Memories

Having his sister leave so suddenly and with such a look of anger on her face, Eli calls after her, but she doesn't turn around. Where was she going? Just to blow of steam, or something more than that? He glances back to the bed where his friend lay - so still... so weak... so helpless. It was a sight he wished he'd never remember, yet would be burned in his mind forever. "Hang in there," he whispers. 

Turning and leaving, he follows after Ryan, trying to keep her within his sights. She might just be going to take a drive to the desert and race out her frustrations. Or, she could be following through with her previous statement about Alec. Either way, Eli only wanted to make sure she was okay and didn't do anything stupid. 

Once outside, he sees Ryan take off in her car, and he's quick to mount up his bike. Heading after her, he loses her for a moment or two, then picks her up again, speeding to keep behind her. Sure enough, she was heading to Alec's. 

Not paying attention to much else, Eli suddenly realizes the traffic light was turning red and there were cars coming across the intersection. Hitting the breaks, he skids on the pavement, his muscles straining to keep his bike upright. Barely coming to a stop in time, he plants his feet on the road, growling in frustration. At least he wasn't too far behind Ryan.

Having Ryan force the door open wider, Alec takes a step back. His eyebrows rise slightly, but he was too leery to show surprise. What was she doing? 

Before he can react, Ryan's angry words are hurled in his direction with deadly venom. Unable to get his own word in and never having thought she would get physical, he never even saw the first punch coming. His head jerks to the side and he catches his balance, snapping his eyes back up to her. His gaze was a mixture of shock, anger... and pain. 

Another punch comes and he takes several more steps back, but Ryan still comes. Alec's reflexes screamed at him to react. Every muscle strained to fight back. To throw his own punch. To take down his attacker. But this was Ryan. This was the woman he'd wanted. The woman he'd been trying to get back. How could he hit her?

Another punch from her, and his fist clenches, ready to defend himself with force. But in that same moment, Ryan's words hit him like a dagger to the heart.  

"I hate you." 

And in an instant, Alec is suddenly very far away. He's in the holding cell, being brought a home cooked meal. He's in Ryan's car with her, dreaming of freedom and wishing he could run away with her. He's being handed a gift that he can't understand but treasures. He's on the beach, learning how to have fun for the first time. He's kissing her... holding her... telling her how she had changed his life around. He's falling asleep with her on the couch, having never felt so peaceful and safe. He's meeting her for lunch and laughing at silly jokes or nothing at all. He's learning how to be a friend and accept friendship. He's allowing her to teach him how to live. He's falling in love with her. 

Another hard hit to his arm brings his mind back to the present and his eyes focus in on the same woman who he had spent so much time with. Had become so close to. Had loved. And she hated him. She hated him so much that she was willing to physically beat him. Every tear that streamed down her face was like a new lethal stab, pushing him farther and farther into a place that he did not like. There was guilt here. Pain. Agony. 

And he had brought it all upon himself. He was the one who had caused Ryan to change from the smiling, confident, fun girlfriend, to this hateful, tormented woman. 

It was all. 

His. 

Fault. 

Catching Ryan's last blow before it reaches him, Alec comes to his senses and grabs her shoulders, spinning her around. Like lightning, his arms latch around her in a bear hug from behind, holding her arms to her sides so she could no longer hit him. Locking his muscles, he does not strike, but only prevents her from hitting him further. 

"Let her go, Alec."

Alec's eyes shoot up towards the door. Eli. He doesn't let go yet, with Ryan still struggling hard against him. "You come get her." 

Eli steps into the apartment, his eyes blazing with fire. He'd been standing there for several moments already and had seen enough to know what was going on. Why Alec had not fought back though, was a mystery to him. Approaching with long strides, he remains ready for anything, but doesn't want this fight to continue. Somebody would get very hurt, and even though he wanted to push Alec out the window and watch him fall, he knew that two wrongs would not make a right. 

Prying Ryan loose from Alec's grasp, he holds Ryan closely - tightly. "Calm down, Ryan," he soothes calmly, forcing himself not to use this opportunity to fight Alec himself. "Don't do this... please." 

Alec takes a step back, putting several feet between them. His eyes were dim... hollow. His hands were up, but only to protect himself, lest Ryan come at him again. But his shoulders were bent. His face the face of a man who had been beaten - on the inside.

Feeling Misty's hand on his back, Carson's muscles automatically relax - it never failed. Her touch was magic.

But no, everything was not okay. "Mm-hmm," he mumbles into the pillow.

Finally he rolls onto his back and squints up at her tiredly. He lifts a hand to run a finger down the side of her face lovingly. "You're beautiful, you know that?"

He sighs deeply and lets his hand drop. "I'm just tired I guess. Sorry." He'd said the same thing every night for a week now. Misty was bound to know something wasn't right. It was unusual for him to be this tired and distant for more than a day or two, tops. He'd always told her everything about what was bothering him. But... not this time. And he didn't want her asking either.

"How was your day?" He moves the subject along quickly to avoid questions.

Fight

As Alec opens the door and Ryan searches his face Ryan can feel her temper flare even more. His expression held no remorse, no feeling of being sorry it showed nothing and that made Ryan even more angry just looking at him.

Slamming her hand on the door and opening it all the way Ryan steps into his apartment. Pointing a finger as his chest her anger just poured out. No one hurt someone she loved...EVER! No matter what there history was, no matter what there reason was.

   "What in blue blazes do you think you were doing? Where you that jealouse....that scared...that upset that Tal was more of a man to be able to keep the woman he liked than you..."

Ryan's intent was to yell at Alec, to ream him out but  now as she stood here she wanted Alec to hurt, she wanted him to feel the pain Tal did and before she even new it Ryan's right hand flew up and cracked into the side of Alec's jaw. Another punch followed to his arm pushing him backwads.

   "You almost killed him Alec, and your not going to pay anything for it. Did you think this would make me love you again?"

Another fist was delivered to Alec as tears streamed out of Ryan's eyes. She lost all contentiousness of whatw as going on and what she was doing all that was there was pain, anger, and hate.

   "...did you think this would win me over? You couldn't be farther from the truth...Your the scum of the earth and I hate you."

Ryan's fists moved faster and harder at Alec if they landed on him or not she didn't know nor did her care. 

   "Tal never hurt anyone...He was a good guy and now he might die because of you...and you get to walk around free."

Ryan's words seemed to drowned out by her tears her own fists starting to burn but she didn't care. Seeing Tal laying in that bed, thinking about Alec being free it only drove her feather and she hated Alec had gotten her to that point. The point that would not be easy to come back from.

Hearing the front door open Misty waits for Carson to come into the kitchen. As a few minutes pass She takes a dish towl and whipes her hands off. It was odd Carson didn't come into greet her not even to tell her he was home. 

   "Carson?"

Walking into the living room and seeing Carson on the couch Misty was a little worried. Going over and sitting down she lays a hand on his back and gives it a little rub.

   "Hey Babe...everything ok?"

Little Boy

Eric chuckles and gives Ashlee's cheek a quick brush with his finger. "Good. Right now though, I'm one hungry cowboy so I'm gonna get me something to eat. If you wanna find your mom, she's probably still with Angel, though I'm sure she'll come here next." 

"What's this?" Alec looks up at Reese after having a sheet of paper slapped down on the interrogation table in front of him. 

Reese frowns and folds his arms, remaining standing. "Read it." 

Alec had been in here for over and hour and honestly didn't know why. After he'd been questioned when Eli was here, he'd just been left alone. He'd sat, he'd paced, he'd used the intercom to complain to Hal, but nobody had come. He'd begun to think they'd forgotten about him, when finally Reese had shown up. And now Alec still had no idea what was going on. 

Looking down at the paper, he picks it up to see Reese's handwriting. "Numerous contusions and abrasions," he reads aloud. "Broken jaw and cheekbone... broken leg.... crushed hand..." Alec pauses and swallows hard. He doesn't dare look up. Was this what he thought it was?

"Keep reading," Reese orders sternly. 

"Multiple broken ribs. Punctured lung. Concussion.... fractured spine." Alec stops, refusing to read the last sentence and finally looking up at Reese. "What in the world is this, and why are you keeping me here anyway? What's the deal?" 

Reese slams his palm down on the table so hard it makes Alec jump. "Finish reading," he hisses. 

For the first time since setting foot in TJY that fateful night after attacking Scott, Alec feels a fear of Reese. He obeys. "Chances of survival, 50/50." 

Reese snatches up the paper, folds it in thirds and stuffs it into Alec's front shirt pocket. "You're free to go. But you take this list with you. And you read it again when you get home. And you think about it. And you dream about it. And you live with it. And you pray that the 50/50 chance swings around to better odds." 

Alec stands calmly, even though on the inside everything felt like it was churning and going haywire. "You haven't told me who this is about," he comments dryly. 

Reese glares at him. "I don't have to. You may have beaten the system, Alec Banks, but you get one thing clear right now - I don't believe you're innocent. We may never be able to prove it. And you may walk away a free man because you figured out how to fool us. But everybody pays eventually. Everybody. If you have any speck of a conscience left, I suggest you listen to it  - that is, if you can stand seeing the blood on your own hands." 

Alec had never seen Reese this angry. Nor had he ever felt such a shock of emotions. Earlier today, he'd been walking tall, knowing exactly what he wanted and how he'd get it. And right about now, it felt as though he'd been slammed over the head with a baseball bat. How someone's words could do that, he didn't know. But what he did know was that Reese was right. He was guilty. Whether they could prove it or not. And for some reason he couldn't explain... his triumph didn't feel all that triumphant. 

Walking silently to the door, Alec opens it slowly before glancing over his shoulder. But what could he say? Nothing, lest he admit his guilt and be taken to prison. Perhaps those prison bars were what he feared the most, without even realizing it. Turning, he exits the room and speaks to no one as he leaves TJY...

...Back at his apartment, Alec sits on the floor below the living room window. With his knees pulled up partway to his chest, he rests his arms on them, completely lost in his own thoughts. The paper that Reese had forced on him was resting on the carpet beside him.

The problem with the scene was not that Alec had committed a crime or betrayed someone's trust. It was not that he had lied, hurt someone, or gone mad with jealousy. Though certainly unacceptable in every way, shape and form, it was not those that caused the true problem as he sat staring into space. No... the problem lay within his heart. For it was not the heart of a man raised to be strong, wise and caring. It was not the heart of a man who had been taught the value of loyalty, the differences between right and wrong, or the acceptable ways to control one's heightened emotions. No.... rather, it was the heart of a little boy. A little boy that had not figured out where true happiness resides. A little boy that had become a man before his time. A little boy that felt tormented by feelings of loneliness, insecurity and confusion. What little boy would not fight back with fists against whom he felt was an intruder? What little boy would not react with anger when feeling pushed aside? Or with harmful vengeance against the emotional trauma of jealousy? With hate against that which made him hurt inside his soul?

The problem was not with the man sitting alone in the poor situation he had created. No, the problem was the little boy sitting alone in a world full of chaotic emotions. 

Guilt. Alec tries to swallow the acidic taste in his mouth. Something makes him pick up the paper again. He'd read it five times already. Tal. It was about Tal. Tal was lying in the hospital bed barely alive... and it was all because of him. Why wasn't he happier? Why wasn't he celebrating? They would know now he meant business. They would know now how serious he'd been about getting Ryan back. They would all know that he was one to be feared and respected. ...Right? 

Picking up the nearby phone he'd been allowed to hook up only days before, he dials the number still scribbled on his arm.

"Cutter? Alec." His tone was icy. "What in the world do you think you're doing?!" 

"Whoa, whoa, what are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about the job I hired you to do."

"And? I did it. Or didn't you hear?"

"I heard alright. I heard that Tal's in the hospital half dead because of you." 

"I'm impressed he survived."

"You were supposed to just give him a scare!" Alec raises his voice. "You were supposed to just rough him up a bit! I could have put him in the hospital myself the first time if I'd wanted to!"

"Hey, man, I did exactly what you told me to do. Far be it from me to take my job seriously."

"Seriously?! That's what you call this? You broke bones, Cutter! You almost killed him! It wasn't supposed to happen like that and you know it!" 

"Look, if you're not happy with the job, then I'm sorry. But you better still pay up, or you're gonna be next." 

Alec's eyes narrow. Cutter was a big guy, but Alec could take him down if he wanted to. "That won't be necessary. I'll pay. But don't expect me to ever ask you for anything again, and don't expect me to help your reputation any. I should have known better than to hire a bloodthirsty goon like you." 

Slamming the phone back in its cradle, Alec thinks he might be sick. He blamed Cutter for the severity of the attack. But in reality...it was still his fault. Why didn't he feel good about it?! Why was he feeling guilty??? He didn't understand!

A sudden pound on the door makes him jump. No one ever came here. What could anybody want? He remains silent and listens. If it was someone from the Elite, they would have said so. Nobody else cared to see him. Odd. 

Standing and trudging to the door, his socks scuff on the carpet. He was in no mood for any company - good or bad. Peering through the tiny peephole in the door, his eyes widen and he takes  a step back. Ryan. Ryan was here? Why? A cold chill runs down his spine as he remembers seeing Eli earlier. The anger. The bloodstains. The ire to kill. And the look on Ryan's face now was not much different. 

Alec is tempted to not even answer the door. But what kind of coward was he? Whatever Ryan had to dish out, he could take. Whatever she had to say couldn't hurt him. She might know that it was his doing that got Tal in the hospital, but that still didn't mean she had any proof. And if she was just angry with him, eventually she'd get over it. This was what he wanted, right? 

The fragile naivety of a little boy's heart can often lead to false confidence, lined with pure hope that wrongdoings can somehow turn out right. Yet those hopes can also be quickly destroyed, leaving yet more confusion in a searching soul.

Alec unlocks the doorknob and the deadbolt and slowly opens the door halfway. He stares into Ryan's eyes, his expression blank. It was a blankness that hid the yearning below the surface. "Yes?"

Carson enters the house after a late evening at the restaurant. He needed a shower, but at the moment, he was tired. Slipping off his shoes, he heads straight for the couch. He could hear Misty working in the kitchen - she probably had waited up for him to make sure he got a good meal. He'd usually go in and greet her first... but not tonight.

Hitting the couch, he lies on his stomach and buries his face in a throw pillow.

Pay

Ryan gives a nod to her brother. Somewhere inside she new this wasn't her fault but she couldn't get head to agree with her. She still felt like this was on her shoulder, and if it wasn't for her Tal never would of gotten hurt. She should have known better.

Following her brother into the room Ryan wasn't sure what she expected but it wasn't what she saw. Coming closer to Tal Ryan could feel her heart race and her eyes start to pool a little more. It was so hard to see Tal like this he looked....horrible.

   "Oh Tal..."

Softly Ryan places her arm on his shoulder as she looked down on her. Her anger for Tal increased even more as she continued to look at him. How could anyone do this to someone as sweet as Tal. Alec had no right to get off and if she was the one to teach him a lesson than she would.

   "You hand in there you hear me Tal, you dont give up."

Looking to her brother and than to Tal Ryan shakes her head and whipes a tear away. It was rare for Ryan to cry but she couldn't help it this time around. Turning around from Tal Ryan looks to Eli a flame in her eye. She was beyond upset, hurt, and sad.

   "Alec can't get away with this I wont let him."

Leaving the room there was nothing more she could do here right now so her next destination was Alec's apartment. Exiting the hospital she dosn't look behind her and if Eli was calling to her she had no idea. Her mind was focused on one thing. Getting to her car and hopping in Ryan revs the engin before taking off with a screech. 

...Getting to Alec's apartment Ryan parks her car and gets out seeing his bike parked there he new he was back home now. Getting inside and knocking on the door loudly Ryan stands there the fire in her eyes and her arms cross over her chest.

Looking up once more and seeing what Eric was saying was the truth Ashlee gives a smile. It was nice to know that Her mom and Eric were still friends and he wasn't mad at her. It was a releaf and Eric was so soft about it, it was nice.

   "Thanks Eric that means a lot."

Feeling the tug on her poneytale and hearing Eric still wanted her in the barn in the morning made her eyes light up and she smiled even more.

   "You bet I'll be there. Wouldn't miss it for anything."

Still Friends

Eli's own face relayed his worry - he hoped beyond hope that Tal really would be okay. This was so very unfair and wrong. He'd done nothing but be kind, and this was how he'd been repaid. It was despicable. 

Eli turns to stand facing Ryan, taking her by both shoulders and staring at her sternly. "This is not your fault. Not yours, not mine, not Tal's. This is completely Alec's fault and I don't want to ever hear you say it's yours again." 

He didn't know what would happen now. Whether or not Tal survived would determine what kind of reactions would come next. Would Alec pay? He hoped so. But he also knew the Elite's hands were tied. He didn't blame Reese, though he was angry with the system. Something had gone wrong somewhere. 

"Alec will get what he deserves one way or the other. Whether it's now or ten years from now. But in no way shape or form is it your fault, do you understand me?" Eli loses no sternness. He loved his sister to death and would not tolerate seeing her blame herself for something like this. "We did take Alec seriously - we just didn't know how far he'd go. But even if we had, this still might not have been prevented." 

Pulling Ryan in for a tight hug, he kisses the top of her head, never realizing how much like his father he was being. Stubborn. Proud. Loyal. Loving. "It's gonna be okay." His voice had lowered to a softer level. "It's all gonna be okay." 

The minutes couldn't possibly go by any slower. The hours dragged on. Finally, finally, the doctor returns to tell them that Tal had made it through this initial surgery and they'd done what they could on his lung. He'd been moved to a room in the ICU and was not awake, but they could go see him briefly if they wanted. He was far from out of the woods and they were monitoring him closely - right now, it was a 50/50 chance he would survive the night.

Eli leads the way to the room, determined to see Tal for himself. Only when they'd arrived does he give his sister a solemn glance. Though he'd seen Tal in his worst condition in the alley, Ryan hadn't, and this would probably be somewhat of a shock. 

Inside the little room, monitors and machines beeped and whirred. On the bed, Tal lay silently...unmoving. A tube from his mouth ran to a breathing machine, while wires connected him to multiple monitors and an IV rhythmically dripped. The right side of his face was covered in bandages, as well as part of his head. He had been cleaned up, but stitches and bruises could still be seen, and his closed eyes were dark purple and swollen. A neck brace held him immobile. His right hand was bandaged and in a brace, while his leg, under the sheet and blanket, was elevated slightly, wrapped and in a splint. If one did not know what had happened, they quite possibly would not even recognize him. 

Ashlee's apology and the sight of her tears makes Eric's heart crumble. He'd feared she had noticed his offishness, but he hadn't known if she knew about his and Stacy's argument. Apparently she at least knew they'd fought. Tipping his hat back on his head a little, he scoots closer and sets his hand on Ashlee's shoulder. His eyes are gentle and reassuring.

"Let me tell you something... First, you ain't caused any fights. Your mom and I had a bit of a misunderstanding and things probably should have been handled differently - but you didn't do anything wrong, okay?" 

He didn't want her to feel badly - none of it was her fault in the least. "Second... your mom and I had a good talk to day and we're still friends. I'm sorry if I ain't been around as much the last couple days, but I hope we can get back to normal." That was the best he could do without telling her too much. 

"And third..." He leans a little closer. "If I'm ever mad at you - which is nearly impossible - I will always talk to you about it so we can work it out. But as it sits right now, nobody's mad at anybody so there just ain't nothing for you to worry about." 

He lifts his hand from her shoulder, reaching back to give her ponytail a teasing little tug, and he grins. "So tomorrow I better see you in that barn ready to help me out."

He's got to be

Ryan could feel her own blood boil as Eli talks about how once again they said nothing could be done because there was no proof. She new what Eli had done to Alec was wrong but he deserved it and would not scold her brother. Shaking her hear she was about to say something but stops at the dr comes in. Standing with Eli she just listens.

Hearing everything he had to say Ryan couldn't believe the damage that was done to Tal. How could anyone do that to someone so nice? Even if they had been jealous or  mad and now the one who inflicted the harm was getting away scott free? That wasn't far and Ryan new it.

Ryan can feel a tear form in her eye. From anger, hurt, sadness it all mixed together and she wasn't sure what one she was feeling more. Eli's hand in her own was a comfort though she couldn't even imagine what Tal looked like.

   "No he doesn't, if we had just taken what Alec said seriously...this wouldn't have happened Eli. This is my fault."

Ryan would stay till they were able to see Tal than she had something she needed to do of her own. Her mind reeling...she wasn't sure if the whole thing with Tal could of been avoided but she felt guilty about it anyways. She hated Alec for what he did and there was no way he could get away with it. She'd give him a peace of her mind, and let him know there was no way this changed anything with them.

   "He's gotta be ok Eli, he's got to be!"

Looking up from the table Ashlee gives a smile at Eric. She was happy he'd gone to look for her mom after he had been so upset with her. She thought she new the reason but there was so much more she didn't know too. 

   "Thanks Eric for being the one to find my mom."

Glancing down again and running her finger along the table for a second Ashlee couldn't help the small feeling of guilt for making her mom and Eric fight. Looking up again she her eyes held small tears that were trapped behind them. Maybe it was joy her mom was ok, or the fact that she had caused a fight or maybe it was both.

   "I'm sorry I got you and my mom into a fight. I didn't mean for that to happen. I just...I don't want you to be mad at me for it."

Maybe it was the lack of having a father that cause Ashlee to be scared that Eric would not want to spend time with her anymore now. Or that her mom might have been so upset that she said he couldn't be around her but Ashlee hoped that wasn't the case. Over the last few days she new he was avoiding her and it killed her to think they couldn't be friends anymore.

Just Fine

Eli nods his head numbly and finally straightens to look to the side at his sister. "I talked to Reese. Alec was in his apartment all last night, so... we're in the same spot we were the last time." 

Pausing, he looks down at his hands. They were mostly clean now, but he rubs a little at a lingering bloodstain around his fingernail. Should he tell her the rest? He didn't want to upset her more than she already was. But he'd never withheld information before and he didn't want to start now. 

"I saw Alec while I was there," he admits. "I... blew up at him." He shakes his head slowly, not daring to look Ryan in the eye. "He had guilt written all over his face. There's no proof... He's still got that dang ankle bracelet on and it shows he never left his place either time. One of the guys questioned him while I was there and he denied everything quite adamantly."

Sighing in frustration, he finally glances at Ryan. "I'm sorry. I don't know what else to do, short of strangling the guy and going to jail myself for murder." If he wasn't so worried about Tal right now, he'd be just as hot as he'd been at TJY. Or maybe he was trying extra hard not to lose his temper in front of Ryan - that would just make things worse for her. But one thing was certain - his anger had not subsided one bit, and his mind searched wildly for some way of taking Alec down.

"Excuse me..."

Eli stands up quickly as a doctor enters the room. "Yes?" 

"Hi, I'm Doctor Brannigan." He offers a handshake to both Eli and Ryan. "I was told that you two are close friends with Talon Donahue." 

Eli nods. "Tal. Yeah. What's happening?" 

The doctor shakes his head. "I have to tell you that I was shocked your friend was even still alive when he was brought in. He lost a lot of blood and had probably been left unconscious for eight hours at least." 

Eli's hand finds Ryan's shoulder. It felt like every muscle in his body was tightening with worry as he prepares for the worst. "Go on." 

"I'm even more shocked he's made it this far. We almost lost him several times - his heart stopped, but we able to get it started again. To be honest, I don't know how we didn't lose him, other than his apparent stubbornness and will to survive." 

Eli manages a small smile. "He's a fighter, no doubt." 

"Mm... that's what I'm hoping for. We've stabilized him for now but he has many injuries to deal with."

Eli doesn't like the pause, and he nods. "Please... don't spare us. We need to know how bad it is."

The doctor purses his lips and studies them both for a moment before relenting. "He has several fractures in his upper spine. His right hand is broken - several bones were crushed. His jaw and right cheekbone were fractured, and he has a bad concussion." He stops for a moment to check his clipboard. "His... right leg is broken in several places. His internal organs appear to be okay at the moment, though there was mild trauma, apparently from forceful blows. He's been taken to the OR for surgery to repair his lung and surrounding area, but that's all we dare do today. If he remains stable and makes it through the next several days, we will proceed with surgeries on his hand and leg, and/or deal with any other complications that arise." 

Eli's hand had tightened on Ryan's shoulder, and he swallows hard. "When will we be able to see him?" 

"Probably in another hour or two." 

"Doc... what kind of a chance do you give him?" 

Doctor Brannigan shakes his head. "It's hard to say. Like I said, he should've been dead several times now. His body could keep on fighting, or give up after so many tries. Only he knows. He's far from being out of the woods at this point. But we're doing all we can."

Eli nods. "Thanks... we appreciate the update." As the doctor leaves, Eli's eyes rise to the ceiling and he takes a deep breath, trying to control his emotions. "Of all people," he mutters. "He doesn't deserve this." 

Alec sits at the table in the interrogation room, angrily strumming his fingers on the table as he waits to be released. His throat still hurt from Eli's attack, as did his pride. As did.... something deeper. Never had he seen Eli so angry.

It didn't seem like all that long ago he and Eli had been friends. They hadn't been best buddies, but they'd gotten along and had started to enjoy each other's company. The evenings spent at his and Ryan's apartment... Alec still remembered them like yesterday.... and he wished he could have them all back to live through them again.

Wanting to get up and kick a chair, Alec refrains. If he got too upset, they might think he really was guilty and then he'd be in major hot water. As it was, nobody had any proof of anything. But what Alec would like to know was how bad a shape Tal really was in. He'd told Cutter to rough him up a bit but hadn't said to nearly kill him. What had happened? If Tal did die...

Alec would rather not think about that. It made his stomach churn for some unknown reason.

"Yeah... okay." Eric can't help but wonder about that strange glint in Stacy's eyes. What did she look at him like that? What did it mean? 

Shaking it off, he lets Stacy head to Angel's office, while he takes Static to the barn. Giving his horse a quick rubdown, he puts him away and gives him a bit of grain as a thanks for the long afternoon. 

Tired and hungry, Eric aims for the mess hall. His leg was killing him after riding for so long, but he'd take a look at it later. 

Choosing the back door to the dining hall, he almost runs into Mick. "Whoa. Sorry." 

"Hey, Eric - you made it back. So what happened out there?" 

"She hit a downed tree and got thrown from her four-wheeler. She went to Angel's just a bit ago but I think she's just fine." 

"And the four-wheeler?"

"Don't know. Didn't take a close enough look. Tomorrow we can take a  truck up close to it and see if we can haul it back here to have Clint look at it." Spotting Ashlee at a nearby table, Eric cuts off the conversation. "Talk to you more later." Sidling up to the table and slipping in the chair next to Ashlee, he gives her shoulder a little nudge. "Hey." He offers her a smile. "Your mom's okay. Got a bump to the head after she took a fall from the four-wheeler but she's gonna be alright. Angel's working her magic on her right now."

Alone!

Sitting in the waiting room Ryan felt so rest less, the minutes felt like hours, and the seconds felt like days. Waiting for the news on if Tal was going to be ok or not could not come soon enough and she felt so alone. The last time Ryan had felt like this had been when they had all waited to see if there father would make it or not. It hurt, a lot and if Tal didn't make it...Ryan didn't know. That alone put tears in her eyes.

Standing once more Ryan walks over to one of the windows and leans against the wall resting her head on the cool surface. If this was Alec than it was her fault. Alec did this because of her and a anger burned inside but a sadness too. This was the second time...If she stayed with Tal would it continue? It was something Ryan didn't want to think about right now but the question lingered anyways.

Moving away from the wall and glancing down the hall Ryan goes to the chair once again and sits down. She couldn't sit still, she couldn't think...she just wanted to this be over and Tal to be ok. He didn't deserve this at all.

Looking at her brother as he sat down next to her Ryan was happy he was back. She didn't want to be alone, but she understood he needed to do something. Now it was just nice he was back with her.

   "No, nothing yet. I don't know if thats a good thing or a bad thing Eli. Did you get to talk to someone at TJY?"

Giving a nod Stacy new she could trust Eric not to say anything to Ashlee. As they start up again Stacy keeps her hand locked with Eric's and leans against him slightly. The right back was a nice one though she was a little sore.

Back at the ranch and looking around Stacy could tell she worked to much when the first thing she thought about was doing her rounds. Eric's suggestion though was a smart one and than letting Ashlee know she was ok was the next.

Though there was something strange that seemed to loom in the goodbye for the night she wasn't sure what it was. Knowing Eric wasn't upset with her anymore helped but there was something else though she couldn't put her finger on it.

   "Thanks Eric for coming to look for me. If you happen to see Ash just let her know I went to see Angel. I'll....see you again soon ok?"

It was now in the light of the moon that Stacy saw how good Eric looked tonight. There was something about his tough dimeanure that just did it for him. There was no denying he was good looking indeed.

Rage

Seeing Ryan, Eli halts his pacing, relieved that she was finally here. Setting his hands on her shoulders, concern was everywhere on his face. "I don't know if he's going to be okay or not." There was no point in beating around the bush - not with his sister - she was too smart for that.

"I found him out back of work a while ago in the alley - he'd been beat up so bad that..." He grits his teeth against his rising emotions. "I don't know how long he'd been there, but I think it had been at least half the night. It's... it's bad, Ry. Real bad."

He knew that Ryan and Tal had formed a very close relationship and that if anything happened, she would take it very hard - even harder than he would. He gives her shoulders a squeeze. "He wasn't conscious so I don't know what happened. They're working on him in the ER now and I haven't heard anything. What I wanna do, though, is run over to the Elite."

Eli's eyes searches his sister's. He knew she suspected Alec as he did. How could they not? It could have been a freak coincidence that Tal got mugged but the odds of that happening were low. Instinct pointed towards Alec. "I want to talk to Reese personally and report this directly to him. But I want you to stay here in case anything happens or if the doctor has any news, okay?"

He tries his best to give Ryan reassurance, but he knew it was weak. How could he tell her it was going to be okay when he himself didn't know? He hadn't felt like this in many many years.

Pulling Ryan in for a rare hug, he lets her go quickly and slips from the waiting room before she could ask where all the blood on his clothes had come from. Back outside and to his motorcycle, he makes a fast job of getting his helmet on and is soon heading down the street faster than the limit...


Arriving to TJY, Eli wastes no time in getting inside and heading across the main floor. He knew where Reese's office was, and he was in no mood to deal with anybody else. Last time was bad enough. Today... today was way beyond acceptable and he would not stand for it.

With each stride, his anger grew. He had absolutely no proof that this was Alec. Tal couldn't tell them anything right now. But his sixth sense continued to nag him. It was way too big of a coincidence, and besides, Tal was a lousy target for a mugging.

Halfway to Reese's office, Eli suddenly skids to a halt, staring at the opening of the hallway. Alec? Alec was here? His growing anger rises another notch.


Alec rolls his eyes and sighs at Hal. "Just tell Reese I checked in like a good little boy and the evaluation is done, okay? I got things to do so I'm not gonna stand around here just to tell him everything I told you."

Hal shakes his head, but agrees. The monthly evaluation was done. Alec was seemingly doing well with the program, working every day and staying in town, though he did ride his motorcycle around and leave his apartment when he shouldn't. But Reese had allowed him that, so Hal wasn't going to call him on it. "Alright, get out of here, and keep your nose clean. One of these days maybe you'll actually be free again."

Freedom. Alec wanted it so badly he could taste it. But he wouldn't let on. "Sure. I'll believe it when I see it."

"Of all the dirty, low down, cowardly...!"

Alec's eyes widen at Eli's raised voice, taken completely off guard by his presence. Backing up a step into the hall, he has no idea what's going on.

Eli was closing the gap - and fast. His glare could pierce a steel wall. "You!" He points a finger at Alec, his tone dripping with ire.

Almost panicked by Eli's demeanor, Alec glances to Hal then back to Eli, lifting his hands in surrender to whatever was happening. "What did I-"

Before he can even react, Eli's forearm slams into his chest, pressing him against the wall - hard. He winces and brings his hands down to try and free himself, but Eli presses his arm into his throat.

"You are the scum of the earth," he hisses. "I ought to take you down right now for the stunt you just pulled."

"What... what are you talking about?!" Alec claws at Eli's arms and all of a sudden realizes that his feet aren't on the floor anymore as he was held up by his throat, still pinned by Eli's arm. Gasping for air, he takes a swing at Eli's face, but misses.

Eli sends a knee into Alec's gut. "I'm talking about what you did to Tal!" he shouts.

"Hey, hey, Eli! Let him go!" By now, Hal was joined by Gunner, both of whom try to pull Eli off of Alec.

"No!" Eli plants his feet, still almost cutting off Alec's air supply entirely. "This man deserves life in prison, not a slap to the wrist and a life among society!"

Gunner and Hal keep trying, to pull him off, but it did little good. Finally Reese himself arrives on the scene and joins them, pushing and pulling to get Eli to release Alec.

"Let me do this!" Eli screams. Being unable to to withstand the strength of all three men, he's torn away from his target, his feet dragging on the floor. "You rat!"

Alec, now back on the floor, bends and coughs, putting a hand to this throat and trying to catch his breath. Looking up at Eli trying to fight off the other men, he catches his eye. It was only for a split second, but it was enough. He saw the blood stains. And he knew. Guilt floods his gaze. And Eli sees it.

"That man deserves to hang!" Eli rips an arm loose from Reese's grasp but is quickly held back again.

Breathing heavily, Reese has no idea what's going on. "Eli, calm down! What happened?"

"Tal Donahue is in the hospital, beaten to within half an inch of his life! He may not even make it! And it's thanks to that coward right there, whom you say you have been watching!" Eli struggles to free himself. "Let me go!"

He'd been paying little attention to everyone in the building who was now staring at the scene, and only now realizes that Con had approached and was leading Alec down the hall out of sight.

"No! Don't do this!"


...An hour later, Eli was on his way back to the hospital. And no less angry. More so, if anything. He had seen the guilt on Alec's face, and he knew beyond a doubt now. But he remained clean. Nothing showed Alec had strayed from his apartment. There was no proof. Nothing. And as such, the Elite couldn't hold him. Reese had admitted he wanted to believe Eli and wanted to help, but he was bound by the law, and without proof, Alec could not be held.

Still steaming as he pulls up to the hospital, Eli tries to calm down. It didn't do much good though.

Going back inside and heading back to the ER waiting room, he finds Ryan once more, and flops down on the small couch, burying his face in his hands. "Any news?" he mumbles.

"You have my word." Eric agreed that Ashlee need not know about Rich. It was something she didn't have to deal with or worry about. 

Finally dropping his hand, he straightens again and urges Static forward once more, his arm still tucked around Stacy. 

By the time the ranch came into view, it was dark. The clouds were gone though, and stars dotted the sky. Coming up to the barn, Eric saw lights on in the dining hall and knew that's probably where most everyone was. Pulling Static to a halt, he slides off first, then helps Stacy down as well. 

"I'd advise you to see Angel about your head... I'll take care of Static and finish up here." He wasn't really sure how to part now... for some reason it felt just a little awkward.

"I'm... glad you're okay."

Fear

Feeling Eric's arm tighten around her slightly Stacy didn't mind. The shelter he was offering, the comfort and kindness was accepted well and Stacy's fingers tightening around his hand slightly was a silent was of saying it was ok.

Hearing his words and confirmation that everything would be ok and that there was no way Rich could take Ashlee was refreshing. She new that it would imposable for him to take her but just hearing it from someone else other than herself was an extra but that Stacy needed.

As Eric whips the tear from her cheek and rests his hand on her face Stacy bends a little bit to rest it even more. The feel of his skin was rough but it was a working man's hand and to her it felt nice and we welcomed the warmth it offered. The strange butterfly's that fluttered in her stomach did not go unnoticed but not attachen was drawn to them.

   "It's been a long time since I trusted anymore but hearing you say that...without a shadow of a doubt I believe you!"

Giving a little smile Stacy really meant what she has said. Eric's words comforted her and she really did trust him when he said everything was ok. Why She didn't know but there was just something about hi that Stacy just seemed to be drawn to. 

   "I haven't told Ashlee that Rich called and I don't plan on it. I think he would only confuse and upset her.  So can you just...keep this conversation between us?"

Hearing Leo call her Ryan looks up from her work bench giving a smile. Seeing the look on Leo's face though she new something was wrong. Before he said anything next a million and one things went through her mind on what it might be. Her heart starting to thump a feeling of dread overcoming her.

As Leo tells her that Tal had been hurt Ryan can feel a lump form in her throat at the look of fear pass over her eyes. How had he been hurt? What happened? It was so bad he had to be at the hospetil? Did it happen at work? Was it Alec again? A million and one questions ran through Ryan's mind.

Standing she wastes no time at at all standing and throwing her rage on the work bench and grabbing her jacket. She new she was in the middle of a car but she didn't care. The car could wait this could not. without saying anything else Ryan was out the door and on the way to meet Eli.

...It didn't take long and Ryan was coming through the Er doors. Seeing her brother she just about sprints over to him laying a hand on his shoulder. The last time she'd been or felt like this with her brother was when they were waiting for word on how there father was doing. 

   "Eli...what happened? Is he going to be ok? Whats going on?"

911

Without realizing it, Eric's arm instinctively tightens in protection around Stacy. He did feel rotten - for everything. She really was scared and upset with this whole Rich thing, and rightly so. Eric had just made it worse on her, and he truly was sorry.

"There's no way on earth you could ever lose Ashlee to that man," Eric states flatly, though his voice remains gentle. "Nine times out of then the mom gets kids in court cases, and in this situation, he ain't got a leg to stand on. He abandoned you, he hasn't supported you, and Ashlee is old enough now to influence any decisions. There is absolutely no way Rich could ever take Ashlee from you, legally..." He grits his teeth. "...or otherwise."

Shifting to the side a little to see Stacy's eyes as she looks back over his shoulder, his own eyes rest on hers. She'd... thought she lost him? That meant... she really cared about their friendship. As she once again makes up for her original angry words, Eric can feel a little heat rise to his face. He wasn't anything special and he knew it. But her words were nice anyway, and they sent a strange warmth deep down into his veins. Stacy... for some reason... accepted him.

Seeing her tear, his eyes grow even softer. "Hey," he almost whispers. "It's okay." Reaching up, he brushes her tear away with his thumb, leaving his palm to rest on her cheek. His rough skin was a contrast to her smooth, soft face. "You didn't lose me..." That same bolt of electricity shoots down his spine. His own words sounded like they held a whole lot more than just a casual acquaintance.

He searches her eyes more. "Everything will be fine. I promise."

Tal groans in frustration after one more search of his apartment. He must have left his wallet in his locker at work. There was no other explanation. He wouldn't have even noticed if he hadn't wanted to check and see if he had any cash for lunch the next day. Now it was already eleven o'clock and he really just wanted to go to bed. It was kind of early, but the last couple days of work had really worn him out, whether he'd wanted to admit it or not. Maybe Eli was right - maybe he had gone back to work too early. But at least he'd be able to pay his bills now, and at least he'd still had another evening with Ryan, even if he'd cut it a little short.

Now though, it looked like he was going to have to go back to the shop. Sighing, he finds his shoes, tells Holly to keep an eye on things, and heads out to his car.

It doesn't take long to arrive at work. Everything was dark and locked up. He only had a key to the back door though, so he winds up parking in the street and walking through the alley to the back of the building. Once inside, he flips on the lights and goes straight to his locker. Yep. There was his wallet. He must have forgotten to put it back in his pocket when leaving work.

Rolling his eyes, he now returns it to his pocket and closes the padlock on his locker. He could have waited until morning, but he wasn't coming in to work tomorrow - he had an appointment with Rick at TJY for follow-up and to see if he could get his stitches taken out. Rather than trying to work in a half-day, he'd opted just to take a full sick day... and go out to lunch with Ryan.

Whistling to himself, he hits the lights and heads back out of the shop. Stepping into the dark alley, he turns to lock up again.

"You made this way too easy."

The deep voice makes Tal jump and he spins around to see no one. It was too dark. There were too many shadows back here. "Who's there?" he demands.

"Oh, you don't know me. But I know you. And I'm here to do a job."

A chill runs down Tal's spine. "What job? What do you want?"

"I think you'll figure it out." Finally the man steps closer, emerging from the shadows to reveal how tall and broad he was. His face was covered in a ski mask, and in his hand was a short piece of metal pipe.

Adrenaline surges through Tal's veins as options race through his mind. He had to act and he had to act fast. Spinning back around, he puts his key back in the door, attempting to get back inside and lock himself in before calling the police. But he's not fast enough.

Shoved away from the door, he stumbles to the side, catching himself on the brick wall. Squinting up at his adversary, fear runs rampant through his mind. This couldn't be happening. Not again. Last time was not a pleasant experience and he knew he couldn't defend himself - let alone against someone like this.

Looking over his shoulder, he's reminded that this alley was a dead end. The only open route was back to the street where he'd parked. Making a run for it, his attempt is useless. The swinging pipe meets his gut, bringing him to a sudden halt and directly to his hands and knees. Gasping for breath, he tries to figure out what was happening. "I don't know what you want," he gasps. "If it's money, I've only got five bucks."

The other man laughs. "I'm getting paid for this. I don't need your cash." Squatting down in front of Tal, his teeth glimmer through a sinister smile. "Alec told you to stay away from Ryan. You didn't listen to him, did you?"

Alec? Alec again?! Tal could hardly believe it. Seriously? Alec was that obsessed to continue an attack? Even to the point of sending in a ruthless thug? Tal, still on his hands and knees, raises his head. "No... I didn't. So next time you see him, give him this." Glaring, he spits in anger.

As soon as he had, though, the same sturdy pipe strikes his face with such force that he's thrown backward several feet. Pain like no other shoots through his face and jaw. It was so severe that Tal thought he was going to pass out right there. The taste of blood fills his mouth but he's not sure if it's from a wound on his face or if he'd bit his tongue when hit.

Dazed, instinct causes him to try and pick himself up, but another slam to the base of his neck sends him right back to the hard ground. His palms sting as they scrape broken glass and stones and he cries out in pain. "Stop," he begs. "Please..."

A laugh echos through the alley. "I wasn't hired to give you a couple love pats. Now come on," the man taunts. "Is that all you got?"

Tal claws at the wall in an attempt to stand, but as soon as he had, there was another swift blow to the back of his knee. Crumbling once more, he lies in the damp filth of the ground, praying that this was it. Praying that it was over.

"Come on, weakling! Get up!"

Tal suddenly realizes that his cell phone had fallen from his pocket and was lying only feet away. If he could just reach it and dial quickly... As his fingers slide towards his phone, his hand is slammed upon with force. It was a new weapon. A brick. And feeling bones in his hand snap, Tal screams.

But no one would hear. It was too late. Too dark. Too secluded. No one would witness the brutality that continued after that. No one would see the vicious beating that ensued.

And when the attacker was finally gone, all that was left was a still figure lying limp in the alley...

..."Hey, where's Tal?"

Sandy looks up from her desk and gives Eli a blank stare. It was just after eight o'clock and Eli had arrived not ten minutes ago, but not anybody else. "Tal? He took a sick day, remember?"

"Well yeah, but..." Eli thumbs outside. "His car is parked out on the street."

Sandy shrugs. "How should I know why that is? He's not here. I opened everything up myself this morning and I certainly didn't see him and he hasn't clocked in."

Eli furrows his brow. Why would Tal's car be here then? It was awfully strange. "Weird." He shakes his head and goes back into the shop, trying to figure it out. Though he tries to start work, the questions nag at his mind. Something just didn't seem right. Tal was supposed to be at TJY this morning. Why would he have come here? Had he gotten a ride? But why from here? And how long had the car been parked there?

Sighing with frustration, Eli finally takes a break and calls Tal's cell phone only to reach his voice mail immediately. If Tal's phone were on, it should have rung more times than that. Eli's curiosity slowly evolves into concern. What was going on?

Giving up work for now, he goes outside to take a closer look at Tal's car. Everything seemed fine. No flat tires... nothing out of place. So why...?

Frustrated, Eli turns back to the shop, but stops as his eyes glance past the back alley. What was that? A garbage bag? He rolls his eyes. Had someone from the shop gotten lazy and thrown a bag of garbage out the back door instead of walking it to the dumpster? He sighs. He might as well take care of it.

As he walks down the alley though, it only takes a few steps to realize that it was not a bag of garbage. It was a person. A person in an unmoving heap on the ground.

Quickening his pace, Eli gets there fast, only to have his heart leap into his throat. "Tal? Oh, no.... no... Tal?"

Kneeling quickly, he carefully rolls his friend over but recoils at the sight. Cuts and bruises couldn't amply describe what he saw. Tal's clothes were soaked with both blood and dirty water from the alley, his face barely recognizable through the bruises, bloody gashes and swelling. What had happened last time was nothing compared to this, and fear gripped Eli's soul.

"Tal? God, please let him be alive," he begs. Bending closer, he listens for breathing while his fingers check for a pulse. There... it was there, though very weak.

Straightening, Eli suddenly sees a severe wound in the side of Tal's head that was still bleeding - it had already created a puddle of blood, proving just how long he'd been lying here. Eli immediately knew that time was of the essence, and that every ounce of blood lost could be the difference between life and death at this point.

Pressing his hand to the deep gash, he retrieves his phone with the other and dials 911...

"Ryan?" Leo comes back into the auto shop from the customer area. He'd been dealing with a customer and had just happened to answer the phone when it rang. Now his face was tight with concern.

Approaching Ryan at the tool bench, he quickly pulls her aside. "Eli just called. He knew you'd be working and probably wouldn't answer your phone." Leo bites his lip. "It's Tal. He's been hurt. Eli said to meet him at the hospital - that's all I know." 

Eli paces the waiting room beside the ER, feeling like a caged animal.

"Sir... do you want to take a seat?" a nurse encourages, trying to steer him to a chair.

Eli rips his arm from her hand and whips around to glare at her. "Just back off, will ya?" he snaps. "I'll pace if I want to."

The nurse immediately backs up a step, her eyes wide. Instead of arguing though, she just lets him be.

Growling, Eli unzips his leather jacket and pulls his bandanna off his head. As he does, he glances down and his stomach churns. Blood had stained his hands and his shirt. Tal's blood. His best friend's blood. His best friend was in the ER right now, surrounded by doctors and nurses. Eli had seen the looks on the faces of the medics who had arrived on the scene - he knew without asking that Tal was in trouble.

Leaning an arm against the wall, Eli tries to maintain his composure. Who had done this? Or should he even wonder? Was it just a horrible coincidence that Tal had been beaten up a second time? Or had Alec been true to his word? Eli remembers talking to Tal about it over their break just the day before...

"So apparently you and Ryan aren't going to listen to Alec."

"You kidding me?" Tal takes a swig of water and rolls his eyes at Eli while they sat in the break room. "He's just full of hot air. So he got me once. Big deal. I'm fine, we're all fine, everything's fine. He's just a bully and bullies never stick to their word." 

Eli smirks. "I guess you're right. Ryan agree?" 

"Well she certainly doesn't want to bend to his stupid demands any more than I do. Alec's acting like a spoiled brat. If Ryan bent to that, I'd be mighty surprised."

Eli closes his eyes, trying to control his temper. What if they'd taken Alec more seriously? What if they'd paid more attention and not let things go so quickly? What if Eli and Ryan had pressed the issue at TJY? Could this have been avoided? If the answer was yes, it made him feel even more sick. Without proof, he knew in his heart of hearts that this was Alec's doing.

Pushing off the wall, he resumes pacing, waiting for Ryan to arrive.

Lost you

Hearing Eric's soft words to her Stacy can't help the chill that went up her spine. Just being wrapped in his arms now, feeling his comfort it was something Stacy had longed for, for a long time but never let anyone close enough. But Eric was different. He'd found his way in and given her the comfort she so dearly wanted.

   "I'm...No. I am really scared that Rich will take me to court and use anything he can against me. What if he tried to take Ashlee away? She's everything to me. Hearing Rich on the phone the other day...it just brought everything flooding back. I stopping loving him a long time ago, but it still hurts sometimes too."

Looking to the sky and than looking back down Stacy glances over her shoulder at Eric. A small tear made her way down her cheek. Her daughter was her life, and thinking about not having her anymore scared her more than anything.

   "To top it all off....I thought I lost you too. I don't think your stupid, and I don't think driving truck is the only think you can do. I feel comfortable around you, and I know Ashlee does too."

Searching Eric's eyes Stacy was able to see them so clearly. They were deep and so full of compassion of a man that had so much to offer the world if just given a chance. No...No she didn't think he was stupid, he was very smart, very caring, and so full of life.

Really?

Though Eric was glad Stacy didn't blame him for his reaction, he still knew he'd been wrong too. He doesn't argue with her though, not having much time before she speaks again. 

Just listening quietly, Eric's heart sinks a little. Ashlee's father had called? Of all the nerve... No wonder Stacy had been so upset. She was right - that guy had no right to see Ashlee now. Not after abandoning them and all of his fatherly responsibilities. It was despicable as far as Eric was concerned. People like Rich ought to be strung up by their fingernails.

Realizing that there was something else in Stacy's voice... withheld tears, perhaps? Eric's anger against Rick is quickly replaced by a deepening sorrow for Stacy. Here she was apologizing all over again, when now Eric understood completely. It all made sense now and... he felt rather rotten. 

Allowing a short pause of silence after Stacy is finished speaking, Eric suddenly pulls Static to a halt. With his arm still around her waist, he could feel her hand on his, and he wonders why it created the little flutter in his chest. 

"I am so sorry." His voice is quiet... so gentle compared to earlier. "I... should have known you didn't mean what you said." 

He swallows hard, fighting against any remaining pride. "When... when you yelled at me, it, um... it really hurt my feelings... a lot. You probably didn't even know you found the worst buttons of mine to push. It's my fault I'm so sensitive... I've been called stupid a lot in my life but I guess I ain't figured out how to handle it too well." 

Static shifts restlessly and Eric pauses to settle him down before speaking again. "How I reacted wasn't okay and it wasn't right, no matter how hurt I felt. My actions..." He could kick himself now for that angry kiss. "...were highly inappropriate, and I apologize for stepping over that line. If I would have known why you were so upset I... well, I never would have done that." 

As they remain still in the path, there's a sudden dim light that spreads, and Eric's eyes glance up to realize that the clouds were beginning to part. The sky was a dark gray color, the sun having already gone down. The stars would be visible soon. 

Returning his gaze to earth, he feels a bit awkward all of a sudden, feeling every bit of Stacy that was tucked in his arm. "Are... are you really okay?" He wasn't worried about her head anymore, it was her heart that concerned him now.

Burning Tears

Seeing that she would be riding on the horse Stacy was a bit nervous but knowing Eric would be riding with her helped her calm a little. She did trust him, and new in his hands she would be safe. and she had never thought differently though her words not so long ago said so.

Having Eric get on the horse behind her Stacy helps him get comfortable and as the horse starts forward with a little jerk her hand instantly finds his as she holds on. Leaning back just a little she does her best to stay calm. She'd never ridden before so this was something completely new for her and she admitted she was nervous.

Continuing along the path the silence was so awkward till finally Eric spoke. Hearing that he was sorry sent another pang to Stacy's heart. It was really clear to tell that she had hurt Eric very much and she hated the thought of that. 

   "No, No you had every right to act the way you did. I attacked you and you were just trying to defend yourself. There is no harm or fowl play in that."

Letting the silence linger again Stacy looks to the side watching the scenes go by. Riding on a horse was  so much different than anything else. There was more time to look and enjoy everything that was going on around you. Never would she have guess it would be this nice.

Giving a small sigh Stacy doesn't give much warning to Eric as she continues to talk once again. She wasn't sure why but she felt the need to continue telling Eric why she had been so mad. She didn't like that she was upset with her even if he had every right.

   "Before I had come to see you..I'd just gotten off the phone with Rich. He wan't to start seeing Ashlee and I told him no. In fourteen years he never even tried to see her. He never was there the say she was born what right would he have now. We got in a big fight over it and it ended with him saying he was going to take me to court over it."

Even now talking about it Stacy could feel the tears burn in her eyes. It still made her so angry.

   "It's not an excuse to have gotten upset with you, I should not have taken it out on you at all and for that I was very wrong. Your a great guy, and everything I said was mean, and a lie. I didn't mean any of it."

Wish

Though Eric was concerned to hear that Stacy had been unconscious, he was glad that she seemed to be feeling better now. Going to respond, he stops as she continues. 

Her apology comes as a surprise, though his expression still didn't change much. She... hadn't really been angry with him? Then why had she said those things? Why had she called him stupid and deliberately taken a stab at his intellect? Who else had she been mad at, and why? 

He really wasn't sure how to feel. He wanted to forgive her. He wanted to just forget the whole thing. But he still couldn't deny the lingering sting that he still felt inside. It wasn't just his pride that had been bruised. Whether she knew it or not, she'd attacked his feelings and they were still a bit tender. 

Sighing, Eric takes his bandanna out of his back pocket and licks it before reaching out and rubbing some blood off her forehead to look at the cut better. It didn't look too awful deep. "You're welcome." 

Putting his hand under her chin, he tilts her head back a little more and looks at her eyes, moving a finger back and forth to check and see how her vision tracked. She appeared to be fine. Just a little shaken. For a moment though, his fingers remain under her chin and he studies her eyes for longer than need be. She was telling the truth. There was genuine remorse there. But why then had she said those mean things? 

Backing away, he doesn't respond to her apology, but turns to the saddlebags again for the walkie-talkie. "Mick, Sparky - I found her. She's alright. Four-wheeler's gonna need some work, but Stacy's okay." 

This time it was Sparky who responds. "Nice work. You need help?" 

"Naw. I'll bring her back. Head back to the ranch and be sure to tell Ashlee her mom's okay. I'll see you there." Tucking away the walkie-talkie once more, Eric tucks his bandanna back into his pocket and reaches out to guide Stacy nearer Static. He knew she'd never ridden before, but this was their only way home - he was not going to walk all the way back to the ranch, especially when it was starting to get dark. 

Giving Stacy a once-over, he takes a couple moments to adjust both stirrups to a shorter length before patting the saddle seat. "Come on. Left foot in the stirrup and swing yourself up." He wasn't going to take no for an answer.

Helping her with a little boost, he holds Static steady, waiting until Stacy looked halfway balanced. Without warning, He grabs hold of the saddle and swings up behind her in one motion. Adjusting his weight over Static's hindquarters, it wasn't the most comfortable seat, but it would do. 

Slipping one arm around Stacy's waist to hold her steady, his other hand remains on the reins. A little nudge with his legs and Static starts forward at an easy walk. 

Keeping Stacy tucked closely to him, Eric can't help but wish there had been no argument at all. Maybe then this evening would be much different. Maybe then, his arm wouldn't be around her only to help her balance... or was there more to it now anyway? 

He swallows hard, feeling his pride beginning to slip. Guiding Static along the path, he finally sighs. The silence was murder. "I'm sorry too." It was a late response to her apology, but he meant it. "I shouldn't have acted like I did. I just..." Did he dare open himself up again? No... no, not yet. "I was upset," he ends lamely.

Shinning Armor

Letting out a long sigh Stacy puts her head in her hands. Her head really hurt and she was tired but only from the stress of what was going on. Hearing something though Stacy looks up and spots the horse and rider coming near. Not knowing who it was Stacy stands and walks forward a little bit. 

Seeing it was Eric Stacy was a bit surprised. After what had happened the other day he would be the last one she expected to be here. She had been rotten to him and yet here he was...looking...as good as ever. 

As he his mounts and steps forward a little bit Stacy gives a smile smile and cocks her head a little bit. He looked extra good today maybe because he was the night in armor at the moment or maybe it was he always looked good and she just not noticed.

   "I definitely have been worse. I...I wasn't paying attachen and I hit that downed tree. Was knocked out for I dont know how long but I'm up and moving. Thats a good thing. Just a little disoriented at the moment."

Looking up at Eric Stacy's heart thumped. She remembered the kiss the other night, it was out of anger but she still remembered it. And now having Eric standing there she yearned for another one. But first she owed Eric something else, and she new she had to or it would eat her away inside.

   "Eric, thanks for coming looking for me. And...I'm...I'm sorry about yelling at you the other day. I shouldn't have, I was wrong and in no way was I angry with you. I let my anger for someone else get the best of me and...I took it out on you. I wanted to say that last night but...I didn't."

Simple Question

Eric stops Static for the umpteenth time to scan the area. Standing up in his stirrups, he looks across the clearing, his eyes squinting as he strains to see as far as he can. Nothing. Still nothing. He'd ridden clear out to the edge of camera line and had seen no sign of Stacy. 

Sighing, he sits back again and retrieves his walkie-talkie from his saddlebag. "Hey, Mick? Sparky?" 

Mick's voice crackles back several seconds later. "Eric?" 

"Yeah. Anything?"

"Nope. Thought I saw tracks once but I haven't even seen the missing four-wheeler. Sparky hasn't either." 

Eric gives a little growl. "Alright. What's your plan?" 

"Not sure. I'm getting worried. Stacy's not back at the ranch either." 

"You thinking foul play?" 

"Either that or an accident."

"Well I'm not gonna stop looking til we find her."

"Me neither. Keep in contact."

"Yeah." Eric puts the walkie-talkie away again and looks one more time across the clearing. "Stacy, where are you?" he asks aloud. Mick was worried... and so was he. He really didn't think it was the Agency... not without some other sign or taunting that they had her. What he feared was an accident. Even if Stacy knew which way she was going, the terrain could be rough on the trails in spots. 

For a moment, Eric remembers their brief but heated argument. The words she'd said to him. The words he'd said to her. The angry, passionate kiss.

His pulse quickens slightly. He could still taste her returned kiss. He could still feel the way her arms had slipped around him right before he'd yanked himself away. He'd been on fire. And confused. 

He was still confused. 

Static chomps at his bit and paws at the earth, anxious to get moving again, and bringing his rider's mind back to the mission at hand. Eric shakes his head and readjusts his weight in the saddle. "Alright, come on." Steering his mount back towards the path, once they reach the trees, he pulls to a stop again. He saw nothing. No sign of anything. 

"Well, my friend..." He pats Static's neck. "Let's go left this time." 

Riding for a short while longer, Eric is just about to turn around, when something catches his eye. There was a downed tree up there and... His adrenaline kicks in. An upturned four-wheeler. 

Urging Static forward at a lope, he approaches quickly, sliding to a stop in front of the small wreckage. Looking around wildly, it only takes a moment to finally spot Stacy nearby sitting on a tree stump. Relief washes over him as he sees her stand. She was up and walking. Thank God.

Eric steers Static around the tree and slowly walks him up to Stacy, pulling his horse to a stop right near her. Just looking down at her silently for several long moments, his relief is hidden well behind his unemotional expression. She probably wished for anybody but him to find her. Anybody with more brains than he had. 

Finally dismounting, he covers the couple steps to her and cocks his head, seeing the dried blood on the side of her head. "You alright?"

Wake Up

Sitting in the mess hall Ashlee was at the table by the window. She new she didn't have to worry about her mom but she did. Maybe now she understood how her mom felt when she was missing. It just was not normal for her to be like this. Eric said it would be ok though so she trusted him. Now she just had to pay she was ok.

Slowly opening her eyes Stacy's head was splitting...what had happened. Seeing the over turned four wheeler she soon remembered. Had she been knocked out for long? She didn't know what time it was, or how long she'd been out.

Bringing a hand to her head she feels something wet. Bring her hand back down it was blood. Not a lot but enough to say she was correct in knowing she hit her head. Standing Stacy moves about just making sure she didn't have a concussion, her motar skills were still good. Everything seemed ok other than the wicked headach.

Looking around her Stacy isn't even sure what direction she had come from. She felt so turned around and lost. Glancing up at the sky she couldn't even us that to tell what direction go. It was so cloudy and over cast. Maybe if she just sat for a second and caught her breath everything in her head would straighten out a little better and she could head back or at least try and find her way.

Worry

Eric is just straightening out a mess of wire and recoiling it when Ashlee approaches. He tenses just a little, still unsure of how to act or what to say, lest something he did be taken the wrong way again. 

Standing and working as Ashlee asks if he's seen her mom, he concentrates on the wire in his hands. But when he looks up to see her face, he notices now the worry in her eyes and he realizes that this was more important than her just casually looking around for her mom. 

Pausing his work, he tips his hat back on his head in thought. "Well..." He glances around, trying to remember the last time he'd seen Stacy. "I thought she headed out early on one of the four-wheelers to check on a camera. At least that's what I heard Mick tell Dan. Coulda been that she had to fix something or it was further down the perimeter than she thought..." 

Starting to coil up more wire, he stops again, feeling badly that Ashlee looked so worried. It bothered him to see her concerned. Taking a piece of twine from his pocket to tie off the wire he already had wound up, he then takes off his gloves and stuffs them in his back pocket. "Come on... let's go see if the four-wheeler is back, okay?" The least he could do was help her out and make her feel better.

Heading for the garage near the barns, he makes sure Ashlee is following. Once there, though, there's still an empty spot where one of the four-wheelers was still gone. "Hmm." A small twinge of worry creeps up on Eric, even though he fought it. Stacy knew good and well how to take care of herself. There was no cause to get worked up. "Well..." He sets his hands on his hips and looks down at Ashlee. "Maybe she came back but just didn't put the four-wheeler away yet." It sounded a bit lame, but it was the best he had. He had no explanation of why Stacy was still gone. "Let's ask a few of the other guys. I'm sure somebody knows something we don't." 

Unfortunately, asking around only led to more questions. No the four-wheeler wasn't anywhere to be found. No, she hadn't planned to be gone more than a couple hours. No, she had not shown up for lunch earlier. No, she hadn't called.

"I hope she didn't run into trouble out there." Mick stands outside the barn and looks down the lane, wondering what could have kept Stacy out so long. There were lots of spots out in the woods and along the foothills that were dead zones as far as cell phones went, so maybe she had a perfectly good reason for still being gone and just hadn't been able to phone back in. They had long-range walkie-talkies, but she hadn't taken one with her. 

Eric frowns, not wanting to come up with any scary theories with Ashlee there. "My guess would be she had to fix a camera or something and it just took longer than she'd thought." 

"Maybe." Mick glances to Ashlee then back up to Eric. "Keep an eye out. If she's not back in another hour, I'll take another four-wheeler out and see what's up, just to be on the safe side." 

"Yeah, okay." As Mick walks away, Eric glances to Ashlee and gives her a small smile. "I'm sure it's nothing to worry about."

...An hour later though, Eric wasn't so sure he'd been right. Stacy still wasn't back. The sky was overcast, and even though there was no rain predicted, it was going to get dark sooner this evening without the sun shining. 

Finished with his small tasks, Eric wanders to the lane once more and looks down towards the woods. Had Stacy really run into trouble? Even if she'd had problems with the four-wheeler, she should have been able to walk back in this amount of time. Unless she'd gotten lost. Eric knew she'd been in the near vicinity a time or two and she'd studied the ranch's map, but it was easy to get turned around out there. And there was also the chance of foul play. Unfortunately, that was always a chance around here. If the Agency wanted to take out the extra set of eyes, Stacy was the right one to target. But would they have gone after her? What if they were responsible for the broken camera and not the wind or an animal? 

A revving engine causes Eric to turn around as Mick rides up on the four-wheeler. "I'm heading out," Mick informs loudly over the sound of the motor. He taps the walkie-talkie on his belt. "I'll let you know what I find out. Sparky's going around the other way." 

"Yeah... okay." Eric waves him on, and watches until he'd disappeared around the bend. With both Mick and Sparky out there, surely they'd find Stacy and everything would be just fine. 

Glancing back to the dining hall where he'd told Ashlee to hang out in case her mom showed up, the twinge of worry returns. His eyes go back to the lane. He hadn't spoken to Stacy for two days and he was still upset with what she'd said to him. Despite that though... if anything happened to her... For some reason, his mind wanders to the couple evenings they'd stargazed from the hayloft. And the twinge of worry grows.

Making up his mind, Eric heads to the barn. Crosstying Static in the aisle, he's saddled up within minutes and back outside. 

"Hey, you taking off too?" Jim looks at him with concern. 

"Yeah, figured I would."

"You're gonna ride with that leg of yours?"

Eric's eyes narrow. "All three of the four-wheelers are out. But even if they weren't, I can still ride."

Jim backs off, knowing that look on Eric's face all too well. "Alright. Just be careful, huh?" 

"I always am." Swinging up into the saddle, Eric steers Static towards the lane at a fast trot.

"Okay, sounds good." Justin stands up and wanders the living room, glancing out the window to check on the dogs. "Um... if you wanna pack a lunch, I won't stop you. You know I'll eat anything of yours." He chuckles. "But if you don't have anything or don't have time, we can stop at the store. I'm good either way." 

Wrapping up the phone call, Justin finally lets her go and hangs up. Sighing, he stares at the silent phone. He was very glad Beth was going to join him on Sunday. And he was looking forward to it. But the thoughts about tomorrow still bugged him.

Jason leans back in his chair with his feet up on his desk, flipping through a file. The day seemed to quiet and he was getting tired. Or maybe it was just the late night he'd had last night. Either way, he wished he could call it in early.

"Jaysh!"

Kaylee's squeal of delight breaks Jason's concentration and he puts his feet down, sitting up straight in surprise. "What on..." Before he can react, Kaylee is by his side, giggling and bouncing with excitement.

A smile creases Jason's lips and he picks her up, giving her a bear hug that makes her squeal all the more. "Kaylee!" Although the warm feelings deep down didn't quite register, he was going to act on them anyway. He knew he had to be excited to see his little sister, so he would act as such. And... it did feel... good, he thought. Setting Kaylee on his lap, he tickles her, making her squirm and laugh.

Cindy stands in the doorway, just watching and smiling. Those two had always had something special. She remembers when Kaylee was just a small baby and she'd found them both so peacefully asleep on the couch. It was an image she would never forget.

Looking up, Jason finally spots his mother and gives her a smile too. "Mom... I didn't expect you so soon."

Cindy enters slowly and shrugs. "I guess I needed a break from the ranch sooner than I thought. Since I booked a room at a hotel, I figured it would be okay if I just showed up."

Jason smirks. "It would be okay any time. You can stay at my place though, if you want, you know."

"I know." Cindy smiles and nods. "I was thinking of a hot tub." In truth, she really did just want some time alone. She knew she was always welcome at her son's house, but it would be nice to just have her own room and relax, and it would be fun for Kaylee too.

Jason chuckles. "Okay. Did you just get in then?"

"A few hours ago actually. We-"

"Trey!" Kaylee points towards the door.

Jason lifts his eyebrows. "Trey, huh?" He looks back to his mother. "Talk about him much?"

"I was just going to explain we saw him. I just came from downstairs."

Jason isn't sure he understands and he quits playing with Kaylee, letting her inspect the badge on his belt. "You just saw him? With Kaylee? After what happened last time?"

Cindy searches her son's face, hoping he would understand. "Yes. It was something I needed to do, and... it actually turned out pretty good this time. We had a nice talk and even had lunch together."

All of a sudden, the good feelings Jason had felt were replaced by negative ones. He wasn't sure what they were though. He felt... upset. But he didn't know why. He couldn't dissect what he was feeling to figure it out, and it was frustrating. His brow furrows. "You were here and just went straight downstairs?"

Cindy comes a little closer, trying to maintain the joy she'd gained by her time with Trey, while also sensing Jason was upset. "I didn't ignore you on purpose, if that's what you mean. But what would you have said if I'd told you what I was planning to do?"

"I woulda said yo were crazy."

"Yeah." Cindy gives him a gentle smile.

Jason remains skeptical. He'd found out about his brother quite a while ago, but he'd had no desire to interact with the Elite's arrogant resident, especially when it was so hard to process it all. Then he'd gotten sick and had been more focused on that than dealing with a twin. Rick had told him that Trey had found out about them being brothers but obviously that hadn't changed anything.

Cindy can read the confusion and mix of questions on Jason's face, and she's sorry. "You two have never spoken since you found out, have you?"

Jason's eyes lower and he toys with one of Kaylee's pigtails. "Just in passing... like a nod when we pass in the hall. We'd see each other all the time before I got sick but never talked, no. Since I've been back to work part time, I haven't seen him. I just hear him being talked about by Reese or Pete."

Cindy sighs deeply. "He thinks you don't want to get to know him."

"Well I don't."

"Why not?"

"He's..." Jason bites his tongue. He was going to say Trey was a jerk. Though they never interacted, he heard and saw all there was to around here. He knew all the reports, he knew where Trey had come from, and he'd seen his attitude. He knew how he'd treated Cindy their first time meeting. But all of a sudden, Jason wasn't just calling a stranger a jerk... he was calling his mother's son a jerk. And he couldn't say it to her face.

Not liking the way this was headed, Cindy opts to change the subject before her tears surfaced again. Coming around Jason's desk, she holds out her hands. "Come here."

Jason lets Kaylee slide from his lap and he stands up, offering an embrace to his mother. "I'm sorry," he apologizes. "It's really good to see you."

"Ditto." Cindy rests her head on his chest and sighs deeply. "Are you okay?"

"Me?" Jason grins a little and pulls her away to look at her face. "I was going to ask you the same thing."

Cindy laughs. "Two worrywarts we are." She nods. "I'm okay. Really. I'm... missing... a lot.... but I'm okay." 

"Up! Up!" Kaylee jumps up and down, begging Jason to pick her back up again.

Jason's grin widens and he shakes his head. "Okay... but only because I love you." Scooping her back up again, he holds her upside down as she shrieks.

"Noooo!"

"What's the matter?" Jason rights her again and holds her close. "Is this better?"

Kaylee scrunches her nose and pats his head. "Tank oo."

Jason chuckles and kisses her cheek. "You're welcome."