Past or Future

Still sitting on the bed with her brother she looks down at his knee and cringes just a little bit hearing about his fall. She'd slipped on ice before and knows it never a good feeling. She'd never been injured by it but had been left sore. Thinking about twisting a knee or anything else on top of hurt just thinking about it.

Just continuing to listen to her brother as he talked Rosetta could see the very sad longing look in his eye and it broke her heart. She'd known her brother had always felt out of place here and than being on the road had been his out to feel like he belonged some where.

As Eric's hand comes up and Rosetta see his finger a peace of her heart chipped off more. Hearing his words about them getting what they wanted sent another pain through her heart. This is not what they wanted, and even if many they saw this coming she could almost guess everyone hoped they were wrong. But knowing now there fears had come true it hurt so very much.

Not saying anything right away Rosetta moves up on the bed a little closer to her brother. Reaching out for him she wraps her arms over him and just holding for a long moment as she leans her head on against his a little. He's been so happy her heart broke now for him.

"Oh Eric, this is not a wish I wanted to come true at all. I am so sorry for everything you've gone through. You can stay here as long as you need to and than some. This is your home you know that. I love you no matter what."

She new he was probably feeling low right now but she wanted him to know this was his home and just because they had that silly fight didn't change the fact that she loved her brother. Sometimes people fell down and she wasn't about to kick him and tell him to get out just because of it. Goodness only new she'd done it enough in her own life too.

"From what Eli says you head is already big."

A smile spread across Ryan face as she looks up at Tal but doesn't move her head from his shoulder. She liked teasing him just a little it was fun, and she new he could take it. Just continuing to look up at him Ryan takes in Tal's eyes and can't help the smile that grew bigger across her lips. It was nice being here with Tal. So comfortable, and it just...felt good.

Moving her head a little again to look back at the tv once more Ryan focus on the movie but comfort for how she was sitting right now seemed to over rule she want to see the movie and before she new it she'd fallen asleep right in Tal's arms.

Letting her smile grow even more again Ashlee was happy to at least not have Dylan tell her out right no she couldn't sit with him. In his own way he was saying that he'd like that and it made her feel good.

Looking over at him again Ashlee's eyes search him for a long why. He really was good looking, and he'd said in so many words she could sit with him. She couldn't help but let her heart beat a little faster in her chest.

"Well, I guess I better go get something to eat. It was good seeing you again."

Standing and brushing her pants off Ashlee sticks her hands in her pockets before walking down the steps. Getting to the bottom she turns and looks back at Dylan again before moving forward once more.

"It's not about what happened in the past, or what you think might happen in the future. It's about the ride. There is no point in going through all this crap, if your are not going to enjoy the ride. And you know what... when you least expect something great might come along. Something better then you even planned for. So, maybe sometime try and set you own trend, you never know who might follow along."

Giving a wink Ashlee turns again and makes her way across the lawn. Not going to fast so she could just enjoy the nice air. Her head moving from side to side as she took everything in along the way.

Who's to stop you

Knowing that he'd made Ryan feel good made all of this worth it to Tal, and he can't help but smile. If she only knew how good it made him feel.

With Ryan crawling closer and giving him a kiss, Tal returns it lightly. He's about to say something, but stops as Ryan surprises him by coming the rest of the way onto his lap. Not minding it in the least though, his arms slip around her to hold her close. Her words of thanks only prove to bring another smile. "You keep saying things like that, I'm liable to get a big head."

He turns his gaze to look down at Ryan's face as she rested on his shoulder, and he grins. Giving her another soft kiss, he settles back into the couch and puts his feet up on the coffee table with a contented sigh. If asked a month ago if he thought he'd ever be holding Ryan McKade in his arms, he would have laughed outright. He had to admit though... it was an even nicer feeling than he'd imagined.


Dylan quirks one of his eyebrows at Ashlee's suggestion of sitting together. Was she trying to suggest something to make him feel better, or her? He couldn't quite tell. But maybe she hid her insecurities as well as he did.

Taking another bite of his HoHo, he licks some chocolate off his finger. "It's not very easy for someone like me to have fun around here. Besides, I've never been much of a trend setter." He tosses her a glance, rethinking his reply. "But I told you before you could sit wherever you wanted to." It still didn't seem to sound right though, especially when he looked over at her again. She did look just a bit lonely. Maybe she loved adventure, but it still had to be hard to move out here.

A little smile turns up just one corner of his mouth and he shrugs. "So next time I eat in the dining room, who's to stop you from sitting at my table?"


Part of Eric wanted Rosetta to go away and leave him alone. And part of him just wanted to get everything off his chest and out of the way. His eyes rise just a little to see her when she sits on the bed, though he's still quiet.

Shifting a little, he winces and readjusts his ice packs. "Fell while I was comin' down outta my truck," he mutters. "Ice on the step and I didn't see it. That was almost a week ago and it still won't leave me be." But his deep bruising was not what was really bothering him and the long silence that follows proves it. As his right hand fidgets with the bedspread, his eyes lower again.

"Ya know... I look around at everybody here, and what y'all have." His tone was quiet... subdued. "You got someone to love... someone to love you back. Even Jeff and Trent have their daughters. Everyone just... fits. It's like... like one big puzzle put together." His fingers still fiddle with the blanket. "Except I'm an extra piece."

Eric eventually lifts his eyes again. There were unshed tears there. There were emotions that were so much deeper than simple sadness. It was loneliness. Misery. Guilt. Disappointment. "That's all I wanted," he almost whispers. "Just a sliver of what everybody else has. But I guess we don't always get what we want, do we?"

Finally bringing up his other hand, he wriggles his empty ring finger for Rosetta to see. "Y'all got your wish on this one." A wry sort of grin sadly comes to his lips. "The good thing is I've finally proved to everyone just how stupid I am so now there'll never be any more doubt."

Sighing, Eric knew this all was far from funny... but he wasn't really joking anyway. He looks at his sister's eyes, just wishing he could go back in time and change everything. "She disappeared a few days after we were married," he finally explains quietly. "I looked everywhere, but she never showed up. When I realized my bank accounts had been drained, I new she was gone for good. I... thought I was helping her pay off a loan, but I guess I was giving her access so she could take everything." And it was everything. It was no secret that Eric had his life's savings stored up for whenever he quit driving truck. And now, every penny was gone.

He purses his lips and shrugs. "I followed a couple leads. Found out she's probably in Mexico with her partner - a man... con artist she's been with for years. There's also nothing I can do since I willingly gave her access to my accounts." It was a little easier to say out loud than he thought it would be. But maybe that was the result of working through it for several weeks.

Eric nods slowly. "So... I am... officially broke, which unfortunately means I'll be mooching off you guys before I can somehow scrape together enough to get out of your hair again. But... I'm sure that won't come as a surprise to all of you who knew what a fool I was being."

He looks down once more. "And I should probably apologize to you while I still have the guts."

Free

Popping in a movie and sitting down to start eating Katie new Jason was probably tired but if he just eat a little bit than that was all that mattered to her. Something was better than nothing. Once finished with her food Katie gets comfortable on the couch allowing for Jason to lay his head in her lap.

Letting her fingers link with his Katie brings her other hand to his hair and just runs her hands thought it slowly. It was soothing for her to do that and she new that Jason liked it as well. If Jason fell asleep that was ok. His body needed the rest to relax.

Trying to continue to watch the TV things were starting to get a little blurry as Katie's own eyes wanted to droop. She must have been tired herself more than normal too. Though she wasn't to surprised they had been through alot.

Continuing to just study her brother Rosetta could see the glint of sadness in his eye and it made her wonder. His tone seemed to match what his eyes said, and than it all kind of came together as she wondered if Dana not being here was part of it too.

Not wanting to pry Rosettta comes in a little more and sits on the edge of the bed. She felt bad seeing her brother so sad and it hurt.

"Eric...I see that look in your eye...I've had it myself before. You can tell me whats wrong you know that. Your my brother and I love you."

Looking over to Dylan as he holds out the Hoho Ashlee gives a smile. It was nice of Dylan to share with her and maybe another step twords friendship. It made Ashlee's heart flutter a little bit that Dylan wanted to share. Reaching out and taking it from him she smiles again with a little nod.

"Thank you!"

Taking a bite of the sweet treat listing to Dylan again Ashlee turns a little more and leans against the railing so she could face Dylan and see him a little better. Watching Dylan as he spoke and looking into his eyes Ashlee can't help but wonder about the lonely look. Why did Dylan keep himself away from other? Why did he choose not to have fun?

"But maybe if you sat with the other instead of by yourself than you could have a little fun too. It's not a bad thing to have fun. Maybe I could always start sitting with you too. Since I am new its kind of strange being at the table with everyone else. We could start our own trend."

Turning her head a little to look out across the yard again Ashlee lets out a small sigh. As confidant as she did feel sitting with people she didn't know having them all be adults was a little strange. At least Dylan was closer to her age.

Ryan's eyes twinkle as she continued to look at Tal. There was just something about him that made her feel so good. Maybe because his words were pure...but she liked it, and she liked the way it made her feel too.

"I don't know how you do it Tal, but you make me feel so good inside. Its warm and fuzzy...defiantly a good feeling."

Letting her feet slip from Tal's lap Ryan moves a little to reposition herself so she was closer to him. Pulling a hand on his chest her just rests it there for a long moment feeling his heart beat. he almost seemed to good to be true.

Leaning in a little Ryan brings her lips to his and press them there for a short moment before moving again and now slipping into his lap sideways wrapping her arms around his neck the movie seeming to be drowned out. Placing her head on his shoulder close enough to his ear so her soft breath could brush over it Ryan is silent for a moment before finally speaking.

"Thank you Tal, for setting me free again."

Tired

Tal chuckles at Ryan's warning not to tickle her feet, and he rubs a little more firmly. "It's okay. I've been kicked in the face before and survived."

Ryan's question doesn't even shift his concentration and he simply continues to massage her feet, his thumbs hitting all the good spots. His signature grin curls his lips and he doesn't look up right away.

"Well... I guess I figure you deserve to have someone be nice to you."

He didn't want to make it sound like he just felt sorry for her or that he pitied her - those were far from the truth. He simply felt compassion for her, didn't like what had been done to her and he wanted to give her some well-deserved attention.

Tal finally pauses his hands and looks over at Ryan, thoughtful for several moments. "I've seen you at races, Eli talks about you all the time... I guess I've seen what kind of a person you are and I just want to prove that you're more than..."

He pauses again, afraid of it not coming out the way he wanted it to. "...more than what you've been dealt. Nobody should take a woman like you for granted." He shrugs and looks down again as his fingers wander up the tops of her feet to her ankles then back again. "And I like seeing you smile."


Something like a wry grin tugs at the corners of Dylan's mouth as he finishes up his plate of food. "I still keep a fan going at night in my bunk for noise. Otherwise I just lie awake for hours."

Setting his plate down on the porch, he takes a long swig from his water bottle. "I used to live in a small town," he explains. "Nothing like the city, but there was noise. Had a street light that shone right in my bedroom window. Now I still keep my blinds open so the yard light can come through." He cocks his head a little. "You get used to living out here after a while though."

Reaching to the side, he continues to listen as he retrieves a little package of two Hostess HoHos he had for his dessert.

"Yeah, there's lots to explore around here. All I have time for is chores and homework. Mick likes it that way though. When you're someone like me, people tend to want to keep you within eyesight."

Ashlee's question makes him pause. He concentrates on his HoHos and opens the package before tossing a new glance at her. Taking one of the little frosted cakes he holds it out to her, quirking an eyebrow to ask her if she wanted it.

"I eat alone 'cause sometimes I'd rather not be just ten feet away from everybody else having a good time."


Eric doesn't hold Rosetta's eyes for long and readjusts one of his ice packs. She wasn't mad at him? Really? After the last time he'd been here with Dana? He almost wished she would be mad at him so his conscience wouldn't be nagging him as much.

Rosetta's question only brings more silence. How was he? He could say he was fine and just pretend for a little while longer. He could spill the whole truth and admit how miserable he was. Physically he was doing alright, other than his leg. Mentally, he was so messed up, he couldn't even think straight. Still looking down, he shrugs. He felt like a kid who was afraid to admit he'd done something wrong.

"I don't even know how to answer that," he finally admits. He couldn't tell her why... he just couldn't.

Still not looking up, he reaches to his bedside table and pulls out the drawer to retrieve a bottle of pain killers. Unfortunately, it was empty. He sighs. But he doesn't ask Rosetta for any help... he felt too rotten to ask any favors.

Eric's eyes were full of misery, even though he didn't want it to show. But there was no fooling his sister... there never was. And yet the words that would explain everything just wouldn't come out. Maybe it was pride. Maybe it was fear. Maybe it was shame.


Jason lifts his head to see Katie come in with the food, and he straightens a little. He didn't feel like eating, but he'd try for her. At the moment, he kinda wanted to be alone... he just wanted to lie down and sleep and try to forget about all of this. But instead, he forces a smile.

"Thanks, Katie. A movie sounds great."

He does manage to eat a little bit, though can't quite get it all down if he wanted it to stay down. And he does manage to start watching a movie with Katie too. But less than halfway through, he was just too tired for anything else.

Lying on the couch with his head in Katie's lap, Jason gives up on trying to keep his eyes open. His hand finds hers though and he gives it a weak squeeze.

How come

Seeing Dylan move his legs so there was room on the top step for her now Ashlee gives a smile. Going up the steps and sitting down at the top Ashlee puts her legs on the next step down she pulls her knees into her wrapping her arms around them.

"Oh, I'm doing alright. Just trying to get use to everything. I like the country but its an adjustment after being use to a noisy city the quiet it hard to get use to."

Ashlee can't help but give a little laugh to herself letting a small sound out. It sounded funny saying that and she new it. She only hoped that Dylan didn't find it to silly himself.

"I wasn't to hungry tonight so I figured I would do a little exploring first. Didn't go to far, but it just so amazing here. Everywhere you turn there is a new place to see, or figure out where it goes. Maybe in a few days I'll explore the woods. How come your not eating with everyone else?"

Once eating and making there way into the living room to just relax. Sitting on the couch and having Tal take her feet and start rubbing them Ryan can't help but give a little mermer. It felt good, and she'd never had someone rub her feet before.

"Mmm...Tal that feel good, I think your the first one to even rub my feet. Just be careful I get ticklish and I don't want to kick you in the face."

Just smiling and leaning her head back on the couch tilting it to the side the movie on tv was forgotten as Ryan just watched Tal. It felt strange to be pampered like this. She was always the rough one that not one though maybe she liked the little girly things too but Tal had...and that made him special.

"Your really good to me and you hardly know me...not that I mind but I guess I'm just wondering...why?"

She'd never known someone who had been so nice to her before when they didn't even really know her. Ryan didn't mind it she just couldn't help if there was a hidden catch somewhere she couldn't see. She'd been wrong about Alec, maybe now she was seconded guessing herself and just wanted to make sure.

Getting back to the house Katie tried to give Jason his space not wanting to smother him but keeping an eye on him anyways. She couldn't feel him now so it was the only way she could tell if he was pushing himself or not. Seeing he was starting to get tired Katie was going to say something to him but saw him head into the living room to sit so she didn't call much attachen to it and kept cooking some dinner for them.

Finishing up the food Katie brings the grilled cheese and soup out into the living room setting it down on the table. Looking to Jason Katie gives a small smile. She new he hated this. She only wished there was something more she could do. But just being there for him was all she could think of.

"I made us some dinner, and maybe we can put in a movie if you want? I think the rest of the night you should try and relax. I can finish up some of the stuff around the house for ya. Thats why I am the nurse/maid after all."

Hearing Eric let her know it was ok to come in Rosetta opens the door and steps in before shutting it behind her. She felt a little awkward but not enough to turn and just walk away. She really had missed her brother this time around maybe because she didn't know if he would be coming back or not.

"Hey. I saw you pull in and I thought I would come and say Hi. I guess....I just didn't want you to think I was mad at you still and I missed you."

Glancing around the room for a moment before letting her brother's eyes link with her once more she could see almost a dull cold look in them. Much different from the look that had been there the last time she had seen him when he was filled with life. Was everything really ok?

"How...are you?"

How much longer

Tal returns Ryan's light kiss and as she looks up at him with so much thought, a grin appears on his lips. He returns the deep stare, and his hands slide down to her waist where they seemed to fit perfectly. "There you go again," he mentions quietly. "Talking magic." Still smiling, he bends to kiss her forehead. "I think you're the one with the magic."

Just watching her for a few more moments, he finally shakes his head and lets her go. "I suppose you can't cook if I keep holding you here."

...By the time they sat down to eat, Tal wondered if he were feeling more special than Ryan was. The food was great and he told her so. He thoroughly enjoyed himself and he told her that, too. Eli's steak had been good, no doubt... but Ryan's cooking was awesome as far as he was concerned. Talking with her was easy... it was mostly smalltalk that circulated. He told her some about work, his dog and the puppies that were coming - as he grew more animated, it was obvious he was quite passionate about that topic. The only thing he didn't talk about was himself.

By the time dinner was over, the atmosphere was so relaxed that Tal didn't have trouble saying yes to staying a while longer. He did insist on one thing though. Ryan had done all the cooking and all the work, so she deserved the pampering afterward. So without taking no for an answer, he makes her lie down on the couch while he sits cross-legged at the other end and takes her feet in his lap. And as the movie plays on television, his hands gently rub her feet in an attempt to disperse any tiredness or soreness.

Catching her eye once, he just smiles.


Katie's offer brings a new little smile to Jason's lips and he slowly slides around to get his feet out of bed. He nods. "The sooner the better as far as I'm concerned." Though fully dressed, his shoes were several feet away, and he wasn't quite sure leaning over that far was a good idea at this point. He gives Katie a tired sort of grin. "Hey, nurse... I seem to need help with my shoes."

It didn't take long after for Jason to be ready to go and he was more than willing to lean on Katie for support as they walked down the hall, Trooper in tow.

By the time they got to Jason's house, he was exhausted, though tried not to let it show too soon. He gets his mail, sorts through it, finds a few things in the fridge that needed to be thrown out, and gets Trooper taken care of. But after that, Jason just couldn't stay on his feet any longer. Trying to be casual about it though, he simply wanders to the couch in the living room and slowly sits. But his head felt so very heavy.... he leans back and looks up at the ceiling, wondering how much longer he'd be dealing with this.


Watching Katie and Jason head down the hall to leave for the day, Rick stands in the open infirmary door. For some reason, he felt as if he were watching Jason walk away for good. As if the hope was beginning to wane.

Sighing, he turns back inside and returns to the counter where he'd been going over analysis printouts. But the more he looked at them, the more frustrated he grew. His mind reeled with the recent events... Jason's attacks... how sick he'd been... how close to death he'd been... and every time, Rick had been unable to find a cure. Every time, he had felt more and more helpless. It wasn't fair that Jason was suffering. It wasn't fair that he was slowly dying. He was so young - it was way too soon for him to have to go through this. Being out on the job and getting shot was one thing - but being killed from the inside out by an invisible sickness... it simply wasn't fair.

Rick's hand slams down on the counter as his frustration gets the best of him. Without saying a word to Misty, he leaves the infirmary.

Twenty minutes later, Rick's wrapped fists slammed into the punching bag in the rec room, rattling the fixtures. Sweat ran down the sides of his face and his eyes held a determined, cold stare.

Why? God, why are you letting this happen? I don't understand. I hate it and I don't see any reason you would let this happen!

His fists continue their attack on the helpless bag. Memories drifted through his mind. He remembered the first time he'd met Jason - a cocky teenager with a chip on his shoulder the size of Texas. Rick had warned Austin about taking him on as an Agent, but Austin had insisted Jason would be one of their most valuable players in a short amount of time. Rick had even gone to Carter, bringing up Jason's attitude, age and traumatic past. He'd thought the only reason they let Jason stay was because he was family. But in the end... Rick had been proven wrong.

Did you just want him here to solve a few cases or what? Did you just bring him to us so we could watch him grow up and then take him away from us, allowing the enemy to win?!

Jason had started training when he was still in school. He'd come in every day and work with Austin, learning how to shoot, learning how to fight and being trained for undercover work. He was just a kid, but the department had ever seen a kid with as much determination or drive as Jason had. He had something that most adults didn't even have - intelligence, quick wit and a mind that caught on amazingly fast to what he was being taught.

Rick continues to attack the punching bag as he becomes soaked with sweat. All of his pent up frustration was pouring out with physical aggression.

The first time Jason had been shot, he'd taken it like a pro, never complaining or whining. Forcing him to take a few days off work almost took Rick sitting on him to keep him down. Jason never took no for an answer. He'd quickly earned the name "Hotshot" for a reason. And to Rick's surprise, he'd also earned respect from almost all the other TJY agents. Despite his young age, he'd risen quickly and no one wanted to mess with him, and everybody trusted him in and out of the field.

With arms aching, Rick pauses to catch his breath, bending over and gasping for air.

Jason had been cocky, for sure, but he'd always been able to back it up with his smarts. Rick had always thought for sure one day he'd get shot down on the job, but he'd always managed to use his brains and get out of sticky situations. And then one day... Rick had seen a change. Jason had returned from a surveillance job with a different glint in his eye - one that would grow and slowly begin to hold his feet on the ground. The change that had sparked would continue to help Jason mature and would ultimately shape him into a man from the boy he'd started out here as. And that spark's name was Katie.

Standing straight again, Rick takes another swing at the punching bag. His anger and frustration were more heightened than his physical strength at this point.

A boy with a traumatizing past had risen against the odds, taken life for all it was worth and had strived to be the best man could be. Through a connection with Katie that had once been a curse, Jason had learned to embrace their new life and use it to their advantage. He had found God and grown even more, proving to be a more valuable Elite Agent, and man in general, than even Austin had ever predicted.

And now you're just going to let him die? You're just going to watch as he's slowly tortured and killed by this thing we can't even see? For what? For what good could you allow this?!

Totally exhausted, Rick sinks down to his knees. The worst part of all of this was his inability to find a cure. It was his job to keep the agents well... it was his job to look after everyone and make sure they were healthy. To dig out the bullets and keep them alive. To make sure they took care of themselves and followed his directions to staying well. And now... when Jason's life was at stake, he could do nothing. He was utterly helpless and wasn't going to be able to save an agent... a friend.


Eric's eyes drift to his door as he hears the knock followed by Rosetta's voice. He shouldn't be surprised. But he sighs anyway.

It hadn't taken him but a few minutes to get inside, throw his bags in the corner, grab his ice packs and settle in on top of his bed. Though sitting up, his sore leg was stretched out with the three ice packs around his injured thigh. He didn't feel good. His leg hurt. His stomach wasn't right, and his mind... well, that hadn't been on track for a long time. And Rosetta wanted to welcome him home?

He had a couple choices. He could send her away and make the rift bigger. He could invite her in and let her see how he was hurt and miserable. Or he could cover up with a blanket and pretend everything was fine. Unfortunately, his mood was such that it wouldn't allow the third option. And he really didn't like the first option.

Sighing again, he calls to his sister. "Yeah... it's open." Watching Rosetta come in, he looks her in the eye for just a moment before his gaze drops. "Hi." His left hand slowly slides down by a blanket to hide his empty ring finger.


Dylan is just scraping the last bit of food from his plate when Ashlee startles him. Giving a little jump, he looks over at her quickly, and just as quickly relaxing since it was only her. "Hey." She might not have seen him, but he'd seen her. What did she want now? Did she have an agenda? Was she just lonely? It didn't really seem to matter.

Pulling his legs up from being stretched over the top step and sitting cross legged instead, he waves his fork at the now-empty spot, in case she wanted to sit.

"It's going," he responds vaguely to her question. "You? Figured you'd be at supper with everybody else."

Welcome

Having Tal tuck the strand of hair behind her ear Ryan leans her head into his hand a little bit. Tal's hands really were pretty soft and they felt nice, to her the roughness was normal she it really didn't feel rough. Looking up into his eyes Ryan smiles at him.

"Well I think you for trying to help me. It feels much better now. You have magical hands."

Leaning up and pressing her lips to Tal's for a quick kiss Ryan pulls away her eyes sparkling. Looking up into his eyes Ryan just studied them. There was a look deep in them that maybe said there was still a lot about Tal she didn't but but searching his eyes without fear of what she might run into was nice.

Listing to Rick talk with Jason Katie sat next to him her hand clasped with his. As Jason finishes what Rick was going to tell him Katie couldn't help but be surprised that he was rather calm about it all. In a way it kind of freaked her out and it was a good way to be able to tell something wasn't right. Giving a strange look to Rick Katie is quiet till she left though her eyes said a lot.

"It's gonna be ok J."

Once Rick was gone Katie looked to Jason and just study him for a long moment. She could see the slight worry in his eyes and it caused her to worry even more. She hated seeing him like this almost defeated.

"I don't mind being your nurse. I rather like the pashent."

Slidding off the bed Ryan stands and holds her arm out to Jason with a smile. She just wanted to be there for him. To let him know she was there. Maybe once they got home she could talk a little more.

"Not sure about you but I think I'm ready to get out of here already."

Hearing that her brother was back Rosetta perks up a little bit. Looking to Mick at the mention of him being alone she wondered. Did Eric leave Dana some where else so nothing would be started? Rosetta couldn't help but he a little concerned. Hearing that he wasnt coming inside set up a red flag as well. Was he really that upset with them still?

"I'll be back."

Getting up from the table and heading outside Rosetta made her way to Eric's bunk. She didn't know if it was smart or not to come see her brother when he apparently didn't want to see them. But she at least wanted him to know she new he was there and cared enough to come and say hi.

Knocking on the door Rosetta waits. She didn't want to just barge in. She did still respect her brother privacy even if there last encounter had been anything but pleasant.

"Eric...I just wanted to say welcome home."

Coming across the lawn and stumbling across Dylan's bunk Ashlee gives a smile as she stops at the bottom of the steps. Just watching him eat for a moment she cocks her head before giving a little cough to let him know she was there.

"Hey Dylan. Havn't see you in a few days."

Ashlee gave Dylan a smile. She hadn't gone to eat yet she had been to busy exploring. Every turn she took seemed to take her to a new place and she was really enjoying it.

"Hows everything going?"

Talented

Having Ryan turn around, Tal smiles down at her almost sheepishly. Not many people knew this about him. "Oh..." He shrugs. "My sister is a massage therapist. I got interested in it a while back 'cause of her - even started training, but money got tight and I had to quit. So I know just enough to make your neck feel better, but not enough to tell anyone about it."

His smile turns to a wry grin and he reaches down to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear. "And now I paint over dings in cars. Go figure."

There were more things about him that no one else knew. More things about his past... his upbringing. Perhaps a faraway glint in his eye unintentionally revealed a rougher life than one might guess. But his smile hid it well.


Rick nods and gives Katie's arm a final pat before he stands up. "Atta girl. Try to finish your juice there and then rest some more..."

...It had been several days, and Jason was still in the infirmary at TJY. Though not having fallen prey to unconsciousness, he had been sleeping a lot and had been under Rick and Misty's monitoring. Medication helped his pain but he still hurt all over, and battling nausea was a constant. He did his best not to complain, and overall remained quieter than anyone expected him to be.

"Well... think I can let you out of here?" Rick sits on the edge of the bed, checking Jason's vitals again.

Jason sighs and pulls himself up to sit straighter, having been kept company by Katie this morning. "Sure would be nice. Getting kinda tired of seeing these four white walls."

Rick chuckles. "Welcome to my world." He pauses, collecting his thoughts. "Listen, Jase..." He glances to Katie. She knew what he wanted to say to Jason, and both knew he wouldn't take it well. He hoped her presence would at least thwart Jason from losing his temper. "...there's something I want to talk to you about."

Jason shifts and lets a hand slide off the bed to be met with Trooper's wet nose as the dog came in to visit his master. "What? Reese complaining this brute is running around loose?"

"Nah. He's been too busy to notice, and so far Trooper hasn't gone around biting anybody."

"I always said it wasn't his fault in the first place."

Rick shakes a finger at the big dog. "Learn to control your temper, and you'll be around here for a while." He turns his attention back to Jason. "About you going home..."

"Yeah, I know."

"You know what?"

Jason's eyes drift to Katie for a moment before he responds to Rick. "You want Katie to stay with me at my place and you're taking me off work."

Rick quirks an eyebrow. "Well, your hearing seems to be working fine."

Jason manages a rueful grin. "I guess so."

"So you're... alright... with all of that?" Rick couldn't help his surprise. He'd really expected an argument.

Jason shrugs. "Figure I don't have much of a choice. No point in trying to fight you over it."

Rick was still surprised though. Honestly, this wasn't like Jason, to just take this lying down. Any other time Rick had tried to take him off work, it had been like pulling teeth. Let alone telling him to be babysat by Katie. And he wasn't even complaining? It was strange enough that it almost concerned Rick and he couldn't help tossing Katie a bewildered look. "I guess I'm glad to hear that. And this is just temporary... once you start feeling better again, we'll reevaluate and go from there."

Jason looks down and fiddles with a loose thread on the bedsheets.

Rick furrows his brow. "What is it?"

"Nothing." Jason lifts his gaze and forces a smile. "Does this mean I get to go home today?"

"I told Katie she can take you home after work."

"Okay." Jason watches Rick leave before he turns back to Katie, the same forced smile on his lips. "Well, I guess you get to play nursemaid." He reaches up and tugs a stray lock of her hair playfully. "Elite Agent... bodyguard... nurse... you're pretty talented."


Days at the ranch seemed to go by fast. After several days had passed, everyone was familiar with Stacy and Ashlee, making sure they had everything they needed and already getting used to them being around. Many made the extra effort to interact with them, getting to know them better and learning more about them.

After the first day, Dylan retreated some. He still didn't like the thought of Stacy being there, and though Ashlee made him a little intrigued, he withdrew, sticking to his barn chores, doing his schoolwork in his bunk or outdoors, and eating supper on his bunk porch like he used to do. He'd be back in the dining hall sometime... just... not right now. He did keep an eye on Ashlee though - if nothing else, simply out of curiosity about what made her tick.

Mick had noticed his son drawing back but hadn't said anything. If he did, he'd probably just make things worse. He'd just let this thing run its course, confident that Dylan would come around. At the very least, at least he was staying away from Ashlee for the most part...

...Evening. The sun was sinking low towards the horizon, spreading color across the clear sky. The ranch was relatively quiet, with most people gathered inside for dinner. The only one not accounted for was Dylan, who sat on his porch, slowly eating supper alone.

It didn't used to be unusual to see the red semi cab pull into the ranch. But this time, there had been several weeks of silence from the driver, which was a rare enough occurrence that his arrival would cause curiosity.

The engine sputters and gives a loud pop, followed by a hiss as it pulls to a halt. Eric looks out to see a thin trail of smoke leading from the hood. At least he had made it back. Unfortunately, he didn't know when he'd get to leave again. The temporary fix from the auto shop on the way here looked like it had worn out, and he knew there would be no second "band-aid." It would have to be totally fixed for him to drive anywhere now... and that might be some time away, seeing as though he couldn't afford the work that would need to be done on the old engine.

After parking in his regular spot, Eric doesn't get out of the cab right away. He had envisioned all of the "I told you so's" that he could, and dreaded every single one. He'd almost not come at all. Maybe he wouldn't have, had all his belongings not been here. He wasn't sure. But as it was, he was here, and he was here alone. His eyes drift to the passenger seat. It was just as empty as it had been since his wedding day, and just as empty as his heart.

Taking a deep breath, he finally exits his truck. It was evening and he could see activity through the window of the dining hall. His guess was that guests and ranch hands were finished with supper and that it was the family's turn now. He wasn't going to make an entrance though. He'd rather not. Someone had most likely heard his truck as he'd pulled in, but he would greet people later.

Easing down from the truck, he favors his leg that had grown increasingly sore the last couple days. Retrieving his duffel bag, he slings it over his shoulder and slowly heads towards his bunkhouse, head bent and limping slightly. His worn boots crunched on the gravel and he remembered the last time he'd had a stopover here. Dana had been on his arm and he'd been happier than any other time before. So much for that. Everything had only gone downhill from there.

Getting to his bunk, he unlocks the door and slips inside for the night.


In the dining hall, the sound of the sick engine had not escaped Clint's ears. Tilting back in his chair, he moves aside one of the curtains on the windows and quirks an eyebrow as he sees a familiar figure head to one of the bunkhouses. It was odd for two reasons - one, because Eric always came in to say hi, and two, because he was evidently alone. Clint was fully aware of the family tension though, so maybe it really wasn't that strange not to see Dana - perhaps she'd opted not to come or he'd put her up nearby, planning to leave again right away. Though the way the truck sounded, Clint had his doubts that Eric was going anywhere any time soon.

"Hey, what is it?"

Clint looks back to the table and to Jim. He lets his chair fall back onto all fours and shrugs. "Eric's back."

"Really? Is he coming in?"

"Nope. Headed to his bunk."

His voice his heard at the next table over, and Mick lifts his head, throwing Rosetta a sidelong glance. They'd both been rather concerned after not hearing from Eric for several weeks, but Mick had tried to be positive, suggesting the honeymoon lasted longer than planned, or they were just busy and Eric was content and had simply forgotten to call. But now that he was here... and sine he hadn't come inside... did someone need to go check on him?

Learn

As Tal comes up behind her Ryan relaxed a little as his hands go to her shoulder and than up her neck. As he starts to rub a little Ryan can't help the chill that ran down her spin giving her a good tingly sensation. Continuing to just relax trusting Tal she lets him bring his arm around her next as she doesn't tighten like he said.

Hearing the pop in her back Ryan gives a groan but feeling Tal's hands on the spot again she continues to relax before moving her head back and forth again. Surprisingly there was only a dull throb now.

"Wow...that feels much better. It's only a dull throb now."

Turning around to come face to face with Tal Ryan cocks her head a little bit as she smile up at him. He'd really worked that kind out and it surprised her a bit, but definitely felt good.

"Where did you learn how to do that?"

Trying to give the best smile she could to Rick Katie gives a small nod looking up at him. She new there was a light even if it was far away. No matter how this turned out there was a light...she just wish she new what waited on the other side for them both. A life on the antidote, without Jason...was not a life she wanted.

"I'll do all everything I can to convince him to let me stay with him."

Katie lets out a long sigh before she looks over at Jason again. Giving a little shake of her head she new she had to be strong. For Jason's sake she had to hold it together. God would let everything work out. She just had to have faith.

Pop

Tal grins as he chews on his carrot. He probably wouldn't stop thanking Ryan, but he'd lay off for a little while at least, to keep her happy - his main goal was still to be here for her. The returned friendship from both her and Eli sure felt nice too though. Being able to help Ryan plus gain friends... maybe he hadn't thought he'd find both in the same place, but he certainly wasn't going to complain. And maybe... maybe until the last few days he hadn't realized what he'd been missing out on by not having any real friends.

Noticing Ryan rolling her neck, then hearing her comment about it killing her, he puts the rest of his carrot in his mouth and wipes his hands on his jeans. "Aw, well that's no good. Here." Coming up behind her, he places his hands on her shoulders and slides them up towards her neck, letting his thumbs find the knot. Massaging the area softy, he digs just a little bit, but carefully. After a few minutes, he slips one arm over her shoulder and around her front, careful to not let his forearm cut off her air, while his other palm remains on the knot at the base of her neck. "Relax for just a second..." Without much warning, he gives her a slight jerk. A pop is heard and he nods with satisfaction. "There ya go."

Sliding his hands back again, he rubs the spot gently to ease any soreness. "Feel better?"


Dylan quirks an eyebrow at Ashlee's statement about being lost. He wasn't sure why he sensed a deeper meaning. Personally, he'd rather not be lost in the first place - heading in the right direction to begin with seemed a whole lot better than wandering aimlessly, wasting time until one could find the right path again - especially if it was stupidity that got him lost in the first place. He supposed he could see some validity in Ashlee's perspective though... if one wound up lost, using it to find the right way again was probably the best outlook in the long run.

Realizing she's just waved, he stops thinking and returns a little wave and a nod. He wasn't so sure about doing schoolwork together, but he knew they'd see each other - it would be awfully hard not to around here.

Sighing, he aims for the door as well, but pauses just long enough to glance over his shoulder and realize that Mick was staring at him. The stare was a strange look... disapproval? Curiosity? Dylan couldn't be sure. He furrows his brow as if to ask, "What?" but the only response is a slight nod before Mick turns away. Dylan shrugs it off and keeps his route to the door. He'd given up on trying to read his father. Finding his tells in poker was one thing - in real life, Dylan still felt lost in a mystery.


Rick wasn't surprised Katie agreed to his request, though her saying yes to staying with Jason was still a relief. Her question though brings on a helpless expression that is hard to hide.

He sets a hand on her shoulder and looks her kindly in the eye. "There is always light at the end of the tunnel, Katie... always." He didn't have any other answers. He wished he did. But he didn't. So right now, hope and faith in God were all that they had. Otherwise, he and Misty were working blind.

"The biggest thing now is convincing him to take off work and let you stay with him - but I won't broach that subject for a few days at least, when he's stronger. I may need you to help convince him." Rick offers the best smile he can. "It'll all work out."

Neck

Watching as Dylan stands Ashlee just watches him for a moment before standing again herself. Maybe she shouldn't have sat so soon. Did it make him leery and scare him away? She was hoping for a longer conversation that that but at least it was a start. Hearing his offer about going back into the night she is broke her thought and a smile slips to her lips. It was a nice offer.

"I think I can find my way and if not thats ok. Getting lost is not so bad, because the only way to really find ones way is to be lost first. Thanks though that was very nice of you."

Taking her own papers she had set on the table and turns to head to the door. Stopping though Ashlee turns around and looks at Dylan again before cocking her head. Lifting her free hand she gives a wave. She'd be seeing more of Dylan and she couldn't help but be excited about it. He was cute, and seemed like a pretty cool guy.

"I'll see you around Dylan. Maybe we can sit and do some school work together sometime. Have a good night."

Standing at the stove and string the pot of spaghetti sauce Ryan smiles a little that was followed by a little laugh. She really didn't think cooking was anything special, she just picked up on different things here and there through he life. But she was pleased it made Tal happy and if he didn't mind watching her cook that it was ok.

"You can stop thanking me all the time. You are more than welcome here anytime you want to be and its nice to not be alone on the cold nights when Eli is out."

There was so much truth to that statement that Ryan really hadn't thought about until after she said it. The nights had been pretty lonely the last few weeks since when Eli was gone there was no one else around.

Moving on through she moves her neck from one side to the other as she lets the sauce simmer for a moment. Since this morning her neck had been killing her, but she hadn't noticed it again till a little while ago. Maybe when she did her dive bomb it aggravated it again.

"Man, I think I slept on my neck wrong. Its killing me."

Looking at Rick and listing to what he said Katie lets him talk taking in everything he said. As he continued though her gaze glanced to Jason and she just watched him sleep. He looked...peaceful right now yet on the inside a terrible war was raging what would win in the end was uncertain and maybe thats what scared Katie the most. Turning her attachen back to Rick Katie gives a nod.

"Yeah I'll stay with him at night. I'd like that...than I know he's doing ok myself and it would put me at ease too."

Looking down at her lap for a moment Katie fingers one of the crackers for a long moment. Lots of thoughts ran through her mind. No one had to say anything but she already new that Jason was fading fast. It was something she could feel even without there emotional connection, just one of those gut feeling.

"Any break troughs on how to help Jason? Or at least some time of light at the end of the tunnal?"

Missing

Dyaln's eyes don't move from Ashlee's face as she talks. He wondered if "a little trouble" meant she knew all the details or not. He figured not. Otherwise, he doubted she'd be sitting here talking to him. She seemed the type to be turned off by a guy doing drugs and having girls, not intrigued by it. It was just as well that she didn't know everything. Not that she appeared too naive to handle it, but Dylan was tired of his life being displayed to the world.

Her question brings an answer, but it was several moments in between. "Yeah... it was the Agency." He wasn't sure he could call it a "run in" it was more like him being manipulated and abused without even realizing who it was. Those feelings cause his gaze to drop for the first time and he leans back, gathering his school books. "Hopefully your mom's job will be a boring one with no one around here to cause trouble. Then maybe one day I can actually have a normal life."

He stands up, books under his arm, and turns to leave, but stops. Looking back over his shoulder, he gives Ashlee a look of question. It was dark out now. "You know the way back to your house alright?"


Tal moves his head around to see Ryan, while he remained on the floor. She was inviting him to stay? With just her? A little smile curls his lips. "Something other than a tv dinner or fast food sounds great."

Eli grunts as he gets himself up and brushes off his jeans. "You can use whatever you want, Speedy, I don't care." He wanders to the hallway. "I'm gonna shower then take off. You two have fun."

Tal's eyes follow Eli before he manages to sit up too, heaving a sigh. "Well... I think that went quite well." He throws Ryan a look, followed by a grin. "Pulling one over on Eli is the best entertainment I've had in a long time."

...It wasn't too much longer before Eli was cleaned up and gone to meet Scarlet, and the aroma of supper was wafting from the kitchen. Tal leans back against the counter and chews on a raw carrot that was leftover from making the lettuce salad. He watches Ryan fixing their meal and cocks his head. "I'm always impressed with people who can cook. Eli's right - all I do is make burnt crispies, so I usually wind up with fast food for my meals." A new smiles surfaces... one that said perhaps while he was trying to be a friend, receiving friendship in return was something he'd been missing. "Thanks for letting me stay."


Rick smiles warmly and helps Katie eat and drink a little, glad to see a little bit of color returning to her face. "Jason's okay... he's just sleeping." He reaches out to feel Katie's forehead. "I think you're gonna be okay too."

Sitting back a little, he sighs wearily, but still manages to keep a soft expression on his face. "I... wanted to talk to you, Katie. I've already spoken to Reese, and he's agreed to take Jason off work for a while. I think it's best that Jason not have that stress - antidote or not - and Reese agrees. But... I worry about leaving him alone, too."

Cocking his head, he studies Katie's face. He was pretty sure he knew what her response would be, but discussing it anyway was a must. "If you'd be willing, I'd feel best if you could stay with Jason at night for a while."

If it had been anybody else, Rick would have thought his suggestion inappropriate. But he knew these two too well to worry about anything like that. As far as he was concerned, if anybody thought it looked wrong, it was their problem - Jason's health was at stake, and Rick wouldn't suggest this for any other reason.

"I don't want you taking off work completely... you worrying about Jason twenty-four/seven wouldn't do either of you any good. But if he's got you there at night at least to make sure he's doing alright, that would ease my mind, keep him from going too stir crazy while not working, and if anything happened, you'd be there. I'd make him stay here, but I know he wouldn't go for that and I'm tired of upsetting him."

Rick looks down a moment, contemplating what else he wanted to say. "If this goes like last time, I'd give him a week or so to recover, then after that, we can reevaluate what needs to happen. If the antidote helps, I might let him come back to work, but... I don't think it's wise for you guys to go back off of it again until we have a permanent solution."

He pats her arm gently. "What do you think? Would you be willing to stay with him for a little while?"

Can't feel

Standing again and than flopping down in the chair so she could still face both guys Ryan gasps from air herself. From laughing and trying to hold her own she was out of breath. Panting and just trying to get it together the smile on Ryan's face did not remove itself and the glitter in her eye remained as well. She felt....good.

Hearing Tal talk about leaving Ryan sits up straight on the couch. He wanted to leave already? Thinking fast Ryan new Eli was going out with Scarlet and there was no race tonight. So that meant she would be alone. That was not something she really wanted to look forward to. Time alone, allowed time to think and she didn't want to think. She had felt good today and she wanted it to continue. Maybe...he'd like to stay.

"I've got nothing going on tonight and Eli is going out on a date. If you want to stay Tal I'll cook dinner and maybe we can watch a movie or Eli will let us play his play station."

Ryan gives a smile to Tal she did want him to stay. His presence was welcomed and the comfort that seemed to come along with it. Not to mention he was really cute and he was nice.

Lost deep in sleep Katie feels the shake to her shoulder, Ricks voice softly following. Moving a little and squinting to open her eyes a little Katie just looks at the ceiling for a long moment letting her eyes adjust to the light.

She still felt tired, but better than a few hours before..doing what she could to tilt her head and makes sure Jason was still there Katie trys to sit up a little bit and look at Rick. She new she had to eat something now to keep her own strength up.

"Yeah...I...I think I can."

Taking the crackers and the oj Katie takes a few bits and a few sips before letting them settle a little in her stomach before trying to eat a little more. Looking back over at Jason worry ran though Katie's eyes. She couldn't feel him again...so was he ok?

"Is...is J ok I can't feel him?"

Pulling out the chair at the table Ashlee sits down and holds her hands on the table before leaning into them a little bit. Looking over at Dylan as he leans back in his chair Ashlee can't help but let her mouth hang open a little bit. He really did look good, and he was older too.

"I know you've been in a little trouble and people are after you. So they called in my mom to keep a look after things around here and keep everyone safe. It was the Agency you had a run in with...wasn't it?"

No idea

Seeing Ryan coming, Tal braces himself, while Eli, unprepared, gets the wind knocked right out of him. Something between a grunt and an "Oomf!" is heard and Eli lets go of Tal, though is still piled on top of him. "Ryan!" Eli squirms around to tickle her by means of getting her off.

As the two wriggle around though, Tal starts to run out of breath, especially when someone's elbow winds up in his gut. Laughing though, it's hard to regain any control at all. "Would you two carry on your tickle match somewhere else?" he hollers teasingly. Mustering up his strength, he gives a mighty heave and hefts both Eli and Ryan off of him so he can roll away and into the clear. His face was beet red by now, but it was still nearly impossible to catch his breath in between his laughing.

Eli winds up sprawled out on the floor too, giving up on wrestling anymore with anyone, totally worn out and trying to catch his breath too. "So what were we talking about?"

Tal grins as he lies on his back and stares up at the ceiling. "You were trying to get me to leave."

"Oh yeah." Eli looks around for his bandanna and finds it, but remains lying on the floor. "So what are you still doing here?"

"I have no idea. But now that we figured out no one wins, I probably should go."


Jason's eyes fall shut again - it took too much energy to keep them open. But his fingers curl a little around Katie's. He felt her touch. He heard her voice. He knew she was okay. Not well at the moment, but okay nonetheless. "I love you too," he whispers.

It would only be a short while later that Jason would feel another prick of a needle in his arm and he knew that it was the full dose of the antidote. And even though he wanted to fight it, he knew that this time, he wouldn't be able to go off of it.

At least an hour and a half later, Rick leans back against the infirmary counter and watches Jason and Katie sleeping. By this evening, Katie would probably be up and functioning again and then by tomorrow, Jason would be well enough to complain about the whole thing and want to get out of here even though he'd be too weak. Rick could see the whole thing already and knew these two well enough that it took most of the guesswork out of it. But that only served to make him think about what his response would be to all of this. And he knew that Jason would be upset with him.

Returning to the blood analysis that Misty had helped him with, he compares samples from last week and now, and finds only more deterioration. This thing, whatever it was, was not slowing down. A visit to Reese's office, a phone call to Cindy, and he was back again, growing more weary as the day dragged on.

Going to Katie's bed, he sits down beside her to rouse her gently while he let Jason continue to sleep. "Hey, Katie." His hand rests softly on her shoulder. It was evening and he wanted to make sure she was doing alright, then talk to her about a few things. "Got some orange juice and crackers here... think you can handle a little bit of it?"


Dylan's eyes don't leave Ashlee's face as she talks. Was it disinterest on his face, or was he just studying her? It was hard to tell.

Her request to sit makes his eyebrow quirk again. "I don't care. You can sit wherever you want."

He pushes on the floor with his feet, making his chair rock on its back legs while he kept his hands behind his head. "Me an' school never did get along. I dare say the teachers back home are glad to be rid of me. Now it's Rosetta that has to put up with my D minuses since she's too nice to give me Fs." And all that did was put him under supervision, which made him cringe just thinking about it. At the moment, he was struggling to do well enough on his next set of tests to avoid having to do all his work in the office with Rosetta's help.

Letting his chair flop back down again, he leans forward, putting his elbows on the table and continuing his stare at Ashlee. "So how much did they tell you about me?"

Defenseless

Ryan can't help but laugh more as she see the confusion on Eli's face and the humor he really did find in the whole thing in his eyes as well. It was funny, and having the oppertunity to pull one over on Eli didn't come along every day so when it happened it was even better.

"Ah man I wish I had a camera this is priceless really."

As Eli and Tal start to wrestle Ryan can't help but laugh more her eyes twinkling, and a small spark that had been lost for a few days now seemed to flicker again. It was good to see Eli laugh as well, and Ryan just couldn't help that strange sense of peace like she had the other day.

Ryan's train of thought comes to a complete stop at Eli's comment of Tal being her boyfriend. It took it off guard for a moment and she had to think about it. Her jaw hanging open just a little bit. She almost felt speechless but tried to recover quickly not wanting anyone to feel strange.

"Pst, if he was my boyfriend there is no way I'd call him off. This is to funny."

Continuing to watch the two men Ryan laughs continue again as she shakes her head and a few times has to move her own position on where she was standing so she didn't get run over too. Hearing Tal call out Ryan just shakes her head again before feeling a little bad.

"How could I leave a defenseless man calling for help?"

Getting a little running start Ryan comes and jumps right on Eli forgetting Tal was under him but just laying on top of them both her laughter just ringing through the air.

Wrestling

"Ouch!" Eli flinches as he receives Ryan's whack. He rubs the back of his head and looks up at her with annoyance, but a sheepishness that revealed he knew he deserved it.

Her change of tone and smile though, throw him off and his expression grows slightly confused. And when she mentions Tal, his eyes go wide and his mouth hangs open. Catching movement by the hallway, his eyes dart in that direction.

Tal's entrance is less than elegant, for by now, he'd started to laugh so hard, he could barely move. Leaning back against the wall, he holds his sides as he laughs and he shakes his head. "That was... brilliant."

"Brilliant?!" Eli stands up and looks between Tal and his sister and back again. "You mean to tell me this whole thing was a setup?"

Tal tries to calm himself and breathe. "Only after I did go and make a fool of myself, thanks to you."

Eli blinks and finally sets his hands on his hips. Though his eyes narrow, they start to twinkle with something that gave away he was beginning to find humor in this now too. Glancing to his sister, he gives her shoulder a shove before sauntering over to Tal and giving him a deliberate once-over. "Think you're pretty funny, tough guy, eh?"

Tal bites his lip and nods. "Actually I... think I do."

"Leaving me alone in the shop, thinking that I completely destroyed a good friendship."

"You were the one that let me think I'd done something wrong."

"So?" Eli steps closer. "You two hardly know each other and you're already a dangerous team." He glances back at Ryan then returns to Tal. "Eliminating one of you is only fair." Grabbing Tal in a sloppy chokehold, he starts to drag him towards the door.

Tal lets out a shout and chokes on a laugh as he's dragged along. Planting his feet, he manages to wriggle out of Eli's grasp, and the wrestling match begins. It really wasn't clear who tripped first, but somehow both men wind up on the floor, first Eli on top, then Tal, then back again as they grappled. Both were out of breath and laughing but neither one was going to give up.

"Ryan!" Eli tries to breathe as he looks up at Tal from his back. "Call off your boyfriend!"

Tal's eyes widen and his shock is his downfall as he gives Eli too much slack and winds up on the bottom again with his face planted on the carpet. "I even brought your t-shirt back to you!"

"Ah yes, the infamous..." Eli's words are lost as he gets flipped over and pinned.

"Infamous." Tal laughs as he struggles to keep the upper hand. "Bet you wish you woulda let me go home early, eh?"

"What? And miss all this?" Another swift move and Eli is back on top.

"Help!" Tal starts to laugh again as he calls out to Ryan. "Your brother weighs a ton!"


"So tell me about Yvette."

Alec spins on his heel as he paces in the small room and throws Justin a less-than-pleased look. "Off limits."

Justin quirks an eyebrow. After finally getting Alec to talk to Reese, sessions had been pretty frustrating and he was having a hard time getting into Alec's inner thoughts - but right now, he'd obviously struck a chord. "What - you think you got something I haven't heard before?"

"I wouldn't want to shock you."

"Try me."

Alec rolls his eyes. "What do you care about Yvette anyway? What difference does it make?"

"I don't know. I guess I'm just wondering why you'd ditch your girlfriend for her." Justin straddles his chair backwards and leans his elbows on the backrest. "Seems a little out of character."

"Then you don't know me very well."

Justin cocks his head. "The guy that helped me with Scott... isn't who I'm seeing today."

Alec sets his hands on his hips and looks up at the ceiling for a moment. "What do you want, Justin? Why are you even here?"

"Because I want to help you."

"Help me what?"

"Cope."

"With what? Getting shot? Getting dragged back here against my will? Being interrogated? Being thrown into a little cell with the only future as one behind bars?"

"Nah... more like... cope with yourself."

Alec scoffs. "That's a bunch of crap."

"Well if all it is, is crap, then what's the problem? Humor me."

"I don't do humor." Alec wanders in circles for a few more moments, only to see Justin still staring at him. "Alright, fine. Yvette... is an old colleague. We already knew each other... this time, it just so happened we got hooked up again."

"Mm-hmm. So when you say 'colleague,' what exactly do you mean?"

Alec throws him another look. "You got an imagination - use it."

"Okay, so you two had a relationship. So when you two got together this last time, Ryan just went out the window, huh?"

Alec flops down on the cot, growing weary. Each time Justin came, it felt like someone was taking a pickax to the wall around his heart - it wasn't comfortable, but ironically, the more that was torn down, the harder it became to resist just giving in and tearing down the wall himself. Today was no different, and Justin had intentionally brought up a subject that would bother him. And yet... he really had no defense on this one, and he was tired of fighting. "Every time I..." He stops and chooses different words. "Every time Yvette and I... when we were together... All I could think about was Ryan."

"You imagined her?"

"Not like that." Alec swings his gaze around, a disgusted look on his face. "I'm not that perverted."

Justin shrugs. "Then what were you thinking about her?"

Alec chews on the inside of his lip. "It's private."

"Okay." Justin makes a note. "But you're the one who said you weren't perverted."

Alec shoots him a glare. "I hate myself enough the way it is. Why do you insist on making it harder?"

"Who's making it harder? Me or you?"

It didn't seem like a fair question. Alec rubs his sore shoulder. "I thought about Ryan... and how she must feel with me walking out on her. I pictured the look on her face right before I'd kiss her and how I would feel like I never wanted to let her go. I thought about the damage I was doing and how I'd never be able to hold her again."

Justin looks at him thoughtfully. "So why did you give in to Yvette? It doesn't make sense."

"It does if your life depends on it... and the lives of the people you actually care about. If I hadn't slept with Yvette, she would have known something wasn't right. I had a bad reputation in the Agency...it's just... a given when you're there. No one's faithful to anybody. If I would have resisted, Yvette would have known immediately that something was wrong. She would have blown the whistle, and right about now my friends and family would be dead."

Justin sighs deeply. "But you still feel guilty."

Alec swallows hard. "I felt guilty every time I got near her. I still feel like I need a scalding shower."

Justin couldn't relate, but he did have an understanding and he felt badly for Alec. "Well, we know that won't help. Do you think you could have handled things differently?"

"I don't know. Everybody else seems to think so."

"But at the time, you felt what you did was best?"

Alec shrugs. "I had to think fast. It was all I could come up with and it was the only thing I figured would save lives."

"But do you think it was best?"

"I don't know anymore. The best decision I made was to walk in front of a bullet." Alec glances at Justin with displeasure. "But no one would even let me have that."

The tone had shifted - the open door was gone. Justin leaves the subject of Yvette and Ryan be for now. "Suicide is never the way, Alec. You know that."

"Do I?"

"Keep talking like that and they'll put you in a hospital."

"Maybe I deserve it."

Justin stands up. "I think we're done for today."

Alec scoffs. "You like to walk away, don't you?"

"On bad attitudes? Yeah, I do. Bad for my health." Justin gets to the door but turns once more. "I'll see you tomorrow, Alec. In the meantime, think about how it would feel to forgive yourself."

Forgive himself? Alec scoffs as he's left alone. Forgive himself for what? That was a ridiculous statement. Everything he did, he wanted to. So he thought about Ryan... so what? He still wouldn't change anything he did. It was his choice and he would have chosen to stay with the Agency. He'd wanted to. It's what he'd wanted. Yes... what he wanted. So why couldn't he get rid of this irritating guilt complex that haunted him day in and day out?

I love ya!

Sitting on the couch and watching the badly made movie on tv Ryan doesn't even move when her brother comes into the room. She was sitting, salking...sipping her beer and doing the best she could to hold her smile in now that Eli was home.

Having Eli come into the living room and sit down right in front of her Ryan found it still hard not to laugh right then and there knowing Tal was close by. But she did a good job masking the smile as she sipped the beer. Just listing to him rattle off about him setting up Tal to come and say he was sorry she just looks at him. Lowering the beer a little and letting her mouth hang open a little more Ryan just gives a blink at her brother.

Once he was done talking Ryan sat up on the couch and puts the beer on the table. Leaning her arms on her knees for a long moment she lets out a long sigh before looking up at him. Standing and just pacing for a moment she covers her mouth with her hand trying to hide the smile that wanted to make itself known but give the impression she as trying to think. Stopping behind Eli Ryan only takes one swift movement before waking him over the back of the head and than putting her hands on her hips.

"Elijah McKade of all the dumb things you have done...your lucky I love you as my brother you know that. You really could of ruined something good."

Giving a shake of her head and not being able to hold the smile in any longer is spreads across her lips. She couldn't torcher her brother anymore. Enough was enough and she figured he'd learned his lesson by now.

"Tal you can come out now. You're also luck that Tal here didn't make himself look to much like an idiot and you just assumed it and that I gave him a chance to at least explain himself to me before ripping him a new one. Sorry Eli...I love ya Bro."

Seeing the little grin on Dylan's face she own grows just a bit more. He might be trying to hide it but he looked cuter with even a little smile that spread across his lips. Still not sitting down she just looks over at him thinking for a moment. He almost had her right.

"An A student yes, and books I do like but I would rather be more hands on and go out to explore and see things with my own eyes. Visuals seem to work so much than just reading something in text."

Letting her hand run over the back of the chair that was at the table Ashlee gives a small nod to it. She'd like to sit and get to know Dylan a little better maybe even help if he wanted it but she wouldn't offer that right away.

"Mind if a sit?"

Laying down on the cot with the help of Misty Katie felt like she had been hit with a train. Though she didn't feel like Jason did this to her was exhausting in itself anyways. Trying to not fall asleep yet till she new Jason was ok Katie did what she could to at least keep her ears open for any sound. Rolling onto her side to face where Jason was she prayed he was ok.

Hearing him call her name softly and cracking her eyes open a little to see his hand Katie raised her own to meet his and link her fingers together. They couldn't feel each other again but she wanted to know he was there, and for him to know she was.

"I'm here J. I'm ok, we are ok. It's going to be ok. Try to get some rest. I'll be right here when you wake again...I promise."

Katie's eyes drift shut again as her mind trys to relax. She could feel Jason's skin against hers and for not this would be enough. She only hoped Misty and Rick could find a cure soon. She couldn't live without feeling Jason ever again. Even if it meant only a physical feeling of his skin on hers at least it was something.

"I love you J!"

Typical

Eli couldn't believe what Ryan was saying. How could this have happened? How on earth had Tal apologized in order to make Ryan so mad?

"Wait you... how..." He runs a hand over his bandanna on his head, wracking his brain. "I guess... maybe I'd think it was weird if someone apologized to me for kissing them when I thought they enjoyed it... or something." He scrunches his nose, not really wanting to think about his sister and Tal making out. "Kinda... make 'em seem a bit... odd... or annoying or... something." A severe lack of confidence at the least, and to someone like Ryan, that would probably be a turn off. But to tell Tal not to come back? Maybe something he said really had given her the creeps. So did that mean Tal and Ryan were a bad fit anyway, or did it mean it was Eli's fault for sending Tal in the first place? He swallows hard. Tal wouldn't have apologized like a geek if Eli hadn't sent him.

Suddenly realizing he's still on the phone, he snaps out of it. "Um... maybe... you should sit on it a while?" He glances over his shoulder as he hears the clanging of some dropped tools. "Speedy, I gotta go. Just, um... I'll talk to you later."

Flipping his phone shut, he goes back into the garage but can't find Tal. Grabbing Paul, he stops him before he starts a paint job. "Paul.... where's Tal?"

"Oh... he just left like two seconds ago. Said he was having a bad day and was gonna take the rest of the day as sick leave." Paul quirks an eyebrow. "Why do I get the strange feeling this has something to do with him going to see Ryan?"

"Crap." Eli starts for the door. "Crap, crap, crap." Breaking into a sprint, he gets outside just to see Tal's car driving away. "Oh this is good... real good. Way to go, Eli, biggest dingbat on the planet. Now what are you gonna do?" Growling, he turns to go back inside and finish out the day. He'd think of something... right?


Tal grins as he drives down the street, seeing Eli in his rearview mirror. He hadn't planned on taking the rest of the day off - he wouldn't have, but Brian had come in, thinking he needed to work today, so Tal had made a quick decision to let him have the hours instead. And besides... it worked out perfectly.


..."Ryan?" Eli gets into the apartment, glad he'd seen her car out front. "Ry? You-" He spots her in the living room. Coming in, he doesn't even take his jacket off. He'd been stewing all day long. Scarlet was getting back in town tonight and he was supposed to meet her, but he couldn't, when he was still wrestling with what had happened earlier. Tal was his friend... and he'd messed things up.

Sighing, he slips between Ryan and the television and sits on the coffee table to face her and block her view so she'd have to pay attention to him. His leather jacket creaks and he hadn't bothered taking his bandanna off his head after work. "Look. It's a long, stupid story, but I sent Tal over to you this morning and told him to apologize. I was just being dumb, but he wouldn't have acted like such an idiot if it hadn't been for me. So please - at least let him come back. I didn't think you'd get so riled, and and and...." He he groans and rolls his eyes. "Just... give him another chance."


Around the corner in the hallway, Tal leans against the wall out of sight, trying so hard not to laugh aloud. He'd gone back to J&Js right when Ryan was getting off work and they'd decided to come back here together for when Eli showed up. Now it was awfully hard to stay quiet and let Ryan let Eli down slowly... or like a ton of bricks - however she decided.


Dylan was busy reading when Ashlee approached, so he didn't see her until she was standing at the table. Looking up, he was a bit surprised, shown by a quirked eyebrow. For several moments, one might think he didn't even hear what she said, as he only eyes her without saying anything.

Finally though, he shuts his book and leans back in his chair, putting his hands behind his head. "Hate it. But that goes for just about every subject."

He continues to study Ashlee's face. She really was kinda cute. Stepping into his space a bit, but not too badly.

"You, on the other hand, look like a typical A-student that likes to keep her nose in a book." Maybe a little grin was tugging at one corner of his mouth... maybe.


Though Jason was losing consciousness, somehow he knew Katie was talking to him and it was comforting. As his body revolted against the overabundance of emotions, his mind tries to stay in focus. But it's all just one big vortex of swirling blackness - emotions that can't even be deciphered they're so mixed and muddled.

Rick works as fast as he can. Seeing Misty was taking care of Katie, that was one less thing he had to worry about, and he knew that Misty knew what she was doing. Doing all he can for Jason, he gets their new injection into him, hoping that it would calm Jason and give him a slight bit of the antidote as well until he could settle down and handle a full dose. At the same time, Rick pumps him full of other meds to counteract the seizure and try to keep Jason from falling into a coma like before.

Though it felt like an eternity, really it was only a matter of minutes before Jason was laid out on the table and the cot was pulled over beside it for Katie to lie on as well. Though not in as much physical danger as Jason, Rick knew that she would be utterly exhausted from the trauma and he wasn't about to take her condition lightly. This was dangerous for her as well.

Once the seizure ceases, Rick tries to rouse Jason. "Jase... Hotshot... can you hear me?"

Stretched out on the bed and sweaty from head to toe, Jason tries to open one of his eyes. Everything seemed so blurred and distorted... he felt terrible. A bright light meets his pupil and he scrunches his eye back shut tightly and gives a little groan.

Rick breathes a sigh of relief that Jason hadn't remained unconscious. He looks over to Misty, his eyes showing the inner torment he felt. He goes back to Jason though, determined to see this thing through. He checks his young friend's vitals first. "You're gonna be okay, Jason... just try to relax."

"It hurts," Jason mumbles.

"What does?"

"Everything."

"It's okay. It'll get better."

Jason swallows hard. He felt like he'd been hit by a train and when he'd wanted to just pass out into blissful unconsciousness, he'd been yanked back to reality. "Katie?"

"She's right beside you, Jase."

Jason rolls his head over a little and lets one hand flop down from where he laid to where Katie was. His scarred palm itched and burned but his flared emotions were no longer causing damage. Without much strength to open his eyes, Jason tries to find Katie's touch. "You okay?" he mumbles softly.


Rick leaves him be for now and goes to the counter, leaning heavily on it. He closes his eyes and takes several deep breaths. It was a miracle Jason was halfway alert and responsive. It was a miracle he was still alive at all, what with these attacks. It had to stop. It had to.