? His confusion rises. He had no idea that he'd been here several days.

He opens his mouth and at first no sound comes and he coughs before trying again. "Saph?" he asks hoarsely. "Where am I?" His eyes roll shut then slit open again. "What... what happened?"

Wrong reason

Taking the paper back from Susanne and watching as she turned and walked away Chuck couldn't help but feel a little cringe inside. He'd really made a mess of this one for sure. Well another one bit the dust. Turning to go look for the album Susanne was looking for he stops as she stops and slowly looks up from the paper.

Eying her and hearing her invitation about meeting her at Mom and Pop's Chuck raises one of his eyebrows. What had changed her mind so that now she did want to eat with him? As Susanne draws closer though his train of thought stops and all he can do is look back into Susanne pretty eyes. They seemed to captivate him and her fingers that ran through his hair it almost seemed to lull him.

About to say something Chuck stops again as Susanne continues and he hears the only reason she would be going out with him would be because she wanted to show people something. It kind of made his heart sink even if he didn't show it. He'd asked her out on impulse because she was pretty and spending a meal with her would be nice.

"I....don't think just using me because I am hot is a great reason to go to dinner. I'm sorry I'll have to decline, I shouldn't have asked you the way I did to start off. However I will still see about your CD and give you a call as soon as I can."

Giving a small nod Chuck turned and walked to one of the counters. He didn't turn around because he new if he looked at Susanne again he would crumble and say yes to dinner, but for the wrong reasons.

Anastasia would be back soon and than he could continuing giving a deeper look into the CD that had been asked for.

Looking up from her desk Misty smiles seeing Alec standing in the doorway. He really had stuck around and really was going to come for dinner. It made Misty feel good that he would though like she had promised Carson her guard would not be let down.

"Nope, you have perfect timing. I just need to put some stuff away and we are ready to roll."

Gathering a few things together on her desk Misty puts what needs to into folds and than goes to the file cabinet to place the folders in and lock them up. Than going over to one of the testing counters Misty takes the vials she had been working on and puts them back into the fridge before returning to her desk again.

"Alright, lets blow this Popsicle stand."

Grabbing her purse and making her way out of the infirmary Misty makes sure Alec is close behind showing him the way to the car.

...the drive home was short, and the conversation was light, soon Misty was busy in the kitchen fix some dinner the chatting with Alec continues.

"I hope you like spaghetti and meatballs. It's one of my favorite meals and I have never met someone who does like it."

Getting the pots and everything read Misty grabs the ground beef and puts it down on the table by Alec. Giving a smile she rolls up her sleeves and dumps it into a large bowl before adding a few spices.

"Alright, want to help me roll these? It will help them get done quicker so we can eat sooner."

Feeling the warmth of the sun on her face Beth doesn't move from where she was. Last night had been the most peacful sleep she had gotten in a long time. Now hours later she just didn't want to wake not yet.

Hearing a voice though Beth's eyes open quickly for a moment a wave of panic set in before she realized what had happened last night and just who's arms she was in this morning.

Shifting just a little to slid down on the couch next to Justin Beth turns and looks up at him. Apologizing written all over her face. She new he was busy and she went and feel asleep on him last night.

"I'm sorry about that. You should have woken me up so you could of went home."

Giving Justin a small smile though she felt bad he'd stayed all night she couldn't help but feel a warm fuzzy feeling inside, and this morning her shoulders...they felt a little lighter and it had all been thanks to Justin.

"Thank you Justin, for everything."

Walking down the sidewalk Karla felt extra lonely this morning. She wasn't use to not having Kip around for meals. She'd been worried about him last night and she was worried again this morning. Finally pulling out her phone she opens a text message and sends one on its way to him.

Out walking, going to get some coffee and a bagel. I'd love your company if you want to meet me there.

Deal?

Susanne is glad to hear that this place might have the CD she was looking for and she's just ready to give the man her phone number when she stops, her mouth still open. Had she just heard him correctly? She blinks. Had he really just said that? Taken totally off guard, she stands there dumbly. She could fend off a robber, but this guy's blatant pass at her wasn't exactly something she encountered every day.

Her cheeks flush and she sees what seems to be and almost-sheepish look in his eye before he apologizes. Clamping her mouth shut she gives him a short nod. "Yes... yes I'd say that was out of line," she responds tersely. Though she boldly stares him in the eye, on the inside, her stomach was doing flipflops. No one ever flirted with her, even in jest. Was he just making fun of her, or was it a genuine invitation, even if spoken haphazardly? Did he just want to take advantage of her, or did he really find her attractive?

Snatching the pen and paper from him, her hand brushes his - only momentarily, but it was enough to send another odd shiver down her spine. Trying to remain composed, she uses a nearby shelf to write on and hands the paper back to him, her eyes going back to his again. "That's my work number at the Elite headquarters," she emphasizes, making sure he knew it was not her personal phone number. "Just ask for Miss Baker. If I don't hear from you, I'll assume you don't have the CD."

Closing her purse and turning around, Susanne suddenly felt a little pang of guilt. So maybe this guy shouldn't have asked her out like he had, but he did seem nice, and he seemed to really want to help her find what she was looking for. So whether or not she deemed him rude, he was doing fine with helping a customer.

Reaching the door, her hand rests against it but doesn't pull yet. It wasn't every day that an incredibly good looking guy asked her out. And he didn't seem like a young punk out to get a middle-aged woman. He seemed a little on the rebellious side with the way he dressed but that didn't prove what he was like on the inside.

"Susie, you're gonna wind up an old maid if you don't loosen up once in a while."

"I don't want to go, Darlene. I'd rather stay home with a good book."

"You just think you do. Come on. I want you to meet Gary and he'll be there all by his lonesome. It's not like we're going to a fancy restaurant and there will only be six or seven of us."

"No, thank you."

"Okay, fine. I should have known better than to ask. The day we hear you've been out on a date is the day we all have heart attacks from shock."

"You mean... all of you?"

"Well, you're not exactly known as a party animal. I mean, come on. You won't even go out with a group of us, let alone on a private date. We all love you, but look at yourself. But if you're happy, that's the main thing, so I won't beg you to come."

Susanne turns back around, a strange new glint in her eye. That conversation with Darlene had been just two days ago, but it hadn't been the first that had left her feeling old and alone. She never let it show... but she knew that within her circle of friends, she was the "fuddy duddy" without a fun bone in her body. Around TJY, she was "Mom" with everything under control and in place without room for being spontaneous.

Eying this man again and giving him a good once-over, she goes back to him. "On second thought... I could make you a deal." She holds up a finger. "If you meet me at Mom and Pop's tonight at seven-thirty, with or without the CD, I'll stay with you for dinner. But whatever you do, don't dress any differently." She steps back and looks him over again, then squints a little, pursing her lips. "Hmm." Closing the gap once more, she stands on her tip toes to reach up and slide her fingers through his hair to adjust the unkempt look just a little differently. "There. And don't shave. You'd look great with a five o'clock shadow. I won't lie - I wouldn't do this because I think it's a grand idea to go out with a perfect stranger. I just want to show some other people that I know how to have fun because they think I'm a stick in the mud. You're perfect because you're hott, and... at the same time, you'd get your dinner request. So we would both win."

His eyes were way too luring, she decides, and she can feel her cheeks growing warm yet again before dropping her gaze. She'd just run her fingers through a man's hair and called him hott to his face - a man she didn't even know. What was she thinking?! Well, she was thinking he had really soft hair that she could -

She forces her thoughts to halt right there and clears her throat, trying to remain business-like. She was absolutely and without a doubt out of her mind, but whether he said yes or no, it really didn't matter... right? "So... you decide. Dinner, or just call me if you find the CD."


Alec isn't so sure he understands what Dalton is saying. It still doesn't make much sense to him. But he nods anyway and decides to drop the subject for now.

Sighing, he picks up the files and tries to concentrate. "Okay... what are we looking for?"

Time goes by more quickly than expected, and before he knew it, Alec was ambling back to the infirmary at five o'clock. It felt a little odd... this was one of the first days that Ryan wasn't available to hang out with in all his spare time. On top of that, he'd agreed to supper with Misty. Things just seemed upside-down today.

"Knock knock." He leans on the doorway and looks in to find Misty. "Am I too early?"


Though happy that Beth wasn't pulling away, Justin didn't expect her to snuggle into him like that, and for a moment, he didn't even know how to react. He'd hugged... he'd even kissed before, but not even Renae had ever drawn close like this. This was... different. He wasn't just the adviser or counselor... he was a friend... someone genuinely needed. And it felt... different.

Slowly, his arms wrap around her, letting her sink into him and not minding that her tears soaked his shoulder. He rocks her a little... speaks softly and just lets her cry. She needed this... these tears were long overdue and he was proud of her for finally allowing herself to grieve.

As the time passes by, Justin soon realizes that Beth has fallen asleep. For a brief moment, he almost panics. What now? Should he stay? Leave? If he would have brought the dogs, it would have given him an excuse, but as it was, he had no other real reason to leave and she knew that. If he woke her up just to leave, that could make her feel quite badly.

Weighing his options, Justin finally slides down just a bit to be more comfortable, and sets his feet up on the coffee table, moving a few things around so he didn't knock anything off. Crossing his ankles, he settles back with his arms holding Beth and he closes his eyes. If she was sleeping, he might as well sleep, too.

Sitting here with her on his lap... in his arms... he couldn't deny the warm, almost-fuzzy feeling that started way down deep. He knew he wasn't supposed to feel this way... he shouldn't... but...

His hand rubs her arm gently, feeling her soft skin and knowing she was so open and vulnerable right now. And it was him she had chosen to trust.

Opening his eyes again, he moves his head to try and see her face, but it was buried against his chest. When he sighs, she moves up and down with his breath and he wonders if she could hear his heartbeat in her sleep. Then closing his eyes once more, he leans back into the cushion and allows his body to relax, inviting sleep to come.

And sleep does come, more quickly than expected. Exhausted from his own day, Justin's mind is soon far away with time slipping by silently in the darkness. Awakening only briefly a few times, Justin remains pretty much in the same position all night, moving only a little bit when his leg or arm would cramp. But he lets Beth stay right where she is, just making sure she was still breathing too, and allowing her to sleep.

By the time the sun begins to rise, Justin felt surprisingly refreshed for having slept sitting up all night. His mind was still quite full, but the feeling of stress wasn't quite as bad. As the dim light gradually spreads through the living room, he yawns, knowing that he's going to be quite the visitor when Beth wakes up. Not only would he look a mess but he didn't even have a toothbrush.

Checking on Beth again, he knew that now he really did need to leave and she probably needed to get up as well. Grieving was necessary, but so was moving on with life. Running his hand up and down her arm, he speaks quietly. "Beth..."

Lifting his hand to her face, he tucks her hair behind her ear, his fingers running through her soft locks. And for a moment, his hand just lingers where it is as the unwanted feeling in his gut returns. It was the feeling that warned him to keep his head in the game.

"Beth," he prompts gently. "It's morning."


Kip plays with his spoon in the mushy cereal that had remained in the milk too long. He'd gotten up late... it was already ten o'clock and for everyone else, the day had started several hours ago. The band was hanging out as usual but... Kip had said he thought he was coming down with something, so he'd stay here today. Now after finally getting out of bed, he felt guilty for the lie. Physically, he felt fine. It was mentally he was having a problem with.

Supper with Karla last night had been fine. He'd been more quiet than normal, but hoped she hadn't noticed, and he tried his best to smile and laugh like usual. When they'd parted, he'd kissed her on the forehead and said goodnight, hoping to have left her without questions of whether or not he was okay. This morning though... the fake smile was gone and he was staring into a mushy breakfast he didn't even want. Gram and Gramps were gone so the house was quiet and it was just him with his miserable thoughts.

Shelter

Feeling Justin's arms slip around her Beth can feel the warmth and comfort in his touch. It was something she needed, it was something she wanted for so long no matter how she pushed it away. Being here, now though her walls broken down and Justin's soft words soaking into her Beth doesn't resist.

Letting the picture fall into her lap for now Beth just continues to cry. Moving a shifting a little Beth moves till she was in Justin's lap. Not even realizing it herself where was she, she was just to upset to care and wanted all the comfort she could get.

Putting her arm around his neck to pull herself a little closer Beth rests her head on his shoulder. The sent of him filling her nose and just giving her more comfort as her tears continued to come.

Beth wasnt sure how long she cried but she did leaving her pent emotions out, and all her frustrations and anger. Soon though her body became drained from the emotions that had been forced to come out finally. Her eyes grew tired though and closing them for a moment she soon drifted to sleep her head on Justin's chest as she was snuggled close to him using him as her shelter.

Continuing to just keep looking at Susanna Chuck almost doesn't hear what she said. She was very attractive and it was like his eyes were glued to her. Catching sight of her badge it didn't surprise him she worked for the Elite but it did explain why she could handle herself.

Giving his head a little shake to bring him back to his sences Chuck looked down at the paper and reaches out taking it. Looking over the words on the paper he things for a long moment.

"Jackson Turner...Jackson...I think I do have a copy of that. I would have to look through a few things first. If you have a number I can reach you at I could call you later and let you know for sure."

Giving a friendly smile Chuck pulls a pen from his pocket before looking up again at Susanne. His dark eyes twinkling as his eyes searched her face a soft smile spreading across his lips. Susanne was rambling but Chuck didn't mind it, he liked the sound of her voice.

"We close around seven, and dinner would be on me if you can back."

Realizing now how he just blurted out Chuck just stands there for a moment before shifting his weight and looking down than up at Susanne again cocking his head.

"I'm sorry that was really out of line wasn't it?"

Looking up again as Alec comes into the room again Dalton points him in the direction of the computer and lays a few files on the counter for him to look through. Going back to his own desk and starting to work again Dalton stops at Alec's comment.

Thinking for a moment about what Alec had said Dalton lets his answer process in his mind. His answer was simple but he wanted to make sure he said it in the right words.

"Well Alec, not everyone in the same, and there are people in the life that can see past the bad and deeper into the heart. There is good inside you, I see it, and many Misty see it too. Everyone else...they just need to be shown and will take longer.

Searching his young friends face Dalton new that maybe Alec wouldn't understand or maybe he would, but Dalton had said what he felt, and maybe sometime Alec would understand. He always said he was ex Agency and he was still bad, but Dalton new there was good.

Genuinely confused

Following Beth to the living room, Justin slips into his usual role, leaving behind his own self for a while in order to concentrate on Beth and her needs. Sitting with her on the couch, but leaving a comfortable amount of room between them, he pays close attention to her and the pictures, nodding, smiling and commenting as they go along. He was very pleased at how well she was doing as it was obvious in her eyes that this was much harder for her than she might let on. She was being very brave, and Justin knew that this was good for her to do. Revisiting old memories could be very painful at first, but he hoped that one day, even though sadness would still linger, the pain would subside into peace within herself.

Reaching the family photo, Justin's eyes roam the happy faces. To anyone on the outside, they would seem like the perfect family. There were many fond memories here - happy ones. But underneath all that were ugly truths that marred the memories even if some were good.

Hearing Beth's voice quiver, Justin looks up quickly, suddenly realizing that this exercise had finally gotten to her. Seeing the tears begin to roll down her cheeks, his heart ached in a strange way. He was quite capable of turning off that reaction when he was with clients, but for some reason, just the way she looked sitting here, so sad and in so much pain, he almost seemed helpless against his own emotions. Maybe right now she did need a friend and not a counselor.

Seeing that the tears weren't stopping, Justin hesitates then slowly slides closer until he was next to her. Then gently, cautiously, he slips his arm around her shoulders and pulls her close, offering his strength to her. If she resisted a man's touch, he would back off. But as long as she allowed it, he knew she needed someone else right now... someone to share her burden... someone whose shoulder could be cried on without criticism.

"Shhh... it's okay," he whispers.

Giving her a little squeeze, he cocks his head so it rests against hers. "You're okay... you're doing great."

Real comfort. That's what he was giving. It was different than just sitting across from someone in a stark room and giving them advice. She was warm. Soft. Needing someone there for her. He could be strong... be there for her. Closing his eyes, the sweet smell of Beth's shampoo wafts to his nostrils and he breathes in deeply, just taking it in... taking her in. She wasn't just a stranger with a problem. She was a woman with a broken heart that was being mended piece by piece.

Justin's eyes fly open and an odd tingle runs down his spine, his stomach twisting slightly and his heart thumping. He forces himself not to move though, willing his body not to tense, even though his mind suddenly had. He needed to focus here. Focus. He was here for a purpose. He was here to just be a shoulder. Nothing else. He needed to be more careful and this was a stark reminder of that fact.

"Shhh," he comforts again quietly, rocking slightly and praying that she didn't sense a change in him. If she wanted to talk more, she would, but he wouldn't pressure her. This was a big thing for her, and she really had done well.


Having been so distracted, Susanne is startled by the man's voice and she jumps a little, looking to him quickly. "Um..." Realizing that this man, this... very.... handsome... man.... had seen her outside made her a bit flustered and her cheeks flush.

"No... I mean yes, I'm fine. Um, thank you." She shakes her head. "I don't need to call anyone - I could have arrested that hooligan myself but I figured the lesson was good enough." Only now when she shifts does her Elite badge become visible under her jacket as it was clipped to her belt.

Trying to move on and feeling quite silly, she rummages in her purse and pulls out a tattered piece of paper with a scribbled classic rock band name and album title. "I've been looking for this album and can't find it anywhere. I guess it bombed and so no more were made, but I liked it and my copy, um... broke." She looks up at him sheepishly. "Actually it got run over by my car, but that's a long story. Anyway, I can't even get it online and any stores I've gone to haven't had it in stock for several years."

Still feeling quite flustered, her pager on her belt beeps and she looks at it with annoyance. It was TJY. "And... I need to get back to work." She sighs. This was not her day and she was sure she looked like she'd already been through the mill today. Quite embarrassing to say the least. "Do you know off the top of your head if you've got this? Or if you think you might, I can come back later." She glances around, not realizing she was talking a mile a minute as she usually did when stressed. "What time do you close?"


Alec hadn't been ready for Carson to actually say yes. On a normal day, her comment to Carson about him being stupid if he pulled anything would have irritated him. But right now, he was too surprised to feel that way.

He blinks and has to take a moment to get his mouth to work again in order to answer her. "Um... okay. I'll... stick around and help Dalton out for a few hours or something."

Standing up, he considers her question, then shakes his head. "I'll eat most anything on account of my tastebuds." He doubted that anyone around here had noticed that similarity between him and Gage yet, and he shrugs "'Cause of the drugs from the Agency. They do something to your taste and it doesn't kill the tastebuds but kinda knocks things outta whack. 'Cept strong stuff... that's why I suck on lemons."

Feeling he'd just rambled again, he pauses awkwardly. "So yeah... whatever is good with me."

Turning around, he heads for the door. "Five o'clock," he repeats. Out in the hall, he wanders back to Dalton's office and peers in to make sure Dani is gone before entering. Seeing the big man alone, he goes ahead. "I guess I'm all yours for a while if you can use me."

Wandering to the chair, he flops down and stairs at the blank screen for a moment. "Why would... someone want to spend time with me?" He wonders aloud. "Dani hates me... Carson wants me gone... but you don't... and Misty just asked me to have supper with her."

He finally looks up to search Dalton's eyes. He really was genuinely confused. "I don't understand."


As the call ends, Kip sighs and puts his phone back in his pocket. By the time he saw Karla later, he'd be able to push aside everything else in order to have a good time... right? He hoped so. Right now he felt like crap and wasn't quite sure how to deal with it...


Karla's information to the group raises a few eyebrows, but no one seems to think it's too strange. Kip had his own quirks an they all had learned that most of the time it wasn't worth trying to figure out all of them.

Conversation does return to normal though, and nothing more is said about Kip. Each in their own minds were processing and trying to think of ways to help without hurting their friend.


...Kip lies back on his bed and stares up at the ceiling. Now that he was the only one left at Gram and Gramps', they'd given him the spare room on the ground floor where their grandchildren used to stay, instead of the basement. It was a nice little room and they'd said he could stay as long as he needed. Lying here usually made him feel comfortable and good, but today it didn't. Today, all he wanted to do was go find a hole somewhere and crawl in. He still didn't blame the band... and he really wasn't surprised. But it still hurt. He was the one holding everybody else back and it wasn't fair to them.

He hears the clock in the living room chime and knew it was five o'clock. Karla would be here soon probably. He should get some nicer jeans on or something at least, but his body felt like dead weight.

"Kip?"

He looks quickly to the door and sits up, seeing Gram. He liked it that he could call her Gram just like Kyle did. She and Gramps both treated him like their own grandson, and that's something that was new to him, but it made him feel good. "Yeah?"

"I made some cookies," Gram offers. She cocks her head and studies his face. "You look like you could use some warm, gooey goodness."

Kip manages a smile but he shakes his head. "Thanks but... I think I'll pass. You know what too much sugar does for me."

Gram chuckles and folds her arms, leaning on the doorway. "You and Kyle," she muses. "'Course when he refuses one of my cookies, even if he's resisting sugar, I know something's up." She looks into Kip's eyes, noting that he looked away quickly. "Everything okay? I thought you were going to spend the day with the band."

"I... I was. I mean, I did." He digs his bare toe into the carpet and sighs. "Maybe I will take that cookie."

Gram studies him for another moment before coming into the room and sitting down on the bed next to him. "Want to talk about it?"

Kip shakes his head. "Not really. I guess sometimes I just get tired of being me."

"Never do that," Gram chides gently. "We can all improve, sure. But never dislike you for being you. God made you just the way you are so that you'll fit perfectly into a niche he's made just for you."

"But what if I fail at fitting into that niche?"

"Then you have to decide if it's something you just need to work on, or if you're really not meant to be there. Or perhaps you do fit and you're just having trouble feeling it." Gram cocks her head, waiting until Kip looks at her. "Sometimes we don't even see our purpose until we look back on it later in life. But if you're truly where God wants you, you'll know." She reaches out and places a hand over his heart. "This is the Kip that matters. Whether you're off with a fantastic band and heard on the radio, or whether you're flipping burgers downtown... this is the Kip you have to learn to love. It's not what you do with your hands... it's what you do with your heart. And you... you have an amazing heart."

Kip bites his lip, feeling his emotions welling beneath the surface. Trying to understand what she was saying, but still replaying what he'd overheard earlier... it was a conflict and he didn't know what to believe.

Gram gives his shoulder a pat before rising and slowly leaving the room. "The cookies are on the kitchen counter if you want any."

Once she's gone, Kip just sits alone. Gram maybe liked his heart but... but if he still let the band down, it would still be a failure. Swallowing hard and biting back his emotions, he rises and heads to the kitchen. He'd eat a cookie just because she'd so nicely offered them to him. Then Karla would probably show up soon.

Tears

Listing to Kip's voice on the other side of the phone Karla could tell something else was bothering Kip. She had been around him enough now to be able to hear the slight changed when he was in a good mood, or a bad mood.

Giving a small sigh that could be un-noticed over a phone Karla new if Kip didn't want to talk right now he wouldn't. When he was ready, or if his mood didn't seem to improve than she would ask him again what was wrong.

"Alright I'll let them know. I..miss you so yes later we can catch up for dinner."

Giving the best cheer she can to her voice and letting Kip go for now Karla just twirling the phone in her hand for a long moment. Finally slipping it into her pocket again she heads back into the other room taking her place on the couch once again.

Waiting for a small lull in the conversation she just thinks for a moment. Should she let the other know something felt wrong with Kip or was it just her own mind playing tricks on her. Maybe it was best to just let it be for now.

"Kip said he was heading back to the house. He just needed to clear his head and get some fresh air."

Misty could hear the little bit or worry and irritation in Carson's voice and she couldn't blame him. She new he didn't care for his brother and why should he. Alec had done nothing to even show Carson he has changed and as her husband he was just trying to keep her safe.

"Don't worry, if he pulls anything he'll have to deal with me, than you, and than his girlfriend. If he's that stupid he deserves it. I'll keep my guard up. Thanks Babe!"

Hanging up the phone with Carson Misty looks across the desk at Alec again and cocks her head a little bit. Was it a good idea to invite Alec over? She could handle herself, and Carson had given her the ok.

"He said yes, so I guess I'll see you back here around five and you can follow me over to the house. Is there anything that you don't like to eat?"

Giving another small smile Beth gives a nod before moving over to the box. Stopping for a moment she looks down at it before looking back up at Justin again.

"Lets go into the living room, it might be a little more comfortable."

Picking up the box and waiting for Justin Beth heads into the living room with him and sets the box down on the table. Sitting on the couch across from it she waits for Justin to sit down next to her. Letting out a long sigh and with a shaky hand Beth reaches out to the box and opens the top.

Reaching into the box Beth feels around for a moment without looking till she has a handful of pictures. Pulling them out and sitting back on the couch next to Justin she lays them in her lap and lets out a long sigh once again.

Finally lifting one of the pictures and looking down at it Beth just looks. In the picture were two young children playing in a sand box, and a man sitting outside helping build a castle. Giving a smile her eyes roam the picture for a long moment before looking at Justin and holding the picture up.

"This is Me, Sarah, and my Dad. We use to hand this sandbox outside. He build it himself for us."

Putting the first picture down Beth swallows a limp she could feel in her throat but continues on anyways. Going through several more pictures Beth continues to move on through them explain to Justin each one. Finally coming close to the end Beth pulls out another picture. It looked like a family photo. The two girls again, Beth's mom and dad once more all had smiles on there face.

"This was the last family photo we had taken...a month before....before everything changed."

Running her fingers lightly over the picture Beth had been doing so well keeping her tears inside till this point. But now seeing the picture, and the faces memories even more flowed back to her as tears started to stream down her face. Facing the past was easy, but coming to the reality was the hard part and Beth just couldn't keep her tears in.

Fiddling around with one of the shelf's in the shop Chuck works quietly. Today was a quiet day, and Anastasia wasn't around to chat with so fixing a few through around the shop was how he would fill his time.

Reaching for a tool Chuck stops as his ears pick up on some talking outside that did not sound friendly. Standing and looking out the window a little he spys the woman and the other man. Not sure what was going on he just stood there and watched. Finally realizing though she was being robbed Chuck was about to go help but continues to watch as the woman gave him a nice chop to the neck.

Blinking a little Chuck couldn't help this strange attraction to the woman he hadn't even seen her face yet. There was just something about her that seemed to click. Continuing to watch the woman as she walked into the shop Chuck couldn't stop staring the woman's looks matching what he liked already.

"Hi Welcome to Disc O Round...I saw what happened out there. Are you ok did you need me to call anyone for you?"

Picked the wrong day

As Kip walks, he hesitates before answering his phone. He knew he needed to though, so no one would worry or come looking for him.

Hearing Karla, he bites his lip and musters up a cheerful tone. "Oh, yep, sorry. I shoulda called. Everything's fine. I just decided to stretch my legs a bit."

His eyes remain on the sidewalk as his feet trudge wearily. For once, he didn't feel like walking off any energy at all. But it seemed the only route to take right now. "Just tell the others I headed back to the house. Grabbing some fresh air or whatever. I'll catch up to you later for supper or something if you want."


It was a little unusual that Misty would call him in the middle of the day, then hearing her reasoning, Carson furrows his brow. Stepping around the corner from the kitchen and stretching the phone cord, he finishes the call in the privacy of the hallway. "Alec... You want Alec over for supper while you're home alone?"

He was a bit surprised. She was smarter than that. "For family interaction?" He couldn't help the are-you-kidding? tone of his voice. He shrugs though. "I guess whatever you want," he relents. She was more sociable than he was, and he knew that sometimes what seemed foreign to him was really a better option that he just didn't see because of his introverted nature.

"Just be careful, ay? Brother or not, I don't trust or like him - you know that. But if you think it's a good idea, then go ahead." He did appreciate her checking with him first. Not that she needed permission to do things, but something like this, that she knew he'd be leery of... he was glad she'd asked. "I know you can handle yourself. Just don't let him fool you." Alec had already done that with Dani.

The sound of a clattering pan in the kitchen makes him jump. "I gotta go. Love ya, babe. I'll call you later."

Sitting and waiting for Misty, Alec tried to tell by the look on her face whether or not Carson had said yes. Surely he hadn't. The brute didn't like him any more than he liked Carson. Besides, even if Carson liked him, any man wouldn't appreciate his wife hanging out with a guy alone for dinner, right?

Still swiveling a little back and forth, Alec waits to see what would happen. Perhaps he didn't even realize that deep down, he wanted Carson to say yes.


Looking up at Beth from the table, Justin studies her eyes for a moment. He knew this was a big step for her. She'd had him over for another meal - that alone was a step. Now she would be taking another journey into the past and it probably wouldn't be easy.

He nods kindly. "Sure. I'm all yours." He smiles, waiting and unsure if they would remain in the kitchen or go to another room.


Quinn nods his enthusiasm. "Sounds great. Checking out the apartments and meeting up with you tonight."

Grinning, he finally digs into his food, only now realizing that he really was hungry. "Now... we just need to figure out a way to convince your uncle that I'm okay."


Heading down the sidewalk in a bit of a hurry, Susanne glances at her watch. She only had a few minutes of a break before Reese needed her back in the thick of the chaos, but she was bound and determined to get some fresh air. Though she hadn't had lunch yet, it wasn't food she was after, but a certain music CD she'd been looking for. It was a few years old and she hadn't been able to find it in any of the other stores, so the Disc O Round was her last resort. She didn't usually run personal errands on her work breaks, but today had been too stressful, so getting outside was what she needed.

Almost to the door of the little shop and right in front of the window, a young man coming from the other direction runs right into her, their shoulders crashing harshly. Susanne stumbles back, annoyed, only to feel her arm being grabbed.

"Give me your purse lady," the man hisses, "and I won't hurt you."

Susanne's annoyance turns into pure irritation and she glares up at the man without fear. "You've got to be kidding me. Trying to rob a woman on the sidewalk in broad daylight - you've got problems in your head. Now let me go."

The man's grip tightens around her arm and his other hand flashes a knife blade. "Give me your purse first," he demands.

"Oh, you really are stupid." Susanne might just be a secretary, but she was still Elite and had still been trained. "You picked the wrong day to mess with me." In no mood for games, Susanne wrenches her arm free and sidesteps to avoid the knife stab. Giving the man's stomach a swift kick then a nice chop to the neck, he doubles over in pain, the knife dropping to the ground. Still irritated, Susanne turns to give him another kick to the behind, sending him stumbling away from her before she reaches down to grab the knife herself. Waving it in his direction, she challenges him. "C'mhere, boy. You wanna keep this up?" She shouldn't have been surprised when he ran off down the alleyway.

Scoffing, she turns and throws the knife into a nearby trashcan. Brushing herself off, and tucking her hair back behind her ear, she huffs a frustrated sigh and continues her route past the shop window and to the door.

Entering, the little bell rings and she takes a look around, not sure where to start searching, especially with so little time.

Ok

Looking across the desk at Alec and the phone he was holding to her Misty just looks at him for a long moment not moving. A grin finally forms on her lips as she continues to look across the table. Reaching out and taking the phone Misty shakes her head a little.

"Ok, you got yourself a deal."

Dialing the number at the restraint Misty waits as it rings her eyes still staying locked with Alec's in a challenge. Hearing Thirteen's voice on the phone Misty asks for Carson and waits once again. She didn't know if he would say yes or no one this one. He didn't much care for Alec, but she really did want him part of the family because he was not to mention he was trying.

"Hey babe, sorry to bother you at work but I wanted to ask you something. I know your going to be late coming home tonight so I would be eating alone so I wanted to know if it was ok if your brother came over for dinner. Might be nice for him to have a little family interaction. Just wanted to make sure it was fine with you first."

Hearing Justin say she was a good cook Beth smiles a little more. The stuff she cooked for Justin was right from her mom's cook book. Knowing he liked the food made her feel a little closer to her mom and it felt good.

"Thank you, I've enjoyed being able to cook for someone."

Pushing her chair out and seeing Justin was done Beth takes both there plates and brings them to the sink. Coming back with a water pitcher Beth pours some more water before heading into the kitchen again and filling the sink with some water.

"If you want to look through those pictures now we can. I think I am ready."

Coming back once more and giving a smile to Justin it was easy to see Beth's eyes she was a little nervous but excited at the same time.

Taking a sip of her soup Anastasia thinks for a moment about an apartment place that might be looking for something without a lease. She new of a few places but she didn't know how much they were or how much Quinn wanted to even pay.

"I know there is a place over on spruce st that has some apartments they rent month by month. If you want to meet me back at the shop later before dinner I can show you were its at and we can go in and check it out."

Looking across the table still at Quinn still and searching his eyes Anastasia gives a little wink. Knowing Quinn would be around more did sound like a great plan to her. She liked him being around and it would be nice to gave someone to hang around with.

Sitting with her legs curled up on the couch Karla was quiet just listening to everyone chatter. She never really jumped into the other's conversations and without Kip being there she was a little more quiet just soaking everything up.

Giving a nod here and there though along with a few smiles she does let them know she was listing. Karla was really happy they didn't want to leave Kip in the dust and it made her feel good they would stay working with him. Those were true friends.

Finally when the conversation seems to come around to an almost close again Karla looks down at her watch. She was a little worried Kip hadn't come back yet. Standing and pulling her phone from her pocket Karla steps into the hall and waits. Hearing his voice on the other end Karla gives a smile.

"Hey you, I just wanted to make sure you were ok. Everyone was getting a little worried you weren't back yet. You doing ok babe?"

Failure

Having been swiveling in the chair with his eyes on the floor, Alec listened, even if his body language said he was bored. At Misty's invitation though, his gaze snaps up, his eyebrows raised. Whether he realized it or not, the look in his eye was one of total surprise. It was one thing to hang out with Eli and Ryan... that was a given. But to be invited to someone else's place for dinner - Misty, no less - that was something he hadn't expected. Sure, she'd said sometime do a couple thing or whatever, but this... this was different.

"You kidding me?" he asks outright as a small laugh accompanies his question. "I mean, it's pretty common knowledge that your husband doesn't like me very well. Not that I can blame him, but you can't tell me he'd be in agreement with me coming over and not only being in his house, but being in his house with his wife... alone."

He leans a little closer, his eyes roving Misty's face. To anyone paying attention, it would show in his eyes that he really wanted to say yes, but simply didn't know how. So instead, it was an almost-flirtatious glint that shows itself amidst the confusion. "I mean, I might be crazy but I'm certainly not stupid. I'm all for food but I don't wanna die by Carson's hand either - he can be one brutal guy."

Still swiveling a little, he straightens, his hands gripping the back of the chair. "If you can get him to say yes though, then... I'd be more tempted." Grabbing the phone, he hands it to her as if in a challenge. Surely if she actually called, Carson would say no. Then Alec wouldn't have to decide if he'd say yes or not.


Having Beth quote him, Justin grins a little but doesn't draw attention to it, once he sees she's embarrassed. Just continuing to listen, he enjoys the rest of his meal, making it obvious that he does like her cooking.

Cocking his head at her, he nods a little. "Yeah... I guess I did see your job as a little peculiar but... we don't always do things that make perfect sense, do we?" He finishes his food by mopping up the rest of the spaghetti sauce with his bread. "I guess sometimes what does make sense can be a little too much to face at times too." His hint remains a subtle suggestion that perhaps there were other opportunities Beth could take advantage of if fear didn't hold her back.

Taking a final sip of his water, Justin sets his glass down and heaves a sigh of content. "That... was good. Thank you, Beth. You're a good cook."


Quinn laughs and just looks across at Anastasia, feeling ridiculously silly and happy at the same time. Even when the food comes, he just ignores it for a few minutes, letting the scene just soak in. Finally though after a short prayer is prayed, he starts the meal with Anastasia.

"Okay, so saying I thought I should stick around a while and..." He shrugs. "I don't know... just see what happens, I guess. You think I should just stick it out in the hotel a while? Or are there any short-term apartments around or...?"

Chewing his food, he looks up at her again and shakes his head. "I can't believe I'm asking that." A few days prior, all he'd wanted was to get out of this town.


The living room was awkwardly quiet. It wasn't normally like that with the band, but after Kip had left to run down to the corner store for a pop, silence had taken over the room.

The band was gathered at Erik and Theo's new apartment, hanging out for the afternoon, after they'd had practice that morning. Their recording was finished for the next couple weeks, so schedules were more flexible now. Russ had found his own place too, so with the girls staying with Alice, Kip was the only one left still at Kyle's grandparents.

Now, gazes were exchanged with unspoken thoughts. Practice had been bad, and it wasn't a fault that was spread out. Unfortunately, it had been Kip who had had the most trouble and had held things up. He'd had a hard time just finishing the recordings, and now he was showing difficulty in getting his act together. Everyone else had stepped things up a notch after landing the music deal, but Kip was lagging. He'd done fine in the band prior to Kyle's entrance, but they'd only performed small gigs and had not worked so hard at being more precise and professional. While with Kyle, though they maintained their personality and functions within the band, it was necessary to step up to the plate, buckle down and do things better than their previous best. It wasn't a hard-nosed pressure, but it was a natural one, forcing the band to evolve and improve. However, it was becoming more and more obvious that Kip was struggling. Did he know it? It was hard to tell.

Erik lets out a long, slow sigh as he glances around the room. His eyes land on Karla. It was rare that Kip went anywhere without her now, which just proved he didn't leave to just go and grab a pop - most likely he'd needed to stretch his legs and get out of the small room for a while. He'd admittedly had too much caffeine and sugar that morning so it wouldn't be too far-fetched to assume he just needed to burn off a bit of that energy, hence, going alone. Erik wondered if Karla knew where the band's thoughts were, and what she might think.

It was Kyle who was brave enough to break the silence. They had a few minutes before Kip returned. "Erik, you know Kip the best of anyone here. What's your take on this morning?"

Erik shrugs lamely and looks down at his hands, his mind at work. "Just one of those days."

"There have been... a lot of those days lately."

"I know." Erik finally looks up at Kyle as one of the times where Kyle was indeed the leader. "What's your take on it?"

Kyle shifts on the couch, his arm having fallen asleep around Alice's shoulders, but he doesn't move it. "I've been watching him and... from what I can tell, he's having a hard time stepping up a notch. He's not failing - he hasn't digressed. But while the rest of us have upped our game, he... hasn't. Or he's tried but hasn't gotten there yet."

Erik nods his agreement. That's what he felt as well. "He just... needs a little more time than the rest of us."

"We're all friends here, and we all love Kip, right?" Kyle looks around the room, including Karla in his gaze. "This isn't about bashing him or complaining about him - we all know that. I just wish there was a way we could help him. I'm in no way, shape or form even remotely close to asking him to leave the band, and I don't want anyone to think that either. But if someone has any ideas, speak up." His eyes go back to Erik. "I know he's hyperactive. Even I get that way, so I can relate to that aspect. But has he had any other problems? I mean like..." He hesitates, unsure how to word what he was trying to say.

"Like is he slow in the head?" Erik finishes for him. He smiles a little and shakes his head. "Naw, I don't think so. He's always had a hard time concentrating. Got held back in school, had a crappy home life - it all adds up. His self-esteem is lower than dirt and I think it's just all more pronounced now that we're moving on to a new level."

"You think he knows he's slowing us down?" Russ questions with concern.

"Probably."

Twila purses her lips. "Well I hope he doesn't feel badly. I mean... it's not his fault. So he has a hard time concentrating... maybe we can just find new ways to do things that won't be so hard for him. Personally, I think he's got a stroke of genius he hasn't tapped into yet."

"I agree," Erik states flatly. "I've caught him a time or two singing or playing his bass when he thought no one was around, and let me tell you... I think he's got more talent than me. I think if he could channel that energy of his, you'd be right - I think he'd be a musical genius."

Kyle quirks an eyebrow in thought. Come to think of it, that's kind of what it did seem like. Often times those with the most talent in one particular area ended up lacking in other areas, such as social skills or even confidence. "He's got a lot to compensate for, doesn't he?" he muses.

The others nod. "Yeah," Erik replies. "I think sometimes he's got a whole lot more going on inside of him than he lets other people know. Or at least... most other people." He looks to Karla and grins a little, giving her a wink. He knew that she got to see a side of Kip the others didn't often get to. "He was labeled with ADHD in gradeschool - I think he was one of the few cases where that really was accurate. I mean, lots of times if you take a kid and just give them something to work off their energy or feed them right, it'll take care of the problem. But I think Kip's brain really is wired differently than the rest of us. He's twenty and still can't sit still."

Twila chuckles. She loved Kip dearly, like a little brother. "Maybe we can hire somebody to come sit on him during practice?"

The others laugh - not making fun of Kip in the least, but able to find humor within the sensitive subject. Kyle nods to Karla. "Maybe she can do that."

"I think that might distract him even more," Twila teases. "I'm not sure having such a pretty girl on his lap would help matters."

Kyle grins. "It certainly wouldn't help me." He throws Alice a sidelong glance, his eyes twinkling. "Okay, maybe not. But we really do need to put our thinking caps on. I don't want to change the band and I don't ever want us to get wrapped up in glitz and fame. But we do need to improve and we do need to continue to step our performance up a notch - probably more than one notch as we go along. It's obvious that Kip's struggling. Recording took a week longer, and none of us wanted to admit that it was mainly because he was having a tough time." He pauses, looking around the room again. "Whether we want him in the band or not, Jackie and Wayne may think differently if this keeps up. Neither have said anything to me so far, but I can tell some days they weren't too happy. And fortunately, or unfortunately, we depend on them. And if Kip hinders the band's performance... well, we just have to be prepared for that."

Kip's hand slides from the doorknob and he takes a step back in the apartment hall. Staring at the closed door, his eyes slowly lower to the floor. It's obvious that Kip's struggling... mainly because he was having a tough time... if Kip hinders the band's performance...

A lump rises in Kip's throat. He'd known all along this might happen. As soon as they'd landed a deal, he knew that if anyone failed, it would be him, and it was starting. Apparently he was doing a poor enough job that the others needed to talk about it while he was out of the room. It didn't make him angry... he knew he wasn't as good as the others and they deserved better. It was only natural that they'd need to discuss it.

Swallowing hard, Kip turns and walks back down the hall and outside. Passing a trashcan, he tosses in the bottle of pop he'd just purchased. Trudging along the sidewalk, he turns right. It would take a while, but he'd manage to make it to Gram and Gramp's on foot. Right now, he needed the walk. If anyone missed him, they'd call his cell phone before worrying. He'd just tell them that he got tired and decided to head back - and if it was Karla, he'd tell her he'd hook up with her later, reassuring her that nothing was wrong.

"Well, I think we just need to find a creative way to do things," Twila concludes. "Maybe the rest of us all think the same way and our brains just naturally go the same direction. Kip's not any lesser just because he thinks differently, so maybe we should find some way to change things up a bit." She shrugs. "Couldn't hurt. And right now we do have a breather for a short while."

"Wayne and Jackie can stick it if they don't like Kip," Russ adds flatly.

Erik quirks an eyebrow. "Why don't you tell us how you really feel?" he teases.

Russ smirks. "Well, it's true. I like Wayne and Jackie and I don't think they'd be mean on purpose, but I, for one, would rather keep Kip and have to go find another job than tell him to leave and stay in the band." He looks to Kyle. "No offense."

Kyle grins. "None taken. I feel the same way as I think the rest of you do, too."

Theo glances at his watch. "Speaking of that hyperactive friend of ours, do you think he decided to run around the block a few times, or what?"

Erik laughs. "Maybe he did."