Days like today

It was an odd sort of feeling that crawled up Justin's spine. Whether his good sense was on edge or not, he certainly was comfortable, and Beth seemed to be very relaxed as well. Maybe... there was nothing wrong with this?

His eyes drift all the way shut, unable to help it that her fingers running through his hair felt as good as it did. Yes, there was more to her than the surface of timidity and high defenses.

He lets his hand move back up to his chest where his palm rests over Beth's fingers. Right now... he didn't care what time it was or how long they'd stay like this.


Having Angel join him on the swing, Luke smiles and stretches out his arm so it could wrap around her as she cuddles in close. He chuckles and kisses the top of her head. "Me, trying to get away from you? Are you kidding?" He pauses, humor making his eyes twinkle. "I can't run fast enough so I gave up trying."

Giving her a teasing squeeze, he leans back and pushes the swing gently with his foot. Most days went pretty slowly for him. Sometimes he could get out to the barn and do chores. On really good days he could make it in the saddle for a little while. And other days... like today... it was just too painful to try and do much other than sit in the swing.

"So how's your day going, Darlin'?"


"Well... I guess we all need to run around in circles sometimes." Eric watches as Ashlee starts to help him, grinning as he hears her laugh. "You're thanking me? Isn't it my job to thank you for helping?"

Working on Sharpshooter for a few more minutes, the horse's pelt starts to dry and eventually the short task is finished and Eric takes him outside to be put in the pasture for the rest of the day. Wandering back inside with the leadrope, he looks to Ashlee again, giving her a crooked sort of smile. "Come back here at chore time tonight and you might get to help feed, if you want."

Old Days

Leaning hear head back just a little bit and feeling relaxed, more so than she had in a very long time. Just continuing to run her fingers through his hair Beth was just enjoying the moment, and watching the movie.

"I wouldn't mind if I couldn't leave right away."

Being so comfortable Beth didn't even realize what she had said till after it had been said. Stopping for a moment and looking down at Justin she wondered if he would even notice what she said or maybe he had passed out already.

"I don't mind at all."

Just leaning her head back again and letting the silence fall over them again Beth focuses on the tv and move once more. It was nice to just spend time with Justin, to have a friend she could just doing things with out of the normal.

Giving a nod and a wave as both men go outside again Angel gives a small shake of her head. Some memories come floating back to her about the younger years. So many had been in and out of her office, Rosetta, Mick, Luke and the list went on. Each getting banged up more than the time before and non of them wanting to give up. It put a smile on Angel's face to remember that time and miss it as well.

Going through the back door and into the house Angel looks for Luke. Not seeing him she goes out the back door. Stepping onto the porch and looking to the little swing she smiles seeing Luke sitting there. Walking over to him and sitting down she snuggles into him a little.

Though she missed the old days when things seem to be easier, days seemed longer and there was more energy to spend Angel would never want to give up what she had now. Life may not have turned out perfect but it was pretty darn close and the best part of all is it was just how God wanted it.

"What are you doing out here by yourself huh? Trying to get away from me are ya?"

Still leaning on the fence Ashlee smiles at Eric as he walks through with the horse. Even if it was just watching Ashlee still had fun see what Eric was doing, and watch how the horse moved and what his mannerisms were like.

"I was going to go explore a little but than I saw you out here again, and I figured I'd watch. I thought it was interesting with you were doing with the horse to get his energy out. Sometimes I have so much energy I just feel like running around too. I think it will be nice to have the open space to do that now too."

Getting the towel thrown at her Ashlee gives a smile as she just holds it standing there for a moment. She hadn't thought Eric was going to let her help, but now that the offer was open she was kind of excited about it."

Walking over to the other side of the horse Ashlee lays on of her hands on the horses next before bringing the towel to the horse and and rubbing it the horse down. Feeling the soft fur in her hand she couldn't help but laugh a little. It tickled the palm of her hand while her other still ran the towel over the horse.

Standing on her tip toes to try and look over the hours he barley could but can just make out Eric a little bit and a smile forms on her face again though most of it was hidden.

"Thanks for letting me help."

Kiddo

Feeling Beth's fingers run through his hair, Justin is a little surprised, but it did feel good. It was relaxing and right now, that's what he needed. She had a warm, light touch that was soothing, and Justin's eyes start to droop just a little. His hand creeps up to hers that was lying on his chest, until his fingers run over hers lightly.

Too quickly though, a thought flashes through his mind that "friends" didn't usually sit in this position. Wondering if maybe even though Beth didn't seem to mind, if he'd perhaps overstepped some bounds, he retracts his hand again.

"Keep running your fingers through my hair," he mumbles drowsily, "and I might fall asleep right here. Then you'd never be able to leave."


Dylan tolerates Angel's doctoring, though he never cracks a smile. It hurt, he was embarrassed, and he knew that Mick was gonna find out and that was the worst part of all this.

Sparky pats his shoulder. "Well, I always say you're not really a rider until you've taken at least one spill."

Dylan rolls his eyes as he eases off the table. "That's stupid."

Sparky chuckles. "No it's not. If a cowboy saunters up to me and says he's a real rider, and he's never fallen off a horse, I know he hasn't ridden very much. Every rider falls eventually, and usually more than once... if they've actually spent time in the saddle."

"So I'm supposed to be happy about this?"

"Think of it this way... the first time is always the worst. And you did learn something, didn't you?"

"Yeah," Dylan grumbles. "I didn't mean to kick him like that. My foot was-"

"No matter the reason, it was mixed signals. Sharpshooter hopped, you lost your balance, gave him more mixed signals and away you went. He's an easy-going horse until he gets confused about what he's supposed to be doing."

"Great." Dylan sighs, then winces, as his ribs protest. He looks to Angel, still not happy but grateful for her help. "Thanks. I'm already too sore to even think about a saddle so you don't have to worry about that."

"Come on," Sparky offers to help Dylan out of the office. "Let's get you settled in your bunk and get your foot propped up and on ice for a while."

"Yeah, yeah."

Sparky turns once and tosses Angel a wink of thanks before the two men head back outside.


Once Sharpshooter starts to calm down and Eric is satisfied that the horse isn't going to pull any stunts, he slows him down little by little until Sharpshooter is just walking, his head hanging. After his breathing is back to normal, Eric brings him in to stand. He pats his sweaty neck and Sharpshooter responds by trying to rub his head on Eric, but Eric pushes his head away. "Naw, naw... you know better than that." He smirks. "What did you do, eh? Dylan didn't look too happy and Sparky looked even less happy. You don't usually do things like this."

Deciding the session was over, Eric turns and makes Sharpshooter walk next to him. Heading for the gate, he's surprised to see Ashlee again. He'd been paying so much attention to the horse that he hadn't even realized she'd stuck around. Watching a horse go around and around and around wasn't exactly the most exciting thing in the world.

"Hey, Kiddo." He comes through the gate. "Figured you'd be long gone by now." He walks just a short ways down the barn aisle before stopping and crosstying Sharpshooter. He slowly takes off the saddle and blanket, setting them out of the way. Retrieving a couple towels from the tackroom, he goes back to the sweaty horse and starts to rub him down.

Looking over his shoulder, a little grin toys with the corner of his mouth. He tosses one of the towels to Ashlee. "You can take the other side," he offers. "I just wanna dry him off a bit before letting him loose outside so when he rolls, all that dirt ain't gonna stick to him so bad."

Unwanted Words.

Ashlee can't help but let her smile grow as she sits with Eric more. Maybe it was the lack of a male role model in her life that drew her to the sweet nature she could tell he had but she just liked spending time with him, and learning from him even if it hadn't been for very long today.

Just working quietly Ashlee didn't mind. The silence was kind of nice just listing to the normal sounds that were around here that most people might not hear because it was filled with talk. But soon the quiet was broken with yelling, and the sound of a horse.

Looking up to the door Ashlee lets her own things lay aside as she follows Eric out wondering what happened. Taking a step back at Eric takes the horse Ashlee looks around him to Sparky and Dylan as he holds his arm. She wondered what happend, and if Dylan was ok. Seeing Sparky and him walk away though it didn't seem like they were in to much of a hurry so he must be ok...right?

"Thanks for showing me how to oil the saddle and stuff. It was fun."

Giving a smile and a wave as Eric walks away Ashlee goes back into the tack room. Looking down at the saddles and the tools that were still out she smiles to herself again. It really had been fun and she had a yurning to know more now. Taking her saddle and putting it back, Ashlee struggles with the bigger saddle that Eric had been working on but managed to put it back as well. Along with the oil, soap and rag.

Wondering from the room once more and heading outside Eric in one of the rings catches her eye. Watching for a long moment she wondered what he was doing now. She couldn't help it she was full of questions.

Going over and standing on the bottom rung of the fence and leaning over the top rail and just watching leaning her chin on her arms. It was interesting to just watch, and not ask questions right away. Observations was always a good thing.

As Dylan and Sparky come into her office and Angel takes one look at Dylan and how he was holding his arm and ribs something happened. Standing and coming over to him Angel just looks over his ribs and arm.

"Horse falls are always the worst, but the best part about them is getting back on."

Pocking and pushing here and there making sure no bones were broken, and his ribs were tapped up nicely. Giving a nod and a smile it really took not time for Angel to fix him up.

"You have on cracked rip, a bruised shoulder, and lots of sore muscles tomorrow but thats about all. I say don't ride for at least a day or two so your body can heal but after that you right as rain."

Getting comfortable on the couch Beth was a little surprised as Justin lied his head in her lap. Recovering quickly thought a smile spreads across her lips as her one hands lays over Justin's chest and the other goes to his hair so she can run her fingers through it.

No words were spoken as the movie played on. Beth felt relaxed and rather liked having Justin's head in her lap. Knowing she could help him relax too made her feel good. So the air wasn't filled with un needed words as the movie played on. It already felt like they had talked for hours.

All that and more

Eric's grin remains on his lips for a few more moments as he returns to his own saddle again. He wasn't sure why he had the funny feeling that this kid wasn't going to let him get away with not being the one to teach her how to ride.

The tackroom falls quiet again as both work on their saddles, quite content with the task. The sounds from outside the room signaled feeding didn't take very long and the sounds of hooves told that most of the horses were being let out into the pastures for the day to graze rather than being fed hay this morning. Eric wasn't keeping track of time at all, so he really doesn't notice when all has grown quiet once more. That is, until muffled shouting can be heard.

Eric's hands stop, almost finished with his saddle. His head tilts up as he listens, hearing what he thought was Sparky's voice, then someone else's. The sound of a horse running through the barn wasn't a good sign. Shooting a glance at Ashlee, Eric gets up, leaving his rag behind. He steps out into the barn aisle just in time to grab the flying reins of Sharpshooter. The chestnut gelding was tacked up and sweaty, sliding to an abrupt halt at the sudden pull on his bit. Skidding around Eric, he stops and snorts, knowing he'd been caught.

"Hey, you got him?"

Eric looks to the barn entrance and squints to see Sparky, who had Dylan's arm over his shoulders, helping him walk. "Yeah," he calls back. "What happened?"

"Later." Sparky turns around with Dylan, heading to Angel's office. "Give that horse some exercise!" he yells.

Eric stares after them for a moment or two before looking at Sharpshooter. "What did you do now, hmm, you big brute?" He sighs and pats the horse's sweaty neck. Remembering Ashlee, he looks back at the tackroom. "Well... I guess I'll have to finish my saddle another time. I'll see you later, Ashlee." He didn't know if she'd stay, leave, watch him work or if she needed to go do something like schoolwork, but it really was none of his nevermind.

Still favoring his leg, he finds a loungeline and Sharpshooter's halter, exchanging it for the bridle. Also retrieving a lounging whip, he heads for the indoor arena where there would be less of an audience. Once the gate was latched, he lets the horse jog circles around him, allowing the circle to get as big as he could while still being in control. Popping the whip, he urges Sharpshooter into a lop. The gelding shakes his head in protest, giving a few hops and a kick in Eric's direction. Eric is quick to discipline and get him going again, and within ten minutes, the horse was finally obeying, realizing he didn't have much of a choice.


Back outside, Dylan hobbles alongside Sparky, still arguing with him. "I'm fine. Just let me go back to my bunk."

"We're having Angel look at you," Sparky replies flatly.

"It's just gonna be sore, that's all!"

"If that's all it was, I woulda made you get right back in the saddle, you know that. But I saw how you came down on the saddle horn before you went flying. Don't you try to lie to me about how it feels."

Dylan winces as they turn to the doctor's office. "I can't be hurt," he hisses. "Dad can't find out."

"Well, maybe we've been keeping your riding a secret long enough."

That thought didn't help any as the two make it inside and Dylan is deposited near the examining table. He leans one hand on it while his other hand cradles his ribs at the same time he doesn't put any weight on his right leg. Glaring at the table, he refuses to look up.

Sparky sighs and looks over to Angel. "He just got bucked off a horse. I think he cracked a couple ribs on the saddle horn first, then his right ankle took the brunt of his fall. It's probably just sprained but you better look at it." Tipping his hat back on his head, he gives her an annoyed look. "And whatever you do, don't take his lip. He's worse than his father with his macho act."

Dylan grits his teeth against the pain, not appreciating Sparky's comment. The worst thing in all this wasn't that he'd gotten bucked off - it was that Mick would now find out he'd been riding.


Tal smirks and rolls his eyes. "Yeah... pregnant roommate. That's how rumors get started, remember?"

He smiles though, enjoying both the humor and the fact that Ryan had said yes to coming over. "Good. I get off work at five, so any time after that is fine." A sidelong glance catches her eye and for a moment, he just studies her gaze. He wondered what she thought... about this whole thing. He hoped he was giving her some days to look forward to... something to distract her from some of the rotten cards she'd been dealt lately. But... was there more?

Looking back over the cliff's edge, he sighs contentedly.


"Yeah... must've been a smart person who told you that," Justin muses wryly.

All of a sudden though, he feels even more out of it than he had earlier and it takes an effort to put Beth's next words together so they made sense. He takes another bite of spaghetti to at least give him a few seconds to put all his thoughts in order again. It didn't work very well, but it gets him back on track... mostly.

Picking up the tv remote, his finger hovers over the button. Did he want to play the movie? Or did he want to talk some more like Beth had offered? With as much as he has going through his mind right now, it would probably be a good idea for him to talk it out. But at the same time, he was tired of rehashing everything.

He hits the button and gets the movie playing, without saying much more.

Once supper was finished, dishes are left on the coffee table for now as the movie plays on. Justin remains curled in his corner of the couch with his knees tucked up safely near his chest. It still wasn't easy to concentrate though and the movie, even though he'd seen it at least ten times, wasn't making much sense tonight. He knew he was starting to let stress get to him - he could feel it, and he didn't like it. He also knew he was being quieter than normal tonight and he felt badly that he wasn't giving Beth any more attention than he was. He was just... tired... of everything. And he was probably just feeling sorry for himself, which made everything worse.

Justin sighs as his eyes move over to the other corner of the couch where Beth was. How approachable was she tonight? He hoped she was comfortable. If she wasn't, he would probably regret this.

Stretching his legs out a little and slowly sliding over, he eases down on his side until his head was resting in Beth's lap. He doesn't say a word but just lies still - a silent plea for help after an emotionally difficult day.

Good Advise

Listing to Eric talk about how Mick usually gave the lessons and his bumb knee Ashlee can feel her heart drop just a little bit. She didn't know why but there was just something about Eric that she liked. She felt like she trusted him enough to know he would teach her the right way and safe way.

"Well maybe...if your knee feels better sometime you could show me a thing or two."

Taking the little toothbrush from Eric and looking at it for a second Ashlee dips it in the soap a little bit and brushing it on the saddle in little circles. She liked this, learning how to oil, and wash the saddle. It kind of made her feel good just being able to help out.

"I can see how sliding out of the saddle would be a bad thing. Thanks for the tip."

Leaning back a on her elbows after taking another bite of her food Ryan thinks for a moment. It wouldnt be different going over to Tal's house but it might be nice. At least she wouldn't be sitting at home alone. Not to mention a little extra time with Tal would be nice.

"Oh, so you mean I can mean your pregnant room mate huh?"

Ryan can't help the little sly grin that spread across her face.

"I think that would be alot of fun Tal. I'm game for it."

"Sometimes...we need to stop doing things for others and start doing things for ourselves. Someone pretty smart told me that. So maybe he should take his own advise put his paper work down and just take the long deserved vacation."

Taking some of the spaghetti twirled on the fork putting it into her mouth a peace floops out and hits her chin. Slurping she sucks it into her mouth and takes her napkin wiping her chin. Looking back to Justin she gives a little.

"Mmmm...You can put the movie in now, or if you want to talk a little more thats ok too."

Downswing

So Stacy must be tougher on speeders than her own daughter. That was probably good - at least Ashlee didn't seem like the rod had been spared too much. Eric digests her words, still trying to figure out the whole family dynamics and what Stacy was made out of. Her question makes him pause his work again though.

Thinking a moment, he finds a dirty spot in some deeper tooling that he picks at with his thumbnail. "Mick's usually the one that gives lessons," he finally answers. It was true - Mick was the head honcho when it came to riding lessons or breaking in horses, whether it was visitors, family or paying customers. Eric only got involved if he was asked directly by Mick or Rosetta. His job had always just been to help around the barn and bring in money from the road.

His mistake, however, was glancing over at Ashlee. There were those eyes again. He usually didn't have trouble saying no, did he? He didn't think she was trying to manipulate him - there was just a sweet spirit about her that was hard to ignore. For a moment, Eric wonders what it must be like for her to be the daughter of a law enforcer, and without a dad too. She seemed happy and well-adjusted but he was sure some days must be tough. Why she'd come to him though, he had no idea.

"And I ain't sure when I'll be in the saddle again," he concludes, settling on his last excuse. "I got a leg that don't like cooperating."

Getting up from the bench, he limps over to the supply shelf and grabs a round tin. Bringing it back, he sits next to Ashlee again and leans over, pointing out some dusty places in the leather, and even where some mold had formed. "This is some saddle soap," he explains. "It'll soften up leather too, but does a better job of actual cleaning." Picking up a soft toothbrush that had seen better days, he rubs the bristles into the wax-like soap and brushes it onto the saddle, brushing in circles until the soap had disappeared and a clean spot now existed. He hands Ashlee the toothbrush. "You can use this too... don't much matter where on the saddle you use it - just if the leather ain't soaking up anything anymore, it's had plenty of soap and oil."

He pats the saddle seat, gaining back a little grin. "Just don't put too much of either here... you might go sliding off as soon as your bottom hits it."


Tal chuckles and he shakes his head. "If I didn't want to share the secret with you, I wouldn't have brought you here, now would I?"

He takes a bite of his food before leaning back against the tree, his mind wandering to many different places. None that took away his smile, but none that wished to be spoken either. So for a few moments, he simply enjoys his lunch and the company.

"So I was thinking... Eli said he'd be out with Scarlet again tonight. I... wondered if maybe you'd like to come over to my place for supper?"

He glances over to Ryan before his eyebrows rise a little. "If... you don't have any other plans. I mean..." He didn't want to make her uncomfortable. "...if you want to. And I could even introduce you to Holly."


Justin shrugs lamely, his eyes staying focused on his food. "Maybe some of it's my fault, always trying to fix things. I guess when I couldn't make it with social services, I gave up on starting my own practice or anything. Just got a bad taste in my mouth. But then I just started trying to fix people's problems all over again, like a bad habit or something. Technically I'm not even a counselor... I just get away with it because of connections. Experience, I have. The little paper that says so, I don't."

Stabbing a meatball with more force than necessary, the tines clang on his plate. Taking a bite, he has enough time to chew before he laughs outright at Beth's suggestion. "Vacation? What's that?"

He smirks and shakes his head. "Oh, I've had a day off here and a day off there. A real vacation hasn't happened since I was a kid. Not since..." His sentence drifts off as he remembers the last family vacation when his dad had still been alive. He clears his throat and takes a sip of water. "I guess there's just some things that never get done." He'd always wanted to take a trip to a nice big lake somewhere, take the dogs with him, and spend a week fishing and relaxing. But he'd always had too much work and had always stayed close so he wouldn't be far from his mother. Of course... that had apparently changed now.

That thought seems to anchor his mood on the downswing and he gestures to the television remote. "Wanna watch the movie while we eat or wait 'til after?"

Vacation

Letting Eric just guide her hand Ashlee continues to watch and feel how he showed her to rub the rag and the amount of pressure to put in some areas and less in others. It was fun to feel the leather under the rag and to know what the outcome would be. Knowing that the saddle would be soft and save the life of it making it last a little longer. And knowing that this saddle could be hers, the one she used for riding made her want to work at it even more.

"Mom's pretty good about not worrying to much about me. Not because she doesn't care that is but because she knows she really doesn't have too. Not to mention I have been begging her to let me take riding lessons for a long time. Now that we are here, I don't think she will mind so much."

Looking back to the saddle and working on a rough patch she came across Ashlee without even thinking about it sticks her tongue out to the side a little as she concentrates really hard in oiling that one spot. Working it till she was satisfied and felt it was soft enough Ashlee looks back to Eric and cocks her head for a second.

"I'll definitely ask my mom if its ok first though. Can you be the one to teach me?"

Taking a bit of her food and just looking out again Ryan couldn't help it. It was almost hypnotic to just see the way the sun bounced, and the shadows cast. It was like being on top of the world looking down with out anyone knowing. It really was amazing.

"Don't worry you secret of this place is safe with me."

Breaking her gaze away and looking to Tal again Ryan gives a smile as the sun dances, and bounced off her eyes making them just seem a little bigger today.

"As long as you don't mind sharing it with me."

Hearing Justin's comment about her cooking Beth couldn't help the slight color that came to her cheeks. She new he has said she was a great cook before but every time he did it just caused her to blush more. It was nice to get a complement and know her mother recipes were going to someone who looked them.

"Well, as long as you like what I cook than I'll keep doing it."

Getting comfortable on the couch and setting the plate in her lap Beth settles in and takes a bit of the food. It was pretty good, and everything she made something and eat it, it brought back good memories of when her mother would cook. Than alone was definitely worth it.

Hearing about Justin's phone calls and all the problems he was seeming to have Beth felt bad for him. It always did seem like people with problems grouped around him and wanted him to be able to fix them. It had to get a little tiring after a while just wanting a normal friendship where someone didn't want him to fix there troubles.

"Shesh I can see why it gets frustrating after a while. Everyone coming to you with there problems. I guess they think because you have the title as councilor you can fix everything."

Beth does her best to give a smile to Justin. Though she wondered somewhere in the back of her own mind if she had gotten away from the needy problems, and if Justin saw past them too. She didn't want to add to his problems.

"I think you good at your counseling. But maybe...you need a vacation and just relax for a little while! I bet you haven't had that in a long time huh?"

Get lost

Eric's mouth forms a little smile at the new spark in Ashlee's eyes. At her question of if she was oiling the saddle correctly, he reaches over and guides her hand with his, showing her how to make little circles and let the oil soak in. "You got it," he encourages, returning to his own saddle.

Giving her a sidelong glances, his grin reemerges. "Well, you are living on a horse ranch... If your hind end didn't wind up in a saddle, I'd be pretty surprised. There's plenty of people around here to help ya out there if you just ask."

He pauses to concentrate on a particular spot on his saddle. "That is, if your mom says it's okay." The last thing he needed was to get Miss Stern-officer-turned-bodyguard upset with him for putting any unwanted notions into her daughters head.


Tal grins at Ryan and shakes his head. "I don't know. Guess it was just one of those days I took a drive and wanted to get lost. Wound up here and it's been a favorite spot since."

He tosses her a wink. "Just don't tell anybody else about it."


As Beth comes into the living room, Justin comes to the couch to sit with her. Taking a bite of food, he murmurs his approval. "Mmm... I don't think you could cook a bad meal if you tried."

He goes to start the movie, but pauses to answer Beth's question. "Oh... just stuff. Reese gave me a new goal for Alec, Brookshire called and Scott had a bad day, I got one friend trying to cry on my shoulder even though half her problems she's brought on herself - I think she likes being a victim because she gets attention - and I got another friend... so-called friend, taking her side and blaming me for being honest."

He shrugs lamely. "That's about it. Ma always used to ask me why I didn't change careers and I never had an answer for her. I can take people like Scott... it's those like Nichole that drive me bonkers. I mean... I can't help it that she makes stupid decisions... I can't help it that she won't let go of a guy who's a jerk, right?" Justin sighs. Maybe that whole scenario bothered him more than he'd thought. He takes another bite of food. "I guess I wouldn't know what else to do if I gave up trying to be a counselor anyway, unless I want to offer computer tech service full-time and even part-time is bad enough."

Smell

Just continuing to watch Eric intently Ashlee didn't look at him much but just watched his hands as they worked at the leather. Listing to Eric talk to her about how to keep the leather in good condition. It was easy to tell her was listing closely, and really was interested in what Eric was saying.

"I love the way the oil and leather smell together. It's almost like a calming smell. I like it."

Pulling her knees up to her chest Ashlee just watches as Eric brings the one saddle to hang it up and than seeing him bring the other back and set the one in front of her Ashlee looks to it and than looks to Eric. He was implying she would be able to ride too? Really?

"You mean...I can..ride too?"

Reaching out and taking the rag from Eric Ashlee remembers how she saw him do it and dips the rag into the rag just a little bit. Bringing the rag to the leather she runs it alone the saddle making sure to get it in good and work it. Looking back to Eric as she worked she gave a wide smile.

"Am I doing it right?"

Getting the food and going back to the car again Ryan rides in silence with Tal not knowing where they were going but not caring either. Watching the scenes pass by it was a nice view that was for sure.

Taking the food and following Tal keeping up the small talk Ryan still does not as where they were going. Getting to the spot though and seeing the view it became clear why Tal had come here and Ryan was in aw. Sitting down with him and preparing to eat Ryan looks out at the city again before looking back to Tal once more.

"No, I don't mind at all. This is am amazing view. How did you find something like this Tal?"

Heading into the kitchen Beth starts up the pot of boiling water and puts the spaghetti into it. Than garbing another pan and the ground turkey she adds a few things before rolling them into balls and tossing them in the pan to bake. It dosnt take long before dinner ready and Beth dishes them out onto the plates along with some garlic bread.

"So you said people kept calling you? Anything important?"

Coming into the living room with the plates Beth disappears again for a moment to grab napkins and the drinks before settling down on the couch with Justin. Saying a prayer with him she starts to eat the food and gives a smile. Today they seemed to tastes extra good.

Hiding place

Lost in his own little world, Eric didn't even realize someone had opened the tackroom door or was watching him. His hands work his rag in and around all the little crevices in the saddle, his mind trying to focus on this task rather than wandering to places he'd rather not think about right now.

Ashlee's voice is enough of a surprise that his head jerks up, his eyes widening slightly. Seeing who it was though, it only takes a moment for him to relax again. She thought he was up early? He was a little surprised that she was up too. "Yeah... I suppose so."

Her request makes one of his eyebrows arc and he cocks his head. Why would she want to watch him oil a saddle? To most, it would be a pretty boring task to do, let alone to just watch. He did come in here to be alone... His eyes meet hers and he just studies her for a couple moments, not minding if the silence would seem awkward or not. At least it wasn't somebody like Mick or Rosetta, to whom Eric didn't want to talk about anything. Maybe Ashlee would help be a distraction, and she did seem sweet. Most kids her age would just barge in without asking.

Finally, he shrugs. "I guess if you want to, you can." He scoots over on the bench so she could have a closeup view of what he was doing, figuring she didn't know a whole lot about horses or horse equipment.

Dipping his rag in a little more oil at his opposite side, he starts to rub the saddle again in little circular motions. Though keeping his sights on his work, the corner of his eye kept track of Ashlee. The thought returned to him that there was something about her he couldn't help but feel. He wasn't sure what it was, but it was a rather peaceful feeling.

"Leather needs to stay nice and supple." He hadn't planned on talking to Ashlee, but it just... came out. Maybe it was his experience with visitors who needed some special attention... or maybe he needed to converse more than he thought he did. "Otherwise it could break and a rider could end up getting hurt, not to mention saddle parts ain't cheap."

His hands keep working. "See all these little cracks? It just soaks up all that oil and gets nice and soft and the cracks start to fade." Flipping the fender up over the seat, he sets his rag aside and just lets his fingers work in the oil. Some might think it smelly and dirty... but he liked the scent of the oil and leather, and it felt good between his fingers.

Falling silent again, Eric relaxed even a little more, not minding the girl's presence. A few minutes pass by before he gets up from the bench slowly and limps over to the wall of saddles. He doesn't explain as he finds a western saddle, smaller than the one he was working on. Pulling out a stand, he brings both to Ashlee and sets them down in front of her without saying anything. Coming back around to his own seat, he eases back down, then puts the little bowl of oil between them and holds out a rag to her. "If you're gonna go riding, this one's gonna need a little TLC."


"Mmm, Chinese, huh?" Tal ambles with Ryan out to his car, jingling his keys. "Okay. But only if it's takeout." Grinning, he lets her go around to the passenger seat and then slides in behind the wheel, not explaining what he'd meant.

Once they've picked up their food, he aims the car across town, still not telling Ryan where they were going, but instead, engaging in small talk about the day and how work was going. It doesn't take long to get outside of town, and not too long to get off onto a side road that wound up a ways into a peaceful wooded area. Finding a place off the road to park, Tal tosses Ryan a new grin before getting out of the car and coming around to open her door. Helping carry the food, he remains cryptic about the whole thing until they'd walked a short ways into a little clearing. No one could see from the road that there was a small cliff here, just tall enough to look out across the city. With the sun peaking out through some clouds, the far-off buildings sparkle.

Tal finds a nice soft spot to sit under a tree and makes sure Ryan has a good spot too. Figuring out whose food was whose, he offers a prayer before leaning back against the tree and smiling at Ryan. "I hope you don't mind. I just thought something different might be nice... and if your boss gets mad you're gone longer, I'll take the heat."


Justin looks up at Beth, wondering if a strange look in her eye was really there, or if it was his imagination. But her suggestion diverts that question. "Movie. Right. And dogs." Moaning as he pries himself from the couch, he stretches again and stifles another yawn.

"Thanks, Beth." He slings an arm around her shoulder and gives her a playful squeeze. "You're a gem." He leaves her off at the kitchen and continues to the door, forcing himself to be more alert. "Okay, girls!" he calls loudly. "Play time!" He pushes open the screen door. "Tell me which movie Beth likes so I can pick that one."

Wandering outside in his bare feet, he gives Danitza and Zora some attention before feeding them and leaving them loose for a while yet. By the short time he gets back in the house, he can already smell supper cooking and his stomach starts to growl, reminding him that he hadn't eaten all day. He lets Beth be and goes back into the living room to crouch beside the rack of DVDs.

"How about a comedy?" he calls over his shoulder. "Or I got a couple sappy romances if you really want to torture me." He grins as he runs his fingers along the DVD spines. "How about a horror flick?" He pauses. "Or maybe not. I don't make a very good hiding place - Ma always said I was too bony."

Something Hidden

Looking down at Justin and giving a smile Beth shakes her head a little bit. Justin was still getting over being sick so his body still needed sleep and she did understand that. Looking around the hours for a moment Beth wasn't sure what Justin was talking about. It didn't look dirty, it actually looked cleaner than her own apartment at the moment.

"Justin, I have no idea what your talking about. Its nearly spotless here."

Giving another laugh Beth gives Justin's arm a light pat before she stands up again. Looking down at him again and cocking her head again Beth just looks at Justin for a long moment. The conversation with his mother coming back to her. Should she tell Justin? Maybe it was best if right now she didn't till something good happened from it.

"I'll go start making us some dinner, why don't you pick out a movie we could watch and play with the dogs."

Turning a little and looking at Tal Ryan gives a sly little smile. She was wondering if he would remember to come for lunch or not. Now seeing her had remembered and was here seemed to make her heart give a little jump.

"A break? You think they let me take a break around here? If I was to keep doing that than these guys would have the upper hand and beat me in how many cars to fix in a day."

Going back to the car for a moment and tightening the last bolt to what she was working on Ryan stands and shuts the car hood. Walking over to her bench and putting the wrench away and than grabbing her jacket.

"Hey Axel, can you let Mr. Jackson that his car is done for me? I'm gonna head to lunch."

Linking her arm with Tal's and heading outside with him she thinks for a moment. It was funny to think of doing something "normal" with someone and not her normal. But at the same time it was nice to know and feel someone wanted to be with her just because.

"How about we grab some Chinese. Haven't had that in a while."

Continuing to just watch Bret and Nicholas Charlotte can't help but let the smile on her face grow even bigger. She loved seeing them play together and interacting. There was a connection there father and son and She just loved being able to see it first had. Bret was such a good father.

Returning the kiss to Bret Charlotte couldn't help but be a little excited about the whole church thing. She'd talked to Jamie about it a few times and it did seem interesting. Now knowing they were going to do it, it made her heart beat with excitement.

"I'm so happy you mentioned it Bret. I think it's going to be alot of fun."

Reaching out and taking Nicholas Charlotte gives him a kiss on the head before going to the table and taking the bottle. Seeing Nicholas reach for the bottle she can't help but laugh before she gives it to him.

"I guess you were hungry huh Monster? I think you take after you dad with that apatite."

Holding him close Charlotte looks over to Bret and gives a smile her eyes giving a sparkle. She'd never though about herself being a mother but now that she was she'd never trade it for anything else in the world. It was one of the best feelings in the world.

Entering the barn Ashlee moves up center stopping at some of the stalls to look inside and see the horses. It was early still so they were still there and she planned it that way. Horses were so pretty to her she just wanted to be able to pet on.

"Hey there pretty thing. How are you this morning?"

Slowing putting her hand into the stall she lets the horse sniff her hand before she brought it to the chin and gave it a little scritch and than to the side of the horses face. It's fur was so soft, so much more than Ashlee had imagined.

Hearing a noise down the way a little bit though causes her to jump a little and withdraw her hand looking to where the noise came from. Seeing a light on behind another door she slowly walks that way. Looking in the tiny window and seeing Eric she just watches him for a long moment before opening the door and entering. She hoped she wasnt bothering him she was just wondering what he was doing so she just continued to intently watch before entering.

"Hi..You get up early with everyone else too huh?"

Ashlee held a smile on her face as she continued to watch Eric. She found him interesting just from saying hi to him the other day. Something hidden in his eyes, maybe perhaps lost that seemed to say he had a kind and gentile heart.

"Do you mind if I watch you?"

In the midst of leather

Feeling someone shaking his shoulder is finally enough to rouse Justin. Then he hears Beth's voice and he realizes that he hasn't gotten anything done at all, and he hadn't even greeted her like he should have when she'd arrived. Way to go.

Something like a groan emerges as he rolls over onto his back and looks up at Beth sleepily. "Did you say something about supper?" he mumbles. Yawning, he puts his arms up over his head for a moment to stretch from his fingertips to his toes. Then blinking, he looks a little more clearly at her.

"Hi... and sorry," he apologizes, still drowsy. "I... guess I was more tired than I thought. Then I got all these phone calls that wore me out even more and... apparently my internal alarm clock needs new batteries."

He yawns again before grinning. "My house is a mess, my girls are gonna disown me for ignoring them all day and I don't even come to the door when you arrive... I'm really on my game today, aren't I?"


Tal's knuckles rap lightly on the open hood of the broken-down car to get Ryan's attention as she worked. He peeks around the hood towards the engine and smiles. "Didn't anybody ever teach you to take a lunch break?" She'd said the night before she wanted to do lunch today, so he'd come to the auto shop as soon as he'd been able to take a break. It was a little early, but not too early to eat.

"I'm driving and buying so you get to pick where we go."


Bret nods a little absentmindedly, watching as Nicholas gripped one of his fingers in his tiny fist. Con hadn't been against the idea of Nicholas being baptized, but Bret did remember how he'd explained that baptism was something a person made a decision about... it was the sign of a commitment to God that only an individual could make for themselves. So... a baby couldn't decide something like that - Nicholas wasn't old enough to make up his own mind yet. Con had explained how while there was nothing wrong with them baptizing him, it really had no purpose as far as Nicholas' soul was concerned.

So... in Bret's mind, there really wasn't much of a point, if what Con said about personal commitment was true. Nicholas would have to decide for himself once he knew right from wrong and all that... right? But that's where Bret and Charlotte were at. It felt almost scary for some reason, like he was just beginning to see they were standing on the edge of a cliff and could either fall or gain better footing. He furrows his brow a little as his mind swam with all of this information. He wasn't used to thinking about all these kinds of things. At least he had Charlotte to think through it with him - he couldn't imagine staying sane without her anymore.

Her voice brings him back around and he shifts his head to look up at her from the floor. A smile creases his lips. He was glad to hear she'd try it with him. This was new to both of them... it made him just a little excited to think they could investigate and learn at the same time. "Of course I want to do it with you And... maybe it'll be fun. I mean, at least we'll be with Con and Jamie and they're always fun, right?"

Feeling something wet on his finger he looks back to Nicholas to find his finger being sucked on. He smirks. "Sorry, Bud. You're not gonna find anything there." He chuckles, making Nicolas bounce on his stomach, which in turn makes Nicholas giggle.

Bret finally sits up and holds Nicholas close as he gets to his feet. Cradling him in one arm, he wanders over to Charlotte to lean in and give her a kiss. "I don't ever want to be without you either. If they have coins in Heaven, I wouldn't have anybody to flip them with... and that wouldn't feel like Heaven at all."

A squeal from Nicholas breaks the moment, as does his flailing hand that whacks Bret in the face. Bret grins and rolls his eyes. "I think somebody is just as hungry as I am."


Rocky gives a little wave as Michaela leaves, still smiling as he watches the taillights disappear down the street. What a strange night. It had been good, no doubt, and he'd enjoyed it. But it really had been out of the ordinary. He didn't think he minded though. Michaela seemed genuine and either she was an expert actress, or how she presented herself online was true to her real character... which was refreshing in a way. Maybe he'd made a new friend after all.

Turning to his own car, he finally gets in to drive home. He had to pick up a few things on the way, but soon he'd be home to fall into bed. He imagined Puzzle would be glad to see him after being left alone for a very long day.


Eric leans on one of the pasture fences, just looking out at some of the horses. It had been a couple days that he'd been back now, but he was still having a hard time settling in. Everybody knew now... about what had happened with Dana. He was embarrassed at the least, and ashamed at the most. Would this feeling ever go away?

Sighing, his thumbnail picks at a splinter in the fence rail board. He'd kept pretty much to himself the last day or so... hadn't socialized much. Maybe part of it was him trying to avoid Stacy. He'd intentionally avoided her and so far had gotten away without any further conversation with her, but he still didn't know if she'd ever recognized him or not. He was sure one of these days he'd find out. It looked like she was going to be here for a good long while and he'd have to interact at some point. Interaction wasn't his strong point right now though. He just felt... alone and useless.

Figuring maybe he could find something to do in the barn, he turns in that direction and starts to slowly walk. At least his leg was feeling better after Angel's care. That was one good thing.

A few minutes later, Eric was sitting in the tack room alone, oiling one of the saddles. This room had often been a haven for many weary souls... and today it was he who found shelter here in the midst of leather.

Good Idea

Hearing Bret Charlotte whipes her hands off and takes both plates in one hand with lunch and the bowl with Nicholas' in the other hand. Walking into the living room and setting the stuff down on the table Charlotte turns and looks down on Bret and the baby. A big smile spreads across her face. Sometimes it was hard to think of herself as a mother already. She'd always been on the move, leaving things to chance. But this small little boy, had changed so much for them...it was strange to think of it any other way.

"I don't see anything wrong with getting Nicholas baptized. I was kind of talking to Jamie the other day when I had to ask her a motherly question. I think it would be a good idea for him."

Sitting down next to Bret and Nicholas Charlotte reaches out and gives his chubby little cheek a soft punch as she makes some baby noises to him. As Bret goes on Charlotte sits back a little bit cocking her head and looking from Nicholas and than to Bret. She had almost lost Bret once it was hard to think about losing him again but he did have a good point. If something was to happen to them she would want to be able to see them again one day.

"I think...I'd like to go to church with you and Nicholas one week. To try it out and see whats its like. Con and Jamie seem to like it, so it can't be that bad."

She never really was one to think about faith and anything feather than knowing what was out there. But her grandmother had a strong faith and she remembered her talking about it. Now that she was older with a family of her own it did make her wonder what really was out there.

"I never want to think about not seeing you and Nicholas again some day. So if going to church and learning more about this is what it takes I am willing to try. As long as you try with me too."

Stopping at her car and looking over the top at Rocky Michaela smiles. She really was happy she came out after all. Tomorrow she would be a little tired for work but it was worth it. Getting out and meeting new people was always something nice.

"It was really good to see you in person again. Don't worry about being to strange, I am pretty strange myself."

Giving a small laugh and shaking her head Michaela gives a little wave as she gets into her car.

"I'll see ya online."

Eying the purse by the door on her way out Beth thinks quickly for a moment before pulling another napkin from her bag that had the same number on it and her name. Making sure no one was looking she slipped it into Lydia's bag. She didn't trust Jared and at least he wouldn't know about this one.

heading out and shutting the door behind her Beth makes her way to the car. She was going to be a little late now getting to Justin's but Beth felt like she at least accomplished something today even if it was a little. She wouldn't tell Justin what went on today...not yet. It might still upset him. She wait to see if Lydia called her first.

Getting to Justin's house and knowing on the door not hearing an answer Beth worried just a little. He was still trying to get over being sick did something happen? Trying the door and finding it unlocked Beth enters and closes it behind her.

"Justin? Are you here?"

Entering more and setting her purse down on the little table by the door Beth enters the living room. Walking over slowly to the couch she can still feel her heart race a little. She might be dealing with things well but still the sight of a body not moving put a little fear into her.

Sitting down on the edge of the couch and lays a hand on Justin's shoulder. Feeling him breathing in and out she relaxes a little and gives a small smile. Giving his shoulder a gentile shake.

"Justin...its Beth...want me to get started on making us dinner?"

Phone calls

Lydia forces a smile and nod to Beth, watching her leave and pointing her to the door. Sitting by herself for several long moments, she sighs. Listen to her heart? Unfortunately, what was in one's heart wasn't always what should be done. Even a heart could betray - emotions could cloud judgment... desires could cloud what God really wanted... No, a heart could be trusted many times, but not all the time. Lydia had learned long ago that following her heart was not always what should be done. Sometimes God had a different route in mind than her own heart. What about now though? What about today? What about Justin and Jared? Where was God in this? Who was right? But deep down... way deep down, Lydia knew the answers.

"She seemed nice."

Lydia jumps at Jared's comment. "Yes... yes, she was a very nice young lady." She slides off her chair and looks back at the counter where she'd been baking.

Jared spots the napkin with a number on it and he picks it up, looking at it skeptically. "What's this?"

Lydia turns to look over her shoulder. "Oh, Beth left me her telephone number in case I wanted to see her again. You know - just girl stuff."

"Mm-hm," Jared watches his mother for a moment until he's sure her back will stay turned for a while. Grabbing a pen, he modifies Beth's number, changing a 5 to a 6 and a 3 to an 8. "Well, I'm gonna go get that milk you needed. I'll be back in a jiffy."


The phone rings. Justin stirs. The phone rings again.

Justin cracks open his eyes, finding himself lying on his stomach on the couch, clutching a throw pillow. Hearing the phone for a third time, he fumbles on the end table to try and find it, eventually landing his fingers around the receiver. He had no idea how long he'd been asleep, and he was still not quite awake enough to figure out what time it was, or even what day it was. His answer to the phone comes as a groggy one. "Hello?"

"I'm sorry... is this Justin?" a female voice asks.

"Yeah... speaking."

"This is Pamela from Brookshire. Dr. Hawks thought I should call you. Scott Johnson had a bad spell this afternoon."

"Bad spell?" Justin tries to wake up. "What do you mean?"

"Dr. Hawks thought he was just trying too much on his own - those cards you left with him - the ones with the pictures? Jenny said Scott was getting frustrated with something and so he was trying really hard to retrieve some information or something. At any rate, he made himself sick and it took us a while to calm him down. You don't need to come, but we thought you should know."

Justin sighs. It had been a while since Scott had had a bad day like this. Most likely, he just pushed things too far on his own today. But he hadn't blacked out or zoned out, which was good. "Okay. Thanks, Pamela. I appreciate it."

Ending the call, he tries not to worry. A small setback - that was all. Tomorrow he'd talk to Scott and try to regain that ground... right?

It wasn't thirty seconds later that the phone was ringing once more. Still in a bit of a fog, he answers again. "Yeah?"

"Justin, it's Nichole." Her voice wad panicked and it was easy to tell she was crying. "Clark just left and I'm all alone and I don't know what to do!"

Justin closes his eyes and rolls onto his back while sighing. "Nichole, calm down."

"How can I be calm?! We've been married for three whole months! What am I supposed to do?!"

Justin rubs a hand over his face, still trying to wake up. "He'll be back."

"Not this time. He took all his stuff! He even took our radio - you know, the one with the cute little dogs that-"

"Then I guess he won't be back."

"Justin!" Nichole's voice was desperate as it wavers.

"What?" He finally opens his eyes and stares up at the ceiling. "I told you not to marry him. He left six weeks ago, too - I told you to let him go and all you did was be his best friend, leaving the door wide open for him to come back."

"But I thought he meant it that time!"

"And what did I tell you? I told you he'd do it again and you didn't listen." Justin didn't want to be heartless, but he'd tried to help Nichole before and she'd refused to listen. He'd given her advice, prompted her and tried to get her to see clearly, but she just wouldn't. "I'm sorry, Nichole, but I can't feel sympathy for you when you're doing this to yourself. If you want to stop these games, then you need to buck up and let that guy go." He didn't like divorce - he knew God didn't like divorce - but if Clark was going to keep being a jerk and leaving, then Nichole needed to let him. "Go get a lawyer and get this thing over and done before you waste too much more of your life."

"I can't do that!"

"Why not?"

"Well because! He might change his mind! And it's only been three months!"

Justin moans. "Would you listen to yourself? How many times was Clark a jerk while you were dating him, hmm? You run off to Vegas and marry the guy, expecting him to be changed just because he got you a ring?" He flops one hand over his eyes, wondering how on earth he'd landed in this position. "I told you dating with him was unwise. I told you living with him before you were married was not only wrong, but stupid. I told you staying with him was unwise. Now you call me when he's gone, expecting me to feel sorry for you?"

Nichole sniffs. "I guess I was wrong about you." Anger was now inserted into her panic. "I thought I could trust you to at least be a shoulder."

Justin wasn't even going to bring up the conversation he'd stumbled on at Jack's - she hadn't thought he was worth anything then. And he wasn't even going to bring up all the guys she'd gone through besides Clark either. He just sighs. "Look... if I knew you were going to stop being Clark's friend and start getting your act together, I might feel differently. But right now, all I see is someone crying over a jerk. Quit crying, get a lawyer, clean up your act and start living the way you should."

Click.

Justin puts the phone in front of his face and stares at it. His eyes were still trying to adjust from being asleep. "Okay then. Be that way. I know you won't disown me. You never disown anybody. If you think I'll be hurt by you hanging up, then you can just think that." It was silly talking to no one, but at least it allowed him to vent.

Rolling over, he puts the phone aside before letting his head nestle into a pillow again. He needed to get up. He had things he needed to do. He needed to straighten up the living room and kitchen before Beth got here. He needed to feed the dogs. He needed to-

The phone rings again and he groans. Sitting up this time, he grabs the phone. "Hello?"

"What do you think you're doing?!"

Justin blinks at the irritated male voice. "Who is this?"

"Lane - who do you think? Nichole just called me and said you were treating her like dirt. Who do you think you are?!"

Justin holds the phone out a little to keep the yelling farther from his ear. "I'm someone that's honest?"

"Honest? She told me what you said. And you call Clark a jerk? You had no right to say those things to Nichole. Clark just left her and you expect her to not even be sad?"

"I never said that. I just gave her my opinion of the situation."

"Yeah, you always do, don't you? It's amazing that your opinion is always negative. No wonder you couldn't be a counselor - Nobody would pay a dime to hire someone like you."

Justin leans his elbows on his knees, his shoulders dropping in surrender. "What do you want?" he asks calmly.

"I want you to stop being a jerk and apologize to Nichole!"

"First, I'm not a jerk, and second, I have nothing to apologize for."

"Then consider this friendship over. I'm sorry, Justin, but you went too far this time."

Click.

Justin stares at the phone again. "Like our friendship wasn't already over? What is it with you and everybody else that thinks I forgot about you all talking behind my back? None of you have called me for weeks, and suddenly I'm the one getting lambasted for my honesty. Score one for real life."

The phone rings again.

Justin's eyes narrow. "You've got to be kidding me." He answers the call tersely. "What?"

"Um...Justin? It's Reese."

"Oh. Yeah. What's up?"

A conversation about Alec follows, with Reese asking Justin to approach Alec about the upcoming hearing. He explains his conversation with Angelica and the angle that they thought might help their case. Justin wasn't completely sold on the idea, but he promised he'd try to think up a strategy for when he came in tomorrow.

Eventually, Justin was lying on the couch again in the still quietness of the living room. No more ringing phone. Thank goodness. Some days he thought he was getting somewhere. And other days, he just felt like he was swimming in mud. Why couldn't he just back up several months and start a few things over?

His eyes droop.

He needed to clean for Beth... needed to feed the dogs... needed to...

Sleep wouldn't take no for an answer.


Looking to his side at Michaela, Rocky smiles, and for a moment, he doesn't say anything at all. "Yeah... I'm glad I got to meet you too..." Getting bumped in the elbow, he looks over to see Carson waiting to see what he wanted to drink and giving him a teasing look.

And that's how most of the evening went. Conversations and laughter bounced back and forth from one end of the table to the other with pizza in between. Carson takes a seat for just a little while to enjoy the interaction before he has to get back to the kitchen. It got late, but he never complained - groups like these made the long, boring days worthwhile.

As the group begins to disperse, Rocky finds himself out on the dimly lit sidewalk, ambling very slowly towards his car. Glancing over at Michaela, he stops, another smile coming to his lips. "It was nice of you to come tonight." He nods. "I guess not too many people would have... as crazy as I am online sometimes." He chuckles. "I, um... guess I'll see ya back in the chatroom sometime, huh?"


Bret lay on his stomach on the living room floor, his chin resting on his hands as he watched Nicholas try to roll over, gurgling and drooling as he went. Bret's mouth was upturned into a little smile, perfectly content to have time some off from the track to spend at home.

Things had been going well - so well that Bret almost feared something was waiting around the corner to happen, but so far, life had been smooth. He kept busy at the track, sometimes racing, sometimes taking care of the stock cars - always griping about something or someone around there, but never wishing he were working somewhere else. He got to hang out with the guys every once in a while when Charlotte didn't mind an evening alone, and they both did things with Con and Jamie every so often too - usually dinner or a movie and always having a fun time with them.

There was just one thing that had been bugging Bret lately though. He wasn't really sure why. But perhaps that was simply because he was unaware of the prayers going up for him every day. If he knew of those, he might understand better why the tug on his heart had increased.

Really, it had started clear back when Brandon had died from the cave-in at the construction site. He'd had several long talks with Con at that point, but after not taking any action, the thoughts had dwindled and he'd never done anything about it. Ever since then though, that small little seed had been trying to grow, tucked away in the dark corners of Bret's heart.

Watching Nicholas now, he would never be able to say there was no God. This little life in front of him... he never could deny there was an Intelligent Maker in charge of all this. This child... he could never have just happened by coincidence. One could see both Bret and Charlotte in the baby's face... an amazing workmanship. All of that just made Bret's apprehensions grow stronger.

"Hey, Charlotte?" He knew she was nearby in the kitchen, and he doesn't get up, just staying where he was on the floor. "I was talking to Con the other day... I asked him if we should have Nicholas baptized, ya know? I mean, it seemed the thing to do and all."

Furrowing his brow, he thinks, mulling over all the information in his head. "He said God takes care of all children and there was no worry there... that if anything happened, Nicholas would be fine." It was a comforting thought. Bret had never had much to do with church, so he didn't know. He knew people had babies christened or baptized all the time, whether they were really religious or not. But Con had a differed perspective... and it did make a little more sense.

Bret scrunches up his nose as Nicholas had scooted close enough to finger his face. "But he said it was the adults who had the responsibility to follow God... I mean, once they figure out right and wrong and stuff like that."

Rolling over onto his back, he picks up Nicholas and holds him up high making him giggle. Bret smiles and sets him down on his stomach, holding him so he didn't topple over. "I don't know..." He shrugs. "I guess I wondered if maybe you would be okay with going to church once with Con and Jamie or something." He and Charlotte rarely talked about religion. They mentioned God every once in a while and they both agreed they liked it when they were out with Con and Jamie and they prayed at meals. But that was about it. He wasn't sure if she would agree to church or not.

"I mean..." His smile fades, his expression turning into a much more thoughtful one as he stares at Nicholas. "Heaven forbid something happen to Nicholas but... but if it did and... and he went to be with God... and something happened to me and I didn't know God, well... I'd never see him again. We'd never see him again." It was a startling thought, and one that Bret didn't like at all. "Sounds kinda morbid but... I don't know. You wanna try it with me? The church thing? Maybe learn a little more?"

Even better

Beth gives a smile to Lydia as she finishes off the last sip of her tea. Even if she didn't know what to think right now at least Beth had come, and if it caused her to think, than that was at lease part of her goal.

"Well, I can't tell you who to believe and who not to. I'm a stranger who came here simply because she is seeing her friend hurting. Believe whats in your heart because you can never go wrong with that. "

Standing and walking to the sink to rinse her glass out and set it down Beth than goes to the little garbage can to throw her napkin out. Coming back to the counter she stands there for a long moment before finally taking her purse and putting it up on her shoulder.

"I guess I probably should get going. Thank you so much for talking with my Lydia. I look forward to doing it again."

Giving a smile and a gentile pat to her hand Beth heads out of the kitchen and trying to remember her way to the front door.

Standing too as Reese gets up to leave Angelica is a bit surprised as he comes back but not telling him no either. Letting her hand come up to cradle his face she returns the kiss. Pulling away and looking deep into his eyes Angelica gives a small shake of her head before leaning her head agasnt his.

"It's a deal. Dinner tonight...no matter the time sounds perfect to me."

Angelica couldn't remember what it was like before Reese either other than she had been very lonely. Reese had changed many things for her and now life without him just didn't seem the same. Life just seemed complete now.

Entering Mom and Pop's Michaela had been there once before with some of the kids she tutored. They seemed to like it and it was a nice layed back place that was quiet most of the time. Except for tonight. Sitting down next to Rocky and looking around the table she could tell this would be one of the more loud nights. Not that she minded the energy was enough to keep anyone going.

Giving a smile and looking at all the faces once again trying to remember names to go with the faces and who was with who. Finally coming back to Rocky again she can't help but laugh a little bit. She really was thankful she had gone to the concert tonight.

"Thank you for inviting me. Watching everything...its...peaceful to see how everyone gets along. Getting to meet you was even better."

Deal?

Lydia wasn't often left speechless, but what Beth had to say left her eyes slightly wide and her mouth silent for some very long moments. The look in her eye was one of confusion - who did she believe? She'd heard everything from Jared, and now this young woman was challenging all of that. Who was telling the truth?

Looking down at the number on the napkin, Lydia just stares at it before looking back up at Beth. "Thank you. I... don't get out much, but I appreciate the offer."

Furrowing her brow, she thinks. "I don't know who is right... or who is telling the truth... or why you even really came here today. But maybe... maybe it's time for a change." She smiles a little. "You seem like a very nice young lady. And I always enjoy seeing another face. Thank you for coming."


Reese nods and stands from his chair. "Agreed. I'm going to go give Brown a call and try to get him to postpone anything he can. And... I'm going to call Justin to do the talking to Alec - he hasn't gotten very far, but he's gotten farther than anyone else around here. I can't think of anything else we can do at this point."

He aims for the door, but then stops, turns around and cocks his head at Angelica. A little grin appears. "I can't remember what it was like before I had you to brainstorm with." Taking a step closer to her, he leans in and gives her lips a tender kiss. "Dinner. Tonight. Just you and me. No matter how late we work. Deal?"


Rocky was surprised Michaela took him up on his offer, but he was glad she did. How else was he supposed to get to know her? He was even more surprised, though, when she offered to help out.

"Um... yeah. Yeah, sure." He leans over and tugs at a cord that had been duct taped to the stage to keep anyone from tripping over it. "You can pull up this tape if you want and we can get these cords put away."

With as many hands as the band had working, it really didn't take long to have everything packed up and ready to go. Rocky made sure to introduce Michaela to the others, simply saying she was a friend he'd met recently and that she'd decided to come check out the band tonight. Everyone was as nice as always - any friend of Rocky's was a friend of theirs. And soon, Mom and Pop's was filled with chatter and laughter.

Pushing tables together and making more room, it's a bit chaotic but no one really cares. Carson let them figure out where they all wanted to sit and at one point, Logan and Phil played tug-o-war with one of the tables, but eventually an order for pizza was hollered out and the soda pop arrived.

Rocky glances in Michaela's direction and gestures to two chairs at the end of one of the tables, inviting her to sit next to him. "You can sit with me," he offers.

Lunch

As Jared comes around to her and lays a hand on her shoulder Beth gives a little shake as a cold chill ran down her spine. His words seemed to cut like ice though they didn't make her feel like backing down even if it make her nervous just a little bit. Watching as Jared leaves Beth turns her attachen back to Lydia and smile sweetly with a thanks.

"Now you get to share your baking with loved ones, and spread your gifts in other ways. I think thats wonderful and maybe your food tastes even better because its made with love. My mother all ways told me that was the main ingredient."

Taking another but of the cookie and a sip of the tea Beth was quiet again for a moment. Just listing to Lydia talk again. Hearing her talk about Justin and seeing the glint of sadness in her eyes that told Beth she really did miss Justin. Leaning on the counter to be a little closer Beth folds her hands and thinks for a moment before talking. She had to choose her words wisely.

" Lydia, you were never a burden to your son. He talked about helping you all the time and about how much he loved it. Justin like helping you, shopping for you and most of all coming here to spend time with you. Where ever you heard that Justin said this they are mistaken because he didn't."

Beth search's her face for a long moment. She new it was Jared who had said that about Justin but she wasnt about to call him a lier in front of Lydia. Specialty when ears could be listing.

"As far as Justin punching his brother..something must have provoked him. Justin is one of the most gentiles people I know. He knows he was wrong still though and feels horrible about it. He really does, and he really does miss you alot."

Looking over her shoulder for a moment at a sound and than back to Lydia she wondered if she could feel that maybe Jared was using or at least manipulating what she though. Beth couldn't help but think things might be a little different talking if they were away from Jared.

Pulling out a pen from her purse and taking a napkin Beth jots down her number with her name. Sliding it across the table to Lydia she smiles.

"In case you'd every like to get out and do something. Maybe go to lunch just you and me. You remind me of my mother in a way, and thats something...I haven't felt in a while."

Better this way

Told to hush, Jared's one eyebrow rises and his head tilts, able to say, "Excuse me?" without verbalizing it. His shoulders square more as he looks at Beth, a grin of amusement creasing his lips.

Lydia is a little surprised as well, but no offense was taken on her part. Instead, she almost seems glad that Beth had the guts to tell Jared to be quiet. Happy that she took the offer for something to eat and drink, she hurries to the refrigerator for the tea and quickly gathers some cookies on a plate to offer to her guest. All the while, Jared just watches, remaining silent and analyzing the situation. Beth was speaking pretty highly of Justin - which wasn't unusual... people usually liked Justin, even if he did have some strange quirks.

Before Lydia is quite finished getting the little snack, Jared walks past the counter where Beth was sitting, and puts a hand on her shoulder. He leans down closer to her ear to speak quietly enough that Lydia couldn't hear him. "Justin won't win. I'm too good at these games." Without giving her time to respond, he slips away into the adjoining room. He couldn't be seen, but that didn't mean he wasn't listening.

Once Beth was given the tea and cookies and Lydia takes her own high seat across from her, Beth's compliment brings a new smile to her face as she beams. "I have cooked all my life - ever since I was a little girl. I always dreamed of opening my own bakery or restaurant but..." She shrugs and still smiles. "God wanted me to be a mother and stay at home with my boys. So I did. Then when I was on my own after my husband died, I didn't have many choices."

She had gotten her own tea and takes a sip before cocking her head at Beth. She bites her lip, unsure how to revert back to the other topic. "So... so Justin, he's... he's okay then? I was so used to seeing him or talking to him almost every day. I miss him but... but when he hit Jared... it changed things. And... and I found out he really didn't want to be so responsible for me anymore. So... maybe things are better this way. I never meant to be a burden to him."

Please Hush

Beth looks to Lydia and than to Jared as she searches his face. There was something there, something she could see but putting her finger on it was hard and finding the words to describe it were even harder. Beth could feel a small burst of courage inside her where it came from she herself couldn't even figure it out. Maybe it was the acusations that Jared threw at her about Justin. No matter though she kept calm.

"Maybe Lydia should make the desition if she is ready or not herself. I hear you saying tell Justin this and that for your mother but she's not saying it. So if you don't mind please hush so I can talk with your mother and not you."

Looking back to Lydia Beth gives another smile her eyes were calm, even a little timid. It took alot for her to come here and she had to put alot of feelings aside to do so. She didn't want to leave with out at lease having Justin's mom understand. She new a little bit about what Justin had told her about Jared and Beth couldn't help but feel as though he was doing all the desition making for Lydia and not her herself.

Hearing the offer of tea and some cookies Beth wasn't all that hungry but this was a good opportunity to stay and not be forced to leave yet. She couldn't turn up the opportunity. Giving a smile and a small nod Beth sits a little straighter.

"Some ice tea sounds great, and I'd love to try your cookies. Justin always told me about how good of a cook you are. Now I can tell for myself but I have no doubt that what he says it true and you are. Even if you are his mother I doubt he would lie at all about you."

Looking around the kitchen and taking everything in again Beth could always pin point everything that she could see the same here that was in Justin's house too. He got his sense of style from he mother that was for sure. Everything was so neat though, and organized well.

"Justin's really a good guy. I think you raised a really good son Lydia. If it wasn't for him I probably wouldn't be standing here today. He helped me break out of my shell and show me there is so much in life, and I had everything to live for. Before that I just moved through my days like a zombie. He's really good at his job and he loves to help people, even if he does have some faults, we all do that seem to come out more when taunted or prompted."

Taking the cookie that was placed in front of her Beth gives another smile and takes a bit of the cookie. It almost seemed to melt in her mouth it was so soft, and lots of flavor. Now she new what Justin had said was the truth and where he got his ability to cook.

"Oh wow, this is really good. I think its even better than the cookies my mom use to make."

Leaning forward again at her desk Angelica thinks for another moment about what Reese had said. Maybe if they could get Alec to think about the others that he cared about and how this might jeopardize them as well.

"I think...there is still part of him who cares very much for those he loves or else he wouldn't have told Dalton to make sure they were safe. I think we could use any of them Gage, Misty, Ryan, or anyone else he named he would definitely go along with it."

Looking down at her desk and the paper work along with the notes she had gotten from Reese, Justin, and Dalton on what Alec told them it was clear that he was messed up, and maybe wanted to be where he was but the good Alec was not gone.

"Alec might have going to the bad side again, but that doesn't mean the good doesn't exists in the dark corner. We just need to pull it out...kicking and screaming if we have too."

Giving a little laugh Michaela looks around the strage for a moment as everyone was working. They all looked content still even if cleaning up might not be the best thing but they were having fun.

Looking back at Rocky she cocks her head for a moment searching his face. It might have been silly to come here but she was happy she had. There was a light about him, a peace in his eyes something she had been searching in a friend for a long time.

"How can someone ever turn down pizza? I might not know everyone but I am pretty good at just fitting in. I'd like to go to pizza with you."

Setting her bag down on the stage and hopping up on the edge before standing again Michaela brings her hands to her side and taps a little bit. Maybe she could help? With what she wasn't sure but maybe she could do something.

"Need help with anything?"