Honesty in the rain

Gage had managed a quick shower and clean clothes by the time Sapphire comes. Wandering in from the kitchen with a mug of coffee in his hand, he greets her with a weary smile. "Hi. Got your message. Sorry."

Easing down on his mattress, he sips his coffee and leans his head back against the wall. He felt like crap, that's how he felt. He was still tired, sore, and he'd pulled something in his back from lifting too much last night. But he wasn't going to complain. He had a job, and he should be grateful that someone had finally been willing to hire him. He'd get used to it. "I'm alright. What time is it anyway?"


Hmmm.

Jason wasn't fully convinced about Alec, especially after recent events with Destiny. But Reese was in charge, and he needed to trust his judgment.

Yeah, I'm glad he's turning around too, I just... I don't know. Guess I just don't trust him much.

He slings an arm around Katie's shoulders and leads the way outside, stopping by his office briefly to grab jackets and helmets. Once on the motorcycle and heading through town, Jason takes a spur-of-the-moment getaway, heading all the way to the lake instead of staying in town for lunch.


Dani taps lightly on Dalton's office door before opening it slowly and stepping quietly inside. Her eyes were a bit tired, though she manages a small smile. It had been a rough few past days. More memories had been surfacing, now that they'd started, and she was feeling emotionally drained and physically tired. Several heart-to-heart talks with Carson had proven her memory correct. She hadn't wanted to cry in front of him, but she had. He'd apologized even though she'd insisted none of it was his fault - he hadn't known back then what all had happened. She thought perhaps she saw his own tears in his eyes, though he did well at hiding them.

She knew she hadn't been great company the last few days, even though she tried. Carson had given her several days off work and she was grateful but lonely. She hadn't planned on coming to see Dalton today, but she knew he usually wasn't doing anything over lunch and she was glad to see him here now.

Closing the door behind her, Dani wanders around behind the desk and without saying anything, she turns Dalton's chair so she can sit sideways on his lap, wrap her arms around his neck and nuzzle her face into his chest. "I missed you," she mentions softly.


A week. Scott looks outside at the darkening gray sky. The view hadn't changed. He was still here. A week didn't mean much to him anymore. The nightmares still came. He'd almost been dragged into the shadows at least twice again. But it didn't matter. Time just all melted together into one mass of some kind of dark pit.

A week. Had Justin given up on him? He wonders. He knew Justin had stopped about five days ago and had left. But since then, he hadn't come at all. Had he finally given up? Scott should have liked that prospect, but something down deep felt guilty... guilty for treating Justin like he had. He felt slightly abandoned. He'd told Justin he didn't want to go through the motions, but... at least he'd had someone to talk to and do things with. This last week had been the loneliest of any time he'd spent at Brookshire. He missed Hope. He missed Justin. He missed his sister. He missed Dalton.

Sighing, Scott lets the curtain fall back into place and turns to wander across his room and to the hall. He didn't feel like doing anything, but if he didn't at least show himself, Jenny would be up worrying over him.

Walking down the hall and to the steps, Scott's feet drag. His eating habits hadn't changed much. Physically, he was withering away, now on a downhill spiral that would be even harder to stop. His eyes were dark, his skin pale. Had the Agency succeeded? He wonders.

Making it to the landing, Scott stops in his tracks.

Justin looks over from where he was leaning on the counter, talking to Jenny. "Well, Scott. I was just ready to come up and see you. Wanna go for a walk?" Yes, he'd been away. Five days away from here completely, and Justin had been ready to return. Recovered from his fall, and maybe a little more ready mentally as well. He'd let Scott be, letting him cool and settle down after finding out a few days ago that their fight had started a backslide. But time was still against them in a race to see who would win - the Agency data, or Scott's strength. Justin had been compiling a lot more information through phone calls with Rick and Alec both and had been analyzing Scott's behavior as well, during his time away. Five days ago, he'd been bull-headed and wanted to conquer this thing immediately. But he had realized Scott wasn't yet ready. Seeing him walk downstairs on his own today - Justin knew he was ready to start again. It might go well - it might end in disaster. But it was time to test the waters again. Failure today only meant another chance would come later.

Scott studies Justin for a moment, not sure what to say. He didn't really want to go for a walk. It was dreary outside. But even having Justin here was better than no one today. He shrugs. "Okay."

"Great. Come on." Justin throws Jenny a little wink and heads for the door, waiting for Scott to join him.

It was muggy outside and only after a few moments of walking, do they hear a low rumble of thunder in the distance. "Why are we outside?" Scott questions. "It's going to rain."

"So?"

Scott puts his hands in his pockets and trudges alongside him down the sidewalk. "We... playing a game or something?"

"No, not today. I still need to take it easy on the rough and tumble for a few more days."

Scott lifts an eyebrow. "Something happen?"

"Yeah, it's called a concussion."

Scott stops walking and looks at Justin quickly. "From.... from me?"

"Uh... yeah" Justin stops with him. "Still angry with me?"

"Maybe." Scott scuffs his toe on the ground. "But I'm... I'm sorry I hit you."

"Well... I forgive you. Just warn me next time, will you?"

"Don't bring my sister and I won't have to warn you."

"You don't want to see her anymore?"

"I didn't say that."

Justin folds his arms. "Then what do you mean, Scott? Or is it that you don't like being in control of when other people want to see you?"

Scott bites his lip, growing defensive. "Did she ask to come, or did you ask her?"

"I asked her if she wanted to come."

"See? I don't appreciate you doing that without my consent."

"Alright. What if I ask her to come tomorrow?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"I don't know." Scott starts to walk again. He'd missed this? What had he been thinking?

"Is it me?" Justin walks to keep up. "You want someone else, I'll go tell Dr. Hawks right now and I'll take myself off this case."

Scott frowns, not even sure what he wanted. He already knew Justin though. Someone else in the mix would just be a pain. "No... I just don't understand what you want from me."

"I don't want anything from you. All I want is to see you well again and able to control what's going on inside of you so that you can get your life back."

A raindrop falls on Scott's arm as he stops again and turns to face Justin. "It's impossible. I can't do it."

"Yes you can."

"No, I can't! I can't do it."

"You haven't even tried!"

"I have too!"

Justin sighs. "Remember the deck of cards? You gotta be ready, and I understand and respect that, but you're not even willing to try. Do you like being here?"

"Of course not."

"Then why aren't you working with me here?" Justin shakes his head. He could see Scott was growing more and more defensive, but he had to find some way in. He couldn't just let this go. His tone lowers to a more gentle one. "You're wallowing in your own misery, Scott. You've been here long enough now that you've dug yourself into a rut so deep that it's going to take a lot of doing to get yourself back out again. But it's not impossible. Not if you want it bad enough."

Scott swallows hard. He missed his old life. He did want it back, he did. It was just... "I'd rather just die now and not have to go through this garbage," he mumbles.

Justin stops short and looks Scott dead in the eye. "You want to let yourself die just because it's easier? I didn't take you for a coward, Scott. I guess maybe I was wrong."

"I'm not a coward," Scott hisses. "I'm just tired. I'm tired of all this. I can't take it anymore."

"Yes you can!"

"No, I can't! Why does all this have to happen? Why couldn't I have just had my nice normal life? Why was it torn from me? I just want it to go away!"

Another couple raindrops splatter on the ground. Justin points up to the clouds. "It would be just as easy to remove trials from our life as it would be to tell these clouds not to pour their rain. It's going to rain whether we like it or not, Scott." It starts to sprinkle in earnest and he turns to gesture to a couple hurrying inside. "See them? They're scared of the rain. They don't like the feeling of getting wet and they don't want to deal with drying their clothes. They're in too much of a hurry to realize that there is good in the rain."

Scott is still scowling. "But they have the option to go or stay. I don't have an option in my life."

"You yourself pointed out that you do," Justin counters. The sprinkles turn into a light rain, growing heavier by the second. "You have a choice to just let yourself fade away until you die a miserable death, or stand up tall and fight this thing."

"But I'm tired!" Scott repeats desperately.

"We're all tired!" Justin holds out his arms as the rain comes. Thunder rolls, shaking the ground. "But you gotta learn to walk in the rain, not run from it! The rain is going to come whether we like it or not. You got rain in your life and I've got rain in mine. Sometimes it sprinkles and sometimes it storms. But it's up to us to hold our head high and walk through it." He spins, pointing again to someone making a mad dash inside. "See that? That's what you're doing right now. You're tired of getting wet, and you're just gonna run inside and hide. But you know what? It's going to rain again one day. Could be in an hour. Could be a week from now. But it will come again. If you don't learn to walk in it now, you'll always run from it."

He stares through the pouring rain at Scott as they both become soaked, the water dripping down their faces as they blink away the drops. "Walk in the rain, Scott," he begs. "It's going to be uncomfortable and it might even hurt." Another roll of thunder reverberates in the sky. "But you gotta do it."

Scott wipes some rain from his eyes and looks back at Justin, feeling his heart being pulled in two directions. Run. Hide. Stay. Heal. He didn't know what to do or how to do it. He didn't know which was best and which he was willing to do. He didn't know! Spinning on his heel, he heads back to the building.

"Scott, no!" Justin pleads. "Don't keep walking away!" But there was nothing he could do but watch as Scott bends his head and trudges all the way back to the building, disappearing inside.

Justin's frustrated yell is hidden in a crash of thunder. He glares up at the clouds. "What do I keep doing wrong?" he shouts angrily. "This was supposed to be a good day! Why does he keep shutting me out?" A clap of thunder booms and the rain increases. "I don't understand!"

Never had a case been so frustrating. Each moment, he could see and feel Scott on the brink of recovery, just to have it ripped from his grasp. He could see Scott listening and understanding his words. He could see him internalizing the information. What was he missing? What was he doing wrong?

"Are you trying to tell me I can't do this?" he shouts with the lightning. "Then for pete's sake, quit bringing me these stupid opportunities! I can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped! Why are You doing this to me?"

Breathing heavily, Justin slowly stops, enveloped by the rain and thunder. His words shouted in frustration had never sounded more selfish. This wasn't about him, or what he was capable of. This was about Scott. This was about what God would do in Scott's life - Justin was just a tool.

Whether he wanted to admit it or not, in any case Justin had ever had, he'd gotten too close. He and Scott weren't friends. He didn't know him that well, other than facts in a file. But every time he came and saw the look in Scott's eyes, Justin's heart broke. Every time he saw someone who just needed to turn around... who just needed an extra push... who just needed someone to believe in them, it broke his heart a little bit more. But he couldn't fix it. He never could. Only the person themselves and God could.

Hanging his head, Justin lets the rain keep falling on him, drenching his body and soul. In a way, this case was his last ditch effort to see if he really could help anybody anymore. He didn't do things the way other people did. He was rough around the edges and more blunt than he probably should be. He knew all the rules and often broke them, knowing full well that he was. He'd gotten in trouble for his unorthodox ways more than once. But it was who God had made him... passionate... driven... stubborn. This case with Scott... if he couldn't help, Justin knew it would be his last. Ever since getting fired from his last full-time job as a counselor, he'd picked up cases here and there from his uncle. But if he couldn't help Scott, he would move on.

His attitude softens as he swallows his pride. I'm sorry... I know it's not your fault and I know You have me here for a reason. I just don't know what to do. ...Please help Scott. Help him see there is a way up. Help him realize that the sunshine does still come after the rain. Please... take away his fear that he might live again. Whether it's me who helps him or someone else, please just... heal him.

Justin remains standing as the rain continues to fall. Taking a deep breath, he closes his eyes and tilts his head back to let the rain pelt his face. Stretching out his arms, his palms catch the drops as they fall and he spins ever so slowly as inner freedom soars.

Never changed,

Taking Jason's hand Katie stands with a giggle. Like she had much choose in the matter though she didn't mind and always loved spending time with Jason on top of that. Her eyes lit up a little bit at the mention to his bike. She always liked riding with him.

"Oooohhhh....that makes it even better. I think I can handle going now."

Looking twords where Jason had seen Alec Katie thinks for a moment. She'd had a few conversations with Alec and she had seen him with Ryan while she was out a few times. She had to admit they were cute together.

I'm sure Reese really hasn't done anything because he's leaving to see Ryan. I think he's making a nice change for once being Agency.

Looking up from her book Destiny had been wrapped in it once again and now was almost finished but seeing Chance a smile spreads across her face. Placing the bookmark in she would finish it later.

"Heya! Lunch sounds like a great idea to me. I was so wrapped up in my book I didn't realize just how hungry I was."

Standing and coming around to the other side Destiny holds her book as she comes over to the entrance of the door. She really was hungry and could use something to eat.

Pulling into Gage's parking lot Sapphire replays her steps that never changed not that she minded. She liked coming to see Gage, and having a key to his place, and she never want that to change.

Unlocking the door and heading inside Sapphire smiles seeing Gage up and moving around.

"Hey sleepy head. Feeling better after your nap?"

Resident psychologist

Jason grins and comes around into Katie's cubicle, offering her his hands so she can stand up. "Good. It's all settled then. I even brought my bike this morning so we can have a fun ride while we're at it."

Movement catches his eye as he sees Alec walk by on the far side of the room again.

I wonder what he's up to. He's been getting out at night without permission, but Reese seems to be letting it slide. I don't feel right about that whole thing... I think we should be more careful with him.


Dead to the world, Gage never hears the phone ring, or Sapphire's voice on the answering machine. It wouldn't be until the afternoon when he would finally wake up to realize he'd totally missed lunch, irritated with himself for having slept right through it.


Chance knocks on the door where he'd found Destiny and smiles in at her. "Hey, you." They'd been there for a while now, and the morning was growing late. "How about some lunch? I finished up what I needed to do."


"...so what do you think I should do?"

Justin looks up from the couch to see Nichole's face and he stares at her blankly. "What?"

Nichole sighs. "What do you think I should do? I mean about Clark."

Justin burrows back a little further into the corner of the couch. He was the only one there not sitting straight. Everyone else looked halfway human, while he was in his bare feet, one leg tucked up under the other one that was bent with his knee up. It wasn't a crowd, but seven people in Jake's living room could seem a bit crowded anyway. "Dump him."

Nichole gets a shocked look on her face. "I can't do that!"

Justin shrugs. "He's playing you and you know it. If you can't leave him, then anything that comes is your own fault."

"You certainly are cold tonight."

"He always is," Lane quips, raising his beer bottle. "A cynic through and through."

Justin smirks and takes a sip of his pepsi. He was the only one not having a beer. "I'm just logical."

Nichole shakes her head. "Sometimes feelings override logic."

"Well then? What are you asking me about Clark for? You've already made up your mind to stick with a guy who's two-timing you. What am I supposed to say? Congratulations?"

Give the girl a break, Dirk chides from the other side of the room. "Clark isn't all that bad. He'll come around."

Justin quirks an eyebrow and grins wryly. "Okay."

Paula comes back into the room after having gotten some snack food. "Justin... I was gonna ask you about that situation with my two girl friends. Did you think any more about that?"

Justin looks around the room at the six pairs of eyes staring back at him. "What am I? Your resident psychologist?"

Jake laughs. "Isn't that what you wanted to be?"

"I think I'm on my last case."

Paula's eyes widen. "You're kidding. You're going to give up your career?"

"What career? Straight out of college, I've been pushed around, given the cases no one else wants, then when I actually do my job, I'm fired and no one else wants me. I've dealt with stupid teens, drunks, wife beaters, beaten wives and nut cases. And what did I get? A paycheck hardly enough to pay my bills." Justin shakes his head. "Not worth it any more."

Nichole furrows her brow. "But I thought you loved helping people?"

Justin sighs and leans his head back into the couch. "I can only help as much as someone lets me. Problem is, most people don't even want the help. So I sit... talk... baby them... and get paid for it? No... no, that's not what I want. The whole system of social services made me sick, working for that other other organization was a disaster... no... that's not the kind of help I wanted to give people."

"What about starting your own place?"

"You got the money?" When there's no answer, Justin shakes his head again. "Nah... I'd just wind up ticking people off anyway and then nobody would come to me. I don't think I'm cut out for the counseling job." He sips on his pepsi again and looks at the clock. "I gotta get going."

"What?" Jake looks at him with disappointment. "You're not even working tomorrow."

"No, but I promised my mother I'd be over for supper."

Lane snickers, Paula elbows him and Justin throws him a warning glance. Going to his mother's really was just an excuse. These were his friends... but they weren't close. He came and hung out once in a while but... he could take it or leave it. He had a headache again, and sticking around here until Jake got drunk was not what he liked to do for fun.

Message

Feeling Jason coming before her was even at her cubicle Katie sends out a few warm feelings. A large smile was drawn across her face.

I am not sure, I might have a date.

Turning her chair to look at him as he leans on the cubicle wall her eyes dance with humor showing she was in fact talking about him if he was gonna ask her out of a date for lunch. Seeing the puppy dog eyes Katie cringes a little. She could never with stand the puppy dog eyes.

"Not the eyes...anything but the eyes. Its over now...all over...I have to share the cure with you now. I can't say no to lunch. I could use some company myself anyways."

Leaning back in her chair Sapphire lets the phone ring. She had been swamped at work and she wasn't sure if Gage would even be awake for lunch so she thought calling first would be good. If he didn't answer she'd try back in a little bit and try to get more work done.

Finally the answering mashean picks up and Sapphire gives a little laugh and shakes her head giving a little laugh. She'd never be upset with Gage for being tired he was new to this kind of work and it was only normal.

"Gage....yoooohooo Gage...sleepy head...its Sapphire...well I guess you really are asleep huh? Well don't worry its ok, and I understand I'm a little busy here at work too. So you sleep, since you seem to be already and I will check on ya in a little bit. Rest well Sweety."

Hanging up the phone Sapphire smiles as she puts her head phone back on again and going back to her paper work.

Sound asleep

Jason smiles at Destiny, glad he could at least maybe help her feel a little more at ease tomorrow. "You're welcome. That's what we're here for."

Saying he'd see her later, he finally heads back to his office, only to turn right around and head back out to the main floor. Aiming for Katie's cubicle, he passes by Chance but doesn't stop. On his way, he spies Alec coming from Reese's office. Odd. But none of his business.

Hey, cutie. What are you doing for lunch today?

Jason leans over Katie's cubicle wall, giving her puppydog eyes. "I'm lonely. Do you have the cure?"


Loud beeping sounds in Gage's apartment, his alarm going off two feet from his mattress. But even though he'd turned it up to wake him up in time to be ready for Sapphire to come for lunch, his body doesn't move.

The sound of the alarm seemed to infiltrate his dream, becoming something imagined so not even the fog lifts. Gage was completely sound asleep.


Justin simply purses his lips in something close to a smile and nods, giving Beth a little wave. Starting down the sidewalk, he tucks one hand in the pocket of his jeans, his head slightly bent. He caught himself walking in this dejected position, but didn't try to fix it. He was too tired. Maybe he was just in a bad mood.

Getting to his truck, he throws his backpack into the passenger seat and slides in behind the wheel. But for a few minutes, he sits without leaving. Many thoughts ran through his mind, and a few that didn't feel so great. Move on, Justin, come on. Quit landing in the middle of messes you can't fix. It's not worth it.

Sighing, he turns the key and has to try several times to get his pickup to come to life. He needed a new vehicle, plain and simple. But money wasn't coming easily. His mother was right. He needed a real job.

With another headache settling in, Justin sets out for the long drive home.

Shadow of the past

"I never said I was better off alone because I had a full plate. I was simply stating I don't have time for anything else. Not that I keep myself alone because of all that I handle, but sometimes alone is best anyways because anything else has been forgotten."

Taking another bit of the apple Beth really didn't want anymore but it seemed to be there so eating it slowly and listen to Justin she takes in his words. Understanding what he was saying, and wondering about some of it. Letting it sink in a tiny bit she new it hit home, but at the same time it was as if someone through water on a flame they were gone, only the stinging feeling remaining.

Seeing Justin stand Beth does the same shifting a little she throws the core of the apple into the garbage can next to the bench.

"My sister suffers in silence ever day, I'd never think my pain is the greater than hers. But I do know one wants to share my life ether because its a dark road covered in shadows of the past, that no matter how I try to look around them I can. So I end up hurting people more than if I simply kept them at bay."

Taking in Justin's last statement Beth gives a small nod. She new what he ment but it and she did live, as normal of a life as she could. She didn't feel lonely and she didn't feel alone, she just moved through her day the best she could.

"Have a good afternoon Justin, and...see you tomorrow."

Justin had come the closest to her than many had dared. She'd let him see her when she blocked other out. He was different, why she told him the things she did Beth wasn't sure but she found herself looking forward to seeing him each day. Maybe...just maybe she was finding the will to let someone in, though it would take some times, a very long time maybe this was the start.

Thought the subject still seemed a little touchy and the pain could be clear in her eyes Destiny did her best to smile and give a nod to Jason. If anyone else was going to be her bodyguard she'd want it to be Jason for sure.

"It puts my mind at ease knowing your there Jason and I wouldn't want anyone else. Thank you!"

She meant it too. In a way Jason was her hero, he'd been there the first day and kept her safe when the Agency attacked alone with Alec. She'd seen him in action and new he new what he was doing. Destiny was happy Reese picked him.

Suffering

Justin's mouth doesn't frown, but his eyes seem to grow just a little darker and he ignores Beth's last question for now. "So you think you're better off alone, just because you have a full plate. Hmm."

He shakes his head a little and for the longest moment, he just studies her eyes, her body language and her face. Finally though, he shrugs. "Yeah, guess I wanted to get out of the house. Actually, it takes me about an hour and a half to get here and I like the drive. Can't justify that much gas going nowhere, so... figured if my client was in the mood, the trip wouldn't be wasted. Unfortunately... he's not ready for me again just yet."

Still keeping his head cocked as it rests in his hand, his other hand fingers the zippers on his backpack absentmindedly. Without him continuing the small talk, another lapse into silence occurs. But it is he who breaks that silence himself.

"You know... sometimes in life, we think what's best is backing away from the world because we don't think the world is ready to see who we really are. But in the process, we wind up depriving those who really do want to spend time with us."

Pausing for a moment, he shifts his weight again to sit back straight once more, preparing to stand up. "We might think we're the only ones suffering in silence... but how many others suffer too, simply because they're not allowed to share our lives?"

Getting to his feet, Justin shoulders his backpack, still looking down at Beth. A gentle smile creases his lips, though it was a weary expression, filled with more concern than joy. "Don't forget to live, Beth."


Told ya.

Jason smiles at Destiny, nodding. "Good. I'm glad it's worked out then. I know Reese is doing all he can to figure out the best way to give you your life back."

He thinks a moment, wondering if what he would say would be appropriate or not, but she might as well know. "Reese has asked me to be a second bodyguard for tomorrow. I hope you don't mind me being at the funeral. I'll try not to be noticed."


Chance's eyebrows rise just a little but he backs off, letting Katie handle her armful herself. Seeing she gets back to her desk, he feels her eyes on him and he sits down once more, feeling a little strange. Opening his computer again, he goes back to the message he'd been working on.

Glancing out across the room towards Reese's office, he sees Alec going through the door. Interesting. Reese was out. Chance wondered if Reese even knew the ex-Agency thug was in his office.

Better that way

Still holding her smile Katie didn't know if she startled Chance or if he just was working on something she shouldn't see but ether way his abruptness was a little odd though she let it go past her. Sometimes she worked on things she didn't want other to see too.

"Oh no no, I didn't want to bother you or anything. I just wanted to say hi and introduce myself since I hadn't before. I'm ok, thanks though. I'll leave ya be now."

Giving a little nod and another look at Chance Katie finally turns and starts to head to her desk again. Setting everything down and sitting into her chair she looks over her cubicle at Chance again before going back her own business.

Ok, maybe he's a little strange and maybe a little off.

Leaning on the desk in front of her Destiny's smile grows a little it felt kind of strange being behind a desk and looking at Jason when only a few days ago it had been the other way around.

"Yeah we are doing good. I was a little worried in the start about how we would get along too but it seemed we do just fine and have more in common than expected. Anyways we have killed eachother yet so thats a plus right?"

Destiny gives a little chuckle trying to calm Jason fears of her and Chance getting along. It was nice of him to worry and even care for that matter.

Taking another bit of her apple and letting the silence fall over them Beth didn't mind. Silence was a comfort to her, something she was use to. To her it was just a way of life and she didn't mind it at all. Giving a small shakes of her head as she chews the apple Beth looks up at Justin again.

"I don't mind being alone. Thats how its been for a long time and its just...better that way. I don't have much time for anything else with working and spending most my time with my sister."

Feeling a tiny bit odd talking about herself Beth thinks about something else to think about trying to get the topic off her at least for a second to regroup.

"So, you came today because you were going crazier than normal at home?"

What about you?

Chance looks up quickly, his hand going to his laptop lid as he turns to see Katie. A smile immediately emerges. "Hey there. I think I coulda recognized you, but thanks. I'm sure you already know I'm Chance."

Thinking a moment as one of his knees bounces, he stands up, offering two empty hands. "Help you back to your desk?"


Jason grins at Destiny's answer. Though true, there was just as tad bit of humor, and she still had life in her eyes, despite what she'd been going through. It was good to see.

"I'm alright. Reese is keeping me busy."

Leaning on the doorway, he tucks his folder under his arm, intending to chat for a few moments. "So... how are things going with Chance? I know Reese was a little worried how you two would get along and all. Doing alright?"


Justin shakes his head just slightly, a little wryness forming on his lips. He returns the sandwich to his back pack and takes another bite of his own. "Danitza likes these sandwiches anyway."

The food wasn't doing a whole lot to settle his stomach, but it was a little better at least. Fishing around in his pack, he finds his water bottle to take a swig. Glancing back at Beth, he was a tad surprised that she offered to stay and sit with him. That in itself was an improvement from the timidity that kept her walking most days.

"If you don't mind, I don't," he responds. Finishing his sandwich, he turns a little to look at her a bit straighter, leaning his elbow on the back of the bench to rest his head against his hand. His eyes study her with a soft intensity as if searching for her soul.

"What about you? Don't you need company once in a while too?"

Free Space

"Nah you can't quit. If you did than the rest of us would lose hope to knowing that there was till one person out there willing to help those who everyone else had given up on."

Tilting her head to look at Justin a little more Beth gives a small smile her eyes giving a little twinkle in the early sun light. Just watching him for a long moment Beth could see there was a tired look in his eyes and for a moment Beth felt a tiny bit sorry to see that look there. He was always full of spunk when she had met him before and now...not it just seemed..gone. Maybe for once he needed a friend and thats why they were right?

Looking down at the sandwich Justin offered her Beth though for another long moment. Looking away she reaches into her own bag she pulls out and apple.

"Its way to early to eat a sandwich. But I have this apple and I have a few mintues to spair before I go in to see Sarah if....you...want the company."

Beth looks down at the apple again picking at the stem untill it breaks off and she finally takes a bit. It felt a little odd saying she would sit with Justin but..he looked like maybe he could use the company today.

Rummaging around in the supply closet Katie gathers a few items together that she needed to replenish at her desk. Silently talking to Jason at the same time Katie was happy about there connection. It helped multi tasking a lot.

I smile a lot too, but thats mostly because you talk to me and no one else knows it.

Loading her arms up so she can't carry anymore Katie leaves the little room and heads back to her cubicle. Passing Chance's on her way Katie gives a glance to him as she draws closer.

I don't think he's all that bad. He could never be you J, but he seems ok.

Thinking about all the stuff she was holding in her hands and that Chance might not know his way around to well Katie stops once she is closer. Giving a friendly smile before she talks.

"Hi, I'm Katie. I'd offer to shake your hand but I don't have any room to move under this stuff."

Getting lost in her book Destiny gives a jump looking up quickly. Seeing Jason in the doorway she relaxes just a little. Setting her book down a grin forms on her lips and she shakes her head feeling silly.

"Hey Jason. Other than being jumpy a little still and hunter by the Agency I'm doing ok. How are you?"

Destiny was happy Jason stopped to say Hi. She'd liked talking to him the first day, and just keeping up to date on how he was, was important. They were friends after all.

Sandwiches again

Chewing his chicken salad sandwich slowly, Justin looks up, squinting in the sun a little as Beth approaches and joins him on the bench. The corners of his mouth turn up in a grin... just a little one.

"Yeah... probably." He was supposed to be off work much longer than just one day. Taking another bite of his sandwich, he shrugs, not quite in the chipper mood he usually was. "Oh, I'm feeling alright. Other than frustrated, I'm fine. But... I suppose that comes with the territory. I shoulda thought before I took this job." He shakes his head. "Not gonna give up though. Don't think I could live with myself after that if I did."

Giving Beth a sidelong glance, his eyes roam her sunlit face for a moment or two before looking back down to his sandwich. "Ma thinks I need to eat for two men to cure a headache." He pulls an extra one wrapped in plastic out of his pack. "Join me?"


"Alrighty." Chance scrapes his plate clean, licking the last morsel off his fork. "Let me get a few things in order and we'll take off."

Standing to take his dishes to the sink, he throws Destiny a wink. "Maybe I'll buy your lunch later."

Once ready to go, Chance arms himself and leads the way out of the house to the Elite SUV. It doesn't take long to get to TJY where Chance heads to Reese's office and a spare cubicle after that, leaving Destiny alone for a while...

...Jason wanders down the hall, his nose in a file folder as he scanned the pages inside.

See O'Mally a bit ago, strutting to Reese's office? I still don't like him. Smiles too much.

He keeps walking, keeping his thoughts to silent conversation instead of verbalizing them and getting called down for a bad attitude.

Wonder if he could really do his job if it came down to that.

Passing by an office that wasn't being used at the moment, Jason is surprised to see the door open and a light on. Looking up and glancing in, he spots Destiny reading a book. He might as well be polite. Lowering his folder, he knocks lightly on the door. "Hey... how's it going?"

Element

Smiling as she takes her napkin and places on her lap Destiny takes a bit of her own eggs. They did seem to taste better today though she wasn't sure why. Maybe it was a simple fact that she was cooking for someone else that made her try a little harder than seemed to make it better.

"Well I am happy you like them. At least I know now so next time I don't have to worry."

Looking back down at her meal again Destiny continues to eat just enjoying the meal with someone else. Even if they were to busy eating more than talking it was still nice.

Hearing Chance had to go to TJY Destiny thinks for a long moment. There were a few things she wanted to do around the house here but getting out was nice too.

"Getting some fresh air would be nice so there is no point in sending someone out here. I'll just come with you and keep myself busy like I have before."

Riding with Phil was a little bit on the quiet side but Rayne didn't mind. When each of them found something to say they but the quiet was just as nice. Not taking to long to get back to her place Rayne gives a smile to Phil as she opens the car door though doesn't get out yet.

"I hope I do see you again. It's deffintly been not talking with someone."

And it was the truth by all means. Her short time spent today with Phil had been very enjoyable and she defiantly would be up to spending more time with him just hanging out and having phone. Smiling as she looked down at his number Rayne gives a nod. Taking the pad of paper and the pen to write down her number too. She couldn't help the small giddy feeling she felt inside by getting his number.

"There, now if you need anything you have my number too. Thanks again Phil, hope to see you soon."

Getting out of the car and giving a small wave she watches as Phil pulls out of the driveway before turning and heading up to the front door, the smile never leaving her face.

Coming up the sidewalk like so many times before Beth stops at the bench a little surprised to see Justin there today. He hadn't been yesterday but she had figured he wouldn't be seeing as he was meant to be resting. But seeing him here today she gives a little shake of her head.

"Shouldn't you be home relaxing?"

Sitting down on the bench next to Justin Beth gives a tiny little smile. She had to admit to herself yesterday she had missed seeing Justin. It just seemed normal now for him to be here, her to have a little chat with him and than go about her day. Taking one of the elements out just threw everything off.

"How ya feeling today?"

Shouldn't even be back

Sitting down at the table, Chance grins a little. He'd never known anything but fast-paced city life, even when traveling with his dad. He'd always gravitated to the city, but it had been a long time, if ever, that he'd actually stopped and asked himself if that was what he preferred. He was used to the city but... did that mean it was actually what he wanted, or just what he was accustomed to?

Shaking his head, he picks up his fork and tastes the eggs. "Mm... a bit of spice is always good. These are great." He meant it, too. He cooked for himself most of the time, but he wasn't the greatest at it, except for a few select things. At home, he wound up eating out a lot or just skipping some of his meals.

Chance pauses to take a sip of his tea, grateful for Destiny fixing everything this morning. "I gotta go back to TJY again today. You can come with me, or I can get someone to come stay here for a while. It's up to you."


Phil stands as Rayne comes from her room, ready to take her home. Leading the way, he holds the door for her, then leads her to his pickup. "Sixteen Waterchest it is. I think I can handle that."

He opens the door for Rayne then goes around to slide in behind the steering wheel, making sure she's buckled before pulling out. He was familiar with most of the streets, so he knew which way to go and only had to ask once which direction to turn.

Once arriving at the house, Phil pulls into the small lot and parks, leaving the engine running. "Well..." He looks over to Rayne an smile. "I guess now that I know you, I can keep an eye out for you, huh? Maybe I'll see you around sometime."

Thinking a moment, he turns and opens the console between the seats, retrieving a small pad of paper and a pen. He scribbles out a number and tears it off, handing it to Rayne. "That's my cell phone number. You know, for..." He shrugs. "...in case you need anything."


Gage trudges away from the lumber mill, covered in dirt and grime, his whole body aching. A couple cars and pickups speed past him on the road - other workers who had just gotten off work as well, though to them, Gage was invisible.

Making it to the back alley, he wanders through until he comes to another street. So tired, he almost walks out in front of a car, startled back by the horn honking. Twenty more minutes and he'd finally made it back to his apartment. The stairway had never looked taller. Third night on the job - he couldn't give up now. But he'd already skipped out on Sapphire yesterday, and he was so exhausted again. He didn't have to work tonight though, so maybe tomorrow he'd have time to recuperate.

Getting into his apartment, he knew he needed to shower and change, but it's his mattress that he winds up on anyway, not even taking his boots off. His pillow never felt better.


Justin eases down on the bench along the sidewalk, unconsciously letting out a long sigh. It had been only two days and he knew he probably shouldn't even be back to Brookshire yet, but he'd been going stir crazy. It didn't matter much though - Jenny had said Scott was refusing to get up today and Justin didn't have the strength yet to force him. So, he'd simply let Scott be today.

Fishing in his backpack, he pulls out a sandwich he'd been saving for lunch. The meds he took earlier were making him sick to his stomach though, so maybe some food would help.

Chest

Giving a chuckle Destiny turns back to the pan on the floor and cleans that up. Placing the pan into the sink and than throwing the paper towels away. Once than was finished Destiny was able to finish up the breakfast getting some toast together before putting it on the plate and take taking them to the table.

Hearing Chance come back in the kitchen again Destiny was just bringing there tea in and sitting down. She always cooked a lot for herself at home, but it was nice to cook for someone else now too and have them like it.

"That wouldn't be such a back though though!"

Giving a grin and letting her eyes sparkle her voice was laced with a teasing manor.

"I know I know..take the boy out of the city but you can't take the city out of the boy."

She new Chance would be leaving, and though it didn't seem to hurt thinking about it now she wondered by the small pang in heart at the thought if it would later.

"I hope you enjoy it. I add a bit of spice to my eggs so its different."

Not even relizing how fast the time went by Rayne was having way to much fun to car. Being alone for such a long time she liked it, but now having someone there and spending time with her really did open her eyes to what she had been missing.

Letting the dr check her over Rayne couldn't help the silly face she made at Phil before the dr was done and she quickly snapped to attachen so he wouldn't see. Hearing she was able to go home now please her. Not that she was in a hurry but she hated hospitals.

Once the dr was gone and Phil was waiting in the lounge for her Rayne slowly started getting her things together. It was a little hard with one hand but she didn't have much here so it was manageable. Checking out and heading down to the lounge Rayne smiles seeing Phil.

"Ok I am ready to get out of here."

Heading out of the hospital with Phil Rayne squints her eyes as the sun light hits them. Standing still for a moment she lets them ajust before she starts on again following him to his car.

"I live on 16 water chest street. Its a yellow house, on the right. Just pull in the parking lot..I live in the back part."

Where you live

Chance looks down at himself then gives Destiny a wry grin. "I think I better go finish getting dressed. I might get used to running around like this and I'll run out of secret scars."

Tossing her a wink, he turns around and finally leaves the kitchen to go figure out where he'd left off. It doesn't take but a few minutes for him to find his shirt and don it before also donning one of his holsters and gun as was his habit, even in the house.

Eventually, he makes it back to the kitchen, seeming more ready for the day now. Smelling the food again, he grins. "Mmm... this smells good. You shouldn't do this every day though, you're gonna spoil me and I'll never want off this assignment."


Phil's smile is still present and he moves to sit on the now-empty spot on the bed where he could face Rayne and set the cards on the tray. "Don't worry... I may like to play cards, but that doesn't mean I'm any good. Kyle was always the one with the knack."

Shuffling the cards, Phil deals them and helps Rayne pick them up, careful not to look at them since she had to play with one hand. And suddenly, the time seems to fly by. Conversation started coming easier and easier until Phil was completely relaxed, not paying attention at all to the time...

"I can't believe you beat me again." Phil smirks and lets his cards flop back onto the tray. "I knew I was bad, but I didn't think I was that bad!" He grins though, not minding a bit.

It's just then that the doctor comes in and gives Rayne one last check before giving the go-ahead for her to leave. Phil is now standing nearby, and waits for the doctor to leave again before speaking to Rayne once more.

"I'll go wait down in the lobby, okay? Then you can show me where you live."

Fine with that

Being totally wrapped in the kiss Destiny gives a little jump but breaks out in a little laugh of her own hearing Chance laugh. Leaning into him again as he gives her the final hug once again Destiny's arms slide around him as well. Looking up at Chance Destiny shakes her head a little her own eyes twinkling.

"We might be crazy. I think I like it thought."

Giving Chance another squeeze Destiny finally lets go and takes a few steps back. Looking down at the pan and than back at Chance Destiny laughs again. It felt nice laughing about nothing and not really knowing why.

"Why don't you now go finish getting dressed. I'll clean this up here and get the rest of breakfast ready so we can eat. Unless you wanna eat shirtless because I am fine with that."

Giving a smile to Phil Rayne can feel some color coming to her cheeks. Hearing his comment about meet his family was a nice gesture and a little forward but non the less nice. Did that mean she would see more of Phil?

Seeing the cards in Phil's hand Rayne seems to perk up a little bit as the smile spreads across her face. Giving a small nod she curlse her legs up on the bed so Phil can sit on the bed and pulls the little tray over again.

"Its been a long time since I played hearts and gin, but I use to with my grandparents. So I'd like to try and see if I remember. Don't beat me to bad."

Crazy

Chance really wasn't sure how long he and Destiny stayed in their embrace. It didn't seem to matter. Though later, he was sure it was much too long.

Everything about this moment was completely unplanned, and no matter if they'd been making out and falling asleep together the night before or not, it still seemed sudden.

Moving around a little too much, Chance leans back against the counter, his elbow hitting an empty pan. Sliding off the counter, it clangs loudly to the floor, bouncing off the cupboard as it goes. Chance jumps and pulls back from Destiny, his eyes going wide as he looks down at the fallen pan. "Oops."

Looking back up at her, he grins. The grin becomes a smile that widens. A chuckle surfaces and his eyes twinkle. The chuckle becomes a laugh and Chance pulls Destiny back close, his arms wrapping around her in a strong hug. He wasn't sure why he was laughing so. The falling pan really wasn't all that funny. Perhaps it was just this whole thing.

Drawing back a little bit, Chance's hands come up to either side of Destiny's face and he searches her bright eyes. "Are we crazy or what?"


"Well... I'm glad you came to the US." Phil's tone was genuine. "Maybe... since you don't have any family here... you can meet mine sometime."

Realizing that sounded just a bit more bold than intended, his face reddens just a little and he chuckles. "I, um... I've got a deck of cards in my pocket. Do you know how to play any card games? Might help pass the time before that stubborn doctor lets you go."

About me

Feeling Chance pull her closer Destiny's hand runs from his chest down a little, around his side and to his back keeping him close to her as well. The emotions were grand, and the feeling was great, if this would be there last day together she would remember it always.

Being cared for by a man was a feeling all in its own. Feeling him thank her with such a gentile gift it was so much differnt than a simple friendship it was different from a family member and Destiny couldn't help the small shiver of happiness it sent through her. All problems seemed to be chased away, as Chance's arms of protection were around her.

Letting her own kiss deepen her arm seemed to tighten around Chance as her other found the back of his head. Feeling his arm on her back rubbing it softly it felt so good. All else seemed to be forgotten as Destiny felt herself fall into this bliss.

Listing to Phil talk about himself and his family was nice and Rayne liked listing. It was nice to hear he was still so close to them. At one point in time she had been close to her family too but that all changed when they found out her planes of moving.

As Phil falls silent Rayne thinks for a long moment. She didn't have any family story's to talk about really like he did, though she could tell him of what she did know. Even if her parents didn't want anything to do with her anymore they still were her family.

"Well...I am the youngest out of six children. Four boys and two girls. My father works in a grain mill, and my mother was a cook at a local restraint. I am from Kamchatka, Russia and lived there all my life. They have some of the best beaches. I had a friend who would come and visit there for the summer, and she would always tell me about the US bringing with her different trinkets for me. It always sounded so pretty here. Finally I just wanted to see it here for myself, and I've been here since. I don't have any family around here, but I still talk to my grandparents once and a while and they keep my filled in on my family."

Three-piece

His shadows? The darkness in his heart? With Destiny's words, Chance experienced yet another new sensation. It was an emotion that seemed almost foreign. Someone cared about him. Not for gain, not to use him, not to succeed with their plans. But simply to find... him.

Still processing that thought, he doesn't move as Destiny nears for another kiss. Almost in another world, it seems for a moment he's forgotten how to return the affection, but feeling her breath and her lips brush his, he's brought back into reality.

Moving his palm to the side of her face, while his other hand slips around her, he draws her closer. Letting his kiss linger, he shows passion through a gentleness that gradually deepens. For in this moment, he was thanking her for her words. If this was a dream, he would remember it always. If it was reality, he would always wish to go back in time to feel this again. To feel not just expressing his own affection, but having it returned with a genuine desire to know him and be closer to him. It was new... different... real.

Gently rubbing her back with his hand, he pulls her even closer to press against him as he turns his head and continues his kiss.


Phil really wasn't sure if Rayne wanted him to stay or not, until she admits she likes talking to him. She wouldn't have said that, had she wanted him to leave, right?

His grin widens. "I think I like talking to you, too."

An awkward silence follows, ended by Phil's chuckle and clearing his throat. "Okay, well... get to know each other, huh? Let's see..." He thinks for a moment. "Well, since you've only been around here for half a year, you might not know JetStream used to be a four-piece band instead of three. I have a brother, Kyle, who was with us up until about a year ago. And our sister, Jen, is the one who runs our sound - you've probably seen her. So I've got them as my siblings and my parents live near here, and.... I've got a set of grandparents still living too and they're just across town."

Shadows

Rayne gives a small laugh at Phil's comment about crowding her. She thought it was a bit funny in a way that he would say that.

"Well, I wouldn't mind if you stayed at all, but I've never been to good at finding things to talk about. So if maybe you'd like to get to know each other better than we can do that. If not than...I would guess you could come back."

Really she did want to tell Phil to stay but she herself wasn't sure if he wanted to get to know her better or was just trying to be nice. So she didn't want to make him stay.

"I do like talking to you though. It's nice."

Looking up at Chance Destiny could feel her own heart beat so hard in her chest she wondered how it was not popping out itself. The warmth of his hand, the warmth of his skin it all seemed so perfect, something she never felt before.

Moving her head to the side a little to look up at Chance continuing to look deep into his eyes her own problems seemed to melt away, last night had been the first, today it seemed those feelings hadn't changed any. She still felt the tingle, the warmth and the want for Chance's arms to be around her.

"The scars are ok. They make use who we are, stronger, faster, wiser...we all have our own scars."

Feeling Chance's soft lips on her own Destiny returns the kiss as well. As Chance pulls away a little she can feel her breath bounce off his skin, and his own breath mixing with it. So light, it sent chill down her spin that cause her legs to feel like Jello. How she stayed standing she wasn't sure.

Hearing Chance's words Destiny could feel her cheek turn red a little. His words were soft, sweet, and romantic and they made her stomach flutter more than it had been already.

"Mmmm...whats a better way to protect me than to hold me in your arms and I can chase away the shadows that lay behind your eyes, because I'll challenge them head on, I wont run and hide. Venture forward into the dark, I'll keep searching to find that place in your heart."

Bringing her free hand up to his face once again Destiny lets her fingers run how his cheek, mapping the lines in his face before running softly over his lips. Bringing her lips close to him again Destiny's eyes stay connected with his own till the fall shut as she lets her lips brush his, before retreating and turning her head he other way returning once again her lips pressing his lightly once again.

How can I

With Destiny so near again, her hand resting on his chest, Chance was sure she could feel that his heart beat had quickened. If anybody from back home could see him now, they would think he wasn't even the same person. They would remember someone brash, reckless, on the go and with an attitude that spoke loud and clear he was in charge and no one else. ...And here he was, melting under the touch of a woman.

Looking down into Destiny's eyes, he wanted so badly to hold her, and he wanted so badly to move away. Which was right? Which was wrong? Was there even a right or wrong at all? Last night he'd decided to throw caution to the wind. This morning, he'd decided to get his head on straight. Now he wasn't so sure. Nobody else ever wanted him. He had been struggling to make it all his life, always trying to please someone, always trying to impress and get on their good side just so he could make it one step higher. But nobody ever truly cared. Toby was as close as he'd gotten, and even he was always reprimanding Chance for this or that. Destiny... she liked him the way he was... even his scars.

"How do you do it?" he asks softly.

Reaching up, he lays his hand over hers, holding it between his chest and palm. "You even make the scars seem okay."

She was beautiful. There were no two ways about it. Inside and out, Destiny was a beautiful young woman with so much more to offer than the world could see.

Chance slowly leans down and gives her lip a tender kiss, last night rushing into his mind and the hours they'd spend together just the two of them. It was almost as if she were irresistible... addictive to the point that no matter how much Chance said no to himself, he'd wind up returning affection anyway.

Drawing back, his grin emerges. "Now I know why the boss wouldn't approve. How can I look out for bad guys when my eyes are always on you?"


"Hey, that sounds all right." Phil smiles his approval of the work Rayne did.

"Listen, um..." He glances at his watch. "I don't have to be to work until later. I can leave and come back when they release you, or I can hang out here for a while too. I don't wanna crowd you though so... I'll leave that one up to you."

It's Ugly

Destiny listens to the story and her eyes grow a little wide. That must have been some fall if he should of died from it. It was an interesting story to say the least and Destiny was sure he had more to go with it.

Giving a shake of her head she looks at the scar and than looks back up at Chance again. Just studying him for a long moment. Deep into his eyes, trying to see past what was on the outside...those eyes she had looked into last night and still this morning looked the same to her and she liked it. Her voice a little on the soft side replys.

"I don't think It's ugly. Its a part of you, and who you are so there is nothing ugly about it."

Destiny runs her fingers softly along it again still looking up into Chance's eyes. She outlook on things, and people was much different than one would expect. Growing up with her family was different, but at the same time values were in place. Her father had always been one to make sure she new right and wrong no matter how funny it sounded with him being Agency.

"If anything if adds to you character, and gives a story to be told. It's...a battle scar."

Destiny leans into Chance a little bit pressing her other hand against his chest. He felt so warm, so soft, she felt silly being draw to him like this but it was just something she couldn't help. There was something different about Chance and the more time she spent with him, the more she wanted it to last.

Continuing to listen to Phil Rayne gives a nod of her head to show she was listing. Her eyes never seeming to leave Phil's. There was just something about him that made her comfortable not to mention his cute American accent was nice to listen to.

"My job isn't to grand ether but I don't mind it. I work the next town over at a place called Inter World Inc. Pretty much I do a bunch of shipping to company like Best Buy, Walmart, and other music and video games stores."

Giving another smile to Phil Rayne thought it was nice to be able to talk to someone diffent. She liked it, most of the people she worked with she would talk to but it was never anything to grand and she just kept to herself. But having Phil here now and talking with him was really nice.

Ugly

Feeling Destiny's hand on him, Chance stops and looks over his shoulder in question. Her light touch and soft kiss to the scar that now had no pain sent a tingle all the way down his arm and to his fingers. He'd always thought it to be an unattractive mark, certainly not deserving of a kiss. But Destiny soothed that fear away.

"That was a few years back," he answers quietly. Turning to face her again, he shrugs. "I was on this assignment with a buddy of mine. We were supposed to just observe - nothing more. The guys we were watching were in this cabin in the middle of a thick forest. Only way we could get a good view was to climb a couple pine trees. So we did." Chance shakes his head at the memory.

"We were all settled up high and I really don't know how we were spotted. But somehow we were. One of the guys took a shot at me." He shows Destiny another smaller scar on his side. "Just winged me, but it knocked me off balance."

Whistling like a dropped bomb, he gestures a nosedive with his hand. "I remember thinking there were an awfully lot of branches on my way down. Next thing I know, it's three days later and I'm in a hospital with my head all wrapped up and a bazillion stitches in my arm there. The buddy who had been with me - he'd gotten us out of the mess, but he said there was no way I should have survived that fall."

Chance shrugs again. "I 'should have died' a lot of places - Toby thinks I have nine lives. Anyway, I never climbed a tree again after that." He gives a little laugh. "It's an ugly thing, isn't it?" He looks at his scar again. If wearing a short-sleeved shirt, just the end of the scar was visible and most people didn't even notice.


"Mm-hmm." Phil nods, a little grin on his face from having won the 'I'll take you home' battle. "I work at a lumberyard. Not the greatest job in the world but it gets the bills paid so I can have play time with the band."

He cocks his head, his eye still on Rayne's face. "What about you?"

Kiss

Looking up at Chance Destiny's eyes glisten. She did have a bunch of energy this morning but after such a good night sleep how could she not be. Feeling his finger curl around her own made her own felt good, warm.

"Ok, I can finish putting this stuff on the table than we can eat. It wont take long."

Letting go of Chance's hand Destiny lets him turn to walk away but as he does she catches tight of some scars he bore and than intrigued her. Reaching out to stop him once again Destiny steps up close to him back. Reaching out her hand to his shoulder she let her finger travel down his arm tracing the scar that told a one time it was a bad one. But it seemed to add to his appeal. Leaning her head in she gives it a soft kiss.

"Where did you get this from?"

Giving a small chuckle at Phil's determination it was easy to see she wouldn't be able to get out of this one. She would of picked a taxi to but hated to spend the money on it when home really wasn't that far, so the only options was riding with Phil. He seemed nice enough and Rayne didn't feel uncomfortable around him.

"Ok, I'll let you drive me home since you insist."

Shifting a little in the bed Rayne can feel a little bit of color come to her cheeks. She didn't know if Phil meant it to be a flirt or not, but thats how she took it. Not that she minded to much it was kind of nice for someone to say she was pretty.

"I've lived in the US for four years, but I've only live here in Nevada for about half a year. So if you haven't noticed me I wouldn't blame ya. I try to keep a pretty low profile. I've never seen you other than concerts, do you work in town?"

Getting dressed

Phil chuckles and sits down in the chair, feeling a little more relaxed. Hearing Rayne say she'd walk home, his eyes narrow a little bit.

"You realize you telling me you're gonna walk just makes me all the more determined to make sure you don't have to, right?" He gives her a crooked grin. "You can accept a ride from me, or let me make sure you have a taxi."

Cocking his head, he studies her eyes... those same eyes that held just as much mystery as when he'd seen them at the accident. "Amazing you've lived so close and I don't ever remember seeing you. I don't know how I missed you."


With Destiny's hand resting softly on top of his own, Chance can feel an odd sort of lump rise in his throat. He'd just given himself a tough speech in front of the bathroom mirror, so why when he saw those eyes, that smile, and felt that touch, did all of his resistance fail? It certainly didn't seem fair, but who was to blame? Either Destiny had some kind of scheme to seduce him, or it was his own weak will. He figured it was the latter. But a weak will wasn't so bad... once in a while... right?

His thumb curls around so he's holding her hand too, giving it just a little squeeze. "Yeah... yeah, I slept alright. Didn't wake up in the night ten times like I usually do," he admits. "But maybe that had something to do with the 'electric blanket.'"

He gives her a teasing smile before looking over the food. "Mmm... this looks good. You're awfully motivated this morning - puts me to shame." He quirks an eyebrow and looks down at himself. "Um... how about you finish up here and I'll go finish getting dressed."

Don't you think.

Lost in cooking and softly humming to herself the mood wasnt broken till she heard Chance call her loudly. It broke her from her thoughts and made her jump. His voice was despite and it made her heart jolt as something was wrong.

Turning from the stove as he came into the kitchen and told her to stay put Destiny didn't even have time to take notice to him only being half dressed. Staying very still in the kitchen and listing to what was going on in the other room Destiny could feel the fear welling. They had finally found her. Would Chance be ok? What if they got past him? Knowing she was being silly about the whole thing Destiny slowly turns back to the food she was cooking. Though her hand was still shacking she did her best to consintrate on something else.

Placing some bacon onto a plate Destiny listens as the front door closes and Chance comes back into the kitchen. Hearing it was a mistake and everything was ok she relaxes a little. She was happy it was nothing more than a false alarm.

Turning a little Destiny looks over her shoulder now taking note to Chance standing there without his shirt on. Doing what she could not to let her mouth hang open she could feel the color coming to her face. Finally looking back to the food though so it didn't burn she clears her throat.

"Good Morning! Nothing to be sorry about. I figured we would both like "

Placing the eggs on the plat next along with some toast. Taking the plates and turning to the small island that was in the kitchen Destiny puts the plates down along with the cups of tea. Her hand softly brushing Chance's her fingers resting on top of his.

"I had the best sleep that night that I had in a long time. It defiantly was nice. How about yourself? Did you sleep ok?"

Giving a smile and seeing Phil felt a little awkward Rayne couldn't blame him, He didn't know anything about her so it was hard to try and find conversation.

"You can sit down if you like. I don't mind you occupied that chair over there. Looks kind of lonely there don't you think?"

Offering a soft nod to his question the smile never left Rayne's face. Sure she was in the hospital and she now had no car but at least she was alive still. That was more than she could ask for and for that she was thankful.

"Yeah, the Dr. said as long as for the next two house I don't have any complications I can leave today. Yeah I don't live to far from here. About three blocks. I can walk home once I can get out I don't want to bother you. You have already don't a great deal for me."

False alarm

Chance splashes water on his face after shaving, running his hand under his chin to make sure he's smooth. Pausing, he looks himself in the mirror for a moment. His mind was clearer now after showering, but yesterday still... baffled him. Why had he acted like he had? Why had he let down those walls? He shouldn't have. He shouldn't have let some girl get to him like that. It was ridiculous - he'd never done that before.

Sighing, he dries his face, his hair still shiny from being washed. Just in jeans and bare feet yet, he goes to finish dressing, but the flashing light by the door catches his attention. It was a warning light, connected to the security system. Even in the bathroom, he had to stay alert, and this time, something had crossed the barrier.

Leaving everything behind, Chance bolts from the bathroom. Racing into the living room, he skids around the desk in the corner grabbing his handgun. Whirling around, he sees Destiny is no longer on the couch and a chill runs down his spine. "Destiny?" he calls loudly.

Heading into the kitchen, he's relieved to see her. "Stay here," he orders.

Going back to the front of the house, he goes to the window by the door, looking around the curtain with caution. The doorbell rings. Chance didn't like the looks of the van or the man in uniform that had come.

Keeping his handgun up and cocked but out of sight, he barely opens the door. "Yeah?"

"Uh... delivery."

"For whom?"

The delivery man stammers a little in reaction to Chance's irritated tone. "Um, it, um... it's right here." He fumbles for the paper. "Mrs. Jane Hughes."

"Get out," Chance hisses.

"But-"

"There is no Mrs. Hughes here. Now leave before I call you in for trespassing."

The man's face grows pale. "But.. but his is two-twenty-seven, isn't it?"

Chance's eyes narrow and he points across the street. "Try the house with the rose bushes."

The man swallows hard, realizing his error. "I'm... I'm sorry. Thank you. Have a nice day."

Chance keeps a close eye on him as he gets back in his van and leaves, going across the street. It had been a legit delivery man, simply having lost his way. Letting out the breath he'd been holding, Chance closes the door and leans against it, uncocking his gun. Maybe he'd overreacted, but it was the first time anybody had come to the door, and he hadn't even been prepared. He needed to be more alert and quit dillydallying when he wasn't in the living room. He needed to get his head on straight, that was for sure.

Sighing again, he wanders back to the kitchen, gun still in hand. "Just a stupid delivery guy," he informs Destiny. "We're good."

Only now realizing that she'd actually been cooking and had apparently gotten up not long after he, a sheepish little smile curls his mouth. "Ah... good morning too, by the way." He bites his lip, hoping he hadn't scared her too much. "Sorry. Sleep alright?"


Seeing that Rayne really liked the flowers, Phil's smile widens, his eyes shining bright. "I'm glad you like them. Guess I didn't do so badly after all."

Standing just a little awkwardly, he shifts his weight, not really knowing what to say next. "Um... sounds like you won't need to stay here too long," he comments. "You... live close somewhere around here? I kinda hate to leave you if you don't have a way to get home."

Good choose!

Feeling the couch shift and than soft movements down the hall followed by water running Destiny squints as she opens her eyes slowly. Giving a stretch the pillow on the couch falls to the floor, sitting up slowly it felt like she had slept the best last night than she ever had.

For a moment everything that had happened yesterday was a fog, had she really made out with Chance, had they agreed to start something together if even only for a short while? Could she really let him go when it was over?

Standing and wondering into the kitchen Destiny stops at the sliding door to the back. Like a movie the events from the last night play in her mind and she can't help the smile that spread across her lips.

Giving a little shake of her head Destiny continues to the kitchen and grabs two coffee muds. Filling them both with water she makes some coffee for herself, and tea for Chance. Also taking out a few pans Destiny also starts up some eggs and bacon. She felt good, and it would be nice to make something for herself and Chance.

Sitting up in bed and more awake than she had been yesterday Rayne was still very sore, but it wasn't all that bad. The food that she was picking at however was. Hearing the knock at the door and looking up to see Phil standing in the door room and than enter a smile spreads across her lips. Putting the fork down she pushes the little tray out of the way.

"Good Morning Phil! I didn't think I'd see you again so soon. Not that I am complaining."

Rayne's smile grows a little more as she eyes the flowers that Phil had gotten for her. It had made her feel good knowing Phil had come to see her again but to see he had flowers too it made her feel so warm and her heart give a jump.

Taking the flowers and bringing them to her nose to smell the sweet sent of them Rayne looks up at Phil again as her eyes give a sparkle. Just looking into Phil's for a long moment and taking in his handsome features she finally speaks again.

"You did a great job in your choose. Daisies are my favorite flower and these ones are extra special. Thank you Phil, this means a lot. I think it will be nice to have a little color in here."

Setting the flowers down on the small table Rayne continues to smile up at Phil. She was ever thankful he had found her that day, and now he was here to see her again and that in itself brightened her day.

Just somebody

Chance murmurs into their kiss, enjoying Destiny's touch and her fingers softly combing through his hair. Drawing her closer, he deepens his kiss, but remains soft and gentle, slowly letting the feelings linger and and spread...

...Chance's eyes slowly open just a crack, taking in the dim glow in the living room as warm sunbeams shone through the window. He didn't even remember falling asleep, but he must have. It wasn't like him to do that, let alone not even prepare for bed. Had he not even changed out of his clothes? And man had he had vivid dreams. He hadn't really.... no, that wasn't... nahh...

Shifting just a little, he suddenly realizes that there is warmth and weight on top of him... behind him... both? What the...

He looks quickly, still a bit sleepily to see Destiny, his arm still around her as she lay with him on the couch. It hadn't been a dream. He really had been here with her last night as they'd kissed, spoken softly and laughed together.

As the fog lifts, he remembers them both being tired and finally just lying down to watch a movie on tv. Though Chance didn't remember turning it off. What he did remember was how Destiny had snuggled into his side and how warm and comfortable in had felt. He'd never thought he'd be able to sleep that closely to someone since he slept so lightly but apparently it was easier than he'd imagined.

What on this green earth did he think he was doing?

Almost afraid to move, lest he wake Destiny up now too, Chance's mind reels. How had this happened? One day he was just here on assignment to babysit, and the next, he was sitting here making out with that same assignment. No one had ever gotten him off track like that before. He'd always been able to stay focused. But Destiny... she... was different. From day one, he'd felt a connection, finding it easy to talk to her, comfort her and look out for her. He certainly hadn't intended anything else though. Soon as this job, he was out of here... right?

But after yesterday... that thought, it... it held less enthusiasm than it had before. Going home... he loved his apartment... he loved his place at the Elite base there... but... now... he... he liked Destiny. She made him feel... wanted.

He needed to think this through and get his head on straight. That's all there was to it.

Finally daring to move, Chance slips out from his place on the couch, moving a pillow down to replace his hip that Destiny's head had been resting on. Then going quickly, he gives the corner monitors a glance to make sure everything was still okay, then he heads down the hall to take a quick shower and get into clean clothes for the day.


Phil wanders down the hospital hall, letting his eyes roam around the open rooms and nurses and doctors he met along the way. He'd already inquired at the desk about who he was here to see so he knew right where to go.

Arriving at Rayne's room, he knocks on the open door, then enters, a soft smile on his face. Seeing her awake he approaches the bed slowly, not wanting to intrude or make her uncomfortable that he had come again.

"Hey, sunshine." He stops at the edge of the bed and produces a bouquet of daisies. "I didn't know what kind of flowers you liked, but the girl at the shop said everybody liked carnations. I told her these weren't for everybody, just somebody in particular, so I went for these instead."

He grins a little sheepishly. "Thought they might brighten your room up a bit."

O.o

So many feelings seemed to run through Destiny it was hard to sort them all out at once. In such a short time her feelings went from being leery around Chance, to telling him how it was, and now to something much deeper.

Feeling Chance's hand on her face Destiny leans into it. Feeling his hand brush over her skin, the tingle and warmth that seemed to linger where him fingers had been moments before. This was a nice feeling, this was what caring for someone was about.

As Chance's takes her hand and leads her back inside Destiny grabs her book and follows. His hand fitting nicely in hers as she curled her own fingers around his. To hold someone hand like this was different, but it felt good, and the care she felt for Chance was real no matter how short or long it was.

Sitting facing on the couch and getting comfortable so she could face Chance, Destiny returns the soft kiss. Feeling his breath on her skin as he brushed her lips, it made a slight murmur come from her throat as a signal she liked it.

Bringing her own hand up Chance's arm and to his neck Destiny wraps her fingers to the back as her fingers run slightly through his hair at the nap of his neck. Continuing to return the soft kiss, letting there lips touch, brush only to retreat again before coming in once more. There was no rushed, the softness was nice, and Destiny was enjoying every moment.