Storm on the horizon

Carson stands up with Reese and Nate as Dr. Fuller comes through, his arm cradled in a sling. They’d wanted him to stay in a room overnight, but he’d refused, more intent on seeing Misty than getting his own rest that he could get later.

Looking at the x-rays, the men understand more, and though still worried, some relief had been added to the mix now. Misty wasn’t out of the woods yet, but she was a whole lot closer to being well than she had been, and that was something to be grateful for.


By now, the sun was fully up, casting it’s bright light over the land. But storm clouds were building in the near distance, threatening to block out the warmth and send water on the land.

Reese looks down at his niece, a few tears behind his eyes as he watches her sleeping. A prayer was on his mind…a prayer of thanks for bringing her home, and saving her life. Though missing out on a lot of years of Misty’s life as her uncle, since she’d been here and working at TJY, Reese had found himself looking on her as a daughter. Seeing her hurt in any way hurt him too, and though he knew this was out of anyone’s control, he wished he could have done more to prevent these bad things from happening.

Sighing a little, he pats her hand and turns to leave the room. Seeing Carson standing back a little, Reese nods to Nate to exit with him, leaving Carson alone. He might not agree with Carson’s methods, but he couldn’t deny him the time he wanted to spend with Misty. His dedication was commendable – doubly so, considering his past.

Carson sees the other two men leave, and finally approaches the bed. Reaching down, he takes a gentle finger to move a stray lock of hair from Misty’s face. Cocking his head, he just looks at her sleeping form, studying her peaceful face…the horror of the night slowly draining from his veins.

Finally he pulls a chair close and sits down, not caring about the quietness of the room. A low rumble of thunder reaches his ears. Looking to the window, it was strange to hear thunder and see the sunshine at the same time.

Carson leans forward to rest an elbow on the bed and takes Misty’s hand in his, planting a kiss on it. “You’re gonna make it Sassy,” he speaks quietly. “You’re one tough chick, you know that?”


“Hey, Con!”

Con grins and waves at the guys on the site, heading to the office to clock in and grab a hardhat. “Hey, Duane, you still here?!”

A heavyset man points a crowbar at Con teasingly, shouting from the distance. “Only to keep you in line!”

Con laughs and soon is back out, joining the crew again.

“How’s the shoulder?”

Con rotates it and shrugs. “It’s still there.”

Pat shakes his head. “Just don’t ever pull a stunt like that again, alright?”

“Aw, did you miss me?” Con puts his arm around Pat’s shoulder, giving him a teasing squeeze.

Pat squirms from his grip, grimacing. “Man, you gonna give us a reputation I ain’t fond of!”

Con just keeps on grinning as he sets to work.

A few minutes later, he’s joined by someone else. “Good to see you back.”

Con turns and smiles. “Hey, Bret. How’s it going?”

“It’s going alright.” Bret shrugs. “Kinda hectic around here. They got us on a tight schedule.”

“Yeah, I see that.” Con looks at several blueprints and printouts. “How come we’re starting on this end instead of the north, there? Wouldn’t that be easier?”

Bret looks around him. “Looks like it to me, but I’m not in charge.”

“Who’s been filling in?”

“Ted.”

“No wonder.” Con rolls his eyes.

Bret grins. “Seeing as though you’re replacing Dean until he gets back, I’d say you can switch things up.”

“I think you’re right.” Con nods in agreement. “Go get Ted for me, will ya?”

“Sure thing…boss.”

Con throws him a smirk. As Bret starts to walk away, Con stops him. “Hey…?”

“Yeah?”

“You doing okay?”

Bret looks down for a minute, fidgeting with his leather gloves. He knew Con’s question wasn’t one of simple everyday comings and goings. It was hard not to think about Brandon when working on the site. “Yeah.” He looks up again, forcing a nod. “Yeah, I’m okay.” He manages a small grin. “I got some help in keeping me in line, so…yeah.”


“And don’t come back!” Jason’s teasing shout comes from his office.

Camryn skips down the hall, laughing. Stopping, she spins around, goes back, and sticks just her head in Jason’s office. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”

Jason quirks a grin as he looks at her. “Good.”

Camryn smiles and turns around to run. “You made me late for work!”

“Me?!” Jason calls after her. “You’re the one that wanted to stay for an hour!” Still grinning, he picks up the paperwork he’d been going through, and stands to hobble to the filing cabinet and put them away. It was no longer unusual for Camryn to be seen around TJY, and Jason didn’t mind it one bit. Thinking about it, he knew he’d probably miss it if she stopped visiting.


Scott puts his weight against the heavy desk and moves it several inches to the right, then stands back, looks and nods with satisfaction. That would do. Going out into the hall he takes another piece of furniture to move it into his new office, trying to find a place for everything. One corner was already occupied by a huge mass of equipment that would need to be sorted through and papers, folders, and stacks of who knows what were all over the place. He’d moved in alright, and it would take a bit of work to get everything straightened out.

Classical music plays from his CD player and a can of mountain dew keeps him company. Scott sets his hands on his hips and surveys the mess for a moment, deciding what to do next.