Go

Both Carson and Ashlyn turn quickly to Misty's entrance, their eyes wide with surprise.

As Misty's fist connects, Ashlyn is thrown backward into the wall, sinking down to the floor, stunned.

Carson is too shocked to even react, looking to Ashlyn, then back at Misty, not know what on earth is going on, or what he should even do.

Misty's hand coming towards him makes him flinch as he tenses to receive a slap, but is surprised yet again as she draws him in for a kiss...that sweet kiss...that kiss that had lured him to her to begin with. For just a moment, reality is forgotten. He doesn't move, but receives the affectionate motion numbly.

Blinking as she withdraws, her words sting. What was he doing? What kind of decisions was he making? What choices was he really making? Were the consequences really worth it?

Carson can't find any words to say, and just stares at Misty as she turns and walks away. He opens his mouth, but no statement wants to come...he was torn completely in two, divided down the middle. He felt as if he were in the middle of an earthquake, and the ground was splitting beneath him. If he didn't choose a side, and choose it fast, he would fall into the abyss forever.

"That rotten little..." Ashlyn comes back alive and puts a hand to her jaw, ire flashing in her eyes. Getting up, she goes to the bedside table, withdrawing a loaded handgun. "I'll teach her to mess with me," she hisses, stalking towards the door.

Carson's face pales as he sees her go after Misty. His feet feel as though they're cemented to the floor. Panic surges through him, his mind feeling as though it's going to explode with choices and possibilities. He feels like he's in a daze and everything around him was a foggy dream...unreal...lost somewhere between here and now, upside down and backward.

As Ashlyn disappears around the corner, Carson suddenly snaps to reality. She wasn't kidding...and she was very capable of gunning anyone down she pleased. "Ashlyn!" Too late, she was gone.

Bursting into the hall, he sees her stopped, aiming at Misty's back.

An adrenaline surge sends him toward Ashlyn in a sprint. "Misty, get down!" he barks. Hurling himself at Ashlyn, he's just quick enough to tackle her from behind before she squeezes the trigger.

"Get off me!" she screams.

Carson goes for the gun, wrestling it from her hand, and rolling over to get to his feet in one motion. Anger takes over and suddenly it's him aiming the gun, but it's aimed at Ashlyn. So much ire causes his hand to shake, his face red, his breathing rapid. "If you ever...ever threaten Misty again, so help me, I will blow your head off."

Backing away, slowly, Carson sticks the gun behind his back and goes to Misty. His face is hard as he fights against what he's feeling, and he takes her roughly by the arm, pulling her along beside him, down the hall and back outside. "You need to get out of here before someone gets killed," he orders sharply, taking he to her car. "For the last time - go."