...be like the others

Following Chuck's lead, Susanne gets the helmet back on again and has an easier time mounting the bike this time around. Getting situated behind him, she wraps her arms around him once more, this time ready for the little jolt before they took off down the road.

About halfway back to town, she finally dares to open her eyes and stare around Chuck's shoulder, her grip still tight around him but no longer a death grip. There was something about having him in total control on the motorcycle that was exciting, once she got around her initial fear. Here she was, on the back of a bike, holding onto one of the most dreamy men she'd ever met, completely at his mercy. Going sixty miles an hour down the highway with the wind pelting against them, the roar of the motorcycle muffling all other sounds... Susanne leans her head on the back of Chuck, leaning with him as they take a curve. And a little smile comes to her lips.

Once parked at Mom and Pop's, Susanne takes off the helmet and shakes out her hair, throwing a silly look at Chuck. Taking a deep breath, she lets it out slowly. "I don't see Darlene's car, so we can get settled before they get here." She rolls her eyes. "Just so you know, I really can't believe I'm doing this."

Taking his hand, she dismounts the motorcycle and retrieves her purse from the saddlebag. Still hand-in-hand, they amble to the front door of the little restaurant, letting themselves in. Susanne points to a corner booth that was back out of the way, but able to be seen by the table at which she was sure her friends would be seated.

Not sitting right away, she gestures Chuck to the booth. "I'll be right back," she hints, nodding down the hall to the restroom. Leaving him be for now, she heads to the bathroom, mainly to straighten her hair and fix whatever makeup was left on her face. Staring into the mirror, she runs her fingers through her hair and pulls it back and up into a clip again, a few strands still falling down around her face. With a finger, she smudges off some of the mascara that had been smeared and she grimaces. She didn't have any with her to fix it, and she couldn't believe Chuck actually liked seeing her in such a state.

As satisfied as she could be, she heads back out to the table, slipping in across from Chuck and grabbing a menu. Her jitters were back again, and she tries to not let it show, just swinging her legs a little under the table.

"Good evening." Carson grins and gives them both some water. Seeing Susanne, he'd told Aerith, he'd take care of this table. He liked breaks from the kitchen, especially when it was for a customer he knew. "And how are we tonight?"

Susanne glances up at him, her cheeks gaining color. She hadn't thought about him seeing her here. "Um.... fine... thanks...."

Carson quirks an eyebrow, then gives a sidelong glance to Chuck, wondering who he was. Was Susanne actually on a date, or was this just an acquaintance of hers? He didn't seem to be her type, though Carson didn't sense a bad nature.

Susanne can see the question in his eyes, and she'd rather get the jump on it before any assumptions were made. "Carson, this is um..." A friend? A date? A... what? And for a horrid moment, his name slipped from her mind. "Um... Chuck." She forces a strange sort of smile. "Chuck, this is Carson. I work with him... sometimes... kind of."

Carson tries not to laugh at Susanne's odd behavior, but the twinkle in his eye proves that he found this quite humorous. "I'm on call for the Elite," he explains briefly. Seeing how flustered Susanne was, he moves on for her sake. "You guys think about what you want and I'll be back in a few minutes."

Once he's gone, Susanne plants her face on the table. "I'm sorry," she mumbles. She felt so silly, she didn't even know what to do. Could she not relax? All she had to do was sit here and eat a meal with Chuck and then leave. That simple. And she was already wanting to bolt for the door. "I don't know if I can do this."


Shifting a little with Karla, Kip leans his face into her hand and lets his eyes fall shut, wanting to trust her words. It was hard though. "I don't hold anybody together," he mentions softly. He wasn't trying to talk down about himself - he really did believe what he said.

Turning his head, he kisses her palm, letting his lips drift over her fingers, then back to the other side over her knuckles. Moving around so he's facing her a little more, he lets his head rest down on her shoulder and plants several light kisses on her neck while his hands play with hers. "I don't want to think about it anymore," he mumbles, sighing deeply. "I just want to... not be so... me."

Straightening a little, he lets go of her hands to lift his palms to rest on each side of her face, his thumbs tracing over her lips and her cheekbones. His eyes were so far away and lost, mirroring his soul that seemed to be drowning. "Thank you for trying to make me feel better though. I just... don't know how I can be any better than I am and... I'm not good enough for the band anymore."

Inside, his heart was in pieces and he was just scrambling, trying to figure everything out and trying to know how to move on from where he was. He knew he was loved and knew the band didn't mean to hurt him, but... they'd spoken the truth. Searching Karla's eyes, he isn't even sure how to tell her any more than he had... there weren't many words for what he was feeling.

Moving aside the sack of food, he gently pushes Karla onto her back and lies next to her on his stomach, hooking one leg around hers and curling an arm around her waist, his face buried in her shoulder. "Why can't I be like the others?" he asks, almost in a whimper. "Why can't I just..." His statement goes unfinished - he doesn't even know how to finish it, so it's left to drift into the silence as his lips softly kiss her cheek and neck once more before returning his head to her shoulder.

Not having been satisfied by only a few french fries, his stomach growls loudly again. Kip can't help a little chuckle, though he doesn't move. "My stomach apparently knows how to ruin a perfectly good moment." He sighs, but maybe this was the change in subject he wanted. "I guess it has a right to since I haven't fed it all day."


Being picked up and spun around so suddenly, Ariel lets out a little squeal, hanging onto his arm. Startled, but not scared, she laughs as Trey sets her back down again. "You turkey," she teases. She smiles though at his comment. "You're doing it because something about this beach at night makes a person uninhibited."

Watching him walk towards the water, she cocks her head, finding him intriguing. He had an air of confidence about him, yet there was something underneath that said maybe he was just as lost as anyone else, just as eager to find himself as anyone, and maybe not quite so confident on the inside. Something said that he maybe hadn't had a hard life, but there had been things that chiseled his heart with rough edges needing to be softened.

Ariel finally wanders behind him, her hands clasped casually in front of her. Stopping a short ways from him at the water as well, she wriggles her toes in the lapping water. As she hears his invitation for tomorrow, she raises her head but doesn't look at him right away. She swallows hard, wondering what his intentions were. "Lunch, huh?"

Coming a little closer to him, she stands with her bare feet next to his and looks at them for a moment. "I like lunch. And you seem to be pretty good company." She shrugs. "I've got off work tomorrow too so if you were looking for a good time to ask, coincidence was on your side."

She tosses him a sidelong glance with a little grin. "Wanna meet me somewhere? Or..." She knew he was new in town and both nights now, he'd come with Pete, so wasn't so sure he had his own vehicle. "...I could give you a ride if you tell me where you're at."


"Hey, Mick, have you seen Jim?"

Mick is startled from his thoughtful stare and he straightens from leaning on the wall in the barn. Turning to see Becky, he shakes his head. "Not for a couple hours. Need anything?"

"It can wait." Becky smiles and is about to leave when she cocks her head, studying Mick's pensive expression. "You okay?"

Mick gives her a wry grin. It seemed the older he got, the more obvious his moods were to the world. "Yeah. Just thinking." He nods down the aisle to where someone was cleaning out a stall. "Mr. Quiet is still refusing to be anything but."

Becky knew he was referring to Dylan. "I noticed he didn't seem to be any more social since he decided to stay. He seems lonely."

"I think he is," Mick agrees. "But he's not putting any effort into remedying that. He hangs out with Dan and Jade more than anyone, but even then, you can tell he's trying to give them their own space too, and I can't blame him. Hanging out with an engaged couple could get a little tiresome." He manages another grin.

Becky chuckles and nods. "I suppose. I've seen Clint try to get him involved in the shop but he seemed disinterested."

"He seems disinterested in most things. I honestly don't even know why he decided to stay here. I mean, I'm glad he did but... I just wonder what his reasoning was, if all he's going to do is mope. You know I don't think I've ever seen him smile. Let alone laugh or have any amount of fun. It's been what - several months? And he's still an outsider by his own doing."

"He's working though, isn't he? I mean, better than when he first came?"

"Oh, tons better. It had something to do with Dan, but I never did find out what. One minute, Dylan was leaving and the next, he was back here, willing to work in order to stay." Mick shrugs. "But even so, he still won't talk. I'd be happy if he talked to anybody, let alone me, but I think he hates me for life."

"I don't think that's true." Becky looks down at the floor for a moment before looking back up at her brother-in-law. "If he did, he wouldn't be here. He probably just doesn't know how to express himself."

"But I'm his father. He shouldn't-"

"You can be a scary guy, Mick." Becky chuckles, but she does get her point across. "We all love you to death, but even you would be the first to admit that you can be a little hard on people sometimes. And poor Dylan, probably thinking he has to live up to your standards? That's not an easy task."

Mick bites his lower lip and glances down the barn aisle again. "Is it all my fault, Becky? Is this whole thing the way it is because I've been too hard on him?"

"No, I don't think so. We all have different ways of doing things and I couldn't condemn you for the way you've treated him. If I did, someone could turn around and blame me for raising my own kids the wrong way. Look at Clint. Thankfully, things are working out for him and Wendy, but someone could say that Jim and I must have been bad parents to have raised a boy who would make those kinds of choices."

"Well, that was all him. You and Jim did all you could to teach him right."

"Exactly. You did all you could, Mick. Then for not even knowing Dylan for half his life... just the fact that he's willing to stay here is pretty good." Becky tries to reassure him. "What is it you want from him?"

Mick shrugs lamely. "I guess... just to talk. To know what's on his mind... to know where things went wrong. He still won't tell me about how he got into trouble. Something that was said a few weeks ago though, gave me the impression that Dan knows the story, so why could Dylan tell him and not me?"

"He almost got your other son killed, and you think he wants to admit to you what happened with him being hooked on drugs?"

It did sound a bit silly, and Mick sighs. "Point taken." Watching the stall down a ways, he sees someone return the horse to the stall and Dylan moves quickly out of the way, moving on to another stall and avoiding the animal. "He hates horses," he muses. "You'd think after this amount of time, he'd at least have gotten used to it, but he still appears to loath working in the barn."

"Yet he cleans stalls every day," Becky returns. She eyes Mick. "That doesn't seem to quite add up, does it?"

"No."

"Then maybe there's more than one mystery here." She pats him on the shoulder before turning to leave. "It'll work out, Mick... God will see to that."

"Yeah... thanks, Beck..." Mick keeps his eyes on Dylan working until finally he just shakes his head and goes out to the pasture to bring in some of the other horses for the night.


Dylan throws another shovelful of manure into the wheelbarrow and squints as some sweat drips down in his eye. His t-shirt was wet with sweat and dirty from working all day in the barn. Most days were the same. He spent most of his time in here... even though he was allowed free time, he rarely took it. There were things he hated about this place, but keeping busy seemed the best thing to him.

Since deciding to stay, he'd become more skilled with using the tools around the barn and he'd started to fill out again, losing the pale, thin look from before he'd gotten off the drugs. He'd been able to gain back some weight but was kept in shape from the daily work. He didn't notice much though... day in and day out, it was all the same. He hung out with Dan sometimes... sometimes with Jade... but mostly he was on his own.

Pausing, he wipes some sweat from his brow with the back of his arm. Looking into the next stall over, he peers through the bars at the tall horse. Wandering a little closer, he cautiously studies the big animal. When the horse turns around and sticks her nose up to the bars though, Dylan jumps back. Scoffing at himself, he grabs hold of the shovel again and gets back to work. He'd never fit in here. The only reason he stayed was because he was afraid to return home. Well, maybe that wasn't the only reason, but it was a main one.

Stopping his work again, his mind turns with questions, theories and consequences. He still hadn't explained everything to his dad. Maybe he was still afraid to. At least without having said anything, he hadn't faced rejection or disbelief. Dan had believed him, but there was no telling if his dad would or not. He didn't want to be accused of lying... he'd been in enough trouble around here without that.

"Dylan - five minutes?"

He looks up to the sound of Sparky's voice. He knew his uncle would be bringing the horse back in shortly. "Yep." Digging his shovel into the manure again, he works a little faster so the stall can be finished by the time the horse returned.

The rest of the day goes by quickly. Dylan keeps busy in the barn as usual - doing his work, doing it well, and staying out of everybody's way. There were times when some of the other ranch hands would go to do their tasks, only to find them finished without knowing who had done them. Later, they might discover it had been Dylan, only feeding his reputation as the "ghost man."

Once the barn is closed up for the night, everyone filters their own ways for supper. Some go to their own homes or bunkhouses, but most gather, as usual, in the main dining hall. There is chatter, laughter and fellowship amongst friends and family - the older generation and those still brand new to the world. It was a warm scene on a chilly night. The smiles on faces were genuine and contagious, making for a happy evening, just like most were. There was peace here. Peace and love.

Outside, the sun has set and the ranch is quiet. Dylan leans against the pasture fence and stares up at the dark sky, witnessing the stars as they begin their nightly watch. The sounds of happy voices and laughter filter from the main building and his eyes lower to the glow coming from the windows. Yes, it was like most every evening. There was rarely an unhappy mealtime here - which was amazing for as many different people and personalities that were here. Even when some weren't getting along, the disputes were usually quiet and settled within a reasonable amount of time.

The sound of a door opening and closing catches Dylan's attention and he sees Clint, Wendy and the baby head off towards their own place. That meant supper was wrapping up and everyone else would be filtering out soon. It was also Dylan's cue.

Wandering to the dining hall, he lets himself in the back door and slips quietly around the noisy room to the kitchen. A few women were in and out starting on the dishes, but they seemed too busy to notice him. He'd learned how to be quiet and not be noticed. It wasn't hard blending into the background when he really wanted to.

Grabbing a bowl from the cupboard, he spies leftover stew on the stove and helps himself, also grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge. Finding a spoon and napkin, he heads back along the wall to the back door, letting himself out again. The trek to his bunkhouse only takes a few moments and he's soon sitting on the porch, eating his meal alone. Leaning back against the railing, his eyes roam the ranch as he eats. He sees dark figures moving about and knows who each one is, even with lack of light. Judging just by the way they walked and what time it was, he was rarely wrong. They all had routines and patterns, whether they realized it or not.

Taking another bite of stew, Dylan knows that Rosetta had helped Becky in the kitchen tonight. He could always tell who had cooked, and Rosetta was one of his favorites. He'd probably missed out one some kind of dessert - he hadn't stuck around long enough to nose around and see if any of Rosetta's cookies from yesterday were left or not.

Settling back, he sighs and eats slowly, making the bowl of stew last longer than it normally would. After this, all he had was bed, unless he found something lame to watch on television for an hour or two.

Play the part

Keeping Susanne close and making sure she didn't slip off his feet Chuck was enjoying this moment, and enjoying that Susanne was smiling with the twinkle in her eye. He wanted her to feel good so badly, the strange force just seemed to call him to do so.

Hearing her comment about the time Chuck stops singing again before letting go of Susanne's hand but keeping his arm around her wast so he could lower her to the ground safely again. Letting his hands fall from her wast his own hand slips into hers.

"Alright, I guess we want to make sure we are one time. I'll make sure we get there."

Taking Susanne back to his bike and handing her the extra helmet. Making sure she put it on, and than putting his own on he mounts the bike waiting for to put her arms around him. Feeling she was sacred Chuck starts the bike up and takes off.

Driving a little faster down the road more than he had come Chuck was still very safe with his driving till the came into down where he slowed down a little bit. Pulling into Mom and Pop's Chuck cuts the bike off getting. Holding out his hand to Susanne he smiles ready to slip into the character he would be playing tonight and than maybe for a while longer too.

Leaning into Kip Karla lays her hand on his leg. Hearing his words she thinks for a moment before moving and eating one of the frys he held out to her. Giving a smile she can't help but lean over to him and kiss his nose a little bit. Thinking about what he said Karla's look turned to one if sympathy.

"You know they love you to death Kip and they have no second thoughts about having you in the band. Your good at what you do, and amazing on the bass. I think its just going to take you a little while longer to get use to everything."

Bringing her hand to the site of his face Karla runs her thumb over his cheeks as her eyes search his. She cared for him so much she hated seeing him hurt.

"You know the band would probably fall apart without you. You part of them, and part of the glue that holds them together, your the glue that holds me together."

Walking and listing to Ariel Trey found her intriguing. Her job alone was interesting, he'd never met someone who did something like that before. He couldn't help but want to hear a little more.

"I do find that kind of interesting. I've never met someone who did that."

Taking another sip of his beer and walking to the edge where the sand was Trey cocks his head at Ariel. Just watching her for a long moment he considers walking in the sand. He'd never done that bear foot before.

Slipping his own shoes off a long with his socks he sent his empty bottle down along with a few things from his pockets. What was he doing? Walking in the sand with no shoes...thats what little kids did not someone like him.

Walking over to her the warm sand on his feet it sent a thousand tingles through him. It tickled and felt good at the same time. Coming over to her Trey slips his hand around her wast and lifts her up a little bit spinning her around before setting her down again. Looking down into her eyes his own hold a deep gaze to them, one that if someone saw...they might have seen it else where.

"I have no idea why I am doing this."

Letting her go and backing up a little bit he continues to smile as he looks back to Ariel. The moon was shinning bright tonight and it just seemed to light the beach perfect. Finally turning around a little bit he walks to the edge of the water and lets it wash over his feet.

"Would you like to get lunch tomorrow with me?"

Had he really just asked her to lunch? Did he just need a reason to get out of TJY or was the strange feeling he had really true? Did he feel like he needed a friend? Was he really lonely? It was strange to feel like that, maybe because here....he really did have no one.

Special

I promise I won't hurt you.
Why Susanne believed him, she didn't know. She shouldn't trust him like this... it wasn't logical, at all, nor was it wise. All of her training and self-taught rules told her to back away and not allow Chuck to be this close. So why she moved closer and allowed Chuck's arm to be around her waist, was beyond her.

With her feet on top of his, the movement felt a little awkward at first, but forcing herself to relax, her feet moved right along with his as if she was dancing as well as he. Listening to him sing, feeling his arm around her, her hand in his, and dancing like this was all so unreal, and Susanne felt so silly yet didn't want to stop.

A smile starts at the corner of her mouth, and the tears in her eyes disperse to leave a new little twinkle. Laughing, she hides her face for a moment by leaning her head against his chest. She didn't want him to think he was laughing at him - it was just this whole thing that made her emotions bubble over.

Finally looking up at him again, she still smiles and shakes her head. "You... are something else, you know that?"

His offer for some water makes her giggle but she declines. "I think I'm alright for now."

Searching his eyes, she just lets her feet and legs move with his, letting him take her where he would as he slowly danced. At a pause in the song, her gaze softens just a little. "Thank you," she mentions quietly. "If only for a few minutes, you've managed to make me feel special, and that's something that most people never accomplish."

With one hand up on his shoulder as they danced, her wrist was exposed and she suddenly catches sight of her watch. Giving a little gasp, she stops dancing. "Oh, goodness... we better get back if we're gonna get to Mom and Pop's before that silly bunch does."


Karla's light backrub was unexpected but so relaxing and Kip sighs deeply with a quiet murmur, just enjoying it for a few moments and wondering if she knew how good it felt. Her question though, reminds him that not all was well. He'd missed her, too, and knowing that she'd missed him back makes him feel a little guilty for having been so distant the last few days.

Finally rolling over onto his back, he looks at Karla for a moment. No, he didn't want to talk about it, but he knew he'd have to eventually. Still not saying anything, he sits up and scoots back so he can lean back against the wall. Spreading his legs apart, he pulls Karla up between them so she can sit and use his chest as a backrest. Reaching over to the nightstand, he grabs the bag of food and sets it on Karla's lap, his arms on either side of her as he opens the bag and snitches a couple french fries.

Wrapping one arm around her waist, he holds her, just chewing quietly for a moment, and offering her a fry too, holding it up so she can take it in her mouth from his fingers. Soon, he rests his chin on her shoulder, still slowly eating the fries but more to just keep his hands busy than to satisfy his stomach.

"I heard the band talking the other day," he finally admits quietly. He holds up another fry for her, then one for himself. It was easier talking when he could keep his face hidden from her line of sight. Still resting on her shoulder, he lets his head lean against hers. "About me... and how I've been delaying the band recordings and... and hindering their performance."

He swallows hard and leaves the food be for now, locking his other arm around Karla's waist now too. He sighs a deep, weary sigh. "I guess the last few days, I've been trying to figure out how to tell them they'd be better off finding another bass player who can keep up with them." He gives a quiet scoff at himself. "I'm not surprised. I know I'm not as good as the others. I'm just sorry for making it more difficult for them. They deserve someone better."


Ariel didn't know what TJY was or why anybody would be hounding Trey, but for now, she doesn't ask. She didn't want him to feel like she was doing any hounding either, and she didn't mind not knowing everything yet.

Walking a short ways with him, she smiles and shakes her head at his question. "Not unless you count painting butterflies with sponges." Looking up at him, she grins. "I'm an art teacher at a school for kids with disabilities. On a normal day, the most excitement happens when someone drops the box of crayons."

Still walking slowly, she takes a small sip from her bottle, one hand tucked in her jeans pocket, her braided hair hanging over one shoulder. "As far as fun, outside of teaching, I guess I enjoy myself at these get-togethers, but I don't have anybody I really hang out with regularly. It's just me and the cats most days." She laughs. "All five of them."

Reaching the small, sandy beach, another grin comes to Ariel's lips. Slipping out of her flipflops, she sets her beer down for now and walks into the sand with her bare feet. "Mmm..." It was nice and warm out tonight and she so loved walking in the sand. Turning, she walks backward for a moment, looking to Trey, her gaze asking him to join her.

Trust me

Wrapping his fingers around Susanne's Chuck puts his other hand around her wast and gives a soft smile to let her know he wouldn't try anything, and she was safe in his arms. Moving a little slowly Chuck could feel Susanne tremble a little. Than hearing her words about not being able to dance Chuck smile even more the words to the song dieing off again.

"Thanks ok. I'll make it work so you can enjoy it too. Just...trust me I promise I wont hurt you."

Wrapping his other arm around Susanne as well Chick lifts her up a little bit and places her on top of his feet. His steel toe boots proving to me good platforms to stand on so they could dance with him taking the lead.

"Now we can dance and you don't have to worry."

Picking up in the song again Chuck smiles keeping his arms around Susanne. Morning around one way, and than going the other was moving in soft circles and all over the open area just enjoying the moment and letting Susanne do the same.

"If you get thirsty its not punch but I have some water on the bike in the seat compartment."

Don't know how

At first, Susanne is surprised that Chuck seems to not want to walk anymore. Was it something she'd said? Had she offended him? She hadn't meant to. She'd just been honest with him and...

Her thoughts trail off as her confusion builds, watching Chuck back off. When his soft singing hits her ears, it's one of the warmest sounds she's ever heard. She recognizes the tune right away, and a little smile starts at the corner of her mouth. Though still confused as to what on earth he was intending, she cocks her head, just listening for a moment. But as his question is asked of her, the smile fades and her eyes hold a look of pure astonishment.

Susanne's heart almost stops for a moment as she looks down at his outstretched hands then back up to his face again as he begins the soft singing once more. Someone... a man... was... actually asking her to dance. Never once had anyone ever done that. Never once had anyone paid that much attention to her as a woman. She'd never complain about the friendships she had, or the way her "family" at TJY treated her - she knew they all loved her. But this was different. This was the direct attention of a man in a way that was very different.

Her mouth opens slightly, still amazed that Chuck would be so observant... thoughtful... tender, in a way. She didn't want to open up to him... she didn't want to allow herself to fall into this moment, knowing that tomorrow it would be over. But... but maybe... just this once... it wouldn't be so bad? She could live in a single moment... right?

Without realizing her eyes had filled, she blinks, allowing a tear to escape and run down her cheek. It wasn't one of sadness... perhaps one of happiness, mixed with melancholy. No matter the reason, she feels a little silly, but doesn't want Chuck to think she's upset. So reaching out with trembling hands, she takes his own. Both hands in his, it made her warm all over, and she takes a small step forward to leave a smaller space between them. "I don't know how to dance," she whispers.

Unchained Melody

Continuing to keep his full attachen on Susanne as she talks Chuck's eyes dont wonder around like some might. They stay on her and give her all his focus. Every words she said he herd, and every bit of hurt he saw he could feel. To think he dad use to say that struck him hard. A family was meant to support not bring down, even if it was in joking.

Letting the wheels in his mind turn Chuck's eyes wonder her face, her eyes, studying them, taking them in. Her questions he just cocks his head a little to one side before give it a shake say no he didn't want to walk anymore with her.

Backing up a little bit Chuck clears his throat before looking away. Taping his foot for a moment finally a soft song starting low comes from his lips. The song was familiar and played at many dances. The words from Unchained Melody come from his lips before becoming more stronger as he looks up at Susanne.

Letting the words die off Chuck lets the melody continue to be hummed as he holds his hand out to Susanne again. The hum going away for now as he speaks.

"We arnt in high school anymore, but I think you've missed out far to long on your first dance. Can I have the honor of shearing it with you, Susanne may I have this dance?"

Once his question to her was out Chuck starts to hum again not skipping a beat to where he left off the words coming out softly again as he wait for her reply.

Coming into the room with the bag of food Karla sets it on the nightstand before sitting in on the bed next to Kip.

"You don't look to sick, but if you are thats ok. I'd rather be with you and get sick than be alone."

Resting her hand on Kip's back Karla gives it a nice rub quiet for a moment. She really had missed him a lot, and she was worried too.

"I've missed you. Wanna talk about whats been bothing you?"

Giving a swig of his beer Trey gives a little shrug as he puts his other hand in his pocket. Starting forward with Ariel they walk a little ways away from the camp fire. He'd always been a party animal but this were calmer than what he was use too. But it was nice not to worry about anything to bad going wrong.

"I'm doing ok I guess. I don't really do much right now so there is not much to talk about. Unless you want to count in being hounded by the big boss at TJY exciting."

Shaking his head he takes another swig of beer walking a little ways more before turning to Ariel a little bit. Studing her side profile as they walked he couldn't help but wonder about her. He hardly new anything about who she was, yet how did he ask? He wasn't use to talking to women before, least not like this.

"How about you? Anything fun and exciting going on?"

Homely

Karla's voice jolts Kip from his sleep. He hadn't intended on taking a nap, but after he'd laid on his bed for a while, sleep had taken over. Sitting up, he tries to shake the fog from his mind. His hair was a little matted on one side and his eyes were red, proving he'd been sleeping.

Getting up, he shuffles to the door in his bare feet, his t-shirt a bit wrinkled and his jeans hanging loose without a belt. Pulling on the knob, he looks out at Karla and spies the McDonald's bag. His stomach growls again but he seems less than enthusiastic as he yawns. He does muster up something close to a smile though and sleepily rubs a hand over his face. "Hi." His voice was gravely and he clears his throat before backing up and letting Karla through. "Come on in."

Returning to the bed, he flops down on his stomach, hiding his face in his pillow. He knew Karla wasn't stupid. She probably already sensed something was more wrong than his lie of being sick. The smell of the french fries tempts him and his stomach growls again. Gram had been trying to feed him all day, and he'd refused. Unfortunately, Karla knew his weakness. He remains stubborn though and doesn't move.

"What I got's probably catching," he mumbles into the pillow.


Susanne didn't want to feel Chuck's words the way she did. She didn't want to feel that tingle that ran down her spine or that warmth that spread through her veins. His voice was like an embrace itself, wrapping her in the most peculiar state of mind where she felt far less control than what was comfortable. She finds herself gripping his hand just a little tighter as if trying to remember this was reality and not some dream that would always have a happy ending.

He really did want to get to know her? Why? His mention of fifteen years ago makes Susanne wonder what he must have been through. He seemed so gentle and kind with a dash of danger about him... what kind of a woman would abuse that? She feels a bit of sympathy for Chuck now, realizing that he was indeed human as well.

As he stops again and looks down at her, Susanne looks up this time, willing to fall into those eyes once more. Why did he want to open his heart up to her? After one look? One glance? She wanted to believe him, but it just seemed so impossible. He admitted that he knew nothing about her, so how could he possibly want to share himself with her like that after she'd simply walked through the door? If he was telling the truth, it couldn't be her... it had to be something in his imagination or he was just in the right mood or something.

"I don't have the presence or looks or personality to deserve such compliments," she responds quietly. "It's like my father used to say when I'd try to dress up for a school dance. He'd say, 'Suzy, don't put so much work into looking good. The guys are going to ignore you anyway.' And he was always right. I'd go, sit in the corner, unnoticed and be miserable the whole time. Then when the next dance or party came around, I'd do the same thing all over again." She chuckles. "Until one day I realized that nothing I did would change any of that. My dad would introduce me to others as his 'homely child' and I came to realize he was right. There was never anything special about me... then or now."

Pausing, she shakes her head, the defeated smile still on her lips. "So you see why I can't believe you? It's all just a game and none of it is real. But because you're such a gentleman, no, I won't just write you off. I plan to have a fun dinner and maybe by the time we get back to town, I'll even like the motorcycle ride."

Lifting her eyes, she sees that Chuck's hair had been matted down in his helmet and she grins. Standing on her toes and reaching up like she had that morning, she runs her fingers through his hair to mess it up again. This time though, she takes just a little longer doing it, feeling the soft locks between her fingertips.

Taking back her hand, she swallows hard, her eyes resting on his again. She wondered if the tingle than ran through her was what chemistry felt like. "Shall we... keep walking?"


Trey's comment makes Ariel laugh, her eyes sparkling by the light of the nearby fire. "Yeah well... party hearty, right?" She was anything but, and she was sure Trey sensed that.

Accepting the beer, she smiles at him. 'Thanks. One's my limit but I haven't had any yet."

Just standing a moment to take a swig, she give him a sidelong glance. "So... how's it going?" She nods towards the beachside. "Wanna walk and talk?"

Fresh Air

Breaking away from Pete once again like he had the other nights Trey wanders over to one of the tables and grabs a beer before wandering again taking sips. He new a few faces here now, and stops to chat with some but it was Ariel who caught his attachen and put a grin onto his lips.

Walking over to her slowly Trey takes another sip of his beer. He liked getting out of TJY even if it was only for a few hours and he got a verbal bash from Reese every time. Seeing Ariel here was nice too and it was hard to admit he might miss it if she'd didn't show up too.

"Your quite the party animal, people might think your out of control if you don't watch it."

Reaching behind him and pulling a extra bottle of beer from his back pocket Trey holds it out to Ariel if she wanted it. The grin still across his lips, as his eyes hold a dark glint with a small glow to them.

Looking around the group for a moment and than looking at the empty seat next to her Karla lets out a sigh. It had been three days since she had seen him and every time she tried to call he was not feeling to well to talk. Worry was starting to set in.

"I'll catch you guys later."

Seeing ...Getting up to Kip's place and being let in by Gran Karla gives a smile and heads to his room.the door cracked open a little Karla enters with a bag of McDonald food, giving a soft knock.

"Hey Hun, can I come in? I come bearing food."

Starting to walk Chuck's smile grows a little more as Susanne's hand slips into his. He was honored she trusted him enough. Feeling her hand tremble a little Chuck loosens his grip just a little but makes no mention on it.

Continuing to walk and listen to Susanne Chuck can't help but let his heart go out to here. How bad had she been treated in the past to now not think much of herself or that a guy would even like her? It was hard for him to explain how he felt, but it was just something about her.

"I know I don't know a lick about you, how your act, and who you are but give me a chance to get to know you, to lean more about you because so far I like what I see. Maybe you don't believe in love at first sight but I do, and I want to prove I am not just going to get what I want and than high tail it away."

Thinking about a moment letting the silence rain for a few seconds. He gathered his thoughts thinking about his next words for a moment before speaking them.

"As for telling every woman what I have told you, I probably could and get away with it but I haven't in over fifteen years. I had a pretty bad relationship back than, mentally abused words hurt a lot more than people think. So I never thought anyone was worthy of my attachen or what I had to offer. But the moment you came into my shop it was like a breath of fresh air hit me, and my heart wanted to open up to you."

Stopping and turning to Susanne again Chuck searches her eyes. He was a nice guy to everyone, and respected those around him but before Susanne his heart had stayed shut, just not willing to let those people in to love him.

But Susanne something had been different, maybe it was a peace he felt around her or just simply they mixed well.

"Your a special woman despite you quirks, I have them too. I just hope you give me a chance to show you before you write me off. and if you do deiced I am a jerk tonight, well...at lease we had a nice dinner, and ride."

Just not possible

Feeling Chuck's hand on her shoulder, Susanne's pulse quickens. Turning around slowly, her eyes remain lowered as she didn't understand his intentions or why he wanted to be this close. The gentle touch under her chin forces her to look up into his eyes. Though her body tensed, there was a strange, warm feeling that kept her from pulling away.

His words were soft, his voice one that Susanne couldn't help but enjoy. Something about his tone was just... nice. And he actually wanted to be with her? It seemed so strange to her. Why was this perfect stranger so concerned about going on this date? Especially after she'd insulted him more than once? It didn't seem to add up.

She starts to respond, but her mouth only gets partway open when she feels his hand on her face, brushing aside her hair. Something inside wanted so badly to lean into that warm, strong palm, but her nerves keep her rigid as her eyes continue to stare up into his.

More bike rides? He wanted more than this night? He didn't even know her. It couldn't possibly be anything more than a bizarre attraction he thought he had to her. To logically explain Chuck's actions, that had to be it. He just liked her for some reason and thought he wanted more than one date. But after this evening, she would probably never hear from him again. It just didn't work that way.

His comment about slapping him, brings a sheepish little smile to Susanne's lips and more color to her cheeks. Again ready to respond, she stops as Chuck draws nearer, closing the gap between them. Her heart begins to race and her eyes search his with a conflicting mixture of fear and want. The last time a man had brought her this close, she really had slapped him. But this time, her insides felt like mush and all she could do was stand there and receive his brief hug. He was very warm... so strong... and as his scent fills Susanne's nostrils, she closes her eyes for just a moment. This wasn't real. It couldn't be.

When Chuck pulls away, her eyes drop again, now feeling silly once more and she didn't even know why. She eyes his outstretched hand but then looks away again. She wanted to hold it. She wanted to feel him again. But it was downright foolish of her to consider trusting him to this extent without knowing anything at all about him.

"I like walking," she responds lamely. With hands still in her jacket pockets, she starts forward to walk around the pond. Though her gaze was kept down, the corner of her eye sees him walking beside her, and sees that hand still swinging freely at his side. She could handle herself if he went too far, right? Holding hands wasn't so bad... right? And if he tried anything, she knew what to do... right?

She swallows hard, not realizing that her walking pace was anything but relaxed. Finally letting her heart win out, her hand emerges from her pocket and slips into his palm, her fingers curling around his. She was sure that he would know now that she was trembling, and she didn't quite know how that made her feel.

"You don't even know me," she states quietly, her eyes remaining on the ground as they walk. "You've seen me and talked to me for no more than fifteen minutes total. You know nothing about me, who I am, how I live, or even what my personality really is. It would be nice to believe you already wanted to spend more time with me but... that's just not possible."

She didn't want to offend Chuck, but it was the truth to her. "You're very charming and you know how to make a woman feel good - but I'm sure you've said these same things to a lot of women. So... please forgive me for not putting too much stock in your words."

Susanne knew she probably sounded harsh, and she didn't even like saying those things when Chuck was making her feel so good, but she couldn't believe it. She would only disappoint herself, waking up tomorrow to realize that it really had been just a one-time thing based on nothing more than a silly notion. Whether he actually thought she was pretty and was genuinely attracted to her or not, it wouldn't go beyond tonight's date and she knew it. There was no point in fooling herself just to maker herself feel good for a couple of hours, even if it was so tempting to fall into his sweet affections.

Slowing to a stop, she turns to look up at him again, her hand still trembling in his palm. "Romances at first sight simply don't exist. It would take a whole lot more for me to believe you were genuine and not just out for a good time."

She searches his eyes, not knowing how much fear shone in her own as she musters up a small smile. "I won't let that spoil our evening though. I'm looking forward to dinner with you, even if it does end in goodbye. You seem very nice and if I can get a rise out of my friends, then mission accomplished, right?"


Looking over at Misty, the sharpness in Alec's eyes seems to soften some, and his shoulders drop just a little bit as his defenses are lowered again. "Yeah... I know." He sighs and continues with his food, his temper flare from Carson subsiding. "Just not used to not having a handle on things, I guess. That's one thing the Agency does... it makes you feel powerful, so when that's stripped, it's murder."

Letting the whole subject drop, he finishes off his piece of garlic bread and nods. "This really is good," he compliments. He had Ryan's cooking sometimes, but with Eli around it was usually steak or pizza, or they ended up eating out a lot. Back at his own place, Alec hardly cooked anything. So a meal like this... it was something rare and he was maybe enjoying it now more than he'd admit. Maybe he really had missed out on something when he'd decided those years ago that family wasn't important.

Realizing that he was still looking at Misty, Alec quickly drops his gaze, not wanting her to think he was trying to make a pass at her. It was fun to tease her around TJY, but in all seriousness, he had no ill-intent... not anymore.


"You're still not?" Kyle lifts an eyebrow and glances around at the others while he's on the phone with Kip. "Okay... well get better, man, we need some energy around here. ...Yeah, okay. Bye." Flipping his phone shut, he shrugs and flops back down on the couch with Alice. They were back at Theo and Erik's - it seemed to be the main gathering place now for some reason. Perhaps because they actually had the room. They were still one short though, and some of the band members were just a little worried.

"You think he's okay?" Twila questions. Almost three days, Kip had stayed at Gram and Gramps', saying he wasn't feeling well. It just wasn't like him at all.

"Maybe he's got the flu," Theo suggests.

"Well if that's the case, I'm sure Gram's taking care of him," Kyle assures.

"He didn't say it was the flu tho, did he?" Erik questions.

"No..."

Erik purses his lips. It was just very unusual for Kip to be sick at all, let alone for two whole days and not even be more specific than "not feeling well." "I think something's up."

"Like what?"

"Don't know. It just doesn't feel right."

Kyle glances to Alice before his gaze falls back to Karla. He wondered if she knew what was wrong or if she was as clueless as everyone else.

"Well... at least practice went well this morning," Russ chimes in cheerily, trying to steer the conversation back around to something positive. Unfortunately, his unintentional implication is caught by everyone else and he only realizes it after receiving a glance from Twila. Then his face reddens. He hadn't meant it went well because Kip wasn't there but... come to think of it, it had been the smoothest practice in ages and... well, Kip wasn't there. "I didn't mean-"

"Who wants pizza for supper?" Kyle interrupts. "On me tonight."

"Woo!" Theo throws up his arms. "I'm in."


Kip's stomach growls, complaining about the lack of food today, but he ignores it. Sitting on the back porch, there wasn't much of a view, but it was better than lying in his bed like he'd done all day. He wasn't sick... at least not his body, and he wished the others would stop calling him. No, he didn't want Twila coming over, no, he didn't want Russ' advice on kicking a cold, and no, he didn't want supper with the others. He just wanted to be left alone. Or have company. Or both. But that didn't make any sense. He didn't know what he wanted. All he knew was he was miserable when he shouldn't be.


Ariel wanders from the bonfire, away from the noisy group. No one really got too rowdy here - it was kept pretty clean and trouble-free. But she rather liked the quiet on some nights. She'd looked around for friends, but there were only a couple people here that she really enjoyed talking to, and they'd come with other people. Some nights, she wondered why she came at all, but there was an element that she did enjoy... just getting out and doing something different. This group didn't always have these lakeside parties, but lately it seemed they'd grown more popular, so as long as someone brought beer hamburgers or hotdogs, the party was on again.

Ariel's gaze sweeps the scene once more, wondering if Pete and Trey might show up again. Pete wasn't exactly the party animal type so she'd been a bit surprised to see him the first time around, but maybe he'd surprise her again. And it wouldn't be so bad to see Trey again either - he'd seemed nice and everyone needed to have a few friends if they were new to the area.

Right Direction

Sapphire new Gage wasn't happy. She could read his eyes so well and she did feel bad for him. Life was hard, not for him but everyone but with Gage He still had so much to learn she felt bad for him.

"Everything will work ok ya know. And just make sure...your careful of what kind of help you take from Alec ok?"

Giving another warm smile Sapphire gives Gage's hand a little squeeze. She wanted to help Gage follow the right path but still make the desitions on his own. It was important to his growth she only hoped he wouldn't get to discouraged.

Once Carson is gone and Alec was sitting again Misty just shakes her head a little. She new Alec was not amused but she couldn't help but find a little humor in the whole thing.

"Freedom is not so bad, just takes some getting use too. I think its nice having to deiced on my own where I stand."

Taking another bit of her own food Misty new that the moment from before was now gone, but still a little of what Alec said had sunken in and it made Misty determined even more now to include him into things.

"You'll make more friends Alec, it just takes time sometimes to gain someones trust. It does come in time. Just be pashent."

Still standing by the pond Chuck looked out at the water. It was peacful here, and he did feel good sharing it with Susanne. After the day it seemed she was having maybe a little peace would be nice.

As Susanne moves past him Chuck turns his head just a little to watch her. Just studding her even though her back was to him. Listing to the words she spoke it send a little pang to his heart. One could tell Susanne didn't have much confidence in herself. Not when it came to friends and relationships anyways.

Shifting just a little Chuck moves closer to Susanne resting a hand on her shoulder. Keeping a little bit of space between them he gently turns her around to face him. Placing his hand under her he tilts her head up a little bit so he could look into her eyes. His own so deep and dark. His life had been hard but still though it all there was still a sparkle of life.

"I didn't come to get you for the date because I had to. I came because I wanted too. If I had anything better to do, or something I wanted to do more I would be doing it."

Giving a small smile the breeze blows a little bit. Bringing his hand up to Susanne's face he pushes a stand of her hair behind her ear. The soft smell of her perfume filling the air and making Chuck's heart race.

"I wan't to go on this date with you, and I want there to be more bike rides. I'd like for you to be able to open your eyes one day and enjoy the ride. But....one day at a time and we have to get through tonight first without you slapping me again."

Chuck gives a large smile the humor twinkling in his eyes. Stepping a little closer to Susanne his heart still races as he leans into her. But shifting a little his arms slip around her for a moment in a small hug before he pulls away again. A kiss is what he wanted to give her, but his respect for her was to great to rune right now in such a serous moment.

"So, care to take a walk around the pond to kill some time?"

Chuck holds his hand out to Susanne again not scared to take a hold of it. He liked her touch from when he held her hand earlier. It was soft and warm something Chuck hadn't felt in a while.

You don't have to

The look on Gage's face shows that he's not happy with himself or his situation. What would he do if he lost this job? He had nothing else. He'd scoured the town, looking for the job he had - there was no one else willing to hire him because of his background.

Wriggling Sapphire's hand a little, he closes his eyes again, trying not to become too upset. She was just being positive and doing her best to make him feel better. But inside... where it counts... that was where her words did not penetrate. Would he ever get things right? Or would he only ever be fit for the Agency where he was a robot and followed orders? His tongue runs over the scar on his lower lip and he wonders if he'll really ever be able to fit in here. Reese was trying his hardest but maybe he just wasn't the right kind of material.

"Alec got a job right away," he muses quietly. "Maybe he'd have some ideas."


Carson grins and gives Misty's shoulder a pat, grateful that she didn't take offense at him wanting to stop by. He really did have to get back to the restaurant quickly though, so he heads down the hall to grab his second Bible from the bedroom just to accomplish the task, even if it really wasn't necessary.

Alec remains standing, still unsure of this. Carson seemed to think this whole thing was humorous, but Alec didn't think so at all. His brother didn't trust him - that was obvious, then to just barge in and startle him on purpose was a little low.

Glancing to Misty, he searches her eyes and nods in return but doesn't sit yet. He'd wait until Carson was gone.

It's only moments before Carson is coming back through, stealing a piece of garlic bread on his way. He was around Italian food all day, but he rarely stopped to eat until he was home, not to mention, he liked Misty's bread better than his own. "Mm...." He leans down to give her a last kiss between bites. "See you later." Passing by Alec, he points at him in a teasing manner. "Behave yourself now."

Alec doesn't laugh, and just lets his gaze follow Carson until he was gone, then the front door was heard closing. Looking back to Misty, he finally sits down again, his desire to talk seeming to have vanished. "I guess I deserved that," he mumbles. Picking up his fork, he twirls it through the pasta before taking another bite. "You know..." His eyes are raised to meet Misty's once more. "At least in the Agency I knew where I stood. And as a prisoner of the Elite, I knew where I stood. But freedom isn't worth crap if all it is, is being caught in the middle trying to figure out where I stand."

Realizing how sharp his statement sounded, he sighs. "You, Dalton and Ryan... I guess a man doesn't need any more friends than that anyway."


Feeling the bike slowing, Susanne's eyes peer around Chuck to see why he was pulling over. She'd never been out this way before and was unfamiliar with the back road and pond.

Once stopped and Chuck dismounts his bike, Susanne just sits for a moment, not sure she could even move. Fumbling with the helmet, she finally gets it off her head, her hair even more of a mess now than when leaving the office.

She eyes Chuck with a little suspicion, but once he wanders a little bit away, she manages to pry herself from the motorcycle, though she takes a short stumble before regaining her balance on her wobbly legs. His questions make her hesitate. "Um..." It wasn't that she was all that scared... she felt relatively safe, but it was a thrill she wasn't used to - kind of like a rollercoaster.

Tucking her hair behind her ears, she gets her legs to work again and ambles past him, closer to the pond. "It was... breezy." Her heart was still racing, and she slips her hands into her pockets so that Chuck couldn't see that they were trembling. "I suppose it would help if I opened my eyes once in a while," she admits sheepishly.

Turning her back on him, she looks out at the still water, finding it difficult to know why she was here and how all this had come about. She'd been way out of line that morning. Maybe because she'd been hyped up after the robber incident, but no matter, she'd been quite silly. And then going around and around, only to actually end up on a strange sort of date with the same someone she didn't even know. Was she going bonkers? Maybe. But being out in the fresh air now was perhaps what was making her think a little more clearly and she felt badly for wasting Chuck's time. He'd made her feel good, no doubt, but... surely he was that way with all women and she knew she shouldn't let it go to her head. This day would go down in history as one of the most unreal days of her life, but it should probably end before feelings got hurt.

Bending down, she picks up a smooth, flat stone. Forcing her hand to be still, she takes aim and lets the rock fly, landing for a perfect skip on the water where it bounces several times before ducking below the surface. "Sometimes I feel like that's my life," she muses aloud. "Up and down, up and down, then all of a sudden, I'm under the surface, unseen, unheard and wondering if perhaps it isn't worth the effort to struggle up to the top again."

Digging the toe of her shoe around some pebbles, she redirects her speech to Chuck. "You landed yourself a doozie this time." She gives the ground a wry smile. Honestly, this had been a stupid idea of hers to begin with. What was she thinking, just to prove something to her friends? She wasn't in junior high anymore and probably shouldn't be acting like it. There was nothing she needed to prove to anyone, even if that was her first reaction. "You don't have to go to the restaurant with me," she concludes, still studying the small rocks at her feet. "It was wrong of me to suggest that in the first place and... I'm sure you have more exciting things you could be doing tonight other than going with the worlds best fuddy-duddy. I... won't hold it against you if you want to just take me back to TJY." Her eyes study a particularly pretty stone near her foot. "At least we had the motorcycle ride and... and I think maybe it could be fun."


"Are you guys ready to go?" Rick calls into the other room.

"Uh-huh." Ty takes one more glance around Libby's hotel room to make sure everything was picked up. They'd ordered in pizza and had all been back and forth between rooms today so who knew where everything was. It looked like they'd gotten it all though.

Looking to Libby, he grins. He had his new glasses on with lenses tinted lightly with a rust red color. Already, words and letters were seeming clearer to him, and though he tried not to let it show, he was excited to start working at learning to read again.

Ambling closer to Libby, Ty slips his arms around her waist and his smile widens before he cocks his head to lean in and give her a gentle kiss. "I almost wish we could stay another day just to hang out," he admits. "But... since I don't have to work tonight, maybe we can do something with Wyatt and Aerith instead."

Everything's Ok

Moving when the Dr came in Sapphire stood on the side of the bed and just watched quietly as they worked. She just watched Gage, and listened to what the Dr. said as well taking good note to it.

Once the Dr was gone again Sapphire could see the worry in Gage's eyes. Bringing on of the chairs back over to the bed she sits down in it and takes his hand with her own. This was all new to Gage too. Seeing what was more important and taking care of himself. Sometimes it was a hard desition but it was an important one to master for ones own health.

"Gage, if the Dr thinks it would be best you rest than you need too. Your body has been though a lot and needs time to recover. If you job can't understand that, and...your health comes first. You don't want to end up here again and maybe not wake up this time right?"

Sapphire gives a warm smile to Gage. She new this was all hard for him but she wanted Gage to know how important it was. The last thing she wanted was for him to get hurt anymore than he was. She hated seeing him here now hurt, to see anything else it would break her heart.

Just listing to Alec start to talk about his family and how he got into the Agency Misty doesn't say much. She didn't mind him talking about everything and just listing to him. Misty was happy Alec felt comfortable enough to talk to her. Inviting him here maybe was good for him.

About to say more Misty stops as Carson comes into the room. Not knowing he was there Misty jumped a little bit but smiled when she saw who it was. Leaning up and giving him a kiss back it was after she saw Alec and how unsure he was.

Looking back to Carson at the mention of his bible Misty gives a shake of her head and a short chuckle. She new he carryed a bible in the car already to have come home to get the other one was not really the reason he was here.

"You bible huh? Alright...I'll pretend I believe you."

Shaking her head again Misty new better but she couldn't blame him. He just wanted to make sure everything was going ok. She was happy for that knowing he cared enough to check now because he didn't think she couldn't take care of herself but because he just wanted to make sure.

Turning back to Alec Misty gives a small nod her smile still remaining as her eyes twinkled.

"You should sit and eat before it gets cold. Don't worry everything ok."

Feeling Susanne's arms tighten even more around him Chuck smiles under the helmet. It felt nice having her hold onto him, and knowing that he was in charge of taking care of her and she trusted him.

Just continuing out of town Chuck new he might be testing the water a little bit with Susanne but out here it felt more free and he could open up a little heading to one of his favorite places to be.

Not taking to long they finally come to a small pond not to far from town but far enough away from the road some might not know it was there. Stopping the bike Chuck takes his helmet off before looking over his shoulder a little.

"If you want to go back we can but I though this would be a nice place to kill some time. Its quiet, and I often like talking with God here."

Waiting for Susanne to get off the bike as well he searches her face to see if she really wanted to go or not. If she did, they would. Talking a few steps away from the bike his hands in his jacket pockets the leather making a little sound he walks a little ways to the water and look over the small pond.

"Did you like the ride? It wasn't to fast was it?"

For dear life

Reese lets out a long, weary sigh and is silent for several moments. So many things were running through his mind and heart. Honestly though, he'd expected Hope to have far less time than that. Miracles could still happen, but by the tone of Dr. Fuller's voice... he could tell that the were not hopeful.

"Okay. Thank you, Doctor. I will... let others know and... if anyone wants to see her again, I'll make sure they know that it needs to happen soon."

Ending the call, he stands and goes to his office door, closing it quietly. Returning to his desk, he folds his arms on his desk and bends to rest his head on them. Running TJY was never an easy job, but this was probably the most stressful it had ever been. What was happening? Why were there so many hurts in people's lives right now? It didn't seem fair. If he could just help fix one problem... just one... But there was nothing he could do about any of them. Hope. Scott. Nate, Con and Jamie with Laura. Sapphire with Gage. It felt like everything was falling apart.


With Sapphire joining him on the bed, Gage takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, allowing his eyes to fall shut again. It felt strange, knowing he'd just been asleep for so long, yet he was still so tired.

Keeping her hand in his, he lets his head rest to the side so it was against her own. If he let his imagination go far enough, he could believe that they were back at his apartment like they often were, just lying together as a movie played, simply content to be with each other. It was as if nothing else was really all that important, as long as they were together. It was still a new feeling for Gage that still held an element of wonder.

It wasn't long before the doctor came in to check on him, please that he had finally awakened. He explained to both Gage and Sapphire, that Gage would still need plenty of rest as his body recovered. He told them that he wanted Gage to remain for another day, but then he could go home. After that though, he wanted Gage to rest and not go back to work for at least another three days.

Once the two were alone again, Gage's eyes now held some worry. Looking to Sapphire, he searches for answers. "I can't stay home," he mentions quietly. "I only had a couple days sick time I could take from work and... if I have to take off four more days... I won't have a job to go back to. I can't do that."


Misty's prayer was just a little bit foreign to Alec, but he respects her for it, remaining silent until she is finished. Awaiting her answer to his question, he helps himself to some spaghetti and takes a bite to see if he could enjoy the flavor.

When Misty does answer him though, his eyes hold such curiosity... such confusion. Her mention of family seems to throw him off just as much as her comment about God.

Swallowing his mouthful, he leans back in his chair and just lets his fork rest on his plate, totally caught up in the subject, even more than the food. He blinks and looks in Misty's eyes, first one then the other, watching her eat, watching her talk and watching what went on in her gaze. He didn't really feel comfortable talking about God. He didn't understand why that all made such a big difference. He'd heard Eli and Ryan talk about it every once in a while. Eli had said something about missing church once. Alec figured maybe when they were kids or something they were religious and all, but didn't see much of that now. Really, God didn't make much sense to him, so he opts to not go down that route. Misty's observation of his feeling about family though... that one he felt.

Finally dropping his gaze, he runs the tines of his fork through the pasta, spreading out the sauce a little more. It seems like forever before he takes another bite, along with some meatball. The spices made his tongue tingle and he liked that. Food did taste different to him than other people so when he could distinguish the spices and flavor, he enjoyed it - and Misty's sauce was good.


No one hears the front door quietly open and close, nor the soft footsteps that come up through the hall and stop right outside the kitchen. No shadow signals anyone, the figure not allowing their presence to be known.


Even though Alec would prefer to concentrate on the meal, Misty's mention of family wouldn't let go of him. "I don't have much memory of family, ya know?" He shrugs lamely. "Raised by a single mom. Guess it was alright when I was a young kid but... I guess after I started high school, homelife sorta went downhill."

He glances up and gives her a wry grin. "I was the perfect target for the Agency. Trouble-maker, rule-hater and in need of a cause. Mom figured I was just hanging out with friends after school every day... she didn't know I was getting involved with the Agency. Then once I hit eighteen, bam! I moved out and that was it."

Twirling some more spaghetti around his fork, Alec returns his eyes to his meal, though his concentration was still on his words. These were things he hadn't even told Ryan.

A little scoff comes out and he shakes his head. "Doesn't feel like it's only been six years. The Agency makes it feel like you're with them for a lifetime, even if it's just a month. They make it seem so good, convincing you that it's a war you need to fight to defend yourself and your rights as a human. It was the next best thing to joining the Army I suppose... without realizing the difference, that is."

He shrugs again. "I guess you know some of it since you were on the outskirts of the Agency there for a little while." He was as aware of that area of her background as much as he was Carson's.

"I left everything... my mom... friends... well, if you could call them that... but I didn't care about any of it. And then... then I was sent on one mission that I failed... the only one I ever failed, and it should have been so easy."

His eyes find Misty's, wondering if she harbored any blame for the night he and his accomplice had tried to squeeze information from Scott. "And then... I found out I had a brother." He shakes his head as if for a moment, the meal was completely forgotten. "Carson... bloodthirsty, torture expert, don't-ever-make-him-mad Carson. And he was not a thing like I'd heard."

Another small, wry grin quirks the corner of his mouth. "And then I found out I had a sister, too." Looking to his plate, he shoves a meatball back and forth with his fork. "I know I used her to get me out of TJY and all... and I don't blame her for hating me for it now. She could have wound up under arrest herself for that stunt. But I guess... I don't know...." He shrugs again. "I guess you're right. My mom's the only family I ever had so... even if I didn't show it... yeah, it would be kinda cool, ya know? I've got a brother and a sister... we're all on the same side now... I know they're good people... and... and..." The words seemed to get stuck and he wrestles with them before they finally come out. "...and they're all I got. I got enough friends to count on one hand... then that's it. What happens when I'm gone? What happens when... when I need someone? I guess I coulda wound up as an only child and I know we're only half-siblings but..."

Alec finally gives up and takes another mouthful of food, not even sure how to feel and confused by his own emotions that made him want a connection to his family. He'd treated them poorly, but that didn't mean he wasn't sorry, and it didn't mean that deep down, family wasn't important to him. He never showed it but... family really was something he'd never had, but it was something he'd always wanted, even if he'd never admitted it.

Feeling a bit of heat in his face and he lets the food in his mouth be the excuse for his pause. Why he talked so much around Misty, he didn't know. "This is good," he compliments quietly. "I can taste it."

Without warning, the hiding figure comes around the corner. Realizing someone was there, Alec looks up quickly, staring right at Carson. Taken completely off guard and not knowing his brother's intention for being there, Alec is on his feet in an instant, backed against the wall with hands raised.

Carson gives him a once-over and quirks an eyebrow. "Who put a bee under your bum?" Wandering over to Misty, he leans down and gives her a quick kiss on the lips. "Only got five minutes. Just wanted to say hi and come get my Bible - forgot I got study tonight."

Alec doesn't relax just yet, still uneasy about Carson's sudden appearance. Was he really just picking up his Bible, or had he come just to check up on things? Alec would guess the latter, but even though things were fine here, he was still leery and unwilling to sit back down yet.


Grabbing her purse and jacket, Susanne really doesn't have time for much else as Chuck leads her through TJY. She could feel several strange glances being thrown in her direction, but she doesn't look up, feeling her cheeks still quite warm.

The fresh air felt nice, and even though it was warm out, it felt cool against her face. Stopping at the motorcycle, her stomach does another flip and she accepts the helmet lamely. Swallowing hard, she nods at Chuck's instructions, but still hesitates. She looks at the bike, looks at the helmet, then back again, shifting from one foot to another. Then glancing to Chuck again and catching sight of his eyes, she dons the helmet. She didn't normally just trust anybody, but there was something about him that felt okay. She was afraid of this venture, but she couldn't deny that there was a peace about him that she knew she would not feel if he were someone with bad intentions.

Finally mounting the bike behind Chuck, Susanne isn't quite sure where or how to sit, but it felt okay. She rests her arms just near Chuck's waist, but as the bike moves forward with a little lurch, her hands slide further around him and gain a better grip.

The ride through town wasn't so bad... they didn't move too fast and the turns were okay if she leaned a little bit with Chuck. If asked about the scenery though, Susanne wouldn't know. Her eyes were shut tight, her whole body tense. She'd done a lot of things through TJY, but being on a motorcycle was not one of them.

As Chuck heads out of town and starts to go a little faster, Susanne dares take a quick glance around to see where they were before scrunching her eyes shut again. He was taking her out of town... out of town... that should bother her, right? For some reason, it didn't, and she almost felt guilty for not questioning this move.

With the increasing speed, a little wail escapes her lips and her arms tighten around Chuck, pressing herself against his back and hanging on for dear life.

Heart Open

Chuck can't help but let his smile grow just a little bit more as he hears the soft laughter from Susanne. He already felt like a high schooler again with a crush, not with her soft laughter finally...he really felt like he was young again, but it didn't bother him, He rather liked it.

"I've never been called unique before. Maybe strange, odd, or plan crazy but never unique. I think I like it...thank you."

Having Susanne finally take his hand Chuck closes his fingers around her own. Her touch was soft, and light. It was nice, and it felt so pure. Looking back into her own eyes Chuck searches them as the smile remains on his face. He could see the fear still behind Susanne's eyes and he couldn't blame her. He was a strange, and she was going to be riding on his bike with her.

"Don't worry I promise I won't go to fast till you can get use to the motorcycle, and I wont tell your boss either."

Giving a small chuckle Chuck starts out from the office his hand still in Susanne's as they make there way across the floor and through the cubicles before coming up and outside. Standing in front of a black Harley Chuck can't help but beam a little. This was his pride and joy, something he had been working twords for a long time.

Lettting go of Susanne's hand and going over to the bike Chuck unhooks the black and pink helmet and holds it out to Susanne with a smile.

"It should fit ok. It looks like you and my neice have the same size head."

Taking his helmet next and putting it on his head waiting to make sure Susanne put hers on right, and it fit ok. Giving a nod and getting onto the bike he once again waits till she gets on.

"Ok, just wrap your arms around my wast and hold on. If you need me to pull over for any reason just tap my arm three times because I wont be able to hear you if you talk."

Finally sliding the helmet down and putting the keys in the bike comes to life. Making sure Susanne's arms were around him and secure he gives them a pat before starting forward.

Going through town Chuck drives a little slower than normal letting Susanne gets use to the feel and everything that went with it. Finally though after a short while Chuck picks up the speed a little bit and starts to head out of town. Making sure he was aware of what was going on and though wasn't looking at Susanne made she he new she was ok and enjoying herself.

Sitting down and saying a short prayer Misty takes a bite of the food and savers the taste. This time around it really had turned out great and she was happy. Giving Alec a nice meal was important to her since he probably didn't get it a lot.

Taking a drink of her water and looking up at Alec's question Misty gives a small smile. She wondered how long it would take him to ask for she did know it would be coming.

"Because, you haven't given me any reason why not to trust you. I hear what everyone else says but I can look past it. Deep down I know your not a bad guy and somewhere you want to get to know your family."

Twirling her spaghetti with her fork Misty takes another bit savoring it again giving her a chance to get her thoughts together. She new what she wanted to say but now she just had to word it.

"Not only that but I know its what God would want me to do. Keep my heart open to you, and see the good."

"We all make mistakes Gage, it's learning from them that matters. I've seen you learn from yours and you will continue to learn as we walk through life."

Giving Gage's hand a gentil squeeze Sapphire doesn't resist as he pulls her to him closer. Knowing he was awake and going to be ok Sapphire was happy to be close and to be able to feel him knowing he was there.

Pressing her lips to his lightly and returning the feelings and how happy she was. Just letting the linger moment Sapphire can't help the smile that formed on her lips as Gage said he loved her. Just wanting to stay close till the Dr. go there Sapphire shifts a little and lays on the bed with Gage. Her one hand in his and the other tucked under her with her head on his check. She just wanted to be close to him for a while.

Hearing the ultimate question Amanda sits down in one of the chairs and opens Hope's folder looking over the paper work. There was nothing there that would tell her anything different than what she already new, but it was habit and maybe even a hope she would catch something they'd missed.

"Her body is failing on her face, I would say she only has a week if not two left. We are going to continue to do all we can. To keep her comfortable, to continue to find some way to help Hope but the reality of this more is....Hope is dieing, and there isn't much left we can do. I'm so sorry Reese."

But please...

Taken aback by Chuck's own shocked look, then coming to the realization of how wrong she had been, Susanne sucks in her breath and puts a hand over her mouth. She couldn't remember a time she'd given someone such an insult, unintentional or not.

Remaining in stunned silence as Chuck continues, Susanne can't believe he's still standing here asking her to go out. Any man with a brain would have tucked tail and run by now, after all she'd done.

A strange sound comes from her throat, almost as if she were choking. Turning her back on Chuck, she buries her face in her hands as the silent laughter causes her shoulders to shake. Drawing in her breath and attempting to compose herself, she turns back around, her face completely red all over again. Her eyes glimmer with moisture from her laughter and she shakes her head. "You, sir, are a unique individual, deserving far more than what I've given you today."

She sighs deeply and closes her eyes for a moment, speaking to herself. "I can't believe I'm doing this."

Looking at Chuck once more, she takes a deep breath and finally reaches out to take his hand. It was such a warm hand... one that made her own hand seem so small, but so protected at the same time. And she couldn't help but wonder if she could see the invisible, what that touch would really look like.

Her eyes lock with his and she nods decisively. If she didn't take a few risks once in a while, what was the point? "I'll ride with you," she agrees, despite the fear behind her gaze. "On your motorcycle," she reemphasizes, biting her lip to keep from laughing again. "But please... don't tell my boss. Let's just go before someone else walks in and I have to explain this whole thing."


Alec listens to Misty's answer, perhaps not having expected there to be no malice in her tone. The whole thing seemed a little foreign to him. If he cheated on Ryan, he knew that would be it right there. But then... he would have thought the same thing about Misty, too.

Turning around and leaning back against the counter, he continues to play with the long kitchen knife, testing its sharpness with his thumb turning it in his palm. "When people are meant to be, huh?" Were he and Ryan meant to be? He wondered.

Seeing that supper was almost ready, he sets down the knife and sighs, not having retrieved what he'd wanted from that conversation. It wasn't as bothersome as he'd thought though. Not gaining the upper hand didn't seem so bad right now. He's about to say more when his stomach growls loudly. Giving Misty a sheepish grin, he shrugs. "My tastebuds might not work right but my nose does. I guess maybe I'm hungrier than I thought." He often ignored his hunger, not bothering to eat some meals that he should, but tonight, he really was hungry.

Watching Misty closely as she finishes preparing supper, he wonders if her and Carson being religious people had anything to do with the strange sense of peace in this house. It wasn't something he felt at Ryan and Eli's, and he hadn't felt it anywhere else before either. It was... calm... warm. The whole atmosphere was unlike what he'd expected.

Finally sitting down to wait just a few more minutes, he plays with a napkin, keeping his hands busy. "How come you give me a chance when Carson and Dani won't?" he finally asks. He's asked Dalton basically the same question earlier, but he wanted to see what Misty would say too.


Gage's eyes snap to Sapphire's as she rebukes his depressed statement. It was more of a look of awe that passed through his eyes this time. For how someone could love him really was beyond his understanding. He swallows as his look turns to one of apology again.

His fingers crawl over to her hand to hold it weakly, his strength not having returned yet. "I don't know if I'll ever know why you picked me," he responds softly. "The world is foreign to me. I make mistakes. The only skill I have is one that shouldn't be used. And yet... yet you won't let me go."

Though having little strength, he pulls Sapphire closer, forcing her to bed enough that his hand can reach to the back of her head and draw her face nearer his. Kissing her lips gently, his fingers run through her short hair. "I love you too," he whispers.


Reese sinks down in his chair, mirroring what his heart was doing on the inside. Putting his forehead in his free hand, all this work that needed to get done just didn't seem important anymore.

"I understand... thank you, and the prayers will keep coming."

He hated to ask, but he needed to. "If people ask... how much time do you think Hope has left? I know some might want to see her one last time, even if she can't respond." He was thinking mainly of Scott, whom he would see to it that he would make it back to the hospital if he wanted to.