Watching Hope, Justin nods as she talks, studying her eyes and her movements. He could see the pain and he wished there was more he could do for her. He hoped as well that Scott would one day revive their relationship, but Hope was right - it was Scott's choice and his alone.
"You're welcome. And I'm sure everything will work out the way God intends. I'll...let you know how things progress." Justin hoped that he'd brought more good than bad by telling Hope about Scott. He thought he had. He knew she was sad, but he didn't think talking about Scott had upset her so that was good.
After leaving her office, it was finally time to leave TJY for the day. It wasn't a short drive back home, but the Elite was paying him well for working with Alec, and if he actually did some good too, then it was worth it. He wasn't convinced he'd be able to succeed with Alec, but he hoped so. He could see the good man behind the veil... it was just getting to it that was the problem.
Getting out to his car, Justin heads out of town. Driving gave him time to think, and after everything with Alec, Scott and Hope, he really didn't need anything else. But his mind didn't seem to care. It had one more thing for him to think about, and it was a situation that was still unresolved after too much time had passed. Maybe... maybe today was the day he should stop at his mother's house. He'd tried calling her several times lately but had only gotten the answering machine. He'd heard from someone else that she was fine, so he knew he shouldn't be worried, but it still bothered him to no end that she wouldn't have anything to do with him.
Eventually, he does find himself driving down the quiet street, only to stop at his mother's house and feel dismay. His brother's car sat in the driveway. Again. What was he doing here? How long had he been here? Why?
Justin's fingers grip the steering wheel until his knuckles turn white. Finally he drives away again. Today was not the day to try and get into that mess. The rest of the drive home was a tiring one and by the time Justin gets there, he just feels drained. Though the dogs were happy to see him, he pays little attention to them, letting them loose but then going inside the house. The couch was his destination and he flops down, holding a throw pillow tightly. Beth was coming over for supper tonight... he couldn't fall asleep... he just needed to rest his eyes... for a few minutes... Unfortunately, resting his eyes turned into sleep, and sleep turned into much longer than just a few minutes. He wouldn't even hear Beth's car pull up.
Eric sighs but nods at Angel's instructions. "Yeah, okay." He cringes as he's given the shot and is glad when it's over. "Thanks. I'm, um... gonna be around for a while probably so I'll have plenty of time to take it easy."
Able to get down off the table and put himself back together again, he waits for the painkillers and slips them in his pocket. "Yeah, I'll be back. If I don't show up, just send your husband after me or something." He gives Angel a weary sort of smirk. He was trying to be funny, even if he didn't feel like laughing right now. "See ya later... thanks again."
Exiting the office, he aims for his bunk again, but then glances to the dining hall. He saw a few people headed in that direction and he knew breakfast was probably just about ready by now. He hadn't planned on seeing too many people this morning but... maybe it would be better to just get the initial greetings over with, rather than prolonging the inevitable. Once everyone knew what happened, he could move on again, right?
Changing his route, he limps to the main building instead, slowly making his way inside where the smell of coffee makes his mouth water. A few waves are tossed in his direction... some hesitantly and some that proved word was spreading already. He's polite and returns the silent greetings before ambling to the kitchen. Pouring himself a cup of coffee, he finds a place to stand by the window alone for now.
Mick had just come in the back and spots Eric. His brother-in-law looked... tired... sad. It wasn't a happy picture at all. Mick had been angry at Eric at one point through the whole Dana thing but now... now that feeling had been replaced with pity.
Grabbing his own cup of coffee, he comes over to Eric and just stands quietly for a few moments. "Morning."
Eric fiddles with his coffee cup and nods. "Yeah." His eyes roam to the side to find Mick. He knew Rosetta would have told him everything. "Look, I... I'm sorry. I-"
Mick holds up his hand. "It's over. Water under the bridge."
"Yeah, but-"
"No buts. I'm fine. We're all fine. It's time to move on."
Eric bites his lip, feeling even more humbled. "I shouldn't have-"
"Eric." Mick turns to face him sternly but gently. "If you want to share your story sometime, you can. I don't mind. But we're not gonna stand around and discuss what we could have or should have done differently. Okay?"
Eric sighs deeply. "Yeah, okay. Your mouth alright?"
Mick rubs his jaw and grins a little. "Takes more than one punch to keep me down. That was so long ago, I forgot."
Eric's lips curl slightly and he looks down at his coffee before taking a sip. He could feel the tears wanting to come again... but not for himself. He was so overwhelmed to be a part of this family... a family that never held grudges... a family that was always forgiving. He was so undeserving.
The sound of the front door opening catches both men's attention. Eric looks to see a woman and a young girl entering. Who were they? Guest breakfast wasn't served until later... and he didn't recognize them as friends of the family.
"Hey." Mick touches Eric's shoulder. "Come here. You need to meet someone."
Eric shrugs and follows slowly, still favoring his leg and carrying his coffee with him. As they near, he continues to look at the woman. She looked... familiar. But he didn't know her, did he? Mick was introducing them, so it wasn't like Eric was supposed to know who she was. A few more steps though and it suddenly dawns on him. Stopping short, he spins around to put his back to them, his eyes going wide.
Mick stops with him, wondering what on earth was wrong. "Eric? What is it?"
"Who is that?" Eric hisses.
"Well that's why I'm introducing you." Mick furrows his brow in confusion. He looks over to catch Stacy's eye and nods to have her wait for a moment, signaling that he wanted her for something.
"Yeah but who is she?" Eric continues hoarsely and gestures with his hand, forgetting that he was holding his coffee. Out sloshes the hot liquid and straight onto Mick, soaking into both his jacket and shirt.
Mick jumps back, his eyes going wide. "Eric!"
Eric's face grows red and he grabs a napkin off a nearby table and tries to help, but Mick slaps his hands away. "I'm... I'm sorry."
"Give me that." Mick swipes what was left of Eric's coffee from his hand, and sets it on the table, cleaning up the mess himself. Rosetta was going to have fun getting this stain out of his shirt. At least his jacket had enough other stains on it that a little more would never be noticed. "That's our new security," he explains impatiently. "On account of Dylan. An extra pair of eyes - Reese sent her. Why?"
"Security? As in staying here? Living here?"
Mick was getting pretty frustrated by now and he sighs. "Yes. What is wrong with you?"
"You've got to be kidding me!"
"Eric!" Mick looks at him sternly. "What is wrong? Do you know her?"
Eric's eyes narrow. "In a manner of speaking."
"Well tell me about it later. For now, act your age and let me introduce you so she knows who you are and doesn't draw a gun on you."
"I wouldn't put it past her," Eric mutters.
"Come on." Mick grabs his arm and pulls him back en route. Finally approaching Stacy and Ashlee, Mick smiles, trying to act as though everything was fine. "Good morning," he greets. "I'd like you to meet my brother-in-law, Eric Pent. Eric, this is Stacy Cullen and her daughter Ashlee."
Eric forces a smile. Maybe Stacy wouldn't recognize him. She probably pulled over a bazillion people all the time - maybe she wouldn't remember he was the truck driver that gave her such a bad time. He reaches out his hand. "Hi. Nice to meet you." He looks next to Ashlee and offers her a handshake as well before glancing back to Stacy. "Mick says you're the new security around here?"
"We bear a heavy load,
Down a broken road.
And they don’t seem to understand,
Why we keep on trying.
But the best is yet to come.
We know it in our hearts.
So we just keep on pushing toward,
Our one-day perfect home.
They don’t understand why we,
Care to make a stand.
They don’t understand why we,
Lend a helping hand.
They’re blinded by the darkness,
While we hold the light.
Let’s show them the new way,
Give them new sight.
Help them understand."
Logan's voice rings out as the Cryptic concert continues. Axel sits a ways from the stage, keeping a close eye on everyone else and a close ear on the sound as his fingers continually tweak the output. Rocky's voice blends behind Logan's as he stands behind his keyboard. The song ends and another begins, this time with Rocky leading vocals.
"I don’t wanna see the change.
I don’t wanna recognize the uncertainty,
That clouds my mind.
I don’t wanna see the years.
I don’t wanna see the time,
That’s left me behind.
Come to me. Tell me it’ll be okay.
Hold me. Tell me I’m gonna shake this lie.
Speak to me. Tell me this won’t last forever.
Come to me. Tell me they’ll be brighter days."
Rocky's eyes roam out into the audience, but his eyes couldn't make out much through the bright lights. Cryptic wasn't often the main event anymore, but tonight they were, and it felt good.
"I don’t wanna see the rain.
I don’t wanna see the flood that’s rising,
Filling my soul.
I don’t wanna see the dark.
I don’t wanna see the lies,
That strike my heart.
Come to me. Tell me it’ll be okay.
Hold me. Tell me I’m gonna shake this lie.
Speak to me. Tell me this won’t last forever.
Come to me. Tell me they’ll be brighter days.
I don’t wanna face the world alone.
Come to me. I don’t wanna be the only one,
Fighting on the battle field.
Hold me. I don’t wanna take a stand alone.
Speak to me. I don’t wanna be the only one,
Crying in the night.
Come to me. Tell me it’ll be okay.
Hold me. Tell me I’m gonna shake this lie.
Speak to me. Tell me this won’t last forever.
Come to me. Tell me they’ll be brighter days."
Spotting Axel's thumbs up, Rocky grins as the song comes to a close. He usually got the spotlight once or twice during concerts... it wasn't what he sought, but it was kinda fun.
About halfway to the back, Quinn leans back in his seat by the aisle, cocking his head so he could see the stage. He could just make out the back of Axel's head, too. Ever since he'd decided to stay in town, the two brothers hadn't talked. Quinn wasn't sure if it was his lack of effort or if Axel really didn't want to have anything to do with him. Maybe it was just coincidence and busy schedules. Or maybe both brothers knew their last meeting had ended better than either expected, and neither wanted to ruin that. Even so, Quinn had decided to come here tonight and watch the concert. One, it was good music. Two, it was an excuse to hang out with Anastasia. And three, if the opportunity to see Axel presented itself, then maybe he'd be ready this time. He still wasn't convinced about Axel's innocence... but... too much had happened lately for him to deny at least the possibility.
Glancing to the side, he catches Anastasia's eye and grins. His hand crawls over to find hers and give it a squeeze. Most likely, she knew exactly what was running through his mind, and... he was okay with that.
3/19/11
3/18/11
Few days
Looking up from her desk and seeing Justin Hope gives a small little smile. She'd remembered him from at the hospitable before but now he was here and she wondered why.
"Hi Justin its good to see you again."
Standing and holding her hand out to Justin to give him a handshake Hope motions to one of the chairs to let him know he was more than welcome to sit and get comfortable. Even if he wasn't here for a counseling she still wanted him to be comfortable.
"What can I do for you?"
Cocking her head a little bit as Justin starts to talk Hope's smile seemed to change a little. She was happy Scott was doing well but it still made her sad at the thought that she was no longer his. She missed him, and missed being able to know when Scott got out, they were still together. But Hope did her best not to seem upset and to listen to Justin. It was nice knowing Scott was ok.
"It's good to hear Scott is progressing Justin. I had hoped he would, and would be able to leave Brookshire soon. We even hope that in due time he will return here to work. Everyone miss him yet we know..that is his choose and no matter what we would stand behind him."
Giving a sigh and leaning back in her chair Hope thinks for a long moment about what Justin said about the fire in his eye and how he hoped it would return one day. She could only hope the same. She like it to be because of her but she new that is was Scott's choose now...and she would be waiting.
"I can only hope that Scott will let the fire return to him. After his letter...I know I can't push for it. It needs to be on his term but when and if he does I will be waiting. After being with Scott and knowing the feelings I have for him I can't see myself with anyone else."
Leaning back in her chair a little bit and looking back at Justin Hope's eyes roam his face. She new Scott would no longer be the same, but he would still be her Scotty even if they had to get to know each other all over again. After her own near death experience she felt as thought she was different not too. Maybe all in all...this was a good thing and God's way of bring them back together before they were torn apart.
"Thank you again Justin I do appreciate you keeping me informed and as much as I know what I want, I hope it works out how God has intended it."
Looking up as Eric enters her office Angel gives a smile. She had a hunch that Eric might come to see her. Rosetta had filled her in that Eric had hurt his leg and might need a visit if he didn't come to see her. Seeing he came on his own though so so much easier than having to go track him down and than dealing with what might happen from Rosetta telling her.
"Hey Eric, its nice to see you like always and its definitely not to early. Not around here anyways."
Standing and going over to Eric she lays a hand on his arm before going to the table and patting it for him to sit down. She wanted to take a look at his leg before giving him anything.
"Hope up here. I want to take a look at you leg before I give you anything. I want to make sure you didn't damage it any worse before I dull the pain on you."
One he was up on the table Angel set to work trying to make it quick for Eric as she examined it. Poking, pushing and prodding it she new it couldn't feel good, but she had to do it to check and make sure what was damaged, torn, or just swollen.
Once finished Angel gives a nod to Eric before going back to the counter and prepping a syringe. Eric would be ok, that was a good thing. He's just be sore for a little while.
"Eric...your going to make it. You just twisted and bruised it pretty good again. I'm going to give you a cortisone shot to try and get rid of some of the swelling. I want you to take it easy and not move to much, ice it, and take some hot bath's to keep the muscle relaxed. Also going to give you some pain killers too but not to many. In a few days I want you to come back and see me again...ok?"
"Hi Justin its good to see you again."
Standing and holding her hand out to Justin to give him a handshake Hope motions to one of the chairs to let him know he was more than welcome to sit and get comfortable. Even if he wasn't here for a counseling she still wanted him to be comfortable.
"What can I do for you?"
Cocking her head a little bit as Justin starts to talk Hope's smile seemed to change a little. She was happy Scott was doing well but it still made her sad at the thought that she was no longer his. She missed him, and missed being able to know when Scott got out, they were still together. But Hope did her best not to seem upset and to listen to Justin. It was nice knowing Scott was ok.
"It's good to hear Scott is progressing Justin. I had hoped he would, and would be able to leave Brookshire soon. We even hope that in due time he will return here to work. Everyone miss him yet we know..that is his choose and no matter what we would stand behind him."
Giving a sigh and leaning back in her chair Hope thinks for a long moment about what Justin said about the fire in his eye and how he hoped it would return one day. She could only hope the same. She like it to be because of her but she new that is was Scott's choose now...and she would be waiting.
"I can only hope that Scott will let the fire return to him. After his letter...I know I can't push for it. It needs to be on his term but when and if he does I will be waiting. After being with Scott and knowing the feelings I have for him I can't see myself with anyone else."
Leaning back in her chair a little bit and looking back at Justin Hope's eyes roam his face. She new Scott would no longer be the same, but he would still be her Scotty even if they had to get to know each other all over again. After her own near death experience she felt as thought she was different not too. Maybe all in all...this was a good thing and God's way of bring them back together before they were torn apart.
"Thank you again Justin I do appreciate you keeping me informed and as much as I know what I want, I hope it works out how God has intended it."
Looking up as Eric enters her office Angel gives a smile. She had a hunch that Eric might come to see her. Rosetta had filled her in that Eric had hurt his leg and might need a visit if he didn't come to see her. Seeing he came on his own though so so much easier than having to go track him down and than dealing with what might happen from Rosetta telling her.
"Hey Eric, its nice to see you like always and its definitely not to early. Not around here anyways."
Standing and going over to Eric she lays a hand on his arm before going to the table and patting it for him to sit down. She wanted to take a look at his leg before giving him anything.
"Hope up here. I want to take a look at you leg before I give you anything. I want to make sure you didn't damage it any worse before I dull the pain on you."
One he was up on the table Angel set to work trying to make it quick for Eric as she examined it. Poking, pushing and prodding it she new it couldn't feel good, but she had to do it to check and make sure what was damaged, torn, or just swollen.
Once finished Angel gives a nod to Eric before going back to the counter and prepping a syringe. Eric would be ok, that was a good thing. He's just be sore for a little while.
"Eric...your going to make it. You just twisted and bruised it pretty good again. I'm going to give you a cortisone shot to try and get rid of some of the swelling. I want you to take it easy and not move to much, ice it, and take some hot bath's to keep the muscle relaxed. Also going to give you some pain killers too but not to many. In a few days I want you to come back and see me again...ok?"
Guilt
Tal wasn't expecting Ryan to pull him back down, but he lets her and a smile spreads on his lips. Her sleepy words made him feel good. He was doing what he set out to do and succeeding at helping her feel better. And lunch... would be a bonus.
He chuckles and pulls the blanket up a little further for her. "Lunch it is." Knowing that Ryan was almost in a world of dreams again, he backs away slowly, then leaves her room, shutting the door quietly behind him.
Having Rosetta come up behind him in the kitchen, Mick smiles. Turning around and sliding his arms over her shoulders, he rocks side to side. "Mmm... probably. But I have a bad memory, so I like hearing it again." Leaning in, he gives her lips a soft kiss.
The microwave beeps and he glances over his shoulder. "That would be the hot water, ready for a tea bag of your choice. I thought we'd keep the couch company for a while." What he really wanted was to just sit up and talk about their day... about Stacy... about Dylan... and he wanted to know what she learned about Eric too.
So talk they did... quietly and comfortably on the couch. It was their time together to wind down and they talked about everything from Dylan to a horse being trained, to fixing fences, to Eric. And when they did get to Eric, Mick wasn't surprised to hear what Dana had done, but it did make him sad to know that Eric had to go through that. While part of him knew Eric had been unwise to begin with, he wouldn't wish that kind of punishment on anyone, so he did feel compassion. And part of him... was glad Dana was gone. Eric would survive and he'd be better off without someone like that.
By the time Mick and Rosetta headed to bed, it was late, but peaceful. The night hours of rest were welcomed.
As the sun sets, so too must it rise. As life turns and twists and brings both good and bad, so too must it continue.
Eric slowly limps towards Angel's office. It was early enough that breakfast hadn't yet been served, but late enough that chores were being done, providing a clear shot to Angel's without having to see anyone else yet. Eric's leg hurt... a lot. It seemed to have gotten even more stiff overnight, and he regretted not taking the hot bath he'd been tempted with before bed the night before. It hurt from above his knee to his hip... right where he injured it before, so he knew he must have just bashed it really good when he'd fallen. He'd probably bruised it pretty good since it was a weak spot now anyway. Angel could probably just give him some pain killers and something for the inflammation and he'd be good to go again.
Knocking on the office door, he waits, then slips inside. He knew she was an early riser so it was a pretty safe bet she'd be in. And she was.
Giving Angel a crooked little smile and a brief wave, he greets her. As silly as it was, he hoped she wouldn't notice he'd been gone for so long and was now back. "Hi, Angel." He clears his throat. "Sorry to barge in on ya this early, but, um, I was just wonderin' if you had any pain killers or something. I sorta bumped this leg of mine and it isn't too happy with me right now."
"Oh come on." Alec sits in the corner of his cot with his knees up to his chest. He rolls his eyes as he sees Justin enter the little room. "I thought I'd finally gotten rid of you."
Justin grins and leans back against the table, half-sitting on the edge. "Takes a whole lot more than your bad attitude to keep me away." Since Alec's confession that he'd thought of Ryan when gone, sessions hadn't been going well. Justin holds out a styrofoam cup. "Lemonade?"
Alec's mouth waters. He'd been dying for some lemons. Giving in, he stands up and accepts the drink without a thanks. The sour flavor makes his eyes squint just a little, but it was the best thing he'd tasted since being brought back here. "How'd you know?"
Justin shrugs. "Someone told me about the Agency drug and how it dulls the tastebuds. Thought by now you could use a little something that you could taste."
"Yeah." Alec sits back down on his cot. "So what are you gonna dig for today?"
"Oh, I don't know. How about we get right down to the guilt?"
"Ha! What guilt? You know dang well that I turned myself over to the Agency - the only thing I could be guilty about now is letting you people keep me alive just to hold me prisoner."
"You admitted guilt about Yvette."
"That was then. This is now."
Had they actually taken a step backward? Justin sighs. "How about I tell you my theory and we'll go from there?"
Alec shrugs. "Go for it. Not like I gotta be anywhere."
Justin starts to pace slowly, opting to stay on his feet, rather than sit - Alec was still unstable and if Justin said anything he didn't like, he preferred to not be sitting down. "Alright. First off, I think the intentions you started out with are true and are the real you. You entered back into the Agency and did things that you despised, for the sake of others. Whether or not there were better options, you did what you thought was best. Wrong or right - indifferent - your intentions were to keep people safe. But then something changed. You surrendered. No matter if you were pushed towards it or not, in the end, it was your own choice. You surrendered to the Agency, body and soul. But that's not yet when your guilt began."
He walks a little more, mulling things over. Sometimes it was better to let the client say things on their own... but in this case, he wanted to see more reactions than hear a story he already knew. Alec was stubborn and he probably wouldn't admit things on his own. But if he heard it and could digest it, it might do some good. So he continues.
"No, your guilt began when you started to enjoy bits and pieces of what was happening. Maybe you despised being manipulated by the Underground and the Agency... but you still had a fresh feeling of freedom didn't you? Maybe your heart despised what you were doing with Yvette... but did your body? Maybe you knew getting back on the drug was stupid... but getting that rush of feeling as though you could conquer the world felt good, didn't it?"
Alec swallows hard and finds himself unwilling to look Justin in the eye anymore. This was stupid. This whole thing was just plain stupid. The feelings that were stirring inside of him right now... they shouldn't exist at all. "Enough," he states tersely.
But Justin wasn't finished. "That's when you realized that what had started out as trying to save lives had turned into something you wanted... something you enjoyed. You were partaking of the forbidden fruit and there was a part of you that liked it - you liked it enough that you actually wanted to stay with the Agency. Not because the Underground wanted you to, but because it felt good and you were tired of being under the Elite's thumb."
"Stop it!" Alec glares up at him. "Just shut up already. You don't know what you're talking about so just... just go away."
Justin shakes his head slowly. "And that's why you stepped in front of a bullet. Because you knew it wasn't right for you to be enjoying where you were. Killing people... you knew it was wrong, but it was a thrill. Being with Yvette... you knew it was wrong, but it felt good. Everything gave you an adrenaline rush and a wave of guilt at the same time and you just didn't want to deal with it anymore - so you figured you'd just take the easy way out and let someone else kill you and be done with it."
"I said stop it!" Alec stands swiftly and slams Justin back against the wall, pinning him with his forearm. Glaring, he just stares him in the eye for several tense moments. "You have no idea what I went through," he hisses. His shoulder and chest scream at him to relax, but he ignores the pain. "Just because you think you're some high and mighty shrink doesn't give you the right to come in here and spew what you think is my life's story."
Justin remains calm and doesn't fight back. "The truth can hurt, Alec. But make no mistake - it's still the truth, and the truth is the only thing that's gonna save you from the miserable pit you've got yourself in."
Slowly, slowly, Alec releases Justin, though his glare remains. "And what gives you the right to say you know what the truth is?"
"If I'm wrong, tell me. If you have a different story, please share. If what I've said is not the truth, then tell me what the truth is."
But Alec couldn't. He couldn't deny the things Justin had said, because... they really were true. He'd fought it, he'd hid it, he'd tried to ignore it. But somehow Justin had figured it all out and Alec simply couldn't deny it.
"Alec!" Hal bursts through the door, having seen the little scuffle on the security camera. "Back off."
More from fear of being put back in handcuffs than willingness to obey, Alec takes a step or two backward, giving Justin a clear route to the door.
Justin waves off Hal. "It's okay. We were just having a little chat. And I was just leaving." He throws Alec a parting glance. "I'll see you soon." Exiting the small room, he takes a deep breath, but doesn't take time to stop and regroup. He'd have to do that later. Heading upstairs and down the hall, he starts to pass by one of the offices, but then stops. He'd had this on his mind for a while now, and though he hadn't acted on it, it still bugged him. Maybe he shouldn't but... if it helped at all...
"Hey, Hope?" Justin knocks lightly on the open door, not stepping into her office until invited. He studies her for a moment and offers a warm smile. He might not talk to her much when he came to work with Alec, but he observed a lot, and even if he never said so, he felt a twinge of compassion every time he saw her. Though she wore a smile and was working the best she could, there was a sadness in her eye that Justin could see and he knew why it was there.
He clears his throat and hooks his hands in his jeans pockets. "I, um... I'm sure I'm breaking some kind of rules or something, but as you probably know about me, that hasn't stopped me in the past." His mouth forms a new wry grin. "Anyway, I guess I just wanted to let you know that Scott's doing alright. I... kinda imagined you didn't get news from anyone else and I suppose if I were in your position, I'd be feeling a bit left out of the loop."
He nods a little, shifting is weight from one foot to the other. "He's taken some very good steps forward with learning to control the Agency data. Still having nightmares, but otherwise, he's starting to be able to deflect the intel pretty regularly now when it's thrown at him. Physically he's... doing okay. It doesn't look like his eating disorder is going to go away - one of the doctors said it has to do more with how his brain is processing the need for food. He just doesn't ever feel hungry, and he still has a hard time keeping things down when he does eat. They're experimenting with some different diet options for him to see if anything will help." Justin pauses and nods again with reassurance. "The good news is that he hasn't been resisting the help."
Biting his lip, he's unsure if he should say any more or not, but something prompts him to keep going. "The... the only thing that still worries me is when I look in his eye and I see no life." His gaze roams Hope's face. "He wants to get out of Brookshire so he's finally fighting to make it happen but... there's just something missing... like a fire has somehow died out. And I just hope that one day... that fire will be rekindled."
His eyes stop directly on Hope's. He knew she would know he was talking about her relationship - or lack thereof - with Scott. "And I believe that fire has a good chance to return... but it's just gonna take a lot of time and a whole lot of patience." He didn't know if Hope would want that again... he didn't know if she'd want to put herself through trying to regain a relationship with Scott - a man that was no longer the same as he had been. Justin didn't know. But he felt he was right in telling her that he felt there was a chance, should she want it. Scott never spoke of her, but that didn't mean Justin didn't see the longing down deep.
He chuckles and pulls the blanket up a little further for her. "Lunch it is." Knowing that Ryan was almost in a world of dreams again, he backs away slowly, then leaves her room, shutting the door quietly behind him.
Having Rosetta come up behind him in the kitchen, Mick smiles. Turning around and sliding his arms over her shoulders, he rocks side to side. "Mmm... probably. But I have a bad memory, so I like hearing it again." Leaning in, he gives her lips a soft kiss.
The microwave beeps and he glances over his shoulder. "That would be the hot water, ready for a tea bag of your choice. I thought we'd keep the couch company for a while." What he really wanted was to just sit up and talk about their day... about Stacy... about Dylan... and he wanted to know what she learned about Eric too.
So talk they did... quietly and comfortably on the couch. It was their time together to wind down and they talked about everything from Dylan to a horse being trained, to fixing fences, to Eric. And when they did get to Eric, Mick wasn't surprised to hear what Dana had done, but it did make him sad to know that Eric had to go through that. While part of him knew Eric had been unwise to begin with, he wouldn't wish that kind of punishment on anyone, so he did feel compassion. And part of him... was glad Dana was gone. Eric would survive and he'd be better off without someone like that.
By the time Mick and Rosetta headed to bed, it was late, but peaceful. The night hours of rest were welcomed.
As the sun sets, so too must it rise. As life turns and twists and brings both good and bad, so too must it continue.
Eric slowly limps towards Angel's office. It was early enough that breakfast hadn't yet been served, but late enough that chores were being done, providing a clear shot to Angel's without having to see anyone else yet. Eric's leg hurt... a lot. It seemed to have gotten even more stiff overnight, and he regretted not taking the hot bath he'd been tempted with before bed the night before. It hurt from above his knee to his hip... right where he injured it before, so he knew he must have just bashed it really good when he'd fallen. He'd probably bruised it pretty good since it was a weak spot now anyway. Angel could probably just give him some pain killers and something for the inflammation and he'd be good to go again.
Knocking on the office door, he waits, then slips inside. He knew she was an early riser so it was a pretty safe bet she'd be in. And she was.
Giving Angel a crooked little smile and a brief wave, he greets her. As silly as it was, he hoped she wouldn't notice he'd been gone for so long and was now back. "Hi, Angel." He clears his throat. "Sorry to barge in on ya this early, but, um, I was just wonderin' if you had any pain killers or something. I sorta bumped this leg of mine and it isn't too happy with me right now."
"Oh come on." Alec sits in the corner of his cot with his knees up to his chest. He rolls his eyes as he sees Justin enter the little room. "I thought I'd finally gotten rid of you."
Justin grins and leans back against the table, half-sitting on the edge. "Takes a whole lot more than your bad attitude to keep me away." Since Alec's confession that he'd thought of Ryan when gone, sessions hadn't been going well. Justin holds out a styrofoam cup. "Lemonade?"
Alec's mouth waters. He'd been dying for some lemons. Giving in, he stands up and accepts the drink without a thanks. The sour flavor makes his eyes squint just a little, but it was the best thing he'd tasted since being brought back here. "How'd you know?"
Justin shrugs. "Someone told me about the Agency drug and how it dulls the tastebuds. Thought by now you could use a little something that you could taste."
"Yeah." Alec sits back down on his cot. "So what are you gonna dig for today?"
"Oh, I don't know. How about we get right down to the guilt?"
"Ha! What guilt? You know dang well that I turned myself over to the Agency - the only thing I could be guilty about now is letting you people keep me alive just to hold me prisoner."
"You admitted guilt about Yvette."
"That was then. This is now."
Had they actually taken a step backward? Justin sighs. "How about I tell you my theory and we'll go from there?"
Alec shrugs. "Go for it. Not like I gotta be anywhere."
Justin starts to pace slowly, opting to stay on his feet, rather than sit - Alec was still unstable and if Justin said anything he didn't like, he preferred to not be sitting down. "Alright. First off, I think the intentions you started out with are true and are the real you. You entered back into the Agency and did things that you despised, for the sake of others. Whether or not there were better options, you did what you thought was best. Wrong or right - indifferent - your intentions were to keep people safe. But then something changed. You surrendered. No matter if you were pushed towards it or not, in the end, it was your own choice. You surrendered to the Agency, body and soul. But that's not yet when your guilt began."
He walks a little more, mulling things over. Sometimes it was better to let the client say things on their own... but in this case, he wanted to see more reactions than hear a story he already knew. Alec was stubborn and he probably wouldn't admit things on his own. But if he heard it and could digest it, it might do some good. So he continues.
"No, your guilt began when you started to enjoy bits and pieces of what was happening. Maybe you despised being manipulated by the Underground and the Agency... but you still had a fresh feeling of freedom didn't you? Maybe your heart despised what you were doing with Yvette... but did your body? Maybe you knew getting back on the drug was stupid... but getting that rush of feeling as though you could conquer the world felt good, didn't it?"
Alec swallows hard and finds himself unwilling to look Justin in the eye anymore. This was stupid. This whole thing was just plain stupid. The feelings that were stirring inside of him right now... they shouldn't exist at all. "Enough," he states tersely.
But Justin wasn't finished. "That's when you realized that what had started out as trying to save lives had turned into something you wanted... something you enjoyed. You were partaking of the forbidden fruit and there was a part of you that liked it - you liked it enough that you actually wanted to stay with the Agency. Not because the Underground wanted you to, but because it felt good and you were tired of being under the Elite's thumb."
"Stop it!" Alec glares up at him. "Just shut up already. You don't know what you're talking about so just... just go away."
Justin shakes his head slowly. "And that's why you stepped in front of a bullet. Because you knew it wasn't right for you to be enjoying where you were. Killing people... you knew it was wrong, but it was a thrill. Being with Yvette... you knew it was wrong, but it felt good. Everything gave you an adrenaline rush and a wave of guilt at the same time and you just didn't want to deal with it anymore - so you figured you'd just take the easy way out and let someone else kill you and be done with it."
"I said stop it!" Alec stands swiftly and slams Justin back against the wall, pinning him with his forearm. Glaring, he just stares him in the eye for several tense moments. "You have no idea what I went through," he hisses. His shoulder and chest scream at him to relax, but he ignores the pain. "Just because you think you're some high and mighty shrink doesn't give you the right to come in here and spew what you think is my life's story."
Justin remains calm and doesn't fight back. "The truth can hurt, Alec. But make no mistake - it's still the truth, and the truth is the only thing that's gonna save you from the miserable pit you've got yourself in."
Slowly, slowly, Alec releases Justin, though his glare remains. "And what gives you the right to say you know what the truth is?"
"If I'm wrong, tell me. If you have a different story, please share. If what I've said is not the truth, then tell me what the truth is."
But Alec couldn't. He couldn't deny the things Justin had said, because... they really were true. He'd fought it, he'd hid it, he'd tried to ignore it. But somehow Justin had figured it all out and Alec simply couldn't deny it.
"Alec!" Hal bursts through the door, having seen the little scuffle on the security camera. "Back off."
More from fear of being put back in handcuffs than willingness to obey, Alec takes a step or two backward, giving Justin a clear route to the door.
Justin waves off Hal. "It's okay. We were just having a little chat. And I was just leaving." He throws Alec a parting glance. "I'll see you soon." Exiting the small room, he takes a deep breath, but doesn't take time to stop and regroup. He'd have to do that later. Heading upstairs and down the hall, he starts to pass by one of the offices, but then stops. He'd had this on his mind for a while now, and though he hadn't acted on it, it still bugged him. Maybe he shouldn't but... if it helped at all...
"Hey, Hope?" Justin knocks lightly on the open door, not stepping into her office until invited. He studies her for a moment and offers a warm smile. He might not talk to her much when he came to work with Alec, but he observed a lot, and even if he never said so, he felt a twinge of compassion every time he saw her. Though she wore a smile and was working the best she could, there was a sadness in her eye that Justin could see and he knew why it was there.
He clears his throat and hooks his hands in his jeans pockets. "I, um... I'm sure I'm breaking some kind of rules or something, but as you probably know about me, that hasn't stopped me in the past." His mouth forms a new wry grin. "Anyway, I guess I just wanted to let you know that Scott's doing alright. I... kinda imagined you didn't get news from anyone else and I suppose if I were in your position, I'd be feeling a bit left out of the loop."
He nods a little, shifting is weight from one foot to the other. "He's taken some very good steps forward with learning to control the Agency data. Still having nightmares, but otherwise, he's starting to be able to deflect the intel pretty regularly now when it's thrown at him. Physically he's... doing okay. It doesn't look like his eating disorder is going to go away - one of the doctors said it has to do more with how his brain is processing the need for food. He just doesn't ever feel hungry, and he still has a hard time keeping things down when he does eat. They're experimenting with some different diet options for him to see if anything will help." Justin pauses and nods again with reassurance. "The good news is that he hasn't been resisting the help."
Biting his lip, he's unsure if he should say any more or not, but something prompts him to keep going. "The... the only thing that still worries me is when I look in his eye and I see no life." His gaze roams Hope's face. "He wants to get out of Brookshire so he's finally fighting to make it happen but... there's just something missing... like a fire has somehow died out. And I just hope that one day... that fire will be rekindled."
His eyes stop directly on Hope's. He knew she would know he was talking about her relationship - or lack thereof - with Scott. "And I believe that fire has a good chance to return... but it's just gonna take a lot of time and a whole lot of patience." He didn't know if Hope would want that again... he didn't know if she'd want to put herself through trying to regain a relationship with Scott - a man that was no longer the same as he had been. Justin didn't know. But he felt he was right in telling her that he felt there was a chance, should she want it. Scott never spoke of her, but that didn't mean Justin didn't see the longing down deep.
3/17/11
Thank you
Pulling away from the hug Rosetta trys to give her brother the best smile she can. She felt so bad for her brother and she wished she had words to tell him but nothing she could think of seemed good enough.
"Alright I will let you be. If that knee doesn't get better have Angel take a look. I love you bro. Welcome home."
Standing and heading out Rosetta stops at the door turning to look at her brother again before turning and heading out again. Moving across the yard Rosetta thinks of many things her mind on her brother the most. Looking at her watch to see what time it was she new Mick would have just finished putting BJ to bed.
Entering the house and looking into the kitchen Rosetta see Mick and for a long moment she just watches him before coming in. Bringing her hands around his wast she leans her head on Mick's shoulder giving his back a kiss.
"Did I ever tell you how much I loved you?"
Feeling Tal move a little big Ryan gives a sleepy little mermer but doesn't open her eyes but holds on to Tal. Had she heard Eli's voice? Was he home? Maybe this all was a dream and Ryan was still tucked comfortable in Tal's arms on the couch.
Dozing again in his arms Ryan doesn't slightly wake till she is laying on her bed. Opening her eyes just a little as a blanket goes over her and Tal comes down to kiss her Ryan wraps her arms around his neck and pulls him close to her giving him a kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you Tal."
Ryan's whisper was soft in his ear. As she just continued to hug him for a long moment taking a deep breath and taking in his sweet smell to remember in her own mind. She was half a sleep but it was a smell she would remember forever.
"Thank you Tal for spending the night with me, and for being wonderful. Tomorrow....maybe we can do lunch."
Leaning down again and letting her head sink into the pillow Ryan's face wore a smile. Tonight had been a good night full of laughter and fun. Being with Tal was so peaceful how could she not enjoy spending time with him.
With in mintues of setting her head on the pillow Ryan was out again dreams of what was to come through her head.
"Alright I will let you be. If that knee doesn't get better have Angel take a look. I love you bro. Welcome home."
Standing and heading out Rosetta stops at the door turning to look at her brother again before turning and heading out again. Moving across the yard Rosetta thinks of many things her mind on her brother the most. Looking at her watch to see what time it was she new Mick would have just finished putting BJ to bed.
Entering the house and looking into the kitchen Rosetta see Mick and for a long moment she just watches him before coming in. Bringing her hands around his wast she leans her head on Mick's shoulder giving his back a kiss.
"Did I ever tell you how much I loved you?"
Feeling Tal move a little big Ryan gives a sleepy little mermer but doesn't open her eyes but holds on to Tal. Had she heard Eli's voice? Was he home? Maybe this all was a dream and Ryan was still tucked comfortable in Tal's arms on the couch.
Dozing again in his arms Ryan doesn't slightly wake till she is laying on her bed. Opening her eyes just a little as a blanket goes over her and Tal comes down to kiss her Ryan wraps her arms around his neck and pulls him close to her giving him a kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you Tal."
Ryan's whisper was soft in his ear. As she just continued to hug him for a long moment taking a deep breath and taking in his sweet smell to remember in her own mind. She was half a sleep but it was a smell she would remember forever.
"Thank you Tal for spending the night with me, and for being wonderful. Tomorrow....maybe we can do lunch."
Leaning down again and letting her head sink into the pillow Ryan's face wore a smile. Tonight had been a good night full of laughter and fun. Being with Tal was so peaceful how could she not enjoy spending time with him.
With in mintues of setting her head on the pillow Ryan was out again dreams of what was to come through her head.
3/15/11
Goodnight
Having Rosetta hug him, Eric didn't respond at first. But slowly, he returns her hug, his head going to her shoulder. A deep sigh follows as he tries to believe her words. He was so sorry... he felt so stupid... and he knew he was depressed over the whole thing. Tears enter his eyes but he holds them back. He'd cried enough by himself - he didn't need to do that in front of Rosetta too.
Pulling back, he's brave enough to look her in the eye. "Thanks. I know there's plenty else you could say but... thanks for not making me feel any more an idiot than I already do."
He sighs again before glancing to the window then back. "I think... I'll see the others tomorrow. I haven't had a good night sleep in a few weeks and I should probably keep my leg up a while." He knew that Rosetta would tell at least Mick about all this... and maybe he'd prefer it that way so he wouldn't have to repeat his story as many times.
"I, um... I'll see you tomorrow too." He didn't want to dismiss his sister, but there wasn't a whole lot else he could say right now. He might talk more about this at another time, but right now... right now, he just wanted to rest and forget for a few hours until the sun came up again.
Dylan cocks his head and though he doesn't respond to Ashlee, he does watch her as she leaves. For a kid, she seemed to have some pretty deep things to say. Or at least he took them that way. Whether she knew it or not, she was making him think. Sometimes he didn't like that but... he was pretty sure she didn't mean any harm, and she didn't seem the type to want him to feel stupid or tell him what to do. She just seemed... to innocently share her thoughts.
Still watching her, he leans his head against the porch railing. He didn't want to assume anything, but he wondered if maybe she liked him in a kid sort of way. He guessed he didn't mind. She seemed nice enough. And hey... if he got a friend out of this whole thing, that would be one less reason to be irritated with Stacy's presence, right? Ashlee was pretty smart though... and Dylan wasn't. Or at least he didn't think he was. When she found that out, would she really want to be spending time with him? Then again, she was the one talking about enjoying the ride. If she really had that perspective, maybe she saw him as a new kind of adventure.
Shaking his head, Dylan finally gets up to take his dishes inside. He'd return them to the dining hall to wash them in the morning. Or...
He turns and looks to the dining hall. After a moment, he steps down off his porch. Maybe he'd take his dishes back now and say hi to Dan while he was there.
Eli wanders into the dim apartment and throws his keys off to the side before shedding his jacket. Ambling into the living room, he's about to loudly proclaim his entrance just to annoy his sister, but as he sees Tal look his way and put a finger to his lips, he stops.
Coming closer, more carefully, he cocks his head, then grins. Ryan looked so comfortable and peaceful, curled up on Tal's lap. "How long she been out?" he whispers.
Tal grins. "Almost a whole movie ago."
Eli chuckles softly. "I thought you woulda been gone home by now."
"I didn't have the heart to move her."
Eli smiles and shakes his head. "If she ever finds out how badly she's got you wrapped around her little finger, she'll-"
"Probably just wrap me around another one."
Eli laughs again. "You big softy."
Tal just grins. "I do need to get home... but I didn't want to move her until you were here... didn't want her waking up to a quiet house."
"Awww." Eli bats his eyes. "You're too sweet."
"And you're a pain in the butt."
"I am. But you have to admit I'm pretty good at it."
Tal just smirks, even though humor twinkles in his eyes. Looking down at Ryan, he knew he really did need to leave. Poor Holly hadn't been let out since this afternoon. Keeping one arm around Ryan while slipping the other under her legs, he easily stands up while keeping her in his arms. "Her room is down the hall, right?" he whispers.
"Yeah." Eli thumbs towards the hallway. "After the bathroom."
Tal nods and heads in that direction. Getting to her bedroom, he nudges the door open with his foot, then carries her to her bed. Setting her down gently so her head was on a pillow, he squints in the dark to find a blanket and pull it up over her. His hand brushes her cheek and he leans down to kiss her forehead. "Goodnight, Ryan," he says softly. "Sweet dreams."
Pulling back, he's brave enough to look her in the eye. "Thanks. I know there's plenty else you could say but... thanks for not making me feel any more an idiot than I already do."
He sighs again before glancing to the window then back. "I think... I'll see the others tomorrow. I haven't had a good night sleep in a few weeks and I should probably keep my leg up a while." He knew that Rosetta would tell at least Mick about all this... and maybe he'd prefer it that way so he wouldn't have to repeat his story as many times.
"I, um... I'll see you tomorrow too." He didn't want to dismiss his sister, but there wasn't a whole lot else he could say right now. He might talk more about this at another time, but right now... right now, he just wanted to rest and forget for a few hours until the sun came up again.
Dylan cocks his head and though he doesn't respond to Ashlee, he does watch her as she leaves. For a kid, she seemed to have some pretty deep things to say. Or at least he took them that way. Whether she knew it or not, she was making him think. Sometimes he didn't like that but... he was pretty sure she didn't mean any harm, and she didn't seem the type to want him to feel stupid or tell him what to do. She just seemed... to innocently share her thoughts.
Still watching her, he leans his head against the porch railing. He didn't want to assume anything, but he wondered if maybe she liked him in a kid sort of way. He guessed he didn't mind. She seemed nice enough. And hey... if he got a friend out of this whole thing, that would be one less reason to be irritated with Stacy's presence, right? Ashlee was pretty smart though... and Dylan wasn't. Or at least he didn't think he was. When she found that out, would she really want to be spending time with him? Then again, she was the one talking about enjoying the ride. If she really had that perspective, maybe she saw him as a new kind of adventure.
Shaking his head, Dylan finally gets up to take his dishes inside. He'd return them to the dining hall to wash them in the morning. Or...
He turns and looks to the dining hall. After a moment, he steps down off his porch. Maybe he'd take his dishes back now and say hi to Dan while he was there.
Eli wanders into the dim apartment and throws his keys off to the side before shedding his jacket. Ambling into the living room, he's about to loudly proclaim his entrance just to annoy his sister, but as he sees Tal look his way and put a finger to his lips, he stops.
Coming closer, more carefully, he cocks his head, then grins. Ryan looked so comfortable and peaceful, curled up on Tal's lap. "How long she been out?" he whispers.
Tal grins. "Almost a whole movie ago."
Eli chuckles softly. "I thought you woulda been gone home by now."
"I didn't have the heart to move her."
Eli smiles and shakes his head. "If she ever finds out how badly she's got you wrapped around her little finger, she'll-"
"Probably just wrap me around another one."
Eli laughs again. "You big softy."
Tal just grins. "I do need to get home... but I didn't want to move her until you were here... didn't want her waking up to a quiet house."
"Awww." Eli bats his eyes. "You're too sweet."
"And you're a pain in the butt."
"I am. But you have to admit I'm pretty good at it."
Tal just smirks, even though humor twinkles in his eyes. Looking down at Ryan, he knew he really did need to leave. Poor Holly hadn't been let out since this afternoon. Keeping one arm around Ryan while slipping the other under her legs, he easily stands up while keeping her in his arms. "Her room is down the hall, right?" he whispers.
"Yeah." Eli thumbs towards the hallway. "After the bathroom."
Tal nods and heads in that direction. Getting to her bedroom, he nudges the door open with his foot, then carries her to her bed. Setting her down gently so her head was on a pillow, he squints in the dark to find a blanket and pull it up over her. His hand brushes her cheek and he leans down to kiss her forehead. "Goodnight, Ryan," he says softly. "Sweet dreams."
3/14/11
Past or Future
Still sitting on the bed with her brother she looks down at his knee and cringes just a little bit hearing about his fall. She'd slipped on ice before and knows it never a good feeling. She'd never been injured by it but had been left sore. Thinking about twisting a knee or anything else on top of hurt just thinking about it.
Just continuing to listen to her brother as he talked Rosetta could see the very sad longing look in his eye and it broke her heart. She'd known her brother had always felt out of place here and than being on the road had been his out to feel like he belonged some where.
As Eric's hand comes up and Rosetta see his finger a peace of her heart chipped off more. Hearing his words about them getting what they wanted sent another pain through her heart. This is not what they wanted, and even if many they saw this coming she could almost guess everyone hoped they were wrong. But knowing now there fears had come true it hurt so very much.
Not saying anything right away Rosetta moves up on the bed a little closer to her brother. Reaching out for him she wraps her arms over him and just holding for a long moment as she leans her head on against his a little. He's been so happy her heart broke now for him.
"Oh Eric, this is not a wish I wanted to come true at all. I am so sorry for everything you've gone through. You can stay here as long as you need to and than some. This is your home you know that. I love you no matter what."
She new he was probably feeling low right now but she wanted him to know this was his home and just because they had that silly fight didn't change the fact that she loved her brother. Sometimes people fell down and she wasn't about to kick him and tell him to get out just because of it. Goodness only new she'd done it enough in her own life too.
"From what Eli says you head is already big."
A smile spread across Ryan face as she looks up at Tal but doesn't move her head from his shoulder. She liked teasing him just a little it was fun, and she new he could take it. Just continuing to look up at him Ryan takes in Tal's eyes and can't help the smile that grew bigger across her lips. It was nice being here with Tal. So comfortable, and it just...felt good.
Moving her head a little again to look back at the tv once more Ryan focus on the movie but comfort for how she was sitting right now seemed to over rule she want to see the movie and before she new it she'd fallen asleep right in Tal's arms.
Letting her smile grow even more again Ashlee was happy to at least not have Dylan tell her out right no she couldn't sit with him. In his own way he was saying that he'd like that and it made her feel good.
Looking over at him again Ashlee's eyes search him for a long why. He really was good looking, and he'd said in so many words she could sit with him. She couldn't help but let her heart beat a little faster in her chest.
"Well, I guess I better go get something to eat. It was good seeing you again."
Standing and brushing her pants off Ashlee sticks her hands in her pockets before walking down the steps. Getting to the bottom she turns and looks back at Dylan again before moving forward once more.
"It's not about what happened in the past, or what you think might happen in the future. It's about the ride. There is no point in going through all this crap, if your are not going to enjoy the ride. And you know what... when you least expect something great might come along. Something better then you even planned for. So, maybe sometime try and set you own trend, you never know who might follow along."
Giving a wink Ashlee turns again and makes her way across the lawn. Not going to fast so she could just enjoy the nice air. Her head moving from side to side as she took everything in along the way.
Just continuing to listen to her brother as he talked Rosetta could see the very sad longing look in his eye and it broke her heart. She'd known her brother had always felt out of place here and than being on the road had been his out to feel like he belonged some where.
As Eric's hand comes up and Rosetta see his finger a peace of her heart chipped off more. Hearing his words about them getting what they wanted sent another pain through her heart. This is not what they wanted, and even if many they saw this coming she could almost guess everyone hoped they were wrong. But knowing now there fears had come true it hurt so very much.
Not saying anything right away Rosetta moves up on the bed a little closer to her brother. Reaching out for him she wraps her arms over him and just holding for a long moment as she leans her head on against his a little. He's been so happy her heart broke now for him.
"Oh Eric, this is not a wish I wanted to come true at all. I am so sorry for everything you've gone through. You can stay here as long as you need to and than some. This is your home you know that. I love you no matter what."
She new he was probably feeling low right now but she wanted him to know this was his home and just because they had that silly fight didn't change the fact that she loved her brother. Sometimes people fell down and she wasn't about to kick him and tell him to get out just because of it. Goodness only new she'd done it enough in her own life too.
"From what Eli says you head is already big."
A smile spread across Ryan face as she looks up at Tal but doesn't move her head from his shoulder. She liked teasing him just a little it was fun, and she new he could take it. Just continuing to look up at him Ryan takes in Tal's eyes and can't help the smile that grew bigger across her lips. It was nice being here with Tal. So comfortable, and it just...felt good.
Moving her head a little again to look back at the tv once more Ryan focus on the movie but comfort for how she was sitting right now seemed to over rule she want to see the movie and before she new it she'd fallen asleep right in Tal's arms.
Letting her smile grow even more again Ashlee was happy to at least not have Dylan tell her out right no she couldn't sit with him. In his own way he was saying that he'd like that and it made her feel good.
Looking over at him again Ashlee's eyes search him for a long why. He really was good looking, and he'd said in so many words she could sit with him. She couldn't help but let her heart beat a little faster in her chest.
"Well, I guess I better go get something to eat. It was good seeing you again."
Standing and brushing her pants off Ashlee sticks her hands in her pockets before walking down the steps. Getting to the bottom she turns and looks back at Dylan again before moving forward once more.
"It's not about what happened in the past, or what you think might happen in the future. It's about the ride. There is no point in going through all this crap, if your are not going to enjoy the ride. And you know what... when you least expect something great might come along. Something better then you even planned for. So, maybe sometime try and set you own trend, you never know who might follow along."
Giving a wink Ashlee turns again and makes her way across the lawn. Not going to fast so she could just enjoy the nice air. Her head moving from side to side as she took everything in along the way.
3/13/11
Who's to stop you
Knowing that he'd made Ryan feel good made all of this worth it to Tal, and he can't help but smile. If she only knew how good it made him feel.
With Ryan crawling closer and giving him a kiss, Tal returns it lightly. He's about to say something, but stops as Ryan surprises him by coming the rest of the way onto his lap. Not minding it in the least though, his arms slip around her to hold her close. Her words of thanks only prove to bring another smile. "You keep saying things like that, I'm liable to get a big head."
He turns his gaze to look down at Ryan's face as she rested on his shoulder, and he grins. Giving her another soft kiss, he settles back into the couch and puts his feet up on the coffee table with a contented sigh. If asked a month ago if he thought he'd ever be holding Ryan McKade in his arms, he would have laughed outright. He had to admit though... it was an even nicer feeling than he'd imagined.
Dylan quirks one of his eyebrows at Ashlee's suggestion of sitting together. Was she trying to suggest something to make him feel better, or her? He couldn't quite tell. But maybe she hid her insecurities as well as he did.
Taking another bite of his HoHo, he licks some chocolate off his finger. "It's not very easy for someone like me to have fun around here. Besides, I've never been much of a trend setter." He tosses her a glance, rethinking his reply. "But I told you before you could sit wherever you wanted to." It still didn't seem to sound right though, especially when he looked over at her again. She did look just a bit lonely. Maybe she loved adventure, but it still had to be hard to move out here.
A little smile turns up just one corner of his mouth and he shrugs. "So next time I eat in the dining room, who's to stop you from sitting at my table?"
Part of Eric wanted Rosetta to go away and leave him alone. And part of him just wanted to get everything off his chest and out of the way. His eyes rise just a little to see her when she sits on the bed, though he's still quiet.
Shifting a little, he winces and readjusts his ice packs. "Fell while I was comin' down outta my truck," he mutters. "Ice on the step and I didn't see it. That was almost a week ago and it still won't leave me be." But his deep bruising was not what was really bothering him and the long silence that follows proves it. As his right hand fidgets with the bedspread, his eyes lower again.
"Ya know... I look around at everybody here, and what y'all have." His tone was quiet... subdued. "You got someone to love... someone to love you back. Even Jeff and Trent have their daughters. Everyone just... fits. It's like... like one big puzzle put together." His fingers still fiddle with the blanket. "Except I'm an extra piece."
Eric eventually lifts his eyes again. There were unshed tears there. There were emotions that were so much deeper than simple sadness. It was loneliness. Misery. Guilt. Disappointment. "That's all I wanted," he almost whispers. "Just a sliver of what everybody else has. But I guess we don't always get what we want, do we?"
Finally bringing up his other hand, he wriggles his empty ring finger for Rosetta to see. "Y'all got your wish on this one." A wry sort of grin sadly comes to his lips. "The good thing is I've finally proved to everyone just how stupid I am so now there'll never be any more doubt."
Sighing, Eric knew this all was far from funny... but he wasn't really joking anyway. He looks at his sister's eyes, just wishing he could go back in time and change everything. "She disappeared a few days after we were married," he finally explains quietly. "I looked everywhere, but she never showed up. When I realized my bank accounts had been drained, I new she was gone for good. I... thought I was helping her pay off a loan, but I guess I was giving her access so she could take everything." And it was everything. It was no secret that Eric had his life's savings stored up for whenever he quit driving truck. And now, every penny was gone.
He purses his lips and shrugs. "I followed a couple leads. Found out she's probably in Mexico with her partner - a man... con artist she's been with for years. There's also nothing I can do since I willingly gave her access to my accounts." It was a little easier to say out loud than he thought it would be. But maybe that was the result of working through it for several weeks.
Eric nods slowly. "So... I am... officially broke, which unfortunately means I'll be mooching off you guys before I can somehow scrape together enough to get out of your hair again. But... I'm sure that won't come as a surprise to all of you who knew what a fool I was being."
He looks down once more. "And I should probably apologize to you while I still have the guts."
With Ryan crawling closer and giving him a kiss, Tal returns it lightly. He's about to say something, but stops as Ryan surprises him by coming the rest of the way onto his lap. Not minding it in the least though, his arms slip around her to hold her close. Her words of thanks only prove to bring another smile. "You keep saying things like that, I'm liable to get a big head."
He turns his gaze to look down at Ryan's face as she rested on his shoulder, and he grins. Giving her another soft kiss, he settles back into the couch and puts his feet up on the coffee table with a contented sigh. If asked a month ago if he thought he'd ever be holding Ryan McKade in his arms, he would have laughed outright. He had to admit though... it was an even nicer feeling than he'd imagined.
Dylan quirks one of his eyebrows at Ashlee's suggestion of sitting together. Was she trying to suggest something to make him feel better, or her? He couldn't quite tell. But maybe she hid her insecurities as well as he did.
Taking another bite of his HoHo, he licks some chocolate off his finger. "It's not very easy for someone like me to have fun around here. Besides, I've never been much of a trend setter." He tosses her a glance, rethinking his reply. "But I told you before you could sit wherever you wanted to." It still didn't seem to sound right though, especially when he looked over at her again. She did look just a bit lonely. Maybe she loved adventure, but it still had to be hard to move out here.
A little smile turns up just one corner of his mouth and he shrugs. "So next time I eat in the dining room, who's to stop you from sitting at my table?"
Part of Eric wanted Rosetta to go away and leave him alone. And part of him just wanted to get everything off his chest and out of the way. His eyes rise just a little to see her when she sits on the bed, though he's still quiet.
Shifting a little, he winces and readjusts his ice packs. "Fell while I was comin' down outta my truck," he mutters. "Ice on the step and I didn't see it. That was almost a week ago and it still won't leave me be." But his deep bruising was not what was really bothering him and the long silence that follows proves it. As his right hand fidgets with the bedspread, his eyes lower again.
"Ya know... I look around at everybody here, and what y'all have." His tone was quiet... subdued. "You got someone to love... someone to love you back. Even Jeff and Trent have their daughters. Everyone just... fits. It's like... like one big puzzle put together." His fingers still fiddle with the blanket. "Except I'm an extra piece."
Eric eventually lifts his eyes again. There were unshed tears there. There were emotions that were so much deeper than simple sadness. It was loneliness. Misery. Guilt. Disappointment. "That's all I wanted," he almost whispers. "Just a sliver of what everybody else has. But I guess we don't always get what we want, do we?"
Finally bringing up his other hand, he wriggles his empty ring finger for Rosetta to see. "Y'all got your wish on this one." A wry sort of grin sadly comes to his lips. "The good thing is I've finally proved to everyone just how stupid I am so now there'll never be any more doubt."
Sighing, Eric knew this all was far from funny... but he wasn't really joking anyway. He looks at his sister's eyes, just wishing he could go back in time and change everything. "She disappeared a few days after we were married," he finally explains quietly. "I looked everywhere, but she never showed up. When I realized my bank accounts had been drained, I new she was gone for good. I... thought I was helping her pay off a loan, but I guess I was giving her access so she could take everything." And it was everything. It was no secret that Eric had his life's savings stored up for whenever he quit driving truck. And now, every penny was gone.
He purses his lips and shrugs. "I followed a couple leads. Found out she's probably in Mexico with her partner - a man... con artist she's been with for years. There's also nothing I can do since I willingly gave her access to my accounts." It was a little easier to say out loud than he thought it would be. But maybe that was the result of working through it for several weeks.
Eric nods slowly. "So... I am... officially broke, which unfortunately means I'll be mooching off you guys before I can somehow scrape together enough to get out of your hair again. But... I'm sure that won't come as a surprise to all of you who knew what a fool I was being."
He looks down once more. "And I should probably apologize to you while I still have the guts."
3/11/11
Free
Popping in a movie and sitting down to start eating Katie new Jason was probably tired but if he just eat a little bit than that was all that mattered to her. Something was better than nothing. Once finished with her food Katie gets comfortable on the couch allowing for Jason to lay his head in her lap.
Letting her fingers link with his Katie brings her other hand to his hair and just runs her hands thought it slowly. It was soothing for her to do that and she new that Jason liked it as well. If Jason fell asleep that was ok. His body needed the rest to relax.
Trying to continue to watch the TV things were starting to get a little blurry as Katie's own eyes wanted to droop. She must have been tired herself more than normal too. Though she wasn't to surprised they had been through alot.
Continuing to just study her brother Rosetta could see the glint of sadness in his eye and it made her wonder. His tone seemed to match what his eyes said, and than it all kind of came together as she wondered if Dana not being here was part of it too.
Not wanting to pry Rosettta comes in a little more and sits on the edge of the bed. She felt bad seeing her brother so sad and it hurt.
"Eric...I see that look in your eye...I've had it myself before. You can tell me whats wrong you know that. Your my brother and I love you."
Looking over to Dylan as he holds out the Hoho Ashlee gives a smile. It was nice of Dylan to share with her and maybe another step twords friendship. It made Ashlee's heart flutter a little bit that Dylan wanted to share. Reaching out and taking it from him she smiles again with a little nod.
"Thank you!"
Taking a bite of the sweet treat listing to Dylan again Ashlee turns a little more and leans against the railing so she could face Dylan and see him a little better. Watching Dylan as he spoke and looking into his eyes Ashlee can't help but wonder about the lonely look. Why did Dylan keep himself away from other? Why did he choose not to have fun?
"But maybe if you sat with the other instead of by yourself than you could have a little fun too. It's not a bad thing to have fun. Maybe I could always start sitting with you too. Since I am new its kind of strange being at the table with everyone else. We could start our own trend."
Turning her head a little to look out across the yard again Ashlee lets out a small sigh. As confidant as she did feel sitting with people she didn't know having them all be adults was a little strange. At least Dylan was closer to her age.
Ryan's eyes twinkle as she continued to look at Tal. There was just something about him that made her feel so good. Maybe because his words were pure...but she liked it, and she liked the way it made her feel too.
"I don't know how you do it Tal, but you make me feel so good inside. Its warm and fuzzy...defiantly a good feeling."
Letting her feet slip from Tal's lap Ryan moves a little to reposition herself so she was closer to him. Pulling a hand on his chest her just rests it there for a long moment feeling his heart beat. he almost seemed to good to be true.
Leaning in a little Ryan brings her lips to his and press them there for a short moment before moving again and now slipping into his lap sideways wrapping her arms around his neck the movie seeming to be drowned out. Placing her head on his shoulder close enough to his ear so her soft breath could brush over it Ryan is silent for a moment before finally speaking.
"Thank you Tal, for setting me free again."
Letting her fingers link with his Katie brings her other hand to his hair and just runs her hands thought it slowly. It was soothing for her to do that and she new that Jason liked it as well. If Jason fell asleep that was ok. His body needed the rest to relax.
Trying to continue to watch the TV things were starting to get a little blurry as Katie's own eyes wanted to droop. She must have been tired herself more than normal too. Though she wasn't to surprised they had been through alot.
Continuing to just study her brother Rosetta could see the glint of sadness in his eye and it made her wonder. His tone seemed to match what his eyes said, and than it all kind of came together as she wondered if Dana not being here was part of it too.
Not wanting to pry Rosettta comes in a little more and sits on the edge of the bed. She felt bad seeing her brother so sad and it hurt.
"Eric...I see that look in your eye...I've had it myself before. You can tell me whats wrong you know that. Your my brother and I love you."
Looking over to Dylan as he holds out the Hoho Ashlee gives a smile. It was nice of Dylan to share with her and maybe another step twords friendship. It made Ashlee's heart flutter a little bit that Dylan wanted to share. Reaching out and taking it from him she smiles again with a little nod.
"Thank you!"
Taking a bite of the sweet treat listing to Dylan again Ashlee turns a little more and leans against the railing so she could face Dylan and see him a little better. Watching Dylan as he spoke and looking into his eyes Ashlee can't help but wonder about the lonely look. Why did Dylan keep himself away from other? Why did he choose not to have fun?
"But maybe if you sat with the other instead of by yourself than you could have a little fun too. It's not a bad thing to have fun. Maybe I could always start sitting with you too. Since I am new its kind of strange being at the table with everyone else. We could start our own trend."
Turning her head a little to look out across the yard again Ashlee lets out a small sigh. As confidant as she did feel sitting with people she didn't know having them all be adults was a little strange. At least Dylan was closer to her age.
Ryan's eyes twinkle as she continued to look at Tal. There was just something about him that made her feel so good. Maybe because his words were pure...but she liked it, and she liked the way it made her feel too.
"I don't know how you do it Tal, but you make me feel so good inside. Its warm and fuzzy...defiantly a good feeling."
Letting her feet slip from Tal's lap Ryan moves a little to reposition herself so she was closer to him. Pulling a hand on his chest her just rests it there for a long moment feeling his heart beat. he almost seemed to good to be true.
Leaning in a little Ryan brings her lips to his and press them there for a short moment before moving again and now slipping into his lap sideways wrapping her arms around his neck the movie seeming to be drowned out. Placing her head on his shoulder close enough to his ear so her soft breath could brush over it Ryan is silent for a moment before finally speaking.
"Thank you Tal, for setting me free again."
Tired
Tal chuckles at Ryan's warning not to tickle her feet, and he rubs a little more firmly. "It's okay. I've been kicked in the face before and survived."
Ryan's question doesn't even shift his concentration and he simply continues to massage her feet, his thumbs hitting all the good spots. His signature grin curls his lips and he doesn't look up right away.
"Well... I guess I figure you deserve to have someone be nice to you."
He didn't want to make it sound like he just felt sorry for her or that he pitied her - those were far from the truth. He simply felt compassion for her, didn't like what had been done to her and he wanted to give her some well-deserved attention.
Tal finally pauses his hands and looks over at Ryan, thoughtful for several moments. "I've seen you at races, Eli talks about you all the time... I guess I've seen what kind of a person you are and I just want to prove that you're more than..."
He pauses again, afraid of it not coming out the way he wanted it to. "...more than what you've been dealt. Nobody should take a woman like you for granted." He shrugs and looks down again as his fingers wander up the tops of her feet to her ankles then back again. "And I like seeing you smile."
Something like a wry grin tugs at the corners of Dylan's mouth as he finishes up his plate of food. "I still keep a fan going at night in my bunk for noise. Otherwise I just lie awake for hours."
Setting his plate down on the porch, he takes a long swig from his water bottle. "I used to live in a small town," he explains. "Nothing like the city, but there was noise. Had a street light that shone right in my bedroom window. Now I still keep my blinds open so the yard light can come through." He cocks his head a little. "You get used to living out here after a while though."
Reaching to the side, he continues to listen as he retrieves a little package of two Hostess HoHos he had for his dessert.
"Yeah, there's lots to explore around here. All I have time for is chores and homework. Mick likes it that way though. When you're someone like me, people tend to want to keep you within eyesight."
Ashlee's question makes him pause. He concentrates on his HoHos and opens the package before tossing a new glance at her. Taking one of the little frosted cakes he holds it out to her, quirking an eyebrow to ask her if she wanted it.
"I eat alone 'cause sometimes I'd rather not be just ten feet away from everybody else having a good time."
Eric doesn't hold Rosetta's eyes for long and readjusts one of his ice packs. She wasn't mad at him? Really? After the last time he'd been here with Dana? He almost wished she would be mad at him so his conscience wouldn't be nagging him as much.
Rosetta's question only brings more silence. How was he? He could say he was fine and just pretend for a little while longer. He could spill the whole truth and admit how miserable he was. Physically he was doing alright, other than his leg. Mentally, he was so messed up, he couldn't even think straight. Still looking down, he shrugs. He felt like a kid who was afraid to admit he'd done something wrong.
"I don't even know how to answer that," he finally admits. He couldn't tell her why... he just couldn't.
Still not looking up, he reaches to his bedside table and pulls out the drawer to retrieve a bottle of pain killers. Unfortunately, it was empty. He sighs. But he doesn't ask Rosetta for any help... he felt too rotten to ask any favors.
Eric's eyes were full of misery, even though he didn't want it to show. But there was no fooling his sister... there never was. And yet the words that would explain everything just wouldn't come out. Maybe it was pride. Maybe it was fear. Maybe it was shame.
Jason lifts his head to see Katie come in with the food, and he straightens a little. He didn't feel like eating, but he'd try for her. At the moment, he kinda wanted to be alone... he just wanted to lie down and sleep and try to forget about all of this. But instead, he forces a smile.
"Thanks, Katie. A movie sounds great."
He does manage to eat a little bit, though can't quite get it all down if he wanted it to stay down. And he does manage to start watching a movie with Katie too. But less than halfway through, he was just too tired for anything else.
Lying on the couch with his head in Katie's lap, Jason gives up on trying to keep his eyes open. His hand finds hers though and he gives it a weak squeeze.
Ryan's question doesn't even shift his concentration and he simply continues to massage her feet, his thumbs hitting all the good spots. His signature grin curls his lips and he doesn't look up right away.
"Well... I guess I figure you deserve to have someone be nice to you."
He didn't want to make it sound like he just felt sorry for her or that he pitied her - those were far from the truth. He simply felt compassion for her, didn't like what had been done to her and he wanted to give her some well-deserved attention.
Tal finally pauses his hands and looks over at Ryan, thoughtful for several moments. "I've seen you at races, Eli talks about you all the time... I guess I've seen what kind of a person you are and I just want to prove that you're more than..."
He pauses again, afraid of it not coming out the way he wanted it to. "...more than what you've been dealt. Nobody should take a woman like you for granted." He shrugs and looks down again as his fingers wander up the tops of her feet to her ankles then back again. "And I like seeing you smile."
Something like a wry grin tugs at the corners of Dylan's mouth as he finishes up his plate of food. "I still keep a fan going at night in my bunk for noise. Otherwise I just lie awake for hours."
Setting his plate down on the porch, he takes a long swig from his water bottle. "I used to live in a small town," he explains. "Nothing like the city, but there was noise. Had a street light that shone right in my bedroom window. Now I still keep my blinds open so the yard light can come through." He cocks his head a little. "You get used to living out here after a while though."
Reaching to the side, he continues to listen as he retrieves a little package of two Hostess HoHos he had for his dessert.
"Yeah, there's lots to explore around here. All I have time for is chores and homework. Mick likes it that way though. When you're someone like me, people tend to want to keep you within eyesight."
Ashlee's question makes him pause. He concentrates on his HoHos and opens the package before tossing a new glance at her. Taking one of the little frosted cakes he holds it out to her, quirking an eyebrow to ask her if she wanted it.
"I eat alone 'cause sometimes I'd rather not be just ten feet away from everybody else having a good time."
Eric doesn't hold Rosetta's eyes for long and readjusts one of his ice packs. She wasn't mad at him? Really? After the last time he'd been here with Dana? He almost wished she would be mad at him so his conscience wouldn't be nagging him as much.
Rosetta's question only brings more silence. How was he? He could say he was fine and just pretend for a little while longer. He could spill the whole truth and admit how miserable he was. Physically he was doing alright, other than his leg. Mentally, he was so messed up, he couldn't even think straight. Still looking down, he shrugs. He felt like a kid who was afraid to admit he'd done something wrong.
"I don't even know how to answer that," he finally admits. He couldn't tell her why... he just couldn't.
Still not looking up, he reaches to his bedside table and pulls out the drawer to retrieve a bottle of pain killers. Unfortunately, it was empty. He sighs. But he doesn't ask Rosetta for any help... he felt too rotten to ask any favors.
Eric's eyes were full of misery, even though he didn't want it to show. But there was no fooling his sister... there never was. And yet the words that would explain everything just wouldn't come out. Maybe it was pride. Maybe it was fear. Maybe it was shame.
Jason lifts his head to see Katie come in with the food, and he straightens a little. He didn't feel like eating, but he'd try for her. At the moment, he kinda wanted to be alone... he just wanted to lie down and sleep and try to forget about all of this. But instead, he forces a smile.
"Thanks, Katie. A movie sounds great."
He does manage to eat a little bit, though can't quite get it all down if he wanted it to stay down. And he does manage to start watching a movie with Katie too. But less than halfway through, he was just too tired for anything else.
Lying on the couch with his head in Katie's lap, Jason gives up on trying to keep his eyes open. His hand finds hers though and he gives it a weak squeeze.
3/10/11
How come
Seeing Dylan move his legs so there was room on the top step for her now Ashlee gives a smile. Going up the steps and sitting down at the top Ashlee puts her legs on the next step down she pulls her knees into her wrapping her arms around them.
"Oh, I'm doing alright. Just trying to get use to everything. I like the country but its an adjustment after being use to a noisy city the quiet it hard to get use to."
Ashlee can't help but give a little laugh to herself letting a small sound out. It sounded funny saying that and she new it. She only hoped that Dylan didn't find it to silly himself.
"I wasn't to hungry tonight so I figured I would do a little exploring first. Didn't go to far, but it just so amazing here. Everywhere you turn there is a new place to see, or figure out where it goes. Maybe in a few days I'll explore the woods. How come your not eating with everyone else?"
Once eating and making there way into the living room to just relax. Sitting on the couch and having Tal take her feet and start rubbing them Ryan can't help but give a little mermer. It felt good, and she'd never had someone rub her feet before.
"Mmm...Tal that feel good, I think your the first one to even rub my feet. Just be careful I get ticklish and I don't want to kick you in the face."
Just smiling and leaning her head back on the couch tilting it to the side the movie on tv was forgotten as Ryan just watched Tal. It felt strange to be pampered like this. She was always the rough one that not one though maybe she liked the little girly things too but Tal had...and that made him special.
"Your really good to me and you hardly know me...not that I mind but I guess I'm just wondering...why?"
She'd never known someone who had been so nice to her before when they didn't even really know her. Ryan didn't mind it she just couldn't help if there was a hidden catch somewhere she couldn't see. She'd been wrong about Alec, maybe now she was seconded guessing herself and just wanted to make sure.
Getting back to the house Katie tried to give Jason his space not wanting to smother him but keeping an eye on him anyways. She couldn't feel him now so it was the only way she could tell if he was pushing himself or not. Seeing he was starting to get tired Katie was going to say something to him but saw him head into the living room to sit so she didn't call much attachen to it and kept cooking some dinner for them.
Finishing up the food Katie brings the grilled cheese and soup out into the living room setting it down on the table. Looking to Jason Katie gives a small smile. She new he hated this. She only wished there was something more she could do. But just being there for him was all she could think of.
"I made us some dinner, and maybe we can put in a movie if you want? I think the rest of the night you should try and relax. I can finish up some of the stuff around the house for ya. Thats why I am the nurse/maid after all."
Hearing Eric let her know it was ok to come in Rosetta opens the door and steps in before shutting it behind her. She felt a little awkward but not enough to turn and just walk away. She really had missed her brother this time around maybe because she didn't know if he would be coming back or not.
"Hey. I saw you pull in and I thought I would come and say Hi. I guess....I just didn't want you to think I was mad at you still and I missed you."
Glancing around the room for a moment before letting her brother's eyes link with her once more she could see almost a dull cold look in them. Much different from the look that had been there the last time she had seen him when he was filled with life. Was everything really ok?
"How...are you?"
"Oh, I'm doing alright. Just trying to get use to everything. I like the country but its an adjustment after being use to a noisy city the quiet it hard to get use to."
Ashlee can't help but give a little laugh to herself letting a small sound out. It sounded funny saying that and she new it. She only hoped that Dylan didn't find it to silly himself.
"I wasn't to hungry tonight so I figured I would do a little exploring first. Didn't go to far, but it just so amazing here. Everywhere you turn there is a new place to see, or figure out where it goes. Maybe in a few days I'll explore the woods. How come your not eating with everyone else?"
Once eating and making there way into the living room to just relax. Sitting on the couch and having Tal take her feet and start rubbing them Ryan can't help but give a little mermer. It felt good, and she'd never had someone rub her feet before.
"Mmm...Tal that feel good, I think your the first one to even rub my feet. Just be careful I get ticklish and I don't want to kick you in the face."
Just smiling and leaning her head back on the couch tilting it to the side the movie on tv was forgotten as Ryan just watched Tal. It felt strange to be pampered like this. She was always the rough one that not one though maybe she liked the little girly things too but Tal had...and that made him special.
"Your really good to me and you hardly know me...not that I mind but I guess I'm just wondering...why?"
She'd never known someone who had been so nice to her before when they didn't even really know her. Ryan didn't mind it she just couldn't help if there was a hidden catch somewhere she couldn't see. She'd been wrong about Alec, maybe now she was seconded guessing herself and just wanted to make sure.
Getting back to the house Katie tried to give Jason his space not wanting to smother him but keeping an eye on him anyways. She couldn't feel him now so it was the only way she could tell if he was pushing himself or not. Seeing he was starting to get tired Katie was going to say something to him but saw him head into the living room to sit so she didn't call much attachen to it and kept cooking some dinner for them.
Finishing up the food Katie brings the grilled cheese and soup out into the living room setting it down on the table. Looking to Jason Katie gives a small smile. She new he hated this. She only wished there was something more she could do. But just being there for him was all she could think of.
"I made us some dinner, and maybe we can put in a movie if you want? I think the rest of the night you should try and relax. I can finish up some of the stuff around the house for ya. Thats why I am the nurse/maid after all."
Hearing Eric let her know it was ok to come in Rosetta opens the door and steps in before shutting it behind her. She felt a little awkward but not enough to turn and just walk away. She really had missed her brother this time around maybe because she didn't know if he would be coming back or not.
"Hey. I saw you pull in and I thought I would come and say Hi. I guess....I just didn't want you to think I was mad at you still and I missed you."
Glancing around the room for a moment before letting her brother's eyes link with her once more she could see almost a dull cold look in them. Much different from the look that had been there the last time she had seen him when he was filled with life. Was everything really ok?
"How...are you?"
How much longer
Tal returns Ryan's light kiss and as she looks up at him with so much thought, a grin appears on his lips. He returns the deep stare, and his hands slide down to her waist where they seemed to fit perfectly. "There you go again," he mentions quietly. "Talking magic." Still smiling, he bends to kiss her forehead. "I think you're the one with the magic."
Just watching her for a few more moments, he finally shakes his head and lets her go. "I suppose you can't cook if I keep holding you here."
...By the time they sat down to eat, Tal wondered if he were feeling more special than Ryan was. The food was great and he told her so. He thoroughly enjoyed himself and he told her that, too. Eli's steak had been good, no doubt... but Ryan's cooking was awesome as far as he was concerned. Talking with her was easy... it was mostly smalltalk that circulated. He told her some about work, his dog and the puppies that were coming - as he grew more animated, it was obvious he was quite passionate about that topic. The only thing he didn't talk about was himself.
By the time dinner was over, the atmosphere was so relaxed that Tal didn't have trouble saying yes to staying a while longer. He did insist on one thing though. Ryan had done all the cooking and all the work, so she deserved the pampering afterward. So without taking no for an answer, he makes her lie down on the couch while he sits cross-legged at the other end and takes her feet in his lap. And as the movie plays on television, his hands gently rub her feet in an attempt to disperse any tiredness or soreness.
Catching her eye once, he just smiles.
Katie's offer brings a new little smile to Jason's lips and he slowly slides around to get his feet out of bed. He nods. "The sooner the better as far as I'm concerned." Though fully dressed, his shoes were several feet away, and he wasn't quite sure leaning over that far was a good idea at this point. He gives Katie a tired sort of grin. "Hey, nurse... I seem to need help with my shoes."
It didn't take long after for Jason to be ready to go and he was more than willing to lean on Katie for support as they walked down the hall, Trooper in tow.
By the time they got to Jason's house, he was exhausted, though tried not to let it show too soon. He gets his mail, sorts through it, finds a few things in the fridge that needed to be thrown out, and gets Trooper taken care of. But after that, Jason just couldn't stay on his feet any longer. Trying to be casual about it though, he simply wanders to the couch in the living room and slowly sits. But his head felt so very heavy.... he leans back and looks up at the ceiling, wondering how much longer he'd be dealing with this.
Watching Katie and Jason head down the hall to leave for the day, Rick stands in the open infirmary door. For some reason, he felt as if he were watching Jason walk away for good. As if the hope was beginning to wane.
Sighing, he turns back inside and returns to the counter where he'd been going over analysis printouts. But the more he looked at them, the more frustrated he grew. His mind reeled with the recent events... Jason's attacks... how sick he'd been... how close to death he'd been... and every time, Rick had been unable to find a cure. Every time, he had felt more and more helpless. It wasn't fair that Jason was suffering. It wasn't fair that he was slowly dying. He was so young - it was way too soon for him to have to go through this. Being out on the job and getting shot was one thing - but being killed from the inside out by an invisible sickness... it simply wasn't fair.
Rick's hand slams down on the counter as his frustration gets the best of him. Without saying a word to Misty, he leaves the infirmary.
Twenty minutes later, Rick's wrapped fists slammed into the punching bag in the rec room, rattling the fixtures. Sweat ran down the sides of his face and his eyes held a determined, cold stare.
Why? God, why are you letting this happen? I don't understand. I hate it and I don't see any reason you would let this happen!
His fists continue their attack on the helpless bag. Memories drifted through his mind. He remembered the first time he'd met Jason - a cocky teenager with a chip on his shoulder the size of Texas. Rick had warned Austin about taking him on as an Agent, but Austin had insisted Jason would be one of their most valuable players in a short amount of time. Rick had even gone to Carter, bringing up Jason's attitude, age and traumatic past. He'd thought the only reason they let Jason stay was because he was family. But in the end... Rick had been proven wrong.
Did you just want him here to solve a few cases or what? Did you just bring him to us so we could watch him grow up and then take him away from us, allowing the enemy to win?!
Jason had started training when he was still in school. He'd come in every day and work with Austin, learning how to shoot, learning how to fight and being trained for undercover work. He was just a kid, but the department had ever seen a kid with as much determination or drive as Jason had. He had something that most adults didn't even have - intelligence, quick wit and a mind that caught on amazingly fast to what he was being taught.
Rick continues to attack the punching bag as he becomes soaked with sweat. All of his pent up frustration was pouring out with physical aggression.
The first time Jason had been shot, he'd taken it like a pro, never complaining or whining. Forcing him to take a few days off work almost took Rick sitting on him to keep him down. Jason never took no for an answer. He'd quickly earned the name "Hotshot" for a reason. And to Rick's surprise, he'd also earned respect from almost all the other TJY agents. Despite his young age, he'd risen quickly and no one wanted to mess with him, and everybody trusted him in and out of the field.
With arms aching, Rick pauses to catch his breath, bending over and gasping for air.
Jason had been cocky, for sure, but he'd always been able to back it up with his smarts. Rick had always thought for sure one day he'd get shot down on the job, but he'd always managed to use his brains and get out of sticky situations. And then one day... Rick had seen a change. Jason had returned from a surveillance job with a different glint in his eye - one that would grow and slowly begin to hold his feet on the ground. The change that had sparked would continue to help Jason mature and would ultimately shape him into a man from the boy he'd started out here as. And that spark's name was Katie.
Standing straight again, Rick takes another swing at the punching bag. His anger and frustration were more heightened than his physical strength at this point.
A boy with a traumatizing past had risen against the odds, taken life for all it was worth and had strived to be the best man could be. Through a connection with Katie that had once been a curse, Jason had learned to embrace their new life and use it to their advantage. He had found God and grown even more, proving to be a more valuable Elite Agent, and man in general, than even Austin had ever predicted.
And now you're just going to let him die? You're just going to watch as he's slowly tortured and killed by this thing we can't even see? For what? For what good could you allow this?!
Totally exhausted, Rick sinks down to his knees. The worst part of all of this was his inability to find a cure. It was his job to keep the agents well... it was his job to look after everyone and make sure they were healthy. To dig out the bullets and keep them alive. To make sure they took care of themselves and followed his directions to staying well. And now... when Jason's life was at stake, he could do nothing. He was utterly helpless and wasn't going to be able to save an agent... a friend.
Eric's eyes drift to his door as he hears the knock followed by Rosetta's voice. He shouldn't be surprised. But he sighs anyway.
It hadn't taken him but a few minutes to get inside, throw his bags in the corner, grab his ice packs and settle in on top of his bed. Though sitting up, his sore leg was stretched out with the three ice packs around his injured thigh. He didn't feel good. His leg hurt. His stomach wasn't right, and his mind... well, that hadn't been on track for a long time. And Rosetta wanted to welcome him home?
He had a couple choices. He could send her away and make the rift bigger. He could invite her in and let her see how he was hurt and miserable. Or he could cover up with a blanket and pretend everything was fine. Unfortunately, his mood was such that it wouldn't allow the third option. And he really didn't like the first option.
Sighing again, he calls to his sister. "Yeah... it's open." Watching Rosetta come in, he looks her in the eye for just a moment before his gaze drops. "Hi." His left hand slowly slides down by a blanket to hide his empty ring finger.
Dylan is just scraping the last bit of food from his plate when Ashlee startles him. Giving a little jump, he looks over at her quickly, and just as quickly relaxing since it was only her. "Hey." She might not have seen him, but he'd seen her. What did she want now? Did she have an agenda? Was she just lonely? It didn't really seem to matter.
Pulling his legs up from being stretched over the top step and sitting cross legged instead, he waves his fork at the now-empty spot, in case she wanted to sit.
"It's going," he responds vaguely to her question. "You? Figured you'd be at supper with everybody else."
Just watching her for a few more moments, he finally shakes his head and lets her go. "I suppose you can't cook if I keep holding you here."
...By the time they sat down to eat, Tal wondered if he were feeling more special than Ryan was. The food was great and he told her so. He thoroughly enjoyed himself and he told her that, too. Eli's steak had been good, no doubt... but Ryan's cooking was awesome as far as he was concerned. Talking with her was easy... it was mostly smalltalk that circulated. He told her some about work, his dog and the puppies that were coming - as he grew more animated, it was obvious he was quite passionate about that topic. The only thing he didn't talk about was himself.
By the time dinner was over, the atmosphere was so relaxed that Tal didn't have trouble saying yes to staying a while longer. He did insist on one thing though. Ryan had done all the cooking and all the work, so she deserved the pampering afterward. So without taking no for an answer, he makes her lie down on the couch while he sits cross-legged at the other end and takes her feet in his lap. And as the movie plays on television, his hands gently rub her feet in an attempt to disperse any tiredness or soreness.
Catching her eye once, he just smiles.
Katie's offer brings a new little smile to Jason's lips and he slowly slides around to get his feet out of bed. He nods. "The sooner the better as far as I'm concerned." Though fully dressed, his shoes were several feet away, and he wasn't quite sure leaning over that far was a good idea at this point. He gives Katie a tired sort of grin. "Hey, nurse... I seem to need help with my shoes."
It didn't take long after for Jason to be ready to go and he was more than willing to lean on Katie for support as they walked down the hall, Trooper in tow.
By the time they got to Jason's house, he was exhausted, though tried not to let it show too soon. He gets his mail, sorts through it, finds a few things in the fridge that needed to be thrown out, and gets Trooper taken care of. But after that, Jason just couldn't stay on his feet any longer. Trying to be casual about it though, he simply wanders to the couch in the living room and slowly sits. But his head felt so very heavy.... he leans back and looks up at the ceiling, wondering how much longer he'd be dealing with this.
Watching Katie and Jason head down the hall to leave for the day, Rick stands in the open infirmary door. For some reason, he felt as if he were watching Jason walk away for good. As if the hope was beginning to wane.
Sighing, he turns back inside and returns to the counter where he'd been going over analysis printouts. But the more he looked at them, the more frustrated he grew. His mind reeled with the recent events... Jason's attacks... how sick he'd been... how close to death he'd been... and every time, Rick had been unable to find a cure. Every time, he had felt more and more helpless. It wasn't fair that Jason was suffering. It wasn't fair that he was slowly dying. He was so young - it was way too soon for him to have to go through this. Being out on the job and getting shot was one thing - but being killed from the inside out by an invisible sickness... it simply wasn't fair.
Rick's hand slams down on the counter as his frustration gets the best of him. Without saying a word to Misty, he leaves the infirmary.
Twenty minutes later, Rick's wrapped fists slammed into the punching bag in the rec room, rattling the fixtures. Sweat ran down the sides of his face and his eyes held a determined, cold stare.
Why? God, why are you letting this happen? I don't understand. I hate it and I don't see any reason you would let this happen!
His fists continue their attack on the helpless bag. Memories drifted through his mind. He remembered the first time he'd met Jason - a cocky teenager with a chip on his shoulder the size of Texas. Rick had warned Austin about taking him on as an Agent, but Austin had insisted Jason would be one of their most valuable players in a short amount of time. Rick had even gone to Carter, bringing up Jason's attitude, age and traumatic past. He'd thought the only reason they let Jason stay was because he was family. But in the end... Rick had been proven wrong.
Did you just want him here to solve a few cases or what? Did you just bring him to us so we could watch him grow up and then take him away from us, allowing the enemy to win?!
Jason had started training when he was still in school. He'd come in every day and work with Austin, learning how to shoot, learning how to fight and being trained for undercover work. He was just a kid, but the department had ever seen a kid with as much determination or drive as Jason had. He had something that most adults didn't even have - intelligence, quick wit and a mind that caught on amazingly fast to what he was being taught.
Rick continues to attack the punching bag as he becomes soaked with sweat. All of his pent up frustration was pouring out with physical aggression.
The first time Jason had been shot, he'd taken it like a pro, never complaining or whining. Forcing him to take a few days off work almost took Rick sitting on him to keep him down. Jason never took no for an answer. He'd quickly earned the name "Hotshot" for a reason. And to Rick's surprise, he'd also earned respect from almost all the other TJY agents. Despite his young age, he'd risen quickly and no one wanted to mess with him, and everybody trusted him in and out of the field.
With arms aching, Rick pauses to catch his breath, bending over and gasping for air.
Jason had been cocky, for sure, but he'd always been able to back it up with his smarts. Rick had always thought for sure one day he'd get shot down on the job, but he'd always managed to use his brains and get out of sticky situations. And then one day... Rick had seen a change. Jason had returned from a surveillance job with a different glint in his eye - one that would grow and slowly begin to hold his feet on the ground. The change that had sparked would continue to help Jason mature and would ultimately shape him into a man from the boy he'd started out here as. And that spark's name was Katie.
Standing straight again, Rick takes another swing at the punching bag. His anger and frustration were more heightened than his physical strength at this point.
A boy with a traumatizing past had risen against the odds, taken life for all it was worth and had strived to be the best man could be. Through a connection with Katie that had once been a curse, Jason had learned to embrace their new life and use it to their advantage. He had found God and grown even more, proving to be a more valuable Elite Agent, and man in general, than even Austin had ever predicted.
And now you're just going to let him die? You're just going to watch as he's slowly tortured and killed by this thing we can't even see? For what? For what good could you allow this?!
Totally exhausted, Rick sinks down to his knees. The worst part of all of this was his inability to find a cure. It was his job to keep the agents well... it was his job to look after everyone and make sure they were healthy. To dig out the bullets and keep them alive. To make sure they took care of themselves and followed his directions to staying well. And now... when Jason's life was at stake, he could do nothing. He was utterly helpless and wasn't going to be able to save an agent... a friend.
Eric's eyes drift to his door as he hears the knock followed by Rosetta's voice. He shouldn't be surprised. But he sighs anyway.
It hadn't taken him but a few minutes to get inside, throw his bags in the corner, grab his ice packs and settle in on top of his bed. Though sitting up, his sore leg was stretched out with the three ice packs around his injured thigh. He didn't feel good. His leg hurt. His stomach wasn't right, and his mind... well, that hadn't been on track for a long time. And Rosetta wanted to welcome him home?
He had a couple choices. He could send her away and make the rift bigger. He could invite her in and let her see how he was hurt and miserable. Or he could cover up with a blanket and pretend everything was fine. Unfortunately, his mood was such that it wouldn't allow the third option. And he really didn't like the first option.
Sighing again, he calls to his sister. "Yeah... it's open." Watching Rosetta come in, he looks her in the eye for just a moment before his gaze drops. "Hi." His left hand slowly slides down by a blanket to hide his empty ring finger.
Dylan is just scraping the last bit of food from his plate when Ashlee startles him. Giving a little jump, he looks over at her quickly, and just as quickly relaxing since it was only her. "Hey." She might not have seen him, but he'd seen her. What did she want now? Did she have an agenda? Was she just lonely? It didn't really seem to matter.
Pulling his legs up from being stretched over the top step and sitting cross legged instead, he waves his fork at the now-empty spot, in case she wanted to sit.
"It's going," he responds vaguely to her question. "You? Figured you'd be at supper with everybody else."
3/9/11
Welcome
Having Tal tuck the strand of hair behind her ear Ryan leans her head into his hand a little bit. Tal's hands really were pretty soft and they felt nice, to her the roughness was normal she it really didn't feel rough. Looking up into his eyes Ryan smiles at him.
"Well I think you for trying to help me. It feels much better now. You have magical hands."
Leaning up and pressing her lips to Tal's for a quick kiss Ryan pulls away her eyes sparkling. Looking up into his eyes Ryan just studied them. There was a look deep in them that maybe said there was still a lot about Tal she didn't but but searching his eyes without fear of what she might run into was nice.
Listing to Rick talk with Jason Katie sat next to him her hand clasped with his. As Jason finishes what Rick was going to tell him Katie couldn't help but be surprised that he was rather calm about it all. In a way it kind of freaked her out and it was a good way to be able to tell something wasn't right. Giving a strange look to Rick Katie is quiet till she left though her eyes said a lot.
"It's gonna be ok J."
Once Rick was gone Katie looked to Jason and just study him for a long moment. She could see the slight worry in his eyes and it caused her to worry even more. She hated seeing him like this almost defeated.
"I don't mind being your nurse. I rather like the pashent."
Slidding off the bed Ryan stands and holds her arm out to Jason with a smile. She just wanted to be there for him. To let him know she was there. Maybe once they got home she could talk a little more.
"Not sure about you but I think I'm ready to get out of here already."
Hearing that her brother was back Rosetta perks up a little bit. Looking to Mick at the mention of him being alone she wondered. Did Eric leave Dana some where else so nothing would be started? Rosetta couldn't help but he a little concerned. Hearing that he wasnt coming inside set up a red flag as well. Was he really that upset with them still?
"I'll be back."
Getting up from the table and heading outside Rosetta made her way to Eric's bunk. She didn't know if it was smart or not to come see her brother when he apparently didn't want to see them. But she at least wanted him to know she new he was there and cared enough to come and say hi.
Knocking on the door Rosetta waits. She didn't want to just barge in. She did still respect her brother privacy even if there last encounter had been anything but pleasant.
"Eric...I just wanted to say welcome home."
Coming across the lawn and stumbling across Dylan's bunk Ashlee gives a smile as she stops at the bottom of the steps. Just watching him eat for a moment she cocks her head before giving a little cough to let him know she was there.
"Hey Dylan. Havn't see you in a few days."
Ashlee gave Dylan a smile. She hadn't gone to eat yet she had been to busy exploring. Every turn she took seemed to take her to a new place and she was really enjoying it.
"Hows everything going?"
"Well I think you for trying to help me. It feels much better now. You have magical hands."
Leaning up and pressing her lips to Tal's for a quick kiss Ryan pulls away her eyes sparkling. Looking up into his eyes Ryan just studied them. There was a look deep in them that maybe said there was still a lot about Tal she didn't but but searching his eyes without fear of what she might run into was nice.
Listing to Rick talk with Jason Katie sat next to him her hand clasped with his. As Jason finishes what Rick was going to tell him Katie couldn't help but be surprised that he was rather calm about it all. In a way it kind of freaked her out and it was a good way to be able to tell something wasn't right. Giving a strange look to Rick Katie is quiet till she left though her eyes said a lot.
"It's gonna be ok J."
Once Rick was gone Katie looked to Jason and just study him for a long moment. She could see the slight worry in his eyes and it caused her to worry even more. She hated seeing him like this almost defeated.
"I don't mind being your nurse. I rather like the pashent."
Slidding off the bed Ryan stands and holds her arm out to Jason with a smile. She just wanted to be there for him. To let him know she was there. Maybe once they got home she could talk a little more.
"Not sure about you but I think I'm ready to get out of here already."
Hearing that her brother was back Rosetta perks up a little bit. Looking to Mick at the mention of him being alone she wondered. Did Eric leave Dana some where else so nothing would be started? Rosetta couldn't help but he a little concerned. Hearing that he wasnt coming inside set up a red flag as well. Was he really that upset with them still?
"I'll be back."
Getting up from the table and heading outside Rosetta made her way to Eric's bunk. She didn't know if it was smart or not to come see her brother when he apparently didn't want to see them. But she at least wanted him to know she new he was there and cared enough to come and say hi.
Knocking on the door Rosetta waits. She didn't want to just barge in. She did still respect her brother privacy even if there last encounter had been anything but pleasant.
"Eric...I just wanted to say welcome home."
Coming across the lawn and stumbling across Dylan's bunk Ashlee gives a smile as she stops at the bottom of the steps. Just watching him eat for a moment she cocks her head before giving a little cough to let him know she was there.
"Hey Dylan. Havn't see you in a few days."
Ashlee gave Dylan a smile. She hadn't gone to eat yet she had been to busy exploring. Every turn she took seemed to take her to a new place and she was really enjoying it.
"Hows everything going?"
Talented
Having Ryan turn around, Tal smiles down at her almost sheepishly. Not many people knew this about him. "Oh..." He shrugs. "My sister is a massage therapist. I got interested in it a while back 'cause of her - even started training, but money got tight and I had to quit. So I know just enough to make your neck feel better, but not enough to tell anyone about it."
His smile turns to a wry grin and he reaches down to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear. "And now I paint over dings in cars. Go figure."
There were more things about him that no one else knew. More things about his past... his upbringing. Perhaps a faraway glint in his eye unintentionally revealed a rougher life than one might guess. But his smile hid it well.
Rick nods and gives Katie's arm a final pat before he stands up. "Atta girl. Try to finish your juice there and then rest some more..."
...It had been several days, and Jason was still in the infirmary at TJY. Though not having fallen prey to unconsciousness, he had been sleeping a lot and had been under Rick and Misty's monitoring. Medication helped his pain but he still hurt all over, and battling nausea was a constant. He did his best not to complain, and overall remained quieter than anyone expected him to be.
"Well... think I can let you out of here?" Rick sits on the edge of the bed, checking Jason's vitals again.
Jason sighs and pulls himself up to sit straighter, having been kept company by Katie this morning. "Sure would be nice. Getting kinda tired of seeing these four white walls."
Rick chuckles. "Welcome to my world." He pauses, collecting his thoughts. "Listen, Jase..." He glances to Katie. She knew what he wanted to say to Jason, and both knew he wouldn't take it well. He hoped her presence would at least thwart Jason from losing his temper. "...there's something I want to talk to you about."
Jason shifts and lets a hand slide off the bed to be met with Trooper's wet nose as the dog came in to visit his master. "What? Reese complaining this brute is running around loose?"
"Nah. He's been too busy to notice, and so far Trooper hasn't gone around biting anybody."
"I always said it wasn't his fault in the first place."
Rick shakes a finger at the big dog. "Learn to control your temper, and you'll be around here for a while." He turns his attention back to Jason. "About you going home..."
"Yeah, I know."
"You know what?"
Jason's eyes drift to Katie for a moment before he responds to Rick. "You want Katie to stay with me at my place and you're taking me off work."
Rick quirks an eyebrow. "Well, your hearing seems to be working fine."
Jason manages a rueful grin. "I guess so."
"So you're... alright... with all of that?" Rick couldn't help his surprise. He'd really expected an argument.
Jason shrugs. "Figure I don't have much of a choice. No point in trying to fight you over it."
Rick was still surprised though. Honestly, this wasn't like Jason, to just take this lying down. Any other time Rick had tried to take him off work, it had been like pulling teeth. Let alone telling him to be babysat by Katie. And he wasn't even complaining? It was strange enough that it almost concerned Rick and he couldn't help tossing Katie a bewildered look. "I guess I'm glad to hear that. And this is just temporary... once you start feeling better again, we'll reevaluate and go from there."
Jason looks down and fiddles with a loose thread on the bedsheets.
Rick furrows his brow. "What is it?"
"Nothing." Jason lifts his gaze and forces a smile. "Does this mean I get to go home today?"
"I told Katie she can take you home after work."
"Okay." Jason watches Rick leave before he turns back to Katie, the same forced smile on his lips. "Well, I guess you get to play nursemaid." He reaches up and tugs a stray lock of her hair playfully. "Elite Agent... bodyguard... nurse... you're pretty talented."
Days at the ranch seemed to go by fast. After several days had passed, everyone was familiar with Stacy and Ashlee, making sure they had everything they needed and already getting used to them being around. Many made the extra effort to interact with them, getting to know them better and learning more about them.
After the first day, Dylan retreated some. He still didn't like the thought of Stacy being there, and though Ashlee made him a little intrigued, he withdrew, sticking to his barn chores, doing his schoolwork in his bunk or outdoors, and eating supper on his bunk porch like he used to do. He'd be back in the dining hall sometime... just... not right now. He did keep an eye on Ashlee though - if nothing else, simply out of curiosity about what made her tick.
Mick had noticed his son drawing back but hadn't said anything. If he did, he'd probably just make things worse. He'd just let this thing run its course, confident that Dylan would come around. At the very least, at least he was staying away from Ashlee for the most part...
...Evening. The sun was sinking low towards the horizon, spreading color across the clear sky. The ranch was relatively quiet, with most people gathered inside for dinner. The only one not accounted for was Dylan, who sat on his porch, slowly eating supper alone.
It didn't used to be unusual to see the red semi cab pull into the ranch. But this time, there had been several weeks of silence from the driver, which was a rare enough occurrence that his arrival would cause curiosity.
The engine sputters and gives a loud pop, followed by a hiss as it pulls to a halt. Eric looks out to see a thin trail of smoke leading from the hood. At least he had made it back. Unfortunately, he didn't know when he'd get to leave again. The temporary fix from the auto shop on the way here looked like it had worn out, and he knew there would be no second "band-aid." It would have to be totally fixed for him to drive anywhere now... and that might be some time away, seeing as though he couldn't afford the work that would need to be done on the old engine.
After parking in his regular spot, Eric doesn't get out of the cab right away. He had envisioned all of the "I told you so's" that he could, and dreaded every single one. He'd almost not come at all. Maybe he wouldn't have, had all his belongings not been here. He wasn't sure. But as it was, he was here, and he was here alone. His eyes drift to the passenger seat. It was just as empty as it had been since his wedding day, and just as empty as his heart.
Taking a deep breath, he finally exits his truck. It was evening and he could see activity through the window of the dining hall. His guess was that guests and ranch hands were finished with supper and that it was the family's turn now. He wasn't going to make an entrance though. He'd rather not. Someone had most likely heard his truck as he'd pulled in, but he would greet people later.
Easing down from the truck, he favors his leg that had grown increasingly sore the last couple days. Retrieving his duffel bag, he slings it over his shoulder and slowly heads towards his bunkhouse, head bent and limping slightly. His worn boots crunched on the gravel and he remembered the last time he'd had a stopover here. Dana had been on his arm and he'd been happier than any other time before. So much for that. Everything had only gone downhill from there.
Getting to his bunk, he unlocks the door and slips inside for the night.
In the dining hall, the sound of the sick engine had not escaped Clint's ears. Tilting back in his chair, he moves aside one of the curtains on the windows and quirks an eyebrow as he sees a familiar figure head to one of the bunkhouses. It was odd for two reasons - one, because Eric always came in to say hi, and two, because he was evidently alone. Clint was fully aware of the family tension though, so maybe it really wasn't that strange not to see Dana - perhaps she'd opted not to come or he'd put her up nearby, planning to leave again right away. Though the way the truck sounded, Clint had his doubts that Eric was going anywhere any time soon.
"Hey, what is it?"
Clint looks back to the table and to Jim. He lets his chair fall back onto all fours and shrugs. "Eric's back."
"Really? Is he coming in?"
"Nope. Headed to his bunk."
His voice his heard at the next table over, and Mick lifts his head, throwing Rosetta a sidelong glance. They'd both been rather concerned after not hearing from Eric for several weeks, but Mick had tried to be positive, suggesting the honeymoon lasted longer than planned, or they were just busy and Eric was content and had simply forgotten to call. But now that he was here... and sine he hadn't come inside... did someone need to go check on him?
His smile turns to a wry grin and he reaches down to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear. "And now I paint over dings in cars. Go figure."
There were more things about him that no one else knew. More things about his past... his upbringing. Perhaps a faraway glint in his eye unintentionally revealed a rougher life than one might guess. But his smile hid it well.
Rick nods and gives Katie's arm a final pat before he stands up. "Atta girl. Try to finish your juice there and then rest some more..."
...It had been several days, and Jason was still in the infirmary at TJY. Though not having fallen prey to unconsciousness, he had been sleeping a lot and had been under Rick and Misty's monitoring. Medication helped his pain but he still hurt all over, and battling nausea was a constant. He did his best not to complain, and overall remained quieter than anyone expected him to be.
"Well... think I can let you out of here?" Rick sits on the edge of the bed, checking Jason's vitals again.
Jason sighs and pulls himself up to sit straighter, having been kept company by Katie this morning. "Sure would be nice. Getting kinda tired of seeing these four white walls."
Rick chuckles. "Welcome to my world." He pauses, collecting his thoughts. "Listen, Jase..." He glances to Katie. She knew what he wanted to say to Jason, and both knew he wouldn't take it well. He hoped her presence would at least thwart Jason from losing his temper. "...there's something I want to talk to you about."
Jason shifts and lets a hand slide off the bed to be met with Trooper's wet nose as the dog came in to visit his master. "What? Reese complaining this brute is running around loose?"
"Nah. He's been too busy to notice, and so far Trooper hasn't gone around biting anybody."
"I always said it wasn't his fault in the first place."
Rick shakes a finger at the big dog. "Learn to control your temper, and you'll be around here for a while." He turns his attention back to Jason. "About you going home..."
"Yeah, I know."
"You know what?"
Jason's eyes drift to Katie for a moment before he responds to Rick. "You want Katie to stay with me at my place and you're taking me off work."
Rick quirks an eyebrow. "Well, your hearing seems to be working fine."
Jason manages a rueful grin. "I guess so."
"So you're... alright... with all of that?" Rick couldn't help his surprise. He'd really expected an argument.
Jason shrugs. "Figure I don't have much of a choice. No point in trying to fight you over it."
Rick was still surprised though. Honestly, this wasn't like Jason, to just take this lying down. Any other time Rick had tried to take him off work, it had been like pulling teeth. Let alone telling him to be babysat by Katie. And he wasn't even complaining? It was strange enough that it almost concerned Rick and he couldn't help tossing Katie a bewildered look. "I guess I'm glad to hear that. And this is just temporary... once you start feeling better again, we'll reevaluate and go from there."
Jason looks down and fiddles with a loose thread on the bedsheets.
Rick furrows his brow. "What is it?"
"Nothing." Jason lifts his gaze and forces a smile. "Does this mean I get to go home today?"
"I told Katie she can take you home after work."
"Okay." Jason watches Rick leave before he turns back to Katie, the same forced smile on his lips. "Well, I guess you get to play nursemaid." He reaches up and tugs a stray lock of her hair playfully. "Elite Agent... bodyguard... nurse... you're pretty talented."
Days at the ranch seemed to go by fast. After several days had passed, everyone was familiar with Stacy and Ashlee, making sure they had everything they needed and already getting used to them being around. Many made the extra effort to interact with them, getting to know them better and learning more about them.
After the first day, Dylan retreated some. He still didn't like the thought of Stacy being there, and though Ashlee made him a little intrigued, he withdrew, sticking to his barn chores, doing his schoolwork in his bunk or outdoors, and eating supper on his bunk porch like he used to do. He'd be back in the dining hall sometime... just... not right now. He did keep an eye on Ashlee though - if nothing else, simply out of curiosity about what made her tick.
Mick had noticed his son drawing back but hadn't said anything. If he did, he'd probably just make things worse. He'd just let this thing run its course, confident that Dylan would come around. At the very least, at least he was staying away from Ashlee for the most part...
...Evening. The sun was sinking low towards the horizon, spreading color across the clear sky. The ranch was relatively quiet, with most people gathered inside for dinner. The only one not accounted for was Dylan, who sat on his porch, slowly eating supper alone.
It didn't used to be unusual to see the red semi cab pull into the ranch. But this time, there had been several weeks of silence from the driver, which was a rare enough occurrence that his arrival would cause curiosity.
The engine sputters and gives a loud pop, followed by a hiss as it pulls to a halt. Eric looks out to see a thin trail of smoke leading from the hood. At least he had made it back. Unfortunately, he didn't know when he'd get to leave again. The temporary fix from the auto shop on the way here looked like it had worn out, and he knew there would be no second "band-aid." It would have to be totally fixed for him to drive anywhere now... and that might be some time away, seeing as though he couldn't afford the work that would need to be done on the old engine.
After parking in his regular spot, Eric doesn't get out of the cab right away. He had envisioned all of the "I told you so's" that he could, and dreaded every single one. He'd almost not come at all. Maybe he wouldn't have, had all his belongings not been here. He wasn't sure. But as it was, he was here, and he was here alone. His eyes drift to the passenger seat. It was just as empty as it had been since his wedding day, and just as empty as his heart.
Taking a deep breath, he finally exits his truck. It was evening and he could see activity through the window of the dining hall. His guess was that guests and ranch hands were finished with supper and that it was the family's turn now. He wasn't going to make an entrance though. He'd rather not. Someone had most likely heard his truck as he'd pulled in, but he would greet people later.
Easing down from the truck, he favors his leg that had grown increasingly sore the last couple days. Retrieving his duffel bag, he slings it over his shoulder and slowly heads towards his bunkhouse, head bent and limping slightly. His worn boots crunched on the gravel and he remembered the last time he'd had a stopover here. Dana had been on his arm and he'd been happier than any other time before. So much for that. Everything had only gone downhill from there.
Getting to his bunk, he unlocks the door and slips inside for the night.
In the dining hall, the sound of the sick engine had not escaped Clint's ears. Tilting back in his chair, he moves aside one of the curtains on the windows and quirks an eyebrow as he sees a familiar figure head to one of the bunkhouses. It was odd for two reasons - one, because Eric always came in to say hi, and two, because he was evidently alone. Clint was fully aware of the family tension though, so maybe it really wasn't that strange not to see Dana - perhaps she'd opted not to come or he'd put her up nearby, planning to leave again right away. Though the way the truck sounded, Clint had his doubts that Eric was going anywhere any time soon.
"Hey, what is it?"
Clint looks back to the table and to Jim. He lets his chair fall back onto all fours and shrugs. "Eric's back."
"Really? Is he coming in?"
"Nope. Headed to his bunk."
His voice his heard at the next table over, and Mick lifts his head, throwing Rosetta a sidelong glance. They'd both been rather concerned after not hearing from Eric for several weeks, but Mick had tried to be positive, suggesting the honeymoon lasted longer than planned, or they were just busy and Eric was content and had simply forgotten to call. But now that he was here... and sine he hadn't come inside... did someone need to go check on him?
3/8/11
Learn
As Tal comes up behind her Ryan relaxed a little as his hands go to her shoulder and than up her neck. As he starts to rub a little Ryan can't help the chill that ran down her spin giving her a good tingly sensation. Continuing to just relax trusting Tal she lets him bring his arm around her next as she doesn't tighten like he said.
Hearing the pop in her back Ryan gives a groan but feeling Tal's hands on the spot again she continues to relax before moving her head back and forth again. Surprisingly there was only a dull throb now.
"Wow...that feels much better. It's only a dull throb now."
Turning around to come face to face with Tal Ryan cocks her head a little bit as she smile up at him. He'd really worked that kind out and it surprised her a bit, but definitely felt good.
"Where did you learn how to do that?"
Trying to give the best smile she could to Rick Katie gives a small nod looking up at him. She new there was a light even if it was far away. No matter how this turned out there was a light...she just wish she new what waited on the other side for them both. A life on the antidote, without Jason...was not a life she wanted.
"I'll do all everything I can to convince him to let me stay with him."
Katie lets out a long sigh before she looks over at Jason again. Giving a little shake of her head she new she had to be strong. For Jason's sake she had to hold it together. God would let everything work out. She just had to have faith.
Hearing the pop in her back Ryan gives a groan but feeling Tal's hands on the spot again she continues to relax before moving her head back and forth again. Surprisingly there was only a dull throb now.
"Wow...that feels much better. It's only a dull throb now."
Turning around to come face to face with Tal Ryan cocks her head a little bit as she smile up at him. He'd really worked that kind out and it surprised her a bit, but definitely felt good.
"Where did you learn how to do that?"
Trying to give the best smile she could to Rick Katie gives a small nod looking up at him. She new there was a light even if it was far away. No matter how this turned out there was a light...she just wish she new what waited on the other side for them both. A life on the antidote, without Jason...was not a life she wanted.
"I'll do all everything I can to convince him to let me stay with him."
Katie lets out a long sigh before she looks over at Jason again. Giving a little shake of her head she new she had to be strong. For Jason's sake she had to hold it together. God would let everything work out. She just had to have faith.
3/7/11
Pop
Tal grins as he chews on his carrot. He probably wouldn't stop thanking Ryan, but he'd lay off for a little while at least, to keep her happy - his main goal was still to be here for her. The returned friendship from both her and Eli sure felt nice too though. Being able to help Ryan plus gain friends... maybe he hadn't thought he'd find both in the same place, but he certainly wasn't going to complain. And maybe... maybe until the last few days he hadn't realized what he'd been missing out on by not having any real friends.
Noticing Ryan rolling her neck, then hearing her comment about it killing her, he puts the rest of his carrot in his mouth and wipes his hands on his jeans. "Aw, well that's no good. Here." Coming up behind her, he places his hands on her shoulders and slides them up towards her neck, letting his thumbs find the knot. Massaging the area softy, he digs just a little bit, but carefully. After a few minutes, he slips one arm over her shoulder and around her front, careful to not let his forearm cut off her air, while his other palm remains on the knot at the base of her neck. "Relax for just a second..." Without much warning, he gives her a slight jerk. A pop is heard and he nods with satisfaction. "There ya go."
Sliding his hands back again, he rubs the spot gently to ease any soreness. "Feel better?"
Dylan quirks an eyebrow at Ashlee's statement about being lost. He wasn't sure why he sensed a deeper meaning. Personally, he'd rather not be lost in the first place - heading in the right direction to begin with seemed a whole lot better than wandering aimlessly, wasting time until one could find the right path again - especially if it was stupidity that got him lost in the first place. He supposed he could see some validity in Ashlee's perspective though... if one wound up lost, using it to find the right way again was probably the best outlook in the long run.
Realizing she's just waved, he stops thinking and returns a little wave and a nod. He wasn't so sure about doing schoolwork together, but he knew they'd see each other - it would be awfully hard not to around here.
Sighing, he aims for the door as well, but pauses just long enough to glance over his shoulder and realize that Mick was staring at him. The stare was a strange look... disapproval? Curiosity? Dylan couldn't be sure. He furrows his brow as if to ask, "What?" but the only response is a slight nod before Mick turns away. Dylan shrugs it off and keeps his route to the door. He'd given up on trying to read his father. Finding his tells in poker was one thing - in real life, Dylan still felt lost in a mystery.
Rick wasn't surprised Katie agreed to his request, though her saying yes to staying with Jason was still a relief. Her question though brings on a helpless expression that is hard to hide.
He sets a hand on her shoulder and looks her kindly in the eye. "There is always light at the end of the tunnel, Katie... always." He didn't have any other answers. He wished he did. But he didn't. So right now, hope and faith in God were all that they had. Otherwise, he and Misty were working blind.
"The biggest thing now is convincing him to take off work and let you stay with him - but I won't broach that subject for a few days at least, when he's stronger. I may need you to help convince him." Rick offers the best smile he can. "It'll all work out."
Noticing Ryan rolling her neck, then hearing her comment about it killing her, he puts the rest of his carrot in his mouth and wipes his hands on his jeans. "Aw, well that's no good. Here." Coming up behind her, he places his hands on her shoulders and slides them up towards her neck, letting his thumbs find the knot. Massaging the area softy, he digs just a little bit, but carefully. After a few minutes, he slips one arm over her shoulder and around her front, careful to not let his forearm cut off her air, while his other palm remains on the knot at the base of her neck. "Relax for just a second..." Without much warning, he gives her a slight jerk. A pop is heard and he nods with satisfaction. "There ya go."
Sliding his hands back again, he rubs the spot gently to ease any soreness. "Feel better?"
Dylan quirks an eyebrow at Ashlee's statement about being lost. He wasn't sure why he sensed a deeper meaning. Personally, he'd rather not be lost in the first place - heading in the right direction to begin with seemed a whole lot better than wandering aimlessly, wasting time until one could find the right path again - especially if it was stupidity that got him lost in the first place. He supposed he could see some validity in Ashlee's perspective though... if one wound up lost, using it to find the right way again was probably the best outlook in the long run.
Realizing she's just waved, he stops thinking and returns a little wave and a nod. He wasn't so sure about doing schoolwork together, but he knew they'd see each other - it would be awfully hard not to around here.
Sighing, he aims for the door as well, but pauses just long enough to glance over his shoulder and realize that Mick was staring at him. The stare was a strange look... disapproval? Curiosity? Dylan couldn't be sure. He furrows his brow as if to ask, "What?" but the only response is a slight nod before Mick turns away. Dylan shrugs it off and keeps his route to the door. He'd given up on trying to read his father. Finding his tells in poker was one thing - in real life, Dylan still felt lost in a mystery.
Rick wasn't surprised Katie agreed to his request, though her saying yes to staying with Jason was still a relief. Her question though brings on a helpless expression that is hard to hide.
He sets a hand on her shoulder and looks her kindly in the eye. "There is always light at the end of the tunnel, Katie... always." He didn't have any other answers. He wished he did. But he didn't. So right now, hope and faith in God were all that they had. Otherwise, he and Misty were working blind.
"The biggest thing now is convincing him to take off work and let you stay with him - but I won't broach that subject for a few days at least, when he's stronger. I may need you to help convince him." Rick offers the best smile he can. "It'll all work out."
3/6/11
Neck
Watching as Dylan stands Ashlee just watches him for a moment before standing again herself. Maybe she shouldn't have sat so soon. Did it make him leery and scare him away? She was hoping for a longer conversation that that but at least it was a start. Hearing his offer about going back into the night she is broke her thought and a smile slips to her lips. It was a nice offer.
"I think I can find my way and if not thats ok. Getting lost is not so bad, because the only way to really find ones way is to be lost first. Thanks though that was very nice of you."
Taking her own papers she had set on the table and turns to head to the door. Stopping though Ashlee turns around and looks at Dylan again before cocking her head. Lifting her free hand she gives a wave. She'd be seeing more of Dylan and she couldn't help but be excited about it. He was cute, and seemed like a pretty cool guy.
"I'll see you around Dylan. Maybe we can sit and do some school work together sometime. Have a good night."
Standing at the stove and string the pot of spaghetti sauce Ryan smiles a little that was followed by a little laugh. She really didn't think cooking was anything special, she just picked up on different things here and there through he life. But she was pleased it made Tal happy and if he didn't mind watching her cook that it was ok.
"You can stop thanking me all the time. You are more than welcome here anytime you want to be and its nice to not be alone on the cold nights when Eli is out."
There was so much truth to that statement that Ryan really hadn't thought about until after she said it. The nights had been pretty lonely the last few weeks since when Eli was gone there was no one else around.
Moving on through she moves her neck from one side to the other as she lets the sauce simmer for a moment. Since this morning her neck had been killing her, but she hadn't noticed it again till a little while ago. Maybe when she did her dive bomb it aggravated it again.
"Man, I think I slept on my neck wrong. Its killing me."
Looking at Rick and listing to what he said Katie lets him talk taking in everything he said. As he continued though her gaze glanced to Jason and she just watched him sleep. He looked...peaceful right now yet on the inside a terrible war was raging what would win in the end was uncertain and maybe thats what scared Katie the most. Turning her attachen back to Rick Katie gives a nod.
"Yeah I'll stay with him at night. I'd like that...than I know he's doing ok myself and it would put me at ease too."
Looking down at her lap for a moment Katie fingers one of the crackers for a long moment. Lots of thoughts ran through her mind. No one had to say anything but she already new that Jason was fading fast. It was something she could feel even without there emotional connection, just one of those gut feeling.
"Any break troughs on how to help Jason? Or at least some time of light at the end of the tunnal?"
"I think I can find my way and if not thats ok. Getting lost is not so bad, because the only way to really find ones way is to be lost first. Thanks though that was very nice of you."
Taking her own papers she had set on the table and turns to head to the door. Stopping though Ashlee turns around and looks at Dylan again before cocking her head. Lifting her free hand she gives a wave. She'd be seeing more of Dylan and she couldn't help but be excited about it. He was cute, and seemed like a pretty cool guy.
"I'll see you around Dylan. Maybe we can sit and do some school work together sometime. Have a good night."
Standing at the stove and string the pot of spaghetti sauce Ryan smiles a little that was followed by a little laugh. She really didn't think cooking was anything special, she just picked up on different things here and there through he life. But she was pleased it made Tal happy and if he didn't mind watching her cook that it was ok.
"You can stop thanking me all the time. You are more than welcome here anytime you want to be and its nice to not be alone on the cold nights when Eli is out."
There was so much truth to that statement that Ryan really hadn't thought about until after she said it. The nights had been pretty lonely the last few weeks since when Eli was gone there was no one else around.
Moving on through she moves her neck from one side to the other as she lets the sauce simmer for a moment. Since this morning her neck had been killing her, but she hadn't noticed it again till a little while ago. Maybe when she did her dive bomb it aggravated it again.
"Man, I think I slept on my neck wrong. Its killing me."
Looking at Rick and listing to what he said Katie lets him talk taking in everything he said. As he continued though her gaze glanced to Jason and she just watched him sleep. He looked...peaceful right now yet on the inside a terrible war was raging what would win in the end was uncertain and maybe thats what scared Katie the most. Turning her attachen back to Rick Katie gives a nod.
"Yeah I'll stay with him at night. I'd like that...than I know he's doing ok myself and it would put me at ease too."
Looking down at her lap for a moment Katie fingers one of the crackers for a long moment. Lots of thoughts ran through her mind. No one had to say anything but she already new that Jason was fading fast. It was something she could feel even without there emotional connection, just one of those gut feeling.
"Any break troughs on how to help Jason? Or at least some time of light at the end of the tunnal?"
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